Brazil Mission and more...

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-10T09:34:00.000-03:00

A wasted talent

2011-05-07T17:00:00.000-03:00

Today one of the kids from the orchestra gave back his violin to the church. Even though he was not my student, it made me sad that he won't play anymore. It is not that we have lost our best violinist in the orchestra either.

Those kids, they all learned to play their instrument in church and develop their talents playing for the Lord every Sabbath in the orchestra. They did not even have to pay for their instrument! The church (and a sponsor family) bought all the instruments for them to learn and use. If it was not for what God has given to them through this church, I don't know how many of them would still be in church now.

God allowed Sandrinho to develop a beautiful talent > music. And what a better way to learn to play the violin than in church, worshiping our Lord every Sabbath?! Sadly to say, after a few years of classes in the conservatory, he decided he did not want to play for the Lord anymore. There, he saw that other kids from the conservatory play in orchestras on the weekend. Last year he was invited to be part of a group that practices on Friday evenings. He started missing orchestra practice in church some Friday evenings hoping his mom would let him go to the conservatory. Since he saw his mom was not going to let him go, he decided he was going to give back his violin. Around November last year he started saying he was going to quit. We all prayed for him, talked with him and his mom, encouraged him to continue, but he has finally decided to quit.

God gave Sandrinho one talent. For a while, he developed it and it looked like he was going to make it into two or three. But, he finally did like the servant in Matthew 25, he gave up and has "hid his master's money in the ground" (25:18, CEV). I pray that Sandrinho changes his mind and takes back that one talent and use it for the Lord.

My cute student

2011-05-07T15:00:00.000-03:00

"Happy Mother's Day!" A kid came to me last Sabbath afternoon during the orchetra/choir rehersal and said this to me and gave me a heart balloon. I was like, I am not a mother but thanks. And then he told me "but you are an excellent teacher." That was so sweet! We had just had one class up to that day but every time he sees me he tells me he's practicing his violin!

Give your best, God will do the rest

2011-04-09T16:42:00.000-03:00

"And [David] took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine." (1 Samuel 17:40)

Just as God used David & the sling to kill Goliath, just as God used David & his arp to calm the furious king Saul, He can use you with anything you have, as simple as it may be. You just need to be willing to give your all to God.

You can be big or small, weak or strong, pray and God will be with you and win your battles.

"No problem, I play :)"

2011-03-26T21:39:00.003-03:00

It is of good use that I can play almost any hymn from the church hymnal by heart with my viola. And I am not saying this to show off. I just want to emphasize the importance of being prepared to worship our Lord with our instruments (or voice).

Today I was asked last minute (or second lol) to play a special music in church. We are in evangelistic meetings in church so there has to be special music every evening. The person in charge of the music this week decided to go for a social event today instead of being responsible. Since there was no one to play for special music, I was asked to play. So what did I do? I just opened a hymnbook in a random page, saw the hymn it opened at, gave it to the pianist and checked in which key the hymn was. Praise the Lord, He showed me which hymn to play at that moment, because it was all in a rush! And I was NOT nervous at all!! I actually enjoy a lot playing the "good-old" hymns in the simple hymnbook style (it makes me feel free lol).

But, what if I did not know any hymn? What if I was too shy to play a solo?

Whould I had to say "I'm sorry but I can't"? Thank God, people see in me a person who can praise the Lord with my music. Thank God for my parents who encouraged me, since I was little, to play hymns (that was a Friday-evening thing at home).

Although I prefer things more organized (as in, I prefer when I am asked ahead of time) it is good when people add some excitement to my life asking me to play "ao vivo" (*).

(*) An expression in portuguese that, though it is literally translated as "live", it means, as far as I've understood, last minute or like always ready.

God of the impossible

2011-03-11T10:04:00.001-03:00

(Numbers 11:21-23)

Moses was worried because the Israelites were asking for food. He tried to reason and think of possibilities to feed 600,000 men (+ their families). To his human perspective, it was definitedly impossible. However, God showed Moses that there's nothing impossible for the Lord.

It is interesting that Moses, the great leader and man of faith, goes to God and tries to convince Him that it is totally impossible to feed all those people. Moses even tries to look smart and give reasons why it is not possible (vs. 22). How many times have we done the same? We go to God and tell Him that it is not possible. Isn't He the God of the impossible? Didn't He say that everything is possible for Him? Isn't He the Creator? Then, why do we try to limit God with our limited mind?

I love God's answer to Moses' concern, which is an answer to my concerns as well.
(vs. 23) "And the Lord said to Moses, Is the Lord's hand waxed short? Thou shalt see now whether my words shall come to pass unto thee or not."
The way God provided food for the Israelites was so great and magnificent that it showed how powerful He is.

God wants us to never forget that everything is possible for Him. Even when it looks impossible to our human perspective. We do not need to worry, God has his own powerful ways.

A nice visit

2011-03-02T11:26:00.001-03:00

I love how God keeps surprising me making my life in Brazil a total adventure. I was starting to feel sad because I had not had a chance to revisit Maraial and see the church that started with our mission work during January. However, last Friday evening I received a phone call from Mrs. Sandra, the wife of the Mayor of Maraial, telling me she was sending a car to pick me up in Recife so I could be in her husband's baptism!

Not only did I get to be in the baptism, but I also got to see some church members and the new church that is growing there. It was a blessing!

With Mrs. Sandra and Vitoria (her daughter). I taught her violin for only 15 weeks, and she is already playing in church :)

Some church members. All a result of the mission project in January :)

The church in Maraial. This was taken at the beginning of the service. Later, more people came in. It was packed!

Mr. Marcos getting baptized. He's the Mayor of Maraial.

A sweet naughty boy

2011-02-28T15:57:00.004-03:00

Jean was one of my English students during Caleb Mission. He was not supposed to be in my class because of his age, but somehow I could not reject him in my class. I felt like I had to accept him even though he was older than the rest of the kids. Soon I discovered he was a naughty boy! He also had a look of a little gangster boy lol but somehow he would always come to class. Sometimes his older friends would come and tell him to go out with them, but he never went (I also did not let him lol).

The last day I was there, I sort of had a party with the kids. When Jean came, he just opened the door but did not get into the classroom. I could see in his face that he wanted to get in, but I did not understand why he wouldn't, so I left the kids inside and went to talk to Jean. I asked him to go in but he did not want to. He looked sad, so I asked him what was happening, I told him it was my last day with them and that I wanted him to enjoy the party together with the rest of the kids. Then he said something that almost made me cry. He said that he hates goodbyes because he does not like missing people. I tried to convince him to go in the classroom but he did not want, so we took a picture together. Then he finally accepted to get in, but he just sat there and did not really enjoy the party. I could tell he was really sad. In the end, I had prepared special gifts for the kids who did not miss any class during the 3 weeks, and luckily I had an extra gift, so I gave it to Jean.

Jean showed me that every kid has a sweet side, even the naughtiest of them all. He also made me remember that every single kid is important to God and that we should love them because Jesus loves them.

"And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me."

(Matthew 18:5)

Missao Calebe 5.0

2011-02-24T23:34:00.003-03:00

Maraial, Pernambuco, Brazil

I'm finally posting some pictures of Caleb Mission (previous post about it).

The whole month of January was a blessing in Maraial (and I'm sure it was a blessing all around Brasil where the "Calebs" were). I was the first to leave the group (I came back to Recife on Jan 31st); therefore, I did not have any information about the number of baptisms they had. However, to my surprise, Mr. Marcos and Mrs. Sandra (the Mayor or Maraial and his wife, who is adventist) came to Recife yesterday and decided to visit me at the Union. She told me that 16 people were baptized and that her husband is getting baptized this coming Sabbath. It totally made my day, my week, my month!

I left without seeing the fruits of the mission there. All these time, I had only been praying for them, but yesterday the Lord allowed me to hear just a little bit of what He's doing in that town. The Lord is pouring his blessings unto those people and is guiding them to the light. I thank my Lord for allowing me to be part of that story, but most important, for allowing me bring people to Him.

Calebs in action (L to R: Mauricio, Naide, Sendy, Mr. Itai-the evangelist, Rafael,
Wesilany, Cizinha, Jessica, Sister Vade-the cook!, Cristina and Jedson.)

My kids!! I taught them English every evening for three weeks.

Maraial

Inviting the people of Maraial to the community service project and evangelistic meetings

2011-02-10T20:32:00.000-03:00

Major updates - Christmas & New Years

2011-02-10T14:42:00.002-03:00

Christmas this year was great, though simple. My friend Cherry, a missionary from the Philippines, was on her way to Thailand after working in IAENE for a year, and decided to visit me in Recife :) It was fun! It was great speaking fast/fluent English with her without having to worry about speaking slow or explain some terms lol.

It's was also the 2nd time I spend Christmas in a tropical area, so guess what!? We went to the beach on Sunday :)

With Cherry & Pr. Ivanaudo. He's the one in charge of the AVS in this union.

Christmas program @ the church

The only good picture I have of our Christmas Dinner lol

New Year was indeed great!! Cherry invited me to go with her for a week in Rio de Janeiro. Rio is probably the most famous city of Brazil, and especially during the Reveillon (New Year's), so with the excuse of having to renew my passport, I did not have to think twice when Cherry invited me. Our host family, Pr. Marcio Nascimento, Angelica & Arthur, was extremely kind. They were a true blessing for two missionary girls that wanted to do some sightseeing lol :-)

L-R: Angelica, Arthur, Cherry & I
behind us, the Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain)

We got to stay at one of the nicest (and safest) neighborhoods in Rio > Recreio.

Maracanã Soccer Stadium, one of the biggest and most famous in the world.
*The Stadio Azteca is still bigger though.

Christ the Redeemer. Do I have to explain more? lol :P

With Cherry (left) and the Nascimento family.

Old posts

2011-01-30T16:47:00.014-03:00

I was wondering around my blog and came across this post with random things about me. I read the #16 and thought,... "WOW, two year ago I was bilingual, now I'm [technically] trilingual!!"

This reminds me of 1 Corinthians 13:1

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal."

Thank you Lord for this opportunity! and please help me to love others. I pray that I may use these languages to bring more people closer to you.

The Second Month – November

2010-12-21T23:15:00.001-03:00

The Challenge

*Sorry for posting this entry super late, I had been procrastinating :( But it is finally here (the report for December will be posted soon).

After all the excitement of having a new English teacher at the Union headquarters passed, the students started to miss classes. My basic class started with 10 or 12 students and after a month I regularly had 3. The intermediate class is a little more regular with 4 students.

At the church things were tough as well. I missed orchestra practice and music classes for several Sabbaths because I had some invitations to play for other events in the city. Then an orchestra performance at a camporee was cancelled because most of the kids said they were not going to be able to go. Two Sabbaths in a row, the orchestra played at church with only eight instruments. Things were looking not that great. However, I was still hoping things could improve, especially because of the church anniversary appointment we had. In the end, the kids got motivated enough to go to class on Sundays and not miss the practices.

The church anniversary program (blog entry) was a blessing, and even though it was tiring for the kids because it was three evenings in a row, they performed well. Now all we got for this year is the Christmas program, and it is finally ready! Oh, and we have a new instrument: a Xylophone.

Nov. 7th, 2010 (Violin lessons - It was a productive day, from 9am to 5pm with 1 hr lunch break.)

There are other ways of enjoying the water. We don’t necessarily need the beach!

FB fasting

2010-12-20T23:58:00.001-03:00

Last week I said to God that I was going to stop using FB for a while. I said so in an attempt to stop anything that makes me waste my time, and also because I decided to feed my mind with productive things that prepare me for the great challenge that is coming ahead next month. I know that only with God I'll be able to 'conquer stars for my crown' and be a faithful Caleb.
Sadly to say, I decided to stop using FB last week but I wasn't able to do So I'm trying again. This time, with God's help and power I'll do it!

Sent from my iPhone

People will always talk

2010-12-15T10:52:00.000-03:00

I was told that some people at the church got mad and complained that the orchestra did not play last Sabbath at church. They do not know the reason and they do not want to listen to any explanation. They just want to criticize and complain.

The reason why the orchestra did not play is because of our busy weekend. We were invited to play at another church Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. Therefore we thought it was nice for the kids to have the morning to rest and enjoy church without playing. After all, they were going to play three evenings in a row and had so far performed well that they deserved the morning off.

It is sad that some people just want to criticize. However, we should not let all those things and people affect us and make us walk away from Jesus. We should focus on what we are to do and do it our best. People will always talk and complain, but we must be careful to please God and serve Him with the best we have.

Let people talk! As long as things are OK with God ;-)

So, in a happier mood, here are some pictures of the orchestra from last weekend!

Cruz de Rebouças church orchestra

Jardin Paulista church

Never a small job for God

2010-12-15T10:16:00.001-03:00

God knew David was going to be king of Israel. Even when David was forgotten by his father, despised by his brothers, and left all alone with the sheep, God had a plan for him. But it was necessary that he spent some time alone with the animals to shape his character so he could learn to trust and depend on God always. “The Lord had chosen David, and was preparing him, in his solitary life with his flocks, for the work he designed to commit to his trust in after years” (PP 637.1).

The same way, now I understand that no matter where I work, at home or abroad, God has a plan for me. Just like David with the sheep, I know God puts me in places where I can learn to trust and depend on Him so he can lead me throughout my life.

Another thing I like about David’s life as a shepherd is that there’s no such a thing as a small job. “David had proved himself brave and faithful in the humble office of a shepherd, and now God had chosen him to be captain of his people” (PP 641.1). We always have to do our best in whatever we have to do because God is always watching us. The Bible says that “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” (Colossians 3:23, NIV). One of my favorite quotes “I will serve Jesus while I’m waiting” (song by John Waller) exemplifies David’s spirit while working out in the hills. Even as a ‘simple shepherd boy’, he was excellent. When we do an excellent job, we are serving Jesus (we cannot say we are serving Jesus and be mediocre). God will see our small job and He will see that we are faithful in the small things, then He will trusts us with greater things (Luke 16:10, NIV).

*Inspired by Pr. Ivan Saraiva @ the church Jardin Paulista, PE, Brazil.

Read David’s story in 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and Patriarchs and Prophets (EGW) chapter 62.

Babysitting

2010-12-09T00:04:00.000-03:00

Babysitting in an amusement park! Can that be called babysitting?

Yesterday I went to Mirabilandia with a 9-year-old PK and her school. The point is that she was not allowed to go alone, and her mom could not go. Since I'm the volunteer and my schedule/job is more 'flexible' than everybody else's, I was asked to go with her. It ended up being fun but tiring as well. And I think my cold is the result of all the sun from yesterday :(

At the roller coaster... first time in one that has a corkscrew. I think I like roller coasters now lol.
Though I got a headache after a few rides.

This was the other time I babysat here in Brazil (another PK). I was staying for a weekend with a pastor and his family in Caruaru (here) and on Saturday evening I stayed with Andrezinho. This time was funny cause the mom would call me like every five minutes telling me she was on her way back lol.

Do I look like a babysitter? I guess it's all part of my versatility :)

Caleb Mission Training

2010-11-30T22:25:00.008-03:00

“Your talk will be in the afternoon. You will have 30 minutes.”

I was shocked when the Youth Pastor told me this on Sabbath morning. I was going to give a palestra on being a missionary in different countries (This is my first official missionary place. People usually do not understand when I say I went to Thailand but not as a missionary). I had never given a talk on that, and to make it more shocking, I was going to do it in Portuguese! It was for a youth-evangelistic training (700 people) , Treinamento Missão Calebe 5.0, on Sabbath November 27th at the Central Pernambuco Mission (MPeC), which is part of the Northeast Brazilian Union Mission (UNeB), where I serve as a volunteer for this year. Playing viola and singing was definitely OK for me, but talking!?!?

View Larger Map

Treinamento Misssão Calebe - MPeC

I was a little scared and had no idea what to say or where to start. I prayed and asked for guidance because I knew God had planned something for me that day. I knew I was there for a special reason. After praying, ideas came to my mind on what to say. God put the words in my mouth to talk to all those young people. And, what about my Portuguese? God can make us fluent in a language when it is used for His purpose! And as the Brazilians often tell me: da para entender .

With Pr. Andre Lima (MPeC Youth Director) and his son, Andrezinho.
The little boy is so cute! The pastor would say "I am.." and he would complete the sentence "Caleb!"

I know it was not me but God who talked that day, and I pray that the impact in them was not of a ‘traveler’ or a great girl who has lived in other countries, but of a servant who, just like them, loves God and wants to share that love to others through missionary work.

* Missão Calebe is a youth evangelism project by the South American Division (SAD). It started five years ago and thousands and thousands of young people in all the countries of the SAD spend their summer holidays (January) doing missionary work, giving Bible studies and having evangelistic meetings. According to the Division, Missão Calebe is one of the biggest, best and most important projects in Youth Ministry in recent years. In the Northeast Brazilian Union Mission, 12500 young people will participate in this project in January 2011.

Missão Brasil – The first month

2010-11-17T11:29:00.007-03:00

In Salvador, Bahia, on my way to Recife

The adventure began 2 months ago, in September 16^th when I landed in Recife International Airport. *Well, it actually started in Mexico, by collecting EFL books a lot of orchestral scores*

I was welcomed to the 4th-largest Metropolitan area in Brazilian (according to Wikipedia), but not as crowded, polluted and developed as Sao Paulo. It is colonial, historical and nordestina (that would be like a southern city for the USA and Mexico), but most important, it is a coastal city :)

Boa Viagem beach, Recife

I work as a volunteer in two different places. On weekdays I live and work at the Northeast Brazilian Union Mission (UNeB) headquarters. I teach English to pastors, staff and PKs. I like my classes very much, though they are very unstable and varied.

UNeB headquarters

UNeB staff members

PKs

My second job is conducting an orchestra and giving music lessons on weekends in a church in Cruz de Rebouças, a small community 25 kms away from Recife. That church has a great music ministry: a choir, two singing groups, and an orchestra of around 20 people. Sometimes the orchestra is bigger, but most of the times it is smaller (please pray for us, as we face challenges every week).

My packed weekends are like this: on Friday evenings we have orchestra practice, on Saturday mornings we practice before church service and then play for the Divine Service (hymns and offertory), and then in the afternoons we practice with the Conjunto Joven and with the choir, all that before AY. On Sundays I teach music (violin, viola, flute and clarinet –I know what you are thinking!!! Sendy teaching clarinet/flute?!?! It’s been all by God, not me!!).

Cruz de Rebouças

Cruz de Rebouças church

Orchestra @ Cruz de Rebouças church

Playing for a Publishing Ministries Annual Meeting

Thank God life is not only about working :) and though I am the only SM in this place, which means I do not have a travel partner or things like that, God has given me the chance to visit some nice places with some families from the Union.

I have been here for 2 months, and I have got more holidays than I could probably get in a whole semester in any other place. Brazil has a big amount of holidays and of that I am grateful! :) And living in the litoral nordeste brasileiro mans that the best beaches of the country are just within a few hours driving. What make these beaches so beautiful is the clear and warm water pools naturally formed by coral reefs during low tide. There are a few things that Brazil has changed in me, and one of those is that now I like the beach. I do not mind the sand anymore, nor the salty water either!

Boa Viagem beach, 15 mins walking from where I live

Praia dos Carneiros

Maragogi, Alagoas (another state, 3 hrs driving south of Pernambuco)

Maragogi

Snorkeling @ Porto de Galinhas, the best Brazilian beach according to a well-known Brazilian magazine

Food is another great thing that I have been enjoying here :) It basically includes arroz e feijão (rice and beans) all the time, but it is still great! But the best part is the wide variety of fruits (which means delicious juice!). Oh, and now I drink coconut water, and I eat papaya (fruits I used to say I did not like).

*Just like what Memphis helped me like banana, Brazil is doing it with coconut. Who says we cannot learn to like something? lol *

Pão de Queijo... I loved it even before I got to Brazil.

Maracujá = Passion fruit :) Love it! esp. the juice!

Pinha = Sugar-apple

Writing project - day 10

2010-10-27T23:08:00.000-03:00

One person you can trust

1. God

2010-10-27T13:54:00.000-03:00

¿Cuánto tiempo les toma a los niños en la primaria aprender que ZAPATO es con Z y no con S?

¿Cuánto tiempo les toma aprender que PALABRA es con B y no con V?

Yo no me acuerdo cuanto tiempo me tomó, pero ahora resulta que tengo que aprender que SAPATO es con S y PALAVRA con V. No estoy inventando nuevas reglas para Español, solo estoy aprendiendo Portugues. A veces pienso que es bueno que estoy aprendiendo ahora que puedo razonar las cosas. O es peor porque quiero razonar todo y no solo aceptarlo como lo hacen los niños? Me pregunto si los hijos de Brasileños viviendo en Mexico, por dar un ejemplo, (quienes aprenden los dos idiomas desde pequeños) tienen algun problema similar?

Una cosa que decidí hacer fue no comparar más el Portugues con el Español proque eso sólo traía más problemas jeje. Entonces, ahora.... venga el Portugues que quiero aprender!!!

*Me pregunto si esto viene a mi mente por ser alguien del area de letras/educación jaja o si a cualquiera le pasaria.

Writing project - day 9

2010-10-26T23:07:00.000-03:00

Two things you wish you could do

1. Play piano

2. Speak French

Writing project - day 8

2010-10-25T22:50:00.003-03:00

Three words you can’t go a day without using

1. Legal (in portuguese)

2. Whatever (in English)

3. Osea (in Spanish)

Writing project - day 7

2010-10-24T22:48:00.000-03:00

Four memories you won’t forget

1. The trip to Kanchanaburi with Vivian (Dec 2009)

2. Vespers with ‘the international gang’ in MM (summer 2010)

3. My evening talks and bike rides with Aaron in AIU (Aug-Dec 09)

4. The first time (and only, I think) I rode a motorbike. (2006)

Writing project - day 6

2010-10-23T22:41:00.000-03:00

Five things you can’t live without

1. God

2. Food & water

3. Music

4. Sleep

5. People and friends

Writing project - day 5

2010-10-22T07:54:00.000-03:00

Six songs that you’re addicted to

*I'm not really addicted to any song, it is more like I love them and I can listen to them over and over again.

1. The Broken Road

2. Rebel Heart

3. Yesu Azali Awa by Selah

4. Breve Jesus Voltara by Arautos do Rei (all versions)

5. Love Can Turn the World by GVB

6. The Mission by Steve Green

Writing project - day 4

2010-10-21T07:34:00.000-03:00

Seven fears/phobias

*It should be seven but I can only publicly accept two lol
1. Heights
2. Cockroaches

Writing project - day 3

2010-10-20T14:51:00.000-03:00

Eight things that annoy you

1. Hypocrisy and lies

2. Racism

3. People laughing at me

4. Bullying

5. Heat

6. Taking a cold shower on a cold morning

7. Stalkers

8. My impatience-ness

Writing project - day 2

2010-10-19T19:47:00.000-03:00

Nine things you do every day

1. Pray

2. Check Gmail, Google Reader, FB and Y!Messenger

3. Shower

4. Eat

5. Listen to music

6. Sleep

7. Drink water

8. Use my computer

9. Speak Portuguese... YEYS!

Writing project - day 1

2010-10-18T14:09:00.000-03:00

Ten random facts about yourself

1 - One day I'll go to Africa.
2 - I'm learning Piano.
3 - I love the mountains!
4 - Even though I love cold weather, I always end up in a tropical place.
5 - I'm learning to like coconut and chili.
6 - Even though I don't show it that often, I can be sweet/romantic sometimes.
7 - People say I like pink. My phone is pink, my laptop is pink, my laptop bag is pink...
8 - I was vegan for 3 months.
9 - Reading is great!
10 - One day not far from now I'll be fluent in written and spoken Portuguese :)

A ten-day writing project

2010-10-18T13:49:00.000-03:00

I found this on a friend’s blog and I felt like doing it too :)

Day 1: Ten random facts about yourself.

Day 2: Nine things you do every day.

Day 3: Eight things that annoy you.

Day 4: Seven fears/phobias.

Day 5: Six songs that you’re addicted to.

Day 6: Five things you can’t live without.

Day 7: Four memories you won’t forget.

Day 8: Three words you can’t go a day without using.

Day 9: Two things you wish you could do.

Day 10: One person you can trust.

Learning Portuguese

2010-10-18T13:18:00.000-03:00

One of the things that has made my adventures in Brazil more exciting is the language. The first days I was comparing everything with Spanish, making learning Portuguese even more complicated. Then I decided to just say the words even if i felt they were incomplete or wrong to me. Now, I am memorizing and using more words in Portuguese and reducing the amount of Spanish words in my conversations :)

Talking about language, yesterday in a restaurant I was reading the menu and I saw “x-hambúrguer”. By the way, the Anglicism ‘hambúrguer’ and ‘sanduíche’ are just a few of the words that Portuguese borrowed from the English language. So, I could not understand what an “x-hambúrguer” was until today that I started to read my recently acquired Portuguese book where it says that in Portuguese you use “x-hambúrguer” because the name of the letter X is ‘shis’ having a similar sound with the word cheese. Therefore, “x-hambúrguer” is read shis hambúrguer. That is just very funny and interesting :)

I love Portuguese! I love languages!

Changing the title

2010-10-07T11:40:00.000-03:00

I am posting the old blog description because I still think it is true, even though I will not use it for a while.

My Adventures

I've decided that life does not really have to be that normal. No matter where I am or what I do, even the most simple things will be part of my adventures.

Cuando estes desanimado, ora a Dios!

2010-08-18T20:56:00.000-03:00

"No se inquieten por nada, mas bien, en toda ocasion, con oracion y ruego, presenten sus peticiones a Dios y denle gracias." (Fil. 4:6)

Cuando estes desanimado, ora a Dios. Al acercarse a El cuando estamos en problemas nos ayuda a no derrumbarnos. Si has tenido una semana dificil, ora a Dios. Si todo se pone mas complicado para ti y no sabes que hacer, no te desanimes, ni cedas, ni te des por vencido. Ora a Dios y confia en El. Te dará fuerzas para seguir adelante.

The modern "marketplace"

2010-08-16T11:57:00.001-03:00

"...Don't make my Father's house a marketplace" (John 2:16) [or a fashionplace, or a place yo socialize].

When Jesus chased everyone out of the temple, it was because they had turned it into something completely different, into something that was for their own benefit. We might think that the story is all in the past but how many times have we turned our Father's house into a "marketplace" without even realizing it.

How do we make it a marketplace?

- When we decide church is not to worship but to meet people.

- When we focus more on clothes and not on God.

- When we want to show off our talents and forget that they are from God and to worship Him.

The list could go on...

Jesus may not come to us and chase us with a whip, but qe need to focus on Jesus and make His house a worship place.

Prayer

2010-08-09T00:37:00.001-03:00

"Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful heart offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel." (Phil. 4:6-7)

Trusting God

2010-08-06T02:24:00.001-03:00

"Trust God and always tell him each one of your concerns. God is our place of refuge." (Ps. 62.8)

It has been another week and I have not been able to make any progress. Lord, I was sad, worried and discouraged, but I know that you are in control. I trust you Lord, and I know that your timing is the perfect timing. Thank you for your promises :)

Los tiempos de Dios

2010-08-01T15:49:00.001-03:00

No importa cuanto tiempo crees que Dios esta tomando en contestarte, recuerda que los tiempos de Dios son diferentes. El nos prometio que nos llevara seguros en sus manos como en alas de aguila.

2010-07-28T13:56:00.000-03:00

Now I'm following e-blahbla. Excellent blog!

Better presentations

2010-07-27T19:05:00.000-03:00

Last week I was introduced to a great teaching tool > Prezi. If I had known this before, I could have used it for many of my school presentations :( But I also found out here that this tool is rather new (so I do not feel that bad and out of date on tech lol). So... it is never too late to start using it!

Why should you move beyond slides? on Prezi

2010-07-18T02:02:00.000-03:00

Today I was reading a note I wrote in April 2005 and saw this nice quote. I cannot remember if I copied it (which I do not think so considering where I was when I wrote it) or I wrote it myself but I like it so I want to share it.

"It does not matter how much or how little you have, if we share it with others God will always bless us."

Faith

2010-05-02T01:27:00.000-03:00

Dear Lord, help me see love instead of pressure in their actions.

Which one is my language?

2010-04-12T01:59:00.000-03:00

It would have been easier to answer this question five or six years ago, but now the answer depends. I am in Mexico right now, so most of what I speak/listen in every day conversations is in Spanish. However, I read and write mostly in English, and sometimes I find myself speaking more English than Spanish.

I rather use English in mostly any situation (that does not mean I do not like Spanish), so I could say that English is my language. However, my L1 is Spanish (and like it or not, it will always be), so am I supposed to say that Spanish is my language?

Routine

2010-03-31T13:46:00.000-03:00

It is so sad! This places is so different! I am so caught up with work and all the extracurricular activities that I have no time to think, to write and even to stay connected to Him. Everything is routine. I am tired of the routine.

A Gift from Jesus

2010-03-18T13:40:00.000-03:00

Do not become overwhelmed with the great amount of work you must do in your lifetime, for you are not required to do it all at once. Let every power of your being go to each day's work, improve each precious opportunity, appreciate the helps that God gives you, and make advancement up the ladder of progress step by step. Remember that you are to live but one day at a time, that God has given you one day, and heavenly records will show how you have valued its privileges and opportunities. May you so improve every day given you of God, that at last you may hear the Master say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

From Maranatha - Page 85

*E-mail from Mrs. Teodora Nae

The end of another great adventure

2009-12-20T15:45:00.000-03:00

If we never meet again

(Selah)

Soon we'll come to the end of life's journey

And perhaps we'll never meet anymore

Till we gather in heaven's bright city

Far away on that beautiful shore

If we never meet again this side of heaven

As we struggle through this world and its strife

There's another meeting place somewhere in heaven

By the beautiful river of life

Where the charming roses bloom forever

And separations come no more

If we never meet again this side of heaven

I will meet you on that beautiful shore

At least I tried

2009-12-08T22:27:00.000-03:00

Now I know why her attitude really hurt me. It hurt because I cared about her and because I opened myself to her. And yet, she did not care at all, she did not appreciate it. It is not that I do not care about her anymore but I am not going to give something to someone that is not willing to accept it. It is a pity because I thought she was different, but at least now I can say that I know how she really is.

Opening yourself to someone can be risky because not always the other person appreciates your friendship. However, if you never try, you will never know.

Learning

2009-11-29T00:53:00.000-03:00

“We make our own decisions, but the Lord alone determines what happens.”

(Proverbs 16:33)

“We may make a lot of plans, but the Lord will do what he has decided.”

(Proverbs 19:21)

I thought that I had come here to study, travel around and have lots of fun, but instead, God’s purpose for me being here was completely different. My expectations and plans for this semester were many, but now that I look at them again I think they were vague. Basically every big plan I would make would just disappear. That made me feel very depressed, but it was then when I realized what God was trying to teach me. He was trying to tell me that life for me has a different meaning and a different purpose. Here I’ve learned to depend on God and to let Him guide me. I might want to make my own plans but He is the One who in the end determines my future.

Dear Lord, I surrender all my life to you. Thank you for your love and for making me realize that life without your guidance has no purpose at all.

Sometimes...

2009-11-17T07:37:00.000-03:00

Sometimes... even the best of us get stressed out.
Sometimes... we could all use a break.
Sometimes... laughter can solve the problem.
Sometimes... a light heart can save the day.
Sometimes... a carefree attitude can free the soul.
Sometimes... a smile can warm the coldest of hearts.
Sometimes... the right words can change the situation.
Sometimes... it's just not enough...
Sometimes... there's nothing you can do.
Sometimes... you just have to pray.

This little list of sometimes made me remember that when we are stressed out, there are things we can do that will help. However, in the end God is the one who will help us to go through our tough times.

*taken from a message from the SDA Sabbath School Lesson Forum on facebook.

A messy desktop

2009-11-16T08:33:00.000-03:00

When my desktop is messy (look a the pic) it means I'm stressed out! Right now, there are like tooooons of things to finish, and I just realized that mostly I get stressed out because I usually try to do many things at the same time. So yeah, right now I'm on the trying-to-survive-the-last-few-weeks-of-school stage lol.

On a totally different topic, I have decided (again!) to start from scratch. I've tried it a couple of times but it seems like it hasn't worked yet. We will see if this time works out. I'm more willing to make it happen this time though. The first part is done > erase all evidence and be positive about it. The hardest parts are to come, but one step at a time will help me overcome this.

About my Thai Adventures... well, there are still many things adding to the list of adventures every week, but it's just that I haven't had (or made) time to write them down. But that does not mean I'm not enjoying my time here, and making an adventure out of everything and anything.

Do not be discouraged

2009-11-05T08:15:00.000-03:00

"Don't say you're too young... I promise to be with you and keep you safe, so don't be afraid."

(Jeremiah 1:7-8)

"I've commanded you to be strong and brave. Don't ever be afraid or discouraged! I'm the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go."

(Joshua 1:9)

Sometimes we feel like we have done our bet and yet other people say it was not good. When someone tells you that it was not a good job, or when you expect someone to be happy with what you did and they simply do not appreciate it, you can easily feel discouraged or inferior.

Today I felt that way. I had done my best and I thought it was a good job, but then I was told I had to do it again. That really made me feel inferior, and I was afraid of having to do my work all over again, this time with more pressure on me and higher expectations. Then I open my Bible and read that God told Jeremiah not to be afraid. Immediately after that comes the story of Joshua to my mind. God told him not to be afraid or discouraged. These two Bible character, Jeremiah and Joshua, were young people just like me, facing situations that most probably made them feel inferior and afraid, and yet the Lord told them He was going to be with them.

Now I know the Lord is telling me the same thing. He is with me and He will help me wherever I go and whatever situation I encounter.

If you feel the same way, if someone has made you feel inferior, or if you think you cannot do it, just remember what the Lord says:

"Do not be afraid or discouraged." "I promise to be with you and keep you safe."

getting sick :(

2009-09-28T09:24:00.000-03:00

I hate the pre-symptoms of flu because I know I'll get a flu but it's not totally a flu yet. But I hate flu even more because I cannot sleep well and I cannot stop sneezing. Today I started sneezing and coughing, and to make it even worse, I got a terrible headache that started during my 11am class. The afternoon was terrible, and even though I tried to concentrate while reading, it was really hard. I managed to read most of the material for my presentation but I kept on sneezing and coughing, so Duc brought me some Vitamin C and Paracetamol.Then, before worship, he also brought me some porridge and said that it should make me feel better, so I ate it. It was really good and hot, and I sort of felt a little better but tight now, after a couple of hours, I feel bad again. I just hope I can sleep well!

yumy yumy!

2009-09-23T06:35:00.000-03:00

I had totally forgotten aunty Sarapee Hamra's delicious banana bread mini cupcakes. Last Friday after vespers, I ate some, and re-fell in love with them. I even took some to my room, but by Monday they were all gone (I did not eat them all by myself ok lol).

Today I was passing by her office and thought I could just ask her if she has more in her office, because I knew she had made them for a meeting/conference. She said she did not have more in the office but if I wanted some, I could go to her house to get more. I was kind of shy, but at the same time happy that I was going to get more. Then after lunch she brought them to her office and gave them to me! now

I'm in the library, and since I'm kind of falling asleep, I decided I was going to mouse (just to stay awake!).

I love these banana bread mini cupcakes!!!

Mexican food in Thailand

2009-09-16T05:06:00.000-03:00

Yaniris and I have been writing our Thai Adventures and it also includes Cooking Adventures. So far we have cooked Mexican food twice (the third one will be next Sunday!). I had the marvelous idea of bringing tortillas all the way from Mexico, and we enjoyed them the very first week we were here. We have written about this in our mini series so I will focus on the food.

Our first meal was Enchiladas, which is basically fried corn tortillas soaked in tomato sauce (you can fill them with whatever you want to, this time we decided to put chicken). Then you pour hot tomato sauce and spread grated cheese on top of the ENCHILADAS (if you do it while they are hot, the cheese will melt and it will be even more delicious). Since we thought that the enchiladas were not going to be enough, we also cooked rice (western style: with salt and some other seasonings hehe), vegetables, potatoes and pico de gallo (chopped tomatoes, onions and cilantro). And guess what... it ended up being a lot of food and we even got to eat it again the next day!

Our second meal was TACOS but this time a Thai friend, Boon, brought tortillas from Bangkok. We cooked chicken, potatoes and tried to make the Pico de Gallo, but we forgot to buy cilantro, so it ended up in salsa only (tomtoes and onions).

I cannot believe that it has been only 4 weeks and we have cooked twice. I say that because it is usually hard to get the ingredients, but I guess my cooking mood has helped as well. The last time I was here I did not cook any mexican food at all, but I think I have done more cooking because now I enjoy it more than before. It is especially gratifying to cook for friends who ask for Mexican food because they love it. And even if it is not mexican food, I think I enjoy cooking!

Next dish is going to be Molletes!

2009-09-13T23:39:00.000-03:00

*Another question in my English for Tourism class.

What was the happiest moment of your life?

One of the happiest moments in my life was when, after 3 months of treatment, we discovered that my mom did not have cancer anymore. In 2003

she went through chemotherapy and one day during the 3rd month of treatment my dad told me to go see my mom because she wanted to talk to me. somehow I knew what she was going to tell me because I had confidence in God that He was going to heal my mom. And now every time I think of it, I can't stop praising the Lord and thanking Him for that gift and for the opportunity of having my mom with us now.

Questions to think about

2009-09-02T05:53:00.000-03:00

Mrs. Nebres always starts the class (English for Tourism) reading a question and then we all give our answer to it. I'll try to post some of the questions and my answers here. This question was from yesterday (01/Sep/09).

What’s the greatest accomplishment in your life so far?

There are two great accomplishments that I can think of right now. The ‘new’ (it’s been a process actually) attitude that helps me look at things from the positive side and that helps me find new adventures, even if they come from small simple pleasures. The second and more recent accomplishment (it’s been a process too) is that I’ve managed to face *some* of my fears and try new experiences. Things as simple as eating Thai food or writing an article for Newsbyte are part of that process of doing things I would normally say ‘no! I won’t do it’.

Driving around Muak Lek with Aaron and Yanis. Simple adventures that bring joy to our life.

Major updates

2009-08-25T02:54:00.001-03:00

I just realized that my last post is from mid June, and I kind of feel bad that I haven't updated this blog like in ages. Sometimes I feel like I want to write something, but then laziness comes to me and I keep on sayingtomorrow... tomorrow. But finally I'm writing again and this time it will be about new adventures. I realized/decided that life does not really have to be that normal and monotonous. That's like looking at things with a negative perspective. Instead of doing that, all I do and all that happens to me will be an adventure, even the most simple things.

The beginning of my adventures date from July 2009. I found myself heading to Memphis on July 3rd knowing just a bit of what it was going to be all about. After a couple of weeks of babysitting I found out that there was going to be an unusual adventure. Some friends tried to discourage me saying that I was being exploited, but somehow God had prepared me to see the good side of any situation and that helped me not to give up. On the last week of July I found myself in northern Florida enjoying the beach and playing with a 4 year-old boy that was scared of the waves. Finally,August came and my USA/TN adventure ended. I was glad that it was over because I was ready for whatever was coming next, but at the same time I felt like I needed to stay longer to fully enjoy what TN could offer to me.

August 11th, I was on my way back home, excited because I was going to see Sara again. She did not know what I had planned and that was even better. Our Houston-Monterrey flight was the same, so while waiting for my connection flight in Houston, I decided to go look for her on the other side of the airport. She was surprised to see me and I was so happy to see her! After that we had 6 great days together to do some cooking, paperwork, meeting friends, eating out, shopping, etc.

On August 16th the big adventure started. This time it involved 3 more friends, so it makes it even more interesting. Somehow I was sad to leave because I wanted to be with Sara, but I was excited as well because I was going to see some of my friends again. After long hours of waiting, running at the DFW airport, sleeping and walking around planes, we got to our final destination, AIU (formerly MC). This big adventure will end in January, but I'm sure there will be more to come, small or big but there's always new adventures to enjoy.

Thank God my adventures ended up being great ;)

black, white? no thanks

2009-06-24T18:30:00.001-03:00

For some people life is simply balck and white but somewhere between black and white is my dream to be with you.

Graduation weekend

2009-06-04T00:52:00.000-03:00

My brother and my cousin were part of the first group who graduated from the Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Telecommunications from Montemorelos University. And my graduated from Doctorate in Education ;-) CONGRATULATIONS to them!

Engineers

Mon and Vico

I just love how the church looks ;)

Mom! I love you and I'm so proud of you!!!

The Monarrez and vico's gf (Cesy)

dreams, visions or plans?

2009-05-27T12:38:00.000-03:00

Dania wrote this as a comment on Aaron's blog... and I just love it. It shows that even if we try our best to succeed in life, the only way we can do it is if we let God lead us.

I have a dream. -Martin Luther King
I have a vision. -Ellen G. White
I have a plan. -God

2009-05-27T12:28:00.000-03:00

Uncomfortable situations

2009-05-27T00:20:00.000-03:00

Yesterday I read Julie's post and it kinda made me think on what would I do on certain situations that could make me feel a lil unconfortable. Today I was in one of those 'uncomfortable situations'. What do you do when you are in an exam (as a student) and you notice that basically all your classmates are asking for questions or giving the answers to the rest of the class and the teacher does not seem to notice that at all? I hate when that happens! but oh well, I guess am not going to be the kind of student who tells the teacher that they are giving the answers.... so up to them! In the end, we all are going to get our 'rewards' if we do right, and our 'punishment' if we do wrong.

However, I still can't stand it!

a new version of the story

2009-05-07T23:27:00.000-03:00

After our 10 days of Influenza Break, we are now 'back to school'. It still feels quiet awkward having to wear disposable face masks in classes and having to wash our hands with hand sanitizer almost every hour or before entering a building! But oh well, those are the conditions they gave us in order to get back to our regular activities and classes.

And we even have to wear a bracelet (see the pic of my hand lol) until Monday. Every student at the uni got one after the 10 days of the already mentioned 'break'. We had to go for an 'anti influenza test'(basically questions of where did you go on those 10 days, what did you do, etc.) and since they saw that I was clean lol I got the bracelet. We even started making fun of it as if we were inmates in a prision (because of the numbers).... mine is116848.

Anyway, I have 2 more weeks of school and then my summer starts! I'm kinda sad and disapointed because I'm going to stay here (AGAIN! :@) for the whole summer. I mean... it was quiet expected that I was going to stay, but I still had some hope that I could go somewhere... but oh well, that's my life I guess hehehe. But as I was saying the other day, it's one summer less in this place muahaha.

Oh, and here's a pic I just got from a friend hehe

I love this new version of the story > The 3 little pigs.

*enjoy it ;)

InfluenzaBreak

2009-04-30T18:42:00.000-03:00

I found my hideout when boredom attacks during this 'InlfuenzaBreak' ► My room! and all I need is:

- My confi bed
- My huge laptop (Dell Inspiron 9400 15'')
- Wireless connection (very important! Needless to say facebook and MSN lol)
- My cellphone (just in case... but I haven't used it that much actually)
- Movies
- My homework (yes, I still have to do homework).

a little prayer please

2009-04-27T01:16:00.000-03:00

Please pray for Mexico!! things are getting quiet complicated here... the Secretary of Health has announced that classes are canceled until the 6th of May because of the swine flu.

Time flies!

2009-04-21T18:13:00.000-03:00

April is almost gone and then it comes May along with final projects, final exams, and at the end of the month my bro and my mom’s graduation (Vico finishes his Bachelor’s Degree and my mom her PhD). Then it comes the summer with intensive courses and lots of preparation ;) I think I will teach one or two English classes at the language school or take some intensive courses. After summer… OMG! Sara’s is going to be here!!! (hope I get to see her in August). Then it comes my time to go abroad (if I would have written this a week ago, it would have been a completely different story which included Thailand, but God has amazing ways of changing plans).

*I will talk about this later, when everything is clear enough to say it out loud. CAN'T WAIT!!!

Ok… getting back to the fact that we are still not in summer break and that school hasn’t finished yet. We had Moody Awards at the beginning of April (I blogged about this earlier) and that was basically the last activity of the Student Council. I feel relieved but at the same time I kind of miss all the meetings we had and all the stress hehe.

Almost all the members of the Student Council.

On my "spring break" (more like a long weekend) I went to a Master Guide Camporee. I had lots of fun and learned quiet a lot because this time I was part of the staff.

I started teaching English at the High School and it’s been a learning experience. I don’t have a big classroom (started with 10 students but 2 of them were expelled 2 weeks ago), and having a small classroom helps a lot when it comes to discipline. There are still other things to take in consideration, like the fact that I’m supposed to be teaching an “advance” class but most of my students can’t even understand when I give them instructions in English (however, I won’t lower the school work, which is not that much anyway).
Teaching there gives me more reasons why I want to work in a language school and not in a secondary or high school. It’s not that I don’t like it, but I do enjoy a lot more teaching at the language school. However, it looks like I will take a break from teaching English for a little while and do something I did not expect but which I think I will enjoy and will be a completely different but great experience.

My English students at the language school.

Bach's Brandenburg Concert No. 3

2009-04-09T01:00:00.000-03:00

We are going to play Bach's Brandenburg Concert No. 3 and I love it!! This will be the second time I play it, so I think it's going to be easier hehe. The first time I played it was long time ago, in my first year at the uni orchestra (I think I was in high school... not sure) and I remembered I had a hard time with that concert, but it was worth it.

Today I was falling asleep at the orchestra practice, and when we started practicing the Brandenburg Concert my sleepiness went away hehe.

*I just hope we play it this semester and not the next one 'cause I won't be here next semester :(

My great but crazy weekend

2009-04-06T21:10:00.000-03:00

Saturday ► I went with the uni orchestra to play in town. Had to wake up at 5 am in order to be ready at 6:30. The morning program was great, and in the afternoon we had a concert. I always enjoy the orchestra concerts, and sometimes I wish I could just sit with the rest of the people listening and enjoying every single song hehe.

Playing my fav song "Enviame a mi" (send me).
The song is based on Isaiah 6:8
"Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me."

Sunday ► It started with summer time and wakinig up rather late. Then I went to a friend's wedding which I knew about only an hour before it happened =S

Sunday evening, we had the "Moody Awards" at the uni, organized by the Student Council (am part of it), so before the event we were running up and down getting everything ready. During the event, I didn't actually enjoy it that much because I had to make sure all the participants were ready to go up on stage. After the event, well... I just didn't bother to help (shame on me) because I was really tired!!!

Before the event (in the afternoon) carrying chairs and tables.
I was actually the driver, Muahaha

Student Council 2008-2009

With some friends after the event.

Playing typmanies

2009-04-03T02:58:00.000-03:00

Yeys!! Got a chance to play tympanies last Sabbath at church! ;) It was pretty cool, however I rather play tympanies with the Orchestra or the Brass Ensemble. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the music and the service last Sabbath.

It was the end of the Week of Prayer, and as it was expected, the music was great! and the sermons went straight to those wounds that I didn't want to touch for a long time.

*I need to do something about it... but am working on that.

2009-04-02T13:06:00.000-03:00

I kinda got the gerbear hehe.
Not that someone gave it to me... more like I went to a friend's bridal shower and got it there muahaha.

Just because you're lazy?

2009-03-30T00:29:00.000-03:00

I tend to underline and write notes on the books I read (when mine lol). While I was reading My Sister's Keeper a while ago, I found this interesting part that made me think a lot. Is it really true what it says there? I mean, I know it's a novel and all that, but could it be true? Can we be like that? Something to think about hehe.

The problem, you know, is that you never forget your firts one. And even if your brain's smart about it, your body's got the IQ of a fruit fly.

It's just so easy with him. It's like we're picking up where we left off. I already know everything I need to about him and he already knows everything he needs to about me.

Can you fall for someone because you're lazy?

*Conversation between Julia and her sister Iz, on page 332 of My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult.

I want...

2009-03-24T14:17:00.001-03:00

I want a gerbera daisy flower!!!!

What's the point?

2009-03-12T19:17:00.000-03:00

What's the chat for if you are not online?
What's the e-mail for if you don't send me one?
What's the cell phone for if you don't have credit to call me?
What's a movie for if you don't have time to watch one?
What's spare time for if I cannot spend it with you?

Spiritual Retreat 2009

2009-03-02T17:57:00.000-03:00

Last weekend I went with the Faculty of Education and Psychology to the spiritual retreat. We had lots of fun! and the place was really nice!!! It was at a biopark near the campus, where we stayed for 2 days (Saturday and Sunday).

Here are some pictures...

This is the park's camping area.

The colorful lil cabins where we stayed.

Sabbath School

Special music

With some of my classmates ;)

Night safari

Our car got stuck at the night safari and their car had to help us.

With Sohorin and Lee-C (sunday morning)

With Lee-C, Sohorin and Ornella

My team during the sunday morning rally

Group picture

2009-02-25T13:04:00.000-03:00

Heading to my sewing classes... pictures and videos will be up tomorrow (I hope LOL).

Yesterday

2009-02-22T19:05:00.000-03:00

I didn't tell you that you looked nice.

I wanted to invite you to eat at my place but I couldn't find the way to tell you.

I wanted to chat with you for a while but I was shy (coulnd't find an excuse to interrupt).

You looked for me and we had a good chat.

It was a great day after all (thanks to you).

Tomorrow... I might not be able to see you.

Will I stop smiling if I don't see you?

Love can turn the world

2009-02-20T12:34:00.000-03:00

We're as different as night and day

We're the same in different ways

And it's true, just look at me and you

If coal can turn to diamonds

And sand can turn to pearls

If a worm can turn into a butterfly

Then love can turn the world

*I love this song by the Gaither Vocal Band. It's one of my favorite songs! Hope you like it too ;)

The only part I don't like is where it says that we can be whatever we want to be and that the power is in us. And where do we leave God? He's the One who will help us change and be whatever He wants us to be.

Apple pie: my first attempt LOL

2009-02-08T19:23:00.000-03:00

My mom was cooking something for lunch today and she needed to use the oven (we hardly use it hehe), so I told her that I wanted to make an apple pie. Then I asked my bro to google up a recipe and print it for me... luckily I had everything needed and so I started. It ended up being a lil harder to make than I thought, but it's all worth it I think hehehe, cause it looks yummy!!!

I didn't take pics of the making-the-apple-pie moment, but once I turned of the oven, I took the first 2 pics.

Cannot wait to eat it all!!!! hehehe... ok ok I'll share! :P

Not aesthetic at all hehehe... but yummy for sure!!

2009-02-05T19:15:00.000-03:00

Today was a brighter day ;) and I like these kind of days hehe

Sewing classes

2009-02-04T18:06:00.000-03:00

Today I started sewing classes. As part of the uni curriculum (don't ask me why) we need to take a class for a year (once a week). Girls can choose sweing classes, somethinig with haircuting or whatever that is hehe, or handicrafts; and guys can choose mechanics, plumbing and dunno what else hehe.

Today we were supposed to make a baby skirt, but since we are like soooo slow (don't laugh, we are learning!) most of us only finish like half of it.

I'm gonna try to take my camera next Wednesday to take and upload some pics of my attempt of making a skirt LOL.

My roller coaster ride

2009-02-01T01:40:00.000-03:00

I've been in this roller coaster for the past months... (caused by a special person to me).

First I was really happy because we were going out. I couldn't stop smiling and thinking of him. Then I was kind of sad because vacation came and I knew I wasn't going to see him in like 2 weeks or more. The 2 weeks passed and I was hoping to see him, but nothing happened. Then I was excited because I knew he was coming back for school. School time came and I heard nothing from him, so I told myself I was going to be patient. One day I saw him when I was driving around and my heart started beating -he made me happy ;) At church I thought I had heard his voice but didn't see him. Now I'm having this feeling that maybe he wasn't that into this as I wish he was (or as I thought he was) and that feeling makes me sad.

My hopes are still there, and will be there until the end -if it happens to be an end (I really wish this story has a happy ending though).

Or maybe he thinks I don't want to see him because we haven't seen each other, but how am I supposed to tell him that I so want to see him, go out with him, talk to him...?

25 Random things about myself

2009-01-30T01:37:00.000-03:00

*I was tagged by Shannon and Sondang.

Share: Thursday @ 22:40
Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

(To do this on facebook, go to "notes" under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)

25 Random Things About Me!

I think I'm an internet lover hehe
I'm all crazy about orthography... but even then, I do find some mistakes when I write LOL
I love playing tympanies.... it's cool, it's fancy, it sounds awesome, and not many people know how to play them ;) and that makes it even better hehe
I love teaching English. What was I doing studying engineering?!
I struggled having to eat without avocado for almost a year (that was in Thailand).
I think Malaysian English, and Singlish are funny ;)
I kinda regret giving away that trip to Italy :(
I usually take like 30 mins. or even more in the shower heheh...
I love listening to different English accents!
I check my GMAIL like 5 times a day hehehe... ok ok maybe not that many times, but at least like twice a day hehehe.. in normal conditions (you know, when I'm not on holidays, not stressed out in school...)
I studied in Thailand for a year, and want to go again!!! Hopefully in Aug'09 ;)
Watermelon and Mango lover.
I like winter and wearing winter clothes, but don't like beeing cold (I already said this in another post hehe).
I got FAT when I was in Thailand heheheh... ok ok maybe not that fat... but I did gain like 5 kgs. or more.
I used to be good on basketball (high school times)
I'm bilingual and want my kids (when I have them... in like 10 years -maybe LOL jk) to speak at least 3 languages.
I've had only one boyfriend.
I kind of like cooking.
I've been telling my parents that I miss going on vacation to the States hehehe... dunno why but I kinda miss traveling there :S
I think Thailand beaches are nicer than the ones in Cancun -even Isla Mujeres- (but Cancun is still nice).
I can't do push-ups. I think I've done like 5 or 7 hehe... but not that more.
I was on the vere of eating grasshoppers but couldn't do it (and I think I will never do it).
I like my Developmental Psychology class from last semester (that had nothing to do with my mom being the teacher) and I think I'm going to like my Educational Psychology class from this semester.
I like going to the library, but not exactly to study LOL
I tried, or I can actually say that I rode a motorbike once (in Thailand, my first and only time LOL) and it was funny.

Italy in March? Nop, maybe next time :(

2009-01-25T15:32:00.000-03:00

I just gave away an all-paid trip to Italy (or maybe Romania) for 2 weeks, and I don't know if I should be happy, sad or mad.

Last semester, the dean of the Education department told us that the one with the highest GPA that semester was going to get an all-paid trip to an Adventist college/school in Europe for 2 weeks to do the teaching practice. During my registration this semester (last Thursday) I found out that I was the one with the highest GPA (3.97).
All of a sudden I thought: OMG!!! I'm going to ITALY!!!!! And then the dean asked me right away if I could give it to another girl that got 3.96 and is graduating this May. Since I'm a Junior, she said I would have a chance to go next year if I keep my GPA that high... so my expression went from "OMG! I'm going to Italy!" to "WTH!!!".
After thinking a lot and being mad at the dean (I found out that the girl who's going instead of me is one of her fav students) I accepted her petition and just said "OK I'm not going to Italy" :( Many people have told me that what I did was great ► I gave another girl the chance to go, and I'm going next year anyway (or at least that was the deal). But I can't resign myself to not going!

2009-01-23T14:04:00.000-03:00

Reading Onya's blog she said something about the "blood" video on YouTube. I think it's kinda funny, but looking at it from the kid's side... poor lil thing!!! He's all desperate trying to tell his dad that is not funny, and all his dad does is laugh! OMG!!!! what a weird dad I guess..... but it is indeed kinda funny!

Cooking for one

2009-01-21T18:15:00.001-03:00

Cooking for one is not exactly the best thing ever, or at least that's how I see it. It is actually quiet boring if you think of it. You have to prepare a whole meal for only one; and even worse, you use a lot of kitchen utensiles and have to wash them all at the end, and you ended up cooking a small lil portion of food anyway. Or maybe it is not that boring, because if you read Shimona and Deanna's blog you will convince yourself that it's not boring at all.

Anyway, today I was the only one eating at home because dad went out to Monterrey, mom and Vico didn't have a car to come back home for lunch and I stayed at home (oh yeah! still on school break!!!), so I had to cook for myself.

Here is what I cooked today.

I'm a potato lover!!

This was (was because it's all in my stomach now LOL) fried potatoes (with almost nothinig of oil actually), tomatoes, onions and some coriander.

With cheese is even better!

Oh, and the bread there, or what was left of it because I couldn't resist it, was with cottage cheese, avocado and the same tomatoe, onions and coriander I used for the potatoes.

This is what I mean when saying that you use a lot of kitchen utensils.

New Template

2009-01-20T18:39:00.000-03:00

I finally got a new template!!! YEYS!!

It took me AGES to decide which template to use. So many of them!!! soOOoo hard to choose! And then the copy-paste work.... moving all the links and Gadgets takes time you know. But managed to recover almost everything, except my flag counter :( So cacat lah the flag counter! cause they cannot save it.

Smile

2009-01-19T12:05:00.000-03:00

Smile -it's the second best thing you can do with your lips.

*Found this quote in one of Carol's pics on Facebook.... it's great LOL and funny.... so I leave it to your imagination what the first thing can be.

2009-01-16T15:26:00.000-03:00

Once I wrote somethingt similar to this post (here), but my last nalgene lasted only like a week LOL. This time... dunno for how long I will have it hehe.

Anyway, have a good time ;)

LOVING THE RAIN!!!! YEYS :)

When is it going to happen?

2009-01-14T13:41:00.000-03:00

Every time I start a new semester I say, "This time I'm giving myself more free time" (as in I'm not going to be EXTREMELY busy as always). I never do it! and as usual, I've said it again this time... I need to see if I will be able to achieve that goal LOL, and seriously I need to slow down a bit. I NEED A BREAK!!! not as in no school, but as in a semester with less extra curricular activities that drive me crazy (and I love them all!!). Maybe that's the problem ► I enjoy doing lots of things, but I just don't have the time.

Anyway.... I do wanna slow down this time.

Oh, and my holiday fever.... it's all gone! I'm back to the uni, not actually in school (yet), but am back on campus and started with some english tutoring, so that officially puts me in a not-on-vacation status :(

My fav holiday pics

2009-01-10T01:26:00.000-03:00

*If you click on the pic you will see it on my flickr. Enjoy!! ;-)

1. A view from the lighthouse
2. Enoc and his scarred face
3. Starfish
4. A priceless moment and lots of fun
5. The girls (my cousins)
6. Sunset in Mazatlan
7. Mr. Turkey (tio Mon)
8. Dad and Mom

The lighthouse

2009-01-09T23:04:00.000-03:00

*More about my holidays

On December 26th some of us went hiking to "El Faro" (the lighhouse). My mom and some other uncles and aunts hike every December, but it was my first time. They always invited me to go but I was tooooo lazy to wake up early to be there at 6 am and start hiking. COME ON!!! 6 am when I'm on holidays!! no please!! But this time I was on a more social mood so I went. I don't regret it at all, even though it was really REALLY tiring. And the best part of that day was the restaurant we went after hiking LOL.

enjoy the pics and the nice view ;-)

At the southern end of the peninsula, a particularly prominent rocky outcrop provides the base for "El Faro" (the lighthouse), 157m (515ft) above sea level and supposedly the second-highest lighthouse in the world (after Gibraltar).

View from the top

My grandma!! When we started hiking we never thought she was going to make it all the way up.

After a long walk, the only thing you wanna do is rest.

Not many people went because they were tooo lazy to wake up early and hike.
*I was taking the picture :(

Our ATV adventure!

2009-01-09T21:42:00.000-03:00

More pictures...

With the crazy driver... thanks to him we had 3 accidents LOL.
But it was still fun ;)

Vico and Kalra... they were more careful hehe

My turn to drive ;)

Hello there!!! The craziest cousins ever... and the cutest too LOL

HNY

2009-01-07T21:05:00.000-03:00

OMG!!!! I just realilzed that I didnt wish you all Happy New Year here on my blog... my bad.
anyway.. i just did LOL. So......

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!!!

God bless you all!! I wish I could give you a hug to all of you my dear friends who read my blog, but oh well, at least I can give you a virtual one LOL ;-)

"Granja de mi Abuelo"

2009-01-03T23:02:00.000-03:00

On December 25th we went to this place called "Granja de mi Abuelo" (a restaurand and a lil ranch kind of thing) to celebrate my lil cousin's baptism. We had branch and the lots of fun with the family.

"My Grandpa's Farm"

Brunch ;)

"The Martinez"
That was only part of the family, maybe half of the family.
We were 45 on Christmas Eve, and even then we weren't complete.

2nd accident. On our 1st one we drove through the bushes, and we had a 3rd one.

Time with my cousins

2009-01-03T21:25:00.000-03:00

I'm having a great time this christmas break! I will be posting on different things we did this break, but it basiaclly includes:

Riding 4-wheeled ATVs
Shopping
Going to the beach
Christmas Eve
New Year's Eve
Hiking

I got to spend a lot of time with my cousins which I hadn't seen in a long time. Here are some pics with/of them.

Karla, Elvira, SeNdY and Dulce at my aunt's beauty salon.

Elvira and Enoc trying to carry vico.... and I say trying cause it was just like 3 seconds LOL

At the shopping mall with some cousins (Vico, Dulce, Enoc, Karla, SeNdY and Noe).

Starfish

2008-12-27T14:05:00.000-03:00

One of my cousins got it and it was still alive when he gave it to me. A couple of hours later it died or i think it died LOL cause it wasn't moving anymore... and now►it stinks!!

2008-12-24T15:00:00.000-03:00

FELIZ NAVIDAD!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I wish you all a great time, many blessings and lots of love. May you stay close to God and enjoy His presence in your life.

23°13′N 106°25′W / 23.217, -106.417

2008-12-20T22:00:00.000-03:00

Today is the second day in Mazatlan and I'm having quiet a good time. We went to church and my dad was invited to give the Sabbath School lesson. Since the mission stories this quartet come from Asia and there was no story today, my dad asked me to say something... I was like, what am I going to say?

So there I was giving a mission story... What did I say? Luckily enough, I had read Toshi's story a couple of weeks ago and I just complemented it with what I know he's doing now... so that was my mission story hehe. I kinda feel good cause I had a chance to do something for Sabbath School today.

I wish I had brought my Viola though, but my mom said there was no space in the car and I couldn't take it with me on the plane either :( I always say "I'll bring my viola next time" LOL

My dad giving the Sabbath School lesson.

Left to right: My mom, my aunt, my grandma and another aunt.

With one of my aunts after church.

*Haven't gone to the beach yet :(

Finally on vacaction

2008-12-18T12:56:00.000-03:00

In 7 hours I'll be heading to the beach! oh yeah!!!!

Won't be suffering from the cold at least for 3 weeks (wish could be more).

2008-12-11T12:12:00.001-03:00

FINAL EXAMS are on the way!!!