CREAM No. 4

no 4 free

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

dec / jan 2011

founder & publisher fernando de haro production director analee g. paz

copy editor

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

graciela garcia

no 4

december • january 2010 1

interns gabriela enriquez, jessica mancha, alfonso moreno, patrick vasquez

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

design & production photographer ferch graphic designer analee g. paz

writers valeria barcelo, ana chaverria, fernando de haro, gabriela enriquez, juan flores garza, moon jamaluddin special thanks celina diaz, sara serna de paz, cuadro cafe, jerome averill, dora inclan, paola seifer, blanca mejia, cesar de haro, luis f. miranda, katie gutierrez, steve jobs, dr. pepper, burberry, netflix, austin tx, and the downward dog in-house hairstylist gerardo baltazar at luxe salon

ADVERTISING sales@creamcitymagazine.com + 956.753.6755

publisher N o4 | cream team

christmas is upon us, and then we will bid farewell to a year full of challenges and satisfactions. In our fourth edition, we acquaint you with a group of wonderful people, diverse in ages and backgrounds.

They let us glimpse into their personalities through a series of interviews in our spotlight feature. Also, four beautiful ladies invited us into their homes to share the joyous experience of putting up and decorating a Christmas tree which is one of the many traditions of this season. We especially recommend some great recipes that will liven up your holiday menu.

As this year fades, let’s welcome the new one with our hearts open to all the blessings it will bring us. We wish you well-being and peace. We at Cream, would like to acknowledge you for choosing us as a fresh reading alternative. Thanks for all your support.

1

Analee G. Paz

2

Alfonso Moreno

3

Gabriela Enríquez

4 Graciela García 5 Jessica Mancha 6 Valeria Barceló

Cream City Magazine on Twitter for daily updates, tidbits, behind the TWEET US! Follow scenes pics+videos+links, and pointless babble at twitter.com/creamcitymag

Copyright © 2010 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 in their ads. Printed in Mexico.

Like! us on facebook / cream city magazine AND FOR EVERYTHING ELSE VISIT OUR NEWLY LAUNCHED WEBSITE AT

creamcitymagazine.com

h So Hot

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IT’S COOL EUGENIA

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I AM AM CREAM CREAM FUR ever after

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IT’S COOL 12 NOVELTY CUPS FOR EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR

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it’s that time of the year, and your hot cup of coffee never looked so cool! Winter weather means making some necessary adjustments like stocking up on your favorite hot drink. These unique novelty mugs will certainly perk up your morning in an innovative way. They are inviting enough for curling up on the couch with hot cocoa and super functional for your cold busy day. So, fill yours and make it the one you always grab for your morning brew!

jessica mancha

1 Laboratory Beaker Mug by ThinkGeek, $10, thinkgeek.com 2 Chalk Talk Mug by Konitz, $8, usamugshop.com 3 Fisticup Brass Knuckle Mug by Fred Flare, $18, fredflare.com 4 XXL Black by Konitz, usamugshop.com 5 I am Not a Paper Cup by DCI, $19, retroplanet.com 6 Short-stacked Demitasse Set by Fred Flare, $10, fredflare.com 7 Write-on Glassware by Fred Flare, $8, fredflare.com 8 Dunk Mug by Mocha, $20, mocha.uk.com 9 Self Stirring Mug by ThinkGeek, $19, thinkgeek.com 10 Tea Lovers Eco Cup by Mocha, $15, mocha.uk.com 11 Tank-up Mug

by ThinkGeek, $12, thinkgeek.com 12 Yellow Submarine Tea Infuser by Mocha, $11, mocha.uk.com

research & info by alfonso moreno

out & about

BESO fine lingerie shop

hEalTh runstrong kicks asphalt The first anual Kick Asphalt Relay organized

by RunStrong Laredo was a huge success with local and out of town participants.

Congratulations to all the runners!

Ubicado en el centro comercial French Quarter, recientemente abrió sus puertas esta moderna boutique que ofrece su extensa línea de lencería y accesorios para la mujer de hoy.

GhOuliSh & Glam glow spa party Glow Laser Spa celebrated with a night abundant in giveaways, as they shared with clients and friends their latest treatments to look wonderful during the coming party season.

ShinE franco trunk show Linda Franco presentó la colección otoño 2010 de su bella línea de joyería en las instalaciones de Embassy Suites ante un concurrido público que tuvo la oportunidad de ver de cerca los nuevos diseños de la temporada.

TElETón noche de casino Una fabulosa Noche de Casino tuvo lugar en el Laredo Country Club a beneficio del Teletón.

Laredo se hace presente, una vez más, para apoyar tan noble causa.

want to feature your event? contact us for more info at info@creamcitymagazine.com

Christmas Eve Cornish Hens and Stuffing ingredients 6 Cornish hens 1 box cornbread stuffing 1 box chicken and herb stuffing 1 small can of water chestnuts ¼ cup golden raisins ¼ cup dried cranberries ¼ cup pecan pieces 1 package (3 oz.) pancetta 4 chicken hearts 4 chicken livers 1 large shallot 2 large carrots 2 stalks celery 1 Serrano pepper 1 32-ounce box vegetable stock Lemon Pepper Chinese 5-spice powder Chile Ancho Powder Paprika 1 stick butter Olive oil *Optional Chicken Stock 1 cup Grand Marnier Liqueur

TIP

Be original, and break with tradition! C’mon, I dare you!

Cook Cornish hens instead of the traditional holiday turkey, and surprise your dinner guests!

ingredients 1 box Panettone Bread Confectioner’s sugar 4 eggs 2 tablespoons spoons heavy cream 1 teaspoon vanilla ½ cup honey ½ cup maple syrup 2 tablespoons butter Olive oil

TIP

Panettone is a traditional Italian sweet bread that is usually prepared and enjoyed for Christmas and New Year in Italy and Switzerland. Canadian bacon and fresh berries are an appetizing accompaniment to your French toast.

ingredients: 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate 1 stick unsalted butter ¾ cups sugar 3 large eggs ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tablespoon instant coffee ¼ teaspoon cinnamon Confectioner’s sugar

TIP

But, what is a chocolate torte if not topped with a scoop (or 2) of creamy vanilla ice cream drizzled with chocolate fudge? Now, to really impress, garnish your dessert with fresh cut pomegranate, berry marmalade, and sprinkle edible gold leaf stars that you can easily purchase online!

instructions: In a small pot place the hearts, livers, 1 celery stalk, 1 carrot, half of the shallot, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Cover with water and cook on medium heat about 1 hour. In another small pot combine the raisins, cranberries, and half of the vegetable stock. Add a pinch of salt and simmer for 30 minutes. In a saucepan heat 1 tablespoon olive oil, and cook the chopped pancetta until crisp. Once cooked, place on a paper towel to drain.

Chop the remaining vegetables, including water chestnuts and the Serrano pepper— cut pepper in half and remove seeds before chopping. Add the chopped vegetables to pan with 1tablespoon butter and sauté on medium heat until translucent. Turn off heat. Remove hearts and livers from stock and chop finely. Put both stuffings in bowl and add all the ingredients (vegetables, pancetta, fruits, hearts & livers, and pecans). Add lemon pepper seasoning (to taste) and begin to moisten with remaining vegetable stock first and then chicken stock until desired consistency. Bake enough stuffing to fill the hens at 350º for 20-35 minutes. After washing and drying hens, lightly pack stuffing in cavities. Tie legs with twine (soak twine for 20 minutes).

Mix together the Chinese 5-spice powder, chile ancho powder, and paprika. Rub the hens with olive oil and the mixed spices.

Put hens in baking dish. Turn oven to BROIL and place dish on middle rack for about 10 minutes or until golden brown. Reduce heat to 400º. If desired, add 1 cup of Grand Marnier liqueur. Cover pan with foil and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from oven and allow to sit for 5-7 minutes.

Bake the remaining stuffing in a small pan at 350º for 20-35 minutes. Enjoy!

Good Morning Santa Panettone French Toast instructions: Cut bread into thick slices. Whisk the 4 eggs until mixed well.

Add the heavy cream and vanilla. Whisk all ingredients together. Heat sauté pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Dip bread lightly in egg mixture and place into the pan. Brown on all sides.

Remove onto paper towel on plate. Dust with confectioner’s sugar. In a small pot, combine maple syrup and honey with 1 tablespoon butter. Heat on low just until warm. (Butter will melt.) Pour over French toast.

New Year’s Eve for Two Flourless Chocolate Torte instructions: Preheat oven to 375º and butter an 8-inch round baking pan.

Line bottom with a round of wax paper, and butter the wax paper as well. Chop chocolate into small pieces. Using a double boiler, melt chocolate with butter until smooth. Remove from heat and whisk sugar into chocolate. Add eggs one at a time, beat well. Sift cocoa powder, instant coffee, and cinnamon over chocolate mixture and whisk until just combined.

Pour batter into pan and bake in middle rack for 25 minutes or until top forms crust.

Let cool and invert onto cake plate. Dust with cocoa powder first, followed by a hefty layer of confectioner’s sugar.

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savory holidays

Mary MargareT BenavIdes Melendez has been cooking all her life. Her grandmother, Maria Dickinson

Garza, fueled her love for cooking and feeding people. She not only loves cooking for her children and friends, but is ready to share her expertise with anyone willing to learn. Mary Margaret believes the right ingredients can turn a simple meal—even beans and tortillas—into a scrumptious feast. She is a big proponent of using local produce.

cream december / january 2011

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Analizar el trabajo de los artistas visuales no es tarea sencilla. Hay que conocerlos a profundidad, dialogar y compartir ideas con ellos y, en algunos casos, coincidir con sus diversas vertientes, propósitos o discursos plásticos. Las obras hablan por sí solas, pero, basta la sensibilidad para caer seducidos ante la estética. Frente a cualquier obra, se realiza un viaje a través de dos mundos, el real y el que invita al análisis de las formas. Al final, la erudición sobra cuando la esencia por sí sola invita al diálogo.

Eugenia Belden es una destacada artista mexicana que recientemente presentó con excelente aceptación del público de ambos Laredos su primera exposición de pintura y escultura titulada Mar de Piedras en el Museo Reyes Meza del Centro Cultural Nuevo Laredo.

EUGENIA

discursos de mármol

Es natural asociar la obra escultórica de Eugenia Belden con el aroma a copalquáhuitl, cantos ancestrales y cadenciosos sonidos provenientes del mar. Por su parte, el meditar frente al mar y observar el vaivén de olas como naturaleza en perfecto balance es lo que la impulsó a ejecutar durante más de tres años su primera colección de esculturas. El firme golpe del cincel es ahora el enlace entre su mundo de abstracción y el mármol. Se toma también como referencia lo que ella misma ha transmitido en uno de sus discursos más interesantes: el origen del universo.

BELDEN

SIEMPRE

La obra de la maestra Belden nos conduce por caminos diversos.

Uno de estos caminos nos invita a situarnos como espectadores ante un panorama en plena obscuridad. Este insólito panorama nos lleva a reflexionar, simultáneamente, sobre las formas en las que actúa la humanidad, apreciar las sabidurías ancestrales y evaluar nuestra relación con el cosmos y los elementos. Sus esculturas, aunque abstractas, tienen una estética en armonía y un estilo onírico. La belleza plástica de las esculturas se revelan plagadas de simbolismos entre lo femenino y masculino; lo fértil y pétreo. carrera en ascenso

EtéREA

es en este momento en el que la energía de la tierra nos permite conectarnos con nuestro interior. es el momento para revalorar a la madre tierra / eugenia belden

La carrera de Eugenia Belden continúa en ascenso; aunque ha dejado de producir obra de caballete para dedicarse de lleno a la escultura en mármol, sus obras forman parte de importantes colecciones tanto públicas como privadas. No dudamos que pronto será una artista consagrada.

Al momento ha participado en 10 exposiciones individuales y 50 colectivas en museos principalmente de Guanajuato, Chihuahua, Nuevo León y Tamaulipas. En el extranjero su obra se ha difundido en la Galería Pyramida de Praga; Galería Matisse, Centro Cultural de Ostrava y Castillo de Jesenik, República Checa (2007); Paczów, Polonia (2008); en Bailleul, Pas-de-Calais, Béthune, Roubaix, Lens y Carvin, Francia (2008); y en Latinoamérica en Caracas, Venezuela.

La invitación a contemplar seres representados por Guardianes del Tiempo, es la misma que nos extiende a contemplar las intrincadas formas y deidades de Aramara. Con sus obras, esta magnífica artista plástica nos revela un horizonte de ideales milenarios y templos interiores para el reposo de nuestra alma siempre etérea.

juan flores garza cream december / january 2011

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PRO the

Three visions. One city. valeria barcel贸 general contractor thomas brittingham

mortgage banker j.r. bob weathers

interior designer graciela alarc贸n

GENERAL CONTRACTOR Thomas Brittingham I was excited… to get my degree from Vanderbilt University and move back home to dive into a career. I’m passionate about working with my father as a partner. Border Building Co., our new construction company, has already experienced early success.

What I enjoy most about my new business venture is... the satisfaction of building a house people can call “home.” I take pride in what I do, and when people see the hard work that goes into building a home, it makes it all worth it.

My future goals... include expanding into all segments of the market, in all areas of our city. I want to be able to take on any task that comes my way. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a great team behind me. For example, our talented and highly experienced in-house architect/construction manager, Arturo Ramos, has been a key to our starting success. Also, we have assembled a team of highly skilled subcontractors who I’m proud to call part of my team. I feel confident knowing that, altogether, the people around me have an accumulated working experience of over 100 years.

When not working... I enjoy hunting, golfing, and wakeboarding.

THE MORTGAGE BANKER J.R. Bob Weathers I grew up... in Dallas but moved here in 1984 to help manage a family ranch. I graduated from United High School in 1986 and attended UT at Austin that following fall semester. I graduated with a BBA in Finance and International Trade and worked managing a trucking company for 7 years. It was an exciting time working throughout Mexico. In late 1997, I jumped at the opportunity to develop a piece of family land. Following real estate development, I worked for GEO Mortgage for 9 successful years. I started my own company, WH Mortgage Solutions, in 2007 because I have always been driven to be independent and the opportunity was there Success to me is... being able to make a living while at the same time making a positive difference in people’s lives. Being honest and providing a valuable service to people at a great price is something that I am proud of and don’t take for granted.

A drive in my career was... The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. That book, a gift from the father of a very good friend, gave me the confidence to take on and deliver at anything I wanted to do from finishing college and landing my first job to switching careers midway. I always knew I could be successful at whatever came my way as long as I remained positive and kept the faith.

My biggest milestone... There is nothing better in this world than experiencing the birth of your kids; I feel so blessed not only to be married to a wonderful wife but to have a healthy, handsome son and a beautiful daughter.

THE INTERIOR DESIGNER Graciela Alarcón As soon as my 7 children were off to school... I turned my focus to my major in college which was Interior Design. I received my degree from Texas Women’s University and then went on the Graduate School on Mexican Art History from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara. I began working mostly with friends and family, but soon others were calling. I have never advertised and have tried to keep my career low-key, but, through word of mouth, my profession has grown to the point that I have had to hire two full time architects who have now been with me for over 7 years. Retirement is not in my near future because I enjoy what I do tremendously!

I have designed and decorated... hotels and homes all over the world and even expanded into furniture design, lighting fixture design, and painting.

One of the moments in my career...that I am most proud of was when I designed a chandelier that became very popular. A month after designing it, the Chinese had imitations on the market.

Instead of being upset, I felt very satisfied.

Success to me is... being able to fulfill your vocation and/or passion.

Very few people get to do what they love and still call it a job. I am very fortunate.

WANT TO NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR UPCOMING PROFILES (OR HAVE SOME FEEDBACK) EMAIL US AT PROFILES@CREAMCITYMAGAZINE.COM OR MESSAGE US ON FACEBOOK!

out & about

De Primer Nivel XII festival internacional tamaulipas

con el correr de las hojas en el calendario, entre el 2 y el 10 de octubre, nuestra frontera vivió, a la par que la llegada del otoño, el Festival Internacional Tamaulipas Nuevo Laredo.

Aunque su edición número 12 se pronosticaba menos atractiva debido a la reducción de una semana en su duración, la programación sorprendió al privilegiar el folclore mexicano en honor a los centenarios de las gestas heroicas sin dejar de lado la diversidad cultural de otros rincones del planeta.

XII Festival Inter-

Así, durante nueve días oficiales, el público de ambos Laredos ocupó las butacas del Teatro principal del Centro Cultural para ser testigos de conciertos como los de Guadalupe Pineda; Alessandro Safina, acompañado por la soprano Olivia Gorra y la Orquesta de Chihuahua; Mariachi Vargas de Tecatitlán y Fernando de la Mora con la Orquesta Sinfónica de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León y el Mariachi Gama 1000.

Además, se apreció el espectáculo de los hermanos españoles Los Vivancos, el Ballet Folklórico de Amalia Hernández, ”El Quijote” con el Teatro Nacional Académico Bolshoi de Ópera y Ballet de Bielorrusia, así como la presentación de los violinistas canadienses Bowfire.

En diversos espacios públicos de la ciudad, el mosaico de expresiones también incluyó danza, música, literatura, teatro y artes plásticas. ni raga fotografia jhovan

Al poner punto final, la noche del 10 de octubre, la principal fiesta del arte en nuestra frontera demostró que sólo quedó corta en duración, más no en público, al ser presenciado por una plétora de espectadores. jhovanni raga

Mom & Me reunidos por una noble causa El comité organizador de Mom and Me posan para el lente de Cream al concluir el desfile de modas y la subasta silenciosa de obras de arte para recaudar fondos para la Casa Hogar Monseñor Enrique Tomás Lozano.

gift with purchase nov. 26 th –dec. 31 st receive a pandora sleigh ornament with your pandora purchase of $100.* *good while supplies last. limit one per customer.

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MKTG08114_CRISDA.indd 1

11/17/2010 6:37:42 PM

LISTEN UP

Hi, my name is Patrick and I want to share with the world my love and passion for music. One Sunday afternoon, I approached four different persons—from completely different walks of life—to listen to some songs that I just couldn’t get out of my head! I asked each of them what they thought of them. Well, all you people out there…here are the results!

“White Sky” by Vampire Weekend

“West Coast” by Coconut Records

“Departure” by Mount Desolation

“Radioactive” by Kings of Leon

White Sky makes me feel bubbly and energetic. It’s the perfect song to listen to while getting ready for a night out.

Listening to this song gives me a chance to recap all the things I did during my busy day, and it gives me peace of mind!

- aurora santos

- aimeé n. de la miyar

I thought the song was very original in both music and lyrics.

It gave me a sense of happiness and comfort that not a lot of songs do today. It truly is a great piece of music. Kudos to the band.

The song was very inspirational.

It made me feel like working out.

I’m not much of a lyrics guy so, for me, the beat was the main thing and it was really good. It put me in a good mood.

-cesar de los santos

-ricardo martinez

La tradición del

Árbol Navideño El pino es un símbolo tradicional de la Navidad. Hoy en día, decorarlo se ha convertido en todo un arte, y su presencia en casa nos invita a participar con familiares y amigos de la alegría de esta época. Nuestras invitadas de estas páginas han abierto sus hogares para compartir el color y belleza de sus creaciones, y expresar el significado que estas fechas tan especiales tienen para ellas.

¿Qué inspiró la decoración de su árbol este año? Denise Al aproximarse la temporada

navideña, pongo en orden todas las ideas que se me ocurrieron durante el año. Lily Me inspiré en los pavo reales y las máscaras. Christine Mi inspiración fue mi familia y la Navidad es muy especial para nosotros Blanca Soy fan de la Hello Kitty, y desde que nació mi hija todo lo quiero...rosa. ¿Qué tipo de árbol prefiere, artificial o natural? Denise Preferimos el artificial porque al volverse a usar cada año ayudamos a la conservación del medio ambiente al no talar un árbol. Christine Nuestro árbol artificial es muy significativo pues lo hemos tenido por quince Navidades. No muere nunca.

Blanca Prefiero artificial...y muchas velas con olor a pino natural. ¿Cuánto tiempo tomó su arreglo? Denise La mayor parte del trabajo nos toma un día, pero continuamos agregando y haciendo pequeños ajustes durante los días siguientes. Christine ¡Me tardé cuatro días! Mi esposo lo armó y yo hice lo demás. Blanca ¡Todo el día! El Arq. Rodolfo Ramos es mi decorador y amigo. ¿Cómo surgió en su

¡que detalle!

christine

hachar saldaña

hogar la tradición de decorar el árbol?

Denise Siempre me ha gustado decorar para todos

los días festivos del año; sin embargo, para Timothy, mi hijo, la Navidad es muy especial. Por él, la decoración del árbol se ha vuelto una tradición. Lily Nuestra tradición comenzó cuando my hija nació y vimos como se emocionaba desde los preparativos hasta que el árbol quedaba arreglado. ¿Quisiera

compartir con nosotros un recuerdo entrañable de Navidad? Lily Recuerdo con

lily

p. de anda

mucho cariño la Nochebuena que pasamos en nuestra primera casa. Celebramos la Navidad y el cumpleaños de mi madre. Christine Desde hace cinco años, la Navidad se ha vuelto realmente memorable. Ahora que no bebo, disfruto más cuando abro los regalos con mis hijos. Blanca ¡La primer Navidad con mi hija Miranda ha sido la más perfecta combinación de amor y tradición! Si me remonto a mi infancia, mi mejor Navidad fue cuando Santa Claus me trajo la casa de la Barbie.

denise

Un árbol bellamente decorado contribuye a la alegría de nuestro hogar.

jolley

christine hachar saldaña ¿Qué significa la Navidad para usted?

Lily Son días para pasarlos en casa y no ir a trabajar. Christine Estas fechas giran alrededor

de Dios, paz, felicidad y familia. En estas fechas, disfruto plenamente a mi familia—mis cuatro hermanos y sus familias, mis padres, mis hijos y mi maravilloso esposo. Pienso que esta época no es para despilfarrarse en excesos. El estar sobria hace la Navidad más excepcional. Blanca Los momentos junto a mi familia, la cena, los regalos, hacen perfecta cada Navidad porque estoy al lado de las personas que más quiero y admiro. ¡FELIZ NAVIDAD!

blanca mejia

cream december / january 2011

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NAME: ANA PAULA GARCIA OCCUPATION: K5 STUDENT AT MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS FAVORITE CEREAL: LUCKY CHARMS

meets

NAME: NAME: LAREDO LAREDO KID KID OCCUPATION: OCCUPATION: PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER WRESTLER CHEERS CHEERS FOR: FOR: EL EL AMéRICA AMéRICA

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THE INTERVIEWS THIS TIME THEY ASK THE QUESTIONS ANA PAULA

LAREDO KID

Do you have different wrestling outfits? LK: Yes, I have them in different colors, but my favorite is the green one.

AP: How often do you wrestle? LK: Almost every weekend and sometimes on Mondays. AP: Do you always win?

LK: You can’t win all the time. You have to learn to handle losing. AP: Do people scream a lot when you are wrestling?

What do they yell at you? LK: There is a lot screaming with a little bit of everything. Fans of my opponents boo me while my fans incite me to win and usually shout out my name, “Laredo! Laredo!” AP: What made you become a wrestler? LK: I love sports, and I’ve enjoyed wrestling since I was a little boy. I have an uncle who is also a wrestler. AP: Do you take off the mask to eat? LK: If my fans invite me to eat with them, I keep it on to protect my identity. I take it off when I eat at home.

AP: Is Laredo Kid your real name? LK: No, it’s my fighting name. I was born in Nuevo Laredo and since I started when I was very young, they started referring to me as el niño de Laredo or Laredo Kid. AP: From all the wrestlers, who is your best friend? LK: La Parka is not only my best friend but my compadre since I am the godfather of his son. AP: Who is the meanest wrestler that you know? LK: Chessman is the meanest. He doesn’t like children; he never speaks to anyone and AP:

NAME: MARCELA MONETOU OCCUPATION: MOM & HOUSEWIFE ON HER PLATE: ENCHILADAS SUIZAS 24

cream december / january 2011

meets

NAME: CHUCK JACAMAN OCCUPATION: TRUCKING BUSINESS ALWAYS BY HIS SIDE: MAGGIE, HIS DOG

NAME: SAMMY “ THE HOUSE” RAMIREZ OCCUPATION: RADIO PERSONALITY OLDSCHOOL KICKS: ONITSUKA TIGERS

meets NAME: JESSICA GUAJARDO OCCUPATION: DIR. OF CANCER CENTER AT DOCTOR’S HOSPITAL CHICK FLICK: THE NOTEBOOK

doesn’t want anyone looking him in the eyes. AP: Which winning match has been your favorite? LK: It was a match between Japan and Mexico. It took place in Japan and we defeated the Japanese wrestlers.

Everyone congratulated us!

LAREDO KID

ANA PAULA

LK: How old are you? AP: 5 LK: What is your favorite pastime? AP: I like to play “teacher”. LK: What is your favorite food? AP: Cheese pizza LK: What is your favorite color? AP: I have two, black and pink. LK: Which cartoons do you watch on TV? AP: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse LK: Do you enjoy coloring books? AP:

Yes, very much because I color pretty.

LK: What scares you the most? AP: Once during Halloween, a little boy had blood on his face, and I got very scared. LK: Do you have any favorite animals? AP: My favorite ones are small fish and flamingos.

LK: Do you like masks? AP: No, they make people look ugly.

CHUCK

MARCELA

C: What do you do for a living? M: I am a housewife. C: Where are you originally from? M: Even though I was born in

Coahuila, I consider myself a Laredoan because I have lived here for a lot of years C: What do you enjoy doing? M: I enjoy

being around my family and playing tennis. C: Do you enjoy outdoor activities?

M: Yes, I enjoy outdoor sports, and love going to the ranch. C: Do you have any children? M: I have two beautiful children, Patricio,9, and Analia, 7. C: Do you like to cook? M: Yes, I love to have people over at the house; I enjoy preparing hors d’œuvres for them.

MARCELA

CHUCK

M: How often do you go to the ranch?

C: As often as I can and more during hunting season. M: What do you enjoy the most? C: Hunting and playing golf M: What’s a day like for you? C: I go to the office to see that things get done. M: Do you play any sports? C: Yes, right now I play golf. M: Would you describe yourself as a good hunter? C: Yes, I am definitely a

good hunter.

SAMMY

JESSICA

S: What would you like to be known for?

J: The work I do for charity such as cancer

awareness which is directly related to my job as the director for the Cancer Center at Doctors Hospital. S: So, you’re an angel.

But what’s your favorite flaw? C: I like that I’m gullible. Every day is a surprise. I like feeling like a child sometimes. Chick flicks are totally real. It could happen. cream december / january 2011

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NAME: ANA LAURA CAVAZOS OCCUPATION: SOPHOMORE AT ALExANDER HIGH SCHOOL HOLDS TITLE: MISS TExAS TEEN AMERICA 2011

S: You’re engaged. How do you know he loves you? J: He listens to me. (Thanks for the Uggs, babe.) S: What else did you want to be and why? J: Advertising executive. I love catch phrases and always wonder if I could’ve come up with “Just do it”. S: What do you have to have on a daily basis? J: Coffee and a quick look at the sky and a small prayer. S: What do you want the readers to know? J:

Live everyday like it was your last. Let loved ones know every day that you care. You never know if you’ll get another chance.

JESSICA

SAMMY

J: What motivates you to get out of bed every morning? S: My family and my mortgage. J: What’s the favorite part of your career?

S: Everything, but I really like knowing and listening to music— even music I don’t like. J: What do you do when you are not at 26

cream december / january 2011

meets

NAME: RICHARD “HEATWAVE” BERLER OCCUPATION: METEOROLOGIST ALMA MATER: FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

work? S: I try to balance my family and my social life. I like to show love for my family and stay connected to my friends. J: Do you have any hobbies? S: I have a rap group called Starschool. We like to make hip hop that isn’t about money, bling, or gangs; it’s a tribute to old school hip hop about partying and having fun. J: Do you consider yourself a “Laredo” celebrity? S: I don’t, but others do. Sometimes I want to go out and not be noticed, but it’s kind of hard. I’m blessed to have been at Hot 106.1 for almost twenty years. The station is so great! I do my best to maintain a positive image and spread positivity. J: What do you want to say to the readers? S: Always be grateful for everything you have because there is always someone else who wants it. The less you complain, the more you receive. God listens. But would you give a gift to someone who never appreciated it?

HEATWAVE

ANA LAURA

H: When did you enter your first pageant? AL: I started competing when I was 11 years old. H: What prompted your interest in beauty contests? AL: The first time it was for fun, but when I won

I wanted to keep competing! Pageants motivate me to always be better at everything I do! H: I understand you would like to be a lawyer. What about the law attracts your interest? AL: I like it because it’s never boring. There are some crazy cases! H: What kind of law would you like to practice? AL: Criminal law H: What would you look for in a law program that would help you choose a school? AL: I would look for the program that is most complete.

H: Where would you like to study? AL: I would love to study at

NAME: JEROME AVERILL OCCUPATION: SENIOR AT ST. AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL LAST CITY VISITED: NEW YORK

meets NAME: LUZ MARTINEZ OCCUPATION: REAL ESTATE LOVES TO MIX: PEARLS & DIAMONDS

Columbia University School of Law at New York City. H: Would you like to pursue a career in Laredo, or are you hoping that your career choice may take you to distant places? H: I’m not planning to stay in Laredo, but you never know. H: Whom would you wish to interview, and what would you ask? AL: I would interview Angelina Jolie and ask her what motivates her to contribute so much of her time to charities.

ANA LAURA

HEATWAVE

AL: Where were you born? H: I was born in Amityville, NY. We moved to Westport, CT where I grew up. AL: What inspired you to become a meteorologist? H: Being afraid of lightning at five piqued

my interest in weather. In 2nd grade, I began gathering weather data from around the world, and by age twelve I could plot my own weather maps. My dad had helped me set up a thermometer, rain gage, and anemometer to keep daily weather records. cream december / january 2011

27

NAME: ALYSSA BARRERA OCCUPATION: FULL TIME STUDENT & DJ/PRODUCER ON HER TURNTABLE: INSTRUMENTS OF RAPTURE 5

meets NAME: VICTOR MUñOZ OCCUPATION: FORWARDING AGENT ENJOYS LIFE: AT THE RANCH

I AM CREAM heat/ana AL: How long have you been a meteorologist? H: I started at a CBS station in Duluth, MN in May of 1976. I’ve been the chief meteorologist at KGNS TV since February 14, 1980. AL: Where did you get the nickname “Heatwave”? H: The meteorology students at Florida State nicknamed me that because I liked 90 degree+ heat. AL: What’s the hardest part of your job? AL: Having to make a vague forecast such as “isolated showers possible, some of which could be strong.” This means...maybe it will rain but maybe not... maybe it will be a good downpour but maybe not!

28

cream december / january 2011

This happens when the ingredients for a storm are available without a trigger such as a frontal boundary. AL: What do you like to do in your spare of time? H: I love to read books mostly about meteorology and math, listen to distant AM radio stations, and travel with my wife, Carol. AL: If you could interview anyone, who would it be and why? H: Vilhelm Bjerknes, the father of modern meteorology; in the 1900’s, he was the first to discover the frontal boundaries in a weather map!

JEROME

LUZ

J: Beach or snow? L: Love the beach. J: Fur or faux? L: I love both and can wear them

at different times for different occasions.

J: Sweet or sour? L: Sour J: Comedy or drama? L: Drama J: 60’s or 70’s music?

L: 60’s J: Roses or chocolate? L: A combination of both. J: Favorite holiday?

L: Christmas, since it’s a time to celebrate the birth of Christ with the family, and enjoy the pleasure of giving and receiving.

J: What’s one moment you’ll never forget?

L: I attended Mass at Notre Dame. It was a very moving experience. J: What’s the difference with youth today in comparison to youth in your day? L: The difference is our parents held us to higher standards which were to be respectful, watch our manners, and be accountable for our actions.

LUZ

JEROME

L: Who motivates you to achieve your goals in life? J: I know it’s a clichéd

answer, but definitely my parents. They truly are amazing people who have always motivated and supported me. L: What are your goals? J: My main goal in life is to graduate with a degree in Interior Design and Architecture and eventually open up my own firm. L: What country would you like to visit to learn more about their culture? J: I’d have to say Russia. Russian culture is rich in architecture, philosophy, and music, among other things. L: What kind of personality mostly interests you, introverted or outgoing? J: Definitely outgoing! Since I am very loud, outspoken, and outgoing, I like to find the same qualities in others. L: Do you have a pet peeve? J: I could give you a list that would never end, but my top pet peeve is couples that are overly touchy or kissing in public.

It’s so rude and uncalled for!

ALYSSA

VICTOR

A: What is your career? V: I have a degree in International Commerce and Customs and recently became a Forwarding Agent.

A: When did you find out what you wanted to do? V: When I began my studies at ITESM Campus Tampico, I became interested in International Commerce. A: What are your hobbies when out of the business suit? V: I enjoy training at the gym, playing tennis, and hunting. A: What is your favorite music?

V: Ranchera music, particularly Vicente Fernandez and Antonio Aguilar A: If you could do anything other than what you are doing now, what would it be? V: I would devote myself to ranching; I enjoy cattle and the countryside.

VICTOR

ALYSSA

V: When did your interest in music begin?

A: As far back as I can remember, but I

got into keyboards at the age of nine. I would watch my brother and his band play Industrial rock and was fascinated by the raw sound of the instruments. V: What is your favorite music? A: Electronic MusicHouse/Nu Disco V: What DJ or record label inspires you to improve in your profession? A: At the moment my dear friends’ record label from Brooklyn, NY, Wolf + Lamb Music. They created this innovative sound of mid tempo house, disco inspired synths, 90’s drum machines.

Look it up and hear for yourselves! V: What message would you want to give to the readers? A: Don’t think of what you’ve done, but what you are doing now to reach your goal. There are many people who will intimidate you, but the feeling of accomplishing a goal, is pure bliss and everyone deserves to feel that. V: How many hours a day do you dedicate to practicing and preparing your music? A: Recently, I moved back from New York where I studied music production to concentrate on learning the fundamentals of music theory and piano. After school, I work on producing music or searching for new tracks to play. Then on weekends if I have a gig, that is when it all pays off!

V: What is your main objective in life?

A: My main objective would be to have a proper education in music theory, piano, and sound recording to begin with. I want to make a successful living from touring, live wherever I need to be at the moment, and eventually have my own record label. V: What would you like people to remember about you? A: I encourage the people of Laredo who are into music production to pursue getting into the field.

There is not much emphasis on studying music production here. My partners and I at City Lights Recording Studio are going to offer a music production course in Logic Pro 9 starting in February 2011.

Everyone has a passion, be patient!

corbata unisex para el fashionista

quequitos de bajas calorias

zapatitos converse para el bebe mas hip

TE TILES MODERNOS

broche de flor

para la del moño colorado todo el dia mareado aretes con un toque retro

la palabra estambre suele evocar en nosotros la imagen de nuestra abuelita tejiendo una chambrita. Pero los tiempos han cambiado... ¡Hoy en día el arte de tejer no tiene que ser aburrido! A continuación, te presentamos algunas ideas frescas que podrás realizar con un poco de práctica, imaginación y creatividad.

brochecitos de florecitas

Norma ortiz // A solo cuatro años de haber empezado a tejer a la corta edad de diecinueve, bastó con encontrarse un día una bola de estambre y un gancho para que naciera en ella la curiosidad por esta actividad. Aprendió a tejer sola a través de revistas e Internet y, hasta hoy, ha tejido más de 350 prendas. Le gusta crear su propia ropa y accesorios para darle a su vestuario un toque original.

FUR ever after Always sophisticated always controversial.

Fur coats and accessories are back this season on the international fashion runway, bringing, as always, a touch of opulence and glamour.

PHOTOGRAPHY FERCH M O D E L E LV A S A L I N A S M A K E - U P PA O L A S E I F E R H A I R G E R A R D O B A LTA Z A R AT L U X E S A L O N

furget ordinary Bronze Silk Jacket from Crisda $700, Gold Crystal Ring from Sara, Leopard Double-Buckled Belt from Crisda $232

FUR the love oF Fashion Black Sheep Fitted Vest from from Only Collections $140, Black Studded Chain Necklace from Only Collections $100, Tanned Sheep Purse from Crisda $270

look further Gold Triangle Crystal Earrings from Sara, Golden Fur Vest from Crisda $340, Gold Millenia Cuffed Bracelet from Crisda $196, Upholstered Pink Wooden Chair from Brillance $430

chill

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1. LUIS JUNIOR // “COLACHE (SOMETIMES MIX)” 2. JK SOUL // “THE MUSIC” 3. CHRISTIAN PROMMER // “SUEÑO LATINO (DJ HELL´S ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE REMIX)” 4. LUCIEN N LUCIANO // “BEHIND MY SOUL” 5. FOUS DE LA MER // “ALL WE NEED IS LOVE” 6. UNDERWORLD // “MOON IN WATER” 7. GRAMATIK // “DUNGEON SOUND” 8. SOLEE // “LEGENDS (SLOW MOTION MIX)” 9. QUANTUM LEAP //“NOSTALGIA” 10. SHED // “STP 2” 11. SUPERPITCHER // “MOON FEVER” 12. PHONOSYNTHESE // “PARADIDDLE” 13. NICK WARREN // “IN SEARCH OF SILVER (AMBIENT MIX)” 14. JEROME ISMA-AE // “DRIFTING” 15. PONCHO WARWICK // “TAINTED JAZZ” 16. 80S CASUAL // “FIESTA” 17. OPIUO // “WATER MOUTH FT SUNMONX” 18. BONOBO // “KIARA” 19. LUSINE // “TWILIGHT” 20. MATTHEW HERBERT // “BERLIN”

escucha cada sábado y domingo de 1-3PM lo mejor del chill out presentado por creaM city Magazine

regalarte

the

Dicen que no se debe juzgar al libro por su cubierta, pero en esta ocasión nos enfocamos precisamente en el exterior…en lo visible… ¡en la envoltura! ¡Qué mejor que un regalo envuelto con amor, con estilo propio e imaginación para hacer de esta Navidad una fecha para recordar!

lorenza huerta

gabriela treviño

rodolfo ramos

gabriela alexander

Motivada por la época navideña, me dejé llevar por el brillo, los reflejos y los tonos vivos. La tela me pareció que daba calidez y sensación de armonía y vida.

Un regalo normalmente se obsequia en fechas especiales.

Por eso, la inspiración para este regalo es un calendario.

Utilizando un calendario reciclado, podrás acomodar la fecha que es de importancia en una parte prominente de la caja y realzarla con un marcador. Esto dará un toque personalizado a la envoltura.

Con material reciclable, cucharas de plástico cubiertas de diamantina y alambre puedes transformar una simple cajita en algo especial.

“¿Quién se emociona más que un niño al recibir un regalo y sobre todo en Navidad?” Ése fue mi primer pensamiento para desarrollar la idea. Apliqué galletas de jengibre, conos de nieve y panecillos con tema navideño, que a todos los niños gusta. Utilicé colores vibrantes como aqua, rosa, verde y metálicos sobre una rama de pino artificial con luces navideñas simulando el árbol de Navidad.

Mi diseño se inspiró en la ecología porque me pareció una forma original de contribuir a la salud ambiental. Acomodé los diferentes tipos de hojas en un collage y añadí un gran moño en la parte de arriba.

Espero que esto inspire a otras personas a cuidar el planeta y a usar lo que la naturaleza nos da.

cream december / january 2011

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where to Celebrate Christmas

home vs destination Christmas at home for sure because you can feel the love of your family!

-gaby peña

keepin’ warm

coffee vs hot chocolate hot chocolate by far because it’s the perfect winter drink!

opening gifts

christmas eve vs christmas day

-oscar saldivar

Definitely opening gifts on Christmas day because its a family tradition.

-joe benavides

rudolph vs frosty rudolph because he is Santa’s favorite, just like me!

-laura garza-hove

dro

nds

frie

vs winter edition

ua at c out g in ang

h

giving vs receiving i prefer giving because I like to make people happy!

-chito gonzalez

gifts!

secret santa vs gift exchange secret santa! The fun of it is to keep it a secret!

-paulina rechy

for all that laredo snow

snow man vs snow angel snow man, obviously! What’s the fun in a snow angel?!

-nicole werstak CONTACT US AT VERSUS@CREAMCITYMAGAZINE.COM FOR A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE ON THE NEXT vs OR MESSAGE US ON FACEBOOK!

cream december / january 2011

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dry to a smooth, hard finish. Leveraging the stability of the royal icing, food coloring (I used black and red) can be added to make writing icing. Be careful with black coloring though, as it can bleed onto lighter colors. Luckily, I have found that the company AmeriColor makes a great no-run black dye.

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we have all seen how styles live on a pendulum motion. Who would have thought fashions from the 70’s would resurface as the latest ‘retro chic’ craze? Likewise, styles for weddings have evolved from subtle timeless details to extravagant bright colors and lopsided wedding cakes.

Moon Jamaluddin is a private chef and caterer in Houston, she was born in Bangladesh and brings a new light to the traditional flavors.

Find more about Momo Catering on Twitter, Yelp, or Facebook.

Recently, we were approached by a young couple who was getting ready to take ‘the plunge’. I was expecting an order for a wedding cake or cupcakes, at best. Much to my (pleasant) surprise, she asked about making Scrabble inspired cookies to be served as wedding favors.

The cookies were left out to dry after each layer of icing until they were finally ready to be packaged. Tied with a crimson ribbon, each bag harmonized with the other beautiful arrangements and warm fall colors. Every cookie tile with his and her initials and a bright red heart to symbolize their love turned out Scrabble-icious!

If only I had Scrabble tiles on hand to respond with a big Y.E.S. One of the great prides of being a top shelf food designer is the nature of opportunities, as such, to attempt new and exciting food challenges, along with the knowledge that your clients trust your judgment to transform an idea into a delicious creation for their wedding day.

Now to tackle the production of 300 perfectly shaped and decorated cookies…For a second, I felt as though I was on the Food Network TV show Cupcake Wars but with cookies. I was elbow deep in cookie dough and staring at the Scrabble tiles strewn about my counter top. In an increasingly intense battle against the clock, I (cleverly) cheated and used a metal ruler instead of a square cookie cutter. The markings ensured accuracy while maximizing use of the dough and, of course, my time. Triple word score!

On the surface they may appear to be simple, decorated cookies; but fellow bakers will attest to the layers of work involved in a project like this. I chose a sugar cookie base for two reasons. The first reason being that sugar cookies sing to the tune of ‘wedding’ more than any other traditional cookie type. The other reason was that sugar cookies provide a sturdier surface for decorating without having to worry about crumbling.

You know when you take a bite out of a cookie or a piece of cake and the icing kicks your mouth with too much sugar? I don’t like to see that expression accompany any of my creations. Frosting, in my opinion, is one of the most important elements. I made a thin royal icing as a first coat to the cookies to create the right amount of shine and have it

© anthology photography www.weddingphotos.com

The Scrabble theme rang throughout the reception hall, neatly spelling out the beginning of their sweet life together. Whether it’s Scrabble cookies or any other cute party favor, highlight the details with a personal touch. A wedding is supposed to be one of the most memorable days in your life.

moon jamaluddin

if you know how to trade stocks, most likely you will consider ETFs too! ETFs or Exchange Traded Funds have become a popular way to invest in the market today. ETFs are securities that track an index, a commodity, or a basket of assets such as index or mutual funds do but trade like stocks on an exchange. Since the 1990’s they have steadily stolen the limelight from mutual funds, and while mutual funds still hold a reputable place in the investment world, it’s worth taking a look at what all the fuss is about.

what is this etf bUsiness?!

Unlike mUtUal fUnds, etfs trade on an exchange and can be boUght and sold at any time dUring market hoUrs similar to stocks. With mutual funds you have to wait until the market closes to buy or sell your holdings. Because ETFs trade like stocks, you have the ability to sell short, buy on margin, and purchase as little as one share. accessible to both large and small investors, etfs do not reqUire large amoUnts of capital to participate or have the ability to diversify. Mutual funds, on the other hand, tend to have higher minimum investment requirements. If you are just getting started and your funds are limited, ETFs can be a great alternative.

ETFs allow you to buy multiple stocks in a specific sector while also allowing you to reduce your risk. if yoU think a certain

sector will do well in cUrrent markets, instead of pUtting all

yoUr faith and money into one stock, yoU can spread it among a groUp of stocks in that sector with an etf. For example, if you feel the energy sector is a good investment, you can buy the XLE (a collection of various energy companies) instead of just buying Chevron or ExxonMobil. investing in markets sUch as gold or other precioUs metals is still hard to access for most individUal investors. Owning the SPDR Gold Shares (GLD), which itself owns gold bullion, makes it possible. There are several gold ETFs to choose from whose strategy tracks the performance of gold in difference ways. Some track actual gold mining stocks, both domestic and abroad, if you prefer that route. when comparing them to mUtUal fUnds in regards to costs, etfs have two Ups on the former – tax efficiency and expense ratios.

Taxes come into play when you sell your shares, hopefully at a profit, after which you are subject to capital gains taxes. ETF investors have less exposure to capital gains taxes than mutual fund investors do. This is due to fund managers moving in and out of holdings more frequently than ETFs and passing on the costs to investors. Just as you would with stocks, you pay a commission when you buy and sell ETFs; however, more often than not you will have much lower expense ratios than mutual funds. Annual expenses for mutual funds can sometimes run three times higher than ETFs. All ETFs are not created equal and some can get pretty complex. So, while ETFs can play a useful role in your portfolio, keep in mind that everyone’s financial situation is different. Investment needs can vary greatly. Before diving into ETFs, make sure you understand all the characteristics of investing in them versus other options to make sure they are, indeed, a fit. ana chaverria The 26 year old Texas native lives in New York City working as an account manager at an asset management firm pursuing her passion for finance and the markets.

market slump

heigh-ho, heigh-ho,

If you are reading this instead of doing your geology homework or serving supersized meals to men who smell like bleu cheese and sweat, then, I advise you to stop reading. However, being the rebel that you are, you won’t because school is dreadful and work is boring—so, the hell with it.

You never forget your first job. Mine was at a summer camp day-care where I participated in activities such as dancing to Hannah Montana on top of a trampoline. The kids seemed to be infused with fire crackers and had an upto-anything attitude as if they had been spiked with Red Bull. I’ve always had the urge to have a job. When my high school girlfriends were willingly flitting to pep rallies and football games, I was usually the odd girl out going to work. But as I grew older, I realized that having a job is good, it’s liberating, and it teaches you to be responsible. Let’s talk real here, who doesn’t want to have their own money

Handling a job and going to college is kind of like having a baby. You have to take care of your homework while simultaneously working to keep a life— yours—vibrant. And fashionable. So, you also need to make time for shopping since everyone needs a nice backpack to carry them through the loops and turns of college—the most radical thing in a teenager’s life.

In this economic clime, a palpable tension to get a job has bubbled to the surface. If you have a job, cherish it, and if you go to school, stay in it. If you’re truly obsessed with becoming a household name, it pays to stay focused on your aspirations but with perspective. College is yet another business venture and we need it in order to avoid saying forever, “Do you want fries with that?” Though being in college can be frustrating, it’s important to realize it’s a singular time that, later in life, many people regret rushing through. So keep on telling yourself, “I love College” just like that rap song by Asher Roth.

gabriela enriquez

gaby studying 101 Fact: Studying is boring and it makes you look like you’ve been stranded on the set of Zombieland.

It’s cold outside and all you want to do is be wrapped in your McQueen scarf— and, for some of you, in your Snuggie— but not in our text books or our final reviews. So, here are some tips to make you look fabulous and enjoy studying. Yes, I said enjoy.

1

go on and buy yourself some pens, eco-friendly, durable, and, duh, really cute pens.

We spend so much time on computers nowadays that a pen and paper feel like a novelty. They help you memorize your reviews while you write way faster.

create a to-do list.

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well it was fun while it lasted, wasn’t it? Those happy, care-free summer days with the sun smiling right behind your back are gone along with that striped Missoni bathing suit that announced you were the queen of all that was desirable in the world.

Life was good. You were one of the lucky ones to be waking up at noon— quite literally— because chances are that last night ended in a flurry of sipping pastel-colored cocktails that tasted like Lysol and dancing that continued—for partygoers—well into the dewy May morning. Then SNAP! School is here and you have a job. Just like that.

to spend on plenty of black skinny jeans and jaw-dropping jewels bewitching from store plate glass windows? I know I do.

Plus, who can resist the awesome feeling when the shiny yellow paycheck meets your eager palm? Having to attend school when you are a teen is bad enough, but to be a teen in school with a job is a bad combo—talk about zombie mode all day and every day. Sometimes my life felt as fragile as a biodegradable Target grocery bag. Keeping up with homework and a job, pretty much has you over-caffeinated, with dark circles, and a pasty complexion.

Thank goodness that the term ‘power nap’ is slowly making its way into the contemporary work place.

You can go old-school and buy an agenda or, ahem, Christmas is near and the cool, ultra-modern iPad would definitely help. If you already have an iPad, slap a Mulberry case on it, after all, safety comes first.

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You’re probably doodling inside your marble-pattern composition book during the lengthy chem. lecture or trying hard to stay awake in the library with a blotchy complexion. so, lay off the red bull, and

drink loads of coconut water,

or simple plain water

to keep you hydrated and looking like adriana lima.

Yes, you’re in sync with it. Especially in the mornings when you’re awkward before you drink it, and all social graces fly out the window. But for all you serious snackers, coffee isn’t a snack. so, slide your iced skinny latte aside and

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off to work we go

replace it with greek yogurt

to help you eat healthy while studying.

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It just takes four simple steps: 1. scroll up and click ‘log out’.

2. close your macbook.

3. tell your roommate/mom/dog to hide your laptop.

4. turn on some sappy middle school music.

Paging Captain Obvious: it’s hard to log out Facebook. But, I insist, please be a doll and tell someone to hide your laptop from you. It’s kind of a game and it works too.