The Dobsons plan a vacationLos Dobson planean unas vacaciones

The Dobson Family is deciding where to go on vacation. The whole family sits down one Saturday morning to come up with good ideas on where they could go during the summer.La familia Dobson est decidiendo dnde ir de vacaciones. Toda la familia se sienta un sbado por la maana para buscar buenas ideas de dnde pueden ir durante el verano.

James immediately suggests that the whole family go to Orlando, Florida. He loves visiting Disneyworld and Universal Studios. Ariana agrees immediately. Lets go to Disneyworld! she says. Mark and Daniela arent too thrilled with the idea. We have already been to Orland twice says Mark. Lets go someplace else. How about St. Augustine? It is a very interesting place and has some wonderful historic sites. We can all learn something there.James sugiere inmediatamente que toda la familia vaya a Orlando, Florida. l ama visitar Disneyworld y los Estudios Universal. Ariana inmediatamente est de acuerdo. Ella dice: Vamos a Disneyworld. Mark y Daniela no estn muy entusiasmados con la idea. Ya hemos ido a Orlando dos veces, dice Mark. Vamos a otro lugar. Que tal St. Augustine? Es un lugar muy interesante y tiene sitios histricos maravillosos. Todos podemos aprender algo all.

That sounds like a wonderful idea! says Daniela. Ive always wanted to visit St. Augustine. The children are not too excited about the idea at all. St. Augustine doesnt sound like fun at all.Es una idea maravillosa!, dice Daniela. Siempre he querido visitar St. Augustine. Los nios no estn muy entusiasmados con la idea. St. Augustine no suena muy divertido.

Paris sounds like a very romantic city says Ariana. How about Paris? We could visit the Eiffel Tower and go shopping along the Champs Elysees. It would be fun! Please, please, please can we go to Paris?Pars suena como una ciudad muy romntica, dice Ariana. Qu les parece Pars? Podramos visitar la Torre Eiffel e ir de compras por los Campos Elseos. Sera muy divertido! Por favor, por favor, por favor, podemos ir a Pars?

Im sorry dear, but a trip to Paris is just too expensive, especially during the summer. How about California? Its a beautiful state and there is plenty to see and do, for kids as well as for adults.Lo siento querida, pero un viaje a Pars es demasiado costoso, especialmente durante el verano. Qu tal California? Es un estado hermoso y hay mucho para ver y para hacer, para nios as como tambin para adultos.

Ariana screams Please, no! I hear there are earthquakes all the time in California. I would be too scared throughout the trip to enjoy anything. I think you're exaggerating a little says Mark with a smile but lets not go if you wont feel comfortable.Ariana grita: No por favor! He odo que hay terremotos todo el tiempo en California. Yo estara demasiado asustada durante todo el viaje como para disfrutarlo. Pienso que ests exagerando un poco, dice Mark con una sonrisa, pero no vamos si no te sientes cmoda.

Then Daniela gets an idea. Why dont we go to Colombia? It has been a long time since Ive been back home and the kids have never been there. Mark agrees. That sounds like a great idea! That way the kids will have a chance to see where you grew up an meet some more of their Colombian relatives. The kids are delighted. Lets go to Colombia this time!A Daniela se le ocurre entonces una idea. Por qu no vamos a Colombia? Ha pasado mucho tiempo desde que fui a casa y los nios nunca han ido. Mark est de acuerdo. Eso suena como una muy buen idea! De esta manera los nios tendrn la oportunidad de ver dnde naciste y conocer ms familiares Colombianos. Los nios estn encantados. Vamos a Colombia esta vez!

The DinnerLa Cena

Rita and David are just back from a nice dinner with Ritas brother, Roger, and his wife Kathy. David has noticed that Rita hasnt said much since they left the restaurant. He really didnt want to go, but Rita insisted. Since her brother had started his new job, it had been hard to get together. Roger had to travel almost every week and had been spending his weekends catching up on paperwork when he got back.Rita y David acaban de regresar de una cena agradable con el hermano de Rita, Roger, y su esposa Kathy. David se da cuenta que Rita no ha dicho mucho desde que salieron del restaurante. l no quera ir, pero Rita insisti. Desde que su hermano haba empezado un nuevo trabajo, haba sido difcil reunirse. Roger tena que viajar casi que cada semana y haba estado pasando sus fines de semana ponindose al da con los papeles, despus de regresar.

That went well didnt it?, asks David trying to break the silence.Yes, replies Rita quietly without looking at him.And Kathy seems nice. Must be tough for her losing her job and having Roger away all the time on business. He pauses, are you ok? You havent said much since we left the restaurant.Todo sali bien, no te parece? pregunta David tratando de romper el silencio.S, responde Rita discretamente sin mirarlo.Y Kathy parece ser amable. Debe ser difcil para ella perder su trabajo y que Roger est fuera todo el tiempo de negocios. l pausa, ests bien? No has dicho mayor cosa desde que dejamos el restaurante.

Rita suddenly looks at him. How did you know Kathy had lost her job?Well, they mentioned it at dinner, right?, replies David looking confused.Well Kathy mentioned that it was lonely when Roger was away, but she didnt mention that she had lost her job.Rita de repente lo mira. Cmo supiste que Kathy haba perdido su trabajo?Bueno, ellos lo mencionaron durante la cena, verdad?, responde David luciendo confundido.Pues Kathy mencion que se senta sola cuando Roger est fuera, pero no mencion que haba perdido su trabajo.

I guess Roger must have mentioned it before, replied David quickly.I thought you hadnt met him since my birthday. That was in April of last year. I just thought it was strange that you knew and I didnt.Are you implying that theres something going on between Kathy and me?, asks David frowning.Supongo que Roger lo debe haber mencionado antes, respondi rpidamente David.Pens que no te habas visto con l desde mi cumpleaos. Eso fue en abril del ao pasado. Slo me pareci raro que t supieras y yo no.Ests insinuando que algo est pasando entre Kathy y yo?, pregunta David frunciendo el ceo.

Well, I did wonder how you knew that Kathy had lost her job when she had only mentioned that she was lonely, but I didnt think anything of it. Then I noticed the two of you were avoiding direct eye contact during the entire dinner.Thats absurd! When would I have the time to meet Kathy? I work long hours and they live on the other side of town.Yes, you have been working late a lot recently, replies Rita nodding.Bueno, me pregunt cmo t sabas que Kathy haba perdido su trabajo cuando ella slo haba mencionado que se senta sola, pero no pens nada de ello. Luego not que ustedes dos estuvieron evadiendo contacto visual directo durante toda la cena.Eso es absurdo! Cundo tendra yo tiempo de ver a Kathy? Trabajo muchas horas y ellos viven al otro lado de la ciudad.S, has estado trabajando mucho hasta tarde recientemente, responde Rita asintiendo.

David walks over and takes her hand in his. They both sit down on the couch together. Look, he says calmly, you have to trust me. I would never cheat on you.Youre right. Maybe Im just being paranoid. I trust you honey. Im sorry. It just looked like the two of you were trying to hide something. Please forgive me.David se acerca y toma la mano de ella entre las suyas. Se sientan en el sof juntos. Mira, dice l calmadamente, t tienes que confiar en m. Yo nunca te engaara.Tienes razn. Tal vez estoy siendo paranoica. Confo en ti cario. Es slo que pareca que ustedes dos estaban tratando de ocultar algo. Por favor perdname.

They hug; David gives her a kiss on the cheek and smiles. Of course I forgive you. Ok then, lets go to bed. Im tired and I have an early morning call with a client. He goes into the bedroom and starts getting undressed. He suddenly remembers he has left his cell phone in his jacket pocket in the living room and goes back there to get it.Ellos se abrazan; David le da un beso en la mejilla y sonrie. Por supuesto que te perdono. Est bien, entonces vamos a la cama. Estoy cansado y tengo una llamada con un cliente temprano en la maana. l va a la habitacin y empieza a desvestirse. De repente recuerda que ha dejado su telfono celular en el bolsillo de su chaqueta en la sala y vuelve all para cogerlo.

Rita is standing in the center of the room with his cell phone in her hand. You pathetic liar! I want you out of this house RIGHT NOW! She throws his cell phone at him and he just manages to catch it. A new text message is open on the screen:I think we did ok at dinner. Roger definitely doesnt suspect anything. How about Rita? - kisses, KathyRita est parada en el centro de la sala con el celular en su mano. Mentiroso pattico! Te quiero fuera de esta casa AHORA MISMO! Ella le tira el celular y l logra agarrarlo. Un mensaje de texto nuevo est abierto en la pantalla:Creo que estuvimos bien en la cena. Roger definitivamente no sospecha nada. Y Rita? Besos, Kathy.

A day to rememberUn da para recordar

Serena and Juan walk through the terminal in Logan airport in Boston without saying a word to each other. Juan has checked in his suitcases and has one carry on with him. He is getting ready to board a flight to California for a short term project he is working on.Serena y Juan caminan por el terminal del aeropuerto Logan en Boston sin decirse una palabra. Juan ha registrado sus maletas y tiene una de mano consigo. Se est alistando para abordar un vuelo hacia California, para un proyecto a corto plazo en el que est trabajando.

"Well, I guess this is where we say goodbye" says Serena with a sigh. "Have a good flight.""Thanks", replies Juan quietly. He gives her a hug. "Really, I don't know what I would do without you. Thanks for coming to the airport with me. You know how nervous I get before a flight.""Bueno, creo que es aqu donde nos decimos adis", dice Serena con un suspiro. "Que tengas un buen vuelo.""Gracias", responde Juan en voz baja. l le da un abrazo. "De verdad, no s qu hara yo sin ti. Gracias por venir al aeropuerto conmigo. T sabes cmo me pongo de nervioso antes de un vuelo."

Serena forces a smile and hands him his coat "Here, don't forget this." She turns and starts to walk away."Serena, can you hold on a few minutes? My flight isn't leaving just yet."Serena looks back. "I gotta go. I'm gonna be late for work." That wasn't quite true but she couldn't think of any other excuse to leave at that moment.Serena se esfuerza en sonrer y le entrega su abrigo. "Mira, que no se te olvide esto." Ella se voltea y comienza a caminar."Serena, puedes esperar unos minutos? Mi vuelo no sale todava."Serena mira hacia atrs. "Me tengo que ir. Voy a llegar tarde al trabajo." Eso no era del todo cierto, pero no poda pensar en ninguna otra excusa para irse en ese momento.

"Please, I have something I have to say to you and it can't wait till I get back from my trip. Please!""Ok, what is it? You've got two minutes" she says looking at her watch impatiently."Listen, I know you're mad at me about... well... everything that's happened over the last ten years... maybe even longer.""Por favor, tengo algo que necesito decirte y no puede esperar hasta que vuelva del viaje. Por favor!""Est bien, qu pasa? Tienes dos minutos" dice ella mientras mira su reloj impacientemente."Escucha, yo se que ests enojada conmigo acerca de bueno todo lo que ha pasado en los ltimos diez aos tal vez ms."

"What makes you think that?" Serena asks sarcastically, raising one eyebrow.Juan looks down and nods. "Of course, I deserved that. I just want to say that I'm really sorry, for... you know, everything, and..."Serena rolls her eyes. "Everything? You'll have to be specific. Are you referring to the times you used me and broke my heart, or the fact that you are now dating the woman who ruined my life?Shall I go on?""Qu te hace creer eso?", pregunta sarcsticamente Serena, levantando una ceja.Juan baja la cabeza y asiente. "Por supuesto, me mereca eso. Slo quiero decir que siento mucho... t sabes, todo, y..."Serena pone los ojos en blanco. "Todo? Tendrs que ser ms especfico. Te refieres a las veces que me usaste y rompiste mi corazn, o al hecho de que ahora ests saliendo con la mujer que me arruin la vida? Debo continuar?"

"No, please don't. I know how much I've hurt you. I just want you to know that I'm going to be different from now on. Melissa and I broke up. I realize now that you are the one for me. You have always been there for me. I just never realized how perfect we were together.""Oh, so Melissa dumped you so now you want me back? This sounds familiar. Talk to me when you get back from your trip. I'm sure you will have found someone else by then.""No, no por favor. Yo s cunto dao te he hecho. Slo quiero que sepas que voy a ser diferente desde ahora. Melissa y yo terminamos. Me doy cuenta ahora que t eres la persona para m. Siempre has estado ah para apoyarme. Simplemente nunca me di cuenta de lo perfectos que somos juntos.""Oh, entonces Melissa te dej y ahora me quieres de nuevo? Esto suena familiar. Hblame cuando vuelvas de tu viaje. Estoy segura que para entonces habrs encontrado a alguien ms."

"No, it's not like that. I broke up with Melissa over a month ago. I just didn't say anything to you because I didn't want you to think I was just using you again. But now I'm sure about whom I want to be with. It's you, it's always been you. I was just too stupid to realize it. Do you think you could ever love me again?"Serena's heart begins beating fast but she stays calm. "Look," she says "you seem a bit confused. Why don't you go on your business trip and take those 3 months to think about what you really want and see if you still feel the same way about me when you get back. I just don't want to go through what I went through the last time. We're at the airport. Lets not do this now.""No, no es as. Yo termin con Melissa hace ms de un mes. Solamente no te dije nada porque no quera que pensaras que te estaba usando de nuevo. Pero ahora estoy seguro de con quin quiero estar. Eres t, siempre has sido t. Simplemente era demasiado estpido para darme cuenta. Crees que algn da podras amarme de nuevo?"El corazn de Serena comienza a latir rpido pero ella mantiene la calma. "Mira", dice ella, "pareces estar un poco confundido. Por qu no te vas para tu viaje de trabajo y te tomas esos 3 meses para pensar en lo que quieres de verdad y ver si todava sientes lo mismo por m cuando vuelvas. Yo simplemente no quiero pasar por lo que pas la ltima vez. Estamos en el aeropuerto. No hagamos esto ahora."

"I wanted to wait until I got back but something tells me I have to do this now. I don't want to get back from California and realize that I'm too late and that I missed my chance." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a ring. "I bought this for you 2 weeks ago. I've been carrying it around in my pocket waiting for the right time. This may not be the right time but I have to say it. I love you Serena and I want to marry you. If you can find it in your heart to forgive me for all the times I've hurt you and love me again, I swear, I will spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you.""Yo quera esperar hasta volver pero algo me dice que tengo que hacerlo ahora. No quiero volver de California y darme cuenta que es demasiado tarde y que perd mi oportunidad." l mete la mano en el bolsillo y saca un anillo. "Compr esto para ti hace 2 semanas. Lo he estado cargando en mi bolsillo esperando el momento adecuado. ste tal vez no sea el momento adecuado pero tengo que decirlo. Te amo Serena y quiero casarme contigo. Si encuentras en tu corazn el poder perdonarme por todas las veces que te he herido y amarme de nuevo, te juro, usar el resto de mi vida para tratar de compensarte."

Serena stands there for a moment, stunned. She has been waiting for over 10 years to hear that. Since the day she dropped her lunch on the floor, in the High School cafeteria, she had fantasized about Juan proposing to her. All the other kids had laughed but Juan had calmly picked up her lunch tray, and placed his sandwich on it. "Do you like grilled cheese?" he'd asked as if nothing had happened. "I don't, but my mom packed one anyway. You can have it if you like." She realized later that he had lied just to make her feel better about eating it. Since then they had dated and broken up at least four times, but he had never told her he loved her.Serena se queda ah por un momento, atnita. Ella ha estado esperando ms de 10 aos para escuchar eso. Desde el da en que se le cay al piso el almuerzo, en la cafetera de la secundaria, ella haba fantaseado con Juan proponindole matrimonio. Todos los otros nios se haban redo, pero Juan calmadamente haba recogido su bandeja y puso su sndwich sobre sta. "Te gusta el de queso asado?" haba preguntado l como si nada hubiera pasado. "A m no me gusta, pero mi mam me empac uno de todas formas. Puedes comerlo si quieres". Ella se haba dado cuenta ms tarde que l haba mentido, slo para hacerla sentir mejor por comerlo. Desde entonces, ellos haban salido juntos y se haban separado por lo menos cuatro veces, pero l nunca le haba dicho que la amaba.

"Will you marry me?" Juan continues "I understand if you need to think about it. And if the answer is no, Ill understand that too. I know this is sudden and as I mentioned before, I had planned to tell you when I got back but all of a sudden I feel like... I just can't get on that plane without telling you how I feel.""YES!!" Serena screams in her head. "WHAT DO YOU THINK? I'VE BEEN IN LOVE WITH YOU SINCE I WAS 16!!""Te casaras conmigo?" Juan contina, "entiendo si necesitas pensarlo. Y si la respuesta es no, lo entender tambin. Yo s que esto es repentino y como ya lo mencion, haba planeado decrtelo cuando volviera, pero de un momento a otro siento que... Simplemente no me puedo subir a ese avin sin decirte lo que siento.""S!", grita Serena en su mente. "QU CREES? HE ESTADO ENAMORADA DE TI DESDE QUE TENA 16 AOS!"

People around them are now whispering to each other and trying not to stare at the couple.She finally manages to speak. "Look Juan, this is just a bit... overwhelming. Please put the ring back in your pocket. I need some more time to take all this in. I don't want you to miss your flight.""To hell with the flight! I can get another flight. I can get another job! Just say the word and I'll cancel my flight right now."La gente alrededor de ellos est ahora susurrando y tratando de no mirar la pareja.Ella finalmente logra hablar. "Mira Juan, esto es un poco... abrumador. Por favor, pon el anillo en tu bolsillo. Necesito un poco ms de tiempo para asimilar todo esto. No quiero que pierdas tu vuelo.""Al infierno con el vuelo! Puedo tomar otro vuelo. Puedo conseguir otro trabajo! Slo dilo y cancelar mi vuelo ahora mismo."

"Don't be silly!" says Serena shaking her head and smiling. "I'm not going to give you an answer here at the airport anyway. Just get on that plane and we'll talk when you get back, ok?"They give each other a long, tight hug. "I'm gonna fly back every weekend so we can hang out", Juan promises."You better" Serena looks at him and laughs. "GO!! Or, you're gonna miss your flight.""No seas tonto!", dice Serena moviendo la cabeza de un lado a otro y sonriendo. "No te voy a dar una respuesta aqu en el aeropuerto de todas maneras. Simplemente sbete a ese avin y hablaremos cuando vuelvas, est bien?"Ellos se dan un largo y fuerte abrazo. "Voy a volver cada fin de semana para que podamos pasar tiempo juntos", promete Juan."Ms te vale!" Serena lo mira y re. "Vete! O perders tu vuelo."

"Ok, ok" replies Juan laughing. "See you this weekend!"Serena wipes a tear from her eye as she watches him hurry off quickly to catch his flight. She looks at her watch. It's 7:30 am on Tuesday. Three and a half days till she can see him again. As she exits the airport terminal she is overcome with emotion and begins to sob with sheer joy. She walks up to a line of cabs waiting for passengers and gets into one. The cab driver looks at her surprised. "Are you ok miss?""Est bien, est bien", responde Juan riendo. "Te veo este fin de semana!"Serena limpia una lgrima del ojo mientras que mira cuando l se va apresuradamente para alcanzar su vuelo. Ella mira su reloj. Son las 7:30 de la maana del martes. Tres das y medio para volverlo a ver. Cuando sale del terminal del aeropuerto se siente abrumada por la emocin y comienza a sollozar de pura alegra. Camina hacia la fila de taxis que esperan pasajeros y se sube a uno. El conductor del taxi la mira sorprendido. Est bien seorita?

She laughs and wipes her tears with a tissue from her handbag. "I couldn't be better. I woke up this morning and had no idea that today, the man I have loved and pined for, for over 10 years would propose to me. I dont think my life will ever be the same again."The cab driver smiles and nods. "Thats wonderful, Miss! We all have days that change our lives forever. For you, September 11, 2001 will be one of those days. So... where can I take you on this fine morning?"Ella se re y se limpia las lgrimas con un kleenex de su bolso. "No podra estar mejor. Me levant esta maana y no tena idea de que hoy, el hombre que he amado y aorado por ms de 10 aos me propondra matrimonio. No creo que mi vida volver a ser igual."El conductor del taxi sonre y asiente. "Eso es maravilloso seorita! Todos tenemos das que cambian nuestras vidas para siempre. Para usted, el 11 de Septiembre del 2001 ser uno de esos das. Entonces... dnde la puedo llevar esta extraordinaria maana?"

To the reader:For those of you who are not aware of this, on the morning of September 11, 2001, at around 8am, two passenger planes took off from Logan Airport in Boston bound for Los Angeles. They were hijacked by terrorists and crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City. We dont know if Juan was in one of those planes but either way, it will be a day to remember for Serena.Al lector:Para aquellos de ustedes que no estn al tanto, en la maana del 11 de septiembre del 2001, alrededor de las 8am, dos aviones de pasajeros despegaron del Aeropuerto Logan en Boston hacia Los ngeles. stos fueron secuestrados por terroristas y se estrellaron contra el World Trade Center en la ciudad de Nueva York. No sabemos si Juan estaba en uno de esos aviones, pero de un modo u otro para Serena, ste ser un da para recordar.