Saturday, December 27, 1997

Tai O - a charming world of itself in Hong Kong



Above : Tai O - photo from interenet 2010

Tai O is a very charming small town a long distant away from Hong Kong city. This fishing village town is 1 hour by mini bus from Mui Wo. And Mui Wo town is another hour by ferry to the city. The 2 hours journey separate Tai O from the hectic city life and have its very own feels of old, and quiet, and peaceful. A unique quiet secluded island kampung (village) life.

I did not have photo of this little town but I down load a few from the internet just as an illustration. The few places are places I been to.

Tai O is a fishing village located on the western tip of Lantau Island.

Its unique preserved fish and cultural heritage, Tai O is well known for its slum-like houses which built on stilts and along the waterway, in order to avoid high tides. While the Chinese stilt-house community is an attraction to the outside tourist I am more attracted by the island concrete houses and temples. These concrete structures are thought not ancient but at least a hundred years old.

I spend lengthy hour strolling along a quiet rocky sea side with very few people. I could not find an image of this location from the internet. On one corner of the sea side is a small dark house constructed of cement and rock. Seem no electricity and water supply. Look as if a hermit is stay there.

27th December 1997 Shirley's Birthday Dinner at Tin Ning Flat
Today is Shirley's birthday. I came to Tai O for the occasion. She and Xing stay with Gloria family in Tai O while I put up in a small hotel room in Kowloon.

Tuesday, December 16, 1997

Tin Ning House





Tin Ning House is one of the 9 Falts in Lung Tin Estate ( 龍田邨) is Hong Kong Housing Authority public rental estate in Tai O.

Glorea family of 3 stay here.

Monday, December 15, 1997

14th December 1997 Sunday At Foz airport.
Our last photograph taken in South America.

The 4 and half years life in South America now seem like an imagination that my Malaysian friends not interested to believe.

If not diary entries and many these photographs snapped during the years to remind the days gone, as I aged, I myself might even confused as yet another long dream cause by too much coffee the previous night.

From Foz airport on 14th December 1997, we board VASP airline and through the plan window we watched this great continent of South America gradually out of sight under the white cloud.

Sunday, August 31, 1997

Power Ranger in Paraguay






Power Ranger in Paraguay
31st August 1997 Afternoon

31st August 1997

Today is Malaysia National Day, and a Brazilian circus is in town. As a Malaysian family, we want to celebrate this auspicious day.

There is no other batter way to celebrate by going for a circus show which our family always enjoyed.

The circus is just located at the padang less then 1 km behind our flat. A mere 5 minutes walk.



Today is Sunday; the circus has an extra day shown other then the regular night shown. We went for the day show.




We went to Circus in the afternoon. This is a Brazil Circus here for about 1 month before moving to the next town. The Circus set up tent at the open space just 5 minutes walking from Panorama building.

This is one of the best circus show I ever seen with a very outstanding show composition. First it started with very low key the big silent circus ground only came out with a ‘old’ woman covering with an "old torn winter cord" and telling something. I do not understand Portuguese well, but from the body language expression it must be a sad story……. hoping for something………..hoping for the winter to over and arrival of spring……..

Then suddenly Spring has arrived, the ‘old’ woman threw her cote to the floor, and like in a magic show, she ‘changed’ into a pretty women one hope to see and …….. What follows next 2 hours is Latin American entertainment many Asian hope to see. 2 hours’ solid hours of music, dance, crowns, acrobat, tigers, horses, dogs etc.



The last event is Power Ranger in Action.  At the end of the show, the Power Rangers line up at the exit for photographs with audient. We have to pay a fee off course. They have their own photographer.

Monday, August 11, 1997

Picnic and Brazil

August 10, 1997 (Sunday)

11:00am we went to the lake for picnic. Our picnic lunch include pan with hotdogs, cheese, tomato sauce and mayonnaise.

We have coca cola for drink but Ades for Xing.

At night I went to Brazil again.

Monday, August 4, 1997

Another Sunday - Raul's grandson's birthday

August 03, 1997 (Sunday)

We went to Km 14.5 to Raul's house to attend 3rd birthday party of Janeira.

Esmelda was also there with her 3 months old baby.

Sunday, July 27, 1997

A new maid

July 26, 1997 (Saturday)

Aida, has finally decided to stop working as a maid for us, and return to her village home because of her boyfriend.

Sussana said her mother may like to work but on July 29, 1997 (Tuesday) she brought her mother but a middle age lady Perla (Reyna). So we have Perla helping our house works now

On August 01, 1997 (Friday) Shirley accompanied Perla to go to dentist to remove her tooth as she complained of tooth paint.  Shirley paid 30,000 guaranies for the dentist.

Perla has gone to her house on  August 02, 1997 (Saturday) She only worked for us for 5 days.

Sussana finally brought her mother on August 04, 1997 (Monday)  to start work for us while I was in Caaguazu.

The mother too worked only for a few days.

Sunday, July 20, 1997

Room 608 of Panorama


July 1997 Our apartment 6th Floor Panorama. This apartment in 6th floor facing Brazil has panoramic view of Foz de Iguazu City. The tall building (right) is a new apartment building where many Chinese businessmen stay. Hundred meter in front that building is Parana River serving as the border line between Paraguay and Brazil.
Toward the right is the commercial center of the city.
In the distant horizon is Foz city of no jungle no mountain.
Below the open space where a long distant tour bas park is the bus park area for bus from Argentina. Toward the left hand side is a complete different world of Ciudad Del Este. Here I spend many late afternoon for evening walk in the area of tranquility - area where the Cathedral, high class residential, Casino, boat clubs are situated.




Saturday, July 19, 1997

Moving up to the 6th Floor of Panorama Building


July 18, 1997 (Friday) 






7:00Am in the morning I came back from Brazil.

Last night rain water sipped from the wall into the master bed room and covers the floor with a layer of water. Shirley and Xing moved to the room of Aida.

After Shirley came back, she went out accompany Isabel who seeking a promoter job in Oasis, we immediately went up the building administration office to ask for shifting to a batter flat that will not floor.

They have a vacant flat at 6th floor just one floor above. The rental is the same. We accepted immediately and got the room key. This new flat at 6th floor brighter than 5th floor. Nicer view facing the river and Brazil on the other side of the river.

The same afternoon we started moving furniture and things up to the new flat with no delay.

The next day July 19, 1997 (Saturday) The whole day moved heavy items including refrigerator, washing machine, and oven.


Friday, July 18, 1997

From Room 506 to Room 608

It was on 18th July 1997 we started moving things from 5th Floor apartment to 6th Floor apartment.

It happened that the previous night (17th July 1997) after a heavy rain, we work up middle of the night with great amazement in finding our bed room flooded with 1 inch of water. The water sipped in from the sky-well of the building.

Tuesday, July 1, 1997

New friend

June 30, 1997 (Monday)

Perhaps Shirley is not the only Philippina in the City for she met a new friend today who said to have a Philippina friend.

The lady is  Sussana, Sussie for short. She walks limping.

Shirley met Sussie after returning from peluqueria school and saw her looking for the building administration office (Olga's office).  So Shirley helps her to get to the office.

Sussie said she has a Filipina friend.  She enquired about whether Shirley has any child so Shirley delightfully invites her to the flat to see Xing who is still sleeping.

She invited Shirley to her house in return and Shirley went with her.

Saturday, June 14, 1997

Warning of a nightmare soon to come

June 13, 1997 (Friday)



At night heavy rain. That the outside began to flood with the drainage too small to drain away the heavy pour. The drainage hole is too small that a piece of PVC debris can easily block the flow of water.

Almost half an inch of flooded rain water on the outside. Before the water reach into the master bed room and sitting room, we tried to clear the drainage hole.
 Worst still, the light went off. This power failure occur occasionally in the city.

So I hold the flashlight while Shirley clears the hole.

We did not know this poor drainage system of our flat is a warning of a nightmare that will happen in a month time......... that our master bed room flooded but with water not from the veranda but with water sipped in from the inner wall

Monday, June 9, 1997

A Sunday inside the house

June 08, 1997 (Sunday)


Felicia, Sonia and Shirley went to church while Xing and I still sleeping.

After coming  back from church they cooked asado (charcoal) at outside the left over chicken from yesterday celebration.

Nilsa and her classmate came to inform that her family is coming next Sunday. They  have lunch with us.

June to August is Winter. Its cold outside

Sunday, June 8, 1997

4th wedding anniversary

June 07, 1997 (Saturday)


Celebrated 4th wedding anniversary today.

Our visitors were Ana and Maximo, Noemi (godchild) and sister, Shirley’s cotillion teacher and daughter.


Felicia and Sonia came late.

We serve spaghetti, sopa paraguayo, mandioka, ensalada rusa and of Course chicken asado in the oven.

Shirley made decorated 2 hearts and flowers on the wall, and balloons. She is learning cotillion recently. And her cotillion teacher came today.

Monday, June 2, 1997

An outing to Km 20

June 01, 1997 (Sunday)

Sunday is family outing day. Today we went to km 20 to visit Emilio and Sonia for their 1st marriage anniversary. We were their God-parents during their marriage.


But they were not in the house. Neighbor said they were in Macosur.  But Macoursur already closed down and changed owner.

We left our gifts behind to Mirta, Sonia's sister.

After that we walked a little further to visit Ana and Maximo Paiva. Their son will soon celebrating 3rd Birthday. We gave 20,000 guaranies for the event.


Tuesday, May 20, 1997

Apply Visa to Brazil again

May 19, 1997 Monday


Went with Shirley to Brazil Embassy to apply for another Visa.   I was supposed to go to Brazil yesterday, but last minute realized the visa is expired. Since last year 1996, I go to Brazil almost once a month. Because the wood in Paraguay is getting less, Brazil side still has vast jungle.


My lost my spectacle last trip in Brazil.  I left it on the top of telephone booth after making a call to the supplier to come to pick me. After reaching the factory to start QC inspection work I remember the spectacle was left on the telephone boot.

That spectacle was a good one which I made in Perth Spectacle Shop in Chung Chau Island in 1993.  In my preparation to move to South America, I also had two spectacles made thinking that Paraguay was difficult to find such service. (I was wrong). I ordered two one dark sunglass and one clear lens that auto adjust color according to sunlight.  It was this clear eyeglass I lost in Brazil.

Sunday, April 20, 1997

Lunch and payment

April 19,1997 (Saturday)

I invited Chou Chin and Fernando for lunch at our flat.

Shirley prepared the lunch with pancit and vegetable and Chinese herb soup.


Afternoon, Juliana kept her promise, Nilsa (her daughter) and Candido came bringing  e 200,000 Guarani as partial payment the mower and bike.

Friday, April 11, 1997

Teddy Bear for Noremi

April 10, 1997 (Thursday)

I am on a business trip ???

Noemi brought her father to visit Shirley.

The brought with them a present of  slipper sandal for Shirley.

Late they went for shopping at Continental where Shirley bought Noremi a teddy bear.

They stay for dinner of ham and egg.


Tuesday, April 1, 1997

Birthday Cake


March 31, 1997 (Monday)  

Shirley’s saloon class has a birthday party today.

Yesterday, Sunday, she made a birthday cake for Suni which she brought to school today.

After class. She went to house of Rosanna with Zuni to eat sheep (obeja) asado.

Wednesday, March 26, 1997

The Cable TV

March 25,1997 (Tuesday)


The Cable TV connection was some how not connected.

Shirley is more concern because she stays at home and she watches while I busy most of the time away from home.

She asked today the man who  is in charge of collecting money to connect  because  we want to watch Jesus history.

March 26, 1997 (Wednesday) started Holy Week. Is a week Vacation for schools.

March 28, 1997 (Friday)  is Viernes santo Holiday Day.  We were last to church in the  morning.


TV Cable is connected. Shirley and Aida enjoyed TV Jesus of Nazareth, Moses, Jacob and Joseph for this Holy Week vacation.

Friday, March 21, 1997

Happy Naw Ruz with 2 kg weight lost

March 20, 1997 (Thursday)

Fasting is over. Today is the last day of 19 Day Fast.

Tonight we celebrated Naw Ruz with pancit and chawsiu (lomito and chicken).


Aida did not go to school.

Xing Xing drank 2 glasses of Coca cola.

Shirley lost 2 kilos because of fasting, very happy.

Thursday, March 20, 1997

1997 Naw Ruz - Baha'i New Year


20th March 1997 Evening - Naw Ruz Celebration in Ciudad del Este
Our 4th Naw Ruz in Paraguay, also our last.




Wednesday, March 19, 1997

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



Tuesday, March 18, 1997

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

Friday, March 7, 1997

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.

Monday, March 3, 1997

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.

Tuesday, February 25, 1997

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.

Monday, February 24, 1997

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

Tuesday, February 18, 1997

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:  ...........


Monday, February 17, 1997

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.



Sunday, February 9, 1997

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.

Saturday, February 8, 1997

Chinese New Year

February 07, 1997 (Friday)

Chinese New Year.

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

Wednesday, February 5, 1997

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
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.




Monday, January 20, 1997

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. 

Friday, January 10, 1997

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.

Monday, January 6, 1997

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.





Thursday, January 2, 1997

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.