So much is happening, so fast

I finally have a few quiet moments to write an update on our life in GTMO.  Our life here is constantly on the go, in demand, and in the midst of it all, maintaining sanity.  I've said it before, I really did not expect to have such a full schedule living here, but I do and just about every minute is accounted for, unless I just choose to ignore an event or an appointment or my job. That wouldn't be good.

Speaking of jobs.  I have a new job and this one actually pays me with real money, not hugs and kisses.  I am now one of three Social Service Assistant and Linguist for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), right here in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  I knew they were here all along but never really researched their purpose.   The fact that they are known by the acronym IOM didn't help either.  We have so many different company acronyms around here its confusing.  My first year hear I chose to not work outside of my fitness job because I wanted the flexibility to be home for my kids, raise my youngest until he was ready for school and because I really wanted to have fun and do everything I could do here.

Now that I finished my degree, have pretty much done everything there is to do and feel more comfortable with either kids home alone or kids in school/day care for part of the day, I feel the time is just right.  Still, full time is not what I want.  The job was posted in our local Gazette and one of the requirements was that the applicant must speak Spanish fluently.  Then I heard my dads voice in my head saying "it's important to know more than one language, you never know when it will come in handy."  Well look at that, it did and he was right.  I applied, interviewed, and was hired, even after I told them I had scheduled vacations and days off coming up... this is sweet!!

I am now in training, working four hours a day, five days a week.  A few evenings a month and on-call once or twice a month over the weekend.  That's never difficult since I can't really go very far.  The pay is great and the hours are VERY flexible.  I really could not have asked for a better way to use my degree (Social Studies/Humanities) and my experience working with people.  I have always had the desire to work in an environment where I can truly make a difference in the lives of others,  not because some paper or statistics says it, but because I can see it with my own eyes.

Improving lives and making changes, one person at a time. That's what really matters.

Other than my new job, I am still teaching at 6am four days a week, train the teachers once a week, and volunteer at the Assisted Living Community once a week.  The kids have four weeks left before school is out. Emily will get a job, hopefully in the Marketing department for the base, Nate will truly LOVE going to the youth center Summer Camp, and Jonathan will continue to split his time between friends and the Child Development Center (CDC) part time.

Michael is finally Dive Certified and we went on our first dive together with another group.  It was so much fun.  Best way to spend the second half of mother's day.  Can't wait to do it again.

The mango tree decided to overproduce all it's fruit in one full swing.  I can't even attempt to count how many mangos I have peeled and frozen, cooked, drank, eaten and given away, yet my yard sits littered with a full spectrum of not quite ripe to fully eaten mangos.  It's a little overwhelming and sad that I can't give these away because everyone has too many.  On the bright side, it's really great to be eating mangos that I get to pick from the tree.  They are the sweetest, juiciest, best mangos I've had since I was 7 years old.

Next week my friend Mary is coming to visit for a few days...very excited to have company again!!

Aside from all we have going on, all is well.  Hope you are all doing well.

Until next time!

Terie

Busy...busy...busy - just saying!

WOW!! It's amazing that I have time to write anything but I have a few minutes and some residual energy to use up and I need a break from school work so here goes.. the latest and greatest news from GiTMO:

Michael had a cold... yeah! Most of you know what that means so I'll just leave that alone for now! He is going to the states for a week but only as far as Jacksonville, FL so don't get excited. He's going to a class and then enjoy some free time. I get to stay home with the kids while their in Spring Break. Show me where this is right or fair... Whatever!!

Emily turned 16! umhmm! 16 years old and testing whether she gets to see 18 on a daily basis. Her friends threw a party for her at Windmill Beach. A party to which I had to provide the food, drinks and a fire permit so they could have a bon fire. It was great and the 17 - 16 year old kids in attendance were great, had a great time and managed to make Emily feel "loved" by many.

Emily joined the softball team (co-ed) where she realized she can't hit or catch the ball. But it's OK because here, you don't have to be good, you just have to participate and have a great time. She is also taking Tennis lessons in hopes that she will be able to keep up with Aunt Helen when we go back to the states. Maybe if she practiced in between lessons.

Natalie is taking Tennis lessons as well. She loves it and is doing well. She is also back in the pool with semi-private lessons. Not on purpose, there just aren't that many kids in her group so that works out great.

Jonathan is taking swim lessons too. The child could not stand water on his face, in his eyes, anywhere on his head. He refused to jump in the water and cried every time the lifeguard took him away from the wall. That was week one. Day two of week two he was dipped in the water, he cried, so he was dipped again, this time for a longer period of time. By the end of this class he was jumping in the pool all by himself. Now he loves to go under water and spin around, swim to and from the wall, whether I'm looking or not so now, I have to keep an eye on him at all times. Everyday he looks more and more like his brother.

I am almost done with my classes. One will be over next week, one in two weeks and the last one by mid May!! YESSS!! Finally, I will have my bachelors degree in Social Studies and Humanities and what do I want to do when I'm done you ask? I really want to stay in the fitness field. I truly love what I do and the effect that my "job" has on people. I believe there is no sense in going to a job you don't love. I love teaching fitness classes, I love making people feel great about themselves, I love how I feel after each class.

My regulars are awesome! They are always there and always giving me fantastic feedback. Opportunities to work at the gym have come up but that would mean I don't get to teach anymore, I get paid less, work longer hours and I have to put the baby in day care. It's just not worth it.

So I am currently teaching 7 classes (5 spin and 2 boot camp) with 2 more coming soon. Of the seven, 2 belong to another instructor but I'm subbing while he's off island visiting family in Jamaica. The 2 new ones are still in the works, no confirmation yet.

Jonathan has his play group a few days a week with and without me, he goes to the little pre-school a couple of days a week. We are BUSY to say the least. But there isn't anything about what we have that I would change.

We still manage to attend fun social events (Bunco, Cooking Club, PTO events), the movies when something good is playing, the beach, the pool, and Iggies (the Galley or cafeteria) for some yummy food. It's really not bad, plus it's pretty cheap and little kids eat free.

How do I do it all... I LOVE what I do, although, I will be really happy when classes are over for me and I can take a well needed break from school work so I can catch up on reading for pleasure and not to get a grade.

So go out and do what you truly love and soon you'll realize that it just doesn't feel like work! Have fun!

Until Next Time!

Terie

I have pictures to share but upload at this hours is nearly impossible so I will post them tomorrow!!

Time management and fatigue

As much as I wanted all my stuff to arrive, I wish it had come with an "unpacker" and "personal organizer" to take care of that part of my problems. At the risk of sounding lazy, I just can't bring myself to doing all this stuff. Now, once I get started it's not an issue I can go on and on until it's all done, however, I don't live alone and I do not like missing my social activities. There must be a balance between the "must do's" and the "want to do's" in my life.

Yesterday I felt what I think was the result of doing too much physically and mentally and not eating or drinking enough water. I was light headed (and no I had no wine, maybe that's the problem, hmmmm) but I was also tired like I could go to sleep, except Jonathan wasn't sleeping and the girls were about to come home to share their adventures for the day with me. Then I had to make dinner, clean up a few messes, unpack a few boxes, etc... etc...

I realized part of my problem was dehydration. Not drinking enough water throughout the day. As well as nutrition - not eating enough of all the right foods throughout the day. I think I had one meal and coffee. Somehow I lost track of time and then it was 3 pm. I let everything else take over my time. I was just very tired.

Having recognized that and really not liking the debilitating feeling at all - I can't stand to be down, it really sucks the life out of me; I remember one of the little tricks that helps me stay on track-- a simple to-do list. That's all, oh and I will journal my food and water intake for a couple of days until I'm back on track. Having a to-do list is great because not only do I see what I need to do but I can see what I have already done and realize that my time didn't just disappear without me having done something-- does that even make sense? I feel more productive when I can see what I have accomplished that day. That is a great feeling.

So today looks like this:

• Workout at 6am
• Girls to school 7:15 am
• Shower/Eat/check email/check homework 7:30-9 am
• Jonathan's play time at the pool/playground 9:30-11:30 am
• Lunch/Nap for the little man 12:00-3 <--- this is my time to do homework/read/nap if needed. Today I will unpack a few boxes in my bedroom - mostly books and linen
• Girls home from school/homework/ start dinner 3 pm
• Dinner 5:30
• Movies with Michael 7pm - The Book of Eli
• Chill time 9pm
• Bed time 10 pm

Seems like a lot but this is manageable and keeps me just busy enough. A little time management is all I need.

Now off to get ready for the trip to the pool/playground where I will focus on my to-do for that time frame only.

Learn from my mistake - don't let things get out of control, don't let a few chores control your life; eat, drink, and exercise - the benefits are amazing and in the end -- Sleep Well - that's important too!!

Until next time,

Terie