Because sometimes the only person that can make you laugh and smile is yourself…

You know, growing up I was told that “ain’t” was not a word. Why? Because it was not in the dictionary. A few years later, the word was incorporated into many dictionaries (although prefaced with “nonstandard English”). Apparently, once a word becomes commonly used by society, it receives the forced blessing of dictionary and language scholars. As much as people may resist, the same thing is happening with Spanglish.

It’s going to take some time before most Spanglish words and phrases become part of the accepted English/Spanish dictionary. However, it is still VERY important to know how to speak or write the proper words or phrases in their respective languages! For example, ebonics may help you understand your homie in [...] Continue Reading…

I always find it interesting how measuring and quantifying your own language skills and speaking abilities can be so subjective. I find it amusing to see people inflate their fluency with a very high percentage when reality says otherwise. Often times, employers in Mexico ask how well you can speak English as it is becoming more than an asset in the workplace. “What percent do you know?” Some people have the huevos to say 100% while they can barely hold a conversation with me in English! Well, if your English is considered 100%, then I’m quadrilingual (English, Spanish, Ebonics and Spanglish). That’s right sucka fish. I keepz it real por vida vato loco!

OK, my point is the following: just [...] Continue Reading…

I could write a dissertation about the pride that pumps through every Mexican’s heart. During World Cup time, this pride boils with so much passion that our Latino Heat actually contributes to the global warming problem we are facing today. I once witnessed an amazing and unique Mexican moment in Mexico while heading over to my best friend’s house to watch a regular FIFA Mexican Selection Team game. Because I was running a little late (surprise!), I missed the first few minutes of the first half. Every house I passed on the way there had their TV set on the same channel, watching the same game, with the volume all the way up. Their hearts were beating in rhythm, [...] Continue Reading…

Not many of us have/had the privilege and blessing to attend college all 4 years knowing that our parents will fund our education. Even those parents who can partially fund their kid’s college education can appreciate any financial assistance that does not come in the form of a loan from a bank or federal government.

One foundation that takes the prize in equipping middle-school and high-school students with the academic resources and tools to succeed well beyond college is the College Success Foundation (CSF). In addition to providing scholarships to thousands of students the past 10 years, they provide mentorship and workshops to students at all levels, even those who have graduated and looking to transition into their professional careers. [...] Continue Reading…

This is a follow up to a previous post I wrote about being a frijolero.
Though I proudly embrace the term frijolero, I’m beginning to realize that calling myself one is a misnomer.
My momma taught me how to make breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and a drink out of rice. Are you surrrrrious?! Yessiree.
To begin the day I have one of my favorite breakfasts/desserts: arroz con leche. Some call it rice pudding but that’s only because they like to eat mush. A true authentic arroz con leche has whole grains of rice still intact!
For lunch and dinner, I can have arroz rojo (red rice) soaked in blended tomatoes and onions with a dab of garlic or, have some plain and simple [...] Continue Reading…

Race, ethnicity and identity in the US is so entrenched in the culture that it is difficult not to think about the political term “minority”. Everywhere you go, people are talking about it, it’s on the news, you can feel it and smell it in the air. As much as it can cause fights between two or more different ethnic/racial groups, the term can also bring people together (whether they like it or not). It definitely blurred the ethnic tensions between Blacks, Asians, and Latinos at my college. As an ethnic minority, you came to realize that you needed to come together, foster and celebrate each others’ culture when the rest of the predominately white campus found itself in [...] Continue Reading…

1) You love me
2) The Dollar/Peso conversion is so good right now, you can buy a kidney for 10 dollars.
3) Every day you’re turning paler in the freezing cold up north and that is not sexy.
4) You never have to check the forecast… IT’S ALWAYS HOT AND HUMID!
5) If you’re looking for a date, I have hundreds of cousins to choose from. Seriously.
6) Manzanillo is one of the safest cities in all of México…well, except for the last five dead bodies that have been found in the last couple of months, but still! I got yo back!
7) Our ocean is filled with so many fish, you can dive in grizzly bear style and catch several fish with [...] Continue Reading…

I love the movie industry, especially when it serves to fight against social injustices. I love it even more when they incorporate Latino actors
From the moment Arizona enacts SB 1070 into a law, its provisions outlined measures for law enforcement that were as ridiculous as this movie:

I’m an optimist. I like to think of the glass as half-full. It’s moments like this that people “wake up” and create movements, begin to collaborate with others, fight for a cause, and stick together for a greater good. I’m a huge proponent of creating the space to have fun along the way. So even though Arizona didn’t intend it, in a weird way, it did create job opportunities for these [...] Continue Reading…

With all the crazy shenanigans of criminalizing anybody who looks like an immigrant in Arizona, I’m willing to bet that didn’t stop the parties today. If I know my fellow Mexican immigrants like I think I do, whether documented or not, there will be many celebrations and social gatherings IN PUBLIC. To all my fellow immigrants living in Arizona, I raise a toast to you (raise your favorite Mexican drink) and God Bless America.

Man, that last sentence alone would make a great Corona beer commercial…
On a more serious note, don’t forget to carry your identification! Getting all liquored up may make you think you’re invincible and invisible. Don’t be stupid today. I was once told that the graveyard is [...] Continue Reading…

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and if your Latino Heat is bursting into flames to tell that significant other how you feel, then Payazaro understands. But not all Papi Chulos and Sexi Mamis know when to use “Te Quiero” over “Te Amo” and vice versa. To the untrained ear, both words are viewed as synonyms and used freely and interchangeably. A true Latino lover knows that to mix both up is a big mistake for there are significant differences that can determine a sexy-hot-juicy passionate kiss or a totally awkward moment. Unless of course, we’re talking about two completely sexually deprived and desperate people who skipped the romance and went straight to business .

Te quiero expresses [...] Continue Reading…