Laredo: Definitely Another World

It's now been just about 11 days since I arrived to Laredo. I would say that's enough time to state judgment on the place. But first, I do have to admit, though, at how accurate the comments I heard about the place were...

Everything in Laredo:

•  Has horrible service- Went to dinner last night. Had to ask the waiter three times for water, and after I finally got it, he disappeared and never came back. I had to get up and find out where we could pay for our meals.
• Is VERY expensive - I called 3 decent looking salons to get price ranges on a hair cut. They all START at $50!
• Is BORING- The only time I'm enjoying myself is when I'm at work... gotta love news reporting.
• Is HUMID- Have I ever mentioned how much I hate humidity? Probably not because I've never experienced it like I have here. It's horrible! Give me some nice and dry Arizona air please.
• Spanglish or all Spanish- Now, I can understand that Spanglish has become a little bit of a new culture for Hispanic families, but we are still in America and with this being said, English should be the respected public language. I'll go somewhere and even if I speak to an individual in English and insist in keeping the conversation in it, they don't care they'll talk back to you in Spanish until you give in... bugs me!
• Smelly- I've have yet to find a building or area in the darn town and not have my nose itch because something smells. Also, apparently people don't mind living right next to water treatment plants that smell like butt. There are a few of those around and they are all located right smack in the middle of neighborhoods. Interesting...
• Is CORRUPT!!- This one has to be the winner for the worst thing in Laredo. I'm amazed at just how unqualified so many city officials are for the positions they have, and the way they managed to get their positions. 

But even with all these crazy things, I still think I'll be okay. Although complaining is what it appears I'm doing, I'm working on trying not to mind all this stuff and rather just be an example of what I believe to be right and proper so I can be an example to those who do care to make a positive difference.

Also, now that I'm here and have received my very first on-air opportunity in this place, Laredo will, indeed, have a special place in my heart. That's why I'm still going to enjoy it as best as I can. 

I love my job here. I'm working as hard as I can to perfect my broadcasting skills to the fullest!

 

It's all about tha family

Yes, it's about time I catch up with myself. You see, it's been sort of a rough year for me. I haven't exactly made it to where I'd like to be. It's been 10 months of searching for things which I thought I wanted. Ten months of praying with all my heart. Ten months of learning. Ten months of re-meeting my parents, and ten months of taking many many trials, which now I'm glad I had (but only in a small way...he! ).

I've wanted to start my career in broadcast journalism for the longest time, but due to one reason or another, I just was not able to get this ambition on a kick start. However, the moment I've been praying for and hoping would soon happen has now arrived. I'll be taking the next stage in my life to Laredo, Texas, where I'll be working as a news reporter for KGNS- NBC. The more I ponder this opportunity the more I realize it's exactly what I need (but not what I really want! It's okay though). So let's get this next journey on the road!

But wait!

Before, I do continue with my future plans up ahead, I do want to trace back to those 10 months of what I thought was hardship and agony... 

and boy was I wrong! 

Heavenly Father blessed with 10 months of re-kindling love for my family (something I was subconsciously losing in small way... I cared only about my career plans). Times, though, are now much different. There's no doubt in my mind my family will always be there for me and the people I will always LOVE. Yes, they're kinda psycho, but how I love their cocky, weird, loud and energetic personalities ( I suppose I could be included in this list as well). 

Please. Take a look at just a few things I've shared with my beautiful family these last 10 months:  

My mom has always been my wonderful hardworking mom, but this year she became my best friend... the only friend I could run and cry to about anything, including what I thought to be my hopeless life (which is definitely not true and I know that now). I will always love her. This picture was taken on mothers' day. I made her corsage and she loved it (of course)! 

Yes, I have two other best friends who are also my sisters ( but that's okay). Garnie and Vicky were able to come home for the 4th of July weekend, which was also my birthday!! They were the only ones home to celebrate my special day with me... our country's special day too! They were great sports, and Garnie made me a cake that looked like butt... I still loved it though... because I had no other choice... but thanks sister!  

One of my main goals I set myself to do these last months was to stay way more organized. If you take a look at my desk, you can probably tell it wasn't going to great all the time. But do allow me to say I have been very good about it lately. I do love my desk and my room. This is where I like to meditate and think about everything I do. I also like to ponder and look at my vision portrait which I made. Like it? I do! I am going to add to it though. It's a little empty and it's time to revise it. 

This was the first time this year my only two brothers got to reunite. It was only about a month ago too that I took this picture. We were outside fixing Luis' truck. Actually I wasn't really doing anything, just watching. They were replacing the bumper on Luis' truck (which I crashed, sorry brother!! Glad to know that you still love me though!). Their bonding time was... cool!