founder & publisher fernando de haro
copy editor
C I T Y M A G A Z I N E
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joana santillana
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design & production
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lead designer gabriela lozano
executive coordinator arely díaz
¡OMG! Llegó la edición número #36 de abril/ mayo y con ella una gran colección de interesantes publisher notas, artículos y fotos sobre lo más actual que acontece en nuestra ciudad. Estamos orgullosos de poder compartirles la historia de Laredo Cancer Society, quienes están brindando ayuda a las personas que más lo necesitan en una incansable labor que en Cream admiramos enormemente. En celebración del día de las madres, extendimos una invitación a cuatro jóvenes mamás por ser para nosotros un claro ejemplo de lo que es una “modern mom” y nos compartieron un bello pensamiento sobre lo que ser madre significa para ellas.
design production assistant mildred olavarria photographer ferch
high end retouching paola denyce badouin fashion coordinator amely garza
interns alicia gómez bennett andrew mcbride carmen garcía
writers
rubén bazán iii, joe arciniega, tina gómez, and victor hugo garcía.
Además, Cream está celebrando el día del niño con un súper artículo sobre cuatro estudiantes con grandes planes para su futuro y tuvimos la oportunidad de conocerles y que nos platicaran sobre lo que quieren ser de grandes en una pieza que sin lugar a duda les causará gran admiración por estos jóvenes quienes llevan por dentro las ganas de triunfar. Algo muy especial para nosotros esta edición fue poder seguir de cerca la travesía por el otro lado del mundo de un padre de familia con su hija con la cual compartió grandes momentos y hoy les presentamos una entrevista con Rodrigo y Daniela, con más detalles sobre esa increíble experiencia.
special thanks karla fragoso, elyssa canales, fernando gaytán, pauline treviño and handsome muscle movers.
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También esta edición damos la bienvenida a un gran amigo el cual a través de su arte y creatividad nos estará mostrando cada edición un vistazo a lo más in de la Ciudad de México y San Miguel de Allende. ¡Los esperamos en esta nueva sección con Victor Hugo!
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Agradezco a todos nuestros lectores,patrocinadores y amigos por su confianza brindada en todo este tiempo. Ya estamos preparado la edición del 6to aniversario de Cream y queremos hacer algo fabuloso. ¡Estén al pendiente y los esperamos para la próxima!
Copyright © 2016 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.
en,
cream team #36: mildred, alicia, arely, carm amely, andrew & gaby
favorite characters from our childhood!!!
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Moms Shades of Beauty and Love
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BENNETT MCBRIDE JR.
LAURA L. MENDIOLA
O. J. HALE
Meet three dynamic achievers who contribute to the development of both Laredos. They are flying high on Cream’s radar.
BENNETT MCBRIDE JR.
Executive Vice President of Laredo Catholic Communications, Inc. (KHOY 88.1 FM)
As a freshman in Central Texas College in Killeen, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I just happened to take a television production class as an elective, and fell in love with it. I started interning at the PBS television and radio station at school. Eventually, they hired me to be a master control operator, and I worked my way through school there. Upon graduating from college with a degree in telecommunications, I began my career at KTPX Television in Odessa-Midland, where I worked at the ABC affiliate while we built a new station there. My goal was always to work in television production and radio. Most students, when they graduate, want to go on to do bigger and better things. So I was always trying to get into a larger market. I never ever dreamed of working for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Laredo or for the church at all. I’ve done a lot of things. I moved out on my own. I paid for school. I worked all over the state. Yet, the most rewarding job is the one here at KHOY by far. For 22 years, we’ve been able to evangelize to the community and to people all over the world. I can’t think of anything else that I could do that would be more rewarding or more satisfying. When I go to bed at night, I’m happy with what I’ve done. The work here really is a calling, it’s not really a job.
I still want to grow in the faith and get closer to Christ. I have a long way to go. Everytime I try to do something by myself, I fail; but He picks me up. LAURA L. MENDIOLA, MD
Board Certified Ophthalmologist
I was a student at John B. Alexander Magnet School for Health and Sciences and was fortunate to do a rotation with a local ophthalmologist. I immediately became interested in the field. I carried that interest with me through college and medical school, where I did research in ophthalmology and went on to my residency. The opportunity that the magnet school gave me to be exposed to the healthcare field was pivotal in my ultimate career choice.
I always had a vision to be an ophthalmologist, but what I never imagined was that I would have my own business. Having opened my clinic this year has been a
challenge, but it is one of the most rewarding things I have done.
I have accomplished many of my personal goals. I hope to continue providing quality eye care to the patients of Laredo and to continue growing my clinic and making new opportunities available to my patients. I operate every week, and after surgery, the satisfaction of having impacted a person’s life by improving their vision through cataract surgery is a great feeling. Being able to run my own practice, I know that the care that I provide for my patients is the care that I would expect for myself or my family. Never be afraid to ask for exposure to a profession, whatever it may be. If you are interested in a particular career choice, take the time to explore it and learn if you really like it. And if you do choose to embark on a career in the medical field, please strongly consider returning to Laredo, your hometown, where there is always a need for more professionals in the medical field. O.J. HALE
Chief Investigator for District Attorney’s Office of Webb and Zapata County
My career began when I joined the Police Department in 1968. When I returned from a tour of duty in Vietnam, I needed to find a profession that would help use the extra “adrenaline flow.” I chose law enforcement. It became evident early in my career that I had made the right decision. I was a policeman, and I made detective within two years. When I first started, I was investigating crimes; this is an extension of that. I’m still investigating and trying to solve some of the most heinous crimes like murders. Also, as the longest tenured Chief Investigator in Texas, my career has taken me to places like Alaska, Louisiana, and Chicago. One of the most memorable experiences of my career was being part of the prosecution team of Selena Quintanilla Perez’ murder trial. I admire the work done by past District Attorneys, including Carlos Castillon, Charles Borchers, Julio García, Joe Rubio, and the present District Attorney, Isidro “Chilo” Alaniz. They are the voice of crime victims in our community. The fact that I have seen a lot of dangerous criminals taken off the streets brings me great satisfaction. I’m inspired by the thought of leaving Laredo a safer place for future generations. I have given it my best shot, but unfortunately, crime will never be eliminated.
I feel that my involvement in law enforcement has helped many victims. Providing justice for the community is the main thing. I’m happy that victims’ families can have peace with knowing that justice was served. cream
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They say that conquering and knowing one’s self is the most difficult thing to do and that, if we ever get there, we may have some trouble swallowing that pill. Depending on your self-esteem and how much you compare yourself to the rest of society, you may be your own best friend or your own worst enemy. It’s usually somewhere in the middle, but we have to know who and what we are if we are to find out what parts of ourselves we want to keep and which parts we want to edit or discard altogether. Although the process of discovering the self is an ongoing journey, we’ll never fully know if we’ve reached our destination – and guess what?
I
That’s perfectly OK. n order for my students to get a better picture of who they are, i refer to
the studies of psychologists joseph luft and harrington ingham.
The
e c n e i c S
They created what’s known as the Johari window (see what they did there?) to help illustrate the four facets of the self that everyone has. The first is the open self. This includes information that you know about yourself and that is also known to others, such as your name, public history, academic degrees, and so forth - basically everything you willingly post on Facebook. The second is the blind self, and this area stores information that is known to others but is not known to you. When others see you as a leader or as an overachiever but you yourself don’t see it that way, this is because you’re blind to it. This section of the Johari window can be a double-edged sword. Stored here are details that you may not like, such as when others see you as a disloyal friend or a bad coworker but are unwilling to tell you. The third section is the hidden self, which, as the name implies, is the side of yourself that you know about but decide to hide from others. This facet houses your darkest fears, your unresolved issues, your shameful secrets, and potentially embarrassing traits. The last, and perhaps most interesting one, is the unknown self. This is information about you that neither you nor others are aware of. If you’ve never tried mezcal, you won’t know how you’ll react to it, and neither does anybody else. The same applies if you’ve never gone through heartbreak or have never gotten in a fistfight. The idea of categorizing our information is essential to figuring out who we are. The goal, of course, is to learn more about ourselves and learning how to communicate to others who we are. The unknown self is perhaps
u o Y of
BY RUBÉN BAZÁN III THERUBENINDEX@GMAIL.COM
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the most useful side – it begs for us to go through different experiences to decrease the amount of information we and others are not privy to. We must have an open mind when building our character. Four years ago I was dragged against my will to my first yoga class. I had seen it as a routine that had no benefits and never saw it as something I would be interested in. I loved it after my first class so much so that today, I am eagerly waiting to get certified as a yoga instructor. Who knew?
Of course, many times on our path to self-discovery we learn things about ourselves that we don’t like. An honest friend can and should let you know when you don’t realize that you’re being stubborn. Your significant other must tell you that you’re unknowingly acting in a selfish manner. Your boss at work would be making the best decision when he/she tells you about your lack of progress or cooperation. This open communication with others is one of the best ways to analyze and discard our negative aspects of the self. Since we’re all human and we all make mistakes, it’s important to pay attention to the blind self if we want to become better people. Finally, the things we are happy about and proud of should always be yelled from the mountaintops. Most of our positive aspects of ourselves are a culmination of experiences, hard work, true love, and honest acquisition. Never apologize for what you are, what you have, or what you need. Be it professionally or with personal relationships, we often find ourselves feeling guilty for our own achievements. Why is this? There is a fine line between humility and self-doubt. Be sure you understand the meaning of both. Go out. Live. Learn. Adapt. Be proud yet humble. Look at yourself in the mirror (or with the dreaded self–facing camera on your phone). Begin the journey for self discovery and always, above all, remind yourself of how important you are. Loving yourself is the first step.
What was the inspiration behind opening up the restaurant? A+G: It was really about bringing something new and fresh for our community to go along with all the other great local restaurants.
Why seafood, specifically? Guarino: Seafood is a cuisine that comes easily to me, not to mention a personal favorite of mine.
What challenges presented themselves, if any, while trying to achieve the opening of the restaurant? A+G: Like with any opening, there are always obstacles; anything from the remodeling to the city permits. There was even a time when our surrounding neighbors were petitioning against us because they thought we were using the restaurant as an excuse for a bar. Thankfully it all worked out, and we get to share our dream with you!
What are your culinary backgrounds? Anna: I attended Le Cordon Bleu with a specialization in pâtisserie. I’m not sure if it was the easy bake oven I was gifted as a child or all those times I watched and helped my mom in the kitchen, but it certainly became a part of me. Guarino: The kitchen has always been my greatest passion. I attended culinary school in Mexico, and I’ve worked in multiple cities like Guanajuato, Monterrey, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Baltimore, with each of them teaching me something new. What is it that separates La Mariscana from the other seafood restaurants in Laredo? A+G: The restaurant opened with the intention of bringing an original concept to our hometown. Combined with the experiences and techniques we’ve learned along the way, we strive to give our guests the absolute best down to the last bite.
Are there any specific dishes that you all specialize in or are known for? A+G: The crowd favorites are the Arroz Chava, Grilled Octopus, Camarones Samurai, and Aguachile Mariscana.
What kind of atmosphere do you try to maintain within the restaurant? A+G: The goal was to create a fresh and clean environment, which in turn enables our guests to relax and enjoy their meal. With our lively music and mood lighting, it invites our guests to sit back, relax, and enjoy those long afternoons with friends or loved ones.
What kind of experience do you want your customers to have while they are at La Mariscana? A+G: The Mariscana experience is watching your favorite sport with some cold beers and some shrimp tacos, or meeting some friends after work while having a drink with some appetizers or desserts to share, or maybe it’s celebrating a birthday or a small family reunion. Whatever the reason might be, we want you to have a great time with some great food.
Are seafood items the only things offered in the menu or does it vary? Guarino: We are a primarily seafood restaurant, but we do have options for those who do not eat it. Anna: Our Albóndigas de Mamá are a great alternative that is sure to please your taste buds!
Does the restaurant and/or its dishes reflect your personality? Anna: The restaurant doesn’t exactly reflect our personality, but rather our creativity. It’s also our interpretation of our journey as chefs. What do you envision for La Mariscana in the future? Guarino: Our goal is to begin expanding into other markets and innovating for our guests.
What should I order right now? Any recommendations? Anna: Honestly, anything off our menu is great, but right now I’d pick an Ursula Taco and a Memin Pinguin for dessert! Guarino: You can’t go wrong with an Aguachile Mariscana and a cold beer. That’s my recommendation!
Laredo’s gastronomic landscape has been elevated to a whole different level with the opening of La Mariscana, a divine new
restaurant that offers the best seafood in town! We give you an inside look at all the savory secrets chefs Anna Carolina González and Guarino Cavazos shared with us. Be on the lookout for their exquisite recipes and seafood expertise in our upcoming issues of Cream.
la mariscana 120 W. Village Blvd., Ste. 101 (956) 568-8345 Mon-Wed | 11:30am-10:00pm Thu-Sat | 11:30am-11:00pm Sunday closed | 956.516.7651
BY ANNA CAROLINA GONZÁLEZ & GUARINO CAVAZOS
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celebrating beauty Beauty and personal care spa Revive celebrated their 2nd anniversary with a fashion show featuring local boutique items, emphasizing Revive as one of the top and trendiest spas in town.
creamout&about
spring & sunshine On Friday, March 18, Sunshine Learning and Enrichment Center held a spring festival event which brought together parents, teachers, and students for a fun time at the school.
eyes
Moms Shades of Beauty and Love
From my first tangible memory of her, my mother was a beauty. She was always petite, five feet in stockings at most, blonde hair styled to the times in shades from frosty ash to beige to champagne, with one foray as a brunette in 1969, her “Jackie O” phase, never repeated. She radiates femininity, her signature scent wafting ahead and behind the staccato clicks of her ever-present high heels. But, her blonde beauty notwithstanding, she is no Hitchcockian ice queen. Her voice is South Texas bilingual honey rolling through her wide flashing smile. Her graceful hand gestures tipped by long manicured fingernails complete this visage of tiny, but potent loveliness.
I
suppose by the time we are grown, most of us see our mothers, whether with us still or gone, through idealizing gauze that mercifully renders human failings and imperfections toothless. And why not? At some point for us all, our parents’ job is finished; or it should be. Whatever revisions or complete rewrites to be done to our lives are ours to do, or not to do. With apologies to Mr. Shakespeare, that is the tougher question. Of course we are human too, so I’ll admit to a surprising, almost primal struggle of my own with this, one more recently than I am proud to admit. But fortunately, it was fleeting, and a mother’s love forgiving. Our mothers gave us life; and if nothing else, for that we should be eternally grateful. Furthermore, through the simple fact of their femaleness, they also introduce us to facets of beauty and love, informed by their sex, which enhance that life. This is no treatise on traditional ideas of feminine women, “girly girls” as it were. Women, healthy mothers of all natures, practices and dispositions, more easily canvas this part of life for their children. I am also not claiming that men are absent these aesthetics; many of us are true enthusiasts, though ones spiking upward in numbers from expert to amateur. Of course, within both sexes there are always total exceptions; but even in this increasingly gender-neutral world, one can’t argue with the supremacy of volume. From our first encounter with our mothers, their beauty, whether visual, aural, or olfactory, creates indelible memories. My mother, who lost her own mother when she was just seven years old, still speaks of the splendor and the scent of the freshly cut flowers her mother wore in her dark upswept hair. One of my sisters-in-law remembers her mother’s “special evening perfume” permeating the air in those glamorous moments just before her parents left the house dressed and glossed for a party. A friend recalls that his mother rarely spoke above intimate telephone conversation volume, even when she was scolding him. I asked him if his father was the same. “Not so much,” was his reply. And my wife has never forgotten that her late mother wore four complete sets of gold “Semanario” bracelets (traditional Mexican bangles in groups of seven) almost daily. When she wears them today, my wife still equates the gentle rhythmic chinking sound three of those
surviving sets make with a vision of her mother in a dark swaying skirt and Capri sandals teaching her that “… ladies don’t walk, they sashay.”
As of this writing, there are about 14,700,000 results on a Google search under “a mother’s love.” If the Earth’s population is approaching 7.5 billion, I think we need a bigger search engine. Ample evidence of a mother’s unique and powerful love exists all around us, and throughout all recorded time. When our youngest daughter returned home after months of hospitalization in the I.C.U. due to premature birth of barely two pounds, my wife voluntarily settled into a completely cocooned existence with her. She had by this time already resigned her job in publishing, but concerns over respiratory weakness and other risks for preemies in cold, damp Seattle strengthened her resolve to keep our baby indoors for a year. The only exceptions that she allowed were weekly doctor visits, and my occasional hijacks of them both for a drivein burger. Our baby gained 19 pounds that year. One of my dearest friends still tears up when his father recounts the time his late wife brought my friend home from the hospital weighing 4 pounds (extra critical in the 1950s), and because he couldn’t nurse, fed him with an eye dropper for weeks until he was strong enough to survive. Sleep was secondary for this mother who refused to accept any fate for her son other than the long, successful, happy life that he has enjoyed so far because of her. I am also a direct beneficiary of extraordinary mother’s love, though when I think of the many testimonies that I have personally heard about mothers, not so unique, though no less glorious. From my first conscious awareness I have felt loved. I was my mother’s first born and she only had sisters, so on that rarity alone, I was abundantly advantaged. Nonetheless, in the almost fifty-eight years since, through her five other children, ten grandchildren, and one great grandchild thus far, the reflection that I have seen in my mother’s eyes has been love, unremitting, unwavering, and immutable love. BY JOE ARCINIEGA arciniegajoe@gmail.com
It’s a mother’s special recipe. cream
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Motherhood is a beautiful and life–changing bond. In true Cream fashion, we celebrate Mother’s Day in style as always! Get to know four “modern moms” and what this special relationship with their children means to each of them! It’s different for every woman, but the ladies can all find common ground when it comes to sharing the love and dedication that is necessary to be a mother.
Happy Mother’s Day!
s e n y a a Erik H
Cindy Leyendecker Being a mom is loving and nurturing those little people that you created and showing how fiercely you want to protect them. It is the most important job on the planet. I’m a very busy mom that tries to keep my house and office in order. I try to find the time to stay healthy and fit, cook meals, do homework, and charity work. Of course my husband is very helpful and supportive, too; I couldn’t do it without him. My children have taught me a whole new level of strength and patience I didn’t know I had. They require lots of love, patience, attention, and discipline. Yet, the most wonderful feeling is when my kids come to me for advice, kisses and hugs, and that to me, is the best part of being a modern mom. I truly love this moment and this is where I should be and being a mom to Mia and Lukas is my favorite job.
Daniela Fernรกndez
Ariann Muzza
Para mi ser una mamá moderna es ser una mujer segura de sí misma y valiente. No por nada dice el dicho “que los hijos duelen”. Valiente en el sentido que desde que nace tu bebé, incluso durante el embarazo, ya tienes ese miedo que no quieres que nada le pase y que lo protegerás contra todo. Estoy consciente que mi responsabilidad más importante es el cuidado y el bienestar de mis hijos y siempre estar al pendiente de ellos. Una mamá moderna nunca sacrifica el pasar tiempo a solas con su esposo y siempre le dedica el tiempo que él también necesite y claro, una mamá moderna siempre se da tiempo para pasar un buen rato con sus amigas y para consentirse ella misma.
Spring is more than a field of flowers — it is the resurgence of life all around us. Cream wanted to expose this concept with a juxtaposition of beauty and jewelry uncovering breathtaking women. Our friends from Revive Spa and Crisda Collections helped us achieve this beautiful spread, where you can appreciate the wonderful world of dazzle and a new glow for your skin.
PHOTOGRAPHY F E R C H MODEL J E S S I C A AYA L A MAKEUP & BEAUTY TREATMENTS R E V I V E S PA JEWELRY C R I S D A C O L L E C T I O N S STYLIST A M E LY G A R Z A
Planning for the future is never an easy task.
Most young adults that are either in high school or college face these internal questions of what to do with their lives. One decision can change everything. As millions of people all around the world grapple with this predicament, there are always exceptions. Cream is thrilled to present four outstanding kids that are already working towards making their dreams a reality. These young children are already on the right path in order to get into prestigious schools and pursue challenging, yet rewarding careers that will take them to all those places they have dreamt of visiting and achieving all their goals!
What has been the main inspiration for your continued excellence in school? My source of inspiration for my academic excellence mainly comes from my very intelligent sister, Natalie. Every single day she works very hard to do the best she can do in school. She always gets A’s and never settles for B’s. What do you see yourself working so hard for? What are you trying to achieve when all is said and done? When I grow up, I want to have one of two jobs. One of the jobs I want to get is a job at Walt Disney World as an Imagineer. As an Imagineer, I would design all the roller coasters, rides, and all other attractions at WDW. The other job I want is to be an inventor like Bill Gates and own a whole company that produces electronics, such as new smartphones and computers. Noah Huang | United Day School, 7th Grade What kind of positive change do you hope to bring to society whenever you do reach your ultimate goal? When I become an Imagineer for Walt Disney World, I hope to bring a smile to everyone’s face with whatever attraction I helped build and help build someone’s happiest memory. Or, if fate takes me down the inventor path, I hope my company makes great profits to donate to all kinds of charities to make the world a little better with each donation I make. What advice would you give to other students also looking to build a solid foundation for their future? The advice I would give to other students to achieve their dreams is to choose a dream they know they will love. Most students will want to choose a job that will get them lots of money but they will have a miserable time. As the old saying goes, “If you love your job, you never work a day in your life.” So make sure you choose right for a happy life.
What has been the main inspiration for your continued excellence in school? My main inspiration has to be my big brother, Carlos, who has always been my greatest competitor. We are just like every other brother and sister. I always want to get better grades than him. Alexa Fernández | United Day, 7th Grade Would you say that your dedication to your academics has been a good experience for you? Yes, my dedication to school has definitely paid off. For example, I have been invited to be a delegate at a National Conference and was identified for the Duke Tip program. I have gotten many opportunities because of my dedication to school. What do you see yourself working so hard for? What are you trying to achieve when all is said and done? I work hard now so that I can choose a career that I will be passionate about. I would like to wake up every morning and look forward to going to work. I know that I will feel that way after being an engineer.
Are there any key people in your life, from either inside or outside the school system, which you would like to acknowledge as being important in your progress in school? I would like to thank all my teachers at United Day School for having high expectations. Also, my Tia Thelma, an engineer, who showed me what it is like to have a great career.
What advice would you give to other students also looking to build a solid foundation for their future? Dreams don’t work unless you do. Believe in yourself and never stop trying. If you put your mind to it, you can do anything. Follow your dreams! 26 cream april /
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What has been the main inspiration for your continued excellence in school? My main inspiration for striving for excellence in school has been witnessing the accomplishments of both my parents and older brother, Alejandro. I aspire to have the same will and determination that they have unknowingly shown me by just being the hard working individuals they are. They have shown me what it means to be resilient, steadfast, and persevering. They have always believed in me and encouraged me to never stop trying to work for perfection, and if I ever come close to it, work some more.
If there was one thing you could tell to your classmates about the importance of a good education, what would you tell them? I really believe that having an education is the key to success in anything you want to do in life. A good education will introduce you to better opportunities. An education is something you know you worked for and earned with your own ability. Nobody can ever take that away from you.
Natalia Alessia Guerrero | United Day School, 8th Grade Would you say that your dedication to your academics has been a good experience for you? The choice I made to dedicate myself to excel in my academics has been a challenging yet rewarding experience. I am not going to lie and say it has been an easy task. I have learned that things are usually difficult first before they become easy. Nonetheless, it is at the end of the tunnel, or every nine weeks in my case, where I reap the benefits of all those late nights studying science notes, reading endless chapters for AR points, and practicing extra math problems until my fingers felt like they were about to shrivel up. It is then that I am most proud of myself in knowing that the end result has more value because I gave it my all. Do you have a plan for what you want to do after graduating high school? I hope to attend Rice University and pursue a career in the healthcare industry. I am not exactly sure in what direction that will take me, but I have a few more years to explore and expand on that desire.
What has been the main inspiration for your continued excellence in school? I have always strived to work hard in my classes and get A’s. I will not settle for B’s. I think it’s my inner drive to always do my best that is my inspiration to strive for excellence. Carlos Federico Treviño, II | United Day School, 8th grade Do you have a plan for what you want to do after graduating high school? I have thought long about what I plan on doing after I graduate high school. I have decided that after graduating from Alexander High school, I plan on going to the University of Texas to pursue a career in architectural engineering. Hopefully I can achieve this goal and go on to live a successful life. What kind of positive change do you hope to bring to society whenever you do reach your ultimate goal? I hope to make a large positive impact in my community when I reach my ultimate goal of becoming an architectural engineer. I will try my best to contribute towards making whatever city I choose to live in better by designing phenomenal buildings that will be admired for generations.
What advice would you give to other students also looking to build a solid foundation for their future? I would tell my classmates to remain dedicated and work hard in school. Dedication is necessary for someone to be successful in school, and you must never give up. Hard work and dedication will lead my classmates to getting good grades and making their dream careers a reality. I would also tell them to never slack off, as this can bring down their grades quickly and can make a big difference in the future.
crèmebrûlée BY TINA GÓMEZ / ILLUSTRATIONS ALEJANDRA GARZA
The mother of all Texas music festivals starts September 30th, deep in the heart of the music capital of the word: Austin, Texas. This year’s headliners include big names such as Drake, Florence + the Machine, The Foo Fighters, and The Weeknd. ACL has a tremendous record for bringing in the best artists and upand-coming acts since it was founded back in 2002. Every year, the festival held at Zilker Park continues to pack the lawns with people from all circles. You can easily slip into the frenzy all while wearing your favorite jeans, band t-shirt, and cowboy boots, because, hey, this is Texas after all! As a festival goer, you’ll have access to “ACL Cashless” with your entry wristband. With your pass you can load up cash onto your wristband and enjoy purchasing food, drinks, and memorabilia.
austin city limits
Austin, TX Start Date: September 30, 2016
No one does it like Bonnaroo! The art and music fest is pulling in big names, old favorites, and hosting an LCD Soundsystem reunion. Acts such as Pearl Jam, The Chainsmokers, and Haim will pack the stages for a 4-day jam session. The festival was founded in 2002 and has provided music and art entertainment for anyone willing to make the drive to Manchester, Tennessee. This year they’ll make it worth your while by allowing festival goers to purchase car camping permits. Experience the lifestyle and make sure you pack accordingly. The festival is scheduled for the second week in June so dress loosely, lightly, and don’t forget to hydrate.
bonnaroo Manchester, TN Start Date: June 9, 2016
As one of the first and original music festivals in the game, Coachella has always managed to pull out all the stops since its beginnings in ‘99. If rubbing elbows with Hollywood A-listers and listening to good tunes is your scene, then consider this your jam. It’s also the only reason anyone would want to travel to the desert for 3 days and go full on Jim Morrison. This year’s lineup is one for the books and will feature Calvin Harris, Ellie Goulding, Grimes, Major Lazer, The 1975, and other acts. As for what you should be wearing, consider the essentials: straw hats, tribal prints, sunnies, ankle boots, and sunscreen. You’ll want to be caught wearing your best because chances are paparazzi and photogs will be at your every corner trying to catch Mary-Kate or Ashley Olsen.
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Indio, CA April 15, 2016
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etting diagnosed is tough; having a doctor approach you only to tell you that you might only have 3-5 years to live is like getting punched in the face. The first step, obviously, was firing that doctor! What really helps me cope is keeping busy, staying positive, and having faith that everything will be alright. I surround myself with good people; they believe in me and I believe in them. It keeps pushing me to pass the goodness on and that helps me cope. Everyone needs a little goodness in their lives. When I was told that I had metastatic breast cancer, that was the turning point for me. That’s when I realized that I wanted to reach out and help others battling this disease. This is when the cancer has spread to other organs or the bones in the body. Contrary to popular belief, there is no cure. I will be on treatment for the rest of my life. What I also got to witness firsthand, were the people rejected from treatment. The very first sign you see in some of the centers says, “Please have your identification and insurance card ready.” I saw people cry because they could not get their treatment. Even I went through this once and was not given treatment at one cancer center because my insurance had changed. I had driven hours out to the hospital and spent on travel expenses for nothing. I took my medical records and brought them to Laredo.
Everything I saw haunted me, and then I started to look for friends who would be willing to start something to help people with the issues that you run into as someone who has been diagnosed with cancer. I eventually came to the realization that I could turn my situation into something positive for the community. After that, I knew that those thoughts I had about struggles people with cancer have were put in front of me for a reason and viola! The Laredo Cancer Society was born.
Laredo Cancer Society laredocancersociety.org (956) 285-5410 Laredo Cancer Society
Cover page front row from left to right: Ronda D. Maldonado - Vice President Nancy Janette Santos - President / Breast cancer patient Rosario Vásquez - Breast cancer survivor Mohsen G. Mahani - Founder and Board Member Back row from left to right: Azenette Noriega - Colon cancer patient Sylvia Flores - Finance Chair 30 cream
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The Laredo Cancer Society is a 501c3 nonprofit organization formed for the cancer patients of Webb County. Our goal at the Laredo Cancer Society is to provide financial assistance to people in the community who are affected with any type of cancer. Currently, we would like to begin with funds for bills or gas money, something that many patients need when they have stopped working after they have been diagnosed. We also have an informal support group called Cancer Friends. We really are just friends who have all dealt with cancer in some form or another. We started when I saw this was not offered in Laredo, and we meet twice a month. We meet once at Doctors Hospital (every first Monday of the month from 6-7 p.m.) and once at Laredo Medical Center on Saunders (every 3rd Thursday of the month from 6-7 p.m.). Come and join us! We need all the support we can get and are always here for one another. To you, the person struggling, please reach out to someone! I know that some days are tough and it’s okay to cry and to be angry, but realize that people do care! I care! Laredo Cancer Society cares! You’ll be surprised how much relief you get from just letting go of those bad feelings by sharing your thoughts even with one person who is on a similar journey. Let it out so that you can begin to heal. Have faith because even if you are stubborn, like I am, you will get answers. You just need to be patient and know you are loved. Most importantly, be selfish! It’s time to take care of YOU! Remove any negativity from your life and that will help you tremendously. When I freak out, because sometimes I do, I just reach out to someone I know I can talk to. And if you don’t have someone to talk to, come to cancer friends! At the very least, you and I can become friends. I won’t let you down!
As any regular young woman, Nancy Janette Santos enjoys going to the movies, spending time with friends and family, and getting involved in community events; while at the same time courageously battling cancer. She is also a graduate student at Texas A&M International University and the current CEO and President of the Laredo Cancer Society (LCS). Although her journey has been difficult, she’s made it a purpose to help other people going through similar experiences. In this candid telling of her story, Nancy pulls no punches when it comes to describing the ups and downs of a cancer survivor. Her unequivocally raw account of the disease, and the implications that come with it, will hopefully help educate people who want to get involved and be a comfort to those facing cancer, and encourage those going through this who are too afraid to look for a support system.
Cream is honored to present this very special piece by a fighter, an example, a strong woman, and a survivor. Here’s to many more years of Laredo Cancer Society helping others!
e m n i d n e i r f You’ve got a Laredo Cancer Society
W REBECKA ENGLISH & KAT
ABOUT REBECKA Rebecka is a graduate student in the Counseling Psychology program at TAMIU. She loves spending time with her dogs, Kat and Charlie and her cat, Duchess.
HAT TYPE OF PET DO YOU OWN? A 5 year old mixedbreed dog we got from Laredo Animal Protective Society (LAPS). WHAT’S THE NAME OF YOUR PET? Kat is short for Katya, the name of the lovely woman who my parents got our dog from. Katya Lidsky was hosting an event for the animal shelter where she brought out one dog and one cat at the end of the night; my parents were so moved by her speech that they decided to adopt the dog she had on display. Four years later and it is still one the best decisions they have ever made for our family. HOW OLD IS YOUR PET AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD IT? Kat is about 5 years old, we rescued her when she was roughly 1 year old and she has been a happy member of our family ever since! WHEN
AND HOW DID YOUR INTEREST IN THIS SPECIES AND RACE SPARK YOUR INTEREST? Growing
up my parents always had a cat or two. It wasn’t until I was a teenager and we got our older dog, Charlie, that I fell in love with dogs in general. Since moving to Laredo in late high school and getting involved in LAPS events, I have truly grown to treasure dogs as much as I do people. Okay, I’ll be honest, I occasionally like dogs more!
"Kat is trained in the art of napping; she’s a natural." REBECKA ENGLISH
WHAT DOES YOUR PET MEAN TO YOU? Kat is my fur baby. My soul sista. My fluffy shadow. Kat is my canine companion who provides me with love and affection, and whose outlook on food is eerily similar to mine: there is no such thing as too much. WHAT TYPE OF SPECIAL CARE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUR PET? Like most dogs she has her regular meals, spends time running around outdoors, chases cats, and lazes around the house. Unlike many dogs, she has her own spot in my bed complete with her own blanket and pillow. I totally baby her. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY WITH YOUR PET? Going to bed at the end of a long day. She lets me be big spoon. What a keeper. #RelationshipGoals IS YOUR PET TRAINED? HOW DIFFICULT WAS IT TO TRAIN THEM?
Kat is trained in the art of napping; she’s a natural. Also playing dead (which in reality is just her napping). COULD YOU GIVE US SOME TIPS FOR WHEN CHOOSING A PET? Adopt, don’t shop! This country is overpopulated with stray pets. If you would love to own a pet then please consider getting one from a shelter: they are just as beautiful, lovable, family friendly, active, and fun as one from a shop. Also, once you have your pet get them neutered or spayed. With so many pets waiting for someone to take them home, it’s our responsibility to help the ones already in need, not add to the numbers.
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La alfombra roja de Cream City Magazine abre las puertas y da la bienvenida a Victor Hugo, un artista en toda la extensión de la palabra, quien a través de sus relatos y fotografías nos llevará por un viaje muy ecléctico lleno de aventuras, lugares y personas fascinantes muy al estilo Cream. Victor Hugo estará compartiendo con nosotros la magia de San Miguel de Allende y lo cosmopolita de la Ciudad de México. ¡No dejen de ser parte de lo más in en esta nueva sección en Cream con Victor Hugo!
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y POR VICTOR HUGO GARCÍA
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n San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato siempre hay paseos en globos aerostáticos, viñedos que visitar, ruinas arqueológicas, cabalgatas, festivales culturales y culinarios y galerías de arte fino. Si estás en busca de fines de semana románticos en alguno de los mejores boutique hotels, manantiales termales, fiestas cocktail con los personajes internacionales más interesantes e inimaginables, moda internacional, bodas románticas, campeonatos de polo, y una atmósfera, arquitectura y paisajes que envuelven y transportan en la imaginación, no hay lugar mejor que SMA.
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Se escucha comúnmente decir que el viajar es la mejor manera de aprendizaje y enriquecimiento personal y esa es una práctica que a la mayoría nos gusta cultivar. Pero existen de destinos turísticos a destinos turísticos de primer mundo que atraen inexplicablemente. Y eso es
San Miguel de Allende para mi, un lugar cosmopolita y mágico. Fuente de inspiración eterna, punto de encuentro de grandes mentes y de una cultura y riqueza inigualables.
Por eso, por medio de esta edición nueva y especial en tan divina publicación como lo es Cream, contaré con la dicha de poderles compartir de mis aventuras entre mis dos destinos mexicanos favoritos y que son escenario de mi desenvolvimiento profesional y actualmente mis lugares de residencia compartidos. México es vanguardia, y es para mi un honor compartir estos dos polos opuestos pero tan estrechos a la vez, de lo mejor que la Ciudad de México y San Miguel de Allende tienen que ofrecer al mundo.
Espero cautivar su atención a través de imágenes y anécdotas reveladoras de todo lo que alimenta mi mente, de todo lo que me estimula, las cosas, lugares y encuentros que han dejado huella en mi. Tengo la certeza de que lo que más me apasiona en la vida es la belleza, el arte y el valor de la gente de este gran país.
Les invito a que continúen acompañándome en este blog de mis aventuras, en el cual compartiré con ustedes los eventos y lugares que más captan mi atención, mis aventuras favoritas y todo lo que más me apasiona. ¡Gracias a Fernando De Haro y a todo el equipo de Cream por tan cálida bienvenida a esta nueva aventura!
¡Orgullo mexicano! San Miguel de Allende y su Santuario Atotonilco, nombrados patrimonio cultural de la humanidad por la UNESCO, por su rica diversidad cultural y artesanal. Existen varios balnearios de aguas termales en las afueras de SMA que cuentan con albercas, grutas, spa y áreas de esparcimiento. Estas aguas termales prometen, por su alto contenido de minerales, usos holísticos y se le adjudican efectos relajantes y de bienestar. SMA GENTE: ¡Paparazzi! Lady Helen Taylor de Windsor y un grupo nutrido de personalidades creativas internacionales en Hacienda Las Amantes disfrutando de una experiencia culinaria mexicana. El núcleo de artistas de todo género que es atraído a SMA incluye mentes creativas brillantes, tanto así como a la comunidad jet set internacional y realeza europea. SMA EVENTOS: ¡Más cine! El Festival Internacional de Cine de Guanajuato (GIFF por sus siglas en inglés), ha sido un exponente del fenómeno de cine nacional e internacional por ya 19 años en sus dos sedes anuales de Guanajuato y SMA. Congregando a un buen número de exponentes de esa disciplina artística y actores y actrices tanto mexicanos como internacionales.
CDMX ORGULLO: ¡Vive México! Nombrada este principio del año 2016 por el New York Times como el destino turístico número #1 en el mundo, la Ciudad de México es un exponente increíblemente vasto de cultura y diversidades. Su acervo cultural, culinario, paseos turísticos, museos, moda y paisajes urbanos entre tantas cosas más que tiene que ofrecernos, esta gran ciudad nos dan la oportunidad de complacer a todo tipo de visitante. Como varios países europeos, la Ciudad de México se ha unido al movimiento cultural de utilizar la bicicleta como un modo de transporte citadino ecológicamente ético y muy funcional. CDMX CULTURA: Uno de los museos en el mundo que más impacto han tenido en mi vida ha sido el Museo del Holocausto en Washington D.C. La Ciudad de México ahora cuenta con el Museo Memoria y Tolerancia, el cual nos plantea de una manera muy visual y edificante los sucesos en la historia de la humanidad que han tenido un impacto sociológico en las poblaciones de diferentes naciones y de forma global. cream april / may
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creamtips
Tuladandasana or Balancing Stick Pose Tuladandasana, or Balancing Stick Pose, is an awesome way to improve your balance, while strengthening your leg, core, and back muscles. Perhaps the most exciting benefits of this pose are that it elevates your heart rate, increases your stamina and endurance, and improves the efficiency of your nervous system.
To perform Balancing Stick Pose, start by standing upright in Mountain Pose. As you inhale, raise your arms overhead, interlacing your fingers. Release your index finger in steeple mudra and stretch upwards. Your biceps should be close to your ears. Step forward with your left foot. Slowly begin to transfer all of your weight onto your left foot as you lift your right foot off the floor. Focus on keeping your spine straight at all times. Continue to raise your right leg straight into the air behind you as you bend forward to form a “Capital Letter T” with your outstretched arms and extended leg. Hold this posture for a few seconds, and then slowly come back to Mountain Pose. Repeat this process on the other side by stepping your right leg forward. This pose is practiced in the Hot Yoga Flow series offered at Casa Yoga. Visit www.casayoga.com for class times and to schedule your first FREE class.
Model: Verónica Urrabazo
LET’S TALK ABOUT...
Caring For Cambodia
making a difference
Traveling is an enriching experience that we must do to grow, to open our minds, and in cases like these, our hearts. Cream invites you to follow this remarkable voyage that a father and daughter experienced together around the other side of the world with an inspiring mission in mind.
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Ca mb od ia
Angkor Wat, in Siem Reap, was an incredible experience. I was ab le to explore thousan d year old temples, ride on an elephant with monk eys roaming in the wild, and saw a beautiful sunrise with my dad. One time, I wa s looking at the tem ples and a monkey came behin d me and tried to tak e my water bottle away.
Caring for Camb odia, the organiz ation I was volunteering for at several schools, ga ve me the chance to help kid s with ESL (Englis h as a Second Language), a basketb all clinic, and vision screenings. We also fed the yo unger students in the morning, where each stude nt had to wash their plate and brus h their teeth immediately after.
Through Daniela’s eyes (and words!), these are some of the most memorable activities and experiences from each stop she and her dad made along the way:
Tha iland
ping in the Bangkok was interesting. I liked shop Palace. The d markets and walking around the Gran Kings of the of ence resid palace has been the official ing was build g natin fasci t mos The Siam since 1782. dha. Bud rald Eme the of le the temp surprised me Phuket is just breathtaking! My dad park with nal natio a Bay, with a tour in Phang Nga in the eing cano was ity activ rite favo 42 islands. My d Islan d lagoons of Panak Island, but James Bon on n dow was nice too. We had to lay the canoes under stalagmites as we went through the caves.
S in g a p o r e
We were lucky to be there while the country celebrated Chinese New Year. We saw fireworks, families vacationing, and I snorkeled there for the first time. My favorite areas were the Supertrees in the Gardens By The Bay and the largest and highest rooftop pool in the world.
A u str a lia
ur se and harbo Opera Hou d ey an n it yd S of e y photos Seeing th ad seen man ear h h I d g. an in er az at was am by the w aceful to lay it was so pe the seagulls.
nd N e w Z e a la
being outside Auckland is a nice city, but I enjoyed Waitomo to to me took of the city, where my dad see those to ng erizi mesm It’s e. Cav a Glowworm n whe got worms and how much brighter they they heard noises.
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spring & sunshine On Friday, March 18, Sunshine Learning and Enrichment Center held a spring festival event which brought together parents, teachers, and students for a fun time at the school.
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boy scouts luncheon The Aztec District Boy Scouts of America presented the 2016 Friends of Scouting Community Campaign Luncheon. The event was a total success and the Cream social media camera was there to catch the best highlights from the afternoon.