Carson and Joy at Iguana Cafe
Hi Everyone! I know it has been almost a year since the last update, and I am sorry for my lack of dedication to our blog. I hope to do better this semester. We are starting our final semester in Dominica. Carson is beginning his fourth semester and will complete his core science classes in mid August. We can barely believe how quickly the time has passed. We are eagerly awaiting the end of fourth semester so we can head back home. Although we can't wait to get back to the US, we will miss this island that we have called home for 16 months. As you will see from our pictures below, Dominica is a beautiful place to live. So let's catch up!
The Kaesers
In September 2008, I began teaching 3rd through 8th grade at Ross University Preparatory School. It has been my most difficult, yet rewarding teaching experience. I have learned to be very creative and flexible in this teaching position. But I have loved having a job and a purpose while Carson is so busy studying. Here are a few picture of my school, students, and colleagues.
Mrs. Crystal Gillikin and me painting table runners for the Thanksgiving Lunch
My classroom
RUPS students and teachers
Back row - Jessica, me, Katie, and Mrs. Gillikin
Front Row - Erika, Mavrick, Ethan, Rylan, and Alienor
Neishel, Rylan, and Mavrick at Tina's, a local grocery store,
doing a comparative shopping project.
Neishel, Jessica, Erika, and Ethan with Ms. Tina
Being a spouse in Dominica can often be a difficult experience. Many of the "spouses", as we are referred to by the students, feel every day is filled with the monotony of shopping, cooking, washing dishes, cleaning, and doing laundry. It is wonderful to have such amazing ladies to share this experience with. I would be lost without my special girls, Susan, Keeley, and Jackie.
Here are a few pictures of the ladies.
Jackie, Keeley, me, Susan, and Steph
Triple Trouble
Susan, Keeley, and me at Sunset Bay
Let me walk you through my normal week. Monday through Friday, I am at school from 7:45 to 4:00. My Monday nights are free and I try to go to yoga that is held on a deck on the beach. It is so relaxing to finish your day doing yoga while watching a Caribbean sunset. On Tuesday nights, I go to Bible study. Last semester, we read The Shack. I recommend the book for anyone. This semester, we are reading Redeeming Love. On Wednesday afternoons, Crystal (my amazing teaching partner) and I stay at school and plan for the following week. This is more difficult than it sounds, as I am planning for 4 grade levels. That comes out to 20 science lessons, 20 math lessons, a computer lesson, and a music or art lesson per week. Whoa! On Wednesday nights, I get together with Susan and Keeley for wine and catching up. School takes up so much of my time that I rarely get to spend quality time with my favorite gals. Thursday and Friday evenings are normally reserved as "Joy" time. This could involve TV, Facebook, reading, or a night out with the girls. Every Saturday is consumed with cleaning, straightening the apartment, laundry, rest, and maybe a cocktail with the ladies. Every Sunday, Carson and I sleep in, eat breakfast, and hang out. This is the only quality time I have with Carson, other than lunch and dinner. Once Carson heads to school to study on Sunday, I try to go to the Catholic service and then head to school to prepare for the next week.
Carson 's normal week is as follows. Sleep, wake up, eat, attend lecture, eat, study, study, study, eat, study, study, walk home, and sleep. It is amazing to think that Carson devotes 13 to 14 hours a day to his studies. But all his hard work is paying off. He continues to do very well in all his classes. His favorite area of study is Pathology and his least favorite is Pharmacology. In his last semester, he will be taking Pharmacology II, Pathology II, Microbiology II, and Introduction to Clinical Medicine (ICM). This semester, he will travel to Princess Margaret Hospital in Roseau to begin practicing clinical medicine. He is looking forward to interaction with "real" patients.
Study Buddies
Stefani, Luke, and Carson studying in a PBL room on Ross Campus
Carson heading to his ICM clinic trip in Salisbury
Carson taking blood sugar and cholesterol at AMSA Health Fair in Portsmouth, Dominica.
Carson and his study buddies after Semester 2 Final
Stef, Ben, Carson, Luke, and Tim
I will be heading home on July 19 and Carson leaves on August 22. After Dominica, we will be heading to either Saginaw, Michigan or Miami, Florida to begin rotations. We are hoping to go to Saginaw, Michigan. We will know where we are heading at the end of July. That gives us a month to get back to the US, visit, find a new place to live, pack up, and drive to our next destination. Although this will be stressful, we are looking forward to beginning the next stage of Carson's medical school experience.
Now that you are caught up, we want to tell you about our fabulous break. For the last two weeks, Carson and I have been on a semester break. We have relaxed and enjoyed experiencing the amazing sights and tastes Dominica has to offer. We will let our pictures tell you about our fantastic break!
Carson's new favorite hobby - Spear Fishing
Carson and Luke spent most of their break spear fishing.
Luke and Carson showing off their bounty after a successful spear fishing afternoon.
They caught 7 squid. We made the best calamari that night for dinner.
While snorkeling in Toucari Bay, Susan spotted a lobster. Carson, the expert spear fisherman that he is, made sure we ate him for dinner. It was delicious!
We started our break with an evening at Red Rocks. Red Rocks is a small
resort on the north part of the island. It is one of our new, favorite spots.
The Kaesers at Red Rocks
Susan and Joy enjoying margaritas at Red Rock
The boys smoking cigars and drinking Kubuli at Red Rocks.
Brent, Luke, Ben, and Carson
Local drink of choice - Kubuli
Midlos and Kaesers Lounging at Sunset Bay
Joy, Susan, Luke, and Carson
Dominican Scorpion
We thought centipedes were all we had to worry about in Dominica, that is until
our latest trip to Sunset Bay. My friend, Susan, found this in her shower.
Scott's Head
Scott's Head is located at southern most point of Dominica. Here, the Atlantic Ocean
and the Caribbean Sea meet with only a thin strip of land between them.
The Caribbean Sea is to the left and the Atlantic Ocean is to the right.
150 feet from the beach, the ledge drops off to 800 feet deep. This is our favorite place to snorkel. We saw flounder, crab, baracuda, needle fish, yellow tail snapper, and Bar Jack.
Joy and Carson at Scott's Head
The Midlos and Kaesers at Scott's Head
Carson, Joy, Luke, and Susan
