I have decided...

that I am not a blogger. I LOVE reading blogs from others but I just cannot keep up with it myself.

Since I am already on here I figured I should include a little update.

Mark just completed his second block of his second semester! We are half way done with the semester and a third of the way done with our time here on the island.

Things continue to go well. In late May my parents, grandmother, aunt and brother all came out to visit. We had a wonderful time. I played tourist for a week and showed them all around the island. My dad and brother did some zip-lining and we all did a shark dive! Those were definitely some of the trips highlights. Thankfully the sun stayed out and we really got to enjoy some beach time.
While hanging out at my parents hotel we also met a family who I know will be lifelong friends. Jill, Bri and the kids were at the pool every day when we were there and my brother started playing with one of the kids, Magnolia at the pool one day. From then on those 2 were inseparable. Noli is 6 years old. She is adorable. Jill took them to the store and told Noli that she could buy one thing. She picked out a St Maarten key chain that said "Chris" on it. SO CUTE!!! We ended up spending days at the pool together, went to dinner together and they even came to our house for dinner before they headed back to NY. Mark and I took them to our favorite gelato spot and to The Buccaneer where the kids had a chance to race hermit crabs! They are an amazing family and we are so happy to have met them! We hope to stay in touch and visit them in New York.

Lately the weather has been very inconsistent. It rains one day then it's completely sunny the next. The humidity is awful and so are the mosquitos.
Marks favorite new toy is this mosquito zapper thing we have that looks like a tennis racket. It electrocutes those little boogers and Mark loves watching them pop and burn. Kind of disturbing, but funny. I think its a guy thing because his friends, my dad and brother all have the same reaction when they zap a mosquito. Boys will be boys!!!

I just completed my 3rd week of subbing for 7th grade. The kids were awesome! They made me laugh a lot. They also wore me out! Now that its over, I will spend the next couple of days putting things together in my classroom for next year!! :)

I leave to go back to the states on Tuesday, June 21st. I cant wait to see everyone! I have plans with my girlfriends, UoP co-workers, some old high school friends and family. I really hope to see the Rouff gang but I dont think I can get to Yuma in the amount of time I'm home :( They are also getting ready to leave for the big Rouff family reunion. Sad we will be missing that. It is so strange to think I have been out of the country for 6 months already! I have a girls trip planned to Palm Springs while I am home so that should be a blast! I get to see Becki's baby for the first time as well! Not to mention we are going to the New Kids concert!!!!!!!!! Its going to be an 80's night!! I have already planned out where I want to eat and what food I have missed most. I have to admit Chipotle will be a first stop! :)

I am sad to leave Mark for 2 weeks but it will give him some quiet study time. He has been doing such a great job with school. I am not sure how he spends endless hours reading and memorizing. Last Sunday he spent 12 straight hours at school studying with only a short break here and there. His grades have been awesome and I am really so proud of him. His determination and commitment are pretty unbelievable. It would be so easy to just give in and go to the beach, or watch a movie but he stays focused and always tells me that he wants to do this for "us" for our " future family". He is pretty amazing and I am very lucky!

Nothing else too exciting here on our little island. Things are pretty routine and normal. We definitely see funny things that we wouldnt at home but I guess it is all part of getting used to a new culture.

Until next time....
(which could be months)

xxoo
The Rouffs