Time:
I went to dinner with a friend of mine yesterday and I waited for an hour. I was upset, not because I was waiting, but because the lady at the restaurant kept looking at me like I was a fool getting stood up. That got me to think about time, and all the time we waste on pointless things (i.e. arguments)... but me being a female, I also thought about how much time I spend thinking about my love life (of course I spend time on other things, there are 24 hrs in a day!)... how much time is too much time? I cannot be the only person possibly thinking about this. Even those in relationships question the relationship itself... those who are married as well. Is this an ongoing never ending pointless battle? Then again, like Jose Marti said (one of my fave quotes) "And so it is of human life the goal to seek, forever seek, the kindred soul," unless of course I am misinterpreting him.
Comparisons:
So one of the topics that came up at dinner ( I actually brought it up in one of my random venting moments), the fact that Dominicans and PuertoRicans are always compared to each other, but no one ever compares either to Cubans. Are they all not Caribbeans? do they not all have similar roots. I don't want to take away from any of these cultures, as I find myself more fascinated by these little islands and the struggles of their peoples as opposed to India or China. But as a fellow Dominican, who sees the similarities and the differences, I get annoyed that Cuba gets the treatment of being "isolated" from the comparisons. I don't think is fair. I feel that all three cultures have taken pieces from each other, and maybe the reason Cuba doesn't get compared as much is because there aren't that many Cubans in NYC (that I know of)... still, let us all be a little more conscious of our comparisons and not eliminate others that can be compared. I tried to compare Uruguay to Argentina, and my friend got offended (hmmm).
Dominican Vs. Spanish:
I'm half Dominican and half Spanish... (gasp) SPANISH?! That's usually how people react to my nationality. Never do I get, (gasp) DOMINICAN!?! Who said that Spain is better than my gorgeous island? Not to take away from my history filled Spanish side, that I love dearly. But it really bothers me that my Dominican side is simply swept under the rug, treated like the mass produced items sold at Target. GRRRR!! I will never deny that my father is from Galicia, and that he speaks con la Z, or that I love eating paella and tortilla Espanola (made of papas)... but I take a lot of pride in my Dominican culture. It is rich with stories of when I was a little girl dancing by the rejas hoping one of the local neighbors would buy me candy. It has taught me to make moro de abichuelas negras con carne ensebollada (and I don't care who disagrees, but to me my mothers sazon is by far the best thing to touch a pan). It has a trail of music that makes you move your feet even if you have no rhythm... Yes Dominican Republic, my one half, is populated with loud mouths, jokers, brugal drinkers, mofongo lovers... and I am proud of all that. People see Spain as this sophisticated country of some sort, its like those that are dazzled by the glitz and "glamour" of Hollywood. Who said Beverly Hills is cooler than the Lower East Side? I guess it depends on what you perceive as better. I'll just continue loving both my nationalities... for the rest of you "hafies", hang in there, I know it gets confusing.
Journalism:
As an intern here at my summer job I get to write a lot, and although the Editor can be a tough one, I'm starting to think that maybe I could have some sort of career in writing. I told mami and she said, "well choose something that you can make money in, you know jobs are hard now," not exactly the support I was looking for (I guess shes being practical)... but where mami lacks my bff surely doesn't. I told her my idea of looking into journalism for grad school, and she said "I think your idea for grad school is great!... you need to write a book!" haha, I've always toyed with the idea of writing a book someday, and I'd think it would be amazing. I don't know who would read it, but then again those who truly love to read, read whatever they can get their fingers on. Just today I was reading my journal, which I started Dec 31, 2007. And I couldn't stop laughing, thinking, almost tearing... that's my book right there. My life, the endless roller coaster, and I'm sure there are other women that can relate. Maybe I'll publish all my journals one day (I've kept one since I was 14)...
Cant stop listening to : Buena Vista Social Club
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