tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63532459251547435342024-03-13T09:21:17.976-05:00Chronicles of an Expat FamilyThe tales of a conventional, if slightly sheltered, thirty-something couple who catches wanderlust, abandons their families, renounces the familiarity of suburbia, and moves to Mexico City for a taste of the expatriate life, taking their grandparent-doting, Gymboree-loving baby along for the ride.Rupalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09617486454985767977noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-48587061817845275962008-11-20T15:45:00.005-05:002008-11-20T16:12:01.714-05:00Wrapping Up Our Lives - Part Two<meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link style="font-family: georgia;" rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRupal%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> 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Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It was 20 months ago – almost to the day – when we started this blog to account for our first expat experience.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span 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mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Well, I guess the old saying is true - the more things change, the more they stay the same – because here we are again, nearly two years later doing almost the exact same thing. <span style=""> </span>My movers are packing up my apartment as I sit here pondering what it means to return home after one of the most worthwhile experiences of my life in another country and culture, away from family and friends and everything I love.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">After months of uncertainty, we are finally on our way home to the U.S.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">And while I am excited to be home for Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays, as well as the birth of the baby, I cannot ignore the moments of sadness that nearly overwhelm me at times.<span style=""> </span>Pregnancy hormones aside, I am truly going to miss my life here, because I really did<b style=""><i style=""> have</i></b> a life here.<span style=""> </span>This experience wasn’t just some long vacation or time-pass until we went home again.<span style=""> </span>I was determined to make the most of my stay here and to feel at home, and that is just what I did.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Me - who hates change, finds it difficult to meet people and make friends, has a million food restrictions and isn’t always a glass-half-full kind of gal.<span style=""> </span>I was able to create a good life here for myself –<span style=""> </span>to make great friends, try new foods, experience and appreciate new customs and cultures, learn the roads, become President of a 300 member expat club and even (sometimes) handle the frustrations that come with Mexican life.<span style=""> </span>It is not so easy to leave all that behind.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Not to mention the fact that we will never – and I mean <b style=""><i style="">never</i></b> – live this well again.<span style=""> </span>Even if we go expat again, I highly doubt that my apartment will be this big, that I will have a live-in maid who does everything from clean to cook to be a nanny, that I will be able to afford personal trainers and in-home masseuses, that I will be able to walk everywhere and live in a city atmosphere but still have the luxury of a car for when I am running late or need to go someplace far, that I will have a driver who does handy work around the house, goes to pay our bills, buys the groceries, runs all our errands, etc., etc. etc.<span style=""> </span>Such is life in Latin America, and I doubt it can be duplicated anywhere else – perhaps not even Asia.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">So why exactly are we leaving all this behind?<span style=""> </span>Clearly, it is not the smartest lifestyle decision, and it is probably among the dumber financial decisions we could make.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">But this is why we need to be home for now: Because when my Thanksgiving plans fell through at the last minute I emailed Sonny’s cousin to tell him – not ask him – that we would be coming to their house, increasing the guest count from 22 to 24.<span style=""> </span>And within 45 seconds I got an email back, saying “do you really have to ask – just show up.”<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Because my mom is rearranging her entire house for a room for Asha and giving Sonny and me the master bedroom until we find our own place.<span style=""> </span>Because my in-laws are counting down the days until Asha gets home so they can drive her to and from school every day in order to help me out. <span style=""> </span>Because Asha needs to know her cousins, and have steady friends and ride her bike outside.<span style=""> </span>Because the baby needs to feel the same love and attention from her grandparents that Asha did from the day she was born, and to go to story time at the library and playgroup once a week, and be raised by a mother who cannot get away with letting the maid give her a bottle.<span style=""> </span>Because our brothers miss us and our parents are healthy and we never know what the future holds.<o:p></o:p></span></p> Rupalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09617486454985767977noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-25397684475543918092008-11-17T01:20:00.003-05:002008-11-17T01:22:49.691-05:00Me First<div style="text-align: justify;"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRupal%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:relyonvml/> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><link rel="themeData" 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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">After having lived in Mexico City for a year and a half, there is one thing that I can no longer deny about the culture here in general: people tend to have a “me first” attitude.<span style=""> </span>Now before anyone gets all crazy about how this is a generalization and that there are people in every culture throughout the world who behave similarly, I will admit that this is all true.<span style=""> </span>I am generalizing from my own experience, and there are a number of Mexicans who are kind and considerate of others, and moreover there are a number of Americans who also fall into “me first” tendencies (anyone who has ever driven at rush hour in northern New Jersey will know what I mean).<span style=""> </span>Still, some of the actions and attitudes here confound me because it often feels like inconsiderate behavior is the norm and accepted by society in general.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">For instance, if you are a pedestrian trying to cross the street, it is your job to avoid being hit by any oncoming traffic.<span style=""> </span>Even in crosswalks.<span style=""> </span>Often there are no traffic lights or stop signs where they ought to be (i.e., in major intersections), but even where they do exist, cars come barreling down the road, turning corners at 35 miles per hour, and one often has to jump back to avoid being hit.<span style=""> </span>Twice I narrowly escaped injury (once when crossing the street with Asha in her stroller, requiring me to push it out of the way to avoid her being hit by the car that screeched to a halt a mere 3 inches away from my knees; the other when I was 6 months pregnant and the driver literally drove into me face first to try and secure a parking spot, forcing me to jump back and nearly trip on the curb).<span style=""> </span>Both times the pedestrian had the right of way, and both times the driver showed absolutely no remorse, and probably thought that I was in the wrong for daring to step onto the road at all. <span style=""> </span>I would have thought these incidents were simply flukes, had our driver not reprimanded me time and again for slowing the car down in order to permit pedestrians to cross the street.<span style=""> </span>Apparently it is very dangerous to slow down for pedestrians because we could be hit by cars behind us who are not accustomed to such courtesies (or what we in the US would consider the law).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A violation of traffic laws is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to courtesy.<span style=""> </span>Inconsiderate behavior abounds when it comes to people thinking about their needs and either not realizing or, I think, more commonly not caring about how their needs and wants may affect others around them.<span style=""> </span>For instance, a few months back, someone living in the apartment building next to ours had a roof party on a Saturday night – that started around 11:00pm and lasted until 4:00 a.m.<span style=""> </span>This would have been fine, if they had not hired a DJ who blasted music from the roof – the sound of which rose up to our bedroom window - all night long. <span style=""> </span>Given how commonplace such parties are here, and the fact that they often occur on weeknights as well as weekends, I suppose I should consider myself lucky that even though there was no one to whom we could complain – police are of no help in that there are no laws to prevent such inconsiderate behavior – I only had to deal with such a party once in 18 months of living here.<span style=""> </span>A good friend of mine lives in a house whose next door neighbors have such parties twice a month – typically on a Tuesday or Wednesday night, and she has to resort to using a very loud air purifier in her baby’s room to partially drown out the noise.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Still, I figure all the construction above our heads that we have had to put up with for the past six months (8 hours a day, 6 days a week), is even worse than the semi-monthly party.<span style=""> </span>Since apartments here are more like condos, where each unit is owned by an individual, there are no building landlords who are responsible to all the tenants/residents.<span style=""> </span>This leaves the owner of the penthouse upstairs from us free from any legal obligation to prevent or reduce noise from the constant banging, drilling, sawing, and hammering, as well as falling dust, cracking walls or leaking ceilings.<span style=""> </span>Sure they may have to ultimately pay the owner of apartment for any physical damage as a result of their construction, but they feel no duty or even consideration to those of us living here in reducing the aggravation such problems are causing in the interim.<span style=""> </span>Nor do they feel any remorse (at least they did not exhibit any on the few occasions we spoke to them).<span style=""> </span>Since there are no laws (at least not any that are being enforced) regarding nuisances, such as those we have in the U.S., there is little we as the aggrieved party can do.<span style=""> </span>This ultimately perpetuates such behavior in this society.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">It probably seems like these are extraordinary events, but in fact nearly everyone I know who has lived here has faced similar issues at some point.<span style=""> </span>And if they have not had not been subjected to these exact ones, they have had people cut in front of them on lines <span style=""> </span>at the bank, cafes, valet parking and even waiting for the bathroom at the gym (while obviously very pregnant and in dire need of the facilities).<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">This is not at all to say that all Mexicans are inconsiderate or bear the "me first" mindset.<span style=""> </span>In fact, many of the ones we have met have been generous, courteous and kind.<span style=""> </span>Unfortunately, they get overshadowed by those who exhibit such strong discourtesy to others – and I think it is because most of the time they face no consequences for their actions, so to the aggrieved party it feels like this is a society where such rudeness and selfishness is acceptable.<span style=""> </span>And this gives all Mexicans a bad name.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> Rupalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09617486454985767977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-36437281766422630822008-11-08T18:38:00.018-05:002008-11-08T19:51:00.203-05:00The Ghost of Halloween Past<span style="font-size:100%;">Since we finally got around to posting this year's Halloween pictures, we thought it might be fun to revisit my Halloween looks from years past. Each year I was lucky enough to go trick-or-treating with a different group of friends.</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Here I am on very first Halloween</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> - I was only 3 weeks old, so</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> M</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">&D didn't dress me up (nothing much fit anyway) or go out for candy. It was ok - clearly I didn't care about much besides the nap I was taking</span>.</span><br /></div><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SRYrHgEWzJI/AAAAAAAAAQM/_MaRAzAUXdk/s1600-h/asha.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SRYrHgEWzJI/AAAAAAAAAQM/_MaRAzAUXdk/s320/asha.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266444222123658386" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The following year I dressed up as a bumble bee for my first trick-or-treat. Mommy figured it was her one chance to dress me the way she wanted, and I went out with my Morristown playgroup to just enough houses to get the feel for trick-</span><span style="font-size:100%;">or-treati</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ng.</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SRYy7VdmXqI/AAAAAAAAAU0/Ak1k5Y9MsqU/s1600-h/540808312403_0_ALB.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SRYy7VdmXqI/AAAAAAAAAU0/Ak1k5Y9MsqU/s200/540808312403_0_ALB.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266452809211338402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SRYzDTGAWtI/AAAAAAAAAU8/jTAD615viG8/s1600-h/901342833108_0_ALB.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SRYzDTGAWtI/AAAAAAAAAU8/jTAD615viG8/s200/901342833108_0_ALB.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266452946014460626" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">You could say that last year was my first appreciation for this amazing holiday. I figured out what all the fu</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ss was about when I got a bucket full of candy with my pals Johnny & Dylan. H</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ere we are about to go out - and then just loving the adventure.</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SRYzaFkBd5I/AAAAAAAAAVE/Y2OOE0dAxjU/s1600-h/14of%3D50,590,442.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SRYzaFkBd5I/AAAAAAAAAVE/Y2OOE0dAxjU/s200/14of%3D50,590,442.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266453337519257490" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SRYzgQtJNzI/AAAAAAAAAVM/xGHoi6FkvjQ/s1600-h/15of%3D50,590,442.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SRYzgQtJNzI/AAAAAAAAAVM/xGHoi6FkvjQ/s200/15of%3D50,590,442.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266453443589519154" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><br /><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><br /><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">And of course you have all seen my Cinderella costume. This was the first time I went trick-or-treating in Mexico, and I have to admit it was not as fun as it in the US. It is just not the same going up and down elevators or stairwells in buildings, only to have half the residents h</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ave no candy, while the bigger kids helped themselves to so many handfuls of candy that there was often none left for the rest of us littler ones. I was lucky enough that my Brynn (who happens to be 5 and better at grabbing) shared some with me. Still, chile flavored candy is not something I will miss next year.</span><br /><br /></div><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SRYv-0mDDmI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/QekIBTkpQWo/s1600-h/CIMG3334.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SRYv-0mDDmI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/QekIBTkpQWo/s320/CIMG3334.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266449570572996194" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I did forget to mention in my last post that I have adopted the method acting school of Halloween dress-up - I am so into being Cinderella that I constantly take off one shoe in attempt to "lose" it - just like Cinderella loses her shoe at the ball. It makes for a very annoyed Mommy, who has to stop every few minutes when we go out to ensure that I have not thrown my shoe out of my stroller.</span><br /></div><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span>Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417950393506516034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-41821247921173156162008-11-06T00:52:00.011-05:002008-11-07T18:10:31.204-05:00The Longest Halloween<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRupal%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:relyonvml/> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> 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mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> </div><p style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="">You may be wondering why we are posting our Halloween pictures so late – 7 days late to be exact.<span style=""> </span>It has nothing to do with Mommy’s laziness, or the fact that she has been quite stressed out with the move (the months</span><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SRTGhJh9R_I/AAAAAAAAAUE/8r07TMlOTsw/s1600-h/CIMG3311.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 206px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SRTGhJh9R_I/AAAAAAAAAUE/8r07TMlOTsw/s320/CIMG3311.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266052137099282418" border="0" /></a><span style=""> of uncertainty regarding if/when we are returning, of (not) having a house upon return, and timing the arrival of the household goods before the arrival of the baby), or her exhaustion from trying to </span><span style="">sort out the ridiculous US Embassy websites to interpret labor and immigration laws in an effort to bring Yane</span><span style="">th back to the States with us, or even </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SRTHKAH297I/AAAAAAAAAUM/zIP9ucMvilc/s1600-h/CIMG3339.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 259px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SRTHKAH297I/AAAAAAAAAUM/zIP9ucMvilc/s320/CIMG3339.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266052838948534194" border="0" /></a><span style="">her <s>hormonal</s> emotional fluctuations about leaving behind her pampered life here in Mexico.</span></p><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="">No, our tardiness </span><span style="">has only to do with the fact that in our house we still have not completed our Halloween celebrations.<span style=""> </span>While the candy is almost go</span><span style="">ne, the sugar skulls were packed in boxes and mental preparation</span><span style="">s for Thanksgiving are underway, I have yet to retire my Halloween costume.<span style=""> </span>I actually started wearing it </span><span style="">two weeks before Halloween, when Nani bought me my Cinderella dress and slippers from the Disney Store during my visit to New Jerse</span><span style="">y.<span style=""> </span>And I have barely removed it since – insisting on we</span><span style="">aring it nearly every day, starting with the Diwa</span><span style="">li party Dadi had at her house in mid October.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="">I then wore it to the Ne</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SRTH8SBFzuI/AAAAAAAAAUU/TpgGXD4nGOM/s1600-h/CIMG3340.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SRTH8SBFzuI/AAAAAAAAAUU/TpgGXD4nGOM/s200/CIMG3340.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266053702745444066" border="0" /></a><span style="">wcomers Halloween Party, which was Mommy’s last big event as President.<span style=""> </span>I’m really glad that we made it back from the US in time for it because all the kids and </span><span style="">parents who attended</span><span style=""> had a real blast.<span style=""> </span>There were probably 150 people there, dressed in all kinds of costumes from princesses to witches to monsters and more.<span style=""> </span>They also had all kinds of Mexican </span><span style="">goodies to eat, like papas en espiral</span><span style=""> and quesadillas, plus tons and tons of American Halloween candy (which Mommy and Daddy pilfered from me for themselves when they thought I wa</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SRTI7zCtPaI/AAAAAAAAAUc/ZhEG33jUxhw/s1600-h/CIMG3365.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SRTI7zCtPaI/AAAAAAAAAUc/ZhEG33jUxhw/s200/CIMG3365.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266054793942351266" border="0" /></a><span style="">sn’t looking).<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>It was a packed three hours filled with craft making – </span><span style="">from popcorn hands to mask decorating <span style=""> </span>to cupcake garnishi</span><span style="">ng – as well as a modified version of trick-or-treating, a magician and even a bouncy house (something that is apparently a mu</span><span style="">st-have at any Mexican fiesta)!<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="">A few days later </span><span style="">I got to wear my Cinderella costume to school. <span style=""> </span>Mommy tried f</span><span style="">or weeks to convince me to wear my Tinkerbell costume from last year, but I refused to give up my Cinderella dress.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>At first she wanted to use last year’s costume because she was trying to be <s>cheap</s> economically practical (in preparation for our new life in NJ) by not buying something new, since no one in Mexico had seen the Tinkerbell </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SRTJ4K--mKI/AAAAAAAAAUk/3yrghJfskwY/s1600-h/CIMG3337.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SRTJ4K--mKI/AAAAAAAAAUk/3yrghJfskwY/s200/CIMG3337.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266055831161313442" border="0" /></a><span style="">costume, and it fits much better this year t</span><span style="">han last year anyway. <span style=""> </span>But even after Nani bought me the new costume as a birthday present, I realized that deep down Mommy just wanted me to look like the toddler/little girl from last year.<span style=""> </span>She a</span><span style="">nd Daddy are having a hard time accepting the fact that I look like – and actually am – a big girl princess now.<span style=""> </span>And everyone knows that big girl princesses don’t wear last year’s outfits.</span></p><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="">We do, however, have no qualms about wearing the same Cinderella dress every single day around the house, to the park, to the supermarket and even to bed.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> Rupalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09617486454985767977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-21707356227935615362008-10-16T22:18:00.017-05:002008-10-16T23:03:41.027-05:00It's My Party . . . .<div align="justify"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SPgIh-Y5WlI/AAAAAAAAAPU/94FfzKJ6VpI/s1600-h/CIMG3292.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257961944731179602" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 183px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 231px" height="242" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SPgIh-Y5WlI/AAAAAAAAAPU/94FfzKJ6VpI/s320/CIMG3292.JPG" width="151" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;">But I certainly wasn't crying. In fact, I was so happy and excited that I didn't quite know what to do with myself. Not that I wanted an actual party this year - as I repeatedly told Mommy, all I wanted for my birthday was for Cinderella to come to my house and hang out with me. It did not really matter if I had any friends over, or a cake or anything else, as long as I had Cinderella. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SPgM8l23b-I/AAAAAAAAAQE/XvXGoea4xe4/s1600-h/CIMG3254.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257966800048975842" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SPgM8l23b-I/AAAAAAAAAQE/XvXGoea4xe4/s200/CIMG3254.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;">This worked out nicely for Mommy because somehow during our potty training phase I got it into my head that once I started using the potty, and after my birthday, I would be going to Disney World. It started out innocently enough with Mommy saying something about Cinderella and other princesses wearing big girl <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SPgJLxY_kBI/AAAAAAAAAPc/iIC71MLMQ00/s1600-h/CIMG3275.JPG"></a>underwear, and escalated into Mommy promising me a trip to Disney. So Mommy was feeling like a terrible parent about to dash the dreams of a young child - not to mention any trust I would ever have in her - in realizing that there was no way we could swing a trip to Florida any time before the baby comes. So she told me that Cinderella could com<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SPgMFE8KE6I/AAAAAAAAAP0/v0dlJkUQ0VU/s1600-h/CIMG3262.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257965846319993762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SPgMFE8KE6I/AAAAAAAAAP0/v0dlJkUQ0VU/s200/CIMG3262.JPG" border="0" /></a>e to our house instead of us going to her house right now. (In my defense, I bought this trade-off because I am just turning three - give me 6 months and it won't be such an easy sell.) </span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SPgK6U__oOI/AAAAAAAAAPs/01qbkZ0awxQ/s1600-h/CIMG3274.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257964562140864738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SPgK6U__oOI/AAAAAAAAAPs/01qbkZ0awxQ/s200/CIMG3274.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;">Anyway, that is how I got a birthday party at my house (which probably cost more in money and aggravation than a fiesta at El Arca) with 10 buddies, a face painter, a pinata and an hour long visit from (a very Mexican looking) Cinderella who performed a little show, danced with me, sang me "Happy Birthday," played in my room and carried me until my heart's content.<br /><br /><div align="justify">By the way, I have 100% overcome my fear of hitting the pinata. It is not even the c<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SPgMVHAlR5I/AAAAAAAAAP8/vSpe5DwXgZc/s1600-h/CIMG3279.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257966121753331602" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SPgMVHAlR5I/AAAAAAAAAP8/vSpe5DwXgZc/s200/CIMG3279.JPG" border="0" /></a>andy and toys falling out of it that caused this change of heart - somehow I have just come to love beating objects with a stick and singing the pinata song. Mommy thinks that if she jumps on the chance, she may get me to start playing sports like softball, or at the very least T-Ball - so long as someone is singing in the background, "Dale, dale dale." </span></div><br /></span><br /><br /></div><p align="justify"><br /></p>Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417950393506516034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-17656869837932225132008-10-12T00:15:00.011-05:002008-10-12T00:57:43.064-05:00They Say It's My Birthday<meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link style="font-family: georgia;" rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRupal%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:relyonvml/> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><link style="font-family: georgia;" rel="themeData" 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class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >Birthdays have always been a really big deal in Mommy’s house growing up, so now they are a big deal in </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SPGJUZexIDI/AAAAAAAAATY/WBUrxZzX7rM/s1600-h/CIMG3198.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 124px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SPGJUZexIDI/AAAAAAAAATY/WBUrxZzX7rM/s200/CIMG3198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256133223648403506" border="0" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >our house too.<span style=""> </span>And even though Daddy is a pretty laid back and relaxed guy when it comes to th</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >in</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >gs lik</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >e this, self preservation has taught him </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SPGJ4wbFRwI/AAAAAAAAATg/y2MwtwHzTow/s1600-h/CIMG3203.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SPGJ4wbFRwI/AAAAAAAAATg/y2MwtwHzTow/s200/CIMG3203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256133848282253058" border="0" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >to go along with Mommy when she gets all hyped up about birthdays an</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >d cake and presents.<span style=""> </span>So I have to give both my parents a lot of credit in</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >m</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >aking my birthday on Thursday a fant</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >astic day.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >I started out h</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >elping Mommy bake and decorate cupcakes on the eve of my birthday, to take to s</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >chool the next d</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >ay.<span style=""> </span>He</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >re I am in my apron (or </span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >“bata” as they call it in espanol), in the kitchen </span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >stirring the ingredient</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >s together, and then <s>licking</s> spreading </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SPGKRo10uvI/AAAAAAAAATo/ZiB6mS_i_TI/s1600-h/CIMG3208.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SPGKRo10uvI/AAAAAAAAATo/ZiB6mS_i_TI/s200/CIMG3208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256134275743660786" border="0" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >frosting and sprinkles on the cupcakes.<span style=""> </span>The next morning I was </span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >off to school, and then just a few hours later Mommy came with the cupcakes so the class could sing “Happy Birthday” to me.<span style=""> </span>Now that I am in the big kid class, we do a really cool little birthday ceremony first: I show all my classmates pictures of me when I was</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SPGLrAYv7dI/AAAAAAAAATw/zPw9IqdjB8E/s1600-h/CIMG3233.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SPGLrAYv7dI/AAAAAAAAATw/zPw9IqdjB8E/s200/CIMG3233.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256135811072519634" border="0" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" > born, then at the age o</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >f 1 and at the age of 2.<span style=""> </span>And for each year that has passed, I hold a globe in my hand and circle around a blanket with a candle, representing that another year has passed.<span style=""> </span><i style="">Then</i> we get to have cake.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >When Daddy got home that afternoon, I opened my presents which included all my favorite things like a box of musical instruments (b/c as Daddy pointed out so practically, w</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SPGMsIMkdgI/AAAAAAAAAT4/uq6oyE6pL9Q/s1600-h/CIMG3238.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SPGMsIMkdgI/AAAAAAAAAT4/uq6oyE6pL9Q/s200/CIMG3238.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256136929860417026" border="0" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >e don’t have enough noise in our house from the non-stop construction upstairs, 8 hours a day, 6 da</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >ys a week); puzzles; a color wonder glitter paint set; a stamp set; and more painting accessories.<span style=""> </span>(I am told that my special keepsake present will arrive in NJ in a few days – a crystal butterfly – but I have a feeling I am not going to be allowed to touch or play with it so I am not holding my breath for that present.)<span style=""> </span>Then we e</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >nded the day by going to California pizza kitchen for pizza and ice cream.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >I wish it could be my birthday every day!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy8plOtjypuTbEcelqODH1YwknrHHwzQQr7dc3knWYy04esB6XQbNEPNhau9zXmIm2pzPW4DoIymOjwuEZ7rQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Rupalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09617486454985767977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-53042407007729577402008-10-03T22:31:00.003-05:002008-10-04T00:21:52.099-05:00Hormones<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">One of the many joys of being pregnant (aside from weight gain, stretch marks, heartburn, not-just-morning sickness, leg cramps, achy feet and - did I mention weight gain?) are the hormones causing what feels like a 9.5 month emotional roller coaster. Even when you think you are safely in the honeymoon period of the 2nd trimester, the hormones can ambush you like a Wells Fargo acquisition bid. I am sure that the stress of moving - or not moving - back to the U.S. is just adding on to the typical hormonal fluctuations, but knowing that still did not ease the embarrassment of my near bout of hysteria in Starbucks this morning. </span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I mean there I was lounging in one of the arm chairs overlooking the busy avenue behind our apartment, reading a novel of dubious literary value and sipping my coffee when it all started. I got teary-eyed and sniffley-nosed at the very thought that if we move back to suburban NJ, all my views - if any - out of a Starbucks window would be at parking lots filled with SUVs and mini-vans rather than a busy avenue of pollution-emitting VW bugs, old ladies with baskets full of fruits from the market, fast paced executives walking down the sidewalk and moms pushing their Bugaboo strollers. That's it. That was the deep, emotionally moving thought that got me nearly weeping in the midst of 25 other coffee addicts who, like me, had nothing better to do with their time at 10:00 on a weekday morning than sit in a cafe. </span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">And here is the kicker: in the three seconds it took me to close my book, get up, and leave the cafe before making a total fool of myself, the tears were gone and I was absolutely fine. As if I had never even had the unsettling thought about suburban parking lots to begin with. And that, folks, is how pregnancy hormones work. </span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">-----------------------------------</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">On the flip side, I recently read an article in one of those fit pregnancy/your pregnancy/healthy pregnancy magazines that I really liked and decided to pirate the idea. It was about the joys and wonders of pregnancy and why it is the time of your life. Sappy, I know, but then refer to the above passage about hormones. Anyway, even though this is my second pregnancy (or maybe because it is likely my last pregnancy), I am trying to appreciate all of the things I love about it:</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">- In the 1st trimester, having a secret from the world that only Sonny and I were sharing;</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">- Feeling amazed that God created a human body capable of making another human body out of just a little cell that looks like a dot on the screen;</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">- The cute bulge of my belly in the right fitting maternity clothes;</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">- Realizing that no, it's not indigestion but rather that the baby is moving;</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">- The constant companionship of another being for every minute for nine months - reminding me with a little kick or punch or somersault that I am never alone;</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">- Glowing skin (whether from the vitamins or happiness - who cares?);</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">- Attention from friends and family and discreet smiles from passers-by as they notice my growing belly;</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">- Predictions of the baby's gender from everyone who sees me based on old wives tales (and realizing that my grandmother predicted a boy based on the same old wives tale that had my mother-in-law predict a girl);</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">- Hearing the galloping sound of the heartbeat at on the doppler;</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">- Being able to go back to bed after Asha is in school and not feel (too) guilty; </span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">- Eating 2 scones for breakfast without the (outward or visible) judgment of those watching;</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">- Being pampered by Sonny;</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">- Itty bitty baby clothes;</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">- Surprise showers from great friends;</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">- Having Sonny sit with his hand on belly waiting for the baby to move.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I could go on and on - but I'd love to hear about some of your favorites.</span><br /></span></div>Rupalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09617486454985767977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-14995002241379674332008-09-28T23:58:00.013-05:002008-09-29T00:42:15.953-05:00Fun in the Sun <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" 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{mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >Two weeks ago was the independence long weekend here in Mexico City, and the perfect excuse to take a mini vacation.<span style=""> </span>The “</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >threa</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SOBlfKkp3vI/AAAAAAAAAOs/W49IiJgWMQg/s1600-h/CIMG3045.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SOBlfKkp3vI/AAAAAAAAAOs/W49IiJgWMQg/s200/CIMG3045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251308751602441970" border="0" /></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >t” of returning home to the US has spurred Mommy to get out of the city and squeeze in as mu</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >ch more traveling in Mexico as possible.<span style=""> </span>(To be honest, </span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >we did not heed the advice of all those friends who have left Mexico warning us not to wait to travel because we could be booted out at any mo</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SOBm9o9M3nI/AAAAAAAAAO8/YBKR4_qOsqQ/s1600-h/CIMG3047.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 183px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SOBm9o9M3nI/AAAAAAAAAO8/YBKR4_qOsqQ/s200/CIMG3047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251310374666165874" border="0" /></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >ment.)<span style=""> </span>S</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >o we decided to spend five days in Huatulco, a mostly undeveloped resort area on the southern Pacific coast of Mex</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >ico, in the state of Oa</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >xaca.<span style=""> </span>While Mommy was not looking to go to any more beach resorts - but rather to visit more colonial towns, cities and villages - there was no way we were passing up the untouched beauty of the Oaxacan coastline – its pristine beaches, clear blue skies, uncrowded resorts and amazing scenery.
<br />
<br /></span><div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: lucida grande;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >So along with friends of ours (who also happen to be Daddy’s boss, his wife and their kids, Isabel and Lucia), we rented a four bedroom villa on a cliff overlooking one of Huatulco’s nine beautiful bays.<span style=""> </span>The house came complete with beautiful Mexican décor, an infinity pool, a pond with fish and turtles, a live parrot, a maid to cook for us (althou</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SOBlfBI-FCI/AAAAAAAAAO0/Y6Jf2060q0A/s1600-h/CIMG3051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SOBlfBI-FCI/AAAAAAAAAO0/Y6Jf2060q0A/s200/CIMG3051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251308749070406690" border="0" /></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >gh Daddy was in heaven barbeque-ing nearly every day), and anythi</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >ng else we could ever want, including views of the bay and Pacific Ocean from our shower – but NOT internet and cell ph</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >one access (which made Mommy & Dana quite happy).<span style=""> </span>We even brought our housekeeper, Yaneth, with us to help out with me, Isabel & Lucy.<span style=""> </span>So as you can imagine, we had very little reason to leave the villa, and only </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SOBonbpGB_I/AAAAAAAAAPM/2djjOXzp_Ww/s1600-h/CIMG3092.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SOBonbpGB_I/AAAAAAAAAPM/2djjOXzp_Ww/s320/CIMG3092.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251312192158304242" border="0" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >did so to go on a snorkeling & boat excursion with another mutual friend, Paul, and his family.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Even though I am still going through my weird phase of refusing to touch sand, and refusing to get in the ocean, we managed to have a great time on the boat.<span style=""> </span>I fell asleep within 30 minutes, but not before catching sight of a huge sea turtle swimming in the Pacific, and watching Mommy freak out as Daddy & Paul jumped from the boat into one of the not-so-calm bays just to test out the water. <span style=""> </span>Later, while Yaneth remained on the boat while I napped, Mommy, Daddy and the rest of our friends swam in one of the calmer bays and enjoyed the tranquility of its virgin beach.<span style=""> </span>Even though I missed out on these events, perhaps it was in everyone’s best interest since I was pretty tired and cranky from all the previous days in the sun and heat.<span style=""> </span>Still, M&D are hoping that I very quickly outgrow this fearful phase I have been going through and start enjoying the pool and beach again.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: lucida grande; text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRupal%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:relyonvml/> <o:allowpng/> 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</div></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception>Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417950393506516034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-54866063384157992982008-09-22T00:54:00.004-05:002008-09-22T01:18:14.898-05:00What's Next<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta 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</style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">One of the things we have to get used to as expats is the fact that even during the rare periods of stability, there is always underlying uncertainty.<span style=""> </span>No one ever knows when a new friend will be made by virtue of an expat family moving into the building, or when a good friend may suddenly announce her departure because of a sudden restructuring.<span style=""> </span>Contracts mean very little in terms of length of stay, as they can always be extended, or a layoff or promotion may be just around the corner - as I have seen with at least 5 friends in the past year and a half.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">We have now been here for 18 months and as Sonny mentioned in his <a href="http://dalals-in-mexico.blogspot.com/2008/06/around-world-in-80-days.html">post back in June</a>, we have considered many possibilities about where we will go once our current two-year contract is up.<span style=""> </span>It turns out that we still don’t know for sure.<span style=""> </span>When you live on the company’s dime, you live by the company’s <s>whimsy</s> time line – a small price to pay for the fabulous perks of living here. <span style=""> </span>Still, we understand how this could be mildly annoying for many of our friends back home who have inquired about our more short-term plans in the hopes of getting together or planning for the holidays; and how nerve wracking it is for our families and especially our parents who are anxious to see Asha and get life back to “normal” (which would, for us, mean the “Everybody Loves Raymond” atmosphere of life in NJ).<span style=""> </span>It has taken every bone of my type-A, anal-retentive, control freak body to not worry about what was going to happen at what time, to simply live life as though we are staying here until next summer, at least, and just soak up as much of Mexico as I possibly could.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Until now.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">It has been five months since I found I am pregnant.<span style=""> </span>It has been 4.5 months since we told The Powers That Be (TPTB) at the company – even before our own parents – that we were pregnant and due the first week of February.<span style=""> </span>We discussed with them that since I am due exactly one month before our contract expires, we either need to move by mid November, or need to stay until the end of April next year because of my and the baby’s travel restrictions.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">And it has now been exactly one week since I have started freaking out.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p> The “Ignorance is bliss” phase – where I was just enjoying either prospect of <span style=""> </span>moving back to New Jersey or extending our contract in Mexico – ended in an abrupt moment at 3 am last week.<span style=""> </span>Somehow until then it did not phase me that within the span of 2 months I was going to have to wrap up my life in here, including my obligations with the Newcomers Club, finish visiting all of the places I have wanted to see in Mexico, become conversant in Spanish (a personal goal to attain before leaving), make a trip to NJ to buy a house, actually find a house we like and can afford, close on the house, schedule movers, sell our cars and say goodbye to all my friends.<span style=""> </span>All of this while being 6-7 months pregnant, trying to maintain some semblance of stability for Asha, and having Sonny traveling 15 days (that we know of) out of the next 60.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">This is all assuming that we move back to New Jersey.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">If we stay, I suppose life is a bit easier in that all I have to do is find a new apartment in Mexico City, schedule movers, actually move, make a trip to New Jersey to purchase new baby essentials and coordinate all our old baby items for shipment here, and finish visiting all of the places I have wanted to see in Mexico (because going on long road trips ain’t happening after my 7<sup>th</sup> month or with a newborn).</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">There is also the remote possibility that we could move someplace else across the globe. <span style=""> </span>And while I hope that these are not the last of our expat days, right now, for the sake of sanity, I cannot even entertain the option of a third, unknown destination.<span style=""> </span>New Jersey and Mexico City have been the only two serious contenders from a job perspective over the last few months, so I am mentally banking on one of those two working out.<span style=""> </span>But as Forrest Gump said, “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> Rupalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09617486454985767977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-12775778909908315342008-09-11T16:12:00.011-05:002008-09-11T16:53:58.731-05:00The Newest, Littlest Dalal<span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >N</span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >o, it i</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SMmQv2PFOSI/AAAAAAAAAOM/cINYE-eh0Bk/s1600-h/jaiden.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 168px; height: 127px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SMmQv2PFOSI/AAAAAAAAAOM/cINYE-eh0Bk/s200/jaiden.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244882392736676130" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >s </span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >n</span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >ot my baby </span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >sister - she doesn't get here until the end of January. But I now hav</span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >e another brand n</span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >ew little cousin </span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >brother, Jaiden! He is a little peanut weighi</span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >ng</span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" > 6 pounds 2 ounces, but he sure does have a lot more hair as new</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SMmQ60ojayI/AAAAAAAAAOU/koaHCxcumzw/s1600-h/asha.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 178px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SMmQ60ojayI/AAAAAAAAAOU/koaHCxcumzw/s200/asha.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244882581285202722" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >born<br />th</span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >an I did </span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >even at 10 months. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SMmQ60ojayI/AAAAAAAAAOU/koaHCxcumzw/s1600-h/asha.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >Mo</span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >m</span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >my & Daddy think he is pretty darn cute and are a bit bummed about not getting to see him in person f</span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >or another couple of months. Personally, though, I am not all that into small babies so I am just looking forward to the day that I can dress him up in princess outfits. I figure this has to be less embarassing than the Eagles/Phillies outfits Sagar Kaka will make him wear (much like the ones I was forced to wear by Daddy when I was little). Maybe the men in my family will rethink grooming us little ones into Philadelphia sports fans - it is just way too much heartache!</span><br /></div>Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417950393506516034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-89562659105581969232008-09-08T11:59:00.008-05:002008-09-09T15:35:51.484-05:00What I Did on My Summer Vacation<div><div><div><div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">Now that the summer is over, I thought I might recap what I did the past few months while we took a hiatus from our blog. It should come as no surprise that Mommy and I were in New Jersey for effectively the entire summer, and spent a whole lot of time with family and friends. We spent most of our weekends traveling, and during the week did very typical suburban things like go to music classes, swim lessons and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">playdates</span>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">I also spent four days at the Jersey shore with Nani & Mommy. The fact that I have acquired a severe aversion to sand didn't stop me from having a fantastic time on the rides at the boardwalk, the aquarium and even the pool at the hotel. Mommy's favorite part of the trip was getting to eat all the junk food she grew up on at the shore - ice cream, pizza and funnel cakes - which she justified as pregnancy cravings. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">The following weekend Mommy and I took a trip to Washington, DC, to spend some quality time with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Archan</span> Mama & Aurelie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Mami</span>. This was the first time that Mommy & I ventured a drive to Washington all on our own without Nani, who is usually a huge help in distracting me when I get restless in Beltway traffic. But we managed to do <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ok</span> - even though I did not sleep a wink on the way down - and had a great time eating out, riding the Metro and visiting museums.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">Lest anyone think that<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SMbcpe80BeI/AAAAAAAAANU/Aa9kcQkk6mQ/s1600-h/hamptons1.jpg"></a> the vacation was completely relaxing, I went ahead and contracted some crazy virus that spiked a fever as high as 106.1. Nani & Mom rushed me to the hospital, and after 6 hours of tests and waiting, the doctors kindly told us that it was some kind of virus and we just had to wait it out with Tylenol and Motrin. As if Mommy didn't have enough to keep her awake at night (though up until then it was just bouts of morning sickness that struck religiously at 3am). </span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SMbd4mt2JJI/AAAAAAAAAN0/pQQREz_BXyI/s1600-h/hamptons1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244122780654773394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SMbd4mt2JJI/AAAAAAAAAN0/pQQREz_BXyI/s200/hamptons1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">The good news was that Daddy came into town the next day and within two days I was all better and even able to join m<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SMbdALtCf_I/AAAAAAAAANc/nr90e3vxz-U/s1600-h/hamptons2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244121811330957298" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SMbdALtCf_I/AAAAAAAAANc/nr90e3vxz-U/s200/hamptons2.jpg" border="0" /></a>y aunts, uncles and cousins in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Hamptons</span> for a long weekend. Mommy describes the weekend as a cross between a wholesome family reunion -slash- college frat party (whatever that means) once the kids were in bed. We celebrated Daddy's birthday with all his cousins, which I think was extra special for him, swam, soaked in the hot tub (except for Mommy), and even managed to survive bathing in ice cold water until the last day when someone figured out how to turn on the hot water heater. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">I wish we had more photos to share, but Mommy managed to lose our camera cables that allow us to upload pics, so for now we are relying on the generosity of others who have shared some pictures.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244122131557812610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SMbdS0pEiYI/AAAAAAAAANs/V-dqQQBECMM/s320/hamptons3.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><br /></span></div></div></div></div>Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417950393506516034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-1158106532954497252008-06-24T01:02:00.001-05:002008-06-24T01:07:59.793-05:00Around the World in 80 Days<span style="font-size:85%;">One interesting aspect of living the expat life is deciding what to do when the time in your current country has expired. We had originally signed on for a two year contract and though not really sure of what to expect, we figured we would spend two years and then probably head back home. This way, when we looked back on our lives, we could say we did something interesting, and I could check off that all important ´´international´´ assignment box on my resume. <br /><br />About 9 months into our time here, Novartis, like all big multinationals, went through restructuring. Since then life has been a bit of a whirlwind in trying to figure out what happens with us. There was a chance that we would end up staying in Mexico longer because I would get some expanded job responsibilities, so mentally we prepared for that. But alas, I did not get the promotion, so then it looked like we would be heading back to NJ (where I still would not have a job) around March of this past year. So we mentally prepared ourselves for the possibility of returning home just when we finally felt completely settled, and with no house and possibly no job. . . .<br /><br />Before that plan was finalized, a number of POTENTIAL opportunities arose. It felt like everyday was a new prospect: first in Brazil, then in New Jersey, and for a little while it even looked like there might be something in Australia (yes all the way over there). Finally, I was told that we would be staying in Mexico at least until the end of this year and that I did not need to worry about what was next because something would “surely” open up for me, and that discussions would start in October or so. Again we prepared ourselves to stay for a bit and make the most of our time here, and to simply let fate play itself out. That lasted for about a week.<br /><br />Out of the blue, I received a call from a senior finance head in another one of our divisions, discussing a potential opportunity to stay in Mexico for an additional two to three years. When I expressed a lack of interest in remaining here, in order to move to Europe, I fully expected the conversation to come to a screeching halt. Instead he replied, “Sounds good, let’s get you over to Europe,” and promised to call soon in order to discuss.<br /><br />Alas, we are now we are back to where we were six months ago: no concrete plans for the future, mentally traipsing all over the world looking for jobs, but physically living here in Mexico. <br /><br />So for anyone asking where do we go next or when do we come back to New Jersey, let me just say this, I wish I knew what was next. This is one of those times I am just hoping that destiny takes care of my family and me. I just wouldn’t mind destiny moving things along right about now.<br /><br />And for anyone thinking about going overseas with a large company: just be mentally prepared for this part of the adventure. I think we were prepared for a lot of contingencies, so things have gone smoothly overall. I just did not expect the uncertainty of our future to be such a big part of the adventure. </span>Sonnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16939057075213049061noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-55220273591296237102008-06-04T17:14:00.011-05:002008-12-09T16:21:34.751-05:00A Bit of This and That<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">Since it has been some time since most of you have seen me, I thought I would update you with my recent goings-on. Aside from going to school each morning, we really have not been doing anything too exciting from a toddler perspective. A few weekends ago I went with M&D to a going away party for one of Mommy’s friends/colleagues on the Newcomers Board. She had been living here in Mexico for something like 4 years, and is now returning to Palo Alto. So we went to a despedida for her family, where we ate tacos & tamales, got to see a lot of Mommy’s friends, meet a huge and fun German Shepard dog (even though she was l<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SEdyssiQoJI/AAAAAAAAAM8/r7DIt1-FQGU/s1600-h/CIMG2692.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208257606271934610" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SEdyssiQoJI/AAAAAAAAAM8/r7DIt1-FQGU/s200/CIMG2692.JPG" border="0" /></a>ocked upstairs for most f the party, and even though I did wonder aloud, “Is she going to eat me?” I did enjoy meeting her), and meet a few pre-teen girls whom I tried to follow around but who were not very interested in entertaining me.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">Actually, now that I think about it, the day after Melissa’s despedida, we did go to a birthday party at my pal Isabel’s house. It was her sister Lucia’s first birthday and they celebrated in a uniquely Mexican-American way. There was pizza and cupcakes for the kids, lots of cool toys (Isabel has an exceptional collection of toys and fun activities at her house, I must say) and a piñata. I am a bit embarrassed at having to admit that I absolutely hate piñatas. I know, I know – how can I possibly live here and not like the idea of candy falling out of a large object, followed by a free-for-all collection spree? How can I possibly call myself a toddler? Truth is, it is the hitting of the object (in this case, Winnie the Pooh) that I hate, making my eyes well up with tears and ask in a shaky voice, “Why are they hitting Winnie? He’s gonna get hurt.” This fear of the piñata is a relatively new phenomenon – back in October I went to 4 parties with piñatas and loved them – so I think we are going to steer clear of them for the time being. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">Really there is not much else to report, so here are some of my likes & dislikes these days (which are sure to change by the time I come home next month). </span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">Favorites: </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">--Color: blue. Or pink. Or green. Or light yellow. Anything that I deem “pretty” in a particular moment</span></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SEdz78Fn0XI/AAAAAAAAANE/te9scWIobY8/s1600-h/CIMG2755.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208258967656452466" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SEdz78Fn0XI/AAAAAAAAANE/te9scWIobY8/s200/CIMG2755.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">--Food: pretzels; M&M’s (who do you think started that habit?) Cake of any kind (so I take after my Mommy); </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Broccoli; Peaches </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">--Song: Alphabet song, Wheels on the Bus </span><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">--TV show: One, Two, Three, Count with Me (Sesame Street) </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">--</span><span style="font-size:85%;">Phrases: “This is for yooouuu, Mommy” (when handing over a flower or a piece of garbage); “Where we gonna go? </span><span style="font-size:85%;">What we gonna do?”; “I’m not a baby anymore;” (except when refusing </span><span style="font-size:85%;">to brush my teeth when I am known to say, “I’m a baby more.” ) <div align="justify"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SEdz8LEx3DI/AAAAAAAAANM/q_rT7o7J3Wc/s1600-h/CIMG2765.JPG"></a> </div><div align="justify"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SEdz8LEx3DI/AAAAAAAAANM/q_rT7o7J3Wc/s1600-h/CIMG2765.JPG"></a> </div></span></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">--Toys: anything princess; beads for making necklaces; feathers; pots & pans and real uncooked pasta for</span><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">cooking; water; bubbles, tricycle; colorful pens; toilet paper. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SEdz8LEx3DI/AAAAAAAAANM/q_rT7o7J3Wc/s1600-h/CIMG2765.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208258971679448114" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SEdz8LEx3DI/AAAAAAAAANM/q_rT7o7J3Wc/s200/CIMG2765.JPG" border="0" /></a></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">--Hobbies: climbing things; picking up trash; making beaded necklaces; coloring or drawing; running into </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">corners and pretending to hide; picking out fresh flowers; playing dress-up. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">--Clothes: tank tops, flowing </span><span style="font-size:85%;">skirts, flowery dresses; colorful t-shirts. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">Dislikes: </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">--Eating most things</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">--Going to bed </span><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">--Brushing my teeth </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">--Dirty hands and clothes</span><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">-- The dark </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">--The Lion King movie (something about the first 5 seconds scares me so badly that I scream and cry in terror) </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">--Being ignored</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">--Wearing anything with long sleeves. </span></div>Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417950393506516034noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-76132061555521233062008-05-25T00:06:00.010-05:002008-12-09T16:21:35.499-05:00Tango & Milonga<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">There isn't much that I can say about Buenos Aires that hasn't already been said by someone else, and probably a lot more eloquently than I could manage. So I figured I would simply post some pictures of our trip, and state only that we really loved the city. It reminded us a lot of Manhattan, but with more European a<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SDj5xtA_aBI/AAAAAAAAAMY/i5Cmp-vzm_0/s1600-h/CIMG2374.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204184001719265298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SDj5xtA_aBI/AAAAAAAAAMY/i5Cmp-vzm_0/s200/CIMG2374.JPG" border="0" /></a>rchitecture. We enjoyed walking around the different neighborhoods, watching the street tango performances, attending a tango dinner show and even visting a couple<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SDj6KNA_aCI/AAAAAAAAAMg/ChpEY8EM1_w/s1600-h/CIMG2381.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204184422626060322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SDj6KNA_aCI/AAAAAAAAAMg/ChpEY8EM1_w/s200/CIMG2381.JPG" border="0" /></a> of milongas (dance halls) the locals visit. </span><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204185230079911986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SDj65NA_aDI/AAAAAAAAAMo/V5ffA3QCydI/s200/CIMG2383.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SDj7zdA_aFI/AAAAAAAAAM4/NbFXQJxzLuA/s1600-h/CIMG2389.JPG"></a></p><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SDj7QtA_aEI/AAAAAAAAAMw/MarJLB-Suoo/s1600-h/CIMG2389.JPG"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204187570837088354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SDj9BdA_aGI/AAAAAAAAANA/sLnZe7jUzus/s320/CIMG2389.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzEY08V-UUQaXKfkY9JZJjLYrOXQbOW84mQwnQQPzg4foiGfhmHMGln-31DTOnq0cposR0k2-wmx4cIBcRw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"> </p>Rupalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09617486454985767977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-79275170135336275272008-05-14T22:12:00.019-05:002008-12-09T16:21:37.122-05:00Nature's Call<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;">I don’t like nature. For as long as I can remember, I have longed to live in a city, vacation at resorts and, at all costs, avoid the great outdoors. I don’t hike, mountain bike or white water raft. I even recall being bored at Yosemite National Park (and cringing at the port-a-potties, to say nothing of the bugs, rodents and other inconvenient species out there) during a family vacation when I was 11. As a teen, I rebuffed my parents’ several attempts to take a family vacation to Yellowstone National Park, wondering why on earth anyone would want to see bison roaming around in the middle of nowhere. </span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SCzbXcnf81I/AAAAAAAAAK4/zh-D43UNWS0/s1600-h/CIMG2455.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200772865571418962" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SCzbXcnf81I/AAAAAAAAAK4/zh-D43UNWS0/s200/CIMG2455.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;">So you can imagine my surprise when over the past year a strange whisper began beckoning me to the wilderness of southern Patagonia, Argentina. I suddenly had this overwhelming urge to ride horseback across the Argentine pampas looking out at nothing but earth as far as the eye can see; to climb mountains of ice to get a glimpse of what the ice age might have been like; to look above and out at an epic sky, feeling a sense of isolation from civilization in knowing that the distance to the end of the world – Antarctica – was close within reach. </span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;">Finally last <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SC0Hu8nf82I/AAAAAAAAALA/HGem3C93t1Y/s1600-h/CIMG2532.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200821647809966946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="133" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SC0Hu8nf82I/AAAAAAAAALA/HGem3C93t1Y/s200/CIMG2532.JPG" width="179" border="0" /></a>month, after spending a relaxing few days in Buenos Aires, Sonny and I did go to Patagonia – El Calafate – for a few days of quality time with nature. The first thought I had when we landed was that this is what Alaska must look like – the beauty being the raw and wild landscape, with little civilization for thousands of miles on end. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SC0MD8nf84I/AAAAAAAAALQ/KCb3hAqYS8g/s1600-h/CIMG2515.JPG"></a></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;">The main attraction of El Calafate is its close proximity (1.5 hours) to the Perito Moreno glacier, a mass of ice that is 200 feet high, stretching out 20 miles in jagged peaks. It is located in Los Glaciers National Park, and a trip to see it requires a boat ride across Lake Argentina through floating s<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SC0Kl8nf83I/AAAAAAAAALI/yCp2SpKbHII/s1600-h/CIMG2517.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200824791726027634" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SC0Kl8nf83I/AAAAAAAAALI/yCp2SpKbHII/s200/CIMG2517.JPG" border="0" /></a>eracs of ice that have broken off the glacier, and a hike through the beautiful park national park to and from the actua<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SC0M8snf85I/AAAAAAAAALY/fwafZPY2Aek/s1600-h/CIMG2509.JPG"></a>l glacier. </span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SC0aMsnf9AI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/eSLhUdUr4jc/s1600-h/CIMG2509.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200841950120375298" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SC0aMsnf9AI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/eSLhUdUr4jc/s200/CIMG2509.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;">The highlight was the two hour ice-trek on the glacier, climbing up and down and aro<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SC0TMMnf86I/AAAAAAAAALg/Cl2lvthmuhM/s1600-h/CIMG2494.JPG"></a>und its peaks, valleys and ponds as the winds whipped across our faces and nearly knocked us over at times. That day we were lucky to witness huge blocks of ice breaking off the glacier with the sound of thunder, and then peacefully floating away in the frigid lake. There really is no way to fully capture what it was like trekking on that glacier - surreal and scary, awe inspiring and amazing, to say the least.</span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SC0ZHsnf8-I/AAAAAAAAAMA/DX6iAZKL9zo/s1600-h/CIMG2605.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200840764709401570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SC0ZHsnf8-I/AAAAAAAAAMA/DX6iAZKL9zo/s200/CIMG2605.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;">The day after, we visited a Patagonian ranch (estancia) where we saw a demonstration of sheep herding as well as sheep shearing, and ate an authentic barbequed lamb dinner (well, at least Sonny did – I stuck to the salad bar consisting of canned vegetables and white bread). Perhaps my favorite part of the visit was the sunset horseback riding expedit<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SC0U2Mnf87I/AAAAAAAAALo/kupNuMeaWKM/s1600-h/CIMG2605.JPG"></a>ion that brought to life my fantasy of riding through the wilderness under a vast sky and looking out at nothing but the sno<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SC0W9snf88I/AAAAAAAAALw/5CxZ4RzYlQE/s1600-h/CIMG2577.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200838393887454146" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SC0W9snf88I/AAAAAAAAALw/5CxZ4RzYlQE/s200/CIMG2577.JPG" border="0" /></a>w capped Andes jutting up from the earth in the distance. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;">Our last day in El Calafate we took a 4x4 off roading trip up the side of a mountain, 3400 feet up, for breathtaking views of the Lake Argentina region and Chilean Andes, as well as a glimpse into the wildlife residing in the mountains.</span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SC0Zzsnf8_I/AAAAAAAAAMI/sTdWURykO9M/s1600-h/CIMG2639.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200841520623645682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/SC0Zzsnf8_I/AAAAAAAAAMI/sTdWURykO9M/s200/CIMG2639.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;">Since I have never been a real nature buff, we did not plan to spend a lot of time in Patagonia, hiking to Mt. Fitz Roy and El Chalten, and visiting Chile like most people do on such a trip. But somehow I managed to fall inlove with the Great Outdoors in just the few days we were there - and regretted a bit not planning more time there than in Buenos Aires. On the other hand, I suppose it is an incentive to return to southern South America one day, hiking boots and all.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Rupalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09617486454985767977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-6541076853420858722008-05-08T15:19:00.013-05:002008-12-09T16:21:38.371-05:00Our Photo Archive<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCNj7oLE0oI/AAAAAAAAAL8/4MQCoNaoWb8/s1600-h/cabo+blog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198108270962987650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCNj7oLE0oI/AAAAAAAAAL8/4MQCoNaoWb8/s200/cabo+blog.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">We have been doing a bit of local traveling over the past several months, trying to soak up some sights in Mexico. Since M&D haven't gotten around to posting any pictures, I have taken it upon myself to pick up the slack, starting with our trip to Los Cabos way back in Dece<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCNkYoLE0pI/AAAAAAAAAME/cbEPKKmvvQw/s1600-h/cabo+blog2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198108769179194002" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCNkYoLE0pI/AAAAAAAAAME/cbEPKKmvvQw/s200/cabo+blog2.jpg" border="0" /></a>mber. While the town is beautiful and the resort lovely (the pool, naturally being my favorite part), our trip was overshadowed by Daddy catching bronchitis and missing the entire wedding for which we took the trip. Mommy & I managed to attend the wedding just before she followed suit and caught a really bad throat infection, leaving both my parents practically immobile for 3 days. Luckily we had managed one good da<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCNlH4LE0qI/AAAAAAAAAMM/u6aHnBLkOeo/s1600-h/CIMG2368.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198109580928012962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCNlH4LE0qI/AAAAAAAAAMM/u6aHnBLkOeo/s200/CIMG2368.JPG" border="0" /></a>y before the illnesses set in when we took a boat trip through the Sea of Cortes and got to see lots and lots of sea lions. The rest of the time I spent being a very good girl for M&D, and hanging out with Daddy's cousins, to whom M&D were ever-so-grateful for helping take care of me. </span><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">Then, w<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCNobILE0uI/AAAAAAAAAMs/mSXJuXyaxtA/s1600-h/CIMG2049.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198113210175378146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCNobILE0uI/AAAAAAAAAMs/mSXJuXyaxtA/s200/CIMG2049.JPG" border="0" /></a>hen we returned from our looong trip to the U.S. over Christmas we began taking a few road trips as well: to Puebla with my pal Isabel and her family and to San Miguel de Allende with M&D for a long weekend. Puebla and San Miguel are both colonial towns, the former famous for Mexican Talavera and more churches than any other town in Mexico, and the latter for its views and cobblestone streets, language and arts courses, and what seemed like more Ame<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCNlroLE0rI/AAAAAAAAAMU/jlWZ2_PB9Fc/s1600-h/CIMG2369.JPG"></a>ricans per square block than New York City. We also went to Tepotzlan, a boh<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCNnqoLE0sI/AAAAAAAAAMc/FOe-2iR7QIs/s1600-h/CIMG2076.JPG"></a>emian little town about an hour and half away, for a day trip (or more accurately, a long leisurely lunch and stroll through the markets).</span> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCNqg4LE0vI/AAAAAAAAAM0/EkHrZBJ1vBw/s1600-h/CIMG2081.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198115507982881522" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCNqg4LE0vI/AAAAAAAAAM0/EkHrZBJ1vBw/s200/CIMG2081.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">M&D still have a number of places left on their “list” that are must-sees before we leave Mexico, so I keep telling them that we had better get moving.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198112763498779346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCNoBILE0tI/AAAAAAAAAMk/k-l5e_6eVXY/s200/CIMG2037.JPG" border="0" /></span>Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417950393506516034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-40772542045464964842008-05-07T23:45:00.004-05:002008-12-09T16:21:38.686-05:00The Happiest Place on Earth<div><div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Lest Mommy & Daddy have all the fun on vacation, my grandparents saw to it that I got to have a lot of excitement of my own. I got to see my great grandma, my cousins and even an aunt who was visiting all the way from India. I also went shopping – a lot, to the carousels and to the pool at Nani’s house.<br /></span></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCKGsILE0lI/AAAAAAAAALk/uTj9T2sQ76Q/s1600-h/CIMG1046.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197865012605276754" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCKGsILE0lI/AAAAAAAAALk/uTj9T2sQ76Q/s200/CIMG1046.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">I must confess, though, that my absolute, by-far, most favorite thing in the whole wide world was my trip to Disney World with Dada & Dadi. Of course we went to Animal Kingdom, to Sea World (where I got soaked from Shamu – something I truly did not appreciate) and to Epcot Center, but obviously what I loved the most was visiting the Magic Kingdom. While I enjoyed meeting<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCKIdoLE0nI/AAAAAAAAAL0/EH_1P2h5Bpo/s1600-h/CIMG1045.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197866962520429170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCKIdoLE0nI/AAAAAAAAAL0/EH_1P2h5Bpo/s200/CIMG1045.JPG" border="0" /></a> Mickey & Minnie, I was a bit miffed that they only spent a few minutes with me (a fact that I am quick to tell anyone who asks) and was much happier visiting the Cinderella castle and meeting princesses.<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">I had so much fun in the U.S. that I didn’t miss M&D at all – and didn’t even care to talk to them on the phone whenever they called from South America. But who could blame me given my surroundings? </span></div></div></div>Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417950393506516034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-61772740825124328152008-05-07T22:43:00.011-05:002008-12-09T16:21:39.184-05:00A Busy Body<span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">I realize that I have been really behind on my blogging these days – and it is because Mom<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197852484185674274" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCJ7S4LE0iI/AAAAAAAAALM/r6UYddNf3O0/s200/CIMG2313.JPG" border="0" />my, Daddy (M&D) & I have just been so busy with houseguests and vacations.</span><br /><div> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">April was quite a hectic month, starting with a visit from Archan Mama and Aurelie Mami. Even though they were only visiting us for a few days, we packed in a whole lot of fun. Aside from going out to eat (a lot), I took them to the playground I frequent, to parts of Chapuletepec Park and to the market where we regularly shop on Saturdays (which I think was their favorite site in the city – I have never seen anyone get so excited over avocados, tomatoes and imported cheeses). Mommy also went with them on a sightseeing bus tour of the city, including the Zocalo and the National Palace <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCJ9U4LE0jI/AAAAAAAAALU/bGYI3nPwESk/s1600-h/CIMG2325.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197854717568668210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCJ9U4LE0jI/AAAAAAAAALU/bGYI3nPwESk/s200/CIMG2325.JPG" border="0" /></a>where they were able to see the famous murals painted by Diego Riviera. When we weren’t all busy eating gelato or going to restaurants, we spent our time just hanging out and blowing bubbles, dancing and playing with balloons.</span><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">The day after Archan Mama & Aurelie Mami left, Nani came for a visit with her friend, Miss Barbara. Even though Mommy wanted her to do a lot of sightseeing, Nani seemed a lot more intereste<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCJ-S4LE0kI/AAAAAAAAALc/QMYwO2drjgQ/s1600-h/CIMG2342.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197855782720557634" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/SCJ-S4LE0kI/AAAAAAAAALc/QMYwO2drjgQ/s200/CIMG2342.JPG" border="0" /></a>d in spending time with me, so we did a lot of kid friendly things. I took her and Miss Barbara to the Castle at Chaupltepec Park (now that we finally know where it is – and this time we actually visited inside the castle); we went to Puebla for a day to walk around and shop for talavera, and one afternoon I took Nani to a children's farm, where I had a blast holding bunnies and baby chicks, feeding ducks, rabbits and goats and riding on a donkey (which I adamantly insisted was a baby horse). </span></div><div><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">In the middle of this fun filled visit, Mommy’s best friend, Nipa Masi, came to our house all the way from Philadelphia. She was in town on business and came two days early to stay with us. Even though she and I have not had much bonding time over the past two years, I took to her like a duck to water. I followed her around all day, and tried to get her to play with me, feed me and change my diaper (Mommy swears she didn’t put me to it).<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">After about a week with a house full of women, Daddy finally got a reprieve from all the estrogen. Nipa Masi went to work, and Nani and Miss Barbara went back to NJ - and I went with them for a little holiday of my own while M&D went on vacation!<br /></div></span><br /><p align="center"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='260' height='234' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz3ZnXGuQoG-1TxNLRwzbVOXz5V8WwxTSRQDr_5oYCNlRdLZXuc5plrN6Ht9u3RdM0EsoRqByqwxxH2OyFqRw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br /><div><br /></div><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"></span></div>Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417950393506516034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-12573025844962632782008-04-01T00:06:00.007-05:002008-12-09T16:21:39.795-05:00Woe Is Me<p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">Right away I can imagine the types of responses I am going to get to this post, yet it must be said: life around Casa Dalal has been quite difficult over the last several weeks without a live-in maid. Our former housekeeper, Aurora, has left us due to a combination of health problems and numerous family tragedies over the past few months. While we didn’t find her to be the best cook, cleaner, conversationalist, or even direction follower regarding household matters, we loved her because she was extremely trustworthy and she was GREAT with Asha. After nine months of having her in our home, she became a second mom/best friend to Asha – and Asha was truly the love of her life. I could always see the joy on Aurora’s face when after a weekend away she would return to find Asha running into her arms. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">So we have now been left with the tasks of cleaning our own house, cooking our own food and – heaven forbid – taking complete care of our own child (for whom we probably had less responsibility in NJ where we had no housekeeper but instead have a family to be rivaled only by the likes of the Barones from Everybody Loves Raymo<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/R_HGLjYDzkI/AAAAAAAAAKo/cfq1j6INW0g/s1600-h/CIMG2028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184142547857165890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/R_HGLjYDzkI/AAAAAAAAAKo/cfq1j6INW0g/s200/CIMG2028.JPG" border="0" /></a>nd). </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">Perhaps what has exacerbated the loss of Aurora was the fact that Asha has been on Easter Break for two and a half weeks now. Luckily Sonny had a few days off as well so we were able to get away on some weekend and day trips.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/R_HEzjYDzjI/AAAAAAAAAKg/o5Cr4ZzBt9E/s1600-h/CIMG2028.JPG"></a> Still, that first week – even with Sonny around to help so much – I was with her for a minumim of 22.5 hours a day (on the days I actually went to the gym) – not that I am counting, mind you - and my patience began to wane as she jumped on furniture, threw things on the floor just to get a reaction and limited her vocabulary to “No” and “I want this” to anything in her line of vision. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">And then began week two – during which we tackled potty training. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/R_HG8jYDzlI/AAAAAAAAAKw/sw3XDTZrCxE/s1600-h/CIMG2010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184143389670755922" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/R_HG8jYDzlI/AAAAAAAAAKw/sw3XDTZrCxE/s200/CIMG2010.JPG" border="0" /></a>Thus came the experiences of running to the potty every fifteen minutes, waiting in the bathroom for something to happen, often having that “something” happen before we made it to the potty and then washing loads of pee-soaked clothes, combined with being trapped in the house all week and missing our friends (her and me), having Sonny away for two days on a business trip, and trying to survive a disaster of a house. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">While I am fully aware at how ridiculous I sound agonizing over the loss of a live-in maid, especially to my friends back home, where we all take care of our own kids and clean our own homes (aside from the weekly cleaning lady, perhaps), the only justification I have for my self pity is: This is one of the reasons I moved to Mexico, dammit! I have given up my tv shows, my vegetarian food, my evenings whiling away at Barnes & Noble – every comfort I knew in NJ. All I want in return is a trustworthy live-in maid. Is it really too much to ask?</span></p>Rupalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09617486454985767977noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-90364234605406736352008-03-13T17:47:00.007-05:002008-12-09T16:21:40.147-05:00Misconceptions<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">When we decided to move to Mexico last year, most people had at least one of the following misconceptions: that (1) we would get kidnapped; (2) we would be “rich” here, able to afford anything and everything we wanted because; (3) everything in Mexico was cheap. I could easily look down from my high horse and lament about how ignorant people are, but the truth is that when Sonny mentioned Mexico City as a possible assignment, the first image that came to my mind was the kidnapping scene from the movie Proof of Life. I was also shocked to learn - a few weeks after arriving - that our company paid apartment and car would be mere trinkets for many of the wealthy Mexicans and foreigners who went on weekend retreats to their haciendas, regularly shopped at Louis Vuitton, and vacationed in the Galapagos Islands on their family yachts. I also found out the hard way that nothing in Mexico is cheap, except for labor and maybe produce, and learned to bring back from the U.S. a lot of children’s toys and generic gifts for birthday parties, as the exact same items in Walmart and Costco here cost 40% more than in the U.S.</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><div align="justify"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">So I think it is time to clear up any remaining perceptions. Yes, like any other city in the world, there are seedy areas and petty criminals abound, waiting for people who are careless and imprudent about basic safety. Yes, the aiport happens to be in one of those areas (although I'm sure all Jerseyites can relate to the bad rep airport neighborhoods provide; afterall, is Newark airport an accurate depcition of our lovely home state?) </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">However, there are also fancy areas of Mexico City where people walk around wearing Channel shoes and Seven Jeans, carrying G<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/R9my6a0s9iI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/ePh27uvc3IU/s1600-h/masaryk2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177365963341624866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 224px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 144px" height="158" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/R9my6a0s9iI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/ePh27uvc3IU/s320/masaryk2.jpg" width="266" border="0" /></a>ucci bags and pushing Bugaboo strollers. </span><span style="font-size:85%;">We are fortunate enough to live in the wonderfully safe and lively area of Polanco, which, according to Lonely Planet Mexico, is an “affluent residential quarter . . . where the streets are named after writers and scientists, contain[ing] lots of restaurants, art galleries and embassies [as well as] some luxury hotels . . . .” </span><span style="font-size:85%;">The main avenue and reference point that runs through Polanco is Avenida Presidente Masaryk, which has been called the Rodeo Drive/5th Avenue/Champs Elysees of Mexico City, and is home to nearly every upscale store that I have ever heard of, such as Cartier, Valentino, Bvlgari, Hermes, Ferragamo, Tiffany and more, and many that I haven’t heard of but which I could never afford. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/R9mzMa0s9jI/AAAAAAAAAKY/ymqRWxMkRQQ/s1600-h/masaryk3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177366272579270194" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="176" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2N1shJnDEE/R9mzMa0s9jI/AAAAAAAAAKY/ymqRWxMkRQQ/s320/masaryk3.jpg" width="283" border="0" /></a>I can safely say that since these stores do so much business here, and since no matter how nicely I am (sometimes) dressed when going out, there are always people more affluent and better dressed walking around. In other words, any potential kidnapper would have bigger fish to fry than me! </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br />For us Polanco is a great place to live because we get that city atmosphere plus great parks and lots of restaurants in walking distance, and always feel safe, even when walking around at night. In fact, the only downside to Polanco is that I am constantly confronted with the gaps in my education because, while I am familiar with the names after which streets like Tennyson, Galileo and Lord Byron are named, for the life of me I cannot figure out who Eugenio Sue or Francisco Petrarca were. Still, there are neighborhoods of this city that are far more affluent, charming and trendy than Polanco. I suppose my point is that, while Mexico City has its negatives, it is a vibrant city with various interesting neighborhoods offering world renowned shopping, museums, art galleries, parks, markets, and ancient cultural sites, as well as a number of cultural and social events, from Italian Operas to Cuban Jazz to big name rock concerts like Lenny Kravitz (appearing in April). All this, plus being surrounded by mountains and having great weather year round. </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">So for those friends and family who are considering visiting, I promise you this: you will not find bargains here, you will not feel rich. But on the flip side, you will not get kidnapped.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:78%;">(images from: </span><a href="http://mexicocity.ciudadmexico.com.mx/attractions/masarik.htm"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:78%;">http://mexicocity.ciudadmexico.com.mx/attractions/masarik.htm</span></a></span><span style="font-size:78%;">)</span></div>Rupalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09617486454985767977noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-22586129610773482222008-03-11T16:57:00.010-05:002008-12-09T16:21:40.632-05:00Bunnies & Crafts & Eggs, Oh My!<div><div><div><div><div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;">Last Saturday we went to the Newcomers Annual Easter Party, which had promised to be a fun-filled family event. Now that Mom<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R9cRTx7S_YI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Ter9lwuXEB4/s1600-h/059.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176625328202907010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 261px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 162px" height="186" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R9cRTx7S_YI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Ter9lwuXEB4/s320/059.JPG" width="277" border="0" /></a>my is the president of Newcomers, Daddy and I are obligated to participate in many more of the activities than we did before. In fact, Mommy’s new position has meant more involvement and work even for our driver, Arturo – who, along with other board members’ drivers, helped fill hundreds of plastic Easter eggs with chocolate, and scoured the city to locate helium balloons at the last minute – and our housekeeper, Aurora, who came to the party to help the other maids ensure a steady supply of drinks and to help chaperone the children’s craft tables. </span></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R9cR5R7S_ZI/AAAAAAAAAKs/CxK8VIf7EMs/s1600-h/094.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176625972448001426" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 211px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 252px" height="268" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R9cR5R7S_ZI/AAAAAAAAAKs/CxK8VIf7EMs/s320/094.JPG" width="224" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;">It turned out to be a beautiful – if slightly hot – day and Miss Virginia’s garden, where the event took place, was the perfect setting, overlooking the mountains and valleys of Mexico City. I loved hunting for chocolate filled eggs with my pals (and made lots of new friends), got my picture taken for two different newspapers (which Mommy will upload when we get a copy) and made lots of crafts using cool things like googley-eyes, pipe cleaners and puff balls, not to mention glitter, stickers and crayons.<br /></div></span><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;">However, the thing to which I had most looked forward was meeting the Easter Bunny, because Mommy had been talking to me about it for weeks (not wanting a repeat of last year’s Santa picture wherein I was crying and reaching out to Mommy to remove me from the jolly old fellow’s lap). So when the Easter Bunny finally came out, I was really excited, only to find myself taken aback when meeting him. It wasn’t that I was scared of him – quite the contrary – because this guy looked strangely familiar. After a minute or two, I figured out that this guy wasn’t the Easter Bunny at all – it was Arturo dressed up in the Easter Bunny’s clothes! I figure this must have been because, like Santa, the Easter Bunny has so many rounds to make this time of year, so his helpers must dress up like him to visit all the kids. As a good sport, I didn’t spoil the fun and break the news to all my pals – but really, who knew that our driver was one of the Easter Bunny’s personal helpers!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176626509318913442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R9cSYh7S_aI/AAAAAAAAAK0/U8XODTBH1JQ/s320/068.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div></div></div></div></div></div>Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417950393506516034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-13815020495487138172008-03-07T00:37:00.005-05:002008-03-07T00:53:53.907-05:00Rhapsodic Rhetoric: A Post on Politics<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">I typically don’t write about politics on this blog. Maybe it is because I am not nearly as informed as I ought to be (<em>yes</em>, I was a political science major and a lawyer). Or perhaps it is because I hate offending people, and talking about political views is a surefire way to rub readers the wrong way. I suspect it is a combination of the two. However, I can no longer contain my exhilaration. This is the year for which I have longingly awaited eight years – the year in which Americans can begin to emerge from the cloud of shame and disgust that George Bush has brought upon America, as he leaves office and we select another and surely better – regardless of party affiliation – president. I won’t get into why I find Bush to be a disgrace of a president (although eroding the Constitution to a skeletal version of itself while the Framers likely roll over in their graves, does come to mind), but let’s just say that I have been looking forward to a new administration.</span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><div align="justify"></span><span style="font-size:85%;">The thing is, though, I have been torn about my allegiance to either of the remaining Democratic candidates. You see, I have never been a fan of Hillary Clinton because something about her always struck me as . . . un-kosher. I can’t pinpoint it and I don’t know why Bill Clinton didn’t strike me the same way, but I just always thought that there is more to her than she lets on, and I wonder how it will come back to haunt her in the general election or even in the White House. Or perhaps it is as simple as – even though her gender has never consciously influenced me – that on a subconscious level I want to be able to relate to her as a woman yet I find her to be a bit distant.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">So it would reason that I would immediately favor Barack Obama, the charismatic hope-inspirer, advocate of change in Washington, with a seemingly open-book past. And I have to admit that I am impressed by his discourse, and I do find myself inspired by his speeches. So then why is it that over the past several weeks and months I find myself rooting for Hillary? Why was I so disappointed in her performance on Super Tuesday and ever so grateful that she pulled out ahead in Texas and Ohio this week? In part I think it is because I always favor the “underdog;” in part it is because lately I find her vulnerable – if only politically – and somehow I relate to that. </span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><div align="justify"></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Most of all, though, I think it has to do with the Obama bandwagon. If I actually look beyond the inspirational speeches, I am not sure whether I am convinced of his abilities or even his alleged liberal views (his health reform plan does not include universal health care; he has little foreign policy experience; and relies on right-leaning economic advisers). And I find myself exasperated that many of those who have jumped on his bandwagon have done so, I suspect, without really assessing his views on the issues and his plans for the future, because they have been taken in by his rhetoric. In fact, Obama’s grandiloquence is strangely reminiscent of Ronald Reagan, who fooled Americans by speaking eloquently while slyly eroding government and social policies.</span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><div align="justify">So maybe the thing I like about Hillary is that I trust her even though I don’t trust her. I like that she is not likeable off the bat, and doesn’t necessarily inspire through words. I like that my guard is already up with her a bit, because she is distant and doesn’t pretend to be otherwise, but that I know her liberal views – they are clear after years of public service. She has the desire to actually help middle-class Americans, and the experience to actually make changes. </div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">And in deciding between the two candidates, I suppose it comes down to this: I like Hillary because of what she stands for, not how eloquently she speaks. And it would be a damn shame for her to lose the presidency, and for the American people to lose her, simply because we were again taken in by empty dissertations and great oratory.</span></div>Rupalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09617486454985767977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-42469652406147808852008-02-28T00:01:00.027-05:002008-12-09T16:21:41.461-05:00It's Been So Long Since I Last Saw YouWell it just wouldn’t be a month in Mexico without a visit from one of my grandparents. No matter that I spent six uninterrupted weeks with them around the holidays, or that I will likely be spending two weeks with them in April when Mommy and Daddy go on vacation without me (Mommy having declared that taking me on a trip to South America without any grandparents or Aurora is really no vacation a<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R8chazGQSKI/AAAAAAAAAJk/E_r2VmJsx6w/s1600-h/CIMG1769.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172139441335060642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 291px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px" height="225" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R8chazGQSKI/AAAAAAAAAJk/E_r2VmJsx6w/s320/CIMG1769.jpg" width="300" border="0" /></a>t all). Dada just couldn’t wait to see me, and being retired and spending most of his days on the internet, he was able to find a cheap and last minute deal to come see me.<br /><div><div><div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">As are typical of Dada’s visits, Mommy and Daddy didn’t feel the need to entertain him much, figuring he would be content to sit and make beaded necklaces with me, take me to the park and help me ride my bike. Still, having him here was a great excuse to explore more of the city, so last Saturday we took him to Coyoacan. This q<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R8ciyTGQSLI/AAAAAAAAAJs/FTGOgW4xACw/s1600-h/CIMG1736.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172140944573614258" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 226px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px" height="331" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R8ciyTGQSLI/AAAAAAAAAJs/FTGOgW4xACw/s320/CIMG1736.jpg" width="243" border="0" /></a>uarter in the southern part o<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R8ZJ-zGQSEI/AAAAAAAAAI0/KGOLezFf3as/s1600-h/CIMG1736.jpg"></a>f the city has a bohemian feel, with craft markets, musicians and street performers in the plazas. Despite the various types of live entertainment (during our lunch at a sidewalk café our ears were overwhelmed with three different types of musicians competing for tips: a melodic saxophone player on the street corner; the tribal drums accompanying a native-inspired dance performance in the nearby plaza; and an accordion player and his band serenading café patrons), my favorite entertainment was the 10-cent motorized rides reminiscent of those found in U.S. supermarkets in the 1980’s.</div><br /><div align="justify">We also took Dad<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R8ZLWzGQSFI/AAAAAAAAAI8/_aKH9brNiTI/s1600-h/CIMG1884.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171904077127239762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 245px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 178px" height="165" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R8ZLWzGQSFI/AAAAAAAAAI8/_aKH9brNiTI/s200/CIMG1884.jpg" width="230" border="0" /></a>a back to Chapultepec Park, to find the Castle we were unable to locate during his first visit. The Castle was once the home to emperors and Mexican presidents, but now houses the National Museum of History. I was thrilled just to ride up the hill on the train, walk <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R8cr3DGQSPI/AAAAAAAAAKM/1NcnuwRACmk/s1600-h/CIMG1888.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172150921782642930" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R8cr3DGQSPI/AAAAAAAAAKM/1NcnuwRACmk/s320/CIMG1888.jpg" border="0" /></a>around the grounds of the Castle, and take in the beautiful views of the city from atop the hill.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R8cnNzGQSMI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/yzpGU8IAxFw/s1600-h/CIMG1896.jpg"></a> So Mommy, being the budget-conscious woman she is, decided that we didn’t really need to spend $5.00 a pop to visit the museum on a day I hadn’t had a nap- though we later discovered that seniors (i.e., anyone over the age of 60) and children under 13 would have been free. That made Dada so happy that he didn’t even mind being called a senior citizen!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R8cp-TGQSNI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/eV4rr2sPBho/s1600-h/CIMG1881.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172148847313438930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R8cp-TGQSNI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/eV4rr2sPBho/s320/CIMG1881.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="justify">Of everything we did, though, I think my favorite moments with Dada were those spent sitting around with him and eating cookies or digging in his shirt pocket for Tic-Tacs. <div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R8cqYzGQSOI/AAAAAAAAAKE/xYR9r0YWUH8/s1600-h/CIMG1900.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172149302579972322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R8cqYzGQSOI/AAAAAAAAAKE/xYR9r0YWUH8/s320/CIMG1900.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R8cqYzGQSOI/AAAAAAAAAKE/xYR9r0YWUH8/s1600-h/CIMG1900.jpg"></a></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R8cqYzGQSOI/AAAAAAAAAKE/xYR9r0YWUH8/s1600-h/CIMG1900.jpg"></a></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R8cqYzGQSOI/AAAAAAAAAKE/xYR9r0YWUH8/s1600-h/CIMG1900.jpg"></a></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R8cqYzGQSOI/AAAAAAAAAKE/xYR9r0YWUH8/s1600-h/CIMG1900.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QUNBhJyXgCs/R8cqYzGQSOI/AAAAAAAAAKE/xYR9r0YWUH8/s1600-h/CIMG1900.jpg"></a>Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417950393506516034noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-4872681833216287062008-02-24T16:28:00.003-05:002008-02-24T17:02:23.962-05:00Museums and Movies<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">After living in Mexico City for nearly 10 months (of which I admittedly spent 3 on trips back to the U.S.), I am a bit embarrassed to confess that I had never been to the world renowned Museo Nacional de Antropologia (National Museum of Anthropology), even though it is only six blocks from my apartment. So on Friday I joined some of my fellow Newcomers members and our wonderful tour guide, Lynda, on a tour of the museum. To give you an idea of how big it is, we spent four hours there and covered about one fourth of the museum, <a href="http://desgriffin.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/natmus-anthropology-mexico-img_1794.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://desgriffin.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/natmus-anthropology-mexico-img_1794.jpg" border="0" /></a>stopping to see only those exhibits that would help us understand the history and native culture of the pre-Hispanic people living in what is now known as the Mexico City area. That means that there is still left for future tours the history and culture of the indigenous people of <em>five</em> other areas of Mesoamerica, as well as an entire floor on the culture of indigenous descendants currently living in various parts of Mexico.<br /></span><a href="http://www.jqjacobs.net/mesoamerica/images/quetzalcoatl_museo.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://www.jqjacobs.net/mesoamerica/images/quetzalcoatl_museo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">To be quite frank, I had never much cared about the history of MesoAmerica, not being of Latin American descent, and only having focused on Egyptian and European history in school. Now that I am living here, though, I find myself a lot more interested in Mexican history and fascinated by the various cultures of different geographical areas of Mexico. I suppose it is only natural - and I have to say that our informative and entertaining tour of a quarter of the museum has left me feeling a lot more connected to this city, and with a better appreciation for the symbols and art I see all around me, from the flag to the currency to the murals throughout the city.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">After my knowledge-enhancing morning, I was left pretty exhausted (standing around for four hours without having consumed breakfast or that all-important morning coffee, because I was running late as usual, can do that to a person). So when Sonny returned from his week-long business trip to Puerto Vallarta (probably feeling a bit guilty at having had so much fun without me) and offered to take me to a movie that night, I jumped at the chance.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Anyone who has read his post The Luxuries of Mexico City knows that Sonny will no longer sit in a regular section of the movies in Mexico (hating going to the movies anyway, he’ll be damned if he can’t use that ten bucks to get in a good two hours’ nap). One of the consequences of sitting in the VIP sectio<a href="http://latefilm.com/images/no_country_for_old_men_poster.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 152px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 249px" height="318" alt="" src="http://latefilm.com/images/no_country_for_old_men_poster.jpg" border="0" /></a>n though - aside from the annoying “waitresses” that are constantly delivering food/beverages during the show - is that there are significantly fewer seats than a normal theater. For us this meant that our first choice was sold out, and we ended up seeing “No Country for Old Men.”<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">While the critics gave it great reviews, and the MPA nominated it for an Oscar, I have to say that as an average movie viewer who simply likes to be entertained and rarely agrees with critics, I was thoroughly disappointed in this film. I won’t spoil the ending but let me simply say that I was left feeling like someone forgot to finish the ending - there was no closure in the film, no justice for the audience and no point to the ending. There went two hours of my life (which actually felt closer to four) that I will never recover.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Still, I suppose a night out is night out.</span><br /></div>Rupalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09617486454985767977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353245925154743534.post-82796068782122482712008-02-19T03:30:00.002-05:002008-02-19T11:18:18.951-05:00And We're Back . . . .<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">Well, we are finally rejoining the blogosphere. Sorry for the extended hiatus. Truth is, we had forgotten a bit what it’s like to live in Mexico since we were in the US for so long - from Christmas through the end of January. Mommy, Daddy and I had a terrific holiday with our family, and we actually got to relax a bit, since there were no weddings, housewarming parties or religious events for a change. We got to see all of our family, most of our friends and just hang out (I spent most of my spare time at Chuck-E-Cheese’s and the merry-go-round at the mall with my grandparents). </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">While the trip itself was wonderful, it started out a bit bumpy, with our flight out of Mexico City getting delayed twice and then canceled, and Mommy getting her purse stolen. That, combined with the fact that Mommy and Daddy were still suffering from a serious flu that had lasted about 5 weeks made for interesting travels. I was on my best behavior to help them out, though, and held up without any tantrums or hysteria after being shuttled on and off the plane and around the airport for a total of 9 hours, without ever having left the ground. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"> </div></span><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">So now that we are back in the Distrito Federal, we are settling back into normalcy - for me that means no more staying up until 10:30 at night, waking up at 9:00 a.m., skipping naps and eating a dinner of chicken nuggets for days at a time. Mommy is convinced that, as great as it was to be in NJ, 6 weeks of this behavior can’t be looked upon too favorably by the likes of Family Services. So for the foreseeable future, we are staying put. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">With somewhat of a routine and schedule in our lives, I think you'll also find that we will be blogging a lot more (for those few readers we have left).</span></div>Rupalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09617486454985767977noreply@blogger.com2