Category Archives: en español
Puchica Heating & Air Conditioning
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. English translation is below!
Yo estaba leyendo un periódico en español la semana pasada y ví un anuncio que me sorprendió. El anuncio era por una compañía de aire acondicionado y calefacción, pero lo que me fascinó fue el nombre de la compañía.
No lo creía y busqué la compañía en las páginas amarillas latinas – y allí estaba otra vez. Puchica.
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
I was reading a newspaper in Spanish last week and I saw an ad that surprised me. The ad was for a heating and air conditioning company, but the part that fascinated me was the name of the company.
I didn’t believe it and looked the company up in the Latino Yellow Pages – and there it was again. Puchica.
Note: “Puchica” is Salvadoran slang and is used like “Wow, Holy cow, Geez, Shoot!”
Secando al Sol
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. English translation is below!
“Mamá, la secadora no está secando,” dijo mi hijo mayor. Fui a ver que pasó y tenia razón – la secadora no queria ni encender. Me dejó escapar algunas malas palabras y luego hice lo que tenía que hacer. Saqué la ropa mojada y salí a la yarda, buscando una cuerda para tender la ropa a secar en el sol.
Resultó que no tuvimos suficiente dinero en nuestra cuenta por comprar una nueva secadora ni arreglar la que tenemos. Tuvimos que esperar una semana antes que pudieramos hacer cualquier cosa.
El primer día no estuve feliz y mi actitud era algo negativa. Traté de recordar que hay gente en el mundo que no sólo secan la ropa sin máquina cada día pero, mucho más fatigoso y difícil, lavan la ropa a mano también.
El segundo día mi actitud estaba un poco mejor pero algo chistosa. Empeze a imaginar que yo estaba practicando una habilidad de supervivencia y que mi familia estaba dependiendo de mí. “No estás orgulloso de mi?” pregunté a Carlos mientras doblé unas toallas rígidos pero secas.
“Orgulloso?” me preguntó.
“Sí, orgulloso que tu esposa todavia puede lavar tu ropa sin las conveniencias modernas!” dije.
“Oh…claro,” dijó Carlos en una manera poca convincente. (Y con razón, porque secando ropa al sol es algo común en El Salvador.)
En el momento que pudieramos llamar a alguien por arreglar la secadora, ya había empezado a gustarme secar la ropa a “la manera antigua”. Cada día esperaba tomar un descanso de la computadora, respirar el aire fresco, sentir la brisa y el calor del sol, escuchar los pájaros. Tener que colgar la ropa a secar me obligaba a salir afuera – algo que por lo general evito, pero sé que desesperadamente necesito hacer más a menudo.
Al final, tener la secadora quebrada fue una cosa positiva porque me recordó la importancia de vivir cada día – realmente vivir lo – no sólo dejarlo pasar.
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
“Mommy, the dryer isn’t drying!” said my older son. I went to see what happened and he was right – the dryer didn’t even want to turn on. I let out some bad words and then did what I had to do. I took the wet clothes and went out into the yard, looking for a rope to hang the clothes to dry in the sun.
It turned out we didn’t have enough money in our account to buy a new dryer or to even fix the one we have. We had to wait a week before we could do anything.
The first day I was not happy and my attitude was somewhat negative. I tried to remember that there are people in the world that not only dry the clothes without a machine every day, but even more tiresome and difficult, they wash the clothes by hand too.
The second day my attitude was a little better but funny, too. I started to imagine that I was practicing a survival skill and that my family was depending on me. “Are you proud of me?” I asked Carlos as I folded stiff but dry towels.
“Proud?” he asked.
“Yes, proud that your wife can still wash your clothes without modern conveniences!” I said.
“Oh … sure,” Carlos said in a way that wasn’t very convincing. (And rightly so, because sun-drying laundry is common in El Salvador.)
By the time we could call someone to fix the dryer, I had begun to like drying clothes “the old fashioned way.” Every day I looked forward to taking a break from the computer, breathing fresh air, feeling the breeze and the warm sun, listening to the birds. Having to hang clothes to dry forced me to go outside – something I generally avoid, but I know I desperately need to do more often.
In the end, having broken the dryer was a positive thing because it reminded me the importance of living every day – really live it – not just letting it pass by.
La artista
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. English translation is below!
Cuando yo era niña, yo quería ser una artista – una pintora específicamente. Mis padres me compraban un caballete, pinturas y brochas. Sólo me faltaba una boina. Me encantó pintar, pero cuando veía a cuadros al óleo profesionales, me desanimé. Años más tarde todavia quería ser una artista pero, decidí que quería ser una arquitecta. Mis padres me compraban una mesa de dibujo y papel cuadriculado. Me encantó diseñar casas de mis sueños, pero cuando me di cuenta de que los arquitectos tienen que ser muy bien en matemáticas, no me interesaba más.
Así pasó por una docena otras opciones de carrera. Poco a poco dejé de dibujar pero a veces me interesa otra vez. Ahora si podría trabajar como artista, quería ser la persona que crea nuevas ideas para las tarjetas telefónicas. Las tarjetas telefónicas siempre tienen nombres bien chistosas y me imagino que es divertido dibujar las imágenes para las tarjetas.
Aquí hay una tarjeta telefónica Carlos compró recientemente.
¿Y tú? ¿Qué otros trabajos te gustaría hacer?
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
When I was a little girl, I wanted to be an artist – a painter specifically. My parents bought me an easel, paints and brushes. A beret was the only thing missing. I loved to paint, but when I saw professional oil paintings, I became discouraged. Years later I still wanted to be an artist but I decided I wanted to be an architect. My parents bought me a drafting table and graph paper. I loved designing houses, but when I realized architects have to be very good at math, I lost interest.
That’s how it went for a dozen other career options. Gradually I stopped drawing but sometimes I feel interested again. Now if I could work as an artist, I would want to be the person who creates new ideas for phone cards. Phone cards always have funny names and I imagine it’s fun to draw the images for the cards.
Here is a phone card Carlos recently bought.
How about you? What other jobs would you do?
Piñatas Peludas
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. English translation is below!
Ustedes ya saben que me encantan las piñatas, (Bueno ¿Qué tipo de persona sin corazón no le gusta de ellas?)
Pero, la semana pasada encontré unas piñatas que nunca vi antes. Las piñatas eran bien grandes pero la cosa que me impresiono más era que las piñatas eran peludas – ¡sí! Peludas!
Les voy a enseñar para que me entiendan mejor qué estoy diciendo.
Ya ven que no estoy loca y tenía razón! Las piñatas son peludas, ¿vá?
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
You all already know that I love piñatas, (well, what sort of heartless person doesn’t like them?)
However, the other week I found some piñatas that I had never seen before. The piñatas were kind of big but the thing that impressed me most was that the piñatas were furry – yes! Furry!
I’ll show you so you have a better idea of what I mean.
You see, I’m not crazy, I was right! The piñatas are furry, are they not?
Torta Estilo Parque Hula Hula
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. English translation is below!
For today’s Spanish Friday I made a video in Spanish of a special sandwich I made. Since the video is in Spanish, I’ll explain here in English. Last year when we went to Parque Hula Hula in San Salvador, we stopped by some unnamed food stall and had a torta for lunch. Carlos and I have been unable to forget that delicious torta so this was my attempt to re-create it. Here’s the video and the recipe.
Torta Salvadoreña – Estilo Parque Hula Hula (Hula Hula Sandwich)
Ingredients:
bolillos or small French breads
butter
mayonnaise (I prefer lime-flavored mayo)
shredded cabbage (boiled until tender and drained)
shredded sandwich steak
mustard
ketchup
guacamole (recipe below)
#1. Cook meat in a frying pan. Add a little cooking oil if needed. Optional: Season with a little Worcestershire sauce & Goya Sazón Culantro y Achiote.
#2. Butter the bread and toast on both sides. Do this on a comal, griddle or frying pan.
#3. Spread mayonnaise on both open faces of the bread. Top with cooked sandwich steak.
#4. Top steak with shredded cabbage, then add ketchup, mustard and guacamole. Serve.
BONUS RECIPE (Fresh Guacamole for Sandwiches): To make guacamole, I put 1 avocado, a large spoonful of minced onion, a spoonful of mayonnaise, a few shakes of dried oregano, a pinch of salt and a good squeeze of fresh lime into a self-sealing plastic bag. Close the bag and massage the avocado until smooth and combined with other ingredients. Cut off the corner of the bag so the guacamole can be piped onto sandwiches.
Kranky K
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. English translation is below!
La otra semana encontré algo nuevo en el mercado latino. A lado de mis queridos Bubu Lubus había un nuevo dulce de la misma compañía (Ricolino) que se llama “Kranky K.”
Aparentemente Kranky K son confleis cubiertas en chocolate y por solo 25 centavos, me decidí probarlos. Estaban buenos pero no super impresionantes, y definitivamente no son tan adictos como su primo el Bubu Lubu, a pesar de el hecho que el nombre “Kranky K” se escucha como una nueva droga de la calle.
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
The other week I found something new at the Latino market. Next to my beloved Bubu Lubus was a new candy by the same company (Ricolino) that’s called “Kranky K.”
Apparently Kranky K are cornflakes covered in chocolate and for only 25 cents, I decided to try them. They were good but not super impressive, and they’re definitely not addictive like their cousin, Bubu Lubu, despite the fact that “Kranky K” sounds like a new street drug to me.
Querida Suegra
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. English translation is below!
Image adapted from image by: Max Stanworth
Querida Suegra,
Ya ha pasado un año desde la ultima vez que hablé con usted, o mejor dicho, desde usted me habló. Tal vez piensas que todo que usted hizo y dicho, aquí y en El Salvador, es un gran secreto – que no sabemos todo que usted está haciendo – pero sabemos toditito. Ya que le gusta tanto el chisme, usted debe saber cómo habla la gente. Ni tenemos que preguntar a ninguna persona sobre usted, porque la gente nos hablan por telefono y nos cuentan todo – oh sí!
No voy a revelar que sé sobre qué pasó con usted este año al todo el mundo, porque no soy como usted, pero sí hay unas cositas que quiero aclarar. Usted corrió por todos partes diciendo mentiras sobre Carlos y yo – y bien sabe usted que mentiras son. Por una mujer que siempre le gusta citar la Biblia a “los pecadores”, me parece bien hipócrita hacer lo que estás haciendo, pero BUENO.
Las mentiras que quiero aclarar son:
MENTIRA #1. Tracy mangonea a Carlos.
Si mangoneo a Carlos, ¿Cómo fue que usted vivía con nosotros por una década, aunque no lo quería yo?
MENTIRA #2. Tracy es perezosa y pasa todo el día jugando en la computadora.
Si estoy jugando, ¿Qué es este papel en mi declaración de impuestos federales que me muestra como escritora?
Uno no paga impuestos por jugar, señora.
MENTIRA #3. Carlos tiene que trabajar en dos trabajos por cuidar a Tracy.
Ah, ¿de veras? Yo no sabía eso. ¿Qué es este segundo trabajo del que usted habla? Yo sé que Carlos trabaja bien duro durante el día pero en la noche, aquí lo puede encontrar.
Carlos en su “segundo trabajo”
Si alguien está pagando a Carlos por caer dormido mientras mira El Chavo del Ocho, digame dónde puedo aplicar, (ya que soy perezosa, ¿recuerda?)
Esto es todo que quiero decir, y lo digo sin una papita de malicia. Tus cuentos me parecen bien creativos. Por favor, siga contandole a la gente para que ellos sigan contandonos.
Sinceramente,
Su nuera
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
Dear Mother-in-Law,
It’s been a year since the last time I spoke to you, or rather, since you last spoke to me. Maybe you think everything you did and said, here and in El Salvador is a big secret – that we don’t know everything you’re doing – but we know everything. Since you like gossip so much, you should know better how people talk. We don’t even have to ask anyone about you, because people call on the phone and tell us everything – oh yes!
I will not reveal all that I know about what happened to you this past year to everyone, I am not like you, but I do want to clarify a few things. You ran all over the place telling lies about Carlos and I – and you know you are lying. For a woman who likes to quote the Bible to “sinners” it seems rather hypocritical to do what you’re doing, but anyway.
The lies I want to clear up are:
LIE #1. Tracy bosses around Carlos.
If I boss around Carlos, how is it that you lived with us for a decade, which I never wanted?
LIE #2. Tracy is lazy and spends all day playing computer games.
If I’m playing, what is this part of my federal tax return that shows me as a writer?
One doesn’t pay taxes for playing, ma’am.
LIE #3. Carlos has to work two jobs to take care of Tracy.
Is that right? I didn’t know that. What is this second job of which you speak? I know that Carlos works very hard during the day but at night, here is where you can find him.
If someone is paying Carlos to fall asleep while watching El Chavo del Ocho, tell me where I can apply, (since I’m lazy, remember?)
That’s all I want to say, and I say this without an ounce of malice. Your stories seem rather creative. Please, keep telling people these stories so that they can keep telling them to us.
Sincerely,
Your daughter-in-law
La Bondad, Pásala – (Kindess, Pass it on)
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. English translation is below!
Image source: Paul
Hay unos comerciales que salen en la televisión que no están vendiendo nada salvo la idea que podemos hacer actos de bondad, y practicar otras virtudes como la honestidad. Esos comerciales son producidos por La Fundación para una Vida Mejor y cuando los veo, a veces me sacan las lágrimas porque me pongo a pensar que bonito podría ser el mundo si todos intentaban tratar a los demás con amabilidad.
Puedes ver más comerciales en español de La Fundación para una Vida Mejor en su sitio de web, UnaVidaMejor.org. (Mi favorito no estaba disponible en YouTube. Aquí está.)
Viste los comerciales de La Fundación para una Vida Mejor? Cuál es tu favorito? Cómo te hacen sentir?
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
There are some commercials on TV that are not selling anything but the idea that we can do acts of kindness, and practice other virtues like honesty. These commercials are produced by The Foundation for a Better Life and when I see them, sometimes it brings tears to my eyes to think how beautiful the world could be if everyone just tried to treat others with kindness.
You can find more commercials in Spanish at the Foundation for a Better Life website, UnaVidaMejor.org. (My favorite was not available on YouTube. Here it is.)
Have you seen the commercials from the Foundation for a Better Life? Which is your favorite? How do they make you feel?
Chiky
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. English translation is below!
Carlos está sentado en la mesa después de trabajar y está comiendo una merienda con una sonrisa en su rostro.
“Estas galletas,” me dice, levantando una galleta cubierta en chocolate y admirandola antes de comer una mordida, “Estas galletas siempre quería comprar cuando era niño en El Salvador.”
“Y por qué no las compraste, pues?” pregunto yo.
“Eran muy caras,” dice Carlos, “Sólo los niños ricos las tenian.”
Las galletas que compramos son de marca “Chiky” y cuestan aproximadamente $2.50 por una docena paquetes que contienen 6 galletas cada uno. Imagino que cuestan todavía menos en El Salvador.
“Somos ricos,” digo yo, “Aunque tenemos un montón de billes sin pagar, tenemos Chiky.”
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
Carlos is sitting at the table after work and eating a snack with a smile on his face.
“These cookies,” he says, lifting a cookie covered in chocolate and admiring it before taking a bite, “I always wanted to buy these cookies as a child in El Salvador.”
“So why didn’t you?” I ask.
“They were very expensive,” says Carlos, “Only the rich kids had them.”
The cookies we buy are “Chiky” brand and cost about $2.50 for a dozen packages containing 6 cookies each. I imagine they cost even less in El Salvador.
“We’re rich,” I say, “Although we have a lot of unpaid bills, we have Chiky.”
Piñata Grande!
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. English translation is in italics!
Un día yo estaba buscando fotos de una piñata cuando encontré esta foto.
One day I was looking for photos of a piñata when I found this.
Image source: Christopher Thompson
Yo no podía creer lo que veía y decidí seguir investigando.
I couldn’t believe my eyes and decided to investigate further.
Image source: Christopher Thompson
Aparentemente esta piñata estableció un récord mundial. La piñata fue construida en Filadelfia por Carnival Cruise Lines en 2008. Era casi seis pisos de altura.
Apparently this piñata set a world record. The piñata was constructed in Philadelphia by Carnival Cruise Lines in 2008. It was almost 6 stories tall.
Image source: Christopher Thompson
La pregunta importante: ¿Habia dulces en la piñata? ¡Sí! … y caos rodeó el evento, (igual que si era una fiesta de cumpleaños!) Disfrute!
The important question: Was there candy in the piñata? Yes! … and chaos surrounded the event, (just like it would at a child’s birthday party!) Enjoy!
La emoción en rumbo al evento y, a continuación, la decepción.
The excitement leading up to the event, and then, disappointment.
Noticias sobre cómo la policía detuvo el truco de publicidad por razones de seguridad.
News report about how the police stopped the publicity stunt for safety reasons.
Así es como la piñata se rompió finalmente.
How the piñata was ultimately broken.
Esto es como Carnival Cruise Lines utilizaba la piñata en un comercial.
The way Carnival Cruise Lines used the piñata in a commercial.
