A Pleasant Friday Evening Afterall

Limping back to my Residence apartment in agony after a horrific first time paintball game in Canada, I thought that was how my Friday evening was going to end---in pain, disappointment, sorrow and the worst part: disgust. My first foreign paintball game had these 3 words written all over it as those damn Canadian and Taiwanese punks I played with that day were a bunch of savages and barbarians who do not recognize sportsmanship and teamwork. Not only that, they were also rude, arrogant, uncooperative and full of self glory( the most annoying characteristic I find in a person when it comes to team sports). I was not only shot at close range for more than once but also I received insulting remarks and obscene hand signals from my opponents and even my teammates. I even nearly had my paint pellets stolen by a Canadian player however, I was fortunate enough to catch him red handed in time. Sadly, I was not only playing with assholes but also thieves. The Taiwanese were the main morons of the day as they not only grouped with their own kind which made it difficult for team coordination but also communicated in their goddamn Mandarin language which made our strategy briefing and team communication confusing. Basically, if one was curious to witness a dysfunctional team in action, the group of Canadian and Taiwanese boneheads I played with that day would be a perfect example. On the other hand, I was glad that I made five kills throughout the entire game and the best of all; having the opportunity to form my own unofficial three man squad with two Canadian girls who were not only cooperative but also very wise in tactical planning and team communication (which reminded me of Logan Keller's three man squad in Rainbow Six Vegas). Despite going through a shit storm earlier on that day, my final chapter of Friday wasn't completely soaked in dunk as I had the opportunity to attend the Latin Fiesta at my university later at night.

As I reached the lobby of the Residence apartment, I was greeted with a pleasant surprise by the presence of my Japanese good friend Maaya and my Hong Kee pal, Cindy. Both of them who were waiting in the lobby were shocked to see my dreadful and bloody appearance. Observing my gun shot wounds on my palm, forearms and legs, they asked me worriedly what exactly happened to me. The minute I summarized the torture I experienced at the paintball game, I could sense how grateful they felt for not attending the game. As Maaya and Cindy continued observing my wounds attentively, I interrupted their observation by asking them what were they doing down here at the lobby. Both of them told me that they were waiting for their friends whom were going to accompany them to the Latin Fiesta at the university's Campus Activity Center. They then invited me to tag along but seeing how miserable and tired I was not to mention my reluctance to spend unnecessarily for a fiesta ticket, I declined their generous and friendly invitation. After telling them to enjoy themselves at the fiesta, I wished them good bye and retired to my room.

In the middle of my shower, I then considered about going to the fiesta. Although I realized that I might have to spend a few dollars for the ticket, having the opportunity to expose myself to a different culture would be worth the money. After all, seeing that I'm a Sociology student this semester and a future International Business graduate, attending the fiesta would be an educational visit for me to a different culture. Consequently after my shower, I dressed up casually, made my hair, armed myself with a digital camera and headed to my university's Campus Activity Center for the fiesta hoping to learn something new about the Latin culture.

As I've reached the entrance of the fiesta, I was welcomed by colorful decorative lights that beautified the halls of the Campus Activity Center. Most of the visitors inside had a sombre on compliments of the organizer's generosity. The stage in the center of the hall was occupied by a music band playing Spanish songs which had everyone dancing to the music. The ceiling of the hall had a couple of pinata hanging which added to the authenticity of the Latin culture . Around the halls were buffet tables which featured burritos, tortillas, tacos and a variety of Mexican food that ignited my appetite. Impatiently, I went up to the ticket counter at the entrance of the fiesta to purchase a ticket. As I asked the counter staff about the ticket's fee, I braced myself hoping that the ticket wouldn't cost me more that $10. To my surprise, the counter staff informed me that the entrance was free of charge. Filled with joy and also relief since I don't have to pay, I strolled into the hall getting ready to begin my exposure on the Latin culture.

I started of taking pictures around the hall with my digital camera. In the middle of my photo taking, I was greeted by my friends, Maaya and Cindy again. Both of them were surprised to see me here as they thought I didn't wanted to follow them earlier on. I then had to explain to them the reason I changed my mind. Regardless for my fickle mind, they were glad that I turned up. Maaya then reminded me to grab some food as they were running out fast. Immediately, I grabbed onto a Styrofoam plate that was provided and began my food hunting. Most of the buffet tables were empty by that time and I only managed to grab a miserable amount of food. Feeling slightly disappointed as I won't be able to try every Mexican food which was served, I feasted on whatever I had with me. The Mexican pancake with salsa sauce I had was superb. The pancake was filled with minced meat and vegetables and the taste of it was so arousing. Thanks to Maaya's generosity for sharing her food with me, I managed to try the Mexican spring rolls. Just like the Mexican pancake, the spring roll had minced meat and veggies in it; however, the spring roll was smaller than the pancake. Minutes later on, God blessed me when the buffet tables were filled with more food again. The feast I had that day was simply remarkable.

Later on in the evening, the host of the fiesta presented a Salsa dance instructor to the stage. The Salsa dance instructor was a woman in her middle age and I had to give her credit for her flexible dancing moves despite her age that usually restricts agile and flexible physical capabilities. She was generous enough to teach everyone how to do the Salsa dance. Most of the visitors danced under the guidance of the Salsa instructor. As for me and Cindy, we just watched at the corner of the hall as we were too embarrass to dance. Maaya, who loved dancing enjoyed herself initially during the dance alone sessions. However, as the dances required a dancing partner, she began dreading as she had no one to dance with. Maaya was complaining to me about how shy Cindy was to dance with her and about how awful she felt not being able to dance with anyone else. Knowing that I mustn't let her dread furthermore, I volunteered myself to be her dancing partner. Our dance begin smooth initially but as the paced increased, I felt lost with the steps and I was totally thrown into an awkward situation. Maaya didn't really bothered much about my incompetency as she understood that I was never a good dancer. Fortunate for me, Maaya's Hong Kee friend (not Cindy) arrived and saved me from further embarrassment once she decided to took over my place. Feeling relief seeing that I don't have to dance any further, I continued watching the rest dancing from afar with Cindy. Later on, Maaya and her friend persuaded Cindy and I again to dance. Maaya then whispered to my ear mischievously asking me to dance with Cindy as she always thought that I have the hots for her (Cindy). Since I didn't really want to stand and watch all night long, I took the courage to ask Cindy for a dance by presenting my hands for her to hold. I was surprised that she grabbed my hand and she danced with me despite witnessing how shy she was when Maaya asked her for a dance. As usual, our dance threw us into an awkward position since the both of us hardly dance. Despite how stupid we felt, we tried to masquerade our embarrassment by giving out fake giggles and laughters. I felt so awkward and embarrassed that I accidentally stepped on Cindy's foot a couple of times. Nevertheless, I sure enjoyed myself dancing with my friends that night.

Maya introduced me to her Hong Kee friend later on that night. Her name was Shelly and although she is as old as Maaya and me, she looks criminally young for her age. She seems nice and she's very sociable. On the other hand, her playful character enforced a childish impression which makes her immature (...okay, maybe "cute" is a less harsher word). Later on in the night, we visited the Latin wedding booth to try on some bridal props and snapped photos of ourselves in it. It was so hillarious that time as Maaya had the groom's coat on while I was forced by Cindy and Shelly to put on a bridal's gown and play Maaya's wife. There was also a jail booth for the visitors to snap photos of them pretending to be in a Mexican jail. Like the wedding booth, the jail booth had a variety of props ranging from inmate's uniform to shackles and hand cuffs. Tempted to monkey around, all of us snapped more photos at the jail booth with our wacky expressions and poses attached. An hour before the party ended, we were all fatigue from fooling around and we decided to return to our Residence apartment. We really had a fun time taking photos and fooling around at the fiesta that day.

Despite going through a shit storm earlier on that day, my final chapter of Friday wasn't completely soaked in dunk as I had the opportunity to attend the Latin Fiesta at my university later at night. I didn't only enjoy what the fiesta had to offer me that night but also the friendship and companionship of both my good friends, Maaya and Cindy. I guess it wouldn't be exaggerating to say that the fiesta has enforced our friendship as the three of us has been hanging out together more often than before.


The hall of the university's Campus Activity Center was beautified by the colorful decorative lights.

Feeling tempted to break the pinata? Too bad that's not going to happen since it hung high

Hanging out with Maaya (next to me) and her friends from Hong Kong at the fiesta.

Fooling around at the Latin wedding booth. 2 men owned by 3 women in marriage.

Shenji and Shelly, the sombre heroes.

The sombre hero in action applying the chained choke hold on his victim. Badass....

No...Don't let Maaya take me away.

Cindy getting her man.

Being the obedient bride for Maaya at the wedding booth.

Sharing a same cell with my buddy, Cindy in a Mexican jail

Cindy teaching me how to "pan cool".