Hey everyone,
I know that we throw around the expression "Time Flies" but I have to say that here in the Caribbean I am experiencing time flying at a very high speed.....and I'm not sure I like it! Joe has entered semester 4,.....did you hear me? Semester 4....of 5 ....which means that we only have less than 2 semesters left here in Nevis......I remember clearly packing in PEI in the dead of winter, the crazy trip to get down here, leaving my office, setting out on this journey that seemed like it would last a lifetime (it was 2 years) and now here we are, 17 months later!! 17 months!! Wow.....and in that time I have had so many new, interesting, fun, memory making, life changing experiences! And I hope that I have several more in the next 7 months.....I think if I were to choose the highlights they would be:
1. Completing my first triathalon! Just getting fit was a huge feat in itself, and I am so excited and proud of myself for doing it!
2. Participating in Nevis Karaoke Idol....(and placing in top 6 :) I met so many wonderful local people and had a blast!
3. Learning to snorkel and appreciate what is beneath the surface....I know I grew up on an island but I never appreciated the ocean as much as I have learned to while here....I guess having access to it 365 days a year instead of 21 or whatever makes a person more likely to spend time there.....lol
4. The friends that I have made....I can't even list them all here, but I have met people from all over the globe.....from Europe, Canada, US, Caribbean, Gyana, India, and much more.....I have met so may people who have touched my life in very interesting ways.....a few of them that I know I will stay in touch with for a lifetime.....
5. Learning to Relax, Enjoy Life, Minimize, stop and smell the roses......our pace of life in North America really is crazy.....and we often don't even realize it.....here in the Caribbean things are much slower and there is more time to really stop and enjoy each day and the blessings it brings.
6. I'm tanned!!!! For the first time in my life, I am a bronzy browny color.....and I love it!
7. Learning to co-exist with tarantulas all over my yard....lol.....they have holes EVERYWHERE...
8. Watching the kids become more globally aware, learn about different countries , different cultures, learn to speak Dutch, Spanish....making friends from all over the world!
9. Seeing the boys learn to absolutely love the ocean and become excellent swimmers!
10. Getting to horseback ride every day.......wow......on the beach even!
11. and most recently.....assisting in the release of 2 hawksbill turtles back to their natural habitat! (read on to hear more)
We had to say goodbye to a dear friend tht we made while here in Nevis. Her name is Barb and she was the marine biologist here on the island. She is a terrific person and she taught the kids in a Sea Stars program, She also taught me to snorkel, and I mean really snorkel, proper technique and all! So she often rescues marine animals and for the past 2 years she has been raising 2 tiny hatchling hawksbill turtles that had been abandoned during the hurricane 2 years ago, Tia and Seaweed......well this weekend she was getting ready to leave and it was time to release the turtles. She had the kids out withthe turtles in the ocean on harnesses for months, teaching them to swim in the ocean! Monty got to do this several times......anyway we happened to be on the beach when she was heading out so she invited Monty, Christian and I to help her.....of course we were THRILLED.....we went out in her zodiac boat with Tia and Seaweed on our laps and we drove to a nice quiet cove about a mile away from Oualie Beach (where they were housed) We let them go one by one into the water.....it was very emotional....Tia went first and she hung around the boat for a minute or two, kind of looking up as if to say "mom wheres the harness??" Then she realized that she was free and off she went! Then we put Seaweed in, he had a few issues with his back flippers, they had been injured a bit and were slightly paralyzed, so naturally Barb was worried about him and she thought that he might really hang around us for awhile......so we set him in the water.....and he peeked up with a smile and took off like a shot! Dove down into the water....he looked great! It was so awesome......something I am sure that we will never get to do again! The kids and I marvelled at how lucky we are to be living here and having all these fantastic experiences and even though we miss home sometimes, we are making some incredible memories (and friends ) here......
Anyway just wanted to share that great story with you all....I have to take off and go get Monty now......I hope that you all have a great day!
Love Dawn
