Summer Plans!

So our Summer began even before we were actually out.  The last week of school had shorter days and therefore, we were able to have longer lunches and go home early.  Our luxury is simply to relax and not necessarily go out and do something.  It's more cost-effective as well.  Although, when we DO go out, we tend to overspend a bit.  I suppose it's OK since we don't do it all the time.  We went to LA for my sister's bridal shower, we've gone to SF a couple of times to church and also to spend the day there hanging out.  We went to the Crepevine with Rob and Yulianna Janzen, and we've also tried other restaurants in the city (SF).  We've tried Peruvian, Asquew, and Thai food. It's cheaper in the city as well!  Calistoga is expensive.  We tend to go out to eat in Calistoga only for special occasions and for lunch specials and happy hour (sometimes).

Speaking of special occasions, our birthdays were last week. Mine on the 9th and Juan's on the 14th.  We managed to get out to a couple of nice places for those days.  We went to Cindy's in St. Helena and Bosko's for Juan's birthday.  It was also a celebration of my new job!  So, I got a new nob (Thank the Lord!).  I had denied another job that was a bit far and it had me worried.  I had to trust in the Lord that something else would come up.  Well, not only did I get the job I wanted, but I also got an offer to teach Summer School.  It's not too bad.  I'm done by 1pm and I still have time to rest and go to the pool.  The kids are more chill too.  Maybe they're just tired.  We're off to LA tomorrow for another adventure.  Cesar and Sindi's bridal shower...more on that later.

Polenta and vino at Bosko's :)

Oysters at Cindy's

Peruvian place: Pasion in SF

Wonderful weekend!

We had a wonderful 5 de mayo weekend.  Completely unplanned.  Friday night we went to the Cheers Festival in St. Helena.  They have these every first Friday of the month through October.  I highly recommend you come out for a visit during those weekends.  It was only from 6-8pm, but it was great!  Almost every store serves wine and you get to come in to the stores and browse at their yuppy things.  They also have appetizers at some places and other food booths outside (tri tip and oysters!).  I don't think otherwise we would have gone into those stores.  They're privately owned but overprized and upscale.  I did discover one that I liked: http://www.oliviernapavalley.com  I especially liked their "tapenades" made of crushed olives. :)

On Saturday, some friends came out to visit and there were also a few wineries introducing their wines for the season.  We went to Titus Vineyards because we had met him the night before at the Cheers festival. :)  We also went to Rombauer Vineyards where a CJSHS parents works.

At Titus Vineyards

Check out that car.  There was also a car show in town that morning.

My hubby and some awesome greenery!

Beautiful flowers at Rombauer Vineyards

Finally, on Sunday, we went to the church meeting and then we went to have some great Thai food at Marnee Thai in SF and then met with some friends for dessert.  Although, it was a packed weekend, we found ourselves very rested on Monday morning. :)

5 de mayo

Did you know 5 de mayo is NOT celebrated in Mexico (the country).  It is only celebrated in Puebla, MX.  Actually, mostly it's celebrated here.  Why is that?  It's actually a Mexican-American holiday.  The Mexicanos in the US, especifically in California, were very aware with that battle.  When they heard that they were losing to the French, they sent money and some even went to join them in the battle.  It's quite a stance for freedom of democracy.  Few know that this cause was highly present due to the Civil War as well.  So, NO, it's NOT Mexican Independence Day (that's 16 de sept). It's 5 de mayo!  A time when our Mexicanos made us proud by standing up for a cause they believed in.  I hope this encourages us to not so easily be defeated by so many things.  When you believe in something, fight for it!  Stand up for it!

Dr. Hayes-Bautista, a professor from UCLA is working on this book because he realized that a lot of people (a lot of Mexicanos as well) DON'T know it's meaning.  The above is one of 6 or 7 short videos where he discusses the meaning and history of 5 de mayo in conjunction with the Civil War that was also happening at the time.

Go Fish

It's so terrible, but I can't remember what we've done for our one month anniversaries!  I will have to write them down.  We may celebrate only once a year after the first year, but this is nice for now! :) 

Last night was the day after our 8 month anniversary.  We went to a restaurant in St. Helena called Go Fish.  It's mostly a sushi place, but they have other things.  Juan ordered sushi and I had their feature: Surf and Turf.  It was lobster and steak.  We paired it up with a great White 2007 wine blend from Rubicon called Blancaneaux.  It was an experience!  We were just sitting there saying "Wow!" after each bite/drink. 

Being in Napa has been a very nice calming experience.  I would say it's a good place to enjoy, relax, and reflect.  I hope that helps with my blog writing.  :)  Come visit!  We'll share lovely NAPA with you.

Current dilemma

Current dilemma: Laundry!  Somebody asked me during Spring Break, over a meal, what has been the most shocking thing about being married to Juan.  While I will say that being married to Juan is wonderful, learning to live with someone as one is NOT always easy. 

At the moment that I was asked, I found it difficult to come up with something, but as the conversation progressed, I started remembering a few things. What I ultimately said was that Juan likes to go to sleep SUPER early.  I knew this about him before, but he usually goes to sleep about 2 hours earlier than I do.  I don't always mind, but sometimes, I would like his company.  Especially if it's Friday night and I thought we were going to watch a movie... I put on the movie and soon after, Juan goes to sleep!  Ayy! 

At the first, I would insist that he stay up with me, but then I realized that it really throws him off.  He also likes to get up early.  I admire his schedule, bu it just seems boring.  I sometimes go to sleep early with him, but then, I won't get up early!  Anyway, that's one.

The second thing, to get back on track here, is laundry!  There ARE more things that I may post at a later time...(I'm sure he has a few things to say about me too...but not too many!) SO this was the dilemma last night and it has occurred a few times before.  SO much laundry!  Juan accumulates a lot of things to wash and while I don't mind taking care of my hubby, it's never ending!  It's almost scary!  What will happen when we have kids?  I seem to never finish doing laundry.  SO I decided that we would do our own laundry.  Juan doesn't mind doing laundry, but I feel guilty because I feel I should be taking care of him.  That notion is often ingrained into Mexican families.

Shouldn't we split responsibilities since we are both working?  And why should I feels guilty about not cleaning up his mess?  Shouldn't we both clean up after ourselves?  At what point did the notion, previously mentioned, override the one about cleaning up after ourselves?  It's a dilemma.

Ralfi Pagan

This is another one of our favorite songs.  We slow dance to this one sometimes just at home after dinner. :)  Don't hate!  I am becoming a huge fan of Ralfi Pagan.  He was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Bronx, NY, but by 1976, Pagán was based in Los Angeles where he found especially favor amongst Chicanos for whom his persona as a sensitive Latin lover resonated. Unfortunately, he died 2 years later.

Here are the lyrics:

 

Hey have you ever tried,
Really reaching out for the other side?
I maybe climbing on rainbows
But, baby here goes.
Dreams there for those who sleep,
Life is for us to keep,
And if you're wond'ring
What this song is leading to
I want to make it with you
I really think that we can make it girl.
No, you don't know me well,
'N' ev'ry little thing only time will tell,
But you believe the things that I do.
And we'll see it through.
Life can be short or long,
Love can be right or wrong,
And if I chose the one
I'd like to help me through,
I'd like to make it with you
I really think that we can make it girl.
Baby you know that
Dreams they're for those who sleep,
Life is for us to keep
And if I chose the one
I'd like to help me through,
I'd like to make it with you
I really think that we can make it girl.

Be thankful

This is one of our favorite songs.  We often play it at home or in our car rides down to LA.  I would also say it's our motto:  "Be thankful for what you got."

Lyrics:

Though you may not drive a great big cadillac
Gangster whitewalls tv antenna in the back
You may not have a car at all
But just remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you've got
Though you may not drive a great big cadillac
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin the scene
With the gangster lean
For what you've got

You may not have a car at all
But just remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you've got
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin' the scene
With the gangster lean ooh ooh ooh
Though you may not drive a great big cadillac
Gangster whitewalls tv antenna in the back
You may not have a car at all
But just remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you've got
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin the scene
With the Gangster lean