I don't remember last summer.. I didn't think it was this hard to be away from home...
Maybe that is because it was my first summer "away". Reminiscing back to Christmas, I think it was the same... The first one away from home wasn't so bad... that second one, took a chunk from me! I think that is how summer is this year.
I also think this might be the time I deactivated my Facebook last year...maybe last summer wasn't so great too and I just forgot... Or maybe I was so looking forward to 10 days with my family, it helped the time pass quickly, while this year I don't have visitors to look forward too..
While I am on this rant, it is also summer is St. Kitts, so while it is ALWAYS hot, it is even hotter now, we sweat while sitting, and often times the a/c struggles to beat the heat. I am working Summer Camp at school, which is so much harder than teaching except that we wear sweats and gym shorts and its acceptable! =) I also know that when August ends I am done at the Prep School.. While I am looking forward to that, it is also hard to pass by those kids, the hugs and love and know that in 6 weeks that daily love is no longer..
And to continue my rant, seeing everyone from home doing the river, weekend boat outings, holidays, summer traditions, have babies, being together with families and friends.. all of it.. makes me miss home, and the love, hugs and traditions that make that part of my life complete.
ANDDDD....
with every rant comes a realization.. that life isn't that bad! I have so much to be thankful for, and so many great things in my life..
How many people can say they have spent over 2 years, living on a Caribbean island, helping the most important person in your entire life fulfill their dream? Not many! But I CAN! And, I AM!
How many people can say they have stepped outside their comfort zone, taken risks, lived a life they never expected and learned so much from it? Not many! But I CAN! And, I AM!
How many people have given up "money" for life, dreams, future success and immediate poverty?! Not many! But I CAN! And, I AM!
How many people have felt what its like to move away, to another country, to feel the hardships of a 2nd-3rd world country, yet make it, and come out a bigger and better person? Not many! But I CAN! And, I AM!
How many people have left HOME, made a new home, new friends, and had the opportunity to make those friends, lifelong friends that will be the only people in your life to understand the life you had over that 2 1/2 years? Not many! But, I CAN! And, I AM!
St. Kitts is hard, being away from home is hard... But this part of my life, has taught me SO much.. While I often complain, look for the bad and find the negatives because it makes me "feel better" for the moment being...What really makes me feel EVEN better, is taking the time to really realize that I have everything I could ask for.. and SO much more than I would have if I never left home. I have learned who I am, discovered the world, hardships, poverty, love, friendship, kindness, sharing, all of it.
I often struggle to believe that the hardships I see and face everyday are really a building block to making me a stronger, better, more well-rounded person but they are. And believing and making that a reality, brings peace to my life, happiness to my sadness, contentedness to my homesickness, and a new brightness to my life.
When this part of my life is over, I know I will look back and wish I could come back, and do it all again because this has made me stronger, better person and will forever help me be more appreciative of all the aspects of my life!
So today, in finding peace with my life, I take the time to realize that all the home, family, friends, "things", I see on Facebook and hear about are there, not to make me sad or feel 'left out and homesick', but to make me realize, I am the bigger, better, stronger person. I am taking a risk, living a life so many will never get the opportunity to have, and I should be, and am, so grateful for my husband, for giving me this opportunity to grow, learn, and discover and to become, a person that is stronger than I was before, braver than I have ever been , and forever changed, for the better.
Thank you Brayton, for causing me struggle that makes me grow, giving me hardships that I have to turn into building blocks, and loving me - every step of the way!
Showing posts with label Random Updates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Random Updates. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Falling behind and catching up
Over the past couple months, life has been crazy - yet really uneventful - and I have been awful about taking pictures, blogging, or doing much of anything except working, cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping and other normal life things! Tonight I bring you up to date on our lives.
Since returning from Florida, Brayton has been full force back into classes. He has begun 5th semester, which everyone says is the semester where vet school finally starts to be more fun, hands-on and applicable to what you came here to do! After almost 6 weeks, Brayton is doing great and really enjoying his time. He has been learning about and getting to do a variety of hands on things, gets to wear green scrubs (only certain people in the doctor field can wear green!), and is taking all the memorization from the past 4 semesters and applying it! He is working so hard, studying lots, and still managing to be an amazing, helpful husband! I'm pretty lucky!
As for me, since returning the past 6 weeks have been a bit more challenging.. Since we are leaving in April of next year, I suspected that I wouldn't be working at the prep school, especially as a classroom teacher, next year. I was hoping for something to help fulfill my time, keep me close to 'my kids', and continue to provide me with an income and insurance since I cannot work anywhere else on the island! A few weeks ago, I was told that I would not have a contract for next year as there were many changes happening at the school, positions were limited and I was leaving in April. I knew it was coming, but the reality hit a bit hard. I have been working at the prep school since arriving on the island, these 1st and 2nd graders have been the solid point in my life down here, have given my something worth waking up for everyday, and the thought of not getting their hugs everyday put a pit in my stomach... The hardest part was, they didn't know, I couldn't tell them, and all my first grade babies kept saying, ".. when we have you next year..." and my 2nd grade babies (many of whom I've had for 2 years) kept saying "...we'll still see you everyday.." and every time those words left their mouths, and I had to say "..yah.. maybe.." my heart shattered into a million little unrepairable pieces. What made much of this harder, and this has always been hard working at the Prep School, is about 4 of my students are leaving the island/prep school for good, and I have to say "see ya later.." (Side note: I am all teary eyed just writing this!) Tomorrow, one of the girls I have had for 2 years is leaving.. moving back to the states.. and I KNOW it is going to be a rough day.. Those are the worst!
While finding out the news of being 'done' is August has been hard, it has also been a huge motivator for me to get out, and find some volunteering opportunities on the island. I currently am already involved in the Special Olympics, and am really excited about the opportunities that lie ahead of me! I have met some amazing people, made some great local connections and am getting more and more excited to find new, different, and exciting things that fill my heart, time and give me something to put my energy towards. The future of my time on St. Kitts currently (tentatively) includes:
1) Special Olympics Swimming Program
2) Working to help build/create a Special Olympics Office on island because there is not one now
3) Volunteering at the St. Kitts Children's Home in a variety of ways
4) Teaming up with some long time SK residents to create and build a swimming program for locals because many do not know how to swim
5) Volunteering at Ade's Place (an adult group home for disabled adults)
6) Possibly volunteering in the local schools, primarily focusing on the Special Education population
7) Subbing and helping at the Prep School
8) Tutoring, 'playdates', and hanging out with my OLD students!
and of course, finding time for me, the beach, my dogs and some R&R!
Tomorrow is the end of the 2nd to last week of the school year.. I have 6 days left with my kids (except 2 who are done for the year/forever tomorrow) and then have 8 weeks of summer camp until I say "See Ya Later" to my daily adventures at the prep school and begin the next step in my St. Kitts life! Lately, when I have been filled with emotion, often not knowing how to express exactly how I am feeling, or what to do or say, I look for quotes.. I really like many of these! They seem to be the simple words, that make everything in life seem possible, doable, easy and obtainable.. no matter the struggle.
I look forward to sharing my (and Brayton's) upcoming adventures with you, as we spend the last 10 months on the island!
Some Pictures:
Since returning from Florida, Brayton has been full force back into classes. He has begun 5th semester, which everyone says is the semester where vet school finally starts to be more fun, hands-on and applicable to what you came here to do! After almost 6 weeks, Brayton is doing great and really enjoying his time. He has been learning about and getting to do a variety of hands on things, gets to wear green scrubs (only certain people in the doctor field can wear green!), and is taking all the memorization from the past 4 semesters and applying it! He is working so hard, studying lots, and still managing to be an amazing, helpful husband! I'm pretty lucky!
As for me, since returning the past 6 weeks have been a bit more challenging.. Since we are leaving in April of next year, I suspected that I wouldn't be working at the prep school, especially as a classroom teacher, next year. I was hoping for something to help fulfill my time, keep me close to 'my kids', and continue to provide me with an income and insurance since I cannot work anywhere else on the island! A few weeks ago, I was told that I would not have a contract for next year as there were many changes happening at the school, positions were limited and I was leaving in April. I knew it was coming, but the reality hit a bit hard. I have been working at the prep school since arriving on the island, these 1st and 2nd graders have been the solid point in my life down here, have given my something worth waking up for everyday, and the thought of not getting their hugs everyday put a pit in my stomach... The hardest part was, they didn't know, I couldn't tell them, and all my first grade babies kept saying, ".. when we have you next year..." and my 2nd grade babies (many of whom I've had for 2 years) kept saying "...we'll still see you everyday.." and every time those words left their mouths, and I had to say "..yah.. maybe.." my heart shattered into a million little unrepairable pieces. What made much of this harder, and this has always been hard working at the Prep School, is about 4 of my students are leaving the island/prep school for good, and I have to say "see ya later.." (Side note: I am all teary eyed just writing this!) Tomorrow, one of the girls I have had for 2 years is leaving.. moving back to the states.. and I KNOW it is going to be a rough day.. Those are the worst!
While finding out the news of being 'done' is August has been hard, it has also been a huge motivator for me to get out, and find some volunteering opportunities on the island. I currently am already involved in the Special Olympics, and am really excited about the opportunities that lie ahead of me! I have met some amazing people, made some great local connections and am getting more and more excited to find new, different, and exciting things that fill my heart, time and give me something to put my energy towards. The future of my time on St. Kitts currently (tentatively) includes:
1) Special Olympics Swimming Program
2) Working to help build/create a Special Olympics Office on island because there is not one now
3) Volunteering at the St. Kitts Children's Home in a variety of ways
4) Teaming up with some long time SK residents to create and build a swimming program for locals because many do not know how to swim
5) Volunteering at Ade's Place (an adult group home for disabled adults)
6) Possibly volunteering in the local schools, primarily focusing on the Special Education population
7) Subbing and helping at the Prep School
8) Tutoring, 'playdates', and hanging out with my OLD students!
and of course, finding time for me, the beach, my dogs and some R&R!
Tomorrow is the end of the 2nd to last week of the school year.. I have 6 days left with my kids (except 2 who are done for the year/forever tomorrow) and then have 8 weeks of summer camp until I say "See Ya Later" to my daily adventures at the prep school and begin the next step in my St. Kitts life! Lately, when I have been filled with emotion, often not knowing how to express exactly how I am feeling, or what to do or say, I look for quotes.. I really like many of these! They seem to be the simple words, that make everything in life seem possible, doable, easy and obtainable.. no matter the struggle.
I look forward to sharing my (and Brayton's) upcoming adventures with you, as we spend the last 10 months on the island!
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| I really love this one.. I feel like the more local children I meet and organizations here I get involved in, the more difference I can make. <3 |
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| Enough said! |
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| For anyone who has never heard of sevenly.org - I HIGHLY recommend you check them out. They sell shirts and other things and each week the money they raise goes to an organization that needs the financial support. I wish I could afford to buy something from them each and every week.. They do amazing things! |
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Some Pictures:
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| Brayton's rescue baby bird... It ended up dying, but he tried! |
These pictures are from the first EVER (yes, pathetic, we've lived here for 2 years.. and its our 1st!) Hike/Hash! It was cloudy so the pictures aren't as great as they could be - but it was beautiful!
And, once again, I will end this blog with the song that inspires me to do and be better!
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Sunday-Funday!
I am really bad at keeping up with blogs sometimes.. I know they don't need to be much, but sometimes I just don't make the time! This is going to be short and more picture focused but a reminder of the GOOD things that we have here - living in the Caribbean!
On St. Patrick's Day we went on a Catamaran trip to Nevis with many great people. It was a lot of fun and made Brayton and I both grateful for the availability to have experiences like that at our fingertips!
The following Sunday was spent at work ... all morning long!! My mom was coming to island and I needed to get ahead.. What does hard work lead to? THE BEACH! =) We spent the afternoon with our beloved pets at our favorite beach - Major's Bay.
Before the beach - a little preview of the life our babes live!
On St. Patrick's Day we went on a Catamaran trip to Nevis with many great people. It was a lot of fun and made Brayton and I both grateful for the availability to have experiences like that at our fingertips!
The following Sunday was spent at work ... all morning long!! My mom was coming to island and I needed to get ahead.. What does hard work lead to? THE BEACH! =) We spent the afternoon with our beloved pets at our favorite beach - Major's Bay.
Before the beach - a little preview of the life our babes live!
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| Eating is hard work... |
Onto the Beach!
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| Little man starting to get water braver!! |
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| With a little wrestling! |
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| and a little whole digging! |
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My girl is SO MUCH FUN! Look at her jump!  |
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| A little snorklin' |
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| Proof of a good day! |
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| Sea Treasures |
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| Goats on a hill |
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| The view. |
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| So brown.. no rain here! |
The Monkey's were out to play on our way home!
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| A tired puppy = success!! |
Being grateful for our opportunities on the island! <3
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