Iguanas and mermaids and roosters...oh my!

Roosters and Chickens are taking over the island. Yes, they run wild and there happens to be a rooster farm on the other side of my patio. Good thing I can't really see into it otherwise I would invest in a B-B gun. My dreams have started incorporating their early morning calls. Anyway, there's just another tidbit about the island. I love how random it is.

I am diving certified!! Another check off the list! I had a two day course where we did several dives in the pool to practice "diving skills" and then did four dives in the ocean and practiced the skills again. It was a little bit of a challenge as far as the mind goes. A couple of our skills included taking off our mask while still breathing through the regulator... without water going up your nose and choking 30 ft under, preferably. Tip: don't panic. Another scary one was at the bottom of the pool - about 9 feet - where we had to take off the mask and swim across the bottom and back and then put the mask back on and clear the water from it. I've never concentrated so much on breathing! It was BEAUTIFUL under water in the sea. It really is a completely different world down there and the expanse of it is amazing. There was a statue of a mermaid that was twice as big as me under the water, put there for a tourist attraction. Other than that we saw lots of interesting, colorful fish and coral. Hopefully in the next couple weeks I will have my first real dive! Maybe see a shark? oooo.

Tomorrow I am going out for my second night of salsa dancing! I had a lot of fun last week learning the basics. My friend, Carlos, who also loves to dance, is from Honduras and has traveled to other countries in Central America experiencing different styles of salsa dancing. He was really good, so we just danced the night away! He also taught me some other styles of Latin dancing: Merengue (my favorite), Bachata, Reggeaton, and Latin House! Yay! hahaha. I was told I was pretty good for my first time salsa dancing - can't wait til I'm a natural, another one of my goals while I'm here :)

Last night, for my fourth of July celebrations, I went to my first wet paint party. It was outisde and there were pools of paint and mud that we got alllll dirty with. Then we washed off when we got sprayed with a fire house. I still have paint in my hair that I can't get out, but it was BLAST. I am loving the experiences I am having here. Still on the agenda: cliff diving, iguana hunting and eating (yes you heard me), and my first dive.

I love the people here. It's fun to hear all the different accents and words they use - cheeky fellow, cheers, mates, eh? My favorite part is how some people greet me - even if I've never met them - with a light kiss on the cheek. That is the best part of this island, how all of these cultures come together. It's been a month so far! Can't believe how fast it is going and wish it would slow down. As the days go by, I become more and more convinced that this won't be my only time living here. But we will see at the end of the four months.

I'm working on the recipe blog still - I think some of you will enjoy it. There are lots of easy healthy recipes.

Cheers mates! ;)

Signing my life away.

I did it. I signed my life away. To a diving instructor. Two full, packed days of learning how to SCUBA Dive. I am sooooo excited. Only two weeks away. This is on my life's TO DO list, and I tell you what, there is nothing more invigorating than being able to cross something off your life's list. I add to this list daily or maybe just as I am doing something. For example, last night when I went swimming in the ocean at 1:30 in the morning, floating in the Caribbean Sea looking up at the stars. That has to be bucket list worthy I think.

Today was pretty interesting. I went with the family today to the beach. Jade's mom swam in the Mile Swim where there were almost 800 people swimming. Pretty funny to hear a horn blow and watch almost 800 people start swimming. I kind of wish I had done it because afterward they handed out prizes that were pretty cool. Like trips to Grand Cayman's sister island, Cayman Brach, Rio de Janeiro, L.A., London and lots of other stuff. Maybe next time, lol. Speaking of which, I am thinking about the possibility of my moving down here sometime after I graduate. I am loving this place more and more. For how small it is - about 55,000 people- it seems a lot bigger. There is always something to do, always new and interesting people to meet. And the attitude is laid back. There are no shopping malls which takes the pressure off to meet a certain standard of fashion. The media is not as prevelant here either. No one really cares. I've heard the workplace is laid back as well. So anyway, we will see what happens. My life in the last four years has no where near come close to what I had planned or thought it would be. So I just give up thinking about it and take what comes along. Obviously God had a better idea anyway. Cayman Islands was a great idea God, thanks.

I've been doing AWESOME at my workouts. I've started waking up in the mornings to run two miles at 630. It's a real accomplishment for me - for someone who hates running and waking up early. Then I get another workout when Jade and I go for a walk. Then most nights I bike to the gym and lift. Hopefully sharing all of this will keep me accountable to keep it up :)

I'm thinking about writing out my recipes that I've used since I've been here. I know of a couple people that would be interested. Yummy, easy, healthy recipes soon to come! Stay tuned....

;)

I just wanna dance

Thought I would write a new post before all these exciting things start building up. I have quite a list. First of all, last Wednesday was a very empowering day for me. I walked to the Waterfront for the first time. It's about a 20 minute walk from where I live, but I found my way! The Waterfront might be my favorite place on the island because of it's awesome view, a long stretch of shops as well as stands where locals sell their crafts. I like to go to a coffee shop that overlooks the ocean and sit and enjoy the AC with an iced coffee. Jade likes to people watch and soak up the attention she gets there. Then I biked to the gym for the first time! And rode on the left side of the road! Later that night I got to learn how to drive. Pretty exciting day.

This weekend was pretty exciting as well. Friday night I went to 80's night. I'm not usually an 80's girl. We didn't have to dress up, but there was dancing. It was probably the best dancing I've ever experienced. There were lots of different types of dancers, all ages and types. It was almost like a scene out of a movie because the girl I was with liked to imitate other dancers and eventually pulled me along. So here was this Hip Hop/break dancer all blinged out trying to teach the white girl from the Midwest rhythm. Eventually I let loose and was able to pick some stuff up. It was totally different from clubbing back home because the people you dance with you actually watch and read their body and interact and use your head. Totally my kind of dancing. I also swingdanced with the 60 year old guy who was an actually pretty sweet dancer. There were more types and they just watched eachother and gave eachother the floor. I guess they all know eachother because of 80's night at The Wharf. I'm def going again.

Saturday was my first soccer game. I went to this bar that was packed with people. It was such a cool atmosphere with people rooting for their country. The rest of the night, us Americans poked fun at Britons and vice versa. Then we made it to karaoke night. I got dragged on stage, don't ask what I sang because I don't remember. Thank goodness. Needless to say, it was an awesome weekend. Sorry I have no pictures, my camera is broken...go figure. I'll figure something out.

Even the road kill is different here...

Yeah, I changed the title of my blog. I'm obsessed with the french language. And I should give credit where credit is due. The address - saltier than expected - came from my good friend that did exactly what I am doing now. When she arrived here she posted as a quote, "I got a taste of what they call Paradise today - it was saltier than expected." I used part of it as my address because we all picture paradise a certain way, but once we get there, we realize it's not all that perfect. Don't get me wrong, I love it here. But my family isn't here, my friends aren't here, the prices are RIDICULOUS and so are the mosquitos. But with the beach only 15 minutes away, it's worth it.

So here's a day in the life (this is one question that keeps getting asked): I wake up at 730 (soon I will get up earlier so I can go running, once I get the motivation) and take Jade, feed her breakfast, then take her for a walk before noon hits. That's when the heat really starts. When I step outside, I immediately start sweating, it's so humid. I am constantly so thirsty for water during the day. Then the rest of the day is a couple more bottles and a couple naps. I love nap time. Then I make dinner. I have really impressed myself with the dinners I've made - delicious! I've made Black Bean Enchiladas, Pasta Primavera, Chicken and Rice Casserole (those I kind of went off of recipes, but had to make a few alterations...maybe I should go into the culinary arts). Maybe down the road I will share some recipes. Then at the end of the night I will go work out or go to the beach, or just relax with the T.V. Taking care of a baby is more tiring than I thought and I haven't had cable for a year and a half. Ha.

So I went on a walk today. I go through this neighborhood with BEAUTIFUL houses. Just gorgeous. And they have tropical plants in their yard. But probably very expensive. I've heard the cheapest rent here is around $1,400 for an apartment...just give and take a hundred. SO anyway, I'm walking through this beautiful neighborhood with pretty tropical flowers wondering where these people work and I come across some road kill. I do a double take because it's a... crab. Yes a crab. Like a big orange one with 6 or 8 legs, however many they have. I couldn't tell because it was smushed. The road kill here are crabs, little lizards and iguanas. Little Diff. Tomorrow I'm going to try riding the bike to the gym for the first time. Little scared since there aren't very many sidewalks here which means I will be riding in traffic on the left side of the road. Hopefully I don't hit any crabs.

I posted a picture for everyone to see. This is the sunset I get to see when I go to the beach :) More to come. Maybe I'll take some pictures of those beautiful flowers from the rich yards....


P.S. I have five followers! Thanks guys!

My first week...

So I decided to write a blog about my time here in the Cayman Islands. One, because people have asked to keep them posted on my trip and two, so that I can look back and remember everything. The first week was a little hard. The hardest part, I think, is that I couldn't call or text anyone and was pretty much alone on this island without anyone to pour my heart out to. I'm a very relational person so that aspect was difficult for me.

Getting down the routine of baby Jade has been interesting, and, as sweet as she is, I'm fully content with not having kids for awhile! I think I've mastered her routine, however, and I am ready for this next week. She is such a sweetheart and I am so lucky I am a nanny for such a happy baby. Her smile really does light up my day. Every morning we go for walks. Yesterday, we went for a walk with the next door nanny and her little boy she is watching. She is from the Philippines and it was really interesting talking with her. I'm also learning how to plan meals, make grocery lists and cook dinner for Jade's parents. It's a little intimidating, but I think I'm getting the hang of that too. Hopefully they like my cooking! :)

I haven't gotten out too much, only because I have felt overwhelmed with everything being new. A few times now, I've gone with Jade's mom to the beach at sunset and walked along the shore as she swam. She is training for a swim race in a couple weeks. The sunset was amazing! Last night I wen to the gym to work out and usually I will be riding my bike there. I'm excited to get all of this exercise! Next week I'm going to focus more on going out on walks and exploring more and start learning how to drive on the left side of the road by riding my bike... uh, SCARY.

Tonight I went with the family to a coworker's birthday party. It was held at an Italian restaurant on the beach. The patio was all lit up with lights and candles and with the ocean as the background and the sound of the waves coming in, I realized I could definitely live here for six months. I would even consider moving here after I graduate, but we'll see what happens. It is SO expensive here. Gas is 4.29 per gallon and that's in CI (Cayman Island Dollar). So take that times 1.20 (the exchange rate) and that's what you would pay in US dollars. I have to stop thinking that way otherwise it will drive me crazy thinking about how much I'm really spending. Anyway, I was at this birthday party and I sat with Jade's parents ( I'm not giving their names just to be safe), a guy from North Carolina and a guy from South Africa who grew up in Britain but was actually born in Spain - how cool is that? Jade's dad is from Malawi so we were all kind of reminiscing about where we are from. And this is why I moved here. A lot of the people here I have found have traveled a lot before coming here and it really motivates me to follow my love of traveling.

I have some things I want to accomplish while I am here:
-go scuba diving
-swim with dolphins
-meet all kinds of people
-get a toned body! :)
-strengthen my spiritual relationship
-get better at beach volleyball
-get some artistic inspiration
-figure out what I want to do with my life because I just to do not feel satisfied settling down in one place

So think of this as an open diary. I will be keeping track of all of these things. Last time I was here I had so many interesting, motivating and inspiring moments and I hope to share anymore to come with those reading. More to come....!