Recap.

It's been a while. I survived the crazy week with little energy to spare and then I was whisked away to Jamaica for my week off. No email or internet. But of course there was lesson planning.

But let's not speak of those things.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and New Year. Mine was pretty great -- I got to spend time with my family and cruise around on a giant boat. I have pictures!

We started in Miami, Florida.

You can actually see our ship in the background...see the red, white, and blue?

Our first port was the lovely Cozumel, Mexico.
This is the view from our room. We ended up hiring a cab to take us around and show us the island. It was absolutely beautiful. And we stopped at a local restaurant...good eatin.


Waves crashing at Cozumel.

Next, we found our way to Grand Cayman. This island was completely devastated by the hurricanes last year. In the part of the island that we got to see, there were lots of fallen trees and houses in disrepair. So many of the houses still lacked shingles because they simply couldn't get the materials they needed to fix them. It rained pretty much the whole week, so several of the beaches were closed, but we still got to see Hell.
Hell, Grand Cayman. Nice place to visit...wouldn't want to stay.

Apparently the place got its name from the rock formations.
The shores of Hell.

Our last port was Jamaica...which was so beautiful.
View of Jamaica from our balcony. One of those houses is Mick Jagger's. We visited the Ochos Rios area, and climbed up a big ol' waterfall (in the river!) and bounced around in jeeps as we trekked into the hills. .
Beautiful, beautiful Jamaica.

Even though the weather wasn't cooperative, it was great to be able to spend time with the family and to see these beautiful places. One last parting shot of the ocean...

This is the view from our balcony. It was so incredible to walk outside the room and suddenly be in the middle of the ocean.

One thing: why on earth would they show "Open Water" over and over and over again on a cruise? That's bad form. Although the last time I went on a cruise they showed "Titanic".

Finally -- the most important news of all! In December, Jamie and I hit the 6th anniversary (...onto year #7...) and for the anniversary Jamie got me something amazing.

He got me this:




I am in love with this cat. Technically, I was the one who went to the shelter and adopted him. And, maybe Jamie has never seen him before. But that doesn't mean that Jamie didn't give me his blessing and doesn't trust me to adopt only the very best, very smartest, cat out there.

I only meant to go to the local PetSmart to pick up some things in preparation for the new family member. We had planned to wait until Thursday when Jamie got back from break to look. But the local shelter was having an adoption fair and this baby was embodiment of every cat dream I have ever had. I played with him for five minutes and then I had to have him. I had to take him away from the greedy eyes of all those other pet adopters who were oohing and aahing at his adorableness.

Trying not to be rash, I asked the shelter lady if I could just see an application so that I might take it home to look over and decide. Apparently, they only have one copy of the application -- their way of hooking people I guess. But after my interview she let me take it home. Really, I went to the supermarket and bought food and kitty litter. I have never been one for patience.

When I came back he was gone. Some other couple had taken him out to play with him and a different shelter person was searching for his missing files. I signed and he was mine. I actually had to take him away from this other woman's arms. I felt bad...

...but not horrible because now I own the most perfect cat in the world. If I say his name and look at him, he rolls over immediately so that you will rub his belly. He purrs something fierce when you pet him, but he is so undemanding. He will play with his little toys for hours, but as soon as you want some love he'll come over and lay on your lap and kiss you. I LOVE HIM.

I will try not to let this blog turn into me talking about my cat all the time. Just one more picture.


His name is Cody.