Changes

Medical student determined to get to his Kaplan review course for his upcoming boards. Talk about determination. This is what med-school does to you, or should I say SGU. Crazy! A month ago we were sweating our heads off in the Caribbean.

Dear Friends,

I thought I would take a moment to chime in on this lovely blog Maria has kept up to date so well. The past 2 years have been the best of my life! That's not to say that it will be the best years of my life because I am sure there is much more to come. Here I sit in Sunny Florida, even though I am not sweating anymore, at the end of 2 grueling years of medical school, having fared pretty well, and think about the journey that has led me to the half time of my medical school career. No doubt the persistent consistency of my momma in the face of formidable opposition has fueled my tenacity. When I whined about getting up for school in the cold dark morning I heard "Good morning Sunshine," "It's time to get up," and as I persisted to lay there lifeless... "Get up or I'm going to throw water in your face!" We were never late and I think I had perfect attendance 99% of the time. And the only thing that ever kept us from going to church on a Sunday morning was a frozen shut icy gate in the dead of winter. The only thing you could do to open it was bang it with a hammer so we took that as a sign we should stay home, but even then we had a little lesson from a church book. (That was my favorite).

Dad's sense of adventure certainly helps one to think outside the box and after spending lots of your youthful years upside down in a kayak and successfully traversing lots of whitewater you begin to think that other difficult things are really not that hard. Kyle, my brother, who has always been the smartest, was a bank vice president by the time he was 30... so things like that just help ya think that you better do something with your life. And Jessica was the peaceful influence that helped remind everyone to be nice. Most recently she owned her own store just because she wanted to.

Of course, it goes without saying that all the positive things that have happened in my life in the last 12 years have been a direct result of my membership in my church which always helps remind me to be my best self each day. Here is a short list of the things that have been the result: Would I have lived in the Philippines? Nope; Married to the lovely Maria? Nope; Played football on 5 continents? Nope (That means soccer for all the Americans); Gone to medical school? Certainly Not. Had a family network and some of the coolest people in the world as my friends in all our destinations over the past 2 years? Nope

Bursting with jubilation best describes my feelings at the end of my first 2 years having completed everything on schedule! It has not been easy but it has been very rewarding, and best of all, my wife still loves me.

So many people have contributed to the joy I have in my life. Hopefully each of us can do the same for others.

Andrew Cole, Famous English Footballer, and me at graduation from Northumbria.

Crusing Away...

Now that we are about to leave Grenada, we are trying to do all the touristy fun things. Tonight we went on a sunset cruise along the cost of Grenada. Let me tell you this is probably one of my favorite things to do here. We loved it! We had a great time with our friends.

A view of Grenada from the boat.

The girls....I can't believe I am about to leave all of them.

The boys. They are probably talking about something that has to do with school.

Thanks Ash for this one.

If any of you back home wants to come visit...this is your last chance!

Limes After School Program

At the beginning of this semester, I embarked on a journey that has changed my life in so many ways. In August I was given the opportunity to become an instructor for an after school program in a less-privileged neighborhood of Grenada. This program was created by a local nurse, Ann Hopkin, in order to educate and give love to the kids that live in the Limes neighborhood. In the past years, the Limes After School Program was managed by the Peace Corp volunteers. However, by the middle of this year the number of incoming volunteers decreased. This meant there was no one available to run the after school program. This is when three amazing ladies and I decided to volunteer and become instructors for the program.

Being an instructor at this program has not been easy but it has been the most rewarding thing that I’ve ever done. Now more than ever, I have so much appreciation for teachers….you guys don’t have an easy job! As our journey here in Grenada comes to an end, I sit here in tears realizing I am about to leave these kids. I love them so much and I wish I could stay longer to see share more memories with them. I’ve learned so much from these kids and I will miss them dearly.

The after school program takes place three times a week for two hours each day. The program is optional for the kids. That means the number of kids that come to the program varies with the day. Some days we have 40 kids and other days we just have to 15 kids that show up.

Thursdays are fun days. Usually we do crafts and relay races. Last week we danced to the cha-cha slide. To my surprise the kids love it.

I am in charge of teaching the 3rd and 4th graders and most of the kids in my group are boys. You can just imagine how much they bicker with one another. They don’t call me by my first name or last name. My name is “Miss” & I love it!

The Limes instructors, these three ladies are amazing. I don’t know what I will do without them.

We had a bake sale at the school so we can raise some money for the program. We had a great turnout!

So cute! I don't want to leave. Oh Grenada, you have taught me so much. I will miss you!

Another Day in Paradise

This past weekend the S.O (Significant Other) group planned a mid-term social for all the students and their spouses. The social was held at Le Phare Bleu Resort & Restaurant and let me tell you we got spoiled! We ate the most amazing food and enjoy spending time with our friends.

I was finally able to convince Matt to leave his books for a couple of hours to come to the mid-term social. Seriously, all he does is study. I know you find that hard to believe…but he does…here I have proof:

Matthew enjoying himself in a hammock by the ocean.

A hammock in the middle of the ocean. At times I feel i live in a vacation catalog for the Caribbean.

The red and white boat is actually a restaurant. Would you eat in a boat that is constantly moving…probably not.

Cafe area in the boat/restaurant.

Matt doing a front-flip.

The social was a great way to reward all the students for doing well in the midterms. Can’t wait for the closing social of the semester. I am going to miss the beauty of this place.

Seven Sisters

While Matt studied hard this past weekend, I tag along with some friends on a hike to the Seven Sisters waterfalls. I am so impressed with the beauty of this island. I am so lucky to be here. I am going to miss the beauty of Grenada.

The hiking gang

The start of our hike.

A random house by the trail.

One of the many creatures that we encountered along the trail.

The guys admiring the big jump of a local.

The beauty of our current home.

The little friend I made by the end of our hike. He was the most adorable puppy. I really wanted to take him home with me.

Surprise...Surprise

About two weekends ago, we had a surprise 30th birthday party for Matt and Zane. Both Matt & Zane turned 30 in September and of course Alexis and I had to celebrate our husband’s birthdays in big way. We had a BBQ and a live band. We had a great time dancing and sharing great memories with friends.

Birthday Boys

Matt & Zane arrving to their surprise. At first Matt was a bit confused about "who's" party it was but he finally got it. Unfortunately, Zane found out about his party an hour before the surprise but he did enjoy himself and showed us some of his fabulous dance moves.

Our live band-The Roots. They were really good! Matt was so excited that he had a live band that he decided to sing happy birthday to Zane with a Southern tune. It was priceless! I have it on video but I am not allowed to share it on the blog.

Everyone dancing the night away.

 

Love little Ky's face.

Matt's friends from his class. All of them are going to be amazing doctors.

It was an unforgettable night for Matt. Thanks to all our friends who helped with the party, espcially to the Shaeffer's.

It is football time in the Caribbean

Soccer Season is Back. The Mad Hatter is back. I am so excited!

Shhh....don't tell The Mad Hatter i posted these pictures of him. Oh boy....I am going to be in trouble...oh well :)