Hi everyone!  I wanted to pop in and say, "Merry Christmas!"  Since my last post, I've been busy....

Before I get started, if my spelling is horrid, forgive me.  I werked last night, and am lucky to be able to put somewhat coherant sentances together.  Spelling will be what suffers

Jeff and I went on the cruise I mentioned.  It was nice, and we did have a great time with the people we went with.  It was during Halloween week, and seeing the costumes Halloween night were great!  Jeff dressed up as the Geico caveman.  I was going to be Miss South Carolina, but the talent show was that evening right after dinner, and I didn't want to try and run to change out of my costume and into my 'performance' gear (the MC is from S. Carolina, and I SURE wasn't going to tick her off). 

Despite losing my voice that afternoon, I think I did pretty well.  I bought the talent show video, and my voice is a bit more husky, but the pitch was 'spot on'.   

A few days before, however, things weren't so good. 

The day we went to Grand Cayman, Jeff and I signed up to go to Stingray City and to snorkel afterward.  The waters were extreemly rough, as I kept getting knocked around by the waves.  After arouand 3 minutes in the whitecaps with the stingrays, I'd had enough.  I was afraid I was going to fall on one and end up Erwin-ized, so I got back on the boat. 

Later, they took us to another spot to snorkel.  I've snorkeled before, and quite enjoyed the experience.  But with the waves being rough, it was hard for me to not suck down the water that was flooding down the breathing tube (don't know the 'technical' term for it).  On top of that, the more I tried to get back to the boat, the more I seemed to get pushed away from it.  The fins and life jacket didn't help me.  I paniced.  OK, I freaked out.  If Jeff hadn't have been right there beside me, I would have drowned, no doubt in my mind.  Even as he was trying to help me, I kept fighting him.  I know first hand the 'fight or flight' response is a real one. 

I had an uncle who died when I was 10, having drowned in Lake Michigan.  We don't know if he had the heart attack first, then drowned, or if he was drowning, paniced, then had the heart attack.  I just couldn't take the thought of my Mom knowing I died that way, too.  So I fought.  I fought Jeff, and I fought the guide who swam out to help Jeff get me in.  It didn't help when the guide took my mask off and I couldn't open my eyes much to see (I had my contacts in, and you don't want to get anything other than saline solution in your eyes.  Yes, I know saline is salty water, but it's specially treated.  Sea water won't cut it.).

I finally got to, and into, the boat.  I hyperventilated, clung to my husband, and said, "I'm done."  Jeff wouldn't go back into the water.  I think he was afraid I'd go into shock. 

I decided then that the next day's stop in Calica, I was shopping!

We signed up for a tour and shopping trip in Cancun.  I have been to Cozumel 3 times and love it, but Cancun is now my favorite city in Mexico!  I didn't get to see nearly as much as I would have liked, but what I saw was great, and the shopping spot our guide took us to was phenom! 

The trip was great, overall.  We're planning another cruise for next fall, and I can't wait!  Nassau, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.  Seven fun filled days on the ship, and at least 1 more in Port Canaveral!  CANNOT WAIT!!!!

Of course, there are many things to do between now and then. 

I finished up my 1st semester back in school and got a 4.0 GPA!  I really didn't think I'd make that in one class, but extra credit always helps.    Best of all, I've met some really great people that I am now lucky enough to call my friends.  Classes start back in mid-January.  I have to get through spring semester and clinicals, along with summer clinicals.  I can take my certification exam in September, and will hopefully be werking in a great place shortly there after.

By this time next week, I'll have a brand new nephew!  JT will soon have a little 'brudder' that will be known here as LC.  I can't wait to see him.  He will be a slightly belated Christmas present to us all, but totally worth the wait!

Jeff and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary this past week (Friday).  He bought me a BEAUTIFUL white gold and tanzanite ring.  (He knows I love my jewelry!)  I got him some DVD's he's been wanting and something else.  Bad wifey that I am, I don't remember what it was!!!! 

Oh, and I already know one of my Christmas presents.  Well, I acutally know two, but this one to me, so far, is the coolest.  Jeff got me tickets to see Rick Springfield!  It'll be next year, but that's not too far away now.  He bought them in the VIP section.  I always knew I was special. 

I hope everyone has a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, and a wonderfully blessed New Year!!!! 

Hugs,
April