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)!
May 10, 2007
May 09, 2007
When ignorance is not bliss
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.
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.
May 03, 2007
Llévame a un lugar... con parlantes
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
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!
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 FroggeEl 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 Panamáorigen de la foto: el cuara.com
Gustavo Cerati en Panamáorigen 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!
April 23, 2007
Celebración en El Valle
La India Dormida
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!)April 17, 2007
Easy is good
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! ;)
Impress your friends at your next dinner party! ;)April 06, 2007
April 05, 2007
Thai-style welcome
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!!
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!!March 21, 2007
Pic of the day
Gustavo & Diego.Taken 03/05/07 at the park near Pablo's school on his first day as a 2nd-grader.
March 18, 2007
¿Qué hacer en Panamá?
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.
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