New Year Resolution

December 31s, 2014 was my last day working the bank. I had decided that after 2 years, it was time for me to move on and pursue my interest in the field of education. I was content with what I did at the bank. Although it was a field I never thought I’d pursue, I made many great friends and relationships, and helped out the best I could to make sure people had a great banking experience. Every once in a while, I would get someone who thought they were a big shot, and could tell me how to do my job, or threatened to talk to my manager,but I would usually get support from my co-workers that I did nothing wrong. I did contemplate these last few weeks of whether I should really leave this secured position to one that was unsecure, but I had to take the chance of being happy
I woke up every morning dreading the thought of having to put on my uniform consisting of black pants, button down ironed-shirt, black shoes and socks and drag myself to my car. My drive wasn’t far, but I would still say a small prayer in my head to calm myself down because all I could think about was the negativity. This negativity got to the point where I wasn’t smiling, I wasn’t greeting customers, and I would just look like I didn’t want to be there; a sour-puss if I may say. I was gaining weight, I lacked motivation in myself, and I was questioning God and contemplating what I would do with my life. Was I destined to work this job forever and never try to pursue other interests? Would I just get by at this job and keep looking for internal opportunities? Would my attitude eventually get me fired? This all changed whenever my wife told me there was a Journalism teacher opening in her school district. This interest to go into education had been lingering for a few years now and I never had the nerve to pull the trigger. Sure I got the opportunity to substitute for almost a full school year, but I really needed to start making money so I jumped on the first full-time job that was offered to me. It wasn’t until my wife told me about the Journalism opening, that all the signs hit me in the face. That opportunity could lead to joy and happiness, whether I received the position or not. Once I picked the alternative certification program that was best for me, they gave me the green light to pursue. I didn’t get the job because I applied the same day the position was filled, but I remained optimistic. The certification program is allowing me to test in English Language Arts and Special Education, so if I can pass those content exams, I can apply for jobs in those specific areas. That is my goal, but in the meantime, I accepted a position in HISD as an hourly lecturer to help me gain full-time experience in education and see if I want to continue in this field. So far, it has been rewarding; I don’t have that feeling of dragging myself out of bed, I don’t feel miserable while I’m at work, nor do I have to worry about people yelling and threatening me. I control what I do, although I have my supervisors directing me where to go and who to help, but this is at my pace and I can help change these students. I can help them learn and become civilized adults that won’t yell at you at your place of work, or that won’t threaten you, or who won’t talk down at what you do. I have a chance to better the future in what I am doing. At the bank, I didn’t feel that need, I just saw it as a business, and the business needs money to get ahead. Here, I am a mentor, a teacher; someone who can mold the mind of the students and help them see what I see in society and hopefully they would want to change that view. These students don’t know my name or who I am yet, but they see me, they recognize my face and know that I will not be deceived or run-over in my path to be happy and enjoy my new found career. My New Year resolution is just that, I will continue to pursue the field of education. I will meet new people, make new friends, share our dreams and goals and we will make the best of what we’re given and all be agents of change.

Dallas vs. Houston and RESPECT

I enjoy a good gentlemen's bet every once in a while, so that's what I decided to do when the Houston Texans showed up on the Dallas Cowboys 2014 football schedule. Fans throughout the state always trash talk about who is the better team, and if there was a preseason championship trophy, the Houston Texans would win it because they always beat the Cowboys in the preseason. But, unfortunately, the preseason doesn't count Texans fans. They think they are God's gift to the state of Texas, a team people can put there hope in after several years of defeat as a Cowboys fan. They haven't had a team since the Oilers decided to pack up and move to Tennessee, so who can blame them? Yes they have a very gifted team and were a few plays away from going to the Super Bowl in their 12 year existence a few seasons ago. I remember it like it was yesterday when they revealed the Houston Texans logo and new team. It's what the city of Houston needed to shock some life into the city. I mean come on, the Rockets weren't a playoff team and the Houston Astros were better off playing in a high school arena. When the Texans came to Houston, it sparked a whole new, needed rivalry for the state of Texas and rights to who would be the better team for years to come.

The first encounter with the Texans was rough, they did beat the Cowboys in their very first meeting back in 2002, and just like the Olympics, only play each other in the regular season every four years. Since, Dallas has beaten the Texans twice, leaving the rivalry at 2-1 Dallas. I have been a Cowboys fan since they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1995 Super Bowl. My father has always been a fan, my family members the same, so I carried the tradition. My wife is from Houston, and all her family members are Houston Texans fans. All of my co-workers are Texans fans, so it should only seem right to have a bet with a fan. Besides respect on the line, we each bet a jersey of the winning team and the loser has to sport the winner's team on social media. I drew up the contract in about 15 minutes, we both signed and had the document verified for fun. I told all my family and friends that me and a co-worker had a bet going for the game. Me and him were very nervous come game-day and once the game started, the nervousness grew instantly.

The game was interesting from the start, with both teams turning the ball over. I'm watching the game at my in-laws house with six Texans fans, just me and my wife supporting the Cowboys. As the game drags on recklessly, Cowboys strike first with a field goal. Texans strike with the first touchdown of the game to go up 7-3. The second-half is when the game got really interesting as the Cowboys took a 17-10 lead with 5 minutes to go in the fourth. I thought the game would be over up, until the Texans defense forced the Cowboys to punt with not much time ran off the clock. Texans went to work fast as they tied it up, but with 40 seconds left, it looked like Dallas was about to upset. Dan Bailey missed a 55 yard field goal to win the game, letting the time expire. At the start of over-time, the Texans had won the coin toss and I thought for sure the game was theirs. Reluctantly, Dallas was able to force them to a three and out situation and get the ball back. Everyone in the house was on the edge of their seat as Dallas started moving the ball, and then boom! Tony Romo, the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys hit his target, Dez Bryant, for a long-yard bomb, setting the Cowboys up to kick a field-goal and that was all we needed when Dan Bailey finally hit the game-winning field goal. My wife's family was pretty devastated when the ball passed the two yellow, giant goal posts. No words were exchanged, except for a hand-shake out of respect, and well, I have a new jersey added to my collection. How bout' them Cowboys!

Difficulty with the Times

Being a writer is something I thought would be easy. I constantly tell myself "You'll write this time, you'll write this time," but "this time," never happens and I go months without writing anything. My wife is constantly telling me that in order to get where I want to go, I need to write all the time. Sounds easy coming from her and although she motivates me to want to get to a computer and put my thoughts into words, I procrastinate very much. I do find writing to be relaxing and stress relieving, much like letting all those bottled up thoughts out into air for society to enjoy. Here goes another chapter in my life that needs to be expressed. This post isn't for sports or a sports topic, it's for me to get out that necessary pressure that I have stored up.
Life has been well for me, but like any other person who is bored, I want something else, something new and refreshing to wake up to every morning. I do not have that now, but I do love the people I work with and enjoy expressing ideas and creativeness. (I apologize if any of this is "improper" grammar, but I need to get my mind used to writing)The financial industry is very stressful, but every once in a while I get a customer that is of great interest. For example, he likes to share his thoughts about his wife who is deceased, his projects that he is working on at home, (he's a carpenter) and how life was in education. He definitely is one of my favorite customers and I enjoy every time he graces me with his presence. Then you'll get an arrogant person who believes that they make all the money in the world and if I don't refund a fee, they'll take their business elsewhere. I get it, you're upset because banking used to be free, but guess what? People cheated the system so the government had to regulate to make sure checks and balances are in place so people can't cheat. Regardless if you take your business elsewhere, you'll get the same, if not worse, treatment. We are all adults, or at least act like we are, so as adults, we should hold each other responsible for our own actions and not blame others like your bank. You as a customer choose to over spend or miscalculate money you thought you had in your account, so guess what, you got a fee for that. It's the same thing you tell your children, you have to learn from your mistake and suffer the consequence. If there are no consequences, then life is going to be super easy, but it is not.
Enough bickering, I just needed to express that. Now, I am in search of a new career, but have had no luck obtaining it. Like I said, I enjoy the financial industry, it has it's perks, but it does not pay enough and the hours can be ridiculous (I know I am there for 9 maybe 10 hours a day, but am only getting paid for 8) and customers issues can also be ridiculous. The people I work with are interesting, fun and each add a unique aspect to the business. They are what make me want to get up every morning and go to work. They tell some of the best stories, and are truly a family when it comes to their connection. Maybe if I would have been at this location in the beginning, I would find my line of work much interesting. It is definitely going to be tough leaving them.
I've started my search for a new career in the field of education, a few of my college friends are in education, my wife is in education etc. I do find teaching interesting, but I don't want summer vacation to be the only reason why I teach. I lack passion, desire and focus right now. I want instant gratification, but I know it will not happen. Why do I feel like working towards something is so difficult? Why am I in this funk and cannot get out? Maybe if I keep a constant focus on writing, it will lead to more productivity. I wanted to be a journalist for some reason; I want to explore, uncover, teach and be a story-teller. I want to have meaning in my career again. So here it goes, again, I will become a more productive writer and find the time to let my thoughts flow into this keyboard.

Belgium vs. USA in Knockout Round of 2014 World Cup

We are just a few hours away from kickoff where the Belgium men's national soccer team will face off against the USA men's national team. Anticipation has been building up to this matchup because most soccer fans did not believe that USA could make it out of the "Group of Death" where they went 1-1-1;a 2-1 win versus Ghana,2-2 tie versus Portugal, and a 2-1 lose to Germany, but due to their total goal score, was able to succeed to the next round.

The Belgium team will be another difficult task in the way of team USA, and while soccer analysts are counting them out, some good news for team USA is that forward Jozy Altidore could be back out to play for his country. Altidore went down with a hamstring pull during the opening minutes of the Ghana match and was questionable for the remainder of the group matches. According to news sources, he should be able to play, whether as a starter or finisher remains to be seen.

If team USA can get Altidore out on the field, then he could be very beneficial in a scoring position since Clint Dempsey has been carrying most of the load. Michael Bradley has been a solid midfielder for team USA, but he should not be depended on to score, although that is what he has been trying to do since Altidore went down. Other players have stepped up to help out, but this is going to have to be a full on assault if team USA wants to make it out.

My prediction is that this game will be won 1-0 going to team USA in extra time, with the potential to go into penalty kicks. Belgium is not going to lay down and let USA just win, they have reached this point for a reason, and that has been great team play. USA needs to have the countries support if they want to continue in the 2014 World Cup tournament.

Return of the Writer

It has been a little over a year since my last post, but definitely a lot has happened in that time frame. I was fortunate to celebrate my one year marriage anniversary, I became a personal banker with JP Morgan Chase, I continue my service for the Houston Dynamo as an Intern and I continue to enjoy all the activities that have happened in the sporting world.

The Miami Heat retained their NBA title, Jason Collins became the first openly gay player to play in the NBA, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the Daytona 500 for his second time, the Seattle Seahawks won their first NFL championship by demolishing the Denver Broncos. My Tenure with Act Badd productions did not last too long, so we both went separate ways, life as a substitute came to an end, a great discount with Nike brand had to end because I could not live a minimum wage lifestyle and dressing up only to sweat in an Audio Visual technician job just was not cutting it.

Somewhere in this past year, I did not know what I wanted to do. Writing became difficult at every angle, it became a burden to log onto a computer, have it boot-up and get into the feeling of writing. My mind became very cloudy and full of some many ideas that I did not know how to put it all into thought or figure a way to let my mind float through a keyboard. It was not until moments ago while I sat on my throne, glancing at my GQ magazine with Lebron James on the cover that I realized I need to get back into the habit. Looking through the magazine photos and brief stories, emotion started to flow, ideas started to generate... a passion started to grow as a pass through each page of beauty and style. Now, I do not have a specific topic that I want to write about, so I will pretty much write about anything and everything that interests, and in turn, hopefully interest my readers, which I will potentially grow.

I may not be filthy rich writing all of these posts, but at least I get to live out my dream and degree and tell wonderful stories through this keyboard. My goal is to reach out to those who are looking for something to pass time and get a good glance at what I have to offer. Will I motivate the next president of the United State? Or reach out to the next big superstar? I do not know. What I do know is that I want to reach out to people who are looking for that next great thing to hold onto and follow. I want to be a writer that loves to write for the better of himself and the community he reached out to. Until next time, this is Chad Sanchez signing off.

Houston Dynamo season underway

 For all the Major League Soccer fans out the, the start of the 2013 MLS season is just around the corner. If you are a Houston Dynamo fan, then wait no more, as the Dynamo take on D.C. United at BBVA Compass stadium in Houston TX. For those who remember, the Dynamo soccer team was in the MLS Finals last season against the L.A. Galaxy, but lost 3-1 in that game. This season, the Dynamo look to make it back to the MLS Finals by working harder this season. Forward Brian Ching, midfielder Brad Davis, defender Bobby Boswell and goalkeeper Tally Hall look to lead the way for the Houston Dynamo on their season opener, March 3rd.

Fuel to get fit:Reviewing the Nike Fuel band

By Chad Sanchez

The Nike+ Fuel band has become a popular trend these days. It has been around for a little under a year, but has seen an increase use from athletes to everyday people just on the run. Very sleek and subtle, the Fuel band has been a sought after toy for anyone trying to track their daily activity, and earn what is called “Fuel points” for a daily goal.

Now at first, the Fuel band wasn’t the easiest thing to use. It had some glitches here and there, and many critics thought it was a very inconsistent device. People laughed at the device in its early stages because its wearer could earn their daily goal by just getting up and walking around, or even typing on a computer all day. The Fuel band works with an algorithm that tracks the wearers arm’s body movement, so people would just wave their arms around and cheat to get points. But the good folks at Nike have worked hard these past few months to ensure that it is indeed a challenge to earn Nike Fuel.

With a few recent updates and some improvements, the Nike+ Fuel band has become a popular device and has indeed made its mark in the sporting world since its release back in February. The Fuel band has its own following and community which allows its user to setup a profile online and track their goals while competing with others in their gender, and age group around the world.The first color it came out in was a jet black color. Activated by a simple button on the side, colored lights would ignite from red, orange, yellow, to green to symbolize that the wearer has reached their goal.

With several advertising campaigns to push the creative Nike product, it has now been released in a “White Ice” and “Black Ice” color because of wide demand, so users don’t have to select just one color to display. Priced at $150, it is definitely a great device for those looking to improve their daily activities whether they are a hardcore athlete, or just trying to get out and be more active.