trying to get back

IMG_4491.JPG, originally uploaded by MataMedia.

It's been almost 5 months since I left the beautiful Islands of the Philippines. It was my first visit since I was born there some 35+ years ago and it was definitely a sort of homecoming. I remember the feeling of coming home when the plane touched down and the empty feeling I had in my heart as my plane left the earth to come back.

I said to myself that I will be back. When I was floating alone in the Twin Lagoon in Palawan, I looked up at the limestone cliffs and was really at peace. I felt really close to God as I asked him "what do I do now?" And a few minutes later my answer came to me, surprisingly. It was a beautiful sign and my life will never be the same again.

Since then I have been longing to go back. I truly loved being there. I definitely left my heart there and it will probably stay there forever. So now, I must go back... go back.... to a place I love. Going back to my love.

My Philippines

Voice of a Mountain

Voice of a Mountain, originally uploaded by MataMedia.

I took Chloe to see this documentary film at a really cool cafe Star Lounge in Chicago on Friday July 18, 2008. It is a well done documentary on the struggles of Guatamalan people after 36 years of civil war. I admire my friends for their dedicated work for the Guatamalan people and working class people all over the world. Please support their fair trade goods store Maya Essence in Chicago.

Maya Essence
4357 N. Lincoln Ave
Chicago, Il. 60618

"Voice of a Mountain" directed by Tyler Rumph and Michael Field The world premiere public screening of A documentary about life after the 36 year civil war in Guatemala. ..:: El estreno del documental "Voz de una Montaña" que trata sobre la vida despues de los 36 años de guerra civil en Guatemala. ::....

Also, we will be featuring a short film by Documigrante
Tambien presentaremos un corto-metraje --- Willy Barreno
www.voiceofamountain.com
Presented by: Casa Guatemala, M.I.G.U.A., and Maya Essence

Voice of a Mountain is a documentary of the lives of rural Guatemalan coffee farmers who took up arms against their government in a civil war that lasted 36 years. This film explores Guatemala's dark history from the perspective of those who saw armed revolution as their only hope for change in a nation suppressed by years of poverty and dictatorship. Ex-combatants talk about the reality of the country that led to their involvement in the war, and the response of genocide from the Guatemalan government against it's people.

El documental "La voz de la montaña" es la historia de la vida de unos campesinos cafetaleros que tomaron las armas en contra el gobierno en una guerra civil que duro 36 años. Este documental explora la oscura historia desde la pespectiva de aquellos que vieron la revolución armada como la unica esperanza para erradicar la pobreza bajo años de dictaduras militares. Los excombatientes hablan sobre la cruda realidad de un país y que los llevó a involucrarse en la guerra , y la respuesta del genocidio de parte del gobierno de Guatemala en contra de su gente.

moving along

DSC_7977, originally uploaded by MataMedia.

I have spent 8 months in my Park Ridge apartment and I have finally said goodbye to it. When I first saw it, I said "this must be the place". And it was my place, my haven, my office, my kids' hotel, my playpen, my jail cell, my solace, my own. I did a lot of growing and self-reflection in that short time there and I will miss it, but it's time to move on. Places.... places I will always remember. My places remind me of a time in my life, when things are good, when things are bad. Now my future awaits in a new place. Home will be wherever I make it now.

Summer Song

Jason Mraz - I'm Yours

This song and this video epitomizes my ideology this summer. It's quite optimistic and the video is filled with beautiful imagery that seem very familiar to me as of two and half months ago. This past winter was really long, cold, and difficult and everytime I see this video, it just makes me smile and think of summer. After what I've been going through, I really needed this. Thanks V, for sending me the link :)

B is for Bunso. B is for Bella.

IMG_1456, originally uploaded by MataMedia.

bunso: buns´o' n., youngest in the family

I love this photo of my little Bella. We were at Borders in Uptown when she saw the huge "B" on the building across the street. I love the way she is silhouetted and has her hand on the window, looking out. These small moments with my child seem insignificant, yet they will be the ones that will remain in my memory forever.

Soon, my bunso will be grown up and will leave me to be out on her own. But I will remember her being this small. She is so funny, so sweet, so pretty, so genuine, so happy. It's that magical time in your life when you are truly free. Kids are only young once and if I miss this, I may never have chances like this again with my child.

Thanks Bella. :D