The Results are in...

3 months ago I left my job partly because of the effect the unnecessary stress was having on my health. Of course at that point it was nothing but a correlation and I could never be to sure that's what it was but during the last month of work my health was at very dangerous levels. I began to have symptoms of kidney failure, the beginnings of pancreatis, I was at high risk of having either a stroke or heart attack. I was a total mess.This afternoon I have hit a major milestone...I am finally at a point where my health has greatly improved. There is no doubt in my mind that the organization I worked for who emphasis building a strong community and stands on the pillars of spirit, mind, and body was killing me.

When looking at my diabetic panel I have gone from a 10.3 last June to an 8.2, Now I need to get under 6 but I am heading in the right direction. My cholesterol has gone from 558 to normal at 110. Alarmingly my Triglycerides where at 7640 in June (yes it is in the thousands, can you say stroke) my new results have me at 253. Still high but a dramatic improvement. My HDL (the good cholesterol) still is low at 27, but I am not that far away from the 40 mark. My Microalbumin still remains high but was nearly cut in half from 583 to 255. My creatinine levels level are right on track indicating that my kidney function only slightly has been reduced and is now holding steady.

I still have a long road to controlling my diabetes but I have regained some of the feeling in my hands and feet that was disappearing due to the neuropathy. The pain that comes from the neuropathy,is also totally gone I no longer get easily dehydrated and I have gained some energy. It could have simply been that I now have time to focus on my health and medications but I know it was the unnecessary stress that I was under. I hope that soon I will be able to get away from the twice a day insulin syringes and half a dozen pills.

I think back to my decision to leave and I am comforted by the fact that my health is improving and I have spent some very valuable time with my daughter. Often I wondered if it was just me, but when I talk to those whom are still there they share with me the same frustrations I had when I was there. I carry with me some guilt for leaving some people behind in that situation and I amazed that the powers that be don't do something to improve working conditions in an already chaotic and stressful environment. I have come to realize the only way that anything will ever change is if the consequences of their negligence out ways the the current revenue by maintaining the status-quot. I have struggled with idea of filing an official complaint and bringing forth a real suit...but I don't think I am angry enough.

I guess that anger will come when I can no longer afford my rent, or when I have to choose between food or diapers. I sure hope I get a job soon, I really would like just to move on, and continue hoping the tipping point comes soon for those I left behind. In the meantime I will continue to celebrate my improving health and I can't wait until morning to spend Christmas eve with my daughter!

100 Things About Me

I stole this from another fiends blog and adapted it for me....
1.I come from a small family.
2. I have a younger brother by 8 years and a younger sister by 8.
3. My father had a kidney transplant and is a walking medical miracle .
4. My mother stayed up every night sewing to make money to help support us. The hum of the sewing machines would put me to sleep.
5. Now I stay up every night working.
6. My Father started as a dishwasher 30 years ago and today he supervises 3 different departments.
7. I was a premie at 7 months.
8. My Grandma taught I was born at 5 months, eventually they told her the truth, I kind of spoiled the surprise
9. My parents were undocumented at the time but payed every dime of the hospital bill for a premie and Cesarean birth.
10. I entered SDSU as a Psychology Major and got my B.S. as planned
11. I also received a B.A. in Chican@ studies by accident
12. I never taught I would graduate from High School but got a masters from USD
13. It was a degree in non Profit Management & Leadership Studies
14. I made it through my masters program without purchasing a single text book (borrowed and used the Internet)because I was short on cash.
15. I owe far to much money for my undergrad work
16. I owe nothing for my Masters thanks to the Reebok Human Rights Award I received in 2003
17. I miss working with young people on Diversity issues (Camp Anytown. Minitown, YTOWN)
18. I have alwasy lived in San Diego County
19. "Knowing Pedro is Knowing Work"
20. I chaired the San Diego Cesar E. Chavez Events for too long
21. I learned so much about leadership but took too many unnecessary hits
22. I am a danzante for a traditional Aztec Dance group fore over 10 years
23. I have an enormous belief in the Virgen De Guadalupe
25. I believe my Grandma (Mom' side) is my guardian angel...she passed less than a month after I was born while preparing to come meet me. All she ever saw was a picture.
26. I have only traveled out of the country to Mexico City (Of course Mexicali, and Tijuana but that is just an extension of San Diego)
27. I have traveled out of state to Arizona, Seattle, Orlando, Pittsburgh, New York, Boston, DC, Minnesota, Cincinnati, Chicago
28. When we traveled to Seattle we caught a baseball game in every major stadium including Dodger Stadium; Petco, Angels Stadium, At&T Stadium, SafeCo Field
29. I played Shortstop for many years but my natural position was second base (Yea! Roberto Alomar.
30. My knee was scoped in High School and my knee or weight was never the same
31. I am a diabetic who struggles to stay healthy
32. I need to drop about 50 pounds to be where I consider to be healthy
33. I weigh approximately 100 pounds more than I weighed in High School
34. I was voted most changed since High School at my 10 year reunion
35. In Junior High Rhonda Singers and I were voted class clowns
36. I am proud of my being an Alumni of Chula Vista high...in 2004 I was inducted into the districts hall of fame for my community work
37. I drive a Scion XB but miss my Chevy S-10
38. I much rather have a 1953 Chevy Truck
39. I had 3 eye surgeries as a baby
40. I wear glasses because I fear contacts touching my eyes. I am traumatized from so many visits tot he optometrist that I even hate eye drops.
41. I love to cook, and the kitchen in our house is mine
42. I am the ultimate Sam the Cooking Guy Fan
43. My Favorite food is ...well food in general
44. I still collect baseball cards and memorabilia
45. I also have a an original Voltron
46. I met my wife in 1998 and didn't remember her
47. In 1999 she reintroduce herself and we did not get along
48. In 2000 we ran into each other at SDSU and eventually went out on a date
49. She kissed me first (yet she blames me)
50. She moved in in 2001
51. We officially married in 2007
52. I /m 5'6"
53. Stitch is my favorite Disney Character
54. I’m right handed.
55. My Favorite TV show is House. I secretly strive to be like him.
56. I also occasionally watch novelas ( Currently hooked on reruns of "Dame Chocolate"
57. I’m very competitive.
58. I have never had a cavity
59. I did break one of my front teeth in a fight in Junior High
60. My hairline is receding.
61. I would like to run for political office someday.
62. "VOTE FOR PEDRO" Will be my slogan with guest appearances from Napoleon Dynamite
63. I was treasure of my elementary school in 5th grade and in college I was elected to the student council 3 times.
64. I am a neat freak , my wife is the opposite
65. I tend to think of many things at once. The problem is that because of this, I sometimes don’t finish what I’m doing before I’m on to the next thing in my head.
66.
67. Oops I missed 66 because I was thinking of other stuff
68. My Birthday either falls on or near Thanksgiving every year. This sucks because my birthday meals always included leftovers or Turkey. Also no one is ever around to celebrate.
69. I am a Sagittarius but right on the cuff of Scorpio
70. I love wearing suits, and guyaberas
71. I have a grill in the backyard I named Lucille
72. I once dance with Lucy Lu of Charlies Angels Fame
73. My favorite type of wine is a a Rose or Blush ( I know girly)
74. My favorite alcoholic drink is a purple haze ( I kind of remember them, a little hazy)
75. I don't like the taste of beer
76. But I love Cheese..."Cheddar makes it Better"
77. 13 is my lucky number
78. I love video games
79. I use to walk and talk in my sleep
80. I ran over a CHP officer after falling asleep at the wheel (She was OK, but I rubbed her the wrong way)
81. I am a sucker for love songs
82. My favorite artist include Boys II Men, KC & Jojo, and the Temptations
83. My Favorite movies include Click, Mi Familia, and Transformers
84. My Favorite Stores are IKEA and Target
85. I clip coupons
86. I always feel guilty when I spend money on something that is solely for me.
87. My last major purchase was a new computer (that was purchased with a grant I received)
88. I would go nuts without the internet, e-mail, and outlook
89. I have a my space, blogger, and linked account
90. I enjoy manicures and pedicures
91. I have a tattoo: A UFW eagle surrounded by an Aztec Sun
92. I have a dog named Mixtli (Cloud in Nahuatl)... She is a Bichon Freeze
93. I also have share custody of a turtle named Turtlelina
94. I prefer cold weather
95. I am in love with Kim Kardashian and Carmen Electra
96. If you ask me for help, I cant say No
97. I consider myself to be a hard worker who is dedicated and passionate to my community
98. I am my own biggest critic and sometimes over analyze my actions and behavior
99. The two things I want on my tombstone (actually want to be cremated): Loved his Family, Loved His Community
100. I love every second of being a father.

Tonantzin-Dia de La Virgen Morena

Today we honor the patron saint of Mexico, La Virgen de Guadalupe. In fact as I sit here it is after a night where millions of people have visited her church in Mexico city completing their mandas, I can't help to reminisce when I visited her. The stream continues today and hundreds of indigenous dance circles all dance in her honor outside her church.



On December 12 2001 I was honored to participate in the traditional Azteca dance ceremonies of Our Lady of Guadalupe-Tonantzin, and see the other Native American Dance traditions being offered at Tepeyac Mountain in Mexico city. On the morning of the 12th, while we waited for Capitana Rosita Amaya to arrive, we danced by ourselves as a group in front of the actual image of the Virgen de Guadalupe. We did not have a drum, so we danced to the sounds of a single mandolin and our sonajas (rattles). Then we danced with circle comprised of several danzas that included Danza Xinachtli, the dance group formed by Capitán Andres Segura Granados.


I have to say it was an experience filled with so much emotion. I had never witnesed so many people so devoted to a single faith. I will never forget turning as we danced and seeing the image of our virgen inside the church. I saw her and my eyes filled with tears. I looked at one of of our senior dancers and her eyes where filled with tears and quickly I can remember how grateful she was that she got to see her. My grandmother would have been so proud of me to know that I was there. I dance under the palabra of our group but I also danced hard for my grandmother who I knew was there with us guiding my steps and protecting us.

I have to admit that religion is a tough thing for me to talk about. I have issues with the church itself but I have this faith in la virgen that I can't even explain. I don't have many religious images in my home but she hangs prominently where I can see her every night and she can see us. I often argued that in our cultura faith and culture are so intertwined (similar to that of the Jewish community) that it is hard to ever separate. Case in point the revolution in Mexico was announced by a priest.

Que Viva La Virgen De Guadalupe!!!

Prop 8 The Musical

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