Amazon Rain Forest and More......

Back again with another post this time on my experience in the Amazon Rain forest/Jungle. All week I was super pumped for the trip to be in the jungle. We travel to Iquitos the largest city in the Peruvian Jungle. Iquitos is the largest city in the world that can only be accessed by boat or plane. The first day there I realized I was in a different environment. The amount of insects and mosquito's was in effect. Also lack of power due to the switching of generators and a power outage. So we went swimming which was fun. After that we went to a tribal house where the tribal people dressed up and danced for us. Later that night we ate dinner and went to sleep. Next day was kinda different we went for a walk through the jungle and saw the process of making sugarcane liquor. We tried it plan with just plain rum, then we tried it with sugarcane honey. Let's say it taste better with the sugarcane. So we go back to have dinner and we have a treat alligator! I didn't think I would like it but the taste was good. If the opportunity comes again I would definitely try it again. For the next few days it was more of the same going on excursions and enjoying the jungle. We went fishing for piranhas and I didn't catch a single thing. That was cool we used a stick with a line on it. They pretty much made it from scratch. Next we went to a medicine which was interesting. I bought something from him it will be interesting when i try it out. On the final day we went to the Quistococha Zoo and saw some incredible things. Saw some different butterflies, jaguar, and went and saw manatees. We even fed them as well.
This past weekend I went on a trip to a different city I forgot the name but it was interesting. To get to my friends house we had to take a taxi on some dirt road without a street name. Once we got there he had guard guarding the house with a rifle. So we are out in the middle of no where. It turned out to be a fun time had a BBQ and a bonfire. Also on the way going home we had to hitch hike. I felt like I was in the movies when people are walking and sticking out their arm trying to get a ride. We were successful and got a ride back to the bus station for only 4 soles which is cheap.The only bad part of the trip was I lost my iPhone so you no I was pissed but nevertheless fun though. The picture are from Iquitos I hope you enjoy. More pictures are on Facebook.

Get to Know Earl Part 4

Well only a handful may know this but last year 2011 was the worst year of my life. It started off great but I didn't like the apartment I was living in and I didn't want to renew my lease. I lived at Dorchester Village in Richmond Heights right on the border of Willoughby Hills Ohio. When I first moved there it was great and then it just got worse. So I decided to move to Parma in a more expensive apartment. Also it was closer to my job as well. At first it was great I had plans to study abroad to Lima Peru. All I had to do was get a second job to pay for my plane ticket. Around the months of April and May things got tough. Hours at the job was slowing down and it just felt like my money was running low. I paid April's rent due to me borrowing money from multiple people. I was a mess. I planned on my summer job kicking in and me getting a second job. Normally I can find a job rather fast but last year I couldn't. So here comes the beginning of May and I couldn't pay rent, so I went to the management office and told them about my situation they said they understand but they couldn't do a partial payment or anything like that. I finally picked up a part time job delivering food for Delivery Me Food and it was a good job but nevertheless a part time job the money was cool, but it was a little to late. I couldn't pay any of June's rent. Mind you I still have a car note, car insurance, phone bill and other bills as well. By the end of June my summer job hours pick up I'm doing good possibly thinking I may pull this off and get out of the red zone. There was a couple problems. I received an eviction notice and I had to pay rent for the month of May and June so I'm stuck. I had already asked a couple people for money so I didn't want to ask anyone who I wouldn't ask so I had to handle the problem head on. The apartment manager tells me you may want to check one of those loans places. I really didn't want to go because with them you never get ahead. So I went to one and read that they check your credit and there I knew my credit wasn't great but its not horrible , but I didn't want to try. While doing my driving job I feel my car driving different so I knew soon I had to get some work done. The beginning of July one night driving home from work I feel my car can't accelerate and it loss speed on the highway so I pull over. It's early morning like 3 or 4 and I call my friend to come pick me up. I find out I needed to replace my clutch. Which was going to cost 1,000$. I'm stuck I can't pay rent and now I can't get to work due to no car. So I start looking to see how much it's going to cost to fix my car. First spot I find say they will tow my car for free and give me an estimate. They even offer to give me a rental car or give me a ride to work. If I get my car done there  so it turns out their price was `1800$ so I'm like no that's like almost double to what I knew it would cost. So I had to pay them 50 for the tow even though it was around the corner. I go and find another place who would fix it for 600 so I have them to tow my car there. While trying to fix my car the mechanic says he thinks the problem could be something else and he doesn't want to fix and the problem be something else. So I take my car I don't get my car fix. With time against my side I decide to go to checks mart and do the payday loan so I could rent a car. I was going to checks mart so much that I started referfing to it as the bank. I was able to go to work but I wasn't getting ahead considering I still had to pay my car note and pay to rent a car. Had to ask my manager for rides home from work. Asked friends for rides, which was something I was I wasn't used to always for the most part had my own. Even took the Megabus to work since I worked near Akron. So it is now July and I have to move in a couple weeks and my luck begin to change.
I met a guy from work who I only knew for about two weeks and he said he would let me borrow the money to fix my car mind you we not talking small money five or ten dollars. I'm talking the full amount to fix my car. Only God brought us together. How many people do you know that would do this to a person they knew for a couple weeks not too many that I know. He was a blessing to me and I'm grateful. So I got my car fixed but there was still a problem. I had to move and I was going to be homeless for the first time in my life. I couldn't move back home due to my mother's rent policy. Also someone broke my passenger window out to make things worse. One day going to work while I was still at my apartment I had an emotional breakdown I cried while driving to work due to my situation and how my life was going. I was facebook messaging a friend while I was drive and he gave me inspiration and I stop crying.So I moved my things from my apartment into storage. For about a month and a half I was between my mother house, friends house, and even slept in my car. I basically lived out my storage unit and slept anywhere I could. I was so embarrassed I lied to most of my friends and anyone else about where I was living. So a friend reached out to me about us being room mates So I took the offer and I'm back on my feet with a place of my own. I'm happy they reached out to me and honored.
Five months later I'm taking 4 months off from work and studying abroad in Argentina and Peru. Anything can happen my story can happen to anybody. Some may say Earl you need to stay in your financial lane that may be true but I'm a risk taker and most people who say that are those who are scared to fail and will never accomplish anything big. I live only way to the fullest and taking chances and living with the consequences.They probably wouldn't have ever taking 4 months off from work without pay and still pay their bills back home.  I owe everything to God.  I hope this could touch someone who is having a tough time to let them know your not alone and you can make it don't give up. Please comment on my facebook post or even on the blog. Much Love and God Bless...

Get To Know Earl Part 3

Welcome to the third installment of my series. This is not the original version somehow it got deleted. Nevertheless I am going to try to recapture it who knows this version could be better. This post is about me so here we go. My personality is very complex. I'm generally a cool laid back person normally calmed manner. I like to keep my personal life private. However I can get very irritated  and I like to be by myself. I like to have my space to think brainstorm and just enjoy myself. I really don't care what other people think of me never have never will. I know some people like me some don't oh well. I know people talk about me because I stutter but it is what it is I try to have better speech. What those people probably don't know is that I can talk about them worse. I grew up an only child so that plays a part being alone. I'm a nice guy when you get to know me or when I decide to let you in to my life. Some people would say I am shy which at times I am, but it is more me learning you and seeing if I want to let you in to my life. I hate show offs people that like to brag. I believe we are all one big mistake away from being broke or homeless. Why boast about your possessions? I really want to help the less fortunate in my life. I'd rather someone else be happy than me. I've had a good life so far and I would love to see another person have one.  I prefer to be in the back round out of the spotlight. If I could I would graduate college with nobody there. I don't need people to tell me things about me or congratulate me. I'm a go getter I will not hesitate nor let anything get in the way of my goal to be successful in my terms. I'm a risk taker. The other day I had a conversation with one of my good friends it went something like this. I told him that he is afraid to fail, over think to much , and you don't take risk. He said you are right I do over think to much and I would do something even if I knew it was wrong with a 50 % chance. I said you are right. If it's a 2 % chance and it sounds good to me I will take a chance. I believe you will always miss the shots you don't take. So I'm taking all of mine. I guess this might be a reason Kobe Bryant is my favorite basketball player. Sometimes I succeed but sometimes I fail, but I am willing to live with the results knowing that whatever is the obstacle I can achieve my goal. My trip here to Lima I had my doubts because it was my 4th time trying to study abroad and something always came up. I am happy I got the scholarships because I would have not been able to go. For those who makes think so I am not rich more closer to broke. I try to stay in my financial lane but it's hard sometimes because I am a risk taker. Some may know but I have a shoe collection nobody knows everything in the collection. My mom is a shoe collection so lets say it runs in the family.
So I grew up in the church. I love my church family. There use to be a point in time when I went to church all week. Tuesday night, Friday nights, and all day Sunday. Yes all day from 9am-10:30pm. We did have a break from like 3-6 to eat dinner, but we normally ate in the church gym. I really need to strengthen my relationship with God. I know what I have to do to turn my life around and I want to do it. I just pray that God continues to have mercy on me.....

Ica, Paracas, and Huacachina

Well I was super pumped to go to Ica and sand board. So the first day we get to go sand boarding and ride the dune buggies. Sand boarding was awesome my first trip I did good. My second trip didn't turn out the best but I didn't wipe out completely I just didn't ride the dune all the way down. The dune buggies was fun I just wished that we rode have rode larger dunes but nevertheless it was fun. I'm a big action junkie. I love doing different things that comes with excitement. So after that we go to the hotel which is nice. One of the better ones we've been to while in South America and go swimming in the pool and played volleyball. So after that we decided to go out for dinner and maybe find a bar or club to go to but that didn't turn out. I ate once again anticuchos which were delicious. After dinner a few of us decided to climb one of the dunes which was a gripping experience. YOLO. We couldn't see to well and I was drinking wine and holding the bottle and my glass. You know me didn't drop a single drop of wine. That would be against my religion lol.. While on top of the dune we get spotted by a security guard (aka flashlight cop) so we had to leave. After getting back to the hotel a few of us decide to go skinny dippin. I'll admit it was my first time doing it but I was kinda feeling myself at the time so I was on it. One of the guys gets out of the pool and gets caught by a guard but he tells us we can swim in another pool just put some clothes on. So we go against his rules and just jump into the other pool nude.  I like doing things which I shouldn't be doing adds more excitement to things. Being good all the time is boring. After that its like 4 o'clock in the morning so its time to sleep. Next morning we have one of the better breakfasts I've had here. They had bacon which I haven't had in a while. They also had eggs, toast and other foods. Next day we go to Paracas to see some of the wild life. I though the wild life was cool. I enjoyed seeing the sea lions and the different birds. The water was beautiful. Did some more shopping after that and we then went home... Here above are some pictures I took if you want to see more check out my Facebook photo album under Ica, Paracas, and Huacachina.

Get To Know Earl Part 2

So on the my mother side of the family. I have a good relationship with my aunts and uncles. Not to much I can say about them in a negative way they've always been there. I wish we spent more time together but when we do see each other we enjoy everyone company. As far as my cousins. I enjoy the time we spent together and I look forward to spending more time with them. My grandparents for the most part looked out for me. My mom did everything for me being a single mom raising me wasn't an easy job but she did it. Took care of all my needs and more. I thank her for what she did and what she still does. I also have have an extended family. I am so grateful that they are apart of my life. Sometimes you friends treat you better than your own blood. Also I have a church family which play a role keeping me focus on what is important in life.

My friends play a large role in my life because I spend more time with them than I do my own family. My best friend is Ro I remember the one Christmas I was 15 and I came over to his house and that was where the friendship began even though I knew him years before that. Ant and Vic are my main kickn it crew we've had a lot of funny memories and I hope we have plenty more. Sedaric good friend of mine glad I met you. There are several more good friends of mine but I don't want to make this post about me shouting out my friends. My friends put up with a lot being friends with me. Growing up the only child I am spoiled and I want things to go my way all the time. I believe I have gotten better with that over the years to be more sharing. I try to be the best friend I know how and sometimes I come up short with that. I'm down for them and whenever they need me I'll be there..The next few post in the series will get more deep into me, my personality, some trials and tribulations. 

Toussaint Louverture

Couple days ago in my Latin America History class I learned about Toussaint Loverture who was an ox... What he did for his country and the way he did it. He didn't stand for slavery. He learned how to read and write so he had an advantage over most slaves. Toussaint was the leader of the Haitian Revolution. During the late 1700 Saint Domingo  a colony in Haiti was a major producer of Sugarcane and other crops and other heavyweight countries wanted to take over the country. Toussaint not having any military experience defeated the Spanish and the British armies with the help off the French because they agreed to free all slaves. When Napoleon came to office he had tricked Toussaint to coming to France only to put him in jail and he eventually died in prison. That is just a bried synopsis of Loverture life everyone should google and YouTube him and learn. I enjoyed learning about him I just wished that in the states they discussed him because he was an important figure. He is very inspirational to fight for what he believed in and it makes me strive to be the difference and it proves the old saying right " one man can make a difference". I believe he should be mentioned in history with Martin Luther the King" reference to the movie Coming To America the barbershop conversation lol" but with Martin Luther King, Malcom X. I remember a conversation in one of my psychology classes and a Caucasian person said in school they only learned about MLK not Malcolm X I wonder why?? I'll let you tell it...

I think people with African decent  in South America or anywhere is different from African Americans in the states. We all come from that African background but they have more of a different background not coming from the states. Not saying that is good or bad but we are different people. I don't know about the way they lived or their culture. One day I would like to learn but as of now I don't know a lot about them. I believe that Afro-Latinos are a different breed than African Americans meaning we share the African influence but they have the Latino influence as well and we have American influence. This reference of breed doesn't mean we are different people and I don't agree or condone their actions totally not the meaning of breed. As far as anyone else that has a darker skin tone some of them are not African. I've seen some dark Indian people to where I have had to take a double look because I thought they were African American.

Get To Know Earl Part 1

Sometimes people wonder why I act the way I do or people say why do certain things here is an inside view of me for  those who think they know a few may but most don't. Give you a quick background of my life. Grew up being the only child which has a lot to do with who I am today and why. Growing up as the only child has its good and bad points all the attention and sometimes spoiled my childhood was a good one even though I grew up in East Cleveland I didn't have the average childhood I was privilege my mom got me everything and more never wanted for nothing. Didn't have a father growing up so the relationship we have not is ok it has gotten better over the years. Wonder why I am kinda distant and I like being alone sometimes here is why. Let's take my father side of the family. I have a half brother and a half sister. They have had several family reunions how many have I been to ?? Zero, Didn't see my brother for the first time until I was 16 I enjoyed every moment just wished it didn't take so long. My sister love her we live in the same city only see her a handful of times a year ever since I can remember. Not saying who fault it is but both of my siblings are much older than me so when I was younger how come they didn't reach out to me?? I don't know I am sure they have their reasons. To me its kinda too late that sibling friendly love because the relationships are built already. As far as my aunts and uncles on my father side go. Some are cool. One aunt of mine asked me a few years back how come you don't call me?? My response was idk. I was thinking growing up you never called me as a kid so why would I wanna call you know???? I have some uncles when they come around its all love but to me its fake you don't mess with me once you leave I won't hear from you till the next time its always been that way really found out you was my uncle in my teenage years so you are irrelevant to me. Also the way they did my mom wasn't cool and I hear and remember everything. My father situation growing up I couldn't call him I had to page him and then I would wait for him to call me from a private number. I believe his wife had him like that which to me is stupid. What type of man allows his wife not to have a relationship with his children?? or What type of woman doesn't want her husband to talk to his child. He has made every graduation which is great and whenever I ask him for anything he helps me, but sometimes I would rather have memories over money. When some of my friends tell me stories about their father growing up I really can't relate because my memories are so few. I am grateful that I do have some memories and that my father is around because some people have worse situations than mine. I enjoy my cousins and the time we spend together I just wished we were closer and I hung around them more besides on just holidays. I sometimes feel I am the step child or I don't belong in the family but it is what it is.... The picture above is the only picture ever taking of my father, my brother and my sister and I. All of my father's children. Wonder how do I view my mother side of the family and friends stay tuned???.......