Diaphanous
According to the definition it is something of so fine a texture as to be transparent. Without a doubt the first thing that came to my mind was a very popular legend in Puerto Rico. Guánica is a little town in the South but rich in history. Sugarcane factory was one of the main and principal jobs for many PuertoRicans. It is not documented when the first plants of sugar cane arrived in Puerto Rico, but it is believed that it was when Juan Ponce de León began colonizing the island. Then later Americans built factories across the island and also built their own small communities around these. Today those houses are called “casas americanas” because they were built by Americans. There is one famous road that takes you to this little town and the legend says that an American woman was killed in a accident around that area, so she appears sometimes at night. She was described as a young American lady wearing a white dress but almost sheer. It was so thin and diaphanous that you could barely see it. I remember as a child riding with my parents and dad would always say… “close your eyes if you don’t want to be scared”. My aunt bought one of those houses “casas americanas” and I was always scared to be at her house at night when I was little girl. Now this road is one of my favorite places and I think it is just a beautiful ride to get to my hometown. I have a picture of this road in my living room and I can honestly say that I had forgotten about the legend until now. Now every time I’m in the living room at night I think of the white American woman with a long, white and diaphanous dress. Am I still scared?
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Acedia
I never thought it would be difficult to find a concept in my culture that had an indifferent and apathy tone. I couldn’t think of anything that I have learned in the past based on my experiences or just plain general knowledge of the Spanish culture. I remember very clearly of being told not to be that way or promote that behavior or feeling at all. One of our biggest celebration of the year is the “La llegada del Año Nuevo” – welcoming the New Year. During this celebration it is very important that you have a good time with family and friends. It is also necessary that you take the time to thank everyone and count your blessings. It is a night full of different emotions. I never understood why my family had an awesome time until almost midnight. Around 11:45 people would start gathering in a circle to get ready to recite “El Brindis del Bohemio”. This poem written by a Mexican writer in 1912 has become part of a Puertorican tradition during our celebration of New Year’s Eve. This poem talks about how we should be thankful and remember our family. Family and friends welcome the New Year together and this is when most of them feel very nostalgic and start singing the song “Mi Viejo San Juan” which talks about being away from the island. I believe during this gathering gives them the opportunity to look forward to new opportunities in the New Year, but also the sadness of being away of some family member because they have deceased or just immigrate to other countries looking for a better life. This night has always been very important to me because I was taught to give thanks and welcome the New Year with open arms. “El Brindis del Bohemio’ is also one of my podcasts. Enjoy!!
I never thought it would be difficult to find a concept in my culture that had an indifferent and apathy tone. I couldn’t think of anything that I have learned in the past based on my experiences or just plain general knowledge of the Spanish culture. I remember very clearly of being told not to be that way or promote that behavior or feeling at all. One of our biggest celebration of the year is the “La llegada del Año Nuevo” – welcoming the New Year. During this celebration it is very important that you have a good time with family and friends. It is also necessary that you take the time to thank everyone and count your blessings. It is a night full of different emotions. I never understood why my family had an awesome time until almost midnight. Around 11:45 people would start gathering in a circle to get ready to recite “El Brindis del Bohemio”. This poem written by a Mexican writer in 1912 has become part of a Puertorican tradition during our celebration of New Year’s Eve. This poem talks about how we should be thankful and remember our family. Family and friends welcome the New Year together and this is when most of them feel very nostalgic and start singing the song “Mi Viejo San Juan” which talks about being away from the island. I believe during this gathering gives them the opportunity to look forward to new opportunities in the New Year, but also the sadness of being away of some family member because they have deceased or just immigrate to other countries looking for a better life. This night has always been very important to me because I was taught to give thanks and welcome the New Year with open arms. “El Brindis del Bohemio’ is also one of my podcasts. Enjoy!!
Biannual
I thought knowing the meaning of the word was going to make this process easier – I was wrong! I have spent a lot of time thinking about what to write that occurs once every two years but related to a cultural event about the Spanish culture. I don’t like to read the other blogs until I have chosen my topic, that way I don’t try to choose something similar. Blogs are kind of personal, so I always try to find something related to my own experiences.
I had a conversation with a friend last week about the situation of the flu concerns and he was telling me about what the government’s plan. He works for the National Air Force in Fort Smith in the medical field. He reminded me of our famous Air show at the base here in Fort Smith and it is a biannual event. Why the Air Show? This event offers entertainment and education to our community. Usually I have the opportunity to work as a volunteer and help somehow during the show. I have noticed how the attendance of members of our Hispanic community has increased over the years and I have always wondered if the number of Hispanics joining the Armed Forces has increased as well. I did a little research to find out more information about this topic. Joining the military is a common thing among Puertoricans. Many of them choose this route and make a career of it. Growing up in Puerto Rico and then in Clarksville, TN helped me understand the military life a little better. Fort Campbell is located ten minutes from my second hometown, so I had the opportunity to be involved and learn about being part of the military. One of the things I have always heard from many Puertoricans soldier is that they miss their island. They always refer to a song that talks about leaving and not being able to come back to the island. They can identify themselves with the lyrics and always refer to the song when talking about their experiences during their time of service. It is a beautiful song and I have to say that I get a little emotional when I hear it. It really touches our heart. The lyrics of this song are one of my podcasts. Enjoy!
The reasons why Latinos are drawn the military vary:
· aggressive recruiters who pry on youth (my brother in law was a recruiter for eleven
years)
· the enticement of skipping the usual five years that legal permanent residents must want
before applying for citizenship, the immigrant’s desire assimilate
· a way to pursue an education
· a sense of pride about serving for this country
More information!
· Latinos’ representation has been highest in the Marine Corps and lowest in the Air Force
· Marine Corps culture appeals to Hispanic values given the high representation of Latinos,
it is clearly not just the macho image of the Marine Corps that appeals to Hispanics.
· Latino representation in the Navy has been rising.
· By September 2006, the contributed 14 percent of Navy enlisted personnel about the same
as in the Marine Corps that year.
· The past 20 years have witnessed dramatic increases in the percentage of Latinos (of both
sexes) among active duty enlisted personnel
I thought knowing the meaning of the word was going to make this process easier – I was wrong! I have spent a lot of time thinking about what to write that occurs once every two years but related to a cultural event about the Spanish culture. I don’t like to read the other blogs until I have chosen my topic, that way I don’t try to choose something similar. Blogs are kind of personal, so I always try to find something related to my own experiences.
I had a conversation with a friend last week about the situation of the flu concerns and he was telling me about what the government’s plan. He works for the National Air Force in Fort Smith in the medical field. He reminded me of our famous Air show at the base here in Fort Smith and it is a biannual event. Why the Air Show? This event offers entertainment and education to our community. Usually I have the opportunity to work as a volunteer and help somehow during the show. I have noticed how the attendance of members of our Hispanic community has increased over the years and I have always wondered if the number of Hispanics joining the Armed Forces has increased as well. I did a little research to find out more information about this topic. Joining the military is a common thing among Puertoricans. Many of them choose this route and make a career of it. Growing up in Puerto Rico and then in Clarksville, TN helped me understand the military life a little better. Fort Campbell is located ten minutes from my second hometown, so I had the opportunity to be involved and learn about being part of the military. One of the things I have always heard from many Puertoricans soldier is that they miss their island. They always refer to a song that talks about leaving and not being able to come back to the island. They can identify themselves with the lyrics and always refer to the song when talking about their experiences during their time of service. It is a beautiful song and I have to say that I get a little emotional when I hear it. It really touches our heart. The lyrics of this song are one of my podcasts. Enjoy!
The reasons why Latinos are drawn the military vary:
· aggressive recruiters who pry on youth (my brother in law was a recruiter for eleven
years)
· the enticement of skipping the usual five years that legal permanent residents must want
before applying for citizenship, the immigrant’s desire assimilate
· a way to pursue an education
· a sense of pride about serving for this country
More information!
· Latinos’ representation has been highest in the Marine Corps and lowest in the Air Force
· Marine Corps culture appeals to Hispanic values given the high representation of Latinos,
it is clearly not just the macho image of the Marine Corps that appeals to Hispanics.
· Latino representation in the Navy has been rising.
· By September 2006, the contributed 14 percent of Navy enlisted personnel about the same
as in the Marine Corps that year.
· The past 20 years have witnessed dramatic increases in the percentage of Latinos (of both
sexes) among active duty enlisted personnel
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