My very last {Caribbean Blog} post...

Well...I've procrastinated long enough, and I think it's time to wrap up this blog. I'm not sure if my life will ever be as fun/amazing/interesting/crazy/etc. as it was in sunny, beautiful, simple St. Kitts, but I'll give it try. Here's the link to my new Raleigh, NC blog: http://adventuresintheoldnorthstate.blogspot.com/

Please note that there aren't any blog posts on it. At least not yet. I'm getting around to that...maybe tonight if you're lucky!

I just have two more events to document before ending this post...and this blog. *sigh* *BIG SIGH*

Prior to leaving my treasured Mitten State for North Carolina, I drove down to Grand Rapids, (for not even 24 hours, mind you), to see my friend Holli and attend her birthday party. We started the night out at Stella's Lounge, and then spent the rest of the night at The Pyramid Scheme. The next morning/early afternoon, Holli, Ashley, (a friend of Holli's), and I met my friend Andrea for lunch at Panera, followed by a quick trip to Pier 1 Imports, (where Holli, Andrea, and I all met as coworkers). That was a very long sentence, I know. Anyway, we had a jolly good time!

On New Year's Eve, I went to my grandpa's house with my family. We all bundled up, and went sledding—just like we did when we were kids. After we warmed back up, we played ping pong and hung out until it was time to ring in the new year. It was sooo fun!

Enjoy the pics! And don't forget to check out my new blog in case I write something cool in it.

Birthday girl!

Hipster Hollister.

The girls!

Beers at Stella's.

Me and the birthday girl.

Yep, it was that kind of night.

Andrea and moi.

I'm in my thermals and ready to go sledding!

The Jaworski ladies all bundled up to go sledding...it took us FOREVER to get dressed.

Jaworski sisters posing in the snow. Mom made us do it...

"Come on, Cat! You've posed under this tree your whole life! What's one more time?" - Mom

Beautiful Michigan.

Doubling up on the sleds! Poor Winny. Hehe.

So those are the last of my Michigan adventures over the holiday break, and it was a jolly good time. I only wish that I had more time to stay and visit all of my friends. Because of mine and Matthew's crazy busy schedule, we didn't have much time to spend outside of Northern Michigan. However, I'm hoping those that I missed will trickle down to Raleigh. Hehe.

Thanks to everyone who has read my St. Kitts blog for the last two years!

Xtreme Party Poster

Last Christmas, Matthew and I stayed in St. Kitts for the holiday break. And I'm not sure if you remember, but we participated in J'ouvert which is part of Carnival. I bring this up, because my friend, Brayton, saw our faces on the new Xtreme party posters for this year's Carnival events. Check it out!

Can you find our little faces? Too funny, right?! We won't be here for the events this year, but we're so glad that we were able to participate last year. To anybody staying in SK for the holiday break, take part in the cultural events while you can; we had a blast!

Tamsin's 'Rainy' Baby Shower

On Sunday, I helped host a rainy-themed baby shower in Tamsin's honor. Cute, right? Well, we thought so. And one of the parents associated with the RUSVM Preparatory School offered to host the event at her home, and what a great choice that was; Caroline's home is beautiful and very spacious!

Like all parties of this nature, there was a ton of food, games, prizes, and lots of laughter. We are all so happy to have been part of Tamsin's special day, and are very much looking forward to her baby's arrival!

Here are some photos from the event:

Yummies.

Mason jars with blue straws and 'rain' clouds.

Caroline's husband and son worked on this beautiful creation.

I made these 'rain' clouds.

How cute is this? Morgan is responsible for this craftiness!

View from Caroline's house.

In keeping up with our 'rainy' theme, this was the guest sign-in sheet.

From left to right: Caroline, Kristin, Morgan, Tamsin, and me.

Sending best wishes to Tamsin and Brandon as their baby boy is soon to arrive...we're counting down the days until January 18th! xoxo

Rocky's Bar and Grill

On Saturday, the 6th semester—otherwise known as the green semester—threw a going away beach party for Matthew's class. Their choice venue was Rocky's Bar and Grill at Bird Rock Beach Hotel. The party started sometime around noon and ended around 6:00 p.m. that night. There was food, music, and the beer was free.

Matty and I arrived at about 12:30 p.m., and almost immediately went snorkeling with our friend, Ericka. Having never been to Rocky's before, we were excited to explore the area. We found a ton of sea fans, brightly-colored Caribbean fish, and various shells.

After our snorkeling adventure, we ate some lunch, walked the property, and spent the rest of the day enjoying the venue and hanging out with our friends. Oh, and we went kayaking, which was awesome!

Rocky's Bar & Grill

All of the signs were made by former students, tourists, etc.

Matty made a friend...

We had a really fun time at Rocky's. In fact, I loved it. I'm definitely bummed that we never took advantage of this beachside locale in the past. A while ago, they held a weekly 'Sunday Funday' event where you could use their kayaks and snorkel gear for free. Of course, Matthew and I always had flag football and/or soccer on Sundays so we always missed out on all the fun. However, I'm glad that we were able to go on Saturday because I can now cross this activity/location off of my SK Bucket List.

Beginning of the 'Lasts'

As we're coming to the end of living in lovely St. Kitts, I find myself thinking about our very last parties, our very last snorkeling adventure, our very last beach trip to Gong, our very last everything. I'm all, "Oooh this is the last time we'll go to..." or, "Gahh! I can't believe this is Trooper's last island haircut." I think I even said something about buying butter for the last time at IGA a few days ago...to which Matthew rolled his eyes and ignored me. Typical.

Anyway, I guess this is your warning that you're in for a lot of whiny and pouty posts about 'last' something. On that note, let's get started!

For the last two years, Matthew and I have gone down to The Strip to either play or watch beach volleyball every Friday. I can only think of a few times where we didn't make it...and I can't imagine what was more important than going to the beach in the afternoon to hang out with our friends, and drink waaaay too much beer. Yep, no idea.

So yes, you probably saw this coming, but I feel the need to tell you that last Friday was our very last beach volleyball event! Gahhhh so sad. However, we enjoyed too many buckets of Stag beer, a bonfire, and I even had my picture taken with a donkey!

Very last Friday beach volleyball. *sigh*

Me and my new friend.

Sunset @ The Strip.

I sure hope Raleigh will provide me with lots of activities to aid in my post-island-life-depression...

Black Semester Banquet

On Saturday, November 24th, we attended Matthew's banquet celebration. This particular event is essentially the end-all party of the semester. Technically, we do have several parties after banquet, but this one is different. It's always held in the evening and everyone gets what I call, island fancy. The boys get out their ties and long pants, and the girls pull out their high heels and wedges from the back of the closet. (We don't normally wear heels down here unless for special occasions...flippies are our staple. Sand, rocks, hills...you get the idea.) We all know we're going to sweat our asses off, and that for us girls, our makeup is going to melt, but we deal with it. We deal with it, because we must. It's tradition; it's island fancy...or vain stupidity. However you want to look at it. Anyway, in addition to our sweaty selves, there's always dj music, food, booze, lots of dancing, and for some—a feeling of sentimentality floating in the air. It's pretty much a guaranteed good time.

Just like Pink Semester's banquet in July, Matthew's class chose Spice Mill as the venue. Since this restaurant is situated on Cockleshell Beach, we had a beautiful view of Nevis, as well as the serene coastline scenery of the peninsula. And what I love most about nighttime beach parties like this one, is that I always have the option to escape the loudness of the crowd. I can head to the shore and listen to the waves crawl and crash their way onto the beach.  S u p e r.  R e l a x i n g. 

Overall, we had a great time, but it was a little surreal to be there. I just can't seem to wrap my mind around the fact that Matthew and his classmates are almost finished with their 7th semester. Amazing! But sad. But amazing!

Here are a few photos from the event...

Group picture @ Timothy Hill scenic turn-out.

Photo credit: Paul Orchard

Photo credit: Paul Orchard

Photo credit: Paul Orchard

Photo credit: Paul Orchard

Lindsay, Rhiannon, me.

Matty G. & Matty D. are having a great time! Can't you tell?

Photo credit: Paul Orchard

WIVC Brimstone Gala 2012

Last week, RUSVM hosted the West Indies Veterinary Conference. Veterinarians and Ross alumni from all over (the world?) flew to St. Kitts to attend this week-long event. Someday Matthew and I hope to do the same. He can go to the continuing education segments, and I'll do...what I do now. :)

On Friday, our good friends Shane and Cristina invited us to attend the Brimstone Gala with them, (which was the closing event for the vet conference). Having never been to Brimstone Hill Fortress at night, it was quite the sight to see. It was absolutely beautiful and the view of the sunset was amazing! Just thinking about how nice this evening was, is making me feel sad about leaving our tropical island home in 36 days.

Here are some photos from the soiree. Enjoy!

Seriously. How pretty is this?

Matty, me, and lovely Rhiannon.

A group of Black Semester students and Dr. Wallace.

Shane, Cristina, me, and Matty.

Inside the tent.

After dinner, the stilt-walkers came out to entertain us. So tall!

Pretty cool, right? We had a lovely time, and we're so thankful that Shane and Cristina invited us to come along. :)