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Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving! From an Immigrant's Perspective.


Today we celebrate what was originally a successful undocumented immigration story. I myself am writing this 5,587 miles from my original birthplace of Chicago, so I too, am an immigrant.

Hoy celebramos lo que originalmente fue una migración indocumentada. Yo mismo estoy escribiendo esto a 8.992 km de distancia de mi ciudad natal de Chicago.

This gives me a unique perspective that I did not really have before. I mean, sure, within my family my own parents migrated to the USA many years ago, settled down, met and raised a family. So yes, there always was this link to immigration. But it is very different being told about it and actually living it yourself.

Esto me da una perspectiva que no tenia antes. Claro, dentro de mi propia familia, mis propios padres emigraron hacia EEUU hace muchos años, se conocieron, trabajaron, armaron su familia. Pero, es muy distinto que te lo cuenten a vivir-lo personalmente.

I find myself so far away from my original home, with the seasons flipped on their heads, or rather with me flipped on my head about the seasons. The seasons go about their business just like they have for millions of years.

Me encuentro a largas distancias de mi país natal con las temporadas dadas vueltas.

And I just realized that these Thanksgiving parties that we celebrate in a new land should be celebrated with people who already call this place home. Just like the pilgrims, I came to a foreign land, albeit with a little more knowledge of what to expect, and with legal documentation.

Y me doy cuenta que estas fiestas que celebramos en una tierra nueva (nueva para mi), debería ser celebrada con gente a quien ya llaman a la Argentina suya. Igual a los peregrinos, yo llegué a una tierra desconocida, pero con un poco más de información sobre lo que me esperaba (y con los papeles que correspondían).

However, I still needed help figuring out how things are done here; I needed help in getting a grasp of the language, the customs, etc.

Pero igual necesitaba ayuda en aprender como se hacían las cosas acá; necesitaba ayuda en aprender el idioma, las costumbres, etc.

So yes, aside from being grateful to my family and friends; grateful for having my own business; a loving wife; beautiful kids; grandparents to spoil those same kids; I am also grateful to Argentina.

Aparte de estar agradecido a mi familia y amigos; de tener mi propio negocio, una hermosa esposa, lindas nenas, abuelos para malcriar a esas nenas. También estoy agradecido de Argentina.

I have not run into much xenophobia here.

No he tenido mucha experiencia con xenofobia acá.

The country has allowed me to come here and stay (yes, after much bureaucracy, but still finally made it).

El país me ha dejado entrar y quedar. (claro, después de mucha burocracia, pero finalmente todo bien).

I am not treated like a secondhand citizen.

No me tratan como un ciudadano de segunda mano.

I can complain about the government all I want and I don't feel like I would be pepper sprayed for it.

Siento que me puedo quejar del gobierno sin que me rocíen con pepper spray.

And then I see my own country from afar and I can't help but feel a little sad over her. In some ways she could learn a little from Argentina. The world is not black or white, but full of complicated shades. Yes, the USA does need to look a little beyond it's borders and not in a condescending way, but in a curious way. Yes, Argentina can do a better job, but she does some things right already.

Y despues miro mi propio país y me siento un poco triste por ella. En unas cosas puede aprender de Argentina. El mundo no esta divido entre lo que es negro y blanco; esta lleno de todos los colores mezclados.  Mi país debería mirar hacia afuera no en una forma condescendiente pero con curiosidad.

How do other countries deal with immigration, healthcare, civil rights, etc. We clearly are not the leaders in those areas anymore. We should look around and ask questions.

Como los otros países manejan el tema de inmigración, cuidado de salud, derechos civiles, etc. Claramente no somos lideres en esas áreas. Deberíamos mirar y hacer preguntas.



Friday, November 18, 2011

Friday Music Feature: Tycho



Once in a while iTunes gives out a free song that turns me on to some new acts that I have never heard of before and that I absolutely fall head over heals in love with.

De ves en cuando iTunes regala una canción que me da a conocer un artista a quien nunca había escuchado y con quien me enamoro inmediatamente.

Tycho's music is soothing, it's beautiful and hopeful sounding music. The album cover is a perfect symbol for the music that lays behind it.

 La música de Tycho es relajante, bella y llena de esperanza. La foto del disco nuevo es un simbolo perfecto de la música que representa.

You can listen to the whole album here.

Se puede escuchar todo el nuevo álbum acá.

Meanwhile I leave you with the song that is playing at Sugar & Spice.

Mientras tanto les dejo para escuchar la canción que tenemos en el local de Sugar & Spice.


ISO50 - Tycho's blog

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Me Has Great News!


Yep, Cookie Monster (The real one) heard about us; he knows about us. Those of you who know me are now within one degree of separation with him!

Sí, el verdadero, autentico Cookie Monster nos conoce!

He being the cookie specialist that he is, even managed to get his blue furry little hands briefly on our cookies, since they were promptly devoured.

Siendo el especialista en Cookies logró conseguir cookies nuestros, hechos en Argentina! Logró conseguirlos en Plaza Sesamo!

In the cookie business I can't think of no honor higher than this.

No puedo concebir de otro honor tan prestigioso como este.

I also can´t believe that he has heard about us in Sesame Street. I grew up watching him and loved him as a child. As a grown up, I realized that I also love his humor; it´s not just directed at little kids. This is one wicked funny monster.

No puedo creer que nos haya encontrado! Como niño lo amaba. Como adulto también lo amo y especialmente me encanta su humor. No es un humor solamente dirigido a chicos. Este es un monstruo genuinamente gracioso.

Just watch these two examples to get an idea as to what I am talking about:
 Miren estos dos ejemplos para ver de que que hablo.

Cookie Monster vs Stephen Colbert where Cookie considers himself the Robert Downey Jr. of Cookies

Here he is interviewed and gives a lesson on how to eat cookies:



And one of my favorite Cookie Monster moments was when he appeared on the Martha Stewart Show. The quality of the video is not great, but trust me, this is hilarious. This one comes in two parts:




Special thanks to Allie from Pick Up the Fork. She is the one who is related to the real Cookie Monster back in our mutual home town of Chicago.

And also to Ronald Pronk of Vamos 360 who sent me the following picture: