TED KENNEDY.

Today, a true hero of mine passed away. This man goes by the name of Edward "Ted" Kennedy. The name in itself speaks for itself. Coming from the American family in Kennedy which embodied what America was all about, defined the American dream. Ted, being the liberal Bostonian that he was, reached out to people across all political spectrum's, and compromised to create equality. And for his foes, they fought him with a sense that his intentions were well intended if not always trusting in the individual strength of the public. He was partisan, a good man, and most of all, a family man. He was the defender for his nation, but the guardian of his family. He endured tragedy beyond words, and hardships followed throughout his life. In defining his legacy, Ted Kennedy envisioned health care for all people. He did it for one reason. On the basis that all people deserve universal health care. He didn't want to see people suffer from illnesses because they didn't have the proper coverage. A true champion for health care reform passed too soon, but his decades of work will stand the test of time. For our country will fight for what he believed in. And why I respect him so greatly is that If it wasn't for Kennedy, my dream to become president might have not existed; for I am an aspiring politician who is African American and Hispanic. I couldn't have spoken better about Senator Kennedy than Fenway Park did, saying, Kennedy, "approached each day with an unwavering conviction. To improve his country, and to help his fellow man. He remained a champion for social justice through life, epitomizing our shared values: Resolve, Faith, generosity, and empathy. He was a pillar of strength for all those who new him as a spokesman for the voiceless, and an advocate for the powerless. He carried forth the legacy his brothers and fellow love ones envisioned, to live each day to its fullest to meet each challenge faced, and to leave behind a better and more just world then the one encountered." Senator Kennedy stated, "the work beings anew, the hope arises again, and the dream lives on." May the lion sleep tonight. And with that I wish you all good night. God bless you.

For still all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope lives and the dream shall never die.

- TED KENNEDY

Only a Cavity

The first cavity. How so many people get them day in and day out, and everyone reacts to it differently. A poet once said " A man begins cutting his wisdom teeth the first time he bites off more than he can chew." Now I don't know I'm supposed to get out of this quote. perhaps, a comparison to a cavity both figuratively and literally (if that's possible.) I don't know. However, what I can say is that my cavity hurts like a bitch, and I received my first cavity operation. I wasn't nervous; partly because my mother did not tell me today, and I am now "a big boy." During the operation, my dentist comforted me with words of wisdom (literal?) which did me justice, and the nurse practitioner did her little dance (Which I have never seen because she is a quiet Asian woman who you can only see cleaning the scary tools when your getting your teeth clean for a normal check up.) Without much delay, my tooth had its selance and it was fine.

Now, I talk about this in a good time. The health care debate. Now as a student, who does not worry about his own health other than how the women will portray me, I can't help but see angry people on the television; rebelling against there law makers on how if this is passed, our country will turn into a socialist "big government"nation. Not that we already aren't (slightly excluding the socialist part,) but It made me realize how important this is to people. Now, I have been blessed with my parents having health care and not getting sick, but that world is not verisimulitable for most people. Now, I do not believe in an overhauled government run option during this time when our deficit is growing at rapid speed, but I know we need health care reform. There is no way I can compare my cavity to those of someone who is dieing from Cancer, so I can only say what we need is reform, and we need our law makers to realize this. Enough of the procrastination, enough of the liberal v. conservative ideologies. We are dealing with peoples lives. Lives that can be taken away from the sole reason that the did not have health care. I don't want to see that happen to this country; for our founding fathers built our country by these words: We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

As you all know, my Grandfather has cancer. He being a doctor, can see both sides of the spectrum, and can offer analysis of the true problem. I love hearing him talk to me about these issues that our country faces, because I learn greatly from them, and I don't know how much longer I will be able to learn from him. He has stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He is blessed with health care. Others don't. Its only a cavity, but there are bigger problems in the real world.

Once again... BIG UPDATES!

I apoligize to all of my subscribers (the little that I have) for not posting for exactly a month, and for not updating my blog. Thank you for all of those who have supported me through this journey of a blog, and I hope you continue doing so by following my day to day dealings and ideals. First off, which Is very big, I have bought my self a Canon EOS REBEL T1i! This is very exciting because I can begin my photography, and I can take pictures that speak directly to how I feel! Now you'll have the oppurtunity to see what I see through my own eyes, which in thought is very powerful. Secondly, I JUST RETURNED FROM DISNEY! I have done so much this month, that I could have had a blog full of "stuff," but here I am now saying exactly what I have been doing! Throughout this week, I plan on writing about my disney trip, and exaclty what Ive been doing, but Im afraid im in quite a rush today, so I will have to cut it short. What I can say is that Disney was the best, and by far one of the better trips I have had in recent years. Last but not least, I am getting ready for school, which means school shopping, cleaning up the tech, and getting myself ready for SOPHMORE YEAR!!! So in all, I have a ton to share with you all! and I look forward to talking to all of you later! Peace and Have a wonderful evening for I am about to watch the Yankees beat the Rangers after they destroyed the Red Sox just days earlier!

-Dueces

and heres a link to some of the pictures I took this summer at Disney World:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39919499@N04/

Updates

So as you have seen (if any of you actually read my blog), I have updated my site in many ways! I am thrilled to add many gadgets to my side bar, and I have changed my name from president_aundre0705 to DA G to THE Aundré Bumgardner, as well as organizing the site. If you look at the side bar, you may find a video that was posted by me about 9 months ago on Youtube; where you will find my radiant Grandfather and I making a video on Apple's Photobooth. It also features my Brother and my Grandmother which means its a must see. So as you can see, I still have very much to add to the blog, and eventually I will put in a long term plan for the site. Who knows, maybe this will be the next twitter. ^^ enjoy.

In other news, If you may remember, I wrote about spending my time this summer with my Grandfather. Today, I did just that. Yesterday, me, my Sister Lourdes, my Grandmother, my Aunt Uncle, and Baby Cousin went out to fishtales, tugs, & sails festival in New London where we enjoyed the nice weather, and the beautiful waterfront. Following the nice afternoon, we headed off to East Lyme where we were invited to eat at my Titi Rita and Uncle John's house; and where we met up with my Grandfather. There they made Shish Kabob and watched Star Wars episode V Empire Strikes Back. Good food, Great movie, pleasant time. After the nice evening, my Grandparents, my Sister, and I went home to watch Star Wars VI Return of the Jedi, and went to bed. The following morning, my Grandmother made me a plentiful and nutritious breakfast, and after some outdoor labor with my Grandpa, we went out to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. In all, it was a very nice weekend, and one to add to the very memories that I have spent, enjoying the most wonderful times with my Grandfather. Everyday when I think about him, I wonder if time is just ticking away, and if one day, I wake up, and he is no longer here. I don't want to think about that, So all I must do is cherish every spent moment with him, make his years the most wonderful he has ever had, and live out life.

The Broken Summer

For my ASL (American Sign Language) class, we were to create a story completely signed of our childhood. I decided to write about this experience, because it was extremely memorable, and shaped me into the person I am today.

One summer day I was at my favorite cousins house. At his house we played Nintendo 64, watched TV, and played with marble monster toys. After ate lunch, we decided to play outside. In his backyard, we played on his jungle Jim, and had a lot of fun. Finally, we decided to go on the swings and do tricks. “What trick can you do?” exclaimed my cousin. “ I can do the twist!” I shouted, as I was spinning round and round. Soon after, he was eager enough to pull a stunt that most 7 year olds were terrified to do. Jump of the swing. I have afraid to do so, not wanting to risk my fragile frame, and football playing. Without me having to tell him to get off, He jumped off the swing while in the air and fell right on his to feet. “Awesome!” shouted Javier who was breathing heavily and in a state of high. “Guess who’s next?” whispered Javy, “Your turn.” Without hesitation, I sat on the on the swing and was getting momentum until I realized it wasn’t worth it. You getting scared said Javier noticing that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do it. Being the younger cousin I was determined to show him who was boss but at the same time not willing to risk my health. “Chicken!” Shouted Javy, laughing away on my pity. I was eager on telling him something mean but I was awestruck by his words. There I sit on the swing so lonely with no one to save me from the trap my cousin set and what the consequences would be that awaited me. I put the hands on the chains and became swaying. I felt tense, but at the same time feeling less and less scared per swing. I was traveling higher and higher so high I could feel the early august breeze that you cannot feel on the ground. I felt feeling of saying I didn’t want to do this, but I did not want to disappoint my cousin nor myself. Jump. There I was on the ground feeling a sensation that I had never felt before. Had I broken my arm? The thought soured through my head with lightning speed and became terrified. “AAAHHHHHHHHHH!” I screamed! I knew something bad happened to my arm so I told my cousin to run to his mother to get some help!” His mother a nurse did not know what to do, either in a state of shock or a feeling of disappointment for watching me during the week. In the house I told her all the information she would need to know for me to go the hospital, my pediatrician, my health office, and even the hospitals number. She was quite impressed with my bravery and resistance to pain. With few tears in my eyes, I told my cousin that it would be ok and it was an accident. As I was leaving the house, I told my cousin that I would never forgive him. 7 years later, he living in Panama, talk to each other frequently and talk to each other about that indescribable day. I don’t know what I would be like if that day did not include a broken arm, or how that broken arm would impact the rest of my life. With surgery, a cast, and a lot of love, I got better quickly and was happy to use my left arm again. The one I write with. Much was different the next summer where I once again broke my arm, but that’s another story.

Summer

After waking up on this summer day, I couldn't help but look out of the window to see what may be in store or lay in my path when I walk out of my doors. Its a rather brisk summer day, meaning its a good day to walk the dogs, and settle for a good hot cup of tea. Most importantly, as I was glaring out of the window, I could help but realize that I had forgotten to write a post on my blog, and how I needed to do so before I walked out of my door! So here I am now, writing on my blog after a mere 2 months; and I have a lot to talk about! So first off, I would like to say that I FINISHED my freshman year at the Cambridge School of Weston, and looking back, I realized I learned so much more than I expected, and I take every little fact they taught me and apply to everyday life. after attending the school, I also find myself being a lot more interested in Social Justice, and I have even taught many people about the subject (Even if they don't want to!) It has also been strange because I haven't lived there in about 2 months! In all though, My year attending CSW was a satisfying one, and i look forward to going this fall. Secondly, Now that summer is underway, I have enjoyed every moment of it. I have taken a job as an LIT for ISAAC School new summer program, and I have spent time with my amazing grandfather. So before I write a book, I'm going to end this blog with a photo that truly speaks to me, and may speak to you. Night All :)

Oh Honest Abe...

The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject any thing, is not whether it have any evil in it; but whether it have more of evil, than of good. There are few things wholly evil, or wholly good. 

And with that I wish you all a good night.

My Summer with Grandpa

As I begin to finish up my freshman year of High School, I realize how fast my life has gone, and how much more I have left to do throughout my life. Above all, I have kept intact the dreams and goals I aspire to accomplish. How I will get there depends on what experiences I will face from this day forward, and how I can greatly impact the lives of others. As summer begins to creep, I have not decided what I hope accomplish while on my three month break, and how I will use my time productively and efficiently. Most importantly, I plan my spend so much time with my grandfather who is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and knows how to make summers the best time in the world! He is a man of great passion, who inspires me to excel in everything I do, while keeping in mind the people who helped me get to were I am today. It hurts to know that has to go through a proccess like cancer which takes away the great experiences in life. I do know however, That he will cherish every moment he has on this planet with his family, and will continue being 'Dr. Grampa.' To make the summer even more enjoyable, I hope we begin building a tree house in the backyard, where I have always dreamed of building one. Knowing him, I believe he will be up to the task because of a promise he gave me since I was a little boy. Even if we do not build a tree house, I will settle for a trip to the movies, which I call my weekly weekend trip. Above all, I hope to take a weekend trip with him somewhere this year where I can learn the history of his life from Vietnam to Brooklyn and from Spain to what we call home. So as I get ready for this long summer ahead of me, I am planning to have the most fun in my life for the benefit of me, and my Papa.

MY FIRST BLOG: If I were Mom...

see more Fail Blog

HAPPY TUESDAY.

P.S. I LOVE YOU MOM

So in  beginning by blog, I'd like to saying welcome to my life, my feelings, my views, and myself. To introduce myself, I am Aundré Bumgardner, a young man that aspires to do great things in life to better the planet for the good of all living kind. As corny as it may seem, this is who am I, and I hope you will see that as you read my blogs from this day forward. For the jist of things, I hope to create a couple features for my blog. First, every Tuesday, I plan to put a picture of something that moves my brain as this does; that can be both funny, moving, and have a message deeper than meaning. Secondly, every Thursday, I plan to write a short piece on whats on my mind, weather it is what feelings I may have at the moment. Thirdly, On Saturdays, I plan to write about an experience I have had in my life that affected and changed who I am today; whether it is a childhood memory, or a time period that took a negative impact on myself. Fourthly, I will write a short write up of my week, and whats in store for the next! And last but not least, I plan to have freestyle Mondays, where I will babble on about something that pertains to political issues in the world. Throughout all of this, I may have a Yankees Wednesday were I talk about my beloved New York Yankees and have days, were I simply want to talk about an experience I may have had on that particular day. So in all, I am quite excited about starting a blog, and I hope I will continue, and begin sharing with all of you about my life!

~Aundré