Party Time

Parties and more parties. It all started with my mom who loves parties. I remember coming home from school to find people decorating the house for some event. Any theme we wanted for our birthday, we got! for my 10th birthday, I wanted a live band at my party to dance to. A rock band came to play but no one wanted to dance and I was so mad with my friends. My sister Vanessa's birthday is on October 26 so many of her birthdays had the Halloween theme. Liz then started to do the same for her children. Her birthday parties were amazing and now Maricela is also having big celebrations for Manu's birthday. She had a farm theme with real farm animals. A Beach theme with a pool and water games for anoter birthday and for his fourth birthday  it was a car theme. They waited to have the big party in El Salvador. The clowns were so funny and the games so cute and the prizes were amazing. Mari even had gifts for the moothers who came. It was done at the Club Campestre, the best place and most exclusive in the city of San Salvador to have a party and not to mention the excellent food too. Another huge party and this was even bigger was Paola's quincenera. This is of course a very traditional type of celebration for girls. In the old days, it used to mean that the young woman turning 15 was available. It meant that she was coming out and was ok to have a steady boyfriend. It also meant that she could wear make up and high heals. In El Salvador as I remember it was a time when boys also started drinking and smoking as well. Not a good habit to acquire at such a young age but it happens in cultures where machismo still exists. For our family it means a good excuse to be together with family and close friends. It means that even though we do celeberate like everybody else, we do have norms that we follow. It is a time to share our love and appreciation for the young gilrs life giving thanks to our heavenly father for such a virtuous young woman as part of our family. Paola is that kind of a special girl and our family is very proud of her.

Shhh Silence please!

I love this poem by Alberto Masferrer!

Silence is remebering that I would be free today if I had not said yesterday's word, and that today's word will be my chain tomorrow.

Silence is remembering that if just one more hour had passed before I judged a certain person or event, in that hour I would have discovered something new to soften my cruel and hasty judgment.

Silence is remembering that the simple act of repeating what others say form an avalanche to destroy tranquility and reputation.

Silence is refraining from complaint, in order not to worsen the grief of others.

Silence says "I did," instea of " I will do."

Silence is devotion that knows its direction.

Silence is being oneself, not a drum that sounds under the figures of the crowd.

Silence is having one's own heart, one's own brain, and not changing sentiments or opinions because others wish it.

Silence is speaking with God before speaking with men, in order not to have to repent after having spoken.

Silence is speaking quietly with one's own sadness, and holding it within, until it becomes a smile, a prayer, or a song.

Coming this September 11, 2011 It would have been a big deal but now I only hope for silence.