Day 1 (Sunday, June 4)

I will start off the Chicago Journal with three words:

Dreams Come True!

This summer has just started and I am already enjoying all kinds of dreams that I once saw too far to reach. Now I am at the point where some dreams have become reality. It's a good time to enjoy the outcome of these dreams but I cannot sit around and think too much about them. It's time to look forward to new dreams and time to start creating new ones.

The first dream this summer has to do with my college graduation just a few days ago. This semester was by far the busiest for me as I took on seven classes in order to be able to walk the stage during commencement week. Yesterday's Aztlan Graduation was a hit and it was the best way to finalize my college stage.

But that was yesterday and I must now focus on today. Today I saw all the important people in California before I hit the road toward Chicago. Well, not exactly all. I didn't see all my friends today. I also didn't see my brother. No worries, though. They were all there yesterday during the graduation.

Started the day by packing the few belongings that I will be taking with me to Chicago. Unlike the past two years, I packed at the last minute. I guess I was scared since I am not sure what's going to happen at the end of the internship and I don't know where I will be going after that. This time around I don't have to come back to California for school. I'm done. So, pretty much I can go wherever I am needed. Hopefully it will be a place where I can hold a full-time staff position and start making big bucks. Well, the money helps, yeah. But I just want to be on staff somewhere.

After packing I had lunch with my father just like we did every Sunday during the past five months. I am going to miss my dad because he was a key part of my semester. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have been able to finish the semester the way I did. He allowed me to focus on school while he took care of the rest. I picked up a few freelance gigs over the summer, but it wasn't enough. So, if it wasn't for my pops, who knows what would have happened.

Then, I headed to watch Jessica and Maria during their annual Hula dancing show at Northridge Park. I was disappointed that a lot of our friends did not show up. I missed last year's show so I really wanted to be there today. The show was good, as expected. Then, Jessica and I decided to ride the Zipper at the carnival as a farewell to each other. Jessica and I have become great friends over the past year. She has been there for me during tough times and I have tried to be there for her during tough times. She's a great buddy who I will miss a lot. Of course there are other people who I will miss, but of all my friends she's the one that has been there for me the most this semester. You're a true friend Juicy!

After the show, I went home and loaded all my stuff onto the "La Huera" (my truck). It was a tough time as dad and I said bye to each other. I am going to miss spending so much time with my dad. But I am glad that we spent so much time. How many people can say they had a chance to hang out with their dad for five months as friends more than family? That man is a great man and I am glad I got a chance to be with him. I am who I am because of him. That's a fact.

Lastly, I headed out to see my siblings and my nieces and nephews. Man, I am going to miss all the kids. They are so much fun to be with. I think I have been able to stay a kid and act like a kid because of them. It's fun to be with them because I am 10 percent an uncle but 90 percent their friend. The above photo tells it all. They are a troop of beautiful kids. I am going to miss them so much.

I was sad as I said bye to my mom and two sisters. I am especially sad because it's the third summer when I leave right at the end of May, so I get to miss my mother's b-day. But I feel glad that they know what I must do in order to pursue my dream.

I said bye and headed out toward the East. The journey has just began. It's time to go make Chicago mine.

- Main - Tomorrow