ob la di ob la da

No es desesperación, es supervivencia.

2010-06-24T18:46:00.002-05:00

Yo también estoy aferrándome a la idea de que no envejezco. Todavía asomo la cabeza por la ventana cuando hay brisa y lluvia refugiándome en la capacidad de los elementos de hacerme sentir viva.

Sin título

2009-11-29T13:54:00.004-05:00

Julia (2 años) viene, muñeca en brazos con el pañal de verdad recién puesto, me pide que cante el Hey Jude de la hora de dormir y empieza a imitar el ritual de todas la noches, con la misma delicadeza, detenimiento y ternura. La mece de un lado a otro hasta que, entre canción y movimiento, la muñeca va cediendo, como derritiéndose. Se empieza a inclinar para acostarla y va dejando que se le deslice de entre los brazos. Le dice algo al oido y se va.

Ese sabor agridulce

2008-12-08T10:50:00.067-05:00

Yo quiero siempre poder aprender las lecciones que hay dispersas por todo el camino como migajas, como revelaciones en diminuto. Así, es posible que aprecie hasta el más inclemente sinsabor y si he conservado algo de sensatez seré agradecida.

Hay que afilar el gusto, ese sabor agridulce es la vida misma que nos arrastra y empuja.

Fête de la Musique 2008 - Panama City

2008-06-26T21:55:00.030-05:00

Every June 21st, over one hundred cities spread throughout the globe celebrate the gift of free live music.

Since 1982 and falling on the longest day of the year -the day of the summer solstice- French Embassies, Cultural Centers and Alliances Françaises the world over have put together a musical experience as open and diverse as you can get.

In my little city, music took over the old quarter with representations of many genres. Access for cars to the Casco Antiguo was closed to give way to waves of hurried feet, old feet, skipping feet all going in different directions, all to claim their music. On a deeper level, handing that sense of ownership to everyone who found themselves in the city was the beauty of it. No obstacle course, no artifice, no deception at the end of the road. No freaking VIP sections.

Cienfue playing, raspa'os selling

We took our three kids and naturally set up camp in front of the Rock N' Roll stage at the Teatro Nacional parking lot. We arrived in time to see Carlos Mendez, Cienfue, our good friends Carlos Ivan and Rocío (Son Azul), Maleza with guest star David Levi and the others I didn't get to see most probably because I kept looking down while trying to make sure we remained a party of 5 at all times. Ok, except the last half hour during which I kept looking down so the police officers wouldn't catch me drinking from my 'circumstantially illegal' can of beer.

Our friend David stepping in during Maleza's performance

In nearby venues, people gathered to hear everything from jazz trios to salsa bands, world music performances, Panamanian folkloric music and classical concerts. And people responded. People came and ate and drank and listened to free live music. In the midst of all the bad things happening to this poor country, this sheds a ray of light on all of us. Picks us up and takes us to the surface, at least for the time it lasts and for a short breath of fresh air.

At the end of the night there were tumbling feet, tired feet, drunken feet. Near midnight, after nearly 12 hours of music, everyone was still thirsty for more. And so, with the salsa stage closing the event in one corner, and a dance party hitting it off at the next, the Fête de la Musique came to an end for the second year in Panama. I must say I'm impressed by the seamless organization. If you missed it this year, do count the days till the next.

Lovely concert attendee

More pics here.

El día de Julia

2008-04-18T10:46:00.003-05:00

...Entonces como hay fotos por montón de bautizo de Julia es mi deber compartir! Fue sin duda un día muy lindo, con gente muy, muy cercana a nosotros. Todo fue puro lovin', era un sentimiento como de agradeciemiento en el aire, por haber podido darle la bienvenida al mundo a esas criaturas.

Ver a Julia toda vestida de blanco, radiante, enseñando todo el tiempo su dentadura (dos mitades de dientes)... no tiene precio! Fotos aquí.

Sé que estoy falta de fe

2008-04-15T10:24:00.053-05:00

El sábado (12 de abril de 2008) bautizamos a nuestra hija Julia en la fe Católica, igual que en su momento lo hicimos con sus dos hermanos, e igual que lo hicieron con nosotros nuestros padres.

Parte de los requisitos para poder participar en esta ceremonia son dos charlas que se dan durante la semana a padres y padrinos de las criaturas. Durante la primera de nuestras charlas, preguntaron la razón por la que estábamos ahí: fe o tradición. Creo que sólo dos personas levantamos la mano contestando que "tradición". Me sentí tranquila con mi respuesta porque, en efecto, estaba cumpliendo con una tradición que había empezado con mi primer hijo y no veo razón para haberla interrumpido con Julia (exagerando: una hora en la iglesia, un baño menos que darle y una comida para un puñado de personas no es nada al lado de una hecatombe familiar, un divorcio y múltiples infartos). Sin embargo, "tradición" no es precisamente la mejor manera de describir mi falta de fe, entonces flotaba en mi cabeza la idea que me ha seguido más de una vez al entrar a una iglesia, la de que en algún momento, por diferir en tantas cosas con mi religión, cuando menos lo espere me va a caer un rayo y, pues, hasta ahí llegó la cosa.

Qué grata sorpresa recibí, confirmando mi supervivencia una vez más, cuando un hombre jóven interrumpió el curso estableciendo con firmeza y a propósito de nada que la religión era un invento y que no había evidencia alguna de que existía Dios. Sip. En plena charla de bautizo, con sus pobres futuros compadres al lado, la esposa mirando al esposo con cara de "te lo dije". Después de soltar el aire que colectivamente retuvimos ante semejante impertinencia, los creyentes -los que sí van a la iglesia y les brota fe y cristiandad hasta por las narices- procedieron a montar una persecución religiosa, o en este caso por falta de religión, que nos desvió por completo del contenido e hizo que por lo menos uno agarrara su Biblia amenazando de pararse e irse, sonrojado de pura indignación. Fue difícil determinar la causa de tal despliegue de atorrancia y osadía, es posible que en su niñez al joven en mención nadie nunca le puso atención y ahora se veía obligado a ir a reuniones religiosas a tratar de desmantelar bruscamente las creencias que las sostienen con tal de voltear miradas hacia él, así sean de odio. El punto es que ya no importaba el peso de sus argumentos, por lógicos que pueden haber sido algunos, sino la urgencia de parte del grupo de sacar de ahí a ese ser repudiado. Las reacciones soltadas como latigazos, los ojos llenos de ira mirándole fijamente e incluso las palabras, "Pero, ¿¡¿¡qué haces aquí?!?!" no se dejaron esperar.

(Respiro profundo.)

Con respecto a la religión me veo obligada a concluir que nadie tiene la razón y que todo el mundo tiene la razón. Por un lado me es claro que hubo una falta de consideración hacia los que tenían un objetivo muy específico para dos horas de su tiempo al desviarlos de ese fin y fue una falta de respeto sugerir que los que tienen cierta creencia son unos descerebrados. Por otro lado también me es claro que, si bien es saludable practicar algún tipo de espiritualidad, no para todos funciona la imposición de una creencia diseñada rígidamente. No creo justo suponer que quien busca respuestas más contemporáneas a las grandes preguntas de la vida -a diferencia de quedar satisfecho con tener fe en algo- está equivocado. No es cuestión de enfrentar a la ciencia y a la religión, es cuestión de dejar que cada quien decida a qué información necesita aferrarse para poder intentar darle sentido a la vida. La religión, que en términos muy simples, fue el sistema político (de persecución y de corrupción y de comisión de crímenes atroces en su nombre) de hace miles de años pierde vigencia por segundo porque no ha querido alejarse de su carácter selectivo, casi elitista. A mí me condenan y rechazan quienes golpean su puño contra el pecho todos los domingos y se saben hasta la más rebuscada oración porque no voy a misa, porque no observo tradiciones a las que no le hallo sentido, porque cuando nace un hijo mío no salto a organizarle el bautizo. No abate mi espíritu, pero sí siento la discriminación, veo las cejas alzadas en señal de objeción a la manera en que llevo mi vida: alejada de la religión. ¿Por qué será que este club v.i.p. de fanáticos no puede ver más allá de las apariencias, del que si me ven o no bien trajeada los domingos o si quiero o no casarme por la iglesia? ¿Por qué la necesidad de poner su marca bien visible a todos los miembros del rebaño sin importar lo que realmente pase por sus mentes antes, incluso durante y ciertamente después de la misa dominical, o lo que sientan su alma? ¿Es que creen que todavía la religión se puede erguir imponente saliendo a controlar masas y normalizar el pensamiento de la sociedad con la advertencia de que si no te sumas terminas en el infierno? Es una ceguera obstinada la del que piensa que el infierno puede ser peor de lo que se vive a diario. Tras los bastidores de nuestra religión estamos haciendo y deshaciendo sin importar las consecuencias, igual que un niño que, sin saber discernir para escoger lo correcto, hace mal a escondidas pero queda bien ante todos. Yo trato de hacer el bien porque creo en el amor sobre todas las cosas y si Dios es amor entonces creo fervientemente en Él.

Siempre el tiempo

2008-04-07T10:32:00.008-05:00

Hay cosas que son evidentes desde que tenemos uso de razón, pero no es hasta que desarrollamos cierta práctica en este uso que realmente cobran un sentido profundo y abarcador. Digo esto sin ánimos de menospreciar la mente infantil, cuya agudez y tendencia hacia lo fantasioso es imprescindible conservar a través de todas las etapas humanas para poder tener un panorama más nutrido de lo que pasa a nuestro alrededor, para tomar decisiones más sabias.

Hay cosas que simplemente tienen que pasar para poder dar el siguiente paso. Entre estas, paradójicamente, la más importante es el tiempo. Siempre el tiempo. Para recordar con detenimiento aquellos momentos elegidos para conservar y saborear más tarde en la vida. Para poder ver hacia atrás y buscar referencias entre nuestras experiencias. Para repasar y descartar caminos y, finalmente, para sanar.

Pues he dejado pasar el tiempo parada en una esquina observando, corriendo y sintiendo el viento fuerte contra mi cara, dejándome arrastrar por la corriente, de todos los modos posibles. He tomado bocanadas gigantes y he estado sumergida largos ratos. He pensado, he trabajado, no he descansado. Me he parado al borde. He estirado mis brazos hacia el sol, mis piernas hacia la tierra; me he dado la vuelta y he empezado el lento camino de regreso. He estado acumulando equipaje físico y emocional, tratando de filtrar la chatarra que se cuela desde todas las direcciones y creo que ahora puedo empezar a soltar lentamente el vapor y bajar revoluciones. Visto desde la distancia, todo ha sido como un caldo cocinándose por horas. Recogiendo sabores y aromas de lo que le roce, de lo que le penetre y de lo que se sumerja en él. Algo que alimenta y se alimenta y que no se puede apurar. Ha sido necesario.

A pesar de la sensación de remolinos me siento depurada. He llegado a un lugar más sereno del mar, a una isla desierta donde abastecerme tranquilamente. Después de la locura, las largas noches en vela, el cansancio y la confusión, he tocado tierra y el momento se siente como cristalizado en el tiempo, inmortalizado. Rebozo con tanto ímpetu y anticipación y me siento lista. No sé para qué, pero lista.

Hace 3 años...

2007-12-11T21:38:00.001-05:00

Diego nació un 11 de diciembre, apenas un par de horas después de haber empezado el día.

No me acuerdo a qué edad le salieron los dientes o dijo su primera palabra... pero me acuerdo bien que justo al nacer lo pusieron muy cerca mío para presentarnos formalmente, él todavía pegando gritos, y apenas le dije unas cuántas palabras, algunas que había estado practicando por unos nueve meses, se calmó y todo en el cuarto fue silencio.

Si mal no recuerdo esa fue la primera y última vez que hubo silencio en el mismo cuarto en el que estaba Diego...

Preparación para una noche larga

2007-11-17T22:31:00.000-05:00

El viernes tuvimos el placer de tener en la casa, después de demasiado tiempo de no vernos, a nuestras amigas Alina y Deborah y a una regular, nuestra comadre Anna. Fue una reunión social-musical si se quiere. Celebrábamos el hecho de poder echar una buena conversa entre amigas (debo delatar la presencia de un infiltrado amistoso cuyo nombre me reservo -a ver si reconocen su brazo o su pierna en algunas de las fotos) y dábamos inicio formal al calentamiento de motores para la noche del próximo 27, durante la cual escucharemos desde las profundidades de un mar de gente a Gustavo Cerati, Charlie Alberti y Zeta Bosio tocar juntos después del paréntesis de diez años y otra vez como Soda Stereo.

Sólo se podía poner Soda y tomar soda... mentira, hice sangría. DJ Anna se encargó de llenar el espacio de unas cuatro horas de los temas de Soda de antaño, de cuando mis hermanos me enseñaron Persiana Americana en guitarra (ya no me acuerdo de las notas), escuchamos cosas más recientes, temas a los que ya se le empezaba a escapar hacia la superficie el toque Cerati (ese que salió a flote para salvar a los que nos quedamos medio náufragos después de que se hundiera el barco). Hubo tanda de complacencias y dedicaciones y coros y tonos para todos los gustos, humores y caprichos musicales. Cerramos la maratón viendo buena parte del "Ultimo Concierto" (antes del último de verdad).

Chicas, la compañía fue exquisita (sin mencionar el menú!). Va un agradeciemiento total por lo bien que la pasamos. Fotos aquí.

Pic of the day

2007-11-06T10:32:00.001-05:00

Julia Zevallos Earle - 2 months 6 days

More pics here!

Mamá y niños contra el mundo!

2007-10-25T21:08:00.000-05:00

El domingo decidí aprovechar el solazo, que no es garantía de que no va a caer un chaparrón, pero que definitivamente invitaba a salir de la casa, para dar una vuelta con los niños. El plan era llevar a Pablo a algún rincón del Causeway para que se diera gusto montando skate, a Diego ponerlo a patear balón conmigo un rato y a Julia parquearla bajo algún árbol y cruzar los dedos para que no le cayera caca de pájaro encima (jajajaa mentira). Para meterle un toque environmentally friendly a la salida, los llevé primero a Punta Culebra, donde está el Centro de Exhibiciones Marinas del Instituto Smithsonian, visita que siempre es del total agrado de grandes y chicos en mi familia.

Al final no tuvimos mucho tiempo para hacer el resto de las actividades planificadas, pero fue lo suficiente para saciar la sed de skate de Pablo mientras Diego y yo comíamos burundangas. Álbum de fotos completo aquí!!

Y ¿dónde está mi tajada de "desarrollo"?

2007-10-24T09:36:00.000-05:00

Recientemente leí un artículo que trataba brevemente el tema de la Responsabilidad Social Empresarial en Centroamérica y entre sus primeras líneas encontré una idea lógica y hasta obvia, pero increíblemente difícil de aplicar a este paisito tropical. Decía que las empresas, principales indicadores de la competitividad de un país en muchos sentidos, deben ser rentables no sólo para sobrevivir sino para estar en capacidad de establecer nexos tangibles y perdurables con la sociedad en la que operan para que esta prospere, pero más importante, para ayudar a asegurar su desarrollo. Ahh.... el bendito desarrollo. Si la cantidad de desarrollo de este país fuera directamente proporcional a la cantidad de veces que se menciona esta palabra. Si tan sólo... Pero como muchas otras cosas que se ven a diario, que van en sentido contrario a toda lógica, parace que es al revés.

Los nexos, decía el artículo, entre estas empresas rentables y una sociedad próspera, definen en gran medida cuánto ésta puede progresar y cuántas oportunidades pueden surgir para impulsar y no detener, o en ciertos casos invertir el desarrollo. Francamente escribir estas líneas me llena de tristeza y frustración cuando pienso en lo que está pasando en Panamá y cómo todo un país está dejando que pase frente a sus ojos. Como sociedad muchas veces somos egoístas, avaros, codiciosos y finalmente deshonestos hasta con nosotros mismos porque no es posible que se tenga en las manos planos para erigir todo tipo de estructuras monstruosas disfrazadas de grandes proezas arquitectónicas pero inconsistentes con la realidad de nuestro paisaje, a la vista signos contundentes que alertan sobre una catástrofe inminente pero disimulados con mercadeo barato, todo un paquete de información sobre el tema al alcance y no pensar que nada de eso nos va afectar negativamente. Tal vez al final de cuentas lo que más somos es ingenuos.

No he viajado tanto como me hubiese gustado, pero sí lo suficiente como para haber aprendido que en otros lugares, tanto de este lado del charco como del otro, hay un elemento que ha tenido una presencia ineludible dentro de la construcción de las ciudades o más bien de las sociedades: la sostenibilidad, la capacidad de beneficiar de manera genuina no solo a quienes viven en el presente sino a quienes ocuparán nuestros puestos en el futuro. Eso lo pensé la primera vez que viajé como adulto jóven y vi las diferencias físicas y aquellas que sobresalen entre nuestra actitud y la que se percibe en otros lugares del planeta. Un ejemplo es el principio de la Responsabilidad Social Empresarial, que más que un título atractivo que colgar en las paredes de las oficinas, es una cuestión de actitud y hasta de crianza. Los niños que ven que sus padres trabajan y funcionan sólo para beneficiar a la economía familiar y no para aportar a la sociedad en la que viven son criados con la idea de que lo importante en la vida es tu propio bienestar por encima del de los demás y por encima de cualquier consecuencia que la búsqueda de esto tenga para quienes nos rodean. Tal vez por eso me asomo por la ventana de mi apartamento y veo cómo mes tras mes me han ido tapando la vista que tuve otrora, edificios colosales puestos ahí por gente a quién no le importa que ahora habrá más contaminación en el aire y en el agua y menos árboles; más residentes en la misma área contribuyendo al volumen de aguas servidas; un tránsito vehicular que las calles de la ciudad, pobremente planificadas, ni remotamente soportan y un soberano caos por donde se mire. Me cuesta creer que en todos los años que llevo consciente de las diferencias entre Panamá y lugares en los que se aprecian la naturaleza, las edificaciones con valor histórico y cultural y otras riquezas -que abundaban aquí, ahora no tanto- no se haya modificado nuestro rumbo. Todo lo contrario, hemos puesto el pie en el acelerador y vamos a toda máquina embistiendo de frente al principio de la sostenibilidad y a la planificación lógica y minuciosa de los espacios en los que vivimos.

Este monstruo es difícil de combatir, anda agitando billetes frente a las narices de personas en posiciones clave con una disposición y falta de principios también claves y así va haciendo girar silenciosamente las piezas de su engranaje. Se puede encontrar algo de consuelo en el hecho de que asimismo, también de manera silenciosa y tal vez hasta imperceptible, se puede empezar a hacer una diferencia con acciones pequeñas, cosas del día a día, que si se suman pueden llegar a parársele de frente al monstruo. Esas acciones, a su vez, servirán de ejemplo a nuestros hijos y ellos aprenderán a ser responsables por su pedacito de Tierra, se les creará la consciencia de que con cada acción que tomen se enfrentan a la decisión de cavar su propia tumba o sacarse ellos mismos del hueco pues nadie más lo hará en su lugar. A pesar de los muchos matices y manifestaciones de este problema la solución no necesariamente requiere el análisis o intervención de físicos nucleares, tal vez sea cuestión de abrir los ojos y remar todos en la misma dirección.

Weekend Activity

2007-09-30T18:24:00.000-05:00

This weekend was kinda hectic for me because on top of all of the kids' social, sports and family activities I managed to escape my motherly obligations for about 2 or 3 hours Friday night and go see Cain & guest play at El Pavo. I know, shame on me... but I had a great time! And it was all done for a good cause: my brother and Ivan were singing that night. It actually turned out to be a bit of a sacrifice because I could barely stand the excessive amount of cigarette smoke and loud music. What d'ya know. I AM getting old!

Anyway, on Saturday the music was supposed to continue since we were to attend the inaugural concert for SembrArte, which is basically some local artists contributing with their art to kick up Summit Park. However, the rain had other plans in store for everyone. The concert was cancelled (we learned after having made the half-hour trip plus like 6 hours of getting everyone and everything ready) and we chose to go for a nice stroll instead to check out the murals. At the end of the trail, where the concert was to be held, we found many of our friends whom I hadn't seen in ages, some who would have played, and it turned out to be well worth the trip out there.

Click on the pics below to check out the albums.

Julia

2007-09-20T12:04:00.001-05:00

A petición popular y para evitar más reclamos he aquí unas fotillos de la Julia tomadas hoy. Not much more to say except she's a delight and a very considerate boss so far. Se siente muy fuerte la presencia de un nuevo miembro en la familia, aunque todavía no nos ha caído el peso de ser cinco, como muchos auguraron con ojos como platillos y expresiones de mitad horror-mitad lástima. Supongo que por eso bien reza el dicho que dice que donde come uno comen dos y así sucesivamente... Además, Pablo es una ENORME ayuda y con Diego he contratado ayuda! jajaj (Pero por si las moscas, para cualquier donación contactar a la administración de este sitio...)

All in all, the first weeks are very tough, there's no getting around that. I have not slept through the night, not even 5 straight hours, during all this time (and I guess it's kinda starting to hit me - note the Spanglish, very seldom used on my posts). However, I am not really doing much more than sleeping and eating when Julia sleeps, nor does anyone expect me to do anything else. I'm starting to wonder for how long I'll be able to play the "I just gave birth and I'm breastfeeding" card.

I most definitely love being a mom more than anything else in the whole universe -more than music, more than chocolate- but it's the toughest job around, do not be fooled by my enthusiastic-romantic take on the whole thing. It's also the most rewarding. Como diría mi papá, no hay nada realmente bueno en esta vida que sea rápido, fácil o gratis.

Ok, I guess there was a bit more to say...

Nacimiento de Julia

2007-09-07T09:41:00.000-05:00

Parece mentira, pero cuando para algunas cosas me sobran las palabras, adjetivos, opiniones, etc., etc. etc., para otras, usualmente más importantes o significativas, me quedo corta.

Este evento, sin precedentes en nuestra familia, no es la excepción a esa categoría de cosas que tienen esa trascendencia y profundidad, pero que lo dejan a uno con una emoción tan intensa que las palabras le quedan chicas a la hora de describirlo.

Así fue la llegada de Julia...

Mi persona favorita en el universo (por lo menos por unas horas): la anestesióloga!!
Y mientras yo posaba para la cámara, buscando mi mejor ángulo, los doctores me hacían toda clase de maldades, tratando de traer a la muchacha a este mundo.
Hora: 12:05 a.m. del viernes 31, unos 3 minutos después del nacimiento.

Julia recibe unas visitas muy importantes.
En la foto, Pablo, el orgulloso hermano mayor.

Pablo y Diego haciendo relajo en el cuarto.

Julia Zevallos Earle

Preview of Julia!

2007-08-27T21:59:00.001-05:00

Today we went to check out how little Jules was doing and also whether we should expect any action any time soon or what. Everything's good, in fact so good she doesn't seem to have any plans to come out around these days.

So looks like I'll be able to attend with Gustavo, for like the tenth year in a row, Fiesta Alrededor del Mundo, and no less important, get a few more precious hours of sleep before I'm recruited...

Anyway, I give you... JULIA! The most beautiful baby in the world. ;)

Las patronales de San Gustavo

2007-08-20T21:03:00.000-05:00

Desde el jueves Gustavo decidió empezar a brindar por su cumpleaños (yo lo acompañaba con algo comestible naturalmente), aparentmente preocupado que iba a ser demasiado licor para el sábado que era la fiestecilla. Llegó y pasó el jueves, luego el viernes en la misma cosa y afortunadamente no faltó qué ofrecerle a la gente el sábado.

Primer regalo para el cumpleañero (y sus dependientes)

Lovely ladies celebrating with the cumpleañero (cumpleañero already wearing one of his presents, a.k.a. "my new favorite t-shirt")

Munchies hechos con amor para el cumpleañero y nuestros amigos. (Clockwise from top left: Cherry tomatoes stuffed with olive tapenade, Dark chocolate truffles, Stuffed mushrooms -30 more seconds and the picture would have been of an empty plate)

Gracias al clan por celebrar con nosotros, y de nuevo FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS GUSTAVITO (AHORA SÍ)! We love ya!

Un par de fotos más AQUÍ!

August 12, 1999

2007-08-15T22:31:00.000-05:00

Almost exactly eight years ago Pablo was born and everything changed for the better in Gustavo's and my life. This past Sunday we celebrated the occasion (2007 version) with a soccer themed party and a bunch of his closest friends.

Thanks to everyone who accompanied us, and thanks to you Pablo, for having chosen us!

TE QUEREMOS MUCHO HIJO!

More pics here!

ps: I swear I'm still pregnant, Pablo's friend's head just happened to cover all of my belly...

Pablo & Gustavo Expeditions presents

2007-08-07T10:57:00.000-05:00

Playa Venao - Isla Iguana 2007

El 3 de agosto de este año, un par de aventureros dejaron la ciudad de Panamá rumbo a provincias centrales, para irse en busca de olas y tesoros naturales desconocidos para la mayoría. Regresaron no solo con una enorme sonrisa dibujada en sus rostros y reflejando la satisfacción de una misión cumplida, sino con muchas historias que contar (y picadas de chitra a tutiplén).

Gustavo y Pablo trajeron de vuelta imágenes que merecen ser compartidas. Abajo el video que registra parte de la aventura. Disfruten.

In a nutshell

2007-08-02T14:56:00.000-05:00

...and in no particular oder, this is what I've been up to lately:

Pablo's Soccer Final... Arsenal Campeón!!

The winning team, proudly holding their trophies

First half of the game, he scored a goal, second half he was goalkeeper (not a ball went in !!)

Gabriel's birthday party at Coronado
Choir singing Happy Birthday in at least 76 different languages, conducted by Heidi "Julie Andrews" Arias

Our room at the Coronado Resort, where Gustavo took me to spend that night and get massages the next day!!!!!

Latest Craving Report
I can tell this really was a craving because I usually bake stuff with chocolate somewhere in it and cheesecake has never even been something I picked for dessert when eating out. Well this lemon cheesecake made me a believer and I had no idea it was going to be so easy to make. 200% recommended!

Second mid-year vacation trip to Coronado
The water was PERFECT. It brings a smile to my face just to think how good it felt to be in it (I was doing somersaults in it it was so good!). We go more often during summer when the water's kinda cool so Diego had a blast this time and actually enjoyed a nice dip.

Pablo and Gustavo surfed, of course...

...and two dead animals washed up on the shore.

"The Pelican from Nemo"

Some sort of eel

Rainy season afternoon
This is one of the things I'll miss looking at when we move out of this apartment and into a house.

House projects
I had my mind set on a design for the kids' room (mini flip flops and a surf board) and decided to make my own stencils, grab a brush and see what happened.

Step two

It's back!
Anyone who knows me well knows that 1) I'm not big on television and 2) one thing I AM addicted to is this show. Guess the degree of excitement when I found out about this.

From Germany, with love...
Gustavo is so charming that a couple of his clients had promised to send him some German brot (=bread) flour so his wife (that would be me) baked him some and he could remember his childhood days. Well they actually did send them, 5 different kinds, along with the famous book by Janosch "Oh, wie schön ist Panama" and it's activity-filled companion for the kids (and me).

Anyway, that's it. So long and goodnight!

Audacity

2007-07-18T18:29:00.000-05:00

So what does mommy do when she's left home alone? (Ok, besides eating)

You guessed it, put on the wig, grab the broom-guitar and play "rock star"!!

Actually, forget about the wig and replace the broom with a (beat-up, yes, but nonetheless real) guitar and this is what you get: Sweetness Follows

Audacity is quite the operative word here, and the name of the program I used to record this. It even lets you use multiple tracks!!

One more time... in slow motion please!

2007-07-12T21:10:00.000-05:00

This is it. The infamous Williams-Sonoma Flourless Chocolate Cake that fell upside down last week mere seconds before it should've entered the 375°F oven. It was reduced to a puddle of brown goo sadly smudged and smeared onto part of my kitchen floor; needless to say, so was I.

Well I just couldn't leave things like that, I needed redemption, revival. So today, since we were having lunch with Juanpa and Kelly and Luis, Penny and Bibi, I decided I'd give it a second shot thinking that if something tragic happened at least I'd have group support.

Small yet mighty, one hell of a moist, rich chocolate treat.

It was so good that when I thought about getting the camera to take pictures of at least one of the wedges, so graciously accompanied by a dollop of whipped cream, it was mostly gone and instead I had to run and get my spoon.

And to further please Kira upon her request of a recent Craving Report, these stuffed tomatoes, along with scrambled eggs with sautéed onions and toast, were part of our breakfast this morning:

Lemony and fresh, with a side of Juanpa and Kelly!

The end of an era

2007-07-08T10:06:00.000-05:00

Some things you live through and immediately move past them. Others make you think you've come to a full stop in your life, somehow freezing passing seconds as you stand there grasping the moment, digesting it. You are left contemplating the possibilities of what now lies ahead and weighing past events, baggage if you will, that you carry with you.

As I approach the 30 (years of age) mark, I got to thinking about the line that should divide my life before and after this date, which happens to be, time after time, the very last day of the year. I realized there was none. I remembered how life is made up of the big and small, and even the events you don't remember make you who you are and are no less important than those you never forget. So today I had to remind myself to be grateful for the things I already have under my belt because engaging in lengthy house projects, getting wrapped up on week after week of work or just dealing with the nuisance of traffic at 8 o'clock in this city can make you temporarily lose sight of much more important stuff or at least prevent you from fully enjoying them.

So yes, I'm basically excited to be entering a more grown-up decade, it means something when I say my age out loud and confirm my status as a twenty-something and I know I'll inadvertently expect some kind of change, even if it's secretly giggling to myself, now that I begin to say, "Hello, my name is Greta and I'm a thirty-something". Maybe I'll even start to believe I should know better. However, I am very fond of the years that have made up my twenties and I know I'll miss them dearly, but kind of like you miss your school years: they were great and who knows where you'd be without them but you wouldn't go back. I guess I'm looking forward to finding out what's behind door number 3.

Un día para celebrar mil sentimientos

2007-06-17T17:33:00.001-05:00

Toda persona sobre la faz de la tierra tiene o ha tenido padre. Muchos experimentan o han experimentado lo que es tener hijos. Algunos conocemos a hombres, sea hermanos o primos, colegas, amigos, que son padres y los tenemos cerca. Otros no lo están tanto, pero igual se les celebra.

A Gustavo, el padre de mi creciente familia, tenemos la suerte de celebrarlo todos los días y no somos nosotros sino él quien nos regala momentos que hacen que cualquier intento de darle algo para esta fecha sea irrisorio. Así es que thank you babe, de parte de todos y de nuevo, ¡feliz día del padre!

A todos los padres que conozco y quiero, ustedes saben quienes son: ¡FELICIDADES EN SU DÍA!

Mi hijo prestado nos visita

2007-06-09T10:39:00.000-05:00

Este fin de semana conseguimos traernos a la casa al ahijado de Gustavo, Don Carlos Iván Vergara, para adoptarlo temporalmente y celebrar de viernes a sábado su cumpleaños (un poco pasadita la fecha pero ya saben que más vale tarde...).

Gustavo lo recogió con Pablo y Diego y se los llevó a los tres a gastar energías jugando fut mientras yo dejaba todo listo para preparar la cena con los chefs invitados de la noche. Después de mandar a todo el mundo a la ducha antes de que terminaran de entrar por la puerta (hasta Diego olía a chivo!) Carlos y Pablo se encargaron de armar su pizza y me cuentan que les quedó muy rica. Debo quejarme, sin embargo, porque no me dieron ni una migaja para probar y tal vez por eso a Carlos Iván después le dio dolor de barriga. Pero tranquilo Iván, nada que un montón de Coca Cola no pudiera curar! A continuación fotos de la hermosa velada.

"Un peperoni para nosotros, otro para la pizza..."

Comiendo rapidito para que yo no llegara a tiempo a pedir un bite... 'ta bieeen...

Diego bien peinado!

La pizza de los grandes

Gracias a los padres de este muchacho por el préstamo, todavía hoy sábado nos queda algo de tiempo con él, ahorita andan de nuevo por la calle. De hecho supuestamente yo me quedé para hacer almuerzo así es que hasta aquí la dejo.

I give you... Pablo!

2007-06-02T11:57:00.000-05:00

Two jewels of modern cinematography... next time you see him be sure to get your autograph!

Afro Pablo
(This was 2003 and apparently back then there was no such thing as decent lighting so adjust your screen o just bear with me.)

Mozart Pablo
(Ok, apparently in 2005 there was still not much of an improvement in lighting, promise the next ones will be better!)

Drum roll, please...

2007-05-10T23:16:00.000-05:00

Well, I just found out and thought I'd share the wonderful news about the newest addition to the Zevallos Earle family...

...a healthy, beautiful (click here to find out)!

When ignorance is not bliss

2007-05-09T15:36:00.003-05:00

Sometimes I think I must be a freak. Pregnancy is one of those times. I seem to go against the current, the widespread trend, in so many ways that yet once more I feel singled out by the crowd.

In some cultures more than others, being pregnant means that you´re in a vulnerable, delicate moment of life regardless of your overall state be it emotional, physical or otherwise. So no matter how hard you try to go about, unintentionally proving to the world how well you feel inside and out, you´re bound to run into people who will impose their help and good intentions even on your ordinary, daily activities. I am lucky, I know. A certain percentage of women do experience 9 months of all sorts of mildly uncomfortable symptoms all the way up to life threatening conditions that endanger the enjoyment of one of the most wonderful events in a person´s life -if not the most. But I think many play along with the damsel-in-distress charade simply because the significant changes that come with not just creating, but welcoming a brand new little person into your life can be overwhelming. What I´ve found though, is that it mostly comes down to -as does everything else in life- your attitude. You can chose to sit there and be overwhelmed and not know what hit you every time you feel a new symptom, or you can chose to be overwhelmed and go with the flow of that energy and use the experience to open your eyes to life´s magical way of perpetuating your species, a genuine mixture of sci-fi and fairy-tale.

We are afraid of what we don't know and that is perfectly normal... but also easily changed. Popular belief drills into your head all kinds of spooky, absurd statements in the form of seemingly harmless advice from people who, most probably, do care about you. However, all this really does is add stress to an already eventful, intense experience. Getting a few facts straight early on or at least having a reliable, trustworthy source to turn to when in need of answers, could make the difference between experiencing a pregnancy full of anguish and one full of wonder. Then again, it may just be something bigger than me. Culture expresses itself through so many different layers that attempting to change the people around you can be more than any one person could handle. Which also applies to the homogeneous, choreographed response I've gotten from everyone that's heard I'm expecting my third child and already have two boys. The reaction suggests that if I have a third boy the general feeling should be that of disapointment. Disapointment! Really, is there anyone left in this country that does not know about Pablo and Diego? My general feeling is that if I have another healthy child I'm incredibly blessed. If I have one anything like my wonderful two boys, quite honestly I have no idea what I've done to deserve it. It may have something to do with the fact that many people usually look for anything external -a partner, a child, a job- to guarantee happiness or a sense of purpose in life or even a reason of being. And from what I've gathered recently, a lot of women think I need a girl in order to attain these things. And if I don't ever have one it means I was cast some evil spell. Well, maybe I'll always go against the current because this notion is something very tightly knit into our culture. The thing is, anyone who thinks that way is lacking a bit of information, some important pieces of the puzzle. So ignorance, it turns out, is certainly not always bliss.

Llévame a un lugar... con parlantes

2007-05-03T22:10:00.001-05:00

Después de haber empezado mi exilio (temporal y voluntario, pero exilio al fin) de la pequeña vida nocturna de este país, no mi cuerpo pero mi alma comenzaba a enviar pequeños impulsos eléctricos pidiendo la experiencia musical. Pero no con cualquier música: con buena música. Y qué mejor respuesta a esos impulsos -que iban creciendo en fuerza y aumentando en frecuencia- que una buena dosis de Gustavo Cerati, no en español ni en argentino o panameño... en rock y en vivo y a todo color! Según el preview del disco que da nombre a esta gira, iba a ser una redención hacia el rock & roll después de tantas vueltas por tantos lugares maravillosos que visitaron sus canciones de solista en otros discos.

Y qué mejor manera de coronar la experiencia musical que entrar a ver, aunque fuera de lejos, la prueba de sonido previa al concierto de esa noche y luego conocer a Gustavo Cerati (y pedirle que firmara mi Ahí Vamos y se tomara una foto con nosotras). Anna y yo, contagiando una a la otra de una emoción que nos llegó unos quince años tarde (lo de groupie no es más que cosa de quinceañeras), nos despedimos después de cruzar unas cuantas frases con Gustavo con una sonrisa enorme dibujada en nuestras caras. Y si no fuera por sus adorables gorilas, tal vez nos hubiera hecho un par de preguntas más y nosotras hubieramos contestado cosas distintas las dos a la vez un par de veces más. Pero bue...

Greta Earle, Gustavo Cerati, Anna Frogge

El concierto

Las luces estuvieron realmente fenomenales y la puntualidad con que se desarrolló el programa era irreconocible... pero cierta! ¿Quién iba a imaginar que escasamente una hora después del inicio de la actividad iba a empezar a tocar el hombre? Es más, por llegar medio tarde (yo diría fashionably late) para no abusar de la panza ni estar parada tantas horas casi nos perdemos el comienzo del show.

Gustavo Cerati en Panamá
origen de la foto: el cuara.com

Muy pocas veces he presenciado a un músico dominar su instrumento con tanta precisión y naturalidad a la vez. Parece que, aparte de la magistral destreza con que toca la guitarra e interpreta sus temas, Gustavo Cerati sabe algo de la música que nosotros no sabemos. Por mi que dure para siempre esa complicidad!

pd: Annita, comadre, gracias... ¡totales!

Celebración en El Valle

2007-04-23T13:48:00.000-05:00

La India Dormida

Este fin de semana nos llevamos a mi Abuelo Kermit al Valle para que disfrutara de algo de tranquilidad y del canto de los pajaritos, muy diferente de lo que escucha todos los días, pero sobre todo para acompañarlo mientras soplaba sus velitas de cumpleaños (un día antes de tiempo, en realidad su cumpleaños es hoy, 23 de Abril). Si lo hubieramos puesto a soplarlas todas estaríamos todavía allá porque son nada más y nada menos que 94 años!

Happy birthday, Gramps!
Just look at all the joy and excitement lighting up his face! Actually, as we sung Happy Birthday, he kept claiming that his birthday was not Sunday, but Monday.

Pablo, Nicole (y Linda), Diego y Gustavo

Mighty Diego!

The yummiest cookies I've ever baked. So far... (Thanks Heidi!)

Easy is good

2007-04-17T16:04:00.000-05:00

This was lunch today. I got home barely on time and managed to whip it up in under half an hour, as promised by the source (Mexican Lasagna by Rachel Ray). It's a really rich dish, yet throwing some veggies into it removes any guilt.

Impress your friends at your next dinner party! ;)

This week's Craving Report

2007-04-06T20:49:00.000-05:00

Need I say more?

An image's worth a thousand words

2007-04-06T20:27:00.000-05:00

Pictures taken earlier today at the park.

Thai-style welcome

2007-04-05T10:11:00.000-05:00

All's been rather quiet on the western front lately with nothing on Gustavo's and my agenda besides work and more work for the past few weeks. I finally had some time off so I thought I'd get into the kitchen and stir things around a bit to celebrate Gustavo's return from five days at the Playa Bonita Resort. We sure missed ya babe!

Anyway, I'd seen this extra-easy, extra-delicious recipe on the food network and just had to give it a try given the very small likelihood of screwing it up. It's a thai-style halibut with coconut-curry broth (I used red snapper and regular curry powder instead of the red curry paste the recipe calls for and it turned out just fine... great in fact!). Enjoy the pics.-

This fish was melt-in-your-mouth good!

To finish off Gustavo I made it with Arroz con Guandú!!

Pic of the day

2007-03-21T10:36:00.000-05:00

Gustavo & Diego.

Taken 03/05/07 at the park near Pablo's school on his first day as a 2nd-grader.

¿Qué hacer en Panamá?

2007-03-18T11:05:00.000-05:00

Del 22 al 31 de marzo la embajadas de Canadá, Haití, Francia y Suiza y la Alianza Francesa celebrarán la Semana de la Francofonía 2007 y nos invitan a participar con las siguientes actividades:

Jueves, 22 de marzo - Alliance Française
7:30pm "De PANAM a PANAMA", Isabelle Lissandre. Exposición fotográfica sobre París ilustrando textos de autores famosos de la literatura francesa. Con la presencia de la fotógrafa.

Sábado, 24 de marzo - Plaza de la Catedral
6:00pm Los Beachers
8:00pm Lebeloka (grupo de mujeres percusionistas antillanas)

Lunes, 26 de marzo - Chalet Suizo
7:00pm Inauguración de la exposición fotográfica sobre Suiza francófona en presencia de la embajadora de Suiza en Costa Rica, Panamá y Nicaragua.

Martes, 27 de marzo - Alliance Française
7:oopm Película "Madame Brouette" 2002, Moussa Sene Absa. Senegal, Francia, Canadá. Comedia dramática.

Miércoles, 28 de marzo - Alliance Française
6:00pm Conferencia sobre Blaise Cendrars y su libro "Panama o las aventuras de mis siete tíos" por la Dra. Irene Delgado, profesora de Letras de la Universidad de Panamá.
7:30pm Brindis
8:30pm Película "Ve y Vive" 2005, Radu Milhaileanu. Francia. Comedia dramática.

Jueves, 29 de marzo
8:00pm Película "¿El presidente tiene sida?" 2006, Arnold Antonin. Haití, UE, Canadá. Ficción.

Sábado, 31 de marzo - La Casona
10:00pm Yomira John. Composiciones francocaribeñas.

Bocas del Toro 2007

2007-02-28T22:00:00.000-05:00

Gustavo & Diego

As you can see I've been very busy lately and haven't been able to sit down and update this thing. Apologies.

We came back a few days ago from Bocas del Toro where we were paying a visit to our good friends Juan Pablo and Kelly. It was Diego's first time on a plane and on a boat and I must say it was a gradual transition for him -from panic to pleasure. As usual, our friends pampered us and took us to all sorts of wonderful places all (except one) just a short boat ride away.

I've always had a thing for the Caribbean. Standing in front of the ocean every morning, soaking all the colors in and just relaxing (while chasing Diego away from the nearby dock) was more than I could ask for. Once you're in Bocas it truly seems as if paradise were at arms length. Although it was a great experience for the kids (and grown-ups alike!) nostalgia started to hit once I realized the threats Bocas is being subject to. I actually got there thinking that we better take advantage of our time spent there and take lots of pictures because from what we hear, mega-projects, the mega-greedy and the mega-retards that have surfaced there are managing to destroy the structure and balance that makes the natural resources of this area thrive. (See post on Red Frog Beach).

I was shocked to realize that it's really starting to hit the fan, the wait is over. In Bocas town (Isla Colon) there is often not enough drinking water because of the poor water supply system and the amount of people that are moving there. I don't recall Bocas ever being famous for it's great infrastructure, but that was ok when it was just a handful of local families and the occasional backpacker or "regular tourist". Now there are waste disposal problems, elevated crime rates and cement and chemiclas washing onto the coral. And what's alarming is that all these projects are being developed, but not the town. If progress means that the landscape will now consist of condos and golf courses then great, but as long as the infrastructure of the area does not develop at the same rate everyone will be in for a very rough ride.

Visiting all these fascinating places was a real treat, our heartfelt thanks to Juanpa and Kelly for all the fun activities and tours! Hopefully on our next visit, we'll still be able to enjoy them. For now, I'll leave you with some pictures of the wonderful things we shared with our wonderful friends, and that are still there if you go now.

Our first boat ride with Captain Juanpi

A stop at Coral Key for drinks

Dolphins mating (yup, there were millions and they were gettin' it on EVERYWHERE)

Isla Pajaros (Kelly and I deserve a prize for not puking on anyone on our way there)

The Crew and Loika

Zapatilla Key

Programa Cultural de Verano de la ACP

2007-02-11T12:00:00.000-05:00

El viernes fue el cierre del programa de verano que desde hace algunos años ha estado organizando la Autoridad del Canal de Panamá anualmente. Es la actividad familiar por excelencia, por la música en vivo y al aire libre (nada como la brisa de una noche de verano), las sodas y los chorizos a la parrilla (cierra los ojos y cómprale uno a tu hijo que nadie se ha muerto hasta ahora) y la bajada en cartón por la colina a un costado de las escalinatas del edificio de la Adminstración: clásico panameño.

La última actividad de este verano fue un concierto de la Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenil del Ministerio de Educación. Según escuché está compuesta por estudiantes sobresalientes musicalmente provenientes de escuelas de Panamá y otras provincias. Nos sorprendieron con piezas de Beethoven (Quinta Sinfonía), Carl Off (fragmento de Carmina Burana), una que otra canción de antaño para la nutrida representación de la tercera edad y piezas algo más festivas en vista de que a la vuelta de la esquina ya se asoman los Carnavales. A continuación, las respectivas fotos:

Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenil de MEDUCA

Pantallas para poder ver bien desde casi cualquier punto

Mi parte favorita de la noche: habernos encontrado con Mich and the girls poco después de llegar

Pablo y Stella. Interesante lo que revela el flash...

Despedida con Fuegos Artificiales

Coge'ombe!

2007-02-06T19:07:00.000-05:00

May 2004 (2 months pregnant by the way)

Ok, so this was 2 seconds before I wiped out, but close enough no? Gustavo so selflessly took me and Pablo surfing to Serena (Coronado) when at a beach 15 minutes away there were much bigger, badder waves he could have surfed. (Thank you baby!!)

Summer weekends

2007-02-05T09:23:00.000-05:00

It hasn't been the rule lately, I know. Not like before, when it seems like we spent more time on trips than here in the city. However, we've tried our best to take the kids places, to the beach or to the mountains (ok, hills) or both!

Last weekend, on our way to El Valle, we stopped at Coronado, a favorite spot for both Pablo and myself because the waves and sandy bottom make it perfect for beginner surfers (I'm probably back to a minus value since I haven't been near a surfboard for like a year, besides, enough with providing hours of fun for onlookers watching me wipe out time and time again). Here are some pics.

Note the mini-jumbos!!

Pablo, representing the surfing population of our family.

The boys.

Gustavo & Diego

Nicky & Pablo at the house in El Valle, despite the cool breeze a little fun in the sun was in order.

Panama Jazz Festival 2007

2007-01-19T12:02:00.000-05:00

Yesterday my friend Kelly and I went to the Atlapa Convention Center to get our dose of good old live jazz. It was the second date for the concerts programed for this year. A "Noche de Gala - Homage to Barbara Wilson", took place Wednesday night at the National Theatre.

January 18: Noche Panamericana

We couldn't make it on time, but fortunately do not appear to have missed much according to the program. Left me wondering how late, if at all, the event started. Once seated, I was pleasantly surprised when mere seconds later I heard Patricia Vlieg would be joining the Panamerican Big Band which was getting ready to play. I know this girl because she went to the same school as I did. I always remember her because she sings beautifully and, maybe because she is blind, seems to vibrate with the melody and the vibes travel around the room melting anyone who'll listen.

Patricia Vlieg and Victor "Vitín" Paz, director of the Band, during "My one and Only Love" (if you've heard the Leaving Las Vegas soundtrack, you'll know this song is special).

Patricia and the Panamerican Big Band during a bolero.

"Vitín" Paz doing what he does best.

The content of the program was rather diverse. This year I was at least hoping to hear more classic jazz tunes like those my dad used to hear and that I could've sung along to. Those mastered by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Etta James -ok, I admitt I like my jazz with a bit of milk and sugar, please. I heard Celia Cruz instead. I guess it was to be expected since, more than anything, I think this jazz festival is a desperate attempt to inject music and soul into a town that's growing ever more empty and greedy and any music, as long as it is good, will serve the purpose. Plus, people from many distant places come to sit and enjoy our mighty Panama Jazz Festival. People from towns in desperate need to be injected with some sabor! Celia Cruz more than serves the purpose.

Up next we saw the participation of the New England Conservatory and the Berklee College of Music which were both vibrant with kids, each passionately wooing their instrument to the same rythm.

Guest director Ken Shaphorst and band.

The pianist and bass player, very good.

The last act we saw before exhaustion and hunger struck was the Tributo a Chile Band, singing and playing songs that took us throughout Chile, in time and space, without getting up from our seats. Some songs were arrangements of poems by Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda, others were versions of Violeta Parra and Victor Jarra classics.

Although this was my least favorite I must say that the girls of the band, the sax player and singer, were superb.

From Vanity Fair's 2006: The Year in Photos

2007-01-14T09:39:00.000-05:00

(Click on the image to enlarge)

Came across these the other day so I'm sharing some really good ones of artists I happen to like. Enjoy.

Mikhail Baryshnikov
Photographed by Annie Leibovitz

Robert Downey Jr., in character as Lionel, from Fur.
Photographed by Mary Ellen Mark.

Natalie Portman
Photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott

Tony Bennett
Photographed by Annie Leibovitz

El día en que Gustavo y yo nos casamos

2007-01-08T22:48:00.000-05:00

Fue un día precioso, no faltaba más.

El 6 de enero se sentía cierta anticipación, casi una vibración, fuera de lo normal para el pequeño pueblo de El Valle.

Felizmente comprobamos al final de la noche y lo que dimos de la madrugada que los preparativos valieron la pena porque todos disfrutamos como nunca de una noche muy especial! Supongo que fueron muchas cosas las que aportaron al sentimiento de "tarea cumplida".

Nuestro agradecimiento INFINITO va a nuestros padres, por todo.

A quienes nos acompañaron, pues significa mucho el que se hayan tirado hasta allá para presenciar nuestra boda y compartir la celebración con nosotros. Gracias a todos nuestros amigos y familiares por el simple hecho de haber estado ahí (conocemos de unos cuantos que cruzaron el charco para ver de cerca la cosa y que no les echaran cuento), los momentos fueron muy especiales y menos mal que había cámara pa' tirar pa'l aire porque era algo digno de documentar!

Los queremos mucho a todos!

Album de fotos aquí.

12-25-2006

2006-12-25T21:57:00.000-05:00

¡Feliz Navidad!
Merry Christmas!
Joyeux Nöel!
Frohe Weihnachten!

¡Viene el Jude!

2006-12-21T08:28:00.000-05:00

Artesanía en el valle

2006-12-17T18:20:00.000-05:00

Hace poco, en uno de mis viajes al valle, conocí la Galería Artesanal. Mis amigos Vivi y Sven y Carlos y Verónica, artesanos y artistas entre otras cosas, disponen ahí una muestra de lo que hacen con sus manos: aretes, collares, sillas (especiales -las más comodas que hay, según me ha contado Gustavo), adornos, arañas, postales.

Si pasan por el Valle de Antón y están cerca del Serpentario en la calle principal, aprovechen y entren a la Galería Artesanal a husmear o mejor aún, a comprar!

¡Diego cumple 2 años!

2006-12-13T11:50:00.000-05:00

El lunes, 11 de diciembre, celebramos el segundo cumpleaños de Diego con una pequeña fiesta en casa de los abuelos Earle. Gustavo nuevamente se encargó de la organización y logística y, aunque era tan sólo un puñado de enanos, se sentía como si hubiese mil chiquillos en la casa!

Feliz Cumpleaños de nuevo, Diego... y ¡gracias por venir! Han sido dos años durante los que hemos descubierto, a la par de este terremoto en forma de niño, las maravillas de las cosas de todos los días.

Diciembre 11, 5:34 p.m.
Diego en el carro de su prima Lucía, a la espera de los invitados

Diego, Pablo, Francisco y Nicky

¡El avión de abuelo Billy!

Master of candle blowing!

Diego le dio unas 42 veces a la piñata y hubo que agarrarlo entre 3 para que soltara el palo!

Pablo finishing the job... (I was actually the one who finished it, but shhh!)

Como si necesitaran más azúcar...

Comité de abuelos

Gracias a todos por acompañarnos!

Extra! Extra!

2006-11-28T21:28:00.000-05:00

Pic of the week!

2006-11-27T08:12:00.000-05:00

Sábado, 25 de noviembre de 2006

Decisiones

2006-11-19T16:27:00.000-05:00

Some time ago, while expecting my second child, someone asked me if I didn’t think it was hard to give up your whole life as you know it in order to raise children. Although it was about two years ago, I never forgot because it was a bit shocking to momentarily see my life through the eyes of another person and to realize how much it differed from my own view. The surprise was mostly due to the fact that, specially after having my first child, I was convinced that you don’t give up things, you actually gain a whole lot.

More and more I've begun to notice, as I go about my business, casually preaching to the world how much I enjoy motherhood, that it is less and less clear why people are having kids these days. It is something that definitely hits the top five of things to do once a certain age is reached, but when they do have them it seems that they immediately move on to other things that take up the time that should be spent finishing the job they’ve started. This job, or rather enterprise, that you plunge into should be a defining circumstance in your life; it should be something that helps shape your decision-making processes. For instance, I have to raise a child, therefore I shouldn’t accept a job offer that would keep me out of sight as they grow. Children need enormous amounts of help in order to grow and infinite amounts of love. Love, in turn, is not something you can give by hiring someone who will change their diapers. Love does not translate into toys that give off light and make noises. Placing a stuffed animal on their bed does not replace reading them a bedtime story. Which reminds me of another area where many parents think they’re nailing it, yet they're failing hopelessly: education. Apparently, no one ever taught them that it is not equivalent to placing them in the most expensive schools, it means being there so they can learn by your example.

If I had a magic wand and could do anything for the world, I would wipe out everyone and I’d give it a fresh start with people that had reasonable priorities or that were at least able to establish them. In the good old days, family used to be an institution, something that actually mattered. Now it barely reaches the category of social requirement. And it is true, parents today simply don’t know how to say one of the most powerful words there ever was: NO. Their role has become that of provider of material things, not of guidance. It is very clear to me that it is easier to please a child just to get him or her to shut up and stay put, than saying a big fat “no” and explaining how life works instead (and I should know it’s hard, I’ve actually gotten slapped in the face by a toddler after saying a big fat “no”). It is also very clear which is the right thing to do. This simple way of going through life has been lost in translation apparently because now good means easy and bad means difficult. People are being taught that they can bend the rules, have their way at the expense of others and get away with murder -literally, all because no one ever taught them the meaning of the word “no”. In pursuing happiness in life, teaching a child to deal with adverse events is single-handedly one of the greatest tools they could ever have. I have always said that perception and attitude are everything (ok, not always, but I’ve certainly learned this over the years). Children learn how men and women are supposed to act from, you guessed it, mom and dad. So the way you perceive things and the attitude with which you deal with them goes down a generation, along with eye color and height. For me the greatest challenge of, not having but raising kids has been to set the example. Hopefully we’ll all learn from my mistakes, but also from my momentary lapses of reason.

***

Things I’ve chosen not to have so far:

Cable t.v., air conditioning, washer & dryer, designer makeup

Things I’ve chosen to have so far:

(On second thought, if anyone's interested in trading a cable t.v. subscription, air conditioner, washer & dryer, or designer makeup for two healthy boys let me know, I may change my mind!)

Hotmail finally takes the plunge

2006-11-19T15:41:00.000-05:00

Today, I was fortunate enough to discover that my MSN Hotmail account had gotten a promotion. I now have 1GB of storage space as will every other user that did not have the 2GB one. Things are a'changing. It would be interesting to know what defined the timing. They seem to be growing away from hotmail and towards a "next-generation communication service - Windows Live Mail (...) for our current 260+ million Hotmail active accounts." Preparing such a feat of technology must have kept them busy because it sure seemed like a long time before they took care of this. I've remained very loyal to my hotmail account. I've kept it even though most of the other, more recent services tend to offer additional features, not to mention more storage space.

When I started writing this post the title referred to a plunge such as the one you take when you decide to tackle or overcome some sort of challenge and has a positive connotation. Now, I am certain that it is a chronicle of a death foretold and Hotmail, as will many other things of my era, shall become part of the past.

Times, indeed, are a'changing.

When all else fails... laugh.

2006-11-11T14:17:00.000-05:00

Remember The Muppets?

C3P0: She doesn't look like the princess to me.
Miss Piggy: Watch it, hardware!

Miss Piggy: But I love him.
Rowlf: How could you love him? You're a nurse.
Miss Piggy: That may be true, but I am a woman first.
Rowlf: No, you're not. You're a pig first. Nurse second. I don't think woman made the top 10.

Gonzo: As long as I'm here, I'd like to donate my body to science.
Rowlf: With your body it would be donated to science fiction.
Janice: To donate your body, don't you have to be dead?
Gonzo: So what? I believe in re-incarnation.
Miss Piggy: What would you come back as next time?
Gonzo: How should I know? I don't even know what I am this time.

Muppet Newsman: Here is a Muppet News Flash. An international spy ring is trying to sneak ridiculous stories into the news... In other news, a black and yellow striped mackerel was elected king this morning.

Miss Piggy: [as Nurse Piggy] It's too late, Doctor Bob. We've lost him.
Rowlf: [as Doctor Bob] Well, he couldn't have gone far. He was under the sheet just a second ago.

Kermit: And now I want you to close your eyes and think of exotic Greek dancers, because if you open them you'll see this.

Statler: Please don't make me watch it.

Statler: This show is awful!
Waldorf: Terrible!
Statler: Disgusting!
Waldorf: See you next week?
Statler: Of course.

Waldorf: Well, the show is moving very quickly tonight.
Statler: Oh, yes, someone must have told them that it's harder to hit a moving target.

Town Crier: [ringing bell] 5 o'clock and all's well! 5 o'clock and all's well! Except that Maid Marion has been kidnapped, the sheriff's up to no good, that dog is stealing the cheese, Kermit's mad at Piggy, and it's really only 4:30.

Captain Link Hogthrob: [in Miss Piggy's body] What happened to me?
Miss Piggy: [in Link's body] You think you've got problems!
Captain Link Hogthrob: [in Miss Piggy's body] I can't captain the Swinetrek looking like this, though I am kind of cute.
Miss Piggy: [in Link's body] Hey, don't you dare touch you!

Pic of the week

2006-11-09T15:13:00.000-05:00

Food for thought

2006-10-27T15:34:00.000-05:00

Tengo varias maneras de combatir la maldad, varios ases bajo la manga. Creo fervientemente cuando se dice que los padres son para sus hijos unos superhéroes. Todos tenemos una doble vida. En fin, casi siempre, para celebrar lo que tengo, para dar y compartir con los míos, cocino. Es un arma más poderosa de lo que se cree. Es un acto de amor, por donde se le vea es una acto de creación. Y la creación siempre es mejor que la destrucción.

No soy de usar recetas, pero a continuación describo por encima algunos platos recientes que me gustaría compartir.

Lomo redondo al horno

Había visto a mi mamá hacer esto tanto que me tiré al agua a la brava... y nadie murió intoxicado!

Lo puse a marinar en salsa inglesa mientras preparaba algunos ingredientes y luego le abrí un hueco para rellenarlo con cebolla picada, como cinco dientes de ajo (un guabanazo con el cuchillo para abrirlos), pimentón rojo picado, hojas de laurel, italian herbs, hongos picados, sal y pimienta. Lo metí en el horno como media hora destapado hasta que se dorara, como a 350º y luego, con el relleno que me sobró y el jugo que soltó el lomo, hice la salsa.

Acompañado con papas fritas y ensalada... un éxito! Hasta a Pablo le gustó!

Nota: El aderezo lo hago mezclando vinagre balsámico, moztaza dijon, aceite de oliva extra virgen, sal y pimienta y el detalle ganador es mezclarle un poco de cualquier fruit jam que crean que pueda ir bien. Este tenía pineapple jam, pero con raspberry jam también queda super!

My beloved Tiramisu, a glorious pick-me-up experience!

Este es el link de la receta que hice esa vez: "Classic Tiramisu Recipe". No es muy diferente a la que siempre había usado, pero me llamó la atención que aseguraba ser la del "original". Me sorprendió enterarme que este no es uno de los postres tradicionales italianos, sino que es una adición a su repertorio bastante reciente. Para conocer más de la historia del Tiramisu, haz click aquí.

Tiramisu, 20 minutes later...

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Squares

Ahora no encuentro la receta por ningún lado así es que si alguien la quiere me avisa...

Para los que tienen hijos es una buena manera de meterles algo de comida saludable. O por lo menos es la excusa que usé hasta que prácticamente me los acabé yo sola.

Esto es lo que pasa cuando te demoras demasiado en tomar una foto!

Pizza de Carole

Esto es algo que he visto varias veces hacer a Carole, mi cuñada de Bordeaux, y después de decidir que estaba adicta lo hice de lo que me acordaba.
Es básicamente una salsa de tomate espesa, bien sazonada y con todos los golpes, a la que agregué cubos de pollo, rodajas de chorizo, queso parmesano desmenuzado y uno que otro vegetal picado. Lo eché todo en un pie crust, lo cubrí con queso mozzarella y parmesano y al horno!

Mi más severo crítico

(Como ven no es difícil combatir la furia de la ciudad. Desde mi casa, mi cuartel, hago cosas que producen sonrisas y de una u otra manera unen a la gente.)

A los que no están cerca físicamente, ojalá podamos reunirnos pronto. A los que sí, ¿Cuándo comemos juntos?!

De regreso, encuentro a una ciudad furiosa

2006-10-27T10:17:00.000-05:00

Qué rápido se pasó el viaje, qué rápido me encontré sin tema para escribir. La prolongada anticipación, la planificación, la logística, todo le atribuyó una trascendencia que ahora, sumergida de vuelta en la cotidianidad y a la vez en los acontecimientos inusuales de la cotidianidad, parece de algo de hace mil años, y separado también en distancia de mí.

Gracias a Dios por las fotos, gracias por ese acercamiento, por breve que haya sido, a la gente que queremos, ha quedado la huella. Finalmente gracias por el contraste, que me hace voltearme hacia los detalles que se me pasan, casualmente mientras me encuentro sumergida en tal cotidianidad. Pareciera que necesitamos estar periódicamente en contacto con lo crudo de la vida para no bajar la guardia, para estar siempre agradecidos.

Highlights of our trip to Europe

2006-10-20T23:16:00.000-05:00

I know, it was about time.

I'm still on what I call "limbo time", not on European time, not on Panamanian time, but rather confused most of the time. I guess nothing has really changed since I've been back.

Being with the kids again has been great. Diego now has a broader and more refined vocabulary than a lawyer. Pablo appears to have taken over my role because Diego goes right to him whenever he's hurt himself to get some lovin'. Looks like they put on a few pounds while at their abuelos... Maybe it's just us.

All in all, Europe was awesome. These people (the French) seem to breathe and eat art. You see it in the plating of their dishes, in their hair styles and apparel. Sometimes it kind of gave me the feeling that they just knew better than me, that they'd collectively been around as civilized entities for so much longer than I had... Naturally, I also had a couple of tricks up my sleeve for them. The museums in Paris were just filled with wonderful things, I was like a kid in a candy store. The Picasso Museum stole my heart.

Bordeaux, a lovely city of southern France, was more slow-paced and very charming. I think it must be really nice to live there. I loved the signs on their streets, in Panama this is as rare as having a third eye. I especially enjoyed meeting my brother's acquaintances the night of the wedding because they were immediately so open to these slightly over-dressed latinamericans who early on proved to everyone what was under their misleading façade. We really had a great time.

Regarding Geneva, the perfect city, I must say we've brought back a perfect memory. Of divine food, magnificent scenery, of impressive order, but above all of wonderful company. Although at times I kinda felt like dropping a Diablo Rojo right in the middle of Main Street, I think I can safely say Gustavo and I behaved like normal, decent people for the most part. Ivan and Dayra were almost as excited as we were of spending time together 0ver there and we're very happy to have seen, first hand, how well our Comps is being taken care of. I'm amazed he's not the size of a sumo wrestler. Kudos, you guys, keep it up! And all the best to Mr. Picklewickle!!!

I've managed to post some pictures from the trip (FINALLY, in fact, feels more like I gave birth to them it was so complicated), this time I gave the msn spaces album feature a try. I left the cd with the photos of Paris (this would go between Bordeaux and Geneva) and will get it soon, so no pics from that in the meantime, sorry. Check back next week though. My remarks on Paris, then, will go on a later post due to my cd mishap (a.k.a. una Gretada clásica).

Anyway, to check out the pictures click here. There are 3 albums so far:

* Bordeaux with my family

* Geneva at Ivan & Dayra's

* The food & wine experience

I'll wrap up here, I think the images will say a lot more. I'll try to post as many as I can and maybe even drop by here more often!

GOOD TO BE BACK HOME!

Ob La Di Ob La Da ...en Francia!

2006-10-09T06:18:00.000-05:00

Ciertamente las imágenes hablan más que las palabras, lo único que puedo decir es que estamos profundamente agradecidos con Carole y su familia y Gaby porque, como podrán ver, estamos siendo consentidos a la francesa y la hemos pasado EXCELENTE! A continuación la evidencia!

Carole et Gaby à l'Eglise du Sacre Coeur

Delegación Earle

Parte de la delegación Earle gozando la recepción y dejando el nombre de Panamá en alto! (o lo contrario...)

Después de la boda...

Mi sobrino, Monsieur Jude Evan Earle Pampoulie

Gustavo y yo

Visita a Saint Emilion, pueblo de viñedosOne of the many breathtaking views

Wine addicts' heaven!

Cena romántica!

Parting is such sweet sorrow...

2006-10-04T20:28:00.000-05:00

Gustavo and I are finally leaving tomorrow. We are going to my brother's wedding in Bordeaux, France, and then to visit Ivan (a.k.a. Comps) and Dayra in lovely Geneva. It is a very long way from little old Panama City, Panama.

The "we" I'm referring to does not include Pablo or Diego (our kids) and it is quite frankly very sad to picture myself so far away from them for so many days even though I'll probably be having a blast the whole time. That is, whenever I'm not staring into the air, trying to imagine what they could be doing.

I'll try my best to post updates during the trip, but even if I don't I'm taking my little writing pad so I don't forget about stuff I may see or people I may meet, you get the picture.

I'll miss you my darlings (sorry, that went to Pablo and Diego).

So long and goodnight.

Acabo de sustentar mi proyecto de graduación!!

2006-09-27T22:55:00.000-05:00

I just presented my graduation project and I got 100/100!!

Soy "licen"!

El otro día fuimos al parque...

2006-09-22T22:21:00.000-05:00

diego y pablo

diego y mamá

pablo

diego y pablo

diego

diego

Of Leaves and Leaving

2006-09-22T21:02:00.000-05:00

Every once in a while, as I sit by my window rising seven stories above the rest of mortals, I catch a glimpse of parrots -bright green, magnificent parrots- flying by, sometimes almost at arms length. I guess it has somewhat trained my eye, because I’m quick to distinguish the “u” shape their wings make as they flap and their distinct crimson patch against the afternoon sky.

Today, while looking out that very window, the corner of my “trained” eye caught a flock as they took off from a tree one or two sreets away, presumably as part of their daily quest for the best spot around. It took me a mere instant to realize they were not birds but dry leaves, pulled off the tree by a gentle wind that was suddenly blowing outside. This, in turn, reminded me of autumn, of time and seasons gone by, of chapters concluded. As I stood there, apparently trying to figure out a way of holding on to cherished moments, I somehow ended up thinking about our upcoming trip, about leaving our kids behind and about how precious time spent with them is. I thought of how Diego is learning one or two new words everyday, how he is beginning to pick up my catch phrases (luckily not the most colorful ones), how everyday he reaches higher and higher places (hence our monthly redecoration). I also thought of my little giant, Pablo, and how every week I look forward to his “Friday Papers”, filled from cover to cover with his beautiful work and excellent grades. I thought of how incredibly proud I am of his performance at school; of his enormous, noble heart; and of the many love notes he has written me.

Sometimes it’s hard even for me to trace back my line of thoughts to its exact orgin. But there I was, staring into the bare branches of a tree that now seemed very distant from where I felt I was. Seconds seemed like whole centuries (at this point Gustavo usually comes and yanks me out of my daydream and into harsh reality by telling me I need to cook lunch or even worse, that lunch is burning). When thinking of pages turned, I try to savour the moment- this sort of mental souvenir from events passed or people met - because many times it’s your only protection when ruthless solitude kicks in and, no matter how crowded your life may seem, you feel singled out and lonely. I embrace those moments of nostalgia, of longing moments and people. I look forward to turning to them now that a whole ocean will separate me from my kids, and all I’ll have to protect myself will be souvenirs, not the ones I’ll bring back, but the ones I’m taking along.

Red Frog Beach, Bocas del Toro: Paradise in Panama?

2006-09-01T11:06:00.001-05:00

(Note the term "Paradise", we've all heard the story of a man and a woman who managed to screw up paradise. Note the question mark.)

Click on the image to find out what happened to this spot.
Photo courtesy of www.almanaqueazul.org

For how long will we have to fight our own stupidity? Well, in case you haven't heard, looks like the whole Republic of Panama is being sold. And a tiny corner of it, Red Frog Beach in Bastimentos Island (part of the province of Bocas del Toro), is being devoured by bulldozers and chain saws as part of a shady mega-project that wants to replace indigenous communities and modest local homes with condos and swimming pools. This is not cheap fiction, my friends.

The people buying (into) this attractive little scam are not necessarily evil. Many of them have no idea that what appears on the project's website is nothing more than embellished BS. If you buy now you will in fact acquire a little piece of tropical heaven. You'll be at arms reach of Bastimentos National Marine Park (think of all the colors you know, then picture marine flora and fauna wearing all these colors). However, by the time you actually move out there, all the mud from the construction site washing out to sea will have killed the coral, there will be no tropical forest left because, well, you'll be standing on it only now it's a golf course, and the locals will silently hate you because they'll still live in modest wooden homes and you'll be living in this:

Image borrowed from the project's website

Those of us opposing the approval and development of the project (whichever happens first, corruption trickles down to even the tiniest of places) don't have a lot of money or power to step in and immediately make a difference, but we do have information, we do have a very strong will and consciences that cannot be bought. We also have contacts. I mean you, reading from the comfort of your home or looking over your shoulder at your office so no one catches you checking out a blog from some girl in Panama. You with e-mail addresses of people from around the world, you writing blogs, sharing links...

If you have time to surf the net, you have time to pass this info along. The locals of Bastimentos are powerless if compared to this huge developing company, to the governments promoting all of these "sustainable" tourism projects, to the millions of dollars flowing around, luring and hooking on more and more people like a gigantic bait out at sea.

Here's a list of links with very useful, interesting information on this. Feel free to check them out and share them!

Almanaque Azul's report, English version
Stop Red Frog Beach - the site
Comments from an Interamerican Development Bank Consultant to La Prensa (local, prestigious newspaper)
Interview to Eligio Binns, Mayor of Bocas del Toro from La prensa

Have you bought a piece of this corner of heaven yet?
Photo courtesy of www.almanaqueazul.org

Somewhere in cyberspace...

2006-08-26T11:38:00.000-05:00

There's the blog that helps a man deal with war seen from his window. There's the one that's helping a country not become swallowed by greed and bulldozers. And then there's the one that accidentally landed on my laps, feeling heavy like a thick block of pages, yet light in entering my mind and sparking my imagination.

KERBLOG is the name of a blog where Mazen Kerbaj posts drawings (and words to go with those drawings) that are produced with very peculiar background audio: that of war, of explosions and of uncertainty. I imagine also of fear and frustration, although maybe reaching out through his art helps lessen the burden. He lives in Beirut, Lebanon, where a war has gone on for far too long.

almanaque azul is my friend Mir's site. He wants to teach everyone about the Republic of Panama's coasts and how to ensure sustainable, and not depredatory, tourism. He is also armed with stories about people selling our country and people buying it, about cutting down trees in our precious rainforests and marine parks to build highways and condos. And although he may not be armed with sticks nor stones, his words have sure ruffled some feathers.

The Cyberoutlaw's Hideout has another kind of story seeping in form every dark little corner. It's about life in New York, life as an ex-con, life period. The writing is superb, addictive. We know very little about the author, but regarding everything else, his descriptive power is compelling to say the least.

I either laugh too much or laugh too little

2006-08-22T16:11:00.000-05:00

After last night, I should know better. However, one short, little post with harmless entertainment won't kill me. I actually laughed just reading the muppets test questions. It must be some phase I'm going through, maybe I hadn't been laughing enough lately.

Anyway, courtesy of blogthings.com, here are the results of these two tests I took (link provided in case you want to give it a try). Enjoy...

You Are Superman

Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.
And pretty cute too. No wonder you're the most popular superhero ever!

What Superhero Are You?

I must admitt these results were kinda disappointing. First of all, I was positive I was going to come out some hot super heroine. Maybe they don't even have any girls among the results. Bastards! Although, of course, I do have pretty long legs which have proven to make me pretty fast (at least that one time I won some marathon during highschool). Powerful? If that means carrying groceries on one arm and a humongous, sleeping toddler on the other, then yes, I'll take that. And cute? Well Gustavo sure thinks so, and that's good enough for me!

Now this is the one that made me laugh just by answering the questions. Gustavo says there was never a doubt in his head that I'd be Animal. Compliment or mockery?

You Are Animal

A complete lunatic, you're operating on 100% animal instincts.
You thrive on uncontrolled energy, and you're downright scary.
But you sure can beat a good drum.
"Kill! Kill!"

The Muppet Personality Test

Rebirth of the Reina Torres de Araúz Museum of Anthropology

2006-08-22T08:56:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we went to the Inauguration of the new site of the Reina Torres de Araúz Museum in Llanos de Curundu, Panama City (gracias a Denisse por la invitación!). The ceremony took place in the museum's amphitheater and after some words from key figures and local authorities including our first lady (her endorsement was critical to the development and success of the project), we had the opportunity to take a good look around and get some photos.

the greeting squad

Reina Torres de Araúz was a very daring lady who became Panama´s first reknowned woman anthropologist in a time when the words "woman" and "science" were not likely to be seen in the same sentence. She studied and documented the earliest known settlements of the country's native inhabitants and, even posthumously, seems to be leading the efforts in revealing the grandeur of our predecesors by having a museum carry not only her name but her spirit.

Salón Reina Torres de Araúz

One of the highlights of the exhibit, Torres de Araúz at ease while on a mission

For the occasion, the Soumaya Museum of Mexico was nice enough to lend us 32 pieces of its Auguste Rodin exhibit which for the first time leaves its current home. It's a pity that only about 0.003% of the population will care enough to visit the museum because the pieces were truly a treat for the eyes and soul. Sculpture is a form of art that celebrates life, not by trying to imitate it, but rather by capturing its essence through the subtlety of gestures and poses and wrinkles.

Click on the images to enlarge them!

If you're in town or live here, here is some useful info you'll need to plan a visit, there's no excuse!

Open Tuesday - Friday from 9am til 4pm
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10am til 5pm

Entry fee is USD3.00 for adults
USD1.00 for students holding a Student ID, retirees and minors under the age of 18

(couldn't get a phone number, sorry)

After the very elegant event, dressed in our very elegant attires, I made everyone go to the On the Run accross the street to get me a chili dog. I took a bite and it landed upside-down on my tray. I almost choked laughing and that's when we called it a day.

Happy Birthday Gustavo!

2006-08-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

34 añitos tampoco se fuman en pipa!

Hope you have many, many more to come babe!

7 años no se fuman en pipa!

2006-08-18T15:51:00.000-05:00

El Valle de Antón fue testigo de uno de los eventos más exitosos de este año el domingo pasado, día de la celebración de cumpleaños de don Pablo Zevallos Earle. Esta vez hubo algunos cambios, por primera vez (y por culpa de cierto proyecto mío) no me tiré la organización entera al hombro, y fue Gustavo quién se robó el show armándole la fiesta al cholito. Parece que eso era lo que había faltado los años anteriores porque fue un evento digno de recordar. Veamos....

La llegada de los invitados...

Gianni, María Beatriz y Beatriz Tuñón

Annie, Juan Pablo y Juan Ramón Reyes

Yiyo, Carmen, Gian Carlo y Nathalie ya instalados en su spot

El primer as bajo la manga de Gustavo... paseo en caballo!

Pablo

Nicole y Diego, que no cabía en el pellejo y reía a carcajadas de la felicidad!

Oma Magalli, cerca por cualquier movimiento en falso!

Segunda actividad: Partido de fut en el jardín!

Papás, tíos, amigos, niños... todo vale.

Las gradas

Expectadores en la grama

Los munchies

(Deborah, deja algo ahí...)

El pastel, perdón EL pastel!

Doble sapo verdei, la Srta. Ana Victoria Chapman cumplía ese mismo domingo!

The ladies... (controlando el área desde el mirador)

Adios super piñata de bola de fut (la cara de Pablo por haber sido el que la rompió... ¡no tiene precio!)

La Gallinita Ciega
Gus tenía planeado diversión para todo el mundo. GREAT JOB, G!!

Vicky!

"Stop the Music"
Este juego fue para revolcarse de la risa, bailaron desde Iron Maiden hasta reggaeton (you can't control everything, now can you?). Debimos haberle dado premio a Gloria y Herenia porque con todo y bailadera no perdieron el glamour en ningún momento...

...hasta que mencioné el término "racataca" y a todas se les salió el cobre!

Racas en mi casa (me pregunto, ¿quién habrá dejado entrar a estas personas a la fiesta?)

La papa caliente (Raúl le tenía el ojo puesto al premio..)

El ganador!

GRACIAS a todos los que nos acompañaron y ayudaron durante la fiesta. Excelente compañía no se merece menos que una excelente fiesta y por esto tengo que agradecer a Gustavo que hizo todo prácticamente y se tiró un fiestonsonson!!! Y gracias a mis viejos por cedernos la casa para tener a un poco de chiquillos (y adultos) locos correteando por ahí!

Visto un domingo en la tarde

2006-08-02T21:54:00.000-05:00

Hace unos domingos atrás, mientras esperábamos que Pablo regresara del Valle, nos fuimos a pasear a San Felipe con Diego, para que vaya conociendo Panamá antes de que la vendan toda.

Comparto algunos fotos de ese día, de lo que fue visto un domingo en la tarde...

Gustavo y Diego, el pequeño monstruo.

un cavalier blanco

Diego perfeccionando su camina'o.

¿Quién dijo que no hubo surf?!

Al fondo la ciudad nueva (que se quiere comer a la vieja).

Tomamos una derecha, dimos vuelta por el chino, empujamos unas puertas hechas de planchas de zinc, y nos encontramos con un show de saltos en patineta. Asientos de primera fila.

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Creo que a Diego le gustó el paseo...

Los viejos, buenos tiempos

2006-07-30T12:11:00.000-05:00

Ayer nos reunimos en casa de Ana J., y aunque la idea era vernos las caras antes de que algunas se muden al exterior (Francine muy pronto, Ana y Bea que le siguen), yo iba también a conocer a María Alejandra. La única niña que he conocido que, a sus tres semanas de edad, ya es un paisón! Nadie se explica donde quedó la etapa de carita de recién nacida, facciones todavía sin definir. Es simplemente divina! Felicidades nuevamente a Ana y Alejandro (¡Good job!).

Ana y Mari Ale, our hostesses

Por cosas de la vida, uno a veces toma caminos que lo alejan un poco, por lo menos físicamente, de sus amigos queridos. Por eso disfruté tanto de la compañía de Melissa, Beatriz, Lorena, Francine y nuestra hostess por supuesto, Ana J. I missed you guys so much! Nos reimos un montón, e hicimos lo que pudimos por ponernos al día también, para compensar por el tiempo perdido. Es bueno saber que, aunque uno no ha estado ahí siempre, le guardan su lugar. Regresé a la casa como si hubiese cargado baterías.

Thanks for the lovely company, ladies!

Estudios revelan que es buena práctica tener por lo menos uno de estos siempre a mano, prevenienen las enfermedades del corazón, dicen.

2006-07-25T19:35:00.000-05:00

A Humbling Experience

2006-07-17T12:25:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I drove my 6-year-old, Pablo, and my 19-month-old, Diego, to a very popular Sunday afternoon destination: the Amador Causeway. We were to rent one of those three-passenger bikes and all sit side by side enjoying the view and doing our little "family" number (minus one -Gustavo was working).

After going around a couple of times, everyone having a turn at the wheel and me feeding us Oreo cookies as we went, Diego decided he wanted to explore the nearby parking lot instead, so I got Pablo a bike for him to ride around where we could still see each other and spent the next 45 minutes naming pretty much everything Diego pointed at.

As the sun started to set, I realized I was walking a very thin line, that between carefree, Sunday-afternoon fun and Hiroshima: Diego was about two minutes away from becoming visibly sleepy and I had barely enough time to return Pablo's bike, pack all of our butts into the car and get home. As the thought crossed my mind, I felt a tug at my pants telling me that my little boss wanted more of those things with the white, creamy stuff in the middle that had previously come out of the blue wrapper that was now coming out of my pocket. But we'd eaten them all.

I managed to get Pablo to return the bike and meet me at the car, all in under a minute. I opened all four doors because, naturally, I had a soccer ball, backpack, little toy cars, a baby sipping cup and a baby all hanging from me and all supposed to go in the car before all hell broke lose and Diego decided he wanted to be tucked in with a full tummy during the next five seconds.

All I can say, my friends, is that I did not get lucky that afternoon. During the next minutes I found myself wrestling an enraged version of my toddler, arms flailing, hitting my face and chest, sweat, blood and tears pouring down our struggling bodies as I tried to get him into the car. For a moment I felt like I was as tired, frusrated and confused as he was and my thoughts were condensed into one sole purpose: get the kid onto his carseat so we can scram. People in nearby cars were staring, giving me that look, I could feel it, and all I kept thinking was that I should take advantage of the first opportunity, when Diego paused to gather strengths in order to keep up the show, so I could literally strap him in place (tight enough so he couldn't propel himself out of the car, loose enough so he could keep on flailing freely -without knocking out Pablo, that is). I felt so helpless trying to talk him into calming down, offering boxes of Oreo cookies, Happy Meals, eternal ownership of the remote, I just didn't know what else to do. I let go of him, he walked away, I carried him back, and the show picked up right where it had left off.

The moment finally came and, at last, sweat drops running down my back, I had him! The subject was strapped onto his carseat. I thought I was going to get an overall feeling of happiness and accomplishment, but I must admit I only felt sad hearing Diego sobbing angrily as we headed home. I felt like I was a failure as a mom and that there had to have been a more gentle, civilized way of handling the whole thing. Pablo, proving once again to be my hero, tried the whole time to calm his brother down, talking to him, or rather begging him to go easy on me and to stop crying and screaming his lungs out like that in public -in his own words.

Ever since I've been catching up on my child-rearing literature, searching for answers or just looking for that one phrase that would reassure me by suggesting everything was still ok. I must say I learned many things from this little episode. For instance, I remembered how useful it is to listen, maybe not to words, but to signs. Like your 19-month-old showing signs that he's had enough fun for one day, or that he's afraid that if you'll strap him to that awful carseat you may leave and not be there with him when he falls asleep. The toddler years, like every other transition stage of human lives, is a very tough period. They're not babies who can get away with ANYTHING and are still very attached to momma, and they're not children who have reached a more advanced degree of independence. I also learned I must have unlimited amounts of patience, and now, more than ever, teach every lesson with love (now that's truly a golden rule!). So, in a nutshell, kids teach you. They push you towards being a better person. They make you reassess your reasoning and your reactions. So if you come accross one, by all means, embrace the challenge.

Ps: Sorry for writing so much, I just had to get this out of my chest. Pablo, Diego, I ADORE YOU!!!

10 great things about the 10 last days

2006-07-12T21:13:00.000-05:00

10. My morning coffee

9. Watching World Cup matches

8. Peach-Spice Cake

7. My view of dawn

6. Lasagna Day

5. Special Appearances

4. My view of the moon

3. Diego's random acts of affection towards his brother

2. Cheering for Pablo during his games

1. My family

The World Cup Final and Zinedine Zidane

2006-07-10T11:54:00.000-05:00

I don't ever justify violence, I can, however, understand people making mistakes. Having said that, I move on to my brief, closing remarks on the World Cup Final.

I like sports, I was selected to be on my school's soccer and basketball teams throughout most of highschool and to this day enjoy playing "living-room" soccer with Gustavo and our son, Pablo, every once in a while (a duty that comes with the job, I guess). The World Cup is pretty much the only time I ever sit down to watch sports on television despite my taste for it, and this year was no exception.

Soccer is the only sport that displays such grace and romance (and, as the world learned, romance sometimes comes with passion). It is almost like therapy for some to watch these geniuses perform on the field, anticipating moves, surprising and enchanting us with their other-wordly skills. The Final had its share of magic and, to balance things out, its share of drama. Overall I thought it was a very fast-paced, entertaining match and, although I really didn't have a favorite, I really like how the French played: aggressive, yet elegant (at least until minute 110).

As for Italy, they have outstanding players to their advantage, and made good use of their skill as a team (and are very cute!), yet the French, led by Zidane, definitely won my heart over. At this point I must state that wining my heart over defines greatly who I will go for in a match.

As I said before, there is no justification for violent acts, but there is also no justification for being an Italian ass and provoking the French captain, their spinal cord, like that. Although Zidane closed this chapter, or rather ended the book, with a very sad note, I still believe him worthy of praise and admiration because of everything he is, not only for France, but for soccer. The man rules on the field and hopefully the stain of his premature farewell to the game will eventually begin to fade and the magic will remain.

Bienvenu, mon petit neveu!

2006-07-05T16:25:00.001-05:00

Voilà la prèmiere photo que mon frère Gaby a envoyé de son fils, Jude!! Tout le monde ici à Panama est très, très heureux. Il est adorable! (Carole, j'espère que tu as dormi beaucoup!!)

Monsieur Jude Evan Earle Pampoulie

Diego, Pablo, Gustavo et moi vous envoyons des gros bisous!

Israel López "Cachao" (far away, so close...)

2006-07-04T09:48:00.000-05:00

No te voy a poder ver, Israel, ni oir tocar. Aunque falta tiempo todavía, mis ahorros están enfocados hacia otras cosas ahora mismo. Espero que entiendas. Pondré tu cd todo el día ese día, bailaré con Diego (que, a diferencia de Pablo, todavía no puede defenderse de esas cosas buajajajjaja).

Tu concierto va a ser dos días antes del cumpleaños de Gustavo, seis después del de Pablo. Tal vez esté tan enredada que no me acuerde y tal vez no tenga tiempo de pensar que, lo más probable, nos lo vamos a perder.

100 bucks a pop, or $1000 for a table!! Vean esto de cerca...

Aunque, ¿quién sabe? Muchas vueltas puede dar el mundo de aquí a allá. Tal vez te sorprenda y me aparezca, parejo en mano, a bailar a tu son hasta que los huesitos me lo permitan.

Poniendo las cosas en perspectiva, cien dólares por persona por ver a Cachao en vivo (y vivo!) no es tan descabellado ni tan inalcanzable, no? Además, mucho más me he gastado en cosas mucho menos trascendentales. (Será esto un vulgar lavado de cerebro para justificar cierto gasto "no necesariamente justificable"?).

En fin, si alguien va, me avisa!! (I can be a very resourceful woman...)

Jude est arrivé!!!

2006-07-03T10:29:00.000-05:00

Estamos muy felices de anunciar que nuestro sobrino Jude acaba de nacer hace apenas unas horas en la ciudad de Bordeaux, Francia!!!!!

Faltan palabras para describir la emoción! Solo hay cabida para enviarle muchos abrazos y besos al nuevo miembro de nuestra familia y felicidades a Carole y Gaby, los nuevos padres.

Jude, ya te conoceré en Octubre, prepárate para ataques de besos frecuentes!

pd: Manden fotos!!!

Saturday night in Panama City

2006-06-30T21:35:00.000-05:00

What, one might ask, do people do in a seemingly small city like Panama?

Tomorrow, on an otherwise regular Saturday night, a small, strange yet extremely popular place called La Casona will come to the rescue with jazz. Check out the flyer!

Nothing like a little Miles Davis to get you started...

Cambia... todo cambia...

2006-06-27T20:06:00.000-05:00

El blog está probando cha chai nuevo, todavía no sé si todo funciona como debe.

Acepto comentarios, opiniones, sugerencias, críticas...

El cielo en Panamá

2006-06-23T11:04:00.000-05:00

Hace poco me decía una extranjera, de a penas una llovizna, que "en su país no caían aguaceros como estos"... Entonces me volteé para ver una delicada cortina gris que se veía entre nosotras y los edificios al otro lado de la bahía.

A los pocos días llovió de verdad y, según me han dicho, cayó granizo.

En Panamá el cielo no es como en ningún lugar al que haya ido. Mañanas de sol y cielos azules preceden inocentemente a diluvios apocalípticos y, naturalmente, agarran al panameño desprevenido. Toda la semana.

Si no están en Panamá, aquí hay unos pedacitos de su cielo que recogí con la cámara:

Casi todos los días me siento jóven

2006-06-23T10:45:00.000-05:00

(...pero el tiempo no espera a nadie.)

Síndrome - Mario Benedetti

Todavía tengo casi todos mis dientes
casi todos mis cabellos y poquísimas canas
puedo hacer y deshacer el amor
trepar una escalera de dos en dos
y correr cuarenta metros detrás del ómnibus
o sea que no debería sentirme viejo
pero el grave problema es que antes
no me fijaba en estos detalles.

Poco más de diez años después de haberme graduado de la escuela, volví a escuchar de mis amigas de aquella época. A algunas las frecuenté todavía después de secundaria, pero creo que con la mayoría perdí contacto (ese contacto y esa complicidad que solo se logra después de trece años yendo al mismo colegio con la misma gente). Siempre sonrío cuando recuerdo esa época, así sea por dentro.

Pensar que ya han pasado diez años también me hace pensar sobre todo lo transcurrido en este tiempo y también sobre dónde estoy después de haber dado tantas vueltas. Supongo que a veces uno piensa que ha recorrido un largo camino y otras veces vemos alrededor y nos damos cuenta que hemos estado metidos en un tipo de espiral porque todo se ve igual.

No siempre nuestras expectativas nos dejan saborear los pequeños triunfos o apreciar lo que hemos hecho. Por un lado, puedo estar muy orgullosa porque, entre muchas otras cosas, he hecho dos niños preciosos y por otro lado soy la crítica más severa del lento progreso de mis proyectos. Trato de correr más rápido que esas señales que me avisan del paso del tiempo para que no me alcance la frustración. Aún así, no pierdo la esperanza porque por lo menos tengo proyectos (sueños, planes o como quieran llamarles) y estoy ansiosa por ver que deparan los giros e incluso los callejones oscuros que me encuentre en el camino.

I dread it, I long for it.

2006-06-23T10:22:00.000-05:00

Today, after one year and a half of television-free life, I accidentally introduced Diego to the small screen. I obviously have some issues to work out because it’s a true love-hate situation. See, my other son, Pablo, gets plenty of outdoor activity time, including very frequent trips to the beach and the mountains; however, once he sits in front of the damn T.V. we’ve lost him. Be it cartoons or Nintendo he becomes temporarily hypnotized and is sent subliminal commands to ignore any order we may give him.

Well this morning, while trying to get some work done at the computer and waiting for the nanny to arrive, I turned the television on so I knew when the soccer match began. Diego was hanging out with me, goofing around and being his adorable little self when all of a sudden he grabbed the remote and changed it to some kid channel et voilà! The catchy tune was what initially caught his attention, then there was the big, fluffy bear talking and singing… right at him! Next thing I knew…

I’d lost him.

But suddenly he wasn’t demanding my attention like any other toddler would, suddenly I could actually get work done without continuous interruptions… Is this something I really want? Is this any good for Diego?

I’m telling you, yes, all of you parents out there falling prey to this temptation, beware! While I don’t think it’s all that bad for kids to sit down and watch SOME television during the day, we’ve had to really give some thought to the total time we allow Pablo for this. If you can avoid introducing your kids to screens in general do so. I know it requires a lot of creativity to provide activities that will keep them entertained time and time again during their young lives, but it’s worth the try. And if not, you can always use it as an occasional distraction that will allow you enough time to, for instance, get some work done on the computer!

¡Feliz Día del Padre!

2006-06-18T11:03:00.000-05:00

Un mensaje extra especial de parte de Diego, Pablo y mamá a nuestro Super Papá, Gustavo!!!

También a abuelo Billy, abuelo Coco, abuelo Kermit, tío Tony, tío Gaby y todos los otros papás que nos rodean, un gran abrazo!

Lo bueno, lo malo y lo feo

2006-06-17T12:22:00.000-05:00

Ahh… mi querido Panamá.

Parece mentira que en tan pequeña extensión de territorio, relativamente hablando, se pueda encontrar una variedad tan grande de cosas: indios Kuna (7 etnias indígenas para ser exactos), un McDonald’s en cada esquina, la pollera y los dulces espectaculares del lugar ese en Pedasí, bancos de todos los países del mundo, gente de todos los países del mundo, playas en el Pacífico, playas en el Atlántico, peces y aves de todo tamaño y color, diablos rojos… Hay que admitirlo, aquí hay de todo.

Pues un tal David Carles, a quien aparentemente llaman el Pequeño Fonk, se atrevió a tomar la foto que aparece abajo de la Bahía de Panamá no exactamente en todo su esplendor. Además pasó el dato a los amigos del diario La Prensa (quienes no perdieron tiempo publicando esta nota al respecto).

Bahía de Panamá

Es esta misma bahía la que recientemente hizo noticias por los avances de los planes de saneamiento que se han enganchado al motor del turismo, a ver si logran arrancar de una vez por todas. Es esta bahía por donde pasan muchísimos turistas camino al interior del país, sin mencionar miles de panameños camino a su trabajo. Y finalmente, es la bahía donde no miles, sino millones de aves migratorias hacen una parada estratégica antes de seguir hacia su destino.

Estas son las cosas que me hacen preguntarme, ¿Será que somos brutos o nos hacemos? ¿Dónde estaban los panameños durante la repartición de sentido común? ¿Estaremos satisfechos cuando finalmente hayamos dañado todo lo hermoso que tiene este pequeño territorio? Son solamente 78,000km2 y vamos a toda máquina tratando de destruir las cosas que nos hacen infinitamente afortunados en comparación con el resto del mundo. Inconcebible, sin embargo cierto.

Antes de desalentar a cualquier potencial visitante: queda mucho por cuidar (o por destruir, dependiendo de qué lado de la raya estén). Panamá sigue guardando miles de tesoros y lugares y gente por descubrir. No sé ustedes, pero tengo una preocupación que es como una espina en mi costado. Por mucho que trate de celebrar lo colorido de nuestra cultura, hay cosas que me empujan, por ejemplo, a criar a mis hijos para que sean la antítesis del panameño promedio. Tal vez no sea una activista de Greenpeace (alguna vez lo pensé) o ninguna Rosa Parks, pero ahora que tengo hijos, el rol viene con un deber ineludible de contribuir a cuidar el lugar donde vivo y que el impacto perdure. Entonces me salgo del camino para enseñarles SENTIDO COMÚN, lo menos común que existe en la vida, porque siempre se regresa a la cuestión, como decía Benedetti en su poema Grietas, de ver de qué lado de la raya ponemos el pie. Si no han decidido, están tarde.

Para cerrar, algo para hacernos sonreir: una foto del bebé más hermoso del mundo!!!!

Diego!

Germany 2006 World Cup - First Impressions

2006-06-09T12:04:00.000-05:00

As I sit in the comfort of my home, watching the opening ceremony, jotting down some thoughts, the first thing that comes to mind is how ruthless the passing of time is. Four years ago, very early in the morning, Gustavo, Pablo (by then almost 3) and I were all cuddled up on our big bed, watching the first matches, as we would every day during the next month almost religiously.

"Lil Beckham" -Picture taken July 26, 2002.

Ever since, Pablo –now huge and going on seven- has been a big Beckham fan, in fact, today he wore his England t-shirt to school for some World Cup activity. (I must agree with him, Beckham’s not bad, and I hear he is also a very good soccer player!)

The opening ceremony itself was very diverse, for lack of a better word. Although I live in a country where grown men wearing short pants well above their waist is not specially appreciated I do have a taste for these cultural differences, I guess that’s where the nerd in me starts to kick in. The beauty of these spectacles is the fact that you’re not really meant to fully understand them. These people are aiming at a target audience that encompasses… the whole world! So it’s pretty much a just-sit-back-and-enjoy-the-show situation. I did love it when the ladies in costumes came out singing, it was kind of Queen Amidala meets Pink Floyd.

Loved those floating ladies!!

What gave the whole show a very warm feel, to prove to all those who think otherwise that Germans do have a soul -and even a heart- was when they had all the veteran players parading around the stadium with little kids: corny, yet effective. I liked it because it was normal people, old, chubby, gray-haired men walking and waving. At this point I must note that most of the French players were awfully cute, in fact they should be allowed to play in their nice suits all the time (ok, I am a girl after all). I also loved the guys from Brazil who seemed to be out there just having a good time, laughing and chatting while the cameras circled their delegation. That’s what I love about Latin-Americans.

All in all, I’m very excited about the World Cup having begun a couple of hours ago. I must confess I would very much rather be playing soccer than watching it on television, however, the Cup always brings happy memories and is an opportunity to spend time with people you love so I plan on enjoying it with my family (we have an extra 1-year-old spectator this year) and other loved ones.

P.s.: As for the opening match, 42 minutes into it, the score is Germany: 2,

Costa Rica

: 1. Go Germany!!!

Farewell, Tío Juanpa and Tía Kelly!

2006-06-08T09:54:00.000-05:00

We recently enjoyed the company of our family from Bocas del Toro, Juan Pablo and Kelly, who stayed with us at the apartment for a couple of days. We ate lots of pizza, held the first ever Annual Fifa Street Championship and managed to get a babysitter during a weekday so Gustavo and I could go have dinner with them like normal people (a.k.a. grown-ups) during their last night in town.

We decided to try La Posta, a cozy little restaurant near Calle Uruguay in Bella Vista. The first thing I noticed was how crowded it was even though it was the middle of the week. I also liked the decoration, the fact that it brought out so nicely the details of its architecture. When you go in it's like going back a century, everything's white and, although mostly wooden, looks like it should have looked when they first built it. Tropical, sobre and elegant. Great combination.

Juanpa & Kelly

Los cholos

Las cholas

Mr. Waldy Chapman

As for the food, I have no complaints. The entrées were just delicious (try the Fried Polenta with Portobello Mushrooms!) and, although Juan Pablo was not quite satisfied with his Passionfruit Jumbo Shrimp, I am very happy I went for the Salmon with Dijon Mustard Crust. Fabulous!

Thanks to Juanpa and Kelly for the great company (also to Waldy who dropped by), and see ya next time at the Pinky Inn!

Gente

2006-06-05T21:14:00.000-05:00

Ahora que tenemos juguetito nuevo (¿mencioné que compramos cámara?), hemos aprovechado para tomar algunas fotos de los niños, las últimas visitas que hemos tenido en el apartamento y eventos relacionados a nuestro día a día.

Pablo y Diego

Diego

Noche de Party & Co

Super Maribel (durante sus patronales de Despedida) y Juanpa

"El Self Timer" (Juan Pablo, Kelly, Gustavo, Greta y Maribel)

Lo que veo a las 6 de la tarde desde mi ventana

¡Mi edificio!

Our third child

2006-06-05T20:30:00.002-05:00

I know it may be too soon, but it’s finally here!

Our baby has arrived! And it’s a…

Canon Powershot S2 IS!!!

We recently, and after much anticipation, ordered our new digital camera, one that would truly satisfy our thirst and provide endless hours of pure entertainment. Let me tell you, this is one mighty gadget! I’m barely scratching the surface of what it can do, specially since the last camera I had of this kind was a 20-year-old Pentax Asahi Spotmatic I inherited from my father as a very special gift, tripod and lenses included.

Well technology has caught up with me, my friends. So expect the unexpected!

For those of you who know me well, I don’t have to remind you that whenever I’ve had a camera in my power, I’ve pretty much become a stalker. Stalked my kids, stalked Gustavo, stalked my friends, family, inanimate objects, you name it.

It is a source of genuine joy just knowing that we'll be able to have beautiful memories of everything we do, like in the good old days (plus, we'll be able to take millions of pictures of our trip to my brother's wedding in France!)

Think you're special?

2006-05-18T11:53:00.000-05:00

Well I find this to be just unbelievable.

Sometimes we go around in circles when faced with the smallest of obstacles, wondering, "Why me?" or just complain about life and how unfair it seems to us. We have dreams, plans, projects and they become so fragile, as does our spirit, when we find out that the road that would take us to that longed-for destination will be a rocky one.

Well instead of dragging his feet regreting anything that might have led to him losing, not a coincidence, both his legs, this man climbed the Everest. Need I say more?

Ok I will say more. Take time to stop and smell the roses (I would argue that that's actually productive), but don't spend too much time stuck in one place at the first hint that things will get rough. And when things do get rough: climb the Everest!

Live from San Francisco! (Part 2)

2006-05-12T22:26:00.000-05:00

With a Little Help from my Friends (or at least about a minute of it...) *click*

Ok, so I downloaded this program, Audacity, and I've been playing around with it... You can record several tracks and do all kinds of neat things. The mic I got right now sucks, but, hey, you can't really ask for much if you've borrowed (rather stolen) it from your parent's house.

Anyway, I must say it's VERY relaxing, specially after I've just put the kids to bed and I'm having my daily half-a-bottle of red wine (just kidding - it's a glass).

Colegio Episcopal de Panamá Fair 2006

2006-05-10T23:01:00.000-05:00

Young attendee to the Colegio Episcopal Fair last sunday.

La escuela de Pablo (y mi alma mater) celebró su feria anual este domingo y fue todo un éxito como pueden ver en estas fotos, por lo menos hasta que cayó lo que parecía el mismísimo último diluvio para deleite de la juventud presente.

Grandpa K and his boys on his 92nd birthday!

2006-05-10T23:00:00.000-05:00

Uncle Tony, Tio Tito, Grandpa K and Billy!

Mi abuelo tampoco se puede quejar, el 23 de abril cumplió nada menos que 92 AÑOS! Almorzamos en el Club de Golf casi todo el clan Earle (missed the ones who're outta town...), recordando cuando creciamos que ibamos con él casi religiosamente los domingos. We had a very nice time con la chiquillera corriendo por ahí. Ya no éramos nosotros los que hacíamos el desorden así es que por un lado we were off the hook, pero debo admitir que Diego parecía Speedy Gonzalez yendo de un lado para otro y haciendo relajo con Lucía. Cómo pasa el tiempo y cómo cambian las cosas!

Luv ya Gramps!

(click here to see more pictures!)

Before and after

2006-05-10T22:57:00.000-05:00

What happens when you leave two little angels like these by themselves for too long?

This!!!

07/05/2006 - Cumpleaños de la Srta. Nicole Earle

2006-05-10T22:55:00.000-05:00

JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE, NICKY FRIED!!

Comimos pizza, cantamos, jugamos Game Cube (ok, jugamos es mucha gente, the boys played and Pablo kicked everybody's butt!), y la Nicky no se puede quejar, la pasamos super!

Foto del mes

2006-04-25T22:26:00.000-05:00

"Hey ho! Let's go!"

Here, There and Everywhere (click title to listen!)

2006-04-25T22:22:00.000-05:00

Live from San Francisco!

Ok, esta es una prueba, pueden decirme lo mal que suena, ¿quién les dijo que yo tenía un estudio de grabación en mi casa? No sé...

En fin, solo espero que Lennon no se vaya a revolcar donde sea que esté (o que no venga el FBI a tumbarme la puerta por el rollo de derecho de autor...).

The Interpreter

2006-04-25T21:21:00.000-05:00

Muchos de ustedes me habrán escuchado decir a lo que me dedico (profesionalmente). Pues sip, no seré ninguna Nicole Kidman como en la película, pero soy intérprete. Entonces a propósito de eso, y porque he tenido en los últimos meses probablemente más eventos que nunca, les cuento un par de cosas (¡esta es realmente una profesión como muy pocas!).

Esta semana voy a estar haciendo de todo un poco -eventos de farmaceutas, de la Autoridad Marítima, etc. Hoy empecé un seminario regional de dos días del World Food Programme de las Naciones Unidas. Aunque el tema no es estrictamente niños hambrientos y moribundos sí se ha mencionado algo sobre esto e incluso la delegada de Haití nos deleitó con un par de imágenes que me van a tener distraida por lo menos los próximos días (ok, aún más distraida si se puede). La belleza de lo que hago es que ni un solo día es igual. Este seminario, por ejemplo, es para manejo de información de la agencia, sin embargo, siempre sale el lado realmente humanitario de este programa, su verdadero esprit de coeur: la prevención y esfuerzos de erradicación del hambre especialmente en las poblaciones más vulnerables, léase niños y mujeres embarazadas o en período de lactancia. ¡Cómo se aprende de esta gente! A veces me pongo a pensar que si tuviera que pagar por todas las conferencias, seminarios, talleres y capacitaciones que he interpretado tendría que ser millonaria. En vez, soy millonaria en otro sentido: tengo mil y una experiencias educativas que serían difícil recopilar de dedicarme a otra cosa. Esta profesión de verdad te permite conectarte al mundo. A gente del otro lado de los charcos y que habla con toda clase de acentos y muletillas. Te hace afinar el oido y empaparte el alma de toda clase de cosas: fórmulas infalibles para comprar y vender oro, historias de whiskey y vinos de exóticas regiones, tecnología increíble e innecesaria, obras de calidad humana incomparable y, por supuesto sandeces expuestas magistralmente por manzanillos de nuestro capaz gobierno. De esta última categoría solo he aprendido a evitarlas!

Desde la seguridad de una pequeña cabina en la esquina del salón miro todo y trato de escuchar todo. Y soy muy buena en lo que hago porque, como decía mi abuela Rita, "Todo lo que hago, me gusta hacerlo bien."

Cross section

2006-04-17T00:18:00.000-05:00

(I think this is a good name for this post because it's really not about the possible outcome of any of my current projects or where I'm heading or anything "philosophical" like that; rather, merely an overview of what's going on right now, what I/we have been up to more or less recently or just stuff that's been on my mind lately).

FAMILY PRIDE
Well for starters, and maybe to set off in chronological order, here's a link I thought I'd share. It's this "vehicle" (it's basically half car, half motorcycle) that my cousin Alex designed for Volkswagen and that they actually approved and launched early this year as a "concept car". Neat, huh? Click here to take a look, it's awesome!

THREE MEN AND A BABE
In other news, I've been sidekick-less against the evil empire of Pablo The Terrible and his own little sidekick, Diego "All hell's about to break lose because I'm hitting the terrible-two stage" Zevallos. Gustavo left for San Blas (Kuna Yala, to be politically correct) last Thursday, came back Saturday morning while we were all still at El Valle and hopped right back on a plane to Bocas later that same day. On a more tender note, Pablo has broken down a couple of times crying for "Papaaaaaa", specially right before he falls asleep, time at which he becomes somewhat delirious and has also been known to mumble the craziest, funniest things.

BEBE.BABY.BÉBÉ.
And talking about kids, it's that time again so BEWARE! Yup, you guessed it, it's Kid Season! Every couple of years people we know (including ourselves...) just seem to get synchronized and start having kids at the same time. The first good news I got for ya is from my own little brother, Gaby, and my cuñada, Carole! We are oh so happy although it is kind of a bittersweet sensation since they live in Bordeaux, France and long-distance-cheek-pinching just does not seem to work for me. The baby's name shall be Jude, after the Beatles song. Another couple that recently revealed their good news to the world is Gustavo's long-time friends Gabriel and Heidi and we're also super happy for them of course because, well, having kids is just great and nobody should miss out on so much! Enhorabuena! (Note: looks like this time around it's a name thing so watch out all you Gabriels out there...)

LOS COMPADRES
Another very pleasant surprise is having received a phonecall the other night from our compadre, Ivan, right from downstairs (NOT Geneva!) asking to come up to say hi. Unfortunately Gustavo didn't get to see him, but he did make reservations on our behalf with him for Friday night to go out. Ivan, this has gone public now, so you can't back up!
(I'd also like to state that the surprise was not only because he was not calling from Geneva, but because he was not calling drunk from Geneva!). Anyway, we had a good time chatting and catching up and he even managed to talk me into considering moving our wedding date to September when he'll most probably come again. That's how much we love ya, comps!

ON GETTING HITCHED
This is something I hadn't actually written about, although it is obviously something big not only for us but for everyone around us. Sometimes I have the feeling that, although it is meant to be something very small and intimate, it is like the wedding of the century and there's no chance of making it a pressure-less kinda thing. The grand finale of the fairytale, you know? Funny all the turns that life makes, no? So I really don't want it to be a cookie-cutter wedding because I feel like there is really nothing conventional about it and, as you know, it's just not our style. In fact, although our flip flop-beach wedding plans weren't able to come through we did try... Anyway, as most of you know, instead, it will take place at my parents' place in El Valle, surrounded by nature. So everything has just magically begun to fall into place although not quickly enough because I still need to take care of a whole bunch of things that are starting to stress me out! I'll keep you posted...

EVERYDAY THINGS
Now that I've been hanging out either with the kids or just by myself (because Gustavo is gone for the whole week) I have realized a couple of things. First, toddlers have at least 3 times as much energy as you and I and looks like a much bigger, badder attitude! Diego is starting to discover a new world now that he can walk and climb onto stuff, but also new limitations and rules. He is not taking the latter part very well and although I came back exhausted from our long weekend at El Valle I must say I'm better prepared for this battle than I was with Pablo so he'll definitely find a worthy opponent! Also, I've had a couple of opportunities to take my poor old guitar and make some noise, something I hadn't done in months believe it or not, and it's just pure therapy. I miss getting together with friends, writing our famous lists of songs to play and just goofing around, making music. Last, but certainly not least, I've realized I am infinitely fortunate because I have managed to have and raise not only one but two wonderful, gorgeous, sweet, brilliant, musical, crazy little boys. And they're all mine!!!!

Mis palabras favoritas

2006-04-11T11:32:00.000-05:00

Tal vez no todos sepan por qué Pablo se llama Pablo.

No sabía qué día de la semana iba a nacer, ni qué iba a pasar después, pero sabía exactamente cómo iba a ser su carita y sabía que se llamaba Pablo. Pablo por Picasso, por Neruda -cuyo nombre real no es ese, yo sé, pero para mí es Neruda y punto. Y, en efecto, fui premiada con mi propio pequeño artista, mi pequeño poeta (y cantante y surfer y skater y príncipe y guerrero cavernícola y piloto de carros de carrera, etc., etc., etc....).

Con Diego creo que también el nombre se escogió solo. Anda un rumor por ahí que dice que Pablo fue quien lo acuñó, pero la verdad es que un día yo se lo dije en secreto y él lo divulgó al mundo. Estos nombres tienen mucho sentido, es como algo que tiene principio y fin, algo muy natural, con una aire noble (o tal vez de nobleza). Son nombres que pesan, no de esos que la gente a duras penas sabe pronunciar o deletrear o de esos que se combinan para terminar siendo igual a los demás. Son sutilezas que los distinguen pero sin pretender ser demasiado.

Don Pablo. Don Diego. Acá no necesitamos segundos nombres, gracias.

La competencia ganó... por esta vez!

2006-04-07T19:05:00.000-05:00

Bueno, gracias Raúl, gracias alcalde Navarro, gracias Vivian. Debido a su lindo evento he tenido que posponer mi Gran Tarde de Marionetas. Espero que estén felices.

Se llevaron a mis clientes y no supe ni que me pegó jajaja. Ok, ya no exagero, lo cierto es que si van seguramente nos veremos, visitando el stand(ford) del tío Raúl y chequeando motos y trucos de bicicletas con los kids. They're the bosses, what can I say?

Entonces, respondiendo la pregunta del post anterior (¿Qué hacer este fin de semana?), el trip es ir a la /%$#/# feria. Después de Semana Santa será otra historia. By the way, cuál es el trip para Semana Santa?