Empty Nest II

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Empty Nest II
by Latina
22-Jun-2012
 

I find myself beginning a new phase of life. I am now living alone for the very first time, in all my life. I have found that I make excellent company. It is very good news indeed.

I have been preparing for this moment for many years. I knew one day that I would have an Empty Nest!  I achieved my academic goal and I established my career before my last son left the nest. I encouraged my two sons to go to university and follow their own dreams. 

Now, you might be wondering, "How on earth did she never live alone before?" Well, you see,  I came from a very strict upbringing. I am 1/2 generation Mexican-American. I was born in Mexico but at the age of 3 my family moved to the U.S. into a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood. As, first born and a girl, there were certain expectations of me. 

I did manage to live in the dorms at university for one semester but I had a roommate. I was just a kid then so I was home sick. Funny thing was, my parents home was on the other side of the city. It was not like they were in another town or state. None the less, I did return home. My parents were very happy to see me return. So, much so that I was given the largest bedroom in the home. 

In my culture back then it was expected that a young lady would only move out upon marrying. I am talking about back in the 80's.  Now, it is more acceptable for young Hispanic women to leave home for university. They are also not judged as harshly if they don't marry in their early twenties if they are going to university. Now, if they don't pursue any academic studies then they are encouraged to marry young. 

Now back to my present. My mother and some siblings worry about my being alone. They mean well but for now, being alone is good. For the first time, I have the opportunity to take a good look at my life and make any changes that I see are necessary. I have spent most of my life making sacrifices for my loved ones. It is my time now.

At first, it felt strange not to have someone around but now I value my "me" time. I can also take a nap whenever, I want. During the school year, I get up at 4 or 5 am Monday-Friday. I have earned my little naps. :o) At the moment, I am on vacation but I am still working on personal goals. One of them is continuing an academic goal of mine. 

The next big change will be moving to a smaller place. I have it all planned out for July.  I saw my new future home. It will be nice and cozy. I can see myself, reading, crocheting, writing, drinking a latte or tea on my patio. What a pleasant and relaxing thought.

Yes, I do believe that I am ready for the new phase of my life. :o)

 

 

 

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more from Latina
 
yolanda

...............

by yolanda on

Hi Natalia,

     Here is a very sweet poem translated from Farsi:

//www.iroon.com/irtn/blog/12/

If you don't like it, I will give you the money back! :O))))))

www.iroon.com has a lot of IC members, they use the same user ID's.


Latina

.........

by Latina on

What a shame. I thought you would know about this author Paulo Coelho.

 

Someone on this web site must have heard about him.


Esfand Aashena

Natalie what are you talking about?

by Esfand Aashena on

Don't know about El Zahir. 

Everything is sacred


Latina

el Zahir por Paulo Coelho

by Latina on

Wow! I had no idea that el Zahir by Paulo Coelho was published in Farsi in Iran.

 

Of course, it was banned soon after publishing. No big suprise there. 

Raton, what do you know about this subject? Please do share.

 


Latina

somethings...........

by Latina on

Well, I know I have shared much on this web site.

However, somethings are best kept to one self.

Don't you agree? :o)

Just like a lot of my poetry is not about me. It may seem so but I get a lot of my ideas from those around me. 

 


Shazde Asdola Mirza

Dear Latina: how about a hubby or something?

by Shazde Asdola Mirza on

You mention a number of people around you, which is very nice. But how about a hubby or boyfriend, who can give you headache and/or heartache?


Latina

Shazde Asdola Mirza

by Latina on

Yes, you are correct in saying that I enjoy my alone time. It is because I have a full life. When one's life is full of many blessings then one does not feel lonely.

My sons enjoy my company so much that they often invite me to their place or come over to mine. I also spend time with my mom and friends from time to time.

I am blessed to have a job I love and that I am very good at. I work full-time. 

I also have academic goals and attend a graduate program full-time.

I have many personal goals that I am currently working on. 

My son's girlfriend also likes me and invites me often to spend time with her and my son. My ex-mother in law still loves me as if I were one of her daughters. I think this alone speaks volumes of my character. Good things.........

I am aware that I am blessed. 

 

 


Shazde Asdola Mirza

It's alright to be alone, but not lonely

by Shazde Asdola Mirza on

You seem to be centered and composed enough to enjoy a bit of alone time. Surely, you can make the most out of it.


Latina

...............

by Latina on

I am happy to report that my heart is finally doing better. :o)


yolanda

.............

by yolanda on

Hi Natalia,

    Congratulations! You are only 2 classes away from your degree!

Jasmine tea is pretty good!

I hope you feel better!


Latina

Yesssssssssss!

by Latina on

I just finished two more university classes.

I only have two more to go. I can do it......I know  I can........I know I will. You remember that little train.....I think I can.....

 

Also, my heart doesn't hurt as much.

I am going to look for the tea still to keep any pain away. I will rest more the next two days too.


Latina

Gracias

by Latina on

Raton,

 

I will check the tea packets and see what I can find.

The doctor said it would take a couple of days or weeks for my body adjust. 

I still need to go my last university class for the summer tonight.

Dios me ayude. 


Esfand Aashena

Natalie

by Esfand Aashena on

Natalie I don't know of any specific tea, perhaps green tea.  You can also read behind the tea packages and see if any say something specific about heart.

Hope you feel better soon.  

Everything is sacred


Latina

Raton.......

by Latina on

Je suis malade.

 Is there any tea you can recommend for heart ache? I do not mean heart break.

I saw the doctor this week. A medication was causing me heart palpitations. My heart literally hurt. I never realized how painful it could be.

 

Thank you

N

 

 


Latina

............

by Latina on

Actually, I have made Persian rice before so I know what kind of rice to buy already.

It has been awhile since I last made Persian rice. It actually came out pretty good.

I have also made Ghormeh Sabzi but need more practice making it. I think it is time to practice other recipes. 

I want to learn to make my favorite dip  Kashk-E-Bademjan
Eggplant & Yogurt with Garlic.

 


Esfand Aashena

Natalie

by Esfand Aashena on

Natalie there is no specific cookware for Persian cooking. Any cookware will do, though if you're a good cook in whatever cuisine you're used to you know the differences between good cookware.

For example, K-cup is not a good cookware to make traditional tea or coffee! 

As for Persian rice any pot will do except the main ingredient has to be basmati rice, you can't use Uncle Ben's for Persian rice.  Nowadays you can buy $5 - $7 basmati rice in small burlap bags in any supermarket.

Everything is sacred


Latina

Persian cookware

by Latina on

When I move to my new place, I will be making some changes. I am looking for nice dishes, glasses, pans, etc.

I will also slowly add certain pieces of furniture and decor to my new place.

I want to make my home a relaxing, cozy, warm place to live in. 

Any recommendations on the types of cookware I could use to make Persian meals would be helpful. 

For instance, what is the best cookware to use to make Persian rice. 


Latina

K-Cup

by Latina on

MM,

So true, one never knows what life has in store, right around the corner. Hopefully it will be good.

 

What is a K-Cup?


Latina

tea glasses

by Latina on

Raton,

Yesterday, I bought tea glasses. On the box it says Keyif. They are 6 of them (145 cc) 4 3/4 oz. 

I think that they will work out very nicely. So far, I have not found a tea kettle that will work but I only checked two stores. 

Tomorrow, I will check Target. 


MM

James Bond said: Never say never again

by MM on

You never know what life has stored for you around the corner.

As far as making tea or coffee, I say K-Cup rules! 


Esfand Aashena

Natalie!

by Esfand Aashena on

Coffee is bitter that's what I meant!  Anyway, the most common way to drink tea in Iran and diaspora is to drink sweetened tea.  Just add sugar to your tea and it's a pleasant drink.

In fact, every once in a while if you're used to drinking bitter tea with sweets, it is an indulgence to add simple sugar and enjoy a nice sweetened hot tea! Nothing wrong with having sweetened tea with cheesecake either!

Everything is sacred


Latina

..........

by Latina on

Maziar 58,

Gracias

Mis mejores deseos para vos.


Latina

Not exactly

by Latina on

Not the way that I make it.

I make my coffee with milk instead of water. For guests it is with water though. Unless, they prefer it my way. :o)

 

I also don't use a lot of coffee.


Esfand Aashena

Natalie black tea is just as bitter as black coffee, no?

by Esfand Aashena on

Everything is sacred


Latina

ok fine........

by Latina on

Raton,

Ok, fine. I will try a little black tea in my tea.

Geez! I just like my tea sweet. 

The slice of cheese cake will make the adding of the black tea better. 

 


Latina

hahahaha

by Latina on

How funny! A debate over tea.

I also drink Chai tea. 

Please, I am a Mexican. We never run out of coffee. Actually, when guests come over we always offer coffee. :o)

We also tend to offer some Mexican bread and sweets to go with the coffee. 


Esfand Aashena

Maziar see!

by Esfand Aashena on

After all the hard work and explaining the voo-doo ritual, Natalie says "No promises on using the black tea"!  It's as if I am singing don't cry for me Argentina in Ahmadinejad's ears!

 Everything is sacred


Latina

Good idea

by Latina on

Raton,

 

Excellent idea! I will make sure at the store that the tea kettle and tea pot work well together. 

As far as I know there are no Iranian stores in my area. However I do recall some international market store in Houston. I shall google it.  I think it will be the best way to find the tea you mentioned.

No promises on using the black tea though. I prefer no bitterness.

On the cheese cake. Oh yes! I love cheese cake. It is the one thing I never refuse. Especially with strawberries. Yummy!

 


Esfand Aashena

Maziar why do you think people put hel in their teas?!

by Esfand Aashena on

I thought I was 1-2-3 but for someone like Nalalie who is probably used to drinking coffee and teabags when she's out of coffee I thought to mention it so she knows tea is more than just teabags!

As an example, she used a tea recipe whish had rose petal in it, pesticides and all!  As you know some Iranians also use Hell in their tea which should be done when you want to piss off your inlaws or someone else!

When you serve a cup of nice Persian tea what you want to hear is hmmmm this is such a great tea!  Not .... hmm WTF is in this tea?! 

Everything is sacred


maziar 58

........

by maziar 58 on

Thanks Latina khanoom

Liked the part: Sacrificing all my life for the loved one ;Here the same

But still cann't let them go!

P.s Esfand khan you made the tea ceremony like a voo-doo ritual!

It should be 1-2-3Done !!.

Maziar