May I have your attention please....

Family,Friends,Readers and Random people that happen to run across this post,


I did not get to say bye to everybody and spend as much time as I would have like to with everyone and the last couple weeks went by so quick that I am still wondering where all the time went LOL! I just wanted to take this time and let you know that I will not have Internet for 8 weeks and no phone either. I will be having my address posted on my blog as soon as I can so keep checking back and write to me. I`ll admit I hate writing letters and I am sure you do too. Especially Bloggers. Who uses the regular mail anymore!?! But mail will be very encouraging so I am not asking for a life update (unless you want too) Even a postcard would be cool. I will be in basic for Christmas and New Years so....Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I am excited for 2008. I look forward to hearing from all of you.


-Julio

P.S. If we are friends on myspace and facebook....Do not remove me from your 'top friends' just cause I can`t come on for 8 weeks!! LOL.

The transition from friend to family...

This was the best Birthday Card that I have ever received PERIOD. And it could not have come at a better time than my 25th Birthday and the next chapter of my life as I prepare for military life.


Beau Bloem, My Friend and My Brother. We met @ Registration line for College...Both had issues with our files and neither of us really wanted to be there. (LOL) Well, we became friends,Saw each other around and hung out a couple times here and there.I`ll cut some of the boring stuff out. I stayed in the area in Indiana one year and when the fall came back around, I knew I did not want to go back to college and I had talked to Beau, We were both going through some crazy times and got an apartment in Scary Hammond, IN. Hahaha...We would have never known that moving into that place would come as far as it has to this day. Beau being from PA and my Mom was living in Brewster, NY at the time so we lived like 3 hours from each other, We would take trips back to the east coast on weekends for no reason, Just cause we felt like it. We would leave Chicago on a Friday night and drive all night long get there and spend Saturday and part of Sunday and leave late on Sunday to be back in time for work on Monday. Sounds crazy huh? It is looking back it now that I am a little older but I would trade an of those trips for the world.

Beau was in the car accident with me when I got hit by a semi and broke my arm. He has been there through some of my worst times in life and he has been there through some of what I consider to be the highlights of my life. You know, when you live with somebody it would probably be easy to say you would fight and find things you disagree on and do things differently, I have never one time in 7 years fought with Beau, We became close enough to know where the limits were and how to give each other the space that we needed through stressful times or just life in general. Did we ever get on each others nerves? Yeah maybe at some point but never anything crazy or anything to really stand out. Put it this way...The relationship that I have with Beau Bloem is coveted by many. Understandable? Maybe a little but guess what?? You can`t replace something like that no matter how hard you try and me leaving is not the answer. ;)


I got really close with Beau over the years to where the friendship pretty much turned into a brotherhood really. I got to meet all of his family and got pretty close with all of them as well to where I will call and ask his dad for his opinion and advise and his mom is one of the sweetest most genuine women in the world and you can feel it in any conversation you have with her. As many know I even dated his little sister for a while. That alone is another testament to the strength of our relationship. But to give us both credit we really kept the 2 relationships separate so it was no big deal when things did`nt work out between us and not even awkwardness with the family. (W e are still friends.) Alot of people made several assumptions as to why I was going into the military etc..Beau knows me better than anyone and you know what I learned? Many people in this life can and will "Believe in you" and some may even make it a fact. But you know when you really know if someone Believes in you or not? When they accept you for who you really are and don`t care about anything else. Guess what people...We all have flaws and things that we should change about ourselves ( I believe that strongly that nobody knows us better than we know ourselves.) But rarely if ever do you find someone that you can really be yourself around and know that everything is ok. It`s really an Unconditional love for another. I know what it`s like to feel that way.

So Beau...My Friend and Brother, I wanted to take this chance to thank you for everything that you have done for me publicly and tell you that even though we may not be room mates anymore and for a while there will be no more being Crazy Kids breaking Stink Bombs in the back of a 7-11, Or crawling through the tall weeds and brush in Harrison Park ( hahaha (; ) , Making hanous shopping lists and getting pissed off when they get questioned (hahahaha Brian this one was for you,Squirms) or Talking crazy to the people @ the drive thru`s of fast food chains and all the hilarious things that we did, It means nothing for the things that we will carry in our hearts. With all the crazy things we went through it`s safe to say in some respects that we really did grow up together. I love you man...Keep strong.

-Julio

Thanks for the bad things.

I got this from my Friend Jen and I thought it was awesome. It really is easy to think of "good" things to be thankful for but how about all the hard stuff that you go through on an everyday basis living life? Looking back they make you who you are...

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.


Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!

MOM

Thank You,Mom

I'm sitting here, I'm thinking back to a time when I was young,
My memory is clear as day, I'm listening to the dishes clink,
You were downstairs, you would sing songs of praise,
And all the times we laughed with you,
And all the times that you stayed true to us,
Now we say, I said, I thank you,
I'll always thank you, More than you could know,
Than I could ever show, And I love you, I'll always love you,There's nothing I won't do to say these words to you,That you're beautiful forever, you were my mom, you were my dad,The only thing I ever had was you, It's true,And even when the times got hard you were there,To let us know that we'd get through, you showed me how to be a man,You taught me how to understand the things people do,You showed me how to love my God, You taught me that not everyone knows the truth,And I thank you, I'll always thank you,More than you could know, Than I could ever show,And I love you, I'll always love you,There's nothing I won't do to say these words to you,That you will live forever, always.

This video was the best on I could find with the song. The lyrics are above the video.



My mom has been a source of strength, She has been the motivation to be who I am today. Everyone has times where they get discouraged and depressed, My mom has taught me some things that I practice on a daily level they are:

1. Think before you speak.
2. Relax.
3. Everything is going to be ok.
4. Everything happens for a reason.

Kanye West - Hey Mama

[Chorus]
(Hey Mama), I wanna scream so loud for you, cuz I’m so proud of you
Let me tell you what I’m about to do, (Hey Mama)
I know I act a fool but, I promise you I’m goin back to school
I appreciate what you allowed for me
I just want you to be proud of me (Hey Mama)

[Verse 1]
I wanna tell the whole world about a friend of mine
This little light of mine and I’m finna let it shine
I’m finna take yall back to them better times
I’m finna talk about my mama if yall don’t mind
I was three years old, when you and I moved to the Chi
Late December, harsh winter gave me a cold
You fixed me up something that was good for my soul
Famous homemade chicken soup, can I have another bowl?
You work late nights just to keep on the lights
Mommy got me training wheels so I could keep on my bike
And you would give anything in this world
Michael Jackson leather and a glove, but didn’t give me a curl
And you never put no man over me
And I love you for that mommy cant you see?
Seven years old, caught you with tears in your eyes
Cuz a nigga cheatin, telling you lies, then I started to cry
As we knelt on the kitchen floor
I said mommy Imma love you till you don’t hurt no more
And when I’m older, you aint gotta work no more
And Imma get you that mansion that we couldn’t afford
See you’re, unbreakable, unmistakable
Highly capable, lady that’s makin loot
A livin legend too, just look at what heaven do
Send us an angel, and I thank you (Hey Mama)

[Chorus]
[Verse 2]
Forrest Gump mama said, life is like a box of chocolates
My mama told me go to school, get your doctorate
Somethin to fall back on, you could profit with
But still supported me when I did the opposite
Now I feel like it’s things I gotta get
Things I gotta do, just to prove to you
You was getting through, can the choir please
Give me a verse of “You, Are So Beautiful To Me”
Can’t you see, you’re like a book of poetry
Maya Angelou, Nicky Giovanni, turn one page and there’s my mommy
Come on mommy just dance wit me, let the whole world see your dancing feet
Now when I say Hey, yall say Mama, now everybody answer me (Hey Mama)

[Chorus]
[Bridge]
I guess it also depends tho, if my ends low
Second they get up you gon get that Benzo
Tint the windows, ride around the city and let ya friends know (Hey Mama)

[Verse 3]
Tell your job you gotta fake em out
Since you brought me in this world, let me take you out
To a restaurant, upper echelon
Imma get you a jag, whatever else you want
Just tell me what kind of S-Type Donda West like?
Tell me the perfect color so I make it just right
It don’t gotta be Mother’s Day, or your birthday
For me to just call and say (Hey Mama)

Mom,

I want you to know that I love you more than life. I do not believe in having heroes but you are a hero. You have never let me down, You strenght has carried me through some of the toughest times. All the mistakes I have made and all my flaws have never made you stop believing in me. I am proud to say that over the years you were my Mom (sweet and loving) you did what you had to do and even at times you knew how to be rough on me like a Father but most of all now you are my friend. I only want to make you proud :) Thanks for everything but most importantly thank you for being you and never changing. You are my inspiration. Every Success is a tribute to you.

Friends,Fun and Future

From Left to right: Juan Carrillo,Michael Eck and Julio Medina.
This has been a very eventful summer. Meeting people is an everyday event or at least it can be if you make it. Meeting people and making friends are totally different though. (Do you agree?) This summer I made some new friends. You can see a few of them in the pictures included in this post.








Micheal Eck. A DJ (DJ AKA) and a promoter for Global Adrenaline came into Maxum one weekend ( I hung out there all the time and they make a killer steak wrap for lunch a dinner. If I had it my way I could one of those everyday! :)
Anyhow, I met mike there because he was going to DJ there on Wednesday nights for a little while and I would go and hang out and I also got to meet alot of his friends that he would bring along with him too. For instance all these pictures were taken by....

Jacob Clary who takes pictures for Mingle Now and many other places for different events. He is even listed on Model Mayhem if you ever need a photo shoot I am

sure he can probably take care of you for a really good price too.

I also Met Juan Carrillo a guy who`s passion is running. He is currently in training and has a goal to qualify for the next Olympics. This picture here was taken at a "School Teacher" event so we all dressed up as nerds....Hahahaha Just one of the many memorable times that I have gad this summer downtown Chicago.
oh god,oh god.






Adrian Myers is a another person I met this summer and became friends with as well as had him help me get a good workout plan so that I can try out for special forces and actually have a shot (I`ll let you all know how it goes) Haha also because of Adrian I now call McDonalds McDoogals hahahaha. All these little bits of info are just things that I wanted to quickly mention But summer 2007 will probably go down as one of my lifes best.



So to everyone that I met and made friends with...Thank you. =)

Julio,Shawn,Brad and Larry- Enclave Thursdays

This whole blog though is really dedicated to one Person though and that would be Micheal Eck, Thanks again for all the fun times and introducing me to your friends. I have said it before but I think you very well could be one of those most driven people I know. Keep it going it is motivating. The fun times of this summer are things that I will carry with me through the homesick times in military life or even while deployed. Good stuff,Good Stuff.


I did not make it to my own going away party due to a 102 fever and congestion that made me feel like my head was going to explode and losing my voice....But I will do it up big for when I come home. See you all soon...

Kanye West

*This article was a copy and paste from yahoo.com - I am not the owner of this content and it is posted on my blog for education purposes and to express my own opinion on the article and content.

Nov. 12-19: How The West Was Lost

Posted Thu. Nov 15, 6:45 PM ET by Lyndsey Parker in That's Really Week

We here at That's Really Week usually keep on the lighter side of the news. But this week is heavy, man. There's no way we can crack any jokes about this week's top story. So we're not going to even try.

We're sure by now you've read the news that Kanye West's beloved mother--inspiration for his song "Hey Mama," author of Raising Kanye: Life Lessons From The Mother Of A Hip-Hop Star, and major influence on Kanye's music--passed away last Saturday. Until now, 2007 had been a year of amazing highs for Kanye (winning that 50 Cent sales war, releasing one of the most successful albums of the year, triumphing at the BET and Mobo Awards, upstaging almost everyone at the Concert For Diana, planning his wedding with fiance Alexis, etc.). But now the year is ending with the lowest of lows, as Kanye has lost one of his biggest supporters, Dr. Donda West.

What compounds this tragedy is how Donda passed away. The woman was only 58 years old, and she died before her time due to complications from cosmetic surgery. One look at any photo of the good Doctor shows she looked pretty damn great for 58 (and we're sure Kanye thought she was beautiful just the way she was), but even a wise professor like Donda was susceptible to societal pressure on women to stay 25 forever. And so she went under the knife for a breast reduction and tummy tuck, and sadly never recovered. Any woman of a certain age who's been seduced by promises of firmer flesh, as peddled by surgery shows like Extreme Makeover and The Swan (which conveniently condense the often harrowing post-op recovery period into about three minutes of airtime), should think long and hard about what happened to Donda before making their own appointment with Dr. 90210.

Speaking of surgery shows, the Discovery Health Network has announced that for the time being it will stop airing Plastic Surgery: Before & After, which was hosted for five years by Donda West's surgeon, Jan Adams. And speaking of good doctors...well, it's looking like Dr. Adams might not be one. All sorts of unflattering allegations have surfaced against him since Donda's death: That he agreed to perform Donda's operation even though at least one other surgeon had refused to do so because of her pre-existing condition. That malpractice lawsuits had been filed against him in the past. That he'd had two drunk driving arrests (see mugshot at right). That the state medical board had recommended his license be revoked. That his ex-wife once took out a restraining order against him. The list goes on and on and on--and it's not pretty.

In fact, only six days after Donda's death, a $30,000 warrant was issued for Dr. Adams's arrest, because he failed to appear at a hearing (for a case stemming from a malpractice lawsuit by a patient who claims he left a sponge inside her). However, eventually Adams did turn up (he said he was stuck in traffic). We're guessing Kanye will soon want his day in court with Dr. Adams, too--and we hope the doctor doesn't show up late for that case, because we know the famously hot-tempered Kanye wouldn't tolerate any tardiness.

The usually outspoken Kanye has actually laid very low this week. He understandably pulled out of his scheduled performance at this week's Victoria's Secret fashion show, and the only statement he's made regarding this tragedy is an obviously publicist-crafted press release asking that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his mama's name to the Kanye West Foundation/Loop Dreams Teacher Training Institute (kanyewestfoundation.org).

Meanwhile, Dr. Adams has issued the following statement: "I first want to express my deepest condolences to the West family at a very difficult time. Out of respect for the West family and in the absence of other verifiable information, any comment from me without first discussing that information with the family would be unprofessional."

Looks like this is going to be a much more serious feud than that whole Kanye-vs.-Fiddy media stunt.

We could write about other stuff this week...but frankly, poking fun of the latest Britney debacle, Boy George arrest, Wacko Jacko rumor, or band reunion in light of this tragedy seems in bad taste. Yes, believe it or not, even That's Really Week has a good/bad taste line (albeit a thin, fuzzy one) that we refuse to cross. So we'll sign off for now with a shout-out of sympathy to Kanye. Remember, Mr. West: That that don't kill you, can only make you stronger.

This was the best written article on the situation.I am a huge fan of Kanye West. He is know as an arrogant person but I have alot of respect for him and even if he is cocky I believe that many people can mistake self confidence for being cocky. (Maybe not so much with Kanye but on a personal level for me anyway,or so it seems.) Confidence is intimidating. another line from one his songs says. "We are all self conscience, I`m just the first to admit it. " Very true statement. Everybody has things about themselves that they are self conscience of. Good stuff....

This is a live version:

"Hey Mama" is an awesome tribute that he wrote to is mother who just past away. I liked the song so much that since it came out it has always been the ring tone on my cell every time my mom calls me.
This is the CD/Radio Version: ( My Favorite)

Lyrics:

[Chorus]
(Hey Mama), I wanna scream so loud for you, cuz I'm so proud of you
Let me tell you what I'm about to do, (Hey Mama)
I know I act a fool but, I promise you I'm goin back to school
I appreciate what you allowed for me
I just want you to be proud of me (Hey Mama)

[Verse 1]
I wanna tell the whole world about a friend of mine
This little light of mine and I'm finna let it shine
I'm finna take yall back to them better times
I'm finna talk about my mama if yall don't mind
I was three years old, when you and I moved to the Chi
Late December, harsh winter gave me a cold
You fixed me up something that was good for my soul
Famous homemade chicken soup, can I have another bowl?
You work late nights just to keep on the lights
Mommy got me training wheels so I could keep on my bike
And you would give anything in this world
Michael Jackson leather and a glove, but didn't give me a curl
And you never put no man over me
And I love you for that mommy cant you see?
Seven years old, caught you with tears in your eyes
Cuz a nigga cheatin, telling you lies, then I started to cry
As we knelt on the kitchen floor
I said mommy Imma love you till you don't hurt no more
And when I'm older, you aint gotta work no more
And Imma get you that mansion that we couldn't afford
See you're, unbreakable, unmistakable
Highly capable, lady that's makin loot
A livin legend too, just look at what heaven do
Send us an angel, and I thank you (Hey Mama)

[Chorus]

[Verse 2]
Forrest Gump mama said, life is like a box of chocolates
My mama told me go to school, get your doctorate
Somethin to fall back on, you could profit with
But still supported me when I did the opposite
Now I feel like it's things I gotta get
Things I gotta do, just to prove to you
You was getting through, can the choir please
Give me a verse of "You, Are So Beautiful To Me"
Can't you see, you're like a book of poetry
Maya Angelou, Nicky Giovanni, turn one page and there's my mommy
Come on mommy just dance wit me, let the whole world see your dancing feet
Now when I say Hey, yall say Mama, now everybody answer me (Hey Mama)

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
I guess it also depends tho, if my ends low
Second they get up you gon get that Benzo
Tint the windows, ride around the city and let ya friends know (Hey Mama)

[Verse 3]
Tell your job you gotta fake em out
Since you brought me in this world, let me take you out
To a restaurant, upper echelon
Imma get you a jag, whatever else you want
Just tell me what kind of S-Type Donda West like?
Tell me the perfect color so I make it just right
It don't gotta be Mother's Day, or your birthday
For me to just call and say (Hey Mama)

[Chorus (with variations)]