Another B-day, Another Engagement

In October's blog post; "Pooh makes friends with a Cat" I announced that Alex my friend and I, decided that if our Colombianito was a boy he was to be automatically engaged to her Colombianita (the girl that they are also expecting from Colombia).  We’re going old style… parents choose who you  marry and you learn to love him/her after marriage.  Freedom?  Nah… that was only applicable to our generation.  Things change, you know?  :) 

However,  planning our child’s future love life doesn’t end there.  The statement above begs the question:  And what if  Tavo and I get a girl? That’s when Tavo starts to get all worried… you can almost see the sweat going down his forehead.  So to ease his pain,  I decided she’ll marry her little cousin: Jose “chiquitin”.  (Or, Jose the very small one.  – I know it doesn’t sound very cute in English but in Spanish is a very loving word… seriously).

The way I see it, there are many benefits to this union.   Jose “chiquitin”  already lives here in Calgary- so no relocation expenses.  He is also a cousin and in Colombia we have this say : “Entre primo y primo mas me arrimo” , which means that for whatever reason, in our country, cousins end up dating at some point in time.  So in a way is kinda of extending our Colombian heritage,  without possible genetic issues involved!  Bonus! 

Additionally, he’s the cutest 3 year old boy I know,  he’s already bilingual (he sais; train, apple, plane and many other important words in both languages! Pretty impressive uh?) and he already has a good relationship with the in-laws (read Tavo, Duna and me… ha ha – No relationship with Milu because she keeps hiding under the bed… but I guess that’s ok cause she does that with anybody under 10).

So there! All I need is to get  his parents’,  Jose & Carmen, approval for the future wedding and we’re all set!  

Introducing... our future son-in-law:  

Well…  since he’s the groom-to-be, and we’re proactively networking with our Colombianito(a)’s future acquaintances,  we celebrated Jose “chiquitin’s” b-day this past Sunday.  

There were gifts (see truck above) and Carmen prepared “ajiaco” which is a Colombian soup and Tavo’s favorite food EVER!  He actually had 2 and ½ bowls of soup, salad and rise.  And then, he had a great smile in his face for the rest of the afternoon.   I must say… it was kind of embarrassing, :)  It also highlighted my lack of skill at cooking (again).  My poor husband never gets to eat that well! oopsy! Anyway… digressing as usual. 

Going back to the main event, Jose "chiquitin" became 3 this year... which is amazing considering the fact that he was only 10 months old when he got to Calgary. But anyway... I thought you might enjoy some interesting things about him:  

1. He likes lying in Duna's bed.  Of course he gets up and he's full of dog hair! I don't think Carmen enjoys that as much as he does though. 

2. He loooves grapes, dinosaurs and trains.  

3. First word I hear him say: Wow!!    

4. He used to have an addiction to fruit juices. He would drink and drink and then... he wasn't hungry anymore. (No wonder!)

5. First complete sentence I ever heard him say was: Duna No!  (which I don't really know if qualify as a full sentence, but it is definitely a bilingual one). 

This is him being already loved by all the ladies... what a ladies man! 

I'll end with a story. You see... I wasn't born with what you would call a "natural maternal instinct". I don't remember playing with the baby dolls (like I was the mommy situation)... instead, I used to build castles with cassette cases or had barbies which I dressed up.  On top of that, I  never interacted much with kids mainly because I didn't exactly know what to do around kids.   

That's until my uncle and his family moved to Calgary.  So one day they decided it was time for our first baby sitting experience. Jose & Carmen were going out somewhere and Tavo & I were to take care of the kids.  I was totally OK with that... until my dear husband's boss decided to send him in a one day trip, that very exact, same day (to this very day I still wonder about that "coincidence").  Anyhow... you guessed right... I went into total OMG - panic mode.  Three kids: A 6 year old, a 4 year old and a 2 year old... all at the same time... ALL BY MYSELF! Nooooooo!!!!!  :)

Tavo proceeded to laugh about the "coincidence" (hummm) and then he game me some great advise: Use the TV as a hypnotic devise.  So we devised a plan build around pizza & movies to keep the kids occupied.  I have to say I was mainly worried about the middle child who's really, really, really active... but... to my surprise everything went ok.  (Ufff!)  I thought I was a total hit until the oldest child... Ana Maria, who I've introduced in a previous blog,  told everybody else (in a big sister voice): "Remember... you have to behave... my mommy said Luz doesn't have any experience with kids so we all have to be good"... I guess I was getting some outside help uh?

Anyway... as a result of that night I discovered a common interest with Jose "chiquitin" : Dancing.  I got him on top of the kitchen table and we went from Merenge to Salsa and other types of latin rhythms.  How about that?  Pizza & Movies was also a success. The only issue was next day when the parents came to pick up the kids and a comment was made about Jose's diaper being "kinda" of backwards.  Ooopss... a little slip in a perfect evening.  

Until next post,

Luz J. 

Adventures in the Zoo & Elections in the "First" World

A few days ago a Colombian friend of mine who now lives in Holland, wrote a very "controversial" blog post regarding some of the differences of living in Colombia and living in Holland, and how she ended up divorcing herself from reading our country's news in the internet.  I say controversial due to the number and tone of the comments she got in her facebook. There were the surprised comments, the sentimental comments, the sad comments, the - OMG why are you writing that - comments... and everything in between.

I personally was kind of sad because I agree with her and the pointed critic to our developing country.  Don't get me wrong,  we love our country... and we see the potential... but living abroad also makes us recognize that we have some serious issues; and those we can't ignore.

All that to introduce this week's blog; and don't worry... going by the blog title I am not implying that Colombia is a zoo... our adventures in the zoo and the past Calgary elections which happened yesterday,  are supposed to be two different subjects... however, for those of us that are allowed to vote in Colombia and have actually exercised that right...  the parallel between Colombian elections and a zoo is not too far out.

So time for a warning.  If you, dear reader, are a born and raised - developed country - citizen; you might  not find my description of the Calgary elections very interesting.  That's what you know.  That's what you have experienced all of your life. However, you might find some of my side notes of what happens in Colombia amusing... or even incredible.  Now,  if you are Colombian... you'll probably find the Calgary elections pretty impressive. That's the beauty of  different perspectives.

Anyway... to the subject matter.  So, Tavo and I became Canadian Citizens about a year ago. Just before we passed our citizenship exam we were asked if we were interested in being automatically "subscribed" to the potential voters list.  We said yes.  No need to do anything else.  Just click on the yes box.  So about 3 weeks ago we got this little booklet in the mail.

The booklet clearly describes, depending on where you live, where you should vote. It also says who are the candidates (this time for major, alderman -  which is kinda of  a "concejal " for your neighborhood and school trustee).  No need to read the newspaper trying to figure out where your "mesa de votacion" is.  Or worrying if you subscribed or not, and where you are subscribed.  God forbid you moved and then you have to re-subscribe to your new area. 
A quick disclaimer: It's been over 6 years since we moved to Canada so I'll describe the process in Colombia as I remember it -  hoping that since then,  it has changed.  : )


So yesterday (yes, elections happen on a Monday,  not on a Sunday as there is no need for extra security in case someone tries to steal the ballot boxes with the votes - o "urnas") Tavo and I decided to vote for the first time.  We went,  after work.  Of course, I was expecting to be there from 6 to 8; I even had a couple of granola bars in my purse just in case dinner was eternally delayed.  Well... it took amazing 10 minutes. 


We each had to go to a table (depending on the first letter of your last name) to show our ID and get a card.  The card included our names and address. I am telling you people;  I was fully expecting not to receive a card on that table because we have moved from one house to another since we said "yes" to be subscribed as voters.  I was expecting something like: "sorry madam, you're not in this area.  You have to drive to where you used to live... maybe your name will be there, that's assuming we remembered you said yes to the subscription a year ago, and only then you might be able to vote".  Colombia style...  you are supposed to be subscribed in one table but your name might or might not really be there, and then you end up going somewhere else hoping you find your table... anyway, my friends NO!! My card was there! in the right table and with my new address!


Then I signed the card, the election official gave me the ballots and off I went to write an X by my favorite candidate's name. By the way, the writing mechanism provided to write your X with... is a pencil. Not a pen... a pencil.  You Colombians might wonder... (just as Tavo did) what if they erase the X and change the vote? And you my Canadian friends might be thinking... WHAT?? 

So the voting was done.  There.  With a pencil.  End. Finito. No need for granola bars. 10 minutes. 


Another detail... Tavo thought the whole voting process lacked a little "life" (read irony)... the candidates were not offering free lunches,  or T-Shirts with their names, or "un aguardientico" (translation: a Colombian alcoholic drink) to get some votes from the poorest and uneducated.  None of that.  There were no bands, papayeras or any kind of music. No military or police. No need. There was no count of how many muertos along how many votes were that day.   


And then we went home talking about how different the election system works.  And of course, there are far deeper observations to make about our Colombian "democracy",  but I'll avoid that for now.  I'll leave that to my friend in Holland.  :) 

All I'm going to say is that we came home after being "brushed" by the developed world ones again,  to find the "black bin" for our garbage conveniently delivered by the city in front of our door.  All the bins were delivered that day and there were all  neatly placed in front of each house.  So your recyclable garbage goes into the blue bin and the rest in the black one.  Nobody steals each other's bin to create a black bin market -even though they are pretty sleek looking. They are the city's property and so they will remain.  They have instructions.... yes instructions.   And by the way, if  by mistake something happens to the bin and it gets damaged, there is an "emergency" number so the city can come to your property and replace it. ASAP.


People from Colombia.  I rest my case. 


Here's Tavo with our bin.

 
Anyway... I just want to end by talking a bit about the Zoo.  - I know, total change of subject. 
It's just that we had a company function at the Calgary Zoo this past week.  It was very nice because all the people came with their kids and significant others.  There were so many kids that it made me think that going to the Zoo and not taking any kids with you feels almost like you didn't meet the minimum requirement to be there.  :)  Oh well... our time will come. 


Here are some pics to share. 

And of course... the halloween theme

Finally, some friends that we enjoyed part of the evening with: Aubrey and his wife Kelli. And of course their two little ones. 

Side note: Kelli wasn't able to eat at the same time as all of us because she was taking care of their little boy.  So they had to take turns with Aubrey to eat.  I am sure by the time she eat her dinner it was already cold. 


Which brought a thought to my mind:  We really need to enjoy eating together more, cause after the baby comes it'll get harder and harder.  So my list of things to enjoy grows to two:


1. Sleep in on the weekends.
2. Eat together and when food is still warm. 


Any other things I need to enjoy before our Colombianito(a) gets home?


But at least we'll have company for the zoo!


Until next post,


LuzM.
 

Pooh makes friends with a Cat

Today I woke up with an "existential" question:  Are bears and cats natural friends?
Uhhhmmm,  don't think so.... but neither are bears and little piggies or dunkies - and may I add... a piggy and a dunky are some of Winnie the Pooh's best friends! (according to A.A Milner).  Also,  Tigger is kinda of a cat... right?  So they could be, and if you are not convinced, discuss it with Walt Disney  ; )

In the end, it really doesn't matter in what part of the animal kingdom you are located or if you like honey or tuna as long as you have the right friends.  The kind you have fun with, and you can count on... the kind you can go through an adoption process with... and be thankful that they are there for you while you were trying to decipher the instructions provided by the Colombian officials regarding the mountain of documents that you are supposed to fill.  Yes. That kind. 

But I'm digressing... going back to the Cat.  I'll give you some clues for you to guess.  This is a very famous cat people, so concentrate:

1. Our little cat lives in a red roof little white house at a suburban town 20km from London.
2. Weight: Same as 3 apples! - definitely less than me! I bet you she doesn't have to do weight watchers or vegetarian diet or go on an 18 Km bike ride or any of that stuff... ooppps digressing again!
3.  Height: Same as 5 apples!
4.  What she likes (hobbies): She likes collecting little stars, little goldfishes, lollies and as many ribbons as possible as decorations. She loooooves candies.
5.  What makes her attractive?: What attracts the most is her red ribbon on the top left ear, and her fluffy round ball shaped tail.

By the way, I didn't make these "facts" up.  Those are from her authorized web site.  


If you are a woman between the ages of  30 to 35, you probably had a little pink wallet of this little cat when you were 10 or 11... or maybe some stationary.  If you have girls or you are japanese you probably already know who this little Kitty is... yeesss presenting!!! (drums in the back!) Hello Kitty!!

But you might be wondering... why is Hello Kitty such a big deal now? Well... I'll explain.  See,  if  you think that in our house we have some kind of Pooh cult... I can assure you that other people are almost Hello Kitty worshipers!!  And the social worker didn't even have time to notice! A really dangerous environment for a girl to grow up on!!

Imagine the poor little Colombian girl that is going to have to deal with this; 

 And this;

  And finally... THIS!!

Nooooooo!!! (read, very scary scream!!) She'll die of excessive cuteness.  ;)

That little girl or Colombianita will be our friend's Alex & Carlos' brand new daughter.  She will also be Nico's new little sis'.  They are a Colombian family who decided to adopt at around the same time as we did.  Because of that  coincidence, the agency got us in touch and we met here in Calgary about a year ago.  They are obviously very excited and very prepared to receive their little girl. 

It's been really a blessing having them going through all the process with us.  Talk about company and support! No kidding!

Oh and by the way... Alex and I decided that if we get a boy they'll be instantly engaged.  And they don't get a say about it.  All that stuff about freedom doesn't apply  : )   Everything is arranged (poor kids... over involved parents... and they haven't even landed in Canada!).

Here is a picture of Alex, Carlos and Nico.  And just to clarify the stick on Nico's hand is supposed to be a sword of some sort... he explained to us that it is lethal to the touch... so nobody messed with the kid with the stick...except Duna who was trying to get him to throw the "sword" for her to fetch.  : )

Oh! and a little story.   When we got to the trail we intended to walk the day the picture was taken, there was a big red flag that warned of a bear sighting just the day before. Which by the way,  means you are not supposed to go on that trail unless you are fully prepared to encounter a black bear.... not a bear like Winnie the Pooh who's fluffy and friendly... but one that might actually think that you are the 3:00 pm snack.  Ok ok... I'm exaggerating... but either way... there was a black bear. 

Our friend Carlos however, intended to continue on the trail... yeahhh right! Dude... I like bears but not that much.  So off  I went on the other direction.  I hope he didn't think it was personal... I just didn't feel heroic that particular day.  : )  Besides, the trail we end up walking was beautiful!
 
And this is a close up of us enjoying the rest of the walk in the mountains.

Of course,  Alex and I are praying to get our Colombianitos before there is more snow in those mountains.  And we'll make sure to take this picture with the two little ones next time. 

Until next post,

LuzM.

PS.  This weekend is Thanksgiving here in Canada.   Although this is not a Colombian tradition I realize that there are thing I have to be thankful for.  My top five 2010 reasons to be thankful:

1. My lovely husband who is so smart and patient with me.
2. My family which includes my personal favorite members in Colombia and Calgary - Including the baby who's already part of that family!
3. My friends who are spread-er around the globe than I would like.  Those in Colombia, Montreal, the US & farther away. Those that even in the distance still call and send fb "likes".  And those new ones here in Calgary who are now an integral part of our lives.
4. My pets who are always putting a smile on my face.
5. My health, which allows me to work, feel, run, go on bike rides, hurt the next day, cook with friends, read and just be happy me. 

A Veggie Afternoon & Okotoks in the Company of Family

I was supposed to write about Hello Kitty today but then, I started thinking that I need the people in my pictures as well as the cat... I know, it sounds a bit complicated Winnie the Pooh,  Hello Kitty... etc etc... but I guess you will all understand next week.

So last minute I decided to change the subject to our two main week-end activities: My veggie afternoon (Saturday) and Okotoks (Sunday). 

My Veggie Afternoon

About a year ago Tavo and I decided to go through this body "cleansing" program.  In a couple of words,  the program involved a lot of celery, grapes and papaya... for about... a month.  Oh yeah... it was hard. We mainly did it for health reasons but I can tell you that in three weeks I was pretty much swimming in my own pants... and Tavo was even worst (why do men loose weight faster than women... why? WHY?) ...

Anyway, the result of our little experiment is that we ended up becoming vegans; read people that do not eat any (yes any!) animal product.  No even my beloved ice cream or milk chocolate. And if you are Colombian, and you are reading this, you might be thinking I'm totally denying my own identify, my "food" heritage... BUT so we did.  Shame on us!! : )

To be honest, after a month we didn't even miss our "regular" food.  You have no idea all you can do with veggies and soy!! Add some almond milk, rice cheese, beans (all kinds) and believe it or not you are kinda of set.  Food actually became a discovery of new ingredients and flavors, quite different than our Criolla cousine. That's until we discovered I was low in iron. Doctor recommended: fish.  So we re-added it to our diet.  And I didn't push back AT ALL because I LOVE seafood!!

So we were semi-vegans for about 8-10 months more.  That's when I started to get very busy at work and due to convenience factors ended up adding chicken and turkey to the mix.  I must say... I am not very proud of myself. Do you all know what they do to chickens and turkeys before they hit your table?! Very ugly things...specially in developed countries. 

However, we decided to take another try at it, not going all the way to vegans and just sticking to vegetarians that eat fish. I am not giving up my seafood!  At least vegetarians eat cheese and eggs. We'll have to do without all the hormones that they put on chicken... don't worry... we'll survive!

This brings me to my Saturday afternoon, when I got together with two wonderful ladies to explore some vegetarian recipes.  First, introducing Karen. 
- As side note... she was complaining about not remembering the recipe if she drank too much wine... uh... dear... you brought three copies of the recipes... remember?

And my next friend, Bianca.  She cheated by bringing her stuff almost done.  After eating it I figured she was just trying to hide the recipe from us so that we can't copy it.  : )  Nahh... but it was delicious!

 Ok. Here's the menu:

Starts

• Vegetable soup on coconut milk
• Vegetarian brushetas based on fresh tomatoes & black olives

Main Dishes - Entrees

• Garlicky roasted potato salad with wilted kale and tahini dressing - The kind just melt in your mouth!
• Ginger tofu 
• Chinese five-spice rice
• Rice with sunflower sauce, spinash and a bit of ginger flavor

Dessert

• Apple pie with soy vanilla ice cream on top

 Any complains about being vegetarian?! Are you kidding?! We had a great meal... and so did Tavo when he came back from walking the dog and got to eat a lot of left overs.

Didn't  mean to make you hungry or anything... so I'll move on fast to our Sunday; not leaving you without a thought... what will our baby think about not having "Carnita Asada" or "Bandeja Paisa" or "Mute Santandereano"? All very delicious but very non-vegetarian?  Hopefully he/she will be so excited about us and moving to Canada that he/she won't miss that Colombian food.  ; )

Okotoks (Sunday) 

I won't make this part very long as you probably have plans to hit the kitchen soon.  All I can say is that we needed to loose some of the calories from the day before and decided to take a drive and walk to a small city close to Calgary (and it's surroundings) called Okotoks.  Here are some pics: 

The three of us in Sheep River Falls. It took us about 7 shots to at least get Duna to sit looking to the front.   
 

The four ladies in front of the giant rock that was brought to this place by a glacier from the Rocky Mountains.  (wow!)

As you can see, the "little" rolls are not so little... 
 

Ok there is an explanation for this picture.  It was supposed to be a nice group pic with Tavo and Duna... until our cute pet decided to jump on top of me, and I totally lost my balance.  Obviously... the pic didn't quite work as planed but I thought I share it anyway!

Somebody said cute pet?

Can't wait to take our baby to our Sunday adventures. 

Until next post, 

LuzM.