#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.

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.

Serendipity & Synchronicity- Si,Si,Si!!

Serendipity & Synchronicity, the two S Sisters.   Serendipity is the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for.  Or as the Encyclopedia/World Book of the computer age Wikipedia defines it, a "happy accident" or "pleasant surprise"; specifically, the accident of finding something good or useful without looking for it.  Ahora Synchronicity is an apparently meaningful coincidence in time of two or more similar or identical events that are casually unrelated. Queeeee??? Ok si, she's the most complex of the hermanitas; I'll give you un ejemplo.

How could moving Up North to The South possibly help me go on a once in a lifetime dream trip highlighting my Hispanic Heritage? Who'd have thunk it? But it did, and I am, and I must thank the sisters for their part.  Here's the story in an espresso timeline, so try to keep up ok?

Moved to Tallahassee- joined TWAM when a call was made for Spanish speaking volunteer actors. JU SO FONIII!!!  Si, it had been almost 30 years since I acted, and si, my native tongue is Spanglish, pero here that's considered a fluent Spanish speaker, so I was in.  Thanks to TWAM I entered the world of reenactments, history, and a longing to socialize with other hispanics.  This lead me to find Hispanicize.  During an outloud dreaming session I asked the founder, Manny Ruiz what would it take to be able to attend Hispanicize 12, and he gifted me an entrance!!  That entrance led me to a presentation by travel bloggers, in particular Maria De Los Angeles who, with pirate garb on, had traveled around Florida visiting pirate sites  and writing about the adventure.  SYNCHRONICITY!!  I approached (ok, stalked) her after the talk was done and explained how I had wanted to do something similar by traveling to all the VivaFlorida500 events in costume. She was a dear, didn't laugh and even gave me some pointers! Not only did Maria not laugh, she invited BB to join her on a history making roadtrip about history- Latino Heritage to be specific. We would combine her journalism /travel experience with my costuming/acting to form an unforgettable team for an unforgettable trip.  SERENDIPITY!!

Serendipity and Synchronicity-

You go girls!!! 

And what exactly is this roadtrip the hermanitas have honored me with?

The American Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip

"visiting historic sites protected by the National Park Service

that honor the contributions of Latinos throughout American history."

Not only did the sisters introduce me to the wonderful aforementioned people and organizations, I'm working with major sponsors of the trip, the American Latino Heritage Fund, the National Park Foundation, Chevrolet- GM Diversity, and Verizon Wireless.

Considering the short time Babushka's been blogging this is a very big honor and I hope to do it justice, therefore... I will be burning up Tweety & Feibu with updates and if I'm not burned by the end of each day I will be posting here.  Si, yo se, I've been taking my vitaminas and resting up for the trip so I should be fine.

Y si no....

there's always cafecito Cubano.

; )

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.