Unhealthy

I'm pretty sure I came across this website from Cecile but I thought it would be interesting to share. The blog's purpose is to find the most unhealthy food at restaurants. It's kind of gross but yet interesting. Here are couple of the finds for http://www.thisiswhyyourefat.com/

Bacon Cheese Pizza Burger

Giant Burger between two large meat pizzas, egg, bacon, colby and pepper jack cheese.

Heart Attack Sandwich

Chicken fried steak, chicken-fried bacon, a country sausage, a fried egg, a fried green tomato topped with cheddar cheese and sandwiched between buns toasted in bacon fat, all served with a gravy dipping sauce.

Make sure to check out their website from what I can tell it is updated almost daily.

Wii

Just had to share. It was too funny!

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

V-Day

Hope all of you have a fun and safe Valentine's Day!

T-Mobile

I LOVE this commercial for T-Mobile from the UK. Commercials from other countries seem to be better than ones here.

Vest

I love watching Chelsea Lately. If you don't - you should. She's frikkin hilarious. This video she did as a PSA was shown recently and it's too funny. Enjoy!

Bow Tie

Today I have to be in Santa Monica to meet with participants and volunteers of my program. I came a little early to have lunch and get my self situated.

As I am sitting here with my computer a guy comes up to me asking about the internet and if they charge or what not. I told him that Starbucks uses AT&T and to get on you either have to pay or be a subscriber.

I ask what does he need it for?

He said he needs to find out on how to tie a bowtie for an audition that he has in 45 minutes. Unfortunately he went to go buy a bowtie and they didn't have the clip bowties but the bowties where you have to tie.

I tried loading a youtube video of it but unfortunately my computer was runing a little slow. So I decided to use his girlfriend's computer to see if it'll load faster.

The video loads and the dude's girlfriend gets to work. On her first try the bowtie looked funny. She did it a second time, a third time, and finally on the fourth time it looked right.

I told her what a good girlfriend she is to be doing this for her man.

I guess I did my good deed of the day. If he gets this audition he has me to thank.

I wish y'all could be here watching all this unfold. Here is a video they used to learn how to tie a bowtie just in case you guys need to learn.

Viva Espana!

The first grand slam in tennis has just completed in Australia. Congratulations to Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal for winning.

As I was watching I think I have my new favorite player - Fernando Verdasco. Check him out.

Huntington Beach

As you can tell from my previous post I had a pretty busy and tiring weekend. Here are some photos to share from the weekend.

View from my hotel room at the Hilton Waterfront Hotel in Huntington Beach

Got to hangout with the old roomies and their little one

Woke up early on Sunday and met up with our runners. Bumped into my old running buddy - April!

My favorite picture from the weekend. Love the message on his shirt.

SLEEEEEEP!!!

Yesterday was a pretty long day for me. I was at the Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach working and supporting our team. Needless to say I didn't get home until about 4:30.

Anyhow, I was chatting with Andrew and he was going to come over a little after 7. I wanted to take a nap since I was up since 5 in the morning.

I close my eyes, I wake up and it's frikkin 6:30 a.m. That was a long ass nap I took. I don't know ever sleeping that long. I guess I was pretty dead tired. Now it's time to start a new day.

Well congratulations to those who did the Surf City Marathon & 1/2 Marathon. Sorry Andrew - I zonked out. I'll see you later today.

25

On facebook I've been tagged by many of my friends on notes called 25 random things about me. I figured I might as well post it on here on my blog as well. So here are 25 random facts about me.

1. I hate writing about myself which is why I have been reluctant to do this but I keep on being tagged in these.
2. I can make friends easily but it's hard to get to KNOW me.
3. I have a wall around me even though it may seem like I don't.
4. I hate it when people put their feet on the dashboard when riding in a car and I see it.
5. I have ran 3 marathons and have yet to do one uninjured or healthy. Maybe the 4th's a charm.
6. I used to record myself reading/acting out comic book strips when I was a kid.
7. I LOVE dancing - doing it, watching it, learning it, etc.
8. I follow reality TV but mainly America's Next Top Model, Project Runway, America's Best Dance Crew, So You Think You Can Dance just to name a few.
9. I spend hours on the internet.
10. I am a huge fan of Family Guy. I have every single DVD set including two special dvd's - The Star Wars version and the Stewie Griffin Story.
11. I tend to smile a lot.
12. I've been told that I have smiling eyes.
13. I do go out but don't necessarily drink. I'll have one or two but that's about it.
14. I miss my gym buddies - Dani & Cici. We would take hip hop and TKB every week. Let's have a reunion. Who's in LA and wants to be my new gym bud.
15. I'm not good with money. My checkbook is never balanced.
16. I almost NEVER carry cash. See above.
17. I have been in my current job for almost 8 years. It's my first job out of college. I miss some of those who have came and gone from the AHA - Ms. Kevin, Ms. Amy, etc. etc.
18. I sometimes think where my next path will lead me - Maybe in the fashion world, back to school, event planning, etc.
19. I am afraid of the dark. I sleep with one light on.
20. I do believe in the supernatural.
21. I get scared easily and will never watch a horror flick nor will I probably will go to Knott's Scary Farm
22. I threw up at Magic Mountain last year and think I'm done with roller coasters.
23. I have an annual pass to Disneyland. Anyone feel like going?
24. I love Filipino, Thai, Cuban, Peruvian food. I just love food in general.
25. I didn't think I would have 25 things to say about myself and I did it. There you go!

Grunt

I've been watching the Australian Open. The first of four grand slams in Tennis. As I am watching I noticed that many players grunt.

Well a thought of mine came across my mind as I am watching. This is the same thought I had once while I was working out and noticed guys grunting, moaning, screaming or whatever noise they make through their sets on machines and weights.

What's that thought you ask?

I wonder if this is what they sound like when they're having sex.

Hahaha!

Aaliyah

Today is Aaliyah's birthday. She would have been 30.

Resolutions

Happy New Year everyone. As a tradition I know many people begin making resolutions. I'm not going to make any resolutions rather here are goals for this year.

1. Lose 15 to 20 pounds
2. Complete another half or full marathon.
3. Have my wrist get better - gain mobility so I can lift weights.
4. Continue working out.
5. Travel - Take a trip out of the country.
6. Keep things orderly in my apartment.
7. Be better with my money.
8. Work on myself - such as communication, strengthen connections, family, friends, etc.
9. Get a new car - mine is about ready to be junk.
10. Work harder and get more motivated in things that I do.

That was hard to come up with a list. I'm sure more will come up. What are your resolutions?

J Hud

For those of you who don't have Jennifer Hudson's album. You should get it. Below are my favorite songs.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday to my Dad!

New Year

Rather than singing Auld Lang Syne when midnight hit we danced the Cupid Shuffle. Shall a new tradition start? We will have to wait until 2010 to see.

Video courtesy of Gwen.

Cupid Shuffle from gwen78 on Vimeo.

2009

Just wanted to wish everyone a very happy new year. Hope you're fine in 2009. hahaha.

And to welcome 2009 here is my version of baby new year. Okay it's me as a baby.

Be safe tonight!!!

Fosse

I saw this video playing at a bar and just had to find it and post it. It's pretty hilarious.

Happy Holidays!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Died

So today I was at work and after a team meeting I got into my car to go to my next spot. I get into my car and try to start it. Guess what? It didn't. I thought maybe because it was cold that it didn't work. So I wait and I try again. It still won't start.

I don't have Triple A but thank goodness I have coverage under my insurance. They were pretty quick. It took them 30 minutes to come over and jump start it. Turns out I needed a new battery.

He told me to go to Pep Boys to get a new one and that's what I did.

Thank goodness this didn't happen while I was driving or else I could've gotten into an accident. Whew!

Maybe it is time for that new car.

What's Playing

These songs have been on repeat on my ipod recently. Enjoy.

Flying

Yesterday I had a dream that I was flying and of all places it was over Disneyland. I felt happy and it almost felt like it was real.

I looked online as to what it could mean and here's what I found:

Many of us have had them: dreams of soaring high in the sky; flying to the stars. And many of us have had these: dreams of falling from some great height fearful and panicked. What do flying and falling dreams symbolize? In waking life we are limited--we cannot take to the skies like Superman. Therefore, flying dreams can be symbolic of liberation from limits or 'rising above' a situation.

Flying dreamers are usually flying high in the sky--the sky being a symbol of spirituality. So these dreams may symbolize an expansion in spiritual awareness and leave the dreamer with feelings of empowerment, hope, peace, and exhilaration. Sometimes dreamers report meetings with angels or spirit guides while flying. Keep in mind that this angel or guide may be you in disguise--you as your Higher Self--the Self which has more wisdom and knowledge about you than anyone else. Whether the angel is you yourself or an actual angel, pay careful attention to dreams of this nature--they are powerful dreams potent with spirituality.

Now I wonder what Disneyland means in my dreams.

Saved

This afternoon at work after lunch we hear all this commotion coming towards the elevator. It ended up that two people were stuck in the elevator on our floor at work. My co-worker Tony was shoving notebooks in the door so that there was some air to flow inside the elevator as the two were saying that it started getting warm.

My boss came up with an idea to find something to open the door such as crow bar. However at the American Heart Association we don't have a crow bar ready. Go figure.

At the entrance of the elevator we have a red dress display with mannequins. Claudia said less remove the mannequins as there is a metal rod that is holding them up. So we lift up two of the mannequins. She handed one of them to me and the arms fell off. hahaha.

Anyhow Tony and Claudia used the two metal rods to open the door and the two were freed.

Thank goodness they were able to pry open the elevator door. I couldn't imagine being stuck in the elevator. I'm sure I would've gotten claustrophobic in there.

Here's two Superman Tony and Superwoman Claudia for freeing the two that were stuck in the elevator.

Dedicated to You

Oldies Remixed

I love these remixes. Now to find them so I can put them on my running music list. Enjoy.

The Deed is Done

Boy, am I glad it's over. I completed the Las Vegas Marathon yesterday in 5:48:44

Not exactly the time I was hoping for but hey I finished and besides it knocked off 45 minutes from my last marathon.

We had perfect conditions but I just pooped out at mile 20. My body couldn't run any more so I walked the last 6 miles. In addition I had a slight cold.

Third marathon complete. Could there be a fourth? Maybe - the Rock n Roll Marathon San Diego in June.

Been a While

It's been a while since I've posted. Things have gotten busy and well I've been lazy. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and got stuffed. (All the nasty minds - tsk! tsk!)

I've seen Spring Awakening, saw the Vanity Fair exhibit at LACMA and also watched Milk and I recommend all of you to go to all three. It's all worth going to.

This Sunday is my marathon in Las Vegas. All the hard work in training will hopefully pay off.

Anyhow, I need to shower as I ran 5 miles. I will blog more later.

Work!!!

That's all I have to say. WORK!

Repeal Prop 8!

I just signed a pledge to repeal Prop 8 and I thought you might be interested in joining me and over 100,000 Courage Campaign members across California.

We have to come together right now to say that we refuse to accept a California where discrimination is enshrined in our state constitution.

Please sign the "Repeal Prop 8" pledge now and forward this to your friends as soon as possible:
http://www.couragecampaign.org/RepealProp8

Thanks!

30th Birthday - Part 2

Here are pictures from my Birthday Party that happened on Sunday, October 26th. Thank you to everyone who came out. Turning Dirty 30 wasn't that bad after all. Also thank you to Andrew for "filling in" and taking all these photos.





Click here to see the rest of the photos.

Well Put

It's Not Over

Proposition 8 as of right now seems like it will pass. Those who were in favor thought that once this passed it will be enough said about same-sex marriage here in California.

Unfortunately for them it is not. This is the new Civil Rights Movement and we will do everything we can to make sure that everyone is treated fairly. We are just going to get stronger and louder.

I am asking all of you to do the following:

Reopen prop 8 for CA, please visit and sign: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/seg5130/petition.html

Call (916) 657-2166 and tell the Secretary of State they MUST count ALL the ballots!! (PLEASE HELP!!)

Let's not let hatred, bigotry and discrimination against a group of people stand or even be put into our constitution.

Please support me and many of my friends who voted and were in support on No on 8. Let's continue the fight!!!

Our Next President

Change is Finally Here!

Election Day!

Today is a very important day in American History as we choose a new president. In addtion in California many propositions are on the ballot including Prop 8 which eliminates the right for same sex couples to marry.

Long lines are expected - which is what I came upon this morning. I had to wait an hour and a half to vote but I'm glad I did. Make your voice heard - Go out and Vote.

P.S. Vote No on Hate and Vote NO on 8.

Halloween

I spent Halloween with friends at Carnival in West Hollywood. It was a wild night with so many people walking the streets on Santa Monica Blvd. I was dressed as Diego from Go Diego Go - a friend of Dora the Explorer. I was recognized by the little ones especially this little girl who was dressed as a fairy was screaming to her mom - Mama, mama - It's Diego!!!

My final destination of the night was Java Detour where I met up with Brian, et. al. Below are some photos from the night. Enjoy!

Protestors

Tonight I went out to dinner with Trevor, Andrew, and Reginald. We went to one of the restaurants in West Hollywood on Santa Monica Blvd. I can't remember the name it was some frenchie type name so I can't recall.

Anyhow, we were having a great conversation and we noticed a bunch of No on 8 supporters gathering on a corner to promote No on 8. It was great until there were Yes on 8 supporters driving by in a couple vans.

Well one of the funniest things I heard while they were chanting No on 8 came from a group at a neighboring restaurant yelling "No on Straight - No on 8" in unison with the No on 8 chants. This cracked me up.

Straight, Gay, or whatever you may be discriminating against a group of people is unfair. Make sure to vote No on 8 on Tuesday.

No on H8te!!!

We are one week away from elections and there is a lot of decisions that are going to be made. One importation decision here in California is Proposition 8.

Proposition 8 is to amend the state constituion to define marriage between one man and one woman. A lot of propaganda is going around. Those who are in favor of proposition 8 is using children to scare people to vote yes.

Unfortuantely, the tactics are misleading and not true. I had asked my teacher friends whether they teach marriage or in the curriculum that is required is there a mention of marriage. All of them said no.

Proposition 8 is about discrimination and hate. If two people who love each other want to confirm their love through marriage. Let them be. What is the harm? What if you were not allowed to be with the one you love. How would that feel?

Two good friends of mine got married on 8/8/08.

I would hate for their marriage be reversed because of this proposition.

Please do not believe in the propaganda that the Yes on 8 have produced. Vote no on hate - Vote NO on 8.

Girl Can Dance!

I was sent this video randomly and this girl CAN dance. I wish I could move like her when I was her age. Heck I wish I could move like her now.

Birthday Week

I had a great birthday week with the culmination at the Bungalow Club last night. Thank you to everyone for your birthday wishes and to those of you who came out and celebrated with me.

It meant a lot to hear and be with friends as I turned Dirty 30.

My Endorsement

With the elections quickly approaching I have finally chosen a candidate that I will be supporting. Join me with a vote for this candidate.

More Watermelon for Everyone . . .

I've been going to my chiropractor since June and they recently started sending out a newsletter. There was something in the newsletter that caught my eye and that I wanted to share with everyone about watermelons.

Like berries, watermelon is loaded with phytochemicals, including lycopene, beta-carotene and citrulline. When citrulline is consumed it is converted to arginine. Arginine is an amino acid that has beneficial effects on the heart and circulatory system, as well as the immune system. Arginine boosts nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, leading to another beneficial side benefit of watermelon . . . a Viagra-like effect without the hazards of a toxic drug.

Can't get Viagra - eat a watermelon slice. hahaha.

Dirty 30 - Part 1

Yesterday was my 30th birthday and with it falling on a Wednesday I couldn't do anything too wild. So a couple friends and myself went out for a couple drinks. A couple became a lot and I did end up yacking. So much for not doing anything wild, right?

Anyhow thanks to Andrew, Olaf, Melissa, Pinay, Eric, Jay (Juan, Junior, whatever), Eduardo, Peter, Dutch, Trevor, Jessica and everyone else who came out to have a drink with me.

Highlight of the night - besides hanging out with friends was meeting Tabatha from Salon Take Over and Shear Genius.

Below are some photos from last night. Part 2 is happening on Sunday.

Dirty 30

Dirty 30 Here I Come!

Here are other people who share the same birthday as me on October 22nd -

Zac Hanson

Shaggy

Brian Boitano

Jeff Goldblum

Annette Funicello

Tony Roberts

Christopher Lloyd

Timothy Leary

Two More Days . .

Two more days and I turn the Big 3-O. In the meantime - Happy Birthday to my mom!

Filipinos are Yummy

So I was supposed to go on vacation in Spain but unfortunately due to my work schedule I wasn't able to go. Sucks, huh? I'm glad that Andrew, Leia, and Gwen had a good time.

Before Andrew left I was wondering what could he bring back from Spain for me. I actually heard that Filipinos is a dessert in Spain and he was able to locate some.

A couple days after he came back he had the pleasure of bringing me to the Emergency Room at Cedars. If you don't know what happened read the earlier posts.

Anyhow, he had given me these and I finally ate one of the packages yesterday. They are chocolated coated cookies in the shape of O's. They're pretty good but it's just weird that it is called Filipinos. It's like having a dessert named Chinese, Mexican, Canadian, etc.

Jam With Me

Enjoy these songs. Jam with me . . .

Running at Night is Hazardous to My Health

For those of you know I still have my sprained wrist but at least I'm back and running. Here we are and it's a Tuesday night and I needed to get a 3 miler in. Going down 6th Street I almost had a repeat of last Wednesday. Almost a week later.

I tripped and almost fell but I caught myself and didn't fall. Whew!!! I didn't want a repeat visit to Cedars Sinai.

I did get a good look at the sidewalk and it is probably the same piece of concrete that made me fall and sprain my wrist. I probably will need to change my route if I have to run at night. No more running on 6th street. I'll figure a different route.

The Aftermath

Last night was supposed to be a usual evening. After coming home around 8 p.m. from my meetings in Long Beach I was getting ready for my run. On the schedule was an easy 3 miles. Easy enough, right? Been doing that for months now so 3 should be no different.

Well last night was different. As I was going down 6th street towards Fairfax it changed. As I was running my foot got caught on a slightly raised part of the sidewalk causing me to trip and fall. I totally skidded my knees and of course with me in my head I was thinking - I must finish the 3 miles.

When I finally reached Fairfax I felt a sharp pain in my wrist. Didn't feel good at all so I decided to walk back home. When I got home I contacted Andrew and decided to go to the Emergency Room at Cedars.

Cedars was great and I was in and out in an hour. They took x-rays and lucikly nothing was broken but I do have a sprain and now have to wear this thing on my arm. Below is a picture.




They also took care of my abrasions on my leg. In addition I had to get a tetanus shot.

Thanks Andrew for bringing me to Cedars and thanks Trevor for bringing me home and getting me McDonald's.

What a run, eh? Maybe I should just run on a treadmill from now on.

I've Decided to Go Do It!!!

I've decided to move forward with a costume of Diego for Halloween. This is what I need:

1. Cargo Vest
2. Light Blue Shirt
3. Blue Cargo Shorts
4. Gray/Orange Sneakers
5. Orange Backpack
6. Stuffed Jaguar

Hopefully this will be easy to find. It'll be an easy costume since I won't need a mask. blah!

Visiting the Old Roomie

My Mondays are usually spent in Orange County. I first start off with a visit to my chiropractor, now I started adding hitting the gym before I head back home. Today I decided to give Rey a call. Trevor had asked me to go Hi-Times Wine Cellar to pick up a bottle of Pinot Noir. My wine literacy is very limited so I asked Rey to go with me to pick out wine. I figured it would be good to see him, catch up and see Malia.

After I worked out I stopped by Target then a store that sells hair product for cheap and then it was off to the old apartment. It's always good to see Rey. (It's always good to see you Stacey but you were at work. I'll call you soon though. Maybe lunch since I'll have meetings in Manhattan Beach.)

Anyhow when I went over there Malia was aslept. The minute I stepped in she awoke. Rey brought Malia out she was acting really shy. Actually I think she was scared of me. Then again she's probably not used to me especially since I do not visit often. Rey was laughing and was saying that Stacey is going laugh. Everytime Malia would take a peek at me she would scream. He made some comments and I texted Stacey the comments. If you want to know what they were e-mail me. Just don't want to offend anyone. Hahahaha.

Malia eventually warmed up. She was crawling over, playing with my cell phones and eventually wanting for me to pick her up. Below are pictures from when we were playing. Rey even had me feed her a little bit.



We were lucky to have Erin come home to stay with Malia a little bit so Rey can accompany to Hi-Times. When we arrived at Hi-Times it was a little funny because Rey got teary eyed. Ever since Malia was born he has done very little drinking and he's finally getting back into it.

As we made our way through the wine I picked up a Pinot Noir by Thousand Foot from the Russian River Valley. Rey also made a suggestion for another wine that I might like so I picked it up. It's called a Menage a Trois. I laughed but we'll see how good it is when I give it a sip.

Thanks Rey for hanging out. It was fun. Come up some time and we'll do Ugo.

Dance! Dance! - The Todo, Todo.

When going to a Filipino family party - dancing and karoake is a favorite past time. What is interesting is the dancing part. Not sure how line dancing became so big amongst the Filipinos but I am surprised at how many line dances there are to songs that you may already know. We all know the electride slide probably started it all but second to that the Todo Todo is a widely popular selection. Anytime you are at any Filipino gathering you are sure to hear and see the Todo Todo. Below is the music video and after that is a bunch of Filipino Moms, Dads, Nanays, Tatays, Apongs, Lolos and Lolas doing it.

I've done it a couple times but I still need to learn the steps to get them down. Who wants to practice with me? haha

Top 100 Hip Hop Songs

VH1 is counting down the Top 100 Hip Hop songs. Some of them I agree . . some of them I don't but I know for sure that I'll be downloading a bunch of these songs. Below is the list -

100 Biz Markie - "Just A Friend"
99 Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz ft/ Ying Yang Twins - "Get Low"
98 Warren G ft. Nate Dogg - "Regulate"
97 Eve - "Who's that Girl"
96 DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince - "Parents Just Don't Understand"
95 L'Trimm - "Cars With The Boom"
94 Master P ft. Sikk, Fiend, Mia-x and Mystical - "Make 'Em Say Ugh"
93 N.E.R.D. ft. Lee Harvey and Vida - "Lapdance"
92 Yo-Yo - "Can't Play with my Yo-Yo"
91 Chamillionaire ft. Krayzie Bone - "Ridin'"
90 Pete Rock & CL Smooth - "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y)"
89 Cam'ron - "Oh Boy"
88 Jungle Brothers - "What U Waitin' 4"
87 Wyclef Jean ft. Refugee All Stars - "We Tryin' to Stay Alive"
86 Heavy D. and the Boyz - "Now That We Found Love"
85 Black Star - "Definition"
84 UTFO - "Roxanne Roxanne"
83 2 Live Crew - "Me So Horny"
82 Chubb Rock - "Treat 'Em Right"
81 PM Dawn - "Set Adrift On Memory Bliss"
80 Three 6 Mafia ft. Paula Campbell- "Hard Out Here For A Pimp"
79 DMX - "Ruff Ryders' Anthem (Stop Drop)"
78 Arrested Development - "Tennessee"
77 Cold Crush Brothers - "Cold Crush Bros. at the Dixie"
76 Big Punisher ft. Joe- "Still Not A Player"
75 Lil' Kim ft. Lil' Cease- "Crush on You"
74 EPMD - "You Gots To Chill"
73 Black Sheep - "The Choice Is Yours"
72 J.J. Fad - "Supersonic"
71 Whodini - "Freaks Come Out at Night"
70 3(rd) Bass - "Pop Goes the Weasel"
69 Common - "I Used to Love H.E.R."
68 T.I. - "What You Know"
67 Mase - "Feel So Good"
66 House Of Pain - "Jump Around"
65 Spoonie Gee and The Treacherous Three - "Love Rap"
64 The Roots - "What they Do"
63 Kid 'n Play - "Rollin' With Kid N Play"
62 Digable Planets - "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)"
61 Slick Rick - "Children's Story"
60 L.L. Cool J - "I Need Love"
59 Ol' Dirty Bastard - "Shimmy Shimmy Ya"
58 Ludacris ft. Shawna- "What's Your Fantasy"
57 Big Daddy Kane - "I Get the Job Done"
56 Busta Rhymes - "Woo-Ha! Got You All In Check"
55 Terror Squad ft/ Fat Joe and Remy - "Lean Back"
54 MC Lyte - "Cha Cha Cha"
53 Lox ft. DMX and Lil' Kim - "Money, Power, Respect"
52 Foxy Brown ft. Jay-Z - "I'll Be"
51 Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew - "The Show"
50 Lil' Wayne - "Tha Block Is Hot"
49 Boogie Down Productions - "My Philosophy"
48 Nas - "One Love"
47 Young MC - "Bust A Move"
46 De La Soul - "Me, Myself, And I"
45 Geto Boys - "Mind Playing Tricks On Me"
44 Method Man ft/ Mary J. Blige - "I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need to Get By"
43 Game, The ft. 50 Cent - "Hate It or Love It"4
2 Roxanne Shante - "Roxanne's Revenge"
41 Funky 4 + 1 - "That's the Joint"
40 Run-DMC - "It's Like That"
39 Tone-Loc - "Wild Thing"
38 Coolio - "Gangsta's Paradise"
37 Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock - "It Takes Two"
36 Nelly - "Hot In Herre"
35 Queen Latifah ft. Monie Love - "Ladies First"
34 Cypress Hill - "Insane In The Brain"
33 Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - "Tha Crossroads"
32 Puff Daddy & The Family ft/ Notorious B.I.G., Lil' Kim and The Lox - "It's All About The Benjamins"
31 Kool Moe Dee - "How Ya Like Me Now"
30 Tribe Called Quest - "Check the Rhime"
29 Digital Underground - "The Humpty Dance"
28 Ice Cube - "It Was A Good Day"
27 Beastie Boys - "Hold it Now, Hit it"
26 MC Hammer - "U Can't Touch This"
25 Fugees - "Killing Me Softly"
24 Eric B and Rakim - "Paid in Full"
23 Outkast - "B.O.B."
22 Naughty By Nature - "OPP"
21 Afrika Bambaataa & Soul Sonic Force- "Planet Rock"
20 Kanye West ft/ Jamie Foxx - "Gold Digger"
19 Ice T - "Colors"
18 50 Cent - "In Da Club"
17 Sir Mix-A-Lot - "Baby Got Back"
16 Missy Elliott - "Get Ur Freak On"
15 Eminem - "Stan"
14 Tupac - "I Get Around"
13 Wu-Tang Clan - "C.R.E.A.M."
12 L.L. Cool J - "I Can't Live Without My Radio"
11 Jay-Z - "Hard Knock Life"
10 Kurtis Blow - "The Breaks"
09 Salt-N-Pepa - "Push It"
08 Snoop Doggy Dogg - "Gin and Juice"
07 Notorious B.I.G. - "Juicy"
06 N.W.A. - "Straight Outta Compton"
05 Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five - "The Message"
04 Run-DMC ft/ Aerosmith - "Walk This Way"
03 Dr. Dre - "Nuthin But A 'G' Thang"
02 Sugarhill Gang - "Rapper's Delight"
01 Public Enemy - "Fight The Power"

Homework for the Kids or for the Parents?

I go to the Hawthorne Library a little earlier than I usually do for a recruitment meeting. It’s a new location so I wasn’t sure what I would expect. Whether the room would be set up for me or would I have to set up, where signage goes, etc. I got here extremely early so instead going straight to the meeting room I decided to sit down at a desk, pull out my computer and do some work. I was hoping to go onto the internet unfortunately I need a library card t and currently I do not have one so I sit and play bubble breaker on my phone.

As I look around I notice two ladies at a table next to me working on a project that looks like it is meant for their children. They are hard at work painting, gluing, scraping, coloring, etc to make it look decent. Whatever they are building looks like a scene of Native Americans. (Maybe in time for Thanksgiving). They had fake trees, Indian figurines and fake grass, etc.

As I sit here watching them two work a thought comes to me. Is homework really for children or is it for the parents? I’m sure as parents they want their child to do as well as they can in school to ensure that they receive the best education possible. However, does it come to a point where as a parent you do the homework, projects, reports or whatever is needed so that your child gets the best grades possible?

When I was a child my parents did help me do my homework when needed but I remember most of the time it was myself figuring out the math problem, writing the book report, looking in an encyclopedia for answers. My parents had a way of helping me with homework. They made sure that they didn’t give me the answer right away but made sure I knew the process in getting to that answer. (This came less and less especially when I got into Algebra and other subjects past grade school. Hahahaha)

Shouldn’t homework be about teaching the student not the parent? If the children don’t succeed through the homework how is the child going to learn?

At the end the kids whom I’m assuming that the project belongs to eventually came around and it turns out they were playing and running (or as my parents would like to say – gallivanting) around the library.