Some Stories and Other Shenanigans

As a friendly reminder, I would like to remind you all that Cinco De Mayo is not really a holiday in Mexico, and that it is not the Independence day of Mexico either. In fact it just commemorates the triumph of Mexican troops against the French in Puebla, known in Mexican history as the “Batalla de Puebla.” So really there is nothing to celebrate, but if you must, I suggest you have a hearty plate of Mole Poblano and Chiles Poblanos, because they are typical plates form Puebla and well they are good food too. So have fun but go easy on the drinks.

Today my boss told me to have a good weekend, to “Have fun and celebrate with my family.” I was really confused because, it’s not my b-day and I’m pretty sure I didn’t get a new job, so what I really didn’t know what I was suppose to celebrate. So I was really confused until she left and I asked my co-worker if she knew why she had said that, she was just as confused as me and then as I was leaving I saw a “Cinco De Mayo” Wikipedia page print-out on her desk and I realize, she probably thinks it’s some sort of real Mexican Holiday, like the Independence of Mexico or something…I don’t know. I really don’t know what to think….I mean should I be offended or should I just be worried that my boss doesn’t know the difference. I’m so confused!

I got not one but four emails from my coworkers wondering if I will return tomorrow, as well as one long text from the Soccer Coach, asking me if I knew that Barcelona  had lost and what he should do because David (one of our students) is crying.

I got two text messages from my dear friend and fellow commuter Hugo, who was wondering if I took a train later than his or if I was mad at him. Followed by a longer text message about a lady who had sunk in a cat into the platform of the train and was having a stand off with the policemen at Union Station.

I think I should miss work more often, it does great things for the self-esteem I see. :D

So yesterday a group my soccer player students were congratulating me on Manchester United’s win, they know I’m a Red, but because my coworker/ their coach knows nothing about soccer he thought it was my birthday or that they knew something that he didn’t know. He was so confused and annoyed that he didn’t know the “chisme” (gossip) that he yelled, “Forget you all!” and walked away during our chat. It took us ten whole minutes to explain to him what was happening. Then he didn’t seem all that interested. So all the soccer players started to “bag-on-him” (make fun of him) and they started to call him Mr. Chismoso (Mr. Gossip). My other co-worker Ms. C heard the conversation, laughed at him and got the rest of the kids to call him Mr. Chismoso for the rest of the day. To top it off, our boss bought new balls for the soccer players to practice with, and one of them is a Manchester United Ball…I’m sure he is going to get called Mr. Chismoso again today!