I was always brought-up with no matter what life can throw at us, some things not planned and/or deserved, to never lose hope, faith (in yourself/humanity), dignity, identity/individuality. That's why I like coming from my really good parents. Right now, I am going through some personal inner-healings from some unfortunate circumstances that occurred while I was living overseas two years ago that by the grace of answered and reciprocated much needed prayers---Some local politicians that even used to know my mom have even come forward to help and see what they can do without a single ounce of politics involved with this, but to think as a human/father/mother to do what they could to put closure to something---especially when I very clearly remember everything that unfortunately occurred even what the scum-bag looked like. I even wrote to a Congressman that sits on another aisle---because I actually title this help/maneuver is help your constituent like a daughter/member of your family/friend. I know if my mom was alive, she would be grateful to know there's a community of people that truly care about me, and that really touches my heart tremendously---forever thankful whatever country/background/race/creed you are whether you are in NJ or elsewhere. And they aren't the ones who would ever put me down, use me for a joke, but know exactly how to make me truly laugh and give genuine hugs---or feel that I should be going about all of this by myself at all.
As one of the ways of real healing, I volunteered to take over the Poetry Nights at the Ridgewood Coffee Company located in Ridgewood, NJ on 90 East Ridgewood Avenue, since the original MC was going off to college. A free forum for anyone to come and express their inner artistic being, collaborate, relax, share, and/or cover/perform original music----wherever the flow takes you----not necessarily even have to perform just come and hang-out. I also continue to volunteer at the Fort Lee Senior Center with a new "Stretch 'n Kick" class for Free---ever since Hurricane Sandy.
Here's the official posting courtesy of one of my former employers from years ago/right after I graduated college---the North Jersey Media Group-----****children are not only encouraged but whole-heartedly welcomed****Unfortunately, due to a mis-communication between the event planner at the cafe and the owner's son---there are no more poetry nights, even though they were short-lived and well attended. Both myself and the person who previously ran them
Another piece of excellence is I was appointed on a committee with the organization: Cancer Care. An excellent non-profit that helps with all sorts of free services for those diagnosed with any types of Cancer and for friends/family members to help cope with their loved one going through some real difficult transitions with Chemo that don't just take a toll on the body, but on the mind. I know after my mom's second brain operation, she was not the same person at all, especially when she lost mobility after a harsh seizure in the hospital on her left side. She was always the type of person to be up and doing things. Watching her suffer took a toll on me, she was my best friend and sometimes my only friend. That's also when our extended family dynamic changed dramatically. When I first worked in Yeongju, South Korea in 2005, I found myself!!! It was the most rewarding feeling to go through was acceptance of her death and experiencing so much beauty in life, especially on another side of the world---never explored to so many that I knew...places I only ever dreamed or read about. Not many can say they back-packed around central/western Japan by themselves, hiked the Great Wall and watched the sunset with only 3 other people to embark in the beauty that is in front of them, hiked the 3rd largest mountain in South Korea twice with some of the greatest friends/individuals I've met but don't at all compare to my second trip to Jeonju----the first time I hiked it was in a hurricane(until I slipped on some rocks and cut my knee, lost the person who invited me-who I met originally at a train station----but made sure to call my host Warren and him so they knew I was in a safe spot---asleep/took a nap on a bus)---the second time---reach the summit, even in rain/gloom/cloudiness to embark in the crisp mountain air. It brought a smile to my face they cancelled some trips recently for whatever the reasons, and I truly wish I am back there since as beautiful as the United States is, certain cities in Asia can feel like home, but by no means are the same. For instance, the skyline of Seoul looks nothing like New York City---vice versa.
Here's some video-clips of when we reached the summit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzv9eVBM_MM&feature=c4-overview&list=UUCrg0k30gbrf6H_SMLAUrFA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asH618cb3cU&feature=c4-overview&list=UUCrg0k30gbrf6H_SMLAUrFA
Granted I went through some hella-mega unfortunate circumstances there, I do not focus on those times----because I had some tremendously great ones to outweigh those!
My Friends (as published originally as a facebook note and to those who would never report me for lying, being a bad friend, or ever hurting a person)
copyright---Lori Michael
For other rape and domestic violence survivors
As published with the Passaic County Women's Shelter
When times are hard
and all you want to do is scream
I'm here for you.
When your heart
feels like its going to errupt,
I'll catch it before it explodes.
When all you want to do
is cry yourself to sleep
I'll be the shoulder to absorb the tears.
When shit hits the fan
and leaves your life in upheaval
I'll help you clean-up the shit.
When life is up in the air
you have no idea where to go
I'll give you direction.
When problems erode your mind
causing friction everywhere
I'll give you reason.
When you can't sleep
from all the stress
I'll be your ear and pillow
When happiness
is hard to find
I'll make you laugh.
When something is said
that you don't agree with
I'll defend you.
when someone calls you
in the middle of the night
I'll be the receiver.
These are the solemn vows
I take and live up to
since there is nothing else
that I strongly value.
As one of the ways of real healing, I volunteered to take over the Poetry Nights at the Ridgewood Coffee Company located in Ridgewood, NJ on 90 East Ridgewood Avenue, since the original MC was going off to college. A free forum for anyone to come and express their inner artistic being, collaborate, relax, share, and/or cover/perform original music----wherever the flow takes you----not necessarily even have to perform just come and hang-out. I also continue to volunteer at the Fort Lee Senior Center with a new "Stretch 'n Kick" class for Free---ever since Hurricane Sandy.
Here's the official posting courtesy of one of my former employers from years ago/right after I graduated college---the North Jersey Media Group-----****children are not only encouraged but whole-heartedly welcomed****Unfortunately, due to a mis-communication between the event planner at the cafe and the owner's son---there are no more poetry nights, even though they were short-lived and well attended. Both myself and the person who previously ran them
Another piece of excellence is I was appointed on a committee with the organization: Cancer Care. An excellent non-profit that helps with all sorts of free services for those diagnosed with any types of Cancer and for friends/family members to help cope with their loved one going through some real difficult transitions with Chemo that don't just take a toll on the body, but on the mind. I know after my mom's second brain operation, she was not the same person at all, especially when she lost mobility after a harsh seizure in the hospital on her left side. She was always the type of person to be up and doing things. Watching her suffer took a toll on me, she was my best friend and sometimes my only friend. That's also when our extended family dynamic changed dramatically. When I first worked in Yeongju, South Korea in 2005, I found myself!!! It was the most rewarding feeling to go through was acceptance of her death and experiencing so much beauty in life, especially on another side of the world---never explored to so many that I knew...places I only ever dreamed or read about. Not many can say they back-packed around central/western Japan by themselves, hiked the Great Wall and watched the sunset with only 3 other people to embark in the beauty that is in front of them, hiked the 3rd largest mountain in South Korea twice with some of the greatest friends/individuals I've met but don't at all compare to my second trip to Jeonju----the first time I hiked it was in a hurricane(until I slipped on some rocks and cut my knee, lost the person who invited me-who I met originally at a train station----but made sure to call my host Warren and him so they knew I was in a safe spot---asleep/took a nap on a bus)---the second time---reach the summit, even in rain/gloom/cloudiness to embark in the crisp mountain air. It brought a smile to my face they cancelled some trips recently for whatever the reasons, and I truly wish I am back there since as beautiful as the United States is, certain cities in Asia can feel like home, but by no means are the same. For instance, the skyline of Seoul looks nothing like New York City---vice versa.
Here's some video-clips of when we reached the summit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzv9eVBM_MM&feature=c4-overview&list=UUCrg0k30gbrf6H_SMLAUrFA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asH618cb3cU&feature=c4-overview&list=UUCrg0k30gbrf6H_SMLAUrFA
Granted I went through some hella-mega unfortunate circumstances there, I do not focus on those times----because I had some tremendously great ones to outweigh those!
My Friends (as published originally as a facebook note and to those who would never report me for lying, being a bad friend, or ever hurting a person)
copyright---Lori Michael
For other rape and domestic violence survivors
As published with the Passaic County Women's Shelter
When times are hard
and all you want to do is scream
I'm here for you.
When your heart
feels like its going to errupt,
I'll catch it before it explodes.
When all you want to do
is cry yourself to sleep
I'll be the shoulder to absorb the tears.
When shit hits the fan
and leaves your life in upheaval
I'll help you clean-up the shit.
When life is up in the air
you have no idea where to go
I'll give you direction.
When problems erode your mind
causing friction everywhere
I'll give you reason.
When you can't sleep
from all the stress
I'll be your ear and pillow
When happiness
is hard to find
I'll make you laugh.
When something is said
that you don't agree with
I'll defend you.
when someone calls you
in the middle of the night
I'll be the receiver.
These are the solemn vows
I take and live up to
since there is nothing else
that I strongly value.
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