Vamos A La Fiesta

The Quinceañera is a Hispanic coming of age celebration for a young girl.  My niece Victoria celebrated hers on Saturday the 18th of September in the city of Vallejo, California.  Dressed like a princess with her court of young men and women, usually her closest friends, it is a rare sight to see teens in a conservative, formal setting.
The celebration started with a beautiful Mass at their parish church, St. Vincent Ferrer.  She is blessed and offers the Blessed Mother, in this case, under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a bouquet of flowers.  She is consecrated to Mary for continued maternal protection from above.  After the Mass, the traditional picture taking in front of the altar.  Once the church obligations were completed, it was off to the Hiddenbrooke Country Club for a lavish reception.

Whilst the youngsters are taking pictures, family and friends are having mini reunions.  I was so very glad to see my cousin Amalia, her husband Gerardo and their beautiful daughter Tatiana.  Two cousins came from back east, Ruben and his son from South Carolina and Abelardo from Georgia.  Once the guests were ushered into the main dining hall, the festivities began.  The court was introduced and then the godparents, then Victoria and her parents, Rudy and Beta.  Finally, the paternal grandparents were introduced.  There was a father/daughter waltz; all three sisters danced and brought tears to many an eye.
After the dinner, the guests were treated to a dance they kids learned...mainly the waltz to contemporary music.  Some of the boys looked clumsy and uncomfortable.  The waltz is a tad more graceful than the moves made on a court or football field!  After their presentation, the dance floor was open to all with music from merengue to hip-hop to old school.

Last but not least, two of her friends from kindergarten gave humourous testimonials, as well as her two older sisters.  Then, the cake was cut, served and thus, the dancing continued.
I've never been to a celebration this elaborate, but the parents go out in full force.   Apparently it is the custom to ask the daughters if they want a trip, a car or the party.  Victoria said since she was the youngest, she would always be taken on trips, she could borrow her mom's car, and so she wanted to party!
Smart girl!

15 de septiembre

Today is, among many other Latin American nations, Nicaragua's Independence Day.

Salve a ti, Nicaragua

Salve a ti Nicaragua en tu suelo,
Ya no ruge la voz del cañón
Ni se tiñe con sangre de hermanos
Tu glorioso pendón bicolor,
Brille hermosa la paz en tu cielo,
Nada empane tu gloria in mortal
Que el trabajo es tu digno laurel
Y el honor es tu enseña triunfal,
es tu enseña triunfal.

Hail to You, Nicaragua

Hail to you, Nicaragua.

The cannon's voice no longer roars,
Nor does the blood of our brothers
Stain your glorious bicoloured flag.
Nor does the blood of our brothers
Stain your glorious bicoloured flag.
Peace shines in beauty in your skies,
Nothing dims your immortal glory,
For work is what earns your laurels
And honour is your triumphal insignia

Ohana Means Family

"Ohana means family and family means no on gets left behind."  (from Lilo and Stitch)


On Sunday September 12, 2010, the Perez family had their first family reunion at Bayside/Joinville Park in San Mateo, California.  The Perez family matriarchs and patriarch are long gone to their heavenly reward and the next generation celebrated this family.  My father, Cesar Perez and his sisters Ramona Hernandez, Graciela Castillo, Natalia De La Rocha, Maria Teresa de Boi, and Chepita Nevarez had their children and thus the many grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews.  My two brothers, Sergio and Roger, were there, as well as the children, my nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

Some relatives I've only heard of, while others I've known for years, though we only see each other at funerals primarily.
One of my highlights was meeting my sister Veronica's daughter, Selena and her husband, Julio Cesar and their kids Vianca and Vicente ("you can call me Chente.")  Selena has a beautiful daughter from a previous marriage, Vanessa.  As you can see in the picture to the left, the Perez family is rather large; and that's not the whole group.  My cousin Sandy did not show, neither did her sister Marylou.
I think this will now be a yearly affair and I am looking forward to it.  I know that each member of this vast family has its share of stories to share.  I hope to learn more about my family as I get older, and hope my story can be counted and told to future generation.

We Must Never Forget

Nine years ago.  Hard to believe how fast time has flown.  Some people think it's a conspiracy; an inside job.  But nevertheless, lives- innocent lives- were lost.  Such acts only regress us as a species.

Labor Day 2010

Labor Day traditionally marks the end of summer for many of us.  Years ago, school began the day after Labor Day; school now begins from mid to late August.
Times have been tough in our nation in the past few years.  Many people have lost their jobs...from white collar to blue collar...and those of us with jobs consider ourselves lucky to have them.  Sure, wages have been frozen, but we still have our jobs.
I marvel at the many professions among my family and friends...to name a few....

Veterinarians, actors, mechanics

Ramp service, cooks, telephone repair,

Educators, nurses, doctors,

Homemakers, hairstylists, bartenders,

Waiters, pharmacists, undertakers.

All sorts of jobs; the list can go on.  I am proud of the accomplishments of my friends in their professions.  I occasionally hear a complaint about work, but who doesn't have a complaint- from long hours to back-breaking work- all valid, but I think the complaints help us survive our jobs.

To all those unsung heroes who work on holidays, I salute you.  God bless you and your families.  Enjoy the last day of a great summer break and prepare for the cold weather days.  Labor Day 2010, you're awesome!