Being Mexican

Being brought up Mexican American in this country is something I tell you. I was at the grocery store with my mom the other day, just standing there. This older lady approaches me and asks me if I speak English. I told her Yes, she pulls me aside and wants me to help her explain what the make-up she was starring at does, how she wears it, and so on. This is the story of my life. As a child I always had to translate for my parents. Till this day I still do and sometimes it was a challenge and frustrating. I had to learn how to translate words, organize my sentence structure in both languages and pretty much learn to speak both without an accent for either language. Sometimes I still get stuck on a word in either language. But I think at the end of the day it has helped me improved my languages skills immensely. When I was a child I always watch Spanish TV. Till this day my dad still watches Soap Operas (Novelas), something my mom never has watched. So it is kind of funny to see my dad sit there and watch them. I remember watching Siempre Domingo and Sabado Gigante. I always read the Spanish Newspaper, La Opinion.

I remember going to Mexico every 2 years and being bored. My parents always reminding me to speak in Spanish so we wouldn't get ripped off at the store. And spending all my time bored at the Bull Riding events... yeah bored. Imagine seeing that everyday of the week for 3 weeks...?? it gets boring and it gets embarrassing when all your uncles are drunk out of their ass because of all the tequila... haha, but I do miss it. Hopefully I can visit Mexico soon. Here is a clip from the events this year from my mom's town in Jalisco...

The older I've gotten the more I have learn to appreciate both my cultures. American and Mexican. I don't really see myself as fully being one or the other. I speak both languages, I celebrate both holidays, i have dual citizenships in both countries and so on. Although just because I carry a Taco wallet around, doesn't mean I eat tacos all the time. I actually am not a bad eater. I made ground turkey tostadas, earlier today. With Jalapenos, lime juice, Pico de Gallo, Chipotle mix in sour cream and I must say it was hella good. That means I can cook! I always love listening to music as I cook or wash the dishes. I guess music is life.

So being any type of race is always interesting. You have so much more knowledge of cultures. Mexicans have a very strong culture. We have our Friday Kahlo, Salma Hayek, Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal, our Cactus, bull fighting, pyramids, our awesome food, fat mariachi guys, dads' with cool mustaches, and so on. Yeah, our culture is mix as well, many are from European decent or Indigenous. I remember being a kid, visiting my grandfather in Tlaxacala, Mexico. I had just finished my second yeah in German and as I was trying to be cool, I showed him some of my German. He looks at my dad and then looks back at me, starts speaking to me in Nahuatl http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nahuatl

I didn't feel cool anymore after that. Although, my grandfather was the only person I knew that spoke the native tongue. So there goes our culture. BTW the picture below is not my grandfather... I wish he was in the Revolution... then I could of heard awesome stories!

Point is being Mexican as being any other culture, is interesting. If I ever have kids, I hope to pass along some of my traditions and culture, both American and Mexican. There are times that we sometimes forget to appreciate who we are. Being born and raise in America can be a huge identity crisis. I think many people become Americanized and forget who they are or where they come from. Our values become different, sometimes for the better sometimes for the worst. I have gone through my identity crisis.. what am I? Mexican or American? I am both. And for the rest of my life I will be both. I'll stand for the pledge of allegiance, cheer for Mexico in the world cup (Damn you Argentina!), eat chocolate chip cookies, and curse in Spanish. That is who I am and who I will always be. I guess that is the beauty of being multi culture... there is always so much to learn and share. For example, I just learned that one of Diego Rivera's (Famous Mexican painter married to Frida Kahlo) ex wives was from the town next to where my mom is from and her last name was Preciado... go figure!

I know Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem aren't Mexican... but so far that is the closest a Mexican will get at an Oscar for a while :/. Still they both always bring out great performances! Loved Vicky Christina Barcelona!







Ok changing topics, I think today I applied to a gazillion jobs. No joke. I had not taken the time to apply for work until today. I normally avoid applying for a job for the fear of rejection. I am not sure why all of a sudden I am so concern about that. It is a tough world right now, so I guess in some way it is normal to get rejected? So hopefully I find something. i am assuming it is going to take me over 6 months to find something stable.... or any kind of job really. I am really bored being at one job... So I have re-polished my resume and send it out. There are so many companies out there, so many positions. I just hope I find something. Ideally in the movie world. But it would be great to do something in photography... let's see how things roll. And to Jorge... I will build my portfolio! I am taking your word and we are doing business :).

I have been spending some time watching movies. Last night I was watching Natural Born Killers... I fell asleep half way :/... So i'll try and finish the rest today. Trippy dream I had though! I wish I could write a movie like Quentin Tarantino. Next week I am watching Paul and catching up with my old college friend Laura. Should be nice, a movie in Hollywood. Seriously only an Angelino can really say that.

AT&T keeps sending me letters that I won 2 Androids... Uh I don't care! I want my iPhone! I am going to wait till the iPhone 5 comes out. Might as well. I don't think ill ever go back to windows... Apple all the way!

Alright I really have to pee... have a good one everyone.