Horny Manatee, Whatever that is…

Ok, this would be quick coz I need to do some Sunday errands but I need to write this down now. I just watched a replay of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and guess who one of his guests were? CONAN O’BRIEN of the Late Night, for crying out loud! Oh my bloody gad! I’ve just had an extreme hearty laugh. Well, it’s not really that unusual as they’re both from NBC but seeing two great talk show hosts together in our present day is quite AMAZING!

One of the highlights in the show was when Conan was narrating about his tour to George Lucas’ studio in San Francisco since they will be there to air the Late Night for 1 week and curious as he was, managed to break one of the priceless collections from Lucas’ starwars film. He was saying, for a moment, he thought of denying it and tell them that it was broken when they arrived – but his cameras were rolling… Hilarious! – the mere fact that Conan was the one describing what happened! I could hold on without laughing for another week. Thinking about it, there’s an evil truth to this one. I guess at one point in our lives, we’ve made that kind of denying to something what we’ve actually done (heavy or not). That’s what makes it funny, I guess, being able to relate to the truth.

Speaking about truth, Leno’s other guest was a former Miss America and told Leno that she ran for office several times but never won. Imagine this being delivered by an 82-year old woman (explaining why she never won): “I tell the truth, it scared people to death!” Again, one of those reality bites thing. I could probably tell some stories regarding reality and truth, but maybe it’d just bore you, so moving on…

I wasn’t able to catch (telling about an incident with one of his shows) why he mentioned a certain website which he just invented, being spontaneous and all, and after the show he was being reprimanded in the office explaining that he just made a mistake: he mentioned a website called hornymanatee (hell, I don’t know what it’s supposed to mean – one of ‘em American humor, i guess) which doesn’t exist in the web yet. And the rule of NBC is, a host can’t mention any website (existing or not -and in this case a nonexistent site), because someone might create it – for the name of suing NBC and being profited from it since they have mentioned the site on air even if at that time it wasn’t created yet. To deter this, they bought the site hornymanatee, check it out thru this URL http://hornymanatee.com. Conan actually suggested that since they bought it, then, why not create anything in it. Open it to see what an out of this world idea Conan has. I find the site actually both baloney and funny.

On another note, I also just sent an sms to my friend telling him how I wasn’t really able to watch any series lately in relation to his CSI marathon today. I was able to watch Larry King Live recently and his guests were the casts of Heroes. I wonder where it’s being shown right now. I find it interesting. My friend mentioned RPN but not really sure about it. Heck I can’t stand watching local networks anymore with the long commercials, i'd rather read books. So I’d probably just ask the DEEBEEDEE people if they already have it. I think they already have. It’s just me who is not updated with these things at the moment. Yes, admittedly I’m guilty to this kind of crime, who isn’t?

Oh by the way, I just searched the web (google really is magic!) –Manatees (family Trichechidae, genus Trichechus) are large, fully-aquatic marine mammals sometimes known as sea cows. Quoted from Wikipees!

How Can I Make it Right?

Wits and Ibyang have asked me why I haven’t posted a new entry recently, and while I have chosen to slack off and stalk other people’s blogs during the past week, I wasn’t really well to scribble some of my thoughts. Remember that I posted an entry “fitting for new jeans”, it’s still the same subject that has been causing me so much anxiety.

Let me put it this way. I feel like an ex-convict that has recently been freed from jail. Do you know how the world deals with criminals who have served their term in prison? We normally see them as rubbish which we consider as bad news and have no way that they could change. Thus, a chance for a job or acceptance from family and friends will always be in question. While I am far from being a criminal, I definitely am feeling like one who has recently been released from jail.

I’ve done my fair share of mistakes, yes. Professionally, I’ve taken steps which aren’t a norm from security-tenure-driven-people. I took negligible risks which I used to think were calculated risks. I’ve experimented and considered the road that I took as trial and error. But I’m at an age where chasing time is essential and more accurate decisions should be made.

I WANT TO MAKE IT RIGHT THIS TIME. I have no reason to despise the company that I’m with right now but I don’t personally think that this is the environment that will give me personal growth and satisfaction. And why do I feel like an ex-convict? I feel like someone who can’t be trusted no matter what I say because for the 5^th time, I want to leave my company, and have been applying for a job. As of the moment I have 2 pending applications. And the reactions of people around me were more of sheer disbelief and not-again kinda remarks.

I said I want to make it right this time. Right in a sense where I don’t want to waste my time, and find the environment that suits me as early as now, before I will say in the future that I made the wrong move to stay. I’m stating the obvious here with my own perspective. While I’m the only one who can answer more or less what it would take me to be satisfied with a company, there’s no denying that I consider what the people around me has to say. This time I know what I want and I certainly have identified the factors why I think I should leave, and that joining either of the 2 companies that I applied with will make me stay longer with them. I don’t want to narrate it here, but believe me; I’ve done my assignment in evaluating it. Time is the only thing where I can prove myself that I’m right to have decided to make it right. Why am I making the effort to search for opportunities if it’s not for my betterment? That, in the first place, is reason enough to say that I’m not out to ruin myself.

One of my friends said, “kung madami trabaho, reklamo. Kung wala naman trabaho, reklamo pa rin.” I beg to disagree. You can ask every person I’ve worked with and it has never really my habit to whine about the volume of work. Yes, when someone would ask, how my job is– certainly I’d reply, by fact, that we have high volume but it was never in a whining way. But now I’m whining about the lack of volume, because it is hard to kill time staring at the screen for 8 hours, and there’s no way that they could justify a promotion come appraisal because we don’t have a lot of work to substantiate that. I don't want to maintain this status quo and be comfortable - I don't operate well in this kind of environment - although I could still hold on to this mediocrity for a little more time. What kind of growth would I be expecting here people?

During the past week as well, I have been detached from the world. It’s one of those moments where I feel so disconnected and isolated from myself and the people around me. The irony is that (and I just observed it this week) it is when I am so disconnected that I am most aware of my surroundings. For instance, I was walking along my usual going home route and I could almost see myself as someone separate from me, walking and striding but isn’t really one with my being. It’s like I see myself as another person totally separate from my thoughts. But it is during these moments that I am sharp and keen to the point of being aware at the minute details around me. I was able to see the details of the pattern in the path walk. I was aware of the people I was crossing a path with, and add to that the music coming from my mp3 – everything was like in a surreal dream. Imagine watching a movie with a man on the scene walking his usual way home and with the music of My Chemical Romance’s I don’t love you as a soundtrack. That’s what I experienced one night this week as if I was watching myself walk but still is clearly aware of everything around me as a third person. It’s a creepy kind of “awareness”. What I’m trying to deduce here is that, it is when I feel isolated and detached that I am able to think clearly about my life. Given my current anxieties and detachment, I know that I am keen now at how to go about my life given my detachment from the world.

By the way the company I’ve mentioned in my previous entries already called. They were asking if I’m still interested because they have made some changes for the vacancy including the cancellation of sending the person to be hired to Australia as they would send a trainer from Australia instead to Manila. And oh, this other foreign bank I applied with is also located in Makati. I’ve already passed the exams and have done all the screening. I’m just waiting for a call for the next step. I don’t want to assume yet, but if ever both companies will offer me the job at the same time… hmmm lemme decide when I’m there. Until I haven’t signed any papers yet, anxiety will surely cripple me for the coming days.

Why I Love America

I don't know how we're supposed to call today's society, tell me if they have arrived for a new term yet, but we are at an era comparable to the renaissance time. This is a time where the revolutionary presence of technology has ballistically branched into different innovations giving us the spectacle of google at the magic of our fingertips. It might be apt to call this age "the googlenization era". If we look deeply into the dynamics of google, it is more than just a search engine. It has given empowerment to the greater fortunate mankind who has access to this technology. Where google is one of the non-negotiables when visiting the cyber universe, it has prompted innovators to create various sites and URLs that caters not just our need for information but also those that equips us with services. For instance, free domains for your blog and further creation of blog directories and boosters that never been thought of prior to the creation of PCs, and the like. Our need and hunger for information nevertheless creates burning desire to constantly search the web. I don't know if it's just me, but somehow, the fascination of probing for textual information as well as graphics will carry you at awe with the astounding data in the internet where it solemnly creates a universe of its own. Where chatrooms and forums have flooded our computer screens, letting us communicate literally around the globe, we have empowered ourselves to live in a borderless space. This macrocosm of cyberspace has reached and will probably reach a new unfamiliar territory far more than what our mind can comprehend at the moment.

So what am I trying to derive from this narration? We are at an age of boundless possibilities. The sad fact is, while the signs of time signify the coming of age, we watch CNN/BBC or read Time magazine, we are bombarded with news of war and chaos in the Middle Eastern region. Oftentimes, I read comments in internet forums regarding the matter, and I read satirical remarks against America. I am ambivalent with my stand on the worldwide campaign of the war on terrorism, as any other war, ever since I gained knowledge of what war is all about. And I am neither for nor against these battles in Afghanistan, Iraq and where else that America has retaliated from 9/11 incident. This maybe is America’s own battle that has been gainfully and strategically advocated by them for us to accept that war on terror is the world’s business. They could be wrong or right about it and long term consequences might be more hideous than the peace that they fight for. But I want to be forthright here. I salute America. I salute them because of their leadership in revolutionising the world that we are living now. Remember that there’s no single country infallible to committing mistake.  

Everyone can learn from the war. Vietnam, The Philippines and other countries affected by the 2^nd World War have all learnt from it. Slowly as it may seem, we have been trying to stand up (although we might still be fighting another battle - corruption) bringing with us the lessons of the war. Despite Japan’s tyranny, they too have learnt from it. Going back, the world’s inhabitants may fire continuous accusations of tyranny and conspiracy theories, and countless insidious branding of America, for American’s are more tolerant to these kinds of commentaries. Have we forgotten their contribution to the world? Democracy, free speech, science, technology, their battle for a better society, and basically every innovations that we see today, can all be accounted for their efforts in leading us to a world of progress and economic prosperity. We are indebted to them with much of the luxuries that we’re enjoying now. Being grateful to them is an understatement. This being said, after all the eddies of war in Middle East, I could only hope that it has finally reached its peak and starting to cool down to its ebb. I am sure that the lessons of war will be tattooed in the minds of the Middle Eastern people. Let’s not put to waste the lives from both camps who have braved their way in fighting their cause and the countless innocents that were stricken by it.

On the other hand, we are starting to see some light. Spearheaded by the GCC (Gulf Cooperating Council) countries, we are watching the unfolding of a new Middle East. Members of the GCC Countries have been opening up its doors in reforming their economies. Massive infrastructures and economic activities are taking place in these countries as a way forward to embrace a new way of life. Perhaps, some of our brothers in the Middle East should reformat the Jihad or Holy war as well. Instead to that of associating holy war to religion, together we could battle our way through hunger, diseases, and the more pressing issue on global warming. After all, not a single country is exempted from these problems.

Looking ahead, naïve as it may sound to dream of a utopian world, I hope that in the future, we will be able to mimic the cyber universe where a borderless society has been created, where easy connectivity will mean better understanding and harmonious relationship among races, and diversity means democracy, respect, empowerment and free speech.

This is why I love America!

Walk the Talk

I was browsing through the Sunday papers and found myself lost in the hundreds of wanted jobs in the classifieds. Come to think of it, there are thousands of unemployed professionals, yet weekly ads of jobs in the news keeps on coming. Not to mention those vacancies that’s only available by referral and hasn’t been published. My point here I guess is that we produce thousands of fresh graduates annually yet a lot of schools fail to produce caliber graduates that’ll technically be able to meet the demands of the industries. Is it the fault of CHED or related authorities for failing to identify key areas needed in the industries of our economy? That is not for me to answer. But say for the call center industry, which is still pointing to an upward scale and probably isn’t going to stay at equilibrium yet, they are only requiring a very basic requirement that ideally fresh graduates should’ve been armed already – Fluency in the English language. However, the sad state is that, a lot of these call center companies are rejecting hundreds of these applicants everyday solely because they find most applicants with poor command in the language. We, who’ve pride ourselves as among the top English speaking countries (a universal language), are regressing at the very least at arming the students with the proper command of the language, among others, the technical skills and key competencies that the companies are requiring.

The authorities, whoever they are, needs to address the graduate’s lack of proper skills and identify which industries need which courses, and work with the colleges and universities in reforming its curricula. This is perhaps one of the reasons most top corporations of our country knows only of employing from a handful of top universities and colleges. And we hear people coming from never-heard-schools whining and crying foul over companies that are school biased. Come on, I really do understand why. Most of the unknown private schools we have now are only profit-oriented colleges that miserably fail to potently aid their alumni with proper knowledge and text-based trainings that are needed in the corporate arena. For instance, from the university where I came from, at that time, we are only paying a quarter of tuition fees from what our counterparts in Ateneo De Manila are paying, yet, the university produced top accountants, lawyers and engineers with passing rates comparable to that of the top schools in Metro Manila. It must be with the syllabus and the standard. Schools need not collect high tuition fees in order to produce top rated students. There must be something that the Jesuits in Davao are able to cost effectively meet the demands of the students. One time I went to a school that has consistently produced top engineers here in metro manila where I’ve heard heavily charges on tuition fees, and I was aghast by the physical state of their campus. I don’t know how they were able to produce engineers there (must be with the curriculum) but I tell you, the campus’ environment really is not conducive for learning. Where are they appropriating the bloated fees they’re charging from the students? The list goes on, I could only pity those students enrolling in schools where their parents’ hard earned money is not worth the spend.

The way forward is a reform in our educational system, not just aiding our youth to become competent employees that can offer better services for local and international pooling in the future but also enhance awareness that there is a better way beyond being a wage earner- spark their interest in business and arm them with entrepreneurial skills which will be beneficial to our economy.  We know this for a fact, for those who are cynical out there, and Filipino as we are- contented at maintaining status quo, we are really far behind the emerging markets in Asia now. If we boast ourselves, as Filipinos, of being competitive and “magaling”, then why not walk the talk as well?

Wanted: Iranian Bride (Help me find my Sabrina)

I’m looking for an Iranian Bride. Yes, this is an incredulous call! For some, perhaps you’d find it pathetic and out of this world-punch in the moon (suntok sa buwan – LOL) desperate attempt to end my single blessedness but I’m really serious here people! I’m taking my chances, slim as it may sound. I’ll tell you why I came up with this search.

Having been able to visit an Iranian territory, Kish Island in particular, I was able to have a general glimpse of how Iranians are, not just with the physical attributes (but I tell you this itself will suffice!), I was given a chance to see how they are with their families down the streets, malls and beach in Kish. I have observed how submissive the women are and the way they take care of the kids, seeing a strong family values deeply rooted by their culture. The biggest hurdle there is, I guess, is geographically, I’m already too far off after having left the Middle East and back in the Philippines. Another thing is that religion and cultural differences will be a big setback for the woman who might be interested although I am as open to every possibility, I, being flexible enough to adjust for the possible for the cultural barrier. It will only take an open mind and will power. I am looking for a Sabrina like bride – the saleslady in Paradise Mall in Kish Island, Iran, selling handkerchiefs and textile items. Following conversation transpired:

Me: Hello, what’s your name?

Sabrina: I’m Sabrina.

Me: Can I take a photo of you, Sabrina?

Sabrina: No, we are not allowed to be taken photos especially from a stranger. *uttered sheepishly, blushing with a shy smile*

Me: I’ll buy one handkerchief if you let me take your photo, please ms…

Sabrina: I’m sorry, you really couldn’t do that.

Me: What will it take me for you to agree?

Sabrina: Nothing. Please, I’m already angry. *still smiling, with her face solemnly accentuated by the lining of a black veil covering her hair.

Me: Ok, but I wanna tell you this, you are very beautiful sabrina. *with a face more than qualified to be a model in manila, her being reserved and refined all the more enhances her total attributes.*

Sabrina: Thank you, welcome to our country.

While I wasn’t successful in my attempt to encapsulate her in a photo, my mind has not failed me. I could still vividly picture her hypnotising smile in my mind.

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Filipinos the nicest people I’ve met

Below is a comment from a Dubai publication that I wanna share. This is a bit old but here it is anyway:

http://www.7days.ae/2007/01/14/filipinos-the-nicest-people-ive-met.html 

I read ‘Cool Hand Luke’s’ letter about Filipinos being Dubai’s nicest people and it really struck a cord. I have no idea what Filipino’s do (or eat!) to retain such a sunny disposition while suffering hardship (as many of them do) but they are indeed a truly fantastic bunch of people.

In four years of being in Dubai I think of all the drivers who have cut me up on the roads and none of them have been Filipino. I think of all the people who have tried to rip me off in some way and none of them have been Filipino. I think of all the disgusting people who spit and pick their nose in public and none of them have been Filipino.

Filipinos have a dignity, pride and code of living that they can truly be proud of and which the rest of the world can look up to.

Nigel Whittaker
Umm Suqeim

Amazing Project to Take Place in Dubai:

http://www.grapeshisha.com/bubblecity.jpg

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Finish, Insha’allah!

• Scene: Dubai Media City office, boss Mr. Toes speaking with a service provider representative few days after Sheikh Zayed’s first day with the company.

• Boss: Assalam alaikum!

• Representative: Walaikum assalam!

• Boss: Kaifa haaluka!

• Representative: Alhamdulilah

• Boss: How’s everything?

• *even more warm greetings*

• Represetative: Fine. I’m here to collect the check for…

• Boss: No! I told you, call me first before coming here! I haven’t prepared the check yet. &$&^@^ Bukrah! $@*$@^$ Dirham!

• Representative: But this has been overdue… blah blah blah … *interrupted

• Boss: Are you finish?

• Boss: Are you finish? Are you finish!? Are you finish?! Are you finish?! Are you finish?! Are you finish?! Are you finish?!! Are you finish?!!! Are you finish?!!!!!!?

• Representative: Shukran! Insha’allah i’ll be back some other time.

• Boss: And call before you come over!

• Sheikh Zayed: Lowers head in shame for the representative. *mind speaking* what a nice way to start day hearing long exchange of warm greetings and ends up fighting. Mr. Toes sure is full of surprises. <Apprehensive that boss will do the same to him>.

Ripple Effect in the Mid East

• Scene: Global insurer holding a hotel press conference in Dubai.

• American CEO Speaker: The history of our company existing within MENA can be traced several decades ago, but we’re expanding our coverage by establishing a regional head quarters here in Dubai because we believe in the great potential that this market can give… A***** Takaful have a committee to guarantee that we are indeed sharia’h compliant.

• Press: But where did you get the funding for the incorporation of this Takaful?

• Speaker: From the mother company…

• Press: So how can you guarantee that these funds coming from the mother company is sharia’h compliant?

• Sheikh Zayed: *mind speaking* Company deals with insurance that earns on interest fees by investing and lending funds from profit generating industries like banking, real estate, stock market. These people are way utopian thinking these funds could be coming from a sharia’h compliant fund. Oh well, bravo Dubai for revolutionising its country by opening up to the global market. It’s about time our arab brothers start to commercialise and maximise its oil money. With UAE starting the economic boom, I could only hope that it will have a ripple effect to the Middle East region as a whole and focus on the economic reforms than political wager.

• <takaful- is a non-traditional insurance availed mostly by our muslim brothers given that it is sharia’h compliant. Sharia’h is a muslim code, law that rejects transactions involving interests and the like.>

Stinky DVD’s, anyone?

• Scene: Pirated DVD sold in one of those tiangge malls. Stalls half empty of DVD merchandise

• Sheikh Zayed: I need to exchange this DVD for another movie. It doesn’t work well.

• Vendor: Sir, you have to come back. Authorities are here to catch vendors selling pirated DVDs. We kept the DVD’s and if we change that now, they might be here again soon.

• Sheikh Zayed: *mind speaking* It’s obvious that the tenants of the stalls are selling Pirated DVD’s and they might have caught people selling when they arrived. Why not catch every vendor on a stand by in the area or fine the mall owner for allowing these vendors to sell their illegal merchandise if they’re really serious about eliminating this kind of crime?

—–>

• Scene: Manila office. Boss talking to an expatriate Indian outsourced for system maintenance and upgrade.

• Boss: Good morning Rakesh!

• Rakesh: Good morning!

• Boss: I see you’re early today, huh?

• Rakesh: All smiles approaching boss.

• Boss: Well, go home and take a bath first!

• Sheikh Zayed: Naughty Grins.

SZ Road Violation

• Scene: FX being pulled over for violating something (unclear violation) in Ortigas center.

• Driver: Chief, what’s my violation?

• Police: You displayed your signage while picking up passengers. You have to do it discreetly. Flaunt the sign with your other hand while picking passengers, don’t hang it.

• Sheikh Zayed: *mind speaking* What the fuck! How’s he supposed to pick up passengers if he won’t hang it in the windshield?! If it’s illegal to pick up passengers in the area, why would he teach to post the signage discreetly? Isn’t it the same banana after all - violating a rule! These freaking regulators and their goddamn rules! We all know that these FX are there for business. And this dumb, hamar police, if it’s a violation then it should be a violation regardless of flaunting it or discreetly picking passengers. And by the way, it’s a hazard driving with just one hand on the wheel. Our country is doomed if our system continues to work this way!

Sheikh Zayed Invades Space

I am creating a character in this blog. Given my ability to be biased and prejudiced at different issues and ideas, Sheikh Zayed will be my alter ego, everything and anything that I am and I am not. He will be every Filipino, Tagalog, Bisaya, Ilonggo, Ilocano, Kapampangan; Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Atheist, Agnostic; Educated, illiterate, professional, employed, unemployed, subordinate, colleague, superior; marginalized, rich, middle class, etc. Sheikh Zayed will speak, talk, hear, listen, watch, feel and observe the daily conversations and activities of people in the streets, public transportation, office building, malls and everything there is that he will encounter. He will recall past experiences in his local travels and the limited sights he has seen abroad.

• Scene: Call center employees chatting, unmindful of the people in the fully loaded lift.
• Boy Employee: How much salary did you get for this month?
• Girl Officemate: I’ve gotten enough; too bad I didn’t render much over time.
• Gay Officemate2: Well, ako malaki sweldo ko ngayon, PhP15K! <Mine is very high, I received $300 (roughly)>
• Sheikh Zayed: *Mind Speaking* Ibn Sharmutah! PhP15K lang, at pinagmamayabang na sa buong mundo. (Son of a Bleap@! For just $300, it’s (neither he or she) talking as if it’s too big to be proud of for people in the world to know!>

Gory Reality

As I was articulating through my thoughts, halfway through my composition, the PC suddenly shunned itself without warning! Bummer! So I have to write again ruining the sunny disposition I had when I woke up this morning. I was about to narrate about how I feel with the application I have. I think, although still hoping, the position has been filled by another candidate and I have to move on keeping an eye for another opportunities that will come along. This is the first time I have been rejected with my application, well, here in the Philippines, at least (and I'm saying this with humility). This is one of those, you know, things where you really want it so bad that as you thought you almost got it, then comes the reality - I didn't get it (denied, rejected, lost, sucked)! And the feeling of frustration is so intense, however I might rationalise that I lost nothing - besides, I still have a job. But no, I lost a great opportunity here and I am mourning the loss. I need to move on, really have to move on.

Where was I during the long holidays? With bob's insistent invitation to go with them to his wife's (Agnes) province in Nueva Ecija, I went with them last thursday and left the next day coz I didn't want to stay there until Monday and that I don't wanna take a bus either and it so happened that my friend who is also from there was going back to Manila, so I found myself a ride the next day. It was relaxing. There's nothing like a life in the province. I grew up from the province as well, remember? Although now, I couldn't imagine myself going back and work in my hometown perhaps, until I get tired of this fast paced environment and ready to embrace the laidback life once again. Had sumptuous hearty meals during my stay there- fresh fish, appetizing veggies, couldn't remember when the last time I had such healthy food.

It was also the first time I witnessed one of those rituals they practise, mostly I think in north Luzon, during holy week - people having a so called penitence, walking barefooted in the intense heat of the sun, and hitting their backs with one of those (i dont know what it's called) wooden sticks attached to a string. I tell you it was GORY! I have nothing against it but I found it a bit pathetic. For entertainment purposes, it was something that I was ill prepared for. I’ve seen people doing it in the television, but seeing it live- there’s something poignantly tragic with the scene. I overheard one of the locals pointing at one of the participants who have the bloodiest back, "Siguro malaki kasalanan niya". Say what? If it is one of the morbid ways of justifying and doing away with the things we’ve done wrong, I would’ve been the first to inflict one-time pain and kill myself! Just so you know, I can end this game after having been satiated and fed up with everything there is, or isn’t, in my life now. Which had me thinking, why do people engage in penitence while life itself is already it? Another thing I observed while there, a house was hosting a pabasa (chanting/or is it singing a prayer for the passion of christ) over and over and beside those old locals praying, another table was drinking beer. Such are the oddities and ironies of our culture. Oh well, so long as it makes our country diverse and colorful, I’m up for it, partly for entertainment. Overall, Nueva experience was relaxing and it was great spending it with my friends (foster parents, if you may).

The rest of the holidays, I spent it at home watching TV, swimming -with the number of kids going to the pool, I could only squirm at what’s in the water, but it was hot, so it was next to nothing that could cool me through while in the condo. And now am back to reality. I’m stuck in the office doing nothing- not my fault having less work to do. I am waiting for my task to arrive. Glad blog’s here to occupy me, reading other people’s journals. As bob coins it, it’s a way of stalking. True, but that’s one of the reasons we’re blogging, right? To release whatever it is to pour out and hoping people will read it that can relate to our daily undertakings.