Monday, May 30, 2016

Good Morning! It’s Monday the 30th of May. Happy Memorial Day!
Normally we would be going to Toastmasters, but today is a holiday. This means we have an extra day to study up on our speeches. I think mine will be over important people that have made the United States and the world a better place.

The clock just hit 2 p.m. and I just finished reading my etiquette book. Now I am going to start reading chapter six in our textbook so I can be ready for our test on Thursday. It has been a long day, but it’s good to be able to catch up on everything. So, until next time …

Anthony K. (a.k.a. Sweet Tony The Tiger)

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Today’s been tough. At noon they called us for class and we went over the book Living in the Village. But before we did that, it was test time. Some passed both tests, some passed one and failed one, and others of us failed both tests. I failed both tests and I have to do 40 copies of the keyboard command keys as homework. It looked short but it’s actually a lot of writing.
Brian T. talked to us about the 401k and the risk – but everything is a risk. I know I want to get a package that gives me an 8% return on my investment and I will check my statements every month.
Off to do my homework …

Ike L. (a.k.a. Sweet Yogi Bear)

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

The morning began great especially for not being a morning person. I started off the day with a good breakfast of pancakes, sausage, grits and a fresh banana, my cellie’s favorite.
I had computer lab at 12:30 p.m. To me computer lab is interesting and frustrating at the same time. It is interesting because I am learning some of the capabilities and benefits of knowing how to use a computer properly. It is frustrating because it is a learning process and I don’t know what I’m doing at times.
After 2:30 p.m. I had the rest of the day off to study for Thursday’s test. The days go by fast and so do theses assignments. It takes some self-discipline and time management, but every day at PEP is a learning experience.
Overall my Wednesday was great and I’m ready to see what Thursday brings.

Eliseo M. (a.k.a. Sweet Mon Chi Chi)

Thursday, June 2, 2016

My topic will be about the love-hate relationship in association with parole reviews. Every year since 2009 I wait impatiently for a lay-in. However, this is not just any ordinary lay-in for medical, the law library or any other time consuming task. This is a special lay-in, not your everyday lay-in. It is a parole lay-in.
I see it and instantly I am overcome with a mixed emotions. I immediately think, could this be the one? Could this be the visit with parole where they reach a positive congruence and send me home to my loved ones? The prospect of getting out and applying all the tools I have learned and being a positive contribution to my family, friends and society overwhelm me. This prospect, getting out, puts a child’s Christmas morning grin on my face.
But just as quickly as I begin to smile another thought creeps into my mind and replaces the optimism that manifested so quickly. The next series of thoughts turns my smile to a look of despondence. What if they set me off again? They already have five times before this. The thought of another year away from my loved ones almost brings tears to my eyes. However, I am surrounded by my PEP brethren and I am immersed in an amazing program, so tears don’t fall this day.
I have completed this and I have done that. They cannot set me off again. Why would they? It is in the coming months while waiting on the parole board’s decision that these conflicting thoughts relentlessly play over and over in my mind. But luckily for me all my PEP classes keep me from dwelling on these thoughts too much. But in the end who knows, I might get out this time, but, then again, I may spend another year with all my PEP brethren. Either way I win and it’s all a good thing.

Steven M. (a.k.a. Sweet Lucky Charms)

Expressions

When I first heard about PEP I was reassigned to the Estes Unit. I did not get an invite like most of my class. All I was told is that it was a business class that will help you (or us) with our business plan. So I sent an I-60 request form to join. I had to take a test and if I failed I would have to do a 3-3-3. A 3-3-3 is a very long homework assignment in the event you fail. It consists of writing the AP style guide three times, the business vocabulary three times and PEP’s 10 Driving Values three times also. Yes! I did fail and did the homework.
Phase 1 came along and I had to study character traits. The character traits phase is where you learn about the bad habits that you have. For example, the word “boastful: exhibiting self-importance and bragging.” This is an example of a person who is the first to tell you how great he did on the test or how great his hit was in softball yesterday. There’s also “bad language, profanity, cussing or using marginals.” What is a marginal? It is using questionable words, not quite a cuss word, but a word that is still questionable. This was something that I needed a lot of work on.
We started Phase 1 with a class called Authentic Manhood. I told myself that nothing is wrong with my manhood! In this video series we learned about ourselves and our families and how they affect us. Now I love my mother but I did not know that I had a lot of her ways. By my father being away my mama became both parents. I did not see that as a problem. But after watching the video I learned that I had more female ways than male ways. I am correcting this.

I signed up to learn about business. What I did not know is I also signed up to become a better man. We continue to learn, each and every day, how to become a better man through the 10 Driving Values. Each day lessons are learned as we continue to better ourselves. I am very grateful for this opportunity and the daily lessons. I only wish that more inmates had access to this program, as so many of us need much help.
I wish whoever reads this the best of health and highest of spirits. I am James M., proud founder and owner of America Best Welders, where we plan to weld America back together. Thank you, and may God bless you!

By: James M. (a.k.a. Sweet Pops from “Friday”