MIERCOLES MUDO: Nos Divertimos en El Museo de MFA en Boston

SPANISH FRIDAY: ¡Hicé Flan!

Flan de Coco Usando Nestlé's La Lechera Leche Condensada

¿Tienen un postre favorito? Algo tan delicioso que solo a pensar de el se les hace agua la boca? Para mi, ese postre siempre ha sido el flan. 

Do you have a favorite dessert? Something so sweet that simply thinking about it makes your mouth water? For me, that dessert has always been flan.

La Lechera
Leche Condensada y Dulce De Leche

Mi madrina colombiana siempre me preparaba uno -- bien jugoso y cubierto de miel -- para mis cumpleaños. Igual de pegajosas son mis memorias, porque ahora, cada vez que tengo la oportunidad, lo ordeno en el restaurante. Pero lo tanto que lo amo, nunca me había atrevido hacerlo yo ... NO WAY. ¿Como, con cuales ingredientes, y que si no me salía bien? Pensaba que era muy complicado. (Mas complicados son los tamales.)

My Colombian godmother used to always make one for me -- moist and smothered in honey -- for my birthday. My memories are similarly sticky, because, now, it's my dessert of choice whenever dining-out. But as much as I love flan, I'd never attempted making one ... NO WAY. How? With what ingredients? And what if it didn't come out right?  It had to be complicated.

Probablemente no lo hubiera intentado, sí no por un paquete de promoción que recibí (gracias a mi amiga Ruby) de Nestlé, promoviendo sus productos nuevos de La Lechera: Dulce de Leche y Leche Condensada.

I probably would've never tried it, if not for a promotional package I received (thanks to my friend Ruby) from Nestlé, promoting their new La Lechera products: Dulce de Leche y Leche Condensada.

(Pueden ver el Choco-Flan que Ruby hizo, aquí. :)
(You can see Ruby's Choco-flan, here. : )

Así que fui a la pagina de Nestlé e escogí una receta para preparar un flan de coco para los cumpleaños de mi esposo (cumplió 46, ayer!). Estoy tan feliz porque me salió bien y también porque le gusto mucho a él ... solo sí lo hubiera saboreado un poco mas. El hombre parece tiburón. Se comió uno en menos de cinco mordidas!

So I went to Nestlé's website and picked a recipe to make a Coconut Flan for my husband's birthday (he turned 46, yesterday!) I'm so happy because not only did the flan come out well, but also, because he really enjoyed it ... if only he'd savored it a little more. The man is like a shark. He ate one in less than five bites!

La Receta ...

¿Sabían?:

• Qué el flan originó con los Romanos antiguos? No solo preparaban flan dulce con miel y pimienta, si no también uno salado con anguila!
• Qué durante la edad media, los ingredientes mas populares incluían canela, azúcar, espinacas, almendras y pescado?
• Pueden leer mas aquí (en inglés).

Did You Know?

• That flan originated with the ancient Romans? Not only did they prepare a sweet flan with honey and pepper, but also a savory version with EEL! << Yum?
• That during the Middle Ages, the most popular flan ingredients included cinnamon, sugar, spinach, almonds and FISH?
• You can read more here (in English).

Photo by Mr. G's Travels

¿Sabian Qué Los Romanos Inventaron El Flan?

Nota: Aunque recibí un paquete de promoción de Nestlé, todas las opiniones aquí son las mias.

Note: Even though I received a promotional packet from Nestlé, all the opinions expressed here are my own.

Terminamos Esperanza Renace

Photo by clanderos1
Zona Centro, Aguascalientes, MX 

Estoy triste que terminamos este libro. Sí tenemos suerte, la autora Pam Muñoz Ryan escribirá un segundo libro continuando la vida de nuestra heroína Esperanza Ortega en los E.U.

Toda la acción succedé en los últimos tres capítulos. En Los Espárragos, Esperanza trabaja en los cobertizos donde empaca la cosecha de espárragos bajo la proteccion de guardias porque los huelguistas tienen decidido interrumpir el negocio. Dentro los baldes que vienen del campo y donde las trabajadoras meten sus manos, los huelguistas esconden ratas, serpientes, cuchillas y vidrio.

Empeorando la situación, se enteran que trabajadores de Oklahoma vienen a pescar algodon por una miseria. Al fin de este capitulo, les cay la inmigracion, llevandose los huelgistas, incluyendo ciudadanos con papeles. La joven, Marta, que se había burlado de Esperanza al principio del libro se escapa, escondiendose en unas cajas. Esperanza la descubré, pero no dicé nada. La protegé.

"Esperanza miró el campo que había estado lleno de gente que pensaba que podía cambiar las cosas, que trató de llamar la atención de los agricultores y el gobierno para mejorar sus condiciones de trabajo y también las de ella."

Esteban Cavrico

En Los Duraznos, la niña Isabel sueña de ser elegida la Reina de Mayo, pero sabe que la maestra  siempre escoge una "reina güera de ojos azules," buenos grados o no, y es exactamente lo que succedé, quebrandole su corazón.

Los campesinos mexicanos descubren que los dueños del campamento instalarán cabañas y una alberca para los trabajadores que vienen de Oklahoma, y que los "oakies" tendran retretes e agua caliente. Esperanza se engrifa y se pelea con Miguel diciendole que todavia es sirviente -- ciudadano de segunda classe por que su situación no había cambiado. Miguel no se deja y le dicé a Esperanza:

"Aqui al menos tengo una oportunidad, aunque sea pequeña, de llegar a ser algo más de lo que era."

El capitulo termina con Esperanza regalandole su muñeca de porcelana (la ultima que le había regalado su papa antes de murirse) a Isabel y con su mama regresando a casa. Cuando Esperanza va a enseñarle los giros postales que ahorraba para traer su abuelita de Aguascalientes, descubre que se desaparecieron de la maleta. Todos sospechan a Miguel porque él se había ido a buscar trabajo al norte.

Photo by La Grande Farmers' Market

Las Uvas, el ultimo capitulo me hizo llorar! Termina el libro con Hortensia y Alfonso llevando a Esperanza a la estación de autobuses a encontrar a Miguel. Cuando llega el autobus, no solo baja Miguel, pero también la abuelita de Esperanza! Ay. La reunion entre la viejita y la mama de Esperanza es inolvidable. : )

_____

Una entrevista con la autora ... (en ingles)

Algunas Palabras Nuevas ...

consignas (órdenes) = intructions

abuchear = too boo

azadón = hoe

agredir = to attack

redada = raid

leal = loyal

torbellino = whirlwind

además = moreover, besides; also

capullo = bud (de flor)

lirio = iris

aleilí = violet

novena = nine days of worship

decepción = disappointment

esbelto = slender

delantal = apron

cavar = to dig, hoe

superficie = surface

mueca = face, expression

MY FIRST SPANISH READ! I DID IT!
Tara, thank you for reading along.
<3

"No Kiss Blogfest" ... Pride & Prejudice

In the course of visiting some of my bloggy friends this morning, I came across a mention for the "3rd Annual No Kiss Blogfest," being hosted by Frankie Diane Mallis. Thank you Medeia for writing about it!

To participate, all you have to do is include a clip or excerpt from a favorite film, book, or your own work-in-progress (WIP), depicting a kiss that never happened.

I've included a clip of my favorite "no kiss" from the 2005 film adaptation of Jane Austen's PRIDE & PREJUDICE (one of the few books I've read twice). The scene starts immediately following a marriage proposal (not shown) that is poorly delivered by Mr. Darcy. Rather it comes off more as an insult. What is it about the guys in this time-period? Same thing happens in Jane Eyre. I digress ...

Anyhow, I never tire of watching this film.

Enjoy the sparks. : )

2011 Favorite Reads and Looking Ahead

Planned for 2012

2011 was a great year for reading. Between cave men, the French Revolution, lots of vampires, women and their cycles, gangs, the death penalty, children killing for game, zombies and identity issues, it felt, at times, as though I was zipping along on a roller coaster. The plan was to read 52 books (one-a-week), 25 of them by culturally diverse authors. Well. That was the plan. I didn't quite make the goal. School threw me a bit off course. Even so, I managed to finish the year having read 43, with 17 of them by culturally diverse authors. I'm very happy with that.

I've decided to renew the challenge because the truth is, I'm my happiest clutching a book. Except, this year's count will see non-fiction reads from school (to be fair. : ) and a few spilling over from 2011, that are at various stages of reading.

Following are a handful of my faves from 2011 ...

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

" ... in Spanish my name is made out of a softer something ..."

A collection of vignettes that reveals the author's soul with an economy of words. Cisneros took me home.

Burro Genius by Victor Villaseñor

"Who were these schoolteachers who had helped me?

And what was it in my life that had given me the heart ... the guts ... 

to go on and on and never give up, no matter what!"

My first exposure to the discrimination and segregation experienced by Mexicans in Southern California. Villaseñor is an inspiration for his tenacity to succeed, in spite of his dyslexia. This book made me cry.

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant (Nook)

"Why had no one told me that my body would become a battlefield, a sacrifice, a test? Why did I not know that birth is the pinnacle where women discover the courage to become mothers? But of course, there is no way to tell this or to hear it. Until you are the woman on the bricks, you have no idea how death stands in the corner, ready to play his part."

Beautiful and lyrical, Diamant's depiction of the Old Testament's Dinah angered me (I wouldn't have done well in a polygamist society). Even though women are claiming what's theirs, today, not much has changed.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

"It is not violence that best overcomes hate --

nor vengeance that most certainly heals injury."

This flawed but strong heroine endures an abusive childhood and fights to survive. The story enthralled me with its gothic texture and seductive prose. I LOVE Jane Eyre.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

"It is a fact that we historians are interested in what is partly a reflection of ourselves, perhaps a part of ourselves we would rather not examine except through the medium of scholarship; it is also true that as we steep ourselves in our interests, they become more and more a part of us."

The vampire non-vampire book. Dracula hovers in the periphery in this dark tale. Question: If your passion were scholarly, would you exchange your soul for an eternity of research and cataloguing of history? A tempting proposition?

The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel

"Spirit of Cave Lion, the girl Ayla, is delivered into your protection."

This book came recommended by a friend who has read all the books in this series. I was skeptical, at first, but ended up not being able to put it down. It brought out the geek in me. Auel's interpretation of what life between primitive Neanderthals and more advanced Cro-Magnuns might've been like during the Ice Age made me want to run off to examine fossils and study herbs. Ayla, the main character, is a Cro-Magnun who is adopted as a five-year-old, by Neanderthals, sparking "racial" intolerance reminiscent of that which we see today. A thought-provoking and at times enraging read.

Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle

"If there is a fundamental challenge within these stories,

it is simply to change our lurking suspicion that some lives matter less than others."

This one was a gift from a friend back home. Father Boyle raises the question of where compassion originates and what it means to truly have empathy. It's an inspiring tale of one man's dogged pursuit of salvation for a segment of the society deemed disposable. Let's not judge simply by what's visible at the surface. I highly recommend it for anybody working in the social services with at-risk youths, or with an interest in social justice.

Esperanza Renace [Esperanza Rising] by Pam Muñoz Ryan

This is a tender story of a young girl who loses her father and material possessions but who discovers that the most valuable gifts in life are those that money cannot buy. It's a retelling of the real-life struggles of Mexican migrant farm-workers in the San Joaquin Valley of California, during the 1920s and of the prejudice experienced by them at the hands of the locals. As my first Spanish read, Esperanza Renace will always be special to me. Wrap-up to follow! ... Y mil gracias a mi buena amiga, Tara, for following along.

______

Looking forward to 2012 and will let my curiosity lead me to the next read. You'd probably laugh at the hodge-podge of fiction and non-fiction stacked up against a wall in my office begging to be read. I'd like to make a priority reading Jane Eyre, again, an anthology of Mexican essays and more YA Spanish.

We'll see what the year brings. Let's stay loose, until rigor counts. : D


Anything you'd like to recommend?

NEW YEARS EVE: Satisfying a Craving for Homemade Tamales ...

8 lbs pork + garlic + onion + salt = boil for 1.5 hours

Ever since mi mami left for CA earlier this month, I've had a severe craving for homemade pork tamales. Being in the midst of the holidays, prime tamale-making season, and missing her got me into the car this morning and en route to the local Latino tiendita.

Who do you think I called for that twenty-minute ride home? I realized at that moment how much of a blessing it is to have her a phone call away. It served as a reminder, too, of how much more I need to pay attention, so as not lose the connection to my family's Mexican traditions.

Remojando las ojas en agua tibia.

With each passing generation traditions get passed on and are adapted ... well, I'm starting my own traditions, here, a ver como salen tamales hechos estilo Ezzy! Mi mami swears I made them solita once while expecting my son. Honestly, I don't remember. But, hey, at this point, I'm lucky if I remember what I ate yesterday. Unless, of course, it's a TAMALE!

Mmmm, yeah, chile guajillo ... my husband's eyes are watering in his office ... jijiji : p

Simmered chile guajillo + Onion + Garlic = Blender
(Do not touch your face after handling these chiles.)

Strain

Add strained chile sauce to shredded pork.

Add salt to-taste. : )
Nice and spicy!

A masar! No messing around here. This part makes me nervous.

These photos courtesy of my mi'jito. : D

Ready for the sauna. Steam for about 1.5 hours.

Satisfaction

No frijoles refritos, no arroz, nothing else -- just pork tamales (y mi Tecate : ).

Abrazos y besos a todas mis amigas y los cuantos amigos que me visitan.

FELIZ Año!

MIERCOLES MUDO: Lego Love at the Lego Store

Procrastination and Writing a Lit Review (This is so me!)

Wish I weren't clutch. o_O

Examining the representation of ELL students in alternative education programs relative to the population,
but must first learn of the challenges ELLs face, e.g. lack of teacher multicultural training, attitudes, poverty ...

My Bible <3

Platicamos de Esperanza Renace [Los Aguacates]

Photo by Farmanac

En "Los Aguacates," nos encontramos una Esperanza que no parece la misma niña. Sí se acuerdan, ella soñaba de algún día ser la dueña del Rancho de Las Rosas, adinerada como su mama. Pero cuando sus tíos matan a su papa y le roban a su mama la propiedad después del fuego, para sobrevivir ellas tienen que irse a trabajar en los campos de California. Sí se quedan en Aguascalientes, la mama de Esperanza no tendría otra que casarse con uno de los tíos asquerosos ...

Ahora, la mama de Esperanza sigue en el hospital, pero peor. El médico le aconseja a Esperanza que no la venga a ver por una temporada porque teman que la señora contraiga otra enfermedad a causa de gérmenes que vienen de fuera del hospital. Esperanza se pone bien triste y resuelve a trabajar lo mas posible para ahorrar el dinero que necesita para traer a su abuelita de Aguascalientes. Ella sabe que a ver su abuelita, mama se aliviará.

Esperanza comienza a trabajar en el campo, atando ramas de vides, y dentro de poco tiempo sus manos parecen las de una anciana, rosadas y llenas de cortadas y cicatrices. Hortensia le ve la condición de sus manos y machuca algunos aguacates, mezclandolos con glicerina. Esperanza se acuerda que en el rancho, su mama se untaba algo parecido a guacamole en sus manos después de pasar horas haciendo jardinería. Esperanza se unta la preparación, pero sus manos siguen rojas y maltratadas. En ese momento, ella realiza que ya no tiene las manos de una jovencita adinerada, si no de una pobre campesina.

Photo by Tobias Higbie

"En los cines había secciones destinadas a negros y mexicanos. En la ciudad los padres no querían que sus hijos fueran a las mismas escuelas que los mexicanos. Vivir alejados de la ciudad, en el campamento de la compañia, tenía sus ventajas ... Todos los niños iban juntos a la escuela: blancos, mexicanos, japoneses, chinos y filipinos. No se discriminaba a nadie porque todos eran pobres."

Hortensia manda a Esperanza a hacer la compra, pero a una tienda japonesa que queda mas lejos del campamento. Esperanza no entiende porque no van a la que queda mas cerca. Miguel le explica que los dueños de muchas tiendas no quieren a los mexicanos y es por esa razón que van a la tienda del Sr. Yakota ... el los trata "como personas." Esta es la primera vez que Esperanza se entera de la discriminación contra los mexicanos.

Tanto pasa en este capitulo. Esperanza sigue contando sus centavos, comprando giros postales cada dos semanas. Espera la temporada de durazno, sabiendo que Marta y los huelguistas (por buena razón) planean a "cerrar" todo.

Que ira pasar!?

Photo by Brian Lee Clements

Algunas palabras nuevas ...

hoguera = bonfire

aspera = rough, rugged, cragged, grained, knotty; horrid (my new favorite word!)

gérmen = germ

horquilla = hairpin

distinta = distinct, different, diverse

ausencia = absence

espigada = tall, graceful, slender

crisálida = chrysalis

alga = seaweed

jengibre = ginger

desgana = lack of appetite/enthusiasm

salpicado de = peppered with

sendero = trail

partidario = partisan 

acequia = irrigation channel or ditch

Arrastrando los pies a Los Espárragos ... no quiero que termine este libro. Solo quedan tres capitulos ; (

MIERCOLES MUDO: Se Parte El Sol Por La Luna