I finally talked to my son, Frenz, two days ago. The last time we talked and played together, was when I saw him in the backyard riding his trike, the day I left to fly back to Guahan. Since then, Rhoda and Larraine would give me news about my boy via YM or Skype. To finally hear his voice over the phone was totally awesome.
Frenfren said, "Hi Daddy! Merry Christmas dad. I miss you. I love you".
I replied back, "Merry Christmas my boboy, I miss you too. Love you so much".
There was some coaching from Rhoda to keep him focused on talking to me. I apparently kept him from going to sleep at the family house in the province. As soon as I called...Frenz got up. He knew I was calling.
Frenz asked about his chokoy (chocolates). I told him that I will bring his chocolates home with me. When I fly back there in a couple of weeks/months. Rhoda told me that he was smiling when I said, I will bring his chocolates with me.
I talked to my Neni Girl, Larraine. She is so big and mature for her age. She has become a beautiful young lady. I'm gonna have to buy more guns and ammo to keep the boys in line. Also, more pitbulls to raise to keep them from sneaking up to the house. Anyway, Larraine is happy to be with her cousins and siblings back at the family compound in the province. We talked a bit on the phone. I miss her so much. Larraine knows I'd give her anything. Unfortunately, Rhoda keeps me in check about those things.
Finally, got some talk time with my beautiful lady, wishing each other Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, talking about our plans for the coming month, and what the kids are doing. Rhoda has been doing so much in my absence. We both know that I have to be here on Guahan earning income for them. The hard part is the distance. What really helps is our Faith. We put God first in our family, and because we do, things go so much smoother with God as our first priority.
While talking to Rhoda, I could hear Frenfren in the background yelling at his elder cousin. My boy is bossy. Actually Frenfren and Larraine emulate their mommy and me. So they act out what they see. But they do go overboard with it. While he was there, Frenfren, 2 years old and the baby of the family, is telling his elder siblings and cousins to clean up after themselves, and be quiet. Rhoda tells me that Frenfren is constantly sweeping the floor. Fren doesn't like the floor dirty because he doesn't like his feet dirty. He is very organized for his age puts his things in order and folds his clothes. Amazing for a 2 year old.
Larraine loves to sing and dance. She has a beautiful voice. She enjoyed her time volunteering with her mommy as they treated many flood survivors. When her baby brother, Frenfren, went to Butuan City ahead of them, with his Nino, a day after the flood hit Cagayan De Oro City. Larraine was really emotional and missing her baby brother. Rhoda and I could only laugh but feel bad for her at the same time. Those two are very close.
My family will be back in Cagayan De Oro next week from their Christmas/New Year vacation. I can hardly wait for my next visit in the coming weeks/months to be with them again.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
2011 Goals in Review
I was just looking over my 2011 Goals. I accomplished a lot this year, more than I did in 2010. AWESOME!
My yearly goals are broken down into 5 areas of my life; Spiritual Faith, Family, Health, Career, and Hobby (didn't do my hobby category this year). Which I call my Five Major Foundations of Me. I have a long term goal for each of my major foundations. It is where I see myself in that category in 3, 5, or 10 years. That's followed by short term goals under each category of what I want to accomplish within this year or the next couple of months.
What I've accomplished overall is awesome. I've read each short term goal and realized...oh, yeah...did that, done that...check it off.
Spiritual Faith: I accomplished 3 of 4 goals. That's pretty awesome.
Family: I accomplished 5 of 5 goals.
Health: Did 4 of 5 there.
Career A: Knocked out 4 of 5
Career B: Netted 3 for 3.
Hobby: I tabled as soon as the year started, due to a tragic incident. So I'm not counting this category. I will add this whole category of goals to my 2012 Goals.
I enjoy goal setting. I'm glad to have learned this valuable skill set, years ago in my youth.
My yearly goals are broken down into 5 areas of my life; Spiritual Faith, Family, Health, Career, and Hobby (didn't do my hobby category this year). Which I call my Five Major Foundations of Me. I have a long term goal for each of my major foundations. It is where I see myself in that category in 3, 5, or 10 years. That's followed by short term goals under each category of what I want to accomplish within this year or the next couple of months.
What I've accomplished overall is awesome. I've read each short term goal and realized...oh, yeah...did that, done that...check it off.
Spiritual Faith: I accomplished 3 of 4 goals. That's pretty awesome.
Family: I accomplished 5 of 5 goals.
Health: Did 4 of 5 there.
Career A: Knocked out 4 of 5
Career B: Netted 3 for 3.
Hobby: I tabled as soon as the year started, due to a tragic incident. So I'm not counting this category. I will add this whole category of goals to my 2012 Goals.
I enjoy goal setting. I'm glad to have learned this valuable skill set, years ago in my youth.
Do Not Shoot Your Guns Into the Air this New Year's Eve!
I'm a gun owner. I was taught basic marksmanship skills since my youth. I take weapons safety very seriously. I have only shot my weapons at targets, still and live.
It does not fail, every New Year's Eve on this island, many irresponsible gun owners take their weapons out on New Year's Eve and shoot into the air to celebrate the New Year. This is not SAFE! This island has experienced it's residents getting hit by these expended rounds traveling at high velocity. One year, a guy was shot while on a boat. Another year, a young girl received injuries from a stray bullet. In another year, a guy was shot as he was sitting in a garage. He was hit by a stray bullet.
Owning guns is an inalienable right, that is protected by our US Constitution 2nd Amendment, and that comes with heavy responsibilities. When you abuse the right and those responsibilities...you forfeit that right to bear arms to protect yourselves. Your weapons should be auctioned off to responsible gun owners.
DO NOT SHOOT YOUR WEAPONS INTO THE AIR ON NEW YEAR'S EVE!
I want to thank all the responsible weapons owners who take their Right, seriously and do not abuse that right and it's responsibilities. My challenge to you now...is to report any irresponsible weapons owner who shoots their weapons into the air. Even if it's a relative or close friend...report them. Their irresponsible actions will give a black eye to our 2nd Amendment Right to Bear Arms.
It does not fail, every New Year's Eve on this island, many irresponsible gun owners take their weapons out on New Year's Eve and shoot into the air to celebrate the New Year. This is not SAFE! This island has experienced it's residents getting hit by these expended rounds traveling at high velocity. One year, a guy was shot while on a boat. Another year, a young girl received injuries from a stray bullet. In another year, a guy was shot as he was sitting in a garage. He was hit by a stray bullet.
Owning guns is an inalienable right, that is protected by our US Constitution 2nd Amendment, and that comes with heavy responsibilities. When you abuse the right and those responsibilities...you forfeit that right to bear arms to protect yourselves. Your weapons should be auctioned off to responsible gun owners.
DO NOT SHOOT YOUR WEAPONS INTO THE AIR ON NEW YEAR'S EVE!
I want to thank all the responsible weapons owners who take their Right, seriously and do not abuse that right and it's responsibilities. My challenge to you now...is to report any irresponsible weapons owner who shoots their weapons into the air. Even if it's a relative or close friend...report them. Their irresponsible actions will give a black eye to our 2nd Amendment Right to Bear Arms.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Neighbor teasing my dogs.
Still fighting this cold. But, I am a lot better than the last couple of days. The hard cough and scratchy throat are irritating. Drinking warm water seems to help with that issue.
My neighbor is walking his dog again this morning. My dogs are all barking and growling at him and his small dog. Watching him earlier...he was teaching his dog to "sic" my dogs. All my dogs are on leads. He didn't see me watching from my sliding door. Everytime, he would walk by with his dog in front of my house, passing by my driveway. He would do the same routine..."siccing' his dog on mine. I wonder if he truly realizes what he's doing. I should go outside and let Duchess, my ranch dog, off her lead and have her "hit" his dog. Teach that neighbor a hard lesson, about teasing my dogs.
My neighbor is walking his dog again this morning. My dogs are all barking and growling at him and his small dog. Watching him earlier...he was teaching his dog to "sic" my dogs. All my dogs are on leads. He didn't see me watching from my sliding door. Everytime, he would walk by with his dog in front of my house, passing by my driveway. He would do the same routine..."siccing' his dog on mine. I wonder if he truly realizes what he's doing. I should go outside and let Duchess, my ranch dog, off her lead and have her "hit" his dog. Teach that neighbor a hard lesson, about teasing my dogs.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Cagayan De Oro Relief Efforts
Reading various news and blogs on the internet, the relief efforts at Cagayan De Oro are slowly moving forward. Morgues have been filled to capacity, The cities of Cagayan De Oro and Iligan are contemplating mass burials to prevent bigger health issues with decomposing corpse. Many residents in both cities want to hold back the burials to give families more time to locate and identify their deceased loved ones.
Water is slowly being restored to parts of Cagayan De Oro City. Just last night, Rhoda was able to get free flowing water from our faucets. We've been praying for that since last week after the flood hit. Answered prayer. Lourdes College Alumni and students are going out daily on medical missions to provide basic first aid to the victims. Rhoda and our daughter Larraine have been part of he volunteer force almost daily now. I'm proud of them for helping out.
Donations are coming in from all over the world to help with this calamity. Just recently...hours ago, Philippine Airlines tweeted:
Water is slowly being restored to parts of Cagayan De Oro City. Just last night, Rhoda was able to get free flowing water from our faucets. We've been praying for that since last week after the flood hit. Answered prayer. Lourdes College Alumni and students are going out daily on medical missions to provide basic first aid to the victims. Rhoda and our daughter Larraine have been part of he volunteer force almost daily now. I'm proud of them for helping out.
Donations are coming in from all over the world to help with this calamity. Just recently...hours ago, Philippine Airlines tweeted:
Pampamgan Mayors donated 500 wooden caskets to help with burial efforts. Donations are slowly making it's way to the stricken cities. It's still not enough. Financial Blessings are needed to fund many of these relief efforts. Everyday the medical missions from the various nursing colleges go out with limited supplies. My wife's nursing group is texting it's alumni and student membership to bring their own supplies to help out with the medical missions. A group from Holland is helping with donation efforts to fund the medical missions.
First Assembly of God Church in CDO is well entrenched with relief efforts providing clothing, rice, pails to flood victims. They are going out daily to the stricken areas and evacuations centers delivering much needed supplies. Flood victims are making their way to the church for aide.
Rhoda and Larraine donated many of our unused clothes, baby bottles, pairs of my socks to First Assembly of God Church. From what was told to me, a family was given our donation. The lady who received our donation was in tears. I'm glad that she's able to use the clothes and baby items. The husband is probably freaking out at my big clothes and socks. lol...
Even with the disaster relief efforts going on. Muslim extremists are still causing problems at some evacuation centers. Why don't these idiots lay down their arms for awhile so people on both sides can get the help they need. Two soldiers were shot while trying to help one Muslim in Zamboanga, a couple of days ago. This is a disaster...put down your arms and tend to your families. Put your damn ideologies aside until everybody that is missing is accounted for; those who died, are buried; and homes are rebuilt. After that is all done and accomplished...you can blow your brains out.
Please donate to the Philippine Red Cross or to First Assembly of God-CDO.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
First Lessons.
Growing up on Guahan, I experienced being bullied in elementary school. It was bad that I didn't want to go back to school. Three of my elder cousins learned about it. So when they came by one day to clean around their ranch which was at the back of my family's first house. They took it upon themselves to teach me how to fight. They paired me up with their youngest brother who was a year older than me. But they, the elder boys, told us to fight. At first it was kind of funny...but getting hit in the face a couple of times...really hurt. But I was not allowed to cry. I had to fight back. So we did. We fought each other. We fought from their ranch to the back of my house. My eldest cousin, older than the three that encourage me to fight, saw us and called for me and his youngest brother to stop. He didn't yell at us. But his stern lecture about us being cousins and family comes first and fighting is a last resort..kinda hit home. Then he lectured the other three brothers about teaching us younger ones, about fighting.
As for that bully, well...you could say that he didn't walk out of the boy's bathroom the same way he walked in, the very next week. I learned later that the bully was another cousin from the mountain.
As for that bully, well...you could say that he didn't walk out of the boy's bathroom the same way he walked in, the very next week. I learned later that the bully was another cousin from the mountain.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
My kids dropped a dime on me. LOL...
When I was back home this past September. I brought lots of party bags of Hershey's chocolate with me, the bite size bars. From time to time, Rhoda rationed out the candy to the two kids, Larraine and Frenfren. However without her knowing, I gave the two kids extra, and that it was supposed to be daddy's secret with them. It was my little way of bonding with my children.
However today, while the two kids were playing with each other. They were talking about how I gave them chocolate candy and my instructions not to tell their mommy about daddy's secret. They didn't know their mommy was right there listening to their conversation.
I called Rhoda this afternoon and she asked me about my "secret with the kids". I could only laugh. Got Caught! I'm still laughing about it.
Aiii, my kids...they unknowingly told on me. ROFL...
No more extra chocolate candy...
ROFL...
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Six Reasons Everyone Should Hunt
Link
I enjoy eating the harvest of my hunts. Pretty good article in the link. I C/P the six points below.
I enjoy eating the harvest of my hunts. Pretty good article in the link. I C/P the six points below.
Here are six reasons why everyone should hunt:
1. It’s safe
According to data recently collected by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), hunting with a gun is the third-safest sport when compared to 28 other popular sports, and has a lower injury rate than golf, volleyball and tackle football.
2. It’s healthy
Not only is venison free of man-made intervention, but obtaining it through hunting can be good exercise for the body and the mind. Hunting isn’t just about the kill—being afield helps us get reacquainted with the sights and sounds of the outdoors. It also allows us to step off the grid and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, which can be a refreshing change of pace for many.
3. It helps the planet
Hunting license fees and excise taxes on firearms and ammunition fund millions of acres of habitat preservation and improvement. Each year, sportsmen contribute $7.5 million per day toward conservation.
4. It’s good for the species
Habitat loss has eroded the natural range of animals while agriculture has increased food supplies—the result is game populations that must be managed. If they’re not hunted, they’ll die of starvation or disease. Like it or not, as we increase our land use, proper game management becomes more important than ever.
5. It saves money and helps the economy
Though you can spend thousands on gadgets and gear, putting game on the table can be done on a shoestring budget. Hunters are a generous lot—get a hunter to take you along and borrow what you can. Resident licenses and public land provide access at reasonable costs. Fifty or so pounds of meat will make for a lot family dinners.
And according to the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, hunting is responsible for 600,000 U.S jobs, $66 billion in economic activity and $10 billion in state and federal tax revenue.
6. It's good for your family
There are few better ways to spend quality time with your children than to take them away from the computer or TV and show them where their food comes from. Revealing how important it is to be resourceful and self-sufficient is also one of the greatest life lessons you can teach them.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Ranch: Afternoon adjustments.
I was in the ranch today after watching the Cowboys-Giants game. I walked around, overlooked the layout of the ranch, and did some work. I forgot to get a video recording of Larraine's chickens. She asked me a couple of days ago, if I would be able to. Since I am free tomorrow...I'll get do that in the morning during my morning checks.
This afternoon, I noticed that I have a lot of lemon seedlings on the ground. I'm going to transplant those along, but inside, the borders. That would be a great physical barrier to deter poachers coming into ranch, also, a lot of lemonade too. The mango tree is flowering again...after it pushed out new leaves.
The banana crop is doing really great. So many bunches for this season. The bunch I harvested the other day is now ripe. They're amazingly sweet for Saba. My mom made Turon this morning for breakfast. It was good. I'm looking forward to making Gollai Appan Aga tomorrow for the Life Cell's Party. I prefer eating cooking banana to rice in season.
I moved the ranch dogs back into the ranch this afternoon. Duchess and Stormie are now back there on rotation. Stormie got to close to Pepsi and the two of them went at it. That little rumble reminded me that the pack has not determined who is the new Alpha Female, since Lucky passed away months ago. I'm going to have them go at it to find out. Or else, I'll have control problems later on.
Stormie is on perimeter post at the South-side of the ranch, Lucky's old post. Duchess went to the East-side, her old post to guard. Once I put the fence up, I'll have Duchess back out on rover duty. I prefer her in that role. She's good at it. The three pups from Duchess: Nugget, Onyx, and Oreo will be placed around the house. Nugget went to the front of the house to Stormie's post. Oreo is at the back porch. She will not be there for long. I'm going to relocate her to the back side of the storage container next to the mango tree. Onyx is currently at the barn shack. She'll be relocated to the ranch side. I might partner her up with Scout aka Brownie to learn more.
I'm still working to schedule felling three huge trees in the ranch. I'll have to clean around them first before I do anything with them. Another chore would be to gather all the corrugated tin, stack them, then later on...use them for fencing around the garden.
One day, at a time.
ESTA...
This afternoon, I noticed that I have a lot of lemon seedlings on the ground. I'm going to transplant those along, but inside, the borders. That would be a great physical barrier to deter poachers coming into ranch, also, a lot of lemonade too. The mango tree is flowering again...after it pushed out new leaves.
The banana crop is doing really great. So many bunches for this season. The bunch I harvested the other day is now ripe. They're amazingly sweet for Saba. My mom made Turon this morning for breakfast. It was good. I'm looking forward to making Gollai Appan Aga tomorrow for the Life Cell's Party. I prefer eating cooking banana to rice in season.
I moved the ranch dogs back into the ranch this afternoon. Duchess and Stormie are now back there on rotation. Stormie got to close to Pepsi and the two of them went at it. That little rumble reminded me that the pack has not determined who is the new Alpha Female, since Lucky passed away months ago. I'm going to have them go at it to find out. Or else, I'll have control problems later on.
Stormie is on perimeter post at the South-side of the ranch, Lucky's old post. Duchess went to the East-side, her old post to guard. Once I put the fence up, I'll have Duchess back out on rover duty. I prefer her in that role. She's good at it. The three pups from Duchess: Nugget, Onyx, and Oreo will be placed around the house. Nugget went to the front of the house to Stormie's post. Oreo is at the back porch. She will not be there for long. I'm going to relocate her to the back side of the storage container next to the mango tree. Onyx is currently at the barn shack. She'll be relocated to the ranch side. I might partner her up with Scout aka Brownie to learn more.
I'm still working to schedule felling three huge trees in the ranch. I'll have to clean around them first before I do anything with them. Another chore would be to gather all the corrugated tin, stack them, then later on...use them for fencing around the garden.
One day, at a time.
ESTA...
DADDY, I'M HERE!!!!
Frenz requested this pic be taken for me, months ago.
Rhoda was telling me a story about our son Frenz a couple of days ago. Our kids always amaze us. This is Frenz's story. Chokoy is Frenz's word for chocolate. Since he can't say chocolate. Here is the story as told to me by Rhoda.
Fren would run towards the window and shout: daddy you're home! daddy I'm here
Then when the plane passes by. He would chase it and runs towards the door and climbs
then he would shout, dad!!!
I'm here...I know you bring chokoy for me
Then when the plane is gone. He would start frowning his face and say : Mommy, baby cannot reach the plane, baby cannot reach daddy, so baby cannot reach the chokoy
In his dialect: (Visayan)
daddy abot naka? dad naa si baby...
dad minaw ka dad?
dad!!! naa si baby...dala ka chokoy dad
then he would say
mommy dili abot ni baby prano, dili abot ni baby daddy, dili abot ni baby chokoy
He is so funny. Frenfren knows that I'll be bringing lots of chocolates for the family. I also promised him his own bag of chocolates...but rationed of course. He doesn't know that. Here's a pic of Frenz, Rhoda, and me on my vacation this past September to our home in Cagayan De Oro. See the chokoy stains around his mouth. LOL....
Here is a pic with all of us. From L-R: Frenz, Me, Rhoda, and Larraine. I love my family!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Ranch: Working my Banana Crop.
Putting the new ranch plans to paper. It's been more than a year since that I let my fields go fallow. Mowing them now and soon to be tilled under. I'll be putting seeds down next week. Also, transplanting lots of lemon, kalamansi, lemon-china along the borders. I'll take pictures of my progress from now on. Have to start keeping pics as part of my paperwork for audits to move into organics.
My banana crops look really good this year. I've counted 10 bunches already and more flowers budding out. This afternoon, I trimmed out a lot of suckers. I only need the mother plant, one daughter, and maybe a granddaughter on the mat, The other suckers are just competing for nutrients from the mother plant. When new sword leaf suckers show up next week. I'll cut those out and plant them in the South-side of the ranch.
My Saba (cooking) Bananas are doing really well. I was able to harvest a bunch today. Looking forward to roasted banana tomorrow. I have to work more on my Macau, Manila, Fiji, and Williams varieties.
It's weird how many names each variety has depending on region. We have Lakatan bananas here. But it is a different Lakatan from the Philippines. The Lakatan variety we have is a cooking banana that looks like horns. The Lakatan banana from the Philippines is the Williams or Chiquita. The Manila banana is also known as Lady Fingers. These are very sweet dessert bananas. I prefer the Fiji variety better than the Manila.
Normally, I check on the banana crop once a week. When the bunches turn dark green to light green. I check them daily. When one hand in the bunch is light green. That's when I harvest it. Some farmer's say you'll need to people to harvest a bunch. Especially, if that bunch is big. I've learned over the years that you can harvest a bunch solo. You just have to know what you're doing.
I noticed that I have a lot of coconut saplings. I'm gonna pull those and replant them along the Eastern and Southern borders. These will make great living fence posts for the new cattle herd I'll acquire next year. That reminds me, I'll be putting up the new goat pen soon.
My banana crops look really good this year. I've counted 10 bunches already and more flowers budding out. This afternoon, I trimmed out a lot of suckers. I only need the mother plant, one daughter, and maybe a granddaughter on the mat, The other suckers are just competing for nutrients from the mother plant. When new sword leaf suckers show up next week. I'll cut those out and plant them in the South-side of the ranch.
My Saba (cooking) Bananas are doing really well. I was able to harvest a bunch today. Looking forward to roasted banana tomorrow. I have to work more on my Macau, Manila, Fiji, and Williams varieties.
It's weird how many names each variety has depending on region. We have Lakatan bananas here. But it is a different Lakatan from the Philippines. The Lakatan variety we have is a cooking banana that looks like horns. The Lakatan banana from the Philippines is the Williams or Chiquita. The Manila banana is also known as Lady Fingers. These are very sweet dessert bananas. I prefer the Fiji variety better than the Manila.
Normally, I check on the banana crop once a week. When the bunches turn dark green to light green. I check them daily. When one hand in the bunch is light green. That's when I harvest it. Some farmer's say you'll need to people to harvest a bunch. Especially, if that bunch is big. I've learned over the years that you can harvest a bunch solo. You just have to know what you're doing.
I noticed that I have a lot of coconut saplings. I'm gonna pull those and replant them along the Eastern and Southern borders. These will make great living fence posts for the new cattle herd I'll acquire next year. That reminds me, I'll be putting up the new goat pen soon.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
NCCER reviewed my recommendation for correction
Just received an email from NCCER's Product Development. They reviewed my recommendation regarding an error I spotted in the module I was taking at the time in my Project Management Course. The researched and found that my recommendation is correct. How awesome is that?!
Here is a copy of the email I sent them a month ago:
-------------
I am a student currently taking the NCCER's Project Management Course, at GCA's Trade Academy on Guam. I am also an authorized NCCER instructor for Core Curricula.
While taking the Safety Module 44102-08, I noticed a discrepancy with the information below.
Craft: Project Management
Module Name: Safety
Copyright Date: 1997, 2008
Module Numvber 44102-08
Page Numbers: 2.11 and 2.28
The information on page 2.11, Section 4.1.1, 2nd paragraph states, "employers will be required to maintain employee medical and exposures records related to the regulated substances for the duration of employment plus 30 years.". This is correct per OSHA regulations.
The following information on page 2.28, Figure 15 Record Retention List, on second row from top under Type of Report, states, "Employee Medical and exposure Records". On the next column, Record Retention, second row from top, it states, "duration of employment.". This needs to be corrected to read as "duration of employment plus 30 years".
Regards,
----------
Here is the email I just received:
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Dear Lorenzo XXXXXXX:
Thank you for taking the time to write the Product Development and Revision Department of the NCCER with your comments concerning the Project Management curriculum.
We appreciate the feedback you’ve provided. Your inquiry was in reference to the information on page 2.28 in the Module number 44102-08. After reviewing the sections for each question, your recommendations were correct. We will be making changes in our next reprint.
Thanks again for going the extra mile. We invite your continued input and recommendations.
With kind regards,
XXXXXX XXXX (Deleted the name for their privacy)
Project Assistant
Product Development-------------------
That is so awesome that I was able to spot an error in that module and send NCCER a recommendation for correction. I will send a copy of the email to our Education Director at GCA Trades Academy.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Great Weekend with ALC Ground Breaking.
Been really busy this past week, working on the ranch, marketing OSH Solutions, and helping out with the ground breaking ceremony for Abundant Life Church. It was all great.
Getting to catch up with my ranch projects. In a day or two, I'll have to sit down with pencil to paper and draw out the ranch projects. Where to put the vegetable garden, the new goat pen, the pig pen, and cattle area. Yes, I will be acquiring my first cattle herd next year. A big step for Matua Ranch.
I've been part of Abundant Life Church's Engineering Team for the last 6 months, as the Safety Leader. I was not really needed in the meetings until the Construction Phase. However, I sat in most of the Friday meeting, listening to the engineers talk about the new vision center that is planned for the church. The meeting were conducted in tagalog. I didn't mind. Although, some apologized for it. I really didn't mind. I understood most of what was being said. Just don't ask me to summarize any of it. I do understand Tagalog. My mom's side of the family speaks Tagalog. I had no choice but to understand the language. Especially when I lived in the Philippines for two or three years, going to the elementary school at UPLB in Laguna. 
Anyway, I watched as the Team Engineers worked on project issues, talking about quotes, building plans, and other project matters. It was a learning experience for me. I can relate to my Project Management Course at the Trades Academy what I had observed during all those Friday meetings. 
The Friday meetings funneled to the lone contractor chosen to build the New Vision Center, 5M Construction. The ground breaking was scheduled right after the bid was awarded to them. I believe we only had a two week period to plan the ground breaking ceremony and fiesta. It was all good. A short simple ceremony that was in the vision for years. Hopefully, this time next year, we'll be celebrating in the New Vision Center. During my off time, I've been going around to different companies, marketing OSH Solutions to them. I'm hoping that they will pick us up as their Safety Training Company. One of the companies that I've been trying to bring in to OSH has been cited for 14 safety violations on their project up at the air force base. They were given a safety shutdown. I personally know the safety leader on that project. Well, I'll be seeing them on Wednesday to present them a consulting package from OSH Solutions.
Pictures by Erik Sean Aquino.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
It Is All About Choices and Conveniences.
I read the below comment from a group page on facebook.
If you want to send your children to school here on island, you have to follow the rules/regulations to do that. Yes, it means they have to get their shots. If you don't like that idea. There is always homeschooling.
As per concrete homes, we also have a choice to do that. We can build beautiful wooden homes. But it comes with a price. Living in typhoon alley, majority of the people have chosen concrete homes so they don't have to rebuild as much after a major typhoon hits the island. All insurance companies will not insure a wooden structure on island.
Technology is a love hate relationship. Either we use it to our benefit and move ahead, or we're left behind. Yes, children do a lot of work on the computer in school nowadays. However it is not true that they need it for school. My daughter is a 4th Honors Student in her class. She doesn't use a computer for school work even though she is more computer/technological advance than I am. She knows my cellphone better than I do.
NO one forces us to be Consumers. It is a matter of Choice and Convenience. That's what it all boils down too.
Being a rancher has it's awards and also it's setbacks. I choose to be a rancher for several reasons. I want fresh produce and meat for my family. I enjoy being outdoors. But we are at the mercy of the weather in our area. I also just don't ranch here at my place, but at other ranches as well. There are alliances that I've made with other ranchers. We barter our goods or in kind services with each other. It's also a lifestyle that I particularly enjoy.
It is not convenient being a rancher. Raising animals prevents you from going to gatherings with family or friends. You have livestock to take care of daily...seven days a week...365 days a year. Gardens have to be maintained daily. Putting off a scheduled fertilizer a couple of days, maybe the stake in the heart, whether your harvested produce are organic or not.
Many Chamorus/Guamanians own land but don't do anything with it because of their busy schedules. They don't have time. Some property homeowners prefer to grow grass and exotic plants around their homes, instead of growing gardens to feed them.
Here is a site that disproves that you need large tracts of land to farm. Check out Urban Homestead. It's an amazing site that gives great ideas to farm the land that you have.
A lot of our people choose convenience over our traditional ranching lifestyle. In the end, no can dictate to you what to do, unless you allow them to.
So many of us don't have land, and live in homes or apartments where the only way you can get your food (even if natural like from a farmer's market) is to buy it. We cannot build our homes but live in concrete boxes. We must take our kids to medical doctors or they cannot attend school. In fact, we must have this dumb computer or they will fail school. Unless we are fortunate to own land and live off of it, we're stuck in a consumer world. And even if we own land, laws require we be consumers.
I reflected on the comment for awhile. After I awhile, I disagreed with the comment.
Just because you do not have land does not mean you cannot get farm fresh produce. You can still grow vegetables in pots. If you're renting a home with land, use pots to grow vegetables in. Ask your landlord if you can put in a garden. If you're renting an apartment you can do the same. You won't know, if you don't ask.
Yes, owning land has it's freedoms to do what you can with the land you have. But just because you don't have any...does not mean you can't. You can lease land. Try going on a private contract with the landowner. I have seen and know people on this island who are ranching on private land on contract.
I reflected on the comment for awhile. After I awhile, I disagreed with the comment.
Just because you do not have land does not mean you cannot get farm fresh produce. You can still grow vegetables in pots. If you're renting a home with land, use pots to grow vegetables in. Ask your landlord if you can put in a garden. If you're renting an apartment you can do the same. You won't know, if you don't ask.
Yes, owning land has it's freedoms to do what you can with the land you have. But just because you don't have any...does not mean you can't. You can lease land. Try going on a private contract with the landowner. I have seen and know people on this island who are ranching on private land on contract.
If you want to send your children to school here on island, you have to follow the rules/regulations to do that. Yes, it means they have to get their shots. If you don't like that idea. There is always homeschooling.
As per concrete homes, we also have a choice to do that. We can build beautiful wooden homes. But it comes with a price. Living in typhoon alley, majority of the people have chosen concrete homes so they don't have to rebuild as much after a major typhoon hits the island. All insurance companies will not insure a wooden structure on island.
Technology is a love hate relationship. Either we use it to our benefit and move ahead, or we're left behind. Yes, children do a lot of work on the computer in school nowadays. However it is not true that they need it for school. My daughter is a 4th Honors Student in her class. She doesn't use a computer for school work even though she is more computer/technological advance than I am. She knows my cellphone better than I do.
NO one forces us to be Consumers. It is a matter of Choice and Convenience. That's what it all boils down too.
Being a rancher has it's awards and also it's setbacks. I choose to be a rancher for several reasons. I want fresh produce and meat for my family. I enjoy being outdoors. But we are at the mercy of the weather in our area. I also just don't ranch here at my place, but at other ranches as well. There are alliances that I've made with other ranchers. We barter our goods or in kind services with each other. It's also a lifestyle that I particularly enjoy.
It is not convenient being a rancher. Raising animals prevents you from going to gatherings with family or friends. You have livestock to take care of daily...seven days a week...365 days a year. Gardens have to be maintained daily. Putting off a scheduled fertilizer a couple of days, maybe the stake in the heart, whether your harvested produce are organic or not.
Many Chamorus/Guamanians own land but don't do anything with it because of their busy schedules. They don't have time. Some property homeowners prefer to grow grass and exotic plants around their homes, instead of growing gardens to feed them.
Here is a site that disproves that you need large tracts of land to farm. Check out Urban Homestead. It's an amazing site that gives great ideas to farm the land that you have.
A lot of our people choose convenience over our traditional ranching lifestyle. In the end, no can dictate to you what to do, unless you allow them to.
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