#TBT BB's Memorable Memorial Day 2012

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls! The following was originally posted in Junio of 2012.  Babushka's blog has changed a bit since this was written, and si, it's been a few years, pero she remembers the day well. A newbie on the blogging scene, BB was touched by the kindness of strangers who welcomed her into their mundo.  

Except for updating some of the links, the post is shared just as it was written in 2012. One importante nota to add- the original dedication was in memory to our military heroes, in this writing Babushka is also honoring Jewel Figueras, a blogger who became a very querida amiga. She too fought for the liberties and derechos of others and lost her fight to ovarian cancer in 2017. No doubt she is shining brightly in heaven as she did for us here.

BB had no plans for Memorial Day.  As you know, I am currently in Miami visiting La Tata, with no transportation except public transit, which actually isn't a bad way to travel and I wish we had it in my rural town Up North in The South, but the days are getting hotter and the walks between bus stops and final destinations seem longer when its hotter, and those of you who know me know Babushka doesn't do hotter, so before this one sentence becomes a paragraph all by itself, let's just stop it here and say BB had no plans for Memorial Day.

But then there was Feibu. 

Actually, then there was an invite via Feibu from the Hispanicize team to join them at Jungle Island- free admission w/BBQ for a blogger and a family member. Hola! 

BB pass up a chance to go out, with family, for food, and for free? JU SO FONII!!

The first RSVP was Babushka's. 

In truth this event gave me a chance to have Friends

Hispanicize Miami Group





Family

BB,Eldest Daughter
La Tata, El Dr., La Princesa



and Fun

El Dr. w/his "Crocodile Live"



A picture of the siblings w/La Princesa actually being nice to her brother

lovin' the fros and the dia

For a day I didn't have plans, I couldn't have planned it better.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S. What fun reconnecting w/Hispanicize dear friends Farah Mesa & Lynn Ponder, getting better acquainted with Manny Ruiz, Jewel Figueras, and Katherine Johnson while also enjoying the sponsorship/hospitality of Jungle Island y  the Blackberry Tablet demo from Team Blackberry. Oh si,  lots of networking amongst the fun. 

P.P.S.  Team Blackberry, when's your next contest for the tablet?  BB ♥ that WiFi Only!!

P.P.P.S.  MOST IMPORTANTLY-

To those whose Memorial Day was spent remembering loved ones

who had died for our freedoms,

fuerte abrazos, strength, and mil gracias for the sacrifices made.

Google + Left me all Googly Eyed

Babushka had just come from the Ford Fusion event in LA (wonderful event, but total shock after no air travel for over 15 yrs- but that's another post) and literally went straight from the airport to the empowering Hispana Leadership Summit  in Miami.  Needless to say I needed a rest. Queee?  JU SO FONII!!!  Ok si, Miami and rest? Bueno, maybe not rest but I did slow myself down a little.  I stayed with La Tata in Little Havana and just chilled with her because let's face it- she's a strong 90 year old, but there's only so much partying she can do.

During my "down time" I was busy with my Tweety and my Feibu, but I was reading how Google is destined to become the King of Social Media and was curious. I started playing with Google+ but really didn't quite get it.  I tried, but considering BB's no techie and am still trying to follow Feibu with the new Timeline I left it alone.  Not anymore; the S Sisters made sure of that.

I received an invitation via Google+ from Joe Martinez to attend a SMCSF event about Google+ of which he was one of the panelists. On a prior trip I had met this personable young man at a  Latism function and wanted to show support so I got bus fare and went.  Si, BB takes the public bus when in Miami ,and you should see the looks! But again, that's for another post.  Continuing with the SMCSF event, I arrived at the Hotel Urbano.

Nice.  Totally unassuming from the outside but once you're there...

you're in a mini Cosmopolitan Oasis

complete with art gallery

and reflection

In reality this was a perfect place for the SMCSF event because this too was very cosmopolitan. 

foto by Joe Martinez

The different people,organizations, oficios that use Social Media- attending were marketing professionals for the Florida Bar,programmers, bloggers and everyone in between. We were all there to learn about the powers of Google+ and how to use it better, and boy did they tell us how to use it better.

Joe Martinez, Hanae Kimura, Cynthia K. Seymour
foto by Natascha Otero

My friend Joe & moderator Liza Walton

Oh the things one can do with Google + , they left me speechless and all Googly Eyed. Esta bien, you're right, being Cubana, speechless is an exaggeration  but my head was definitely spinning with the information and possibilities. Turns out Google+ "is the best combo of all social medias- it has the conversation of Twitter with more than 140 characters, not as buttoned up as LinkedIn, and the circle of participants is bigger than Facebook" Can you imagine? Just "search" for a topic and people appear. Que fun!  And speaking of people and fun, let's not forget about the "social" part of the SMCSF.

Joe Martinez, Agustina Prigoshin,John Muir, Maria de los Angeles, BB, Blanca Stella Mejia ,Kerry Gruson 

It was so nice to see friends like my Capitan Maria de los Angeles and Lynn Ponder as well as finally meeting in person my fellow roadtripper Alex Carvaljo  and GM rep Melissa Galarza. Not only that, but I got to know Blanca Stella Mejia better and have a 3D real vision, not profile pic, of the lovely Brenda Leguisamo. I also met charming people like Agustina Prigoshin and the very down to earth Queen of thescene. Y quien dice, who says Miami people aren't nice and friendly? John Muir and Kerry Gruson (who I knew I was going to like as soon as she ordered a cappuccino)  graciously offered BB a ride home when they heard I was going to take a bus. Oh, and I got swag -and you KNOW Babushka loves her swag!! Si, not usually done at these events, but I got something I sooooo need.

Gracias to Franky Arriola from NapDogMedia.com

Babushka's entering this decade! 

Now I can understand My Little One when she posts RL or TAS 

and I now know how to have "hangouts".  AND I can also have them via YouTube!! 

Oh my. 

Consider yourselves forewarned My Beautifuls because BB's gearing up for new adventures and I welcome y'all to be part of it. 

 Estan listos?? 

; )

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S.  More pics of the event on my Feibu page.  

CVS- Convenient Vivacious Style w/a Green Bag Tag Giveaway

Babushka ♥ CVS.  I truly do.  I'm sure if I were to do a  swagbucks search I would find out the true meaning of those initials, but to BB it means Convenient Vivacious Style. As a matter of fact that's exactly what I wrote to their PR marketing company when during Hispanicize2012,  Ms. Denisse Icaza suggested I contact them.  (See? There's the Hispanicize series part)  BB wrote:

Babushka is a coupon clipping, card carrying, green tag using, CVS daily visiting 1st Generation Cuban American who loves her cafe and her local CVS. Babushka is a believer of being true to herself and her gustos without having to work too hard.That's why she loves CVS,which to her is Convenient Vivacious Style. Perfecto for BB!



And y'all know BB by now, I don't post what I don't feel and CVS really is perfect for me.  My home Up North in The South has a neighborhood CVS just 10 minutos away from mi casa and I plan strategically how to rack up my ECBs and daily visits using my Green Bag Tag.  Que queeee?  You don't know about ECBs and the Green Bag Tag?  JU SO FONII!!

Oh wonderful ones, BB will now let you in on the weapons of the modern day hunt.

Extra Care Card, Green Bag Tag

First step- get yourself an ExtraCare Card.  That's the little red card up above. You'll find them at CVS, and each time you make a purchase you get points towards various rewards, coupons and- even cash!

Oh Si, CA$H.

Actually, you receive ECBs which stands for Extra Care Bucks-same as cash for store purchases.

Bueno, now that I've got your attention, we go to the second step- the Green Bag Tag. 

This is one of those twofer things that BB likes. 

You get $1 back after 4 separate day purchases and you save the environment by using a reusable bag or declining a shopping bag. 

Viste? 2 great things out of 1 item.

Don't start stressing by imagining toting around a giant coupon binder.

No coupons needed for the $1 back, just make sure to scan the pretty green to get your green.

Now we're ready to approach the Big Red Magic Coupon Machine:



BB & Big Red

Go on up to Big Red, don't be timid, he's a big softie! 

Look him in the screen, slide your ExtraCare card under the scanner and say,

 "Show me what you've got Big Boy!" 

ESO!!!

and Cha-Ching!

It's like playing the slot machines, only this is a sure thing.

Out comes offers, coupons and sometimes ECBs!

The marvelous people at CVS want to help my readers with their savings by offering 5 of you a Green Bag Tag of your own.  These cuties retail for $1 and are worth so much more considering the cash back you get and the trees you are saving.  A win, win for everyone!!  Just comment below what's your fave thing about CVS, their program, or what you plan to buy with your first dollar back.  Winner will be announced on Monday, June 4.

  Good luck to all- and don't forget to include your email address in your comment.

Babushka Besos a todos. Cuidensen.

P.S.  I was given a Green Bag Tag for my personal use and 5 tags for my readers.  This was the only item received for my post and all opinions expressed are my own. 

P.P.S.  Denisse has a wonderful blog for Spanish readers with more details on using coupons along with the tags and for English readers, my fellow Groovy Grandma- Grandma Juice is a pro and cut up on this and so many other things!

P.P.P.S.  The link for swagbucks is my referral link- if you like getting free stuff for searching & other fun tasks, please feel free to sign up.

P.P.P.P.S  For those wondering why my fan was with the "weapons of the modern day hunt"-  just try to take a sale item I' m about to grab or already have in my hand-- 

 ::BOPASO::    

 'Nuff said.

Girl In Progress- The Swag Sigue-A different kind of Mother's Day Post

It's not always about the material things.  Life is about learning, laughter and love- and the memories those create.  So, how does this tie into the Hispanicize 2012 series and what does it have in common with Mother's Day and madres?  JU SO FONII!!!  They both keep on giving and influencing us long after they're gone. 

Now before BB gets sappy, let's go straight to the story ok? 

One of the wonderful ladies I met during Hispanicize 2012 was Ms. Teresa Garza of Checa La Movie ; she spoke on the panel of entertainment bloggers and was...well, entertaining. Not only is she entertaining, but she's also very generous.  Thanks to her I was put into contact with Mr. Jose Rodriguez of AEM American Entertainment Marketing who arranged for BB to attend a press roundtable for Girl in Progress.   In a future post I will go more into detail about that press junket, but suffice to say my eyes, heart and tummy were filled by the time I left. I must also mention the nice squeeze I got from one of its' stars Eugenio Derbez, but again, that will all be for another post.

 Ok, si, I didn't have to "must mention" the squeeze from Eugenio...

; )

 yes I did.

Babushka had originally planned to go back north to The South a week after Hispanicize thus missing the screening on May 8, however I decided to stay in Little Havana until June for La Tata's 90th Birthday and would be able to see the film.  Of course I didn't realize this until May 8.  Hurriedly I called Jose to let him know I could attend and the dear man was able to arrange seating for me.  Mind you, I had no transportation and it was going to rain, but BB determined is pretty impressive. 

With Popa coffee bag in hand I left at 4:30 for the 7:30 screening.   Three hours you say?  I know my people I say.  Through rain, walking in the wrong direction, and getting wrong directions, the journey via public transit was- interesting.  And late.  Thankfully I had dried out by the time I showed up at 7:40 and took my seat. 

This heartfelt movie tells the tale of a mother and daughter both learning life lessons and having epiphanies. Girl in Progress- be ready to laugh, to cry, and in my case to relive.  Not that my Little One and I had the same exact scenario as Grace and Ansiedad, but we were basically alone and raising each other. And as far as ::shudder:: puberty, I  wasn't the only one with winced eyes nodding their head in rememberance.

A universal story of growing up and coming into one's own.

Was it worth the public transit, the time and the drenching? 

Si.

Was it worth the reliving of ::shudder:: puberty?

Si.

Would I recommend it?

Oh Si.

Happy Mother's Day

and wishing for all loving memories

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

Very Honorable Mentions

The Exhibit & Product Halls during Hispanicize 2012 were chock full of vendor booths and chock full of coffee. (sorry, couldn't resist)  Needless to say I enjoyed visiting the hall at least twice daily during the conference , but my favs have to be:

GoDominicanRepublic.com 

My first husband (yes, there've been more than 1- here's the link-catch up!) was Dominican.

Ok, si, was my first husband, is Dominican, and the father of my two eldest children.

They are proud of their heritage and I'm glad of it.

   

Kiara Cespedes w/BB

Ministry of Tourism DR

I've visited the island and enjoyed it's beauty, food, culture and people.  Like this beautiful young lady they humored esta Crazy Cubana and made her feel welcomed.  BB will take her children to their father's homeland one day for the yearly "Encuentro"; I know they'll love it.

VisitOrlando

BB actually chased these poor Minions as they were going into an elevator. 

I was promised they'd return for a pic, and they were good to their...silence.

This one's for you My Little One!

They also gave us a chance to play dress up- Orlando style

 

Little did we know they were planning on doing this:

Babushka's at 1:08 w/cafe in hand. But of course. 

SOI TV

 Babushka unfanned!

You saw it here first- BB without her face coverup schtick, but nunca without her

"JU SO FONII!!!"

; )



Babushka Besos to all.  Cuidensen.

Right on Target

This post will be a silent post- no words just pictures.  Pero first, an intro.

 Queee???  You thought I meant  the whole thing sin palabras??  JU SO FONII!!! 

 Remember, soy Cubana.

This is my way of saying Mil Gracias to Target  and its' marvelous Team Members.

Hispanicize2012 wouldn't have been the same without your cool ways.

 

wonderful ambiente and fun place to hangout 

the calm before the storm


  





Oh si, a massage chair...

 

y BB relishing the possibilities!

Snacks



Could there be anything more perfect for this CubanChinese Babushka??

Salvation 



Mr. Bryant Freay



Ok, si, maybe there was something more perfect...

after 4 days of nonstop events and panels this was soooooo needed and appreciated.

I asked him how many marriage proposals had he gotten- he just smiled.

BB would have proposed to him herself, but then realized she could have given birth to him.

Retiro lo pensa'o.

; )

So what happened to my wordless post? 

Ok, esta bien-

I'll put my experience at the Target Luxe Lounge down to dos palabras, two words.

QUE RRRRIIIIICCCCOOOOO!!!

And for a Cubana, that's as close to wordless as you're gonna get.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen

Babushka's Booty

And Boy there's a lot of it!  Hispanics believe bigger is better and if you've got it share.  Oh si, we are a giving bunch and in Miami BB's booty was impresionante. 



BB's Hispanicize 2012  Booty

Que???  What did you think BB was talking about??  Oh.  JU SO FONII!!!

Ok, si, bueno...

 that one  is impressive too, especially after a visit to Miami, but I was talking about

Hispanicize 2012

  and the great goodies attendees received.

As you can see from the picture there were many great sponsors and plenty of swag,

but this post will be a shoutout to the sponsors of the main events. 

In no specific order I gratefully list:

DISNEY

 They gave all of us 2 park hopper tickets- Oh si they did!!!

PLUS 

 BB received 4 adorable Mickey shaped chocolate dipped rice crispie treats

for 4  adorable grandbabies. 

Disney's details- ya can't beat it.

CLOROX

 

for their wonderful and slightly wacky

(think virtual bowling, scavenger hunts, etc.) reception party

BLACKBERRY

The BlackBerry Black Carpet- National Latino Film Showcase.

Where we got to preview films, dance, drink and definitely be merry.

McDonalds

Yacht cruise anyone??

BACARDI

Mingling in a mansion- oh my!

Babushka's booty be bountiful, beautiful and bastante

because she dared to dream, dared to ask,

and dared to eat that extra helping of life!

How big is your booty??

; )

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S.  Martinique my Muse informs me this will be the first in a series sobre Hispanicize2012.  

Of course this suits me perfectly as there were so many experiences,panels,and events! 

Let's just say Babushka is still bushed- but still so happy that I joined that baile.

BB's an Original, but Ms Olivia is the Real Thing.

Saw her at the bus terminal and knew right away I was seeing my future self.  Older but oh so stylish, she meshed the retro past with the boldness of today and gave it a flair of her own.  She was marvelous.

Traveling with her two daughters and her granddaughter, you could see she had loved and lived and continued to do both with grace and a natural air.  I was all excited with plans and strategy for the Hispanicize 2012 conference and was in my own little world- and then I saw Ms. Olivia who reminded me what my real world should be.

Here was a woman who had found her way a long time ago, was comfortable in her skin, whose very essence exuded "this is my style, this is my life, this is me- and I like me".  Her beauty - inner and outer brought tears to my eyes.  Have you ever sensed the presence of true beauty?  The knowledge of self worth and the radiance of self acceptance- THIS is true beauty  and Ms Olivia embodied it.

I had to take a picture of her, to remind myself of what is possible, to remember what I aspire to be,  and so I shyly approached my new idol to ask her permission.  Ok si, I hear you- "BB, You- Shy?!?  JU SO FONII!!!"  And you'd be right 99% of the time to doubt, but this was the 1% of our human race who had actually attained self love and BB was in awe and humbled. 

She graciously heard my petition, smiled, and told me she'd discuss it with her daughter.  Her daughter of course wanted to be assured of my sincerity and asked why I wanted to photograph her mother.  I explained how I wanted to capture her mother's style and love of self.   Apparently she believed me because she came looking for me when we had a stop over and I didn't give her a chance to change her mind.

Ms. Olivia was pure joy when she posed for the camera as was I that she had allowed me the honor. I believe her daughter had known her mother was exceptional and thanked me profoundly for noticing.  But how can one not notice?  It would be like not noticing the Lady Moon as she shines and shimmers, not noticing her beauty naturally escaping and filling our nights. No, I'm the one who is thankful to Ms. Olivia for her example and hope this does her justice as she inspires us all to embrace our lives and ourselves. 

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.