A Day at The Famers Market in Salvador 

The Group Photo 

"LIFE" in Salvador...Pt. 8

Goodmorning Ya'll. What's up? It's Monday...the beginning of a new week. Well actually, Sunday is the official beginning of the week. As you can see, I've finally posted some pictures....it took a minute, right? Well, you know, better late than never. So, my surprise to my friends in Salvador, has been placed on a slight stand still...my computer is doing tricks again....but it's coming...trust me. So everything is looking positive with the new place. I was watching a few of the home improvement shows on HGTV, and got some inspiration for the new place. James and I are going to do a few changes with the new place...you know we're going to make it look fierce..give it that "Real World"/"Top Model" makeover. We were thinking about doing some different themes with our bedrooms, and turning one of the smaller rooms into a full-on walk in closet/dressing room. Are we too much??? We are living, and being creative, and having fun. Enjoy it while we can....OK!!! But continue to send some good energy out there, because this is only the beginning. Just to throw the word out there, we will be moving out of the Harlem condo, sometime in June, and the goal is to rent it out for at least year. So, if anyone is interested in moving to an amazing, quiet, extremely friendly, and clean 2 bedroom in Harlem, give us a call or shoot me an email, and we can go from there. All of the appliances in the condo are new, there's a washer and dryer in the basement, and a shared roof deck, which makes a great environment for a party, social, or just a place of relaxation. Also, I mentioned my online internet marketing business....check out www.quixtar.com Browse through the site...hit the "Find Products" category. We have some really nice products. And listen, I am not just saying that...ya'll know me...I speak the truth, and I am not trying to be no salesman, but I think it's worth checking out. If you see something you like, email me or phone me and we can talk more. The site is off the chain ya'll...from energy drinks, to vitamins, to bedding, mattresses, to pet food, to cookware...you name it and it's there...need I say more.
Ok, so there is more to hear about my time in Salvador. I'm posting another journal entry. Enjoy. I think you will like this entry...I was rereading it yesterday...remembering my kids. It gives a lot of insight of the hospital and the kids. Enjoy. I would love to hear from everyone as well. So don't be shy to post a comment on the site. Have a great week.

Journal Entry 2/20/05

I woke up this morning very sad because I realized this is my last week. Man, I want to do so much for these kids and adults. I stretched with the adults today, and they loved it. The teenagers joined in, as well as the little ones. I really want to stay an extra week....shoot an extra month. However, the creative team at Lion King, said they needed me to return on time...it must be crazy back home. I really feel like I need to be here. Part of my time is to be here helping these patients. I saw so much today. So much life. Man, I'm about to cry as I write and reflect on my day. Today I also learned a little more about my kids. Especially some of my favorites. "C", who is very playful, very cooperative, and so well behaved...is HIV positive. He has no parents, they died, and no home. His home is the hospital. "L" is also HIV positive. He has no real home as well, and his parents are deceased. "C" is about 9 or 10, and "L" is around 5 or 6 years of age. "L" is a very sweet kid, and the boy is so photogenic. "E" is about 2 years of age. He is so well behaved. He loves to sing, and he loves to drink lots of water...and he is negative. His parents are positive, and unfortunately they are in prison. Good news though, "E"will leave in a few weeks, to go live with his Grandma. That makes me happy. Little "L" is like a year old...he's a tiny lil fella for a 1 year old. He has about 8 individual tooth, still teething a little, very quiet, but intrigued by every little thing. I was told before I arrived, he never came out of his crib, he never wanted to be touched, and he always appeared sad and unhappy. The nurses and volunteers, who were here before I arrived, all commented on how good I was with him. He smiles all the time now, plays well, and is so curious. Little "L" is HIV positive. His mom is as well. She visits him on the weekends. "D" is my sweet little angel. She's about 10 months old. Oh man, she is too cute!!! Wow, she's gonna break some hearts when she comes of age. She loves to be held and loves to walk and crawl. He mother visits frequently. Her mom is HIV positive, but we don't know if "D" is positive as of now. The doctors are still running tests on her.

There are more stories to tell, but I have to find out more info on the kids. My lil bro, "M", is who I'm curious about. He's a little jokester, and he's so good at sharing with others. He also likes to be treated as number 1. There's is nothing wrong with that. He deserves all of the attention in this world. Today was my first day working with the adults. This was a challenge, but so rewarding. I did a couple of stretches and dance moves. Some of the adults chose not to participate, due to ailing body parts, and some were just use to lying around all day. So anything physical is difficult for them. But these guys needed to get up. They need some motivation. They need to have a reason to live. They need to have "LIFE." I walked around to the rooms and saw some fairly healthy patients, just sleep for hours. I've been here f or a week, and today I saw about 8 new adults. All they do is sleep. They really need more. I would love to come back next year and spend more time motivating them. Teach them English, music, dance, and acting. Help them to want a life outside of the hospital. They are dependent on the hospital. I need to come back to fufill this dream. I also saw some of the terminal patients. Boy, that was not a good site. Not pleasant at all. I mean, just rotting away. There are like 6 terminal patients in one little hot room. They all need separate rooms. I mean, they will never get better because the germs are just festering in the air. I want to come back and build an annex to the hospital. I would like to build an annex that includes a workout facility with light weights, treadmill, workout balls, jump ropes, basketball court, futebol, a jungle gym with slides and swings. I would love to ultimately, one day, when I have built up a lot of money through investments, rebuild CAASAH...provide a warmer, cozier, and cleaner environment. A place where each child and adult, has his or her own set of personal belongings, and a room of their own.

"He Who Walks with the Wise, Grows Wise"

-Proverbs 13:20

Mom and Me...Puerto Rico 

"LIFE" in Salvador...Pt. 7

Wow, it's Sunday, and actually today is the beginning of a new week. However, for us theater heads, it's the beginning of our weekend. So a lot has been cooking. I got a lil stressed out early in the week(I'm totally fine) when I began to think of all the great things that are happening. So many things that I want to do, and want to accomplish. However, I must take things one task at a time, and put some stuff off for later. It's ok...it'll get it done eventually. We must remember to not overload ourselves with too many projects. IT'LL GET DONE EVENTUALLY...OK!!!
So keep me in your thoughts, prayers, your journals, your meditations, your......you get the point.... James(my roommate/bestfriend/business partner), and I are becoming young entrepreneurs. We are in the process of investing in another piece of property....Yes!!! It's exciting and very scary. Damn!!! We are growing up ya'll!!! So send some good energy out while we go through this process. I will definitely update you on the process through the blog. I'm also getting a cabaret/showcase together with my former voice teacher and a dear friend of mine. I have also branched out into developing an independent online marketing business. More details to follow. Please check back because I would love your support. Thanks again for reading my blog. There's still more to hear about my time in Salvador, so please read.
Oh......to everyone....Photos are coming soon...for real. And to my friends at CCS in Salvador, I have a surprise coming your way. Check your mailboxes soon.

Journal Entry 2/19/06

My 1st weekend was spent at Morro De Sao Paulo. It's a tiny island about a 2 hour boat ride and a 20 minute flight from Salvador. The island is extremely gorgeous. We ended up choosing a beachside hotel. It felt so lovely to wake up overlooking the ocean. "V" and I shared a room and the girls shared a room. I slept out on the balcony in the hammock. I slept so well. I woke up to the sunshine, the calm waters, and the sounds of people loading in the stock for the day(food, fruit, and water). It was paradise. I wanted to treat my weekend like a vacation and I did. On Saturday "V", "K", and I took a boat tour around the island. It was so cool. Oh did I mention...there are no cars allowed on the island. Everyone travels by boat. Well we had to walk about 50 feet out into the ocean to board our little tour boat. That was cool as well. The water remained really shallow for a while. Our first stop was free swimming and snorkeling a little further out in the ocean. We actually forgot to purchase the snorkels, and when I was asked if we needed them I said no. Only because I thought he meant binoculars. I was like, "No...who needs binoculars(I didn't say that out loud).." He was actually talking about goggles. The second stop was the mud bath. How fun was that! There was this mountain that trickled with mud. And yeah, that's what we bathed with. It's suppose to be extremely exfoliating and packed with natural minerals and vitamins. We would scrape mud from off the mountain, mix it with water, an d then bathe. After it dried, we took a 10 minute dip in the ocean, washing away the residue. Next stop was to place our lunch order. I ordered the Moqueca Camarao. We were then off to the sand dune. The dune was literally in the middle of the ocean. It was an extremely tiny island and the water only came up to my calf. I played a little capoeira with "T"(I cool guy I met on the boat tour) on the sanded area of the dune. Next stop, another tiny island. It was beautiful and completely deserted. The sand was cotton soft and pearly white. We collected and dollars...star like sea shells...in Brasil they call them estrelas nomorado. I collected like 20. Last stop...lunch...FINALLY! It was actually more like dinner...considering the time. The food was delicious and I just enjoyed eating while being 2 feet from the ocean. After I ate I began to speak with the tour guide. He was a very attractive Brasilian brotha. Well he didn't speak a bit of English, but you know I had to pull out my bag of tricks. The conversation was cool. He was a nice guy. I wish there was more time just to talk, and I wish my Portuguese was a lil stronger, but it's getting there....Fluent in 3 years. Finally we docked. I had a great day, but I needed a nap. And boy was I 2 shades darker......I love it!!!! It was nice just laying out on the stern of the boat in the sun. Who did I think I was?!!!? I'm Living!!! Sunday was a quiet day. I got a massage, purchased some t-shirts, had lunch, and headed to the boat for Salvador. Now, the boat ride back was not cute! It was very very very bumpy. Monica got sick and then I got sick and we looked around and it seemed like the entire boat had vomit bags. It was actually funny, painful, and miserable but AMUSING!!! Katie, who didn't feel a thing, took good care of us. However, she was laughing her a$$ off!!! I was told that all the vomiting, on the return trip, was normal. The ride back is the worse! I may have to fly back next time.

"Stop Thinking about the what if's....Just take a Chance"

"LIFE" in Salvador...Pt. 6

Goodmorning, afternoon, evening...whatever time you're reading this....GOODDAY! So I have something interesting to share with you guys, however, I'll wait until I'm done sharing my Salvador experiences with all of you. But a quick note...You are Special, that's what makes you YOU...God created You and He didn't created any Freaks....so don't let anyone tell you you're wrong.
Again, I'm thankful to all the visitors to my blog. My friends and family...some I've seen just yesterday and some I haven't seen since.....whew!!!! God knows when???!!!??? I love ya'll though. I think you guys will enjoy this next entry. I know most of you have been asking about my free time, and what did I do. "Did you go out to any clubs??? What was the music like??? How were the beaches??? Any Capoeira??? How were the drinks...Caipirinha...Caipiroska???...Any Samba???...Carnival???...what did you do for fun???..." OK! In the beginning I thought I would be out hitting the clubs and the beach 24/7. However, after working with the kids, the discussion groups, the cultural tours, and Portuguese class... I was broke down!!! I saved most of my "Me Time/Party Time" for the weekend. But there was 1 or 2 nights during the week that I stepped out.....ENJOY!

Journal Entry 2/16/06

Wednesday was tour of Pelourinho by night, and boy was it fun!!! The last of the volunteers arrived yesterday. A really nice and good looking brotha from Boston. Ok...so Pelourinho...there was this famous African drumming band there and a few famous Afro-Brasilian Singers. I think one of the artists was Timbalada. It was crazy!!!! In a good way. We arrived at the club around 9ish...actually we arrived in Pelourinho around that time. We all gathered on this cobblestone side street...it had that authentic Salvador feel. This particular spot was a prelude to how the night would unfold. The band began outside on the corner. Tons of people started gathering around as they played louder and louder, with much intensity, passion, and strength. It was electrifying. We then proceeded to march to the club...our final destination. We were marching, in what felt like, a parade. This was so cool! The drummers would walk a few steps...pause....dance....and then more people would tag along. This happened for about 3o minutes before we actually entered the club. Inside the club was even more electrifying. The place became packed in no time. "A" introduced us to a few Brasilian drinks. Each drink was infused with these exotic fruits that I can't remem ber. However, I do remember maracanja(passion fruit). It was mixed with either Vodka or Cachaca, and something else. Whatever it was G-O-O-D!!! For real! Well it didn't take long for me to make it back to the dance floor. The drumming was so alluring. I remained on the dance floor the entire night. i joined in on a line dance where the leaders...3 beautiful black females created dances moves...very much West African dance inspired. I caught on really quick. I was getting my "LIFE"!!! I stayed on that floor for like 3 hours straight...Dancing my heart out and drenched in my own sweat. I'm sure I lost about 5 pounds. When the line dance first started, it was about 10 people, including myself, dancing. By the time I left about 30-40 people had joined in. Young, old, male, female, gay, straight, locals, visitors. It was HOT!!! Unfortunately, I had to cut myself off a lil early. I mean, we did have a 12am curfew, which I was trying to abide by. I couldn't forget, although this was a part of the cultural experience, I had to be fresh for the kids. So I left around 12:30am...oops, just a little pass curfew. I slept like a baby. That was such a cool night.

"Be Proud of Who You Are...Be Comfortable in Your Own Skin"

-Cornelius "Life" Jones

"LIFE" in Salvador...Pt. 5

I hope everyone is enjoying my posts thus far. I am having the best time sharing my experience with all of you. I am sitting in the house getting some work done online. It's Tuesday and I'm enjoying this night off. I was so moved by time in Salvador, I am now looking into doing some volunteer work with kids in NYC. If anyone knows of any good programs let me know. I am still interested in working with kids that are HIV positive as well. The kids in Salvador had a huge impact on me, and I'm trying to carry this through here in the States. Well enjoy this journal entry. Have a blessed day.

Journal Entry 2/15/06

So yesterday was really crazy at CAASAH. A lot of whining and fighting. The kids were out of control. It was like a mad house. I felt so bad for them. I mean their beds look so messy..filthy...they're like 5-6 kids to a room, which means the germs will stay and just go around in circles...like an incubator. There's no A/C for them, which just absorbs the germs and keeps in dormant. I mean it's very unsanitary. Not even diapers. They all share the same clothes. There's one size only in diapers for the kids. They don't have their own personal set of toys or belongings. It's like a survival of the fittest. Especially when we bring treats and games in for them. They are all bathed thoroughly, but I don't think they get their teeth brushed. A lot of the kids have rotten teeth. The living conditions are below satisfactory. I wouldn't want my child in these living quarters...sick or not. It's like, the government knows that they are sick and may not live that long, so they do nothing. It seems as if they just leave these kids to rot to death. I sound dramatic, but this is what I'm seeing here. It's like their health and mental state is not important. And the kids need a lot of mental therapy. I was really scared today for my friend "M". He had just returned froom getting his shot. I'm assuming it was like an HIV booster shot...or bloodwork maybe. He was the cutest little thing when he returned. He smiled at me, while chewing happily on his piece of toast, and sipping very meticulously on his hot cocoa. He said, while pointing to his freshly pierced arm covered with a bandage, "Medico...Medico.." He was happy. Obviously it was something that he was familiar with and has come to enjoy. Wow...that's a lot for a 6 year old to deal with. He laughed, chewed, and sipped away. About 15 minutes later, little "M", was stricken with serious pain in his belly. Falling over quenching for air and relief, squeezing his little tummy, with squenched face the size of a prune...He cried, "Meu borriga...Ow!!!" He had just enough strength to gesture to me that he would be right back. He then went off to the bathroom. 5 minutes later he returned claiming he felt better. However, the pain returned and I sensed that this was serious, and there wasn't much I could do but hold him and wait for a nurse, who spoke his language fluently. My Portuguese is ok. Little "M" grabbed my hand and escorted me to his room, where he collapsed on his bed screaming, whining, and clenching on to his stomach for dear life. I was really scared because I had no idea what was going on. My fellow CCS volunteer witnessed this as well and she ran for help. Soon a nurse entered, asked "M" a few questions in Portuguese, and escorted him to another room. Wow, that was a roller coaster ride for me. Well wherever she took "M", and whatever they did to him, he returned as a renewed soul. His eyes were glowing when he returned, and he was smiling from ear to ear. He asked me to assist in his drawing of himself, his amigo(who by the way was me), his amiga(my colleague), and then his irmao(which was me again...that tickled me). Then we drew a casa(house) and a coracao(heart). Now this is the part that really tickled me. He took me by the hand with the drawing and we walked to an office near the front of the hospital. In the office lay a gorgeously voluptuous young lady. Little "M" handed her the drawing. I was a little confused. I thought that may have been his mom. So I asked her in Portuguese(yes in Portuguese...I was proud of myself for that one) if she was his mother. She said "nao," and smiled at me with a wink. A little light went off in my head. Hmmm....what's going on? Well we returned to the play area, and drew a new picture. And after that was complete, we went to the office again, where "M" gave her the second drawing. She smiled and laughed again. Then a third drawing was complete, and YES!!!, the same routine...to the office. By then I figured it out. "M" was smitten by this fairly older woman. Man, I was tickled. This little man is too much!!! Well that really made my day because he was so calm, so receptive, and very cooperative that day. Little "M" was near the verge of tears when I was leaving for the day. I miss him already. Now, "L", who I saw being a piece of work, is my buddy as well. He's so photogenic...the boy loves the camera. I almost got my camera boosted. I"m actually not allowed to take photos of the kids. It's prohibited in Brasil. It's to protect their privacy and family's privacy. I totally understand. Well, "L" had so much fun on my photo set, afterwards he gave me a big ole' kiss on the cheek. That made my day because I made his day. Love...that's all these kids need...unconditional love. That's what I'm all about. Some of the kids are disabled, scarred badly, have sores and rashes over their bodies, but it doesn't phase me. I"m not scared to pick them up, hug them, nor give them a kiss on their cheek...it's unconditional love. Oh, did I mention how hard I was sweating today? Well, little "M" reached down to grab my towel and dabbed my face for me. How cool was that? That's my buddy. I would love to adopt this boy, and show him a great life. Well it's time for cooking class.....

"LIFE" in Salvador...Pt. 4

What's up everyone? So I am officially back in NYC, and it is COLD here! Where is the sun??? Where?????? I really ejoyed my time in Salvador, and I'm planning on returning to work at the hospital. I'm a new man. I feel wonderful. And I can honeslty say that with a smile on the inside and outside...."I FEEL WONDERFUL!" I encourage everyone of you, to do something of this nature, before you move on to the next life. Well enjoy this journal entry below. Just a quick note...when speaking about the kids I worked with, I chose to only use initials, and not full names. It's to respect their privacy. Enjoy.

Journal Entry 2/14/06

Happy Valentine's Day. So yesterday was really cool. I went to bed at 8PM. I was really tired. I'm getting OLD! But I mainly wanted to conserve my energy for the kids. By the way, they are so adorable. I can't wait to see them again today. I'll take my games today. Hopefully they like it. I'll teach them. I'll start with Connect Four. I found the kids to be very special. Some look very healthy while a few look a little sick. You can just tell by the skin rashes and open sores. It must be painful, and as child all you do is scratch. The hospital is like a shelter. There is no A/C. 4-6 to a room. There are cribs and twin beds, which are not comfortable at all. The mattress is basically a thin piece of foam covered in plastic, and the wooden bedframe. Some of the kids even have, what looks like, bed sores. I want to take each one back home with me, and show them how good life can be.My favorite so far, and I think all of them are special(some are little more work than others), is "E". He's about 11/2. He's so well behaved. Always smiling. He stayed under my arms the entire time, and he loves to sing. He's a cutie, and he has these big bubbly and innocent eyes. Just open to all the love he can get. Another baby who had become attached to me very quickly was "D". I became quickly attached to her as well. She was mine. However, her mom came to visit and she had to leave me. That's understandable. I took a peek at her mom. She appeared really sad. She looked healthy. I know it must be hard, to not be in good physical and mental condition, to take care of your own child. I wanted to know more of Mom's story. I could see a lot behind her eyes. Maybe I'll get a chance to talk to her before I leave. The third child was this cute little boy(initially we all the he was a little girl), I don't know his name, but he was about 11 months. Everyone said how difficult it was to get him to show any emotion. Most times he would be left alone in his crib to play by himself. Well I went for a walk through the rooms and discovered this little one all alone. I felt sad for him. I caught him playing with the light switch, and like most little kids he jumped when he saw me...he knew that was wrong. I stood there for a few minutes trying to make eye contact, but he would not look my way. I contemplated leaving, but decided to wait it out. So I reached my arms out to him, and out of nowhere he jumped into my arms and never left my arms for the duration of the work day. There are two other boys that I'm trying to work on...they are a bit on the rough edge..."L" and I don't know the other boys' name. They are a piece of work. The alpha male syndrome has already blossomed within. It's going to be tough, but I just want to show them unconditional love, and maybe it'll get rid of some of the aggression. Well I have to shower and eat before I head to work. My run this morning was fierce! I'm pumped....