yerba buena

Of the many things I learned during my visit to Cuba, I was most shocked by this fact:


A real Cuban mojito does not contain mint!

This tidbit of information totally threw me off, seeing that the mojito is one of my favorite cocktails and I’ve been drinking it with mint for many years now. In Cuba they use an herb called yerba buena which is widely available on the island. After further research upon my return to the States I’ve discovered that yerba buena is in fact a type of mint grown in Cuba, similar to spearmint.

Knowing that it was one of my faves, my Cuban family made mojitos many a nights during my stay. I also had a mojito at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba for $4, which I thought was a fair price (coming from NYC where they can cost you up to $15 or so.) However, my brother-in-law later commented that for $4 he could make ten mojitos at home.

Es muy barato!

Can you find the Torres clan?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44766298@N02/sets/72157623513639044/show

happy v day

It was two years ago today that my hubby proposed to me - such a romantic! In the past Valentines Day was never an important day for me, mostly because I was living in Japan and without a Mr. Valentine for so damn long.

Nowadays we make sure to do something special on V Day, whether it's with flowers or nice dinner or bottle of wine or all of the above. Since we just bought a house and are lacking in funds I decided to make reservations at a restaurant that wouldn't break the bank. I found the perfect place right around the corner from us that offered a romantic candlelit dinner. The waiter was extremely courteous and the food was fast, just how we like it. Plus, no one cared that our baby was at times causing a bit of a ruckus.

The best part was that our meal came to $30 including a generous tip. The worst part was that I had to stay close to the bathroom for most of the next day. I think it was that double bacon slider that did me in.

O to the Zone.

Yesterday's headlines in the Queens local section of the New York Post...

- 4th grade teacher arrested after setting up “fight club” ring in classroom so two students can duke it out over argument. One student gets fat lip and other slight concussion. Teacher tries to cover up incident by blaming injuries on an accidental head-butt.

- Middle school (female!) student punches head principal in the face after principal tries to break up fight in cafeteria. Student is arrested with assault charge. Middle school has been on New York City persistently dangerous schools watch list for some time now.

Both of these stories occurred in Queens…OZONE PARK, Queens. crap! They may not be the closest public schools to my new home, but they're definitely not that far away, either. When my kid starts up school I guess I'll be giving Catholic School a serious thought!

"no haggis here" coffee break espanol

I was saying earlier how no hablo espanol which will make for awkward times in Cuba with the in-laws. So I’ve decided to put some effort into learning at least a few basic phrases to get by, and have started downloading language-learning podcasts into my iphone to listen to on the way to work. Coffee Break espanol is by far the best podcast I’ve found so far, as it’s highly affordable (free) and once you get past those Scottish accents is fairly easy to follow along. The Spanish is beginner to intermediate and centers around traveling and meeting people – perfect for me! I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to build some basic Spanish speaking skills without wanting to shell out the pesos.

You can either download it from itunes or directly from the website here

http://radiolingua.com/shows/spanish/coffee-break-spanish/

world traveler at the age of one

My daughter's passport came in the mail the other day. It's for our upcoming trip to Cuba.

I was 15 when I first traveled overseas (to Japan), and I thought that was young!

reminiscing

THINGS I MISS ABOUT JAPAN

izakaya (Japanese bar)

friends

timeliness of trains

nama lemon sawa

hanami & cherry blossoms

conbini (convenient stores)

people watching at Shibuya’s hachiko square

picnics at yoyogi park

coffee milk

100 yen store

THINGS I DON”T MISS ABOUT JAPAN
one size fits all fashion.
shoes sizes only go to size 8.5
hot, sticky summers
teeny, tiny living spaces
assumption that I don’t speak Japanese
assumption that I work the Roppongi streets
men and their "gaijin" complex
nankotsu, or chicken cartilage. Gross.

Thank you Obama

After Obama took office he decided to lessen restrictions on travel to Cuba, one of the policy adjustments meant to help thaw icy relations between the two countries. The Bush administration had only permitted Cuban Americans to travel to Cuba once every three years, but new regulations give not only Cuban Americans but anyone with relatives in Cuba permission to travel there once every year. That means with In-laws on the island I can go LEGALLY.

I plan to visit Cuba next month for ten days. I’ll be traveling with infant daughter sans husband (he is unable to return legally at the present time.) I fly from New York to Miami and then on to Havana. I could have flown directly from JFK airport but it would have cost an arm and a leg more. I think the Cuban lobbyists down in Miami are to thank for such great travel deals from the Florida region. Even if JFK flights were cheaper they only fly on Sunday. Miami to Havana flights run everyday – much more convenient.

Overall, I am super excited for this trip. I’ve never been to Havana and am looking forward to some sunshine, Hemingway, and a mojito (or two.) However, I do have a couple of worries, which include

Luggage - I’ll most likely be lugging around a huge backpack and suitcase full of shoes and vitamins (to be explained later.) I’m a little worried about how I’ll manage two bags and baby in stroller at the airport. Hopefully I’ll find a skycap to help navigate our way from one side of the airport to the other when I transfer in Miami. Plus, the check-in time for the Havana flight is long, about three hours. I was told that I’d have to stand in three different lines before the check-in process is complete. Not too sure how baby will hold out during this process. Most likely not too well.
 
Language- I’m also worried about meeting the In-laws, who I know will be fabulous people but cannot speak a lick of English. The last time I formally studied Spanish was in 5th grade, so I’m not too confident in my Spanish skills. If hubby was there we’d have an interpreter, but alas! I’ll be alone. Perhaps we’ll need to pull out a bottle of rum to get the conversation flowing
 
Anyways, I’m sure once I get to Havana and settle in things will go great. I’m just thankful that I’ll finally get to meet the Torres family, of which I am now officially a part of!

Arroz

Living with a Cuban means eating a lot of rice, as I’ve never eaten this much rice in my entire life. Not even in Japan where I lived for TEN YEARS. We were blessed to receive a rice cooker as a wedding gift and use it practically everyday. My hubby says that if he doesn’t eat rice he doesn’t feel full, and I’m starting to feel the same way.

I like to add a packet of goya sazon pre-steam to add some flavor and spice up regular ol’ rice. Sometimes I'll even add a can of diced tomatoes and/or black beans post-steam to make it even more delicious.

Oh shnizzzzz...

...we bought a house! There goes the neighborhood, and my savings account.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=ozone+park,+NY&sll=40.67667,-73.84417&sspn=0.048625,0.07699&gl=us&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Ozone+Park,+Queens,+New+York&z=15

la boda

On September 5th of 2009 I turned into Mrs. Torres. It was a wonderful wedding with good people from all parts of the world joining in the celebration. And now the secret is out – my new hubby is a dancing machine!