Cody’s Baptism! August 12, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Family, Lifestyle, Religion.2 comments
This past weekend was a total time warp for me. Even though I had just visited Virginia Beach during the 4th of July weekend, this past weekend was more emotional and memorable.
First, I stayed at Brenda’s parent’s house – a house I pretty much grew up in until I left for college. They had made some changes to the house, but for the most part everything was still the same. As I walked through different rooms, I would remember different memories from being a kid. HEAD TRIP!
Then, Brenda and I took Cody to see Brother Damian (Alex) and his mom at their house down the street. We lost Cody for about 10 minutes as he was being passed around a hoard of Filipinos! Too cute. We got a hot tip that Joy was in town this past weekend to help her parents pack up the house they just sold. We showed up in the middle of the chaos for a mini-reunion. Joy hadn’t seen Brenda or Damian in a long time, and hadn’t met Cody yet. It was great to chit chat and catch up.
The day of the baptism brought another trip down memory lane when we showed up at the church where I used to spend every Sunday. Of course, for Brenda’s sake I went through the motions of Baptism rituals. But I have to say that I was really weirded out. In the middle of the mass, it started to downpour outside and the lights started to flicker inside the church. I swear it was because I was in the house. hehe.
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Okay, my baby’s baptized. Now it’s time for mama to relax!
My last week of vacation in New Hampshire August 12, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Environment, Family, Lifestyle.add a comment
I’m back at my mom’s house in NOVA again. I’m detoxing and focusing. This blog has been suffering a bit, but now I’m ready to get back on track! I’ve got lots of pictures to show from my last week in NH, so ch-ch-check ‘em out!
Brenda chopping wood in her front yard while wearing flip flops.
Mike jumped in and was like, “okay, you’re done.”
We had a yard sale, and on the down times there was a lot of goofing off. Here’s Bren in a noodle battle with Mike’s brother, Buddy.
Trying to sell the exercise machine with his sexiness.
CODY!
I went to the Craftsman’s Fair with Mike’s cousins. It was at the Lake Sunapee Ski Resort. We took the ski lifts up the mountain to see some views. Here’s a foreboding rain cloud.
Beautiful or what?
Deer!
Feeding the kid 
Spur of the moment rain gear!
Cody post bath! Seriously, is there a cuter kid out there?
Goofing off, chilling out and appreciating what you’ve got. August 1, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Environment, Family, Lifestyle, Sociology, Travel.2 comments
When I started my travel journey this summer, I knew that at the end of it I would have to eventually find a place to land for awhile. For the most part, I was going to let it be revealed to me by paying attention to signs and symbols. You know, not trying to control it. In the back of my mind though, I secretly knew that I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I decided to just re-plot myself in a place where I’d lived before. While I’ve been spending time in New Hampshire, I’ve discovered a place like none other I’ve lived, or maybe have even visited.
Most notable about my time here is the sense of community and family I’ve felt a part of, especially in just a few short weeks. I hadn’t consciously realized it, but suddenly I was a aware that what I’ve really been searching for is a community to belong in. I get that here. And it’s in abundance.
So, I’m going to ride this wave for awhile and see what happens. Yay!
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Fun Friday night house party. Brenda was in rare form!
She is going off about something here. Apparently really funny.
Reunited with her son at the end of the night. “Wait kid, I need me some brownies”
I spent the next day out on this boat. This is the Blackwater River. So beautiful!
CAUTION: The following is a random selection of photos taken among the not so sober.
We take no responsibility for the way we look or behave
Kelsey and Tyler – a pair of really good people.
Oh, boys and their wrestling. Here is Mike with his brother Matt. At first it looked like Matt, the younger brother, was going to win it.
But then, Mike ended it all in one swoop. haha!
This was the billiard room I woke up in the next morning. This view is from the couch I slept on.
It really was a beautiful room.
A couple of nights later, I went on a 2.25 mile hike and ended up at the base of a water tower. I climbed the water tower, and got some of these views of the Concord area at sunset.
76 very steep and narrow steps up the water tower. But totally worth it
The natural New Hampshire! July 25, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Environment, Family, Health and Well-Being, Travel.3 comments
Fun times in New Hampshire! July 20, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Family, Lifestyle, Travel.2 comments
Friday was an eventful day! Brenda, Cody and I strolled to downtown Concord for “Market Days.” Basically, Main St. is converted into a street market full of food, retail and activity booths. We decided to make a pit stop in an Italian bistro for some fruit salad. Afterwards, we roamed a couple of stores and I was happily surprised to find some really good metaphysical, hippie spots. New Hampshire definitely has its own California vibe for sure!
Concord’s “Market Days”
Concord’s capitol building
We found a baby snow hat and decked the little man out. He’s such a good, happy baby! What a ham!
After strolling Main St., we dropped off Cody with his grandmother and decided to meet Mike, Brenda’s husband, for drinks downtown. On the way back home, we were invited to a house party, so grandma agreed to take the kid for the night! We made a pit-stop at her house to fill her up on food and diapers. While we were there, Mike let the dogs out and a skunk decided to spray them (more like soak them) with its funk! When they came running back into the house, the smell was so intense, I had to leave and sit in the car.
Mama finally gets a night out for fun!
NettyD cruisin’!
A rare moment of rest for a working daddy.
Glimpses of the tribe June 30, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Family, Lifestyle, Sociology.2 comments
Growing up in a Cuban family, I’ve experienced all of the identifying characteristics of the culture: traveling in packs, four+ people speaking at the same time, eating lots of heavy food as late in the day as possible, and tons of gossip about each member of the family (present or not).
What makes me the most proud of Cubans, however, is our passion. The same passion that reveals itself when normal people discuss politics comes at the same intensity when Cubans discuss something like buying a pair of shoes. When my non-Cuban friends tell me that I need to tone it down after getting worked up about something small, I always chalk it up to my genes. Still, I could not be more proud to come from a place that cares deeply about everything rather than not having an opinion at all.
Here are some shots from my weekend with my Dad’s side of the family.
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My dad and his sister, my Tia Rose. She’s stoked about learning the treadmill.
With Dad and brother Andrew.
With grandma Lucy. Notice how we’re all looking at different cameras. Even in the digital age, when pictures can be copied and sent easily, Cubans still engage in photo shoots that would make even Annie Liebovitz jealous.
Tia Rose with her daughter Yvonne (my cousin and godmother) and her grandkid Stephanie (my cousin and goddaughter).
Bro and I at a pub in JAX Beach
Andrew and Cousin Matt at JAX Beach. Fun times!
Andrew and Dad’s dog, Zeus.
