Pois é....
À segunda... não foi de vez....
A minha aula de Espanhol está enguiçada....
Cheguei a porta da Escola e.... a Escola está fechada porque é o dia da comunidade francofona na Bélgica?!?!?!?
E não avisam que um dia que não é feriado... se fecha a escola
Próxima situação: dia da espiga... dia de S. Martinho and so on.....
Mas o dia começou mais cedo.. estava no trabalho e recebi uma chamada...
André queres ir a uma sessão Budista hoje....
E eu... eh pa não dá bla bla... aula de espanhol etc....
Depois de deparar com a porta fechada... resolvi perguntar...a proposta esta de pe ainda?
Claro... queres vir?
E eu Sure!
E lá fui à minha primeira sessão de Budismo....
Devo dizer que foi bastante ineteressante.... era uma sessão para newcomers.. por isso mais Q&As..... muitas perguntas, experiências partilhadas... discussão.... uma ambiente muito relaxado.... com direito a explicações... passou mais de uma hora como se fossem 2 minutos.... o edificio estava a fechar... tivemos que ir embora... tudo num ambiente muito relaxado e descontraido.
Para o próximo mês há mais uam sessaõ como esta....
E estou a pensar voltar... alguém mais quer vir?
Por isso não houve espanhol mas houve Budismo!!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Como descongelar o Congelador ou a Odisseia da Mente...
André´s way...para tirar o gelo do descongelador:
- desligar o frigorifico
- não tirar a comida
- voltar a ligar no dia seguinte
Resultado: não há gelo.... mas há comida.... impropria....
The way!!:
Desligar o congelador
Colocar a comida dentro de uma geladeira portatil, saco de supermedado especial para congelados ou num lavatorio cheio de gelo (o descongelamento nao deve demorar muito tempo)
Retirar gelo do compartimento. Isto pode ser feito das seguintes formas:
a) Deixar a porta aberta ate o gelo derreter - menos rapida
b) Utilizar um secador de cabelo - mais rapida
c) Colocar uma panela de agua a ferver dentro do compartimento e fechar a porta (de tempos a tempos re-aquecer a agua) - mais mais rapida
Apanhar a agua que vai derretendo com um pano de cozinha e/ou alguidar
Utilizar uma esponja e agua quente para limpar completamente o congelador quando a o gelo estiver completamente derretido.
Ligar de novo o congelador e esperar 10 a 15 minutos antes de voltar a colocar a comida.
Conselhos uteis: Nao usar detergentes
Atencao:
Nunca utilizar facas e objectos cortantes para picar gelo (pode marcar o frigorifico)
Se utilizares o secador de cabelo, tem atencao aos choques electricos!
Resultado: a ver da próxima vez....
PS: thanks for the tips
Friday, September 22, 2006
The last few weeks in the Jesuit novitiate...
Second part.... mail sent today.
Greetings to all!
I have not been a Jesuit novice for a little over a month...I figured this one month milestone would be a good time to send you all another update about my life here. To all of you that have written over the last few weeks, thanks...obrigado...gracias...merci.
I believe in my last letter I discussed the apostolates in which we may be working -- either juvenile hall, a local hospital, or a local homeless shelter. As it turns out, I was assigned to the hospital with two other novices. So, twice a week (Wednesdays and Fridays), the three of us head over to a nearby hospital and help the sisters who work in the pastoral care department with their work. All we do is simply visit patients, each on our own, and listen to patients who want to talk. Our first priority is not to give spiritual advice, but simply listen to the patients. Thus far, I have visited some people who were suicidal, others who felt abandoned by their families, and still others who are filled with faith and thankful that someone came and visited. We never know what we will encounter. All in all, we are learning a lot, and people appear to appreciate the work that we do.
As I said, Wednesdays and Fridays are spent in apostolates. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, we usually have class in the morning, and work ordo in the afternoon (except during Thursday afternoons, when we are free). Sundays we are usually free to do what we want, and on Mondays are known as our "Villa Days." Our "Villa" is a house in Redondo Beach, located about a 15 walk from the beach, owned and maintained by the Jesuits for recreational use. We spend the day there and relax -- reading, watching movies, taking walks on the beach, etc..
Our classes thus far have led us to read the autobiography of S. Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits and a study of the Formula of the Institute. In studying Ignatius, I was struck by propensity for careful discerning over any decision he had to make, and his approach towards people when it came to listening. (Maybe this has to do with my work in the hospital.) The Formula of the Institute is the papal proclamation of 1550 that established the Society and defines its mission. Right now we continue to look at the Constitutions of the Society, written by Ignatius -- these spell out the rules and regulations of the Society -- as well as the Four Gospels.
Some of you asked about my brother novices, so let me tell you a little about them:
As you may recall, I am one of 7 first year novices. The others include:
Joe, the oldest in his early 40s, who comes all the way from Boston and has worked for some years in state politics there;
Joseph, a musician by trade who has a lot of experience in musical conducting. After three weeks in Korea which saw his grandmother pass away and during which he had to have an emergency tonsilectomy, due to an infection in his throat that kept getting worse, he returned to us this week;
Elias, originally from Mexico who has worked at Delores Mission, a Jesuit Parish in East LA with extensive support services for the homeless;
Andrew, who is originally from the Philippines, and has experience working as an elementary school teacher and registered nurse;
Sam, who has been working on a PhD in medieval Spanish history at UCLA; and
Chris, the baby of the group, graduated from college this past winter and spent a semester as a high school Spanish teacher before joining the Society.
The second year novices left almost two weeks ago to work in l'arch communities, or homes for the developmentally disabled, in Oregon and Washington. They will be gone until December, so until then the house belongs to the first year novices. The second year novices are certainly a different group -- they are much louder than we are, almost to the point of being a little obnoxious, at times. In terms of temperament, they are more diverse than we are. We are quieter and more serious about our work -- in the words of the novice master, we are quite "capable." And for better or worse, we can be quite sarcastic.
Since it is just us, the first year novices, in the house right now, this means that we have had to assume responsabilities for running the place -- cleaning bathrooms, washing dishes, taking care of the house cars (2 Toyota Corollas, a Mercury, and a Van). I have been given the role of scullery boss, so I am in charge of the clean up in the kitchen after meals, and assigning tasks to people. Clean up can be quite a chore -- It almost appears sometimes as if our cook, Jim, cannot help but use every single pot and pan in the kitchen when it comes to preparing a meal.
This next month will be work month, so we will engage in some sort of project around the house. Rumor has it that it will involve painting. And we will prepare for the 30 day spiritual exercises during the month of November. More about these things, and other matters, in my next update...I realize some of you are receiving this email for the first time, and I am sorry for having mistakenly left you off of the last email list. Thanks for reading to the end, and stay tuned for more...
Until next time, Godspeed...
Greetings to all!
I have not been a Jesuit novice for a little over a month...I figured this one month milestone would be a good time to send you all another update about my life here. To all of you that have written over the last few weeks, thanks...obrigado...gracias...merci.
I believe in my last letter I discussed the apostolates in which we may be working -- either juvenile hall, a local hospital, or a local homeless shelter. As it turns out, I was assigned to the hospital with two other novices. So, twice a week (Wednesdays and Fridays), the three of us head over to a nearby hospital and help the sisters who work in the pastoral care department with their work. All we do is simply visit patients, each on our own, and listen to patients who want to talk. Our first priority is not to give spiritual advice, but simply listen to the patients. Thus far, I have visited some people who were suicidal, others who felt abandoned by their families, and still others who are filled with faith and thankful that someone came and visited. We never know what we will encounter. All in all, we are learning a lot, and people appear to appreciate the work that we do.
As I said, Wednesdays and Fridays are spent in apostolates. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, we usually have class in the morning, and work ordo in the afternoon (except during Thursday afternoons, when we are free). Sundays we are usually free to do what we want, and on Mondays are known as our "Villa Days." Our "Villa" is a house in Redondo Beach, located about a 15 walk from the beach, owned and maintained by the Jesuits for recreational use. We spend the day there and relax -- reading, watching movies, taking walks on the beach, etc..
Our classes thus far have led us to read the autobiography of S. Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits and a study of the Formula of the Institute. In studying Ignatius, I was struck by propensity for careful discerning over any decision he had to make, and his approach towards people when it came to listening. (Maybe this has to do with my work in the hospital.) The Formula of the Institute is the papal proclamation of 1550 that established the Society and defines its mission. Right now we continue to look at the Constitutions of the Society, written by Ignatius -- these spell out the rules and regulations of the Society -- as well as the Four Gospels.
Some of you asked about my brother novices, so let me tell you a little about them:
As you may recall, I am one of 7 first year novices. The others include:
Joe, the oldest in his early 40s, who comes all the way from Boston and has worked for some years in state politics there;
Joseph, a musician by trade who has a lot of experience in musical conducting. After three weeks in Korea which saw his grandmother pass away and during which he had to have an emergency tonsilectomy, due to an infection in his throat that kept getting worse, he returned to us this week;
Elias, originally from Mexico who has worked at Delores Mission, a Jesuit Parish in East LA with extensive support services for the homeless;
Andrew, who is originally from the Philippines, and has experience working as an elementary school teacher and registered nurse;
Sam, who has been working on a PhD in medieval Spanish history at UCLA; and
Chris, the baby of the group, graduated from college this past winter and spent a semester as a high school Spanish teacher before joining the Society.
The second year novices left almost two weeks ago to work in l'arch communities, or homes for the developmentally disabled, in Oregon and Washington. They will be gone until December, so until then the house belongs to the first year novices. The second year novices are certainly a different group -- they are much louder than we are, almost to the point of being a little obnoxious, at times. In terms of temperament, they are more diverse than we are. We are quieter and more serious about our work -- in the words of the novice master, we are quite "capable." And for better or worse, we can be quite sarcastic.
Since it is just us, the first year novices, in the house right now, this means that we have had to assume responsabilities for running the place -- cleaning bathrooms, washing dishes, taking care of the house cars (2 Toyota Corollas, a Mercury, and a Van). I have been given the role of scullery boss, so I am in charge of the clean up in the kitchen after meals, and assigning tasks to people. Clean up can be quite a chore -- It almost appears sometimes as if our cook, Jim, cannot help but use every single pot and pan in the kitchen when it comes to preparing a meal.
This next month will be work month, so we will engage in some sort of project around the house. Rumor has it that it will involve painting. And we will prepare for the 30 day spiritual exercises during the month of November. More about these things, and other matters, in my next update...I realize some of you are receiving this email for the first time, and I am sorry for having mistakenly left you off of the last email list. Thanks for reading to the end, and stay tuned for more...
Until next time, Godspeed...
Thursday, September 21, 2006
E porque há pormenores que fazem a diferença....
Hoje (ontem?) tive um daqueles pormenores que me enchem de alegria...
Estava num ATM no centro de Bx.... daqueles com caixas automáticas dentro do Banco...
Estava sózinho... sentado a fazer uma operação, quando olho para trás e vejo um individuo a tentar abrir a porta, pele escura, jovem... mas não conseguia....
Eu levantei-me e fui-lhe abrir a porta e voltei ao meu lugar....
Inacreditável a vez que me disse Merci e Bon Soir etc...
Há gestos que fazem a diferença!! Pela positiva.
Estava num ATM no centro de Bx.... daqueles com caixas automáticas dentro do Banco...
Estava sózinho... sentado a fazer uma operação, quando olho para trás e vejo um individuo a tentar abrir a porta, pele escura, jovem... mas não conseguia....
Eu levantei-me e fui-lhe abrir a porta e voltei ao meu lugar....
Inacreditável a vez que me disse Merci e Bon Soir etc...
Há gestos que fazem a diferença!! Pela positiva.
E porque um Blog é para Smell my spirit...
Porque também é importante guardar as memórias menos boas e são com elas que aprendemos a gostar dos dias solharengos.....
Esta semana está de ...... chuva... ou melhor tempestade.....
2ª feira fui agredido....não, não fiquei beliscado....
4ªa feira recebi insultos que considero de carácter xenófebos no mínimo, para não dizer racistas....
e também porque andar uma hora a procura da escola de espanhol não é demais... que tal a professora estar ausente!?!?!
Nada de grave... apenas pensamentos nubelosos à espera que um eclaircie apareca... sempe apareceu... aparecerá outra vez.....
E melhores dias viraõ!!
Esta semana está de ...... chuva... ou melhor tempestade.....
2ª feira fui agredido....não, não fiquei beliscado....
4ªa feira recebi insultos que considero de carácter xenófebos no mínimo, para não dizer racistas....
e também porque andar uma hora a procura da escola de espanhol não é demais... que tal a professora estar ausente!?!?!
Nada de grave... apenas pensamentos nubelosos à espera que um eclaircie apareca... sempe apareceu... aparecerá outra vez.....
E melhores dias viraõ!!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Uma questão de tempo.....
chuvoso
lento
rapido
terramoto
vulcão
................
ventoso
primaveril
solarengo
quente
neve
...............
jovem
maduro
velho
...............
momentaneo
instantaneo
conjuntural
estrutural
permanente
..............
Será que se perde a vontade de mudar o tempo??
Ou o tempo nos muda?
lento
rapido
terramoto
vulcão
................
ventoso
primaveril
solarengo
quente
neve
...............
jovem
maduro
velho
...............
momentaneo
instantaneo
conjuntural
estrutural
permanente
..............
Será que se perde a vontade de mudar o tempo??
Ou o tempo nos muda?
Monday, September 11, 2006
Salsa???
Esta 6ª dancei.... Salsa!?!?!!? Eu?? Salsa?? Será que joga? Tenho-me interrogado?
Depois de andar a ser convencido a entrar em aulas de Salsa... tive verdadeiramente uma primeira lição.....
Poderei dizer que poderá ter o seu interesse.....
Depois de andar a ser convencido a entrar em aulas de Salsa... tive verdadeiramente uma primeira lição.....
Poderei dizer que poderá ter o seu interesse.....
Bruxandrices....
Há uns tempo tinha prometido que iria fazer um apanhado de algumas das melhores fotos de Bruxelas e afins...
Critério é meu.... e como tal diferente dos outros!!
E isso é que é perfeito!!
Ninguém concordar!!!
Critério é meu.... e como tal diferente dos outros!!
E isso é que é perfeito!!
Ninguém concordar!!!
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Settled into the Jesuit Novitiate
Este posting é efectuado com a autorização do autor...
Vou deixá-lo anónimo, apesar de muitas pessoas terem conhecimento de quem é e de também terem recebido o mesmo mail.
Na minha perspectiva, é algo com interesse acompanhar... por alguns motivos, mas principalmente pelo desconhecimento que existe em mim (e julgo falar por muitos outros) da vida religiosa vivida pelos religiosos... consequentemente, quando recebi este mail pedi automaticamente autorização para publicar no meu blog... e foi Endorsed!!
E como tal aqui vai o primeiro de (espero) outros postings.
Nota: Postings vão ser efectuados conforme forem recebidos.
Greetings to all from the Jesuit Novitiate!
Now that I have passed what is known as the first probation and am officially considered an 'nSJ', I thought it would be a good time to write you all and give you an update on my life here. The first week was devoted mostly to getting adjusted to the routine and rythm of life here, with the exception of the last three days of probation. For the new novices, and there are seven of us, these were spent in silence, and allowed time for personal reflection.
A typical day in the novitiate tends to run like this (I know some of you on this list may be familiar with the routine in the novitiate, so feel free to skip this section):
6:45-7 AM Get up - With me, it tends to be more towards 7 AM
7 AM - 8 AM Personal Prayer, which ends with 10 minutes of community prayer in the Chapel
8 AM Breakfast, followed by what is known as Scullery. Scullery is the term used for kitchen and house clean up following a meal. Each novice has a different task assigned to him by the scullery boss. During the morning, I assist the brooms boss with vacuuming and taking out the trash in the halls. After lunch and breakfast, I help out with putting food away, drying dishes, and setting the tables in the dining room.
The time between breakfast and lunch (which is always at noon) and lunch and dinner, is taken up by classes and work ordos. The first week during class we went over the General Examen of the Society, I guess what you might consider the criteria that all people who are admitted should have. This week, we have a two-day training on pastoral ministry by a lady that has a PhD in psychology and has over 10 years of experience as a hospital chaplain. Work Ordo consists of handy work around the house. Last week, I helped clean out the basement. Luckily, I wasn't assigned to help trim the vines on the fence -- but I'm sure the day when I get that assignment will come.
At some point during the day we have mass. 6 PM dinner is preceded by another hour private prayer. There is usually some free time in there to go for a swim in the the pool, use the gym, or go for a run.
After dinner, is free time for spiritual reading and ocassionally we might have what is known as a haustus, or social gathering with drinks, snacks, etc.
Soon we will be assigned an apostolate, to work in twice a week -- one of the reasons we are undergoing the pastoral training this week. We will be able to choose to either work at a local hospital, juvenile hall, or a soup kitchen. We are supposed to take tour of the places next week and discern where we would like to work, so next time I write I'll be able to tell you where I am and what I'm doing.
For those of you who are religiously inclined, you may want to remember one of my brothers and his family. After one week here, he had to fly back to Korea. His grandmother is near death. On top of this, he has been battling a throat infection over the last couple of days.
I know some of you may have additional questions about life here, especially the people I live with. As for the people I live with, I can honestly say that I think we were terrified of each other for the first couple of days but finally the ice has started to crack, and we are all getting to know each other. No one has gotten under my skin...at least yet.
Sorry if this email was a little boring, but initially I wanted to give those on the list who may be unfamiliar with the Jesuits an overview of what training is like. I apologize too if this email is in a second language for you, too. Our translation department is closed for the moment...
Vou deixá-lo anónimo, apesar de muitas pessoas terem conhecimento de quem é e de também terem recebido o mesmo mail.
Na minha perspectiva, é algo com interesse acompanhar... por alguns motivos, mas principalmente pelo desconhecimento que existe em mim (e julgo falar por muitos outros) da vida religiosa vivida pelos religiosos... consequentemente, quando recebi este mail pedi automaticamente autorização para publicar no meu blog... e foi Endorsed!!
E como tal aqui vai o primeiro de (espero) outros postings.
Nota: Postings vão ser efectuados conforme forem recebidos.
Greetings to all from the Jesuit Novitiate!
Now that I have passed what is known as the first probation and am officially considered an 'nSJ', I thought it would be a good time to write you all and give you an update on my life here. The first week was devoted mostly to getting adjusted to the routine and rythm of life here, with the exception of the last three days of probation. For the new novices, and there are seven of us, these were spent in silence, and allowed time for personal reflection.
A typical day in the novitiate tends to run like this (I know some of you on this list may be familiar with the routine in the novitiate, so feel free to skip this section):
6:45-7 AM Get up - With me, it tends to be more towards 7 AM
7 AM - 8 AM Personal Prayer, which ends with 10 minutes of community prayer in the Chapel
8 AM Breakfast, followed by what is known as Scullery. Scullery is the term used for kitchen and house clean up following a meal. Each novice has a different task assigned to him by the scullery boss. During the morning, I assist the brooms boss with vacuuming and taking out the trash in the halls. After lunch and breakfast, I help out with putting food away, drying dishes, and setting the tables in the dining room.
The time between breakfast and lunch (which is always at noon) and lunch and dinner, is taken up by classes and work ordos. The first week during class we went over the General Examen of the Society, I guess what you might consider the criteria that all people who are admitted should have. This week, we have a two-day training on pastoral ministry by a lady that has a PhD in psychology and has over 10 years of experience as a hospital chaplain. Work Ordo consists of handy work around the house. Last week, I helped clean out the basement. Luckily, I wasn't assigned to help trim the vines on the fence -- but I'm sure the day when I get that assignment will come.
At some point during the day we have mass. 6 PM dinner is preceded by another hour private prayer. There is usually some free time in there to go for a swim in the the pool, use the gym, or go for a run.
After dinner, is free time for spiritual reading and ocassionally we might have what is known as a haustus, or social gathering with drinks, snacks, etc.
Soon we will be assigned an apostolate, to work in twice a week -- one of the reasons we are undergoing the pastoral training this week. We will be able to choose to either work at a local hospital, juvenile hall, or a soup kitchen. We are supposed to take tour of the places next week and discern where we would like to work, so next time I write I'll be able to tell you where I am and what I'm doing.
For those of you who are religiously inclined, you may want to remember one of my brothers and his family. After one week here, he had to fly back to Korea. His grandmother is near death. On top of this, he has been battling a throat infection over the last couple of days.
I know some of you may have additional questions about life here, especially the people I live with. As for the people I live with, I can honestly say that I think we were terrified of each other for the first couple of days but finally the ice has started to crack, and we are all getting to know each other. No one has gotten under my skin...at least yet.
Sorry if this email was a little boring, but initially I wanted to give those on the list who may be unfamiliar with the Jesuits an overview of what training is like. I apologize too if this email is in a second language for you, too. Our translation department is closed for the moment...
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Regresso a Bruxelas II
Ontem fui surpreendido por uma colega.
A pessoa com que me dou melhor no trabalho... por sinal vizinha na mesma rua... perto da reforma, chegou das semanas de férias...
Como estou sempre a brincar com ela, queria saber como tinha corrido tudo etc.... e notei que ao inicio estava um pouco diferente.... não forcei muito, pensei que era o 1º dia e tal...
Passado umas poucas horas, fala comigo e diz-me....
Pois as minhas férias não foram assim tão boas... ía com uma colega a caminho das férias para o sul de França quando no 2º dia a outra senhora sofre um ataque cardíaco e acaba por morrer no carro.
Nem consegui responder.... mas a vida, por vezes, e mesmo traiçoeira....
A pessoa com que me dou melhor no trabalho... por sinal vizinha na mesma rua... perto da reforma, chegou das semanas de férias...
Como estou sempre a brincar com ela, queria saber como tinha corrido tudo etc.... e notei que ao inicio estava um pouco diferente.... não forcei muito, pensei que era o 1º dia e tal...
Passado umas poucas horas, fala comigo e diz-me....
Pois as minhas férias não foram assim tão boas... ía com uma colega a caminho das férias para o sul de França quando no 2º dia a outra senhora sofre um ataque cardíaco e acaba por morrer no carro.
Nem consegui responder.... mas a vida, por vezes, e mesmo traiçoeira....
Portugal
Pois, é....
Também era tempo de voltar para casa:)
E que tal uns dias em Algarve? Pois é, Gracias Vitor!!
Estadia muito boa em Tavira.... ou perto... conhecido por ser a capital das lulas... o peixe msm!!
Em Lisboa, tempo de estar com familia e amigos!
Grandes momentos
Agora so para o Natal!!
E hora de aproveitar o Inverno Bruxelense!
Até as próximas férias!!! Quem sabe o destino?
Toledo
A capital no tempo dos visigodos e mesmo um monumento em si que vale a pena visitar....
Curiosidade: e banhado pelo Tejo....
Claro esta que para Toledo foram..... 28 minutos para os mesmo 70 km de comboio....
Segovia
Uma cidade monumento viva.....
2 horas e pouco de viagem para fazer menos de 70 km!?!?!?!
O que vale e que de comboio e no relax....
Madrid fun
Com a ajuda da Elsa grande diversão à noite!!
Destaque para:
1/2 litro de Mojito a 6 Euros?!?!?!
Ida ao Santiago Barnabéu para ver o Real Madrid - Andrelecht!!! Curioso que vou ver pela 1ª vez uma equipa da Bélgica a Madrid....
Madrid Histórico
Com o Hugo a dar as directrizes, grande circuito pela capital dos Nuestros Hermanos. Histórico este!
Fiquei a conhecer bem a cidade e Prado foi visto de uma ponta à outra.... de salientar a exposição do Picasso nos seus 125 anos de nascimento...
Gracias Hugo!
Mallorca
Gracas à Marta e ao Tomé tivemos a oportunidade de disfrutar das baleares!!!
A água de 25º e inesquecível!!!
Que grande inicio de férias!!
Arrumações
Durante 1 semana estou a receber a visita do meu irmão a estas terras Belgas!!!Volta, não volta ele e a Fernanda resolveram ver o que havia aqui em casa para comer...
Resultado:
Metade da minha comida estava fora de prazo!!!!!!
O mais incrivel e que mais de metade da minha comida e de conserva... isso torna o caso pior!!!
Solução: Malta, quando nao souberem o que fazer para comer são meus convidados nesta bela localidade chamada Zaventem!!! Não hesitem
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Regresso a Bruxelas
Após 3 semanas de férias... que tal o duro regresso? E com mapa nem me perdi...
Mas cheguei.... são e salvo depois de umas inolvidáveis férias!!
Mais fotos nos próximos dias....
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