My husband, Eric and I went to a party the other night with some Cuban friends. There was a live Cuban band and lots of dancing and wonderful food. There were friends I hadn't seen for a while and so there was lots of hugging and kissing and gesticulating and talking. Loudly, of course. And the music! Well, I just had to move, you know? He made ...
Cubans
The Dodgers and The Cubanity
Disclaimer: This post contains an inordinate amount of selfie-type photos of me. Forgive me. I was so over-the-top excited about this night and being where I was and meeting who I met. It's a Cuban thing. Imagine a stadium full of Cubans, all noisy and celebrating and munching on Dodger dogs. Picture them stopping to do the mandatory ...
The Son of a Bartender and a Maid
A few months ago I was invited to an intimate lunch reception at Gaviña and Sons Coffee Roasters. As you well know, I never turn down an opportunity to visit them as it's always a wonderful time, so I went. The guest of honor was none other than Senator Marco Rubio. He was in town trying to make a Big Decision and was wanting to connect ...
Why Are Cubans So Special?
That was the headline of a recent article in the New York Times. A dear Cuban friend texted me that headline and asked, "Why are we so special?" I don't think she was really trying to start a political conversation because she knows me so well, but that's not important right now. I responded with, "Because we can ...
Finding Her Place
Have you ever seen those photos that people take of their kids in the exact same spot or with the exact same toy over lots of years? It's a wonderful way to mark the passage of time and show the child's growth and how they've changed and grown. You know I'm a big fan of then and now photos. I think they make me much more ...
Cubamerican the Movie on DVD – Winners
I know that all of us Cubans who left our homeland because of the communist revolution have a story. Many of the stories sound pretty much the same, but of course, the details are slightly different and oh-so-very personal. As I read over your comments on the last post, I could almost tangibly feel the pain and loss of each individual. It ...
Cubamerican the Movie on DVD – Giveaway
I so love celebrating Cuban (!) Hispanic Heritage Month with you guys because... Our stories need to be told. Cubans are amazing people. Speaking of great "Cuando sali de Cuba" stories, I know many of you have already seen the documentary, Cubamerican. If you haven't yet, you will be amazed at how beautifully and poignantly it ...
Cuando Sali de Cuba – Stories of Courage and Hope
My family moved to the U.S. reluctantly. When we left Cuba, we didn't know we were coming here for good. I think that's a part of our story as Cuban refugees that doesn't get much play. When we left our beloved homeland, we (when I say "we," I mean, my parents) thought it was only a temporary stay until that whole pesky revolution thing blew ...
Congratulations, Miami. Here Comes Cubamerican!
I'm so happy to announce that Cubamerican the Movie, that has been a huge hit with Cuban audiences all over the country is now coming to Miami TV. I'm proud and very excited to share the details with you. I've been gushing about this film since the first time I saw it, but that's not important right now. To all my Miami ...
Cuban Heritage Day – “Tremendo Vacilón”
The 2nd Annual Cuban Heritage Day at Dodger Stadium has come and gone and it was, by all accounts, a huge success. I'm still a little overwhelmed by all the fabulousness and fun of celebrating baseball and Cubanity(<--it's a word, right?) with my people. And it was the hottest stinking day of the summer in LA, so, if this is ...
Cuban Heritage Day and the Dodgers – Stuff You Need
I'm still recovering from the LA Cuban Festival last weekend. Thanks to all of you who came out and said hello. Also, if you have a photo of us together (and we look cute), please send it to me! Today's post is really a PSA for Cuban Heritage Day at Dodger Stadium. Cuban Heritage Day at Dodger Stadium is coming up next month on ...
Los Angeles Cuban Festival – A Giveaway
Living in Southern California, it's sometimes difficult to find Cubans living nearby. Which is why I'm super delighted to be involved in this year's LA Cuban Festival. It's the very best place to celebrate all the things that we love most about being Cuban. It's a wonderful event bringing together our people for a fun day ...
A Match Made in Cuban Coffee Heaven
You know how much we Cubans love our cafecito. We also love lattes and cappuccinos and café con leche. Any iteration of coffee will do for us. There's even a subset of us that just love our Americano. All that to say this: We love a cup of strong coffee any way we can get it. Particularly a shot of hot, sweet espresso. In light of that ...
Guayaberas and Cubanity
{Disclosure: I received the shirts as described below in order to review them. I did not otherwise receive any compensation for writing this post.} A "guayabera," for the uninformed, is a beautiful linen shirt with two stripes of tiny pin-tucks and four large pockets. It has decorative buttons and a straight bottom as it was designed to ...
Cuando Sali de Cuba – Gustavo’s Story
Marta here: Through my blog I've been privileged to meet so many wonderful Cubans, who represent the very best of our Cuban exile community. One author in particular has been an inspiration to me since my very first blog post right here on My Big, Fat, Cuban Family titled, like his book, Life on the hyphen... His name is Gustavo ...
Viva Los Dodgers – A Giveaway
{Disclosure: This post is not compensated by any organization, nor affiliated in any way with the Los Angeles Dodgers. I, personally, just have some extra tickets that I'd love to give away.} Cubans and Baseball. A Love Affair. The Cuban love of the game of baseball is legendary. From the late 1800's when the Almendares began ...
