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MamaOaxaca · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 201 Location: Mixteca, Oaxaca

I saw this thread was bumped up and that Loz was the most recent poster and while I waited for it to open I thought all about how she was going to be anouncing to us that she was settling in Colombia for life thanks to some dashing young Bogate�o!

What a let down Crying or Very sad

Happy day all! Oh and congrats on getting back together Mikey.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 12:22 am Post subject:

I have always considered Valentines Day to be some sort of a disease. Shocked

If it hadn't been for Mikey's post, I might have missed it entirely.

Love is love. Friendship is friendship.

Valentine's day is a celebration of consumerism.

(and, um, Loz; If I get dumped over not having bought a present, maybe we could go to dinner sometime? Wink

I like your attitude...)

Best,
Justin

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 3:07 pm Post subject:

You're a romantic and a half, Guy. Nothing wrong with that. Wink

But I gotta ask: Why today? (Now yesterday.) Love is grand, and all that, but I still see the holiday as an attempt to focus on love in neon lights- love that means you have to make bold gestures and buy things in shops.

I guess I'm not a romantic. But it just seems like another one of a million ways that we (capital "we," we as a society) convince people that they need to look for fulfilment in another; in some unreal conception of perfect love that has nothing to do with a real, fulfilling relationship between real, fulfilled adults. And when it doesn't work, the hangover is pretty incredible.

And

MamaOaxaca · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 201 Location: Mixteca, Oaxaca

I'm kind of middle of the road on the Valentine's thing. I sent out e-cards from Care2.com so I didn't buy anything and hopefully the cards will remind people to take action on issues important to them. Cool

What I see, or want to see, as the point of VD is that we often take our loved ones for granted. It's nice to be reminded to say to people, "I care about you". Ideally we wouldn't have to be reminded, but it's not an ideal world. I do like that Mexico doesn't soley focus on sexual partner love as much as the US does. We should all take the time to tell all the people who make our lives special that we appreciate them.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Geez, what a bunch of sourpusses. It sure sounds like some of you are a little desperate for some lovin'.... Wink

Yes, it's commercial. So what? Some people just aren't very romantic by nature, and if it takes a hokey holiday to give them a kick in the butt to show a little appreciation to their partners, so be it.

cangringo · Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Posts: 327 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Here for you doubters read this http://www.holidays.net/amore/story.html, of course who knows if it's true but it's a nice story.

Yes it's commercial but what holiday isn't these days and it's nice to be reminded to be a little romantic. It doesn't mean you have to buy expensive gifts or have an expensive dinner, just spend some time together and remember why you love each other.

Ok that's enough sappy stuff for me. Embarassed

JAppleby · Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Posts: 32

I agree that it gets to be a lot about consumerism, just like most every other holiday, but it's up to you whether you actually go out and buy stuff or figure out some other way to make the day special. If you want to celebrate it, that is. For me, it's always been about love, whether that's family love, friendship love...(I haven't had the romantic love yet, so I'll hold off on that). I got a card from my best friend, and an e-card from my sister. My mom bought a cookie jar for my dad on Valentine's Day the year they got engaged, and every year (for 30 years now) she fills it with homemade chocolate chip cookies. They also exchanged cards this year--they recycled and gave each other the same cards they gave last year!

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:34 pm Post subject:

Don't be put off by my objections. I object to most everything.

The consumerist part is a bunch of crap, obviously.

But it isn't just that- it's the idea we perpetuate that by finding your soul mate, you'll be made complete. Which in my humble opinion is bullpuckey.

Frequently, men and women are happy together. (Or sometimes men and men, women and women, what the hell do I care?) But it isn't about completion. It isn't about necessity. And it sure as heck isn't about fairy tales. THose of you who are in relationships perhaps can relate when I say that it's hard work. And the hollywood image of romance can make it harder for some people, who want it to end up like sleepless in seattle, without considering what happened after the credits rolled.

Did I mention that I'm not very romantic? Embarassed

Justin

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

MamaOaxaca · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 201 Location: Mixteca, Oaxaca

satraveller · Joined: 07 Feb 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Canada

Yes, I have a boyfriend or had, I'm not sure. I recently had to return to Canada and even though he still emails I get the feeling it is only habit and nothing else. When I was in Quito, he was always asking for money and even though I usually refused, he still pisses me off when he asks that I send stuff to him from Canada. Does anyone have the same experiences with their Latino/a? Is it just their nature to always be asking for things from you as if you are a rich gringa/o?

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:50 pm Post subject:

Depends on who you get! How long were you here? How did you meet? (Somehow, I'm guessing "in a night club.") And

I know a lot of people who have successful relationships with locals- but there's a certain subculture of men here who have learned they can make a better living romancing the foreigners than they can doing anything else. Sad, but true.

But in response to your question-