Time To Love

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!! 

Febrero, Febuary- the month of Love, and the Chinese New Year. Coincidence? 

More like Perfección.

The first love should always be, to ourselves. To our feelings, our beliefs, our worth. Without that Beautifuls, are we truly loving anyone else? You can’t give fully if you’re not fully yourself.  And is anything else worth giving if you can’t give it Your All? Si, BB hears you. Life has you being gentle, not gung ho, not the full Beautiful you can be. Sometimes your 100 is only 25 porque La Vida truly is La Vida Loca, but that’s ok. Just give with all your being, even if 25% is all your being. The 100 percent is your truth at the momento, del corazon. Great to remember that heartlove as we go into the New Lunar Year.

Being of Chinese descent, Babushka makes sure to celebrate this holiday. For BB, it’s the time to truly set our sights. In past writings, the joy and timing of this holiday was shared. We’ve had time to do- or NOT do our “New Year’s Resolutions”. How’s that going for ya Beautifuls?? Let’s smile at ourselves when we think about that. Porque, Life~ JU SO FONII!!  

Imagine seeing a toddler learning to walk. They know they want to get across the room. Their legs not quite steady, pero still they try; las ganas don’t go away. Would you laugh at them or smile, knowing that eventually they’ll find the way. Do you stop caring/loving, because they didn’t get there straight away?  See yourself as that toddler, KNOW that eventually you’ll find the way. Worthy of amor, encouragement each and everytime we follow our callings and are true to them; true to ourselves. 

Getting back to the New Lunar Year, it’s the year of the Fire Horse. 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUUjE6zEXpk/?igsh=a3kzemNsZXJ5cWM5

These are the Vibes of the Year and BB is certainly feeling them and soaking them in. Bit mucho, pero taking Deep Breaths and absorbing.  

Ready to Gallop in 2026. 

Fully, Unapologetically and Dramatically. 

2026- May this be a year of LOVE, a year of YOU.

Babushka Besos a todos. Cuidensen. 

This post was originally written for BB's article in @ConexiónFlorida.  A wonderful bilingual publication covering Florida, Georgia y Alabama, and now that it's an online paper, reaching out even farther.

#TBT Month of Love -Months of Movement #ValentinesDay #BlackHistory #PrideMonth #HispanicHeritage #MinorityMentalHealth

Originally shared in 2014, the links and sentiment are still valid and very much alive now in 2022.  Hope this blast from the past illustrates  that the year is for celebrating our diversities, learning and caring about others, and that no matter how much time may pass, these are still temas to communicate and bring attention to.

 HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!!

February. In this month we've celebrated Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day, and a month of Black History. That's a lot of activity, energy and love. It's also no coincidence.  

For Babushka a new year symbolizes hope, and Valentine's Day of course is love.  Black History is the history, both past and present, of the contributions made by blacks to our lives, the world.  BB sees it as a perfect combination.  We hope to bring enlightenment and love by sharing our histories with each other, and this is the month that the black community can share theirs with us so that we may have a better sense of their story.  And we all have our stories.

For Latinos, September starts Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 - October 15.  These are our days, our past and present will be highlighted for the world to see. Of course these months are used to celebrate the good, educate on accomplishments, and BB's all for that. But Babushka's also about keeping it real.

Pride is fine if it's for betterment, to help our youth strive higher, however Pride is a double-edged sword that's also stabbing our youth.  We are losing the future because we're hanging on to the past.  The past where being different, not being "strong", was either ridiculed or the person was ignored.  The Pride of solitary self-sufficiency and strength, very clear cut rules on what was sane and acceptable, is from another unelightened time, and we MUST leave it behind.  Unfortunately this is a common thread between both stories. Fortunately, we have a month for mental health enlightenment and share love for this too.

July is "National Minority Mental Illness Awareness Month."  Si, so great is the need that we have a whole month just for this.  According to the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health-

" In May 2008, the United States House of Representatives proclaimed July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, providing agencies with the opportunity to raise awareness about severe mental illness in diverse communities, while highlighting avenues for wellness and recovery." 

"Mental illness is a leading cause of disability, yet nearly two-thirds of people with a diagnosable mental illness do not seek treatment, and racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. are even less likely to get help".

Their website goes on to say, "During National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, help raise awareness in your organization or community. Encourage your family, friends, loved ones and clients to learn more about improving mental health and illness."

And this Beautifuls is what BB'S asking of you.  My #StopTheStigma campaign has not stopped, and neither has Babushka.  And neither has the climbing rate of suicide among our young.  PLEASE, POR FA, help spread the word about this very important month.  Any event is welcome and needed.  It doesn't even have to be a fundraiser, just a chance to start the conversation going.  We need to have these conversations. 

Being Black History Month BB will share this post from NAMI's Website-

NAMI- Ntl. Alliance on Mental Illness Feibu Page

Black History Month: A Historic Call for Action

This is for February; what do you have in mind for July?

A long time away you say?

JU SO FONII!!!

Babushka Besos a todos.   Cuidensen.

P.S. The Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Feibu page 

highlights various minorities, and is a page worth the "like".

P.S.P.S. Added 2022 Pride Month History

Year of the Water Tiger 2022- BB's Year!

This post was originally written in 2012 for BB’s blog, Babushka’s Baile.  Considering the word for the year is SELF, Babushka thinks it’s more than shear coincidence that this is the Year of The Tiger. In Chinese Zodiac this is BB’s year, and in Babushka’s mente, this is her year.

BTW Chinese New Year Celebrations last 15 dias, so NO, BB isn’t running Cubantime. 😉

So enjoy what a true New Year is when one is truthful to SELF.

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

Don't you just love the Chinese New Year?  The festivities, the history, the colors, the pageantry, the chance to catch up and do a New Year right!  Que Que??  You actually thought January 1 was the real new year?  JU SO FONI !!!  Maybe it's because my mother was 3/4 Chinese, but in BB's mind this is when the reality of the New Year comes in.  Bueno, truth be known I think it's more because of my Cuban side... si, further in the year is better because we're always running late.  Whaaaaaatttt??  I'm only now taking down the Christmas lights... well, I will take them down now that the true New Year has come.

No me miren asi- don't look at me like that.  Really people, think about it.  For 8 days there's a whirlwind of activities- Christmas Eve to New Year's- most people don't come out of the stupor until at least a week  into the new year and then they go into shock when they see the scale and the bills of that holiday hip hop. By the second week of January most will have abandoned their resolutions and are slumping into disappointment from their lack of determination. But should this be? I say Nay!! Nada de eso mi gente!!!  Chinese New Year is the perfect time to make more realistic petitions of ourselves.  We've now seen what we're capable (or not capable) of doing and can go ahead with expectations we can fullfill!  Let me help you with some examples.

January 1 Resolutions                                        Chinese New Year Resolution

No more junk food.                                               No more junk food on Mondays.

Exercise everyday.                                                        Exercise on Mondays. 

                                                          Go ahead, w/out junk food it's a bad day anyway.

Call loved ones more often.                            Ever heard of Feibu? How about Escaip?

Spend less money.                                     52 Mondays w/out junk food = saved $$.

Lose weight.                                                      Learn to walk in higher heels. 

                                                                  You'll either sweat from fear of falling

                                                                   or look thinner because you're taller.

Be nicer to my fellow man.                                               Hide on Mondays.

https://twitter.com/MSuppasitTrends/status/1486640760200269824?s=20&t=hX2zCAG66eXPVh59GrQtow

Once every 60 years. Si, definitely Babushka’s year.

If you’re curioso about the year and your Chinese sign, go to:

https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/tiger.htm

💥💥💥

Whatever your signo Beautifuls, may you find and be true to SELF.

. Al final, that’s all we have verdad? Happy New Year to All.

Babushka Besos a Todos. Cuidensen.

A #FBF 2012 #Repost for 2021 Resolutions and Chinese New Year, BB's Cuban Way.

**2021, Year of the Ox.  Since 2020 had much to be desired, let us repost this one for a do over.

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls! This is an readaptation of a post BB wrote in 2012. Wow and Woah, eight years, a different Chinese Animal Year so that part's been updated, but all the rest is exactamente the same...because resolutions and Babushka's son asi.

Don't you just love the Chinese New Year?  The festivities, the history, the colors, the pagaentry, the chance to catch up and do a New Year right!  Que Que??  You actually thought January 1 was the real new year?  JU SO FONI !!!  Maybe it's because my mother was 3/4 Chinese, but in BB's mind this is when the reality of the New Year comes in.  Bueno, truth be known I think it's more because of my Cuban side... si, further in the year is better because we're always running late.  Whaaaaaatttt??  I'm only now taking down the Christmas lights... well, I will take them down now that the true New Year has come.

No me miren asi- don't look at me like that.  Really people, think about it.  For 8 days there's a whirlwind of activities- Christmas Eve to New Year's- most people don't come out of the stupor until at least a week  into the new year and then they go into shock when they see the scale and the bills of that holiday hip hop. By the second week of January most will have abandoned their resolutions and are slumping into disappointment from their lack of determination. But should this be? I say Nay!! Nada de eso mi gente!!!  Chinese New Year is the perfect time to make more realistic petitions of ourselves.  We've now seen what we're capable (or not capable) of doing and can go ahead with expectations we can fullfill!  Let me help you with some examples.


January 1 Resolution                                              Chinese New Year Resolution

No more junk food.                                               No more junk food on Mondays.

Exercise everyday.                                                        Exercise on Mondays. 

                                                          Go ahead, w/out junk food it's a bad day anyway.

Call loved ones more often.                            Ever heard of Feibu? How about Escaip?

Spend less money.                                         52 Mondays w/out junk food = saved $$.

Lose weight.                                                         Learn to walk in higher heels. 
                                                                     You'll either sweat from fear of falling
                                                                      or look thinner because you're taller.

Be nicer to my fellow man.                                               Hide on Mondays.

https://www.pinterest.com/momstownca/

Have a maravilloso New Year Beautifuls.

Wishing all a Feliz and Delicious Dance this Año!

Babushka Besos a todos. 

Cuidensen.

Resolutions and Chinese New Year, BB's Cuban Way.

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls! This is an readaptation of a post BB wrote in 2012. Wow and Woah, eight years, a different Chinese Animal Year so that part's been updated, but all the rest is exactamente the same...because resolutions and Babushka's son asi.

Don't you just love the Chinese New Year?  The festivities, the history, the colors, the pagaentry, the chance to catch up and do a New Year right!  Que Que??  You actually thought January 1 was the real new year?  JU SO FONI !!!  Maybe it's because my mother was 3/4 Chinese, but in BB's mind this is when the reality of the New Year comes in.  Bueno, truth be known I think it's more because of my Cuban side... si, further in the year is better because we're always running late.  Whaaaaaatttt??  I'm only now taking down the Christmas lights... well, I will take them down now that the true New Year has come.

No me miren asi- don't look at me like that.  Really people, think about it.  For 8 days there's a whirlwind of activities- Christmas Eve to New Year's- most people don't come out of the stupor until at least a week  into the new year and then they go into shock when they see the scale and the bills of that holiday hip hop. By the second week of January most will have abandoned their resolutions and are slumping into disappointment from their lack of determination. But should this be? I say Nay!! Nada de eso mi gente!!!  Chinese New Year is the perfect time to make more realistic petitions of ourselves.  We've now seen what we're capable (or not capable) of doing and can go ahead with expectations we can fullfill!  Let me help you with some examples.


January 1 Resolution                                              Chinese New Year Resolution

No more junk food.                                               No more junk food on Mondays.

Exercise everyday.                                                        Exercise on Mondays. 

                                                          Go ahead, w/out junk food it's a bad day anyway.

Call loved ones more often.                            Ever heard of Feibu? How about Escaip?

Spend less money.                                         52 Mondays w/out junk food = saved $$.

Lose weight.                                                         Learn to walk in higher heels. 
                                                                     You'll either sweat from fear of falling
                                                                      or look thinner because you're taller.

Be nicer to my fellow man.                                               Hide on Mondays.

https://www.pinterest.com/momstownca/

Have a maravilloso New Year Beautifuls.

Wishing all a Feliz and Delicious Dance this Año!

Babushka Besos a todos. 

The Year of The Dog & Tambien, The Year of Wonder. #ChooseKind

Was asked to share the book and mensaje behind it.  Aprovechando of BB's Chinese heritage, it is with great pleasure she announces y celebras these two Years. Babushka loves TODO about this, so, aqui lo tienes.

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

" Wonder, the #1 New York Times bestselling book by R.J. Palacio, and the recent hit movie starring Julia Roberts has inspired millions."  

Quee?? You haven't seen the pelicula yet? Pa 'que vean.

How can BB say no a eso?   In a world full of nasty, to bring the message of love, selflove, compassion, let us bring WONDER.

"Random House Children’s Books looks to continue to use the Wonder property to encourage kids, families, and educators nationwide to #ChooseKind in 2018 with an opt-in pledge, and a motivating consumer products line."

What a wonderful way to remind us of the libro, the  movie, the message.  Y que linda manera to remind others too. Babushka's personal favorite.

Thought BB wouldn't want to be a part of that?  JU SO FONII!!
Si Beautifuls, it's the Year of the Dog, pero con COMPASSION, COURAGE AND KINDNESS   We can also MAKE 2018 THE YEAR OF WONDER.
 http://choosekind.tumblr.com/  http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/choose-kind/pledge.php  https://wonderthebook.com/for-teachers  https://wonderthebook.com/  https://www.facebook.com/randomhousekids/  https://twitter.com/randomhousekids  https://www.instagram.com/randomhousekids/   
Babushka Besos a todos. Cuidensen. 

Mingling in Ming Tree Garden - Chinese New Year in Crawfordville

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!

For those that follow the Chinese New Year, this is the year of the horse. Para BB, this year is about appreciating where one is in life and seeing home with new eyes and an open heart. Babushka’s  last  post on Chinese New Year, was about keeping it real- 2014 is about seeing the real and noticing the love that is there.

In the tradition of the Great BB Twofers I will combine the Celebration of Chinese New Year and home town family love. Queee??  JU SO FONII !!! Of course we celebrate Chinese New Year in Crawfordville, and we keep it real.  At the Ming Tree Garden “Mom and Dad” know a true party must have:

Delightful Decorations

Charming and Generous Hosts

"Mom and Dad" 

Si, Ming Tree really is a Mom and Pop business 

and they treat all their patrons as family, so con mucho amor that's what we all call them.

Friends

Good guest list.

Bottom Row: Mom, Ms. Red, Dad  2nd pic: Mom, Dad,BB, My Little One

The first pic Babushka couldn't get them all because they were too busy w/the- 

Great  Food!!!

Naturally this wasn't all there was, but naturally Babushka was running Cubantime 

so the hunger didn't let me take pics of the other tables of food.

Very aprobo that this would be the Year of the Horse

because BB comio como un caballo- ate like one. 

Si, you can most definitely say Babushka's a fan.

; )

HAPPY NEW YEAR MY BEAUTIFULS!!

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S.  Here's their Feibu link: https://www.facebook.com/Newmingtreecrawfordville

P.P.S.  This was not a sponsored post, just a sincere Gracias to my hosts and home town for being real.

Chinese New Year

Don't you just love the Chinese New Year?  The festivities, the history, the colors, the pagaentry, the chance to catch up and do a New Year right!  Que Que??  You actually thought January 1 was the real new year?  JU SO FONI !!!  Maybe it's because my mother was 3/4 Chinese, but in BB's mind this is when the reality of the New Year comes in.  Bueno, truth be known I think it's more because of my Cuban side... si, further in the year is better because we're always running late.  Whaaaaaatttt??  I'm only now taking down the Christmas lights... well, I will take them down now that the true New Year has come.

No me miren asi- don't look at me like that.  Really people, think about it.  For 8 days there's a whirlwind of activities- Christmas Eve to New Year's- most people don't come out of the stupor until at least a week  into the new year and then they go into shock when they see the scale and the bills of that holiday hip hop. By the second week of January most will have abandoned their resolutions and are slumping into disappointment from their lack of determination. But should this be? I say Nay!! Nada de eso mi gente!!!  Chinese New Year is the perfect time to make more realistic petitions of ourselves.  We've now seen what we're capable (or not capable) of doing and can go ahead with expectations we can fullfill!  Let me help you with some examples.


January 1 Resolution                                              Chinese New Year Resolution

No more junk food.                                               No more junk food on Mondays.

Exercise everyday.                                                        Exercise on Mondays. 

                                                          Go ahead, w/out junk food it's a bad day anyway.

Call loved ones more often.                            Ever heard of Feibu? How about Escaip?

Spend less money.                                         52 Mondays w/out junk food = saved $$.

Lose weight.                                                         Learn to walk in higher heels. 
                                                                     You'll either sweat from fear of falling
                                                                      or look thinner because you're taller.

Be nicer to my fellow man.                                               Hide on Mondays.

May this year of the Dragon bring you strength-

especially the strength of self. 

Self knowledge and Self Love is BB's wish for all in 2012.

Babushka Besos a Todos.  Cuidensen.