*-. Arroz con habichuelas .-*

If listening to Juan Luis Guerra while I'm washing dishes doesn't mean i'm homesick, then I don't know what does. Getting Facebook invites to Sandra Collins in Praia and the 809K anniversary with Josh Wink certainly don't help. I have latin american spanish speaking co workers, I can get mangu con cebolla from delivery from El Principe and I can buy Presidente at the corner store... but of course it's not the same. I've never been more proud of our Independence Day, and there was no Carnaval Vegano to attend... not that I ever went when I was living back home, but now, all of a sudden, it feels like I missed the biggest bash of the year! Spring is here, and it's getting warmer. God, how my mood improves when it's warm! Taking the bus seems like no big deal... Of course, it takes a full blown winter and 3 crazy snow storms to recognize... what if I could have beautiful, 85 degree weather all year? Oh wait, I could!! :( 9 months is too long to wait to taste the saltwater in my mouth while we drive down El Malecon. Too long to see my friends, to chit chat with my grandmother because we really don't know how much longer she'll be around, and to take my then 12 (!) year old sister to eat ice cream, because she still behaves like a little princess! I'm going to New York, which is the closest to my home island I can get, to see if I can get back some of my Dominican energy. To speak incredibly fast spanish splashed with our unique slang of Ke lo kes, Cuentames and No Jodas'. And trust me dear, you make me forget for days at a time that I miss those rivers and mountains and beaches and salt lakes and mini deserts... But let's face it, it's not easy!!