Last day of fun?

Well we just had Block 1 exam last monday but we have block 2 in about 2 weeks. Thus this was the last weekend I could do anything. Julia and I and some classmates went to the beach most of the day. I swam with my goggles out to a reef that was among the cliffs. It was pretty strong current and I got a little panicked a few times but I made it up on the shore to get some air. It is hard to explain but there was this little private beach which you could only get to by swimming around the side of the cliff. It provided me a little relief. After getting sufficient oxygen I swam back. I realized I probably should have taken some one with me. But I made it back safe and we had a great time at the beach. The spouses club had a potluck dinner tonight as well. We brought baked spaghetti and it must have been good because our pan was completely empty when we took it home.

Also we got a US PO box that sends mail to us. If you want it just email me at runningresearch2005@yahoo.com and I can send it to you.

Grades are back

I studied pretty hard and was rewarded. I got an 87.5 on my MCB I (genetics and biochemistry test) and a 85 on my anatomy test. Not quite as high as I wanted, but at least now I know how they are going to be written. Other news this week. Julia had an interview for a job at a clinic working as a Physical Therapist and was offered a job. She can decide her own schedule, so she will be figure that out and then start whenever she wants. This was quite a break through. It all came about from her chatting to different people online.
I am sure everyone out there knows how warm it is here so I won't rub that in anymore. Yesterday, we went out to dinner to a bar by the water and Julia was complaining that she was cold and had to get a coat. I reminded her that it was 71 degrees out.

Block I

The semester is divided into five blocks with a test at the end of each block. Block exams are always on a Monday. Our first block exam is this Monday (01/26), thus I have been studying really hard. We had a ten question quiz in my biochemistry and genetics course called MCB this week. I got a 90%. The mean was a 70%. So I am at least on the right track. I am not expecting the test will be anything really hard except in my case because I am shooting for a 90% (honors). So I am studying really hard. Julia got anatomy lab privileges so she was able to come into gross anatomy lab with me tonight and help quiz me on the cadavers.
Julia also got a potential job offer that came out of nowhere from someone she had been corresponding to online. They are just in the beginning stages of talks so this might not work out. Please everyone pray that she is able to get a job. Although I think Julia is starting to like having her days free. She had been going for walks and other activities with the spouses' club. I will post a pic of the spouses' club.

White Coat Ceremony

White Coat Ceremony was yesterday. It was definitely interesting. I am glad that I have had a white coat ceremony before so that I knew how they were supposed to go. The one we had yesterday was ok until they had one of the students from Alpha Phi Chi the honors fraternity give an address for 20-30 minutes. This is where a little editing from someone (anyone?) would have helped. This guy got up and proceeded to talk about beer and how much he liked beer and flippy cup (a drinking game) for about 30 minutes. People laughed but only because it felt awkard not too. Really it just fell inappropriate and I was thankful I didn't have any family at the ceremony.
This is just another reminder that I am surrounded by a bunch of 22-23 year olds. I will say most of my class is mature, but there are a few there that are not and still may make it through their classes. Heck, the guy who spoke yesterday was in the "honors society." So there's hope for me because if that guy can do it anyone can.
After White Coat there was an after-party at Bliss. Bliss is a local nightlub/bar. I had never been to it but it was very nice. All open air with a large dance floors, and leather couches in little cabana's with a pool and a great view of the ocean (although it was dark). More pictures are to come. One of the upper semester students has a professional camera and will be posting pictures online soon.

Today was christmas in St. Maarten for the Wilkins. We got our car and stuff we shipped (including a TV) , we got our internet installed, and we got our cable box and TV working (so now we have cable). This is a big adjustment. I have to catch up on a lot of stuff. Julia, however, will be alot less bored during the daytime while I'm at class. We got our skype phone activated so it works. We just need rechargeable batteries for it. Without it we have to keep it off most of the time. Once we get rechargeable batteries it will be on all the time and any one can call us.

Adjusting to "island time"

Well it is has been our first week in St. Maarten. It has certainly been an adjustment. Things move at a different pace down here. When we got here we were supposed to be moving in to Aventura Unit#502. Well, apparently that one got sold "last minute" which means it got sold last week and they forgot to tell us. We were switched to Unit 512 which doesn't have as nice of a view and a smaller fridge. Normally this would be a big deal in the U.S. and you could put up a big stink and get some compensation for your troubles. Oh, no , we have learned that in St. Maarten no one really cares. You get what you are given. So we moved into our place and went out and spents " a few dollars" picking up necessities like groceries, hygienic products, rugs, shelves, and hangers.
They have just about everything you could want on the island...just at 2-3 times the price.
The place has come around over the course of the week. We still don't have a TV (being shipped) and we don't have internet yet. The story of internet is another good example of "island time."
We signed a contract for it on Monday, were told someone would be by on Friday. On Friday, we called the person setting it up (he spoke broken french/english) and were told he would be around Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.
I will put up another post soon. We have posted some pics to show you our place.