Basketball Game

Tonight we went to see a professional basketball game.  It was the start of the season and the Ciudad Juarez team (named the Indios) was playing against the Indios of Saucelio (not sure how to spell that).  It was supposed to start at 6:00 and since it was basically a consulate event (not that we put it on, but it was to take the kids that participate in the basketball clinics to see their coach play - he plays on the Juarez professional team) we left from the consulate around 5:30.

Los Indios de Ciudad Juarez practicing

Imagine our surprise when the game didn't start until after 8:00.  The other team didn't even show up until just before 8:00 and they took their sweet time to walk across the auditorium and go down to the locker rooms to change.  They started the program just after that, but it was mainly filled with talking.  Then the dance shows began.  Finally the game.  I'm not much of a sports fan, but I have to admit that this game was fun to watch.  Ulises came with, and he doesn't like basketball, but other than getting angry about the way fouls are given in the event of an attempted charge, he said he really enjoyed it as well.  The Juarez team lost in the end, though not by much.  I think they were just tired because they were there more than 2 hours before the other team.  Oh well.

Kids welcoming John, they love this guy who is from
the British Virgin Islands and works with the Consulate's
Basketball clinics as a coach

Introductory dancers

More dance

Tacos



Ulises and his dad



Tonight we went to get some meat from the Soriana's where Ulises's dad works.  I'm not really sure why we did that when there is still meat left over from Saturday, but what can you do?  We went to his dad's work because he works as a butcher and we figured he would know what the best meat was.

When we got back, Ulises made tacos.  I have to say, it was really good.  I was surprised at how good it was, even though I've had tacos and I like tacos.  These were possibly the best tacos I've ever had.

A la Mexicana, because the colors are the same as
the Mexican flag

Washing dishes, its only fair that I clean
when Ulises cooks, right?

Giving away food

Ulises with his nephew, Packers fan?

We still have lots of food left over from our dinner on Saturday.  We gave some food away to one of my guards, and then Ulises's brother-in-law and sister stopped by.  Gizmo was terrified of their little son.  He's about a year and a half.  At first I thought that was the first time he had seen a little kid, but I'm not sure.  My cousin used to come over when I was at school and bring his little son, but his son couldn't walk at the time, and since my cousin's wife has allegies, I always shut Gizmo in my room.  It's possible that he never actually saw my cousins's son.  In any event, Gizmo ran from Ulises's nephew.  And of course, being a little kid, he was really interested in Gizmo.  He followed him upstairs.  Eventually I pulled Gizmo out and had him gently pet Gizmo.  My cat still wasn't convinced.

Gizmo ran away, but still wanted to be able
to see this strange creature known as a
toddler.

Lazy Day

Ulises holding my purse in the park

I did basically nothing all day today.  Slept in, ate breakfast, slept some more, and generally just relaxed.  This evening Ulises and I went back to the place we were going to go for our anniversary.  They had the park all lit up.  They also gave us a couple tickets to get a free drink that I remember what it is called.  It was a hot drink.  It was good, but we only got one of the drinks and though we shared it, I was sick of it by the end.  Still it was fun.

Afterwards we stopped by to see Ulises's brother-in-law and his sister.  We were there for a little bit.  The funny thing was that their son kept staring at me the whole time.  I guess he's starting to get used to me because the first time I met him he was really timid.

Lights spell paz (peace)

Santa going down the chimney

Me directing a choir of animals

Ulises with some fighting bears . . . ok, they were actually
skating, but I thought they were fighting at first.

Ciudad Juarez

The lit park

Airport

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My cut finger the day after - started bleeding again this
morning.

Today was a pretty relaxed day.  We went to a new ward today for church (the one that Ulises SHOULD go to based on where he lives).  I really liked it.  They were super welcoming and seemed very excited to see new faces.  And the church building is very close to Ulises's house.

After church, we came back to my house.  I slept while Ulises washed all the dishes from the day before.  Then when he was done, we watched Its a Wonderful Life.  I hadn't had time to watch ANY Christmas movies prior to Christmas, so I wanted to watch something.  We didn't manage to finish it, though, before we had to go to the airport to pick up a couple of friends.  We brought them back to my house to make them eat some of our leftovers.  They were more than happy to oblige.  Then we went to my friend's house to watch the football game that she had recorded that morning.  It was a pretty good game, and I don't really care about football.

Gizmo sleeping, he was sleeping with me at first, but I
think he got really hot and moved to the other bean
bag chair.

Eating leftovers, yum!