Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Happy New Year!!

Wishing everyone who pops into my blog every once in a while a happy new year 2014 with lots of happiness, love, good health and new dreams and adventures! It is unbelievable how quickly years go by, but I guess when time flies it is always a good thing!

Deseando a todos aquellos que se pasan por mi blog de vez en cuando un muy feliz 2014 con mucha felicidad, amor, salud y nuevos sueños y aventuras! Es increíble lo rápido que pasan los años, pero supongo que eso será una buena señal! 


Monday, December 30, 2013

Cochlear implants

My sister had to present a case of science gone bad or science excelling in a journal club that she belongs to. She did the science gone bad last year and she won in that category, I am not surprised, she is so smart and knows how to present her case. This year she decided to talk about the wonderful scientific invention of cochlear implants. She asked me to send her a video of Luca so he can explain about. I did it. She won again, of course. Here is the video.

Mi hermana tenia que presentar un caso de mala ciencia o ciencia que supera las expectativas en un club de artículos científicos. El año pasado presento lo de la mala ciencia y gano en esa categoría, lo cual no me sorprende porque es muy lista y sabe como presentar su caso. Esta año decidió hablar sobre la maravillosa invención científica de los implantes coceares. Me podio que le mandara un video de Luca para que lo explique el. Gano otra vez, por supuesto. Aquí esta el video. 


Saturday, December 28, 2013

Why a little bit of chaos is not a bad thing

I was watching this TV program tonight about Spain. It was Anthony Bourdain going around Granada and some other parts of the South and eating non stop delicious tapas and meals and it made me miss Spain for a bit. Christmas is celebrated in such a different way over there, at least at my house, that I do miss a bit our chaos during the holidays because of all the people that have to be together, all the noise we make and all "the things we are not supposed to do but really there are no written rules anyways, so who cares as long as we are not hurting anyone". It is kind of like in weddings, I haven't been to almost any here but what I see is that everything is planned to the t and things are well expected by most, at least by the bride and groom and the wedding party. Eleven years ago I got married, it was comical how we had no clue what was going to happen, even the day before. It was interesting that after a wonderful dinner the night before, my sister and I had to put our brains together to translate what the person who was going to marry us was going to say into English, so the English speakers could also understand. All last minute. And I have such great memories of all those unplanned little things, actually those are the things I remember, the memorable moments we spent with all the people we love.

Hoy estaba viendo un program de televisión sobre España. Era Anthony Bourdain que iba por Granada y otras partes del sur comiendo sin parar tapas riquísimas y otras comidas que me hizo echar de menos España. La navidad se celebra muy diferente allí  por lo menos en mi casa, y por eso echo de menos el caos de las vacaciones, por toda la gente que nos juntamos, todo el ruido que hacemos y todas "las cosas que se supone que no debemos hacer pero no hay leyes escritas, así que a quien le importa mientras que no hagamos daño a nadie". Es casi como una boda, no he estado en casi ninguna por aquí, pero por lo que veo aquí esta todo planificado hasta el mas mínimo detalle, y todo el mundo sabe lo que esperar, por lo menos los novios y los que participan en la boda. Hace 11 años que me case, me hacia gracia como nadie tenia ni idea de lo que iba a pasar, incluso el día de antes. Fue increíble que después de una cena fenomenal que tuvimos con la familia la noche anterior, mi hermana y yo tuvimos que poner las mentes pensantes para traducir lo que la concejala iba a leer en la boda para que los de habla inglesa se enterasen. Todo en el ultimo momento. Y tengo tantas buena memorias de todos esos momentos sin planear... de hecho esos son los momentos que recuerdo, los mas memorables que pasamos con las personas mas queridas. 

And all those childhood memories of behaving like children with my siblings and cousins is what we laugh about when we recall those days. I know Luca has a completely different childhood because of the fact that he is an only child with an only parent, what a quiet life in comparison to mine. I had to defend my spot in the car, I had to hurry up to get my favorite sandwich so no one else would get it before me, I had to do my best to be heard amongst the other kids, most of who were older than me and made things no easier for me! Luca is surrounded by adults most of the time. He impresses his friends' moms by his maturity, but of course, he is used to playing with mature people, he behaves different than most kids his age. He is a little role model. Sometimes I wish he wasn't, I am not complaining, I love the way he is such a reasonable person, but I wish he had a bit of healthy naughtiness that I think will help him defend his spot when he is confronted to other children, who do that naturally in their daily lives. And I know, from personal experience, that being in chaotic situations prepares you for life. I am so grateful that my parents were brave enough to send us out in the world when we were so young, when we were impressionable, and when we were learning about who we were, because to me, that was very important to prepare me for the greatest and hardest curveballs that this life had to offer me. Those life skills, the survival skills I got, the skills to expect the unexpected, to be swimming in unknown waters, that is what made me push through many times. But how do you teach that to an 8 year old? He has a charming personality, likes to joke around and has always dance moves to impress anyone, so I guess I shouldn't worry too much, but I know that one day, I will have to let him be more independent and start fending for himself.  In the meantime, I am creating chaos in his world just by speaking Spanish ha!

Y todas esas memorias de niñez de nosotros comportandonos como niños con mis hermanos y primos, eso es de lo que nos reímos aun hoy cuando nos acordamos de esos días. Se que Luca tiene una niñez completamente distinta a la mía por el hecho de que es hijo único y de que solo tiene mama, que vida mas tranquila comparada con la mía. Yo tenia que defender mi lugar en el coche, tenia que darme prisa a pillar el bocata que me gustaba antes que alguien me lo quitase, tenia que hacer lo posible por hacerme oír entre los otros niños, la mayoría mayores que yo y los cuales no me facilitaban la vida! Luca esta rodeado por adultos casi todo el tiempo. Impresiona a las mamas de sus amigos con su madurez, pero por supuesto, esta acostumbrado a jugar con gente madura, se comporta distinto que la mayoría de los niños de su edad. Es un pequeño modelo a seguir. A veces me gustaría que no lo fuera, no me quejo, me encanta que sea tan razonable, pero me gustaría que fuera un poco pícaro que le ayudase a defender su terreno cuando se enfrente a otros niños que lo hacen naturalmente en su día a día. Y se que, por experiencia propia, estar en situaciones caóticas te prepara para la vida. Me siento tan afortunada porque mis padres nos mandaron al extranjero desde tan pequeños, de que tuvieran el valor de hacerlo, cuando aun nos impresionaba todo, y cuando estábamos aprendiendo a saber quien somos, porque para mi, eso fue muy importante para prepararme para las jugadas que me ha hecho la vida. Esas aptitudes y habilidades de supervivencia que saque, la habilidad de esperar lo inesperado, de nadar en aguas desconocidas, eso es lo que a mi me ha ayudado a salir adelante en muchas ocasiones. Pero como le enseño eso a un niño de 8 años?  Tiene una personalidad arrolladora, le gusta bromear y siempre esta bailoteando así que impresiona a cualquiera, así que no debería preocuparme mucho, pero se que algún día le tendré que dejar ser mas independiente y buscarse mas la vida. Mientras tanto le estoy causando caos en la vida solo hablándole en español ja!




Monday, December 23, 2013

Hobbies

I know that one of the best things in life is to have hobbies. My dad has a million hobbies, my mom has a fair share too! and I think I got some of those genes in me because I also am all over the place in terms of the things that I like to do for fun. I need to have time to do them and also I need to be in a state of mind that allows me to do it, like for example, now that we are on vacation and I have no obligations, I like to write my thoughts in this little window, this is one of my many hobbies, as you might know by now. This makes me happy. I think that people who retire after a life of working non stop and they don't have any hobbies suffer, they don't know what to do with themselves and then they either drive everyone crazy or they go back to work. I think it is wise to find something to do, it is a formula for happiness, it makes you proud and satisfied for the things you accomplish, it keeps your mind busy and it prevents you from other types of mindless entertainment, like watching TV or sleeping that don't really enrich you at all.

Se que una de las mejores cosas en la vida son los hobbies. Mi papa tiene millones de hobbies, mi mama también tiene su retaila! y creo que yo debo haber heredado esos genes porque me da por todo en cuanto a cosas para divertirme se refiere. Necesito tiempo para dedicarles a mis hobbies y necesitas estar en un estado mental que me lo permita, como por ejemplo, ahora que estamos de vacaciones y sin obligaciones, me gusta escribir mis pensamientos en esta ventanita, este es uno de mis miles de hobbies, como os podéis imaginar. Me hace feliz, pienso que la gente que se jubila después de haberse pasado la vida trabajando sin parar y no tiene ningún hobby, sufre, no saben hacer con ellos mismos y una de dos, o vuelven al resto de mundo medio loco o vuelven a trabajar. Creo que tiene sentido tener hobbies, es la formula para la felicidad, te hace sentir orgulloso y satisfecho contigo mismo por las cosas que consigues hacer, te mantiene entretenido y evita otros tipos de entretención en los que uno no usa la mente, como ver la tele o dormir, que la verdad no te enriquecen en nada.

I think that is one of the main reasons that I want to finish with studying, because when I have to study I am stressed out all the time about all the things I should be reading or studying for the tests instead of relaxing once in a while and devoting my free time to my hobbies. That doesn't mean that I won't be watching TV or sleeping in this Christmas, that is one of my highlights! but that won't be the only thing, I plan to do more…

Creo que esa es una de las principales razones por las que quiero acabar de estudiar, porque cuando estudio estoy estresada todo el tiempo pensando en las cosas que debería estar leyendo o estudiando para los exámenes en lugar de relajarme de vez en cuando y dedicarle mi tiempo a mis hobbies. No quiere decir que no vaya a ver la tele o dormir de mas estas Navidades, eso me encanta ~ pero no será lo único que haga…







Saturday, December 21, 2013

Spanish, español

Since I found out Luca was deaf, I made the decision to speak to him only in English while learning some sign language. I had to sacrifice my mother tongue to make sure he could catch up with his schoolmates, so he could be part of this society where we live and so that he could benefit the most from his many speech therapy sessions. The better he became at English, the more I was aware that he needed to start with Spanish. When we go to Spain or when we hang out with my family from Spain, it becomes clear that he is behind and that it is hard to communicate, but it also becomes clear that he can do it, he has the potential and he improves a lot when he is immersed in an environment like that. But I am alone with him, and it is so hard to keep up at it when he doesn't understand me and when he gets frustrated and when I want to get things done, that I eventually end up speaking in English most of the time.
Yesterday I learned that language is best learned when affection is involved, we can easily learn it if we know that the person talking to us loves us, and that person is generally the mother. I am the one in the best position to give this opportunity to Luca. It is harder than being in labor, but it can be done. I realize that if I don't put a big effort into this, it is not going to happen, not at the level that I wish he could reach. The older he gets the harder it becomes, and even though this means we are going to have a lot of discussions and I am going to have to make a great effort to remember this and to be constant and persistent, I need to do it. For his own sake. For my family's sake, to broaden his future, and enrich his life. It takes hard work, but I can do it.
Today I spent most of the day doing that, speaking mostly in Spanish with some translations and gestures here and there for him to catch the meaning. After 2 hours he complained about it and asked me why did I decide to do this, but I just told him that it was so that it becomes easy for him, and he can understand me in Spanish, and anybody else! He was OK with my response. Now I have to keep up at it!
And here is a shot of him working really hard…I know he can do this too...


Thursday, December 19, 2013

It's been a million years

It's been a million years since the last time that I remember writing here. And today, I get to pause and think about my life and recollect my moments of the day and I have an urge to post in my very much abandoned blog.
I went to get fingerprinted today. What an experience, a scary looking guy who didn't look at me in the eyes asked me for my thumb. My thumb? I asked…"but I wounded it and I have it covered with a bandaid" I said, well he didn't care, I took off the bandaid and he grabbed my hand and placed it under his arm leaving me behind him and he proceeded to smash all my fingers on to the scanning machine. First the thumb, then the other 4 then the other hand then one by one each finger. Then the picture, a huge sign next to me said that there was no time to fix your hair, so I didn't dare, even though my curly messy and bright red hair looks crazy today, it is what it is, this is how I will look for the record. I don't dare to defy this big guy. Get it done and move one. Good thing it only took a few minutes. Then I get into the elevator while I receive a phone call from one of my closest friends. An African-looking couple are inside and they wait for me with a smile, they ask me for my floor and I opt to tell my friend that I better call her back, I feel awkward talking in another language in a elevator that I'm sharing with two other people. As they walk out, they wish me a wonderful rest of the day with a huge a smile. What a nice gesture, and how that made me feel! If I did that more often, I would make other people feel good just like these two made me feel today. I should keep that in mind all the time. The fingerprinter guy could learn a thing or two from this couple. It is hard when life is busy and when it feels like a juggling act. It is nice when all there is, is time and things to do. I have accomplished so many things in a week that I have been putting away for later for months that I have a wonderful sense of accomplishment. I am feeling tired too, the anxiety of the exams doesn't seem to leave my body all that fast. Why do I get so anxious?? haven't I learned anything yet about exams and degrees and life? Well I have and I know, it is not worth it being like that but I guess my subconscious me cannot control herself that well. Good thing it all ended well, and I can move on with my degree. The hardest semester of all (or so they say) is over, it should get better from now on. I hope so. I am looking forward to the day when I am just working, even if that means that I still don't get paid and I still owe bunches of money. I will hopefully have time for us two, to make the best of our free time, without worrying about studying, papers or such things. Funny thing is, that today I met a person in that 4th year, in that year of just working. She didn't seem too happy, she was looking forward to the following year too. Will I be like that too? are we never satisfied with where we are?
All I have to say today is that I love my life, my son specially, he is so funny, and happy and intelligent and caring and affectionate and musical and talkative and sensitive…that I feel that I won the lottery by having the privilege to be his mom. My life wouldn't be close to the same without him.
And now, I am looking forward to a peaceful holiday full of relaxation, family, cheer and creativity. Since I can't take all my sewing projects on the plane, I will have to bring my camera, and let's see what I can do with it! I miss those days of photographing things nonstop and all the creative process...





Han pasado mil años desde la última vez que recuerdo haber escrito. Y hoy, llego a hacer una pausa y pienso en mi vida y recuerdo los momentos de mi día y tengo ganas de publicarlos en mi blog que lo tengo muy abandonado.
Hoy fui a registrarme las huellas dactilares. Qué experiencia, el que me atendió fue un chico que daba miedo, que no me miraba a los ojos y que me preguntó por mi pulgar. Mi dedo? Le pregunté ... "pero me hice una herida y lo tengo cubierto con una tirita", le dije , aun así no le importaba, me quité la tirita y me agarró la mano y la puso bajo su brazo y me dejó detrás de él y procedió a aplastarme todos mis dedos, el pulgar primer, luego los los 4 restantes , la otra mano y al final de uno en uno los dedos de cada mano. A continuación, la foto, un enorme cartel junto a mí decía que no se podía arreglar uno el pelo antes de la foto, por lo que no me atreví, a pesar de mi desastroso pelo rojo rizado y brillante que se ve un tanto loco hoy, es lo que hay, así me encontraras cuando me busquen en el registro. No me atrevo a desafiar a este hombreton. Hay que hacer y seguir adelante. Lo bueno es que sólo tomó unos minutos. Luego al entrar en el ascensor recibo una llamada telefónica de una de mis amigas más cercanas. Una pareja de africanos están dentro del ascensor y me esperan con una sonrisa, me preguntan por mi piso y opto por decirle a mi amiga que mejor que la llame de vuelta, me siento incómoda hablando en otro idioma mientras comparto el ascensor con otras dos personas. Mientras salen del ascensor me desean un maravilloso resto del día con una enorme sonrisa. ¡Qué bonito gesto, y que me hizo sentir! Si yo hiciera eso más a menudo, haría que otras personas se sintieran bien al igual que estos dos me hicieron sentir hoy. Lo debo mantener en mente todo el tiempo. El tipo de las huellas dactilares podrían aprender una cosa o dos de esta pareja. Es difícil cuando la vida te mantiene ocupada y cuando uno esta haciendo juegos malabares con las cosas del día a día. Es agradable cuando todo lo que hay es tiempo para poder hacer las cosas que uno debe. He logrado muchas cosas en una sola semana, cosas que he pospuesto durante meses y me siento muy productiva. También estoy cansada, la ansiedad de los exámenes no parece alejarse de mi tan rápido. ¿Por qué me pondré tan ansiosa? ¿Esque no he aprendido nada acerca de los exámenes y las notas y la vida? Bueno, ya lo sé, no vale la pena ponerse así, pero tengo mi subconsciente que no puede controlarse a sí mismo. Lo bueno es que todo terminó bien, y puedo seguir adelante con mi carrera. El semestre mas difícil (o eso dicen) ha terminado, esto debe mejorar a partir de ahora. Espero que sí. Estoy deseando que llegue el día cuando este solo trabajando, incluso si eso significa que aun no me paguen y siga debiendo dinero. Con suerte voy a tener tiempo para nosotros dos, para hacer lo mejor de nuestro tiempo libre, sin tener que preocuparme acerca de los estudios, trabajos o cosas así. Lo curioso es que hoy conocí a una persona que ya esta en cuarto año, donde estoy con ganas de llegar. No parecía muy satisfecha, estaba deseando que llegara el año siguiente también. ¿Voy a ser así también? ¿No estamos nunca satisfechos con dónde estamos?
Todo lo que tengo que decir hoy es que me encanta mi vida, especialmente con mi hijo, él es tan divertido y feliz e inteligente y cariñoso y afectuoso y comunicativo y musical y tan sensible ... que siento que me gané la lotería al tener el privilegio de ser su mamá. Mi vida no sería la misma ni muchísimo menos sin él.
Y ahora, estoy deseando pasar unas vacaciones tranquilas llenas de relajación, familia, alegría y creatividad. Ya que no puedo llevarme todos mis proyectos de costura en el avión, voy a tener que llevar mi cámara, y vamos a ver qué puedo hacer con ella! Echo de menos aquellos días de fotografiar cosas sin parar y todo el proceso creativo...