sprox!

[oranges]

the more the better aye blazey [img]biggrin.gif[/img]


and sprox... ya cheat [img]tongue.gif[/img] thanks hehe [img]graemlins/kiss.gif[/img]

[wildnthewind]

Sprox.... I'm so happy for ya young lady. [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]


Oranges here's what's it's all 'bout... Worth the read.. [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

Clad in a long, fancy white gown with a matching hairpiece and white satin flower bouquet, Amy Ojeda fits the portrait of the perfect bride.
But she's definitely not getting married.
She's celebrating her 15th birthday, or quincenera, and it's just as special and important as any wedding day.
She spent an hour styling her hair into a bun surrounded by neat strands of curly locks. It took her 30 minutes to get her dress on.
"I'm dreamed of this since I was a child. I've kept my purity and innocence all these years and some girls don't get this far. Having a quincenera feels good and I deserve this," Amy said about what having a quincenera means to her.
A quincenera can be as expensive and elaborate as a traditional wedding. Formal attire, floral arrangements and musicians are typically part of the Catholic church ceremony followed by a party or reception. Parents spend thousands of dollars or sponsors can help defray the costs of the event.
The ceremony has a large party of family and friends accompanying the birthday girl. Usually it's 14 attendants, a mixture of boys and girls of varying ages, and a chamberlain, a position of honor given to the birthday girl's family member, friend or boyfriend.
Since green is her favorite color, she selected the green taffetta dresses and silk shawls worn by the female attendants in contrast to the simply attired male attendants in white shirts and black jeans.
Unlike a wedding, Amy was not hidden away in a back room. Instead she stood in plain view at the entrance of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, where family and friends greeted her with kisses, hugs and compliments on how beautiful she looks.
Admitting to being as nervous as a blushing bride on her wedding day, Amy manages to stay composed while waiting for her quincenera Mass, which was said on her behalf, to begin. The Rev. Pedro Valdez officiated at the ceremony.
History of the quincenera
The quincenera is a cross between a sweet 16 and a debutante's coming out party. Hispanic girls celebrate the occasion traditionally acknowledges a young woman has reached sexual maturity and is ready for marriage.
It usually takes a year for a girl to prepare to have a quincenera, but Amy did her preparations in five months. In order for the girl to be eligible for the celebration she must have received the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation in the Catholic church. They must also attend a four-day religious retreat.
The orgins of the quincenera remain a mystery. It's believed the roots lie in the era of the Aztecs. Supposedly at one time, the celebration was a Mayan fertility rite.
Over the years quinceneras have changed. In the past women were nothing. At age 16 women were married or became priestesses. Nowadays a quincenera symbolizes a young woman is ready to date.
Today's Hispanic girls celebrating their quincenera can choose more options. Either they can have a celebration or get a car. Traditionally girls can choose to further celebrate their quincenera by taking a viaje (journey) or having a fiesta (birthday party).
The ceremony
Amy's oldest sister, Vicky, 17, who had her quincenera two years ago, told Amy that she'd be nervous on the day of her 15th birthday celebration. Vicky and Amy's youngest sister, Ruby, 10, who is looking forward to her quincenera in five years, gave their sister a bouquet of red and white roses in a glass vase.
While she understood the butterflies twisting Amy's stomach as she hoped her quincenera would turn out perfectly, Vicky had some sage advice for her sister.
"I told her I loved her and she'd always be my sister; today she's not a little girl anymore," Vicky said watching her siser from a short distance away.
Since this is the second quincenera they've had, father Oscar said organizing the event has been easier and gone a lot smoother. The more than $7,000 they paid for the celebration was well worth it.
"This is the beginning for her, and we wish her the best," said Amy's father who works as a foreman in the oilfield. "A quincenera encourages girls to stay pure for their wedding day."
Vicky, Ruby and Amy's other attendants solemnly march down the aisle before Amy. Two little girls clad in green dress carry a white heart-shaped pillow with the words 15 years embroidered on it in Spanish. The more than 50 people in attendance turned toward Amy, who was escorted to the altar by her parents, Oscar and Amanda Ojeda. She will use the pillow to kneel on during the Mass.
Up until now, Amy explained she has not been able to hang out all night at parties, have a boyfriend, a job or drive a car. But when she turned 15 on Dec. 15, all of that has changed.
"Now I have more privileges. I've become a responsible member of society. Having a quincenera doesn't give me permission to run around and be wild, but I'm seen as an adult because I've turned from a girl into a woman," said the ninth-grader at Hobbs Freshman School who is a straight A student.
During the Mass, Amy listens intently as her aunt, Hortencia Villegas, reads from the Scripture. After the Gospel reading, Amy recites a prayer in Spanish, and then the priest invites those in attendance to present the birthday girl with gifts. Amy receives the last doll she'll have as a child from her autn along with a necklace, ring, bracelets and earrings from other family and friends in attendance.
As family steamed out of the church to congratulate her, Amy breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm glad it's over, but I feel older and bigger," said the 15-year-old who plans to become a lawyer. "It's a challenge to stay on the straight-and-narrow path, but if you get this far why not keep going?"


<font color="#FF33FF"><font size="1">[ June 03, 2004 10:27 PM: Message edited by: wildnthewind ]</font></font>

<font color="#FF33FF" size="1">[ June 03, 2004 10:34 PM: Message edited by: wildnthewind ]</font>

[SProxmysocks]

thankx WILD!!!!U ROCK!!!!!

oh yea and umm

twi im not giving a speech but I am singing only cause its my choice cuase i like to sing and i dont sound crappy either hehe

yes im mexican [img]smile.gif[/img] but im not a wabb....hahha [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[oranges]

thanks guys... it sounds like lots of fun sprox.