2013 Wrap-up

Well here we are. Twelve more days until 2014. Incase I either run out of time to send Christmas cards or they get sent late, here's a rundown of the year's highlights..

My family started off the new year in a bittersweet fashion. We had to leave the home we made in Norwalk of nearly 20 years abruptly. Unfortunately lost a lot or had to leave behind a lot. But thankfully another door opened in the literal nick of time here in Cypress.

The new city brought new opportunities for myself as I found a job with AEG as a Team Store Associate inside Angels Stadium. I actually also spent a couple of months at a clothing boutique called Chico's in the Shops at Rossmoor, Seal Beach. That job didn't work out so well, so I chose to leave. But I'm confident AEG will continue to provide me with opportunities and skills for something greater in the future. It's a great company, excellent management, and my co-workers are awesome. Working with AEG exposed me to working with sports fans from all over the world, and gave me the opportunity to experience working my first concert. Kenny Chesney and the No Shoes Nation Tour rocked Anaheim in July with Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, and the Eli Young Band. I managed to work a level where I could watch some of the concert after the rush of guests buying tour merchandise calmed down. It made a new fan out of me and I can't wait to go to a concert of theirs one day. And even though I was on the clock per se, it sure didn't feel like work. I had so much fun!

As we know, the Angels did not make it to the playoffs this year. But fortunately, my last days at the stadium in September intertwined with a new job at Ulta Beauty. A new store opened at Lakewood Mall, and although I applied to be closer at the Seal Beach location, I figured this could be my way in if any opportunity arose at Seal Beach later on. The first month and a half at Ulta went very well. But lately, as the store has been open and unfortunately not doing so well at its Lakewood location, corporate has had to cut the store's budget. That means the schedule gets cut, and my position as a stock associate is one that is hit hardest. I did not work from early October until Black Friday. Even then, it was a mere four hours. No shifts scheduled since then. As much as it pains me because it's one of my favorite stores and I love everyone working there, I may have to find another side job before the baseball season starts again.  Unless there's a spot in Seal Beach, I may have to leave Ulta. Because if it's this bad now, it's likely to get worse after the New Year when holiday shopping ends. Oh, how I don't want to let go of that 25% discount! Eh, we'll see what happens. In the meantime, Angels Stadium has Monster Truck and Moto X coming up for every Saturday in January and the first week of February. I've already signed up to work those events, so those should be quite interesting.

Austin began Pre-Kindergarten at Valley Christian Preschool in September, and so far is flourishing. He missed the new September 1 cut-off for Kindergarten, so he'll be one of the older Kindergarteners next year. But he's still with his little crew of Jackson, Joshua and Finn, who he's been kickin it with since last year, and even added a couple of more new buddies named Asher and Cooper. Turns out that Asher and Cooper are the sons of the Youth Pastor and Young Adults Pastor at our church, Cottonwood Church. So we've had the chance to begin bonding with their families which has made our blending into the church much more enjoyable. As far as the lil ladies are concerned, Austin certainly has not lost his touch. He still has Samantha hanging around from last year, and now he has 2 new lil ladies added to his list, Avery and McKenna who are also sisters. Play on, playa.

Getting back to the church subject, that was another place in which we spent more time getting situated with. We had been going to Light and Life Christian Fellowship in Downey while living in Norwalk. Louis personally knew Pastor Kevin there as he grew up with that church while living with his mom in Long Beach, and Pastor Kevin was at the Long Beach campus back then. So getting back to Pastor Kevin in Downey was very nice for Louis, and I had a great time getting to know him and the church as well. Everyone there was wonderful, and because it was somewhat of a small church, it made it even more so. However, once we moved to Cypress, we felt we were going to have to find a church closer to home. My father is usually the one who gives us a ride to church, and being that we're now a bit of a further distance from Downey, we didn't want to burden him with the drive. We found Cottonwood Church in Los Alamitos a short 5 minute drive just a few blocks away, and began going there in February. Granted, the size of the church is somewhat intimidating to newcomers. But everyone is very welcoming and there are so many ways to get involved in small groups or volunteering that it really doesn't feel so overwhelming after a while. Pastor Bayless Conley is absolutely wonderful, and we are so inspired by his story and his teachings. His family are just as great as well, and the connection to Austin's friend Asher continues there--Bayless is Asher's grandfather, Asher's father is Harrison Conley, the Youth Pastor. We had the opportunity to meet Bayless and his wife Janet at Austin's program for Grandparent's Day this past September at the school. It was also there when we found out that Valley Christian Preschool will have their graduation on June 6 (my 36th birthday!) at Cottonwood! We were so thrilled to hear that, very much looking forward to it. I believe that means we can invite as much friends and family as we can since Cottonwood's large auditorium can provide the space.

My mom was given the greatest opportunity she could be offered at this point in her life with a new job at Hansen and Adkins Auto Transport, just a hop-skip-jump over in Los Alamitos. No more freeway commute, more pay, and much more opportunity and benefits. It's a bit larger operation than what she experienced at her previous job, but it's nothing she can't handle. She was personally recruited by the owner of the company, which says a lot in itself. This owner was/is a client of her previous employer and he developed a very good work rapport with my mom, which is why they became so well acquainted. When she came home in August to tell us that he wanted to meet her for lunch, we just knew he was gonna offer her a job. As a matter of fact, he created a job title just for her! The company is very well off, and she's the happiest she's been at a job for a very long time. She was recently given a very generous Christmas bonus from the owner and co-owner, who she said walked to each and every office and cubicle to personally thank each employee and hand over their bonus checks. And it wasn't a quick, "Hey thanks". These guys stopped and took the time to personally acknowledge every employee. Now that's management!

In January, my dad will celebrate 44 years with Disneyland. He's still hanging in there, working hard, and I give him mad respect for that. He's had quite the experience there, and of course we are very grateful to have the advantage of Disney perks. Even after he retires, we'll still reap benefits, so we're a Disney family por vida.

Louis advanced in his classes this year and has been getting more exposure to his chosen degree in Hospitality Management. He finished out his Spring semester at Cerritos College, and moved on to Cypress College in the Summer up to the present. Cypress actually has a Hospitality Management program which Cerritos did not, so at least now he can get moving a little faster towards his degree. He's been having fun learning about the business and spending more time in the kitchen. It's always good to be exposed to all ends, as he's come to realize. I believe so too, as I told him to keep his options open and also consider Event Management. We're right next to Anaheim, total Disney country, resort heaven, the opportunities are plenty.  Other than school, Louis still worked with Staff Pro this year doing security. He did the annual Long Beach Grand Prix assignment, took on an overnight shift working a rave at the San Manuel Ampitheater in October, just to highlight a couple. But he's in the market for working closer to his degree field, so if you know anyone or anywhere that's hiring, let him know.

All in all, we've had a pretty pleasant year. New experiences, new friends. Some things may not have improved like we would have liked them to. But all we can do is keep moving forward and keep looking out for those opportunities. For personal reasons, I had to take a break from my studies. But I plan to get back on that horse very soon after the New Year. The length of time until I finish is a concern for me. Yet I know it will be better for me in the long run to complete it. I have to get away from retail and plant myself in a more fulfilling environment. I know I'm meant for so much more. And again, all in all, I can't complain too much. There's still a lot to be grateful for.

It is what it is, and it was what it was.

To all of my family and friends who shared in the good times this year, love to you all and thanks for being there! To those we shared with from afar through social media, love to you all as well, and here's hoping we can get together in the New Year sometime!

Catching up, story of my life..

All apologies for not returning sooner with an update, but here it goes.

This Friday will officially mark six months of our living in the lovely city of Cypress.  Moving in was chaotic as expected.  Even though we didn't have to move Austin to a new school, the move to a new home was very difficult for his precious 4-year-old mind.  He didn't understand why we had to leave so quickly, so we simply told him that we needed a bigger house for our large family.  Thankfully he's not at an age where he can ask more details, unlike the other kids who are active in my life like my cousin Yvette's children or my best friend Luz's children.  Getting a bigger house with more room eventually provided enough of an explanation for Austin.  But before then, he refused to go to school, he wasn't eating properly, and would not sleep alone in his room for some nights.  Right now he's completely fine and comfortable.  But I do find it bittersweet sometimes when he suddenly wants to sit at our front door sill.  There is no porch, our front door just has a big step from the driveway.  We don't have a screen door attached to the front door, so he has to sit on the bottom sill.  I know what that is--he misses the front porch from the Norwalk house.

As for all other adjustments, we've been great and much more comfortable.  The neighborhood is pleasant with no obstructive views in front or behind our house.  We have a great view of the Los Alamitos Race Track lights when they're on.  Disneyland fireworks are heard in the distance a bit better than where we were in Norwalk.  You can even get a glimmer of a view from my parents master suite windows.  If the temperature got above 90 degrees here, we really couldn't tell with the ever present ocean breeze that flows over from Seal Beach.  Plus, the backyard pool has been an excellent source of containment and exercise.  We've already had a couple of gatherings with friends and family, good times were had by all.  Sales tax is cheaper here, stores aren't as cramped at the right time of day, and there seems to be a park every square mile in this town.  The walk score for this house is not as great as the Norwalk house, but it is manageable.  On occasion, we will venture a little further into Orange County for a restaurant or entertainment outing.  My brother complained at first of not yet being comfortable with where we are because he wasn't too familiar with this neighborhood at first.  His own personal travels have been accustomed to Central Orange County.  Even though this is considered North OC, he usually just passed it on the freeway.  But time and exploring easily fixes that.  Even though I'm not driving my own car yet, I am always up for going places I'm not familiar with.  GPS can a be a wonderful thing.

Louis and I are progressing in our studies.  He's looking for work in the area, even though he's still holding the security officer job in Long Beach.  While we are now closer to the Long Beach entertainment center where he usually works, it would help a bit more to be on this side of the 605.  I managed to land a seasonal gig with AEG in their Merchandising area at Angels Stadium.  I work for the Angels Team Store, positioned with the Stands Team.  That position puts me at various kiosk-type stands throughout the stadium, so I'm not in the primary Team Store at the Home Plate area as often.  Lately I've been a mainstay at the Red Jacket brand store which is at 3rd base.  I'm really enjoying it because we mainly sell the retro themed team apparel, so it's different and a bit of a challenge to sell.  But we've been having great sales records, so I guess we're doing something right.  It's also got a great location right next to one of the Grandstands where the aroma of grilled bratwursts and cheeseburgers waft into our door.  If you stand at the right spot inside the store, you can see the nightly Disneyland fireworks during night games perfectly flying above the Anavia Apartments just across the parking lot.  And although we don't have a TV inside that store to keep up with the game, we can step outside our door and watch the monitors placed above the Grandstand with the fans.  There's also the chance at meeting friends and family of the players.  Recently Albert Pujols' son and Mike Trout's mother came in to shop, and it was certainly a pleasure to help them.  The only area I wish we had more access is of course to the player areas on our off times.  But if we head to the time clock at the end of our shift at just the right time, we'll pass a player or two heading out to his car through the warehouse tunnel.  So far I've spotted or greeted Jered Weaver, Mike Trout, Mark Trumbo, Chris Iannetta, and Hank Conger.  Such handsome gentlemen! 

This job with AEG is also providing an opportunity to work at larger events at Angel Stadium, and other AEG affiliated venues such as Staples Center and L.A. Live.  Next weekend, Angel Stadium is hosting Kenny Chesney, so AEG associates will be helping to sell his concert merchandise.  I'm excited to be a part of that, I'm sure it'll be a fun experience.  Even though I can't honestly call myself much of a current country music fan, I can adjust to the surroundings.  Working for the company for such a short time has really been a great experience, and I look forward to staying with AEG as long as possible.  The management and my co-workers are wonderful people to work with.  And even though I'm working in the retail division, I'm sure with the right connections and opportunities, I can find my way into the Entertainment division and apply my studies there in the future. 

 Before I sign off this time, I'm going to try my best to make this blog more interesting with topics other than my modest life.  Keeping it as the average "Hey how are you?" theme only limits my audience to those who know me personally.  So in an effort to expand my writing skills as my studies progress, I'm going to try to focus on various topics.  If updates don't come as fast as you'd like, bear with me and just stay tuned.  I do have an active toddler and busy home life, ya know. ;)

Nos' vemos!

Movin' On Up To The OC

I’ve had a love/hate relationship with this city I live in, the city of Norwalk.  Love for the great memories I’ve made here. Hate for some of the downsides like the occasional gang activities in the neighborhood. But I’ve been grateful to have a home full of family the past 19 years and 3 months we’ve lived here. Come Monday, January 21, 2013, the family and I will spend our last day here at 14432 Halcourt Avenue.

Some of you may have noticed my Facebook status back in mid-September when I mentioned that my parent’s continuous attempt to modify their home loan with Carrington Mortgage was ultimately rejected. We didn’t get a confirmed notice or anything like that of date to move out. So my father figured there were options that could buy us some time, at least enough time to keep us here through the holidays. Nonetheless, my mom felt we needed to start looking at see what our options were as far as affordability. And we would obviously have to resort to renting for a while, at least until everything gets back in order. After a few attempts by the mortgage company to foreclose on the house, my father got in touch with a real estate company called John Hart Real Estate who ended up doing a short sale. I’m not quite sure of the full details, but my parents felt that it would be the best result and that we would be helped in the final move. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Just before Christmas, some investors put an offer on the house. That’s fine, we figured, we should really consider looking for a place and at least start packing and throwing out things we don’t need to take with us. Then on the first week after the New Year, Carrington sent notice that they were putting the house up for public auction on January 24. We awaited word from the realtors about the investor’s offer, and I kept looking for a place since my parents were too busy during the work day.

Last Wednesday, I managed to get in touch with a realtor about a home for rent in Cypress and made an appointment for my parents to see the house. We got home that night and received a phone call from the realtors. The investor’s offer was accepted, and they offered to pay cash on the grounds that they close escrow in 10 days. They wanted to beat Carrington to the auction date. That meant we have to be out of this house by January 21. And John Hart is not offering any relocation allowance to my parents. They want the cash, they basically threw my parents under the bus. Eff them. Amid the panic of having to pack, we had to basically hope and pray that this home in Cypress would work out for us. We moved the appointment up from Saturday to the next night on Thursday. My mom felt that if we went prepared with plenty of documentation and a written explanation of what got them to this point, we could have a real good chance of the home owner accepting our application. We all went to see the house and met the realtor who was very kind and understanding of our situation. Fortunately, she said she would be meeting with the homeowner after our appointment that night and could get all of the information to her right away, and said she could let us know by 9pm that night. So we went home crossing our fingers and ate dinner on pins and needles. Then at 8 o’clock the realtor called and asked if my parents could meet the next day to sign a contract and discuss payment arrangements. Our application was accepted!

By early afternoon the next day, my parents told Louis, Richard and I that the house keys were in their hands and packing would commence immediately. Nervous and excited, we’ve begun to pack up and sort through the last 19 years of our lives this past weekend. It sounds intense, but it’s going pretty well so far. We’ve all started packing some small things since October, like CDs and DVDs, books and knick knacks. And for the most part, we got rid of a lot of clothes since last May through the neighborhood yard sale and donations. All that’s left is just sorting through what’s left. We’re not gonna worry about completely cleaning and hauling off everything we’re not gonna keep. With only 10 days notice, screw them, it’s not our problem anymore.

The house we’re moving to is a 2 story home with 6 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms with a pool and Jacuzzi. Kitchen and bath are remodeled, new carpet and paint, perfect for a large family like ours. We’ll be much more comfortable with all of that space. It’s off of Ball Road and Walker Street, very nice and quiet neighborhood. Close to Austin’s school, Cypress College is also very close, so Louis will be transferring there in the Fall. He’ll have to finish out the Spring semester at Cerritos College because he’s already been registered for classes since November, and if he tries to transfer now, his VA benefits will get delayed. And now my parents and Richard won’t have to make that crappy drive to and from work on the 91 and 5 freeways from Anaheim and Garden Grove. They could take the streets now if they want. It’s a few short minutes from a Costco and plenty other retail and restaurants, one of my doctors is also very close by, and even closer to Disneyland now as well (hehe). My parents signed a one-year lease, and the option to buy was mentioned. But we’ll have to see if the homeowner agrees to offer the option after the year.

After all of the struggles we’ve been through over the years, we were so worried that this last minute find was too good to be true. But maybe our luck and circumstances are finally starting to turn around for the better. We’ve prayed and held on to hope and faith for a long time, and I’m very grateful to God for watching over us and seeing us through this struggle. Naturally, I will continue to show my thanks and do my best to help my parents as we adjust to our new home. I’ll miss a few things about this neighborhood, like the paisa parties our neighbors behind us would throw. I won’t miss the helicopters that seemed to come around like clockwork nearly every night at 11pm. I’ll miss being a short drive away from my friends, but I know Cypress won’t be that much further. And again with the helicopters, I won’t miss the occasional midday police standoff with yet another criminal hiding out nearby.

Some of my favorite memories of living in this house are typical, but still sweet. My high school graduation party and countless birthday parties. Bringing Austin home on Thanksgiving Day 2008. Having my grandma with us up until her last days. Sharing my bedroom with my baby cousin Tawny as we helped babysit her throughout her first year after being born. All memories for the books.

It’s gonna be a rough week for me personally. I still have to work this week because we have inventory tonight and tomorrow night. I’ll have a day off on Wednesday, then have to work till 2:30 in the afternoon on Thursday and Friday. It’ll be a good paycheck, and with all of us working together in our free time, we should be alright. Saturday we can start moving furniture in and begin staying there. The weekend will be quite hectic, but we’ve managed to get help. I’m excited and anxious. Sure wish I didn’t have to work this week, but the paycheck will help greatly next week. So, here’s to better days ahead for all of us. Orange County, here we come.