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Pedigree Adoption Drive Campaign

jessica — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:45:33 +0000

Photo Credit: justmakeit on Flickr

If you are or know someone who is a dog lover, there is an event coming up in Vancouver just for you! Pedigree is a community-based organization for the adoption of dogs. They are having a free Adoption Drive and Tour on October 1^st at the TD Plaza in Vancouver. The purpose of the event is to spread the word about the program, adoption options for pets from the Langley Animal Protection Society.

Another goal is to show people dogs coming out of shelters can be kind & make good pets. The event has a couple of information seminars and activities, including the screening of a new film about two dogs out of shelters, called the Canadian Pedigree Adoption Tales. For each person that stops by to watch the film, $1.00 will be donated towards helping dogs in shelters find good families up to $150,000 to the 30 partner shelters located in Canada, where the donation will be split between each partner shelter who will receive a maximum of $5,000 CDN in 2011 to help them care for shelter dogs.

There will also be information about volunteering, adoption, and some hands-on activities for the entire family.

The makers of Pedigree want to show Vancouver residents that shelter dogs are good dogs, and are bringing the Pedigree Adoption Tour, to Toronto Dominion Plaza on October 1, 2011.

What: Pedigree Adoption Drive Campaign Adoption Tour

When: October 1, 2011: 11a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Toronto Dominion Plaza; 700 West Georgia Street
Why: To learn about the importance of dog adoption from the Langley Animal Protection Society, and see first-hand that shelter dogs are good dogs.
Price: Free
Who: Everyone. Public event
Website: www.mypedigree.ca

You should check it out!

Feliz cumpleaños, mamá! (happy birthday Mom)

Raul — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:30:09 +0000

This year, like last year, I’m lucky to have my Mom here in Vancouver with me for her birthday. I’ll be taking her out for dinner (not sure exactly where, last year we did I think Quattro on Fourth Avenue, and this year I might do the same, but different location (maybe Gusto Di Quattro in North Vancouver). For me and my Mom, really where we eat or what we do to celebrate is kind of irrelevant. The most important thing is just to spend time with each other.

For me my Mom is my rock, my confident, my best friend and the person who inspires the most to work hard. On your birthday Mom, I just want to tell you how proud and honored I am to be your son. Much love always and I hope you enjoyed your visit with me and also with my brothers in Calgary and Los Angeles.

Feliz cumpleaños, Mamá!!!

Happy 3rd birthday to my nephew L!

Raul — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 14:00:52 +0000

I have an absolute adoration for all of my nieces and nephews, but seeing as L is my godson, I have an even more special bond with him. Born to my brother and sister-in-law (and a Canadian, to boot!), L is a bright light in my pathway. I think of him every day, as his beautiful photo (with the faux-hawk) is the background on my iPhone’s screen. It feels almost unreal to think that it was 3 years ago I got the phone call that he was born and healthy, 2 years since I went to Calgary to attend his baptism. I’ve spent pretty much every Christmas since he was born, in Calgary, and I really have enjoyed it enormously.

L is the only individual on this planet who reduces me to the age of a 3 year old This past summer, I went to visit him and his parents for a few days, along with my Mom, and he would sit down in his play room and ask me “Tio Raul, can you play Play-Doh with me?” I mean, seriously, who can refuse and say no to this beautiful child? Certainly, not me!

L, you are the reason why I stop and reflect every single day and why, whenever I feel exhausted, I realize that if I don’t take care of myself, I won’t be able to be there for you when you need me. Whenever I need a little “pick me up” I just turn on my iPhone and see your smiley face and I feel rejuvenated. Here is to celebrating your birthday.

I love you, my adorable nephew, as if you were my own son. Happy birthday/Feliz cumpleaños from Uncle Rolex!

Dinner at Q4 Restaurant (Quattro on Fourth)

Raul — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:50:00 +0000

I have incredibly fond memories of Q4 Restaurant (formerly Quattro on Fourth). A few years ago, when I defended my doctoral dissertation, Dr. Thomas W. Ross (one of the best scholars in industrial organizations in Canada and my boss for many, many years as I was his research assistant during my MBA and my PhD) took me to Quattro on Fourth for dinner.

As he indicated, he wanted to take me out to a really nice restaurant to celebrate my accomplishments. And I think the general perception of Quattro on Fourth (now Q4 Restaurant) has always been (at least in my circles) as an elegant, classy and tasty Italian restaurant.

So when I got an invite to dine here while my Mom was still in town, I jumped at the opportunity. My Mom’s birthday (as you may have read) was on July 26th, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to celebrate her as she would be back in Mexico. So I decided to accept Q4′s invitation and take her as my guest. It was one of the best decisions I have made, seriously. I already knew that Q4′s food would be great, but I hadn’t had a chance recently to see the innovations in the menu, nor the different approaches that they had been implementing.

I had several opportunities throughout our dinner to chat with Patrick Forsi, who has been the owner ever since Q4 was Quattro (and he now has a new partner in the business). Michelle, our server (who is absolutely amazing, I might add), got us started with a “small” version of their antipasto. I specifically requested it to be small as I wanted to sample more of the food during my visit. You can see the “small” antipasto below (honestly, I thought we weren’t going to finish and this was just a primo).

I was particularly taken with the sample of Arancini di Riso (Dungeness crab and Arborio rice croquetta with a caper and lemon aioli served with a shaved fennel salad), the salmon carpaccio and the Polpette di Nonno (housemade meatballs in a marsala caramelized onion pomodoro served with a pesto and parmigiano crostini).

As I usually do, I kept looking around to see what the other tables were ordering – a family sitting behind my Mom and I ordered a pasta sampler, so I had to request the same (unfortunately, in small version, because if I ordered what the normal order size was, what the family was eating, I would have probably walked out bouncing and unable to move). This combination, the Pasta Pazza e Pezzi ($20.95 per person, for a minimum of two) is a combination of four classic pastas: Fettucine Ghiottone, Garganelli Arrabiatta, Fusilli Tartufate and Linguini Pest.

As I am an Italian food addict, I ordered on behalf of Mom and I. We were offered as indicated above Garganelli Arrabiatta (garganelli with pancetta, mushrooms, fresh tomato and peperoncino), Fettucine Ghiottone, Fusilli Tartufate (fusilli with wild mushrooms, porcini cream and shaved reggiano parmigiano) and Linguini Pesto. All of these favorites of mine, specially the Ghiottone.

When we came to dessert, I was pretty much the only one who was going to eat it. Not because my Mom didn’t like the desserts themselves, but just because she knew that I was going to eat it all. Which I proceeded to do, with much delight.

The truth be told, for the longest time I thought of Q4 as a restaurant to go when it was special occasions. But Patrick told me that they instituted Pasta Tuesdays (with a variety of pastas for only $10) precisely to dispel that notion, and just to tell people that you could just come for dinner on Tuesday and enjoy a good, solid Italian dinner without breaking the bank (which is important!).

Overall, I will definitely come back for dinner many times, and in particular, with people I care for. Thanks to Q4 Ristorante for inviting me along with my Mom, she absolutely loved it!

Disclosure: Our dinner and drinks (my Mom and mine) at Q4 Ristorante were complimentary (and a very kind gesture as my Mom was leaving town and this was a great way to send her off). I wasn’t paid to write this review, nor was I required to do so either. In any review I write or publish on my site, I retain editorial control at all times. Should you have any questions/concern feel free to contact me via e-mail through my contact form.

Happy birthday Mom

Raul — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:00:09 +0000

My mother is without a doubt, my best friend, my confidante, the source of all my strength and the one person who can make me feel stronger and more invincible than Superman. I am very much my mother’s son, and this past month that I had the opportunity to spend a few weeks with her and take a real holiday, I realized how much I missed having her around me. Mom, today and always I want you not only to have a happy birthday but also to remember that I love you above everything and that I am proud of you today and every day. If I were to be born again, I would request to be your son again. Thanks for sharing the travels and experiences we shared this past month. Thanks for always being there for me. And thanks for reminding me that, after blogging, tweeting and all the social media fame and fortune, family and friends are the most important things in the world. I love you, today and every day.

Mi madre es sin duda alguna, mi mejor amiga, mi confidente, la fuente de toda mi fortaleza y la única persona que me puede hacer sentir mas fuerte e invencible que Superman. Soy totalmente el hijo de mi madre, y este mes pasado que tuve la oportunidad de pasar algunas semanas con ella y tomar reales vacaciones, me di cuenta cuanto extrañaba tenerla cerca. Mamá, hoy y siempre quiero que no solamente tengas un feliz cumpleaños sino que tambien te acuerdes que te amo profundamente por sobre todas las cosas y que estoy orgulloso de ti hoy y siempre. Si yo volviera a nacer, pediría ser tu hijo de nuevo. Gracias por compartir conmigo los viajes y experiencias que pasamos este mes pasado. Gracias por siempre estar ahi para mi. Y gracias por recordarme que despues de mi blog, my Twitter y toda la fama y fortuna que los medios de redes sociales me han traido, mi familia y mis amigos son las cosas mas importantes que tengo en este mundo. Te quiero mucho Mamá, hoy y siempre.

Thanks for coming to visit me, Mom!

Raul — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:26:44 +0000

This summer has been nothing short of top-notch. Finally, after 3 years of not coming to Vancouver to see me, my Mom accepted an invitation I made her and spent a full month with me. While I adore my Dad, my Mom and I are, and will always be best friends. During Mom’s stay here, we went to Whistler, Calgary, Parksville and Qualicum Beach, met with some of my friends from the online world, ate at great restaurants, enjoyed Vancouver’s natural beautiful surroundings. And we managed to work on a book that we are co-authoring. All in a month. My Mom keeps me grounded and always has been a role model and example of hard work and tenacity. So, it was great to have her here for a full, glorious four weeks. Thanks for coming to visit me, Mom!

Deep Cove (North Vancouver)

Raul — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 21:58:38 +0000

Deep Cove holds some of the nicest memories of my life in Vancouver. Admittedly, it’s not located within the city of Vancouver (it is a little community located in the easternmost part of the District of North Vancouver, as indicated by the Wikipedia entry for Deep Cove). Quite often, JT and I hike the Baden-Powell Trail. We usually climb all the way up to Quarry Rock and sit there to witness the breathtaking views of Indian Arm.

This past Friday I took my Mom to Deep Cove. We walked around Panorama Park, and had dinner at Arms Reach Bistro. We sat on the benches in the park and had a relaxing time chatting about life, and in particular, my life in Vancouver. I think that the more I show Mom what my life looks like now, the better she feels about my decision to live in Canada and to stay in Vancouver.

More of my photos of Deep Cove on my Flickr photo set.

Visiting UBC with my Mom

Raul — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 20:34:20 +0000

The University of British Columbia has a very special place in my heart. It’s where I did my MBA, my MEng and my PhD. It’s where I teach university-level courses (mostly third year). Some of my best (current and former) students have been UBC students. And it’s also where my Mom has attended my and my brother graduations. I made amazing friends here.

I have educated a large number of incredibly smart young people at UBC. So, it’s always nice to bring my Mom (a professor herself) to visit UBC this summer. The views are breathtaking when it’s sunny and warm (as it was this past Friday). My Mom knows this campus really well.

Mom used to come and visit me, and also my brother (he also did his MEng here) when we both lived on campus. But it’s nice to always have another visit. The campus has changed a lot from the last time she was here. She was really impressed with the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre. We also walked by the Rose Garden and outside the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts.

I am glad the weather held up, because it had been pretty bad in previous days!

My Mom is visiting Vancouver

Raul — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:59:02 +0000

For the first time in about four or five years, my Mom is back in Vancouver. She used to come visit me every summer for a full month (my brother used to live in Vancouver too, although he now lives in Calgary, so she used to visit the both of us for a few years). My Auntie (her sister) passed away in 2008 so I went to Mexico instead, 2007 and 2009 she went to Calgary. She is finally back in Vancouver for a full month. We will be visiting my brother and his family for a few days too.

However, most of this time it will be just Mom and I. We are both academics and have co-authored a number of research papers and are working on a book manuscript as well, so we’ll be doing a bit of a writing retreat.

It is the first time my Mom has had a chance to experience the “OMG you’re Hummingbird604” treatment. Back in Mexico, I was popular in my high school, in my undergraduate and I’m known for my research. But in Canada, I’m sort of internet-popular, so it’s the first time she has witnessed people stopping me on the street and recognizing me. It’s been fun.

My Mom has been my best friend always (I adore both my Mom and my Dad, but I’ve always been very close to my Mom). Dad always has said that I’m exactly 50% him and 50% my Mom, and when I went to pick up my Mom to the airport, I noticed how similar our behavior is (we were both dressy, wearing blazers and using Calvin Klein Eternity fragrances).

I took Mom yesterday to the Yelp Carnival and Minna took us all for dinner to Steamworks Pub to say goodbye to Monica and to welcome my mom. It has been an all-around fun couple of days. I’ll be taking my Mom around to every event I’m invited, just so that everyone knows

Happy Father’s Day to my Dad and my brothers

Raul — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 05:56:58 +0000

photo credit: crimsong19

Being a family of five boys made my Dad both very happy and very proud. He and Mom tried so hard to have a girl that they ended up with a basketball team. Dad always wanted us to be an integrated team of integrated individuals. He and Mom worked hard at making sure that we would always help each other, as brothers. That we would prioritize our family before anything else. My brothers became my best friends, thanks to their teachings. Many people ask me why I don’t write or talk as much about my Dad as I do about my Mom. The truth is, I am (in my Dad’s words) exactly 50% my Dad and 50% my Mom. I am (much as people may not realize) private, serious, analytical and sometimes introverted (like my Dad).

But I am also bubbly, outgoing and playful (like my Mom). My Dad has helped me grow in so many ways. He taught me how to play tennis, he taught me how to drive. He strengthened my abilities to make informed decisions and stood by my choices even when Mom may not have fully approved (because, as you may imagine, my Mom is pretty much like me, overprotective). Dad made sure I realized all the opportunities I was given.

I have a very vivid memory of my Dad supporting my decisions above everything else. I remember one time, when I was finishing my undergraduate in chemical engineering, I was being recruited by a subsidiary of Cementos Mexicanos to be a manager at one of their plants, because I was the highest grades in my group of peers. My Dad drove over 750 kms to get me to the plant for an on-site interview. He waited outside the car, reading for hours while my interview took place.

When I got back into the car, I drove back all the way. While we were stuck in Mexico City’s main artery (the Periférico) on our way back home, I asked him “Dad, why did you drive all the way to Tula – I could have taken the bus, or I could have even been flown”. He answered “because I love you and I wanted to be a part of your success. If they recruited you is because you are on to great things and I want to be part of your greatness today and always”.

The other thing that has always stuck with me when I talk to my Dad is his reflection about my own abilities. He always has said “Raul, you have an amazing brain but a heart that is just as great. Your ability to think is only matched and perhaps even a bit surpassed by your capacity to love”

That’s my Dad, and these are just a couple of the reasons why I love him so much. Today and every day, happy Father’s Day to him and to my brothers, who are amazing fathers in their own right.

Feliz Día de las Madres, Mamá

Raul — Mon, 10 May 2010 17:30:13 +0000

Es una verdadera pena que de los últimos 14 Diez de Mayo, siempre me toca estar en un país extranjero en lugar de en México (Canadá e Inglaterra, las últimas veces), cuando llega esta fecha para celebrarte, Madre. Pero como siempre, sabes que aunque nunca te olvido, nunca dejo de pensar en tí. Nunca pasa un día sin que piense en cómo estás, sin que me preocupe por tu salud, tu bienestar, etc. Aunque en ocasiones es difícil que nos comuniquemos (ya que muchas veces no contestas mis correos, ni tampoco entras a Skype con frecuencia), espero que sepas que siempre estas en mi pensamiento y en mi corazón.

No existe ninguna otra persona en este planeta a quien yo quiera más que a tí, madre. Me diste la vida, me diste todas las oportunidades que me han convertido en la persona que soy ahora, en el hombre triunfador, exitoso y rodeado de gente que me quiere y me respeta. Eres una mujer con una capacidad extraordinaria para amar, para trabajar, para dar de tí misma y para proteger a la gente a la que amas. Estoy orgulloso de ser tu hijo y te agradezco todo lo que has sacrificado por mí. Porque sin tí yo no sería ni la décima parte de lo que soy ahora.

Espero que mis triunfos y los de mis hermanos sean hoy y siempre para tí un recordatorio de lo increíble que eres y que te quiero y te respeto por sobre todas las cosas. Madre, hoy y siempre gracias por darme la vida, por luchar por mí en todo momento y por darme el privilegio y el honor de ser tu hijo. Si volviera a nacer pediría que fueras mi madre de nuevo.

Feliz 10 de Mayo, madre santa.

Te quiere tu hijo,
Raul

Happy birthday to my brother S!

Raul — Mon, 03 May 2010 15:45:06 +0000

Today is “the day of the Holy Cross” in Spain (and in Mexico, most likely an inherited tradition from the Old Continent). It is also the day when we celebrate civil engineers (in Mexico, as well). It’s also the day when we celebrate my brother’s birthday. It’s a marvelous coincidence that my brother S is actually a civil engineer, and an extremely competent one at that. As I have told him since he was very little, he was born to do what he does.

My brother S is the epitome of a project manager. He was born to solve problems. He was born to execute incredible projects, and more importantly, he was born to occupy a key space in the lives of us, his brothers, his family and his friends. He was also born to be an amazing father. I am so proud of what he has accomplished in the time he’s been on this planet. And I feel extremely privileged to be his son’s Godfather, particularly as I know how much my brother loves the movies (“The Godfather”).

I can’t even begin to count the many reasons why I am proud of you. Without your help, I wouldn’t have completed my PhD and I am forever grateful for that. You continue to amaze me every day not only with your intelligence and your ability to be analytical and strong willed, but also your capacity to find answers where many have stopped attempting to look at the questions. You are extremely kind, loving, caring and more importantly, you are incredibly generous.

Today, and every day, I feel extremely privileged to be your brother. I feel proud and grateful for being such an integral part of your family and I love the time we have spent together getting to know each other and being such great friends. Because beyond being my brother, you are one of my very best friends.

I love you, and you know how much I do.

Happy Sweet Sixteen to my niece N

Raul — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 19:27:59 +0000

It almost feels as though it was yesterday when I first held you in my arms, and it’s not. It’s been 16 years. Sixteen. Wow. I am so thrilled to see how you’ve been growing, to be a witness to the evolution in your life. How you’ve gone from playing soccer to being an excellent tennis player, and how you are now growing into your own.

You’ve worked so hard to get where you are, and you make me proud every single day of being your uncle. I’ve seen you go from delicate wallflower to being extroverted and bubbly. I’m so happy to share so many common interests, amongst them tennis, and I wish you will always remember that I love you always, as though you were my own daughter.

All the best today and every day. Remember how much I love you and your sisters and that you will always have, more than an uncle, a friend in me. Happy birthday sweetheart!

Love,
Uncle Rolex

Happy birthday to my brother A!

Raul — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:03:24 +0000

My eldest brother A is (like me) an academic (although a more traditional one since he is a tenure-track professor at an American university). We left (him and his family to the US, me to Canada) on the same year, to undertake graduate studies at the same time (he was starting his PhD and I was doing my MBA/MEng). My brother A (the oldest of 5 boys) has always been a role model to me.

While growing up, it was up to him to take care of all of his brothers. To this day, even after being married for over 20 years and having three daughters, he still makes the time to check in with us, his younger brothers, and look after us. Whenever I’ve been in difficult situations (including financial) he’s always been there to offer his help, even if that means making additional sacrifices of his own.

I wish I was half as talented as my brother A, and as hard working as he is. My brother is (and I’m not ashamed to admit it), one of the world’s foremost experts in thermal sciences and an incredibly talented scholar. But make no mistake – my brother is also an incredibly generous human being, with an incredible capacity to love.

Recounting the many reasons why I love my brother A would take a long, long time, but the one thing I would like to say, just as a reminder, is that you’re my role model. When I grow up, I want to be like you. I would want you to be as proud of me as I am of you. Because you (and your daughters and your wife, my sister-in-law), mean the world to me. A, you are the epitome of success and you deserve every good thing that comes your way, because you have worked damn hard to achieve what you’ve accomplished.

I’m pretty sure you’ll be working late this week, on your research, your teaching and taking care of your family as well, but I do hope that you can take a few moments to yourself to enjoy a milestone. You are on this planet one more year and I, for one, am very grateful you are. Remember I love you profoundly.

Your brother,
Rolex

Happy 19th Birthday to my niece E

Raul — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:00:30 +0000

Earlier this year, I was reading this blog post written by my friend Shannon and I remember clearly I commented on her post

I’m just warning you that my niece is turning 19 in March and I’m totally plagiarizing this post (changing the name, quite obviously! and adapting some stuff to the fact that she is, well, a girl).

Love you, yo – but you already knew this.

I have lived in this online world, cultivating my online space for almost 4 years (my 4th year blogiversary is at the end of April 2010, in case you wanted to know). I’ve gone from having absolute privacy and writing with a nickname to actually posting photos of myself and my friends on this, my own blog. I’ve navigated the public/private divide for long enough to discern when it’s a good idea to post a photo of mine and when it’s not.

So, in preparation for writing (as I usually do) a “happy birthday E” blog entry, I phoned her (an almost-19 year old) and asked her if she would be comfortable if I posted a photo of her on my site along with the blog entry. That’s something I usually do, and I wanted to hear whether she would feel comfortable in me doing so. She agreed, but after careful consideration, I decided against. I also decided against using her full name on my site. Instead, I’m following my own instinct and gut and I’m keeping it at “E”, without her photo.

But the way in which I pondered about including a photo of E on this entry has the same meaning and the same connotation as my relationship to her – overprotective. Debate can ensue amongst my geeky friends on whether I’m being paranoid in not naming her or sharing a photo of her, and that debate really doesn’t matter to me. I consulted with a good friend before, and he made some good suggestions. But in the end, my over-protectiveness won over my desire to share with the world just how beautiful E is.

That’s who I am, E – your uncle Rolex is an overprotectionist. Sorry!

I loved you even before you were born. I loved you from the moment I knew your Mom was pregnant, and from the moment your Dad and I commented on the fact that we were no longer kids. That we had to grow up as we had a next generation coming up. I loved you from the moment I held you in my arms, and I had the privilege of being one of the very first ones to do so at the hospital.

I wish I were as eloquent as Shannon was with her nephew, and about 50% as funny. But you’ll see, my dear E, it’s all been said and done. I’ve tried with my actions to demonstrate to you that in addition to being your uncle and your Dad’s brother, I’m also your friend. You can count on me today, tomorrow, any way. I’m proud of who you have become and how much you’ve grown.

Am I prepared to see you grow up? Not really. Every time I think about you, I worry. Not because you give me reason to worry, but because I’m overprotective. Because I don’t want anybody to hurt you. Because as your parents know, I love you (as I love your sisters) as if you were my own daughter. And that’s a hell of a lot of loving, you know?

So, I pondered, what could I say that would be of value to you that I haven’t said yet? Well, here it is, my lovely niece. Here’s the full 411 on what I recommend you do:

- Love to the fullest. You may end up having a broken heart, but you’ll survive. I did. I fell in love profoundly, I knew what love was, and then I had it taken away from me. I recovered. And if it happens to you, sweetheart, remember, no matter where I am and how many thousands of kilometres separate us, I will be there for you, in an instant.

- Work hard. This comes without saying. You know the rules my parents imposed on us (being integrated people). My success, sweetheart, is the result of many years of hard work. You know that. Same goes for your parents, and your uncles. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.

- Never lose yourself. It’s easy to fall prey to false pretenses of fame, popularity, and many other “shiny objects”. Don’t fall for that. Remember who you are and what your values are. Never let go of those.

- Remember that family first, friends second. This is particularly important at an age where your friends seem the family you choose. It’s true, they are. But nobody will love you like your family, and of your family, your parents, sisters (and of course, your uncle Rolex!)

- More importantly, remember that no matter what your life choices are, whether they seem not sound or wrong, I will always love you no matter what. I love you for the person you are, the person you’ll grow to be. I love you like the daughter I don’t have yet and I will always have that special place in my heart for you.

And if you ever, ever, ever need me, remember – I’m as far away as a Facebook email or a phone call.

Love you always,

Uncle Rolex.

It’s my nephew’s 2nd birthday!

Raul — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:06:35 +0000

Two years ago, our family was blessed with the birth of my nephew LJ, who is the son of my brother S and my sister in law B. My brother S and I are extremely close and have always treated each other more than brothers like best friends. When he used to live in Vancouver, we often would spend half of the weekend together (going out for dinner, hang out at a club, brunch the next day, maybe a movie and then he would go off and see his girlfriend – now wife – and I would scoot off to meet my friends).

I remember the phone call my brother gave me to let me know that LJ had just been born and that he was healthy. It was a cold day of November of two years ago, and I was in Victoria as JT and I were there for a few days (he was there for work and I was just tagging along and finishing a research manuscript). My eyes welled with tears of joy and I called my brother to congratulate him. It was such a great feeling.

I always have photographs of my nieces and nephews at home and at my office, and little L.J.’s photo is the background in my laptop (he is getting his hair cut on that photo). I am privileged to have the family I do, and the wonderful nieces and nephews that bring so much joy to my life. I’ve got a really busy day today at the office but I’ll try to find some time throughout the day to call him via Skype. He is a fan of Elmo, so I probably will get him something Elmo-related (and yes, he loves Elmo’s Song).

Happy birthday to my lovely nephew L.J.! I’ll see you soon!

My eldest niece turns 18 today. Happy birthday, E!

Raul — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 08:00:13 +0000

I almost can’t believe it’s been 18 years since I held my niece E in my arms as a little baby. Eighteen years ago, I took a bus back to my parents’ hometown because I had this nagging feeling that my sister-in-law was about to give birth. My intuition didn’t betray me (it rarely has) because a few hours later, I was at the hospital, accompanying my brother and his wife in this momentous occasion. She was our family’s very first niece!

While we were a family of five boys (yes, I have FOUR brothers) we suddenly had to become used to actually having a girl in the family. Quite obviously, being the first, she has had to both endure a lot of challenges and been lucky to be spoiled rotten in some other areas. I am very proud of her and I know that she is currently under a lot of stress as she is trying to find financial aid to undertake her undergraduate degree in the US (by the way — do any of you dear readers know anything about scholarships for international students at the undergraduate level in the US? If so, could you please send me a message via my contact form or a tweet or an email, or drop a comment? Thanks!)

To my dearest princess: you make me proud every day and you continue to amaze me with your maturity in a number of realms. I know that you are working hard and that you realize that these are the times to work even harder. Remember that your sisters look up to you and that you set the example. Work hard. Play hard. Be happy, and laugh a lot. Find a moment every day to reflect and take stock of the blessings you have and don’t ever lose sight of the fact that your family (your Mom, your Dad, your sisters and of course all of us your extended family) love you very, very much and that we will be there to support you along the way. You will succeed, sweetie. I have plenty of confidence in that.

Today and every day, sweetie I wish you happiness, health, success, but more than anything, lots of love. Love you always, your uncle R.

Brothers and Sisters – A reminder

Raul — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 19:12:35 +0000

I really enjoy watching the ABC show Brothers and Sisters, as I’ve mentioned before. The song “Pictures of You” is one of my very favorites. And the funny thing is, even though I only have brothers, the family dynamics does remind me of my very own family.

While I am happy to report that my family is not dysfunctional like the Walkers, there are things that remind me of my brothers. The banter and playful chatter amongst the brothers and sisters. The disagreements in opinion, particularly between the mother and the children. But the one thing that reminds me the most of my family is the absolute love and adoration that each and everyone of the members of the Walker family share. This is the case with my own family.

My brothers and I may disagree on issues. We may have confrontations, sometimes. But we love each other deeply and we support each other ALWAYS. Ever since we were very little, my brothers and I got used to being each others’ best friends. We’ve stuck together through thin and thick. Same as the Walkers. That’s one of the reasons why I love the show. Plus, the matriarch is awesome, as is my mother.

I’m looking forward to the third season of Brothers and Sisters, which starts on Sep 18th (very timely!)