The LAST Appointment

Getting ready to be on a small island for ten months has proven to be a rather daunting task.


First we were taking our car. Then we weren't because it's too expensive and not worth the hassle. Then we were because it's really hard to find a car there that we could afford (like fifty bucks...) Then we weren't because...well, I can't remember why, but we decided not to. Then (thank you, God!) we were offered the use of a car for a few months.


We were also looking for a place to live so we thought we'd put an offer in on a house we looked at this spring. Then we weren't, and then we were again, but we were outbid by someone else. Again, God came through with a place for us to stay for a few months. We're house-sitting for someone. Yay!


We also looked and finally found a case to ship my keyboard down. But it took an inordinate amount of time and phone calls to find a reasonable and reliable shipper.


Then there were the prescriptions we need that aren't available on the island. Plus I needed to make sure Hannah has all her orthodontic stuff taken care of, she needed her yearly physical, a dental cleaning, and enough clothes and swim suits for the year. Oh, yeah, I had more than my fair share of medical and dental appointments as well. For the past three or four weeks we've been going to Ann Arbor at least twice weekly for appointments, plus the ones here in Jackson/Spring Arbor. It's been crazy!


At school all of my "stuff" had to be moved out of my classroom (that I had just moved into) and to the opposite end of the building so it can be stored. I'm so thankful I am able to leave it in the building, but it was just one more thing to do.


On top of getting Hannah and I ready, we were preparing Jessie to move onto EMU's campus to start her college career there. Applying, applying for housing, getting her classes, looking for employment, making sure she has what she needs for her dorm room...Yikes!!!


So today at 3:30 was our LAST appointment. When we were done, I breathed a huge sigh.


NOW I can get our clothes, toiletries, and all those other necessities organized and packed. I've been mending, washing clothes, altering, washing more clothes, and, oh, yeah, I made a valance and some pillows for my niece and nephew. 


Friday at noon we're going to be out of town with friends on a mini-vacation, so we also have to pack for Stan and I to go there, and Hannah to spend the weekend with Grandma. We'll get back Sunday night.


Monday is our last day at home. We're going to have a breakfast with my folks, spend the day together finishing up our packing, and then head out early Tuesday morning. We'll stop in Atlanta for a quick overnight there to meet up with one of my brothers and then drive to Miami on Wednesday. Whew!


Thank you, God, for our last appointment!!

Almost Ready!

Culebra, Puerto Rico: A Beautiful and Undiscovered Gem

We have just a little over a week before we leave on our long drive to Miami, where we will drop off Suzanne's keyboard so it can be shipped to San Juan before school starts in Culebra. The planning has been underway for a while now and things are all coming together.

We are headed to the small island of Culebra, Puerto Rico, where Suzanne will be teaching Language Arts to grades 1 to 4 and math to first graders. She will also be teaching sociology to some of the upper grades, music to all grades, and a little bit of art as well.

You may be wondering how all of this came about! Great question!!! If you're interested in the story, here it is, and if not, you may skip this day's blog entirely!!!

Zoni Beach....my favorite!

Last year in June, Stan and Suzanne (I'm Suzanne) went on a 15-year anniversary trip to this gorgeous island. I discovered it after many internet searches for a place that was unique, out of the way, and non-touristy. We enjoy nature (especially Stan the biology man!) and wanted a place that wasn't just a tourist trap, but a truly beautiful and quiet location. I found out that Culebra's beaches are all federally protected for the leatherback sea turtles to lay their eggs. People are not allowed to build on the beaches and you can't even be on the beach at night when they may be nesting or during the hatching season.


Needless to say, this was very intriguing to both of us so we took the plunge and made our way to this out-of-the-way spot. We were not disappointed.


During our week-long stay, we were encourage to hook up with "The Turtle Lady" to find out more about the Leatherbacks. In order to do that, we ventured down to Zoni Beach at 5:30 in the morning and found her and her fellow turtle lovers checking for new hatchlings. Although we hadn't planned on such an early morning for our vacation, it was well worth it, as we watched the most beautiful sunrises we've ever seen, walked on the pristine beach, and experienced an unspoiled piece of this wonderful planet! 


We soon found out that the Turtle Lady was not only in charge of tracking the turtles on this beach; she also ran a small (about 24 students) private English-speaking school on the island! Since Stan and I are both teachers, we naturally had a lot to talk about! I was going to be teaching fifth grade in the fall so we decided to have our students be penpals! It was great fun and would be a unique opportunity for all of our kids!

Abbie's School from the Driveway

Fast forward to Spring Break 2011, and Stan and I were on our way back to Culebra. Of course we planned to get together with Abbie and her students, and we ended up spending a better part of the day at her school. I fell in LOVE with the students and Abbie and talked about what a great opportunity to have Hannah, who is going into 7th grade, have a year in school in Culebra.

Students at work at Abbie's school

After lots of conversation, prayer, more conversation, and more prayer, we decided to it was the thing to do: Hannah and Suzanne would spend the school year in Culebra and Stan would stay home to keep tabs on Mom and keep the home fires burning. Our other daughter, Jessie, is off to college in August, so this is the time to do it if it's ever going to be done!


This is our exciting and scary adventure!!! I hope we enjoy it and hope you enjoy sharing it with us!!


I am planning to blog every day once we arrive in Culebra. I may add more to the blog before we go, but only if there's something interesting... If you want to keep tabs on us, please feel free!