Friday night...

So, it's late Friday night and I'm still working... today, since it's the end of the month, I have to stay late and consolidate all the financial/sales info. I was not told about this process during the interview process, and was not aware that I had to stay late, till after I had left work and it was around 7:30 PM, so that SUCKS!!! I check my cellphone and saw some missed calls from work, so I call back, and I'm told I need to be back around 9 PM... FUDGE! So, almost done with the report, just waiting for one last region to submit info....

The one good thing about today, I finally got paid! Money! Money! Nice to have a paycheck again... but at this company, we get paid once a month, which has its pros and cons. Anyway, I'm quite happy to be making "dinero" again...

Very, very excited about this weekend... not only do we have the FINAL FOUR, with George Mason University facing off agains Florida, but the start of MLB is this weekend... ah, don't you just love baseball!

Last but not least, here's a hilarious Top Ten....

Late Show’s Top Ten Things Overheard During George W. Bush's Trip To Cancun

10. "Sorry Mr. Vice President, the wet t-shirt contest is only for women"
9. "After I meet with Vicente Fox, I want to meet with Jose Cuervo"
8. "Couldn't we have stayed home and gone to Chi-Chi's?"
7. "Cozumel? Isn't that the chick I made Secretary of State?"
6. "When do I get to meet Zorro?"
5. "Mr. President, it is hard to take you seriously with that giant sombrero"
4. "I'll have a non-alcoholic pina colada...just kidding, juice me up, Pepe!"
3. "NAFTA? Don't they make auto parts?"
2. "Secret service! He's choking on a nacho"
1. "Once you get a little buzz going, my poll numbers don't look so bad"

CRCP

GMU WINS and Wedding Pics...

GMU OVER UCONN!!! George Mason is a Giant Killer!!! First, Michigan State, then North Carolina, Wichita State was next, and now Connecticut! Indianapolis here we come... In toppling Connecticut, the team most college basketball analysts predicted would win it all, George Mason became only the second team with a double-digit seed to advance to the Final Four, following Louisiana State, also an 11th seed, in 1986. I'm out of words... I've been dancing since yesterday!!! GO PATRIOTS!!!

On other news, here a the wedding pics:

Your host, the bride (Valery), and groom (Alejandro)

Tequila Shot time with friends... (I must admit, I look really good in a suit)

Bride and groom with friends...

CRCP

Wedding + Sweet Sixteen

Glad to report that the last wedding for this month happened on Saturday. It sure was a lot of fun, and I decided to bring the camera along for some pics. I missed the mass since I was asked to play with a softball team on Saturday afternoon. I had one hit out of two at bats, plus one base on balls… not bad for someone who hasn’t picked up a bat in forever (though it’s slow-pitch softball, so I should have done better). The team won, but I was hoping to be a major contributor.

After the game, took a shower and went to the wedding… I'll post some pics later on today.

On some very exciting news, Friday the GMU Patriots happened to beat Michigan State in NCAA tournament (basketball). It’s the first time the Patriots have a win in the tournament… what’s amazing, they were also playing without their starting Point Guard, who was suspended for punching another player in the groin area… outch!!! Anyways, I was hoping the Patriots would win, but didn’t think they had a real chance (I had Mich. State winning in my picks). Unfortunately I did not see the game, but I was keeping a close eye to the scoreboard on CBS. Next on was UNC on Sunday, which is a powerhouse… so I thought, oh well, nice run for the Patriots. But somehow WE BEAT UNC!!! GMU has knocked out half of last year’s final four teams… I love it! Here are some pics of the celebration… and Wichita State is up next, who we’ve already beaten once this year. Sweet sixteen... here we come!!!

Coach Larranaga celebrating...

Pure jubilation...

Can somebody let me know how I'm doing as far as the NCAA picks goes?

On some other news, my brother was involved in a minor car accident on Friday. Apparently, he was leaving the gas station, and a Chevy Suburban his car (back door, driver side). He wasn't injured in the crash thankfully, but the car will have to be in the shop for about two weeks. The accident didn't affect him that much, he still went to his softball game afterwards... though he was really upset once he got home (and for the rest of the weekend).

Hope everybody is doing well... and enjoy the rum!

CRCP

Full week at La Licorera Nacional...

Yesterday I completed my first week at work... still feeling it out, so I'm not sure if I really like it or not. Though now I have to come in around 7 AM everyday to create some reports for Upper Mgmt, talk about getting up early... this was that time I used to get up back in USA to go over to the ARC, ah.. the good old days! And if you know me, I love to sleep in as much as possible... The one thing I am definitely loving is going home for lunch three or four times a week, it's a nice break from work, and I get to relax at home for a few minutes.

The wedding on Saturday was pretty good, not as much drunkenness as the last one, but the music lasted till 3 AM... so it was still pretty hectic. One of our friends that left the party around 1:30 AM got busted for DUI, which means he's into a bit of trouble and can't drive for a couple of days. Guess what? I have yet another wedding on the 18th... I know, I know, all my friends are getting married down here, I guess I should really keep an eye out for that special lady. In the meantime, I'll keep enjoying other people's weddings (free alcohol and those crazy wedding dresses!).

Special thanks for the call from my DC friends on Friday... nice to hear that everybody was together and enjoying the evening.

Last thing, Marnix and JD went to Miami last week, my sister stayed in London working, so here are some pics from their trip.

Alexandra (JD's sister), JD, and Marnix...

Marnix at the beach...

On some sports news, the GMU Patriots are on the bubble for the NCAA tournament... hopefully they'll make it in and have a chance to compete. Go Patriots!!!

Un fuerte abrazo para todos mis amigos... y hasta la victoria siempre!!!

CRC

First week...

So, my first week at work is officially over! I actually ended up starting on Tuesday, and not on Monday since the "company introduction" was postponed. Tuesday went pretty smoothly, since we had talks on the company, products, mission, and then a walking tour of the facilities. Wednesday wasn't that bad either, since I was shown what I'll be doing at work, at it looks interesting. Thursday wasn't the best, since I had to come in at 7:20 AM (time that I'll be there everyday), and didn't leave till 8:20... the longest day ever. Friday, well, it was Friday... and that is good. So, I think work will be good, I'll have to give it some more time to have an accurate feeling if I really like it or not, but so far, so good. One of the better benefits I was expecting was not fulfilled: we only get 3 free bottles of rum per year... that blows!!! I do get a discount if I purchase the liquor at work, but nothing significant... The one great benefit, I've been going home for lunch almost everyday, home cooking is soooooo good!

On other news, went to another wedding on Saturday, which was a lot of fun. The setting of the wedding was outdoors: a coffee plantation farm... which looked very nice. There was this one huge tree in the middle, with all the tables and dancefloor around it. Plenty of beer and rum to be had... unfortunately, there was MAJOR wind, which carried a lot of dirt. I grabbed a napkin a couple of time and cleaned my forehead and the napkin ended up black. It was quite unbearablele at a some point in the evening, but the alcohol kept us there longer than what we should have stayed. Next day, my eye was feeling a little weird, it was swollen... Monday I went to the doctor, and because of all the damn wind, I got an eye infection... great! My first day at work I looked like somebody had punched me in the face... I do have another wedding this Saturday (that's three weekends in a row), but if it's outside and windy, I'm outta there!

Anything else? Netherlands beat Ecuador in a soccer friendly, which is good, since Netherlands is the team I root for since Guatemala never makes it to the WC (I bleed orange). The World Championship of Baseball has also started, so I'll try and catch some games...

Hope everybody is doing well and watch out for Dick Cheney and his shotgun (lock and loaded).
CRCP

P.S. Another funny Late Show Top Ten...

Late Show's Top Ten Signs You're Not Going To Win An Academy Award
10. You're up against King Kong for Best Giant Money
9. Academy hates you so much, they keep putting you in the tribute to dead stars
8. All of your scenes begin with you delivering a pizza to a busty housewife
7. Best acting you did this year was telling your wife you didn't sleep with Angelina Jolie
6. You're "Guy #5" in the Paris Hilton sex tape
5. Gretzky's wife bet a grand against you
4. Your acting has been compared to Steven Segal
3. Played the coveted role of "man who gets kicked in the nuts"
2. George W. Bush has information you're going to win
1. You spent months learning to become a gay cowboy, but you're not an actor