In Spanish... one word says it all

There is a word in the Spanish vocabulary that has gone a prodigious transformation over the last few decades in Mexico and the south-west part of the US. I  first became aware of the evolution of this word while attending a show of the most recognizable Chicano humorist in the entertainment field. After witnessing the overwhelming hysterical audience response, in the thousands, every time he used the word chingar. I proceeded to investigate the origin and evolution of this iconic word.
I consulted an number of the most popular Spanish-English dictionaries with out much success. I also consulted Spanish dictionaries, including the most prominent El pequeno Larousse. The only definition they had in common was:  drunkard, nosy, disturbing the peace. Is that all there is? why would crowds be so hilarious if that's all there was...
I needed to consult some authorities in the Spanish language. I contacted a number family, friends and acquaintances in Mexico city including  Sr. Angel who has lived in, according to Fuentes; la ciudad mas clara del mundo, all his life. He is well versed in the language of  "la capital, el DF". He is accountant by profession and a small businessman, but most of all he knows the language of the street. My other source Jorge (aka) "El Perico", an educator/administrator and doctoral candidate in Latin/American studies. And most important, he was raised during his teen-age years in the barrios of Tijuana. An excellent background for understanding the voguish evolution of the Spanish language.With their valuable assistance and insight into the language, I felt confident that we could do justice to this word.
The word chingar is used as a verb, an adjective or a noun. It can be used to admire, respect, compliment, praise someone or something. Juxtapose it can disparage, belittle, derogate, scorn, abhor. It fits into the catergory of the lenguaje florido; flowery language.

It means everything and nothing for example, my research took me to visit a swap meet. An enterprising Mexican phenomenon where you can buy everything; real estate, furniture, Mexican food, groceries, medicine, art, antiques and... and according to a sign all kinds of crap, "Se vende chigadera y media". A friend of mine Tony (aka) el general walked over to the stall, picking up a piece of scrap metal asked, "esta chingadera para que sirve?..." answer "Para lo que chingados quieras!" -What is this crap used for? What ever crap you want to use it for! Our other companion Bob (aka) Yucaipa Satyr feeling it was rip-off suggested to Tony, mandalo a la chingada, tell him to go to hell. Tony answered, "nomas lo estaba chingando". I was just braking his balls, I wasn't going to buy that chingadera.

It can also mean failure to achieve something, lapse, set back, deterioration, bankruptcy:
-Estudie mucho pero me chingue con mi examen de ingles - I really studied but I failed my English test.
-Ya se me chingo el negocio - my business failed.
-Poco a poco se esta chingando mi salud - slowly my health is deteriorating.

Used as an adjective it can have both a positive and negative attribute according to the situation. It can be attributed to both male and female by changing the gender of the word:
-Ese es el mas chingon - He is the boss, top dog, alpha male, someone to respect or fear.
-Ese es muy chingon - He is awesome, fabulous, high class, desirable, fancy, high grade, ladies man.
-Hay si, te cres muy chingon - You think you're so hot, bully, show-off, flaunt.
 -Estas todo chingado - you're all beat up, broke, ill kept, washed-up, failing either physically, financially or emotionally.

You can use it is a verb to describe who is doing what to whom and in what circumstances:
-No me estes chingando - stop bothering, aggravating or pestering me.
-Me lo voy a chingar - I'm going to give him an ass-kicking, I'm going to get the best of him
-Ese me quiere chingar - that one wants to kick my ass, make a fool of me.
-Me quiere chingar con mi vieja - Wants to take my woman, steal my girl friend.
-Le voy a poner una buena chinga - I'm going to give him a good ass kicking.

When you find yourself in a real angry situation which may lead to altercation such as  someone cuts you off on the freeway, try easing your mind, anger or both by consciously doing and saying the following:
-Raise your hand, extend you longest digital and say - vete a chingar a tu madre. Go screw your mother.
-Or you may choose to say -  Hijo de la chingada, you son of a whore.
- If you don't want to invoke family, just say - vete mucho a la chingada. Go fuck yourself.
- But right about now I'm sure you are probably saying this guy is full of chingaderas. I would agree with you!

A good time was had by all

It started earlier this year. I first became aware of it when my neighborhood home repair center skipped the usual Thanksgiving decorations and jumped right into displays of faux-Christmas trees, fully assembled, decorated with lights and  pine-scented ornaments. I almost broke down and bought one, but my daughter and wife would have none of it, "We will get the real thing," they asserted. And as if I needed more clues of the season, stealthy department store bags and boxes began appearing neatly stored in the closets. The race was on.
I knew that the season was in full swing when my lovely wife left me a to-do-list: "Bring the ornaments down from the garage, Don't forget the lights". This was followed by, "buy wrapping paper, tape and pretty bags and ribbons. Think of a menu for Christmas day." Great! I pulled out a few food magazines that my chef son, Alex, keeps neatly stored in the garage. With pictures in hand I said, "We should have something traditional like a nice honey rubbed ham and deep fried turkey with all the trimmings".
But when I heard the song,"Navidad, navidad linda navidad..." I immediately knew that we would have a Mexican style Christmas dinner. Was I out-voted on the menu? I asked,  "Si y que,!" the women of my life exclaimed.

Niko's smiling face seems to reflect the warmth of the kitchen in contrast to a cold winter's day.
 A job well done, helping with the tasty mole ...

Bunuelos:a sweet Mexican desert a must for any happy occasion;
a tortilla like wafer deep fried sprinkled with sugar. Excellent with cafecito de olla or chocolate.

Tamales, a delicacy handed down from from our ancestors in old Mexico, 
the ones wrapped in banana tree leaves are from the area of Yucatan. Those wrapped in corn husks
are from the southern part of Mexico prepared for us by Sara and Niko

Mercedes prepared her favorite dish: Menudo blanco a tasteful delicacy in any language,
very popular with the Mexicanos during the colonial period in Mexico. The Mexicanos who cooked in the homes of  the Spaniards noticed that they only used prime cuts of meats for their meals; So... they would take the tripe and other less desirable parts of the animal for their families, mix them with local vegetables, herbs and condiments - the results - some very tasty stew. Now days menudo is well known as a cure for the dreaded hangover or any other affliction including hunger.

Tamales, menudo, mole, bunuelos are not just part of the Mexican cuisine. Each plate is a culinary representation of diverse regions of Mexico. Each region adds to the colorful and tasteful flavors of their Mexican culinary traditions.
For many us living in America, we tend to forget our ethnic traditions; folklore; foods, flavors, music. Fortunately for us, living in California, we always have them nearby.
Once dinner was ready, Mercedes with her magisterial voice issued a direct order, "Let assemble around the Christmas tree and find out who's  been bad or good" Niko whispered in my ear,  "I know I've been good abuelo, I'm getting so much good stuff ".

 Santa arranged the stockings neatly in ascending order, nice guy.

"Look what I got" Diego tells his dad.

Paul and son Chris were so busy consuming a second bowl of menudo.
Chris found it specially delectable so, he went for thirds. Mercedes was
very happy that they liked it so much.

Judging from all the bags around them, our son Manny, his wife Viv, their son Diego
were very good this year.

Our daughter and her son Niko were not only good but also were
responsible for purchasing and setting-up the tree.

Dear old Dad with grandsons, Niko and Diego

Mercedes, and son Alex visiting from Chicago

Sara who is just like her mother at giving imperatives and decrees directed me
to take a picture of the assembled.

Our sons David, Alex and Manny enjoying a brotherly moment after a
after dinner and conversation with family and friends

After a full day of merriment, cheers and food our family members slowly began giving and receiving warm hugs; words of love and thanks. Slowly making their way to their respective homes. After they left, I sat in my favorite couch reflecting on my good fortune. Thanks to my wife, the day was filled with warmth, love and happiness. I made myself a promise to love and hold them all dear always.