For the last 19 years I have been a flamenco dancer and teacher for the last 9 years focusing gypsy flamenco style. During college I studied art history, drawing, some graphic design and got a degree in photography. during college. Currently I am exploring jewelry making with precious metals, beads and alternative materials. As a preteen in my native Tijuana, I took three years of mandatory elective cooking classes... I hated it then. Now I can appreciate the things I learned. I wish I could find my recipe notebook from that era... I got married a year ago and now I am constantly looking or recipes that are easy and healthy. My hubby loves to eat... than again what man doesn't. I don't know yet. I am trying to figure this one out. Family traditions or cultural traditions... those two are hard to separate. Rice and beans is a must. We cook those daily as they are used in many dishes. Handmade tortillas too... flour or corn. My drunken pork shoulder is to die for. I make it for New Year's as the family is expecting it now. Also pork or lamp chops with red bell peppers and onions. Those are so yummy.mmmm My hubby loves them. I have so many but the best one is when I was in junior high and I had to bake my first cake for cooking class. It came out salted... but the best part is that I slaved away one afternoon to bake it, and put it a side for me to take to class only to wake up and find out my dad had taken a bite of it. So I took it to class nonetheless. Can't remember my grade now.