Author: jetnmariano

  • I’d Like to Feel This Way Again

    Taylorsville Temple, pre-sunrise—benches waiting, light rising. Day 5: “I’d like to feel this way again.”

    Intro
    Before sunrise, the temple sits like a lighthouse on the ridge, and the road in feels like a small uphill each time. Taylorsville at daybreak, five mornings straight—the air cool, the world unhurried—and something true brushed past me again and again, enough to bring tears and resolve. It felt like the quiet lift this Seminary song points to—something real, not just a mood—nudging me higher. I want to live so that what I felt in those minutes before dawn can come back tomorrow, and again after that. These images (and this song) are my reminder to keep choosing the places where that feeling can find me.


    I’d Like to Feel This Way Again
    Like the snowflakes that fall on the ground,
    words in my heart sometimes don’t make a sound.

    Like spring raindrops that fall from the sky,
    tears can be joyful, escaping my eyes.

    I’d like to feel this way again;
    I’d like to feel this way tomorrow.

    Was I just lonely—did I need a friend?
    Was it convenience, a means to an end?
    Still, something touched me—I feel it, I do;

    some kind of message is trying to get through.

    I’d like to feel this way again;
    I’d like to feel this way tomorrow.

    Deep in there, words just burn within me;
    such new emotions I have known.
    Deepen their teachings; lift me higher—
    higher than all the blessings I have known.

    Sometimes the wind tries to turn me around—
    “Give up the climb, it’s so nice to come down.”
    Somehow this feeling keeps pushing me high;

    tells me it’s treasure I stumbled upon.

    I’d like to feel this way again;
    I’d like to feel this way tomorrow.
    I’d like to feel this way again;
    I’d like to feel this way forever.


    Source note
    “I’d Like to Feel This Way Again,” Seminary album Free to Choose (1987). Words & music: Ron Simpson.


    Final reflection
    For me, this lyric is about a real but delicate moment with God—quiet enough that words stumble, strong enough that tears come. The chorus isn’t chasing emotion; it’s choosing a life that welcomes the Spirit back. The questions (“Was I just lonely?”) are honest self-checks, but the fire in the words—how truth “burns within”—confirms it’s more than mood. The “wind” that tells me to turn around is the ordinary pull of ease and hurry; the climb is discipleship. And the push “higher” is grace, turning a chance moment into a new pattern. That’s why I keep coming back before sunrise. The temple on the horizon, the stillness, the scripture that settles, the small covenants kept—these are the places where that feeling returns, tomorrow, and—by His mercy—again and again.


    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Hot-cloning a Running Windows 11 VM in vSphere (Forensic, Redacted Runbook)

    This guide covers hot cloning a Windows 11 VM in vSphere with PowerCLI

    Goal. Create a new Windows 11 jump VM (WIN11-Jumpbox-6) by cloning a running source (WIN11-Jumpbox-2) in vCenter—without interrupting the source—and bring the clone up with a fresh identity (Sysprep), correct name, and domain join.

    Applies to. vCenter/vSphere with vSAN (or any datastore), Windows 11 guest, PowerCLI.

    Redaction note: All names below are placeholders. Replace the ALL_CAPS parts with local values.
    vCenter: VCENTER.FQDN
    Source VM: WIN11-Jumpbox-2
    New VM: WIN11-Jumpbox-6
    Target ESXi host: esxi-03.example.local
    Datastore: vsanDatastore
    Domain (optional): corp.local
    Join account: corp.local\joinaccount


    Constraints & safety

    • No source outage. Clone while the source is powered on (vCenter snapshots and clones from it).
    • Fresh identity. Use guest customization (Sysprep) so the clone receives a new SID and hostname.
    • Parameter sets. When cloning with -VM, avoid -NetworkName/-NumCPU/-MemoryGB in the same New-VM call; set those after the clone boots.
    • VMware Tools must be running in the guest for customization to apply.

    Pre-flight checks (30–60 seconds)

    # Connect
    Connect-VIServer VCENTER.FQDN
    
    # Capacity snapshot (optional)
    Get-VMHost | Select Name,
     @{N="CPU MHz Used";E={$_.CpuUsageMhz}},
     @{N="CPU MHz Total";E={$_.CpuTotalMhz}},
     @{N="Mem GB Used";E={[math]::Round($_.MemoryUsageGB,2)}},
     @{N="Mem GB Total";E={[math]::Round($_.MemoryTotalGB,2)}}
    
    Get-Datastore -Name "vsanDatastore" | Select Name,Type,State,
     @{N="CapacityGB";E={[math]::Round($_.CapacityGB,2)}},
     @{N="FreeGB";E={[math]::Round($_.FreeSpaceGB,2)}},
     @{N="Free%";E={[math]::Round(($_.FreeSpaceGB/$_.CapacityGB)*100,2)}}
    

    Rule of thumb: keep vSAN Free% ≥ 20–25% to avoid slack-space pressure during resync/rebuild.


    Method A — Clone with one-time guest customization (recommended)

    This path Syspreps the clone, renames it, and (optionally) joins the domain. It also avoids the PowerShell reserved variable $host (use $targetHost).

    # -------- Vars --------
    $srcName        = "WIN11-Jumpbox-2"
    $newName        = "WIN11-Jumpbox-6"
    $targetHostName = "esxi-03.example.local"
    $dsName         = "vsanDatastore"
    $domainFqdn     = "corp.local"                 # leave blank if no domain join
    $joinUser       = "corp.local\joinaccount"     # account allowed to join computers
    
    # -------- Objects --------
    $src        = Get-VM -Name $srcName -ErrorAction Stop
    $targetHost = Get-VMHost -Name $targetHostName -ErrorAction Stop
    $ds         = Get-Datastore -Name $dsName -ErrorAction Stop
    $pg         = ($src | Get-NetworkAdapter | Select-Object -First 1).NetworkName
    
    # -------- One-time Windows customization spec (NonPersistent) --------
    $specName = "TMP-Join-Redacted"
    $existing = Get-OSCustomizationSpec -Name $specName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
    if ($existing) { Remove-OSCustomizationSpec -OSCustomizationSpec $existing -Confirm:$false }
    
    # If domain join is desired
    $spec = if ($domainFqdn) {
      $joinCred = Get-Credential -UserName $joinUser -Message "Password for $joinUser"
      New-OSCustomizationSpec -Name $specName -Type NonPersistent `
        -OSType Windows -NamingScheme VMName -FullName "IT" -OrgName "Redacted" `
        -Domain $domainFqdn -DomainCredentials $joinCred
    }
    else {
      New-OSCustomizationSpec -Name $specName -Type NonPersistent `
        -OSType Windows -NamingScheme VMName -FullName "IT" -OrgName "Redacted"
    }
    
    # NIC(s) -> DHCP (switch to static if needed)
    Get-OSCustomizationNicMapping -OSCustomizationSpec $spec |
      ForEach-Object { Set-OSCustomizationNicMapping -OSCustomizationNicMapping $_ -IpMode UseDhcp | Out-Null }
    
    # -------- Clone (do NOT pass -NetworkName/-NumCPU/-MemoryGB here) --------
    $newVM = New-VM -Name $newName -VM $src -VMHost $targetHost -Datastore $ds -OSCustomizationSpec $spec
    
    Start-VM $newVM
    $newVM | Wait-Tools -TimeoutSeconds 900
    
    # -------- Post-boot tuning --------
    Set-VM -VM $newVM -NumCPU 4 -MemoryGB 8 -Confirm:$false
    Get-NetworkAdapter -VM $newVM | Set-NetworkAdapter -NetworkName $pg -Connected:$true -Confirm:$false
    

    Why this works (and common pitfalls)

    • Reserved variable. Cannot overwrite variable Host… appears when assigning to $host (PowerShell reserved). Use $targetHost.
    • Missing spec. Get-OSCustomizationSpec … ObjectNotFound indicates the named spec didn’t exist. The runbook creates a NonPersistent spec on the fly.
    • Ambiguous parameter set. New-VM : Parameter set cannot be resolved… occurs when mixing clone parameter -VM with -NetworkName/-NumCPU/-MemoryGB. Clone first, then adjust CPU/RAM/NIC after boot.

    Method B — Fallback: clone now, join inside the guest

    If guest customization is blocked (e.g., Tools not running, limited join rights), clone without customization, then rename/join inside the guest.

    # Clone without customization
    $src        = Get-VM -Name "WIN11-Jumpbox-2"
    $targetHost = Get-VMHost -Name "esxi-03.example.local"
    $ds         = Get-Datastore -Name "vsanDatastore"
    $newName    = "WIN11-Jumpbox-6"
    
    $newVM = New-VM -Name $newName -VM $src -VMHost $targetHost -Datastore $ds
    Start-VM $newVM
    $newVM | Wait-Tools -TimeoutSeconds 900
    
    # Rename to match VM name (inside guest)
    $localAdminCred = Get-Credential -Message "Local Administrator on the cloned VM"
    Invoke-VMScript -VM $newVM -GuestCredential $localAdminCred -ScriptType Powershell -ScriptText `
     'Rename-Computer -NewName "WIN11-Jumpbox-6" -Force; Restart-Computer -Force'
    
    $newVM | Wait-Tools -TimeoutSeconds 900
    
    # Optional domain join (inside guest)
    $joinCred = Get-Credential -UserName "corp.local\joinaccount"
    Invoke-VMScript -VM $newVM -GuestCredential $localAdminCred -ScriptType Powershell -ScriptText `
     'Add-Computer -DomainName "corp.local" -Credential (New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential("corp.local\joinaccount",(Read-Host -AsSecureString))) -Force -Restart'
    

    Verification (quick, non-invasive)

    # Where did it land? (host, datastore, portgroup)
    Get-VM -Name "WIN11-Jumpbox-6" | Select Name,PowerState,
     @{N="Host";E={$_.VMHost.Name}},
     @{N="Datastore(s)";E={($_ | Get-Datastore).Name -join ", "}},
     @{N="PortGroup";E={(Get-NetworkAdapter -VM $_ | Select -First 1).NetworkName}}
    
    # Optional: ensure VM files are on the intended datastore
    Get-VM -Name "WIN11-Jumpbox-6" | Get-HardDisk | Select Parent,Name,FileName
    

    Post-build hygiene

    • RDP enabled; restricted to an AD group.
    • Endpoint agents (AV/EDR/RMM) register as a new device (fresh identity).
    • Patching applied; baseline GPO/Intune policies targeted; backup/monitoring added.

    Forensic addendum: errors & remediation

    • Cannot overwrite variable Host…
      Cause: attempted $host = Get-VMHost … (PowerShell reserved).
      Fix: rename the variable to $targetHost.
    • Get-OSCustomizationSpec … ObjectNotFound
      Cause: referenced a non-existent customization spec.
      Fix: create a NonPersistent spec in-line.
    • New-VM … Parameter set cannot be resolved…
      Cause: mixed -VM (clone) with create-new switches.
      Fix: keep New-VM to the clone parameter set; tune CPU/RAM/NIC after boot.

    Security & privacy guardrails

    • No real hostnames, domains, IPs, or identifying screenshots in public artifacts.
    • Least-privilege join accounts or pre-staged computer objects in AD.
    • When publishing logs, hash or redact VM names and datastore paths.

    Summary

    Hot-cloning a Windows 11 VM in vSphere is reliable for a jump host when the process (1) allows vCenter to snapshot and clone a powered-on source, (2) applies Sysprep guest customization for a clean identity, and (3) keeps New-VM to a single parameter set. The runbook above is deterministic, quiet, and free of sensitive fingerprints.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Line Upon Line

    The Taylorsville Utah Temple at dusk, framed by golden wheat and roses. A reminder that spiritual harvests come “line upon line, precept upon precept” — in His time, His way, His will.

    There are weeks that pass quietly, and there are weeks that rearrange your spirit. In the span of just seven days, I’ve walked into the Taylorsville Temple three times. Each visit has been different, but together they’ve built something remarkable — a deepened layer of understanding, given to me line upon line, precept on precept.

    I think of my journey from 1981 up to today as “college-level” preparation in spiritual learning. Now, here in Utah, the Lord has been giving me what feels more like a “doctorate-level” education: His time, His way, His will.


    It’s like watching the stars appear at night.
    First one little light shines over there
    in the western sky, and then another,
    and then another — until finally, look for yourself…

    A whole wonderful endless universe
    began with one little star.

    Line upon line, precept on precept.
    That is how He lifts us, that is how He teaches His children.
    Line upon line, precept on precept.
    Like a summer shower giving us each hour His wisdom.
    If we are patient we shall see
    How the pieces fit together in harmony.
    We’ll know who we are in this big universe
    And then we’ll live with Him forever.

    But until it happens…

    Line upon line, precept on precept.
    That is how He lifts us, that is how He teaches His children.
    Line upon line, precept on precept.
    Like a summer shower giving us each hour His wisdom.

    (From Saturday’s Warrior, 1973 — Words by Doug Stewart, Music by Lex de Azevedo)


    Final Reflection

    Tonight in the Celestial Room, I prayed not to impose my will but to listen. What I felt wasn’t a grand vision but a gentle whisper — a reminder that revelation unfolds step by step, not all at once.

    Life keeps unfolding in ways I don’t always anticipate. Some lines remain unanswered, others open unexpectedly, but together they form a pattern that teaches me to trust the timing.

    Line upon line, I see how the Lord has been shaping my path. What once felt scattered now begins to come together in harmony — not all finished, but moving toward His perfect design.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • 🌥️ The Cloud Above Us

    PIMCO (Newport Beach HQ, CA) 🌍 — Global financial services supporting regions in NA, EMEA, APAC.
    Church (Riverton Office Building, UT) ⛪ — Worldwide infrastructure with 200k employees and over 80k missionaries.
    Monster Energy (Corona HQ, CA) ⚡ — Global enterprise IT operations across NA, EMEA, APAC.
    City National Bank (Downtown LA, CA) 🏙️ — U.S. banking systems at scale.

    A journey across scales: national (CNB), global (PIMCO & Monster Energy), and worldwide (The Church).


    Every IT career tells a story, and mine has moved through three different scales of impact:

    Company-Level Foundations → At PayForward, I migrated an entire OnPrem environment into AWS. That meant setting up VPCs, building HA Exchange clusters with load balancers, and proving the power of cloud for a fast-moving startup.

    Regional / Global Scale → At Monster Energy and PIMCO, the work stretched across North America, EMEA, and APAC. The systems never slept. VMware clusters and M365 tenants had to function as one, even though users were scattered across time zones and continents.

    Worldwide Reach → At the Church, the scale expanded beyond regions. Over 200,000 employees and over 80,000 missionaries, connected by systems that had to reach every corner of the globe, demanded both technical precision and spiritual responsibility.

    This journey shows that the “cloud above us” isn’t just AWS, Azure, or GCP — it’s the ability to design, secure, and sustain systems at every possible scale.

    A colleague once told me: “Automate, or eliminate.” In IT, that isn’t just a clever saying — it’s survival. At the scale of hundreds or even thousands of VMs, EC2 instances, or mailboxes, doing things manually is not just unrealistic — it’s risky. What automation can finish in under 10 minutes might take days or weeks by hand, and even then would be prone to errors.

    That’s why Python, PowerShell, Bash, and automation frameworks became part of my daily toolkit. Not to flaunt, but because without automation, no single engineer could handle the demands of environments as large as PIMCO, Monster Energy, or the Church.


    Snippet 1: AWS (My PayForward Days)

    import boto3
    
    # Connect to AWS S3
    s3 = boto3.client('s3')
    
    # List buckets
    buckets = s3.list_buckets()
    print("Your AWS buckets:")
    for bucket in buckets['Buckets']:
        print(f"  {bucket['Name']}")
    

    From racks of servers to a few lines of Python—that’s the power of AWS.

    Snippet 2: PowerShell + Azure (My Church Years, CNB)

    Connect-AzAccount
    Get-AzResourceGroup | Select ResourceGroupName, Location
    

    One line, and you can see every Azure resource group spread across the world. A task that once required data center visits and clipboards is now just a command away.

    Snippet 3: PHP + GCP (Expanding Horizons)

    use Google\Cloud\Storage\StorageClient;
    
    $storage = new StorageClient([
        'keyFilePath' => 'my-service-account.json'
    ]);
    
    $buckets = $storage->buckets();
    
    foreach ($buckets as $bucket) {
        echo $bucket->name() . PHP_EOL;
    }
    

    Snippet 4: VMware + M365 (Monster Energy, PIMCO, and Beyond)

    # Connect to vCenter and list VMs across data centers
    Connect-VIServer -Server vcenter.global.company.com -User admin -Password pass
    Get-VM | Select Name, PowerState, VMHost, Folder
    
    # Quick check of licensed users in M365 (global tenants)
    Connect-MgGraph -Scopes "User.Read.All"
    Get-MgUser -All -Property DisplayName, UserPrincipalName, UsageLocation |
        Group-Object UsageLocation |
        Select Name, Count
    

    One script, and suddenly you’re seeing footprints of users spread across the globe — NA, EMEA, APAC, or even worldwide. That’s the reality of modern IT infrastructure.


    The “cloud above us” is both a literal technology — AWS, Azure, and GCP that I’ve worked across — and a metaphor. It represents resilience, scalability, and unseen support. Just as automation carries workloads we could never handle by hand, life has storms we cannot carry alone.

    From startups making their first move to the cloud, to global financial institutions, to worldwide organizations with hundreds of thousands of users, the lesson is the same: we are not meant to fight every battle manually.

    We are given tools, teammates, and even unseen strength from above to keep moving forward. The same way a script can manage thousands of servers or accounts without error, trust and preparation help us navigate the storms of life with less fear.

    ☁️ Above every storm, there’s always a cloud carrying potential. And above that cloud, always light waiting to break through.

    Before my cloud journey, I also spent nine years in forensic IT supporting law enforcement — a grounding reminder that technology isn’t only about systems and scale, but about accountability and truth.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • I Feel The Answer

    Draper Utah Temple — A rainbow of promise through the branches.

    Intro
    Some moments arrive quietly but carry the weight of eternity. This season has taken me away from the work I love, yet placed me in a space where the Lord can speak more directly. It feels like a “calling” — not just an assignment, but an invitation to walk a path I did not expect, at a time I did not plan.

    A calling can refine you, but it can also break you — I know this firsthand. When I lost my father and my younger brother, the grief was so heavy it lingered for over a year, leaving me with a frozen shoulder and a frozen spirit. But in that stillness, I learned something I now carry with me: when you are not preoccupied, when your heart is still enough, Heaven can speak — and you will hear.

    In 1987, during my Seminary days, there was a song in our Free to Choose program called I Feel the Answer. Its words spoke to the questions of a heart unsure yet willing, and today those words still echo in me.


    I Feel The Answer

    How I wish this hadn’t come right now,
    With so much on my mind.
    I just don’t think I’m ready for a calling of this kind —
    Where do I turn to, searching for me?

    Does He know me even better than I know myself?
    When I am sure that I can’t do it, can I turn to Him for help?
    And will He answer? Will He give me peace?

    More than air to breathe, I need to know
    If what I feel is right — Father, hear my pleading.
    Let me see the light. I’ll do whatever You ask me to do.

    And yes… I feel the answer.
    He calls my name and whispers to my soul.
    And oh, His gentle answer heals my aching heart — and I am whole.
    Heals my aching heart — and I am whole.


    Sometimes, a calling feels like a classroom. Sometimes, a setback is a sacred appointment. And sometimes, the answer doesn’t come as a trumpet blast, but as a whisper — so quiet you only hear it when you pause. In those still moments, He calls your name, and you know — you are exactly where He needs you to be.

    In this quiet stretch of life, I’ve learned that solitude isn’t the absence of connection — it’s the space where Heaven’s voice becomes unmistakably clear. Away from the noise and demands, I’ve come to see that even the pauses in our path are part of His perfect timing.

    Recently, the Spirit carried me back to a sacred temple moment, where familiar faces seemed etched with eternity — not just in their features, but in the quiet witness of the soul. At times, the Lord grants us glimpses of recognition that reach beyond mortal memory, as if to remind us that His hand has been guiding our paths long before we knew it.

    It was a quiet confirmation that the same Spirit who whispered then is still speaking now — through remembrance, through reflection, and through the gentle truth that our journeys, though carved by different streams, are being guided toward the same horizon. And in those moments, just as the song I Feel the Answer says, “He calls my name and whispers to my soul” — and I feel the answer.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Secure Automation with PowerShell SecretManagement: Simplifying Credential Management for IT Pros

    Introduction:
    In enterprise environments, automation is only as secure as the credentials it uses. Hardcoding passwords into scripts is a security disaster waiting to happen. Enter PowerShell SecretManagement — a cross-platform module that allows IT professionals to store, retrieve, and manage credentials securely while keeping scripts clean, compliant, and automation-ready.

    Description & Guide:

    1. What is SecretManagement?
      The SecretManagement module provides a unified way to work with secrets across different vaults like Windows Credential Manager, Azure Key Vault, KeePass, or HashiCorp Vault — without locking you into a single storage provider.
    2. Installing the Modules
    Install-Module Microsoft.PowerShell.SecretManagement
    Install-Module Microsoft.PowerShell.SecretStore
    

    3. Registering a Vault
    For a local secure store:

    Register-SecretVault -Name LocalVault -ModuleName Microsoft.PowerShell.SecretStore -DefaultVault
    

    4. Adding a Secret

    Set-Secret -Name MySQLAdmin -Secret (Get-Credential)
    

    5. Retrieving a Secret in Scripts

    $cred = Get-Secret -Name MySQLAdmin -AsCredential
    Invoke-Sqlcmd -ServerInstance "SQL01" -Username $cred.UserName -Password $cred.GetNetworkCredential().Password
    

    6. Why This Matters

    • Eliminates plaintext passwords in scripts
    • Centralizes secret management for easier updates
    • Works seamlessly with CI/CD pipelines and scheduled tasks

    Conclusion:
    Security and automation don’t have to be enemies. With PowerShell SecretManagement, you can protect sensitive credentials without sacrificing automation speed or flexibility. For IT pros managing hybrid environments, this module is a must-have in your PowerShell toolbox.

    If you’d like to go beyond this post and see what Microsoft officially recommends, here are my go-to resources:

    Microsoft Docs – SecretManagement Overview

    Microsoft Docs – SecretStore vault extension

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Migrating Azure AD Scripts to Microsoft Graph PowerShell: A Practical Guide for IT Administrators

    Introduction
    The AzureAD PowerShell module has served IT administrators for years, but it’s now officially deprecated in favor of the Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK. While the change may feel like another “cloud shuffle,” migrating your scripts is not just a compliance move — it’s your ticket to a more powerful, secure, and future-proof automation toolkit. In this post, I’ll walk you through the essentials of converting your Azure AD scripts to Microsoft Graph, with clear side-by-side examples.

    Why Migrate?

    • Future Support: Microsoft Graph is actively developed; AzureAD is on life support.
    • Unified Endpoint: Graph covers Azure AD, Intune, Exchange Online, Teams, and more in one API.
    • Security: Better authentication methods, including secure app registrations and least-privilege scopes.

    Step 1 – Install Microsoft Graph PowerShell

    # Install the module
    Install-Module Microsoft.Graph -Scope CurrentUser
    
    # Update if already installed
    Update-Module Microsoft.Graph
    
    # Connect with interactive sign-in
    Connect-MgGraph -Scopes "User.Read.All", "Group.ReadWrite.All"
    
    # Confirm connection
    Get-MgContext
    

    Step 2 – Side-by-Side Script Conversion

    Example: Get all Azure AD users
    AzureAD Module:

    Connect-AzureAD
    Get-AzureADUser -All $true
    

    Microsoft Graph:

    Connect-MgGraph -Scopes "User.Read.All"
    Get-MgUser -All
    

    Example: Get members of a group
    AzureAD Module:

    $groupId = (Get-AzureADGroup -SearchString "Sales Team").ObjectId
    Get-AzureADGroupMember -ObjectId $groupId
    

    Microsoft Graph:

    $groupId = (Get-MgGroup -Filter "displayName eq 'Sales Team'").Id
    Get-MgGroupMember -GroupId $groupId
    

    Example: Create a new group
    AzureAD Module:

    New-AzureADGroup -DisplayName "Project A Team" -MailEnabled $false -SecurityEnabled $true -MailNickname "ProjectATeam"
    

    Microsoft Graph:

    New-MgGroup -DisplayName "Project A Team" `
        -MailEnabled:$false `
        -SecurityEnabled `
        -MailNickname "ProjectATeam"
    

    Step 3 – Updating Authentication
    With Microsoft Graph, you can fine-tune permissions at sign-in instead of granting broad directory access:

    Connect-MgGraph -Scopes "User.ReadWrite.All", "Group.ReadWrite.All"
    

    Only request the scopes you actually need — this aligns with least privilege best practices.

    Step 4 – Testing and Verification
    Before replacing scripts in production, run them in a test tenant or a non-production environment. Compare outputs from AzureAD and Graph to ensure parity.

    Conclusion
    Migrating from AzureAD to Microsoft Graph PowerShell is more than just a rewrite — it’s a forward-looking investment. Once you adapt, you’ll unlock richer APIs, cross-service automation, and security benefits that AzureAD simply can’t match. My advice? Start small: pick one script, convert it, and test until you’re confident. Once you see the gains, the rest will follow naturally.

    For official guidance and best practices from Microsoft, check out these resources:

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Only Whisper: Hearing the Voice of the Shepherd at Taylorsville Temple

    I have been here many times, but yesterday was special — the Taylorsville Temple became the backdrop for a sacred lesson on hearing the Lord’s voice.

    Only Whisper

    Revelation is never ours to control; it comes when and how the Lord chooses (D&C 88:68). He alone decides:

    1. To whom it is given
    2. When it is given
    3. How it is given
    4. What is given

    Yesterday, in the quiet holiness of the Taylorsville Temple, I was reminded of all four — not in grand visions, but in a gentle nudge. Even with my mind still learning to fully let go, the Lord chose to speak in His own way. It was not a rebuke, but a whisper — enough to remind me that He knows where I am, and He knows how to guide me forward.

    Most of the time, I move quickly — eager to help, eager to act — even when wisdom would invite me to slow down. I’ve often rushed to finish what’s before me rather than take time for careful preparation or documentation. Yet I’m learning that these slower, quieter moments are part of the work itself. King Benjamin taught that “all these things are to be done in wisdom and order” (Mosiah 4:27). Even after his people entered into a covenant with God, he paused to record each name (Mosiah 6:1) — a small, deliberate act that safeguarded sacred promises.

    And so, in that stillness, the Lord’s counsel from D&C 88:68 settled deeply — to keep my mind single to Him, even while I’m still learning to let go of what I hold dear. His voice is often a whisper, shaping not only what to do, but how and when to do it — in His way, and in His perfect timing.

    While pondering my temple experience in Taylorsville, this Seminary song came to mind, perfectly echoing the message of D&C 88:68:

    (From the Seminary song Voice of the Shepherd, Hold to the Rod series 1-6)


    I want to hear — really want to hear,
    But the sounds of the world loudly ring in my ear,
    While the voice of the Lord that is calling me near
    Only whisper.

    The voice of the Lord is so still, so small,
    I wonder if that’s what I’m hearing at all.
    How can I know if I heard the call of the Shepherd?

    I have His promise, but I have my choice;
    To be of His fold is to hear His voice.
    Knock, and He’ll open — ask and receive from the Shepherd.

    The voice of the world comes on so strong,
    Always insisting you’ve got to belong.
    How far can I follow without doing wrong to the Shepherd?

    Which is the world’s voice? Which voice is mine?
    Which voice is offering a message divine?
    I have His promise, but I have my choice;
    To be of His fold is to hear His voice.
    Knock, and He’ll open — ask and receive from the Shepherd.

    Now as I kneel here next to my bed,
    Chasing the voices from out of my head,
    Listening for feelings in my heart instead, comes a whisper —

    Wonderful message, welcome sound,
    Strange how loudly a whispering sounds.
    The hope that escaped me before has been found in the Shepherd.

    He gave His promise; I made my choice.
    I came to His call when I heard His voice.
    I knocked, and He opened; I asked and received from the Shepherd.


    There is peace in moving at the Lord’s pace (Mosiah 4:27).
    The temple stands, the Spirit speaks, and heaven records even what is unseen (D&C 88:68).
    In that stillness, I let go… trusting that what is meant for me will remain — even when my focus is imperfect, and my heart is still learning to let go of certain things.

    This reminded me of a season when I chased a goal with all my strength—read more in Sacred Reflections

    Most of the time, I am in a hurry and eager to help, preferring to act immediately rather than wait or work through slower, more deliberate steps. I’ve often found myself wanting to get things done rather than take time for careful preparation or documentation — yet I’m learning that these slower moments are part of the work itself. King Benjamin taught that “all these things are to be done in wisdom and order” (Mosiah 4:27). Even after his people entered into a covenant with God, he took the time to record each name (Mosiah 6:1) — a simple act of order that safeguarded sacred commitments.

    In the sacred quiet of the Taylorsville Temple, I felt the Lord’s counsel from D&C 88:68 settle deep into my heart — to keep my mind single to Him, even while my heart is still learning to fully let go. His voice came not as a rebuke, but as a whisper — reminding me that He knows where I am, He knows what I’m carrying, and He knows how to guide me forward.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Living, moving and being

    Along California’s iconic Hwy 101, I captured this moment: a lone jogger silhouetted against the rising sun. I wasn’t the runner—but in that stillness, I remembered that I, too, live, and move, and have my being.

    A day not just lived, but felt.

    A day when the words from Acts 17:28 stirred within me: “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being.”
    I wasn’t chasing the sun—I was waiting for it. But as I framed this stranger in motion, I saw more than a runner. I saw a reflection of all of us: moving forward, unaware we’re part of something eternal. That’s what the lens captured. That’s what I needed to remember.

    On the Edge of Being

    Poem by Jet Mariano

    He ran before the world awoke,
    A silhouette against gold and smoke.
    No music, map, or finish line—
    Just dawn unfolding, pure and fine.

    I stood unseen, lens in hand,
    Still as stone, yet I understand:
    That in his stride was something more—
    A soul in motion, not at war.

    He moved, I watched; we both were free,
    Two lives unfolding by the sea.
    He didn’t know—but I could see—
    That we both live and move… and have our being.

    I wasn’t chasing the sun—I was waiting for it. But as I framed this stranger in motion, I saw more than a runner. I saw a reflection of all of us: moving forward, unaware we’re part of something eternal. That’s what the lens captured. That’s what I needed to remember.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • I’m Able: Climbing for Light, Capturing the Moon

    After hiking over 2,000 feet to my favorite mountain ridge, I waited in silence with my 1000mm + TC 2x lens—watching the Supermoon rise in full glory. It reminded me that some things are only visible to those willing to climb.
    From this 2K-foot summit, I waited with my 1000mm lens and 2x teleconverter. The shot was worth it. My eyes soaked in the rising Supermoon, but I wanted to remember the experience forever. It took patience, precise camera settings, and above all, an ‘I’m able’ attitude that brought me the stillness I needed. Here’s the result.

    That simple phrase didn’t just motivate me. It rejuvenated me. It reminded me that every setback I’ve endured, every delay, and every heartbreak was not the end—but a test of endurance. Like Edison, like Tesla, and like countless others who stood firm when things fell apart, I now carry this quiet fire inside me.
    No matter what the odds say—I’m able.
    And that means everything.

    I’m Able
    Poem by Jet Mariano

    I’m able—not because I’ve won,
    But because I choose to rise with the sun.
    I’m able—not from praise or might,
    But by standing up when wrong feels right.

    I’m able—through the tear-stained night,
    To cradle hope and guard the light.
    I’m able—though I walk alone,
    To make the climb and call it home.

    I’ve come to realize—I don’t need titles to prove my worth. I don’t measure myself by applause or position.
    What I carry is truth. Lived truth. Quiet truth. Hard-earned truth.
    And in those silent battles when no one’s watching, I remind myself:
    I’m able.
    And that means everything.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Before the boarding call

    Gate A21, Salt Lake City Airport — Just before takeoff to my destination, one last act of service: a restored VM and an unlocked account.

    Right before boarding at Gate A21 for a flight to the Big Apple, I found myself once again doing what I do best—helping quietly behind the scenes.
    With minutes to spare, I had just unlocked a user account and ensured a critical VM was restored.
    Even in transit, purpose doesn’t clock out. Some of the best service happens when no one sees it.

    Before Takeoff

    Poem by Jet Mariano
    A final ping, a task complete,
    Between the rows of outbound seats.
    Not all flights take off with wings—
    Some soar when hearts do faithful things.

    A gate, a call, the engine’s song,
    But even then, I can’t be gone.
    For hands that serve and souls that stay,
    Are never truly far away.

    Some journeys begin long before wheels lift from the ground. On that late July afternoon, it wasn’t just about reaching a destination—it was about leaving no soul behind. Service, even from Gate A21, has a way of grounding us in purpose.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Day of Delight

    Scaffolds outside, strength within—light and gladness in the heart. Updates: base isolation for earthquakes; expanded capacity (new instruction rooms, more sealing rooms); two baptistries in the annex; endowment now in single-room film presentations in multiple languages.

    Intro
    I’ve been thinking about how a day can change the temperature of a soul. “There’s a day when I cast off the world… and find myself in prayer.” That line isn’t about running from life—it’s about choosing a place where God can reach me. Another line says, “a day to rediscover the vision, clear and bright.” Rediscover is the key word. The light was there all along; the day simply gives me permission to see it again. After weeks of early prayers and late-night temple time, this song feels less like nostalgia and more like instruction: set the day apart, and the day will set you apart.


    Day of Delight (full lyrics, 1979 Gates of Zion Seminary Album)

    There’s a certain kind of happiness,
    a certain kind of glow,
    a special warm sensation—
    I love to feel it flow.

    I love the sweet reminder
    of other things to do,
    the hopes and dreams inside myself—
    I know they can come true.

    There’s a day when I cast off the world,
    untouched by problems there;
    a day when I can grow and learn
    and find myself in prayer;

    a day to rediscover
    the vision, clear and bright;
    a day of light and gladness—
    a day of my delight.

    Who knows what treasures—
    Was for me the freedom,
    and the peace, new reaches,
    fresh and unexplored—
    Lord, where faith and love,

    far beyond the ordinary,
    past the ways of man;
    the beauty of this day was set
    before the world began.

    There’s a day when I cast off
    the world, untouched by problems there;
    a day when I can grow and learn
    and find myself in prayer;
    a day to rediscover the vision,
    clear and bright—
    a day of light and gladness,
    a day of my delight.


    Final Reflection
    Why would a Seminary writer in 1979 pen “Day of Delight”? My sense: to teach that holiness isn’t grim—it’s glad. Youth didn’t need a heavier rulebook; they needed language for joy. The song reframes a set-apart day as fuel, not escape: “I love the sweet reminder of other things to do… I know they can come true.” That’s a hidden gem—the holy day doesn’t pause your life; it powers it. Another is, “the beauty of this day was set before the world began,” quietly tying delight to covenant memory: this rhythm was written into us long before our calendars.


    What I hear now
    • Delight is chosen. The day doesn’t chase me; I step into it.
    • Prayer is discovery, not performance. I “find myself in prayer.”
    • Joy precedes action. Warmth first, then the “other things to do.”
    • Covenant memory steadies the week. If it was set “before the world began,” I can trust it to reset me now.


    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Somewhere in Life

    Sunrise behind the Taylorsville Temple — a reminder that even after storms, there’s light, a place prepared for us, and battles that can be won.

    There are moments when life’s rhythm seems to shift, as if unseen hands are arranging the day in ways we can’t quite explain. Today feels like one of those moments. My morning began with simple exchanges, yet carried an undertone of purpose. Last night’s dream—more like a second visit from the other side—lingers in my mind, as if to say, you’re not walking alone.

    It brought to mind the song Somewhere in Life from the 1979 Gates of Zion Seminary album, recorded during the time President Spencer W. Kimball was the prophet. I know these songs well because I served as a CES Institute Director from 1987 to 1990, a season in my life where music like this carried deep spiritual lessons to youth—and, unexpectedly, to me as well. Its words about “storms of evil that cloud your view” and “a hand to hold” speak directly to my journey.


    Somewhere in life there’ll be darkness too
    Storms of evil moments that cloud your view
    And yet in life you’ll find that Morning Sun
    You’ll find a battle won

    Somewhere in life there’s a place for you
    Far away from forces you can’t subdue
    Somewhere in life there be someone to know
    There’ll be a hand to hold


    The assurance that “there’s a place for you” feels especially real today, and with it, the quiet courage to keep moving forward until, as the song says, “you’ll find a battle won.”

    This ties closely to my August 12 “Storm of Life” reflection. Back then, I wrote about facing trials head-on and finding calm in the eye of the storm. Today, I feel that same calm as I prepare to enter the Taylorsville Temple—not just to perform a proxy endowment, but to lay the names of loved ones on the altar, trusting in the Lord’s timing.

    Final Reflection
    Life’s battles are rarely fought on visible fields. Most are waged in the quiet spaces of our hearts, where faith pushes back against fear. My dream reminded me that heaven is closer than we think, and the song from Gates of Zion reminds me that somewhere in life—right here, right now—there’s still a hand to hold, a place prepared, and a victory ahead.


    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Marked in Time — Learn to Love the Storm (Provo City Center Temple)

    Provo City Center Temple under lightning—shot from the walkway with leading lights. A reminder I first learned in 2018 after that T-bone crash: storms can shake you, but they don’t decide the ending.

    Excerpt
    Learn to love the storm.


    Intro
    Storms touch every life—loss, illness, missed chances, worry. In IT they hit at 2 a.m., at airports, on freeways, even overseas. Like weather carves a canyon, adversity shapes a soul. Preparation helps—docs, reps, calm breath—until we learn not just to endure but to embrace the rhythm.


    Backstory
    Second week of January 2018, on my way to photograph Provo City Center Temple, a driver T-boned my car. He was arrested on the spot. I blacked out for a few seconds—came back, shaken but okay—and still made it to the temple. That night taught me: storms hit hard, but they don’t have to end the story. Funny enough, as I write this, American Pie wanders through a verse about endings. I’m grateful mine wasn’t.


    Notes from the Journey
    Urgency doesn’t wait; readiness is mercy. Pressure reveals what practice built. Quiet faith plus steady habits turns chaos into clarity.


    Practice (today, not someday)
    Prep what future-you will need (one checklist, one page of notes). When the alert hits: breathe, bless, begin. Re-anchor: Grounded • Rooted • Established • Settled.


    Final Reflection
    Loving the storm doesn’t mean pretending it doesn’t hurt. Some trials mark the body and the heart. Yet the covenant echo remains: “Thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment… and shall be for thy good.” (D&C 121:7; 122:7) In tech and in life, Murphy visits often; I’ll meet him ready, resilient, and willing—trusting that beyond the thunder, I keep moving.


    Pocket I’m Keeping
    Prepared, prayerful, unafraid of weather.


    What I Hear Now
    Hold fast. Keep going between flashes.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • It’s up to me to share my light with others

    December 1, 1982 — With my final companion, Elder Ulrich. On this day, I received a telegram from the mission office telling me my mission would end the following week. I didn’t want to go home — I felt I was just getting started.

    During my commute to work, I sometimes listen to old Seminary songs — melodies that carry me back to my early days in the Church. Recently, one stood out: It’s Up to Me from the 1979 Gates of Zion album.

    The first stanza caught me:

    It’s up to me to share my light with others
    How can they grow if I refuse to give?
    The happiness I feel is beautiful and real.


    In December 1982, I was serving in my last area with my final companion, Elder Ulrich, when I received a telegram telling me I had only a few days before going home. I didn’t want to leave. I never counted the days on my mission — I made each day count. Every conversation, every door, every lesson was another chance to share the light with others.

    When I joined the Church, I was a chain smoker — 50+ sticks a day. I quit cold turkey in seven days, through prayer and sheer determination, so I could be baptized. That change taught me that the Lord magnifies even the smallest willingness to act. Whether it’s giving up a habit, opening your mouth to share the gospel, or simply showing kindness, He makes it enough.

    My “mission” didn’t end when I was released. The form of service has changed — now it’s IT projects, photography, mentoring, or writing — but the calling to share the light stays the same. These skills aren’t really mine; they’re gifts from God, meant to be used in building others up.

    Final Reflection

    Over the years, I’ve learned that sharing the light is not tied to a title or season of life. Whether through gospel service, professional expertise, or creative talents, each of us has something that can brighten another’s path.

    That’s what the song It’s Up to Me has always whispered to my heart: the happiness we feel is beautiful and real — but it becomes even more beautiful when it lights someone else’s way.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Marked In Time – “I’m Glad I’m Me”

    Manila Philippines Temple — first light through the palms. When I joined the Church there were 4 missions in the Philippines; today there are 26. From 1 temple then to 13 now (3 operating, 10 under construction). Truly, “miracles of knowledge” — and truth can grow and thrive.

    Excerpt

    A quiet temple night—and a Seminary song—reminded me that “miracles of knowledge” are all around us, and that I can be glad to be me while still becoming better.


    Intro

    Some moments stay because they’re loud and unforgettable. Others stay because they’re quiet—so quiet you almost miss them. My August 9 visit to the Taylorsville Utah Temple was one of those moments. It was an only whisper kind of day that made me pause and take in where I am in life. In that stillness, the Seminary song “I’m Glad I’m Me” (from Gates of Zion) returned and reframed where I am—technically, spiritually, and personally.


    Notes from the “Seminary Song, Gates of Zion Album, 1979″

    I’m glad I’m me

    Today is warm and wonderful, it’s my day
    What a time to be alive
    There’s miracles of knowledge all around me
    And man can soar, truth can grow and thrive

    The world has waited breathlessly for this day
    And I’m part of what they waited for
    With those who before I share the blessing
    Opportunity not dreamed about people

    I’m glad I’m me
    and yes I’m glad I know the answers
    Know why I’m here and what I’m living for
    I want to be the best I can be I want to do
    What I was sent here for

    I have work to do while it’s still my day
    There’s so much love and happiness to gie
    I’m glad to think that I was counted worthy
    That I was saved for this great day to live

    I’m glad I’m me
    And Yes I’m glad I know the answers
    Know why I’m here, and what I’m living for
    I wan to be the best I can be I want to do
    What I sent here for


    Perspective (direct quotes)aligned to the song

    • I must work the works… while it is day.” — John 9:4
    • Seek learning, even by study and also by faith.” — D&C 88:118
    • “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” — Mosiah 2:17

    Practice (today, not someday)phrased from the lyrics

    • Know why I’m here: write one sentence of purpose for today and read it before you start.
    • Be the best I can be: choose one skill to sharpen (document the “miracle of knowledge” you used).
    • Do what I was sent here for: finish one task that directly blesses a person/team.
    • Share the blessing: teach one thing you learned (short note, screenshot, or 2-minute huddle).

    Final Reflection

    When I first started in IT, “miracles of knowledge” looked very different—no Azure, AWS, or GCP; the Internet for a few universities; rooms of hardware; Google not yet a verb; AI still fiction. Today we carry more compute in our pockets than those machines ever dreamed of. That’s not just progress—it’s an everyday miracle.
    Knowing why I’m here, I want to be the best I can be and do what I was sent here for: stay curious, be ready for the unexpected, show up prepared, learn from every storm, and find meaning in the work and relationships along the way. I’m grateful for this moment—where heaven’s whisper meets technology’s light. And yes, I’m glad I’m me.


    Pocket I’m Keeping

    Know why I’m here; do what I was sent here for.


    What I Hear Now

    “Be the best you can be—today.”“Use knowledge to lift.”

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • When Laughter Is Still

    My Tesla beneath the Milky Way — motionless, but never without direction.

    Some nights, the noise fades and what remains is the weight of memory. Yesterday left more than questions—it left a silence loud enough to listen to. This poem was born from that space. It’s not about loss or blame, but a quiet confrontation with the world I’ve built, the love I’ve given, and the choices still before me. In this stillness, I ask: what does it mean to keep going, even when laughter is gone?

    It’s me. It’s my world—and I still want to taste it.
    I’ve held joy like steam in a cup—
    brief, warm… then gone.
    But I drank every drop,
    even when it burned,
    even when the cup cracked in my hands.

    I told the sky my secrets,
    parked beneath the stars in silence.
    No music this time. No echoes.
    Only questions,
    and God—still listening
    when no one else would.

    When laughter is still,
    I become what I must—
    not by gift, not by chance,
    but by choosing not to run
    even when I was left behind.

    — Poem written by Jet Mariano

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Today or Tomorrow, Now or Then, Endure to the End

    I become what I will — not by gift, not by chance,
    but like this still house on the prairie, rooted by water, framed by sky —
    I endure. I reflect. Today or tomorrow, now or then.

    Intro Paragraph (Why this poem?)

    There are things I rarely speak, not because they don’t matter — but because they do. Some stories are too sacred to explain plainly. I’ve carried burdens for decades — for family, for faith, and sometimes for people who never knew. This poem is not a confession. It’s a quiet map of where I’ve been and what it cost me to endure. If you’ve ever sacrificed in silence, this is for you.

    Today or Tomorrow, Now or Then, Endure to the End

    by Jet Mariano

    I become what I will—
    not by gift,
    not by chance.

    They said it was for the dream.
    But I never dreamed of this.

    Not the hauling at midnight,
    the cold linoleum behind the receiving dock

    but never my name.

    I didn’t come with love in hand—
    I came with a debt to pay.
    To rescue a soul,
    and carry a family
    across a sea of impossibilities.

    A job at USC
    became a cure for my father,
    a lifeline for my family,
    a bridge for my siblings
    to find homes I would never live in.

    And still, I smiled.

    Though phone jobs stripped my voice,
    while I studied with red eyes and calloused faith,
    and slept beside hopelessness

    They think I’m quiet now.
    They don’t know I’ve just spoken enough pain
    for a hundred lifetimes.

    I write it in playlists
    that no one plays but me.
    I express it in photographs I create—
    where silence can finally breathe.

    I date it in the margins of scripture
    where no one else will read.

    Let them think I’ve always been composed.
    Let them think the IT job made me.
    I know what made me:

    A God who watched me
    hauling furniture in Burbank
    and still whispered,
    “You are mine.”

    Today or tomorrow,
    now or then,
    endure to the end.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • A Quiet Milestone in Our Family’s IT Journey

    Some victories don’t need spotlights when they’ve already made their mark in the heart.

    My son earned his Master’s in Cybersecurity—an achievement forged through discipline, persistence, and his own quiet fire. While others chase trends, he’s built a foundation. And while I never asked him to follow in my footsteps, he chose to walk beside them in his own way.

    This moment reminds me that legacy isn’t loud. It’s built in silence—line by line, late night by late night, passed through keyboards, keystrokes, and countless system logs. And while the world sees just a photo, I see a journey… a reflection of years of sacrifice, faith, and fierce intention.

    If I’m the blueprint, he is the upgrade.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • First Time, First Place – A Father’s Salute

    August 2, 2025 – FitExpo Bodybuilding Finals. First competition, first crown. Video credit: Jay Jay Calica.


    He once ruled the stage with rhythm and beats—4-time champion in male hip-hop dance. But on this day, he stepped into a different arena—where the spotlight came from strength, form, and unwavering discipline.



    This was his very first bodybuilding competition. Categorized by height and weight, he faced seasoned athletes… and came out on top. First place. Another gold medal, another reason for me to say, “That’s my son.”

    As a father, I’ve watched him evolve. From choreographed footwork to disciplined gym reps, he’s taught me that greatness is not inherited—it’s earned through effort, day after day.



    From the dance floor to the posing stage, your light never dims—it just shines in new ways. Keep rising, son.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

error: Content is protected !!