#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.

A Different Kind of Mother's Day Post- Strayer University at Hispanicize 14 #InThisTogether

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!!!

The month of May- Mother's Day.  

A day BB remembers, celebrates, and sends gratitude to those who have been caring to me and mine.

This year I want to celebrate Strayer University.  

Quee?? Y'all think Babushka has gone loca or commercial.  

JU SO FONII!!! 

Some background info to this historia. 

Last year's HLS- Hispana Leadership Summit

As soon as BB entered the hall, a Strayer University rep asked if I wanted to take a photo op.  Por supuesto BB said Si, but couldn't decide on which sign to pick.  She looked at me, showed me this one and said it was Babushka.  Wow and Woah, and an i like, i like.  Vieron the interest, and though there was hesitation they knew the perfect one for me.  Turns out that's the way they run their whole operation. Pero more on that later, now let me tell you about one of their instructors.

 A Colonel in the U.S. Army (Reserve), Dr. Irene Zoppi  serving as a Commander with expertise in military intelligence, civil & public affairs; and graduated from the prestigious U.S. Army War College with a Master of Strategic Studies (2012). Currently, she is serving as a Full-time Professor for Strayer University; and is a Research Consultant and a visiting Adjunct Professor for Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), Ft. Benning, GA.- LinkedIn Profile

At HLS Irene Zoppi attended the Red Shoe Movement Session in the above footing.  To illustrate how women can be strong and never lose the feeling of being feminine, how women wear many shoes in our lifetimes, and how we can succeed in all our journeys.  It's just up to us to start and keep on walking.  Needless to say I was most impressed by her and the University that believes one is never too old and it is never too late for education, and that what has been lived is worthy of acknowledment too.

Ahuh, ahora ven- You beginning to see why Babushka likes Strayer University?

Fast forward a year and it is now time for Hispanicize.  BB almost didn't attend for lack of hotel sponsorship (the thought of being uncomfortable sleeping on La Tata's recliner and schleping from Little Havana to downtown Miami on public transportation wasn't too fonii) , but in the end, a reprieve. The S Sisters and Strayer premiaron my dedication.  Another blogger had been given the sponsorship but couldn't attend, so guess who got her lodging??

ESO!!!

Pero it wasn't a given My Beautifuls. No matter how tired BB was going to be, resignation to exhaustion had been made and I wasn't going to agree representing just any company. It goes both ways; they also had to believe and have trust in their representatives.  BB became the final blogger on their Hispanicize team.

So, all that is well and bueno, but why does Babushka title this as a Mother's Day Post?

1. Strayer University treated all guests with respect and welcomed my friends.

Ezzy Languzzi - Amanda Dufau- Laurita Tellado Calderon

They listened to their questions,dreams, & aspirations.

2. Strayer University takes their job/mission very seriously, but not themselves.

http://instagram.com/p/mYxVKDwQrR/

Lessons are learned so much better with a sonrisa.

3. They always had fun things to share and give to all visitors.

Pictured here is my daughter. She wrote her 1st blog post during Hispanicize.

  Babushka's Bebe is her blog, and she's starting out- 

which is a perfect lead into the next Strayer University positive point.

4. Strayer University believes in helping future leaders and those starting out,  
with guidance, mentorship, and if possible even with financial assistance.

Cristina Henley, Yuriko Almonte, Lily Garcia

http://www.strayer.edu/news/strayer-university-partners-hispanicize-2014-bring-together-top-latino-professionals-business

"Strayer University experts were at Hispanicize to discuss topics such as new business strategy, leadership and talent development, marketing and promotion in a global environment, and business communications throughout a number of activities. "

 Full story on the above link.

Financial Assistance for their students:

HOW THE GRAD FUND WORKS

For every 3 undergraduate courses you complete, we'll cover the cost of 1 future course - up to 25% of the cost of your degree.1

No Paperwork

There's nothing to sign or fill out. You're automatically enrolled, even if you're transferring credits.

No Restrictions

No GPA requirements. Successfully complete ANY course to build your fund, and ANY future course can be covered. 2

No Competition

Every new undergraduate student starts a fund. There are no limits to how many students benefit.3

No Expirations

Your fund keeps growing as long as you're enrolled and working towards earning your bachelor's degree.4

(1) Does not include books or fees. (2) Developmental Courses are excluded from this program. Fund must be redeemed for the final courses leading to a bachelor's degree. Successful completion means earning the grade required by the curriculum as outlined in the Strayer University Catalog. (3) Only new or readmit students enrolling in undergraduate programs (non-degree, certificate, diploma, associate or bachelor's program) are eligible for savings. (4) Tuition credit earned only after successfully completing courses and could be lost if you do not take courses for two consecutive quarters.

not BB's pic, but definitely BB in the pic

BB was able to speak with Strayer's Personal Success Coach Yuriko Almonte. The insights she had and the respect with which she treated my current actions and real life situations was most appreciated. A definite plus, proving how much Strayer wants their students to succeed in the real world, with real solutions.

5. Strayer University takes care of their own- with quality and the best they can.

Babushka's hotel room view, the room, and some of the many handouts given during #Hispz14.

So, with all the above stated, Strayer University has proven to BB they truly believe we are all #InThisTogether.  

Really My Beautifuls- would Babushka have done this if they weren't special?

A frameable moment- Babushka exercising

Strayer University

 welcomed my friends, taught lessons with respect and a bit of fun,

 spoiled with gifts and believed in BB with sponsorship.

 Si My Beautifuls, me recuerda mucho a mi Mama-

and my mom would have loved them.

BB2U

P.S.  Gracias again to Strayer for their sponsorship, 

and a very Grateful Gracias to Aileen Abella and Jewel Figueras who suggested BB for that sponsorship.

P.P.S. My mother returned to college and received her Associate's Degree well after we had grown, 

so in her memory and dedication is this post.

Post and Hispz14 Sponsorship by

All Opinions & Views expressed are entirely

BB's Being a Blockhead- Be Careful What You Wish For.

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!!

Babushka's writing this at 11:23 PM while waiting for my clothes to wash. Before I forget the events of the dia, before I fall asleep while trying to type this.  Oh si, I know y'all have had this type of a day.

BB's still mentally and physically trying to "go back to normal" from my 12 hour bus ride, sleeping on recliners,taking care of grandmothers y grandbabies and La Potencia that is Hispanicize.  Don't think I'll be able to totally clear the effects of this trip 'till I'm back Up North in The South- for awhile.  Queee??  You think I'm just being Cubana and exagerating??  Unfortunately My Beautifuls, it's gone beyond just "Pulling a BB" (although I did do a couple of those too). Sit back, sientensen, get comfy y comodas y hopefully we'll both crack a smile while BB shares her Being a Blockhead Blues.

Blockhead. It's that feeling when you're not really thinking, just reacting.  The times when nothing new could possibly enter your brain; it's become a block.  Kinda like having a headcold, but without the fofos...

Babushka was up at 7:30 am. Ahuh- right there you know things aren't normal. I had gone to bed knowing La Tata had run out of her medicinal supplies and needed me to get them in the morning. Running on autopilot I took the bus to La Tata's Clinica to pick them up- didn't even drink cafe. Zombie autopilot- no bueno. Wanting to take advantage of my allday bus pass- quee? BB was Blockhead not braindead, hay que aprovechar those deals! Continuing. Wanting to take advantge of the pass, BB was going to do some grocery shopping. Just a few items, so I took my wheeled carryon luggage. Bueno, the medicinal supplies turned out to be 5 packages of incontinence pads- the BIG packages; they didnt all fit in the carryon.  Luckily there was a foldup wheeled carryon in the outside pocket that could be used! Unluckily it broke when I was running towards the bus.

And the "few things" I was going to buy at the supermarket turned out to be 2 gallons of milk, a 10 lb bag of chicken, salad fixins, 2 lbs linguine, 2 pkgs Cafe Cubano, Green plantains,coldcuts, cereal, butter, candy, Cuban Crackers, mini croissants, plantain chips and cheese.  Si, this is why Sweetie raises his eyebrows when I go out for "just a few things" and why my credit card companies love Babushka so much.  Naturally all this didn't fit in the carryon so I was also lugging 4 extra bags into the bus. Everyone was glad I just had to go 4 blocks. Y yes, I took the bus because they are 4 looooonnnnggg blocks. Matter of fact, BB's one of those that won't take the shopping cart out of the parking lot if my life depended on it, but I'm glad for the person on 8th St. and 15 Ave who doesn't follow that same outlook, porque Babushka used the cart they had taken- because my life DID depend on it! Again, in Little Havana, those are loooooonnnnngggg blocks.

Arriving at La Tata's redfaced, sweating, and almost passed out, it was now 10 am.  To BB it seemed like I had lived a week in those 2.5 hours. My only thought before taking an early Siesta- How does one go about canonizing the inventor of ice cubes and air conditioning??

Five hours later - quee? I had to agregar, add on the sleep hours missed from my early rise, no?? Cinco horas despues I was making La Tata's afternoon cafe con leche when a torrential rain storm hit Little Havana. How refreshing it made the evening air, so much so I decided to go do some shopping after dinner for La Tata, another "few things" that were needed.  Ok si, they didn't all fit.  But that wasn't the peor.  During self checkout I forgot to add the coupons, again proof of Blockheaditis, so the manager had to cancel out the transaction. We moved to another register where he rang the items up again, and then he used the wrong reward card (BB carries 2- one is La Tata's) and had to start all over again. FINALLY the 4 liters of soda were in the carryon and 2 extra bags in hand.  Now, I don't know if it was the weight, the overuse, the abuse, but the handle of the carryon refused to fully slide upwards.  Babushka was doing a Quasimodo impression down SW Eighth street, dragging the carryon, holding the bags, and trying not to fall over because BB's body was hunched more than half. In a burst of "COME ON NOW!" the carryon was flung/flicked by the handle and went to its correct position. After all that, the 5 looooonnnnggg blocks back to La Tata's didn't seem that bad.

Now, here's the part where Babushka says to "Be careful What You Wish For".  Once BB was walking upright, the evening breeze was cool; it was pleasurable and somewhat mind clearing. The affects of exercize aren't too well practised or known to Babushka, so I said to myself, "I wish I could do more of this to clear the blockhead." Bueno My Beautifuls- PorQue??!!!  I arrived at La Tata's and realized I had left the credit card at the store.  Oh si, yes BB did.

The store was called; they had the card. Babushka took the bus this time.  Not only did BB take the bus, but the evening air was so enticing, a trip to Downtown was taken- spur of the moment.  Why not? BB had the all day bus pass and needed to recharge it for another day, so to the Brickell metrostation I went.  

The pass autoload option wasn't functioning correctly so BB bought a new card,

 also had 40 mins until the next guagua so I went across the street to buy "a few things".  

40 minutes later, on the way back to Little Havana, Babushka asked the driver if 12th & 7th was the closest to La Tata's.  He said yes, and in the next stop- which was 8th & 7th BB got off.  Zombie autopilot struck again.  An extra 4 loooonnnggg blocks were added to the camina to casa. 

 ::Sigh:: y Self :: BOPASO::

On the corner of La Tata's the rain decided to dance again.  

Now I will ask you a seemingly random question My Beautifuls, but you'll understand in a moment why la pregunta.  Do you remember your potty training? Unfortunately BB can't ask her madre for verification, but it seems everytime Babushka gets near home, "dancing at the door" happens. She must have said "you can hold it 'till we get to casa." and it's ingrained in the subconscious. Bueno, La Tata's front lock took this moment to stick; should have held on to one of her medicinal supplies. Thankfully I was already wet by the lluvia.

My Bella Amiga Jewel Figueras said she doesn't follow reality shows, but one about Babushka's Life in Little Havana she'd watch...

So, has the Blockhead gone? 

JU SO FONII!!!

Pero I did use up my all day bus pass.

; ) 

Babushka Besos a todos. Cuidensen.

My Memorable Memorial Day

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.