From 2008-10-12 Laura's Party

a great pic from 2005

086453456787654

Macabre!

A mí me gusta el día de los muertos - November 2nd en Brasil - Hoy es el día. Es momento de relembrar cuando escribí cosas macabras. Si, no me espanta las ideas pobres del ciel y infierno. Lo que quiero es unir lenguages artísticas a más con el facto de que el infierno existe y que hay aquel que nosotros criamos. Estoy vacía - esto es una pura verdad. ...A menos que tomemos como ciertas algunas ideas católicas/cristianas, según las cuales los pecadores van al Infierno. Antes era de los que pensaba que ser católico era un coñazo, debido a tooooodas las normasmandamientoscosas que no puedes hacer porque son pecados , perocomo dice el dicho ‘Quien hace la ley hace la trampa’. De forma sencilla se puede llegar a la conclusión, siempre de una manera lógica, que de ser cierto, el Infierno existe y además está vacío, solo con el hecho de creer en el Cielo. Yo no temo morrir.

OLD STUFF...
"I know vacation has been over for a while but I am still in that mood. I feel lazy to write those long and kind-of-essay posts. So, I decided to write one more of those 'meme' quizes. The questions published here, I've found somewhere on the web in someone's blog (yeah! what a precise citation)... Gee, I hope the person does not sue me for this. I didn't mean to copy the idea... I literally stole it.

What I liked most about this meme is that the questions will sound a bit "macabre". They are all related to death. I never understood why our western culture has issues with this topic. It is never discussed over family suppers. It is never mentioned when people play pocker. It is the kind of subject that people don't normally use to strike up conversations in elevators: "Nice day, isn't it?" "Yeah, it is just perfect for drowning in any Caribbean beach." A taboo is what it is. Although, I grew up in a family that we would widely talk about death without prude or hypocrisy. We even sort of celebrated when we got to pay off for all of our family future funeral expenses which inevitably one of us would have to cash out when "lady death" arrives. Weird? I think this is called "planning ahead".

I sometimes wonder what and how people would feel about reading a blog of someone who has already passed away. I don't mean a posthumous blog. No. That is not my point. I actually thought of my friends, former students, or relatives of mine reading my words and seeing my faces in random posts here, at this spot, after my death. Would they laugh at my nonsense entries even though I'd be gone and not being able to post anything new? Would they laugh just once? Or maybe they would crack over and over by reading the same old things just because it is stamped in each of my writings that LIFE IS NOTHING BUT A JOKE.

Do I fear death? I am quite sure that I don't. However, I am a little reluctant with this 'stuff' just because of the fact that death normally comes with pain and suffering of the others who survive. Our western civilization does not allow us to see this process (so-called DEATH) as being something positive which, to my humble opinion, it is. Why? How come that could be positive? Simple answer: it is not fully pleasurable being alive. It is not wholesome having to work 14 hours a day to pay for facilities, afford transportation, canned food, health insurance, hair stylist, bottox, birth control pills, and Neutrogena exfoliating masks. No no no. It is no damn big deal being alive if we insist in not caring about self-awareness. It is just a simple thing, and yet we can't accept its plainness.

The Death Quiz

Seven things you plan to do before you die:
1. Travel, travel, travel a lot;
2. Publish a book;
3. Spit on my ex-boss' misso soup :)
4. Have two kids;
5. Try to repay my parents for everything they've given me (including the already-paid funeral services);
6. See my favorite bands live;
7. Teach my kids to stand up for what they believe;

Seven things you would like to have at your funeral:
1. A bus - to help everybody commute from the church to the cemitery (Hope passangers remember to sing and clap "Oh Happy Day!" on their way). This way, everyone would behave ecologically correct by using only one transportation instead of creating those large lines of cars polluting the city and blocking the flow of the traffic (some people have the talent to bug even after being dead);
2. Good food, good drinks, and good music (pleeeeease);
3. Hope my relatives can afford to hire stand-up comedians to entertain the services;
4. If not, they can just let some of their DVDs run in private rooms;
5. No cries, no regrets, no enemies must pop up there either;
6. Lap-dancers or go-go girls can be hired too (no prejudices);
7. I am gonna steal that from Saucy - 'a pipe of laughing gas would work fine next to the keg of brew' LOL;

Seven celebrities that deserve to die:
1. Paris Hilton;
2. Cher (yew - all of her fans can kiss my ass);
3. Carrot Top (is he still alive?);
4. Britney Spears;
5. Ben Afleck;
6. All those who have ever participated at the Oscars;
7. And those who deny being part of this mega event;

Seven words you'll probably say seconds prior the moment your soul departures:
1. Hihihihi
2. One beer before I go;
3. hey, you go first;
4. nooooooooow???
5. Does anyone have some stash???
6. Fuck everybody;
7. I love everybody;

Seven reasons not to die:
1. Smile of a child;
2. Some people just don't look good in black;
3. Not being able to see lady bugs, spiders, and dragonflies after it;
4. Visine profits too much over that;
5. Good and tasteful sense of humor people should not leave;
6. Death's never scheduled - how rude!
7. Having to empty wardrobes and box of letters of the gone souls - just not fair;

Everyone will die sooner or later. So given a choice to decide your deathplace, where will you choose?
Any place on this planet is worth living and dying. I'd only rather not have a distressful trip to only-God-knows-where.

Since this is a very delicate topic, I don't feel like taggin' anyone for this "meme" because that would make me a murderer-wannabe, wouldn't it?"

students/friends

far too overrated

I've always known that I am an anime hater but I have never written about it. "Anime is demoralizing and demotivating our youth." ... I copied and pasted that sentence from Urban Dictionary because I cannot agree more with it. I also believe that animes are gayish and poor for the senses. Those kids discussing characters with all those names in Japanese make me wanna hurl.

Am I being narrow-minded by hating animes and anime lovers that much? For sure, babe! Do I care? I don´t give a flying fuck because when I die I'm going to purify my soul in purgatory and then all the hatred and grudges I might have on earth are never gonna be enough to take me to hell (because i'm a teacher, that's why.) Besides, indulgences, which give Catholics time off Purgatory for good behaviour, are making a comeback under Pope Benedict XVI. This is another long story that can be read on Vatican News, I guess.

I sound like I am pms-ing,but actually I am not. I'm just bored. Sometimes, I get so tired for being so far from friends. The sameness is killing me. I can't wait to take my trip to Europe and maybe have something different to type about. I stopped posting because I don't find alluring write about job fights and students being mean to me. Although, I am more times mean to them, gotta honestly confess that.

It's been pouring down for weeks. Even with this muggy weather, we've found a nice painter who is doing his best on the walls of our school. When it is ready, I will have to snap some photos and share the new school look with the blogsphere. In the back, there is a terrace and that is a part of the school which desperately needs a make-over. Especially for summer, we'll be able to enjoy the out-doors without leaving the place, ... but man, the sun is also overrated. I hate it. I hate sunny weekends, people taking walks in parks, children eating cotton-candy. I loathe crowds in general. It's been raining and that is nice, whereas I could not enjoy my get-away Sunday earlier today because the rain had blocked the road we usually take. Rain is good, but too much of it is also overrated.

Gosh, blogging is overrated.

Been listening to some shit again... Can't help it!

Started taking Spanish lessons again.
Started collecting caps of imported beers again.
Started thinking of getting a tattoo again.
Started getting worried about losing weight again.
Started wishing of moving out, again, but I won't.
Started working with more folks around again.
Started messing with my liver... again?
Started making more people mad at me, again.
Got my hair dyed black again.
Bought another All Star, at this time PURPLE.
Made one more Caipirinha, but at this time not so sugary.
Been tired, as always.
Been scaring people and not knowing how,
Been carrying perky breasts,
Been holding stinky breath,
Been smashing pinkies but not all piggies...

Things i hate:

Nerds playing the electric guitar


Romantic movies of all times


Hip-hop singers or rappers, especially the ones who dress like they are white



Them


Soccer fans of all ages


Caetano Veloso


Rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well, and well done liver


Animes from all countries

yeaaaah

misss them so much

My Modeling Tibby

These are nice photos taken by Debbie, a wonderful student of mine, while she was petting Tibby. She loves cats and Tibby loves those who love cat. Cats always play fair games.

This is so cuuuute.

Awkward conversations starters to avoid:

1. "You know anything about rectal itch?

2. "I spoke to Jesus last night. Jesus Christ, that is."

3. "Hustler printed my letter... wanna see?"

4. "They think they can fire ME? I'll show 'em."

5. "TB, my ass. Those doctors don't know nuthin' (cough, cough)."

6. "Hey, nice pants!"

7. "Does this look malignant to you?"

8. "Yep, I used to smoke too before my sex change."

9. "What wine goes good with human flesh?"

10. "You look like a nice guy. I'll do you half-price."

11. "How does your light shine in the halls of Shambala?"

12. "Do you believe in life after love?"

13. "Hey buddy, do you know where the nearest blood bank is?"

14. "You wanna buy a midget?"

15. "Would you like some candy?"

16. "You look a lot like my old prison buddy."

17. "Woof, woof!"

18. "Wanna see something weird?"

19. "I always fart when I cough."

20. "What time does the President's motorcade pass through here?"

21. "We meet again, eh, Herr Doktor?"

22. "I'm wearing a thong... backwards."

23. "You don't look so tough."

24. "Sure is a nice day for a hanging."

25. "Relax... it's not real."

26. "Can you give me directions to the nearest playground?"

27. Damn, you shor' gots a purty mouth."

28. "See something you like, mister?"

29. "Do you like monkeys?"

30. "I shall haveth thine soul before the morrow."

31. "Assume the position."

32. "Do you have the document?"

33. "I just let the dogs out."

34. "Pardon me, Earthling... may I obtain a saliva sample?"

35. "Watch this..."

NOTE: Got this from http://worldoflongmire.com/oddsnends/converstart/index.html

What's up with restaurant people?

I live in a city located in Rio Grande do Sul state, Southern Brazil, situated in the state's mountainous Serra Gaúcha region. Its name is Caxias do Sul. It was established by Italian immigrants on June 20, 1890. It is the second largest city in the state. The demonym of those who are from here is "caxiense". Today, "caxienses" are celebrating the War of the Farrapos, therefore it is holiday. The celebration has parades, festivals, and long horseback ridings. Since I am not originally from this area of Brazil, to me, this holiday is not so meaningful as it is expected to be. I was just very thrilled for having a Saturday off. I usually work until 5 or 6 p.m. every Saturday. I like holidays in general to enjoy what is best: a nice excuse to eat, drink, party, and so on.

As I could get up late and enjoy my lazy-day, I decided to have lunch out. We drove miles away to get to know a new place. This grill restaurant was recommended by my huband's student and according to his opinion, we would enjoy the food there. So, we did go there for lunch and to our surprise, the place was an all-you-can-eat buffet. I am not very fond of buffet places, but that hadn't ruined my lunch experience so far. Wait until you read the rest...

We sat at a table we had to choose ourselves. I don't think it is a big deal for a restaurant NOT to have a host or hostess to help guests find a table. The lunch place was not crowded and besides it is pretty wide to walk through the tables. We got a table by the buffet. Fine. A waiter came to us and presented their prices and drinks available. It has been a quite cold day, so I had to order wine. The waiter asked: Chadornay,Cabernet or Merlot. I picked my favorite: MERLOT.

I could not help noticing that he was pouring the wine from a box. Fine again. The waiter arrives and places the carrafe I had asked on the table while saying: "Here is the 'Cabernet' you've ordered." I said I was sorry but I was going to drink the merlot. He, then, said that in order to get merlot wine, he would have to open another box and that box was stored at some place far from the lunch venue, blah, blah, blah. Okay, I said. I'll take the cabernet. I sensed the wine before tasting it, as I always do, and it did smell funny to me. I sipped a bit and then I became certain that that wine was spoiled. I don't think wine boxes are yucky, but for a restaurant, they don't hold the wine flavor for much long. I have checked and people say it can last okay for 6 weeks, but that is shorter than two months. As that is a lunch place, I bet they don't get to sell wine very often. It was spoiled for real.

I had to ask the waiter and convince him that I was not going to drink the wine, but not because he had brought me a cabernet instead of merlot, but because that wine was spoiled. He went to the back to get a new merlot box for me, while we waited. Meantime, the manager came to our table to check on us. We explained we were waiting for a better wine. The manager himself brought a sample of a cabernet and merlot combined which tasted wonderful. So, all they wanted to do was to talk me into taking that wine insted of the merlot. I said it was okay to have that wine instead. The waiter came back, then, carrying a carrafe which looked pretty similar to the first one. I smelled the wine, and it was the exact same spoiled liquid. My husband and I had to laugh at the situation, call the manager and cancel that order. Things got quite dramatic because seconds later, the waiter and the manager were right by our table arguing over whose fault that was. We ended up drinking a beer.

End of the story: the cashier/owner did tab the wine on our check, but we refused to pay since we hadn't drunk that carrafe. He said he would compliment it, only at that time, in the accounts of my not knowing how to taste wine like asking for small samples (how could he say such thing?). I said that he was expected to compliment the wine as being an obligation of his business since he is not to sell rotten food or drink to the public . Plus, he is responsible to train his staff to offer free samples before the guest decides on which one to take. Oh, well... The food turned out being worse than the spoiled cabernet/merlot. The cashier/owner cursed us and said that he doesn't need guests like us. Roberto finished the quarrel by saying: "You don't deserve my money." What a hassle. What a nuisance.

Roberto and I have already worked in restaurant business and we do know it's quite difficult to please people. But that was unnecessary and unacceptable. We are definitely making up for this tomorrow. For Sunday lunch, Roberto is gonna take me to a better place which we have already been to. The photos you can see down below were taken in the restroom of this good place we are used to going on Sundays. And I will honestly say to my husband's student that that place actually sucks in all matters: food, drink, and the real disaster: a crappola service.

 

 

There

VideoJug: Memorizing Vocabulary And Languages

mUSICA pARA mEUS oUVIDOS

I've never posted a playlist before. These are songs or musicians I've been lately listening to:
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0mXOaAfFuw
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLwRRSjhEzk
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJH4hXWuV_I
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH-9Pow-2oE
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h_yQDyEhqw
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awnjw36mNEs
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOyP11IF6JI
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19O6ZaZWTTI
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQQmAP9Poo4&feature=related
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvAPfu0T6aM&feature=related
- http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=58999530

recent...

a flork message...

Hi there,

Thanks for the good words... They cheered me up a great deal. Down here, things aren't fun either. I keep reposting old entries on my blog as I haven't been feeling like writing much. It's been wildly crazy around here. Been working my butt off and hardly ever getting rewarding smiles or fullfilling words from my students or their parents. Let´s not get started with the adults... since i teach all ages, I get to realize that, no matter people's age, I will always have hard time to get my teachings across. My methods are far from traditional and that is just the way I am. The lack of tradition and my faulty memory is never forgiven and I don't blame them. I never rely on note pads, or palm tops, or my pc to write down my tasks and that kills me. I sometimes try to start standard procedures but in two or three days I am totally out of them.

Maybe for the fact that I do not have a child of my own, people don't see me responsible enough to teach kids well... or they believe that I just can´t make them behave properly in class. I don't know what to do with brats who talk back to me. I am not the kind of teacher who likes to use authority as a tool to get what is best out of my students as I don't think this is the right way. I can't work with slower minds. I can't handle people with learning disorders. I am not perfect. I just can't be that.

I don't write as often as I want and I don't get to write about everything I deeply want since many of my students read my blog and I would feel really uncomfortable to write all I want. Perhaps, I'd better initiate another blogspot and at this time I'm not gonna advertise it. Keeping it personal and that would be it.

I am really sorry that it takes me too long to reply my flork messages or that I don't give feedback on your comments on my blog. That all happens because I am a way crazy busy individual who has difficulties in dealing with all my duties and efforts. My life is hard and I can really say that. It is hard not because of my overwhelming 42 hours in class weekly, besides extra hours handling admnistrative school matters, and on top of all those things I also live in the school building because I can't afford a home, blah, blah, blah... My life is not hard for all that... It is hard because I work with people and people DO suck.

you take care,
Laila

Reposting old stuff...

For a while, I have turned my blog into a photo-blog and I don't give a damn about it... No!!! No, I haven't quit writing. I had just not felt well enough to spread the words here for you guys to read until today. After about a month not publishing anything in here, I took the decision to gather some words in order to release an obnoxious flame that has been burning and soring my heart. I hope these words will come out right and fit properly to what I've been going through.

This may not be a real problem. In fact, I do believe it is not a problem at all. It is a flame, as I've just said. In reality, It is an issue that I've dealt since I was expected to behave like a grownup. Don't know whether being a spoiled kid made me have a weak control over my speaking thoughts. Many times I say what crosses my mind. Very often, I splurge the words not knowing the consequences of them. After saying them aloud, I can't get a decent sleep over. I regret so hard afterwards. What scares me the most is that even knowing the consequences sometimes, I say them anyway. I hurt, I blow, I affect, and I know.

But worse than that is not having the guts to act or behave the way in which my words speak for me. I am just a person full of words, issues, and projects. Some even say that MY words are powerful. They fill the emptiness and turn whatever is hollow into PLENTY. Maybe they are powerful to move others but they are not helping me much. My words seem to depict a wrong picture of me. For instance, I am NO powerful at all. I'm a chicken shit loaded with dreams.

I've not grown up YET. I haven't been able to come up with my own decisions anymore. I haven't felt strong enough to take my own paths like I used to. I have not been capable to keep myself away from fears. Well, this whole situation has not been EASY...

Some changes will be made in my lifestyle so that I can put out this flame once and for all:

• Firstly, I need to take a break from MSN MESSENGER and ORKUT things for a little while. It's getting overwhelming and I've not been able to write these days just because of those addictive shits.
• Then, I need to read. Reading helps me write better. MSN and other internet activities of mine are demanding time from me and stealing my creativity away.
• I need to listen to music more.
• I need to take walks more often.
• I need to watch movies.
• I need to go to the movies.
• I need to play with TIBBY - well that i do all the time.
• I need to study languages more. I'm glad that at least I got back on my German studies. I'm a language teacher for crying out loud. It is more than required to keep my English knowledge fresh and updated.
• I need to handwrite my thoughts.
• I must concretely start working on my trip to GERMANY. I am planning to spend a month there so that I can finally study the language in a German spoken place! This thing demands time... And my staying online this much is delaying this PROJECT.
• And lastly, I need to post my words here more often. Even contradicting a little, blogging is part of my writing practice and I can't stop doing it for any reason in this world!!!

Hopefully after these changes that flame will quit burning soon... and my heart will then be healed.

PS- This entry was originally posted in September/2005