New buddy!

OK so there is this new guy at work and he is so funny! He is I don’t know, something really in one word “Varied” that’s how he described himself in one word when I asked. No really this guy is always happy, smiling, and girly (in a good way) and he kind of transmits that positive energy to you. Hehehe yeah he is so super girl that he even on hallowing night wore a super girl shirt (LOL) I know but I just love the way he is, so careless and free. Maybe I’ll learn a thing or two from him. (I just hope is not his girly ways LOL) Seriously though, you know what I’m happy for, because I keep getting blessed and I keep getting to know really good heart people and he is definitely one of them. Thank you for being my new friend Erik. and like he so proudly says “Peace afuera!” (LOL)

Mood? Luck? then... what?!

"I don’t know how things get messed up sometimes… Life can be something really wonderful to be living, but sometimes can be living in hell… Rolo"

I get the impression that whatever you do or how ever you are, they will be chapters in your life when happiness will be all around you, love will be at your feet, and family will be at its best. OH! But there are those chapters when it looks like everything has to be wrong, sadness will be all over you, hate will be from your feet to your head, and family will be all disoriented trying to get it together… and I ask my self why?? Why does it have to be like that? Is there any hidden rule to life that states “no man shall be happy for eternity”? I just simply don’t know, but it looks like there is one, I just wish I could know where so that I can go and start scratching that M&*%$#@g! rule. I know life doesn’t have to be easy and sometimes you have to work harder to obtain that so sought peace. It may be just me, but since I was a teen I’ve known that when you feel you couldn’t been happier, then some kind of weird tragedy happens. That is how after some kind of good moments in my teenager years my mom once have a terrible car accident and she shows to our house door all cover in blood (that’s one) on my sixth birthday my dad tried to kill my mom (that’s another one) When I was around seven years old, I was sexually abused by a cousin (another) oh god! I could just go on and on and on, but I won’t (I know, I know, everybody have tragedies in their lives) some worst than others. My point is that when is this going to stop? My sister is going through a really difficult time and that of course makes me be in a very sad and stress mood. I’ll try to be strong and just keep doing what I do best, support my family as much as I can… sigh!

Chicago Dreamin’

Driving to work on Chicago’s Lake Shore Drive and listening to the song of California Dreamin’ by the Mamas & the Papas I suddenly realized that the summer is gone!

“All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray I've been for a walk on a winter's day I'd be safe and warm if I was in L.A. California dreamin' on such a winter's day”

Yeap, it was just like the song this morning, the leaves are brown, the sky was gray, and it feels so cold that looks we are in a winter’s day already. But no way Jose, this is not complain about the weather (oh no!) but is more like a nostalgic way to say where the summer’s gone?? I love spring and fall because of the color displays from the trees and the not so cold and not so warm weather I would say they are my favorite times of the year. But my point is that the year is going to fast for me, every day, every week, every month, they are just passing by without letting me have a chance to really enjoy them. (Why???? Why people? Why????) (hehehe so dramatic, I guess is the weather) Anyway, I just hope I learn how to take time to see and enjoy the things that are around me including the people of course…. Peace & Love!

Daniel Capdeville Yedra

Once upon a time I met this guy, (yeah I know what you are thinking) (Freaking internet slut!) noooooo (LOL) I mean yeah I met people over the internet way before I came out of the closet and that was the only way that my queer side would get released from all the stress built up inside for being suppress in a life that wasn’t mine (But anyway) so I met him and we just chatted every now and then. Now more than 4 years have passed and we have a really nice friendship he one of my best Mexicans friends living in Mexico, yeah he is living in Mexico DF, he is one of those poets with free spirit, he knows what he wants, and best of all he is one of the nice guys with a HUGE heart. Yes Danielito, this one is the one you have been waiting for. Daniel is teaching whenever he can (because he is a teacher duh! hehehe) and he finds time to help the most wonderful human being he has by his side, his mom. Well let me tell you Dany that I really appreciate your friendship, and I want to say that I am very thankful for you being there for me in my happy moments, in my sad times, and whenever I needed you, you were there for me and I will never forget that. I wish that you and Damian can live together sometime soon and live the life you deserve and want I wish only the best for you because you are the man!
Thank you my brother!... peace….

Next time will happen!

Second strike and counting! No people I am not talking about a baseball game (you know how I don’t like sports) but rather talking about today was the second time I go to Wisconsin trying to get some papers and I get denied because really small details. I guess the logic of all of this is that whenever you are trying to get a bank, government, or institutional process to happen you better be ready with all of the requirements if not you are just going to repeatedly denied.

Cousin and Friend VIsit

I'm Back!!

Ok my bloggers (blog lovers)! Did you think that I forgot about you? Well no, I was very busy with work and things I had to do around my house. Something I have to tell you is that a friend of mine came to visit straight from Mexico, from where you asked? Well Durango to be exact. I met my friend a little over 4 years ago in a chat room from Durango, he was there and I was here in Chicago already. But the exciting thing of all is that after all this time we kept really good communication by email and phone but we never really met in person. He sent me pictures of his school graduation and also pictures of his personal life, just as I sent him stuff too. Well one day my friend tells me that his is going to come and visit for personal reasons which I didn’t believe, but when the time came all of a sudden he was here. I was so happy to see him for the first time ever and I don’t know it was just an awesome experience.We went all over town, down town, boys town, south side, north side, west side, and of course we went to have the famous killer margaritas from Cesar’s Mexican restaurant were we really had a great time. Almost everybody was there, Rodrigo, mi Puchix, Daniel, Susana, my friend Luis and me. Boy they are really nice in there, my friend Victor was taking care of us and he even gave us three shots of tequila (Tequila Sauza, Tequila Rose and other shot that either I was to drunk to know what it was or he didn’t say what was it LOL) it was really cool. After the show and the drunkies and all (LOL) we went to a night club out in burbs called Hunters we had a little dance and kept having a good time. The visit of my friend was really fun even though I had to work a lot but I think he had the opportunity to get to know a little bit of Chicago. Everything ended when Rodrigo, Victor and I took him to O’Hare Airport for a final goodbye or “Hasta Pronto” as I wish it is

A Very Special day!

October 8th it was my dear friend Janix B-day. My boyfriend and I went to her house for a b-day-dinner-get together kind of night. It was really cool, her mom’s boyfriend made a really good Pozole and Victor made his so famous and highly acclaimed (literally) Pico de Gallo that Janeth couldn’t stop eating (I know, my baby knows how to cook). The night went on with laughs, jokes and memories of the day all of us met (Rodrigo, Pepe, Janix, and I). After the party Rodrigo, Victor and I were supposed to go to a “Haunted House” (yap that was the plan) well all at the party ended up going too. It was one of the best haunted houses ever; it was a mix of “A nightmare on Elm Street”, “SAW’, “Friday the 13th”, “the clowns from hell” etc. I didn’t enjoyed as much as I wanted to because it was a two hour waiting on the freaking line to get in, and by the time I was getting closed to enter, well I was about to pee on my pants (LOL bladder control problem victim here!) so I was worried about getting out of there faster than putting attention to all the “monsters” and actors in the H.H. But it was good, a somehow rare experience, but the best part is my friend Janix, and the good time she had, after all it was her day… Love you Janix! Totoroooooo…..

Celebration!

Cabezon!

Talk about hard headed people. On Wednesday I had an argument with one of my coworkers, I was trying to explain on something work related and I just couldn’t do it. Is only that he had an idea on how something had to be done and I know that his reaction was based on his experience as program director but we had to work together and they way he wanted my input wasn’t going to work well. To explain a little bit better, I am supposed to have workshops educating people about HIV and STD’s, well I do it not only because that is my job, but I also do it because that something I’m passionate about. I know that the best way to have a successful presentation is working with no more than 20 people, because of the kind of info that is given. But my friend/coworker wants me to educate 100+ people one night in two groups (50 in each group). Now I don’t know why sometimes I just seem to not be able to get my ideas out there, I wanted to explain so badly why wasn’t a good idea to have that many people but I couldn’t do it. He just kept asking and saying “why? Why? Why?” “I don’t agree with you” “I am going to challenge you” Now I know that If I want to get my ideas into his head I have to have a very good argument planned in advance (LOL) I just don’t want to be frustrated and say “yes” at something I don’t agree with. (Sigh… Ay ay ay…)

Recipe for a great pork roast!

Pre-marinate pork with a little bit of olive oil and a little bit of butter (Melted before mixed)

Lawry’s garlic seasoned salt

Freshly ground pepper & paprika

Now you have to slice some red potatoes to have as a side dish.

Pre heat the oven 350°

Put the sliced red potatoes facing down the bottom of the pan or pot

Now put the seasoned pork on top of the potatoes and the rest of the potatoes around pork

Put a lid on top

Leave pork in oven 15 min on each side

After the first ½ hour has passed take lid off and leave the pork for another ½ hour

Served as desire
I personally recommend having this delicious dinner with a glass of Moscato Wine.

Now I have to give credit to Lynda Garbutt and her wonderful cooking. Thanks for sharing both you recipe and your dish with me I’ll never forget how delicious that was, thank you :-)

Losing Identity?

I have been asked by a dearly friend of mine what is it that I think about Mexicans living in the United States. There is not much science to that, really. Most of “us” (Mexicans) come to the United States looking for the “American Dream” due to several different circumstances. Some of us come only for “a year or two” (yeah right!), and some come decided to make it in this country any way possible. It is really easy to say and I know that what I am saying is the honest truth, but Mexicans here in the US and in any part of the world stay Mexicans. Some of us never lose our identity and the older we come to be the more stuck to our roots we are. We don’t lose our traditions, we don’t lose our cultural believes, we don’t lose our religion; we just stay who we are for a long time. But, you know I have to say that also depends in the level of education that the person have. If the Mexican we are talking about has a high level of education it is easy for him/her to blend in this culture, to learn the language faster, and even learn the way society moves. In general I guess Mexicans will be Mexicans. Now, Mexicans born in the United States, form parents that are originally from Mexico, they are a whole different story. I have seen these teenagers and even adults take the Mexican pride in a totally different level (sometimes I don’t agree in it). Some of them don’t know (or want) to speak Spanish, the reason might be because they don’t want to be classified as Just Mexicans but rather be known as “Latinos” only. So I think these compañeros are in a totally misguided definition of Mexicans (and YES I think they lose their Mexican Identity, and yes they became more gringos than anything else). Katie my friend would that be your third category?? Now, I mean come on, after living in Mexico DF, for what? Two? Three years? You come to tell me that you don’t understand why people send US $$ to Mexico?!?!? The answer is so simple, to support their families! This is really true, I mean most of the new immigrants if not all of them, left someone related back home someone dearly. So there, that’s the reason why. And there is Ofelia, she is sending $$ to Mexico so that the construction of her new house finishes. Yeah, that’s right; Mexicans also send money so that they can build their own homes to give a better life to their love ones. And oh man, the sacrifices, well leaving their families back home, and that include: Children, Mother, Father, siblings, etc. that is a huge sacrifice if you ask me, Mexican culture is a strong family oriented. Not to mention all the people that dies when they are trying to cross the border (I’ll never understand it) we Mexicans are a really hard working community, I mean just go to any restaurant here in Chicago (of any kind) the kitchens are filled with Mexicans, Italian restaurants (Mexicans), Indian restaurants (Mexicans), Mexican restaurants (Mexicans), Greek restaurants (Mexicans), and I could go on and on and on and on…. But well, I hope (big hopes uh?) I hope some day, politics, and country policies change for the better of Immigrants in the whole world, because I know is not only with Mexicans, but with immigrants from all over the world that we see all of these similar situations….

Willito!

Only because it has been a short time since I met you it doesn’t mean I don’t care for you. I hope that our friendship grows mature and old. Seriously dude, I think we are so different and many ways, but that’s what I appreciate about you because, that’s the way it is supposed to be. Now, you have to stop telling me to write about you man, (“you are missing me in you blog” crying out loud) (LOL) Thank you very much for the Cóctel de Camarones you made for Victor and I twice already, they are soooo freaking good!! Hoping our good friendship continues, Willie I wish for you only the best! Sincerely, me…

Janix and Totoro!

Ok so I have promise I was going to write about you. I kept thinking and thinking about what should I say or what I should write about, there are tons of things that come to my mind when it comes to you. First, I met you when you were a little girl, so innocent, naïve, and yet so rebel with a strong personality. I saw a part of you that not many know, I know what is going through your mind and yet I don’t know how to help you. I saw you growing, I was there when you got heart broken, I have been there with you (mentally) on your sibling fights, and when you finish high school. I wish nothing more than the best for you. That is the reason why I’m always minding your business (hehehe) telling you what is good and what is not. Of course I let you do your own decisions knowing that you are an adult now and that you have the capabilities of falling and get up by yourself. You are so strong that sometimes you surprise me, because sometimes I don’t expect you to be (I know {that is wrong}, but you are like my niece or my little sis). I promise I won’t be in your back anymore asking questions like: “what are your plans for the future??” “Are you going to go back to school?” “What are you going to do with your life??” “ANSWER ME!” Anyway, I only do that because I really love you a lot, and I care about you and your family so much, that I wish I could have all the possibilities ($$$$) in the world and help you guys grow as adults and as a family. Besides all of what I have said I just want you to know that you are very intelligent and have a lot of potential, please don’t waste it, please use your talents, and grow. I will be here when ever you need me (you know I will) and all you have to do is call my name (just like a chubby genie J)…
I love you Janix I always will… Totorooooo

So absurd!

Ok fellow blog readers, here is another one…
I can’t say enough how I hate the Mexican consulate in Chicago. As with many other government services you come to find how arrogant the people working there is. I have known this since the first time I needed their services, and since then I have gone back four times. I mean is not that I love the way they treat me, on the contrary but since I really needed their services there is nothing else I could do. Last Wednesday I went to get a Consular ID the usual, you have to go as early as you can because they open from 7 am to 2 pm. I got there at 7 am and there was a lot of people already in. After being in the first line (oh yeah first line, there are three) for about two hours and something to get to the front desk, when I presented my documents to the clerk because I needed to replace a lost ID. Well when I got to her she tells me “Fill these papers and then you have to go to the nearest police station and fill a formal lost ID report (police Report)” Oh my god!! After being there waiting in line for two hours! Could’ve someone tell me that before?? Then I had to go to the nearest police station (15 to 20 min distance {RUNNING!!!}) and fill up the report, come back and go to a short line again, then she tells me ok go to the other line and wait to be called…. (@!#$ %^&*) yeah, I had all of those words in my head. To make a long story short the whole process took me the whole morning! The sad part about this is that no matter who you are or what you know, no matter what part of Mexico you are coming from, when you need a service from them, don’t wait for the best costumer services experience, instead you are going to be treated like a cockroach waiting and waiting for a long time. And let me tell you that people there, man, they get a lot of money from us… peace out!