Tuesday 31st January 2012…OK enough bring back the sun!!!

It rained quite hard for most of the night and I knew my 9am tennis would be cancelled but because I was with a different group and I was subbing in I had to go just to make sure so got ready and rode up there to find the courts unplayable so turned around and came home and relaxed for the morning read a current newspaper that Sara had given me and then started to read, study and do some computer work.

I did book my summer flight to England the other day as the flights were getting full so I leave Vancouver on 1st June and return 1st September but more about that trip another day.

At 1pm I went to pick up Sara and took her to the Tuesday market!!

The general consensus is if you cannot find what you are looking for in this market you do not need it!!!

You know I could not pass this store with out a purchase!!!

A big bag of fresh delicious berries for 20 pesos!!!

I invited Sara for supper she made a lovely salad and I BBQ’d nice turkey burgers!!

Sara just  left and I am about to go downstairs and watch a live broadcast of the Canucks hockey game!!

So no sun and the rest of the week is not looking good but I am not complaining….that is a big fat lie…I AM!!!!

Monday 30th January 2012…definite pay back time!!!

For all those blogs that I started by saying beautiful sunny blue skies and warm….today was for sure not warm, not sunny skies, not blue anywhere!!!

It rained quite hard most of the morning and then stopped but still gloomy and cold I have worn wooly socks, sweater and long pants all day!!!!  End of rant!!!

Spent the morning reading and researching and worked on the computer and then in the afternoon  met Sara and took her up to Casa Hogar to see the girls…it was a happy reunion!!!

The girls were in a good mood, funny and obviously happy to see us..OK OK to see Sara!!!

Paola got my camera again and this is my  serious pose!!!!

We then went and got some groceries for Sara and now here I am in Casita Doris dressed for a Siberian Winter!!!!!

Sunday 29th January 2012…..Rain!!!!!!!! What is happening!!!!

Well my busy day started off with tennis at 10am our usual mixed doubles and a bizarre incident happened this morning….I was in my usual position right at the net and I went after a shot and took a full swing and missed the ball completely and hit nothing but air but I felt like a snap on the back of my head like somebody just zapped me..it stopped me in my tracks and I went to my knees..Carolyn and Loren rushed over and I was a bit dazed, they sat me down and both took care with me with water….I told them that I did not hit myself with the racquet but just a strange thing…my vision, sight and speech were all OK and I told them I was fine and I was…but it was a bit of a shock!!  I continued playing and about 10 minutes later Carolyn went for a shot stumbled and she was flat on her back…I returned the favor and rushed over but she was laughing she just lost her balance thank goodness!!! Perhaps next Sunday we will have the Ambulance in attendance!!!!

Carolyn came over after tennis for tea and a visit and after she left I went downstairs and watched 5 hours of incredible display of Mens tennis!!!

 

 

I think next week I shall have to post a similar photo of myself don’t you think????

Below is from the BBC

Magnificent Djokovic seals epic win

World number one Novak Djokovic has labelled his historic Australian Open win against close rival Rafael Nadal as the greatest moment of his career.

Djokovic outlasted 10-time Grand Slam winner Nadal to clinch an epic five-setter that went five hours 53 minutes.

"It was the longest Grand Slam final of all time. Just hearing that fact makes me cry," said the emotional Serbian.

"Wimbledon is right up there because it is the tournament I always wanted to win. But this comes out on top."

Defending champion Djokovic lifted the title for the third time after Sunday's 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 success against second seed Nadal.

We made history - Djokovic

It moved the 24-year-old alongside Andre Agassi, Roger Federer and Mats Wilander as the only open era players to have achieved a hat-trick of successes.

"I am very proud to be a part of history," said Djokovic, "to be among the elite group of players who have won this trophy several times.

"I had lots of chances to finish the match in the fourth, but he came up with some incredible serves and incredible points.

"So he deserved to prolong the match in the fifth set, and then really both of us could have won the match.

"Even when I was 4-2 down I still pushed myself up to the limit.

"I'm sure any other colleague tennis player would say the same. We live for these matches.

"We're trying to dedicate all our life to this sport, to come to the situation where we play a six-hour match for a Grand Slam title."

Djokovic reached the Melbourne final after overcoming breathing and injury problems in his quarter-final victory over David Ferrer.

He also appeared to struggle physically during his semi-final defeat of Britain's Andy Murray, in a match which lasted four hours 50 minutes.

But he managed to outlast Nadal in an exhausting encounter before falling to the floor in celebration following his winning point.

"I overcame everything," said the Serb. "That's the most important thing for me. And to be able to mentally hang in there.

Nadal upbeat despite defeat

"It was obvious on the court for everybody who has watched the match that both of us, physically, took the last drop of energy that we had from our bodies.

"It was just the matter of maybe luck in some moments and a matter of wanting this more than maybe other players in the certain point. It's just an incredible effort."

Nadal, aiming for his second Australian Open title after beating Roger Federer in the 2009 final, said the epic encounter was one of the toughest matches of his career.

"We played a nice tennis match, it was a very good show and I enjoyed being a part of it," said the Spaniard.

"I wanted to win but I am happy with how I did."

When asked if he would watch a re-run of the match, Nadal joked: "No, it's too long. Just the highlights

 

Sara arrived around 5pm and it was good to see her it has been almost 8 months since I left the Island.

We walked over to her apartment which she really liked and got her settled in then we went to Hecho’s for dinner!!

She is enrolled in Spanish class which starts on Tuesday……now a quiet evening listening to the rain!!!!!!!!

Yes RAIN!!!!!   It started about 5pm and a good storm the weather forecast is not good for the next few days but all the gardens and flowers do need some moisture!!!!

Saturday 28th January 2012…3 blogs in one day a record I think!!!

Saturday morning tennis at 9am again a really good two hours!!

Home in time for lunch and a then shower and went to Casa Hogar to get the girls!!

Some of the girls eating Comida!!!

I had been given a last minute chance to take the girls to the Big Chili cook off event at the swanky Hotel Real de Minas…..

Happy to say that I could have  Paola and Daniela and because little Lupita was not there we also brought along Susana…we took a taxi to the hotel and the girls had a wonderful afternoon….

 

We saw many friends there that the girls knew….It was such a sweet moment when I told the girls in the taxi that Linda and Guy would be there…Daniela asked me if Guy was OK and signaled with her fingers about his breathing tube…such caring kids!!!

We did see Linda and Guy and Martha and Noe and Karen and Rob and also Earline and Armstrong and also Carolyn was there!!

Armstrong..                                     Earline,,                          Carolyn

I like the above photo we all have great smiles!!!

This kid was good!!!

The girls loved the play area!!

It was a special treat to have the girls for the afternoon and to see so many of my friends…..I just feel so fortunate to have them in my life they make me feel proud, young, alive and very happy!!!!

Took them back to CH for 5.30pm and told the Madre how good they had been!!

I then went and did a bit of grocery shopping for Sara’s apartment she arrives about 6pm tomorrow!!!

Just a quiet night movie and tea and I treated myself to a small piece of strawberry cheese cake!!!

Saturday 28th January 2012…for for lovely Brother..I am in trouble now!!!!

• Tubbs has been prolific this season for Crawley

Matt Tubbs gave League Two Crawley a place in the FA Cup fifth round at the expense of Championship side Hull City.

Steve Evans's side were a non-league outfit when Manchester United knocked them out at Old Trafford last season.

At Hull, a confident second-half finish from Tubbs, his 18th of the season, was enough to put them in the draw again.

Crawley were well worth their win, with on-loan Sanchez Watt also hitting the woodwork against a much-changed Hull side.

But Crawley keeper Scott Shearer played his part, making key saves to ensure the League Two promotion chasers' progressed.

Despite Crawley's rapid rise, 45 places still separate these sides, but at times that was hard to credit given the way Hull toiled.

Tubbs was quick to serve notice of the danger he posed when he sent home keeper Vito Mannone scrambling early on, while Watt - like Mannone, a loan signing from Arsenal - always causing problems with his pace.

Tubbs then steered an overhead kick just over the bar after a lofted pass by Sergio Torres, while Tyrone Barnett beat Mannone on the by-line but drilled his attempted cross at the legs of Daniel East.

Just past the half-hour, Tubbs almost reached Barnett's cross in front of goal, but was foiled by Joe Dudgeon's superb interception.

Hull's first shot on target arrived in the 39th minute when Tom Cairney tested Shearer, with the Crawley keeper then doing well to save Robbie Brady's deflected effort.

DID YOU KNOW?

Continue reading the main story

• Crawley were still playing in the Southern League - three tiers below the Football League - in 2004

The decisive goal came before just the hour when Torres sent Tubbs clear and the prolific striker kept his poise to squeeze the ball under Mannone.

The goal sparked an immediate reaction from Hull, with Richard Garcia almost equalising only for Shearer to scoop the ball off his goal-line.

The Crawley keeper had to ride his luck when he raced from his box to reach a through-ball and was beaten to it by Hull substitute Aaron Mclean, who clattered his attempted lob against the keeper.

To their credit, the visitors refused to sit on their lead and Watt brought a point-blank save out of Mannone, and from the resulting corner the same player somehow hit the outside of the post with the goal at his mercy.

Hull's last chance to salvage an equaliser fell to substitute Mark Cullen in injury time but his swinging shot was blocked in a crowded box.

Saturday 28th January 2012…..I want to tell you about a beautiful lady!!!

I first met her when I was just a little kid growing up in Doncaster, England and I will confess right here and now I was sweet on her younger Sister!!!

For obvious reasons she became interested in my suave, debonair and handsome Brother( can you believe I just wrote that??)

At a tender young age they got married and started a life that has blossomed with love and happiness and now they are well into the forties in years married.

Three wonderful children one amazing Grand son later life is good for them……

Janet my amazing and special Sister in law it is your birthday today and I want the whole world to know that I love you, admire you and I salute you with Happy Birthday wishes!!!!!

As always life has thrown you curve balls but with your incredible attitude, devotion and love of family you have been the “Rock” for the Pearson family.  As long as I live I shall never forget the way you were with my Dad after Mum passed away..it was not easy but you took care of him, treated him with love and respect and because in part to you his remaining 12 years were lived with grace and happiness.

Janet are the best and rank right up there with Mum!!!!  You know what a compliment that is!!!!!!

 

Have a wonderful day…..to my readers do you think my Brother Malc is taking her out for dinner????  NO!!!!

Janet has decided because there is a family from Ghana who are in England visiting their son as he finishes college and he attends their Church…..so Janet has invited the five of them to dinner!!!

That tells you a little bit about this special lady!!

So I wanted to devout a separate blog just for you….I know when we are together I am a big tease and give you a hard time only in jest you KNOW that you are the greatest woman and my Brother has been a lucky man!!!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANET!!!!!!

Friday 27th January 2012…I must be nuts!!!

In the Pearson household growing up with two soccer crazy kids and a husband my Mum must have had such a hard time and there was a song she used to sing…

“ you’re football crazy, you’re football mad and football is a taking away the little bit of sense you had”

Well I think that applies to me this week with tennis..staying up all hours but I finally got smart…I found out the games that start at 2.30am can be seen again in the afternoon!!!

So whilst I was playing tennis this morning I managed not to hear the score and when I had finished playing came home and watched this incredulous 5 hour epic battle!!

 

• •  

 

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Novak Djokovic overcome his breathing problems and fatigue to beat his old friend Andy Murray in an almost five-hour Australian Open semifinal Friday night and move into his third straight Grand Slam final.

Standing between Djokovic and a record shared by some of the greatest players of all time will be No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal, a man he beat in six tournament finals in 2011.

Despite appearing tired and sore from the second set, the defending champion rallied to beat fourth-seeded Murray 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 (4), 6-1, 7-5 in a rematch of the 2011 final at Melbourne Park.

After wasting a chance to serve out the match at 5-3 in the fifth and letting Murray back into the contest, Djokovic cashed in his first match point when the Scottish player missed a forehand after four hours 50 minutes.

"You have to find strength in those moments and energy, and that keeps you going," Djokovic said. "I think we both went through a physical crisis. You know, him at the fourth set, me all the way through the second and midway through the third. It was a very even match throughout, from the first to the last point."

Djokovic dropped onto his back, fully laid out on the court. He got up and shook hands with Murray, before jogging back out onto the court like a boxer, dropping to his knees and crossing himself.

It was already after 12:30 a.m. Saturday when he got up again and pumped his arms triumphantly.

"Andy deserves the credit to come back from 2-5 down. He was fighting. I was fighting," Djokovic said. "Not many words that can describe the feeling of the match.

"Evidently it was a physical match ... it was one of the best matches I played. Emotionally and mentally it was equally hard."

 

The question now is what do I do about the final again on at 2.00am Sunday morning!!!!

Spent a couple of hours this evening getting Sara’s apartment ready for her arrival late Sunday afternoon….

Hope you all have a great weekend!!

Thursday 26th January 2012..well another first for me!!!!

Staying up all night to watch this incredible tennis match!!!  What a great tribute to the sport but did it have to start at 2.30am  San Miguel time!!!

MELBOURNE, Australia - Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer 6-7 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-4 in an Australian Open semifinal on Thursday night, the longtime rivals playing with the intensity they normally display when they meet in Grand Slam finals.

Though the stars who have met in eight Grand Slam finals were on the same side of the draw for the first time at a major since 2005, they played as if the title were at stake.

This time, though, only Nadal will have the opportunity to win another championship — on Sunday night when the Spanish left-hander plays the winner of Friday's semifinal between defending champion Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

In doubles play, Toronto's Daniel Nestor and Belarusian partner Max Mirnyi lost their semifinal 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 to India's Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic.

But a pair of Canadians advanced to the semifinals in junior play. Vancouver's Filip Peliwo defeated Joshua Ward-Hibbert of Britain, 6-3, 6-2 while second-seeded Eugenie Bouchard of Montreal downed Risa Ozaki of Japan 6-4, 6-3.

Nadal, who holds a 6-2 edge in Grand Slam finals against Federer, made the key service break in the ninth game of the fourth set, making an incredible cross-court forehand winner from well behind the baseline, then watching as Federer hit a backhand wide to give Nadal a 5-4 lead.

Serving for the match, Nadal moved two points away from the win when Federer sent a backhand long. He won on his second match point when Federer floated a forehand long.

At the end, Nadal smashed a ball up high in the stadium, almost clearing the roof. He then applauded along with the crowd when Federer walked off.

Two weeks ago, Nadal injured his right knee and wasn't sure he'd be able to start the tournament. Now, he can barely believe he's in the final.

"If you tell me that two Sundays ago, I really cannot imagine," Nadal said. "For me, it's a dream to be back in a final of the Australian Open."

The 25-year-old Spaniard won the 2009 Australian title but lost in the quarter-finals in his next two trips to Melbourne Park. Federer hasn't added to his record 16 Grand Slam titles since he won the 2010 Australian Open.

"I thought Rafa played well from start to finish," Federer said. "It was a tough match physically as well. I'm disappointed, but it's only the beginning of the season. I'm feeling all right, so it's OK."

When the often enthralling play was suspended for 10 minutes late in the second set for an Australian Day fireworks display, Federer seemed to be affected most. Nadal led 5-2 at the time, and Federer lost his serve in the next game to give the Spaniard the set. In all, the Swiss dropped 11 points in a row.

"It's tough, it's not helpful, that's for sure," Federer said of the break for the fireworks. "They told us before, so it was no surprise. But I knew it was a lot of points in a row that I lost."

The capacity, 15,000-strong crowd was evenly split in its support, with the names seeming to blur after the R in rival chants.

Each time somebody called out for Rafa, it was met by a response for Roger. The cheers were just as loud for Nadal's scrambling, sometimes astonishing, passing shots as for Federer's deft winners.

With the players on serve in the second set, Nadal went so far wide on a Federer return that he was near the side wall of the arena. Incredibly, he stretched wide and returned the ball crosscourt for a winner. That set up three break points and Nadal clinched the game to take a 4-2 lead in the second set.

Federer saved a set point in the 11th game of the third set that eventually forced a tiebreaker. But Federer made three unforced errors in the tiebreaker to give Nadal a 6-1 lead, and the Spaniard eventually clinched the set on his last opportunity of five set points.

"Please win the point, that's all," Nadal recalled when asked what he was telling himself. "I was very, very nervous at that moment. Losing four set points in a row is tough, especially when you play the toughest in history."

The above was taken from the TSN website.

So after getting a couple of hours sleep I myself was on the courts at 9am and I was not Nadal like…a little weary but still enjoyed the game…always do!!

I had a small problem with Bonita one of the rear indicator lights was broken away from the hinge and just hanging by the wire so I stopped at a motor cycle repair shop a few blocks away where this lovely young lady came to the rescue!!

Two minutes later she had glued and powdered the piece back together solid…..asked how much and she told me no charge... only in Mexico…I am sure she will enjoy the 50 pesos tip!!!

My friend Sara is arriving on Sunday for 2 months to do some Spanish language courses she asked me to find her an apartment and I did last week and today I took possession of the key it is a really nice one bedroom apartment, fully furnished and within a 5 minute walk of the school she will be attending and about a 7 minute walk to the Centro area.

It will be nice to see Sara again we keep in touch often and she is very happy and has a new man in her life….I am sure we will be doing things together and I bet she is anxious to see the girls!

I then went up to Casa Hogar to see the girls and I got Lupita, Daniela and Paola busy making signs to welcome Sara!!

 

I just love  going to CH all the girls are so fun and they follow me around I feel like the pied piper…..and I am happy to report that yet again Paola seems really happy!!!

Tonight was another treat my friends Karen and Rob who I have known for a few years and we own similar Rv’s and I stayed with them for a few days in Nova Scotia this past summer invited me to Hecho's for supper….I did not need any prompting!!

The company was great and the music yet again awesome!!

Thanks Karen and Rob for my meal and it was great to catch up with your travels!!!

Cannot keep my eyes open this kid is out of here!!!!!

Wednesday 25th January 2012…..….a full day!!!

Received these photos from Paula and Jerry!!!

Thanks great photos even better memories!!!!

This one was sent to me by my lovely tennis partner Carolyn….

Hard to believe that someone so pretty would resort to the dubious and distasteful tactics of bribing a ball boy to win a tennis match!!!!

So this morning at 11am it was tennis then straight to poker and as you can see quite a good day!!!

Home in time for tea before I dashed off to the girl’s English class!!

Paola has really good handwriting!!

Daniela working on the board!!

I sat next to Paola and she is so loving… at times she would just stare at me or put her hand on mine…..unconditional love cannot be beaten!!!!!!!

Tonight it is going to be a different plan I want to watch an epic live tennis game from Australia between Nadal and Federer…the problem??

It starts at 2.30am!!!!!  So trying to get a little sleep and then set my alarm….who knows what I will be like for my own tennis game at 9am tomorrow!!!!

Tuesday 24th January 2012…..early start!!

Carolyn and I decided we should try a singles game of tennis so at 8am she took me to her tennis club just outside of town I have played here before with her last year and it is a beautiful facility with a golf course and heated pool and about 6 clay courts….you even get a ball boy who keeps score but I think Carolyn had paid him off as he was calling a lots of my shots out!!!!!!!  Modesty forbids me from telling you the score..I know what you are saying it never stopped me before!!!!  Suffice it so say I really enjoyed the game and I do now have bragging rights!!!!!!  It was a really good start to the day.

Home for a while then I went to the Rotary meeting Linda thought I would enjoy the guest speaker Dr.Maxwell!!

It was a very informative talk on medical costs and insurance in Mexico, really interesting!!

I then up and  did some chores inside Ramona and then came home had supper and now going downstairs to watch some tennis live from Australia!!!

Blessings….

Monday 23rd January 2012….a really low key day!!!

A day with no plans so I decided that no plans was a good plan!!!!

Easy breakfast and read another 3 month old newspaper and then did some serious sun worshipping, studying and reading and in between there was food and a snooze.

At 3pm felt so guilty got dressed and for a change walked to CH it is uphill and a good 20 minute hike.  I was hoping to take the girls out but was not to be and finally a sort of schedule has been worked out a little late but I am not complaining…..as the girls need to improve their homework and school skills the Madres have decided that during the week is not a good time to take the girls out so I have been granted a full afternoon every other Sunday but of course I can visit CH anytime I wish ….so I am happy with this as I have only another few weeks before I leave so I shall see as much of them as I can….and I am sure if there is something special I want to take them too I will be allowed…..I love this photo of Paola and me!!!

Soon I was surrounded!!

That is Daniela in the blue!!!

It was a great morale booster for me to see them so happy !!!

I then walked the long way into the centre of town and walked down what I think is my favorite street in SMA!!

Arrived home around 6pm after a lengthy walk..time for a quick bite and then off to the girl’s English class!!

I really like Lois the teacher he is really great with the kids!!!!

Daniela is asking a question!!!

Outside the class I met Marie chey…she is a lovely girl and has resided at CH for over 9 years I went to her big 15th Birthday party two years and she left Casa Hogar last year..here she is with her 3 month old son!!

Tonight it is a quiet night I am doing some computer work and making some future plans in my head……..

Thanks for reading the blog!!!!