Home Away from Home

I recently discovered this little Mexican store in town. The products, smells from the bakery, music blaring, and language all made me feel like I was in Mexico. In fact, as I waited in line to pay, I thought to myself, "I hope they take dollars because I don't have any pesos." Then I remembered I was in UTAH.
They even sell a drink Aaron learned to love in Venezuela. It is hard to find in the either the States or Mexico. This store made me a little home sick for Mexico. I was reminded of all of our adventures through that country. Now I know if I ever need a little Mexican vacation, I only have to drive down the street!

Adios Mexico

My mom flew to Texas a few days before we left. It wasn't really for us, it was more to go to shopping in Mexico one last time. She bought cases of vanilla, Aaron and I stocked up on antibiotics, and we bought lots of jewelry from the local branch president. I love this little man. Several times I have seen him reading the Book of Mormon in between customers.

I saw my good friend Rosie there. She was with a group of friends who were getting pedicures. Rosie and I were looking for candied nuts, a "must-have" for me when I'm shopping in Mexico.
I still wish there was a way to buy the whole little town and take it with us.

cinco de mayo

Today is cinco de mayo. It is a holiday that is celebrated more in the U.S. than in Mexico. I think we celebrate it here because it is easier to say than deisiseis de septiembre, the actual independence day in Mexico. Although, if I remember right, there are several independence days celebrated in Mexico.

We have a going away party for the boys after school and a ward party tonight at the church. Aaron had to go to San Antonio at the last minute for work, so I've have to attend both of them on my own. It is going to be one long, busy day.

A Day without Immigrants

I usually don't bring up political issues in my blog, but this one is important to me. It is something I feel strongly about. We know several "illegal immigrants" and we they are wonderful human beings trying to give their children a better life. They are hard workers, willing to work in horrible circumstances simply to put food on their table, while putting it on yours.

We see people working the fields all the time. Right now, it happens to be onion season. The temperature is in the upper 90's with high humidity, it is getting uncomfortable to be outside for long periods of time and yet, there are men and women who spend the entire day outside pulling onions from the ground. It is back breaking work. They spend the entire day slumped over picking onions. They don't get paid by the hour, they get paid per bag. Sometimes, they work for crew leaders that give them next to nothing and keep any profits for themselves. Day after day. I say, anyone who thinks that immigrants are criminals and should be deported, should have to spend a day picking onions.

Opponents to immigration make it sound like Mexicans are lined up at the border waiting for nightfall so they can cross. The are preying on people's fears. They make it sound like every person in Mexico wants to come here. That is simply not true. We know people in Mexico that would never even consider leaving their country. They are just as patriotic for their country as we are for ours. The majority that do come over, are merely seeking opportunity here. They are good people with strong work ethic. I say, let them come. This country was built on the backs of immigrants from all over the world.

I do agree the with bill proposed in the Senate. We need to close the borders. There needs to be order. We need to stop criminals and terrorists from potentially entering our country. There needs to be more protection. Let those who are good people and do want to come, pay the money they would pay a coyote to our government and come legally. Let those who are already here, pay a fine and work towards citizenship. They are important to our economy. They are making the U.S. a better place.

I worked with a nurse here. Whose parents brought her to the U.S. when she was 7 years old. I don't know if they did it legally or not. I believe in the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. She was placed in a remedial classroom because she couldn't speak English, even though in Mexico they teach at a faster pace in elementary school and she was farther ahead in the actual curriculum than students here. She picked up English quickly, as all the students do. Her family started migrating for work. They would travel to Minnesota to work the fields there in the summer. She would start the school year there. Each day after school she would be expected to come straight home and work in the fields until dark. Then, she would do her homework and go to bed. Her parents were paid for the work that she did. When there was no more work up north they would return here until the spring, when they would head north again. She decided she didn't want to work the fields for the rest of her life. She finished high school and worked her way through nursing school. Now, she is a great nurse and her father is so proud of her. I could tell story after story like hers. I know of teachers, doctors, politicians that grew up working in the fields. Now, they are people who are influencing our society for good. They are not criminals. There is one thing you can learn from working the fields, that education is the only way up.

So I hope that next time you eat an onion, tomato, carrot, cabbage, watermelon, cantaloupe, or any citrus (these are some of the crops grown here), you might pause for a moment and think about the literal blood, sweat, and tears that went into putting it on your table and maybe then, it will be harder to judge the person that made it possible for you to enjoy it.

Soccer Mania

Every day, when I pick the boys up from school the first thing they tell me is the scores from their soccer games at recess. These games played in the 3rd and 4th grades come with as much drama as the major leagues. Ethan was voted team captain recently. He was so excited to have the team named after him. The next day, he told me that he resigned because it was just too much pressure. At the beginning of the year Esteban, when he was team captain, made his players sign contracts promising not to switch to the other team. It didn't last long, because part of the fun is switching the teams around.

Ethan asked me the other day if the people in Utah know about soccer. I assured him that they did know about soccer. Although, I don't think they know about Pickleball, since it is a game their coach at school invented. I wonder, does it have anything to do with people's fascination with pickles down here? (see my post for 4-20-06)

I was in Wal-Mart yesterday, when I saw a huge display of T-shirts for the upcoming soccer Worldcup that will be played this summer. The interesting thing, was all the T-shirts were for the Mexican national team. This was one of those occasions, that happen every once in a while, where I have to pause for a moment and remind myself that I do live in the U.S. It doesn't bother me. I'll cheer for the Mexicans, after the U.S., of course. You may not know this, but my husband is part Mexican. (see my post for 3-31-06)

Thus, the day may come, when my boys play in the Worldcup, and as long as they play for Mexico, I know exactly where to buy a T-shirt to show my support. Viva! Mexico!

So, I Married a Mexican

Yesterday, as Esteban's class was talking about family history he told the class his dad was part Mexican, that his dad lived in Mexico for a time, and that is why his name is Esteban. I pointed out to him that Aaron has never lived in Mexico, served his mission in Venezuela, and while he claims to be 1/4 Venezuelan, he really is not. Esteban pointed out that he worked on several temples in Mexico. I guess, if you count all of his traveling, he technically lived there for a week or two. As far as Esteban's name, he is named after the apostle Steven in the New Testament, we just liked the Spanish version more than the English. Aaron was quite flattered to be considered a Mexican. I'm sure Esteban's teacher is wondering if he is such a Mexican, where did the blonde hair and blue eyes come from?

Mexico

We went to Mexico while the boys were in school today. My mom sent us with a long list of things we need to buy before we go to Utah later this week. We love to go to Mexico and will use any excuse we can. It still amazes me how different life is on each side of the this river. I thought the mighty Rio Grande would've been bigger than it really is.
There is a little town, Progresso, close by, that caters to American tourists. You can find anything there. Things are brought from all over Mexico and sold by street vendors. There were a lot of Winter Texans (seniors who spend their winter here enjoying the sunshine) out shopping today probably because the sun was out and it was almost 80°.

A few years ago, I saw some missionaries talking to a street vender. They introduced me to him, for he is the Branch President in this town. He has a little jewelry stand. Now, whenever I need jewelry, I buy only from him. He is a nice man and always has a smile.

It will be hard to leave this place. I wanted to take a picture of the streets with all the vendors, but I don't think the picture would do it justice. It is the experience. I love the music blaring, the sound of people bartering, the smells, and the sights. I wish I could buy the whole town and take it with us wherever we go.