Happy New Year!

Have a safe and happy 2007!

Happy Birthday!

To Nanners, on her very first!

A Christmas Announcement

Nubbin #14 is on the way, due to join our family in August. This little nubbin was something of a surprise to everyone, including its parents. After all, they produced Nubbin #13 just 8 1/2 months ago.

Good luck and God Bless, you will definitely need it!

It's a Christmas Miracle

So, several months ago my youngest brother bought two Norwegian Dwarf bunnies and last week he was cleaning the cage when they made their escape...outside.

So, after spending all day last Sunday in the wilds of my folks backyard, my Dad was able to recapture one of the bunnies; the other, it seemed, was lost forever.

This morning a bunch of us were sitting around talking when someone left a package on the porch. My Dad went over, opened the door, and lo and behold what was sitting in the driveway, but 1 cute little bunny.

My brother slipped out the back; I started over from the porch and after a 15-20 minutes bunny hunt we were victorious. After spending an entire week convinced that the poor little escapee had succumbed to either the cold or a neighborhood cat, Bunny #2 is safe, warm and fed (even with a delicious apple treat). It's a Christmas miracle!

Quote of the Day

"At the focal point of all human history, a point illuminated by a new star in the heavens revealed for just such a purpose, probably no other mortal watched--none but a poor young carpenter, a beautiful virgin mother, and silent stabled animals who had not the power to utter the sacredness they had seen. Shepherds would soon arrive and later,wise men from the East. Later yet the memory of that night would bring SantaClaus and Frosty and Rudolph--and all would be welcome. But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees or tinsel. With a baby--that's how Christmas began."

Jeffrey R. Holland, "Without Ribbons and Bows," New Era, Dec. 1994, 6

Super Secret Enchilada Party

Tonight was the 1st ever Super Secret Enchilada Party and if you got an invitation then you are totally one of the "cool kids". Or, someone who succumbed to the idea that hanging out with like-minded co-workers whilst drinking, eating, and watching basketball on the restaurant big screen was better than the formal company party. Either way...there were margaritas, beer and oh yeah, enchiladas!

A Weekend Away

I love The Huntington. It is my very favorite place on earth and I would go there all the time if I could. The first phase of the Chinese Garden in open, but still heavily "under construction", but it will be stunning when finished. They've opened the Conservatory


and the Children's Garden

since I was there last and both are amazing.

The Japanese Garden continues to be my favorite spot in my favorite place on earth:






I spend the whole day without ever venturing into the museum. Museum going I reserved for The Getty.

I've Moved

Not that you would necessarily notice, but I'm the new Blogger Beta. It took some work to get everything looking sort of the way I want it, and I'm still not quite sure about some of the new stuff, but at least I'm up and running!

Mexico--The Rest

We had lunch at Cookies, Stephanie met her true love, hung out at a pool hall, and had another stream of visitors hoping to see Ana and Lola before they left.

Carmen gave me a beautiful salt and pepper shaker set to remind me of her and my time there. She told me that I was always welcome in her very humble home, and made me cry. Shouldn't I be giving her the gift? I was treated with nothing but kindness and hospitality by everyone I met. They were all so great to me. I mentioned to Ana that I didn't know most of the extended families names, but had been hugged and kissed by more than half of them. Total acceptance...you can't argue with that.

We left early Sunday afternoon, after yet another go-round of family visitors. Ana's brother works in Juarez, but his family lives in Chihuahua were they take care of his mother-in-law who has terminal cancer. Albert comes home on the bus every Friday night and takes the 6 hour bus ride back at midnight on Sunday. This means, he gets off the bus and heads right to work. Ana suggested that he ride back with us, and he took her up on the offer. We stopped at a little (but very busy) cafe for lunch and finally got to the Visa checkpoint. There were some technical difficulties with the computer system that made the people in line behind us none to happy. We sat through a mini-revolution, where the checkpoint agent ended an argument with the growing crowd by slamming and locking the booth window, and after 45 minutes we finally got out of there.

We made it to Juarez around 7:00, made it over the bridge and back on American soil around 8:00 and rolled into Albuquerque around midnight. We collapsed at the hotel where we were rudely awakened by someone, and I am not kidding, jumping off the bed and repeatedly running around their room above us at 5:30 a.m. It didn't make any of us very happy, but it did get us up and going. Then there is the rest of the very, very long drive home. You know, the part where if you don't get out of the car RIGHT. NOW. you will kill all your traveling companions even if you do really like them.

All in all, I had a wonderful, spectacular, fabulous time in Mexico. It was a lovely experience. There are a lot of things that are different about their lifestyle, but I truly believe there are a lot of things that are superior to our way of life. I hope I get the chance to go back again.

Mexico--Day 6 and 7

A lot of driving!

We left Parral and met up with the cousins and the turnoff to Guachochi. The drive to Guachochi was pretty winding, but we arrived without incident. Nick had informed us that the Sinforosa overlook was the "pretty part" of the canyon and that El Divisadero in Creel was just a more accessible (and therefore) more visited canyon.

We drove for 1/2 hour or so up a dirt road, through small streams, etc. to get to the Sinforosa, and it was spectacular.




There is a tiny village where they stage competitions to see how fast they can run, climb, whatever, out of the canyon.


After the Sinforosa was went back to Guachochi for lunch, where everything was closed because 1) it was 2:00 p.m.--Siesta Time, and 2) a holiday. We ended up at a very nice hotel dining room, where the waitstaff was slightly mortified that they were out of the chicken flautas that I had ordered. Now even though I don't speak Spanish, I'm certain I was referred to as the Queen of England, but whatever, this Queen will eat a quesadilla, no problem.

From Guachochi we drove through the Sierra Madre mountains to Creel. It is truly a lovely drive. It is also very steep, lots of up and down, in and out of canyons, and a LOT of hairpin turns. The total drive took a good 4-5 hours, but it was beautiful. On a side note, there is nothing around. A very occasional 3 house "village", but really nothing. However, we were constantly passing people, donkeys, cows, dogs, etc. on the road. Where are they going? And where did they come from? I still don't know the answer.

In Creel we stayed at Margarita's restaurant where I ended up in the only room with heat (I even had a thermostat) and hot water. I say sometimes it pays to be the only white girl in the group.



and yes, they used real, actual keys for the rooms.


In the morning, we stopped at a cave dwelling just outside of town. The mother has a job in town, and the grandmother stays with the kids where they supplement their income by charging a couple buck to let people in. It was overwhelmingly sad. Although, I was told that they choose to live there...it stills seems so harsh.




We drove another 2-3 hours through canyon to see the Cascada de Basaseachi,


and the Birthplace of the Revolution
.

When we finally got back into an actual city, we stopped for a late lunch. When we got there they were playing a Mexican radio station, but by the time we were seated a Garth Brooks CD was on. It amused me to no end...and it was really just nice to hear English.

When we finally made it back to Chihuahua we were all exhausted!

Mexico--Day 5

We got a really late start...everyone slept in until about 9:00 a.m. then we got up and ready to head to Santa Barbara. Carmen and Lola had been born and raised in Santa Barbara, and it was were Ana was born. We hooked up with Ana's Aunt Amelia and her cousins, Cookies, Nick and Blanca, who were joining up for the road trip.

Santa Barbara is a couple of hours away from Chihuahua and when we got there it was starting to get dark. The cousins still have family in Santa Barbara's sister city (both old mining towns) and they suggested we spend the night in Parral, while they caught up with their side of the family. Nick is retired military and he used to patrol the copper Canyon and is familiar with the roads. He thought given the steep and winding nature (and the fact that there are cows frequently on the road) that we shouldn't attempt it at night. Sounded good to me!

We stopped at the old Santa Barbara cemetery to decorate the graves of Carmen and Lola's father and brother, the headed into the city proper. We drove around Santa Barbara with Carmen and Lola chattering about their childhood, the boys they used to date, the friends they had, the places they went, etc. Along the main road the Day of the Dead altars were up and it seemed like the whole town was there. We pulled over and explored as well.



We wandered around, ate some Dead bread and candy, took photos, and (I) drew some attention. Word quickly spread that I was 1)white, and 2) an English speaker. Most of the altars had been assigned as a school project and as I walked up to one a couple of girls (12-13 years old) came up and asked if I spoke Spanish. When I replied that I didn't, one hesitantly asked, "How are you?" We were immediately surrounded by a whole big group of school kids who have been learning English in school and were delighted to have someone to practice with.

We drove back to Parral to find a hotel and ended up in the American Inn a very nice, well priced, safe, hotel that caters mostly to foreign business travelers. The owner is Swiss (go figure), and he gave us good restaurant recommendations, and sight-seeing suggestions. We took his restaurant recommendation, ate, and pretty much, fell into bed.

Mexico--Day 4

El Grutas--The caves. It might actually be Las Grutas, but I don't remember. The caves are just outside the city and once inside it is HOT and HUMID. 1 2/2 kilometers of steep steps, up and down, and (did I mention) HOT and HUMID?! They do have spectacular formations, The Hawk, Pancho Villa, etc. (which, again, I did not take any pictures of). The "kitchen" is considered the most spectacular "room" sporting the Leaning Tower of Pisa (it does look just like it...leaning and everything).

Lunch is big deal in Mexico, the main meal of the day, but since we were going on a road trip the next day we settled for leftovers for lunch. I had a yummy grilled chicken salad (with fresh tortillas, of course). After lunch, we went back downtown so I could finish up my shopping for the nubbins, and to see if they had started erecting the altars for Day of the Dead in the cathedral square.

Since we were going out of town, we took Carmen and Lola to the cemetery to decorate their Mother's grave. Later, we dropped them off and headed back downtown to watch the dancing fountains (no pictures!), see the angel monument and drove back past the Cathedral...still no altars.

Mexico--Day 3

We drove into downtown Chihuahua and stopped at the Cathedral. Here's something I don't understand, maybe a Catholic reader can help. We Mormons don't really focus on the actual crucifixion. We don't wear crosses, we don't have a lot of cross related artwork. Instead our focus is Gethsamane and the Resurrection. So, why do Catholic churches all have to have the creepy statues of Christ on the cross with blood and suffering? Seriously, it creeps me out...maybe because I didn't grow up seeing it, but still...*shiver*

Surrounding the main square there were statues of Chihuahua dogs all painted with different themes. I cannot believe I didn't take any pictures of the dogs! My favorite was painted black with the constellations spread out across its body. We found out from Ana's aunt that Chihuahua had recently had an International Festival and the dogs were part of it.

We did a little Day of the Dead shopping (several of Steph's friends had requested a souvenir sugar skull), stopped at the bakery for Mexican cookies and Dead bread, then headed back to Carmen's.

Carmen was preparing a fantastic lunch of chicken (especially for me), veggies and rice so we ran to the tortilla store while she finished up. The tortilla store is basically around the corner and it was a big room with a counter. Behind the counter was an enormous tortilla makin' machine and that was it. I found that to be pretty typical of specialty stores. No fuss, no muss, just what they sell...and Coke (Coca in Spanish)...everyone sells Coke! So we took our still hot tortillas home and enjoyed a fabulous lunch.

After lunch there were more visitors. After dark there was a trip to the overlook where you can see the how big Chihuahua is. This picture shows about 1/4 of the city.

2006 Book Update

The last time I posted about books was way back in September, so I've read a few since then.

Devil in the White City, Erik Larson
While the greatest temporary city in America was being created for the Chicago Worlds Fair a serial killer was building a hotel so his victims would never be more than a flight of stairs away. I loved the contrast between trying to make a name for Chicago as the greatest place on earth, while young women are simply disappearing from the face of the earth. How could it be that so many went missing, and nobody suspected a thing? I would definitely recommend.

The Futurist, James P Othmer
This was just an okay book. A man who is supposedly capable of predicting what and how the world will embrace loses confidence in himself, takes a questionable job with a group of shady characters who are trying to kill him and falls in love. I don't recommend this one at all.

The Book Thief, Markus Zusak
This is one of the best books I've ever read. I originally heard about it from Hilary's Mom and she was right...it is fantastic! Takes place in a small German town during WWII, narrated by Death, focusing on a Christian girl who is an occasional thief. You really have to read this.

The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger
A boss from Hell, in the fashion industry? No way, right? I don't know if my dislike of this book stems from reading it right after such an amazing book, but maybe the movie is better. Not recommended.

The Two Minute Rule, Robert Crais
If you are going to rob a bank, you have 2 minutes inside before your chances of being caught skyrocket. Bank robbers spend way too much time inside and instead of capture they choose death being shot down in a fire-y blaze of glory, but when 4 police officers are gunned down several months later the ex-con-bank-robber-father of one of them is determined to find out who killed them, how it relates to the bank robberies, and if his son was a bad cop. I liked this book; nothing super-fabulous, but a nice quick read.

The Tenth Circle, Jodi Picoult
Do people ever really change? Or do they constantly change, never to be the same person again? Should there be another level of hell for those who practice self-deceit? Is rape still rape if you don't say anything, but clearly don't want it? I love Jody Picoult, the way she writes, the way she describes feelings. I really enjoyed this book...and it has a secret message embedded in certain pages. I really love a treasure hunt. Recommended.

Next up:
Sleeping With Fear, Kay Hooper