“Happiness does not come from doing easy work, but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded your best.” - Theodore Rubin

I’ve come to realize that these next 5 months are going to be filled with many lessons and opportunities to grow. Challenges and hard times that knock us on our butt are the times in which we learn so much about ourselves and that define us. That being said, it isn’t about how many times we fall or get knocked down, but about how we are able to get back on our feet, and push forward, and overcome.
This past week has been hard. Really hard. And in the past week, I have had more moments of weakness than can be counted on my fingers and my toes. However, even still, I have to say… I think I have done pretty well. Sounds funny right? To say I’ve complained, felt sorry for myself, gotten upset and jealous over what most would consider “something silly”… and yet, yes, I think I’ve done pretty damn well!
Here’s the thing. Despite all of that, I’ve gone to work, gone out to the bar, had movie nights with Lo, went shopping, finalized stuff for my last semester of school, done laundry, and well.. you get the point. Through it all, I have kept living, laughing, and pushing forward. I’ve had family and friends to lean on and entertain myself with, and over all I have found I am stronger than I thought. My best friend is in a different country. He’s the one I lean on and who gets me through the hard times normally. But, this past week, I haven’t been able to call him. We only talk when he is at his computer and even then, usually people are around and I am on speaker phone due to talking over the computer. So, yes, Nick knew I was upset many times, he saw me struggling, but reality is… right now, I have to get through a lot of this without his immediate support. And even still, here I am… doing just fine and learning a lot about myself. And.. actually, I am adjusting a bit, and hey… we are just about 1 week in, so it’s not like time is standing still! :)
Don’t get me wrong, I will be ecstatic when this long distance thing is over and I can have my rock and main man back. I love that I need him and I love that he is always there for me. As much as I am still struggling with the adjustment to less communication, I am thankful for all Nick has done to stay in contact with me the best that he can.  Also, I am sure this will come as a huge surprise to all, but Mr. Social has made many new friends already. I am glad he got to enjoy the past week because school is about to start and I think life on the island may get a little more stressful than beaches, scuba, and rum punch!!
Here are a few pics from his first week of adventures in Grenada! Isn’t he cute? And obviously, totally miserable there so far… psh, he’s lovin’ it! And as for the island… it’s breathtaking! Can’t freakin’ wait to visit!

“When I miss you, I don’t have to go far … I just have to look inside my heart because that’s where I’ll find you.”

     Today I bid my love farewell at good ol’ metro airport. I am happy to report security did not need to be called to pry me off of him! That being said, let me just say that was so hard!!!!  Seriously, watching him slowly walk away from us and through the security line and out of sight was heartbreaking. I wanted to run after him and pull him back or instantly buy a ticket on my fabulous smart phone and jump on the plane with him. So what if I did not have any possesions what-so-ever, so what if I am supposed to be at work on Wednesday, and so what if I have one semester left of graduate school. My mind was racing, the temperature in the airport seemed to rise about 20 degrees, and my eyes burned with tears I was attempting to hold back. Nick was about to board his plane to Grenada without me…
     Okay, so that was my irrational side taking over. Finishing graduate school is important and him boarding a plane without me for 4-5 months is not the end of the world. But shoot, saying “seeing you later” really was as hard as I had imagined it would be.
     Since that time, Nick has successfully arrived in Miami and is currently in flight to Trinidad :) Excitinggg right?! I have to say I am proud of myself and the way I have been able to stay positive today. It really made me realize that despite the extreme sadness I feel in being so far away from him, the excitement I feel for him is able to help make this a tiny bit easier. I love this man so much, that even though I thought I was going to completely fall apart today I did not. And the reason I did not, is because of that amazing little thing called love! Even though I am sad and long to be close to him, I want this for him and that keeps me from being overwhelming depressed.
     The adventure has OFFICIALLY begun and this is the start to something new and wonderful. From the moment Nick stepped on that plane his life has forever changed. Our lives have forever changed. And changed for the better at that.
     Sidenote: Bought a new exercise ball today!!! Wooooooo!!! After a month of goodbye parties, eating, and drinking this girl needs to get back in shape! My body is very ready for a detox and I am ready to stop being such a pig! There is no better motivation to get in shape than visiting Grenada in October and moving there in January!! Hello insanity DVDs, workout ball, and healthy eating… it’s been awhile, but boy am I excited to get reacquainted with you <3




“I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart so long.  If we’re in each others dreams, we can play together all night.”  ~Bill Watterson

Remembering the bigger picture

As we speak, I am watching and (semi) helping Nick pack up the rest of his stuff. He has a plan, a method to his madness, and I just wait to be told how I can be helpful and play DJ in attempt to keep the mood light when all that is on our minds is his 3:30 pm flight tomorrow. TOMORROW. TO-MARR-OW. Yeah, no matter how it is said, it doesn’t sound any better and still stings a lot. It’s unreal really, the big day is finally here and 2 years in Grenada is officially beginning. His bags are almost packed full of his clothes, belongings, electronics, pillows… everything he needs for the next 5 months to 2 years. Someone pinch me.

To kick off our last day together we went to church at Orchard Lake St Marys. It was exactly what I needed. The mass, the homily, the songs, all hit home and gave a message and the comfort that I needed- more than I even realized. Throughout the mass, a common theme arose and I couldn’t help feeling like it was directed at me. Nick has ranted and raved about how awesome Fr. Tim’s homilies are, but until today I had not yet experienced one… and it could not have come at a better time (and yes, it was awesome and perfect.) During his homily, Fr. Tim spoke about how hectic, overwhelming, chaotic and unpredictable life can be sometimes. And how, sometimes, it is so easy to get caught up in everything that is going on and to forget what is really important. That it is easy to be a person of prayer when things are going well for us, but yet it is so easy to lose faith when things get hard. As Fr. Tim put it, we have to “keep our eyes on Jesus.” Now, that does not sound like something I would normally say or write about, but it fits my life right now. Nick leaving is really hard on me and it really helped me to refocus on the bigger picture. I know 5 months is not THAT long, but still, it is a big deal to me. That being said, it is important for me not to get caught up in the time that we are apart and rather to focus on how exciting of a time this is for Nick and what a big step it is for him. Obviously, I have realized that all along, but it was a good reminder and a reality check that I needed. I am so blessed to have such an amazing man, and I wouldn’t change him going away to Grenada for the world. We need good Doctors and Nick will without a doubt be a great Doctor and being apart for 5 months is a small price to pay for that :)

Okay, time to stop blogging and help him finish packing up his stuff. Sighhh.. So all that stuff about being strong and looking at the bigger picture… yeah… I’ll that attitude starts Tuesday or Wednesday. For now, my heart is breaking and if you hear of a security breach at the airport.. no worries it was just me running through the airport to tackle him and keep here a few extra hours, minutes, or seconds.

Best of luck Nicholas! We all love you very, very much! Safe travels and kick some major medical school butt! xoxo

Who needs a Visa anyways?

Today my day was filled with the joys of trying to make sense of the process of A) getting a visa to live in Grenada and B) getting a visa to (fingers crossed) work in Grenada. Can you say CONFUSING!?!?  I swear I was told a million different things, from a million different websites, and a million different people. Now, I consider myself to be a relatively intelligent human being, but shoot, I may as well have been reading Russian because I was clueless!
Here is what I did figure out:
- to live in Grenada for 60-90 days just a regular passport is enough
- to live in Grenada longer than 90 days, a letter from St. George’s with all of Nick’s information will be needed
- Once I have said letter, I take it somewhere. I assume somewhere is a government office… but I haven’t totally figured that part out yet!
- To get a work visa everything gets much more complicated and besides knowing that I need to get one… I don’t have a clue!

So yes, while I did make some progress… you can see I still have a lot of work to do!!
Now, drum roll please… I applied for jobs at St. George’s Hospital in Grenada!!! It was just a very generic application, and the website says there are no jobs currently available, BUT I have 5 months until I move there… so I figured I may as well get a general application out there!! Go me!!
     Right now, the focus is on Nick and getting him down there and situated, but still slowly also starting to get my own stuff together too. Nick has 11 DAYS til he leaves… it is all so real now. I still find myself in denial at times because I can’t picture him not around, but at the same time, I have come to accept that time is not slowing down, let alone stopping. 11 days. ELEVEN DAYS. 11 freaking days. Somebody pinch me!
OH, but in even more exciting news! Decided I am officially going down around “family weekend.” I obviously plan to stay for more than just 3 days, but I plan to incorporate that weekend as well. They have TONS of fun activities you can register for… one of which is take a tour around the island on a CATAMARAN!!! Um, yes please SIGN ME UP!! It is $65 and includes 6 hour trip with snorkeling, snacks, beer, rum punch, water, juices and a full lunch… sounds heavenly.  That is just one example of the fun activities and all were extremely reasonably priced and included FOOD. Absolutely perfect right?? A girl needs to eat… and if it so happens to be on a catamaran… even better! So, I leave with you a few  pictures of Grenada that I swooped off google images!

Surprise Party Success!

I wish I could write and tell you all that I have been calm, cool, and collected. That I am handling this big change with ease and grace. And that I have not acted like a crazy person. However, unfortunately, that is not true. I am an emotional roller coaster, with constant ups and downs, and many times feel overwhelming happy and sad at the same time. God Bless Nick and his patience and ability to for the most part, roll with the punches.     This past weekend was the big surprise party that I had been planning for over a month. I am happy to report, we all pulled it off and Nick was completely clueless and totally surprised! Also, the weekend was overall drama free and a great time!! Between 25 and 30 people came out to Wilson’s for dinner and be part of the initial surprise! WAY more people than expected, and I could not be happier that people were able to make time to come out. It was overwhelming for both Nick and I to see all the love and support from everyone! Also, it would not have been the same without some of Nick’s closest friends who flew in from all over the country to be a part of the celebration… it was the perfect icing on the cake. He is a wonderful man, and I think the number of people who came out both to dinner and then later met us at the bar, is a true testament to his character, genuinely loving heart, and simply to him as a person, friend, son, brother, and of course boyfriend.
     While his party completely outdid every expectation I had, it was still somewhat of a difficult weekend for me. As previously mentioned, I started planning this out over a month ago. Honestly, I can not believe how quickly it came… and now went. Ahh, time is going so fast… too fast. He leaves in a little over 3 weeks and I am still nowhere near being ready for it. And, if we are being real here… I am starting to think I will never be ready.
     I smile, laugh, and talk about how everything will work out for the best, how we will be fine, and how I am sure time will go faster than I think. But truth is, my heart is breaking inside. I don’t want to be apart for 4.5 months…
     I keep saying how our lives are an adventure and would not have it any other way. This is 100% true, and those who know us, are probably not all that shocked that this is the direction our lives have taken. Nick was made to be a doctor and St. George’s really is the perfect setting for him to do so. I love traveling and new/unique experiences and so.. what more could I ask for right?
     Often times the best adventures are those that are challenging and force us to step up to the plate and find our inner strength… and that is exactly what this is. At the end of the day, this will make us stronger, it will be a life changing period in our lives, and it will be filled with good days and bad. But whether the sun is shining or we are battling off clouds and storms, what matters is that we are doing it together :) The next 2 years of living in a different country will create a bond between us that is special, unique, and strong. And that, along with the MANY memories we create will last a lifetime!

Packing for Grenada 101

So how does a person pack to live for 2 years in Grenada? Frankly, I have not the faintest idea. I  figure sundresses, swim suits, flip flops, are clearly all essential. Throw in some makeup, a nice outfit, a pair of sweats. Ah, yes this is turning out to  be a typical throw together a suitcase for a vacation Lindsey style list. And while these things will be necessary for island living…  we will be there a minimum of 4 months at a time… we will be living there. Crrrraaazzyyy. Luckily, St. George’s has a list of Do’s and Don’ts, so here the list of what to bring. Bring on the 70lb suitcase!! Oh, and some love from home in the form of packages (hint hint) ;)
Things to Bring
Clothing

• Light clothing (shirts, shorts, sundresses, bathing suits, cover-ups, etc)  Sandals, flip flops, “Teva” type sandals, sneakers, etc. - Comfort is key, you will do a lot of walking!!!Running shoes, hiking boots (if you plan on doing hiking - waterproof would be best)

• Umbrella

• Nice dress for white coat ceremony, men need sport jacket and tie. (Although you will most often wear shorts and T-shirts, there are nice restaurants, and other social occasions for “dressy casual” attire, so pick your favorite outfit and bring it along.)
•  Also, you’ll need long pants and a shirt with sleeves when visiting the Immigration or other government offices. 

• Sweatshirt or sweater, long pants - the lecture halls and on-campus housing are air conditioned and can be very cold at times (but you’ll only need these if you visit the lecture halls or live on campus.  Otherwise, SOs won’t need them.)

• .Laundry bag, you may need 2 if you only wash once a week!  (Laundry baskets can generally be purchased from students leaving the island.)

• Sunglasses - a necessity, bring an extra pair!

• Hats

• Travel Iron with dual voltage switch. If you must bring a 110V iron try a converter, it will work fine & is less expensive than buying a transformer of such high wattage.

Kitchen

• Water filter and purifier- + refills - can be pitcher style or the kind you attach to the faucet.

• TIP: Local spring water (from the rainforests) can be purchased on the island and delivered; however, it can be costly.

• Dishes - non breakable (If you live on campus, you’ll have to bring dishes or buy them here.  If you live off campus, your place will probably provide them.  Ask your landlord.)

If you wish to continue reading…

Household

• Shower curtain - most places have them, but are old and grimy, only plastic low quality curtains are available here, so if in doubt, bring one!

• Rubber bath mat, something to step out of the shower on, all floors are tiled and can be slippery.

• Towels - Bring at least one bath towel and one beach towel per person!

• Sheets and bedding - some places provide sheets so check with your landlord.  If you live on campus, you’ll need sheets and bedding.

• Battery operated radio/alarm clock (electric ones tend to be slow with the transformer)

• Extra batteries or rechargeable batteries and charger.

• Decorations for your house- tablecloths, wall hangings,etc. There are fabric stores on the island but they are expensive.

• Flashlight or good fluorescent lantern light (You will definitely need in case you lose power.)

• Fabric softener sheets (if you have a dryer)

General

• Laptop for the SO to use

• Print cartridges 

• Camera / video camera/ underwater camera/ digital camera

• Pocket Calculator - handy for $$ conversions!

• CD Player, stereo, etc and music!! iPod or Mp3 player.

• Any books or hobby supplies you may need

Personal Items

• Prescription medication for your entire stay

• Contraceptives - many brands are available here

• Feminine products-available here but quite expensive

• Vitamins

• Contact lens solution, saline etc.& extra pair glasses, plenty of disposable contacts if you use them. TIP: Duty can be very high when shipping contacts or solutions.  Solution is incredibly expensive here and hard to find.

• Cosmetics, no Clinique here!

• Bug repellent( bring alot.)

• Antibacterial soap*

• Sunscreen - The sun is very intense here, daily protection is wise.*

• Mending kit (small pair of scissors, thread needle, safety pins, etc.)*

• Hair coloring, gel, mouse, hairspray, etc

• Travel hairdryer with dual voltage switch

• First Aid Kit - TIP: most OTC medications are available here, and not too much more expensive than at home, take care to bring your prescriptions, maybe a few bandaids, some cough drops etc, but don’t worry, Pepto, Advil, etc, are all here at the pharmacy.

• Razors, blades, shaving cream*

• Shampoo and conditioner*(Non-professional products are very available.)

• Nail clippers, tweezers, etc.

Tools

• Hammer

• Duct tape (bring plenty)*

• Screwdrivers-Phillips and flat

• Picture hangers - buy “hardwall hangers” (has 3 tiny nails and a hook) - All walls in Grenada are concrete - the stick on hangers are really handy too, don’t get the kind that you have to moisten, but the kind that have a sticky tape back, the removable ones are very nice.

• Extension cords and outlet strip, surge protectors are very important!TIP: There are hardware stores on the island. (One is an Ace Hardware)

So there it is! If you read the whole thing, nice work and dedication! And I even left out the “what to bring for children” suggestions… Although, lets be honest, I am totally bringing beach toys with me!

Slightly Bittersweet

“Around every corner, you often don’t know what to expect, but it is usually something beautiful.” <3 

ONE MONTH from tomorrow is Nick’s big move! ONE MONTH. ONE. Holy…

     Where has summer gone? Where has time gone period? This summer has been filled with so many countless memories and the month of July will be nothing short of fun-filled and fabulous as well! This really makes me realize how blessed I am in so many ways, but also, hammers home the fact that everything is more fun with my Nick!! This is where it becomes bittersweet.
     I put on a smiley, strong face, and I honestly am SO excited for him and the journey that lays ahead. BUT, I am not ready to send him off to Grenada. I am not ready to be apart for 4.5-5 months. I am not ready to be living in different countries. The reason that I am not ready isn’t for fear of losing him either… I simply do not want to be away from him for so long. I am going to miss literally everything about him. He’s my best friend, he knows how to make me smile no matter what, and makes every day better. Meh, basically, I am jealous of Grenada for getting him!!!
     However, today someone asked me about him and after about 5 minutes I realized I had been rambling on about how great of a doctor he is going to be, and how exciting it is that he is going to get to experience life in another country during med school. And the thing is… I meant every word of it. Every single word. I am excited for him, I know he is going to do great things, and I know that everything is going to work out fantastically.
     The one comfort in dreading him leaving so much is knowing that I have him to miss. It’s going to be hard. Long distance is a drag. I am going to be lonely. BUT (there is always a but) I am lucky to have a man that I love so much that I cannot even picture my life without him.
     Bottom line, I am going to enjoy and cherish every second of this last month I have with him <3 Then, buckle down for the next 4-5 months and finish grad school and get my booty down there so my heart can be complete again!