I had my first fish today. Well, no, I've had fish before but this was my first whole one. I'm talking head, fins, eyes, the whole nine yards. The only thing it didn't have were scales. It was a red snapper, and let me tell you, it was GREAT! Once you can get past the fact that it has eyes, and may very well be looking at you, you are in store for an awesome treat, nevermind the fact that it comes with rice, corn, and a healthy serving of veggies.
At this point at my time here, I've eaten of some of the nicer resturants, and though good, for a fraction of the price you get possibly double the food and all (if not more) flavor. I couldn't finish it all, so I ate the fish and saved the other goodness for another meal. 40EC never tasted so good.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
I'm still alive
It's been some time since I've updated this blog, for no other reason then not much is going on. The semester is slowly coming to an end, and I am definetly ready for a bit of down time. I've pretty much been on the go since I got here. I'll be very happy to have a few days after finals to just veg on the beach with nothing to worry about besides the temperature of my pina colada ;) I'm looking forward to heading back to NY for a few days. I can't wait to see Brianna's new tattoo, and catching up with the old crew for a night or two. And most of all, I am excited to see my folks again.
The lease has been signed for my apartment, and the majority of questions have been answered. Moving off campus has been a long time coming, and I am looking forward to living with 2 of my buddies for the remainder of my time here.
Well, I'm thinking that's about it for now, and anatomy beckons...
The lease has been signed for my apartment, and the majority of questions have been answered. Moving off campus has been a long time coming, and I am looking forward to living with 2 of my buddies for the remainder of my time here.
Well, I'm thinking that's about it for now, and anatomy beckons...
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Sometimes it's just going to be hard...
It has been a long and taxing few weeks here in St Kitts.
It started before mid semester break (which consists of one day tacked onto a weekend, so in essence it is a midsemester 3 day weekend). The particular round of exams just before break seemed harder then usual, but that could just be due to that fact that everyone was tired and ready for a day of non-school related activities.
I hopped on a plane Thursday night (yes I missed class Friday) to head home to NY for the weekend. I was completely psyched to see the family and friends I had left behind nearly 6 months prior.
After a bunch of delays I landed in NY around 3am Friday morning, and my mom came to pick me up. Friday was pretty uneventful. I tooled around the house a bit and ended up meeting up with some good friends for a few drinks at Sullivans. Good times were had by all.
Saturday rolled around and off to NJ for my cousin Kristopher's wedding. It was SPECTACULAR. Gloria (his bride) look beautiful, as did the rest of my family. It was nice to see my cousins (mostly Steve, as Kris was obviously pre-occupied) and reinforce the new bond we are trying to cultivate.
A few hazy hours later it was Sunday. My mom and Dad packed us in the car and we were on the road back to NY.
Upon returning home, I turned on my computer (as all good nerds do) and was signed in to AIM. I was immediately IM'ed by a friend Chas who was still in St Kitts. After some menial small talk he dropped a bomb on me. A friend of mine, Matt, had gotten into a fatal car accident the night before on the main road near school. I all but lost my composure.
Not wanting to believe a word of it, I began packing my things for my flights the next morning back to St Kitts. The rest of my time home passed without much interaction from me.
I boarded my two planes back to the island on Monday morning, and while going to my apartment, I saw my first sign that life would never be the same. Someone had erected a cross where Matt lost his life. It was truly a reality, he was gone.
Ross University was visibly shaken to it's core, as Matt had been a wonderful and integral part of the community. Life however for the veterinary student slows for no one, even the departed. With a histology exam approaching on that Wednesday (the "break" ended Monday, the day I landed) I had no choice but to throw myself into the books and force myself to stare at slides of skin.
In addition to the exams, as a TA (teacher assist, which is basically a tutor) for 2 classes, I had to prepare my notes and exercises for that weeks sessions. On top of TA'ing and my impending exam, being one of the class representatives puts me at the center of people's attention when something goes wrong. not that I am complaining, because I am not... seriously, I'm not. I love the things I do on campus, and I wouldn't change a thing.... but for that moment I felt like my head and heart were going to explode.
Wednesday morning came, and the exam was taken. Wednesday afternoon quickly followed, and with that came Matt's memorial service. The rest of the week was spent mourning, studying and trying to regroup.
It's now the next week, and still, life has not slowed. Exams are always lurking around the corner, tutoring sessions aer always being held. The void that is present is obvious at certain moments, and less at others. Each day things get a little easier. Ross U is rebuilding itself.
Anyway, my point being that life here, as it is anywhere in the world, isn't all peaches and puppies. Matt will be missed forever, as my wonderful memories from the weekend will not be forgotten...
"love the life you lead, lead the life you love"
It started before mid semester break (which consists of one day tacked onto a weekend, so in essence it is a midsemester 3 day weekend). The particular round of exams just before break seemed harder then usual, but that could just be due to that fact that everyone was tired and ready for a day of non-school related activities.
I hopped on a plane Thursday night (yes I missed class Friday) to head home to NY for the weekend. I was completely psyched to see the family and friends I had left behind nearly 6 months prior.
After a bunch of delays I landed in NY around 3am Friday morning, and my mom came to pick me up. Friday was pretty uneventful. I tooled around the house a bit and ended up meeting up with some good friends for a few drinks at Sullivans. Good times were had by all.
Saturday rolled around and off to NJ for my cousin Kristopher's wedding. It was SPECTACULAR. Gloria (his bride) look beautiful, as did the rest of my family. It was nice to see my cousins (mostly Steve, as Kris was obviously pre-occupied) and reinforce the new bond we are trying to cultivate.
A few hazy hours later it was Sunday. My mom and Dad packed us in the car and we were on the road back to NY.
Upon returning home, I turned on my computer (as all good nerds do) and was signed in to AIM. I was immediately IM'ed by a friend Chas who was still in St Kitts. After some menial small talk he dropped a bomb on me. A friend of mine, Matt, had gotten into a fatal car accident the night before on the main road near school. I all but lost my composure.
Not wanting to believe a word of it, I began packing my things for my flights the next morning back to St Kitts. The rest of my time home passed without much interaction from me.
I boarded my two planes back to the island on Monday morning, and while going to my apartment, I saw my first sign that life would never be the same. Someone had erected a cross where Matt lost his life. It was truly a reality, he was gone.
Ross University was visibly shaken to it's core, as Matt had been a wonderful and integral part of the community. Life however for the veterinary student slows for no one, even the departed. With a histology exam approaching on that Wednesday (the "break" ended Monday, the day I landed) I had no choice but to throw myself into the books and force myself to stare at slides of skin.
In addition to the exams, as a TA (teacher assist, which is basically a tutor) for 2 classes, I had to prepare my notes and exercises for that weeks sessions. On top of TA'ing and my impending exam, being one of the class representatives puts me at the center of people's attention when something goes wrong. not that I am complaining, because I am not... seriously, I'm not. I love the things I do on campus, and I wouldn't change a thing.... but for that moment I felt like my head and heart were going to explode.
Wednesday morning came, and the exam was taken. Wednesday afternoon quickly followed, and with that came Matt's memorial service. The rest of the week was spent mourning, studying and trying to regroup.
It's now the next week, and still, life has not slowed. Exams are always lurking around the corner, tutoring sessions aer always being held. The void that is present is obvious at certain moments, and less at others. Each day things get a little easier. Ross U is rebuilding itself.
Anyway, my point being that life here, as it is anywhere in the world, isn't all peaches and puppies. Matt will be missed forever, as my wonderful memories from the weekend will not be forgotten...
"love the life you lead, lead the life you love"
Sunday, May 25, 2008
I knew drivers-ed would come in handy!
As of tomorrow I am making the largest purchase (besides vet school loans) that I have ever made. I am buying a car. Yes, you read correctly. After all these years of having a license and no car to drive I have officially caved in and will be purchasing a Toyota Camry. She's hunter green colored. I have no idea how old she is though. She was made in the 90's at some point, but here on the island, it's a good deal if a car is made later then 1988.
She (and I have just in this moment while typing this have decided that it must be a a she) is a right hand drive automatic with amazing AC and and a bitchin' stereo. AC here in St Kitts is an amazing commodity, and I'm pretty psyched about it. I mean, I'm an open window kind of person, but sometimes it's just too humid for that.
The passenger door (left side) doesnt open from the outside, and she's got a few cosmetic issues, but all and all, she's not too bad. I can drive her easily up some of the biggest hills we have here (and we have quite a few of them lol) and I'll be able to get out to the other side of the pennisula with no problem (of course to and from school as well)
Pictures to come soon
(but for now some random pictures of life on the island)
poking at the beach
Dancing with Mike at the new club across from the Marriott
Now THIS is why I go to school in the Caribbean
She (and I have just in this moment while typing this have decided that it must be a a she) is a right hand drive automatic with amazing AC and and a bitchin' stereo. AC here in St Kitts is an amazing commodity, and I'm pretty psyched about it. I mean, I'm an open window kind of person, but sometimes it's just too humid for that.
The passenger door (left side) doesnt open from the outside, and she's got a few cosmetic issues, but all and all, she's not too bad. I can drive her easily up some of the biggest hills we have here (and we have quite a few of them lol) and I'll be able to get out to the other side of the pennisula with no problem (of course to and from school as well)
Pictures to come soon
(but for now some random pictures of life on the island)
poking at the beach
Dancing with Mike at the new club across from the Marriott
Now THIS is why I go to school in the Caribbean
Monday, May 5, 2008
The white coat makes it official!
I got my white coat today! I guess I dont have much to say about it besides it feels good to know that I'm on my way down a road I've always wanted to travel. Watch out world, in 3 years Dr Fuentes will be out on the streets!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
It's always a vacation when you live in the Carribbean!
This is the first time in 2 weeks that my room is silent. I just dropped Eran off at the airport and my solitude has offically been regained. I did quite a bit of exploring with Nneka and Eran while they were here. Nneka and I found this tiny black sand beach just off of campus, while Eran and I trekked through Nevis, finding the botanical gardens and having some amazing lobster pizza! It was an adventure every day of the week.
During Nneka's visit we hung out a lot at the Marriott and Reggae beach. I was borrowing my friends car for the 2 week break, so we had some transportation (not to worry, after my first driving experience all went well) After showing her around campus and finding the Wandering Jew plant (yes that is the REAL name!) we went down to the stairway by the sea. We hopped off the dock and started wandering along the rocks. About 1/2 a mile down we could see a bare area, so we kept walking. After we hopped along the rocks a bit more, we came to (my very first) black sand beach. St Kitts and Nevis, along with the surrounding countries, are volcanicly active so thats where our black sand comes from. We hung out a bit and wished that we brought lunch with us. It was a very chill kind of afternoon and it was amazing to find this beautiful secluded area with my best friend.
One of the days, I took her through town and around the port. Downtown Basetterre is a bit of a culture shock so it took her a little bit to get used to it, but after just a short while all was well in the world.
On her last full day here, Nneka treated me to the most decadent gift I've ever recieved. A spa exerience. We got aroma body balm wraps, and face/neck/head massages. We also used the spa's steam room, sauna, and whirlpool. It was amazing... note to anyone reading this... if you dont know what to get me for some sort of occassion, spa anything will be juuuuussst fine! :)
After bidding Nneka a sad goodbye, I picked Eran up just a few hours later. After his enormous flight to St kitts (Israel to london. London to NYC. NYC to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico to St Kitts) we just smoked some hookah and went to bed. The next day I took him immediately to Reggae beach, which is my favorite beach, and he got to meet Wilbur the 300+ pound pig! Good thing he doesnt keep kosher!! lol
After a few more beach days, we decided to head over to Nevis which is St kitts sister island. We drove around absorbing as much culture as possible. We checked out the (obviously closed) slave market, a few churches and even a jewish cemetery. We also went to the botanical gardens which were beautiful! After a long day of exploring Nevis, we were starved. We decided on a small pizza place outside of town that sounded delicious. We decided on the lobster pizza. Yes, you read correctly, lobster pizza! I figured I would give it a shot, seeing as who knows when I'll eat lobster pizza again lol. It was actually quite good. Nice and mild and tasty!
Eran during his time here celebrated his 22nd birthday. I took him out to La Cucina at the Marriott. I'm not big on Italian, but it was wonderful! After those festivites, and for teh next night as well we hung mainly on timothy beach and the surrounding bars. I introuduced him all around and we all had celebratory birthday drinks.
And that brings me to where I am now. In my empty room wondering what to do with the remaining few days before school starts. I'm thinking I'll sleep ;)
During Nneka's visit we hung out a lot at the Marriott and Reggae beach. I was borrowing my friends car for the 2 week break, so we had some transportation (not to worry, after my first driving experience all went well) After showing her around campus and finding the Wandering Jew plant (yes that is the REAL name!) we went down to the stairway by the sea. We hopped off the dock and started wandering along the rocks. About 1/2 a mile down we could see a bare area, so we kept walking. After we hopped along the rocks a bit more, we came to (my very first) black sand beach. St Kitts and Nevis, along with the surrounding countries, are volcanicly active so thats where our black sand comes from. We hung out a bit and wished that we brought lunch with us. It was a very chill kind of afternoon and it was amazing to find this beautiful secluded area with my best friend.
One of the days, I took her through town and around the port. Downtown Basetterre is a bit of a culture shock so it took her a little bit to get used to it, but after just a short while all was well in the world.
On her last full day here, Nneka treated me to the most decadent gift I've ever recieved. A spa exerience. We got aroma body balm wraps, and face/neck/head massages. We also used the spa's steam room, sauna, and whirlpool. It was amazing... note to anyone reading this... if you dont know what to get me for some sort of occassion, spa anything will be juuuuussst fine! :)
After bidding Nneka a sad goodbye, I picked Eran up just a few hours later. After his enormous flight to St kitts (Israel to london. London to NYC. NYC to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico to St Kitts) we just smoked some hookah and went to bed. The next day I took him immediately to Reggae beach, which is my favorite beach, and he got to meet Wilbur the 300+ pound pig! Good thing he doesnt keep kosher!! lol
After a few more beach days, we decided to head over to Nevis which is St kitts sister island. We drove around absorbing as much culture as possible. We checked out the (obviously closed) slave market, a few churches and even a jewish cemetery. We also went to the botanical gardens which were beautiful! After a long day of exploring Nevis, we were starved. We decided on a small pizza place outside of town that sounded delicious. We decided on the lobster pizza. Yes, you read correctly, lobster pizza! I figured I would give it a shot, seeing as who knows when I'll eat lobster pizza again lol. It was actually quite good. Nice and mild and tasty!
Eran during his time here celebrated his 22nd birthday. I took him out to La Cucina at the Marriott. I'm not big on Italian, but it was wonderful! After those festivites, and for teh next night as well we hung mainly on timothy beach and the surrounding bars. I introuduced him all around and we all had celebratory birthday drinks.
And that brings me to where I am now. In my empty room wondering what to do with the remaining few days before school starts. I'm thinking I'll sleep ;)
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