a day off with the iguanas,
so today i headed with shauna at the early hour of 830 to go to the iguana island which i went to with my mom when we traveled to turks a couple years back. this time, we not only dove for conchs, saw sharks and dolphins, but i also got more colour than i have in a very very long time. i may look like a tomato, but soon it'll turn into the colour that makes me look like i live here. shauna and i kept saying how surreal it is that we can say that this is our home, i still feel like i'm on vacation. i keep forgetting that i can do all of this every day and there is no need to force everything in at once, i need to remember to have my own time. anyways, off to take a nap, and get ready for a somewhat early night because i hope to dive tomorrow with an ex chief of scuba that is now a gm here. but no pressure.
kate
jojo my love.....
hello all, so yesterday was the rainiest of rainy days, no scuba unfortunately but a relaxing day bumming around and catching up on rest. last night we had a great shift, that started with me being commended for my bartending skills and asked if i knew of any friends that would want to come down and bartend (email me if interested, we need people asap). the shift was also prosperous in terms of making more friends both go's and gm's. we met some guys that live on the island (ex go's) who run one of the night clubs that we're going to go and visit on a day off. today i snorkelled, swam with jojo the dolphin and enjoyed the sun and as well, i also have an excursion that my mom and i did when we were last here, iguana island, tomorrow.
love to all,
k
so yesterday was quite a shift, we had a lot of new GM's come who were ready and eager to enjoy the lifestyle that i have grown to love. my body is still not quickly recovering from the lack of sleep but luckily i am perservering. i go to the gym everyday to try to work on my knees and legs which are getting a rough ride behind the bar, i look a bit like a bruised peach but luckily most people only see me from the waist up. after the shift last night we decided to have ourselves a bit of a party, we broke out the expensive moet champagne, were toasted by our bar manager, and hit the pool for an early morning dip. rolling into bed at 5 and out at 9 for a day shift was difficult but it will pay off since i am off tonight at 1 so that i can go diving tomorrow. i am very very excited to dive. melina, one of the bar girls, is ridiculously like me, we both have our advanced, have the same random obscure bands on our ipods, have the same daily routine, and have a blast behind the bar. i really love the fact that i am really starting to feel like i fit in with these girls, my french is improving, and my chef de village, who is starting to grow on me, is on vacation and his stand in, is a really awesome guy. so i know the next couple weeks will be great. lastly, my friend shauna and i have made plans for the next couple weeks to enjoy since she has decided to leave unfortunately. i sometimes wonder if it will all of a sudden hit me and make me not want to be here. but then again i may just be the type of person who is cut out for this, i knew what i was getting myself into, hours and pace wise, so hopefully i'll continue to love it and my body keeps up with me so that i can combine diving and working on a more regular basis.
the cellphone.
i forgot to mention....that although lastnight was another successful shift but not for the usual reasons of sharing wonderful alcohol with the public but moreso because i got myself a cellphone. my fantastic chef de bar got himself a new cell and i became the proud owner of his hand-me-down. so now i can be in better contact, email me if you need the number, and i'm sure to get in touch with some of you as well. it is nice to be in contact with the real world. even if no one calls me. there is still the feeling of being a bit less isolated.
k
the much appreciated day off.
so i have left my blog a bit in the dust the past couple of days, i found myself devoting my time to the emails people have been sending to me, but i have a reinvigorated spirit. everyone seems to say how there are good days and bad days, i have definitely had both since i've been here. there is one senior staff that has rubbed me the wrong way and there seems to be a constant report of criticism and not a lot of validation, which any staff member who is not only new but works very hard needs from time to time. luckily i share this feeling among the staff. however, the guests seem to make up for it. i have met a lot of really interesting people that not only have offered me a space to stay if i'm ever in their part of the world but some have also presented interesting job offers. as i say i will not be planning my future too exactly.
the day off was a highlight, i got to see the very very sparce town of provo as well as port au caul another very tiny place, where i went shoe shopping with shauna and was woken up to the harsh realization that i do, in fact, live on an island and everything is "on island prices", burgers for 11 bucks, shampoo for 15, unfortunately i'm not being paid island prices. ah well, you learn to live cheaply and skirt around to find the barest of necessities.
another elegant evening was last night, where my self confidence was boosted tenfold by everyone being in a great mood and happy with my service. today we do arrivals and departures and i work the night shift. orange and black tonight.
hopefully the sun, who has been on hiatus, will find some time to rear its head so that i start looking like i live here. guests still confuse me for one of them.
oh and if anyone has suggestions on some knee strengthening exercises, i desparately need to give my meniscus a break.
lots of love,
k
so last night was my favourite shift by far, it was definitely comparable to our "firing shift" at clark. so anyone i've worked with, you know what i'm talking about. anyways, my refresher for scuba wetted my appetite and i cannot wait until i am able to do it at every chance i can. i was even commented to be like an assistant instructor, which was a fantastic boost, and lets me know that my certifications will not be hard to get, but getting a few more dives in will be a great start. positive feedback is what i've been getting a lot of which i really need, especially being so far away from people that i know and love. but its really great to realize what i'm not doing well too just so that i'm learning the ropes as quickly as possible, both good and bad.
i hope you are all well and keep me updated on your wonderful lives, stay happy and enjoy what you're doing. i will do the same.
not that much to report, but blogging helps me remember what day it is. basically last night was summed up by being "kachunked" in the face with a block of ice which led to me having to tap out .5hr early from the shift due to dizziness and the swelling that was slightly similar to that of quasimoto. this morning i got some more questions answered and found out about the 30% discount for those looking to come, the only catch is, you only find out 3 days before you are supposed to leave. sucks no? but you can book a week, and then just wait on it to find out if you got it or not, meaning you dont' have to buy your tickets last minute, just make sure they are refundable. somewhat confusing, but again, i'm still figuring things out. these are details from the higher-ups, but i think what will be helpful is finding out from those who invite their friends and who have been here awhile. anyways, today i do a scuba refresher and work on getting 30-40 more dives this season, shouldn't be a problem, in order to be more capable of going to do divemaster and instructing. same shift tonight, luckily the dresscode is all black. perfect for behind the bar. still on the non-slip shoe mission.
my talk with my mom today was cut short but basically it helped me to realize that i need to not worry so much about immediate integration and rather a more easy transition. i'm on an island, it seems to go with the territory. cellphone on wednesday.
love to all.
another day in paradise......
and i'm not just quoting phil collins for the hell of it, it is really is picturesque here. i think the beauty of today though was talking to my mum. she definitely made me so happy (although i was crying) to hear her voice, and i told her the exciting news that cheap cellphones are not a myth here in provo, so screw bell mobility i'm going the island way. it'll be free calling in and more inexpensive than calling from my room. oh right, i dont' have a permanent room, but the one that i'm in. so that will hopefully get figured out next wednesday. i also had the rude awakening that i need to up my elegant shoe collection, it is hard being compared to the 4 other fashion forward montreal girls that i share the bar with, but i'll bring in my own personal touch, i have no doubt. so after a run on the beach, and a meeting with my fantastic antonio, i'm back to work 7-3am tonight. i received my first schedule yesterday, so i guess that settles it, i'm in. anyways, i'm finding it a bit hard to mesh into the group of G.O's, probably because i haven't been able to go to a staff meeting yet because i've been working for all of them. i fear i may come off as shy or awkward kate, which i am not but rather witty and lovable kate that i am. i have time to turn them around, maybe when i learn their language......
anyways, once again, beauty day and beauty convo, thanks again mama. i miss you all, send emails or posts so i know how you're doing and i feel a little less on my own. i know you all think of me as much as i think of you.
love to all
kate
a whirlwind shift and a turkey wrap......
i have been inducted into the club med bartending circut. last night, i not only carried on a much butchered but apparently comprehensible conversation with a few montrealers but also finished my night off by wiping out on the slippery-est floor known to man. but much happened in between. our dress was elegant, for me it composed a very attractive outfit and converse all-stars (for behind the bar, a must). at dinner we shmoozed but i got into my groove making such drinks as a ricard et un tiposch (like a mojito but with limes instead of mint leaves). speaking of the tiposch, who was i making them for?, apparently the 38th best tennis player in the world. a lovely french man and his friends, ordering bottle upon bottle of moet champagne. so needless to say my unknowning brush with quasi-stardom left me able to once again practice my french. if only i had a dictionary to help me. so after being welcomed numerous times and regained the wonderful feeling of the power behind the bar, anyone who has bartended knows where i'm coming from, i finished my 8 hour shift at 3am, went for a delicious turkey wrap which saved my life and hit the sack.
except instead of sleeping for a normal amount of time, i was brought to the unfortunate realization that i would need to move rooms, at 9:00am. so i got 3 hrs of sleep, woke up, packed, and am ready to start the same day again. i think this calls for some beach sleeping, sounds potentially dangerous and painful, but i will attempt the experience.
today however, i will not do a pilates and water aerobic class before my shift. over zealous kate strikes again.
provo, the island of bonified beauty......
so i have arrived. yesterday, after a brief but beautiful goodbye with my mother i was off to the island of provo, but first i got a chance to hang out with the entire calgary flames team which happened to be at my neighbouring gate. a truly canadian experience, lauren redgate would be proud. i found a lovely young g.o. whom i had met at my interview, julie, from timmins, who kept me company not only before and on my flight to miami but also for my three hour wait before my flight to T&C. we hit it off like peas and carrots and although she is off to Columbus Isle in the Bahamas, i believe we will keep eachother informed and maintain the rookie G.O. support system. i arrived at my village to find a very welcoming group, and after a brief tour and run down of my activities for today (which include working the busiest shift) i was off to sleep. i ate with an entirely french table, je ne comprand pas, but i have no doubt that i will (have to) learn french in a timely fashion. my orientation starts in two hours where i get inducted with my nametag and beautiful garb. my life as a guest is quickly drawing to a close.
it is still very surreal for me to be here, and i have had a lot of weird things occur that make me feel as though this is where i'm supposed to be right now.
love to all.
the loose ends....
the last couple days have been pretty whirlwind. most might say that packing up your life takes longer than you think, they would be correct. after having a slight run in with the passport officials, and having my attention brought to statutory holidays i was unaware of, it looks as though i will be able to travel freely and not worry about being chained to the island i will call home for the next half year.
over the past couple months i have enjoyed those of whom have continued to be my very dear friends and how lucky i am to have people to miss while i'm away. my weekly dinner parties with shannon, my heart-healing conversations with mir, my elaborately sarcastic and fantastic dialogues with brad will be only few of the luxuries of home i have become accustomed to.
so it is finally hitting me. two days. i know i was in this same boat with my travels across the pond only 7 months ago but not only has the timeline and mentality changed but the place i'm at mentally has also evolved.
i hope and expect that this experience will provide me with the necessary growth and happiness that i have been so desperately needing over the past while.
so with any luck, with my french and Spanish language lessons in tow, and my white pants safely packed, i will get off without a hitch on Wednesday after some last minute tasks are completed and be on my way to experience another opportunity of which i will gladly take advantage.
becoming clubmedified...
so here i am again, starting a new obsession with the phenomenon that is, the blog. as an outlet for personal reflection it is beyond satisfying for me, something i couldn't resist as i embark on a new opportunity. that is, the land of clubmedness on turks and caicos. it must be said that there was a lot of soul-searching that ensued upon hearing the offer but, for my own mental happiness and to try something that is only feasible at this point in my life, i had to jump at the opportunity to not only pick up a language that will prove to be very useful in Canada but also to gain certifications for diving. basically, attaining interesting skills and elements that will further enhance my marketability down the pipe. but most importantly, to take care of my mental sanity and do something that truly makes me happy and grow as an individual. a wise man once said to me "you have your whole life to work" so why not take advantage of the chance to go and do something truly different? exactly.
so i will go through an intense packing procedure and get myself set (rather quickly) and send myself on a plane down south next wednesday. i keep telling myself that 6 months isn't that long; however, a lot can happen in half a year. all i need to worry about it is appreciating the experience and taking all that i can from it.
looking forward to keeping in touch with you,
you can comment or email, pick your poison.
love,
k
