This is my first ever blog post, so I just want to tell whoever reads this a little bit about myself. I am Manuel Ramirez some may call me "Manny" Ramirez no not like the baseball player ha. I am nineteen years old and I am currently attending Texas Tech University pursuing a bachelors degree in Public Relations. I'm definitely a family guy, I honestly think it's because of my mexican culture. In my culture family means everything "la familia" it kinda just rolls off the tongue. From the day your born into a mexican culture you are showered with love and affection. Family members from everywhere come to welcome you, I remember specifically when my sister was born my family was literally too big for the hospital we took up the whole waiting room and didn't leave until we saw and held my sister. Along with family I love my faith, my Roman Catholic roots are deep and I believe they get me through the everyday troubles we all go through. So there is a little bit of background on me if you would like to chat or have any questions you can always message me.
I named this first entry Blink because I want to talk about how fast things can change. Whether it be during the day, over a month, or during your life. Things change so fast, most recently for me was graduating high school and moving 321 miles away from my family to go to college. From the day I graduated on June 6, 2010- August 21st, 2010 I had roughly two an half months to prepare and what I learned very quickly was that you cannot plan out everything in life. Things just happen, it is inevitable did I plan to meet all these people? No, of course not, you sit down in a 300 student classroom next to random people and you have a choice. Be polite and introduce yourself or be awkward and not even look to your left or right ha. Sad truth is I have done both, sometimes in classes that are hard people don't want to talk, they want to learn. And hey, more power to them. But, anyways over the first month of college I learned a lot. People don't care what you do, whether it is your teachers, fellow students, or people you see around town. I mean honestly your teachers are there because you already paid them, they aren't going to babysit you like in high school, but they will help you if you have the will to learn. This was mind blowing to me because I now had an option something that I have never gotten when it came to school, I mean it is law that we go to school ha. Fortunately, I made the right choice and went to class and even made it onto the Dean's List with a 3.785 GPA.
Everything was going great, I was making good grades, meeting new people, and even getting a little closer to God in going to more bible studies and church weekly.
Until today, I got a call while I was driving and did not pick up because of it. Needless to say I don't support people talking or texting while driving. Regardless, it was a call from my mother, as she answers the phone on my return call I could instantly sense that something was wrong. I guess it is a son's sixth sense to know when his mother is going through something. But she tells me that my grandmother is sick and is believed to have a serious form of Leukemia. I immediately tear up and can barely even swallow or take a breath to respond. In my head I tell myself to be strong for my mom because it is her mother that is sick, I quickly compose myself and try to calm her down as she is now crying. As I am talking to her I am informed of the details of this form of cancer and try and be a good son and focus on the positives. "Maybe she is just tired and needs rest...The doctors still don't know for sure..." At the end of the phone call I tell my mom I love her and I will be praying for grandma. As soon as she hangs up I break down, I cry like a baby to be specific. I know it isn't healthy to hold things in, but I feel obligated to be strong for my mom as I am in a transition to becoming a man.
I just want to remind people that this is my first blog and the first thing I have ever published so bear with me ha. Hopefully I grow as a writer through this blog, but I just want to make sure that even if you don't read my blog thoroughly that life happens in a Blink of an eye. Honestly, the amount of time we spend on this earth is so minuscule compared to where our souls will spend eternity wherever it may be. So, as cliche as it may be live everyday to the fullest.
The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,And with my song I will praise Him. Psalms 28:7
Manuel Ramirez
