So Sweet!

No, this isn't a post about mis nietos (my grandchildren). Well, not directly anyway. Ok, ok, kinda sorta. But it doesn't start that way!

Sweets- candies- one of the many goodies of the Gods. As I was wondering what music to play in today's post, I reached into my purse and pulled out a piece of dark chocolate. Oh yeah!

Instantly the day brightened , and as I was beaming with anticipation- inspiration!!

I remembered that same beam of joy radiating from La Princesa's face when I bribed her with a candy. A candy for a kiss. Whaaaaat? She doesn't know Babushka yet, so I tempted her with el caramelo; THAT she knows! Don't give me that tsk,tsk! and shake of the head as if I was the first to do that. How do you think those chocolates got the name of "kiss" ? Seriously! You think I'm the only long distance abuela? JU SO FONI !!!

Caramelos- sweets, staples of the Cuban Way, and like everything else, we like it rich and to extreme!!! This being a post and not a novel, I will name just two of the mucho, mucho, many sweets we love. Actually, I'm just going to mention drinks, because the cravings will start and I really don't think the bodequita is open.

Ambrosia #1 Guarapo.

The ever natural, original soda of our island. This is the juice taken from the sugarcanes; so special we even use special machinery to extract its' goodness. Fresh from the sugarcanes the flow of liquid sugar would entice us with it's coolness and jumpstart us with it's potency.

Ambrosia #2- Chocolate Caliente (Hot Chocolate-Cuban style)

On the rare nights it would go below 60 degrees in Miami, we'd trek to Moro Castle for their sickeningly sweet, super addictive hot chocolates. Yo se, I know, I promised only drinks, but Oh of course they had to be accompanied by churros, nice and fresh, looking like sticks of solid snowflakes from all the sugar glistening on them. Now, if you think ours is the regular hot chocolate that is mass produced, here I must say Sacrilegio!!! Cuban hot chocolate is made with the French (originally) Chocolate Menier, and that not being rich enough, evaporated and condensed milk is added. Again, oh yeah!

But sugar isn't just in our foods, it's in our souls and part of our history. And no one is more in our souls or part of our history than the late Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz who's signature word was sugar- "Azucar" and it fitted her importance to us perfectly.

BB surrounded by Azucar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgtxZda3Q-E&feature=related

A post about Chocolate, Grandchildren, y Celia Cruz - SWEET!!

Babushka Besos a todos. Cuidensen.

Another Year, Another Candle- Almost 50

Last Thursday I turned 49.  Almost 50.  ÑO.

As I start this 49th year cycle towards 50 let me reflect.  I've completed 7 full cycles (cycles of 7 years each- a mystical, metaphysical grouping, which I'm  into, but more on eso another time) and just what have I done so far?  Bueno, let's break it down shall we?

0 - 7  Pre birth to 7    
I hear mi mamá had a good pregnancy, nothing extraordinary except for it being her first child, and of course it being me.  ; )   At school I  was very shy and quiet.  Yo se, no need to say it- I know what you're thinking; I definitely grew out of that one. JU SO FONII !!! Don't blame you though-  if I wouldn't have seen those teacher's comments I wouldn't have believed it either.

7 - 14  Child, Tween and Teen
Woah- what a span.  Is it just me or does it seem like my generation didn't have much variance between the groups?  I for one was still playing w/baby dolls at 12.  And still had my baby fat at 14.

14 - 21  True Teen and not too true Adult
Now 14 marked a real shift.  It was during this year that I decided I was no longer a baby, thus I no longer was going to need my baby fat.  No way was I going to be a  Quinceañera gorda.  So good bye baby fat and hello bulimarexia.  The rest of the cycle is the start of dating, social blooming and suffering.  Oh the poems I wrote during those years!  And let's not forget the nights of chocolates and  Diet Pepsi with girlfriends as we pondered the mysteries of life- and boys.  Then the college years.  Being a good CAP  (Cuban American Princess for the uninitiated) I went to a community college while living at home.  Truth be told I kinda liked this arrangement and kept withdrawing from classes because breakfast at Denny's with my BFF was infinitely more satisfactory than Algebra....

As in life, the following cycles will be quick.


21- 28  Adulthood and Motherhood- not necessarily in that order
Got a car, got a job, and since I really didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, got a husband.  Ok, ok, I feel your sejas raising and eyeballs popping, but I had already tried to go into the armed forces for "direction"  pero the jobs they offered weren't appealing so I took the traditional route.  Sooo Private Benjamin right?  Bueno, by the end of this cycle I had another car, another job and on the way to another husband, but my beautiful babies made everything worth it.

28 - 35  On A Roll-  up and down hill
Went back to college and actually graduated.  Go me!!   Life lessons were also in store as I remarried and had My Little One.  The marriage ended, and at the end of this very emotional and challenging cycle I was sustained by my children and strengthened by their love.

35 - 42  All a Blur - trio of teenagers
Who remembers?  It must be true, self preservation through memory blockages.  I vaguely recall this being the period my children hit puberty.  And we all know my view on that subject.  ::shudder::

42 - 49  Change of Scenery-  coming out of the trance
A trio of teens, a mini breakdown, and a feeling of perpetual claustrophobia, I had to move from CAP mecca Miami.   By this time my two eldest had their own families and it was just me and My Little One.  Both of us growing up in a little rural town south of the state's capital.  Que?  You thought I'd go farther than that?  Por fa-  once a CAP.... besides, with nietos no way I 'd stay too far away.

"In these years we move from old stereotypical roles with a new found confidence in our individuality. We are prepared to please our self, rather than society and gain a real understanding of our uniqueness, accompanied by a sense of urgency to express our true self before it gets too late."

 http://dreamhawk.com/body-and-mind/every-seven-years-you-change/

49 - 56  I've Gotta Be Me-  what else can I be?
The above quote describes perfectly my past year.  I left a "steady" state job ( oxy moron perhaps?) to pursue my inner calling.  I am a performer, a storyteller, a believer in beauty in all its' forms.  And I'm ready to blab it too!  Be it in person, in blog, or over the airwaves, I will follow my music, singing and sharing.  Y siempre, te lo voy a decir BAILANDO.


So all in all?   I done good!  And looking forward to the next round.





Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.




P.S.  Plans for this cycle start off with a radio show for BB, so if you are so inclined please donate towards this, humbly speaking, very worthy cause.  Corporate contributions and sponsorships are also very welcomed.

Don't you just see it now?  ""BB Bailando con Bustelo"    Oh SI!!!


P.P.S.  If you are truly inclined and "no quieres perder la costumbre", donations for BB are also greatly appreciated.  Mil Gracias.