Akuete Kpodar
December 6, 2008
Personal Development 5
African-American education has always been underestimated, and downgraded for centuries. Not until recently, have we seen a tremendous improvement and growth in our community, school and universities. One of them is Umoja Program at West Los Angeles College. Like any new program, there are resources, personal commitment and dedication. The expectations of the Umoja Program are the dedication and commitment by both the students and staff.
Umoja is a secondary program, created by two highly educated African-American women that have realize how important is education in our community, especially for the growth of our country.The expectation was set really high because of many reasons. One of the reasons had been the fact that this was implemented by a minority. "The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination." Tommy Lasorda.
The program was based on English and Math which has been one of the main reasons why students fail. The students previously failed because of a lack of resources and proper teaching. The resources provided by Umoja require an investment; not only the time but financial reasons, as well as students and staff commitment
This has been so far one of the more advance and well equip classes for any student to be able to succeed and furthermore be able to graduate. However, the question is are these resources been used properly?
There is no reason for any student not to succeed with this program. The only price the teachers and staff ask the students to pay for success is hard work. I have attended numerous schools with hope to succeed with the minimum amount of help provided. But how come my African-American brothers and sisters don’t appreciate what is offered for their success and future stability. I guess when a kid is spoiled, he ends up not appreciating what is offered.
I believe the staff should be more demanding of the students by giving them fewer resources and more practices with a set schedule. There is already a staff that is committed to student success. All that is needed is psychology review of every student who is ready for improvement and success.
It takes a little courage, and a little self-control. If you want to reach the goal, it takes a great deal of striving, and a firm and stern-set chin. No matter what the battle, if you really want to win, there's no easy path to glory. Life, however we may view it, is not a simple game; but its prizes call for fighting, endurance and determination. Now that this program has been set, all is needed is a restructured base on last semester.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
thanks to umoja and especially my english teacher
“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.” Gail Devers
This email is intended to the Umoja program, especially my English teacher.
I remember the first day of class, I had no idea what the class was going to be like and who I was going to be next to.
Most of the school that I have been to, or attended, the teacher did care less about our success or us moving on to the next level. All they did was to make sure they accomplished their goal which was to go through their academic schedule.
I never had experienced someone care so much about her students, giving extension for home works or even taking late assignments.
Their was so many times I wanted to give up, mostly cause I was overwhelmed, tired and depress. But I am not the kind who tells my business to anyone, my main motivation everyday is my daughter and my mother.
When I decided to go back to school, back in September, I was going through some financial difficulties. I had to send money to my parents, take care of my daughter and her mother who recently got a job, I made a decision that I certainly don’t regret to become homeless for a period of time, It isn't what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart. Sleeping in my car mostly, and sometimes at my girlfriend place who didn’t know what I was going through, education became and still my only option to become financially stable. Not that education was the only way out but certainly what I believed in. Now that am more stable financially, I wanted to say thanks to my English teacher that told me once “Don’t give up, you can achieve it whatever you want,” it meant so much to me. Since then I had always kept my head really high even I still fail in numerous way.
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.-- Marcel Proust
Thanks Isidra Person-Lynn and the Umoja program
This email is intended to the Umoja program, especially my English teacher.
I remember the first day of class, I had no idea what the class was going to be like and who I was going to be next to.
Most of the school that I have been to, or attended, the teacher did care less about our success or us moving on to the next level. All they did was to make sure they accomplished their goal which was to go through their academic schedule.
I never had experienced someone care so much about her students, giving extension for home works or even taking late assignments.
Their was so many times I wanted to give up, mostly cause I was overwhelmed, tired and depress. But I am not the kind who tells my business to anyone, my main motivation everyday is my daughter and my mother.
When I decided to go back to school, back in September, I was going through some financial difficulties. I had to send money to my parents, take care of my daughter and her mother who recently got a job, I made a decision that I certainly don’t regret to become homeless for a period of time, It isn't what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart. Sleeping in my car mostly, and sometimes at my girlfriend place who didn’t know what I was going through, education became and still my only option to become financially stable. Not that education was the only way out but certainly what I believed in. Now that am more stable financially, I wanted to say thanks to my English teacher that told me once “Don’t give up, you can achieve it whatever you want,” it meant so much to me. Since then I had always kept my head really high even I still fail in numerous way.
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.-- Marcel Proust
Thanks Isidra Person-Lynn and the Umoja program
Taking Things for Granted
I have been living in United States for 8 years and I notice how many of my peers take things for granted. I have classmates who will show up without bringing a book, come late to their tutoring session, or not be engaged in the hour that I spend with them. It makes me so frustrated to think that they are so laid back about their education when they have a professor who is willing to help them and a tutor to work one on one with them.
Getting my education in my home country, I was in math classes with one hundred other students to one professor. My professor did not know my name nor did he know anyone else’s name and didn’t care to know. His teaching methods reflected no concern with how we did and it almost seemed as though he wanted us to fail so he wouldn’t have to deal with so many kids in his class. I raised my hand one day to ask a question and his response was that I figure it out myself.
But it was really amazing how my English teacher care so much, spending time to send emails, answering questions.
I had no professor who knew my name and was willing to teach me math and want me to excel. I certainly did not have a tutor who was eager to assist me whenever I needed the extra help. I just wish most students could experience what I went through so they don’t take things for granted so often.
This blog was not intended to offend anyone but I just wish we will know how to appreciate things and recognize people that really care about our success.
Getting my education in my home country, I was in math classes with one hundred other students to one professor. My professor did not know my name nor did he know anyone else’s name and didn’t care to know. His teaching methods reflected no concern with how we did and it almost seemed as though he wanted us to fail so he wouldn’t have to deal with so many kids in his class. I raised my hand one day to ask a question and his response was that I figure it out myself.
But it was really amazing how my English teacher care so much, spending time to send emails, answering questions.
I had no professor who knew my name and was willing to teach me math and want me to excel. I certainly did not have a tutor who was eager to assist me whenever I needed the extra help. I just wish most students could experience what I went through so they don’t take things for granted so often.
This blog was not intended to offend anyone but I just wish we will know how to appreciate things and recognize people that really care about our success.
My short and long term goal
Short and long term goal
Health is a major issue in today’s society, the obesity level had double from 1999 to 2008
I believe that our country is uninformed about the real health issues which have a considerable impact on life expectancy and diseases.
Fitness has always been a passion, I love when my clients tell me their blood pressure drop, or they feel better everyday. So my short term goal is to get certify in fitness as a specialist in conditioning and strength, and be able to work with any type of population.
I do have one certification through 24 hour fitness, a CPR certified, and currently working on two more major international certifications and my associate degree in health care at west Los Angeles College.
Now that I have set up a short term goal, I intend to make a lot of changes in health care by pursuing my education through completing my master’s in health care, to be more specific in kinesiology at Cal State Long Beach or USC.
Eventually in the long run I plan on going back home to my native country to share the knowledge that I had acquired through all these years.
Health is a major issue in today’s society, the obesity level had double from 1999 to 2008
I believe that our country is uninformed about the real health issues which have a considerable impact on life expectancy and diseases.
Fitness has always been a passion, I love when my clients tell me their blood pressure drop, or they feel better everyday. So my short term goal is to get certify in fitness as a specialist in conditioning and strength, and be able to work with any type of population.
I do have one certification through 24 hour fitness, a CPR certified, and currently working on two more major international certifications and my associate degree in health care at west Los Angeles College.
Now that I have set up a short term goal, I intend to make a lot of changes in health care by pursuing my education through completing my master’s in health care, to be more specific in kinesiology at Cal State Long Beach or USC.
Eventually in the long run I plan on going back home to my native country to share the knowledge that I had acquired through all these years.
Mona vie
Monavie
It is a multi level marketing business. Monavie is an all fruit drink containing 19 different fruits with the main fruit being what Oprah calls the “new super food”, the acai berry. The acai berry is very high in antioxidants and gets rid of all your body’s free radicals such as, smoke, stress, and pollution.
Taking two to four ounces of Monavie twice a day is equivalent to 10 servings of fruit. There are three different bottle types of Monavie. The first one is the original. The original contains 19 different fruits and is recommended to be consumed by all ages over four. The nineteen different fruits are the acai berry, pomegranate, bilberry, passion fruit, wolfberry, blueberry, kiwi, cranberry, capuacu, prune, nashi, aronia, camu camu, acerola, banana, pear, lychee, white grape, and the purple grape. Some of these fruits I have never heard of and wouldn’t be able to find in the fruit section at Ralphs. Monavie includes 19 deeply pigmented fruits from around the world which provides the most phytonutrients and antioxidants.
The second bottle is the Active. This one has the same fruits but with added glucosamine and good fatty acids. This bottle is geared more to people who have an active lifestyle such as athletes. There are a lot of professional athletes who consume the Active bottles to recover faster from their workout and rigorous games.
The third bottle is brand new called, Pulse. It was created for the heart. It is made up of 19 fruits, the acai berry, Concord grape, pineapple, apple, prickly pear, pomegranate, elderberry, yumberry, bilberry, blackberry, blueberry, cherry, cranberry, raspberry, aronia, acerola, strawberry, cupuacu, and camu camu. With this combination, it is easier to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system and healthy cholesterol levels.
One can not find Monavie at a local supermarket but through distributors. It tastes good and is also good for you.
For more information
Contact me through email at akuetek@gmail.com
It is a multi level marketing business. Monavie is an all fruit drink containing 19 different fruits with the main fruit being what Oprah calls the “new super food”, the acai berry. The acai berry is very high in antioxidants and gets rid of all your body’s free radicals such as, smoke, stress, and pollution.
Taking two to four ounces of Monavie twice a day is equivalent to 10 servings of fruit. There are three different bottle types of Monavie. The first one is the original. The original contains 19 different fruits and is recommended to be consumed by all ages over four. The nineteen different fruits are the acai berry, pomegranate, bilberry, passion fruit, wolfberry, blueberry, kiwi, cranberry, capuacu, prune, nashi, aronia, camu camu, acerola, banana, pear, lychee, white grape, and the purple grape. Some of these fruits I have never heard of and wouldn’t be able to find in the fruit section at Ralphs. Monavie includes 19 deeply pigmented fruits from around the world which provides the most phytonutrients and antioxidants.
The second bottle is the Active. This one has the same fruits but with added glucosamine and good fatty acids. This bottle is geared more to people who have an active lifestyle such as athletes. There are a lot of professional athletes who consume the Active bottles to recover faster from their workout and rigorous games.
The third bottle is brand new called, Pulse. It was created for the heart. It is made up of 19 fruits, the acai berry, Concord grape, pineapple, apple, prickly pear, pomegranate, elderberry, yumberry, bilberry, blackberry, blueberry, cherry, cranberry, raspberry, aronia, acerola, strawberry, cupuacu, and camu camu. With this combination, it is easier to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system and healthy cholesterol levels.
One can not find Monavie at a local supermarket but through distributors. It tastes good and is also good for you.
For more information
Contact me through email at akuetek@gmail.com
pray in french
Here is a little prayer in French that the lord Jesus taught us
Our heaven father in French
Notre père qui est aux cieux
Que ton nom soit sanctifie
Que ton règne vienne
Que ta volonté soit faite sur la terre comme au ciel
Donne-nous aujourd‘hui notre pain de ce jour
Pardonne-nous nos offenses comme nous pardonnons aussi à ceux qui nous ont offense
Et ne nous soumet pas à la tentation
Mais délivre-nous du mal
Car c’est à toi qu’appartienne
Le règne, La puissance, Et la gloire
Pour des siècles et des siècles
Amen
Our heaven father in French
Notre père qui est aux cieux
Que ton nom soit sanctifie
Que ton règne vienne
Que ta volonté soit faite sur la terre comme au ciel
Donne-nous aujourd‘hui notre pain de ce jour
Pardonne-nous nos offenses comme nous pardonnons aussi à ceux qui nous ont offense
Et ne nous soumet pas à la tentation
Mais délivre-nous du mal
Car c’est à toi qu’appartienne
Le règne, La puissance, Et la gloire
Pour des siècles et des siècles
Amen
Fat Loss—Weight Loss
You build muscle, you lose fat. You build muscle, you gain strength, energy, resistance, enthusiasm, creativity, ability, longevity, esteem - you hit the jack pot.
Most diets don't work for long term fat loss. They're concerned with reducing weight rather than burning excess body fat. They strip off vital muscle, the body's major fat burning component. When you remain at a particular body fat level for a long period of time, your body recognizes that as your fat set point. Substantial time (patience, discipline and fortitude) is required to lower your fat set point as you seek complete and permanent changes.
The body tissue you have today, good or bad, was built almost entirely from the foods you have eaten over the past 6 months. Make a commitment today to renew your body composition.
Watch calories, watch carbohydrates. Avoid excessive fats (high calories) and carbohydrates. The big bonus here is that after a few weeks, your tastes and habits will simply change. Fats, sugar and salt become less interesting. For an intense fat burning regime, try the following tricks.
• With pad and pencil, simply list everything eaten.
• Cut fat and salt intake radically.
• Consider training in the morning - this raises the metabolic rate throughout the day. This means more fat burning and more energy.
• Make sure you get adequate fiber each and every day.
• Drink 1-2 liters of H2O during the day.
• An excellent pre-workout and post-workout meal is a protein drink
• Don't scrutinize. Permanent changes take time. Test and record your body fat level every two months. If you use a scale, weigh only once a week. After an initial drop in weight, plan to lose 1/2 to 1 pound per week steadily - a realistic goal.
• Have your larger meals early in the day, making dinner the lowest calorie meal...
• After reaching your goal, be prepared to continue your diet in order to establish a new fat set point.
• Remember, protein is king. To assure consistent intake for muscle adaptation and weight control a protein powder should be on your shopping list along with the eggs and apples.
• Always and forever, plan a disciplined low calorie day following any unusually high calorie days. Enjoy an extended workout and the subsequent high blood sugar pump.
About the exercises upon which I suggest you concentrate: These are the building blocks most used by champions and children alike. They are the simple movements that involve the body’s complicated system of muscles, bones and ligaments advantageously, safely and joyously. They are the basics. They work best. The rest is up to consistent, strategic and intense performance supported, naturally, by sound nutrition.
Most diets don't work for long term fat loss. They're concerned with reducing weight rather than burning excess body fat. They strip off vital muscle, the body's major fat burning component. When you remain at a particular body fat level for a long period of time, your body recognizes that as your fat set point. Substantial time (patience, discipline and fortitude) is required to lower your fat set point as you seek complete and permanent changes.
The body tissue you have today, good or bad, was built almost entirely from the foods you have eaten over the past 6 months. Make a commitment today to renew your body composition.
Watch calories, watch carbohydrates. Avoid excessive fats (high calories) and carbohydrates. The big bonus here is that after a few weeks, your tastes and habits will simply change. Fats, sugar and salt become less interesting. For an intense fat burning regime, try the following tricks.
• With pad and pencil, simply list everything eaten.
• Cut fat and salt intake radically.
• Consider training in the morning - this raises the metabolic rate throughout the day. This means more fat burning and more energy.
• Make sure you get adequate fiber each and every day.
• Drink 1-2 liters of H2O during the day.
• An excellent pre-workout and post-workout meal is a protein drink
• Don't scrutinize. Permanent changes take time. Test and record your body fat level every two months. If you use a scale, weigh only once a week. After an initial drop in weight, plan to lose 1/2 to 1 pound per week steadily - a realistic goal.
• Have your larger meals early in the day, making dinner the lowest calorie meal...
• After reaching your goal, be prepared to continue your diet in order to establish a new fat set point.
• Remember, protein is king. To assure consistent intake for muscle adaptation and weight control a protein powder should be on your shopping list along with the eggs and apples.
• Always and forever, plan a disciplined low calorie day following any unusually high calorie days. Enjoy an extended workout and the subsequent high blood sugar pump.
About the exercises upon which I suggest you concentrate: These are the building blocks most used by champions and children alike. They are the simple movements that involve the body’s complicated system of muscles, bones and ligaments advantageously, safely and joyously. They are the basics. They work best. The rest is up to consistent, strategic and intense performance supported, naturally, by sound nutrition.
causes of high blood cholesterol
What Causes High Blood Cholesterol?
Due to the fact that most of my clients have high level of cholesterol, it is really critical and i can't emphasize enough on the fact that we need to take care of our body.
A variety of things can affect the cholesterol levels in your blood. Some of these things you can control and others you cannot.
You can control:
What you eat. Certain foods have types of fat that raise your cholesterol level.
Saturated fat raises your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level more than anything else in your diet.
Trans fatty acids (trans fats) are made when vegetable oil is hydrogenated to harden it. Trans fatty acids also raise cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol is found in foods that come from animal sources, for example, egg yolks, meat, and cheese.
Your weight. Being overweight tends to increase your LDL level, lower your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level, and increase your total cholesterol level.
Your activity. Lack of regular exercise can lead to weight gain, which could raise your LDL cholesterol level. Regular exercise can help you lose weight and lower your LDL level. It can also help you raise your HDL level.
You cannot control:
Heredity. High blood cholesterol can run in families. An inherited genetic condition results in very high LDL cholesterol levels. It begins at birth, and may result in a heart attack at an early age.
Age and sex. Starting at puberty, men have lower levels of HDL than women. As women and men get older, their LDL cholesterol levels rise. Younger women have lower LDL cholesterol levels than men, but after age 55, women have higher levels than men.
Due to the fact that most of my clients have high level of cholesterol, it is really critical and i can't emphasize enough on the fact that we need to take care of our body.
A variety of things can affect the cholesterol levels in your blood. Some of these things you can control and others you cannot.
You can control:
What you eat. Certain foods have types of fat that raise your cholesterol level.
Saturated fat raises your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level more than anything else in your diet.
Trans fatty acids (trans fats) are made when vegetable oil is hydrogenated to harden it. Trans fatty acids also raise cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol is found in foods that come from animal sources, for example, egg yolks, meat, and cheese.
Your weight. Being overweight tends to increase your LDL level, lower your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level, and increase your total cholesterol level.
Your activity. Lack of regular exercise can lead to weight gain, which could raise your LDL cholesterol level. Regular exercise can help you lose weight and lower your LDL level. It can also help you raise your HDL level.
You cannot control:
Heredity. High blood cholesterol can run in families. An inherited genetic condition results in very high LDL cholesterol levels. It begins at birth, and may result in a heart attack at an early age.
Age and sex. Starting at puberty, men have lower levels of HDL than women. As women and men get older, their LDL cholesterol levels rise. Younger women have lower LDL cholesterol levels than men, but after age 55, women have higher levels than men.
high cholesterol prevention
Self-Care at Home
If you have high lipoproteins and thus high cholesterol, depending on your risk factors for heart disease, your target goals may differ for lowering your LDL cholesterol.
Diet: The National Cholesterol Education Program has created dietary guidelines.
Total fat - Less than 30% of calories
Saturated fat - Less than 7% of calories
Polyunsaturated fat - Less than or equal to 10% of calories
Monounsaturated fat - Approximately 10-15% of calories
Cholesterol - Less than 200 milligrams per day
Carbohydrates - 50-60% of calories
Some people are able to reduce fat and dietary cholesterol with vegetarian diets. Whether these dietary restrictions are realistic for most Americans is debatable. Moreover, such a diet also reduces HDL and raises triglyceride levels.
People with higher triglycerides may benefit from a diet that is higher in monounsaturated fat and lower in carbohydrates, particularly simple sugars. A common source of monounsaturated fat is olive oil.
Activity: Although exercise has little effect on LDL, aerobic exercise may improve insulin sensitivity, HDL, and triglyceride levels and may thus reduce your heart risk. People who exercise and control their diet appear to be more successful in long-term lifestyle modifications that improve their heart risk profile.
If you have high lipoproteins and thus high cholesterol, depending on your risk factors for heart disease, your target goals may differ for lowering your LDL cholesterol.
Diet: The National Cholesterol Education Program has created dietary guidelines.
Total fat - Less than 30% of calories
Saturated fat - Less than 7% of calories
Polyunsaturated fat - Less than or equal to 10% of calories
Monounsaturated fat - Approximately 10-15% of calories
Cholesterol - Less than 200 milligrams per day
Carbohydrates - 50-60% of calories
Some people are able to reduce fat and dietary cholesterol with vegetarian diets. Whether these dietary restrictions are realistic for most Americans is debatable. Moreover, such a diet also reduces HDL and raises triglyceride levels.
People with higher triglycerides may benefit from a diet that is higher in monounsaturated fat and lower in carbohydrates, particularly simple sugars. A common source of monounsaturated fat is olive oil.
Activity: Although exercise has little effect on LDL, aerobic exercise may improve insulin sensitivity, HDL, and triglyceride levels and may thus reduce your heart risk. People who exercise and control their diet appear to be more successful in long-term lifestyle modifications that improve their heart risk profile.
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