Lazy Weekend

Last week on Monday, I flew to Mexico City. It was Benito Juarez' B-day Holiday. First day of work was Tuesday. Fernanda came to work with a sprained ankle, and had an appointment with the doctor the same day. The rest of the week she was not at the office, and I don't think she will be in next week. The doctor recommended 2 weeks rest. The project continued with the test of long term repos, and securities lending.

On Tuesday, I had lunch with Aldama at "La Raclette. " Wednesday had lunch with Arturo at the taco place; Thursday had lunch with Marlon at the food court; and Friday had lunch with Arturo at a Chinese Restaurant. At the Chinese restaurant, I had for the first time the famous crab legs that Arturo had talked so much about. We had the crab legs in a mild sweet and sour souce - they were good. While having lunch Cindy called and said hi. At the lunch with Marlon, he mentioned the possibility of a job offer. It wouldn't be a bad idea to have a stable job, and less stressful than the current one.

I've been talking to Susana about Gaby. She has been a bit selfish with Anna. She mentioned that at Tai Pei (by the way, I had dinner with them last Saturday at the same place), Gaby unilaterally shared Anna's food, but wouldn't share hers. I had a talk with her about that. This Saturday, they spent with friends over at their house. Today, Sunday, Gaby went to a birthday party (she told me that she saw an albino kangaroo). It seems the b-day party was at a ranch.

When I called for the first time, Gaby was at the B-day, and Anna was at the daycare while Susana did some pilates.

Yesterday, Cindy went to her best friend's mom's funeral. She was sad, but seemed full of energy. She is usually very fatigued from working so much, and not sleeping well. This week she spent it proctoring and we did not get a chance to talk much during the week. After the Cindy's kids' dinner she was very sad because it is obvious that we need to get a lawyer for her to move to Texas. We've been talking about that a lot.

Forgot to mention that Bella is sick, and had to be taken to a doctor (Bella is the kids' pet bird). The bill was $300!!! They love Bella a lot is really part of the family.

Yesterday, I saw "The Strange Case of Benjamin Button." It made you think a lot about how fast life goes by and how we lose our abilities as we get old. I've been reading "The News," and the "Intellectual Devotional" that Cindy brought me to Vail. I just finished watching an interview of Obama in 60 Minutes. The entire AIG bonus thing has exposed the greed in Wall Street. I've seen it for decades. A lot of people have made fortunes just for having been priviliged to go to the right school and land a job at a Wall Street firm. I hope the philosophy of short-term profits at the expense of the long-term health of a company changes.

This weekend I also worked out. I did not do any aerobics, just light weights. 3 months before the cruise, and I want to be in good shape. I also started taking some natural supplements, using a new toothpaste to help me get fewer canker sores. I am doing great in that respect. Unfortunately, I have not been sleeping well. I hope I get a good night sleep tonight.

Cindy Goes back to Work

Talked to Cindy several times during the day. She sounds much better, but is still coughing. I am doing so, so. My chest hurts every once in a while. It feels like I have stone pressing on my chest. Old age is getting to me. I am finding more and more things that don't seem right. My warranty is running out.

I went to get the statement for the Mexican 401K. They will be sending me the statements via e-mail. I had lunch at the small coffee house that Jose Luna recommended. I had a bagel with soup. I had pineapple water. It was very filling.

The C&N and custody first phase went ok without any problems.

Susan already asked for the girls's March expenses, $435. This does not include the $215 for Gaby's dance. I pay...

$100 Anna - Voice
$100 Anna - Tennis
$100 Anna - Spanish
$30 Gaby - Tennis
$80 Gaby - Guitar
$215 Gaby - Dance.

This time, I am also paying for $25 of Gaby's glasses. The girls keep busy and are learning things that will stay with them for life; although, I am not too sure about dance. However, gaby gets to meet nice girls, and builds her self-esteem.

The market was sort of stable today. No big drop, nor rally.

I asked Cindy to buy the Intellectual Devotional - looks like a fun book. Cindy continues reading the book about the American that build schools for girls in Afghanistan. Sadly...the Taliban is destroying them. There is such a cultural division between the West and the Muslim world.

Cindy's B-day Saturday

Saturday was Cindy's B-day. Her age is my favorite number. Unfortunately, she was very sick. I called her in the morning to sing "Happy Birthday to You. " Her kids gave her a surprise party at her parents. I called her in the afternoon to congratulate her again. She went shopping for her ski jacket and pants with her dad...this gave time for the kids to prepare for the surprise. Kate had asked me to go, but flights were not convenient, and we were going live with C&N in Mexico.

On Friday, even while she was very sick, she went to a bar to see some friends. Her comment was, "I got to get out of this town."

For me this weekend was mainly watching tv, reading (bought US News and World Report) watched Slumdog Millionaire on Saturday. On Friday I saw "The Day the Earth Stood Still"; I liked the original version better.

Today I had a meeting at JP Morgan. We reviewed the middle office process for the brokerage house. I went with Jose Antonio. I got there just on time. Jose Antonio stayed later to review the process in more detail. I saw Paola Rodriguez.

I got to Deutsche Bank at around 9:40 AM, and started the "go live" of Call & Notice. I had lunch at the apartment, and watched the market news. Very scary situation - the economy. The market was driven down by additional help to AIG. I think AIG has received around 130 billion already. I spent the entire weekend figuring out the best way to invest the savings.

Today, I read Warren Buffet's quarterly report, and it was certainly not very optimistic. They except stocks and houseses to continue droppings in price. With the billions of dollars spent by the democrats, they also expect high inflation in the future. This where I need to plan.

My beautiful wife continues to be sick with a cold. She wasn't feeling too well today. I called her several times. She worked from home, as a big snowstorm fell in the Northeast. Love her a lot, and wish she can get over it. Personally, I've been fighting my cold for a while.

I stayed late at Deutsche Bank in case anything happened with the batch. Fernanda ordered pizza.

I had pain in my chest, and it got me a bit scared. I cannot wait to be in the US to have this checked.

I talked to the girls very quickly. I miss them. On Friday, we are going skiing. I also stayed on the phone with Cindy and filled out the Charles Schwab form for the community checking account.

My eyes are all red...I think I should be in bed. I am very tired and my chest hurts. I also reserved the car for Denver, and also for the days I will be staying in Texas.

I hope we all get back to health. Cindy 42, and I 45 means will be getting more illnesses. I wish I could take a long vacation. Things are getting very scary with the economy. We are lucky we were frugal during the fat years.