Cruise Ships...Tourists...Traffic...OH MY!

Heyo,

Just getting dinner ready so I thought I would check in and say hi.

Everything is going well. I'm in training all week and it is going really well. The systems they have in place, their precedents, templates, document management, etc., is fabulous! Totally incredible and eye opening. The trainer is really good and I feel really comfortable with the way things are....whew!

I've already found my coffee shop - which is just a few doors down from my work. hee hee...didn't take long did it? You know how I need my coffee in the morning. :D Miracles of miracles I am actually eating breakfast at home (which I NEVER did back home). So I grab my coffee, sit and read the local paper and veg until it's time to go in to work.

There's lots of relaxing here.... good and bad in a way..since I am used to running around everywhere and battle traffic, etc., etc.

Got off of work at 4:30 and was walking in the door here at the condo at 4:45. What to do? Got changed really quickly and went down to the Beach Club and took an hour long walk on the beach. Didn't take any pictures...sorry. :D BUT as I was walking back there were these folks in the water fishing off the beach and they caught this HUGE fish. I mean...well, it was probably 4 pounds or so...but so close to the beach! They released it back..yay!

There were five ships in port today - five! SOOO many people wandering around. I ventured out at lunchtime to find a spot to sit and chill and it was chaos! Imagine Robson street on a Saturday. Now I know why the locals complain about the cruise shippers. Good for the economy and all I know but they are just running back and forth to shops and excursions...you think they would sit and relax and just enjoy. :D Mind you....I guess I would be one of them if I came here for just one day too.

Someone actually asked me for directions today! har har....George Town being as small as it is I could actually help them. I guess the work clothes sort of gave it away. :D

Anyhoo....gonna go grab some grub and watch some TV and then check out the stars - which are so beautiful here. The sun is just setting now and the crickets are starting up. Snug Harbour really is a nice quiet part of the Island.

Here are a few pics I took this morning of the ships coming in. Thursday we are supposed to get 8 ships in port. Eiya. Think I will take my lunch in to work that day. ;)

The fun continues...and dang it's hot!

Hey there everyone,

If you know of anyone that might be interested in the blog, feel free to send it on (ie., Trevor and Sherri). I have their e-mail somewhere.....um....

Little bit of an adventure today. I got my cellphone changed over to a Cayman number. Nice little drive around a round about about three times and a wrong turn and I was there! har har... The driving is getting better, and the roundabouts are fine, but dang there are a lot of cars on the road when ships are in town. I think there was a Royal Carib ship in town today.

I got my phone unlocked for $35CI and then got a new sim card and some pre-paid minutes. The cost to call back to Canada is only 35 cents per minute..which is MUCH better than the $3.00 I was paying per minute when I first arrived - ouch!

Came home and chatted with Sheldon and the kids for a bit on Skype. Great service, which will be even better once Sheldon figures out how to get the mic working on the laptop. Wished my bug, Evan, a very happy birthday. He is 8 today and I just can't believe it. How time flies. I remember being in labour with him, and carrying him in my tummy and now he is a grand 8 years old and he is such a beautiful, gentle, loving little guy. Sigh

I was outside this morning and was taking some pics of the canal and this HUGE iguana came by. I mean HUGE. One of the girls warned me there was an iguana that hung around but I had no idea it was that big!!!

A little later in the afternoon I came back outside and was getting some sun (I mean, really, I need some colour!) and the big guy came back. JoAnn and I gave him some banana....and he came as close as the palm trees right on the edge of my patio. He's a funny little thing...but kinda freaky! har har

I went down to 7 MB and met up with Anna and the kiddies for some splashing in the surf. Michael was having his year end party for his hockey league (roller hockey that is). My first real glimpse of 7 MB and it is is simply fabulous. I took a walk about a mile down to the Ritz, just to check it out, and there was a couple getting married under a gazebo. So romantic..though a bit like being in a fishbowl with people sitting in chairs nearby.

I just got home and am now watching Hockey Night in Canada! har har....Unfortunately it's not the Canucks, but Toronto and Washington. However, it is only 4 p.m. in the PST so maybe the Canucks will be on later? Don't know if I can stay up that late! har har

Tomorrow I am off to Treasure Island to meet up with my roommate Nicole and check out the new digs and have a little rum punch at the swimup bar. I still have to finish unpacking...but I have enough things out to wear for Monday that I think I will just chilax tonight and watch some TV and enjoy myself tomorrow.

Hope all of you are well. Miss everyone and happy to get to work to get my mind off of home.

Promise to try to send some sun your way!

Love, Ang

P.S. I'm posting some pics of the condo for your viewing pleasure. I am also getting things uploaded on Flickr so check out camelbakorbust there too.

Quick hello and update

Heya.

Just writing to say hi and that all continues to be well here in Cayman

Hot and sunny today...I would guess it's about 28 degrees or so...but the humidity is definitely high so it feels hotter than that.

Went to the new office this morning for a pension meeting and got to meet the HR lady (she's super nice) and see my temporary spot. No ocean view...but hey...I'll be too busy to notice anyways! Everyone seems really nice and met one of other paralegals (Kevin) today.

We have a work social tonight at a place called the Wharf which is right on the water. I am going to meet Kevin and JoAnn there and get introduced around, etc.

According to the HR lady there are two other people starting on Monday, though I don't think they are paralegals - I think they have their whole contingent of us now. I will be at a place called Anderson Square where they do the training and then I will be moving back to Queensgate House for training with the head paralegal. I like how they slowly get you started - since I don't know what I am doing! hee hee

Went to the bank today and opened a new account. I am going with Butterfield Bank because that is what the office uses and most of the people in the office. They also provide wireless $ transfers to any account through online banking (which Scotia doesn't offer). I pick up my bank card next week and then I will be all set!

Still haven't changed my phone over yet - I am dreading my cellphone bill for the first few days here. I have to get it unlocked (about $25 CI) and get a new sim card and then I will have a Cayman number! You can do prepaid plans here so you don't have to sign a contract, which is great and all incoming calls are free! I will be sure to send the number out when I get it.

Is everyone on Skype yet? I chatted with Sheldon and the kids last night and it worked really well - glad to see them.

Alright, I am off to shower and get in to some air conditioning! I'll write more tomorrow!

Love to all!

Pictures

Here is a link to my flickr pictures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24217222@N02/show/

In Cayman...safe and sound

Day 1 – Finding My Way

Okay....first day.

I got met by one of the girls at the law firm - her name is Jo Ann and she seems nice (though she's from Toronto - har har). We got the rental car right away and I followed her to the condo. To say that it is confusing to drive on the wrong side of the road is a bit of an understatement. I mean it's not THAT bad but I was like "drive on the left, drive on the left" the entire way to the condo.

I am in a 4 plex villa in the Canal section of Cayman...along 7 mb (as you can see from the pics). Super sweet! It's probably over 1000 square feet and I have the entire place to myself! Anna was here and had some groceries with her...so nice. Turns out my work also stocked my fridge and pantry for me so I don't have to do any shopping for at least a week.

Got to the condo around 3ish I guess and Anna and I visited for a bit and then she took off. Managed to get most of my stuff unpacked (including pictures which are now spread around everywhere). That's when I realized that I didn't have wireless access here (or at least I thought I didn't!).

I decided to go for a drive...he he...to the local grocery store (which is an IGA fyi). Did fine until I realized that I wanted to turn in to the driveway and I was going to wrong way! Some hand waves and sorry's later I managed to park and do some shopping. Prices are pretty comparable to Vancouver actually - and they have my hummous!!!! Yay!

I thought I would take a drive and see if I could find Treasure Island on the main road...drove by it twice before I realized that I wasn't going to find an easy way in there. However, I did end up driving almost all the way in to town before I found somewhere to turn around. Cruise ships were in yesterday and I was in rush hour and traffic was a dog. Everyone complains here about how bad traffic is. Turns out they've never been in Vancouver traffic before. har har!!!

Came back to the condo..made some chow, texted Sheldon a billion times and then totally passed out on the couch. I woke myself up at around 8:30 or so and then couldn't stay awake anymore so hit the sack.

It's so quiet here. I mean, it's quiet at home too...but this is like...quiet...it's strange being on my own, and having all this space to myself, and at the time having to internet.

Slept straight through to 7:30, got up...had something to eat...and called Sheldon when he was getting up. Chatted with the kiddies for a few seconds and then when I got off the phone, went back upstairs (the condo is 2 floors) and passed out for another 2 hours.

Finally got up and headed downtown to the bank and cellular store and found the internet cafe. Of course noone here knows where to unlock a phone, or if there is wireless throughout the island, etc., etc. Seem to get a lot of blank stares for really what seem like obvious questions. Anyhoo...wandered around downtown for a few minutes (and saw my office building!) and then headed out along West Bay Road and went to the public beach.

The weather is kinda cloudy and windy today...so the beach was pretty deserted....walked and took some pictures and sat for a smoke. Sure enough a guy comes up to me and asked for a light. Uh huh...we know where this is going. :D

Chatted me up for a few minutes...wanted to know what I was doing tonight, etc., etc. Asked if I was married (why yes I am!, with kids!) and whether I liked my husband (why actually yes I do!) and then went on his merry way. har har...nice guy who was very polite as I knocked him down a notch. :D

Now...I am sitting chilaxing. Got in touch with my future roommate and we are meeting for drinks tonight at a place called Coconut Joe's on the main strip. It has swings at the bar! Definitely looking forward to a beer - haven' t had one yet!!!

Anyhoo...that's it for now.

Arrived in Miami Safely!!

Well, it's morning anyways! It's 5:20 your time, so 8:20 my time, and I arrived in Miami about an hour ago. Laura was right, this airport is a dump! Not much to do....nowhere really too eat and somewhat confusing layout. Not the best first impression of Miami that's for sure. However, I am only here for another three hours and then on the next flight...so I am sure I can make due. :D

The flights were pretty uneventful, other than me falling asleep and then waking up every 20 minutes. I also managed to make my entire left arm fall asleep - which was fun! :D

Coming in to Miami we got to see some thunderheads which was neat...until we started to fly through them! eek!

Didn't get to see much of the city and water because it was still dark when we came in, but I plan to take lots of pics once we fly out to Cayman. It's cloudy, with sunny patches and some showers this morning. Can't guess what the temp is...but probably around 20 degrees or so? Warm and humid, but I am still in my sweatsuit so I am sure I will feel better once I get some sleep!!!! and change.

I am not sure of the internet situation on the Island, whether I will have it in my condo or not, but I will check in when I arrive and get settled in.

Can someone forward this message on to Andrea and send me her e-mail address? It isn't in our Webmail address book.

Thank you all for your warm wishes, and support, while we go on this adventure. I think it's going to be fun and I am feeling super positive...even though I can't hug my kids and Sheldoni. I know we made the right choice.

Love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!

12 more days!!! and a Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Well,

Just a quick update. I have been a little lazy with the packing the last few days....the suitcases are still sitting waiting for the last of the stuff to be shoved in.

We've been so busy the past few days...and it feels like we are just going to get busier as the day of departure draws closer.

Yesterday was a going away lunch at work. The staff got me a gift certificate to Lougheed Mall, so I get to go shopping next week and pick up last minute things before I fly out. Woohoo!

Last night my department went out for drinks, and then Laura, Leeanne, Stephanie and I headed over to the Yaletown BrewPub and visited and chatted well into the night. Didn't get home until about midnight, but it was so relaxing and fun to spend time with my girlfriends.

Today Sheldon and I are going to the Canucks game. yay! I was really hoping that we would get to go, and his boss had extra tickets and offered them to Sheldon. Fun! So we get to grab a bite to eat and hang out all night...just the two of us. Perfect Valentine's Day if you ask me. :D

The kiddies were full of love and affection this morning because of Valentine's Day.....I have two beautiful, amazing children. They are growing up to be such wonderful little human beings.....so kind, and gentle, and funny. It is wonderful to see them both smiling and laughing. We know we have a special family unit. God it's going to break my heart to leave them!

Tomorrow night is my 2nd going away party! A wonderful friend, Rose, is hosting a party at her house....and all the friends are coming. With Leeanne's wedding only just over a week away we are having a big celebration for her, and for me......(pst...I think it's going to be a long night). ;P

Saturday night Sheldon and I are having the entire family over for dinner. It will be good to see everyone and sit and relax and visit and enjoy eachothers company. Can't wait!

Sunday...whew! Sunday we are going to RELAX, and head to the mall for shopping!

So all in all, it's crazines...I can't believe I am moving...I can't believe we are making this HUGE step....but I feel so positive about it.

If I can just get past the thought of leaving my Sheldon and the kids and the kitties....all will be well.

Let the Packing Begin!!!

So last night....a night at home with the kiddies and I decided that all the stuff I have been piling on top of my suitcases should actually start getting INTO my suitcases. :P

Last weekend I went through my closet to start packing my summer type clothes (which I really don't need in 3 degree weather with a foot of snow on the ground) and threw them into one of my suitcases...last night I decided to tackle the other two suitcases that I am also taking with me.

Of course everything ended up coming out of my suitcases, some things are being left behind (like my yoga mat - Sheldon can bring that down in April) and other things were added (like our small stereo and Ipod docking station). I'm sitting there, with all my clothes, belts, shoes, pictures, quilt, sheets, towels, purses, surrounding me, and I am wondering....HOW am I going to get everything to fit in here?!?

I still haven't done laundry (hey, I DO have two more weeks!), but after all the resorting, and reorganizing, I still only have 1/2 of 1 suitcase with room still left in it. Somehow I have to manage to cram my laptop, the rest of my clothes and my pillow into that space. This is going to be interesting...and I really think that I am going to have to either (a) get another suitcase, or (b) realize that I am probably going to have to pay overweight and extra baggage fees for what I am bringing down.

I tried to lift up one suitcase, and suffice to say, I could barely move it! This doesn't bode well for when I arrive in Cayman and am trying lift the cases off the luggage carousel. I really, really hope they have luggage carts in Cayman - cuz I am going to need them! Whew...thank goodness my bags will be checked straight through.

Of course the other thing that has me nervous is that I am taking a little Dash 8 from Vancouver to Seattle, before connecting to a 757 for my flight down to Miami. Will Alaska Airlines let me take three overweight suitcases on the little Dash 8 (plus my carry on?).

I am going to have to call my travel agent and make sure she tells Alaska I am going to have overweight and excess baggage.

I refuse to do any more packing until next weekend...and I am sure I will be pulling everything out at least once or twice more before I go. I know it's silly to pack so early....but with the way my schedule is going between now and when I leave - I don't know when else I will have time!!!!!

How is....

it possible that time seemed to have dragged on forever while we were waiting for my permit, and now that I have it in hand, time is just flying by too fast!

Eek! 19 days go to. The butterflies are in full force and I am starting to go feel like I am seriously running out of time! Only six more days of work to go and then one week to prep for Leeanne's wedding and then I am out of here!

I thought I would post a few pictures of the apartment I will be moving in to. It is called Treasure Island and is right at the south end of 7 Mile Beach. We are on the 2nd floor, overlooking the main pool and beach. Woohoo! Through googling like crazy I have managed to find a few pics. Here they are!

How many more days to go?

It's amazing how time seems to be flying - and I have totally been bad about not posting...I promise to be better!!!

Well, a lot has happened since I last wrote, including having a wonderful Going Away party thrown for me by my wonderful, WONDERFUL friend Leeanne.

On Saturday, Jan 26th Leeanne invited me and Lee's maid of honour August out for dinner. As Laura is in town from Italy, she came along as well. :) We arrived at Lombardo's in downtown at around 7 p.m. to find about 12 friends there to meet us! Eek! It was a GREAT surprise, and a real treat to see everyone!!! My brother David came (holy smokes!!!) and my old, old friend Trina who I haven't seen for 17 years.

It was great to see everyone and we had a great dinner and lots of laughs. There were some wonderful cards and people pooled some US $ and Cayman $ (thanks Doug and Kat!) for me to take down with me. Gonna use that for some vodka...so I can toast all my friends as soon as I arrive on Island. :P

Lovely cards were given and sentiments shared, and it really hit home how wonderful all my friends are, and how much I really hate the thought of leaving them!!!

We ended up going back to Leeanne's house for some more wine and visiting and Sheldon and I didn't get home until about 3 in the morning. Fun, fun!!!!

Of course we are having ANOTHER going away party at Rose's house on February 15th (because Rose and Sean couldn't make it to dinner on the 26th). Looking forward to having some good dinner, and visiting and hugging all my wonderful friends. It is a "tri" party - Leeanne's upcoming wedding (on February 23rd), my going away (on February 26th) and a belated birthday party for Kat (February 1st). It's always a good time just sitting around and visiting...and I think the grandparents will be taking the kids overnight - so no worries about getting home at any logical hour. ;)

Last Friday night Trevor, Maureen, Harold and Trudi came over from Victoria and we all went out to dinner out by the airport. They were in town to fly out to their annual Peurto Vallarta holiday. It was lovely to see Trev and Maureen again, and good dinner and chatting by all. We got home late, and the kids were tired, but the dinner!!! Wow! We went to the Italian Kitchen on Bridgeport and No. 3 Road and it was great, and HUGE! Trevor and Maureen have promised to come and visit us - and being the travellers that they are I have no doubt we will see them in Cayman. I have promised that a bed will be waiting for them whenever they decide to come down.

This past Saturday we went over and visited Jeff and the doggies. It was a nice visit, relaxing night (besides the kids chasing after the dogs for hours on end). Hope that we will get to see Jeff again before I take off!

I am finishing work on February 15th. Yay! I will miss work, and my office, and my close co-workers. Everyone has been wonderful and so supportive of this move. I am looking forward to next week, which will be my last week in the office, and then I will have a week to get ready for Leeanne's wedding and finish packing.

As for the packing...and how that is going. :P I was going to "attempt" to only take two suitcases and a carry on, but have quickly thrown that out the window. he he. I have packed my shoes and purses (priorities right?!) and I packed most of my summer clothes this morning. That has filled up two of my three big cases....

I still have to pack...all my bathroom stuff (don't even GET me started!), my quilt, some sheets, all the clothes I am taking that I am still wearing (t-shirts, pants), laptop, stereo...and no..not the kitchen sink. ;P

I think I will be sitting on my suitcases to get them closed..should be interesting!

I can't believe that it is only 22 days before I leave....that means that Leeanne's wedding is only 19 days away! Eek! I have been quite remiss with the whole "working out" thing to get in to my bridesmaids dress....but I am heading to the gym tomorrow - I swear!!!!

gggrrrrr...I just tried to post an expanded post and it was deleted!!!!!!! Ugh!!!!!