January18?

On January, 2011, I had been at war for almost a week, and my immune system were near despair. Day in, day out, I lived in fear that my infection will consume me.
Being a prisoner at home for almost a week, I have a an everlasting fever while feeling the constant need to keep myself warm.

The positives: Thankfully, I got sick before working with children in different settings.

January 14

I decided to change the title of Phillip's Journey to The Art of Zen and Cycle came to the realization that this is not a journey that I am facing myself. Last night, I talked to my Buddhist leader and he noted I should chant more.

This morning I began chanting with my Buddhist leader and read the following passage: "At this passage indicates, although at the outset the membership in your country may be small, the Mystic Law will spread you to be impatient.  If you achieve something easily right from the start, you will find no sense of fulfillment or joy.  It is in making tenacious, all-out efforts for construction that profound happiness lies," My Dear Friends in America.

I need to remember to be patient and diligent.

January 12

Eat, sleep, bike, teach. I woke up to find out that I was in a cycling position.

Things happen for a reason.
Waking up, I went over to LA Unified School District to do some paperwork for the TA position, found out there's a Little Bangladesh by Koreatown.

Met some wonderful people in West Hollywood. The managers of Frosted Cupcakery and John Kelly Chocolates told me how they volunteered or had friends who participated LifeCycle, it was great hearing their stories.  In case you haven't known about Frosted Cupcakery, they have cupcakes for people and for dogs as well.

• Many thanks to Frosted Cupcakery, Incycle, Corniche, John Kelly Chocolates, and IO West Improv for their contribution/future contributions.

January 11

How would you feel if you had 144 days to accomplish your goal? I, personally have 144 more days to raise at least $3,000 to ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles while fighting against AIDS. In the back of my mind, I can hear my friends and family chanting "Si Se Puede," even when the skies may be gray, "Si Se Puede" will be my driving force to succeed.

To quote a Chinese proverb how a journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. Today, I felt like I have not only taken a step but a giant leap. The inner kangaroo within, jumping over some of life's hurdles.  The inner kangaroo is telling me to look for the silver lining even when the skies are gray or else he will beat me up much how "Mama is gonna to knock out."

Since no one showed up for tutoring today, I went over to Bath & Beyond, Target, Subway, Radioshack, Fresh and Easy, Starbucks, Office Depot, Jamba Juice, and UPS. Bless everyone's souls for either trying to get gift certificates or providing me the district manager's contact information.  Not only did I talk to managers, I also signed up for a blog.

Today will serve as the stepping stone for tomorrow, tomorrow I need to call the district managers for many of these companies and continue to look for donations. No action is irrelevant, every action has a purpose.

Random thoughts related to today...

• If approved for gift certificates, all gift certificates will be raffled which all proceeds go to AIDS/Lifecycle as well as individuals who contributed.
• As a thank you for major corporations who donate at least $1,000, I plan to make a customized bike jersey, all of which is coming out of my own pocket.
• Drinking orange juice five minutes before workout, may not be the wisest choices.
• I am glad to meet such wonderful people who are genuinely interested in helping a cause and fellow human beings.