My Son, Madre's Day & The Miami Tunnel

5:30 a.m. my son pulls into the driveway, hands me a hard hat and says,

"Happy Mother's Day Ma." 

Ok, si, we never were the typical familia.

BB raised her trio to believe in themselves and in what they were doing, to love what they were doing- or at the very least, to find something to love in what they were doing.  In all instances do things with heart, from the heart, and always- with gusto & passion! 

Another lesson I tried to stress was the importance of homemade gifts.  Que? Does that mean BB would turn down cash or a Starbucks GC?  JU SO FONII!!!  What better complement to a homemade card than having one of those tucked inside?  Seriously though, and once again, presents with heart, from the heart.

And so my son, knowing that BB loves twofers (that's two things for the price of one) was going to give me a peek at what he was doing, a tour of his latest job, the Port of Miami Tunnel, and the greatest homemade gift a child can give to their mother- time together.  

Naturally Babushka was thrilled when Marine MAC, that's one of the nicknames I have for my son, called to inform me that although he had to work on Madre's Day, he wanted to spend some time together and would pick me up. He wanted to give me a behind the scenes look of the news making tunnel. Oh Joy!  At 5:30 a.m.  Oh. Joy.

At the port the tour begins. With camera and fan in hand, hard hat in place and visitor tag on lapel, BB tries to keep up.  Being my son, and a military man, my son knows only two ways to speak.  Either he's detailed and extensive, or short and to the point.  Extremes Are Excellent. Thankfully he started off detailed, but once Mr. Sun started to heat the air and he saw BB's fan a fury MAC knew it was time to switch to monosyllables, just naming the parts of the equipment.  The following pictures were not the only pictures taken during the tour, but being 5:30 a.m.,a mom, and non mechanically inclined, these are the photos most important to Babushka. 

MM and BB at the beginning of the tour

What a mother likes to think about... 

  

 Bueno, at least they'll have some fresh air...

At the end of the tour, BB draggin' and a fannin'

waaayyy behind MM

Escorting me to the end of the tunnel, my son said he loved me- with heart, from the heart.

I couldn't have asked for a better Madre's Day.

Babushka Besos a Todos.  Cuidensen. 

P.S. When BB started the blog MM didn't want  his pic showing, for this post he said yes.  Another gift from my boy.  Handsome devil isn't he?

P.P.S.  On the way to the port my son explained that due to traffic and the heat being heavier later in the day he decided the beginning of his shift would be the best time for the tour.  Oh he knows me too well, como si lo hubiera parido.  ; )   

P.P.P.S. Later in the evening, MM's sons, my grandsons Rinquincaya and PicaPica, and my DIL came by with dinner for me and La Tata.  Oh si, one of my best Mother's Day ever. 

OJO There may affiliate Links in this post, 'cause BB's gotta have her cafe.  

Girl In Progress- The Swag Sigue-A different kind of Mother's Day Post

It's not always about the material things.  Life is about learning, laughter and love- and the memories those create.  So, how does this tie into the Hispanicize 2012 series and what does it have in common with Mother's Day and madres?  JU SO FONII!!!  They both keep on giving and influencing us long after they're gone. 

Now before BB gets sappy, let's go straight to the story ok? 

One of the wonderful ladies I met during Hispanicize 2012 was Ms. Teresa Garza of Checa La Movie ; she spoke on the panel of entertainment bloggers and was...well, entertaining. Not only is she entertaining, but she's also very generous.  Thanks to her I was put into contact with Mr. Jose Rodriguez of AEM American Entertainment Marketing who arranged for BB to attend a press roundtable for Girl in Progress.   In a future post I will go more into detail about that press junket, but suffice to say my eyes, heart and tummy were filled by the time I left. I must also mention the nice squeeze I got from one of its' stars Eugenio Derbez, but again, that will all be for another post.

 Ok, si, I didn't have to "must mention" the squeeze from Eugenio...

; )

 yes I did.

Babushka had originally planned to go back north to The South a week after Hispanicize thus missing the screening on May 8, however I decided to stay in Little Havana until June for La Tata's 90th Birthday and would be able to see the film.  Of course I didn't realize this until May 8.  Hurriedly I called Jose to let him know I could attend and the dear man was able to arrange seating for me.  Mind you, I had no transportation and it was going to rain, but BB determined is pretty impressive. 

With Popa coffee bag in hand I left at 4:30 for the 7:30 screening.   Three hours you say?  I know my people I say.  Through rain, walking in the wrong direction, and getting wrong directions, the journey via public transit was- interesting.  And late.  Thankfully I had dried out by the time I showed up at 7:40 and took my seat. 

This heartfelt movie tells the tale of a mother and daughter both learning life lessons and having epiphanies. Girl in Progress- be ready to laugh, to cry, and in my case to relive.  Not that my Little One and I had the same exact scenario as Grace and Ansiedad, but we were basically alone and raising each other. And as far as ::shudder:: puberty, I  wasn't the only one with winced eyes nodding their head in rememberance.

A universal story of growing up and coming into one's own.

Was it worth the public transit, the time and the drenching? 

Si.

Was it worth the reliving of ::shudder:: puberty?

Si.

Would I recommend it?

Oh Si.

Happy Mother's Day

and wishing for all loving memories

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

Very Honorable Mentions

The Exhibit & Product Halls during Hispanicize 2012 were chock full of vendor booths and chock full of coffee. (sorry, couldn't resist)  Needless to say I enjoyed visiting the hall at least twice daily during the conference , but my favs have to be:

GoDominicanRepublic.com 

My first husband (yes, there've been more than 1- here's the link-catch up!) was Dominican.

Ok, si, was my first husband, is Dominican, and the father of my two eldest children.

They are proud of their heritage and I'm glad of it.

   

Kiara Cespedes w/BB

Ministry of Tourism DR

I've visited the island and enjoyed it's beauty, food, culture and people.  Like this beautiful young lady they humored esta Crazy Cubana and made her feel welcomed.  BB will take her children to their father's homeland one day for the yearly "Encuentro"; I know they'll love it.

VisitOrlando

BB actually chased these poor Minions as they were going into an elevator. 

I was promised they'd return for a pic, and they were good to their...silence.

This one's for you My Little One!

They also gave us a chance to play dress up- Orlando style

 

Little did we know they were planning on doing this:

Babushka's at 1:08 w/cafe in hand. But of course. 

SOI TV

 Babushka unfanned!

You saw it here first- BB without her face coverup schtick, but nunca without her

"JU SO FONII!!!"

; )



Babushka Besos to all.  Cuidensen.

Right on Target

This post will be a silent post- no words just pictures.  Pero first, an intro.

 Queee???  You thought I meant  the whole thing sin palabras??  JU SO FONII!!! 

 Remember, soy Cubana.

This is my way of saying Mil Gracias to Target  and its' marvelous Team Members.

Hispanicize2012 wouldn't have been the same without your cool ways.

 

wonderful ambiente and fun place to hangout 

the calm before the storm


  





Oh si, a massage chair...

 

y BB relishing the possibilities!

Snacks



Could there be anything more perfect for this CubanChinese Babushka??

Salvation 



Mr. Bryant Freay



Ok, si, maybe there was something more perfect...

after 4 days of nonstop events and panels this was soooooo needed and appreciated.

I asked him how many marriage proposals had he gotten- he just smiled.

BB would have proposed to him herself, but then realized she could have given birth to him.

Retiro lo pensa'o.

; )

So what happened to my wordless post? 

Ok, esta bien-

I'll put my experience at the Target Luxe Lounge down to dos palabras, two words.

QUE RRRRIIIIICCCCOOOOO!!!

And for a Cubana, that's as close to wordless as you're gonna get.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen

Babushka's Booty

And Boy there's a lot of it!  Hispanics believe bigger is better and if you've got it share.  Oh si, we are a giving bunch and in Miami BB's booty was impresionante. 



BB's Hispanicize 2012  Booty

Que???  What did you think BB was talking about??  Oh.  JU SO FONII!!!

Ok, si, bueno...

 that one  is impressive too, especially after a visit to Miami, but I was talking about

Hispanicize 2012

  and the great goodies attendees received.

As you can see from the picture there were many great sponsors and plenty of swag,

but this post will be a shoutout to the sponsors of the main events. 

In no specific order I gratefully list:

DISNEY

 They gave all of us 2 park hopper tickets- Oh si they did!!!

PLUS 

 BB received 4 adorable Mickey shaped chocolate dipped rice crispie treats

for 4  adorable grandbabies. 

Disney's details- ya can't beat it.

CLOROX

 

for their wonderful and slightly wacky

(think virtual bowling, scavenger hunts, etc.) reception party

BLACKBERRY

The BlackBerry Black Carpet- National Latino Film Showcase.

Where we got to preview films, dance, drink and definitely be merry.

McDonalds

Yacht cruise anyone??

BACARDI

Mingling in a mansion- oh my!

Babushka's booty be bountiful, beautiful and bastante

because she dared to dream, dared to ask,

and dared to eat that extra helping of life!

How big is your booty??

; )

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S.  Martinique my Muse informs me this will be the first in a series sobre Hispanicize2012.  

Of course this suits me perfectly as there were so many experiences,panels,and events! 

Let's just say Babushka is still bushed- but still so happy that I joined that baile.

BB's an Original, but Ms Olivia is the Real Thing.

Saw her at the bus terminal and knew right away I was seeing my future self.  Older but oh so stylish, she meshed the retro past with the boldness of today and gave it a flair of her own.  She was marvelous.

Traveling with her two daughters and her granddaughter, you could see she had loved and lived and continued to do both with grace and a natural air.  I was all excited with plans and strategy for the Hispanicize 2012 conference and was in my own little world- and then I saw Ms. Olivia who reminded me what my real world should be.

Here was a woman who had found her way a long time ago, was comfortable in her skin, whose very essence exuded "this is my style, this is my life, this is me- and I like me".  Her beauty - inner and outer brought tears to my eyes.  Have you ever sensed the presence of true beauty?  The knowledge of self worth and the radiance of self acceptance- THIS is true beauty  and Ms Olivia embodied it.

I had to take a picture of her, to remind myself of what is possible, to remember what I aspire to be,  and so I shyly approached my new idol to ask her permission.  Ok si, I hear you- "BB, You- Shy?!?  JU SO FONII!!!"  And you'd be right 99% of the time to doubt, but this was the 1% of our human race who had actually attained self love and BB was in awe and humbled. 

She graciously heard my petition, smiled, and told me she'd discuss it with her daughter.  Her daughter of course wanted to be assured of my sincerity and asked why I wanted to photograph her mother.  I explained how I wanted to capture her mother's style and love of self.   Apparently she believed me because she came looking for me when we had a stop over and I didn't give her a chance to change her mind.

Ms. Olivia was pure joy when she posed for the camera as was I that she had allowed me the honor. I believe her daughter had known her mother was exceptional and thanked me profoundly for noticing.  But how can one not notice?  It would be like not noticing the Lady Moon as she shines and shimmers, not noticing her beauty naturally escaping and filling our nights. No, I'm the one who is thankful to Ms. Olivia for her example and hope this does her justice as she inspires us all to embrace our lives and ourselves. 

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

Life is but a dream

Row, row, row your boat- gently down the stream.

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,

Life is but a dream.

Wow- how deep is that? Almost scary the simplicity and how "in your face" that is.

¿Que creen?  What says you? Should we go gently but with a smile on our face?  No se, I'm Cuban- the smile esta bien, pero the "gently"?  Ok, Si,  I hear you.  "Pero BB dear, you're getting older you should start doing gentle." JU SO FONII!!!  Slower mayyyybbeeee pero gentle?  So sorry, can't do it.  It's not in my constitution, not in my soul.

Perhaps it was all the sofrito, but I need a bit of "oomph" in life, a bit of spice.  I need the passion, the energy- everything felt and done with every atom of my being and down to my very essence.  There is no gentleness there, for even in a tender caress the intensity of my beliefs come through, and though "this ol' gray mare ain't what she used to be", she can still give a pretty good kick!

 "Life is but a dream"?  No, no, no- it's not how most interpret that.  Life is not something that happens to us while we're in a dreamlike trance.  Bueno, if you think about it, maybe that's why it's usually interpreted that way- because most people are living lives that were pre-programmed by someone else.  Por fa gente, MAKE your life YOUR dream.  Set your own sights, chart your way, and since you picked the destination, don't fight the voyage.  Si, in this way you truly can go merrily down the stream.


BB is living her dream merrily, still with gusto, focus and style.  Perhaps the pace has slowed and the baile I dance is now a waltz, but the choice of song is always mine.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S. The video is from YouTube titled "Viennesse Waltz".  A waltz performed by the SUU Ballroom Dance company during their 04 Spring concert  Music by Goo Goo Dolls, song title Iris, posted by willowbrook32. BB thanks them all for the brilliance and beauty of this piece.