I was asked by one of my students..."Miss Zermeño, you need to have more patience with us." Now that was a wake up call for me coming from a 8 year old. I'm embarrassed to say, one of my students told me I needed to have a little more patience. For a second there, I thought I was the student. The child that need to be correct on account of bad behavior. Wow! It is sad to hear it come from one of my students. I do admit it. I wasn't having a good day...perhaps it was because I didn't have coffee that morning...or was it because I was really craving Starbucks but having Starbucks drains a teacher's wallet. Whatever the case was, it's just really an excuse. There shouldn't be any in my profession. That is what I do teach these little children the core subject- get them excited about Science, help them learn the English language and pride them of our own. Teach them how to write in cursive...and inspire them with mathematics problems...and express the importance of being good citizens. Aha...they taught me a lesson. What...lead by example!
So my patience is running dry! I guess I have to refuel. What you ask? Rest, deep breaths...and a cup of coffee!
La Parroquia
La Parroquia de la Asuncion is the largest church in Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco! The church I believe I read was finished in 1798.
Another picture!
The main entrance to the church.
El jardin in front of La Parroquia de la Asuncion.
No, this is not near a beach...sorry. Rather, the trees in the plaza or jardin in front of the main church in Lagos de Moreno. It was really cold outside but the trees were as green as could be.
Mi Familia
This is my grandmother with her daughters. The lady in the middle is not my grandmother! She is my aunt, my father's older sister. It just so happens that she has more gray or should I say canas than my grandmother. 
These are my cousins Toño, Lupillo, and Vale. Lupillo is really a distant cousin but also carries the last name Zermeño. Funny huh! (Lupita and Lupillo) I guess you could say he was named after me! Haha!
My aunt Antonia and cousin Luz.
Mis Primos!
Silvia, Eduvijes, Lorena, and me.
Tia Marcela, Rolando, and me.
This is my brother Rolando. You guys didn't know I had a brother did you? Well, it is a long story! Actually Rolando is my cousin but I love him as if he was a big brother! He is only eight days older than me!(I know, he looks old, huh?) Rolando was in Mexico visiting as well for the holidays. He and his wife live in South Sioux City, Nebraska.
My cousins: Cecilia, Beatriz, Rolando, Silvia, Juan Valentin, and Luz
Acostamientos
This is a tradition called Acostamiento del Niño Dios. We begin by praying a rosary with singing and additional scripture readings. As show here in the picture, the children present their baby Jesus to everyone present. In this case there are five Niños Dios. Each couple sways/rocks them every one joins in prayer and singing before laying them down in the Nativity Scene. The acostamiento usually occurs after the Posadas. The Posadas are the celebrations the nine days before the 24th of December (Noche Buena). The Acostamientos usually during December 24-30. This is the true meaning of Christmas...the celebration and rejoicing the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ!
Grandmother
This is my grandmother Beatriz Cruz viuda de Zermeño! Yes my dad's mother. She lives in Cañada de Mena (ranch) near Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco. She celebrated 84 years of life in July 2006. She is such a wonderful person with a huge heart and a tremendous memory. Incredible story teller! She can tell you something that happened 70 years ago and tell as if it happen yesterday! Why is it that I forget what I did last year?Mi Abuelita has to be one of the strongest people I know. She has encountered many obstacles in her life and still manges to remain strong and positive. She finds God's grace in every situation. It is so beautiful to hear my grandmother speak about life...about things she has experienced and the people she has met and our course my grandfather who past away 7 years ago. The past three Christmas' I've spent it in Mexico...SHE is the reason why!
Christmas in Mexico
This is Leti! She should have kept her eye on the road instead of looking at the camera! We were driving in Mexico! Actually, the interstates were pretty good for the most part.
This was the third consecutive Christmas I have spent away from home. I went to Mexico to visit my paternal grandmother. I hitchhiked my way there...kidding! The Camarillo's were kind enough to let me join them on that 16 hour trip to San Felipe, Guanajuato. Mr. & Mrs. Cam drove their truck as we followed close behind in Leti's car. From San Felipe, my cousin picked me up and we went to Cañada de Mena where my grandmother lives.
White Rock Marathon
This Sunday, my friend Diana ran in her first marathon! She ran in the White Rock Marathon which she had been training for these last six months. Her wonderful husband, 3 boys, Tia and I cheered her on at few points throughout the rugged 26 mile run. I didn't realize how painful it was for some runners. You know at the same time...it seemed like a such a rewarding experience to see the runners finish such an exhausting race. I am extremely proud of Diana for having accomplished her goal in running in a marathon. I'm proud to be a part of this special moment in her life which I know she will remember for many years to come. Way to go Diana!
Artic Blast
We had a good freeze this morning. It was too cold to go out for recess but it didn't stop us from going out for short time...YES...3 minute walk! The kids loved the idea of a walk!! As you could see the kids were extremely excited about the white stuff that was on the ground. I had one child ask if we were going to build a snowman. We just laughed and told him that there wasn't enough snow for a snowman. The little snow that was on the ground was enough to make a couple of small snow balls!
Grandmother---with granddaughters & great grandchildren
Joni and her two girls Jasmin and Jayden are pictured here with Mami Albina.
Michelle and little Sean came from North Carolina to join us this Thanksgiving. Michelle was telling me when she came from Germany that she was really looking forward to our Thanksgiving gathering.
Thanksgiving 2006!
Once again we celebrated Thanksgiving in Colorado City! Thanksgiving for the past few years have been really big! Our Gonzalez family is growing!! This past year I believe there were 6 new babies! As far as I've counted...My grandmother, has 13 children, 53 grandchildren, 42 great granchildren, and one great great grandchild. That is not including the spouses!!
First in line!
The first person in line is actually sleeping in the tent, he has been there since early Tuesday!
Standing in line for what?....PS3...?
So...i was talking to Carmen on the phone on my way back home from work yesterday. We were discussing PS3 thing that is coming out on Friday. I don't know a thing about video games? Sorry video game fans!
Anyway, she wanted to know if I would like to wait in line for one of those! As we were talking, I was on the service road off of 67 and could see Best Buy building. On the sidewalk, I could see several people bundled up protecting themselves from the cold and windy weather. As I drove up closer I saw a group of 18 people and one orange and gray ten! Yes, a TENT! These people are serious about this video game! Wow!
I thought it was rather funny and thought I'd stop and ask them if I can take a picture. One person actually asked me who I worked for since I had my camera in hand. As I laughed...I thought...theses FOOLS waiting outside are crazy! Okay, maybe they're not fools...I was wondering who in their right mind would stand outside for a silly video game? I didn't realize that Sony makes a limited number of these systems and stores don't stock up on these as they do other merchandise. Another thing, I didn't realize ...most of these people are not going play the ----thing...they are going to sell in on e-bay! Now---crazy.... goes to the people who actually pay a good $2,000 + for theses video game systems! Makes me...think? Taking off of work a few days to make a couple of thousand dollars....nah...Hey, come on...in a couple of years they will make the PS4, then .....?
Kaitlyn
Also joining to meet with our grandmother was Christina and Zeke with their newborn Kaitlyn Jordan!
I'm sad to say that on their way back from Abilene, Zeke, Christina, and Kaitlyn were in a car accident. Zeke and baby Kaitlyn are doing fine but Christina has a broken jaw and is in a Lubbock hospital. I found out this afternoon about the accident. All I know now is that surgery is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. I don't know why they are waiting for tomorrow! I just think it's quite a long time for a broken jaw. I guess I use my too much to go without it! On a serious note once again...We pray for Christina, so she may have a speedy recovery!
Meeting half way
This past Sunday, Angie, Tevis, Julian, and I took Mami Albina to meet up with my mom, Mary Grace, Dolores, and Antonio for lunch in Eastland. It was great seeing my Mami and my aunts and uncle. We had a nice lunch at a Mexican restaurant called Jalapeños! There was nothing hot about that place.Well, we visited for a couple of hours and then we headed back home as so did my mom and her sisters/brother with my grandmother to Colorado City. Look at that lady with the cell phone (grandmother)!! We told her we were going to take a picture! She didn't care...she wanted to keep talking!
Grandmother is home...her 2nd home
My grandmother, Mami Albina (which I call her) flew into DFW today from Guadalajara, Jalisco this afternoon. Angie and her family picked her up from the airport. My grandmother has been in Villa Guerrero for the past six months, where she has a house and spends a few months out of the year. Unfortunately, she doesn't have any children living over there but she loves to be in Mexico. She has her sisters, brothers, neices, nephew, and many friends in Villa. She loves to be here too...to see her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and she even has a great great grandchild! We are all glad and blest to have her here with us!
Concierto de Don Vicente Fernandez
El Legendario Rey de la Música Ranchera estuvo presente en Dallas este pasado sábado 28 de octubre. Por 5a vez…tuve la oportunidad de verlo en su concierto. En verdad no pensaba ir este año, pero Antonio decido comprar boletos y tuve que acompañarlo!
Desgraciadamente perdimos la primera actuación de Paquita la del Barrio. Pero Antonio se perdió! Bueno, nos perdimos en el tráfico por el interestatal 35 rumbo al centro. No creo que fue por el concierto, tal vez un accidente que siempre ocurre en esas ciudades de tanta gente.
Llegamos pocos minutos antes de las 8:00. Para esa hora ya estaba cantando Don Vicente! Rápidamente, llegamos a nuestros asientos que estaban ocupados por un par de borrachos! Si, en serio, ya estaban borrachos. Los asientos a lado de los señores, estaba uno disponibles para nosotros.
El Señor Vicente canto sin parar...tras copas de vino y unos cuantos cigarrillos entregaba sus corazón, alegría, y sufrimiento con sus canciones. Cantaba y no se le iba la voz. Esa gran voz incomparable, cantaba éxitos tras éxito, de sus viejitas y claro las de hoy. Las canciones que mas alegro al público fueron las canciones las vejitas que fueron éxitos en su carrera y claro las canciones del fallecido y gran compositor de México, José Alfredo Jiménez. Todos disfrutaron cantando las canciones y otros brindando. La audiencia no tenía edad, yo vi desde los 5 años hasta los 70!
Vicente, a sus 66 años de edad no se le acababa su gran voz que tiene para la música ranchera. Ver a Vicente Fernández es ver EL IDOLO de la música Ranchera y el mejor intérprete de ese género de música que hay y tal vez habrá! Para la música ranchera, no ha otro como Vicente Fernández! Espero que siempre cante Volver Volver y que nos de muchos años mas y vuelva a Dallas como siempre dice en sus conciertos!
Spooky!!!
The children weren't the only ones wearing costumes! Uncle Levie joined in the fun dressing up. Or...is that really a costume and wig or is that your real hair Uncle Levie?
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