Josejuan (Johnny) Lopez:  

Well, It all started when I left Harlingen back in 82! Not that I really wanted 2 because I was in my Senior year, and I had good grades! I was expecting 2 graduate from school,I would've been the 1st 2 graduate in my family N do this!I would've made my Mom proud, but instead I had 2 leave with the rest of my family 2 Florida! C, my grandmother wouldn't go if I didn't go she said, so I had no choice but 2 make her happy!Anyways, I arrived in Pahokee,Florida not only 2 not finish school, but 2 end-up working! Sure I helped my family through their struggling times, but it didn't help me! Now I'm struggling! I'm still trying 2 get some kind of Diploma, I've taken the G.E.D. Test but failed the Math part only! 4 this little piece of paper I've had many job opportunities pass me by! But I haven't given-up yet! And so, we continue with the rest of my story! I mentioned Pahokee,Florida/Home Town of Mel Tillis, only 40 miles south of Palm Beach! The town was BelleGlade, a migrant camp! I worked picking Aloe-vera leaves 4 a cosmetic Co., then we moved to Pahokee, which was only 10-12 miles north up. I then worked in a TrueValue Hardware Store doing Floor Sales/Inventory/Stock/Cashier.I bought a bicycle 10 speed, I rode that to work every day, back and forth! After that I got a job in BelleGlade working in a Police station under Public Safety doing Sign Maintance! I moved-in with a friend N his his girlfriend, and her sister. Then I got my own place, and moved-out with my friends girlfriend/sister Stacey McCuinn. I bought my first car, a 1979 Chevy Camaro/Cheverolet Orange! Anways, My Job was 2 drive around town in a company vehicle and report any obstacles of view with-in viewing distance of a sign. If 2 many branches were hanging, I would clear some until the city workers could get 2 it! Sometimes I would get a call on the 2-way radio of a accident N I would be asked to translate, so I would turn on my little red light on and rush across town! I would set barricades and direct traffic at Football games also! Then I went to live with a friend in a town called GreenAcres, which is right next door to PalmBeach! I worked in BocaRaton, in a Private Fence Co.,and a 2nd job at nights in Lantana. I loved my 2nd job, where else can U exercise,listen 2 music,make friends, and get paid for it! A Skating Rink, called The Palace! Before I went 2 my 2nd job, I'd stop at one of the Ocean fronts showers N shower! Then when I got out of work late at nights, we'd leave N go 2 eat at Huddle House or Denny's. Then I'd either go home, or just hang-out at the beach, N sleep in my car with the windows slightly down 2 feel the oceans cool breeze come through, and th...Expand for more