Things that make life in the Caribbean easier for me...

1. The Internet: I am able to keep up to date on current events at home and abroad as well as communicate with friends and family. Moreover, I get to keep a Blog, which surprisingly, reduces my stress. Farley always says that women have so many words per day that they need to say (basically women need to talk) and I guess my blog is a way for me to talk with family and friends even though I'm very far away. I can even talk over Google Talk or Skype, which is even better than typing to friends.


2. Coffee: Now, it isn't great coffee, but at least there is some coffee on this island. Being that Dominica just received it's independence from Great Britain 30 years ago (as well as many other islands), there is some yummy tea down here. I'm okay with substituting black tea for coffee for some variety.


3. My I-Pod: I LOVE that I can check my email from my I-Pod and it has even been helping me sleep better at night. The music has been so loud this semester that my parents bought me these rather strange looking earphone (see photo) that are designed to be warn while you are sleeping and listening to binaural beat technology. This binural beat technology is a way to help you relax and then it is suppose to drop you down into Delta sleep (deep sleep). I was skeptical at first because I like QUIET when I sleep, but to my surprise, these little sleep phones have worked when it is loud down here all but one night since I got them (but there isn't much anyone can do for you when you can hear the lyrics to songs that are playing in a bar 1.5 miles away).
4. Gregorian Chant and Classical Music: I didn't realize how much classical music I own until I looked at my I-Pod the other day. By far, the classical section is the biggest--by hundreds of songs. I go through phases when I'd rather listen to Scott Joplin, George Gershwin, J.S. Bach, or Gregorian chant to name a few. Currently, I'm on a chant kick--so relaxing. It just makes the pathology and microbiology that much more pleasant.


5. Discovery Health/TLC: When I take a study break, obviously I like to watch medical television. I especially like when I can diagnose patients on T.V. --it makes me feel so smart!


6. Nelson and Addison: Nelson has THE best chicken on the island--he has a monopoly on the chicken breasts and his employees are the best, gosh-darn grill men on the island. Yummy! Addison has a fruit juice stand and his fruit juice isn't the best on the island, I think it is the best anywhere in the world I've been. Amazing!


7. Dominican Sunsets: The sunsets are absolutely breathtaking at my apartment. The colors of the sunset just dance upon the ocean. Better than in St. Lucia or Barbados. Beautiful!


8. Balcony study spot: I have a little plastic table on my balcony that is a great study spot. I love being able to escape out there and feel like I'm not trapped in doors all day, while still getting things done.


9. Subway's expanded menu: It isn't as large as the U.S. menu, but we now have soup and pizzas in Dominica. There isn't a huge variety of choice on this island of things to eat, especially for me as I am allergic to seafood and shell fish. Being able to go to subway when I can't get to the "grocery store" is a life saver. Since we've gotten more items on the menu this semester, it's been easier just to go to subway as the default. Besides, everywhere but Subway and Nelson's fries things, which has made me gain weight since there are not enough hours in the day to work out as often as I should. I'm losing weight this semester by just eating subway more often when I don't have time to cook. I'm practically the new Jared.


10. Not being along: I've saved the most important thing on the list for last: Farley. Having Farley down here is such a blessing, even when we get on each other's nerves. It is so lonely down here and there isn't much time to make many friends as studying consumes so much time. It is nice to have Farley down here; I'm never really alone, even if I feel isolated at times since I'm so far from home. Farley is always just next door, which isn't far at all.