As you know by now...

I am marrying a wonderful, handsome Cuban man and will be living in Miami in September.  It is very different down there compared to dear old Kansas.  It really feels like you're in another country-- constant craziness, people everywhere, feeling lucky if I find someone to speak English with, being the "gringa" in my white girl self, tons of Spanish radio stations, beautiful beaches, Cuban bakeries (mmmm café con leche y tostadas!), craaaaazy driving, palm trees, cars parked in the yard rather than the street, busy night life, etc. 

A lot of those things I just mentioned could also be said for any large city, but come on now-- for a girl from Kansas that's a lot to take in!  Before I move down there after our wedding, I will be visiting for several weeks at a time at various times this summer.  And since Israel has a full-time job and can't take off many more days for work, I will either go with him to the library or stay with his family during the day and hang out with them.  I used to pride myself on my Spanish before I met Israel, I thought it was decent enough.  But when you actually use it in quick conversations, it gets a little difficult.  It was a little tricky communicating with his family when I was there a couple of weeks ago, but I know it will get better over time and with more practice.

Needless to say, during those days I am at home with his fam, it will be very interesting.  I can picture myself trying to make my brain think quicker in Spanish, stumbling around to find the right word and trying so hard to keep up with the speed in which they speak.  I know I'll often laugh at myself and all the craziness, maybe cry sometimes, haha.  ;)  I really would like to learn how to cook some authentic Cuban meals, so hopefully Israel's grandma and great-grandma can teach me some things.  Giselle, his eight year-old cousin and our flower girl in the wedding, speaks English and is pretty much my BFF down there.  So hopefully we can kick it during the day or she can act as my translator.  

All this to say that I will be starting a new blog in September, based on my experiences in my new environment-- speaking Spanish, salsa dancing with my husband, learning Cuban dishes, cooking a lot more (which is quite a bit than now), experiencing big city life, interacting with Israel's family, days at the beach, etc.  The new blog will be called "Basically Living in Cuba" or something along those lines.  ;)

So be looking for that in the near future!  For now, life in Kansas continues, but this summer will be jam-packed with wedding plans and lots of traveling.  God is so amazing!  I never would have thought this would be happening six months ago.  Wow.  :)