The Rosas-Standring Family

Well, sorry for the hiatus. I have been in the USA for my grandmother’s funeral service. I must say that although it was for a sad occasion and there were many hard and sad moments, the service and the visit with my family was really wonderful.

The biggest regret was that my little brother Kevin could not be at the service. He is wrapping up his 3rd tour in Iraq and was not able to get leave. I really wish he could have been there and he was really missed. My dad was there as was my oldest brother Craig with my 2 nephews and it was really nice to see them after such a long time and my other brother Ryan and his wife Amme. All the kids got to stay grandma's house and most of the time everyone else was there setting up or cleaning up or just hanging out.



My Aunt and Uncle that live in Fresno were around a lot really doing everything and we were trying to help where we could. And my aunt is one of those genius event throwers.

We spent all Friday setting up, cleaning things, arranging stuff. And then there was plenty of time to hang in the pool. Now this pool has so many memories for me and my brothers. This was the site of countless splashing games, whirlpools creations, wrestling matches and crying fits for years. It is also known a bit as being a spot that people tend to get pushed in. (This is a favorite game of my family)


It was really cool to see my brothers and my nephews, even my uncle and Dad at one point, all playing and enjoying themselves in the same way 20 years later. It really was a nice way to bring to a wrap-up , a lot of the experiences that we have had there.

That night my sister in law Amme Standring whom I ABSOLTLY LOVE! (She is truly a rock star) took me with her to get some of the last items that we needed to pick up for the memorial when we heard a little band playing in the parking lot of the local outdoor shopping center. We stopped off to get some wine at a little place called the Patio Cafe. We ordered a flight of red wine and a goat cheese appetizer. The flight came out with about twice the wine I was expecting. I am not complaining but for $9 I certainly feel I got my moneys worth.

It was so good. We sat there for a while and enjoyed our snack and listened to the band. We had no problem taking care of that wine though!

The next morning was what you would expect. We all got up and started to do the last few details around the house before guests arrived and also got ready ourselves and then it was off to the service.

I do not know if it was inappropriate but I took some pictures with and of my family members and even again later at the memorial celebration. I hope that no one thought that was wrong of me. I recall my memories through my photos and when I look at my old photos I remember the events more clearly in my mind.

The service was okay during the arrival process when guests were coming in and signing her book and sitting but once the minister started to speak I had a really hard time. You know that feeling when tears fall from your face so fast it puddles when you blink? Well, that was me. I was attempting to hide behind these almost see through blue glasses and by now drying my eyes was pretty useless.

Pastor Jack from my cousin Bob Standring's church did an amazing job. I have differing views on religion then my Catholic husband and Christian (even if loosely) family tending more towards Buddhism including the idea of reincarnation. I was so thankful that the words that he spoke reflected my views and feelings as much as anyone there and that was so appreciated. It was a beautiful service. My Dad spoke as well and that was really nice.

The service at the house was exactly what it was supposed to be... a celebration of her life. Her beautiful garden that she took so much love and care in was the perfect backdrop for such an occasion.


Her gardner and friend Alejandro came and it was great to see him. He had given me a Mexican cook book when I was in town a few months ago and was such a wonderful person to my grandma. She absolutely loved her yard and they had worked together for the past 10 years.

Many of her friends came and it was really wonderful. Every one was so nice and had such wonderful things to say about my grandma. It was really touching. They all had fun stories to tell and memories to share. It really was a wonderful afternoon. I must take a moment to thank my Aunt Nancy and her wonderful friends who set everything up and helped everything run smoothly. We could never have done it- especially as beautifully - as they did for us. Thank you so much Nancy, Jeanie (sorry if spelt wrong) Carla and I am so sorry but I do not know that last women's name.

Once everyone had left we all just sat around outside and talked and hung out. It was really nice. There was one point that my brothers managed to get all the forbidden items away from my dad in preparation for throwing him in. As they lifted him to go to the pool he instantly grabbed the belt of my aunt Nancy. Nancy is not the wet kind of lady. Everyone knew that it was going to be bad if she got wet. That is what my dad was counting on. My Uncle Brad, knowing that it was going to be very bad if Nancy got thrown in the pool danced around helplessly trying to get them to stop. Finally, my brother Craig, starts to try to help Nancy but not before my uncle brad resorts to tickling Craig to try to get him to stop. It was a pretty funny moment. I am just so lucky that it was all caught on video. :) Sorry Brad!

The next day was nice, we had a light breakfast at Nancy and Brad's for father’s day and just hung out for most of the day. Jeanie had us over for dinner that night and it was wonderful.

Monday was interesting. My dad and Brad picked me up at my grandma's house where I was now staying all by myself. It was strange sitting in the kitchen where I had so many times with my grandma and drink coffee all by myself. But it was fun to look around at all the cool memories and photos and trinkets. I even took a little bottle of my grandma's perfume. You can find it at any right aid or Walgreens. "It's not georgio, its Primo" Or maybe the other way around. But it is my grandma in a bottle.

I went with dad and Brad to visit my great grandparent’s gravesites. Nearby is also a number of other family members so we ended up visiting many family members and it made my Dad and Brad remember a lot of old stories and that was really fun.

I spent the afternoon getting all of the little thing that I needed to bring from the states. Some underwear as always, shoes and some spices. I also went to this little store and got a bunch of little toys for the kids. We were most excited for the water balloons, water guns and kites. I mean, I bought really cheap stuff so I am sure that it will break but oh well.

Well, there is no way... unless you live under a rock that you are not aware of this whole swine flu fiasco in Mexico. I must first say how proud I am of the Mexican gov't for taking fast decisive steps to stop the outbreak and control the problem and the hysteria. Now if we could only have gotten the rest of the world to stop reporting that all of Mexico is lethargic and dying in the streets by the thousands then maybe it would not have been so bad. I mean, for the Mexican gov't to make such a drastic decision- shutting down gov't offices for a week, closing major tourism sights, keeping kids out of school for a week forcing parents to adjust work schedules- all in the attempt to curb the outbreak. These were major decision that they knew would drastically effect the people of the nation. And it has had a drastic effect on the people. Especially those of us that live in a tourist based economy. Mexico has easily lost millions and will lose billions of dollars because of this whole thing.

Now, I am not upset about the shut down that gov't did, I am not upset that the world was scared and worried... what i am sick of is fear mongering new media whose only goal is to keep you locked to your television and buying the next paper. Before the swine flu is was all about the cartels and how people are getting gunned down in the middle of the streets all over Mexico.

When I first started this blog I never thought that anyone would read it. I did it for me as an online journal well, people have started to read it and are genuinely interested in what is happening in our lives. and we love it. We have made so many friends from this. But what I love even more is the community of expat bloggers that you end up becoming friends with. We are all sharing a common experience and are coming from similar points of view or lifestyles from north of the boarder. We have all been reporting on this whole thing.

My traffic went from about 25 a day to 80 a day when the reports about how safe it is to travel here and how there is little to no crime or violence in my area to 189 a day with the reports of the swine flu stuff. What I do love is that there are at least so many people who are not going only on the news reports from the states and are getting information from those of us that actually live here. Anyway... that is my 2 cents. :)

There is a glow of light at the end of the tunnel. There is currently a "flu free guarantee" that is being issued by many of the big hotels in the area. The info is below from an article in "Por Esto" I took this post off my friend's blog Life's a Beach in Playa del Carmen. She put it very well so I figured... copy and paste worked best.

Thank you to everyone who has looked for your own information. For those who have researched, emailed those of us down here and have seen that this area is as amazing as it was before this whole thing.


"Whether you already have a trip planned to visit the beautiful Riviera Maya or are considering taking advantage of the fabulous deals now available in the wake of the Swine Flu scare, this article in today's "Por Esto" newspaper will be of great interest to you. A link to the online article is above and I have taken the liberty of utilizing Google Translator for your reading convenience. The translation is not 100% grammatically correct, but it is reasonable enough to follow.

With the emblem "guarantee free of influenza" (Flu Free guarantee), assures the traveler three years travel free if they have symptoms of human influenza eight days after they return from their trip by Olivia Vázquez Hotel chains in the Mexican Caribbean began a more aggressive campaigns that have been internationally to revive international tourism. With the emblem "guarantee free of influenza (Flu Free guarantee) that assures the traveler three years travel free if they have symptoms of human influenza eight days after he returns from his trip, which seeks to demonstrate the confidence that exists by destino.Dentro of health promotion strategies, the hotel sector in coordination with the Resort, this week will be sending a personalized letter to U.S. President Barack Obama or Hilary Clinton Secretary of State, to be published in the U.S. newspaper circulation where it is requested adjournment of the alert (warning) indicates that travel to Mexico only if absolutely necessary because it inhibits the influx of tourism. Zalvidea Fernando Garcia, director of the Grand Resort Hotel and the Best Day tour operator, said that at least five thousand hotel rooms as Secrets, Royal Resort, Charisma and others who joined the campaign, but it is estimated as we go on to join other hotel chains to strengthen advocacy in Mexico. This promotion started yesterday and will run through the main cities of United States and Canada in order to revive the tourist markets, since it is in promoting the confidence of the Mexican Caribbean operates to the highest standards of hygiene and safety and ensures the health of the destination. Additional to this promotion, special packages are added to the hotel is offering value-added as a free night, tickets to recreational parks, archaeological sites, free dinners, spa services, etc. The hotel considered a leader who is now the best time Mexican travel to the Caribbean, and that excellence in service is reflected directly in the personal and the atmosphere of trust that is generated. Hence also be sought this week to lift the warnings issued to the passenger who was referred to visit Mexico, and that still prevails announcement issued two weeks ago, and that conditions be changed. In fact it as well as shipping and airlines already provide for the revitalization and have started to sell the destination. The letter is prepared in the state's Tourism Council is expected to be released this week to further accelerate the process of recovery and moving on reservations, which for now remain at the minimum levels, although it began to flow.
By May 25, with the celebration of Memorial Week which is held in United States, you could earn points in hotel occupancy, which is still at levels 20 to 24% in most developments.

Please contact your local travel agent for more details, restrictions and information from the hotel chains participating in this interesting offer.

Looking for Real Estate in Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya?
Visit our website www.BuyPlaya.com."

Well, that is certainly the question for so many people right now. There is so much media reporting on the outbreak (both accurate and some fear mongering) that this is a really hard decision. It really is a personal decision.

Personally for me, I would still travel. Here in Tulum, other then being a little light on people things are running pretty much like normal. Most of the people I know are not concerned with getting sick and are not changing too much in their day.

I know many people who are going to travel here sort of unexpectedly because there are some good deals to be found right now. Airlines, I am sure will be offering some good prices in the near future to help rebound their lost profits and hotels here really want bodies in them.

So for all of the people that are on the fence... I hope that you do decide to come. In my opinion this whole thing is not nearly as scary as it is being made out to be. What is scary is that this is a new illness that no one is vaccinated for. That I understand. I see why that is scary. But the images that people have of thousands of sick and infected people wandering the area like zombies is not the case.

The only part where I would even think of getting nervous is the airplane and I almost always get sick after being in an airplane.

I am really happy about the amount of people that are doing their own research and asking questions in order to make their decision.

This is a great article that I saw linked to from Countdown to Mexico. I thought that it really put some things in perspective and gave a new look at this problem. Check out the article here. Also, Canuck in Cancun is very good at reporting on issues here in the Cancun area.

I know that when my husband and I go on vacation we love taking our kids but there are times that we would love to have a quite lunch or dinner just the 2 of us. Especially here in Tulum, Mexico where there are so many romantic restaurants on the beach. These romantic meals can be thwarted by your kids no matter how wonderful they are.

There are so many activities in this area that really should be experienced but sometimes cannot be due to the ages of some of the kids. The ruins are beautiful and wonderful to explore, but a 2 year old just does not care. Going diving or snorkeling at one of the amazing cenotes is a truly remarkable thrill, but if you are traveling with kids, this is not possible. An ATV tour through the jungle may not be the best idea with a 2 year old. And a dinner on the beach is a highlight of many trips, but one made more enjoyable when all you have to do is stare at each other rather then asking your kids to stop throwing carrots at each other and to please eat their dinner.

I know that I love all the time that I get to spend with my kids when we are on vacation, but there are certain times that I treasure just with my husband. And I want everyone who visits to have a few of those remarkable moments.

I am an American woman living in Tulum, Mexico with my Mexican husband and my 2 children 5 & 4. We know so many great things to do both in our home and around town. I was formally certified in CPR, infant CPR and first aid, although I have not renewed here in Mexico since moving here almost a year ago.

If you are interested in getting a babysitter while you are here, please let me know. I have a very flexible schedule and love kids. If you would like to set something up or you have any questions and would like some more information, please contact me. I can be reached at 415-738-0739 (USA number- no international charges) or at mindyintulum@yahoo.com.

Tulum is a magical place that has so many experiences that need to be treasured. I would be happy to help in any way that I can.

Mindy

Okay. So now that we are here. here are the pics from when we surprised grandma. It was so cute. I got in late at night and Juana picked us up at the airport. After sleeping at her house we all went to breakfast. I was going to surprise her sister and her kids but I guess that on her way to the restaurant she had called Ruben and he told her I was here. WTF!!! After a month of keeping it secret. Juana brought us up here to surprise the family and the cat got out of the bag at the last minute. It was not that big of a deal because the kids were really surprised and they loved it.

But the really great part was that after breakfast we went to pick up Ruben's mom. She had absolutely no idea that we were coming at all. I was in Juana's car and as we pulled up and I jumped out... well , I mean you can see it on her face. It was classic. Akilean was in the back seat and they quickly started hugging and kissing. Lena was in Lupe's car (Ruben's other sister) and so as soon as they came to a stop Kennedy jumped into her grandma's arms. It was really cute. By no-- obviously Ruben's mom is crying her eyes out. It was so cute.

That afternoon I went with Ruben's parents to visit Ruben's little brother Cesar. It was really great to see him too. I miss him a lot. We were always very close.

That was a few days ago but I am just getting around to blogging about it. A lot of this is not in the line of time... I still have a lot to say about the wedding and Chichen Itza and all.

I took Akilean on a date this morning. I love going on dates. The other day I went with Lena and my niece Melanie. We amped up on the walk saying it was a "ladies Lunch" and we were all going to be ladies like the princesses. And they had a great time. Well Today was Akilean.

It was fun because on our walk we came to the old SF library on 5th and mission. Well, he wanted to spend 15 minutes walking on the edge holding on to the railing. "okay, we have all the time in the world" It was so cute. He spent some time on this project of making it all the way to the other end. ( A victory marked by a hige high 5!) The funny thing was that 1) we had a small audience by the end of it and 2) almost at the very last point (after about 12 minutes of focus) he jumps down, reaches his hand in through the gate to the grass and grabs a dandilion and hands it to me with a huge proud smile, and then jumps back up on the edge! This kid is a great date.

We go to breakfast again at my friends restaurant where the benefit of eating there is great food and lots of it for a next to nothing price. And Akilean is just such a little gentlemen the whole time. He asked for a cup of tea and actually drank it. He ate a bunch of fresh berries (which is hard to get in my area of Mexico) and was polite and kind the whole time. It was great.

Then later on tonight I made dinner for Ruben's family. And this is one of the few times that I have so far. Usually a Thanksgiving style dinner or a birthday party but this was one of the rare times that I just made dinner for the family. I made one of my favorite dishes. -- A chorizo, veggie sauce over spaghetti. The family loved it.- It turned out really good.

I am having a really good time with Ruben's family but I really miss Ruben. I am so glad we have the vonage phone and I can call him anytime that I want when he is not at work. That makes it feel like he is closer. I know that he wishes he were here too. We are happy living were we live and we do not want to leave Mexico but I know that he wishes he could be around his family.

Okay... so I have not been able to blog about this because Juana, Ruben's sister, and I wanted to keep it a surprise for his family up here but we are in San Francisco. I am so excited about being here. Ruben and I lived here for so long and we loved it so much. I miss the energy of this place. The flight was tough. There were 2. The first was only only 2 hours to Mexico City and went very well. The 2nd was about 4.5 hours and was late and there was turbulence. I hate turbulence.


I must say that I love flying on Mexicana. In my opinion it is the best airline to fly to Mexico. They have a good baggage policy, free food and drinks (even cocktails) and the nicest people. There are lots of flights and they are on time. The food was also very good.


I had a wonderful day yesterday. When we woke up, I took the girls to breakfast at my friends restaurant in the very fancy Intercontinental Hotel here. The breakfast was very nice. The berries were my favorite. After breakfast I took Lena and Melanie over to the store to buy a few things that Lena needed.
The girls got matching dresses and ran around Yerba Buena park while I sat and talked with my friend Heidi. We took the girls to a grea frozen yogurt place. There were a bunch of flavors to try and every topping that you could hope for.



Later that night I went to dinner with Juana and Heidi at my favorite restaurant, the Mona Lisa. This is the only thing that I ever sent Ruben our for when i was pregnant. My favorite dish is the tortellini with a gorgonzola cheese sauce. It was even as yummy as I remember. Dinner was amazing and then we went over to Juana's husband's work. It is a really fancy restaurant bar and so it was really fun.