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Las Mananitas
Posted on January 31st, 2009 No commentsWe went to a Mexican Restaurant that just opened up near us for Jane’s birthday. The waiter offered to sing Happy Birthday in spanish! Great, I thought. That would be impressive. I was wrong. What we got was “Feliz cumpleanos, a ti, Feliz compleanos a ti…” how cheesy! What I was expecting and looking forward to was a rendition of the song Las mananitas. My Mom and sisters would sometimes call me on the phone on my Birthday and sing it to me. It’s a beautiful Mexican song whose lyrics read like love poems. Here is more about the song which I found at About.com:
Las Mañanitas is a traditional Mexican song that is sung on birthdays and other important holidays. It is often sung as an early morning serenade to wake up a loved one. At birthday parties it is sung before the cake is cut.As a traditional song with a long history, there are variations of Las Mañanitas, with many different verses. At most Mexican parties only the first two verses are sung, but I have included some additional verses that are occasionally sung, particularly when it’s sung by mariachis or in a formal setting.
Estas son las mañanitas, que cantaba el Rey David,
Hoy por ser día de tu santo, te las cantamos a ti,
Despierta, mi bien, despierta, mira que ya amaneció,
Ya los pajarillos cantan, la luna ya se metió.Que linda está la mañana en que vengo a saludarte,
Venimos todos con gusto y placer a felicitarte,
Ya viene amaneciendo, ya la luz del día nos dio,
Levántate de mañana, mira que ya amaneció.Translation:
This is the morning song that King David sang
Because today is your saint’s day we’re singing it for you
Wake up, my dear, wake up, look it is already dawn
The birds are already singing and the moon has setHow lovely is the morning in which I come to greet you
We all came with joy and pleasure to congratulate you
The morning is coming now, the sun is giving us its light
Get up in the morning, look it is already dawnAdditional verses:
El día en que tu naciste nacieron todas las flores
En la pila del bautismo, cantaron los ruiseñoresThe day you were born all the flowers were born
On the baptismal font the nightingales sangQuisiera ser solecito para entrar por tu ventana
y darte los buenos días acostadita en tu camaI would like to be the sunshine to enter through your window
to wish you good morning while you’re lying in your bedQuisiera ser un San Juan, quisiera ser un San Pedro
Para venirte a cantar con la música del cieloI would like to be a Saint John I would like to be a Saint Peter
To sing to you with the music of heavenDe las estrellas del cielo tengo que bajarte dos
Of the stars in the sky I have to lower two for you
una para saludarte y otra para decirte adiós
One with which to greet you and the other to wish you goodbyeGo here to read more about what I used to embed the song above.
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Puzzle Games
Posted on January 24th, 2009 No commentsHere are some fantastic puzzle games for kids (probably 8 and above) or adults. Highly recommended. They are in order of my favorites.
light-Bot (Online, free)
World of Goo (PC or Mac, great demo available)
Fantastic Contraptions (Online, free)
Blox Forever (Online, demo)
Line Rider (Online, free)
Bloxorz (Online, free) -
Page Hunt
Posted on January 24th, 2009 No commentsPage Hunt is an interesting Microsoft site that tests your knowledge of how search engines work. Random pages are displayed and you guess what keywords will result in showing you that page. Requires Silverlight. Thanks Alfred.
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Advice Columns
Posted on January 15th, 2009 No commentsWho is your favorite advice columnist?
I like Carolyn Hax who appears in the Austin American Statement. She is quick witted, no nonsense and thought provoking. I feel her columns tend to be long winded however, as if she is trying to fill space.
Easily, my favorite who stands head and shoulders above all others is Slate's Dear Prudence. The author hasn't always been the same but the questions have always been interesting and the answers funny and right on target. I have it delivered to my inbox.


