St Thomas, aka The Rock

Every once in a while I open up my blog and see that my last post was on January 27th. I am surprised, bc I cant believe its been so long that I havent posted anything new, and Im ashamed, bc I know its been mostly laziness that has kept me from posting anything new. Its always amazing to me how we allow days and months and sometimes years to pass, before we get around to doing something we said we would do...

I would like to mention tho, in my own defense, that I have started several posts... I just never got around to finishing any of them and actually publishing them. So.

Life on the Island has been interesting. Yes, we are still here. No, we will not be staying forever. It has not all been fun and games. I know everyone back home thinks we are out here living it up, going to the beach every day, and leading a generally stress-free lifestyle. Well, all those people are wrong. We live it up, but only on some weekends, just like the rest of you. I get to the beach sometimes once a week, usually once every few weeks, and rarely, several times a week (this is only when we have friends visiting, which is, by the way, the main time I like St Thomas, bc Im reminded of the good things it has to offer). As for the stress-free lifestyle... puh-lease. I have the same problems everyone else has, I have to do the same mundane daily tasks, I have bills to pay and a To-Do list that never seems to end.. the ONLY difference is, I have all that BS in a much prettier setting.

That said, I am trying to take advantage of my last couple months on The Rock. I have been to a couple of concerts at Reicchold Center -- Steel Pulse was OK, partially bc I only knew a few of their songs, and partially bc I wasnt in a happy state-of-mind when I went to see them, so I just straight up wasnt enjoying myself. Black Violin was absolutely AWESOME and I wish their set had lasted a lot longer than it actually did. Verse (of "All my single laaadies, let me by you a rouuund" fame) opened for Black Violin and all I wanna know is, why was he dressed like that, could he pls pull his pants up, and why did he stand funny on stage? Apparently he toured with Ne-Yo last year, but if you ask me, he needs to work on his stage presence...

I went parasailing the day before yesterday; after the first few minutes being nervous as anything, I finally got comfortable and realized I wasnt gonna die up there, and that allowed me to have fun. I tipped as far back as I could go in my harness and saw the beautiful ocean and lots of islands upside-down, and that was amazing. Even got dipped in the warm water on our way down, by the fun-loving, possibly drunk parasailing crew memebers who took us out. Good times! Wish I had some pictures, tho...

Tmrw I start scuba diving certification with S and D, two of the coolest people we've met on this Island, and possibly the sweetest couple Ive ever met in my life. That'll take up several hours over a 3-day period.. Im excited about that, and also excited that its only costing me just over $200 as opposed to the original $500 I thought it would be. More money in my pocket, holler!

Saturday I get to spend roughly 8 hours taking a CPR/First Aid course at the Red Cross. I have been putting this off for months since I got to the Island, and for years in NY. Saturday will finally be the day I cross this off my To-Do list, and will finally know what to do if a baby in the room is choking. Always good to know...

Next week I plan to start flying lessons. Yes, you read that right. We live more-or-less across the street from the airport, and everyday, several times a day, I drive past the Private Jet Center... Also, a couple months ago I saw a seaplane take off from the harbor, and well, I was immediately sold. A 60-hr package costs $6500 (oh so out of my budget!!) but you can also pay-as-you-go by the hour.... so for the next several weeks, thats where all my money will be going... I imagine flying will be the greatest, most natural high you could ever have. Just envisioning myself flying above it all makes me feel like everything in the world is OK. Mo, btw, swears she will never get in a plane with me since they only require 40 hours before they give you your license... but I have to pass 2 tests too!! Sheesh, no faith in me, lol. Anyways, its gonna be a long process; 40 hours is a lot of time spread over many months, and there are a lot of dials and buttons to learn about... Did I mention, I wasnt the greatest at Physics? No matter. There is no doubt in my mind that I can do this.

I know Ive been living here for almost 4 months now, but its very easy to get caught up in a routine and basically let your days pass w/o doing much of anything... Im not saying I havent done a single fun thing all this time -- Im just saying, life definitely has not been a party every day. But Im gonna make the most of the time I have left, even if it means I have to cram every single activity I want to partake in, into just a few weeks time. Bc Ill be damned if I leave a Caribbean island I lived on for almost 6 months and say I didnt make the most of the few things I feel it has to offer.

The End... rather, To Be Continued...