Feliz Dia de Madre + Plenty of Pics...

I finally got paid this past Thursday… woohoo! I was starting to get a bit worried there, since I had put quite a bit of money from my own pocket for traveling, hotels, and other expenses, and had not gotten paid one cent from work. The transfer finally arrived on Thursday afternoon, good to have some funds in my bank account.

Feliz Dia de la Madre to all your motherf.... anyway, happy dall to all! So most people I know celebrated mother's day last week. Here in Guatemala the celebration always takes place on May 10th, and in the US it's the second Sunday of the month of May (in London it was about two months or so, crazy brits). Anyways, for Mother’s day we gave my mom a few gifts and took her out to lunch with her two favorite (and only) sons.

Carlos, Mom, Rodolfo...

On Tuesday I was supposed to go see Spiderman 3 with some friends, but because it was planned last minute, I didn’t have a car and couldn’t get there. I sorta feel like a teenager again having to ask my mom for the car, or seeing if one of my friends is willing to pick me up. Hopefully I’ll get my car by the end of this week.

Friday I had my basketball game, which finished early as one of the opposing team players wanted to kick the referee’s ass. The game was pretty much over by then, so I have no clue why that player just went “postal.” Afterwards, I met up with my cousin and some friends at Soho for some drinks, and called it a night.

Saturday we went out to lunch to Sangre in Antigua, really good place for wines, cheeses, and appetizers (I say appetizers, since the portions of the entrees served are really small). The place was very chill, as we sat outdoors and enjoyed the day. Afterwards, we stopped by for some coffee (I had hot cocoa, don’t like coffee taste), and then stopped by Monoloco and finishe the night of at La Sala.

Carlos R. Cruz, Lucky, Margit, and Carlos H.

My bartender / model friend Zac showing off his new hairdo... nice highlights!

Ok, so I got recently got these pics (from Allison and Pete) that are a couple of months old... though some were of some really scenic places, other were pretty hilarious. Fun times were had in Antigua with my friends...

Are you ready for some Karaoke? Kevin, Jud, Carlos, Luke, Erin, Arnour (sp?)

I was really into this song... hope the patrons didn't suffer too much. Na, na, na, na, na....hey Jude!

On some nights, Bobs fall from the sky in Antigua... watch out! Weird meterological event... thankfully it only happens once or twice a year. This is actually the "event" I was referring to in this blog back on Feb 14th.

Monoloco bar dancing: Luke, Zac, Pete, and Victor... I'm just sitting there, enjoying my beer.

Today, Tuesday, another very good friend from Ecuador / US left Antigua... Carolina, we're gonna miss you so much! Who's gonna be my dancing partner now? Who is gonna climb those easy volcanoes with me? Wish you all the best... Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars!

Breakfast Club: Bob, Carolina, Hugo, and Carlos. Our last breakfast together in some time.

This week I’ll be in Honduras Wednesday through Friday (for work), so if you’re gonna be in the area, let me know so that we can meet up.

Mahalo,
CRCP

P.S. - Pete and Allison, Luke and Andrea... HOW ARE U GUYS!?!?

Mayday!?!?!?

Howzit? So it’s been about three weeks since my car crash, and it’s not been easy times. It is really hard to get adjusted to not having a car when you’re accustomed to having one, especially down here where mass transit isn’t as organized as DC or other big cities. I’ve had a couple of work meetings where I’ve managed to coordinate with either my mom or my brother to borrow their car for awhile, but I hate not having the freedom to leave or come as I please. Thankfully I do work from home, so getting to work hasn’t really been a problem… hehe.

Speaking of work, kinda bummed out I still haven’t gotten paid by them. I was supposed to get paid on May 1st, but I haven’t received any money yet. I did send an e-mail to the HR people asking them what was going on, but I have not received a response yet. I know that because it’s an international wire transfer it might take a bit longer in the beginning, but with all the expenses I’ve had to cover (hotels, airplane tix, etc), this is ridiculous. No money, no honey!

As far as personal life, again, not having a car has limited my outings… Two Fridays ago I did manage to go to Antigua, as Estuardo was heading down there because Marianna had a gig down there (so they were nice enough to pick me up). We had dinner at Monoloco, met up with Bob, Kevin, and Adan; and watched the Warriors crush the Mavs in the NBA playoffs. On Monday, one of my former coworkers as La Licorera was having his going away party at La Galla in Antigua, and since he lives about 4 blocks away from me, he picked me up and we headed down. They had brought a bottle of XL, one of Zacapa, one of Botran 12 años, and one of tequila… lotta liquor. They stayed at La Galla, but throughout the night I was walking to Monoloco as well, since I had some friends there. We actually did have a bite to eat at La Galla, and ended the night with some tacos around 2PM (after hitting the afterparty for a bit). Marianna was actually in town, and we ended up giving her a ride back to the city, with Estuardo picking her up at my house.

What else? We played futbol (that’s soccer for you Americans) with a bunch of my cousins last week, which was quite a workout (I’ve haven’t been going to the gym, no car to get there). Even though my futbol skills aren’t the best, I did manage to score 3 goals in the two matches. Also had a basketball game on this past Friday, which we managed to win even though we were only 5 players for most of the game (one dude got hurt in the beginning of the 2nd quarter). This past Friday I had dinner with friends at Tapa’s y Cañas (Spanish food place) and on Saturday went down to Antigua to meet up with some friends.

Liz and Carlos chilling in Antigua..

Finally, I’ve gotta ask what’s going on the web with all the network / people internet sites popping all over the place. About 5 years ago, I was on the tickle.com, since a friend invited me to join (which I did, but never got really into it). Then it seemed like blogging was in (and it’s what I enjoy), but now there’s also myspace, facebook, hi5, and so on (or what about e-harmony? I freaking hate those commercials). I enjoy keeping up with friends, and different people want me to join different sites, but I think blogging is what I’m gonna stick with for now.

Later,
CRCP

P.S. - Hope the knee is doing better Will… just keep on sporting that wicked brace!
P.S. II - This is Carolina’s last week in Guatemala, she’ll be leaving us as well! Good luck Carolina and keep in touch! By the way, I still have your sunglasses…
P.S. III - Arsenal tied Chelsea on Sunday, so Man U won the Premiership…

Late Show’s Top Ten Surprises in “Spider-Man 3”

10. Spider-Man must stop an angry, unemployed Rosie O'Donnell
9. Because of promotional tie-in, instead of webbing, shoots Mountain Dew
8. Spider-Man's secret identity is leaked by Dick Cheney
7. New black costume comes with matching pumps and handbag
6. Crime rises while Spider-Man is home enjoying Late Show Impressionist Week 2
5. Plot centers around the intense negotiations surrounding "Spider-Man 4"
4. Spider-Man passes out after forgetting to punch airhole in new mask
3. The professor can make a radio out of a coconut, but he can't build a raft to get them off the island
2. Well, the ending where Spidey dies was kind of surprising
1. "Tingly spider sense" a result of an intimate encounter with Paris Hilton