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Edward or Jacob? October 8, 2007

Posted by Emily in : Books, Daily Life, Friends, My Handsome Husband, Thoughts , 5comments

I am fully aware that I live on a tiny five square mile island. We don’t have a book store, or anything like unto it. Unless you count the Medical School Library, but seriously, when have you ever picked up a Medical textbook for recreational reading? Ya, me neither. I have been “dying” for a good read. I decided to pick up the “Twilight” series at the airport (it was the first chance I had to get to a book store) and I LOVED it! I couldn’t read it fast enough! I was flipping though the pages with no need for food, water, or sleep. How is it possible that this book has been out for two years and I am now just reading it?

I have read all three books and am anxiously awaiting the release of the fourth book. My question is this; those of you who have read this book prior to September 2007, why have you not recommended this book to me? This was such a great find! To those of you who have not read this series, READ IT. Actually, stop what you are doing right now and drive to the closest Walmart (which is open 24 hours so there is no excuse) and BUY IT. READ IT. LOVE IT. Then, email me so we can talk about who you are in love with (besides your spouse!). Team Edward or team Jacob? Everyone is torn. I know! So hard to choose, but I think I am secretly in love with Edward. Don’t worry Dave, he is fictional. He only exists in this book. It’s a safe crush. Plus, he is already taken.

What other good reads am I missing out on? I am in the states now, where I have access to picking up a few books. Speak now or forever hold your peace! Don’t hold out me! All you closet “Twilight” lovers, speak up!

We Have Arrived October 8, 2007

Posted by Emily in : Daily Life, Family, Princess Hannah, Thoughts, Trips , 3comments

We made it. We are finally in the “Mother Country”. It took seven flights to get us to Salt Lake City. This definitely puts into perspective how far away Saba is from civilization. We flew straight from Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles, Caribbean) to Ontario, California in ONE day. Not my choice. Really. I specifically booked this trip as a two day event, not a one day event. Unfortunately, the stars don’t always line up correctly. Due to airline delays, we were rerouted through Puerto Rico, and all legs of our trip were scheduled on ONE day. I’m not sure what was worse, traveling this distance in one day, or having to stop in Puerto Rico. I have avioded that island like the plague because of its terrible reputation with theft and lost luggage. Well, wouldn’t you know it . . . they lost Hannah’s car seat. This would not pose a problem if I was returning to the Caribbean where they don’t believe in car seats. I could just let her roll around in the back seat like every other local I know. However, I was sure this was going to cause a problem when I landed in California sans car seat. Can’t you just see her having a party in the back seat, waving “hi!” out the back window to the Police Officer with his lights ?

It’s a good thing American Airlines has “loner” car seats! I have a feeling this happens a lot. They loose people’s junk and have to supply them with something comparable. I’m not sure which one of us was more exhausted when we finally arrived into Ontario. Hannah was very busy saying “Hi!” to everyone, and I mean EVERYONE. She said “Hi!” incessantly to everyone around us on every flight. There was no need for toys or snacks, she was entirely too busy saying “hi” and “this” to anyone who even glanced her way. After 80,000 “Hi’s”, she was tired. The little one finally knocked off on the drive to my sister’s house in California. It is exhausting to work a cabin!

Jenn (aka my favorite sister) is a “Marathon Shopper”. I am a “Power Shopper”. You would think that after 10 years in Retail Management that I would love malls. Well, I don’t. I know exactly what I am looking for, and I want to get in and out so I can get on with my life. She, on the other hand, would shop ALL DAY and ALL NIGHT if she could. I am tired just thinking about it. Fortunately, I did get some much needed shopping done. What would have taken Jenn all day to shop for, I accomplished in five or so shorter shopping trips. I didn’t want to deviate too much from my laid back Caribbean lifestyle. There is no need to do everything in one day . . .

It was so fun to spend time with her family. My nephew, Ike, (he looks like a smaller version of my twin brother Brian) is now 14 (I think). He has the lowest second bass voice in the world. Truthfully, I can’t understand half the things he says because his voice is so low, my ears register it as a low hum. While I was visiting, his job was to supervise Hannah on the stairs. You see, we don’t have stairs in our house on Saba. In fact, I don’t think anyone has stairs on the island. The stairs were more fun than any toy, treat, or TV show to her. So, Ike was sentenced to climb up and down the stairs with her for hours at a time. Such a good kid.

I have a confession . . . I experienced some cultural shock returning to the States. The last time I was in the States was almost a year ago. Since then, I have been living on a tiny five square mile island that is polar opposite from California. I wasn’t just overstimulated, I was experiencing “information overload” to say the least. I have grown very accustomed to my simple island life (no dishwasher and all). I was completely overwhelmed when we went to a produce grocery store. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was like I had never seen produce. Or a grocery store. Or just so many people in one place. How is it possible that I was raised in this wealthy country and my response to this food bounty was as if I was raised in a third world country? I’ll tell you what it is; it is 52 weeks of grocery shopping on Wednesday morning to get what ever produce the boat brings in.

A couple of days is all it took for me to snap back into American culture. I will adjust just fine to the American way of life when the time comes. Lets just hope that it only takes a couple of days for me to revert back to the Caribbean way of life. I will be back there before I know it!