“堅持是力量”

“Strength in persistence.” or “Persistence is power.”
i haven’t been persistent in my japanese studies but i will. since i’ve been back from japan i have been persistent in exercising first thing every morning. got to keep it up.

“remember that it’s extremely hard to find true love in this world. if you find it, it’s worth fighting for.”

-Andy Chung

Rocky『ロッキー』 一部1976年的电影

Paulie: What’s the story? What’s happenin’? Ya really like her?
Rocky: Sure, I like her.
Paulie: I don’t see it. What’s the attraction?
Rocky: I don’t know. Fills gaps, I guess.
Paulie: What’s ‘gaps’?
Rocky: I dunno, gaps. She’s got gaps, I got gaps. Together, we fill gaps. I dunno.

My friend Dave is an old college buddy, a cool dude and a world traveller. He’s traveled all over southern Europe and parts of northern Africa. Now he’s in South America taking in all he can. Life isn’t all about the money. Here’s his latest from Colombia.

Happy Holidays From South America

family, friends, countrymen…

Hello, how are things?

Cool?

I wanted to send a greeting while I had a quick minute on the internet.
Hope everything is going well back home and that your finding an
abundance of smiles on your face this holiday season.

Ive been traveling the past 3 months, starting in the South of Peru
and making my way all the way to Colombia…all by bus.
And due to the circumstances, Ive lost track of time, current event, and season. However, I didnt want to pass up the opportunity to say hello and hope everything is going well.

Im currently in Colombia in the valley of Cauca
Ive been traveling the past 7 days with a group of storytellers and a group of newfound friends who are part of a theater group.
Really talented clan of youths.
i have a new respect for juggling, stick twirling, monocycling, hackey sacking, and all other forms of art that involve corporal concentration.

We participated in a festival called Canciones Urgentes in the city of Sevilla.
Its been cool and a new learning experience…
Colombians have a rich culture in music and storytelling…
people around here can go hours and hours telling stories…some myths, some fables, etc. ive been on a diet of empanadas, colombian coffee, and chicken pastels everyday and having to walk up a mountain late at night to sleep in a nice wooden cabin with no water. The view in the morning has been excellent though, and its been kinda fun collecting water from the rain to drink and brush our teeth.

The event had different musical acts for 3 days as a way to collect new toys and funding for the impoverished kids of the city who wouldn´t have received anything for christmas.
We were the only theater group.
We were clowns for 3 days, red noses and all… Visiting nursing homes and foundations for special children and running around the streets animating the people of the pueblo. We had a show the would have culminated all our work but our time slot had been pushed back so much that we couldnt perforom in the end. It was a really nice story we were going to perform..

What else can I say… I have to catch a bus soon. Just some quick thoughts that I´ve put down throughout my travels:

You´ve got to live outside your comfort zone sometimes.

Eat slower. Walk slower.

Life is just a moment.

I can´t think of anything else with this loud music playing. Take care.
Love, dave