Esther Castillo de Centellas
Thursday I got a voicemail from my Brother... my parents called and my abuelita (grandmother) was very sick. I talked to my parents a little later and learned that she now had leukemia. She had been sick for years and slowly losing her vision as she aged. I learned that the doctors had given her only a few days left to live. It was my last chance to see her, and thanks to my work, and with Heather's support I purchased my ticket to fly to Bolivia the following morning. By luck I got a flight and would be in Bolivia in barely 24 hours.

I packed and prepared for my trip in barely two hours and then went to Ann Arbor. Thursday night was a visitation for my Great Uncle Bob Vaden. I had planned to attend his funeral on Friday but instead was going to Bolivia and I know my American family understood. I was glad I was able to make the visitation and Heather came as well which was nice as we visited with family.

Friday my trip started at 4:30 AM with the drive to the airport... my 7 AM flight arrived in Miami around 11 AM and waited for Andres who was arriving from Washington DC. We got some lunch and caught our 1PM flight. A long flight later... we arrived in Santa Cruz at nearly 11PM. Our parents greeted us and took us for the first visit to their new home.

On arrival most of the family was at the house. My uncles and aunts and cousins were all there and we took turns looking in at abuelita. She had been moved to my parents house and had a nurse with her. We got some late night chicken, ate, caught up on times with my parents and then finally got some sleep.

Saturday was long as well. Abuelita was doing worse, but fortunately the rest of the family from La Paz came. With everyone at the house my mom was of course stressed and trying to play hostest to the 40 plus people coming and going from the house all day. You could tell abuelita knew she was in her last days... she could no longer see, and her speech was broken at best. On Saturday she only really asked for three things that people understood... she asked my cousin David to read her favorite Psalms, number 27 and 91. Then she asked for my mom to sing her favorite hymns, and with all her might she tried to sign along. Finally she asked to listen to her Christian radio station to relax. Such faith...

I remember from when my abuelito passed... for nearly a week he had not been able to move or talk. However on the day of their 60th wedding anniversary he clearly tried to kiss my abuelita, and mumbled the only sounds all week that came from his mouth. If that doesn't give someone faith in god and love nothing can. We all need reminding at times. My abuelita held on until her sister arrived from Cochabama... and for the family to arrive from La Paz... then asked for prayers, palms, hymns, and laid to rest for the night.

That night the decision was made to remove her from all drugs except her sedatives and that at any time she would pass. Andres and I took my mom our for dinner that night to get away from the house for a little while. We ate a great steak dinner (no I didn't take a photo of it) and a bottle of wine and enjoyed being in Santa Cruz.

I awoke throughout the night as people took turns checking in on abuelita. Finally it was at 6 AM on Sunday that our aunt (who is an Oncologist and was able to help a lot) came out of the room saying abuelita passed. It was a weird feeling... relief that she was resting in peace now... happiness that she was in heaven with her husband of 60 years... sadness to see the strongest little woman leave our presence... I will never really be able to understand how I felt but I didn't cry at that time. I actually laughed inside, thinking about how mad our abuelita was I am sure inside that all those people came to the house and she wasn't well dressed and well presented (she was always elegantly dressed). She was a quirky little woman.

It was my first time in Bolivia during a death so I got to learn many of our customs. Shortly after her passing her sister and a few of my aunts washed and dressed her. They talked about which suit to put her in, and her earings and how she would want to be presented. Family came to the house to see her before she was taken to the funeral home. Andres and I went on a mission to make a picture board. While there the idea dawned on us and our cousin David to make some picture cards with Psalms 91 on it. I found a photo I had of her and abuelito and it fit the Psalm perfectly. Sunday around 2 PM nearly the entire Centellas clan was at the funeral home. We took turns leaving for meals and making sure there was always family there to greet visitors.

At 8 PM on Sunday was the wake service. A short service of prayers and hymns, some people stood in front and spoke about the abuelita. She had well over 100-150 people at the service. What surprised me was that the wake lasted all night and people were coming in at nearly midnight when Andres and I had to call it quits to get some sleep.

We returned at 9 AM for the funeral service to find over 200 people there. Students of my uncles, co-workers, friends, abuelitas church friends, and people from their neighborhood. There were over 40 flower arrangements around her casket. Another short service of prayers, hymns and testimonials... and finally the tears came. It came when I thought that this was my first trip to Bolivia that my abuelitos had not been at the airport waiting for me... and it would never be the same. I didn't get to spend a lot of time with them cause of the distance, but I know cause of god and their faith they prayed for me each night. I am glad abuelita got to meet Novali and play with her in the pool and listen to her Spanish, I cried cause I was happy they got to meet.

It was a long drive to the cementary... but it was a beautiful place outside of the city. Here the custom is to lay caskets on top of each other. So abuelitas casket would be placed right on top of abuelitos. A few prayers there, a short service... and then many from the family spoke. The uncles, some cousins, my father, mother, and Andres and I both spoke. Then we tossed flowers on her casket as they lowered it down. Once it was resting down we all took a handful of dirt and put her to rest.

We left... the entire family went to eat together, her five sons, her sister, abuelitos brother and wife and two of their daughters, 13 grandchildren, and a handful of great grandchildren as well. Honestly, even when us gringos Centellas visited the entire family never got to together. Issues between uncles, cousins always got in the way. But this time, for abuelita everyone was together. We ate, laughed, and enjoyed each others company.

If there was one thing abuelita would of wanted was for the entire family to be together. Funny... she always knew how to get her way...

Time Flies better then American Airlines
Back in Albion... and it feels good. I am really mad at American Airlines right now. So yesterday I was scheduled to fly to Chicago and arrive at 7pm. Well I decided I wanted to get back sooner so I called AA and there was a chance I could catch an earlier flight. I went up about 5 hours before my scheduled flight hoping for a better flight. Mine had a connection and 7pm is late since after landing I have a 3 hour drive to Albion. I figured I can get in earlier and spend a little time with Novali and then drive home.

Well the first flight I could not get on... the second flight they had was a direct flight and would put me into Chicago at 3pm, basically getting me 4 hours with Novali. Long story short my flight was delayed. First they pulled it out of the hanger late, then they had a problem with a part, then they had to wait for another part to arrive... then once we finally got on the plane they had a delay cause not everyone was on the plane. HELLO! Lets go. While we waited another flight to Ohare that I could of bought a ticket for (and cheaper) left... then my flight left... So mad.

On a good note my conferences went well! Too much happened in my nearly two week road trip to report it all here. I am glad to be in Albion to relax, sleep in my bed, watch my TV, and get my body used to Eastern Standard Time. Ciao.

Back at 35k feet.
Spring is my busy travel season. This past weekend I was in Chicago for MGCA, I went a day early, and stayed two days late to spend time with Novali. Took her to school, picked up from school, and played, ate, and watched movies in between. I was glad I happened to be in Chicago this weekend of all... Tamara's very close friend Alma was in a bad car accident over the weekend. Novali had been wanting to go see her in the hospital but of course she is too young to see someone in the ICU. Well Monday morning she passed on to be the lord, I knew her as well, but more importantly was glad that I was able to be there to help Tamara grieve, and that Tamara and I broke the news to Novali together. She took it well... it might hit her more later, she is still a little young t fully understand.

For Alma... who was a great friend to Tamara, always gave me a warm greeting, and was a great baby sitter and practically an aunt to little Novi... Rest In Peace. In all the tears this weekend I thought it was important to remember the good things... Alma always had a little something for Novali when she visited. Novali always had little toys she would say, "My friend Alma gave this to me." Thanks Alma.

There was good news in Chicago though over the weekend. The conference went very well, one of the most diverse conferences ever! I'd like to say I had something to do with it... but I know I at least have contributed. I am looking to try and get more involved in MGCA and fade a little from WRGA so I can give more time to one association. Other good news and fun was that Novi and I made JELLO! She had it at dinner on Sunday at the local Chinese place (her suggestion!) and I asked if she ever made it. She got excited when I told her we could make it at home! So we did.

For some reason she loves to get dressed up all the time. And of course pose with Nono.

Mixing the Jello. When we called Heather she explained to Heather how to make Jello.

She was so excited as we put in the fridge... she was not excited to learn it would take hours to sit.

We planned to have Jello for desert the following night when it was done..

We didn't have small bowls.. but these martini glasses matched the orange so we went for it.

The Lil Chef... taking her fancy desert to the table. Yum.

So I am back at 35k feet and right now I am blogging from my plane. I used to travel a lot more a few years back, and writing in planes and airports for some reason was always great inspiration for me. Either that or dedicated down time when I could relax and write. Lately not a lot of down time for me to relax and blogging has often become something brushed to the side. Especially now that most of my family emails, I don't have the need to update as much.

Anyhow this spring will be busy. I have a busy travel schedule lined up. With in the next three months I will be in San Francisco (en route now), couple trips to Chicago of course, Toledo, Iowa City, Washington DC, and Atlanta. This is excluding all my short trips planned to Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Saginaw (Kelly I am coming to visit!). Add up all the trips and its nearly every weekend, so either I am traveling for business or hanging out with Novali. I will rest this summer.

Wish me safe travels, say a prayer for Alma's family, and keep checking my site for updates... with all this traveling you get a few blogs a week!

My Little Philanthropist
During one of my holiday posts I wrote about Novali and our adventure to give to Toys for Tots. And how after donating at KMart, she made me give again at Circuit City. Well since then she has done can drives at school, and she explained to me how some people don't have food... and now she is doing a new program to raise money for the American Heart Association.

I figured I would post her link in case other people want to donate for her. The program is called "Jump Rope For Heart" and she is very excited about it. I think it sounds like a great program and please give a couple bucks if you can.

Jump Rope For Heart :: Novali

She just started the campaign and she is nearly at her goal. Thanks!

Da Bears
I am in Chicago during SuperBowl... but not cause of the Bears. If anything I am trying to avoid the Bears buzz... more then likely I will be leaving the city just a little before the game starts to try and avoid the traffic. I am in Chicago this weekend to hang out with Novali.

I arrived on Friday night and picked her up from her Abuela's house. She was all dressed up, she had wanted to be dressed up when her Papi arrived, too cute! We went home and played for a little bit and then got ready for bed. She wanted to sing some kareoke, I joined in during the song from Shrek 2 "Accidentally in Love" and was the drummer. She was fine with it, and even held the mic over for me sometimes. But then, during a Gwen Steffani song... she told me I could not be the drummer, I said why? Cause Gwen doesn't have a drummer! Too funny... I told her a story and put her to bed.

She wore a skirt! As we walked to the apartment she said, "Tights aren't very warm."

Here is the bookshelf her and I put together last time.

Her self we built and her letters and a pic of my parents.

Singing along with Gwen, hands on the hips. Future American Idol?

Saturday we slept in and then relaxed all day. We colored, ate pancakes, I flipped her around in the air, she took a bath until she was fully wrinkled, we used her new Curious George stamps, took a nap, did some crafts, watched TV... it was a fun day. The day flew by, and before you know it I was reading her a bedtime story again and tucking her in.

Playing with her new Curious George stamps.

Nothing beats an afternoon nap.

We did a craft, trying to teach how to copy a pattern from a box.

She got it... took a few tries, but we got it.

Sunday... back to Albion. Hopefully I get home in time to catch the end of the SuperBowl. It was my first road trip in my new car... I love the Altima, it was sad going to the dealer this week to sign a few more papers and seeing my Sentra with a pile of snow on top of her... all sad and abandoned. Getting a new car is fun... lately I been shopping and looking at ideas for the future of the car. This one will be with me for a long time...

There she is... the new 2.5S Altima. Alloy wheels, premium audio, and I just got her tinted.

The wood grain interior will be the first thing to go once the weather is warm enough for me to work on the car.

This week is going to be super busy for me, the busiest week of the year for me. I did the math and I will more then likely work between 70 to 80 hours this week from Monday to Sunday... WOW.

Wish me luck this week...

Birthday and New Car
January 28th is my Mom's Birthday. So of course I have to write and give my mom and birthday shot out. So for my mom.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I have a lot of things I can thank my mother for... but the most important is personal strength. I bet you all are saying... What's that? Well my mom has done a lot of things in her life. For a little red-haired white girl from Saginaw she got to do a lot of things in her life. She survived polio as a child, traveled to different countries, went to College, moved and settled far from home, married a guy who didn't speak English, and raised four crazy kids. I can only hope to be able to do half of the things in my life that my mother has done.

In the last 5 years... my mom survived cancer, and she barely blinked. Went home in record time, and never complained. She kept telling me how bad she felt that I left college for a few weeks to be there... "you don't have to be here...." She finished her Masters Degree, and then was surprised that her boys all came home from college to celebrate with her. Finally she has moved once again across the world... and is living in Bolivia. Despite the horrible heat... she is doing just fine and already planning her next trip to the USA.

Well Happy Birthday mom... you are the best role model and mom a guy could ask for. Thanks.

Final note... this weekend I got a new car. I traded my little Sentra for a nice Nissan Altima. Its a good four door family sedan. More leg room in the back for Novali, trunk room for family trips, and something that will last me a little longer. So now the big question is... what will I race this summer?

Holidays are over...
Well it was a great two weeks! I had Novali for 11 days and had a fantastic time. Spent a week in Chicago and shopped, visited with friends, shopped, and hung out with Novali. I spent Christmas in Chicago with the Gomez family and that was nice and relaxing. Andy flew into Chicago on December 27th and Novali and I picked him up and then drove to Albion. The following day we rolled to Gladwin to see my folks.

We had a great time at the lake. It meant sleeping in, or at least trying to with Novali waking up early. We relaxed, made trips to the store, did some ice skating, opened lots of presents and just had a good time with family relaxing and hanging out. Raquel came up with the girls and Dennis and we just enjoyed talking and hanging out. Novali and Valerie were really able to play together a lot, even with the extremely different energy levels!

I got to spend New Years in Bad Axe with Heather and Greg. We lounged, ate at Big Boy and just relaxed and rang in the near year on the sectional. I was looking at cars online and dreading the end of break and the fighting the weird desire people have to dream of great resolutions.

Below are a few pics from the holiday break. I posted a full gallery on Novalis website: Novi's Pics

Here are pics from the mosaic table Novali and I made:


Another project over break was building a bookshelf in her room:


In Gladwin we spent time with the Centellas family. Everyone was there but Miguel and Kate. The girls got tons of gifts!


Grandma planned a trip to take the girls skating. Valerie got frustrated, Novali went really slow but finally picked it up a little. It was a lot of fun.


After Novali's success at skating... we thought maybe she would like watching some hockey. She was slow to catch the game... but she loved the snacks.


Valerie's birthday in Jan 3rd. Everyone had to be back to work then, so we planned a birthday party for the 1st... unfortunately she caught the flu! Party was canceled...


Its sad that break is over. On the 2nd my parents drove out to Philly area with Andres and I took Novali back to Tamara. On the 3rd I had to be back to work and life would be back to some type of normalcy. This weekend my parents flew back to Bolivia (I still have not heard from them). We are working on plans for their next trip... and the potential for the first big Centellas gathering in Santa Cruz, possibly next Christmas. As we get older it is harder and harder for all of us to be together in one place... especially with us living in four different states and two countries.

Here's to the next Centellas Christmas Spectacular... and to hoping we can all be there.