Good Times California!

After being off-track for a week I realized that this was going to be my last good break until September and I really should do something (besides watching tv). So I booked myself a one-way ticket to California. It turned out to be a really good time.
Me and my bros, Tony and Matt after getting yet another family picture taken. This time they were professionally done so hopefully we won't have to do it again any time soon...
My cousin Emily lent me her beach cruiser to do some beach cruising. Riding a one-speed was quite an interesting experience, especially when I didn't know how to brake...
What would be a California trip without some Grandma hopping. Here I am ditching church to visit my Grandma Diaz. She lives a couple of blocks away from the church so I like to walk up there after sacrament mtg. Yes, I was a little sunburned in this pic and Yes, my eyes are closed but my Grandma looks so cute...
I also got to spend some time with my cousin Andrew who recently returned home from his mission. This is his mission bobble head they had displayed in the church instead of a plaque. Genius...
I went with my cousin Emily and her two daughters Kaiah and Marley to spend a day in downtown L.A. Here we are eating churros on Olvera Street. Emily told the girls we were eating churros for lunch and if they were good we could have tacos for dessert. Sounded good to me...
Here is Marley and Kaiah with their new friend on Olvera Street. Notice Kaiah's new mexi-dress she bought with her allowance and notice what she is holding (that will be in a post to come)...

Inspiring Hispafrics

Saturday evening I went with some friends to the Living Traditions Festival downtown. This is one of my favorite events of the year that is hosted by the city. They set up two stages in the park for song and dance performances from different cultural groups. They also invite food vendors to sell different kinds of ethnic foods. This year however, I stumbled upon something new... Hispafric dancing (hispanic africans). It was so impressive I had to take a video...
Did you notice the lead singer with her sun-g's, tiara and leg warmers. Apparently dance moves such as the tootsie roll and booty shake are traditional hispafric dance moves. Who knew?

Salt Lake Century

On Saturday, Team T.O.W. (Teachers On Wheels) tackled the Salt Lake Century. It was a pretty nice ride. Good weather and semi-flat roads. Here is our official team photo...At first we thought we might be able to ride the full 100 miles but as the day wore on we opted for the 72 mile route. Good thing too, by mile 70 I was pretty much dead. Luckily I survived with only a few mishaps. First being attacked by a bunch on balloons from an open house sign on the road and Second losing half of my lips on a celebratory popsicle at the end of the ride.

Fiesta!

Friday night Jord and I went to the Mexican Heritage Fiesta in West Valley. Last year my friend Stephanie and I stumbled upon it and were so impressed that we planned to attend the next year. So here we are. This was Jordy's first fiesta experience and he loved it. According to him the music was quite "catchy". This next picture I like to call "Save some corn for me" (in the voice of Nacho Libre)...Esmeralda and I decided that next year we are going to try out for the Latin Heritage Dancers. They were fantastic...
The highlight of course was the Mariachi. My favorite part of the fiesta is when they do what I call "Mexican Idol". People from the audience can come on stage and sing a song with the Mariachi band and then we vote for the best singer. It is fantastic. People are so passionate while singing but the best was when they asked for a gringo participant. It was something else. Here we are with "the band"...
Leslie, mariachi, Esmeralda, Stephanie, mariachi, me, mariachi & mariachi

Culture Fair

This year we decided to do a Second Grade Culture Fair at school. Part of the second grade curriculum is to learn about culture and also to learn a dance. So... I give you... Culture Fair.
It was tons of fun. The students each did an individual project on their family culture/heritage and each class learned a dance. Of course we did the Mexican Hat dance and yes it is the only dance I know that is why I teach it every year. At least this year I was able to make a slight upgrade (notice the ribbons on the skirts).

Home at Last

Today my brother Jordan finally returned home from his mission. It seems like it has been an extra long time since I have seen him because I was in New Mexico for the two years prior to his mission.
This is Jordan when he left on his mission...
And here he is now all grown up wearing the tie I got him in Spain...
Waiting at the airport was loads of fun. Here we are with the welcome banner Clark made...
Us and our new sign-holder friend (this is my favorite because our new friend thought we were hilarious, which we are)...
And now for the arrival video...

Mexican Word of the Day

In honor of Cinco de Mayo I decided to post some of my favorite Mexican Words of the Day. These have come from text messages that I receive daily from my friend Esmeralda. We always laugh about them at work so here they are for your reading pleasure:

Mushroom- When all my family gets in the car there’s not mushroom.

Jewish- I know you don’t like me, pero deep down, jewish you were me huh!

Cheese- Maria likes me pero cheese ugly!

Chair- I was eating a bag of candy and my mom said, “Mira you better chair with your brothers and sisters!"

Wafer- I wanted to go to the park pero she didn’t wafer me!

... and now for my ultimate favorite mexi-word...

July- Ju told me ju were going to the store and July to me! Julyer.