BB Blabs 'Bout 'Buela - Show 1 w/ @FelixMontelara

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

Did you know that originally this blog was supposed to be a radio program?  Babushka's Baile was to be on blogtalk radio... but then BB realized she needed someone to talk to, guests, listeners.  Not that Babushka couldn't talk all by herself for at least 30 minutes, Cubana al fin, but it's more fun with others.  So the show was put on the back burner for awhile, 'till there was more of an audience.  That back burner turned into a slowcooker; it took almost 5 years to come full circle.  And once again, it was thanks to Hispanicize that it came to be.

The true start of Babushka's aventuras were thanks to that fateful time BB approached Maria de los Angeles during a Travel Blogger panel in the 2012 Hispanicize. Because it was asked, the chance taken, the offer to be part of the American Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip was made. And Babushka's never looked back.

In 2015, another panel was given, tambien en HIspanicize, and this one was on podcasting.  The panel was fascinating, and here was where, Felix Montelara, The Potential Millionaire, became special in Babushka's vida. Aqui lo bautize, The Preacher of Podcasting, porque even as an audience member, Felix was especially informative and entertaining. The memory of BB's original vision returned, pero honestly, it was a bit intimidating this new, technologically heavy world, so although we spoke briefly on the vision, the show estaria cocinanco otro año.

Come 2016, another panel on podcasting at Hispanicize, no denying las ganas, y cuando Felix approached BB, remembering her from the prior year and asking if she had started her broadcast yet, it was taken as a sign.  The audience and following had been made, there were guests who could be invited, it was time to do the show.

"BB's Blab 'Bout 'Buelos",the program where Grandparents Gloat and Grandchildren Remember. A place where we never tire of hearing how precious and precocious son los nietos, and also how precious and dear were your abuelos.  Our first show was on Sunday, and since the S Sisters continue to bless BB, guess who was the first guest?  None other than Mr. Felix Montelara himself!!  

Just as it had happened w/My Capitan Maria, paso con Felix. By Babushka taking the initiative of approaching them, she ended up working with them. BB not follow a dream? JU SO FONII!!! Remember this Beautifuls, take that chance, tu nunca sabes...

Hope to see y'all on the next broadcast.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

PS Where to follow Felix Montelara:

Tweety https://twitter.com/FelixMontelara

Feibu  https://www.facebook.com/PotencialMillonario/

English Blog  http://www.potencialmillonario.com/category/english-blog/

Spanish Blog http://www.potencialmillonario.com/category/espanol-blog/

BB will Tumblr for ya!

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!

http://funny-pictures-blog.com/2012/01/06/cell-phone-ancestors/

Ok, esta bien, I'll admit it.  Babushka is not one for the latest tech fads and programs. BB three weeks ago got her first smartphone. Queee?? JU SO FONII!!! I had one of those antiquated contracts where you pay an extra $40 a month for data- you thought Babushka was actually going to pay that? Which reminds me, this current pay per month reception/phone isn't the best, so if you know a good one...  Continuing.

BB used to question the longevity of certain platforms- like Feibu and Tweety, but they're still here. Not only are they still here, but they're so fun- and addictive!! So addictive in fact, that when it's time to write a post Babushka has to close the Feibu and Hootsuite ( another winning platform that I couldn't live without- thanks Paula for the intro) or I'd never have the time to post.  Speaking of which, Sonia wanted to have a schedule, set days to post, which at first was ok.  Every Wednesday, and for the first year it was working. Then came Hispanicize and Babushka started bailando a little more and more. (Gracias to all my Hispanicize friends) Sonia then started scheduling BB's post twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Ok Buddy Boy, things were starting to really jump! Pero ahora, after the last Hispanicize Sonia wanted three times a week! Que que?? I was going through boxes of Dr. Scholl's insoles like chocolate!  Ok, si, maybe not that much, but you get my drift.  And then a forced slow down.

Babushka's only NOW catching up to July and we're already in October!  Wow and Woah.  Needless to say it's time to tell Sonia to chill; BB's playing DJ from now on.  I am taking the views and pasos of my learned friend, My Capitan Maria, and writing full posts on Babushka's Baile when Marti my Muse dictates it to be so, not when Sonia commands.  Jehe, as if Marti ever really let anyone else command, but that's another cuento alltogether.  So will this mean the slowing down of BB? Again, JU SO FONII!!! No My Beautifuls, Babushka will be dancing just as much, but shorter songs.  You'll see more of BB in Instagram, Pinterest and Babushka's new infatuation- Tumblr.  

Culture Club - I'll Tumble 4 Ya by CultureClub-Official


You didn't think I'd let this classic from my youth get by did you?  


Oh the fun!  

Here's hoping you'll continue the fun, enjoying Babushka's Baile and following with BlogLovin, RSS, Networked Blogs, or Google+.


Until the next spin of the disco-


Babushka Besos a todos. Cuidensen.

#BabuBoda- The Counting of Days & Details has begun!

BB's Popa Bag, Sweetie's Hat, sandwiching our marriage license.  It's getting very real My Beautifuls.

April 14, 2013  Bohemian Babushka and Sweetie will be married.  A little over a month away- a little over a million details still not finalized.  Good thing my hair is already full of silver lifelites and Sweetie's already bald, 'cause the details are the deadly doer inners.  Many a happy couple have corroded because of details- and legalities!!  Did you know you know have to read up on marriage and it's ramifications in the state of Florida??  Ok, let me start there in this series. Quee?? JU SO FONII!!!  You thought ONE singular post would suffice for this epic social media event hereby and herewith to be called #Babuboda ?

Actually, first let me explain #BabuBoda.  My friend and Teacher Yadira Ambert coined this marvelous phrase by combining my name Babushka with the Spanish word for wedding- boda.  Babuboda.  Just bounces on the lips right? Then My Capitan Maria de los Angeles places a # in front and VOILA! it becomes a Social Media Socialite.  And like all socialites, it takes a lot of work to make it seem effortless. We've got a Feibu Page, a Pinterest board,and of course our own Feibu and Tweety accounts spreading the news. And what good is a Social Media Event without a logo?

Link for Cutisimo Codgers

Yep, ya gotta have a logo and in the Sunshine State ya gotta have a license too.  Here are some of the main points of Matrimonial Licensing and Ceremony. Marriage in Florida no longer needs a bloodtest, however, to get the license there is a three day period from the day you apply.  Yes, the same as a gun.  This fact was not lost on BB.  Continuing; The cost is $93.50, however you may obtain a $32.50 discount if you take the marriage course, which is great if you feel the need to spend $30 on the course... No se, must be some sort of new discount math, but Sweetie and I decided  the $2.50 was better saved elsewhere and we read the 9 pages of the handbook instead.  We're not knocking the course or the handbook, and we're especially not bashing the reason behind this requirement.  There really are a lot of good points made in the handbook- matter of fact, once you're in a serious relationship, or before you let a relationship get too serious, this would be valuable reading.  Here's  the link- take a look yourself.  Florida Marriage Handbook.

Some other interesting tidbits.  You do not have to be a resident of Florida nor do you need witnesses to validate your marriage ceremony.  Oh my.  Dear visitors to our fine state, be verrrryyy careful when partying, especially since Florida Fiestas are so much fun.  Bueno no, I guess that's where there'd be a lot of witnesses- just no memory of the event, and who wants their wedding to be easily forgotten?  Not BB that's for sure, and My Capitan and I are gonna do our darndest to make sure it isn't!

Consider this your "Save the Date" notice.

; )

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

HeartCamp 2013

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls! Babushka's year of firsts,favorites and fun continues.  I was a panelist at  HeartCamp, an "unconference".  Have you ever been energized, exhilarated and exhausted at the same time?  How about overwhelmed and overjoyed simultaneously?  Re-energized yet relaxed?  Ok si, BB's doing her extreming again, but if you had attended this years HeartCamp you would have felt the same.

"What Is HeartCamp? 

HeartCamp brings together speakers and participants from different walks of life to discuss all matters of the heart — 

the physical, emotional, spiritual and creative heart."

That's the official definition of HeartCamp, but Babushka and other attendees knows it was so much more.

Sold out capacity!!
Right there it should give you an idea how good it is.

Relax and Recharge- Hotel Urbano poolside

perfect setting for camptalks w/lead meditations

Gabriel Axel - Heart Healthy Breathing 

combined Yoga w/Neuroscience- fascinating

Dawn Masler-  Workshop More Amore Meditation

Of course all this brought to mind how sensitive yet strong our hearts are, and the panel BB partook of emphasized just that.

 Heartbreak to Breakthrough 

Karla Campos, Dawn Masler, Jackie Jimenez, Crazy Cubana, Gladys Diaz 

"We had a great time speaking, coaching, serving, & sharing our hearts at HeartCamp! " Gladys Diaz

Moderated by My Capitan, Maria de los Angeles, who was also the organizer of HeartCamp, the panel truly did share our hearts, and in turn so did the participants.  And this My Beautifuls is what sets HeartCamp apart from any other conference. It really is an opening of minds and hearts, a sharing and learning between everyone attending.  The heart in all its' facets was highlighted, studied and enjoyed- with some activies fusing it all together. 

Workshop- Ritmos del Corazon

Philbert Armenteros

ESO!!!

I think HeartCamp met the 2013 requirements of firsts, favorites and fun don't you?
 So does that mean I won't be attending in 2014?

JU SO FONII!!!

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen

P.S.  For more info on HeartCamp you can click on the above highlighted link or go to their Feibu page.  

P.P.S. Special thanks to all the great sponsors- que se repite!! 

P.P.P.S. For more pics/videos go to BB's Feibu and YouTube Channel

P.P.P.P.S.  Here's the video of the panel BB participated.  If you want to hear BB's "signature phrase" go to 28:58.

BB2U

Wedding- Time to get serious. Day 18 of SMCSF 30 day blog challenge

http://weddingnouveau.com/2010/03/wedding-inspiration-board-blue-green-yellow-bohemian-african/

Less than six months away, time to get serious .  Quee??  JU SO FONII!!!  Si, Babushka can be serious.  Bueno, Ok, not so much be serious as "taking things seriously."  And marriage I take seriously, I mean honestamente, it is my third...

Como saben, as y'all well know, My Capitan, Maria de los Angeles has been doing the honors of organizing the wedding.  She's looking for venues, sponsors, dresses, and doing the whole Social Media Event.  All suggestions/hookups/ideas are welcome and appreciated because she is one person handling a bigger than life persona.  (Who is soooooooo grateful.)  For my part, I am thinking about the wedding program, the words, the theme/tone of the day- of wedded life.  This was prompted by Adriana Iris, author of  La Dulce Vida ~The Sweet LIfe  and her marvelous line:

The point of any relationship is to give as much as we get without depleting and cheating ourselves of self love. 

What says you My Beautifuls?  Do you agree with this?  Do we lose ourselves when we become "one" with another? Should we only give what we get?  What would you use as a quote? What should the program look like?

Y si, I want to hear from YOU, I am sharing the day with ALL of you.  

Think of this as one big Cuban fiesta for the blogasphere.  

Lively, loud, energized, passionate y very public- but not a media circus, no not a circus.  

BB likes to think of it as a collaborative Conga line.

; )

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S.  My Capitan has started a hilarious Pinterest board titled Babushka's Wedding.  Click on her name and it'll take you there.

Six Months- Day 9 of SMCSF 30 Day Challenge

As of the 15th of October, it is officially six months until my wedding.  Oh my.  Queee?? JU SO FONII!!! Of course I don't have anything planned.  As it is, to have an actual date was a surprise to Babushka.  Now you know the juiciness of all this?  That it really doesn't matter to me.  Ok si, my heart, the part of us that never grows old is getting all nervous  with arrangements- or lack thereof, while the mind says, "What? Otro? Didn't you have enough with two?!?!?"  ::SIGH::  Party Pooper.

En realidad I did the hardest part, finding the man who I'd want to take a chance with again.  Someone who'd put up with my craziness, my messiness, my Cubaness, and love me totally because and inspite of all that.  A man who knows and respects my dreams- as both BB y the Gallina Vieja,-and who does all he can to help them become reality; all this is my Sweetie.

Lindo Verdad?

Now this is his first marriage/wedding and all he asked for was it to be fun.  Bueno, LegoLand apparently didn't like or understand the idea of a Social Media wedding so at that point BB was in shock- and here I got very lucky.  My capitan, Maria de Los Angeles agreed to be my Maid of Honor.  It is BB who's honored.  She's going to come up with the fun- and who better?  Couldn't be in more capable hands and I look forward to her spontaneity and inspiration. 

 And her Cuban Craziness. 

 Si, as if I had planned it myself.

; )

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S.  Both Maria & Babushka have Pinterest pins w/wedding ideas- go take a peek and let us know whatcha think.

American Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip- Freedom Tower

Day 7, Miami's Freedom Tower, the last stop for BB on this great American Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip. Ironic if you think about, because this was the first stop into this country for so many.  Built in 1925, modeled after the Giralda Bell Tower on the cathedral of Seville, Spain, this building became the entrance to America for thousands of immigrants.

Freedom Tower- Miami Ntl. Landmark

 We spoke with an expert on the Freedom Tower and Florida, Dr. Paul George- nothing but the best for you My Beautifuls.  Dr. George is a noted historian and past president of the South Florida Historical Society.  My Capitan  Maria de los Angeles had taken a class with him and we were honored that he agreed to an interview.

At this point My Capitan had come in with the big guns- the professional video camera and on person mikes.  We'll have to wait to see the finished edited shoot, but it'll be worth it; Dr. George was a fountain of knowledge and Maria and I were just fabulous!  heje Especially my surprised look when he told me Miami was a well established town before the Cubans mass arrival.  JU SO FONII!!!  No really, he said that!  Look for my surprised face on the video.

Another thing I'd like you to look at are the pictures I took of the Freedom Tower on my Feibu page. It was my last day w/Maria's camera so I made sure to take lots of fotos.  

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.516213865072253.134114.258124544214521&type=3

BBP  (Babushka Bullet Points) on Miami's Freedom Tower

* Housed Miami's 1st Newspaper the Miami News & Metropolis

* The cupola has a beacon light said to represent the enlightenment the newspaper was to shine upon its' readers

* During the Cuban mass exodus away from Fidel Castro's regime in the 1960's to the early 70's, 400,000 Cubans were welcomed into the US  through the doors of the Freedom Tower

* Currently administered by Miami Dade College, it serves as an art gallery and exhibition space.

Through these doors and into Freedom.

As I look at the Freedom Tower I recall many of the stories I heard during my youth.  The hope this building brought, the reunions with loved ones, and the gratitude to a new homeland.

The Majesty of a Classic- standing out among the modern.

Like looking in a mirror.

; )

Babushka besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S.  Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who gave us the freedom to take this trip and to tell it in our own words.

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The American Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip- BB Starts Her Engines

Isn't it wonderful when "everything old is new again'?  JU SO FONII!!!  No, BB didn't get plastic surgery while in Miami, but she did get to drive back Up North to The South in a new car!!!  Ok, si, to y'all it may not seem like a big deal, but it's been over 15 years since Babushka has had un carro del año- a new model car.  I'm from the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" school of thought, which I still believe in, but I'm thinking of playing hookie after this.

A little background info on the American Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip is on the link, and this is the first leg of BB's part.  As in any event there are many people and organizations behind the scenes preparing for our comfort and success. Babushka must take a moment to thank the wonderful sponsors who are unparalleled in their generosity.  GM Diversity with a new car, Verizon Wireless with their mifi portable hotspot and great network, and of course the National Parks with the American Latino Heritage Fund being the reason for this unbelievable trip.  Un evento tan espectacular- que casi no creo, can hardly believe I'm part of it- but I am.  Oh yeah.  

Getting back to the new car, Carlitos.  Of course I named him- don't you name everything you have affection for? And believe me, I fell for him like a ton of bricks. The Chevrolet Cruze Eco- vamanos people, just look at him!  

Oh, and his back side-

Imaginate how many snackbags I can get in there!!!

Now for those of you who are worried about BB traveling alone, please don't be.

BB's version of saints on the dashboard.
Patron Saint of Cubans- La Virgen de La Caridad


Tengo Cachita, GM and Verizon by my side- I'm well protected on all counts.

I was scheduled to depart Little Havana at 4 am Tuesday, but I couldn't wait-

 left 3 hours earlier. 

Believe me when I say the graphics are much better than the picture shows.

Feel like a Space Ranger.  Si, I said Space Ranger.
"To National Parks, and beyond."

As previously stated, I haven't had a new car in over 15 years, so like any new mama I went picture happy- but those I'll share in another post.  Also, the "everything old is new again" reference was my driving trip to Tallahassee from Miami.  BB's trekked those roads countless times at an average of 9 hours per trip; this one I made in 7.5 hours.  Ok si, I didn't have to stop for gas (UNREAL mpg) and being alone at that time I wasn't going to be stopping at empty stop areas.  Queee?  BB's una brava, no una boba- my mama didn't raise no dummies! 

And speaking of no dummy.

Once rested from the trip- come on, cafe can only do so much, I had to decide on dinner.  Since I had officially started the Latino Heritage trip I wanted to get into the mood and have latino food.  In my little rural town that either means BB's home cooking or a Mexican restaurant.  I'll let you guess what I picked.

La Parrillada recentely opened, and having never tried it I invited My Little One to join me for dinner. We were very satisfied with the experience. 

Owners Rosa & Jesus

 The decor was nice, the server delightful, and the food?  The food dear readers was/is a perfect symbol for Babushka's part of this monumental roadtrip. 

 Latino, filling, and with lots of

:: SIZZLE::

; )

Thank you for joining me as this vieja viajera treks the parks of Florida with their history and richness.  Wednesday I will be in Tallahasse speaking with curators and archaeologists, enjoying our past- while driving a new car w/mifi, enjoying the present. Life- it is bueno.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S. Following this you will see a FCC disclosure for the major sponsors of this trip.  For BB's part, the VisitFlorida group has graciously offered to reimburse the gasoline and tolls paid.  I just love my state!  Also, La Parrillada did not sponsor my meal, my tummy just had to give them kudos.

P.P.S. Due to personal reasons, my travel companion, the capitan of the trip Maria De Los Angeles,  will be navigating, coordinating, keeping Tweety busy under the hashtag #vqmbb as well as conducting interviews/questions remotely via modern technology.  

P.P.P.S.  Babushka will be posting her itinerary on Feibu- and while you're there don't forget to enter the giveaway!  BB2U'all.

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.