Bilingual In The Boonies » cultura

Nothing like an American in a Latino Family

Carrie — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:16:00 +0000

A month before we got married, my husband and I were visiting Miami and staying with my aunt. She and I were talking. I don’t remember about what when my future husband said: “Hey, stop arguing!”

My aunt and I answered at the same time.

“We’re not arguing,” I said, surprised he thought we were.

“Eh, we’re not fighting. We’re talking Cuban,” my aunt said.

I cannot tell you how many times my husband has repeated that story. He tells it everytime someone asks him what it is like for a nice California boy with Pioneer stock to marry into a Cuban family.

With that story in mind, watch this trailer for an upcoming holiday movie called Nothing Like the Holidays. Debra Messing, muy gringa character, is married to John Leguizamo and he’s got a big nutty Latino family. Of course.

During a meal scene, Messing leans into Leguizamo: “Why is everybody fighting?”

He explains: “Oh, they’re not fighting. We’re conversating.”

My husband will love that scene.

I have been sorely disappointed by “ethnic family dramas” ala Hollywood, save for The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love. Remember Cane? Urgh. But we’ll give this one a shot. It looks funny and sweet. If anything, it’ll be nice to see people who are kinda, sorta like you on the big screen.

A genius name: Butaca TV

Carrie — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:25:00 +0000

Butaca = easy chair.

At my grandparents’ house there were two butacas. If they wanted in, you got out. Pronto. My grandmother’s butaca spun and rocked and if you tipped yourself back too far, you risked death by head smashing on the Terrazzo.

Word is Butaca TV soon will be launching a beta version to allow viewers to watch Latin American movies and shows, and talk about them, on-line.

Some services will be offered for a fee and some for free.

The Butaca tip comes from Juan at Hispanic Trending.

Boo-TAH-CA.
Love that word.

A Cookbook and Cubans, Cubans, Cubans Everywhere

Carrie — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:34:00 +0000

Car’ai, this post was intended to be longer and poetic and maybe even funny, but I’m headed to Geek Squad con PDF problemas. Oy.

So, without the fluff, let me tell you about Marta’s new Cuban cookbook. You know Marta from My Big Fat Cuban Family. If you don’t. Go there now. Hang out, read and be happy you are Cuban, or wish that you were. Buy her fabulous cookbook. Give it as a gift, maybe coupled with one of her aprons and a mojito muddler. (Andy Garcia will have one soon.) Marta is in Southern California.

Next, because it is true there is a Cuban everywhere, let me tell you about A Cuban in London. I have no idea who he is yet, but tripped onto his site yesterday and spent more time than I truly have. It’s beautifully written and the music and poetry he posts is wonderful.

And, while I have been reading Elsa Mora’s blog for a while, I have failed — I mean, really failed — at posting a link from here. I am sorry to have deprived you, if you haven’t already found her. Go look at her beautiful and creative art, her etsy shop and the amazing Oscar dress she designed for herself. Elsa is a multi-talented Cubanita in California with a Hollywood Husband.

Now, I am off, praying to los santos that this computer is not about to fry.
Enjoy the links.

Hey Lupe, wanna play Mall?

Carrie — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 03:30:00 +0000

from playthings.com:

“Hip-Spanic, Las Vegas, will debut Lateenaz, a line of fashion dolls and play sets designed to embrace Hispanic culture and traditions. Each playset (Salon, Mall, School, Quinceanera) opens up to different play scenes and comes packed with themed accessories, mix-and-match outfits and a “Lateenaz” logo patch. The dolls have realistic body shapes, facial characteristics and hair. Free gear is also available to girls who log into the website with good report cards.”

OK, I can embrace school and quinceanera, and ok, kudos for encouraging good grades, but salon and mall as the only other options?
Please tell me there are other options.
A library? A playground? A congressional office?
Hell, I’d even be happy with a Dream House.

Realistic body types and hair?
I don’t even want to know.

More here with information on Hispanic heritage dolls like Baby Abuelita and some trends and stats.

(photos from Toy Directory Monthly added April 17, 08)