Becoming Lithuanian again

Oh, there's so much to do to be really Lithuanian. My dad is full blooded Lithuanian. The language is the oldest living and it is a miracle it is still alive. Under soviet rule it was illegal to speak Lithuanian and the country is the size of Pennsylvania for crying out loud. I am afraid of the struggles I might face learning this language... I'm not sure I'm ready yet, it's on the waiting list. I have ventured into cooking... my first thoughts were- really? potatoes and beets? As I learned more about Lithuania, I pictured my ancestors in their cottages on their farms and these foods gained some excitement and beauty. I have now made Lithuanian Sausage (Dad says his grandma Zofija made sausage), Saltibarscai (cold beet soup), poppyseed milk, and some failed attempts at mushroom shaped cookies. The exciting thing is, I have my Grandmother's recipe ledger. I have heard tale that she was a great cook. She was Betty Crocker at one point and she organized a cookbook for the International Society at the University of Pittsburgh. Grandpa Leo owned a Tavern & she cooked the food for the tavern. My dad told me she made Eggplant Parmesan, which I then tried and it is so stinking amazing. He also said she made Baked Alaska for Grandpa before he shipped out for his service in WWII Alaska. I will soon be making Zepplinis, meat stuffed potato dumplings. They are said to be the ultimate Lithuanian comfort food. Other things that are so totally Lithuanian: decorating eggs, polka type music, weaved linens, woodwork art, and amber. I have joined the Portland Lithuanians. I really don't fit in right now. They are all like 1st generation or 2nd generation immigrants, I'm 4th generation. I don't speak the language, and they love Lithuanian. So my making them speak English at a Lithuanian event is so not cool of me. I think I will have to learn the language to fit in. I'm such a nooB! One step at a time though- I'm becoming Lithuanian again, it's easier said than done.