Friday, November 13, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Dia De Los Muertos
Mom and Pop are out for a visit, so we decided to take them for a train ride to Olvera Street for Day of the Dead.
Families often spend time at the cemetery with loved ones, bringing food and drink along with all the other necessities for a picnic. However, at this picnic the deceased is the guest of honor. Dia de los Muertos is a time of joy because we know that we are surrounded by those that we love—both living and dead. People often compare Dia de los Muertos to Halloween, and while at first glance there may appear to be a similarity, in truth the two celebrations are quite different. Halloween is a European holiday that is based on their concept of death, which is vastly different from the original Aztec meaning. The Aztecs beliefs were very similar to the Aboriginal beliefs of Australia. This life is considered to be a dream and when you die, you awake to your real life. Halloween, on the other hand, is celebrated with witches, demons and monsters and none of these are shown in a positive light.
Dia de los Muertos is celebrated throughout Mexico and the Southwest states, and coincides with the Christian All Souls and All Saints Days. On November 1st and 2nd people remember those who are deceased. November 1st is considered the Dia de los Angelitos—the day to remember children that have died, November 2nd is the traditional Dia de los Muertos (day of the dead). Pictures of the deceased are placed on Dia de los Muertos altars (ofretas) with their favorite food and drink. Candles to light their way home, and soap and water to freshen-up after their long trip back are also often placed on altars. Trinkets they were fond of, symbols they would understand, and gifts are left to communicate to them that they are always in the hearts of those they left behind, and that they are still part of the family even though they aren’t physically with us any longer.
Families often spend time at the cemetery with loved ones, bringing food and drink along with all the other necessities for a picnic. However, at this picnic the deceased is the guest of honor. Dia de los Muertos is a time of joy because we know that we are surrounded by those that we love—both living and dead. People often compare Dia de los Muertos to Halloween, and while at first glance there may appear to be a similarity, in truth the two celebrations are quite different. Halloween is a European holiday that is based on their concept of death, which is vastly different from the original Aztec meaning. The Aztecs beliefs were very similar to the Aboriginal beliefs of Australia. This life is considered to be a dream and when you die, you awake to your real life. Halloween, on the other hand, is celebrated with witches, demons and monsters and none of these are shown in a positive light.
October
This month, Dan did the Race for the Cure with the neighbors. We introduced our survivor Deneen to the race three years ago, and it's something we try to do every year with her. Unfortunately, I came down with a cold and couldn't make it, but Dan went to represent our house!
Jeanine, Dave, Dan, Mike (co-survivor), Deneen, and Jesse.
Mike and Deneen on the course...
Jesse, Dave and Dan on the course...
Jeanine, Dave, Dan, Mike (co-survivor), Deneen, and Jesse.
Mike and Deneen on the course...
Jesse, Dave and Dan on the course...September
In September, we went to Vegas again. Ciara and I were very excited to go see Brittney Spears in concert at Mandalay Bay. It was a pretty good show, her dancing is fantastic.
August
In August, we went to McGrath State Beach to camp with Ciara's family. Denise, Andrew and Ciara stayed with us in our camper. Jen and Ben came down with Nate, we were so glad they could make it. It was Nate's first camping trip!
July
In July, we went to the Colorado River with our neighbors, and later we went back to Morgan Hill for my 16th High School Reunion.
Dan and I out on the River...
Out on Lance's boat...
Jenny and I on the way to the reunion, after a stop at Rob & Colleen's house...
The girls, Me, Colleen, Jenny, Ginger, Dawn and Erica.
Dan and I out on the River...
Out on Lance's boat...
Jenny and I on the way to the reunion, after a stop at Rob & Colleen's house...
The girls, Me, Colleen, Jenny, Ginger, Dawn and Erica.
June
In June, we went to Las Vegas for Ciara's 30th birthday. Later in the month we went to Morgan Hill for my 30th Dance Reunion Recital. Yep, I danced in front of a full San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, twice!
Ciara and Denise on the way...
Denise, Melissa and I at the Hilton...
My old audit team member Dwayne met up with us at the Hilton, it was so great to catch up. He had just moved to Vegas for a job with Harrah's/Caesars. This is the guy Dan saved from a foul ball to the face at the Boston Red Sox game at Fenway a few years ago.
On to the recital...Here's the artwork for the Dance Recital. This was on posters all over town to advertise the big event.
Jenny and I started dancing in 1978, when we first met. We were some of Lana's first students, and were so happy to be there for the 30th!
This was most of the alumni group that performed...
This was the venue....
Jenny and I before the second performance of the evening...
Ciara and Denise on the way...
Denise, Melissa and I at the Hilton...
My old audit team member Dwayne met up with us at the Hilton, it was so great to catch up. He had just moved to Vegas for a job with Harrah's/Caesars. This is the guy Dan saved from a foul ball to the face at the Boston Red Sox game at Fenway a few years ago.On to the recital...Here's the artwork for the Dance Recital. This was on posters all over town to advertise the big event.
Jenny and I started dancing in 1978, when we first met. We were some of Lana's first students, and were so happy to be there for the 30th!
This was most of the alumni group that performed...This was the venue....
Jenny and I before the second performance of the evening... Our age group...
Top Row L to R: Jimene, Sarah, Me, Lana, Jenny, Christy, Pauline
Bottom Row L to R: Lottie, Jenny, Danielle, Leilani, Masumi
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