Brotherhood of St. Anthony’s, October 23rd, 2010

I was fortunate enough to have been asked to represent John Perdigao, Luso State President this last weekend at the Brotherhood of St. Anthony’s Annual Convention. I was to present Grand President MaryJean Perry with a token of Friendship and I think I got more out of it then I thought I would. Originally I was unsure as sadly I still do not know a lot of people outside of Luso in other societies but truth be told I’m glad I went. I know that in the next 5 years, I will be running into many of these people and I’m truly looking forward to meeting and getting to know them.

I was originally going to go with my Dad, he knows everyone and had been at this convention in the past during his time in line and as state president but due to scheduling conflict Mom served as my date that night and I’m glad she did. We had a great time even though we were unaware of it being a Luau. I would have loved to throw on a summer dress (even though it was cold and rainy) with a pair of sandals and a lei. We were greeted immediately by someone who remembered my Mom from my Dad’s term in 1998 and that took some of the nervousness away from us and we began to relax. I found too that Tish Cardoza was there as well representing SPRSI with her Grandmother and we joined them at their table.

Nervousness aside mom and I had a great time experiencing a different convention from Luso. Its always interesting to see how other Fraternal Organizations honor their presidents and their members. There was such a closeness about them all and they all seemed to be there to Honor Mary Jean and her husband and to have a good time and make a bunch of memories.

I was reminded quite frankly by Tish when I didn’t want to get up and dance to the chicken dance (in honor of the Giants winning the pennant..YAY) with everyone that my theme for my Committee and my year is “Celebrating Fraternalism and Our Traditions” and I realized she was right. I was there to celebrate another fraternal organization and their traditions and while at first I may not have wanted to dance I realized that this is why I’m here. I’m here to celebrate with them and make new memories. So I did, I danced, I participated in their Grand March and met some new people I hope to see again in the next 5 years. Thanks Tish for that reminder.

Thank you John for giving me the opportunity to represent you at the St. Anthony Convention and hope I did you proud. Thank you to MaryJean Perry and Convention Committee for the lovely gifts, wonderful dinner and for the extremely warm welcome my Mother and I received. We had a great time and thank you so much for the memories.

Maholo!

Modesto 49B-55C, Region #6, YC #24 Visit

Sunday, October 3rd was the Visit for 49B-55C of Modesto, Region #6 and YC #24. It had been about 12 years since I had been to their visit and I forget how active they really are. Like it was back then they put on a visit that was amazing. I have to say this that I’m extremely happy to have started to rebuild some friendships from this area that were lost. It’s made a huge difference in the way I look at a lot of things. I’m really glad I was able to attend and really enjoyed it.

I was fortunate enough to have traveled with my cousin Brienne Peixoto who is now getting her feet wet on the 20-30’s/Adult side of Luso and is currently holding the position of Assistant to the President and in hopes of moving into the 20-30’s line soon. Which I’m very excited to see her so active again after the Youth. I thought that it would be a great idea to get her going to as many visits as she can so that she can get a feel for all of it and to meet new people from other regions and such. It’s always fun watching someone get excited about the possibilities of getting involved on a state level. Yes there are and will always be politics the deeper you get into any organization but majority of the time the memories and experiences are something that can’t be replaced. So I hope she finds her spot in Luso and really takes time to enjoy it.

Back to the visit; we arrived a little bit early but were welcomed with open arms and to a beautifully decorated hall. The hall looked ready for fall even though it was hot and muggy outside. Once inside you knew that Fall was upon us with the beautiful fall colors and centerpieces that decorated the tables. I must say that they had a table of appetizers that were so good. The luncheon and cake were also delicious as well which is not surprising. It was great to see friends like Joe and Lina Vieira, John and Adelaide Dias, Mr. & Mrs. Pascoa that come from the bay to enjoy an afternoon in the valley.

It’s always a pleasure to see friends; I hung out with Anthony’s Mom and Grandmother, Judy Teixeira, Anna Bettencourt and Judy Allen Dias. As usual we laughed till we cried, we talked and enjoyed our afternoon while we listened to our friends. We watched YC # 24 perform their performance from the convention this year that earned them the 3rd place trophy in the Dance Category and they always put on a great show! The little ones like always are always so cute.






This council; as our 20-30’s President Anthony mentioned, really has embraced the building of bridges amongst the councils. Having a 20-30’s member as well State Officer as their Adult Council President really does help build the gap between the 20-30’s and the Adults. Continue the good work and thank you for being a roll model to our society. Kudos to Brian Martins, Field Agent for bringing in 46 new members from October of 2009 - October 2010. My hats off to you and all the hard work you do for the society. Congratulations to all 3 councils for recieving the Rim Award, 5 Star and the Manual Reis this year a the convention. I think that these three awards are probably the most important as it really shows the amounts of work and loyalty you all have to the Society. I also want to Congratulate Monica Xavier for joining the 20-30's State Board as Director of Activities. You have some big shoes to follow in your Region but I know your up for the task!

Santa Maria/Arroyo Grande Visits

Luso Adventures…

So this weekend was the first official weekend of the Luso visits for 2010-2011 and I’m so glad I decided to tag along with Anthony. Traveling with Anthony, Anna and Nicole proved to be nothing but laughs, teasing and some story’s that may never come to the light of day! What happens in Pismo stays in Pismo. HAHA! Good Times.

We stayed in Pismo or Five Cities at the Motel 6. What cracked me up is that we were worried about WIFI.. Really here we are in a quaint town by the beach and we are worried about having WIFI in our rooms. After changing rooms and settling in, we headed out to dinner at Pier side Restaurant with the Perdigao Family. Good fish, laughs and the building of friendships. That’s what this trip has turned into.

Once back at the hotel I thought we were going to get busted by security with the laughter, the sounds and the silliness that we created. I had no idea that this craziness would have ensued but oh we did it..and god help the neighbors we had at the hotel. They must have heard some interesting stuff because when I think back on everything I can’t help but laugh my ass off.

Saturday morning started off quietly, well somewhat quiet but then I’ve learned that our group was not quiet. We had a quick breakfast at the Denny’s up the street and then I was off to hang out with my oldest and dearest friend Mark! I couldn’t wait. I think I actually jumped out my chair and out the door before anyone really had a chance to know what was going on. LOL Sorry guys I love you but can’t miss out on time with Mark. Heck it had been 8 years since I had seen him and I was having Mark Martins withdrawals. I spent the afternoon reminiscing, catching up and having a fabulous time at the Marisol bar at The Cliffs. It was a gorgeous day in Pismo and we sat outside and had the most amazing view of the ocean. Mike and Amy joined us a little bit later and the rest of the afternoon was spent with laughter, catching up and just a great time. I miss these guys so much. They have been a part of my life for 28 years and if we go another 8 years of not seeing each other I may have to hunt them down. After too much sun and too many Morgans we said good bye to Mike and Amy and then headed back to the hotel and I said my good byes to Mark. Always hard to say good bye to Mark. I better not go another 8 years without seeing him or anyone.



Once I was dropped off, we got ready to hit the Santa Maria Visit. As always we had a great dinner, great hosts and a fabulous time. Dancing, food, drinking and laughs. And you know you can’t go to Santa Maria without a good Santa Maria Chamarrita, Macarena and we learned the dance to Cotton Eyed Joe! Good times. Thank you to the Ribeiro Family, Council 31B, Region #4 and YC #3 for making this night another night to remember. After the visit we headed back to the hotel to relax and continue our craziness. I swear I have seen, heard some things that can never be repeated or shouldn’t be repeated.





The next morning we took our time getting ready for our next visit to Arroyo Grande. Our first Luso/Sprsi combined Visit. Let me just say that while it was small, it was really fun and very very good. Everyone was so sweet and hospitable and the food was delicious along with the cake. YUM. WE had some serious tears and snorting from all the laughter and I can see that this next year is going to be quite a ride. Thank you to Esther Iglesias and Elsie Chechetti (sorry spelling is wrong) for putting on the an amazing visit.


We headed home soon after and I was quite sad to leave the central coast. I love being down there so much that whenever I have leave it, it’s almost like leaving home. I have some of the most amazing friends down there and no matter how long it’s been since we’ve talked, since we’ve seen each other, the minute we are together it’s like we have never been apart. I can honestly say that I miss them terribly when I am not there and hope that we make more of an effort to stay in touch and see each other.

To Anthony, Anna, Nicole, Judy and Matthew and The Perdigao family…I had a blast. I haven’t laughed that much in a long time and you all made this trip so much more worth it. I am really looking forward to traveling with you all as much as I can this year as you continue your Luso Adventures. I know we have a lot more laughs, a lot more paidocas to give and more crazy pictures to take!

Thank you again for the memories, the laughs and for the friendships. You’re all so special and I’m so blessed to have you all in my life.

I still miss you....

I’ve changed the presets in my truck

So those old songs don’t sneak up

They still find me and remind me

Yeah, you come back that easy

Try restaurants I’ve never been to

Order new things off the menu

That I never tried cause you didn’t like

Two drinks in you were by my side

I’ve talked to friends

I’ve talked to myself

I’ve talked to God

I prayed liked hell but I still miss you

I tried sober I tried drinking

I’ve been strong and I’ve been weak

And I still miss you

I’ve done everything move on like I’m supposed to

I’d give anything for one more minute with you

I still miss you

I still miss you baby

I never knew til you were gone

How many pages you were on

It never ends I keep turning

And line after line and you are there again

I don’t know how to let you go

You are so deep down in my soul

I feel helpless so hopeless

Its a door that never closes

No, I don’t know how to do this

I’ve talked to friends

I’ve talked to myself

I’ve talked to God

I prayed liked hell but I still miss you

I tried sober I tried drinking

I’ve been strong and I’ve been weak

And I still miss you

I’ve done everything

Move on like I’m supposed to

I’d give anything for one more minute with you

I still miss you…, yeah…

I’ve talked to friends

I’ve talked to myself

I’ve talked to God

I prayed liked hell but I still miss you…

I tried sober I tried drinking

I’ve been strong and I’ve been weak

And I still miss you

I’ve done everything

Move on like I’m supposed to

I’d give anything for one more minute with you

I still miss you…

I still miss you…

I still miss you……yeah…, yeah…

One thing I learned this weekend is that life is short. Really short and it doesn’t matter how old you are, how healthy you are or not healthy. When its your time its your time. Over the last 6 months I have known or have lost people in my life from natural causes or illness. I have found out that some people I have known all my life are having the battle of their life with cancer or other diseases that are killing them daily. It didn’t matter that they were young, old, bad karma or whatever. It makes me realize that no matter what is going in my world that there is someone out there who is in a worse position then me, unhealthier then me or grieving someone near and dear to their heart.

This weekend a very dear friend of mine is battling diabetes and acute pancreatis and is on a ventilator to help her breath and try and get her vitals under control. She is 24 years and vegetarian. She’s got a heart of gold, will give you the world if she can and yet here she is battling to stay alive while her loved ones pray that she will open her beautiful eyes and give us her big beautiful smile again.

Is life tough right now? Definitely, the economy is barely survivable. Can I change my life to make it a positive one? Of course I can and will do my best to live life completely and fully. Life is short, live it, love it and be grateful for all that we have. We only have one life to live and if we don’t live it, its taken sooner then we think.

Take a moment, tell those you care about that you love them, tell those your angry at that you forgive them and most importantly forgive yourself for all that you think you’ve done wrong. Love yourself so that you have the ability to love others.

Turning 40.....

That’s it! I’m 40! Who knew it would come that quick. LOL I swear it was only yesterday I was celebrating my 21st birthday at my cousins house with friends and family and now I’m suddenly 40 years old. WTF!!! I don’t feel 40. Ok well sometimes I feel old but for the most part I feel pretty good. I will say that once I turned 21, time flew by. People use to tell me that once you hit 21 time flies. The years go by quickly and before you know it your in your 40s. Well they were right.

Its been fun watching friends of mine as well as myself move into the 40 club. They say 40 is the new 30. We’ll see how that goes.

I spent a quiet night at home on my actual birthday with my family. Dinner, cake and just giggles with the kids. I was completely overwhelmed by the birthday wishes on facebook. Amazing how many people pay attention to the fact that your birthday is listed on your profile. It truly made me feel special if only for one day and I appreciated every best wishes that I received that day. It made what started off a bad day into a really nice day.

I finished my bday celebrations on Saturday night at a local club here called the Saddlerack. A country club that has some of the most eclectic crowd and music I have ever seen. You walk in, you feel comfortable, you dance, sing, drink and just all in all have a good time listening to the live music and the dj.
I realized that night that I’m surrounded by people who love, support me and really and truly want nothing but the best for me. They made me night special, made me laugh and made me feel like I was the only special one in the club. For that I’m forever grateful. Its always nice to feel like your wanted or the center of someone's life even if only for just a few minutes!

In the end I had a great birthday and I’m looking forward to what jumping into a new decade will bring me. I know its easy to feel like I have nothing to show for my first 40 years but then I remember where I’ve been and where I want to go and I realize that I’m okay. I’m blessed with an amazing and loving family and some of the best friends a girl can have.

Thank you for making my celebration so memorable!

Religulous

While in school we have had to write reading journals about readings, movies and topics that we discuss. This one really had me thinking and I thought I would post it. I am on some level catholic even though non practicing. I'm not against or for religion as a whole..just have a lot of questions.

written 04/26/10 for English

Watching Religulous made me realize how many questions about religion I do have. I mean why we believe in something that has never truly been proven. No one can actually answer if there was an Adam and Eve who created humanity. Why do we follow the preaching’s of something that was written by man regarding an entity that creates miracles, life and judges upon on our last day on earth? This person who sends us to a better place after death yet, causes war, catastrophes’ and fatal illnesses amongst people of all ages?

As a child I was raised catholic, went to church and went through the religious rites that my parents believed in. I followed the rules set forth by the church and didn’t ask any questions. As I got older though I found that I had issues with some of the rules and the idea that I had to go to a church and put my faith into one sole person who lived a life of celibacy and completely different then what they preached. I was told to confess my sins in order to receive the body of Christ. To confess to a man who has been ordained a priest, who has taken this vow and has the ability to judge me and what he thinks is a sin. Some of these men are men, who truly found inner peace as Gods messenger, but there are some who are hiding from their sexuality, there are pedophiles and men who do not abide by their celibacy vow and sleep with random women in their congregations. These men while may not be many have no business judging me and forgiving me in my opinion.

In Religulous I did notice that bill Maher seemed to stick to many overzealous religious people. Those that can’t be swayed, who won’t or don’t tolerate anything remotely questioning their god or bible. Why are we so intent on believing in this without research, without question? Why must we listen to the ramblings of others at face value but aren’t allowed to ask questions? My thought is that they really don’t know the answers. They can’t give us a firm answer on whether this was real.

Religion does have some good qualities. It gives people inner peace during tough times in life, in death and when they are sick. But in the same token it has created wars in the name of religion, violent murders and racism. I’m still trying to figure out how to balance all the bad with the good it can bring.

Having faith in God, Allah, Buddha, etc.is a wonderful thing. Everyone should have faith and how ever you find peace within yourself is your business. My problem with any religion is the pushing of your thoughts and beliefs on other people. What may work for you, may not work me or anyone else. For me having faith doesn’t mean that I can preach versus in the bible, go to church every Sunday or even know all the prayers. Faith for me comes from within me. I believe what I believe and I talk to god in my way and when I feel the need is there. Sometimes it’s because I’m praying for a friend, family member or even me and sometimes it’s just to say thank you for giving me the strength and faith to get through the tough times.