let's be honest: i am not the poster-child for latina. sure, i am half mexican, speak spanish, and appreciate latin culture, but during conception, that one particular gene so lively and characteristic of passionate latinos was somehow forgotten. that gene being dance.
g and i visited the skirball cultural center for the summer's final outdoor concert. it was an enchanting evening, the courtyard sparkling under the stars, guests comfortably anticipating a festive performance. the show started with a burst of energy, sans formal introduction. i had never heard of jose villareal (aka "mr. vallenato") but according to g and the accompanying cheers, he didn't need an introduction. within the first few minutes, i understood why. "mr. vallenato" and his band performed traditional colombian folk music, or rather, cumbia. i studied the origins of cumbia in college and was fascinated with its social implications, but to hear it. see it. clap to it. LIVE. now that was incredible.
of course, you bring cumbia into the mix, and you better expect dancing. this was clearly a no sit-and-enjoy-the-music type of concert, which would have been fine with me. it was an instantaneous reaction: accordion playing, dancing commences. i knew i was in trouble when g looked at met with his peruvian eyes - eyes gleaming with dance. and passion. much to my passive resistance, we joined the crowd.
in no time, i was beginning to doubt my genetic make-up. perhaps an accidental switch at birth? my dancing (if that's what you'd call it) was ridiculous, bordering disappointing. there was g with all his lovely latin finesse, moving rhythmically to the music, very much synchronized with everyone around us. and then there's me. confused. lost. feeling the music, but unable to translate it to physical movement. stiff torso, awkward arms, inflexible legs, and hips that jerked back and forth. i stood out among the diverse crowd, a crowd filled with people who "got it."
irrespective of my shameful attempt at latin dancing, i had a blast. i made a fool of myself, but g reassured me people were too busy dancing to notice. i doubt that, but hey, at the end of the night, two things were confirmed: 1.) i am less latina then i think or will ever be and 2.) g must really love me. he didn't run for the hills.
note: listen here to get a glimpse of what my body was up against.
8.29.2011
8.21.2011
ode to naps
naps.
dream state, deep state, somewhere in between
grass, sand, couch.
lull me, sweet breeze
fill me, sweet nap
perspective, idea, clarity.
medicinal to my body
enlivening to my soul
indiscriminate
to time, to place, to age.
wrap me in your arms, lovely nap
make me feel new
hours added
in the few minutes with you
naps.
oh tranquil joy.
dream state, deep state, somewhere in between
grass, sand, couch.
lull me, sweet breeze
fill me, sweet nap
perspective, idea, clarity.
medicinal to my body
enlivening to my soul
indiscriminate
to time, to place, to age.
wrap me in your arms, lovely nap
make me feel new
hours added
in the few minutes with you
naps.
oh tranquil joy.
8.18.2011
lead palm
lead foot: (noun) of or relating to, an appendage, typically the right foot, that extends from a person with inherent tendencies to place forceful weight on the gas pedal, thereby producing rapid or prolonged accelerations.
we've all heard, or at least been labeled as, the infamous lead foot. but in the past few weeks, it has been brought to my attention that there is such thing as the lead palm. the following is evidence to support this recent discovery, which by the way, seems to only exist in the "city of angels:"
1. someone cuts in front of you without using a blinker --> instant reaction: honk.
2. someone stops on a busy street, waiting to parallel park, but also blocks traffic --> put that palm into action and HONK.
3. there is a 0.5-second delay after the light turns green at an intersection --> honk and wake that person up!
4. an out-of-towner is driving at the speed limit --> don't be shy...exercise that lead palm.
and last but not least...
5. you see a friend/familiar face/sweet eye candy during the ride --> honk and say hi!
although i have recently named the phenomenon, i must admit i've been acutely aware of it for a few years now. i will be bold and further admit that my delicate palm of yesteryear has transformed into a lead palm. but please note: the aforementioned descriptions of the lead palm do not ALL apply to me. and i hope they never do ;)
we've all heard, or at least been labeled as, the infamous lead foot. but in the past few weeks, it has been brought to my attention that there is such thing as the lead palm. the following is evidence to support this recent discovery, which by the way, seems to only exist in the "city of angels:"
1. someone cuts in front of you without using a blinker --> instant reaction: honk.
2. someone stops on a busy street, waiting to parallel park, but also blocks traffic --> put that palm into action and HONK.
3. there is a 0.5-second delay after the light turns green at an intersection --> honk and wake that person up!
4. an out-of-towner is driving at the speed limit --> don't be shy...exercise that lead palm.
and last but not least...
5. you see a friend/familiar face/sweet eye candy during the ride --> honk and say hi!
although i have recently named the phenomenon, i must admit i've been acutely aware of it for a few years now. i will be bold and further admit that my delicate palm of yesteryear has transformed into a lead palm. but please note: the aforementioned descriptions of the lead palm do not ALL apply to me. and i hope they never do ;)
8.10.2011
transitions
it was her first two weeks transitioning into labor and delivery. after one year working in a demanding institution, she was excited for this next step, a new challenge.
she had heard stories of how critical managing labor and delivery patients would be. the quick pace. the instantaneous ups and downs. so when she learned she would be oriented on that dynamic unit by one of the best, she was ecstatic. ten weeks of close collaboration with the utmost respected.
those first two weeks exceeded her expectations. she felt confident in her decision-making, quick to respond to non-reassuring patterns. she felt she was providing safe care, even as the novice she was. not once did she feel like she was running frantically, clumsily multi-tasking with her only two hands. priority - she knew it. between critical thinking, quick decisions, and medical know-how, she was still there for her laboring patients...there to foster a peaceful and healing environment, fit to welcome new life. during those first two weeks, she never doubted her abilities, knowledge, or future. and while orienting with the best - the most respected - she never thought to herself: i wish i was her. instead, she was thankful to be who she was, where she was at.
and then i woke up.
she had heard stories of how critical managing labor and delivery patients would be. the quick pace. the instantaneous ups and downs. so when she learned she would be oriented on that dynamic unit by one of the best, she was ecstatic. ten weeks of close collaboration with the utmost respected.
those first two weeks exceeded her expectations. she felt confident in her decision-making, quick to respond to non-reassuring patterns. she felt she was providing safe care, even as the novice she was. not once did she feel like she was running frantically, clumsily multi-tasking with her only two hands. priority - she knew it. between critical thinking, quick decisions, and medical know-how, she was still there for her laboring patients...there to foster a peaceful and healing environment, fit to welcome new life. during those first two weeks, she never doubted her abilities, knowledge, or future. and while orienting with the best - the most respected - she never thought to herself: i wish i was her. instead, she was thankful to be who she was, where she was at.
and then i woke up.
8.01.2011
cousin
this past weekend, cousin kristen visited me in la. she's been here every now and then, but this time was different. she was solo.
we were in need of some one-on-one time...this not-so-little-girl-anymore and me. i find it interesting to think about how our conversations and time spent together have evolved over time. from watching disney movies and splashing in swimming pools to talking about driving lessons and sighing over mother flow, i have witnessed a beautiful growth in kristen. surreal.
so to celebrate "cousinship," we filled our day with all things joyful: farmer's market, juicy fruits, a walk in santa monica, a ferris wheel, and a sweet treat to top it off.
we were in need of some one-on-one time...this not-so-little-girl-anymore and me. i find it interesting to think about how our conversations and time spent together have evolved over time. from watching disney movies and splashing in swimming pools to talking about driving lessons and sighing over mother flow, i have witnessed a beautiful growth in kristen. surreal.
so to celebrate "cousinship," we filled our day with all things joyful: farmer's market, juicy fruits, a walk in santa monica, a ferris wheel, and a sweet treat to top it off.
oh, how i love thee, sweet cousin!
7.28.2011
yippee! it's emma's birthday!
here's to my lifelong roomie, even if she lives 1,000 miles away.
she is everything (and more) you can imagine a friend to be: encouraging, loving, real.
she is my debriefing buddy...not a week goes by without a good chat.
she embraces her curl; uses a thousand glasses/cups/mugs; will go at length to ensure the tastiest of treats; drives a luxe wagon; is an ardent reader of the new york times; and enjoys the simple art of lounging.
i love you, emma! welcome to the ripe age of 24!
she is everything (and more) you can imagine a friend to be: encouraging, loving, real.
she is my debriefing buddy...not a week goes by without a good chat.
she embraces her curl; uses a thousand glasses/cups/mugs; will go at length to ensure the tastiest of treats; drives a luxe wagon; is an ardent reader of the new york times; and enjoys the simple art of lounging.
i love you, emma! welcome to the ripe age of 24!
7.21.2011
juice
i am not the biggest fan of fruit juice. given the choice between a glass of juice and the whole fruit, i will choose the latter any day. why would i settle for a cup/glass/box of additives when i can eat the real thing? why would i sip/gulp/slurp a textureless liquid when i can experience a medley of sorts with each bite i take? and why would i ever want to deny myself the satisfaction of knowing a fruit in its purest form?
well, times have changed.
yesterday at the farmer's market, i was particularly interested in a stand i had never given the chance to visit. the juice stand. i don't know if it was because i was perfectly content with my basketful of lush fruits that i had a spark of momentary curiosity, but i put my judgment aside and asked the juice man what he was all about.
no added sugar. no added water. absolutely no preservatives. and organic.
each bottle of fruit juice was just that. 100% fruit juice. i was intrigued by the mixes before me: pomegranate, apple pomegranate, orange peach, cherry apple orange, and apple cherry. i learned where the fruit was grown, how the juice was produced, and how it could be used in recipes aside from drinking alone. and then i sampled. every. single. one.
no, it's not a whole piece of fruit. yes, it comes in a bottle. but gosh darn it, that fruit juice was as pure as it gets! i complimented the juice man on his commitment to preserving the fruit's integrity, and then bought a bottle of apple pomegranate juice. these juices will NEVER replace my whole fruit, but with the summer heat and desire to "mix it up" every now and then, i'm okay with this juice man's pure creations.
well, times have changed.
yesterday at the farmer's market, i was particularly interested in a stand i had never given the chance to visit. the juice stand. i don't know if it was because i was perfectly content with my basketful of lush fruits that i had a spark of momentary curiosity, but i put my judgment aside and asked the juice man what he was all about.
no added sugar. no added water. absolutely no preservatives. and organic.
each bottle of fruit juice was just that. 100% fruit juice. i was intrigued by the mixes before me: pomegranate, apple pomegranate, orange peach, cherry apple orange, and apple cherry. i learned where the fruit was grown, how the juice was produced, and how it could be used in recipes aside from drinking alone. and then i sampled. every. single. one.
no, it's not a whole piece of fruit. yes, it comes in a bottle. but gosh darn it, that fruit juice was as pure as it gets! i complimented the juice man on his commitment to preserving the fruit's integrity, and then bought a bottle of apple pomegranate juice. these juices will NEVER replace my whole fruit, but with the summer heat and desire to "mix it up" every now and then, i'm okay with this juice man's pure creations.
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