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TRANSFORMING PEOPLE’S LIVES OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
8880 Cal Center Drive #190 Sacramento, CA 95826 www.ranchodlaw.com
916-613-3553
WELLNESS BEYOND THE SURFACE The Crucial Role Mental Health Plays in Our Lives
Our mental health affects every aspect of our lives, from relationships to productivity and overall happiness. But while mental health awareness has improved over the years, we still don’t focus nearly enough on keeping our minds healthy. Since our mental health is invisible, we often push it aside and hope any problems will disappear. Unfortunately, many also have a negative opinion of mental health discussions. I think people blame individuals for mental health problems more than physical ones. A medical issue indicates a problem with your body, but many interpret mental health issues as a reflection of themselves as a person. It’s not fair and causes unnecessary suffering. I make preserving my mental health a regular part of my life, most prominently by practicing daily meditation. I began meditating years ago with a technique my father and grandfather used and attend an annual 10-day meditation retreat. I meditate for one hour every morning to start the day on the right foot and put myself in a positive mindset. Meditation has been a lifesaver over the years. Above everything else, the practice helps me react more slowly and thoughtfully to the stressors around me. Of course, I’m not perfect, but I jump to anger less often and say fewer things I regret. Meditation also helps me recover from negative situations more quickly and refocus on the positive. A lot of people struggle with meditation, and they’re not alone — meditation isn’t easy! Meditating was incredibly challenging when I first started, and after all these years, it’s still tricky. It’s hard to stop your mind from wandering. But I consider it a bit like going to the gym; you might not enjoy the process, but you do like how you feel afterward. The positive effects keep me coming back.
Speaking of the gym, exercise is another way I manage my stress levels and improve my mental health. I often go to yoga class during the week to loosen and strengthen my body, while the cardio of light CrossFit feels good in a different way. I also love to dance, so attending Zumba classes is one of my favorite ways to move. As an immigration attorney, I see many clients struggling with the inherently stressful process. Your immigration status determines so much about your future, so the uncertainty can lead to sleepless nights. The current backlog worsens things, and the extended timelines create even more anxiety. So, how does one cope? Perhaps the best thing people can do to protect their mental health during the immigration process is to have realistic expectations. These cases are not resolved quickly. The sooner you can accept your state of limbo, let go, and leave the matter to your attorneys, the better you’ll feel. I also encourage people to adopt some type of mental health practice. Whether it’s exercise, meditation, a spiritual practice, or something else, the most important thing is to find what calms and centers you and stick with it. Making excuses about how we’re too busy to look after ourselves is easy, and discipline is the most challenging part of keeping yourself mentally well. But looking after yourself is the only way to take control of your health, emotions, and life.
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–Kaushik Ranchod
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FROM APPLICANT TO ARRESTED: The Fugitive Who Applied for a Police Job
Even most criminals need traditional employment to pay the bills, but Zyeama Johnson looked for work in all the wrong places. Perhaps Johnson imagined her previous experience with law enforcement would give her a leg up in her application to the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office in New Jersey in 2022. But unfortunately for her, all of Johnson’s past and future involvement with the police would be on the wrong side of the law. Johnson was looking for a legal way to earn a living when she applied for a job as a security guard at the sheriff’s office. But her past money-making ventures
check before hiring — or that this office specializes in resolving outstanding warrants. When processing her application, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office discovered the active bench warrant in Pennsylvania. The routine investigation also found 10 additional active bench warrants in Jersey City, New Jersey; Johnson had allegedly failed to appear on traffic charges. Most employers in this situation would probably move on to the next applicant, but the sheriff’s department decided to call Johnson in for an “interview” instead. Unsurprisingly, they had no intention of hiring her and arrested the fugitive on the spot. It gave the standard interview
question, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” a new meaning. After taking Johnson into custody, the police proceeded to search her property. Incredibly, they found two credit cards in her possession they believed were stolen. Police added credit card theft charges to Johnson’s already considerable rap sheet. To make matters worse for her, the sheriff’s office also contacted Johnson’s former employer, the United States Postal Service, which launched its own investigation into her conduct. As of October 2022, Johnson was being held in a Hudson County jail awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania for the most serious charge against her. It’s unclear why she thought applying for a law enforcement position with outstanding warrants was a wise career move, but at least she made her would-be coworkers’ jobs easy that day.
allegedly involved fraud, and she had failed to appear in a Pennsylvania court on the charges. Presumably, Johnson did not realize
a police station would perform a background
Unlock the Secrets of a Calming Bedtime Routine
Does it always seem like your kids get a burst of energy right before bedtime? After a jam-packed day, your child’s pent-up stress and energy will likely spike when it’s time to head to bed. The key is implementing a consistent bedtime routine to help them transition into sleep mode. Try therapeutic techniques to soothe your child for a full night of shuteye. Squeeze ’em tight (add pressure). Just like you would swaddle a baby, you should wrap your kids up like tiny burritos! When you add pressure that squeezes them tight, your child’s tactile and proprioceptive senses are activated, which creates a sense of calm and relaxation. You can also do this with weighted blankets, tight cuddles, or by tucking them in nice and snug with pillows placed around them to add more pressure. Get them warm and cozy. Warmth is another element that can increase calm and signal bedtime! Put their
blankets in the dryer so they’ll have them nice and warm when it’s time to lie down. Additionally, you can give them a warm drink with a straw, as the warmth not only relaxes them but the straw also encourages sucking motions, which are incredibly soothing for children. Create gentle movements. Repetitive and rhythmic movements like rocking back and forth generate vestibular input for the nervous system. This will help your children feel comfortable and ready to sleep! You can try these motions by rocking them on a yoga ball for a few minutes, reading a bedtime story in a rocking chair, or sitting with them in a porch swing or hammock right before bed. Turn the screens off. We already know that looking at screens harms our sleep, so why would that be any different for children? Decrease screen time as the day advances and completely turn off any screens at least two hours
before bedtime. Not only do you want to cut these harsh lights, but you should also add comforting ones! Unwind in dim lighting as the day ends, and place lava lamps or a night light in your children’s rooms to help soothe them. Also, adding a white noise machine or playing calm music can do wonders! Combine these therapeutic methods to create the perfect bedtime routine that will have your energetic kiddos in bed without a hitch.
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TAKE A BREAK
The feeling of excitement for an upcoming vacation can quickly turn into one of stress. After you purchase your ticket or plan your travel, you may feel so burnt out that scheduling day-to-day activities for said vacation feels impossible. Thankfully, helping you create an itinerary is where AI thrives. AI-ENHANCED TRAVEL: Your Secret to the Perfect Itinerary So, how do you use AI to help you plan a trip? The first step is to craft a prompt that will get the best response possible. To do that, ask your preferred AI platform questions in your native language. AI understands many languages, and your grammar and syntax when asking questions matter when looking for perfect results. The more grammatically accurate your sentence is, the more artificial intelligence can help you. Next, you need to be as specific as possible. Include all relevant information about your travel party when asking it to make plans for you, including if there are any kids, elderly travelers, pets, dietary restrictions, interests, or priorities because those factors will impact the results it gives you. You should also tell the AI software when it misunderstands you or gives you results that don’t match what you want. AI, like ChatGPT, uses large language models (LLMs) to learn from the person interacting with it, so the back-and-forth of providing feedback helps it pinpoint your specific interests to give you better information. For example, you can provide this prompt: “Make me a travel itinerary for seven days in Rome with activities in less crowded areas that are accessible to elderly travelers.” Finally, double-check any of the information AI gives you. Most platforms can only access information available before 2021, so certain attractions, restaurants, parks, or other itinerary items may not exist anymore.
HOMEMADE PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE
Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com
Save money this October with this delicious homemade pumpkin spice latte that will taste better than any store-bought coffee. Ingredients
• 2 shots espresso (or 1/2 cup freshly brewed coffee)
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice • 1 tsp vanilla extract • Whipped cream for topping (optional)
• 1 cup milk of choice • 3 tbsp pumpkin purée • 1–2 tbsp maple syrup
Want to give AI travel a go? ChatGPT isn’t the only site you can use to plan your itinerary! You can try any one of the following AI software specifically created for travel:
Directions 1. In a small pot on medium heat, heat milk until simmering but not boiling. 2. Make your espresso (or coffee) and pour into a large mug or Mason jar. Add pumpkin purée, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla and stir until well combined. 3. With a milk frother, froth the heated milk until foamy. Then, pour into your pumpkin espresso mixture and top with whipped cream. For decoration, you can sprinkle more cinnamon or pumpkin spice on top!
• Tripnotes.ai • RoamAround.ai • Curiosio.com
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Representing Clients Throughout the 50 States SACRAMENTO
8880 Cal Center Drive, #190 Sacramento, CA 95826
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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How Kaushik Prioritizes Mental Health
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Criminal’s Job Hunt Backfires: Arrested During Interview!
Tips to Soothe Your Energetic Kids Before Bedtime
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Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
Personalized Vacations With AI
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The Troubling Saga of Sherri Papini’s Disappearance
THE SHOCKING TRUTH BEHIND SHERRI’S KIDNAPPING REVEALED
Sherri Papini vanished out of thin air in November 2016. The day she went missing, her husband, Keith Papini, came home expecting to see his wife and kids but found the residence eerily empty. Keith called the children’s day care to ask when his wife picked them up, but they informed him she never did. While the kids were safe, Sherri was missing. Three weeks passed before Sherri was finally found alone on a freeway nearly 146 miles from her home on Thanksgiving Day. She was cut and bruised, her long hair chopped short, and her back branded with a Bible verse. When the police questioned Sherri, she was hesitant and frightened. She claimed two Hispanic women abducted her, took her to an unknown location, chained her up, and tortured her before planning to traffic her. The story horrified
the community and made many Hispanic women fear wrongful persecution. At the time, male DNA was found on Sherri’s clothing, despite her insistence no men were involved in her kidnapping. Years later, in 2020, the authorities used genetic DNA technology to track down the man, Sherri’s ex-boyfriend, James Reyes. This was when Sherri’s tale began to fall apart. Reyes was questioned by police, who exposed the truth about Sherri’s vanishing act. He revealed that Sherri told him her husband, Keith, was abusing her, and she needed his help to escape. She convinced him to brand her, but all her other injuries were self-inflicted. Reyes had no idea about Sherri’s fabricated story involving two Hispanic kidnappers. At first, Sherri stuck with her story when questioned again but eventually admitted it was all a hoax.
In 2023, Sherri Papini was charged with false statements and mail fraud and sentenced to 18 months in prison for her long-winded lies that wasted police resources and federal financial assistance. Her story resulted in numerous innocent Hispanic women being wrongly questioned by authorities. But now, these women can rest easy knowing the case is finally closed.
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