Winter Break

As the end of the semester rolled around, vacation seemed to be so far into the distance, that it was unachievable.  Now that we are actually ON vacation, its hard to believe we are already 10 days into it with only 2 weeks left!  PLEASE SLOW DOWN TIME!!  The past semester (and all the other behind it) have been extremely stressful for Brayton - so we have done a LOT of relaxing in the past 10 days.  Our daily schedule is something like this:

2-4 am - Let dogs out then go back to bed
7 -730 am - Let dogs out then go back to bed
8-10 am - Wake up, and eat breakfast
10 - 3 - A variety of: Lay by the pool, get back in bed and watch movies, take naps..eat a snack.. A couple times we have run some errands or gone grocery shopping.. Brayton has done some organizing.. but THAT is about it!
3 - 7 - Take dogs to the beach, give dogs baths, shower, make and eat dinner, clean up
7 - 9 - Get in bed, watch movies, go to sleep..

Needless to say - we have done about nothing!  But it has been SO needed and so rejuvenating!

Last week on Wednesday we did go to The Pavilion for dinner.  The Pavilion is owned by Christophe Harbor    which is a very wealthy, high end real estate company on the island.  The Pavilion is generally only opened to those who work for or have purchased from Christophe Harbor, but on Wednesday nights they are now doing Customer Appreciation night, so we took a stab at going for dinner.  It was a small menu, with wonderful food!  The steak Brayton and I got was the best I've had in a LONG TIME!  The appetizers and desserts, scenery, everything - was spectacular.  Check out the Pavilion website for a picture - and here are some of my pictures!

This is the bathroom.

Hard to see because it is dark - but this is the first level of the
pool.  Chairs in the water, then it goes into a beautiful pool that
looks right over the sea! 

Us!  In the dark! 

Since there is not much to buy for christmas presents down here - last week on Thursday, I made an appointment for a couples massage at the Spa at the Marriott.  It was so nice and super relaxing for both of us!  Merry Christmas to us!  Dinner at the Pavilion and a couples massage!  

In the next few days, we should be getting our keys to apartment # 5 while living on St Kitts.  We have been here for 16 months and have lived: 4 months on campus, 4 months in Villa #1, 1 month in Centipede House, 6 months in Villa #2 and HOPEFULLY the rest of our time in our new apartment.  We are going down to a much smaller, much more affordable place that is right next door to campus.  Hopefully we can stay there for the rest of our time in St Kitts.. I am so over moving!  

Here are some visuals of the roughness we have had since vacation began: 

We are dog sitting the boxer on the right - Joli, and our roomates dog Duke! 

Obviously our dogs have a rough life! 

Pre-dinner at the Pavilion

Sure sign of vacation and homesickness!  

Sometimes when you lay in the sun, you get chilly and the sun goes away.. 

Joli!  

After a hard day of laying around! 

We are also cat sitting - the one at the top..  Koala is not sure what that
species of thing is we have brought into the house.  Pretty sure she thought she was a dog..
But - this - it looks like me, and isn't a dog?! 

Our Caribbean Christmas tree.. 

The boys napping!  

Brinley..  Lazy bones! 

On a more personal note.. today is December 23rd.. It is my second Christmas in a row away from home, with just me and my husband.  Don't get me wrong - there is NO ONE  I would rather spend Christmas with, but it is really tough to be away from family, for the second holiday in a row.  And its not just christmas we missed, we have missed every Holiday since we left..  I am finding it hard to get into  a Holiday Spirit and getting on Facebook (not sure why I turned it back on!) and seeing everyone in snow, with their families and friends, celebrating the Holidays, their festive houses, their children, cousins, nieces, nephews..  All the things I want to be doing..  I am not looking for pity - just expressing my sadness..  Although - I WILL be and AM grateful for my husband and my dogs and cats!  I will spend Christmas with them and be grateful for technology giving me the ability to skype and see my family..  And in my sadness, I feel grateful that my family is healthy and well, that we are not struck with loss - as the people in Conn. are.  My heart goes out to them this holiday season and anyone else who is going through the holidays dealing with the loss of a loved one.. <3

I hope each and every person has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with many more to come!

With love from the Caribbean - Brayton and Leann <3