Boring update: Don’t Read Unless You Want to Waste Your Time

Okay, since you have some time to waste I figure I’d try my best to keep you entertained. I got some “critic” from one of my readers that my blog is all about “ME” and I brag a lot. I want to emphasize that this blog is more than just a blog to me. Although it’s available for the public to read, it’s more so that I can look back 10 years from now and read about what I did then. It’s for my kid (who’s on the way….Vanessa is 4 months pregnant) to read when he’s 10, 20, and 30 and say, “Wow, Dad really enjoyed life.”.  It’s for my grandkids to read one day and say, “Grandpa didn’t let time pass him by.” But it’s also for YOU to say, “What am I doing? Where am I going? What did I do this year?”

October turned out to be one of the best experiences of my entire life. I got to see, walk, sleep, and eat in the Amazon jungle. I got to hang out in Kapawi, which is located in the Amazon basin, and be so far removed from western civilization. They didn’t have electricity so your laptop and cell phones do not work. No contact whatsoever with the modern world. I got to meet Achuar indians who live in the jungle. The Achuar men hunt during the day and they have lots of kids - some have around 20. A majority of the Achuar indians don’t have a clue about their age, unlike modern civilization we have access to a calendar, they don’t keep track of the days of the week or date. I recommend this trip to anyone who is into ADVENTURE. This trip is not for the faint-of-heart. For instance, if you’re one of those people who cannot stand humidity or very warm weather, or sleeping under a insect net to protect you from getting bitten by a mosquito, or not being able to use your phone or laptop, or watch T.V., then this trip is DEFINITELY not for you. This trip will take you out of your comfort zone - but you’ll come out strong and braver than ever.

I also spent 1 week in the Galapagos islands. There is nothing in the world quite like the Galapagos. I got to swim with sea lions, walk around with iguanas, bird watch, snorkel, and of course the blue-footed boobies. I recommend this trip to anyone - for adventure or just to sit by the beach and lay down with sea lions and iguanas. The water is torquoise, the sand is white, and view is breath-taking. HIGH RECOMMMENDED.

I also spent a couple days in Quito, which is the capital of Ecuador. The old town of Quito resembles Spain  - the catholic church spent a lot of money building the cathedral in Quito. I also had the chance to walk into La Compania church in Quito. On entering the temple one is dazzled bye the marvelous harmony of baroque richness and balance, all in gold. Floor to ceiling all in gold. Unfortunately they don’t allow cameras inside the church so I couldn’t take a picture of it.

This trip opened my eyes to a different world - a world I didn’t know existed, but thrilled to have discovered it. My father was born in Ecuador, and I also had the chance to visit a school that was named after my grandmother.

Next week I’m going to Paris, France. I’ll be spending New Years there.

I want to end with my goals that I started this year - give you an update on what I did or didn’t do.

1.    Open my bar: This got pushed on the back-burner. I just had way too much going on in 09 and 2010 looks busier than ever. It has always been a dream of mine and I will keep this on my list for “THINGS I MUST DO”.

2.    Hiking once a month: LOL. NOPE. NOT EVEN ONE HIKE.

3.    Learn to surf: Look at #2.

4.    Attend 16 marketing seminars around the globe: Attended 18, 12 of which I hosted.

5.    Visit the Galapagos: YES!!!!

6.    Visit a part of Mexico that I never been before: DAMN IT!!

7.    Visit a part of the U.S. that I never been before. YES!! WASHINGTON, D.C.  I will definitely return very soon.

8.    Read a new book every week on my Amazon Kindle – write a blog about the book on JohnRaygoza.com: I read around 30 books this year. Favorite one was an oldie-but-goodie by David Olgivy: Confessions of an Advertising Man. Highly recommended.

9.    Feed 1,000 people on Skid Row: YES!!!

10. Create a mentorship program for underprivileged kids in Los Angeles: NO!

11. Visit my brother in Omaha and his new baby: NO!

12. Create a 401K plan for PushTraffic employees: After seeing what happen to 401K’s during the recession, our company decided it was not in our best interest.

13. Get up each morning at 6 a.m. – including weekends:  I do this like 4 times a week now - some days I sleep in but I’m waking up super early now. Thanks to Vanessa of course.

14. Go to sleep each night at 10 p.m. including weekends: Again, Thanks to Vanessa.

15. Buy an Aston Martin, Ferrari, or Lamborghini: I got something money can’t buy: A baby! I also got engaged this year to Vanessa and lets face it….i wanted those cars because they were chic magnets. But I found the love of my life and she’s way sexier than all of those cars combined.

All in all, I learned one very important lesson from the man up above. When you plan, GOD laughs!

Just roll with the punches!

 Best,

John Paul Raygoza