Sidetracked

I was up early (just before 7) and making my to do list for the day in my head. I decided that after having my coffee and uploading yesterdays pictures on the blog, I would make my way down to the school early and have plenty of time to come back and get school stuff ready to send to the news papers before meeting Colomojo. Some days just do not go according to plan and life sidetracks you in a good way.

Before I knew it time had got away from me and Paul said why don't I wait a bit as he was meeting Paul H at 10 and I could join them. I decided that was a good plan - Carole popped me on the coconut phone so I asked her and Dick to join us as she was not booked till afternoon.

I headed out a few min ahead of Paul so I could stop at Milo's and pay our electric bill - there was a long line yesterday and I am just not a line person -I am not the only one who does not care for standing in line as I met Capt Jeff and he was there for the same reason. I invited him to join us at Perk and he was up for it. When we got there Paul Dick and Carole were there Cindy and Paul H turned up a few min later and we all enjoyed chatting a bit.

Capt Jeff said if I was willing to wait a few minutes for Clarissa to come they would drive me to the bridge so we had a nice ride down the beach as the road is still under construction in Boca Del Rio.

I got all my stuff done at the school and was just about to start walking when Colomojo called and said she was leaving Caribe Island so we said we would just meet somewhere on middle street and keep our phones handy just in case - we ended up finding each other just after pirate pizza.

More later getting ready for Pedro's.

So glad I am not a jager drinker as the bell kept ringing last night - nothing like friends letting loose and getting everyone drunk ha ha - I stuck with my cranberry. Played wii bowling with Boreas, Steve and Sharon. Carole and Dick turned up later and we went and got Homer Simpson burgers and ate them in the park.

Steps counted today 6968 - Aerobic steps 4565 -Aerobic time 42 min -Distance 2.20 miles

Pedro's

Andi-Lee serving up Capt Jeff's round (he is not a jager person either)

Cheers

Richard Cindy Paul and Sharon playing dj

What's next

Was chatting Bobber in mini chat this morning and he said Life is what you make it. I replied back something about how I was figuring out what to make next.
It hit me as I was cleaning house - getting a bigger place has been on our minds lately and that is just want I am going to make next. I thought as I was cleaning about how I will get rid of stuff I do not need, organize, clean and physically prepare as if we have already found a place and are getting ready to move.

Capt Jeff just called, they are heading back from a successful morning of fishing with Abel Guerrero - dashing off to Mayan Princess dock to take a picture of a big Jack.

More later.

11:50
Man what a big Jack it took Capt Jeff about 20 minutes to reel it in. They also caught 3 mackerels and a whack of snapper. Colette and I hitched a ride back through town with Kra-z-k and left Maya and Jeff to watch Abel clean the fish. Back to a bit more cleaning myself before I have to get ready to meet Colomojo and her hubby to take them to the school.

4:40 pm
It sure is a a hot one - will be nice to get to BC's and catch some breeze.

Visit to the San Mateo and the school went well Colomojo and Tracy enjoyed learning about the school and meeting some of the kids. They got to see how useful their donations will be. While there we got to meet a nice group from the states.

Students and faculty from Gainesville State College in Georgia are visiting HC School and participating in a study abroad class entitled "Socio-cultural Perspectives on Diversity," which aims to teach future teachers how to ensure that all students from all backgrounds are respected and educated in a loving environment.

All 20 students are education majors at Gainesville State College. The students are being led by three faculty members, Dr. Carlise Womack Wynne, Dr. Diane Cook, and Mrs. Valley Rogers. The three professors are working in collaboration with the teachers and staff at Holy Cross to allow GSC students to observe in classrooms and offer teacher training seminars for both GSC and Holy Cross participants. Workshops include Developmental Psychology, Active Learning, and Classroom Management. This is the first visit in what will hopefully be a long collaboration between Gainesville and Holy Cross.

Francis and Vernon oriented the students on Sunday evening with a tour of the school and community. The students from Georgia are so fortunate to be allowed to come and learn and work with the faculty and staff at Holy Cross. Students have been able to work in various faculty and staff roles at the school. Holy Cross was a gracious and welcoming host to our volunteers and the experience that GSC students gained while in Belize was priceless. Gainesville State could not have asked for a more practical and beneficial host school.

BC's was fun as always - what could be better than making new friends on the beach. Met a few more message boarders boreas, ncrbrew, deadserious and their crews.

After BC's the gang decided to head down the beach to the Playa Lounge for some cocktails and snacks. While there we spotted someone coming in with their catch - a big dorado. A bunch of us went over to check out the action.

Returning from a morning fishing with Abel

Living the Dream with Captain Jeff

Mackerel and Jack

School supplies courtesy of Colomojo and Tracy

Training seminar

Tracy under Shuffles sign

Colomojo giving donation on behalf of Johnston United Church

I spy

Making new friends

Group shot

Off to Playa Lounge

Lounge time

Watching commotion on the dock

Fish kept jumping off hook

Big dorado

Checking out the fish

Some big fillets

Gone fishing

It is 5:30 am and we are getting ready to meet up with everyone at Estel's for breakfast before we go fishing with Peter Graniel.

Fishing was great - caught loads of snapper. There were 6 of us fishing so we had 4 on at a time and did the catch 3 fish and pass your rod on rule. Today I practiced taking the fish off the hook - it can be a bit tricky as the fins are sharp.

When Peter G and Lionel started cleaning the fish, a nurse shark came around to have a bite to eat.

We are all going to meet up again later to enjoy fresh fish bbq at Dick and Carole's.

Side note - rainy season is on the way so make sure to have your wet gear handy.

Heading for Peter's boat

Fixer upper with waterfront view

Capt Jeff caught a big one

Gray skies - fishing was great

Taking turns

Paul got a bite

Peter G doing fillets

Caught some fish

Caught some more

Beach time

After waisting to much time playing gold miner, I am going to move onto something more productive - resubscribe to coast to coast and pack a pic-nic lunch for the beach.

Was chatting with Stacy yesterday, she sent me an e-book and it made me think to tell her about Coast to Coast am radio which is a late-night syndicated radio talk show in the United States and Canada. They feature a wide variety of interesting topics, most frequently ones that relate to science, the paranormal, or alleged conspiracies - a great alternative to tv or reading. Paul and I have been listeners since long before we moved here. If you do not get it live near you and do not want to subscribe, you can listen free online at am 640 website week nights. Any coast fans out there? Give a holler.

Sandwiches are made, coast is downloading and we are off to perk.

12:58 pm
Good thing we went to perk before the beach as we got a reminder from Coleen and drummer Jim that Madisco was doing a food giveaway at San Pedrano store. So we went and got some Lasco powdered soy drink packets for our hurricane food supply, a box of muesli, and some granola bars which Paul said were a bit sticky from the heat.

7:00pm
Beach was great - we went to Ramons. I snorkeled to the end of the dock - saw 15 different kinds of fish and there is about 3 or 4 kinds of coral growing now. It is really cool to watch that area develop under water.

Getting ready to go for dinner with Capt Jeff, Clarissa, Maya, Cindy and Sharon at Christo's.

Food was good, they had a buffet on for Mothers day celebrations. Sharon was being funny pinching things from Cindy and Jeff's plates when they were not looking.

After dinner a few of us stopped at the Casino for a quickie. All proceeds for the month of may from the Game King slot machines on the north wall are going to Holy Cross for the Computer Lab so please don't forget to drop in a few dollars of you are passing by.

Signs made by Gecko Graphics

Paul playing video poker

Gone for coffee

9 am
Fine time for a coffee break.
Been chatting on the message board and working away on my computer chores (sorting, writing and deleting emails)

10:35
CindyC at perk is helping me get healthy, she has got me drinking soy milk in my frappes now - I do not mind it but she could not sell Paul on the idea so now she makes ours separately. Somehow I lost my momentum on what I was doing before we left, so now I will pick a different task and see how long that keeps my attention for ha ha - will clean inside and wash my plastic set of office drawers and get caught up on school blog.

Once again I am cursing internet explorer cause I have not downloaded a replacement browser yet. Today it will not let me rearrange pictures I uploaded on school blog by cutting and pasting then in correct order - talk about things that make my blood boil and it is already hot enough today. I swear there must be steam coming out my ears right now.

Here is a picture story from this evening....

The bell was rung

Jager for all

Making more bottles for the wall

One of those days...

Ever have one of those days where you have so much you could be doing it makes you not want to do anything?

That is where I am at right now to the point of not even wanting to update my to do list for today ha ha. So far it consists of call Capt Jeff.

I just talked to Kra-z-k to see how Karmen was doing and so far so good. She managed to get her another vitamin k shot but is still looking for a bottle of vit k pills not so easily found here. For those of you who do not know, Karmen is Keli's dog and she got into something she should not have hence needing the vit k to help sort her insides out.

I am going to go make some toast and partake in a time waster (computer game)

Meeting Capt Jeff, Clarissa and Steve at Mango's for lunch shortly.

We had a good gab session and delicious food. Capt Jeff and I both had Amy's chef salad, Paul and Clarissa had quesadillas and Steve went for fajitas.

Capt Jeff looking good - by Paul

travelqueen does Cinco De Mayo

Holy Cross Extravaganza numero II!
Written by travelqueen

What a fun-filled event that is such a great cause for the kidos of SP! Here are some pics I took through out the day! Hope you enjoy!

Mr. Tillet “gambling” with the kidos. Note to self: do not choose numbers 6, 3 or 1! The house took my money!!!

Karen - one of the volunteers came to help.

Steve and a HC teacher, working hard to sell chips! NOT!

Mr. Noel, do not give these lovely ladies a hard time!

Mrs. Carole’s face painting table was a hit!

Kids, changing out the trash bag! Excellent!

The yard sale was a hit!

I love these two pictures! The kids are having a blast on the “jumpy thingys”!

Pinata time! I spy Mrs. Laurie!!


Alright, everyone stand back and give the lil guy some room!

Mr. Freddy makes it right for every kido!

Winner of the microwave raffle!

Ok Mr. Freddy and Mrs. Frances… who’s the next winner??????

The “kido’s event” was a huge success! Everyone looked like they were enjoying the fun activities, the delicious food, the chance at winning a raffle prize and great deals at the yard sale!!

Now… onto the evening events!...

Sari, you are a great auctioneer! Thanks for all you did!...

Rockin’ band!!...

Fun was had by all!...

Good to see so many familiar faces…

More familiar faces...

Or just part of their face…

Mr. Bob, thanks for all your hard work!!!

And the rest of the night… we’ll just leave to be a mystery. He he.
Thanks to everyone for making it a success! See you next year!
xo
travelqueen

my 2 cents - by tg
We all the biggest laugh comparing notes on the rest of the evening over the next few days.