Cultural Differences

I have always had a hard time blogging because I just felt like I had nothing cool or interesting to talk about. I have recently thought of something to share. As we all know Efren and I have a multicultural marriage. This can provide for funny, awkward, different situations that not alot of other couples experience. I have decided to share those with you. They started popping up the day we met and I'm sure we will be experiencing them until we get to heaven. Some are English words, some are Spanish, some are situational, some are random, and all are pretty funny. The very first that comes to mind happened at the very moment we met. It went like this:

"Hi, I'm Efren."

"I'm Cayce. What's your name again?"

"Efren."

"What??"

"EFREN."

"Spell it."

I had never heard of that name before and his accent was pretty thick. I felt bad that I couldn't understand him, but I guess he didn't think I was THAT rude.

Thank you, Jesus, for Skype because the first 15 months of our relationship was played out in cyberspace. That's where the next situation took place. As well all know my hair is very straight. One day, I woke up from a nap and did what I always did back then, got on skype to talk to Efren. We say hello and catch up a little and then came his question:

"Um, Cayce......why is your hair so.....(pause)....close to your head?"

Flat, he wanted to know why my hair looked so flat. As women we know that's not a good thing to have flat hair, but apparently mine was. At times he doesn't know the word for the point he is trying to make so he has to describe it. The same happens for me in Spanish. One day I described something as fluffy and he didn't know that word. Try to describe fluffy. "It's like....(waving my hands in a big circles)....fluff...er....fluffy....uh......" Finally I just related it to a cloud. "Yeah, a cloud is fluffy!" Ok, good enough.

In Venezuela there is no Santa Clause. Instead, there is baby Jesus. In all their nativity sets Jesus is missing until Christmas morning when he is finally born and placed in the manger. He is the one that brings the gifts. Quite a night for a little baby. Last Christmas Efren hid all the baby Jesus's from my mom's 47 nativity sets (much to Reagan's dismay) and replaced them Christmas morning. I like that one, I think we will celebrate baby Jesus instead of Santa. Our kids will probably be the one to ruin the Santa suprise for the other kids at school....sorry ahead of time.

What makes your marriage or relationship fun and different?

It's That Time Again!

As some would say, and I would agree....it's the most wonderful time of the year! Tomorrow begins the much anticipated 2009 OU football season. I can't wait. I love the sounds, the smells, the feelings, the competition, and comradery that it entangles. I love the feeling of being here...

and listening to the band play the national anthem followed by OOOOOOOklahoma which inevitably brings goosebumps to my arms and a sense of good ole OK pride. Ok ok, maybe a little water to the eyes as well. What can I say, I'm an emotional being. The excitement is tangible surrounded by 86,000 people all yelling in unison. I know there are a few in my family who would agree.....aaaaand then there are a couple who couldn't care less. But, all this to say, we are excited about the season as always, it seems to get more exciting each year. Look for Efren and I in the stands. We will be there thanks to my parents (and the fact that we are the only true fans left in the family ;) ). It should be a good one.