Vicky Cristina Barcelona

I watched Woody Allen's most recent film tonight and really enjoyed it. I felt that, as always, Allen really got to the heart of what "love" can do and does to people. I felt that his insinuations revolving around satisfaction and lack thereof, even when you seemingly should feel "complete", were right on target. Why is it that people always feel the need for more? Why, even when I was in a relationship that I know miss more than anything, did I feel dissatisfaction and even stray more than once? People are crazy and I think that Woody Allen really knows how to epitomize that sentiment.

I also liked his formulations on what love can and cannot be. It can be platonic, it can be half-assed, it can be hysterical, it can be violent.... love doesn't necessarily mean lovely. Again, the movie really reminded me about some of my own past relationships and made me wonder how people internalize and reflect on what love meant to them and why.

For me, my most cherished relationship was one which was stable and yet, unstable. Happy and, ironically, unhealthy at many points in time. I wonder if healthy equals positive and unhealthy equals negative. Maybe I am an absolute lunatic, but I preferred the relationship Marielena and Juan Antonio had with one another, over any of the other relationships. Vicky and Cristina both end up miserable in their own ways.... one married to a stable man and yet bored out of her mind and the other alone and wandering through the world. Whereas, Marielena and Juan Antonio really seemed to have a connection, even if slightly "fucked up". I definitely found the complexity interesting and "real" (for lack of a better word). It made me miss my own instabiliy...and wonder if my ex was happy in his "stable" life. Anyway, enough personal reflection.....


Here are some songs I have been listening to as of late:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t6iNXgvRXU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkQuIPpKZoI

Eat, Pray, Love - Restoration Central

I have been reading Elizabeth Gilbert's most recent book, Eat, Pray, Love and I have to say I am pleasantly surprised. I was skeptical. Eat, yes! Pray, no and Love?.... come on... how corny. But, I was silly to think that way. I haven't been able to put the book down and when I go to work, I agonize over what might happen next and when I am actually reading it, it makes me think that I need to take a year off and do exactly what she did. Learn Italian, pray in an Ashram and find balance in Bali.

The book is about a woman restoring herself, by herself and considering the few years I have had, I need and have been trying to do that. Surprisingly, that is what me getting my Ph.D is all about. Doing what I have always wanted to do, because it suits me. Only to find out that getting a Ph.D is stressful, not restorative.

On another note, and one that is convincing me even more that I need to continue on my path of restoration, I found old pictures of me from 2004 and 2005. I hate to say it, but man, I was good-looking. From sickness, depression, arguing and stress, I have turned into a sour, cuban puff ball. I have decided enough is enough. A friend of mine and myself are now training for a 5k and I am hoping this will reduce my sickliness, depression, stress and energy to argue. Monique ran a 10k, and it really inspired me to get back into the game. I have to admit I am bored in NC. so very bored. And boredom in an aries is not a good match. Just like leaving Lollipop in a room all to herself is not a good idea.

Article on Miami Politics

Miami Politics:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/magazine/13CUBANS-t.html

I hurt my foot!

Newest news:

While running I fell and really hurt my foot. The doctor says I have several hairline fractures and could be in a limited mobile state for at least a month! UGH!!!!!! I need to run.!!!!!! I need to sleep now. ugh.

And it hurts so much! It is swollen and hurting like crazy. Oh well.

some pictures....

It's been a while.....

Life got a little hectic this year.... with hundreds of pages in papers due, grading and researching abroad.... I was unable to dutifully attend to this little site. Only now I have time to think a bit about trivial pursuits such as writing nonchalantly on the web. Lollipop is huge compared to the pictures I last posted on the web and I have made good friends and finally developed a routine for my daily life here in Chapel Hill. This mainly includes working as a nanny (I am on summer break....), reading, sleeping, running or walking with Lolli, cooking and having tea or coffee with my friendly neighbors.

Today I went to the Eno River Festival and was surprised to see how many people attended. The festival was fun and reminded me of a southern version of the San Diego County fair. Mamta, Pavan and I all attended and the best part was wading in the river after walking around for a few hours. Ironically, after warning mamta and pavan about wearing their sandals in the water and how that might cause them to fall because they would not be able to feel how slippery the rocks were, I put on my shoes and fell into the water. My whole backside was soaked for the rest of the day. But this even turned out to be positive because it was so hot outside, that this helped to keep me cool. After going to the festival, I was going to attend a bbq, but then it started to pour down rain and was unable to leave the house.

Right now I am reading Maximum City which is a book about Bombay. It is a great book, which details the experiences of a man who was born in Bombay, but eventually would live and commute between New York and India. I think the next place which I would like to see is India. I have made many Indian friends this year and all the different colors, flavors, and humor really attract me. I am curious to know what it would be like to live there.

Mamta has taught me how to make a few dishes, including: Palak Paneer, Egg Subchi (Curry), Potato Stew, Marabali Chicken Stew, Uttapam with Coconut Chutney, Tomato Paneer and Butter Chicken. The other day we went to a market named "Around the World" and I actually started to sweat from excitement. They had everything I could possibly imagine and then more! Mangos from the Phillipines, tiny papaya, chilis, guayaba paste, a bakery.... everything. It reminded me of a tiny section of Devon street in Chicago.... which I miss.

Outside of that, I have eaten Cuban food in Cuba, somewhat good Mexican food here in Chapel Hill and lots of organic NC summer produce (blueberries being my favorite).

Anyway, that is the most recent news.... i.e. what I have been doing for the past week. I will post pictures soon.

After writing 3 twenty to twenty-five page papers, grading 55 exams, teaching my new puppy everything, packing her up and driving thirteen hours, I am finally in Miami! I am spending the holidays here and I am very happy. I eat, I sleep, I read, I shop and then I start all over again. I cannot ask for a better break.

Today, I have eaten tamales, avocados, chicken salad and biscuits.... so really just a heavy mix of both Cuban and American dishes. Really, it can be named "Florida fare". I love the use of limes in both Cuban and Floridian cuisines.

Outside of running around and chauffering my grandma, I have been hanging out with my cousin, Sara. It is nice to get back together with her and talk. We have always had a strained relationship because our mothers HATE each other. It can get pretty ugly between the two of them to be completely honest.

My cousin Joshua comes in on Monday and we will be having our family Christmas dinner on the 24th. On the 25th, extended family and anyone we name "family" who really isn't quite so will be coming over.

It should be super fun and I am looking forward to it.



I found a book written by my Uncle Carlos's mother Ines Segura Bustamante. Uncle Carlos's father is famous anti-Castro leader, Tony de Varona. Carlos fought in the Bay of Pigs and was eventually jailed as a result of his involvement in Cuba. Before Carlos was jailed, Castro's government posted wanted signs of Carlos all over the city.

When I was in Cuba, I saw signs and photos of his father in "El Museo de la Revoluccion" describing his father as an enemy of the state. It was very weird to know that I knew Carlos and I would never be able to tell Carlos about seeing his father in Cuban museums.

The more I learn about my family, the more interested in Cuban history I become. My family was involved at every level in government before the Revolution. Sanguily, Heredia, Saladrigas, Valdespino.... you name it, we were involved. I believe my second book will document Cuban history as seen and experienced by one family..... i.e. los Valdespinos/Saladrigas.

I want to see Sweeney Todd.

When I do, I will write about what I think.