Latina in America: My Story

I take a quick sidetrack in our blog topics this week ( Don't worry the Bride's Maid Part II will be back!), following a program that was aired on CNN called Latino in America. Following this two-part program, I thought that I needed to write about being Latino in America, as a modern millennial women. The women of today are not cookie-cutters by any means. They are individuals and have unique backgrounds and history. So I share mine and what it means to me to be "Latino in America."

I remember when I went to go visit my grandparents in Miami when I was a young teenager and had my first run-in with the fact that I really didn't know half of my culture. I was about fourteen and my grandparents had recently purchased a condo in the Latino area of Miami Gardens. My grandparents are from Nicaragua and moved here when my Mom got married in the early 80s. They, along with the rest of my Mom's immediate family moved from Nicaragua due to a civil war that really took everything from what was a very successful Nica family. Now I must note here, that I am only half Latina, and so for most of my life I was raised apart from the Latino culture. I'm biracial and my Dad is from the United States, born and raised. I like to think I have the best of both world, but that comes from a lot of soul searching and identity development (that totally isn't over). But I digress.

So Latinos like to eat and they like to get together and party. It's no secret - it's just what we do. So one day while in Miami, my aunt and Grandparents took me and my brother to a cousin's house for dinner. When we arrived we said hello and shook hands and it was awkward, but I attributed that to us having never met my Mom and aunt's cousin's kids (our second or third cousins- who knows?). Dinner was great - we had some GOOD Nicaraguan food, etc. as Latino family get togethers usually go. But when it came time to leave, it was awkward again, as we shook hands or just said goodbye. When I got in the car, I asked my aunt, why was that so awkward? Why did they kiss you on the cheeks? My aunt said, "That's what Latinos do. It's part of our culture."

I was a little confused. That's what I do? That's what you do? Am I supposed to know how to do that? Having been raised in a primarily White neighborhood, I didn't have that many run-ins with other Latinos, or half Latinos like me. Of course I kissed my Grandma - she's my Grandma and so does everyone else. So what may have been a  cultural identifier (kissing cheeks at hello) was not something I knew how to do. I never kissed anyone else on the cheek when I saw them. What I realized at that moment was I hadn't been practicing part of my culture.

When I went to college, I made it a point to develop the other half of my culture. My Latino culture. I joined a Latina-based sorority and immersed myself in the culture, which was primarily Mexican. While it wasn't Nicaraguan (and my Grandma will make fun of me because I have a Mexican accent when I speak Spanish) I am grateful for my sisters and for the opportunity I had to get to know another part of me. I learned a lot about myself, my heritage, and who I am - two parts of one whole.

An imporatnt thing to note is that :"Latino in America" is very culturally diverse story. You have half Latinos like me, and you have MexiRicans for example (Mexican and Puerto Rican) and sometimes that can be just as different as being half white and half Nicaraguan. Our culture is diverse and eclectic and needs to be recognized as such. It's important to remember that we're all on a journey to find out who we are - my journey is just beginning!

The Bride's Maid Part One: Joining the Wedding Party

I have been fortunate to have been in five weddings in the past two and a half years, with more scheduled to come. I've had the lime green, chocolate, watermelon, Tiffany's blue, and red bridesmaid dress. Only one was not strapless - unfortunately. But I loved them just the same!! Noting all the experiences I've had with weddings this far, this next series will be focusing on "The Bride's Maid" and because truly - the Millenial Modern Woman is the bridesmaid of today.

But first, before we get into this week's blog post and the first part of this next series titled "The Bride's Maid," we need to discuss why this series is titled "The Bride's Maid" and NOT "The Bridesmaid." I think what many people forget during weddings is if you're not the bride or the groom (well sometimes even the groom) - you're an accessory. The bridesmaid truly is - the Bride's MAID - and for good reason. Though I have yet to get married, though I hope one day it will eventually happen, I do recognize why the bridesmaid exists. For one, planning a wedding is difficult! Gathering a large number of people for a ceremony and really fancy party when you have never done it before, all while making a lifetime committment to one person, is HARD. Hence - you get maids - to HELP you. And so, I title this series "The Bride's Maid."

Joining the wedding party can be very exciting! However, many people stop to think about what this involves. For one, you are joining an event, and a show in a way, for a very important friend or family member! Yes - a show. You're on stage and performing,whether it's a church wedding where you're walking down the aisle (remembering to smile), or you are teaching a party dance at the reception to get people up and enjoying the festivities. You are ON from the moment you wake up on the rehearsal day until you make it back to your home or hotel room the night of the wedding (or early morning of the day after). You SHOULD be tired. But more about this later in Part Three- The Wedding.

Most important to remember is the costs associated with being a part of the wedding. Many individuals think it's just about the tux or the bridesmaid dress. However, if you are an out-of-towner, you must consider the flight or gas to arrive to your destination (and parking for your car or perhaps doggy daycare), the hotel room (you shouldn't be relying on the bride to put you up - remember that it's not about you), meals, etc. Even if you are from in town, you need to consider the dress or tux, the alterations, and other items that might pop up. Now I'm not trying to discourage those who may be on a budget, like myself, but I have seen the occasional bride be "jilted" by a maid that just couldn't afford to be in the wedding after they had made the commitment. The polite thing to do, I repeat, the polite thing to do when you know that you cannot afford the costs associated with a wedding is to let your friend or family member know. It is disappointing, don't get me wrong, but if he or she is a true friend they will understand. We all have budgets and putting bridesmaid dresses on your credit card (for example - three for me), doesn't help when you're trying to save.

Make sure you are COMMITTED when you accept the invitation to be a bridesmaid. Be sure you are willing to take on all that comes with being a Bride's Maid. Being a true friend means making your friend or family member's wedding the best and easiest it can possibly be!

Next: Check out The Bride's Maid Part Two: Supporting the Planner, Supporting the Bride

Revamping the Blog: The Modern Woman

So over the last couple weeks I really haven't had the opportunity to update the blog for the Part-Time Homemaker. In the time that I had to think about posts, I began to realize that maybe the direction isn't about homemaking per say, but more about the modern woman and her struggles, her accomplishments, and how she takes on the day-to-day and more. Many parts of the life and times of the millennial part-time homemaker consist of knitting, cooking, gardening, but there is so much more to that woman. So I decided that the blog needed a revamp, a makeover - it needed to be "flipped".

And how interesting is it that the modern woman also has to always adapt to the changing locations, team dynamics, situations at home, and more. So it is appropriate that with this change - we become the Millennial Modern Woman. Thanks for hanging in there during the change and please look forward to a broader subject matter, and of course the frequent post regarding the millenial part-time homemaker and her hobbies and eats! : )

So What's Coming Up? 

The How-to Guide: The Bride's Maid