My white band

Do you have your white band??? The 1st Global White Band Day is tomorrow!!! www.millenniumcampaign.org

Oh... I'm thankful for coffee, but today...

I went to sleep really late last night. I was working on a final portfolio for my class. I was up till 4:30 am.

I am drinking coffee... but it's not working today.
I already ignored two people... and they were talking directly to me, and there was no one else around! And I don't think the words coming out of my mouth are making any sense... And I called a friend of mine by the wrong name... and I got someone confused with another friend... and I'm having a bad hair day. BUT I'm wearing my white band!!!

Coffee isn't working, GET THE FREAKIN JUMPER CABLES!!!

The first Global White Band Day is July 1st!!!

What is the White Band?
The White Band is the international symbol to show your support for an end to global poverty. By wearing a White Band, you become part of a worldwide campaign that is rallying millions of people around the world to demand that the world leaders live up to their promises to end poverty.

Why wear a White Band?
Over the next 12 months there will be a series of landmark meetings taking place where world leaders can truly make a difference for the lives of the 1.4 billion people living on less than $1 a day. By wearing a white band, you're making a statement that you want to make poverty history!

We need everybody to take action against poverty in 2005 by wearing a white band on the global White Band Action Days.

The first Global White Band Day is on July 1st - a few days ahead of the G8 meeting in Scotland. On this key mobilization day we will be demanding that world leaders make decisions that will benefit the world's poorest people.

The other 2 Global White Band Days are Sept. 10 and Dec. 10 (you can wear the band at all times, but on these days you know there are millions that are connected to you through this effort)

The band doesn't have to be one of those that you can through a website (although they're really nice) YOU can make your own band... the point is get together and DO something.

Have you signed the ONE declaration?!

With all my love, hope and sassyness (according to some of my closest friends),
~ BG

Make Poverty History

Never before have so many people been so united. Never before could we make world leaders listen. Never again will we have this chance. In July, the UK hosts the G8 summit, a meeting of the eight most powerful leaders in the world.

Together they have the power to end poverty by committing to: Trade Justice/ Drop the Debt/ More and Better Aid

www.whiteband.org
www.one.org
www.makepovertyhistory.com
www.engagehivaids.com

Are we THAT great generation?

In full: Mandela's Poverty Speech

The full text of Nelson Mandela's speech in London's Trafalgar Square for the campaign to end poverty in the developing world.

I am privileged to be here today at the invitation of The Campaign to Make Poverty History.
As you know, I recently formally announced my retirement from public life and should really not be here.
However, as long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.
Moreover, the Global Campaign for Action Against Poverty represents such a noble cause that we could not decline the invitation.

'Prison of poverty'

Massive poverty and obscene inequality are such terrible scourges of our times - times in which the world boasts breathtaking advances in science, technology, industry and wealth accumulation - that they have to rank alongside slavery and apartheid as social evils.
The Global Campaign for Action Against Poverty can take its place as a public movement alongside the movement to abolish slavery and the international solidarity against apartheid.
And I can never thank the people of Britain enough for their support through those days of the struggle against apartheid. Many stood in solidarity with us, just a few yards from this spot.

In 2005, there is a unique opportunity for making an impact

Through your will and passion, you assisted in consigning that evil system forever to history. But in this new century, millions of people in the world's poorest countries remain imprisoned, enslaved, and in chains.
They are trapped in the prison of poverty. It is time to set them free.
Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.
And overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life.
While poverty persists, there is no true freedom.

Trade justice

The steps that are needed from the developed nations are clear. The first is ensuring trade justice.
I have said before that trade justice is a truly meaningful way for the developed countries to show commitment to bringing about an end to global poverty.
The second is an end to the debt crisis for the poorest countries. The third is to deliver much more aid and make sure it is of the highest quality.
In 2005, there is a unique opportunity for making an impact.
In September, world leaders will gather in New York to measure progress since they made the Millennium Declaration in the year 2000.

Do not look the other way; do not hesitate... Act with courage and vision

That declaration promised to halve extreme poverty.
But at the moment, the promise is falling tragically behind. Those leaders must now honour their promises to the world's poorest citizens.
Tomorrow, here in London, the G7 finance ministers can make a significant beginning. I am happy to have been invited to meet with them.
The G8 leaders, when they meet in Scotland in July, have already promised to focus on the issue of poverty, especially in Africa.
I say to all those leaders: do not look the other way; do not hesitate. Recognise that the world is hungry for action, not words. Act with courage and vision.

Call to generation

I am proud to wear the symbol of this global call to action in 2005. This white band is from my country.
In a moment, I want to give this band to you - young people of Britain - and ask you to take it forward along with millions of others to the G8 summit in July.
I entrust it to you. I will be watching with anticipation.
We thank you for coming here today. Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.
Of course the task will not be easy. But not to do this would be a crime against humanity, against which I ask all humanity now to rise up.
Make Poverty History in 2005. Make History in 2005. Then we can all stand with our heads held high.
Thank you.

BBC NEWS

The Vision

"Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great... do not look the other way. The world is hungry for actions, not words."
~ Nelson Mandela

At 1 in the morning?!

Last night when my mom came back from work I was still up doing stuff. I showed her the pictures I uploaded to the Yahoo gallery and she said she liked them.
I said "I want to paint" and she opened her eyes real big and said "RIGHT NOW?!" I laughed and said "No, but I want to paint with oils, and that's complicated here in the house" she got quiet for a moment and then said "Me gusta que pintés."

On another note, today... One of Berthito's headlights was attached back to Berthito with crazy glue. YES! pega loca, señores! Not duct tape or anything else... PEGA LOCA, it is!!! :) I thought it was funny :D
Note: Berthito is my blue Ford Taurus '88

I talked to my papi :)

I called my papi today and he was at the house. He told me everything that my brothers couldn't tell me (how frustrating was that!). He didn't have surgery because the cardiologist said it couldn't be done (he has something in the gallbladder, and that's what he needs done right away) until he gets his heart surgery. It's complicated. In great part the complications come from the faulty Salvadoran medical system... pathetic. So sad.
My pa will have to wait till mid-July to get his heart surgery and then he will be able to get his gallbladder surgery done. It pisses me off that he has to go through such a long wait... and I get even angrier when I realize that he is not the only one in that situation.
Thousands of people die every year in El Salvador because they cannot afford decent medical service, and the public medical system is just a bad joke.

It was nice to talk to my papi, though. It was nice to hear his voice. We talked for a while and he told me about his life and how my brothers are doing. He told me not to worry for him. He asked me about my mom and my sister. He told me to say hello to them. He asked me about my trip to Washington and I could tell that he smiled when I said I loved the city. He told me that my cousins and tia Maya live in Washington and I told him that I forgot to call them while I was there. He asked me what I did over there and I told him about the whole thing... we talked about art. We can talk about art and I like it. I like when I find someone that likes to talk about things I like... My dad is one of my favorite conversation buddies.
He said that he saw the pictures of some of my paintings and he said, "I loved the colors! The oranges and yellows... they're so alive. You have Van Gogh colors." I smiled. He told me to "reserve" a painting for him and then he clarified: "A real painting! Not just a picture of a painting! I want you to send me a painting with the next relative that comes to El Salvador." I said "Si hombe!!! Por supuesto!"

The thing is, though, I'd like him to see all my paintings in person.

I uploaded some not-so-good pictures of the paintings to the Yahoo gallery. I need to see if I can get someone with a good camera to help me with that. I sent the link to my dad so he can see those pics.

But still, I wish...

Finally!

I just called my dad's home and I talked to my little brother (2 months younger) and he could finally tell me something. He said that my dad is in the hospital, he has been there since Wednesday; but he hasn't had the surgery yet. They needed to check that everything that they'll do will not mess up my dad even more (And that's my scientific terminology). So the surgery will actually be tomorrow.

3/4 de nada

I've been in a funk today... most of the day.

Aun no sé nada de mi papi... y eso me ha tenido mal todo el día: Se me olvidan las cosas, más de lo usual. He ofendido a varios, incluyendo a mi hermana. He dicho cosas que... son trash.
En días como éste no debería de hablarle a nadie, no debería de tratar de ignorar lo que realmente me preocupa. A veces es bueno darse tiempo para tratar con situaciones personales, pero cuánto me cuesta hacer eso. Siempre trato de sonreir, porque los demás no deberían preocuparse por cosas que no son más que problemas personales que pueden ser resueltos con un poco de tiempo. (Tengo que pedirle perdón a mi hermana, otra vez, porque siento que no me perdonó hace dos horas cuando le dije que sentía mucho lo que le dije).

Recibi buenas noticias, vi a algunos amigos, hice cosas que tenia que hacer, hice cosas que quería hacer, me compré un cafecito que queria... pero oh my... I've been gone all day. Gone to where I really want to be. Le voy a hablar a mi pa.
And I just remembered today's "el día del padre".

"Tres cuartos de nada, las manos vacias... tres cuartos de nada, desechos de un verso, un barco sin puerto, un puerto sin mar...
Y tú no sabes lo que el mundo daría por un poco de ti. Un poco de ti, nada en concreto... un poco. Una palabra, un verso..."

The right place?!

Suddently, I feel like I need to write... I just need to write.
I called my dad's house in El Salvador to see if he was already home after the surgery, and my little brother answered the phone. He didn't know anything. I asked how my dad was and my bro said that he didn't know; that he had planned going to the hospital with my big bro, but when he got home my big bro was already gone. I feel... I don't know how I feel. I wish I could be over there with my papi. How can they care so little?! I remember last time my dad had surgery... it was open heart... he had something done (a bypass I think) about seven years ago... and I remember being at the hospital with him the night before the surgery and laughing at some silly joke (as always... we're so goofy). And then the next thing I remember is waiting for the doctor to come and tell us how it all had gone... and then I recall seeing my dad after the surgery... he looked so... fragile.

I wish I was with him now. But there is not really anything I can do but wait here... and guess what time my big bro might get home, so I can call and find out how are things.
I'm just waiting here, for someone to tell me anything. How pathetic. How useless. I wish I could be with him.

A prayer

Dear God,
Please take care of my papi at this moment. I know he had surgery today, please help him recover fast. Help my brothers take care of him, and provide him with anything he needs. Thank you for his life. Thank you for giving him to me.

Click on the pic

Here's a piece of my room... my walls are full of pictures, posters, paintings, and a lot of important stuff that might be consider "trash" by others (some of these individuals are related to me).

Oh... such a great day!

Today, the weather was perfect!!! And that's not something I get to say very often in Arkansas... the sun was shining and it was about 70 degrees. Mmmmmmm... rico!
I had a test on JOUR. I laughed a lot. I got some pictures/posters of a movie I've never heard about (The Mystery of Picasso?). I got to see some of my friends. I was told that a story I wrote for a class was "just sooo good"... so I'll probably be writing for the school newspaper next year. I've had "Suena como Mozart" in my head all day, which is ok. I'm reading stuff for school (official business, dear). It's not over yet :)

This is life. Lots of things... like every day. Life is fun... when we make it fun. It's always a great day when you're alive. So let the world see your light...

P.S. Life is life. Sht happens. Sht like having your best friend in a different country... so far and yet so near. I miss you Pau :'( So let's fulfill our purpose in this world (meaning: let's make an impact) so we can get to share routines once again.

"Suena como Mozart" de Rucks-Parker

yo quisiera decir lo siento
más la verdad no siento nada
más que musica a lo lejos
en una tarde oxidada

nada que ver en la tele
tu recuerdo que me duele
filosofia en pañales
la esperanza que si llueve

talvez logre acostumbrar mi vista al tanto
talvez logre descubrir que estoy buscando

con esmero me remito
una carta a mi mismo
para ver que tal me siento
en el peor de mis cinismos

se que mis infiernos son tus paraisos (lo se)
se que estoy parado al borde de tu abismo

pero no voy a lanzarme
porque tengo mis gendarmes
con violines y trompetas
y la musica que llega
a mi me suena como mozart
a mi me suena como mozart
en mi mente suena como mozart
a veces suena como mozart

tu universo tiene seis metros cuadrados
tu mundo cabe en la palma de mi mano
porque no, no me interesan
tus rincones y tus tretas
solamente tengo en mente lo que tocan en la orquesta

y es que suena como mozart
a mi me suena como mozart
en mi mente suena como mozart
a veces suena como mozart

me quiero mucho
me quiero a mi mismo
por eso no voy a lanzarme a tu avismo

no voy a lanzarme
porque tengo mis gendarmes
con violines y trompetas
y la musica que llega
a mi me suena como mozart
a mi me suena como mozart
en mi mente suena como mozart
a veces suena como mozart
casi siempre!

NOTE: Man... this is such a great song!

Vincent's magic

What can I say? I love art... I don't know why or when it all started.
All I know is that I find magic in it. Feeds my soul...

And when I paint, or draw, or write... it's magical.

The first Van Gogh I saw

I was at the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art, and I went to the Tolouse-Lautrec and Mortmartre exhibit. I was just walking around, with this great feeling in my heart (I was so excited!) and I looked to my left (always) and I saw "Agostina Segatori in the Café du Tambourin".
I had to take a moment... Van Gogh is my favorite artist and I had never had the opportunity to see one of his paintings... and there I was, standig in front of one.

Meant the world to me.

New places, new faces

I just came back from Washington D.C.
I went to the 2005 AAUW National Conference for College Women Student Leaders. The conference was great, I met new friends and learned some new things. Now when someone asks me "what time is it?" I will want to say "ZING! time" with the funny gesture... I'll probably say that once or twice... just for the kicks!
It was my first time in D.C. and I loved it... I loved everything about it and didn't want to come back to quiet-Arkansas. I miss city things like buses and noise... everything brought back memories from home. I even wrote a couple of poems (in Spanish). I remembered how it was like to see Latinos all around me.
We did a lot of the must-do for tourists, we saw must of the must-see. And I have to admit that after the National Gallery of Art, I wasn't really interested in much more... I got to see some Van Gogh originals and OMG, even now that I'm recalling the moments my heart is beating faster and I can't help but smile!
Of course, there is much more to tell about the trip. But it'll have to be later, because I'm very tired.

I'd love to live in D.C.