Dear Diary,

I went to the Twins game again this afternoon.  This time I was on the upper deck by third base in the second row.  And of course we sat behind the crabbiest, non-excitable couple who asked us to stop screaming.  The poor old man said that his ears were hurting and asked us to keep it down.  It must have been confusing because I was rooting for the Twins and Angel the Mariners.  And we were kind of bittering and rubbing it in when our team triumphed...but isn't that what it's all about?  And what about the tens of thousands of people sitting in the rows behind him.   

So I propose a section in the Dome where people who would like to enjoy a "quiet" game can sit and be quiet with each other. 

But we let it slide, didn't take it personal, quieted down, and still had a great time.  And I won because the Twins won!  Boo yeah!

Love,

Princess

P.S. The State Fair starts tomorrow!  Boy does time fly.  Our booth is at the corner Cooper and Randall and all the shows will be live.  Kevyn will be broadcasting from the fair for only two days (since her immune system is down because of chemo and she has a thing about manure lately); she'll be there tomorrow!  So if you're at the fairgrounds between 9 and 11 am, stop by and say hi!  And check out the Kevyn Burger shirt -- it's sooooooo cute; it says Tittos and the proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen foundation. 

Dear Diary,

Just got back from the Twins game -- they lost 7-2 to the Seattle Mariners.  It was an exciting game; there was a point when the Twins had a good chance of tying.  Either way, there’s nothing like watching live baseball! 

It was sweet today to see how excited Angel (bf) was to see the game.  He wanted to get there early so he could head down to the dugout -- the Mariners.  He especially loves the Mariners' designated hitter Jose Vidro.  Angel grew up with him in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico and watched him play years ago.  He came back to our seats smiling and told us how he got Vidro's attention and what they talked about.  Seeing his joy and anticipation made my night too.  

Later in the game, Jose Lopez on the Mariners slid into second base and hit his mouth on his helmet that fell off.  It reminded me of the first and only season I played softball.   I was 11 and for some reason me and my friend, Meaghan, were placed on the older “cooler” girls team who had been playing with each other for years.   

So on the day of our first game -- all ramped up and ready to play.  Meaghan and I split a pouch of Big League Chew.  We’re chomping on that when the coach calls me to warm up.  I was up to bat next. 

I’ve got my blue jersey and crisp white pants on.  Instead of softball cleats, I had brown leather loafer-like shoes on (funny thought now).  I always played soccer so I brought my soccer cleats, but I couldn't wear them.  I stepped up to the base and actually hit the ball!  I sprinted toward first base and just as I got there I noticed the first baseman getting ready to catch the ball.  I slid through the base.  I was tagged out and I started walking back to the dugout. 

Coach praised me for hitting the ball, but he said next time, don't slide into first base, run through it.  I was mortified, but laughed.

Here's to learning from our mistakes and being excited for things to come,

Love,

Princess

Dear Diary,

Fergie says big girls don't cry.

Oh, but we do.  Especially when I can't get this song out of my head!  I've been singing it for days.  I've seen the video, it plays on the radio all the time and the Candies ads -- she is allegedly making $4 million dollars for the endorsement -- okay, one reason not to cry.   

But when you listen to the lyrics she should probably cry.  Neil Sedaka said breaking up is hard to do.  And it is, especially if she's got some personal issues to work through -- what, is she too fergalicious?  Maybe her London, London bridge wants to go down and she doesn't want it to?  But she's not going to cry about it.

Here's the video -- get it stuck in your head...

Hope you're having a great Monday!

Love, Princess

Dear Diary,

I spent a good four hours outside yesterday at Encuentro Boricua Minnesota (Puerto Ricans from Minnesota day/picnic) by Lake Johanna in Arden Hills.  I looked like I belonged there -- everyone greeting me in Spanish, but I felt as comfortable as a guy walking into the Inches-A-Weigh center (it's for women only).  But I was doing it for Angel (the boyfriend -- there's an accent on the A and sounds like on-hell); he loves his culture and he really wanted me to be there.  And I'm up for anything, even though the thought of it, made my stomach hurt.  I kept trying to hint that it might be too cold. 

Deep down, I knew it wasn't because of the weather.   Hey, I'm a Minnesotan and who would have jumped in the lake yesterday for fun.  I was apprehensive because of my insecurities.  I'm not a fluent Spanish speaker.  And I wondered if others would wonder why he's with me (not Puerto Rican).  I know it sounds lame, but that's honestly how I felt. 

Most Puerto Ricans are very proud to be Puerto Rican.  That's one thing I love about them.  I really appreciate his culture, but I know I won't fully understand it. We've gone to Puerto Rico together and I try to practice speaking it with him as much as I can.  Heck, I took Spanish classes throughout high school.  And just a side bar: foreign language instruction in the schools needs to change!  I feel pretty good about reading and writing (I can conjugate a verb no problemo), but all of that really doesn't matter.  It's way more practical to have the confidence to speak it first. 

Getting off my soap box now...and back to the picnic --

Some of the women reminded me of Angel's aunt who lives in Boston.  He lived with her while he was going to college.  Angel and I met on the Spirit of Boston (a dinner cruise around the harbor).  We were both servers there.  We had a sweet beginning dating and getting to know each other (I was 20!).  Then I met his aunt and we had our first fight.  She was not nice to me all.  When I wasn't around, she said that I was a "typical college girl" (not sure what that means...but she definitely meant it in a derogatory way).  I didn't talk to Angel for days because, at the time, I didn't think he stuck up for me.  Everyone else in his family was great and they kept telling me that she treats everyone she meets like that.  But because she was his mother figure there, I really wanted to get along with her.  Now that Angel and I have been together almost 6 years, she's much better especially since Angel moved here a year and a half ago.  I understand her more now; I was the first girlfriend of his she met.  Also, she didn't know how serious we were about each other.  I respect how much she cares for him and wants what's best for him.  We actually have a lot in common.  She's a seamstress and really creative.  However, I'll never forget how inadequate and disappointed I felt.    

When we went to Puerto Rico, I met his mother and brother.    Yvonne and Johnny speak about as much English as I do Spanish.  Angel was translator and we got by using other forms of communication.  I'm such a verbal communicator that I'd get frustrated quickly and mentally drained.  But I tried and I know they did too.

These are the kind of experiences that I carry with me when I go to events like this.  I can't help it. 

But I got over all this.  I met some great people.  Gosh was I foolish to feel anxious about my Spanish language skills; it was fun speaking a bit of Spanglish and mainly English.  The food was amazing -- rice and beans, fried plantains, grilled chicken and sweet corn, roasted pork, mango/cabbage salad, and coconut ice cream.  And the music was fantastic -- merengue, salsa, and reggaeton (Spanish beats mixed with hip hop/rap).  It was nice to see the combination of different generations and those who grew up in PR (like Angel) and those who grew up here (mainly called Nuyoricans). 

Can't wait for the next one and I'm going to simma' down next time! :)

Love,

Princess

Dear Diary,

I am so over my old man crush (someone at least 18 years older).  I'm feeling nothing anymore beyond friendship.  And you know, it's because I know more about him.  The mystery's gone!  That was the fun of it -- liking the little I knew and knowing that nothing would happen.  

One loss there, but a gain in the sports department -- I've always liked the Vikings and now I like them even more.  I went to my first game last week.  There's something about being at the game that's so invigorating -- an excitement that doesn't translate over the TV.  Most of all, I found, I'm a fan of the fans.  Yeah, there's was a game going on with 100+ guys on each team running around in spandex with the extra broad shoulders.  But for me, the real action's in the stands.  The fans were nice and really into it (and it was a preseason game!).

I felt like I was in Boston at Fenway stadium.  I'd try to get tickets whenever I could; there's nothing like being in the stands yelling "Yankee's suck!" as loud as you can no matter which team the Sox were playing. 

I felt right at home at the Target Center.  I can't wait to see another game.  It was nice to let loose, drink a little and root on the Vikings.  Also, if I was a single lady, it's a great place to meet some cute guys!

Love,

Princess