Mixed Bag of Peanuts

Whoa....it's Monday and I had a whirlwind of a weekend..

Friday I took the day off to get ready for Saturday, but I don't know where Friday went.  Remind me to think twice before taking my 2 1/2 year old with me to Costco....not a good idea.  Yes, I had to take my kicking and screaming toddler out of the store yet again.  I got a lot of sympathetic looks from a few mothers, but I swear if anyone in the store was contemplating on having children that afternoon, I think Nicholas had a few women running to the drug store to refill their birth control prescriptions. 

All and all, it was an eventful weekend.  We celebrated my son's 12th birthday at a park with some relatives and his friends.  Husband got there earlier to reserve a spot, and he found a very nice spot in the park  There was a big ole' party right next to us who had a live band playing.  We forgot the radio, so we got some free entertainment out of it all.  We guessed it was a reunion party of some sort, but once we heard a song called, "Recovery Rocks", we soon realized that it was a AA picnic. 

Now, you may think the crowd was a little rowdy, but NOOOO...they were very mellow--(which is good).  We got to hear a testimonial of a recovery, and we soon heard the whole life of this woman who took the microphone.  Her story sounded like a story I hear every day at work.  Afterwards, they all gathered in a circle, holding hands and recited a prayer.  Of course my daughter and her ex-boyfriend/boyfriend (I don't know for sure if it's on again or off again right now....) had to take a picture of it.  I will post it on this entry later when I get home...if I have time. 

 Luis Camoes, Famous Portuguese Author of the Lusiadas:

http://www.instituto-camoes.pt/cvc/literatura/eng/CAMOES.HTM  <--learn more at this link!

Later that day, after getting home from the party, I took my daughter and baby to Portugal Day (Dia do Camoes) at Kelly Park, in San Jose.  We got there too late, and people unfortunately were closing their booths already.  We stayed there for a short time, but we were amused by the some of the people there.  There was one particular woman wearing a cowboy hat, with a Portuguese flag scarf tied around it that was giving us the Portuguese Glare Stare.  Now, if you aren't Portuguese, you may not know what this means, and it's kind of hard to describe really...  It's just a look that we have when we are trying to "sum people up"...  Who are they?  Do we know them?  Is that the daughter, of my 2nd cousin, who lived near my 3rd cousin from my grandmother's village?  My daughter and I shared a coconut muffin (YUMMY), and I laughed at the younger men there that were checking out my daughter. 

            

               Let Love search for new arts, a new talent
               to kill me, and new indifference;
               for it cannot take away my hopes,
               for it will have difficulty in taking from me what I do not have

See with what hopes I maintain myself
See how dangerous my safety is!
For I do not fear contrasts or changes,
sailing on the rough sea, my vessel lost.

But, although there cannot be any grief
where there is no hope, Love hides
from me an evil that kills and cannot be seen.

For there are days that have placed in my soul
an I know not what, that is born I know not where,
appears I know not how and hurts I know not why. --- Luis Camoes  (Translated to English)

The following day,  we shopped for a graduation dress, and found the perfect one at Ross.  Yeah..we couldn't find nothing at Macy's.  It pays to be thrifty.  Later on I had to drop her off and her friend downtown so they could see one of their favorite bands, "The Lovemakers".  Driving off I could see the square dancing taking place inside the huge park.  Men dancing with men, having a great time.  I'm sorry, but it makes me giggle.  It's Gay Pride month you see in San Jose, California.  My daughter and her friend were dressed a little crazy, and their skirts were a little short, but I'm sure they were pretty safe.  All I saw were gay men, and a few women here and there...  Lots of rainbows, and a lot of happy, dancing men! 

Well, that was my weekend.  Oh, let's not forget the drama of whether my ex-husband will be a show or no show at my daughter's graduation.  More on that later.  He is so damn unpredictable, it could go either way.  For my daughter's sake, I hope he makes good on his promise.  We'll be there, and we'll take her grandmother and her ex-boyfriend/boyfriend Ed with us.  If my ex-husband DOES show up, I will just have to sit real close to hubby, and try not to throw heavy things at his direction.  Wish me luck. 

 

Proud Mother Hen

My daughter, Elizabeth, as a little old man... 

 

Yesterday evening-9pm exact, I was at Michaels (I love that store) buying chalk for my daughter and her friends.  Yes, chalk.  Today is their last day of being seniors at their high school, and last night they did their little senior prank which consisted of drawing fallen images of bodies around a bear (their mascot is the Grizzly) with bright yellow caution tape surrounding the area.  An hour later, my daughter ran back to the house to retrieve a bottle of ketchup, for the blood surrounding the chalk images on the ground.  I wish I had a picture of it, because I imagine it will be either swept away and hosed down by the end of this afternoon.  The friends left late that night from our house. 

 

“Tomorrow is our last day!”  They didn’t say this with excitement or happiness, but rather, sadly.  They exchanged hugs, and said goodbye until tomorrow. 

 

This morning, one of my daughter’s friends came to the house, so they could arrive to school together.  She reported, that when she passed the school, the caution tape had already been taken down.  It was a little disappointing for both of them for they “worked” so hard to get it up so late into the evening.  They came back to the house around 11 pm, all out of breath from running back to our house from the high school.  They were all giddy, and full of excitement, and I’m sure it will be a high school memory that they will carry with them for a long time. 

 

Do you remember your last day of high school?  I only remember the day of my graduation, and it is a vague memory.  I do remember thinking to myself, “What’s the big deal?”  During my senior year, I only had a few classes, and I was already working part-time.  I was planning on going to Jr. College, but it wasn’t a big deal for me like it was for some of my other friends.  Most of them were leaving out of state to attend big universities.  One was going to Azusa, another to San Diego, Texas, and Princeton (this friend was the valedictorian of the our class.)  I wasn’t envious of them, although I thought of them as being very brave.  I wasn’t interested in leaving for college-the thought honestly frightened me.  I wasn’t ready for the real world, and I knew I wasn’t.  I was more interested in making enough money to go to the islands (the Azores) and kick back with my cousins.  I did make the money, and I did go to the Azores on a plane, by myself.  It was the year I met my ex-husband, and I was 19.  That’s another story… 

 

Anyhow, I am so proud for my daughter!  I am so glad that her high school years were full and exciting for her.  It wasn’t always that way.  She was transferred from her old high school to a new  one during her junior year.  Her grades were low, and she wasn’t working to her full potential at her old high school.  Of course she wasn’t too happy about it.  Not only did she have to move from her old hometown earlier that year to a new city, she was now going to attend a school where she didn’t know anyone.  We all went through a lot of changes.  A new home, in a new city, a new step-father, and a new baby brother.  She threatened me, saying:  “Okay mom, if you are going to make me go to this new high school, I’m going to get involved in every club, and every extra activity at school that I can find!”  I said, “Go for it Liz!”  Well, to make a long story short, fortunately, my daughter did well on her threat, and her grades improved dramatically.  Not only was she appearing in starring roles in all of the high school plays, she won certificates, honors, and a lot of recognition from her teachers, high school staff, and peers.  She won a poetry slam contest, outstanding defense attorney in mock trial…I could go on and on… Did I mention that she was voted “Most Likely to Become Famous” by her classmates?  Oh, and she is hosting (MC’ing) her own graduation…  Do I sound like a proud mother hen?!  WELL I AM!!! 

 

The last 7 years of my daughter’s life have been tough.  She went through a divorce, a time of a lot of moves, schools, and an absent father.  There were some really lean, and mean years in there, and I cannot tell you enough how extremely proud I am of my daughter…words cannot express it; but I’ll try!  She has grown to be a determined, self-confident and beautiful young woman, and I thank God everyday for it.  I am proud to say she is a lot more confident and determined that I was at this age!  Okay, I’m in tears now.  I’m going to stop writing now.  Did I tell you how proud I was of my daughter yet???

He Is Dead, or Just Sleeping?

The entry I wrote about the drive-thru incident sparked another memory.  You guys are going to think I spend a little too much time eating fast food--great...  That is not entirely true, but here is another story.. 

One summer afternoon, years ago, I took my two kids, and my nephew to a local burger place.  I found a nice little parking space near a little pick up truck.  It wasn't until I had pulled in and parked the car, that I noticed the man inside the vehicle, was slumped over the driving wheel.  Hmm...I thought, this is odd.  I alerted the kids in the car, and we all started staring at the young man at the driver's seat. 

"Is he dead, or just sleeping?" asked my daughter. 

We continued to stare hoping to see some kind of movement, but we didn't.  We then  nervously got out of the car, and went inside.  I purposively slammed the door of my car for some kind of reaction, but I didn't see any.  We then hurriedly went into the restaurant, and placed our order. 

Okay, I know what you are thinking now.  Sure you forget about the poor dead guy in the car, and go and eat--how can you do that?!  Well, we did eat, but we were all feeling a little somber.  We couldn't help thinking about the guy in the car; at least I couldn't stop thinking about him.  After lunch, we went back to the car.  The kids purposively walked as far away from the pickup as they  possibly could.  I looked inside again, hoping to see a change of position or movement from the young man, but I didn't see any.  Sitting in the car we all talked about what we should do at this point. 

Should we knock on the window to see if he is okay?  Should we call the police?  After sitting there for about five minutes, my nephew reported that he saw the guy move his finger.  Can you imagine this scene: all of our faces, against the glass of our windows, staring at this guy?  After hearing of the finger movement, it was all I needed, and I pulled out of the parking lot and went on my merry way.  I was glad that I didn't have to cause a scene and knock on the window to see if the guy was dead. 

As I was doing my errands that day, I will say however, that I purposively drove by the parking lot to see if the pickup of the sleeping man was still there.  The kids thought this was all very funny. 

"Gosh, Aunt Julie, you left a poor dead guy alone in his car at the McDonalds!"

"Yeah, mom.  What if he was really dead?!"

"Mom, do you think he choked on a french fry?  Do you think that is how he died?"

After a few hours of driving around, I was pleased to see the pick up was no longer there. 

Do any of you like to sleep in your car?  Please realize that anyone seeing you, may think you are dead.  Please don't be alarmed if you are suddenly awaken by a tapping of the window!! 

Picture courtesy of Google.  I don't know these poor women.  This is what happens when you  display family photos online for all the world to see! 

World Cup

All my Portuguese cousins are routing for this guy---Cristano Ronaldo, representing Portugal at the World Cup games!  Okay, Brazil, as predicted, is probably going to win the whole enchilada,

but, I must say; this is a nice uniform--don't you think?  I just have a problem with the socks.  Is it just me, or do you agree they look a little silly?  I know they have to wear chin guards...but..I don't know.. 

             

Anyone out there planning to watch the World Cup?!  Anyone?!  Team USA looks pretty snazzy too! 

 

       

Check it all out here: 

http://msn.foxsports.com/name/public/FSW/Soccer/WorldCup/Photos

         

Lock the Bathroom Door...

Today, I dropped off my son early this afternoon.  It was lunch time, and I asked him if he would like to go to the drive thru and get a burger.  He said yes, so off I went to the nearest burger drive thru establishment.  Naturally, because it was almost noon, there was a line.  The bathrooms of the burger place faces the drive thru line, and there we were, right in front of the men's and women's bathroom doors.  This brought us back to an incident we had witnessed years before.

PLEASE remember, when going into a public restroom, LOCK THE DOOR!!!  I will never forget that poor man we saw sitting on the toilet, while we were in line for the drive thru.  The memory probably haunts him as it haunts us today.  He obviously forgot to lock the door when he went inside. 

We were waiting in line, talking amongst ourselves in the car, when we saw a man approach the men's bathroom door.  We watched him open the door, and there he was, for all the world to see:  the dark hair guy with a moustache with his pants at his ankles, exposed for all  world to see--which were a woman in the car next to do the door and her two young kids, (us), and the man who innocently opened the door...

  "Gee, sorry man!"  he exclaimed. 

   "It's okay..".

It's okay?!  I tried to turn my head as quickly as possible, but you know that moment of shock, where you just find yourself frozen for a minute there because you just saw something you know you shouldn't have seen, and it takes you a minute for your brain to fully register and to tell you to TURN AWAY NOW!!!  Well, of course the kids all got a good chuckle out of it, but I felt so badly for that poor man.  I just wish I could get that vision of him sitting on toilet out of my memory. 

I hope in some way this entry will alert someone to be extra careful while using public restrooms!!!   

Weekend Assignment #114: Things You Like Now But Not Then

Weekend Assignment #114: Things You Like Now But Not Then :

Hmmm...  I can honestly say that I swore I would never eat a prune or drink tomato juice, but as I've grown older and wiser, I've found that prunes can be quite tasty,                

and tomato juice is quite nice--especially if it's in a Bloody Mary!! 

Yes, I eat my vegetables, and the fruit keeps me regular. 

Extra Credit:  However, I refuse to eat liver.  I remember seeing it in my grandmother's kitchen, and she would cook it quite often.  I can still smell it.  Ewww.  It was always kept in a white plastic container, and she would leave it out near her red, plastic cookie jar that she kept those bland Stella Doro cookies.  Another food that I refuse never to eat is Grape Nuts--might as well just get a bowl and fill it with rocks!  Life is too short for that. 

Yeah...WE won something!!!

This entry was copied from my friend Possidonio's Blog:

at:  http://prazer_inculto.blogspot.com/

 

"AFINAL HOUVE UM PRÉMIO

Numa das páginas dedicadas ao festival da eurovisão vinha a notícia:

"Lordi comes second
Nonstop wins Barbara Dex award 2006
Nonstop, the group which represented Portugal at this year's Eurovision Song Contest, won the Barbara Dex Award, the fan award for the worst costume at the competition, by a landslide. Lordi comes second.
The top-10 of this year's Barbara Dex award:
1. Portugal - Nonstop - 196 votes2. Finland - Lordi - 89 votes3. Iceland - Silvia Night - 75 votes4. Andorra - Jennifer - 72 votes5. Poland - Ich Troje - 62 votes6. Belarus - Polina Smolova - 57 votes Greece - Anna Vissi - 57 votes8. Turkey - Sibel Tuzun - 40 votes9. Malta - Fabrizio Faniello - 35 votes10. Russia - Dima Bilan - 26 votes
The award is named after Barbara Dex, who represented Belgium in the 1993 contest. She wore an "awfull, self-made dress that evening", the organisers of the annual award state at their website.
Six4one, Eddie Butler and Christine Guldbrandsen survived the vote; none of them got any votes for the Barbara Dex award."

Portugal à frente da Finlândia... Sim, senhor!"

 

You got to love it.. Portugal has to get as much publicity as it can--no matter what it's for!!!  Go Portugal!!!  YEAH!!!  Now lets kick some ass and win the WORLD CUP!! 

   Love the boots!