Celebration Day

I meant to say "I was hooked,". Well, that's ESL!
— February 7, 2018 8:57 a.m.

Tijuana destroys Spanish and English

It looks like I missed a "t". Oh well, I did include myself when I stated that we don't read enough as a nation. :)
— January 2, 2017 4:36 p.m.

Tijuana destroys Spanish and English

I enjoyed reading this article. It brought memories. To this day, I despise the insertion of English words such as “ticket”, “marketing” or “parking” to a conversation in Spanish. But I do tolerate other words. For example “clutch”, this is a word I learned it and used it most of my life, I did not even know there was actually a word in Spanish that meant the same, which is a word I have never heard anybody using it, ever. It would sound strange. And, when speaking informally with my friends I do use the word “Cora” for the $0.25 USD coin. It comes naturally, I don’t even consider it “Spanglish” as it has been adapted and inserted into the region’s Spanish. Strangely enough, “Peseta” is a more acceptable term for the same coin. “Peseta” was the Spaniard currency prior to the Euro. At one point in time the Mexican peso exchanged for four Spaniard pesetas. A peseta was a quarter of a peso, and for that reason northern Mexicans associated a quarter dollar with a “peseta”. Later I learned (from reading Mafalda) that the Argentinians use the word “living” to refer to the living room area of a home, rather than using the Spanish word equivalent, which is sala. This means that the influence of English reaches every corner of the continent, therefore it is not hard to imagine the impact on the closes city Most destruction of both languages comes from informal learning of English, and poor education. The informal learning of the English language is via tourism, television, and radio. All the San Diego TV channels and radio stations reach Tijuana. And poor education, our reading habits as a nation are very poor; and of course, this reflects when we write. Regarding names of restaurants or items on menus, when some of our culinary bilingual (or Spanglish) friends open their businesses north of the border, they take full advantage of the lack of knowledge by US authorities of slang, double-meaning words in Spanish, and give their restaurants nasty, bad taste names, for example the “Mama Testa” taco shop in Mira Mesa. In Tijuana and throughout the country the language is destroyed even at the college level, for example private universities (both for profit and not for profit) promote their grad-level business degrees as MBAs, rather than using what the actual degree says: “Maestría en Administración de Negocios”. For example, check the Cetys Universidad link below: http://www.posgrado.cetys.mx/index.php/administra… and notice the use of the word “expertise”. There is an equivalent and common word in Spanish. I wrote about this back in 2013, I titled the article “ Sobre Espanglish y MBAs” (it is in Spanish) : http://red-academica.net/observatorio-academico/2… One thing is for sure, unlike the author, except for the few exceptions I listed, “cora”, “renta”, “clutch”, I will not succumb to Spanglish. I hope. 
— January 2, 2017 3:44 a.m.

Is He a Citizen?

Fred, Thank you for the flow chart. It highlights the path I took. I relocated to the US via skilled work (Not a genius, but I do have a BSc Degree). One thing that the diagram omits is that it is illegal to seek employment inside the US, so to get a job offer is not an easy task. The Internet makes it easier, off course, but nothing replaces interviewing face to face. While working on my short thesis to earn my degree, doing some research on voice over IP I landed in the URL of a company that I liked. I searched their job offerings and they had one that matched perfectly my skills, education and experience. I applied. I still remember crossing the border at the San Ysidro point of entry with my tourist visa for the interview. I used to work in Tijuana for a telecom company located in the twin towers near the Caliente race track. Lunch time was from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. My initial interview was scheduled for 1 hour, at 3:00 PM, in the hiring company’s HQ office in Sorrento Valley, located 26 miles from the border. 1 mile too long for my B1/B2 tourist visa. I had requested the rest of the day off from my work. This was in 1998. I still remember crossing the border and requesting the I-94 permit that would make it ok for me to drive beyond 25 mile limit. When the immigration officer learned that I was driving to Mira Mesa for a business meeting he told me that there was no inspection station and that therefore I wouldn’t need the permit. (Technically I would, but I didn’t insist). Had I told the officer that I was driving there for a job interview rather than a business meeting most likely he would have revoked my visa on the spot, or sent me to secondary inspection for further questioning. The second round of interviews lasted literally all day. I got the job, but it took the H1B visa five months to arrive. I can’t say it was difficult for me to get the H1B visa, the hiring company took care of everything for me. I did not even pay for my passport, nor for the picture in it. I did have to wait five months, but I was employed in Mexico while I waited so it wasn’t that bad. By July of 2001 the green cards arrived for my whole family. After September 11 everything slowed down, but the process is similar; convince a company that it is worthwhile for them to go through the hustle to hire you and you’re set. If you have family, they’ll get a special visa that will allow them to live in the US, but not to work. Back in 2009 I wrote an article titled topics on dual citizenship, if you’re interested here’s a link to it: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/topics-on-d… Happy 2015!
— December 27, 2014 10:49 p.m.

Police officer killed in TJ

Death Penalty to those who kill a cop in uniform!
— October 15, 2012 7:22 a.m.

Violence up in Baja – especially for journalists

Tijuana Innovadora is this week.... A good reason to visit Tijuana. Check the link: www.tijuanainnovadora.com
— October 15, 2012 1 a.m.

Topics on Dual Citizenship

Hi Justin, Here's a link a the custom's agency where it describes who can drive foreign registered cars: http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/… It is in Spanish. The below link is from a local paper in Ensenada. The news is about a citizen being sent to jail in San Quintin because he was in possession of an "ilegal" vehicle: http://www.elvigia.net/noticia/preso-por-manejar-…
— August 26, 2012 8:25 p.m.

None

Any word on how the ticket sale is going? will it be a sold-out show?
— September 17, 2011 5:45 a.m.

Topics on Dual Citizenship

Also, check the Dual Citizen recommendation by the state department, about 1/4 down the document: Dual Nationality: Mexican law recognizes dual nationality for Mexicans by birth, meaning those born in Mexico or born abroad to Mexican parents. U.S. citizens who are also Mexican nationals are considered by local authorities to be Mexican. Dual nationality status could result in the delay of notification of arrests and other emergencies or hamper U.S. Government efforts to provide consular services. Dual nationals are subject to compulsory military service in Mexico; in addition, dual national males must register for the U.S. Selective Service upon turning 18. For more information, visit the U.S. Selective Service website. TRAVELERS POSSESSING BOTH U.S. AND MEXICAN NATIONALITIES MUST CARRY WITH THEM PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP OF BOTH COUNTRIES. Under Mexican law, dual nationals entering or departing Mexico must identify themselves as Mexican. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_…
— December 28, 2010 8:51 a.m.

Football mirrors who Americans are today

and I meant "and great game too!" :)
— January 4, 2010 10:13 a.m.