¡Hola Amigos!

Surprise! The Ripple is back in effect! I had started feeling like I didn't have enough exciting things going on in Jim and I's life to create a blog that even our closest friends and family would enjoy reading. But things in the Ripple family are about to get a little more interesting. 

Recently we got news that we will be going on a new adventure...one that will probably become the biggest change I've experienced in my life so far...We are moving to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba!

This was big news to us, particularly because we just moved to San Diego about 6 months ago. As my fellow military spouses, girlfriends, etc. will agree - being in the Navy means we are pretty much up for anything, anytime! We found out just a few weeks ago, so this is all still pretty new and every morning I wake up and think "OMG I'M MOVING TO CUBA!" but after a lot of research and chatting with others who have lived there, Jim and I are really excited about this move. I had and still have a million questions, as do my family and friends, so I knew trying to keep up this blog would be a great way to share our adventure and keep ya'll updated. As of right now, we are planning to leave California in late January, drive back east for one last visit with everyone, and hop on a plane in February.

I know there will be some things that will be tough about all of this, but the most important things are taken care of- I get to go with Jim AND the dogs will be joining us too! This will be a fun way to stay connected and also have a journal-ish thing to look back on later.

A quick overview of what it's looking like life will be like there:

• We will be living on the military base...and staying on the military base. We are not allowed to leave to any other part of Cuba. I am positive that this new Cuba news announced this week was due to the fact that the President heard that the Ripple's are headed there, but we'll see what that actually ends up meaning for us later. We will be very safe, and Jim will be the doctor for other military families that are on the base.
• It is a Caribbean Island. The beaches are beautiful. There are tons of opportunities for diving, snorkeling, boating, kayaking, SUPing*, etc. Jim and I love the water and really can't complain too much about that.
• We will live much more simply. No cell service, limited cable, crappy internet. A good reality check for me. It will really suck sometimes, but I'm sure it'll be a great experience. I'm mainly worried about a serious case of FOMO* after realizing that all my ongoing group texts with friends will go on without me.
• MWR (Morale, Welfare & Recreation) looks like they have a great set-up there with a lot of things to do going on all the time. One of the most common things I've seen in my research is that if you are bored in Guantanamo Bay, it's your own fault. The families there are all in the same boat, everyone's been the new kid at some point, so they are all friendly and inviting.
• One grocery store: the commissary. One other store: an Exchange. I'm working on being really nice so everyone wants to send me care packages of stuff I can't get there :) It's a good thing I've had years of online shopping experience. I knew it would pay off one day.

I can't wait to update on what things are like there and our move, arrival of household goods, car, and all of the other things that come along with moving. Thanks to all of my friends and family for being so supportive with this. It helps so much. I really thought some people were going to have a hard time with it and almost everyone said the same thing: "If I had to choose any friends I knew to do this-move to Cuba and be totally ok there, it would be you and Jim". I take that as a huge compliment (and hope you're all right!)




Since I know Grandmother will be reading this :)
*SUP - Stand up paddleboarding - you stand on a big board sort of similar to a surfboard and paddle around. It's fun, Jim and I have done it here.
*FOMO - Fear of missing out - a real problem with my generation