"Keeping It Fresh and New!!!"

I’m thinking about going to Chicago for my B-Day Weekend in July. No business, nothing work related, simply going to Chicago and spend some well deserved time alone with my better half.

We “ALWAYS” talk about going to Chicago, but something always comes up and steers us away from our plan. Chicago is the “Big City” and has a lot of opportunity for those wanting to break their normal routine and try something fresh and new. I think it would be cool to get away and just try it! What do you think? 

"Money, Money, Money!!!!"

I’m sitting here this morning with my two older sons. We’re watching the DVR’ed Teen Wolf. I love it!!! Anyway, as I look at and set up household finances, I kind of smurk! “How did I drop myself into this momentary debt crisis?” Wow!! What gets me is that my education is in finance and business. How did I let this economic crunch get me off of my path?

Daniela and I have always been able to function and exist on super-strict budgets. My concern is educating my children and making sure they see and understand the importance of making thoughtful financial decisions. There are many programs that claim to teach youth about finances, but I’d rather educate my children myself and show them decisions Daniela and I have made wrong and right. 

"Getting Restless!!!"

Yesterday while at work, I was having a draining day. Midway through, I received a phone call to my cell from the mother of an old friend. My high school buddy, Michael Meeks, mother called me, seemingly, from out of the blue. She just wanted to check on us (my family and I) and see how we enjoyed our trip down there this past March.

I try to find my relaxation and comfort in that ideal of family and friendship. Like Mrs. Meeks, I have that desire and goal to return home for the sanity of my children. At 13, 12, 10, and 4, my children are at that point in their lives I can see influences from outside of the house. Now don’t get me wrong, not all outside influences are bad or wrong. I would simply feel more at ease with knowing my oversight is greater than non-relative influences.

Returning home though, seems as difficult or more even than actually thought. I’ve applied multiple times at multiple locations (companies, firms, etc.), but if you’re not there, physically, it’s hard to get them to look at you. I’ll continue trying to and keep you all posted, =D!!!!

"Where's My Job???"

Career-wise, I wonder if I’ve allowed my ship to sail off without me. I remember being in high school and mentally scanning over the endless possibilities of securing a rewarding and satisfying career. I’ve, still, not found that ideal career position. Can I actually find it? Is there a career out there searching for me? I don’t know and it’s getting super-hectic.  

"Submission or Knockout"

With MMA growing as quickly as it is, I see the transformation and growth developing into a new art form. In 1993, Royce Gracie showed what pure Gracie Jiu Jitsu could do and how it dominated ALL other martial arts and combat sports. Fighters realized the importance of having Jiu Jitsu in their arsenals and began developing hybrid styles of fighting in MMA.  Now, you have fighters who are experts at several art forms and can defend Jiu Jitsu attacks.

Jiu Jitsu is so awesome because of what it does. Jiu Jitsu makes a man admit (submit) to his own loss or inability to escape. It causes a man to give up. To quit!!! Knockouts are great and are very devastating, but knockouts may or may not happen. Knockouts are of chance rather than taking position on your opponent, passing his guard, getting his back, and choking him until he realizes he has no way out and can’t escape, forcing him to tapout. By tapping out, he admits you are superior. The submission is so much more awesome than the knockout…to me!!!   

""I Wish I Were A Millionaire""

I walked into my neighborhood gas station today and was overwhelmed by the number of people who play the lottery. I was in a slow and long line. The person at the front of the line was buying lottery tickets and was taking up so much time; I was nearly late to work. Then my light bulb lit up!!!

What if I won the lottery???

If I won the lottery, I would be total “CRAP” and I would probably go broke within the year. People are winning amounts like $398 Million. Of course the government has to get theirs, but after that, you still have mucho loot.

For starters, I would leave and go to a motel before the winner (me) is announced. That would stop the greedy friends and family from hunting you down. In the motel, it would be my kids, my wife, and I only. I would contact an attorney who has his/her JD/MBA and focuses in finance. Our first duty would be to payoff all of my debt. I would also payoff my parents and sisters debt.

Living in my current city and neighborhood would be an automatic “No” and would lead us to secure residency elsewhere. I would push for Galveston Island, Texas. All my family (my parents and sisters) would move as well. Everyone would get houses, but not mansions. They would get modest homes and vehicles. They would not get money, but rather employment and business opportunities. I have three friends I would assist and help develop business opportunities, but that’s it!!!

The focus would be on developing financial opportunities that my children and nephews can manage and grow. My children would get trusts set up and stipulations for them to attend and graduate college would be set up as well.

Now the “REAL” fun...

I would spoil my wife. I would give her what she deserves. I know our union isn’t built on material things, but I’d feel good having the opportunities to spoil her with them. We would travel and stay moving around.

The only problem is, I don’t play the lottery at all. How can you win at something and you never play to win? Well, that’s the craziness of thinking about winning. You have to play to win.

Keeping The Kids Busy!!!!

As summer tends to roll in and the kids prepare for their summer vacation, Daniela and I are trying to figure out the game plan. What are the kids going to do for the summer? Where are they going to go? Where are we going to go?

As it stands, the kids are going to do summer camps and a lot of physical activities.

Nasir (13), Nile (12), and N’kya (10) will be going to META Tennis Camp from 9 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday

Naim (4) will be attending the King Center Summer Camp (same time frame).

After camp activities: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday Nasir, Nile, N’kya, and Naim will train their Gracie Jiu Jitsu with Red Schafer MMA.

On Thursday and Friday Nile, N’kya, and Naim will be training Saleem Karate-Do at the King Center.

It’s very important for the kids to be very busy during the summer break. Idol time allows for very destructive behaviors. The above scheduled activities will allow the kids to get their physical activities in daily and be clear of negativity of the neighborhood.  

"I Want to Compete!!!!"

I need a healthy diet plan to cut weight, but maintain and build cardiovascular endurance and physical strength. After obtaining my Blue Belt, I took most of the week off and returned today for Combat Conditioning. It was brutal!!! My body felt the absence from being in the gym and I felt nauseated several times. I feel better right now and plan to attend Gi Class tomorrow morning. Next week, I start on my push towards the IBJJF Tourney and NAGA in Chicago this August.

My first and only jiu jitsu competition experience was a train wreck. It was at a NAGA in Evanston, IL. The team went without our coach and very inexperienced players. When my division was called, it was very hectic and me being new to competing didn’t make it too much better. When the match started, my opponent had his coach on the sideline coaching him and I was alone. It was very intimidating. I stressed and got caught. My Diabetes was an issue as well. Damn!!!

Now with being promoted, I set a goal to compete again. I could have put it off further down the road, but I would rather do it now. With my new team behind me, I have the confidence to compete again. This time around, I have a strong coach and training staff and my health is a main focus for me. I think my experience will be much more enjoyable than the NAGA in Evanston. I’ll keep you posted!!!!!