New Tires, Beach, & a Birthday Bash

WOW, what a weekend! Eric's class had two tough exams this past week, so it was time for them to cut loose a little bit. There are 3 more regular weeks of this semester and then 4 days of finals. I have posted a an assortment of pictures below that gives a look into how this last week has been.

I took this photo on Tuesday while the VIPs were hanging out at Elvis' and playing beach volleyball. Eric studied so much last weekend and this week, that I barely even saw him except for supper! I thought this was a neat looking sailboat. I think it would be fun to learn to sail.

We have been waiting a month for the tire shop to get in a shipment of new tires. Last semester we bought a used tire for our ride but of course it hasn't held up very well (especially on these roads). So we decided to go ahead and buy 2 new tires and we hope they last for the next 2 years (not holding my breath though). Anyway, while we were waiting for our turn to get the tires put on I snapped this shot of a gigantic European cruise ship at port. I know it's all about physics, but I still don't get how something this massive can stay afloat.

All of the public schools on the island require the kids to wear uniforms. Each school has different styles and colors, and they always look so cute. All children here on the island are required to attend school, just like in the states.

Below you will find Eric helping the local tire guy change and rotate the tires. (If Eric didn't help out, we would have been there for HOURS tagged on to the hour and a half we had to wait for him to put tires on the car before us). We put the two new tires on the back and placed the two back tires on the front. They certainly don't have the fancy equipment to work with like Discount Tires back home!

It wasn't as scary as it looks!

One of Eric's professor was off island on Friday, so his last class was out at 10 am. So what did the class rep do?!?! He organized a grill out at Gong Beach and a large portion of Eric's class attended. It was a lot of fun! Gong is a dog friendly beach so of course we took our beach sidekick, Max. He had plenty of dogs to run around with through the sand, over beach towels, and in the water. He was completely exhausted when we left...see below!

We had to leave Gong a little early in order for me to make it to my beach volleyball game at Timothy beach. Our team won! Then Eric and I headed back to the house to eat and get ready for Island Idol which was held at Bobsy's, a local restaurant/karaoke bar. 5th semester held this fundraising event where students signed up to sing and compete for prizes. Talk about a long day & night!

Saturday morning Eric studied. That night we headed to Buddies for a March Birthday Bash organized by a few of the girls in his class. It was good to be able to spend time with his friends outside of school, especially since they have not been able to hang out as much due to the rigorous 2nd semester class schedule & exams.

Us at Buddies

Eric & his classmates

And Again...what a great night!

We hope our friends & family are doing well on the homefront! 5 more months until we are Texas bound again.

Wow, it has been a while since I last blogged! The last two weeks have flown by, and I just haven't found the time to post anything new. Eric has been studying every day and night and has two tests next week. There are four more weeks of this semester and then a week of finals.

While Eric has been studying, I have been hanging out with other spouses at the beach, working on a website for Eric & his dad's cattle, teaching gymnastics, swimming lessons, and working a little on continuing education courses for my profession.

For my birthday this year, I got the whole set of Sex & The City DVDs, from season 1 to 6. Recently me, Jakki, & Emily have been getting together one night a week to watch a few episodes starting with season 1. One of us hosts the event and we enjoy a nice home-cooked supper, dessert and wine. It has been a lot of fun and we have many more episodes to go!

On Wednesday, Jessie, whom is a fellow VIP, her 9 month old son, Beau, and I headed to Reggae beach in hope of seeing Jimmy Buffet & his band perform. A cruise ship was in that day, containing a large portion of his fan base, called Parrot Heads. We hung out all afternoon in the water with little Beau and listened to a cover band, but Jimmy never showed. The owner of the bar said sometimes he shows, and other times he doesn't. Jimmy Buffet owns a home on St. Barts, just north of St. Kitts, and often flies his plane here to dine at Reggae. Hopefully we will see him before we leave the island for good.

Last night the VIPERs entered a night volleyball tournament located at Elvis' bar. Between games, a few of us gals helped out behind the bar serving drinks while Elvis cut loose. It was so much fun! Unfortunately my hubby went back to the library after school so he wasn't able to attend. But that's how it goes in vet school.

We just learned that Eric's parents will be visiting Eric and I the first few days of the semester break, and then my family will be here the second week. We can't wait to see them all and show them around the island.

Today Emily and I are going to see the movie, Remember Me, while our husbands study. Tomorrow I hope to go to the Marriott to watch the Aggie men's basketball team defeat Purdue! Whoop!

I really don't have any more news. I promise to try and keep the blog updated more often with more pictures. I hope everyone is doing well back home! Eat some crawfish for us!

At Elvis' last night during the volleyball tournament

Elvis, me, Adrianna, Daisy and Lindsay

SeA sHeLLs

Eric and I have had a pretty low key weekend here on the island. Friday evening we went to Timothy beach for a few hours of volleyball. My team, the VIPERS, won again and we are undefeated! Eric has been studying day and night for his upcoming anatomy and parasitology exams this week.

The tide has finally brought in a few shells & sea glass to the beach by our apartment, on the Atlantic side (normally Caribbean side has the most shells), so I have spent the last two mornings exercising on the beach and searching for keepsakes. Below is a glimpse into what I have collected over the last two semesters. I took a whole jar-full of shells home in December to make Christmas ornaments for the family, so I am trying to increase my collection again.

I found the conch shells on the rocky shore by Ross U campus and the sand dollars were found while snorkeling at Shipwreck Beach. (The Lime Rum was found in the Duty Free Liquor Store ;) )

I am a sucker for Sea Glass! I could search the beach hours upon hours for glass and shells. I have spent some time looking for sharks teeth but have not had any luck thus far.

Who would have ever thought I would go from working 40 hour weeks after 6 years of college to searching for shells daily on the beach?!? God sure does work in mysterious ways. I am thankful for the time we have to spend on this beautiful island and have put away the guilty feelings... I am not taking any more moments of this life journey for granted.

Banana Bay & The Fire Station

On Tuesday, while Eric was back in school, I went to Banana Bay with three other Ross spouses for snorkeling. Kevin, Fitz & Robert did some hard core snorkeling, while I caught some rays and snorkeled along the shoreline. The guys said they saw one really big lobster and around 4 small ones. Here are a few pictures below of Banana Bay.

the guys getting ready to snorkel

Banana Bay with Nevis in the background

Pelican

Today, I was invited by my friend Emily to go on a field trip to the St. Kitts & Nevis fire station with her prep school class. The firemen introduced the kiddos to their firetruck + accessories, ambulance, fire fighter suits, and the infamous fireman pole. One of the officers also took the students for a quick ride in the ambulance with sirens on. They also showed the kids a safety video, featuring Sparky, the same one we watched as kids in the states. It was a lot of fun and thanks to Emily for inviting me! :)

Miss Emily and some of her students (plus a Dad)

Fire Gear

Fire Pole

They even demonstrated using "The Jaws of Life",

by cutting a piece of an actual vehicle door.

The Ambulance

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This past week, Dr. Fitzgerald, a famous veterinarian who stars on a reality show on the animal planet channel, has been giving lectures to the students on campus. Last night we had the pleasure of seeing Dr. Fitzgerald in a new light....he performed a stand-up comedy act and then presented some of his polar bear research. He was hilarious and we walked away with a few new good jokes. I tried to get a picture of him, but our camera does not work that well at night.

This afternoon I will have volleyball practice at Timothy Beach with the VIPERS, then will pick up Eric from school. Definitely starting to miss our friends and family from home!

Mid-Semester Break (2)

We have now reached the mid-semester break of 2nd semester! The weekend was filled with fun events spent with our new friends on the island. Of course we kicked off Friday evening with beach volleyball. My team, The Vipers, ended up not playing due to the other team not showing up. We had a great time anyway hanging at Elvis' bar and grill for the night.

students at Friday night volleyball

Chad & Eric at Elvis'

Me & Elvis, the best bar owner in St. Kitts!

Our team all pitched in and bought Elvis a Vipers shirt, and he wears it every Friday to support his loyal friends and customers.

Carib: local Kittitian beer brewed on the island

On Saturday we packed our cooler, loaded up the beach chair & umbrella, and headed to Gong Beach. We spent the whole afternoon soaking up the sun with many of Eric's classmates (sorry, I didn't get any pictures). Kevin brought his grill out there, so we had hotdogs & pork chops on the beach.

Sunday, Eric and I headed to Port Zante to do a little window shopping through the tourist stores. We then met up with our friends Emily & Brandon for lunch at Sweet Lime. Below are pictures taken from the restaurant of two cruise ships at port that day.

On Monday morning, Eric and I played 18 holes of golf on the beautiful Marriott golf course. We had a great time together and I am so glad Eric was able to relax the last couple of days, before he hits the books again tomorrow (Tuesday).

We cannot believe how fast this semester has flown by! Eric and I will stay here for the April/May break. The first week Eric's parents may visit a few days, and my parents, along with Tyler, Courtney, Jeremiah, Aunt Sheila, Aunt Nita, Uncle Barry & Mary Beth will be here May 3 for a week!! We can't wait! This will definitely help our time go by, since we won't be back home until August. Eric and I will also travel to the Cayman Islands at the end of May for his sister's wedding. Until then, Eric will be in the books and I will try and stay busy.