Your Opinion on Beauty
June 25, 2008 at 2:46 am | In American Culture, Communication, Latin Culture, Latin Stars, NYC Local, New York City, Pop Culture, Quotes, Recommendations, Survey, World History | 1 CommentTags: age, beauty concepts, beauty secrets, beauty will save the world, Dostoevsky, images, Poll, questions, self-esteem, Survey, the perfect man, the perfect woman
What is beauty for you? Could you tell us? What does this concept represent to you?
The beauty and the Beast:
A definition I like about beauty is the following:
Beauty is a characteristic of a person, place, idea or object; that we as human beings, perceive as an experience of pleasure, satisfaction or meaning.
This widely and controversial term called “Beauty” is studied as part of sociology, aesthetics, social psychology and culture.
Dostoevsky:
What about the phrase: “Beauty will save the world”, by Dostoevsky:
“For a long time now I’ve been tormented by a certain idea, but I’ve been afraid to make a novel out of it, because the thought is too difficult and I’m nor ready for it, though it’s a thoroughly tempting thought and I love it. The idea is to portray a perfectly beautiful man. Nothing, in my opinion, can be more difficult than that, especially in our time”
(Dostoevsky, quoted in the Introduction to The Idiot)
What do you think he means in this quote? Some of the questions I have for you are:
• Does he mean that beauty must be our principle in life?
• Is that beauty he meant not a perception or an influence that we can find outside but rather a principle, which must characterize the way we do everything?
• Can you think in other quotes you like that define the concept of beauty?
Spanish love phrases
May 30, 2008 at 5:25 pm | In Colloquialisms, Communication, Contemporary Spanish, Free Spanish Lesson, Hispanic, Humor, Latin Culture, Latin Roots, Learning English, Learning Spanish, Modern Spanish, NYC Local, New York City, New York Spanish, Orgullo Hispano, Orgullo Latino, Poll, Pop Culture, Sabor Latino, Spanglish, Spanish, Spanish Classes, Spanish Language, Survey, Vaya | 26 CommentsTags: amar, definition of "amar", definition of "querer", English, images, links, love, love phrases, Poll, querer, Spanish, Survey
First of all, there are two main verbs to express love (emotional love) in Spanish, “Querer” and “Amar”.
What is the difference between “Querer” and “Amar”? Well, both verbs express an emotional love, “to love”, but “Amar” expresses a stronger and more intense type of love than “Querer”.
Also, while “Amar” means exclusively “to love” intensively, “Querer” has different meanings besides to love, such as to want or to desire. In Spanish “Querer” is commonly used to express these three meanings.
Therefore, there is usually a difference when in Spanish someone tells you: “Te Quiero Mucho” or “Te Amo Mucho”. The latter is much more intense than the former.
I think that it is interesting the fact that in Spanish there are two verbs that express love, with different intensity.
Do you know of any other language that has two or more verbs to express love? We will love to know them!!
The following are some of my Favorite Spanish Love Phrases as well as words related to romantic love. I hope that you like them as much as I do!!
Prominent Latin American Writers
May 2, 2008 at 8:19 pm | In Communication, Contemporary Spanish, Hispanic, Latin Culture, Latin Roots, NYC Local, New York City, New York Spanish | 3 CommentsTags: books, culture, history, images, Latin American Literature, Latin American writers, links, magical realism, people, tradition, writers
What is literature? It is a term to describe written or spoken material. The term is commonly used to refer the works of the creative imagination such as works of poetry, drama, fiction and nonfiction. However the term literature also describes more technical or scientific works.
Therefore we may say that literature represents a culture or tradition as well as people and languages.
There is a long list of wonderful Latin American writers for the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. All of them are good, and all of them have their own style. Over the years Latin American literature has developed a rich and complex diversity of themes, creative idioms, forms and styles.
Gabriel García Márquez image:
Latin American literature rose prominently during the second half of the 20th century in big part because of the international success of the style known as magical realism. The most famous exponent of magical realism is Gabriel García Márquez.
This Boom, where Latin American writers where known worldwide, consisted in experimental works from writers like Julio Cortázar and his book “Rayuela” (1963).
The book “Cien Años de Soledad” by Garbriel García Márquez in 1967 was the Boom’s defining novel. That led the association of Latin American literature with magic realism.
Some say that the Boom’s culmination was Augusto Roa Bastos and his book “Yo, El Supremo”. Other important novelists of this period include the Cuban Guillermo Cabrera Infante and the Chilena José Donoso.
Isabel Allende image:
It is important to mention that writers such as Carlos Fuentes and Mario Vargas Llosa don’t fit into the Boom’s period since their style is different from Magical Realism.
After World War II, Latin America enjoyed increasing economic prosperity; it experienced confidence that lead to the literary boom.
El Cachao
April 9, 2008 at 1:39 am | In American Culture, Communication, Contemporary Spanish, Hispanic, Latin Culture, Latin Roots, Latin Stars, Modern Spanish, NYC Local, New York City, New York Spanish, Orgullo Hispano, Orgullo Latino, Pop Culture, Quotes, Sabor Latino, Shakira | Leave a CommentTags: Ahora si, andy garcia, bassplayer, composer, Cuba, Cuba Linda, El Maestro, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Irael Cachao Lopez, links, mambo, musician, resources
Israel “Cachao” López was born in Havana, Cuba, in September 14, 1918 and died in March 22, 2008.
He was known as “Cachao”. A Cuban mambo musician, bassist and composer, he helped bring mambo music to popularity in the United States in the 1950s.
In his last years he became the most important living figure in Cuban music. He was regarded as the most important bassist in twentieth-century popular music. He innovated the Cuban music and influenced the now familiar bass lines of American R&B.
El Cachao has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, won several Grammy Awards and has been described as “the inventor of the mambo”. He is also considered a master of descarga (Latin jam sessions).
The name Cachao is “La Mata”, “The Tree”, from this tree rooted in the deepest traditions of Cuban music everything in modern Cuban music, music known to many as Salsa stems.
Cachao left Cuba in 1962. First he spent two years in Spain and then came to New York City. There he performed with mambo bands led by Tito Rodríguez, José Fajardo and Eddie Palmieri. For decades, he worked almost entirely as a sideman.
Then, he moved to Las Vegas and then to Miami. Cachao made only three albums as a leader between 1970 and 1990.
In 1990, Andy García, who is a longtime fan of Cachao’s music, organized recording sessions with leading Cuban musicians and a tribute concert for Cachao in Miami: “Master Sessions Volume 1” and “Master Sessions Volume 2”.
Afterwards, Andy García produced two more albums for Cachao, “Cuba Linda” (2000) and the Grammy-winning “Ahora sí” (2004)
“He leaves with us a legacy of extraordinary trendsetting music, and an unequaled example of humanity, that was a gift to all of us, who had the good fortune and honor to experience.”
Andy García
With renewed recognition, Cachao spent the 1990’s and 2000’s touring and recording worldwide and collecting awards.
There are two main documentaries about El Cachao, “Cachao, Como Su Ritmo No Hay Dos” and was released in the 1990’s and “Cachao: Uno Más” which will be released in April of 2008.
“I consider our collaboration and friendship one of most important accomplishments of my life. Cachao is our musical father. He is revered by all who have come in contact with him and his music and is referred to simply as El Maestro. He has been honored around the world and has his rightful place in the Smithsonian Institute.”
Andy García
Needless to say, Andy García is a proud member of the Cachao Orchestra.
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*** Visit VayaSpanish.com for more content revolving around the Spanish language, culture, and more! ***
Related Links, Resources, and Other Points of Interest:
* The King of Mambo experiences a career revival-at age 89!
* Israel “Cachao” López dies
* Cachaito López biograhpy
* Mambo Jumbo
* “Cachao” gets Star on Walk of Fame
* Cachao discography
* El Cachao filmography
* Gloria Estefan biography
* La vida es un carnaval! Celia Cruz
* The Latino Vote, who do you prefer?
* Latin American Music
VayaSpanish.com | (646) 922-4630 | thevayaexperience@vayaspanish.com
How To Stay Young!!
March 19, 2008 at 8:58 pm | In American Culture, Communication, NYC Local, New York City, New York Spanish, Pop Culture, Recommendations, Survey, Tips and Tricks | 1 CommentTags: age, alzheimer, daily life, experiences, family, friends, health, images, laughter, links, live experiences, Poll, practical tips, real age, small experiences, Stay young, Survey, time
The following are some practical tips on how to keep the youth in our hearts. I hope you like them and put them in practice. I will try to put them in practice in my daily life as well!!
1.Throw away nonessential numbers:Such as the height, weight or age. They don’t really matter. Take care of them but don’t drown in them. The age, specially, doesn’t matter because it is just a number, don’t you think? What matters is your attitude in life.
2 the simple things:Life is full of wonderful small things; all-together is what give us the day a day experience in our lives. Enjoy each of these small experiences and learn how to ignore what you don’t like or bothers you.
3. Keep only cheerful friends:Those friends who are only complaining pull you down. And this goes to you and to me as well; having good energy around you is essential to attract and to have what you want in your life.
4. Keep learning:Never let the brain get idle. Learn whatever you feel like, from computer, to arts or gardening; etc. An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s! Nobody wants that! Information is now more available than ever and we should take advantage of that.
The Latino vote in the 2008 elections
March 10, 2008 at 7:16 pm | In American Culture, Business & Marketing, Communication, Hispanic, Latin Culture, Latin Roots, NYC Local, New York City, New York Spanish, Survey | 3 CommentsTags: Democratic Party, elections 2008, Latino vote, opinions, Poll, Republican Party, Survey, swing vote
What party do you think they lean to, the Democratic Party or the Republican Party?
Hispanics are the nation’s largest and fastest growing minority group. There are now 46% million of them and that means that it makes up about 15% of the U.S. population.
However, in 2008 Latinos will comprise to about 9% of the eligible electorate nationwide, since a lot of them are not citizen or are not yet 18 years old.
Vying for the Latino vote:
The Hispanic vote is neither homogenous nor loyal to one party. Though the current political moment seems to favor the Democratic Party, the affinity should not be taken for granted.
Some surveys show that most of the Latinos view the Democratic Party as the one that shows more concern for them and it does a better job in the issue of illegal immigration. Even though some of the Latinos see no difference between the parties on these matters.
Too young to vote or ineligible:
Democrat or Republican?
March 4, 2008 at 4:07 pm | In American Culture, Communication, NYC Local, New York City, New York Spanish, Quotes, Survey, Tatiana's Favorites | 5 CommentsTags: Barack Obama, Democrat, Hillary Clinton, issues, John McCain, links, opinions, pictures, political candidates, political preference, political scene, politics, polls, questions, Quotes, Republican, surveys
What are you, democrat or republican? Do you have any other party? Why are you one of the above? Or perhaps you are none of he above?
The three main candidates in the political scene are:
Barack Obama
A Democrat, young, and charismatic man, the U.S. senator from Illinois, 46 years old; he has won the hearts and hopes of lots of people.
Since announcing his presidential campaign in February 2007, Obama has emphasized ending the Iraq War, increasing energy independence, and providing universal health care as his top three priorities.
Here is what he has said in one of his speeches:
“ We now face an opportunity, and an obligation, to turn the page on the failed politics of yesterday’s health care debates… My plan begins by covering every American. If you already have health insurance, the only thing that will change for you under this plan is the amount of money you will spend on premiums. That will be less. If you are one of he 45 million Americans who don’t have health insurance, you will have it after this plan becomes law. No one will be turned away because of a preexisting condition or illness”
Barack Obama, Speech in Iowa City, IA, May 29, 2007
Among his books are:
• The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream.
• Dreams from my Father: A Story Of Race And Inheritance.
• Barack Obama in His Own Words.
• Barach Obama: Speeches 2002-2006
• Lobbying Reform: Congressional Ethics in the Wake of Scandal.
• Otieno jarieko
• The State of Black America: Portrait of the Black Male
What comments do you have about Barack Obama? Why do you think he should or should not be the next president of the United States?
If you would like to read more about Barack Obama, here there is an informative link you may look at:
Celia Cruz! La vida es un carnaval!!
February 15, 2008 at 11:04 pm | In American Culture, Communication, Contemporary Spanish, Hispanic, Hola Mundo, Latin Culture, Latin Roots, Latin Stars, Modern Spanish, NYC Local, New York City, New York Spanish, Orgullo Hispano, Orgullo Latino, Pop Culture, Sabor Latino | 1 CommentTags: Afro-Cuban rhythms, biography, Celia Cruz, Cuba, Cuba-American singer, images, La Sonora Matancera, life is a carnival, salsa, the queen of salsa
Life is a carnival!
Born in October 21, 1925, she was a Cuban-American singer who spent most of her career living in New Jersey, working in the United States and several Latin American countries.
Some have said that she is indisputably the best known and most influential female figure in the history of Cuban music. The New York Times called her “one of the world’s great singers” and various specialized publications have named her the best female vocalist in the United States on a number of years. She is called “the queen of salsa”, with her catchy Afro-Cuban rhythms she won several generations of listeners.
In 1966 Cruz joined the orchestra of Tito Puente, with whom she has performed many times. Before that, she also worked with other bands, including the Cuban top dance band La Sonora Matancera where she was hired, in 1965, to be the lead singer. The band and Cruz left the island soon before Fidel Castro took power. She never came back. After leaving Cuba she decided to settle in the United States.
She found the style that would define the rest of her career in the 1970s, when she worked with an independent label called Fania. Stars like Rubén Blades, Ray Barretto, Johnny Pacheco and Hector Lavoe were some of the Fania All Stars. At that time the term “salsa” was coined and Celia earned the respect of its players and its fans as well.
Warren Buffet and Humility
February 6, 2008 at 8:27 pm | In American Culture, Business & Marketing, Communication, Free Advice, Quotes, Stories, True Wealth, World History | 29 CommentsTags: Bill Gates, biography, businessperson, CNBC, donation, interview, investor, philanthropist, the humblest rich man, Warren Edward Buffet
Warren Edward Buffet was born in August 30, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska. He is an American investor, businessperson and philanthropist.
Below there is a wonderful note about him; I hope that you like it!
There was a one-hour interview in CNBC with Warren Buffet, the second richest person in the world, who donated $31 thousand million dollars for charity.
Here there are some very interesting aspects from his life:
1. He bought his first share/stock when he was eleven years old and he regrets starting too late!
2. He bought his small farm when he was fourteen years old with his savings coming from distributing newspapers.
3. He still lives in the same small three-bedrooms house in Omaha that bought after getting married fifty years ago. He says that he has everything he needs in that house. His house doesn’t have any wall or bars surrounding it.
4. He drives his own car everywhere and he doesn’t go around with a driver or a bodyguard.
Gloria Estefan
February 4, 2008 at 7:31 pm | In American Culture, Communication, Contemporary Spanish, Hispanic, Hola Mundo, Latin Culture, Latin Roots, Latin Stars, NYC Local, New York City, New York Spanish, Orgullo Hispano, Orgullo Latino, Pop Culture, Sabor Latino, Spanglish | 2 CommentsTags: actress, biography, Cuba, discography, Emilio Estefan, Gloria Estefan, Latin music, Miami, Miami Sound Machine, music, singer, Sony BMG/Epic, The Miami Latin Boys, writer
I have great admiration for this wonderful artist. I have grown up with her music and had enjoyed it up to today. I think that indeed she is one of the biggest new stars to emerge during the mid-eighties. It is my pleasure to have an entry of her in my blog.
Gloria Maria Milagrosa Fajardo García, her maiden name, was born on September 1, 1957 in Havana, Cuba.She is a wonderful singer-songwriter, and actress and a writer. When singing her genre is pop music, rock music, and pop rock, dance pop, Latin pop and dance music.
Gloria Estéfan plays the guitar, percussion and vocals. She has been active since 1977 to present and she is associated with Emilio Estéfan Jr. and Miami Sound Machine. Her label is Sony BMG/Epic.
Gloria is known as the “Queen of Latin Pop” and she is a five-time Grammy Award-wining Cuban American singer and songwriter. She has also a number of hits on the pop, dance, adult contemporary, and Latin and salsa charts.
She and her parents moved to Miami, Florida, when she was 16 months old, following the Cuban Revolution in 1959. Gloria was raised primarily in Miami and attended the University of Miami. She graduated in 1978 with a degree in communications and psychology.
As a child Gloria liked to write poetry and she took classical guitar lessons. She once said: “When my father was ill, music was my escape. I would lock myself up in my room for hours and just sing. I wouldn’t cry..I refused to cry..Music was the only way I had to just let go, so I sang for fun and or emotional catharsis”
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