The Missing Statue

Next time you go to La Tasca, you'll notice something missing behind the stage. Bill and I had often admired the statue behind Jimmy, Cindy and Roberto. It was very colorful, not only matching the colors of our house, but definitely representing the way we had decorated the front part...with lots of Aztec and Mayan artwork and figurines.

The last night of our group, Bill noticed the statue was for sale. Wow! We discussed it as we danced...and finally
decided we should ask Ana if she would negotiate for us...see she even takes care of us! Also, knowing Ana, we figured if anybody could get a good price,
it would be her. When she came back, she quoted a price, which was a tad pricey, but a bargain nonetheless, and then she said, "If you take it tonight, the price will be less!" We jumped at it, sealed the deal and brought him home.

We believe it to be a Mayan warrior in ceremonial dress, but if anyone out there knows differently, please post a comment and enlighten us. We think he's beautiful and, as you can see, proudly guards the gateway to our house.

For pictures of the March 3-9, 2007 Program click here

Ana's Gallery

We really had a great time on with the March 3 thru 9, 2007 group, and, again, there were so many firsts to celebrate. We had five sisters (three from one family and two from another), and the Focus staff thought it brought an immediate closeness to the group...a connection we hadn't noticed with other groups. This group seemed to bond almost immediately.

On the last night at La Tasca, Ana wanted to have her picture taken with everybody, and you'll see that when anyone takes a picture with Ana, they have the BIGGEST smiles on their faces! It's true...she is one of the brightest spots in Mexico, maybe even on this planet! She's a joy to be around and considers everyone on a group her personal property...to be cared for and cherished. She even treats the Focus staff that way if the truth be told. I feel as if I've always known Ana...that she's a member of my family. And, let me add, Ana's whole family is the same way.

After meeting her mother, and brothers and sisters, I asked Christina (Ana's mother) if she would adopt me. She simply asked, "Where do I sign?" It was definitely an ah-h-h-h-h moment!

Also in Ana's Gallery, you'll see the picture of DeAlonna Kirk giving Ana the hat she wore throughout our day trips to protect her from the sun. Ana was speechless. That's why part of the pictures are with the hat and part without. And, just for the heck of it, I've included pictures from other groups that will definitely give you a beautiful view of the Program Director we all love to love!

Since this is the first posting of this gallery, we apologize to past groups whose special moments with Ana are not in the gallery. From time to time as we run across some special pictures, we will be adding more photos to Ana's Gallery. We'll let you know. And if any of our alumni have pictures of special moments with with Ana, they would like to share, please send them along.

For the pictures in Ana's Gallery, click here.

You Make Me Feel Like Dancing

DeAlonna Kirk decided to dance the night away on our last night with the March 3 group at La Tasca. La Tasca's Roberto Cerda, Cinda Paul and Jimmy Barto were playing toe-tapping music, and it got the best of DeAlonna. She saw two young ladies up dancing together and immediately joined them for some foot-stompin' good times. With her yellow dress, and their being dressed in turquoise and red, it looked like a very peppy rainbow on the dance floor...creating, if I may quote a line from a music CD review, "a mesmerizing, booty-shaking, small-town "ruckus!!"

And, lo & behold, DeAlonna is originally from Dallas, and these ladies were from Ft. Worth. It is definitely a small world. Finally, most of the women in our group could stand it no longer. We had the five sisters, you know...with no male encumbrances, they were anxious to do a little booty-twisting themselves!

Soon we were all on the floor. I hurriedly finished my photo-snapping duties and joined them for a circle dance to beat all circle dances. And, I have to admit, even though I tried to imitate her, Ana gets the award for shakin' her booty the best! No one even came close, I think. And, of course, wearing the hat DeAlonna gave her, there were quite a few glances cast her way. Where are you, Jerry Wright???

Click here for pictures of our mesmerizing, booty-shaking, small-town ruckus!

Pedro: The World's Best Margarita Bartender

I am not the only one who says this. Now I have legions of Focus participants who agree that they've never really had a good Margarita until they tasted the ones made by Omar O'Rourke's bartender, Pedro. I was literally brow-beaten until I promised to publish the recipe. So here goes with a few comments from yours truly.

First of all, did you know that Margarita is Spanish for 'daisy?' I didn't until I was surfing the Internet for interesting tidbits for this blog. Who knew...and why? That's another blog, I'm sure...where the Margarita got its name. That's not important now...we need to know how to make a great one! And, I also found out that the Margarita is Mexico's National drink. I don't know if that's true, but if someone out there does, let me know.

Believe it or not, Margaritas are fairly simple to make. They only have four ingredients, if you don't count ice and salt, but then what would they be without those items? The four are: Tequila, *Controy, lime juice and Jarabe (simple sugar syrup).

If you don't live in an area with a large Mexican community, you may not be able to get Jarabe. So if you want to make it, if you're a big Margarita drinker, or if you're having a party, you may want to make a liter which will last for several weeks.

Making the Simple Syrup. The formula is simple:
Two parts sugar to one part water.
Fill a pot with one cup of water.
Heat the water to boiling and add 2 cups sugar.
Stir and boil until all the sugar is dissolved.
Let it cool before you use it.
You might even want to make it the night before you want to use it. You only need to refrigerate it if it's going to be around for a while.

Mixing the Margarita. Have a plate with coarse salt handy and a piece of sliced lime. I like key limes...they're sweeter and more plentiful in Mexico. Moisten only the outside of the rim with the lime, then dip the rim into the plate of salt to get a nice coating. Fill the glass with ice cubes.
And, okay, I will admit it, I've become a Tequila snob since moving to Mexico. I will only use Tequila that says 100% Agave on the bottle: If it doesn't say 100% Agave, it means the Tequila is cut with grain alcohol...let's all say 'yuck' together now! Makes my brain cells hurt!

Here's the straight scoop on Tequila. Most distilleries produce several versions of the four main styles: white or silver, which is colorless and straight from the still; gold, which is colored with caramel but not aged; reposado, or 'rested' in oak barrels for two to 12 months; and anejo, which is aged for more than a year. Don't use reposado or anejo for Margaritas. People think the more expensive the Tequila, the better the Margarita ...'taint so! You don't need the 'oakiness,' which can be too harsh for what is basically a fruity drink.

Here are the proportions to make one drink or 20.

Measurements
1 part Tequila
1 part Jarabe (sugar water)
1 part Controy (or Cointreau)*
1 part lime juice

Shake the four ingredients and pour into your salted glass over ice. And enjoy! Pedro usually makes a lot for our groups, has all the glasses lined up when we get there and starts pouring immediately. And, contrary to what has been said, itis simply not true that I've been seen pushing members of the group out of the way to get to the Margaritas...that would just be wrong!

*Controy note: We use Controy in Mexico because it is made here and very reasonably priced. It may not be possible to find it in the U.S. or Canada. You can use Triple Sec or Cointreau if you need to, but they are significantly more expensive.

And one last note, since limes vary in sweetness/sourness, don't be afraid to add more sugar syrup if the drink is too sour.

Salud!

Where are you, Jerry Wright

Husband and wife, DeAlonna Kirk and Roger Smith told her 72-year-old uncle they were going to find him a wife in Mexico. He had lost his wife a short time ago, and they had been trying to talk him into going on the Focus program with them. When he decided not to go, they said they would look for the perfect person for him.

Well, after arriving for the March 3 program, it didn't take them long to discover that "perfect" person, and that would be Ana Kabande, our lovely Program Director.

Ana is beautiful inside and out, and after spending many days in her company, DeAlonna and Roger knew they would love to have her as a family member. So they made up a sign and gave it to Ana to hold on our last wonderful night at La Tasca. Jerry, where are you? Ana's waiting!!

Click here for pictures of the March 3-9, 2007 Program