Cha Ching

Well today my first retirement check was deposited into my savings account!  WooHoo!

Now I am officially a pensionado rather than a jubilado; although I do like the sound of jubilado better!

I turned 55 on December 24; that added to my years of service finally added up to 75, and with that magic number I am able to draw.

Tom and I both opted out early rather than continue in jobs in which we felt under appreciated, under motivated, and overall un happy.  Neither of us receive our full pension possibility, but sometimes money isn't everything.

We are living a life of fun and fulfillment, and I think it's going to get even better!

Cha Ching!

Blue Moon - You saw me standing alone...

A friend sent me the following:


Something that only occurs once every 19 years will light up the sky Thursday night as we ring in the new year. When you make those New Years resolutions know you will be doing so under a rare Blue Moon.




Blue Moons are actually the 2nd full moon in a month and happen more often that every 19 years. Full moons occur every 29.5 days, and most years have 12. On average, an extra full moon in a month - a Blue Moon - occurs every 2.5 years. The last time there was a lunar double take was in May 2007. It is in fact the New Year's Eve Blue Moons that are more rare, occuring every 19 years.

Blue Moon, you saw me standing alone,

Without a dream in my heart,

Without a love of my own,

Blue moon, you knew just what I was there for,

You heard me saying a prayer for,

Someone I could care for,

And then there suddenly appeared before me,

Someone my arms could really hold,

I heard you whisper "Darling please adore me,"

And when I looked to the moon it had turned to gold,

Blue moon, now I'm no longer alone,

Without a dream in my heart,

Without a love of my own.

And then there suddenly appeared before me

The only one my arms will ever hold

heard somebody whisper please adore me

And when I looked the Moon had turned to gold

Blue moon

Now I'm no longer alone

Without a dream in my heart

Without a love of my own

Blue moon

Now I'm no longer alone

Without a dream in my heart

Without a love of my own

Additionally the Eastern Hemisphere can celebrate with a partial lunar eclipse on New Year's eve when part of the moon enters the Earth's shadow. Unfortunately the eclipse will not be visible in the America's.


Just thought you might find this as interesting as I do!

A reason to NOT go Green!

On Sunday mornings here in Mérida a number of things are available for diversion; one of which is an Art Walk on Paseo de Montejo. Between say calle 35 and avenida Perez Ponce along the East side of Paseo de Montejo a group of artists set out their work for display and hopefully sale.



Friend Faye and I made our way there yesterday. We stopped to admire several things, one that caught my eye, and I so wish I had thought then to take a photo of it, was a painting of a green hammock with a tumble of four feet entwined and hanging out over the side.



The artist explained that traditionally for a newlywed couple they buy or receive a green hammock large enough to accomodate them both. The green is for fertility, both of the milpa (fields) and the womb.

I love discovering these bits of trivia and lore!

I get by with little gifts from my friends

I've been thinking about my friends Kevin, from Portland and Patti from Colorado Springs so much lately. For a number of varying reasons, but the common reasons for all these fond thoughts -

Kevin read a previous post where I mentioned my longing for a good orange pekoe black tea blend. He was recently here in Merida for a short stay and upon his departure he gifted me a bag of the huge Lipton pitcher size tea bags.

Plus It's been cold so I've been thinking of Patti who brought me regular size Lipton tea bags. So in between cold spells when I am savoring a pot of hot tea I 've also been sneaking in big honkin pitchers of iced Lipton.....ummmmmmmmmmmmmm, bliss!

So to Patti and Kevin - Cheers, Here's to you both!

Tech update!

This has been Tech since Tuesday afternoon when we picked her up from the vet.  She got spayed Monday afternoon.  She's been quite lethargic.  We have been walking her in the yard to be sure she doesn't jump or run, or drag her stitches crossing the rock border walls.  She varies from stretched out like this to rolled up in the tightest ball I've ever seen her in.  This is actually the cats bed under a table....

Today she has some energy and wants to be out, as she normally is.  But not just yet...

Purpura Plastika

There is a group of talented and caring artists and friends here who have created and nurture a non-profit cultural organization, "Purpura Plastika", which brings art to the disadvantaged here in Merida. Formed in 2006 these talented young artists believe that art can improve a person's quality of life.


Purpura Plastika (PPK) has created and offer a series of programs that promote artistic development and cultural education, called Art for Society. PPK continues to search for the underprivileged and to use art as a means for expression and for therapy. This past summer, several workshops were held on prevention of family violence in Merida parks. Ages varied from 7 years to 90 and participants came from local homes near the parks. About 150 paintings of "something joyful" were produced by these "new artists". Additionally plans for the new year are underway and one of the target groups for art expression may be older, local people suffering with dementia.



The current Amor y Vida workshop, which began in October is still underway and the children are learning about collages. In addition to art expression, they are learning cooperation, how to respect their instructors, how to respect each other, and how to honor their classroom as a special place for creativity.

Friday, 11 December at Galeria Maya (Calle 72 near 51 in Santiago), 7pm
The exhibition theme is "ART FOR SOCIETY… THE ART OF HELPING".

This exhibition and art sale is of a Maya theme from the children of the Salvation Army orphanage. As well as earlier paintings from the kids of Amor y Vida.

As usual proceeds go to fund more art supplies for the children.

The young artists who founded and dedicate themselves to this project often use their own money to pay for the art supplies needed, and push aside their own artistic expression, and therby their personal income in order to realize their dream. I know several of these young artists and they are so incredibly gifted and giving. Truely they posess humanitarian spirit.

Visit Purpura Plastika's website for more info, and to see some of their personal art work as well; look specifically for Alberto Varela, and Iván Baltazar.
Click here to get to their Gallery

Link to Flickr photos


Here are two of the 'kids' paintings that we have purchased

Here are our paintings by two of the talented artists

These two paintings are by Alberto Varela



and this one is by Ivan Baltizar

There's a new kid on the block

When we purchased our house, about 3 1/2 years ago we really hadn't had time to understand neighborhood dynamics here in Merida.  We bought in an old section of town where  people still sit out front at night, there are small tiendas from which you buy your sodas and snacks,  carnicerias to buy your meat, pollerias to buy chicken or turkey, and a few small stands with very basic fruit and vegetable offerings, small cocina economicas for your meals, neighborhood churches, and tortillas delivered to your door.  It's a very 'old' neighborhood.

We've lusted after gyms, coffeeshops, restaurants, a market with other than manchego cheese;  things slightly more 'upscale'.

Well the neighborhood she is a changin!  And there is a new kid on the block!

There are now 2 gym within 3 blocks of my house, 2 cyber coffee cafes within 3 blocks, there is a Maxi Carne which is a carnicera (butchershop) that actually has refrigerated cases, meat cutters with gloves, hairnets, clean aprons, with prices posted, and a cash register.  More veggie vendors are now closeby, a fruiteria is now in the mercado, more fresh fruit n veggie vendors are within just a block or two and now we have a Super Willys.  

Yep, a Super Willys, right there on calle 70 por 75y77

 It's like a regular small little grocery store.  Canned goods, cleaning supplies, deli counter, eggs, bread....

Empty Nest Syndrome

Remember the kittens left on our door?   Click here to review the story  The black one found a new home the next day, but we had the little black and white one for almost 2 weeks; we were definitely getting used to her, and oh my gosh how much adorableness can you stand with a teeny tiny little ferocious kitten.?  She found a new home with friends,  she was originally on a test run to be sure the dog could/would accept her.  Well word has it they've gone kitten accessories shopping, and I know the dog is doing just fine so I think it's a done deal.

Friday we took Techie in to the vet for blood work,  today we took her back and left her, with great reluctance and trepidation; She's getting 'spayed' today.  Oh my gosh, I can't even express how we are both reacting, I think we'd have each preferred that one of us were staying rather than that dog.  We left her about  9:30 and surgery is scheduled for 11:30.  The vet plans to keep her tonight and wants to keep her tomorrow -  To be sure that she's not having pain....what about us!!!!!

I'm not sure we can handle it!!  We're here with two old cats, that we love, but that are pretty much furry lumps on the couch, or the chair, or underfoot...   We miss the patter of stampeding puppy feet.....

My Blog Peeve

I have discovered I have a serious blogger, not Blogger, peeve.  

I hate it when I come across a blog that interests me and I can't find any info about the blogger.

Who are you?

Where are you?

Why do you blog?

Just a little something, please!

Restaurant Review - Restaurant Beijing, Merida

Oh what I do for you, my readers.  

Since so many people have told us about it, and raved about it; We went to today to the Restaurant Beijing.  

We've been meaning to go for a little while yet, but just haven't made it.  Well, friend Kevin is in town, and leaves in a few days - so today was probably our last opportunity to spend a little time one on one, well OK, two on one!  So after brief discussion, and since he had heard some very favorable reviews and wanted to go as well it was a slam dunk opportunity.

Located on the West side of Montejo, between 33 y 35 #465

There is a huge parking area in  the back which is a serious bonus as parking along Montejo is nearly non-existent. 
The lot is covered in grava, and has lots of large trees for shade.  It is quite long and narrow so if packed could get tricky.











The entrance from the parking area is incredibly un-impressive which seems odd since you'd expect people to use the parking area and enter through there.   However, as we approaced a hostess was there immediately, held the door for us and warmly greeted us in to the restaurant.

Inside, as is typical for a re-use of one of the big old colonial homes on Montejo are lots of arched opening, and super high ceillings.  The place has had a facelift, it has a lovely yellow and white paint theme, oriental prints, and plants set into oriental pots,  white table clothes, and ruffled cushions on the wooden chairs.  There are 3 separated but open dining rooms.

We got there about 20 after 1, I know, a bit early for lunch...  It worked out well as there was only one other table occupied at that moment so  was able to take some pictures.

The buffet is in it's own separate room

With the buffet you get any item on the buffet AND a refillable soft drink which can be soda, juice, tea, lemonade, or a single beer, and dessert.

There is also currently running a Take Out Special at 35 pesos, You get rice, noodles, a vegetable selection and a meat selection.

So for you my dear friends I tried absolutely everything on the buffet.  I LOVED the soup and the springrolls.  The sprouts dish and celery/almond dish were my favorite veggie dishes, and there is a pork with peanuts and poblanos that was just Super Uber yummy. 
As stated earlier, all the dishes were good.  If it weren't for my need to report to you I could have made a meal of soup and spring rolls.

The service was very friendly and quick.  All the buffet items were fresh and crispy, not overcooked.

The restaurant was fresh light and clean; even the bathrooms, open, spacious, pretty, and clean.

We'll definitly be going back!

2009 Feria Yucatán Xmatkuil

So we went to the State Fair again this year.   It was a good time,  it's always about the same but I enjoy the wandering around.  It seems like it's the same stuff each year, and the same animals, and the same food stands, and the same rides, and the same....But I enjoy it anyway.

I can't say I saw anything new or outstanding.  I bought a new cazuela (terracotta cooking pot), some Tiger Balm pomade. We shared a burra, which is a huge tortilla wrapped around beans, mushrooms and chicken, very tasty and to that I had the biggest beer ever, it must have been a litre styrofoam cup with lots of ice and limon, yummy!

I do enjoy the sights, so here are a few!

Buying Entry Tickets!

La Nevera

Stuff to buy

Stuff to ride

 

Stuff to see