Brandon's Puppy

If you missed them...

....at Cuba Nostalgia last Saturday, catch them Thursday, June 1st.

See you there!

Babalooooooooo!

Saturday's pictures are available here, courtesy of Julio Z.

Day 3

It's our last day here at Cuba Nostalgia. I just purchased a very cute shirt from Havana on the Hudson that says, "Corazon de Melon". As I mentioned before, there's some great shopping here. I would like to get some artwork for our new home, we'll see what Eric likes when he gets here.
I feel so at home here, surrounded by the smells, sounds, and sights of a Cuba I never got to know. A lot of Val's readers have come by to say hi, and thank him for what he does. I feel wonderful knowing I am a small part of all this.
I'll be back later, right now, I'm going to keep soaking this all in. It will be over before I know it.

Pictures, pictures, and more pictures

Well, I'm home from another wonderful day at Cuba Nostalgia.
Here are a few shots I took the last couple of days, with possibly more tomorrow night.

Here are four guys that can COOK!! The "3 Guys from Miami", and Val, all pretty much tucking in their guts from the good eats they frequently enjoy!

Here's about one-fourth of the Babalu staff. Frequent reader/commenter and photographer extraordinaire Julio Z. is on the left, sitting down. Then of course there's Val, myself, and Chantel Acevedo. Thanks, Chanty, for taking time out of your vacation to sit with us for a while.

Here's our pride and joy...the booth. the space is about double the size as you see here, a large sitting area is on the left. We cleared that off a bit to make space for Rhett y los Borrachos Empeñados to play tonight. And play they did!!

Rhett y los Borrachos Empeñados

After the show, here's George with Tony M., guitarist for RLBE

For more pics, check these out from Julio Z.

Independencia

I almost forgot...
Today is May 20th. Veinte de mayo, dia de la independencia de Cuba.

Here is President Bush's message to the Cuban community from www.whitehouse.org:

Mensaje Presidencial Conmemorando el Día de la Independencia de Cuba Hoy los cubanos en todo el mundo celebran el veinte de mayo, día de la independencia de Cuba. En nombre del pueblo de los Estados Unidos, saludo a todos los cubanos en este día. Mi esperanza para el pueblo cubano es que pronto puedan gozar de las mismas libertades y derechos que tenemos todos nosotros. No hay lugar para dictaduras en las Américas. Que Dios bendiga a los cubanos, quienes luchan por ser libres. Muchas gracias.

Today, Cubans around the world celebrate May 20th, Cuban Independence Day. On behalf of the people of the United States, I send greetings to the Cuban community. My hope is for the Cuban people to soon enjoy the same freedoms and rights that we do. Dictatorships have no place in the Americas. May God bless the Cuban people, who are struggling for freedom. Thank you.

From your mouth to God's ears, Mr. President.

Blogeando en Vivo

(also posted at Babalu)
Hi, everyone. I'm here at Cuba Nosalgia, helping out with the booth. I just had my first colada of the day, and I'll definitely be on my way to the food in a couple of hours. I was able to walk around and see most of the booths last night, since it was a "slow" day. There's beautiful artwork, several music booths, and all sorts of "vintage" memorabilia.
If you haven't come by, tonight's the night. Rhett y los Borrachos Empenados will be here at 7:30PM. And you really don't know who else will be by...so come on down!

As for those pictures I promised...they will be up tonight. I got home at about midnight, and needless to say, was asleep before my head even hit the pillow.
I'll be back later...

There's nothing like Cuban food

Not only did I see Chantel here at Cuba Nostalgia, The 3 Guys from Miami are here tonight as well. I purchased a copy of their book, "3 Guys from Miami Cook Cuban". The guys are generously donating 100% of their sales during the Cuba Nostalgia event to charity. Those of you that know me know that I am not an avid cook. I have been attempting a few meals lately, but I don't know much about spices and flavors and the like. I hope this book will help remedy that, and at the very least I contributed to their cause.
Come on by and meet the guys (minus one, Jorge could not make it to the event), they'll be here all weekend.

Live blogging Part 1

I am here at Cuba Nostalgia with Val, Maggie, Ziva, and Robert. George is on his way in as well. Things are bit slow today, but the ambiance is wonderful. When I arrived around 5:30, Chantel, her mom, her mother-in-law and beautiful baby Penny were returning to the booth from walking around the hall. Penny is ADORABLE!! I hugged her, squeezed her, and almost bit her chunky legs. =)
A few pictures were just put up at Babalu. I will post a few from last night's sponsor party as well as some from tonight when I get home later.
Hasta mas tarde...

Cuba Nostalgia, Day 1

Hey, everyone. I know I've been M.I.A. lately...I've had some craziness going on which I will share at a later time, but this weekend is all about one thing: Cuba Nostalgia. I've been looking forward to this for months. This is going to be one crazy weekend. I'll be there this evening, tomorrow and Sunday, helping with the Babalublog booth. I will probably be live blogging here and at Babalu, so visit often and see what we're up to.

From 2PM-5PM this afternoon, our favorite author Chantel Acevedo will be at our booth with copies of "Love and Ghost Letters". Come on by and say hi!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

You Know Your a Mom When...

1. You count the sprinkles on each kid's cupcake to make sure they're equal.
2. You find yourself cutting your husbands' sandwiches into cute shapes.
3. You can't bear to give away baby clothes - it's so final.
4. You hear your mother's voice coming out of your mouth when you say, "NOT in your good clothes!"
5. You stop criticizing the way your mother raised you.
6. You hire a sitter because you have't been out with your husband in ages, then spend half the night checking on the kids.
7. You say at least once a day, "I'm not cut out for this job", but you know you wouldn't trade it for anything.

Happy Mother's Day to all. Blessings to you and the mothers in your lives. Have a great day!

That's it!!!

I read this wonderful review of "The Lost City" over at Ziva's, and realized that those were the words I wanted to say, but said more eloquently than I ever could.
(article is in Spanish)

Here is the comment I left:

"Amazing...THOSE are the thoughts that were running through my head on Saturday, that I simply could not put into words. I saw the movie with my mom, who was about 9 when castro took over the island. I know that at the time, she did not realize the impact these changes had on her parents, and grandparents, and older cousins, and so forth. The same way that I, born here in the U.S., can only imagine so much based on stories I'd heard, but to see it there, in front of me, made it absolutely real to me, as if I lived it too. And I did, because the life I was given is a direct result of castro's takeover. And while I hope to someday visit Cuba, I will never dishonor my family and their hopes for a better future for me, my siblings, and those to follow such as my son, by stepping foot in a Cuba ruled by castro."

Thank you, Andy, for not giving up on this project, this labor of love. It may not win any Academy Awards, and may be disliked, if not ignored, by the critics (though I hope it does and I hope they don't), but know that you have given your fellow Cubans an enormous gift, and for that you have our deepest gratitude.

Overwhelmed

That is one word that stands out as I'm sitting here, trying to describe "The Lost City". I finally had the opportunity to see it this afternoon, and I can't quite put into words how I feel, except to say that I am overwhelmed. The movie was amazing, the scenes breathtaking, the acting and costumes wonderful, and the music....let's just say I am buying the soundtrack CD as soon as it is available.

I am so touched by this movie. In spite of the stories I've heard and the tears my family has shed, I had not truly felt this overpowering pride in my Cuban roots and culture until I saw this film, and cried my own tears. Something inside me woke up, saying, "this is where you come from, isn't it painfully beautiful?"
There are so many things rushing through my head right now. I can't seem to type fast enough before another scene from the movie flashes in my head, with it's own set of emotional reactions.
I realize this movie may not get the credit it deserves, the MSM will see to that. But disregard anything negative they may have to say. This is an exquisite work of art, it will touch your heart and truly make you think about the Cuba that was, and what it has become.

(I published this post as the thoughts struck me, with no editing. If it is in anyway incoherent, please forgive me. The movie has not completely sunk in yet, I am still in a state of disarray)

Milestones

Almost six years ago, I met her for the first time.
She was beautiful, with that fantastic smell all new babies have.
What adventures would we go on together? Would she provide me with a lifetime of worries, or would it be smooth sailing...er, driving...for me and my new girl?
She turns 6 on May 12th, and I'm proud to say there were no major bumps in the road. My girl hit 100K on April 30! =)

Thanks Kirsten the Kia, for the good times...I hope we share many more together!

Yes, I had my camera on me when this happened. Yes, I happened to be at a red light. And yes, I reset the mile marker after it happened. A new era has begun! I know...I'm a dork! =P

This Morning

Brandon: Mommy, are you a princess?
Me: Yes, baby, and you are my prince.
Brandon: I'm not a prince. I'm a boy.