House Hunting

We have looked at a few places this past week to move to for next semester. Everything that we have looked at is in Lance aux Epines. I am really looking forward to moving there. I like our house, but feel that we are a bit too far out. It takes longer than it should for Cody to get to campus, plus we are not on the bus route which makes it a pain as well because of sharing the car. It also means that we will be saving our rent money that we would have had to pay for this house in the month of December 12th until we get back in January from our Christmas break. So that is always exciting to know that we are saving money. This house that we are in now is way too big for me to keep up. It literally takes me 4 hours or so to clean it. It is an absolute nightmare, and I am always drinched in sweat when I am through. We actually have an appointment to go look at another place at 12:00 today. I love to see all of the neat places that Grenada has to offer. I will be sure and keep everyone updated on our progress!

Last Week in October!

It has been a crazy and busy week so far, and it's only Wednesday. Monday, I went and hung out at the University Club pool for a while. Yesterday and today, I had to go to the Limes After School Program. It has gone really smoothly the past two days. The kids are really starting to get the hang of the program, and so am I. We have also gone "house hunting" this week. Yep that's right...we are thinking of moving. We really like our house that we are in now, but are thinking of moving to Lance Aux Epines to be closer to campus and all of our friends. Plus we will probably be able to save some money, which is always a good thing. Cody has his mid-terms this week. He still has 3 exams left to take. I'm so ready for these exams to be over so we can have some sort of a normal life. I don't think that people realize how much time and effort it takes to be in medical school...it is no walk in the park. Tomorrow will be pretty busy as well. I plan on going to the pool for a while, and then to Limes again. Cody will be studying and taking one of his exams. I'm ready for the weekend, so hopefully the next few days will be smooth sailing!

Here are a couple of pictures from Limes today that Michelle took:

Lost and Found

Today has truly been a "lazy Sunday". I slept late, took a nap, and finished reading a book. I did do some laundry for a bit, which means the day hasn't been a total waste. The book that I read was one that Ms. Tanya left me from their visit. It is called Lost and Found. It's a book about a dog...so of course, I loved it. I don't think that I have ever cried while reading a book before. I recall laughing or maybe getting angry, but I have never actually balled my eyes out. I guess dogs are just a sensitive subject with me, because I know exactly how easy it is to get so close to them. I felt this woman's pain in the book when she was separted from her dog. It reminded me of when I had to leave Macy behind when we went to the UK. It's a type of pain that I can't describe. I felt like I was abandoning her and that I let her down. Dogs are such wonderful creatures. They love with no boundaries, and totally live in the moment. That's how we as people should be. I guess it may sound silly to some of you, but for those of you who have really loved a dog, you will know exactly what I mean. We are blessed to have them in our lives, and should practice some of the habits that come so naturally to them.

Wimps in a Gym

Well, as most of you know, Ashley and me try to stay active in our free time. We usually run on the beach in the mornings, but after many long weeks of this, we felt like it was time to move on to bigger and better things. I guess bigger might not be the best way to describe it, and its probably not any better. We decided to run from campus this morning. We carpooled with Blair to school. Poor guy had to tag along with two girls to school. We dropped him off like it was his first day of kindergarten. He told us he loved us (thanks for that Blair...the feeling is mutual), and he anxiously went to class. After we parked the car, we took off. I have to say it was a very different run from our beach runs. We actually had shoes on, and it felt like it was twice as hot..I'm sure it was due to all of the concrete, and of course, no ocean water on our feet. After lots of huffing and puffing, we managed to make it back to campus. This is when we decided to lift weights. For those of you who do not know, the school has two workout rooms. There's the cardio room with all of the treadmills and things, and then there's the weight room. This is a room that I have always been too intimidated to go in. Except for the occassional times where I have poked my head in the door to look at all of the complex machines, I've never been in. So here comes two puney girls walking into a weight room with large men and one woman who I would like to refer to as "Gladiator". We watched this woman made of muscle pumping iron as we lifted our 8-10 pound weights. After our arms felt like they were going to fall off, Gladiator decided that she was finished with the leg machines and decided to move to a different machine. This is when we decided to jump on them. I layed on the large machine to workout my calves and hamstrings. I tried to leave the weights set on the same setting as the massive woman did...I don't know what I was trying to prove, but after a few lifts, it felt like my knees were going to collapse. So I reluctantly moved the setting to 10 pounds. After working our legs out, we decided it was time to leave..after a whole 15 minutes. "Last to come in, first to leave," as Ashley pointed out as we were walking out the door. What a workout we got today...I'm sure that we will be sore tomorrow! As for Gladiator, keep up the good work, and it was nice to workout with you...we will be back!

Will You Marry Me?

Two years ago day, my wonderful husband proposed to me! It is hard to believe that it has been that long ago. I think of all of the things that have happened in our lives, where we have been, and where we are now. I am truly blessed to be married to such a wonderful guy who loves me dearly. You know how they say that opposites attract...well this is so true, because we are without a doubt total opposites. He is all boy, and I am all girl! I think this is what keeps our relationship nice and interesting. We completely balance each other out with his mellow, laid back attitude, and my feisty, high-maintenance attitude. We always have a good time together with lots of laughs.

I think back to that night that was so long ago, but is still so vivid in my mind. We went to dinner at Red Lobster, which is my favorite place to eat. There was nothing out of the ordinary about this night. Just another dinner date with Cody. We came back to his house, where I had left Macy. She had a doggie door that I always left open so she could come in and out as she pleased. I noticed as we walked up to the door that her doggie door was closed, and Macy was whining to get out the door. I curiously asked Cody, "Who closed the doggie door?" He didn't answer, and we walked inside the house, where I was embraced by my sweet Macy who was wearing a pink ribbon around her neck with a card attached. I looked around and there were candles lit, beautiful pink roses (my favorite...they were also my wedding flowers), and a framed picture of Cody and me in Colorado. I bent down and picked up my little dog and untied the ribbon on her neck. I put her down and opened the card that was attached. Cody had written me a sweet note of all the reasons why he loved me. The last line stated, "And there's only one thing left to say..." After reading this, I looked at him, and he was down on one knee. I was in such shock that I wanted to cry, but couldn't. He asked me to marry him and opened this little black box with my beautiful princess cut solitaire diamond ring. Of course I said yes! He was shaking as he slid the ring on my finger. I was so excited...After 3 years of dating, we were finally getting married!

After it was all over, Cody told me to look into the other room. Standing there, was a video recording every minute of this once in a lifetime moment. It was the most perfect proposal ever! We have now been married for one year and 4 1/2 months. He is truly my other half, and I couldn't imagine life without him!

The flowers, candles, and picture that were set out!

My beautiful engagement ring (before my 2 wedding bands were added to it)!

One of my favorite engagement pictures that we took!

SO Mid-Term Social

Today the SO group put on our mid-term social at Le Phare Bleu. It was a very nice place. We got to eat lunch with friends and hang out. They had a very nice pool and it was right on the beach. Unfortunately, we didn't swim because Cody had to get back to study, but we got some great pictures of this beautiful place!

Sick as a Dog

Ever heard the term "Sick as a Dog"? Well that's me. It's been a long week, but it's finally Friday! I love rainy days when I can stay inside and read a book or cuddle with Macy and Cody! I am extra clingy today because I'm not feeling well. I like lots of attention (well I always like lots of attention) but especially when I'm sick. I was thinking just yesterday how lucky I was that I hadn't caught this bug that everyone else seemed to have, and then what do you know, I caught it. Oh well, I went to the pharmacy and got some drugs and cough drops, so I should be set for the weekend ahead. I'm just hoping that I don't get Cody sick since he has mid-terms in a little over a week. I was also looking forward to the SO mid-term social that's tomorrow, so hopefully I will be up for it!

Suzy Homemaker

Sometimes this housewife stuff gets kind of old. I feel like there is always cleaning to be done and clothes to be washed. I don't know how people with kids do it. I can't imagine trying to do all of the everyday household stuff plus trying to take care of kids. I think I would go insane. Guess I'm not ready for motherhood. Everyone that I talk to seems to think that having no job and staying home all day in the Caribbean would be great...Well, it is great on some days. Other days, I am just ready for it to end. Yesterday was our 2 month mark until we come home for our Christmas break...We are so excited! Well, I celebrated our 2 month mark with a little bit of "spring cleaning" as I call it. I don't know what's wrong with me, but I feel like I have to clean all of the time. I wish I was one of those people that didn't mind dirt on the floors, dishes in the sink, or clutter everywhere, but I do. I even find myself washing our sheets every week, and really would like to wash them twice a week. What brought on my new attitude towards dirt? I have no idea, but luckily I have a little cleaning buddy who keeps me laughing as I'm doing this intense job. Macy loves to help me "sort" clothes as I call it...when really she is just rolling around in the dirty laundry. I think she likes the smell. :) I also find myself sweeping and mopping around her...literally, she doesn't move a muscle and just watches the mop or broom go around her. I also had the task of bathing the little stinker. Needless to say, my little swimmer hates her baths. She likes to be able to chose when she gets wet. That seems to be my typical day lately with the occasional trips to the Limes program, which by the way is today. Just another day in paradise!




Macy "sorting" clothes



Trying to get dry after her bath



All clean with her new bow that Mimi and Popup brought her!

Life Without H2O

Well, it all started on Wednesday. Our water pressure tends to go in and out sometimes (usually due to rain), so that's how it started out...just bad pressure. Well by Saturday night, we had nothing...zip!!! I don't know how Cody and me managed not to kill each other! Think about it...Two people and a dog in a house with no water using the same toilet that you can't flush, can't wash dishes, can't wash clothes, can't shower or brush your teeth! Luckily we had jugs of water that we could at least brush our teeth with, and we did have kind neighbors that let us come over to shower, but the toilet thing was rough. That's how you know you love each other...if we can get through 36 hours in those conditions, then I think that we can handle everything else. :) Oh yeah, by the way, our water is back...The best invention ever was indoor plumbing!

Are You From Mexico?

Yesterday at the Limes Program, I was asked a very funny question from one of my dear sweet kids. She innocently walked up to me and said, "Are you from Mexico?" I couldn't help but smile, but politely said, "No..I'm from the States..from Louisiana." Her eyes lit up, and she said, "I know where that is...I also know where Alabama is." Then she started singing "Sweet Home Alabama". It's funny to see through the eyes of these Grenadian kids. Most of them have never been off of the island in their lives, and many of them probably never will. So I guess I must look like a Mexican to her. I have dark hair and pretty dark skin from all of my days on the beach, :) so to her...I don't look any different. You have to love these Grenadian kids!

Here are some pictures of us playing games with the kids:

Visiting With Cody's Parents

We have had a very adventurous week. Cody's parents have been here since Friday night and are leaving tomorrow morning. We have done lots of stuff while they were here. We went deep sea fishing and caught 4 barracuda, went and saw two of the waterfalls and the lake, hung out at the beach and the University Club pool, spent some time on campus and in the city of St. George's, and ate at lots of restaurants. We will be sad to see them go, but it won't be long before we are home for our Christmas break (about 2 months left). I am already counting down the days!

Here are some pictures from our week:

Walking on the beach

The Beach House

On Campus

The Aquarium

The Tingles' Arrival to Grenada

Cody's parents are coming to visit us, and their plane lands tonight. They will be here for almost a week, so we are looking forward to spending some time with family. It's always fun to have people visit from home, because they always bring us lots of treats from the States: like the Hot Tamales candy that I requested, and some more flip flops because my black pair were stolen from the beach while I was running! It's also fun to show them where we live and the things that we like to do. Tomorrow morning we are all going deep sea fishing. I'm hoping that we all don't get sea sick, but it should be fun anyways. I'm sure there will be lots of fun pictures from their visit. Now I've got to clean the house, finish the laundry, and bathe Macy before they get here.

This is a picture of my inlaws when they visited us last year in the UK.
(Mike and Tanya Tingle)