18 Days

Only 18 days until we get to go home! It seems as though the time has flown by. Anywho....

Thursday was Thanksgiving. We had a lovely feast on the lower dock. I am really thankful that Jacki organized our dinner. Having this family in Dominica, made it easier not being with my family in the States. Here are a couple of pictures of the amazing view.



Sam and I are ready to chow down!


I love my Dominican family!


Yesterday a couple of the spouses went to a Holiday Shopping event at Pagua Bay. I really was trying not to spend any money, but I found a fabulous silver bracelet. We stayed for lunch and beverages. It was a great time!

Thankful and Blessed

I have a lot to be thankful and blessed for this year.

The love of my life- Sam. I have never met anyone as smart, loving, fun, sarcastic, a Star Wars fanatic, loyal, easy going, determined, kind, and thoughtful as much as him. I am the luckiest girl alive! He truly, deeply, and honestly loves me (as I love him). Below is an engagement picture.


My family has always been my biggest supporters. Whether it is in school, love, or life; they are the ones who have been there to listen, give advice, and most importantly love me. The first picture was taken about 20-30 minutes before Sam proposed. Aunt Lucy, my mom, Sam, Aunt Mona, and Uncle Johnny.


Mom, Aunt Lucy, Uncle Peter, and Uncle Johnny in the parking lot of Smitty's (yummy Lockhart bbq).


Here is a blast from the past! I am sitting on my Grandpa's lap. My cousin Monica is standing with Grandma.

Unfortunately, I do not have very many family pictures. Especially new ones. I really need to work on that. Everyone get your smiles on for Christmas!!

My friends are the best! They have been there when I needed them the most. We can laugh, cry, say nothing, do crazy things, and just be ourselves. I am lucky to have very dear long friendships, as well as have new friendships in Dominica. All bring me joy! This picture was taken at my "last suppa" at Harrigans. It was a fabulous night! Neal, Andrea, Sarah, Matty, Keith, Chrystal, Kris in the back. Jayme, me, and Amy in the front.


Some of my work friends on my last day. It was bittersweet. I love them so much, but I had to go. Annette, Aleksandra, me, Mellanie, Jean and Jennifer in front.


These next peeps are awesome. This was taken at the first spouse party. (Tracy, I hope you don't mind I stole your pic!)


Here comes the part that I am especially thankful for- my health. As it gets closer to the two year mark ("cured"), I often times reflect on all that has happened. This year has been full of wonderful tests with no traces of Calcitonin. I am able to do things that I wasn't sure if I would be able to do. Here I am (in Dominica of all places!) still kickin' c's ass. All of the above people have helped me in my journey. You all still do. So, I thank each and everyone of you. One day I hope to strive to be as half as much of a blessing in your life as you are in mine. Love you.

Gabe- Master Driver of Dominica

Some may think it is pathetic over how excited I was to drive in a truck today. (It wasn't a transport!) It truly is the small things here that bring a smile to my face. Sam tried to prepare me the best he could about living here. Being away from all your comforts is hard. Not being able to drive in a car, whenever and where ever you want takes getting used to.

I was hanging out at the CAC today. Gabe walked in and announced that he rented a truck today to pick up a friend from the airport. We talked of going somewhere, anywhere. Jacki suggested we check out some cabins her parents may stay in. It was agreed- ROAD TRIP! (Note it is just one town over, but hey... WE GET TO GO RIDE IN A TRUCK!)

Analeah approves of this trip! (Note: We are still in the parking lot of the CAC. The engine wasn't even on at this point.)


Excited Jacki.


The Master of Driving in Dominica- Gabe!


On the way to our destination, we picked up Emily and drove her to the next town.


She was excited too! She was having to go to Portsmouth to catch a transport to Roseau (an hour away) for groceries. The cooler is a necessity to keep groceries cold between destinations.

Dominica is the opposite of Lubbock. Wikipedia has a quote Christopher Columbus used to describe the land- "he crumpled a piece of parchment roughly and threw it on the table. 'This', Columbus explained, 'is what Dominica looks like—completely covered with mountains with nary a flat spot.' " Now that you can picture the terrain, let me describe the roads. They are very narrow. Often times there are French gutters on the side- an open trench (you can drive off into and get stuck). There are a ton of potholes that don't ever get fixed (kinda like home in this way). Also, some are not paved. Oh! Let us remember to that you are driving on the opposite side as well. Gabe drove us up a huge hill to get to the cabins. It was extremely steep! I don't know if this translates well based on the picture I took....


After some struggles with the 4x4 shift thingy, we got to the cabins. They were absolutely gorgeous! The views stunning! Here are some views from the deck of the house (furthest up).



With the beautiful view, we had no choice... group shot!


Gabe, me, Analeah, and Jacki