Xmas is the time to give and reject gifts given

Well, la navidad is finally over, but work is still playing Christmas music over the speakers (and it is soooooooo annoying;  I mean how early are we starting to prepare for Christmas 2009??). 

Ago rejected my present.  And it hurt my feelings.  

I gave him a University of Texas jacket.  Actually it was a windbreaker in burnt orange with the logo in the corner and on the back of the neck.  It was a nice jacket for him to wear when we're going to the grocery store and it is raining.   He opened the box, took one look at it and clearly stated that he did not want it.  He then handed the box back at me.  

Everybody told me that he wouldn't like it, but i had hope, just a little hope, that he would come through and be elated that he could wear the colors of his granddaughter's school.  He didn't.  It is impossible for him to wear clothing that he didn't sew, mend, or buy.  I guess i'll just stick to magnets and bumper stickers for the carrito.  Pictures coming soon!!

consume. consume. consume.

Christmas. Is. In. Four. Days.  

Working these past few days I saw consumerism at its finest.  I have not finished my Christmas shopping and nor do I want to.  I ventured to the mall today, and today I decided that I am not going back!  What a crowd.  I work at a great store that sells equipment for the kitchen but I see people buy products that are such a waste!!!  This isn't just financially a waste, but some things will never be used again after they are opened.  Example: a Hot chocolate maker?  This is Texas!  After the first two weeks of January, it is going to be time to be putting that product away.  Example: Christmas themed pancake molds?  Just because they are on sale ($17.99) doesn't mean you have to buy it.  

All of this puts me out of the Christmas spirit.  However, what I am looking forward too is spending time with my small family, especially Ago.  As his gift, I got him a jacket with the UT logo on it and I am anxious to see his reaction.  I also got him a bumper sticker with "I'm a Longhorn Grandpa" on it and i rrrrrreeeaalllllllyyyyy want to put it on his wheels.  While this consumerism gets to me, I can't avoid it (I tend to do that about a lot of things) because whether I like it or not, it is a part of the Christmas spirit.  

More Agoisms (I don't know if I have listed any before this)

Three instances reminded me of Ago today!  First I was sitting in the Union, studying for my quiz, when the guy next to me pulled a coin purse(!) out of his backpack and dumped his change in it.  Ago is the only man I know that uses a coin purse.  Wait! I take that back AgoBen also uses one (but t it disappeared on his last trip down).  So, I didn't realize until just now that both of my grandfathers store their change in the same way.  Secondly, my friend went to my Middle Eastern Studies class today-on the last day of the Ottoman Empire lectures.  Today we highlighted the art and architecture of Istanbul, and has soon as she heard that the first thing that came out of her mouth was: "That's Ago's hometown!"  Why yes it is-I didn't even think that.  Maybe it's because I don't associate him from his birthplace or "hometown" and I explain his origin as a plethora of nations.  Lastly, and this is my favorite, I saw a girl sleeping sitting up.  Ago used to do this all the time when i was younger.  He would sit on the sofa in the living room and fall asleep.  My grandmother and I used to probe him to wake up!

Q's

Okay, so, if you look at my profile you'd see that under the "interests" I have listed Armenia and Armenian.   I've clicked on those and it brings me to pages filled with bloggers whose interests also include Armenia and Armenian.  Some of these bloggers are Armenian and some are not. I am curious of the non-Armenian bloggers.  Usually they are interested in the language or the literature.  While this is wonderful that people take interest in Armenia, my question is what motivates them to?  What motivates them to the Armenian aspect?  These are just some questions I have been pondering...if you have any reasons by all means, comment.

Gruff

I've had this photo in my room for ages.  I came across it maybe a couple of years ago in one of my mother's photo albums.  It was taken in the early nineties and it is one of my favorites because it is a candid grandfather/granddaughter photo.  But today it hit me.  Our positions are reversed.  In the photo, Ago is taking, leading me to the park (which I think was rare because I only have memories of going to the park with my medz mayrig) but now it me who takes, leads him where we are going.  

Honestly, I like the photo because it reassures me that my grandfather was, in fact, everything a grandpa should be.  As a child, I saw him as a gruff man who scolded me for eating the raisins out of the raisin bread and fell asleep sitting up at four p.m.  But now I know my gpops, and while gruff still accurately describes him, I know what may sound gruff is actually his way of caring.  

Not Now

Okay, so I've run into this problem before: procrastination.  You know what, I think I'll finish this later...

I learn new things about senseless things

A couple of weekends ago, Ago (ha..ha ago, Ago) came over.  He requested the use of the antique (looking-it might just be like thirty years old) sewing machine.  I learned a couple of things from that request.  One, that the sewing machine actually worked, two, the mysterious spools of thread that I had lying on my shelves had a purpose, and three, Ago sews!!  

Yes, my nonagenarian grandfather sews.  He sews to mend...his pantalones.  The pants/trousers that are probably older than I am had a hole and instead of buying a new pair he decided to sew them. 

Sewing, though, was unsuccessful.  I think there was something wrong with the machine or the foot pedal-or maybe it was the spools- but I can't say that Ago didn't try.  He used the pedal, he ran the material under the needle, he tried.  He argued with my dad about which way the machine faced, he complained that something was wrong, and maybe (???) commented on the amount of stuff that was in the closet.  In the end, I don't think that the pants were sewed and my gpops realized that it just wasn't worth it.  

I Need to stop hatin' on September

It always seems to me that the first six months of the year go by fast.  Seriously, I blink during spring break and it's already summer vacation. But then comes the hard part: September. Finally, it is over.  For some reason I just do NOT like the ninth month of the year. I'm having a hard time trying to write why. I find that September is a combination between summer and fall, and I either want summer or fall (preferably fall).  It's still hot and humid, but the temperature is starting to drop.  Also, compared to all the other months in the second half of the year, there is like no anticipation for September.  June is the beginning of Summer; My bday is in July;  I always start school in August, so I'm building anticipation for that since like my birthday; all September has is labor day and season premiers, which I will say is well worth the wait; once we get into October, Halloween starts up everywhere (as well as holiday shopping!); November has Thanksgiving (my absolute fave); and December...need I say more about December.

Well...I'm glad that October is here!

CM

I saw an elder man at Central Market today doing his own shopping.  He was buying pepinos (cucumbers).  I bought some too, but I don't think they'll be any good (I have learned from the master produce picker).  Oh well, you buy what you can.  

He was dressed so nicely: a button-down shirt and those high wasted pants!  With loafers (I think).  If I saw correctly, somebody was with him, presumably his daughter (she had a tired look on her face, I know those).  It was a nice sight to see, it reminded me of my grandpa, and at the end of the day she must feel so satisfied. 

zzZzz

I overslept this morning.  I woke up at 8:06 am obviously missing my 8 am biology class.  I need to get a real alarm clock and put it on the opposite side of my room.  This phone next to me is just not working.  I don't know what was going on with me after I woke up.  Usually I'd freak out if I missed a class, but this morning I was so nonchalant.  I just ate breakfast and got ready for my next class.  However, I felt exceptionally well this morning: I got a good eight hours.  So I didn't panic and I slept the recommended amount.  It's great not to be stressed anymore.  

Ike Strikes

Now that Hurricane Ike as passed, it is time to get life back to some normal routine.  That it is difficult to do when there is no electricity.  Much of Houston is without power and might be for the next 24-48 hours.  

At first, I was told that my Ago was frustrated that he lost electricity.   Because he has an electric stove he had no way of making his tea (light isn't really a problem for this man because he wakes up at dawn and goes to sleep at dusk).  So, fortunately we have a gas stove and we have been taking him hot water so he can have his beloved beverage.

Today I got to talk to him!  he was at our house-i guess just chillin'- and he wasn't to happy. But when i talked to him my mom said his mood changed.   

Okay, so I really didn't talk to him.  Our conversation consisted of him saying somethings (that I really didn't understand) and me screaming back: INCHBES ES? ESTAN BIEN? SI, YES, IHOY. 

I was really happy to hear him, my mood changed too. 

Do Not Enter

Found this at Market Street.  You can tell because of all the green.  Caught me by surprise.  Usually we don't see this kind of protest.    

Agoisms

An Agoism is a distinct practice, behavior or ideology of my grandfather, Ago.  Some of these are "unspoken" meaning that he just does them without even thinking about it.  They are already indoctrinated in his mind as a way he should behave.  Most of these have come with age.  The ones dealing with health are my favorite.

• White sugar makes you dumb
• Kroger has better pepinos than H-E-B
• The best dates are Tunisian
• Processed foods are the root of all health problems
• Good apples come from New Zealand
• Alfalfa sprouts, watercress, and avocados are a typical meal.  Delish!
• I may be wrong but I'm never wrong
• Stylish grandpas always wear hats

There are so many more but  just can't think of them right now.  ARGHHH!!! 

What Exactly Is Sparmenglish?

To be honest, Sparmenglish came about when I was communicating with my ninety-three year old grandfather. We can't really talk, the two of us, primarilly because my grandfather is almost deaf and if I did talk it would be more like shouting. But more importantly, we kind of have a language issue.

My grandfather can converse in three languages: Armenian, Romanian, and Spanish.

As a child, I spoke Armenian with him, but as I became older, my Armenian worsened.

His English is very limited (thank you very much, organic, and GOOD MORNING!).

And my Spanish is improving day-by-day.

So in order to solve that problem we have been communicating in our own way: Sparmenglish.

Spanish + Armenian + English = Sparmenglish