One of My Favorite Quotes

"One thing you'll discover is that life is based less than you think on what you've learned, and much more than you think on what you have inside you right from the beginning."

-Bret Hart (Hall of Fame Speech)



This quote rings very true in my opinion. We put way too much value on experience and education. Sure those things are very viable pieces to success, but I believe that we thrive at life, not because of those things but rather because of what we were born with.

We all have natural talents inside of us. We are all born with a set of skills that if we tap into them and evolve them, we will succeed, this is not what I am talking about though.

What this quote means by "what you have inside you right from the beginning," is not those set of talents or skills.

It is rather that hunger. That spark to always push through the rough times and persevere. We all have that hunger, but fear, lack of motivation, or just plain ol' laziness, hinders us from tapping into it, and using it to make our lives that much better.

So don't be scared to fail, don't forget that with high risk, comes high rewards.

Sometimes we just have to have faith in ourselves. The rest will resolve itself.

Like the portuguese proverb says, "Quem não arrisca, não petisca"

30-Day Challenge-- Day-30 What changed this month? what you hope will happen next month

Finally reached the end of the Challenge. I'd like to thank all my family and friends and anyone else who has been reading these along the way. I appreciate your interest. :)

Today's prompt is what has changed this month and what do I hope will happen next month.

Well like I wrote in Day 28, the month of August has been very very kind to me. If you want to know what changed read Day 28.

What I hope will happen next month:

I hope that the good fortune and blessings I've had this month carries over into next month. I hope to stay happy, and focused on writing and life. I hope my love life stays the way it is, because I'm happy.

I hope Rapaziada, gets together and jams some! I miss it.

I hope that everyone in my life has a great month with me.

In closing I'd like to once again Thank you all for reading! I appreciate it very much!

Please Stay Tuned for some interesting topics I'll be writing in the Future.

My next blog will be about one of my favorite quotes. Check in tomorrow to read about it. :)

30-Day Challenge-- Day-29 A picture of yourself

Today's prompt is simply a picture of yourself, but I decided to not only post a picture but explain why I chose the picture, where it was taken, and a memory I have of the picture. SO here goes:

This picture is a very meaningful one to me.

In this picture from left to right: my cousin Kevin James Caetano, Me, and my best friend Mike Machado.

It was taken in Artesia for a party known as "Festa da Bola" it takes place every year on Memorial Day Weekend, and is a soccer tournament, and an awesome party.

Kevin, Mike and I, and some others like, my cousin Kris, another one of my best friends Eric, and Jesse, etc. etc. would rent a van and drive down there every year for this party. We'd get there on Friday afternoon, Jeca (Mike's girlfriend, and now fiancé) who lived down there would meet us at the hotel, clippers in hand. She would give me a mohawk every year, it was tradition. She would also dye some of the guys hair, and bleach mine etc. etc. I'll never forget those drives up and down to and from that festa, I'll never forget the great times and great memories made at all the festa da bola's we went to.

We were of course under the age of 21 in this picture, and in order to drink you need a pink wristband. We had our connections, but on this particular day we weren't able to use our connections for some reason or another. So there we were wristband-less. Were trying to come up with an elaborate plan to get them, when our connection shows up with three of them. This picture was taken right after we got them, as you can see we were pretty excited.

I chose this picture because KEvin, Mike and I used to call ourselves the wisemen. We used to sit outside Mike's house, and talk until the early morning about everything. Life, Love, Fears, etc. etc.

This picture makes me smile, because it is a portal to every memory I have with both of these brothers of mine.

Everyday I think about Kevin, and I miss him, and these memories help to soothe that void that his passing left in my heart.

I know Kevin is up there waiting for us to get there, so we could continue our wise men conversations up in heaven.

Until then, all I have is memories, luckily I have enough memories to fill a thousand books.

So to the Wisemen, I love you guys, Thank you for everything you've down for me over the years. I am blessed to have people like you in my life.

Check in tomorrow for the FINAL DAY OF THE CHALLENGE with its prompt, "What changed this month, What you hope will happen next month."

30-Day Challenge-- Day-28 The Month you Were Happiest This Year

This has been a very Good Year for me. I have received lots of great news, accomplished lots of things I set out to accomplish. So it's kind of hard to pick just one month. But since I have to, I'm going to choose the month of August, and here's why:

August is not only my birthday month, and lets face it everyone loves their birthday month.

But August has brought me lots of Good News.

First, my insurance accepted my claim for Gastric byPass.

Second, Barnes n Noble has contacted me to host my first book signing. (Oct 4th, 2011.. Come say Hi. :))

Third, my school contacted me to inform me that I would be one of ten featured authors at their annual event. (September 9th, 2011, Downtown San Jose, if you want to come let me know I can get you tickets free)

Fourth, I have a wonderful Girlfriend, who makes me extremely happy!

Fifth, I'm alive, and well. Always a good thing.

Sixth, my family is healthy, and also doing things they set out to do.

Seventh, I'm almost done with this challenge and will be able to blog about whatever I want soon.

Eight, My back has been getting better and better, and it is no longer a crutch for me.

Ninth. I'm almost finished with School (FINALLY)

Tenth, I just feel like my life is finally falling into place, and that is perhaps the best feeling in the world to know everything is resolving itself.

So those are Ten reasons why August has been the happiest month for me this year.

Check in tomorrow for Day 29 of the Challenge with its prompt, "A Picture of Myself"

30-Day Challenge-- Day-27 Talk about your siblings

Today's prompt is for me to talk about my siblings. Well I only have one, my little Sister Alycia.

I can go a few directions with this post. I can be cheesy and nice, I can be cruel and funny. Or I can be a little of both.

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA ( Evil Laugh?)

My sister and I are 7 years apart. You would think that being so far apart would make us not get along very well, but the truth is, Alycia and I are very close. We've always been close, and I hope we always will be.

She is a beautiful, Strong, intelligent, caring, ambitious, outgoing, woman.

She is a person of action. When she sets her mind to something, she will not stop until it is achieved. She's outspoken, and stubborn (not always fun) But she has a huge heart, and is always there to lend a helping hand to those she cares about.

There was a time that I thought I had lost her. I thought that our relationship had been destroyed. It killed me to think that she wouldn't come into my room and tell me about her day and her dilemmas anymore. She was slipping away from the woman she was destined to become. Then the "Cancer" that was pushing her away from her family, abruptly ended.

It hurt me to see her so sad. But she bounced back so quickly, her strength overpowered her sadness. I admire her for doing that. For never giving up hope that there were brighter days to come.

Today, she lives in Visalia (3 and half hours away) Not a day goes by that I don't miss talking to her. I find myself sometimes calling out her name, and then feeling stupid because she isn't here.

I am proud and blessed to have a little sister, like Alycia.

Ok so I went the cheesy gay route. Maybe there will be a part two to this post where I embarrass her a little bit. :)

Bottom line~ I love you Alycia, and I am proud to call you my sister, and one of my best friends!

Check in tomorrow for Day 28 of the challenge with its prompt, "The month you were happiest this year."

30-Day Challenge-- Day-26 Your religious beliefs

Today's prompt is something I think very radically on. I am not a big fan of religion. Now before you jump on my back let me explain.

I was born and raised into the Catholic religion. I was baptized, did my first holy communion and confirmation through the Catholic Church. I even taught Cathechism (equivalent to Sunday school). I just don't like the way religion has been turned into a profitable business. I don't believe in certain things that the church believes and shoves down our throats, and I don't particularly like the hypocrisy that runs rampant in religion.

I believe in God, and in Jesus christ, and in the Saints, and all that good stuff. I believe that our purpose here on Earth is to learn compassion, and ultimately be allowed into Heaven.

I don't believe that God have the lack of Compassion to not Forgive us. That's where the hypocrisy in Religion starts.

When preachers, and priests, begin to guilt trip the population into believing that if we don't go to Church every Sunday, or if we don't donate money to the church that we wont reserve ourselves a spot in heaven. They guilt trip us into thinking that we are bad people if we do not follow each and every command they spit out at us. This is just preposterous.

Just because a person goes to church every sunday does not mean they are more religious or deserve a spot in Heaven over me. I pray everyday, I don't to go to church to speak to God. God is everywhere and everything.

Another piece of hypocrisy is the bullshit that religious people are non judgmental and accepting.

That is a bunch of horse shit. Look around at people protesting Gay marriage. Most are brainwashed fanatics that hold up signs saying "God hates homos." that sure is nonjudgmental and accepting.

Look at people protesting soldier's funerals. With signs saying they are going to Hell. I'm sure that is exactly what Jesus would do if he were here on Earth.

It is absolutely ridiculous.

I saw first hand how judgmental some of these people could be. I was having a discussion with a devout christian, and telling her about my beliefs, and she was telling me about hers. In the same breath she stated, " We Christians are not judgmental. We accept everyone. I feel so sorry for you, because you don't know the TRUTH."

I couldn't stop laughing.

So my beliefs on religion are simple. Be spiritual, have a relationship with God and Jesus, and the Saints. Be kind, and compassionate. Love those who are the same and those who are different. TRY to refrain from judging ( don't say you don't judge, everyone does) Accept people for who they are, and stay true to your own standards and beliefs. You don't always have to follow in order to know the "truth" The world needs leaders.

check in tomorrow for Day 27 of the Challenge with its prompt, "Talk about your siblings"

30-Day Challenge-- Day-25 Ten ways to win my heart

Today's prompt is about winning my heart. Here are ten sure fire ways:

1. Have a Sense of Humor

In other words be able to laugh at yourself, and take a joke. I love being able to joke around with people. If you are able to laugh at yourself and dish it right back out and make fun of me too, then you're golden.

2. Be intelligent

I'm not talking about nerdy brainy here. I'm talking about not being stupid. Be able to hold your own in debates, and add to the conversation. Be opinionated. Challenge me.

3. Be prepared to lose

This goes hand in hand with number 2. Challenge me, but be prepared to lose, because I always win! This also means know how to lose at things. Don't be a sore loser.

4. Be Honest

If something is bothering you spit it out. Give me the opportunity to take action. Communication is key in any relationship. If we could talk about anything and be honest about it, then our relationship will be limitless.

5. Laugh at my jokes

This is a no brainer. I'm hilarious, so when I make a joke (this will be often) laugh at it. It makes me feel good haha

6. Be appreciative

I like to do things for my significant other. I do these things because I want to, and not for recognition and not for any reciprocation. But knowing that the girl appreciates and notices the things I'm doing is always nice.

7. Enjoy reading,and/or music

I am passionate about writing and playing music. A world without either of those things would be hell for me. I'm not saying she has to read every word I write, or hear every note I play. What I am saying is she has to be able to have those days where we can just relax and listen to music, and laugh, or have those quiet nights when were both engulfed in a book.

8. Wear your heart on your sleeve

I am a Hopeless romantic. It isn't always a good thing, but I like the fact that I am able to show emotion and sensitivity towards things. I like doing some of the cheesy corny things we all make fun of. I'll probably make fun of it while I'm doing it, but she has to like to be romantisized(I know this isn't a word, but it should be!)

9. She has to have her own life away from the relationship

Clinginess is horrible. I think in order for my heart to be won, she has to give me a chance to miss her. If I see her every single day, eventually it'll get old. I have to be able to go out with the boys sometimes, and she has to have her girls to go out with sometimes too. Our own lives is a major plus in a relationship.

10. She has to love me for me

I don't want a girl who is looking to "fix" me. I want someone who can accept my attributes as well as my flaws(and trust me I got plenty of those) At the end of the day, she has to love my jokes, and my stubbornness. My good heart, and my temper. My smile, and my frown.

So those are ten things that will win my heart. There are other things that will help, but I want to stay a little mysterious haha.

check in tomorrow for Day 26 of the Challenge with its prompt, "Your religious beliefs."