Fresh Start with the National Honors Society Election Night

Last night a special night for me and for others at my school. It was the celebration for the newly elected students in the National Honors Society. If you remembered from previous posts, I filled out applications required to participate in the program and I found out that I was among the elected students. It was such a pleasure to be elected in this big opportunity of a life time.
So what happened was that a special guest named Mr. Jon Hoadley, State Rep. of Michigan, spoke to the audience about his history, leadership, character, service, scholarship and inspirational quotes about being in the NHS. Along with the guest, our principal, program leaders and students officers gave their own speech. After the speeches, each elected students came up on stage and signed their agreement sheet, shook hands with people and signed the NHS book that was first signed somewhere in 1965.

You could see me signing the book

To top it off, we spook the NHS pledge and my mom took pictures of me with my signed certificate.

Me with my signed certificate

I hope that everyone had a good Thanksgiving, because I did have a great Thanksgiving with my family and friends. 

Are most of you in your next section of school right now, or are you still in a section? Monday, I started my second trimester with some new classes. Either one, still work hard in education and in life to make amazing choices in life. 

Before I forget, tomorrow, I won't be able to post anything, because for the whole day, I will be with my DECA group will be working with the basketball managers for a basketball game that we will get to watch after words. I won't be at home until 12:30 in the morning (which that is what my director said), which I am going to be dead tired when I get back. I will take pictures on my camera of the event and post them on the next post to show you . 

That is it right now I guess. I hope that you enjoyed reading this post and I will see you in the next post.

Peace out brothers and sisters. -MNM

Happy Thanksgiving

Hey everybody. Happy Thanksgiving to you all. If some of you don't celebrate thanksgiving, I still want to say that today is a good day to appreciate what we have in life (not material things, but to our families, friends, pets, love, our religion, etc...). Be thankful for everything, from the bottom of the heart. Lets have a moment to think about peace, forgiveness, love, understanding, pureness, life, friends, family and even smiles. Just close your eyes and just think.

I hope that everyone has a simple thanksgiving today. It doesn't have to be something big or special, just give thanks to what you have in life that could not be replaced with material things.

Well, that is it. I hope that you enjoyed reading this post and I will see you in the next post.
Peace out brothers and sisters- MNM

Reward for Final Exam

How are y'all doing at this time? Been busy with school or what?
For me, I have been busy with my school's final exams. That's right, my first trimester is coming to an end for me in my junior year. Though, it is not completely done yet, I still have to do two more final exams in two classes: AP Physics (a) and Marching Band. After Monday, I will be free from Tuesday to Friday. The first three exams were not that hard to complete. I was able to finish them before time finished and to dance after school in completing them. Are you guys/gals doing the same thing in terms of final exams? If so, how is that coming along? I hope it is going good for you.

Also, yesterday night, I got to attend my cross country end of season party at one of the member's house. We had snacks and drinks to celebrate for our hard work. Our coaches were there to join in the celebration. It was good to see them after cross country season was over. Now we made our coaches a little surprise that is different from previous celebrations; we used to buy gift cards to a restaurant or a store, but we bought a t-shirt with a quote on it that one of coaches made, "It's a beautiful day to run in Southwest Michigan!"- Coach Savicke. I could tell that they loved it. It is good to pay back our coaches for their time and hard work to make us better runners. To add on the surprise, one of our members made this video of our season: Loy Norrix Cross Country 2014. You could see me in some scenes, both in a race and during practice. Try to find me. :-)

Well, that is it. I hope that you enjoy reading this post and I will see you in the next post.
Peace out brothers and sisters- MNM

Dinner With a Louisville Friend

It was a long day today, in terms of classes and after school program. In my Honors English class, five students presented their book-talk power-point to us. They are very interesting, I might read some of them for fun during my free time.  Tomorrow, I will get to present my power-point to the class on my book, Three Cups of Tea. Many of you may know the book.
All the other classes are just learning something new and reviewing old lessons. Like I am extending my knowledge on geometric and arithmetic series in pre-calculus, while in AP physics, I learning electricity (current, volts, resistance, circuits and Kirchoff's law). Have many of you learn these things? How is it?
Anyway, this morning, I was feeling kind of negative about certain things in life. My parents got me back into my positive self and music brought back my smile. So I was able to be my normal self in school and learn. :-)
About two hours ago, a friend of ours from Kentucky came over for dinner. It has been a long time since I have seen him. My mom and dad made a good dinner for us to eat. Michigan black cherry ice cream is what we had for desert (delicious it was).
So, nothing big happened today, although a WMU student gets to barrow my acoustic guitar for a month.



Yeah, that was my day, I hope you had a good day and I will see you in the next post.
Peace out brothers and sisters.- MNM

Veterans Days

You know what today is, it is Veterans Days. It is time to honor our veterans that served our country for years. I would like to honor three veterans (two of which are within my family and the third on is an interviewed veteran that I have done as a project) for serving our country: John L. Locke (my great-great uncle), Randy Mueller (grand-father) and Mike Leatherman (a navy veteran that I interviewed). 
I left a link above that you can check out about my great-great uncle. Currently, I can't add a link to my Living History project. All I could do is give you a sample of the project below. I hope that you like it, because I put many hours into this project to make it worth holding on to for Mike Leatherman's family. Just reading it again, just makes my smile for my interviewed veteran and for my dedication to make this report perfect. 

Imagine yourself as young adult who was first drafted into the Marines, but found a way to get around that by serving in the Navy, so that you don’t get into combat in the Vietnam War. Your dreams of avoiding a horrible war turns to a nightmare as you became a CE (construction electrician) to build forts, road ways, command centers, supply centers, and other building needed for the war, in the middle of a battle field. During the sunny days while working on road ways, you hear and see big C-17 planes landing so close to you, that you could just stand and touch it with your tough, leathery callous hands. During the humid nights, you hear bullets whizzing by your ears and just see a body lying still, with his head blown, 5 feet from you. Maybe that was your buddy that you just made 3 hours ago. With the enemies coming close, you have Caliber .45 Pistol to shot them off to live another day. Everyday for 24 hours, you make friends that few will live, build something for the military effort, and even fend for yourself to go through it again. Mike Leatherman was one of the many American Heroes who built and fought during the Vietnam War, but not in full combat as the Army would experience. Now that doesn’t mean that he went through something that nearly killed him. This is his story that he wants to pass down for people to read about his life before, during, and after his service. 

Make sure that you give thanks to your veterans for putting their life in protecting America and give them a big salute. Enjoy the rest of the night and I will see you in the next post.

Peace out brothers and sisters (and veterans). -MNM

Past Memories and Present Actions

I got something to tell you who are reading this, yesterday after school, I was elected into the Loy Norrix National Honor Society! You have no idea how happy I was to hear/see it; to not have to explain it in detail, I was dancing outside of a classroom with joy without anyone knowing it. I believe that about 20 members were elected into the program, but I am among them! Many of you who are in high school, do you have a similar program of ours or exactly like ours? If so, what do you get to do? You can leave it in the comments for me to read and see how it is similar or different from ours. 

The application was not that hard to do. I just had to think about what I have done that goes into those four qualities throughout my high school years. I was hoping that all the summer programs and high school sports that I participated in has a majority of the qualities. Some of them did, but not as much as I expected. During the essay part, I had to explain why I feel that I should participate in the program. My main reason for me to be in it: everyday, I am looking for ways to improve my leadership skills, self character, educational opportunities, and service acts. As Cardinal J. Gibbons quotes: "There are no office hours for leaders." I improve everyday to become better than I was yesterday. 

Character is my biggest quality that I have throughout my life time. I stay who I am, not allowing others to change who I am that does not fit who I am. Going forward to change a friend, teacher, school, community, state, country and the world, is what I want. John Quincy Adams quotes this like what I said: "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." That is how many are making a change in this world. I want to be one of those people. You will see. "Great leaders don't tell you what to do... they show how its done." 

Along with the surprise, I found this song that I heard during my elementary years in Colorado. It belongs to a TV show that I used to watch for fun in the past. It is called Code Lyoko. Many would probably know this show. 

There are other series of episodes that still has the same name

Brings back many memories of my childhood. How I wonder about animation and the different types of it. During that time, it is also where I found the famous series, Naruto. Without those shows, I would have never reminded myself how much I came through my younger years. I am happy to see Code Lyoko and Naruto in my life.

Well, I hoped that you liked what you read and I will see you in the next post.

Peace out brothers and sisters.- MNM

My First Poem Post Online

I made this poem at the beginning of the school year that has to do with our choices in life and I thought I would like to share it with you. Now when you read it, don't feel that I am being negative to the world. This is just showing what I am seeing that needs to be fixed before its too late. I am just saying that we as the people of this world needs to start making right decisions that is meant to be.
In the mean time, hope you get the message from the poem and start thinking about what you can do to change this world in a good way. Below the poem is a music video that kind of sings what I am trying to show you.

Everyday 7

Born at the dawn of the human race

Wrath, sloth, pride, lust, envy, gluttony, and greed

Wrongful wrath creating wars

Silent sloth slowly seizing

Powerful pride pounding the peace

Lurking lust luring away purity

Endless envy eyeing others plenty

Gushing gluttony grabbing relentlessly

Grabbing greed grinning at the weak

Seven deadly sins at the core of tyrants creed

They form a circle, a repetitive circle 

Grabbing a majority of humans and making them hurtful

Though the hold is strong

Some are trying to find a way out

It takes a lifelong scout

Choose you fight

-Martin Mueller

Peace out brothers and sisters- MNM

Drawing Halloween

Happy Halloween everyone!

Do you have your costumes and candy ready for the night? If not, well you need to hurry up before it's too late. 

My little sister got here costume ready for the night and I think we have candy for the monsters, witches, ninjas, and creators out there in Michigan. Lets hope that our pumpkins won't rise against us.

 These pumpkins looks like there are going to go after us after they finish our little pumpkin friends.

Not Really, it is part of Halloween. 

Well, this morning, I did this online art class that has the Halloween theme, such as ghosts.

Below this picture is what I was drawing from the class. What do you think of our ghost friends?

If you want to know who directs these classes, his name is Mark Kistler. He is an amazing artists who draws cartoon characters through the internet to teach children, teenagers, and adults how to draw. You can gain member up to two years (or longer) for the online courses. Here are the links that you can find the online classes and other websites explaining about Mark Kistler:

Markkistlerlive.com

www.draw3d.com

Markkistler.com

They are fun to do over the free time to draw something that would come in a cartoon way. I hope that you enjoy this man making drawing fun for you. If you like it, spread the word about him to get more people into art.

Well I hope you have a great Halloween and enjoy your candy. Just be careful how much you eat, what you eat, and where you are going in a neighborhood. Make sure that you have company with you to add the fun of trick-or-treating. 

Here is a quote of Halloween:

Thank you for your time with me and I will see you in the next post.

Peace out brothers and sisters- MNM

More Than Just a Race

Well, today was my final race for this year's cross country season. The weather was perfect for running, the sun was shining and clear blue skies was visible. I don't remember any weather that it was like today that I ever ran in last year; most of time, it would be cold and the sun would not shine as bright as today.
Before I get to tell you what happened during and after the race, I need to tell you something that happened before I ran. What happened was, while I was walking to my teams' tent during one of the Division 2 races (we are in Division 1), I was watching a teenage runner limping in a way that indicates that he leg was hurting. She fell to the ground. I ran to the girl and asked a high school boy nearby to help me lift her to go to her coach. I don't know what really happened to her, but all I know is that her leg was hurting. So while we were finding her coach, we started talking and she told a lesson to me that I have heard many times from others. What makes this one different is that she raised her voice at me on how, if you want something really bad, you go get it no matter what happens. That hit me in the heart in a good way. A thought came to me after we found her coach and dropped her off. The thought was about if I was really pushing myself to get something really badly this season. Now that I pushed myself in the race and received a time of 19:40, I decided that I need to get it together for the next season. Thank you for enforcing the lesson. Here is quote that relates to what I was doing for this girl, even though I don't know her at all.

Now that happened, let me tell you what was going on in the race. First off, the JV races was as one, not two individual races. That kind of took us by surprise, but we were prepared. The gun didn't go off until 3:15. While we were waiting to run, two graduated seniors from my school, came over to watch us run our finally race for this year. It was a pleasure to see them and to support us. Now that many people were watching and pushing us, no doubt about it that we are going to do well.
Everyone started off very fast on the first mile. I didn't want to do that, since I knew that I would slow down in the second mile (which I was right) by at least 30 seconds. We started off as a group for the first mile, until we started to break into different sections. I was by myself after the first mile and I was passing people from schools like Kalamazoo Central, Portage Central, Matawan, and other schools. They provided a good run for me, especially on the final stretch with all the sprinting. While I was trying to pass a boy, I didn't realize that he is actually a friend of mine that I made over the summer in the NSTI (National Summer Transportation Institution) up in Michigan Tech. We were pushing each other hard to the end and I beat him. When I crossed the finish line, Will (that is his name) called me and came up to me to congratulate/thank me for that sprint. At first I didn't realize it was him until he explained to me how we met, that was when I remembered him. It was amazing how friends that you made over the summer is still lives close by. Who knew.

After the race, one of the cross country members invited us to attend a bonfire party. We came over at 7 and we just enjoyed our time there. We had some cupcakes, s'mores (without the chocolate though :-( ), a night big campfire, and the cross country. The night was clear and the temperature was cool. I was happy to see the team enjoying their reward for finishing strong after a long, touch season. Everyone did a great job, I am proud of all of you. Can't wait to see you in track season. 

I like to post this song that tells about our enjoying time.  

  Here with you- Asher Monroe


Well that is what happened today. It has been a good day for me and many others. I hope you day was good. Good night y'all and see you in the next post.
Peace out brothers and sisters- MNM

Big Day Tomorrow

Brothers and sisters, by tomorrow and future on, I am going to do something a little bit differently to my posts. For every Wednesday, I am going to give a wisdom quote that I have found on the internet or on social media to share with you that has to do with a life event of mine.
Along with the quotes, you will see articles or videos that I have found to talk to you about. I want to start being more active in my postings to show you more about my character and thoughts. Also, I just love reading and showing you people quotes that are worth reading to life.
So that is announcement for my blog, now it is time to tell you guys/gals that tomorrow will be my last cross country race (unless I get into State) for this season. How is this possible for the season to be over that quick? Wow is the only word I could say.
What I could remember was the first day of cross country. How most of us didn't know how to run at all. Now thanks to my coaches, who were pushing us to do better, there has been a huge progress for many throughout this season. We were beating some of our school rivals, getting best times for this season. Now that our last race is upon us, our training will kick in. Wish me luck, along with my team.
Thank you for your support and I will see you in the next post.
Peace out brothers and sisters. -MNM

Hmm, Why America? Why?

Have people in your home country been telling you to be environmental friendly? Such as doing the three R's (reduce, reuse, recycle), create products or technologies that is clean for our environment, or just achieve missions/goals that makes planet Earth cleaner? Well let me tell you something that surprised me personally (and maybe for most of you) that I never thought was possible in such a huge leap. A new car was built in Europe called the XI1. What makes this car interesting to look at is not only its design, but the engine itself. It could go up to 300 miles on a single gallon of gas (under the correct driving conditions) with only a 2.6 gallon gasoline tank to carry along. The designers want to "prevent fuel age related problems" that is caused from having a large gasoline tank with all the fuel that could be unhealthy for the engine. That is a giant leap in transportation technology in my point of view. Impressive, don't you agree? Do you want that car, well because I want that car, but guess what, for the people in America, the FED is not allowing the car to be show cased or even be on our roads because it is "too efficient" and it doesn't "meet American crash test standards." The article below explains why the FED does not allow a car that can change the future of transportation be allowed on our roads. Along how disappoint of our excuses are.

VOLKSWAGEN’S NEW 300 MPG CAR NOT ALLOWED IN AMERICA BECAUSE IT IS TOO EFFICIENT

 I call that crazy and stupid.  You know what is irony, that we have been talking about finding ways to make efficient cars for many years and yet we don't accept a car that is a giant step in that progress. Don't you agree? Greed is what made the FED the wrong choice for denying a futuristic car.
Now I have a new mission to achieve; I want to work with the company to learn their engineering ideas and to take the design into my own customized car to spread the influence under their name. Crediting their ideas for making better engines possible. I want the people who reads this and others out their, to making this planet cleaner through anything like engineering. Don't let those people, like the FED in the article or anyone, try to stop you from doing the right. For we can make our planet cleaner if we start right now.

Thank you for your time and I would  see you in the next post.

Peace out brothers and sisters- MNM

I'm An Old Soul!

Ever since I started my high school, I have been noticing my differences from others. I thought that something was wrong with me or that I have a skipped a certain age group/generation. Instead of acting like a regular teenager, I act more like an adult. How? Well, I talk well with adults than teenagers, I think way differently from others, I see problems in this world that needs to change, usually I would be by myself in situations, I love knowledge, wisdom, and truth, and other actions that make me different from others. My parents, other adults, and some of my friends told me that I just matured fast. To prove it, I found this article on Facebook that explains 11 signs that tells you that you're an old soul.
11 Signs You're An Old Soul
Such an interesting facts about how you know if you are an old soul. Do you see some of the signs that tells you tell that? Well don't worry, you are not alone; for I am an old soul since I was born. Personally, I am proud of that, because I don't want to be like those ordinary teenagers that don't mature and keep their not so clean ways (not everyone of those are clean with their way of living).  For those who are old souls out there, keep changing the world and teach the new souls how to be an old soul to be on the path that leads to a fantastic life.

Peace out brothers and sisters- MNM

Smooth Translation from September to October

So, to make this post not too long, I will give short descriptions of the dates that I want to tell you about:

September 27:

• 9am-12pm was our Loy Norrix HS cross country fundraiser- we had 3 hours to run 50 laps around our quarter mile track and each lap would increase the total amount of money that we will receive from people who put pledges of each cross country member. So far, a majority of people ran 50 laps (12.5 miles) and boy, I was proud of my people.

September 30:

• 5pm-6:30pm was our cross country race: SMAC  Jamboree @ Linden Grove Middle School. There, a few people got season and personal records, including one of my friends who finally under 20 minutes (but I beat his record in a different race).
• 6pm-8pm was my Loy Norrix Marching Rehearsal. What we were working was improving our marching, music, posture, and much more before our marching festival.

October 3: 

• 5:45pm-9pm was a home football at my high school. The game was Loy Norrix vs. Mattawan. I don't remember if we won or lost, but it was a long night. To to mention that we performed all of our Queen songs during the half time show through our marching.

October 4:

• Early in the morning to somewhere in the afternoon was another cross country race at Portage Middle school.

October 6:

• 6:30pm-8pm was college night at KVCC. We got meet college representatives to know their college better.

October 7 and 14:

• 6pm-8pm are other marching rehearsals.

October 8 and 16:

• 7pm-8pm was saxophone lesson for me. Every Thursday, I have saxophone lessons at Western Michigan University.

October 9:

• 7:10am-7:23am was the Loy Norrix National Honor Society meeting. I am doing the application of it, because I want participate in a program that will get me in activities that is worth while.

October 15:

• 7:15pm- 10:30pm was the day of MSBOA festival. It was a big day for the Loy Norrix Band. It took at Battle Creak Central's football field and we got to play our Queen theme. I was dressed up as Freddie Mercury: which you will see the costume below. Along with the pants and jacket, I had white marching band shoes, a marching band hat, and a fake mustache (even though I have a real mustache). What we got was a 2 in our performance. We were going for a 1, but we were so close. Music was a 2 (better than last year, rate 3), a 2 in marching picture, and a 1 in marching (much better than a 2 from last year). 
  
  
  
  

October 18 (Today): 

• 10am-2pm was my morning, running the SMAC Conference, but instead, it was more like a Jamboree because of the call that there was a storm coming near by. So, all the boys ran together and same thing with the girls. The course was fun, fast, and flat, I loved it! I got a season record, I think it was 19:32. Everyone was wet from the rain before, during, and after the race. I also got a t-shirt for $15 that is for the race. The creator of the shirt made our school's name wrong, instead of Loy Norrix, it spelled Loy Nitric. I didn't care about, it is a nice t-shirt to have.
• 2pm-4:45pm was my afternoon, helping the Loy Norrix Band with the chicken dinner serving and the silent auction. It was a fundraiser for the band this time. We sold about 400 chicken dinner tickets, that is 100 more than last year. The chicken and the food there was really good! I ate two quarter chickens, salad, and other delicious foods. At the silent auction, I bid a spray picture for $6 and bought a bracelet for $5. 

  

  This spray paint picture was made by a friend of mine the my high school band. I think this art work is called Three Sun Planets. He started this hobby this May. What do you think about this art work? 

  
  
  

So you know how my two months have been going so. Not to mention that we were in our 7th week and had our parent-teacher conference. 5 more weeks until the first trimester is over and the second trimester begins. I hope things are going good for you teachers, students, and parents in school. Keep strong and keep doing well on your education and after school programs. Make me proud and make the future a brighter for the billions of people on this planet.

Peace out brothers and sisters- MNM 

Watch Out People Who Litter

Do you ever hate when you see people just littering in front of your eyes and you feel you can't teach them? I do hate that a lot, especially when I know that they would angry for trying to tell them that what they did was wrong to Earth. Well, I want to show you this video that there are people out there in this world who are willing to risk to teach the people who litter a taste of their own trash. 

Vigilante Biker Gets Revenge on Drivers Who Litter

This video made me so happy and confident that people who do care for our planet are the ones that will always win. This woman shows that people who litter will get the punishment for not listening to the changes. Lets all give a hand in achieving this action by cleaning up this world every small action as possible. For the people who don't want to do the change, you are not going to win!

Peace out brothers and sisters- MNM

School Combine With Education, Sports, and Music

        For the past three weeks of school, I have not been posting about my first day of school, first cross country race, my first trimester classes, my first marching band show, and much more. I will explain what has been going on on my other posts.
To start off, I got to meet my teachers in my classes; which the classes are Honors English 11, Pre-Calculus, Computer Applications, A.P. Physics, and Marching Band. They are the classes that I need to take for the credits of my graduation and life. I am enjoying my classes so far right, but the year is going too fast for me to believe that. Currently I am reading Beowulf  in Honors English, reviewing Algebra 2 works, doing computer assignments on the school's new computers, and polishing up our marching/sound/posture.
This year is going to be the year where Loy Norrix marching band makes history in getting a one in performance. How do we know? 1. We are way ahead of schedule in marching with all of our songs
2. We are now fine-tuning the songs to make it sound like Freddie Mercury's way (Crazy Little Thing Call Love, We Will Rock You, and Bohemian Rhapsody) 3. A majority of musicians are leading the band into success We have the upper hand! I am putting time into my drum major position for the band. Our perform is going to rock the audience and the judges on October 15. If we do get a one, we would be so happy and prove to other people that Loy Norrix got what it takes to go big and succeed.
Cross country started out okay for me, but I am making my way to getting 18:30 as my time. I have done three races so far. The recent one was not easy, for which there were mainly hills, and I mean hills that could make you fall forward without knowing. To know where and what my times were, I will post them after the cross country season is over.
Well, I hope that school is going out okay for all of you. Let me know if you want me to change anything about this blog and I will try to make it happen.
Peace out brothers and sister. -MNM

Visiting the Dream of Walt Disney

Could you imagine what is it like to visit an amusement park that started with a mouse; "I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse"- Walt Disney
My family- dad, mom, little sister, and aunt, and I got to drive all the way to Florida to stay five nights in Walt Disney World, to enjoy our time off from work and worries. The resort that we stayed at was called The Art of Animation. The theme there that we stayed in was Cars; next to Finding Nemo. What we saw there was Mater, Lightning McQueen, Doc Hudson, Luigi, Sarge, Flo, Sally (she was being fixed), Ramone, Sheriff, Fillmore and Guido. Fillmore was more like my character, with the eco-friendly ideas and peace attitude. The rooms there are incredible, the designers kept the theme in full circle for their customers (one thing for sure, there were cones everywhere).
After we settled down in our apartment room, we began to look over the "To-Do" lists of all the rides to ride, the characters to meet, and what to explore at each park. What we planned on the first day was to go to Magic Kingdom and eat at Bell's castle for lunch. You may think that we could cover everything right, wrong. It was packed when we were waiting for the gates to open up after a nice welcome show presented by actors and characters. What my first thought was, "how old am I and am I a child again?" Yes I was, since the theme of the park is to make the vacation fun for the whole family. That was not just the only best part, the best part was when I saw the town and Cinderella's Castle in the middle of Magic Kingdom.
Day 1 (8/13): What we started off first was take a picture in front of the Mickey face formed from plants and grass. It was our first set of pictures in Magic Kingdom. The gates were calling our names to enter into the master work/dream of Walt Disney, which we did for after picture taking (once in a while, we would take a moment to take a picture as a break). We have done many rides and visited locations and people, which you will find them below.
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Met Repunzel and Cinderella
Found Belle's Castle
Under the Sea
Met Ariel
Mad Tea Party
Dumbo Flight
The Barnstormer Roller Coaster
It's a Small World
Winnie the Pooh
Lunch at Belle's Castle
Speedway Racer
Monster's Laughing Floor
Space Mountain
Stitch Ride
Big Thunder Mountain
Pirates of Caribbean
Splash Mountain
Electric Parade 
Fireworks- Tinkerbell Flying
Returned to hotel
That is the first day in Walt Disney World.

Day 2 (8/14): Next stop was Epcot, a park with rides and meet world locations.
Met 4 characters- Eyore, Goffy, Mickey, J. Worhtington Foulfellow and Gideon (Pinocchio villains)
I participated a street skit (Sir Galahad) on King Arthur and the Holy Grail
Visited France- watched a video on France
Morocco- met Jasmine
Japan- Naruto anime and Dragonball Z
America Adventure
Italy
Germany
Outpost- drums and African gifts
China- watched impressions/ reflections video
Norway
Mexico
Test Track Ride- designed our own cars
Finding Nemo- the sea with Nemo and friends ride
Talking with Crush and friends
Got our MINE MINE MINE t-shirts
Canada
United Kingdom
Fireworks- illumination show (around the world lights)
Returned to hotel
That is the second day in Walt Disney World

Day 3 (8/15): Next stop was Animal Kingdom, a park with animals all around it.
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail 
Kilimanjaro Whirl
Restaurantosaurus 
Kali Rapids (2x for me & my mom &John, 3x for my little sister and aunt)
Maharajah jungle Trek (female tiger)
Expedition Everest: 2x for me
Dino-Bite
Primeval Whirl: once for me, I was sleepy
Met Daisy 
Met Russell and Dug
Pin shopping
Returned to hotel 
That is the third day in Walt Disney World

Day 4 (8/16): Next stop was Hollywood Studios (wore our MINE MINE MINE shirt)
The Great Movie Ride
Shopping at the Writer's Store
Lights, Motors, Actions (started, then rained out)
Looked in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids park
Muppets 3D Show
Studio Backlot Tour
Mike and Sully Photo op
Toured Pixar Lot
Ate at Sunset Ranch Market
Walt Disney: One Man's Dream
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
Animation Courtyard and Animation Gallery
The Twlight Zone Tower of Terror Ride (I didn't do it)
Oasis Canteen for Funnel Cake
Returned to hotel

Day 5 (8/17): The last stop was Downtown Disney
Reservations at T-Rex restaurant
Walked around downtown Disney
Stopped at Goffy Candy store
Create our own T-shirts
Returned to hotel to pick up car- drove back to Downtown Disney to pick up shirts
Pin shopping & photos with stationary characters (Mr. Potato Head, Buzz Lightyear)
Finished Disney by 6ish
Drove to Cabana Beach Bay Universal Hotel

That was the end of out trip to Walt Disney World. We then went to Cabana Beach Bay Universal Hotel for two nights. The rest of the time, it was at Universal Studios, on the road, and in Michigan.
The rides we did at Universal Studios were:
Minion Mayhem ride
Transformer's ride
Diagon Alley
Men in Black ride
E.T. ride
Terminator Ride
Shrek 4D show
Mummy ride
Disaster show
Twister Ride
We got to meet Betty Boop and Minion Kyle.

The rest of the trip was meeting up with some friends in Georgia Traverse City, MI. My dad did his trail marathon in Traverse City. He was tired after that.

That was our trip for August. I had so much fun doing it with my family. I hope you enjoyed reading this and had a great summer.
Peace out brothers and sisters -MNM

From Conducting to Engineering Camps

Long time no talk brothers and sisters locally and far away. How is summer and life coming along for yourself and everybody else you know/met? Keep the good times in mind when telling everybody about your adventure.
Well, this summer has been the busies one so far in my life. I have participated five summer programs: Keith Hall Summer Drum Instensive- June 16 to 21, JazzStart- June 30 to July 2, Michigan State University Drum Major Clinic- July 10 to 12, The National Summer Transportation Institute- July 13 to 25, Introduction to Robotics Engineering at Michigan State University- July 27 to 31. Each links above explains each programs that I participated.
Two of them has to do with music, one has to do with drum major, and last two has to do with engineering.
What I got to do at the Keith Hall's drum instensive was learning how to play the drums in a jazz way. Training songs, trying methods that could help out with playing, talking with a special guest from New York, and enjoying my time there.
JazzStart was short, but it is almost similar to the drum camp, it is playing an instrument in a jazz form. However, this is just pure jazz and I got to play with a band with members from different states and cities within Michigan. What was fun about my band was that we had a name; which was called the Barbastic Batmen and the Queen (AKA BBQ). I didn't come up with that name, someone within the band came up with it. It was funny, as you can see. We learned how to become good musicians that can go on for ever.
After a couple of days of staying at home, my dad dropped me off at Michigan State University for drum major camp, which was three days of now stop learning on being a conducting, marching, posture, doing the bending back motion, and being a leader to our band and everyday. It did go fast, but I am planning to come back to do better.
The longest camp that I have done so far was first sitting just for 14 hours on a Michigan Tech Uni. charter bus from Kalamazoo to Houghton (we went left around, instead of going straight North). Not really my favorite bus ride, but when we go there, it was nice to take a tour around campus and get started for the next two weeks. It was mainly about civil and environmental engineering, which I might take consider of looking at in the future. It was busy there, trust me, they provide good activities and teachings. If you are interesting in civil engineering, check out the link above and think about attending there during the summer. It will help you understand the importance of engineering in humans. They do want more people to attend, which I recommend.
Coming back was not too long as the first bus ride, but we got to Kalamazoo in the morning.
After a nights sleep, my bag was all packed for a trip back to MSU and stay there for five days. Robotics engineering is what we got to learn and understanding the different forms. There was hand on activities of building two different VEX robots and do coding to program the robots. Check out the links above to see what I mean.
Overall, this has been the busies summer that I have been in my life time. Right now, I am in my high school marching band camp for five days this week from 9am to 5pm everyday. I am a second year drum major for a junior. The theme for this year is Queen; Freddie Mercury is the guy that really put up a life time show in his life as many of you know that are born around his year. I will tell you what songs we will perform this year in my next post.
Well thank you for reading this and I hope all of you have the rest of the summer in a positive way.
Peace out brothers and sisters -MNM

The Mackinac Bridge

Me after 2 hours and 30 minutes of dancing on my last day @ MTU

My Last Night At Home

Tonight is my last night here at home. Tomorrow is the first day of drum major camp at Michigan State University (in the Lansing, Michigan). I am going to learn how to become a better drum major in terms of commanding, sending out my voice to the marchers, and to conduct different time signatures. What I want to gain from this camp is everything that a drum major needs to know, which I want to obtain. It is just a three day camp (7/10-7/13), but on the third day, I am going to be home around 5pm to be ready for a bus ride to Michigan Technology University.
At 8:30pm is the time when the bus will arrive to pick me up and I am going to be at the university for two weeks. It is called the National Summer Transportation Institute, which is a camp about learning engineering. That is what I what, something to start early on on my engineer career in the future. That is my dream on becoming in the future, an engineer who reuses materials to make clean, style transportation for common around the world. So this is what I am looking for.
I am not finished yet, after coming home on July 26, I will receive a night's rest for the next camp at Michigan State. Robotics engineering is the activity there.
I am super excited for this month. I believe this summer is going to be the busiest summer that I am ever going to be in, for now. I said farewell to all my cross country friends today for my long trip and I will see them in August, until I have marching band camp and a trip to Florida with my family. That is my summer, so I won't be able to post any more on this blog until I get back home.
Well thank you for reading this and I hope all of you have a great summer.
Peace out brothers and sisters. -MNM

The Fourth of July Week

From June 29 (Sunday) to July 7 (Saturday and it's today), I have been experiencing jazz for three days from 8am to 6pm at Western Michigan the western campus. Those three days was a jazz program created by my high school jazz band teacher, Benje Danceman, his wife, Ashely Daneman, and a pianist, Nich Mueller (FYI, he is not part of my family).
Each one was a teacher for an instrument group, a theory group, and a band group. Benje taught the horns, Ashely taught the singers, and Nich taught the rhythm section. Three teachers for 23 students is something that is worth doing for other people to learn, play, and make new friends to play jazz. Just like how I experienced, learned and played jazz, and make new friends to play gigs with.
While that happened, on 7/2 was the Jazz Start Performance for us students at the Union. Three bands got to play two songs that is either jazz or songs that was "jazzed" up by us students. I can't really explain everything of that night, but I got to meet new teens and adults that are either locally or far away in Michigan. I was sad when some of them had to go back to other cities in Michigan.
Fireworks is fun and dangerous at the same time at a near distance. For example, two large fireworks exploded at about 30 feet that made my head spin and ears ring by a little bit. It was fun and excited to see and light the light show. Many of you would say that you have done the same thing, got for you, as long it is fun to do.
So that is my week. I hope you all had a good week and a fourth of July.
Thank you for reading this and keep a look out for the next post of my life.
Peace out brother and sisters. -MNM

Two Parties in One Day

Two parties in one day, it not the first time that I have done that. To begin with, I went to a graduated friend of mine named Joey. He is a cross country and track runner for his four years in high school. There were many familiar faces at his party; many which are graduate friends and current high school friends. The weather was gloomy and dark clouded for about one hour, until the sun came up to settle down the scene.
Just looking at Joey's school year pictures made me surprised on how much he has changed throughout the years. For two years I have known him through school and cross country. Now that he graduated, he is moving on to University of Michigan Dearborn.
The other party that I went to on that same day, was a concert of Keith Hall's Summer Drum Intensive (there was a second week for pro/advanced players to participate) at the Union, same location where week one people performed at. It started at 7pm and ended at around 10:40pm; just hours of drums, piano, bass, singing, and trumpet were heard. There were two new piano players and one new bass player that I have not met before, Sam was the only bass player that stayed with the Keith Hall for the second week. The restaurant was packed with strangers and familiar faces that night. Some were my drum friends and others were the staffs [including Keith Hall]. It has been a week since I have last seen them. A pleasure welcome came from them as I stayed with the concert and to learn from the pros on the drums. Among the students, there was a 67 year old man who could really play just like that with no problem. I was surprised by that and showed me that the elder still has the stuff in playing instruments today.
I was glad for participating those two parties for a day. Seeing people that I will see again in the future through running or playing jazz. It was a pleasure in making a good friendship with them for years to come.
Thank you for reading this and keep a look out for the next post of my life.
Peace Out Brothers and Sisters- MNM

Yesterday was a special day for a family member of mine. It was my grand-father’s birthday; which I got to talk to yesterday. It is a pleasure to hear some family members all the way from Texas, a state that I have lived 2 years of my life. Most of my family members live there, which I wish I could stay for a while there.

Anyway, my family and I got to call him and sing happy birthday. My little sister drew a couple of cute characters that she learned to draw in her online drawing class. My dad sent it by email to one of my uncles for him to give to my grand-father. We have another gift to send, it is a song that I chose to play; Hey Brother by Avicii. I play the guitar, my dad plays the piano, and my little sister sings. We got to rehears it today in our “music studio” in our basement. We were able to record the song and we got this man. 

Along with the present for my grand-father, I called my aunt from Colorado to check up with her from her knee surgery and how things are going for her ever since we left to Michigan. For the past couple of months, our lives has been different, but hearing each other’s voice made me feel that I recently seen her. It was good and such a pleasure.

The next post will be about what I got the do today.

The Truth About our World

Do you think your country is "good"? Well guess what; I disagree with it. There are a very few country that are "good" in certain categories, such as Science & Technology, Culture, Int'l Peace & Security, World Order, Planet & Climate, Prosperity &Equality, and Health &Wellbeing. My dad sent me this article to read and understand which country does the most "good" in those categories.

Ideas.Ted.Com is the website that is in on.
However, just because that country does the most "good", doesn't mean that its people and other countries are doing "good" deeds. As the author said in two main quotes: "Countries still behave as if they weren't connected; they still measure their performance entirely inwards" and "Countries perform better and better, but the world and planet and humanity in general are getting worse and worse." 

Take consider and read the article above to understand what the writer is trying to tell every single on of us. I could tell you one thing, as a human being of this one only home planet, we are far from complete and perfect; we need to change almost everything in our minds and what we do towards everything. Technology, politics, culture, health, climate, world order, and much more that I could go on and on right now, needs to be fixed right now and for further on. There is a key to do that; it just starts with a step out into the world and dig your way into society to find good and mindful people that are trying to make a difference in this unfinished world.  There are people out there, such as me, that want to change the world in a way that may require some arms and legs (just a metaphor), but the reward/outcome could be or is something beyond our dreams and what we get from our "lazy-way" rewards.

Take a moment right now, and think what you could make a difference in this world; it doesn't have to be big, start off small actions then to big actions, from yourself-to your family-your friends (locally or foreign)-your community-your state-your country-your world. Dream big that is good for yourself and to the world, both humans and nature.

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" -Eleanor Roosevelt

What a Bang Good Time

Last week was nothing but drums and beat. I was in Keith Hall's Drum Experience camp for a week at Western University campus.  I learned new drumming that will help me the next time I play drums (jazz mainly). The staffs were very nice to help and teach students how to drum like the pros. I also made lots of new friends that I hope to see them again in next years drum camp and in life. They taught me to have courage in my play, which I did on two performance dates at the Union.

This video was on the first performance date at the Union. I was playing Green Chimneys'

I can't upload due to the slow process. Above is one of the three videos. Hope you like it. I will try it again in the future for you to see my full performance.

Peace Out Brothers and Sisters- MNM

That Was Fast, Too Fast

Sorry for the late post after school. I had plans up rolling for the summer. So to put it short, the school year was fast that I could just blink three times and that would be it. We did have some snow days that moved the end of the school day further, but not much to replace all of it. I did more activities inside and outside of school for my sophomore year; one advanced class, cross country (fall sport) and golf (spring sport), more spending with anime club, and much more jazz gigs at different locations. Those were the main activities that I enjoyed and throughout the school year, I got to learn lessons that I will need in the future and throughout my life.
Currently right now, I am in this drum camp called Keith Hall Summer Drum Intensive (you could learn more about him on this link). I learning the drum's way of playing and feel for every hit of the drum stick. The camp is six days; four days at Western Michigan University and two performance days at the Union (the same place where my high school jazz band performed once). So far, I am really enjoying the experience of playing and learning. New friends and teachers that I make, which I call them drum buddies. I can't explain the experience, but it is something that you should try in the future or right now.
Yeah, that is all I could say.
Peace out brothers and sisters-MNM

Such a Drive Able Week

This week has been fast, just too fast. First off, my dad and grandmother made it here from Colorado to Texas, then Texas to Michigan in a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. They traveled day and night in a jeep that was given to me from my grandfather. They arrived in Michigan on May 26 at around 5 pm. Such a great pleasure for my grandmother to come visit for a while until next Tuesday. For now, my own car is now here and I can start driving to school without riding worrying about transportation. I can ride it any where that I need and want to go.
The seats are very comfortable and the interior is my favorite part of the car. Such seats, radio, and everything else that I love about my jeep. It is a good jeep to drive and do many things. I got to add my new licence plate and my cross country sticker to the back of the car. Soon, I will start adding more decorations and items on the exterior and the interior of the jeep. I will post a picture of my jeep maybe in the future, for now, I don't want to just show off.
Any way, I sent a letter to my grandfather to thank him for giving on of his cars to me to drive and have fun in life. I also thanked my dad and mom for doing the payment of the car and for my grandmother to watch over it in Colorado until my dad came by to pick it up. I thank them with all my heart. That moment was a special moment in my chapter book for my 16th chapter (16 years I am right). Driving and experiencing the technology of the jeep was an experience that felt like energy channeling through my veins. Even though it is not as gas efficiency as today's car, it it still has a good gas per mile for now, until I plan to make it cleaner and using a different fuel.
So yeah, my grandmother is here and my jeep is here too. This week has been good, along with the Band Award Banquet and school. Life right now is going what I wanted it to be, good challenges that will push you to do many things and work harder, and receive good rewards depending on the type of challenge you do. Now my next thing I have to do is waiting for my parents to make a card that I will only use for paying my gas of my car, and take care of my car regular inspections. I know that there are other teens out there that is experiencing similar things that I am experiencing.    

What a Wonderful Day

This day is a day that is one of my best days that I shall not forget. To start of the day off, I went with 80 people to  the Fort Custer National Cemetery to honor the American soldiers and to the German prisoners who died. We placed flags in front of gravestones, the American flag for American gravestones, and the German flag for German gravestones. Along the way, students who's family member's gravestone is there, they could go to the gravestone and honor him/her. I was quiet for the whole time there to show respect to the people who ricked their lives for the U.S. I nearly cried to see the gravestones because I want to go to my great great uncle's gravestone on the East Coast of the U.S. and have a quiet moment with him in peace. After we honored them, we went to the Battle Creek VA Medical Center Home to give our Veterans (the ones that we interviewed about a month ago) our reports of their life before, during, and after their service. My Veteran that me and my group got to interview, his name is Mike. We ate lunch with him and he told us some stories of his life. While he was telling his life, he got to look at my group's notebook and see our hard work in every single word. I don't know how many pages the two people in my group did, but I did thirteen (13) pages from the imagery paragraph, all the way to today. I would say this, the Living History Project was the longest, hardest, and most fun project that I have ever done in my life. While working on the project, I got to learn history of the important events in the Vietnam War and take that into Mr. Mike's experience. Every word I typed, the more I wish to do forever. I can't explain everything, but I can tell you this, it is a once in a life time experience.

After lunch, we got to explore Fort Custer Training Center by looking at a heavy duty truck that is used to deliver supplies to their ally army. I got to sit inside of it and feel what it is like to drive that technology. While we were doing that, we final our visit by taking a picture near a tank. That was not it though, a teacher got to tell the top five people (out of the 80 people) who made their project the best, and I was one of them. What a surprising moment to hear my name been called.

There is also a back side that says: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage, and much more

After that nice morning and afternoon experience that I will hold on forever, we returned to school to continue with our normal day. 

At around 6 pm, I came back to school and had marching band experience for an hour. We just worked with marching and our way of playing for the memorial day parade coming up on Monday May 26. There are some things that we need to work on, but we are doing good so far.

I did not leave after rehearsal, but I went to the Loy Norrix High School Spring Choir Concert (their final concert) to top off my day.  The groups did a great job! I was crying and smiling the whole time. They sung some of my favorite songs: The Road Home- Stephen Paulus, You Raise Me Up- Rolf Lovland, Pompeii- Bastille, Roar- Katy Perry, and Happy- Pharrell Williams. There are many other songs they played, but you got the idea of the concert.

What a day I had today, my life has changed now. This day is what I will hold on forever in my heart and mind. Thank you for supporting me on making this day the best day, I hope I did the same thing for everyone else who came on the trip, in the high school marching band, and the high school choir. Good night everyone, sweet dreams. 

I See You

Yesterday, I got to try some contacts for the first time in my lifetime and replace one of my glasses' glass with new ones (with more focus). The first time I wore them, it was like I got new eye balls with better vision and I don't have to worry about an object to fix every so often. I am so happy with the contacts, that I definitely really want to use future on, also have glasses to use in golf and in certain environments. Right now, I am still getting use to them in my eye, but I know I can do it.
How many of you have contact lenses right now?

A Mission to Drive

For the past couple of days, many things happened (just like for many of you). School was the first thing, or the main focus for me, music was the second, and relaxation was the third. Everything else are just minor  things, such as organizing my emails, cleaning my room, or just blogging (like right now), that would do whenever I am free (free time is during relaxation time). That is not important, the point it, something special happened two days ago; I finally got my licence plate!
What joy I had to have my own personalize plate for my own car, which will come by the end of this month (May), from all the way from Colorado. Right now, I am just waiting and driving my dad's car to school and to high school golf practice every so often. Driving by myself is something that I am getting used to everyday from driving my dad's car. Soon, I will need it when I get older in my life. Driving skills are coming to play for me, meaning that I am using what I learned from EZWAY driving class from last year (1 1/2 years possibly) and using it to develop a good driving habit, just like they want young drivers to develop.
I still have yet to improve on, but time is still with me. In mean time, here is a picture of my licence plate.

MISSION: Clean the world one run at a time

MISSION: Run mini/marathon races throughout my lifetime

MISSION: Help the people that need help

MISSION: Create my Pick'n Run business 

MISSION: Create my own automobile company that uses recycled materials 

MISSION: Play all the types of saxophones 

MISSION: Play all the instruments around the world

MISSION: Travel around the world

MISSION: Create more missions

Even Though I Didn't Run, I Did Get to Play Jazz and Dance

What I got to experience would be the last jazz gig that my Loy Norrix Jazz Band would have a gig this school year, unless we have more. The total amount of gigs that we performed was five:

• WMU Jazz Invitational- Western University (Dalton Hall)
•  Chenery Auditorium- "All City Concert"
•  Thornapple Arts Jazz Festival- Hastings, MI
• Loy Norrix Concert (at our high school)
•  KPS Jazz Night w/ Guest Artist Jeremy Siskind- The Union Cabaret & Grille  

This is our set up at the Union Cabaret & Grille today from 4-6pm

Today was a special day however, we had a special guest named Jeremy Siskind who plays the piano around the world. Such a nice guy to be with and to play music, just like he did with our band, with Kalamazoo Central Band, and with our jazz teachers. If I had a recording of the gig, you would tell how we felt playing with him.

What our band  performed is what we performed for our other gigs. For this gig, we played the following with the soloists who played: 

1. Just Squeeze Me by Duke Ellington, arranged by Jim Martin- Allegra Kistler (Trombone), Sam Ratliffe (Alto Saxophone), Michael Deaton (Trumpet), Lamya Tipton (Bass)
2. I Can't Get Started by Vernon Duke, arranged by Jim Martin- Sam Ratliffe (Alto Saxophone)
3. Doxy by Sonny Rollins, arranged by Mark Taylor - Me (Tenor Saxophone), Sam Ratliffe (Alto Saxophone)
4. Joy Spring by Clifford Brown, arranged by Jack Montrose- Jeremy Siskind (Piano)
5. Now's the Time by Charlie Parker- Me (Tenor Saxophone), Sam Ratliffe (Alto and Bari Saxophone), Allegra Kistler (Trombone), Michael Deaton (Trumpet), Madison Preston (Piano), Lamya Tipton (Bass), Noah Machin (Drums), and Jeremy Siskind (Piano)

After our time with the audience, it was KC time, which they have a bigger band than ours. They performed about the same amount of songs as we did, also with Jeremy. What enjoyment we gained from that performance. What was the real surprise was that our jazz teachers got to play with Jeremy and with a junior drummer in WMU a song that I don't know what it is called. My group were screaming crazy for their performance.

Jeremy gave a everyone a special treat in the last performance by playing a love song that he made not too long ago. What feeling I had from the song that I wonder, but I did not worry about that.

What a day it was with a start by watching runners from the Kalamazoo Marathon run by our house. All the way to a peaceful night just adding a post to my blog. Tomorrow is going to be fresh for me in school and I can't wait.