Ah Ha!

Seems like just a couple of days ago we were gazing up at fireworks on the beach, dancing in the sand and cheers-ing one another to the start of a fresh new year.  Now here we are, almost finished with the first month, creeping right into the 2nd.

The start to the new year has been a little tricky for me; as you may have noticed in my last post.  Spider bites, jelly fish, skin disorders, sinus infections, broken refrigerators and broken hearts. 

On the other hand, I've gotten to see and do lots of new things, which have helped me to stay positive and focus on the good things in life, (even if they do bites). 

My friend Krystal picked me up last Sunday, and we snuck over to another part of the island, called French Key.  It's a beautiful and relaxing little island with lots of interesting decor, amongst endless places to sit back and relax.  There's even lounge chairs in the lagoon!  We had a great day, tuning up our tans and chatting about love and life.

The week prior, another friend of mine, Dane, introduced me to an aquaintance from El Salvador whom she works with on a development project on the island.  The 3 of us ventured out to a new little Peruvian restaurant on the island.  It was my first experience trying Peruvian food, and let me tell you, I am a huge fan!  The cuisine was wonderful, with so many flavors and spices, all blended together perfectly, leaving my tastebuds quite content.

I've also been testing out a new camera that I brought back from the states.  The camera has an underwater dive housing, so I can take it everywhere with me, including 70 feet below the sea!  It has been a lot of fun testing all its functions and snapping silly pics underwater of friends, fish, turtles and other sea life.  Someday I hope to get enough experience to work as an underwater photographer for divers.  I've got some work to do, but I'm sure having fun 'working' on it!

I call these 'Ah Ha' moments. 
When things get tough, and I'm fed up with bugs and breaks, taxis and power outages; When the reasons I sacrificed and gave up everything to live on this island begin to fade; Out of the blue, comes an 'Ah Ha' moment.  I'm reminded of all the reasons why I am here.  Beauty, simplicity, peace and tranquility.  Opportunity for new adventures, friends and a chance to make lasting memories.  Improving my quality of life, and who I am, and am not.