Food, Presents, and Food!

Christmas Eve...my sister-in-law had to work at 6:00 am but she'll be gettin' out early...Mom cooked breakfast this morning. In the meantime, I had to get started on dinner. This year was another recipe from the big book...Joy of Cooking. Pork shoulder with mustard and rosemary sauce with a side of buttered brussel sprouts. My bro helped with cutting all the veggies while I prepped the meat, seared it, and then put it in the pot. Five hour cook time. During those five hours me and mom watched a couple of movies while my dad and my brother fixed his door. I also got tomorrow's breakfast to work on...Ham and Vegetable Strata. Once Alison got back from work it was just in time for dinner. I got the sauce ready, completed the vegetables, and got ready to serve. It was quite delicious...pretty fantastic in fact...it was 6 pounds of pork and between the five of us we almost finished it! And in true tradition we all opened one present. I got really cute purse to replace the one that got stolen...Thanks Alison!! We then went into a great food coma and went straight to bed...

Christmas DAY! Woke up to put the strata in the oven...mom was already up getting the breakfast potatoes ready...very delicious. The rest of the kids got up and we had a great breakfast....then we got to open all the gifts. This year the parentals got the most presents. They deserve it! The rest of the day we chilled watching movies, skyping with Patty, calling family and friends, and continuous eating. Alison made us some sticky rice and green beans. But the best Christmas gift of all was a surprise visit from my peeps from L.A., the Alvarados! They were driving from Cali all the way to San Antonio in the same day. They're crazy and they decided to stop and surprise me when they knew I was in Tucson...It was great! I got to see their boys, 10 and 6, feed them some yummy dinner, and we laughed about the whole surprise. Thanks Patty for giving them the address! It was a great Christmas...I know it wasn't a great year for a lot of people...but I hope the Holidays pulled folks out of their slump to get them excited for the New Year 2010. I know I am...I'm gonna spend it with my best friend...great way to bring it in!!

Merry Christmas all!!

Christmas Eve Eve's 2009-Tucson

Well here we are on the eve of Christmas Eve. Truth is, I love Christmas Eve. It's more fun than Christmas day I think. The anticipation of Santa Clause! It was always such a big deal in our family back in the day since that's when we all get together to eat tamales, pop fireworks, drink, and get to open one gift. Now that we have new traditions as grown ups, I still love Christmas Eve. Here with my bro' we've started the tradition of making a big Christmas Eve dinner and then we get to open one gift. We'll watch corny Christmas movies and shows, and then wait for Christmas morning to eat a big breakfast and open the rest of the gifts.
Last few days I'm enjoying to days off sleeping late. We got to go to Old Tucson Studios-Hollywood of the West. Its an old west town built up for movies where John Wayne filmed three movies. It was interesting, not historically accurate, but cute. They have singing shows, play gun fights, and stunt shows. A beautiful day too...sunny a breezy 74 degrees. Its actually been awesome weather...60-70 degrees. We're waiting for snow, which I hope will get here. It's everywhere around us, except here in the Tucson valley. In the meantime, all we're doing is driving around going to packed stores, watching movies, and chilling out...
Loving it!

Christmas 2009-Tucson

Ahhhh....Christmas Vacation has begun! I'm sooo happy and excited. Had a rocky start considering my purse got stolen in Zilker Park while hanging out with my best friend and her kids last weekend. Rat bastards. The thieves, not the kids. 'Cept they can be rat bastards too, but that's another story.
So I had to deal with the ordeal of closing accounts, calling credit card companies, and feeling random paranoia. I wish those evil doer's nothing but what they'll get coming to them...Karma, baby. It happens.
So got to Tucson today. Was supposed to get here yesterday but my flight got canceled because a flock of birds flew in the plane and it had to emergency land. Yikes! So the second plane would'a came too late for me to get my connecting flight. Today started at 4:30 am...cab to airport at 4:52 am, checked in at 5:13, in security line till 5:55, and just made it board the plane. It was close.
But I'm here now and anticipating all of the great food we'll be cooking and eating. Parentals will get here tomorrow night. But tonight we eat Korean marinated short ribs....yea!!!

Thanksgiving 2009

Got to go down to the Valle for Thanksgiving and have my Tia's delicious homemade stuffing...oh so good. I ate sooo much. Its so hard to say no to seconds...thrids...and well a snack a bit later. Visiting with family was great.
Best part was I got to hang with my ol' gang for a great nite out! I was able to drag the mothers of three for a nite out. Elda has 6-year twins and a two-year old and Mel has a 6-year-old, a 4-year-old, and a 2-year old. She's a perfect example that sometimes...birth control does NOT work. Yes, ladies its possible. Anyway, the husbands with some nagging and arm-bending, took care of the chil'ren. And we went to downtown McAllen, 17th street. It was once known as the place for the "ladies" of the nite, but like NY, McAllen decided to invest in small businesses, restaurants, and bars to weed out the element. So its not just for hookers anymore. You can still dress like one, as we witnessed, but you can't solicit anymore. At least not openly.
So we went out to several bars...El Cine Rey---AWESOME renovated theater, Speakeasy, Chill, the Broiler Room, and 29. No covers an any of them!! We even ran into my extended Martinez family of Cris, Elisa, and Daniella. It was on!
Never thought the nite life of downtown McAllen would give Austin its run for its money...but it did. The bars were very stylish, the drinks semi-cheap, no covers, the music ranged from live, rock, club, chill, and salsa. I was very impressed. Good ol' valle is coming around! More importantly, I got to hang with my girls...only one missing was Miss Patience...but we'll make up for it on New Year's...Bring on 2010!!!

Breathe....

Well, I was in the wonderful world of the field for the past three weeks. Beginning on Oct.10th, I've gone from Oklahoma, back to Austin, to Del Rio for the TAS, then back on the project starting at Sulphur Springs, Texas.
This time around I'm working with the Architectural Historians. Well, Anita is the AH and Jules is an AH in training with a background in landscape architecture. Poor girl is working on her thesis as we're out here....memories of that ordeal goes through my mind. Blah. Anyway, what does that mean for survey? Well, above ground cultural resources basically. And not just any above ground resources...specifically buildings. Houses, barns, sheds, outhouses, garages...
Totally outside of my realm of expertise, but its been very interesting learning how to ID buildings. And luckily its not as intensive as regular survey. Not that I'm dissing my archaeology, but its nice to just walk around, look at buildings, and not have to go through dense vegetation and dig holes for an extended period of time. A good change of pace.
I'm diggin' it. Plus, as always we get to drive through very pretty country in Oklahoma and Texas. Can't help appreciate the loveliness of the open spaces, farms, ranches, and long roads. It's disappearing fast these countrysides so I have to be able to take advantage of gazing upon these landscapes.
Oklahoma was fun as always. Got to visit Stroud and have delicious bacon at the Ranch House restaurant and visit with Vonita the waitress. Our rover, Gerry, is great and treats us pretty much like daughters. We visited various sites and buildings, but the key site was the the airport at Holdenville. Really cool, built in 1946. Then we went down to Ada, OK. Feels like my second home honestly. Ada has an awesome WPA park with a lovely lake. Only time in the project I was able to work out. We were moving often during this effort so we had two days in Stroud, 3 days in Ada, and then two days in Atoka.
After a brief break for the TAS meetings in Del Rio, we hit it hard starting at Sulpher Springs then going strong all the way to Beaumont. It was tough with the long hours, the intense turnaround of data, and general bad eating...but fun nonetheless. We couldn't stop laughing sometimes. It could be because we were starting getting delusional, but I'd like to think we were just keeping up our spirits up. Either way it was fun.
We completed our AH survey on time and now on to reporting. Which is not the fun part but we get 'er done. The AH girls and I really had a great time and we got to really bond over architecture, food, shopping, and well, more food. Would love to try this type of survey again...on another project.

SWCA Camping Retreat 2009

What a blast! I'm still recovering! From the minute we got to Leisure Camp Resort it was on. Lins-Vain and I were able to camp right next to Kensley and Tina with Olivia and Brian right next to them. Dustin and Harris were to sites to the east with their kiddos but close enough for us to yell back and forth.
We immediately set up camp and began cooking. The beer was already cold and the spirits were high. We had smores using Dustin's fire since Vain was having technical difficulties. But he prevailed and we made more smores so he wouldn't feel bad that we didn't use his fire.
Dustin and Harris' kiddos sang for us and Kensley being the superstar that she is was their backup. The night was cool and calm.
Next morning, Kensley made killer breakfast tacos of migas with chorizo, cheese, and chili. Then it was off to the river and sit in the water for the entire morning up 'till lunch. Seriously. We were thinking of tubing but it was just to relaxing to just sit in the river and drink cold beers. The day trippers were starting to filter in and Abby-David, Steve-Carole, Jim-Peggy, Ryan, Kevin-Gina all had an opportunity to stop by eat, drink, and mingle. We briefly stopped soaking for lunch and then resumed to the water. Nearing dinner time, Harris and his excellent smoked pork definately made the whole trip. It was finished in minutes. Smore making was the highlight of the rest of the evening and we didn't turn in until 11:30 pm. It sounds early, but remember, this whole day was like a marathon. One more day could've been good...but no more. My bed was calling my name. SWCA Camping Retreat 2009 was a success!!

Un-official Company Retreat 2009!!

So this year our SWCA Austin group decided to come together and have an un-official company retreat. It's unofficial because the company isn't paying for the booze. Oh well. We'll make do. We are all stocked and ready to roll. The beer, the food, the tents, and the grill are all set.
It's a camping spot I've never been to called Leisure Resort or something like that. Most of the peeps we'll be meeting us tomorrow on Saturday, but the true partyers are heading out there tonight. Me included of course. Its 4 o'clock....it's now on!!

Belize 2009 Day 4-Snorkeling

6-11-09 So we got up at the butt crack of dawn...again....Its crazy how a one hour time difference can change your whole day. For the better of course as we were able to have some yummy breaky early in the morning at a leisurely pace, sign up for a half-day of snorkeling, plus relax for a bit. When time came around we headed to the pier to wait for our instructor with a very nice elementary school principal from Colorado who was treating herself to a week vacation.
Our instructor was featured on the Travel Channel...so he said. "Little Alfonse" was in one of the many Samantha Brown shows helping her snorkel along the barrier reef. Whatever, i'll take his word for it. He took us to he National Park Hol-Chan to snorkel along the reef. The day was so bright and beautiful and I couldn't wait to get in the water. It was so clear and blue waiting for me to jump in. Once we did the round of blah, blah, here's how you put on your mask..blah, blah...flippers we were in. Luckily, he didn't make us wear life vests, which I hate. We had a about a group of 12 for the tour and only one person opted for the vest...they took it off later. We didn't see as many fishies, but we did see a cucumber fish/eel thing, lots of tuna, and nurse sharks. I even got to hold one and pet it like a dog. Seriously! I woulda had a picture but I forgot to buy a water camera. Typical. Alfonse then took us to Sting Ray Alley...at least that's what I call it since they were everywhere! I did get to casually graze one with my hand but to be honest I was a lot more wary over the sting rays than the sharks. Thanks to Steve Erwin of course. They were huge. Picture yourself (if you happen to be 5'4'') standing with your arms and legs spread out wide like an "X" and then draw a circle around you. That's how big the sting rays were. Seriously. After a good four hours of snorkeling we were tired, happy, and ready to eat.
We got dropped off by good ol' Alfonse and realized quite late that well...some of us did not use enough sun screen. Well, I did. But the girls...did not. I'll only say that there are areas that are exposed to the sunlight when you are floating face down in the ocean that aren't normally slathered with sun screen. Poor Kelley. And Jens back was so red I was afraid it was gonna burst into flames. I darkie that I am knew this in advance and wore double sun screen and shirt that covered my rear. But she was a champ...we got some aloe and headed out to go find some lunch and shop for more souvenirs in town. We went to the Jade Museum and learned there were some pretty interesting sites on the island. We then headed to Fido's (Feed Doze) which was Miss Nancy's pub. Actually it looked like an awesome beach bar...open with a huge bar, lots of seating, and just on the beach. She recognized us from giving us a ride and sat and chat with us. We grabbed a few beers from Mike the bartender and laughed at Kelley. She was trying to find a good way to sit down comfortably. Ha, ha. She was trying to find a gift for her boyfriend related to fishing. Luckily the GM told us about this local fishing guide that makes his own lures. He told us where it was and we decided to get a taxi since it was on the other end of the island. We hailed a taxi..which is usually a mini-van and a guy stopped and we got in...we then realized he had a passenger. They were both young and they were laughing, and then we had the feeling, "Is this even a taxi?" We told them where to go and they knew what we were talking about...so we were relieved...a bit. The place "GO FISH" had just closed and the lady was leaving. But Belize, being Belize, she reopened the shop for us. Super nice and sweet. All the lures were really cool and then her husband the fishing guide came in and was helping Kelley pick out some homemade-lures. We lucked out really cuz right as we got of the shop, our two "maybe-a-taxi" guys were just outside. They gave us another ride back to the hotel and we paid them. Never did we find out if they were really a taxi. Whatev.
So at this point we were exhausted and Miss Kelley and Jenn in sunburn pain....But troopers they are, we all got dolled up for dinner for our last night in Belize. We ate at a great restaurant and I got some yummy sushi. After dinner, we were gonna go back to Fido's but it was too long of a walk and Kelley was hurtin'. So instead we went to this really cool beach lounge called Playa. It was a bar and sofas in the sand. We had a few drinks and lounged around. It was little sad to know it was our last night...we totally could've done another full week. Bummed as we were we headed back to the hotel walking along the beach as the full moon began to rise from the ocean. Perfect setting for our last night. Once we got back to our hotel we got into our jammies then headed back to the beach and watch the moon for a bit more. But we weren't too sad, though. Cuz we were already making plans for the next trip.

San Pedro, Belize days 3

6-10-09 (Catching up on posts guys) After breakfast the next morning we had to stop at the market. The colors of the fruits and vegetables were to irresistible to pass up. So we scouted it out as the vendors continued to prepare their stalls. I decided to get some mangoes for the road...they smelled delish. Jenn pulled driving duty this time around as we headed to Belize City to make it to the water taxi to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. The drive was just as interesting as we saw kids walking to school along the road and of course the scenery fantastic. We dropped off the rental at the airport and grabbed a taxi from a really friendly local named Leon. He said we had to see his uncle who was a scuba/snorkeling instructor. We made to port, had some ice cream, and jumped on the water taxi. It was hot sitting on the taxi for 1.30 hours...to San Pedro....people didn't care though. Everybody from locals to tourists were smiling anticipating all the fun times on the beach..so were we.
We finally made it to San Pedro took a taxi to the Banana Beach Resort...there was no way we could hoof it with our luggage. The hotel was fantastic! Kitchen, two bedrooms, living area...right in front of the pool. We had to get some food and refreshments...we ate nearby and celebrated our arrival with Pantyrippers (coconut rum and pineapple) and Belikin. We walked along the beach towards the town center where we were initially dropped off. The resorts were fantastic and we already picked out the next place we wanted to stay when we came back...we checked out some shops, bought jewelry, gifts. Some definite chill time was called for so we picked some One Barrel rum, pineapple juice, got into our suits and chilled out by the pool. There were a few kids from Colorado playing around in the pool...I say kids, but they were actually twentysomethings...but they were acting like kids. And they were dissing Texas. We did not like. But we were too chill to make a big deal.
It was time to eat...again. We took a walk after getting ready, this time along the street, hoping we could score a great meal. We did. Pepper Onis Pizza...and the buffalo wings were fantastic! Yes the wings...the pizza was good...but the wings. I'm salivating now just thinking about it. We had good conversation and great times thinking about the last time we were out in Belize. Tiredness quickly set in once we finished the meal and we had a long walk back. Luckily we had a really nice American expatriate living and working in Belize give us a ride in her golf cart. She owns one of the bars in town and very friendly, sweet., and invited us over a complementary drink. Yessss! Tomorrow...snorkeling and a free drink!

San Ignacio-El Pilar Day 1 and Day 2

We arrived in Belize around 4:30 pm which around 3:30 pm Belize time. They don't follow daylight savings time so they are an hour behind. We decided to rent a vehicle from the airport to head out to San Ignacio which is near the western border of Belize and Guatemala. I'm so glad we did! We got a Suzuki 4x4 that ran pretty well. This will be the third country I've driven in, not including the U.S. The speed limit is 55 mph on all roads. And really there are only a few main highways. Luckily, we were on the Main Highway the wholeway to San Ignacio. We passed several small towns, villages, and cities. People walking along the side of the road and even riding bikes. Little kids running around by themselves with no parental supervision...it's crazy! We had a very short delay in one town as a down powerline blocked the road. Without even realizing it we went around it as I was following most of the traffice through someones front yard...Oh well, when in Rome.

We arrived in San Ignacio and found our hotel. Beautiful! Nice, clean, friendly staff, air-conditioned. The hotel was newly renovated and they did an excellent job. Our room overlooked a jungle behind the hotel. I'm so glad we decided to do it right this time around. Once we settled we went and got our complimentry Rum Punch from the hotel bar, "The Stork Bar." Ahh, Belize.

Our hunger was winning over cocktail time so we headed to town and ate at the suggestion of the bartender at "Hannah's", which was really "Ko-Ho Han-ah's" which means "Let's go eat" in some unknown language. We forgot to ask what language it was. Anyway, we age beans and rice, plantains, Marie Sharpe's, and Belikin. Fantastic! Very delicious! The restaurant was very quaint and comfortable. After dinner, we had a night cap from the bar and hung out at the pool on the hammocks. Just like PFB...Sigh. So we went to bed early as we were planning a long trip to El Pilar in the morning.

Without wanting to we woke up really early to start our day and ate breaky at Hannah's. We drove to Bullet Tree and then headed north on this unnamed road to El Pilar. I'm so glad we got 4x4. It was a tough, gravel road that had sharp inclines at some points. The landscape was beautiful and we could recognize undiscovered sites within the small ranches and farms along the road as we drove. It was only 8 miles from Bullet Tree, but it took forever because of the road. When we finally got to the park entrance we paid entry with the park ranger. Which was pretty much a local guy holding the fort. We were the only ones there. It was awesome. We had the whole site to ourselved and we walked through each of the plaza complexes. El Pilar is fairly untouched as they have not started the reconstruction of the temples. Most of what we saw were monumental architecture still covered by vegetation. Although most of the temples were not exposed, it was still very impressive. We even got to walk beneath one of them! We spent about three hours there roaming the site and taking pictures.

So we headed back to San Ignacio and ate at Kelley's old stomping ground Eva's. A huge disappointment as I had raw fried chicken and Jenn found a metal nut in her food. Yes, a metal nut. Luckily she didn't break her tooth on it. She just took it out of her mouth and said, "Look a nut." How it got there I don't know and when we told the waitress, she stuck out her hand for it and said, "I'll tell her in the back." You stay classy Eva's.

Anyway, dinner was alot better after we had a short nap at the hotel. We ate at Martha's and it made up for it. We left early had a cocktail back at the hotel and got our luggage ready. Next the beach!

Belizian Mafia Reunion!!

I can't believe it'll be 10 years since my first field school in Belize! Has it really been that long? Incredible. I'll be heading off this June 8, Monday with my Belizian Mafia, minus sadly, the Vida Loca. Crazy HOA and City of Pflugerville are evil and trying to keep small businesses down! She's gonna be fighting all week to get keep her business....Me and the rest of the Mafia, Pelitos and Tips Henley, will be drinking lots of Belikin on her behalf. Fight the power, Vida!!

The plan is to arrive to Belize City then drive to San Ignacio and arrive at the lovely San Ignacio Resort Hotel. http://www.sanignaciobelize.com/index.php Yes, resort. We are definitely not field-schooling it this time. The following day we will visit the “newest” Mayan site of El Pilar. http://www.belizetourism.com/sites/elpilar.html Newest because its recently been made public for touring along with the other more recognized sites. We’ll then head to the lovely island of Ambergris Caye to stay in San Pedro at another lovely resort. http://www.bananabeach.com/ The plan is to relax, drink rum and pineapple, snorkel maybe, fish, or whatever we feel like it.

What I’m most looking forward too is the food of course. Fresh fruit, beans and rice, plantains, and the delectable Marie Sharpe’s Hot Sauce. The BEST hot sauce….EVER.

For those who actually read this, I’ll be posting when I can and letting y'all know what antics we get into…I can’t wait!

Funtastic Week!

It's so nice to be home in Austin sometimes. This week was fun filled with St. Patty's day, spring break,the spoke, SXSW, and parties, parties, parties!

It all started on St. Patty's Day where a few of our office gang were truly lucky and scored $1 beers with out any lines, drunken heathens, or crappy food. We passed on downtown this year which is usually fun, but not on a weekday. Especially when places are charging you $20 dollars cover and $9 dollar beers. Pass. Give us dollar beers and cheap wings and we are rolling in good fortune. A pot'o gold indeed!

Wednesday was Dale Watson at the spoke. A few of the preservationists from UT, Pelitos included, headed out to two-step. Different crowd with a few regulars but lots of dancing nonetheless. Dale got lit and got stuck in a loop singing "I was 21 in prison, I was 21 in prison, I was 21 in prison..." towards the end of the nite. I still hear it my head. As always, we closed the place down.

The Crawford Mustache Party was Friday and full on. There were lots of dogs, lots of drinking, lots of cornhole,a farting machine, and not enough cookies. It was riduculously fun.

Saturday was some Don Juans with Jody L., JP and her crew for breaky. Then hung out with my hubby to go apartment shopping and then got ready for the b-day party for the billster and david p. Delicious ribs, chicken, dips, Abby's guac, maker's mark, lemon bars, and cake. Very laid back.

Lazy Sunday. Crawfish boil at Shoal Creek Saloon. I can't believe I just found out abou this! And you know what else....fantastic cupcakes at Sugar Mama's just blocks from my house. The Mudslide, the James Brown, Black and Tan, The Pin-up, Southern Belle...Crazy Delicious!

*Sigh* Its so nice to be back in Austin.

Craziness

Since my last blog I have been swamped with work....
Non stop drama that I can't even begin to explain. I will admit that this week the project has brought me to tears.

So I ask myself, is all this grief worth it?! I guess I should be grateful that I have a job considering the economy, but at the same time no job should bring on such stress.

Luckily my friends from all over are so supportive and with every happy hour I feel much better. Of course, I've banned consumption of margarita's until next years Margarita Throwdown. The smell of tequila makes me sick at this point. This year's Throwdown was a great success and the competition was on. Mrs. Crawford took the crown this year with her Brushfire Margarita. A new tradition started at this year's event with a crowning of the Margarita Queen and her duties as Queen consists of hosting a party and serving her winning margarita.

Otherwise all is well. But I will be itching for a new adventure soon....