Birthdays (some better than others)
04.10.2004Today's my dad's birthday. He turns 55 (oops, it's 56) today. I won't write another lengthy praise to my dad, since I wrote one recently for Father's Day — and our family's not much of a "birthday" family. But today's also my niece's birthday, probably the best birthday present my dad ever got (his first grandchild).
Happy birthday, Novalí! What can you say about a three-year-old? A lot, surprisingly. She lives in Chicago. She looks more like a Coates than either a Centellas or a Gomez, w/ her blonde curls & rosy face. She's fluent in Spanish & English (conjugates all her verbs properly). And knows two verses of the Mexican anthem — which drives her Bolivian dad & Puerto Rican mom nuts (blame day care). She also loves animals, Finding Nemo, and her stuffed rabbit, Ñoño. Did I mention she's got two great parents? Here's a picture I took before I left for Bolivia.
As for less-than-spectacular birthdays. Yesterday (9 April) was the 52nd anniversary of Bolivia's National Revolution. Unfortunately, the party that led the revolution which ended serfdom, brought universal suffrage, land reform, and so many other benefits to the country is today disgraced. The Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario has certainly seen brighter days. So. No large parades through the city w/ flowing pink flags & the signature "V" for victory (and for Víctor Paz Estenssoro) held aloft. Sad.
Here's what I wrote on this date a year ago. I'll still freely admit to being a movimientista, like nearly my entire family. After all, abuelita served in the civilian militia. I looked forward to being in Bolivia for the 52nd anniversary of the 1952 Revolution, to march down the Prado & remember. But not to be. Sigh.
Posted by Miguel at 05:08 PM
Comments
She's adorable.
Posted by: Stephanie at April 11, 2004 12:31 AM
I would give my liver for tickets to california's Coachella Music Fest, which includes the Pixies, the Cure, and Flaming Lips.
Posted by: sylvia at April 11, 2004 01:30 AM
Dad turned 56. Novali had a sweet party at Chucky Cheese. And Happy Easter!
Posted by: sam at April 11, 2004 06:07 PM
Only a Centellas can post about a cute little 3 yr old niece and fit in a paragraph about the Bolivian Revolution! :)
Posted by: Andres at April 11, 2004 11:39 PM