Catching Up

It's been awhile since I last wrote, so I figured I'd better post something. It's been a busy last couple of weeks. I finished painting the hallway a week ago (finally); I'm glad that's over. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. It's definitely cleaner and brighter looking.

Cory and Farah were in town for Thanksgiving last week, and they stayed over for a few nights. As always, it was good to see them, though we mostly had family obligations and didn't get to spend too much time together. Cory and I got to hang out the day after Thanksgiving- we went to L.A., had some Ethiopian food (Cory's first time), and hung out on Melrose. We went to Amoeba music on Sunset, which I'd been wanting to see for a really long time. It was overwhelming- it was so crowded and huge. There are about 20-25 checkout stands, and they were all busy! It's pretty insane, but also impressive. I finally got X&Y by Coldplay, which seems pretty good so far.

My friend Brian called me up that day, with a tempting offer to hang out in TJ for the weekend. I hadn't been a long time, so I thought it would be a nice getaway. It was an interesting trip, to say the least. I'll just say that I'll forever remember it as the Lost Weekend.

Of course, Thanksgiving was spent at my parents' place, where we also celebrated my sister Lisa's 33rd birthday. How is it that my little sister is 33?! Time is flying faster than ever...

Sunday night, our family friends the Ferguson's came down to Orange w/ my parents. It's always nice to visit with them- they are really nice and fun people. We had dinner at a cool little place called the District, which is just a couple of blocks away from the apartment. Claudia gave me a few things that I can use in the kitchen, which was really thoughtful. I'm looking forward to seeing them again at our annual Super Bowl party at their house.

Brenda is still in Querétaro, enjoying her family and free time. Our time apart has been a good thing- we're both thinking about the future and what's best for us. Everyday we're closer to making decisions about the directions we'd like to go in; it's just a matter of time before we come to some conclusions.


Ethiopian meal at Messob (photo by Cory)


TJ arch at night


Calle Revolución




View from Hotel Nelson

Painting

I finally started to paint the hallway over the weekend. Like most everything, it's a little more involved than first anticipated. The prep time is what takes so long- laying down plastic, masking, filling in all the little holes and cracks, sanding the surfaces smooth, etc. I'd hoped to nearly finish it over the weekend, but I'm only about half-way done right now. I had a late nate out on Saturday night, which sidetracked me a little, and I watched the Broncos-Raiders game on Sunday. I'm not going to stress it- I'm taking my time.

I had hoped to go out of town next weekend for about 5 days, but I may stay home and get things done around the apartment. Whenever I take time off, I usually have some travel schedule to stick to. It would be nice just to have some time off, where I don't have to be somewhere at a certain time doing a certain thing. I'd like to have some simple free time, where I can do whatever I feel like that particular day.

I miss waking up and thinking about what I'd like to do that day. The 9 to 5 deal is not really me. Being your own boss is the way to go, if you can make it work. Of course, being your own boss presents a different set of challenges- both the risks and rewards are so much greater.

I definitely like the security my job provides, and I have to admit I enjoy what I do for the most part. I get to do graphic design, which I love, and I have a lot more lattitude than most designers. Working in the public education system, I can't be as creative as I'd like to be, but at least I feel like I'm making a small contribution to society. I couldn't really say that while contributing to Britney Spears' or some rapper's success at the record company in New York.

I'd like to get into teaching some day, though not for the noblest of reasons. I want summers off! What a gig.

Día de los Muertos, Orange County Style

So, today is Día de los Muertos in Mexico- Day of the Dead. Celebrating the dead sounds strange to us as Americans, even a little morbid. In actuality, it's a festive event; a day to remember the dearly departed in a positive way. I was fortunate enough to experience this celebration firsthand a few years ago, in a little town in the state of Michoacán called Tzin Tzun Tzan. It was a really cool experience- it was after dark, and the local graveyard was elaborately decorated with thousands of yellow and orange flowers, and nearly as many candles. Families build altars for their departed loved ones, decorating them with photos, mementos, candy skulls, bread and other interesting things.

Anyway, Brenda is in Querétaro right now, enjoying the celebration. She was telling me about it, and asking if there was any Day of the Dead activity going on here. Well, how could there not be when it seems half the Mexican population now resides here in Southern California? She asked if we had pan de muerto- bread of the dead. It so happens that yes, we do have it here, and right on my college campus today! Another example of how Mexican culture is permeating our own at an incredible rate. Cinco de Mayo seems almost as big as the Fourth of July here SoCal.

Of course, it works both ways. Brenda was telling me that now, along with the traditional offerings on the Day of the Dead altars, carved pumpkins and Freddy Krueger dolls are now appearing. It seems that Mexicans are now beginning to combine our Halloween and their Day of the Dead into one holiday. Mexican kids are now wearing costumes and trick-or-treating. The line between our two cultures is starting to get pretty blurry.

Oh yeah- Brenda's last name is Santiago. Her family lives in the city of Querétaro- the official name is of the city is Santiago de Querétaro. I work at Santiago Canyon College here in Orange- part of the Rancho Santiago Community College District. And it seems every other street and park in around my work and apartment is called Santiago something. I can't escape it.


Bread of the Dead, Santiago Canyon College


An altar tribute to...Audrey Hepburn?!


The email invitation to the big event.