The Blog-a-day Challenge

Official Start Time: 8:30 pm
Date: 10/13/08
Official End Time: 11:58 pm

The lifestyle we enjoy today has come a long way since the dawn of time and the existence of man. Ever since we have walked this Earth, we have been driven to live a better life. One that does not require us to adapt and survive to the times but instead rise above and live in a golden era. Our dreams and hopes would become realities in such a paradise. Our fears and doubts wouldn't stand a chance in such a marvelous place. We have come far but our dreams and hopes still need a way to go before they can coexist amongst us. While our fears and doubts continue to hold us back and make the necessary steps for a better tomorrow. A tomorrow where our children can live in a world that reflects a lifestyle that would be everything we could have ever wanted.

The future we want for our children is one that reflect the paradise we have been driven to experience for such a long time. A lifestyle where they could have everything that we wish we could have had at their age. As our world continues to grow and become more dynamic in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math; the list continues to grow. Our everyday concerns no longer exist, allowing the common man to create and think of a better world for his children to live in.

A world where money doesn't stand in the way of good students. Where we are all equal. And where our views no longer conflict.

A world that brings people together instead of pushing them away. Where our race, religious views, or gender doesn't determine how far we can go.

A world where we are all open and willing to share. Willing to break down the blockades that have held us back for such a long time.

A world that is ready for change and embraces it. Where we are willing to take the risks that people in the past haven't.

A world were the common man can dream and hope for a better tomorrow.

A world that I would one day want my children to live in.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 2:00 am
Date: 10/12/08
Official End Time: 3:04 am

Today I was talking with a friend after seeing a show on MTV that frustrated me. Today's media focuses a lot on the concerns and interest of the consumer; sex, drugs, and violence. The media has such a powerful influence on today's youth and has the ability to inform its viewers with information they would have otherwise disregarded. Not enough however is being done to put today's youth on the right track and prevent them from experiencing things typically seen on shows like Maury, Jerry Springer, and so forth. The shows are ideally meant to set an example that viewers would not want to experience, but does the exact opposite. The message is often misinterpreted and makes light of an epidemic that is consuming our nation. We however can not not blame the media, but the morals that our youths are being sent out with into the world. More needs to be done at home to insure a better future for the people that will one day lead this planet. We need to be more open with ourselves and others; fearing not rejection but not answering the questions that could determine the person we will be 5, 10, 15, 20 years from now.

Being open doesn't necessarily mean sharing every thought or idea that comes into your head. If it was like that, we would've all have gone crazy by now. Being open just means not being afraid to ask questions and provide honest answers with the goal of learning something that will set us off better on in life. Sharing isn't always an easy thing. We may be embarrassed to share our experience or ask the questions that could ultimately solve the problem. Being open and willing to share your experience can save you time and pain that make us later regret not asking for the help we needed.

I think that being open with your parents, friends, and coworkers would be a solution to many of life's problems. Teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, and violence are all common factors in today's world. The rise of these issues is something that must be addressed not only by the schools and movements of special interests group, but by parents, friends, and coworkers who want a better life for you, your children, and this planet. Speaking from a first hand experience and telling the person that the questions or thoughts they are having are perfectly natural for their age are steps that can make talking about such important issues easier. We are all capable of being independent, but sometimes it helps to know that there is someone out there who is willing to listen and act as a sound board after a long day at work.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 1:41 am
Date: 10/11/08
Official End Time: 4:00 am

The world we live in is often seen as a dark, deceiving place that leaves little hope for future generations. Oh to often we focus on the negative things consuming our planet. We see evil and point it out as if that would make it go away. There will always be evil in this world. It is what allows the good things in our world to exist. Instead of pointing out the evil in our world; instead of assuming that there is little hope for our plant; instead of expecting change; we should be doing the exact opposite. We should look at the world not for all the negative things it has but the positive things we can do with it.

Greater challenges have consumed our world in the past and as a group of people we have risen to the occasion and stood for what we believe is right. So why stop now? Why throw in the towel and expect things to just get better? Real change and real advancements take hard work and determination. We all may have doubts, fears, and even questions that prevent us from taking the first step for a better tomorrow. But if we want to live in a better world, if we want our children to live in a better world, then we must start today. We must take the first step of many steps that will lead us to a world where fear, doubts, and questions do not inspire misconceptions of a world that holds so many opportunities.

We can all contribute to this movement. Embedded in our souls as humans is this ability to dream and wish for something better; a better economy, a better environment, a better tomorrow. You don't have to be a doctor, lawyer or politician to make a difference. It's possible to do something great and wonderful simply through the words and actions you take to make that dream possible. Each and everyone us has the ability to lead, create, and demonstrate to others that life isn't as bad as it seems. That there is still a reason to go on and fight for a better tomorrow.

The fear will always be there. The doubts will always be there. The questions will always be there. Change will always be there. As long as we continue to believe, change will continue to exist. Change and our desire for change is what will make our world a better place. Being optimistic and seeing the world as a land of opportunity and not a waste land is what will determine where we see ourselves 5, 10, 15. 20 years from now.

The misconceptions about our world often influence the way we see this planet and the future that lays ahead. Our doubts and fears often blur the image of what we really plan to do with our world. These things however should not define the type of people, the type of actions, and the types of dreams we have for our world and the future that awaits it.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 1:10 am
Date: 10/10/08
Official End Time: 2:30 am

Something that I have noticed more and more in my personality and in the personality of others is how stubborn we can be. We're open minded to new ideas and will usually take the advice of others as long as we have nothing against that person or the advice they provide us with. However, when we do not see eye-to-eye with that person, taking their advice can be that much harder. The advice could be great and yet we are so stubborn that we would rather hit the wall face first instead of just swallowing our pride and taking their advice. Deciding is always the hardest part and where we must reconsider our reason why or why not to accept their advice.

Accepting their advice can be seen as a form of submission. We do not want the person to think they are superior or have an advantage over us. So we argue with everything they have to say. We go above and beyond just to prove they were wrong and we were right. What sucks is when we fail. Our head falls down in shame and we pray that the other person won't rub it in our face. If they do rub it in our face, the hatred only grows. We become blinded with the hatred we now hold for this person. Like a wounded animal we resent the person and which makes it even harder for us to move on.

With time things may change. Hitting your head against the wall enough times can send a message that its about time we swallow our pride and accept the advice of others. Its a hard thing to accept, but doing so could save us time that we would have lost otherwise through our blind rage. Swallowing our pride can mean admitting we are wrong and accepting our faults; something that we must all learn to eventually do.

No one expects us to be perfect but aware of what we are doing wrong. Making the same mistake twice or three times in a row should ring a bell that we need help addressing the issue. Our pride however tells us just keep trying; that eventually we will get it right. Admitting we have a problem could again save us plenty of time but our pride stands in the way of us accepting that. We are determined to prove that we are independent and can handle the situation all on our own.

Our emotions should not come first yet they tend to get the best of us. We are all human and it is perfectly fine to feel the way we do. It is what makes us human and allows us to reason. Overall we must learn to see both sides of the matter at hand and accept our faults. Doing this may involve swallowing our pride, admitting we were wrong, and learning that if we want to function in this world we have to accept the advice of others.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 1:24 am
Date: 10/9/08
Official End Time: 3:41 am

Today was another great day with high hopes for better days yet to come. China is playing a role more and more in my everyday life. I hope that one day I can help Steve bring opportunities to China that we are just starting to embrace here in America. The work we are doing is really something great and wonderful that I hope brings new opportunities to students all across China.

Since going to China and really engulfing myself in this social network and several other social networks created by Ning I have found a new understanding of how technology can really mold the world around us. After going to China, I came back with a new understanding of the culture which motivated me to take what I had learned and apply it one step further. I decided to join Steve as a team player in the growth of the Ningxia Dragon Student Ambassador Website to help spread new opportunities to students all across China.

The idea is to integrate technology along with project-based educational programs that will help provide students in both the US and China with the opportunity to collaborate and establish social connections via the internet and social networks such as Ning. This idea could help establish a connection of educators in both China and the US who feel that the use of technology could provide students with real world opportunities essential to a balanced and complete educational process for tomorrows leaders and citizens.

The challenge we face with promoting an idea so rich and powerful is support. The average Chinese family could not afford to participate in such cultural exchange and even more so for families in the United States facing hard times with our current economy. Financial support would make it easier for deserving students to take part in such exchanges and become leaders in their communities. Movements are being made and it will only take purpose and collaboration to break down the brick walls that stand in our way.

Going to China made me realize how dynamic the students and education has become. Everyday students are becoming leaders and setting the model for future students to follow. I feel that the students listed below would benefit most from what we plan to do in China due to their leadership and dynamic spirit for seeking change.

Snow- I met Snow while in Yinchuan and was captivated by the leadership she took into insuring my health when I got sick in China. Snow represented our interpreter in the hospital and took care of me throughout my stay in China. She was responsible for my well being and I could not have asked for a more responsible, determined, and caring individual.

Lane-I recently met Lane and have since then been shocked with her willingness to make our dream for China possible. Having really no connection to the website besides the information I have provided her with, Lane has taken it upon herself to tell every teacher, student, and friend she feels would be a great addition to the site and bring us one step closer to making our dream a reality.

China has given me the opportunity to meet new people and really work on issues that could affect hundreds. It's a challenge we face with the number of members needed to be added to the site and the community we must build, but worth every moment knowing that what we are doing will one day make life better for a Chinese or American student somewhere on the map.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 3:05 pm
Date: 10/8/08
Official End Time: 4:27 pm

Meeting new people is always exciting. The first few minutes you share with them has to be the most exhilarating part. Maybe its just the age or the mind state, but everytime I meet new people I'm not sure how to present myself. I want to seem as natural as possible and someone they would want to be friends with. It really takes a few minutes before you establish the connection. Overtime however the connection is strengthened and we are able to share fond memories as if we knew each other like old friends do.

Through my personal experience I can say that making new friends can be an intimidating process. Often we are conflicted between taking the risk of talking to the person and not establishing the connection we had in mind. Taking the first step is always the hardest. Approaching the person is just as hard. Finally, introducing yourself and starting a conversation is where the real pressure comes into play. Taking these risks is totally worth it if you establish a strong connection and make a new friend that you might not have had otherwise.

Once the connection is establish it is up to you to keep it strong. Having interesting topics to talk about and being a little weird can always be helpful tools to keep a connection going. You want the connection to seem as easy as possible and not a seminar. (I feel I do that a lot) The topic doesn't necessarily matter as long as the attention of the person stays in touch. When things look like they are heading south it might be smart to switch the subject and bring up something that causes the other person to laugh.

Chances are the more things you share with the person, the easier it is to talk to them. Asking questions can take some of the pressure off of you and allow you to find out more about the interest your friend-to-be might have. Of course there will be those awkward moments of silence, but overtime the connection will be so strong that you can find a new subject to laugh about.

My best advice would be to mingle. Enter the conversation with an unbiased mind and show confidence. Prove to your friend that you are an open-minded person who has a dynamic character. My formula for success is not the only one but the one that works for me. If you feel more comfortable making new friends in a different way then I think you should pursue it to you hearts content.

Its always fun to meet new people and experience something new ad intriguing.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman

Official Start Time: 12:20 am
Date: 10/7/08
Official End Time: 1:48 am

So today I felt that I should reflect on some of the positive things I have currently in my life and why all these things make going on everyday that much sweeter.

Since sophomore year I have been fortunate to meet a lot of great people and do a lot of great things. I have grown closer to the friends I already have and the friends I have made since then. With each endeavor I have evolved as a person and smile everytime I look back at my past encounters. Of course there were brick walls along the way that made me wish I had done things differently, but fate is something you cannot control. The things that happened happened for a reason and should leave us with a new understanding of what to do different the next time.

I remember the year I spent doing the ITR&D course and all the hard work I did for my class. The long hours all paid off in the end when we took the elevator up to the expo hall. There were 13 of us in that small elevator and we were ecstatic. The bond we shared as a team and the cheer we gave before we embarked the CT Expo was enough for me to do the work all over again and see that bond between such a diverse group of friends. Since then my classmate and I have a new understanding for who we are and what opportunities lay ahead for us. I learned through that experience and future experiences that it is all about the big picture. That our opinions should not get in the way of the production of something great. We are all capable of revolutionizing the world in front us, but not without the help of others.

The work I did and have done for Education Connection is another feat that I feel took a lot of determination and motivation. Getting the job was simply a matter of contacting someone with an idea that I thought would be great if they could help me bring to life. I never really expected a response; it was more of a suggestion. The course of events that soon came to follow is what made me realize how much I love the job I have at Education Connection. My colleagues were a group of educators and visionaries that saw the dynamic world we have in front of us the same way I do. They taught me that having an idea isn't enough; that results are what matters. The follow through and time we put into making sure these ideas come to life is where we prove how much we care.

China of course was another major milestone that made me the man I am today. China was a real wake up call. It gave me a taste of the opportunities that life has to over. It allowed me to see the culture of such a rich group of people and experience something that few Westerners ever have the chance to experience. It also gave me some brick walls that I needed to hit face-first if I wanted to do something great and wonderful. Looking back at all the things that went well and all the things I wish could have went better, I was able to realize some major changes I have to make about myself if I want to even make it to the future.

(I'll list these points with some in depth reason in a future entry . . . probably in the progress report for this month)

Overall life has been pretty good to me thus far. I wake up everyday, excited to see what adventures await. Sure there are moments where I might get sad, angry, and regret decision that I have made in the past but I must live in the present. Life has always been tough, but that isn't enough of a reason to look at it in such a pessimistic way. We should embrace the things we have and work together to make life even better.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman