Here we are graduates, more than four years since we met each other for the first time and I see time goes fast.  Remembrances are one of those things I have in my mind and I guess in your mind too.  Maybe it is not quite relevant for some of you but it is unavoidable that we will remember all the good and bad moments we had during our carrier.  We will remember our partners and teachers-professors, all the experiences we lived. 

I remember the partners that did not finish with us for some reasons.  Hugo with his funny style, Swan always cool and direct, Jairo and Liber with their sarcastic jokes, Margot with his singular personality, Velkis and her anecdotes of live, Aroldo and his advices and seriousness, Sorian with his knowledge and dilemmas, Doris always sweet and leader, Maureen and Clayra wearing their fashion and fancy clothes, Edgardo and his nutritional tips, Raimundo and his dedications, Margin doing funny expressions, Susan, Karol, Yoslana and Lourdes (she was like a mother) not so easy to forget them, among others.  Many of them are currently finishing.  I encourage them.  Don’t give up! 

I remember the teachers.  How I can forget their efforts to make us understand the importance of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of techniques, activities, information, and so on.  Zully Díaz taught us how to pronounce, no matter exaggerations; the thing was to have a correct pronunciation.  And what about her grammar, it was, and is, very complex and interesting.  Teacher Gisela Cano, very professional in her job, she always was trying to make us understand the why and how of everything.  Research was her hardcore point without any doubt.  It is difficult to forget her.  Teacher Gallimore and her excellent literature criticism were outstanding.  She always put her best enthusiasm when teaching.  Don’t forget who Cotton Matter and Emily Dickinson are.  Ana T. Aparicio with her relaxing class and phrases, ¡Oh Come On! You have to study more, well!  The experienced Ruby Ferguson*, made us see English as never before.  Quite scaring for some and annoying for others, but we have to accept many of us became more disciplined and attitudinal.  Olda Cano and her legacy given to us through the package of activities we produced.  I mean a real esl/efl activity factory.  Sweeter difficult, I’m talking about Elia de Rincon, first of the teacher to give motivation to the freshman.  Well, if I’m missing someone there must be a good reason.

Just don’t forget our unconditional comrades.  I listed them taking in consideration their qualities:

Anibal: young spirit, amusing, defender.

Aralis: cuteness, peacefulness, good things come in small packages.

Bethel: creative, artistic, kind, collaborative.

Catherine C.: funny, good humor, patience (with me)

Christie: optimistic, good adviser, brave and struggling.

Edidio: mature, determined, truthful, and cooperative.

Gerardo: sarcastically funny, one of the most listened voice, good feelings.

Gerta: happiness, calmness, intelligence, skillfulness, one of the nicest.

Guadalupe: nice smile, friendly, talkative.

Gustavo: I didn’t know him very well but once someone told me he was so serious.

Ileana: friendly, happy, talkative.

Irina: friendly, cooperative, collaborative, happy.

Jason: friendly, funny, nice person, sportive, kind.

Johana: humility, peacefulness, grace.

Katherine R.: nice style, friendly, lovely, confident.

Mabel: intelligent and smart, responsible, good advisor, confident, considered, and good listener.*

McEdwin: thoughtful, serious and smiley when necessary, good analyzer.

Marlin: cute, internal and external beauty, honesty, kindness.

Nander: serenity, thoughtful, good humor, good presence.

Nayuska: just, responsible, leader, funny.

Nuris: availability, experience, kindness, generous.

Oliver: funny, smart, creative.

Roger: optimistic, friendly, cooperative, unconditional.

Rodolfo: Sarcastic and nice humor, optimistic, practical.

Stephanie: cuteness, friendly, beautifully shy, confident.

Tatiana: experienced, good advisor, leader, responsible, struggling, patience, optimistic, strong.

Veronica: full of grace, cute, energetic, happily contagious, funny, lovely, comprehensive, strong, confident, kind, pretty cooperative.*

Yaradny: beautiful, moody, cute, loyal friend, dreamer.*

Zuleika: super-hyper happy, optimistic, amusing.

(This * represents outstanding and remarkable people 4 me)

Someday we will tell stories to our descendants about how our years of university students were and we will remember the most we can about our teachers, our partners, our experiences, and what we learned, bad or good.  Perhaps it will be melancholic or satisfying, but who knows if we are going to GET TOGETHER some day, here or in heaven.  I don’t say bye nor see you soon, but I won’t forget you all.

Y el hombre estaba sentado solo

Empapado hasta los huesos en tristeza

Y todos los animales se le acercaron y dijeron:

“No nos gusta verte tan triste

Pídenos lo que quieras y lo tendrás”

El hombre dijo: “Quiero tener buena vista”

El buitre respondió: “Tendrás la mía”

El hombre dijo: “Quiero ser fuerte”

El jaguar dijo: “Serás fuerte como yo”

Luego el hombre dijo: “Anhelo saber los secretos de la tierra”

La serpiente respondió: “Yo te los enseñaré”

Y así fue con todos los animales

Cuando tuvo todos los dones que podían dar…

…se marchó

Y el búho les dijo a los otros animales:

“Ahora el hombre sabe mucho y puede hacer muchas cosas,

de pronto siento miedo”

El ciervo dijo: “Ya tiene todo lo que necesita

Ahora su tristeza acabará”

Pero el búho respondió: “No.

Vi un agujero en el hombre…

…profundo como un hambre que jamás saciará.

Es lo que lo hace triste y lo que hace que siempre quiera más.

Seguirá tomando y tomando…

…hasta que un día el mundo dirá:

‘Ya no existo mas y no me queda nada que dar’”

(Taken from the motion picture Apocalypto)