For Colombians living in Canada: Starting June 30th, Air Canada will have 3 weekly direct flights Toronto-Bogotá (Wed, Fri, Sun) and Bogotá-Toronto (Thu, Sat, Mon). The flight is 6:25 hours long and there’s a special promotion for people who will fly between June 30th and August 30th. Now, this is absolutely wonderful news! It means no more layovers at US airports, not freaking paranoia, no freaking fear! Canada and Colombia connected, at last! Way to go! More information at the Air Canada website (kind of old news, but I just found out today, through the Colombian Consulate newsletter).

When I first used a computer connected to the internet, the first site I visited was Yahoo! My first e-mail account was in Yahoo! Mail (I still use it as my personal e-mail service). The first messenger service I used was Yahoo! Messenger and I manage my Calendar via Yahoo!. It’s Yahoo! love all the way for me, I’ve been faithful to the red Y! for a long time. Now they have this really cool messenger BETA version with Launch (their music service) incorporated, the new smilies are too cute and the whole look is awesome. I’m now listening to the Adult Alternative station, Michelle Branch is singing “Are You Happy Now?” and I’m falling in love with Yahoo! all over again.

OMG! Being an Amazon Associate really pays, yikes! I just received a Gift Certificate for $12.29, which is not much, but it’s great for me! I have no idea how this happened, but I guess some people have bought items through the links I’ve provided on the different pages I have on my site with Amazon items. This is just too cool! Now I have to think what I want to get, w00t! (Hey Babs, do you think I should get the Girlosophy Oracle? Heh!) — DONE!

Patrice had an appointment with the doctor today and I couldn’t go with him because my stomach decided to start acting funky in the middle of the afternoon. Funky is really a nice wayt to put it… what I went through was awful enough to make me want to cry, ha ha! TMI? Oh well! I also had to miss my first freedom evening with Elisa because I thought it was not fair that I didn’t go to the medical appointment with Patrice, and then I would say I had the energy to go out and have fun? I don’t think so. Plus, the TV is hogged tonight with the Habs (who are losing, so bye-bye, Stanley Cup) and there wasn’t a chance for us to catch a chick flick on DVD.

Anyway, Patrice got the results from his last blood work and everything is fine, except for the fact that his uric acid is higher than normal and now he has to go on a low purine diet. He’s freaking out, like any other man who’s been told they have a health condition, but I told him not to worry… I’ve had this and that during my life, I’m not dead yet. I just found some useful info for him and now it’s time to tell him to get a grip, stop being a baby and think positive. After all, it’s not serious and it can be treated. I have to admit I was a little bit nervous, but I’m relieved it’s really nothing that cannot be fixed.

Yes, my country hurts, every day, ravaged by violence, but we don’t lose hope. It just hurts a little bit more when you have have to see tragedies like this, where a school bus was crushed by a bulldozer and 21 children died. School children, innocent children. Any death is terrible, but with a child… that’s another thing. The suffering, the sorrow, the feeling of impotence that goes through their parents hearts; I know so much about it… images from my brother’s death at 17 pass in front my eyes and I can see my parents coming home again after the funeral. I’m thinking of each one of the parents who lost a child in this tragedy, and my heart aches, for my country, for the people. But hope raises, yes it does. [News found via Camilo]

The coverage in the Colombian newspapers and the images on TV are heart-breaking. The list of dead children is just too much to bear, but I’m glad I could leave a message of sympathy for the families who are suffering. One wonders why, but my mom always taught me not to ask why… Faith is what keeps us going on.

I’ve seen this literally everywhere… Fun.

1. What year was the best year of your life?
There have been many years of happiness in my life. I especially remember 1988-1989, the year of transition between childhood and my teenage years. We had a wonderful group of friends, I fell in love for the first time and life was total bliss. 1999 is close to it in importance, I met Patrice, I moved to Canada and my life changed after spending many years in Depressionland. And 2004 is turning out very good as well.

2. One animal or insect that Noah should have left off the ark?
Snakes. Seriously… I don’t know why evolution had to throw such disgusting creatures on the face of the earth (the herpetologists will have to excuse me!). Scorpions too should be banned, they are scary! (Not Scorpios, though!)

3. Do you make a wish before blowing out your birthday candles?
Nope. I should, huh?

4. Do you generally open your bills on the day that you receive them?
Usually, yes. And we pay them right away (we try). Thank God for that.

5. How many pillows are on your bed?
Four. Two for each.

6. Favorite ice cream flavor?
Ventolini’s Crocante. That’s Colombian ice cream.

7. What is the most dominate color in your wardrobe?
Blue, but I’m trying earth tones and reds these days.

8. Have you ever seen a ghost?
Oh God, no! I would faint.

9. Would you rather go to a carnival or circus?
Carnivals are more interactive, more fun.

10. Favorite meal: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Breakfast, all the way!

11. Your favorite fictional animal?
Does Snoopy count? Then it’s Snoopy, because I love Beagles.

12. Have you ever flown first-class?
Yes, when I came to Canada. Mmmm… Croissants…

13. Would you go on a reality show?
I despise reality shows… DESPISE them!

14. Are you more optimistic or pessimistic about the future?
Optimistic, I’m an optimistic. Life can be good!

15. Pancakes or waffles?
Pancakes, made by Patrice.

16. If you could own a home anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Anywhere in the UK / Ireland

17. Your favorite Soup of the Day?
Sopa de Patacones, made by grandma.

18. What site is a must see for all visitors to your city?
The Botanical Garden/Parc Olympique/Biodôme complex.

19. Can you recommend a good restaurant in your city?
Ty-Breizz… Yum! So French!

20. You go to the zoo; What is the one animal that you want to see?
Otters, I love otters. I don’t like Zoos, though.

21. Potatoes, rice, or pasta; Which is your favorite?
I have to go with the potatoes. Mashed.

22. What is the best movie that you’ve seen this year?
Love Actually, heh! I think I made that clear already.

23. One of your favorite books when you were a child?
“Corazón” by Edmondo d’Amici.

24. What in your life are you most grateful for?
Every single blessing and every single pain that helps me grow.

25. You are home alone and use the bathroom; do you close the door?
Yes, I always close the door. Well, almost.

26. What is your favorite small appliance?
I like my Black & Decker mini-chopper.

27. Salty snacks or sweet treats?
Salty, mostly.

28. Are you usually a little early, a little late, or right on time?
A little early. HATE to be late! I’m daddy’s girl.

29. What is the most daring thing that you have ever done?
Moving to a new country and acquiring a whole new culture? Yikes!

30. Have you ever met someone famous?
Yes, a few Colombian actors that happened to be friends with someone I knew.

31. What was one of your favorite games as a child?
Barbie Nah… Errr… I liked Life and Uno.

32. At what age have you looked your best?
Oh God… how can I know? Never? LOL — People say that I’m more beautiful since I got married, but I’m not that cocky. Must be all this happiness.

33. One person that never fails to make you laugh?
My brother Jaime. He’s marvelous! Best joke teller, ever!

34. What was the first music that you ever bought?
Hah! Enrique y Ana, when I was a little girl. And Menudo!

35. If you could change one thing about your family life when you were a child, what would it be?
The death of my brother at 17. That was just SO wrong… SO wrong…

36. What is the one thing that you cook that always receives compliments?
My “Cazuela de Pollo”. Oh, and the fríjoles.

37. From what news source do you receive the bulk of your news?
Google News, on the internet. LCN and CTV News, on TV.

38. In the last calendar year, how many people have you told that you love them?
Not enough people. I’m too shy… Have to work on that one.

39. Who recieved your first kiss?
That’d be Jorge Correa, my first serious boyfriend. Before that it was just the spinning bottle game. It doesn’t count.

40. The single most important quality in a mate?
Honesty.

41. What do you value most in a relationship?
The ability to laugh, no matter what.

42. Do you believe that you have a soulmate? If yes, have you already met?
I believe I have different soul mates, people I connect strongly with.

43. Do you consider yourself well organized?
Err… I have my moments.

44. On average, how many times a day do you look at yourself in the mirror?
Ewww… Why would I want to ruin my day that way? LOL

45. Did you ever make a prank phone call?
Thousands! Well, I’m exaggerating. Many.

46. What one quality do you seek in a friend?
Loyalty.

47. Have you ever killed an animal?
Bugs… quite a lot. And I ran over a dog once, but I didn’t kill it… whew!

48. When you were twelve years old, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A Biologist Seriously.

49. Do you believe in an afterlife?
Yes, I do. My daddy is waiting for me!

50. What would you like to accomplish with the remaining years of your life?
Getting my degree, work as a Biologist, have a child, buy a house… Things like that.

Am I getting annoying with the whole “Love Actually” issue? Well, take this one… I’m blogging about the movie again. Last night I watched the Deleted Scenes included in the DVD and have just one little thought to share: I’m not a prude or anything and I certainly didn’t mind the naked couple story, but after seeing what they had to cut in order to make the movie of a normal length, I think they could’ve just forgotten all about them and include more of the Liam Nesson story, especially when he mimics Scott Walker. You HAVE to see this deleted scene… It’s lovely Right. Ahhh… Britain…

Hate me all you want, I’m a spoiled little brat with a husband that doesn’t help the situation when he comes home from work after stopping to buy a little gift for me. Oh well, he likes it too, so that makes two spoiled brats living in this household. Now excuse me, time to watch the “Love Actually” deleted scenes. And I want to dance with Hugh Grant as well, heh!