Hey folks – here’s the video I’ve been promising…it has been a busy month (but in a good way!) Some questions were asked over and over again, others I would rather have YOUR medical doctors or YOUR psychologists answer, and some were too inappropriate and “too twisted for color T.V.” Please note, that I just got back from vacation when I did this a little over a week ago and for the first time in my history, I was “peeling” all over the place (gross alert.) Here are some of the questions…
To ask more questions email me at hluizpresents(at)gmail(dot)com <—this is done to protect the site from spammers, but you have the address.
Just like my 10 and a half year relationship, this site H. Luiz Presents, feels like I’ve been happily involved in it since forever and then at times it feels like I started only yesterday. Now, I’m at my 100th posting and I just can’t believe it. Today was my first radio show and I had a great time (I need to edit some details and I promise that it will be up by this Sunday.)
I have received a lot of support, recognition, and credibility from a bounty of subscribers, friends, and family who are always listening. reading, and talking everyday. I see an appreciation for my hard work as I appreciate the loyal support I found within various Internet communities.
H. Luiz Presents is #1 in Google Search. That’s #1 – searchword h. luiz- out of 9.2 million…yes MILLION!!!! (However, please note, that in in cyberspace, that’s not such a big deal, so I’m told.) But it’s MY big deal, and I must thank you for making that a reality.
In just 3 short months, I have achieved more than I have expected to and I strive to do even more than that. I am so inspired by your comments, emails, phone calls and messages. I am always here to listen, advise, learn, and lend a helping hand whenever I can – I trust that you”ll continue to do the same for me.
I want to thank my immediate family – without them, I know that I am still somebody special, but with them – I am so much more! I was telling one of my extended family members at Christmas that I feel like I get “too much” credit for the wonderful things in my life. Too much credit for the warmth my home gives, too much credit for being a strong academic and sentient being, even too much credit for having an incredible bond with my beautiful son. I said, “I am not so sure people realize that all that I am and all that I offer is nothing more than a direct consequence and reflection of what I’m given by my Partner. My relationship with my Partner makes all that I do possible. It is very easy for me to give so much of myself because I have a comfort zone that you would not believe. I THINK it’s possible for me to do just about anything I set my mind to. Then Henry let’s me KNOW that it’s not possible – it’s more than probable. I have my own wings, my own flight patterns, but Henry is there to guide me (and even catch me when I fall.) You see, it’s pretty easy for me to be me, because he is who he is. So don’t forget: True love, trust, and support is a most-powerful thing to have within a family.
Here’s to 100 postings and much, much more to come!
Straight from the Press Room for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services…
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that a competitive grant program is being offered through Grants.gov for a $1.2 million grant program to support citizenship preparation programs for legal permanent residents.
USCIS, through the competitive grant program, will provide funding to community-based organizations (CBOs) that serve one or more priority immigrant groups in areas of the United States that contain a large representation of the country’s immigrant population.
To be eligible for funding, CBOs must have demonstrated experience in providing citizenship and/or immigration related services to legal immigrants.
If your organization intends to apply for funding under this program, please send an e-mail to citizenshipgrantprogram@dhs.gov by April 15, 2009. To apply for this funding opportunity, visit the Grants.gov Web site at http://www.grants.gov.
We had a blast!!! We are all golden brown – Jonathan is more brownish gold (his hair on his arms, back, and legs turn blond.) We are relaxed, invigorated, and ready for the world. As a bonus, “Customs” did not detain me as they usually do. With a name as common as mine (It’s the equivalent of “John Doe” in Spanish), I am constantly stopped when we return from our international travels (listen to me…the world-traveler – yeah right!)
Anyway, I promise to return all phone calls, voicemails and emails this week and look out for my LAUNCH in April (about two weeks away) with new “bells and whistles” added to the site.
Spoke with a few of the locals (the men who work for the hotel, really) and I found some news, though not unusual, but disturbing.
They say that some US Lawyers are demanding thousands of dollars from their relatives for just “looking” at their cases. They said not one of those relatives has seen a form, statement, piece of paper, nothing. They only “paper” they have are receipts showing they paid in cash about 1 to 2 thousand dollars.
Immigrants, legal or not, are going to some US Lawyers and it’s the lawyers that are extorting monies from them without representation. If you know or see this “practice” being done, please contact the New York State Unified Court System and lodge a complaint: http://www.nycourts.gov/ip/attorneygrievance/complaints.shtml
We’re having a great time in Mexico (especially Jonathan) but there is another side to Spring Break…
I’ve met a young man from Michigan here in Cancun. He appeared to be 18 years old. On his first day in Cancun – he was mugged for his cash and had two blistery black-eyes to prove it. Where did this happen? This did not happen in the dark streets of high-crime Mexico. This happened in the very club he attended – Coco Bongo’s (yeah I said the club’s name – what?)
This club is literally a 5-minute walk from my hotel (same hotel this young kid stayed at) in the heart of Cancun’s hotel zone. I’ve asked, “Some thugs got to you outside?” He said no, it was the officials, the bouncers that worked INSIDE the club. WHAT? He said he was just standing there ordering a drink, felt hands reaching for his pockets, when he turned around – BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM!!!!! Yes…his first night here. Then we see a tall kid (looks 17) and he was wearing bandages on his chin – his second night here, same club, same night, same bouncers.
What is going on, Coco Bongo’s?????
My heart stopped as I thought of my son (who’s with me now in Cancun) attending his first Spring Break in about 2 years when he goes to college. In a way, I’m glad he got to “see” what can happen at “Spring Break” but damn – if you saw that beautiful kid with those two huge black eyes you would die.
Spring-Breakers everywhere, please, be aware of predators who are hunting you for quick American cash even in “so-called” safe locations such as a highly-populated club in Cancun.
Support for the DREAM Act has grown each year since it was first introduced in 2001 during the107th Congress. In past years it has garnered 48 Senate cosponsors and more than 152 Republican and Democratic House cosponsors, more than one-third of the House. It has twice passed the Senate Judiciary Committee in bipartisan fashion, by a 16-3 vote in the 2003–2004 108th Congress, and again in 2006 by a voice vote without dissent as an amendment to the comprehensive immigration reform bill. In May 2006, the DREAM Act passed the full Senate as part of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 (S. 2611). On Oct. 24, 2007, in a 52-44 vote in the Senate, the DREAM Act (S. 2205) fell just 8 votes shy — with four senators absent for the vote — of the 60 votes necessary to proceed with debate on the bill. The DREAM Act continues to attract bipartisan support and now, for the first time, also enjoys the strong backing of the House and Senate leadership, all of the relevant committee chairs, and President Obama. Sen. Dick Durbin (IL) and Rep. Howard Berman (CA) plan to reintroduce the bill in the coming weeks.
It’s a countdown to the “launch” of the site in March 2009. Originally set for Late February, I had to defer due to technical difficulties (mainly human error, mostly admin problems…yes, I’m the admin, but moving on…) so now the month of March is looking good. It is possible that I may still “launch” in late February, but we’ll see how much work progresses from here on in. Wish me luck, now!!
This site has taken so much of my time – and I love it! However, I want to make sure that it does not impact the time I spend with my family. I have been ”ironing out” the kinks (as I previously stated) and every day (or should I say night?) brings another mountain for me to climb and conquer. So far so good though!
I also wanted to mention that I am working on an “ask H. Luiz” portion where you can ask me anything (I’ll decide what’s appropriate) and I’ll even post some of the questions and answers. I also plan to answer some as a video podcast. ’till then – Stay tuned!!
Most of you had heard me talk about it, but it’s finally here – my very own website!!! Although I am due to launch in March 09, I am having a soft-launch to iron out any technical kinks that are sure to arise. I am so happy and I must thank “you all” for giving me the courage to do this very necessary site – Thank You!!
