La Quinceañera.

At last!! I have time to sit down and write!

So I will tell you what we did today. We went to a quinceañera party. It is a birthday party for a girl who turns 15. This is a very important and serious event here in Mexco. It is considered as the moment when a girls goes out to "society", and it is celebated with a BIG party. Quinceañera parties have been part of Mexican tradition for more than 100 years. And even though it is losing importance (many girls would rather have a new car instead of the party), a great many part of the population still celebrates this important moment in a girl's life. I can understand wanting a new car instead of spending so much money feeding hundreds of persons, but there is something about the seriousness of this event that has me supporting it.

This beautiful girl's name is Rocío which means Dew. She is my neighbor Naty's niece.
So here goes....

First thing's first. A mass to give thanks for
fifteen years of life.

Getting into the car to go to the reception or party.

This is Naty and her husband Sergio.
She is one of sixteen children her mom and dad
had. Her mom passed away a year ago so the party was
very emotional.
(Yes, she has a Corona beer in her hand.
It would be a sin not to drink Corona in a Mexican Fiesta)

Lots of kids.
There were about 300 people at the party,
and they were mostly family.

Naty's family are rancheros. That means
they have some land and can grow vegetables,
although most of her brothers live in the U.S. now.
Kids like to dress like their fathers.
Manuel goes to kindergarten next year,
and he has told his mom he will not use a "dumb"
uniform and sneakers. Oh no, he wants to go dressed as a man.

As you can see it's all in the boots, dude.

Birthday cake.



One of the mot important parts of the party
is the dance choreography. The quinceañera is accompained
by her "chambelanes" who will help her through a dance
choreography. She had eight chambelanes.

Through the years, these choreographies have become
more and more sophisticated. Before, all the girl had to dance was
a waltz, but now (as you can see) even theatre themes
are included.
(Phantom of the Opera here)

A good choreography will include liftings, among other things.

Some twirling here. The family will pay for a profesional
choreographer to set up the dances.

The family did not have enough money to spend on a fancy
hall, so they did it at this private handball court. There was plenty
space, and the tables were put at the other side on a well kept lawn.

One of the traditions is when the girl's dad gives her her last
doll. Since her dad left her when she was very small,
her grandfather, Don Lorenzo, who raised her
as his daughter, gave it to her.
Eveybody was crying here.

Very emotional moment.

The last official part of the party is the waltz in which
every male member of the family, and important friends
get to dance with her.
Again Don Lorenzo. I really love this man.
He is hard working, and strives to keep his
very large family together.

We've been friends with Naty and her family since we meet
about eleven years old. We've given support to each other
when we've both had crisis (when my son was hit by a speeding
car, and when her mother passed away, to mention a few)
So my husband was considered an important friend, and got to
dance with Rocío. That is considered a great honor,
even if he had to wait till thirty or more male members of the
family danced first.

After this, the real party begins. Everyone has been fed, and dancing music is put on. In Rocio's case she had a real live band. The party will last till about 3:00 of 4:oo in the morning. Unfortunately, we did not stay. It was already 8:00 p.m, the church ceremony had started at 1:00 p.m. so we were really tired. Not to mention the fact that the Mexican soccer selection team was going to play at 8:00 against El Salvador, and my husband being every bit of a soccer fan, was even more convinced on leaving at that time. Although it would have been better if we stayed at the party. Mexico lost 1-2 against El Salvador.

Alas, not everyone is going to bed happy tonight, but I had a great time and am very happy to be sitting in front of my computer again.
Till tomorrow.
Have a good night....

¡Feliz Cumpleaños, Sofi!

Happy Birthday, Sofi!
A year ago we celebrated your birthday with Mexican food and Mariachis!
So much fun!
Hope you enjoy your birthday this year with your loving family.
Lolis and I celebrated it with a carne asada.
Dani once said that Mexicans use any excuse to make a party and celebrate. He was right! Just because you are in Hungary, and we are in Mexico does not mean we cannot celebrate your birthday.

Photos from last year's celebration...

Dani cantando con los mariachis.
Dani singing with the mariachis.

Lots of love to both of you!
And have a great week!

Mucho trabajo.

Oh my! After so many weeks of inactivity because of the swine flu, work has come upon us like an avalanche. I've been up to the ears with work, and the next few weeks will be the same. But I'll try to post at least some old photos so as not to leave the blog unattended too long.



Some of my favorite photos.
Hope all of you are doing well.
And for those of you who are teachers, last Friday (15th) was Teacher's Day here in Mexico.
So Happy Belated Teacher's Day!!!

¡Feliz Día de las Madres!

Happy Mother's Day!





With love,
Angie

Give Away, Pass it On.

A few days ago, blogger friend/photographer Candace, posted a Pass It On, Random Act of Kindness, Give-Away on her blog. I thought it sounded like it would be fun, and decided to participate The rules are simple, I only hope there is enough quorum to make it work.

The first five (5) people to comment on this post will get something from or made by me. This is the difficult part, usually I only recieve 1 or 2 comments. So let's see if it works out.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:

• I make no guarantees that you will like what I make (if I decide to make something).

• What I create or give will be just for you.

• It’ll be done over the next 12 months.

• You have no clue what it’s going to be. It probably will be something made by me , or at least something made in Mexico (in my case). You just won’t know until you get it!

• I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

• I reserve the right to change the rules! Although in my case I probably won't.

And in return, all you need to do is post this text into a post of your own (on your blog, in a forum you visit, somewhere) and make or give 5 things for 5 others.

You’ll want to send me your mailing address…And you don't have to know me to participate.

Sound fun? Comment below, but if you want to comment and don't want to participate please let me know in your comment. Also , if you know someone who would like to participate.. Pass it on…

Here an example of something I can send:

These are fantastical, animal-like creatures
called Alebrijes.
They are made with the technique
called Paper Maché.
These are small, but they come in a
big variety of sizes, colors, and figures.

Hope you are having a great week. Good night...

Cinco de Mayo

The festivities of Cinco de Mayo or Batalla de Puebla (the battle of Puebla) ia hardly celebrated here in Mexico. It is just a holiday in which there is no school, and government has no work. If it turns into a long weekend, people go to the beach, or go visit family. In Puebla there is a small celebration to conmmemorate the battle, and that's just about it.
The big patriotic holiday here is Independence Day in September.

Things are going back to normal after two weeks of precautions. On Thursday High Schools and Universities go back to school. Day care, pre-school, elementary, and jr. high schools go back on the 11th (next Monday).







All is well, hope you are well also!

(Photo vía Prodigy/MSN-Mexico City)

Oh, and tomorrow I will be posting a Give-Away with a twist. Please tune in...

De Rusia con Amor...

From Russia with Love..... This recipie, that is.
Found it in this Russian Blog via Curbly.
Thought it would be fun.
Follow the steps.

First you cut up some hotdogs (O.K. I know some people
gross out with hotdogs, so sorry), and open a package
of spaghetti. Pretty simple, uh?






Then spear the pieces of dog with
the spaghetti. I snapped the spaghetti in half
so the pieces would be shorter.

Here are the speared hotdog pieces waiting
for a hot bath!

Arggg! That water is too hot!

Oooh, but feel those muscles loosen....

Done!! The spaghetti is al dente. Now a delicious sauce.
(I like how they look, kinda funny and interesting)

Mushroon, onion, garlic, pimiento, chilli, tomato (whew)
sauce, covered with parmesano chesse and dried basil
from my garden.
Not a gourmet recipie, but my guys loved it!!

The name? Some call them spaghetti laced dogs, other pasta dogs.
I'll call them Hot Dogs from Outer Space.
Have a great weekend!!