Thoughts and Rambles: es un nuevo año

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

es un nuevo año

As one of my friends here said, it`s a new year... he unfortunately is speaking from a sad place emotionally, hoping this new year brings better times. For myself, this new beginning is quite symbolic, as I am now so excited about life and possibilities ahead, unlike how I felt for much of 2007.

New year`s eve was likely the best I have ever celebrated, for sure. For a decent cover charge which entitled us to appetizers and drinks, a night at Alcatraz was perfect for 10 of us. The spirits were high, and soon I was dancing the night away in my new lime green dress, never better. My favorite thing about new year - kissing everyone - made for a joyful midnight, and how wonderful to feel the happiness as I made this quick physical connection of The Midnight Kiss around with dear friends.

Yesterday was a lazy day, as it should have been, and today a cold front rolled in having us all complaning about the temperature. I keep telling myself it is all relative, but no amount of denial will make wearing sandals ok today. It is a sweater and jacket day.

Today Valentina says she will teach me to make the salsa rojo we eat in the house. It is quite unlike the salsa we eat in Denver. It is so wonderful, rich and smooth, not choppy with vegetables as I am accustomed. But soooo much better. Off to the kitchen now!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...: I hope you can bring that recipe back with you!
-A; January 3, 2008 at 11:30 PM
Anonymous said...: Nancy, it sounds like you are having an awesome time in Guanajuato!! I'm so glad that you're feeling at home and are happy again! I have read everything you have written thus far and I must say, it sounds amazing! The town, the people, the food, the celebrations...they all sounds like they are from a novel! I really want to see some pics so get to posting girl!!
Much love to you!
Noell; January 4, 2008 at 1:27 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey girlie! Denver is not quite the same without your bright and happy smile but I'm loving your blog! I swear you should be an author, reading your posts is so entertaining! I'm glad you are having a great time there-I think its exactly what you needed!!!! Can't wait to read more, when are you going to get to posting?! ;)

Anna Mack; January 10, 2008 at 3:59 PM

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PHOTOS

All photos in this blog are those I have shot myself (unless, obviously, I am the subject, in which case I will cite the photographer - except for a couple cases where I simply handed the camera to the person next to me to capture me in the moment- unfortunately there are a few of those where I do not know the person's name). I currently use the Panasonic DMC-FZ28. It is a great camera with a quality lens and good portability, and I get really nice shots with it.

It's not the most advanced or powerful camera, and it's not a large fancy SLR, but I've found that the trick to getting a good shot is not always just about the camera. As a photographer I can achieve great shots by keeping in mind composition, angle, and understanding the computer inside the camera and how to manipulate it for what I want in the final shot.

Perhaps one day I'll have my dream camera, but until then, I'm doing alright with a really great "almost SLR".

As you read the blog, enjoy the photos I insert here and there to help you visualize my stories. I have so many more photos, but only so much space for them on this blog.

Life... or Lifestyle?

thank you Allie, for this story, which reminds me of why I tend to feel so frustrated with the traditional American rat race…

There once was a Mexican fisherman who would get up in the morning and go fishing. By lunch time he had caught enough fish for the day and would come home, sell the fish, eat lunch with his wife, spend the afternoon playing with his kids and napping in the shade and in the evenings he would go down to the bar and play music with his friends.

One day he met an American who asked him, "Are there more fish out there that could be caught?"

And the Mexican said, "Yeah, but I catch enough before lunch so I stop fishing and come home."

The American said, "You should fish all day and catch more fish so you could increase your earnings."

The Mexican asked, "And then what would I do?"

"You could then buy another boat and hire another captain and catch twice as many fish and earn twice as much. Then you could start to sell your fish to the large corporations."

And the Mexican asked, "And then what?"

"You would keep adding boats until you had an armada and then you could build your own fish factory and ship your fish world-wide! Then you, of course, wouldn't be able to fish any more, you could move to the US and run the company. You would be making tons of money!"

And the Mexican asked, "What would I do with all that money?"

"You would save it!"

"What would I be saving it for?"

"So one day you could retire, move to a Caribbean island, fish in the morning, eat lunch with your wife, spend the afternoon playing with your grandchildren and napping in the shade and in the evenings you could go down to the bar and play music with your friends!"

And, there's the rub. My mother used to tell a story like this, except it was about an African fisherman (appropriate, as my father is African and this story was a comment on how one can trade the good life for a promise of the good life). Is it the African Connection that draws me to a similar lifestyle in Mexico?

Now I am living with and in the experiences, enjoying each day, and loving the moment.

I shared this sentiment with folks and they say "well, sure, but then there's reality."

Whose reality?

Should I find a way to live, really live, and enjoy and learn and love each day, whether it is in the States or in Mexico or elsewhere, I will always remember to embrace each moment and find a way to enjoy those moments. I refuse to continue on the rat race so that one day I can find my paradise, whatever it may be. I may not have a lot for show, but I love each day, and this is what is really important.

Thoughts and Rambles

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

es un nuevo año

3 comments:

PHOTOS

About Me

Guanajuato, Mexico at sunset

Life... or Lifestyle?

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