Jesus te llama (Jesus is calling you)

Jesus te llama (Jesus is calling you) is the title of a poem written by FRANSISCO ARSAMENDIA M, the father of Noemi.


Noemi and Shirley were classmate in the tailoring class where they know they first met. Noemi later became our God daughter.

On one of the visit to our flat in 1997, Noemi brought his father FRANSISCO alone. FRANSISCO left behind a few pages of poems hand written by him for us to read. Before returning the poems to him sometime later, Shirley type them down in computer using MS Word. Weeks later we left Paraguay for good. Among the belonging we brought back are backup diskettes of our digital materials including FRANSISCO's poems.

The following are some selected POEMS from FRANSISCO with English translation via Google Translate with some interpretation by me. Hope my translation is accurate.

Typed by Shirley into MS Word on 5 December 1997 4:13PM.
Translation from Spanish to English using Google Translate on 19 March 2011 with some punctuations and minor editing by me.

Spanish to English translation

---

Cuando Señor cuando vendra señor Jesus tanto anelo aquel dia dia tan hermoso como mañana sin nubes Dime: por acaso no vendra esta noche ----- Miranos oh dios oivejas de tu prado somo Tuheredad quienes te adoramos hoy es perando nos venga a buscar... y dime señor vendras a buscarnos hoy?? ----- Y el señor hablome diciendo : como decis venid a buscarno ? si he aqui yo estoy con vosotros Todos los dis hasta el fin ----- Amados mios ,niñas de mis hojos Subire con mi Iglesia para aquella gran boda Interrumpi diciendo : cuando señor? ----- El dia ni la la hora nos toca saber pera sean blancos vuestra vestidura en todo tiempo ,y cuando os ameis los unos a los otros , nos habremos hido ya ... ----- FRANSISCO ARSAMENDIA M AUTOR ENGLISH  TRANSLATION When? Lord! When will Lord Jesus come? Much eagerness that day; day as beautiful as a morning sky without clouds. Tell me by chance Lord will not come tonight. ----- Look at us Oh! God, your lawn oivejas somo Tuheredad who worship you today is perando come get us ... Lord will come and tell me to fetch today?? ----- And the Lord spoke to me saying: "As you say come to buscarno? If I am here I am with you; All devices will come to end" ----- My beloved, my girls hojos Upload to my church for that big wedding Interrupted, saying, when Lord? ----- The day nor the hour we have to know your garments be white pear at all times, and when you love one the other, we will have land 'and ... ----- FRANSISCO ARSAMENDIA M AUTOR

Jesus te llama Duro trabajo es la carga del pecado pero Cristo nos ha sacado Co n Cristo aunque sacumba no temere hasta la tumba, Cristo es mi amigo no tan solo lo digo solo quiero que su luz me alumbre, y no viva solo una costumbre. Solo hay un medio para el remedio de tu alma el hombre fatigado camina, Mas dios los pasos determina hoy Jesus te llama lo sientes? si no crees mañana será tu crujir de dientes Por causa de tu ignorancia, porque no habra tolerancia Cristo de gracia te sacia hoy no rechaces porque grande será tu desgracia. Cristo sacrificio perfecto sufrio suplicio perverso Jesús es su nombre, que en la eternidad no te asombre Dios está en el cielo tù estás en el suelo Si crees iras en el vuelo Alli no hay llanto, todo es encanto Dios te ofrece su derecha abriendote una brecha Deja que Jesús te maneje y el diablo se te aleje Al diáblo resiste... porque cristo existe Dios no quiere tus males El quiere su amor en los mortales Hoy yo no canto, pero es mi encanto pensar de tanto en tanto que pronto viene mi Santo FRANSISCO ARSAMENDIA M AUTOR ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Original Spanish typed by Shirley on 5-12-1997 3:00PM Google Translated in to English on 26-11-2011 Edited and modified by me for reading Jesus is calling you You who is laboring for the burden of your sin But Christ has rescued us Christ has no fear to the grave, Christ is my friend I say this I want myself to shine your light, And live alone with no sin. There is only one way to remedy your soul You weary man who is walking, God has determined steps Do you not feel Jesus is calling you now? If you do not believe today, tomorrow will be in gnashing of teeth Because of your ignorance, there will be no tolerance Christ fills you with grace do not reject now because your misfortune will be huge Christ is a perfect sacrifice wicked suffered torment Jesus is his name that is eternity do not be surprised God is in heaven you are in the ground If you think you will go on the flight Do not cry, it's all charm God gives you the right a gap to open up yourself Let Jesus drive you and away the devil from you The devil resists ... because Christ exists God does not want your ills He wants to love eternally Today I do not sing, but show my charm Think of this from time to time And soon will come my divine. FRANSISCO ARSAMENDIA M AUTHOR

“DIVINO” Señor quisiera comprender la grandeza de tu amor Que cual rosa fragante ambriaga mi espíritu, Que al pensar em ti, te veo más sublime que los cielos, Eres tú el deseado de todas las naciones, El amado del cantar de los cantares, El elegído entre diez mil, Eres la brisa suave y apacible de la mañana sin nubes, Que alegras mi corazón despues de una larga y desilvanada vigilia nocturna, mis susurros se tornan en flores Dichoso el hombre que confía en ti Porque no hay otro como el Dios divino Que en las buenas y en las malas esta conmigo, Señor en gratitud, te imploro hoy, haz en m tu voluntad Franciso Alzamendia M                                                                                 Autor Typed into MS Word on 4 December 1997 11:00 AM. Translation from Spanish to English using Google Translate on 24 June 2010 with some minor editing by me.   "DIVINE" The Lord understand the greatness of your love To which my spirit ambriaga fragrant rose, That when you think about em, I see you exalted above the heavens, You are the desire of all nations, The beloved of the Song of Songs, Choosing between ten thousand, You are the soft gentle breeze in the morning without clouds, My heart glad that after a long and desilvanada During the night vigil, my whispers turn into flowers Blessed is the man that trusts you Because there is none like the divine God Whatever good and bad times with me, Lord in gratitude, I implore you today, do your will in me Franciso Alzamendia M                                                                                 Autor

“Recordando El Ayer” Recuerdo los años de pardición en que el alma, lleno de pesares y el corazon de inquietudes, anduye Viviendo en el mundo muerto Yendo hacia la eterna tumba fria Recuerdo tambien no hace mucho tiempo Cuando en Jesus busque perdón y el compasivo me libró de eterno castigo Engugando toda lagrimas de mi llanto Y dulcemente con el eco blando de su palabra reconciliome con el en su grande misericordia es por eso los que tienen el privilegio tadavia de aceptario invocan su nombre a cada hora Porque su nombre esta escrito en el corazón de cada hijo suyo que lo aclama en verdad Jesucristo nombre mas tierno de cuantos encierra el diccionario del Universo El nombre solo de Jesucristo representa Aquel Redentor en cuya Fe vevimos el dulsícimo nectar de vida, en cuya cruz depositamos nuestras aflicciones y dolores Bienaventurado aquel que todavia puede contemplar la salvacion con los ojos de la realidad, y vosotros los que habeis perdido vuestra esperanza, podeis ser salvo si teneis Fe En el corazon y Sentimiento. Y entendereis que Jesús es el enseño dorado de nuestra Felicidad, así como el astro Rey envia su resplandor sobre la tierra Nuestra Redentor enviara su bendicióndesde los cielos hacia tí, si teneis Fe en el corazon y sentimiento                                                                      Francisco Arzamendia M. Recalling Yesterday I remember years of prediction in the soul, full of regrets and the heart of concerns, endue Living in the dead world going eternal cold tomb I remember not too long ago When Jesus seeks forgiveness compassionate and delivered me from eternal punishment Engugando tears all my tears And sweetly with the soft echo of his word reconcilement with him in his great mercy That is why those who have the privilege still lie of acceptation invoke his name every hour Because his name is written in the heart every son who really acclaims Jesus Christ how many more tender name contains in the dictionary of the Universe The name of Jesus represents only That Redeemer whose Fe vevimos dulsícimo the nectar of life, whose cross place our sorrows and pains Blessed is he who still can Salvation contemplate with the eyes of reality, and you that you have lost your hope, you can be saved if you have faith In the heart and sentiment. And will understand that Jesus is the gold showed our Happiness and the astro King Send your glow on earth Our Redeemer sent his bendicióndesde the heaven to you, if you have faith in the heart with feeling Francisco Arzamendia M.

“EL FORASTERO” Seguidme; un forastero de paso dió esta orden consisa, Mateo el recaudador de impuestos, se levantó de su desordenada mesa. No hizo preguntas ni exigió condición alguna, Sin embargo sabia como tambien los otros elegidos, Que solamente la muerte podrá separarlo y cortar ese lazo. De este modo cuando Jesús comenzó su ministerio. Escogio doce dicípulos, para compartir las penureas de su breve carrera, y oyesen sus enseñanzas y recibiaran la Fe. La luz pálida de Historia destaca la dominante Figura del Salvador. cuando Jesús escogio doce dicipulos, para que representasen las doce tribus de su pueblo amado la nueva Ysrael espiritual. Tendemos pasar por alto a esas personas de carne y hueso que se mantenieon a su lado, sus temperamentos abarcaban Desde la más áspera empetuosidad de Simón Pedro, hasta la fria racionalidad de Felipe, más todos ellos formaban una estrecha hermandad cuerpo nutrido en Cristo; Yo soy la Vida y vosotros los panpanos Entre las grandes ocasiones relatadas en las escrituras, Hubo sin duda ruda camaraderias, chanzas y burlas, Mientras recorrian los caminos abiertos, Amistades personales, y querellas ocasionales  Ademas carecian de alojamientos, Las raposas tienen querida, y las aves del cielo cielo tienen nido, mas Jesucristo no tuvo Donde reclinar su cabeza. No cabe duda de que se encontraron en situaciones dificiles Ni de que fueron apedrados y golpeados Pero con los golpes vino la Esperiencia. Lenta y penosamente los dicipulos iban convirtiendose en Apostoles e iban a ser esforzados paladines que con una notable exprecion, continuarian, el apóstolado despues de su muerto A medida que pasaba el tiempo, el antagonismo entre Jesús y los escribas y Fariseos dirigentes locales, se volvian mas violentos, a pesar de todo era irressistible la Personalidad de Cristo. Por su magnetismo y autoridad sobre natural, Realzados aun mas por su sencillez Brillaba a travez de su amor Habiendo amado a sus dicipulos En los memorablesdias de su apostolado Lo amo hasta el fin... hasta el fin los amo      STRANGER Follow me, a stranger passing gave this concise order, Matthew the tax collector, He rose from his cluttered desk. No questions or made a condition demanded, But wise as also other elect That only death can separate and cut that tie. Thus when Jesus began his ministry. Chose twelve Disciples, to share penureas his brief career, and hear his teachings and recibiaran Faith The pale light of history highlights the dominant figure of the Savior. when Jesus chose twelve Disciples, to represent the twelve tribes of his people loved the new spiritual Israel. We tend to overlook these people in the flesh that mantenieon beside her, their temperaments ranged From the rough empetuosidad Simon Peter, to the cold rationality of Felipe, more all of them were close brotherhood Nourished body in Christ, I am the Life and ye panpanos Among the big occasions told in the scriptures, There was definitely rough camaraderie , banter and teasing, While overran the open roads, Personal friendships and occasional complaints   Also lacked accommodations, Foxes have loved, and the fowls of the air have nest, but Jesus did not To lay his head. No doubt that is found in difficult situations Neither of which were apedrados and beaten But with the punches came EXPERIENCE. Slowly and painfully the Disciples were becoming Apostles and were to be brave paladins with a remarkable expression, would continue, the apostleship after his death As time passed, the antagonism between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees local leaders became more violent, yet was irresistible Personality of Christ. For its magnetism and authority over natural, Enhanced even more by simplicity Shone through her love Having loved his Disciples In his apostolate memorablesdias I love him to the end ... I love you to the end

Some Paraguay Friends

Emilio

Sofia

Noemi and sister Marlene

Nancy

Marissa

Marlene, younger sister of Noime

Lydia

Lorena, classmate of Aida

Laura, my hairdressing classmate

Feliza, classmate of Aida

Elsa

Isabel

Dalma, teacher of Chun Xing in Santa Catalina Nursery School

Francisco, father of Noime, pastor of a local church in Ciudad del Este

Cynthia, daughter of Nelson our security guard.

Antionia, my classmate in hairdressing class.

Text by Shirley

Bicycle and mower are sold

March 06, 1997 (Thursday)  

Today is Thursday when Shirley does not have saloon class. So she make a trip by bus to  km 22  Vilda's house and Nilsa's house to collected payment of  our Bicycle and mower. But unsold yet.


We offer the bicycle  for  100 U.S Dollar and the mower for 150 U.S. Dollar.



April 15, 1997 (Tuesday)

Shirley went back to km 22 again to collect from Juliana the payment of bicycle and mower.
She promised to pay on coming Saturday.

Holiday is over

March 02, 1997 (Sunday)  

Felicia, the younger sister,  has gone back to farm today because school holiday is over.

But, Aida the elder sister, will stay as her school is just opposite Panorama building where we stay.

Her classes are at night and I never managed to clarify why at night. It should be in the day time.

Peluquera Class

February 24, 1997 Monday



Shirley started her Peluquera Class. (Saloon Class).

Her classmates include the daughters of the owner of LaFamilia and the Empleada.

Each student much come to class with 4 notebooks, a black ballpen and a towel.

Class scheduled every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.


February 26, 1997 (Wednesday)

Today she started learning how to bath the customers hair (banado).

While bathing the hair need to massage the head too.

Shirley has not partner to practice this hair bathing (hair washing), so the teacher asked her to practice on her hair.

After returning home she practice on Felicia. But she never bath my hair. Never. I do not have much hair anyway.



In the weeks that follow they learned how to lavado de crema (wash with  creme).

And they need to buy plastic cap, electronic cap, tapa, bowl and brush.

They also learn sterilization.  

They have nice uniform.


April 23, 1997 (Wednesday)

Shirley brought Sussana and the mother with her to beautician school.

As students in a saloon school need many “heads” for their practice.

But Sussana and her mother are happy to be “Gunnies Pigs” because for the first time in their live they have their hair applied with banado al aceite. Even more excited for the first time having someone to “cleansed their faces”

The beauty school use points system as insensitive.  Shirley got 7 points in school today.

April 29,1997 (Tuesday) Teacher Day

Shirley went to km 7 with Sussana to greet her teacher Virginia for Teachers day.

Its Summer Fun Carnival again

February 23,1997 (Sunday)

It Summer time.  Fun Carnival is in town again. And today is Sunday for outing.


But first we went to church in the morning.

Only after lunch tn the afternoon we went to carnival and spend the whole afternoon there.

Xing and Shirley tried almost all the ridings for children
.

Those who paid have an blue ink stamped on the lower arm. With the stamp mark, the visitor can try all the ride they want. Those without a stamp on the arm would just stand aside to watch.

Its mora a fun park for children. Xing has a stamp mark on his hand after we paid for him. But as a small kid the mother

Went to Brazil but return from USA

February 17, 1997 (Monday)

My colleague Fernando came back from "Miami" today. But he was suppose to return from a Brazil not from USA.

He gave Shirley a trip souvenir : a cup with fishes style inside and a bottle opener.

I did not he went to USA but I am aware he might be going to. Just month ago he requests me to write an English letter to USA Embassy to apply for a Visa. His English is not good enought to write. Did he obtained the USA Visa? He never told me about this.

But what he tole me weeks later was that he would make a QC inspection trip to North of Brazil for 2 weeks.  QC is my job responsibility not his. I should be the one going not him.  I was the one responsible for QC problems whenever happen not him. But this particular time, without any consultation with me, he took over my responsibility for the first time. This is curious to me.

A wood supplier in a small city in the North of Brazil earlier send a fax that they has some wood ready and enquire whether our company interested to import to Taiwan.  Our head office in Taiwan has not reply of showing any interest or asking either one of us to make a QC trip.

Soon later, without prior consultation with me,  he made up his own decision to go to see the wood for himself. That far away and for that long period. I am quite suspicion adding that months earlier he wanted a US Visa with no reason or fixed date of going to USA.

Today, he came back from the intended "QC inspection" trip. He should be coming back from "Brazil", no from "Miami" of USA as he said. Interestingly, perhaps he is in such happy and excited mood from the trip away that he forgotten to tell a second lie to cover up the first lie.

-------------------------------------------

Several months later.....................

I was quick to forget about such patty mater. Not until several months later to realize that this is not a petty matter but a big issue. I by chance discovered a secret of him. A Romeo and Juliet type of romantic secret. He has been careless in hiding his personal faxes with his girlfriend in Taiwan.

I was clearing and tidy up all the office files and documents because my whole family was preparing for a "long" holiday back to Malaysia. I want to have a peace of mind trip without worry unfinished routine in the office.

On the very top high up cupboard (All the rooms in Panorama Building are fixed with build in wall closet and cupboard from floor to cyline.) Up there I found a forgotten arch file, the standard type of black hard cover arch file that almost ever office used for filing.  This file never seen before, still new with nor label  and with only several faxes in his Chinese handwriting.  Curious to classify whether his personal and official document, I gone through these faxes.

These were faxes communication between him and girlfriend. Now,  my mind was cleared of the mystery of why my colleague went to "Brazil" but return from "USA"


The faxes told the romantic story:  ...........

Catholic Church Korean Mass

February 16, 1997 (Sunday)



Today is Sunday. Some how I got the idea of paying the church a visit.  The church is just 50 meters from our building Panorama and we can see the church everyday from our veranda.

We entered the Church at 11:00 A.M.  Inside the church are all Koreans people. Only saw a Paraguayan family of 3 members. I thought it was Paraguayan service and did not know that at this time is the Korean mass. No one find this unusual visit of us. We understand nothing the Korean language during the mass. But we blended into the group as if we are also Korean.

Ciudad del Este in English is "City at the East".  Population wise, almost one third of the faces you see in the commercial center are Eastern faces such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.  And now we moved in to live in the city adding new faces from the East; one from Malaysia and one from Philippine.  At this time perhaps I am the only Malaysia and my wife the only Philippina.

The Bicycle and Mower

February 09, 1997 (Sunday)


It Sunday again.  Almost every Sunday we will return to our factory quarter in Macosur for overnight and as part of my job duty.

Thought we have rented a flat in the city at our own expenses, the staff quarter at Macosur factory is still our official accommodation provided by the employer. The reason we do not stay in the factory is Macosur factory has been closed down for business and now the Spanish owner is looking for buyer to the property. Sooner or later we will have to move out off the factory compound. So we secured a flat in the city before we are forced out by the new owner and became homeless.


However inside the factory are a few machineries that in "Accounting” still belong to Taiwan partner. And that I am paid by the Taiwan Company to be base in Paraguay to supervise the business operation. With the responsibility of keeping an eye on employer's property, I come back to the old factory each Sunday.

Today, something not a good sign inside my factory quarter. We return to discover that the gas stove in the kitchen has been taken away by the factory management. The management has the master key and the right to our quarter. The management staff do not stay in the factory, they are all living in the capital city Asunsion. They sent order and instruction through phone.

Several months ago, the Macosul factory already talked directly to me to move out of the quarter. But I persisted to stay with the reason of company property ownership of machines still belong to my employer and that I have the responsibility to stay in the factory compound until Taiwan official inform me to move out.

However with the gas stove and almost all other kitchen utensils such as rice cooker being taken away, the factory obviously is impatient any longer.

Most of my family belonging has been moved to our new flat in the city, except a few big items such as the bicycle and the mower.

I made immediate decision to take our own bicycle and mower out today before they claimed as their. If not, next week when we return we might find them taken away and might never able to claim back from them.

So, without making too much hesitation I push the two items one by one across the high way to Nilsa's house half a kilometer away.

Nilsa is the pretty young girl who often walks across the highway to our quarter to spend a whole afternoon to play with our baby son in the back yard and return home after dinner. Her family live in one of the wooden houses in the settlement opposite our factory across the highway.  Months before, Shirley already got agreement from her mother to help to sales the bicycle and mower for us.

And now it is the time for me to bring these two items over to their house.

Without stove to cook, we had lunch at Nilsa's house. Her mother cooks asado for every one.

We return to the city late afternoon by bus as usual.

Chinese New Year

February 07, 1997 (Friday)

Chinese New Year.

Shirley given Lai-See to Aida and Felicia 10,000 guaranies each.

Caaguazu - where I wanted to be a farmer

February 05, 1997 (Wednesday)

My outstation work trip to Caaguazu. But, this trip is special, as I brought the whole family to the town. I like this quiet town and having the idea of  in the future coming to settle down here as a farmer. So, this trip I bring my wife and the boy to come have a look.

We have lunch in Brasileiro restaurant near the hotel acrocess the highway.

Evening we cooked quick noodle in the hotel for dinner.  A Korean Supermarket is at the front of the block where we bought sundry from. This is perphep the largest supermarket in the town.

I cam to Caaguazu almost monthly for the last half year because my Taiwan company is buying wood from a wood factory near by in the town.  Every time I stay in the same small hotel and buy foods and drinks from this same supermarket.

The shop attendants are familiar with my face because I came several times. But not the young adult son of the Korean Supermarket whom I never seen in the shop. One day as I walked into supermarket this young son was right behind the front counter at the entrance and almost as soon as he saw me, he started to complain to me in Spanish or perhaps mixed with Korean. My understanding of Spanish is still very limited but I listen careful trying to catch some keywords to know what his trouble is. He repeats point to the cash machine on the counter and I figured out what was wrong.

What he was complaining was that the cash machine "supplied by my company" has been out of order for too long and has been waiting for the supplier to send some one to fix it. And that I came late only now.


While I was trying to say with broken Spanish something like "No No Mi No personel...." (No, no I am not the representative from the company), his shop attendant quickly approached him and tell softly to him that I am not the repair man.  The young shop owner looked at me a while with puzzled and I proceed into his shop with embarrass smile.


This is something I like about my apparent, that I can be "localized" easily in many countries I went.  I have been assumed by some local people as one of them in India, Burma, Thailand, and Brazil.

In India I was look alike a Tibetan or Ceylonese.  In Brazil I was look alike an Amazon tribe.

Except in Hong Kong where they do not consider I am one of them. The Police like to stop me to check whether I have a passport to be there.



February 06, 1997(Thursday)

I finished my QC inspection works in the morning.  We checked out the hotel after lunch to return to Ciudad del Este. We have some time to see more of the town.

As we stroll around Caaguazu town,  I saw a horse-drawn wagon by the street.  Its a farmer's horse carriage. A mother and son were unloading some packages to the shop.  Shirley, my wife, talked to the lady whether their horse cart could take us for a tour round the town for a small fee. The mother gladly accepted. Her young son became our horseman for our half an hour interesting experience sight seeing of mercado of Caaguazu.

They call the horse Calesa.

6 February 1997 - sightseeing on a horse cart in the town of Caaguazu, Paraguay

LIBRERIA COSMOS

COTILLON MERCERIA

BOOKSTORE

ATALAYA DE INMUEBLES

VENTA DE LOTES

BUILDING ATALAYA

SALE OF LOTS



Back to Ciuded del Este, we have dinner in Korean restaurant.

1st birthday of Noemi's baby sister

February 04, 1997 (Tuesday)


Yesterday, the father of Noemi came to panorama to invite us to attend the birthday of their baby daughter tomorrow.

So today I prospone the family trip to Caaguazu for the birthday party in the late afternoon.

This is the 1st birthday of Noemi's baby sister.

Noemi's house is in the city outskirt and beside a small river.  I went to have a look at the mudy river. Its a short walk down the slop from their house.

Guatambu Dinning Table

January 19, 1997 (Sunday)

Mir, wife of a worker, brought her new born baby to Panorama to visit us.

The husband is away for 5 days already.

January 21, 1997 (Tuesday)

Bought a Guatambu wooden dining table set with 4 chair this morning at 8:30 AM.

Our newly rented flat has no furniture. 

Graduation from Dressmaking Course

10 January 1997 Friday Graduation from Dressmaking Course

Yenny Barreto, the wife of City Mayor Carlos Barreto gave out the graduation certificates to each graduate student.

One of the effort the local government tried to reduce poverty and increase wealth is encourage ladies perform productive activities such as selling food products, running a convenience store and a newspaper kiosk, selling clothes, operating a hairdressing salon, tailoring and selling school uniforms, etc. This tailoring class is one of the major courses offered by the city government in providing the necessary skill to the female.

Together with  Mirta, I brought Xing around  6:30 P.M to her graduation.

Children are prohibited but Xing stumbled and his lips swollen.

When it was about to start at 8:00 P.M suddenly it rained. The event moved inside.

Shirley has a  photograph with Yenny Barreto, the wife of Intendente Carlos Barreto.

After the graduation we went directly to hospital for check up of Xing.

Edificio Panorama (Panorama Building)

6th January 1997

Today we finalized with Panorama Building at USD450 per month we rent a apartment in this building.

Our office is also in this same building but at 2nd Block. 1st Block is where we stay.

Panorama Building or Edificio Panorama is located at Avda Carlos A. Lopez. Ciudad del Este.

Days earlier on January 04, 1997 (Saturday), we bought an iron tube frame white bed completed with mattress in abasto. Its U.S$ 350.00, expensive but there is not much choice in that furniture shop. The slightly cheaper alternative I does not like is the wooden bed set complete with side cabinet which was Shirley's favorite. But that type of hotel like bed is old fashion, clumsy, and to big a set to occupy most of the room space with unnecessary side drawers and cabinets.

New Year 1997

January 01, 1997 (Wednesday)


It’s New Years Day. we went to Km 34 together with Vilda and Luis, Juliana's family for swimming. We brought cooked food. After rodeo Nilsa came with us to our new flat for the night.

Luis and taxi neighbor sent us to panorama using Quintana's car. On the way we saw a drunken truck driver. His driving is already zigzag and bombing the white car. After that he shoot to the white car and then we saw the white car driving backward and stop on the side waiting for the car to come again.

While passing to their car our driver drive it faster.

January 04, 1997 (Saturday) We bought a white iron fram bed in abasto  U.S$ 350.00.

Christmas Trip in Brazil

December 25, 1996 (Sunday)

Christmas Day afternoon we went to zoo. We have lunch here.

Shirley, Aida and Xing enjoyed the cycling-boat. A bird dropped a 'sovenior' on Shirley hand.

At night we walked to a University then to 15 street.

Christmas decoration is beautiful.

Shirley bought a cap of Santa Claus for Xing Xing. Xing likes to hold very much the ball of a cap.

Praça Tiradentes (Tiradentes Square) The first square in Curitiba, is walking distant from Cathedral.

Flower Street is the street infront of the HSBC building. Several commercial building beside Flower Street is colorfully decorated.

Botanical garden

December 26, 1996 (Thursday)

We went to Botanical garden. It is a very nice place.

Aida just stayed in the hotel she is not well.

We feed the fishes in botanico.

Beside Botanico Garden is a small Pizza restaurant. Shirley ordered fried fish and rice.

December 23, 1996 (Friday)

At 7:00 P. M we went to foz Brazil to take the bus going to

Curitiba. We have eaten our dinner in foz. We took the bus to

Curitiba at 9:45 P.M. We enjoyed sitting on a nice chair. The

nicest bus (chair I have taken) but I didn't slept well because

of Xing Xing.

December 24, 1996 (Saturday)

We reach Curitiba at around 8:00 A.M

We go directly to hotel near bus station.

At 8:30 A.M we went down to have our breakfast. After break­

fast we bought some fruits and galletita for Christmas. Christmas

usually the shops are close.

Largo da Ordem - Old town Curitiba

Large tiles panel of art by Poty Lazzarotto

At Largo da Ordem (Old Town Curitiba)

Poty Lazzarotto

(Curitiba, March 29, 1924 - Curitiba, May 8, 1998)

Napoleon Potyguera Lazzarotto is Curitiba's most known artist.

25th December 1996 Day 2 in Brazil

We came to Largo da Ordem - Old town Curitiba in the evening of Christmas Day of 1996.

From our hotel we took a taxi (R$5.00). The taxi driver dropped us in front the art panel of Poty.

Many years before, the old town of Curitiba (Largo da Ordem) was an area of intense commerce of the city.

Today the area has been developed into an historical, cultural and artistic area.

Here you can find old architecture of houses, buildings and churches; historical monuments, artistic panels, art galleries, restaurants, etc.

The Traditional Handcraft Market “Feirinha do Largo da Ordem” is held here every Sunday from 10:00AM to 2:00PM since 1973. This Sunday market is the second largest craft fair in Brazil, with over 1,000 artisans present each Sunday.

This cultural rich location is a meeting point for locals and tourists.

Christmas Eve in Brazil

24th December 1996 Tuesday Day 1 in Brazil

Transportation is very efficient in Curitiba. In front our hotel is always taxi ready for service. We paid R$6 (Rm 19.00) to get to Flower Street - the street I always go for dinner and relaxation each business trip to Curitiba factories.

Rua de Flores, the pedestrian-only street full of shops and restaurants. Sede da Universidade Federal do Paraná

Attracted by this outstanding decoration in the Flower Street, we each in turn take a snap shot as remembrance.

We were not interested what this shop sales, after all it was closed after business hours for tonight Christmas Eve. We were interested only the twinkering lights against a large panel of real red Christmas leaves.

Big effort put into unique Christmas decorations means serious business behind. True enough, we learn later that O Boticário is the world’s largest perfumery cosmetics franchising network. This shop in Flower Street is only one of its 2,000 over stores in Brazil.

• Official O Boticário International Web site
• O Boticário Foudation

"Flower Street" is the nick name. The official name is "Rua XV de Novembro" (15th of November Street)

A major street in downtown Curitiba. This street is the first pedestrian streets in Brazil inaugurated in 1972.

Here, tourists welcomed with pots of flowers, restaurants and hundred-year-old buildings.

I come here each time for the street artists - the mimes and clowns who interact with those who pass by, who bring back some joy to my heart after a hard day work.

Thought my life in South America is amusing, my work is full of risk and demanding. To satisfy the Taiwanese market's strong demand of "South American Parquet", my job as their quality controller is always under strong pressure.

After a hard day's work, sitting in one of the bench in Flower Street watching the clowns creating joke and fun out of the innocent passing by is a great fun in life.

...Look! A big old fat lady carrying lot of heavy shopping begs coming the way of Flower Street.

"Why every one is looking and smiling at me?" She is wondering but continues walking but a quick check on the zip of her skirt and double checking other obvious part of her dress.

Before long she realized that it was what behind her every one are looking and smiling at. She gave a sudden turn of her head and frightens herself by seeing a short skinny creature with big red nose wearing a too big multi color suit pretending looking for something in the empty air. Now every thing is clear to her, this funny fellow had been following and imitating her walking action all the way as a joke. To release her great unpleasment, her unload the shopping begs to the other arm, held up her big feast and gave a heavy empty punch to the big red nose and continue her walking while the small crown "dropped death" on the pedestrian street with his big red noise pointing toward the blue sky..................

Most by standers amused will smile except a few ill-mannered visitors will give a big laugh like me as appreciation of a good street art well performed.

Located at Tiradentes Square, the beautiful Catedral Basílica Menor de Nossa Senhora da Luz of Curitiba was built from 1876 to 1893, in neo-Gothic style, inspired in the Igreja da Sé of Barcelona. The Cathedral is dedicated and has an image of Nossa Senhora da Luz dos Pinhais, Saint Patron of Curitiba. It was founded on March 29th, 1693 and it is considered the most important construction on Tiradentes Square.

We met Santa Claus in Curitiba City

We met Santa Claus in Curitiba City

24th December 1996

On the morning of Christmas eve (24 December 1996) we met Santa Claus in downtown Curitiba. He appeared in a sudden. We hesitated for a moment then quickly realized that the red and white Christmas Father in front of us is whom we have been wishing to see since childhood.

Father Christmas, we learned in stories, only appear to children of good standing ........ and now we stumble right in front of him as he stand  in front of us with a warm smiling face..................

Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle)  is a historical, legendary and mythological character associated with bringing gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

After a long night bus ride from FOZ, we arrived Curitiba early this morning, 24 December 1996, the morning of Christmas Eve.  We put up at a small hotel next to the bus station. We came to Curitiba for a 4 days Christmas holidays.

After wash up we were out for breakfast nearby. It was still early and the streets were still empty. As we walked down a quiet street not far from our hotel, a shop house door opened and we saw him, the Christmas Father Santa Claus, walked out of the door with his wife. 

Before, we have seen many department store sales assistants dressed up  for a silly look-alike Father Christmas. But today we met the real Santa Claus.

He had a broad face, and a little round belly.  With his long snow white beard and red gown standing tall,  he was the jolly Santa Claus that we have all come to expect. 

..........Santa Claus hold his gift bag in his right hand, the bag was empty.  Yes, off course its was still empty, but not when the night fall when he will visit each children with a bag loaded with presents.  For now, early in the morning, he is in a hurry with his wife to go shopping for presents before night fall .....................

I asked, in broken Spanish,  if we could have a  photo with him.
Santa Claus answered with a welcoming smile..... Shirley and Xing had a photo with Santa ..... and an ever lasting memories.

As I am getting old it is not the days that I remember, only moments, moments in the memories.... and Santa Claus in Curitiba gave us a memorable moment of Christmas spirit.

To all my dear friends, a Merry Christmas to you. Santa Claus is not a legend, so when you walk on a silent street on the Christmas Day be prepare to meet Santa Claus, for he does appear suddenly to children (and adult) of good standing ........ 



More about Curitiba From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Link : Welcome to Curitiba
Link : Curitiba: Story of a City

1996 Christmas Holiday to Curitiba

23 Dec 1996 Foz do Iguaçu to Curitiba

We are going to Curitiba tonight by bus from Foz do Iguaçu bus station to Cutitiba bus ststion. For 3 adult the fare from Foz to Curitiba is R$175 (Rm560)

Aida, care taker of Chun Xing, is invited to accompany us. After all, for the good work on taking care of Chun Xing, she deserved a holiday outing too.

We had our dinner (R$6.80 Rm21) at the Foz bus station before boarding.

The journey is 10 hours passing through farm and ranch country, hilly with beautiful fields we never able to see in Malaysia.

Driver in Paraguay and Brazil is a respected profession. Unlike in Malaysia where bus and truck drivers are considered as cheap workers (with low pay)

The drives, especially driver of a tourist coutch like the one we are going to travel with, are smartly drassed in uniform. Though without a captain cap, they look smarter then most pilots of our MAS airline.

Drivers here receive respect from the public. In one of my bus journey passing a farm village, a boy by the road side with body straight and chest up gave a salut to the bus driver with hand held up infront the forehead. I seen such a couple of other times in South America.

Itaipú Dam: The world's largest hydroelectric plant

Itaipú Dam: The world's largest hydroelectric plant.

1.5 Km from the Dam is a zoo that has a display room of stuffed animals. We spend some time in this display room taking photographs

.

December 10, 1996 Tuesday - Text by Shirley Wong

Our Dressmaking Class has an outing today with our professora. And the place ? Non other then the world largest hydroelectric power plant.

Noemi, sussana, Carmen are among us.

Our group had eaten our lunch at 10:30 A.M

In the afternoon went to The Itaipu Local Zoo. We did not spend too long because of rain. We were all caught caught in the rain specially profesora and I were too wet.

Itaipú hydroelectric power plant - the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world. Completed only several years earlier. Build over Paraná River, the river that flow acrosse Panorama Condominium where we stay.

Itaipú Dam represents the efforts of two countries, Brazil and Paraguay.

The dam lies 20km north of Ciudad del Este.

A main draw for visitors of the city.

Itaipu’s turbines still produce more electricity than any other power station on Earth, supplying electricity to Paraguay and Brazil. For this it was recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

Itaipu Dam area also include a museum and a zoo.

The zoo houses many of the animals rescued from the forests flooded when the dam was constructed.

Good Bye Macosur

15th November 1996 Macosur Company officially closed down. Today, the office paid all the outstanding salary to all the staff and workers but without a farewell party.

The sawmill already stopped for half year without new log coming in. Followed by the S4S line shortly after all the remaining raw wood are used up.

17th November 1996 Senior Ramirez came to our house to paid up G65,000 (US$33) he owed us and gave us a warm good bye. After that he carried his 2 bags of all belonging and waited for a public bus by the highway. Moment later he board a bus and with it he left forever.

Senior Ramirez aged 60+ is the oldest office staff of Macosur sawmill who worked for the company almost for the whole life. Now at his retirement age he saw also the company closing down. How much he keep for his remaining life from the company he work for I do not know, but I understanding the intense of his financial difficulty that for the mere US$33 took him half a year to pay up.

And for my whole family, 2 weeks later on 1 December 1996 we started living in a condominium in Ciudad del Este City just 22 Km away. My job continue as usual under the Taiwanese company.

The Paraguay sawmill was later dismantled after the land changed ownership, with only its formal address remain in history record:

MACOSUR S.A.

RUTA 7, KM22,

ALTO PARANA, MINGA GUAZU.

TEL: (595) 064-510

MACOSUR S.A. -

MAderas del COno SUr S.A.

(Timber of Southern Cone)

International and Multinational Private company .. Asuncion .. Manufacturing:

November 15, 1996 (Friday)

Macosur closed. On this day they already paid all the workers.

November 09, 1996 (Saturday)

Went to birthday of Noemi. The celebration was held on their

Evangelican church. Yee and I are the godmother and godfather of

her 15th birthday.

November 15, 1996 (Friday)

Macosur closed. On this day they already paid all the workers.

Normi's quinceañeras

Normi's dresses for quinceañeras (galas for girls' 15th birthdays)

Normi's 15th Birthday

November 09, 1996 (Saturday)

Noemi's 15th Birthday celebration at their Evangelican church. Shirley and I are the godmother and godfather of her 15th birthday.

Quinceañera Celebration - Celebration of 15th Birthday

The Quinceañera is a celebration of a young girl's coming of age (her 15th birthday). In Paraguay, like else where in Latin America, a girl's 15th birthday is considered an important milestone.

This Hispanic tradition dates back to the ancient native cultures of South America.

This rite of initiation, that is rooted in the customs of the Toltec & Aztec, the Maya, the Quechua and other indigenous civilizations, continues today in the traditions of the present-day Hispanic cultures.

In Latin America's Latino cultures, a girl's 15th birthday, (a quinceañera) , marks her passage into adulthood. This celebration often includes a religious ceremony at church, in which the young lady recognizes her heritage and her spiritual journey.

September 15, 1996 (Sunday)

Family picnic in Km 36. We bought fish and barbeque there.

The 2 young brothers played with Xing Xing. Xing bath for few

minutes because the water is so cold.

One paloma died and 2 missing.

At night I cooked steamed fish.

September 08,1996 (Saturday)

We went to Km 65 (Mr.Chens factory )together with Fernando and

Mr Chou Chin for asado. The first time I met Mr. Chou Chin.

At night we went to house of Nelson for birthday of the son. I

gave watch as a gift.

3rd Anniversary

“Do you know what PARQUE is? “ A Taiwanese asked me in Hong Kong.

“errrrr…… Flooring !!? Wood plank for the floor !!?.....” I answered with hesitation but with confident.

I got the job. He became my employer. I came to my new office in South America.

Sunday 6 June 1996 3rd Anniversary of our marriage.

Today is our third wedding anniversary. The past few years have flown by so quickly!

3rd Anniversary mean 3rd year in Paraguay. In less then 3 months after married in Hong Kong, we flew half of the globe to this part of South America. It was just like yesterday, but we are already living 3 years in Paraguay....with a first son born in South America .....time fly.

Shirley decorated the sitting room. Cooked and we have guest for our anniversary celebration meal.

We have guest for our anniversary ....... the mother and sisters of Josephina. And the girl sitting on the 2nd left is the daughter of Nelson, the security guide who is on shift at the factory main gate that day.

Wedding of Emilio and Sonia

June 01, 1996 Saturday

We went to the wedding ceremony of Emilio and Sonia at Church 16Km. We have to be there because we are the god parents of this newly wed.

It was one Monday a month ago (May 06, 1996) Emilio and Sonia accompanied by Jose came to our house and request us to be their godmother and godfather in their coming church marriage ceremony. Shirley delightfully accepted.

"...what should I do as a godfather?" I asked Shirley later.

"...walked her into the church and give her hand to the waiting husband in front the altar...." She is sure of this.

.... And I did that on the day of wedding ceremony of Emilio and Sonia.

Birthday of our teacher. Some brought bocaditos like sopa

Paraguayo, milanesa and others. The cake and cokes we contribute­ed. After eating we had picture taking. I asked them to pay me

1000 Guaranies each after developing and they agree.

TEXT BY SHIRLEY WONG

March 18,1996 (Monday)

My fist day in

Modista class started on 18th March 1996. The first project for the students were uniforms chqueta (chaleco), skirt and blouse.

April 02, 1996 (Tuesday) First time we used uniform. Birthday of our teacher. Some brought bocaditos like sopa

Paraguayo, milanesa and others. The cake and cokes we contribute¬ed. After eating we had picture taking. I asked them to pay me 1000 Guaranies each after developing and they agree.

December 03, 1996 (Tuesday)

I did not go to school. Looking for a house to stay.

December 04, 1996 (Wednesday)

Cleaned the new flat w/ Aida.

December 05, 1996 (Thursday)

Yee and I bought refrigerator and stove from abasto.

Started moving things.

December 08, 1996 (Sunday)

It is Caacupe Day.

Fernando fetch us to macosur. Taking some of our important

things.

February 17,1996 (Saturday)

Yee was making for the cage of the Loro. I painted it with

color green.

I paid 30000 guaranies to the man who cut grasses. It should

be 20000 G. only but we paid extra 10000 G.

At night we Yee and I burned some of the grasses. For the

first time it cleared cut all the grasses in the garden.

We have eaten our lunch and dinner in the garden.

11th January 1996 Late Spring. Summer is approaching.

A lazy afternoon in our side-yard. Chun Xing have fund playing his toy, the horse, with care taker Josephina. While at the back-yard Shirley saw the onion she planted is now growing.

The staff quarter we stay is at the back ground - The water tower, kitchen window, bathroom window, bedroom window, and portion of the front yard. The highway is just 50 meters at the left hand side. This is a typical country house in South America.

This back yard is our open living room we spend our time in spring, summer and autumn.

to see the green snake and

has eaten 2 birds on the guava tree (house made by Peter).