Trip to El Salvador 2012

The year is almost ending and I had not gone to El Salvador at all. Tio Carlos daughter Karla is getting married in November but that is when Valentina arrives in Santo Domingo for Thanksgiving so the only time left for me to go was from September 19 to the 24. Right around the time of Liz's birthday.

I first got to Puerto Rico and left the next day via Miami to El Salvador. Got to see Maricela in the airport and on the way back. The trip was needed to check on an apartment that I hope to sell, check about who owns the tittle and get a power of attorney signed over to Liz. For now is being lease to two girl missionaries and it is a blessing for me that they are there. It brings a good environment to the apartment.  During this visit, I even got to see the vise consul of foreign affairs Juan Jose Garcia so he is now aware of the situation in Utah not having a much needed  honorary Consul  I also wanted to see my mother to find out from her doctors more of her leg condition. I worry about her being diabetic and not controlling her sugar levels.

A four day trip is too short. No time to go to the beach or do anything relaxing except that I did go to the Salon a few times. Nothing feels better than getting a good facial, massage, manicure and pedicure. It was also great to see Liz and her family and actually be there to celebrate her birthday. It was great to go to the beautiful Church next to the Temple on Sunday and see so many dear people I knew back then. I even got to see Rafael Siman who is one of my best true friends. All in all, the trip was all worth it!

Happy 30th birthday to Cristi

My journal entry on 10 de junio, 1982 

Querida hija mía:

Hoy no tenía sueño, estoy aquí en el hospital y me levante para verte. Te veo y no puedo creer que hace tan solo unos días, todavía eras parte de mí. Tu eres mi primera ilusión quien despertó en mí el instinto maternal. Sin saber cómo eras o quien eras te amé desde el momento que supe que te tenia dentro de mí

Tu padre y yo nos amamos inmensamente y juntos compartimos cada detalle de preparación para ser bueno padres. En este momento todo paree girar alrededor tuyo. Te miro y te veo tan inocente e indefensa que solo pienso en protegerte, pero sé que llegara el día en que seas una mujer y ya no dependerás de nosotros.  

Me siento feliz que Nuestro Padre Celestial nos a dado un ser tan divino como tu para cuidarlo. Tu eres su hija también y nosotros más bien somos sus guardianes para formarte y hacerte una persona de bien. Deseamos lo mejor para ti y estamos dispuestos a cualquier sacrificio por tu bienestar y todo lo mejor lo queremos para ti y así cuando crezcas y tengas tus hijos tu podás darles a ellos igualmente en la misma forma que hoy te damos a ti. 

El martes pasado fue un día de mucha emoción. No pude dormir en la noche anterior pues pensé que me habían hecho daño una pizza que me comí, pero ya acostumbrada a no poder dormir no le tomé importancia hasta que empecé a sentir dolores en mi vientre, y noté algo raro al ir al baño entonces se me vino la idea que ya se acercaba el día del nacimiento. Me sentía por supuesto feliz y temerosa a la vez y todo el día espere a que los dolores se volvieran más intensos pero lo que cambio el curso de toda la espera fue cuando sentí que el agua se salió. Eso hizo que yo tuviera que irme al hospital y tenerte en las próximas 24 horas o podría desarrollarse una infección. 

Esa noche fue larga, los dolores eran constantes e intensos, pero tenía a tu padre a mi lado y a una magnifica enfermera que me dieron todo el apoyo necesario. Por fin cuando estaba por darme por vencida me di cuenta que ya me faltaba poco y luego te tuve a las 5:42 a.m. ha sido para mi un día inolvidable. 

Con amor, 

mamá

Mother's day 2012

I decided to surprise my mom for a quick visit to Miami for mother's day and Vanessa did the same thing. Liz couldn't come because she needed to be with her children, of course. It was during a time that Daniel needed to be away also so I didn't leave him home alone for too many days, that is always a concern he has when I leave to one of my little trips to see my family. I also made a scrapbook album for her as a mother's day gift.

cruise to Jamaica Dic 31 to January 5th

19 came

Bye Miami

Liz and Nixon

Mama and Joe

Let's dance

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.

The amazing Cultural Celebration

Andres and Paola were two of the over 2000 young men and young women who participated in the Cultural Celebration. I had never seen so much energy, enthusiam, patriotism and faith all in one big huge venue. Every Stake participated in this event. The performers got there early in the morning and were there all day in the hot and humid weather but the remarkable good attitude of our youth was commendable. They had big smiles and put all what they had into their dance. I don't think El Salvador had ever seen this and perhaps is something that should be done more.