A little more Gratitude.

Since I was 16 I started off working in the restaurant business. Thinking it would be easy and I would enjoy it because my mom did. But I was wrong. I hated it ! Now Im working in two different places which I can say I love and enjoy very much. The environment and  people around me make the work place a whole lot better. 

The first place I started working at is at the East Boston YMCA. I have been here for almost three years, that is the longest I have ever lasted at a work place. Here I watch over kids from morning to afternoon. These kids bring a smile to my face when I'm having a rough day. Seeing how smart and how much they learn it a bitter sweet feeling. Most of these kids adore me and seeing how much I have impacted on their lives is great to know, parents always thank me for my time and patience, little do they know I should be thanking them for taking their kids to me and trusting me. Knowing  there is trust between myself and parents is great. Absolutely no words can describe how happy and grateful I am to have this job, its right up my alley. Because of the YMCA I'm in school going for my dream. They have helped me in ways other jobs haven't. 

I recently started off at a new job a few weeks ago at the Courtyard Marriott, also in East Boston as a housekeeper. The job itself is very difficult, yet I enjoy it a little too much. I think about it as a challenge. I have about 7.5 hours to clean about 14 rooms. Sounds pressuring and hard to do, but once I got the hang of it I managed to handle it all. The people at the hotel aren't as friendly as they are at the YMCA only because most are old and rude, since I'm the youngest they see me as a threat. Other than those ladies I get to focus on myself and what to do to make my job better and easier. I am grateful from his job only because the managers there are very lenient with school and my other job, and the pay is beyond great. Being on my own this was the one thing I needed. The job has given me whole lot in the past few weeks that I would have never thought I would have. It is honestly a great place to work at and I am grateful to be there.

I believe that where ever I am left working, I know I will be happy at either place. Both are financially helpful and both are economically best to work at in my case.

Hey yo check it 

My name is Nicole I'm 19 years ol'

I live in the east of Boston 

Where the sun always shines

hey don't hate on my lines.

From flipping the burgers,

To shaking the shakes, 

and waiting on people who wouldn hate.

Ive done it all !

Sitting those who be rude just cause 

they moody, don't be a classic judy !

Working with computers aint a joke,

I know all the moves on this game.

Time passed and Im with the rugrats,

 who sleep like bats.

floor one done, two and three..

the day will never end.

A Quick Prediction.

Plan A:

Beverly, Ma is where I will build my family. Far from the city and where I grew up, nothing bad with trying a new location. I will own a beautiful house with at least four rooms, a dining area, a large sized living room, a huge kitchen, and just everything that a house would need.
My husband and I will raise five kids and have two vicious dogs, we will also have a great amount of backyard space enough to have some family and friends over for cookouts in the summer.

On the weekdays I will be teaching at one of the kindergartens in Beverly where my days start early but end early also, enough time to spend with my kids, making dinner and doing homework with them. My husband won't work later than 5pm that way we can always have a family meal together. Financially I will be stable and so will my husband. Being able to buy anything when I need to but also have enough to pay my house and bills.

Life would be perfect, some ups and downs here and there but always getting through the tough parts.

A Twist ...

We all know that these future predictions may or may not happen the way we want it too or maybe it won't at all and only pieces of it happen. We have to live for what we have.

Five years later..

I have graduated college and have started a permanent position at a preschool as an assistant teacher, I'm living on my own and things are on the right track. Until I receive a phone call from my grandmother, her voice is joyful yet anxious. She starts to explain to me how my grandfather got approved from the judges in Peru and in the U.S for him to come back and start his life as a resident. Once I receive these news I knew for a fact that our lives were going to change and things were going to me amazing. My grandfather is our equator, he keeps us stable and happy. A month passes by and I'm at the airport .... waiting ... 20 mins later there he is, all smiles walking toward me. All I do is smile and cry. He finally gets to hug me and say " I'm back home." 

After having my grandfather back our lives got better. My family spent more time together and support for out lives grew stronger. I was able to be complete and fully happy again. Having my grandfather see my brother, my uncle, and myself succeed was the best feeling ever.

Plan B:

My assistant position didn't last at this elementary school because they didn't have enough in the budget to continue to pay for me. So I went on craigslist searched for new teaching positions but I had no luck. 

While browsing on craigslist I found an add for a nanny which paid amazingly, but it was all the way in Iowa. I had to move myself just to be able to stay on track. I didn't want to get into the restaurant business again or doing anything else that didn't involve kids. 

So I grabbed all my baggage and moved out to Iowa. There I had a place to stay which was financially acceptable. The nanny job included everything like food, a car, and a room in case I didn't have a place to stay. I wanted to continue to stay independent and manage my own necessities so the room wasn't necessary. 

This family was very wealthy and kind. They took me in as if they had already knew me. While nannying I kept looking for work back home (which is Boston) but I had no luck and started to give up. This twist in my life had become a lifestyle and left me living in Iowa and actually enjoying myself with new company and a new life. It was definitely nothing I wanted or had planned for but I had to continue my life. 

Grace

With every rain drop,

every sunshine,

and every leaf that fall

 the earth moves and changes everyday,

my life is slowly moving in directions I didn't know it could move in.

Time passes by,

slowly...

Yet I find myself lost.

The winds push and shove me in different ways,

Again I am lost.

I start to regain faith and hope,

Positivity is on my shoulders.

I get the sense of happiness and joy.

oh boy..

A path I know I could follow into my dreams.

A new life,

new beginning,

everything just seems so right. 

looking up at the light,

seems to me that I'm alive. 

What The Future Should Hold.

In order for my future plans and ideas to come about I have to graduate college with at least my bachelors degree in education. Once I have my degree I will look very hard for a position at any great school to get my motor going. Once I know I have a great job as a teacher I will continue to improve and teach these students everything they need to know (I hope). After I have had a set career I will fall madly in love with the man of my dreams, I am still working on how amazing he has to be. Then of course we will get married and honeymoon on the wonderful island of Hawaii for a good five days.   Before leaving for Hawaii we would have our brand new house under construction so what when we arrive back home we will have a wonderful home to call ours and start our enormous family. Once the family starts building up I will own two dogs. Bones which will be a big fat bulldog and stitch a small yorkie.  After struggling with owning one car and not being able to manage how to share the only car we have, I will my own Audi Q7 (yes, I dream big), The perfect mom/family car, if not then a Honda will do me justice. Either before I have kids or once my kids are on track with their lives I will travel to either Peru or Africa to teach kids who live in poverty english and the basics, also before having my kids I will go snorkeling and skydiving.  My Future is filled with a whole lot. This paragraph turned into a life plan that I will pursue.

A Visual.

When I look into the future
what is it I want for me?

Now I see
Now I see

I see my family out in the crowd,
Hugs, kisses and another diploma in my hand.

Now I see
Now I see

An empty room turned into my own

September comes and it will be filled with smiles.

Now I see
Now I see

He's on one knee,

Yes! I do!

 

Now I see
Now I see

Nine months later

a family is finally united.

Now I see
Now I see

A bark here and there
Bones and stitch have made it into the family also.

Now I see
Now I see

The kids are grown,

we are finally in a place where dreams do come true.

Now I see
Now I see

Life is slowly becoming a beautiful object.

Passion

The little boy to the left is Diego, one of the boys we help out.

My heart is set up as a huge one that cares a  bit too much, I'm passionate in helping those in need. Last year while being in Peru, I noticed a whole lot of poverty where I'm grandfather grew up. This place is called Zuñega, it is a really small town that has probably a population of 300 people maybe less. This is my favorite place to go because everyone is so nice & kind. The children there bring tears to my eyes because with anything that I bring them, whether it may be clothes or toys they just feel the love and thoughtfulness I bring. If I had all the money in the world I would do anything to build them a home and give them all the clothes they need. In the U.S you don't see much of this poverty because there are shelters and homes where people can stay, but over there there isn't as much. 

I can connect my passion by becoming an elementary school teacher. By becoming a teacher I can gain a whole lot of knowledge and help those kids in need of an education, they will learn more than what they do. With being trilingual I can do so much and I would connect this to those kids I get the chance to teach. Working at the YMCA also helps me get a glance on what I could be dealing with. I have gained knowledge from them that will become very useful. Working there makes me apart of the kids growing, I have some impact on them. One goal I have set for myself is that When I have enough knowledge I WILL go to Peru to teach these kids the basic. Whether its a week or a month I will impact their life.

If I could pick a service to work for, I would not know which one I would pick only because each service has so much to give. Im willing to give everything but they may not want that. What I would do is build myself a foundation where it would be somewhat like DCF ( department of children and families). Help those families who are in need of a place to stay or a shower and of course some food. Now DCF has been cutting their slack and have not been helping as much. If building my own foundation doesn't work then I would find my way into DCF and bettering their service. Like I said there is so much one can actually do for these people in need and so little that people won't want to do. Poverty is no joke and seeing people be so careless is hurtful. That is why anything that is possible to help those in need is better than nothing. Always taking advantage of what is in front of you and never take what you have for granted.

Poem



A never ending gift
that will always be there for my own
to always give those a lift.

A dirty face with a bright smile,
how do we ignore such beauty
Its how they style.

Actions better used than words
hugs and laughs is all they need
what more is this worth.

Such a cruel world,
careless and rude
its like living in a whirled pool.

My happiness is helping,
seeing those pearl whites
is over powering.

A must and justice to the people 
Poverty is not at all a curse or to blame 
It is surely the system's failure in sharing. 

Gratitude

Love. The number one thin I will always take for granted. I Get tough love from my boyfriend but that is all understanding on my view of the relationship. It's a love that won't compare to no other. Our relationship deals with a love that will always be taken for granted. We don't know how to grab right onto it and make it into something amazing. The love will always be special and important to me. But it will always be taken for granted. This tough love compared to my moms love differs a whole lot. Her love will always be unconditional and will always be forgiven. Often I make mistakes that just take so much to forgive but have the reassurance of her love is great. It's a love that gets taken for granted no matter what situation.

Without a doubt in my head I am truly grateful for my boyfriend. Ever since the huge drama with my ex-boyfriend, he has been a huge impact in my crazy life. With every step I take or decision I make, he is the only one who will advise and hold my hand throughout it all. We have been through tough times ourselves that it only makes us stronger and healthier. Now that I am living on my own, I get nothing but respect from him. He is someone that will always guide me into the right path. Whether he knows it's right or wrong he knows very well to lead me into the right path. Other than being my boyfriend he is a great friend and I can tell anything too. Nothing and no one will ever compare to him. I am grateful to have him in myife and I hope to have him for a longer time.

I can take in my thoughts much more and let it all out. A person can have so many thoughts that at times we just don't know where to put it all. There are times where I'm stuck in  a situation where I need to speak up but I won't speak up at the time. At work I'll have problems with a manager or someone I don't get along with and I won't speak up. Thats the main problem. I don't blab my thoughts to make changes. That goes for my boyfriend at times we'll argue but it won't go far because of me, nothing will get settled because I don't take the time to say what is truly important. I have to learn and take in what I have to respond or react when I'm in situations where its needed for me to do so. Its not easy for me to simple blab, I was never thought to do so. It runs in my family. With my family there was no communication what so ever, I guess that can be a reason to why I moved out and why us being in the same house can get annoying and bad at times. I know that it will eventually sink into me and I will speak what I think.

Five

The sun shining bright

flowers starting to bloom

spring is coming soon 

Early mornings

a tug on my blanket

the rugrat is up.

The wind blowing so hard

leaves flying everywhere 

when will it be warm.

A wonderful smile,

that I never see so often

brightens up my day.

two weeks, and she's off

a new journey without me.

I wish you luck mom.

Get Over It

As a human we all face many objects or obstacles that can become a fear. We must try to over come these fears in order to be sane. Some fears can revolve around our everyday life. I fear myself failing everyday. I wake up and realize that I have such a long day ahead of me. I just want to give up and make nothing out of myself. That is always in a moment thing. I know I want to succeed and go very far in life but there is always that small negativity in myself that with all this work it will wear off and I will fail. Failure is not joke, once you fail where do you go? How does someone pick up where they left off. I have failed at many things but currently my life is on the line and being made, failing would be the tear down of world. Right now at Bunkerhill everything seems to be very easy but once I get myself into a tougher college it'll be even tougher on me. Nothing will come easy, the fear of failing will overcome itself by proving to myself that I will be able to get through all of the bumps in this bumpy road.




 My biggest fear is a a silly fear that I believe I will never be able to get over. Im almost 20 years old and I cannot step foot into a science museum. Ever since kindergarten it became something I feared the most. What scares me is all the realistic animals and creatures staring at you. I have gone twice in my 20 years of life and those two times have been the worst days of my life. For my eighth grade trip we took a trip to this museum and I had forgotten how much I hated this place. The minute my friends wanted to go check out the dinosaurs I ran away crying and filled with anxiety. For the rest of that trip I stayed in the food court eating all alone. I think back to it and I absolutely hate the thought about it, I cannot imagine myself enjoying another trip there or being able to relax and observe whats great about it. My boyfriend finds it ridiculous that I'm this scared of walking into a place where it is all fake. Its all in my head to why I'm this scared but I just know in myself that I cannot go in there again. The worst part about all of this is that I want to become a first grade teacher and becoming a teacher means that I would have to take them and when that day comes, oh boy will I not be ready! 

Losing someone so important to me is the biggest fear I have to live with for the rest of my life. I am extremely close to my grandparents that losing either one of them will be the end of me. No one has any idea of how much I would give totem. I have lose a few family members that I have loved very much but the love does not amount to the love I have for my grandparents. Death is something you cannot get back, once it happens there is no way on going back. Not being able to fix what had happened or to be able to help out the situation will eat me alive. I have always told my grandmother that when she passes away, I'm going with her whether she likes it or not. Imagining a world without the person who has been there for your whole life is devastating to process in your head. At times these thoughts take out the best in me, just imagining myself alone with other the ones I love makes me fear it even more. We can't kill the thought of our fears or how we will overcome anythjng in our path. With strength and positivity anything can get done whether it can be fixed or not.

Fear me not 

Fear revolves all around us

How must we not fuss !

Overcoming such negativity 

When all we need is more positivity.

When failure happens 

It is there to stay

Everything stands in the way.

No more paying attention to making it better

What does it even matter? 

A dinosaur here and fossils there

So many creatures

GET ME OUT OF HERE !

A love so profound 

Why must you leave this bound.

When you part, I will be in pieces.  

How to pick up when your gone?

Take me with you, for I am done!

A never ending fear 

Always so near

Face it and you will become an extraordinaire. 

This Very Moment.

 

At this very moment I am sitting in my new room listening to Sam Smith, with my feet up and with the lights dimmed just to perfection. I have started a new chapter in this long life book. Moving out was pretty hard, thinking about not seeing my mom or brother everyday is tough. This is the first time in 10 years that I have my own space. Yeah thats a long time, but it was about time I spread my wings. 

This week was the first full week of classes since we started school. It was so hard waking up at 5am just to catch a damn train and arrive to class an hour early. The MBTA is so frustrating, you just do not know what to expect anymore.  Anyways, my classes are going pretty great and they are easy classes. I honestly wonder why I'm in these classes because I know exactly what I am doing, but hey improvement doesn't hurt me. Overall this week was pretty relaxing, I had a good four days off of both my jobs, which felt amazing ! But with Monday being a day away, it slowly becomes a terrible twist.

 I cannot believe that we are already in March, Feels like it was December last week. It is honestly baffling on how fast time is passing. Today I spent the last day of February pretty damn well. I cleaned up my room, bought some expensive furniture for my room (it is killing my wallet), and spent time with my wonderful boyfriend. I always look forward to Saturdays in general only because this is the only day we have to spend together other than Sunday's, but that day is always cut short. 

There isn't much on my mind, I'm pretty happy with life and the great support I have been getting from my mom. I guess you can say that she's on my mind. The picture I added is a Facebook post that she had posted up earlier today. I says the following ..

"Today my baby moved, its time for her to move on from being a baby to new adventures, the years pas and our kids grow and become independent. My heart is wrinkled with her decision, but I am so happy and proud because I know that she will get far in life. My fatty I love you with all my might, I miss you, I wish you the best in this new chapter of your life. Remember that I will always be here with anything that you need". 

While reading this and translating it, it touches my heart so much to know that I got very lucky to have such a great and understanding mother. I see how some people I know are with their mother and I just can't, I would never be able to disrespect or treat my mother like garbage, My mom is worth so much more than a diamond ring. She is honestly the best friend I could ever ask for. 

This free write has been the best assignment yet, only because I can just blab all over this blog. Now I shall write about my feelings on this class. Well I honestly wish I took more online classes, but I know that most of them wouldn't be this entertaining and creative. Waking up at 5am is a huge struggle but to just grab my laptop and relax whenever is SO much better! This class has made me start reading, I HATE reading so much, but this book is actually interesting and with the questions it just makes me want to read and understand the author much more. Well this free write was more than three paragraph, oops ! my apologies for making you read so much, I'm done now ! ADIOS 

When I stop, I notice

When I stop I notice

         how the day passes by

the birds can finally fly,
           the sun is out and the snow is melting,
melting like the cheese
            on a grilled cheese.

When I stop I notice
      the peace and silence I finally have.
My life is slowly shaping, 

      who knows what can come across this road.

amazingly I have the important ones to join me

        on my journey .      

When I stop I notice

       my heart racing by the look on his face,

So handsome and yet so perfect, 

      I stop and question what goes one in this long race

of love.

When I am in the moment 

     of giving up

I look up at those who expect me to be above all. 

    Yet not easy as said

 Always a bitter sweet feeling of feeling accomplished,

     never will I ever be abolished.

When I am in the moment 

      of writing a poem 

I feel lost and out of place,

     thankful to have my own thinking space.

Concentration is all I need. 

Lesson Learned.

There are many moments that we struggle through but yet have a hard time learning from what happened. A good lesson learned would probably be dealing with my first love. It may not be an event but this is someone who opened my eyes and someone who made me much stronger.

Starting off high school I felt like a lost puppy. I barely had friends, the only person I knew was my cousin. She made me join the JROTC drill team that was at 6am... EVERYDAY! I went for two weeks and then once I started missing my sleep I stopped going. I wasn't into the team as much as she was. 

Until one day I get a Facebook message from a cutie that was on the team. He convinced me to start going and of course I did. Slowly the drill team became something I enjoyed doing, it was something new and random.

The drill team became my new friends, especially the cutie. We would hang out on the weekends with the team and talk everyday. There was one day when he decided to walk me home and he noticed that he lived right down the street, we found it great because we could hang out a lot more ... as friends. What we had was a very strong friendship. The cutie had a crush on my cousin thats why I did not bother with falling for him. And yet of course I did, only because my cousin had a boyfriend so I decided to give it a shot. 

We went out secretly because he did not want anyone knowing what we had, I went along with it only  because I did not know better. This was the first real relationship I had ever gotten myself into. I saw the cutie as someone so amazing and someone I wanted to be with for a long time. We had the same group of friends, we enjoyed each others company, and we lived close by. 

Freshmen year ended and he graduated, his plans were to be in the Army after school and thats exactly what he did. He left for six months and in those six months I found out so much things that he had done behind my back. Mind you we did not claim each other as boyfriend and girlfriend, we were in the "Talking" stage. He did not want to make anything serious since he was leaving, I refused to move on. 

  

The things I found out involved so many other females that I had no idea it was all going on. Since we were so secretive no one knew about me. So the cutie went around and pleased whatever he wanted with these females. I felt used and abused by him. I was broken in many pieces and the worst thing about it was that I couldn't see him to give him a huge slap in the face. All I could do was write angry letters to him, which he responded but apologizing and saying that he was not right for me. I agreed 100% with him on that. 

The six months passed by and I stopped writing to him. He got home for Thanksgiving and I saw him at a soccer game, worse gut feeling ever. So much emotions going all over me. After the game we talked and ended things on a good note. We became friends but nothing like the way it was before.

My lesson was learned to never trust someone who wants to be in a secret relationship and to always communicate any feelings. Its pretty tough going from such a rough relationship to one where everything is perfect. The cutie did something that opened my eyes to see how I should view the guys that come across me. Now I see myself as someone who can place their foot down to a guy when he will try to disrespect me. This whole first love was true in my eyes until I knew what was hiding behind the cuteness. 

In my relationship now things are healthy its all equal and nothing is hidden from each other. All the mistakes I made with the cutie, I'm recovering now with my boyfriend. I thank him for teaching me a lesson and shaping me.

ALCHEMY

The Sun's shining essence
is always just one;
but its rays spread out
and show it as many.
Each created thing
is like a colored lamp
of the Sun
sometimes very damp


The essence is one,
but the attributes many.
we never know
what can come our way,
all we have to do is stand tall
and be all in for whatever
appears
no more fears

the steps taken are like an open book
may seem hard to look,
but we will all find that
one emerald across our path
that will change our view.

We've All Been There..

I will be focusing my thoughts to experiences I have gone through and what lessons were learned. I will mainly focus on situations between love and family. Dealing with these experiences have not been one bit easy, but there is always something to learn form it all.

Saul Sanchez.

My Old Man.

December 12, 2012 was the worst day ever, it is a day I will never forget.  It was a snowy day when I had gotten a phone call from my mom, yelling at me to get home. I rushed home to find my grandma crying while cooking. I kept asking everyone what was going on until my grandma mumbles "They took your grandpa" I was so confused until my mom explained to me what happened. My grandfather had been coming home from a job in Providence, that day was very snowy and the roads weren't safe.  He was driving until a car had crashed into him. The guy understood that he had no license and was just going to exchange information so that the damages could get paid for, but a witness was the one who called the police. My grandfather did not want to run and make the situation worse so he just let it all happen. My heart was crushed by the news. I had lost my old man, the only man in my life. When it was time for my grandfather to get his Peruvian passport I had the chance to see him before he left. He had on his dirty work clothes on and had such a happy look on his face. Saying bye to him was the hardest thing I have ever done. My grandfather was someone who would never shed a tear until that day. Letting go of his hand and watching him walk away in handcuffs was heartbreaking. Deep down I knew that he was going to be okay and that he was going back home to family. This experience has made me so much stronger. I am who I am today because of him. My old man will forever be my everything, no matter what.

Gersom P. Lopez 

My Nugget.

Finding out that I was going to be a big sister was okay news for me. I had been an only child for 8 years of my life and I was living it well. I knew that having a brother was going to add on some sharing and love, I didn't mind it at all. I remember my moms entire pregnancy, I found it so amazing to see her grow and grow until she popped. May 11, 2003, It was mothers day when this little nugget was born and boy was it a crazy day. All I can remember is waiting at home for my parents and the baby, I was so excited to see him. When I finally did, I felt complete. I watched over him like a hawk. My brother has become someone so important to  me that no one will every take his spot in my heart. After we had moved to Peru and moved back to Boston, My role as a sister had kicked itself into place. With my mom not being around it was up to me to handle it all. I did pretty well with my brother. Dealing with the responsibility of someone else was huge for a 10 year old. I through it all, the crying, the fighting and the tears. Now he's almost 12 and he's the most creative boy ever. Because of him I have learned to become mature and responsible. I look at myself and i'm someone very responsible and someone who he can definitely look up to.

At Ease.

When I was 14 my mom had decided to try to live on our own. It was not the best of apartments but it did the job of providing us with what we needed. My mom had my brother and I but that was not enough for her and I understand that. She started dating a man and that man ended up moving in with us. I wasn't that comfortable having a man who isn't my dad in my house but I was too young to say much and have it cause an affect. So my brother and I dealt with it. One night my mom got stuck working late and of course the man was home being a lazy and not doing anything. I remember this night clearly. I had on some basketball shorts and a tank top, thats the way I loved to sleep. My brother was already sound asleep next to me. I was starting to fall into sleep until I noticed that the lights were on but I acted as if I were asleep. I had noticed his shadow and him watching me sleep, then I felt a touch on my back. It was him touching my back and my legs. When he walked away I did not know what to do. I had no cell phone or anyway to contact anyone. Until my mom got home and I cried to her and I told her what he had done. She yelled at him and he denied it all. My mom called the police and by that time he had ran away. Police escorted me to school since I went alone, this went on for a week. No one in my family knew just my mom. That man is somewhere in Florida living as a sex offender. This whole experience has changed me in the best ways. It has made me someone who won't tolerate a man's inappropriate touch and someone stronger. Everything must happen for some reason. I had my share of obstacles and I know that there will be more, I just now know how to react.

Burgers.

saturday mornin's,
forced to be up by 8 o'clock
what reason , I'm not making that much guap
cook quick, shake this, flip that, don't miss
keeping it real,
making these meals
answering calls
caution sign up front, hoping no one falls.


burgers to burgers
shakes to shake
annoyed all day its time for my break.
look at my manager
how the hell do you manage hea
shows up late
we all hate
and he says "why y'all have to discriminate"
flipping all the burger racks
while thinking why this money can't come in stacks.

Days over, why did I agree to this job
I work with slobs.

PEACE!

Above All.

Ali, Livy, E, & Felipe.

Power.

Once I was able to work I went straight to it and got simple jobs, like working in fast food places. Going into my senior year of high school a friend of mine had said to me" Hey Nicole, I know you enjoy being with kids why don't you come into the Y and talk to Carlos?" I immediately accepted and went in. I had no application or resume to hand over to him. Carlos gave me a chance and gave me the chance to prove to him and the other YMCA staff that I was capable of handling kids. Weeks passed and he permanently gave me the job. I felt the power of being able to prove to those above me that I was capable of being with the children I enjoy the most.

Starting out on my first week, I was pretty anxious as always, only because I was watching over babies between 15 and 24 months. There were some babies who could barely walk or feed themselves, but one thing I do know was that they were all very smart. Whenever we would have lunch or snack they would all gather around the table excited to eat, banging the table and all in sync saying "PWEEEASSSEEE." Working with these kids was a pretty big step for me only because being around kids was my passion and being able to work and observe their actions was the best.

The way I felt power at work was having the ability to make them trust and love me. They grew onto me as I did to them. The minute I walk up the hall way and open that door all I can hear is "COLE" and a stampede of unbalanced babies running my way for a hug. I honestly cannot explain the feeling it gives me to be able to make nine babies listen and pay close attention to me when I say "No" or "Don't do this or that." 

These kids are the reason I smile everyday, I look forward to being in this environment and see what new thing they discover or say. They are all very wise in their own way. Sometimes I wonder how I was at their age. 

My love for children will continue to grow on me and I expect myself to continue in this path and learn what I can each day from them.

Powerless.

Graduating high school I thought that things were going to be a piece of cake. I'll take a semester off, work, and pick up with school next semester. That was probably the biggest mistake I could have ever made. I worked and worked everyday, made my money and had my own time to be lazy. Once September came around and I saw all of my friends getting ready to move into school and I saw pictures of them with new friends and just so much positivity. I was home, lazy, and being fat most of the time. I could have been them, I could have had new friends, and I could have started something new with myself.

The minute I noticed that I wanted to be in school, I went onto the BHCC website to see if I could sign up for classes. I was having such a hard time doing so that I cried for help to my boyfriend and he kept trying to help me until he noticed that I was not able to sign up for anything until I took my placement test. I had so much time on my hands during the summer that I just did not care and waited off for everything.

I remember that day like it was yesterday. I cried and cried to my boyfriend so much because I jumped to the conclusion of myself being a huge failure and I was extremely negative on myself. I saw that there was no hope in myself becoming a teacher or getting my degree. I knew that I was going  to attend school eventually but I wanted that time more than ever. Bringing myself down was no help, but on top of that my family was also bringing me down. My grandmother would always tell me that I was going to give up, I was not going to go to school, and that I was going to be a failure. She was the one person I could never go to because she would be very negative. Even though the reason I'm in school now is because of her. I understand that she wanted the best for me, but at that point in my life, I saw nothing but a dead end.

September passed and I got a phone call from my aunt. She is someone who knows a lot about schools, much more than my family. She offered me breakfast to talk about my future plans. We went to Donna's Diner in Orient Heights, had a delicious meal and talked a whole lot. I had told her my plans of becoming a teacher and how I felt for not starting school with my friends. She told me that taking a semester of was not going to harm me in any way, she said it was good that I made that choice. From that day on she helped me make a plan, apply for school, and get everything that I needed done.

Now Im a full time student at BHCC and working two jobs. At times I feel overwhelmed with how college is but I always tell myself that it will all be worth it in the end.

Keeping the Strength.

Harnessing my strength is basic to do. I try to forget the negativity that is going on around me and I focus on what is in front of me. I usually work so that helps me to get my mind off things. But if I were to pick something specific to help me, then of would definitely be knitting. Nothing will help me keep myself at ease but to knit.

I learned how to knit back when I was spending time in Peru. I did not attend school or have friends so my grandmother taught me how to knit. We would always sit down watch tv and knit. At the age of nine I felt like an old lady. Knitting till this day helps me out so much with relaxing and just focus on what string is going where. If knitting brought in some money for me, then that would be my ideal part time job.

When I was at my weakest I had the ears and shoulders from others but that was not enough to help me go on. I had knitting as an escape from the chit chatting everyone had to say to me. Being in a room with Sam Smith on blast, yarn, and my knitting sticks is the perfect get away for me. Nothing can beat that feeling. Knitting is my drug.






When I Was A Limitless Child.
When I was a limitless child
                I would always dance to the
       spice girls without a
care in the world,
             just me and my girls.
  I had no worries
                           or
                responsibilities.
Summer days
         were the most exciting.
Sneaking into
                     the black yard
was the best times yet
         making rounds of
                  kickball worth the risk.

When I was a limitless child
        being under the table
took us into
                outer space,
an imagination
                so enormous
                           who could understand us.
Summer days
           nothing got in
the way
            of us getting
      our daily slush and fries

When I was a limitless child
      I was living
a great
             Life.