My Experience with Death

When someone asks you about the happiest moment in your life, you recall it without much effort. But when it is time to talk about some experiences that changed your life forever the thing changes, at least in my case.
When I was three, my father died of a heart attack. I do not remember much about him as I was so little. My relatives tell me that he was caring and loving with all children, especially with his. My brother and sister tell me that he used to take us to the square and play with us a lot. I have known him through pictures and some descriptions of him. I would have liked to spend more time with him, but that is the way things were. No regrets!
At the age of eleven, my mum passed away. She had breast cancer. This is one of the most terrible illnesses a person can suffer because it is something that kills you bit by bit. It is hard also for those who are around because you cannot do anything to stop the disease. Moreover, you cannot prevent death from happening. From my mum I have a lot of memories. She was very strict with all three of us. We had to have a nap obligatorely because she got up very early in the morning, so nap was sacred. She worked a lot to so as to be able to take care of us. She had a small pension from my father but that was not enough to survive. Nonetheless, we also spent beautiful moments together, especially on Sundays when we got together with the rest of the family and played, ate spaghettis made at home and many other things. What I liked the most was Christmas time. This night was special because if the family was having problems or some members were apart, they knew that Christmas dinner was the time for unison companionship.
I was terribly sad when she died. But I do not know how I could get over it. I know I´ll see her again. No regrets!
With whom I am still angry is with my dad´s family because when he died they just dissappear from earth. They did not help my mother at all, and they knew she was aolone with three children to look after. But they did not care much I guess. I still some of them from time to time because I go to visit them whenever I can. No regrets!
Anyway, I do not complain about the way life has been to me. I guess those moments made my brothers and I stronger.

The Meaning of Freedom

I have recently read an article about the position of women in some countries of the Middle East. It is quite shocking to see that most females have to be covered in order to go out, or just to stay at home. The only part of the body that can be seen sometimes is the eyes. Nonetheless, I wonder and I think many of those who live in the other side of the ocean what is the meaning of freedom for these women. Some people argue that they are accustomed to that kind of dressing, but I totally disagree with this view. It is difficult to understand what is the purpose of not showing their body. Is it because of moral values or just because customs?
Apart from being oblished to be all dressed up, women do not have an important role in the city´s life. They cannot be part of government or any other type of public office, which is something incredible, isnt´it? Well, it seems that men are the only ones who can be completely free. As a woman, I have to say that in the modern society women have equalled men, not only in what refers to physical work but also in terms of importance. Today, we see husbands who stay at home and do the hose work, take care of the children and the wife is the one who goes out to work. In other cases, both husband and wife go out to work and share responsibilites in welfare of the family. So, there is not a real cut between what is female obligations and what is not. Thanks God we have evolved.
When I think about these women, I cannot avoy feeling sad for their situation. It must be hard for them not to be able to to the things they want to, or just dress the way they want and not being killed for that. I hope this societies change some day. Otherwise, the future generations will carry the burden of male´s absurd privilige.

America´s God

Last week, in our Literature class we read a poem by Harold Pinter called America´s God. In this poem, he described what is the meaning of America´s God to him. Honestly, I beleive that most of us agree with his view. For Pinter, this concept of America´s God implies war, death, dying for the country´s honour. But also, going to war without wanting to.

Due to the past war that we have witnessed between the United States and countries from the Middle East, the American president, George Bush, continues to fight against a false concept of freedoom, which in the end is all a matter of economical desire. What he does not take into account is all the casualties that war causes. Millions of soldiers have died just for the sake of Mr. Bush wishes.

Most of the American population does not agree with the president´s policy. In consequence, we have seen several demonstrations against the Middle East war. So, I wonder what is the concept od Bush´s God. Moreover, I ask myself if he represents his countrymen as he is suppossed to, or if he is just being guided for his own interests.

Life

Sometimes life can be a nightmare,
But there is always a way out.
Life is the most precious gift we can get.

There is always a chance
To help others make their life special.

Life is full of beautiful moments
That are worth living.

In one´s life there is always the opportunity to find
the person that will make us feel complete and loved.

There will also be sorrows and pain
But they are only part of one´s growth.

Life can bring a lot of friends,
But also a lot of enemies.

If a person wants to be successful in life,
He has to fight for what he wants.

Life is ruled by love.
So we must try to love as much as possible,
Because in there lies
The magic ingredient of LIFE.

Friendship

In this entry, I would like to write about friendship. Throughtout my life and up until now, I can only say that I have had and still do have few friends. Personally speaking, friendship is one of the values that I cherish the most. I believe that there are two types of friendships. Namely, those friends of you who are not your true friends but , in a way, are next to you everyday. And, more importantly, those who are part of your heart.

Luckily, I have to say that I was blessed to have some friends of those. These people are the ones that will always be there by your side to help you, to give you and advice when you get in trouble or have a problem. In a way, they are yor parallel family, and sometimes more than that.

This is for my friends at Lola Mora. When I decided to go to this Institute, I did not measure all the love I was going to receive there. My partners are my friends of the heart, and so I thank them for that because they have taught me many things, amd more importanly, they have supported me whenever I needed them.
When I was at secondary school, I met my dear friend Ana. She was a character indeed but she was the one who was with me when I needed some companionship and councelling. We still see get together and see each other as much as possible.

I beleive that as human beings we need these kind of people next to us so as to be able to grow emotionally speakingin our lives.

As a Religion teacher, I have met also valuable peple. And they are also my friends of the heart because we shared happiness and sorrow. We laught together and cry together. We were able to help each other develop. And that is something I cannot forget.

Thanks God I can say that I can love and be loved in return!

Ten things that I would like to accomplish in life

When I think about my future, I can only see myself as a teacher full of things to do. But, now that I can think of the things I would like to accomplish my perrspective changes a little bit.

My number one big proyect is to get married and have three children, at least. I know that it is a bit hard and complicated, but I am ready to accept the challenge. I want to have a family of my own and see my kids grow up and to get old next to the person I love. The number nine would be to travel throughout Europe. I tremendously wish to visit one place in particular: Italy because my family´s roots belong to this country. Some relatives of mine did actually go, and they could visit my grandmother´s house and some Italian cousins, aunts and uncles that are still there. I have seen some pictures of Trento, which is the city where my grandmother lived and it is simply beautiful. I wish I can be there sometime.
The number eighth important proyect will be to go to Africa, more specifically Angola. I belong to a group of Misionaries in the Salesian community, so I would like to see what some other friends of mine are doing there. It is said that it takes a lot of preparation to go there, but I think I can make it. The seventh big proyect I have is to have my own English Institute with my friend Rachel. I know it takes a lot of money and effort but I want to try. As for the sixth thing that I would like to accomplish is tospend some time living in England. I really want to go there so as to know what is the country and the English like in the island. I know it is a whole new world but I want to try. Especially because I have been learning this language for so many years that it is time to put it into practise.

The fifth thing I would like to accomplish is having my own car. This is also my dream that may come true some day. If I work hard, I know I will have it.
As for the other four things that I would like to achieve in life, I cannot imagine yet. So far I have plenty of goals to achieve. Therefore, I have to say that for now I just wish to be able to finish those I have already mentioned.

Isn´t it Ironic?

As time passes by, our city of Tucuman is becoming more and more unsafe. It happened to me today that while I was listening to the radio I heard an incredible news. The radio presenter said that a pregnant woman was sent to jail the day after for having participated in a robbery. The victim was a taxi driver. After the man arrived at the police station, he said that he had picked up this woman in the street and she asked him to take her to an specific address. When they got to the specific place, two men tried to stole the victim´s car. I cannot recall how was that the woman was cought by the police force.

I was really shocked by this event because I am not able to figure out how this woman can manage to risk her life and the life of the baby she is carrying. More importantly, our city is getting more insecure every day. We go out of our houses but do not know if we are going to go back safetly. I wonder if the Police force is doing something to prevent this kind of robbery from happening. Otherwise, we will have to carry guns to go out. Maybe, I am exaggerating, but I hope this really changes.

A Good Friend of Mine

In the year 2005, I met a priest who had just to the Salesian Community at Lorenzo Massa Institute. His name was Raúl. At the beginning, he and I did not get on very well. But, not until last year did I realiza how goog this person was. As time went by, we started to get to know each other more in depth. Since we worked together with the children, we spent many hours together playing with the kids, reading, and more importantly, sharing.
He is one of those friends you would miss terribly if they are gone. HE IS A FRIEND OF THE SOUL.
This year, on the 23rd of January, he was sent to Africa. More specifically, Luanda, the Capital city of Angola. For him, this trip was his bigest dream. He told me once that when he was a child he pictured himself in Africa helping those in need. And when he became a priest, he could not stop thinking about this desire of going there. So there he went, with a bag full of dreams and hopes.
As we all know, Africa is an inhospitable land. There is no access to pure water and the food is completely different from ours. But he did no care. And the language is also another impediment because in Loanda they speak Portuguese as the intranational language, but they have three different dialogues. Therefore, he studied Portuguese for a few months until he travelled to this place.
Anyway, I have recently heard news from him, and he says he is very happy. He has been ill for quite a long time with Malaria, but he is ok now. HE IS A CHARACTER INDEED.
From the day he went away, I have missed him terribly. I hope he comes back very soon. All in all, friendship is one of our precious gifts. And I was lucky enough to have had the opportunity to meet this marvellous person!