Ah, nothing like going down in glory. Once again Mexico defeats the USA at THEIR SPORT, the one they are so proud of, their national pastime and eliminates them from the World Classic. Not so long ago the Mexican Olympic team did the same, eliminating the USA from reaching the Olympics. USA defeated Mexico in the first round but Mexico striked back with a vengeance. At least we can officially get back at them for being annoying in football.

I’ve been playing Empire At War heaps. I went against my typical self and picked the Empire to play as. Vader was too much of an enticement for me to deny playing as him. Being defeated by the Rebels and then coming back with a larger army and blowing them to smithernees is especially delightful.

End of transmission.

I am finishing my birthday as I started it; writing an entry in this blog.

At 3:00 am I forced myself awake because I was having nightmares. I thought Renate might be around so I came to the computer to talk to her for I knew that if I went back to bed right away the nightmares would continue. We talked about the meaning of dreams and sleep disorders and about 30 minutes later I went back to bed (only to dream about two tsunami). This is one of the rare situations where I’m glad she is in a different time zone. Nothing like a beautiful girl to sweeten your dreams

Since I had nothing planned for today I spent my day watching TV, playing online games talking to people dear to me. Some people might think that my day was a bore but for me it was quite the opposite. Receiving tokens of appreciation from people that I love is the best birthday gift I could ever ask for.

So thank you Renate for taking some time off work to talk to me when I needed to clear my mind of fearful thoughts. Thank you Araceli for sending me a nice birthday card and for being patient when I didn’t have much time to talk. Thank you Netza for your attempt to wish me happy birthday in both latin and russian. Thank you Luis for showing me that silly movie’s site and for making a space in your site to include my birthday party photos. Thank you Sofia for the wonderful conversations, for that second card that you sent me so I could see it in my actual birthday and for that really nice song that you sent me. Thank you Keila for that special audio/video conversation and that lovely birthday song. I really enjoy it when we do that. Thank you Laura for taking some time off your busy schedule and the hard time you are going through to wish me happy birthday and have a brief talk. Thank you Mac for wishing me a happy birthday and adding me to your Steam friends list. Thank you Alison for wishing me a happy birthday and making me dream about your gorgeous accent that I will listen to over and over. Thank you Julio for always being silly. Thank you Manolo for wishing me a happy birthday when I thought you wouldn’t remember. Thank you Jaruwan for wishing me a happy birthday and for avoiding being sad during the 30 minutes that remained of my birthday. Thank you Maiti- for wishing me a happy birthday and for showing me how to say Nightmares in Japanese. Thank you Jared for bragging about your superpowers used to instantaneously freeze water just by shaking it. Thank you Sanna for wishing me a happy birthday and for our endless debates. Thank you Thomas for your concern about my broken heart. Thank you Eli for wishing me a happy birthday and telling me you love me, thank you dad for that long telephone call, thank you Jorge for asking me if I wanted to do something tonight and thank you mom for that midnight slow dance. Thank you God for allowing me to see 29 years of beauty.

I am really grateful for all of these birthday gifts. They are priceless to me and make me feel a loved and wealthier than a billionaire. Thank you everyone for a wonderful birthday.

When I finish writing this it will be my birthday so Happy Birthday to me!

I decided to celebrate on Saturday the 11th instead of on my actual birthday so it would be easier for people to attend. A nice lot of people came and I really had fun with close friends My brother and mom bought a birthday cake for me with a surprise theme a day before that I wasn’t supposed to see until the party not to spoil the surprise. It was a Star Wars themed cake with a Yoda figure on top so cool that I didn’t even want to touch I also got chocolate chip cookies (my favourites) in a Star Wars cup and Hershey’s kisses filled with peanut butter or caramel that I had never tried before. Yum I don’t have anything planned for my actual birthday since I already threw the party and my big gift, the camera, I will be ordering soon.

I uploaded the Birthday Party photos to Photobucket. It is my first time uploading anything there so if it doesn’t work well, I’ll upload them somewhere else and edit the links.

Awesome Surprise Cake
Cutting the cake Psycho style
Group shot #1
Group shot #2
3 Musketeers

Luis also made a page with a few of them that he took: Luis’ page. Thanks Luis!

We don’t have an exact date yet to go back to Veracruz. In fact, I forgot for some brief time we were actually going back until my mom sort of reminded me of it earlier in the day. It seems we will be here at least a week more so yay.

As a side note, it is sad when you talk about sensitive topics with some people you believe they’ll understand and they agree or say nothing against it during the conversation, yet they talk about it negatively in their blogs or in a conversation with someone else. Oh well… I’ll be more careful about who I talk about such topics with.

End of transmission.

I finally cried. Last night (not tonight) I was talking to Sofia about breakups and about relationships that go back to “friends” status and basically how the most recent ocurred and it finally happened. Although I did cry the when the first happened, I hadn’t done it for the second one. Although it might not seem like it this helped me feel better because all the feeling that was gathered up finally was released.

I’m in the US for a few days with mom. I’ll be spending my birthday here which is good. I missed stuff like the food Veggie burgers, pizza hut, etc, my computer, my brother and my dog. It’s very relaxing to be here although I’ve spent the last couple of days cleaning my room because it was very dusty, especially because while I was away they fixed a water leak and the ceiling. The bunk bed is gone also so I’m taking the opportunity to change a few things around but nothing drastic.

It’s done me good to speak heaps to Renate, Sofia and in part to Araceli, plus today I really enjoyed talking to Zach heaps. I’ve also done a “re-count” of my friends and there have been some major changes as to how I feel towards some people that I considered my best friends and close to me. As of now I probably consider Zach my best friend, with a couple other people right behind him while one the other hand a couple other people I’ve become distanced from. In the end it was basically because of their decisions and attitude towards me. Such is life.

End of transmission.

Yo pienso que
no son tan inútiles las noches que te di
Te marchas y que
yo no intento discutírtelo lo sabes y lo sé.

What if you should decide
That you don’t want me there by your side
That you don’t want me there in your life.

Me hace gracia tu manera de contarlo
como el que cuenta que ha pensado, que ha decidido, que seguimos siendo amigos
y yo, estoy temblando y llorando
me habia jurado que nunca iba a llorar escuchando cada palabra
que no quiero escuchar.

So Im back at this space, once again writing about some things and not writing about some others that I had thought about writing, but changing my mind in the end.

This past week Carnaval was in town and that means many people partying, drinking and dancing on the streets. It also means many voluptuous girls dressed in scarce outfits with hordes of guys open-mouthly salivating behind them. It is one of the most important in the whole continent (as in AMERICA, that includes North and South America and Central and whatever else you’ve wrongfully learned in school). I hadn’t been in town for the Carnaval in about 15 years although I didn’t attend a parade this time. Besides all the partying and drinking and dancing (which obviously I dont participate in) it is also a traffic mess because the important traffic arteries of the city are blocked so many locals don’t really like it. You can read more about it here I guess: Carnaval Veracruz

So finally, for the first time in my life I made prints of my photo artwork. I had to look in several places in the city for the best digital prints and I think I finally found them. Today Im going to print the remaining ones that I missed yesterday but Im still undecided about what to do with them since Im a bit short on money. One one hand Id like to frame them and hang them in the living room wall like a mini gallery. On the other hand I’d like to have them in an album as a portfolio. I dont think I can print them twice since Im saving (more on that below) and also the framing would cost quite a bit.

Speaking of photography, I’m getting close to the goal of saving for my new camera, especially since I’m selling my current one to my brother. I’m asking every one who is planning on giving me something for my birthday gift to give me the money they were planning on spending on such gift so I can collect it for a bigger gift I really want. So far I’ve only asked my brother and mother because father is out of town (everyone went to Las Vegas and they didnt take me…). So, from some savings I have and from some money I’ve earned through a couple of jobs I’m close to saving the $900 (approx) that I need. If you would like to donate some money to the MMR HW ANCA HBGF (Make Mario Really Happy With A New Camera As His Birthday Gift Fund) just let me know

Yesterday I went to the “hair stylist”. Due to a miscommunication she ended up SHAVING where no SHAVING was needed or requested. Thankfully I acted right away to avoid any more damage but some had already been done so I ended up with some SHAVED and some LONG sections, at least she didnt start from the top. Truth is I dont like the haircut but the shorter hair (I had it way too long even for my taste) is a good change. Im glad it just a matter of time until it grows back again.

Mid next week Ill be in Brownsville, Texas (yay ) so in the end I’ll be keeping my word of coming back in March. The good thing is also that I’ll be just in time to spend my birthday there. It was unplanned but that doesnt mean it was bad, especially because Ill be with my dog, my room, my friends and my sparking new camera. So… if you live in the US and want me to call you or if you feel like watching me on webcam or want me to play some computer game with you or send you some Naruto love, you just have to ask

End of transmission.

So I have returned from a grueling week of labour helping my uncle at a warehouse in a small and crappy town next Xalapa, the state capital of Veracruz, and the whole journey was chock full of new experiences. (If you remember, Ive mentioned Xalapa before in a Japanese contest I went to some months ago)

The point is/was to pack 100,000 bags containing cleaning products such as bleach and clorine. The task is not yet finished and we worked 12+ hours every day during 6 straight days and managed to pack close to 20,000, although things should go quicker in the next days although Im unsure if Im going back. My back is almost literally broken in two from the pain which I got from carrying many boxes full of chlorine. Also, I put my experience in maquila by arranging and planning how the packing process would go.

We slept all but the first night in a motel room (for those who dont know its where people rent rooms for a few hours to have sex ) and I must admit its my first time being in one. It was a pretty renewed and clean one though, nothing yucky but it still kinda was, knowing that people usually just have sex there. We hardly spent any time there though since we would go to the warehouse early in the morning and come back to the motel quite late just to take a shower and sleep. My mom was my roomate so it could be said that the first woman I’ve ever been in a motel room with is my mom

One really good thing is that in one channel that I dont get here there was a full hour of the original Pink Panther cartoons which I love (and they reminded me of Renate since she likes them too). It was such a great thing to watch them again after so long and reliving some old childhood memories.

Some people say that matters of the heart are forgotten more easily by having your mind occupied and while that is true, nothing saved me by night, especially the first and last nights. The first night I couldnt sleep from 1 to 5 am, my mind was busy just thinking and thinking. In fact, I had thought of something that Id write here about my Complimentary Soul and my Twin Soul which I think Ill end up not doing it anymore. The last night I dreamed of Laura and I also had a nightmare which woke me up suddenly. The nightmare was quick but what I dreamed was enough to keep me wondering and thinking until this point. I remember that I saw 5 (I think) dolls sort of the types used by ventriloquists but their faces was that of mockery. They represented the decisions or pillars or important things in my life, the two I grasped were those of my partner/wife/girlfriend and my job. I assumed in my dream that their expression was related to the decisions or situations about them, that I had chosen a wrong path. Then suddenly, the one representing my partner moved towards me in a flash and bit me on the neck, and with that I woke up abruptly and I sort of felt like a presence was in my neck but the feeling wore off. I swear I could make movies out of my dreams sometimes.

End of transmission.

Although it’s not my custom to just copy/paste something from another site, especially something that may seem so corny and unprofound at first and even especially more so something from MSN.com which I never browse to, I happened to find something quite interesting that caught my attention and upon reading it I found it quite true so I felt it was necessary to show it here.

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12 things guys really want girls to know.

1. Kissing and romance mean as much to us as sex. “There has to be an emotional foundation for sex,” says Ed Fertik, a Brooklyn, New York, bachelor. It’s not that men don’t love unforgettable sex; they do. But in a serious relationship, they want it preceded and followed by romance, kisses, hugs, and a loving touch. Contrary to the notion that men just want to roll over and play dead after intercourse, many guys say they do want to cuddle afterward. Some will even admit they’d like you to read to them or rub lotion on their bodies (and they’ll do the same for you, if you ask!).

2. We like you just the way you are; no models required! Hollywood and fashion magazines may make women feel they must have taut tummies and look model-perfect, but guys say they appreciate real women with foibles and imperfections. And personality counts! “Warmth is a much bigger turn-on than cleavage,” says Clifford Berkley, a divorcee in Staten Island, New York.

3. We love when you cook us a meal, knit us a scarf, or buy us something we need without our asking. Guys aren’t saying that they want women stuck in conventional household roles, just that they enjoy the surprise of a special meal on the table, a homemade gift, or a thoughtful gesture. “I love it when my wife buys me something she knows I need for work,” says Douglas Hanau, a New York City newlywed. “Or when she prepares a meal for me that she’s never made before.”

4. We want to be constantly admired. Guys know they’re not perfect, but they want you to tell them they are, or at least highlight frequently the things they do best. If he’s great with stuff around the house, ask him to fix something by telling him what a great job he did on the last fix-it task. If he’s a gifted writer, ask him to write you love notes, and tell him how much you love his way with words. He wants you to look for his strengths and applaud them — often! There’s also no bigger turn-on, guys say, than a woman who notices the small things he does to be considerate.

5. We appreciate when you contribute financially, especially if you can afford to. Men like to treat women to special things, but they also like to be treated, in return. Share the financial burden of a relationship and know your guy’s financial situation; be sensitive to what he can afford. Don’t expect a $200 night on the town if that’s the sum total of his monthly savings. And don’t forget to break out your wallet. “If she earns a good living and is otherwise liberated, I appreciate her helping out,” says Fertik. You don’t have to split the bill on every night out; just take out your wallet some of the time, men suggest.

6. Being kind to our mothers, siblings, and annoying relatives scores big points with us. Guys so appreciate when women go out of their way to be kind to their families. If there’s a relative who’s particularly annoying, remember, your man often feels as much frustration or antipathy toward the person as you do. But blood is thicker than water, and a little patience and effort go a long way. Bring along a special treat for a big family meal; send a warm thank-you note after you’ve visited; or participate in the weekly phone call your guy makes to his mom. Ask him how he prefers you to show your interest.

7. Unusual spots for sex turn us on. Men like to get out of the bedroom. They’d like you to offer up your bathroom, your kitchen, and other unusual spots for a special afternoon of love-making. “There’s nothing like sex in the afternoon,” says Berkley (especially, he says only half-jokingly, if you’ll let him indulge in watching a TV sporting event later). And when it comes to fantasies, they’re happy to play along with yours, and they love for you to indulge theirs. Another guy request: They want to talk to you about sex, openly and candidly.

8. We want to be validated all the time. It may sound like psycho-jargon, but men like to talk about their feelings, and they like when you echo those feelings back to them so they feel understood. Guys also love to talk about work, interactions with colleagues — and sports. Give them their rants. And if they are creative, or concocting an idea a minute for work, they want to lay out their ideas for you to applaud. So applaud! “There’s nothing that turns me on more than a girl who asks me to explain the logistics of football calls,” says Berkley. “It can be a great bonding moment.”

9. We need you to encourage us to take risks, and support us if we fail. If your man has a chance for a promotion at work, he wants your encouragement and support. Build up his confidence by listing all the reasons he should try for the promotion. Also, guys don’t want you to change their bad habits; they say they’re well-aware of the things they’re not so good at. But you can gently offer suggestions for coping or altering annoying habits. “Great is the gal who helps me make fun of my foibles,” says Berkley.

10. We can have platonic friendships with females. Don’t assume we’ve got something to hide if we want an hour to play racquetball or four hours to play golf, guys say. Female friends are also a necessary ingredient in many men’s social routines — and work connections make it likely that some of a guy’s close friends may be women. If you’re concerned that a friendship is turning romantic, talk to him candidly about your worries — but don’t presume foul play.

11. We like women who are assertive, but not aggressive. If you want to try something out in bed, guys are almost always game. Assertiveness is also welcome when planning a weekend getaway, a vacation or even a night out. Let your guy know what you like in a soft-spoken, caring way. Others prefer subtle assertiveness. “Manipulate us in a feminine way,” says Berkley, “but don’t let us know we’re being manipulated.” That means don’t try stuff that’s too strange too soon in a relationship; talk and communicate.

12. We’re not as different from you as you think. Books that tout the differences between the sexes may be hot on the best-seller lists, but guys yearn for the same emotional connections that women do — they just express those needs differently. “Guys who tell you they don’t need to be close and bond — with women or with each other — are lying,” says Berkley. To keep the bond strong, ask your guy often what you can do to make him feel more loved. He’ll love you back even stronger.

I would like to start by wishing everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day. I hope everyone had a nice day. Personally I did, as I spent most of the day with mom going here and there and for lunch we ate out at a restaurant with grandma. When I say most of the day I really mean it, as mom and I stayed up late watching the discovery channel and then we couldnt really get any sleep.

I also spent some time of the day reading about Siddharta Gautama (Buddha) and it was quite interesting. Speaking of reading, now Im at the At the house of Tom Bombadil chapter in FotR and its great, Tom Bombadil being one of my favourite characters.

Today I played goalie since I’ve been afflicted by a muscle strain on my right leg for a couple of weeks… well, it turns out that now my right arm hurts at elbow and wrist level because of some saves I made. Then, if that wasn’t enough, I have a really bad neck pain from sleeping at a bad position, which Ive had for a few days now, and its the third time Ive had one since Ive been here.

I’ve decided that the next place I’ll be travelling to will be to Egypt. Yep, that is right, not Japan, Egypt, which comes to a surprise even to me. I just can’t believe I’m missing such a wonderful, marvelous, amazing thing… One of the flights to Cairo stops at Paris so I could drop by Hedi’s place for a bit which would be good. Also, before I go to Egypt I need a new camera, an expensive one because I won’t be able to stop shooting there. Probably even more than Japan. The camera I’ve been meaning to get when I get money is a Canon EOS which, last time I saw, were in the $1k+ USD range :S

I’ll end up this section by congratulating my little brother Carlos as he now has a girlfriend. It was about time

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I was tagged by Tins :O so here it is:

Four jobs I’ve had:
# Office Supplies Store Clerk.
# Tires Fixing Assistant.
# Teacher.
# Information Technologies.

Four movies I can watch again and again:
# Fellowship of the Ring.
# Star Wars (except Episode 2 maybe).
# Pulp Fiction.
# The Matrix.

Four places I’ve lived:
# Veracruz.
# Brownsville.
# Matamoros.
# Boca del Rio.

Four TV-shows I like:
# X-Files.
# The Simpsons.
# Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
# Conan O’Brien.

Four kinds of food I like:
# Pizza.
# Tortas.
# Ramen.
# Soy burgers.

Four websites I visit daily:
# Hotmail
# Not so daily: Narutofan.com
# Not so daily: Pennyarcade.com
# Not so daily: Outpostnine.com/editorials/teacher.html

Four things I want to do before I die:
# Travel more.
# Have a family.
# Sky Dive.
# Hmm, have sex?

Four places I’ve been on vacation:
# USA.
# Mexico.
# Canada.
# Japan.

Four people I’m tagging:
# I
# don’t
# have
# 4 people to tag ;/
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End of tramisssion