Hi everyone, I thought you might enjoy my podcast: - - Martinez
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Hi everyone, I thought you might enjoy my podcast: Monday, May 4, 2009
Dilatory - adjective
1- tending for intended to cause delay
2- characterized by procrastination: tardy
I decided to wait until midnight to post my blog, so I could show my lack of planning and express a little bit of a "dilatory fashion". Hopefully this decision will not affect my grade because of this posting ;-) I knew exactly what I was going to write about even though I waited until now. I thought of the essay "Vuelva usted mañana" by José de Lara when I heard this word. This essay was written in 19th century and when we read it today, we notice that nothing has changed - we are still telling people "Come back tomorrow". We (Hispanics) are always late arriving to events, we love to take our "siestas" in the middle of the day, and things don't bother us as much as they should. Is that true?
I can write a whole book about our culture and explain how we see things differently, but there is no time right now because I waited until the last minute to post my blog. Can I say that it is ok for me to arrive to an even late just because that's part of my culture? What's culture? The only thing I can say is that I have had to change a few things since I moved to the states. I try to be on time even though I still don't undertand the importance of arriving on time to a social event, Im not allowed or there is no time to take a siesta, and I try to pretend things bother me, so I don't offend people sometimes. It is very interesting! I'm still trying to live in both worlds.
The essay by Lara tells how someone has to go through many different situations and is always told "Come back tomorrow".
The following is an excerpt:
1- tending for intended to cause delay
2- characterized by procrastination: tardy
I decided to wait until midnight to post my blog, so I could show my lack of planning and express a little bit of a "dilatory fashion". Hopefully this decision will not affect my grade because of this posting ;-) I knew exactly what I was going to write about even though I waited until now. I thought of the essay "Vuelva usted mañana" by José de Lara when I heard this word. This essay was written in 19th century and when we read it today, we notice that nothing has changed - we are still telling people "Come back tomorrow". We (Hispanics) are always late arriving to events, we love to take our "siestas" in the middle of the day, and things don't bother us as much as they should. Is that true?
I can write a whole book about our culture and explain how we see things differently, but there is no time right now because I waited until the last minute to post my blog. Can I say that it is ok for me to arrive to an even late just because that's part of my culture? What's culture? The only thing I can say is that I have had to change a few things since I moved to the states. I try to be on time even though I still don't undertand the importance of arriving on time to a social event, Im not allowed or there is no time to take a siesta, and I try to pretend things bother me, so I don't offend people sometimes. It is very interesting! I'm still trying to live in both worlds.
The essay by Lara tells how someone has to go through many different situations and is always told "Come back tomorrow".
The following is an excerpt:
—Vuelva usted mañana —nos respondió la criada—, porque el señor no se ha levantado todavía.
—Come back tomorrow —the maid answered us—, because el señor has still not got up.
—Vuelva usted mañana —nos dijo al siguiente día—, porque el amo acaba de salir.
—Come back tomorrow —she told us the next day—, because the master has just gone out.
—Vuelva usted mañana —nos respondió al otro—, porque el amo está durmiendo la siesta.
—Come back tomorrow —she replied the day after—, because the master is sleeping the siesta.
—Vuelva usted mañana —nos respondió el lunes siguiente—, porque hoy ha ido a los toros.
—Come back tomorrow —she replied the following Monday—, because today he has gone to the bullfight.
—¿Qué día, a qué hora se ve a un español? Vímosle por fin, y Vuelva usted mañana —nos dijo—, porque se me ha olvidado. Vuelva usted mañana, porque no está en limpio.
—On which day, at what time, can one see a Spaniard? We finally saw him, and Come back tomorrow —he said —, because I had forgotten. Come back tomorrow, because the final draft isn’t ready.
Come back tomorrow because I might post some comments on your blog. Chao!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Diaphanous
According to the definition it is something of so fine a texture as to be transparent. Without a doubt the first thing that came to my mind was a very popular legend in Puerto Rico. Guánica is a little town in the South but rich in history. Sugarcane factory was one of the main and principal jobs for many PuertoRicans. It is not documented when the first plants of sugar cane arrived in Puerto Rico, but it is believed that it was when Juan Ponce de León began colonizing the island. Then later Americans built factories across the island and also built their own small communities around these. Today those houses are called “casas americanas” because they were built by Americans. There is one famous road that takes you to this little town and the legend says that an American woman was killed in a accident around that area, so she appears sometimes at night. She was described as a young American lady wearing a white dress but almost sheer. It was so thin and diaphanous that you could barely see it. I remember as a child riding with my parents and dad would always say… “close your eyes if you don’t want to be scared”. My aunt bought one of those houses “casas americanas” and I was always scared to be at her house at night when I was little girl. Now this road is one of my favorite places and I think it is just a beautiful ride to get to my hometown. I have a picture of this road in my living room and I can honestly say that I had forgotten about the legend until now. Now every time I’m in the living room at night I think of the white American woman with a long, white and diaphanous dress. Am I still scared?
According to the definition it is something of so fine a texture as to be transparent. Without a doubt the first thing that came to my mind was a very popular legend in Puerto Rico. Guánica is a little town in the South but rich in history. Sugarcane factory was one of the main and principal jobs for many PuertoRicans. It is not documented when the first plants of sugar cane arrived in Puerto Rico, but it is believed that it was when Juan Ponce de León began colonizing the island. Then later Americans built factories across the island and also built their own small communities around these. Today those houses are called “casas americanas” because they were built by Americans. There is one famous road that takes you to this little town and the legend says that an American woman was killed in a accident around that area, so she appears sometimes at night. She was described as a young American lady wearing a white dress but almost sheer. It was so thin and diaphanous that you could barely see it. I remember as a child riding with my parents and dad would always say… “close your eyes if you don’t want to be scared”. My aunt bought one of those houses “casas americanas” and I was always scared to be at her house at night when I was little girl. Now this road is one of my favorite places and I think it is just a beautiful ride to get to my hometown. I have a picture of this road in my living room and I can honestly say that I had forgotten about the legend until now. Now every time I’m in the living room at night I think of the white American woman with a long, white and diaphanous dress. Am I still scared?
Acedia
I never thought it would be difficult to find a concept in my culture that had an indifferent and apathy tone. I couldn’t think of anything that I have learned in the past based on my experiences or just plain general knowledge of the Spanish culture. I remember very clearly of being told not to be that way or promote that behavior or feeling at all. One of our biggest celebration of the year is the “La llegada del Año Nuevo” – welcoming the New Year. During this celebration it is very important that you have a good time with family and friends. It is also necessary that you take the time to thank everyone and count your blessings. It is a night full of different emotions. I never understood why my family had an awesome time until almost midnight. Around 11:45 people would start gathering in a circle to get ready to recite “El Brindis del Bohemio”. This poem written by a Mexican writer in 1912 has become part of a Puertorican tradition during our celebration of New Year’s Eve. This poem talks about how we should be thankful and remember our family. Family and friends welcome the New Year together and this is when most of them feel very nostalgic and start singing the song “Mi Viejo San Juan” which talks about being away from the island. I believe during this gathering gives them the opportunity to look forward to new opportunities in the New Year, but also the sadness of being away of some family member because they have deceased or just immigrate to other countries looking for a better life. This night has always been very important to me because I was taught to give thanks and welcome the New Year with open arms. “El Brindis del Bohemio’ is also one of my podcasts. Enjoy!!
I never thought it would be difficult to find a concept in my culture that had an indifferent and apathy tone. I couldn’t think of anything that I have learned in the past based on my experiences or just plain general knowledge of the Spanish culture. I remember very clearly of being told not to be that way or promote that behavior or feeling at all. One of our biggest celebration of the year is the “La llegada del Año Nuevo” – welcoming the New Year. During this celebration it is very important that you have a good time with family and friends. It is also necessary that you take the time to thank everyone and count your blessings. It is a night full of different emotions. I never understood why my family had an awesome time until almost midnight. Around 11:45 people would start gathering in a circle to get ready to recite “El Brindis del Bohemio”. This poem written by a Mexican writer in 1912 has become part of a Puertorican tradition during our celebration of New Year’s Eve. This poem talks about how we should be thankful and remember our family. Family and friends welcome the New Year together and this is when most of them feel very nostalgic and start singing the song “Mi Viejo San Juan” which talks about being away from the island. I believe during this gathering gives them the opportunity to look forward to new opportunities in the New Year, but also the sadness of being away of some family member because they have deceased or just immigrate to other countries looking for a better life. This night has always been very important to me because I was taught to give thanks and welcome the New Year with open arms. “El Brindis del Bohemio’ is also one of my podcasts. Enjoy!!
Biannual
I thought knowing the meaning of the word was going to make this process easier – I was wrong! I have spent a lot of time thinking about what to write that occurs once every two years but related to a cultural event about the Spanish culture. I don’t like to read the other blogs until I have chosen my topic, that way I don’t try to choose something similar. Blogs are kind of personal, so I always try to find something related to my own experiences.
I had a conversation with a friend last week about the situation of the flu concerns and he was telling me about what the government’s plan. He works for the National Air Force in Fort Smith in the medical field. He reminded me of our famous Air show at the base here in Fort Smith and it is a biannual event. Why the Air Show? This event offers entertainment and education to our community. Usually I have the opportunity to work as a volunteer and help somehow during the show. I have noticed how the attendance of members of our Hispanic community has increased over the years and I have always wondered if the number of Hispanics joining the Armed Forces has increased as well. I did a little research to find out more information about this topic. Joining the military is a common thing among Puertoricans. Many of them choose this route and make a career of it. Growing up in Puerto Rico and then in Clarksville, TN helped me understand the military life a little better. Fort Campbell is located ten minutes from my second hometown, so I had the opportunity to be involved and learn about being part of the military. One of the things I have always heard from many Puertoricans soldier is that they miss their island. They always refer to a song that talks about leaving and not being able to come back to the island. They can identify themselves with the lyrics and always refer to the song when talking about their experiences during their time of service. It is a beautiful song and I have to say that I get a little emotional when I hear it. It really touches our heart. The lyrics of this song are one of my podcasts. Enjoy!
The reasons why Latinos are drawn the military vary:
· aggressive recruiters who pry on youth (my brother in law was a recruiter for eleven
years)
· the enticement of skipping the usual five years that legal permanent residents must want
before applying for citizenship, the immigrant’s desire assimilate
· a way to pursue an education
· a sense of pride about serving for this country
More information!
· Latinos’ representation has been highest in the Marine Corps and lowest in the Air Force
· Marine Corps culture appeals to Hispanic values given the high representation of Latinos,
it is clearly not just the macho image of the Marine Corps that appeals to Hispanics.
· Latino representation in the Navy has been rising.
· By September 2006, the contributed 14 percent of Navy enlisted personnel about the same
as in the Marine Corps that year.
· The past 20 years have witnessed dramatic increases in the percentage of Latinos (of both
sexes) among active duty enlisted personnel
I thought knowing the meaning of the word was going to make this process easier – I was wrong! I have spent a lot of time thinking about what to write that occurs once every two years but related to a cultural event about the Spanish culture. I don’t like to read the other blogs until I have chosen my topic, that way I don’t try to choose something similar. Blogs are kind of personal, so I always try to find something related to my own experiences.
I had a conversation with a friend last week about the situation of the flu concerns and he was telling me about what the government’s plan. He works for the National Air Force in Fort Smith in the medical field. He reminded me of our famous Air show at the base here in Fort Smith and it is a biannual event. Why the Air Show? This event offers entertainment and education to our community. Usually I have the opportunity to work as a volunteer and help somehow during the show. I have noticed how the attendance of members of our Hispanic community has increased over the years and I have always wondered if the number of Hispanics joining the Armed Forces has increased as well. I did a little research to find out more information about this topic. Joining the military is a common thing among Puertoricans. Many of them choose this route and make a career of it. Growing up in Puerto Rico and then in Clarksville, TN helped me understand the military life a little better. Fort Campbell is located ten minutes from my second hometown, so I had the opportunity to be involved and learn about being part of the military. One of the things I have always heard from many Puertoricans soldier is that they miss their island. They always refer to a song that talks about leaving and not being able to come back to the island. They can identify themselves with the lyrics and always refer to the song when talking about their experiences during their time of service. It is a beautiful song and I have to say that I get a little emotional when I hear it. It really touches our heart. The lyrics of this song are one of my podcasts. Enjoy!
The reasons why Latinos are drawn the military vary:
· aggressive recruiters who pry on youth (my brother in law was a recruiter for eleven
years)
· the enticement of skipping the usual five years that legal permanent residents must want
before applying for citizenship, the immigrant’s desire assimilate
· a way to pursue an education
· a sense of pride about serving for this country
More information!
· Latinos’ representation has been highest in the Marine Corps and lowest in the Air Force
· Marine Corps culture appeals to Hispanic values given the high representation of Latinos,
it is clearly not just the macho image of the Marine Corps that appeals to Hispanics.
· Latino representation in the Navy has been rising.
· By September 2006, the contributed 14 percent of Navy enlisted personnel about the same
as in the Marine Corps that year.
· The past 20 years have witnessed dramatic increases in the percentage of Latinos (of both
sexes) among active duty enlisted personnel
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Purfle - to finish with an ornamental border.
The definition said this border is usually found on an instrument (violin/guitar), but I thought of how I spent hours and hours decorating a fan when I was in Elementary school in Puerto Rico. One of the most famous dances we learned and performed was "La danza". We had to make our own fan because it was part of the costume and it was the most fun part of the whole event. I remember having to learn the dance and create my own fan for my sixth grade graduation. The most important part of creating our own unique fan was the border around the fan. We were able to pick our favorite color or ornaments.
I never knew the meaning of the fan or the "language of the fan". I was very young and maybe that's why the teachers never talked about the real meaning or how the fan was used to communicate with the man - your dance partner. When I was in graduate school, I had to write a paper about the Puerto Rican music in relation to poetry. This is how I learned about the true meaning of the fan when dancing "La danza".
Some examples:
- If the lady moved her fan very slowly over the chest it meant: "I am free and available, I don't have a boyfriend".
-Is she moved the fan in fast and short movements over her chest it meant: "I have a partner or boyfriend, so keep going".
-If she opened and closed her fan and touched her cheek with it, it told the gentleman: "I like you".
-If she placed the fan on her temple and looked upwards, it said: "I think of you day and night".
-If she saw her boyfriend talking to another girl or suspected he was being unfaithful she touched the tip of her nose with her fan, meaning: "Something doesn't smell good here".
-If she walked from side to side hitting the palm of her hand with the fan, it meant: Be careful, honey, the "Chaperona" is coming".
-If she opened and closed the fan and then pointed with it toward the garden: "wait for me there, sweetheart. Soon I will be there with you".
-If she covered her mouth with the open fan and looked at him very suggestively she was sending him a kiss, and obviously, the gentleman knew he was the chosen one!
There are lot more meanings and I have always thought this was quite interesting. I think today we would send a text instead of using a fan!
The definition said this border is usually found on an instrument (violin/guitar), but I thought of how I spent hours and hours decorating a fan when I was in Elementary school in Puerto Rico. One of the most famous dances we learned and performed was "La danza". We had to make our own fan because it was part of the costume and it was the most fun part of the whole event. I remember having to learn the dance and create my own fan for my sixth grade graduation. The most important part of creating our own unique fan was the border around the fan. We were able to pick our favorite color or ornaments.
I never knew the meaning of the fan or the "language of the fan". I was very young and maybe that's why the teachers never talked about the real meaning or how the fan was used to communicate with the man - your dance partner. When I was in graduate school, I had to write a paper about the Puerto Rican music in relation to poetry. This is how I learned about the true meaning of the fan when dancing "La danza".
Some examples:
- If the lady moved her fan very slowly over the chest it meant: "I am free and available, I don't have a boyfriend".
-Is she moved the fan in fast and short movements over her chest it meant: "I have a partner or boyfriend, so keep going".
-If she opened and closed her fan and touched her cheek with it, it told the gentleman: "I like you".
-If she placed the fan on her temple and looked upwards, it said: "I think of you day and night".
-If she saw her boyfriend talking to another girl or suspected he was being unfaithful she touched the tip of her nose with her fan, meaning: "Something doesn't smell good here".
-If she walked from side to side hitting the palm of her hand with the fan, it meant: Be careful, honey, the "Chaperona" is coming".
-If she opened and closed the fan and then pointed with it toward the garden: "wait for me there, sweetheart. Soon I will be there with you".
-If she covered her mouth with the open fan and looked at him very suggestively she was sending him a kiss, and obviously, the gentleman knew he was the chosen one!
There are lot more meanings and I have always thought this was quite interesting. I think today we would send a text instead of using a fan!
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