La Potencia that is #Hispz14- Day 2

As is customary, there were many events and much swag in the conference,

 but the post, opinions and pictures are all Babushka.

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!

Today we continue with #Hispz14 because only 2 posts about it is not enough. Besides, there was officially 3 days, but being Latinos we have to have our pre-party & after party right??  Pero for now, let's go to Day 2.  As y'all read in Day 1 the "specialness" of that day was personal, but did that mean the other days weren't special?  JU SO FONII!!! Let BB show you how Day 2 started-  

Hyatt Regency room Gracias to Strayer University

In case you didn't read the first post of the series, Strayer University was Babushka's sponsor for #Hispz14 and they had arranged for me to stay in this remarkable room. Imaginate, a room to myself, ac totally in my control and all the coffee I wanted to drink!!  Actually, I should have had much more coffee- totally overslept, by about 2 hours.  Quee?? It was nice and cold, quiet, and not a recliner. Si, BB had to make herself leave the room. But of course, I'm totally glad I did.

Arriving at La Potencia that is #Hispz14, I realized the breakfast was over, but no 24/7 comida, no always abundant food at a Latino event?  Never gonna happen.  Especially at #Hispz and especially when my fave @ViveMejor Lounge was around.  BB had missed them at last year's #Hispz and was so happy to see them again this time.  They were Babushka's home away from home, and they didn't lose that touch when they returned this year.

ViveMejor Lounge- cozy & classy

After getting reunited with "familia", 

BB left the Lounge to find my new Strayer University "familia".  

But before I did...

There were just a couple of contests I had to enter...

Back at Strayer's Booth-

Ruby & Marcus Wright of GUBLIFE

By the time I got back to Strayer's Booth it was time for the days Latinovator Luncheon.  Today's recipient was NPR's Maria Hinojosa. As a journalist and radio show anchor, Maria has shined for over 25 years and Babushka was overjoyed to see her in person and hear about her passions and peeves.  The point she made about the high rate of young Latinas attempting suicide hit close to home as it once again stressed the need for mental health education and acceptance. Maria Hinojosa was witty, informative, and very thought provoking- rallying for more and truer representation of Hispanics in the media.  Naturally everyone attending agreed.

The interview- very worth the watch.

"We are changing the narrative."

Manny Ruiz, Maria Hinojosa, Maria Elena Salinas

The next event BB attended was fast,fun and helped to bajar la comida 

because everyone was jumping up and down to see

Gracias Coca Cola!!  BB got to see Carlos Vives close up.

Oh my and Oh Yeah.

After that Babushka needed to rest.

The activities of the day were plenty, and the noche promised more of the same.

Intercontinental Hotel Lobby

BB's Night to feel like a Celebrity-

6:00 - 7:45 p.m.

Target Reveals it's AMBAR collection

"See styles before they even hit stores, sip on summer inspired cocktails, 
mingle with Latin style expert Rodner Figueroa, 
and dance the night away with celebrity DJ Juan Magán."  
 #MusicMeetsStyle

8:00 - 10:00

Mar Rod from Emy Cooks.

A much anticipated Yacht Cruise sponsored by McDonalds.

This is the third year a cruise was given, showcasing the sights along the waterways- as can only be seen in Miami.

Where one makes new friends unexpectedly.

Babushka getting photobombed by Second Chances Girl. 

After the cruise, those wishing to get a late night snack at the Little Havana McDonald's were taken, the others of us were returned to the hotel.  Quee??  Ok si, JU SO FONII!!! Babushka did pass on a free meal, but I had eaten at that specific establishment so many times while staying at La Tata's that I decided I needed my rest more.

Top Row Left: Divina Rodriguez,BB,Blanca Stella Mejia,Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz,Teresa Garza,Veronica Cervera Top Row Right: Heather Lopez, BB, Myrah Falco Duque Bottom Row Left: Heather Lopez, BB Bottom Row Right: BB, Myrna Calderon, Blanca Stella Mejia,Teresa Garza,Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz,Veronica Cervera

Once at the hotel BB looked at the fotos and repaso the days events.

The words of Maria Hinojosa struck me as very true and was right before my eyes.

"Latinos are ambicultural."

You ain't just whislin' La Guantanamera.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

May is #StrokeMonth- and by the time you finish reading this, someone's had one.

A Public Service Announcement on behalf of Bloggin' Mamas ,the Ad Council and the

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!!!

May I help you???

It seems like the month of May has so many highlights and importance in Babushka's life. Of course there's Mother's Day, it's also National Mental Health Awareness Month and we all know how that's touched BB's life. It's also American Stroke Month and that too has significance.

Less than a year ago mi querida MIL had a stroke. Luckily she was a nurse, on duty when she had the stroke and they recognized the signs immediately. Thanks to that and being of good German stock, she is doing well. But would we have been able to help someone- even ourselves if we had witnessed a stroke? The above mentioned bullet points are pretty scary- especially the fact that "Stroke is the No. 1 preventable cause of disability".

Facts about Strokes:

• Someone in the U.S. has a stroke about once every 40 seconds.

• Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death overall, killing more than 129,000 people a year. 

Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death for women and No. 5 cause of death for men.

• Stroke is the No. 1 preventable cause of disability.
• About 795,000 people have a stroke every year.
• An estimated 6.8 million Americans 20 and older have had a stroke.

"The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and the Ad Council to raise awareness about F.A.S.T—an acronym used to recognize a stroke and what to do in a stroke emergency. 

F.A.S.T. stands for:

• F - Face Drooping - Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. 

• A - Arm Weakness - Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? 

• S - Speech Difficulty - Is speech slurred? Are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like: “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly? 

• T- Time to call 9-1-1 - If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.

When you recognize a stroke and immediately call 9-1-1, the person has a greater chance of getting to an appropriate hospital quickly and being assessed for treatment options like a clot-busting drug and other medical devices. But many people do not know the warning signs of a stroke – information that may save a life."

Stroke Warning Sign Knowledge and Treatment:

• One in three Americans can’t recall any stroke warning signs.

• According to a survey, Hispanic women are less likely than others to know most of the warning signs of a stroke – 25% did not know any, compared to 18% for whites and 19% for African Americans.

• In a study of patients who had experienced a stroke, someone other than the patient made the decision to seek treatment in 66% of the cases, or every two in three.

So there you have it My Beautifuls- the importance of May.  

And the importance of recognizing the signs of a stroke.

May you never have to use it.

BB2U

La Potencia that is #Hispz14- Day 1

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!!

With this post BB continues contando of "La Potencia that is Hispanicize."  Particularly #Hispz14, and for Babushka the best day, Day 1.  Now, knowing that every day of Hispanicize event is Buenisimo, why should the first day be singled out?

  Was it the Swag??

Continuing tradition- Pic of Day 1 Swag

Was it the sponsors??

Of course these aren't all, just some of the ones BB went to on the 1st day

Was it the food?

Yoani Sanchez Latinovator Award Winner & Winning Home Depot Breakfast

 Was it the Networking/Seeing Friends?

Some of my Bella Bloguera Friends

Diana Rodriguez, Daily Baez, Myrah Falco Duque, Marilu Duque

Actually My Beautifuls, it was a combination of all these things because I was sharing it with a very special person. 

It was Day 1 of not only #Hispz14, but of my daughter's blog Babushka's Bebe.

Not only was it her first post, but she wrote it during Hispanicize- write/right in the middle of the Target Lounge! We had so much fun, and BB can't begin to tell you how proud I was of her and how Babushka was strutting around showing her off.  Pero truthfully, who can blame me?

Seems only fitting that my First Born would join me in the First Conference BB attended.  And Babushka's so grateful to all the sponsors who made this possible.  My Bebe is now in "The Family Business", learning the way and making her mark.  And having her Mama beside her each step of the way.

; )

Oh Si, and if you think #Hispz14 is the only one we'll be going to together...

JU SO FONII!!!

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.  

May is Mayhem, but @NickHotel made it Maravilloso!!

Babushka was given a "media rate" to facilitate this post. All opinions and fun were BB's and her family's.

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!

Mother's Day at the  +Nickelodeon Suites Resort aka @NickHotel. As I alluded to in the title, May for my son is Mayhem.  My son MAC has the following going on in May: On the 9th of May is his wife's birthday, The birthday of his youngest son, Rinquincaya, is on the 12th, and their anniversary is the 14th.  Needless to say he hasn't been able to travel to see me on Mother's Day (this year on the 10th) because finances don't permit.  The last time I saw him for Mother's Day was two years ago and that was too long ago for BB.  Babushka arranged the weekend of May 9 - 11 for a fullout family togetherness fest with him, DIL, the 3 grandsons and La Tata too!  Oh yeah this was gonna be an intergenerational lifetime memory- now whether we were gonna behave was yet to be seen.

Pizza Meets Black Beans & Rice

The boys had no idea we were going to meet up on the weekend, and they definitely didn't know we were going to be spending it together at NickHotel. To say they were pleasantly surprised is an understatement. 

The management had arranged gifts for each of my grandsons, giving them their favorite TMNT!  To say Babushka was more than pleasantly surprised is another understatement. It's those kind of details that makes one want to visit.  

Those and the accomodations too.

3 Bedroom Suite for 7+  

Please note the fully equipped kitchen, handicap access showers y mirrors,hang dry line in shower for wet clothes. 

Not fancy, but definitely functional y BUENISIMO!!

And our front door view?

Also BUENISIMO!!!

Y ahora, now for the reason Babushka chose Nickelodeon Suites:

And lest you think NickHotel is just for kids-

La Tata enjoying her Piña Colada

DIL & MAC enjoying their drinks and each other.

Y para Babushka??

Blogger's Paradise- laptop,ipad,cellphone & enough outlets for all
and of course a Starbuck's cafe- on the premises!!

And for those of you who are saying this is just another waterpark, 

obviously you haven't been here, because it has something no other park in the world has-

the wonderful Nickelodeon characters and Slime! 

and presently, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

Looks like a full day verdad? 

You ain't just whislin' La Guantanamera My Beautifuls,

 but if you think that was all they did the first day-

JU SO FONII!!!

No way the DIL was gonna miss Family Karaoke!

10:30 pm as in noche, night.

and on the way back, they had to say hello to the 1st Bilingual Babe-

Last activity of the night- dress rehearsal for their TMNT Meet n' Greet.

Babushka Believes it's pretty unanimous.

The stay at NickHotel was all we had hoped it would be- y mas!!

Hoping y'all had just as Maravilloso a Mother's Day as we had.

And that next time you'll be joining us.

; )

BB2U

P.S. That was just the 1st day My Beautifuls, the rest of the unbelievable stay is on Feibu.

P.P.S.  April 18, 2016 Nick Hotels will become the

 NEW Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites – Waterpark.  

OJO-There may be affiliation codes in this post. 

A Mother's Day Revisited- My Son, Mother's Day & The Miami Tunnel

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!!!

By the time you read this BB will be on her way to or already at the NickHotel to spend time with the grandsons, my DIL, La Tata, y mi hijo MAC.  It's been 2 years since I last spent a Mother's Day with him and I look forward to a memorable and probably crazy time.  But that's the way it is in Babushka's world- elated by the Extremism.

Hope you don't mind the repost, BB's probably ducking the SLIME or battling Shredder right now.

May your Mother's Day be just as memorable.

Babushka Besos a todos. Cuidensen.

My Son, Mother's Day & The Miami Tunnel
Original posting on 5/16/2012

5:30 a.m. my son pulls into the driveway, hands me a hard hat and says,

"Happy Mother's Day Ma." 

Ok, si, we never were the typical familia.

BB raised her trio to believe in themselves and in what they were doing, to love what they were doing- or at the very least, to find something to love in what they were doing.  In all instances do things with heart, from the heart, and always- with gusto & passion! 

Another lesson I tried to stress was the importance of homemade gifts.  Que? Does that mean BB would turn down cash or a Starbucks GC?  JU SO FONII!!!  What better complement to a homemade card than having one of those tucked inside?  Seriously though, and once again, presents with heart, from the heart.

And so my son, knowing that BB loves twofers (that's two things for the price of one) was going to give me a peek at what he was doing, a tour of his latest job, the Port of Miami Tunnel, and the greatest homemade gift a child can give to their mother- time together.  

Naturally Babushka was thrilled when Marine MAC, that's one of the nicknames I have for my son, called to inform me that although he had to work on Madre's Day, he wanted to spend some time together and would pick me up. He wanted to give me a behind the scenes look of the news making tunnel. Oh Joy!  At 5:30 a.m.  Oh. Joy.

At the port the tour begins. With camera and fan in hand, hard hat in place and visitor tag on lapel, BB tries to keep up.  Being my son, and a military man, my son knows only two ways to speak.  Either he's detailed and extensive, or short and to the point.  Extremes Are Excellent. Thankfully he started off detailed, but once Mr. Sun started to heat the air and he saw BB's fan a fury MAC knew it was time to switch to monosyllables, just naming the parts of the equipment.  The following pictures were not the only pictures taken during the tour, but being 5:30 a.m.,a mom, and non mechanically inclined, these are the photos most important to Babushka. 

MM and BB at the beginning of the tour

What a mother likes to think about... 

  

 Bueno, at least they'll have some fresh air...

At the end of the tour, BB draggin' and a fannin'

waaayyy behind MM

Escorting me to the end of the tunnel, my son said he loved me- with heart, from the heart.

I couldn't have asked for a better Madre's Day.

Babushka Besos a Todos.  Cuidensen. 

P.S. When BB started the blog MM didn't want  his pic showing, for this post he said yes.  Another gift from my boy.  Handsome devil isn't he?

P.P.S.  On the way to the port my son explained that due to traffic and the heat being heavier later in the day he decided the beginning of his shift would be the best time for the tour.  Oh he knows me too well, como si lo hubiera parido.  ; )   

P.P.P.S. Later in the evening, MM's sons, my grandsons Rinquincaya and PicaPica, and my DIL came by with dinner for me and La Tata.  Oh si, one of my best Mother's Day ever. 

OJO There may be affiliate links in this post, 'cause BB's gotta have her cafe!  ; )