3rd

I was so surprised to see that snow was actually on the road earlier this morning by the 16th street exit on 580. There wasn't a lot though, boo ):

My day begins with my stats class and though I ABSOLUTELY HATE that class, i was happy to at least know that Nem's back! We just went over hella stuff that we needed to know for the test this Thursday. I think imma just make a chicheat...there is no way i'm going to remember all that! hhaha. Sorry but i haven't been on top of school this semester, especially with my Communication readings. We had a quiz today and if it weren't for the extra bonus question i would've gotten a 2/5 :X

Lunch was chill. Lance, Iris, Bee, Nem, Joe D and I went to goldilocks to eat and buy some little treats for the Veterans that we would be visiting today on Capp Street. I had some yummy filipino bbq with the sweet sauce and rice. Good food and good company always gets me (:

**************

On the right: Mang Justino, Filipino WWII Veteran
Around 3:30, I headed to Capp Street along with the interns and some general members like me, to visit the Veteranos. A comforting smell of bengay lingered in the air but it suddenly faded away once I saw the living conditions they lived in that they absolutely don't deserve. However, humbled by their hospitality, I sat down in the seat and talked to the Mang Justino. I was both shocked and saddened at all the trials and tribulations he had undergone. From losing his wife not too long ago, having undergone surgery, living here in the states with no relatives whatsoever to receive the little he gets to send back to his children and grandchildren, that I could only imagine his pain. And at that point in the visit, I got teary eyed from his account of not only his life, but of the war and the brutality. I stopped my tears and though some may say that there's a lack of emotion in me for not doing so, I say not crying or showing that sympathy is empowerment. I thought that if I had cried, he would only feel even more saddened at the realization of what he has gone through. I didn't want that, that's the last thing I wanted. By not sheding a tear I was empowered to continue on "grabbing what is given and continue fighting". I learned that you can't be defeated by struggle, and that's what Mang Justino's doing. At the age of 83, he's still strong as ever.