The Notorious E.F.P 26 on 26

1.       Step foot in two new states:

 I want to be able to say one day that I have visited all United States. So far I’ve step foot in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.  39 left so the goal this year is to set foot in two new states.

Tennessee 

  

2.        Run 20 miles a month in the outdoors (Goal given by Luis and Jesus):

This goal was given by Jesus and Luis and the objective is to run a total of 20 miles a month for the entire 2017 year. That is a total of 240 miles a year. I am up for that challenge.

January: Ran a total of 20.8 miles

February: Ran a total of 26.5 miles

    

3.       Visit two new Major League Baseball stadiums:

Another goal in my bucket list is to visit all 30 baseball stadiums. So far I’ve been to Petco Park (San Diego), Oakland Coliseum (A’s), Dodger Stadium (Dodgers), Angels Stadium (Angels), Nationals Park (Nationals), Yankee Stadium (Yankees), AT&T park (Giants). So far 7/30 have been completed.

4.       No drinking soda for 2 months:

I was discussing the concept and 25 on 25 to my parents before writing the list and I asked my parents what I should try to do and they said I should stop drinking soda for a few months. So I am challenging to avoid soda. I’ve tried it before and I have caffeine withdrawals after one week so I’ll have to do some research drink alternatives such as coffee or green tea.

5.       Attend Coachella for the Trifecta:

I’ve gone to Coachella these past two years and every time I have gone; I’ve never been disappointed. This year will be the third year I go and if I complete this goal, I will most likely retire from Coachella. J

6.       Run a total of 4 5k sponsored events and at least beat my personal best of 38:45 at least once:

Last year I completed a total of 3 5k sponsored events. I was able to obtain a personal best in April which was 41:45 although many of you will probably laugh and say that’s a weak personal best I am proud of it. This year I want to beat and hopefully get to the 35min mark.

Update: 1/22 Pasadena 5k 40:13 minutes

7.       Hang out with Jesus and Luis once a month in 2017.

During 2016 I was off the grid with these guy who have been my friends since grade school. All of us are at very different stages in life so we all challenged ourselves to have a bro’s night out at least once a month in 2017.

Update January 21, Sushi, and Gelato (Luis had coffee)
Update February 4, Sushi
Update March 3-5 Las Vegas 

8.       Buy a new car

Buying a new car would be like turning the page and closing a chapter in my life. I am not someone who really cares about the car people drive. Perhaps it’s because I’ve always known that having a new car doesn’t truly mean anything, other than being in debt and owing more than their actual net worth. However, I do need a new car to take me from point A to point B.

9.       Party in Las Vegas:

So during 2016, I broke a streak of 6 years! I had been to Las Vegas at least once during the past 6 years. To be honest I am not disappointed because I was over it during this time. However, for 2017 I want to go back and party like there’s no tomorrow! I am still 26, not married and young.

 Update: I was in Las Vegas for Smokey's Bachelor party in March, I will say this I am not that party animal that I was before but Las Vegas did not disappoint. First ever guys trip and it was a success.  

10.   Off Social Media for an entire month:

My goal is to stay off social media for a month and figure out which experiences I wish to share with my friends privately, and which ones I want to keep with myself. Truly, I need to experience some things privately, without sharing them with everyone. Who really cares about my day at the Dodger game? Or what I ate for lunch.

11.    Learn to play the guitar.

This was a goal I had on my 25 on 25. First step, purchase a guitar. I hope I can learn a few songs before the end of 2017.

12.   Read 100 Books!

This for me is a yearly goal no matter what! I work with kids so this goal is also great because I read a lot of children’s book. It doesn’t matter what type of book as long as I can provide a list of 100 books! Since my friends say that I didn’t read that many but I am sure I did.

13.   50% attendance rate at LA Fitness the Entire Year

So the LA Fitness app on the iPhone has this cool thing that tracks the times you check in (by scanning your barcode) and then calculates an attendance rate. For example, if you go the gym 14 out of the 31 days in March then that’s a 45% rate. My goal is to be at 50% each month in 2017. I was able to accomplish that twice in 2016.

1. January has been accomplished 71% attendance rate
2. February has been accomplished with a 53% attendance rate

14.   Travel to a different country

I told myself that once I visited the east coast it was time to travel to a different country, I am still haven’t decided on a destination but I will need to use my passport! Mexico (beach city), Canada (Toronto), London?

15.   Podcast Startup

It’s been a lot of talk, a lot of ideas but no action, expect to see the P&J Project on ITunes.

16.   Go to an NBA, NHL, NFL game!

I need to see all 4 American sports live!

Update: Memphis Grizzles vs Los Angeles Clippers @ The Fed Ex Forum (Memphis)

17.   Go on two dates!

Goal given by Jesus and Luis

  

18.   L.A.T.E revival and visit historical landmarks:

I love writing, I love history! My blog was shared by some popular bloggers I need to do it again!

19.   Volunteer or Donate somewhere!

Might sound like a cliché or something that everyone says but I truly want to volunteer somewhere and help a cause.

20.   No McDonalds for 6 months!

Including hazel nut ice coffees in the morning!

21.   Go on a family trip with parents!

2 years ago, I took my parents to San Diego and although they had been they never had seen the hidden gems such as Phil’s BBQ or La Jolla, or old town SD. This year, I want to take my parents to San Francisco!

22.    Wine Tasting, Brewery, Ice Bar, and bottle service adventure!

Social adult adventures never hurt!

23.   Go on 10 Hikes!

I didn’t have the chance to go on that many hikes last year but I need to do that this year!

24.    Try a fitness class at least twice this year!

I usually enjoy working out by myself but I think sometimes working out in a class environment you become more mindful of your own health

25.  Go to church at least 6 times this year!

Last year, I told myself I would go once a month. Realistically, I know I can't do this every month but I want to go at least 6 times a year the more the better.

26. Attend two concerts
I love music, I need to continue seeing live music!

J's 26 on 26 (2017 Challenges)

1. 2 5k runs on my own: This will be a good way to stay focus and motivate it while learning to be more independent.
2. 2.Go on a family vacation and not post it on social media: I tend to be very active on social media, and while I don’t consider this a bad thing, I think a vacation should be enjoyed fully without having to update a status every 5 mins.
3. Take baby Camila hiking once a week after 6 months: I love hiking I really got into it in 2016 and I want to continue challenging myself, plus it will be great bonding time with my daughter.
4. Visit a State other than those visited in 2016: I was fortunate enough to travel a lot in 2016, I visited the East Coast and I hope 2017 provides me new opportunities.
5. Go to Church once a month: God has blessed me with blessings and opportunities that I never thought I would receive last year I failed this challenge and I must make this a priority. Attended (01/8)
6. Run 5 miles per week each week of 2017: It really is time for a life change, I don’t feel healthy and I don’t love the skin I am in I need to change that, I enjoy running but always find an excuse to not get out there and do it. Week 1: 5.10
7. Attend Coachella: Because this year it will be the tri-fecta
8. Try a vegetarian diet for 30 days: As mentioned before I need to make a life change, I need to find new ways in which I can improve my health.
9. Read A book to Camila every night since the day she arrives home: In 2017 I will be a new parent I have a lot to learn but this is something that will help me bond with my baby.
10. Go wine tasting: It’s a must! I had it on my list last year and completely failed! I need to try this at least once!
11. No fast food for 30 days: along with trying a vegetarian diet I will try to eat healthy for an additional 30 days by cooking at home.
12. Take a road trip to Hearts Castle: This is on my list of must visit places, and I love driving!
13. Record at least 1 P&J Podcast Episode: we’ve been talking about this for years and we have never made it happen!
14. Buy a road bike or hybrid bike and go bike riding once a month with Luis: Luis always encourages me to try me hardest when it comes to fitness and he loves biking, it looks like fun to try it.
15. Go to San Francisco: I love SF and so does my wife so it’ll be a fun get away.
16. Fly anywhere: It doesn’t matter where we go we just need to fly somewhere.
17. Buy Disney Annual Pass and go at least twice: I love Disneyland, last year it was my first year not having the annual pass, this 2017 I will buy one for and Ale.
18. Go on a trip with my parents: We usually travel together somewhere, whether it be Vegas or Mexico, we must keep the tradition going.
19. Visit Mexicali: I haven’t been to Mexicali since May of 2015, I used to at least every other month I need to go back and visit my family
20. Go to the Gym 3 times a week: Time to get back into it! No other explanation needed.
21. Attempt and complete 1 hike that are over 15 miles: In 2016 I competed a 10 mile hike and it was painful due to my lack of fitness in 2017 that needs to change.
22. Buy and SUV: As Camila gets older she will require more space our sedans won’t be big enough, special on road trips.
23. Write 1 article each month on the P&J blog post: I actually enjoy writing and as I am writing this list I’m reading some of the quick post I wrote and I have really good outlines.
24. Surprise Ale once a month with an affectionate gesture: It sucks to say, but at least I’m being honest, it’s been a while since I bought my wife flowers I got to be better at this.
25. Donate to Charity or Volunteer: God has blessed me with a lot; it’s time to look out for others than just myself.
26. Go to Vegas!!! And Go H.A.M.: It’s been a while since I visited Sin City it’s time to go!

Breathing but Dead

Hollywood California is well known for oddities. In this city one can find many “out of the ordinary venues, museums, theaters, and nightclubs”. Even some of the people walking around add their own factor of “weirdness” to the streets of Hollywood. Tucked in the corner of Hollywood Blvd, sits a museum that for years has called my attention, --the museum of death.  This museum has captivated my interest for the last 6 years, for one reason or another I had never really made an effort to visit the museum of death, well, let me be honest, there were several reasons why I had not visited this museum all  though I had been highly interested in learning what the museum held inside. The first reason was that visiting a museum that focuses on death appeared to be extremely morbid.  Secondly, the reviews that I found online cautioned that the museum was very explicit and that a lot of the content was very extreme and some individuals were unable to stomach it.

                So finally after 6 years, my friend and I while working on this project that we like to call the P&J Project, finally ventured out to visit the museum of death. I must admit that as we drove to the museum we had this nervous feeling settled within. We didn’t know what to expect, we didn’t know if we would be the only ones in the museum when we arrived, and we didn’t know whether people would look at us funny for visiting a museum dedicated to death, dying, murder, and anything associated with the concept of dying. As we arrived  the parking lot appeared to be empty, we then made our way into the front entrance. Our nervousness led us to believe that building was closed.  As we try to figure out whether the museum is open for business or not, a couple approached us and ask us if the building was open. My friend managed to  find the entrance into the building by simply pushing the door. Upon entering the museum I  was amazed by  the number of people inside. My notion of being alone in this museum quickly disappeared and it was at this particular moment that I realized that as a society we appear to have a fascination and phobia for death. Visiting the museum of death motivated me to explore the concept of death, so If I haven’t bored you to death by now (bad pun I know) here is my 2 cents about what the concept of death and dying truly means to me.

          The idea of speaking about death and dying has commonly been seen as a taboo topic throughout mainstream society which many refer to as morbidity when one engages in such discussion. However this concept of death and dying has also appealed too many that attempt to understand the full cycle of life.

So, what is death? According to Webster dictionary death is “The action or fact of dying or being killed; the end of the life of a person or organism, the permanent ending of vital processes in a cell or tissue.” In other words, death is the physiological loss of life. So, what is dying? Again Webster dictionary defines dying as “on the point of death. Occurring at or connected with the time that someone dies. Gradually ceasing to exist or function; in decline and about to disappear.” Again in other words, dying is the physiological process of losing life.

As a society when we hear the term death or dying and we automatically assume that we are talking about these physical definitions, definitions that carry a dark and negative connotation. These concepts commonly spark a phobia of death.

                                                                                                                   

While death and dying are generally pictured as a physical loss I would like to apply this concept to other faces of life. What if I told you that while you may be able to take a full gasp of air, feel your heart pulsing and be able to use logic, you can still be dead. Death and dying encompass more than physiological loss, they encompass our faith, our emotions, our mindset and our willingness.

Simply being physically alive doesn’t necessarily mean that we are living life. Many times we go through life wondering what our meaning or purpose is. How do we give meaning to our life? Having a meaningless life can result in being emotionally dead. When we begin to lose meaning, motivation, or simply emotional bonds with others we can say that we are dying emotionally or even be emotionally dead. Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in her book “On Death and Dying” researches terminally ill patients in an attempt to discover the faces of loss, death and grief. In her research she finds that while many of the patients continue to be physically alive many begin to die emotionally well before they begin to die physically. It is possible to begin to die emotionally even when we are not faced with a terminal illness. Take for example someone that has experienced a difficult situation (such as being fired, or passed up for a job or failed at something that they consider important), the feelings generated by this loss are similar to the grief experienced when faced with death. While the feelings may not be as strong as when loosing someone they do begin to generate a sense of loss and disassociation. These factors create a sense of a person dying internally, not physically but emotionally, little by little motivation begins to widen, their willingness begins to fade, and the purpose in life beings to be loss, transitioning to an emotional death.

                So, if we can be emotionally dead, we can also be spiritually dead. Now I’m not here to preach about religion, or to define what spirituality looks like because I believe that we are all entitled to our own belief system. However I am here to argue that faith in whatever it is that you believe in is important. Many times when we have become emotionally dead we can find solace in our faith. But what happens when we die spiritually? What happens when have become so consumed by our everydayness and have neglected our faith to the verge of not knowing what we have faith in anymore? Have you ever had an emotional breakdown that you start questioning on how you can regain spirituality and faith? At this point have we  become spiritually dead?  Faith is the notion or belief in something or someone bigger than us. It is the feeling that no matter what else is going on in our life that something or someone is there to guide us in our moment of crisis. However when we lose our faith we truly become senseless.

                So, death can be more than a physical state, and dying can be more than a physical process, it impacts our spirituality and our emotional state, however we can also be mentally dead. When I say mental death I am not referring to not having cognitive abilities. I am refereeing to the loss of mental willingness to overcome problems. The loss of critically thinking about issues and ways to resolve them is what mental death can look like. Our ability to push forward in the face of adversity can be attributed to being mentally dead. Mental death can occur when we are faced with adverse situations and once our faith and emotional endurance have died.

There is more to living than being able to breathe and process basic information or having a beating heart. Living life is accomplished by a balance of emotional, spiritual and mental health. Allowing any of these aspects to breakdown within us is like depriving ourselves from oxygen. You need this balance in order to find meaning in your life. You have to face adversity with a stable mind, emotional motivation and faith.

As people we fear the unknown, death and dying is unknown to many of us. However physical death is not the worst thing that can happen to us, dying internally and any of these 3 levels can cause us to be dead while we are alive. When someone asks me if I’m afraid of death I can truly respond that I am not afraid of death. Because being afraid of death is implying that I am afraid of physically losing my life, which I am not afraid of because it is a natural part of the human life cycle. Now when someone asks me if I am afraid of dying, I can truly respond yes. Because dying implies that I am afraid of the process of reaching death, to me this means not living life to the fullest. It means dying at the levels that I’ve mentioned. I don’t fear death or dying I fear not living.