THE MAKINGS OF AN AUNT

I am easily amused by the simple things in life. I find joy in the mundane and the sound of the ocean gives me a soul "lift" everytime. Chocolate, mmmh, nothing like it; spending time yapping with my friends whether it's deep and philosophical or just babbling about nothing; a good meal; when I master a step; lost a pound; made a buck; came up with a great design; had a good laugh or whatever, in general perhaps I can say that I am happy.

But when my sister told me that I was going to be an aunt, it was like a popcorn machine exploded in my soul or heart or somewhere, wow! that was joy!

The few friends that have children have always talked about that joy, "children are wonderful" they say, "if you only had one you would understand". Well, now I think I got a peek of that feeling. Can't imagine what it feels to actually be "baking" one in your belly. But for now, I love my "popocorn heart".

I already love that baby so much. Poor Enanos, because I know they will do their best to be good parents and the baby will only get spoiled rotten by the aunts. Parents educate, aunties spoil, jijiji! So what is the role of the Aunt?

Well, I just think about my own aunts. I loved Lourdes to death, the highlight of the week was to go to my granparents house and spend some time with her, she was kind of our idol. And those summers with Bertha, she screamed and yelled and made tamales, but she would give me those heart felt hughs that still resonate. And Tia Lupita, well she still knows how to spoil me, everytime I see her she makes my favourite foods and never misses a birthday. And Rosita, besides passing me her beauty and wisdom and distracted brain when I was baptized, her pragmatism is always a good thing to rely on. And my aunt Edda, always ready with a hugh, a compliment and those great balloon piñatas, and Yolanda with a that great sense of hospitality and family. So I was blessed with lots of great aunts. Now it's my turn to be one and I hope I am a good one. I'll take the kid skiing and sky diving; teach it about the world and perhaps take her in my travels; of course i'll share my passion for all aesthetic and soccer, and politics and world affairs; and good shoes, and good friends. I won't be able to teach her how to cook, but I can teach her how to paint or just relax at the beach counting how many waves come our way. But the truth is that I have no idea of how it will be, all I know is that it will be the beginning of an excellent adventure.

So baby, take your time eh? don't come out before hand, there is a life time ahead! See you in January.

PS. I say her because I think it will be a girl...the famous and most awaited Victoria. But if he's a boy, well, that's great too. I'll try not to dress him up like a girl, as I did with my cousin Fernando! jajaja

UNTIL 2010 !

Sunday July 9, 2006. The much awaited World Cup final was finally played. I would have liked it if the final was Brazil vs. Argentina. Even better, Mexico vs. whoever and have Mexico win, yes, the eternal optimist or rather diluted. Anyhow, France vs. Italy. Mmmh, OK, I'll cheer for Italy, I do like to support whatever I identify with and I tell you, I love Italy and the italians are so yummyliscious that it is good to support what God put in that land mass, hihi.

In Vancouver, Commercial Drive is where everything latin happens, from Brazilian carnavals, to Mexican celebrations, Italian national day, Dia de Muertos parade. It is a vibrant part of town that is ecclectic and unpretentios. People that are "from the Drive" have a particular style...there are so many weird fashions, and plenty of lesbians. So of course, it is THE place to go and watch such a match. We got there early enought and were lucky to find some floor room at a Salvadorean restaurant. I was going to cheer for Italy, but I got really turned off by all the yahoo, naco, canadian-italian behaving like jerks and sporting horrendous thick gold chains and facial hair. Not to mention some real unfriendly women. Maybe I was just sleepy and tired but I decided to cheer for France, eventhough. So I cheered for both teams, getting all sorts of looks of "disgust", though I must confess that after Zidane did his little tantrum I went back to cheer for Italy. The truth is that they played very well, both teams. I missed that passion for the team, I enjoyed the matches way more when I have made up my mind as to whom I want it to win. Perhaps next world cup.

After the match everyone there went out to the street and celebrate. It was a VERY hot day, I think I got a bit sunstruck. There were people from all walks of life, tooons of flags, it was very fun. So here are some pictures.


I wonder what happened with Zidane, I would like to know what the other player told him to piss him up so much to not care to be kicked out of the team, in the last 3 minutes of his retirement game. El gato was telling me that it was probably some racial slur, he's Algerian, and he probably didn't care anymore. I would like to know. But, it was still very unprofessional I think.

So now I will be able to concentrate on other things and won't be watching so much TV and spending a lot of time worried with the futbol. But for sure, I am looking forward the next one in 4 years!!

NOT BAD FOR A WEEK

Pregnanices, separations, reconciliations, divorces, weddings, baby showers, raises, new business, closed ventures, failed attempts, success, laughter, wells of tears, amazing weather, relocation, expatriation, fraude, winnings, loses, new ideas, heart ache, pure joy, relocation, new homes, brilliance, stupidity, effort, passion, laziness, certainty, confusion, excitment, reunions, visitors, love, new eras, times gone, hope, despair, adventure, creation, solace, intimacy, seclution, joy, depression . . . boring? nah! all but that.

WORLD CUP GERMANY 2006

It's almost over...and all my favourite teams are out, however, the Cup has a great hold of me and I am still watching the games. Now I would like Portugal to win eventhough most of the games they have been dirty players, except for the one with Holland. Luis Figo is such a "bonbon" that seeing him run like a wild horse is inspiration enough for me to keep watching.... Anyway, I am so glad Germany got kicked out today! good for the Italians, it was a great game, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and 2 goasl in the last 2 minutes.....o my gosh! to bad I didn't watch it...... we left with only 12 minutes to go~ but, well, at least they won.

Let's see what happens tomorrow France vs Portugal.

After Mexico was disqualified, I was rooting for Brazil [always!] and Argentina. After Argentina lost, Brazil only hope and then the cariocas played and they looked as if they were dreaming, just looking at the ball, no display of that Brazilian magic with the ball, I thought, whaaat on earth are they doing? the thought that they probably got payed hugh amounts of money to lose crossed my mind....that would be such a shame

CANADA DAY

It's so cute that this celebration formally known as Canada Day is not even 25 years old. It's a sign of such a young country. For years we have celebrated the day by going to one of the government organized festivities and then gathering with friends at the beach for the Canada Day picnic. We dress in red and white and put maple leaf tatoos on the face, leg, arm or wherever you like. This year we went for the housewarming party of Lorena and Andres, and had KFC, cupcakes, junk food and lasagna in company of friends. It was the first time that we are all CANADIANS, and there were actually 5 "original Canucks", and a guest from Spain, so again, truly multicultural in the true Canadian spirit. As July 1 was Saturday, people get Monday off, so it was a great long weekend. The weathe was incredible, not a cloud in the sky, bright hot sun and sparlky ocean. Sunday was a day to spend at the beach, lying on my Canada flag towel, looking at the ocean, fab bods, and mainly sleeping. Monday pretty much the same. WOW! summer in Vancouver, amazing, though to be honest a bit to hot for me! I love Canada, and even though in my heart I am always going to be Mexican, beign Canadian is like a bonus, so it's also destiny, I am proudly Mexi-Can.
Below a bit of history about Canada Day, FYI

On June 20, 1868, a proclamation signed by the Governor General, Lord Monck, called upon all Her Majesty's loving subjects throughout Canada to join in the celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada on July 1st.

The July 1 holiday was established by statute in 1879, under the name Dominion Day.

There is no record of organized ceremonies after this first anniversary, except for the 50th anniversary of Confederation in 1917, at which time the new Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings, under construction, was dedicated as a memorial to the Fathers of Confederation and to the valour of Canadians fighting in the First World War in Europe.
The next celebration was held in 1927 to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation.
Since 1958, the government has arranged for an annual observance of Canada's national day with the Secretary of State of Canada in charge of the coordination.
Another highlight was Canada's Centennial in 1967 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attended the celebrations with Parliament Hill again being the backdrop for a large scale official ceremony.

The format changed in 1968 with the addition of multicultural and professional concerts held on Parliament Hill including a nationally televised show. Up until 1975, the focus of the celebrations, under the name "Festival Canada", was held in the National Capital Region during the whole month of July and involved numerous cultural, artistic and sport activities, as well as municipalities and voluntary organizations. The celebration was cancelled in 1976 but was reactivated in 1977.
A new formula was developed in 1980 whereby the National Committee (the federal government organization charged with planning Canada's Birthday celebrations) stressed and sponsored the development of local celebrations all across Canada. "Seed money" was distributed to promote popular and amateur activities organized by volunteer groups in hundreds of local communities. The same approach was also followed for the 1981 celebrations with the addition of fireworks displays in 15 major cities across the nation.

On October 27, 1982, July 1st which was known as "Dominion Day" became "Canada Day".
Since 1985, Canada Day Committees are established in each province and territory to plan, organize and coordinate the Canada Day celebrations locally. Grants are provided by the Department to those committees.
www.pch.gc.ca/progs/