Power in Thanks

(neighborhood street in Cojimar, La Habana)

I just came back from the grocery store, holding a bag with 3 bright lemons. 3 for $1. Pretty good, right? They were on sale. I'm going to make a really good lemonade and sweeten with honey so I can sip on it while I pontificate. Ahh, so refreshing. So good. And so easy to obtain.

Not in Cuba. Getting in your car is not so readily feasible. Buying one at a dealership is not even an option. So, I am a really lucky woman. Born in communist Cuba, immigrated as a child to the US as my parents chased the All American Dream and actually achieved and exceeded it. I can travel the world. Have seen a lot of it. Am educated with the ability to be gainfully employed. Can drive my Volvo to the grocery store and buy food, without limitation on any product (I'm broke this week so I can do an all out food purchase). I can see a Dr. after an appointment is made; and then pick up my prescription at my local pharmacy at a discount because of health insurance. I can write this blog and tell you how much I think George Bush sucks and does the devils work, without being persecuted, or whisked away in a fatigue army truck, to be killed--without a fair trial by my peers.

I can do all those things and more because I live here, and not there. I'm no less Cuban. I'm no less proud to be una Cubana from the dumps of Mariano because I am afforded FREEDOM to do whatever the hell I want, within reason and without micromanagement. I'm orgullosa of being the child of resilient parents that simply said NO to communism and Castro's revolution. These are parents that left behind everything they had worked all their life for. Not to mention parents and siblings living in less than acceptable quarters with no running water and daily power outages.

If you consider the confiscation of personal property (the very notion that establishes freedom here) is still mandated by the Castro's when Cubans are "granted permission" to leave the island, then I am remain thankful. Thankful that I'm not bound by faux gimmes like "free education" (but no jobs) and "free health care" (but no medicine; and let's not talk about the pre-warning to bring your own bed sheets and light bulbs to the hospital should you be unfortunate enough to have to step foot in those death traps). Or, a better one yet; the CDR, el Comite de Defensa de la Revolucion (Revolution Defense Committee), which casually plants informants in each neighborhood to monitor "deviant" behavior and snitch on covert escape plans, really anything you do (like buy a telephone to call relatives!). That thankfulness keeps me sanely content with what I have and motivated to be diligent in my work, is an understatement.

In Miami, my parents rehearsed "you better eat everything on your plate before you leave that table. Don't you know there are thousands of people that are starving?" I didn't get it as a 6 year old being forced to eat beets and lima beans. That same statement continues to resonate the walls of hundreds of thousands of Cuban-American homes. In my kitchen today, not even a rind is left unused. Everything has an opportunity to be recycled. If nothing else, the poignant memory of my late grandmother losing 70 pounds in a month due to lack of food upon her return to Havana, makes it easy to apply that practice, albeit the abundance of unnecessary compost.

(my grandmother's neighbor climbing a coconut tree)

In Cuba, there is no free enterprise and grocery store chains. And the few bodegas that do have limited product, have their inventory locked up inside glass vitrines. Food is still rationed and water trucks still distribute potable water. And while I realize there are plenty of other destitute and suffering countries, I talk about Cuba because it is what I am and where I come from. And so I am not a spoiled brat or a misguided and arrogant American with a deep-rooted sense of entitlement, like a lot of us. Because I understand what it is like not to have anything and to be told that you can't leave your city. Ever.

I wouldn't ask for uber popularity or to be named Times' Online Best Blogs of 2009 in place of the freedom that allows me get on a plane and travel to South Africa, my next destination--the trade-off of a certain Cuban blogger.

And with that, buen provecho and safe travlin'!

Grammy Winner Anthony Hamilton is Just So Cool!

I really do love what I do. I say this often because I'm truly blessed to have a family and few friends that support me unconditionally. Even when times are tough, they bat for me.

I get to interview artists, and sometimes establish a personal relationship with them. My most recent girl foolish moment was when I had the chance to interview Grammy winner Anthony Hamilon. At time of press of the following interview, he'd not won yet, so we congratulate him now!

He's one of koolest guys I've interviewed, so much that I've offered to drive all the way up to Charlotte to cook for him! YUP, I'm flirting, but it's all good. I think his wife wouldn't mind benefiting from a free meal either!

**Originally published on 2/03/09**

If I ever fired my two best guy friends, I think I’d get over it pretty quickly if Anthony Hamilton and I hit it off! I know it sounds insensitive, but with a man as mellow in real life and prolific as his words in song imply, any gal would relish the opportunity to live the “cool” life. If you keep up with soul music, you know who Anthony Hamilton is. You know what his “soultry” voice sounds like. And you undeniably don him the crooner of real heart felt tunes. I had the opportunity to chat with Hamilton right before his 3rd studio album, The Point of it All, was released. He had a lot to say about his personal and musical growth.

Nu-Soul(BH): Let’s talk about your title song “Cool”. Love it. So simple with a big message. Tell me what makes Anthony Hamilton so cool.

AH: I think what makes me cool is that I’m comfortable in any setting. I fit in every genre, every hood, every suburb. I can connect with anybody in the world. I care enough about people to put myself on the line to make sure they’re okay.


Nu-Soul (BH): Is there anything significant that has happened in the last 3 years that sums up your new album?

AH: Survival! The point of it all is now. Love has brought me this far. I’ve survived in my new manhood and that travels with me everywhere I go. It makes me better.



Nu-Soul (BH): How’d you make the transition from country boy life to big label star?

AH: I’m just in a better place. I understand life, love and relationships so much better. I know now that sometimes, things just aren’t meant to work out. I can make better decisions. I left the Anthony Hamilton that people knew years ago, alone. I allowed the guy that got me to Uptown to continue to be. That’s very real.


Nu-Soul(BH): You’re internationally known for that soulful, raspy voice. Are there any other genres you’re playing with that will give your fans another side of Anthony.

AH: Well I’m not afraid of growth. I dove into some country music a few years ago and tried to do some musical stuff with some buddies. And I’m currently working on a variety of collaborations. The Rolling Stones are folks I’m definitely tackling next.


Nu-Soul(BH): What should a new fan expect to see when they go to your show?

AH: Me getting down and dancing. I love to converse and hug the crowd. Kissing babies is always special. I dance with the full figured women! I bring it to the table. Lots of energy and passion.


Nu-Soul(BH): What’s your favorite song on your new album?

AH: “I Did it For Sho”. It’s about being in a relationship.


Nu-Soul(BH): Let’s talk about “Souls on Fire”. I really like that song. Musically, it’s different from your prototype. From your perspective, what does this song say?
What’s the message?

AH: The spirit is the most important part about a person’s make up. So day to day, people battle with trying to keep their head above water. Pride gets in the way. So pretty much, I’m saying if your soul’s on fire and passionate about something then you should be around people that love and support you.


Nu-Soul (BH): What’s your next project. What’s on your mind?

AH: Movies! Getting into movies. The label I’m on is working on a concept now and I’m lining up with some artists. My back up singer is also working on it with me. I’m taking acting classes now, but I think I have natural talent!


Nu-Soul(BH): Tell me two things no one knows about you. Something that’s not reflected in any of your music.

AH: I’m very, very spontaneous! I’m an outgoing person and even though you hear a lot of emotion in my albums, I don’t let a lot bother me. I honestly have a high level of patience and tolerance. I have a great ability to love others as much as I love myself.


Nu-Soul(BH): We’re experiencing a recession right now. What are you doing to stay recession proof?

AH: Live smart! Buy small. Live the best out of those cheap moments. Stay home and chill!


Nu-Soul (BH): Yup! That’s exactly what you sang in Cool! (laughing). When do go back on tour?

AH: Well we just finished our first leg, which went really well. We’ll get back out in a little bit.

www.myspace.com/anthonyhamilton
www.anthonyhamilton.com

Debunking Mexican Stereotypes

(beach view from the grounds of our resort the Grand Mayan)

Mexicans are underrated. Period.

My family travels to this Middle American country at least every two years. We love it. It's an escape to realism. A journey to a land of struggle and profound ethic. We eat great food, tread really blue water, talk to honest people, receive unparalleled customer service, and perch our eyes on historical edifices.


(random grilled chicken spot we found on the side of the road. Delish!)

The appreciation of our openness to the average Jose is reciprocated with extra measure in securing our comfort. I like to call that exceptional customer service. A notion long absent in the United States.

I assert that all foreign visitors would concur. After all, how many times can I say that Mexicans extend themselves like none other, consistently!?

I was particularly happy during our last visit. A certain young guy at our host resort offered us free WiFi, usually a $60 fee. We also benefited from fantastic personal cooking by the Executive Chef. I mean, it just doesn't get better.

But then something really strange occurs when we return to the Grand Ol' Land. We see them as janitors in our cleanest schools. They operate thousands of gourmet and well starred kitchens across America. They build our government centers. They even help beautifyy our communities. But then an unfortunate situation such as seeing a pack of 6-10 Mexicans in one mini-van jump out and we start calling INS? We start name spewing derogatory adjectives.

But what would happen if Mexicans said "To hell with you Americans! You arrogant bithces!" and they return to their country?

Every.Single.Mexican.

S*** would shut down. We'd be pissed and many of us would be forced to get off our asses and actually get our hands dirty. I had a cousin once say that she was going to employ "one of those Mexicans to fix my yard because they're cheap".

I'm Cuban and took offense.

I appreciate hustle because I am one. I beg you to rethink next time you judge a Mexican, if you do. After all, they're willing to do what you and I aren't.

Like a private citizen giving The Wall Street Journal a multi-million dollar loan to help them stay afloat.

(eating lunch at Hector's. Best guac in Vallarta!)

Here's to guac and tequila!

Obama, Racism Still Exists, Really.

Atlanta is still racist.

I was starting to get used to the sorrows of a majority black and white city. Sorrows that are seen by way of incult people and absent cultural tolerance.

And then Saturday happened.

I had a well paid cooking gig in Buckhead; 16 people, Cuban food, board games and John Legend on the sound waves. My friend Abdul, a low key, Harlem native, accompanied me, as he always does when I trek the streets of A-town.

After 5 busy, but exhilarating hours of cooking and parlaying, we parted the client's home and headed to Starbucks on 14th where we left his car. You know, gas isn't exactly stable yet, so we consolidate driving needs.

Okay, pull up to the 'bux and no car.

It's 3 am.

No car.

Dial the tow place and get an outrageous retrieval fee.

20 minutes later, tired as all get out we arrive to the dump and drama ensues. I comfortably dose off under the assumption everything inside the musty office is fine.

I wake up 7 minutes later to a disgruntled looking A, whom proceeds to tell me that the "white girl" inside called the police on him because she thought he was "an angry, irate black man." Curious, I dig a bit more. Apparently, the young 22 yr. old didn't want to accept a credit card payment, using "the machine we use doesn't run cc transactions" line. A, being a professional banker, and being well versed in selling all brands of credit card machines, knew she was lying. He questioned the legitimacy of her claim and asked to speak with her manager, the alleged policy maker. This caused her to feel threatened. I suspect she expected him to comply without questioning.

He obliged & paid by debit, got his car, and as we begin to pull away from the trailer park dump, a white officer arrives. I guess Fulton Co. police likes getting those natured calls, as it took him no time to get there. Gives them an opportunity to talk about angry black men, you know. He speaks to the woman while A waits outside. I witness the scene from my car. When the officer finally addressed A, the conversation, through hand gestures gives me the impression is going no where. So I get out and interject, in very vintage Cubana form. I abruptly ended the conversation between the two with these words:

"She's a young white girl in the South, afraid and intimidated by a black man. It's not going to change. This cop isn't going to do anything so stop wasting my time. It's 3:3. Let's go!"

The officer was a bit uncomfortable, too.

Sadly, this blatant racism still exists. I thought Atlanta was making progress and it's not. Same crap, different day.

Obama, hope you're ready my man.

WHAT DO 5 DAYS REPRESENT?

I wish I would have found this picture sooner as it would have been plastered all over my screens, fridge, bathroom wall, car door, and anywhere else that could support its mounting.

But I didn't so I won't dwell on it. Though when I look at the picture, it has a spooky resemblance to the counter-culture, murder icon Che's picture. It only hit me while I was writing this. Our pop culture and young people are somehow so mistified with the spirit of someone so mean and ruthless, all because they really haven't read the full story. But if we read more and talked to the older and wiser, we'd know.

We'd even know not to replicate that daunting image with a reflectory image of Barack Obama, potentially our next President.

So with 5 days left to election, I throw at you another list of meanings:

1. No more political pundantry consuming 5 hours of my evening
2. Brittany Spears will become popular again
3. Tina Fey will crawl back under her rock
5. SNL will revert to being a shitty show and advertisers will cancel their contracts
6. Cotton will be recycled into plastic from all the donated McCain and Obama shirts
7. Gas will go up by 60% of today's price
8. Some juicy gossip will surface about McCain or Obama costing either or the election
9. Cookouts in November will be the thing to do!
10. Palin will lose her mind and convert to Islam
11. Obama will win the election and closet democrats will come out saying they knew it!

And then all this will have been a wash!

Living Under Pressure!

I don't know why I haven't been here since July.

It's not like I've fallen in love. Or hit the jackpot. Or even decided to lock down a sugar-daddy. You know, things that would without a doubt keep me from sharing my life with you.

But I'm back. Not sure if I'm excited about it or not, but I'm here. There's so much to catch you up on, I don't know where to begin.

Let's see, since last time I posted, these few notable things have occurred, for better or worse:

1. Obama won the Democratic convention
2. I didn't vote in the Primary. Who cares anyway.
3. I went to Mexico, again. Will definitely post about that.
4. Observed Hillary Clinton flip her script a couple of times
5. Joined Facebook and reconnected with people I haven't heard of in 15+ years.
6. GOT OVER THE EX! Major monumental development!
7. Auditioned for Next Food Network Star, Season 5
8. Got a call back from the audition
9. Decided to stay single and only date if he can take care of me
10. Bought a ticket to VA so I can vote for Obama with my siblings!
11. Got a 2nd call back from FN and submitted 30 orig. recipes
12. Decided not to get a boob job
13. Finally finished 1st book proposal and pitched to agent in NY!
14. Fallen in love with SNL again since Tina Fay has mastered the Palin impersonation!
15. Taken up eating at a lot of restaurants to do reviews. Free meals are never rejected.
16. Cooked an al fresco lunch for Grammy winning Pacquito D'Rivera
17. Lost a few pounds. Now I'm down to 124 lbs... pathetic, I know.


* and a few other things I dare not say; you might never come back here; and I really want you to.

Yeah, it seems I've been really busy. But not in that crazy, imbalanced kind of way. Well, Mexico was great b/c of all the food I devoured and all the fine men my sis and I wooned over.

But I wonder how I neglected to write about my excursions and hustles. After all, I do find my life quite interesting. And you probably do too, so I vow to writing at least once a week. And be partially entertaining. Or at minimum offer some insight on the life of a wanna be super star.

I'm so under pressure to make it happen. ButI think I'm almost there! :)

If you rolled your eyes at this post, it's okay. I still want you to come back :)

St. Maarten is For the Lover in You

Writers are spoiled individuals. Especially travel writers.

We get these unsolicited invitations to go to exotic destinations, on someone else's dime, to explore, indulge and be pampered. I mean how many people get to go to a Caribbean island for 5 days only to sip fine spirits, soak in the sun, eat good ass food and tan on an 80 ft sailboat?

Not many, I suspect. And yet somehow we seem to find a reason to complain and whine. It's amazing.

I'm not exempt.

Take my last trip. An indulgence and decadence tour to the beautiful French and Dutch island. 6 journalists were promised spa treatments, gourmet dinners, uber chic accommodations and deep water excursions. I'm fine with all that. I signed up for everything, of course.

But I didn't get the spa treatment. And neither did C or A. Someone pitched a fit and ultimately we got it. But not before the chick from OC (that would be Orange County) bitched about wanting to frolick at the beach even though we were on a tight schedule. Or that she didn't want to join us for dinner on the 1st night.

Drama ensued. And individual complaints were coming 90 mph.

You'd think the trip was doomed to hell. 8 am lobby calls started our day. Jump on the bus and instantly fight off the urge to scream out what WE want to do. Not what's on the itinerary. NOT! Oh my goodness, this was a great treatment for a reality show. A beautiful gay man I dubbed "Hollywood", a buff spiritualist, a feminist, a ganja queen, the OC brat and me! This cast simply did not have to audition.

We quickly formed an alliance, put our issues at bay and decided to make the best of an otherwise potentially boat wreck of a tour.

We gossiped about John Travolta and Will Smith. It was confirmed the Mr. likes to swing. I was so disappointed. We found a free phone for calls to the U.S. YES!!! Or how about the conning of the hotel staff into giving us free wi-fi during our entire stay.

Classic.

I have to remember I'm on a beach, far far away from Atlanta. I'm doing things I would not have money to do otherwise. Like scuba-diving. I've snorkeled pretty far down, but nothing like swimming to the abyss of the sea. It was extraordinary. My personal guide revived me after a temporary anxiety attack underwater. I had to have his email.

(since I wrote this, the scuba guide has made contact with me!)









A 32-course zip line was challenging, but fun as hell. I felt like a cute female monkey trying to get through the mango infested jungle. I didn't eat any.

Quick market trips always make me happy, but there's nothing like talking to the native people. They're so insightful and offer me a renewed reason to appreciate all I have stateside. I'm not a materialistic whore that has to have the latest status bag, but I do love a sexy shoe. They remind me it's not about that what's on my heel. I'm mostly barefoot during my stay, anyway. And it feels good. I see it's about basking in the sun, eating good food, brushing sand off your toes and watching an elderly wise one look at you with glowing eyes that tell a painful or joyful story of a beautiful life.

I fell in love in St. Maarten.

With me and all that's within my spirit.

Another love letter received.


6/--/2008

Bren,

We'd like to invite you to an indulgence and decadence tour on the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Maarten. Please join us for a week long gourmet wining and dining, sensual spa treatments and beach side serenades.

Please reply as soon as you decide and we will begin preparation of you itinerary.

Sincerely,

S.K.


REPLY

Dear S.K.,

Uhm, yeah, next time, just make the plans and I'll be there!

Thanks!

Bren

I'm in Love All Over Again

I love the lotus flower.

My return from Trinidad/Tobago was exciting, sans the 10 minute super bumpy connecting flight from Miami to ATL, which had me clutching my seat arms like a petrified child. I'm pretty courageous, but turbulence like that shakes me.

I was happy to get home because I had desperately detox from all eating I did.

Yes, I was on the dual island to cover their exquisite culinary festival, as a freelance writer, but it was so much more than that. I ate entirely too much and did not have enough of a real opportunity to make room for more! Can you imagine eating 5 times a day--and not small portions--I'm talking big ol' dishes full of spices and sauces and gravy's and side bar items and this and that, etc...

I was done with eating.

I'll leave coverage of the food festival for Flanboyant Eats but will share here some the other outdoor excursions I dabbled my cute feet into.

In 1999, I went to Italy with my then boyfriend. Sigh. That was almost a train-wreck trip, except for the fact that we managed to get along during 12 days and good sex never hurts. Ooops. T.M.I.

I had heard of a fabulous "blue grotto" in Capri but unfortunately it was closed for repair. Major drats. Well, I'm glad to report the chair of all blue grotto's has been redeemed! In the most of unlikely places, mainly because it's so un-kept, Trinidad has a fabulous grotto in which I dove into!

This a view of the Caribbean Sea as we hiked toward the caves.



250 ft of a nasty walk, down a steep, bat poo-infested well, we came upon a gorgeous cave of old rock formations and 12 ft deep water. I was scantily clad in my pink stripped bikini. I dove in. I swam. I closed my eyes. I went under water and pretended to be mermaid without that fine man waiting at shore. And then I got out.



Breathtaking.

I could lay on a floating device for hours and just write away. So peaceful, even the bats don't bother.

That was probably the most fun part of the trip. Though a 2 hour tour of the Caribbean's largest distillery was educational. Angostura Bitters are world-known. I got to sip on some.

Carmel Valley Estate produces the best grade of cocoa in the world! I ate it! Whoa there Nelly! You must mosey on over to FE to read more on that. And other delectables out of that Estate made their way inside my illegal camaflouge bag!

Before I end, I will offer my Public Service Announcement! Fatique is illegal in T&T! Had I read my itinerary, I would have saved myself and fellow journalists the agony of waiting outside, as if I were being held as a traitor, while I was being interrogated for the fashionable use of my pilot's helmut bag! Ms. H., please go see the officer in the "red line". Oh my God! I almost lost it. I was at risk of having my bag taken away from me! Thanks to limited discretion, the ma'am asked me to place my bag in my suitcase and discreetly walk out!

Whew!

What's a gal to do without the bag that carries all of my goodies and a pair of $400 white pumps?

A trip to the fowl sanctuary was exhausting but beautiful. I saw birds of species I didn't know existed. Not the type you hear sing in the morning glory. Rather, colorful, big winged birds that are caged for us to muse on. It's a conservatory, making their placement there justifiable.




I'll go back to Trinidad any day. It was gorgeous. Diverse in culture. Rich in history. Beautiful in spirit.

Sunset at Maracas Beach was sexy. My suite at the Hyatt was even sexier. Shower right smack in the middle of the room. Flat screen TV in front of my uber chic extra large King size bed with views of Conan O'Brien made me happy.

Baby, please rub my feet. I've walked a lot today.


*****

My official story on Trinidad will be published in Odyssey Couleur later this year and can be found in Barnes & Nobles, nationwide. Stay Tuned!

Adult Love Letters

I haven't received a love letter from a boy in a really long time.

Not the kind a girl likes to get anyways. You know, check the box type thing were the mean option of "NO" appears and probably checked off. That actually happened to me once, in 3rd grade.

That's a sad story today, because the little blond hair, blue eyed boy who said no to me, is severely injured from battle wounds in Iraq. My heart was broken when I got the news two weeks ago.

I'm praying for him.

I'm an adult now (I think), with real feelings and real love requests. Few have really been met. Which is sad, too. But, every now and then, a man that I'm not emotionally attached to, will send me a the kind of love letter that I really prefer.

It's the kind of love letter that pays my bills!

Now, how's that for an upgrade? Traditional love letters are mushy, probably a whole bunch of smoke being blown up my ass--who needs that? I prefer the ones that will make me feel all grown up, and sexy and valuable and yes, ones that will put some money in my pocket!

Take this one here for instance:

“Brenda, Interested? Seems to be right up your alley


—— Forwarded Message
From: XXX
Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2008 09:34:03 -0400
To: XXX
Subject: Trinidad and Tobago’s Culinary Festival Invite

Dear Nick,

I’d like to invite you to join me on a culinary press trip to the beautiful dual island nation of Trinidad & Tobago in the West Indies, May *****, 2008. The idea of this trip is to feature the food that represents the many cultures that make up the people of Trinidad & Tobago. This trip should appeal to anyone who writes for major consumer publications that report on, culinary travel and active lifestyles, and in-style, “must see” yet, virtually undiscovered vacation destinations.

Trinidad & Tobago is one of the few places in the world that offers visitors such a wide and varied array of ethnic festivals, events, and activities. In addition to attending the annual “Taste T&T” culinary festival, the trip will also include visits to Trinidad’s natural tourist attractions such as rain forests and bird sanctuaries. We will travel around the island and learn about the wide and varied array of ethnic cuisine available and the colorful history that has left a culinary influence of Arabic, Spanish, African, Chinese, Polynesian, Thai, Indian, Cajun, and indigenous Amerindian in the food of Trinidad & Tobago.

Participants will have the opportunity to experience some of the best dining in the Caribbean and the warm, welcoming Trinidad hospitality at every corner of this island paradise.

Your host is the Trinidad & Tobago Tourism board and you will be escorted by a CAMC representative. Airfare will be provided to journalists with firm assignments from major consumer publications as well as meals and activities on the itinerary. Space is limited on this press trip. Only those travel writers with firm assignments will be considered. Please contact me if you have any questions and check out the T&T website at www.goTrinidadandTobago.com http://www.gotrinidadandtobago.com .

Best, XXXXX “

Yeah baby! This girl here is off to Trini and Tobago to eat like a fool! I'm going to eat, wine, eat, skinny dip, eat some more and sip on sex on the beach. I'd actually have the latter but that right boy still doesn't exist in my world. OH well, his loss, not mine!

I'm going to soak in the sun and really clutch on to this love letter. This love letter will go in my memory box, along with the hotel room keys, valentine's day cards, cards from delivered flowers and any other love thing that is close to my heart.

Only this love letter here will not result in reminiscent pain or unrecoverable expenses from being involved with someone thousands of miles away. This love letter
will bring me joy, it will bring me a tan and a happy belly!

Oh Nick, won't you send me another love letter?

Yours truly,

A loving girl named Bren