Hope for the Best

Ah, Happy Friday! Today is Friday, but this is not the coming day of relaxation or looking forward to the weekend. For me it’s my work night and tomorrow night as well. At least I will get Sunday off. On Sunday, it will be the start of a new month. Since this is a short month with just 28 days for February. Sunday will be March 1st, and it will be a start of a new month, and from then on 5 days later it will be my 33rd birthday! Man, the years go by fast, but nevertheless I am enjoying it. March 6th is the day I was born unto this world.

Again, as I sit out here on the balcony on such a calm relaxing day. The blue skies I see with the occasional plane droning by. I breathe a sigh of relief for I have done something yesterday that I was finally relieved to explain to my family -- I am not going to school at UCI anymore. I am deciding to work at Disneyland as my career move and a best one at that. Know why? Well, I was in the credential program at UCI and I pursued it with some sort of ambition that drove me to continue on in college. But one thing I couldn’t keep passing was the CSET and that will allow me to continue on in the program. One thing led to another as I felt I wasn’t getting the results I needed to continue up and graduate with my credentials. This was one reason I finally realize that taking a summer job at Disneyland last year was going to pay off if I kept working. So luckily the long road in education has come to a realization for me that I knew that if I don’t continue the credential program and still have a job with Disney, then everything will be alright. Thanks to God I hear that a lot of people who were in the credential program and did graduated and got their credentials are still struggling to find a job as a teacher in the school system. Right now with this economy, the State of California has laid off teachers and are not hiring many teachers right now. Briefly noticed, the school system is in a hiring freeze right now. So I count my blessings and give my Thanks to God that I do have this wonderful job at Disneyland and it’s still going strong. I knock on wood that I am able to work at Disneyland instead of continuing the credential program and afterwards not being able to find work at schools will greatly affect my life. Therefore, what I have decided to do with my education and continue working at one of the Happiest Place on Earth has, in the long run, given me positive lessons in pursuing this job at Disneyland. Of course, I know some disappointments from family that realize that I should have been a teacher already, but sometimes life doesn’t turn out the way you expect them to. I always wanted to be somewhere that made me happy and where else could you not find this “happiness” bu at the Happiest Place on Earth!? You see, I enjoyed subbing at CSDR and University High School and surrounding Deaf and Hard of Hearing programs; but I enjoyed my job placement at Disneyland so much. I am basically happy.

Sometimes with the economy the way it is in our country -- we are filled with hope that things will turn around. With a new President in Obama, we can hope that things will turn out alright in the later future. People are struggling to find work, struggling to make ends meet, and sometimes we can only have faith in what God has planned for us. Sometimes these experiences in the struggles with our economic woes do hit home. And they did. My brother in law got laid off from Santa Fe and it was such a heart-wrenching day for my Sister and my Brother -in-Law, that I felt bad. But God does have His plans and things will turn around and I am hoping that the President that I voted for, Obama can turn things around. It’s going to be a long ride and it’s going to take a lot of patience and mainly, it’s going to take a lot of courage to believe that this country can turn the economy around. It’s going to take awhile I believe, and with the State of California cutting so much from education, I believe the choices I have made will be beneficial for what I want to do with my life. Disneyland is a good economic investment and they are a place where people with problems want to go somewhere that they can escape the reality of their world for a little while. Disneyland will always be that place where both adults and children will be able to play and leave their worries outside for a little bit. And it is not just the United State of America who come to Disneyland, but other countries of the world. So somehow, people still show up to Disneyland for it’s an amusement park, and people still want to be amused, no matter what is going on around them outside of Disneyland. This is why during the Depression; people wanted to escape by listening to Jazz and watching the shows of that time. Perhaps with today’s economical times in our country, we are reaching the ideal “depression era” and to be able to escape people can only hope to go to Disneyland and/ or hope and pray for the best in their lives. I always pray and hope to God that things will be alright for everyone out there.

Especially those close to home. My sister and brother-in-law will be alright. I just hope they can realize that hope is a thing that shouldn’t be taken for granted. But with God in our hearts, we can always pray that the brighter days will still be ahead. All we can do is be happy with what we have and who we have all around us. Family, friends, and love is what keeps all of us going. Not money, but it does help sometimes. Now that is what makes me happy, knowing I have people all around me, and that makes me happy. I know the choices I make in my life will turn out to be good and mean something. After all, God has a plan for everyone and that my friends, is what I wanted to say today. Just be happy, just hold on, and have faith and courage to know things will be alright in the end. Keep on hoping and keep on praying .

Love to all and continue to keep on reading. Thank you for continuing to read my blogs. Much appreciated.

Manny Ramirez Watch

Patience is a virtue we Dodgers fans must all have. But greed is a virtue that is part of the 7 Deadly Sins. Manny Ramirez being on the news a lot in Dodgertown, USA, is making me crazy. When is this dude going to sign with the Dodgers. The team of Los Angeles, California from the Ravine can be able to sign Manny Ramirez to 2 years, but it’s a lot of money. The question we must ask ourselves, “is he really worth it?” I think so, so hell yeah! He is much worth it. Look at last year, when Manny Ramirez came on board with the Dodgers, it was very big news. First, Manny wasn’t happy with the Boston Sox and he decided to move on and move on he did. He went to the Dodgers and made them from a mediocre team to a 1st place team handling the West rivals with fierceness and ferocity. And that was enough to win the West and steal it from previous winners in the West: San Diego Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks. They ate our dust when Manny Ramirez would hit those big home runs that electrify the home crowd in Los Angeles. I think Manny Ramirez gave the Dodgers the super-boost they very much needed.

Today in the sports news the rumors are still on strong that Manny Ramirez has agreed to sign with the Dodgers. This rumor came from a ticket sales rep from Dodgers organization who left voice mail to season ticket holders that the Dodgers are going to sign Manny Ramirez. But all that was a rumor according to the Dodgers organization. So if the rumors are going on strong, then that means we might be getting closer to either signing Manny Ramirez or losing him to another team (hopefully not any of our division rivals). Here is the link to the article if you are interested in reading rumors form CNN Sports Illustrated: Dodgers Refute Sales Rep Manny Rap

As we watch Manny Ramirez and how much he wants from any team for whatever years, we must be patience, but hopefully the MLB players with the greed and wanting so much money, can be able to get this Baseball season going. I just hope when the green grass at Dodgers Stadium grows, and smashing it with their cleat shoes and mitt in hand, is the dreadlocked monster of Manny Ramirez standing in the outfield will be in Dodger blue. Either the sight of him signing on the dotted line for the Dodgers to accept an offer he cannot refuse or either watching him blast those home runs and give the vibe and energetic rush that the Dodgers needed for a long time. For a bit of the season, Manny did give the Dodgers that super-boost, but a super-boost of ego in Manny Ramirez would only get him to sign with the true blue team of National Baseball League: Dodgers! Until then my friends, we have to keep watch.. Manny Ramirez watch and hopefully when we sight him in the outfield he would be wearing the old glory of Dodgers blue.

As I continue to Blog . . .

Monica and I sitting out here on our balcony at 11:42am on February  24, 2009. It’s a beautiful but warm day outside. Ricardo, our maintenance guy, came out to our balcony to finish up the last touches and  now with out chairs set up , we were ready to enjoy the outdoors on our balcony. It’s a warm day as we sit out here writing, freeing out minds -- Monica with her writing and I with my blogging. I continue to keep up with my blogs for I think it’s the current journal writing of our days. I like to just type out whatever is on my mind. For this time of day with the sun at high noon and the open clear blue skies with the occasional airplane taking off from the nearby John Wayne Airport, it is perfect -- perfect to sit out here and just write whatever comes to mind. With the creativity and enthusiasm to write has improved my writing a lot since I moved out here to Costa Mesa. Since I have been writing a lot in my blogs, I think I should go ahead and start a novel or a screenplay. The latter, is very hard to write out because I always get stuck on whether to write a screen play or a theatrical play. Oftentimes, novels will come easier, but the work is long and challenging. Right now, as I see the dogs out here with us, I think it’s a beautiful day so far.

Then Shumae is getting all anxious and I thought, I better get up and take her out for her “break.” I am trying to get her to potty outside. Paris loves to come along, so I tied up the leash on her and Shumae and we all go outside. I walk outside and let them do their business. It’s been awhile for Shumae to learn how to go outside and do her thing. Finally, she accomplished what I wanted her to do and I am so happy I pat her and say, “Good girl Shumae.” Paris, of course, does her thing and she wags her tail all happy. In succeeding I take them both for their walks outside and they love to walk out here in our beautiful area. I figured it was time to head back in and take my shower before I do anything else. So far it has been a beautiful day.

Back outside on the balcony overlooking our lovely pool area and watching the airplanes zooming by. (They are indeed loud, but that doesn’t bother me, it’s actually relaxing.) The planes flying overhead sounds like the ocean -- soothing and relaxing. I figure it’s nice to be out here blogging and you can see from this tiny clip, that on my web cam on my laptop, I am blogging. That’s my face of blogging. I know it’s a little too much for this blog. But I am enjoying my Aspire One Acer mini-laptop with the built in web cam. It’s been a neat feature since last night I could chat with my Dad on the IM and see him on Windows Live web cam feature. The world gets smaller when such technology like this exist. I believe the technology of the world helps us communicate better with one another. And being Deaf the technology has given us the advantage to communicate effectively and the tools to be aware of what’s going on in the world. With Blogging it’s one way of communicating daily lives of people all over the world. Whoever reads my blogs will know and understand my days as a blogger. Why is it important to blog? Mainly, it’s fun and I see myself doing this more and more as my new laptop gives me such great power to be able to blog anywhere, anytime.

Here I am blogging and I am determined to finish it so I can post it on blogger.com

As I continue to sit out here on our balcony watching the planes fly by, I am enthralled to be enjoying this last week of February because after all guess what, March is coming. And those who know me, know what March brings -- baseball! Dodgers season will open up pretty soon and yes, I admit it’s the month of my Birthday! Soon in the upcoming days it’ll be my last week to enjoy being 32, and soon I will be getting closer to being 33 and that’s something! But I don’t feel old at all, I don’t feel like I’m getting any older, after all I feel like it’s going to be a great 33 when it comes. After all, a new age, a new life in Costa Mesa, California, and a new home . . . What can I tell you?  Life is great!

Beautiful Days Ahead. . .

Ah, the sun is back! Beautiful days ahead or is it calm before the storm? I think it’s a little bit of both. Lately it has been raining a lot and it brings a sigh of relief when the golden sun peeks through the clouds and finally seems alive when it’s shining brightly on Costa Mesa. Since, the sun is out and shining, the days become warmer and it’s blissful! Today, I think I will just enjoy this day and relax and absorb some rays. I love the idea that my apartment has a balcony overlooking the pool and the scenery is so perfect! The blue skies and the occasional bird or plane passing by overhead is surreal and relaxing. As of now I am drinking my Breakfast Blend coffee fresh from the grinded whole beans and writing in my blog. No big news to report, just a little blogging to get my mind in working gear. Like I said before, I am going to enjoy this day and relax. What I wanted to mention in this blog is my job at Disneyland. Especially my adventures last night driving home – I got lost!

Last night I went to work in middle of the afternoon, which is hardly what I have done so far for this job. Going into work and thinking of the economy made me realize I am indeed lucky to have this Disneyland job and working has been busy but fun. I enjoy all the walks of life that I encountered. There were people from all over the world who came into our parks and into our stores. Sometimes I think with the economic crisis, that Disneyland is not going to falter, but it’s still going on strong. It was amazing at how busy it was last night and seeing how much money Disneyland’s Emporium on Main Street made so much money. It was crowded last night, so many people visiting the park and entering our store was really a weird sight – especially in the middle of the week!

Now about being lost, I was going home and I missed the turn to get on the 5 to Bristol, and when I got on the 405 and seeing that Bristol was still an apparent exit, I took it and went all over these weird streets. I figured I keep on going on Bristol to find my way back home. But no, I stupidly went on all these weird name streets and figured I better find my way back to the freeway. With no freeway entrance in sight I kept on going. As I kept going and finding the 22 and thought I head west and finally seeing the welcome sight of the 405, I headed back on the 405 and took the 55 back to the normal sights of streets I finally recognized, and finally taking Bristol that I know and am familiar with I found my way back home. It took me a long time to finally arrive home. I was lost, stressed, tired, but finally made it home. Nevertheless, it was somewhat of an adventure of a lone driver heading home from work. That goes to show, never miss the turn to exit.

Well, I got lost and was feeling better after I arrived home. I was so exhausted from work and being lost, that I went straight to bed and fell asleep. Hoping for a brand new day with great weather, I finally found the sun shining outside and thought, ah, I am off today and I don’t have to go to work and perhaps get lost in the bustle of crowds at our stores or be lost on unfamiliar streets as I find my way home. No, I will stay home and read a good book, perhaps play a game or two on my XBOX. As for now, I am enjoying blogging on Windows Live Writer and posting this blog on Blogger and hopefully someone out there in the world will read it. Now an idea as stuck the recesses of my minds (filled with cobwebs in the attic of thought I assume) and the light in the attic has been turned on and I think I will start writing more and more. Since I moved out here to the new apartments, our new home, in a new city, I found myself being able to write. I guess when one has embraced himself or herself in a new environment, the writer’s block chips away and the writer within oneself comes alive. I think this is the reason for my recent blogs, to be able to write creatively and freely. Stories that I used to write as a kid doesn't come as freely because of my creative juices that hasn't been squeezed out of my brain yet. In time, the juices of imagination will flow freely. I am sure of this.. .

Meanwhile, as you read my blogs, I am sure a story or two in this attic of mine with the lights left on will come to appear. It only takes that walking up the steps to reach the door of this attic. But from where I stand from the bottom of the stairwell that leads to this attic; I see the door is left ajar. My friend, the lights are on, but nobody is home . . . just yet.  Look forward to more blogs on “The Chronicles of Gilberto.” Have a beautiful day and more beautiful days ahead!

Happy New Year: So Far, So Good

Our New Home



Happy New Year - 2009

I let out a content sigh as I sit out on our back porch overlooking apartment's pool area. The “Melrose Place” essence of this pool area is gorgeous and I can’t wait for Summer this year. The pool looks so inviting and relaxing.



It has been awhile since I wrote something about the going-ons of my life. As l begin the new year ablaze filled with adventures I have already experienced. For example, my nephew’s 2nd birthday was celebrated at Disneyland Park. My Mom and Dad, Christina and Larry and of course, the adorable Jake, all went to Disneyland and with me working there, I got them in for free. It was a fun-filled day with laughter and smiles. The biggest smile of them all was Jake’s. We all had a great time getting on all the rides for Jake. We went on the Tea Cups, the Fantasyland storybook rides, and finally got on Dumbo. The flying elephants with the big ears have always been one of my favorite memories of my Mom and I riding it when I was little. Now I am not so little, but with the idea of Disney magic and memories – my Mom and I got on the Dumbo ride. It was such a wonderful time riding with my Mom like we did almost 30 years ago! Anyway, we all had a great time at Disneyland and of course this is a special event in my nephew’s life and all of ours as we celebrated his birthday Disney-style.



As I mentioned I am writing this from the patio overlooking the lovely pool on this warm day. As I look around I see all around the apartments, the beautiful green trees and the planes taking off in the sky, the sounds of the cars passing by on the streets nearby. The local restaurants make me hungry as well – Del Taco, Denny’s and many others. This is a quiet neighbor and the only sounds are the planes taking off, but that is alright, because it doesn’t bother me one bit. Inside the apartment we are already settling in and comfortable. I am enjoying this new place and I think this will be our home for a long time. I thank God for all the wonderful things He has offered us and as we take each day by day, we have to remember to count our blessings. This is the perfect place to live.

With the hiring of a moving company, we had it made, and all we had to do was take the rest of our stuff to our new location. During the move and the cleaning, we took a pause in our tiring labors to watch the Super Bowl, and I tell you it was one of the best games I have seen in awhile. The Steelers defense was so strong, that Arizona Cardinals had no chance at all. But in the end it was a game to watch and enjoy as I cheered on the underdogs. Of course, the Steelers made such a spectacular catch at the end to seal the deal. Pittsburgh wins their champion and now I look forward to a new Baseball Season coming up in the spring. With the HD channels of our new cable provider, I can’t wait for baseball to come. Meanwhile, I watch the Lakers and root them on, and they are having a blast of a season being the best they can be. I am enjoying the new place, as I look back and sigh in relief that the move is complete and over with. Settling in our new place, as I sit here on the balcony overlooking the inviting pool, I look up to the skies and thank God for the days ahead. I am happy working still at Disneyland and a few weeks back I got a memento of my 4 months of working at Disneyland: I finally achieved status of receiving my “Ears.” Cast members that work for awhile at Disneyland get recognition and the Ears are just one of the many recognitions of working at Disneyland. So I thank God for a wonderful and fun job at Disneyland, so I can proudly show off my “Ears” as I continue to work at Disneyland.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blogs and I hope to write more in the future. I haven’t been doing this for awhile since as I mentioned with the Big Move, didn’t have the time. Now as I am settled in the nice apartments and enjoying life as it comes, there will be more to come. Everyone is happy, our dogs are happy, and I am happy. I hope you too, are happy.