Bilingual in the Boonies

Nuts and Nut Jobs

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:27:00 +0000

I don't write too much about Maria's nut allergy. While it is at the front of my brain daily, we've learned to accept it as the way of our life. But with school starting, we've been talking allergies a lot with new friends. I share a little in this week's Parenting.com post why the parents of children with allergies are not necessarily nuts.

Speaking of nuts, have you all been watching the Republican and Democratic conventions? I have. Will spare you my politics, but I will say this:

Politicians piss me off.

I have covered boards of education, city councils and I have spent way too many days of my life at the Tennessee Legislative Plaza. I want to immediately bathe each time I walk out of there. I have covered legislative hearings on adoption law and foster care that left me chewing my pens and cursing inside my big skull: "You're not asking the hard questions!'' Politicians: One thing I don't miss about the news business.

You've heard the joke, how do you know a politician is lying? He's moving his lips.

Regardless of whom you are voting for this election season, fact check them.

Here is my favorite web site of the moment: Politifact

There are links to other fact-checking sites there. Follow them. Don't swallow the funny or hard-ball one-liners as truths without double-checking. Just 'cause it sounds good doesn't mean it is true. I mean, dating should have taught us that, right?

If you look at the long-nose-o-meter results, you'll see all the candidates and their attack dogs are lying or coloring the truth. Some more than others, but they're all playing the game...they are playing you, telling you what you want to hear. Tail wagging dog.

In November, vote your conscience and your gut. It is your absolute right and hard-won priviledge as an American. When you push that button, though, do it as a well-informed American, not as some puppet in partisan politics.

End of rant.

OK, back to Latina living talk...

So hey, did you see that picture of la caliente J.Lo on the cover of Elle?

photo from the popcrunch show

Dulce de Leche: An occasional series

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:18:00 +0000

I do not hang out in the Pop-tart aisle. My extra calories and hydrogenated oils are a little more upper-crusty than that...Slightly. But, yesterday I followed some strange gravitational pull, looked up toward the fluorescent lights of my local Big Box Chapel and what did mine eyes thus see?

Ay, Dios Mio Bendito! Dulce de Leche Pop-tarts in Limited Edition! First dulce de leche ice cream, then dulce de leche topping, then dulce de leche non-dairy creamer and now sandwiched in between two crusts of pure Americana, dulce de leche pop-tarts!

Amen, mis amigos...If we didn't know we were the new flavor of America before, we surely know it now. I am waiting for the Keebler Elves to launch dulce de leche cereal or how about dulce de leche Teddy Grahams. Maybe even dulce de leche Goldfish?

And now, a sugar- and caffeine-fueled review: Blech.

The caramel is the color of terracotta, not that warm, familiar cafe-con-leche that immediately gets your insulin flowing. And, an hour after consumption what I might be tasting is the "Yellow #5 lake" color added or something ending with "phate.''

True Latin dulce de leche has addictive "mouth feel" like good chocolate or buttery shortbread. This? Feels like regret.

Kellogg's, thank you for the effort. Really. Much appreciated. But, I'd slap the box out of anyone's hand.

So, my non-Latino friends let me tell you how best to enjoy dulce de leche/cajeta/arequipe/manjar:

Head to your local Mexican or Latino food store and buy yourself the biggest jar you can find. If not, make your own. You also can follow Marta's recipe. Then, purchase the best loaf of white bread in town. A nice, thick and soft on the inside loaf. Warm the bread, make yourself a cafecito with warm milk and lots of sugar. Spoon dulce de leche on the bread.

Speak to no one.

Enjoy the moment.

Thank me for the tip later.

Backyardigans go Mexican Polka

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 14:15:00 +0000

This just made me happy...The Backyardigans dancing to Banda Dominguera. (Just don't click on this users other videos...)

My daughter: Future peacemaker.

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:54:00 +0000

We were listening to the Democratic Convention recap on XM this morning when Maria said:
"John McCain wants to be president.''
"Yes, he does. And so does a man named Barack Obama.''
"Can they both be president?"
"No, Mama. Only one person can be president.''
"What if they take turns?''
"They don't really work very well together, Maria. They don't agree on many things.''
"Can they work it out?''
"How would you suggest they work it out? What could they do?''
"They could take turns being president or the girls can be with Barack Obama and the boys can be with John McCain.''

If it were that simple, no?

Today on Parenting.com...

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:16:00 +0000

And today on Parenting.com it's the "Thank goodness I didn't have a chancleta handy'' edition ...

"We got to the car and I dressed her down. I could hear myself lecturing and I could. not. stop. I was feeling guilty for the tirade even as the words escaped, but again, could not stop. (I subscribe to the belief no one learns from a tirade so I try not to. Try.)"

Come visit me over there...

Lessons from childhood summers

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:56:00 +0000

California, Summer 2008

A couple of days after I wrote about summer kicking my butt and my plan to peel out of Maria's school parking lot on her first day, I sat down to read a wonderful book a friend just loaned me -- The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness by Edward M. Hallowell, M.D.

From the dedication:

"Summer is like childhood. It passes too fast. But, if you're lucky, it gives you warm memories from which you take strength in the cold days ahead.
Summer is also like childhood, in that you may not think what you are doing matters very much while you are doing it, but later on you realize it mattered far more than you knew.
Summer is hot days, picnics, roads under repair, and the chance to swim. Summer is slower than the rest of the year, and its days are longer than any others. Summer embraces children. But, like childhood, summer also warns: Love me now; I will not last.
Like a child, summer teaches us about the best in life. Summer asks us to do what we should help our children do: play, relax, explore, and grow.''

California, Summer 2008

We did have a glorious summer. Much to be grateful for.
I needed to read that.
Did you?

Behind the Scenes at the Olympics and silkworms on a stick

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:21:00 +0000

Tonight is closing ceremonies and we will undoubtedly be sitting in front of The Needle -- the name we gave our TV. Maria has watched Opening Ceremonies four times. Not the whole thing every time, but the drumming and the dancing. She now dances and floats around like the muses from the opening show.

As you look toward the end, consider taking a peek at my friend, Brian's blog -- The Beijing Bulletin -- for a behind-the-scenes look at covering the Olympics.

Brian is the AP sports photo editor who hired me to go to Cuba in 1991 for the Pan American Games. I was a photo gopher, running film between venues and the Havana Hilton, where they were processed and sent via satellite back to New York. His wife was my kick-ass city editor when I worked in N.J.

Through Brian I met my husband, who also was on assignment in Havana that summer. So, Brian always will be kind of Fairy Godmother to us.

In related Beijing-ness, these photos were in my in-box this morning. A reporter I know went to the night market and figured I would enjoy waking to pictures of lamb testicles, centipedes and silkworms on a stick...Maria is going to love this...

Lamb testicles

centipedes

silkworms

Back to school, back to order...

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:23:00 +0000

When friends visit...

The end of summer break is upon us here in the Boonies.

La Maria returns for her second year of pre-school next week. School should be a breeze for the cookie, who insists she already knows how to drive, play guitar and pick the correct vitamin bottle from the cabinet. Um, no you don't, hermanita. Step away from the car keys and cabinet. You are 4-years-old.

To say that this summer has been long is an understatement. While we have enjoyed many days of quiet hanging out, picking books at the library, swimming and having playdates, the laundry takes an average of five days to get put away, crumbs stay under tables for about three days and Maria has spent more days than I care to admit in her pajamas. Let's not even talk about the state of her hair. The guineas, now 9 weeks, are lucky to still be alive, let me tell you.

So, while the new parents at Maria's school are having anxiety separation, I will be the one peeling out of car line. Bon Bons and deadlines and Swiffer, here I come. I will OD on Free Will and only after my house is back in the shape that would make a Cuban Abuelita proud, will I look back at this sweet summer with warmth and longing.

A little...

Summer, 2008

My aversion to "Mommy Blogger''

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:08:00 +0000

...and my deep love of Anna Quindlen...(who also has a daughter named Maria)...

Today at Parenting.com

Will be back over here in full muy pronto. Summer is winding down. Just catching my breath.

Cuba confusion

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 21:58:00 +0000

Today:
"Mami, I really, really want to go to Cuba."
"One day, Maria.''
"No, now. I really want to go.''
"Maria, it is not too easy to travel to Cuba. We need permission.''
"But, I've already been there hundreds of times.''
"Maria, do you mean Miami?"
"Yes, Miami. I really want to go there. I want to play on the beach.''
"Me too, Mama. Me too.''

Twitter, Twittiando, Tweet

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 20:06:00 +0000

Inspired by a business story in USA Today, I logged into Twitter a few weeks ago.
My husband always has said that I have no unspoken thought, so this constant vomitation of the inane and ridiculous would be perfect for me. And, if it sells a few t-shirts, well there you go.

I felt, and still do in a way, like the wallflower at the dance. While some people have 15,000 followers, I struggled to figure out how to follow. I eventually found some friendly business people, mega-smart bloggers and friends to follow. The network expands as followers of followers become your followers and you theirs. It is a little like high school.

In blogging I attempt to be relevant, or at the very least, amusing. But on Twitter, simply making noise seems to be OK. I've attempted to hold back from the impulse to hablar too much mierda. Sometimes though you can't help it. The thing asks you "What are you doing?'' every time you log in. I always want to say: "Aqui, comiendo mierda, wasting time. Y tu?''

Here are some examples of things I didn't post:
"My father just taught Maria the word Sacamoco.''
"I have lost control: Animal cracker under my kitchen table for three days.''
"Why exactly am I following Guy Kawasaki?''

I hate to admit it, but overall, I am enjoying the blasted Twittiando. I've met some cool people and reconnected with old friends. I think I am going to like it better when I do a little unfollowing though.

Twitter has its critics. And they're mostly right.
But, if you've got a little start-up, are looking to expand your circle of influence, or looking for a quick way to stay connected with friends and meet new ones, Twitter has possibilities. Just make sure you know how to edit.

I am @LosPollitos by the way.

Latin Baby Book Club launches

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:48:00 +0000

Happy Lunes, everybody...

You know how I often write about the Spanish and bilingual books and music Maria and I enjoy?

Well, now it's a regular gig.

Monica from Latin Baby USA, a competitor and friend, (yes, that is possible) has launched the Latin Baby Book Club.

Five of us, all lovers of words, will be reviewing and recommending bilingual and Spanish books.

Monica explains it all.

The children have moved out

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 21:38:00 +0000

The guineas were transported to their coop Friday morning. Notice my kid still in her pajamas for the big event.

They're only a few yards from the house in the coop my husband built. My father secured the pen with about 7 miles of chicken wire and hardware cloth, along with about 17 million 10-inch galvanized nails.

"Ahi, no entra nada!'' he said. "Si un raccoon se mete ahi, bueno, es Super Man.''

Mas Spanish t-shirts and gifts at Los Pollitos

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:57:00 +0000

Los Pollitos Dicen this week added to the flock: hats, bibs, tank tops and embroidered onesies.

The tank tops, in Candela (spitfire) and Pachanga (par-TAY!) go up to size 6, our first in a size bigger than 4T.

The embroidered design is for infants up to 15 pounds. The Spanish design says "Los Pollitos Dicen Pio Pio Pio."

Tell me these aren't the most cute babies in the cutest new baby shirts ever?

Remember us next time you're headed to a baby shower or birthday fiesta.

Use the code PACHANGA to receive 20% off on our site.

Today on Parenting.com...

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:45:00 +0000

Cubans: I call you hairy.
See post here.

I apologize for the quiet around here. My brainpower is elsewhere and summer break is kicking my ass.

Will be back in a few days.

Cuidate!

Of parties and special gifts

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:16:00 +0000

Maria was quite upset Friday. She wanted to know why no one came to my birthday party. I told her that sometimes grown-ups don't have birthday parties. She was none too pleased to learn this.

The best present was this note from my mom:

"Hija, no importa los años que cumples, yo revivo el dia que nacistes. Bendito Dios que me dio el precioso regalo de tu vida.

Asi como tu sientes por Maria, yo llevo 41 años sintiendolo.

Salud para que puedas disfrutar de una plena y larga vida.

Te quiero.
Mami"

Roughly translated:

"My daughter, it doesn't matter how many birthdays you celebrate, I relive the day you were born. Thanks to God who gave me the precious gift of your life.

The same way you feel about Maria, I have felt about you for 41 years.

May you have health so you may enjoy a long life.

I love you,
Mom.''

There's not much more a girl needs.

41 minus 20: Pre-birthday thoughts

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:05:00 +0000

Ed. note: If you are Carrie's Mami, please close your browser now. Go here or here or here, instead. Gracias.

A friend sent a note yesterday that I need not dread tomorrow's 41st birthday. It is, after all, the 20th anniversary of my 21st birthday.

While it would be lovely to still be that fresher, slimmer version of me, let me tell you that I celebrated the ability to imbibe legally in a college town where it is tradition to give the girls free shots on their 21st. I partook. With nothing but dry toast in my gut for dinner.

Can we say un poquito estupida?

I woke up the next morning and asked my roommate why I remembered little more than the color peach. Well, the kind soul she was had hung my sloshed face over a peach-colored towel and removed the gas permeable contact lenses from my head herself. Can you imagine the love and work that took? It's hard enough to get those suckers out yourself. (I'm all happily Lasik-ed now, by the way...)

Another friend later told me he stood in the living room and told the rest of the group that "I was never here, OK?'' That was just in case I died. Nice, huh? I'm still friends with him and despite that really tepid heart of his, I love him.

Can I get a really huge AMEN for NOT being 21?

Smarter is better.

Today on Parentng.com: Maria's Abuelito arrives

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:30:00 +0000

Let the espanish lessons and the coocoo begin.

That's not me. That's Daisy Fuentes. Another hot 41-year-old Cubanita.

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:57:00 +0000

Fitness magazine

Daisy Fuentes, beautiful and talented Cubanita, is 41 and on the cover of Fitness magazine this coming month.

I, dear reader, another beautiful and talented Cubanita, turn 41 in a few days. Oh yes, I do. Good genetics have offered me a wrinkle-free face, so far, and many years of therapy have made passage to the other side of The Hill a relatively bump-free ride.

Because Fitness magazine was kind enough to send me excerpts and because I will never, ever be featured in Fitness, I offer you Daisy's quotes... and mine.

Pre-Hoppi Bir-day treat to myself.

1. WHAT’S BETTER AT AGE 41?:

Daisy says: “The way I feel. Being comfortable with who I am and caring less about the opinions of others as to what I should look like. I don’t care about fitting into any specific kind of category that society puts people into. I care about what’s best for me. I can’t say that was the same when I was younger. I was very influenced by a lot of outside forces, there’s so much being told to women as how they should look, how they should act, what they should be like, what size is the right size. You can’t help but let that help you. But that doesn’t affect me anymore. That’s very freeing. And it feels great.”

Carrie says: "What she said.''

2. WHAT’S EASIER AT 41?:

Daisy says: [When I was younger] my motivation was coming more from a vanity place. Now, being in this business, it’s more about health for me. I want to be a healthy, active, older woman. I want to age gracefully. It makes a big difference. The activity in your lifestyle, when you’re in your 30s and 40s really have an impact as you get older and that’s going to determine if you look great when you’re fifty. It’s about staying healthy,…You do have to change. You do have to acknowledge it to yourself. It doesn’t get any easier but you can definitely get more easier…Being motivated to be healthier is easier.

Carrie says: "Being OK with owning a cheap purse and eating flan for breakfast. Wouldn't, not couldn't, do that at 25."

3. WHAT’S TOUGH AT 41:

Daisy says: “Traveling. It really takes it out of me. When I was 22, I could get off the Red Eye and go on set. Now it’s too hard. I need my rest, I need my beauty sleep.”

Carrie says: "Losing the Tweezerman I keep in my car for chin hair emergencies.''

4. WHAT OUTFIT MAKES YOU FEEL THE MOST CONFIDENT?:

Daisy says: "Jeans and tank top. It’s my favorite look…I think if you’ve got it together enough and you’re confident and secure with yourself, you should feel as sexy and glamorous in a tee-shirt."

Carrie says: "Any outfit that includes my Spanx and back-fat minimizer one-piece."

5. WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW THAT YOU COULDN’T DO WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER?:

Daisy says: “I can snowboard. I learned when I was 40. I’m very proud of that. It was something I just sort of said, I can do this. I put it off for a long time, I was going to Aspen a lot. I just thought, I don’t need to go up the mountain. Why can’t I do this? I thought I’m too old. I should have started doing this when I was 13 or 20. And I just went for it. When I started, my instructor was in his 50s, he’d always been a ski instructor and he only learned how to snowboard at 40 and now he’s an instructor. So I said I can totally do this.”

Carrie says: "I'm a freaking Superwoman now. I survive on less than 6 hours of sleep, juggle two businesses, a freelance career, a kid, a husband, a cat, 12 guineas. Take that 25!"

6. WHAT’S THE BEST AGE-PROOF ADVICE YOU EVER GOT?:

Daisy says: “Staying out of the sun. The damage is done. It’s hard to stay out of the sun. My mom did, but I ignored her.”

Carrie says: "Marry someone 15 years older.''

Weekending in the Boonies

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:35:00 +0000

I am not sure where the days went in between my last post and this one.

Just a quickie update to share the splendor that is Middle Tennessee in the summer -- if you have access to air conditioning, that is.

We've been sticking close to home for our summer entertainment. At the moment, Maria is playing with Scotch tape and I am taking a break from kitchen duty -- chopping and freezing the CSA vegetables, prepping dinner -- while my husband is outside in the blistering sun finishing up the Guinea coop. The man deserves a drink. Margaritas coming up later.

The highlight of the weekend was an outdoor concert held on the front lawn of a neighbor's house. The tree frogs and cicadas accompanied the talented musicians who sang from the porch. These are, like, famous songwriters who gifted us with their talent. Maria spent much of the evening sitting and coloring at the kid table. You can see her in the picture below. Several other of the musicians were "back-stage'' when I snapped the picture.

I hope the beautiful music-making of this hometown of hers rubs off.

As we were leaving, a woman stopped me and asked if my daughter is always so well-behaved.

"Actually, only in public. At home she kicks my ass,'' I said.
The words came out way too fast. Sometimes, I don't think first. I thought for sure the woman would sneer at my ungrateful attitude. But, she laughed and answered "Hey, I have a boy like that!''

I love my neighbors.

And these non-chickens...

And today on Parenting.com: I get labeled under "Deep Thoughts" tag

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:06:00 +0000

Read today's post over at Parenting.com. I teach "sana, sana culito de rana'' to their readers.

Gracias.

Some of you have asked me how I got the gig. If you too, my often-silent lurkers, are curious: Luck. Karma. Goddess of Google.
No other way to explain it.
I'm loving it.

And hey, if you're Twittering, let me know.
I just inserted the needle. Giving it a try and attempting not to bore anyone following me with details of writing, sewing and cleaning cages...

And finally, I am thinking of offering up the one and only sample I have of a newborn Los Pollitos Dicen Pio Pio Pio gown we designed. Would you come out and tell me whether you're up for some sort of Boonie contest?

Gracias again.

Mami gets no credit

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:45:00 +0000

Last week a friend of mine asked Maria how it is she learned to speak Spanish.
"I learned it at school,'' she said.
"Your mom didn't teach you?'' asked the curious friend.
"No, I learned it at school. I learn it at school so I can surprise my mom,'' Maria said.

Today, another adult asked her the same question.
"My Abuelito and Abuelita are from Miami. Nobody speaks English in Miami. They teach me Spanish,'' she said.

I expect one day she will not give me credit for birthing her either.

Guinea Playdate

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:52:00 +0000

Yes, I have been spending way too much time with the guineas. They poop a lot, but they don't talk, so there's that.

The birds, our soon-to-be tick-fighting army of 12, are 4-weeks old and beginning to lose their baby down. Eventually, they'll have no feathers on their necks. Feo, but fierce.

Notice all the newspaper under the cage. That's my struggling former profession's work under there collecting all the bird crap. Whenever I got upset about a story -- how it was played, what a source said, what an insane editor made me write/do -- my husband always pointed out that "it'll be wrapping fish tomorrow.'' Or collecting caca.

What got cut out in the video editing: "You know what this is? Proof that my husband loves me.'' And, after I gave them grass and they went all wacky, I said it was proof the weed is good.

Finally, I can tell you exactly what my mother will say when she sees this video:
"Ay, Dios mio Caridad, mira toda esa mierda.''

One woman's mierda is another woman's compost.

Los Pollitos Dicen builds a page on Facebook

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 13:50:00 +0000

Los Pollitos Dicen (The Little Chicks Say) now has a page on Facebook.

We welcome "Fans'' and pictures of your beautiful little ones in their Spanish baby tees and onesies.

Also, keep an eye here and there for news about new products.

We are so 2.0, aren't we?

Fancy Nancy en Spanish

carrie@bilingualintheboonies.com (Carrie-in-TN) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:30:00 +0000

A reader recently sent me a note about a book she discovered and enjoyed with her granddaughter, a nena much like my Maria. A fancy one.

I looked up the reviews and decided to add it to our Amazon store. The book also is on its way to my house, where we're all about spinning skirts, jewels and borrowing Mami's lip gloss.

I also added a tender book called, Abuela, which Maria adores. It has beautiful illustrations. This Abuela is not at all like her own Abuelita, who is a bit on the fancy side too.

If anyone has any Spanish or bilingual books to recommend, would love to know.

Besitos...