Happy 92nd Birthday, Constitution of Mexico!

The Political Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1917 is the present constitution of Mexico. It was drafted in Santiago de Querétaro by a Constitutional Convention during the Mexican Revolution. It was approved by the Constitutional Congress on February 5, 1917, with Venustiano Carranza serving as the first president under its terms.

I know what you, dear reader, are thinking "Melissa!!! Why are you filling your blog with BORING historical facts!?!?!?"

I'm so glad you asked... BECAUSE this constitution was ground-breaking and it is interesting. Just read a few of the things that changed for Mexico...

- Education became available and free for all!

- ALL of the resources (land, soil & water) in Mexico now officially belonged to the people of Mexico.

- And my favorite:
"Article 123 protects the workers. It states that the working day may not exceed eight hours, instead of the twelve or fifteen hours in force beforehand, and that there must be an obligatory day of rest every week. It prohibits women and children from engaging in activities that are not suitable for their gender or age. It also recognizes that workers have the right to form trade unions (associations to protect their interests), and to strike (stop working to pressure their employers when labor conflicts arise)."


I know that many of my friends have lovingly labeled me the Little Socialist... but this kind of stuff truly excites me. I am aware that things aren't perfect in Mexico... most of the time it's not even close to perfect. BUT I think that the most progressive constitution of its time deserves a shoutout on it's birthday. Don't you?

Check out Wikipedia's entry on the Constitution of Mexico.

This one is for kids BUT is the clearest.

My current obsession...

... is a show about a red-headed serial killer!!!

I Recommend

I watched The Visitor this week. (I love Netflix! It delivers whatever I ask for right to my front door.) I tend to get excited about movies... but I really loved this film. I will probably own it. I don't buy a lot of movies, so this is a big deal and means I would be willing to watch it over and over again.

The simple intro to Thomas McCarthy's film is: A widowed college professor travels to New York City to attend a conference and finds a young couple, who turn out to be illegal immigrants, living in his apartment.

My summary is: A sad and empty widowed college professor finds joy and life in his new relationships with his illegal roommates.

The movie is thoughtful and sweet. Richard Jenkins hits every note just right as he finds his emotions again... and learns to live and breathe. Haaz Sleiman is exuberant as Tarek, the young drummer. Danai Jekesai Gurira is breathtakingly beautiful as his girlfriend and manages to appear wise and controlled even in times of devastation. I adored Hiam Abbass who plays Tarek's mother. Some of you will recognize her from Munich. This film is so simple and character driven that it is reminiscent of a play. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of watching it and was even more thankful for the pondering that it inspired in me.

Basically the moral of my story is; I loved it and I think you should see it!

25 facts about me

I was tagged on Facebook to write 25 things about me... So I am sharing them here as well. (Truth be told, I don't think anyone reads this who isn't Jayma or June or Erika and they could all read it on Facebook... but just in case.)

okay here goes.....

1. I still harbor a desire from childhood to marry Kermit the Frog... He's probably the reason I'm still single. I compare everyone to him... and it's hard to find a green man these days.

2. Because of #1 I still harbor some animosity for Miss Piggy... that Jezebel!

3. I am not by nature a morning person, but I long to be someone who starts her day with the sun... just can't seem to get out from underneath the warm blankets.

4. I'm one of only two people under the age of 80 who've had pleurisy... and one of one I know of who had it under the age of 15.

5. My torso is much longer in proportion to my legs... in fact when sitting, I can almost fool you into thinking that I'm normal height.

6. My favorite TV shows at the moment are Dexter (about a serial killer) and Sesame Street (well I HOPE you know what it's about)... I'm a complicated woman.

7. I detest mayonnaise... like it really freaks me out.

8. BUT I'm willing to eat just about anything. I'm thinking I should start a female version of Bizarre Foods on the travel channel. All those crazy eating shows are about men eating brains... I could eat brains and make millions. I would even eat mayo and brains if it was necessary.

9. Speaking of eating weird things, I ate dog soup while I was living in South Korea. I liked it... didn't LOVE it. (Don't send me hate mail... I eat cows all the time and I think they are some of the most beautiful animals around.)

10. I once saw someone heating sausages in the back window of their car in the Nordstrom's parking lot while they shopped... please feel free to see my Mobile Uploads album for proof. (Although if we're honest, I probably would have eaten those too.)

11. I am the oldest of five daughters and we were all in high school at the same time. (You do the math.)

12. Two of, the afore mentioned, sisters are getting married this year!

13. I am addicted to NPR/PBS. My favorite part of the week is listening to my podcast of Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me. I love it!!! Sometimes I laugh so hard I cry.

14. My favorite part of the day is driving away from work and seeing the ocean smiling at me as the sun sets. I am not a swimmer, a surfer, or really a beach-goer, but I LOVE living by the beach. Whenever I get home from being away, I adore the smell of the ocean and the feeling of saltwater on my skin and in my lungs.

15. I love babies! I come by the addiction naturally, my father is a fellow addict and my mother isn't too far behind us. My paternal grandmother was probably the worst addict of us all. I love the way they smell. I love the way they laugh and cry. I love watching as their little personalities develop. Babies are freaking awesome!

16. My dream job would be to be a travel journalist/writer. Although the more I think about it, I think I'd be a great TV personality... think Anthony Bourdainne only adorable and perky and funny... but not too much of any of those things. Maybe I could be his sidekick... I'm looking into this.

17. I am 5' 2" with eyes of blue... there is a song about me.

18. Oh wait!!! There IS actually a song about me. My dear Paige wrote me a song... I love my song. THANKS PAIGE!!!

19. I'm getting really good at being a bridesmaid... 27 Dresses was about me. I'm looking into suing for part of the royalties. ;-) I love weddings and I especially love celebrating the marriages of the people that I care about.

20. My wedding will probably not be too crazy. After all of my wedding experiences... and as I get older (ALMOST 30!) I start to think that the beach in Mexico sounds like a great wedding spot... with tacos and margaritas after. I may not even wear white.

21. I love to read and have been known to turn off my phone hide on the couch and read for days at a time... I can do the same thing with TV, but I like it more when it's with a book. I LOVE books that get me so excited I have to stay up until four AM to finish reading. So awesome... I love books!

22. My full name is Melissa Gail Gaare. I was named after a plant, Melissa Olympiadus and sort of after Crystal Gayle... I think my parents were kidding about the middle name, but who knows.

23. I love to travel and learn new things. I'm always ready for the next adventure... and I'm always daydreaming about the next BIG adventure.

24. I love people. I probably love you if you're reading this. I think it's never a mistake to have known and loved someone. I learn the most when I choose to go forward, even if I eventually have to say goodbye.

25. I had no idea how long this would take and may end up being late to my breakfast date.... if only I really WERE a morning person all of this could be avoided.

Pounds of Pig

WOW!!! Sausage AND bacon wrapped in BACON!


Check out the recipe for the Bacon Explosion.

Quote of the Day

"The world bursts at the seams with people ready to tell you you're not good enough. On occasion, some may be correct. But do not do their work for them. Seek any job; ask anyone out; pursue any goal. Don't take it personally when they say "no" - they may not be smart enough to say "yes."
-Keith Olbermann
(courtesy of my Starbucks cup)

100

This, dear reader, is my 100th published blog at Meli La Gringa!

In honor of this magnificent event, I was planning on writing 100 words to describe myself... BUT that, it turns out, is difficult. So I changed my mind.

Since one hundred is the square of 10, I am going to instead list ten words that I would use to describe myself.

1. Bubbly - I have been told that I have "a personality plus." I always assume that that is a compliment...
2. Delectable - Hello! Best describing word ever! Defined as "highly pleasing or delicious." I would like to see myself as quite a delicious dish!
3. Bookworm - I may be addicted to books, NPR, and all things mildly nerdy.
4. Fickle - I have a hard time being "sure" of things that I want. Short hair? Yes! Long hair? Yes! Brown hair? Yes! Blonde hair? Yes! I blame my father who used to make me play Devil's Advocate all time. I was basically trained from birth to see both sides of all issues... makes it difficult to pick ONE side.
5. Curious - "Why? How? What does that do?" I tend to question a lot and want to know more about just about everything.
6. Heckler - If you've ever seen me at a hockey game, you'll know that I can get a little animated. I must admit at this point, that this is even the case at my sweet nephew's soccer games as well. "Come on guys! Run for the ball! I don't care if your six. Focus!!!"
7. Lover - This is an odd choice to follow heckler, but I would like to think that a heckler can be a lover too. I love people. I love life. I love today and I'll most likely love tomorrow. Despite my fickle nature, I am a faithful and loyal lover of people.
8. Adventurer - I'm ready! Let's go! My normal response to just about anything, at just about any time, is "Woohoo! I'm in! We are so fun!"
9. Eye-Candy - My current job is not the most challenging, so I have jokingly dubbed my title as Eye-Candy. I hope that this title will follow me all of my days. It's pretty fun to think that your purpose for the day is to be pleasant.
10. Passionate - I am passionate about movies that I love, books that I love, people that I love, politics. I'm passionate about kissing, about babies, about old people, and about love. I'm passionate about food and wine and Diet Coke. I am pretty sure that I can safely describe myself as a passionate person.

So... narrowing it down to only ten words was a tough task as well. I guess writing is always an effort. In my case, it happens to be an effort of love.

**Erika & Jayma gave me some suggestions that are receiving honorable mention.**
So-hot-right-now
Crap-your-pants-funny
Coma-un-inducer

They, most definitely, get extra credit for their creative use of dashes!

Below are a few 100-themed links for those with some extra time on their hands:
All about the number 100

100 Best Novels

AFI's 100 Best Movies of All Time

100 Most Misspelled Words in the English Language

Thank you Erika!

You're welcome!

Peanut Dark Chocolate M&Ms

For those of you concerned with my health...

Today I had oatmeal for breakfast AND dark chocolate peanut M&Ms for my afternoon snack. They are obviously the healthiest of all M&M choices. The peanuts offer me protein and the dark chocolate offers antioxidants. Really I am the queen of healthy eating.

My name is Melissa...

... and I am a procrastinating perfectionist addicted to M&Ms.

If M&Ms are nearby, I eat them. This morning I had M&Ms for breakfast. I know! I know! It's gross. It's not healthy. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Blah. Blah. Blah. I have heard it all, but it seems to make no difference. Normally for breakfast I try and eat Oats & Flax oatmeal. It's the perfect breakfast food, low in calories, full of healthy things and fiber... today I was out of my sacred packets. I forgot to bring more from home and was left to fend for myself at work. There are other instant oatmeal packets in the kitchen... Apple Cinnamon, Banana Bread and other sugar-laden flavors. I chose not to eat those... I ate M&Ms instead. My reasoning is embarrassing... Since I could not have the healthiest breakfast option then why even worry about health at all.

I have always struggled with being a bit of a perfectionist, I've been told this goes hand in hand with my other "p" trait, the gift of procrastination. Basically, if I can't get it done perfectly, then I give up OR put it off. Case in point, this morning's incident... I couldn't eat the healthiest breakfast option so I went with the worst instead. Although in my defense (and yes, I always have one!) I could have eaten more M&Ms than I did AND I could have eaten all of the chocolate covered cashews and strawberries we have laying around here.

There are two morals to this story:
1. I LOVE M&Ms!
2. Logic is lost on a procrastinating perfectionist.


So after initially starting this blog I felt guilty, so I drank a V8. I feel much better!