Keeping in touch with Jim

What a wonderful birthday. Ivone surprised me with a party at her mother's house and it was just perfect. She made a very healthy carrot cake with pineapple topping - yummmmmy. The tradition here is to have the celebrant take a bite out of the cake before it is cut up. I did that and it was fun. Before the festivities began they all sang Las Mañanitas for me. Las mañanitas is a traditional Mexican song that is sung on birthdays and other special occasions. It is usually sung as an early morning serenade to wake a loved one. At birthday parties it is sung before the cake is cut. There are many versions and variations to the lyrics. Here is one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCVj5izha3s&feature=related E stas son las mañanitas que cantaba el rey David Hoy por ser día de tu santo te las cantamos aquí. Despierta mi bien despierta Mira que ya amaneció Ya los pajaritos cantan La luna ya se metió. ¡Qué linda está la m...

I left Zihuatanejo, Mexico on the first week of April and returned from Oregon the first week of May. During the entire month in Oregon my head and chest were congested, my nose ran constantly and I had a nasty cough that just wouldn't let me alone. I felt tired, rundown and confused. After being back in Zihuatanejo for less than a week my head, chest and mind are clear and the cough is gone. I feel the summer heat coming on strong and I believe that it is good for me. I had a nice visit with Ivone's family on Mother's Day and I believe that they have accepted me as being part of their future. Ivone tells me that she is still pinching herself daily because she feels like this is a dream. I pinch myself now and then too. We laugh a lot, we talk a lot and it is so good to be back here walking on the beach together. Even though our communication skills are still a bit limited we are making great progress on both fronts (English and Spanish). It is also good to see...