Drug Test for Welfare Checks?

Ok, this has nothing to do with Olivia, I just love this picture and it goes well with the topic because some people dont like to talk about this:

In a small town Wallis, in Texas, there is a sign that is upseting people and is motivating others. One of the signs says:"we pass a drug test for our pay checks, what about welfare checks?". And people, I'm up for that.

I say, if you are getting a welfare check on your name or on your child's name, you need to get a drug test done every six months. In my years teaching I've seen parents who do not have money to give to their children for food or to go on a fieldtrip or to cooperate for somethign at school. I've even met parents who are struggling to pay their rent and others that have been evicted from their home because they dont have money to pay for their rent. But when you meet the parent you see that he/she buys the kid or him/herself a brand new pair of Nikes, or a "gold" watch, or a "diamond" earing. I've seen parents with different cellphones, mp3 players...

But I might be wrong.. what do you think?

This is you Reading Time Online!

This is the fun part of our Reading Time online. I will tell you what's up and make fun of it! How's that?

Javier ('05), Tyler (06) and TJ (07), this is from YOUR President.

Doctors remove 5 polyps from Bush's colon

Now, Why in the world would I need to know that? For a few years now I've had this mental picture of him doing nothing around the White House, now my mental picture is worst, him seating in a little pillow, doing nothing around the White House!!!

The article continues saying "The polyps were removed and sent to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, for routine microscopic examination, spokesman Scott Stanzel said. Results are expected in two to three days."

What??? I wont be able to know the results sooner?????? How can you do this to me? No!!!!!!!!

Ok, if you want more info on this topic, you can click on this link and enjoy!

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/07/21/bush.colonoscopy/index.html

Stop socializing! Or... Not!

Before I start, allow me to remind you that you can LEAVE MESSAGES here by clicking on the "COMMNETS" icon at the end of each entry (letter or story). I would love to read what you have to say. Ok, now here it is:

I'm not sure how many of you remember this phrase (the title). It was back in 2006, I would say it was April, and the drums guy confused me with a student, go figure! Anyway, maybe it was my fault, I was talking to different groups around me in an effort to direct your attention to him and not to your friends. At the end I was the one who got yelled!

I bet some of you are thinking, "ok Velez, where are you going with this?" Not too far. Last week I spoke with a few of you from "few years ago". I was surprised to hear that many of you are not friends anymore (well, not really surprised, because it always happens, but dissapointed). For those of you who just met, its not shooking to hear you are no longer friends. Its actually pretty normal. But please, some of you have been together since you were in elementary, that is a true friendship.

Are you "socializing" with the right people? I hope you are because hanging out with the "right" people will help you to get to the "right" place. Ask yourself; Am I hanging out with people who are helping me to be a better person? If your answer is yes, then, go in peace, you have my blessing.

Much love!

God is God

Since the day I graduated my first class back in 2005, every time I see or read the news I always pray that I dont see your name in one of the articles, of course, unless the article reads "teen wins a writing contest" or "teen helps homeless ...".

These past few weeks, the news have been filled with stories about teenagers dying in car accidents, the type of accidents that could've been avoided. Then last week, I read a specific one that caught my eye but, there were no names so I went on with my life as usual. Until I got a call.

The voice on the other side was Haley, telling me that one of the kids in the accident was TJ, our TJ Perez. I tell you, my heart went down my feet, and I felt I was going to faint, then she said to me "let me put TJ on the phone". He may not know this but, I have no recolection of what he said to me, I was in tears. I actually had to call Haley again, to make sure he was ok.

That night I went back home (I was at GVSU when I received the call) and while I was reading the article again (the one about the accident) I shared the story with my husband. "God is God" he said. Out of 5 kids in the car, the driver, the only one who was wearing a seatbelt, died. TJ was right next to her, and, beside some scratches, he was ok. "God has a purpose for TJ, I'm sure" my husband said to me. And I believe it is true.

To all of you out there, take care of yourselves, be wise when it comes to get a ride with a person without a license, even with one, it takes some time to become wise on the road. Not all of us are Victor!

Anyway, I'm glad TJ is ok, but I know his heart is still bledding from the pain (the girl, Claudia, was actually his new girlfriend, that can leave a scar in your heart). Join me in this prayer for him. As for the rest of you... try to behave!
Much love

Because I miss you a lot...

Summer is almost done and now I'm getting nightmares; I see myself going into a classroom and only a few of you are there. I see myself yelling at you "why are here again?" "you're suppose to be in high school!!!".

Then I wake up and I soon realize that, if I see you again in my classroom, I could not possibly yell at you, well, I might, but it will be with much love. Here is a space I decided to create so that you know what's going on with me and for you to leave messages to me and to your friends.

Every week I'll write a little message for you, I'll leave some questionares for you to answer, and I will also include a few pictures of some of you.

Please remember that, even if you feel no one likes you, or thinks about you, every night I pray for you. I know, from the bottom of my heart, that God has a purpose for each of you. If you are still here in this world, it means your purpose has not yet arrived. Maybe He's still preparing you for it.

Much love!