web analytics
Share Your Story
January 23, 2012 – 1:00 am | 26 Comments

Keeping the Resolution to Connect
On most evenings before tuck-in now in 2012, my daughter and I sit on her bed, open a fat, blank book and list our “Gratitude and Goals.”
Simple gratitude for the day …

Read the full story »
casa + cultura

The sabor of Latino living.

dichos + del alma

Inspiration and reflection.

el buzz

News and pop culture.

foto + video

See us. See yourself.

the habla habla

Our stories.

del alma »

Worthy of Love
January 25, 2012 – 1:00 am | 9 Comments

Wrong Men, Wrong Choices

Sujeiry Gonzalez from LoveSujeiryby Sujeiry Gonzalez

Once upon a time there was a girl in her 20s who loved the wrong men.

The men she longed for were never available. Not emotionally or otherwise.

But they were fine.

Donning goatees and blessed with a nose with a long bridge, the squinty-eyed fellows caught Sujeiry’s attention instantly. She’s not half bad either. Her long and full hair can go from curly to straight. Her exuberant smile warms a room. And let’s not forget her tiny, yet round Dominican booty.

The story continues with a culprit – a bottle of Bacardi mixed with Coca Cola and bouts of insecurity. Drunk dialing was this 20-something’s poison. She’d stand on street corners and yell into her cell phone: “WHY WON’T YOU LOVE ME!”

She sobbed on shoulders and crumbled on bar stools. She emailed long accusatory letters only to later regret her pendeja*a. You see, Sujeiry was once unsure of her worth.

And so she chose the wrong men.

Men who cheated. Men who didn’t reciprocate her love. Men who left her for the ghosts of exes past.

Those were her Love Trips – the journey and relationship stumbles that have led to the present moment where she realizes she is amazing.

Making Better Choices

I know I am amazing.

At 33-years-old, I make better choices. My experiences haven’t brought me down or embittered me. On the contrary, they have served a purpose. I am more aware of my actions and myself. I know the motivation and intention behind my words and choices.

No longer a naïve and insecure 20-something, I refuse to chase men. I demand to be courted and respected. See that cutie by the bar? If he digs me, he must approach me. If he wants to get to know me, he must wander over, stand beside me and talk to me. Offer me a drink (Bacardi and Coca Cola is still my favorite) and, before the night ends, ask for my number.

This wasn’t always the case. I wasn’t always this strong and wise. We all have our weak moments, don’t we? We, as women, often put ourselves second and third and fourth. We don’t always give ourselves enough value.

I was once that girl. A girl in her 20s who loved the wrong men.

Until she realized she is worthy of love.

Sujeiry Gonzalez is the author of “Love Trips: A Collection of Relationship Stumbles,” from a collection of columns for Blogger, MiGente and SiTV. Her comedic personality, unique voice and talent have led her to pen relationship highs and lows for Latina magazine and online sites such as SoLatina and Mamiverse. Find her stories, videos and much more on LoveSujeiry.com.

Are You Losing Your Spanish?
January 23, 2012 – 6:50 am | 27 Comments

Hablas el Spanish?
This poll is for the second- and third- and plus-generation Latinos who were born, or have grown up, in the United States.
Inspired by the story in February’s Latina magazine titled, Are We Losing Our …

Stuff Guys Say to Cuban Girls (Video)
January 16, 2012 – 9:14 pm | 7 Comments

click the headline link to see the videos.
OK, we are a little bit addicted to these Things People Say videos on YouTube, and watching them has brought up stuff people have said to me and …

Latinos, Hispanics and Racial Identity
January 15, 2012 – 8:55 am | 10 Comments
Latinos, Hispanics and Racial Identity

Questions of Race and Ethnicity
There are more people living in the one Miami subdivision where my parents live than in the whole of my little town outside of Nashville, Tennessee.
And except for the nice family …

¡Rob! Needs Ayuda
January 13, 2012 – 6:31 am | 2 Comments
¡Rob! Needs Ayuda

In the first five minutes of CBS’ new ¡Rob!, we had  jokes on siestas, Catholics and their birth control — or lack — guacamole and Julio Iglesias.
Then there was the gardener with the leaf blower …

Dulce de Leche Cheerios Recipes
January 9, 2012 – 1:00 am | 9 Comments
Dulce de Leche Cheerios Recipes

Dulce de Leche: Not Just For Latinos Anymore
Dulce de leche, a staple deliciousness in the Latin American diet, is not a well-kept secret anymore.
For goodness sakes, it is as main stream as salsa. It’s everywhere.
The …

Despojos, Azabaches and Other Rituals
January 2, 2012 – 9:34 am | 31 Comments
Despojos, Azabaches and Other Rituals

Cleansing el Mal de Ojo
There was a beautiful white-robed Santa Mercedes statue in my grandparent’s living room. It was on a wooden bookcase and always surrounded by fresh flowers and a glass of water.
More times …

¡Basta Ya! Stop Breaking Resolutions
December 29, 2011 – 9:18 am | 2 Comments
¡Basta Ya! Stop Breaking Resolutions

Reach Your Goals in 2012
Are you sick, and totally cansada, of watching the years go by and you’re still wishing, wanting, struggling, hoping, over the same things? The same things you’ve wanted to change or …

Gritos al Cielo: Latina Prayers for Patience
December 22, 2011 – 7:32 am | 8 Comments
Gritos al Cielo: Latina Prayers for Patience

¡Ay! Virgencita, Ayudame!
By Jessie Nuez
¡Ay! Gran Poder de Dios!
¡Ay! Virgencita de la Altagracia ilumíname el camino a la tranquilidad.
María Santísima que estaré yo pagando!
Dios de la Vida, Padre Celestial, cuida de mi que no quiero …

Pretending to Believe in Santa, a Confession
December 20, 2011 – 1:00 am | 5 Comments
Pretending to Believe in Santa, a Confession

What I Overheard About Santa
By Cynthia Martinez
I was one of those kids who acted like she believed in Santa Claus until I was 13. Well, 13 was the last year I was allowed to get …

Pretty Things: Celebrate!
December 18, 2011 – 6:00 am | 2 Comments
Pretty Things: Celebrate!

Hola a todos! It’s Dariela and I’m back with the second part of the fiestas. Some more pretty cositas for you or for your friends and loved ones. Let’s celebrate the holidays with lots of …