tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59425268394310044122024-02-18T23:12:51.131-08:00Kater and Ryan: Life on St. KittsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-78864763849013586202011-04-03T05:44:00.000-07:002011-04-03T06:22:06.972-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYY6576ueeHflrQklbS9XVgXy_SqyePS4KEHFwAia3SwqLjJTP33tSGUynLp1Ui31ckI9oP_56DaBMuze-t8RmCasbcMV7hVwYGf63N3cZlvFC_oXESTnhkGPlxogmR9P_migFDdrBFn7/s1600/DSC04499.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYY6576ueeHflrQklbS9XVgXy_SqyePS4KEHFwAia3SwqLjJTP33tSGUynLp1Ui31ckI9oP_56DaBMuze-t8RmCasbcMV7hVwYGf63N3cZlvFC_oXESTnhkGPlxogmR9P_migFDdrBFn7/s320/DSC04499.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591338644287416114" /></a><br /><div>Hello everyone and happy April. It is officially spring as you know, although nothing has changed here. The seasons don't really seem to exist except for hot and breezy and hot and not so breezy. Hopefully you all are starting to see some change in weather. Here, It's been very dry lately and the next few months will start to bring some more rain.</div><div><br /></div><div>This past month has been moderately eventful. Kater is preparing for finals in a few more weeks, and we're both getting pretty excited for the semester to end and to get our break. We've been very lucky to be treated with a ticket to Florida so we can see my family for a week. Kater had a birthday this month! We celebrated her birthday and our anniversary with a quick trip over to Nevis to be together away from the regular routine. We took the ferry over and back which was an adventure all on it's own. I took Kater to dinner and we stayed at Nisbet Plantation and relaxed. Most of our time was spent laying by the beach or the pool doing nothing at all. The property was beautiful, right on the beach, and felt very private. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMzBYpYz6aNZF7YSuqRlkjknfM6ajk6-knmZkdj7geXobvPnAD6Flfb7pSNuqj2bFzblD6gSXzVxu0KPC3CWbZO5k6wdgiBHDEy0z3wN-j_-H61iEkA0bUuVSLer-zI1JlZFnHM6kV4Dj/s1600/DSC04509.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMzBYpYz6aNZF7YSuqRlkjknfM6ajk6-knmZkdj7geXobvPnAD6Flfb7pSNuqj2bFzblD6gSXzVxu0KPC3CWbZO5k6wdgiBHDEy0z3wN-j_-H61iEkA0bUuVSLer-zI1JlZFnHM6kV4Dj/s320/DSC04509.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591339552919107362" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Above is a picture of the grounds going towards the water. All the cottages are scattered through out the area.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHt7GlZBhlgomdU-IXXUbE9B_yRdf1-R2RtX18U7Vv-TqrB0ZX_bgpyL4JsQufuId1brFJhojYm0UNjy0mD4HB0ANSE6FYICfw4To5YUzaHapZXOwQRgydnK5a_eA8sTXesgVgGYOEohA/s1600/DSC04549.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHt7GlZBhlgomdU-IXXUbE9B_yRdf1-R2RtX18U7Vv-TqrB0ZX_bgpyL4JsQufuId1brFJhojYm0UNjy0mD4HB0ANSE6FYICfw4To5YUzaHapZXOwQRgydnK5a_eA8sTXesgVgGYOEohA/s320/DSC04549.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591340096999706690" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>The grassy area leads down to this very nice beach. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQR49IHedpQulR5f2MZ1iCVrC_UMYSwxAFP2rxP8AlHOQDoD1I9vYs1WVsBXJvSu1jjCr7ER6xVCA2mp3CwpQB3h5WCr43IlwMggJtx6GsU8-M3DuOR4ZbirJwOaPv8EHpu2VVTAynvxe/s1600/IMG_2785.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQR49IHedpQulR5f2MZ1iCVrC_UMYSwxAFP2rxP8AlHOQDoD1I9vYs1WVsBXJvSu1jjCr7ER6xVCA2mp3CwpQB3h5WCr43IlwMggJtx6GsU8-M3DuOR4ZbirJwOaPv8EHpu2VVTAynvxe/s320/IMG_2785.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591342288014818082" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>After our little break from our routine we returned to St. Kitts on the ferry which blew an engine half way across. There was a lot of black smoke pluming and oil spattering out from the engine room! Lucky for us this particular boat had two engines so it didn't disrupt anyone's schedule. We made it home in one piece.</div><div><br /></div><div>We got ourselves settled back into our apartment and got ready for out week ahead. We had two cats to spay! That's right, Scrumpy and Saba are officially big kids! Saba was scheduled to go first but she was such a terrible, uncooperative patient that they couldn't work with her and took Scrumpy instead. Apparently this cute, cuddly, little cat of ours becomes an abomination in the clinic. Scrumpy's spay went off without a hitch, and she returned home to us a little woozy but in good shape. Saba went back in the following week and did a little bit better but still not too great. Needless to say they got the job done and there wont be any little kittens running around here. They have recovered very well from their surgeries and seem no worse for wear. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the school/work side of things, Kater has been on calf watch. There have been a few new calfs born on campus and she has been going in to check on them and make sure they are doing ok. </div><div>I was hired by Paula (Joli, the boxer's mom and my part time employer for dog/house sitting jobs) to help her out while her family visits the island. She had me make a schedule of things for them to do and book some fun events for them. I got to tag along as well. We went up to Brimstone Hill Fortress, we went on a rainforest safari ride, a bat-cave hike, zip lines, and a catamaran trip. They were a great group and they had a lot of fun- and I did too. I played tour guide and taxi driver for the week and showed them around while Paula had to work half days. They said they had a really great week. </div><div><br /></div><div>I guess that will wrap up this update for now. Thanks for reading!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-22685961825766573062011-03-06T09:43:00.000-08:002011-03-06T10:43:47.973-08:00Hello again. It's the start of a new month which means another update. I'm now officially 3 for 3 for staying on track and consistent. <div><br /></div><div>Last month I wrote about our new apartment, which we still love. We are officially settled and really enjoying our new home. We have a couch finally, which only took about three weeks to find, order, and have delivered. Things here are realllly slow sometimes. It was frustrating but at least it's over. </div><div><br /></div><div>Kater just finished midterms (already!), which means this semester is halfway through. She did very well and as always worked super hard. Today she is off at campus working on a necropsy presentation she has to give with some other students on Monday. Very busy all the time. </div><div><br /></div><div>For me, I've gotten back into the water again after a long break. I swam and snorkeled so much my first few months here that the novelty had worn off and I had lost interest. But I've gotten back into the water a few times since the last update and every swim has been incredible. Most notably was my first full moon snorkel for lobsters! A few friends and I went out into Half Moon Bay around 9pm during a full moon with some thick gloves and underwater flashlights. It was an unbelievable and almost indescribable experience. Aside from catching lobsters with my own hands, the water was clear and the light from the moon shone through the water and cast the most beautiful dancing light across the ocean floor. It was mesmerizing. Many times I would turn off my light and just float to watch the light dance. It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. I wish I had taken my camera, even though I doubt the photos could have done it justice. I will try next time- as we plan to make a monthly thing out of it. As for the initial reason for going out in the first place, the lobsters! To catch the lobsters we would scan the reef with out lights, looking for eyes that reflected the light. There were a lot of crabs, shrimp, and many other critters out too. We came across a moray eel, a sleeping green sea turtle, and lots of little squid. Once we located a lobster, the idea is to shine the light on them- creating a 'deer in the headlights' situation. Then, as quickly as possible I had to reach out and grab on to them very tightly. If able to catch them, we would then put them in a mesh bag that we carried with us. Regulation says we are allowed to keep any lobster with a carapace (back) longer than 3.5 inches. We ended up having to throw a few back for size or eggs, but our grand total was ten when it was all said and done. There were five of us so we each brought two home. I cooked mine the following evening for dinner. They were very tasty. </div><div><br /></div><div>My next great snorkel outing a few weeks after the lobster adventure, was also very fruitful- in the sense that I had the camera and got a few great shots. Shown below are:</div><div><br /></div><div>Hawksbill sea turtle.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMUe2iQezSGyDxKYsE3DNscKq2HA5M3UImactVTxz6GzuQUSF0OikAuXxnTBa_JwEGIVxS_9p6lIGTDrvxdGRR99YBE0-Q5gcGpIXCKbeK6Zh_8OGz9_bkBJNfre21BQzDetxC-Nq7Jyi/s1600/P2230019.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMUe2iQezSGyDxKYsE3DNscKq2HA5M3UImactVTxz6GzuQUSF0OikAuXxnTBa_JwEGIVxS_9p6lIGTDrvxdGRR99YBE0-Q5gcGpIXCKbeK6Zh_8OGz9_bkBJNfre21BQzDetxC-Nq7Jyi/s320/P2230019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581028977282096402" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Trunkfish.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vu06H0Z69OQrc63c-oWGTTq-sUNr6NxzkcMBpql7Kl5_dKGSj-pTrvWnavKL5tfryfG75xfmIFRdeNaMkOJ0_-Eg9mprCfCLUbOEwn62SJ7fKFpzglBI9yv-vyPn4UL-_nGhC9dcqDiL/s1600/P2230013.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vu06H0Z69OQrc63c-oWGTTq-sUNr6NxzkcMBpql7Kl5_dKGSj-pTrvWnavKL5tfryfG75xfmIFRdeNaMkOJ0_-Eg9mprCfCLUbOEwn62SJ7fKFpzglBI9yv-vyPn4UL-_nGhC9dcqDiL/s320/P2230013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581029352833534002" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Octopus.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis81ib7wtapwqjIYmYrvs2RkjD_w-c9nTKu1sJdDy9d6VewjusOri7rTO43RR44wFArwlZPSyHfxzIWllV22guwGdVxfMoVj4NzUlYewv6OUcJkkqwYy5jKyybG6RuDiN3v1pVv5KD7l-s/s1600/P2230026.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis81ib7wtapwqjIYmYrvs2RkjD_w-c9nTKu1sJdDy9d6VewjusOri7rTO43RR44wFArwlZPSyHfxzIWllV22guwGdVxfMoVj4NzUlYewv6OUcJkkqwYy5jKyybG6RuDiN3v1pVv5KD7l-s/s320/P2230026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581030208814748962" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Lion fish.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi349FbLKs_3WYPT7KYT7COSt3DIQtVguP4aUrlLDW3cxsOUjnR0YlI7f_dg1iSHeqlAA3-3Vp2tRUZ2iQjS03nYR8-13kfOoyPIVGGrBMyfoxEYtSf5OWwT70gRyO7637zFf50E8A9nH_K/s1600/P2230036.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi349FbLKs_3WYPT7KYT7COSt3DIQtVguP4aUrlLDW3cxsOUjnR0YlI7f_dg1iSHeqlAA3-3Vp2tRUZ2iQjS03nYR8-13kfOoyPIVGGrBMyfoxEYtSf5OWwT70gRyO7637zFf50E8A9nH_K/s320/P2230036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581030877048323058" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Lobsters.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHll_MpP9MJeKgnnCrmkZB4Nq_nl465K4h-gIV7hZzQr9HFawdFeny6JrIeKDp1z8M1vIpnwGnQdajDAR7tadEKvyF2o2TVYFlI7J7syp-jtTLiccD_JvDAhI-1k_EeFJm7ci58pVVzrv9/s1600/P2230038.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHll_MpP9MJeKgnnCrmkZB4Nq_nl465K4h-gIV7hZzQr9HFawdFeny6JrIeKDp1z8M1vIpnwGnQdajDAR7tadEKvyF2o2TVYFlI7J7syp-jtTLiccD_JvDAhI-1k_EeFJm7ci58pVVzrv9/s320/P2230038.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581031277591892466" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Stripped pufferfish.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiei13FZYkNzQov_vRGTCf98-eYUCLiNdL3l8hLnk4MLAjBdNipdHvfZntbX3F5WZH_BwWDH7V2ioH4tEJjDY9kedAG-aycQAytTtbJ0uMD8sNQ_sblQhIxnCjEKgcKZ6qnfhdmKVCBKMHn/s1600/P2230048.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiei13FZYkNzQov_vRGTCf98-eYUCLiNdL3l8hLnk4MLAjBdNipdHvfZntbX3F5WZH_BwWDH7V2ioH4tEJjDY9kedAG-aycQAytTtbJ0uMD8sNQ_sblQhIxnCjEKgcKZ6qnfhdmKVCBKMHn/s320/P2230048.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581031679249690754" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Giant Sea Star.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc5hGcbCks_2Pau0IswZ35wVCh4USkR7EMn95k0RsYEwBjyhNJH3ronnnAkynDvB3979te2is_dcl1_THEYdNuDAkLA4CgGkLprS8vu5hAqCgabnQ-_DXDezAuMR48QIyattqx1ZoX2_x/s1600/P2230042.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc5hGcbCks_2Pau0IswZ35wVCh4USkR7EMn95k0RsYEwBjyhNJH3ronnnAkynDvB3979te2is_dcl1_THEYdNuDAkLA4CgGkLprS8vu5hAqCgabnQ-_DXDezAuMR48QIyattqx1ZoX2_x/s320/P2230042.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581032061424526482" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This swim was probably one of most exciting and one of the best for pictures as you can obviously see. I'm planning to go back out again in the next week or two. </div><div>--</div><div>Next up on the my list of updates, Nirvana. Nirvana is a new restaurant just up the road that opened recently. Kater and I went on a date last week and had a really great time. The food is incredible and the property is just as great. It's set on a renovated plantation home up in the hills and overlooking the ocean. They have nice gardens to walk around in, and there is a lot of history to the place. Things are well labeled around the property and they tell the story of its past owners and so on. Here's a few shots of the property and of us:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrxNTaZgkzMVdMnPdMjqaVOxACGrqyHPVXmj-i5i6G1ypaaJV0WZ4ZEcyY81uHjB4pIqwtGzM_cgTYLn9977EMSpetSngg636LD60GiP16atV8e3cyxtY2tBr5oAN4Uu6GvPQNnQ8ji-F/s1600/P2250055.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrxNTaZgkzMVdMnPdMjqaVOxACGrqyHPVXmj-i5i6G1ypaaJV0WZ4ZEcyY81uHjB4pIqwtGzM_cgTYLn9977EMSpetSngg636LD60GiP16atV8e3cyxtY2tBr5oAN4Uu6GvPQNnQ8ji-F/s320/P2250055.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581032967423706562" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsrG3lQjqqgNfcwDW-SmOtwc2ad52G8AMW5YKAMOMg7DB0uc5VtEvqqvbjlpPJ8NibcOdVszbEKWOG7KC2Gy7R-9EpfdFrkKD5wc3XCc0QfpDuGQ4dIcVfJfQuTU4Q-KqE8z8Pt5_A27p/s1600/P2250054.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsrG3lQjqqgNfcwDW-SmOtwc2ad52G8AMW5YKAMOMg7DB0uc5VtEvqqvbjlpPJ8NibcOdVszbEKWOG7KC2Gy7R-9EpfdFrkKD5wc3XCc0QfpDuGQ4dIcVfJfQuTU4Q-KqE8z8Pt5_A27p/s320/P2250054.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581033341229850962" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbAvtDNNzlt8X-rCSTLLonrWGwj-Wyw7FvDPziEJV-OiKxNbJdx4szfOGOWka0DslIoTs89ONOdOKAsUWYLYrJ9uFOmcPg8JwxqygVcd8pUgu5srts2ueG0lheLxXOtENgBu8fdpXJZz5/s1600/P2250061.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbAvtDNNzlt8X-rCSTLLonrWGwj-Wyw7FvDPziEJV-OiKxNbJdx4szfOGOWka0DslIoTs89ONOdOKAsUWYLYrJ9uFOmcPg8JwxqygVcd8pUgu5srts2ueG0lheLxXOtENgBu8fdpXJZz5/s320/P2250061.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581033811757078642" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We really enjoyed it there. It's a nice place to get away from the typical dinner menu and also a great place to not see everyone you know. I'm sure as it becomes more well known that will change and we'll see other students up there. For now though, it feels like it's our little secret place.</div><div>--</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not done yet! There's a few more things that happened that we have to write about. </div><div><br /></div><div>Last week we had quite an exciting afternoon when the field behind our house caught fire. It's not determined as to exactly how it began, but it got going pretty good! Here's a few pictures of the fire, and us helping try to control it. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvX_JOJ9gEU41dZbueVvy9RPplbdq0ono9qh_QrJ8Z8bTgBG_VHhcjXhGqCJwNt0Ee-MUDSs8dRdQ9lD_MpG2jK8y_MO0p40q48zlDZAsW8jPI5375_JDGtbpyiagSmdqNXv3jkuN2_nLY/s1600/P2280193.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvX_JOJ9gEU41dZbueVvy9RPplbdq0ono9qh_QrJ8Z8bTgBG_VHhcjXhGqCJwNt0Ee-MUDSs8dRdQ9lD_MpG2jK8y_MO0p40q48zlDZAsW8jPI5375_JDGtbpyiagSmdqNXv3jkuN2_nLY/s320/P2280193.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581036161969258898" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlg_N5ZZiNcgjXQ8w-xbgy0oEjBILLE7dmr-PziD2C4uG_x5KZWIDcFtE1RRFX1ZWynJsYtwAxzu4JwYNoEa29FNzLK11sAJTVOJ3gFwx7HEoxp9QuzSNj3r0g0otlvN8Aq1fRpUj6H_bh/s1600/P2280166.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlg_N5ZZiNcgjXQ8w-xbgy0oEjBILLE7dmr-PziD2C4uG_x5KZWIDcFtE1RRFX1ZWynJsYtwAxzu4JwYNoEa29FNzLK11sAJTVOJ3gFwx7HEoxp9QuzSNj3r0g0otlvN8Aq1fRpUj6H_bh/s320/P2280166.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581036150593342434" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_039PGR6jA3KbPbwUXT4s96d1x9piZZ07HxnL0ja4TGJutv-7QXuO5UoCQq5F570uJkID2DXqcVIj_PJB35dVSYN3Ig_I0PxuyZE1grLaU262OsXWVCUqapjhBWshU6IICQuG5bTu_8OT/s1600/P2280177.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_039PGR6jA3KbPbwUXT4s96d1x9piZZ07HxnL0ja4TGJutv-7QXuO5UoCQq5F570uJkID2DXqcVIj_PJB35dVSYN3Ig_I0PxuyZE1grLaU262OsXWVCUqapjhBWshU6IICQuG5bTu_8OT/s320/P2280177.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581036153643790850" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7rEoPBQ-3u45YjX6qVO3a5GLxzEzWSCdhWHL5XZcZ0VYatkZbYDKxl4j-PKE7_vJuwOobAReK4UM_XwpdSzWFGI7FWtxdERIN5K_uE9HKq65gmxScVaiwFZj0hYg_BACtBqbss6_wKj_/s1600/P2280143.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7rEoPBQ-3u45YjX6qVO3a5GLxzEzWSCdhWHL5XZcZ0VYatkZbYDKxl4j-PKE7_vJuwOobAReK4UM_XwpdSzWFGI7FWtxdERIN5K_uE9HKq65gmxScVaiwFZj0hYg_BACtBqbss6_wKj_/s320/P2280143.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581036149534293634" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>It was pretty exciting and came close to a few houses in other neighborhoods. No one was injured and no property was damaged except the field itself. John and Kater helped get the horses out of the field to the owners. There were about ten or so scattered throughout the field for grazing. The fire was controlled safely enough where the fire department felt comfortable leaving. Some small areas still smoldered and there was an occasional small fire but they felt there was no risk of anything taking off again. </div><div><br /></div><div>Alright, phew, almost done! Last but not least- an art update. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I've been working on and off with a charity organization starting up for the benefit of animals called ONE LOVE "helping animals in need". I just got some of the merchandise that they have made with my designs. They gave Kater and I each a few shirts, tags and a sweatshirt!</div><div>Take a look below:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUKi3qs5BQnCsuodTNU-3vmznfbaEGofn3yJn36TPAidf_-sWQ1wf0YzrDAoAq1XSUmpW-Vs6G3yy4rfb91U25G4guMQRnIshlWaai43zmn-wl0eKjldWIaidoLBu2gAHVhDayf4lB3IN/s1600/P3060217.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUKi3qs5BQnCsuodTNU-3vmznfbaEGofn3yJn36TPAidf_-sWQ1wf0YzrDAoAq1XSUmpW-Vs6G3yy4rfb91U25G4guMQRnIshlWaai43zmn-wl0eKjldWIaidoLBu2gAHVhDayf4lB3IN/s320/P3060217.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581038696318616962" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0cJc7ESEOgz9jPED2oxbfeInbihBiVoMVmIM9qN9XOn-Z8T_h22koqU0jh_DGlx1xgSKg22HqDrjMpjnxhJDF5rhNLynxag7EoJv65PSxkeoJ40ocGKOyUCeuwx27TxpdZXgMUGHKfaa/s320/P3060218.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581038684801659746" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQMeDKl3EwMJdu9l7-Fi1VB32s1VAvK31SrzcaHz-4z2sqTgeybD2XulphPslOrTSppuoHKtQAR7EyQijYXtJ3eh2XKzUtVqzppToUzyKkpB9TWBR49EBGsqjo6t73IVeKhaR__T7ibrK/s320/P3060220.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581038689870781698" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHhxEVBUeIpGbM6iLUGM5DqGARo0Zac6si7sWqK-cR3nJ7zAe4O_vBRnxHxO75ZNhveuAz5DL4MSkRAPi1Z4ffVZXsERUb7C6maqL3wpIyAiLm4A4IvtkM3OC8EHDYfV5jcPlaCPCJNmA/s1600/P3060222.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHhxEVBUeIpGbM6iLUGM5DqGARo0Zac6si7sWqK-cR3nJ7zAe4O_vBRnxHxO75ZNhveuAz5DL4MSkRAPi1Z4ffVZXsERUb7C6maqL3wpIyAiLm4A4IvtkM3OC8EHDYfV5jcPlaCPCJNmA/s320/P3060222.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581038680460638370" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>I believe last month I posted their website with some of the art I did for them. Turns out they were unhappy with their web designer and their marketing people decided to hire out to a different web company. They will soon have a new web address that will be linked to the current one (displayed on all their merchandise) and once that is done, these things can be ordered off their site. It's beginning to look like they will be getting some great press soon, including an add spot in a Mighty Dog commercial, and the possibility of some airtime on a major network TV show. I'll keep you posted. It will be very surreal to see something I designed on TV! Imagine that?!</div><div><br /></div><div>Well that's it for now. Thanks for reading.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-16918200245075814222011-02-06T14:17:00.000-08:002011-02-06T15:26:39.225-08:00Happy February! Please take a break from all your snow and enjoy some caribbean sun.<div><br /></div><div>We have a few new things to update you all on that we're pretty excited about. First and foremost, we moved! That's right. Some friends of ours let us in early on an apartment opening below their apartment, and it's great. The new place has some great amenities that our last place did not, including a washer/dryer, dishwasher (rare), spare bathroom, and all internet/cable/utilities included. The best part; we have a breeze! That's right, finally. We're still slowly unpacking the last few boxes and waiting on a few more pieces of furniture to be delivered by the landlady- who is great. The new place is even closer to campus, making an eight minute walk now about three or four minutes. We can also look to our left across the small horse pasture and see John and Kalahari's apartments- I could probably hit them with a rock if I tried really hard. Kinda fun. </div><div>So if you'll humor me, I'd like to [attempt to] take you on a little tour:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_RuuIl23xIAM5Z7YgNWSuJPshGorDD9Pb_5-VQWO2A8GQzPH0y1HJEV3KTvfkQtf8wA2T0IQdxIIP0tDxnGqSRmvZKWBW_uifoM7Cg-8i2qNJNxxuGvsM77wCHhYqNhe3Am2HTdWHhdi/s1600/IMG_2750.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_RuuIl23xIAM5Z7YgNWSuJPshGorDD9Pb_5-VQWO2A8GQzPH0y1HJEV3KTvfkQtf8wA2T0IQdxIIP0tDxnGqSRmvZKWBW_uifoM7Cg-8i2qNJNxxuGvsM77wCHhYqNhe3Am2HTdWHhdi/s320/IMG_2750.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570711194427926066" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFc6oRZWxoaO4DpwjXTtAZt3iwQn37I29ldns_2qm654uBcCT-u3UyI7BdlUGtD1rpsSlT7fIXzgrtCNWyOgfOKSDVz1t0zOWjmfujShitk71hGcXF84HZIMDDVqgz4zm-9e5SWZ6PEutQ/s1600/IMG_2732.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFc6oRZWxoaO4DpwjXTtAZt3iwQn37I29ldns_2qm654uBcCT-u3UyI7BdlUGtD1rpsSlT7fIXzgrtCNWyOgfOKSDVz1t0zOWjmfujShitk71hGcXF84HZIMDDVqgz4zm-9e5SWZ6PEutQ/s320/IMG_2732.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570718057965467698" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn75PVnJIYOpxGWcEdv0qJeSNT4aEkQjIc7c8fuOayRRdMheLFOYvQkm-v5GRrcxyd80UppnYg4aMW-CQYkSu8AfYakbJ0hqWQxrXM3S5Wu5nnE0b7spSIDelwyg3ZrjhAUZrGMTXIkLEz/s1600/IMG_2749.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn75PVnJIYOpxGWcEdv0qJeSNT4aEkQjIc7c8fuOayRRdMheLFOYvQkm-v5GRrcxyd80UppnYg4aMW-CQYkSu8AfYakbJ0hqWQxrXM3S5Wu5nnE0b7spSIDelwyg3ZrjhAUZrGMTXIkLEz/s320/IMG_2749.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570713799594278946" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Pr5HYd9UVnAmcogITqNt2ew3XwUCf99f1a3Feo-l3PU3Pg8H0Zo-4Pp3R76V5Wh6KbylsEMxJQqhnC_4pBH5XzfHlD9yPdOaChxqBBR7tPblylL0sjpLS2xMbXOT1o4dJgDpGl4hCv93/s1600/IMG_2733.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Pr5HYd9UVnAmcogITqNt2ew3XwUCf99f1a3Feo-l3PU3Pg8H0Zo-4Pp3R76V5Wh6KbylsEMxJQqhnC_4pBH5XzfHlD9yPdOaChxqBBR7tPblylL0sjpLS2xMbXOT1o4dJgDpGl4hCv93/s320/IMG_2733.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570719118781214354" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>First, the view from outside. Shown here our little porch with an incredible, uninhibited ocean view, and a few seats to enjoy it. Next, the view itself, and a bonus of some nesting American Kestrels which is pretty fun to be neighbors with. They are hard to see in this picture but there is a pair sitting together on the rim of the structure, about a third from the left of the photo. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzYJBS15_XMV7nHKUEg2oWpvSsK0LwoV8HL0kib-5f9a-wMdrsg99dAkExGazLV-v3kLtGAkFOE8UJLaYbZYGDyLDT3UjP4Vr5M7xrU40XTLkVfsMofxNcUqz3YwCGwBGGcWRsbF4Yvek/s1600/IMG_2723.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzYJBS15_XMV7nHKUEg2oWpvSsK0LwoV8HL0kib-5f9a-wMdrsg99dAkExGazLV-v3kLtGAkFOE8UJLaYbZYGDyLDT3UjP4Vr5M7xrU40XTLkVfsMofxNcUqz3YwCGwBGGcWRsbF4Yvek/s320/IMG_2723.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570711924360159266" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxT_u4WZGzDtyP3_1nTWtWv8i4oSkJddntJEXhGHE0NRFomoVMLSpdjwvlIeVTPx2e8vhpvnTqU4rnFMKrVB2Gz-TsxS8LD1d4Hx_VXFlYU6nLyV5TXFfgdTMatA_jz36fOTmStQWVvLcu/s1600/IMG_2745.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxT_u4WZGzDtyP3_1nTWtWv8i4oSkJddntJEXhGHE0NRFomoVMLSpdjwvlIeVTPx2e8vhpvnTqU4rnFMKrVB2Gz-TsxS8LD1d4Hx_VXFlYU6nLyV5TXFfgdTMatA_jz36fOTmStQWVvLcu/s320/IMG_2745.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570712749523174002" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>The living room and kitchen (please excuse the mess as we finish unpacking!)</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvW4pfraf18sEJ1NomgFvvxdBgHg66mDYt_sEzvgTXNgafEEAnqGNirW1FpyvY3DiEDq-IVNfOjrGZ84e5pXhNGb6zTZyR5-57xkblZTptcX2kG-kM6ncyvHvwYxAKJHuG4DxS3vEKblI/s1600/IMG_2747.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvW4pfraf18sEJ1NomgFvvxdBgHg66mDYt_sEzvgTXNgafEEAnqGNirW1FpyvY3DiEDq-IVNfOjrGZ84e5pXhNGb6zTZyR5-57xkblZTptcX2kG-kM6ncyvHvwYxAKJHuG4DxS3vEKblI/s320/IMG_2747.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570713246101952258" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>Washer/Dryer! You have to understand how big a deal this is for us. Before we had to carry out laundry around the building to the basement and share with everyone else living there. Now, that's not the worst thing in the world- but this is just great!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5USN5RJUkIhg_nFFNJejZ08CHJ3_UoflO5qsMHSn9YH5_pkneup3LDj5rniwbHs1mwMm2zN9S97-e4p75X65lNjGSFN_XpeeA03PzVw-Ynpnxq1A-ExP2b0SAlgdQgMNCLKgP8veFkhK/s1600/IMG_2758.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5USN5RJUkIhg_nFFNJejZ08CHJ3_UoflO5qsMHSn9YH5_pkneup3LDj5rniwbHs1mwMm2zN9S97-e4p75X65lNjGSFN_XpeeA03PzVw-Ynpnxq1A-ExP2b0SAlgdQgMNCLKgP8veFkhK/s320/IMG_2758.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570714898505753778" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>Bathroom #1</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHu8hVnstV3w4Z6UFvw6BX7QeikvXEoYajEpivmHk8_r3fxopk_qOOzO5uMui54tWcN-P4nLz9RPCbCMKfe4MVuKmYLZ-m6SuYzmkAR0TiPXZpjW1Pxker4gne-LkcOrT3bEgPF-FF26_/s1600/IMG_2759.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHu8hVnstV3w4Z6UFvw6BX7QeikvXEoYajEpivmHk8_r3fxopk_qOOzO5uMui54tWcN-P4nLz9RPCbCMKfe4MVuKmYLZ-m6SuYzmkAR0TiPXZpjW1Pxker4gne-LkcOrT3bEgPF-FF26_/s320/IMG_2759.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570714345841396818" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>Hallway storage and tour guide Scrumpy</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPVEtcs3a8NlZL0yiN_Vrt95bVKfcaJnAhqQv8J5vl9u5WLJi6NaEachSAwCMuXhYXJfndgh4nb3YumgAsUJeZZImCV04pxebKUlAgvl6oGUZb1iPgiQXWE__pS9HtBkrcwaaMrtdLZe9/s1600/IMG_2760.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPVEtcs3a8NlZL0yiN_Vrt95bVKfcaJnAhqQv8J5vl9u5WLJi6NaEachSAwCMuXhYXJfndgh4nb3YumgAsUJeZZImCV04pxebKUlAgvl6oGUZb1iPgiQXWE__pS9HtBkrcwaaMrtdLZe9/s320/IMG_2760.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570715474919562626" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>The bedroom (still messy, but deal with it!)</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9TKlKxuIGIUUX4Gj-d-K265Civp14rwngQdySVfl0Fzq0WWxDGMVA1G6XeoFO6QKFXJ43QDwWh9P14iCAdIpc_P51DQiwuDTfoBmgtIQgCzQNWBEGA1ndgsbC_xfZnlLFB8zSQtLnBag/s1600/IMG_2763.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9TKlKxuIGIUUX4Gj-d-K265Civp14rwngQdySVfl0Fzq0WWxDGMVA1G6XeoFO6QKFXJ43QDwWh9P14iCAdIpc_P51DQiwuDTfoBmgtIQgCzQNWBEGA1ndgsbC_xfZnlLFB8zSQtLnBag/s320/IMG_2763.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570716137046921202" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>"Master Bath". I should mention here that the best breeze comes through this room's window. It is so refreshing, almost like taking an outdoor shower!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0I8NQRZayeX9hGOnUoypHzUAWof-iex1AqPAHE4O4d3oLclWS0f-i4HNQeY1BBvWY3_h-Tjw-DYGWDT_UAgyVj0CTZR-O6hH6yLphTDSAvG1WA0XwGxtzmF5J3-0BUANWYDWpTEzyChW/s1600/IMG_2764.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0I8NQRZayeX9hGOnUoypHzUAWof-iex1AqPAHE4O4d3oLclWS0f-i4HNQeY1BBvWY3_h-Tjw-DYGWDT_UAgyVj0CTZR-O6hH6yLphTDSAvG1WA0XwGxtzmF5J3-0BUANWYDWpTEzyChW/s320/IMG_2764.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570716954362756434" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>Saba pretty comfortable on the new bed (which is also a queen size, an upgrade from our previous full size.)</div><div><br /></div><div>That's about it for now on my rather crude home tour. As the bingo man down here says, "moving onnnn-a".</div><div><br /></div><div>Next up, I unfortunately get to remark on the experience of encountering food poisoning for the first (and hopefully) last time last weekend. Right in time to move too, which meant that Kater had to do most of it. I wasn't able to get out of bed for about 16 hours or so without being in a bathroom.</div><div>Last Friday night after our volleyball games we went out to eat at Cathy's, formerly known as my favorite little beachside place to eat. It might be a while before I can go back for a meal. After some investigation amongst our group, we determined it must have been the cole slaw that made me sick, because I was the only one who ate it. Not fun, not fun at all. But enough on that topic.</div><div><br /></div><div>This past month I was once again approached by charity organization ONE LOVE "supporting animals in need". I was hired by this organization last fall to design their logo and animal tags which are now in production and for sale. They hired me again to create some art for their website. I created about ten cartoon pieces to accompany articles on the site. Their website is up and will be finished next few weeks so make sure to check in and take a look: <a href="http://www.supportonelove.com/index.php">www.supportonelove.com</a>. You can see one of my pieces about halfway down the home page on the left. It says "track us" with a dog sniffing some foot prints- that's me!! They will also offer long and short sleeved t-shirts, and hooded sweatshirts, all donning my designs!!! It's been very fun and exciting and an incredible experience and portfolio builder. I'm sure there will be more. In the mean time, you can visit their Facebook page here: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Love-Helping-Animals-in-Need/155979231100053">ONE LOVE</a>. You can see the tag I designed and their company logo. </div><div><br /></div><div>New for me also is the renewal of an illustration project for a book to be published. I've hired to illustrate over 30 pages worth of art for a science-fiction, historical-fantasy novel. It will include humans, creatures, boats, buildings, places, and maps. Very cool! I'll post an update on that again soon, as I'll be putting a lot of time into it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Kater continues to plow through her studies: Pathology, Virology, Pharmacology, and Bacteriology. I don't know how she does it! She also took out kitties to a "wet lab" this weekend to learn about handling and how/where to approach a cat for blood draws and inspections. The kitties were very good patients, but Scrumpy returned home with a funny hair cut on her neck and forelimb so the students could both practice clearing fur and finding veins. She doesn't seem too bothered by it though. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'd say that about covers it for this past month. Like I said I'm planning to update once a month, regardless of what has or has not happened. Until the next one- stay warm while we're trying to stay cool. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-9386799737176807982011-01-06T07:08:00.000-08:002011-01-06T07:38:07.905-08:00Happy New Year! We've been living on St. Kitts for a year now. Wow.<div><br /><div>It's been since August since I've updated- obviously you know that. One of my resolutions this year is to try to be better at this. It got tricky to know what to write about, the novelty or honeymoon stage of being here had worn off and I felt like there was less to update about; or that I was always writing about the same things. </div><div><br /></div><div>So anyway we've just returned to the island after an amazing two and a half weeks in New Hampshire. We saw tons of family and friends and had an absolute blast. We even got a special two-foot snow storm just for us! Here's Kater and me shoveling off the Ackerson's roof in Lyme:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSolo1HmrothGTl3jt7NUJoRDmDO6qB9S7MqKeyisWA2q8XEoia-_FNl5ELKPYYiCvCNU7MMuB-Hh-HTMWDPGpRRBtweZrPgKBJ5HHayvHaZI8mtM4lN2VypUcndNlnqDiqhyphenhyphenmL3Jn-6H/s1600/Dec2010Blizzard+017.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSolo1HmrothGTl3jt7NUJoRDmDO6qB9S7MqKeyisWA2q8XEoia-_FNl5ELKPYYiCvCNU7MMuB-Hh-HTMWDPGpRRBtweZrPgKBJ5HHayvHaZI8mtM4lN2VypUcndNlnqDiqhyphenhyphenmL3Jn-6H/s320/Dec2010Blizzard+017.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559091558130427458" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>We got the perfect winter fill of warm fire places, family, friends, games, and absolute silliness all the while. </div><div><br /></div><div>One thing I realized about coming and going from St. Kitts, is that I always like it more every time I return. Before leaving I always have an incredible itch to be home in New England, I miss everything about it. Little things about the island would start to irritate me and I would lose my appreciation of this place a little bit. Once I know I'm soon to return to the island, the nostalgia kicks in and I think of all the things I like and miss about the place. Funny the way that works, that cycle. </div><div>So we're back and the weather couldn't be more perfect. When we landed the sky was just cloudy enough to take the edge off the heat, and we were so comfortable walking across the tarmac. It's wonderfully breezy- windy even- and a lower humidity than a month ago. </div><div><br /></div><div>Since our last post, a lot has happened, but one of the best things is we are now the proud parents of two little kittens! Kater adopted two lit while I was home in the states in September (with my permission of course). We got them at four weeks old because their mother had been poisoned and the litter was found by some students. We have tons of pictures of them but here are a couple from soon after we got them, and more recent.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXK9HgBfZl4KwZLGFow3X1ifY9yTtaSLj8wKbumuHluTgnmQRmVx5_feafEXBs1h8MSHiEGYlXYyRFr5o7xZKaQ2tq1q6eDGsc7hoMozS6aZF90FpaUlfGFlDdlTISr00rOkK0rQzxQoN/s1600/PA090038.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXK9HgBfZl4KwZLGFow3X1ifY9yTtaSLj8wKbumuHluTgnmQRmVx5_feafEXBs1h8MSHiEGYlXYyRFr5o7xZKaQ2tq1q6eDGsc7hoMozS6aZF90FpaUlfGFlDdlTISr00rOkK0rQzxQoN/s320/PA090038.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559095197854924370" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xfWbyp8S3WKGkIEbuJ-ulGX0L75uB-lJkWx9GaAkbMcGoyFvaMfUpecyD3PL0nySb1mc9XW3qHwjUxfz965Z5lXLNl5QEdySxIPqAs0UV0sEIWSkt2Xspz-tRicaFiw9jM-0O3mflbkI/s1600/IMG_2226.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xfWbyp8S3WKGkIEbuJ-ulGX0L75uB-lJkWx9GaAkbMcGoyFvaMfUpecyD3PL0nySb1mc9XW3qHwjUxfz965Z5lXLNl5QEdySxIPqAs0UV0sEIWSkt2Xspz-tRicaFiw9jM-0O3mflbkI/s320/IMG_2226.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559094555192395826" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The black one is named Saba (the name of a neighboring island), and the grey tiger is names Scrumpy (just a name I wanted to use). They are best friends and do almost everything together; eat, sleep, fight, play. They are a constant source of laughter and we are very happy to have them. </div><div>While we were in the states a friend up the street looked after them. We were so excited to get back to them. </div><div>--</div><div>So currently we're working on unpacking all of our bags. We brought back a lot of food stuff and are trying to sort it all out. The kitties keep distracting us but that's ok; breaks are good. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'll leave you with that, and like I said- I'm going to try to get better at this, regardless of how seemingly uninteresting I think the post will be. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-47926619157917866642010-08-07T13:10:00.000-07:002010-08-07T13:44:50.101-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfoFOQjbh7Vf_P8oNBXk29d35KceH6bs-l8Emh1rXRTI52Kkhs1cFuaCHSzLn6P5AphEnRyFXkBR4MeFosm7cf6lA0sdXoZiRsa_pratsc7cAj644k8OhCzDz5gBLEIli4g0gULppmED4/s1600/DSC03183.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfoFOQjbh7Vf_P8oNBXk29d35KceH6bs-l8Emh1rXRTI52Kkhs1cFuaCHSzLn6P5AphEnRyFXkBR4MeFosm7cf6lA0sdXoZiRsa_pratsc7cAj644k8OhCzDz5gBLEIli4g0gULppmED4/s320/DSC03183.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502763678543967410" /></a><br />Well, finals have begun and the last time you heard from us (on the blog) was the beginning of the semester. We are still getting along just fine as you can see!<div><br /></div><div>Hard to believe another one has gone by, but Kater has been doing really well again and surely will get through it without a scratch!</div><div><br /></div><div>We've had a lot of fun this semester and Kater has even gotten a few chances to get away from campus and snorkel with me. We got a new underwater camera, thanks to Liz and Sam's wedding gift! It's only been out once so far but the pictures were great:</div><div><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs273.snc4/39977_704638890961_11001278_40326938_3220232_n.jpg" width="546" height="422" id="myphoto" /></div><div>... As you can see!</div><div><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs200.snc4/38342_704532559051_11015361_40320415_1004878_n.jpg" width="604" height="453" id="myphoto" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs089.ash2/37774_704532489191_11015361_40320409_7670750_n.jpg" width="604" height="453" id="myphoto" /></div><div>I've also been doing quite a bit of hiking. We have 1500' hill across the street from us with a radio tower at the top. There is an access road we use to hike to the top. It's a definite leg burner but a short hike; takes about 45 mins to an hour to reach the top. Great views.</div><div><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs333.ash1/28815_687384987921_11001278_39561005_6149837_n.jpg" width="540" height="720" id="myphoto" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I've hiked D'os Dane Pond (pronounced doe daan, at least according to our guide), which is a small pond high in the mountains, probably close to 3000'. <img style="" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs556.snc3/30425_692692441741_11001278_39828436_3013685_n.jpg" id="myphoto" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I've also hiked to the bat caves in the hills near the famous 'Bloody Point'. This was one of the most unexpectedly beautiful hikes so far. We essentially follow the bottom of a huge gorge (here, called ghauts), winding back and forth eventually to the bat cave, and ultimately to a nice waterfall. </div><div><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs073.ash2/36964_699365523831_11001278_40109919_2976318_n.jpg" width="720" height="540" id="myphoto" /></div><div>Next weekend myself and some VIP friends will be hiking to the crater of Mt. Liamuiga! Finally!! We're really excited. </div><div>Our Kittitian friend Wayne is also a hiking enthusiast. He has taken us up each time to share the mountains with us. He is a great guy, charismatic and energetic Rasta man- perfect for a leader of long hard hikes. He knows the area incredibly well.</div><div><img style="" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs556.snc3/30425_692692706211_11001278_39828479_5962993_n.jpg" id="myphoto" /></div><div>This a photo after one of our hikes with our guide Wayne (tall dark guy on left) and his friend Bertrum (on right) who often comes along as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, obviously from the looks of it I've been having way more fun than Kater- but don't worry, I'm making sure to take very good care of her every day. I've been keeping up with the cooking, cleaning and laundry, as well as many many other every day tasks. </div><div>The up-side however, is that next semester Kater will have much much more free time to use how she likes, and reward herself with fun things. She will definitely be going for hikes and snorkels with me. She has even been talking about possibly getting scuba certified!</div><div><br /></div><div>On the down side of things, we (Jules' owner Paula) and I had to put Jules down a few weeks ago. Her cancer had gotten to be too much for her, and although she still seemed to be happy and having a few good days between bad ones- it was clear that she was in a constant state of pain and discomfort. She was not able to get comfortable for more than a few minutes in most positions, and had little energy. We made the decision that her quality of life was not what it should be, and it was time. We put her down in on a beautiful property, owned by a friend of Paula's. The doctor came on location to administer the euthanasia. It was incredibly sad and hard, but we have had a lot of fun times together and she will always be remembered. We all miss her very much. She has a beautiful grave site now, that I visit from time to time. It is covered with beach stones, coral, and large conch shells. It is very pretty and since she loved the beach so much, we figure she would really appreciate being a little closer to it all the time. </div><div><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs377.snc3/24123_675948746241_11001278_39166730_6075345_n.jpg" width="720" height="480" id="myphoto" /></div><div>One more picture for old times sake.</div><div><br /></div><div>What else can I tell you? I've been working on a design project for a startup business on the island called Pondego. Pondego is a creole expression for 'on the go'; "upon the go, up on the go..." You get it. It will be a delivery grocery service for anyone who wants to order their groceries online and have them brought to their house. I think it will be a very successful venture for these guys. I'll post images when I'm finished. My responsibility is to design a logo, banner, and a mascot for the company. I'm almost done. It's been a pretty fun project, and it feels good to be working on art again. </div><div>We finally just started the turtle tagging again. Last week was our first outing and we caught two hawksbills who were already tagged. It is important to still catch them and update their information for our systems. We saw a green sea turtle but were not able to catch it. </div><div>That's about it for now. Catch you next time!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for reading.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-28737276253877296992010-05-31T09:06:00.000-07:002010-05-31T09:45:07.205-07:00<div>Hi. Well I guess it has been a good solid month since our last blog update. We have had a lot going on. Shortly after our last post, we returned home to the U.S. to visit Kater's family in South Carolina for a wedding. We had a great week and some good quality time with Kater's family. Now that we are back on the island, We have moved to an off campus apartment in West Farm, which is just two roads past school. This makes it easy to walk back and forth in about 10 minutes. We were really excited for this because we didn't want to have to rely on a vehicle everyday... so many things go wrong with cars here. I've attached some photos of our little place below. Take a look around!</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdCsQwhTGdwc-XptzAt9AXcmxbd7qK_0I7T3Ng-nCpAA9qjWlqEV7zpWXsfp2Nyj1RlrWYeVy82KhMyCHroxW54ozmJ3ttjwsv4RYBKMGoV18oVqNsi2NENay3ymGQPzceUvn0XkNm6H2/s1600/DSC02890.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdCsQwhTGdwc-XptzAt9AXcmxbd7qK_0I7T3Ng-nCpAA9qjWlqEV7zpWXsfp2Nyj1RlrWYeVy82KhMyCHroxW54ozmJ3ttjwsv4RYBKMGoV18oVqNsi2NENay3ymGQPzceUvn0XkNm6H2/s320/DSC02890.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477467246534454242" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdCsQwhTGdwc-XptzAt9AXcmxbd7qK_0I7T3Ng-nCpAA9qjWlqEV7zpWXsfp2Nyj1RlrWYeVy82KhMyCHroxW54ozmJ3ttjwsv4RYBKMGoV18oVqNsi2NENay3ymGQPzceUvn0XkNm6H2/s1600/DSC02890.JPG"></a>(Our front porch, we are in the first door.)</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_O0oH4uXycs6xNjuSwNswoIP3OZhoGl_QrwstchK0F_kcBo2IGG-2gDalWwrdOOwz1OtO_JRSqPce20mLDQvKhuEp2JJx0erx1IkapFusPe6L171oZIkpQiLzUwvKp-1NeZSVvLB0ejY/s1600/DSC02899.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_O0oH4uXycs6xNjuSwNswoIP3OZhoGl_QrwstchK0F_kcBo2IGG-2gDalWwrdOOwz1OtO_JRSqPce20mLDQvKhuEp2JJx0erx1IkapFusPe6L171oZIkpQiLzUwvKp-1NeZSVvLB0ejY/s320/DSC02899.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477467870310817650" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>(The 'country' as it is called here, from the porch.)</div><div>Don't be alarmed by the burglar bars on the doors and windows. Ross requires all apartments housing their students to provide this extra safety features.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0rT4uJPERH1AdIlIbR-5YlVuaZWVnoIewzbvzuu8EGayPdqxJ7SkewSaS8GxpTESJI2fMQxH0xB6Tcfj4Ps1LzgSXe6KBiKpqAF3WcziDt0YH6HuXqsFJHfkWe37TYvl0cWkqudeapEu/s1600/DSC02897.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0rT4uJPERH1AdIlIbR-5YlVuaZWVnoIewzbvzuu8EGayPdqxJ7SkewSaS8GxpTESJI2fMQxH0xB6Tcfj4Ps1LzgSXe6KBiKpqAF3WcziDt0YH6HuXqsFJHfkWe37TYvl0cWkqudeapEu/s320/DSC02897.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477469003607275026" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>(Ocean from the roof.) This neighbor has a small nursery.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTn6KT5QMlNBRvKcGgmYsfPy8zE8Aagh6iVd3Yi1Hi4BelgqyBWdQFgU7uccBEB_UDrSDWTn4ieg-3LOr3GIIKb4mqP-FXikoL0ggKTSlxTFOw7O0VGZOY78TDR5loNk8n1mOITVNgKg29/s320/DSC02888.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477468462809129234" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div>(The ocean, also from our porch- facing the opposite direction.)</div><div>It's great to be able to look out and see the mountains and the ocean everyday. We also have a regular herd of goats that forage all along our street daily. They are a riot to watch. There always seems to be one young one left behind, bleating like crazy trying to catch up to the rest of the herd. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQSR_wkxWygV3ZQm5Vw4CxJ-4IplMa1zr1A9pQ2bzi8mCLJwm1x1nY4QEyxON7fcc4rwohPLmehKQd5CzwUchFwopAzaSJFVZcDPjP5Ah8NPd75w7F4AWl-afZGRq26n4DdNi4cAL7LxD/s1600/DSC02889.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQSR_wkxWygV3ZQm5Vw4CxJ-4IplMa1zr1A9pQ2bzi8mCLJwm1x1nY4QEyxON7fcc4rwohPLmehKQd5CzwUchFwopAzaSJFVZcDPjP5Ah8NPd75w7F4AWl-afZGRq26n4DdNi4cAL7LxD/s320/DSC02889.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477469457829923826" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>(Small side yard/grass alley along our apartment.)</div><div>I've hung up a small clothes line to help dry our laundry, as our dryer is pretty lousy. It works, it just only allows 10 lbs at a time and takes over an hour to two hour to dry anything.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEzJlbVnTTAMjJcuhPnOpAbyVgmArmoKCKChq7UpsFssW_-XyaJW7V0QKeDhXpWofDsVlDX_FtV4qc0Hs9kGNScefzIcuexJehfZlLHj2gMADmS9baS6kqpWY0DD5AOynaFW1TbUavCjK/s1600/DSC02896.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEzJlbVnTTAMjJcuhPnOpAbyVgmArmoKCKChq7UpsFssW_-XyaJW7V0QKeDhXpWofDsVlDX_FtV4qc0Hs9kGNScefzIcuexJehfZlLHj2gMADmS9baS6kqpWY0DD5AOynaFW1TbUavCjK/s320/DSC02896.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477469910843675778" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>(This is our main yard, taken from the roof.) </div><div>As with most buildings here, they didn't finish constructing the upstairs, so it is open to go up. There's not much to see besides a lot of cinderblocks and rebar.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLXTtxo-ol5kkBq-l0At221Fp0xqH9GKtDAF_HPR4V2FUariuJ-7iPtxb03qOGRmLiTB2WJnlpiyPV33Qzjy31yVj083nx3M2uYMxlQYweVTY5sUKU1VNiEu7CE41U7-AOiqaGVCffXcr/s1600/DSC02893.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLXTtxo-ol5kkBq-l0At221Fp0xqH9GKtDAF_HPR4V2FUariuJ-7iPtxb03qOGRmLiTB2WJnlpiyPV33Qzjy31yVj083nx3M2uYMxlQYweVTY5sUKU1VNiEu7CE41U7-AOiqaGVCffXcr/s320/DSC02893.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477470552512504450" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>(This is a side patio area. Here we have access to the laundry room and garbage.) Our neighbor here has a really nice dog named Riley. He's a big Weimaraner and a goof ball. I like to visit him when I do laundry.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdzfJMsdXHL27Qn4XAbTzp07fO-l5PDUvfLKLiZOHuwB82zOSvEEohMJg_uBHGCVS1v7G4sBdDq1ECVkoN9gUyGv0wbJy4OmgLwCiaUNLngXWFKr-O9-SO7wOE6U0cLAhYj-B_wA5X7tF/s1600/DSC02894.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdzfJMsdXHL27Qn4XAbTzp07fO-l5PDUvfLKLiZOHuwB82zOSvEEohMJg_uBHGCVS1v7G4sBdDq1ECVkoN9gUyGv0wbJy4OmgLwCiaUNLngXWFKr-O9-SO7wOE6U0cLAhYj-B_wA5X7tF/s320/DSC02894.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477470995940008258" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>(This is our car, "Dina" short for Toyota Caldina. We've split the car with our friend John and it's been pretty good to us so far- we really like it.)</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7zWIZHvs8zbKIIpjLefnYQIpOi-TDYCmIynjObshGZjdS3K3H-ASdxIcZjrNmw4UsaYhR8qSrxpR9uDqKqM5b_9V5uH_HWuP3eyPvjAQ3qsroNrYGIxSn6qrCEJWJAwKnYHnmcVyGDtQ/s1600/DSC02900.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7zWIZHvs8zbKIIpjLefnYQIpOi-TDYCmIynjObshGZjdS3K3H-ASdxIcZjrNmw4UsaYhR8qSrxpR9uDqKqM5b_9V5uH_HWuP3eyPvjAQ3qsroNrYGIxSn6qrCEJWJAwKnYHnmcVyGDtQ/s320/DSC02900.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477471899726989714" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>(Now to the inside, nothing special but it works well for us. This is the view from our door. The kitchen, living/dining room, all are one space. In the back are the bedroom and bathroom. We have a gas stove so when we lose power we can still cook food. This is a nice feature because power outages are very common on the island.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2RPkHuuQSJ7tn7xodEF_zTrX0JDMDj6E5TV0hUK-oH1eokNHTY98xJBz5bc083ewlPrU1Q5qLXP55CnnE5S778ICf_ozgexOdtjF2-bx5RuTj6ncwH9KlERuF5LjCFvcE_v7E-4GlKzH/s1600/DSC02901.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2RPkHuuQSJ7tn7xodEF_zTrX0JDMDj6E5TV0hUK-oH1eokNHTY98xJBz5bc083ewlPrU1Q5qLXP55CnnE5S778ICf_ozgexOdtjF2-bx5RuTj6ncwH9KlERuF5LjCFvcE_v7E-4GlKzH/s320/DSC02901.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477472309174688610" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>(This is another view of the living area. The apartment came with a T.V. and basic cable package- which is a good number of channels. The couch and chairs aren't the most comfortable we've ever sat in but they do just fine.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAskbz3Qgbg2aEif37gBZKSCXEYIgVJ_uaSACLKB8LcKvqXu7t5c15N0QnoP8s0YLuz3hbSXA7lI9XBr0x9mF32ieT-t9gS-y5tfZtedITPLTA2Ni29Y0xJrH5IuVchegDA25kblOxSMKf/s1600/DSC02887.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAskbz3Qgbg2aEif37gBZKSCXEYIgVJ_uaSACLKB8LcKvqXu7t5c15N0QnoP8s0YLuz3hbSXA7lI9XBr0x9mF32ieT-t9gS-y5tfZtedITPLTA2Ni29Y0xJrH5IuVchegDA25kblOxSMKf/s320/DSC02887.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477472938900529826" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>(Lastly here is the kitchen. )</div><div>I like the way it is spread out, we have a lot more room to work on cooking. Last week I made baked chicken which I breaded with crushed corn flakes. We also had rice and green beans. It's so nice to have an oven again. </div><div><br /></div><div>That's it for the pictures. The bedroom is a bedroom and the bath a bath... no need for photos. </div><div><br /></div><div>So what else is new? Other than where we're living... Kater continues to work with the sea turtle monitoring project, walking the beaches at night. I went once with her and saw a leather back! There is a lot of support from the military and special police forces there so it makes us all feel very comfortable. I'll be coordinating the in-water tagging branch this semester, and we are currently working on organizing that right now. We should be starting up in a few weeks. I just got news from the Bermuda sea turtle project that I won't be accepted this year. Dr. Stewart is trying to get me into one in Barbados... We'll see what happens.</div><div>I'm also still taking Jules out three times a week. Her cancer has returned so her mom wants her to have as much fun as possible with the time she has left. We have a lot of fun together and I will miss her a lot when her time comes to go.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvOL4MeoTUgHJ2Zzjk-W-fkp6bqDSmAOtTQlPcHVhd9DM4LjCkmYf254TPXpx208iUsfma6d2-XOZocDW2p5CJtgbfTRhDRw4EOkso1s2tVHwSL4hNY6_VDYXwF7bYi936msG9SV74FC_/s1600/me+and+jules.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvOL4MeoTUgHJ2Zzjk-W-fkp6bqDSmAOtTQlPcHVhd9DM4LjCkmYf254TPXpx208iUsfma6d2-XOZocDW2p5CJtgbfTRhDRw4EOkso1s2tVHwSL4hNY6_VDYXwF7bYi936msG9SV74FC_/s320/me+and+jules.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477474776298911298" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>(Here's a picture of us I took after a day at the beach. We were both pooped!)</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO04qnZmxSP-1T8u06yktuOcGwyDSUhGKoG8kLLEZ0XCcgO_RnlO-tSxcnxxTfvDiYL8HBWENujgGQ5PwH16R0oy67BMg8uWMOSdCXXOX9qxSep1WEwUe1BRriy2flX0Hf36rrIpkAvunQ/s1600/DSC02752.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO04qnZmxSP-1T8u06yktuOcGwyDSUhGKoG8kLLEZ0XCcgO_RnlO-tSxcnxxTfvDiYL8HBWENujgGQ5PwH16R0oy67BMg8uWMOSdCXXOX9qxSep1WEwUe1BRriy2flX0Hf36rrIpkAvunQ/s320/DSC02752.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477475042250123298" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>I have also joined a Judo club. A friend of mine has been teaching for over eight years and he started a club through Ross. We practice twice a week and it has been a lot of fun so far. </div><div>I'm still trying to be an artist, although business is slow. I've done a few more t-shirt projects for different semesters as well as one for the VIPs. I'm also working with second semester on developing a yearbook as a fundraiser. Work with the children's book is non-existant at this point. The writer asked me to begin on another story, as the Sam and Jam one was not interesting to publishers. I sent her an illustration and just haven't heard anything back. I'll be checking on it, but honestly I'm pretty close to bailing on it. It stands to be a great opportunity but I can't control things on her end, and nothing is happening. </div><div><br /></div><div>Well, this has been a long enough post for now. Hopefully I/we can post updates more than once a month. Thanks for reading.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-30223972560132591922010-04-17T15:20:00.000-07:002010-04-17T15:43:29.998-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9Nzj8s0z4jtWxhd58UgNbv-2LSEUKJpAnqf59y0v_dUNFhMYZU55RlP7D_W1-QZSL_7yxzBJ7vXTNwP0i8kt7WRduBaEfIx6u0hyaKIO0NiNgmNM7MOJdVXGHrRp60hQ7S3g6GjWvmYJ/s1600/IMG_8805.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9Nzj8s0z4jtWxhd58UgNbv-2LSEUKJpAnqf59y0v_dUNFhMYZU55RlP7D_W1-QZSL_7yxzBJ7vXTNwP0i8kt7WRduBaEfIx6u0hyaKIO0NiNgmNM7MOJdVXGHrRp60hQ7S3g6GjWvmYJ/s320/IMG_8805.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461235670360259970" /></a><br /><div>Hello everyone. </div><div>It's the end of the semester! Kater has taken one of her five finals and is studying hard for the others now. It's been a weird and rainy week. As I sit now it's pouring again. We (John and I) went through all the car business and we now officially have a car! Its a '94 Toyota Caldina... never heard of it? Well, neither have we. I believe it's basically a Corolla build, just named different for a different country. Most cars here are from Europe or Asia, not the US. Anyway we haven't driven it much, I'll probably take it out for a spin tomorrow just for kicks and to get out of the dorm. We have one more week before we move into our West Farm apartment, so that is exciting, except we'll have to pack everything up soon- which means I'll have to pack everything up so Kater can study. Good thing our car is a station wagon with a lot of space in the back... That will come in handy.</div><div>I took Kater out to Majors Bay with Jules to relax after her first test. We had fun, Jules was awesome and had a really good time. This pic is a great one, showing off how happy Jules was. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWAVMDDY7Yay0T-QXiH1W8jFxnQgs6OZ3Dcl33x-XnxjNnfEkKpy68H9FdPpEw7SdqP-Ej9ibSgpBwCu4aPelU6I3-AMVNyWSMqyKqdLHKyph0IXf-_SxR6P-WLogXs9VuALGV84TJGNL/s1600/IMG_8673.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWAVMDDY7Yay0T-QXiH1W8jFxnQgs6OZ3Dcl33x-XnxjNnfEkKpy68H9FdPpEw7SdqP-Ej9ibSgpBwCu4aPelU6I3-AMVNyWSMqyKqdLHKyph0IXf-_SxR6P-WLogXs9VuALGV84TJGNL/s320/IMG_8673.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461237661277667522" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>She swam with both of us, and every time she got out of the water she would roll around in the sand and get covered, what a goof ball. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtOqpTkQrruciY5_jgIVoe_jBRXgkw0ih_ePiZl4bSvxNXYBMUISN0WcWxaxYhgfNXH7H2GAhvHbPLKK3Frn9PhtjdzSpHNA1nkVy4QYPF3mAaJso2DYse8SZCeT8tU-pwqJI99Gk-AAq/s1600/IMG_8727.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtOqpTkQrruciY5_jgIVoe_jBRXgkw0ih_ePiZl4bSvxNXYBMUISN0WcWxaxYhgfNXH7H2GAhvHbPLKK3Frn9PhtjdzSpHNA1nkVy4QYPF3mAaJso2DYse8SZCeT8tU-pwqJI99Gk-AAq/s320/IMG_8727.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461238769214306898" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>We got back and had a nice taco dinner with our friends, probably the last time I'll see any of them for more than a few hours all week. Everyone will be so stressed about the tests and worried about making it into next semester... Lots of anxiety.</div><div><br /></div><div>This morning I went out to take the garbage and recycling out, and stumbled upon this centipede:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwAOvs09XtLjHI5jP8BrA_RVtZSdeZn11uhnwStrwFR_4wg0EwnNj9cctTsmxVPFnIRnqC1RRO0rhxKH1HiGY94rl6M81wSQfWmxa8iqGPJ235SYDqSGgtU3OTimgXipNzUXdWJjB8YIE/s1600/DSC02676.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwAOvs09XtLjHI5jP8BrA_RVtZSdeZn11uhnwStrwFR_4wg0EwnNj9cctTsmxVPFnIRnqC1RRO0rhxKH1HiGY94rl6M81wSQfWmxa8iqGPJ235SYDqSGgtU3OTimgXipNzUXdWJjB8YIE/s320/DSC02676.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461239332140323570" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>This, is a small one, so I'm told. It is very common on the island for these things to get well over eight inches longs, and I've hear up to a foot. You can see by my hand that this is about five to six inches... These guys can really pack a punch if they bite. For someone with a bee sting allergy there is a significant risk if bitten. For anyone else, several days of discomfort with a very sore, stinging bite site. I'll keep my distance. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thats going to be it for tonight. Look forward to some pictures of both of us once we make it through finals week- we will have a whole week to play before going to the states for a week. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-79721043892048287252010-04-03T19:53:00.001-07:002010-04-03T20:19:30.725-07:00Hi everyone.<div><br /></div><div>Been a while yet again. Seems like each time I post, it's been a little longer since the last one. One of the biggest hang ups has been lack of photos. Seems the blog has less appeal without some nice pictures to accompany the words... This time there are a few. </div><div><br /></div><div>Firstly, as of last post, my family was down to visit. We had a great week. I showed them all our (Kater and me) favorite spots to eat and swim and everything else. <img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs408.snc3/24688_1241150312029_1327440103_30557933_4915305_n.jpg" id="myphoto" /></div><div>A photo above of TJ, Sarah, and me, at Majors Bay just before a snorkel. </div><div>Like I said the week went really well, but went by fast as they always do. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the past few weeks I've gotten the 'job' of looking after Jules, a 4 year old boxer several times a week for "adventure day." The owner asks that I take her out for activity for a few hours twice a week. I take Jules to the beach, and sometimes we go for long walks or runs. I've had a lot of fun with her and have grown rather attached already! It's a great way to spend part of my week.</div><div>Last week Kater and I spend at Jules' house, house sitting while the owner was off island to see family. She has a beautiful home in Half Moon Bay, and we took a few pictures to share!</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuHK8NtzQQ8AHb2XYwlkraguqFOTVXIxB2UWHVYpYNg8pQ2kM7zqTO0UWSPJGyEhiW3tZC0WNj7biwizW7PMzmfa6vexpvFCj6u5mnDNpQ29yhQnBmqCiteHjvBj-9gxajavKZQGKsGoE/s1600/IMG_8626.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuHK8NtzQQ8AHb2XYwlkraguqFOTVXIxB2UWHVYpYNg8pQ2kM7zqTO0UWSPJGyEhiW3tZC0WNj7biwizW7PMzmfa6vexpvFCj6u5mnDNpQ29yhQnBmqCiteHjvBj-9gxajavKZQGKsGoE/s320/IMG_8626.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456115050933133922" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>This picture here, is of me and Jules in the owner's pool on the deck. We had just gotten back from a walk in the hot sun and wanted a dip.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPD8xQTimqrfhhG6mbEVD_3CJcSDvbawrTMRJj_sMdHlkzlYwdUMlHLm_aUVJIDJj-J5_9gUL0cJv7aH77-kOCU9VRSJO9BySWfQA9v-IANrALoNKbJHLoD_a28x5sFSxmNgAu-5Os4no0/s1600/IMG_8633.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPD8xQTimqrfhhG6mbEVD_3CJcSDvbawrTMRJj_sMdHlkzlYwdUMlHLm_aUVJIDJj-J5_9gUL0cJv7aH77-kOCU9VRSJO9BySWfQA9v-IANrALoNKbJHLoD_a28x5sFSxmNgAu-5Os4no0/s320/IMG_8633.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456115406900242018" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>Happy dog!</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVKWhR3389igxA5Sp6O5iqDrQ9Dcz4MKe7lBP4xOmO0GBRHQFfaQ_ZrfONCe_MG3VTGgOoOUBaPyatWKXQmAtbwyeYydVpl_Aanpx7OAdXELVWJpLCl-UGkMCPeMe7ZdiSULt3HNv7I46/s1600/IMG_8643.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVKWhR3389igxA5Sp6O5iqDrQ9Dcz4MKe7lBP4xOmO0GBRHQFfaQ_ZrfONCe_MG3VTGgOoOUBaPyatWKXQmAtbwyeYydVpl_Aanpx7OAdXELVWJpLCl-UGkMCPeMe7ZdiSULt3HNv7I46/s320/IMG_8643.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456115658925440994" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>Time to dry off! </div><div>She's a beautiful girl, and incredibly well behaved. Just about all the time she can be an off leash dog. When I take her to the beach she stays right with me and we can run and swim and she just loves it. I really have a lot of fun with her.</div><div><br /></div><div>More recently, I have applied for a scholarship to the Bermuda Turtle Project, an international in-water course for the biology and conservation of marine turtles. That's a mouthful. If I'm accepted I will spend August 1st-13th in Bermuda learning about in-water capture, tagging, and data collection, and more on sea turtles. This will benefit the St. Kitts sea turtle project, as I will take these skills and apply them to our in-water tagging and data collection efforts. I have been chosen (and volunteered) to take over lead on the current in-water efforts, as the leaders will be leaving the island at the end of this semester. They have been involved during their stay here and it's time for someone new to take over. </div><div>They (Steve, and Troye) have been teaching me what they do to collect the information on our turtles. I have been on several dives, as I have written about many times. Newly, however I have been taking lead on the capture, meaning that I am first to attempt the capture and then swim it out of the water for tagging. I caught my first hawksbill last week, and another today! </div><div>Last week, I was given the responsibility of swimming in the first turtle caught by Steve, and clipping the tags onto the turtles fins. I caught the next one for practice, as it had previously been tagged sometime before. It was fun all the same! Today we swam in Ballast Bay, and I caught the first, and swam it in. It also had been tagged a long time ago, but it's good to take down the numbers so we know where it was caught last and what its measurements were at that time. Today, Steve taught me how to do a blood draw on the turtle. I made my attempt but was unable to attain any blood. Troye tried next but she also didn't have any luck. </div><div>We try to reduce the amount of time the turtle is out of the water, and at this point we had it out for almost ten minutes and decided that was long enough, so I returned him to the water.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right now, Kater is off walking the beaches with the beach team. They walk beaches at night to look for the nesting leatherback turtles. She just texted me a message saying that they have found their first one! </div><div><img style="-webkit-user-select: none" src="http://hww.ca/~Content/33/Images/nesting-(godfrey)1.jpg" /></div><div>This is a good picture of one (not ours) digging a nest. This species can grow over 1000 lbs... imagine walking up on that on the beach! Go Kater!!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-2168701209407807282010-03-18T18:14:00.000-07:002010-03-18T18:22:28.724-07:00Hi everyone, sorry once again about the time lapse between posts. <div><br /></div><div>Kater has finished her second round of tests, and done well! We are relieved and she even has a little bit of time for fun. </div><div>This week my mom, sister, and her boyfriend TJ arrived to spend a week with us. I've spent the week showing them around the island, and taking them to our favorite places for food and fun. </div><div>We have snorkeled at Timothy Beach and saw the biggest stingray any of us had ever seen. It measured about three feet across and about five feet long! It was incredible. We swam and snorkeled at Shipwreck, Reggae, and Majors Bay too. We've enjoyed foods at Ciao's, The Sunset Cafe, Shiggity Shack, Shipwreck, Reggae, and the Marriott to name a few. A sample of the local cuisine you might say!</div><div>We spent the day today checking out sugar mill ruins, and Romney manor, as well as Brimstone Hill Fortress. </div><div>They saw the monkeys, pigs, goats, and donkeys that we've written about too... all that's missing is some sea turtles... there is still time and our hopes are high. </div><div>Stay tuned for some photos which will come soon. </div><div>The family has one more full day on the island and we plan to make the best of it!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for checking in!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-20181201521340599972010-03-05T07:49:00.000-08:002010-03-05T08:18:12.139-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqz3SUv_ZAvXsuoKweBkjg5fso5az0mTSu9b1xx5MNifzFt2NKrTI3avz8_XOZGM5rTTH2fg41g18S_2jUfoFebYtUvepBn8Knx9qASVcSw2p9HRgwIMurXeh1A93F1mJWgZZFVkSbT2gE/s1600-h/7th+semester+165.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqz3SUv_ZAvXsuoKweBkjg5fso5az0mTSu9b1xx5MNifzFt2NKrTI3avz8_XOZGM5rTTH2fg41g18S_2jUfoFebYtUvepBn8Knx9qASVcSw2p9HRgwIMurXeh1A93F1mJWgZZFVkSbT2gE/s320/7th+semester+165.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445184490694675250" /></a><br />Hey all!<div><br /></div><div>So finally I have some new pictures to share. As I mentioned a few days back, I had the incredible opportunity to go snorkeling with Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald, from Animal Planet's 'Emergency Vets' out of the Alameda East clinic, in Boulder CO. It was so great to meet him, and he was very excited to get in the water with us. Not long into the swim, we spotted our first turtle.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7W1EfdBg027hUEaNWeCXMFf6_zZl0Gq8HwuyHiz78c3niFfs3IVMTmAcaCbao7IKg2kWq-CPoBdAlUIdZ8PXHny9iMdaDLcCKSBxJ01iqSRGeshkScS9hH8yv2UOvwePR0iUcZ5bsio0w/s1600-h/7th+semester+167.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7W1EfdBg027hUEaNWeCXMFf6_zZl0Gq8HwuyHiz78c3niFfs3IVMTmAcaCbao7IKg2kWq-CPoBdAlUIdZ8PXHny9iMdaDLcCKSBxJ01iqSRGeshkScS9hH8yv2UOvwePR0iUcZ5bsio0w/s320/7th+semester+167.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445178284476935954" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>It was a small Hawksbill sea turtle, and we saw that it had not yet been tagged... so the chase began.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ17SaNzuV1YO-rz7qawvfKKog4IHaDGln3irFEZR2gd18KcyXclW9sTHCK5-lVgXPYo5TRCHu-6tZPvuLy1CTfmPz5ujbetU7jjSHcTXsKMz9AJYt_BZOggt8CYhgKTRwrqsEv86_ZBYS/s1600-h/7th+semester+115.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ17SaNzuV1YO-rz7qawvfKKog4IHaDGln3irFEZR2gd18KcyXclW9sTHCK5-lVgXPYo5TRCHu-6tZPvuLy1CTfmPz5ujbetU7jjSHcTXsKMz9AJYt_BZOggt8CYhgKTRwrqsEv86_ZBYS/s320/7th+semester+115.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445178588666198914" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>(Our group leader Steve, coming up with the turtle.)</div><div>Catching them requires the group to coral the turtle and try to get it to settle on the bottom. The person catching swims down directly above it, in hopes of staying in the turtle's blind spot. We then get hold of it by grabbing one hand on the carapace (top shell) behind the head, and one by the tail. We then slowly bring it to the surface and swim it in, at a 45 degree angle, which helps it breathe properly. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWtHFMQnCsZhd85vLCehjE2G_NX5vtZfB6UMfAWvFe7qD8l8jghSGUDhUjAtNgHt5SgH2FI9UhLrSQo9sujYwqhT5jL51bcP_1VmnU1e_PFrc8vTz61ucRJbu5lr0TX2oDPCfyc9P87OB/s1600-h/7th+semester+119.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWtHFMQnCsZhd85vLCehjE2G_NX5vtZfB6UMfAWvFe7qD8l8jghSGUDhUjAtNgHt5SgH2FI9UhLrSQo9sujYwqhT5jL51bcP_1VmnU1e_PFrc8vTz61ucRJbu5lr0TX2oDPCfyc9P87OB/s320/7th+semester+119.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445179426554191042" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>(Dr. Fitz was given the turtle to swim in) </div><div>When we got to shore, we took measurements, took a blood sample, and tagged the pectoral fins (front flippers). </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-grWq8iqALg9eCySTeIXttIYvOtPzFP0IYJO64FnVgJNe6N_KjLc5Rn2KZdyG4wsNCV_xqQgdpt7JWxk31og-324PYaoXA9tJSL8j1L9YKaBQXZSGXQzp6wevAG5pxPNLUfvHlOdXDSlr/s1600-h/7th+semester+136.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-grWq8iqALg9eCySTeIXttIYvOtPzFP0IYJO64FnVgJNe6N_KjLc5Rn2KZdyG4wsNCV_xqQgdpt7JWxk31og-324PYaoXA9tJSL8j1L9YKaBQXZSGXQzp6wevAG5pxPNLUfvHlOdXDSlr/s320/7th+semester+136.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445179826215856402" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>(Dr. Fitz holds the turtle before the measurements take place.)</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuZROVxiO-AWh-kbgV6GJyWDLGdk1LJSUxnr_O64G0EqeS8OtXWPhMvyTQs2QdqCvNo13i1G6pG6-s-AuaFHoRWKG8vXi1NSojN4TE4W0GQK8ct8CEbFSnxUBl8I2ReU40Trtqwenj27C/s1600-h/7th+semester+137.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuZROVxiO-AWh-kbgV6GJyWDLGdk1LJSUxnr_O64G0EqeS8OtXWPhMvyTQs2QdqCvNo13i1G6pG6-s-AuaFHoRWKG8vXi1NSojN4TE4W0GQK8ct8CEbFSnxUBl8I2ReU40Trtqwenj27C/s320/7th+semester+137.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445180033249058082" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>(We took several photos from different angles to keep file of each turtle we tag, so if we catch it again later we can compare. Here Troye holds the little guy.)</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NEGobMhI6JmBOotV4-wfUTULdj4Kq3hwqCJtHTeZiRLL1v91ZKSWbim9TsBtjaNPKMOX_l_0JFbuemAK1b4xd_1Vwv0e8ylE6zRYYvOV3OvpmWDPU5x_ofZg7hALtKxVPSigEb30nXuI/s1600-h/7th+semester+142.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NEGobMhI6JmBOotV4-wfUTULdj4Kq3hwqCJtHTeZiRLL1v91ZKSWbim9TsBtjaNPKMOX_l_0JFbuemAK1b4xd_1Vwv0e8ylE6zRYYvOV3OvpmWDPU5x_ofZg7hALtKxVPSigEb30nXuI/s320/7th+semester+142.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445180386534687122" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>(The carapace (top of shell) above, and plastron (bottom of shell) below).</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-29HshHOBMsC4nM8WZg3o2TuE1VCMXgF-nJ9TCujj1MfV-BNvADE5WEjDVNpg_PBHPtJ2a0AjBS6WzIL5qybqF16OlMmIKU183JlCe-ULGG9Cer-ohtc8B7HdO0BHKbgKx9HP5wBP1e4/s1600-h/7th+semester+138.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-29HshHOBMsC4nM8WZg3o2TuE1VCMXgF-nJ9TCujj1MfV-BNvADE5WEjDVNpg_PBHPtJ2a0AjBS6WzIL5qybqF16OlMmIKU183JlCe-ULGG9Cer-ohtc8B7HdO0BHKbgKx9HP5wBP1e4/s320/7th+semester+138.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445180673004810642" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>(This turtle appeared to be in very healthy shape, but we won't know for sure until we get results back from the blood sample. The vets here look for any kinds of illnesses or diseases etc.)</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaM9CMB2dMR4U2d6iO3OVSABkieQUU14YJhJwt7KjhreV38DStVIHZbX7SoJJPTRNgIx00zrxknLYidmXIHTcaleJraNvgyo51gip3BzQ-8HSLsD3NWlwdV-u2hpm-UnY7HmXqHgTBtunj/s1600-h/7th+semester+145.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaM9CMB2dMR4U2d6iO3OVSABkieQUU14YJhJwt7KjhreV38DStVIHZbX7SoJJPTRNgIx00zrxknLYidmXIHTcaleJraNvgyo51gip3BzQ-8HSLsD3NWlwdV-u2hpm-UnY7HmXqHgTBtunj/s320/7th+semester+145.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445181104488382018" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>(Here is what the tag looks like once it's clipped onto the pectoral fin. These are scales without any blood vessels, so the tag can be securely attached without hurting the turtle or causing infection. The numbers on it allow us to keep track of who is who.)</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikn6IoSw9wVmCAXqPLvKBCS4jEgIKTv2Uti3FvRr_0_CqtWCT5bGSucLoB9g0_cW1HI6Y5hBYAQlKqkNrQr6D9VWSuscnZRcC6-1WBgJtqPEyNz-NVQOH0DmB_m1dNDEvqwOhzCD0eQ4kL/s1600-h/7th+semester+160.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikn6IoSw9wVmCAXqPLvKBCS4jEgIKTv2Uti3FvRr_0_CqtWCT5bGSucLoB9g0_cW1HI6Y5hBYAQlKqkNrQr6D9VWSuscnZRcC6-1WBgJtqPEyNz-NVQOH0DmB_m1dNDEvqwOhzCD0eQ4kL/s320/7th+semester+160.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445181718647356210" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>(Our guest of honor releases the turtle back into the water, where it swam away just fine.)</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7uapDIbw6WMXOgYlYmB3DA8poRumEfgtrKSj9lP0TppE7wsOLiBLAwYJGM83iGfKempQxA8o8t7GhJMgs8E8xYoOUUTTFNh6lMa1kV0TVsbMouLgl5wTsmrzJW07AIwYllZE9RzDXCK-/s1600-h/7th+semester+149.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7uapDIbw6WMXOgYlYmB3DA8poRumEfgtrKSj9lP0TppE7wsOLiBLAwYJGM83iGfKempQxA8o8t7GhJMgs8E8xYoOUUTTFNh6lMa1kV0TVsbMouLgl5wTsmrzJW07AIwYllZE9RzDXCK-/s320/7th+semester+149.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445182177611666290" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>(The proud turtle team group picture.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Following the turtle dive, Dr. Fitz gave several more lectures through the week, as well as a stand up comedy routine and slide show for the students. It was a ton of fun, he is hilarious and obviously has a great sense of humor and adventure. Both Kater and I really admire this guy, and we're both still beaming from the experience. </div><div>To thank him for taking time out of his busy schedule to come out with us, I illustrated a caricature of him with a small note:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugg9chcRuvQs61sNEQyD46j9gwl4BWEwq81N7OYneW_ne6EH7X_MXf-zsV8J9z5nPEVC8b9N0ti2Sn6ON_OwRLU8rznKVI9MUpec_LeesBDvA2Jre0RPz3431bw69dM_v1IYtZrG0KWl2/s1600-h/doc+fitz.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugg9chcRuvQs61sNEQyD46j9gwl4BWEwq81N7OYneW_ne6EH7X_MXf-zsV8J9z5nPEVC8b9N0ti2Sn6ON_OwRLU8rznKVI9MUpec_LeesBDvA2Jre0RPz3431bw69dM_v1IYtZrG0KWl2/s320/doc+fitz.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445183016952363554" style="cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>He really liked it, we had a good laugh, and he told me that the turtle dive was the best day he's had in the last 15 years! Imagine that. I was pretty nervous to give this to him, but I'm glad I did. He said he was going to frame it and invited Kater and I to visit him in Colorado! Hopefully one day we will get the chance to take him up on it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Other than that exciting bit of news, everything else has been pretty much business as usual. Kater began her second round of exams this week. She did well on the test Wednesday, and is getting ready for the next one on Monday. I (and all VIPs) now have access to the school's fitness facility, which is really nice. I've been going this week and I feel great. It's nice to be able to exercise in air conditioning... it's just too hot here to do anything during the day, and I like to go in the morning. </div><div>I'm still going to the glass studio, making beads for the sea turtle project. I set a schedule of Tuesdays and Thursdays to go in for a few hours. That has been a lot of fun too. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, that will do it for now I think, thanks for reading the blog, even though the posts have been fewer lately. I enjoy writing it, but sometimes I wait to have a few good pictures to add- I think it makes it more interesting.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-87506144402263995052010-03-02T17:23:00.001-08:002010-03-02T17:29:19.818-08:00Hey all, <div><br /></div><div>Just a quick update since it's been about a week. </div><div>What's new? Well... Kater begins her second round of exams tomorrow, wish her luck. I went for my official first day at the glass studio to make beads for the turtle project. I made about 8 five sided beads from bombay blue sapphire gin bottles, what a beautiful color.</div><div>If any of you have ever watched 'Emergency Vets' on Animal Planet, one of the main people from the show is here visiting Ross. His name is Dr. Fitzgerald, you would recognize him by his glasses, white mop of hair and mustache. Tomorrow I will have the amazing opportunity of going snorkeling with him on one of our turtle research dives. I hope to have some photos. It will definitely be a great one of a kind experience.</div><div>I'm continuing to work on Sam and Jam, although progress at this point is slow. We are still waiting to hear back from publishers about "the next step". </div><div>That's all for now, not much time for a great update but one is coming this week I promise!!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-22172128897210100802010-02-22T05:35:00.000-08:002010-02-22T05:50:54.131-08:00<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyXfyP1Aalt0Z39uizaRM_KW4LSgc6nXNgoke03yijdMq0cjttJ2F3GNVfgD7BnKGaVRSr4xnR3ERDegScpLw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Continued from previous post (even though it appears first...)</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a short video of me working on a piece of green bottle glass, in our glass working class.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-11912128318529307552010-02-22T04:33:00.000-08:002010-02-22T05:33:57.860-08:00Hi all.<div><br /></div><div>This past week was fun. The kids didn't have any tests so we were able to go out a little bit here and there. There were a few birthdays of people in our orientation group, so we celebrated those at a place called Ciao's, an Italian restaurant. The food was great, they make their own pasta there. </div><div>I went swimming a few times, but no major snorkeling. Tuesday Chris, myself and some other VIPs went to a place on the strip called Elvis's Love Shack, owned by Elvis himself- a great guy. Elvis is a Kittitian and one who is very focused on customer service (which is rare here) and really enjoys the company of VIPs and students. He has lots of specials for us, and really tries to take good care of us. There, we placed beach volleyball, and took him up on some specials. While swimming here I stepped on my first urchin- ouch! It hurt for a little while but I was able to walk without pain very quickly. I had several little black holes in my heel, but they have either dissolved or worked themselves out by now, because I can't feel them or see them anymore. </div><div>Earlier in the week I went to the library and borrowed 'The Shining' by Steven King. I've seen the movie several times but never read the book. I'm enjoying it very much. </div><div>Friday evening was Ciao's like I mentioned, and Saturday we all went into Port. The students really haven't had a chance at all to explore so we spent a few hours walking around town, and checking out some shops. I offered directional assistance when necessary but let everyone find there way themselves... It was nice out, but hot. We had plans to go to Chris's in the afternoon for a little cookout. </div><div>At Chris's, in Bird Rock, we grilled some burgers and dogs, had some punch and relaxed, it was a nice afternoon. We briefly played a home-made variation of horse shoes, using coconuts and buckets... still a work in progress but it was fun. Afterwards we walked down to the grocery store to find it closed... so we called our taxi driver 'Showtime' for a ride to another one. </div><div>On Sunday morning, Kater and I went downtown for a glass bead making class. The small group got together and we learned how to melt and manipulate glass into colorful beads. It was so much fun. The people teaching the class, are a part of the sea turtle conservation effort here on the island. They teach fishermen how to make glass art and sell it as an alternative to catching turtles and taking their eggs. </div><div>There are certainly people making their livings at this, including our teacher, and that makes it seem hopeful that the fishermen can too. It will be a long process, but in educating the locals and helping the community develop in other ways, they wont need to fish turtles any longer and will understand why. </div><div>Here are some pictures from our class:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fZT0toLej4biA8JAAZKDT5B7yrqzgfTQ0xD6Tezsh2JmyO-rBoAK_gnABQ-qkczFXCFrCyK27yn0GrqTaTbXxHeVuud2ezLkHoj70Pebppi8s299xVLMcVGDwAD2rwkXvKLFlPXsU3NE/s1600-h/DSC02519.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fZT0toLej4biA8JAAZKDT5B7yrqzgfTQ0xD6Tezsh2JmyO-rBoAK_gnABQ-qkczFXCFrCyK27yn0GrqTaTbXxHeVuud2ezLkHoj70Pebppi8s299xVLMcVGDwAD2rwkXvKLFlPXsU3NE/s320/DSC02519.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441049565732171138" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>This is Kater working a rod of Italian glass around a 'mandrel'. We would cover a metal rod in a clay-like substance, which would hold the glass in place. Then, by slowly melting the glass and twisting the rod we would create beads.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJTrPMySqhFv12-_dwraAwr33M4A1syJDWFINI6ObE9MEdFqEjePJfF6fUVH9kZqhUjoPbSyv6jstwKOoJvJYiCG4ZctSrt07HKGnTg-Ji-EzrwQyQ0SETQl2vdyrIA7uwC7i8Q6nZfgv/s1600-h/DSC02522.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJTrPMySqhFv12-_dwraAwr33M4A1syJDWFINI6ObE9MEdFqEjePJfF6fUVH9kZqhUjoPbSyv6jstwKOoJvJYiCG4ZctSrt07HKGnTg-Ji-EzrwQyQ0SETQl2vdyrIA7uwC7i8Q6nZfgv/s320/DSC02522.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441050038160829378" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>This next one here is a close up shot of the hot glass being manipulated into a bead. You can see Kater's left hand holding the mandrel, and above it on the other side of the flame is the glass rod.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFks7iOP9bfBzlRefHcsKIU7iNvU010W51zniBuOq8fEn-FjjAVQz7zQmzy-0phokEl6FAOjPrby4ZsB_628aNasceOTf4qiGYekgcX_gkEMlNWrWGhBsIeTF7erJ_qF2mXXfSa3ExnKs/s1600-h/DSC02567.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFks7iOP9bfBzlRefHcsKIU7iNvU010W51zniBuOq8fEn-FjjAVQz7zQmzy-0phokEl6FAOjPrby4ZsB_628aNasceOTf4qiGYekgcX_gkEMlNWrWGhBsIeTF7erJ_qF2mXXfSa3ExnKs/s320/DSC02567.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441050629860644962" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Here's another one, Kater shows off her cool shades! We had to wear these special glasses to reduce the glare from the flame. It is very bright as you could imagine and bad for your eyes. Isn't she just adorable!!?!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU-5yiqSrbgahRnFVIAOU2MvBOiBiCjz9898XRNsoBG3qQcyvaw31bSG6EIXB6Ipw0h0j0pNnrMpGcYDK7U6U9XTqJqZly9MQL8Bi3c2YySKGD-Nt8lWlm3XHtH83fc_zvXnQcZnueMRf/s1600-h/DSC02565.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU-5yiqSrbgahRnFVIAOU2MvBOiBiCjz9898XRNsoBG3qQcyvaw31bSG6EIXB6Ipw0h0j0pNnrMpGcYDK7U6U9XTqJqZly9MQL8Bi3c2YySKGD-Nt8lWlm3XHtH83fc_zvXnQcZnueMRf/s320/DSC02565.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441051066374309778" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>Here Kater is adding accent glass, to the bead. This is how you incorporate stripes, or dots into the piece. This is how advanced artist create texture and or actual little critters crawling on the beads etc...</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocIIiAz36QYett6moh7a1l19IjtDs7reEw9Xe1JnAPX3HxsLqmDpc_A9cWjY_EsSG2pEKsM3ZzAl2QO5gg3SpsiJq49gqRjw6At7SjkqA8vUyDkSkCKrXPy3P_X9_4jnmITES0A8QxoPz/s1600-h/DSC02536.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocIIiAz36QYett6moh7a1l19IjtDs7reEw9Xe1JnAPX3HxsLqmDpc_A9cWjY_EsSG2pEKsM3ZzAl2QO5gg3SpsiJq49gqRjw6At7SjkqA8vUyDkSkCKrXPy3P_X9_4jnmITES0A8QxoPz/s320/DSC02536.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441051575770092466" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>So this here is me taking my first turn at it. This shot shows pretty well the glass dripping on to the rod, as I twist. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_VOyz1GqqnlBBaJMa6g0_0LMk7WwoYo6WRbmrtRY_Yfohy8cr_XMHZ7tehcIzO6S-77b6QOuPR_yqtwM4PuKcMMLNVdkkjDtTdKQMtICkJQDZig8tBuknl68Y_HIHwQPBsVXs5_amKXW/s1600-h/DSC02554.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_VOyz1GqqnlBBaJMa6g0_0LMk7WwoYo6WRbmrtRY_Yfohy8cr_XMHZ7tehcIzO6S-77b6QOuPR_yqtwM4PuKcMMLNVdkkjDtTdKQMtICkJQDZig8tBuknl68Y_HIHwQPBsVXs5_amKXW/s320/DSC02554.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441052072833779090" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>Here I am, after adding enough glass where I was happy with what size the bead would be. Once it has enough glass, you then heat it evenly and allow gravity to help you flatten it out and even out any uneven areas. You can also use a flat surface, like the slate below my hand, to flatten or smooth the glass.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVZiLfmz36ojr4fw3TUByADtlEGylaybhDWTjJj6QQMxwz-5QzsPaHR1f1b2_dNB0QB9RQ2Ki0lCuC4XaIUChyhpRGcVgSt4-9K0Q8NhaUWsa31hPw1i5s69KXXe94D7KinDP5YdLj6ga/s1600-h/DSC02580.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVZiLfmz36ojr4fw3TUByADtlEGylaybhDWTjJj6QQMxwz-5QzsPaHR1f1b2_dNB0QB9RQ2Ki0lCuC4XaIUChyhpRGcVgSt4-9K0Q8NhaUWsa31hPw1i5s69KXXe94D7KinDP5YdLj6ga/s320/DSC02580.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441052852911443330" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Here you can see Kater setting her bead into a white fluffy material. It's some type of heavy material (like the rope that goes around the wood stove door) that is flame retardant and heavily heat tolerant. We place the beads in this 'bed' to slowly cool. If they cool to fast they will crack and you will lose your piece.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49xxyIalp8roUgfazw6whSq__svIrGLI6BL6KAUE4jddsM6RSoTjvrXbaS78TTNPsNwpRq7lxEkj7vD6bDfB8lCOJ5WPhe8wiOCdTetzx5mfijwiJpTNWJdB6hfBtVJvkIyLpF6Wb2hSH/s1600-h/DSC02586.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49xxyIalp8roUgfazw6whSq__svIrGLI6BL6KAUE4jddsM6RSoTjvrXbaS78TTNPsNwpRq7lxEkj7vD6bDfB8lCOJ5WPhe8wiOCdTetzx5mfijwiJpTNWJdB6hfBtVJvkIyLpF6Wb2hSH/s320/DSC02586.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441053789077452274" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Now we start with bottle glass! Any old bottle will do. Kater here is using glass from an Arbor Mist wine bottle I think the teacher said. We melt it onto the mandrel in the same way as we did the glass rods. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYS6cKPqgVWq_C2oUala3OEAkiDNp3CFvomn16lsIasSs0Nju9szvedAH3FCzqABEvlEiZ4wJKTc5RVxBohqUp5bcOtqd7v3e0aPJCt8-lG3Pq_NOOlmWtDlpsORUdFYav9V_RJNhMHb1D/s1600-h/DSC02587.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYS6cKPqgVWq_C2oUala3OEAkiDNp3CFvomn16lsIasSs0Nju9szvedAH3FCzqABEvlEiZ4wJKTc5RVxBohqUp5bcOtqd7v3e0aPJCt8-lG3Pq_NOOlmWtDlpsORUdFYav9V_RJNhMHb1D/s320/DSC02587.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441054249766350770" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Pretty cool!!! This type of glass was much more stubborn, taking more head and more time to be molded into the desired shapes. It also doesn't come in even shapes so it takes more manipulation to get it to cooperate. I really preferred this type of glass.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZd-txfCWHhMKIPOfpBnD6CVRdBBKIY_xqGOJ43EMeUwu19XXAinA5hr7lV2uZ60vr7fQFonMMG2tIxpgk7dxR3-SB4z4VT9WGeT_QW-LesNa1xws8Ahu_NLZLIzuYEYK8Ts6N8-f9AEd/s1600-h/DSC02601.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZd-txfCWHhMKIPOfpBnD6CVRdBBKIY_xqGOJ43EMeUwu19XXAinA5hr7lV2uZ60vr7fQFonMMG2tIxpgk7dxR3-SB4z4VT9WGeT_QW-LesNa1xws8Ahu_NLZLIzuYEYK8Ts6N8-f9AEd/s320/DSC02601.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441054896258158754" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>Here I am starting a piece of green glass from an old Heineken bottle. You can see that I am using tweezers to help move the glass into the right position to melt over the mandrel.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirE7Fyi7QW_CiTApNkZnXoyOthBY17vsgCmORhaHB2yXsnxnQTBRfF4mGKtMa9ltOajZsY1bkkJuCJlGzNkUwod7ozREeZU1rcNG7CttPIUZI-ZIRuX8MCdMhoiSoDVVoedWmgCLk0_RML/s1600-h/DSC02608.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirE7Fyi7QW_CiTApNkZnXoyOthBY17vsgCmORhaHB2yXsnxnQTBRfF4mGKtMa9ltOajZsY1bkkJuCJlGzNkUwod7ozREeZU1rcNG7CttPIUZI-ZIRuX8MCdMhoiSoDVVoedWmgCLk0_RML/s320/DSC02608.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441055544044110370" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Close up of the glass beginning to melt! It was really cool to see this right before your eyes.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9Mj5UgmH3mu48ym4JM_AgDtk_iggGAjCwVbAZK2y72YNFnTKBjCQTPVyzbz8L9pQuM9IAkg4tTuWWkdJlQB74_IJTkmgJD5Npw9e4lJ-Eq66hrbnWYrGbNpVYQ0E93S_g4NtV3OTEGED/s1600-h/DSC02605.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9Mj5UgmH3mu48ym4JM_AgDtk_iggGAjCwVbAZK2y72YNFnTKBjCQTPVyzbz8L9pQuM9IAkg4tTuWWkdJlQB74_IJTkmgJD5Npw9e4lJ-Eq66hrbnWYrGbNpVYQ0E93S_g4NtV3OTEGED/s320/DSC02605.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441055824359720530" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>This is my once green Heineken glass being shaped into a pentagonal shape. Our teacher explained to us that in the years of the early slave trade here in the caribbean, glass beads of this shape were used as currency. They made green and blue, and if found today are worth nearly $100 each at the least. She makes reproductions, and I decided to make a few also. </div><div>You can see it beginning to take shape.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEz86mtn8KmSp9v2mdFIaBRB4Qo58TIwYgJPhyphenhyphenfwkOMQjKWOpo1Arg7gVosLUA1v4HcCvTd9hrxZzl9eMwgeJY3iGPLfuXZaCumfaCesoqdG6TX5LohqGH5t1DldPGdXSlkI7FgjGtQsn/s1600-h/DSC02610.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEz86mtn8KmSp9v2mdFIaBRB4Qo58TIwYgJPhyphenhyphenfwkOMQjKWOpo1Arg7gVosLUA1v4HcCvTd9hrxZzl9eMwgeJY3iGPLfuXZaCumfaCesoqdG6TX5LohqGH5t1DldPGdXSlkI7FgjGtQsn/s320/DSC02610.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441056650078963314" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>The final inspection before it goes to cool off.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, even thought these glasses are very cool, they were incredibly uncomfortable to wear... they were heavy and kept sliding down our noses... Making need for constant adjustments. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a short clip of Kater working some accent glass into one of her beads.</div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw1rchlwujOxC1AcAsVSHF7SAhdfCHiVUjVH9y99l3CDg_8fkbBPt8UUPgnRdYFsE7g-I6jE2MrnOp3tmILRw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>That will do it for now. Another week begins, the last before Kater's next round of tests! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-6075148727478636402010-02-14T08:07:00.000-08:002010-02-14T08:40:18.195-08:00Happy Valentine's Day everyone! It's Sunday of course... I surprised Kater with a home made card, bottle of her favorite wine, and some flowers. Simple, but nice I think. She seemed to like it.<div>She has made it through another week and continues to earn high marks on her exams. She has one more test to go before the mid-semester break which falls on March 1st. </div><div>For me, this past week I didn't do much adventuring. I went for a few swims and spent a better part of the week here, working on different projects. I continue to work on Sam and Jam. I have sent in the story board and the first completed page, which in turn is being sent to publishers. Now we just have to wait to hear back. I'm told they aren't the quickest about it, so who knows what that means.</div><div><br /></div><div>In addition to posting photos here, I also add them to our Facebook albums. You can <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2247720&id=11001278&l=df85e260a1">click here</a> to view the photos there also. Sometimes I have better luck uploading to that site than to this one. It also allows me to add more photos faster too. So you may find some there that I didn't put here. Usually I post my favorites here though.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are the photos from this morning and the past week:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRra3-ArN-W8QuMaVAEFaNSGB62I8kui7MnpZgrnwO6E45j09cq9RydINR4YXsvFB4eRvZJGzFS9Z6muC3If5NsDbsRIuhtV-CQxXSziaIIbWGtbKiS8zbJqiNTDXpeTEcDQW4g9-r2Xu/s1600-h/IMG_8175.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRra3-ArN-W8QuMaVAEFaNSGB62I8kui7MnpZgrnwO6E45j09cq9RydINR4YXsvFB4eRvZJGzFS9Z6muC3If5NsDbsRIuhtV-CQxXSziaIIbWGtbKiS8zbJqiNTDXpeTEcDQW4g9-r2Xu/s320/IMG_8175.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438132680705189282" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px; " /></a></div><div>This first pic, is of a new humming bird to us! He is very small and as you can see, has a very stylish mohawk! We got a lot of shots of him, but as you know they move so fast it's not easy.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AMF6sk5ALQaTJek77o-58-THiBzzG_iJAVmidc-eh8BJ4aizgD7-w_fbQSXYUGc7LHGjy4Is-EnE1YeYT283-Ar9UrlvE7yFL-79cyzip6y860coK_zQgWM0lByw0DyCu8hBG9JMCFrb/s1600-h/IMG_8197.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AMF6sk5ALQaTJek77o-58-THiBzzG_iJAVmidc-eh8BJ4aizgD7-w_fbQSXYUGc7LHGjy4Is-EnE1YeYT283-Ar9UrlvE7yFL-79cyzip6y860coK_zQgWM0lByw0DyCu8hBG9JMCFrb/s320/IMG_8197.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438133187963022834" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>Another shot of the little guy, stretching out his wings. I wasn't ever able to capture it, but every once in a while you can see them stick their tongue out- it's pretty funny.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCbS3NTnanSHl7gXyQKrDnxa2-HVNYYd3jVoLh6WplkVKwhgHG-xxqcAlNPpGazIJcxQwO7LPF75Tpbu4D6-0g9QKUAh9MZbPuEpKe_YdzUp93YxBWj68ukQlZk5OpKN11AbCL617ZayS/s1600-h/IMG_8203.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCbS3NTnanSHl7gXyQKrDnxa2-HVNYYd3jVoLh6WplkVKwhgHG-xxqcAlNPpGazIJcxQwO7LPF75Tpbu4D6-0g9QKUAh9MZbPuEpKe_YdzUp93YxBWj68ukQlZk5OpKN11AbCL617ZayS/s320/IMG_8203.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438133499309028546" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px; " /></a></div><div>This is the larger, more common humming bird we have seen here a lot. Kater was able to get this one in flight, which is a hard shot to get in focus. These guys were very territorial over their flowers, chasing off a lot of bananaquits and bullfinches for their food!</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkgQ3D0rqu74HmLE6KmZP2fjdpiH1megDj-fzo3-2KD-jnFEHSVm7imK2BnyNmKj-YimJPc9gZ7tmEdm3geQ6DCSPCcdITSbPhOIA1VVihGusowxrFmFhu25-vWKyUU38cqLaIBysxlTH/s1600-h/IMG_8213.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkgQ3D0rqu74HmLE6KmZP2fjdpiH1megDj-fzo3-2KD-jnFEHSVm7imK2BnyNmKj-YimJPc9gZ7tmEdm3geQ6DCSPCcdITSbPhOIA1VVihGusowxrFmFhu25-vWKyUU38cqLaIBysxlTH/s320/IMG_8213.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438134019511068386" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>Here is a funny shot of a male bullfinch taking a bath! He was getting water everywhere!</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-q4ujz453YrheJLpR2-CAvPNDAvqQ9BG4XZud3JhfSNRCgwOLvjTIjWztAbydhZv4yMG6dXVdHxn-tBl2E9ePWs2OLzagZdtpDtzU8ReaOlgm0KeW_LX-8Ac53EfcOL0AET0w0XgEsui/s1600-h/IMG_8220.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-q4ujz453YrheJLpR2-CAvPNDAvqQ9BG4XZud3JhfSNRCgwOLvjTIjWztAbydhZv4yMG6dXVdHxn-tBl2E9ePWs2OLzagZdtpDtzU8ReaOlgm0KeW_LX-8Ac53EfcOL0AET0w0XgEsui/s320/IMG_8220.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438134499229059794" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>Another lizard, which I believe is an anole but have not confirmed as of yet. Most locals just call them lizards, which surprises me.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGgCEiLEUK5vcCND6j72AGG_YSA4WilapgphKTYEMUpBkeZqCX_SXexv3D9Csz4b63RElIFukZlNFByxpUIGC2jekcPLhBF1lLWmttYf15MPGpisvxETLk2SMwiDVm-u4xs694BdI13sm/s1600-h/IMG_8282.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGgCEiLEUK5vcCND6j72AGG_YSA4WilapgphKTYEMUpBkeZqCX_SXexv3D9Csz4b63RElIFukZlNFByxpUIGC2jekcPLhBF1lLWmttYf15MPGpisvxETLk2SMwiDVm-u4xs694BdI13sm/s320/IMG_8282.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438134808590070146" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>Another shot of the larger hummingbird. This one really shows off his colors in the sun.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOPyMAZhCUMuYD5WJ9lBI4tAvZZnJhTei3geiZua6UBl5iokXRugJd1Ihpgz-La83MmjJYRhN3xE-UNtYYldkdGHQDbmq-bgDbZxDSQsmTG4eaCaNvGTjnAcJ-W_JJTQ7RskK3WVkCdgp/s1600-h/IMG_8123.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOPyMAZhCUMuYD5WJ9lBI4tAvZZnJhTei3geiZua6UBl5iokXRugJd1Ihpgz-La83MmjJYRhN3xE-UNtYYldkdGHQDbmq-bgDbZxDSQsmTG4eaCaNvGTjnAcJ-W_JJTQ7RskK3WVkCdgp/s320/IMG_8123.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438135142673701554" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 244px; " /></a></div><div>We went for a walk yesterday and discovered these fellas. I want to say they are a type of orb spider but I'm not 100% sure. There were tons of them along the campus edge in the bougainvillea flower bushes. I was able to see some catch some flys too.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDMY79msCrf8oJNl63GhTC9s3DXlYcwKd0k59ADcuZBz-rlYIyqNl8uJqJkalNt92JMVUR0cV6K_8A1MMf67uibPfyDwchCuR_Y5ituMRAex5UESSOsjJPkSgMcBH-PwNfrSvAskKWjBL/s1600-h/IMG_8126.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDMY79msCrf8oJNl63GhTC9s3DXlYcwKd0k59ADcuZBz-rlYIyqNl8uJqJkalNt92JMVUR0cV6K_8A1MMf67uibPfyDwchCuR_Y5ituMRAex5UESSOsjJPkSgMcBH-PwNfrSvAskKWjBL/s320/IMG_8126.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438135788905040322" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 268px; " /></a></div><div>You can see this next one here has a fly in its fangs. It's amazing how fast these spiders can run from the center of the web to grab the bug.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuCiMKkuakbyUQbc_yugY4U0OD7TQvV0aioGYfZlKXZO3K_LSPbv29zVbsgp7RvQhwz4ym4VVbqfkUy79Rn9j1R0DuONQebm2fiE6aeVhfVBnldoM9-mhaQWOgLlnEvLpTQyo2JL6wzXt/s1600-h/IMG_8138.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuCiMKkuakbyUQbc_yugY4U0OD7TQvV0aioGYfZlKXZO3K_LSPbv29zVbsgp7RvQhwz4ym4VVbqfkUy79Rn9j1R0DuONQebm2fiE6aeVhfVBnldoM9-mhaQWOgLlnEvLpTQyo2JL6wzXt/s320/IMG_8138.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438136168286974194" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>This one is the fly wrapped up and being eaten.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdr4Ei2Txo5BZZBDnMFIcZyV4qn8hyphenhyphenVGcX3sfX4cs1alMlMbOJmzRjgZggB33v_DV96Z3Dq7_IeiBwJZhH8-Q1aGLqJMyZDtyvnIb0MLR3XzEi0-wrRP5VQugkERYtgwug0NpCp_x0DXrK/s1600-h/dreamcatcher.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdr4Ei2Txo5BZZBDnMFIcZyV4qn8hyphenhyphenVGcX3sfX4cs1alMlMbOJmzRjgZggB33v_DV96Z3Dq7_IeiBwJZhH8-Q1aGLqJMyZDtyvnIb0MLR3XzEi0-wrRP5VQugkERYtgwug0NpCp_x0DXrK/s320/dreamcatcher.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438136664717850930" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>I found this feather stuck in a web also... It reminds me of a dreamcatcher, or nature in reverse where a spider caught a bird in a web instead of a bird catching/eating a spider.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not only were there lots of orb spiders to be found among the bushes, but we came across a few other interesting varieties. This here below is a type of crab spider. They are very small and with the wind here it took a lot of tries to get a picture that was clear. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlg_3ljraT93zw21RSrbm4zI1-ANDsvCmGrfZBx7LyaYo5Ub04osDtJsh9V9N6ukyfS3sCmWH1Nsjf6Pvk8knF32gQQQ-LShvbPeNpgQPHZxeOitCawlXgJ9dGfOTAPXrhNJI7D4ZwB6Sz/s1600-h/IMG_8111.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlg_3ljraT93zw21RSrbm4zI1-ANDsvCmGrfZBx7LyaYo5Ub04osDtJsh9V9N6ukyfS3sCmWH1Nsjf6Pvk8knF32gQQQ-LShvbPeNpgQPHZxeOitCawlXgJ9dGfOTAPXrhNJI7D4ZwB6Sz/s320/IMG_8111.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438137121508400962" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>These last few photos are of the bougainvillea flowers all around campus:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQ_ePBr0tXJABq-O4ZI0Kewua3zoD6B1zVvTuf1WkGIBa-DM2Y3PC9dUBqVnEjNPCSh9gIPGlbeNfJ8zdy3ATgz0O7Y3qb4fzUYEKOEjsNjO-CMEl_cn7ufASjf-HafZceEfSeDzUdDdD/s1600-h/IMG_8108.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQ_ePBr0tXJABq-O4ZI0Kewua3zoD6B1zVvTuf1WkGIBa-DM2Y3PC9dUBqVnEjNPCSh9gIPGlbeNfJ8zdy3ATgz0O7Y3qb4fzUYEKOEjsNjO-CMEl_cn7ufASjf-HafZceEfSeDzUdDdD/s320/IMG_8108.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438136870920471010" style="cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 320px; " /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8eevwWS6JgZ8ZK6feTR1SODZVIrolnbvbPA53q7j9sEPt_J8FJOiGIHcYIQjrU-S1b549i70lycnZZpdA7jjrOmEU1C76Ts7985TVk2CB9wEL9qkPLOgoODiM6rzgKNxhYY1FRJCxHyc/s1600-h/IMG_8112.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8eevwWS6JgZ8ZK6feTR1SODZVIrolnbvbPA53q7j9sEPt_J8FJOiGIHcYIQjrU-S1b549i70lycnZZpdA7jjrOmEU1C76Ts7985TVk2CB9wEL9qkPLOgoODiM6rzgKNxhYY1FRJCxHyc/s320/IMG_8112.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438137731216241250" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtd2FMahAzSolS2hSyF-jWE4znpafrdcZStNTvK8hxaqHDXfPqIIjd06RU5nr2nydI-HfgbtzmS0JIyXVb8RVMC57VlMpSVBzb2qQPODAo4EmovCRd-9Ia08Um0Y6PMBQ4MScFf-GcaCC7/s1600-h/IMG_8114.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtd2FMahAzSolS2hSyF-jWE4znpafrdcZStNTvK8hxaqHDXfPqIIjd06RU5nr2nydI-HfgbtzmS0JIyXVb8RVMC57VlMpSVBzb2qQPODAo4EmovCRd-9Ia08Um0Y6PMBQ4MScFf-GcaCC7/s320/IMG_8114.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438138215799213954" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Well I guess the photos worked this time! I took advantage and posted as many as I could get away with. Hope you enjoy!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-23686867490295922962010-02-10T10:04:00.000-08:002010-02-10T10:15:22.018-08:00It's market day at Ross once again. I picked up more fresh produce again. It's really nice to have those people come to campus. I got another dozen eggs as well. <div>Kater had her second exam on Monday, which was Anatomy. She feels like she did pretty well. They will get the results by the end of the week hopefully. The teachers have to score this one by hand as the test was taken in "the field" so to speak. They had to palpate and identify structures of live animals like the dog and horse, as well as speak to their hydration level and many other things I'm sure. </div><div>Today they have their third exam, in Physiology this afternoon. After that the next exam isn't until next Tuesday. Hopefully they will take a break for themselves to give the brains a rest even if only for a few hours!</div><div>Other than that, it's more of the same for me. I went for a short snorkel on Monday morning. We went out looking for new spots down in the lower peninsula but our map was lousy and we could find roads that would take us to the spots on the map. So we came back up to mid-island and snorkeled off the shore at the Marriott. They have a few real reefs out a little ways so we spent a little time there. The Marriott is on the Atlantic side, so the water is a little choppier, which lowers the visibility. I really didn't see much, except that the reef itself was very cool. It had somewhat of a mushroom shape which allows for one to swim almost under it. </div><div>Tuesday and today I've spent a little time working on the storyboard to the Sam and Jam book. Things aren't progressing quite as I had hoped but I still feel like I should linger a little while longer... It could prove to be a good opportunity for me.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8xtM0g-xW1fu-ABS0IMh9iGynw4a8TCbFfyxDojO7aIaY3sVMSrbXfkBGMKteXvMvkuDHghOpsuiKbzflXnlu_FvHkTl-5uBS503JxhjCRK59a-25AMT0GHFnLABzs16gHn75hBkiM1Z/s1600-h/wm_birdnerds.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8xtM0g-xW1fu-ABS0IMh9iGynw4a8TCbFfyxDojO7aIaY3sVMSrbXfkBGMKteXvMvkuDHghOpsuiKbzflXnlu_FvHkTl-5uBS503JxhjCRK59a-25AMT0GHFnLABzs16gHn75hBkiM1Z/s320/wm_birdnerds.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436679429188016162" style="cursor: pointer; width: 205px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>This is a piece I began working on for a T-shirt for the Aviary club here at Ross. As a miscommunication, I didn't make the deadline but it was fun all the same. It's my first full computer illustration and I'm pretty happy with it so far. I have an idea for a design including a few more birds, all looking rather dorky... I'd call it 'birdnerds'. I'll post anything new that comes along. </div><div>That's all I've got for you at this point. I may go for a swim with John this afternoon. Catch you later.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-69273150268446189472010-02-06T06:46:00.000-08:002010-02-06T07:19:02.100-08:00<div>Good morning. It's SATURDAY and a beautiful day at that. It has been a slow week in the way of adventures, however it's been a big week for critters!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZbD4P5z0RnXiFnywqMqHLMopvLxMln0Yb7H3IFfZBz1Noh1Su7B6GjURImF-EJI6bAaBogAbn7GpFSuQZyxm8Usk4sdUr955GdSLeJhJk3bCW-W5AWqxZnouIeGMJj7EwOZxxjpvXitS/s1600-h/DSC02482.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZbD4P5z0RnXiFnywqMqHLMopvLxMln0Yb7H3IFfZBz1Noh1Su7B6GjURImF-EJI6bAaBogAbn7GpFSuQZyxm8Usk4sdUr955GdSLeJhJk3bCW-W5AWqxZnouIeGMJj7EwOZxxjpvXitS/s320/DSC02482.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435144158875827522" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZbD4P5z0RnXiFnywqMqHLMopvLxMln0Yb7H3IFfZBz1Noh1Su7B6GjURImF-EJI6bAaBogAbn7GpFSuQZyxm8Usk4sdUr955GdSLeJhJk3bCW-W5AWqxZnouIeGMJj7EwOZxxjpvXitS/s1600-h/DSC02482.JPG"></a>(big red crab burrowed under a pipe)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94OB0aMaWWFw_7dp45uf3n-3HY9ZvQBjL7uC2XQbBsfOMlpCB8wcJaeA1xLK7DXvs-a9E1jTaZ5MaOgSNpalKy-mlzYbNz3wHUG1HMuMe-c1OEllhH9mt894gq4zVOL1EXC-MDB-AkwmR/s1600-h/laserpeli.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94OB0aMaWWFw_7dp45uf3n-3HY9ZvQBjL7uC2XQbBsfOMlpCB8wcJaeA1xLK7DXvs-a9E1jTaZ5MaOgSNpalKy-mlzYbNz3wHUG1HMuMe-c1OEllhH9mt894gq4zVOL1EXC-MDB-AkwmR/s320/laserpeli.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435144149310471554" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94OB0aMaWWFw_7dp45uf3n-3HY9ZvQBjL7uC2XQbBsfOMlpCB8wcJaeA1xLK7DXvs-a9E1jTaZ5MaOgSNpalKy-mlzYbNz3wHUG1HMuMe-c1OEllhH9mt894gq4zVOL1EXC-MDB-AkwmR/s1600-h/laserpeli.JPG"></a>(creepy looking pelican at dusk)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBVnyK3e4YRZXypO5Npsbqz453J_GV2oKJvgi2TOv3c8UxPfYxR1oCeFJDruJFkhMKldVgRwG_IliKU_RyBAZw7b29ajRFkvAl3-NA-CrO16yhISSr7pwpe4YXIFeuYQxTXvfZ1czIEm7/s1600-h/hum+eating.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBVnyK3e4YRZXypO5Npsbqz453J_GV2oKJvgi2TOv3c8UxPfYxR1oCeFJDruJFkhMKldVgRwG_IliKU_RyBAZw7b29ajRFkvAl3-NA-CrO16yhISSr7pwpe4YXIFeuYQxTXvfZ1czIEm7/s320/hum+eating.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435143709893323042" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBVnyK3e4YRZXypO5Npsbqz453J_GV2oKJvgi2TOv3c8UxPfYxR1oCeFJDruJFkhMKldVgRwG_IliKU_RyBAZw7b29ajRFkvAl3-NA-CrO16yhISSr7pwpe4YXIFeuYQxTXvfZ1czIEm7/s1600-h/hum+eating.JPG"></a>(humming bird feeding)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvkSLPkXbg0AJWtkeiCqauFwUVV6mJj_NokE1VnT-xx-oQ6myBeZ28UJ8XZztXyYY75fqXBEY5n8Bgbxy1FxxXuxWLjbKVinbTyl1thoXwNfutN3KFM5N_Fm1FjqXmJifCPbS_f5qPdI4/s1600-h/hum+profile.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvkSLPkXbg0AJWtkeiCqauFwUVV6mJj_NokE1VnT-xx-oQ6myBeZ28UJ8XZztXyYY75fqXBEY5n8Bgbxy1FxxXuxWLjbKVinbTyl1thoXwNfutN3KFM5N_Fm1FjqXmJifCPbS_f5qPdI4/s320/hum+profile.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435143705511375666" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvkSLPkXbg0AJWtkeiCqauFwUVV6mJj_NokE1VnT-xx-oQ6myBeZ28UJ8XZztXyYY75fqXBEY5n8Bgbxy1FxxXuxWLjbKVinbTyl1thoXwNfutN3KFM5N_Fm1FjqXmJifCPbS_f5qPdI4/s1600-h/hum+profile.JPG"></a>(humming bird profile)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjI2kK47egJ3SmvCWJhkV_TIxOQI5FvEM-slyihrjjYQSD9kzO_lK2VRgTFR6osWTf6VH3ZKNEbM5RVht7F2iULZD4ykyc73E4cCm7XXGmLx5U7HiEJa4G4_tIwbFVdRVAhsxAWn56vC16/s1600-h/hum+back.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjI2kK47egJ3SmvCWJhkV_TIxOQI5FvEM-slyihrjjYQSD9kzO_lK2VRgTFR6osWTf6VH3ZKNEbM5RVht7F2iULZD4ykyc73E4cCm7XXGmLx5U7HiEJa4G4_tIwbFVdRVAhsxAWn56vC16/s320/hum+back.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435143697857209410" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjI2kK47egJ3SmvCWJhkV_TIxOQI5FvEM-slyihrjjYQSD9kzO_lK2VRgTFR6osWTf6VH3ZKNEbM5RVht7F2iULZD4ykyc73E4cCm7XXGmLx5U7HiEJa4G4_tIwbFVdRVAhsxAWn56vC16/s1600-h/hum+back.JPG"></a>(humming bird from rear)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TP-XPoK3GvuBLmHF4XNwn0j8KiwM1G_iuAKb37xs8422cH6Ruun4z76qeCSmx5SP04pWDDA5fITMdqah9ESRSUu2rK4u5SdiQjEjW9x-RKUiGkNo8uZZgs8BafY_liG8SlZhqOi2tYeQ/s1600-h/yellowliz.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TP-XPoK3GvuBLmHF4XNwn0j8KiwM1G_iuAKb37xs8422cH6Ruun4z76qeCSmx5SP04pWDDA5fITMdqah9ESRSUu2rK4u5SdiQjEjW9x-RKUiGkNo8uZZgs8BafY_liG8SlZhqOi2tYeQ/s320/yellowliz.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435143479372148690" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TP-XPoK3GvuBLmHF4XNwn0j8KiwM1G_iuAKb37xs8422cH6Ruun4z76qeCSmx5SP04pWDDA5fITMdqah9ESRSUu2rK4u5SdiQjEjW9x-RKUiGkNo8uZZgs8BafY_liG8SlZhqOi2tYeQ/s1600-h/yellowliz.JPG"></a>(unidentified lizard, approx. 7-8" in length)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmx2shB_10cFIyWnsPzQm3g0hFz0btLDZTHFyrOvaL_C6bK7ir6XLIU1oowDc32Yftr9nkrr7tK706yUlZySqGQpsFkAlSHpExCjWWOlXC_IHRgUHTM7Ji0TTf7AT5I_dL9fBxZyzXv_8/s1600-h/greenliz.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmx2shB_10cFIyWnsPzQm3g0hFz0btLDZTHFyrOvaL_C6bK7ir6XLIU1oowDc32Yftr9nkrr7tK706yUlZySqGQpsFkAlSHpExCjWWOlXC_IHRgUHTM7Ji0TTf7AT5I_dL9fBxZyzXv_8/s320/greenliz.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435143476118013922" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmx2shB_10cFIyWnsPzQm3g0hFz0btLDZTHFyrOvaL_C6bK7ir6XLIU1oowDc32Yftr9nkrr7tK706yUlZySqGQpsFkAlSHpExCjWWOlXC_IHRgUHTM7Ji0TTf7AT5I_dL9fBxZyzXv_8/s1600-h/greenliz.JPG"></a>(smaller lizard of same species, about 6")<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRvM4SoXSmLom9WTsVd0t7kdaQozR6Z4VDpwuQYBTeYr7Wuvp9KBm7hpUSx1HmHeHCeVEf2yEzZkR0CbY6JWuIVAEjNCPV_5BILWlMfzMmdxMQpFwMN4A447_9CIlRlWPLQzeo4LS7yBB/s1600-h/DSC02473.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRvM4SoXSmLom9WTsVd0t7kdaQozR6Z4VDpwuQYBTeYr7Wuvp9KBm7hpUSx1HmHeHCeVEf2yEzZkR0CbY6JWuIVAEjNCPV_5BILWlMfzMmdxMQpFwMN4A447_9CIlRlWPLQzeo4LS7yBB/s320/DSC02473.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435143039966548130" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRvM4SoXSmLom9WTsVd0t7kdaQozR6Z4VDpwuQYBTeYr7Wuvp9KBm7hpUSx1HmHeHCeVEf2yEzZkR0CbY6JWuIVAEjNCPV_5BILWlMfzMmdxMQpFwMN4A447_9CIlRlWPLQzeo4LS7yBB/s1600-h/DSC02473.JPG"></a>(monarch just hatched from chrysalis) </div><div><div><div>We were finally able to get some good photos of one of our hummingbirds. We got pictures of some really cool lizards, a pelican, a crab, and another monarch butterfly hatching. Also, not on photo, I saw a whale jumping way out to sea! Something caught my eye and then I realized what it was. We (Chris and I) saw it jumping about 5 or 6 times, each time with a big splash. It was very far out, but only something as big as a whale could be seen from that far making that big of a splash! Very cool. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've continued working on my art, one of my designs is now up online at www.threadless.com for voting. I honestly don't expect to win the contest, but it's nice to even have it accepted for judging. The submissions are judged by other artists that visit the site. You can click this link and judge my work: <a href="http://www.threadless.com/submission/253795/Will_work_for_shoes">http://www.threadless.com/submission/253795/Will_work_for_shoes</a></div><div>This design challenge is in spirit of <a href="http://www.tomsshoes.com/default.asp">TOMS SHOES</a>, a company who donates a pair of shoes, for every pair bought. The shoes are donated to children of third world countries who can't afford shoes. I highly recommend visiting their site and watching some of their videos. It is extremely moving and a great cause. I bought a shirt, so I could donate 1 pair of shoes.</div><div><br /></div><div>The design of the person on the bicycle has been selected for print on the sweatshirts for the YMCA adventure program. This will help them raise money for their department so they can offer more activities to their kids. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFiHA8ThOb6Fdw1N5iQKeB6ZdGR9oJGgP204pPzBhRTzInAW-vZHyoWKL7KE7lZEOi5hwGXAyRw3K97Hh76Kjfq7W0RfczdhEyWugCIPjFItC3ZsmPzUyyVldJqfEIFliSwsc2ICxPwTq/s1600-h/DSC02483.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFiHA8ThOb6Fdw1N5iQKeB6ZdGR9oJGgP204pPzBhRTzInAW-vZHyoWKL7KE7lZEOi5hwGXAyRw3K97Hh76Kjfq7W0RfczdhEyWugCIPjFItC3ZsmPzUyyVldJqfEIFliSwsc2ICxPwTq/s320/DSC02483.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435149844249558306" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>(This is a picture of me next to a huge plant, I think possibly an agave plant or similar. This shoot has grown tremendously over the last few weeks from nothing!)</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS0IRXXKjKo8t2i93-aOij9-KE1Jq_at6x8gkWLogcpjfJAllfJBG9nTOdQ0WJnx7NDIL0A45DpuGDt8UNnjcae6EqShyphenhyphenTAt0vzPftUxDYPODXgfCDB2efL9g-EqVVCs5EkZcwtvKxow2/s1600-h/DSC02479.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS0IRXXKjKo8t2i93-aOij9-KE1Jq_at6x8gkWLogcpjfJAllfJBG9nTOdQ0WJnx7NDIL0A45DpuGDt8UNnjcae6EqShyphenhyphenTAt0vzPftUxDYPODXgfCDB2efL9g-EqVVCs5EkZcwtvKxow2/s320/DSC02479.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435149850875858930" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>(This is the spot where Kater often studies on her breaks from class, also where we usually meet for lunch.)</div><div>Well, I guess that will do it for now. More later.</div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-47006027915261327792010-02-03T05:09:00.000-08:002010-02-11T04:03:47.151-08:00Well its Wednesday, and it has a been a slow week for me (which is just fine by me). As I mentioned on Sunday in the last post, Kater had been preparing for her first test. I'm proud to say she received an A! Did we have any doubt?! She is very relieved to have that out of the way. The next exam is Anatomy on this coming Monday, which she's preparing for now. <div>This week I've been working on my graphics projects, including a revision for the YMCA sweatshirts:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QP22hQ1sr-FzQ8lFA_rXYkR20mqhMgEQUI4qiuKGbNOX4WB7t5u03OEZM7aP_FgjN7fbqhgxggprPj_HteuwYosT8ICy2kWYPyscYyixzIuR4k1spQznW-S_aaxhvOHyTNWrcL3Jzjk_/s1600-h/YADV_new_wm.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QP22hQ1sr-FzQ8lFA_rXYkR20mqhMgEQUI4qiuKGbNOX4WB7t5u03OEZM7aP_FgjN7fbqhgxggprPj_HteuwYosT8ICy2kWYPyscYyixzIuR4k1spQznW-S_aaxhvOHyTNWrcL3Jzjk_/s320/YADV_new_wm.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434005711725845874" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>They asked me to make a few changes including the positioning of the leg, adding some climbing equipment and a life-jacket. No problem!</div><div>I have a few more projects going on as well, including another T-shirt design for the AAV (aviary club on campus), so I'm keeping busy. This is how I've spent my week so far. No snorkeling yet this week! </div><div>Today is Wednesday which means the market comes to campus, so I'll be heading over to pick up come more fresh fruits and veggies.</div><div>What else, I'm still running regularly- after sunset now. It's so much better once it cools off! I guess it would make sense to run in the heat to sweat more but it's just not tolerable at this point. The gym on campus has opened but at this time they are only allowing students to use the facility. We (the VIP group) are upset with this and are in the process of trying to speed up the process so we can us it as well. They say they want to see how much its getting used first but the impact of our use would be negligible (there are less than 30 of us, and would use it at different times throughout the day- that is IF all of us even went...). </div><div>I'll keep you posted on that, we're hoping by Friday some changes will be made.</div><div>That's it for now.</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-65694455523023946752010-01-31T15:31:00.001-08:002010-01-31T15:48:09.691-08:00Welcome back. I just got back from another run. I went out at sunset this time- that's the key, running once it gets cool out. <div>So.... What's new here... Well, Saturday wasn't the most eventful of days. Kater and friends did a lot of studying and sometime after the last blog update, we went to see the dogs on campus. PAWS, (People for Animal Welfare on St. Kitts), hosted a meet and greet event/ open house. We showed up to meet some of the shelter dogs available. Kater quickly fell in love with a girl named Brimstone:</div><div><img src="http://www.rosspaws.com/web_images/brimstone_1209.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="401" /></div><div>Brimstone was brought to PAWS after being found hit by a car. She's been through a lot and several surgeries. She is the sweetest thing and very affectionate. I spent some time with several of the dogs, but found myself falling for Ellie, who no longer has a picture available on the website unfortunately. She has been with PAWS for over a year, and really needs a home. We of course are not in the position to foster because we're in the dorms, but I think I would like to look after a dog while I'm here and have the time and opportunity to give on my full attention. It is also an incredibly simple but effective way to bump up the security of a household, as locals are afraid of dogs in general.</div><div>We also spent a little time with a new batch of puppies:</div><div><img src="http://www.rosspaws.com/web_images/pups_1_-_copy.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="400" /></div><div>There were four girls and one boy, all very cute and cuddly. They were so sleepy from so much action all day they didn't leave much of an impression. Kater and I will have to fight over Brimstone or Ellie! </div><div>Later that evening we all got together in the lounge to watch a movie and give the students a break from the books. We had some laughs and we hit the hay.</div><div>Sunday, Kater, Jon and I went down to meet the Swim Club at Timothy Beach. We carpooled over to Shipwreck and swam just over a mile back to Timothy Beach. </div><div>During the swim, we saw lots more jellyfish, and a 6-sided sea star. We also saw another small sea turtle. Kater thinks it was a hawks bill, and I think it was a green. Either way, it was very exciting and we had a good time. </div><div>We returned to the apartment and I made us another breakfast like Saturdays. </div><div>The afternoon was spent with a nose in the books for Kater, in preparation for her first test tomorrow. I just returned from a run, which brings me back to where I started. Time to start dinner. </div><div>That's it for now.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-76862369915831507122010-01-30T05:44:00.000-08:002010-01-30T06:22:11.833-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFv47Dj6GxPgtS78bbXvPNoqMHVpr4C6_r_OhZIYlEApYsCLgHKRCMc3t-aCkXiZK5GaiNHLXMMIbfaZJb24-G0qBmwzQB6c5oDOu8cZfJiyFQLCzsE3Lz9zvhiwTVj3a7vI5rwSRuNNB/s1600-h/IMG_7991.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFv47Dj6GxPgtS78bbXvPNoqMHVpr4C6_r_OhZIYlEApYsCLgHKRCMc3t-aCkXiZK5GaiNHLXMMIbfaZJb24-G0qBmwzQB6c5oDOu8cZfJiyFQLCzsE3Lz9zvhiwTVj3a7vI5rwSRuNNB/s320/IMG_7991.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432529146154918194" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFv47Dj6GxPgtS78bbXvPNoqMHVpr4C6_r_OhZIYlEApYsCLgHKRCMc3t-aCkXiZK5GaiNHLXMMIbfaZJb24-G0qBmwzQB6c5oDOu8cZfJiyFQLCzsE3Lz9zvhiwTVj3a7vI5rwSRuNNB/s1600-h/IMG_7991.JPG"></a><br /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaR0KWyGw_8sHQ-N40SY9JF7qvYom9Ewez6pnsWempYA4MrbZsvS5kW9m6hlhLX-SXVBfcGfQ4gVkRUFghoXjdNYbEw6ptCvV1smVxPmhaEFjm95M3CrBixVBOO-avyxcXLXTolYXFnd7L/s320/IMG_7995.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432530762433202530" /></div><div><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tUNsifx9LPQ23I1yAQjPXcCtPbLHttlWPlTsl5NOHLlb7A2e-j-88HOnm-BQj7M1lopbGFkfJA0tnWEP4mrBHxEPyrPWAd-4-L0NqNqTuCBKetpqn0puE4dNJtE5oQCviT13FOP3TTJX/s1600-h/IMG_7997.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tUNsifx9LPQ23I1yAQjPXcCtPbLHttlWPlTsl5NOHLlb7A2e-j-88HOnm-BQj7M1lopbGFkfJA0tnWEP4mrBHxEPyrPWAd-4-L0NqNqTuCBKetpqn0puE4dNJtE5oQCviT13FOP3TTJX/s320/IMG_7997.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432530768727343106" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tUNsifx9LPQ23I1yAQjPXcCtPbLHttlWPlTsl5NOHLlb7A2e-j-88HOnm-BQj7M1lopbGFkfJA0tnWEP4mrBHxEPyrPWAd-4-L0NqNqTuCBKetpqn0puE4dNJtE5oQCviT13FOP3TTJX/s1600-h/IMG_7997.JPG"></a><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrxWz0r_yp527g-HJkkijKHn0azIK_II4EjlErZN_AAp0GJLPRdgK7rgtaH9HFEPArqMl5aPEjnOwOHkllipW8CGMRjZJ7STn_9HZs-aWDCU7mRXHXjydg3OwxeOnd2nQ6BMawXAHEkAq/s1600-h/IMG_8000.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrxWz0r_yp527g-HJkkijKHn0azIK_II4EjlErZN_AAp0GJLPRdgK7rgtaH9HFEPArqMl5aPEjnOwOHkllipW8CGMRjZJ7STn_9HZs-aWDCU7mRXHXjydg3OwxeOnd2nQ6BMawXAHEkAq/s320/IMG_8000.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432530776226808322" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>Hey folks, good morning!<div><br /></div><div>Again, it's been a few days- my apologies! It's been a busy week for us. Since our last blog update (Tuesday) a few things have happened. </div><div>Wednesday I went to a BBQ for the VIP group, another get-to-know-you type gathering. It was a decent time. We swam at a pool in living development called the St. Christopher Club, and had hot dogs, burgers, etc. </div><div>Thursday I stayed in and helped Kater make some more flashcards to study with. Her first test is Monday and although I'm sure she must be stressed, she's playing it cool as usual! I continued working on the Sam & Jam book and got another four pages drawn out. I haven't colored them yet or taken pictures, but I will soon. </div><div>Friday Chris drove me into town and I got my temporary drivers license:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUNfvfSoKGUdplWFNgrOhjmtGnfFYEs0vYidR0Wsb1_2y9q0WG052X2c2HpoaaG8zM86oOJBV7j0-isWpDvFNH1nq6L0WNRKXja65AhG-bYKKS2Bne4JQ1awZJSRBnKkiJCkcdNCTAEzs/s1600-h/DSC02470.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUNfvfSoKGUdplWFNgrOhjmtGnfFYEs0vYidR0Wsb1_2y9q0WG052X2c2HpoaaG8zM86oOJBV7j0-isWpDvFNH1nq6L0WNRKXja65AhG-bYKKS2Bne4JQ1awZJSRBnKkiJCkcdNCTAEzs/s320/DSC02470.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432534067500737330" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>(pretty fancy eh?!? It's not even laminated!)</div><div>There's not much to say about the process. You go in, tell them you want a license, they ask how long for (1 year max at a time), and you pay them. Five minutes later they come back with a little yellow piece of paper, you sign it, and you're on your way. </div><div>I spent some time at Chris's house, we had burgers on the grill and played with his dog Mia. Around noon we went to pick up a friend and do some grocery shopping. Our friend Bianca had just adopted a new dog! He's a 7 month old mix, and was just great. We played with him for a little bit too- great dog, I hope she takes good care of him. </div><div>Afternoon came and the students had finished another week of school. Friday afternoon after classes means 'Burgers and Fries Fridays' at Shipwreck. So off we went and did our usual routine. Shipwreck also happens to make really delicious fish tacos as well as their burgers. Kater and a few others went snorkeling and I stayed on dry land to play with Harley and Damon. Damon is 2 years old like I mentioned earlier, and he's learning so fast. He was drawing shapes in the sand and talking about colors too. It was pretty neat. Harley was telling me how yesterday he was carrying D inside and he looked up at the moon and said, "can I have that?" Just like my cousin Nathaniel said a few weeks ago, how about that!!</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEO7TCi4aub8y0tbga_Yuuc-hFwzv8poPvQQaEfRxKZKvgBe8oUvhVSjifBYfS8rJsBWGJCwNHl4a-X5qP71Qj2FACDVKi1_2PV5nS5SzcbDjfDuQwsYcJCodNCjRm8UIWb9qv7w7-CVGg/s1600-h/DSC02458.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEO7TCi4aub8y0tbga_Yuuc-hFwzv8poPvQQaEfRxKZKvgBe8oUvhVSjifBYfS8rJsBWGJCwNHl4a-X5qP71Qj2FACDVKi1_2PV5nS5SzcbDjfDuQwsYcJCodNCjRm8UIWb9qv7w7-CVGg/s320/DSC02458.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432536248828085474" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Nx2OtERhOWo6xx_70yzl0W5NyRhHq4GSUpVqk_RnlVS8Kq5CJHkcWyGDJsEtASZPuoznyvY5QNKccIde7VMPQh9sWZ0L-cq7iw9cidZwk8k1BcumUXaRloqMjk4V__97kq14gbIuHqFH/s1600-h/DSC02465.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Nx2OtERhOWo6xx_70yzl0W5NyRhHq4GSUpVqk_RnlVS8Kq5CJHkcWyGDJsEtASZPuoznyvY5QNKccIde7VMPQh9sWZ0L-cq7iw9cidZwk8k1BcumUXaRloqMjk4V__97kq14gbIuHqFH/s320/DSC02465.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432536598854656210" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>(Harley, Damon, Kater, at Shipwreck)</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XBXm8dnVLLDdcPiWi-LnSFPATfdDy7IGCumL4Z9GgGmh_R1Apj-I3nnvBW_Gy2eCwmI5rSiEsNXM70uyB2AcVP9WDhQJOEjtiWjBA5gDvMNj-Y6I9zEjsKYGOfOjuWhTTKguufBHwlt7/s1600-h/DSC02467.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XBXm8dnVLLDdcPiWi-LnSFPATfdDy7IGCumL4Z9GgGmh_R1Apj-I3nnvBW_Gy2eCwmI5rSiEsNXM70uyB2AcVP9WDhQJOEjtiWjBA5gDvMNj-Y6I9zEjsKYGOfOjuWhTTKguufBHwlt7/s320/DSC02467.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432537073201277778" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>(sunset at Shipwreck)</div><div>On the way home we made a quick stop at the grocery store for the others, and got back home around 7:30-8 pm. </div><div>A few of us got together and played cards for a little while before we all went our separate ways for the night. Kater and I watched a movie and went to sleep. </div><div>This morning (Saturday) I made a big breakfast for us: Fried eggs with cheddar cheese, cinnamon-raisin bread, and coffee. It was delicious, I hope it's good brain food for the long weekend Kater will put into the books, studying. </div><div>As for me, I'm off for a run I suppose. And I guess that's it for now.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-53052892956959682812010-01-26T12:09:00.000-08:002010-01-26T13:00:45.645-08:00Hi all, <div>It's <b><i>Tuesday </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I went out for a snorkel yet again. A friend and fellow VIP has a sister visiting and she asked Chris and me (the resident snorkel experts) to take them out and show them a good snorkel spot. </span></b></div><div>We chose Timothy Beach, where we went for the turtle research this weekend. There was some hesitation on my part due to the rough weather we had yesterday and some lingering strong winds, but we decided to take a look and see for ourselves how it looked. </div><div>The water looked calm, so we jumped in. Now, we didn't have as much time to explore but we had a good hour or so. During which, we were able to show our friends some of the things we had learned names of, as well as got another good look at the jellies. </div><div>I noticed today, and am very excited to say, that I discovered upon closer inspection that these all produce bioluminescence! That's right! If you look closely enough, there are tiny little lights that stream from top to bottom of these marble to ping pong ball sized jellies. The colors of the lights flicker and change from blue, to green, to red, to yellow! It was absolutely amazing and so fun to watch. I found this online: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">There are two types of chemicals in the bodies of bioluminescent jellyfish- luciferin and luciferinase. When triggered, the chemical luciferin gets oxidized by the action of the chemical luciferinase . When these two react, the result of the reaction is a photoprotein. This photoprotein is the cause of the bluish glow that the bioluminescent jellyfish acquire."</span></span></div><div><img style="-webkit-user-select: none" src="http://www.jellyfishfacts.net/jellyfish_pictures/jellyfish_111.jpg" /></div><div>Now, the jellies look something like these here (again not my photo), with no visible tentacles. I've been searching online to identify the species but currently I'm not having any luck. One possibility could be the 'thimble jellyfish' which is small and common in the Caribbean. I'm pretty convinced however that this is not the correct species. But I digress, on to the rest of the day. </div><div>We called it quits after about an hour, and returned to a beachside spot for a small lunch. Chris and I dropped our guests back at their house and we returned to campus. </div><div>We had a little extra time so we went down to the stairway by the sea to wait. I saw what looked like lots of little bugs crawling around but when I looked closer I saw that they were in fact the smallest hermit crabs I have ever seen! Most were able to skitter away but I was able to gently get this one for a picture. Check this guy out:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWmXcoHddqL1DHuiN0-0bbp83JcVBnf6Ag4fRwVHqJ81BaqUxR8gy51TGiWopi053kUrnRy2r7RfrYWI9XBJPBTTSogP78jkTK_j3B2HyyeyknVd5cFba1DO2JQBhNfhOZUE2sPcJBtTB/s1600-h/DSC02451.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWmXcoHddqL1DHuiN0-0bbp83JcVBnf6Ag4fRwVHqJ81BaqUxR8gy51TGiWopi053kUrnRy2r7RfrYWI9XBJPBTTSogP78jkTK_j3B2HyyeyknVd5cFba1DO2JQBhNfhOZUE2sPcJBtTB/s320/DSC02451.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431150973308098642" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9cclSxewVJN3jKCvz2sNt4C_6PPcet8KilVq8-UEvVlW3vOjqSj9Pe7KwJuJ2bvdzwetp50n_ArosvEkwIxssS_PEu4it0KvVvHiLMyhp0GWgUzaev9YxTJibcpKsSg6-ZoqGO9clgmf/s1600-h/DSC02449.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9cclSxewVJN3jKCvz2sNt4C_6PPcet8KilVq8-UEvVlW3vOjqSj9Pe7KwJuJ2bvdzwetp50n_ArosvEkwIxssS_PEu4it0KvVvHiLMyhp0GWgUzaev9YxTJibcpKsSg6-ZoqGO9clgmf/s320/DSC02449.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431151377682865746" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>As a reference point, it (with it's shell) is not larger than the width of my ring, which is 4mm.</div><div><br /></div><div>After that, I met up with Kater for a quick hello, and went to take some photos of the newly settled chrysalis' (2) on the giant milkweed that we have been checking in on from time to time. Kater had sent me a message earlier in the day that they were there, so I had to see.</div><div>I got these pictures:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUka4slQyshZU0DBQNBiNDVYCB6xdX5yeUWx3q3XJ3eT4F0t9qE1cLoqFR5g1ejImL0je3IQfAIZ5u3wUD8eY5PYC8xEIK_XhHMpZ_9i4CyJtJzsmfusn9dkxHIs0dp3vkyxMF_gpPCvHe/s1600-h/IMG_7979.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUka4slQyshZU0DBQNBiNDVYCB6xdX5yeUWx3q3XJ3eT4F0t9qE1cLoqFR5g1ejImL0je3IQfAIZ5u3wUD8eY5PYC8xEIK_XhHMpZ_9i4CyJtJzsmfusn9dkxHIs0dp3vkyxMF_gpPCvHe/s320/IMG_7979.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431149716475513922" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 228px; " /></a></div><div>(both together)</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistw1zrUgEhZ0bGUM-s5xv59mS8JkoVXuAuCExAh_hSXrTvKHWnNoH8UsuZJ1DDUnYHC5O_VHhp0p5UrMokC93h6aGEzMzVgYbY_qQbjU2WQGLxGyht7G1e0yBCMU3ZYmHULbJ8mYp7yJk/s1600-h/IMG_7981.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistw1zrUgEhZ0bGUM-s5xv59mS8JkoVXuAuCExAh_hSXrTvKHWnNoH8UsuZJ1DDUnYHC5O_VHhp0p5UrMokC93h6aGEzMzVgYbY_qQbjU2WQGLxGyht7G1e0yBCMU3ZYmHULbJ8mYp7yJk/s320/IMG_7981.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431150076352541474" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>(#1)</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0LhhJB8gOK3GkVdm4jTxZPBbqWzTOvJ6zhNSncgFIIF5TrPtMM4sdCWXgEZwS9rZUSUScy21D1zl9kqsqI0pyfedwWlqIoNdtd1m-QpQUxB5IqiutrkgA9Y3AP8YraV56Yily5kmpPxT/s1600-h/IMG_7982.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0LhhJB8gOK3GkVdm4jTxZPBbqWzTOvJ6zhNSncgFIIF5TrPtMM4sdCWXgEZwS9rZUSUScy21D1zl9kqsqI0pyfedwWlqIoNdtd1m-QpQUxB5IqiutrkgA9Y3AP8YraV56Yily5kmpPxT/s320/IMG_7982.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431150312941728546" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>(#2)</div><div>That brings me to where I am now, back in the room trying to rehydrate and rest up. I have a few more things to do but I'm considering a brief nap- I didn't sleep that well last night. </div><div><br /></div><div>That's all for now.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-23809394013583517872010-01-25T04:26:00.000-08:002010-01-25T05:30:46.902-08:00Last update was Thursday. Sorry for the lag! <div><br /></div><div><b>Friday</b> the students had a normal schedule, and were out by about 3 pm. We hopped in a van and we down to Shipwreck, to continue our Friday afternoon tradition- "burgers and fries Fridays at Shipwreck." I was a nice afternoon. Some of us swam, other just sat in chairs under those wonderful straw shade covers. </div><div>The monkeys were out, as usual. This time there were lots of very young ones bouncing around too. I also saw two adults have a squabble over something, probably food, which was pretty funny to witness. </div><div>I got to talking with the owner, Ra-men (sounds like Amen, to end a prayer), who basically offered me a bar-tending job there. We talked about it for a little, and I told him that once we have a vehicle that would be a definite possibility. I asked about locals working etc, and he said he can't get locals to work for more than a week or two. They all say it's too far or just lose interest. He likes VIPs because they are used to a commute of more than 10-15 minutes! I told him I'd be talking to him again about it.</div><div>After sunset, we got back in the taxi and headed home. The pre-vets did a little more studying and we got together to watch a movie in the lounge. It was a pretty low key night.</div><div><b>Saturday</b> Chris and I volunteered to go on snorkel to help locate and research sea turtles, as part of a conservation effort. There is a woman here on the island who is trying to educate the locals about the turtles that frequent this island (green, hawks bill, and leather back). Turtle hunting and killing is still legal here and they have a 'season' which begins soon. Many locals enjoy turtle meat, and also believe turtle eggs and turtle blood are aphrodisiacs. These turtles are on the critically endangered list and she works to provide hunters with other means of income so they don't have to depend on turtles to make a living/feed their families. </div><div>We dive to observe how many turtles are in different areas around the island. We swim in a line from shallow water to deeper water, looking for them. When we see one we will circle around it to attempt to corral it so the head researcher can carefully catch the turtle by the carapace (shell) and bring it to the surface. They will then tag and or draw blood to make sure turtles are healthy. It is done very carefully so as to not traumatize or injure the turtle. </div><div>We saw three on Saturday! Two hawks bills, and one small green. Unfortunately we weren't able to catch any of them because they are so fast. It was a very good outing anyway, as the two hawks bills were already tagged so the researchers were happy to see them again. I posted a picture of a hawks bill turtle (not my photo):</div><div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-807" title="hawksbill-sea-turtle" src="http://trekkingplanetawesome.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/hawksbill-sea-turtle.jpg?w=400&h=300" alt="hawksbill-sea-turtle" width="400" height="300" /></div><div>They are very beautiful to watch and it's amazing how little effort they look to be using when swimming. During our swim, we also saw many large starfish which were red with very thick legs as well as some long skinny ones (brittle star). While swimming I saw what looked like a giant slug... know as 'donkey dung sea cucumbers.'</div><div><img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:AtL_7732RsUHHM:http://i.pbase.com/g3/26/583526/2/57383289.kunastarfish.jpg" id="ipfAtL_7732RsUHHM:" width="143" height="107" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; " /> <img src="http://www.sherriandjim.net/SCUBA/bon2006sep/DDSeaCucumber-TN.jpg" border="2" hspace="4" vspace="4" /></div><div>The cucumbers were easily 2 and a half feet long and as large as my thigh! I saw dozens of spiny lobsters, and hound-fish- which look very similar to barracuda only with a narrower snout. While we were swimming we also began to notice hundreds of jellyfish no larger than pingpong balls. Now, I didn't get stung by any although I should have because I swam right through them, but a few others in our group did. The sting is no stronger than a mild bee sting and they are not poisonous. </div><div>That pretty much did it for our snorkel, we were all very tired from chasing the turtles and trying to help the leader catch them. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sunday</b> everyone got back to studying. I worked on a few projects on my own. The first, is a design for a sweatshirt, which I have donated to the YMCA adventure program (YADVENTURE) in Goffstown NH I believe. The sweatshirts will be a fundraiser for their program. A good friend of my from UNH got in touch with me and asked for the help. Here's what the preliminary design looks like so far:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQZQWXf0rul9qoBu7fd6D3gdumwEVIcvCud5mEARFgIHAePM8fwE7iwp-AZmuMy8mRvLLXY8z7OgS-c7uVS_5j14gbpSVKGtmeja0IiF37ffDp-FG5Ve-p53rYd7pSrdh7oNJBrBV-P82/s1600-h/YADV_lettering3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQZQWXf0rul9qoBu7fd6D3gdumwEVIcvCud5mEARFgIHAePM8fwE7iwp-AZmuMy8mRvLLXY8z7OgS-c7uVS_5j14gbpSVKGtmeja0IiF37ffDp-FG5Ve-p53rYd7pSrdh7oNJBrBV-P82/s320/YADV_lettering3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430664249443741250" style="cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>It's a simple but fun design, showing basically what the program offers: biking, climbing, kayaking, etc... adventure!</div><div>I also did a personal illustration, in spirit of a funny discussion I was having with friends. We were talking about how people make their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches... and just about everyone spreads peanut butter first. It inspired this:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkGdoZlczQs9391Pn1JAO3M972egZM3ocDmmZnWCWUDhogFwBTZsG7Pg59aE68r4t22jY8vuptyP524NsJeDkwhzNctlk7a9igYfReqoA4u_mhqlunyTU4_LRTc2k5kFbYKUTneTATYKF/s1600-h/PB+wins.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkGdoZlczQs9391Pn1JAO3M972egZM3ocDmmZnWCWUDhogFwBTZsG7Pg59aE68r4t22jY8vuptyP524NsJeDkwhzNctlk7a9igYfReqoA4u_mhqlunyTU4_LRTc2k5kFbYKUTneTATYKF/s320/PB+wins.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430665583211381698" style="cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>Peanut butter, Fluff, and Jelly in a race! PB coming out on top... pretty silly but it was fun. Now if only I could be so productive with the Sam and Jam book!</div><div>In the afternoon they had all had enough and decided to head out to the Marriott for some pool time and relaxation. Here's Kater enjoying her spot by the pool:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXs76CPTSCdnYl2qs8Sdl09ivgGJgRNUhNY6XbXbK8EtLpB6GEKnwN7sDdljphZdBvoTZ5El0nDI6HzaGMJcF1bmlimotl7mNtfioi5OJGgt_5n0A2BiyE0qs9tYGuNMuGRNNy4D5SSaBy/s1600-h/DSC02426.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXs76CPTSCdnYl2qs8Sdl09ivgGJgRNUhNY6XbXbK8EtLpB6GEKnwN7sDdljphZdBvoTZ5El0nDI6HzaGMJcF1bmlimotl7mNtfioi5OJGgt_5n0A2BiyE0qs9tYGuNMuGRNNy4D5SSaBy/s320/DSC02426.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430668028882173682" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>On our way to leave we saw lots of kittens scrounging around the food areas. I suspect they are feral and get by on scraps. They were curious but not very friendly:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0zsJiGZBkLyF3Qk3zYJ9lef5OJ29ahepc6vAu11deU4I35alABpmjXnKFw_PTMPD_vRv-CBlk5esPntpa1BfvG89RoolgErd0faniSefxVXiomR9CLL_8QUkywyP9PLs4W-pMGvJJ8LO/s1600-h/DSC02443.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0zsJiGZBkLyF3Qk3zYJ9lef5OJ29ahepc6vAu11deU4I35alABpmjXnKFw_PTMPD_vRv-CBlk5esPntpa1BfvG89RoolgErd0faniSefxVXiomR9CLL_8QUkywyP9PLs4W-pMGvJJ8LO/s320/DSC02443.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430668487770183378" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>We got home around 8 pm and Kater got ready for Monday. </div><div><b>Monday</b> morning came with rain and wind, it appears to be very cool outside although the weather site claims it is 79 degrees. The 18-20 mph winds make it feel like low 70's from where I sit. Who knows. That is it for now. I'll be meeting with Kater for lunch at noon, in the mean time I'll be working on helping her out with some slides she studies from, doing laundry, and hopefully some illustrating. That's all for now.</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-92123731091211506322010-01-21T12:09:00.000-08:002010-01-21T12:53:20.000-08:00Well it certainly has been a few days since the last post, or at least it feels that way. Yesterday and today were both a whirl wind. We've both been busy! Where did I leave off? The video of the tortoises finally loaded after a 100 tries. I talked about grocery shopping and put up a picture of my most recent "Sam". <div>I never got to post that dinner picture, but that's ok- we are moving forward. </div><div>Wednesday started off nicely, I slept in a little and met with some on campus VIPs to chat and get to know each other. I walked over to West Farm with our friend John to show him the neighboring available apartment. It sounds like we will all be living next to each other which will be great! I returned to check out the 7th semester sale, where all the upper class-men who will be leaving try to sell their things to lower class-men. I didn't find anything of use to us but lots of others seemed to find things they needed. Just below the large animal pavilion where the sale was located, was the area where the market vendors set up. I did a walk through and picked up a few tomatoes, 3 cucumbers, an avocado, a starfruit, a pineapple, a hand of bananas, a string of garlic, bag of onions, a dozen eggs, and steak, all for around $20 US. That's a great deal for here.</div><div>Do you remember those caterpillars I showed you? Well there has been quite a bit of activity there. In our daily rounds of campus we regularly check the 'giant milkweed' plants to see what they are up to. Kater discovered yesterday a butterfly emerging from the chrysalis! </div><div>Upon closer inspection to the plant, we found 7+ more empty chrysalises meaning lots of hatched butterflies. Here's a few shots:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKU2n_jxHMK80zchTvxAuIO8dKbAS7v5pEDvJBgH2bvfmTBl_GnYipeQDrIHPnjk5i_hdlyfz860Vpi_tDJNQlADINjjj6g_1bP9M1cZEMt7Z8qj3VpwKGlIHelAdsjO953sWdg5T6z_J/s1600-h/IMG_7958.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKU2n_jxHMK80zchTvxAuIO8dKbAS7v5pEDvJBgH2bvfmTBl_GnYipeQDrIHPnjk5i_hdlyfz860Vpi_tDJNQlADINjjj6g_1bP9M1cZEMt7Z8qj3VpwKGlIHelAdsjO953sWdg5T6z_J/s320/IMG_7958.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429289440969376178" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRw1ReqsBtbA7x3jqnjbxAAOXOkcLDCuLRC1Cv43vJABDflpUhpd2hm95-albH10Tvn4njT_l0k3k1vfkiKMx5Z_pMdQzZfVGy0cQiquf3pKqIPVUdHdHJlvG4szs4hk-QXul2-25NJ29G/s1600-h/IMG_7966.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRw1ReqsBtbA7x3jqnjbxAAOXOkcLDCuLRC1Cv43vJABDflpUhpd2hm95-albH10Tvn4njT_l0k3k1vfkiKMx5Z_pMdQzZfVGy0cQiquf3pKqIPVUdHdHJlvG4szs4hk-QXul2-25NJ29G/s320/IMG_7966.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429289893365598178" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I say 7+ because it was truly hard to count them, as they were all in different spots and the breeze kept the plants moving around. They look unbelievably similar to Monarchs, however the caterpillar is somewhat different colored. I wrote about this earlier, if anyone can shed light onto this please comment to the blog or send an email- I'm curious. </div><div>Kater called me around 5pm to let me know she would be back around 6. I started prepping dinner which included cutting garlic and onions, and boiling some potatoes to mash. I had also been marinating the steak since I bought it earlier in the day. We had a delicious dinner of steak and garlic-mashed potatoes with steamed green beans and caramelized onions spread over the steak. We complimented our meal with a few slices of that amazing bread I got at the supermarket earlier in the week. </div><div>After dinner Kater returned to her studies and I got back to work on Sam. Here's my latest illustration:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRZiJFfr-r92kTejM0LZ8oLTCUTWiaVqjaJCb7CC1OFFxL_L7yIMf2kdt6VvuUca4qd4JVkxQ2wYyw1b2hZTllWrrdGCabOqgc3Wz3yzWxai2wbGddycu0OGCnKV4fLU-TcuHRnFktP_Q/s1600-h/sam+color.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRZiJFfr-r92kTejM0LZ8oLTCUTWiaVqjaJCb7CC1OFFxL_L7yIMf2kdt6VvuUca4qd4JVkxQ2wYyw1b2hZTllWrrdGCabOqgc3Wz3yzWxai2wbGddycu0OGCnKV4fLU-TcuHRnFktP_Q/s320/sam+color.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429293380860134802" style="cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>I like where this is going, and our friend John (also an artist) is letting me borrow some drawing pens. One specifically in which draws a very fine line, think 50% sharper than an ultra-fine Sharpie. </div><div>We played a little cards and everyone called it a night. That takes us to Thursday (today).</div><div>I got up and left with Kater to meet Chris for some snorkeling. We stayed on campus this time and went down to the 'stairway to the sea'. If you look back in the blog you will see photos from this area. Now, the water here is much choppier so it a little more effort and concentration to get in the water. Once we were in however, it was pretty nice. Neither of us were sure that it is worth all the effort though. Lot's of neat fish, a few new colorful ones but I think we can find better places, Rocky's Cove still remains at the top of my list. When we finally decided to call it quits, we headed over to a neighborhood called 'camps' to pick up Chris's friend Bianca, another VIP. We took her to the grocery store so she could get some things. I was able to get some milk, and a few other things we had been wanting. I am happy to say I have finally found 'crazy salt'!!</div><div>We returned Bianca to her house and headed towards Chris's house in Bird Rock. He has a beautiful place high on the hill in a nice neighborhood. We let his dog Mia out and took a look around his back yard. Turns out, he has a coconut tree, a mango tree, and a citrus tree. I just have to find out what kind of citrus fruit it is but its already bearing lots of fruit. I also need to find out when mangos peak, because I will be helping myself to those as well. </div><div>Knowing as I do, how much Kater enjoys fresh coconut, I took it upon myself to get some coconuts down. The tree happens to be about 20 feet tall so I wasn't about to climb it. My first idea was to pick up some old drops, and heave them like Tom Brady in hopes that it would knock more down. This didn't work, not any of the 20-30 times I tried! Next idea, a step ladder and a large 2x4 with a pointed end. But I still came up short. After watching us struggle for a little while, and most certainly having a laugh or two over it, Chris's neighbor offered us a ladder. We graciously accepted of course, and this allowed me to get close enough to continue to act silly while trying to get coconuts. Let me tell you, those suckers are on there pretty tight! Another 20 minutes and a down pour went by and I had knocked one down! We celebrated and cheered but one wasn't enough I said, "we need MORE!" So back I went and after some more efforts and sweat, I was able to knock two more down. I was happy with three, so was Chris. I think really he was probably just tired of holding the ladder for me. </div><div>We enjoyed a soda and played with the dog for a while before deciding it was time to head back to campus to check on our girls. We got to his car to find the passenger side door would not open. So we got back to work again, trying anything and everything to access the locking mechanism inside the door. The only problem was, that to get to this mechanism, one needs to unscrew and remove the inside door panel, and do to this, one needs to have the door open. We were in a jam! We could peek through the window slot down into the door and see what needed attention, but couldn't get to it. </div><div>Time was up.</div><div>We had to get to campus so what did we do, I climbed through the window and we took off. We will get back to it tomorrow with the help of a 7th semester VIP who works on cars to make money while here on the island. Wish us luck!</div><div>When we got back to the apartment, I took out the trusty old machete and hacked into two of the three coconuts. I'm getting much better now and did the first one in 10 minutes, and the second in 7. Chris took one home with him and I chopped one up for Kater. See here the open one with the un-opened one. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPETv0hVn-uDJ0NGynGgG0wX4co5ApR61XzjFbWEkQoDFgIXE8RW113rbVPaUYihuNvuRv2ywYtLCPX7WAMoBxL6pfCFp2lZWkQNrmFbBlTuJsE5X0csPUq5xL75kBUW5ppvzVgoOO_dqd/s1600-h/IMG_7976.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPETv0hVn-uDJ0NGynGgG0wX4co5ApR61XzjFbWEkQoDFgIXE8RW113rbVPaUYihuNvuRv2ywYtLCPX7WAMoBxL6pfCFp2lZWkQNrmFbBlTuJsE5X0csPUq5xL75kBUW5ppvzVgoOO_dqd/s320/IMG_7976.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429297992072981154" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>It gives you a good perspective of just how much husk you need to get through to access the milk and meat of the coconut. I have to say, this one isn't quite as good as the first one we had. I will enjoy it all the same!</div><div>I've certainly had a lot of activity today, swimming, climbing, sweating, mechanic-ing, chopping, sweeping, and blogging. I think I'm in need of a shower. </div><div>Dinner is next on the list, I'm thinking a tomato and cucumber salad, pasta with a side of steamed veggies with garlic butter. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-17257580204794047242010-01-19T12:45:00.000-08:002010-01-19T12:59:58.607-08:00<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw7CTj7iqNifptaoBPFqQudhp-d00e75rQYkr2rVge_RCvDfjZq1zzFyyM-0r8DWPyFfaPwZEWy7zmV1yp4tA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div>TOUCH DOWN...! Finally, the video.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was funny enough to go through the pain of trying too many times. I hope you enjoy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Today's Tuesday. I got out and went for a quick snorkel with Chris. Saw some new fish, blues and pinks, cool red ones with big black patches near the eyes. Crazy blues. Beautiful. </div><div>I talked to the dive shop guys for a little bit. A refresher is only 35 dollars and renting gear will only cost $15, so I may be able to afford it some time. It's not on the top of my priority list right now but it's nice to know it's reasonable. </div><div>Chris took me to the grocery story (Ram's) and I stocked up on the essentials. Got a lot of frozen veggies, and more rice, peanut butter, sugar, etc. We were over due for milk too. Most shipments of foods only come on Wednesdays so by this time some things are pretty low. The only milk available was skim, but that's ok for now. </div><div>When I got back to campus I got to work on the book. I did a half dozen sketches with color, looks like the writer likes it so I'll be going with this style I think. Here's my favorite one from today:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgew4qps7AU3b0ahWzu16iMwIBU07V_XopyBNCntWVjBJ9OQLRBU4kPO27VaNb0mTpP7uJpwlVyVHi2oQG-ML2YUU2lX4l0yKbxXyTWO6VcIkMeTyLInVkb1BZVSTIhtZiyAr-OZP4FT7E7/s1600-h/IMG_7946.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgew4qps7AU3b0ahWzu16iMwIBU07V_XopyBNCntWVjBJ9OQLRBU4kPO27VaNb0mTpP7uJpwlVyVHi2oQG-ML2YUU2lX4l0yKbxXyTWO6VcIkMeTyLInVkb1BZVSTIhtZiyAr-OZP4FT7E7/s320/IMG_7946.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428558027568281330" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>I'll be messing around to figure out exactly how the final product should look, but so far I'm happy with the process. I'll be adding more as they come! </div><div><br /></div><div>Until later.</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-84164816868779930322010-01-18T16:42:00.001-08:002010-01-18T18:42:51.617-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMmMW3CG0HKYV04WQmdzWXFebAQ8yQkoknF9TM-CBA87EAWiiXDvR5aAwk1zV00y58LpV7Yy66bYGxRlE5oITyEHxjBbfxm0IVPyCwIHuJAYL7kpvJsuejPngudYiZEDnS7qjiAzasFDx/s1600-h/IMG_7945.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMmMW3CG0HKYV04WQmdzWXFebAQ8yQkoknF9TM-CBA87EAWiiXDvR5aAwk1zV00y58LpV7Yy66bYGxRlE5oITyEHxjBbfxm0IVPyCwIHuJAYL7kpvJsuejPngudYiZEDnS7qjiAzasFDx/s320/IMG_7945.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428251597815968610" /></a> <div>(low clouds in the mountains)<br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs189.snc3/19659_658401585891_11001278_38568496_1664496_n.jpg" id="myphoto" /></div><div>(same hill on a clear day)</div><div><br />So I believe I last left off with the turtles... excuse me, tortoises! Here's the photos from yesterday. I have tried once again to post a video of the tortoise, but I'm quitting because it just isn't working right now. <div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEginCCZ8-GyJ2uueaj4Q0rKlBwUE6Eefe6oRBx3Ux0GEBDhXbFqRfwcFwDlaV5XqCreNMCXgeCN6gdqWjNGJDjFHvji-UnN7P34OifYkUsK_ZEuXktdk6lwBqizmk0vB3kJ4DnRT-lyKRzk/s1600-h/DSC02382.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEginCCZ8-GyJ2uueaj4Q0rKlBwUE6Eefe6oRBx3Ux0GEBDhXbFqRfwcFwDlaV5XqCreNMCXgeCN6gdqWjNGJDjFHvji-UnN7P34OifYkUsK_ZEuXktdk6lwBqizmk0vB3kJ4DnRT-lyKRzk/s320/DSC02382.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428245623809034882" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RyWG5t6murZYuI19xCP0LgmFArhnnGoxnL03Q7ojKUJwqqUCe6s_mfnc-XQ2BCYGcp-6X6EOl_bagpY8kHGT8mR4lYCdjM28efbcPSy0YCcQJfe3MNfwy0NxmfHQSa7oArBSopMUO1zI/s1600-h/DSC02384.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RyWG5t6murZYuI19xCP0LgmFArhnnGoxnL03Q7ojKUJwqqUCe6s_mfnc-XQ2BCYGcp-6X6EOl_bagpY8kHGT8mR4lYCdjM28efbcPSy0YCcQJfe3MNfwy0NxmfHQSa7oArBSopMUO1zI/s320/DSC02384.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428247272313229922" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Today (Monday) I put my nose to the 'grind stone' and put some hours into researching cat expressions, and poses. I sketched for a few hours and worked on one illustration. I think I need to either get faster or change my approach because I don't think the current way will be very efficient unless I can complete one a day. </div><div>Afterwards I made Kater lunch and met her at the student union building to sit with her and eat. I went back home and met up with Harley to go for a drive and take some pictures of Timothy Beach Resort, where my mom and sister will be staying while they visit us. It looks really nice, I think they will like it!</div><div>We sat in the shade for an hour or two, I had a carib and we headed back for campus.</div><div>Kater had a long day. One of her teachers offered an extra session and she had a quick club meeting too. When she came home I got some rice, veggies and cheese going. It turned out to be so good I took pictures, (which also won't load tonight).</div><div>We took quick walk to the "wedge," the school store that has most basic essentials, for something sweet. We are all out of anything sweet in the apartment until tomorrow when I go to the store. Wednesday is when the market guy comes into campus so I'll stock up on a weeks worth of fruits and veggies then.</div><div>Plans for tomorrow are some snorkeling, grocery shopping, back to check on Kater, and a scuba club meeting (just for info, probably too expensive for me at this point).</div><div>Well I suppose that's it for tonight. I had lots more photos to share but it will have to wait.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942526839431004412.post-43317122629982163132010-01-17T17:00:00.001-08:002010-01-17T17:18:02.215-08:00We saw the tortoises and they have been named. Someone (their caretaker) has put name tags on their shells and shellacked it on. Some of the names are, Madonna, Percy, Speedy, Isabelle, Bertha, Lula, Miss Piggy, Marty.. There may be more but we haven't found them yet. <div>I'll be trying to place a video of one of the tortoises eating a hibiscus flower. They absolutely love them and will eat them right from your hand. At the moment my connection is poor and I can't add any videos or pictures. I'll try in the morning.</div><div>When we were about done playing with these guys, a few of our friends showed and we ended up chatting for a few minutes, during which it began to rain again. We held out under the roof awning while wind blew rain sideways right at us. At least it as around 70 degrees still. </div><div>When it finally settled down we were able to head back across campus to our apartment. We had a few people over to play cards and I made Kater and myself tomato, avocado, and cheese omelets. I've had better, but these weren't too bad. </div><div>Everyone pretty much retired early tonight, here it is only 9:07 pm and I'm already ready for bed. Must be the dreary weather, and basically no sun today. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0