Pandora's Other Box

As you know, if you have had the opportunity to “enrich” your days reading my blog ( OK, at least if not enrich, occupy your days if you’ve not much else to do ) teaching ESL ( English as a Second Language ) is what brings me a needed income on a regular basis. A student who is fast becoming a friend comes from one of the Cono Sur Countries. “Cono Sur” refers to those countries which sit at the far southern end of South America. Usually, after we finish the class, we take a few minutes over whatever is left of the coffee, and converse in Spanish, since it is still an easier venue for him. We talk about how it used to be like for him growing up in his native country, as opposed to what it is like for his own children growing up here. What he sees as an erosion of traditional values and discipline, aided by the advent of the cell phone and/or computer and the consequences of the instant social communication. He acknowledges that it is more difficult for a parent to be aware of ...

When I heard that voice… and question over the phone, I knew that my dear friend Cheíto was back. It had been a long time since our last contact. I was happy to hear from him… and curious as to what he had to say. -“What’s up Cheíto?" "Man, I haven’t heard from you in a long time. How are you and your princess and your wife?” -“Uel”, “I haf a long story my fren'” -“Tell me about it”, I said to him. -“Remember in april las’ year juen I tol’ yu about mi princesa’s 15 birday?” -“Yes, I remember Cheíto”. “You were going to rent a big hall and have a big party”. “Did you have the party?”   -“Uell… jes’n no” Sensing that a major mistake was made at some point, I went ahead and asked anyway… -“What do you mean, yes and no?” -“Guel… I guanted to sav’ son money” “Yu no, those parties cos’a lot’o money man… an’ I’m not rich”. - “And?” I insisted… -“I saw a pictur’ of dis beautiful plais in the country an’ it cost ‘bout haf the other plais that my wife ...