Andre Cabrales

It's 12 days after the other interns at Lost Canyon have left... 12! Feels a lot longer than that. Miss them all

This summer was all about letting go... and letting GOD. I didn't realize how controlling I was... I'm naturally a fixer. Once I give up control... God does his thing... his will is done... adventures happen.

Now I'm headed to do things I would have never imagined... I'm moving to Tahoe... where it snows... a lot. I bought boots (seriously?... not really my jam).

I'm still enjoying my time here at Lost Canyon. Got to do some cool hiking the past few weeks.

Went to the highest point in AZ... Humphrey's!
The next week we hike the entire west fork trail... about 12-14 miles... pretty much walked from Flag to Sedona.

Still trying to enjoy my time at the LC. Be home on the first!

How long has it been? anyways....

Been doing the intern thing since the beginning of May. This is completely different from last year. Last year it was all about just doing the internship... this year it was to figure out if I wanted to come on staff.

The position that opened up at Woodleaf (which I did not get) was the catalyst for figuring out if I was really down to do staff. It took me about a month to wrestle with the idea. It's not so easy for me to just get up and go. I mean... it is... BUT.... it isn't.

I wholeheartedly love where I'm at. My fam is awesome, my friends are more than I could wish for, the spiritual community I have is phenomenal; there's a lot that is keeping me in Phoenix. Love that city.

On the other hand, I really have nothing keeping there. No babies, no future baby mama, no house.

I just got done interviewing at Mountain Lodge; some cabin at Lake Tahoe (freakin Lake Tahoe!). It's gorgeous there. If I get the job: I'd be there from November to May, I'd get a ski pass, and a stipend every month. Pretty legit.

But the situation is a total catch 22. If I take the job, my heart will be broken because I'm leaving the place I love. If I don't take the job, my heart will be broken because I'm not taking the opportunity to possibly love my job.

Also, my fam just came to see me here at Lost Canyon. It was tough to see them leave. Very tough.

So... If I'm offered this position... I will have to give it up to the big man.

It feels like I'm growing up

So... the new bill is very controversial... But here's the kicker... everyone is acting like this is a NEW type of law.

Laws like this have been around for over a hundred years... talking about anti-MEXICAN laws.

Here's what I have against these these pieces of legislation being passed.

The sentiments that are geared towards Mexicans and Mexican-Americans are vastly negative. The conservative correspondence (who are PAYED to ENTERTAIN) have a duty to excite and rally certain ideals... and a lot of these ideals are grounded in false accusations.

I have seen NO evidence of illegal immigrants able to take advantage of social security, medicare and other SOCIAL services... they CANNOT take advantage of such things. They do however contribute greatly to such services because they attain social security numbers to work (they don't even claim returns!).

The fallacy of criminal activity being greater in areas populated by illegal immigrants (how do they document these things first off?...no idea) is true... BUT statistically... so are ALL lower income areas. Illegal immigration does NOT raise crime rate (cum hoc fallacy). I could also assume that being from a lower income area means you're a criminal? I cannot... and will not.

The beaners are taking your jobs!? Well... you simply have the choice of not employing or refusing to give your money to companies that employ illegal aliens. If there was not a need for cheap labor, people wouldn't hire them. This has been the case for a hundred years... need for cheap labor will by satisfied by those who are willing to work for those wages. The western US was BUILT by mexican and chinese muscle... not good ol apple pie Americans. If you want more jobs in the US... spend your money on companies and products that produce in the US... force companies to bring production back the US! Anyone who bleeds red white and blue should stop shopping at walmart and buy local and/or US made products. Then and only then will companies be forced to move production back on US soil. It seems as though US citizens have become victims of circumstances we have created for ourselves.

I hate it when there is someone who says "Well... THEY're still Illegal"
This type of rhetoric leads me to believe that the person using this type of language is doing more than generalizing a group. Language like using THEY is separating one group from yourself... like pointing a finger... is almost always trying to belittle or dehumanize. The US was founded by people who are not indigenous to this CONTINENT and the ones who are indigenous are illegal?
It is also assuming that the land we live in was always ours... most of America was STOLEN. Mexico was forced to sign the Treaty of Hidalgo... which has been agreed upon over and over again to be and unconstitutional treaty.

SO... I fail to recognize the severity of Illegal Immigration. I do however agree that illegal immigrants who commit crimes should be deported and/or dealt with like any other criminal. Of course the drug trade has a lot to do with the BROWN SCARE... so here's an idea... stop the supply of drugs to the US by not DOING drugs. Seems like we're angry over something we are creating for ourselves... there wouldn't be a supply if there weren't a demand.

Things I believe should be enacted are great ideas such as the Dream Act (Give an incentive to children of illegal aliens to become OUTSTANDING citizens... higher education and the military... two things this country seems to be very fond of). Immigration reform... as citizens, workers can help raise minimum wage and make wages more competitive for EVERYONE... undocumented workers do not usually have any voice to fight for wages for fear of being turned in.

I believe that corporations are more to blame for lack of jobs than the Illegal population... I believe that Illegal immigrants have every right and should be given every chance to become citizens... I believe that anti-mexican laws make the US look selfish... I believe that anti-mexican laws turns the US against ALL hispanics. Most arguments in deep favor of SB1070 I read are from Americans who don't understand the gravity of or know the history of racism/alienation of hispanics in the US... Never had to deal with racism or discrimination.... IT IS REAL... IT DOES EXIST... THESE LAWS NOT ONLY ADD TO THE TURMOIL BUT ALSO ENABLE AND PERPETUATE IT.