Alpha

Alpha

February 10, 2013

By: GIna Yoryet Roman

Time after time when I post, there's not necessarily a set way to do it. The beginning, the main ideas and the ending, are concealed until I start typing. 

The only thing that is planned before hand, is the titles which happen to occur to me as I wake up, when I lie cannot lock eyes at night, when reading a book, in the middle of my workouts, during class or in the middle of my power walks, while I'm chatting with a friend, at the time I'm listening to a lecture, or when I recur to my past memoirs. (There are about 50 titles waiting to be turned into a post right now).  Once I've labeled my post, I get the scenario of what I want to say and from thereon, everything comes naturally. 

"Alpha," was formulated earlier today, when listening to homily at mass. It is a time for advent, rebirth, to rejoice and celebrate birth, 40 week's time devoted to fast, abstain and do penitence in order to cleanse our mind and soul. In the intervening time, a 6-8 month old baby (I am estimating her age as I see her every week with her father) sitting a few benches in front of me, gave testimony to the sermon.

When her sleep was disrupted with the echoing voices of the choir, her frail round green eyes scanned every single corner she could get a glimpse of. The look on her face glassed the enchantment of discovery, her feeble little body was the affidavit of alpha:  beginning, start, initiation, birth,  dawn, celebration, genesis, kickoff, a ceremony marking the victorious beginning of a new stage. The opportunity we are all given when we initiate our journey to embrace life and do the best we can to survive amidst this troubled world where only love can prevail and defeat all the misfortunes of this boisterous humanity.

Today when witnessing alpha through that little girl, it assuaged my mourning heart momentarily. After hearing about one of my best friend's beloved son depart this world way too soon, I was disconsolate for not being able to get a hold of her and for not being with her physically. My wandering mind kept questioning why do things like this have to happen? This particular week my faith has been drifting, I am lacking strength and focus due to this and other unexpected and unplanned events.  I've been walking in a daze unable to find or soothe myself, not even through prayers. In other times, praying has been my best ally, unlike now that I am on denial and when I don't practice what I preach in many areas of life. 

Beholding the victorious beginning of that baby, shifted me to the good 'ole days when all my California girls (all my best friends are from California, except J. D.) and I were always there for each other. N. M., R. M. L., K. E., N. A., Y. K. M., A. M., M. V., and J. D. Our disinterested, understanding, comforting, nonjudgemental, transparent, honest and loyal friendship was born, developed throughout time and it will be eternity lasting. 

We have seen or listened to each other sob endlessly after a lost love, after accomplishing a goal, and laughing till we wet our pants or when we radiantly smile expressing our contentment. Some of us have not yet experienced the miracle of giving life, some have tried endlessly to give birth at no avail, others don't have the least desire to become mothers, some have been close to creating and some of us have been torn apart by the departure of our creation. 

We all wish the best upon each other and that is why I wish K with all the sincerity of my heart to once again hold Alpha tightly in her arms…but this time till the end,  hand in hand with her long-sought lifetime partner. THE one!

Destined to reconnect

Destined to reconnect

February 7, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

"Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. They are  Work, Family, Health and Spirit  and you're keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce right back. But the other four balls - Family, Health, Friends and Spirit - are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged, or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that, and strive for it. 

Work efficiently during office hours, and leave on time. Give the required time to your family and friends and have proper rest."

Value has a value only if its value is valued. 

Thirty second speech by Bryan Dyson, Coca Cola's former CEO came to my mind and perforated my heart very deeply when hearing the most unexpected and crushing news.  After being in shock for three days, today I finally assimilated the saddening revelation and broke out in desperate need to reach out to a beloved friend of mine who just lost her "angel" in a car accident. The full details are still unbeknownst to me. 

Death is a very delicate topic that we all try to avoid as much as possible due to the fear and anguish it causes, that is why I am having a hard time keeping myself together right now, the only thing I can say is that the meaning of life and why good people part too soon, has never been quite clear to me and perhaps it will never be.

What I have learnt from these undesired tragedies is that through shared pain and angst, people come together and support and some reconnect. I cannot find suitable words to alleviate K's pain and I most definitely cannot bring her son back. All I can do is give her my unconditional support and be better at keeping in touch more frequently.

I've always believed that great friendships will never wither, that is why I was taken aback and hurt when I witnessed two of my best friends in Sacramento fall out a few years ago. That frail relationship was scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged and completely shattered.

I knew that deep down they loved each other and never meant to put a halt to the relationship that way. True, the past is long gone and what matters now is that they will make up. 

My soul rests at ease because of this but I would've rather liked it to happen under other circumstances. Relationships are a roller coaster, yet true friends, real loves, and genuine bonds are unbreakable. 

Throughout our journey, every single person pays a brief or long visit drifting just as quickly, yet only the everlasting connections will be there till the end of time. The reason behind it all is to teach us a lesson. Whether it'd be to break our heart, to bring us joy and happiness, to share their knowledge and unconditional support, to help us heal, or for many other reasons. That is when forgetting and forgiving come into place… before it's too late.

Some of us take things for granted and get driven by resentment, pride, pain blinding ourselves to the value that value has. We neglect to mend the immaculate glass ball lying in our grip.

I like every human being, have hurt many loved ones. What I've done, is to depart and never looked back. The reason to such actions? "That particular person does not want to ever see me again, there is not another chance for us." 

That is the exact case with my two friends but I was certain that they were destined to reconnect and let sleeping dogs lie. Amidst a tragedy their friendship will prevail once again for them to provide each other unlimited love and understanding. 

It is easy for me to say this but one day sooner rather than later, K will be able

to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Long ago, I learnt not to think about tomorrow, just live  today, this second and spread nothing but love to the ones I care about because we are nothing and life is only an instant drifting through our hands. 

Weighing the facts

Weighing the facts

February 3rd, 2013

Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.

~Nido Qubein 

Don't be afraid if things seem difficult in the beginning. That's only the initial impression. The important thing is not to retreat; you have to master yourself.

~Olga Korbut

It is necessary; therefore, it is possible.

~Guiseppe Borghese

Each day the world is born anew

for him who takes it rightly.

~James Russell Lowell

If all you can do is crawl, start crawling.

~Rumi 

Gratitude is a form of wisdom. It is patient, loving, hopeful, and rigorously honest. It denies nothing, and it overlooks nothing. It looks reality full in the face and says: This is true, this is me, this is my situation, and I have the opportunity to build from here. This is my starting point, and I will succeed!

~Phil Humbert 

Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect.

~Alan Cohen

Begin doing what you want to do now. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand ... and melting like a snowflake.

~Marie Beyon Ray 

Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.

~St. Francis of Assisi

You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.

~Joe Sabah

More powerful than the will to win is the courage to begin.

~Unkown

I wake up every morning with a great desire to live joyfully.

~Alexandra Stoddard 

Every morning is a fresh beginning. Every day is the world made new. Today is a new day. Today is my world made new. I have lived all my life up to this moment, to come to this day. This moment...this day...is as good as any moment in all eternity. I shall make of this day...each moment of this day...a heaven on earth. This is my day of opportunity.

~Dan Custer

The two important things I did learn were that you are as powerful and strong as you allow yourself to be, and that the most difficult part of any endeavor is taking the first step, making the first decision.

~Robyn Davidson

Every day is a fresh beginning. Every morn is the world made anew.

~Sarah Chauncey Woolsey

Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.

~Meister Eckhart

All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first thousand days, nor in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.

~JFK

Your mind, this globe of awareness, is a starry universe. When you push off with your foot, a thousand new roads become clear.

~Rumi 

With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.

~Eleanor Roosevelt

Whatever you do or dream you can do ... begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.

~J.W. von Goethe 

The beginning is the most important part of the work.

~Plato 

He has half the deed done who has made a beginning.

~Horace

Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.

~Henry Ford 

You will never win if you never begin.

~Helen Rowland

I wake expectant, hoping to see a new thing.

~Annie Dillard

From small beginnings come great things.

~Proverb

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.

~Theodore Roosevelt 

A hard beginning maketh a good ending.

~John Heywood

There must be a beginning of any great matter, but the continuing unto the end until it be thoroughly finished yields the true glory.

~Sir Francis Drake

A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

~Lao Tzu

The greatest masterpieces were once only pigments on a palette.

~Henry S. Hoskins

What the caterpillar calls the end the rest of the world calls a butterfly.

~Lao Tzu

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

~Maria Robinson

The distance is nothing; it's only the first step that is difficult.

~Marquise du Deffand

Whatever you want in life, start today. Not tomorrow ... today. Let it be a small beginning ... a tiny beginning. Your happiness depends on starting today ... every day.

~Jonathan Lockwood Huie 

Making the beginning is one third of the work.

~Irish Proverb

Sometimes when you think you are done, it is just the edge of beginning. Probably that's why we decide we're done. It's getting too scary. We are touching down onto something real. It is beyond the point when you think you are done that often something strong comes out.

~Natalie Goldberg

So many fail because they don't get started... they don't go. They don't overcome inertia. They don't begin.

~W. C. Stone

There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.

~Louis L'Amour

Standing in the inspiring vision of my future, I boldly take every step - large and small - with courage and intent.

~Jonathan Lockwood Huie

All glory comes from daring to begin.

~Eugene F. Ware

Don’t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident, and more and more successful.

~Mark Victor Hansen 

When there is a start to be made, don't step over! Start where you are.

~Edgar Cayce 

The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning.

~Ivy Baker Priest

What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.

~T.S. Eliot

The journey of a thousand leagues begins with a single step.

~Lao Tzu

The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.

~Chinese proverb

What appears to be the end may really be a new beginning.

~ Unknown

Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

~George Bernard Shaw

Almost everything comes from nothing.

~Henry F. Amiel

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.

~C. S. Lewis 

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.

~Carl Bard

Every end is a new beginning.

~Proverb

Keep on beginning and failing. Each time you fail, start all over again, and you will grow stronger until you have accomplished a purpose ... not the one you began with perhaps, but one you'll be glad to remember.

~Anne Sullivan

Exploration leads to accomplishment. All of it begins at the beginning, with the first small and scary step.

~Julia Cameron 

Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.

~Martin Luther King Jr.

Every day is a new beginning. Treat it that way. Stay away from what might have been, and look at what can be.

~Marsha Petrie Sue

One step must start each journey.

~Unknown

Do not despise the bottom rungs in the ascent to greatness.

~Publilius Syrus

Every exit is an entry somewhere else.

~Tom Stoppard

It was on that road and at that hour that I first became aware of my own self, experienced an inexpressible state of grace, and felt one with the first breath of air that stirred, the first bird, and the sun so newly born that it still looked not quite round.

~Colette

When you feel that you have reached the end and that you cannot go one step further, when life seems to be drained of all purpose; what a wonderful opportunity to start all over again, to turn over a new page.

~Eileen Caddy 

If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it.

~Jonathan Winters

The metamorphosis that transforms the lowly worm into a beautiful butterfly reminds us of the loving miracle producing Creator always at work before us, around us, and in us. To witness this marvel is to experience our own resurrection, new life, and beginning.

~J. Lloyd Ewart

Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities

within us and new beauty waiting to be born.

~Dr. Dale Turner

Wherever you are is always the right place. There is never a need to fix anything, to hitch up the bootstraps of the soul and start at some higher place. Start right where you are.

~Julia Cameron

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before beginning to improve the world.

~Anne Frank 

Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.

~Vincent van Gogh 

Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

~Anonymous 

Celebrate endings for they precede new beginnings.

~ Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Another catch-22

Another catch-22

February 2nd, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

I just got through with "Las Ballenas Cautivas - The Captive Whales," By Carlos Villanes Cairo, a book I'm reading with my upper intermediate Spanish class. We are barely on chapter 4 but I like to always be on top to clear any arising doubts.

This drama is based on a true story that took place in Barrow Alaska in 1988 under President Ronald Reagan's term. 

The story unveils with Yak and his grandfather, two eskimos whom on their way fishing, encounter one of the most tear-jerking narratives ever known about cetaceans - whales. 

This heartfelt news put me to tears after learning that the calf, one of three captive whales died in the frozen water due to pneumonia and because of injuries caused by the impenetrable ice while trying to break through. 

It only took about ten-seconds for the news to spread through the entire world and for the President to find support from the Soviet Union with their ice-cutting ship. This occurrence drew more than one hundred journalist's attention from the entire world who transmitted their angst when they came into view.

During my reading, I conceptualized the event and felt the pain of those giant creatures amidst their desperate attempt to get out. The ice and the weather were not the only obstacles these giant mammals faced; they were also starving, deprived from their freedom, their skin was full of parasites and pierced with hundreds of sucker fish.

This predicament made me reflect upon what a gym buddy mentioned to me on Thursday. He told me my face looked more composed since my first reappearance three weeks ago. "You never give up, you bounced right back after your surgery, how did you do it?" I replied, "Life is full of setbacks but our only choice is to experience, feel the temporary pain (physical, emotional, etc.), accept, heal, learn, let go, keep going and never look back. " 

"Wow, I'm going to tell my buddy (who just went through knee surgery like you) what you just said to me because he is down in the dumps and he just doesn't seem to get himself together," he acknowledged me as he patted me on the back. 

I smiled and thought how I was a turmoil of emotions pre and post surgery but prior experiences have taught me to handle things better. I've learnt to internalize everything and show an unruffled face to the world or use other methods of therapy like writing. My sensibility to unexpected experiences has been one of the most difficult obstacles to combat. When I was much younger and even a few years back I cried endlessly unlike now. Affliction is not liberated through tears BUT my body always suffers the consequences.

What I mean is that everything within is currently incongruent on account of all the medication I consumed for months (considering that I hardly ever take ANY antibiotics, I'm all for natural and healthy products).

In accordance to my own understanding, or from what my deceitful mind made me believe, I was NEVER completely downhearted because I didn't cry but there have been some substantial changes:

1) My energy level has been lower than ever, I still cannot manage to make my 5am workouts. I need to start speeding up my metabolism little by little in order to burn fat more rapidly. 

2) My transition to healthy and clean eating is happening very slowly.

3) I got my period for the fourth time in eight weeks and it is driving me CRAZY!

4) I noticed a few small spots on my face and they won't fade away.

5) I've been getting easily irritated about everything and annoyed at everyone that I can't even stand myself. LOL!

6) I came down with a sore throat which lead to a cold and achy muscles. This has been ongoing all this week which proves that all of me is not as strong as before. I've been having three or four cups of hot tea with honey and theraflu tea but nothing seems to achieve its purpose. 

The doctor inferred that these effects take place when we go through overly stressful situations. Some people react by getting depressed and purging their pain through tears, others internalize the matter straining their body which reacts like mine did. It takes a while for the body to cleanse so I must be patient (patience is NOT one of my virtues). With this said, I have to keep my positive intake after all this,  even when this episode has very discomforting emotionally and in spite of being fully aware that I am one step from reaching the light at the end of the tunnel physically.

It feels as though this catch-22 is never ending. I feel incapable of finding the solution to my physical imbalances. It seems that when one problem has been resolved, another one is created and I cannot get a hold of me. I am currently ambushed underneath an unbreakable ice wall but at the same time on a 1-10 count, I am standing on a 7, approaching an 8, therefore  I will continue getting distracted with a million things as usual, praying, not look back and carry on to the road of recovery. 

Plus I have to be happy for being able to walk once again and one day I'll be able to jog unlike some people who are not as fortunate. 

Loving & embracing my temple

Loving & embracing my temple

January 31st, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

I wanted to write a long post about all the reasons why to love my temple (my body) in spite of not being at 100% but I couldn't get myself together.

I stormed back from the gym at 8pm.

I got a last minute brief editing work which I just got through with.

I was preparing a class I have first thing in the morning.

My thoughts are all over the place because there are a few issues lined up this weekend so I can't focus completely. The clock keeps scrutinizing me (it is now 10:45). There goes my failed goal to be in bed by 10pm.

Therefore, I will keep this as short as possible. Next time I will go into further depth 

The last twenty-one days have been a slow transition to shape and strengthen my body. I can sense more normality in my life due to all the moving around just like before. Traces of dormant muscles are starting to re-appear, I am sleeping better and longer hours, I am eating cleaner and I am more enthused physically every day that goes by. I am more confident and a little more energized. I still have not had enough energy to make my crack of dawn work outs yet though.

I left the gym full of energy after I chitchatted with the manager who asked me if I had any experience in Health and Fitness because there's a new gym inaugurating in April or May and they will need experts to train their staff or to give cross training classes. "Would you be interested?" She asked. My response was, "I may not fit the profile, you will more likely look for younger girls." to which she replied, "not necessarily." 

We will schedule a meeting before March to see how we can team up! Wow! I am radiating happiness right now!

Another friend of mine suggested a similar project (that has been lingering in my mind for quite some time now).

A current description of me would NOT be 'fit,' but I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, otherwise she wouldn't have asked.

In the same manner, a gym buddy who is very polite and honest, always tells me I am a genuine athlete who is in incredible shape. This was very flattering and boosting. 

These comments are my fuel considering that I still lack confidence (I do feel lighter but I haven't reached my goal yet). I don't dare snap any photos yet because it is consternating to reveal all the flab.

According to my standards, I am in my worst shape EVER!

In this arena I have always been very competitive, as a result, I don't allow anything or anyone to set boundaries upon me. Injuries can put a momentary halt but the combative me will never subside.

On the other hand, I need to embrace my temple for what it is not for the way it looks;  love, cherish, admire, and accept it, even the littlest scar as they are physical signs that I am Victory. 

 In regards to this self-confidence matter, men have it A LOT easier than women. Why? Because we have double layer of fat to protect our babies when we are pregnant and for numerous reasons. In general men have more self-acceptance than women. Men don't view their bodies (or anything else) as thoroughly as women. Men are more functional beings, they're more concerned about what their bodies can perform. Unlike us, women contemplate our body and  the zillion ways to decorate it…

Function vs. form

To women, almost 100% of the other women are fat.

To men, almost anything looks hot. LOL!

While women agonize about having TONS of extra pounds, and the pressure of the media doesn't mary it any better, men seem to enjoy it and appreciate it because the standards are a lot less smoother on them. 

Whatever differences between male and female, we as ladies have to care and nurture our body appropriately to feel happier and healthier but more importantly, shoot for acceptance because our temple will be our faithful companion from hereon. 

I got this from Natural Health Newsletter, an online health magazine I signed up for.

I do hereby declare that from this day forward I will choose to accept my body in its natural size and shape. I will celebrate all that my body can do for me each and every day. I will treat my body with respect, giving it enough rest, refueling it with nutritious food, exercising it regularly, listening to what it needs, and responding accordingly. I will choose to resist our society's pressures to judge myself and others based on body weight, shape, or size. I will believe that my self-esteem and identity come from within. And I will affirm that I am worthy and lovable, right now, exactly as I am!"

It is NOT tragic

It is NOT tragic

January 29, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

While I did a quick scan of the news earlier today, I bumped into an article about Dakota Fanning's interview for Glamour magazine. I frankly didn't read the whole interview, the only segment that captured my eye was her intake on relationships. 

"I don't really date," I have a weird vision of relationships because my parents have known each other since second grade, and they got married right out of college. I've always thought that's what it's supposed to be like, and if it's not, then I don't want to waste my time on it. Even when I was 14, I was like, "I'm not going to marry this person, what's the point doing it?"

What I admire about Dakota, is her entire outlook, focusing on the whole picture as opposed to living a limitless life, pleasuring her youth and jumping from one set of arms to another without giving herself a chance to assimilate things and allowing herself to rebound.

I was not as determined as her when I was 18, I wanted to meet boys, go out with many of them and "fall in love, fall out of love and fall right back in love.

As of three, four years ago,  the more I pondered on dating and relationships, the less I understood the matter and it made me reassure what I always believed deep down. Dating is sort of like going to bed within the first or second encounter and sharing one another's body's occasionally until "THE" one is met. 

After one trial and error and another, I turned into a more confident woman who slowly started developing more boundaries to avoid putting unnecessary time into unsuccessful relationships. I say no right off the bat when I know that is not for me. Now that I am more at ease, I've evolved into a more selfish woman (This is perhaps not good and I am not proud to admit it, but I am) in many ways.

I long for my episodes of solitariness because that is when I get to know myself more, I do the things that I want to do and so forth.

Love and relationships are reflexions that randomly navigate through my mind; I believe in love and relationships but more so, I firmly believe in a monogamous life-lasting relationship, the way I was taught, the way I witnessed granny Hal and Mary Lou's marriage born and thrive till death did them apart. 

These life learning lessons made me take marriage seriously and NOT commit if I felt with the heart that that specific man at that particular moment was not the one. 

It is now very clear to me that a man should do his manly job at all times respect, provide, protect, listen, understand, guide his family and be a good example to us, love me and my body for what it can create, not for the way it looks, teach our children morals, values, respect, ethics, patience, loyalty, compassion and integrity in order for them to pass all of this on to future generations. 

And I will play my womanly role by listening, serving, comforting, being patient, nurturing, being a role model to the humans I will bear. 

These reciprocated gifts will be saved till l I meet "THE" one, if it is meant to be. What I know for sure is that I will NOT waste my time dating one man after another only for the mere fact of not being alone. I no longer believe in dating. 

I don't want to ever give room for the gap of lonesomeness to widen more. I don't want to use a man who I don't love to fill that emptiness. I'd rather be alone (but not lonely) because love can be manifested in many ways and there are many lonely souls hungry for love in this planet

Moenia

Moenia 

January 27, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

Listening to British Dave Gahan, vocalist of Depeche Mode and Mexican Alfonso Pichardo, vocalist of Moenia, is like listening to the same person. Since Moenia emerged in the 90's, they have been compared with Depeche Mode because of the similarity in the two vocalists' voices. For my taste they are both very highly acclaimed musicians but I will keep Pichardo's voice because it is very deep, clear and manly unlike any other.

His firm voice is what lured me to go see him play at one of their concerts at some point but I was never able to for one thing or another until last night. A few weeks back I was filled with adrenaline when I found out about them coming and so I immediately told myself that now was the time.

I called a good friend of mine who shares a lot of the same likes and dislikes and so we did it!  Moenia played stunningly well. Forty year old Alfonso Pichardo is NOT only a physically gorgeous man but  he's also got charisma, an enchanting voice, energy and enthusiasm that make any woman drivel and drool over him. I could listen to him all day long. 

That is why I enjoyed every second of the long awaited event, except for them not playing long enough. I kept pleading with all my might for them to sing "Juegos de Amor, Llegaste a Mi and Sufre Conmigo," at no avail. Although those three songs were not sung, I have no major complaints whatsoever since they tuned, "Regreso a Casa," and "Quisiera Adivinar," which are amongst my favorites. 

In the 90's when I first listened to, "Estabas ahí, Terminales, Déjame Entrar, Color Melancolía, and No Importa que el sol se murex," I immediately became infatuated with the unknown voice. When I found out about this group called Moenia, I was not curious to find the meaning of the word Moenia until someone asked me a few weeks ago.

I don't quite get why they chose this name but that's what matters the least.

Here's the significance: Mural in latin.

According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: is a Latin phrase that means outside the walls or outside the walls of the city. The phrase is commonly used un reference to the original attributes of a building, usually a church, where it was built outside the origin city walls. Hence, when a city expands over time, a church which was originally outside the walls might end up in the center of the larger city.

As the music lovers we are and sharing the same taste, V, and I concluded that there are a few concerts lined up: Miguel Bose (I went to see him once before), Shakira (I got a chance to go see her play in Oakland), Paulina Rubio and Pepe Aguilar.