Golden Gate Bridge

On Easter weekend the weather was just right to take a little trip to San Francisco. Our daughter had been asking to go see the Golden Gate Bridge for a long time. So we had an early breakfast and prepared with jackets and all the essentials we needed for our little trip. 

As we arrived our kids were fascinated by the "big red bridge" as they called it, they couldn't believe their eyes. It looked so much bigger than they imagined it. 

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge!

Built in the 1937,  the bridge is 1.7 miles long and there is the option of walking, driving, riding bike across it. It is 90ft wide. It connects two counties: San Francisco to the South and Marin to the North. The paint is maintained by 38 painters. 

There is a $6.00 toll you much pay each way heading North as you enter and heading South as you exit. The toll pricing will go up next July, but will remain the same for 2 axles. Click here for exact pricing.

Adventure mom tip: When we visited the Golden Gate Bridge there was construction going on at Southeast parking area, there was a bit of traffic waiting to park. With kids we decided to continue our drive to Marin County and loop around following the road that lead around the mountain and a very long tunnel and looped back to the bridge. There are designated viewing areas with breathtaking views which make it worth the drive. 

Here are some images we wanted to share with you that we took with our iPhone. 

For more information on the majestic Golden Gate Bridge and to plan your visit please click here

Cuban Independence Day {20 de Mayo}

I made this flag on my computer... :)

As a half Cuban I am expected to know about Jose Martí {Poet, Politician, Writer, Revolutionary}, Perez Prado {he developed the Mambo!}, Camilo Cienfuegos {Revolutionary}, Fulgencio Batista {former Cuban President}, Fidel Castro and of course Celia Cruz! {I hope I didn't forget anyone}

This weekend marks the 110th anniversary of Cuba's independence from Spain. The exact date was May 20th 1902 or 20 de Mayo as my grandmother used to say... It is a very important date in Cuban history and my grandmother "Mima" {as we called her so lovingly} would always remind us of it. 

My grandmother, she was the life of the party always!
even with Mexican Mariachis! <3

Here are some facts about Cuba that you might not know:

Christopher Columbus in his historic voyage arrived in Cuba in 1492. After Columbus' arrival Cuba became a Spanish Colony until 1902. The Cuban independence movement lasted 10 years! from 1868 - 1878 and José Martí was part of this.

My collection of pre-Indepence Cuban currency

More Cuban currency, current and past. 

In Cuba the official language is Spanish, usually the last letter of a word is not phonetically pronounced. For example: "Que es eso?" {What is that?} would be pronounced "Qu' e' eso?"

Almost every conversation starts with "Chico(a)",  "Oye!", "Mira!" or "E'cucha!" mostly depending on what part of Cuba you are from. 

Cuba is mostly known for it's Cigars {which are handmade and of excellent quality}, sugarcane and coffee. 

Cuban coffee is drank in little teacups, but it's enough caffeine to keep you wide awake for more than you'd like {if you are not used to it} This is what a Cuban coffee maker looks like:

Cuban cuisine is based on onions, garlic, olive oil, cumin, oregano and bay leaves. 

There is always white steamed rice and beans served along with the protein. 

Cubans are friendly, happy and always ready for anything {I know because that is how my family is}

When they say the time, if it is past the hour then they say "y pico" for example if it's 12:20 they say: "12 y pico!" Here is a clock to show:

Given to my Mexican husband to understand
Cuban time easier. ;)

I have several Cuban food recipes in case you'd like to try them out {these recipes were always prepared by my grandmother and mother and now by me}:

Chicken Fricassee

Tostones

Picadillo

Cuban style fried rice

The closest I've been to Cuba:

Mother's Day

This mother's day will be the first time ever I am 550 miles away from my mom. I will not be celebrating with my mom. We will see each other soon and will have time to celebrate then, but for now I have pictures and fond memories of her growing up. You see my mom, is very special to me. She taught me so much! She taught me to cook {even though she doesn't know this}, she taught me to be strong {I can be}, she taught me how to be a caring mom, she taught me how to be a supportive wife, she taught me how to enjoy life. She taught me... wait a minute she is still teaching me! 

I still learn from my mom every single day! We talk on the phone at least once a day, sometimes 20 times! and we always have something to say or share. She always listens, she is always supportive {she was the one that told me to start blogging}. She is also an awesome grandma, my kids adore her and are always happy when they are around her. She {according to my 6 year old} is the best grandma in the world. 

So today when I picked up the mail I found an envelope addressed to me, I was a bit surprised because I never get anything personalized but it was from my mom and dad wishing me a happy mother's day. It was a great surprise and a very flattering one, thank you mom and dad! You made me smile. 

I have two great women to thank for being who I am today: my grandmother {she passed away in 2009 and I still miss her everyday} and my mom. 

I love you mom.

Great-grandmother, Grandmother and Adventure Girl.

In 2008, Adventure Girl made the perfect gift for me on her own:

This picture is a sweet reminder that my 6 year old was once a 3 year old... lovable as always! 

Now I'd like to share some facts about Mother's Day with you:

Mother's Day a very special day of the year when we celebrate moms. In the United States Mother's Day is celebrated the second Sunday of the month of May. Tradition is to spend the day with mothers and/or grandmothers have either brunch {breakfast/lunch} or a nice bbq at home due to overwhelming crowds at restaurants. Some families give flowers and/or jewelry to their mom others plan for family reunions at home.

{Happy Mother's Day!}

But, did you know that in Mexico Mother's Day is celebrated on May 10th? So for tomorrow:

{Feliz Día de las Madres!} 

Also even though it is not a Federal Holiday, most moms take the day off from work and enjoy a nice breakfast with other moms or their family. There are also elaborate school programs prepared by schools with their students for moms to enjoy. Yes I remember singing very meaningful songs to my mom.

While living in Baja Mexico, I remember getting friends together and arranging to serenade all our moms overnight from May 9th - May 10th and presenting our mother's with a bouquet of flowers. They would always greet us with a smile and a tear or two rolling down their cheeks. {sweet memories of growing up in Mexico}

In the United Kingdom it is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent and it is called Mothering Sunday. It has been that way since the 16th century. In Costa Rica they celebrate it on August 15th!

One of my first blog posts was about being a mom, I hope you enjoy it as much as I loved writing it.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching {yes only 3 more days eek!} Did you notice all the Valentine's Day themed merchandise for sale at your local stores a week after new years? I couldn't believe how quickly retailers are jumping through holidays. It's true, Valentine's Day is the day we celebrate love and friendship by giving chocolates, candies or flowers to that very special someone.

Did you know that on Valentine's Day 1.1 billion boxed chocolates are sold in the U. S. alone? In 2010 around 110 million roses were sold and delivered on this lovey holiday!

Restaurants are also known to enjoy this holiday taking reservations as early as August {Yes I called to check! not disclosing which though} as for those cute valentine's cards that kids exchange they can cost as low as $1.00 for a box of 24 {no coupons used} and as high as $16.99 {expensive right? considering they end up in the trash bin} Every year 250 million cards are sold on Valentine's!

Fun Fact Friday week 02/03

Photo Credit: Stroller Adventures

THE SUPERBOWL!

The most anticipated day in NFL where 2 teams face off and have fans at the edge of their seats. It's also a day where fans are most likely to overeat watching the game and have a heart attack! yes, it's true. The excitement, anxiety, stress and joy of winning or losing can affect fans' health. {So remember to stay calm}

One of the most expensive days in TV broadcast commercials $4 million US dollars to be exact for 30 second spot! -which hopefully is made up for these companies in lots of sales. Some viewers may just watch the game for pure enjoyment of the ads -just ask my sister who since forever loves ads on game day.

Do you want to go to Superbowl XLVI? You can still purchase a ticket for the amazing amount of $32,000.00 US dollars (as per last time I checked on ebay at 9:06 a.m. this morning) this price is a 4 ticket pack {OMG! that's a down payment on a house! or a new SUV}

So this Sunday as your enjoying the game with friends and/or family at home enjoying your BBQ or pizzas and chips with dips just remember how comfy you are to be home sitting on a nice sofa and getting front row view on your TV.    ;)  {not to mention no wait to use the bathroom}

Fun Fact Friday week 01/27

Photo Credit: Stroller Adventures

Yes it's January, the end of it though. Still here in San Diego or Sun Diego as many call it, we feel as if we were in summer. My daughter -who is in first grade, came home from school the other day and asked about Groundhog Day. That really got me thinking, because here we only get snow in the mountains and this winter has not had the best snow or rain for that matter.

Groundhog Day is celebrated on February 2 every year. It is the day where people visit Punxsutawney PA to attend a special ceremony where the groundhog comes out of a heated burrow and looks for his shadow. If he sees his shadow it means that there are 6 more weeks left of winter. If he does not see his shadow then spring is closer.

Did you know that the groundhogs burrow is electrically heated? and that he is called Punxsutawney Phil? I didn't either.

I still am curious about Punxsutawney Phil the famous groundhog, I wonder what if he would see his shadow if were here in San Diego? For now my kids are enjoying the weather, riding their bike/trike and playing in our backyard. ;)

Friday the 13th

Photo Credit: Stroller Adventures

Today is Friday and coincidentally it is the 13th day of the month and year. There are all sorts of perceptions of this day as to it being unlucky it has such an influence in some people that there is even a phobia in honor of it called "Friggatriskaidekaphobia" -yes long word that means fear of the number 13 and Fridays.

But where does or who did this originate from? it's simple in numerology the number 12 is considered completeness, this due to 12 months in a year, 12 hours in a day, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 tribes of Israel and 12 apostles -this also brings in the superstition of having a 13th guest for dinner is unlucky and means death for one of the guests.  Friday is considered unlucky because it is believed to be the day in which Jesus was crucified.

In Mexico Tuesday's are believed to be unlucky and more so a Tuesday 13th! Just ask my dad who all his life has not made important decisions on a Tuesday and who's car broke down in the middle of nowhere on a very important occasion that happened to be a Tuesday 13th about 20 years ago! yes the memory is still vivid as if it were yesterday. Thankfully everything worked out and was solved. If you are ever in Mexico on a Tuesday you will hear the very popular saying: "Martes ni te cases ni te embarques!" meaning: "Tuesday don't get married and don't embark!" as in a ship embark. ;)

I honestly think that any day, date is whatever you make of it. I strongly believe in destiny so if something bad is going to happen it doesn't care for day or date. So just enjoy today to the fullest and be positive!

Watch out for that ladder or black cat! Just kidding!

What do you think? Share your thoughts with us on the comments section.

Fun Fact Fridays week 01/06

Did you know that January and November are the two months of the year that have the most official holidays in the United States?

January:

New Years Day

Martin Luther King Day

November:

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving

Interesting right?

Fun Fact Fridays week 12/30

Did you know that September 16th - October 5th are the days with highest birth rate? Well let's just think about this for a moment and use a little calendar, 9 months from Christmas and New Year's is? You got it!

Last week and this week are when babies are most conceived, it could be the winter season or just the holiday celebrations.

Fun Fact Friday 12/09

Photo Credit: Stroller Adventures in SoCal

Did you know that in most parts of Mexico gifts aren't given or opened until the Epiphany January 6th when it is believed that the 3 wise men/kings/Magi arrived bearing gifts for Jesus.

Theme Thursday's and Fun Fact Friday's

Next week we will begin our week with a new series for Thursdays and Fridays:

Theme Thursdays: Each week we will choose a subject and share our thoughts on it. We hope you join us and share your points of view.

Fun Fact Fridays: Every Friday we will share a fun fact to share with you.

We hope you continue to follow us on our adventures. Menu Mondays, Toddler Tuesdays and Where? What? Wednesdays will continue.

Have a suggestion? or idea? share it with us on our comments. What kind of recipes are you wanting us to try out? what SoCal adventures do you suggest for our family to take?