I recently went to Connecticut on an art retreat with my boyfriend, Vince, who accompanied me.  I worked alongside creative minds and made 3 different multi-media pieces, which came out pretty damn cool. The trip all together was very inspirational, not only because of the retreat, but because the state was beautiful and the fall weather was enjoyable.  The architecture made me dream of what it would be like to live in an old house.  I think of these things, because I was born and raised in Miami, in a modern home and sometimes I have illusions of living somewhere else that has more history, more seasons.  It's an option, I guess.  On the way back, we missed our flight by 5 minutes and caught the next one.  Since we were on stand by, Vince and I had to get which ever seats were available and so we couldn't sit next to each other.  I sat on the plane in between a young guy and a mature lady.  Before the plane took off, the lady did the sign of the cross, which most Catholics do as a sign of faith.  When the flight attendant came by to take our drink order, I heard the mature lady speak and I figured she was Cuban by her accent.  She had taken out her wallet to pay for a mini bottle of wine, and before putting it away, there was a picture in it that she touched very gently.  Someone she most of loved very much.  After a couple of minutes I struck up a conversation with her.  Her name was Elsa and I asked her where she was from.  "Cuba," she said and she told me she came to America in 1960 with her husband. I told her my parents left Cuba as children, and so I am very interested in learning as much as I can about the country. We spent the whole flight talking about the culture of Cuba, the food, the history. She reminisced about her past and told me about her present.  I told her Cuba is like a dream that is out of reach.  She reminded me that Miami is Cuba.  I left the plane lucky enough to meet Elsa, but I left the plane happy to be back in Miami, a city that does have history....fifty-four years of Cuban history that has come all the way from the island to the Americas.  Miami is Cuba.  Miami is my home.

I work for a fashion designer house company that has two floors. The elevator is branded, Otis. What a wonderful joy it would be to hear Otis Redding every time I go on it. A minute of his music is all I would need. Entering the elevator this morning, I asked another person getting on, "What floor would you like me to press?" Geez, there's only two floors! Lol I was half asleep. Yesterday, I was on this same huge electrical box that goes up and down. I always say hello to whoever is on the elevator with me, but then I stare at the floor, in a shy sorta way. Some lady had a pair of beautiful sandals on. The perfect combination of hot pink jewels and rhinestones applied. I complemented her sandals and she thanked me. Today, I get on the elevator again, and look at the floor. I see the cutest black Mary Jane shoes. I look up to complement her and it's the same lady. I had to tell her, "I love your taste in shoes!"

Searching for restaurants in Miami each Thursday night has become a must-do for planning Friday nights.  Yelp, I must say, is always helpful.  Help...Yelp :) Anyway, I did a search for American Gourmet and many restaurants came up, but according to the reviews we chose Blue Collar.  Great little place.  Small yet very ambitious (the award on the wall was very well achieved). We sat at the bar next to Laura, a friendly lady who goes to Blue Collar regularly. She offered us her untouched appetizer salad, which we refused, yet we couldn't say no to her bread pudding dessert...just as sweet as she was. Hope to see her again upon return. The waiters were cool, all tattooed with tuxedos printed on their shirts (very clever uniform). The menus had a lot to offer and I was surprised, it being an American Gourmet restaurant, that Miami's Cuban food had sneaked into the kitchen...Tostones and Cuban Spring Rolls...we'll try those next time.  But tonight was all about trying something different, or at least I thought so until my awesome boyfriend, Vince, ordered a cheeseburger."It was one darn good cheeseburger," he said. I had brisket and it was great, but I really want to go back and try other things.  Maybe Laura's main entree. Thanks again Laura.

Fridays...we all look forward to Fridays and how better to start the weekend than a place where you can let go and be yourself. The News, is a relaxing lounge, where you can drink, socialize and grab something to eat all in one comfy environment. Filled with sofas, seats and even beds! "No love making, please", says the waiter with a quirky smile on his face. Well there's kids around too, so please keep it PG13  But the fun thing is after a couple of drinks your inner child comes out too and what do you know, there's a bed to jump up and down on. Definitely a cool place to check out. Have a great weekend in Miami!