Your Voice. Your Community. Your news.
Volume 4 Issue 4
June 2014
Serving the Inland Empire Communities
It’s Time for VACATION!!!! Don’t we all deserve a vacation? Spring and summer is the perfect time to take a vacation. Its nice to take some time away from the regular routine of life and relax. Sometimes life is like a broken CD it keeps playing the same tune over and over; The feeling of rushing here and there; the feeling of being overworked; and the list goes on and on. If we stop and listen to what’s being said to us the message will be loud and clear in saying “I need a vacation”, “I need to stop and take a vacation” thats what it all boils down to. A vacation doesn’t have to be for weeks it can be for a few days or weeks. Anytime one can get away and relax will help, a change in pace will alway help. Vacation months are here and the most organized of families have already made their summer vacation
plans. There is still time to plan your vacation; it’s not too late, most schools have a break so the whole family can go. Vacations can help keep us healthier, can relieve stress and can enable us to recharge our batteries in order to regain some energy. Studies have shown that people who take more vacations show more satisfaction with their lives and less stress overall. Vacations can help bond marriages and families while allowing everyone to spend uninterrupted, quality time together. Taking a break can enables us to return to our lives refreshed and better equipped to handle whatever comes our way. As far as the economy, lets not talk about that, for most of us know when we want to do something we can and will find the means in which to do it. A vacation can be local, statewide or countrywide. How much a family vacation costs depends on a lot of variables, starting with how long you plan to vacation and whether you will drive or fly. Choice of lodging also makes a big difference, as does what you plan to do and where you plan to eat. A road trip can be a vacation in itself. Perfect vacation for the family. It’s not about going to a destination it’s about what you do on the way. It doesn’t matter where, just take a vacation. To keep a vacation affordable, check with local tourist offices and websites for destination-city deals and coupon books as well as information on free events. If you put in the time and do your homework your vacation will be a
success. Remember, kids are often happier when the trip is not completely jam-packed. Sometimes the best thing for kids is to let them have their free time in a park or playground. Another great vacation idea could also be a camping trip. Maybe it’s a visit to Grandma’s house where you have free room and board and you’ve got money to explore the attractions in that city and they can enjoy Grandma’s parks and hang out by the pools. Sometimes all it takes is being creative and gathering ideas to make a great vacation. Summer will be over before you know it so get busy planning and get packing.
Your Graduation Day Happy Graduation Day to all graduates locally and across our great United States of America! We are celebrating millions of graduations throughout 2014 at universities, community colleges, vocational schools, computer learning centers, Regional Occupational Centers, trade schools, and such. We want to acknowledge every graduate, not wanting to miss anyone. We are proud of your accomplishments, and wish you much success in your future plans. Let me share a journey that might encourage all of us, regardless of age. Writer Julie Zauzmar filed a story that recently appeared in the Washington Post about Mrs. Mia Norton, a native of Pusan, South Korea. Mia met her husband while he was stationed as an Army soldier there. He was transferred to another military assignment in Virginia in 1976. “The year of the bicentennial, “ Mia says proudly. Even though she barely spoke English at the time, Mia loyally accompanied him to the USA. Nearly 40 years ago, Mrs. Norton started taking classes at Northern Virginia Community College (informally NOVA). Unfortunately, a busy life -- two children, a book club, trumpet lessons, a water volleyball team, and a job in a gardening shop that Mia eventually bought and managed as Mia’s Garden Center for about 20 years – caused Mia to place her schooling on a back burner for years. As a devoted mother, Mia felt that financing her
children’s education took precedence over her own. When student Mia Norton won a typing contest at NOVA, she realized how much she loved being in the classroom. “I was very, very happy. I was so surprised,” she explained. “If I continue in school, I will be happy. I want to be happy.” From time to time, Mia enrolled in NOVA classes, focusing on music. Mrs. Norton sang in Italian recitals, and played small roles in campus stage productions. Mia admitted, “I don’t learn right away. I try hard. I try 100 times harder than other students because of English.” In 2006, thirty years after arriving in America, Mia earned her Associate’s Arts degree in Music at NOVA, but she was not finished. This Dumfries, Virginia resident then enrolled in nearby George Mason University to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater. She spent many extra hours in GMU tutoring centers. When Mia enrolled in American history and classical mythology courses, she went to the library to check out children’s books on these topics. “I saw all the pictures – so interesting!” she exclaimed. “I recommend people, when they have a hard time to study, history is the same story in children’s books.” Last month, at age 79, Mrs. Norton became the oldest person to earn an undergraduate degree from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Mia shared, “My goal was to finish my degree
By Ethel Miller
when I turned 80.” It took eight years of GMU classes and a lifetime of experience, yet Mia beat her goal by a year. Still full of ambition, Norton will continue her studies by enrolling in an introductory Italian language class this summer. Mia hopes to visit Italy someday. I hope Mia Norton’s journey inspires some of you to enroll, to stay in the academic chase, and to graduate. One might ponder and ask, “Is the commitment is worth it?” After all, advanced schooling brings a hefty price tag, and demands a load of time. Please do not allow these concerns to discourage you from fulfilling your academic goals. Here are a few valuable tips for exploring more of your educational options: If you are presently attending school, consult with career counselors and advisors regarding fees and expenses, potential financial assistance, and
comparisons of applicant acceptance rates for schools and programs that interest you. Research government programs such as: the California Department of Rehabilitation, CalWORKs, Workforce Investment Act funding, and for military veterans, the G. I. Bill. Plus, there are civic, community-based, private, and faith-based organizations offering assistance. So check out the American Legion, the Rotary Club, the Jaycees, the Lion’s Club, Boosters clubs, and the like. Often, local chapters offer scholarships for high school students in
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