chiquis in bathtub...

I was in the bathroom washing my hands and just as I was about to walk out, I noticed Chiquis laying in the bathtub. Is she giving me a hint? 

Adios Rocio...

Another sad news ....one of my favorite Spanish singers/actress... Rocio Durcal.. died of cancer over the weekend.


http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/miami/17522.html

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Last Saturday, my hubby and I attended a candlelit bowling to raise funds for a little girl in our community who is battling leukemia.

In order to raise additional funds we also had to bring something we could raffle off. During the course of the bowling event, a friend of ours decided she would raise extra funds by doing 40 push-ups in less than 60 seconds. Everyone gathered around her as they watched her do the push-ups. She finished with 40 push-ups in less than 45 seconds and raised a total of $275.

Not only was this event to help for a good cause, but also we actually had a good time and had fun bowling.

In the time that we spent with the little girl, she seemed to be a wonderful, sweet and happy child. I was amazed at how a little girl (at such a young age) who has gone through so much pain and suffering still continues to have a good outlook in life.

So I ask myself, why do we always focus on the negative stuff? We should learn from that… be grateful for what we have and enjoy the little miracles that we receive each day… even if things don’t always go our way.

And even though there are certain circumstances in our lives we have no control over or cannot change, what we do have is the power to find a solution…to change what we can and make a difference. How we want to live our lives and how we want to perceive life… it’s up to us.

I know life is not always easy. But what would life really be like if we only focused on the good things instead?

warmth

It's been cold these days... and sitting by a nice, warm cozy fire feels so good...

ME...(my younger years)

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When I look back at what we’ve accomplished over the years, and even though at times, there seem to be more bad than good, I’ve come to realize that we have come a long way.    

Unfortunately, we tend to focus only on the bad things and forget to be thankful for the good things that God has given us.  But as long as we have faith, I know we can continue to surpass whatever challenges are placed in our paths.  

I’m going to take this opportunity to thank God for everything He has done for my family and me.  For giving us the power to continue moving forward even when things seem to go so wrong.  But most of all, I’m very thankful for our health.  

This past year, we have lost several friends to cancer.  And last week alone, we’ve come to find out that two good friends have passed due to this horrible disease.      

This is in memory of Darlene (a woman who always put others before herself) and Melanie (who loved her family and had a beautiful voice)… we will miss you.  

May God give your families courage and strength and may you both rest in peace.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Green water fountain.

wicked...

 

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I try to take one day at a time -- but sometimes several days attack me at once.

--Jennifer Unlimited--

people watching...

People watching… it has come to fascinate me… to look at their total appearance and how they react to their surroundings. I also find it interesting to see people’s different facial expressions and how sometimes you can read their faces while with others you never know what they might be thinking. You get to see people from different races (Latinos, Asians, African Americans, Europeans, East Indians, etc.). People wearing different outfits from business suits, fur coats, work uniforms, regular clothes (different styles and fashions) to dirty rags.

In the beginning, I used to hate riding the train. I would feel very uncomfortable.
If you would find a seat that was not by the window, there is really no other place to look around but what is in front of you. I didn’t know what to do. And it was embarrassing to me knowing that people might think I was staring at them. Or to find someone staring at you, it’s kind of weird and creepy. So I kept trying to look around… here and there… avoiding eye contact.

And depending on the time you catch your train, if you caught the morning rush or the afternoon rush, it would be crowded which made it difficult to look around. So I would stare at my feet instead. Oh, and not to mention the body odor or bad breath! There are times when man…oh man…I thought I would puke! Not to mention when some of our homeless ride the train. P.U!

I soon began reading books on the train to keep me entertained. But then, I would get so engrossed in my book that I would miss my stop. I often wondered how people who fall asleep on the train would automatically wake up at their stop. I couldn’t see how that was possible. Sometimes you find people taking two seats because they actually put their feet up and fall asleep. Others would sit by the window and rest their heads on it. And yet, others just close their eyes and can stay asleep sitting up, while others keep bobbing their head trying to keep it up. Other people fall asleep with their mouths wide open and sometimes even drool. And believe me we even have some folks who snore and LOUD!!!

While I wait for my train to arrive, we have several street performers. Some guys are pretty good. They have great voices but would probably never make it in American Idol… too bad! Others play different musical instruments and they too are good. There’s even a guy who draws sketches of people. When he sees me he tries to encourage me to have my sketch done but I never carry any cash on me. Maybe one of these days, I’ll get the nerve to stand there and have him draw a sketch of me (embarrassing as it may be…as people stand to watch you and him while he’s sketching!)

One of the street performers (who happens to be a blind Hispanic) was singing Spanish music. There are times when he sounds pretty darn good. In fact, not only does he get a few dollars and change but also he’s had several people tapping their feet to the beat of his music. Yesterday, another Hispanic guy who was listening to our guy sing was also singing along and out loud in tune to the music (he was signing and snapping his fingers!) And today, there was a guy (African American) who was listening to our guy sing and began moving and dancing to the rhythm of the song without having a care in the world about what people thought of him. I truly admire that.

Over time, I've seen many different people come and go. And during that time, I have made a few friends. And yet I ride the train with the same people every day and we may never come to meet.

But there’s no doubt that people watching can be fun and quite interesting.

Only in Chicago...

Only in Chicago the weather could feel like fall, winter, spring & summer all within a matter of days. Let's see.... we've been having very few sunny days, lots of rain, an occasional snow fall and some fog.

Last Saturday we had a beautiful sunny day. It was warm compared to other days. On Sunday by late morning it was snowing like crazy and continued to snow all through the night. Friday, I think it was drizzling but it didn’t feel as cold.

Yet today, it was so foggy in the morning that it looked like London fog. By the afternoon the mist and fog cleared up and the sun came out again but it felt real cold.

I remember a few years ago, my sister-in-law came into town on business. She decided to stop and visit with us. This was sometime in April or May, I believe. Since that day my daughter had a softball game, we invited her to come watch her play. According to her, she had checked out the weather via the Internet which indicated warm weather and only brought summer clothes. She showed up to the game wearing a light blouse and I believe she might have even been wearing capris pants and sandals. I bet she didn’t expect it to be that cold… weather during April and May still tends to be cold at times! She exclaimed, “I thought it was going to be warm! When I checked the weather it said it was going to be in the 70’s!”

Yeah, 70’s… the 70’s in Chicago can feel like a nice warm day, cool day, windy and cold day or cloudy and rainy day. And to her amazement, that day felt like it was in the 50’s but as it got windier throught the day, it felt like in the 40's... and it was cold! Brrrr!

In order to know the appropriate way to dress for the weather, just look out the window and up at the sky... you'll even feel it as you walk outside...you'll see... sometimes, even the weather forecaster's get it wrong.

Yep! That's Chicago weather for ya!

twins...

My hubby’s brother is coming into town in a couple of days.  So in preparation, I have been busy cleaning up the house.  It’s been a total mess especially since we had our bathroom redone.  There was (and still is) dust everywhere!  

This past weekend, I spent most of the time cleaning (sigh…the story of my life!)  

My hubby tells the few people he’s gotten acquainted with during his “coaching career” that his “twin” brother is coming into town.  

Yes he said twin…but of course, he has no twin!  But those people don’t know that.  Ah, that’s my hubby… with him, you never know when he’s serious or when he’s just pulling your leg.  

There were a few people at the meeting, including some of the softball girls’ parents.  And one of them said, “You mean there are TWO of you? Good God!  I bet the girls would love to see this!”   She said that only because my hubby is a very tough coach but he’s also a damn good one and that’s why they stand playing for him.

I can’t wait to see their faces when they get to meet his “twin” brother!  

My hubby has features of an “Indio” or Native American Indian.  His brother (not really blood brothers but grew up together as such) is light skin, light hair and blue eyes!  

Yeah…they will definitely see the resemblance!

always teasing...

My hubby and I were having a discussion about him and how he likes joking around with people and pulling their leg.  “They never know when you’re joking or you’re serious,” I said to him.  “You should try to keep a journal of all the things you’ve done and experienced.  Some of the things are interesting and others are pretty funny!  You definitely should consider writing about it.”  To which I jokingly said to him, “Who knows, maybe someday they will make a movie about you.”

We kept talking about his witty remarks and his teasing and a thought came to mind.  As Forrest Gump once said, “Life is like a box of chocolate.  You never know what you’re gonna get”.  So I said to him, “You’re like a box of chocolate, with you, you never know what you’re gonna get!”

He says to me, “Not just any chocolate…Hershey’s.  Since I love Hershey’s”.  

“Oh you mean, you can either be plain and simple, a little nutty or a bag full of kisses?”

He replies with a grin, “Oh yeah… and I’ll have to find someone to play your part!”

fish fry...

Last Friday, my hubby and I went to the grocery store to pick up fish to have for dinner.
Even though I hate to admit it, I don’t really know how to cook. My mom tried to show me when I was growing up, but I don’t have “el sazon” or the flavor that my mom gives to all her cooking. Nowadays, and sadly to say, I’m pretty much learning as I go.

I, especially, have never cooked fish before. So I immediately called my mom on the phone and asked her, “Mom, I have two fillet of white fish” “How should I make them?”

She laughs and says, “Ay hija, que nunca te vas a enseñar a concinar?”

“Por eso le estoy hablando para que me enseñe!”

So for an easy way to cook fried fish, here is the recipe she gave me:

Ingredients:

2 Fish fillets
Cooking oil
Flour
2 Eggs
Lemon pepper
All purpose seasoning Adobo Goya
Garlic powder
Two slices of lemon or limon

In medium heat, heat the cooking oil in a deep pan until it is very hot. (Mom says, “You can test the oil to see if it’s ready by putting a tortilla in it and it immediately becomes a tostada.”)


Rinse fish in cold water and set aside on a plate.
Beat a couple of eggs in a bowl.
In a separate plate, mix flour, lemon pepper, Adobo Goya and Garlic powder. (or you can substitute to condiments that you prefer)

Dip the fish in egg batter
Set the fish in the flour mix (flip to cover both sides)
Put the fish in the hot cooking oil and leave it there for a few minutes until it becomes brown from one side and flip over to cook the other side. Fish will be done when both sides are golden brown. Set on a plate splash a dash of lemon juice and you have yourself a fried filet o’ fish!

When I began frying my first fillet, I didn’t realize I had the heat set on medium low, so the cooking oil was not hot enough. By the time I tried flipping the fish over, it crumbled to pieces! What a disaster! Oh, well, guess who got to eat that fish fillet?

The second fillet came out perfect. I couldn’t ask for a better fish fillet. I served it to my husband with mashed potatoes & gravy, corn, green beans, a side salad (oh yes, let us not forget the salad) and buttermilk biscuits.

I must admit, I was very proud of myself. I’m becoming a little Betty Crocker over here. What made it even better was the fact that my hubby actually liked it! Yes, he liked it! He really liked it!!!!

train delays...

After the 9/11 attacks in NY, the CTA has been practicing daily security checks on their trains. The conductor will announce on the intercom, “Attention all passengers, this train will be stopping for a couple of minutes due to a security check. We’ll be moving shortly and we apologize for the inconvenience.”

We definitely want them going around doing security checks. It’s only natural with everything that’s been happening not only in this great country but also around the world. I’m not saying we have to become paranoid and start looking over our shoulders, but this should remind us that we are still vulnerable and can’t be too overly confident that nothing can happen to us.

And yet, now that things have settled down a bit, everyone appears to be back to “business as usual”. We are always pressed for time and rushing to get to work on time. So when we hear the conductor announce the routine security check, you can see people rolling their eyes, hear heavy sighing and an occasional “shit!” or “fuck!”

I know this little delay is an inconvenience for some people. But as far as I’m concerned, if this delay is used as a preventative measure to help stop another disaster from happening… then, I don’t mind it at all!

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“There ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.”

  ---- Mark Twain

expectations...

For the past few years, my husband has been coaching a girl’s softball team.  And as baseball season began, I’ve volunteered in helping out with the organization whether it was by working the concession stand, cleaning up, etc.  My husband coached two teams.  My daughter only played in one of the teams but I would go see the other team play just to show my support.  

It was a little hard on me being the coach’s wife.  During that time, I became acquainted with some of the girls’ parents.  But when parents would get angry at the “coach” for whatever reason, they would say certain remarks about him, which would make me feel uncomfortable and sometimes it would hurt.  I would have to either ignore it or try to explain it.    

Now, he’s serving as president of the baseball organization, which is even worse.  I believe he’s doing a wonderful job with the program and people are beginning to see good results in the way the program is running.  I am very proud of him!  But that’s just it… it’s his thing.    

The other day someone says to me, “I want to ask you something.  People want to know what have YOU done for the program?”  

I was a little hurt by that question.  And yet I knew this was coming only because I didn’t join the board and I haven’t been showing up to every meeting, event, etc. as much as I would like or used to.

“You know, I really haven’t done anything…zero… nada!”   I answered, to which my hubby immediately came to my defense and said, “Just because you don’t see her around doesn’t mean she’s not doing anything.  In fact, who do you think sends out the e-mails and works on typing the documents?”  

I didn’t feel the need to explain myself but I turned to that person and replied, “Since my husband is already putting 100% of his time to this organization, I believe that one of us has to stay at home to take care of matters there.”  

Why do people always expect too much?  

That’s just the thing.   All my life has been that way.  When I was growing up, I had a very strict father.  And if we did anything wrong, my mother would never hear the end of it.  I always felt I had to do “the right thing” for her sake as well as ours.  I also lived in the “barrio” where people were always gossiping.  And even though I was walking the straight line, they managed to come up with some gossip about me.  What would hurt me the most was that my father believed them!  But that’s another story.  

The same thing happened when I married my husband.  There was a different expectation of me because he was involved in certain political and other organizations to which I had to watch what I said or did.  

People expect so much from you but no matter what you do, you can never please them.  I’m tired of trying keep up and always worrying about what other people are going to say or think.  I’m already worried about having this in my blog.  

There so much I would like to say and talk about but I know I can’t at this point.  

I just want to be ME and do my own thing.  I don’t want to have to answer to anyone except myself.  

Since that question was brought up, I have to admit, I haven’t done anything to change their opinion of me.  In fact, I haven’t been around as much either.  I don’t want them getting used to it.

I’m not saying that I won’t be helping out, but when the time comes around, I’ll gladly volunteer and put in the time.

I'm a nerd, so what...!

My brother came to the house the other day and we began talking about our high school days.  Of course, me being the oldest of six, I was considered the “nerd” in the family.  The reason they think of me as a “nerd” or a “dork” is because I was always getting good grades in school, never dated in high school, and basically never did anything that I would regret later in life.  I was always the “good girl”.  

Now that we are older, I have spent more time with my brothers and sisters.  We seemed to be getting along more and they actually come to me when they have questions or problems.  And in doing so, I have learned a lot of things from them that I didn’t know before.  I can’t get into those things as this blog is only about ME. (Boring…I know!)

But anyway, getting back to my story.  If you know my brothers and sisters, you come to find out that they always have something to say (when there’s an opportunity, they always end up making fun of themselves or others).  And they especially love to make fun of me!  It just amazes me at times, how quickly they can come up with some remarks…

As I was saying, my brother and I got into a discussion of me being the “nerd” in school.  I wanted to tell him that there was nothing wrong with being a “nerd”.  “In fact.”  I said to him with pride.  “Just so you know, when they asked the senior boys who would they pick to be with if they were stuck on an island (and to my surprise) they chose ME!”

And without skipping a beat, my brother says, “Yeah, that’s because you had the most meat on your bones and they knew they wouldn’t go hungry!”

Grrrrr!   I could never win…!







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