THE INTERNET BRINGS FAMILY TOGETHER AFTER 26 YEARS

Just when you think that there is nothing that can shake you into realizing how good the internet is something wonderful happens.

Yesterday because of the CCC blog that I have that has been questioned by some of the people at CCC we were able to inform the family of one of our Yo Puedo Group member about family they had lost many years ago.

Abel was contacted by some people in Guatemala who were looking for their family in Corozal, Belize. He passed the information on to me in Corozal around 3pm and as we continued to chat I wondered how I would find the persons whose names he had given me. He reminded me to take down the names of the persons as we continued to chat and as I did so it dawned on me that I may know two of the three children mentioned to him. Iasked him to hold on as I texted my office and got the telephone number for one of my students of 6-1B. I then proceeded to calling the number and my student's mom answered the phone. I told he who I was and asked her if she would not mind giving me her name. She did so and I was amazed to find out she was one of the person's on the list I had been given. I communicated this to Abel and he shared a very emotional time with me as I continued to talk to the woman by phone and him by internet.

As it developed we made arrangements to visit Dona Eva once Abel arrived in Corozal last night.

With tears of joy and a quivering voice, Mrs Eva Dominguez Cano told me how happy she felt at the possibility of contacting her family whom she had lost touch with for quite some time.

Later last night just after 11pm, Abel and I visted Mrs. Eva and shared the information we had. Never a happier moment since January 1, 2009 arrived had I felt where the recipient of the blessing was someone I knew.

The power of the internet is unbelievable. I am touched by the fact that I was able to relocate lost family of one of my own students. I have taught Roger Augustine for the past two years in 2nd and 3rd Year CCC ACE. He is presently attending Sixth Form CJC ACE. Hos older brother Edwin Aroldo had also been a student of mine in 2nd and
3rd Year CCC ACE. He also attended CJC ACE and graduated two years ago.

Thanks goes to Abel Martin for being a dedicated blogger. Mucho Amor, Abel. Gracias a ti una vez mas veo la razon porque estoy a esta etapa de mi vida.
Brenda

ANOTHER PERSON WHO SAID "YO PUEDO"

Man solves Rubik's Cube after 26 years
PORTCHESTER, England (UPI) -- A Rubik's Cube enthusiast in Britain said he has finally solved his puzzle after struggling with it for 26 years.

Graham Parker of Portchester, England, said he first bought his Rubik's Cube in 1983 and has since spent more than 27,400 hours struggling with the colored cube puzzle, The Daily Telegraph reported.

"I cannot tell you what a relief it was to finally solve it. It has driven me mad over the years -- it felt like it had taken over my life," Parker said. "I have missed important events to stay in and solve it and I would lay awake at night thinking about it.

"When I clicked that last bit into place and each face was a solid color I wept," he said.

Ray Hodgkin, a representative of the World Cube Association, the governing body for Rubik's cube competitions, said Parker's struggle with the puzzle may be the longest on record.

"I am impressed by Graham's dedication -- the Rubik's Cube can be a very frustrating thing. The WCA would like to congratulate him on his achievement," he said.

Hodgkin is easily no threat to break the world record for solving a Rubik's Cube, held by Erik Akkersdijk of the Netherlands, who finished the puzzle in 7.08 seconds, the newspaper said.




Copyright 2009 by United Press International

HOW TO BE NICE

I am not sure if you have noticed but I try not to be mean or sad for too long. As a teacher I am forced to be strict but at the same time I am loving and kind. I love my job and I love my students. I am told I am too soft but I don't believe students learn only from harsh attitudes. In fact I am sure they learn more from kindness and love.

However, not many of us know how to be nice ALL THE TIME. Unfortunately there will be times when we are upset with things that happen at home and we tend to wear it on our sleeve. I try not to do that but it does happen sometimes that I am upset to the point where I can't cover it up.

After all, why should we cover up our feelings? I want to suggest to everyone to go ahead and show you feelings. Even better, try to talk to someone about it. Get it off your chest. It will make you feel better faster. And if you have a blog, oh my gosh!!! Even better! You can vent all your feelings there. That is exactly what I am doing right now. I am so upset right now you wouldn't believe it. To think I was so happy last night when I went to bed and this morning when I opened my eyes to greet the new day. Unfortunately I went across the border and had my world shattered. Some people just do not care what they do and what they say. There are strange people everywhere and self centered persons whose main purpose in life is to be rude when they want to and to be happy when they want. There is a name for this and it is a sickness. It is called BI-POLAR and the patient will never accept he or she has it. In fact, they aren't aware of their attitude at all. They are in a world of their own and don't give a damn what they do and what they say.

WELL, ENOUGH! NO MORE! I WILL NOT BE TAKING THAT TYPE OF BEHAVIOUR ANYMORE FROM ANYONE. TO HELL WITH THAT ATTITUDE! WHAT THEY WANT TO DO WITH THEIR LIFE IS FINE BUT WHEN IT COMES TO AFFECTING ME - NO MORE! GET A GRIP OR LOSE THIS.

THIS IS 2009 AND I AM SETTING NEW RULES FOR ME AND MINE. IF WE ARE WALKING A LINE THEN WE ALL WILL. NOT ONLY SOME OF US TO PLEASE OTHERS. SO IF YOU READ THIS POST AND YOU REALIZE YOU ARE A SELF-CENTERED, CHAUVANIST PIG OR A B****, THEN THIS MAY BE THE RIGHT TIME TO SET NEW VALUES FOR YOURSELF.

PEACE, JOY AND LOVE. THAT IS THE KEY. USE IT!

MUCH LOVE,
MS. B

WHEN THE HAT FITS ANOTHER HEAD

This past weekend I witnessed something that has left me thinking. It is most unfortunate to say that time has gone by but the problem still remains the same in Belize. I am not bothered much if this is happening in other parts of the world, although if it is, then I feel that what I have to say can serve for those in other countries to listen and learn also.

When we arrive in this world we are greeted by our parents. The one person who will be there for us through every single thing whether it is good or bad that happens, is OUR MOTHER. They take care of us 24 hours a day when we are tiny and throughout our lives they are always there for us. Pampering us, giving us words of encouragement and tending our wounds whether physical or not. Yet somewhere on the road to adulthood we lost touch of reality. We lost touch of how much the motherly love took us through life and when the time came for us to turn around and be there for our parents, we lacked the conscience and the love to be there for them.

This is a sad reality. It is a reality that we need to change. I once read a story that a couple treated the mother of the husband really poorly. In fact she sat at a little table for all her meals away from the rest of the family. She ate out of a little wooden plate. One day, the father say his son carving away at a piece of wood and asked him what he was doing. The son replied he was preparing his father's little plate for when he would sit at the little table just like his grandmother was doing. Immediately the son realized that he had sent a wrong message and if he didn't change it, his son would treat him the way he was treating his mother.

This is the lesson we need to learn. We must give love to our elderly and our sick. We need to love our parents and grandparents. They should not have to depend on the kindness of strangers if they have us. They were there for us when we needed them. The least we can do is be there for them when they need us.

Remember, LOVE IS THE KEY TO ALL THINGS IN LIFE.

Ms. B

MAKING A BETTER COROZAL

January 3rd is here. Already three days into the new year. We must have plans as to what we want this year to be like. I know I have much that I want to do and things I want to enjoy.So far Christmas and the New Year were both wonderful. I usually have a great time with Carolyn and Ciarra and while I missed them tremendously this year I was okay. It would have been complete if they were all here but we phoned and that helped.

How time flies when you are busy still amazes me. There is so much we can be doing that would be insignificant and so much we can do that can add meaning to our lives. I trust that each and everyone one in the Yo Puedo Group realizes that we are not here on this earth to sit back and let others do things for us. We have got to take control of our surroundings.

This goes for things we think the government should do for us all that we can do for ourselves. Since the time of Mayor Olga Marin, the people of Corozal have been used to the idea of cleaning the area outside of their fences. well, guess what? I think it is time for the Mayor, Mr. Hilberto Campos to go one step further. The drains are in a deplorable state and we need to help keep them clean. Especially if you have a glutted drain in front of your house, and it rains, the water will be unable to flow. You then are faced with a health problem for it becomes a breathing place for mosquitoes and mosquitoes bring dengue. Presently Fifth Avenue in the area south, two blocks up from the Civic Centre has stagnant water. I believe that something needs to be done, and done fast! Let's not wait for things to get bad. Let's work together and make Corozal a better place in which we live.

Now, let's not think that we are responsible for everything in this beautiful jewel we call Belize. The streets need to be fixed. Let's leave that to the government with a notice. The tourist looks at three things when they visit:
the streets, the people and how clean the country is.

Let's work so that Corozal can be beautiful. Rememeber: we each have a role in this lifetime and mine is to help others see that Corozal can be a top class country.

Members of the Yo Puedo group, you can help make a difference. Start telling the mayor about the streets and start cleaning the drains infront of your homes.

Todos digan YO PUEDO!!

With Love,
Ms B
President
Yo Puedo Group

HAPPY NEW YEAR, CAROLYN AND CIARRA

Dearest Carolyn,
This was the first year I was unable to be with you all for Christmas and New Years Day is here and I am filled with so much love and wishes for you. Daughter, you have been and will always be the joy of my life. You have been loved from the moment I found out I was carrying you in my womb. The love your father and I had for each other and the love we had when you arrived was special.

Over the years I became a single parent and that did not stop me from seeing you through high school, Sixth Form and University. Today you are thousands of miles away in Georgia, USA but you remain in my heart as the ray of sunshine that has brightened and guided me over the years.

I wish you all the best, Bibs. If Tia Brenda and Chichi were alive I know they would be so proud of all that you have achieved. I know that I am proud of you and have always been proud of you. Your successes are my successes. Keep on attaining that star that shines in your eyes and heart.

As we move into 2009, I look forward to seeing you and being with you. Keep on smiling and joking and being the best friend a mother could ask for. Baby girl, you are my greatest achievement. You are the best poem I have ever written, the best song I have ever sung and the best speech I have ever given. Reach for the unreachable and remember that you can be all you want to be.

Just say I CAN and you will be surprised at how much you will be able to do.

I love you and always will.
Mama



Ciarra, my little princess,
From the first moment I held you in my arms I knew you were grandma's girl. You are my joy and my peace. You are my blooming lily, my walking happiness. God Bless you my little angel. You are loved and you are cared for. Keep on making us proud of you. Keep on smiling and keep on learning.

Your journey of life has just begun. You have much to achieve and you will!

I love you and I miss you.

Grandma's special little star, know this: I will always be there for you. Reach out and take my hand.

All my love and kisses,
Grandma Brenda

It is with sadness in my heart that I write this blog. Two days ago, Dione Triminuis, one of our members,
lost her mother. Consie (Dione's mom) gave up the battle against cancer and passed away around 4am Friday morning in the Corozal Town Hospital.

We share Dione's lost and pledge to be there for her in this time of grieve.


YO PUEDE, VIVIR MI VIDA Y MI MUERTO.
YO PUEDO, DIONE!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!!

Have happy new year everyone. May you be filled with peace, joy and happiness today and always.
My love to you all.
Meetings will be held at my house in early 2009 once a month
Stop by any Sunday night at 8:30pm. To all the Yo Puedo members: our home is open for you.
Much love always,
Ms B