Where it All Began... Introductions, A BB Bounceback

Just a sampling of the fun and special moments in the last 4 years.

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

The following is BB's first blog post; it was written on August 3, 2011. Si Beautifuls, it's been 4 años. Wow and Woah. A lot has happened in the course of those years. The family has gotten older, there have been marriages and there are new grandbabies. Mucho memories made and new friends along the way.  For those dancing for the first time with Babushka, hope you enjoy BB's dance steps, and for those who are regulars on the dance card- A BAILAR SE HA DICHO!!

Hola- or as we say around here, "Howdy".  Yep, Babushka's in "The South", which is funny if you think about it, because I spent most of my life in South Florida (Miami) which is further South than here, yet it's NEVER considered part of "The South".  North Havana maybe, but never "The South".  But I go off topic... get used to it- it's one of my many talents.

Babushka, full name Bohemian Babushka, BB if I like you, or THE Bohemian Babushka if I don't, has had in my 49 years, 2 marriages, 2 divorces, ____ lovers (being presently in "The South" I fall back on the Southern Belle's code of propriety and leave that blank, instead of a Miami "¿ Y Santa quien? )  many jobs, many businesses, many heartaches, but many heart sings as well.  Of course my Number One heart sings are my children.  Si, they also gave me heartache, but we all made it through puberty so, why dwell on that?  Borron y cuenta nueva.  My trio are my rocks- ok, at times rocks in/at the head, but again- why dwell on that?  My rocks, my reason for being (being crazy- sorry, beginning to dwell on that), my joys my true loves.  Until the grandchildren came into the picture.  Not that my trio aren't my true loves anymore, it's just that grandbabies are so tiny, so precious, and still so far away from puberty.  Ok, I'm dwelling- ever heard of shellshock?

Grandbabies- I've got 4 so far.  I say "so far"  because my eldest ( a 26 yr old beauty) has 2- a boy and a girl.; my son (a 25 yr old ex-Marine who has done his mom proud in so many ways)  has 2 boys and my little one (19 yr old intense yet sweet girl/woman who is striking, intelligent, gifted and better not be thinking of making babies yet) are still young enough to add to the family.  But not right now- por fa.  Let BB enjoy people saying "but you look so young to be a grandmother!" a little longer.  While I can still semi believe them.


Babushka has enjoyed this immensely and hopes you will dance with me again.  This has been but a little tease of who I am.  Tease- reminds me of my high school days, but again I'm going off topic. (such talent!) My blog will be on family,being female, being bilingual, being human -while always being brilliant.

And to those who don't understand YOUR brilliance, just look at them, smile, and say-
JU SO FONII !!!

Babushka Besos a todos-  Cuidensen

P.S.  If you've enjoyed this post please go to Facebook and "like" my page.  Mil Gracias.

And with that Beautifuls we started/conclude.  

Hope you've enjoyed the dance and join me in the next one. 

BB2U' All!!!

La Potencia that is #Hispz14- Day 1

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!!

With this post BB continues contando of "La Potencia that is Hispanicize."  Particularly #Hispz14, and for Babushka the best day, Day 1.  Now, knowing that every day of Hispanicize event is Buenisimo, why should the first day be singled out?

  Was it the Swag??

Continuing tradition- Pic of Day 1 Swag

Was it the sponsors??

Of course these aren't all, just some of the ones BB went to on the 1st day

Was it the food?

Yoani Sanchez Latinovator Award Winner & Winning Home Depot Breakfast

 Was it the Networking/Seeing Friends?

Some of my Bella Bloguera Friends

Diana Rodriguez, Daily Baez, Myrah Falco Duque, Marilu Duque

Actually My Beautifuls, it was a combination of all these things because I was sharing it with a very special person. 

It was Day 1 of not only #Hispz14, but of my daughter's blog Babushka's Bebe.

Not only was it her first post, but she wrote it during Hispanicize- write/right in the middle of the Target Lounge! We had so much fun, and BB can't begin to tell you how proud I was of her and how Babushka was strutting around showing her off.  Pero truthfully, who can blame me?

Seems only fitting that my First Born would join me in the First Conference BB attended.  And Babushka's so grateful to all the sponsors who made this possible.  My Bebe is now in "The Family Business", learning the way and making her mark.  And having her Mama beside her each step of the way.

; )

Oh Si, and if you think #Hispz14 is the only one we'll be going to together...

JU SO FONII!!!

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.  

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