Innocence Day

Happy Innocence Day!

Greetings from the city touted as City of Surprises!

Yes, I have spent Christmas in Pasto, amidst some family members' protest. I decided t stay a little bit longer with a plan in mind to visit close good friends in the neighboring countries (namely: Peru and Bolivia).

Christmas was great! I have spent it with my friend's family and surprisingly even though I'm the only outsider I never felt out-of-place. They even made me sing in the tune of 'O come all ye Faithful' and one Filipino song. But one surprising thing is that I even received two gifts during the close in family Christmas Party! Hooboy...

Anyways, I'm supposed to write about Innocence Day. They came up with their own version of it :Dia del Agua...in which I still have to research how and why...

At first, nobody wanted to go outside for the fear of getting wet. And when I decided to bravely go out, all I heard was the BUENA SUERTES from them. Few minutes later I came back unharmed, safe and sound, and dry. At 9, the whole household decided to bring me to the streets to see how is it like outside. We were like thieves sneaking inside the car, vigilantly looking for possible water-thrower that were hiding behind bushes. We did get in safe, thanks God!

After successfully making the vuelta, we dicided to go home for a quick lunch. At the gate entrance we saw young people havig fun with water. The big barrel of water did escape my sight. As we were drawing near the parking lot, about 10 guys were also fast approaching. Julieta, Diana, Armando and I decided to stay inside the car for a while until the guys slowly disappeared out of sight. As I was in a hurry to get back home (tenia chichi) I opened the cardoor and slowly went out. And then the unexpected thing happened. All those guys suddenly appeared and snatched us (me and Diana) and forcibly dipped us in the barrel of water. Just imagine how wet I did get. Yet, surprisingly, I never felt a bit annoyed. Hell, that was fun!

And the fun didn't end there! In the afternoon we decided to join in PIAYO, which is like a dumptruck. It was loaded with ballons filled with water. In the streets were many people throwing each other water. I've never seen such chaotic yet very fun activity in my life!

Chiva 2007

I was so proud to be able to make it...After Spanish class I was only left with few minutes to change from comfy clothing to decent CHIVA-like costume. I owe it to Steve for shouting and pressuring me while changing. Omar was amazed to see me running with belt still on hand...But I made it, that's what matters!!!

We did have a lot of fun. A lot of dancing which caused my feet to sore the next day. A lot of drinking for my other housemates which sent them to high productivity (being sarcastic here ;) the next two days...


with Faduoa

with Steve and Eli

with Taha and Patty

the evening's twist...CHIVA broke down, really didn't know the real reason, I heard a couple of versions like STEVE's: we hit a girl, TIFFANY's: Adam mysteriously made it stop (she looked serious when she told me this, might have been the effect of alcohol). on the pic: taha and I were fixing the car.

Let's Celebrate Life

…and the real story unfolds…

This all began many years ago, when yours truly was still a brat, little girl. As the only girl-child in the house, I seemed to have all the power to do anything I wanted to. And due to lack of playmates, then workers at the house were the poor recipient of my pernicious tricks, and since I was their boss’ daughter they couldn’t touch me. I was that horrible, I know!!! ...and then, one unusual revenge came in an unexpected manner … (her name was) Perla, who must’ve been fed up with all my seemingly innocent yet destructive at times acts, mapped out a plan to bring me down…for life. She claimed to be a fortune teller who could predict the future by merely looking on the birthdates and examining the lines of the palm. Her claim was matched with my eagerness to peep a little hole of my future, unaware of her sneaky intention. As a pre act she tried to predict my brothers’ futures which turned out something really good. I was really excited for mine but then it turned out that mine wasn’t as good as my brothers. Her poignant words, ¨You will not live long, you’ll die young¨ have taunted me ever since. Fear deterred me from sharing this burden to anyone. It had become a great paranoia when I reached teenage years. Any miniscule pain was always translated to cancer…In my mind I had experience all kinds of cancer and when I reached 20, was I happy!!! Every year since then was a big celebration. Of course I kept it all to myself…not until now.

The idea of having a short life has pushed me to my limits. There are bad things but good things can be fairly attributed as well. I couldn’t take it away from my mind, and somehow, I expect one of these days I would be out in this game… but then I fairly play the game. It led me to my aversion to anything risky, yet it made me risk for more (baffling??? I couldn’t explain it further). Age is just numbers… It doesn’t make you old or young… We should count all the things we’ve done and stop counting the years. I still believe I’m still young. Perla forgot to define what age is ‘young’ and 50 could still be young for all I know. I really should thank her for showing me that every tick of the clock counts, every relationship matters, and every person is worth caring for. For this I would like to toast a bottle of aguardiente: Happy 25th birthday to me!!!

*This will be my second birthday in Colombia. Last year was great; I had my first passed-out experience. To my friends back home, join me in my celebration… For…over the years and years to come!!! CHEERS!!!

To my mother, happy 59th birthday!

And Perla, wherever you are, Thank You!

Parque el Cafe

Miss you guys!!!

We're Famous

This is the photo taken two months ago..which was finally published in the school's magazine...mmmm

Magandang Gabi

I might be in complete denial when Gaby announced that she`d be going back to Bolivia. The day of her departure had came and I projected to be a very brave me. Yet, it`s hard not to feel sad. It´s hard not to shed tears. But as a personal rule: `Never let the person who`s going away see you`re sad coz it will make things harder for both sides`.

I strongly felt Gaby`s absence the day after she left. I missed the early riser girl who I always found in the sala already eating breakfast and watching TV early weekend mornings. Yes, we only spent so little a time together in that apartment but her company is something to be treasured of. It was like having a big sister in the house. It was quite an assuring thing to go home knowing someone like her is living with you and as long as she`s there nothing would go wrong. I missed the occassional `girl talks` we have had, and most of all I missed seeing her face blushing everytime I teased her with her boyfriends.

Gaby, hope to see you soon!!! We missed you!!










GABY`s FAREWELL PARTY

THE GUESTS
Alexa, Mafe, y Ricky
Preparing for the Drinking Competition
With the CASTRO Clan
IN THE AIRPORT

Well-Wishers
Davo Y Valerie I
Davo Y Valerie II
Maya, Davo, Yo y Ricardo
Hurray Bolivia!
Little Bunny

Psychologically Touched

Hearing it for the first time??!!

(Hardrock Cafe, May 18 lunch, MTV was playing on the background)

Me: You can always see this guy(referring to the guy who appears on MTV) in movies as the 'bad guy' or the villain.

Eva: Yeah (between sip of her strawberry juice), or someone..psychologically..{sip, and kind of thinking, not sure what to say} touched..

Me: That's the first time I hear that...What does it mean?

Eva: (with a big grin) That's because I just came up with that word right now.

It was followed with laughters... Eva's naiveté never failed to amuse me (and in this case, her complete admission that she doesn't even know the word)...probably the term does exist but it just sounds weird that I can't help from laughing...

I forgot what this is called...but it surely was delicious...!



mmm...mouth watering...!

from left: Dra. Carmen Cecilia, Dra. Nora, Eva and Me

Let's Get Lasing

Somethings blew out of proportion in Gabi's office that she decided to quit her job (or traineeship). Everybody from Aiesec Javeriana got concerned and Maya hurriedly went to the apartment (for moral support).

Arnie arrived with weary face and red eyes, markings of tough day at work (actually it started just right, him winning the Best Teacher award, but the day was strained with those little monsters who refused to learn). We were later joined by Emilio (Gabi's Swiss friend from work) who apparantly have had share of shortcomings (had a fall off with the girl he dated). Everybody seemed to have the reason to drink..and get drunk, I was just basically caught off in the middle. But who cares if I couldn't finish my presentation for the next day's class...A night to get lasing!

camera whoring

Cheers!


the evidence

Dear Ma,

As a pecuniary measure, I needed to have another job. This is the picture taken during working hour (when I am not teaching in the University).

Don`t worry, I already got the driver`s licence and I could now drive even a truck. Tell Pa about it, he would be very proud of me.

Ciao.

I love you and Happy Mother`s Day!


Your most precious daughter,

ME

Andes`Moment

I made a presentation on Filipino`s Work Ethics and Cultural Differences today in Paula`s class... Twas my first time to be inside Los Andes as well..