Buen Camino Peregrino!

All good things come from above. James

Ana's Place for the Ordinary.

Ana's Place for the Ordinary.

Buen Camino Peregrino!

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Career day at Immaculate Conception School - Hialeah


My appointment with insanity started the day before the long awaited for Immaculate Conception Catholic School Career Day.

I left the office Tuesday afternoon in a flurry to a Doctor's appointment; a special appointment, at that, since I was going to my first meet and greet with our new addition to the family.

Side bar: How fabulous to add another wonderful 'aha' moment to the blessing pot.

The appointment went better than expected as I went home with  my very own snap shot of baby boo seen below.

This should read: My First Portrait!
 
Nana Ana's heart is melting! Too Exciting!

Back to the drama: as I parked my car at the Dr. destination, I realized I had left my handbag somewhere. This has never happend to me before--ever.  Instant panic set in and I attempted to exit the car and make a frantic purse related phone call.  As a result, I   almost tripped over an aggressive speed bump and ate concrete. Yikes, what a hot mess.

Once in the OB Gyn's office, I figured out that my purse was still in my drawer at the office.  I was as relieved as I was distressed.  The plan was to go to the studio following the appointment and pick up my props for career day. 

Needless to say, there are sacred objects in this purse of mine, keys, money, coupons and a chunk of things I need in order to live.  The idea of resolving issues was a total wash. Heavy sigh, the evening was supposed to be 'sans' anxiety, but plans do change. At this point, I had to regroup because of every fault of my own.

As good luck would have it, one of my colleagues was kind enough to bring me my bag that evening. Super grateful to Beverly for the hook up.  The new rubric included waking up at 6 a.m. in order go North to pick up the art and travel south to the Career event.

I arrived neurotically early and soon found myself with other career day presenters revving their show and tell engines.  We were kindly welcomed and accommodated and sent off into the ICCS compound.

Today as I sip my coffee and think about the crazy hours before the happening, I submit it is all good.  I can't think of a better way to have started a new day and crown the week in the company of soulful children, animated hearts and creative minds. A fabulous morning was had by mostly me in the company of Mrs. Tania Busto and six classes of children ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade.

Although this is old news for me, I continue to sing praises to educators in general, those personally known to me and those at Immaculate; theirs' is not a job--theirs' is a singular lot that changes and elevates lives . I count my blessings daily knowing fully well I was finely favored when I fell into the Immaculate family years ago.
 
Kudos and happy Educators Week!




Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Dr. D Opens the doors to his Conservatory - May 2, 2014 Opening Night


Frank Mingo Councilmember Seat 4; Tony Lama Councilmember Seat 3; Dr. D; Ela Diaz (Music Professor); Manny Cid Vice Mayor; Ana Barbosa (Resident Artist) and Nelson Rodriguez Councilmember Seat 1 - Photo courtesy of Blanca Perez


He is referred to as Dr. D by his students; a fitting name for this whimsical talent with an engaging art for education and music.  The truth is that he holds a doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Miami and is highly respected and a renown concert pianist.

Friday, May 2, 2014 was different kind of Friday as on this night the ribbon cutting ceremony would open the doors to: 


located at
Corporate Courts
5881 NW 151 Street, Miami Lakes, Florida.  


Presiding over the ceremony stood representatives from The City of Miami Lakes Government, Manny Cid, Vice Mayor; Tony Lama Councilmember seat 3; Nelson Rodriguez seat 1; Frank Mingo seat 4 and Diana Young, MPA Community Affairs Manager Office of the Mayor.  The crowd squeezed and amassed to witness the moment in which the giant scissors from the City of Miami Lakes sliced the red ribbon; the air was charged with high octane optimism.

Photos Courtesy of Herminia Diaz


Soon to follow, veteran and beginning students demonstrated new tunes which they proudly performed. 


Photos Courtesy of Herminia Diaz

Photo Courtesy of Blanca Perez
Photo Courtesy of Blanca Perez

Unified in the spirit of the conservatory is Ana Juncadella Barbosa of  Paint and Piano Arts Studio overseeing the gallery aspects of the venture.  As a team and in tandem this Conservatory/ Studio will offer Music and Art and Cultural Fridays monthly.


 City Councilmen Lama and Vice Mayor Cid and  Cecilia Perez Realtor
(thanks to her expertise the Conservatory has a home)  and Juan Naranjo



Long time friends gathering in order to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Dr D Conservatory of Music:
Juan, Cecilia, Dr. D, Beby and Karl


Dr. D & Miss Cuban American 2003, Yaisell Hernandez


Maria Callas reigns over the Grand Piano -  5x7 framed, Pen & Ink, Original;
 Artist Ana Barbosa


Cachita stands firm behind a glass table - 5x4, Unframed, Acrylic Paint, Original;
 Artist Ana Barbosa

 Additionally, all of the representatives from the City of Miami Lakes & 
Photos Courtesy of Lorena and Alfredo Vazquez


As the night closed in all its glory, the final cut was Dr. D's as he sliced the famous phone booth cake from Vicky Bakery with giant scissors!

Open for business:

Dr. D Conservatory of Music
5881 NW 151 Street, Suite 124
Miami Lakes, Florida 33014
Contact: (786)-271-3526 



Dr. Diaz Gravier

Ana Juncadella Barbosa
Paint & Piano Arts Studio

Monday, May 5, 2014

Opening Night Previews



I am still riding the Friday opening night star and am waiting for the pictures to find their way to me.
 
Here are some highlights from the Opening of Dr. D Conservatory of Music and Paint & Piano Arts Studio!
 

Dr. D, Elita, myself and Miami Lakes City Councilmen Lama and Cid below:








 
 
 
 More images to come! Ready for business ya'll!

Friday, March 14, 2014

Serendipity

 

March 14, 2014

Thinking back and I submit today, thirty years ago Tony and I must have been exposed to a healthy dose of cupidity or fairy dust. Our union turned out to be a classic case of serendipity!
 
ser·en·dip·i·ty
ˌserənˈdipitē/
noun
noun: serendipity; plural noun: serendipities
the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy beneficial way
 
In this order:
We met by chance in a public place;
Exchanged a few words and glances;            We cordially turned away;
We would have probably never met again...
 
No sooner after our first meet and as we began to turn away...snap!
 
...as if propelled by some force of nature, we  doubled back in unison and exchanged phone numbers. The rest is the best part of our life journey...
 
Most everyone I knew thought we were taking a wrong turn, but we knew then what we know now that our lives would be finally favored together. So we married on March 14, 1986.  

'For it was not into my ear you whispered,
but into my heart .
It was not my lips you kissed,
but my soul.'
 
Still Feeling in Love and Grateful.
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
Anniversary Traditional Modern
1st Paper Clocks, Plastic, Gold Jewelry
2nd Cotton China, Cotton, Calico, Garnet
3rd Leather Crystal, Glass, Pearls
4th Fruit, Flowers Appliances, Linen, Silk, Nylon, Blue Topaz
5th Wood Silverware, Sapphire
6th Sugar, Iron Wood, Candy, Amethyst
7th Wool, Copper Brass, Desk Sets, Onyx
8th Bronze, Pottery Appliances, Linens, Lace, Tourmaline Jewelry
9th Pottery, Willow Leather, Lapis Jewelry
10th Tin, Aluminum Diamond Jewelry
11th Steel Fashion, Turquoise Jewelry
12th Silk, Linen Pearls, Jade
13th Lace Textiles, Furs, Citrine
14th Ivory Gold Jewelry, Opal
15th Crystal Glass, Watches, Ruby
16th Silver hollowware, Peridot
17th Furniture, Watch
18th Porcelain, Cat's Eye Jewelry
19th Bronze, Aquamarine
20th China Platinum, Emerald
21st Brass, Nickel
22nd Copper
23rd Silver plate
24th Musical instruments
25th Silver Sterling silver
26th Original pictures
27th Sculpture
28th Orchids
29th New furniture
30th Pearl Diamond
31st Time Pieces
32nd Conveyances (e.g., automobiles)
33rd Amethyst
34th Opal
35th Coral (Jade) Jade
36th Bone china
37th Alabaster
38th Beryl, Tourmaline
39th Lace
40th Ruby Ruby, Garnet
41st Land
42nd Developed real estate
43rd Travel
44th Groceries
45th Sapphire Sapphire
46th Original poetry tribute
47th Books
48th Optical goods
49th Luxuries, any kind
50th Gold Gold
55th Emerald Emerald, Turquoise
60th Diamond Gold, Diamond
75th Platinum Diamondlike Stones, Gold
80th Diamond, Pearl
85th Diamond, Sapphire
90th Diamond, Emerald
95th Diamond, Ruby
100th 10 Carat Diamond

Monday, March 10, 2014

You had to be there...


 
Saint Patrick's Catholic Church, Miami Beach, Florida

Some memories are made to remain in a personal soulful archive for life only to be relived over cocktails and conversation at a later date.  This particular evening deserves a little more than a soulful revival. 

March 8th, 2014 was an epic evening best described as, "you had to be there."  First, at Saint Patrick Catholic Church and The Botanical Gardens to follow.

The truth is all of the typical descriptions of a storybook wedding holds true for this couple; the bride was as radiant as she could be; the groom was palms sweating and glowing with anticipation and wide mouthed smiles permeated the church arena and "you just had to be there."
 
 
And here my friends is a group of ladies, yours truly on the far right, that are friends like family more than 20 years;  
Hialeah's Future Golden Girls to be sure.

 
This Motley Crew with the new couple.
 
And then there is yet another story to tell...

While sailing off into a river of crystal light 'Mojitos' and into a sea of vino, Wynken, Blynken and Nod seen below found themselves on a field trip to the powder room. 

Hilda (Wynken), Kika (Blynken) and Nod (me) 

Until this moment the three had not been able to personally congratulate the bride.  As we all know, bridal duties are many and we needed to wait for the proper time for this most special and cordial congratulations;  this greeting needed to be perfect.

While shoring up personal business in the very same powder room, Nod sat down on the porcelain thrown, without hesitation, only to find the toilet paper annoyingly distant from the bowl; about one wedding-dress-train length away beyond reach.  Yikes, soon to follow, a helpless guttural heavy sigh made way into the air while attempting to dive for the paper without incurring spillage.

The good news: crisis was averted and Nod exited the stall in a grumble.  Instantly, the three find themselves face to face with the bride as she entered the same powder room.  Soon to follow, Wynken, Blynken and Nod were presented with that long awaited magic moment to greet her.  Nod nervously blurted, "good thing we relocated the toilet paper for you!"  Agitated hugs were exchanged and they trippingly found themselves outside in a roar of giggles.

Priceless!
 
You have to admit that was a classy and spontaneous meet and greet.  The ice was broken and the group laughed their way back to the table and the rest of the evening got better and better...
 
Wishing the new couple the very best of everything and happily ever after!
 I have to say, I am glad I was there!
 
 

 2012
 
2011
 2005...
 
More pictures from "You had to be there!"