Had an interesting realization today, I really love this place. It's different, some days it's downright hot and muggy, getting things done here can be frustrating and there are instances of total confusion but I don't know exactly what it is but each day I like it more and more. I suppose that's a good thing.

Tonight we went to "Jump Up" and local Carnival Like celebration. They do Jump Up 4 times a year here on St. Croix this one was in celebration of Alexander Hamilton Day (I told you, any excuse for a party). Actually Alexander Hamilton was born on Nevis and grew up here on St. Croix. It was really fun, a State Fair like atmosphere, street vendors selling all kinds of food and trinkets, music of all types with live bands, dancers and Mocko Jumbies(stilt dancers). It was great and a lot of fun. I actually did take a few pictures before the battery in camera died, it's charging now, so I'll post those pictures tomorrow.

Another week no job, Everyone is still positive, but no firm offers yet. I guess our faith needs to be tested. Must keep praying.

Had an interesting revelation about the job hunting today. Really feel that the job is out there, just like our car was, we just have to be in the right frame of mind to accept it and be willing to "think outside the box". I think Rick is finally ready to do this, I know he knows that this is where we are supposed to be, but he is really struggling with the fact that he has not been offered a job yet. The school thing is still positive and there were a few new leads today, but we are almost through 5 weeks here o St. Croix, and it is almost a year since the real flow of work for him ran out in surveying. I do understand his frustration and impatience. I also do believe that you have to hold onto to what you know to be true, just about 20 minutes longer than you think you can. I also think Rick has finally realized that he really needs to work at getting our Kyani business up and running in on St. Croix.

We did get the car paperwork all straightened out and we should be able to pick it up tomorrow. Of course, now we have to work on getting the air conditioning fixed. Money could be a problem. I hope not because if we don't have air conditioning in the car, I won't want to go anywhere.

Have to keep the faith and keep praying. I know what I know and no one can take that from me.

Spent another day just hangin' out. Rick had his second interview yesterday with the Good Hope School, a private prep school here on the island. He has applied for a job teaching math and science. This second interview was with the secondary administrator and the two other teachers in the department. They seem to be pleased with him and his abilities. The administrator said she was going to recommend him for the job to the overall school administrator and that she, the over all administrator would be calling him. They also gave him the web address of the accounts administrator, so he could check on salary and benefits, which he did today. Now we are praying that the job will pay enough, and that they will actually offer it to him. This is what he really wants to do, and I want it for him, just hope it's enough money to live on.

We went to an activity at church last night, a good deep cleaning of the building. It was actually fun to get together with some of the people from the Branch. We were late of course, but still had something left to do when we got there. Of course, I was dripping wet within 10 minutes, this weather is just not made for cleaning, it's more for going to the pool or the beach. Anyway...did a little grocery shopping afterwards and came home an fell into bed. I was tired.

Rick is out today, still pounding the pavement, looking for work. At the very least, even if the school offers him the job and the money is good, it won't start until August 15th, don't think we can comfortably hang on until then or two week after that or whenever the first paycheck would be, so.....he looking for something in the interim.

Me I'm going to the pool. I'm going to work out and not just be a lazy bum, but work out in the pool none the less. We might be able to go see Eclipse tonight. Movies in the islands another new experience.

Once Rick has a permanent job and we know what the hours are and what his commitment will be, I'm pretty sure I will look for some employment, at lest part-time. The extra income would be nice, even if it only goes into our airline fund and I really do need something to do. Since we only plan on having one car, I need to stay out of Rick's way until he has a job and see what I can do to work around that. Haven't heard from the car rental place, but if that comes through sooner, maybe I'll try to fit it in. we'll just have to see.

Keep praying that thing will work out for us on the job hunting front and that our Honda will see back in the states.

What a great day! We went to the Branch 4th of July picnic at the beach in Fredricksted. Imagine hamburgers, hot dogs, goat water and johnnycake. Yep, I ate goat water(this was not the first time either, a friend of ours in Florida, who was from Antigua, had made it for us). We had a great time. Even got to see our Branch President do the Electric Slide. These people know how to have a good time. Swam in the Caribbean, that is so cool. Unfortunately, uncoordinated geek, that I am, I fell on the rocks getting into the water, now I'm all scratched up and sore. Oh well this will pass. Hangin' out this evening waiting to SKYPE with Rachel and Macy. Tomorrow's the big day, Rick's second interview for a job he rally wants. Keep praying!

Church was interesting today, we sang My Country Tis of Thee and The Star Spangled Banner, as usual, but in a foreign country. I was called and sustained as the 1st Counsellor in the Relief Society today and I taught the lesson in R.S.. Also, I have been asked to speak in church next Sunday along with the Relief Society President. Life in a small Branch. I do sincerely pray that I can relate to the sisters and that they can relate to me. I know the Gospel is the same no matter where you are, but the circumstances of the people are very different here.

We went to the fireworks at the west end of the island(Fredricksted) tonight. It was fun. We sat on the beach looking out over the Caribbean with nothing but water between us and Honduras(the Spanish Main, as Rick informed me). There was a Steel drum bank playing in the park behind us, more than calypso type music(which is what I normally associate with steel drums) it was African type music. It was a real party at the beach and a mob scene. We watched a Mom and her 3 or 4 year old daughter swimming in the night surf, really made me miss Rachel and Macy, they would have loved it. After the fireworks, when we were walking back to our car, I kept looking behind for Rick, not wanting to lose him in the mob of people, he was easy to spot, the only white face in the crowd. There are other white people here and we saw many at the fireworks, but we are definitely the minority.

It's late and I am tired, tomorrow is the Branch beach party, so another day of festivities, fun at the beach and eating. Happy 4th of July to all of you stateside!

Just a plain old normal Saturday. Didn't do much of anything. It seemed real hot and humid today, so we went down and hung out at the pool, spent a couple of hours cooling off, making phone calls and Rick even took a nap down there. Did watch, Twilight and New Moon in preparation to go to see Eclipse next Tuesday. The missionaries stopped by to ask Rick to make some calls and invite some folks out to church tomorrow. At 6:45 on a Saturday evening we got a pleasant surprise, Rick was called back for a second interview on a job he really wants, we were hoping to hear something as early as Tuesday but did not expect to hear anything over the weekend. This is exciting and encouraging. Must keep praying.

Returned the rental car today and had one of those "just shoot me" experiences. Don't you love those. Anyway, I firmly but politely stood my ground and we finally got it worked out to my satisfaction. The up side is that I asked them if they needed any help. Told them I was looking for some part-time work and would love to help them out. The woman I was talking to was the office manager, and she seemed interested and said she would talk to the owner. I guess they decided they wanted me on their side.

Some real positive job interviews for Rick yesterday. Unfortunately with the Holiday weekend, he won't know anything until Tuesday, but some things that look really good. Just have to be patient and keep praying.

Although we are out from under the rental, we still don't have "our" car yet. Their was some glitch regarding the owner's insurance. Trying to get the insurance settled was truly and "island moment". It too will have to wait until Tuesday. One of the Branch members, who will be in the states for a week, is lending us his car until we can get it all worked out. Doing that type of business down here is like herding cats. Rick is getting good at it and that's kind of scary.

I did drive, on the left, today, for the first time and it wasn't too bad. No trail of bloodied bodies left behind and I wasn't hauled off to jail for any misdemeanors. All you have to remember is that the driver should be hugging the curb. I think I can get the handle of this.