Reflection

The past year has been one of immense change. With the end of 2011 comes a time of reflection of everything one has done this year. 2011 - I never imagined I'd see this year, that it was even possible. When I graduated high school I said to myself "I don't graduate college until 2010... that's never going to get here." Now here I am, and it's almost 2012. I think I've finally found a place for me, for now at least. In the beginning of 2011 I knew I wanted to do biological research and find vaccines for cancer and cure the world of sadness. Now, as 2012 rounds the corner, I know I no longer wish to do that. It sounds horrible to say "I no longer wish to cure the world of sadness," however it's not actually what I am saying. I just know that I do not want to spend my days in a laboratory, killing mice, failing experiments, and trying the same thing over again 100 times before I get it right. I just have to find a new way to bring happiness to the world. As spring came and went and summer entered my life (though in California, you can't really tell the difference), I went from being in a lab, to having no idea what I was going to do with my life. I didn't have a job, I had classes I knew I'd need to finish somehow, I had no prospects of a bright future. I went to the beach every day, but had no idea where I'd be living a month from then. The summer went by, and all of a sudden I was employed. I packed my bags, said farewell (for now) to California and the City of Angels, and moved on to another life adventure. Now I live in St. Croix, an island, paradise to most, finishing my classes online, loving my job, loving the people I've met, and loving my current life status. This past Christmas, I spent the whole time catching up with my family, close friends, and trying to explain how all of this happened, as it just happened so quickly. The past year absolutely flew by.

So what's the purpose of this entry? It is reflection. I made a lot of changes in my life this year. I met so many different people this year. I am still so young, but I am not getting any younger. I think I'd consider 2011 a successful year in my life. I didn't make any big changes in the world, but in my own little world, I changed so much, and changed for the good. I am starting to figure out where I belong, what I am supposed to be doing, and who I am supposed to be. My roommate and best friend just got engaged. Not only is it a very exciting time in her life (and mine because I am just so exited for them), it is such a reality hit. She's going to be married a year from now. We really are growing up. I guess it's about time I start figuring out what I'm doing with my life.

So here's to 2011. You were a good year, but I bid you adieu. I've had enough change for now, and I am ready to live in peace. I already know, 2012 will be successful, not because of change, but the lack thereof. Welcome to my subtle island life.

Jumping

When you jump you take a risk. When I graduated college I jumped into a new life called grad school. I jumped into a new state, a new city, and a new school. When I decided to no longer pursue my PhD I jumped again. That time I jumped into a totally different life situation: full-time career like job, tropical island, new culture, new friends, new life again. This weekend I made another jump... less figuratively though.

In the past I've jumped out of an airplane, off a cliff into a river, off a swing as a child, from a diving board, and on my bed. This weekend I decided to jump off a pier. Saturday I met my friend Chad and headed out to Rainbow Beach on the west end of the island. It was a good day for the beach, the sun was out, the water was cool, the drinks were good. The co-op's, Meredith and Sacha, met up with us, and Chad had a couple friends out there as well. The day was fun, the sun went down, and after having some great pizza for dinner at a place called Lost Dog (they made pineapple and pepperoni which was fantastic) we decided to go back to the pier and jump off. Where we were the ocean was about 20ft deep but you could see to the bottom it was that clear. The pier was about 10ft high off the water level. We jumped. I jumped. I just let go and jumped. I am so glad I did too, because it was a lot of fun. Needless to say I am glad I didn't know then what I know now, else I probably wouldn't have done it.

When you jump you take a risk. Apparently sharks do a lot of feeding around that pier, and are most active at night. Great... well I'm glad I didn't get eaten by a shark.

If You Like Pina Coladas...

Okay, so I haven't actually had any pina coladas since I've been here, but I've had quite a number of rum drinks. A good weekend breakfast drink is the Painkiller. Now... Other than rum, I'm not exactly sure what's in it, but it does take the edge off. It's very sweet though, so I can't always have more than 1 or 2. A lot of people move on the the bloody mary... or they just start with that. Another great signature island drink is the Bushwacker. I'm definitely not sure what's in it, but it's frozen and I'm pretty sure every ingredient is alcohol (other than the ice). You can't tell though, it's so delicious. Now, just because I live on an island does not mean I drink every night, but maybe a couple of nights a week, and the weekends in particular. Though this week has been pretty active. Sunday was a long day of doing nothing but being lazy. We had some drinks and watched the Phillies, but stayed up late because the game didn't end until midnight. Monday, our catalyst vendor was on island and they took me and Alex (the other hydroprocessing engineer) out to dinner. I had an amazing filet mignon and lobster tail with a rum cake for dessert. Then Alex and I went out west to see our friend's (my new friend's) bar that he just opened up. Ayo is local to the island of St. Croix, and he's been a Moka Jumbi here, which is a traditional dancer on stilts, and now he owns a bar out west. It was a nice place, but it turned into a late night. Last night the vendor was still in town and they took us and another engineer out to a formal dinner in town. Great food and great wine, with good people, and took it later to the boardwalk for a few more drinks, turning into another late night. Tonight I am in bed early. I hope this entry is substantial enough for people who read this thing.

Home Sweet Home

This is where I live. I moved into this apartment this week living with Suzzy and Brandon. We've got two floors for a 2 bed/2.5 bath apartment. The top floor is the living area with a balcony over looking the view on the left here. I can't believe I live here, but it has finally hit me that this is my new residency: a tropical island. I am all out of temporary living and driving arrangements and am in the process of finally unpacking all of my things in the new place. I think I could get used to this, after all there are worse places I could be living. ;)

Weekends On Island

Every weekend is like another vacation. Work ends Friday and doesn't start again until Monday, and all the time in between I'm on a tropical island. Friends come and go so quickly. Friday night I went out to dinner with some nice friends I just made because they left island today or are leaving island this week. It's kind of a bummer but it was a fun time. In town (Christiansted) there are some fun bars and good restaurants to go to. Tavern 1844 has quite possibly the best burgers I've ever had the pleasure of eating. I had a fried goat cheese and caramelized onion burger and it was absolutely amazing. That's definitely an awesome factor of this island... we may be in the middle of nowhere, but the food is fantastic. The night got pretty crazy. Just to sum it up... "It's all fun and games till a girl randomly mayweathers you in the mouth..." was the Facebook status of a pal I was out with that night on Saturday morning. Woke up Saturday and bummed around all day and went out to eat with Suzzy and Brandon. Grabbed a beer on the boardwalk then headed over to the sports bar for some cheap beer and nachos. $1 Coors Lights during the game? Why thank you. 20 wings for 10 bucks? Absolutely! Loving it. As a result of people leaving island, there is a ton of booze they need to go through left in their house. So we met at our friend Lane's house and everyone powered through the party. It was a really great time. People spitting fire, peppermint patty shots, college football, and wings.... perfect.

Sunday Funday was pretty typical. We all got up and went for brunch up in Cane Bay at a place called Eat. I had a couple of Cane Bay Coffees (not your average frozen coffee drink) and Banana Foster crepes. Bananas, nutella, and powdered sugar... it's all I needed. Off to the beach it was, but it started to look like the rain was coming in, so after about an hour we packed it in and headed back home to do some homework. After an awesome nap and a little group project work, it was time to meet up with some people one last time.

We had a bon fire on the beach. It was so awesome. Wooden pallets piled high, the fire burning, the waves crashing, and good friends enjoying some drinks and quality time.

But the weekends end, reality continues, and it's back to the old grind bright and early Monday morning. Next weekend will be here soon enough. (:

My Island Car

I bought a car today. Well not officially, I haven't given him the money for it, but I gave him the final offer. My coworker and new friend on island is resigning and moving off island back to the states. Coincidentally enough, to LA. So I bought his Jeep Grand Cherokee. It's going to be a good "island car". The island infrastructure is nothing like that in the states. The roads are old, narrow, pot-holey, bumpy, and sometimes not even paved. Having a 4x4 vehicle is going to make driving around here just a little bit easier. Having a big off the ground car is also going to be easier.

So now I'm all settled up. I have a place to live and a car to drive. I have one more week in my temp place and with my temp car, so it's perfect timing. I'm moving into Suzzy's apartment with her and Brandon. It's a great life. Dinners, drinks, and homework together. We're all taking a class so doing homework is pretty normal around here. It's easier to do homework when others are doing it as well.

I've been here for 3 weeks now. Still loving it.

Here I Am, My New Life

So if you've read my old blog Philly Girl In A LA World, then you know I no longer am living in Los Angeles. I packed up my bags, went home for a little while, and moved myself out to the US Virgin Islands. I am now living on the island of St. Croix, 27 miles across and 8 miles wide, in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. I am absolutely loving it. I am currently living in a condo by myself temporarily provided by my company driving in a Ford Focus also temporarily provided. Over the next two weeks I will be moving into a condo with my best friend Suzzy as a relatively permanent life set-up. I'm also car shopping, and I found a couple of Jeep Wranglers that I'm pretty interested in. I really want a SUV type car, because the roads here are rough, and I really want a jeep because I've always wanted one.

I work for the big bad oil company, but I really do love it. I am a hydroprocessing engineer, and it is really exciting. The learning curve is steep, but the environment is fast paced and non-stop. My coworkers are really cool too. They're easy to get along with and work with, and everyone seems really willing to help me get into the groove of things. Outside of work, everyone is a lot of fun. The people are so nice and welcoming, that I don't feel out of place.

All in all, I'm really going to like it here. Island life is real life now. I am here for a while now, and I am really excited to see what happens. We'll see what happens now.