Only in St. Kitts

Last night, Matty and I went to the St. Kitts Music Festival, and we caught sight of this sign posted within the concert grounds. I couldn't help but laugh...OISK!

RUSVM Paintball Tournament

Recently, Matthew, and a bunch of other RUSVM students participated in a paintball tournament. (Paintball is a relatively new activity available on the island, and everyone is pretty excited about it.)

The games began at about 10:00 a.m., and we did not leave until almost 5:00 p.m.! (There were about ten or fifteen teams competing.) Needless to say, it was quite the long day, but it was a fun experience even  especially for we spectators. Tiffany and I had pre-planned a menu, packed beverages, and brought beach chairs and an umbrella for shade. We 'soccer moms' were more than prepared for this event. In addition, the hosts of the tournament had dj music, beverages, and prizes to keep us entertained throughout the day. 

Which team won the tournament, you ask? That would be Matthew's team during the third round of the last game. Congratulations red team! 

Part of the playing field. 

Matty and his team having an important pre-game meeting. Haha. 

I didn't play, but I did have to wear this sexy mask to be able to enter the grounds and take photos. 

Here's Sharon looking so PROFESH! 

Sniper Matty.

The winners. 

Stacey Visits Saint Kitts

I met my friend, Stacey, at Grand Valley State University in 2003. We lived next door to each other in the teeny tiny dorms on-campus, and became fast friends. Almost ten years later, we've maintained our college-initiated friendship, with quite a lovely history---if you ask me. We've been roommates, involved in each other's weddings as bridesmaids, and we've even worked together. However, these days we're forced to watch each other grow and experience life from afar...literally. 

After Stacey was married, she and her husband moved to Ohio, bought a house, and had a baby. A few years after Matthew and I were married, we up and moved to the Caribbean. While our lives have gone in completely different directions, it's always been easy for us to pick up wherever it was we last left off. So, when Stacey said she was planning on coming to visit me in St. Kitts, I was ecstatic! I hadn't seen her since New Year's Day 2011. I was really looking forward to reconnecting and catching up with her. And that we did!

She arrived on a Wednesday afternoon, and Matthew and I met her at the airport. Unfortunately, I had to go to work from 2:30-5:00 p.m., so I had to part ways shortly after our initial reunion. But don't worry—Matty kept her busy during the few hours I was away, showing her around, and giving her a brief tour. Once I arrived home, I made dinner, and we spent the evening catching up. We chatted about everything: work, school, family, friends, neighbors, sports, books, movies, current likes and dislikes—you name it. It was a great start to her vacation, at least for me. :) 

On Thursday, we spent some time at my friend's gorgeous infinity pool, and later that night we brought Stacey to Bombay Blues for her first Indian cuisine experience. Of course, we ordered her the butter chicken, bismati rice, and butter naan. NOM NOM NOM.

Friday was a busy day, but definitely fun. I brought her to Caribelle Batik at Romney Manor, Palm Court Gardens, Port Zante in Basseterre, and The Strip (for Friday night beach volleyball). We rounded out the night at Reggae Beach Bar for Lobsterfest, where we dined on lobsters the size of our arms!

Saturday was spent at Shipwreck Beach. We soaked up some vitamin D, went snorkeling, and enjoyed the beautiful island views. That night, even though semi-exhausted, we decided to head over to The Marriott. After the tour, we sat at the sports bar and enjoyed a few Caribbean beers, along with the live Calypso-esque music. We also took part in one of our all-time favorite activities: PEOPLE WATCHING. Free entertainment at its best, folks.

On Sunday, Stacey joined me and Matthew at our intramural flag football games. And she even participated! Afterwards, I drove her out to the peninsula to Spice Mill Restaurant. We had lunch, and then admired a lovely view of Nevis while out on our beach chairs. We had a late start to our 'beach day,' but it was still very enjoyable.

Monday was sad. It was sad because she flew off de island that day. But before I dropped her off at the airport and choked back my tears, we enjoyed one last lunch date at the The Marriott's Bohemia Beach Pool Bar & Grille. We even kicked off our shoes, and walked on the beach for a bit.

After lunch, we went back home, and I helped her pack. Then the inevitable arrived, and I had to bring her to the airport. It was a quick goodbye because I couldn't handle much more than a hug and a wave. I sobbed on my way home. Stacey coming all the way to St. Kitts to visit meant so much, and it was like having a small piece of 'home' with me for a few days. I loved being able to show her around, as well as introduce her to our island family and closest friends. We definitely squeezed in a ton of quality time, and I couldn't have been happier. What a blast!

@ Timothy Hill scenic turn-out.

We wear our sunglasses at night.

Stace posing by a Traveller's Palm.

Nice photo...except for Matthew's lovely addition.

Dressed and ready for dinner. 

@ Caribelle Batik

Jurassic Park.

@ Palm Court Gardens 

@ The Strip for Friday night beach volleyball. 

Go, Stace, go! 

{Conversations}

Matty and I recently had a visitor from the Mitten. Stacey, who I met in undergrad, came to visit us for five days, and we had a fabulous time. I promise to blog about her vacation soon. In the mean time, please enjoy this {Conversations} segment.


{Conversations} Part I:

Me: Okay, I picked up wings for appetizers. We can snack on these while I make pumpkin soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Matthew: That's...a lot of food. We should just have the soup and the wings.

Stacey: I don't care what you do. I'm good with whatever.

Me: Uhhh, we're having sandwiches too, Matthew. Deal with it.

A few minutes later...

Me: Uhhh, we're not going to have sandwiches after all. I'm okay with just soup and wings.

Matthew & Stacey: What made you change your mind?

Me: I just got scared that I wouldn't be able to eat a piece of chocolate cake if I made us the grilled cheese portion. Priorities, you know?



{Conversation} Part II:

Stacey skyped with her parents one evening to check in and tell them about her vacation adventures.

Stacey: Mom! I snorkeled today and it was so cool. I saw a lot of sea creatures. At first I wasn't sure how I would do with snorkeling because of the mouth breathing, but I did just fine. Remember the last time I went snorkeling? What a disaster!!

Laura (Stacey's mom): No.

Stacey: Uhhh hello! It was when we went on that cruise, and I had an asthma attack and you had to pull me out of the water. That's when we found out I was asthmatic!

Laura: Stacey...that wasn't snorkeling. You were in ten inches of water.



Hope you enjoyed. I'm still laughing as I read these... ;)

Nevis Hike

In early June, Tiffany and I went on a hike with a group of VIPs and students. We were gone all day long. We headed to the ferry in Basseterre at about 6:30 a.m., and we didn't return until about 6:00 p.m.

The hike was a great experience, but it was tough. I have hiked to Mt. Liamuiga in the past, and that was difficult—but hiking to the Nevis Peak was an entirely different story. First of all, I never felt like I was ever just hiking. On the way up, I spent a majority of the time climbing, scaling, and pulling myself upward with ropes. On the way down, I was falling forward and hoping to catch myself on a tree trunk, bush, vine, or tree root. It was exhausting! However, at 3,232 feet, the view at the top was beautiful. It was definitely a great bonding experience with our friends, and I'll never forget it. After the strenuous hike, and before we caught the ferry back to St. Kitts, we made a pit stop at Sunshine's for lunch and booze. It was a great end to an adventurous day. 

A view of the Nevis Peak.

Me and Tiffany at the top.

Pretty view.

Our group.

{Conversations}

I think this qualifies to not only be a {Conversations} post, but also an 'Only in St. Kitts' post.

Me: Is that a toddler...without a carseat?
T: Yes.
Me: In the front seat?
T: Yes...
Me: Without a seatbelt?
T: ...Yep, pretty much.

Tiffany's 28th Birthday

My dearest island sister, Tiffany, just turned 28 yesterday, and we celebrated the night away. We began the evening at her house, waiting for everyone to arrive. Once everybody was accounted for, we boarded Kennedy's Space Shuttle (Kennedy is a popular taxi driver here in St. Kitts), and headed to Reggae Beach Bar for the Lobsterfest buffet.

The ride out to the peninsula was very eventful with loud music, lots of laughter, and slurred speech. Once we arrived at the restaurant, we were more-than-ready to eat dinner. And let me tell you---our meal was sooooooooooo yummy. It was the best lobster that I've ever eaten. Matty and I had never been to Lobsterfest before, so it was quite the special treat.

After dinner, we headed back to Matt & Tiffany's to hang out and play 'Catch Phrase,' which is such a fun party game.

Matthew and I---along with all of our friends---had such a great time celebrating our friend, Tiffster, and we hope that she had a blast too.

Birthday girl.

Tiff & Matt

Ryan, Tiff, me, and Brett.

Time for dinner, folks.

Josh & Hope

Zoe and Uncle Matty. :)

Quiet Morning @ Shipwreck

Daisy, Tiffany, Samantha, and I made an early morning trip to Shipwreck Beach. We were the first to arrive, and it was a beautiful morning.