A VISIT FROM GREAT FRIENDS

Let's back up to last Wednesday, Jan. 20. Eric and I were so excited to have our two friends, Shannon & Kelly, visit and stay with us here in St. Kitts. Kelly, Shannon, and I go way back to graduate school, where we all met. They are now fabulous occupational therapists back in the states, Kelly residing and practicing in Baton Rouge (Geaux Tigers!) and Shannon in Austin (but us Ags don't hold that against her!) We had an AwEsOmE time and pretty interesting moments to say the least. I have included tons of pictures below that will outline our activities throughout their stay. Unfortunately, Eric was unable to hang out with us during the day 2* school and studying, but he was able to hang out with us in the evenings.

Catamaran Trip

Us with Captain Jonathan

Yum...RUM PUNCH on the Catamaran

St. Kitts and Nevis Flag at Reggae Beach

Shannon 'Monkeying' around

So Kittitians like to name their vehicles, and then plaster that name to the front, side, or back of the car. Shannon and Kelly wanted pics with as many as possible. Here are a few below. Eric and I have named our vehicle Bluebonnet (after our beloved state flower).

Scooby Doo

Fighting Cock?!?!

Uncle Millie!

Me and Sha at Timothy Beach

Me & Kell

Shannon and her new friend, STAG.

Watching Some Beach Volleyball

Twin Baby Monkeys eating Coconut

A little local boy had them, and I think he named them Jack & Julia?!

Shannon and the Monkeys

Our zipline tour guides, Mel (aka peaches) and Naldo Faldo (aka pumpkin)

They were a lot of fun.

Gangsters

Kelly coming in for a landing

Ready for take-off

a view from one of the zip lines

PIANO BAR

Me & Shannon with Barry from Boston

The Gang at The Martini Bar

Last night on the Island

I am sad to say Kelly and Shannon left the island Sunday. I tried to talk them in to staying longer, but they blamed having to go back to the states on work. Work?!?! What is that? :) ...Can't wait to one day re-join my two grad buds back in the workforce/profession that I so dearly love.

Thanks for a great time girls! We enjoyed it and cannot wait til' yall come back next year! :)

As I sit here on this Monday morning, I reflect back on the this past week, and ask myself, where did it go?! Eric has completed week one of his second semester classes, and boy did it go by fast! He has not yet buried himself in the books, but I am sure that in the next few days he will be getting down to business. This past Thursday evening kicked off with the tri-annual semester olympics. Each semester forms a team (1-7th semester) as well as the VIPs and Ross U staff. Thursday evening was soccer, Friday flag football, Saturday ultimate frisbee, and Sunday beach volleyball. I regret to say that neither Eric nor I played in any of these events, but we were out there Thursday and Friday rooting for our respective team colors (Me=Yellow, and Eric=Orange (ahem...but not BURNT orange for those of you wondering)). The VIP/Staff team won soccer, and 7th semester (pink) won flag football. I am not sure who won the other two events.

Saturday night, we met up with friends at a nearby restaurant/bar for drinks, food, and the New Orleans Saints football game. We then headed off to the MR. RUSVM, where a guy representative from each semester performed in a follies type pageant. The categories ranged from best talent, best superhero, best mobster, etc. It was a great time. I really need to get better at taking more pictures...I have been slacking a little this semester, but promise to try harder at capturing the day to day life of two married Americans on a tiny tropical island.

Rock Lobster with the Crew

GO SAINTS!

Matt & Eric at Mr. RUSVM

VIP soccer team

Soccer

My two friends from graduate school will be visiting Eric and I this Wednesday to Sunday and we are soo excited! More pictures and stories to follow...

Shannon and Kelly say, "Get ready St. Kitts"

a start to semester two

Eric and I made it back to Kitts on Jan. 6, my 27th birthday, and we have now settled in to our new apartment off campus. Our pomeranian, Max, made the trip back with us, and has adjusted really well. He has to be quarantined for 30 days in our apartment, meaning we can only let him right outside our apt. to do his business. I can't wait to take walks with him on the beach to see how he reacts to the waves and salt water. Below are some pictures of our new place.

A view of our apartment building, pool, and Atlantic Ocean.

Our Kitchen

The Pool

The Ocean...beach is right over the Sand Dune

Apartment Tennis Court

The Beach, maybe 100 yards from our apartment window

(Hurricanes, please stay away for at least 2 more years)

Atlantic Ocean Beach

Eric started his second semester classes yesterday. They include:

Gross Anatomy II

Physiology II

Parisotology

Immunology

Second semester is supposedly one of the toughest semesters, 2* to the abundance of information taught and time needed to be spent on campus. Eric is up for the challenge and will do well. He had a few relaxing days on the island, but is now back to the grind. Second semester...bring it.