This blog is about life after the wedding. I got married Aug. 28, 2010 to my college sweetheart and now, we live in Calistoga (North Napa Valley). Here, I will share our adventures as a new couple living in wonderful Napa. This is also an attempt to stay in touch with my family and friends. Despite the distance, and despite a new phase in my life, you are always in my thoughts and in my heart.
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. :)
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.
