Updates and finalizations

With less than 90 days before we head to Jamaica we have officially started our countdown.  It is becoming more and more real to the kids… and to me!  We are starting to nail down final arrangements as we get all of our paperwork in order.  There was a little bit of confusion on my role at the university but I believe that has all been sorted out and I have finally received word on what classes I will be assisting with.  I am extremely lucky in that I get to put a heavy emphasis on my research while I am there.  While I certainly would love a more hands-on role in the class room I am EXTREMELY grateful for the time I will get to spend in the field (and with my children exploring a beautiful country).  My time there (as of right now) will consist of me guest lecturing and focusing on my cemetery research.

We have had some changes in our plans and our friends will not be traveling to Jamaica with us to hang out with the kids while I am working.  I am not sure what I will do with the kids while I am working now.  I am considering enrolling them into school in Jamaica.  As homeschoolers here in North Carolina, however, they have never been in a school setting and I do not want to overwhelm them either (especially being so far away from home).  I think we will just make the final decision once we arrive and are able to get acquainted with our new surroundings.

As I have been emphasizing, (which I can’t seem to emphasize enough) we are VERY excited about our upcoming trip.  

Only a few months now...

Well we are about three months away from our move to Jamaica. Excitement and extreme nervousness is in the air.  I’m about to reignite me efforts to collect things such as batteries, candles, etc to add to our Jamaica box.  I’ve been fortunate in that the last several months have keep me pretty busy, and even the summer before that, so I have not had time to just sit and think about Jamaica.  Well, things are slowing down now and I have plenty of time to think about Jamaica.

My first semester in the PhD program is brutal going well!  I didn’t anticipate the amount of work it would require, so I of course thought it would be a piece of cake to juggle homeschooling, a full time teaching job and being a PhD student.  I am now learning that I am far from being Super Woman, and that’s ok.  This semester has showed me that I need to start setting realistic goals and that will start in Jamaica *smile*. Speaking of goals I have come a long way in my research.  Finishing up at one site and getting ready to start another.  Researchers in my field have been so generous with information that it is almost overwhelming.  I will have to a lot to do when I return from Jamaica.  I’m looking forward to seeing how data I collect from Jamaica will tie in, but I suspect it will all tie in nicely providing a broader more well rounded picture.

So now that things seem to be slowing a bit I will make more of an effort to keep this blog updated.  This will be my lifeline to family and friends once we leave (this and FB) so I want to keep it active.  Thank you to whoever is out there reading it now! Peace.