A Family Outing On Our New Rides

Never in my life did I think I would ever own a surfboard. But I do now and I have been trying to learn how to use it for a couple months now. I am essentially a beginner, as is my wife, so we were in the market for beginner friendly SUP boards before we left Utah so we could bring them down with us. We purchased two SUP boards and paddles from oZoboard and have been practicing here in Sayulita but what happened on this particular Saturday certainly made the purchase of our new boards even sweeter.

It was Saturday and what else are we going to do on a hot afternoon but go to the beach. We met our friends, the Cawrses, in the early afternoon with boogie boards, towels and Ashley's 34" oZoboard. (My board was out for repairs but that's another post.) John had brought down their family's 32" and 34" oZoboard SUP boards as well. The moms, Amy and Ashley, headed out for a paddle around the point and quickly disappeared while John took the girls, Alex and Ava, out to play on the 34". Supervised kid play on a surfboard is usual stuff for John but this time he let the girls practice standing and paddling. Playing, paddling and splashing was what I expected and after a while the girls took a rest. After a quick sit, Ava wasn't quite ready to go back in the water but my daughter, Alex, was eager to go again so John took her out with paddle in hand. They got out in the water and Alex was actually paddling, trying so hard to get a board around that is sized for an adult surfer. After a little coaching on how to paddle and get the board to turn around etc she was actually manuvering and damn determined to do it well. John and I let her get some mileage in while we played on the little waves on the other two boards. Before we knew it, Alex was standing up, paddling and going just about wherever she wanted to completely on her own. Not long after that she was lining herself up to ride waves into shore. Crazy!

Alex's skills progressed so quickly that Ashley, aka "Mom", got back on her board and started to ride some small waves as well so she wouldn't be outdone by her 6 year old daughter. Don't get me wrong, Alex wrecked herself a number of times but she shook off the tears and paddled that board right back out with increased determination. oZoboards have a soft outer skin so when she did fall onto or get hit by the board, the skin saved her any real damage. A fantastic feature from a parent's or new surfer's point of view. The question now is what oZoboard will be Alex' first board of her own.

Eventually, both families were out in the water sitting on or riding the oZoboards in the waves. Such a great thing to be able to get off the beach with your friends and family chasing each other around paddling or cheering each other on as the next person paddles into a wave. Very cool and it has given our families a totally new dynamic to coming to the beach. Get off the beach! Get out and paddle! To learn more about oZoboards click on my affiliate link at oZoboard.

Revolution Day

Last Sunday, November 20th, Mexico celebrated Día de la Revolución or Revolution Day. On this date, in the year 1910 the revolutionary war to overthrow the dictator Porfirio Díaz, began.

The day here in Sayulita was full of booming fire crackers, a parade complete with a mock battle, food, greased pole climbing and music. Alex and Trace joined their classmates marching in the parade along with all of the other local public and private schools.

Alex enjoyed the spotlight but the Trace-man pretty much looked like a deer caught in headlights. After it was all over they both said it was a lot of fun and would do it again.

Trace, I Don't Think You Are In Utah Anymore

A Parable

The Parable of the Mexican Fisherman

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them. "Not very long," answered the Mexican. "But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the American. The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family. The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?" "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs ... I have a full life." The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat. "And after that?" asked the Mexican. With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise." "How long would that take?" asked the Mexican. "Twenty, perhaps 25 years," replied the American. "And after that?" the Mexican asked. "Afterwards? That's when it gets really interesting," answered the American, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!" "Millions? Really? And after that?" "After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends."

Mark Your Calender

A great event in March. Just in time to get those toes out of ski boots and into the sand.

Daddy Playdate Group

A handful of Dads, kids, dogs, surf, frisbees and cervezas. Glad to be a part.

An intro to Alex's new found passion

Dillon Update

Dillon is doing great with his new diet. His coat looks wonderful, his eyes are more alert and richer in color and I think he looks much younger. I switched his diet this batch to fish, veggies and rice. I went to the fish market yesterday and they had a batch of just caught red snapper. So I bought the biggest one I could find for only 160 pesos. The exchange rate right now is 1 US to 13 Pesos. So in other words I bought an entire, large, just caught red snapper for about $14 US. I was psyched. I asked them to clean it and they de scaled it and put it in a bag for me and sent me on my way. I had the whole frigging fish in a bag knowing that I had to fillet it. This is where the language barrier comes in. I wanted them to fillet the fish for me but I was too insecure to tell them this because of the language barrier, or in my mind, clean meant fillet. Being the southerner I had seen a few catfish filleted in my day, so I had an idea of what to do, just not the right knives. So I pretty much butchered that bastard.

It took me about 6 hours to make his food, due to chopping, boiling and cooking but Dillon is good to go for a while. I will eventually dial it in but literally I spent a total of about $20 US for Dillon to eat really well for half a month. $14 for and entire fresh fish. $4 US for a boat load of broccoli, zucchini and carrots and a bag of rice for virtually free.
Dillon is eating much better than we are but he looks amazing and appears to be so much happier.

America's or Mexico's Next Top Model?

Done and Done

Big, long day at the beach. Much needed after a busy, successful week!

Jardin de ninos Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz

Maestra called a meeting at 8:30 am Friday morning for all of the parents. We were not sure of what to expect, but Ozzy and I showed up with kids in tow. As did, our friends Pete, Gretchen, Maggie and Jack. We were glad that Pete was there because he speaks and usually understands Spanish. Maestra was speaking Spanish very fast so we had no idea what she was talking about but we both got the impression that she was angry. Even Trace sensed that she was not very happy and he was scared that she was going to take him out of Alex's class. I asked Pete a few times what she was saying and he really couldn't catch it. I had to leave to get to my Spanish class and left it up to the others to figure out what was going on. After the meeting Pete had Maestra explain what she was saying....
Maestra was telling the parents that they need to spend more time with their children, get them away from the tv and be parents. If they don't do this their children will be unbalanced when they grow up. And she cannot succeed at her job if the parents do not do their job at home. I don't understand a lot of Spanish but I do understand emotions and she was pissed. What I got out of it was that she is passionate about her job and she cared about the future of those children. She had each parent write on a piece of paper, to give to her, their commitment of what they would do at home to help their child succeed at school. She also told us that the kids NEED to wear the correct uniform pieces each day, at least the top, so she can quickly locate the kids, and that you can no longer bring your kids late and expect her to disrupt class and open the door. If they are late they aren't getting in. I didn't see this kind of meeting going over too well in the US, but I appreciate a teacher that has this kind of passion for teaching and the future of the children. Kudos Maestra and thank you!

I have to say that we are always on time, the kids wear either the right uniform piece or at least the right color of top and we try to communicate as best as possible and be as involved as possible. The language barrier makes it very difficult and I can't tell you how many times we have gotten it wrong but we get an A+ for effort. And a huge thank you to Gretchen and Pete for helping us along in the understanding department. And one of the local Mexican moms who told us about the meeting. She was very nice. It was the first time one talked to us which made me feel good and like they were beginning to warm up to us a litte. Also there is a lady who sells uniform pieces outside of the school and I told her that I need a grande one for Alex so she made me one. I didn't even ask her to, she just brought it. I didn't have enough pesos and she said no problem just pay me when you have the pesos. She trusted me! This whole conversation went down in sign lanugage and Spanish.

So on Friday we also received the school and individual pictures that were taken. I love them!! Don't ask about the "what appears to be Christmas" individual picture. Maybe it is something Catholic. Anyway, I think is is awesome that they were included in this and that they have a photo of their class in Mexico. It will be a memory that will be with them forever.

Loco?

Without a backyard or TV the kids have had to find other ways to entertain themselves. But piggyback rides and new hairstyles? Really?

Oh Dillon!

Poor Dillon is not used to this environment. He loves the water and actually smiles at the beach and all of the other dogs that he is able to frolic with and usually without a leash. The problem is what comes with the water and freedom is infections, yeast, fleas, funk from other dogs, constantly panting, licking, itching, etc.
The day I left I noticed areas on Dillon where he was licking and scratching, hair loss and puss. So I send Ozzy down to the vet with Dillon. The vet said it was a bacterial infection, gave him antibiotics, iodine and cream and sent him home. I got on the Internet and did some research. It looks like a few things could be going on. Yes, a bacterial infection and maybe food allergies. The antibiotics are working but he hasn't been to the beach in two weeks and is not too happy about that. The bacterial infection can be an on going thing. Shit, what is one to do. Poor guy didn't ask to come here. He actually loves the snow and cold dry weather.
First, let's get rid of alot of that hair. I got in touch with a groomer, didn't fit my schedule so today I started cutting away at Dillons hair. One thing I love about this country is that you learn that you can do almost anything yourself, you just have to figure out how. I know, it isn't hard to cut hair, but as an American my thought process was, of course, take him to get groomed, instead of, I have the ability to do it myself and save myself $50 US. I don't care if it isn't perfect and he doesn't either. So, the kids and I went to town and he actually looks pretty good.

Next step was to change his diet. So, I am experimenting, but today I started him on a homemade diet of ground beef, rice, veggies, coconut oil and Mila. I will switch it up with eggs and oats maybe other stuff. It can be very time consuming and expensive but I am on a mission to have a very happy and healthy dog so it is worth it. If anyone has any knowledge, suggestions, holistic ideas or recipes I would greatly appreciate it. My email is ashtemp70@yahoo.com.
So, groomed, change in diet, and a fresh water rinse and blow dry after each beach trip hopefully Dillon will be happier and healthier.

Home

I made it home thanks to Aeromexico. They totally and completely hooked me up. Thank you thank you thank you!!! I was so comfortable coming back here. It felt right. I got my tacos Ivan, my lick from Dillon, 45 minutes on the paddle board and quite time laying on it floating in the ocean in the sun. Much love from the kids, multiple sweat sessions, still working on the skin.
I am very happy to be back!

Ozzy thinks I need to define a sweat session, of course, one can only imagine what a dude would be thinking.

Sweat session - drinking coffee, sweeping, going outside, thinking, walking, cooking, driving, paddle boarding, washing clothes, drying off after a shower, in other words, anything done while awake. But I am not complaining, it is much better than snow blowing.