Sunday, May 31, 2009

bromances are sweet

This is Matt.

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Matt plays squash.

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Matt plays squash with Bruce.

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See Bruce smile.

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See Matt stretch.

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See Bruce... stretch?

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We love Matt.

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Our futon misses you. Next time can you bring E and the fetching offspring, too? We miss you all.

p.s. Thanks, E, for sending this along with Mr. B:

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Frosting this good should only ever be thumbnail thick. Looking forward to the moment we nosh delectable goodness together, friend. You know I only like binging in pairs.



Today's track: Good People - Jack Johnson

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

las mejores taquerias

Or at least according to chilango.com. And I guess they must be right, because there was a shameful and embarrassing amount of food consumption at this hole-in-the-wall restaurant we went to last weekend with some friends. Like you may or may not need to use both hands to count the amount of tacos I ate. I know. Be disgusted.

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Okay, but this was not my plate. This belonged to someone else. I promise.

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I'm glad I didn't see this huge hunk of meat on the way in. I just wouldn't have enjoyed the meal as much if I had known...

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After dinner, we went to see Angels and Demons in the VIP theater. Not really my kind of movie, though. I prefer shallower stuff that leaves me with happy, superficial feelings. But back to the VIP theater. We only ever go VIP. It's 100 pesos for plush recliner seating, blankets and waiters that bring you food. Worth every peso.

I really, really love these next two pictures of Suzanne and Fashion (taken before we entered the theater). They're watching a Shakira music video here and discussing how awesome and sexy she is. So cute.

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This is a super gross picture of me. I'd just eaten an insane amount of food and we were headed to the 10:30 p.m. showing. I was tired, puffy and halfway to a food coma.

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Yet I still ordered Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey for dessert while watching the movie... I had to stay awake somehow. I've been repenting full force on the treadmill this week. Aye!

have you read it?

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I hadn't read it before until this past weekend when my friend Fashion lent it to me. We have the same literary taste, and she knew it would be right up my alley.

I love it when authors create worlds that suck me in and make me wish I lived there. I also love perfectly plausible characters that magnify silly nuances of humanity. Like when the main character references eating dinner at a restaurant with an astonishing amount of ugly people. A valid observation.

Or when she is determined not to imagine what could happen as then it surely wouldn't come about. Who hasn't had that thought cross his or her mind?

Or her description of the houseboy in love with her - noble and handsome features that are unfortunately offset by a slightly daft countenance. I've known people like this.

Like I said. Right up my alley. I kinda loved it. I kinda chafed inwardly when I wasn't reading it. I kinda moped when it was all over. And I kinda wished there was a sequel...



Today's track: Brighter Discontent - The Submarines

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

how NOT to get the girls

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Last week when Ayzha came over, B made the girl watch Transformer cartoons with him. What a buzzkill.

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Hey, B. Lets look a little more manic about Transformers already.

B is a little in love with Ayzha and asked me something the other night that sorta made me swallow back a smidgen of bile.

B: "Mom, what is 'true love's kiss'?"

Me: "Er... it's when two people who really, truly love each other kiss."

B: "So can I kiss Ayzha?"

Me: "Uh, no. No, that would probably not be a good idea. You can kiss me, though! I truly love you!"

B: "Yeah, well... it's okay, Mom."

Bit too incestuous for you, B?

Definitely will be keeping an eagle eye on these two during future playdates. For Ayzha's sake. (Really, really sorry, Angie. Really.)



Today's track: This Is How We Kiss - Throw Me the Statue

Saturday, May 23, 2009

meditation

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I was exhausted tonight. I went to lie down on the floor in the boys' room for a moment, staring at the smooth, white ceiling. Then I closed my eyes.

I could hear the people below us watching television and the woman above us walking across the floor in her stilettos. I could hear cars passing on the busy road outside our apartment building. A horn blared and a police siren was audible in the distance. I could hear my children in the next room with Bruce getting dressed for bed. B was teasing M. M was laughing and calling for her daddy. L was preoccupied with Triceratop noises. And Bruce was prodding them to get their pajamas on already.

The awareness of my mind's eye focused on each sound and its rhythm again and again. Television... stilettos... cars... horn... siren... B... M... L... Bruce... television... stilettos... cars... horn... siren... B... M... L... Bruce... B... M... L... Bruce... B... M... L... Bruce...

Thoughts came and gently drifted away as my mind and body sank into a quiet stupor. Life was muffled by a stillness that enveloped me in that moment. The music of daily living continued on in other places while I stopped to listen from a private, unseen sanctuary. A detached observer.

Then other senses kicked in. The colors of my mind's eye brightened in joyous response, conquering the beige monotony of the day. The world smelled cleaner. And the previously unnoticed ball of tension at my heart's center gently began to dissipate and seep its way across my shoulders, arms, torso, hip bones, legs and out through the fingertips and toes. Muscles falling away from the bone and melting into the floor.

A sense of relaxation trickled down from the top of my head, across my forehead, allowing the space between my eyebrows to become smooth and even. My breath moved in through my nose and out, deep yet unforced, as my belly slowly rose and fell like the ocean tide with every inhale and exhale. And the muscles of my face began to relax as a soft smile crept across my lips in quiet gratitude for all that I have.

Peace and clarity. So divine.



Today's track: Little Wonders - Rob Thomas

Thursday, May 21, 2009

valet parking

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Parking lots are anomalies in this concrete jungle, so valet parking seems a worthy substitute, no? Driving up to the front door of an establishment with minimal walking distance involved. Everyone valets here. Bruce (who hates walking anywhere) only thinks he loves valet parking, because he hardly has to do it. I loathe it. Why?

From a germophobic point of view, the valet guys are a cesspool of disease... handling keys and steering wheels and car doors of multiple persons. Dirty.

They also generally ask if you've left any valuables. Valuables? Like besides my car and the keys to my car that I'm leaving with you?

I also love how they feel inclined to help themselves. To the spare change occasionally left in the perfectly covered, compartmentalized slots of my vehicle. What goes through their mind? Hmmm. What's in here? Well, don't mind if I do...

Speaking of, I went out with some girlfriends a couple weekends ago. I drove and we left my car with the restaurant valet. Only later I realized the dirty badgers had stolen the orange carabiner off my key chain. I know. Trivial. But why even do it? Come on! Unprincipled snarks. I was fond of that commodious metal loop. So functional... and apparently they thought so, too.

Though I have yet to experience the same shady fortune of a friend when one valet guy crashed their car, allowed them to finish dinner, and then had a nice surprise waiting for them when they walked back out into the seemingly pleasant evening.

Lack of liability = no accountability. A dangerous predicament here in Mexico that extends far beyond the woes of valet parking, my friends. But that would be another post entirely. In any case, I have concluded that valet personnel are a shifty lot that cannot be trusted.



Today's track: Young Folks - Peter, Bjorn and John. It has nothing to do with this post. I just dig it. The whistling makes me happy.

in case you don't believe me...

...when I tell you the water is dirtier these days. I'm thinking we're not actually getting clean, but we still attempt bathing out of habit.

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L, please, please... keep your mouth closed.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

ice cream in a cone?

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Yes, please.

Mexican amigas, for some delish Argentinian helado, look no further than Alto Tango in Polanco. Mmmm...

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

i want a wall like this in my house

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(Photo taken by my sister Danielle while in Morocco, and er... stolen from her facebook albums. Sorry, D... what's mine is yours, what's yours is mine, verdad?)



Today's track: The Beauty of the Way We're Living - Club 8

Sunday, May 17, 2009

mrs. texas

Bonnie and I first met four-and-a-half years ago at a BodyPump instructor meeting. We had both just moved to The Woodlands and had both just been hired on to work at the YMCA there. As soon as I saw the streak of chocolate down the back of her pants from the m&ms she'd been munching on the way over, I knew we'd be BFFs.

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She's a friend who understands the musical, fitness and spiritual parts of me (she sings, she teaches Les Mills group fitness, and she's a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). I miss her red curls and the sassy, little sparkle she always has in her eye. And I'm especially sad I've missed this exciting year for her!

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If you know Bonnie, you know she was meant to shine. No one does sparkle and determination like she does. I'm so so SO proud of you, darling friend. July 17th. You'll rock the Mrs. USA Pageant.

I can hardly wait to see you girls... I miss you so.

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p.s. Brooke, I literally teared up when I saw your beautiful pregnant self on Bonnie's blog. Can't wait to hold Baby B #3. Can't WAIT.



Today's track: Dancing Queen - ABBA (of course!)

Friday, May 15, 2009

thoughts

Is it May 15th? Is it really May 15th?

When I left my computer up for a time today, I came back to find that someone had googled "nintendo ds", "nintendo ds games" and "transformers ds games."

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L and I had a remarkable conversation today. A conversation about eating good foods that will help us grow big and strong. An actual face-to-face, eyes-on-me, two-way conversation without sound effects, made-up words or him insisting I call him "girl dragon." Progress.

M has had no accidents for a week now (*knock on wood*). Girls really are easier to potty train. L still gets on the toilet backwards. Is this symbolic?

I took B to the emergency room this morning, because he was fine all morning until just before we were to leave for school. And then he dropped to the ground, screaming and writhing in pain for a good half-hour. My first thought was appendicitis. By the time we arrived at the hospital, his pain had disappeared. As an extra precaution, the doctor had him x-rayed. Tonight the doctor called to tell me there didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary except a very full tummy. So it was just gas? Excellent. A well-spent $200 and three hours at the hospital.

My maid asked me to have a fourth baby today. My maid. "Yo quiero muchissimo sus ninos," she also said. Roughly translated, "I love your children." Literally translated, "I want your children very much." Let's hope she didn't mean it literally with a "to take" sandwiched between the lines.

Bruce is on a plane back from Brazil tonight. Can't wait. We're all so glad when Daddy comes home.

i can't stop watching it



Thank you, Amanda.


post-edit:

If you can't get enough of the red-headed hot stepper, here's one more for the road:


Thursday, May 14, 2009

dearest bruce

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Your side is unruffled and my back is cold. I really, really hate it. Come home soon.



All the Things You Know - Blue Judy

auntie kauti is more fun

Someday M and Lorelei will talk.

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And maybe the conversation will turn to birthdays. Birthday parties, specifically. Lorelei might show M pictures of her two-year-old birthday party and the amazing fondant cake her mother handmade. As well as the beautifully wrapped presents and cute outfit and accessories she got to wear.



(Take note of the lollipop cake toppers. How lucky can one girl be?)

And then M will come running over to our photo albums of her two-year-old birthday party, pull out these pics and possibly do this:

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Thereby lamenting over the injustice of having been born as my daughter instead of Auntie Kauti's. Truly, life isn't fair.

But cheer up, M. When the day finally comes when you realize how not hip and how uncool your mama really is, you can always run away to Auntie Kauti's house. And I bet she'll make you an out-the-shizam fondant cake to help lick your deprived childhood wounds.

Until then...

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Lorelei gets the goods.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Lorelei! No one does chic boots like you, girlfriend. Stylin' like your mama.



Today's track: Get On Your Boots - U2

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

breathe deep

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Rainy season has officially started. Finally.

Though cleaner air means dirtier water, I'll take it. I've got my AquaRain. Bring it.



Today's track: Nothing to Worry About - Peter, Bjorn and John