My Family Reunited Thanks to Google and an Old Blog Post

In 2009 I wrote a Father’s Day blog post honoring all the dad’s in my life – my father, grandfathers and great-grandfathers, including my mom’s father Apolinar Rodriguez Rozan. Little did I know that the blog post would spark a cross-Atlantic family reunion between my mom, uncle and their long-lost sister, Fanny.

PICTURED (My cousin Beatriz, my mom Bettina, my aunt Fanny and my uncle Jose)

For years I had heard about my grandfather’s first daughter, a child he had from a relationship when he was young man in his native Spain (Pravia, Asturias, España). My mom had always yearned to connect with this mysterious sister but little was know about her.

Then one day the power of the internet helped our family connect the hidden dots…

In August of 2012 I got a message from a woman named Beatriz saying that we might share a grandfather, Apolinar Rodriguez Rozan. She had googled his name hoping to find out more information about her family tree and  up came my blog post. She promptly emailed me and explained her story, assuming I had never heard about her or her family. I was elated and quickly responded and told my mother who was overcome with joy. A relationship was developed and a life long family mystery was solved.

This week Beatriz and her mother Fanny Cuervo traveled from Spain to Miami, Florida, USA to meet their American family. For the first time in Fanny’s long life she hugged her younger brother and sister and finally learned more about a father she never met.

One simple blog post has connected my family and helped heal some open wounds. Though my aunt will never get to know her father (he died over 20 years ago) she has created a relationship with her brother, sister, nieces and nephew all who love her and are excited to know her and her family.

Abuelo Apolinar, circa 1932 (around 18 y.o.) in Spain. One of the two pictures Fanny had of her father.

Abuelo Apolinar with his father, Jose Rodriguez, in Cuba.

Abuelo Apolinar and family friend in Habana, Cuba.

Abuelo Apolinar as a youth in Austurias, Spain. One of the two pictures Fanny had of her father.

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Latino Will Ferrel, Another Example Hispanic Culture Becoming Mainstream

American comedian and overall funny man Will Farrel is promoting his new movie role playing Mexican Armando Alvarez, a role in which he only speaks Spanish!

The comedy, Cade de mi Padre, melds a Western action movie and a overly dramatic Spanish telenovela. It joins Farrel with popular Mexican actors Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna as well as the movie love interest, Miami’s Génesis Rodríguez, all speaking Spanish (and features English subtitles).

Ferrell’s Armando Alvarez, who’s been running the ranch of his father for many years, but in recent times they have encountered financial problems. When his younger brother Raul (Diego Luna) shows up promising the benefits of his business ability, things start looking up for Armando. But then there’s an unfortunate love triangle between the two brothers and Raul’s fiancee Sonia (Genesis Rodriguez), and it turns out that Raul has some rather dodgy business contacts, not least of whom is Gael Garcia Bernal’s terrifying gangster Onza.

The movie is another example on how Latino culture is becoming mainstream, even if it’s an over dramatic, ridiculous telenovela characterization of itself. Watch the movie trailer below, in what I believe is a song performed by Ferrell himself. The trailer promises the film will be filled with “passion, adventure, intrigue, betrayal, sex, danger, romance, guns, cigarettes, special effects and slaps” and a whole bunch of  ridiculousness. The movie is set for release on March 16.

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Honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe

Today, millions of Mexicans and Latin Americans honor the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico’s patron saint.

Every year during this season, over 8 million people make their way to the Basilica of Saint Mary of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Today, December 12th, marks the day in 1531 when the indigenous Juan Diego saw the Virgin of Guadalupe in a night-blue cloak studded with stars on a hill in the Tepeyac desert, near Mexico City.

La Virgen de Guadalupe is Mexico’s most popular religious image commonly called  the “Queen of Mexico” and ”Empress of the Americas.” She is a prominent part of Mexican culture and an integral part of the Mexican identity.

The Vatican celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe with a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. The catholic celebration was televised live on Telemundo and on various stations throughout the U.S. and viewed by many of the nation’s Hispanics. During the Mass, Pope Benedict XVI confirmed he will travel to Cuba and Mexico next year.

Over 40% of the world’s Catholics reside in Latin America. This will be Pope Benedict’s first trip to Mexico, which is the second only to Brazil as the world’s top Catholic nation.

To learn more about this important day read, THE AMERICANO: Hispanics remember Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas:

“The Virgin of Guadalupe is celebrated every year on December 12th with a variety of rites ranging from the serenade with Mariachis the night before –which is televised nation-wide in Mexico– to the midnight ceremonies by concheros, who call upon nine spirit guides with pagan dances and Catholic chants all through the night, before dancing all day in front of the Basilica.

Hers is one of the main religious shrines in the world, second in visitors only to the Vatican. Pilgrims from all over Mexico and abroad converge on Tepeyac Hill, seeking healing and favors, keeping vows, or simply paying homage to their beloved Little Mother, Queen of Mexico, Patroness of the Americas. It is also a Feast Day in the United States.

The opening of the New World brought with it both fortune-seekers and religious preachers desiring to convert the native populations to the Christian faith. One of the converts was a poor Aztec Indian named Juan Diego….

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My Very Americano Thanksgiving – Part Two

Happy Thanksgiving!!

This was my first Thanksgiving outside of Miami and away from my very loud and lively Latin family. But, that didn’t stop me from bringing a little Miami to my California Thanksgiving. My mother came to visit for the long holiday weekend, and as usual, brought enough Latin spice and pizzazz that I could recreate South Beach in my living room.

The exciting (and nerve wrecking) part of this Thanksgiving, was that I had to make all the food (with a little help from mom). It was quite adventure. One that I documented, at least for its comedic factor. Here are some photos from the international gastronomical odyssey.

As I wrote in Part One, this Thanksgiving meal featured standard American favorites and  with homage to our Cuban-Mexican-Spanish-Italian-Irish heritages.

The making if the Italian meat stuffing, a tradition in my boyfriends family, was in itself an adventure. The hand-held meat grinder I bought to grind up all the meat didn’t work. It literally dissembled in my hands. So, I used some technology, my electronic food processor. This made grinding the ham, salami, pepperoni, eggs, cheese and crackers a breeze.

After tweaking the recipe and cooking for several hours I made a crispy authentic Italian stuffing. Pictures were sent to his family in Boston and met with approval. I was proud of my culinary achievement.

Next up, the pavo…. bring on the guajalote.

I started working on the turkey on Wednesday night placing it in a very Cuban marinade which I bought at the local Mexican grocery store. See Part One. This was my first turkey and with help from mom, it came out great!!

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My Very Americano Thanksgiving – Part One

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days of the year. Its a great American holiday honoring our nation’s history and the diversity of its people, via food!!!

This will be my first Thanksgiving in which I have to make the whole meal, including the Turkey!! I hope I can wake up my inner Chef Peppin!

Our Thanksgiving menu honors the diversity of all of our guest: A Cuban vegetarian, an Italian-Irish New Englander and a Cuban-Mexican on a diet. The menu:

• Turkey (Cuban Style)
• Italian Meat Stuffing
• Biscuits
• Stuffed Mushrooms
• Baked Sweet Potato Casserole
• Butternut Squash Soup
• Green Beans
• Black Beans & Rice (Congri)
• Mom’s Pumpkin Pie

Here goes my first attempt to make a turkey/ Pavo/ guajalote. Recipe below

My brother said it was the most Cuban looking turkey he has ever seen. Saying all it needed was a Guayberra for the turkey!

Thank’s to Cubanfoodmarket.com for the recipe for Congri stuffed Turkey:

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Operation Pedro Pan Turns 50

Babalu Blog reminds us that today Operation Pedro Pan turns 50 years old. The program helped bring Cuban children to America who were fleeing the Cuban communist revolution. Read  Silvio Canto’ s post on the 50th birthday of the Pedro Pan Exodus:

“Pedro Pan” is 50: The story of how 14,000 Cuban children were sent to the US!

Time flies and we celebrate another anniversary of the Cuban-American experience. The picture above shows parents saying goodbye to their children and putting them in a plane headed to Miami.

Read more HERE

If you aren’t familiar with the Pedro Pan, I strongly urge you to take a moment and read Silvo’s post. Operation Pedro Pan is a defining moment in Cuban-American history and American-Cuban relations.

The covert operation by brave Cubans and the Catholic church aimed to ensure children could live in a free country. I remember walking with Mongo Grau around the grounds of the Chapel of the Virgin of Charity (Virgen de la Caridad) as he recalled his involvement in Pedro Pan. The stories helped me better understand life in the early days of the Cuban revolution.

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Honoring Veterans and Remembering their Contributions

Happy Veterans Day! Today, we honor the millions of military veterans who have served this great nation in times of war and in times of peace. We humbly thank these brave men and women who have protected our freedoms and thank all the military families for their sacrifices. Nearly 22 million veterans currently live in the United States. Their service will be forever remembered.

Many Latinos have served in the military providing an extraordinary service to our nation. Hispanics have participated in every major military conflict, from the American Revolution to the present-day conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Medal of Honor has been presented to 43 Hispanics. Rafael Peralta, Ramon Rodriguez, Isaac Camacho, Guy Gabaldon, and Marcelino Serna have all been nominated to receive Medals of Honor.

Hispanic veterans have served a major role in American culture and within the Latino community, individuals like Cesar Chavez, founder of the United Farm Workers of America and a Navy veteran; Desi Arnez, actor and television pioneer who served in the Army; and Ben Fernandez, the first Hispanic to run for President and Army veteran, have all left a unique mark on our society.

Currently, there are over 1 million Latinos who have served in the Armed Forces. I am positive that within this crop of brave of individuals there will be many national leaders and transformative figures, maybe even a future President.

As a nation, we need to do more to help recently returned veterans who are facing especially difficult ongoing challenges. Many post 9/11 veterans, not only  have to deal with the nation’s high unemployment and a shaky economy, they are returning home with physical and mental challenges. According to a new report by the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, “one in eight post-9/11 veterans are living in poverty and the youngest of them have it the worst.. Among those ages 18 to 24, a whopping 21.3 percent live in poverty.” (read more.)

Groups like Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) have been created to help returning military officers adjust to civilian life.

“With the mission to honor and empower wounded warriors, WWP is the hand extended to encourage warriors as they adjust to their new normal and achieve new triumphs. Offering a variety of programs and services, WWP is equipped to serve warriors with every type of injury – from the physical to the invisible wounds of war.”

They are involved in a variety of projects assisting both veterans and active members of the military. If you can, please donate to the Wounded Warrior Project today.

To learn more about Latinos in the military, please read:

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Celebrating Dia De Los Muertos and my Mexican-Cuban Heritage

Today is Dia De Los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, a pre-Colombian tradition which honors the dead, and believes that adult souls come to visit their living relatives.

As a child my father would bring home sugar skulls and sweet breads and explain this Mexican tradition.  He’d show my brother and I pictures from festivities in his hometown in Veracruz, Mexico, which seemed like a far away land compared to our home in Miami, Florida. With my Cuban mother and grandmother we would light candles next to old pictures and small offerings for dead loved ones and pray for them.

As an adult, I prepare a small altar in honor of my ancestors. Remembering them brings me peace and comfort. I take a moment to realize where I come from and the sacrifices made for me by earlier generations.

I may not do the traditions perfectly, but I try to hold on to these important family customs and honor my Mexican culture and my own Mexican-Cuban upbringing. Next to la Virgen de Guadalupe candle is card of La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre. The pictures of all my grandparents, the Mexican ones and the Cuban ones, stand side by side as I honor their lives on this special day.

Looking at the pictures reminds me, I am a proud child of immigrants. I am a proud child of exiles. I am a proud Latina.

In recent days, it seems that reporters and pundits have tried exceptionally hard to put immigrants against exiles, Mexicans versus Cubans. Be it using sloppy reporting or anecdotes, they have attempted to weave discontent in the Latino community, enough to try to give a Mexican-Cuban American some kind of personality disorder.

First off, immigrants come to this country for the same thing, better opportunities. Be it for political or economic reasons they all come to America in search of the American Dream. To those that want to imply that the hopes and dreams of immigrants and exiles are different are delusional and as we say, are buscapleitos (troublemakers.)

Are Cubans and Mexican different? Yes. Are there similarities? Yes. Does each

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Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween. Wishing you all a festive, fun and safe Halloween…. Some photos from this past weekend’s Halloween Party here… Below, I just took up sewing again, here is my latest fabric, in honor of my Mexican heritage and Dia de los Muertos.

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Pitbull On Music Success And America’s Unique Opportunities

I love Pitbull! The Miami rapper, born Armando Christian Pérez, has become a worldwide sensation as Pitbull (aka Mr. 305) for his hit singles with the top names in the music industry. His latest Billboard chart topping song, “Give Me Everything” featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer, has been named by many as the anthem of the 2011 summer.

Earlier this week Pitbull appeared on TODAY’s Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb during a special honoring all things Latin. They asked the rapper/producer about his Latin-influenced music and how he collaborates with music sensations like Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez and Ne-Yo.

During the interview with Kathy Lee and Hoda he was asked how being the child of Cubans has influenced him? Pitbull, a first generation American, answered “…you appreciate everything that this country has to offer which is opportunity, freedom, a chance to create a future for your family, to create your own destiny. It was something thaPt was instilled in us since we where very very young.” (video)

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