Carnaval.... Get Me There

HAPPY CARNAVAL!!!
Fat Tuesday, Martes de Carnavel, Carnaval in Rio.... I wish I was there. :( Waaaah. I need to get to Brazil soon.

Not only is Carnaval the BIGGEST Carnaval celebration party in the world, it looks super fun. Before Lent, Carnaval is celebrated in many countries throughout the world. I will mos def add this to my check list of places to visit. Here goes my list so far:

1.) Italy (the whole damn country! Ho voglio di practicare il mio italiano. Ho dimenticato tutti! Io solo parlo il inglese e il spagnolo bene. 

2.) India - Rajasthan region

3.) Rio de Janeiro for next year's Carnaval

4.) Mexico City 

5.) Japan

and finally finish in BRAZIL for the World Cup 2014

Besides my envy for all the people having fun on this splendid day and who will be hung over at mass tomorrow on Ash Wednesday (yeah, I'm a Mexican Catholic), let's give BARCELONA an applause for whooping Arsenal. Woo-woo!!! 

So as you can tell, I don't have much to say today, for all you people out there who have been celebrating, have a drink in my honor!!! And let's samba our booties off!! Or have a tequila if you are celebrating the same thing in Jalostotitlan, Mexico. 

P.S. It's been a mission to learn about blogging. If I have an blogging savvy readers, please help me out. I need to know all the logistics about posting pictures and putting a banner on mine. Thanks for your help dolls! 

xoxoxo

Evelyn 

Life & Family

FYI: This post is not soccer or travel related. It's about something very personal to myself, which is life and my family.

Throughout my life, I have spent countless hours thinking about where my family originates from and the impact that growing up in small town Jalisco has had on both of my parents. They both were born in a small town called San Gaspar de los Reyes and originate from an even smaller town called Santa Isabel. Although I've always been extremely proud of where my family is from, and consider it my second home due to countless summer long visits, I was never thankful for it, or for the particular families that I am actually a part of.

Due to recent events, I now as an adult see how wonderful my family is. Our story is a story of migration and hard work. Our story is one of honest living and working hard to find ends meet for the family. I am almost at a loss of words in describing how amazing and truly blessed I am to be surrounded by such inspirational individuals. Generation after generation I see more and more role models to aspire to be like, from my grand-father who came to the United States as a bracero to the generation before mine which continues to open new doors for us, (in generation whatever we are) to explore.

I can only say that I am blessed and eternally grateful. I love me family. Thank you for teaching me the right morals. Thank you for welcoming into a part of something so beautiful. Thank you for being so warm and compassionate. I love you.

This post is dedicated to all my Ornelas readers. <3

xoxoxo
Evelyn

Banda MS

For today's edition of Music Monday, I've decided to feature something that is native to my Mexico, lindo y querido. I have always loved all genres of Mexican music ever since I was a little girl. This ranges from Jalisco's mariachi, conjunto norteño, Sinaloan banda, tamborazo from Zacatecas to Latino pop and Rock en Español. If you couldn't tell by now,

I. ADORE. IT.

I have gone as far as even writing research papers on the influence of the ever popular narco-corridos on young Mexicans living here in the U.S.

Okay, on to the good stuff. Banda MS is one of my favorite live bandas because their sound is amazing. I often miss the good ol days when Julion Alvarez was their lead singer, but hey, he is enjoying a successful solo career. So get out of your Chevy's comfort zone and listen to some real Mexican music....

P.S. Skip the intro and damn, don't you get goosebumps with the start of El Sinaloense? And I'm not even from Sinaloa..... shaaaaao....

Okay, okay, I'll include a real music video for those of you that don't enjoy desmother...

xoxoxo
Evelyn

Even The Rain

I know I already posted today, but I ran into a trailer for what looks to be an AMAZING movie starring the ever-so-hot Gael Garcia Bernal. Honestly that has nothing to do with why I am going to be posting the trailer. The film just seems very powerful.

Sheeeeeck it ouut....

Magalenha...

Monday. Oh what a fun day. For most people that have a job or go to school, Mondays are usually the worst day of the week. Unfortunately, since I don't have the pleasure of living in this cycle of responsibility, I feel no sense of displeasure when referencing the most coveted day of the week. Believe me. I wish I did. Believe it or not, I am a hard worker and I love feeling fulfilled by a full work week. This is something I haven't felt for quite some time, especially since I spent the last two years of my life reading and writing papers, but it's still a memory I am fond of (a-hem, with the results of a paycheck). 

But wait a minute, today is President's Day. I forgot!  For those of you that live outside of the United States, President's Day is a day where most federal agencies and such close, as well as most schools. Therefore today = holiday and MAAANY sales for a wonderful consumer nation. 

So.......

I have decided that Mondays I will create a M A N D A T O R Y post and focusing it on music... 

Drumroll per favore......

MUSIC MONDAYS

Yes, I know. Original. But hey... I need some kind of direction. Since this blog is focused on getting my optimistic butt to Brazil for the next World Cup, what better way to start off this feature then with a little Sergio Mendes. 

Disclaimer: If there are any boobies in here I apologize. I guess when people upload the music to this song they just want to show beautiful Brazilian women, which is cool, I guess. 

Anyhow... I love this song. It seems to play at many Mexican weddings and quinceañeras for some reason and it gets people up and dancing. I promise to feature different types of music in the future. Ciao bambini!

xoxoxo

Evelyn

Cancun and Chichen Itza, Mexico

The last time that I traveled (besides a short Lake Tahoe weekend trip last winter) was August 2009. *Scratch that: I went on a Carnival cruise the week of New Year's 2009-2010. It was a wonderful vacation. I started off arriving to beautiful Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico, then going to the ruins of Chichen Itza and finally completing my vacay in the state of Jalisco. I went to visit my family in Jalisco for the last two weeks of my vacay. 

Now.... Cancun. It was my first time visiting a beach on the Gulf of Mexico, and boy is that water and sand BEAU-TI-FUL. I got much love for P.V. but Cancun's sand really feels super fine. There are NO rocks. 

Pulling into Mexico D.F. (one of my next travels ;-)

Our view wasn't too excellent, but you can still appreciate the colors of the ocean on a cloudy day.

Leave it to this Starbucks addict to wake up too late for the breakfast buffet and hit up Starbucks.

I've decided not to posts pictures of myself or my loved ones until I get to Brazil! Therefore, I didn't have much to choose from... but check out some pictures of the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza.

Check it out! Word on the street is that the sacrificial virgin would jump into the cenote! Yowsers!!! 

I hope to return soon, but until my personal recession improves, I have no choice but to remember. 

xoxoxo

Evelyn

Mexico... "La Nueva Era"

So today I watched the soccer match, Mexico vs. Bosnia. Wow, was I surprised. Who would have thought there were so many Mexicans and Bosnians in Georgia. I was half expecting Nene from the Real Housewives to show up.

But more importantly, Mexico. WON! Which leads me to the question: Is this "new era" of young soccer players what will finally bring my team some dayum glory! This "Chepo" dude seems to be a good enough coach, considering that he was the last coach to get the Chivas from Guadalajara a winning title. (We haven't seen that in a while).  

My concern today was Chicharito. HOMIE, you missed so many easy shots! I mean c'mon, the boy scores goals with his beautiful doe-like eye-lashes for Man-U, can we get some lovn' please? My theory is that he got nervous because he is currently Mexico's soccer IDOL. I certainly know he's mine. How could you not love the kid? He's extremely talented, adorable and super humble. He interviews E X T R E M E L Y well, and is sooooo humble about his talent and position as a role model. That is BIG for us Mexicans. 

Now Corona... he was the bomb diggity. Great stops, definitely made a statement (a-hem Memo). 

Okay, no more incoherent blabber from the athletically challenged sister, what I MEANT to get to is the fact that I can't wait for Brazil. I had not had the opportunity to watch Mexico play for a while, so the spine-tingling sensation I always get when watching my favorite team play was exhilarating. I can't describe the feeling that I get when I hear the Mexican national anthem and I see all my soldiers lined up for battle. I love the fact that I have never lived in Mexico. I was born and raised in the Bay Area, Jalisco. Hahahahahaha.... More than anything, soccer gives me a chance to get in touch with my cultural background. I have always been proud to be Mexican. I love Mexican food, music, style and of course Mexican soccer. But this concept of soccer goes beyond my "Mexicanidad", it transcends into a deep connection with my father and the rest of my family. I was raised in a household which stopped it's constant movement when a Chivas or Mexican national team game was on, my mom stopped cleaning on a Saturday morning, my father stopped snoring on a Tuesday after work. Soccer and my passion for the Mexican team has and always will be a source of unity for my family and I. It creates a space of  love, comfort and passion. 

I <3 this feeling. 

Wish me luck on my journey. I WILL be at those stadiums throughout Brazil. Whether it's the last thing I do. I will be there with my family.

xoxoxo

Evelyn

Too Soon To Forget

It is too early in my blog's lifetime to be neglecting it! I have taken time from my hectic, busy lifestyle to update you on my latest travel journeys.

I. Have. Not. Been. Anywhere. (Boo!)

I have spent most of my days obsessing over a new healthy lifestyle I am trying to attain whilst striving to find a full-time job. It's hard out there guys. And a degree in Ethnic Studies from UC Berkeley apparently is not what is necessary to obtain a $13/hour admin job. Sometimes I obsess over choosing the wrong major, but ultimately I love Ethnic Studies. It's the bomb diggity. It is a strong, historically based multi-disciplinary major which allows the students to see life, society etc., from a different (cooler) lens. Hehehehehe....

Ok, this blog post was not intended to be a post advocating Ethnic Studies, but I guess I just miss school. I find myself watching countless hours of Jersey Shore and Real Housewives of whatever. While I will be the first to admit that I am addicted to trash TV, I need to hit up a library one of these days.

Ok too much venting.

Brazil News: I opened my account, but unfortunately don't have money to fund it. I have $70 that I am going to deposit in it tomorrow after my library visit. Hey, you gotta start somewhere?

Soccer News: Word on the street is that I'm going to be watching the Mexico versus Paraguay soccer match in a luxury suite! Woo-woo!!! Never experienced that before. The crowd is super fun, but I'm all about clean bathrooms. Don't worry, I'll make a post on my Mexican soccer extravaganza. I've gone on too long... ta-ta for now!

P.S. Gerard Pique and Shakira a couple? I am not a happy camper. Shakira was cool before she crossed-over to the American market... and Gerard Pique was supposed to be my future husband.

xoxoxo
Evelyn 

Raj and Maya

Greetings!

One of the few ways that I've been exposed to anything Brazilian is through the wonderful, well thought out form of the telenovela. Yes. I. Love. Telenovelas. 

I have grown up watching countless telenovelas, mostly created by Univision and Televisa, but throughout my twenty-something years of crying with, laughing with, analyzing and of course criticizing my favorite form of entertainment, I have come to realize that I love Brazilian soaps.

I am currently obsessed with the crazy love triangle, or should I say square of Maya, Bahuan, Raj and Duda on Globo's La India, or better known in Brazil as Caminhos das Indias. I recognize the irony in a Brazilian soap based in India and realize that this could create some strange cultural inaccuracies. But I have spent a few minutes in my ultra-busy schedule (note the sarcasm) researching reactions to this telenovela. Apparently it's been quite successful globally. Of course, living in the United States, we are one of the last audiences to be blessed with this wonderful story.

Okay, okay, it's corny, but I love it. Not only am I fascinated by the scenery, but the story is so appealing and different than the typical "poor-girl, falls in love with rich-dude, encounters some evil person who intercepts that love, finds some rich mother or father and then overcomes the obstacles etc. stories" we so often see throughout telenovelas. The novela is filmed in India, Brazil, Dubai in the United States. Ta-da. Only fueling my dreams of traveling to Brazil (duh), India, (another obsession of mine since the 6th grade!) and of course Dubai.

Well I've gone on too long... I'll leave you with a picture of the beautiful Maya and Raj (my personal fav's).

My Travel History

So, you wonder, E-V-E, have you ever gone anywhere?

Actually, I have. I have been lucky to spend most of my summers in a small town in the state of Jalisco Mexico.

This is where my parents are originally from. More about that in future posts. I've traveled to some tourists places in Mexico like Puerto Vallarta and Cancun. Also been on a Carnival Cruise or two (fooooood) which stopped at P.V. once again, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.

(Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico)

I have loved going to all these places. While I LOVE lounging in the sun and being lazy, drinking fruity watered drinks with umbrellas in them (sounds nice right about now), I long for more. I want to visit more lazy beaches (Copacabana, anyone?), and see what this big beautiful planet has to offer.
Well I guess half time is over for the Barca game, kicking butt by the way, so I'll get back to my lazy Sunday.

Which are your favorite beaches in Mexico?

P.S. I have opened my checking account for Brazil. Now I have to work on finding a job which will allow me to save up enough money for my splendid World Cup adventure.

xoxoxo
Evelyn

Welcome!

[Via: http://fifa2014bra.blogspot.com]

Oh to travel... far and all over the world. I have been dreaming of traveling all over the world since I was a little girl, but unfortunately I am now an unemployed college graduate. What does this mean?

Live with parents. No income. Bruised ego.

Yes, yes, yes, we're in a recession. I get it. But what is a twenty-something girl to do? I can dream right? The goal of this blog is to create a motivational space which will allow me to travel in my dreams and imagination.

My ultimate goal is not only to travel extensively throughout the world, but most importantly to attend the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Being raised in a soccer obsessed household, I have only dreamed of seeing my favorite team, Mexico (ponte la verde!!!), get past that quarter-final stage. With many fans looking optimistically towards Mexico's new talent, like Manchester United's Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, I can only dream of watching Mexico get further in the cup for the 2014 global event.

Not only would it be exciting to see this on TV, like countless other world cups I have enjoyed with my family, but imagine the feeling of experiencing there, in BRAZIL.

I have dreamed of traveling to many places, not only Brazil. Italy, India, Japan, Argentina, the list goes on an on. But for now, I will continue to take my basic Italian courses here at a local community college. I got Spanish and English down, but I have to keep learning. :)

So there it is, my story, my goals and aspirations. Join me in my local adventures and potential new global adventures.

xoxoxo,

Evelyn