Cherry Blossom Candy Leaf

This is long overdue. I've been thinking about this post at least once a week since mid February when we went on a Guatemalan adventure. We had a four day weekend for President's Day, found a great deal on a flight and hotel, and headed out late Thursday night to Guatemala City. Our final destination was Antigua, a beautiful Spanish colonial city. This is a great place to learn Spanish because of it's many language schools that are reasonable in price or take a cooking class. Yoga studios are also opening up, so Antigua is a great place for a little retreat. Besides that, it is a place of tremendous beauty and history.

We took the red eye Thursday evening and arrived in a land of volcanoes very early on Friday.

We drove to our hotel in Antigua, unloaded our bags and napped before exploring the city.

We walked into the heart of Antigua, Parque Central. Ruins greeted us on every street along the way.




We spent the first day orienting ourselves with the city. Here we are in Parque Central where Jacaranda trees enclose the park.

Later in the afternoon, we went to a yoga class arranged by one of the 13 people that was on the trip.

We had dinner at Frida's which is quite famous for their delicious margaritas.


The following day, we had hoped to hike to Pacaya Volcano, but because we hadn't arranged it in advance, we got up really early to see if we could get a ride there. Luckily we found a group that was headed that way, and although we had to pay a little more, about $9 each, we tagged along and headed back toward Guatemala City. I knew that we would have to go up hill, but I had no idea that it was up hill the WHOLE WAY. I was about a month into my diet and exercise routine and not in the shape necessary. I was walking so slow, that the 6 year old on horseback kept saying, "Taxi, lady." I didn't want to be the lazy American so I refused. Everyone else in our group was European and totally fit. In fact, the 60 year old Italian even smoked on the way up and had no problems. All the walking they have to do in Europe really puts them at an advantage. I, on the other hand, was breathing hard, sweating and wanting to cry when our guide asked me to hurry.

"Taxi, lady!"

This was my quitting point.

Looking up toward Ben and the Euro hikers.

Ben looks like he is on the moon!

The Volcano!!!






While he checked out the lava up close, I enjoyed the horses.

When we returned, we continued our walk through Antigua.


We checked out one of Antigua's famous sites, the Arco de Santa Catalina. This is the only remaining structure from the Convent of St. Catherine which was founded in 1613 and had only 4 nuns at the time. With the number of nuns increasing, they were forced to expand across the street. Building the yellow arch in 1693 allowed the nuns to cross from the original building to its addition without being seen.






Walking below the arch, we were lead to the Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de La Merced.

Later, Ben and I had a typical Guatemalan lunch on the second floor of an old colonial building.

After more exploring, we ended the evening at a restaurant with my friend Kari and her daughter Megan.

Ben ordered a large beer, but we had no idea what that meant.


Kari wanted to try some Gallo, so in my wonderful Spanish I asked the waiter to bring another box, so Kari could sample it. Megan informed me later that the word for cup is taza (and not caja = box). Ah, the joys of being a tourist in a Spanish speaking town.

Our last full day in Guatemala was an adventure as well. We took a van to the Guatemalan highlands to a town called Chichicastenango. Most days, it is a sleepy town. On Thursdays and Sundays, however, it hosts Central America's largest market. Row after row of stalls selling handmade items, food, animals, etc.,. cover every inch of walking space. It was unbelievable! Ben and I made our way through the maze and bought some beautiful things!

You could buy just about anything there.








Including plenty of dead things and living things. It was crazy!!!




As you weave through the stalls, you can eventually end up on the steps of the Iglesia de Santo Tomas that is busy with worshippers all day. The church itself dates back to 1540 and was built on a Mayan Temple. Mayan ceremonies are still practiced alongside Catholicism. It is an incredible sight to see.

Flowers can be purchased on the church steps.

A man waving incense which has darkened the once white steps.


We visited Hotel Santo Tomas which is built in the Spanish style around a central courtyard filled with colorful parrots.


The town's cemetery.
When we returned to Antigua after the long drive from Chichi, we met up with Kari and Megan once again to explore Antigua. We weren't sure where we were going and ended up at the Monasterio San Francisco. Guatemala is very proud of their own saint, Pedro de San Jose Betancur. Born in the Canary Islands in 1626, he came to Central America when he was 31. He became a very familiar sight on Antigua's streets, ringing a bell and collecting money for the poor and homeless. Unfortunately, he was unable to pass the necessary tests to be ordained as a priest. His many good works, however, led many to call him the "St. Francis of the Americas". He is often credited with originating the custom of posada, which is the procession seen throughout Latin America before Christmas in which people reenact Mary and Joseph's search for a room for the night. Pope John Paul II canonized Pedro in 2002 and his tomb at the monastery is a revered landmark. Many miracles are attributed to Pedro and the people of Guatemala believe that a prayer and tap on the casket will send you help.





I didn't ask San Pedro for help that day, only hoped to return to Guatemala again.

Early the following morning we headed back to the airport in Guatemala City and boarded the plane for a short flight home.

This is so sweet. Be sure to have your kleenex handy.

I have a hard time keeping up with this blog because uploading the pictures takes so long, and I am all about the photos. So here are the last few months in abbreviated form.

At the end of the summer, I took an art class in Santa Barbara. I've been taking the class each summer for the last few years, but this time, two of my friends joined me. The classroom is at the Cliff House which overlooks the ocean at the UCSB campus. It is an inspiring place to work and take breaks in between projects.


One day, we went on a field trip to the San Barbara Museum of Art. One of our teachers, Joni Chancer, taught us ways to look at and discuss art so that we can teach our students how to do the same. We had to pair up at the museum and follow the outline of given directions and questions to consider. Below are a few of the images that interested me.


This is a portrait made out of fingerprints. I made a few small pieces of art. We worked mostly in acrylic paints this year. I made the cards below (maybe you received one in the mail) using a stamp that I made from styrofoam. Then I drew in the designs using Sharpies. I had a good time with it. I also began my own version of a Mexican retablo. We used acrylics on a metal panel. Like the Mexican retablo artists do, we used our retablos to show gratitude for something. I had a hard time narrowing it down. We also painted an ocean landscape on a large canvas. This was really hard for me, but I did get the hang of it (although I still have not finished it).
Our friends Brian and Lacey got married on the beach in Malibu. They had a party at Lacey's mom's house to celebrate. Below is a picture of Ben and the boys and me in Eric's funny glasses.

Grandma's cousin, Flory, passed away. We have become close to her grand children, Lisa and David. They both spoke at her funeral. Flory was a strong and inspirational woman. Before the service, we visited Ben's grandparents' graves.

Every September for the last 12 years or so, Ben and I, along with his family have been driving up to Pismo Beach. It's been different now that Marilyn is gone, so this year may have been our last. Ben's mom loved it there and it really isn't the same anymore.


We went wine tasting one day. It is so beautiful driving through the vineyards.


Ben tries the wine every year and each year he says, "Beer is better."

Danny came with us. He enjoyed the grapes.


We built a small vegetable garden in our backyard. We have had several heads of lettuce, peas, tomatoes, green onions, and several herbs already. This is what it looked like after we put the seeds in the dirt. It looks much different now. I "sewed" together the metal cover to keep Bula and the birds out. We also discovered a bird and her nest.
Shortly after, the babies hatched.

Bula has had several play dates. He loves it when other dogs come over to the house to play. Here he is with his dad and two girlfriends, Rissa (the shitzu) and Sadie (the pug).

We also went to see the Kings exhibition game against the Avalanche in Vegas with my mom and sister. Keith and Danny came along and stayed in the free room that Gabby got. It was an exciting game with lots of fights and penalty minutes. We sat very close to the ice: I will have to post some fight footage later on.

At one of the intermissions, they had a deflatable Bailey come out on the ice. It's a costume that's filled with air.It was really funny looking and every time I think of it, I laugh.


Ben and I went to Olvera Street in search of the skirt I wore for Halloween.
The Catholics were out in full swing. There were many people in purple robes. Babies and kids were being picked up to kiss a wooden painting of Jesus. Maybe you can fill me in on what this ceremony was.

I started my new job at the district office. My friend Kari and I sit across from each other. We talk and laugh all day, sometimes we have cried, but mostly we eat cream puffs.

One day, we decided to go to Venice and we didn't have to do sub plans!

During the fires this year, we shared the district office with the firefighters who came from across the country. Because education is a profession full of women, we were very happy to have the men around. And in a profession full of men, the firefighters were happy to see us each day, too. Here they are sleeping in front of my car in the parking lot. All the women in my office still miss them.

Ben and I have been slowly doing things around the house. I painted the kitchen lime green and Ben painted the piece of wood that keeps our sliding door locked. I waited until he was vulnerable, to paint his hand and face. Bula helps when he can.

We also live about a mile from Moorpark college. They have their own zoo there and teach students to be animal trainers.




We have had an exciting few months.

Ben and I had a great Halloween. We decorated the house for the first time which was new and exciting, I liked my costume, Bula was adorable, and we went to Knott's Scary Farm!

On Halloween night, Bula tried on several costumes. He was able to tolerate the one you see below. That may have been because his chihuahua boyfriend, Chico, also tried it on.


He was not happy with his pumpkin costume at all.

He was pissed.

He ended up welcoming kids in his fur alone, and he was so excited!

We also decorated the house for our first Halloween there. (Ben put on my bee costume from last year after this picture was taken.)



I dressed up as Frieda Kahlo which was fun. I was told twice that it was "too intellectual" of a costume and because most of my neighbors had no idea what I was, that might have been the truth. I got the opportunity to teach the local kids a little bit about the life of the artist - just what they wanted when they knocked on my door. I even drew on a unibrow and darkened my natural moustache (pretty, I know)!


The night after Halloween, Ben took me to Knott's Scary Farm. It was fun and terrifying. We went through several mazes where horrible creatures jumped out at us. After we went through our first maze, The Doll Factory, we came out to see two scary goblins looking down at us from a bridge. I thought, "They can't scare me. I can see them already." Just as the thought entered my mind, one of the beasts swung a medieval hatchet at me, stopping an inch from my face. In one of the mazes, there was a midget in a scary costume crawling on the floor. Monsters were hiding on shelves, under beds, and behind corners and curtains all over the park. I had a fat lip from screaming and jumping into Ben's shoulder. He kept asking me, "Oh my God, are you really scared?" And I was, but I liked it, too. There were really tall and really short men dressed up as scary clowns and a tall skeleton chased me around the park. I kept turning around to see him focusing on me and my fear, and when I couldn't run any more, I contemplated curling up in a fetal position on the ground. There were tons of creatures roaming around and when they'd get a free stretch of walkway, they would slide toward you on their knees which were protected by metal pads that sparked in the night. They reminded me of the scary guys on wheels in Return to Oz (I love that movie! Fairuza rules!) They also had 3-D mazes where you wore the glasses and everything was distorted and bright. People were dressed up as the wall paper in the mazes and it was truly scary seeing them just leaning against the wall, not knowing when or if they were going to make a move. The picture below was taken just before we entered the Las Vegas 3-D maze. The girl you see with me was yelling insults at people and just being a foul individual (I look pretty scary myself. Ignore me, but look at her!). She was funny! I can't wait to go back next year.

Somewhere along the boardwalk in Venice...


Here's my official ballot, cast today!

So I recently saw the move "Once" starring Glen Hansard of The Frames and Marketa Irglova, a traditionally trained Czech musician. The movie was written by the former bassist of The Frames. It was really good and the soundtrack is awesome. Now the two stars of the movie play together in a band called The Swell Season. Glen Hansard has an amazing voice. I recently found a live concert that they performed in Washington D.C. You can listen to it and download it. I like to put it on when I'm going to spend a lot of time in front of the computer (like when I wrote my prior post).