2012 CA Human Trafficking Initiatives

Well, 2012 was a big year for Human Trafficking Initiatives... these were my adventures for the year

Mom really got involved with the Plurway Ministry, which is a ministry that reaches out to Ravers.  Essentially, moms go out to raves, pass out these bracelets, and help out ravers in need.  They pray and minister to them, but the majority of their time is spent helping people find their cars, rehydrate, sober up, stay safe, and those who are overdosing.  Drugs are a large part of these raves.

January 28- San Bernardino Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation, Human Trafficking awareness rally/walk.

The San Bernardino County DA, attended the event, and gave a promise to work with the SBCASE to help address the issues and need in SBC. 

January 30th- preview of the movie Flesh at the Fox Theater in Pomona.  

City Mayor made a proclamation to work to end human trafficking and exploitation in Pomona.

 

Febuary 23- Human Trafficking Presentation

Did a lot of these kinds of presentations, as the CASE Act ballot petitions were circulating, in the hopes of getting it on the ballot. 

March 11- The California Against Sexual Exploitation Act officially had enough signatures to be placed on the ballot, and in November, it was passed by Californians.  

March 12, 2012

Prevent Abuse Luncheon

With the Los Angeles National Police Officers Association

 

My uncle Vince :)

Michael Reagan as a speaker

May 18- Third Step Fundraiser

Christmas workout

Bootcamp Christmas workout :)

The little things make it all beautiful.  These are some of the things that make bootcamp awesome.  

I love the enthusiasm of the directors and participants alike.  

Gettin' healthy!!!

A new year is coming up, and I am facing new realizations.

I realized that I avoid many of the outside activities with the Boot Camp peeps, because I am still embarrassed about my weight.  I already look foolish during the training, and I don't want to make it worse outside of it.

For instance,  I honestly wanted to attend the boot camp "winter olympics", but avoided it, because, besides the fact that I had family visiting,  I just knew that I would be the last one running... the last one in everything.  It sucks to hold the entire group up.  I did test my running 4 laps, on my own at the Biola track, and  I got 11:32 minutes, and that was running 30 secs, power walking 30 secs.

I hope that one day I will be able to run a 5k with them, or do other special things that they do, but as of now, I am still extremely terrified of exposing myself too much.  I am just not confident that I can handle this on my own right now.  I am already doing everything else on my own, and sometimes,  feeling so alone in it all is just the worse.

I know... I workout in boot camp groups, so feeling lonely is not easy to feel really.  It not so much a matter of being the last one really, but like the one so far behind, it is easy for someone to forget you were even there, and that is precisely where it gets lonely.... and when I fight embarrassment from taking over.  The overall environment of the camp certainly does make it easier to overcome this... but outside of it, I am not sure.

So, until I can even just keep up, I continue to stay away because of insecurity... I'm working on that.

I hope that this year, I can learn to "put myself out there" and do things that I want to, not letting embarrassment get to me, or keep me back.  Pura Vida!

When, when, when...

When I get to the weight that I hope to be forever, I am buying beautiful tops, and skirts, that are embroidered with colors, and I am wearing bright colors, with designs from every nation.  Different variations, different styles.  From around the world.   I could certainly wear them now, but they are mostly made in smaller sizes.

Then, once I am finished with schooling, and have the money to take lessons, and buy the right outfits, I am taking up flamenco spanish-style dancing, as well as an indian form of dancing.

Once I am under the right weight limit, can afford it, and can find someone to go with, or at least travel to the station with, I am skydiving.

1 pound of Spinach

Hmmmm.... This is what I found out about spinach.

1 pound, fresh spinach, when steamed, equals 1.5 cups

So I make shakes!

The camp trainers have asked me to incorporate 2lbs of veggies and at least 1 gallon of water into my diet... It is rough to do... it is really difficult to tell you the truth.  I hope this works, and so far shakes are helping.  Sometimes I add fruit juices, or fruit, and add wheat germ.

Don't Stop, Don't Give Up!

Our Boot Camp leaders sent this out to us :)

Yo Gabba Gabba

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If you’re trying to summon the strength to make it through your workout or anything for that matter, little Ryan has a song that’ll do the trick. Granted, she appears to be making the lyrics up as she goes, but that’s just part of the magic.

Just remember: “Don’t stop. Don’t give up. Don’t stop. Don’t give up. Keep trying. You’ll get it right. You’ll get it right.”

http://loadedwithexcuses.com/yo-gabba-gabba/

Thanksgiving- Hope

Got up early for bootcamp, and they had something special for us.  Their annual Thanksgiving workout.  :)  Lots of exercises, with reminders of why we should be thankful.

I am thankful for my Lord, Hope, Family, and Opportunities I have been given.  

YWCA Rhapsody Ball

This was a neat event that I was lucky to have the privilege to attend.  It was a Benefit Ball, with tickets ranging from $200-300 a pop.  Someone bought a table, and donated it to some volunteers.  The ball was held at the Beverly Hills Hotel, in Beverly Hills.  We ate fancy, drank wine, danced, and laughed the night away.  Great night. 

Sparkly Toms :)

 

Week 3- Quick Update

Despite not feeling well, I got my booty to the IE Bootcamp, and then, when jogging, my ankles decided that this was the best moment to give out, and I hit the concrete. Still... I got up and kept going at least.... :( So embarrassed, and totally in pain, but gotta get up and keep going. Although, the best part of the night was when the trainer was trying to distract me from my embarrassment and asked me if I had ever seen a naked elephant before.... haha, embarrassed, confused, hurt, and now picturing an elephant in a bathing suit... ok I'm done. night.

Week 3 Bootcamp

This week has been very difficult for me...  Last week, near the end as well.  I am coming face to face with the fact that I cannot run for long periods of time, or very far, and that I am nowhere near the fitness level of many of the people at the camp.  This is probably the worse part of participating in camp, or any fitness program for that matter, no matter how supportive the trainers and team are.

When you are as out of shape and overweight as I am, working towards fitness goals is something that I just cannot do while maintaining an outward appearance of control and dignity.  It is however, something I can do with determination and a good attitude.... as corny as that sounds.  The fact is, is that this is not my area of specialty, I am actually completely out of my comfort zone, and am not familiar with the exercises that we are being asked to do.  I am also aware that there is no mistaking me as an overweight and unfit person.

I work in high stress and emergency situations, teach, tutor, and interact in cross cultural situations on a regular basis, so being outside of my comfort zone is nothing new to me...  I actually find it normally quite exciting.  In learning a foreign language, though, I began realizing that in order to accomplish a goal so far outside of our own norm pushes us to face our limitations, push past them, and work with them.  Still, our limitations, and our imperfections, are things that we try so hard to hide or minimize.  They are not something that we actively want to bring attention to.  When approaching cultural situations, especially on a professional basis, while language and customs may be a significant barrier, your posture, dress, and overall presentation can still allow you to demand respect, and function with dignity.  Still, you have to "put yourself out there," and in doing so, get ready to make mistakes, and be willing to accept criticism and/or corrections.

When you are starting an exercise program, however, you are not only "putting yourself out there", but you are messing up, moving weirdly, out of breathe, sweating, looking unattractive, standing in unflattering poses or manners, etc.  You are essentially highlighting a good majority of your imperfections, and you are relinquishing a sense of control of physical presentation, for the sake of a higher goal.

This is what I had to keep reminding myself this last bootcamp session.  I am still the last person, but I can already see and feel the difference.  I cannot give up now, and just have to persevere mentally, as well as physically.  I want change, and if I am going to reach it, I will have to put myself out there, and look ridiculous, but in doing so, change my life and health.  Still, it is not easy.

First Week of Bootcamp

After getting everything in order, I am finally starting fitness bootcamp.  I love it, but am so sore, and am always the last person to finish.  Actually, that is not true.  There is a pregnant lady who is slower then I am. I give that lady mad respect though. Wow. Not going to give up though.  I will do better.

Anyways, after workout, I watched comedian David So's youtube videos, and found this one.  Don't get me wrong, I know that the trainers are helping me more than I could ever know, but being in a class with a bunch of fit people, and doing exercises I never thought I would ever do.... well, this just speaks to me, and I feel like this video described exactly how I feel like I look.  The only thing missing is the running... at which point I feel like the rhino at the end of the stampede in Jumanji.  Dear Lord. lol.  I will persevere and I will get better!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FNf8LoH6Wcg

Starting bootcamp/weight loss journey

My "Big Fat Reason" why I signed up for Bootcamp:




My Big Fat Reason Why I signed up for Bootcamp:

I want to change, and I want to be a better me.  I already started on this journey, but I really need some help.  I want to climb rocks, scale cliffs, sky dive, parasail, bunji jump, hike, bring supplies to rural villages, explore, study, etc.  I can't do these things now, because my health is in such bad shape, and I no longer want my health and weight to be a reason why I cannot do something.

In addition, I want to get my life, including my ADHD, in order, but lifestyle changes need to be made, in addition to the medication.  Nutrition is essential to managing ADHD, Depression, and Anxiety, because certain foods make the symptoms worse.   Sooooo..... here I go!

First goal:
     - Get down to 200 lbs, and be able to run 1.5 miles.
     - Get a nutrition routine going.  (Us ADHD folk benefit from routine)
     - Get my surrounding organized. (This is extremely difficult for ADHD peeps)

This is the second part to my reason why.... Some stories and info and examples and what-not.

#1- I want to live!!!!  I am so tired, all the time.  I get sick, I can't focus, and meds are not the answer. I need help.

#2- Guatemala, 2008- The church members we were working with wanted to do something special for us, so they planned a hike up a water volcano, and carried a full lunch for us.  Now that I look back, this was only probably a mile up, maybe a little less, but it was like climbing stairs all the way up.  I felt like I was going to pass out, and have to go back, and I almost did.  The locals carried pots, water, chicken, veggies, etc. on their head, and walked up like it was nothing.  I could have missed this opportunity because of my health.  Can you believe this?  In Costa Rica, we also had to climb a mountain to bring up medical supplies, but at that time I was dancing, a size 10, and in shape, and I was fine.  If I want to do this kind of work, this is just a reality, and for me, it is a requirement to such awesome opportunities.

The hike up (very steep) 

The view from the top

#3- I want to be in pics and love myself in them.

#4- Sky diving has a weight limit.  Anything past that and you need special equipment and lots more money.

#5- What if a person is chasing me, and I can't run away for more than 30 seconds?  Seriously, I am at the bottom of the food chain at this point.

#6- If I ever wanted to work in any physically and mentally demanding job, I need to be lighter, and at least be able to run 1.5 miles.

#7- I want to fit comfortably in:
               - airplane seats, roller coasters, water slides, Asian restaurants (in Asia, not a stereotype I promise)

#8- I don't want to wear t-shirts at the beach anymore.  I want to be able show my sexy arms.

Irvine, CA: KCON

KCON... everything Hallyu.

I had a very interesting and fun time at this convention. Hallyu is not something that I really follow, but I have friends who do, and this was an opportunity to learn more.

The convention was held in Irvine, CA, at the Verizon Amphitheater, and centered around the pop culture of South Korea.  The most interesting thing about the convention, was that there were so many different types of people from different backgrounds and ethnicity.

Panels... We were able to hear a lot.  The first panel we went to were a panel of film and tv writers.  The first wrote skits for internet shorts, the second for larger TV Shows, such as 24 and Prison Break, and the third Korean TV dramas.  All were either centered around Korean culture, or were or Korean background.

The panel we were waiting for, however, was the Youtube Panel, in which KCON brought in korean/korean oriented video bloggers (vloggers), to share their experiences and perspectives on their work.  

The two at the end were the ones that I was particularly excited in seeing.  They own and run a vlog called Eat Your Kimchi, which they created in order to show their families they were alive and well as they taught in South Korea.  I ran across their blog when I began work with Korean families and churches, and had questions about their culture.  I was having a rough time understanding the way Korean's perceive Americans, while understanding how to perceive their culture myself.  The first video I watched was about being big, ugly, sweaty foreigners..... very helpful. I wasn't alone. 

The others there were Los Angeles based comedians... the first David So, the other two from Just Kidding Films.

  I'm on youtube!

At the end of the day, there was a concert... K-pop is not my music of choice, but the artists are definitely talented, and the music fun.  The concert, I believe, had the loudest audience I have ever heard, but also the calmest.  Strange. lol

And lots of randomness... some I didn't quite understand... but really, who cares?  

They are having fun.