The Bay of Naples + Treasures

I'm still daydreaming about the wonderful trip to Italy I took with my mom and sister back in April. In Sorrento, I enjoyed my first ever swim in Europe.  The water was freezing, and it took Margaret and I about 45 minutes of moaning, groaning, and dipping our toes in the water before diving in. We only lasted for a few minutes, the water was so cold, but we did it.  We spent the rest of the afternoon soaking up the sun on lounge chairs with my mom.

Something equally awesome that we experienced in Sorrento was visiting the small, rocky beach below our hotel. The beach was covered with small pieces of sea glass and sea-weathered, broken, colored tiles. I could have spent hours down there sifting through rocks and finding smooth, colorful treasures. It was unreal! I brought a nice collection home with me that I cannot wait to display one day in our "someday house" in some sort of creative way.

Resources
Font: American Typewriter
Arrow Brushes from Creature Comforts

Photos by Clare Wilkinson & Katrina Parkinson for C Squared W.

10 Days In Dominica: Day 8

Does your spouse like it here?

Why, yes.  Yes he does.  Although Charlie spends most of his time studying, he loves the island and all the adventures it has to offer.  He loves all the hiking and swimming.  He's a beach guy at heart, so when he has the chance to enjoy Dominica, he feels right at home.  When he's not busy studying all of this...

He loves doing things like this...

And this...

And this...

I know Charlie is looking forward to spending more time enjoying the island {and some time with me!} after his test on Tuesday. We're planning for a fun afternoon together - an outdoor adventure of some sort, followed by a lobster dinner at Sunset Bay. Can't wait!!!

Second semester, going strong!

I know I've been a stranger, but with exams last semester, moving to a new apartment, our trip home, my extra time in the U.S. to attend Frannie's college graduation (you go, girl!), Frannie's visit to Dominica, and my trip with Frannie to St. Maarten, it has taken me a little while to get settled back in to life here on the island.



Charlie has been working hard to master neuroanatomy (my worst nightmare!) and is studying night and day in preparation for Mini 1, the first huge test of the semester. He has also gotten to do a little bit of work outside of the classroom, diagnosing a standardized patient, and playing dominoes with the older generation of Dominicans at a local senior citizens center. I think it was a nice break to step out of the classroom for a little while! As always, he is working and studying like I have never seen. His dedication is amazing, and I know it will pay off!

[caption id="attachment_359" align="aligncenter" width="546" caption="The kittens, just a few days old. Please focus on them and not my grungy, sweaty appearance, which sadly is inevitable in this insane heat... We're talking boiling heat with 70% humidity. I was so hot and flustered the other day on my walk home that I choked on my own spit and almost passed out on the road. No joke. It's so hot you can't even breathe properly!"][/caption]

I have been busy volunteering with CALLS (the alternative high school) and In.Light.In (a ministry working with local kids on Friday afternoons), serving on RSO's (Ross Spouses Organization) board helping with fundraising, and mainly just trying to stay cool. It has been unbelievably (unbearably) hot lately, so just trying to maintain a functional body temperature has been a task in and of itself! I've also spent lots of time with friends, mostly hiking, swimming, having game nights, and hanging out in the air conditioned coffee shop. My friend Brandi's cat just had 7 kittens, so I spend as much time as I can watching those little cuties (I actually saw the mama cat give birth to 2 of them... CRAZY!). And I am looking forward to a fun day with Charlie after his test next week!!!

[caption id="attachment_357" align="aligncenter" width="584" caption="Contrary to popular belief, this is NOT how Charlie spends his days. (Only after a big test!)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_363" align="aligncenter" width="584" caption="This, however, is how I do spend mine!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_360" align="aligncenter" width="584" caption="Sisters at Frannie's graduation from Sewanee"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_362" align="aligncenter" width="584" caption="Enjoying a hike and swim during Fran's visit"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_361" align="aligncenter" width="584" caption="Our  fabulous porch view!"][/caption]

P.S. -- I apologize if this post has the lame sound of a holiday Christmas letter, updating you a little too chipperley on our fabulous life and the many accomplishments of our 4 amazing children (all on the honor roll!) and their little league championships.  (As I proofread this myself, that's the vibe I got.)  Luckily, I spared you from having to read about the accomplishments of our 4 amazing children since we have none.