Life in Semesters: Part Deux

I left you with a return from Miami. Well, rest assured that in the short period that I was back in Dominica before heading back to the states for the holidays was an exciting one. Our house was robbed a few times by some local kids who were up to no good. At first I was scared, but once I learned that the youngest of the team, and the one sent through the window was a mere 9 years old, I was just sad. This explained the missing freezy pops and the tosstled chocolate chip cookies in the fridge. You know, unfortunately for me, I lost a bicycle seat, but much worse for that young boy is how he is being influenced by his elder peers in such formative years. To take from others, to invade privacy, to deceive a Ross student by asking to use his bike pump as an opportunity to find what more could be his. I laugh when I think of the missing freezy pops, but I tear up to think of that boy's situation. Thankfully, everyone was caught and got their admonishment. Most of our property was recovered, and security was increased at our place. In the end... what can you do? As a wise yogi friend once put it... the question is not why did they steal from me, but rather why did I steal in the first place? This is just the ripening of a karmic fruit.

Not long after, Steve was finished with his exams and it was time for us to travel to Texas for the holidays. It pained us to leave kitten behind for more than 3 weeks, but I was looking forward to a little change of scenery and the chance to spend some time at home with my family. Christmas is always festive with my mom! So we boarded our two planes (of course successively), and it was by a stroke of grace that we made it home in one day without any issues and with all of our baggage in hand at IAH.

Christmas time was enjoyable as we scooted around Houston to watch/listen to various performances of Handel's Messiah, went to the movie theater, and took long epic walks through a city that is much-too-rarely walked about. We were overwhelmed by the amount of driving that was required. And the shopping...well...it was Christmas time, so on a few occasions we felt ourselves drained. Most importantly though, Steve and I got to spend almost all of our time together. Although we've been together - so to speak - in Dominica, he has really needed to focus on school, while I've been up to other non-medical-school things.

But our highlights were definitely our time with nephew Magnus - and his parents of course ;) - and our trip to Austin for our anniversary, a city that just suits us and nurtures our outdoor spirit.

Now, the photo story:

Morning cup at the lake house

Christmas performance going

At the Wortham for the Nutcracker Ballet

Shoes donated by Mom's friends to take back and distribute in Dominica

A little turtle watching at the Arboretum Nature Center during a walk from the parent's house

Visit with baby V at the Valero's house

Mom's new house at Christmas

Christmas dining room

Our first Magnus meal out

Magnus and parents 

Visit at Kemah Boardwalk

Austin for a little Anniversary getaway

Exploring for dinosaur tracks

 

 

Faberge Exhibit at the Museum of Natural Science, Houston

 

Magnus Photo Shoot at Herman Park

 

Memorial Park Driving Range

Magnus meets cows for the first time

Babyy Baby Magnus

Annnd curtain close. 

Life in Semesters

Back at it down in Dominica, and I have made a promise to a few friends out there that I will continue to update the blog. Thank you for reading and thank you for encouraging me to continue. I may have only made two posts last semester, but I vow more in the new year.

The last 3 months have carried much travel and brought many new relationships for which I am very grateful. I will give a quick rundown, but as my posts continue this semester I want to give less play by play and more posts inspired by some amount of contemplation. For tonight I give you a little silly banter, and part one of the past few months' play by play. 

Since we moved to Dominica, I've been compartmentalizing my life into semesters. Not because I am in school, and not only because Steve is a medical student, but largely because life on the Northeastern part of Dominica is dictated by semester. I never thought much of this, never thought it was odd that I  described my life by semester, not until I was home in Texas over the holidays. I found people looking at me funny when discussing experiences and plans... by semester. To us here in Dominica and at Ross, this is the way it is. Right now we are embarking on Steve's 3rd semester. This means he has successfully completed his first year of med school, like a rock star I might add, and has begun "year 2," which will carry us through the end of August (as Ross is an accelerated program, you do the math).  

Semester 2 flew by, as life tends to do. My mom came for a visit in October, which rebooted my travel escapades. We hit St Martin together and then lived lush at Secret Bay in Dominica. We had a blast and mom rekindled my inner hedonist. French food, snorkeling, shopping, and massages. Not to mention the luxury of 5 star resorts and air conditioning. It came at that perfect point when I was needing a refresher from what was starting to feel like a long 6 months without the simple luxuries that don't really exist in every day (affordable) island life.

The "guest room" at our house, where mom stayed a few nights

The pool at Radison Blu in French St Martin

View from lunch at Radison Blu St Martin

Kitchen area in Zing Zing Villa at Secret Bay Resort

View of Ti Bay from our Secret Bay villa

A week after her departure, I packed up and headed north to Paradise Island, Bahamas where I spent two and a half weeks, reconnecting to my inner guru. I studied under Kam Thye Chow for two weeks in a Thai Yoga Massage course, and became more connected to my Buddha nature while having a blast. Kam is just a riot. He teaches Thai massage like a kung-fu master and fills an experience with joy. I made some new yogi friends and heard some incredible talks by a range of spiritual teachers. I was so thrilled to be back in a Sivananda ashram, the lineage and home away from home where I have studied intensely off and on for the last 5 years. No matter which center or ashram I visit, I always run into old friends, and meet new ones that really feel just like I've rekindled old friendships. A really special place. This visit, I was so thrilled to be among yogis and spiritual brothers and sisters that easily understand the path I walk. I was certainly floating in the clouds by the time I was finished at this go round in the Yoga Retreat. 

A travel rainbow to encourage me on the long journey

"Buffalo Soldier" music video cheers me up in the SJU airport

The dock where the Yoga Retreat boat comes to pick up guests from Nassau

Course Initiation: invoking the gurus and a blessed learning experience with a puja by Swami Bramananda

Our classroom

End of Level I, Lion Face

Level II Graduation with Kam

My cousin!!! I love running into her in the Sivananda Ashram. A really rad bonding experience to have a blood relative that shares the path of yoga.

From Bahamas, I volunteered myself for a free overnight in Miami. I had just barely missed my flight, and I said what the heck: give me a free hotel and some meal vouchers, I'm heading out to check out the town. I visited some art galleries and the beach and reflected on my ashram experience.  I love silent solo trips to a new place. Always reminds me of the time I spent in Paris, roaming into museums and boutiques, sitting at cafes over espresso in a land where I can hardly speak the language. That's what Miami felt like for that one day. I got some pwetty pictures. Oh. and a great cortado. 

A rainbow to send me off from Nassau

Obey Giant Art

Graffiti art yard 

delicious cortado

side of the road

yep

the graffiti version of a nun I had honestly met the day before in the ashram. trippy.

The strip art deco'd out. 

back on the beach. feeling at home.

South Beach

Art Deco shop.

So back to the island of Dominica I made my way for Thanksgiving, a new massage shop; and then back to the states for a month of holiday, family, and an anniversary. To be continued......