It´s a tough life, but somebody´s gotta do it

10+10+10 Happy 30th Becky!

10 nice things about Becky:
*She's an amazing book club documentarian
*She's the best Picture karaoke partner a Sheryl Crow impersonator could ask for
*She's generous and patient even when your piles are all over her green chair
*She's a passionate advocate for Upward Bound
*She'll sit up and watch Sex and the City with you even if it's past her bedtime
*She's a #1 source for trashy yet amazing music
*She doesn't get mad when she does all the tech research, and then you buy the better model
*She does the Humpty Dumpty rap almost as well as the 5 year olds
*Her Taffy Apple salad is top notch
*She'll take care of your Slanket while you're away

10 little known things about Becky:
*She has been known to be given the children's menu at restaurants
*She downloads music "legally" from Russia
*She has a Winnie the Pooh bedspread
*Extreme Makeover: Home Edition makes her cry
*She has bowled naked
*She's been to both the geographic center of the US and of North America
*She can name 8 different fabrics in Spanish
*She once ran over a cooler while driving a car that wasn't her own (how convenient)
*She winces when playing catch with 5 year olds
*She has a duck named after her

10 wishes for Becky on her birthday:
*That she never run out of gas in the middle of nowhere unless there is a four-wheeler nearby
*That she check off all 50 states (just not before me)
*That that pesky raccoon never return
*That she always have a stash of Life Savers for that forgotten Cero visit
*That there always be goat cheese on the menu
*That she never win free tickets to an all female music festival
*That she always be victorious in the PICKLE ROUND!
*That she never have to drive in reverse
*That a cute sailor be on board all of her ships
*That she have another 30 years and another 30 after that of zestful living!

Gobble!

Today, like every day, I have an amazing amount of things for which to be thankful. Thanks for being some of them. And eat some extra French Silk for me!

And the fortune that went with it

After my sushi-fest, this was the fortune that arrived at my table:

La oportunidad toca a su puerta una sola vez. Este alerta.

(Opportunity knocks only once. Be alert.)

So I've been trying to stay alert, keeping a keen eye open for that opportunity.

Since receiving that fortune, I've turned down an invitation to join some men in the basement of the "Internet cafe," an offer of a ride in the back of a pick-up truck through a deserted ex-hacienda, and the chance to donate money on-line to a stranger, even though the title of the email affirmed that God had chosen me for that very task.

I hope that none of these were the opportunity to which the fortune was referring.

Maybe the knocks will be louder in Puerto Vallarta (or maybe I'll go back fo a new fortune tonight. After all, mango and avocado together...)

Stay tuned: San Pavo

Pseudo-Japanese Sushi Break

OK, I'll admit it. I'm sick of Mexican food. If I never put another bite of chilaquiles in my mouth again, I think I'll be just fine (and the thing is, I like chilaquiles (what's not to like about chips, cheese, and sour cream for breakfast?)) It's just that I've had my fill of corn-based products, and, while not at all ready to go home, I am more than ready to be embraced by Chicago's culinary selections.
So you can imagine my palette's delight at coming across a Japanese restaurant, non-authentic to be sure, but Japanese nonetheless. Salmon rolls with mango and avocado? I think I will, thank you very much.

Stay tuned: Sugar daddies

H1N1

I would somehow find this message more reassuring if it weren´t next to a skeleton.

(Translation: Our school is flu-free)

Tyin´ it

Congratulations, Rachel and Travis! I wish you much happiness and many adventures together!!

Padres

My parents just departed after visiting me for 10 days. We took part in a Day of the Dead tour and then continued on to Mexico City. Traveling with them, you would have never guessed that they hadn´t ever traveled outside of the US (except for Canada and Los Cabos, which hardly count as international destinations).

These are the reasons I was proud of them as travelers:

1. Not a word of complaint about the food, even though dad just about jumped out of his skin with excitement when he found ravioli on a menu

2. They attempted a little Spanish (mom knows muebles!), although the occasional German "nein" escaped form my father´s mouth (Brain research is accurate!)

3. They climbed to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun, all 248 steps

4. Dad kept everyone on the tour entertained with his on-demand karaoke

5. Dad stomached mezcal, and mom took a shot (of water!)

And I thank them for:

1. The extra space in their suitcases (to relieve me of some of my suitcase bulk)

2. The magical floating coin purse

3. Moving outside of their comfort zone to come and see me!!!

Happy Birthday, Jenn!

Once upon a time, Jenn and I dressed as gypsies and read fortunes on the Quad. On her birthday, my wish for her is that she never lose that sense of magic, fun, and light-heartedness.

P.S. Long live Redheads With Balls!

Stop and Smell the Flowers

Cempasúchil (marigolds) play a very important role in the Day of the Dead observance. They are found on every altar, and the cemeteries are filled with them on the night of November first. It is believed that the fragrance of the cempasúchil leads the ánimas, or spirits of the dead, back to the living world for this night.

We had the opportunity to visit the fields in San Pedro, Michoacán where the cempasúchil are harvested. (Made me sneeze quite a bit, but the experience was worth it!)

Night of the Dead

On November first, around 10 pm, we headed to the village cemeteries where people would hold their all-night vigils. We visited three different villages, and each cemetary was markedly distinct from the others. The first, in Cucuchucho was beautifully decorated and illuminated with thousands of candles. As we awkwardly traipsed over thier ancestors´ graves, the people there graciously greeted us and answered our questions.

In the second village of Tzurumutaro, the cemetery was much more humble. Nonetheless, people brought what they could, and whole families sat together throughout the night.

The last cemetery we visited was in the village of Ihuatzio, and this was the flashy, showcase graveyard. The ofrendas looked professionally arranged, and some families even had had structures built to house them. There was much more of a party atmosphere here and, as a touist, I felt much less out of place.

The following day, November 2nd, we visited the town of Santa Clara del Cobre and stopped by its gorgeous cemetery on the side of a hill. It was packed with people, and many families had contracted bands to play graveside.

I feel so lucky to have had the experience of witnessing first-hand this beautiful and respectful tradition.

Day of the Dead: Isla Janitzio

On the morning of November 1st, we hopped on a boat before sunrise and headed from Pátzcuaro to the island of Janitzio. We arrived at the island´s small cemetery and waited. As we watched, the residents of the island began to arrive with buckets, brooms, baskets of food, candles, and flowers galore. Within two hours, the gray, dreary cemetery was transformed into a colorful, vibrant place filled wih people and life.

Calaveras

In Mexico, for Day of the Dead, there exists the tradition of writing calaveras, poems intended to poke fun at the living. I´ve taken some liberty with the poetic structure, and please forgive my awkward rhyme. They´re not meant to be morbid or offensive, so please enjoy.

Dad
In life, John walked with his AAA travel guide
His goal? To travel the whole world wide

When it came time for his final road trip
He sure didn´t plan on giving the devil much lip

His only complaint when the judgment was unfurled?
Without a map, how will I sightsee in the underworld?

Mom
Hour after hour, Barb excels at Solitaire
Uncovering an Ace is her only care

From left to right she moves the mouse with ease
Hoping it's victory that she'll seize

But when the game is over and the screen glows black
Will her rickety bones choose a PC or a Mac?

Johnny
JJ Sabaka spent much his life analyzing the stats
Who had the best record, the best passing, the most at bats

For days, he recruited, traded, and schemed
Trying to put together the most victorious team

But when the season's over and death drafts his picks
Will JJ be passing or punting with kicks?

Julie
After a long day teaching the Knights ser and estar
Jules would come home to the hot tub, sometimes after the bar

She'd soak and she'd soak until all stress washed away
Ready to face another long, challenging day

But when her flesh wastes away and her bones are all teeny
Will our hot-tubbing calaca still fill out her bikini?

Mary Beth
One of life's great pleasures for MB was her food
A fine meal could change all, it would lighten her mood

Two courses, of course, were never enough
She'd need palette cleansers, and all of that fluff

But when Death serves up dessert, which will she choose?
Angel food cake or sinful dark chocolate mousse?

Becky
Her life, Becky lived with enthusiasm and joy
If it was wacky, she'd go there. The world her big toy.

The strangest tourist traps were never to be missed.
She'd seen them all and checked them off her list.

When her time has come and Becky takes a final breath
Will she continue on with a zest for death?

Broecklings
Monica, Kevin, and Little Baby I
Lived a happy, quiet life, never a reason to cry

When Death came for them, asking, "Heaven or Hell? You choose."
Their response? "Either way, as long as there's Ski, Ice Deli, and Horseshoes."

Emily
As fast as a pony, Em sprinted through life
She could outrun sadness, and sorrow, and strife.

But as fast as she ran, she couldn't leave Death in the dust.
I'm right on your heels, I'll pass you, I trust.

Just as the finish line came into Em's sight,
He passed on the inside and Em ran towards the white light.

Alison
If you needed your numbers crunched, Alsion was the one to call
While for most, Algebra was a drag, Alsion had a ball

The Quadratic formula, x=-b
In front of the calculator, her favorite place to be

But for all of her computation, death could not be delayed
Death after life, that order of operations must be obeyed

Jean
Jean spent her life tracking criminals' prints
Sworl, tentarch, or loop, a judge they could convince.

She visited crime scenes, places Death like to haunt
And one day Death approached her, "It's you that I want"

As he laid his hands upon her, a thought ran through her mind
Does Death leave fingerprints, and if so, which kind?

Anna
Anna B became famous for her paintings divine
She'd create one and sell it for millions online

Her style, unique, and her portraits true to life,
Death showed up at her gallery, wanting a gift for his wife

My portrait, you paint it, Death said with a grin
And your payment, extra years you will win

But make me look life-like, some meat on my bones
I'm sick of this gaunt look. Use pink and orange tones.

Jenn
Jenn never left home without her eco shopping bag
And her old T-shirt? Reused as a rag.

A healthy compost bin was found in her backyard
And for environmental legislation she would rally hard

When Jenn goes up to heaven, I'm sure we'll hear her cry,
"Angels, use those blue bins. We've gotta recycle in the sky!"

Stay tuned: Happy ànimas