Educating Our Children

You know the other day I was walking through Old Town with my 2 kids, one is 2 and the other is 9. As I was walking and we were perusing the stores, my son whom is 9 asked that we go into a Gems and Stones store, which we did. As we were looking, his eyes were as big as the moon, you see my son likes to collect rocks, stones etc. Now, he came across some very cool things, but the store was extremely expensive. He asked if I could buy him a bag of rocks/stones, they were 24.99. I told him I had no money on me and rebutted with, why I couldn’t use my Credit Card. Of course that did not go well and he ended up with this attitude for the rest of the time we were walking. Of course my daughter whom is 2 started acting up, being whiny, refusing to go into any other stores, but the funny thing is she did not want to go home, when I would tell her we will be going home if she doesn’t behave.

So here I am walking around with two children that are completely disobeying me, whinny, crying, and of course those looks on their face like you just ended their world. I could not believe. These two kids that have always been good, and which I have always been told they are good kids, so why were they acting this way.

As we continued walking, yah I still walked…the day was beautiful and well I wanted to visit some shops, well as we continued to walk, we came across this little cart selling small toys and masks and etc, my son happen to see a Helmet shaped in the medieval times like a knights helmet…well he asked the price and it was 20 dollars…once again he asked that I buy since I did not get him the rocks. I told him once again I did not have money and with that attitude why would I get you anything.

I tried to explain that I could not buy him something every time we went somewhere, of course the attitude quadrupled. By then my daughter was starting to give some tantrums, which ahs never happened, and I put a stop to it, of course crying followed, so I decided to start walking back to the car to go home.

Now the crazy thing is when we got home they both went directly into a Good mood, nice, no arguing…I thought to myself, what the heck did just happen…I was upset to say the least and sent my son to his room and placed my daughter in a time-out in the corner…just about 3 minutes. I could not believe who were these kids.

I do my best to teach them respect, please and thank you and my most important thing is “Patience”. Of course I do what I can to teach them the value of money and being courteous to others. Among many other things we as parents try to teach…but one thing came to mind as I was talking, and I refer mostly to my eldest. Kids now days, actually even when I was a kid, Kids simply don’t listen anymore. It seems it goes in one ear and out the other. And if they don’t listen it could be to late when they get older.

Why does it seem that kids don’t listen to their parent’s knowledge and experiences, and then end up failing? I know not all kids are the same and not all turn out bad even if they don’t listen, but why can kids simply listen to what we as parents have to share and learn from, the parents lives, their lives would be so much more full filled and possibly even better…even successful. I mean if I knew what I know now…I am pretty certain that their would a lot of things throughout my life that I would have done differently, reacted differently, taken this chance instead of that, gone this way instead of that. I mean yah we all learn through trial and error or as many would say on our own, but if you had a parent that could share these experiences….MAN…high school would have bee so sweet, and not just high school but college, my first interview, my first job. If someone would have simply told me hey…kids are kids and you’ll be teased, called this and that, but if you do this then this will happen…I know not everything in life is the same, but I seriously see a lot of things that are happening to my kids that happen to me. And I see a lot of things that happen to my nieces and nephews that happen to me…a lot of similarities…then why not listen to your parent’s words of wisdom, or maybe not wisdom, but experiences and how they handled it.

I know I am talking as a broken record and I my kids will still do those stupid mistakes and things as we did and as our parents did and their kids and so on, but man…I am so just incredibly dumb-founded by this cycle…why…why can our kids take our words for good…who knows…maybe we will never know and maybe this is just the way things need to be.

My Perspective:
Even though your kids don’t listen, please…what ever you do…don’t stop talking to them. Communication is the fabric of life and everything in it…you know that. Thanks for reading and till next time Latino Man singing off.

Raising Kids – Past & Present

I wanted to share this, I thought about it and it is a topic that has crossed many people that I talk to, parents and of course single individuals. I am so surprised and what I hear and there so called explanation of why this is occurring in today’s day and age.

As many of you know there has been a lot of news media about children having sexual partners as early as 10 or even younger. There is news coverage about schools handing out condom to 1^st graders and about teenagers, in high school making packs to get pregnant. And the stories and events continue, I mean we all remember one of our presidents caught get a knob job in the Oval office and it seems to be all OK.

The thing that drives me bananas is that…the reasoning for this happening is…”Times are Different from when you grew up, it’s ok, and you should just flow with it”. I mean are you serious….”Times are different…” is your answer to this? I am astonished. I get this also from my sister-in-laws as well…I am seriously dumb founded.

I mean the only thing that I see different now that when I was growing up or when my parents were growing up is…technology…and the EASE of accessibility to all sorts of social networks, online access to well just about anything that we did not have such access to…so a bit more innocence was maintained before…a bit more. But changing times and Technology should not give parents or guardians and excuse to allow such behavior.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe in corporal punishment or denying your children whom they should hang out with or even date for that matter. Because we all know what happens when a father or mother tell their son or daughter not to date someone…they do anyways and in secrecy and maybe end up pregnant. I think we need to educate our children, be a parent…yah be a cool friend might get you kudos with your kids friends, but it won’t do a darn thing for the growth of your children. Being a parent is about being a parent and guiding your children through life, provided advice, direction and sometimes holding there hands on those little rough times. Being a parent is about allowing your children to explorer, hang with whom they want, but being a parent also requires you to set perimeters on what they explorer and explain the things they should not explorer, being a parent is about knowing whom your kids are hanging with, but keep guide them on those kids that may be a bad influence, by explaining, showing and guiding them through their friends…keep them close to you. Being a parent is about explaining right from wrong, about explaining the consequences of doing drugs and alcohol, not about getting grounded but the affects drugs and alcohol on the body, and the potential affects on their future.

Parenting is not easy, and sometimes your kids won’t listen, but setting rules, standard, and obligation while providing a fun environment is the job of a parent…I mean how many of us only wish for our kids to be lawyers, doctors, scientist or even President. We want our children to have what we didn’t and as a parent it takes sacrifices, but I promise that not only will you as parent be extremely and emotionally happy with your child’s success and believe me your child(ren) will thank you for their success. There is an old saying, “There is a time and place for everything”. There is a time for learning, and there is a time for playing...plain and simple. Knowing to balance those two times in your life or teaching your children to do so, will only make for a better person that will enter our society.

Now, wait…I got smack for that as well…I was told that I was raising wimpy kids that would only be bullied by those that have no rules, values or care about others. You know what I said…forget you…you see being a parent is not only teaching your kids about proper mannerism, but of course teaching your kids “Street Smarts” is also an important factor. Ok, yah some of us lived in castles, mansions, etc, but like many said technology today will allow you to research information on “Street Smarts”, look it up online…you’ll be amazed. You as a parent can almost put together a lesson plan sort of speaking and help make sure you kids aren’t bullied, but instead respected and admired…teach them to earn it and not be intimidated by others. Teach them to be kind to all, for everyone needs alliances and friends…even those bullies.

This topic can seriously touch a nerve and sometimes when I hear excuses from other parents on why it is ok, I look towards my kids and wonder if maybe I am to tough on them, but you know…I think about it and I know I am not. Because not only do they get guidance from me, I play with them, share board games, fight of monster in a pretend battle, have a tea party with my daughter, play dolls, g4row a garden and encourage them to continue doing some kind of school work while on vacation…provide incentives…heck we as adults like incentives, we get them as bonuses, baseball tickets, raises, etc. you simply see what your child likes, within reason and have them work towards it…you’ll be amazed at what children would do to get a new Lego set, or a trip to the movies or anything else.

I’m not saying I am an expert on parenting, by no means, I am learning each day, but I will not be a parent that falls on excuses that, “Everyone else is doing it”. I will continue to provide rules, structure, and guidance and most importantly love to my children until they ask me to stop. Parenting has never been easy and for those that think it is…they are lying. It takes constant checking, constant application of yourself, we can all do it, just take each day one at a time, each issues one at a time, but never forget to hug, kiss and love them…never.

My Perspective:
I think I summed it all up in my post or most of what I wanted to say at least, but we can all sit hear and tear apart this post or we can simply take from it what we want and move forward. Thanks for reading, till next time Latino Man signing off.

Lucha Libre Taco Shop – Mission Hills California

This past weekend I headed to Lucha Libre Taco shop nestled in Mission Hills, San Diego on a hunch from fellow co-workers that this taco shop seriously is the best taco shop in San Diego. So, of course me being Hispanic I wanted to check this place out myself, since I consider myself having a pretty good judgment when it comes to Mexican food. The thing is that it seems to be the happening Taco shop here in San Diego, and if you live in San Diego missing it would be considered a crime, if you are from out of town, then it should definitely be one of the places you visit before you leave San Diego.

Now, let me tell you a bit about getting there, for some reason Yahoo maps does not recognize 1810 Mission Hills, it diverts you to 2100, so be careful if you Yahoo map it. I heard Google maps is better and of course it’s on the Taco Shop website Gogles maps is used. The thing is that it is actually very easy to get there; it is right of the 5 Interstate. If you are coming North, on Interstate 5, then you would exit Washington – Hancock Street, stay on your left-side and of course the first light is Washington, make a left to go under interstate 5. You should see it on your left right next to a Chevron Gas Station. Now, drive pass just a little to the next light, make a left into a parking lot, the thing is that more than likely you won’t find parking, but give it a shot.

Now, let me tell you about the restaurant itself, it is a very small and according to locals it is best to only take out, since the place is small…seating is very limited…believe me. The locals usually call in their order, then simply show up walk pass the HUGE line, which I will talk about later, pick up there order and go. I highly recommend that you go online and look at their menu, so when you get there you are prepared and know what you’ll order…it makes thing s move along a lot faster, and of course having other customers stare at you while you are trying to make up your mind on what to order…seems to put a little more pressure on you getting your order in and getting on…remember you and many others have been waiting in line for some time.

Now, as for the restaurant, I have to seriously say it is not very much to look at, once inside you’ll see that the over crowed seating areas leaves the bust-boys little if no time to actually clean-up properly after each customer leaves. The outside looks a bit like a Tattoo parlor possibly causing some non-local folks to consider not going in. Now once inside the decor is actually interesting, the theme is based around Wrestling, of course Spanish wrestling (Luchas)…masks wrestlers, some portraits, a few stories, I have to say it stays good to the restaurant name. Now, they have this “Champions” booth, which is suppose to be a VIP area, the seating actually could seat 5 adults comfortably and the booth is actually décor in lots of Bling-Bling, more of a fun(ny) thing to do. In order to use the booth you need to call in 24 hours in advance to reserve the table…which believe me, with the limited seating that place has, it might be a good idea to do.

Before I talk about the food, let me talk a bit about the HUGE line outside that is waiting to get in. Now, I showed up at 11:30 am Sunday, I had to wait approximately 40 minutes, not including the wait time for the food, which actually came out fairly fast. Now, I heard from the locals that the line I saw and I was seeing as I was eating is a normal part of the routine for customers, day or night this is what you will run into. That’s when a few told me that it is best to call it in and take it out. Like I said the seating is extremely limited and if you are lucky, which I was, you might find seating or not which means you will need to find elsewhere to eat your meal….maybe your car. One thing that also indicates that the HUGE lines are a normal thing is that the restaurant has ice-cold lemonade outside for those that are waiting in the heat, which is nice, but like I said it is an indication that this is the normal routing in order to get some Tacos from Lucha Libre.

About the food, ok, it is worth the wait, sort of speaking, the portions are huge, a good manly man will get his fill from one of the burritos and a delicate lady might be satisfied with a carne Asada taco…but of course for that long of a wait, heck, man or women eat up and enjoy, is what I say. The food tastes good, they use real slices of avocado, the meat is tender, the hot sauces I have to say are great, they are spicy so be careful what you choose, but the flavors are great addition to your meal. I personally had a Carne Asada burrito, it was good, but for the long wait, it wasn’t that good…they do have other specialty burritos, which I heard from the locals that is the reason that people come here, but me being a little concerned on Surf N Turf, or other not common (Mexican) names, made me personally select something I knew, but of course if I went back I would try one of their specialties.

The other members of my party had a Taco de Adobada, which personally really did not taste or look like the authentic Adobada, now don’t get me wrong the flavor was good, but for the wait, hmm…could have gone somewhere else with a lot less wait and a more authentic looking/tasting Adobada. But it was ok. Then we tried the TJ Corn dish, well…sorry, the taste was good…yes, but TJ authentic…it was not.  I did see some locals eating Hot Dogs, which were TJ style of course, they looked good and they brought smiles to the customers so they must have been good, but I couldn’t tell you.

Let me summarize, the decor was authentic to the restaurants name, the cleanliness of the restaurant, well, as long as you didn’t eat on the tables (Just Kidding)…you’re ok….it wasn’t pretty is all I have to say. The service, heck looking at the cashiers, they looked like they’ve been through a meat grinder, they looked exhausted and overwhelmed, but I have to say all in all they were nice, helpfully and they stood their ground with the huge crowd…good service in all. The food is good, really, but for the long wait, I have to say that you might find just as good else where. Now, one thing I did want to cover, are the prices, they are not bad, let’s see, A beer, a taco, a TJ Corn with chips and salsa..came out to about $9.50…which like I said for the portions you got, which were big, it was very reasonable. So prices are reasonable.

Rate 1-5 Stars:

• Service – 5 Stars (Except for the long wait)
• Food – 3.5 Stars
• Prices – 3.5 Stars
• Cleanness – 3 Stars

Overall – 3.5 Stars

Would I go back, maybe…I would have to be mentally prepared for the long wait and the possibility that I may not get a table. The food is good, but for the long wait I could go else where and have a seat and enjoy the meal. If you like a bit of San Diego culture, then Lucha Libre is a must to visit, if you are a local in San Diego and you are in the mood for Mexican food, but rather not have the long wait, I suggest going somewhere you already go to and enjoy your meal.

Visit their site at http://tacosmackdown.com/ for more information, menu and location.

Thanks for reading, till next time Latino Man signing off.