www.behtoh.info

also, if you tweet…get at me!

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-thanks. beto

In between hanging out with friends, to trying to squeeze every last minute with some other friends as possible, church, school, and so on…it’s hard! I mean I’m only seventeen, I shouldn’t be under so much stress. I literally have to schedule things now.

Last week was a drag, the weekend was supposed to be better but sometimes it felt even worse. I was supposed to hang out with my bestfriend Orsy on Saturday, and go to his show that night but I couldn’t find a ride to Palmdale. That same night I was supposed to go to East Palmdale to Andrew’s Fight Night/Birthday party and that didn’t happen. I ended up going to the movies with Eva and Gaby, bleh! Sunday, I woke up and started celebrating the beginning of the Lunar New Year! (or Chinese New Year, since many people seem to believe only the Chinese celebrate it) I began what I called “Beto’s Very Merry Tsinoy Fiesta” lol literally. I ate siapao, a Filipino-Chinese stuffed pastry, (which tastes like a kiss from God) Ube mooncakes, which were heavenly, and of course Tikoy…one of the best examples of Tsinoy cuisine. I had church afterward, and the minister got mad at me for having a little Kwan-Yin amulet in a lucky red pouch, ñeh whatever. I wore a brand new red shirt just for luck, and then tried to enjoy the day…which I somewhat did. I need a love in my life, don’t we all wish we had one in the New Year?

It’s been a few days since then, and all I can say I’ve done is friends, church, schoolwork, and bullshit.

=’[ My best friend Orsy is moving to Virginia…shit! After 4 years of bestfriendship he’s going away.
My best Vietnam buddy Tú is going “offline” for quite a while…tear.
Being faced with goodbyes and all, I get quite sad. Which has been my mood these past days.

As for the title, it is the very popular New Year phrase “Gong hei fat choi” (Congrats! Be prosperous) as pronounced in Hakka, the Chinese of my ancestors. Also, many people mistake this phrase believing it means “Happy New Year” which is actually “Sanin fai lok”. Tee hee…Now I’m giving language lessons? lol.

Back in 2004, I remember doing an assignment for my 8th grade class. It was to take record of the 2004 Elections. It was then when for the first time I heard of Barack Obama, a newly elected senator from Illinois. To me he was just another man, sure…he made some history then, but it didn’t mean much.

As time passed, 2008 came and the elective fever was spreading all over the nation. I as a Democrat, was specifically looking at Hillary R. Clinton and Barack H. Obama. I was a supporter of Mrs. Clinton the entire way, until the day when she conceded the post to Mr. Obama. On that day, I had mixed feelings; My idol had been defeated, and I at once had to support Obama for the good of the nation.

From that day on, I saw how the candidacy of Obama was inspiring the people of the nation everywhere. No matter where you were everyone was speaking of Obama, the man who if elected president would be a living historical figure. There was just one objective…the Republican candidate Mr. John McCain. After 8 years of Mr. Bush I can honestly say, I had enough Republican leadership in power. So that being stated, I supported Obama all the way to Election Day.

November 4th, 2008. Barack Obama is elected as President, Joe Biden is elected Vice President. The days after were full of joy and hope. I myself counted the days until the end of now former President Bush’s term as president.

This weekend the nation had it’s gaze at the many events around the country preparing us for the Inauguration of the President-elect and Vice President-elect. I mean, even Shakira was a part of it. We all awaited Tuesday, and yesterday on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day we all waited for that crowning moment in his now famous dream.

Today, I woke up as any day until I realized that day was here, January 20th, 2009. President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden were to be sworn in. I ran to the television and watch it while getting ready for school. There I saw the masses joined in Washington D.C. specifically the National Mall to catch a glimpse of this event.

I saw the grand entrances of the former presidents and first ladies. First came in Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter, followed by George H. Bush and Barbara Bush, followed by the great power couple Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton. After them entered now former First Lady Laura Bush, and after a few minutes entered Michelle Obama followed shortly by  now former President George W. Bush & now former Vice President Richard “Dick” Cheney, and Bush had the final “Hail to the Chief” played for him.

The grandest entrance was that of Barack Obama, although I chucked at the introduction Barack H. Obama with emphasis on the “H” how I would’ve loved to hear them say Hussein.

Afterward, Sen. Dianne Feinstein gave the welcoming words, followed by a prayer by Pastor Rick Warren, and Aretha Franklin sang “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”.

I only got the see the swearing in of Vice President Biden, and missed that of President Obama because I had to attend class. But nevertheless, at 9a.m. PST (officially at 12p.m. EST) Barack Obama became the President as stated in the Constitution of the United States.

While at school, my friend in the Philippines…oh yes a testament that the entire world was watching, kept me briefed about the events as they unfolded. Finally I received the text that Obama had taken the oath, the dream was a reality.

After school, I went to pay my cell phone bill and when the teller wished me a Good Day I replied, “Oh but Ma’am it IS a good day a VERY good day”.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. your dream has come true, and so has mine.

Jao and James returned from the Philippines and came to visit Lancaster, so they’ve been a large part of these days. Thursday, I hung out with Chezka, Len, Jozam, Eden, Kim, Lenesha, Daniel & then the girls and I went to the mall in Palmdale. On the way back we went to Danny’s Chinese restaurant and I got so much free food! ^.^ Yesterday, Jozam, Jao, and James came to my bahay in the morning. I ran into Jasmine at school and she gave me my belated Christmas giflt. In the afternoon, we hung out at Adrianne’s place and chilled. That’s about all needed in this recap.

As for today, wow! It was a good day, although somehwta slow. I went to Ate Marita’s party (at “Chezka’s House”) and partied with all the friends and family. Some invetees came from the Valley and such. We messed around in an inflatable jumper thing. We went to Jozam’s place, and on the way back picked up Joseph. I met Cleah’s boyfriend Mike, he seemed alright. Nate, Joseph, and I did some not so responsible things, but for some reason I think Joseph and I get closer everytime we hang out…so it was worth it. Rei arrived to the party, and then soon after everyone began leaving there, so we did the same. Ah! My eyes can barely function correctly now, goodnight everyone…I’m partied out.

This morning Jozam and Daniel came to my house. We cooked up a storm making a mixture of Filipino, Chinese, and Mexican food. That shih was good!! =D Hopefully, the rest of today is really fun, since it’s been an awesome week.

I just finished “bullshitting” an essay on immigration. It honestly isn’t great I think it’s around a 3 on the CAHSEE grading system. But, my teacher is nice hopefully he gives me a perfect 4 on it.

For those who are interested or plain bored, here is the actual essay:

Immigration is the movement of people from one country to another. As many other nations in the west, the United Sates was built upon immigration. Over the years, different people from different nations came until, most recently where most come from Latin America and Southeast Asia. Many enter the U.S. unlawfully, and this is illegal immigration. All Americans have their side on the issues, this is mine.

Immigration to the U.S. began with the Pilgrims from England. The second wave of immigrants were the colonists from England, and this remained for many years. In the early 1900′s a wave of immigrants from Europe cane and created a European-based society. This is the main difference between the immigrants of today and those of yesteryear. Today, most immigrants come from developing nations in Latin America and Southeast Asia. These in difference, are not as welcome as their predecessors. Why? Because large numbers of them enter the nation illegally.

Illegal immigrants come to the nation for many reasons. In the ’60′s and ’70′s immigrants from Vietnam and Cambodia came in masses escaping the Vietnam War and Khmer Rouge. They came in such numbers, that America closed it’s doors to them, causing many to secretly enter the country. In the ’80′s and ’90′s millions of Latin Americans and Filipinos among other Southeast Asians came here because of political and socioeconomic issues. Many obtained visas and chose to overstay them, others entered through the U.S.-Mexico border. So many came from Mexico, that until this day Mexico is the “poster child” of illegal immigration. Ever since, then U.S. government has failed to help the situation. Which has led me to have a definite position on this issue.

I am in favor of the immigrants and their rights. I honestly believe that the government has failed in helping them. Racist Americans have suggested a mass deportation of such people. But, this would be a grave mistake. They constitute such a large part of the U.S. population and economy. Without them the economy of the United States would suffer even more, especially since it is slowly crumbling. I believe the government should give rights to those here, and assist others in their attempts to entering the nation legally. I take this issue close to heart for being surrounded by family who are largely recent immigrants from Mexico and the Philippines.

In conclusion, you have seen the history and plight of immigrants to America. Many people are blinded by the bigots in government and the mass media. I hope this helps give a different perspective and to learn from it. For ever since this nation was created it has relied on those people who leave their lives and nations behind, to join this nation, the immigrants.

Talk about sounding like Wikipedia, lol.

Now, encyclopedic entries aside, it was an unexpected mini-trip. I got a call from Brannen, and out of nowhere “Hey we’re going to the Valley, wanna go?” As I said in an earlier post, I never deny an invite to the Valley. Before we could go though, we had to go to Palmdale where Tita Gina is a caregiver. Afterwards, we headed out to the Valley. We arrived in the evening, and I was hoping to spend the night on the town. We stopped at James’ and Jao’s house, since they’re in the Philippines it’s the perfect place to spend the night. Jozam, Brannen, and I made a random meal out of anything we could find in there. We managed to invent a sweet and savory meat dish; I called it Krazy Karne.

After the meal we headed to Seafood City, err…the Mexican (ironic) security guard said it was closed. Then came Island Pacific in Panorama City…err…also closed. Goldilock’s? Closed. The Panorama Mall? Closed. I managed to go inside and at least see Jollibee, which was also closed. It was as if every Filipino-based business in the Valley was closed magically at 9pm.

It was somewhat disappointing, but it didn’t ruin the occasion. We still had the house to ourselves, in the end. We slept pretty late, and at the moment I woke we were off to Lancaster. As for today, I have the option of going to Oxnard and visiting Mexican family or maybe return to Valley. =.= Decisions are hard sometimes.

Here’s a short recap…On Tusday, my friend Jasmine came over and spent the day with her. It was a pretty fun day! Yesterday, woke around 1 pm and Emilyn called, her and Samantha were outside my house. We chilled for a while, and then out of nowhere Jozam and Nate show up in my driveway. They left after a bit, and during which Sammi, Emi, and I had a little…bad fun. Jozam and Nate returned to my house with someone else, Joseph. It was like a reunion in my front lawn. Once Emi and Sammi left, so did the rest of us. We hung out all day, and into the night. I spent the night there, which is where my title comes from. Nate, Joseph, and I were fighting for the sheets. I lost >_> Oh well…time for school…after only 2 hours of sleep, Kwan Yin bless me.

Although, I just woke up here on your birthdate…your birthday was my yesterday. >_> Damn that Manila-Los Angeles time difference. Hope it was awesome, and I’m glad you made it to 20! Welcome to the true adulthood, once your -teen years end! Congrats!

& to….

Orsy.

Con-happilations! You’re 19…dang dude, yer getting up there. Hope your birthday goes very well! lol, I’ll see you later on today…hehe.

Here’s my timeline of accomplishments:

Set One, 39 pages – Began 8:30 pm, finished at  10:00 pm
Set Two, 39 pages - Began at 10:00 pm, finished at 12:11 am
Set Three, 41 pages - Began at 12:11 am, finished at 3:03 am

All I can say now is Good Night, cuz I’m tired as a hooker after sex.