Happy 2009

I would like to wish my Friends and Family a very blessed and prosperous new year. I look forward to spending more time with loved ones and spending time doing my favorite activities. I hope to also get a new house this year and will keep you all posted.

Prop 8

I find myself in a position where I know 100 percent how I feel on a political issue. Our Founding Fathers developed a system of government which tried to separate Religious issues with the Government process. Proposition 8, I believe, has expresses this division the clearest. Keeping Marriage between a Man and a Woman is the intent of the proposition, with the political line drawn in the sand between the liberals and conservatives. I argue this issues has nothing to do with who should marry whom, but rather keeping the Government out of religions issues. The word "Marriage" is a religious word. Marriage is defined in the bible and exists in every culture in the world. When my wife and I wanted to be recognized as husband and wife, we went through a two step process: an application from the County of Santa Clara, and a Religious Ceremony. This two step process enabled the "State" to recognize my "Religious" marriage and grant us all the benefits from this union. I argue that anyone who is committed to another person should share the benefits granted by the Government, but do they need to be Married by the Government first? No. Marriage is a religious term, and should remain that way. The Government should not involve itself in Religious matters. Therefore, everyone should be entitled to a Civil Union recognized by the Government, but the Marriage of two people should be left to the Church and Church alone. I want equality for everyone and believe that they can choose whom ever they want to spend the rest of their lives together, but only a church can marry two people. Therefore, I will vote Yes on Proposition 8 because the church should be left to decide who to marry and the government should only have the power to grant Civil Unions to it's citizens.

Pembridge

We are looking for a home. Many of you remember that we had bought a condo last year. Last year, our lives were different than where we find ourselves today. So, to make a long story short, we no longer are going to purchase the condo and instead are focusing our efforts on buying a house. We looked at many home already, and have placed one unsuccessful offer, I will start updating everyone from this point forward. Today we looked at 7 properties in the San Jose area. Of those 7, two had potential and of those two, only one we felt was within our budget. This home is just off Almaden Expwy and Hillsdale Ave. It needs some work, but has a beautiful corner location and a large lot. The inside layout puts leaves much to be desired, and will eventually need some serious re-arranging, but we can see the potential in this place. We will place an offer this week and let you all know what happens. It is a short-sale so any offer that is accepted will ultimately need to be approved by the lending bank. So, wish us luck and pray for us that we get a home by the holidays!

Christmas Dinner

I am spending my first Christmas with my new family here in San Jose. From the outside you might think that all Mexican families are the same, however I have been learning that that is not really the case. This Thanksgiving was the first time I had Turkey and Tortillas, mashed potatoes and salsa. I'm sure Christmas will not let me down when it comes to the familiar favorites with a unique Latin flavor. Already I am finding that the tamales that I grew up devouring as a kid, are only one of many types in Mexico alone. As different as the tamales themselves, are the ways they are prepared and techniques used. There are some familiar traditions that of course bridge any cultural gap, Hot Chocolate and sweet bread! I'm sorry, but I just can't resist a mouthful of soaking pan dulce, dripping hot chocolate all over the tablecloth. Sometimes it takes an awkward moment like that to break the ice, because as soon as I was aware that everyone was watching my childhood indulgence, I looked around to find bread being dipped all over the table! Ahh I love Christmas time! Merry Christmas everyone!

The Wedding

Here are some photos of my recent marriage. Beatriz Rios and I were wed on Saturday November 10, 2007 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The wedding couldn't have been any more perfect. Weather cooperated, music was great, and of course family and friends. Wish you were there.

Back in Business

I have been allowed to blog again. Well, not like I was given permission, just that my account had been renewed. Thanks Dody. So I see it has been a while and but I'll try not to fill you in on my happenings while I was away; I'll just pick up from here.
I made soap for the first time. I went to North Carolina to visit my Uncle and he had planned a project for me to help him with. Actually I really appreciated it and learned lots too. We made simple soap with animal tallow mixed with palm and coconut oils. I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the visit even though it was only for less than 24 hours.

Unrelated Question: how do you tell en elder that he or she is wrong when you should show them the utmost respect? What if they firmly believe that they are correct but your know you are right? Sometimes it is better to bite your lip and admit your wrong so that you can keep your job.

Quite busy lately

So it has been a while since I last wrote anything on my blog. Sorry, but I have been a little busy. You know weddings take a lot of planning and energy. Yes, you heard my right, I did say wedding. Almost everyone knows by now, but if you have been in the Amazon or the Himalayas, you might not have heard the news. www.riospuentes.com is our wedding website for more info. So what have I been doing with my time lately? Well, work takes up a significant amount of time in my week. However, I still have lots of time off. Commuting to California can become quite route now, and I have become quite familiar with the jumpseat of various airlines. My flying is becoming routine now as well. My takeoff and approach to landings are great, it's just that last 10 feet that keeps getting me from making a smooth landing, Dohhhh! A few new things in my life: I have recently started playing tennis with my roommate. We both are really bad, but it's good exercise for me. I have also discovered Vanilla Soy milk. I don't know what it is about it, but I can't get enough. I went to Costco and bought 1.5 gallons of the stuff. Should hold me off for a little while. Other than that, pretty status quo here. Glad to have a fellow Californian here with now. Sandra came down to visit Antonio V. and I, met Bayrex, and a year later moved down here. I'll try and keep you updated as much as possible from now on. Sorry for the delay.

Recycle PR

I have been in Puerto Rico for a year now (well, minus 2 months in Dallas, but anyway). I have not seen anything that resembles recycling here. No bums looking for cans or bottles. No Garbage trucks with a dumpster full of bottles to wake me up at 6AM, nothing. I don't think Puerto Ricans understand the concept of recycling. I asked my Puerto Rican cousin where I can recycle, and he didn't know. He said he saw the movie An Inconvienent Truth and was looking for someplace also, to no avail. I thought it was hopeless when at last.... I found it. I was at Auto Zone buying supplies for an upcoming oil change for the Batmobile when I found the solution. It reads like a Mastercard commercial, Oil: $2 per quart, filter: $4, generic oil deposit fee: $5, forcing Puerto Ricans to "Recycle": Priceless. At last they found a way to get recycling to the island one oil change at a time. It's a start.

When it rains ....

Remember the last post, Life as an airline pilot? Well, take the opposite of that and that is how things have been lately. I go from aircraft to aircraft with enough time to eat a sandwich and some baby carrots before I have to go back and fly another trip. Combine that with the fact that I have no idea what I will be flying next until I call Crew Scheduling after arriving back in San Juan only for them to tell me I have an overnight in Tortola or St. Thomas. Ahhhh finally a rest. Oh how I miss those Lazy Boy days!