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.