And it begins again...

I just wanted to let everyone know about my misery. My graduate classes officially started back up today. The internet is already acting up, looks like it's going to be a long semester... 

Things you might not know...

So I was thinking about what really defines me as, well, me. I came up with a list of things that I find essential to understanding who I truly am, and I found that most of them are the little things that you might not know about me. Here they are in no particular order:

1. I love peace - not in the world peace kind of way (though that would be great), but in the way that I want every thing around me to be easy going.

2. I'm OCD when it comes to textures - I compulsively touch things when I walk through stores. I can't help myself! If something doesn't feel nice, I don't buy it. 

3. I think Giraffes are CUTE! I even have socks to prove it. :)

4. I'd rather scrub a toilet than do dishes. There, I said it. I hate doing dishes, so that job usually falls to Cody. I know, poor Cody. (And you'll never find a nasty toilet in my house.)

5. I am loyal to my family, almost to a fault. I'm the only one who gets to talk bad about them. They are mine! I'll defend them even if you are right. 

6. I have several best friends. I can't say that one is any more "best" than the others. They have entered my life when I needed them the most, and I will forever be grateful to each of them. 

7. I am madly in love with my husband. Probably not a surprise, but a lot of my actions can be traced back to something that involves Cody. But hey, that's how it's supposed to be, right? :)

8. I have a terrible memory - don't blame me, my mom says it's genetic. Honestly, I've forgotten to pick her up not once, but twice. Now, if something is extra important, it gets a sticky note. And if I tell you I've forgot something, I'm not lying, it happens a lot.

9. I know God loves me. There is no other explanation for all the wonderful things  in my life.

10. I think there is something sacred about good books. You won't find me "dog-earing" my pages or folding the cover back. Guess you understand why I'm getting my master's degree in library science. (And why I was an English major in undergrad.)

11. I believe in multiple intelligences (the concept of being smart in different areas like reading, logic, technology, street smarts, and so on). I also know where I'm smart and where I'm, uh, lacking.

12. I hate being cold. Part of me wants Cody to do his clinicals in Michigan, but then the high temperature for today was 3, so maybe not so much. 

Okay, that's the list so far! That's who I am. Interesting, huh?

Ringing in 2009!

This is my first official post of the new year! Yippee!

Okay, now that I got that out of my system, it's time for another one of my famously late updates...

Cody and I enjoyed three glorious weeks back in the good ole United States. It was so nice to be back with our family and friends for Christmas. We made trips to San Antonio, Dallas, Tyler, and Killeen in order to visit as many people as we could.

Mom waited for me to get home before putting up a Christmas tree. (It's because she loves me). Anyway, that was the first item on my to-do list once we got home. It turned out that no one in town had any left, but Cody and I got really lucky. Someone had donated some really nice ones to our church for anyone who needed a tree. Neato! So my nephew, Hunter, and I had a great time decorating a tree. I wish I had gotten a good picture of it because he did a great job hanging the ornaments.

For Christmas Eve we went with my mom, sister, brother, sister-in-law, and my four neices and nephews to drive through the Land of Lights. It was great fun. We got to ride in the back of the truck with the kids who sang Christmas carols at the top of their lungs. Who could ask for more? After that, we rode back to my mom's house to open our gifts (It's a Duncan family tradition). 

Cody got me a new Ipod nano (the purple one) because he knew I really liked the color. I know, how sweet, huh? We also got each other tickets to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, which was simply amazing. I also got some pajamas, boots, and a new willowtree figurine from the family. Here's a shot of my mom and sister... I'm not sure what we were talking about... 

For New Year's, I went to see one of my very best friends, Robin. (I was blessed to have her as a roommate in college.) We had a blast shopping, hanging out, and doing the girl-talk thing. I am so glad we got to spend some time together.We didn't do much else that was noteworthy, but we had tons of fun.

Last but not least, I want to say a special "THANK YOU!" to our friends Chuck and Geneva. They watched my kitties for me, and somehow managed to rid my apartment of three weeks of cat fur. I can't say enough how much I appreciate them and all they have done for Cody and I. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! 

5th Semester Here We Come!

I just wanted to let everyone know that Cody is officially a fifth semester student! That means that this is our very last semester on the island of St. Maarten. Also, we will be going home for Christmas this year! We're leaving early Wednesday morning, and will be gone for almost three whole weeks. I'm super excited to see my family, friends, puppy dog, cold weather, Christmas trees, Christmas lights, real Mexican food, Olive Garden, Chick Fila, 70 mph highway signs, traffic lights... I'm sure you get the picture. Anyway, if you are looking for me, I'll be in TEXAS!!! 

When we get back, Cody and I will both be back to school. (Yay, fun!) Then around the third week of April we will be moving back to Texas for a few months until we know where we will be going for Cody's clinical rotations. It used to feel like we would be stuck on this island forever, but now I can really see the light at the end of the tunnel. I even made a list today of things I would like to sell at the beginning of next semester. That's when you know that it's time to go. It's so exciting! I can hardly wait!

Gobble, Gobble!

Yeah, so I know I am late again in my postings, but I wouldn't be me if that weren't the case. Anyway, here it goes. So last week was Thanksgiving! Yay, food! We had another wonderful Turkey Day on St. Maarten. Some of the students and their spouses got together for a potluck, and, man, was the food delicious! 

Here's just a fraction of what we had; it doesn't include the desert counter. :)

Cody was very grateful that they got the Cowboys game where we were (and that Dallas kicked butt). In fact, many of the guys enjoyed Thanksgiving by hanging out in front of the t.v. - now there's an American tradition!

I had a great time hanging out with some of my friends - some of the best a girl could ask for. We're all in this together, and it's nice to know we can lean on each other. Thanks, girls for being there to share another holiday with me. 

What's Going On???

Well, I keep looking at my blog and thinking that it needs something new. Only problem is I don't have any cute pictures to put up! I hate writing blogs without giving people something to look at. Wonder why I feel like I need proof of everything I do... I have to be honest too, I'm not the greatest about snapping photographs. Le sigh. 

Anyway, here's what I've been doing the last week or two. Last week I took a trip to the butterfly farm with the kids that I tutor. McKenzi, Sydni, and Jarrett are great kids, and we had a blast hanging out with the butterflies in our hair. I also made it to Jenni's baby shower last week. It is so nice to see the spouses on the island come together to help each other out. Jenni was absolutely beautiful I might add. I only hope I can be so pretty when I'm eight months pregnant. 

Yesterday my mom flew in. She's here visiting with me this week (woohoo!). So far we have made it to Baie Rouge (one of my favorite beaches) and to the movies to see The Women. I love having her around!! It feels like it's been forever since I've been home, so it sure is wonderful to have a bit of home on the island.

Well, I guess that should about catch you up on my activities. I'll try to take some pictures this week so you can be further entertained with my shenanigans! Cheers!

We Survived!!

Cody and I survived our first ever hurricane. Hurricane Omar passed over St. Maarten late last night. When it finally hit us, the Omar had progressed to a category 3 hurricane with wind speeds in excess of 125 mph. It was absolutely crazy! The sights and sounds of mother nature were incredible to witness. From our apartment (about half a mile up a hill) we could see ocean swells breaking in the ocean! Mind you this was at 3:00 a.m. so it was incredible that we could make anything out. We were guessing that the waves must have been 30-40 feet for us to be able to see them so well. Anyway, we got our taste of what a hurricane is like and hope we never have to do that again. Luckily enough for us the power and water remained on the entire time. Thanks for all the prayers! I'll snap some pictures of the damage if we happen to make it out today.