Dec

31

Onward to 2008

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2007 is coming to an end around the world. In less than an hour, the New Year will reach California.

I am here at home watching The Kingdom with my father after spending the afternoon with my grandfather. My mother is in Mexico with her family and tending to my ill grandfather. My older brother is out and about and my younger brother is playing World of Warcraft.

It will be a quiet New Year’s for me and much has occurred in 2007.

In early 2007, I worked for the Campaign for College Opportunity as an organizer. I traveled throughout the Northern San Joaquin Valley speaking with students in schools big and small about the importance of higher education. The most heartfelt moment was when a primary school girl approached me after our discussion and she had tears in her eyes. She told me that she thought she could never go to college because she was born in Mexico and because of that she never really tried to do well in school. It is sad for me to think about that moment now. To know that there are young people throughout the state who do not aspire to more because of where they were born elsewhere. The teacher was kind enough to send an email to my supervisor about that moment. I will never forget it.

After over a decade, I concluded my years as a student leader at UC Merced. When I was elected the first student body president of UC Merced in May 2006, I knew it would end twelve months later. At the last Senate meeting in May, I walked with Mayra from the Kolligian Library to the Lake Parking Lot and we stopped in the middle of the Bridge. We stood for a few moments looking out and then continued on. Each day I tried my best, beginning in elementary school student council, to represent my peers. There were highs and lows throughout. From questioning my ability to lead effectively to responding reasonably to arguments leveled, it was always fun and challenging; I learned so much.

In June, I started my internship for Lt. Governor John Garamendi and by September I was hired full-time. In just six months, I have observed so much. Traveling up and down the state is very exciting. The Lt. Governor is incredibly knowledgeable. We visit places and as he meets with folks he is able to recall people, characteristics, statistics, and facts. I am continually impressed by his command of such things. I jot down notes on my notepad, circle important things and put stars next to others. I really do not know how my mind is processing this entire experience but I am trying to absorb as much as possible.

Lastly, I have spent this entire year with a beautiful woman, Mayra. She is absolutely amazing to me. For all the things life can hold, the one thing I have discovered is the love two people can have for each other. Growing up, I observed this year in and year out with my parents. I never really understood the notion, the love; I still do not think I do. I just know that I am very happy to have shared this past year with Mayra.

Looking ahead to 2008, I am going to focus on furthering my understanding of California, people, government and politics; build and maintain stronger connections with my family and friends; read often, exercise regularly and eat healthy; and live life to the fullest by traveling and seeing places in the world that I have yet to see.

Dec

27

6am to Mexico

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6am to Mexico

It is 6am and I am driving to Mexico with my mom and dad. My
grandfather is ill and my mom needs to be there with him.

Nearly two months ago I was in Mexicali for the inauguration of the
new governor of Baja California. Thinking back to that day, I felt a
bit strange returning to the country I was born in. The reason may be
is that it had been at least a decade since I last step foot on the
soil or the circumstances of travel may have warranted some feelings.
I find it odd for me to be returning again, it is rare for me to
travel in the southern part of the state. My unfamiliarity with
anything makes me apprehensive. I would think that such a feeling is
natural but then why should one fear the unknown? Every morning one
wakes not truly knowing what the day will bring or what events will
transpire or who one will meet or what one may discover.

The 91 freeway goes a long way. I am sitting in the backseat and the
sun is beginning to rise. My parents are talking to one another and I
am typing this note on my iPhone. How things have changed. Just last
night I was laying down on the sofa couch while my brother was playing
World of Warcraft and I wondered what life would be like without this
phone. Or, the better question to ask is how had the phone changed my
life. For one, I can type this note and publish it on my blog without
the use of a desktop or laptop. Secondly, I am able to surf the
Internet and read that earlier today the opposition leader in Pakistan
was killed, sad to read. I just think about those commercials for
Sprint that show one person and all their minis trying to get the
point across that multitasking is key in our increasingly
interconnected world.

I find myself thinking a lot, a bit too much at times. There is a lot
or a little to the lives we live and the world we live in. At times I
think that the range of possibilities is finite; that there exists
some logical explanation to just about everything. And then there
times when sometimes you just got to go with the flow. Basically
balance. The tug of war is everlong, never ending and something to
appreciate.

Dec

25

Merry Christmas

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It’s Christmas and I am enjoying time with my family. Earlier today, I
visited my Tio Victor in Alhambra and ate two bowls of pozole, a
tamale, rice and beans. It was a delicious meal.

The holiday season is a time to rest, relax and look ahead to the new
year. I think and remember how I spent previous seasons and as I get
older I appreciate more the time I am able to spend with my family and
friends.

It is not often, with how holidays are scheduled, that prolonged
periods of time are available. I am making the most if it.

In my downtime, I played some Call of Duty 4 and watched a few movies.
It’s fun just to click away for a while.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Dec

8

Hello from iPhone

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Wordpress has a “blog by email” feature that I want to employ. Since I
spend most of my time away from my laptop but I always have my iPhone
handy. Let’s see how this works.

Best regards,
Josh

–

Sent from my iPhone :-)