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10/29/11

Halloween is the best

There was a community Halloween festival this morning that PJ and I went to. The pictures speak for themselves, enjoy.

Around 10:30AM

About 11:30AM

12:00PMish -- sugar does crazy things.

This is what he looked like by the time we got home at 12:15PM. Oii vey.

Happy Halloween everybody!!!!

10/25/11

What will I miss when I leave Dominica?


Blogging Challenge Day 10: What will you miss when you leave Dominica?

Better late than never (although it is REALLY late--sorry!).

Besides the obvious answer of being sad to part with friends, there are a few things I am really going to miss in Dominica. First, the fact that we have a weekly cleaning service included in the rent. It's sooooooooo nice to have help with cleaning!! Second, not having to do laundry. In Dominica having a washer and dryer is extremely rare. To get laundry done you call a laundry service, they pick up at your door in the morning, then deliver your clothes (folded!) in the evening. Last but not least, gorgeous Dominica sunsets....





10/17/11

"The Printer"

My friend works in the Tech department here at Ross (hi Chris!!) and asked me to participate in a video presentation he was creating. Feast your eyes upon the best acting you've ever seen...

10/9/11

Blogging Challenge Day 8 & 9!


Blogging challenge Day 8: Does your spouse like it here?

PJ and Dave exploring

Dave has really appreciated his time in Dominica but is now eager to get home. The experience living here as a student is completely different than living here as a spouse. I feel that all Dave gets to do is study in a classroom and be stressed out. I get to go on hikes, have cook outs with friends, do game nights, and really enjoy the beauty of the island. Hopefully he’ll get to do more fun things here before it’s time to go!


Blogging Challenge Day 9: Has anything made this journey easier for you?

The Ross Spouse Organization. This wonderful support group offered so much information from their website, to actually getting a sponsor to answer my 101 questions (thanks Katie!!) , to being welcomed when I got here. I truly think that if it weren't for the Ross Spouse Organization things wouldn't have gone as smoothly with my transition here. I'm so grateful for this amazing group of people!

10/7/11

What is the best meal I've had on the island?

Blogging Challenge day 7: What is the best meal you've had on the island?

Behold, a local Dominican dish of chicken, rice, beans, fried plantain, and veggies from Cartwheel Café in Roseau. YUM!!!!


For anybody who lives in Dominica and wants to try out this awesome food: the restaurant faces the dock in Roseau, it's right off the main road and in between the Souvenir market and the Kai-K Boutique! And yes, that is about as good of directions that I can give, lol!! :)

10/6/11

Tell about an "only in Dominica" moment.

Blogging Challenge Day 6: Tell me about an “only in Dominica” moment.

A a few weeks ago PJ and I were walking home from school. We took our normal route going through campus, up the main road, past the shacks ( which is a food court, kind of), past the IGA (grocery store), then went to cross a bridge over a river. Once we arrived at that bridge the day took an interesting turn. Under the clear blue sky on that nice hot day there was an old Dominican guy, hanging out at the side of the river (you could fully see him from the bridge). And, he was stark naked. PJ even screamed it to anyone within a mile of us "MAMA, HE'S SHOWING HIS WIENER *giggles*". Awesome, PJ. Thanks a lot. Only in Dominica.

Note to readers: In no way am I saying it's bad for a Dominican to be naked at a river. Still, when I saw it I was shocked and I literally remember thinking "only in Dominica". How appropriate!

10/5/11

What don't I miss about home?

Blog Challenge Day 5: What DON'T I miss about home?

Today's answer is short and sweet. I don’t miss:

Worrying about gas prices.

Snow/Cold winter weather.

Inflated prices.

Crowded malls.

Crazy drivers.

The fast paced lifestyle.

10/4/11

What has been my favorite trip?

Day 4: What has been my favorite trip?

To be honest, I haven't really been on that many trips. There was Bense Pool, Indian River, Trafalgar falls, Secret Beach , Red Rock, Batibou Beach, the Carib Indian Territory, and of course my frequent visits to Roseau (which I'm not sure I'd consider "trips").

For living in Dominica that's only really scratching the surface since there is SO much to see and experience. If I had to choose, I'd say that Trafalgar falls was the most breathtaking (I had never seen a waterfall before), Batibou is by far my favorite beach, and I absolutely LOVE going to Roseau (mainly because then I get to visit my awesome friend Rachel and wander around town-- which is a totally different environment than where I live).

And that is how you give a very complicated answer for a fairly simple question. Go me!

10/3/11

How does the weather affect me?

Day 3: How does the weather affect you?


I think some of my fellow Rossies will want to throw tomatoes at me after saying this, but I LOVE the weather here. I thrive in Hot weather. And, it's not like I'm outside ALL the time. During the week I'm in a classroom where they blast the AC. The rest of the time I'm at home, also with the AC on.

Let me tell you a little story. I had a poker night at my house this past Friday night. There were about 8-10 people there crammed around a small poker table. My friends were sweating, I was shivering and threw on a sweatshirt. Great story, right???

So, lets just say that potentially living in Michigan (January 2012) during the dead of winter is the bane of my existence right now. I will be going from this:

PJ and I enjoying the beach at Red Rock, Dominica (around Sunset).

to this:
Ugh.

P.S. There is a great program in Michigan for Ross students and Dave has decided to apply there. I'm 100% supportive of Dave's decision, I'm just a baby about cold weather. The alternate choice is Miami (!!!!), so in the next 1-2 months we should know where we'll be living come 2012!

10/2/11

What has been better than you expected?

Blogging Challenge Day 2: What has been better than you expected?

Easy, the people. I've been blessed to meet so many amazing people on this journey. The locals are so friendly and one of my favorites was James Bond. He was our tour guide while visiting Secret Beach and Indian River (where scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean were filmed). Another shout out to Curvin, Linde, and Victor for being awesome, too!

James Bond - Taking us down Indian River

Of course, my fellow spouses. I can't imagine what it would be like here without these ladies. We've had so many good times and I know I'll always cherish my memories with them.

Brandi & I


Me, Clare, Katie & Emily - Spa night!!


Rachel Challenger and I

< insert picture of Rachel Levy, Delon, Brianna, Amanda and Chris here >
I don't have a picture of this group of people, but I assure you they are great!

Last but not least, Dave's classmates and best friends from the beginning of his time here.They embraced PJ and I the moment we arrived on this island and are the definition of friends becoming family.


Arman, Sara, Saeed, Zach, Matt, Dave, PJ, & I - First dinner on the island together!

All of these friendships (and so many more that I didn't mention because this post would be 3 pages long) have made it a a once in a life time experience that has made the journey better than I could have ever expected.


10/1/11

What do I miss most about Home?


Blogging Challenge Day 1: What do I miss most about Home?

When I think of home, one of the first things that come to mind is an image of streets lined with amazing restaurants. Even McDonalds and Taco Bell made an appearance in that thought (I know, I'm desperate!).



The next thing I think of is my beautiful silver Toyota Camry. I miss the crap out of that car.



Another very strong contender for "most missed" is my beloved Target. One-stop-shopping is sadly a thing of the past for me now. It’s more like a four-stop-and-an-hour-drive-away-shop. Sigh.

But I think the thing I miss most, the object of my missing, the missing above all missings are FREE REFILLS. Paying a flat rate for a drink and getting free refills is so taken for granted in 1st-world countries. Think about it.



SIKE. You didn't really thing that what I miss most are free refills, did you? The true and sincere answer for this blog challenge (although I do miss those other things) is my family and friends. I can't wait to see you all soon!


Look for my blog post tomorrow for Blog Challenge Day 2: What has been better than you expected?