Should have followed up my intent.

A couple of weeks ago, I went into my bank to suspend my account.  I believed there was a hacker that got my account information and was withdrawing funds.   Meeting with the customer service representative, I was told there was a way that they will help me to secure that account so I don't have to suspend or close it.  I walked out of there thinking that everything was okay. 

Walking in today, I found out that my account was closed.  I was told that I authorized the closure weeks ago.  I was with a different customer service representative.  Instead of arguing it out, I decided to bite my tongue and pay the outstanding balance and open a new account. 

It was my fault.  I should have insured that the CS Representative understood my intent with the account weeks ago.  Now my VA Pension is floating around out there.  I hope they mail it to me.  I have to go to VA Benefits tomorrow to fix things.  After, I reopen my account. 

It's in His hands now.

I can't complain about life, especially this year.  As much as I want to, I will not.  I have to or rather want to remain positive.  I'm believing that there is more for me out there to do.  God is my provider. 

My ranch project has started.  I have a ranch that needs work.  I've been outside the last couple of days since Thanksgiving working on it.  Still have lots more to do.  It's a day to day process.  What I grow and raise will feed my family here.  For months now, I've let the ground go fallow.  Since taking the organic classes years ago.  I've incorporated a lot of techniques taught in those classes to improve my soil.  I have three huge trees to fell this week.  Starting tomorrow, I'll be clearing around those trees to get them ready. 

As for Safety Instruction, I'm not on schedule to teach for awhile.  Although, I am on standby.  When I'm needed, they'll call me.  So to keep busy while I'm waiting.  I'll be attending a banana tree workshop this Saturday.  It's been awhile since I've been to the university's agriculture workshops. 

This coming Sunday is Abundant Life Church's Ground Breaking for the New Vision Center.  I'll be working the camera during the Morning Celebration Service.  The afternoon will be busy helping to get the current church facilities ready for the evening fellowship and the new vision center area ready for the ground breaking. 

I am hoping and praying that I get to see my family again for the Christmas Holidays.  It's all in God's hands now.  He knows my desires.  The only available flight is Christmas Day now on Philippine Airlines. 

Been hitting the book on my Project Management Course. It is a challenge. I'm passing and that's good thing. Moving into Session 2 tonight for the next 6 weeks.

Been cutting the grass at the ranch, using my bushcutter. Will cut again tomorrow. Debating on whether I should go down to the ranch and go shooting, or stay home and relax now--since I am proctoring an exam tomorrow.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I am thankful to God for all his Blessings and Mercies the last year.  You're provisions are always right on time.  Thank You Lord Jesus.

I am thankful to my wife Rhoda, for always being there, supporting me, and encouraging me.  I love you so much.  I am thankful for my children Larraine and Raphael Frenz.  Larraine for helping out with the chores, taking the time to study hard, and taking care of her brother.  Frenfren for being the boy he is, Both for being joyful, loving, and prayer warriors at such young ages.  I love you both so much.

 I am thankful for my inner circle.  You know who you are.  You're also familia.  Always there to help me and Rhoda out.  No questions, just helping us.  Encouraging us to stay the course.  Helping us financially when everyone else refused.  I thank you so much for being a part of our lives.  So many names that we call each other: Pari', Mali', Prim, Chelu, Friend.  No matter what name, you are family.  I am thankful for my siblings who have helped me out.  I am grateful for all you've done.  You also provided so my kids will eat or receive medical care.  Thank you so much. 

I am thankful for Ann Marie and OSH Solutions for giving me the chance to become a Safety Instructor, giving me the opportunity to touch so many lives in our industry to share the knowledge that I've gained through so many safety courses.  Thank you so much. 

May God continue to Bless each one of you, who have been and continue to be a joy to me and Rhoda and our kids.  We thank you and love you all so much. 



I am thankful for my enemies.  You know who you all are.  You have given me the opportunity to become stronger in my Faith and relationship with my Lord Jesus Christ.  I am sorry for the confrontations that we've had.  I am sorry for being angry at each one of you.  I am thankful that our issues didn't escalate to what we both my later regret.  I am thankful for the lesson that I've learned in dealing with each one of you.  You gave me the opportunity to know how to deal with people just like you.  With all that said, I forgive each one of you.  I hope and pray you forgive me as well. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM MATUA RANCH!!!

 

How Wasteful the Older Generation Was...

How Wasteful the Older Generation Was...

 

 

In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bag because plastic bags weren’t good for the environment. The woman apologized to him and explained, “We didn’t have the green thing back in my day.”

 

 

The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. The former generation did not care enough to save our environment."

 

 

He was right, that generation didn’t have the green thing in its day.

 

 

Back then, they returned their milk bottles, soda bottles, and beer bottles to the store. The store then sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they REALLY were recycled.

 

 

But they didn’t have the green thing back in that customer's day.

 

 

In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didn’t have an escalator in every store and office building. They walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks.

 

 

But she was right. They didn’t have the green thing in her day.

 

 

Back then, they washed the baby’s diapers because they didn’t have the throw-away kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts – wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.

 

 

But that old lady is right, they didn’t have the green thing back in her day.

 

 

Back then, they had one TV, or radio, in the house – not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, they blended and stirred by hand because they didn’t have electric machines to do everything for you.

 

 

When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

 

 

Back then, they didn’t fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power. They exercised by working so they didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.

 

 

But she’s right, they didn’t have the green thing back then.

 

 

They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water. They refilled their writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen and they replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.

 

 

But they didn’t have the green thing back then.

 

 

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or rode the school bus instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And they didn’t need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

 

 

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful the old folks were just because they didn't have the green thing back then?

 

 

 

Note:  I did not write this.  This was posted by Vinmelchloe Dungca Cepeda at 671 Recipes.  

Nasty Tofu Salad.

I just ate the most nastiest Tofu Salad for lunch.  It was bland, just mixed veggies with tofu.  Never going to eat that salad again. 

I understand that this company is trying to make money selling food.  If you're the cook, you really need to try the dishes before you plate them to sell.  Get a small group of people to try your dish before you try to market it. 

Here's some suggestions for you if you insist on making this dreadful salad.  Got the "dreadful" from Gordon Ramsey.  Watch TV cooking shows.  There are many out there. 

Kitchen Nightmares
Master Chef
Iron Chef
TV Network (many good shows here)

There are so many out there on different networks.  Crying out loud, you can GOOGLE it! 

You're not helping guys like me.  Who are working hard to lose weight by making this nasty tofu salad.  It maybe healthy but it taste nasty and mushy.  You're not helping us stay the course with this type of food.  I'd would rather have eaten a plain salad then that dreadful piece of !@#$.   You make unhealthy but tasteful food, more appealing to us.  Do us a favor and don't cook anymore!

My daughter can cook better than you. 

Obama Stopover...No Stress.

President Obama's recent stopover on Guam was a joke.  Many people were wondering if he will make an appearance.  I knew he wouldn't. 

Prior to President Bill Clinton's visit to Guam in the late 90's.  There was a huge contingent of security on island a week prior to the scheduled visit.  There was a lot of work done prior to the visit.  Collaborations with local agencies to make Clinton's visit a success.  My Matua scouts and I were able to shake President Clinton's hand, after his speech.  That was an awesome experience. 

Obama who prides himself as an islander...is not.  How in the world do you call Hawaii, Asia?  That statement probably ruffled a lot of feathers with the Hawaiian brothers.   His visit is liken to a visitor who comes to my house and talks to me from inside his vehicle refusing to get down.  Are you to good for me?  You don't want to eat my food? 

To my Chelu's...let's not stress over this president's stop over.  When the day comes, when our island residents votes for Independence.  They'll mind us more and pay Billions in rent for those bases.   

Working in the ranch this afternoon. Have an order for 15 coconuts, will deliver this evening.

Spent the afternoon and evening at the ranch. Wind was blowing...totally relaxing. Helped bbq again. Boyz loved my BBQ. Used organic lemons and Lorenzo's secret recipe. Will be there Friday to do some shooting. Setting up a small shooting range for the boyz to zero their weapons and to do some target shooting.

Charlie Camera Challenge.

I was assigned do operate Charlie Camera this morning for the morning service celebration.  It has been over two years since I operated Charlie Camera, the old Bravo Cam.  I thought it would go okay. 

It didn't go so well, from the get go.  All my shots sucked.  I thought it would be like riding a bike...jumping back into that slot after being on Delta Camera for so long.  It was mistake after mistake:  too much headroom, tilt down, tilt up, can't keep up with the subject,  jerky movements, shots weren't framed, transition was not smooth. 

It was a major challenge.   It was really disappointing.  I would rather get treed by a boar, then to go through that experience again. 

I was never so happy to hear the words from the director, "Charlie, fade to black".  TV Camera talk for...shut down.

Going back to Delta Camera and staying there. 

Amazing how all the couch safeties crawl out of the woodwork after an accident. Giving their opinions, stating OSHA standards on a media forum, or making allegations about companies and their safety officers. Yet these same couch safeties don't have the nerve to step up to become actual Safety Professionals. Cowards...go back and drive your desk and stay in the shade.

Forklift Operator Crushed,. UPDATE

PDN: Forklift Operator Crushed.


When I got the news about the above incident.  I was trying to figure out what company was involved in that tragedy.  Later, the media reported that the accident happened on the Fukuda Yard.  A forklift operator was trying to carry an old bus.  It lost it's load and flipped, pinning the operator underneath the forklift. 

This accident was preventable.  I don't have all the details about what happened.  I'm sure it will all be known in the next couple of days. 

I am sure that OSHA Compliance Officers, out of Region 9, are on their way to the island, if they are not here already.

So sad...


UPDATE:   16NOV11

Word on the street is that the company involved is a small company, not Fukuda.  Fukuda initiated rescue operations using their forklift to lift the other company's forklift off of the operator.  Family members state the operator's name is Paul Blas, 48 yo, from Dededo. 

Pacific Daily News

Marianas Variety Guam Edition.

Studying and doing homework for Project Management Course, at office.

Did 1 hour work on the ranch cutting the grass down. Shoot, I did more work in an hour, than I do cutting grass the whole day. lol...

Resting at home. :)

How do you Fail an Open Book Test?

I don't understand how some people can even fail an open book test.  Yes, there are lots of reasons out there.  Comprehension "maybe" one of them.  With this group of students on this last course, I can make any number of guesses. 

Out of the 6 that failed, one person changed his answer on several questions.  He got it right the first time on all of them.  Never doubt yourself unless you know for a fact that answer is not correct.  Especially, on an open book test.  The answers are in the book.  You just have to literally READ.  When you do that.  You'll definitely find the answer. 

The other five, in my opinion, only one of them actually tried his best.  He passed today.  The next four, they have a serious attitude issue.  They didn't care to be here.  Out of that four, two passed.  Only two failed from the original six that didn't pass the first time, on this retest. 

One of the two was reeking of alcohol.  I'm flabbergasted at this individual.  One of the safety topics touched on drugs and alcohol in the workplace on the first day of this course.  This individual has the audacity to come into my training room smelling of alcohol.  This is the last time, that will ever happen.  I am recommending that our training company recommends to our client, that they release him. 

The other individual, may have comprehension issues.  I'm not sure quite yet on him.  I'm learning towards attitude on this guy as well.  We'll see when he returns this Saturday for another make-up.  Hopefully, these next couple of days and pressure from his company, our client, will "encourage" him to read his materials that came with the course. 

On a good note.  The four student/workers that passed the first day did well.  Out of that four, I have recommended the top two, they're from the same company, return for the OSHA 30 hour Construction Hazard Recognition Safety Course.  I am hoping that their company will take our recommendations regarding the two student/workers and sends them back for more Safety Training.      

Last student/worker finished the test. Now studying for my Mod 2 test tonight for Project Management.

Gone Solo on the 40 hour.

On Monday, I went solo, teaching the USACE EM 385-1-1, 40 hour Construction Safety Course.   I truly enjoy it when there is interaction between the students and myself, and amongst the students themselves.  As the presentation started each day throughout the week, I was comfortable with the safety slides that are similar to the slides in the 16-hour course.  Basically the slides are not at all that different between the two safety courses. 

Since I've been doing the 16-hour for a long while now.  I'm very comfortable delivering the training.  There are some specific safety topics on the 40-hour course that I am aware of, have experience, and knowledge.  But have not had time in front of students, teaching the topics.  This week gave me that opportunity to teach those topics. 

I found myself this week, using more of my own experiences in construction to relate to the students on the different safety topics.  After sitting down and reflecting what I have done throughout the years in Construction or General Industry, I realized have lots of experiences and stories to use in my trainings, especially in high hazards. 

For this course and upcoming courses, I developed a new exam for the students.  It is more challenging than the previous tests.  The last 20 questions are actual pictures in the field.  The students must identify the hazard(s) and/or safety violations in the picture to get the question correct.  On the first 60 questions, they had to answer the questions from multiple choices and be able to cite the references from the EM 385-1-1 Safety Manual.  They have to get both correct for the question to be counted. 

This afternoon, all my students passed.  They all learned.  I don't know why I doubted myself, the last couple of months, on going solo on the 40-hour Construction Safety Course.  The course went pretty good throughout the week. 

It was a great week of Safety training. Great interaction! All my students passed. The new test is Challenging.