Naples Vacation

For Memorial Day Weekend, my family and I took a much-needed getaway to beautiful Naples. It was just what we needed after a crazy Spring semester! We stayed in my uncle's apartment on Vanderbilt Beach, and did absolutely nothing but lay out by the beach and pool. It was glorious.

Here are some pictures:

my cousin & uncle love gourmet cooking, so for dinner one night they grilled some salmon fillets on cedar planks! So good. :)

As you can see, Naples has some pretty awesome sunsets. On our last night (Sunday), we walked over to the beach to take some photos. It's actually pretty crazy, but you can see the sun moving over the horizon! The coolest part about it, besides the sheer beauty of it, is that after the sun faded over the horizon, everyone on the beach started cheering. It was almost like they were giving a round of applause to God for the marvelous creation He made. The only thing I thought about was this verse from the book of Psalms:

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

 Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge.

--Psalm 19:1-6

 

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas everyone!

I hope your holiday was full of fun, food and family! We really had a great time today (and yesterday as well). Yesterday was, of course, Noche Buena, which is really a Hispanic's pre-Christmas celebration spectacular. We had the family over for dinner and I was in charge of decorating the table! I totally ran with it, and I just love how everything turned out. I had to give myself a pat on the back. ;)

It was great to have all of my mom's side of the family together for Noche Buena. Gabby's family stopped by as well for some yummy dessert! After dinner, I went with my love to his church's Midnight Mass. Beautiful service, and most importantly, a beautiful message of Love! Overall- great night. Noche Buena indeed.

After an extra long night(by the time mass finished and I got home and finished cleaning up, it was 3 a.m!), I woke up bright and early at 8 a.m. to head on over to Gabby's for the opening of the presents. His sister wakes up at 6 a.m. every Christmas morning (mind you, she's 20) and I usually go over and bring gifts and open their gifts with them there.  I was pleasantly surprised! Gabby bought me a beautiful Coach wallet that I'd been eyeing for some time! I totally wasn't expecting it, but then again,  he wasn't expecting getting an awesome GPS system, yet he did! Santa was kind this year. ;)

After opening presents at the Medinas', I headed on home to wake up my mom and brother for our own Christmas morning! I was, again, pleasantly surprised! Mom got me an awesome camera, which I was in dire need of. I will definitely be wearing it down! ;) Also, my brother got me seasons 1 and 2 of the greatest show ever, which totally made my morning.

After gift time, we went to my cousin's house in Pinecrest for our traditional family brunch. Each year we have Pan con Lechon, yummy cinnamon rolls from Knaus Berry Farm, and my grandmother's traditional manzanitas. All that food, plus a huge family and a ton of kids, makes for a great day!

I was reminded today just how blessed I am. I can truly say that, even if I didn't recieve one thing that I wanted, I would still be so grateful for just having everything that I already own. I have a great family, a wonderful boyfriend, health, food, shelter, and a means of transportation! Seriously, what more can someone ask for this Christmas?

You Know You're A Cuban When...

I saw this on a website and thought it was epecially true for my crazy family.
Enjoy, both Cuban & non-Cuban friends! :)


- You grew up scared of Bichos and una nalgada
- If you know the meaning of "esa chica esta de madre"
- If others tell you to stop screaming when you are really talking.
- You have told your kid not to walk the floor barefoot or they'll catch a cold.
- If you light a candle on the night of the Lotto drawing.
- If dinner usually consist of rice, beans and some kind of meat.
- If you have ever used your nose or lips to point something out.
- If you ever drop food on the floor, picked it up, ate it after saying "lo que no mata engorda."
- If you constantly refer to cereal as con flei.
- If you've ever gotten yelled at by your abuelos for spending mad money and then gotten a "Cuando llegamos de Cuba..."
- If you have ever been hit with a chancleta or papi's cinturon
- If you know your mom is near because you hear an "OYE!"
- You know your mom is sneaking up on you cause you can hear her "chancletas" flapping on the linoleum floor.
- If you can get to your house blind folded because of the smell of chuletas is so strong.
- If your grandparents still have plastic on their couches.
- If you just can't imagine anyone not liking Cuban food.
- If you have at least thirty cousins que todavia viven en Havana or its sister town, Hialeah
- If you consider platanos to be a food group.
- If you live in Elisebe (Elizabeth), Junion Ceety, (Union City) or Wes Nu Jor (west NY) or even know where they are
-If your abuelos are constantly comparing things here to things in Cuba and affirming Cuba was better.
- If your family reunions consist of all types of food, dominoes, political talk, music and lots of people and screaming.