This is the story of one crazy idea 5 years ago that just wouldn't go away.
This is for anyone who has ever dreamed of taking a leap of faith. This is for Papa, Mama Celina & Mama Maria.
This is for my future children.
This is for the Mish I have yet to discover but can't wait to meet.
This is to love, listen, converse, experience and explore.
Today is July 2nd. I've officially been home for 7 days. Apologies to those I have yet to reach out to as this trip seems to be going in overdrive. Day 0.5 started in Puerto Rico. I headed to the airport around 11pm prepped for a 2am flight. The plan? To land just before 6am, get home, catch a second wind, head to church (hopefully with my whole family), and then make it home in time for some much needed relaxing and catch up with my immediate family. Now, as soon as arrived at the airport, I knew something was wrong...any time there are masses of people huddled around an airline counter, there's trouble. I hoped it wasn't my flight, but I just knew it was. It was. My 2am flight had been delayed until 4:15am. It was about 11:30pm. I had quite an evening of waiting and then, traveling ahead of me. I breathed deep, took the $6 food voucher and scoured for food I could kinda maybe eat under my new doctor prescribed diet (see previous post for that story).
I won't lie. The waiting sucked. Then, upon finally walking into the plane that was sure to take me home to comfort and relaxation, I realize someone is in my coveted window seat. See the science behind my love for the window seat is as follows: It is my mini zone. I have the window to use as my pseudo shoulder. If I can't sleep the window seat allows me to stare and zone, perhaps write, perhaps listen to music, perhaps to just think. That night, my plans for the window seat involved lots of sleeping so I could be refreshed and ready. There had been murmurs of a possible family BBQ on my arrival day, and while I really hoped those rumors were false, I still wanted to be ready to face it with a genuinely positive attitude. I was determined to not allow any ridiculous 2 hour delay to set a negative tone to a trip I've been looking forward to (and at times using to help keep me pushing forward while in PR) for months. As I zoned in on my seat, I realized there was a body in it. I checked my ticket, yep, the larger sized older gentleman, complete with a cane, was in my seat. Now, many would say "Mish, I know you asked him to move right?" and I would respond "Nope.", followed by a sigh. At the end of the day, I didn't have the heart to. He looked like a sardine in the window seat, had I moved him to the seat he belonged in (the middle seat) it would have been even worse. Plus, if he had been my grandpa, I would have wanted whatever young lady's seat he took to take the high road and let him have that. Was I pissed? Yes. Was I torn and contemplated throwing a fit all in the name of understandable crabbiness and irritability? Heck yeah. Did I give him nervous tension for most of the trip? Yup...until I pulled the tray table down and forced myself to knock out in an inhumanely uncomfortable position...with a dress acting as my sweater/blanket over my head. I forced myself to sleep until we were told to please raise our tray tables (or in my case - beds) and prepare for landing. I had a decision to make: continue to be a pseudo-jerk or snap out of it. I snapped out of it and offered the neighbors on either side of me a Mentos. That opened the line of communication. Mr. Old Man Who Took My Seat told me he was landing in Newark and then had an hour and a half ride ahead of him down to Camden, New Jersey... in a pretty small vehicle. I'm glad I gave him my seat.
Not too bad for no sleep right? Big bro Danny happy to see lil sis!
The BBQ wasn't a vicious rumor. It was true. Very true. So true that cousins I hadn't seen since before I left were even present. I'd be lying to say I was looking forward to this event. Really, who wants to see anyone, much less extended friends and family after a very uncomfortable night of traveling?! But, I locked myself in the bathroom for a bit and gave myself a pep talk as I showered. I put a little more makeup on than usual (to try to hide my tired and borderline annoyed eyes), and faced the music. It was lovely. Person after person I embraced and exchanged information with. It was a bit surreal and at times I felt like I was floating on a cloud but had I been better rested I may have shed a tear with every person I spoke to...and that may have just been awkward.
Me n my "twin"
That was Day 0.5 into Day 1. The next few days were full of my three lil munchkins...Jaden, Renee and Phia. They (minus Phia) hit the road for Florida on Thursday so I was sure to get my dose of them while I could...when they return I'll be back in Puerto Rico...unsure of when I'll return. It was also full of cousin love. I really do miss and love them so much.
Cousin n munchkin love!
Now, here we are, at the weekend. I'm in Harlem and loving the Aloft Hotel! Thanks to my lovely cousin Jeanine for introducing me to this place. My boyfriend and I are taking these next two days together to catch up and continue to navigate the very difficult task of a long distance relationship. As I sit here and type, the DJ in the lobby bar is spinning an oldie but goodie featured in one of my favorite movies (Dirty Dancing), titled "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow". A perfect song. Love is hard. Distance love is harder... and one never knows what tomorrow will bring. But, until then, I'll concentrate on enjoying today...
Tomorrow some of us will make a last minute run to the pharmacy, grab a quick card, scribble a few choice words down, and take an obligatory trip to our father's house; some of us will face tomorrow with a chip on our shoulder, stating "I celebrate my moms on father's day"; some of us will relish in being the father we never had or in being the man our father's raised us to be; while others will take the day to reflect on the father that is no longer physically with them. No matter which category you fit into, tomorrow is Father's Day.
Here in Puerto Rico, my grandmother and her neighbor traditionally recognize Father's Day today. My neighbor pays homage to her husband as well as my step-grandfather by placing a bouquet of fresh flowers at their graves every year. She also comes equipped with a broom and dustpan, ready to clean and make everything pretty. This tradition is not something I've ever been apart of, so I tagged along as a visitor. Quietly watching and following Mama's lead. But, upon arrival, we split ways with the neighbor. The neighbor made it a point to note that perhaps my grandmother and I should head over to Papa's grave and have our alone time while she fixed up her husband's grave. Already, my presence has broken tradition. Again, I just quietly followed. Giving no opinion. I was there to accompany Mama, to reflect on the life of a man who to this day continues to touch me and to give prayerful thanks for his presence in our family. So, we walked over, replaced old fake flowers with new ones and just sat there. At first it was awkward (as grave sites usually are), but then, I started hearing music...English music. Upon further investigation, I realized it was coming from my purse. It was a song I had bookmarked on my phone a few months ago. Initially the thought was to shut it down right away, but then I heard "Cuz IIIII love the way you call me baby, and youuuuu take me the way I am" and at that moment a peace came over me and I just let it play. I let it play to celebrate Papa.
The man he was to me and the man he was to many. That is just what Papa did. He took everyone the way they were. He just loved. And without a shadow of a doubt, no matter what, he had the uncanny ability to make me feel like he just loved me...for being 'Michie'. Once the song finished Mama and I found ourselves clapping and again sitting in silence. Then, I spoke my thoughts:
Me: "You know Mama, Papa is the only grandfather I've ever known."
Mama: "Really?"
Me: "Yeah and you know what else? I didn't know he wasn't my blood grandfather until I was a teenager. I remember one day we were driving up to your house and I saw that the mailbox said 'Vazquez' and I asked Papi why is Papa's name Vazquez if our name is Gonzalez...and that's when he explained that while he considers Papa his father, technically he's not his biological father."
Mama (with a surprised look on her face): "Yes, that's right."
Me: "I was so surprised because I had never felt like he WASN'T my Papa. He was always so loving and so wonderful to me."
Mama: "Yes, that's how he was. He knew that if he married a woman, he married her children and that was it. He treated my sons like his own and my grandchildren, naturally, were his. In fact, he found out he had a daughter that he never met. We went to California twice looking for her because he had heard that's where she lived."
Me: "Did he have any information?"
Mama: "No, he just knew she lived in California and that was it. We went twice but never found her."
We fell into silence again and I was left alone with my thoughts. It's hard to come to this realization, but after spending the past 6 months with my grandmother, I am certain that Papa played a huge role in maintaining whatever relationship we (the Gonzalez kids) had with them. Every year growing up, we could each count on a card coming from them with a few dollars included. That was Papa. Whenever we came to Puerto Rico to visit, Papa served as the spokesperson for the household. He would tell me "There's my beautiful Michie! Come give Papa a kiss. I love you so much. What would you like? Anything that is here, in this store you can have, just tell Papa ok?" The coldness I could never understand from my grandmother was always superseded by the immense warmth and true love my grandfather showed me. Family was important to him and somehow, God placed him right in the arms of a woman who acts like family is something she can do with or without. He, along with my maternal grandmother, Mama Celina (may she rest in peace), were key in laying the groundwork for the household I was so blessed to grow up in and for the way our family still operates to this day. So, I continued to sit and give my thanks for a man who technically owed me nothing but somehow gave me so much. I prayed for the daughter he never found and even thought about trying to find her myself one day soon. I think anyone who didn't grow up with their father would appreciate hearing that he searched for them, he thought of them and although he never met them, loved them as if he did.
Papa's new flowers!
My thoughts were eventually interrupted by the neighbor, coming to sweep and clean Papa's tomb. As she cleaned she chatted away, with her own fond memories of Papa. Then, she broke my heart. While sweeping and talking sweetly to his tomb, she stops, turns to me and says "Did you know him?" . How does one respond to such a ridiculous question? I was so confused and so offended. This woman, who has lived next door to my grandmother for over 30 years, who essentially gave her son to my grandparents to raise, is now looking at me as if I'm some second removed cousin or something and asking me if I knew him! It was rude, it was hurtful and it was uncalled for. I responded by saying "Of course I knew him, he was my grandfather. We went to Canada together, he would come to New York all the time to visit and I would come here to visit with everyone." She gave me a quick "Ah." and then felt the need to tell stories of her own kids relationship with him. As I sit here and type, I am still confused. I am still hurt. I know my presence here has been difficult for her. As my grandma and I's relationship has flourished, she has taken more of a backseat. I have not pushed her there though. I try to include her and she declines (often rudely). At times it feels like she's in some sort of competition to get Mama to eat HER food, to get Mama to remember things she did with HER kids, to talk about past times that I know nothing about because I was living in New York. It's been an interesting line I've been riding these last few months. An exercise in patience and showing love even when you may not want to. Today, though, was a whole other level. For her to say that to me, made me feel like she was trying to undermine and belittle my role in this family. To almost say "listen chick, you're a new jack here so stay in your place".
The ride home was quiet. I was still mulling over my feelings and trying to figure out what to do. If this conversation were in English I would have without a doubt addressed it. But, because she really doesn't understand English, I would have to address it diplomatically, respectfully and clearly in Spanish...something I know I would be unable to do with the amount of emotion I have running through me. The neighbor interrupts my thoughts by saying "Why is Michelle so quiet, is she upset?" Before I have a chance to answer, my grandmother recounts our conversation. Attributing my quietness to realizing how important Papa was to me based on how well he treated me. The neighbor agrees he was a great man and of course, once again, brings up her stories of how well he treated her and her kids "are like his grandchildren." I couldn't take one more second in the car, as soon as we parked I walked to the house, walked into the bathroom and just cried. I cried all my frustration this entire Puerto Rico experience has placed on me, I cried for missing Papa's funeral, I cried for Papa and I cried out those haunting feelings that no matter how hard I try, I will never make up for the years I wasn't here. Today was a challenge. Tomorrow will be better.
It was surreal. Truly surreal. There I was, walking into the control room of a radio station...slightly envying the producer behind the board...stopping myself from blurting out "So what program do you guys use? It doesn't look like Prophet nor any other program I've used before. Do you have drops? What music do you use as filler? Is it touch screen?" Its felt like a lifetime since I've been in the studio of a radio station (save the quick visit to Colb in Ohio in November - what up Colby?!). It was definitely a different experience though, because instead of the whiney baby rhymes of Nikki or Drake, there were opera like religious tunes playing in my headphones. Yeah, you read that right LOL now let me start from the beginning. Remember the wedding that I went to with Mama (where we killed the photo booth with our gangsta picture reel)? Well, that day I was introduced to a woman who has her own afternoon program on a local Christian radio station. My neighbor, knowing my background in Communications, made it a point to connect us stating "You never know what it could lead to!" and boy, was she right.
Annie, the radio woman, and I immediately connected! She told me she started off as a secretary at the station and one day management recognized that she had a wonderful voice. They especially loved her clear pronunciation. She went on to give me a mini lesson in phonetics and diaphragm breathing (yes all in Spanish, yes in the middle of the wedding, and yes my life is a sitcom). We exchanged numbers and she offered to tutor me on phonetics, pronunciation and anything else I may be interested in. She also made a point to introduce me to her daughter who studied Television Production and seems to have interned or worked at just about every network this side of the island.
Annie in action
Before I knew it, Thursday had arrived and it was time for yet another cooking class...which happens to be steps from the radio station that Annie works at. So, I gave her a call, and next thing I knew I was salivating at the sight of sound boards, microphones, and headphones. It was a great feeling because I no longer have expectations or put ridiculous unnecessary stress on myself. In the past, my immediate thoughts from the moment I entered the station would have been: What's my angle? What am I trying to get out of this? Who do I need to talk to for a job around here? But as quickly as those thoughts came, I pushed them out. Being there was enough of a blessing. I am here to see what I've been placed here to do. So, there was a calm over me, a peace that I really enjoyed relishing in. By the end of the third talk break Annie was asking me to give her a few quick notes about me and my background. By the fourth talk break she was signaling for me to have a seat and throw on some headphones.
Me tryna be slick with the camera phone LOL
Then, I got interviewed. In Puerto Rico. In Spanish. I told my story. In SPANISH. Why I'm here, what I did before I got here, what being in Puerto Rico means to me, what the language means to me...which lead to what my grandmother means to me (which of course led to me crying for the first time in my life on air). Was it perfect Spanish? I'm almost positive it wasn't, but it didn't matter...it was AMAZING! That was probably a bucket list item that I didn't even know I should have had until after I did it. Once we got off the air she told me she could always use volunteers to help her with the phone. I told her I had no problem with that and since I take that cooking class every Thursday we can designate Thursdays as our days together. Then, she gave me a homework assignment. I'm to practice the phonetic exercise she demonstrated the day of the wedding, I'm also to read the newspaper out loud daily and practice my diaphragm breathing...all in front of the mirror. I assured her I would, took my 'homework' notes, and prepared to head out the door...then she dropped the bomb on me as she said "I sure hope you do practice because I'm going to have you do some reading on the air next week." Pray for me!!!!!!
I had to try to get a shot of myself behind the mic again woo!
Alright so I got to go to my first wedding here in Puerto Rico! At first, Mama wasn't going to go but I after she saw how excited I was and after I told her we could dress up and get our hair done and yada yada, she was sold. So, we started preparing for this glorious event weeks ahead of time. Really, we started preparing Mama...meaning we had to get her a dress, accessories, hair, nails (luckily I'm her resident manicurist), shoes, etc. She looked so beautiful! And we got really lucky with a last minute trip to Marshall's the day of the wedding and found a little pocketbook that matched her dress exactly! She was very excited. So excited in fact, she didn't eat anything before we left. She had breakfast, but that wasn't sufficient..especially because the wedding ended up being 2 hours away and while we were on time the wedding wasn't. So, we were forced to stand out in the Puerto Rican heat for way longer than we should have. That, unfortunately, resulted in Mama damn near passing out! It was without a doubt one of the scarier things I`'ve experienced. One minute she's resting on my shoulder, next she says she feels dizzy and then just starts to go down. Luckily there were plenty of men around willing to lend a helping hand. Thank God she did not injure herself and within a half hour was fine. I took away some lessons from that situation and I do believe she did too. I've tried to allow Mama to maintain her independence and I don't try to push her too much when we disagree but she now knows that there are some things that aren't negotiable...doctor visits and now, food.
LOVED the photo booth!
My favorite of the 4!
Speaking of food, I am now on a 'diet'. Let’s have a moment of silence. Ok, so anyone who knows me knows I don't diet. I try to pick healthier food options, I don't eat beef or pork, but diet?! Me?! It's pretty hard. Bread is my bestie and cheese is yet another great friend of mine. Well, Friday afternoon, that all came to an end when I had my first appointment with a Naturalist. My mom had gone to see this doctor with my aunt a few years ago and she came back raving about how on point he was with his diagnosis. She also said she thought I'd really like him because he prescribes natural products (if you need them) and he aims to improve your health through healthier eating habits.
Couldn't eat it but I heard it was delish!
So, upon my arrival to Puerto Rico, I asked my aunt to please make us an appointment. Mom had warned me that appointments are made months in advance so I definitely wanted to get my foot in the door as soon as possible. Finally, June came and it was time to see Dr. Gonzalez (no, really, he is Dr. Gonzalez and I don't believe there's any relation...but ya never know)! The thing about this doctor is he uses a method called Iridologia. Basically he takes a close up picture of each of your eyes and through your iris, he diagnosis you. It may sound crazy, but my mom went and didn't tell him a thing before he looked at her eyes. She walked out of there amazed. He found all that she had been dealing with JUST THROUGH HER IRIS.
Iris
Anywhoo, I walk in there and he asks me what brought me in to see him. I found myself caught off guard because really, at the time I made the appointment, I just wanted to see what he was all about. But, by the time I was sitting there in his chair, I realized that I had been battling with some skin issues. The adjustment to the Puerto Rican weather has not been kind on my skin and come to think of it, my complexion was going through changes well before I got out here. So, I went with "my skin". We chatted a bit and then he set me up to take my photos. By the time I walked out of there, I had a new face soap, a daily regiment of dietary supplements, face creams, a request for a thyroid exam (in two months) and a very strict diet (also for the next two months). According to Dr. Gonzalez, I am overdoing it on the bread and cheese. I am eating a lot of starches that are filling my face with grease (hence the breakouts). He also says I have low blood sugar because I'm eating the wrong kind of food that's not releasing the insulin I need into my body and so I'm craving sugar and continuing to snack on and eat things that contribute to the bad sugar rather than the good sugar (and so continues the vicious cycle). My iris also told him that I’m stressed (unemployed and still struggling with the language will do that lol).
My aunt was shocked because in her mind I eat great, I exercise and I’m not overweight. I kinda was too, I mean those are the measures that many people diagnose themselves…as long as the exterior is ok, the interior is fine. But, this exam went to show, that may not always be true. Our bodies speak to us, they let us know that something is up, and usually with time. It starts out small and we try to ignore it until it becomes something big and we can no longer ignore that a change is necessary. I knew something was up because my skin never seemed to be able to maintain a clear complexion but I thought I could fix it with lots of water and continuing to try product after product…no dice. Therefore, I am determined to follow the doc’s instructions to a tee. Worst case scenario, it doesn’t work and I learn how to eat without meat, bread, seafood, rice, corn, etc. (yeah, that’s just a piece of some of my favorite things the list of things I can’t eat for the next two months)! Best case scenario, it does work, I finally get GREAT skin and I also learn how to eat (and cook) new, interesting, delicious things that are also very good for my health. Want to know the most interesting thing?! I’m ALREADY taking cooking classes that are teaching me how to eat in the way the doctor just mandated me to eat (see last post). God is so good! I don’t know what he has planned for me but I think it’s very interesting that I was already in “training” for this new challenge before I even knew what the challenge was!
Morning supplements (yes, 9)
Now, saying you have a laundry list of things you can’t eat is one thing. Saying your going to stick to the list is one thing. But, waking up the next morning really hungry and actually figuring out how to stick to this new diet...that’s a whole other thing! I literally wracked my brain for about an hour on Saturday. What can I eat that will be appealing…fruits only isn’t going to cut it. I don’t want this to feel like a jail sentence but when you can’t eat anything made with corn, wheat or regular flour, no eggs, no cheese, no meat, no almonds…its like come on! So, I whipped out the book Dr. Gonzalez gave me (outlining what I can and can’t eat) determined to make something work. The result? Oatmeal with almond milk (yep can’t eat almonds but can have almond milk), a tablespoon of brown sugar, ½ a tablespoon of Agave Nectar, and a freshly chopped apple. I let that simmer and when it was ready drizzled it with a bit more Agave and fresh apple slices. Delish! A majority of my diet calls for apples, potatoes and other root veggies so I was very proud of my breakfast! For Linner (Lunch/Dinner Mama and I love so much) I made my famous Quinoa salad and heated up some chicken for Mama. She boiled some ñame (a potato cousin) and I made a nice salad. Successful day 1! The only drawback is that 2 of the pills the doc prescribed have a horrible odor/taste. It has definitely taken some getting use to.
Mmmm breakfast!
The wedding was also pretty tough, but luckily they had a vegetarian lasagna and a salad available (although I couldn’t eat the pasta or the eggplant). I know what you’re thinking…Mish, this is extreme. Believe me, my dad feels the same way, but there is a medley of things I CAN eat, the problem is they aren’t generally offered in restaurants out here….which means more cooking at home, more money saved, and more recipes mastered! You connecting the dots for why I’m not so bummed about this?! The only thing that I’m really concerned about is that in just a few short weeks I’ll be back in New York visiting Mom. Mom is my master chef. Mom’s BBQ’s are legendary. I can’t eat a majority of the things Mom is famous for and she can’t make some of my favorite dishes! I also have to revise my list of restaurants I had all ready to visit upon my return. Good news is I believe Ethiopian, Thai and maybe even Indian is all still possible mmmmm I can’t wait!
This is how the table is set up with products weekly
As promised, today's posting is all about food! I've previously mentioned that I've been patiently waiting to hear something regarding a start date for this English teaching job I got back in Feb/March. I've also mentioned that while waiting lots of other things have been developing around me. Mostly, domestic type things, as my responsibilities at Mama's house continue to grow. One such responsibility is cooking. Yep, I have been using Mama's lessons and experimenting a bit in the kitchen! Out of that came the creation of a few healthy empanadillas (chicken and broccoli as well as black bean and beets) which I gifted to a few neighbors ( and also highlighted their creation on this blog). About a week later, one of my neighbors stopped me to tell me how much her and her family enjoyed the empanadillas. Then, we started talking about my quest to infuse what Mama has taught me with healthier options. She mentioned she had quite a few vegetarian recipes she could give me and even went a step further by telling me about a local cooking class that she use to go to. I was so excited when she told me it was held in a natural food store (I had been looking for one of those as there are no Whole Foods or Fairways out here), and you get to eat what you made after class! That was pretty much all I had to hear. I got all the information from her and by Thursday of that week I was attending my first class!
Black bean chili in Tortilla cups - I made this at home - tasted better in class!
Here's the deal, the class is once a week. Olga is the teacher and she is bilingual (although I'm trying to get her to stop answering me in English). She's probably in her late 50's/early 60's but looks amazing! The class is full of women and on average two men. One though, Don Miguel, is the constant and is so cute (he reminds me of the grandpa version of a guy I use to date)! Of course because the class its smack in the middle of the week and from 9a to 11a everyone there is of retirement age and very curious as to what I'm doing there. What else? OH! We don't cook. Olga gives us the recipes and then gives a step by step demonstration. The class is $4 and we get a minimum of 3 recipes a class. Yes, that means I get to eat a minimum of 3 things per class. Sometimes we also get a bonus because one of the students will bring a dish in too. All recipes are in Spanish and the entire class is in Spanish (unless Olga is talking to me unfortunately). I have figured out over these past few weeks that I've taken the class that this is a vegan cooking class....meaning nothing that comes from an animal is used (no eggs, cheese, meat, nada).
Flan de Pana thanks to Don Miguel sooo good!
The first day I went to class I was a bit nervous because I wasn't sure what I was stepping into. I just went. Once I met Olga my nerves were calmed a bit as she is very nice and welcoming.She reminded me of home as she seemed to have a NY edge to her.After about 20 minutes of sitting there, I received a few more warm wordless yet curious smiles from the incoming students (all whom kiss, embrace and chat with one another throughout class).Then, trouble walked through the door.
Pasta with Eggplant - tried this one at home yum!
I sensed this woman was trouble when she plopped down next to me and started chit chatting with the woman next to her as if Olga wasn’t even smack in middle of a lesson.It’s hard to explain, but some people just let off a dark cloud, a tough demeanor and they really don’t have to say much.It doesn’t help she’s taller than me with her bottom teeth full of braces, clear green eyes and burgundy/light red dyed hair.Anywhoo, some time past and I continued to pay close attention to the lesson at hand.After all, I was there for the lesson.But then, Olga made me the center of attention by announcing that I am here trying to learn Spanish so that is the reason that sometimes she stops to explain things in English and why she keeps asking me if I have any questions.She meant well, but that is all Ms. Trouble needed to hear.Immediately, she turns to me and says (in Spanish) “What are you a gringa?”I respond nervously in Spanish “Yes.”Then I remember that while in New York gringa often means a Latina who can’t speak Spanish, here in Puerto Rico gringa pretty much means white woman.So, I quickly add in Spanish “I mean, no, I’m Puerto Rican, I just don’t speak Spanish fluently.” It feels like she’s burning a whole through my cheek with her clear green eyes when I say “My parents didn’t raise me bilingual so I’m here with my grandmother trying to learn.” She continues to stare at me with disappointment in her face as she scoffs and says “That’s horrible.What a shame.” She turned away from me and to this day hasn’t said a word to me since….unless you count the time she said Spanish words in an overly gringa accent (that was the same day she found out I wasn’t fluent so I couldn’t help but feel that was a stab at me).
Garbanzo and Cabbage Soup (on the fence about this one)
Pudding Cake with Fresh Strawberry topping (hope to make this soon)
'Ole Clear Eyes sits close or next to me just about every Thursday and always leaves before we eat.I do feel a certain resentment towards her but every week I try to approach her energy with a calm and positive vibe.The honest truth is I’m holding a grudge because I think she’s all around unnecessarily rude but I know I have to work that out.I don’t want to have ill feelings towards someone I don’t even know based on one mini run in.I also try to remind myself that sooner or later a run in like that was bound to happen.It is up to me to continue to work on my language so that I can limit how much it actually does happen.
Chicken, Veggie and Sweet Plantain soup I made for Mama when she was sick! This was my 1st soup ever! Delish!
Now, here is why I keep going back!Take a look at some of the dishes we’ve learned how to make in class.I am proud to say I have tried three of these recipes already and my favorite so far is the Quinoa Salad!I’ve made it twice and improved on it the second time and Mama definitely approves!I have also gotten new ideas for substituting everyday fatty non-nutricious ingredients with better for you just as delicious items.One example?I re-worked my mom’s chocolate chip cookie recipe and made coconut chocolate chip cookie bars with whole wheat flour and virtually NO BUTTER/MARGARINE.Mama and the neighbors absolutely LOVE them!In other news…the specific contract I was hired to teach English for has since disappeared so it appears I no longer have a job unless they obtain another contract with another company who wants to teach their workers English... I have also been willingly avoiding my scale as I experiment and continue to eat…mmm mmmm mmmm!
So as promised I found more lost pics! Let's get started! First up, theater in Puerto Rico! I love theater and I have been going through Broadway withdrawl out here. So, one day when Titi Annie and I were headed to the local track to get our run on, we stumbled upon this sign. I immediately took the number down and was determined to experience any theater I could on this side of the island. Now, please keep in mind that the side of PR that I live on is not near the main city which is San Juan. If you live over there there are shows of all sorts coming to town all the time. Over here, not so much. The Puerto Rico version of Romeo and Juliet was put on by local teens. They did everything from the advertising to the props to the lighting. Their director was very proud of them and I have to say while it was at times moments painful to sit through (picture Juliet and several other cast members with nasally monotone voices reciting Shakespeare in Spanish), it was also pretty entertaining. You can tell these kids worked hard and it made me miss being both in the audience and behind the curtain.
They kissed passionately ALOT during the show.
Roméo y Julieta
It was so nice to see a theater again!
Ok, next up...Paul Rudd. I walked into my local grocery store the other day and this was staring me in the face. Immediately I cracked up. First, he's being serious. Second, he's modeling mens eyewear. Third, it is life size. Last, it is in a grocery store. I also immediately thought of my Spike peeps as many of them would have gotten quite a giggle out of this display as well. Miss you guys!
Mr. Rudd in all his glory
Oh ok!! So, my Tio Ray came on a surprise visit a few weeks ago. He arrived at some random hour of the morning and refused to sleep. Instead, he wanted me to drive him over to some family friends of his. I vaguely remember them from when I was a kid, but they moved to Puerto Rico a long time ago and I haven't seen them in years. But, much like many families around here, they welcomed me with open arms and treated me like they had just seen me yesterday. When we arrived, there was an older gentleman working hard painting a car. My uncle pointed to him and said "That man is 90 years old and he's always moving. Look at him!" He is the father of the family friends we were visiting. Eventually, we made our way over to him and my uncle immediately asked him if he had some drink he was apparently famous for having stashed away in his garage. Please see the cutest old man ever and his bottle o' fire! It tasted like really old dark rum with lots of fruit. I think that's basically what it is. It was warm and it definitely wasn't quiet as it went down. I tried it because how could you say no to that face...but I won't rush for seconds, that's for sure!
After the glass o'fire, and showing us two of his wooden fishing boats that he made himself, he walked us over to his mango tree. Right now is the season for mangos...anywhere you go roads are lined with free delicious mangos that drip from the trees and literally spill into the streets. He called these banana mangos and proceeded to pull a knife out of his pocket and peel the mango like a banana. The mango did not taste like a banana but it sure was delicious! His wife later warned me that combining the glass o'fire and mangos was not a good idea. So, I handed the rest of my mango over to my Tio in fear of me having to pay a high price on the throne later.
I have found yet another dream home. The first one I have yet to take any good pictures of but this one I admire twice a week as I head to the track. It is located in Cabo Rojo and has two huge mango trees. I love this style of house and shamefully I think it goes back to my days as a 90210 fan! Yes, I think my dream home is a result of Brandon and Brenda's 90210 home...excuse me as I hang my head in shame. Seriously, this place is beautiful and while I'm sure it needs work, it seems to have enough space for a beautiful fruit/veggie garden, a basketball hoop and maybe even a swing set! Ahhh a girl can dream can't she?!
Now we're finally getting up to date. Here are the two amigas celebrating Mother's Day! Mother's Day was bitter sweet for me. I spoke to my mom for over two hours which felt really good. I really miss her but this experience is also strengthening our relationship. We are still mother and daughter but also two adult women just talking. I had a tough time picking out a card for her without feeling that crying lump in my throat. Then, five minutes after we started our conversation, Mom just sighed and said "I really miss you girl." Of course the lump in my throat came back as I expressed just how much I was avoiding talking to her because I didn't want to cry on her! But, when I saw Mama get all dressed up in her best pink skirt suit so that I could take her out for lunch, well, I knew this is exactly where I needed to be. If I weren't here she would have fielded a few phone calls and then the day would have passed like any other. Instead, she ate lobster soup and posed for me we realized her pink nails perfectly matched her pink outfit. I gave her a manicure a few days prior (she chose the color) with no idea that it would complete her look come Mother's Day! LOL!
Next up...something we haven't talked about in awhile...FOOD!
Time to take a trip down memory lane...well a mini trip at least. So many things happen on a daily basis around here that I figured an update in pictures may be just the thing to get this blog up to date! Plus, now that we are in the Facebook era where people can get lost in pictures for hours (usually during their work day...shout out to my office folks!), I think it may be quite enjoyable for most. That being said...enjoy!
Ok so let's start with visitors...first my friend Melissa came to la isla. Unfortunately there is no picture of her here because we never got to meet up :( She was on the other side of the island (San Juan area) and it is about 2+ hours from me. Our schedules never aligned so I am patiently awaiting her return trip!
Ellie
Whale in Rincón
Next, was Ellie. Ellie has been a faithful blog reader, yard sale customer, commenter and all around cheerleader throughout this 'packin' up' journey. So, she came into town and hit the road with her honey bunny to find Mish in PR! She got to meet the infamous Mama and check out a few whales in Rincón with us. Unfortunately we were so excited and concentrated on getting pics of whales that we didn't bother getting a picture of us together! She did, however, supply me with a great pic of her during her time here in PR as well as some awesome pics of the whales!
Ponce
Old San Juan
Then, sistah/cuz came for a visit and we started her trip with a bang...hitting Old San Juan then making our way home to the West. She took hundreds of gorgeous shots with her handy dandy camera and even contemplated staying a bit longer than planned. She was offered a job with me as an English teacher but decided against it...good thing she did because two months later I still haven't started! During one of our trips back from training for this "job" we decided to take a detour and stop in Ponce. There, we found a waiter who looked like a young Benecio Del Toro -- no lie. Old Mish would have at the very least posed with this hot hot hottie. New Mish just appreciated the scenery and tried to convince sistah/cuz to explore her inner cougar LOL. Now that I think of it, I should have at least asked for him to take a pic with her so you all could see just how much he looked like Benecio, it was crazy!!
Pics n driving? Do not try this at home!
Backseat view
Ok what else...oh! So, one day we went to visit my granduncle (her uncle). During that visit my granduncle (Tio Munchin) decided that he wanted to take us for a drive. Then, his sister, my grandaunt (Titi Viña) said she wanted to tag along. Before we left, I was warned that I should probably drive...so I did. The adventure that commenced really cannot be put into words. Tio wanted us to go up into the mountains and swore that a) it was close and a quick drive (we only had a few hours of sun left) and b) doable with my Smurf and completely safe. Please note the pics of Tio and I picking up and tossing to the side HUGE rocks...yeah that is the road he had me on (which ended in a dead end of really tall grass). Did I mention I had to reverse my way out of that road...in my very low to the ground NON 4x4 vehicle?! I was just praying that nothing would end up broken as I had flashbacks of a very interesting New Years Eve (circa 2003?) in Philadelphia (long story short...a quick 11pm drive to a South Jersey liquor store ended with three friends sitting in the parking lot with a broken oil tank and nothing but booze to keep them warm as they awaited rescue before the ball dropped SHOUT OUT TO GRUMP FOR THAT RESCUE).
The infamous Rocky Road
"You will NOT hurt my smurf!"
Anyway, after successfully navigating our way out of that rock riddled road (say that 3 times fast), Tio continued to make me feel like less of a driver...saying that if he were behind the wheel we would be up the mountain and home already. I begged to differ but I just stayed quiet. Our final destination was a local waterway where Tio often stands to fish. It was beautiful except for the excessive litter surrounding the road leading up to the water. It never ceases to amaze me how litter bugs never think of the long term effects on our environment, our food, and subsequently, our bodies through their lazy actions.
Tio's fishing station
Finally, a few days before sistah/cuz boarded her plane back to the big city, we found a cozy restaurant to enjoy some delicious lobster empanadillas and take in the sunset. It was relaxing and wonderful. Sitting together, talking about everything and nothing...whether its over lobster empanadillas or gourmet mac n' cheese or pad thai....Riesling or Sangria...Black Whale fondue or fried ice cream. It was good to capture that feeling with her once again in PR!
Sunset in Joyuda
So a few weeks after sistah/cuz left I discovered a double oil leak in my lil' Smurf (hmmm maybe thanks to that Rocky Road adventure?!) Either way, I needed to get it fixed. Low and behold my other granduncle (Mr. Miyagi) offered to pay for my car repairs in exchange for a weekend of working with him at his sunglass kiosk on the beach. I was willing to do it for free, but the opportunity to also get my Smurf repaired was a definite bonus. So, that Thursday night, there I was...behind a table of sunglasses offering a warm smile and a simple "Buenas" as folks strolled by glancing at what we had to offer. Some ignored me, some returned the smile, and some were scared off. I enjoyed this experience because as I toy with the idea of opening my own kiosk on the beach, I was given an opportunity to see just how this beach vendor thing goes. Things I took away from this experience:
1.get a good, tall chair (you can't stand for 5+ hours straight and expect not to have shooting leg pain and you want to be able to sit and watch everything as customers stroll by)
2. have some healthy snacks/beverages on hand (the beach is full of food...unfortunately its mostly greasy, overpriced appetizers)
3. come with your "patience" hat on...as customers are very indecisive and full of questions
4. Come with an empty bladder and have a bathroom relief person on hand in case you have to make a run for it
5. Make friends with local restaurant owners so that you don't have to go that far (nor pay...yes pay...there is one restaurant that actually has a person at their bathroom entrance asking for a $1 from everyone who tries to use it) to use the bathroom.
Tio & Carmen getting crazy in the kiosk! Don't be alarmed its only coconut water...no really, Tio doesn't drink!
So, in the end, I made quite a few sales, practiced my Spanish, and walked away with a clearer vision of my future kiosk....now I just need an actual stand to call my own! ; )
WHOA! I just found a whole 'nother load of lost photos! Stay tuned for more....
