Life, Translated.

New Site for Blog

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 00:01:23 -0400

Friends - my blog is now at lifetranslated.net. I hope you continue to follow me, and thanks for your support thus far!

Basque in Bakersfield

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 19:37:29 -0400

Mention Bakersfield, California, and most people will conjure up images of endless agricultural crops, sweltering summers, Buck Owen’s Crystal Palace, and of course oil drilling (Bakersfield High students are the Drillers!). What not everyone knows - but the locals sure do - is that amazing Basque food is to be had in town. This weekend I got to visit Noriega’s. Everyone eats family style and typical parts of the meal are salad, soup, fresh bread, tongue, cheese, fish, lamb, french fries and more. We sat with a local who comes for the fresh fish on Fridays and a couple up from LA who stop by Bakersfield specifically for a Basque dinner fix. I’ll be back! Here is a list of more Basque eats in town: http://www.visitbakersfield.com/visitors/eat/bakersfieldbasque/

For a history of Basque culture in Bakersfield, check out this link: http://bit.ly/S9vsIf

Es oficial - "¡Espanglish!"

Sat, 11 Aug 2012 15:20:00 -0400

Es oficial - "¡Espanglish!":

It’s official! The longtime traditional Real Academia Española has added the word “espanglish” to their Spanish dictionary. It may seem like a small step, but it is a large feat for those who feel that the use of both English and Spanish has become an important cultural identifier. This is always a controversial topic both in and outside of the U.S. An interesting quote from Gerardo Piña-Rosales, the director of the North American Academy of the Spanish Language: ”The future of the Spanish language is not in Spain, it’s not in Mexico, it’s not in any Latin American country, it’s in the United States.” You can listen to a discussion of all this at kalw.org.

Comida mexicana...unos sitios en SF

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:38:00 -0400

Comida mexicana...unos sitios en SF:

San Francisco Magazine has an article out this month about new eateries for Mexican food in the Bay Area. It seems that the rule here is to keep your restaurant name to one word and to ideally start it with a “C”…..but I digress. Reviewed are Nopalito (they opened a second location recently), Copita, Comal - which has been getting excellent reviews - and Cosecha. Looking forward to having a bite at each one! One of my recent favorites is Tacolicious.…the wait can be long but it’s the perfect opportunity to try the amazing selection of mezcal at the bar.

"Las naciones marchan hacia su grandeza al mismo paso que avanza su educación."

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 09:55:11 -0400

“Las naciones marchan hacia su grandeza al mismo paso que avanza su educación.”

- Simón Bolivar

Today I explored the city with this lovely lady and came across...

Sun, 29 Jul 2012 19:35:00 -0400

Today I explored the city with this lovely lady and came across a new foodie shop on Haight Street. I can’t wait to make yummy hot chocolate with this chipotle chile concoction made by Taza Chocolate. This brand offers other flavors of the chocolate discs, such as coffee, orange, ginger, and vanilla bean. Here is a nice, straightforward recipe for frothy Mexican hot chocolate.

36 Hours in Valencia, Spain

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 10:00:34 -0400

36 Hours in Valencia, Spain:

Valencia is one of my favorite Spanish cities. I know this because, despite the fact that I was on crutches (muletas, if you were wondering) the entire time, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I hobbled my way through museums, horchata cafes, through the market, in the park to the Ciudad de Artes y Ciencias…you get the picture. I was slow but, like a good American, I wanted to see the sights! Here are 36 Hours in Valencia from the New York Times.

Ojos de Brujo, Remixed

Sat, 30 Jun 2012 15:32:00 -0400

Ojos de Brujo, Remixed:

Ojos de Brujo disbanded about two years ago, but that doesn’t mean that their fan base has weakened. Known for blending traditional Spanish flamenco with the modern sounds of hip-hop, pop, Indian music, and more, this group is beloved and has brought music to new levels through the years. Now there is a remix of their music out from Danish DJ Al Lindrum. Follow this link for a free download from the album: http://bit.ly/N2WZEP

travelingcolors: Steep hillside streets in San Miguel de...

Sun, 24 Jun 2012 18:45:43 -0400

travelingcolors:

Steep hillside streets in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato | Mexico (by korzh roman | via visitheworld)

"La mas brillante de las apariencias, puede cubrir las mas vulgares realidades."

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 17:00:29 -0400

““La mas brillante de las apariencias, puede cubrir las mas vulgares realidades.””

- Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz

Rufino Tamayo at the Consulate

Sat, 16 Jun 2012 00:39:13 -0400

Rufino Tamayo at the Consulate:

This summer the Mexican consulate here in San Francisco showcases work by Oaxacan artist Rufino Tamayo, as well as other contemporary artists from Mexico. The show is called “The Magic Surrealists of Oaxaca, Mexico, Rufino Tamayo’s Legacy: Contemporary Zapotec Artists.” For more info, check out www.mexicoinsf.com. For more about Tamayo’s work, click here.

Mafalda

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 09:54:01 -0400

Mafalda:

Thinking again about tutoring…many of you may remember Mafalda from Spanish classes in school. This continues to be a popular cartoon and I found a website that has many of Quino’s cartoons plus English translation.

So I’m doing some tutoring this summer, and I’ve...

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 09:54:21 -0400

So I’m doing some tutoring this summer, and I’ve started looking for a few good videos/songs to use with my students. Here is a good one from Prince Royce…good vocab and sweet!

travelingcolors: Plaça del Sol, Barcelona | Spain (by Pedro...

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 20:49:28 -0400

travelingcolors:

Plaça del Sol, Barcelona | Spain (by Pedro Kok)

Life, Translated turns 1 this month! Thanks to all those who...

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:55:55 -0400

Life, Translated turns 1 this month! Thanks to all those who follow me. One year ago I embarked on some personal and professional changes that have allowed me to use my time more creatively, and this blog is a big part of that. New updates - and more posts - coming soon!

The Mexican Museum here in SF has a new show called...

Thu, 31 May 2012 23:41:13 -0400

The Mexican Museum here in SF has a new show called “CARAS/CUENTOS.” From their website: “CARAS/CUENTOS highlights some of the finest works in the museum’s holdings including Pre-Hispanic ceramics from Mexico’s ancient culture as well as Incan Peru.” The show features portraits by many renowned Mexican artists.

Carnaval in SF

Sun, 27 May 2012 16:34:30 -0400

Carnaval in SF:

Yesterday I hopped on the bus and went to check out SF’s Carnaval festivities. I hadn’t been to the festival in a few years, so it was fun to get back into into it and see what was the same and what has changed. Despite the day’s windy blusters, lots of people were out and about. Good music on the stages and tons of vendors. My favorite vendors were the guys selling lucha libre masks and women with Tibetan jewelry….hmmm, not necessarily Carnaval-related. There were also a ton of Dia de los Muertos trinkets. Again, a different time of year….but oh well, anything goes in SF!

archimaps: The Hotel Alhambra Palace, Granada, Spain

Sun, 27 May 2012 15:41:53 -0400

archimaps:

The Hotel Alhambra Palace, Granada, Spain

Radio Ambulante is a Spanish-language radio program that brings...

Sun, 20 May 2012 23:49:52 -0400

Radio Ambulante is a Spanish-language radio program that brings you stories from around Latin America and the United States. The program is gaining momentum and was recently featured in San Francisco magazine. Very excited to tune in. Here in the Bay Area, KALW will carry the show. You can also subscribe to the podcast.

"La muerte espera al más valiente, al más rico, al más bello. Pero los iguala al más cobarde, al más..."

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:50:29 -0400

“La muerte espera al más valiente, al más rico, al más bello. Pero los iguala al más cobarde, al más pobre, al más feo, no en el simple hecho de morir, ni siquiera en la conciencia de la muerte, sino en la ignorancia de la muerte. Sabemos que un día vendrá, pero nunca sabemos lo que es.”

- Carlos Fuentes

November 11, 1928 – May 15, 2012