My little twincesses

If you see me walk down the street with my friend Blanca, you would never imagine that we are friends. I don't use the term "best friend" anymore, but she would fit the bill perfectly.

We have so little in common, we met at work over 5 years ago. I was to fire her, and I couldn't. She's simply an amazing person with incredible skills.

I have never understood how or why we get along so well. The important thing is, we're here. By the time she was going to get married, I was with her checking everything. I even took the casual photo shoot. I had to be at the wedding. Then I got the call and I told her sarcastically that she had ruined the plans. She had said she would wait at least 2 years before getting pregnant. Behold, she was pregnant and wanted to see me.

When we finally caught up for lunch, I told her they were twins. There began another adventure. The baby shower, the prenatal photoshoot, the party favors and finally, the girls arrived.

I'm a terrible person, and I only saw them a day after they were born. I went shopping on Spring Break and remembered my adorable twincesses. I never made time to go visit, until now. As their first birthday rolls around. I told Blanca I wanted to take the pics. She agreed.

I told her at least I would get 1 good picture, and I did. It was a family shot. She dropped me off at home, and I took advantage to give her that present I still had.

It fit like a charm

Pictured: Twincesses wearing gift

The Loss of Manners

I admit my mother is a bit strict regarding manners. No matter how "modern" or "open minded" I could be, I still have my respect towards my parents and the people I respect.

Since I returned from Queretaro, I asked a friend to come along with me to one of the corporate clubs. It was a plan. We even spoke the night before.

An hour before she dropped by to pick me up, she called. Her daughter needed her to pick her up after work. I told her it would be best to call of our engagement, but she insisted. When she arrived to my house, there was an uncomfortable tension in the air.

The minute we hit the expressway, it began. "You shouldn't be driving this late", "Did you have to do it today", "Are you the only one that can do this"? This was worse than listening to my mother. My friend talked to her grandson, and her daughter said "Focus on your driving".

We made it to our destination, and it was even more uncomfortable. Needless to say, we did not enjoy our moment there, and on the way back, the ranting continued. We started having trouble, and were able to make it to a gas station, "You can leave on a cab right" she asked me. No, not my friend; her daughter asked in a matter a factly tone of voice.

It was a bit late, so obviously it was dark. She stopped in the middle of an empty street to drop me off and simply stormed off in the night. She had scolded her mother like a child that had done something terribly wrong. Her mother is almost as old as my mother.

I don't know who was more embarrased, my friend or me that had to put up with the scene. One thing I know. She embarrassed her mother beyond imagination. Her excessive concern came across as simple lack of manners.

My mother would have given me a stare and told me to take a cab home.

Stubborn

I think everything is like its owner. Pumpkin is no exception to the rule, tonight she didn't want to sleep until I came to bed with her; and since I was watching TV, she decided to sleep on the couch.

After so long

I always wished for this moment. I imagined it so many times in my head. The perfect words would have been "I've missed you so much" or "Let's just start over".

Ever since I got the news, I imagined how could a casual encounter be plotted. My Sunday was casually planned with a friend. I wanted to go to the Wedding Expo, basically to stock up on vendor cards and check out what's trendy and cool for weddings.

She was late, and I got the urge to change my attire. I was wearing jeans and a Tshirt and changed to slacks and a blouse. The parking lot was crammed, we ended up at the arena. Walking towards the convention center, I was goofing off. Walking in zigzags and mainly being casual. Suddenly my friend says "Hey, that looks like . . . ". I stop, cold turkey and simply say "It is".

Seconds were eternal and I was frozen. He looked like a mess and STILL I had the urge to kiss him and hug him and keep him close. I don't actually remember what I said. I just wanted to either jump in his arms or leave. I chose the latter, as I walked away, my friend turned back and told me he was still looking at the direction we were walking.

I had my stupid grin all day long. Even my body reacted in the worst way possible. The dragon has arrived. Now all I do, is actually think of you.

Have you thought of me this week?

Aftermath of the 1st Interclub Contest

Pirates would say "hoist the colors", in the Harry Potter universe " Mischief Managed" would be appropriate. Finally, the moment in which Delta could compete with others that session week after week in English arrived. The medals arrived at 10:45 AM and were admired by those who saw them. It might not be their beauty, it could be what they represent. Someone I consider my partner in crime in the Educational development of the English clubs picked me up at 5 PM.

We arrived to our destination quite early, and saw each one arrive. We were running 20 minutes late and the meeting room we were going to use was not yet disocupied and Oscar had not arrived. I gained my breath by the time we were all walking out, because that is when he stepped out of the elevator.

It took us a bit to readjust to the new room, sit the judges, brief the contestants, sort their participation, coach the Toastmaster and finally being the show. The room held about 30 people. I didn't count, but I think that's the correct number.

My amazing core team was made up of
Toastmaster- Roberto Trevino (GMx)
Timer- Halley Ferrer (GMx)
Timer - Cristina Andrade (TE)
Tally Counter - Andres Gracia (GMx)
Tally Counter- Karina Hernandez (D)
Tally Counter -Diego Madero (TE)
Judges - 5 (names will not be mentioned due to confidentiality, but all were properly trained)

Contestants
Table Topics
Roble Rodriguez and Jesus Montemayor (GMx)
Jose Martinez and Carolina Canisales (TE)
Aydeli Rios and Marylu Vazquez (D)
Margarita Duque and Raquel Trevino (C&L)

Humorous Speech
Victor Flores and Oscar Gonzalez (D)
Jesus Montemayor and Adrian Leon (GMx)
Joe Gonzalez(C&L)

We began with Table Topics, the participants responded "Why did you join Toastmasters?", Marylu and Aydeli answered with grace and style. The Humorous Speech section only had 5 contestants, it seemed as the sorting didn't take place since first the Grainger contestants participated, then Victor and Oscar. It is always sad to know a contestant was disqualified by time, but it happens every now and then.

While I was outside with the Tally Counters, the Toastmaster began interviewing the contestants asking them what club where they from.

Finally the results were in.

Table Topics
1st Place Jesus Montemayor (Grainger Mx)
2nd Place Marylu Vazquez (Delta)
3rd Place Carolina Cansino (The Earnest)

Humorous Speech
1st Place Victor Flores "On the underworld" (Delta)
2nd Place Adrian Leon "Things girls shouldn't do" (Grainger Mx)
3rd Place Oscar Gonzalez "Art in Focus" (Delta)

All four were amazing, but if we had won all the medals, I'm certain they would have made us pay for them all! I believe they held the club's name very high and am proud of them for embracing the experience a contest brings.

We must continue preparing and practicing. Practice and perseverance is the perfect mix for excellence, which is what we look for in our club.

Those of you that went as part of the support team, thank you for your time and being part of a successful event; those of you that went as viewers you were part of this great accomplishment, and those of you that couldn't make it, you missed a great contest.

You have got to be kidding me

So I'm Chief Judge for my Division Contest. I am picking my team. I have the 5 judges confirmed, 2 tally counters; yet I'm still missing a tally counter and the 2 timers.

I was talking to a friend a while ago and gave her that response when she asked how was my judge's team. I commented that I needed a tally counter. When suddenly on her screen I saw the following "X is a great tally counter"

NO WAY! She is!

Tally counters add the judges results on a sheet of paper. First place gets 3 points, second gets 2 points and third gets one point. You add the points the judge gave to each contestant and the one with the most amount wins. It's really not rocket science.

Seriously, the educational level of some people is going from bad to worse.

Shift in things

I've come to realize that as time goes by, I get pickier. Some of the things that would make me happy before seem completely insignificant to me and now I want more.

Things like clothes, when any slack would make me happy, now they have to be from a certain store. When my no make up policy was high, I loved every minute of it, but now I need just a bit of eyeshadow to match the color of my eyes or that hint of lipgloss to make my lips glisten. I won't even mention the shoes, luggage or my fabulous doll collection.

Yes, the change applies in men too. Don't get me wrong, I still have a soft spot for musicians and long haired devils; but I'm engaging into more challenges. A guy that can deal with that is the only way to go.

Though sometimes, they get in the way

Can it be true

Honestly, I have always believed that I wasn't made for romance and all the sweet things. The only time I had a true shot at it, the other person was not completely elegible. i had to let him go. It broke my heart, but I managed to move on. Ok drag myself on.

I bumped into him again in May. It was at one of my Toastmasters events. In which I usually look radiant. He was there, with the wife; I was there cheering my girls on like any proud momma would. He looked wonderful, but shyed away from my direct gaze. I knew all was lost. He cheered my girls on though, of course he didn't know they were my girls.

Yesterday, at another TI event; I was told that the marriage was over. Can it be true? Have my prayers been answered? Am I not going crazy? I couldn't avoid smiling when I heard the news. I know I might not even mean anything to him anymore, but one thing is certain I knew that relationship would end up wrong.

Now the only thing I do is think of you

The downward spiral of Customer Service

There is a world that divides the concepts "customer SERVICE" and "customer SERVANTS", in the neverending cycle of service at some points we will serve and in others we will be served.

The last 11 years of my life I have worked in the service industry, whether it has been as an art instructor, a service agent, being the link between the company and the end user the goal has always been to provide the best customer experience possible. Afterall, word of mouth is the best advertising.

Most of the trainings I have received on the subject sum it up in two words: EXCEED EXPECTATIONS. It's quite simple. Just give your customer their money's worth and they will be happy. No ugly surprises, no hidden fees, just what they want and maybe a little something more.

Good customer service goes along with impecable ethics. You don't need to have your supervisor breathing down your neck all the time or be monitored constantly by your supervisor, you KNOW how to provide the best customer experience possible if you want to keep their business.

There are many options in almost all servies fields. There are very few that own a specific market. CEO's know this, but it looks like they haven't trained their lower ranks to keep customers happy.

Lately, I have noticed some businesses go to the dogs service speaking. I'll cover a few industries I've had bad encounters with. I am a movie freak. I could spend there my weekends. Those VIP theaters are my equivalent of a spa.The BEST VIP is Cinepolis Valle Oriente. The installations and the service are top of the line. However, Cinemex's Paseo San Pedro is at the edge of decay. The recliners are uncomfortable, maintance turns the AC off when the movie begins, they never have change at the registers in the candy shop and to top it off, they use cheap ingridents. These are all material things that can be fixed, what they can't fix is the ATTITUDE employees have.

Another incident at the same movie theater chain happened this Sunday. Since they changed their ingredients, I buy food not made by the theater. My weakness, Ben & Jerry's Ice cream. I walked over to the girl at the deli and asked if she could help me with the ice cream. I honestly expected her to say "Give me a minute and I'll be there" or " Let me get someone to help you". I must have been dreaming or on heavy drugs to expect that, her response was "I'm full of pending orders, knock on that door and see if someone comes out" EXCUSE ME? I have to go bang on some door to get service? Needless to say, I didn't get my Cherry Garcia fix.


The food industry is very weak right now. Though SMBC may be a good drinking spot or a great place to watch the game, it lost it's spark as a nice place to get together. I stopped going since they changed their menu a few years ago. Applebee's and Chilli's became the places to go, even the burger joint (El Arbolito) by the ITESM Campus. I went to SMBC in January, Mayra wanted her farewell lunch there. The experience wasn't as bad, though they are slow in the kitchen. Two weeks ago the story was different. I had to wait 30 minutes to get my order taken, and 30 more for them to correct them. The waitress dared ask if I was sure about what I was ordering. Not a single refill my glass saw, I had to swallow the burger. Though i was craving apple pie, if I had ordered it, I might have left at midnight. Of course when they left the tab they dare ask "do I add the tip?"

Tipping is a customer's way of showing appreciation for good service. Outstanding service gets equally as amazing tips. Have you noticed there's a tipping jar everywhere? Even at Starbucks.

Finally there's my alma mater, TI. One sends the emails through the proper channels and the request gets ignored.If I email the Executive Director, who I am on a First name basis on, everyone is willing to help.

Why do people have to be told by their superior what they know they have to do? Why take the risk of losing a customer's business for an extra cigarrete break? Why do business change things that work of things with lower quality? Who hires and trains these people?

So, how is your business treating your customers?

WHAT! I'm not the only crazy one!

This was taken from the Disney Store's website a while ago. Few can imagine me getting teary eyed listening to the video's A dream is a wish song, and looking at the amazing beauty of these dolls. The minute I saw Snow White, I knew I had to have it. What are $50 USD any way? I've spent more on nonsense.

Yesterday was my mother's birthday, and I usully go to sleep late. I checked the Disney website hoping to see this weeks doll. No luck. First thing I do the next morning is grab the Ipod and check my email. It was so there, the Introducing Snow White: Our Latest Disney Princess Designer Doll, as a subject. The time 4:09 AM, an hour after I went to bed. I immediately turn the laptop on and log on the website and my surprise is, SHE IS SOLD OUT!

Not even 6 hours had past since I got that email, and the doll was sold out. It was an edition of 6000 dolls. I am upset, I could have waited another hour up to get it. I'm totally crushed because I wanted it so bad.

:'( No toy for Snow



There's men and there's you

And boy! You are the world's biggest IDIOT!

You shield yourself behind a screen and by not answering emails or instant messengers. I thought I would be talking to an adult man in his late 20's but I was dead wrong. First, you avoided me, and gave me cold answers. Then you wouldn't answer at all. Yesterday, I realized you unfriended me on Facebook.

What kind of adult does this!?

Not only do I feel sorry for you and for whom ever you end up with. I am so disappointed in myself for believing that all of that sweetness was concern when it really was just inmaturity shining through.

I thought seriously you were the one.

I hate to realize that it's not true.

The return

Finally, the moment has arrived. I want to come back to this worls, to spill my heart again over the screen. There are so many things going on that make me believe the moment is perfect.


After all timing is everything

You

I knew it was you, before I even met you.
It was like the creation of an ideal.
When I finally laid eyes on you, I had my doubts.
Yet deep down inside, I knew.

I knew you were the only one that could give me peace.
The only one that could conitnue pushing me to achieve my goals.
The one that needed me to support him.
The one that would be by my side when I am about to break down.

I think I found you, so many years later.
I see the longing in the sad puppy dog eyes.
The tormented soul that desperately needs comfort and support.
The stability to keep me on my feet.

I see the rest of my life