I am a ChangeMaker

I have now been in San Diego for a week and a couple of days. Reflecting back is a little difficult, I have had a very busy week. Lets start with my job…

My job is AWESOME!

It is wonderful to work in an environment with people that love their work. There is an energy that consumes the office. This energy is “passion”… a passion for education, a passion for life, and a passion for helping others. The love they have for their work is evident, as they are also great at their job.

I must admit I had my reservations when coming to the University of San Diego (USD), I heard great things about the Ph.D. program but the campus at-large I was still unfamiliar with. In a very short period, all reservations are gone and they have been replaced with sheer excitement.

USD is a private catholic school. Many of the students come from privileged backgrounds (nothing wrong with that). I went to Fresno State, many of the students there are first-generation/ low-income (nothing wrong with that). I have had discussions of privilege, and more specifically white privilege at both universities.

To my surprise, it was not until I got to USD and worked for the Center of Awareness, Service, and Action (CASA) that I was able to have a very, very honest discussion on white privilege.

It is encouraging that the people around me are so aware of their surroundings. It is also inspiring that the people around me are cognizant of how their actions effect not only them but the larger community we live in.

Working for CASA has re-instilled my motivation for why I want to work in higher education.

I have always thought of myself as one that serves his community, but it was not until today did I ever ask myself, am I changing my community? Furthermore, I must ask myself, am I changing my community in such a manner that the future generations that will come after me will also be able to thrive as I have?

I have now taken a personal oath to become a ChangeMaker.

In keeping with my personal values, which are to serve God first, I believe in order to stay true to this; my community needs to become a priority as well. To love yourself, is to love your neighbor. We will only thrive if our community is thriving, and if our community is struggling then so will we.

Therefore, God give me strength, so I can strength my community, and then allow me to reap the benefits, so the cycle can continue. 

New school. New job. New city.

New school.
New job.
New city.

For many some would say moving from Fresno to San Diego is a big upgrade. Sweltering summer heat to beautiful blue skies and beaches, that is nice; I certainly do feel blessed to wake up to rolling hills and a bay of water as the backdrop. The other night a friend and I were leaving my apartment to enjoy a night on the town and some fireworks were going off. Apparently, it is Sea World's fireworks, it happens every Saturday night, and I get to see them from my patio… “cool”.

Beaches, fireworks, night life, San Diego seems to have it all.

One thing San Diego does not have is my friends and family. It has only been a couple of days and I already miss them. I am not home sick, rather I miss the love and loyalty I was surrounded with in Fresno. Around them I felt safe, I felt complete. Every one of them has had a piece in making the man I am today.

God brings certain people in your life for a reason, for the few in Fresno that I speak of, I believe God brought them into my life to give me courage (which is why I named this blog to have enough courage).

With many late night talks with my classmates studying at the library, to dinner with the Lopez family, to having arguments with my homies over some brews and BBQ, to dancing the night away with my fellow salseros. Each of you has given me the courage to make “history”. I say history because many people from the foster care system never go to college let alone are accepted into a Ph.D. program. As well, there are more young black males sitting in prison cell blocks then sitting in college classrooms. I am truly blessed. I give all grace to God.

So…Today I look forward to begin a new journey, today I simply wish to just not get lost every time I decide to go some where. It took me a good 20 minutes to find the grocery store. With gas over $4 dollars a gallon in San Diego, I must learn this city fast. Nevertheless, I will take my time throughout this journey of school and career.

I plan to update my blog at least once a week to give my loved ones an opportunity to stay up to date with me. I will have everything from personal entries, nerd stuff like research I am working on, and discuss some interesting things I find myself thinking about. Stay tuned. Love you all peace!