April Abounds Making @Conexion es

This post was originally written for Conexion, but seeing que todavia estoy con la lengua afuera from the past month and the current family situation, BB is sharing it with you here. Besides, Babushka work harder than she has to? JU SO FONII!!!

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

Como estan? Si, Babushka’s been away from writing here, but does that mean she hasn’t been working? JU SO FONII!! Por supuesto and but of course she’s been working, and working hard. Especially on herself. You’ve heard of the saying, “If mama ain’t happy, nobody’s happy”? Bueno, that’s especialmente true for BB.  And Babushka isn’t happy when life’s stagnant.

We’re now in Spring, traditionally the time for things to come out of hibernation and to renew, regresar a la vida. Beautifuls, we’re part of nature tambien and it’s time to awaken, expand y crecer.  Babushka is a firm believer of always learning, always doing something to broaden one's horizon. These past two months have been time spent with familia and forums, doing eso mismo.

For those who don’t believe being with family is a learning experience, look at it closer.  Being with los nietos has shown BB again the joy of discovery, lollipops and bubbles.  Each day to see and feel the total amor in their eyes reminds one of the belleza que es la vida and the reasons for La Lucha.  Being with The Trio and their spouses reminds one of continuance and the need for civility. No where is there needed more the art of diplomacy and feelings of compassion than with those you know since birth.  This is the training ground of how to treat all others.

And speaking of training, let’s not forget the betterment of ourselves. Volunteer in your “dream” job/field. Read books on topics of interest, seek out groups to broaden your horizon and circle of conocimientos. Attend charlas. Networking and conferences are always maravillosos to revive one’s spirit and purpose. Babushka also finds travel a wonderful way to grow and relight that sense of purpose. So when there’s a conference out of mi ciudad? ESOOO!!! A BB TWOFER!!!

By the time you read this, Babushka will have participated in two major conferences for Latinos. BB promises to go into detalles in future articles, but for now she wants you to pensar en algo.  What sueños will you awaken this spring? How will you relight your sense of purpose? Pa’lante en la Primavera Beautifuls!!  

Babushka Besos a Todos. Cuidensen.

P.S, Learning and the opportunity for it abounds and surrounds. What has 2017 taught you so far?  For BB, the truth behind "La vida es un carnaval!"  Dedicated to mis hijos & you Beautifuls.

Hispanic Heritage Month 2015- History & N.Florida Happenings

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!!!

 

When BB was bb, she didn’t really think about the whys of Hispanic Heritage Month; it was just a month of fun activities that mi madre would take us to. Ahora BB was curious as to when the US officially started this and why it doesn’t start on the first of September instead of the middle. Originally President Lyndon B. Johnson had declared a Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, which was then made into a full month in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan. Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15, commemorating the date of independence for five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Tambien, Mexico declared its independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18. Pretty cool verdad? Babushka LOVES history and the whens and whys of things.

Quee?? So now that BB knows the background does Babushka no longer think it’s a good month of fun activities? JU SO FONII!!!  Por Supuesto, of course it is- especially now that one knows the whys.  Matter of fact, not only does BB know the “whys”, but knowing the “wheres” is even better! Y aqui, here Up North in The South, we have plenty going on for Hispanic Heritage Month. Ok Si, usually when one thinks of Hispanos in Florida it’s Miami, Orlando and maybe Tampa. Bueno believe it or not Beautifuls there are plenty of us up here in the state’s panhandle and we’re proud of our heritage and looking forward to showing it off!

 

The activities were fun and varied, just like the heritage and countries represented.

There was: 

 ZUMBA

 

From Hip and Heart Movement Studio, my friend Karen Chi.

 SPONSORS:

North Florida Hispanic Association

Conexion

Foods

 

Because you KNOW it wouldn't be a true Hispanic Celebration without our Foods.

It also wouldn't be a Celebration without Baile!

Some Folkloric Steps we all enjoyed-

Dance Troupes, A Little Bit of Mexico & Simply Panama

Friends 

Founder/Editor of Cultura Latina Magazine-  Maria Ortiz con BB.

 Flags

You know BB HAD to film that one right?  Heard my "ESO!!!" ?

Rudy Saez doing a great job as Master of Ceremonies, and
Mi Amigo Enrique Barrera proudly holding the American Flag.

Don't know who thought of having that Flag Parade, but ending it with the American Flag and asking everyone to stand during the US National Anthem made BB proud. Proud of my heritage and proud of my nationality, proud of and grateful for, the organizers that acknowledged and thanked this great nation for allowing us to share being Latinos, to share our heritage while still feeling very much American. This is the 22nd year the North Florida Hispanic Association has this festival, and BB couldn't have been happier with how it was organized and celebrated.  

Emerald Coast Hispanic Fest 2015

Sept. 26

This one Beautifuls is a major Twofer. Hispanic Fest 2015 is a fundraiser for the UNITED FOR A GOOD CAUSE INC. and their Emerald Coast Christmas Miracle Needy Children's Fiesta. Not only will attendees be sharing in our heritage and celebration, but they'll be helping make a child's holiday much, mucho mas brighter.

If the prior festival had Latinos being proud of  Loving America, then this one has Americans proud of Loving Latinos.  Si My Beautifuls, Theater with a Mission will be performing El Muerto, a play from the Spanish Golden Age, at this festival.  Mis Queridos TWAM amigos will be there thanks to the patronage of Conexion, a bilingual newspaper servicing all of the North Florida panhandle and South Alabama.

TWAM will be performing the one act farce by Bernardo Francisco de Quiros;

 a timeless comedy that will entertain the whole family.

Looks like fun verdad? And it is. BB should know, because she's part of the cast. Oh Si She Is!!

We'll get more into details another time, with more pictures and stories.

Y speaking of pics and stories...

 

Believe it or not, Babushka has lived Up North in The South almost a decade and never went to this.  BB was always in Miami!!  Hopefully this year Babushka will be able to attend and share the fun and proof that- 

#850Latinos #850Hispanos #TallyTeQuiere

#iHeartTally

 How will YOU be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Beautifuls??

Babushka Besos a Todos.  Cuidensen. 

P.S.This is the website for non profit: www.unitedforagoodcause.org 

This is the website for Hispanic Fest 2015 www.unitedforagoodcause.org/hispanic-fest15 

P.P.S. 2 sites with impresionante info on Hispanic Heritage Month are:

HispanicHeritageMonth.org http://www.infoplease.com/hispanic-heritage-month/

P.P.P.S. A Presidential Proclamation about Hispanic Heritage Month