An open letter to people who have touched my life in Mexico

Dear *insert your name*,

We have spent the past 5 months frolicking under the sun in Mexico.
There are dull moments but most are for sure happy ones.
The only sad ones are when we all had to say see you later, cliche, no goodbye-s right?
So in lieu of people talking about the American Idol results, I am writing you this letter.
What for?
I just wanted to thank you for being a part of my life.
I am so glad I knew you. I may not say it in person but believe me, I do.
I posted this on this blog for the whole world to know how much you entering my life, means to me.
We have had a conversation or two that made me realize and think about something deep in this world,
made me realize how beautiful of a person you are.
Sometimes we would not talk but your presence is enough for me to like you, to be proud that you call me a friend.
I hope that I have touched your life as well.
I hope I have made you laugh at some point.
As in the future, we might not be able to talk that often, but I hope you would always remember me.
Parting is hard. I hate it when something that you are accustomed to suddenly disappears pushing you through a new level of adjustments.
I'll get through this.
As people around me says, do not be sad it is over, be glad it happened.
Again, I just wanted to thank you for being a part of my life.
Stay in contact.
And remember, if ever your in the Philippines or in Canada, you just found yourself a house.
Mexico 2012 will always be loved.

Much Love,
Justin Monton

Prisa! Prisa!

"On the run" is an understatement if you were to describe my past few days.

Jeebuz I think I only have been sleeping for 5 hours every day.

From what? Exams, parties, projects, frolicking my last few days in Mexico.

Beware of a cliche...

I figured I do not want to spend my last few days in Mexico sleeping.

I am sort of in a euphoria where reality is definitely better than dreams.

Anyway, I only have one more month left in Latin America.

And as I have always said, Mexico has its ups and downs, but on a simple note..

It is simply LOVE.

For the past 2 weeks, I have been everywhere.

And since I just came back from another trip and I am very tired.

I am just going to give you a run down of where I have been and a little of what we did.

Well I told you I cooked for friends for my birthday right?

It was a success!

First time cooking the famous Chicken and Pork Adobo and

it did tasted like Adobo! LOL

April 14 (Thanks Maria Ruiz for the photo)

And then the Wednesday after that.

Me, Emelie and Joe went to Tequila.

You have not found Mexico when you havent took a shot of Tequila in Tequila!

Bummer though, I felt so tired already that day, the Asian curse was in full effect.

After the Tequila tour that we made, we sat on a pub where I slept! LOL

Emelie lost her wallet and I bought a Tequila barrel that I do know how I am going to bring it to Canada. 

April 18 (Thanks Emelie Glaser for the photo and for the tour guide who took it.)

The next day I stayed up til the morning.

For some reason, one of my professors really liked having a relaxed gathering at the end of the semester.

It did happen and as awkward as it seems, the Prof actually was the one who brought beer. LOL

After that dinner, we went to an international pain party. Really, really cool. 

Which gives me an idea of incorporating this party to Winnipeg.

April 19 (Thanks Angela Vaquiero for the picture)

Friday comes and I am still partying. 

This time, it was for a farewell party arranged by the school.

Nothing really eventful happening.

I dont really want to talk about farewell parties.

I hate goodbyes.

I sort of erased that term in my life.

April 20 (Thanks Caroline Darsey for the picture)

(And no need to thank me for this very flattering facial expression Joe. LOL)

The next morning.

I went to the beach with a bunch of friends.

I have been hearing Sayulita, Nayarit since I came here.

It was very beautiful!

And if you are reading this, you probably know that I dont like camping.

Hence, I learned to love it this time since the campsite is just 5 mins walk from the comforts of a bathroom.

YES! A Bathroom. 

Laying by the beach is always great. I am so tanned and I love it!

There was a dinner arranged by the school but we figured staying at the beach is way better.

And we were right! No dinner happened. Just a ceremonial thing to give our diplomas from here.

April 21-April 23 (Thank you Regan Longfield for the photo)

After April 23.

Stress comes. I had 3 presentations this week but I delivered all of them with grace and a more than decent job. Final projects and presentations are finally done! I am now dreading final exams which should not be very stressful. let us see how this goes though.

I told you I just came back from a trip right?

I went to Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes for La Feria de San Marcos.

A huuuuuge festival in Aguascalientes.

And I am not lying when I say huge!!!!

There are so much people!

Very very cool though.

Cultural.

Me and Ida went to a bullfight.

Im not going to go any further as to not disappoint animal lovers.

But here's a picture.

April 28-April 30 (Thanks Emelie for lending us your camera)

Yes. The matador kills the bull.

And people shout "Ole!" when the matador tries to aggravate the bull.

I thought it was cool.

Made me think of being a vegetarian for a second though. LOL

Me and my friends went to Aguascalientes with our eyes closed.

But hey, we met the coolest Mexicans ever.

Offering their house to us for the whole duration! (Thanks again Marcos and friends)

After all of this. 

I am now just going to publish this post.

The countdown to 31 days begins tommorrow. :(

I have 4 more exams to write. 

Much Love

My 21 year old self.

I love cakes!

Gracias a mi familia aqui en Mexico! :)

In a Filipino's life, the age 21 signifies another portal to some sort of a mythological world.

As for now, I still do not see the importance of this number and why it should be grandly celebrated.

I turned 21 yesterday, 2 hours ago.

I would like to spend my first hours being of such age thanking all the people that made me my life a breeze.

As far as now I...

moved to another country.

jumped off a cliff.

LIVED in 3 countries.

speak 2.5 languages.

worked while studying.

stayed up 2 days straight.

was hurt.

myself, also caused pain. 

laughed continuously.

smiled generously.

cried in a humble way.

have been proud quietly.

This is definitely not a complete list of the things that I have done but just

to make it sound more dramatic. (LOL! Come one now! It's my birthday post!)

21 years have passed and there are still so much more things to do. 

So much more things to see.

You probably have heard of that phrase a couple of times,

but I would not get tired of repeating.

I am no perfect person.

But I believe that as far as now,

I gave all the love that I could to people around me.

Pardon if it's not enough but believe me, I try my best.

21 years have passed and I hope I have touched lives,

as much as my life has been inspired by those people around me.

Concluding to the specifics:

I would like to thank my 2 Swedish sisters, Ida and Emelie for a day well spent.

Thanks for always being there for me here in Mexico and I for sure love you both!

To my Mexican host family. 

Thanks for taking care of me while I am away from my family back home.

To my friends who kept me going and never failed to be there. 

To those less than 70 people who greeted me online and in person.

You guys do not know how much this means to me.

This number may not be compared to the people who writes on some other person's wall

on their birthday but I hid my birthday on facebook for a reason.

Greetings just means so much more when you know all the people who wished you a happy birthday.

I must say, I am very touched by the number of people who remembered. 

And of course to my family in Canada.

Mom, Dad, Jasper and Jonas. My bloodline. 

Thank you for everything.

I know I am not the most expressive in person but I hope

you guys still remember that I dedicate everything that I do for you.

Thanks for all the support that you have given me this past 21 years.

I am sorry if I missed your call tonight. But I will be seeing you in 1.5 months.

Always remember that I love each and everyone of you. 

Much Love.