I hope the Mayan calendar is wrong, but if it is right and the world does end on 12.21.12, I'm happy for what I lived in 2011. I say this because even my close friends agree it was my lucky year. Everything was possible. Goals were met, life was enjoyed and did some traveling too. In this brief entry, I'll try to sum up how 2011 was the best year to date!
JANUARY: It was a snowy start to the year and I had yet to find a job. I was producing Boston Latino TV full time, but funds were running low and I was ready for a new challenge. During 2010 professional relationships were strengthened and those relationships proved to be fruitful this year. Early on 2011 proved to be a fun year. I had many opportunities to enjoy my favorite bands, travel and enjoy the company of family and friends. This year was also the year of falling in love . Lucky for me, in more ways than one ... my first fall was to La Isla Margarita a dish at Casa de Pedro ;) Yum!
FEBRUARY: My birthday is on Valentine's Day and to celebrate Boston
Latino TV hosted a VDay themed party for our viewers, supporters and friends at Mojitos. I invited a special group of women: Jenny Cintrón, Madelyn Garcia and Carol Sanchez to join in the celebration with me.
They are all born near my birth date! Not everyone made it to this winged affairbut the white and black angels did and we had a heavenly time. It was a very cold night, but our die hard fans came out and looked fabulous! On my actual birth day I marked my first day of work at a new job. I accepted the Senior Production & Marketing Associate at Boston Mas TV.
MARCH: Spring is in the air! I kept busy with the new job and learned lot. At this year’s Powermeter at the Museum of Fine Arts, I performed triple duty, I covered it for BLTv and for Mas Tv and I was also named one of the 100 influential in the the Latino community! Whew! I was very proud, humbled and honored to have appeared on this list every year since it's inception! For the commemoration of the Vietnam Vet Day, I helped organize a screening of the film 'Heroes de Otra Patria' to fundraise for the Puerto Rican Monument Square Association whose mission it is to build a national monument in honor of the Puerto Rican Veteran's that served in all US armed forces. This is a cause I plan to support till the monument becomes a reality.
APRIL: Did I mention that 2011 was the fun year? But it was the Love year too! I fell in love so many times I lost count. Seeing in concert revived my fascination for live music. I always enjoy listening to the local bands, but this is Juanes ... and we got to see him up close too. Energy was great at work and lots was happening! We met Patriot player, Aaron Hernandez and went out to see "Prohibido Suicidarse en Verano," a play by Escena Latina. The plans for bringing filmmaker, Jacobo Morales to Boston solidified with a screening of "Going Bananas" at the Connolly Library. Also, my son & his wife welcomed a new member to their young famiy, Maya!
MAY: Many firsts happened to me in May, I left Puerto Rico in 1980 to come to the US and became a mother on Mother's day! My daughter had her first born this month too. Other special people in my life were born this month. So it’s no surprise that it's one of my favorites. Early in the month I received a visit from an old friend from Puerto Rico and was reminded how people leave everlasting imprints in our lives. A few of the most memorable moments of the year happened this month surrounding Vida Campesina, Baile de las Guayaberas. This event featured the unveiling of the sketch of the Veteran's monument and me meeting the filmmaker Jacobo Morales who received "El Premio de la Hamaca." I will always treasure spending time with Jacobo and his wife Blanca. I have deep admiration for their work. The event was a lot of fun too because of the musical performances by Grupo Semilla, Grupo Yagua and Rumba NaMa. It was an unforgettable night indeed!
JUNE: The Boston Latino TV IV Access Awards took place! A lot goes into the planning and execution of this event and I'm happy to say that everything went according to plan. My dear friend and co-creator of this event, Araminta came from Texas to see it through. I still remember when we began talking four years ago at the Cheese Cake Factory about celebrating BLTV's 5th anniversary. This event took shape from that conversation and in 2012 it promises to be just as spectacular. We put all our resources, energy and contacts behind this celebration of the Latino community in Boston for a night of networking, inspiration and fun. I'm ever so grateful for this opportunity and proud that I'm part of it every year. On the family front, we celebrated with my sister who graduated with a Masters in Education from BHCC. Congrats Eva!
JULY: Aquí sí que confieso, I fell head over heels this month! Maná came to Boston and though I was a fan, nothing compared to experiencing them live - maybe it's childish, and it may pass, but who cares ;) I was most fortunate that I was able to share this experience with my close friends too. Summer in Boston is the best time to spend with family, got to out door festivals and for me it was special because I was able to establish a relationship with a new friend who I'm hoping will see more of in 2012.
AUGUST: Summer Fun! August was filled with days spent with family and friends! A memorable moment that come to mind,
was sharing an evening with my friend at the Improper Bostonian's event where Angela's Café was named best neighborhood restaurant held at the Liberty Hotel. Many summer outings and activities followed: Basketball Hall of Fame, Fenway Park for the Comcast Latino Family Festival, St. Augustine Feast, Eastie Pride Day, Foxboro for a Revs game and my favorite, the Water Fire in RI. Boston Latino TV and MasTV were recognized by the best of El Planeta! The PSA for PRVMSA was created and came out great! Life is GOOD !!!
SEPTEMBER: The fun continues in Sept. rocking with Clandestino to benefit Children's Hospital. I was fortunate to get an invite from Liberty Mutual to lunch with the First ladies (no, Michelle, nor Diane, but great non the less). Hispanic Heritage Month began and nobody does it better than Villa Victoria Center for the Arts. BLTv was at the launch of DH new line, Anamoly. Discovered los Three @ Masa and congratulated Red Sox player, David Ortiz for his 2011 Roberto Clemente sportsman of the year award. Also in September I escaped for a rendezvous with Maná in Spain! Crazy, I know. Always wanted to visit Spain and their concert in Madrid was the perfect opportunity for it! I got a taste of the 'mother country,' made new friends and I plan to return to check Barcelona out this summer!
OCTOBER: Still clinging to the unseasonably warm days and nights, I took a second trip to the Water Fires. The beautiful evening was spent in the company of friends, live music by Santa Mamba and a special mention on Con Salsa on our way home! Enjoying the last leg of Hispanic Heritage Month thanks to Veronica Robles and special presentation at the JFK Museum and El Mundo Newspaper's Hispanic Heritage Breakfast featuring humor at expense of our public officials. At MasTV we made waves by bringing programing live to our viewers! During this month we said farewell to Felix D. Arroyo, former City Councilor and long time friend who is relocating to Uruguay. Giving us all hope for love and new beginnings!
NOVEMBER: When I said this was a special year, I was not exaggerating. Keeping with the philosophy of the Law of Attraction, early this year I put in a wish to travel to Israel, all expenses paid, of course. And as expected, my wish was the universes' command. I spent seven intense days learning about the country, culture and religion, also eating, meeting new friends and taking it all in! The rest of the month was spent putting the final touches on El Jolgorio Navideño, preparing for the holiday season and spending time with loved ones. This Thanksgiving I had a lot to be grateful for, my health, my family's wellbeing, the friends I cherish and a job I truly enjoy.
Jolgorio finally arrived and all the hard work, planning and implementation came through.
At this event my Princessas friends gather every year to share in the fun.This year, though I had more responsibilities as an executive board member of El Jolgorio, I was able to enjoy it more. Mostly because we had help with the coverage for BLTV. To keep with the tradition, after Jolgorio we went to Nivia's and Hector's after party in their hotel room and the next day, Princessas came together for the post Jolgorio brunch.
The Holidays are special because I get to share it with family and friends. It's great to see the kids growing up, relationships solidifying and new ones getting started. While we reflect on what's ahead I can't stop thinking how great this year was.
I'm grateful for the life I live and it's all because of the relationships I've been able to cultivate. I'm also fortunate for the good health and a little luck that goes my way while taking some risks. We can't forsee what's in store for us in 2012. We will face more challenges, surprises, wins and losses. It will all depend on how we adapt to changes to make the best of it.
I'll try to be more consistent in my writings on this blog, but in the mean time, I hope you have enjoyed my 2011 year in review. I would love to hear what made 2011 special for you. Make 2012 a Happy YEAR !!!
