Kick off to 2011

Happy 2011 everyone! We couldn't have been happier to kick off the New Decade with a beach party for the second year in a row! Fireworks displayed were visible all along Seven Mile Beach, and a huge bonfire was blazing. The only down side was the new infusion of KPMG new-starts (our replacements), reminding us that our 18 month stint will be coming to an end this year, and next year we could be celebrating indoors with a hot chocolate and warm sweater=(
With the beginning of a new year we have attempted to infuse a few new things into our lives. Trivial little additions, like a real lamp in our bedroom so we can see after 5pm, and an extra chair so both of us can sit on the patio have made our spartan flat feel a little more like home. Sweet Christmas gifts, like yoga, massages and gift certificates to a nice clothing store have added to our overall enjoyment on the island. Bags full of Canadian goodies from my parents ( 4 packs of Crystal Light, 3 packs of Thinsations, toothpaste and delicious triscuits) and an overwhelmingly generous box full of Starbucks VIA (F.Y.I- shipping cost of $55) from Dave Kuryk remind us of all the great things back home. Perhaps the best material addition come our way in 2011 was the purchase of a new car!!!! Okay, don't get too excited, it is only new to us, however, it is 7 years more modern than our green monster, and runs much more smoothly. Like any used car on island it has some quirks ( a back window that sometimes falls down, a radio that only plays out of one speaker and most importantly, no air conditioning) but with a little TLC and $400 for an A/C core, our "Snow White" Hyundia Accent should be a huge improvement over the beast. Blake and I had reached our breaking point when we realized that our old car nearly wore through the crank shaft pulley, which would have resulted in a written off car. We decided it was time to upgrade. Like any process on island, finding a good car and dealing with the neurotic, self-obsessed accusatory French owner left much to be desired, but thankfully we came out rather unscathed from the business transaction (minus a few dollars to fill up the tank which La Belle Fille left red-light empty, which was also before I had to drive her around and wait for her to interview at the Ritz Carlton before we could both head to the licensing department)... Anyways, we are now happy with our little car and are attempting to sell the old one with as few "white lies" as possible.
The best addition to 2011 is most definitely my new job!!!! I have gotten a job teaching in a local government school in Hell. Yes, you heard right. I officially work in Hell... Hell, West Bay that is! I have a homeroom year 5 class, which is equivalent to a grade four age level, but grade 5 curriculum. I have been volunteering in the class since October, so I have gotten a chance to meet all of the Hellians, and they are vivacious and enthusiastic. The school is a typical Caribbean school, with outdoor walkways, cafeterias and common areas. All of the kids are locals and only four of the fifty staff members are foreigners. I am well aware that I have my work cut out for me, but as a second language teacher I am jumping at the chance to learn more about the Caymanian culture, as well as get the chance to teach in a homeroom, since I generally have to hop around all day. My first day is tomorrow and Blake has been laughing at me while I prance around the house, as giddy as a child. This job will be quite heavy on the academics, and a lot is expected of the teachers here. They must eat with their class, both recess and lunch. They only get 20 minutes each day for copying and errands, while the kids are out on the field for lunch. The school is applying for IB (International Baccalaureate) status, which means a lot of time is spent co-planning with other teachers, and that great care and detail needs to be put into the lessons, as we will be evaluated and hopefully accredited with this international distinction by the end of June. No matter that I will be working long days, and commuting to the other side of the island, I am thrilled to be back in my career. The timing couldn't be better as well, since Blake also begins his busy season tomorrow ( 3-4 months of 11 hr days).
With the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011 we are excited by all of the additions to our lifestyle, and we are also gearing up to make some tough decisions by June, for we still have not decided what the future holds for us. What we do hope is that all of our families and friends have an amazing year, and that little pieces of joy find their way into your days.