Where has the time gone?!

It's been a month since my last post here on the blog. I feel kinda bad, but not a whole lot has been going on, plus I post on the baby's blog every week... I've gotten lazy, what can I say?

My last post was written the day I got back to St. Kitts after being gone a LONG six weeks! To make matters worse, Rob had gotten shingles and I had to stay at a friends house for two weeks til he recovered. I was SO happy to finally get back to the Dolphin House after eight weeks! It was a pain to be able to see Rob during those two weeks but not be able to kiss or hug him hello! Stupid shingles.

Once back at the DH I was tasked with getting a list of things we wanted to sell before moving home so Rob can start at UGA's vet school. I've managed to sell nearly everything we are trying to get rid of, and I think we'll make a pretty penny to put towards anything we might need for our new house (which hopefully isn't much since all of our engagement party, bridal shower, and wedding gifts are still sitting unopened in my parents basement- after two years I CANNOT WAIT to finally use all the loot we got from our great friends and family!)  I have to admit though, I am going to be pretty sad to leave the DH. I love this house, and really, Rob and I probably will never have an amazing beach house with a completely uninterrupted view of the ocean ever again. Man... why can't UGA's vet school be located along a stretch of beautiful beach?

Seriously- look at that view! I can't leave!!!

There are a few other preg girls on the island- Tracey and Tamsin. Tracey is about 8 or so months along, and Tamsin is about 4 months along. I am smack in the middle of them. Last weekend Tamsin and my friend Catherine threw Tracey a baby shower. It was pool party with a beachy theme. Catherine came up with the CUTEST decorations. It was a lot of fun, and I ate a LOT of food. Success. I have to admit, even if it makes me seem kinda of greedy, I am looking forward to coming back to the states and having a baby shower! Yeah I will get cool baby stuff, but I get to see all my friends and loved ones in one place and I can't wait for that!

Three pregnant Ladies of Leisure... perhaps too leisurely :)

Yesterday some of the Ladies of Leisure were Ladies who Lunch. I had been wanting to visit Palm Court Gardens for a while, a few of the other VIP ladies had been there, and it was on my SK bucket list.  I believe it's an old house, now privately owned, that offers lunch and dinner, a pool, and the art gallery- Shell Works. There were some items at Shell Works that I have my eye on... definitely going back before heading back to the states. Catherine, Tiffany, Daisy, Tracey, Tamsin, Abby (and her four month old baby girl Zenalee), and I all enjoyed a nice, but slightly rainy lunch. It was a lovely time, I was super thankful they all came out, cause I am going to miss being and hanging with the Ladies of Leisure!  Before we left, we took a progressive pregnancy photo. Tracy, then me, and then Tamsin. It was cute! I wish I was going to have preg friends to hang out with back home! (I have no idea why this paragraph is white. My sincerest apologies).

While I enjoyed a stylish lunch, you may be wondering about what Rob was doing. Well, as a card carrying member of the Bovine Club at Ross University, my husband got to go on a "palp" trip to a local farm. Basically, they go to a farm with cows and shove their arms up the cow's butt holes. I'm not really clear on why you would do that... but Rob was pretty excited about it.  Today he is at school studying, but he has signed up for several "Calf Watch" shifts. The Ross cows are preg (seriously, there is something in the water here), and apparently a few are ready to pop out babies. So, Rob has to go check on them every now and them to... I don't actually know what the purpose of Calf Watch is. I guess they just check how the mommy cow is doing or see if she is ready to have the baby. I don't know, I'm not a vet.

This is my husband. The man of my dreams. With his hand up a cow's ass.
If I've said it once, I've said it a million times- I am one lucky lady.

I only have two and a half weeks left on the island. It's so bitter sweet. I can't wait to get home to the states and settle into our new life there and get ready for Baby Boy to arrive. I also do not want to leave the island. I really love living here, despite the ups and downs of living in a foreign country, and I will really miss all the amazing friends I've made.

Keep on trucking February

February has been one of those months where I have been too lazy to write many posts. Well, that and I haven't done a ton of awesome stuff like usual.

I have been dying to go snorkeling, but the water has been just a little too cold. Luckily, it's warming up fast, and Catherine and I plan on scoping out some new snorkel spots we've had our eyes on.  I have been going to the beach, but it's not as much fun when you can't get in the water!

My favorite part of Wednesdays? Pirate ship at Shipwreck Beach.

I have been spending loads of time with the other Ladies of Leisure: Wednesday Catherine and I went out to Club 1 for some dancing, Thursday was pool day at Calypso Bay, and Friday the ladies had dinner at Nirvana, and then finished the night at Bamboo Lounge. Rob had two tests, so he was totally fine with me staying out of his hair. Unfortunately, those tests fell on either side of Valentine's day. Fortunately, I had a great valentine anyway! While Rob was studying on campus with his friend Brayton, I went to the movies with Leann (B's wife).  We saw The Vow, a sappy chick flick that we made fun of the whole time. I didn't love the movie, but I do love Leann, so it was a successful Valentine's date in my book.

Me and Leann

The other great part about Valentine's day was my archaeology kids. I decided to teach them about stratigraphy. Now, all my archaeology friends are probably thinking, "Kids, stratigraphy? Why bother?" Uh, cause I taught they all about it with cake!!!  I made a cake with one layer each of chocolate, yellow, and strawberry. Then, I buried "artifacts" in each of the layers.  It was pretty awesome. After we excavated the site we discussed the different layers, and artifacts that they found. It was awesome. When was the last time you taught 10 year olds graduate school concepts so that they understand? Yeah, that's what I though, never. It's cool, maybe one day you can do it too.

Stratigraphy cake! You can even see of of the "artifacts" poking out of the top layer!

Thursday was kind of a big deal too, cause I had a job interview. There is a Hills Pet Food store on campus that caters to the students, faculty, and staff. There are two positions opening at the end of the semester, and I got an interview. I also got the job. Yep, they offered it to me later that day.  The craziest thing is that the next day I got another job offer. When it rains it pours right? It's a far cry from Egyptian Art History, but hey- money is money right?!

My cousin JP!

I'm crazy excited for next week. It's mid-semester break on Monday (and Rob's birthday, so don't forget to call/skype/email him!), and my cousin JP comes to visit on Wednesday for 5 days!!! I spend a lot of time trying to convince everyone I know to come down and visit, so I can't wait for JP to get here. My parents will be here a month after JP, then two weeks later Beth and Damian (our BFFs from England) visit for 10 days, and then a week later my aunt and uncle visit for a week at the beginning of May! I love having guests. So... start planning your trip... now.

They're Men, Men in Tights (and heels)!

If you read my blog at the beginning of Rob's first semester, you will remember that Ross holds Olympic Games the first week of classes. Part of the Olympics that I did not mention last year (mainly cause I found it lame and boring) was the Mr. Ross pageant.

This pageant is basically a way the mostly female student body can objectify their male classmates. As you can imagine, it's put on in the classiest of ways. The two hosts make lots of sexual jokes, which are more uncomfortable than funny, the judges (professors) are given copious amounts of alcohol, and the contestants are given even more alcohol, and act like drunken monkeys. This semester, Rob was the contestant for 2nd semester.

The men of Ross

Now, He did not plan on being his class representative, but since NO OTHER guys in his class volunteered he stepped up to the plate... Of course, he only accepted after Dr. Dusty Spencer, one of his anatomy professors offered to buy beer, appear in a skit, AND give one extra full point on the final anatomy grade to whoever would be Mr. Ross.  ROb's no idiot- he loves beer! Just kidding, he wanted that point!

Since my brave husband decided to join the pageant late in the game (some classes prepare all semester and bring crazy props back from the states), he and his class had to come up with some fun skits quick! The categories were Real Men of Genius (based on the Bud Light commercials), Favorite Cartoon or Nursery Rhyme, Talent, and Formal wear- the animal in you. Rob gathered an amazing team of co-stars, dancers, singers, and writers. There is no way he could have pulled it off without all of them! In my opinion, they had two killer skits, and two skits that could go either way.

Rob is a real man of genius

For Rob's Real Men of Genius, Trevor wrote a great skit entitled, "Ross Men of Genius: Mr. Any Species but Human Doctor." It was pure gold. Also, Rob got to wear his overalls and perform open heart surgery on a cuttlefish, so I gave it an A+. His favorite Cartoon skit consisted of Rob dressed as a red Power Ranger, kicking the ass of some of the more difficult parts of vet school. It was alright. For his formal wear, he was Taz- the Tasmanian Devil. Again, it was alright.

Rob as Taz

The talent portion of Rob's act should have won him the whole thing. If you watch Saturday Night Live, you have probably seen the beyonce- Justin Timberlake Single Ladies skit. If you haven't click here before continuing on. If you have already seen it, click that link anyway, that skit is freakin' hilarious!

Ok, back to the story at hand. Katie, one of Rob's classmates and a friend from out orientation group, suggested doing that skit. Of course, everyone thought with Rob's God-given talent in dance, it would be perfect! So, we wrangled two other brave men- Zach and Nick, and began searching high and low for high heels and black leotards in adult man size. Oh, wait, I bet you want to know who played beyonce. Remember how I said one of Rob's professor's bribed him to be Mr. Ross by saying she would be in his skit? Yeah, that's right, Dr. Dusty Spencer was cast as Beyonce. B-Rilliant!

To be honest, there are absolutely NO WORDS that can describe the skit. There are some things you just cannot unsee! Luckily for you the entire event was filmed, both by my friend Leann, and by Ross University! Oh yes, I do plan on buying the DVD to show our children and grandchildren. Here is Leann's version for your viewing pleasure.

All in all, I think Mike, from 4th semester should have won. He was hilarious, and all his skits were well put together and thoughtout. I think Rob should have gotten second or third. The problem is, the pageant is pretty much rigged. Upper semesters, usually 7th, take the win cause they are the "senior" class. Mike got second place, and the guy from 7th got first. I think almost everyone booed (I say almost cause 7th semester was obviously pleased that their hastily thrown together skits actually won). I was pleased to hear later from Dr. Spaccarelli that he was under the impression Mike and Rob were going to take 1st and 2nd placed based on the votes that the judges actually cast. Good to know that the 7th semester students tallying the votes know how to count properly since they'll be vets soon.

I am one lucky lady!

In light of this voting scandal, I plan on taking the case to the Supreme Court of the Dolphin House! Oh, yay- they have already returned with their verdict. MIKE AND ROB WIN! Yay! haha.

Oh, and in other Dolphin House news, Kate and trevor have gone animal crazy this week! First, Kate brings home Lucy, the one-eyed cow cat. Yes, the one-eyed cow cat, you did read that correctly. Kate used to work for a shelter, and is passionate about fostering animals. So, We are hosting Lucy until the first adoption event at the end of January. She is really sweet, and is white with black spots, like a cow. Her one eye is my favorite part. I love physically handicapped animals. It's a shame she is isn't three-legged. Oh well, a girl can dream.

Lucy! And no, she is not winking at you... or is she?

So, we have lucy all of 1.5 days when Kate and trev get wind of puppies being dropped off at the clinic (and by "get wind,"I mean I found out about them and immediately told Kate). This story is kind of sad: a local who works at the Ross clinic took two week old puppies from their mom (HIS DOG!), and brought them to the clinic so they could be adopted. Unfortunately, the adoption group has a freeze on incoming animals. So, he just left them in a box in the clinic with a note saying, "please take one." He didn't bother to mention it to anyone, so no one knows how long the pups were without food and water before one of the student techs saw them. If you are thinking, "hm, two weeks old? Shouldn't they still be with their mom?" The answer is YES!!! One of the puppies died last night. Super sad. So, now all these puppies have to be bottle fed and stimulated (that means you have to rub their butt holes til they poop. Kate and Trevor have experience with this, but only for kittens. Incidentally, I only have experience doing this with lion, tiger, jaguar, bear, and wolf babies. I imagine it's easier with kittens and puppies).  So, long story short- there is now an adorable little girl puppy in residence. Her name is Autumn and she is super cute!

Proud new parents of Autumn the Wonderpup!

PUPPY!!!

One last thing. In case you forgot how amazing St. Kitts is, we just picked a coconut from one of our own trees, and drank the coconut milk. Then we turned the coconut milk into Pina Coladas. Yay for the tropics!

Volcanos and Football!

Rob had quite the weekend. Saturday he hiked up to the summit of Mt. Liamuiga and today his football team played in the playoffs!


Yesterday Rob woke up super early for the hike.  The summit hike is different from the hike to the crater of the volcano that I did in October. When I went, we hiked up Liamuiga to the edge of the crater, but not the highest point. Rob, and some VIPs and students, went ALL the way to the top of the volcano. He was gone for 12 hours. I asked Rob if he would write a blog post about the hike up, and this is what I got:

Rob on the Mt. Liamuiga Summit Hike. In the rain/cloud forest.

I went with about 10 others on a St. Kitts VOLCANO hike yesterday! We left school at 6:15am and came back at 6:00pm. It stared with a 15 min drive through the sugar cane field, then about 1 hour through loose understory, about a half-hour on an elevated land bridge (2 ft wide mt. ridge) that led into a denser understory. THEN about 30 min on a washed out rocky-mud path before we left the canopy and spent 2 hours on a STEADY HAND-over-FOOT scramble up the steepest slopes with thin foot paths, some 70 degree inclines (many with ropes up the muddy/slimy rocks), but mostly about 50 degree inclines. We finally made it to the top but the cloud layers were so dense that we only caught 2 seconds of the view as the sun burst through the clouds (out of a 45 min lunch break)! I guess I'll have to go again and get that view! The was down took about as long due to the rain, mud, and poor conditions of the trail. YES! IT rains in the rain forest!... Who knew?


Rob also told me there is no way I would be able to do the hike- to intense for my wimpy arms!  He took tons of pictures, and you can see them here. 

Playing in the football playoffs. Rob is in the red shirt.

Today was playoffs for flag football.  I haven't been to any games, and since Rob's team was playing the VIP team I went along to cheer on my hubs and my friends. During the regular season, the VIPs won by a single point! This game was just as close, and pretty intense.  In the end the VIPs won by just a touchdown or two (I can't remember exactly).  The Red Rockets (Rob's team) were bummed out, but in January we have semester Olympics again and then a new football season. They can kick more butt soon enough. Pictures from the football game, as well as some recent pictures around the island, can be found here!

Sunset from campus, over the Caribbean Sea. One of Rob's classmates took this picture.

As a side note, Rob had heard that there was a place to smoke shisha on the island. Even though we aren't smokers, we really enjoyed shisha while we were living in Egypt. Last night we found the place! Kate, Trevor, Rob, and I smoked strawberry shisha, which wasn't so bad. I would have preferred rose or peach, but hey, I'll take what I can get here! I got pretty nostalgic for Egypt, and think that koshary and bird tongue soup will be on the menu this week! YUM!!!

Weekend Recap

What a great weekend! Rob and I are really enjoying our time in St. Kitts, and this past weekend was a great example of that. Friday night we had a couples night with two other first semester couples. Brayton and Leann are from upstate NY, and Trevor and Kate are from Massachusetts. Friday afternoons are when intramural volleyball games are played, and Leann, Trevor, and Rob are all on different teams, so after everyone was clean and fresh we headed to Ciao- an Italian restaurant in Frigate Bay. Our date night was really nice, I felt like a grown-up!  After dinner we went over to the Marriott Casino where some of our friends were trying their hand at the slots and roulette. Jessica even won $70 bucks at roulette, which is awesome considering she had no idea what she was doing! If I was better at gambling (or had a job and money to waste) I would have given it a whirl. Unfortunately, I do not have a job nor money to waste! It was still fun to hang out and socialize with my vet school friends who I don't get to see much.

Saturday morning Rob took me to get my driver's license! I was very excited, I couldn't wait to get behind the wheel again... just on the right side of the car, and the left side of the road!  Saturday afternoon Leann, Rob, and I went to a fundraising 5k (or 2k walk) to support the St. Christopher Children's Home. The home is a safe place for children to live if they have been orphaned, neglected, abandoned, or abused. Over $150,000 was raised. Leann and I opted to walk the 2k path, and Rob ran the 5k. He ran it in 16:43 (ish) minutes. He beat me and Leann to the finish line. In fact, he beat all but one other guy! Rob placed 2nd overall!  Leann and I were approaching the 2k side of the finish, and we saw Rob run across, stagger, flop down on the ground, stand back up and rip off his shirt, sunglasses, ipod... He was pretty hot, and dehydrated when he finished. He said the final minutes of the race he had tunnel vision and was really out of it. After the race, the Marriott held a bbq and gave prizes to the people who raised the most money, and to the winners of the race! Yep, Rob won himself a super sweet trophy! Yay Rob!

Cooling down after the race!

Rob's cool trophy!

Post race bbq

On Sunday I went to the beach with Jessica while Rob played intramural football. Rob missed last Sunday's game because he was really dizzy (turns out my crazy husband partially tore his ear drum while snorkeling...). Rob's team not only won, but Rob made several interceptions! Next week Rob plays against Trevor's team, so I am going to tear myself away from the beach to watch them. Rob spent the remainder of the day studying for his physiology test on Wednesday. I headed to Kori's apartment pool (she's a VIP), because she was hosting water aerobics! It was great, I had fun and felt the burn!

Today, Rob headed back to class and I went to scope out some possible apartments. I found a place I love, but it's expensive. I plan on doing some more searching later in the week. Hopefully we find something perfect for the rest of our time here!

Rob's White Coat Ceremony

At the beginning of each semester, Ross University honors its new students in the White Coat Ceremony. The new first semester veterinary students are giving their first white coat and they take the veterinary oath.  Yesterday was Rob's White Coat Ceremony.

Monday marked the first day of classes for Rob and his fellow first semester students. The last class of the day was canceled in order for the ceremony to be held. The program opened with a welcome from Dr. Saint Jean, large animal anatomy professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. He was followed by Dr. Cindy Lichty, a 2002 Ross graduate and the evening's keynote speaker. Then Dr. Gilbert Burns, the interim Dean, explained the significance of the white coat. Finally, the white coats were given out. Rob's class has about 170 students, Ross's largest class to date! After the class had donned their coats, they all stood and took the Veterinary Oath.

Getting his white coat

He already looks like a vet!

I was so excited and proud when Rob received his coat; he is only three years away from attaining his goal and becoming Dr. Robert Seerley, DMV!

The soon to be Dr. Seerley, DMV!

Click here for all the pictures from the ceremony!