Tuesday 23rd December 2014 MY CHRISTMAS PRESENT CAME TODAY!!!

Before I tell you about my day my wonderful news is that I received a telephone call today from Paola…the phone rang and I knew her voice right away and she was with an American lady who was translating for us…anyway Paola wanted to know why I had not been to see her and I explained to the lady what had happened and then she asked me if Paola could me meet me on Saturday and I was happy and have arranged to meet her at her old house and take her swimming.

I do not know and now it does not matter what has gone on with her and Martin the Mum’s boyfriend the important thing is that Christmas came early for me and I shall see her on Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Another sunny and lovely day tennis this morning and as always enjoyed the banter and the occasional good shot..I then went around to try and see my friend Carol as her birthday was yesterday but I think we got our times mixed up and did not see her, sorry.

Came home and got cleaned up and went to Rita’s house for our regular “date”  Rita is so lovely she always makes this delicious banana bread and we chat and then play cards and finally I managed to beat her!!!

This evening I have spent over an hour trying to figure out how to fill the forms in on line for medical insurance very frustrating and now I have to try and scan them where is a ten year old kid when you need one????

I have done some Spanish homework and now ready for that final cup of tea!!!

 

I borrowed the below from my friend’s Brian’s blog..

 

Christmas Traditions In Mexico

You have not been subjected to much Mexican "stuff" on this Blog for quite a while but I want to share this write-up of how Mexicans celebrate Christmas.
In many Latin countries there are actually 12 days of Christmas with much of the gift giving done on Three Kings Day. Many will be partying from before Christmas until after Three Kings Day. Lots of fireworks. Lots of drinking. Gunfire New Years Eve. Here is a little more……….
January the 6th is a special day in Mexico. Known as 'El Dia de Reyes' (Three Kings Day), this holiday represents the height of the Christmas season. The date marks the culmination of the twelve days of Christmas and commemorates the three wise men who traveled from afar, bearing gifts for the infant baby Jesus. The children of Mexico in particular look forward to this holiday as traditionally, gifts are exchanged on this date, not on Christmas day.
In Mexico and many other Latin American countries, Santa Claus doesn't hold the cachet that he does in the United States. Rather, it is the three wise men who are the bearers of gifts, who leave presents in or near the shoes of small children. The holiday is also known by the name of the Epiphany which dates back to the 4th century. A grand feast would be held on this day to honor the occasion of Jesus' baptism and to pay homage to the three wise men.
Many believe mysterious events preceded Jesus' birth with perhaps the most notable being the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem. This new star appeared in the evening sky just prior to the arrival of Jesus. Three wise men or Magi as they were then known, whose names were Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar, traveled a far distance to pay homage to the Christ child. They brought with them fine gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Three Kings Day remains an important holiday for the people of Mexico. In addition to the gift-giving aspect of the day there is also a culinary treat that is specific to the holiday. Known as 'Rosca de Reyes' (King's Cake), this holiday dessert offers much in the way of symbolism. Shaped in the round to signify a king's crown, this sweet bread holds a special surprise. Baked inside is a small plastic figurine representing the baby Jesus. Whoever finds this token is obligated to host an upcoming party for the occasion of 'Dia de la Candelaria' (Candlemas Day) which occurs each year on February 2nd.
The effigy of the baby Jesus, hidden inside the cake, represents another aspect of the holiday. The reason Jesus is 'hidden' inside the bread is to symbolize how in life, the Christ child's birth location also needed to remain secret, in order that his life be spared. The ruler of Jerusalem at the time, King Herod, had been appraised of the mystical signs that indicated the new and rightful King of Jerusalem was soon to be born. Herod's reaction to these predictions was swift and horrible. He ordered his minions to murder all male infants recently born in Bethlehem. However, as destiny would have it, Mary and Joseph found their lodgings in a manger, not an inn. Herod's henchmen didn't think to look for an infant in such a location.
Another lovely custom associated with the Three Kings Day holiday centers around the evening meal. Traditionally, the supper served on this special day is delicious corn tamales accompanied by hot chocolate. This makes for a perfectly quintessential Mexican meal and one that is enjoyed by everyone in attendance.
Western Christianity celebrates the Magi on the day of Epiphany, January 6, the day immediately following the twelve days of Christmas, particularly in the Spanish-speaking parts of the world. In these areas, the Three Kings ("los Reyes Magos de Oriente", also "Los Tres Reyes Magos" and "Los Reyes Magos") receive letters from children and so bring them gifts on the night before Epiphany. In Spain, each one of the Magi is supposed to represent one different continent, Europe (Melchior), Asia (Caspar) and Africa (Balthasar). According to the tradition, the Magi come from the Orient on their camels to visit the houses of all the children, much like Sinterklaas and Santa Claus with his reindeer elsewhere, they visit everyone in one night. In some areas, children prepare a drink for each of the Magi. It is also traditional to prepare food and drink for the camels, because this is the only night of the year when they eat.
In Spain, Argentina, México, Paraguay and Uruguay, there is a long tradition for having the children receive presents by the three "Reyes Magos" on the night of January 5 (Epiphany Eve) or morning of January 6. Almost every Spanish city or town organises cabalgadas in the evening, in which the kings and their servants parade and throw sweets to the children (and parents) in attendance. 

 

 

Singer Joe Cocker dies aged 70 after cancer battle

 

Singer Joe Cocker, best known for his cover of The Beatles' With A Little Help From My Friends, has died aged 70.

The Sheffield-born singer had a career lasting more than 40 years, with hits including You Are So Beautiful and Up Where We Belong.

His agent Barrie Marshall said Cocker, who died after battling lung cancer, was "simply unique".

Sir Paul McCartney said he was a lovely guy who "brought so much to the world".

Cocker's friend Rick Wakeman, keyboard player for the rock band Yes, called his rendition of With a Little Help From My Friends "sensational" and said: "He had a voice that was just unique."

Wakeman told BBC Radio 2: "The great thing is with someone like Joe is what they leave behind, and that will be with us for years and years."

Sir Paul McCartney: "He turned the [Beatles] song into a soul anthem and I was forever grateful"

Known for his gritty voice, Cocker - a former gas fitter - began his singing career in the pubs and clubs of Sheffield in the 1960s before hitting the big time.

He was propelled to pop stardom when his version of With A Little Help From My Friends reached number one in 1968.

He performed the song at the famous Woodstock Festival in New York state a year later.

He was also well-known for his Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour of 1970, which visited 48 cities across the US.

His duet with Jennifer Warnes, Up Where We Belong - from An Officer And A Gentleman - hit number one and went on to win both a Grammy and an Academy Award in 1983. He was made an OBE in 2011.

The Sheffield-born singer performed at the Isle of Wight Festival in 1969

Cocker, pictured here at Los Angeles airport in 1972, had shot to fame in the 1960s

Last year, his arena tour across Europe saw him achieve a number one album in Germany and give what was to be his final concert in Hammersmith, London, in June.

Cocker, who recorded 23 studio albums and 40 albums, lived in Colorado, in the US.

Mr Marshall said it was with "the heaviest hearts we heard that our beloved Joe Cocker passed away last night".

Joe Cocker performs Up Where We Belong with Jennifer Warnes

He continued: "He was without the doubt the greatest rock/soul voice ever to come out of Britain and remained the same man throughout his life."

Mr Marshall described Cocker as a "true star" who was also "a kind and humble man who loved to perform.

"Anyone who ever saw him live will never forget him," he added.

'Etched in our memories'

Sir Paul said he would be "forever grateful" to Cocker for turning With A Little Help From My Friends into a "soul anthem".

The former Beatle said: "I knew him through the years as a good mate and I was so sad to hear that he had been ill and really sad to hear today that he had passed away.

"He was a great guy, a lovely guy who brought so much to the world and we'll all miss him."

Other musicians to have paid tribute to Cocker include Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, who tweeted: "Goodbye and God bless to Joe Cocker."

Cocker's duet with Jennifer Warnes Up Where We Belong won a Grammy and an Oscar

Cocker was recognised with an OBE for services to music in 2007

Aerosmith singer Steve Tyler tweeted: "We loved you forever, we will miss you always. RIP Joe Cocker."

Another to pay tribute on Twitter was singer-songwriter Frank Turner, who wrote: "Wow. Sad to hear of Joe Cocker's passing. Incredible singer."

Bryan Adams tweeted: "Joe Cocker has died. RIP my good friend, you were one of the best rock singers ever."

Meanwhile, Edgar Berger, chairman and chief executive of Sony Music Entertainment International, who signed Cocker, said he was "one of the most humble men I've ever met.

He said his voice "will forever be etched in our memories".

 

What is interesting for me about this sad death is that I was at the same school as Joe and I remember him…

Yashi Kochi!!!