Coincidence…

We all heard about the passing of the late John Wooden right?  For the ones that don’t know who he is, he was the UCLA basketball coach from 1949 to 1975.  Over the span of that time, he won 10 NCAA titles with UCLA and a record of seven straight titles including an 88 game winning streak.  Which hasn’t been broken just yet but will probably be broken next basketball season by the Connecticut Huskies Women’s basketball time who are a few games away.  Anyway, John Wooden became basically the everything coach here at Dayton High School in Dayton, Kentucky in 1932.  He was not only a coach but also taught English at the high school as well.  Why am I bringing this up?

How many of you all can actually say that they have walked the halls and live in the same building (possibly, sill doing research) that the Legend himself has walked, taught, and coached in?  I might not have known him personally but its still a big WOW for me.  That’s right people, I possibly could be living in the same Dayton High School, turned apartments, that John Wooden got his first coaching job in his career.  I do know that the auditorium is still here which back in the days could be its gym?  I’m not sure because it’s locked.  Coincidence?  I’m not telling.  But still a WOW!!!!

In other news, I have taken this weekend to re-work some things in my life.  I have decided that I’m going to get back to where I was before I left to come back up to the Northern Kentucky area after my recovery from my cellulites infection.  I’m going to start tackling my eating habit again and get it back to where I was at that time where I ended up losing over 80 lbs doing my time recovering.  So, I’m going to start eating healthier and more smarter.  I’m going to get back on my plan that the doctor gave me back then to follow.  I’m going to be strict on myself again like I was then.  I made out my grocery list, got myself re-introduced to the different carbs choices that I have and will be trying new things along the way.  I need to watch the portion size of what I’m eating and the type of foods I’m eating as well.  I have to eat a balance meal to manage my diabetes.  Also, included in this is do a better job at exercising.  I can’t rely on a magic pill to take care of this for me.  I’m going to have to make this happen for myself and that’s what I’m going to do.  I can’t use the excuse that I was homeless anymore because I’m not anymore.  So, I need to stop making excuse for myself and start doing it.

My job at Brighton Center is going great.  I only have little less than four months left of my service as AmeriCorps VISTA.  Now, I have made the decision that I’ll be doing another year service as a VISTA if I’m asked to by the Brighton Center.  So, keep your fingers crossed that they will ask me.  I’m going to be going to a conference in West Virginia in July.  I’m very excited about this because I’m going with another VISTA person that I have became very good friends with.  Hopefully we stay friends after she moves on from her service.  So, if anybody is looking for a great marketing advertiser or agent, I have a great person for your company.  Hit me up.

Also, got a little bad news last week but its just put a little delay on my plans.  You see, when I started my AmeriCorps VISTA, I got involved in a program called Individual Development Account (IDA).  This program allows you to save money for a big purchase like to purchase a car, a house, or do major renovation to your house.  This account sets a limit that you must save, in my case it’s $2,000, and then once you meet the limit, they will match you 100 percent.  So, for example, once I hit $2,000 which is going to be at the end of my service, it will turn into $4,000.  I decided I will buy a car.  Only a few cons though?  One, you can’t touch that money.  If you do, you have to start over again.  Two, it’s first come first serve.  This is where the bad news comes in kind of.  I was told last week that the money they have set aside for this year has ran out.  Which means, if I do manage to get $2,000, I won’t be paid until they get more money in which is January 1, 2011.  But once I do hit my limit, I’ll go on a waiting list and I must continue to put money into my account.  So, you see it’s more of a delay.  I’m still getting the money but just a little later than I expected.  But as I’m looking at this situation, it’s probably a good thing?  You see, working as an AmeriCorps VISTA only allows me to have one major bill and several small ones.  Right now, my major bill is my rent, with my cell phone bill and electric being my small bills.  I barely have just enough to live in which is less than $50 a month after I pay everything off.  So, I really can’t afford another major bill right now.  So, even if I did receive my $2,000 after reaching my limit, I’ll wouldn’t been able to buy a car right away and the money would continue to be in my account for a while anyway.  So, it’s like a blessing in disguise?

This Monday, June 7, 2010, I’m going to a Cincinnati Reds game at the new Great American Ball Park.  Been a while since I was last there but not for a game.  I was actually working a game though as a photographer but wasn’t able to enjoy the game though.  I’m going with two other co-workers/friends and we are looking for one more person to go since one of our co-worker that was originally going decided not to go.  So, I’m hoping my friend Chris will go with us.  But we shall see?  We are going to a local restaurant called Mokka for dinner before the game.  I’m excited to hang out with some friends after work.  I have been doing that a lot lately these last few months.  It has gave me the confident to do things.  This is what I always wanted to do.

Plus, this week, my friend that takes me home and I are going to stop to attempt to help this homeless lady that we have notice hanging out at the end of one of the ramps here in town on a certain day.  So, we are going to stop and see what we can do to help her and her family if she has any.  She is always out there on a certain day only.  We are going to see if there are anything we can do?  I’m excited to be doing this.  This is what I want to do.  I will definitely give you all an update later this week to let you all know what happened.

Well, I guess I wrote enough for now.  Until later this week, talk to you all later!

TL