Final Drafts

So many of you (and by "many" I mean, perhaps the two of you who read this) may be wondering why I posted so many blogs in the past 24 hours... and how I managed to write so much so fast and sooooooo well. The answer is simple, I'm really good at what I do.

hahahaha Just kidding. What really happens is that I write all the time and eventually I edit my thoughts to the point that they are presentable. Today was an exceptionally productive editing day. So no, I did not spend the whole day writing and uploading pictures. I spent it playing with triplets, napping and then finally getting around to editing some of my overdue blogs. Sorry for the wait. :)

Aunties Forever

"Never have children, only grandchildren."
Gore Vidal (1925 - )

My sister Petra and I have our own version of the above quote. Our version reads, "Never have children, only nieces and nephews." Only we don't mean NEVER, we just mean not in the near future. We are supremely blessed with our niece and nephew (with one more niece on the way) and have decided that we are SOOOOO good at being aunts that we shouldn't try to push ourselves to be anything else than what we are.

(pictured: My niece Jazmyne and I being awesome at Christmas!!!)

X-Games

I'm not sure how many of you know that my mom is cool, but she is... both of my parents are, actually. Come to think of it, I may be the only uncool person in my family. I'm more of a nerd... I mean, I do have a blog! hahahaha okay so back to my cool mom. She is so hip that she buys tickets to the X-Games and has been a faithful fan for years. (I know she's pretty awesome! I tried to warn you.) So this year, she let her not-so-hip daughter join her. We (along with my very cool cousin and his son) watched the motocross and I (nerdily) wore earplugs. The jumps were spectacular and the beer was pretty good. I had a great time... but I don't know if I'll be going back soon. The X in X-Games stands for Extreme and for good reason!

Below is video of an "extreme" crash into a camera man... I thought I had watched this man die and started crying, BUT he is fine and still happily committed to his job at ESPN and the X-Games so now there is no need to cry.


On a complete side note, the X-Games were held at the same stadium that the Galaxy play (I saw Victoria Beckham/Posh Spice)... being there made me want to watch a pro futbol/soccer game. If anyone is interested, let me know.

Oh yeah!! AND I saw Chad Lowe in person and he is super cute. He was walking into the bathroom so we didn't get to spend a lot of time together, BUT I'm sure our future is bright (or nonexistent, I get them confused sometimes.).

Best Carne Asada Ever!!!

While I was in Mexico I was treated to the best carne asada of my life. A special shout out to Will, a crazy Mexican who can grill with the best of them.

Los Angelitos

(pictured: Gringos y Los Angelitos)
This past weekend the lovely Brockhaus' family (Amy & Andrew) planned a trip down to Los Angelitos, an orphanage just east of Tijuana, Mexico. The home houses mostly girls from the ages of one year to almost eighteen. It was started by a retired gringo named Ed Perry with his retirement money. To check out more about Los Angelitos and to find out how easy it is to help or visit please click the following link. Los Angelitos ... then come back and read about the latest love of my life.

(pictured: Me y mi amor)
In the course of the day I had a fabulous time... and (OF COURSE!!!) fell head over heels for each of the kids. But one in particular stole my heart completely. His name is Jesus and as you can see from the picture he loves me too! He loves to play with trains. He has a tendancy to leave ketchup on his cheek for hours at a time. He is quick to trust and a fabulous cuddle-bug. I have been trying to convince my parents that I need a new brother. (I HAVE wanted one my whole life.)... BUT I don't think they are buying it. Retirement is just around the corner and I think they can smell freedom. However the next time any of you run into my dad if you could ask how his son Jesus is... well that would really help me out, I think he is halfway there. He (like his daughter) is a sucker for a cute child.

(pictured: Red Rover, Red Rover send Aaron right over)
While I was cuddling with Jesus and playing with trains and Barbie dolls the older girls played Red Rover, Red Rover for hours. They totally ate up the attention and the competition. Amy Brockhaus is the perfect ringleader for such activities. She is like the Pied Piper of children. In fact, once she is done with her credential I plan to move into her district so my future children will get the best teacher in the world. I'm pretty sure that the day was fabulous for everyone involved! I know it was certianly one of the best days I've had in a very long time. I might be addicted to those precious babies.

(pictured: Lisbet, Enrique, and Jesus)
After a day full of fun and games we ate a lunch of hot dogs, Doritos and Coke... basically the ideal meal for any kid I know! The ketchup remained on Jesus's cheek for the rest of the day. (I found it completely endearing.) I can't wait for our second date... perhaps he'll wear mustard.


Don't worry I'll be posting stories and pictures of beautiful children very soon... in fact, I'll probably be trying to convince you all to make room in your calendar to visit with me and perhaps even make room in your home for a well-deserving child. I'm also working on a newsletter that I will post here and send out to the Los Angelitos mailing list.

A Thousand Splendid Suns...

is the most lovely and sadly sweet book I have ever read!

PLEASE read it... please. please. please.

I hope he writes at least one book a year... my life changes EVERY time I read one.

Name Game

1.YOUR REAL NAME:
Melissa

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (first 3 letters of real name plus izzle.)
Melizzle

3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (fav color and fav animal)
Blue Giraffe

4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, and current street name)
Gail Via Mil Cumbres [apparently I'm starring in a telenovela with that name!)

5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 3 letters of mom's maiden name)
Gaamemck (jajajajaja that sounds like a sneeze)

6. YOUR SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink).
Green Coffee sounded lame so...
Green Iced Double Tall Soy Latte (the sound of it instills fear in the hearts of criminals everywhere!!!)

7. YOUR IRAQI NAME: (2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of your last name, any letter of your middle name, 2nd letter of your moms maiden name, 3rd letter of you dads middle name, 1st letter of a siblings first name, last letter of your moms middle name)
Eagcgkm

8. YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mothers middle name)
McKim


9. YOUR GOTH NAME: (black, and the name of one your pets)
Black Snoop


I know I know.... I should blog real blogs, BUT sometimes these little games are fun. :)

My First Bath in ???? Years

I can't remember the last time that I took a bath... it's been years, BUT this week I finally took one... with BUBBLES and everything.



I got to sit and read my new book The Country Under My Skin a memoir by a woman from Nicaragua. I love disappearing in another world, another life. I certainly wasn't born into a time or situation that allows me to be a revolutionary... at least not one who trained with Castro... but in a bathtub I can imagine it all, a good book allows me to live it all, at least for an hour or two. I thought I would write about a grand adventure, but I guess not falling asleep and drowning in the tub is as grandiose as I got this week.