my week so far

Busy reading through lots of information like this.

I feel like I'm prying, but I love reading these.

I'm loving the clothes in this catalog. I wish I had lots of money and could buy myself one of practically each!

If you want to enter this sweepstakes, tomorrow is the last day.

Oops! I guess he got his own groove back. I never saw the first movie or read the book, but I'd read/watch the sequel.

I was discussing this blog entry from Monday. I'd LOVE for people to remove their shoes when entering my house. I always do as soon as I walk in. Unfortunately, due to cultural differences, it seems most my family would be practically offended. My grandma flat out said that she wouldn't go to my house. So much for that. Here in El Paso, I've NEVER been to a house where we are asked to take our shoes off. I'd never heard of that until I went to California. Maybe if I ask nicely. . . .

I have to agree with this label.

Rodrigo's little sister got her first published article! It's in several newspapers and news channels across the country including here. Congratulations!



Have a good day!

feeling: BUSY!
watching: The Doodlebops (someone please shoot me)
what I should be doing instead of blogging:

music videos

I've noticed for the past couple of days that they've been playing music videos on MTV. Imagine that. I mean, I can watch MTV at any given time and it's always some sort of show. The only time they play videos is during TRL. To watch actual videos, I have to watch VH1.
So, I've been thinking about making a "30 Things I Want to do Before I Turn 30" list. I figured I'd make it now and have a year to work on things. Atainable things. "Stop watching MTV" was going to be on that list. I thought I was outgrowing it and frankly, that I should outgrow it already. But now. . . .there's videos again. Everytime I think I'm out, they pull me back in.
Also, when I was watching, I saw a promo for the Live 8 concert. I knew it was coming up soon, but didn't realize it was already this coming Saturday. Be sure to watch.
Anyway, have a great week. Ugh, Monday.

feeling: hmm, coffee
listening to: The White Stripes (Blue Orchid)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: eating breakfast

non-bilingual brianna

Spanish was my first language. I speak it fluently. By the time my brother was born, I was already in school and my parents were speaking English to me. My brother grew up speaking both languages at the same time and never really got a handle on Spanish. I mean, he speaks it and completely understands it but not as well as the rest of the family. When Brianna was born, I thought it was very important for her to learn Spanish and that's all I ever spoke to her. She started learning English when she was around 3 years old. From other kids, my mom and dad, from Sesame Street, you name it. By the time she started preschool, they tested her and concluded that she spoke well enough to be in an all English classroom. (Yes, here in El Paso, we have bilingual classrooms). I kind of wanted her to be in a bilingual classroom but she already knew all the English they would teach her there (colors, shapes, numbers, letters). In kindergarten, she spoke even less Spanish. I started to notice that we'd be at my grandma's (who speaks no English) and Brianna would ask me how to say words in Spanish in order to talk to my grandma. I thought it was odd since she had clearly known the words before.
Now that we also have Alec, I also only speak to him in Spanish. But, with Brianna, my nephew, their cartoons, etc. he's picked up English words. Much younger than Brianna was.
Anyway, I've noticed that Brianna just doesn't want to speak Spanish anymore. I told her that I was going to be speaking Spanish at home but she could answer in any language she wanted and she started crying. Then at Rodrigo's parents house this weekend, Rodrigo's mom offered Brianna a book. Brianna didn't want to read it because it was in Spanish. What? I don't get it. I've been explaining to her about our family and where her grandparents came from. Trying to explain how a lot of people would love to be able to speak more than one language. Asking her about her friends who speak other languages and saying how special that is. Explaining to her how important it is in a city like this. Explaining to her how I absolutely needed to speak Spanish for some of the jobs I've had. She likes to hear about when I was a flight attendant and all the time I spent in Mexico City. Still, she says she doesn't want to speak Spanish and doesn't like it. I don't know what to think. Should I just not push it and think she'll come around? I mean, if she has the opportunity to be bilingual, she should, right? I don't know how to encourage it anymore. I never went through this. Well, it was backwards. When I was little, I didn't want to speak English. So, I wonder if this too will pass. Any advice?

feeling: concerned
listening to: System of a Down (Cigaro)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: getting my clothes ready

happy birthday, the musical

I've been in stitches for the past few days whenever Rodrigo mentions this. Last week it was one of his co-worker's birthdays and there was a cake and a little office celebration. Just like any other office. I'm sure you've had those. Anyway, when he got home he was telling me that a couple of his co-workers go all out when singing "Happy Birthday". I couldn't stop laughing. He says they try really hard and was sort of imitating them. One guy supposedly tries to sing it opera style in a really deep voice. A girl tries to sing in a sexy voice Marilyn Monroe style. I thought about the places I've worked at and laughed even more because yes, there always was a person who tried to out-sing everyone. I know this is probably really corny, but I just find it hilarious. I told Rodrigo (or "Rod" as he's known at work) to never invite me to his office if it's someones birthday because I'm just going to laugh. Now I'm worried because at the bank the next birthday is going to be mine. How am I going to not laugh when they're singing to me? Maybe they'll just think I'm really happy. Plus, they're used to me laughing all the time anyway. Oh well, I'm heading there now. Have a good day!

feeling: amused
watching: Dora the Explorer
what I should be doing instead of blogging: getting Alec's diaper bag ready

sluggish

I've been feeling a little sluggish lately. Well very sluggish lately. Even when I get enough sleep, I always seem to feel tired. I know that I really need to change my diet. Chips and a coke being my breakfast, lunch, and dinner of choice. I also know that I really should do some sort of exercise once again. When I exercised regularly, I always had a lot of energy. I just don't seem to ever find the time. With the house, the kids, and working I just feel so exhausted each night. Plus, I'm having a really hard time getting up each morning. I've been looking into taking some sort of vitamin but I'm feeling overwhelmed. Other than taking "Flintstones" as a kid, I've never taken any other. Everything I read and everyone I ask seems to have a different opinion. People have told me that I should take iron or to take prenatal vitamins because of the benefits. I've read that vitamin B is really good and I'm also thinking about calcium. So, here's my question. . . Any recommendations? I mean, do you take any that are working for you? Or not taking vitamins but doing something else? Most everyone I know has a busy lifestyle, so, how do you keep from feeling tired all the time? If you do take a vitamin, is there anything that you absolutely look for? Let me know.

On a different note, happy first day of summer! I changed the template to try to match the season better. Plus, I absolutely LOVE sunflowers. Hope you like it. Here we're supposed to be "cooler" today at only 98 degrees. Ugh.

feeling: hot
listening to: Foo Fighters (In Your Honor)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: packing toys

i've never said that before

The one thing that I find myself saying to Rodrigo all the time is, "I don't think I've ever said that before". I think we missed our calling as a comedy duo or something and we're really always saying silly things. Seriously, I have no idea how many times a day I laugh. This morning he left to work and was gone for about 10 minutes when he called. I was kind of surprised since he won't call if he knows Alec is still asleep. He asked me if I could get some pants ready for him. I had a few seconds of "Pants? What? What do you mean?", then he told me that he had spilled coffee on his. I laughed but went to get some pants. When he got home I saw just where the spill was and it looked like he'd peed in his pants. Yes, of course I was laughing. He said that he was trying to mess with the MP3 player (here I rolled my eyes) and the coffee tipped over. He said he hadn't even realized it until he felt the burn. At this point I did my best Tom impression (from Tom & Jerry) wherever Tom's tail or foot is on fire and he doesn't realize it until he sniffs, then yells. I could hardly keep a straight face. Anyway, he was complaining about how the radio is really close to the radio and how he should sue the car manufacturer. I knew he was playing and as he was getting back in the car, I yelled out "Take pictures of your crotch". My first thought was "I've never said that before" then "Oops, I hope the neighbors didn't hear". Anyway, at least I know Rodrigo likes the Foo Fighters c.d. I got him.


feeling: silly
listening to: Foo Fighters (The Best of You)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: eating breakfast

Happy 2nd Birthday!

I know I'm going to be super busy this whole weekend so I'm posting this a day in advance.
Saturday is Alec's 2nd birthday! Yes, my tiny little baby is two years old now! I can't believe how quickly time has passed. I can't believe it was already two years ago since I was holding that tiny little baby. Alec was a preemie and weighed only 4 lbs. when he was born. Here is Rodrigo holding him on Alec's first day home. . .
See how tiny he was? Rodrigo's hand looks huge next to him. Here is Alec's latest picture. . .

Aww. I'm having a hard time dealing with the fact that he is now a "little boy" and not a baby. This past weekend, though, I saw him playing with kids and actually keeping up and I knew. Sniff. But he is still my baby and will always be.

Feliz cumpleanos, mi amor! Quien te quiere?

feeling: happy
listening to: Garbage (Why do you Love me)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: putting away dishes