Living on Refried Dreams....

2011-11-01T19:12:00.000-07:00

(started on his birthday... posted waaaay too late.)

Today my little monkey turns 8 years old. It's crazy to look back on old photos as if it were yesterday. Time flies fast and it's seems as if overnight he grew into a little man.
While I'm so excited to be sharing this day with him... it makes me sooo sad. My little monkey is growing up. I know. I know. Super sappy...... but my snuggle bunny is too old to snuggle. My bubble head has finally grown into his head. And my Stinkerbell..... well..... we still battle on the shower part.

Newest addition...

2011-06-23T12:46:00.000-07:00

Capone.♥

Welcome to the family!

When in Rome.....

2011-05-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

Well I did. And tried everything that I remembered from the Olive Garden menu. (how cultured am I? hehe) The tiramisu, sopa fagioli, pizza, gelato, prociutto, mozzerella, and lots and lots of WINE. Low-carb... impossible.

Hubby and I got an invitation to participate in the Rome Tattoo Convention in, you guessed it, Rome Italy. Before hubby had to asked twice, I had my bags packed and ticket from Reno purchased. The kids went home to GDL with Pops and I joined hubby in little Italy. Mind you, expos are alot ALOT of work. All day until late, late at night.... so most of these photos were taken... uh, at night.

Rome was amazing. Even better, we got to spend the time with great people. What more can you ask for. ♥

Back to Basics....

2011-05-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

First off...
Feliz Dia de Madres to all my mexican (or relocated Mexican) mommies out there....
I hope you all had a fabulous day of REST (difficult, i know) and lots of love from the family. ♥

The last three weeks have been really, REALLY overwhelming... not only to post regularly (which i know that i haven't been so great at)but to stay up to date on blogger/facebook/twitter and find out what's been going on with all of you. The kids and I started out Semana Santa visiting my parents in Nevada.. and DAAAAAMN... the cold quickly reminded me how wonderful our Mexican weather can be. I quickly got to work... quilting and quilting... for my clients who graciously provided me with enough work during the two weeks to stock up on all the necesities. I really miss my old job and am really grateful that these wonderful women haven't forgotten me and send work whenever I come into town. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Without these women, I wouldn't be able to travel home. :)

Also,thank you to my parents who ultimately make these trips possible. They go above and beyond... making sure my kids and I are taken care of, entertained and most importantly, loved. ♥ Happy Mothers Day, Mom.

We left a few days before Semana Santa because The National Tattoo Association happened to have a show in Sparks, NV where some of the heavy hitter tattoo artists come together for an expo and gala. I competed my uh... cock... and was able to bring home two awards for hubby. It was an honor to place in this show.... and to compete with some of these people was not only amazing, but inspiring. So to all you jackasses who like to leave stupid tattoo comments on my pics, this just means inspiration to get more... and more... and more. We're taking over the world!

I had a great time in Reno with friends and family. I got to spend time with my new little niece, who has earned the nickname "Pissy Face"... jokingly, of course (I call my own kids "ugly") She is the happiest baby. It was great to see her, my sisters, and my BFFs. The kids had a great time.... horseback riding, movies in ENGLISH, and Target. Apparently, I"m not the only one who it now infatuated with VARIETY.

The photos a little blurry, i know... but that was after a few.. well, you know. ;)

The ♥ perfect ♥ Easter ....

2011-04-29T20:39:00.000-07:00

Since we've been back in the states....
The kiddos, with a little help from my parents, decided to give me a gift during Easter. A relaxing, HOT bath!!! Not only that, but with candles, my favorite wine, and Ron White on comedy central.

My kids are awesome. ♥

Life can't get much better than that. :)

Woudn't you like to see my.....

2011-04-09T19:42:00.000-07:00

Peacock!

Hubby finally finished this tattoo on my thigh last week. After 6 sessions, 3 hours a piece, it is finally finished! Last weekend, i competed this tattoo at the Monterrey Tattoo Convention and placed 1st!!! (more on that convention soon!)

Diet thing is still going. The last two weeks have been filled with company and an expo. Exercise was occasional, but the I stuck to the diet the best I could. No weight gain, no weight lost.

Round Two. :)

**actually I take that back. I did yesterday's weigh in... 132.8!!!! Still losing!!! :D

Nope. Haven't fallen off just yet.

2011-03-21T19:37:00.000-07:00

Alas, here I am. Two weeks later.

I have finished the 30 Day Shred... and damn it, I can kick some ass.

This month, surprisingly was easier than I thought. Trial and error. It was breaking habits, grazing, and laying off the crappy carbs. The kicker for me was trying to plan my NEW eating schedule with that of my kids and hubby. The first two weeks of this change could have been better. I did not watch what I ate. Period. Two weeks lost. The third week, I totally kicked carbs. (Remember Atkins?) Yeah, that didn't work out too well either with Jillian's circuit training. The last week, I added fruits/veggies and beans. (still haven't forgiven the bread yet.) Another problem, which was hard the third week, was following a diet where you literally eat nothing but meat and cheese. No prob, right? uh, here in Mexico... yes. I searched ALL OVER GUADALAJARA, from the corner markets, big chain, and the foo-foo stores... NOONE has lowfat cheddar cheeses. They just don't exist here. Lastly, it was hard to keep track of all my calories that I was consuming. Considering that you need to burn 3500 calories to lose ONE pound of fat, that's a little more math that I can do in my head or my notepad.

And then I found Sparkpeople. This super site calculates your food, calories burned, water intake, overall calorie expenditures etc. There's blogs, forums, articles... whew. Everything. I advise any of you interested in checking out your stats... give it a chance. That site alone helped make this change possible.

Here are my measurements.

Waist: 28
Hips: 40
Thighs: 22
Arm: 10

weight: 135

In one month, I've lost 6 lbs, 2.5" from my waist. 2" off my ass, a few more from the thighs and an inch off the arms. I'm pretty psyched!

A buddy is coming in from the States tomorrow, bringing two new videos with him! Round two.... bring it.

2 week update

2011-02-28T18:34:00.000-08:00

Update.Ugh.

Bust: 38
Under: 29.5
Waist: 29.5
Hips: 41
Thigh: 23
Arms: 10.5

Weight: 2 lbs lost.
Total inches: 5.0"

Eh. Slow Start. Then again, I really haven't made too many diet changes. I still enjoy a glass of wine at night, quesadillas as a snack and chips and salsa whenever I can. Nevertheless, I don't plan on quitting anytime soon so these next two weeks, I will be returning to my horrendous low carb diet (with the occasional glass of wine, for heart/health benefits of course!) Believe it or not, I have more energy! Sunday, the family and I (and the dog) FINALLY participated in the Via Recre-activa. You know, the one I blogged about TWO years ago, and had yet to participate in!!! It was nice. We took a two hour stroll with the dog and the skateboards. The kids had a blast. It felt nice to actually DO something on a weekend instead of sitting on our lazy @sses. Then, we went to the shop to continue our remodeling/painting adventure. And I now can't move my ass or my arms.

Two more weeks. Errrrrr.

Not as crazy as you think..... or am I????

2011-02-13T08:32:00.000-08:00

Looking at my last blog post, I'm sure I've frightened a few of you Dear Readers away. Crazy times, crazy parties, lots of booze. Rockstar status baby. Oh yeah.

Yeah right, I wish.

Those were the highlights of my year. The few times (*note: once a month or every few months) that we actually went out with ACTUAL people!!! I'm sure that many of you can relate to moving to a foreign country... and well, finding like-minded people can be a bit difficult. And when you're fully tattooed in a conservative country... it is not an easy feat! I've spent these last two years kinda being depressed about it and this year, I'm DONE. I've been so worried about what has been going on around me... I haven't done anything to BENEFIT me.

Remember last year, before I turned the big 3-0, that I swore to lose the weight and wear a bathing suit? Yeah... while the dirty thirty was an AMAZING trip that I will never ever ever forget... I hardly took off the pounds.

*Amsterdam 2010 with wonderful friends!

So that's it. I'm done. 2011 will be a turn around year, whether it kills me or not.

And damn it. It just might.

Hubby is off in Milan this week. He's off tattooing with some really amazing artists in Italia... and I'm home with the kids. Bummed, you might say?
Not at all. Without little hubby here, I got the opportunity to get started on my NEW, actually, I've had it for a year. :S Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred dvd.

And this CRAZY lady has been kicking my ass. After the first day, I just about gave up. It's ONLY a 20 minute workout... and I nearly fell over even after doing the WEENIE versions!!! I might have even skipped some of the cheater version push ups and the jumprope! I might have well been on the Biggest Loser!!!

I began last Wednesday....and so while it's ONLY been 4 days.... Level 1 has become ACTUALLY tolerable. Although I've heard LvL 2 is INSANE, I'm soooo gung-ho to finish this DVD. The only thing standing in my way, I will admit, is hubby. When he comes back, I don't know if I'll be comfortable sweating profusely, bouncing around like an 80's workout video, nearly crying on the floor, in front of the man I want to see me as SEXY. HA! So, if I quit, you know why.

Nevertheless, I took my measurements and slightly embarrassed, here they are:

Bust: 38
Under: 31
Waist: 30.5
Hips (here's the big one): 42!
Thigh: 24
Arms: 11

So there you go. Now you know all my intimate secrets. What's my weight? I"m not sure. My scale is defective. But oddly, after doing this exercise the last week and eating healthier, it's gone UP 3 pounds. I'm confused, but I'm not gonna let that hold me down.

Full Speed Ahead!!!!

or at least till hubby gets back!

It's so hard to say Goodbye.....2010 recap

2011-01-12T13:03:00.000-08:00

I could begin this post with all sorts of excuses, apologies for my tardiness and lack of consistant threads... but I'm sure you are used to my erratic posting schedule by now.... so I'll just hang my head and move on.

2010 has been an insane, remarkably amazing year for my family and I... nothing too traumatic has happened. Only momentum and positivity. Here's a snapshot of 2010's moments to remember. *note: not all of them include alcohol.

January:

Good friend, OSOK, representing from Califas with Tribal Gear here in GDL.

*highlight of the night: besides the massive hangover despite our willingness to share, some random bum ran off with our bottle!!! Straight ghetto style!

February:

Highlight of the year: Stupid Graffiti kids pay their dues....

Moosecake got to go fishing with Dad in AguaMilpas... the best place for bass fishing here in Mexico. Reasonable rates. Good food. Good times with Daddy.

March:

Friend Will came down, got tattooed and afterwards... we headed out to Puerto Vallarta. (Barra de Navidad was also a highlight this month) I ♥ this photo with Little One.

Monterrey Tattoo Expo.... with the heavy hitters... Babo X Bob Tyrell X Indio X Chakal. Amazing time... thuse the "Checa Wey" on my fingertips!

April:

Beautiful closure to an exciting month. Little Sis' n Darren.

May

I loved the Mother's Day show at the kids' school. Little One was straight vaquero!!!

June

This month we welcomed baby Frankie into the Family. Way to follow through Sis #2! :)

Hubby, Little One, and Moosecake.... all with birthdays in a row. We had a small party, with piñata, of course, and insane amounts of candy. *sniffle sniffle.... they're getting so big!

July

Summer started off with a bang. Disneyland and Yosemite were followed with all sorts of activites to keep the kiddos busy (and off the freaggin' computer!).

But the best photos were during their free time. :D

August

Mexico City Tattoo Convention was full of amazing talent.When not tattooing, we checked out the Zocalo and a few of the major museums in the city. And after that... party time!

Mexico City, I'm surprised we survived! Good times!

September

September was too many events to narrow down. Tons of pictures... from the kids' starting a new school, the Guadalajara Tattoo Show, our shop's anniversary party, the London Tattoo Show, my birthday in Amsterdam... I need to write a blog post on that trip alone!!! Nonetheless... a few highlights.

New year. New school. Thank God the education outweighs the uniforms!

Guadalajara Tattoo Expo.... somehow ended up at the club with the hubbies carrying our purses!

Our shop's anniversary party was a success.....and ended quite well. :)

London Trip... this was in Paris after waaaay too many shots of absinthe.

And this one ♥. On my birthday in Amsterdam. Turning 30 was perfect.

October

Demon Child and Iron Man on Halloween. Remind me how fun adolescence is.

Cervantino!!! Guanajuato, Guanajuato is definitely a place to check out during the month of October. Besides the obvious party vibe, the city transforms into a melting pot of various art, theatre and music from all around the world.

November

Newlyweds came down to GDL and join us for Thanksgiving. The higlight? of the night was a bottle of wine without a bottle opener. Hubby and BIL tried everything to open that bottle. How many tries does it take married men to desperately open a wine bottle and appease their waiting wives?

Apparently three.

December

December was another difficult month to pick and choose photos.... Dressing the tree, making gingerbread houses and pumpkin pie, the kids' school musical, our first posada, fireworks indoors and finally a wonderful christmas brought 2010 to a wonderful close.

School Musical. Moosecake was the narrator for the whole program and Little One rocked out with his inflatable guitar.

We held our first Posada this month. Originally, it began as an art gallery with music, appetizers etc.... to benefit the children of Hospital Civil. Unfortunately, after all the toys and food had been collected... the H.C. decided to be (like typical government agencies here) devious and deceptive. Instead, those donations were taken to a few orphanages around GDL where kids would ACTUALLY benefit from their gifts~

Somehow this year ended in almost the same manner that it began!

2010 seemed to fly by and we've experienced so many great times with family and friends. I can only hope that this next year will be just as blessed.

Wishing all of you guys the very best 2011, full of love, friendship, health and success.

The writing is on the wall.

2010-12-05T23:01:00.000-08:00

I kinda felt this coming. In fact, I always joked about it when he was little ... never content to be in one place, barefoot and always running. I swear that kid never heard a word I said, but when he came up with all his love and a smile on his face, I forgot all about it.That kid could never EVER sit still. Always moving, always laughing. Always trying to make YOU laugh. But things have changed. He's having a hard time at school. He's having trouble with other kids. He's having a hard time focusing... and he's not so happy. In fact, little anxiety attacks are arising when I ask him to repeat exactly what I just said.

Little One, now 7, I'm pretty sure has ADHD.

I wish I would have taken it more seriously beforehand. Circumstances as they were, led my son at 4 to live with my parents while we were working on this whole Move to Mexico "thing". By five, he was living with my husband in Mexico while my daughter and I closed out our lives in the States and finalized the move. By six, he was in 1st grade. Complications then were presumed to be a major change in life, language, customs... And by seven, he is in a new school, starting again. All with a smile on his face... my little trooper. Through the last few years, Little One was the most positive of all of us.

And HIS problems, we made plenty of excuses for.

After receiving his report card this term, with surprisingly good grades, I received notes on his behavior as being "distracted and talkative", "disrupting classmates" "not finishing assignments on time" along with " he understands the material, but not following through". Little One had been spending his recesses in the classroom, finshing up work that had not been completed. I was told to focus on games on concentration etc... I replied back,filling a prescription for glasses, thinking that that would solve the problem and asked for more feedback. I didn't like what I had heard.

After an art project at a friend's home, she, previously being a nurse, brought up that Little One had a hard time doing a simple project. He did great if he was being monitered one on one, but if he lost attention, he wandered elsewhere. I knew where this was going...

So, Little One has ADHD. I wouldn't be surprised if his dad has it too. That man can't sit still for the life of him. The two of them are very similar. Very positive. Always smiling. They light up the room. They also can't stop moving.... being engaged at all times. They are passionate, animated, and loving. But they also have/had the same history with learning.

Damn it.

So here we are. These past two weeks, I have begun reading with Little One everyday, a few pages at a time, and then asking him for a summary. The first few days were HORRIBLE. Put on the spot, he had an emotional breakdown. Slowly, Little One has been getting over the emotional part and able to completely read a book and sum it up for me. As for math, we've gone back to going over the basics. Multiplication for another day. (can you believe they learn times tables in 2nd grade here?!?) I'm also going to make an appointment with his teachers and hopefully come up with a better learning situation for my pumpkin.

Wish us luck on our new adventure.

Keg Stand anyone?

2010-11-08T17:06:00.000-08:00

Cruisin' the Blog Frog the other day, I came across a post by MamaKat that drew my attention.... Can Mom's Get Drunk?

There's no correct way of parenting. Each of us mothers, from our own childhood experiences, or maybe what's happening now in your life, affect the way we raise our children.

Don't let my profile picture fool you. Those weren't tequila bottles... they were, eh hem, good nite juice.

So here it is..... Are Mom's allowed to get drunk? how about drinking in general? Girl's nights out? After children? Taboo?

What are your thoughts?

Death is Dying.

2010-11-06T18:45:00.000-07:00

I've already demonstrated how much I hate f*in idiots here, here, here and especially here.... and yet again, they continue to astonish me. Every year, Mexico loses more and more of its cultural traditions to American imperialism ex.. Posadas to Santa, Resurrection to the bunny, and now Dia de Los Muertos. Being replaced by the American tradition demanding candy,the Day of the Dead is holiday of GIVING to cherished loved ones, honoring the past generations and ~~celebrating~~ embracing death. Altars are built, offerings, which derived from the Aztec and other prehispanic cultures, along with pan de muerto, cempatsutchiles (marigolds), and other personalized gifts are placed with candles and photos of loved ones.Every year, Dia de Los Santos (for deceased children) and Dia de Los Muertos (for all others) bring back to life, those that were lost.

This year, I haven't seen very much celebration surrounding Dia de Los Muertos. After reading other blogs and reading how other communities seem to be losing touch with their heritage, I was really excited when there was an installation of catrinas displayed on Ave. Vallarta. A few days later, I stopped at a few to take some pictures to share when I noticed that a majority of them had BEEN VANDALIZED!!! Calaveras were missing, attire shredded, and two of them BURNED!

I sit here and bitch about American imperialism destroying the culture of other countries and instead, it is the fault of its own society. It seems as if half of the people don't give a rats *ss about their culture/belongings/streets etc... or anybody else's and the other half, don't feel it's their responsiblity to take care of it. I've asked many of my clients who work in Ayuntamiento, Hacienda or other gov't offices and can you guess the response? "It's not my responsibility."

Oh of course. I forgot.

Ay Dios Mio

2010-10-29T15:42:00.000-07:00

This morning the kids were up before the roosters. At the kids' NEW AND BETTER school, they are allowed to celebrate not only Mexican holidays, but the American ones as well. Today was half day, costume contests, barb-q, food, games and DISCO! We're super excited that the kids' get to experience this holiday WITHOUT the fear of going to hell for dressing up. LIttle One was Iron Man, and Moosecake was witch/evil fairy/demon/angry teenager.

The look of adolescence sure scares the hell outta me. WITHOUT the costume.

Please tell me this gets better. :P

Desperate Housewife?......Maybe.

2010-10-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

That's it. Now I've done it. I have fallen captive to available American programming......all of it........

Woah. Don't judge me just yet... It's not like I'm watching The Situation n 'Jersey Shore'... fine, once. maybe twice. But I must say that there are some shows that overnight became really addicting, that I might not have ever watched in the States.

It's not like I'm against trashy American programs. There are plenty of purely retarded programs that I love. Like the Dog Whisperer...if i ever had to 'do' an older man, he better look like cesar milan. And That 70's Show... every night on Teen Nick starting at about 10p.m. Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Private Practice, The Doctors, n SCRUBS???? Don't forget my favorites, Desperate Housewives, every Sunday and Wednesday nights, and oooohhh... Cougar Town.... Who doesn't want to be hott and get good ass when you're like 50? The list goes on and on. I think I've even watched Oprah a few times.Whatever it takes to NOT have to watch shows in spanish. Why? Maybe it's my last attempt to cling to my roots, to resist the 'dark side', resonate with something. It's rare to find a program in spanish with the same retarded sense of humor that I so love. Or similar interests. After so long, I don't even bother looking.

However, sometimes pops up a show on the TV Guide that sounds interesting even in spanish. "DROGAS:NEGOCIO REDONDO" Well shit, I understand that! And while the program was completely in spanish, it was easy to understand. Part of a 4 part series, last night's episode was HEROIN. The terrorist trade. Filmed in Canada, there was a segment that really intrigued me. With an increasing number of deaths and disease to users, a clinic, called Insite, opened its doors to offer drug addicts a safe place to inject. With doctors and nurses supervising, drug users are given clean needles and whatever else and given areas to do the "deed", in addition to medical advice and the path to treatment.

Given that this opens the doors for many advocates against drugs and even programs that facilitate use (although it might be helpful), Canada's federal government has been challenging the clinic's right to provide "health services" to drug users. And while the Canadian Medical Journal and countless doctors have fully supported this clinic, it has remained a hot topic of debate, whether for drug prevention or well, voter support.

More on this here..... and here.....

What do you think? Should we support clinics like this and minimize the spreading of disease and overdose? Or do these facilities further increase drug use, making it easier and easier to get hooked?

Lucky Me

2010-10-18T12:48:00.000-07:00

Lucky for me I've got great parents.... Grandparents who enjoy their grandchildren immensely (sometimes a little too much) and want to help out hubby and I in our careers. Kids cut out of school early in July and my parents treated us to a week in Disneyland and Yosemite National Park. Lucky me, I stayed for another week or so and then returned to Mejico... sola!

While Hubby and I travelled quite a bit...expo to expo.... working so very hard.... my parents made sure to keep the kiddos busy. Knowing how important it is in Mexico to know how to play futbol, especially if you're a 7 year old extranjero who hasn't a clue, they made sure that Little One spent some time in a soccer camp. And while it didn't exactly teach him to be a world soccer player in two weeks.... it did teach him the basics and now he can confidently join in at school. :)

Moosecake jumped in tenis to stay occupied. This little rockstar picked it up in a breeze!!!

Also on the list, cooking class!!! While it appears as if the kids would learn to cook simple treats...my mother had other plans. Along with cooking stews, cupcakes and other treats, came knife safety and kitchen awareness.....something that BOTH kids lacked.

In between classes they played at home, went to the pool, visited Bodie, the alpaca farm, the Monterrey Aquarium, the beach, the old cars at Hot August Nights, horseback riding, time with my beautiful niece, and well.... seeing their family that they've missed so much.

posing already... just like her momma!!! :)

does anyone else see a problem with this?!? oh wait, phewwww. Just root beer.

Thank you Grandma and Papa. You made this summer the best ever. Miss you and love you. See you soon. XOXO

Back in Action.....

2010-10-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

Tap. Tap.

Testing...1....2.....

Geez. Wasn't sure if this thing still worked anymore. It's been ages since I last played with this thing.
I hope you didn't forget about me.

It's been about 3 weeks now... and it's almost daunting to jump back in the game and post what the hell I've been up to. I failed awhile ago during the Mexico City tattoo shows and the Guadalajara show.... and now the LONDON tattoo show, (which was unbelievably AMAZING) and the Barcelona tattoo show (equally as thrilling.)

July 2010 Mexico City Tattoo Convention : bad ass convention... stop by if you're in the area... it's an invite only tattoo expo, so if you don't put out.... good sh*t.... then don't

Palacio Bellas Artes

Fonzy y Chespi giving hairstyling tips in an interview downtown.

Why she interviewed hubby WITH NO HAIR next, I haven't a clue. Must be his charm! ;)

Stone found a stone that looks like him!

Museo de Antropologia: this place was AMAZING...

Party hard!!!

California Girls!

Tattoo Wars... Final Piece!

Indio x Craneo.... both amazing pieces.... It was a DRAW!

A gift for a good friend.

My new wifey.... more pics from Paris coming soon!

Reno, Guadalajara, LA and Japan representing.

I love these tattoo expos. Not only are they great for work and exposure, but I get to hang out with LIKEMINDED people and have a good time. Old friends and new get together to do what they love to do and have a blast afterhours. This is MY time, a moment to break away from the daily grind in Mexico. These are the times that make this journey, well, a little more fun ;)

Going, Going.... nope. Still here.

2010-09-19T09:07:00.000-07:00

Oh, the joy of repeating myself. Did we not talk about business ethics in Mexico once before? Alas, I was wrong. I thought that it was local, small business that were ethically challenged, but apparently, the BUCK DIDN"T STOP THERE. Mexicana airlines, bankrupt? Who would have thought that Mexico's leading airline company would bite the bullet and terminate services? Mexicana apparently halted services earlier in August and many travelers were left stranded without flights. Competitive airlines came to the rescue, offerering slightly discounted flights to stranded passengers. Refund, perhaps?

have you ever heard of a refund without a fight in Mexico?

I think not.

Hubby is now safe in Madrid. Our European adventure has begun. But it wasn't easy. Thursday morning, hubby was packing suitcases, leaving that afternoon. We stopped by the shop to pick up some last minute things. "Uh, babe, let me double check your flights. Something doesn't feel right." Lo-and-behold.... his first flight, in a few hours, was cancelled. GDL to MEX. and the return. WTF?!?!? No warning. No email. No replacement flight. The entire trip was booked with http://www.despegar.com/ . I called despegar, who after transfering me 500+ times, declared that their company was not responsible for the cancellation and that I would need to take it up with the airline for a replacement flight and/or refund. The flight listed was Lufthansa. I checked with them, and the rest of the flights were fine.... except for the GDL to MEX. Their reply? Nope. Not their problem. The booking company was responsible for everything. Back to Despegar, nope. They don't even have the first flight listed. Where did I get this info? "Uh, from my itinerary, Jacka**" Lufthansa finally revealed that the missing flight, listed as their airline, was actually contracted through...

you guessed it.

Mexicana.

So while Mexicana, the company has halted ticket sales, other booking agencies, Travelocity, Expedia, and Despe-pinche-gar, are still booking travel packages with Mexicana.

And people,like me, are screwed.

Scrambling around, we finally found some flight with AeroMexico that worked with hubby's existing flights... but it wasn't cheap. And off he went.

And the refund money?

In the air. Despegar basically told us that we're screwed. Since it was sold as a package , they can't refund part of the money. They would have to cancel the entire trip and book again. (at twice the price, of course!) And since neither airline company wants to take the wrap and since the airline supposedly booked was listed as Lufthansa, it isn't valid on Mexicana's refund page.

Why steal from the poor, when you have the entire country at your disposal? And the gov't reaction? They'll grant Mexicana bankruptcy, thus eliminating the requirement to refund issued tickets.

So before booking, call the airlines directly to confirm flights, before you're left hangin....

Pull up a chair....

2010-08-31T14:40:00.000-07:00

I get excited when I find something simple, cheap, and healthy that I can cook. Even more so when my kids actually are ~~force fed~~ enjoy my creation. A while back, (geez, has it been already been a year?)I posted about a wonderful book that I had come up on, The Mexican Kitchen, by Rick Bayless. A year later... it is STILL one of my favorite cookbooks. Although I'm still having a bit of trouble with the whole "bean" thing...I remade that same dish from the previous post, Tinga de Pollo y Papas. The last time I made this, I used the original recipe and after watching my kids guzzle down a gallon of milk during dinner, I realized that maybe I should make it a weeee less spicy.

So follow along.

Tomato- Chipotle Sauce.

2 stemmed, dried chipotles ( I used canned in adobo)
2 garlic cloves, unpeeled
2 medium tomatoes, or 4-6 Romas.
2 tbs o.o or veggie oil

Toast childes over med. heat, Then soak in hot water and let rehydrate. Drain and discard water. (canned chiles... don't worry about it)
While chiles are soaking, roast unpeeled garlic on skillet or (on foil) on a comal, turning till they become soft. (15 min) Cool and peel.
Roast tomatoes (on the same foil) until blackened and then flip and do the other/s.
In a blender, add tomatoes/juices, chiles, and garles and puree.

*Sidenote... if you're too ~~lazy/tired~~/just don't wanna roast tomatoes .... use a drained 12 oz can of tomatoes. For the sake of my kids, I used the above recipe, but STILL added another 1/2 can of tomatoes to lessen the spicy kick.

The Main Part:
4 medium chicken thighs (or chicken boobies, whatever floats your boat)
4 med. boiling potatoes
1 onion thinly sliced
1 tsp. dried oregano
a bit of salt.... pref. sea salt.
1/3 cup of cotija/fresco whatever your regions' salty cheese...
1 sliced avocado

I also added a handful or so of fresh spinach. Just cuz I can. And I can't get my kids to eat it any other way.

The Main Dish:
1 tsp. oil in a med. saucepan over med/low heat. Add chicken, s/p. Cook until meat is tender. Remove to plate.

Original recipe says to then shred the chicken. It tastes great, (and can also be used for taco filling the next day.) but I've also left it whole and haven't had a problem as a main dish.

Original recipe also says to coarsely shred the potatoes, but as a working mom.. i don't have the time nor patience. I thinly slice mine.

Heat the remaining oil in skillet. Add potatoes/onion. Cook/stirring/scraping any brown bits off the bottom until browned. (about 15 min)

Add sauce, oregano, bring to a boil. Reduce and simmer until sauce thickens.

Add the spinach. Cook 2 minutes.

Add chicken.

Season with salt.

Scoop mixture into warming dish. Sprinkle with cheese n avocado!

Enjoy!

Viva La Tinta.

2010-08-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

This series was created by Eddy Reyes from Secret Sidewalk Tattoo in Hayward, Ca. and Jesus Cruz from CalifaRifaPro, Bay Area. We're so excited to be a part of this.

Thanks Eddy and Jesus for the opportunity... this came out amazing!!!

At the end of the Rainbow...

2010-08-17T18:32:00.000-07:00

The day is coming.
Sooner than I would like.
Im getting old....
How do I know?

Every morning, it seems that my face ages a little more and injectable botulism is beginning to sound more and more appealing. okay, I lied. I already tried it. Once.
I get super excited when i see Jem, Carebears, RainbowBrite, or She-Ra on TV and my kids have no freakin interest in old cartoons.
Hope my kids will some day play Oregon Trail in computer class.
Realizing that I must let go of my gi-normous collection of beanie babies. ***denial.
My kids are amazed that I seem to know how to beat everything on their Wii Mario game. Cuz I beat that sh*t on Super Nintendo when I was 12. And it was cooler.
But, nothing beat Duck Hunt. :)
90s clothing has made a comeback. Leggings and converse. I thought only OUTDATED old shit comes back in style, like platforms of the 70s or the rockabilly style of the 50s... not anything during MY OWN lifetime!
I can chant and clap "Miss Suzie had a steamboat, the steamboat had a bell, the steamboat went to heaven, the steamboat went to Hell-o operator......" better than my kid can. *hell, I wrote that sh*t!
I remember then watching Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing... and watching it now on TMC.. the classics! wtf?!?
I get more excited about bbqin with the homies than going crazy clubbin! *what happen to my 20s?
I hate all this new rap... what happened to the classic Tupac? *oh snap. did I just say classic?

What can you add to this list?

C'mon.... make me feel old.... Grrrrrrr.

Hotter than hell..... I think so.

2010-08-16T13:09:00.000-07:00

Hubby and I finally sold my baby...my Chevy Tahoe. "Boohoo." you're probably thinking," it's just a truck." But to the fam-bam and I, it wasn't. There were so many memories. How we bought it, the amazing airbrushing hubby painted on it, the gifts building it, haha.... the movie Transformers, and how after watching it, the kids wanted to ride in the Transformer truck cuz it was just as cool. I never had a problem with it, and spent many nights in there on spur of the moment camping trips, fishing adventures, the exciting day of picking up hubby from the border, moving to mexico, and countless others. The kids are bummed too, but after changing my visa, my truck is no longer legal and SAT can take it away. And with the new "drama" in GDL, the truck grabs a little too much attention, which isn't always a good thing.

So, suegro and I made the journey up to the border. Twenty two hours later, we arrived in Phoenix to the eager new drivers of my beloved ride. My BIL has really been great. He bought our other car before we made the journey to Mexico and when having difficulty finding a buyer for the truck, he was the first one to jump on it. He had hotel (well, motel) rooms waiting and a few hours later, they jumped in the truck and headed back home...leaving me to rest before my plane ride.

Ooooohhhh, have we've learned not to rely on people in Mexico...... and how frequently I forget. I placed my trust in a "friend of a friend" who books airlines and was told to await confirmation 6 hours before the flight. 6 hours came and went... 5.... 3....1... I was at the airport counter, pestering the attendant to recheck the flight list for my name. Nope. And in fact the flight was OVERBOOKED by 2 people. I wasn't going anywhere.

After panicking a bit, checking the next airline, panicking, checking the next airline, etc....etc.... I finally booked a flight leaving the next day. In the meantime, I returned to the motel that I had previously rested in for a bit, for good reason. It was only 29 bucks a night and I had little cash. The room was exactly what you expect in a roach motel.... 'cept I didn't see any roaches and if I had, they wouldn't have a chance against their Mexican cousins.... so I wasn't too worried. You do get what you pay for....the nonsmoking room smelt like my smoking grandmother's entire house condensed into a single room with one flickering light....in the bathroom.

Nevertheless, it's 106* outside. I'm discouraged to leave the room in fear of dehydration and leary about staying, since this is where scary movies come from. At least I brought my laptop.

It's Complicated....

2010-07-18T01:34:00.000-07:00

It's been almost two years now since I've left you... and I had a hard time letting go.

I've moved on to the Dark Side, only to compare everything, and everyone to you.
and only you. ♥
I think I'm beginning to let go now.
Don't worry.
You haven't changed.
But I have.
And now I can laugh at your ass everytime I come back.

Right off the plane... cruisin' on Crenshaw. ;)

And immediately, saw this.....

(I couldn't edit the photo, it's a Hydroponics store.... big word for a pothouse.)

Back home ain't got nothing on this!

I officially take back all the smack I talked about Mexican women all dressed up for pinche Chuckee Cheese..... this woman snagged the prize... at Disneyland.

Ouuuuuuchhhh!!!!!

Super psyched to find a fruit stand with fresh produce in Merced County

but it came with additives next door....

and I STILL don't understand why people here don't GET roundabouts!!

Try Mexico City people!!!

Nothing but love,

Off to a Great Start

2010-07-14T23:27:00.000-07:00

We finally made it. Back to the Mothership. The Mainland. The fill in the blank. Surprisingly, we made it from GDL to LAX without a problem (kudos to Volaris airlines who managed to ARRIVE n DEPART on schedule!!!) and wasted no time. We decided to play hooky the last two days of school and head out to Los Angeles instead. Arriving at 9 am and after a quick breakfast, by about 10:30, we were already posing for photos with, you guessed it, MICKEY!

Grandma and Pops had planned a day of Disneyland... and not only that, but the following day, California Adventure. It was a busy two days followed by ANOTHER two days in Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park. Can I tell u how difficult it was convincing 2 kids that big trees were just as cool as disneyland? Uh, you can't. Unless you find Bambi. Little Monster transformed back into my Little One on rides like Indiana Jones and, believe it or not, Pirates of the Carribean, where he clutched on my ~~arm, leg, chest, head,~~ whatever part he could to keep him safe. he's such a momma's boy ;) and Demon Child emerged as my growing so fast-i wanna-go-on-the-fast-rides-oh-no-wait-i'm-scared little Princess who still loves going on the Carousel and maybe, Space Mountain. We had a blast. Pictures were mandatory.

and we filled three camaras.

Hats (preferably ears) were also required.

isn't this gorgeous?

And now that we've made it home, we've been busy little bees. So much to do, so much to write!!!

Saludos a todos back home!

Hot and Bothered.

2010-07-04T10:16:00.000-07:00

Aaaaahhhh...... The rain has finally returned to Guadalajara. Temperatures have dropped, slight humidity has settled in, and I no longer have to ~~scream~~ remind my adolescent ~~demon~~ princess that she needs to put on deodorant. Besides the daily mini-flooding, I love the rainy season. I love the fresh feeling. I love that I can begin making Tortilla Soup and Hot Chocolate. Everything is great.

Except that my mean, ferocious, intimidating pit bull turns into a damn pussy.

Every night, the clouds break and the sky lights up. The roar of the thunder shakes the walls, and the streets flood. Sounds like the beginning of a cozy night with hubby, right?

No.

I get rushed by my weenie dog, instead.

As soon as the thunder starts, puppers starts freakin out. He gets up in his crate and starts knocking the walls. So of course, ~~to shut him up~~ quiet his tension, we let him out and put him on his special pillow in ~~demon's~~ princess' room. BOOOOMM!!! The thunder hits again. Someone's breathing on me. Puppers is by my bedside heavy panting in my ear. Ugh.Fine. Lay down ~~Pussy~~ Puppers. BOOOOMM! He's back up in my ear EVERY 30 seconds to make sure I'm still there.

So much for a freakin guard dog.

I'm gonna invest in a cat.

side note: ~~Demon~~ Princess has declared that she has copyright over the above fotos and required permission and recognition to use them. So there ya go.

Shop Cheap, Eat Good....

2010-06-28T19:48:00.000-07:00

There are definetely pros and cons to living in Mexico and let's all admit it's not the public bathrooms, toxic water, or the godzilla cockroaches. Despite these minor inconveniences ,Mexico offers only top notch cuisine in the most unexpected locations. Whenever I go back to the States, friends always offer to take me out for tacos, possibly assuming that I am in need of a Mexican fix while I am away from home. And more often than not, except for those wee-hour-of-the-morning taco fixes, I politely decline. While I used to be a fan of Mexican food in the States, I am no more. Instead, this snooty gal prefers the real thing... whether it comes from the lux restaurants, moderate cafeterias, or evening tacos from the stand on the corner.... This country has the best of the best.... provided you don't ask exactly what is in it.
I've never been a great cook. It's not exactly one of my passions, but I do try hard to vary our meals, try new things, but also give the kids a taste of home. (and by that I mean, spaghetti, mashed potatoes not from a box, and chicken noodle soup!) I remember making my hubby dinner one night here in Mexico and he was so surprised. "This is amazing. When did you learn to cook this?" cabron. I've made this for you a bazillion times back home.! While I was a little butt-hurt, it finally made sense. It wasn't me. Or my cooking. Thank God. It was clean food.
Now hold on a second. You're prolly thinking,"Clean? No manches! With all the dirt, water, bugs etc.... How can your food be clean?" Don't get me wrong, if you're talking cleanliness, I soak all my veggies and fruit in that antibacterial solution before I even put in on the table or in the fridge. I'm talking clean. Free of steroids, free of pesticides and hormones and whatever other crap that American food has in it nowadays. Don't get your panties in a bunch. It's true. You can't tell me when you go shopping in the States, it's hard as hell to find an apple that isn't the size of a damn grapefruit!!! Well, maybe my kids are a little picky, but when I try to encourage them to eat fruit, I don't think they want to make a meal out of it! When we first moved to Mexico, we were in Mega, and passed the meat section. *gag "Babe, I'm gonna puke! What's that smell?" "Haha," he chuckled."That's the smell of meat. Real meat. Chicken. That hasn't been stripped of all of it's flavor, frozen, packaged and processed." *yippee. Little by little, I began to realize the difference between the fruit/veggies/meat here and back in the States. Tomatoes taste like actual tomatoes. The strawberries taste like strawberries. The snozzberries taste like....

You get the idea.

But, you can't just go anywhere and find it! It's getting harder and harder to find normal, natural food. Maybe in the ranchos and small towns, they're easier to find... but in a fast-growing metropolis, big box chain stores=Walmart=Superama=SamsClub=Vips=whateverelseyoucanthrowinthere, are bringing in what sells...Gi-normous apples, soccerball sized grapefruits and inflated/abnormal chicken boobs. What I love about Mexico is that you can still find the yummy, organic, small stuff... you just have to take the time and look for it. On Sundays, we go to the fruteria or the tianguis (the swap meet) for all of our produce, depending on how early we get up that morning. Following that, the carneceria is up next.

Now Yay for me since the tasteful food here is on my side. The negative to that would be the fact that I have ABSOLUTELY no idea how to order the different cuts. Lucky for me, the one of the butchers now recognizes me and somehow makes sense of my crappy spanish and hand signals. arrachera?!...and no, he will suggest something else/better. Today, in my best spanglish I went for dos piezas de pechuga de pollo en 2 cartones separados....medio kilo de carne molido, sin mucha grasa. (which he corrected me by suggesting carne limpia) and finally, tocino muy, muy delgada so a girl can make some greasy, CRUNCHY bacon! The meat comes in daily, and everything was ground up in front of me.... came home and made some yummy chipotle burgers!

A little extra time visitng two places, we had bought blueberries, cherry tomatoes, all the meat for the week, fruits/veggies galore for about 600 pesos. Less than 50 bucks. Take that Wild Oats!

Ahhhh..... querido Mexico.

BTW... Anyone got any hints for the next carniceria trip? All I know is Chicken, Carne Molido and Tocino. Help a sista' out!

Holy Hell....

2010-06-11T22:45:00.000-07:00

You're never gonna believe this... but yes, after almost two years of living here and avoiding it at all costs....

I finally watched a soccer game. And not just any soccer game.

The World Cup, opening game Mexico vs. SudAfrica.

But don't give me too much credit. I didn't do it on my own.
It was actually very, very difficult to avoid. Waking up this morning, the kids were allowed to take xtra snacks and drinks (apparently face paint and jerseys, as well.) because Presidente Calderon recommended that all students be able to watch the opening game at school. The kids had no choice.

But I did.

At about 10 am... I could hear the neighbors going at it. The school across the street making noise.
WTH are they fussing about?!?

Fine. I turned it on. In between CNN, of course. Mexico was the favorite. Obviously. And from the little I knew about soccer, they looked like they were doing pretty good.
Of course, until SudAfrica had a whir of the moment chance, took it... and~
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!!!

Hot Damn. I think the neighborhood was under attack. Screaming, hollering. Pinche.... blah blah.....

Damn. That sucked. Time to go to work.

Here's the crazy part. Usually, there is about a half hour of traffic on the way to work. Hubby had forewarned that during soccer time, especially important games such as this, that nothing is more important.
And then.....
***crickets chirping***
he was right.

The city was deserted. No one on the streets. The drive took 5 minutes and before you knew it, we parked and walked to the shop.... only to see and hear EVERY POSSIBLE LOCAL THAT COULD BE OPEN AND CRAMMED WITH PEOPLE, was. Everyone had the game on. The farmacia, tienda, cafeteria, rooftop bars that only open at night, were all alive, filled to the door with excited and devoted fans. You could walk down the street and still HEAR the locutor crystal clear.

It was good to hear that Mexico scored.

You could see all the vendors, lining the streets, ready to celebrate a victory.
But no, it didn't happen.
The game finished 1-1.

The kids' teachers said that Mexico still won. If they would have been on their home turf, they would have won.

Well, I wouldn't exactly say that Mexico won this game....

But I wouldn't mind checking out the next. ;)

A walking paradox.

2010-06-05T23:34:00.000-07:00

(not my photo, but it does the job)

One big f'in contradiction. Not quite sure where this is coming from.... Maybe the possible offessive Anonymous blogger comment, or feeling lonely here in Guadalajara, but I feel the need to clarify and declare who I am and what I want. I'm heavily tattooed. I'm pierced. I have lived my life outside the norm. I have chosen to raise my family outside the "American Dream". I come from a conservative, law abiding, middle class family, law student who decided to marry a ex-felon and eventually follow him to Mexico. I chose to raise my children in a third world county. I then chose to throw my children under the gun and force them to learn another language, another culture, another way of life.

I am a horrible mother.

And with tears in my eyes, I feel the need to justify myself. Maybe this is coming from my hubby confessing a recent depression, and soon after, my daughter. Fuck. What am I supposed to do? Go home? Neither want me to do that. I feel awful. Maybe it's adolesence. Maybe he need a drink. Maybe I'm lonely.

People here are different. We don't think the same..... But wait!!! There's hope!!! I met another gal from the States, a client of mine, who after, decided to take me out for drinks. :) We went to a fabulous bar, and after a bottle of wine, haha.....it was like I'd known her forever. But alas, she's given up on Mexico and heading back to the States with a broken heart at the end of the month. Too bad we hadn't met sooner. On a positive note, it reassures me that after 20 months of living here, and finding two gals that are pretty cool, there has to be more, right? Patience is a virtue.

And sometimes..... I don't have it.

I feel different from alot of people here. I know that when you move, especially to another country, it changes you and you SHOULD change with your surroundings... but in reality, I feel that my only "friends" are on blogger/facebook. (Facebook is such a curse!!!) Women, that in some strange circumstance, are supportive and can relate to our current situation...or in general, expats, finding a new life in a foreign country. (And I'm gonna get even more pitiful here....) but even so, at the same time, I feel like an outsider.

There is ONE difference between you and I. (besides my horrible grammar.) You put your art on the wall and I put my art on my skin. That's it. I feel that people assume that because I decided to paint my body, that it automatically catagoriezes me in a pool with lowlifes, crack addicts and narcos. Yes, I "belong" to a subculture,( which you can see HERE) which can be totally rad, but sorry.... according to the "subculture" "subculture", I don't belong.... I'm not radically pierced, tattooed, living on the extreme blah blah blah. I like dinner parties, hanging out, smoking my hookah, massive amounts of wine, family time, travelling, camping, art, getting my hair "did", scrapbooking, etc..... Need I go on?

I should put an ad in the newspaper....

And while you're at it, throw it some kids, ages 6-12.... and we'll make it a date.

Appreciate it,

A new member of the family... Bienvenidos Darren.

2010-05-31T17:10:00.000-07:00

We've been busy little bees this past month.... and after our Semana Santa visit to the States, we were right back in San Diego two weeks later for my baby sis' wedding. She was beautiful and new Hubby is a wonderful person and the perfect addition to our family. It was a gorgeous ceremony and we were all really excited to be apart of it.....minus hubby, of course.

But then again, he did make a late night appearance!

Quick update....

2010-05-28T19:43:00.000-07:00

Here are some new tattoos that i've been working on! :) Lemme know what'cha think!

Problems with power?

2010-05-28T19:27:00.000-07:00

Thank god it wasn't the electrician!!!

Geez. If it's not MegaCable, or Tel Mex, what could possibly go wrong?

Oh. I know.

Silly, CFE.

There are many, MANY things that I took for granted back home, and one of them was, the good ole power company. If your power shut off, there was always an 800, if not a local emergency number that you could call, INSTANTLY make a report, and have a technician out to your home within a few hours. Here, they "offer" you that same service. Except forget to answer the phone.

After visiting the local office in the morning, filing a report, and were guaranteed that it would be serviced that day, we returned late that evening to find again, no power. The fridge was no longer cold, but cool-ish. It was hotter than hell. And the kids.... smelled horrible. And there we were, at 9 pm, hungry, hot and smelly. After repeatedly calling CFE and no one answering. Kiddos and I took off for some good Oscarin's hot dogs, smothered with bacon, grilled onions, chile and whatever else you could load on that thing.... while hubby came up with a master plan.

And that's when he became a mexiCAN.

A quick stop over at Home Depot for 15 m of electrical wire and we were on our way to much needed showers and a cool airdry. Yes. My husband did something illegal. Surprised? Back home, he would have checked all the fuses and then waited patiently for the electrical company to arrive. But here? There are no guarantees. And certainly no guarantee that someone is going to come and fix the problem at now 10:00 at night. And with a somewhat pissy wife and two smelly children chirping in his ear, he hooked up the wire to the power box and jumped the fence to the neighbors (who just happened to move out the day before!) and WHOILA!!!!

Don't get upset. It was just for the night, to cool the house and save the remnants of our food. And hose off the kids. It was all disconnected by morning, when my hubby took the time and figured out the problem himself. (CFE never showed.) I never thought that we would approve of this radical method, but hey, my neighbor was stealing my internet.

So we're even.

In case you haven't noticed....

2010-05-08T12:19:00.000-07:00

It's hot.

Oh mi God.

This heat is becoming unbearable. Yesterday, by the house, was 99 freakin degrees outside and it doesn't seem like it's gonna stop anytime soon.

Next weekend we'll be heading to an expo in Veracruz and I'm afraid I won't survive. The heat, I will assume, will be unbearable and the humidity? who knows. Nevertheless, Cordoba here we come!

Some good news, for those of you that are interested in travelling and have, e'hem, spouses with less than ideal records...... Hubby recently applied for his passport, slightly nervous that for some odd reason, he would have complications.

Nothing! He ended up going to the registro who sent him to a separate office nearby. He was there for about 2 hours, took his photos, filled out his app., they took his brand new (within 6 months old) birth certificate and whoila!!! His 3 year passport will be in the mail in the next two weeks! That was it! ( i think ending cost was a little over 1000 pesos...but don't quote me on that one.)

You can find out where to get your mexican passport in your area here and how much it will be here.

I'm super excited that all of this worked out since we recently found out that hubby nailed a spot in both the London tattoo show and the Barcelona Tattoo show, this September. Even better, both shows dance around my upcoming dirty-thirty. We've been wanting to travel to ANYWHERE in Europe as long as I can remember....and that dream happened to be one of the reasons we filed petitions to rectify hubby's status in the States... and the denial that thus, resulted in our current, uh.... location. It's supposed to be one of the most amazing shows out there and we're really excited to take part in it. We'll be hanging out with some amazing and inspiring people and have the opportunity to backpack wherever our journey happens to take us.

But until then, we're gonna have to budget ourselves.

It was great to have some good news after another crappy attempt at moving our sex shop to a better location. We got all the way to contract/deposit/designing proposed changes to a building that seriously needed improvement... only to meet the owner at the very last minute. Ugh! Not only did he talk down to us, but shot down every one of our proposed changes/additions. We modified and kept trying to make the transaction and only to be shot down repeatedly. He didn't want to change his crappy building and apparently, thought that his generic dirty building was reminiscint of the 50-60s era. Institutionalized windows and cracky paint aren't a style, man) Sooooo.... we're still on the hunt for a new local.

Boo.

Other than that..... it's really f'in hot.

and all I seem to want is a really cold beer.

New beginnings.....

2010-05-04T18:04:00.000-07:00

I'm a no longer a blogger-junky.

In fact, it scares me.

and Facebook has become my best friend.

Blogger has so many compromisos..... deadlines....stress......

to much sh*t that has happened to pack into one blog.....

So we'll just pretend that the last month didn't happen and start anew.

Let's get back into the swing of things, bitches!!!

Welcome to my blog site!

How close is too close?

2010-03-23T13:45:00.000-07:00

Hubby has been having some bad feelings lately about Moosecake. She's 11 now and really doesn't understand what appropriate and what's not. We've had little chats here and there but she keeps us on her toes. Her 5th grade teacher is always calling her "his favorite student". Great. I'm happy for her. and random crap.... He asked her to borrow/burn one of her cds. Fine. He took the kids' out on a separate field trip for ice cream. Outside of school hours. Hmmmm..... Moosecake took photos of all the kids in her class messing around. He asked her to borrow her MEMORY CHIP. what the fuck? Maybe I'm overreacting a bit, but isn't that a bit personal???? If the teacher wanted those photos, we can print them.... or better yet, he could bring his OWN f*ing camera!!! Well, Moosecake gave him her memory chip and when we found out about it, we were, well, pissed. She takes pics of her family, her brother, funny faces, our personal life, etc.... all of which I DO NOT find necessary to share with her teacher. Am I blowing this outta proportion? In the fotos, the teacher is hugging each one of the children without a smile on his face. Creepy!!! And then there are all the fotos of the other kids.

I feel that this pushes past the teacher/student boundary. Hubby went in this morning and had a little meeting with him and requested the memory chip. He also made it clear that this was not an appropriate request from a student and in future, if he needs anything, borrowed, copied or whatever, he needs to speak directly to us. period.

Appropriate? Overreaction?

Maybe. But when it's your kids, is it ever enough?

Bottle Service please.

2010-03-19T16:41:00.000-07:00

Bottle 1: Don Julio Blanco
Location: Monterrey Tattoo Expo, 2010

Aaahhhhh.... Don Julio. A wonderful gift from a fellow tattoo artist in Veracruz. And damn.... it was put to use. The Monterrey Expo, again, proved to be well worth the trip. Hubby did quite well, sold quite a few of his shirts/prints and scored 1st in Women's Color Tattoos. We spent the nights with amazing friends and artists, including Paco Arias (leon, gto.), Chakal (D.f), Cesar (Ritual, Monterrey), Bob Tyrell (USA), Vampira, Stomper (GDL), Tpex (Tribal), Diego y Clarens (Upland, Ca.), Pablo Ash (Spain), Secta (GDL), Chanook (Spain) and many, many others. We also had the opportunity to make some new ones, (Olmo n Crystal from Tulum), Tony Rommel (New York) and party hard in the local, uh..... bulês. ;) I tattooed for the first time in an expo.... which I loved! ( a little hard to do when tons of people are staring and taking photos) Hubby got down and tattooed a neck piece on Babo from Cartel de Santa. Amazing guy. His crew, his beautiful lady, Miss Mery Dee and Babo himself, partied hard during the expo and made this trip amazing. Thanks to everyone!

My first expo tattoo (just the flowers, not the writing)

Hubby getting down....

another piece by hubby

getting down afterhours....

Babo x Indio

Mery Dee x me

Tribal Gear Representin

Todo el bandon!

Besides this being a perfect expo.... SOMETHING had to fuck up the vibe. I will NEVER and I mean NEVER fly with Viva Aerobus EVER again. Not only did they give us shit checking our luggage with our inks and what not, they reprimanded us for arriving only an hour ahead of time instead of two (flight was at 11am).... but it didn't matter since the PLANE WAS "UNABLE TO DEPART" because of freakin "fog" (who the hell ever heard of fog in Monterrey?) and the next plane was at 5 pm. (mind you, all OTHER FLIGHT WERE ABLE TO LEAVE!!!!) And so we sat, bien crudo, for 6 hours in the crappiest airport with the shitiest food, shitiest service and the most uncomfortable chairs until 5 pm... and then arrived in Leon at 7... unable to get to Abuela's house until 9:30 that night to pick up the kids. Why exactly did the plane not depart on time? I believe it was because they didn't have enough passengers on board to make the trip worthwhile. This damn airline jacks up the prices, continually changing their rates, and then when they can't fill the plane, OOPS... "Stand by, I believe we have encountered fog" (but in spanish, of course.)

Babo x Bob x Indio x Chakal

Nonetheless, I guess it's fair. Anything perfect has to have it's counter to exist... Yin n Yang.

That bottle was worth it. ;)

Be vwery vwery quiet.........

2010-02-21T12:32:00.000-08:00

*creeeeek...... creeeeek.. .creeeeeeeek*

"Shhhhhhh! We gotta be quiet.... Don't you watch the hunting channel?"

*tip toe down the stairs......

Hubby crept down the stairs.

Locked and loaded.

This is what happens went you give an ex-felon a ~~firearm~~ airgun.

Beware pigeons..... Beware.....

Run Coco.... Run.. But You Cannot Hide.

2010-02-12T11:18:00.000-08:00

I love my *oh so scary husband.*

Maybe not cuz he's scary looking to me, but scares the shit out of other people.

(don't mind the finger... he's not that fond of photos.)

Now, don't be nervous when you come to Guadalajara and we invite you out to drinks. He really is the coolest, most hospitable guy I've ever met... and after a few drinks, you'll realize he's quite charming.

Except to little f*ing taggers.

Those of you that have followed me for awhile, know that I'm not exactly fond of the local right next to me.... not only the guys that work there, but the clientel that they bring. They are the reason why GDL has a problem with graffiti. They let stupid ass kids open stupid ass shops allowing stupid ass kids to tag all over the place.

Despite our past frustrations with the shop next door, we've kept our distance and gave them their space... WITH the agreement that they could sell their trash AS LONG AS their clients didn't write on OUR space/walls/door/gate etc..... for both the tattoo shop and sex shop. We had an understanding. They told their clients the bank on the other side was fine.... but the next cuadra was off limits. (This was after Sex Shop got tagged.) And since then... we haven't had a problem.

Until 5 minutes ago.

Stupid kids came in and asked hubby what time the shop opens next door. Hubby said he didn't know... but they should get there soon. We walked to the farmacia, and while waiting for the light on the way back.... Hubby spots stupid kids tagging on our door.

"Change. Change. Change. CHange." Hubby was just waiting for that light to turn.

As we walked up to the shop, the kids casually stopped and acted like nothing had happened. Hubby grabbed one on the back of the neck, arm behind his back and *kindly* escorted him into our shop.
They had tagged all over our painted door. And they had NO CLUE as to why hubby was mad.

Well, he explained everything to them.....

while they were cleaning off their paint.

And after, hubby took copies of their credentials/school id's just in case we have a future problem... and the cops need to actually be put to use.

I swear those kids' must have pissed their pants.

Now scary tattooed hubby had their tagging pens, information and photos of them. I don't think we'll be seeing them for awhile.

Now don't get me wrong.... Mrs Artist cracking down on other artists, wtf? That's not exactly the case. We have commissioned professional taggers. We have plenty of friends that tag BEAUTIFUL artwork.... but not scratchers. Stupid kids. How can you walk into a local, ask a question and then tag all over their place of business WHILE THEY ARE THERE?

Back in the day, I remember kids being smarter. If you were gonna tag, it was for a purpose. You tagged on Starbucks, Walmart... companies that exploited people, resources etc.... Maybe I'm reaching a bit here, but tagging had a meaning when I was young. You didn't tag on personal property. And now, we are investing a shitload of money into a tattoo shop and the tattoo industry in Mexico to bring the industry level UP and change the perspective of art.... not to keep the industry on the calles.

Stupid kids. Now I have to repaint the door.

Moving Forward.

2010-01-31T13:43:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I forget exactly what this blog is supposed to be.... a personal, emotional release? an expat blog? a social network? or maybe just a self-gratifying, 'haha' look at me type of blog?

Well, today it's gonna be all of the above.

Alot of things have been bugging me lately, and instead of finding the time to blog and vent about it, it's all been building up inside. Occasionally, emotions build and I might have an emotional outburst... not directed at anyone in particular, although my dear hubby usually takes the fall. This time, as the dominoes began to fall, and I scrambled to realign them.... a friend stepped in, made a few wise suggestions.... and I let the dominoes fall.

what will be will be.

A friend of ours (from back home) and his brother have a similar situation with INS as my husband. They've been deported, come back, do prison time, and get deported again. Hubby called his brother the other day, and let's call him Juan, happened to be there. They hadn't talked in about 2 years, since hubby got deported and Juan was already deported in TJ. Hubby had offered for him to join him in GDL for a bit, until they both got back on track. Juan declined and after another close call with INS, managed to make it across. Hubby didn't even have a chance to say what's up, before Juan began with, I'm scared, dog." He had made the choice, like many deported immigrants do, to return to what they consider their home. Juan began to tell hubby how scared he is, every day when he wakes up, goes out, or goes to bed. His brother, the same. Why put yourself through that fear? I'm sure, if we really tried hard enough, we could make it back... and make it work. But, what if? You will go away for a really long time, and is it worth it? What is really there in the States that you can't find here in Mexico? (bad example, but you get the point.) If hubby decided to go back now, I'd be angry. His selfishness would override the need for his children to have a father in their lives. By taking that chance, he would limit himself and his kids on future experiences together. At least here in Mexico, they have their father. All the time. With no fear of being picked up, harrassed, and deported without any guarantees. I feel bad for Juan and his brother. I remember the fear that I know plagued my husband, even if he didn't show it. I remember that weight and the day it was lifted when I picked him up in TJ.

That fear has never returned.

My son is now six and oh-so inquisitive. The other day, he asked daddy, "How come you went to prison?" What??? "I didn't go to prison baby." "Yes you did. When they took you from us. I visited you in the window." "That wasn't prison (it was immigration @ county jail.)." We had told Little One, who was 3 at the time, that Daddy went to tattoo school and he was behind the glass because he had ink all over him and they don't want to get us dirty. I know, kinda dumb... but it worked. "I was in tattoo school." "Yeah, whatever... why did they take you? Daddy had to explain how he hurt someone a long time ago and the consequences for your actions will follow you a lifetime... which is WHY we don't hurt people and think of others.... because everything he had done, affected his kids as well.

Everything happens for a reason and while hubby's past and immigration ordeal sucked, we're here in Mexico and we're here together. I keep saying over and over, that since we've moved to Mexico, while it was the hardest decision and toughest battle, we've grown closer as a family. And I think we only got to that conclusion, by letting what happened.... just be. For the first year or so, I was really angry... in denial... I still might be sometimes... not accepting that this is where I will spend the rest of my life with my husband. Most days, I don't even think about it and try to make the most out of whatever the day brings me. I think we've done pretty good so far. One door closes and before you know it, another opens....

Assuming you have the key.

Hubby had a guy "working" for us at the shop, that, well, really wasn't on the same page as the rest of us. We brought "Sonoma" on, not so much because of his portfolio, but because we hadn't found anyone with the same work ethic that we have, here in Mexico. AND FINALLY. Someone from the States.... someone like us!!! We blew off all the warning signs and took him on. Gradually, he began to wear on my nerves. Hubby appeared to be oblivious, but knew deep down what was going on... and recently, we had a blowout. Truth was untold... and low and behold, after nearly a year and no improvement, when he was asked to take some responsibility, Sonoma no longer works for us. Shit. Great for me... sucky to do the apprentice work. We were down and out. Who could we take on? We've got a full plate this year, expos and what not... and need to keep the shop open. Can't find nor trust anyone local in this industry. Well, we're just gonna have to make it work. Right when the door is gonna hit you in the ass, another opportunity arose. Same day, in walks in Tattoo Artist from Mexico City.. chill guy, family, kickass portfolio, amazing painter... just moved to GDL. He was interested in hopefully doing a guest spot with hubby. The key appeared. "Santo" is going to travel and tie off some ends and would be honored to join us in March

I think we can hold the fort down until then.

"Santo" would be an amazing addition to our shop. Right now, I'm still learning, and while I can hold my own on nautical stars and what not, I still lack the talent of my hubby..... and Sonoma wasn't any better. We need another strong artist, one who is reliable, relaxed and has the desire to succeed and improve his art. Hopefully, things will work out with Santo and our shop will continue to grow. 2010 will be an amazing year, and hopefully with the choices that we've made, new doors will continue to open.

And for the tee-hee-look-at-me segment of my blog, I haven't posted any of my tattoos in awhile, so I hope you like. Client came in with a crappy koi and we made it beautiful!

Officially Integrated.

2010-01-19T12:38:00.000-08:00

Who would believe that this could blind you?

Or maybe it was mixing pomegrante, walnuts and 100% RUBBING ALCOHOL that would do it.

Somehow I feel that I have been officially integrated into the mexican cultura. We headed out to Pueblo Magico, Tapalpa, on Sunday to meet up with some friends from San Jose. It's funny to think how many friendships GREW by us leaving the States and how many new ones we have made. The family and I were greeted by Jesus and his family.... with Tapalpa treat. I've heard you can lose an eye from this punch, so I was a bit weary. Ponche de Granada. Pomegrante juice, some nuts, and straight rubbing alcohol. I had always heard stories from back in the day, that rancheros here used to drink rubbing alcohol... so common that you could buy it from any mercado. Ahhh... the old drunken stories, campesinos couldn't live without it and passed out from it on the ranch.... The stories from the viejitos. And now, I get to try it....from a plastic gallon jug.

We stopped in a little restaurant that had been recently built by a friend of Jesus... who was from Texas and recently released from the Army. He joined our dinner and we had a blast. or maybe it was the booze catching up with us... but we definitely found a place to visit when we return to Tapalpa. (I'll post the name when I find the card!)Time passes quickly when you're having fun, and as the sun was setting, we had to head out to see the toros and the charreadas.

I love small towns. Here in GDL, everything is so modernized that sometimes it's hard to imagine that you're in Mexico. Ohhhh... but in Tapalpa, you remembered quickly. The Bull Arena was half-built, or half-finished, with the ramps in place, but no rails, pipes and rebar unfinished, and random holes in the concrete... but it had a full Marachi band playing on surround sound!!! No one cared. Everyone had smuggled in their OWN ponche and were drinking, dancing and enjoying the show. Or what you could see of the show. There were lighting fixtures all over the arena, but only one was working. The paramedics turned on their lights to help light the arena. It turned into hide and seek with the bull after sunset. When it was no longer possible to see and the bull had the upper hand, the show had ended. Everyone was happy. Moosecake was chummin with Krystal, Little One was dancing with his new friends, and we, were feelin good..... Tapalpa was awesome.

We're tourists again.

2010-01-10T20:12:00.000-08:00

Everytime my parents come to visit, we become tourists again. We explore the city, check out all the tourist hot spots and forget the usual daily grind.
We started out our adventure by heading BACK to Tonala, an artisan paradise on the outskirts of Guadalajara. You can find beautiful vajillas, paintings, glassware, crafts, floral arrangements, and other unique pieces of art within a reasonable price range. And check out the glass blowing artisans while you're there!

Tlaquepaque came next, which has similar items to Tonala, but presented a more bourgeois and directed towards foreigners. It is a little pricer, but there are little treasures to be found. The food there, is AMAZING. Casa Fuerte has always been our go-to restaurant. Chicken with Huitlacoche and the "El Dorado" medallion are favorites. An artisan community accented by pedestrian-only cobblestone streets and some of the finest art in Guadalajara. Sites to see include Sergio Bustamante's gallery, The Parian with daily mariachi shows, and Museo de Ceramica.

We also visited El Triunfo, a gallery of some sort, displaying many "unique" pieces. Midwesterner From Mexico mentioned this store a while back in Mexico City and after seeing one right here in Guadalajara, it became a featured destination. Like Julie had mentioned, there were a few "diamond in the rough" pieces, but more, Galerias El Truinfo was an overpriced side show.

If you live near one of these other locations, please feel free to add some of your own unique finds!

Indoor Fireworks and Tamales Galore.

2010-01-10T18:32:00.000-08:00

2009 ended wonderfully and the new year started off with a bang. We spent Christmas at hubby's family's house in San Francisco de Rincon with the largest nacimiento known to mankind. The kids took part in creating the room-size display, adding Spiderman and a few Bakugans to watch over Mother Mary. At midnight, rocking baby Jesus was followed by the Mexican tradition of throwing confetti and lighting fireworks indoors. And then the party officially began.

Hubby wasn't messin around!!! The mexican version of Christmas is waaaay cool. Guests began to arrive at midnight, spiked ponche passed around, and tamales galore. Kids were running everywhere.... falling asleep in random places. And the grownups? They weren't finished till about 6 am. And EVERYONE showed up with a bottle.

Christmas Day was the best. It was the first Christmas that I've ever spent without some kind of obligation. Usually, it was a day of hustle... rushing to different houses to spend a few hours and some Xmas cheer. By the end of the day, we were always exhausted. It was never a day to really relax. This year was different. We finally went to bed at 7 am.... the kids woke up late and spent the day in their pjs playing with toys.... and we relaxed the ENTIRE day. It was wonderful.

I hope everyone's Christmas was perfect. :)

Retrospect 2009

2009-12-31T12:43:00.000-08:00

**2009 in Retrospect**

This years highlights were….
uh....Mexico's pig flu epidemic, completing my first year in a foreign country in one piece, renewing old friendships and making new ones, the engagement of two of my sisters, bringing a new guy on in the shop, the support from my family, ** i'm gonna be an auntie***, having the opportunity to share our immigration story on Change.org, spending the best time at Cervantino with great friends, Moosecake and Little One finally fitting in at school and bringing home amazing grades, moving out of our crappy little house into a perfect one, taking part in some amazing tattoo expos, and throwing our shop's 1st anniversary with a great turnout!

Last year,

I gained…… a new profession, a little more patience and an infatuation with blogging.

I lost…… my desire to go back, our home in the States, and my grandfather... who taught me the hard knocks, whether he intended to or not.

I stopped…… smoking, being afraid of trying new things, making excuses for other people and myself, allowing others to tell me whats “right” or “wrong”, giving a shit what others think.(most of the time.)

I started…..taking a little initiative with tattooing, sketching more, taking better care of my health and communicating in spanish regardless of how stupid i sound.

I was hugely satisfied by….. building the relationship between Moosecake and I.

I was embarrassed that.... AGAIN, I got tipsy and hubby had to carry me to the hotel, and the food here STILL "gets" me.

And frustrated by….. my intolerance of other people and their shit in general, thinking that i have to please everyone, and that I can get very mean when I argue with my husband.

Once again, I…… pissed many people off , still swear like a damn sailor, and failed to discover a way to handle someone who continually pissed me off.

Once again, I did not…..wear a bikini, or even a bathing suit at the beach, feel sexy, really try to excercise, give everyone my all, and tell my mom how much i appreciate all that she has done for me.

The biggest physical difference between me last December and me this January is…not much really, red hair and more tattoos.

The biggest psychological/emotional difference…..I've come to realize that not I, you, nor my husband can control everything, coming to terms with my emotions and realizing that it's okay to miss home and what we had together,

Why did I spend even two minutes…….worrying about what others say or think about me, wishing I was or looked like someone else,being angry over things out of my control.

I should have spent more time……enjoying the little things I take for granted.

My biggest regret from 2009 is……. not attending my grandpa's funeral. :(

Next year I am going to………attempt to do everything that i've ever wanted., tattoo with mas huevos, truly live every day in expectation that it could be the last, be more tolerant of others limitations .... some people are just slow..., help others who are going through the same journey that i am .... and speak Spanish.

This last year went by fast. It's kinda nice to look at my life in retrospect... with the idea that I also have the opportunity to leave it all behind. In 2010, I have the opportunity to start again and create my life how I want it, how it should have been. I get to help my kids pursue their new lives here in Mexico and accomplish what they envision. This next year will be amazing. There will be new opportunities and experiences, doors will open and close, but we have the chance to mold our next year as we see fit. We get to change our priorities and become closer as a family. I've really enjoyed reading all of your blogs and found many inspiring throughout this last year. Thank you all. I wish everyone success, love and happiness this new year....

Uninfected and ready to party.

2009-12-24T16:24:00.000-08:00

Good news.

It's been 6 days, and the sancudo lost .

I do not have dengue.

With the heavy fear lifted, I feel free...fully capable to enjoy the holidays at maximum capacity. Bottle of tequila+ tamales, here i come! Dear old hubby's dad came via camion to pick up the kiddos before Christmas and have some quality time with the grandchildren. Right after the kids' school musical, they were off to San Pancho to make their nacimientos and prepare tamales. We took the guys from our shops out to dinner at La Tequila last night and tried huevos de hormigas....which, surprisingly, werent all that bad! A few bars later, and a run in with a few clients, we finished the night pretty late... thus the short blog.

Nevertheless, I'm excited to be spending this Christmas here in Mexico. While it saddens me to be far away from my dear family in the States, I feel blessed to have my closest ones near, happy and in good health. Last year, it was a bit strange to experience foreign customs whilestill missing your home. This year, I'm excited to be part of new traditions and actually understand what the heck is going on, as well as bring some of our food to the table. Tamales and ponche will be accompanied by mashed potatoes, stuffing,yams, turkey, pumpkin pie, and anything else I can fit on the table.What could be better?

I hope all of you hug your loved ones exra tight this Xmas, cuz they are ultimately the greatest gift of all, and have a very chill and safe Christmas.

XOXO.

Bah humbug.

2009-12-16T15:59:00.000-08:00

Damn. I got bit by the damn dengue mosquito today. (i know from the white spots)

It takes about a week to find out if you have dengue or not.

So the next 4-6 days are going to be taken in suspense......

this Christmas might suck.

Boo. :(

Let's Try that Again.

2009-12-08T11:12:00.000-08:00

Okay. so maybe I was a bit tee-off yesterday. (not so hot doc news in da morning followed by random bs is not a valid excuse for my behavior.) I hope I did not discourage any of you from attending this bookfair. I do want to add that the Feria Internacional del Libro here in Guadalajara was overall amazing. The convention was packed all week long.

The FIL para Niños was even better. The kids went with their class and there were tons and tons of book, activities, plays, and massive security. Romeo & Juliet was one of the child plays, as well as other titles. Storytime, painting, reading mats, and newsreporting were just a few of the activities available for kids. In fact, they had quite a few per age group. We walked away with a couple books per kid, some great, some ~eeeehhhh. As long as they read, right? Little One walked away with "El Hijo del Santo y Xico", a comic from HellBoy (I know, I know, but it made him happy), and my childhood favorite, "Donde Viven Los Monstrous" or Where the Wild Things Are.

I was so proud of him. I loved that book. Even better, I heard they've made it into a movie. Not a crappy modern version, like Cat in the Hat, but a beautiful rendition. I can't wait for it to come to Mexico, because it will def. be one I will take my kids to.

Moosecake ended up with a few interesting books. To help her learn spanish and read something she would like, we kinda gave her free reign to pick what she would like. She found "Ghostgirl" and some other funny book. We also bought, "Quiubole", a gi-normous book on every topic a girl could possibly have a question on... sex, internet, kissing, clothes, money, boys, etc. The good thing about this book is that it is VERY informative, including topics such as child sexual/abuse and who might do it and numbers all over the country to call for help. There was even a section on tattoos and piercings.... this was the buy or no buy factor. We don't want something that pushes riduculous ideas, but something that is still conservative. And this book passed. In fact, it talks about piercings and tattoos, hygiene and doing what you want vs what is cool. And if you're trying to rebel, dumb idea. Your grandma prolly did the same thing years before. Haha. This book is neutral. Common sense. I liked it.

Hubby found a comic book, "The Darkness", that he really likes, and an oil painting book, and I walked away with a Thai and Mediterrean cookbook. (promises to post a few recipes!) Our best find was actually a book for Moosecake. The book cover itself drew our attention.

This was a great book for my little Moosecake. It's about a little girl, half white, half mexican, who loves yoga, her puppy, and only understands one side of her culture. Her Irish grandma is funny, has her whole house Navajo, has tons of stories and takes her shopping and what not. She doesn't really understand the other side and why the Mexican grandma has differents smells in her home , has shrines , only speaks spanish, and other odd things. She doesn't understand that BOTH of those cultures make who she is. She takes off to Tijuana, to find her fathers family and reconnect with her dad's cultura. Moosecake loved this book and it was a nice way to show that she isn't the only one discovering a whole new side to her family, but that she can still hold on to what she loves from the other side.

Isn't that we're all hoping for?

Feria Internacional del Libro 2009

2009-12-07T11:03:00.000-08:00

Es Internacional y es Aqui.

Actually, it wasn't.

Los Angeles, my beloved and hated hometown, was the featured guest this year at the Feria Internacional de Libro here in Guadalajara. It was here for about a week; every type of book, from every country, for every taste, and a huge area just for children. The entire convention center was filled, from poetry, textbooks, childrens books and activites, comics, cookbooks and more. Not only that, but LA was the featured guest. The cultura that makes us, or even more so, our spouses, who are really american, with that mexican flair, be on display for all to admire instead of criticize. The fair began on Monday and my kids' school visited Thursday. I met up with them later in the day, to pull little Moosecake out of class, and take her to find some history on HER special cultura. After dealing with security for a good while, (they had a kids area with strict security, so it was a good thing.)Moosecake and I jetted for the exhibition area which was decked out with a Monte Carlo and a few lowrider bikes..... and there we were disappointed. Two stands, and not as many books as I had expected. I picked up a book and had a question... excited that I might be able to speak english, but could find no one. Turns out, the Americans had taken off. Yesterday.

I was butt hurt.

Could this be a sign that my allegiance could be changing?Am I more beaner that I thought?

and then I got pissed.

Los Angeles and the United States was the featured guest in the largest book fair in all of Mexico. They had their seminars, their cultura lectures, they were the stars. Stars, indeed. That they only stayed for three days and then left someone else to man their booths. Wtf?

I always hear my hubby talking with his clients. Random things, of course, but somehow the United States comes up quite a bit. Clients portray, like a lot of Mexicans here, a distrust and dislike for America. And... I always get irritated.

Again, now I can see why. I know this sounds harsh, but isn't this always how it works out? The United States (in general) says and promises something and never follows through? Gosh, I still have a little anger at the repeated bullshit and backwards laws with Immigration... but it doesn't stop there. I'm ashamed. The general idea towards Americans is that we're "presumido"... stuck up. snobby. elite. And apparently, too good to hold up our end of the bargain at a freakin' book fair.

I know when I first moved here, I ~~did~~ might have had a little animosity and frustration trying to get things done. It is difficult to get the ball rolling sometimes. But I don't want to be that person. I don't want to represent the supposed "bad" about the United States. I've met amazing Americans down here with such genuine hearts, that I don't want the general perceptions from Mexico to be constantly harping down on them, their families, or mine.

Argh.

Maybe I'm the only one noticing it.

Day to Give Thanks....

2009-12-05T20:21:00.000-08:00

Yes. I'm back. After two weeks, a few bottles of wine, lots of hard work, and an early Thanksgiving with my family (and finding out that I'm gonna be an auntie!!!) , I am back in Me-ji-co.

Thirty minutes after arriving in GDL, my sister and her fiance, from San Diego, came down for the official Day of Thanks. It was quite hectic travelling to Tlaquepaque and Tonala for some shopping, to the town of Tequila, for a few shots and a tour, and finally, to the pueblo magico town of Tapalpa, for some "rock" climbing and borrego tacos. Yum! All of this to give my sis and her man a taste of Mexico (outside Tijuana!) in the few days that they were here.

(Moosecake wanted an authentic photo, where we pretended not to notice the camara!)

we had a great time and were really glad that Katie and Darren were able to come out and hang out for a bit. Time to relax and get back into the groove of things. I'm sure I'll have something to bitch about tomorrow. Ciao!

Nothing special

2009-11-20T02:31:00.000-08:00

Aaaaahhhhhh!

Today it felt good to "dress up" (meaning, nice sweater, jeans, boots, makeup and hair done) and go to lunch with an old girlfriend today.

I forgot what it was like to take a second and just....

feel beautiful.

Meet Virginia.

2009-11-18T19:44:00.000-08:00

Screw the shot. I got stabbed.

#3 on my wishlist of things to get done....

I went to PP and got the god-awful coochie test. Why do you want to hear this? Because, maybe if you're like me, the longer you stay outta the States... you prolly don't have insurance any longer. Yes. There are plenty of qualified gynos in Mexico... but I don't feel that comfy with my drawers dropped and hubby standing right behind me, translating for me about my whoo-ha. There are some things we just don't do.

Good news. After my finger stabbing and blood check, my blood sugar levels are great, I am NOT anemic, and I'm negative on the hiv. Fabulous, right? I got my check up and when it came down to pay...the bill was $40. Forty dollars. And if you really don't want to pay the $40, since I'm no longer making an income in the States.... it is not mandatory. Well, Shheeesh... I could afford the 40 bucks.... and feel a whole lot better knowing that I took care of myself on this trip. I should get my results back in a week, hopefully before I leave... and pray those cancer cells haven't come back.

So all you ladies, please get a check up, if you haven't already, next time you head back to the States. It won't drain your bank account and you'll feel like a million bucks.

Dolla Dolla Bill Y'all.....

2009-11-17T13:14:00.000-08:00

Started out like this....

Moved here.....

and ended up there.

Or maybe not in that particular order... but all were a part of yesterday's crazy, crazy times. I met up with quite a few kats yesterday, starting off with Efran, one of hubby's homies from waaaaay back in the day. This kat paints cars and had painted our old ride with a clean ass flake and the base flames on our truck. If we ever do decide to buy that 58 impala that's been around town in GDL, he's def. the guy to come down and paint it! He's amazing!

I met up later, after checking out bridesmaid dresses and doing lil sis' hair, with those crazy kats who spent Cervantino with us in Guanajuato. It was Tupa's birthday, and what could be better than starting off with a bottle?

Remember last time, starting with a bottle? You would think I learned the consequences of mixing drinks... but no. My liver isn't speaking to me. Starting at the Fireside Lounge, we started with a scorpion. I thought it would be those flaming ones from Mexico... but was greeted with Rum soaked gummy worms instead. Wine, cocktails, tequila and beer summed up our night, ending the fun at the Men's Club. With all our dolla' bills lined up, we were a bit disappointed to see the D-list lined up on a Monday nite. The night ended with Biscuits and Gravy back at the casino... and I drove safely home.

and the cop car?

ha. that was Efran's project for the day. I took the photo for old times sake. Trying to ~~forget,~~ err... remember the last time I was in the back of a po-po.

Crazy times in Reno.

Time to Party!!!

2009-11-14T10:02:00.000-08:00

Post #100

Who knew this blogger thing would be soooo addicting?
First off, kudos to all of you who are sharing their daily frustrations here in Mexico and...

THANK YOU to the people that read my silly blog and make me feel NORMAL!!! You are amazing!

I originally started this blog to vent and express my inner frustrations that, at the time, were difficult to relay to dear ole hubby. What I didn't expect, was to find a wide variety of wonderful women (and men!) who are struggling and enjoying the daily battles and triumphs in beanerville. Thank you again. Keep doing what you do best. As much as you all make things easier for myself and family to adjust, I would like to contribute a little more. Are there any questions or requested topics that you would like to see on here? I think I post such random things, it would be nice to post something that might just make someone's journey a bit easier.

The phone lines are open.

With all thanks aside, I am freeeeezin in Reno. I thought it was chilly in Mexico, but here in Reno, it's pushin' 40 during the day and God-awful bone chilling temps at night. After leaving, Little One has been sick and daddy took him to the ER (for 200 pesos... can u believe that?!?) and he ended up with a shot. :( Moosecake is already tired of playing little momma. And hubby, he's pissed that Sportsmans' (sporting goods in Reno)doesn't carry his precious Sweet Beavers any longer. (HA! it's a fishing lure, i swear!) I WAS able to find at CostPlus World Market a wine pump for $10 bucks and Misto, an olive oil spritzer, for $10 as well. What a find! There goes two to my wishes right off the bat for a reasonable price. (I also saw them at Bed Bath & Beyond). I also, have not smoked,drank more than a ONE glass of wine at a sitting, and made an appt with PP for a routine PAP. I'm on a roll!!! When not searching for the next golden egg, I've done nothing else that WORK WORK WORK. I'm exhausted... but I don't have to use any cc's, or change over any money. It's nice to go back to quilting for a few weeks... but I'll be happy to leave it and go back to tattooing!!!

Again, much deserved thanks to all my followers! You guys are wonderful!

Refried Dreamer
www.livingonrefrieddreams.blogspot.com

The whole truth and nothing but.

2009-11-10T09:50:00.000-08:00

Well, so long, farewell. Off to see the wizard. Or dear mom in Reno. Since these posts haven't been running in a timely manner, I'm sure you won't notice a difference in my posting times. I have just arrived in Phoenix, solemmly preparing for a four hour wait for my connecting flight. Why am I waiting so long? Well, after my last two flight horrors, I decided to plan ahead and give myself a cushion between flights.

And of course, everything just HAD to run smoothly.

I await my flight in, believe it or not, "La Taberna del Tequila", airport restaurant in Phoenix.... whose signature drink is made with 1800. GAG! Nonethless, I bought a few magazines, a glass of merlot, and am camped out in the patio, crowd watching and finding about a 101 reaons I should change my life. I found a blog before I left entitled "Bikini Before 30" and I thought, HOLY SHIT. She's speaking to me! This gal decided that she is gonna be her sexy self for her 30th birthday. After reading some wonderful insight and inspiration, I've declared that my thirties will be my sexiest, flirtiest, and slutiest (with my husband, of course.)

I want to feel good, look good and be happy with all of my lumps and bumps. Most times, I feel great about myself, clothes, hair, rockin my decorated self. Turn off the lights and close the door, I transform into a self conscious nightmare. Car accidents, surgery scars... and being uh, "thick" makes me wanna put on my jammies and skip the foreplay. Yeah, really. Big ups to the ex for giving me that complex. There's sometimes a lot of tension between hubby and I, especially on the acceptance of myself and my faults.

And then BB30!!!

I was meant to find that blog. I WILL wear a bikini, or at least a bathing suit by the time I'm 30. I decided to start my trip by changing my habits solo and then once I've changed, bring home the glory. I bought two magazines in the airport,(in ENGLISH!) For some reason, I feel that as a victory! In between my food colored blue tortilla quesadilla with microwaved chicken, I managed to pick up a few starting tips. Here's my list of things to work on this year to fufill my 30's.

Olive oil spritzer. I hate Pam. I want to find a spritzing can for it so we use less oil in our cooking.

Stop Smoking. I know. Bad habit.

Get a checkup at PP. No insurance. no $$....I have had cervical cancer in the past. Might as well get it done and checked in REno than have hubby accompany me to the gyno in Mexico and help translate. Awwwkwaaaard!

Take better care of my skin.... and Moosecake's too. All that stuff that will help her in her tweens and keep me as far from 30 as possible.

That even though a glass of wine is good for your heart, a bottle kills your liver. I won't give it up completely, so something to prolong the life of a bottle, might do our bodies some good.

Drink more water. Duh.

Become a redhead. No point to this one. I just like Scarlet Johansson's new 'do

Open up separate bank accts for own goals. ING, ( i think there is one in Mexico), let's you subtitle accts. so that you know what it's going towards, like vacays...that's good, right?

Hit the gym. I know, I know. I was good for awhile.

And in the meantime, while I'm up here, pick up some of those Shape Staples! no one has to know!

But first,

maybe I'll have some Starbucks. hehe.... it's Freeeeezin up here!

Dia de Los Muertos Letdown.

2009-11-03T11:11:00.000-08:00

I have been fascinated with day of the dead, sugar skulls, cempasuchiles, altars... so much in fact, I was thinking about dedicating my legs to tattoos of such awesomeness. This would be my first real DOD here, since I missed last one travelling back to the States. We declined welcomes to visit Patzcuaro and Aguascalientes from friends that traveled from the States to experience the cultures here.The family and I headed back to San Pancho to visit the graves of family and old memories.

This year's Day of the Dead sucked.

The small town of San Pancho took more time celebrating Halloween than I think DOD. On top of that, my suegra's street was part of the illuminacion. (A block party during the month of Oct. The town changes colonias every week.) Hubby told me that he remembers the streets being full, drinking, dancing.... till the weeeeee hours of the morning. With the addition of Halloween, I figured that it would be a rowdy night and ate plenty of carbs during the day to help soothe the drinking that was bound to come.

Nope. I gained like 5 pounds.

Halloween was weird. We got there at 7pm. Apparently, here in this town, there are no casas handing out dulces.... in fact, you have to go downtown to the businesses... and get your candy. The kids got dressed quickly and booked it to centro. And yes, at 8 o'clock sharp, the businesses shut down and candy time was over. We did get some yummy corn and aquas frescas. Nonetheless, the kids had a great time. Little One transformed into Bumblebee and was the envy of every 6 year old with his super cool costume. Moosecake decided to be a bat/angel/fairy? and dressed the part. We returned to Granny's house, expecting a street full of drunken glee.... nope. Hubby was disappointed. He's always told me of all these crazy stories in Mexico, with the coolest traditions and harmless fun. This wasn't the first time Mexico has failed him. Suegra kept up the cheer and demanded that hubby return with a bottle of tequila. We spent the night drinking with his tias and throwing our OWN illuminacion.

The following morning,Dia de los Santos, we headed out to three cemetaries. We stopped at some stands to pick up some meaningful calaveras and flowers. The final cemetary was to be our campout for the night. After taking a bunch of photos and cleaning off the altars, we finally headed out for Hubby's brother's grave. We brought chairs, beer, flowers, calaveras... and planned to spend the night reminiscing with dear momma.

Nope. At 6o clock around came the guards. The cemetary was being closed, like all the others. What the &*$%? Do you know what day it is? Apparently, they did. The cemetary was being closed anyways. How sad for all the parents who come to pray for their lost and loved children. Damn. We returned home and instead,we finished our own personal altar. I turned my little Moosecake into my own Catrina and took as many photos as she would let me.

We returned to GDL on Day of the Dead for some of hubby's appointments. Guadalajara, for sure, would be more up to the spirit and be rockin some of the DOD festivites. Couldn't find a thing. At night, we planned on visiting some of the downtown cemetaries, which I was sure would be full and lit up. NOPE. ALL the cemetaries had been closed at 6. For what? Friggin' dengue. Damn it. wear a jacket.

It's good. Don't get me wrong. I'm glad that the gov't is thinking about the public health. But at the same time... I was disappointed that I didn't get to experience the festivities, like in Mexico City, Cuernavaca, Oaxaca and other cool lugares. There were no catrinas, no public altars, no mariachis, no candles lighting up the night. The other disappointment was with Mexico itself. Where were all the traditions, the illuminacion, the folklores? Mexico has been changing rapidly, transforming itself similar to the States. I'm sure that's great for the economy and whatnot, but what is happening to the traditions here in MExico? What will happen to the culture, the foods, the stories?

Mexico better have a comeback next year.

Mommy to the rescue.

2009-10-29T10:40:00.001-07:00

There are some things you can only get away with in Mexico. Grab a few rocks and juggle on the corner for cold hard cash, call your cockroaches "pets", give family members offensive, but loving nicknames like "gordo", ask for a discount at your local sex shop just for the hell of it, pay off cops and who knows what else. A friend came into the shop a few weeks ago. He was planning on going to a music university in Canada and had all the strings pulled. The visa, the trip, the flight... everything would be taken care of. All he needed to show was his high school diploma.

Which he doesn't have.

Truth is, his parents moved him back and forth so much from California to Mexico, alot of his school years weren't accepted. Add the fact, that he did drop out as well doesn't make this challenge any easier.

To make matters worse, here in Mexico, to take your GED-like test, you need to show proof of middle school, which thanks to the many moves, isn't valid here in Mexico. So now, my dear friend has to take the middle school test to qualify to take the high school test....

He tried. and failed.

My poor friend was devastated. All these things were being done for homie to study music, his lifelong dream, and he can't pass the test in spanish.

I love Mexico. If you want something bad enough... you can seriously have anything. Momma got pissed that dear son didn't pass his test and accompanied him to the following test date. (This dear old lady is seriously a crack up and a wonderful woman.) "stay in the car", she told her son. She walked right in and said her piece to the testing lady. She must have been gone about a half hour. She got back in the car and told her son, " You take the test tomorrow. It's taken care of."

And by golly, she was right. Dear friend skipped into the shop today... giddy that he put his name on the paper and suddenly he officially completed middle school in Mexico.

Now he's gotta introduce Mommy to the high school tester!

At least it's something.

2009-10-26T16:34:00.000-07:00

I wish i had an interesting post, or something insightful to say, like other bloggers.... but I just had 3 shots and was tattooed on my inner arm (which sucks @ss!).

So....

I don't.

Have a nice day.

Cervantino, 2009

2009-10-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

Cervantino was amazing. Will n Amber, and Lacy n Jeff came down to do it right in Guanajuato. There was drinking, sightseeing, drinking, dancing, more drinking and laughing our asses off. We couldn't have spent this trip with any better people. Thanks guys!

Getting started right off the airplane!!!

Mexican security system.

Happy Birthday Amber!

Real men drink fruity drinks.

Guanajuato, Gto.
Now everybody, FREEZE! Museo de Momias.

Always on hand....

One of the first mines in Gto.

After a round of shots, everyone needed a hard hat.

Apparently, cool enough to take a photo.

Museo del Inquisicion

Monkey in the back?

Up top at the tower of Pipila.

Starting off the night with a few shots, and a bottle of wine...

Try and explain that stain to your man....

Finishing the night with a bang...

We partied it up, took tons a photos, toured the town, laughed our asses off and experienced one of the best fiestas in Mexico. Cervantino is definitely something you must experience! Saludos!!!

word of advice.

2009-10-19T07:48:00.000-07:00

It is not recommended to mix shots of tequila with bottles of red wine.

Over.

What happened to an old skool spanking?

2009-10-14T10:29:00.000-07:00

Everyday, I think about our move to Mexico. I wonder how our journey will in time affect our relationships, family, and children's future. It sucks that the move has made it more difficult for my kids to have a relationship with their grandparents and extended family. They have lost their childhood friends, their customs, their comfort zone, their ability to joke around, and just be normal kids. The pressure has been brought on early in life. They are foreigners in another country, where kids, like all kids, can be mean. They are forced to adapt, learn another language, be stared at (not that we make that any easier in a conservative country), and still be children and grow up. Little One is adapting. He doesn't understand the difference in cultures, what is allowed and what isn't, but he's picking it up, slowly but surely. Moosecake is doing wonders. Six months ago, we considered sending her back up to the States... but after reading the success in Moving-Kids-to-Mexico's family , I had hope for my dear child. Four months ago, we put Moosecake in a spanish tutor. During summer, she went every day.... drove me nuts. She has now earned Student of the Week, two weeks in a row, top of her class and is 1 of the 3 students, competing to be the best reader and participate in some school event. It's her second language!!! She has done wonders... in a short time... when she was ready. And I am so proud of her.

I swear, I only had to starve her once... or twice.

Which brings me to our next point. I still wonder how the significant difference in cultures will affect our kids as they get older. Will they pick up the traditional values in Mexico? the Machismo? all those Catholic virtues? Then you throw in the apparent "freedom" here, where your personal security also takes a hit, especially if it involves contact with narcos or our fabulous justice system here. But does that even really affect our kids safety? I feel pretty safe here in GDL.

Even violence in children isn't really apparent here in Mexico. Today on CNN, a 15 year old was lit on fire for telling his dad who stole his bike. The police investigator said that we need to teach these kids that this is wrong. THEY KNOW IT'S FUCKING WRONG. We don't hear of any of that here in Mexico. No school shootings, gang problems, stabbings, kids on fire?!? Public schools here, you might have fist fights... but the private schools, which are so common, is NOT tolerated. I can't tell you how many times we've gotten little notes from school because Little One likes to play rough, like a boy, and how even that little bit of energy is pacified asap. If the U.S's education system is wonderful.... then why are we still producing products like this or this daily?

Maybe we should go back to old skool discipline. Revive 'soap in the mouth' and ritual spankings.... hot sauce too. That was a good one. Remind kids of their manners and how to correctly speak to adults. When your kid is being an ass, whoop their ass UNTIL they learn not to do it again. If your kid is a smart ass, wash the words right out of their mouth.... okay, so maybe I'm pushing it...but I do remember a fondness for DIAL. But we DO need to bring back some level of discipline.... for the betterment of our children. I don't ever want to experience the daily fear of sending my children to school.

I apologize in advance to any hotel workers.

2009-10-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

Maybe after reading Gringa-in-Mexico's Dirty Hotel Secrets, I've started paying a bit more attention to the hotel workers and how we treat them.... and I've come to a conclusion.

I'm f'ing over it.

I'm polite. I don't cause a fuss. And believe it or not, my hubby is even MORE kick back than I am. I believe in common courtesy, service, and a positive attitude. I think that is what sets our shop a little apart from other "rockstar" shops here in Mexico. We try to take care of every client, and aside from quality work, be positive,knowledgable, and responsible. Isn't that how you would want to be treated?

Since we've been here in Mexico, EVERY hotel that we've stayed in has screwed us one way or another. Stupid shit, like in PV, where hubby ordered drinks with Jimador tequila (a cheapo) and when we got the bill for 4 drinks (two of mine were 100 pesos), we were floored with the amount. 970 pesos!!!!!! For what?!? The waiter took off for the day... end of shift, i suppose. He charged us for Don Julio anejo. wtf?!? They couldn't do a damn thing about it since the waiter left...cept give us a free shot. well, i suppose that will ease the tension for now... but WTF?!? You can't do a damn thing about it?!? that was 70 bucks for 2 drinks. Fine... next time... we'll trudge our big ass cooler out to the pool with our own beer.

The Mexico City hotel in Zona Rosa was just ridiculous.I could talk about the coked out bellman, stolen camara which "magically" reappeared, or all the random hookers... but seriously, all chilangos are just plain crazy. Period.

In our own town, for the Guadalajara expo, hubby reserved 4 hotel rooms. We also had a seminar in the same building. Hubby went down to the front desk and waited patiently for the clerk. He was to put down his CC to secure the rooms. The lady told him she was WAAAAAAY slammed and said just to come back tonight and his reservations would be fine until then. We came back after the seminar... and no rooms. Hotel COMPLETELY booked. What about the lady? Rude ass evening shift said that's not his problem. He doesn't control day shift. There's nothing he can do.

Am I sensing a theme?

We, instead, had to shuttle ourselves, sister, and her fiance, and bro-in law BACK to our house, which my kids and my parents were already comfortable... and makeshift for the night. In a little house with alot of shit, that kinda sucked. I was able to make reservations the following night....

Last, and surely the best, prolly cuz it was so recent.... was the expo in Guanajuato. We got there. Our room was on the 5th floor. Only stairs. Turns out, hubby's sisters' childhood friend was a manager there. She moved our room to a bi-level-ish first floor. Sweet! Tattoo expo was okay. The entire hotel was booked with artists. They even gave us little tickets for complimentary lunch... valid between the hours of 2-5. Great. Hubby was booked. We never used them. Hubby was finished about 8. We decided to go eat... at the only restaurant in the hotel and that COMPLETE area of town. We walked up front. Completely ignored. Excuse me. Two, please. Both the waiter and the hostess turned around and I swear, gave us at least two up-downs. oh hell no. "Your coupons are only valid between 2 and 5." Wow. Okay. thanks. but we'd like to eat now. They did nothing but move out of the way. Hubby and I walked in and found a table. We sat. and sat. and sat....watching ALL other tables being taken care of. We thought, hmmm.... maybe it's only a buffet. no menu. We got up and served ourselves and sat back down. Hubby got up again. The plates began to pile. Not ONE person came to help us or offer drinks. Finally, hubby got up and went to the original waiter in the front, and this time was pissed. Are you a waiter or a busboy? "uh... I'm a waiter." Then do your job. By the time someone came, we were already done eating. They brought one beer, instead of two. And the bill. Ignorant assholes.

Same hotel, I am walking up the stairs with a HEAVY ASS suitcase with tattoo gear. THREE bellmen, literally, WATCH me stumble up the stairs and almost fall over. I get to the last step, and then someone asks me if I'd like some help. No thanks. Down there would have been nice. I could keep going with little petty shit, extra fees, and stupid comments... but will it end?

Alot of tattoo artists were treated like shit. It sucked. Hubby didn't want to say anything because his sister's friend worked there. The conclusion is, this will be the last tattoo expo in Guanajuato we will ever go to. Everyone was treated like a criminal... I'm wondering if that is why we Americans ARE different. Mind you, I'm aware there are prejuidices all around the world... but I think we are a bit more open. We, as a whole, were looked at as mierda.. the walking shit of the street. I'm wondering how much longer it will take Mexico to catch up to the rest of the world in acceptance, education, and toleration... since it supposedly is taught so much in the schools here. Things are a little more up to date in Mexico City and GDL, but little 'ole Guanajuato? It will take decades.

I wish I could swear off all hotels there... but Cervantino is looming and dear friends are coming.
I've made reservations WITH a confirmation number!
and am praying that this time, it goes well.

I apologize to anyone who got offended. Has anyone else had a problem? or is it just my luck?!?

My special little boy....

2009-10-12T10:49:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know. I've been distracted again. These last two weeks have flown by. We are officially recovered from our September mess of tattoo shows, parties, birthdays, and family. This weekend we did nothing but clean, clean, clean. We put the yard back together, removed evidence of former cohabitants, and attempted to put our agenda back to normal.And now I can focus.

Sort of.

Until I found my 6 year olds' camara. Grandma gave him a 10.3 mpx Kodak camara to take pictures of the most important things in his life... assuming that would be family, his dog, and his friends.

Nope.

Apparently, these are WAY cooler.

Oh... my special little boy... i think he got that from daddy's side of the family.

And just for my special little boy, I made something special with his favorite carmelized onions... into a creative fusion...with vegetables in between.

I saw this recipe on one of those ama de casa shows on tv. It was in spanish, so again, I was distracted easily. I got the gisht of it and made these little "mounds" next to chicken parmasean. (although in the pic... i forgot the parmesean!! eek!) The kids had fun making these.

3 potatoes
2 carrots
1 white onion
spinach
2-3 garlic cloves
e.v.o.o.
chicken broth
salt & sugar
butter
milk

Boil the potatoes & carrots. When done, mash potatoes w/skin with a little butter and milk. They should be a little more firm than creamy to hold shape.

The carrots, julienne them, and place them on the side.

Slice Onion into thin rings. In a pan on medium, add olive oil and onions. When they start to brown, add a pinch of sea salt and sugar. When they start sticking to the bottom, add a little chicken broth or water to deglaze. Keep doing this until your onions are to your preference.

Spinach... heat evoo on medium heat. Add chopped up garlic & a little salt. These should be done in 2-3 minutes. (if that.)

Here's the fun part: grab a glass, double sided open can etc... anything... to build your creations. I used a wine glass, lubed up with a little evoo spray. hehe... lubed. The kids had the best time.

You're working top to bottom. Start with your mashed potatoes, add a little onion, carrots, mashed potatoes, spinach etc... in whatever order you like. Finish again, with mashed potatoes.

And whoila!

Moosecake got her mashed potatoes, Little One got his onions... and I got to stick in a few veggies in between.

2009-09-30T09:20:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to me.... and all you other crazy Libras out there!!!

Titanic-time is over hunny, time to play housewife.

2009-09-26T10:00:00.001-07:00

The other night, Hubby n I were lucky enough to watch, not one, but TWO depressing movies in a row. The kids were on their way to Yahualica and it was time for just him n I to spend some "alone" time... the first in about a month! We ended up getting out of the shop late, so we decided to rent some movies and chill with a little alcohol accompaniment... hoping to set the mood. We first watched Rock n Rolla, a Guy Ritchie movie. Figuring that Hubby loved Snatch and Lock Stock n Two Smoking Barrels... he would fall in love with the newest addition. Nope. WHile it did get a little interesting in the end, it dragged and dragged. The wine wasn't helping... so we busted out some tequila shots to wake us up and prep us for the next one. My choice happened to be Revolutionary Road. I wanted to see it as a realistic view of marriage... thinking that it would be a positive motivation to work together and achieve a common dream.
Yeah, no. While I do recommend seeing this movie, it was depressing. An ambitious couple, Kate Winslet and Leonardo diCaprio, caught in a traditional, sedentary lifestyle... neither were happy. A real marriage. That's us! Not that we weren't happy, it got me to thinking about our life in the States. We both worked and worked... the dreams that we both came into the relationship with, got put on hold for children, a home, and traditional American "values".... buying more and more shit, creating a "perfect" life, an excess of Christmas decor, the fattest f*ing turkey, a little bling, and a little picket fence... We worked to buy more. But for what? Did it really make us any happier? We never reached our goals. We didn't have the time... due to the rising cost of our lifestyle. It just kept f*ing going. And it was never enough. Why did we keep buying random crap? Hoping that accumulating more and more shit might have been proof that we were achieving our goals maybe, but both of us knew, we hadn't.
The movie goes on and Kate Winslet, who I absolutely love, decided to pursue not her dreams, but of her husband and move to Paris. They both agreed and began to prepare for the move of a lifetime. They were excited to move on, experience their dream, and it in fact helped their relationship... until it got down to moving time. Due to a numerous amount of issues, they never made the move and they fell apart from there. I hope I didn't ruin the movie, and I won't go into further detail... but it got me to thinking.... What if "I" didn't make the move? Like hundreds of other women in our unique situation (speaking to other women who are here for sim. reasons), many didn't follow through and pursue a new life abroad. Where would we be now if we had not come? I know hubby would be here.. but would he have pursued his dreams so fiercely, knowing that his wife and children lived thousands of miles away? Would I have pursued my dreams, selling all our belongings, moving into an apt with two children, without a father, and all our debt? We obviously weren't hitting our goals together, but would we have apart? Kate and Leonardo recognized that and set out to change their lives. They needed a change.
Maybe our situation is a blessing in disguise. Yes, the battle vs. the gov't, the move, poverty and change has all sucked. But in the end, we are here. You and I, (all you crazy ladies!) did what not too many women have done... followed our partner and stood by in support. Everything back in the States is gone. Material shit that has no value. We left comfort for the stretching value of the peso. We've concluded our first year down here..and without my parents support and interval costco trips, I don't know if we would have made it. Nonethless, hubby has hit more of his goals in a year than all those years working in the States. He's opened a huge tattoo shop, porn shop (which is still doing crappy thanks to the economy.), tattoing large pieces here in mexico, teaching seminars, pushing his tee shirt designs, painting, drawing, expos, etc... and there is more to come. I couldn't be happier for him.
At the same time, after reading a fellow blogger's recognition her personal needs, I'm wondering if now is the time to change focus. I can understand her sense of frustration and desire to just, well, be happy!!! If only a quick smack in the head would be enough to remind our husbands of our worth.
Or a shove.
Whatever.
While I must say that Revolutionary Road was quite sad, I crawled up to bed, thinking "No, that isn't us. We took that trip. We made it. For better or worse, we're gonna make it happen."
We don't have much. I've learned that I don't need all those things as I did back home. I spend more time with my hubby and kids, which at some points has been interesting, but I wouldn't trade them for a thing. Here I've learned more about myself, what I can take and what I can't. I know that I need some more time for myself. I've learned that I can be supportive... to a point.

But I'm doing it. One day at a time.

Even better, we've ALL doing it.

Sneaky lil'.....

2009-09-24T16:17:00.000-07:00

I assumed my blog was a private blog.... basically unknown to my family... cast out to the random profiles to read, who might possibly understand what I am going through.. livin' la vida loca down here in Mexico.

Well, not too long ago, I was reading another blog... and hubby came up from behind me and asked what I was reading. 'Oh,' I replied...'reading another blogger rant about her husband,'with a slight tone of sarcasm. "Oh, like your blog?" he replied.

WTF?!?! 'of course, not.'

"Yeah right, pull up your blog."

Oh shit. wait, I'm clear... the last blog I posted was about my tattoo etc...

"fine. see!" I pulled up my blog... (on a small window, of course.)

"Yeah, so scroll down."

Damn it. He read my blog.

What happened to my privacy? Maybe it's the fact that I'm ALWAYS on here.

Then again... maybe now I have the opportunity to drop subtle hints.

I DID see a gorgeous purse the other day in that leather shop around the corner...
and my birthday is coming.... *wink wink

Scattered Summary

2009-09-21T14:59:00.000-07:00

Tattoo I did yesterday. Woo hoo!

My daughter has been in Spanish tutoring for about four months now.... and lemme tell you... I should have been paying attention. That little girl is already correcting my spanish and is finally comfortable yapping away. We had her quiet for awhile, but now she can yap in two languages. Congrats to her, though. I got bored with class and resorted to dropping her off.... and now Moosecake can now speak in all tenses... rather than my 1 1/2. Even better, officially back in school, Moosecake is Student of the Week. Minor accomplishment to some, but for my little Moosecake, I'm so proud of her! She's trying really hard. We'll make a dinner date just for the occasion.

My parents also left today. My ex suegros are in town now... in Yahualica, actually. I think there is a carnival there and we'll take the kids down this weekend to see the grandparents. It's been a year since they've seen them. Luckily, Little One is over the Chicken Pox and is back in action. It was a little difficult getting him to go back to school, considering he has spent the last week laying around, playing with my parents, and eating all sorts of goodies, but he's looking forward to taking Friday off to go see the abuelos, party it up, and eat all the damn carnitas he can.

One of the guys that works with us just came down with the Swine Flu. Scary!!! Wish us luck. He is currently being treated and will come back with a doctors note. Hubby and I don't want any contact with him until he is FULLY recovered. We still can't figure out where he got it.... the tattoo show? or the strip club? Either way, Eww.

Other than that, we're getting ready for Guanajuato. The 3 & 4th, there will be a tattoo show out there. We're not too excited to go. It was dead last year, but since it's so close and where hubby originally opened up a shop in 1995, we gotta go represent. Whoo-hoo *sarcasm. The following weekend, some good friends are coming up to spend the weekend and their birthday... so we're gonna head out to Guanajuato to party it up hard. Kiddos will go to Hubby's mom's house in San Pancho and find some new stuff to add to the Nacimiento, eat a truckload of fideo and come home speaking even BETTER spanish. A win-win for all of us.

I will post more photos soon... Ciao!

Shadows and dust....

2009-09-14T18:17:00.000-07:00

I want to go home.

I came to this f-in country to be a partner, a friend, and a spouse.... not a f-in shadow.

ARGH!!!!!!!

I need a drink.

Expo Guadalajara

2009-09-09T13:53:00.000-07:00

The Guadalajara Tattoo Expo is finally over. There are no words to describe how exhausted we are. Back to back expos... and everyone and their mother came down to Guadalajara to be entertained. My parents flew in to help us out with the kids, my sister and my cuñado came down for wedding info, tattoo expo, and to get tattooed, other cuñado came to get wasted and tattoo at the expo, and a gang of fellow coworkers... all down to party it up at our first anniversary party. Wow. Throw in all that with teaching a packed seminar, tattooing all weekend, and throwing a bad ass first anniversary party... and well...we're just damn exhausted. Here are some random photos of this weekend and all the crazy's in between!

Bienvenidos a todos en la Mutualista!
SOme crazy ass that burned me with that damn cigarette

My sister and her fiance....

Chespi... a guaranteed good time...

Me and Sodapop (from San Diego)

Soda gettin down with some homemade tequila!
Art couldn't resist the uh... pretty "women."

Chillin at our 1st anniversary with Mike Culley, from Colorado, The crew from Por Vida, Upland, Ca, and my Bro-in-law, Raf, from Reno NV
Watchin the show

The Black Jacks gettin down...

Hubby and Rein, from Japan

Peque, the best graffiti artist in Mexico, throwin it down for the expo. Guess who get's to keep the piece?!? :)
Hubby tattin' away...

Thank you to everyone who helped make our first year a success!!!

Mike Culley and Hubby... thanks for the machines!!!!

By the end of the expo, you can tell we were a little burnt out!

We had a blast. Throwin back chelas, joking around with old friends and new, remembering the old stories and creating new ones... we had an awesome time. We can't wait to do it again next year!

Trash to Treasure

2009-08-26T17:47:00.000-07:00

So last weekend, I also hit up Av. Mexico for their Sunday "Antique" Specials. While most of it was crap... I did see some cool Helmets from Germany, Fancy shmancy jewelry that I would or could never wear, and quite a few over priced pieces of art. Don't cry your eyes... I still weaseled a couple bucks out of hubby and walked away with my own additions to the decor...

This is a bad ass candle. I loved the intricacy of the design and flora..plus I'm a big Virgin junkie. For a mere 500 pesos, this could have sat in your living room. I still don't know where to put the damn thing. But it's so cool.

These three paintings? were 300, and again, I have no idea where to put them... but I am obsessed with those colors.

Apparently, hubby wanted something for himself. He found the best replica of a Mexican dream girl... Seriously, I'm not down for some Mexicana role play... if ya know what I mean.

Finally, we came across a book of Death and how it's been portrayed here in Mexico through time. We justified this 80 peso purchase as a need for reference in the shop.

Next time, we'll try to hit it up a bit earlier in the day. I did see some cool chandliers. PROJECT!!! I'll see you there next week!

And more. And more. And.....

2009-08-24T14:41:00.000-07:00

Yeah. I know. I'm a crappy blogger... one who posts way past due, when it's not cool anymore. This is our busy time of year. With all the tattoo expos, family, school, kids, work... everything hits at once.

I did get the chance to hit up Mexico City. Everything that you don't want to happen, happened. The energy was really overwhelming. SOme of the sickest tattoo artists from around the world showed up. It was a good turnout. In fact, one of our good friends, Rick Clark, from back home (www.myspace.com/rickclarktattoos) met us there, along with the Lowrider Arte crew, Horiyoshi family from Japan, and the best tattoo artists in Mexico. btw... I also got 3 new tattoo machines out of the trip. Thank you hubby!

Of course, when you put a bunch of rowdy tattoo artists in a room with some booze... crazy things start happening... uh... like getting robbed by strippers, almost killed in some random parking lot, passing out on top of the pyramids, battles in the bathroom, having some cracked out hotel worker start smoking out in our bathroom, taking off his clothes, stealing us coffee cups so we could have a "seminar" at 3 am...AND stalking us later at the tattoo show. WTF???

Don't forget... we were clearly working during the entire trip. ;)

We spent 5 days in Mexico City. We hit up Teotihuacan, a few museums, the zocolo...and still had time for a cleansing. Hubby didn't want to join in... apparently, he thought one wasn't good enough...and he wasn't about to pay for three!

Hubby also gave two seminars that turned out awesome. He also tatted down a few other artists.

Crazy times.. We'll be ready for next years expo!

New House & backlog of photos

2009-08-24T12:48:00.000-07:00

Here's some more photos of the pad we just moved into. I love it. More room. More cabinet space.... and somewhere my dog can shit, that isn't directly outside the back door! We've all got our space... and there's really nothing more precious than that. (of course, every house...regardless of how wonderful it is... has the ugliest bathrooms ever!)

I finally got my other camara up and running. Below are more photos from PV and my mija's 11th birthday!

And more photos from the previous PV trip for the boys' birthdays!

Welcome back.

2009-08-07T14:50:00.001-07:00

Yay. I'm back again... and yet, the sh*t hasn't stopped. Why, you ask? I dunno. Cuz we're in Mexico... and to get things done... is well, a challenge.

We're getting ready for the Tattoo Expo in Mexico City and are hella excited. I have the honor of being one of the tattoo judges, along with a well known painter, and the editor of Lowrider Arte Magazine. Hubby will be giving out a few seminars, and wonderfully, his seminars are already pretty full. We are going with a gang of tattoo artists and friends to see the pyramids. I'm hella excited. Since my last trip to Mexico City wasn't all that fabulous, I have high expectations for this one. Or at least, on Hubby. Why change a good thing? ;)

Hubby has been printing shirts with his designs and shop logo for this past year and every tattoo expo we've gone to, has sold out. He came up with a new design and bought 100 shirts to take this week to Mexico City. The SAME guy as last time printed them up. Said, 'yeah, no problem. I've done this style before.' He dropped the finished shirts off yesterday and was waiting to be paid. We did the same as always... opening the box and checking them out. He starts panicking. The first 3 shirts, not bad. Fourth, uh... why is there a pink stripe going through the middle of the shirt? Fifth, sixth, seventh... Why is the center hella faded? Eighth, ninth, tenth.... WTF?!? The guy starts panicking... moving toward the door. 'I gotta move my car...' We pulled out the bunch. Holy crap, the ones on the bottom of the box were HORRIBLE. Manchas all over the place, the design crooked, the background f*cked up. DAMN right, he better panic!!! And then, he books it.

SOB was waiting to be paid, and then book it. He never returned. Hubby was livid and I don't blame him. Every time we have had to print shirts, it's been a hassle. Someone's always waiting to be paid, and slack on the service. Why is that? We later called the guy and asked for all of Hubby's designs back. He said that he had never really done that style of shirt before. He dropped of the designs this morning.

All the tshirts will be burned. Hubby obviously doesn't want to put out a shitty product and we all know in Mexico, if you throw something away....it's on sale in San Juan de Dios, the next day. What I don't understand, is if you haven't done something before, why say that you can? And even if you think you can do it, great. Try. But don't go through all freakin 100 shirts and then realize that you can't. Why can't you suck up your pride, come back, and say "Look, I really can't do them."

How hard is that?

Time's Just Flyin' By!!!

2009-08-05T14:51:00.000-07:00

Wow. It's been awhile since I've been able to post our latest encounters. This past month has just flown by. My parents came down to visit for 3 weeks, and when they come.... we get alot done! All the birthdays have passed... Moosecake is now 11, has lost her first molar, and got to spend her special birthday in Puerto Vallarta for a week! Little One is now 6 and graduated Kinder... officially a big boy in Primaria! Hubby.... is now older than hell... hehe... he's now 36, and getting ready for the Mexico City Tattoo Expo in Guadalajara. Me, I'm still the same damn age, 5 lbs heavier after all the birthday drinking, and hangin on for the ride. :)

My Parents down here to party it up!!!

During this last month, we also managed to move. The BIGGEST pain in the ass. After about a month of searching and then riding down til the last minute to get out of our old, old house and into a new one.... which by the way, is only semi-old, we are now finally able to relax in our new two story rental... equipped with a patio and area for bbq'in!!! Whoo hoo!!!

Damn... after that took enough time and both computers crashed ... we did head out for the day to PV for Anthony and Dad's bday with some hella cool peeps from GDL. Just chilled on the beach, a couple micheladas and a sangria.... I'll post more pics when I can find them!

When my parent's came up and wanted to go to PV, Hubby and I were a little uncomfortable with them driving solo with the kids.... So we decided to drive them there, stay the night, and then drive back. And again, the following week. Hubby and I went out fishing in the ocean... (price tag... you don't want to know.) I had a great time. We drove in circles for 8 hours. I got to sleep. Stare at the ocean. Sleep. Watch two turtles mate. Sleep. BAM!!! Hubby catches something. An Amberjack. A what? I don't know. He was so excited. I took a gazillion photos. Again, BAM! Hubby lets me reel it in. Whoopee. A damn needlefish. Did I want a pic? Nope, the damn thing will bite my finger off with his razorteeth. Kinda bummed out a bit. The only two catches of the day. To make things a bit better, the guide cut up the Amberjack right then and there and made, seriously, the best ceviche I've ever had.

Let me also note, ALL the fish was used to make this. This was THE MOST EXPENSIVE CEVICHE I've ever had in my life. Nonetheless, a good trip with Hubby.

The next week, Dad wanted to go with Hubby. Yup. Fishing AGAIN. Why, after such a slow catch the week before? I have no idea. Manly thing, I guess. He had a hunch. So, again, for an exorbitant amount, they both went off fishing. I got to relax with my mom and the kids at the hotel...DID NOT HAVE TO FISH... and enjoyed every minute of it.

By the end of the day, my dad showed up at the hotel. WTF? I was supposed to go pick them up at the Marina?!? He said Hubby was cleaning up and not feeling good. Dumb ass. Didn't take the Dramamine. We all packed up and rushed to pick him up. SON OF A BITCH. There he was... prouder than all hell. He caught a 9.5 foot Sailfish. It was so damn big, they mistook it for a marlin. He was grinning like a damn schoolgirl.

And not only did he come home with 60 lbs of Sailfish... but I also get the wonderful opportunity to MOUNT the damn thing on my wall. Ooohhh... the joys of marriage. hehe... whatever makes Hubby happy, I guess. :)

Festival de Guadalajara

2009-06-16T19:20:00.000-07:00

I'm a lazy ass.

Last week, we experienced La Marcha Gay de Guadalajara at our doorstep. On Saturday, Avenida Hidalgo lit up (even in this unbearable heat) with the most intense parade I've ever seen. Hubby and I were expecting something kinda small, so I had about 500 condoms made with the Shop Name and bandera to give away. Holy Crap. they were all gone HOURS before the parade even began. Doh!

Not only did the gays emerge, but so did all the transvestites, cross gender, lesbians, and bicurious in guadalajara... all taking part in the festivities. We must have handed out all the condoms and easily about 2000 flyers. We got tired halfway through, and just sat back and enjoyed the show.

Anywhoo, I don't think any description I say will give it justice....

So disfrutanlos.

Buenos Dias.

2009-06-12T14:15:00.000-07:00

Bienvenidos. Yo soy Melissa. El es Indio. El es mi sancho....

Today was the first day of Moosecake's spanish class. Dia de Saludos. Dos horas, dos veces cada semana para los siguientes meses....which Little One and I will be sitting in on, esp. when they get to the "pasado" part. As much as I hope this helps her out and catch up next year...sitting in the back of the room.... I suddenly felt 15 years old again. Back in the day, sitting in the back of spanish class...pinche oraciones...If only I would have paid more attention in class. No, there I was, hiding in the back, hanging with my friends, passing...err... notes, flirting with a cute lil homie, who spoke fluent spanish but still managed to fail the class. All that time in high school...wasted. No plans on leaving the country... so why bother.

Oh... but don't think I stopped there. I took spanish again in college. I had the accent down solid and the teachers passed me. Great,then... bummer now.

Daydreaming once again, (damn) a decade later, I'm sitting next to my 10 year old, in wretched spanish class...still fidgeting around, writing my damn blog, *I hope we get a break soon...
Maybe I should buckle down with my 'lil Moosecake and take this seriously. Something tells me that maybe this time, it might be necessary.

Don't fall in and die.

2009-06-08T21:40:00.001-07:00

Oh yeah.... one more fantabulous, er...creepy thing....

Hubby and Suegro walked over together to pick up the kiddos from school. The gobierno is en proceso of tearing Avenida Vallarta to shreds, redoing the plumbing, electrical wires, everything in preparation for the some big soccer game next year. Ya heard of it? Anywhoo, the sidewalks were blocked off by some really 'intimidating' cones so that people wouldn't get close and ya know, fall in due to curiosity. There was a guy flagging people by the giant holes, and suegro started joking around. "Don't fall in and die or they'll need to pull YOU out." of course, in the eloquency of espanol, it sounded a lot nicer. The guy, in response, "oh no. They already pulled him outta there." WHAT? "Yeah, they found a body buried and forensics came and took photos and removed his corpse." Wow. Okay. There was a random dead guy buried under Avenida Vallarta in the Centro... for how long? Eww.

Then again, in the Centro, is there anything
normal?

I did get to do another tattoo today. I was a little freaked out because my client was a little jumpy and couldn't sit still... but I managed to clean up the lines and get it done in a timely fashion. What I am even more excited about was the two nipple piercings I had the opportunity to do. I've only done them once and that was about a year ago...on dear ole hubby. This lady requested that I do them. Doh?!? I took it like a pro.... and they came out absolutely perfect. She was thrilled...and so was I... and so was her now horny husband.

Despite my accomplishments, hubby again managed to steal the show. Nah, I'm kidding. He has been a part of a book about Chicano Artists, by Eddy Reyes. It's been going on for awhile, but the section about hubby was never completed after hubby was deported. Well, Eddy sent down a guy for a video interview supplement, photos of his work, and to well, check out the shop. The tattoo shop was full, and vibe was chill, accompanied by a familiar scene... Chicanos...homies...chisteando, pisteando ...some of the things we now really miss. Despite the pressure of watching eyes, hubby managed to pull off a bad ass black and gray piece, "gangsta style", that had everyone in awe. He's really come along way with his art... and I think that we both know that this deportation, as sucky as it's been, has probably helped us more than anything. It helped us recognize our strengths and opened our eyes to our faults. Here's to hoping that things can only get better! Salud!!!

Fantabulous.

2009-06-08T16:13:00.000-07:00

Apparently, I am fascinated by windshield washers. And yes, I mean the ones on the street corners ready to jump on the hood of your car before the light turns red. On my way back from the gym this morning, before there is much traffic on the road, I saw a WW take off his bright red Ed Hardy Shirt, Hat, and Nikes, fold them, and place them neatly in a backpack. While he puts on a scrubbed out, filthy shirt and torn up shoes, he took the time cat call (whistle) at a young girl across the street. He rumpled up his hair, scanned the area, and then hid the backpack in some nearby bushes. He was ready for work....

Cabròn. I bet he lives in Bungambilias too.

Still early, I felt like today was the day for awesomeness. My suegro, a campesino at heart, took the bus from León out to Guadalajara to pay us a visit, have some lunch, and then head two and a half hours back home. We picked him up from the bus station around 12. I've noticed here in Mexico, as many of you will agree, the people with money, hate the poor, everyone hates the policia, and well, the less-fortunate, stick together. Now, I wouldn't exactly call the bus station a place where you find alot of money, but I guess there's a first for everything. There is a whole line for cabs in front of the bus station... then a complete second line for pickup. Apparently that was not good enough for one traveler. He pulled up in the cab lane. All the cab drivers told him to move and he wouldn't budge. Security came up and told the guy something about calling the grua if he didn't.... The traveler didn't even give the guy a chance to finish his speech. He rolled up his window mid-speech. Screw that. The security guard called the grua. Grua comes out... then the traveler decides to move, after telling everyone to "ching*...." ALL the cab drivers start whistlin', yellin, making a fuss... and move their cabs to block HIS from leaving. You can only imagine all the hoopla. (did I just say 'hoopla'?)The grua pulls out, up in front, backs in and tows the guys ass outta there. The guy is screamin out his window. It was FAN-TABULOUS!

Only in Mexico.

This was just as entertaining as watching Slumdog MIllionaire for the first time last night with Spanish subtitles.

What an awesome flick.

Besides, fallin on my ass AGAIN today in the shop, I hope you all have an awesome and entertaining day.

Baller on a budget.

2009-06-06T18:55:00.000-07:00

After my trip abroad, I was really glad to come home and see the kiddos. HOWEVER, I did realize that there are some ammenities that would make my life in Mexico a whole lot easier. If I am gonna wait 6 months for a haircut in the States, you're damn well sure that I'm trading that for something good. Today I did just that.

After I scrubbed the house down, I "found" 500 pesos in hubby's pants today while washing the clothes with that very popular crappy powder soap. Sneaky me, I jetted off to hubby's work and told him that we needed a few things at the house. He gave me 400 pesos and told me that was it. Fine. Screw this saving money crap... there are somethings that drive me nuts in Mexico. The generic dish soap that turns your hands into sandpaper, the crappy laundry powder that I swear doesn't lift a thing, paper towels that fall apart as soon as you rip them off the roll. I'm over it. If I'm gonna make this work, I'm using what makes me happy...ier.

I headed straight for Costco. I picked up Kirkland Brand Paper Towels, which I guarantee you that will stand up to any kind of work, just like the Viva Towels back home. $235 for an 12 pk. Next,liquid laundry soap from a bottle!!!! That smells yummy! This is a splurge! Dawn dish soap with Vit.E. Trash bags the dog or the roaches can't rip through...and finally me.... a huge bag of frozen mixed berries to make my shakes in the morning and some fruit popsicles for the kiddos, since they were being great. I came real close, but kept it under 900. Phew. Now I can go home and clean the house in comfort.

I guess there really are a few things that I won't, err... can't... live without.

yeah, i did it again.

2009-06-05T17:21:00.000-07:00

Sometimes these things seem way more fun than they really are. While searching random MOMMA blogs, I came across this little gem. Enjoy.

1. Age on your next birthday

2. Your favorite color

3. Your middle name

4. Last meal you ate

5. A bad habit

6. Favorite fruit/veggie

That counts, right?
7. Your favorite animal

8. The town you live in

9. The most useful thing in your house

10. Most recent purchase

11. Something that makes you happy

12. Your first name

13. Your last name

Fly away, Fly away.....

2009-06-01T13:21:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I will come back to Mexico.... and I am ready to leave behind my dear friends, good wine, and Trader Joe's. While I am both sad to depart and excited to bring back all my recent finds, I must share with you the last days of my adventure. Hmmm... Trader Joe's was a must on this trip. For about 6 bucks, you can get whole wheat pizza dough, mozzerella cheese bathed in spices and evoo, and a huge basil "tree" for some fresh, homemade pizza... something I have yet not been able to accomplish in Mexico. I cut up some garlic chunks, threw on some roasted garlic tomato sauce, mozzerella cheese and huge basil leaves for about 10 minutes in the oven and had a nice dinner just me and my momma. Throw in some "San Greal" wine and it couldn't get any better. My DM and I shared some laughs, apparently all my faults as well, and had a great time.

I did get to visit my BFF and her gorgeous daughter, who, reminds me of a little Tinkerbell.
After some sushi and an early bedtime for the rugrat... three bottles of wine later, it was as if we had never been apart. Laughing, bullshitting, and well, forgetting all the problems that I will come back to, was.... nice. We did miss our dear hubbies, and kinda got carried away with the camera trying to be super sexy. .Note: Wine apparently tampers with your sexiness.

The next day was wretched. I "watered" quite a few plants, and when my lunch dates, Will and Amber, decide to email those wonderful photos to my hubby...I will gladly explain my post party trauma. Cheese. Take a photo.... fuckers. My inebriated daze carried on through out the day. I picked up a few micheladas from a local guy who remembers dear hubby and used to make them "to-go" just for us and headed to meet my other BFF at the salon we worked at together. Ahhhhh.... to have your hair done. I forgot how good it felt. When we were done and my obnoxious blonde chunk was back in place, I felt pretty again.... not all scrubbish like in Mexico. I put on some red lipstick and we headed out for dinner, a few drinks, and to visit Will's new bar.
Ooohhh... how good it felt to be back home.... able to chat away without confusion, to walk into any store and find exactly what you are looking for in every freakin color of the rainbow, quality items, chill music, and THAAAAAIIIII. I'm a little bummed to be leaving...

Observation Numero 2

2009-05-25T20:35:00.000-07:00

Toilet Seat Covers and the assurance that there will ALWAYS be toilet paper when you need it.

I'm living on pure luxury.

Side Note:

2009-05-23T22:49:00.000-07:00

Did I tell you how FABULOUS it is to take a long, hot shower with no little "surprises"?

ahhhh.... those little things that were never truly appreciated....

until now.

Passing the time.

2009-05-23T11:30:00.001-07:00

I watched my plane take off from the boarding gate. Of course, in Mexican time, my flight was late leaving Guadalajara. After getting two exit row seats, which are horrible, and having them changed and having only one hour to bust through customs (smuggling birth control for my baby sis) and security at Phoenix airport to catch my next flight..of course something had to blow things off course. Those gym hours almost paid off... but thanks to hubby making , err... motivating me go the gym and working out the ole drumsticks, I was a bit exhausted. I ran off that plane, plowed through customs, cut through at security... threw my carryon over my head and booked it like a bat out of hell to my gate.... and then came on a cramp. Aaaaaahhhh! leg cramp. *stupid squats. I shouldn't have tried to be cocky at the gym. I limped to my gate, only to watch it separate and reverse through the window. Next flight? 4 hour wait. Perfect.

Four hours with nothing to do. I could grab a bite to eat. *with what you ask?... my credit card. Peso rate was ridiculous. After looking around the airport for something to snack on, I realized how much crap we Americans eat! In the Mexico airports... it was mostly sandwiches etc... The Pheonix airport was nothiing but Pizza hut, Starbucks, Grills, Pretzels *mmmmmmm...pretzels., Ice cream... no wonder we're a little hefty! It was a feat to find a bottle of water and a yogurt with granola. While the Pizza was tempting, its not exactly the best way to start off the week in the States. I think I'll wait a few days before I start to thicken my waistline. I think I'll go for some Thai food first. Some curry. Then maybe some authentic pizza... and in reality... I think that's about it.

Farewell my friends.

2009-05-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

No. I'm not going away for good...but I am going back to the States for a bit a week. Nothing exciting planned, but if anything does happen... you'll be the first to know. I'm expecting a delay at the airport since I went a few days over my FM-T. Oops. I blame it on the pigs.

I'll miss you guys.

'Big hug. Little hug. Little hug. BIIIIIGGGGG hug.'

-Nacho Libre