1995 New Year Eve

December 31, 1995 (Sunday).


New Year Eve
31 December 1995 Sunday

Sandra and Ceasar (Guard's son and daughter) came to visit the father.

They helped us in the garden by fancing a plot of vegetable bed using empty beer bottles.

We never drink beer, these bottles were an accumulation by someone from the factory for years. We decided to make use of them.

We put on the hose to water the plants then Xing Xing starts playing the water happily.

Xing Xing was hammering the furniture and playing on the logs yard with earth and wood.

At night was a mini party for New Year. We have two security guards. The families of 2 guards came.

Our factory is patrolled by rifle-toting security guards on day and night shift. The factory manager and we live inside the factory compound.

12:00 midnight, BBQ at the guide house with the family members of the 2 guides.

  Xing was fast asleep while we welcome the New Year.

27th Birthday of Shirley

Km 20, Minga Guazu
27 December 1995 Wednesday


December 27, 1995 (Wednesday) is Shirley 27th birthday.  They had an outing at Rodeo Km.20  while I go to work in Ciuded del Este.

Unsatisfied with the fun, at nigh they continue the birthday party with barbeque in the house of Leonardo.

In Minga Guazu District are 4 rivers : Monday, Acaray, the stream Acaray-mi and Santa Maria. I do not know which river this is but this stream is just 1 km from Macosur factory where we stay. All these friends are from the neighbor hood.

Prize for Christmas Lucky Draw

December 1995

December 10, 1995 (Sunday) In the afternoon were playing volley ball together with Ariel, Sony, Lillian and Nilsa suddenly Marcelo ran and knock his forehead to forehead of Sony.

December 17, 1995 Sunday) Elvira changed the lock of the gate and we do not have the key.

December 23, 1995 (Saturday) Josefina has gone back to her house in Sta Rita for Christmas Holiday.
Only comes back on December 27.

December 28, 1995 (Thursday) Leonardo has a sister who is a nun.  They met today and she gave Shirley a pendant (Maria Auxiliadora).

December 29, 1995 (Friday) Shirley cleared the grass on the garden for planting vegetables. Replanted the white bean from the can to garden.

Strike at Friendship Bridge

Photo above downloaded from Google Image. The view is exectly the same angle view from my office at Panonama apartment building.  This photo dated August 2008 most probable taken from the same building.


A beautiful view of the Friendship Bridge (Puente de la Amistadthat) from Paraguay crosses into Brazil.

I used to walk across this bridge alone. But crossing this bridge for cars is a challenge during weekdays.

Its a two lane bridge  and the traffic moves slow.  On a Sunday day (when all shops closed) a car can get across in half an hour.  But weekdays may take as long as couple of hours to cross.


November 24, 1995 (Friday)
I came back from Brazil but Fernando stayed there because the car cannot pass on the Friendship bridge. The Paraguay people had strike because of the new law of Brazil.


http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/iez/50026.pdf

Ciudad del Este is an Informal international trade center which depends heavily on shopping "tourism."

Brazilians and Argentinians travel to Ciudad del Este just to take advantage of the low import duties to purchase consumer electronics, office equipment, perfumes, whiskey, cigarettes, and other consumer items.

This trade, along with illicit trade through the area, has earned Ciudad del Este notoriety as a smuggler's paradise.

Shopping tourism declined in 1997, the year we left Ciudad del Este for Malaysia.

This is because of weakening economic growth in Brazil and Argentina and stricter controls by Brazilian authorities.

Holiday in Paraguay

Date	Holiday
January 1	New Year's Day
March 1	Heroes' Day	End of the Triple Alliance War
March/ April	Maundy/Holy Thursday	Movable, Lunar Calendar
March/ April	Good Friday	Movable, Lunar Calendar
May 1	Labor Day
May 15	Independence Day	May 14 and 15 for schools
June 12	Chaco Armistice	End of the Chaco War
August 15	Founding of Asunción	Arrival of the Spaniards
September 29	Boqueron Battle Victory	Chaco War version of D-day
December 8	Virgin of Caacupe	Immaculate Conception
December 25	Christmas Day	Jesus's Birthday

November 1995

November 21, 1995 (Tuesday) Went to accompany Vilda and the sister in CDE at the same time took photograph at them.

November 22, 1995 (Wednesday) Josefina and Shirley played volley ball, after playing they played on the sand together with Celia(maid of Elvira), Diego and Marcelo. They covered the body of Josefina using sand and put flag on her top using guava leaves.

November 26, 1995 (Sunday) Shirley went with Vilda and sister (Sussana) to Km 16 Don Bosco to attend the graduation day of Nilsa. Xing Xing stayed with me at home.

After graduation they had bocadito and brought cake.

November 27, 1995 (Monday) Shirley brought Xing Xing together with Josefina and Nilsa and the mama (Juliana) for swimming in Km 21. We rode on a cargo truck. It is quite a nice place. Xing Xing likes to stay very much in the water. He doesn't want other baby to use his salbavida.

Returning home by taxi at 2:30 P.M the rest at about 5:00 P.M.

At night we all went to CDE office for the night.

Josefina came the next day. Not many people in CDE because of strike. The puente close so the people from Brazil can't pass at the same time from Paraguay also.

November 30, 1995 (Thursday) Shirley made a decorative candle to decorate in front of door while Xing Xing was playing.

Shirley cut a feliz Navidad Ano Nuevo decoration with color printer in the CDE office.

I went to Brazil with Fernando and come back at night.

October 1995

October 07, 1995 (Saturday) Went to watch the video of Xing Xing's birthday in the house of Luis.
It was the birthday of Vilda (wife of Luis). She got a Philippines t-shirt from Shirley.


October 08, 1995 (Sunday) In the afternoon we went for a event by the Chinese Association in Cde. There are so many prices like Hi fi set television etc. but we did not won any of them, together w/ us is Nilsa.



October 12, 1995 (Thursday) Shirley has  Sarna (Scabbies) sickness. She  went to Km. 41 alone to consult. The doctor recommends the Benzodermol soap and Benzodermol liquid (lotion).

Josefina took care of Xing Xing.


October 14, 1995 (Saturday) Repaired  the 4 arm chairs made last year holy week. After repairing will make a bed for use in Cde.

Xing Birthday

Sept.18, 1995 (Monday) Had given away the invitation of Xing's birthday.

Sept. 19, 1995 (Tuesday) Went to Asuncion for signature of our cedula and return the next day.

Sept. 21, 1995 (Thursday) Went to office Cde for Eca to clean and washing the clothes of Paul and Fernando.

September 23, 1995 (Saturday) Ordered Pepsi 36 bottle (2 litters) of soft drinks for birthday.

Sept. 24, 1995 (Sunday) The 1st birthday of Xing Xing. It was raining so the party postponed. Marcelo gave the gift to Xing Xing as well as Raul.

September 25, 1995 (Monday) To Asuncion for cedula's signature.

September 26, 1995 (Tuesday) Went to Identification for signing our cedula. Paul has gone to Taiwan in the afternoon.


September 30, 1995 (Saturday) Celebrated the birthday of Xing Xing. It was a nice party w/ decorations and videos. The guests are all happy because of foods of course and surprise gifts.

For the boys cars and chocolates and candies w/ whistling chicken, for the girls dolls chocolate and candies w/ whistling chicken. that some of the mothers asked dolls for them to decorate in their house.

Leonardo to take the invited neighbors here by taxi because it was still muddy because of past rains.

Brazilian Circus comes to Paraguay every year

Ciudad del Este
16 September 1995 Saturday

Sept. 16, 1995 (Saturday) At night we went to CDE to watch circus w/ Francisco family and sister of Elvira.

Brazilian Circus comes to Paraguay every year.

While circuses were already extinct in most parts of the world, in Paraguay we enjoy a round of circus almost every year.

New staff New office

September 07, 1995 (Thursday) We are moving to CDE so we went to cleaned the new office. In the afternoon we started buying the surprise gift for the coming 1st birthday of Xing Xing.

Bought 30 pcs of dolls and 24 pcs. of car.





September 09, 1995 (Saturday)
Paul treats us to restaurant together with the new staff of Prior , Fernando

September 10, 1995 (Sunday)
In the afternoon we went to the house of Hervandro. After we came back to macosur we went to Stroll in the lake together with Nilsa. This is the first time that Xing Xing goes to Lake.



September 11, 1995 (Monday) Moved the computer to New office in CDE.

5:30PM Paul and Fernando and I gone to Asuncion and coming back tomorrow.

September 12, 1995 (Tuesday)

CDE new office is ready. I went to sleep in CDE New office.

September 14, 1995 (Thursday) Shirley and Xing came to CDE office to sleep there.

Its my birthday

2 September 1995 Saturday

My 42nd birthday today.

Shirley prepared her specialty spaghetti while Josefina roasted chicken in the oven.

We eat at the front yard and this would be my 'happy birthday party'

Santa Rita - economical center of agriculture

August 29, 1995 (Tuesday) We arrive in Macosur and giving Pasalubong the next day.


August 31, 1995 (Thursday) Shirley went to Sta Rita to get a maid together w/ Leonardo and Paiva and Eca
It’s a long distance and she paid 100,000 guaranies for the taxi of  Leonardo.
They ate dinner at the prestigious Sta Rita Hotel.



Santa Rita is a district of the Alto Paraná Department.


Santa Rita was founded by brasilian Immigrants in the late 70ies.

The City is located in an highly productive agricultural area of soja-beans and cereals.

60km from Macosur factory where we were staying. 41 Km at Ruta 6.

For a population of 300.000 people, Santa Rita is an economical center of cattle and agriculture.


The Staufenberg Hotel
Santa Rita, Paraguay
31st August 1995 Thursday


Built in the years 1987 to 1989, the hotel unites native guarani art elements with typical european components. Combine solid construction with a maximum of art-effects.

Singapore

August 25, 1995 (Friday)

Our flight left malaysia at 1:00 and reaching Singapore at around 3:00 P.M.
We stayed in La Meridien Changi hotel and it was very nice place.

August 26, 1995 (Saturday) We walk up early in the morning to hurry our flight but we missed it.

We have to stay for an day in Singapore in the same hotel.

Took a  1:00 P.M tourist guide.

Singapore Botanic Gardens
26 August 1995 Saturday


August 27, 1995 (Sunday) This time we came early to airport. This time we left Singapore at 7:00 A.M to Tokyo. We stayed in Tokyo after few hours we transfer to United Airlines going to New York.

There somebody brought us to waiting room and won't allow us to go out by ourselves that even getting hot water of Xing Xing they accompany me.

We left New York at 10:00 P.M and reaching brazil at around 9:00 A.M. from brazil we took American Airlines flight and there first time they gave Xing Xing a present. The bag contains 2 nappies, 1 spoon, a book and others. Finally we reach Paraguay very safe for about 2 days transferring planes.


We go immediately to Japanes Hotel and after reaching we lied down and slept for long hours.

KK city

Kota Kinabalu City
23 August 1995 Wednesday


August 23, 1995 (Wednesday) Dinner at Chin Ka Tins house. Shirley and Xing stayed in the cinema to watch movie.

Kinarut Beach

Kinarut Beach
Malaysia
22nd August 1995 Tuesday


Seaside Travellers Inn, 20km south of Kota Kinabalu City (KK) along the Papar road, in a village called Kampung Laut Kinarut.

MIMPIAN JADI RESORT

August 20, 1995 (Sunday) Going back to K.K.

On the way to K.K we passed to a Taiwanese Hotel.

MIMPIAN JADI RESORT

Tuaran, Malaysia

20-8-1995 Sunday

It was raining when we reach K.K.

Malaysia

August 15, 1995 (Tuesday) The day we left Philippines to Malaysia. We arrive in Malaysia at around 9;00 A.M.

In the afternoon we brought Xing Xing to Doctor for his cough and flu.

In the evening Stella sent us to Doctor Jeremiah for fever.

This is the the first time Shirley met  Stella and Henry and William.



August 16, 1995 (Wednesday) Stella recommended us to another hotel. The hotel we selected was a ‘Cheap’ hotel only for the ‘local’.

So we moved in to New Hotel she recommended  near the Cinema where she has her shop.


August 17-19, 1995 This next 3 days we went to BCCM  together w/ Stella, Henry and William. using the car of William.




August 21, 1995 (Monday)  Uncle Syak Choi family invited us for  dim Sum in the Hotel Shanglila

Leaving Manila

August 12, 1995 (Saturday) Xing Xing's baptismal in Saint Vincent Baguio in the Philippines. After the baptismal we went to Camp John Hay for picnic.


August 14, 1995 (Monday) The day we left Baguio going to Manila by airplane. After reaching Manila we go to Philippine Village Hotel. It is a nice Hotel.

More birthday parties

July 01, 1995 (Saturday) Birthday party of Mariela. They celebrated in the house of  Nelson.

July 02, 1995 (Sunday) Birthday of son of Jose and Maria.


July 03, 1995 (Monday) The temporary maid started on this day. Carlos was the one who  look for maid (Josefina) from km 22.


July 07, 1995 (Friday) It was raining. Have been to Bank Sudameris to withdraw money  for ticket after that to banco Oriental to deposit 1,000 dollars  to Shirley account.

We also went to (infantil) to inject Xing Xing for  hepatitis B. I paid 70000 Guaranies for the hepatitis injection.

Injection at Centro de Salud Minga Guazú

June 22, 1995(Thursday)

Shirley brought Xing to Centro de Salud in Km 16 at 8:00 A.M for free injection of Sarampionosa.
As usual, they called Leonardo texi.

Came back early 9:00 A.m.

Centro de Salud at Minga Guazú is just 5 kilometers away.

Centro de Salud de Minga Guazú

taxi driver's reunion

June 21, 1995(Wednesday) At 1:00 p.m we went to the house of Leonardos mother and brother to get oranges. There are more than 4 bags of mandarine, lemon and oranges. At night Yee and Xing eat a lot of oranges.





June 23, 1995 (Friday) Leonardo invited us to go to taxi driver's reunion tomorrow in Km 21. One ticket worth 4000 guaranies.


June 24, 1995 (Saturday) It has strong wind and it's raining and has also lightning. A few minutes that has no light. We didn't able to go to taxi driver reunion party because of strong rain. Instead Leonardo just sent the food to us.

2nd Anniversary day

June 09(Friday) Our 2nd Anniversary day. We eat in Shangri-la (Lee garden) to celebrate our anniversary. Around 70,000 Guaranies for the restaurant.
Xing Xing always wants to crawl under the chairs and table.

Hernandarias

June 05(Monday) In the morning Lorenie told Shirley that the son of Nelson found and tied the cow.


June 06(Tuesday) I brought the mother and son with me  to Hernandarias after that I collected the photographs of Lilians birthday.

Before going back to Macosur we Passed to Km 16 for check up of Xing (cough).

They give him Nebulization. Yee paid 100000 Guaranies for taxi. We were using that car 1:00 P.M up to 6:00 P.M.

Birthday parties

June 03(Saturday) At night we attend the birthday party of Christian David (son of Paiva). We stayed there up to 10:30 P.M. Xing was very happy looking at the light of Video.

June 04(Sunday) Xing and Shirley attended  the birthday party of Leonardo Ramon (son of Lillian and Leonardo). While I am returning from Asuncion.

The Cow is gone

May 26, 1995 (Saturday) The Cow was gone.

May 27, 1995 (Sunday) The photographer came to give us the photo of Luis mothers Cumpleanos. At the same time Xing also took photographs together w/ us and the puppy.

May 28, 1995 (Monday) Went to Km. 16 for check up of Xing Xing. This time we tried another Doctor (Dr. Caballero) introduced by the driver Leonardo.

Lillian, taxi driver wife,  also brought their children check up (Ramon’s face bitten by the dog). The time for check up of Dr Caballero is afternoon.



May 29, 1995 (Tuesday) Went to Km.19 to see the cow. We went there first w/ Silvina, Caballero, Jose by using the car of Macosur.

 The second time we Went by taxi. We brought the picture of us together with the cow then we realize that cow is not belonging to us.

After that we went Immediately to house of Lorenie's mother and there we found the Cow.

Uchiyamada Hotel

May 24, 1995 (Wednesday) Moved to Uchiyamada hotel. For dinner we eat in Uchiyamada restaurant. We cooked in our Table.


May 25, 1995 (Thursday) Went to park in Asuncion to see the pigeons. We bought corn For the pigeons. We also saw the children living on the squatter area. Gave them orange (mandarin).

Diamond Restaurant

May 22, 1995 (Monday) Went to Asuncion to send Paul.
 It was cold day We slept that day in San martin hotel.

We have dinner in Lee Garden together w/ Marcos after that Marcos  use his car to bring us  to see a painting exhibition.

May 23, 1995 (Tuesday) Sent Paul to airport. We eat dinner in diamond restaurant.

Mother's Day

May 15, 1995 (Monday) Mother’s Day Out to CDE just to eat in the restaurant. We lunch at in Tokyo restaurant to celebrate mother's day. I bought 1 red flower for Xing as regalo for his mother.




May 20, 1995 (Sunday) Today we went to Quintana's factory to attend the birthday of Luis mother. We gave her 20,000 guaranies as regalo.

Opening a bank account in Paraguay

May 01, 1995 (Monday) Today's is worker's day. At night we have asado together w/ Leonardo and Lilian, Luis and Vilda. We ate outside the house.


May 02, 1995 (Tuesday) We went to CDE to open a bank account of Shirley. It's needed in Order to get cedula. The minimum is U.S$ 5,000. We only deposit 4000.


May 04, 1995 (Thursday) Went to Km.16 to get certificate of Police that we are living here in Macosur. Our witnesses were Francisco and his wife Elvisra. We paid 20,000 guaranies for the certificate.

After that we went to Tokyo restaurant for Lunch.

Dinner

April 12, 1995 (Wednesday) It's a non-working day because of Holy week. We just stayed in Macosur for  carpentry works.

April 13, 1995 (Thursday) Holy Thursday.  Finished the shoe shelves.

April 16, 1995 (Sunday) We invited Lillian and Leonardo, Luis and Vilda to eat dinner in our house but Vilda did not able to come. Cooked fried chicken and curry beef and rice.

April 29, 1995 (Saturday) Went to CDE with by texi because  it was raining. We paid the taxi forty thousand guaranies.

 It was Marcelo's birthday we bought toy as regalo for him. We bought also a table chair for Xing worth 169,420 guaranies and some clothes for him.

April 30, 1995 (Sunday) Jose and the wife came and we cooked fish asado. At night we just ate sardines w/ rice w/ Vilda.  

Xing Xing's first time to eat cooked foods

March 24, 1995 (Friday) Today is the 6th months of Xing Xing. We went to km. 41 for his check

We bought thandador for Xing Xing. In the afternoon we went to clinic of Doctor Cardozo to inject Xing Xing.

Xing Xing's first time to eat cooked foods of potato with chicken soup.

cedula and passport of Xing

March 06, 1995 (Monday) Went to Km 41 to get birth Certificate of Xing Xing in Hospital (important for his document). In the afternoon we went back again to Asuncion. We took the 6:30 P.M bus.


March 07,1995(Tuesday) We went to Agency and one of the staff brought us to government department for Identification Card of Xing Xing.

We went there in the morning for Cedula and in the afternoon we went to another department for passport.


March 08, 1995 (Wednesday) We moved to  Japanese Hotel Wednesday morning because it's near to  Agency. There is much better than San Martin. That Hotel has restaurant.

No result about the cedula no. of Xing Xing.


March 09, 1995 (Thursday) We took taxi going to Identification office to ask what is the no. of cedula of Xing Xing but no result yet so we go directly to terminal back to Macosur.


March 22, 1995 (Wednesday) Xing Xing can already say ma-ma. Ana was the one who heard first


March 23 1995 (Thursday) I  came back from Asuncion with the cedula and passport of Xing Xing.

Applying for an IC

March 01, 1995 (Wednesday) Today in non working holiday (no work). I went to CDE to buy ticket going to Asuncion.


March 02, 1995 (Thursday) We took the 9:00 A.M bus going to Asuncion to process passport of Xing Xing and Cedula.

After we reach Hotel San Martin we took a rest and directly going to Agency. We didn’t able to do it because the birth Certificate of Xing Xing in hospital was needed.

In the afternoon Xing and Shirley stayed in San Martin while I went to Limpio factory.


March 03, 1995 (Friday) All of us went  to Dr. Melenie's factory (Limpio).
In the afternoon  went to another factory w/ Marcos while the mother and son stayed in Hotel San martin.

At night we have dinner  in Diamond restaurant.


March 04, 1995 (Saturday) We came back to Macosur and go again on Monday.

First trip to Brazil

January 31, 1995 (Tuesday)    To Cascavel in Brazil following Mr. Manfred.

Cascavel is a city, but Manfred live in the city outskirt. So for the few days in Cascavel, I stay mainly in his area.

He recommended a small hotel. A clean friendly hotel on a hill. Looking out from my hotel room, is a vast green country side similar to the above photo from internet.

Cascavel, the quite part of Cascavel where I stay,  is a clean and comfortable place.

One late afternoon, a small group of local dancers with a couple big drums marched into the small hotel lobby and start beating  the drum and dance.

I did not watch too long and walked elsewhere.  It they could use a small drums with lower noice, I would enjoy the rest of the afternoon with them.

Guava Jam

  January 28, 1995 (Saturday)    Vilda got Guava and cooked jam here in the house.   

  

January 29, 1995 (Sunday)    Xing  Xing's  first taste of food (Nestle in bottle).  He  has eaten 3 spoons of nestle.  

Injection

January 24, 1995 (Tuesday)   Today  is  the  4th months of Xing Xing. We did  not  go  to hospital because I was waiting for Manfred.   

  

January 25, 1995 (Wednesday)     Went  to km 41 (hospital) for the 4th month check up of  Xing Xing. Xing Xing's weight is 5 kilos 650 g. He's 60.5 cm. tall.    

January 27, 1995 (Friday)    Doctor Cardozo came here to Macosur to inject Xing Xing.    He injected triple o D.P.T (Difteria -tetanus- Tos  convulsas) and  also  he injected for Anti-Haemophilus influenza b.  He  let Xing take medicine for sabin oral (Anti polio).     Xing Xing cried a lot because of his leg (injection).

Xing first trip to Assunsion

  January 09, 1995 (Monday)    This morning Yee together w/ Paul gone to Asuncion.    It was raining.

     

  January 21, 1995 (Saturday)     We  went to Asuncion. Xing Xing's first time to  travel.   We slept in San Martin Hotel.  We met Paul in Asuncion to send him off to Taiwan.

     

January 22, 1995 (Sunday)      We took the 1:30 P.M bus back to Macosur.    

Caballero Family

8th January 1995 Sunday

Sunday. Thinking of somewhere for an outing, we thought of Caballero family.

Their small wooden house also served as a sundry shop of the area. The small store is just 5 minutes across the highway. The wife also delivered few months ago. We want to see how their baby getting on.

We sat in front Caballero's shop for a bottle of Pepsi.

Shirley took photos of the family.

Their new born baby is Patricia.

Patricia (baby of Caballero)

        January 01, 1995 (Sunday)   It's New Year   Early  in the morning at around 5:30 A.M Xing Xing fell down from the bed.

    We went at 8:00 in the church but we arrived late because the mass finished at 8:30 A.M.

      January 03, 1995 (Tuesday) Workers started their work this year.  

January 04, 1995 (Wednesday)     Went to Km. 41 (hospital) for the check up of Xing Xing. He's now 3 months and 10 days. He's weight is already 5 kilos and 100 g. The measurement of head is 40 cm. and he is 60 cm. tall.

January 05, 1995 (Thursday)    The doctor said he will come to Macosur  for the injection of Xing Xing but he did not come.  

  

Maria Auxiliadora Cathedral, Minga Guazú district

Maria Auxiliadora Cathedral
Km 20 Minga Guazú district
1st January 1995 Sunday

First day of a new year 1995.  We decided to go for a short outing near by. There is no other batter place near by then this Cathedral.  It is just 1 kilometer from our factory.

Maria Auxiliadora Cathedral, located on top of a hill at Km 20 Minga Guazú district
Iglesia Maria Auxiliadora -Minga Guazu District - Alto Parana

Maria Auxiliadora is the Patroness of Agriculture in Alto Parana. In this district, every May 24th is a holiday for the local people.

On this day all Catholic faithful turns to the Cathedral dedicated to the Virgin of Don Bosco.