Happy Cinco de Mayo!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Cinco de Mayo! We've been working since yesterday afternoon. And we're scheduled to be going well into tomorrow morning. I'm more than positive that Americans celebrate more than the Mexicanos.

Pero, we're having tons of fun! It's not 48 hours straight, of performing for us. But it's a long schedule. We do get to enjoy the yummy comida. And the other performers. Including many of the Mariachi's ninitos. Most are dancers.

We're enjoying ourselves. Being safe. And working. Not much more you can ask for. It's really an incredible event. I really do love this city! And all the cultura that is packed into our lives. Now I'm off to enjoy some yummy birthday cake. ♫

Fiesta Mexicana!

This picture can pretty much sum up my week. It was a good week. But a very busy week! Lots of teaching and performing. Lots of learning. Lots of singing. Being part of this big weekend, well, it takes a lot of hard work.

I had the pleasure of performing for this Big Mariachi Show. Filled with greats, giants, and lots of Maestros. Men that I respect more, than you'll ever know. That have taught me about my cultura, and the musica. That have taken me under their wings, and have shown me the ropes.

Seeing all of my favorite little girls learning, only added to the experience. Seeing them learn about our cultura. Carrying on the traditions. It was amazing. But sharing the stage, was just magical.

This has been a week filled with music. Lots of it. The best of the very best. Lots of trajes. Many Maestros. Everything oozing with the spice of the Vida Mexicana! I enjoyed every second of the week and weekend. Every single second!

It didn't hurt that so many of my friends were here too. Sharing the stage. Teaching alongside me. Laughing. Sharing their families. Enjoying our cultura. It was magical. It was just magical to see how traditions are past from one generation to another. These shows and conferences never get old. Never! Que Viva la Vida Mexicana! ♫

Making Magic

Making Magic. It's what Maestro G always tells us to do. When we are performing. Making the audience "feel" the music. Do more than play your instruments, sing the words, and dance. Make people feel the music. Make them cry. Remember. And fall in love.

Tonight, I take the stage with some of the most amazing musicians out there. Full of talent and accomplishment. On such a big anniversary. I'm beyond excited! And to know, these musicians are also some of my very best friends, I know that I'm blessed!

Now that my "Music Man," S and I are on good terms again, it makes many, many people happy. Por que? We trained together. I learned how to sing with him. We became the performers we are today, by working together. Many days and nights...blood, sweat, and tears...and even broken hearts, got us to where we are. And let me tell you, we know how to put on a show!

For days now, we've been rehearsing. Long after the participants and students have gone to bed, we are on the stage. Working with all the "Maestros." The lighting is perfect. There's not one mistake in the music. Everything is good to go. And in the middle of those "Canciones de Amor," my heart dancing. A feeling that I never thought would happen again.



Did you watch that? From 1:44-2:50, el Maestro G tells us, we can recreate that magic. On stage. For everyone to see. Ya, S gets that "sparkle" in his eye. And I roll my eyes! But tonight, we are pulling out all the stops. For one "Grand Performance!"

I've got my "Music Man" back. Two performers that are destined to perform together. Possibly forever. That part of our story...well it's still left to be written. But the music part, we can't deny that. We are a good team...together.

I can't help but have butterflies in mi pansa! I really can't. And to get to share the stage with all of my good amigos again. That alone is the reason I couldn't sleep last night. Add in my cute ahijadas who are dancing, and we are set for one grand Fiesta Mexicana! ♫

Failing...

I'm pretty sure I have a problem. A HUGE problem. I'm afraid to fail. At anything and everything. Not quite, but pretty close. That has lead to this crazy perfectionist issue that I have. Everything needs to be perfect, have it's place, or it's time. If not, I'm going nuts.

In general, I'm an "all or nothing" kind of a woman. Is that bad? I'm not sure. But it can't be good. So here I am. "all or nothing" all of the time. I'm never OK with things being halfway done. Failure is just not an option for me.



And as good as that can sound, it really is not a good idea. Because there are so many things, that I just refuse to try or experience. Because what if I'm not that good at them?

One thing that really comes to mind is relationships. I want to control lots of things in my life. I'm not a control freak. I don't try to control people either. But I don't want to invest all that time and effort, into something that could possibly fail.

Maybe my family has a lot to do with that. Divorce in my family is really common. Ridiculously so. My parents are both on their 2nd marriage. As are my maternal grandparents. I have so many siblings and cousins that can't get it right either. Really good friends (who are great people) that can't seem to make the right choices, in relationships. So I get nervous, and let's face it, scared. So I avoid the subject.

Quite like I avoid other things in my life. Like standing up to my parents about my future plans. You know, college, where I'll live, what I'll do. I just tell them, what I know, they want to hear. Lord help us all, if I do start dating, anytime soon. If Mr. Right comes along. If I really chase after MY DREAMS...

This not wanting to fail thing is so bad, that I do avoid certain things. Like that opportunity for that Crafting Show. Or the chance at a real career in music. Because "what if?" It's horrible. It's a crutch that I need to get rid of. But how?

I'm good at a lot of things. Because I push myself. There's school, my job, music, household things, cooking, baking, gardening, sewing, crocheting, writing, decorating...the list can go on and on. But there are so many other things that I am just in fear of. The kind of fear that almost paralyzes you. Like riding a horse...

After talking with my Commadre L, I realized I need to let go of this fear. So what if a relationship fails. If I gave it my all, I know that was all I could do. And if I try and tile my bathroom and it doesn't work out, I can chalk that up to a "lesson learned." I just need to believe in myself. Deep down in my soul. I need to believe in me. Sometimes, failure is part of the game of life. ♫

Do You Boo?

That's the little "Boo" poem. I had never heard of "Booing" until I moved out here. From the very 1st Halloween I spent here, I began to "Boo." I read about it in my local newspaper.

Basically, you put together a small package of goodies. It could be Halloween candy, little toys, whatever you'd like. And you include a copy of this poem. But the whole idea of booing, is based on delivering your gift, without your neighbor seeing you.

I just finished my packages. Just for a couple of neighbors and friends. I just have to wait for the perfect time to deliver them. So, do you "Boo?" It really is a lot of fun! ♫

Vegas Baby!!!

We're done with the crazy performing. Well, at least until tomorrow. And we're on our way to Vegas. Yes, Las Vegas! We're not going to talk about how we almost missed our flight. How there were at least 20 mariachis, with family in tow, running to the gate. :) Or how I still have a full face of makeup on, my big earrings, and these roses in my hair. I did manage to change into a pair of sweats though. But we're flying. Right now. Headed west.

For 2 reasons I came on this trip, to play a concert, and because a friend is getting married. I wasn't going to come. I just couldn't afford it. But when Jav begged me to come and sing for his wedding, well I couldn't say no. I didn't hurt that he called me every single day for 2 weeks! And because he's teaching at the conference, he gets a free hotel room. He said I could have his room, because he lives in Vegas, and he didn't need it. Maestro G also came to the rescue by getting me a ticket with his "Frequent Flyer" miles. So I got a room and a flight for free. :)

It also didn't hurt, when the guys asked me to play the concert with them, on Saturday night. So I get to make some money. Actually, a really good check! And I get to hangout with some friends, listen to a nice concert tonight, and go to Jav's wedding. I'm a pretty lucky lady.

All this, and I don't have to spend any money. I'm not missing any school or work. I think it's a total score! It also doesn't hurt that A is sitting next to me, with Mi Princesa fast asleep. Yes, we are good Godparents. Keeping track of our little princesa.

So you can see, I couldn't say no. I get to spend today and most of tomorrow watching Mi Princesa dance. And My Care Bear and Big M. I get to hangout with some good friends. And enjoy a little bit of the city. But for right now, I'm going to take advantage of our time in the air. And I'm going to join the rest of the cabin in a nap. Talk to you when we get to Vegas. ♫

El Grito

Yes, I'm working all day today. Performing. For "El Grito." Or Mexico's Independence Day. It's a HUGE one too! It's their bicentennial.

Even with all the violence across the border, there is a HUGE celebration planned. And we're working it. Lots of gigs. As in, I don't expect to go home at all! We're leaving for the airport after our last show. At 3AM!

But these are always fun events. We're playing it safe. And staying on the USA side of the border. But we have a mass amount of gigs planned. I'm perfectly fine with that! I need the money for school. I just hope that people go to have fun. And not be stupid.

So folks, I'm going to be performing. Lots of playing, singing, and dancing. But I'm happy to do it. And to be able to be around my friends all day long. There are so many reasons why I love Mariachi. This is just one of them. Now it's time to hit the road...south I go. ♫

Earning My Pay

Take a mix of these 4 videos, add in a little Juareno style, OK a lot of Juareno style, and you have what me and A are working on. For what? An upcoming show for El Grito.













And how did this happen you ask? Well, S and I always used to dance at our gigs. "La Chiquitita" became known for it. And after the organizers of this gig, found out that I was playing, well they asked me to dance. Because S now lives in Mexico City, I needed a new dance partner...in walked A.

Because our Goddaughter, Mi Princesa, dances folklorico style, we had a shoe in. A sweet talked her teacher, and she helped us put together a nice polka. Just with a lot more Juareno style to it. You know how they dance. Do I really have to describe it? I mean, I'm sure at some point or another, you've seen a Mexican couple dancing.

Let's just put it this way, I was a little embarrassed when Mi Princesa was watching us. Oh, and after the first rehearsal, I couldn't look A in the eye for at least a week. Ya, we were THAT CLOSE! I'm sure we now have a complete and honest idea of what each other has. But that's how the people dance around here.

I'm personally more used to dancing to this type of polka. Just a lot faster.




But we are definitely going to be earning our paycheck on the day of El Grito. Playing, singing, and dancing. Oh boy! I hope I survive the 2 day celebration. :) I think we're playing a total of 36 hours in 2 days. Something insane and crazy like this. And this, it happens to just be 1 of the many dances that A and I are adding into our shows. ♫

Newspapers

I'm pretty sure I got my LOVE of reading newspapers from my Tatie. I spent so much time with my grandparents growing up. And folks, they read the newspaper every single day.

But it was my Tatie, that really got me interested in the newspaper. We'd sit at the kitchen table reading. Every afternoon, we'd read the newspaper. I was little. Maybe 5 years old. And I can still remember it so clearly.

These days, I read at least 5 newspapers a day! I know. It's a bit crazy. But I read the New York Times, the USA Today, and at least 3 local newspapers. Sometimes I read the Mexican paper and my school newspaper. Yes, I'm a bit obsessed. But they're free at school. And I'm learning so much. Besides, I really do enjoy reading the paper. ♫