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With 4 generations around the Christmas kitchen table my cousin Guapo bravely observed
the following: “I am the only one here whose 1st language was English.”
Tio Israel, who served in the Army, deftly dodges that bullet by saying, “I speak some
German. Wanna hear?” He turns to one of the youngest on the grand table, Papito, “Kann
ich bitte noch ein Bier?” Papito is flabbergasted! “Tio, did you just curse me out?” “No!” Tio
answered. “I just said: Can I have some beer please?” From near the head of the table,
Guapo’s cousin, Ivy says to Tio Israel, “I'm sure that's the first thing you learned when you
got there.”
Tio is undeterred. “I know some French too! Comment t-allez vous?” My GringaMom at the
head of the table says "Fermez la bouche! Yeah that means! Shut your mouth!"
Ivy decides to get in on the action, “Well, my son Theo,” (over-pronouncing the ‘T-H’) “…is
learning his THIRD language. (over-pronouncing the ‘T-H’ again) “…And that’s CHINESE.”
(Pronouncing the ‘-nese’ with a smile).
Tio Israel is unabashed. “I know Japanese. How do you say, handkerchief in Japanese?”
He waits the 2 second mandatory comedic moment and replies, “SAKA-MOCO.” The whole
family roars in laughter. Each member around the large dining table, gets to say their
Japanese/Spanish joke. Except for Titi Margarita, who missed the joke and says, “I've been
married to you for over 40 years and I never knew you spoke Japanese!”
I turn the tables back on Guapo, “Seriously, how are you gonna sit there and say you’re the
only one whose 1st language was English?!” Matter-of-factly he responds, “I recall you grew
up in a little town ... ummm… what's the name of that town again? Oh! No matter! Either
way – it’s in PUERTO RICO and what do they speak there?”
Food fights are over-rated when you have two cousins like me and Guapo at the table.
“Hmmm, I remember in the little barrio called Barrio CRUCES, by the way, that I was being
followed around by a little bratty kid. Oh? Was that you?! I think it was! So what language
do you think YOU were speaking at TWO years old when you were in PUERTO RICO?”
Continue next page----->
the following: “I am the only one here whose 1st language was English.”
Tio Israel, who served in the Army, deftly dodges that bullet by saying, “I speak some
German. Wanna hear?” He turns to one of the youngest on the grand table, Papito, “Kann
ich bitte noch ein Bier?” Papito is flabbergasted! “Tio, did you just curse me out?” “No!” Tio
answered. “I just said: Can I have some beer please?” From near the head of the table,
Guapo’s cousin, Ivy says to Tio Israel, “I'm sure that's the first thing you learned when you
got there.”
Tio is undeterred. “I know some French too! Comment t-allez vous?” My GringaMom at the
head of the table says "Fermez la bouche! Yeah that means! Shut your mouth!"
Ivy decides to get in on the action, “Well, my son Theo,” (over-pronouncing the ‘T-H’) “…is
learning his THIRD language. (over-pronouncing the ‘T-H’ again) “…And that’s CHINESE.”
(Pronouncing the ‘-nese’ with a smile).
Tio Israel is unabashed. “I know Japanese. How do you say, handkerchief in Japanese?”
He waits the 2 second mandatory comedic moment and replies, “SAKA-MOCO.” The whole
family roars in laughter. Each member around the large dining table, gets to say their
Japanese/Spanish joke. Except for Titi Margarita, who missed the joke and says, “I've been
married to you for over 40 years and I never knew you spoke Japanese!”
I turn the tables back on Guapo, “Seriously, how are you gonna sit there and say you’re the
only one whose 1st language was English?!” Matter-of-factly he responds, “I recall you grew
up in a little town ... ummm… what's the name of that town again? Oh! No matter! Either
way – it’s in PUERTO RICO and what do they speak there?”
Food fights are over-rated when you have two cousins like me and Guapo at the table.
“Hmmm, I remember in the little barrio called Barrio CRUCES, by the way, that I was being
followed around by a little bratty kid. Oh? Was that you?! I think it was! So what language
do you think YOU were speaking at TWO years old when you were in PUERTO RICO?”
Continue next page----->
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| Pernil and Pumpkin Pie by LaDiva Torres |
| © 2002-2012 La Diva Latina is a trademark. Registration pending. All Rights Reserved. |
| Abogado del pueblo. TU abogado. www.TuAbogadoDelPueblo.com |
| Thank you! This is the 7th page of "Color of the Sun / Fall-Winter 2011-2012" 7a of 7 Next Page ---> Pernil and Pumpkin Pie -continued |
