The title of this post is the first line of our Cuban alma mater. (well... the way we sang it, anyway. It's really an inside joke in my family.) "Es para mi el cuatro de Noviembre...." Loose translation.. "For me, the 4th of November...." and it goes on to say how special a day it is because it is the birthday of our school in ...
Welcome To My Blog!
It’s not you. It’s me.
So after I posted my "oh what a terrible businesswoman I am" speech this morning, about my Cuba to Go! business, I get an email from the fabulous and astute Marc Masferrer over at Uncommon Sense (who by the way, loves Cuban women) asking: "I was looking at your shirts, and I didn't see a place to designate the size? Am I ...
Taking care of business
I have a confession to make: I am a terrible businesswoman. Let me explain. I have my online store called Cuba to Go! It's pretty straightforward. I have come up with some fun designs for shirts and bags and things. My products are all about showing off your Cuban heritage. My husband is an Internet marketing guy ...
Maps of Cuba in the House
or "What it's like to grow up in a Cuban-American home" by Lucy Ruth DarbyThat is Lucy's working title for her memoirs. She insists that growing up in South Orange County with a surfer for a dad and a Cuban mother make her life a little...ummm...different. (and yes, "surfers" are an entire demographic down here.) Here's where ...
In omnia…
As we head downstairs each day, we are greeted by this: In omnia paratus. It is Latin. It means "prepared for all things." In other words... "Ready for anything." It is a daily reminder of an attitude I want for myself and my family. It resonates in me. I want to be prepared for whatever life throws our way. And it's kind ...
Japi Jalo Uin (Happy Halloween)
In October of 1961, having been in the states for about 8 months, we found out about the delicious custom of Halloween. At first there was the confusion of why we would be dressing up: "Is it like carnaval? Is there a parade we get to ride in?" ("Pardon me..... but your Caribbean roots are showing.") It was exactly like a Jerry Seinfeld ...
This is Halloween.
We are preparing for Halloween around here. It has been unseasonably hot, but we are undeterred. We live in a wonderful peanut-butter-and-jelly neighborhood. There are tons of kids and everyone decorates their homes with jack-o-lanterns. And as a friend pointed out yesterday, Halloween is one of the few times we experience actual community in ...
Beisbol and Urban Legends
HEADLINE: The Cardinals ended a 24-year World Series title drought with a 4-2 win over Detroit in Game 5. That's baseball speak for "the World Series is over and the St. Louis Cardinals won." I like baseball. I'm Cuban. I'm pretty sure it's a federal mandate of some sort - "if you're Cuban, you must like ...
Cuban-Americans. Version 2.0
I get compliments on my kids. People say they are charming and handsome and pretty and funny and well-mannered and talented and smart. I always say, "thank you," and secretly take a bow. (as if I could really take credit for their accomplishments - I'm not that delusional)For the most part, I'm still in "active ...
Was it worth it for the apple pie?
I went because it was important to him. He doesn't usually do stuff with me and the younger kids. But today he wanted to take us to Julian, California. Just for the day. Adam is 20 and his real life doesn't include a mother and siblings. This is why we made the extra effort to go with him. (that, and we took Eric's Mustang) Julian is a ...
