Wrapping up '08...

So it's been a while since I've updated so sorry to those who still check. I'm making it part of my New Year's resolution to try to update a little more often. :)

A lot has happened over this past year - many changes, many tears, many smiles and laughter and many fears. Much opportunity  and a bit of uncertainty. Much love and some loss.

To sum things up since my last blog...

My amazing Great Gma passed away just shy of 107 years old 

Jessica and Ryan finally tied the knot and I was honored to be a bridesmaid...

I got to visit some of my favorite Floridians (not all are in the below photos so please don't feel left out if you're not below)...

And started a new job working at Barefoot Divers (still in Roatan, Honduras) - a high end resort/marina - as a dive instructor... 

Met the family and Still dating this wonderful fella...

Spent Christmas with friends, bonfires, boating and fishing...

Watching my beautiful island dog Nalu grow up...

So that about sums things up in my life. I'm happy with where I am and what I'm doing for the moment. I'll be back with time - when I'm ready to close this chapter and begin another just as I have done before. Each adventure is allowing me to grow spiritually and as a person. I thank God on a daily basis for the opportunities I have had thus far, even if times do get rough. I miss my friends and family and think about you all often!!! Until we meet again - peace love and blessings for a new year ahead.

Slow season has begun...

So it's officially slow season at work and on the island. Every year has 2 high and 2 low seasons where you go from being super duper busy to sitting around doing a whole lotta nada. Ha. So yes...from now till December work is dead but gives me more time to fun dive for myself and what not which is nice. And...even do things such as teaching my dog to surf :)

Being sick sucks...

Fever w hot/cold sweats for 3 days...

Sore throat that ended up being strept...

Not able to eat - barely even soup...

Doctor visit and antibiotics for 7 days...

No sun, diving, alcohol for those 7 days (totaling about 2 weeks before meds)...

Yup...this past week wasn't fun at all!

Don't get sick when you live in a tropical climate during the hottest month of the year...doesn't make life very pleasant!

I'm ready to dive again - or something!

That's life - it goes on.

At least I'm recovering now and am out of bed :)

The beauty of the Caribbean

Just got back from one of the best weekends yet living in paradise. There's a little set of islands and keys between Roatan and the Honduras mainland called Cayos Cochinos. They're very very remote and used mainly for research. I had the pleasure of going along with a charter JJ had on their boat Friday to spend a day boating, fishing and just relaxing. It's such an amazing place and just great to get away from Roatan the day. Took some dive tanks and did a dive with a friend as well too which was incredible. The reef there is sooo healthy and beautiful. Really reminds me why I've chosen the path I have.

After our boat trip Friday JJ and Greg had a lil cookout and game night at their place, then they went fishing Saturday adn caught a Mahi so we enjoyed some delicious fresh fish that evening and then got to go with them on another charter back to Cayos on Sunday. This trip got to bring Nalu along with me on her first big boating trip which was awesome. 

So the weekend was amazing. So refreshing to take a few days off and relax, go somewhere new, and spend time with the boy while he was "working." :)

Livin the good life...

So I decided it's time to get back to blogging. I need a place to share and just write. So here it goes...all the updates...

So since the last blog I did do my Instructor course, passed the exam and am now managing a dive shop and instructing 6 days a week. It's a great job - exhausting at times - but who can complain about getting paid to dive and play in the beauty of the ocean daily? Ha. 

While I was on Utila for the exam I just so happened to run into a fella that I recognized from Roatan, said hello, hung out back on our island and as you can guess...has now developed into more. He's an incredible person with a great heart! Grew up in Alaska and is now living here helping run a sport fishing/dive charter boat. Those of you who are reading this probably know me well and are shocked to read this, but I've put my stubbornness aside for once and am giving the whole "dating" thing a try. lol. So far Im very happy I have. 

I've also brought home and adorable little puppy who keeps me very active! Her name is Nalu (Hawaiian for Ocean Wave). She's about 9 weeks old now (got her at 4 weeks) and she's growing at an exponential rate! lol. She's  a lil ball of joy and so much fun to have around. 

Reading this you can probably guess I'm sticking around Honduras for the long run. I haven't felt this at home in years. I miss many of the beautiful faces of my friends in the states but just can't see myself there again soon. I have a life here now - it's not just an adventure anymore. I have my hard times here just as I would anywhere else - and sometimes I wonder if I'm ready to settle in one place, but I'm only 23 and have already done so much yet still have so much time in life to go elsewhere - so yea, for now I settle. I'm tired of running from place to place leaving loved ones behind. And I'm happy to be by my family again. 

My amazingly beautiful friends Jessica and Ryan are getting married Nov.1 and am honored to be a bridesmaid, so I'll be heading back to FL in a few months for 2 weeks. I'm so happy for them! It's been hard not being there for pre-wed fun, but I can't wait to come home and see her and everyone else! I'm planning to fly back the week before the wedding to stay with her and then will spend the week after visiting others. It will be a great to be back in the states after spending 8 months on a small island. 

So that's life for now...I promise to continue posting this time :) 

Peace n love to all!

Home is where the heart is...

After a month of no updates (thanks to high quality internet speeds and connections...ha) I figured it was time for an update which I'll try to keep brief. 

So much has happened this last month! We were moved into a new house which didnt have running water for 4 days (and still periodically don't, but thats the joys of living here), I finished my Divemaster training, have been getting paid to dive and see sharks and octopus and other amazing creatures, and have made some decisions about what to do next. 

So yea...the next thing. For once I finally feel like I can call somewhere home. Not saying it will be home forever by any means, but for the time being I can't see myself living anywhere else. I miss many from the states more than one can imagine but here I have found great people and a love for what I am doing. So that leads to my next decision...I have decided to go ahead and do my Instructor certification next. The thing here is that youre more hireable as an Instructor (and make better money) than if I just continue as a DM...and...since I've decided I want to stay here for a while it's the smart way to go. I'm doing some freelance work for now and will take the 10 day course in June here and then go to Utila (another island) for a 2 day exam and hope I pass! :)

I'm moving into an amazing home tomorrow and one of my current 10 roomies will move in with me this weekend. I can't wait! As much as I have really enjoyed meeting everyone that has moved in and out of the house I'm in now 1o people can be a lot to live with!!!

So yea...that's for a quick little update for those of you who may have been wondering if I were planning to come back. I'll try to post some new pics soon...promise! Man...life's good! 

Peace n love. 

Just another day in paradise...

Really no new updates from the last post. Just the usual work days...boating, diving, studying. Seeing dolphins, eels and gorgeous fishies. Man - I swear everyday of this job I'm reminded how spectacular God's creation really is. 

Went to dinner and drinks with one of the roomies and some new friends last night at West End - the most popular part of the island. There's one main strip and everyone seems to know everyone and we're all here for the same reason - diving. Pretty cool. Met some great people myself - It's amazing how many people you meet who are here from all over the world. 

Finally had a day off today which was very relaxing. Got to sleep in past 6:00a and just hang out for the day. Went to town for lunch and banking then studied for the afternoon. I take my rescue diver test likely tomorrow, then do my Emergency First Response class and then the divemaster home stretch :)

That's really all to update. So yea, life's great in paradise. 

Enjoy the pics below of my home and work. Peace n love to all!

The dive shop

Some of the dive boats

Out w 2 of the roomies

Chamilla (my new Denmark friend) and roomie Annessa

My house

View from balcony

Living Room

Kitchen

Getting all settled...

Sorry I've been slackin on the updates. Been a little crazy the past few days moving and adjusting to a new job and new people. 

So the adventure officially began Tuesday morning around 8:30a as I was dropped at the dive shop which will be my work for the next 2 months. Arriving during a busy week I was quickly introduced to people, showed around and put to work. Shortly after I was able to hop on a part and go on 2 dives. When the day was over my luggage and I were loadin into the bed of a truck and taken to the new apartment (pretty nice place for the island).

Work is great but can be a lot of hard work! We get picked up around 7am and hauled to the shop and generally leave between 4-5ish (except tonight I didnt get home till 8:30) On a daily basis us "diveslaves" as they call those of us working on our Divemaster certifications man the shop, load the boats, set up gear and so on. Depending on the amount of customers determines how many dives we can make a day. Some days up to 3 and others none. Aside from that it's STUDY STUDY STUDY - a word I didnt know was still in my vocab. Ha. The training/certification comes along with lots of reading and tests - yes, tests. ONe thing I know is by the end of this I should be pretty buff carrying dive weights and tanks daily. 

Got to do my first ever night dive tonight which was incredible! Just you, the other divers, the dark mysterious sea and a flashlight. Saw an octopus, a few lobster and a variety of other incredible, glowing creatures. 

The apartment is nice. There are 5 of us right now and one more arrives Saturday. It's 3 bedroom and 2 bath with a large living area and kitchen, outdoor deck and beautiful waterside view - can't complain about that. 

So overall everything is going smoothly. Aside from exhaustion and muscle pain from the manual labor, I'm glad and greatful to be here! 

I will have pictures soon! Peace n love to all! I miss you dearly!

No mas vacciones...

I start work next week and can't wait! While it's been great hangin with the fam and relaxing, I'm ready to get back to work - which from what I've been hearing I will be worked! I'm stoked though. I've never been one to sit...and sit...and sit. It's good for me though. 

The past 2 weeks have been great - did some treasure hunting (a lot of pirate history here), kayaking, hiking, boating, diving, etc. Worked on my tan a little too :)

For Easter mom and I colored eggs and made some fun rice krispie treat things. Then went to the neighbors on Easter Sunday for lunch after takin dad to the airport so he could head back to FL for the week. 

It's pretty awesome down here. You meet some interesting people with incredible stories (although where my parents are I'm kinda the only youngin). Many are sailors who are care taking someone's home. Or they are just a sailboat anchored in the harbor. Saturday I get to meet even more of the "neighbors." Going to a little party a few docks over. 

I'll update more next week once I start work...let you know if they killed me with exhaustion diving daily, carrying equipment and so on. Should be a good weight loss program - ha. Oh...and say a lil pray my roomies are cool...there will be 6 of us :) Peace n love to all! Miss you guys!

Makin homemade pizza dough...

The end results...it was delicious! And I was impressed :)

A baby pineapple

The chicken come with their feet on them here...ewwwy!

The journey begins...

Welp, I finally made it to the island safe and sound after 2 long days - and may I say it was a journey to get here. 

My trip began with a 2.5 hour flight from Miami to San Pedro Sula where I was oh so fortunate to sit next to a creepy guy on the plane. The ENTIR

E trip talked to me (in Spanish bc he didn't know English). Got his whole life story about his band, kids, how he like white woman and refers to his children's mother as "mi mujere" or in English "my woman". He persisted I ride with him after the plane trip instead of taking the bus - and I persisted that I didn't want a change of plans. Ha. 

Once I reached the airport I gathered my luggage and caught a taxi to the bus station (which again I had a driver who persisted I stay and hang out in San Pedro for a while). -As a side note: I'm thinkin if you have low self esteem just come to Central America bc I could have gone home with a few guys- 

Made it to the bus, bought my ticket and went on a 3 hour BEAUTIFUL bus trip through mountains, banana farms, pineapple farms and even some corn farms. Saw cows, horses, goats, pigs and many others. 

From the bus in La Ceiba it was cab time to the hostel Banana Republic Guesthouse where I paid $5 for a bed and good company sharing stories with others traveling from Canada and Oregon over a beer. 

The next morning I took a walk to town to exchange money and get some much needed coffee, walked around and headed to the ferry station. The seas were the worst experience ever that day. About 75% of ship got sea sick which led me to putting on my iPod and closing my eyes to avoid seeing and hearing vomit. 

Then arriving to Roatan after 2 hours of rocking my dad decided we would conquer the bad seas to get home (keep in mind there are no roads to my parents house). So in the dark with only moonlight there goes dad in I through 15' seas and 30 mph winds - not the smartest thing. It was like a hurricane and I thought I was gonna die - no exaggerations.

But...we made it safely and now I relax...

Hasta Luego a los Estados

Yes, It's that time. Sitting in the wonderful Orlando Int'l Airport awaiting my flight (which has already been delayed). My journey has began with a loooong day ahead. Here's a little idea of my next 2 days...

Leave Orlando appx 10:15a to Miami

2 hour layover in Miami

Arrive in San Pedro Sula, Honduras at 1:15p (3:15p Eastern time)

Taxi to bus terminal - 3 hour bus trip to La Ceiba

Stay night in $5 hostel

Wake up, wander and catch ferry to the beautiful island of Roatan where I will spend the next 2.5 months.

I must say I'm stoked for the adventure ahead but slightly exhausted thinking about it. Ha.

As for thoughts and time in FL...nothing short of an emotional roller coaster. lol. For those who know me well I've never been one of much emotion aside from a big cheesy smile on my face 24/7, but I must say NYC sure did change that one for me - which in all honesty is probably a good thing. It was amazing to see some of my dearest in FL, catch up with some others and have random run ins with people I haven't seen in YEARS!

For the first time in my life I had 2 weeks to just sit back and look at life (hence the emotional roller coaster). I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had at such a young age - I feel like I've experienced so much and grown tremendously. The hardest thing I've come to find lately is that final hug before you walk out the door again. As excited as I am to continue my journey figuring out life and my place in it, it's always hard to leave the ones you love so dearly - the ones who encourage you and love on you. It's like there's that fear instilled that once again I'm alone again, back at stage one - a feeling I know too well. but then I sit back and look at what the last year of "loneliness" brought - lifelong friends, growth and an even better understanding of my lifelong partner, God. 

I've come to know my purpose in life is not a career or where I live or where I go - but how I serve and love. (I've been reading a book called "Irresistible Revolution" which I strongly encourage all to read - Christian or not.) I'm starting to truly understand God and where I stand in my faith. I know my purpose is to love and to care. To show beauty to the broken. To bring light into darkness. Not to convert, but to give hope and break the negative viewpoint of Christianity and just get back to basis - LOVE - a word that goes far beyond the romantic relationship - a word the world needs more of. 

Thanks again to those who love. And to those who are broken - you are loved. And know there is hope in the midst of struggle. 

It's off to tropical paradise now - I'll write again soon. Love and blessings to all!

Hasta Luego...

Until we meet again NYC...

As many of you know this is my final day in NYC...should be back in FL by Tuesday evening for a few weeks and then moving to Central America to fulfill my next dream...

The journey here has been amazing - incredible I must say. I've met some of the most brilliant and intriguing persons ever and had such wonderful opportunities. I've grown so much as a person and a follower and a lover. I've had the opportunity to work with/for amazing organizations such as Invisible Children and Jedidiah. I was able to get connected with Osiris Shoes and provide photos that are being published. And even stranger I worked with celebs on a daily basis. I accomplished some things I never imagined I could - and by God's grace and blessings and love I did.

Although some of the hardest times in my life have occurred here, I leave this place with some incredible life long friendships, memories and experiences I will never  forget, and an even stronger love for humanity. Thank you to everyone who has made this adventure incredible and I wish you all the best. I hope to keep in touch with many - and for those in FL I can't wait to see you! And for those in Cali - be ready bc I may be heading your way in a few months. Oh - and those new pirate friends in Hawaii - you will be returning the hospitality :)

Well...I'm off to finish packing and head to work for one final day at MTV - a day I'm sure I won't forget - 24 hours live of Jackass. Watch it - and say a prayer for my life. Ha

Peace n love to all. Stay Rooted. Love you dearly.

Dawn