Week 19
Week in Review
Monday February 5, 2018
Here we are, the 5th of February. It’s hard to believe that it’s only 25 days until we will graduate and get our certification we have been working hard to obtain. We have definitely earned it. Today was a little more relaxed and fun. We were able to spend some time this morning working on our Coats of Arms. Seeing all of our class working together on our projects, sharing crayons, markers and stickers made me realize how much we have bonded. It’s easy to see the progress we have all made. The guys that seemed to need to be the center of attention are backing away and letting others shine. The guys that stayed to themselves and avoiding interaction are now initiating conversations. It’s almost like the entire group has learned how to flow together. Today you could see how obvious our 10 Driving Values are in our daily lives; from having fun to being wise stewards with our supplies and resources; from having a fresh-start outlook to executing on our plans; from being accountable for our actions to striving for excellence.
When it was time to eat lunch something got mixed up, we were called out of the normal order and it surprised almost everyone. Six months ago it would have probably been different. Today everyone just accepted the change and waited patiently. It’s funny now being able to say, “Well, they moved our cheese.” The Phase One group is moving right along as well. I see them studying their study guides, putting together flash cards and quizzing each other. I truly hope they follow our steps and become leaders like we have become.
Sean H. (a.k.a. “Zebra Cake”)
Tuesday February 6, 2018
For many of us today was our computer lab day. Computer lab is a really good class. It is where we learn about many of the current operating procedures and computer programs, such as Microsoft Office’s computer aided graphic design and much, much more. It helps many of us who have never used a computer in society. There are PEP graduates who work in the computer lab and help teach us how to use the computers correctly too. These guys really help out when we don’t know how to find a specific file. What we learn in computer lab is both priceless and useful. Without the training we receive in our computer lab class, our business plans would not get finished. We type out all the assignments given, which is really good practice and makes learning fun and challenging. There is so much to learn about how to use a computer, and I am sure all of us appreciate the opportunity and take full advantage of it. Many of us have folders to keep our assignments organized and to keep our work separate from other classes we also attend. This time we spend in computer lab is a highlight in the program for us. It is the perfect environment for learning. It is quiet and everyone is in there to get some work done or look at some of their business advisor’s material. One thing for sure is that there is never any wasted time. We are grateful and look forward to computer lab on Tuesdays, because without it, there would be a huge gap in our learning about business and how to operate in today’s workplace.
Paul H. (a.k.a. “Becky with the good hair”)
Wednesday February 7, 2018
First off, today’s Phase One class was a very uplifting experience, one worth keeping for life. To be honest we all walked into Phase Two with this cocky attitude. I can still remember the graduates telling us, “You guys need to study, homework this, homework that,” all with a smile. We smiled right along with them. Then Gami danced up the aisle, gave us this great speech about how proud of us he was. His next few words felt like they took forever to come out. He said “3-3-3” and the graduates smiled from ear to ear. Let me explain: at the beginning of Phase One we were issued this tiny little study guide with about 1,000 words in it we were responsible for knowing. But the 3-3-3 is just three parts of it copied three times. It is a finger numbing initiation to prove how bad we wanted to transition into not only Phase Two of the program, but into Phase Two of our lives. I think for the first time in our lives, we were actually quiet in the dorms without being told. Two days at the least, seven days max of writing, not to mention six tests to follow the infamous 3,3,3 on the same little study guide. After the six tests and seeing our scores and GPAs, I think that was the moment we all felt like we were really in school. This could be the very moment we had all missed out on earlier in our lives. It was also a sad moment, because we lost a few good participants – honestly, it felt like we lost a few family members. I probably would never say this again, but we even cried together watching heart check videos, so it hurt to lose those guys.
Now you would think it would be the studying and tests that would be the challenge of Phase Two, but it wasn’t. The most difficult part of it all was the mental challenge of being able to deal with each other, someone our own age telling us when, where and how we were to do things. We needed to be receptive to being held accountable for our own actions and holding each other to higher standards, because we were helping each other grow. The toughest part of it all was public speaking. Yes, we talk all day to each other about sports, politics, relationships and life, but when it came time to speak in Toastmasters or our Pitch Panel events, some of the toughest people in Texas turned into kindergarteners on their first day of school. But it turned out to be one of the greatest experiences of our lives, just identifying and overcoming one of our fears. During Phase Two I personally witnessed a group of men grow up, come together and push each other to the finish line, using 10 Driving Values and a program that requires you to live and walk in integrity.
Stephon J. (a.k.a. “Mini Muffin”)
Thursday February 8, 2018
Today started early as we headed to the computer lab. Everybody saying “hello” to each other, showing love to the beautiful day to come. We all worked on our business plans, making sure everything is right for the Business Plan Competition event. It has everyone worked up. The day is coming, but there is never a day when we don’t go over our plan. We help each other every day, and that’s why we are here. We have been working hard to get this done right. We strive to bring out our brothers’ potential. We also worked on our change poems for our families to see the changes we have accepted in PEP. We want to do better for our family and loved ones. This is the first step to show them that change with a sweet little poem. We went back to the dorm to relax and drink coffee. We got a little time to go over our studies for a test that we might get.
We got called out to class in the afternoon to take our last two tests that everyone was dreading. Now it seems like the pressure is off, but it is never over. We still have to practice our pitches and get them right for our Pitch Day event. We all look forward to the final step: the graduation walk. Finally, all the hard work is paying off. This is something we all talk about and never gets old until the day comes. It is coming fast and we are ready. We are ready for the future and its challenges, as well as to meet our families with our brotherhood outside these gates.
Emmanuel I. (a.k.a. “Virginia from Claws”)
Expressions
“Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.
Empty your mind, be formless. Being shapeless is like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle it becomes the bottle. You put it in a tea pot it becomes the tea pot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend”
~ Bruce Lee
What this means to me is that whatever life throws your way, you must conform to it to handle it. Water is the strongest force in the world, although it’s shapeless. When we get released, we need to be able to adapt to society. We will go through hardships, but as long as we have an optimistic frame of mind we will be able to handle anything. When people give up, it reminds me of a snow flake feeling a little of heat and melting away. We as felons need to be able to embrace adversity. Being human we have the power to adapt to our surroundings. Being in PEP, we are around people who are changing into great fathers, sons and husbands. That fact helps all of us achieve our full potential.
Charles J. (a.k.a. “Grankowski”)