– Josephine Hart
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Still Standing
I swear that trash talking has elevated since social networking has been a way of communication. People that can’t say things to your face create post status updates for their whole social network to see. Have you ever experienced that? Where you know that it’s targeted towards you because who else would be their ex? or who else have they been dating? or who else have they been having disagreements with? Some say that they keep their stuff generic and then people take it personal. However, how can it be generic when there is a connotation or a word that has your name written all over it?
What’s worse is that there are friends that comment on that status update only to add to the bulk of trash talk yet they only know one-side of the story. People like that just have no class because even though as we get older, we are suppose to know better—those people still have the mentality of a grade school kid because they want to tell everyone their personal business. Who talks smack about their ex? About their baby mama? About their baby daddy? About an ex friend? About an enemy? If the incident happened so long ago and that person says that they have moved on then why these posts? Maybe they need some support to justify their actions or maybe they want to shed the light of them being the "better" person. Some may say that this blog is a contradiction of this post. However, I have never named anyone and I simply keep it generic to the point where anyone can relate to the posts. That is the difference.
So what if you see status updates of: “He didn’t pay child support today,” “She was late to pick up our baby,” “She is a psycho ex, I want to delete her out of my life,” “He is such a bad boyfriend, he treats me so bad.” Before you go agreeing on someone’s post because you know the logistics of the dilemma why don’t you step back and not be the naïve person that you will be when you comment on that status. Because did you know he used to hit her? That she called his new girl because someone anonymously texted her? That he up and left her after she lost their baby? That she was caught up in an over-time shift? That maybe it’s because he was saving up to buy the bike that your son has always wanted? Just remember that there are always two-sides to a story so don’t be so quick to jump the gun.
Unlike some people, my friends tell me straight when I’ll be acting a fool, when I have given someone more chances than deserved and tell me what’s best for both people in the conflicted situation even if it means not getting what I thought was suitable. Just remember you cannot control what a person does but you can control how you react. So when someone has something bad to say about you on the internet or to your face, let them do what they have to do to make them feel adequate with their lives.
Let them tell their entire friends list of the wrongs that you have done or lies about you. You know the truth, you know what happened and you don’t need to parade around for anyone because you don’t owe anyone anything, you only owe it to yourself to be the better person. Let them call you names because people that spend so much time talking about situations that don’t directly involve them, just shows you that they love concentrating on other people’s faults instead of trying to improve their own personal demons. Let them say that you are pulling the victim card because the true meaning of acting like a victim, seem to fit the criteria of telling the whole world that they were done wrong by a person's actions just so that they can receive sympathy from the people that are willing to listen. We are too old to be pointing fingers and to be playing the blame game. Come on now. Accept what has happened and move on because the more you talk about it, the more you concentrate on it, the more it shows that you are not over it.
I don't know all the lessons of life but I know this: Life is too short to be concentrating on the bad things that has happened to you in life or the people that have betrayed you. You shouldn't be concentrating on something that is counter-productive. Ignore the noise so that you can concentrate on the melody. People come and go while life shifts you up and down. Things happen for a reason and it is all up to you on how you adjust.
..."I been through the storm. Had dirt on my name. I'm still holding on, champion of the game.Whatever don't kill you make you stronger...See I done a whole lotta growin'. You can bet your last that my head won't hit the floor. never, and I'm still standing"...
What’s worse is that there are friends that comment on that status update only to add to the bulk of trash talk yet they only know one-side of the story. People like that just have no class because even though as we get older, we are suppose to know better—those people still have the mentality of a grade school kid because they want to tell everyone their personal business. Who talks smack about their ex? About their baby mama? About their baby daddy? About an ex friend? About an enemy? If the incident happened so long ago and that person says that they have moved on then why these posts? Maybe they need some support to justify their actions or maybe they want to shed the light of them being the "better" person. Some may say that this blog is a contradiction of this post. However, I have never named anyone and I simply keep it generic to the point where anyone can relate to the posts. That is the difference.
So what if you see status updates of: “He didn’t pay child support today,” “She was late to pick up our baby,” “She is a psycho ex, I want to delete her out of my life,” “He is such a bad boyfriend, he treats me so bad.” Before you go agreeing on someone’s post because you know the logistics of the dilemma why don’t you step back and not be the naïve person that you will be when you comment on that status. Because did you know he used to hit her? That she called his new girl because someone anonymously texted her? That he up and left her after she lost their baby? That she was caught up in an over-time shift? That maybe it’s because he was saving up to buy the bike that your son has always wanted? Just remember that there are always two-sides to a story so don’t be so quick to jump the gun.
Unlike some people, my friends tell me straight when I’ll be acting a fool, when I have given someone more chances than deserved and tell me what’s best for both people in the conflicted situation even if it means not getting what I thought was suitable. Just remember you cannot control what a person does but you can control how you react. So when someone has something bad to say about you on the internet or to your face, let them do what they have to do to make them feel adequate with their lives.
Let them tell their entire friends list of the wrongs that you have done or lies about you. You know the truth, you know what happened and you don’t need to parade around for anyone because you don’t owe anyone anything, you only owe it to yourself to be the better person. Let them call you names because people that spend so much time talking about situations that don’t directly involve them, just shows you that they love concentrating on other people’s faults instead of trying to improve their own personal demons. Let them say that you are pulling the victim card because the true meaning of acting like a victim, seem to fit the criteria of telling the whole world that they were done wrong by a person's actions just so that they can receive sympathy from the people that are willing to listen. We are too old to be pointing fingers and to be playing the blame game. Come on now. Accept what has happened and move on because the more you talk about it, the more you concentrate on it, the more it shows that you are not over it.
I don't know all the lessons of life but I know this: Life is too short to be concentrating on the bad things that has happened to you in life or the people that have betrayed you. You shouldn't be concentrating on something that is counter-productive. Ignore the noise so that you can concentrate on the melody. People come and go while life shifts you up and down. Things happen for a reason and it is all up to you on how you adjust.
..."I been through the storm. Had dirt on my name. I'm still holding on, champion of the game.Whatever don't kill you make you stronger...See I done a whole lotta growin'. You can bet your last that my head won't hit the floor. never, and I'm still standing"...
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Freshman Mentoring Program Launches At Roosevelt High
Over 300 incoming freshmen at Roosevelt High School were greeted with a special program on their first day of school. The high school started a mentoring program called Ignition. It's used to help incoming freshmen into high school.
Roosevelt High School counselor, Terry Malterre says the program has been used in other states and has shown a high success rate. It not only helps with the high school transition but has also increased a school's overall academic performance.
"We really want them to make a connection with somebody at school and usually if they come to high school, they don't know anybody. So if we can hook them up with one upperclassman through the year then at least they'll have one connection and if they have any other referrals they have to go to, mentors can tell them go to the counselor, go talk to so and so. So it's making a connection with the school and being a part of Roosevelt instead of just being one person," said Malterre
An upperclassman voluntarily signs up to be a mentor and is assigned to a freshmen homeroom class. This group meets twice a week throughout the school year discussing issues ranging from academics to social conflicts. The mentor earns half a credit while being in the program. Knowing how it feels be a freshman, Roosevelt High School senior, Ruth Taketa signed up for the mentorship program to learn leadership skills.
"I hope to teach them you know to get involved in school activities. Don't be shy. Just do a lot of extra-curricular. Don't just be nothing in high school. Do a lot of sports, clubs because that's what's really fun you know. High school's really short. The more activities you do, the more fun you'll have," said Taketa.
The first day of the program kicked off with a ropes course, school tour, and scavenger hunt. As a way to engage the entire high school, the obstacle course was created by Roosevelt's building and construction academy. Incoming freshman, Jordan Montalbo said that one of the things that she was scared of was not being able to fit in.
"All of these activities have to do with diversity, respect, working together, teamwork. As a freshman, I really think that [the program] really does help. This program will help all the students to know that there are a lot of different students and everything…how to get along with each other no matter how different everyone is," said Taketa
Montalbo said that being shy, walking into the wrong classroom and having other students not liking her would be one of the many things that she would have to encounter as a new student on campus. Thanks to her mentor, she is looking forward to her first year of high school.
"The activities and the mentors, they are like really sweet and they helped me get through a lot of things today…they just made me feel normal," said Montalbo
Malterre hopes that this program will increase the school's attendance, graduation rate and will also encourage more students to attend college.
This is my work and you can see additional coverage of this story at Hawaii News Now.
Roosevelt High School counselor, Terry Malterre says the program has been used in other states and has shown a high success rate. It not only helps with the high school transition but has also increased a school's overall academic performance.
"We really want them to make a connection with somebody at school and usually if they come to high school, they don't know anybody. So if we can hook them up with one upperclassman through the year then at least they'll have one connection and if they have any other referrals they have to go to, mentors can tell them go to the counselor, go talk to so and so. So it's making a connection with the school and being a part of Roosevelt instead of just being one person," said Malterre
An upperclassman voluntarily signs up to be a mentor and is assigned to a freshmen homeroom class. This group meets twice a week throughout the school year discussing issues ranging from academics to social conflicts. The mentor earns half a credit while being in the program. Knowing how it feels be a freshman, Roosevelt High School senior, Ruth Taketa signed up for the mentorship program to learn leadership skills.
"I hope to teach them you know to get involved in school activities. Don't be shy. Just do a lot of extra-curricular. Don't just be nothing in high school. Do a lot of sports, clubs because that's what's really fun you know. High school's really short. The more activities you do, the more fun you'll have," said Taketa.
The first day of the program kicked off with a ropes course, school tour, and scavenger hunt. As a way to engage the entire high school, the obstacle course was created by Roosevelt's building and construction academy. Incoming freshman, Jordan Montalbo said that one of the things that she was scared of was not being able to fit in.
"All of these activities have to do with diversity, respect, working together, teamwork. As a freshman, I really think that [the program] really does help. This program will help all the students to know that there are a lot of different students and everything…how to get along with each other no matter how different everyone is," said Taketa
Montalbo said that being shy, walking into the wrong classroom and having other students not liking her would be one of the many things that she would have to encounter as a new student on campus. Thanks to her mentor, she is looking forward to her first year of high school.
"The activities and the mentors, they are like really sweet and they helped me get through a lot of things today…they just made me feel normal," said Montalbo
Malterre hopes that this program will increase the school's attendance, graduation rate and will also encourage more students to attend college.
This is my work and you can see additional coverage of this story at Hawaii News Now.
"They just leave. They always leave. Without any trace, without any explanation. & in turn, we make all of these silly excuses for them. Maybe they’re just too busy. Maybe they’re going through too much to make any kind of commitment. Maybe it’s just part of their nature… that they’re all like this. They lie. They cheat. They need excitement all of the time because the chase is all they ever really wanted & they’re just too easily attracted to the things that catch their eyes so they move on without any regret or second thought. We instill these thoughts into our minds because anger is the only way to get over them. Yet, we research them, observe their every move, look for any kind of sign that maybe, just maybe they’ve had a single thought of us & if we’re lucky, they’ll come back.
But more than anything we do all of these things because our biggest fear is that we were never good enough & that there was nothing we could do to fulfill the things that they wanted. It was our nature, it was my nature, not theirs… to be left behind.
I can’t wait for the day one of them proves me wrong."
--Timirose
But more than anything we do all of these things because our biggest fear is that we were never good enough & that there was nothing we could do to fulfill the things that they wanted. It was our nature, it was my nature, not theirs… to be left behind.
I can’t wait for the day one of them proves me wrong."
--Timirose
Monday, August 2, 2010
Championship Swimmer’s Recovery Makes Strides
A high-school champion swimmer is sitting up and smiling after his horrific fall in June. Hawaii News Now caught up with the swimmer of what he could remember when he was injured in Samoa and about his rehabilitation progress.
16-year-old Daren Choi flew to Western Samoa to compete in the 8th annual Oceania Swimming Championships. He earned three medals and was the most decorated individual Hawaii swimmer among competitors from 13 different countries. He and the rest of the Kamehameha Swim Club wanted to enjoy the rest of their stay in Samoa and sailed to Savaii Island on a sightseeing tour.
Choi remembers climbing among rocks with some of his team members to reach a freshwater cave. Just when they knew that they were too high up from the ground and were going the wrong way, he placed all of his weight on a dead tree trunk, giving way to his 15-foot fall.
“I saw the water when I flipped so I immediately knew that I had to cover my head, because I knew there was coral down there. I thought that I covered my head and then when I was in the water, I like tried to move but I couldn’t move my whole body so I was like freaking out. I thought that I was going to die right there and drown but luckily my friends were there to help me and pull me back out,” said Choi.
Tired from all of the transporting and scared that he could not move his body, Choi’s heart dropped and was devastated when he found out that the daily boat that travels from Savaii to Samoa had already left for the day, leaving Choi overnight on the island without a proper medical facility.
Back at home Daren’s father, Derrick, remembers when he heard that Daren had fractured sections of his spine. Doctors told Derrick that his son may have to stay in New Zealand for a month or two, forcing him and his wife to relentlessly think of ways to travel overseas. In tremendous pain, Daren yearned to talk to his family for some support.
“I think the first time I talked to my dad was when they transported me back to Western Samoa and I got on the phone with him and immediately, I broke out in tears because I couldn't hold it in,” he said.
Derrick remembers saying hello and hearing his son cry. Since Daren was advised not to move, Derrick remembers trying to comfort his son while being thousands of miles away. The news about the accident spread to family and friends the Chois were overwhelmed by the love and support.
Still wearing a steel halo, Daren says that he could not have made it this far without his support system of family, friends, coaches and swim team family. Hawaii’s state swimming championships were in June and the entire team wore a special cap in spirit of their recovering team mate. In Japanese tradition, it is said that by folding a thousand origami cranes it helps a person’s recovery process. His team mates folded and framed a thousand cranes, arranging the cranes to form the swim clubs symbol. Daren sees it every day in his rehabilitation room as a reminder to keep pushing.
One doctor told Daren that he may never walk again and Daren says he has used the doctor’s scary diagnosis as motivation.
“I try not to think of him because it kind of brings me down but I always keep it as motivation, you know like to prove him wrong. I want to go back [to him] and like shake his hand and say what now.”
As hard as it is to continue his rehab exercises, Daren says that he is continuing to keep his head up in order to get back in the water to swim.
“It’s pretty much my life you know. I love it. I love the sport. I love to race, you know just getting back out there with my friends. Racing against the big dogs and everything, I love it.”
Daren’s medical bills has exceeded more than $100,000. Choi’s family and friends have organized fundraiser benefits to help alleviate the costs. A Zippy’s fundraiser on behalf of Daren will start on August 15th. Several swimmers will be out in front of Don Quijote selling $7 tickets. To reserve to tickets, you can email Dane Kawamoto at swimmersfordarenchoi@yahoo.com. A family fun day will be held on August 21st at the Momilani Community Center from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The Kamehameha Swim Club have also set up an account, “KSC Friends of Daren Choi” at First Hawaiian Bank.
This is my work and you can see additional coverage of this story at Hawaii News Now.
16-year-old Daren Choi flew to Western Samoa to compete in the 8th annual Oceania Swimming Championships. He earned three medals and was the most decorated individual Hawaii swimmer among competitors from 13 different countries. He and the rest of the Kamehameha Swim Club wanted to enjoy the rest of their stay in Samoa and sailed to Savaii Island on a sightseeing tour.
Choi remembers climbing among rocks with some of his team members to reach a freshwater cave. Just when they knew that they were too high up from the ground and were going the wrong way, he placed all of his weight on a dead tree trunk, giving way to his 15-foot fall.
“I saw the water when I flipped so I immediately knew that I had to cover my head, because I knew there was coral down there. I thought that I covered my head and then when I was in the water, I like tried to move but I couldn’t move my whole body so I was like freaking out. I thought that I was going to die right there and drown but luckily my friends were there to help me and pull me back out,” said Choi.
Tired from all of the transporting and scared that he could not move his body, Choi’s heart dropped and was devastated when he found out that the daily boat that travels from Savaii to Samoa had already left for the day, leaving Choi overnight on the island without a proper medical facility.
Back at home Daren’s father, Derrick, remembers when he heard that Daren had fractured sections of his spine. Doctors told Derrick that his son may have to stay in New Zealand for a month or two, forcing him and his wife to relentlessly think of ways to travel overseas. In tremendous pain, Daren yearned to talk to his family for some support.
“I think the first time I talked to my dad was when they transported me back to Western Samoa and I got on the phone with him and immediately, I broke out in tears because I couldn't hold it in,” he said.
Derrick remembers saying hello and hearing his son cry. Since Daren was advised not to move, Derrick remembers trying to comfort his son while being thousands of miles away. The news about the accident spread to family and friends the Chois were overwhelmed by the love and support.
Still wearing a steel halo, Daren says that he could not have made it this far without his support system of family, friends, coaches and swim team family. Hawaii’s state swimming championships were in June and the entire team wore a special cap in spirit of their recovering team mate. In Japanese tradition, it is said that by folding a thousand origami cranes it helps a person’s recovery process. His team mates folded and framed a thousand cranes, arranging the cranes to form the swim clubs symbol. Daren sees it every day in his rehabilitation room as a reminder to keep pushing.
One doctor told Daren that he may never walk again and Daren says he has used the doctor’s scary diagnosis as motivation.
“I try not to think of him because it kind of brings me down but I always keep it as motivation, you know like to prove him wrong. I want to go back [to him] and like shake his hand and say what now.”
As hard as it is to continue his rehab exercises, Daren says that he is continuing to keep his head up in order to get back in the water to swim.
“It’s pretty much my life you know. I love it. I love the sport. I love to race, you know just getting back out there with my friends. Racing against the big dogs and everything, I love it.”
Photo Courtesy of Daren Choi
Daren’s medical bills has exceeded more than $100,000. Choi’s family and friends have organized fundraiser benefits to help alleviate the costs. A Zippy’s fundraiser on behalf of Daren will start on August 15th. Several swimmers will be out in front of Don Quijote selling $7 tickets. To reserve to tickets, you can email Dane Kawamoto at swimmersfordarenchoi@yahoo.com. A family fun day will be held on August 21st at the Momilani Community Center from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The Kamehameha Swim Club have also set up an account, “KSC Friends of Daren Choi” at First Hawaiian Bank.
This is my work and you can see additional coverage of this story at Hawaii News Now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)