Today, after school, my daughter called me to tell me that her mom told her to ask me if I would take her and her brother to the Winterfest at Waitz Elementary. That was her diplomatic way of asking me to take her. I don't know how to desribe it, but I could hear in her voice that she wanted to go. I told her that I'd call her as soon as I was on my way home so everybody could get ready. As a parent, sometimes you don't want to do some things or go places; but you do them anyway because you know that you'll find more pleasure in seeing your family have a good time than the displeasure of having to do it. I could sense that going would mean a lot to my daughter, so we went.
It wasn't so bad. They had menudo, funnel cake, buñuelos, frito pie, nachos, popcorn, cotton candy, sodas, tacos, and other foods. In addition, they had things for the kids to do like face painting, temporary tattoos, fishing for prizes, a haunted house, and other games. There was plenty for the kids to do. I overheard that they had a bigger turnout than expected. Perhaps this was a result of the cool, rainy weather we are having. Better to have the kids run around school than at home, right? Whatever the fundraising was for, they made over $1,000 tonight, according to the principal.
We took a parental leap, tonight. We let our daugher go around the school unsupervised with her friend. There were police present and plenty of teachers. I guess we just have to learn to let go of our sixth grader.
If your kids have school events they want to attend, I suggest you make the effort to take them. It's no fun to have to drive them over and hang out until it's over. However, if you watch your children and see how they are having so much fun, you'll enjoy yourself as well. Go out and have fun.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Visit to China Wok
Today, after work, I stopped by to visit my friend Jason at China Wok in McAllen. In case you've never been there, it is a little bit south of 10th and Nolana. China Wok has been a full-service restaurant for 13 years. This means, they are not buffet. Each dish is individually prepared to your likes. If you want spicy, they make it spicy. More garlic? Just ask the waiter. Yes, you can have white sauce instead of brown sauce, or vice-versa.
Anyway, Jason was telling me that he started advertising on KURV this Monday. I'm sorry to say that I missed listening to the radio on Monday. There will be other Mondays this month when KURV does remotes.
You may be thinking that one Chinese restaurant is like all the others. Just try it. They have good stuff. I really like their egg rolls, which are hand made. They make beef egg rolls. The General Chow is delicious. That's their most popular dish. And, my favorite dish is the Jalapeño Combination plate. It makes your nose athletic (nose starts running), but it's awesome. Jason basically took the standard Chinese restaurant plates and tweaked them to RGV tastes. The biggest success, in my mind, to Mexicanizing Chinese food are the Jalapeño plates, but you've got to try China Wok's Amazing Chicken. I think I'm going to bed hungry tonight just thinking about it.
Anyway, Jason was telling me that he started advertising on KURV this Monday. I'm sorry to say that I missed listening to the radio on Monday. There will be other Mondays this month when KURV does remotes.
You may be thinking that one Chinese restaurant is like all the others. Just try it. They have good stuff. I really like their egg rolls, which are hand made. They make beef egg rolls. The General Chow is delicious. That's their most popular dish. And, my favorite dish is the Jalapeño Combination plate. It makes your nose athletic (nose starts running), but it's awesome. Jason basically took the standard Chinese restaurant plates and tweaked them to RGV tastes. The biggest success, in my mind, to Mexicanizing Chinese food are the Jalapeño plates, but you've got to try China Wok's Amazing Chicken. I think I'm going to bed hungry tonight just thinking about it.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Too much coffee
Normally, I drink lots of coffee. That is roughly 2 to 4 big cups. Any more than that and I start to get jittery. Lately, however, with the change in weather, I've been working hard on the coffee. I think I overdid it this weekend because I've been a bit dehydrated.
In the Rio Grande Valley, cold weather generally means temperatures below 65. If it drops below 40, it's freaking cold. Once we hit freezing, schools and businesses shut down and we prepare for the ice age. I may have exaggerated a little with that.
In any case, I've started drinking water and other non-caffeinated drinks to restore my lost fluids. It's flowing through the kidneys readily, but I'm still battling chapped lips. Ow! Chapstick seems to be doing its wonders thus far.
What's ironic is that I don't generally dehydrate in the summer when it's really hot. Perhaps we are more conscious of losing fluids then than during cold weather. Consider this a public service announcement. Drink plenty of fluids during this cool weather. It's just as important to stay hydrated as it is during the summer. If you drink coffee, drink water too.
In the Rio Grande Valley, cold weather generally means temperatures below 65. If it drops below 40, it's freaking cold. Once we hit freezing, schools and businesses shut down and we prepare for the ice age. I may have exaggerated a little with that.
In any case, I've started drinking water and other non-caffeinated drinks to restore my lost fluids. It's flowing through the kidneys readily, but I'm still battling chapped lips. Ow! Chapstick seems to be doing its wonders thus far.
What's ironic is that I don't generally dehydrate in the summer when it's really hot. Perhaps we are more conscious of losing fluids then than during cold weather. Consider this a public service announcement. Drink plenty of fluids during this cool weather. It's just as important to stay hydrated as it is during the summer. If you drink coffee, drink water too.
Early sun setting
It seems that as soon as I get out of work, the sun starts setting. I have a burnt out headlight that I'm going to replace today. Lately, I've had to rush home to get there before sundown. I've been pulled over for that and also for having the license plate light burnt out. I know better than to risk it for something inexpensive.
I got my first state check yesterday. I had trouble cashing it at HEB, Wal-Mart, Capital One, IBC, and a payday advance place. I finally got it cashed at a check cashing place across University from Wal-Mart. At the stores, the check was for more than their cashing limit. At the banks, you need an account so they will cash a check. The payday advance place only gives out payday advance loans. It took my whole lunch hour to find a place. I guess the State of Texas checks don't carry the same faith as a cashier's check. Next month will be easier with direct deposit.
I got my first state check yesterday. I had trouble cashing it at HEB, Wal-Mart, Capital One, IBC, and a payday advance place. I finally got it cashed at a check cashing place across University from Wal-Mart. At the stores, the check was for more than their cashing limit. At the banks, you need an account so they will cash a check. The payday advance place only gives out payday advance loans. It took my whole lunch hour to find a place. I guess the State of Texas checks don't carry the same faith as a cashier's check. Next month will be easier with direct deposit.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Menudo in the morning
This morning, we had menudo with my in-laws. We went over and had a bowl. Usually, my mother-in-law makes tortillas from Maseca. Today, however, the propane tank ran out of gas. So, we had to microwave store bought tortillas. We have the usual sides, lime, onion, and cilantro. My father-in-law likes his menudo with pig feet. I used to not like pig feet, but over time I just got over the gross factor and dove in. I could go either way. The only thing that still grosses me out is when there is hair on the pig feet. I'll just pinch that part off and eat the rest. I realize that most of it is fat. You can literally see the clumps of fat in the pig feet. Still, if you don't think about it, you can eat anything.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Endangered Species
I'm sure everybody in the Rio Grande Valley knows by now that circles are out and stripes are in. Most of the Circle K stores in the RGV are being renamed to Stripes. I thought I would capture a picture of one of the Circle K stores before the change. This is one of my favorites. It is at the corner of 10th Street and Hwy 107. I usually stay away from the Circle K stores that don't offer tacos; those are inconvenient. They make you stop for nothing.
Another good thing that can be said about Circle K stores is that they often have fountain drinks on special during the summer. For about $1, you can walk out with a half-gallon beverage to quench your thirst.
I hope that nothing changes under the new Stripes name.
Another good thing that can be said about Circle K stores is that they often have fountain drinks on special during the summer. For about $1, you can walk out with a half-gallon beverage to quench your thirst.
I hope that nothing changes under the new Stripes name.
And he wants to reinstate the draft
Can you believe this guy?
If a young fellow has an option of having a decent career or joining the Army to fight in Iraq, you can bet your life that he would not be in Iraq. Those who have the least opportunities at this age find themselves in the military, as I did when I was 18 years old... If there's anyone who believes that these youngsters want to fight, as the Pentagon and some generals have said, you can just forget about it. No young, bright individual wants to fight just because of a bonus and just because of educational benefits. And most all of them come from communities of very, very high unemployment.
-- Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY), November 26, 2006
He wants to reinstate the draft so that young people of all economic backgrounds serve. The ultimate goal is to stop the war. This would happen if some rich kids get killed and their parents put money into stopping the war, or so he hopes. He reveals his true thoughts on the military like John Kerry did.
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