365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 154

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Today is very special for my family and I. My oldest girl Elena graduates from Home School! I asked her to write a final essay and share her home schooling experience and she allowed me to post it on my blog. last night her dad and I presented her with a ring and as we toasted her I felt a knot in my throat. I thought, ‘This is it! We did it!” I also thanked her dad because he is part of the reason I have been able to stay home to educate our four kids. He works hard to keep things going so I can do what I do. We are quite the team 🙂 So without further ado I present you the first graduate of Brincat Academy Class of 2012! I am wiping away tears as I type this..it’s all good! 

The First Twelve Years

Education has always been a key factor in success. And an even bigger key is home education, where you learn the essence of life. Because of this, many people have become historical successes; historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington. God put every one of us on this earth for a specific reason, giving us a purpose. Once you merge God’s purpose for you, with education, you begin to see things in a clear light, making your future bright. I’ve heard all this over the years. Therefore my purpose, is to go out and do the things I was made for. Thanks to my education, my  journey will be easier.

 

I can’t recollect when I first “started” school, or when my “first” day was. I never remembered, because I was born learning; making the adage true that : We are all born learners, non of us are stupid, making stupidity an excuse for ignorance. All throughout my first 17 years of learning, I’ve learned how to respect others, and to follow the golden rule. Because  I learned this virtue, and used it, then it continues to help me; with my encounters with others in both the professional world, and personal world. Another virtue I gained, was learning how to properly take care of and clean a house;making a house a home and learning to appreciate my blessings. Both my parents  instilled in me a good work ethic, that will take me far, wherever I go, in my career.

Growing up, I  always loved playing dress up, and make-believe, and this is something I continue to love and enjoy. I think this should have been the first tell tale sign, that I wanted to be an actor. So as time went on,over the years I always knew what I wanted to be. I  watched movies, and enjoyed acting  out scenes from the movie  afterwards. Even then, I was self discovering. Family has always been an influential ingredient in my success, for either the good or bad. All my life, my mom has always been there, encouraging, and enlightening me and my dreams.  She always pushed me to do my best, and to follow my dreams. She always encouraged me to want more.

As part of my upbringing, I was taught and learned to not grow up fast, and to enjoy my childhood. Later on however, I realized I had to. So I did. I guess subconsciously, I realized that I would need to someday down the road. I appreciated it. I thank my mom, for teaching me to never settle for less when my heart is crying out for more . Through this, I figured out how to pick the things I want in life, and to take my time doing so. Listening to God’s Spirit has helped me to become in tune with who I am . because of Him, I now know and understand more of who I am, and I thank Him for the strength He’s given me.

Looking back, I see where I have come, and I see who I have become. Homeschooling has helped me to accept me, and my flaws. Loving myself , with a healthy amount of respectful love. When in doubt, don’t look back, keep moving forward. Be who you want to be, love who you want to love, and have no regrets about it. Mom and Dad: I just hope I’ve served you well, making you proud, despite my flaws. I accept myself completely, so I thank you, and God, for helping me.

 

 

                                                       Elena Brincat 2012

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 153

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Have you ever made a mountain out of a mole hill? Yeah right! Like I’m the only one who goes there ? 😉 Today I spent a couple of hours working on my edits with my daughter Esther.  I’m  including her writing in my new book due out soon; SALSA! The Taste of Life.  She writes beautifully and I wanted to share her talent with the world. So we make a great team because even though I posses pretty good computer skills, she’s quicker with it. She can copy and paste at tremendous speed while my slow fingers go click-click; when Esther types, you don’t even hear the click because she’s quicker than lightning. Ok, I’ve stopped chuckling already.

When I first received my manuscript I was a bit overwhelmed. Even though the revisions are minor , it’ll still take time and I do have to meet my dead line of June 15. As I work on it I realize the best thing to do is work on it one chunk at a time and it’ll be done. I just finished 2 hours on edits and I can tell you I’ve done more than I thought! So I decided to take a break and tell you all about it 🙂

So next time you have a seemingly insurmountable  task at hand just think: Take it chunk by chunk; throw out all that useless worrying ’cause it’s really old,   junk! Remember too, mountains are not climbed in one huge step; climbers get up there step by little, careful step. I hope this helps some one..just know I enjoyed writing it for you! Chao for now 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 152

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Well I can now say I am excited about the progress of my next book: SALSA! The Taste of Life. I just received my manuscript back from the editor today and she said she thoroughly enjoyed reading my work. Right now I’m working on first edits and I’m happy to inform you that the changes I have to make are minor. 

You see, when I wrote and self-published my first book: AS CLEAR AS CLAIRE GETS, A CONVERSATION WITH THE PAST, I did it all on my own and I couldn’t afford to pay an editor to work on my book. So when Tate Publishing agreed to publish my second book, I cringed at the thought of working with an editor because I didn’t know if my writing would stand the careful scrutiny of a professional editor.  Today I cast all that fear aside when I heard back from my editor and she informed me that she was well pleased with what I wrote. I am doing the Snoopy Dance right now!

In the upcoming months I will share with you as SALSA! begins to take a life of its own. Once the book is released I plan to have fun trivia contests here on my blog so that you’ll have a chance to win a free, signed copy of my book. SALSA! is coming out soon!

365 Snap Shots of Life:Day 149

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This post I am doing in honor of all of my family members and friends who have served or are currently serving in our Armed Forces. I want to thank: Mireya Ervin, Larry Ervin, Kristina Ervin, Diego Sanchez,  Kelli Bonds,Francisco Sanchez, Carlos Bello, Joe Brincat, David Brincat, Daniel Vargas, Mike Asher, Tamicko Deen, Tim Mears, Tammy Defoe, David Gonzalez , David Salazar, Mark Brage and Frank Sanchez for giving of your life, talents and time to fight for our freedom. Here are some funny pics to brighten your holiday! Enjoy 🙂

 

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We can never forget them…

poemsandponderings's avatarpoemsandponderings

     This is a new poem dedicated to those who have lived, served and died for the freedom of people everywhere, not just for those of us who live here in the U.S. Many nations owe their freedom to the men and women buried here, who fought against tyranny and oppression on every continent. Throughout our relatively short history they have gone where they were needed, did what they had to do, but not all came home the same as they went. Many of the “heroes” buried here at Arlington National Cemetary near Washington, D.C. died in battle, some died of complications from battle, while others are here because they earned the right to be here, because they were willing to go into battle should they be called upon.

     It is with honor and humility that I post this today. May God rest their souls, everyone.

     Tomorrow we celebrate a day of remembrance for those we…

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365 Snap Shots of Life:Day 148

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Do you believe in this old saying: You reap what you sow? Do you still believe in the kindness of strangers? In this world we live in with all the negativity the media broadcasts it’s easy to forget those simple truths.

Yesterday I was at the library. When we came out our car was dead. So we tried to figure out what the problem was,looked under the hood trying to trouble shoot. Then a man in his 60’s walked by us with his grandchild, a cute little kid who wore glasses just like grandpa’s . He offered to help us jump-start the battery and then we ran into the second problem; the jump-start cables were too short. Thankfully I had paid attention to the person who had parked on the other side of us just a few minutes before. I ran back into the library and found her checking out. I asked her if she could help us and she hurried to finish checking out and a few minutes later she allowed us to use her car to jump-start our battery.

There are a lot of good people out there who will help. If you do your part to help someone out, it DOES come back to you when you need it. In the movie BRUCE ALMIGHTY,God tells  Bruce,” Be the miracle people need.” Sometimes those miracles can be something as practical as jump starting someone’s car 🙂 

HAPPY SUNDAY!!! Be someone’s miracle today 🙂

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 147

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The home school prom was last night and it went better than I anticipated. I don’t know why I was so surprised that it centered around family and not just kids. I went to mine 25 years ago and having gone to public school for 12 years, you learn that adults are the enemy and to be avoided at all costs. Last night the scene was beautiful. I chaperoned my girls and they both had dates; 2 boys they are good friends with took them. I gave my girls space and before hand I told them this night was about them. That they deserved it and to forget that I’m even there. That took both of them by surprise. I know we live,work and play together and they needed that time and space away from me.

Once we arrived at the venue, I took a seat way in the back away from the dance floor. I love to dance and I figured I’d stay back there an dance by myself. Then my friend, another home schooling mom came by and I asked her if I could dance. Again, I was unsure of what my role as a chaperone was. She laughed, telling me to relax and just have a good time. Not too long after, the music was bumping and I worked up the courage to join the rest of the party goers on the dance floor; which consisted of kids and adults dancing up there and not caring what anyone thought.

I went to order a set of pictures and I overheard the man in charge of taking the orders say something quite amazing. He was telling my friend that he does many school proms and that he’d never seen a prom where it’s all about family;it was one big family party last night and he commented he’d never seen anything like it. Ladies and gentlemen, I’m proud to say that home school parents are instrumental in taking back America’s families from the brink of destruction. It was evident last night that when you home school, it makes for a close bond between parents and children. The best part of it was that I had a chance to see my daughters having so much fun. And they sang when we came home,” I had the time of my life,and I never felt this way before, yes I know it’s true and I owe it all to you.”

One more quick note. I  hear that in these times we live, in Prom is a very expensive deal;it’s all about spending money to impress. Well last night my girls were laughing over the ridiculously low amount of money we put into their special night. Then I remembered how hard I worked so I could go to mine. 25 years ago I spent a little over $150 on my Prom. By today standards that is very inexpensive. The girls were proud of looking amazing and not breaking their parent’s bank account. I even overheard my oldest tell a woman who was complimenting her on her beautiful dress that she found it at a second-hand store.Most of the young men didn’t wear tuxes but they came wearing what they felt comfortable in and maybe what their parents could afford. I smiled because from watching most of the young people in that room, I could tell they weren’t there to impress but to have a good time and make great memories as child hood winds down for some of them. Prom 2012 was definitely a success and I’m glad I was part of it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 146

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No I did not fall off the planet 🙂 My two girls are going to their  home school prom tonight and so for the past few days we have been busy preparing; buying dresses, shoes accessories and whatever else goes into making their night fabulous. So I had to put blogging aside for a few days.

This morning my 17-year-old home school grad made me laugh so hard, it helped me let go of all the tension I’d been feeling lately. So to start off your week-end I’ll share the laughs and tell you it’s all going to work out fine. No matter what you’re going through if you can have a good laugh,it lightens your load. I love my readers!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I agree with this blogger 100%!

glennpendlay's avatarGlenn Pendlay

Why? Well it started in Guatemala last week. I was eating in the weightlifting chow hall with Donny Shankle and thinking about the food. The meal that day included a sort of salad. Tasted like it had some kale in it, had some green beans, some corn, lettuce, and bits of bacon. There were diced up potatoes, cooked with onions. Diced up carrots that most people seemed to be mixing up with the potatoes and onions. And chicken. Not fried chicken, just chicken. It was representative of most of the meals, mostly vegetables and meat, some potatoes or rice. Nothing fancy. I remarked to Donny that it would be hard to overeat and get fat on such food. Not that it wasn’t good, it was tasty enough, but it was nothing you would want to go on eating once your hunger had been satisfied. And it wasn’t calorie dense, mostly…

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365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 141

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I am posting the picture I took of the Lunar Eclipse..now, I couldn’t get  pictures of  the eclipse itself but I took what I could on my camera phone. I turned around and shot this silhouette of me at the back of my house. Seeing this kind of lighting amazed me. Some people go for the obvious..I like to notice the little details in the grand scheme of things! I hope everyone had a great week-end 🙂