And so I’m back to diary-style blogging…thanks, but no thanks, to the unreliable internet connection here in Mazabuka.:P

Anyway, this was how my 14th month in Zambia went:

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7th June: Independence Day Celebration in Lusaka

This is the second straight year that I have celebrated the Philippine Independence Day outside of my country. Last year, the festivities were hosted by the Filipino community in Kitwe. This year, the gathering was held in Lusaka.

True to form, the celebration had all the ingredients of a Filipino feast—traditional dances (interspersed with crazy, humorous ones), all-out videoke jamming, wacky parlor games, flowing beer, various native dishes, Pinoy jokes, and even a celebration of the Holy Mass the day after. Kumpletos recados, as they would say.

You can take the Filipino out of the Philippines, but you can’t take the Philippines out of the Filipino.

11th June: Tragedy

Today is probably one of the coldest days in Mazabuka in 2008 thus far, at 14 degrees Celsius during mid-day.

It just got colder as I read about the tragedy that has befallen the family of my former director and dear friend, OJ.

What sort of animals would hogtie, stab, and commit arson on elderly people and a 3-year old child? In fact, what sort of sane person would think of doing that to any human being?

I’m still going about my tasks for the day—attending meetings and rushing reports. But deep down, I feel frozen to the core.

And no, it’s not because of the winter breeze in Mazabuka.

13th June: A Wedding and A Funeral

Another one of the Council’s men have fallen down. The remains of M, the former driver of the Town Clerk has been laid to rest today. I really appreciated this guy. He was a hardworking and gentle man. And yet, for months now, he has been very, very sick. Of what? “Only the doctor knows,” some people would say. But of course everyone knows what the culprit is—a.k.a. “that disease that no one here dares to name” (hence, I call it “The Lord Voldemort” of diseases). Ahh, AIDS…how many more lives will you claim?

Back in RP, however, there is happier news. AnJan has really, irrevocably taken the plunge! I’m soooo happy for them. I regret not being able to attend their Big Day though. Aside from the fact that I adore the couple, their wedding—from the proposal, to the invites, to the details of the preparation, to the actual nuptials—seems to be one of the coolest, most creative, and most joyous ones that was ever celebrated in recent years.

Congratulations and best wishes to AnJan! May your married life be as beautiful and grace-filled as your wedding day!

19th June: The Celtics are Champs once more!

Hurray for the Boston Celtics—the first team that I ever rooted for in the NBA! I remember myself as an innocent (and a bit odd) grade schooler in the mid-1980s who preferred spending Saturday afternoons watching NBA highlights in GMA (courtesy of “The Dean” Quinito Henson) to playing piko or Chinese garter with kids in our neighbourhood. In particular, I would be religiously watching the games involving the Boston Celtics and the LA Lakers. I have always loved a good rivalry, especially when the flag bearers of the teams are as classy as Larry Bird (Celtics #33) and Magic Johnson (Lakers #32).

However, while I admired Magic, I was a huge fan of Larry Bird and his Celtics. Bird’s work ethic and team play, more than anything else, impressed my young basketball junkie self. I recall even being thrilled when, in school, I would be assigned “Class No. 33” (i.e., the 33rd student in my section)—to represent Bird’s jersey number. Truth be told, though, I was really hoping to be assigned ”Class No. 44”, akin to my PBA Idol Jerry Codinera’s number. Harhar. That, however, was a bit far-fetched, since our class size was not that big anyway. Tough luck.:)

Fast-forward to 2008. It was quite nostalgic learning that the Lakers and the Celtics were facing off again after such a long time. I haven’t been religiously following the NBA these past years (especially this last year that I’ve spent in Africa), but I felt instantly drawn to this championship series that was bound to be a classic. The cast was different from two decades ago, of course. The feel of the game was different too. This time, it was Pierce and Kevin Garnett’s team versus Kobe Bryant’s five. (Actually, from accounts of the game, it was the entire Boston team versus Kobe. Period.) Yet, there was still that same air of excitement and a sense of being part of something big, something phenomenal.

And in the end, after a looong title drought, the Celtics are back as NBA champs, proving that team play is still more valuable than a series of blockbuster performances from one supremely talented player.

Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and the great Celtics of the past must be very, very proud.:)

23rd June: Something to Look Forward To

It’s been crazy hectic again at work these past few weeks. It’s only the first day of the week today, yet I feel very tired already from trying to put in order several projects in record time.

The good thing though is that I am rushing things for a reason. On Thursday, I will be heading for South Africa for a brief holiday with my US-based aunts who are visiting their friend in that part of this continent. So yeah, it would really be a welcome break from the toil and moil of Mazabuka. Indeed, it is something worth looking forward to and beating deadlines for.

And when I come back to Mazabuka six days after, there will be another big thing to be happy about…the beginning of UAAP Season 71! Can’t hardly wait!!!