It Can Wait®. Take the Pledge. (A Winner)

{Disclosure: This post is part of a compensated campaign in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and AT&T. I also received the same AT&T "ItCanWait" gift bag that I'm giving away. The opinions are my own.}

I'm so proud that my family and I are part of AT&T's It Can Wait^® movement.

I'm a big believer in the fact that no text is worth risking your life for. And I want my kids to live long and happy lives, and to eventually get married and have children of their own and so on and so on. In other words, I want the Circle of Life to continue.

As difficult as this is, I'm asking you to watch this very sobering video about a lovely fun-loving woman who died while texting and driving as told by her sister who loved her deeply and misses her immensely. She tells about what it was like for her parents to get that terrible news.

Please click on this link here.

I think texting while driving is just like any other bad habit. It may be hard to break, but infinitely worth it. Good can replace the bad. In this case, here are the steps that can be taken:

Set an example for your own kids. Know the risks. Take the pledge. Speak up. Keep this conversation going. For you Blackberry and Android users, download the free AT&T DriveMode mobile app. I promise you will be saving lives. Again, the goal is to make texting and driving as unacceptable as drinking and driving.

At&T's goal is to save lives and the "It Can Wait^®" Movement is focused on a simple and powerful message: no text is worth dying for.

I want to thank all of you who have taken the pledge and have shared your promise on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ItCanWaitNoTextingWhileDriving page and on Twitter (#itcanwait).

It makes me happy to see that so many of you are taking this as seriously as I am.

Congratulations to the winner of The Blackberry Q10 and the AT&T "ItCanWait" Gift Bag.

Here is what you've won:

• Blackberry Q10
• ItCanWait T-shirt
• ItCanWait thumb rings
• ItCanWait Non-Woven Big Tote
• ItCanWait Decals/Spanish
• ItCanWait Cleaning cloth
• ItCanWait Silicon snap bracelet
• Interior Double Side Cling

Ody, please send me an email with your snail mail address and HEY MARTA! I WON STUFF ON YOUR BLOG! in the subject line and I'll get your new Blackberry Q10 and the AT&T It Can Wait Gift Bag to you ASAP.

Also, in case you're wondering why I am so invested in helping AT&T save lives...I have four really compelling reasons.

It Can Wait. A (Blackberry) Giveway

{Disclosure: This post is part of a compensated campaign in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and AT&T. I also received the same AT&T "ItCanWait" gift bag that I'm giving away. The opinions are my own.}

I have my phone on me pretty much all the time. I'm guessing it's the same for most of you. That's the world we live in. Life in 2o13 is mostly shared via text. At least in my family.

And my kids? They always have their phones close to them. If they don't, I think they experience phantom-limb syndrome (but that's not important right now). Their smart phones are like appendages.

I take photos and I text every single day. So does my family. It's how we communicate with each other. It's how we share life.

But if they're out in the world and they're driving, I absolutely don't want them to respond to any texts. There is not any text response that is worth their safety. It. Can. Wait.

Don't Text and Drive

Which is why I'm on board with AT&T's It Can Wait Campaign. This is serious to me and I believe it should be for all parents. The reason I'm an advocate for this no-texting-while-driving campaign is that I want the day to come when texting and driving becomes as unacceptable as drinking and driving. There. I said it.

Even having the conversation with your kids and loved ones makes a difference. Since the movement was launched in 2009, more than two million no-texting-while-driving pledges have been logged through ItCanWait.com, social media such as Facebook, and don't text and drive events. And it's working. Attitudes and behaviors are changing and ultimately lives will be saved.

There are a few things I want to share with you today before I introduce this giveaway.

AT&T has developed a free app for Android and Blackberry called AT&T DriveMode^®. It already has more than 310k unique downloads. 

• Once downloaded and set up, the app will turn on automatically once your vehicle starts moving 25 miles per hour. Then anyone who tries to text or send email will receive an auto reply message telling them you’re currently driving and will get back to them soon.
• When the app is turned on, all calls will automatically be sent to voicemail; however, the user can identify up to five numbers that can always be dialed, and 911 calls are always allowed.
• When setting up the app, the user has the option to select one navigation and one music app that can be accessed while DriveMode is turned on.
• While enabled, depending on your device, the app also stops incoming sounds for texts, emails and voice calls – so you’re less tempted to grab your phone.
• The app automatically turns off once the vehicle is going less than 25 miles per hour for 5 minutes and then the user can view the calls, messages and emails as they normally would.

The Blackberry Giveaway

Today's giveaway has been generously donated by Blackberry and sponsored by AT&T.

The "ItCanWait" gift bag includes the following:

• Blackberry Q10
• ItCanWait T-shirt
• ItCanWait thumb rings
• ItCanWait Non-Woven Big Tote
• ItCanWait Decals/Spanish
• ItCanWait Cleaning cloth
• ItCanWait Silicon snap bracelet
• Interior Double Side Cling

To enter this drawing for The Blackberry Q10 and the AT&T "ItCanWait" Gift Bag please leave a comment on this post and do the following:

• Go to www.itcanwait.com.
• Take the no-texting-and-driving pledge. Leave me a comment that says, "I took the pledge."
• Share your promise with others via Twitter (#itcanwait) and Facebook at www.facebook.com/ItCanWaitNoTextingWhileDriving
• Leave me another comment telling me how you shared your pledge.

Please leave your comments on this post and I'll choose a winner on Thursday, September 19th, 2013 at 9:00 am PST. (That's 2 entries allowed per person. I'm trusting you to be honest about it.)

IMPORTANT: You must use a legitimate email address to comment and not just a Facebook link. I need to be able to contact the winner.

This post will stay at the top of my blog until September 19th. I encourage you to take the pledge, tell friends and get involved. We're saving lives here, people.

Cuban Heritage Day At Dodger Stadium - A Winner

 What do I love more than Cubaneo*? I can't think of anything off the top of my head. (I know. However, the "husband and kids" answer is way too easy, but that's not important right now.)

(*Cubaneo is when a bunch of Cubans are together and trying to talk over each other. It's an amazing thing.)

We're going to the Cuban Heritage Day at Dodger Stadium on Sunday and I couldn't be more excited.

And we're taking a lucky MBFCF reader with us!

The winner of the Two Cuban Heritage Day Dodger Tickets is:

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Congratulations, Ileana! I look forward to having you join My Big, Fat, Cuban Family for all the Cubaneo and Dodger baseball.

Please send me an email with HEY MARTA! I WON STUFF ON YOUR BLOG! in the subject line so that I don't accidentally delete it. Then I can connect with you and we can make plans. And we can wipe away tears together as Arturo Sandoval plays the National Anthem.

Okay, maybe you're not as sappy as I am, but still...

I promise I will most definitely buy you a Dodger Dog.

Go Dodger Blue!

If you are still interested in going to the game on Sunday, September 1st, but haven't gotten tickets yet, go to www.Dodgers.com/Cuba and use the promo code 13CUBA for exclusive savings.

Viva Los Dodgers - A Giveaway

 {Disclosure: This post is not compensated by any organization, nor affiliated in any way with the Los Angeles Dodgers. I, personally, just have some extra tickets that I'd love to give away.}

Cubans and Baseball. A Love Affair.

The Cuban love of the game of baseball is legendary. From the late 1800's when the Almendares began playing baseball in earnest, we Cubans embraced baseball as part of our own national identity.

Growing up in Los Angeles, I remember going to Dodger games with my brothers-in-law. They would bring transistor radios with them to the game so they could hear the legendary Vin Scully calling the play-by-play as they watched the game live.

Personally, I don't really enjoy watching baseball on TV, but a live game....The Best. Plus when we go watch the Anaheim Angels play at Edison Field, we get to wear red. (It's the little things.)

And my 99 year old mom? She still gets totally excited about the World Series every year. I know. Shut up.

So, last month my kids, Jonathan and Amy Kikita went to a Dodger game to watch Yasiel Puig play (also, we look really great in Dodger Blue, too), but sadly he had gotten hurt and it didn't happen. But they had a fantastic time sitting with a large group of noisy Cubans (is there another kind?) out behind right field.

In case you haven't been following the story, Puig defected from Cuba last year and started his rookie season this year with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He's young and brash and a little cocky and okay, maybe not too bright, but that kid can hit!

Viva Los Dodgers!

Anyway, the Dodgers are hosting Cuban Heritage Day next Sunday, September 1st at Dodger Stadium and we Darbys are all going to be there, because hey, it's Cuban. Heritage. Day. (Actually, for reasons unbeknownst to me personally, they're now calling it Viva Los Dodgers Day and I'm okay with that. The tickets still say Cuban Heritage Day, but that's not important right now.)

There will be a pre-game shindig pachanga with the salsa band, Charanga Cubana and a meet and greet with another fabulous Cuban player, Paco Rodriguez.  The party starts two hours prior to the game 11:00 am where we will celebrate our Cuban culture and love of all things baseball with music, games and entertainment.

After the game, everyone is invited to stay to enjoy a special screening of the baseball movie The Sandlot. (The kid who played Benny in The Sandlot? Also Cuban. We're everywhere!)

My big, fat, Cuban family will be there all day on Sunday and we'd love to have you join us. I have two tickets to Sunday's game (in the Cuban section, of course) to give away to some lucky (?) reader.

If you live here in Southern California, or will be here next weekend and would like to hang with me and my big, fat, Cuban family at Dodger Stadium, here's your chance.

To enter this drawing for Two Tickets to the Los Angeles Dodgers Viva Los Dodgers Day, please leave a comment on this post and answer one or both of the following questions:

• Are you a baseball fan?
• Which team is your favorite? (Note: Just saying "Dodgers" does not improve your chances of winning.)

Please leave your comment on this post and I'll choose a winner on Wednesday, August 28th, 2013 at 7:00 pm PST.

IMPORTANT: You must use a legitimate email address to comment and not just a Facebook link. I need to be able to contact the winner.

So, come on. Let's talk "beisbol."

Also, please just leave a comment only if you're interested in winning the tickets, any political comments will be deleted. Thanks.

Tickets Winners for Cubamerican, the Movie

Thanks to all who entered this giveaway. I can't tell you how much I love hearing a little bit about all of you. Especially about when you came here to the U.S. and where you're from.

I used Random.org to choose the winners of the movie tickets to see Cubamerican at the Tower Theater in Miami on Friday, June 14th.

And the winners are......

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Congratulations to all four winners! You've each won two tickets for the showing of Cubamerican.

Please send me an email: m darby (at) cox (dot) net. Put HEY, MARTA! I WON STUFF ON YOUR BLOG! in the subject line so I won't accidentally delete it.

I'll make sure you get your tickets to the film. Trust me, you will love it.

For those of you who didn't win, please try to get to the screening anyway. Trust me, you will love it.

Cubamerican will be showing beginning Friday, June 14th in Miami at The Tower Theater • 1508 Southwest 8th Street, Miami, Fl.

WARNING: take tissues.

Cuba Nostalgia - Tell them, "Marta sent me!"

I didn't get to go to Miami for Cuba Nostalgia this year. And I'm feeling a little sorry for myself.

It's the 15th anniversary of Cuba Nostalgia and the brilliant Tony Mendoza did the poster for the event which I'm totally in love with.

Get it? 15 years. The Quinceañera. Genius.

I already put out the word to my people on the ground in Miami (I'm looking at you, Amanda from Brandon's Puppy) that I must have this poster, but that's not important right now.

I have lots of friends who will be at the Fair Expo Center in Miami this weekend.

Of course, Babalú Blog will represent. It's their 10th Anniversary in the Blogosphere telling the truth about Cuba. Congratulations, guys! So proud to be a part of the Babalú Family.

I lamented my inability to be present to my friends at Santayana Jewelers, who always have a wonderful presence there. 

They're running a Cuba Nostalgia Special this weekend:

If you buy 4 of the Cuban Charms for your Habana Collection Bead Charm Bracelet, they'll throw in a 5th charm for free. Awesome, right?

1) I don't have to tell you this, but if you're Cuban or love all things Cuban, you must have a Cuban Charm bracelet. (Duh.)

2) If you already have the bracelet, you will want as many Cuban charms as you can fit on it, right?

Wait! It gets better...

3) If you're a MBFCF (which, obviously, you are if you're reading this now...)

"The first 5 people to come over and say Marta Sent Me get a free "cafecito"charm."

What are you waiting for, people? Go! Get yourselves over to the Santayana Jewelers booth at Cuba Nostalgia this weekend and say, Marta Sent Me! (I'll expect a full report from the lucky 5.)

Also, have a guarapo for me.

Thanks, Santayana! You are the maximum!

Mami Loves Cuban Coffee - A Giveaway

Mother's Day is next week, people.

It always comes on the 2nd weekend in May. And yet, I'm always surprised that it comes so soon after the month starts. What's that about?

Anyway, because I love you, and I know that you love Cuban coffee as much as I do, I have fabulous news:

My good friends at Gaviña & Sons Coffee have offered to sponsor a La Llave Cuban Coffee Basket for a Mother's Day Giveaway. The beauty of this is that the Gaviña family is Cuban and they know espresso.

The La Llave Cuban Coffee Basket for Mother's Day consists of the following:

• 2- 10oz. Cafe La Llave espresso bricks
• 1- 8.8oz. Cafe La Llave decaf. espresso brick
• 4- 1.75oz. Cafe La Llave espresso samples
• 4- "tacitas" demitasse cups and saucers

It's a beautiful thing, right?

1) To enter this drawing for this beautiful Cafe La Llave Cuban Coffee Basket, please leave a comment on this post and answer  one or both of the following questions:

• How do you like your espresso? Straight up? With espumita? Cortadito?
  
• How many times a day do you drink it?
  

Please leave your comment on this post and I'll choose a winner on Monday, 6thth, 2013 at 11am PST.

2) For an extra entry, please go "like" Cafe La Llave on Facebook and come back and leave me another comment telling me:  

• "I like Cafe La Llave!"

So that's not one, but two entries apiece. You're welcome. Mami will love it. I promise. Also, please let them know that Marta from My Big, Fat, Cuban Family sent you. (I don't get extra points for that or anything. I just want them to know you are reading about it here, but that's not important right now.)

{Disclaimer: Gaviña Gourmet Coffee has graciously provided this Cafe La Llave Gift Basket as a giveaway.  I have received no compensation for this. I just truly love them.}

“The Hobbit Book” Family Giveaway - A Winner

Thanks to all of you who entered The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Giveaway over the weekend.

The correct answer to the "How many dwarves?" question is "13."

They are: Fili, Kili, Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Gloin, Dwalin, Balin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur and Thorin Oakenshield. The two youngest are Fili and Kili. Thorin Oakenshield is royalty.

When my kids were little, when we got to the parts where it was time, we would recite the names of the dwarves and they would always yell "Thorin Oakenshield!" at the end of the list. *stops and enjoys a personal mom moment* (I know. Shut up.)

Some Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit trivia: Gimli the Dwarf is Gloin's son. Also, Gimli finds Balin's tomb in Moria. But then, if you were truly a Tolkien über-nerd, you would totally know that, but that's not important right now.

To pick a winner, I entered the number of entries into the True Random Number Generator at Random.org and the following number came up:

Congratulations to the winner:

Please send me an email with HEY, MARTA! I WON STUFF ON YOUR BLOG! in the subject line, so I don't accidentally delete it. Send me your snail mail address and I will forward to my friends at Warner Brothers Pictures so they can get your goodies out to you ASAP.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be coming to theaters everywhere on December 14th. I can't wait!

Thanks again to all of you who entered the giveaway. I love all of you über-nerds. ;-)

“The Hobbit Book” Family Giveaway

It's no secret that we are über-nerds here at my house. Serious über-nerds.

When the kids were all little, I used to love to read aloud to them. They always preferred for me to read to them because "Mom does the voices." (But that's not important right now.)

And because we have homeschooled for years, we all spent a lot of time reading and enjoying books together.

When I was a senior in high school (en el año de la pera), J.R.R. Tolkien had just passed away. Suddenly bookstores everywhere were carrying The Hobbit and the Lord of the Ring Trilogy. It was then that I was exposed to the charming world of Hobbits and Hobbitlore.

Needless to say, I fell in love. To this day, we still celebrate Bilbo Baggins' birthday (September 22nd) and The Day the Ring was Destroyed (March 25th). See here and here. Did I mention we were serious über-nerds?

How delighted was I when Warner Brothers contacted me about helping to promote the new film, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, to MBFCF readers? (The correct answer is "über-delighted.")

Did you know that on December 14, 2012, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, will be hitting theatres? (Thank you, God, Peter Jackson, and Warner Bros.!)

Directed by Peter Jackson, based on The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien, and adapted for the screen by  Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, and Guillermo del Toro. It promises to be every Tolkien über-nerd's dream.

Check out the trailer:

Doesn't this just look über-nerdily delicious? Yes. Yes, it does.

THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY / “THE HOBBIT BOOK” FAMILY GIVEAWAY

I'm excited to host the following giveaway. One lucky reader of this blog will receive the following The Hobbit Grand Prize:

 The grand prize includes the following (as pictured above):

• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Poster
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey The Hobbit Book
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 2”X7” Double-Sided Book Mark
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Tattoo Booklet with 17 Tattoo Sheets
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 12”X12” Wall Calendar
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 2.25” Button
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Youth Map T-Shirt
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Gandalf’s Hat
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Hollywood Movie Money - Admission for 2. Hollywood Movie Money is a free admission voucher to see The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, redeemable nation wide starting 12/15/12 through Thurs., 01/10/12 in any theater excluding AMC Theaters..

To enter this fabulous grand prize giveaway, please leave a comment on this post for a chance to win this entire gift package, please answer one or both of the following questions:

• Count and submit the number of Dwarves you see on this The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey poster you see above.
• Are you a Tolkien fan?

Only U.S. entries, please. I'll choose a winner on Tuesday, December 4th, 2012 at 11 am.

CruZer Face Shavers - And the winners are...

Thanks to all of you who participated in the comment giveaway for the Braun CruZer Face and the Beard&Head Trimmers.

I chose the winners just now. I had to laugh because both of the winners were men. How cool is that? (This pleased me greatly.)

Me with two of my hairy guys.

So thank you to all the men who read My big, fat, Cuban Family and congratulations to the winner of the Braun CruZer Face Shaver:

And to the winner of the Braun CruZer Beard & Head Trimmer:

Please shoot me an email with HEY, MARTA! I WON STUFF ON YOUR BLOG in the subject line and I'll forward to my generous sponsors at Braun so they can get your goodies out to you ASAP.

Thanks again for playing. I'm glad there will be shaving going on after November!

And a great big Thank You to Braun for your generous sponsorship!