Monday, August 13, 2018

"40 años no son nada..." - El Árbol de Tule


(English version below)



Quiero enviar un grito gigante de gratitud a todos los que me ayudaron a dar un salto al "cuarto piso" este cumpleaños. Fue un día inolvidable que voy a desdoblar la memoria y revivirla muchas veces por muchos años adelante.

Hace unos meses me propuse (y le obligué a Omar, también) un reto para subir en bicicletas en una montaña de la Sierra Juárez para celebrar mis 40 años de vida. El pase se llama Pasa Juegos: una subida de 740 metros, en un poco menos de 16 kilómetros a través de colinas verdes que se vuelven a picos grandes, con un río rugiente a tu lado. En la parte superior, un restaurante con una vista increíble del valle y un desayuno con amigos. Una aventura para el cuerpo y el alma.

Estoy lleno de alegría por todos los detalles que mi comunidad contribuyó para que el viaje y el día fueran especiales...

A los pocos intrépidos que decidieron acompañarnos en el viaje —muchos sin tiempo para entrenar con antelación, pero con una solidaridad increíble para unirse a nosotros y poner a prueba las piernas, pulmones y corazones contra la montaña. Por despertarse temprano con sonrisas y risas mientras nos estiramos las piernas antes de que partiéramos.

Yo: "Entonces, ¿quieren hacer un gesto con la mano para que un conductor sepa que quieres parar y cargar tu bicicleta?
Kythzia: (levantando su dedo del medio)
-->
Yo: Sí, eso parece claro. ¿Todos están bien con eso?
(Gracias a Graciela, Frey, Fernando, Kyt, Diego y Luciano).

A nuestro increíble equipo de conductores que nos acompañaron a lo largo de la ruta, protegiéndonos de un tráfico miedoso a veces, recogiendo ciclistas en el camino, cargando sus bicicletas en camionetas y navegando hacia adelante, sus constantes porras y espíritu en todo momento.

Holly: "¡Venga, Megan! Dale! ¡Estás muy cerca de ese grupo de mamones ciclistas que están adelante! "
(¡Gracias, Holly, Hassan, Shane, Frida, Carlos y Martín!)

Por las flores que se pusieron en las mesas en el comedor, por los confeti y globos que encontré en la cima, por los jugos frescos, por los increíbles pasteles y crumble casero, por las mimosas, el dulce brindis de amistad, los abrazos, los regalos encantadores, la piñata, los WhatsApps de última hora para comprar provisiones y trazar y planificar, para compartir generosamente tu propio cumple conmigo, para los divertidos carteles que llenaron todo el camino para "animarme" y hacerme reír. 

"Keep on, Fartin’ Martin!"

(Mil gracias Hulk, Cobra, Martha, Aurelia, Shane, Frida, María, Fer, Luciano, Julián, María, Luken, Whitney, Joel, June, Etta, Vero, Graciela, Raquel, Uliana, Goyo, Alicia, Juan Pablo, Carlos, Martín, Carlos, Frey, Kyt, Dieguis, Mary Kay)

A los que ayudaron con nuestro entrenamiento y preparaciones antes—el increíble amigo que me prestó su bicicleta durante tres meses para que pudiera entrenar y alcanzar mi objetivo, los increíbles masajes tailandeses que ayudaron a mi retorcida muñeca a recuperar su fuerza para poder hacer el viaje, los excelentes “tips” sobre las rutas alrededor de Oaxaca para entrenar, el increíble consejo (¡y App!) para planear nuestros viajes en bici y aumentar nuestra resistencia. (Gracias a Alvaro, Marcos, Uliana, Brian)

Para mi cuerpo, a veces raquítico, para asumir el reto y probarme que podemos estirarnos, crecer y realizar pequeñas hazañas, a pesar de que estamos en un paquete pequeño.

A mis queridos amigos que enviaron sus deseos y aplausos desde lejos. ¡Gracias!

A la pareja increíblemente generosa y querida en Colorado, mi familia de lejos, que secretamente conspiraron para regalarme una bicicleta para mi cumpleaños, para poder mantener viva la chispa de ciclismo que me picó hace unos meses para muchos años más. (¿Cómo puedo agradecerles suficiente, Brian y Sara?)

Y a mi querido, Omar, que ni siquiera usa el Internet, que probablemente no leerá esto —por acompañarme, pase lo que pase. Para levantarte tantas mañanas en los últimos meses, mientras todavía estaba oscuro para escalar algo u otro, nadar, ir a spinning, empujar nuestros cuerpos a pesar de tener mucho sueño y mucho trabajo. Para sernos ñoños sobre los porcentajes de inclinación de los picos. Por cargar y descargar mi bicicleta de la camioneta tantas veces. Por hacer muchas de estas subidas casi dos veces porque andabas por delante en una pendiente loca y luego volvías a bajar para ver cómo estaba. Por animarme y echarme porras, a pesar de mi malhumor por ser aplaudido.

Omar: ¡Vamos, Megan! ¡Tú puedes!
Yo: ¡Cállate! Me estoy concentrando en no morir.
Omar: Ok, suiti.

Para planear el complot de este desayuno de cumpleaños, aunque odies planificar ... para los WhatsApps y llamadas y más llamadas para convocar a nuestro clan. Por el inmenso regalo que sé que no puedes permitirte, pero que de todos modos me lo estás regalando, estás loco. Por tu amor y compañía siempre.

Como dije bastante inarticuladamente en el brindis del desayuno, tengo la MEJOR comunidad de amigos y familiares del planeta. Me has llenado de tu solidaridad, amor y risa. ¡Gracias, Gracias!

Con mucho amor y valentía,
Megan
---
(and now some English)

















I want to send a giant YAWP of gratitude to all who helped make my leap to the “fourth floor” this birthday. It was an unforgettable day that I will unfold and relive for many years to come.

A few months ago I set myself (and by obligation, Omar) a challenge to summit on bikes a mountain in the Sierra Juárez on my 40th.  The pass is called the Pasa Juegos—a climb of 2,428 feet/740 meters over the course of a little less than 10 miles/16 kilometers through green hills that turn to peeks, with a roaring river at your side. At the top, a restaurant with an incredible view of the valley below and breakfast with friends. An adventure for the body and the soul.

I am filled with joy at all the many details that my community contributed to make the journey and day special…

To the intrepid few who decided to join us on the ride—many without any time to train in advance, but with amazing solidarity to join us and test their legs, lungs and hearts against the mountain—waking early with smiles and laughter as we stretched our legs before we departed.

Me: “So, do you guys want to pick a hand gesture to let a driver know you want to stop and load your bike?
Kythzia: (lifting up her middle finger)
Me: Yep! That seems clear. Everyone good with that?”
(Thanks to Graciela, Frey, Fernando, Kyt, Diego and Luciano)

To our amazing crew of drivers who accompanied us along the pass, protecting us from some hairy traffic at times, picking up riders along the way, hauling their bikes into trucks and steaming ahead, their constant cheers and spirit throughout.

Holly: “You got this, Megan! Go go! You’re so close to that group of douchebag cyclist guys up ahead!” (Thank you so much Holly, Hassan, Shane, Frida, Carlos and Martín!)

For the flowers that donned the tables at the restaurant, for the confetti and balloons that met me at the top, for the fresh squeezed juices, for the amazing cakes and homemade crumble, for the mimosas, the sweet toast to friendship, the hugs, the lovely gifts, the piñata, the last minute errands to buy supplies and plot and plan, for generously sharing your own birthday day with me, for the hilarious signs that donned the trail all the way up “cheering” me on and making me laugh. 

"Keep on, Fartin’ Martin!"

(A HUGE thanks to Hulk, Cobra, Aurelia, Whitney, Joel, June, Etta, Shane, Frida, Martha, María, Fer, Luciano, Julián, María, Luken,  Vero, Graciela, Raquel, Uliana, Goyo, Alicia, Juan Pablo, Carlos, Martín, Carlos, Frey, Kyt, Dieguis and Mary Kay)

To those who helped with our summit in advance—the amazing friend who loaned me his bike for three months so I could train and reach my goal, the incredible thai massages that  helped my wonky wrist regain its strength so I could make the journey, the great tips on routes around Oaxaca to train, the amazing advice (and App!) to track our journey and increase our endurance.  (Thank you so to Alvaro, Marcos, Uliana and Brian)

For my sometimes creeky, ‘ole body, for taking on the challenge and proving to me we can stretch and grow and accomplish small feats, even though we’re in a small package.

To my dear friends who sent best wishes and cheers from afar. Thank you!

To the unbelievably generous and dear pair in Colorado, my family farther afoot, who secretly conspired to gift me a bike for my birthday so I can keep the spark for riding that began a few months ago alive for years to come. (How can I say thank you enough, Brian and Sara?)

And to my love, Omar, who doesn’t even really use the internet, so probably won’t read this—for joining me, no matter what. For getting up on so many mornings over the last few months, while it’s still dark out, to climb something or other, to swim, to spin, to push our bodies despite having little sleep and lots of work. For nerding out about elevation percentages. For hauling my bike in and out of the truck so many times. For doing a lot of these climbs almost twice because you would bike up ahead what seems a crazy incline and then head back down to see how I’m doing. For cheering me on, despite my grumpiness at being cheered on.

Omar: Come on, Megan! You can do it!
Me: Shut up! I’m concentrating on not dying.
Omar: Ok, sweety.

For planning this whole birthday breakfast complot, even though you hate to plan…for the WhatsApp chats and phone calls and more phone calls to rally our clan. For the immense gift that I know you can’t afford, but are giving it to me anyway, you nut.  For your love and companionship always.

As I said pretty inarticulately at the breakfast toast—I have the BEST community of friends and family on the planet.  You have filled me up with your solidarity, love and laughter. Thank you, thank you! 

With much love and courage, 
Megan 






Wednesday, August 18, 2010

The Cupcaketress Reports

A little behind-the-scenes from the Lipke-Huckabay wedding fest.

Cupcakes: Critics report from M Martin on Vimeo.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Who's 90?

My grandpa turned ninety years old on July 16th this year. To celebrate, a few of us cousins got together some favorite memories and best wishes for the old whipper snapper. I collected them here in this audio postcard. Enjoy! (*)



(*) The music at the close is meant for "gettin' down," people. As that is the proper thing to do when celebrating ninety years of life. Don't just sit in your chair and listen, boogey down, would ya?

A little audio test

I'm trying out Goear.com to see if it's a viable option to post audio to my blog. Though, the more immediate impetus is to find a good place we can publish the great work of all of the students in my youth radio class.

Here's an audio postcard I made as an example for the class. Give a listen... And let me know what you think of the presentation and the quality of the audio.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Recent Travesties and Triumphs in the Kitchen

FAIL.

The dairy-free, yeast-free amaranth loaf didn't turn out so well. I followed the recipe to a T. So, what up? Anyone have another recipe I could try that's yeast and dairy free, using a whole grain flour...? This one didn't work.

Mooshy middle = back to the drawing board.



SUCCESS!
However, the savory seasoned nuts I made turned out great!. Take your pick between almonds and pecans.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

I was considering a pun for my title here, but felt it was too much for you, dear reader.

Tonight I made vegetable samosas for supper. A tiny pocket of yummy goodness. And whilst chatting with a British chum yesterday (I've been plotting my samosas since then) we discussed the finer points of food wrapped around itself. Samosas, quesadillas, calzones, empanadas, stromboli, runza...(there must be more!)--what do they have in common?

1. No messy clean up--pocketed food is its own plate.
2. Easy portability from plate to mouth (forget the complication of utensils)
3. The novelty that you are cooking a miniature, edible oven (the pocketed food) inside another oven (the conventional kind)--as the veggies, meats or cheeses simmer together inside the outer coat of doughy goodness.

This was my first attempt at samosas. And this recipe from Real Simple was just that, simple. Check it out!


I'm washing that down with some seasonal Christmas beer. That's right...unbuckle those pants.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Thanks, Mom.

Hey lookey loo, I'm cracking open your soap, Mom. Yay for delayed satisfaction and Christmas gifts.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Legal, Baby!

It's real, it's real! The Hub Oaxaca is now, officially, an Asociación Civil. We're on the books. We're a non-profit. And that's us, the team, holding the Hub's statutes in our hands. Now the real work begins...Come and check out what we're up to, friends.