Where do I begin?

Wow, so much has happened - I hope I can remember it all to type it here. It seems like I have been here a lot longer than 5 days. Claudia said that at lunch today - she said "You've been here forever".

First - I bought a car!! Carol called her connection - the guy who does this and many other things for Ross faculty and who owns the taxi company on the island - and drives the only Jag here. I talked with him Friday night (my second day) and he delivered it Saturday with only a deposit. I got a 2003 Subaru Forester - very nice and great on the roads. It is not too big nor too small on these roads and I wanted 4-wheel drive. I figured just do it. It is in great shape and was a good price.
I drove into Portsmouth with Alexis (he wanted to see how I handled the car and the road), got my temporary licence and I was off. I drove back and forth into Portsmouth 4 times and the car is great. It takes both hills and potholes really well - and there are a lot of both here. He told me I am a really good driver and that I did better than most people at first. He will be a great connection for many things - he is that kind of guy - you know, one who makes things happen.

Oh, before I forget - it is HOT here. I know it is hot there too but ..... oh and since it is rainy season it just pours in the blink of an eye and then stops. Yesterday there was torrential rain in the morning - wow. Everyone is so happy with the rain after dry season. Yesterday was funny with the rain and mangoes rolling down the hill in front of my house. There is a huge mango tree across the street - I can pick them up off the road and they are soooo sweet - nothing like the yucky ones there.

I have already started seeing two students as a consultant. I can't use the term counsellor because in the US you need a professional licence, so I am a consultant -same term I used in Canada in my private practice. I will be getting a cell phone paid for by Ross for this. I will post my number when I get it. Right now I have a loaner - the number is 767-275-5360. Claudia said I may be able to keep this number. We'll see. I should also have my home internet today - I'll see later when I get home. It is really strange for me not to have internet at home - that' why I keep coming into school but everyone thinks I am working already.

Salsa dancing lessons tomorrow - woo hoo!! Yoga is Tuesday and Saturday. I am going to do that too - especially now that I have a car.

Dexter and Nica come to visit every day and hope for food. I heard they make the rounds of the houses - especially if you are bbq'ing. They are so sweet. Nica just comes in and lays down and wags her tail when you talk to her. It is helping me not to miss Jimmie and Tess too much.

The food here is awesome. I haven't got any fresh fish yet, but I will. The owner of Tina's Grocery - Tina - already knows who I am and calls me honey. She is a very sweet woman. The shacks by campus are great - amazing food. I certainly won't go hungry.

The people here are amazing and as soon as you are introduced as Ross faculty they can't help you enough. It is really nice.

I got some Dominican coffee in my welcome basket and I was drinking it yesterday morning sitting on one of my porches at the front. It is really good - a little spicy - it must be all the wild herbs and bay, which are very plentiful. Speaking of bay, I got some Bay Rum - a tonic used to calm skin irritations. I put it on mosquito bites and it really helps.

Work will be interesting with Claudia leaving. There seems to have been a bit of a shake-up recently as the Dean has also left and there is a new one here now. I will meet him soon. Apparently there was some stuff going on but it is settled now, although the counselling center will need a new director. Every place has it's stuff but it doesn't seem as bad as Fanshawe - especially with what has happened recently there. Wow, I am glad I am gone.

Okay, off to ........... whatever, talk soon

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