Graduation

Pretty young graduate don't you think? No, Julian didn't graduate from college---yet! He hasn't even graduated from Jr. High! By the time I found Vicki after the commencement ceremonies, Julian had already put on her cap and gown. Silly kid, he even got a few congratulations from strangers.

Vicki graduated yesterday from the University of North Texas. After I was shaken up a bit about the accident, I still managed to catch a ride to Vicki's graduation. I didn't want to miss her special day. I am extremely proud of her for this great accomplishment at such a young age. Let me brag a little about my cousin. First all, she graduated with honors and also she is only 20! She doesn't turn 21 until August. Pretty great accomplishment in such a short period of time! We are all proud of you Vicki!!

Something to blog...

Unfortunately I was in an accident around noon today. I was trying to get a quick lunch at Chick-fil-A but never made it. I was intending to turn left into the shopping center lot to get into chick-fil-a through a "sucker hole" as Diana calls it. The opposing cars left and center lanes traffic had stopped to allow me to make my left turn. It all happened so fast, I guess i failed to yield the right of way and I collided with a BMW. I took the opportunity, just having faith that a car wasn't coming since the traffic stopped and waved me on.

Doesn't seem that bad until you really take a closer look at my frame.

Why did it have to be a BMW!?!

The good thing, no one was seriously hurt. The driver of the vehicle didn't want to talk to me but the passenger exchanged a few words. She had some sore fingers. She thought they might be broken. I hope they are not seriously broken.

Mother's Day/Dia de las Madres

As some of you may already know, today is Mother's Day in Mexico and many Latin American countries. I don't know which ones exactly but I know they really celebrate it big every 10th of May in Mexico.

Mother's Day is a great day to Honor out Mothers and tell them how much we love and appreciate them for all the hard work and dedication they have for us. They're the ones who carried us for nine months in their womb. The ones who nurtured and comforted us when we need it the most. I could only imagine that a mothers job is never done...it is a constant unconditional love that only grows with the years.

So I called my mother early this morning to wish her a happy mother's day and my dad shouts in the background, "we are not in Mexico"! The clown was just pulling my leg, he had already called his mother EARLY this morning to wish her a happy day! I also called my grandmother Beatriz and was so excited to talk.

My grandmother Albina is also in Mexico but unfortunately she is away from all her children. They are all here in the states. She seems to be really happy there even though she is far from us. I called her about noon and she said she had been awake since about 3 this morning because of all bands walking down the streets playing songs to honor the mothers. The traditional Mañanitas, the same one that they sing for the birthdays. I think much rather have a few hours of sleep that to hear music THAT early in the morning!


A mother is the one who will always worry and wonder how her baby is no matter how old they are! Just as my Mami! ; )

Some things I remember and love about my mom: (too many but here are some!)

• One of my favorite times was when my mom use to pray with me every night!
• Or the times she would put Jergens lotion on my then, small hands as a child and made sure she got around every finger. Her hands were the softest. Every time I smell Jergens Original scent, I think of HER!
• Always admired her wedding ring and another ring that symbolized the three of us...two diamonds and a Zircon.
• I also remember the many times she would wipe my face on the run, she would like wipe it off with her wet thumb.
• The loud kisses on my cheek, it would actually be so loud that it would hurt my ears.
• Of course the colitas (pigtails) my mom use to make of my hair. Especially...the No More Tangles by Johnson & Johnson spray she would put on my hair to help get rid of my tangled hair. I thought that only my mom could make my pigtails-- no one else, ask my aunts. Her magical finger curled them just right! Only she made my hair perfect!
• Never going to sleep mad. She would always apologize and made me think about why she got on to me. I was the one at fault but she always apologized!
• I always went everywhere with her unless she was working.
• The times she would be so proud to show me off at work when we would go visit her.

And the list goes on.....I have some many other stories about my mom. My mom and dad remember so much of my childhood as if it was yesterday! I am greatly blessed to have a mom like her. I hope that one day I will be the same for my children. My mother has been a very inspiring person in my life. She would probably be my best friend! Her love shows with her actions!

Aidan

Thanks

Thanks to all the people that made my day special! Thanks for remembering another year! I can't thank you enough for the phone calls, cards, gifts, texts, e-cards, flowers, and all! I am truly blessed to have wonderful family and friends like you! Gracias! I love you guys!

1970's---Club Disco Inferno

Disco Fever: Can you tell what song this is? I'm sure you do!!

Julian

Uncle Daniel and Chris

The Rolands

Club Disco Inferno

Julian, Uncle D, & me!

Today was disco night at our church!! Actually, it was Club Disco Inferno Catechist Appreciation Dinner! I no longer help with Faith Formation but my I went to the dinner as my aunt's guest. We enjoyed a delicious Beef Stroganoff with egg noodles, garden salad, glazed carrots, bread, chocolate fountain with assorted fruits and cake. We even had an open bar! ; ) Well, no beer just wine! There were awards presentation for all the caechist and Faith Formation volunteers. What really was a huge hit was the disco dance floor! Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time dancing and singing along to the music of the '70's. Just because I was born in that decade doesn't mean I remember the music! Okay: the few songs I do recall, so will you: I Will Survive, YMCA, At the Car Wash, Play that Funky Music white boy, Burn Baby Burn, Staying Alive, Turn the Beat Around, Locomotion, and ABC.

Mami y Daddy

Feliz Cumpeaños Daddy

Hoy 13 de abril cumple años mi gran padre! A penas tiene sus 56 años! Uno de los regalos más valioso para mi madre, padre, y para mi...es estar juntos para esos días especiales como es los cumpleaños. Este fin de semana no pude ir pero lo celebramos la semana anterior. Pero bueno, nomás quiero desearle lo mejor y muchísimos años más! Te quiero daddy!

Lo que sigue es la letra de una canción que le gusta a mi padre. Se la quiero dedicar a el... pero no por que es viejo...solamente porque se que le gusta la canción y le hace recordar a su viejito...que Dios tenga a mi Abuelito Pancho en el cielo! Y se, si mi abuelito estuviera aquí, estuviera sumamente orgulloso de su hijo, el norteño, el chico!

Mi Viejo

Es un buen tipo mi viejo.
Que anda solo y esperando.
Tiene la tristeza larga
De tanto venir andando.

Yo lo miro desde lejos,
Pero somos tan distintos,
Es que creció con el siglo
Con contra vía y vino tinto...oh oh!

Viejo, mi querido viejo,
Ahora ya caminas lerdo
Como perdonando el viento.

Yo soy tu sangre me viejo,
Soy tu silencio y tu tiempo.

El tiene los ojos buenos
Y una figura pesada,
la edad se le vino encima
Sin carnaval ni comparsa.

Yo tengo los años nuevos
Y el hombre los años viejos,
El dolor lo lleva adentro
Y tiene historias sin tiempo...oh, oh.

Viejo mi querido viejo,
Ahora ya caminas lerdo
Como perdonando el viento.

Yo soy tu sangre, mi viejo,
Soy tu silencio y tu tiempo.
Yo soy tu sangre, mi viejo...yoooo
Soy tu silencio y tu tiempo.

Dallas World Aquarium

Field trip to the Dallas World Aquarium! What an enjoyable trip which also was an exhausting one! We started off leaving the school after 9:30 on two yellow buses. I guess you could say a little closer to 10. Our sweet bus driver didn't know how to get to the Aquarium. When she missed the exit, I wanted to take over the wheel and show her a thing or two about driving and getting to our destination. (I really did want to be a bus driver when I was little!)
Once we arrived at the aquarium we couldn't check into the aquarium until 11:00. Unfortunately we weren't the only school there! We decided to enjoy our sack lunches outside before going to each aquarium exhibit! We walked over to a nearby open area downtown to enjoy our lunch. Yeah, I don't know if the others noticed but we were in between a parking lot and a Pub! It was a nice shaded area (even though the sun was not out and the weather was nice and cool). The kids didn't seem to mind eating their lunches sitting on the ground up against the wall. They were great troopers! The weather was a little chilly but the kids had a great time. Here are some pictures I thought I'd share of our wonderful educational trip! The children recalled the many different animals and plant life we studied before the trip and even corrected me on some of the names of the animals. They also told me they didn't get to see some of the animals we had studied and I said were going to be there. Well, they just don't understand when I told them that some of the exhibits were closed for reconstruction.
All in all, we had a wonderful time! Didn't we Katy!!

Colorado Snow

I spent Easter weekend with my parents in Colorado. Easter snow!!...nope, I didn't try to ski...I did say it was Colorado City, TEXAS!? Not COLORADO! You guys do know there is a Colorado City, Colorado? So I hear, I have never been there but I know it's on the map. Anyway, first time for me to see snow in Colorado City so late into spring. I took pictures of the snow on the cars and on the ground to prove it, but I accidentally deleted them from my camera. Sorry!

Cookout at Uncle D's

Uncle Daniel and Chris invited us to their home for lunch today. It was Uncle Anthony and Chelita's last day in town before heading back to Sweetwater. Just wanted to share pictures of our afternoon with the family.

Las hermanas

I had a wonderful day Saturday, spending time with friends! CrAzY Friends!! i had lunch with Isabel then headed to Mati and Bob's house for the afternoon! Boy do these sisters make me laugh! (Can you tell by the picture? Mati is hiding behind Chavela.) Who needs to workout when you have these friends that will make you laugh so hard your stomach muscles hurt!

Great Friday!

I love Fridays! I always seem to be a little bit happier on FRIDAYS! Just ask my students! Well, most Fridays! Is it because the weekend is here and well...you know~ looking forward to those days off! Or is it because I have coffee every Friday morning with two wonderful friends, Diana and her son Julian! Fridays are the only days that I actually get up earlier than usual to meet them at Starbucks at 7:00. My day go so much smoother when I have that nice cup of coffee with friends. I always get my usual white mocha, nonfat, and yes -to the whip cream. Doesn't make sense does it? Well, my excuse for the nonfat and whip...the coffee won't spill over! come on, it taste better!

Speaking of my coffee friends...my little buddy, Julian, was too busy eating his cinnamon roll, drinking 'not so hot' hot chocolate and reading a book that he didn't have much to say to me today. Believe me...you have to say NOT SO HOT hot chocolate...he can tell the difference! If you don't mention NOT SO HOT...be prepared to get your ass chewed out by a 6 year old!!

Diana~ Thanks you so much for meeting for a nice cup of coffee and great chat on Friday mornings! I really enjoy it! You know, I'm really going to miss the Fridays when you guys move!

Tramway

Today we went to the Wyler Aerial Framway at Franklin Mountain State Park in El Paso. Those pictured are my mom, aunt Theresa, cousins Megan and Nicole. We had an aerial view of El Paso, Texas ~ New Mexico ~ Juarez, Chihuahua Mex.

Chico's Tacos (overrated)

If you are from El Paso, you have heard of Chico's Tacos. Diana told me about this place a while back and said I had to taste their tacos. Uncle Daniel told me the same thing...he said I couldn't go to El Paso without going to Chico's Tacos! It is apparently a very popular place! It was 2:00 in the afternoon and the place was packed. We had to wait to find a seat. You would have thought it was lunch hour! The place has been open for business for 50+ years with four different locations. (That's what the wax paper cup said!) Well, I only had the famous tacos. The chico's tacos are 3 flautas (beef) in tomato soup with shredded cheese on top. Oh yeah, the tacos were placed in several french fry paper plates. You know, the kind of container the fries and frito pie come in at DQ? Anyway, the tacos were okay but I still think they are just a little overrated. El Pasoans really love their Chico's Tacos!...next time I'll try a hot dog!

Peanut

My mom and I stopped by to see Rosa and her family on our way to El Paso. Francisco aka Peanut was so anxious to show me that he can ride his bike down a ramp. Well, it wasn't much of a ramp but I guess for a 6 year old it is a fun ride!

Fitting under the smallest spaces....

Playing video games

Aidan...Aidan...?

Do you hear me? Why are you covering your ears?

Well, I was getting on to him for playing rough with his older brother Cristian. Yes, older brother and he didn't want to hear me! This kid is a tough cookie! But isn't he so cute!

Julian, Cristian, and Aidan

This is what you do when the parents are out of town!!

Growing as he sleeps...

Wow!! Esme just sent this picture of her little one! Two weeks ago he was 13 lbs. Gosh, he has grown!

Tuesday...

If I thought yesterday was a bad day, today was worse!!! I ---- became the smallest dirt or soil in our Rainforest! (Despite the growth of vegetation the rainforest, the quality of the soil is quite poor!) That's how I feel. But hey, tomorrow is a new day. Yeah, I'm a little nuts today! Why did I say rainforest? Well, my 3rd grade team is working on a rainforest in our hallway. Which by the way looks really great. In the upcoming weeks we are going to studying about the rainforest and its inhabitants. In a month, we are taking a field trip to the Dallas World Aquarium!! Fun huh!! Although I have gone to the Aquarium several times, I can't wait to go with these group of children. I know they will really learn and enjoy!

Until tomorrow!

The sun still shines! (Ojala, que el sol regrese!)

What...

I've been weighing myself wrong all these years!?!

Monday...

What a tiring Monday! Weekends are for resting...right? Why am I so tired? Perhaps it's because...my body knows that in a week we will have SPRING BREAK!

Well, I haven't made it to the gym yet like I intended to...but come one, it's Monday. Everyone is at the gym on Monday! I guess I'll wait a bit longer and surely people have cleared out of there.

International Wildlife Museum

On Sunday we went to the International Wildlife Museum. It was a great hands on exhibit. Unlike most exhibits that say PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH, this was had signs TOUCH PLEASE! The exhibit featured wildlife from all over the world. From insects, moose, bears,deer, mammoths to wildlife dung! Yes, dung, people study dung to find out how long animals lived and the different plants or animals they ate.

It is a great place for to take the kids on a field trip. Too bad it too far away to travel to Tucson for a field trip. Just imagine, driving a yellow bus all the way from Texas to Arizona! FUN road trip??!

Paquito

Tucson

I find myself in the desert, enjoying the 67 degree weather, appose to the scorching 100 degree summer weather. So they say, I really know how it really feels! Everyone here seems to be enjoying the nice weather...wearing their shorts and flip flops.

I'm in Tucson, Arizona visiting my friends the Silvestre's! I've been here since Friday night and had a great time here enjoying their new bundle of joy Paquito! Precious little one! I do have to say he is a lot whiter than I expected. Becoming a parent certainly changes people. Not because I have the experience. I just have the experience of seeing how these newly parents have changed since their gift from God has made his way into their lives.

Paco and Esme, I know you guys have just started, but you are doing a great job being parents. A little over protected but I guess I'll find out some day! ; ) The Lord willing!

You didn't know I could ride a horse, did you?

Did you know I could ride a horse? Well, to tell you the truth, not very well. Although I really love horses and I would say they are my favorite animals, I haven't learned now to ride in full stride. I have always been fond of horses and enjoyed riding especially when we would go to my grandparents' place in Mexico. I also had a horse when I was about 7 years old but I didn't ride her much because my father was breaking her. I could only ride when he was with me. My dad has another mare now and she is beautiful but a mine of her own. Maybe because she pregnant!!

This picture was taken in November when we went to my aunt and uncle's place. During the warm months, which means...spring, summer and sometimes fall and winter in Texas, my uncle has a rodeo, some would say. But it is actually a coleadera. I have only been a couple of times but it is a rather nice sport to watch.
I'm sure you are wondering why I don't have my feet in the stirrups correctly? Well, I can't reach! Instead of adjusting the length, I just slide my feet in between. My dad use to tell me to do that when I was younger.

Saturday School

Today was the first day of Saturday school for my kids. We decided to have Saturday school to offer tutoring for those students needing extra help to prepare them for the TAKS on 20th of this month. It went really fast today! The children seem to do extremely well. when I say well, I mean with the right attitude! (Funny, but my kids love to go to school on Saturdays!)

After Saturday school, I drove around Big D and to Plano to see a friend and her daughter. They were in Plano for a volleyball tournament. Anita's daughter is only in 8th grade but plays in a volleyball league in Abilene.My friend Anita use to be my 7th grade math teacher many moons ago. We have kept in touch over the years. Well on Saturday afternoon we had lunch together and talked about teacher stuff...the attitude we get throughout the day and those special experiences we have being an educator. I'm so glad I teach 3rd grade!

I do have to mention that Anita was the person that told me not to teach! She warned me and I didn't listen. Something I don't regret doing. She wanted me to do something that made more money I guess. She always said and continues to say that I could do something since I'm bilingual. Although Anita tried to discourage me ... she still inspires me! ( funny )