Cream 32 by Cream City Magazine

founder & publisher fernando de haro

copy editor

C I T Y M A G A Z I N E

joana santillana

NO 32

august • september 2015 It is my pleasure to greet all of our Cream readers in this 32nd issue of our magazine! We welcome the month of August publisher with interesting articles, themes, and pieces that we are excited to share with you all. This summer has been busier than usual, but somewhere amidst all the work, we had the opportunity to embark on a sweet escape and visit one of the biggest cities in our planet. We decided to publish something with a different vision to make you all feel like you’re breathing in the air of a different city, feeling its asphalt jungle beneath your feet, and admiring the beauty of the people that reside in the photographic poem that is México, Distrito Federal, all in the span of only 48 hours. On the other hand, we present a look into the state of art of our city through interviews with distinct local artists. These creators share their experiences and provide their point of view on this crucial topic which is of great importance to us at Cream since we are firm believers in the life-altering power of art.

Laredo is growing day by day. It is important to make note of the changes and take part in the progress of our beloved city. I congratulate all of the entrepreneurs, businesses, and people who, with their effort and vision, are making these innovations possible. Here at Cream, we are very happy to be part of a new era.

Copyright © 2015 Cream City Magazine is a bi-monthly publication. All rights reserved. Points of view expressed do not necessarily represent those of Cream City Magazine. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement we believe is incompatible with our mission. We also reserve the right to refuse any advertisement we deem competitive or contrary to the best interests of the magazine. Advertisers are legally responsible for the content, accuracy, and images of their ads. Printed in Mexico.

design & production graphic designer gabriela lozano design production assistant alejandra garza photographer ferch

interns alicia gómez, doris gónzalez, julia kowalsky, christina treviño

writers

rubén bazán iii, joe arciniega tina gómez, paola denyce badouin special thanks perla iraís hernández photography, gallery 201, claudia villa, to our incredible interns

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TEAM #3

2: CHRIS

TIN

ICIA,GA A,ALE,AL

BY,JULIA

AND DO

RIS

Let’s Talk About Other People’s Money

Me andEarl and theDying Girl and Alfonso and Me visits

Mexico City

ANA CRISTINA MARTÍNEZ A passionate educator

JOEL LÓPEZ Inspiring athletes to succeed

TEENA BECKELHYMER ARCINIEGA Spirited teacher and aspiring novelist

Honoring friendships, we bring you these dynamic achievers who collaboratively contribute to the development of both Laredos. They are flying high on Cream’s radar.

ANA CRISTINA MARTÍNEZ

Lyndon B. Johnson High School Spanish Teacher and TAMIU Spanish Adjunct Professor

My career began eighteen years ago at J.W. Nixon High School, and after that, I have been teaching at Lyndon B. Johnson High School since 2002. My interest began with a Literature class I took with Dr. Ray Keck. He inspired me to become a Spanish teacher and later on to start the Master in Spanish at TAMIU program, which he began and promoted.

Becoming a teacher was not in my plans, but it felt right and I knew that I would have the summers with my little girl at that time. Teaching became part of my life, and helping students ignited my love for this profession. My students have taught me to be patient, understanding, a good listener, and to love what I do. The students and all their potential sparked my love for this beautiful career. I wanted to make a difference in the life of one person at a time, but I have been fortunate and blessed enough to service almost 4,000 in the past eighteen years. I get inspired every day with a smile, a thank you, and a look that tells me more than a 1,000 words. I get inspired when a student tells me that because of me they enrolled in college and began a career in teaching. I get inspired by the needs that we have in our community like promoting college readiness through workshops called “Pasos de Éxito,” which I created and conduct. I find inspiration to help and promote education in our community.

JOEL LÓPEZ

J.B. Alexander Head Football Coach/Athletic Coordinator

One day back when I was playing football in high school, I want to say it was the offseason of my sophomore year, Coach Robert Hein put us in the “square” (a way in which football coaches would line up their teams, particularly during the offseason) and he made a statement that hit me like a bolt of lightning. Coach said, “The beautiful thing about coaching is to reach deep inside a kid’s soul and pull his talent and place it in front of him so he can see it. That’s when you know he has a chance to reach his potential. If we can do that to you, we have done our jobs.” I’ll never forget that hot afternoon in the school parking lot. I always had an interest in coaching. I always knew that it would be a part of my life, I just didn’t know in what capacity or whether I would be a head baseball coach or a head football coach. I guess every head football coach’s goal is to win a state championship,

but the most important goal for me is that I’ve touched the lives of all the athletes that have come across the program.

The greatest satisfaction that my career has given me is when a former player comes up to me years later and tells me that they appreciate everything that I did to impact their life. Some kids even tell me that they still hear my voice in their heads about doing things right and trying to be the best they can be by preparing and being consistent at what they do. Don’t be afraid to take risks when it comes to moving away from your comfort zone in order to advance in your career. Sometimes we get too attached to the places where we live and our careers do not move forward. Never substitute anything else for your happiness.

TEENA BECKELHYMER ARCINIEGA AP English teacher for the Magnet School at United High School

After graduating from Boston College with a degree in English, I worked in book publishing for many years, first at Houghton Mifflin in Boston, and then at Microsoft Press in Redmond Washington. I retired in 1996 to devote time to raising my children.

One of my first jobs in publishing right out of Boston College was for a very well-known, powerful and exacting female editor who shall remain nameless. She was elegant and stylish but demeaning and dismissive, and she never got my name right (she called me Deena). I was terrified every day and cried a lot those first months, but I toughened up fast. Let’s just say “The Devil Wears Prada” was a book I could have written. After her, nothing intimidates me.

Being a teacher is definitely an unexpected career – I was already in my 40s when I started teaching. I have experienced the greatest satisfactions in my career as a teacher. I love that I’m a teacher who has much to offer my students because of my previous career in publishing and the places I have lived, like Boston and Seattle. The joy of watching them grow as effective communicators is wonderful.

I have accomplished many important goals, but I hope to someday write a novel and have it published, and to do it before my husband does! In my previous career in publishing, I worked on many books that I love and for writers that I admire, among them, Pat Conroy, Margaret Atwood, and John Kenneth Galbraith. cream august / september 2015

THE

X E D N I

Let’s Talk About Other People’s Money Scratch that. Let’s talk about everyone’s reactions to other people’s money.

To believe that people don’t react differently to those who have – and those who don’t have – money is a fantasy. Unless it was truly engrained in you at a young age to be blind towards economic status and disparity, we’re all educated over time to believe that the monetary worth of people is somehow directly indicative of their actual human value.

once wrote about how fear is one of our biggest motivators. This rings even more true when dealing with people who have more or less than us. When we have more than the person with whom we’re talking, we might see them with disdain and put up our barriers; we may fear that their interest in us is hiding some ulterior motive. We may also fear being seen with them in a public setting for fear that people might judge us. On the contrary, when we talk with people who have more than us, we’re all prone to insecurities. Meeting with people who have more money than us might prompt us

BY RUBÉN BAZÁN III THERUBENINDEX@GMAIL.COM 8

cream august / september 2015

to address them as “sir” or “ma’am” out of a pre-wired sense that they deserve more respect. The world would be incredibly different if we learned to address the less fortunate so respectfully and learned to feel more comfortable being ourselves with those who live on the corner of Easy Street and Dollar Drive. We can’t blame people for having money; whether they struck it rich by hard work, good luck, marrying up, or inheritance, there is no reason for us to have ill will towards them (particularly if they acquired their wealth through honest means). And by the same token, we can’t blame people for having less. Many are folks who work hard and have bad luck with their finances; let’s remember that there are many people who put in their time but have not been financially successful due to extenuating circumstances. What we can judge, however, is the way we and others react to sudden changes in financial situations. Some people fall into some money, many times left to them by their deceased loved ones. They often complain that, all of a sudden, friends and strangers have begun approaching them

with ideas for starting a business together or plainly asking for a loan. It happens too often, and what you learn is both scary and disappointing. I also have personally witnessed people who suddenly found themselves almost penniless. These people went from riches to rags and society gave them the cold shoulder. It seems to me that, since they weren’t wealthy anymore, society saw them as people who now had nothing to offer. Both cases are equally sad. Our personal integrity is built and created on how we treat other people regardless of their age, faith, race, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. We live in a world where the more we have – it seems – the more we’re worth. Given that we might believe that someone with money can benefit us in some personal way, and that someone without it can offer us nothing, this is the issue we must work on the most. In order to improve this, we must find a way to wear blinders that impede our vision towards people’s bank accounts. More importantly, we must all drink a cocktail made up of equal parts humility and respect towards all.

one year at north central! Congratulations to Gold’s Gym for celebrating the one year anniversary of their North Central location! This special milestone was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony held at their newest location. The Laredo Chamber of Commerce attended the event and commended the García family for their great success and for helping provide a healthy lifestyle to laredoans. Here’s to many more years, Gold’s Gym!

going in the right direction The talk of the town, director Alfonso Gómez-Rejón, returned to his native home of Laredo to participate in a special Q&A and reception held at the IBC Annex Ballroom. The proceeds of the event went to the highly anticipated Historic Plaza Theater Restoration Project which is currently in the works. Gómez-Rejón answered questions primarily concerning his cinematic achievements and, most notably, his success as the director of the Sundance favorite, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.

imagine awards The Imaginarium of South Texas honored the recipients of this year’s Imagine Award with an eventful evening at the Country Club. The 2015 honorees, Senator Judith Zaffirini and Mr. Cliffe Killam, were recognized for their efforts in the STEAM fields, and the inspiration they provide for students interested in pursuing vocations in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. 10 cream august /

september 2015

eyes

On September 15, Americans once again begin a month-long celebration of Hispanic culture, history and accomplishment on this continent. The concept was initially introduced by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week to recognize those with ancestry from Spain, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. On August 17, 1988, President Ronald Reagan extended it to 31 days, from September 15 through October 15, enacting it into Public Law 100-402 of the 100th Congress as National Hispanic Heritage Month.

resident George h.w. bush began the practice of issuing a presidential proclamation in september 1989, and annually thereafter, with presidents clinton, bush, and obama following suit. Observed by the United States, Canada, and Latin America, National Hispanic Heritage Month was deliberately designed to occur during dates that include the September Independence Day celebrations of Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Chile. Also included is the October 12 observation of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus’ discovery of America for King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain in 1492. I was still six years old at the beginning of the summer of 1965 when I first returned to San Antonio to visit my father after my parents’ divorce. His mother Adelina, Nana to me, was more than my daytime care; she was my ego champion, delighted by my every utterance and ability. She was my current events tutor; we read two newspapers daily and watched the news on television in English and Spanish every evening, and the next morning over coffee and sweetbread I was expected to have observations worthy of discourse. She was also my personal Hispanic heritage guide, determined that I learn everything about my culture and the people that shared it most intimately with me, in particular her ancestral in-law, my great-great-great-great grandfather, José Miguel de Arciniega.

“There,” she said with an operatic sweep of her gloved left hand toward the iconic Alamo. “José Miguel lived in the Alamo as a boy when he arrived in San Antonio with his mother and father.” Before I could completely absorb this, Nana bolted ahead of me. I followed her as she headed down South Alamo Street, with the words “Now let’s go see his house” trailing behind her. I later learned that in 1803 King Charles IV of Spain dispatched 100 members of his regiment, La Segunda Compañía Volante del Álamo de Parras, an elite force of Spanish mounted lancers with their families in tow from Coahuila in New Spain (later Mexico) northward to reinforce the presidio at San Antonio de Bexar. They stationed themselves within the walls of the old Mission San Antonio de Valero staying long enough to influence its subsequent nickname, “El Álamo.” In 1811, in appreciation of service to king and country as a member of this cavalry, José Miguel’s father Gregorio was granted 20 city lots of land upon which he and his son, by then 18 years old, built a small home using stones reportedly gathered from those of the former mission cum military post destined for heroic tragedy and eternal fame.

My grandmother and I stood on Arciniega Street, between South Alamo and Presa, facing the single level house of rough stone a bleached yellow hue. Its two entry doors and four front windows were shielded from the afternoon sun by a porch, supported by six simple wood columns, jutting forward from its roofline. “You are directly descended from a great man who did so much for Texas,” she said, “He was left from history because he came from Mexico, but you must never forget him.”

By adulthood, José Miguel de Arciniega spoke English, Spanish and French, as well as several Native American dialects. With this facility for languages, and his skills in writing and mathematics, he grew to great political heights and prosperity, serving the state of Texas for 36 years through governments under Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas and the United States. He was Alcalde (Mayor) of San Antonio twice, Land Commissioner for Stephen F. Austin, and interpreter for General Martín Perfecto de Cos in negotiations for the surrender of Bexar. He also served as Judge, County Commissioner, Political Chief, City Councilman, and in other key roles. He died on May 13, 1849, at 55 years of age. I did not know any of this that day standing on Arciniega Street for the very first time. My grandmother was right; he and many other Hispanics that literally founded and developed Texas, great patriots, weren’t in our school history books. Over the next 50 years of my life, I researched and learned, meeting and working with others that shared the same heritage and desire to correct historical records. On September 20, 2013, in observance of his 220th birthday, descendants of José Miguel de Arciniega, guests, and political dignitaries formally dedicated his childhood home with a bronze plaque in the back courtyard, which is now on Marriott Plaza Hotel property. On Friday, May 15, 2015, just days after the 166th anniversary of his death, surrounded by our children, the next standard bearers, we unveiled a Texas Historical Commission Marker recognizing our greatest great grandfather as a “Maker of Texas.” It was posted in front of his house on Arciniega Street, right where I stood with my grandmother that first summer of knowing. BY JOE ARCINIEGA arciniegajoe@gmail.com

cream august / september 2015

g n i d Buil ng Strots Roo a For ht Brig re Futu

ave you ever heard the saying “it takes a village to raise a child?” In today’s age, we no longer live in villages, but the essence of the phrase still holds true. Children are precious, impressionable beings who deserve the best education and caregivers during their fundamental years in order to learn and thrive. Cream sat down with Tania Galindo, founder of Sunshine Learning and Enrichment Center, to talk about her inspiration for creating Sunshine, what motivates her each day, and most importantly, her love for children! She stressed the importance of offering a creative and nurturing environment that builds a solid foundation for learning inside and outside of the classroom. We share with you our exclusive interview and invite you to discover for yourself what Sunshine is all about.

What was your inspiration for creating Sunshine? My kids and my love for them inspired me to create Sunshine Learning and Enrichment Center. I want to see children grow happy and healthy in a place full of joy, having fun while they learn and help others. As Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world.” With that in mind, let’s use it wisely to guide our children. Is there a certain significance associated with the name? Does it symbolize something important to you? We all need food to grow. Plants need water, minerals, and light to grow. Our logo represents our curriculum and slogan; it is shaped like a tree and simultaneously as a child with open arms. The child (tree trunk) represents our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) curriculum and at the same time the child figure with open arms represents his eagerness to learn. The circles in our logo stand for our classes and complementary courses we offer: Core (Science, History, Art, and Music),

creambizeducation

Scholastic (Language and Social), DHP, Gardening, Cooking, Zumba, and Yoga. The word sunshine says it all; it represents the internal light and glow we all possess. We want our children to be the sunshine in the world. What motivates you to get up in the morning and do this job? I love my job. Just waking up and going to work brings me immeasurable joy and satisfaction. I love creating lessons that are practical, fun, and always with an emphasis on learning. Sunshine students, teachers, and all the rest of the staff have a challenge every day to have as much fun as possible; this mantra must be reflected in our students’ learning experience. What makes the perfect teacher? Being a Sunshine teacher requires patience, enthusiasm, a positive attitude, creativity, and above all else, love for early childhood education. You must also have a professional degree and have completed the Sunshine class workshop. Sunshine requires all our personnel to have a training and certification to be able to work at our institution.

A typical day at Sunshine: 8:00 Welcome 8:30 Exercise: Yoga or Zumba 9:00 Language 9:30 Math: Cooking class 10:00 Art: Artist of the month 10:30 Music class (Piano lessons) 11:00 Geography (Travel around the world) 11:30 Lunch 12:00 Nap time 1:30 Science (Gardening) 2:00 Review 2:30 - 3:00 Dismissal 3:00 - 5:30 Art, Piano, Zumba, Cooking, Gardening

What do you hope Sunshine Learning students will walk away with at the end of their Sunshine experience? Our program is designed to nurture children that are conscious of their surroundings, other children, adults, and the world. We want to cultivate children with not only academic knowledge, but creative and artistic streaks as well; individuals who enjoy learning and creating out of love and not out of obligation. Our program, and its curriculum, is focused on learning. However, we present it to our kids in a way that they can all have fun and partake in educational activities. Our program allows the kids to attain knowledge in language, mathematics, science, technology, music, and art. Once they graduate from Sunshine, our students receive a diploma from our institution and from the Texas A&M Junior Master Gardener program. What do you hope to learn from all of the children that come through these doors? Paulo Coelho said it best, “A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires.” Every child teaches us an important lesson: everyone is unique. I hope to learn the best from everyone in order to be a better teacher a better director for our center. Why do you think parents are going to love Sunshine Learning? Our curriculum is well-rounded; classes are designed so that children can learn in different settings. Also, our staff is highly trained in childcare. All our classrooms have both a teacher and a teacher aide. We make sure that all we learn and do here at our center benefits our children. We have closed circuit television cameras on both the inside and outside of our facility. All our teachers have a degree and are first aid certified. We offer healthy meal plans for our kids. We promote reading at an early age and are classes are both in English and Spanish. We have a dual language program that allows our students to learn two languages at the same time and in the proper way, without mixing them.

LEARNING & ENRICHMENT CENTER

Silver Leaf Plaza • 2715 E. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041 • Ph (956) 701.3041

info@sunshine-academy.us www.sunshine-academy.us

little blue dress Although the color blue is usually associated with sadness, it’s time to ditch that stigma and pick up a rocking outfit during your next shopping spree! Blue no longer denotes

unhappiness.

Instead,

the classic color signifies the end of heartbreak, and the beginning of growth; in a blue outfit, you’re ready to bloom more beautifully than ever before. Put the past behind you, all eyes are on you and your little blue dress!

PHOTOGRAPHY FERCH MODEL CELINA CALDERÓN MAKEUP KRISTINA HOGAN HAIR STEPHANIE CÁZARES APPAREL BY D’MADEMOISELLE

Meand Earl and the Dying Girl

e M d n a o s n o and Alf Small town folks are quick to dismiss the possibility of local talent being recognized by Hollywood’s elite. It is common for members of any small community to believe that, no matter how far your travels take you, your hometown eventually sucks you back in with no possibility of further success. At the same time, however, everybody loves a trailblazer’s story. This is the part where Alfonso Gómez-Rejón enters the scene.

lfonso is an emmy nominated television and awardwinning film director hailing from laredo, texas. Citing Martin Scorsese as one of his biggest inspirations (Mean Streets, to be precise), he was later granted the opportunity to work with him, as well as other Hollywood notables such as Nora Ephron, Robert De Niro, Ben Affleck, and Alejandro González Iñárritu. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University and a Master of Fine Arts from the American Film Institute, he has successfully directed episodes of the hit TV show Glee as well as in all 4 seasons of American Horror Story, also serving as co-executive producer on its third season, Coven.

In what was my most starstruck moment as a writer, I attended the Austin premiere of his latest – and perhaps most laudable – project Me and Earl and the Dying Girl in mid-June to experience firsthand these types of events. The Alamo Drafthouse on S. Lamar Blvd. was populated by film enthusiasts, Alfonso’s highly supportive family and fiercely loyal friends, and me, whose collection of famous people I’ve met only included Chuck Liddell, Chris Botti, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. I chatted with Alfonso for a few minutes, picking his brain about the film. This is the part where I tell you how that went down. Rubén: What inspired you to direct this film? Did you read the book and automatically decide to take it on as a project? Alfonso: It was already a screenplay, so I read that before I read the book. I had to fight and audition for it. I was very moved by Mr. McCarthy’s speech – where he mentions that a person’s life and story continues to unfold after someone dies. R: What would you say was your biggest challenge in directing this film? A: Finding that balance between the lightness and the humor, with the more dramatic parts. Never letting it be manipulative or sentimental or feeling too forced. All the emotions had to be earned. And that process extends into post-production with the use of music and sound design – it’s all carefully calibrated and you hope it’s going to work.

22 cream august /

september 2015

R: Reactions to the film both in film festivals and in social media have been overwhelmingly positive. Did you ever expect such success? A: No, none of us could have imagined this kind of reaction. I just wanted to make a personal film, and I saw something really beautiful and original in Jesse’s script that I felt I could interpret in a way that would encapsulate what I was feeling. R: How did it feel to receive the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival? A: That was the best week of my life. Starting with the reception at the beginning after we premiered and just to be surrounded by family and friends that I’ve known since birth who knew my dad, so they understood the connection when they read the dedication. Sundance was the first time that I screened the film with that dedication, so it was surprising even to my mom. Then that week began a whole new journey which was talking about him and people asking me about him because it was no longer private and personal. It was out there in the most public way. Being at Sundance was also the first time I felt like I was a part of a community of filmmakers, all of us trying to do something and say something and have our voices heard. That was the most incredible part of the week, and the most rewarding, getting to know them and watching as many of their films as I could. And the end, winning both prizes, was completely unexpected. It was so beautiful knowing that so many people that I made this movie with, my crew, were being recognized for their work. Not just me.

anything. You have to finish it. You have to take on something that you can make – something small that you can actually finish and see all the way through and be ready to exhibit it and show it around, whether it’s a screenplay or a film, and be ready to take the rejection that comes with it, because there is a lot of rejection along the way. Then you go back and rework it, rewrite it, re-edit it, or you put it aside and you move on and do it again. That’s the journey. Make it. Finish it. Show it, and learn from that and keep moving. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but you can’t be afraid to take that journey and take that rejection. I say start small and keep it personal. Little by little, over time you’ll find out what your voice is and what kind of stories you enjoy telling. You don’t follow a trend or make something because you think it’ll sell or you think people will like it, you make something from the heart and this film is, to me, the first thing I’ve done that is truly from the heart. R: Well, you seem to really polish the talent that you have. Out of curiosity, what was it like to work with Molly Shannon and Nick Offerman? A: They’re a dream. All of them. I especially love working with comedians. One of my first big jobs was working as Scorsese’s assistant on Casino, which stars Don Rickles, Alan King, Dick Smothers, and Kevin Pollak -- all comedians in dramatic roles. There’s something about great comedians, some gift that also makes them great dramatic actors -- they can handle both the drama and the comedy seemingly effortlessly, and it was that very life-like balance of both tones that I was trying to achieve with my movie. They’re a total joy and of course they’re hysterical. So it was a dream because I’m a fan of theirs and the fact that we were in the same room together, I just couldn’t believe it. Molly Shannon’s blooper reel is the greatest thing you’ll ever see. My editor David Trachtenberg and I would always watch it when we were stuck on a different scene. We would just watch that and clear our heads and laugh a little. R: What’s next for you? A: Right now, I’m really focusing on this. My life changed after Sundance, so there are a lot of things coming my way. I haven’t decided yet. I’m with the cast traveling all over the nation and trying to get the movie out there.

R: And you succeeded in that because it was one of the biggest purchases made in Sundance history, so you’ve set a pretty high standard. What piece of advice can you share with anybody that has a project for creating such valuable work? A: I know a lot of filmmakers that want to direct and talk about directing or writers that talk about writing but never finish

The novel was authored by Jesse Andrews, who also wrote the screenplay. Alfonso successfully managed to turn a teen story into one that captures audiences of all ages. With its original cinematography, phenomenal acting, witty dialogue, quirky humor, and beautiful score (composed by the one and only Brian Eno), this piece of art ultimately tells the story of how friendship and support thrives in the midst of tragedy. I strongly suggest you watch the film. I also strongly suggest you bring tissues. This is the part where I tell you what I learned. I learned that beautiful work can be created with undying determination. I learned that having a steadfast attitude towards your goals will remove all doubts and uncertainties as long as your work is done from the heart. I learned that life, in fact, does continue to unfold. Most of all, I learned that success is most often enjoyed when your true family and closest friends, those who have known you and have seen you fail before, are there to relish in the fruits of your labor and clink a glass at the end of the day to celebrate your victories.

To my cousin, Carlos Riddle, who through his encouraging words and eternal championing, continues to teach all of us the meaning of unconditional support towards the ones we love. BY RUBÉN BAZÁN III

cream august / september 2015

Tell us about this dish. What’s the inspiration behind it? This chili is a lighter and healthier version of a typical beef chili. It is slow cooked for no less than 3 hours to break down the fresh tomatoes and to incorporate all the ingredients together. It was inspired by our curiosity to create a leaner, guilt-less, delicious chili. When is the perfect time to try it? We feel anytime is a good time to have a bowl of chili. It’s a comfort food. Let it put a smile on your face. What are the main ingredients? Ground turkey and the combination of Guajillo and Chipotle chiles is what really stands out in this dish.

Hom em ad e Tur key Ch ili INGREDIENTS •

2.5 lbs. ground turkey

•

3 tbsp. red wine vinegar

•

3 garlic cloves

•

10 fresh diced tomatoes

Chili Base:

•

1 tsp. ground cumin

•

2 chopped red onions

•

2 dried ancho chilies

•

3 tsp. kosher salt

•

2 cups chicken stock

•

3 dried chipotle chilies

•

1 tbsp. Mexican oregano

How is the new place different from the original downtown location? The new location has a few extra items on the menu, but we are still serving up all the favorites as well. Our Del Mar location offers cold pressed juices and a variety of “grab ‘n go” items. All the art and music shows are done only in our downtown location.

Caffe Dolce has been in the art community for years. Are there any major events coming up? We have a lot of cool events in the works. Keep a look out for the dates on our Facebook page.

Start by rinsing your dried chilies. Bring some water to a boil in a sauce pan and toss chilies in. Put a lid on the sauce pan and turn off heat. We are rehydrating the chilies. Let it sit for about 20 minutes.

downtown 1708 Victoria (956)568-4707 Mon-Fri | 11am-8pm Sat | Events Only

Next, dice both onions and set aside as well. Once chilies are soft you may choose to take out seeds.

north laredo 219 E. Del Mar (956) 516-7651 Mon-Fri | 11am-9pm Sat | 12pm-8pm 956.516.7651

While your chilies are sitting, start dicing your washed tomatoes. Set aside when you’re done.

Put chilies, spices, chicken stock, and garlic cloves in a blender and purée. Set aside when done.

Next step is to get a stock pot and put on high heat. Add a little splash of oil and sauté your onions for about 4 minutes. Now add ground turkey. Stir to cook. At this point, add your diced tomatoes, chili base and red wine vinegar. Stir and bring to a boil. Once it’s at a boil reduce heat to medium low and place a lid on stock pot. Set a timer for 1hour. Slow cook for 3 hours but give it a stir every hour. That’s it! Simple and easy! Top with cheese, sour cream, jalapeños and cilantro. Invite your friends to try it out. Make sure they bring the beer and enjoy!

love cooking The main secret to this recipe is LOVE. We easy and fun! and if you do as well, then this is going to be

BY VALERIA VEGA & CHRIS CONTRERAS

cream august / september 2015

visits

Mexico City PHOTOGRAPHY BY FERCH / STORY BY PAOLA DENYCE BADOUIN

Ecléctica, llena de vida, multifacética y con cientos de años de historia, el DF, como usualmente se le conoce, siempre está a la vanguardia pero al mismo tiempo ha conservado tradiciones que reflejan su historia y su identidad. La capital de México ofrece miles de cosas que hacer, conocer y vivir siendo la ciudad hispanohablante más grande del mundo, la cual es siempre una excelente opción para visitar, divertirse y enriquecer nuestro acervo cultural.

cream june / july 2015

Al estar en la llamada Ciudad de los Palacios, vale la pena hacer un recorrido por el Castillo de Chapultepec, el único castillo en todo el continente americano y pieza fundamental de la historia de esta hermosa ciudad. Ubicado en la punta del Cerro de Chapultepec ofrece una panorámica vista de la Ciudad de México. Se dice que antes de su construcción ya era lugar de descanso de los emperadores aztecas. Su construcción la inició el Virrey Bernardo de Gálvez a finales del siglo XVIII, después se convirtió en el Heroico Colegio Militar y en 1860 fue la residencia del emperador Maximiliano de Habsburgo quien le añadió jardines para embellecerlo aún más. También fue residencia de varios presidentes, incluyendo a Porfirio Díaz. Una visita al castillo es una ventana a la historia y a la forma de vida que llevaron los emperadores y presidentes que lo habitaron y la vista que se puede apreciar de la Ciudad de México es extraordinaria.

El Ángel de la Independencia es sin lugar a duda el monumento más emblemático de la ciudad de México y se encuentra sobre Paseo de la Reforma que fue construido por el emperador Maximiliano para acortar la distancia entre el castillo y el Palacio Nacional. Su estilo fue inspirado en las avenidas parisinas, hoy en día se distingue por ser un paisaje de rascacielos y construcciones contemporáneas que alojan corporativos, viviendas, centros comerciales y restaurantes con una atmósfera muy moderna.

Al visitar el Zócalo se puede vivir lo que pasa en el corazón de la ciudad y se pueden admirar sus construcciones coloniales como el Palacio Nacional, la Catedral Metropolitana y el Antiguo Palacio del Ayuntamiento. Ahí mismo se encuentra el Corredor Madero, antes una calle que permitía la circulación de autos, ahora es un corredor peatonal y se dice que es el más transitado del DF. Una caminata por el corredor es toda una experiencia porque se pueden

admirar muchos palacios y casas antiguas. También se caracteriza por la diversidad de personas que lo usa, desde los tradicionales organilleros, los ejecutivos que trabajan por ahí, hasta los estudiantes con las modas más impredecibles y obviamente. Por este corredor se llega también a la famosa Torre Latinoamericana, muy popular en los años 70 y aunque ya no es la más alta de Latinoamérica ni de la ciudad, ofrece una vista sin igual de la misma y del Centro Histórico.

Incluir al Centro Histórico dentro de la agenda es una decisión muy acertada. Al llegar se percibe otro ambiente, otra faceta de la ciudad. El “Zócalo”, cuyo nombre verdadero es “Plaza de la Constitución”, te puede recibir de formas muy diferentes. En realidad siempre está pasando algo ahí, desde la filmación de una película, un nuevo récord Guinness, una pista de hielo, una cancha de tenis, exposiciones, manifestaciones artísticas, sociales, políticas y mucho más.

cream august / september 2015

Otro sitio que vale la pena admirar es el Palacio de Bellas Artes, el cual es el centro cultural más importante de México, su estilo es Neoclásico y Art Nouveau y se encuentra a un lado del Parque de la Alameda Central. Caminando por ahí puedes llevarte muchas sorpresas, nosotros encontramos a un bombero voluntario con una vocación muy fuerte y poco después a un grupo de raperos en duelo, ambas experiencias muy ilustrativas. El Centro Histórico ofrece restaurantes, terrazas, hosterías y cafés de clase mundial, la gran mayoría con el sabor de la auténtica comida mexicana, desde prehispánica hasta los sabores más nuevos y también cocina internacional. Vale la pena aprovechar el paseo para degustar y gozar el ambiente de algunos de sus recintos gastronómicos. El Monumento a la Revolución que también es mausoleo, es otra grandiosa construcción muy cerca del Centro Histórico. Inicialmente se planeó para ser el Palacio Legislativo pero nunca se terminó el proyecto debido a las luchas revolucionarias y cuando éstas terminaron se decidió que se usaría la construcción que ya contaba con la cúpula para conmemorar a la Revolución Mexicana. Verla al atardecer o al anochecer es impresionante. Polanco es una zona muy conocida por su afluencia económica, vale la pena darse una vuelta y disfrutar de sus boutiques famosas, restaurantes, antros de moda, casonas y galerías de arte. La calle más representativa es Presidente Mazaryk y sus establecimientos satisfacen los gustos más exigentes. Esta área sigue creciendo y ahora podemos encontrar en la parte del Nuevo Polanco la Plaza Carso que es un lugar multifuncional de primer nivel dedicado a establecimientos comerciales, residenciales y culturales, entre los cuales destaca el Museo Soumaya que resguarda la extensa colección de arte de la Fundación Carlos Slim aunque también realiza otras exposiciones. Lleva el nombre en honor de Soumaya Domit, quien falleció en 1999 y fuera esposa de Carlos Slim. Es un espacio sin fines de lucro y cuenta con una arquitectura vanguardista de estructura asimétrica y plateada, inspirada un poco en las esculturas de Rodin. Las colonias Roma y Condesa se distinguen por la influencia Art Deco es sus construcciones, caminar por sus calles es seguro e interesante y ofrecen una amplia variedad de opciones culturales y gastronómicas. En el ámbito culinario las opciones son variadísimas. Se puede degustar desde la auténtica comida mexicana en restaurantes de mucha tradición hasta las fusiones más innovadoras y únicas en restaurantes de conceptos muy alternativos y novedosos. Estas dos colonias son siempre una buena opción para disfrutar de una atmósfera refrescante y chic que sólo una gran ciudad como esta puede brindar. La cantidad de bicicletas es algo que llama mucho la atención y no es extraño ver que tanto locales como turistas hacen uso de ellas para transportarse de un lugar a otro, ya sea para pasear o para llegar a sus lugares de trabajo o estudio. La cultura de la bicicleta es algo fuertemente ligado al cuidado del ecosistema y relativamente nuevo en el DF que ha ido tomando mucha fuerza en los últimos 8 años creando todo un sistema de ciclopistas y ciclovías en varias colonias de esta ciudad. Pasear por el DF se disfruta enormemente y de forma muy segura, encontramos policías por todas partes y a todas horas, de hecho ver policías por las calles principales es algo común y verlos marchar y organizarse es prácticamente una atracción más. Y claro que Cream ya tiene planes de regresar al DF y continuar recolectando experiencias para compartir con ustedes… porque la gran Ciudad de México nos inspira, nos mueve y nos renueva!

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cream august / september 2015

elba mendoza BY DORIS GONZÁLEZ

This year’s Miss Teen Laredo, Elba Mendoza, is a model with big dreams and an even bigger heart. Her love for modeling and photography began in Mexico City where she worked as an actress for Televisa. Although Elba is no stranger to the camera, she is much more than meets the eye. As an avid traveler with an irrepressible wanderlust, she dreams of exploring the world and changing it for the better. Elba is a green activist whose concern for the well-being of our world and its inhabitants has inspired her to one day win the renowned Miss Universe pageant, not for the fame or wealth, but to speak up for those who cannot.

WHO INSPIRES YOU THE MOST? My parents; they’ve taught me that everything is possible. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES? Traveling, riding my bike, reading, and horseback riding. CELEBRITY CRUSH? Leonardo DiCaprio. WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT PARTICIPATING

How much you grow as a person and how much you push yourself forward to achieve your goal.

IN A BEAUTY PAGEANT?

WHAT WAS THE FIRST THOUGHT THAT CROSSED YOUR MIND WHEN YOU WON

No actual thoughts were happening; it was just an explosion of emotions. DO YOU GET NERVOUS

MISS TEEN LAREDO?

WHEN YOU’RE ON STAGE, AND IF SO, HOW

DO YOU CONQUER YOUR NERVES? I get nervous before going on stage, but once 34

cream august / september 2015

I’m up there everything just falls into place. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A PAGEANT? I prepare physically of course, but most importantly I prepare mentally. The mind is everything; what you think you become. WHAT MAKEUP CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT? Le Blanc face highlighter by Chanel. WHAT CAREER WOULD YOU LIKE TO PURSUE? Culinary Arts. WHAT SHOW DO YOU RECOMMEND OUR READERS BINGE-WATCH? The Following (most addicting show ever). FAVORITE ARTIST? Lana Del Rey. IF YOU COULD VISIT ONE PLACE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? Thailand. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE STORE? Neiman Marcus, especially the shoe section and the Balenciaga store. WHAT FOOD IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE? Peanut butter and honey sandwich. WHAT IS YOUR ZODIAC SIGN? Capricorn. SWEET OR SPICY FOOD? Sweet! WHICH FICTIONAL CHARACTER (WHETHER FROM A MOVIE, BOOK, OR TV SHOW) ARE YOU LIKE THE MOST? Audrey Hepburn as Princess Anne in Roman Holiday. INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, OR FACEBOOK? Instagram (@elbamendoza). CREATE A HASHTAG THAT DESCRIBES YOUR LIFE: #hungry. WHAT IS YOUR SONG FOR THE SUMMER? Buzzin’ by Shwayze.

State Of The

Art I

Art connects people all around the world every day. Inciting emotions we sometimes didn’t even know we had within us, art moves us and takes us places only our imagination is capable of creating. As a publication that is fully committed to supporting all forms of artistic expression, Cream was present at Gallery 201 for the “Selfish-A Self Portrait Exhibit.” This great event brought together local artists to showcase their creations and we took the chance to talk to them about where art stands in our city. We now share with each one of you their thoughts and feelings.

What do you think about artistic expression in Laredo? I think there is presently an enormous resurgence of interest in art. More people are attending the events we hold at Gallery 201, and the downtown area is definitely becoming the center of it all. There are so many talented artists living here and many who are from Laredo and come back to exhibit their work. The collaboration between artists and venues is something new and we saw firsthand how successful it can be with our latest exhibit, “Selfish-A Self Portrait Exhibit.” The “Selfish” exhibit gave a home to 48 artists, many who had never exhibited their work before. It was so successful, we have decided to make it an annual event.

Gayle Rodríguez

How do you support the art community? Beyond the art on our walls, we serve as a platform for all types of artistic endeavors whether it be performance, dance, music, poetry or artisanal bazaars. We participate in the newly formed “Caminarte,” which takes place once a month in the downtown area. Also, we actively search out local artists and invite them to be a part of our family of talent.

cream august / september 2015

Did the culture in Laredo influence your artistic inspirations? Definitely. My parents and grandparents have always told me to work hard. They wanted me to get an education so that I could have a better future. The graduate school that I will be attending has a study abroad program in China that I will be participating in. I cannot wait to learn about another culture, while also sharing ideas about my own. My Hispanic heritage has made me want to learn more about other cultures.

Who is your muse? My desire for working hard comes from my father Rodolfo and mother Lety, my siblings Pipo and Cochi, as well as my biggest supporter, assistant, and boyfriend Allan. My artistic muses include Marcel Duchamp, Robert Rauschenberg, Jenny Saville, Frida Kahlo, Chuck Close, Théodore Géricault, Michelangelo, and Lucian Freud; all different and unique from one another. It’s their depictions of human flesh and portraits that amaze me.

Ilian Hernández

What legacy would you like to leave behind with your art? I would like to be recognized as an artist with Mexican roots whose work and paintings focus on the imperfect and actual characteristics of beauty in a human being instead of the ideal.

Melly Rodríguez

Tessa Lee Martínez

How do you envision the artistic scene in Laredo in the next 10 years? I see a greater variety in media that is used in artwork. I also see more local shows, especially for the youth. Seeing your work in a gallery is very different compared to seeing your work in a classroom. This experience may lead to more people wanting to support, fund, and even pursue an education in art.

What improvements, if any, can be made to help the artistic development in our city? We need more programs that aid furthering artistic education, such as graduate courses and workshops. Not only in plastic arts, but also scenic and cinematographic arts for the further development of artistic growth. Development conferences and conventions with artists and presenters of local and international renown to help inspire local talent and open new horizons.

If you could compare yourself to any artist, who would it be? Why? I don’t compare myself to any artist because I don’t feel I have reached the level of those who inspire me. Having said that, I could easily say Mary Blair, Hanna Barbera and Alberto Cerriteño have been a strong source of inspiration for the last five years.

Erika Lamar Buentello

Kevin Philippe

If you could compare yourself to any artist, who would it be? Why? Well, I don’t think I would dare to compare, but, there are some that I can connect with for different reasons. Ray Johnson, for example who made work for the sake of making; or Margaret Keane who still paints daily at the age of 87 (I hope that’ll be me some day!); but as an artist with an interest in spaces and places, I might hope to someday achieve the atmospheres of Richard Diebenkorn, Alex Katz, David Hockney, Will Cotton or Wayne Thiebaud. Did the culture in Laredo influence your artistic inspirations? Yes! Laredo’s unique culture and community is one that can be better appreciated (at least for me) when you look outside of it. I moved to Austin for college, and it wasn’t until I lived there, that I began to truly appreciate the little things that made my hometown special. It is that unique “Laredo flavor” that has continued to inspire so many things in my work.

Cynthia Jennings Do you think the art in Laredo gets enough exposure? Why? Laredo has come a long way. It is doing a wonderful job in promoting the arts, but I don’t think it’s getting recognized enough. There is a lot of talent in this city and sometimes I feel that not everyone is getting the recognition they truly deserve.

What artistic movement does your work most often display? As much as I love all the different flavors and styles that the art world has to offer, I would have to say that surrealism would probably be the closest artistic art movement that my art most often displays. I put my whole heart into my work. I listen to my creative soul and tap into the invisible and rely on my dreams and visions. The possibilities are endless. I love how poetic, evocative, and intuitive art can be.

What artistic movement does your work most often display? I would say it is kind of difficult to fit my work (digital illustrations) into a category or an art movement. I guess when I read about an art movement I want to incorporate it into my work but at the same time I don’t want that artistic movement to encapsulate the whole drawing. I’ll just say that the hashtags I use in Instagram for my artwork are: #melanin, #vector, #inkscape, and #illustration. What advice would you give to a young struggling artist? Always draw, paint, sculpt, illustrate, photograph, perform, experiment, practice, read books, have awesome life experiences, surround yourself with creative people, and materialize your dreams. That would be my advice as a struggling artist myself.

crème brûlée BY TINA GÓMEZ ILLUSTRATIONS ALEJANDRA GARZA

Students. We all know one, we were one, and maybe you still are one. No judgments made here. But remember that sinking feeling you would get when the professor would ask for a homework assignment and you completely forgot to complete it? I remember that all too clearly. From one student to another, I want to let you know that the year is 2015 and your PC is here to help. Check out Google Keep, available on Chrome, Android, and on the web. With this over the top, incredibly useful software, you can set up location-based reminders, record lectures, take notes, and snap photos of other students’ notes --if you need to. Again, no judgments made here. The best thing about it is that you can share what you’ve captured, if you choose to, with classmates. I’m not advocating that you sell your notes, or recordings, but we need to make that scratch somehow, am I right?

planning

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Say goodbye to the way you listen to music, forever. Apple Music has launched this summer and continues to be warmly accepted by many who consider themselves audiophiles. This new music subscription service offers quality audio and tracks that will make waking up and heading to school a whole lot easier. Apple Music can be used on any device, and all you need is your Apple ID to get started. With your subscription, you have access to 30 million high-quality tracks, radio shows, and playlists. But wait, there’s more, and this is probably the best part. With your subscription, you have access to music recommendations tailored for you, based on what you have already listened to. Give it a try --your first 3 months are free. After your trial ends, you have an option to continue your subscription at $9.99 a month or join the family plan and share the love for $14.99 a month.

music

When I was younger, I relied on my bike, my skates, and my mom to get me where I needed to go. Times have changed and my old methods of transportation have become obsolete. So what’s a person to do? Yes, the logical answer would be drive, but wouldn’t it be so much better to arrive on a Cyboard? Cyboard is begging you to step into, and onto, the future. According to their website, Cyboard is a battery powered board with wheels that boasts speeds up to 6 miles per hour. This device is completely rechargeable and has a battery life of 9-12 miles. If you’re still having a hard time understanding what it is, think of a Segway –just a whole lot less lame. Prices for the Cyboard start at $899.99, but I found an awesome promo-code that gets you $100 off your purchase; just use the code “BEFREE.” Pick the color of your board, and then decide which one of your friends is going to ask to try it first (it never fails).

transport

creamtips

Utthita Trikonasana or Extended Triangle Pose Triangle pose strengthens and stretches the ankles, knees, and thighs while it stimulates the abdominal and digestive organs. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an excellent posture for those who suffer backaches, especially sciatica. The numerous benefits of triangle pose make it one of the best to add to your practice. To get into the pose, take a 3-4 foot comfortable stance. Turn one foot out to 90 degrees. With both legs straight and hips squared to the side, T out your arms and hinge from your hip joint into a deep side bend. Place the lower hand on the floor or your shin bone and raise the upper arm towards the ceiling, stacking your shoulders. Stretch your spine into a long line that is parallel to the floor. Rotate your neck gently and gaze upward toward your hand. Find your breath and sustain the pose for 3-5 slow deep breaths before repeating on the other side. Triangle pose is a classic pose that is excellent for all level students to practice and it is included in most classes at Casa Yoga. For more information and a full class schedule, visit www.casayoga.com Model: Pauline MartĂnez

Beat the

Rush 101 BY JULIA MAEVE KOWALSKY

Alejandra Victoria Bravo -Bu s Ma iness nag em -UT ent SA / Se nio r

or many young adults, an important part of growing up is the experience of attending college out of town. Our latest subject of interest, Alejandra Bravo, knows all too well about the responsibility and challenges this entails. Take a look at Ale’s outlook and advice on the perfect mix of work and play. What is the most challenging part of having a college life? The most challenging part is learning to balance school, a social life, and sleep. You can’t get all of the above without good time management. Was being in a new environment something distressing or exciting? It was a little of both, distressing because I had to adapt to a new lifestyle away from my parents, but also exciting because I was finally on my own and could make my own decisions. How do you feel about the changes that can happen during college? Do you feel like these coming years will impact your life goals? These are some of the most critical years that any young adult goes through. These years will mold my life and who I become down the line. What are some memorable experiences you went through during your freshman year? Attending my first college football game is definitely on the top of my list. The crazy energy and support that crowd showed was incredible. At this moment, how do you feel about growing up, like the cliché idea lets us believe? Growing up is a scary, new, but ultimately most exciting part of life that is inevitable. Is college life all it’s cracked up to be or were you taken by surprise? It’s not exactly like the movies, but if you find the right group of friends you’ll have more fun than you could’ve ever imagined. Now the most important question, are you ready to go back or do you want summer to last just a bit more? Honestly, I love summer, especially because I’m surrounded by family and friends who go to school out of town. A little more summer would not be such a bad thing.

very august on the university of texas at austin campus, roughly 1,500 girls meet in hogg auditorium for a ceremony the night before formal sorority recruitment starts in the hopes of becoming part of a sisterhood. The week ahead entails running around West Campus, lots of small talk, and the possibility of catching a heat stroke under the hot Texas sun—but what’s one week compared to a lifetime full of friendships and shared Greek letters? Two summers ago, I rationalized that sorority life was right for me, and I embarked on the journey that is informally dubbed “rush.” On that August night in 2013, I walked to the auditorium with my roommate, Erin, and my stomach became flooded with butterflies. I had worked so hard to participate in recruitment, and I knew there was no turning back on this process now. I hired someone to take my headshots, made sure I had all my letters of recommendation, and had registered with UT’s University Panhellenic Council. After the ceremony, all potential new members (PNMs) received canvas bags with identical t-shirts inside and were told to hustle outside to meet their recruitment counselors. After this meeting, my roommate and I went back to our apartment and got ready for the busy day ahead.

The next morning, Erin and I woke up bright-eyed and bushytailed, ready to take on the first day. Now, I must not forget to mention that formal recruitment has a dress code, and what was on the menu for this fine Tuesday morning? Khaki shorts, the identical white t-shirts that we were given the night before, and Nike tennis shoes. How was I supposed to compete with all of the strikingly beautiful girls around me in this outfit? “Well,” I thought, as I looked in the mirror, “here goes nothing.” As I approached my rush group that morning, I looked for a friendly face to talk to before we lined up and prepared ourselves to be greeted by the girls of Alpha Chi Omega. Just before the doors of the A-Chi-O house opened, a disgruntled lady across the street began yelling at us, the great blue sky, innocent pedestrians—essentially anything and everything. And you know what? I chuckled to myself and started to calm down. Although formal recruitment slightly differs from university to university, most recruitment schedules include open house days, a philanthropic round, a skit night, a preference night, and most importantly, a bid day! I remember bid day as being one of the happiest days in college! It was so fun to walk back to my sorority house, Kappa Delta, with my new sisters by my side. All things said, rush week was definitely stressful at times, but I wouldn’t have changed my experience for anything. If you are considering joining Greek life, just remember these tips to ace formal recruitment: 1. Be yourself! It’s easier to be you than anyone else or what you think somebody in Greek life should be. 2. Smile! It really is your best accessory! Nothing says “Debbie Downer” more than someone who doesn’t look excited to be at a certain house. 3. Go with the flow! Sometimes, things don’t go as planned -- a heel breaks, your mascara smudges, or you trip and fall. When something goes unplanned, don’t panic! Fix what you can, and the rest will take care of itself. I spilled juice on myself inside Kappa Delta, and it became a funny topic of conversation rather than something to be embarrassed of! cream august / september 2015

ks for Looschool

BY DORIS GONZÁLEZ

ith the end of summer comes the beginning of productivity! Now that classes are back in session, it’s time to start shopping for school supplies that will make your child’s school year a memorable one. Your kiddo deserves the best, even when it comes to school materials. If you’re looking for a way to motivate your youngster during the upcoming school year, buy supplies that will match their personality and boost their excitement to attend class! Whether your tot spent his/her summer shooting free throws or watching Despicable Me on repeat, here are some ideas for back to school essentials curated by their likes! 1.) An athletic tyke’s endless vacation days are filled with sports and summer sun, but going back to school doesn’t have to bring an end to the fun. If your kid can’t seem to put down their basketball or their baseball glove, buy a backpack with a design of his/her favorite sport on it! Make sure to include a water bottle that retains its temperature for those hot days after soccer practice. Don’t forget the hand sanitizer to wash off the dirt of the day! 2.) You’re never too young to be chic! For the little fashionista in your family, why not opt for a polka dot backpack? Polka dots are aesthetically appealing without being too flashy, and a speckled backpack is perfect for a little one who is in tune with their fashion sense. Remember to buy a cute accessory like a rhinestone headband to hold back your child’s hair while they’re reading Charlotte’s Web! 3.) There’s no shame in spending a languid summer cuddling with the family pet! When school comes around, animal backpacks are in popular demand so finding one for your little animal enthusiast shouldn’t be too hard. From ladybugs to cats, your kid can now leave their favorite stuffed animal at home and instead carry it to school! Make sure to buy animal erasers just in case any mistakes are made during math class! 4.) Movie marathons with popcorn and candy are at the heart of every childhood! Encourage your mini movie buff ’s taste for cinema by buying him/ her a backpack featuring their favorite film. For the kiddo who dreams of saving the world like Superman, a superhero backpack will inspire them to fight for justice and conquer the monkey bars during recess! Don’t forget a lunchbox to quench your little one’s Spiderman senses. A Frozen lunchbox will surely keep your child’s sandwich nice and cool just in time for lunch!

iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m obsessed with

my best kept secret

i never say no to