Ana And The Gas Truck

By Tere Ruiz & Karen McConnaughey

This was just a regular day on the Focus on Mexico program...everything under control, especially the timing. We had our morning conferences, delicious barbecue ribs for lunch in Tony's and the Tequila Run with Ray. (And, I don't mean to gossip, but I can tell you! I saw two guys sneaking around the "wrong" aisle buying some whisky and Cuban cigars?) Is that Keith and Pepe (our nickname for one of the many Brians on our group!)? It sure is...and, I'm equally sure they enjoyed their purchases!

Wayne was even on time for the bus today, can you believe it? And now we are all happily riding towards Monte Coxala and its thermal waters. Ah-h-h, a relaxing afternoon!

Suddenly, the bus stops and we realize a gas truck is parked almost in the middle of the street. No way can we get past it and continue on our merry trip.

All of a sudden, Ana looks into Manuel's eyes, and then mine. We know immediately what she's thinking...No way, Ana! But, yes, in a flash, there she goes, Manuel opens the door and she jumps out. She asks everyone she sees where the truck driver is, but no one seems to know. Step by step, she approaches the truck, and as our eyes and mouths drop in disbelief, she climbs into the front seat (wearing a dress no less!)! We hear the engine rev, and slowly, the truck starts to move farther...farther...farther down the street, "Where is she going? What is she doing?"
Of all of us, I think the only person not surprised is Manuel...after all, he's worked with Ana for almost two years! He just pulls the bus up the street, turns left and waits. However, since none of us knew for sure what was going on...the yelling and shouting inside the bus kept growing. "Are we leaving Ana?" "What's happening?" "Wait for Ana!" Suddenly, we see her running towards the bus. The bus stops and up she comes. Wow, nobody caught her...she's safe! Manuel starts to pull away from the curb, but the saga's not over yet! Didn't she have her cell phone in her hands when she went out the door? Where is it? Yes, you guessed it, IN THE GAS TRUCK!! So back she goes, and Manuel pulls out yet again. Please, stop the bus Manuel; we know you're trying to keep to our schedule, but Ana is not here yet!

Again, through the windows, we see Ana chasing after the bus waving her cell phone at us! Manuel slows down, and, in the midst of cheering and hurrahs, Ana climbs inside, smiling broadly at her co-conspirators in the great truck caper. We're positive that those of you who know Ana are very disappointed right now because you didn't get to witness this for yourselves! It was typically Ana...no fear; no hesitation, no worries! Our participants become her family for a week, and we have a schedule to keep!...truck in the way?...no problem! Ana fixed it!

Yes, this our Ana, and we wouldn't want her any other way! Would you?

Click here to see the incident in pictures...

To see the memories for the March 8 thru 15 participants, click here ...

Cruz Roja Fashion Show

Three of our participants on the March 8 program came in early and were able to attend their very first charity event at Lakeside….the Cruz Roja Fashion Show!

We talked Wayne Murray, Greg Brick and John Tjia into coming to a fashion show with a persuasive argument in an email before they arrived: “It’s possible that you’re sitting there thinking…”And, why would I want to go to a fashion show?” Well, my only answer is because there are a lot of pretty women modeling, and you’ll get to meet the Focus Staff and some Focus alumni!” Wayne wrote back and said I was very persuasive:

Hi Karen,
Sure! You are so persuasive!

I can’t answer for Greg Brick but I will anyway.

You know our schedule and your schedule far better than I, so if we are there, we might as well join in and meet everyone. I’d like that.

This will be my first fashion show. I can’t answer for Greg.So put us down for Two tickets
Wayne Murray

Only knowing Wayne from emails, I decided I liked him immediately…he was so open and receptive in his communications…and he was exactly like that in person too!

Cruz Roja International Volunteers held their eighth successful Annual Fashion Show at Hotel Real de Chapala on March 7. Since our participants stay at the Hotel Real de Chapala, they didn’t have far to go.

The fashion show was a double header…a luncheon in the afternoon and a dinner/dance in the evening. The professionally produced runway show was ‘choreographed’ by Cece Darling, a recent transplant to the Lakeside area with a long history in the fashion industry. Models had to audition for a chance to strut their stuff for charity, and from the frequent and hearty applause, they were well chosen! Fashions were from Tina Jones’ Designs, Fiaga Boutique and Galeria, Mi Mexico, Opus Boutique, Ana Rosa, Alma Gutierrez and Takasami of Guadalajara. The show included an assortment of fashion, everything from funky and chic to classy and elegant to true objects of art! The women were not professional models, but worked long and hard hours to rehearse for this delightful and fast-paced production.

Focus on Mexico’s program director, Ana Kabande, has graced the runway many times for Cruz Roja, and this year was no exception. Focus on Mexico had at least two tables rooting for her every time she made her entrance, strutting to the music that set the theme for each clothing line. Sashaying down the runway to the THUMP, THUMP, THUMP of the background music, she looked absolutely gorgeous!

Cruz Roja raised $200,000 pesos during the March Fashion Show Event, money that will help the monthly operation of the critical Red Cross Chapala Delegacion. Organizers want to thank Lakeside residents and visitors for their continued support and generosity.

The local Cruz Roja (Lago de Chapala) operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and serves more than 350,000 people living and visiting on the north and south shores of Lake Chapala, and in numerous small villages surrounding the lake.

Lago de Chapala’s operation is funded through national fund-raising efforts as well as the national lottery. However, these efforts cover less than one-half of their operating budget. So community volunteers work tirelessly on local fundraising events throughout the year to help keep the deficit under control, and to keep Cruz Roja services available. Their regular fashion shows are one of the most popular events in the Lake Chapala area.

It is important that Cruz Roja Chapala has a steady income flow so that the monthly expenses are covered and their services don’t have lapses. If you want to help, Cruz Roja Chapala can take cash or check donations. Here’s how to do that:

Checks: If you’re local and are writing a check, make it out to 'Cruz Roja Chapala. They will provide receipts, including tax deductible receipts for U.S. You can drop your donations of at Cruz Roja in Chapala, Lake Chapala Society.

Pay Pal or Credit Card: Go to Cruz Roja Website and donate via Pay Pal or Major Credit Card. The web address is: http://www.cruzrojachapala.com/.

There are lots of ways that you can help Cruz Roja Chapala, even if you think that you don't have time to attend the meetings or to participate as an active volunteer. Check out http://www.cruzrojachapala.com/help.html for the ways you can help.

And, even though these are not my best efforts, click here for photos of this wonderful event, and some past pictures of Ana from the 2007 fashion show...

Ana Strikes again.....

At birthday celebrations, once assembled guests finish singing the lovely words of the traditional song, "Las Mananitas" and the candles have been extinguished, the guests begin chanting "Mordida, Mordida, Mordida!" (Little bite, little bite, little bite!)

For NOBs (north of the border), unused to Mexican tradition, it's the unexpected "face in the cake" moment. The guest of honor is obliged to take the first bite of cake without using utensils or their hands---just leaning down to take a bite out of the cake. Then, usually, strategically positioned behind the honoree is someone else ready to slam their face into the cake when they lean down. It also usually means that is how big of a piece of cake you get to eat. For a more complete explanation about the mordida, click here to read the blog "Mayhem in Mexico".

Ana is merciless when it comes to the mordida...every time she does it to a participant, we say, "Ana, no tip!" But it doesn't stop her! On the February 23 program, one of our favorite alumnis, Terri Hensley, happened to select Manix restaurant for her birthday celebration. Unlucky her! That happened to be the night (Tuesday, February 26) that the Focus on Mexico group was there! Wouldn't you know it, Ana struck again. After helping Terri to make her wish and blow out her candle, Ana very gently (yeah, right!) helped her take her first bite! Remember Ana...trust broken is very rarely regained! Thank goodness Terri has a GREAT sense of humor and took it all in good fun. Everyone enjoyed it, and of course, we have the pictures to prove it. We hope she enjoyed her cake...we're equally sure no one else wanted to share it! Happy Birthday, Terri...thanks for 'letting' us join in the celebration!

Click here to see the memories and pictures of the Feb 23 thru Mar 1 2008 Program group..