Campeón Metropolitano

A couple weekends ago was the final race in the Mexico City metropolitan mtn bike league. The course was by far the most difficult and the decent was insane. Nonetheless I ended up getting second place for the day and winning the league for my category. I must admit, the racing is not nearly the level of Colorado mtn biking, but its pretty darn cool to say that I am champion of the Mexico City metropolitan mtn bike league. Thanks to Sue for taking the photos below. I believe at some point I might even get a video of pre- and post-race interview she did. I'll post the interviews when I get them.
For second place I won a medal and a very pretty bouquet of flowers and
1,000 pesos, about $100!!!
I won this really cool jersey for winning the league.

VOTE!!!

To all my blog readers, VOTE. I just sent in my write-in ballot today because my official ballot never arrived. My philosophy is that if you don't vote, you have no right to complain about anything related to politics, which is everything. I will also let all my fellow blog readers know that I endorse Barack Obama (and my endorsement should have a VERY LARGE influence on my blog readers!) If there is one apparent executive decision the candidates have already made, its choosing their VP. For someone who strongly believes that climate change is man made and has been an advocate in the senate to support policies related to climate change, it is unthinkable to pick a running mate that doesn't believe that climate change in man made. Climate change is not just an environmental issue, its a national security issue, its an immigration issue, its an energy issue, its an education issue, and its a human rights issue. I am sorry McCain, but when you address "My friends," I know you are no longer speaking to me. My friend would not have picked a VP that does not believe in my friend's core values.

Playing International Monopoly

Way back in August when the world was in a different economic situation, I blogged about how the dollar kept dropping in value to the Mexican peso. I believe at the time it was 9.97 pesos to the dollar. Well, since the economic fall out, I have become rich! A few days ago, the exchange rate was almost 15 pesos to the dollar! The exchange rate has settled a little bit and today its 12 something pesos to the dollar. The ups and downs of playing international monopoly (or the US stock market).

Vamos a Votar Por Obama

Makin' Tamales

This past Saturday, it was all about makin' tamales. We started the project at 10am buying all the necessary ingredients at the market. The next couple hours were spent braising chicken and pork, making two types of mole (green and poblano), and mixing the masa (cornmeal and lard).
Here is Hector workin' the 3.5 lbs of lard. You have to get the lard to a certain consistency before adding the cornmeal.
Daniel was at the stove the entire morning braising the meat, whippin' up the moles, and making atole.
Barby and Daniela testing the masa. The masa was divided into two part, one for sweet tamales and one for salted tamales.The next step was stuffing the dried corn husk with the masa and what ever else you wanted to add, i.e. meet, mole, peppers and cheese, chocolate chips, dried fruit, carmel, etc.. Tania and I learning the tricks of the trade.
Preparing the pot to steam the tamales.
Ofelia and Armando testing to see if the tamales are done after they had been steaming over a charcoal fire for more than 3 hours.
Finally at 9:30 pm the tamales were ready for us to enjoy and hmm they were good.

Indian Summer

I have been spending my evenings hanging out on my roof deck because the weather in Mexico City has been beautiful the past few days. I believe the rainy season has come to an end and fall is in the air. Its chilly in the morning, about 50˚, but warms up nicely to just around 70˚ during the day. The sky is cloudless and blue, minus the pollution haze that is.
But I say cheers to the sun returning. It sure puts me in a good mood to see the sun. I guess I am a Colorado girl at heart and require many days of sun a year to function well.

CHUPA CABRAS!!!

Hector, Barby, Daniel, and I hit up Chupa Cabras for some yummy tacos on Saturday night. I can't believe it took me almost 8 months to try one of these tacos, they are so yummy!!