FINDING MR./MS. RIGHT?

Is there such thing as finding Mr./Mrs. Right?

As little girls we grow up with this image of our “prince charming”, getting swept off our feet with romance and sweet nothings but is there really such a thing? It amazes me that all the women that I know are in search of finding Mr. Right, regardless of the differences between us all, we all are looking for the same thing, love. Unfortunately, with the circumstances that life throws at us, at times we tend to look for love in the wrong places, when all along it is right in front of us. What I mean is that it’s not about finding Mr./Mrs. Right but about being the right person for yourself and allowing the quality of person you want to find you. I heard a song called “Statistics” by Lyfe Jennings that summarizes the idea of “be the person you want to find…don’t be a nickel out here lookin’ for a dime!”

25% of all men are unstable
25% of all men can’t be faithful
30% of them don’t mean what they say
…and 10% of the remaining 20 is gay

That leaves you a 10% chance of ever finding your man
That means you better pay attention to these words that I say
I’m gonna teach you how expose the 90%
and show you what to do to keep the other 10.

[Chorus]
RULE #1
Don’t be a booty call
If he don’t respect you girl he gon forget you girl

RULE #2
If he’s in a relationship
If he will cheat on her that means he will cheat on you

RULE #3
Tell him that you’re celibate
And if he want some of your goodies he gon have to work for it

RULE #4
Be the person you wanna find
Don’t be a nickel out here lookin’ for a dime

15% of all men got a complex
15% of all men don’t practice safe sex
20% of them are from homes without a father
so there’s a 50/50 chance that you’ll marry a coward

Something to think about when you’re taking a shower
Something to swallow when you drink your bottled water

I’m gonna teach you how to expose the 90%
and show you what to do to keep the other 10

[Repeat Chorus]

Be patient! He’s waiting!
You don’t gotta settle for that
Leave what is past alone!
Get you a backbone!
Stop feeling sorry for yourself!

Have you made a checklist?                                                           
It’s gonna take patience
Time is still wastin’                                                

Like they say patience is a virtue and allowing yourself to become a quality of a person, will allow those of quality to gravitate towards you, so you don’t have to go looking for love in the wrong places. We get consumed by societal pressures to be a certain way to attract our significant others but when it comes down to it, you should embrace the woman/man that you are and accept your differences as unique treasures. Rather than looking for Mr./Mrs. Right, take a second to discover you and work on letting it shine. As they say, it doesn’t take a day to recognize sunshine but if you can’t acknowledge it yourself, then no one else will and you will live on searching. So, remember be the person you want to find and don’t be a nickel out there looking for a dime! J

Happily Ever After

I remember at a young age hearing and yes even watching the Disney “Princesses” cartoons with my younger sister. As the movie was ending the credits read, “And they lived happily ever after.” I use to think that living “happily ever after” was only in cartoons. I never thought that one day I’ll find a princess and we would live” happily ever after.”

I’m now way older and I can truly say that I’m living “happily ever after.” See I found my princess and I married her because I wanted to spend the rest of my life living happily ever after. Now that I’m married it doesn’t mean that we walk on clouds because we are lost in love or that we don’t disagree and never argue. We do argue and we are not walking on clouds, but we do believe and love each other. See living “happily ever after” doesn’t mean a perfect life that doesn’t bring hurt, frustration or disappointment. It means living happy through the hurt and pain.

My wife and I still have a lot to learn as newly weds, but we purposed in our hearts to live happily ever after through all the drama that life brings our way. If you’re reading this I want to encourage you that YES you can live happily ever after. Even if you have made mistakes and think you will never find your prince charming or princess I want to inform you that you still can. See, we believe that it is “never to late to be proud to wait!” I encourage everyone to stop whatever you are doing and check yourself. What ever you are doing to hurt your self whether it be drugs, sex or violence, etc. STOP!!! You still can live happily ever after even if you’ve made mistakes or if you think it’s too late.

Much Love,
Alfredo “Chito” Rosado                                                                                                
PTW Instructor                                                                                                               Chito & Norma w/ PTW Youth

A WORD FROM J. GOMEZZZZZZ

                                                                                    Well what can I say alot has happened over the past 3 months. One very important event that happened in my life was that I got married!   What, What….LOL!!!   Yup, Yup I’m married and so far its been pretty exciting. We went on our Honeymoon and we had a blast in Cancun.  It was really amazing. But I’m not going to talk about me or my relationship, just a couple of hours ago I was at a Teen summit and wow let me tell you it was great.   There were many different speakers and they all touched on different topics ranging from Teen Dating violence to underage drinking and my favorite STD’s!!! JK!!!!   Honestly though my favorite speaker was a mother who was a volunteer for M.A.D.D ( Mothers Against Drunk Driving.) Her name was Joan Brewer and she dropped it like its hot.   She started by showing a video from 1999…( Yeah I know 1999…. OLD) but what that video showed was the most shocking thing I’ve ever seen, Yeah we all know its not good to drink and drive, but many of us know people who still do this and we can prevent our friends or family members from getting behing the wheel and causing a horrific accident that can lead to them being dead or even behind bars. As the 1999 video started playing it showed a beautiful young lady from Venezuela who came to the states to learn english.   It also showed a 20 year old football player who didn’t know each other but because the 20 year boy was drinking and none of his buddies took his keys away his life would be changed forever.   It was a late night and the Boy was driving and he crossed the center divider on the freeway colliding  with the young ladies car who had 2 other passengers in her car.  2 passengers died and she had 3rd degree burns allover her body and loss her nose, fingers, ears and was basically deformed.  I was shocked to see this women it was crazy. But Joan continue telling the story of her son who died too from driving under the influence at the age of 22.  You could really feel her sorrow as she spoke about the death of her child and it was by far one of the most impactful personal stories I’ve ever heard.  At first I didn’t know how to react, but I guess what I’m trying to say to you is if you know of anyone who drinks and drive take their keys away or drive them home.   You can save a life by doing something that small. All in all a split second can change your life so Don’t drink and Drive!!!

Peace,

Jimmy Gomez                                                               

THINK ABOUT IT!

High School is filled with different stresses. From homework to school dances, many things pop throughout the school year. But one thing that is not mentioned enough when it comes to high school is cliques.   I am sure you know them: the cheerleaders, the jocks, the nerds, the band kids, the drama kids etc… Students make assumptions of other people based on these cliques.  However, most of these assumptions are wrong. The fact is that almost all of  high school students are going through the exact same thing.   Most high school students have the same fears and drama. But very few students leave their comfort zone and share their experiences with one another.    As a result, high school students interact with their small group of friends and never really talk about what is on their minds. 

     I usually don’t pay attention to MTV ever since they stopped playing music videos, but recently they have been coming up with some good programs. (Minus the Jersey Shore, I am tired of Snooki and the Situation.) Shows about teen issues like “Teen Mom” and “The Buried Life” have become popular on MTV over the years. The newest program to hit the airways is “If You Really Knew Me”.  This show takes place in various high schools around the country to try to break down the social cliques.   First, the high schoolers participating in Challenge Day play group activity games designed to have everyone interact with each other.   After, the counselors break up the students into small groups and are invited to share problems in their lives that nobody knows about them. It is a powerful group session that allows students to see each other for who they really are instead of whatever clique they are apart of.  The most interesting aspect of this show is the line of equity.   Questions are asked by the counselors and students walk across the line if the question relates to their life. One example question is if students were raised by a single parent they should cross the line.   Students are able to see and relate to each other forming bonds they never would have in the past.

　High school students need to realize that they have more in common to eachother than they think. Every student has problems that they need to work out. But more importantly, students need to understand that they are not only one dealing with the problem. High school students need to get to know someone rather than labeling people based on their social group. Breaking down the clique barriers will lead to a more harmonious school.

Ruben Dominguez

PTW Los Angeles　

FAREWELL TO PTW OC!!!!

What’s up PTW friends and family… Orange County…Los Angeles….Sacramento….Hope everyone is having a great Summer!! i would like to take the time to share that this will be my final week working with this amazing organization…..I consider myself privileged and fortunate to have worked and met so many wonderful people…ALL PTW youth & PTW Staff!!! I have been here since the beginning….it’s time to pass the torch to our newest instructor Monique….who has a passion for youth…definitely goes above and beyond the call of duty! I have seen many changes throughout the years…all have been for the better of this program…. Joe & Jake thanks for everything…nothing but love & respect for you guys! Sergio, I greatly appreciate everything you have done!!! Thanks!!! I leave with good memories that I will cherish always!