Star Sighting on DeltaNet!

I was asked to write a little something about my experience working on the Habitat Build the first night by DL Corporate Communications..they posted it on the company website the next day!
(yes I was really carrying rocks on my head!)

Cindy Espinoza
ATG
Revenue Management
I fell in love with India last year after visiting for a couple weeks. The people are so gracious, the food so delicious, and the culture and tradition so interesting. When I found out that DL habitat build was going to be here, I really wanted to be a part of it!! You would not believe the warm welcome we received when we arrived at the village in Karjat. They were all smiles when we unloaded from our buses. The band was playing, and we were given beautiful necklaces of strung marigolds (or malas). The ladies smeared tilak (red powdered dots) on our foreheads with their fingers to symbolize a show of respect and a mark of doing good. All of us were taking pictures, and it was so cute, the kids really loved posing and when we showed them their faces on the camera, they would all giggle. Now it’s 6 p.m., and “whew!” I am TIRED!! What a great first day, though. It was totally worth all the sweat and hard work. My team started on what could’ve been the toughest job…laying the foundation! Tools, you ask? Buckets and our hands! The homeowners were on site, helping us the whole day….they must have thought we were so weak, taking so many water breaks! Even with all the breaks, our team accomplished our goals for the day. One thing that stood out to me about these people is they have so little but appear so happy and content. It really makes me think of what’s really important in life.

Hot Night Out in Mumbai!

Nameeta, Smita's sister took us out to a really cool place called "Hawaiian Shack" for our 2nd night in Indians. Besides the Indians, you might think we were in the US. Everyone was in "western wear" as they call it,(jeans and such) but the difference was the music. This place had 2 levels, these pics are from the lowere level where they played a mix of 80's music and even olders songs that I would not play in a million years, but we all sang and danced to it anyway...oddly enough, it's never as cheesy when you hear it in a different country. (familiarity?) The upstairs was more night club and Bollywood-Indian dance music..I love love love it! (why did we stay downstairs so long?) We stayed until they closed and of course, at the end I was at the DJ booth begging for one last request (sean paul, I'm sure)...some things never change!

Happy Diwali from India!!

We made it to INDIA! Last night at 1 am, Frank and I stand outside Ramkrishna Mission in Mumbai where a Diwali celebration started an hour earlier, and would continue until 4am.

What a great flight. If we had been in coach with the "commoners" this could've been a14 hour flight from hell....but alas...we were in business class and iwas soooooo easy! We enjoyed a great indian meal and several glasses of wine, Argentina style. We then SLEPT for a full 8 hours, right through the breakfast service!! We woke up watched a movie, ate dinner again, and landed just in time for the Diwali festival! The whole city was lit up with lots of fireworks (phatakas) We could see it all when flying in. We went straight to Nameeta's from the airport, ate AGAIN, (here, its all about the food) then changed into a traditional salwar kameez (turquoise for me of course) and we headed to the where a celebration started at midnight.
The place was full, shoes in piles outside the temple and everyone seating indian style (go figure)

We listened to the singing and chanting as people prayed to the goddess Kali. (good over evil) It was so relaxing, I had no idea what they were saying but you dont need to....the drums and chimes are enought to make you feel it. Here I am in the mission with the image of Kali shrine behind me. I look pretty fresh after a 14 hour flight, verdad????? yeah, right.... I love this picture of us outside the mission. Notice the image of Ganesh, the elephant god, the "remover of obstacles," above us. Hanging below that are fresh flowers strung like streamers.

From left to right, Nameeta's mother-in-law, Smita, Nameeta, me and Frank.

After leaving the mission, we went back to Nameeta's. We stopped by thia temple to Hanuman where people have tied bells over the years for good fortune. There are thousands of bells.

The girls stayed up talking til 4am! you figure out the time conversion....I vow not to. No "Ohio time" for me. I like to swing right into local time. Stay tuned!! Two more weeks of India updates!!!!

Birthday Topper

Yes, Ernesto had already made a great meal at my birthday party, but on my birthday morning (also the day I left for India) he awoke me with breakfast in bed. (same as last year...I like this tradition) This year the menu was different and also something he has never made before. The presentation, as always, was gourmet style! Even garnished with mint!

Two pieces of French toast with a banana and mascarpone filling. He made a thin maple syrup, and added fresh berries with a scoop ice cream on top.

Does it get any better than that?

Actually, yes, it does!! I opened my gift! Hermes perfume! Bon Appatit!

Its my Birthday...Gonna Party like Its my Birthday!!

Ok, so it was a Tuesday night....but there was a good reason to celebrate!!! Since I am leaving for India on my actual birthday, I had to pick another day. Delicious food, good friends and fabulous musica!!! Smita recreated the awesome Hibiscus margaritas that wemade a few weeks ago and they were again, a huge hit!! That was my speacial birthday request, along with a great mexica menu.....and Ernesto did not dissapoint!! Tinga tacos, salsa, guacamole, beans and ceviche! Here is the MIXMASTER and CHEF!!!

There were about 20 people, mostly friends from Delta, but also special guests (below) sisters, Lenia and Livini....they always keep the party lively, we were dancing after one hour!

For some reason (alcohol?) I was a kick taking pics of peoples asses....here are a few, (more will be posted asap) can you guess who's is who's?

The girls pose during a dancing break

Lots of mingling....

Sly, one of the star dancers plays DJ and I get down

Here the group poses....some people had already left, but I wanted to get one shot! I have a very similar pic from my 30th birthday party a few years back......yes just a few!!

Thanks to everyone for coming, it was a great time!

Birthday Dinner at Globe

We are always looking for a NEW place to eat when we go out.....variety is the spice of life, no? Imagine this place with only tea-lights setting the mood. Very modern and chic! The menu was mouthwatering and the wine list was great too! I chose...yes, you guessed it MALBEC, but could only have one glass, I was still not quite right from the night before in NY. We ordered tapas style as we usually do and tried the steak asado with arugual and blue cheese, the calamari and the piedmontese salad with baby arugula, grilled artichokes, sundried tomatoes, and grana padano to start then ordered the seared tuna. WOW!

My favorite thing was the wall of green Pelligrino bottles. The repetition makes such a bold statement........hmmmm a decorating idea?? well, my sand bottles are similar. Its a little blurry, but still looks cool!!

Sexy Girls in the City!

Damn, Im a lucky girl!! I am in the Big Apple where . Delta has rented this storefront on the corner of 57th & 6th Ave and created a cool lounge called SKY360. The public can come in and enjoy the bar, hang out at one of the many seating areas, recharge thier devices and preview our new lie-flat chairs that will be on business class flights starting next year. Smita had an event to attend at the lounge and invited me to go. I had not been to NYC since February and was excited that I would be able to see Sara....a friend that I met through Smita and just hit it off right away. A chance for a girls night in THE CITY?? Hello??

The Lobby of the Dream hotel was FABULOUS!! Aquarium, naked people drawn on the wall, and mirrored squares on pillars and the ceiling. Every floor has sexy pictues that are lit from behind. We took some artsy shots!! Yes, on the lips....now kiss my .......!
Then we opened the door to our room.......OH MY GOD!!
Rrrrrrrrrrrr...check it out!

Sara and I headed for drinks and conversation at THALIA, a beautiful restaurant/bar and got caught up on eachothers lives....

We feasted the Arugula & Maytag Blue Cheese Salad, Tuna Sashimi and a

Creamy Polenta atop Truffle Reduction.....OH MY!

then headed to SKY360 to meet up with Smita....

The starring ladies in this episode of Sex in the City:

Smita, me and Sara

Below I try out the new lie-flat seating. How awesome a 14 hour flight will be with this new addition?! Perfect for China next year! It really is a BED!! One of my big motivations of going to NY was to go salsa dancing, I had convinced several people to go, but first we headed to the bar/hot-ass lounge in out hotel (boutique hotels always have hot bars) and once we started dancing there, we didnt move, the DJ was playing GREAT music and the atmoshere was perfect! Damn it, I guess I will have to plan a separate salsa trip!!

Girls at Shaun's

Smita joined a dinning club for a six week period and they went to several resturants around Atlanta that were condsidered "hidden gems". Last Thursday, she shared one gem with me for a happy hour.
Shaun's is located right in Inman Park @1029 Edgewood Avenue NE

They had a beautiful wine list...I chose a Malbec of course and we nibbled on a charcuterie plate w/ cured meats and olives, beef tartar w/haricot vert salad, prosecco dressing & hazelnuts, and pomme frites....a last minute craving!!
I would definately recommend this for a nice dinner. Great ambiance!

I'm heading to India to build Habitat homes

Delta volunteers are heading to India to build Habitat homes

More than 40 employees and, for the first time six Delta customers, will partner with Habitat for Humanity and families in the village of Nagewadi, Karjat, near Mumbai, to build six homes during a weeklong trip to the region next month.
With this project, Delta’s Force for Global Good, a program that unites customers and employees who invest their personal time and money to support philanthropic efforts throughout the world, is helping take a stand against poverty housing by volunteering with Habitat in India to help families in need of safe, decent, affordable housing realize the dream of home ownership. Also, we’re committing $100,000 and the help of other community partners to build 100 more homes in the state of Maharashtra next year.

Im really excited about this trip...leaving on my birthday next week! woo-hoo!!

Of course, since I will already be there, Smita, Frank and I are taking a side trip to Kerala, India.

Here is a little teaser.....more to come:

Pork and Tomatillo Stew

We wanted to relax last night and cook something delicious, and while leafing through the latest Food & Wine magazine, this spicy Mexican-style stew seemed like the perfect thing!

This recipe is from California winemaker Andrew Murray.

We made a trip to the farmers market and got started.

Trust me, you won't be sorry after cooking this! ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds boneless pork loin, cut into 3-inch chunks
Salt and freshly ground pepper
2 large celery ribs, finely diced
1 small red onion, finely diced
1 Anaheim chile, seeded and finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons mild chile powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
Pinch of dried oregano
2 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
1 cup 1/2-inch-diced carrots
Two 6-ounce russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch dice
One 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 pound tomatillos—husked, rinsed and cut into 1-inch dice
Hot sauce
Chopped cilantro, for garnish
Corn tortilla chips, for serving
directions
In a medium casserole or Dutch oven, heat the oil. Season the pork with salt and pepper and cook over high heat until browned on 2 sides, about 2 minutes per side. Add the celery and onion and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes. Add the diced chile, garlic, chile powder, cumin and oregano and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add the carrots, potatoes, tomatoes and tomatillos, cover and simmer over low heat until the pork is cooked through, about 25 minutes.
Transfer the pork to a plate and shred with two forks. Meanwhile, simmer the stew over moderate heat until thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir the shredded pork into the stew and season with salt, pepper and hot sauce. Ladle the stew into bowls, garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with a few tortilla chips.