JJ Del Barrio
I didn’t mention this before, but upon returning from the Dominican Republic (in January of this year), my personal journal was stolen from my bag at the Los Angeles International Airport. I’d assume it was because it resembled a nice leather clutch. The journal was made in Italy, after all. The journal is where I write about my personal life in greater detail or simply about my thoughts on politics, love, and life...not meant to be seen or read by the world--at least not yet. Alas, I was heartbroken, as it had some of my most precious and greatest writings since late 2013. I had lost my desire to write…"What for? If it was just going to be taken from me". I did have my information enclosed in the opening page and to my amazement, it was returned to my home address in Central California. I was so happy, so glad. Although it looks a bit tarnished and as if someone had a ball reading and marking some pages, I am glad I am reunited and my spark for writing has been re-ignited! (Now, I’m just waiting for my screenplay offer!)
I’ve also devoted time to have my head float up in the clouds and I have acquired some new outlooks and desires from life. I’d like to travel the world, more than I already do. I want something continuous and grand, at least for three months straight. I want to practice muay thai in Thailand and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Brazil. I also want to feast with those beautiful Italians in Sicily and maybe come away with a handsome mobster husband (haha jk jk, they’re not mobsters). I promise to be on my best behavior and not to become infamous--like I did in Dubai. I want to make in Bollywood, or at least have fun trying so. The world is simply too beautiful and grand and I am also excited to meet you all--my fellow human beings! Lately, I’ve been thinking about my childhood and my grandpa. I always try to incorporate these two aspects of my life into my writing. I have many posts about them, so you can read all about them later. But one memory that I always recall happened when I was 6 years old. It was a chilly morning in early August and I was with my grandparents and uncles on a farm in Nipomo, CA. We all picked squash, squash blossoms, and chili peppers to sell and make a living. I remember the day before, I had forgotten my favorite purple jacket with pink hearts on the back of our little pick-up truck on the farm. When my uncles found it on the back of the truck, we were sad to discover it had been ruined by mice. There were so many holes and I was devastated. Of course I cried! It was my favorite AND only jacket. The memory still saddens me, I was so grateful for that jacket and now...it’s like nothing to go into a store and buy any one I like.
The point of this memory is, that I cherished something so much and had it ruined. It made me so sad, but it never stopped me from continuing to work. Oh and also the true main point is….crap, don’t forget your jacket! Okay, the true true main point is that, you can do anything, regardless of your circumstances. Don’t be paralyzed by fear or worries about money or love. I’ve noticed that many people refrain from doing what they want most because of some fear. Fear of not having enough money or fear of life not being the same. I want to hold everyone's hand and let them know that everything will be okay. I come from humble beginnings and I wasn’t about to let that stop me. Coming into college, at age 17, I must have had only $300 to my name. This was before any of my business endeavors and I had to rely solely on my university scholarships, grants, and even a loan for school. I challenged myself to study and learn continuously--and not just about the material for my degree, but on anything. I learned about philosophy, world religions, languages (still learning!), and even various types of dance! I also worked hard too.
During my Sophomore year, I recall working two part time jobs and attending school full-time, which I’d end up doing for on and off until graduation. It was fun, as I worked in the Mission at a pizzeria and a small grocery store (right across from each other), hence why some people call me, JJ Del Barrio, which translates, “JJ of the Neighborhood”. Six years later, I have a degree and I’m steadily crossing off things from my checklist. Last year, I graduated in July and I managed to travel to Egypt, Dubai, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, New Orleans, New York City, New Haven, Boston, Dallas and Beverly Hills soon afterwards. During the past years, I’ve visited the top countries on my list (Dominican Republic, Mexico, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Canada, Palestine (Israel), Peru, Argentina, Panama) and this year I’m aiming for at least 8 new US cities and Italy, Greece, and India! Yay! Not to mention, I landed a dream job and I am excited to see where it takes me! I was a girl, destined to be married with kids by age 20 maximum--at least from the small barrio community where I’m from. But I knew, my dreams could take me wherever I wanted. I thought everyone knew...that you can make your own destiny! The universe has been kind to me because I have always loved it and the world so unconditionally. I have hope for us all. Eventually, I’d like to implement or support programs that provide healthy meals to struggling families, school supplies to children, and adequate mental facilities for the homeless.
Also, one thing that I am surprisingly quite passionate about is financial planning. I believe that, “Failing to plan, is like planning to fail”. I’d love to help set up programs that offer free financial planning services for those who need them, want them, but cannot afford them. If you empower people and help them feel more in control of their destiny, we can create a happy world. There’s so sweeter feeling, than that of hard work with visible results!Why these specific issues first? Well, I was blessed to have grown up with a farm working family. We always had fresh produce (and it’s not like we were about to waste precious dollars on fast food), but I noticed this issue among kids I’d tutor later on in life. The only meals they’d get were in school and ultimately the only reason some would attend school for. I recall one student I tutored my freshman year of college, begging me for my snacks all the time. I thought he was just being fussy, but after multiple conversations, I learned he didn’t have access to fresh foods. Also,school lunches here in the United States aren’t super healthy and many inner-city youth lean towards sugary snacks and beverages, ultimately because they’re cheaper. As for mental help, I think we all have had a mental breakdown at one point or another or know someone coping with depression, anxiety, schizophrenia or anything concerning the mind and soul. I think that we are all a little insane, but we have proper guidance to keep us well. Let us guide one another and at least attempt to understand each other. My friends and family know, I love giving school supplies to children who need it most. It makes me so happy to see them happy.(The picture is of a little girl in Southern Mexico, whom I gave a small bag of school supplies to last year. Each year, I take more stuff and to different countries and I am grateful for my friends and family who help pitch in). I also see it as an investment, these children are the future of the world and if we can show that we believe in them by donating to their education and fun, they can do anything!
I recall a bitter sweet memory from Kindergarten...it was arts and crafts day and we could bring our own supplies from home. All my classmates had the prettiest art boxes and crayons sets, with amazing coloring books! All I had to bring was an old shoe box with a few crayons and a magazine that had come in the mail, but it had many outlines, which I used to color in. I didn’t mind at first or maybe I didn’t understand my situation. But my classmates teased me and I felt so sad. Surely, they had nicer things, but why did they tease me? Did they know my grandma couldn’t afford me things like theirs? Did they know my grandparents earned a living by picking produce? Alas, my teacher saw what was happening and she gave me a brand new box of 8 Crayola Crayons. This made me so cheerful and most importantly, more determined! Why? Because, someone believed in me enough to give me something so special. From this day one, I knew I could aim for greatness! Well my friends, I must be off to do some planning and daydreaming. Stay sane and humble!
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| Baby J with her uncles. |
I’ve also devoted time to have my head float up in the clouds and I have acquired some new outlooks and desires from life. I’d like to travel the world, more than I already do. I want something continuous and grand, at least for three months straight. I want to practice muay thai in Thailand and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Brazil. I also want to feast with those beautiful Italians in Sicily and maybe come away with a handsome mobster husband (haha jk jk, they’re not mobsters). I promise to be on my best behavior and not to become infamous--like I did in Dubai. I want to make in Bollywood, or at least have fun trying so. The world is simply too beautiful and grand and I am also excited to meet you all--my fellow human beings! Lately, I’ve been thinking about my childhood and my grandpa. I always try to incorporate these two aspects of my life into my writing. I have many posts about them, so you can read all about them later. But one memory that I always recall happened when I was 6 years old. It was a chilly morning in early August and I was with my grandparents and uncles on a farm in Nipomo, CA. We all picked squash, squash blossoms, and chili peppers to sell and make a living. I remember the day before, I had forgotten my favorite purple jacket with pink hearts on the back of our little pick-up truck on the farm. When my uncles found it on the back of the truck, we were sad to discover it had been ruined by mice. There were so many holes and I was devastated. Of course I cried! It was my favorite AND only jacket. The memory still saddens me, I was so grateful for that jacket and now...it’s like nothing to go into a store and buy any one I like.
The point of this memory is, that I cherished something so much and had it ruined. It made me so sad, but it never stopped me from continuing to work. Oh and also the true main point is….crap, don’t forget your jacket! Okay, the true true main point is that, you can do anything, regardless of your circumstances. Don’t be paralyzed by fear or worries about money or love. I’ve noticed that many people refrain from doing what they want most because of some fear. Fear of not having enough money or fear of life not being the same. I want to hold everyone's hand and let them know that everything will be okay. I come from humble beginnings and I wasn’t about to let that stop me. Coming into college, at age 17, I must have had only $300 to my name. This was before any of my business endeavors and I had to rely solely on my university scholarships, grants, and even a loan for school. I challenged myself to study and learn continuously--and not just about the material for my degree, but on anything. I learned about philosophy, world religions, languages (still learning!), and even various types of dance! I also worked hard too.
During my Sophomore year, I recall working two part time jobs and attending school full-time, which I’d end up doing for on and off until graduation. It was fun, as I worked in the Mission at a pizzeria and a small grocery store (right across from each other), hence why some people call me, JJ Del Barrio, which translates, “JJ of the Neighborhood”. Six years later, I have a degree and I’m steadily crossing off things from my checklist. Last year, I graduated in July and I managed to travel to Egypt, Dubai, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, New Orleans, New York City, New Haven, Boston, Dallas and Beverly Hills soon afterwards. During the past years, I’ve visited the top countries on my list (Dominican Republic, Mexico, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Canada, Palestine (Israel), Peru, Argentina, Panama) and this year I’m aiming for at least 8 new US cities and Italy, Greece, and India! Yay! Not to mention, I landed a dream job and I am excited to see where it takes me! I was a girl, destined to be married with kids by age 20 maximum--at least from the small barrio community where I’m from. But I knew, my dreams could take me wherever I wanted. I thought everyone knew...that you can make your own destiny! The universe has been kind to me because I have always loved it and the world so unconditionally. I have hope for us all. Eventually, I’d like to implement or support programs that provide healthy meals to struggling families, school supplies to children, and adequate mental facilities for the homeless.
Also, one thing that I am surprisingly quite passionate about is financial planning. I believe that, “Failing to plan, is like planning to fail”. I’d love to help set up programs that offer free financial planning services for those who need them, want them, but cannot afford them. If you empower people and help them feel more in control of their destiny, we can create a happy world. There’s so sweeter feeling, than that of hard work with visible results!Why these specific issues first? Well, I was blessed to have grown up with a farm working family. We always had fresh produce (and it’s not like we were about to waste precious dollars on fast food), but I noticed this issue among kids I’d tutor later on in life. The only meals they’d get were in school and ultimately the only reason some would attend school for. I recall one student I tutored my freshman year of college, begging me for my snacks all the time. I thought he was just being fussy, but after multiple conversations, I learned he didn’t have access to fresh foods. Also,school lunches here in the United States aren’t super healthy and many inner-city youth lean towards sugary snacks and beverages, ultimately because they’re cheaper. As for mental help, I think we all have had a mental breakdown at one point or another or know someone coping with depression, anxiety, schizophrenia or anything concerning the mind and soul. I think that we are all a little insane, but we have proper guidance to keep us well. Let us guide one another and at least attempt to understand each other. My friends and family know, I love giving school supplies to children who need it most. It makes me so happy to see them happy.(The picture is of a little girl in Southern Mexico, whom I gave a small bag of school supplies to last year. Each year, I take more stuff and to different countries and I am grateful for my friends and family who help pitch in). I also see it as an investment, these children are the future of the world and if we can show that we believe in them by donating to their education and fun, they can do anything!
I recall a bitter sweet memory from Kindergarten...it was arts and crafts day and we could bring our own supplies from home. All my classmates had the prettiest art boxes and crayons sets, with amazing coloring books! All I had to bring was an old shoe box with a few crayons and a magazine that had come in the mail, but it had many outlines, which I used to color in. I didn’t mind at first or maybe I didn’t understand my situation. But my classmates teased me and I felt so sad. Surely, they had nicer things, but why did they tease me? Did they know my grandma couldn’t afford me things like theirs? Did they know my grandparents earned a living by picking produce? Alas, my teacher saw what was happening and she gave me a brand new box of 8 Crayola Crayons. This made me so cheerful and most importantly, more determined! Why? Because, someone believed in me enough to give me something so special. From this day one, I knew I could aim for greatness! Well my friends, I must be off to do some planning and daydreaming. Stay sane and humble!
Amazing eyes Ameera Visit my country if you care for little ones.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a humble voice.