Andrea & Kyle's San Juan Adventure

We are in San Juan! I'm sitting on the bed in the hotel typing this while Kyle is just a few feet away, doing some last minute studying. Well, he studied yesterday morning before we left for the airport, he studied the whole plane ride, and then studied up until we went to bed last night. And surprise! He's been studying since we woke up this morning... I really don't know how he does it! (He just randomly hollered "Study Machine!"... the room has been silent for the past hour.... Folks, I think he's losing it. )

The drive to the airport and flight were smooth sailing. It felt so weird to be leaving Dominica and not going home. But it was nice to have a short hour and half flight instead of a whole day of flying. As we stepped off the plane into the airport, our hungry stomachs instinctively led us to... McDonald's!! I was never a huge fast food fan, but oh my goodness, I don't know what they started frying those mcnuggets in since we left, but everything was SO good! For us, it was the equivalent of a steak dinner. After devouring our meals, we left the airport and caught a taxi to get to our hotel.

Our hotel is... all right. I researched a lot of hotels close to the testing center where Kyle will be taking his test tomorrow (We still can't believe it's so soon!). And there are plenty of questionable hotels in San Juan. We ended up at the Best Western Hotel Pierre. It's in the middle of renovations, so the exterior and lobby look amazing... I'll post pictures when we get back. I knew they were remodeling, and I also saw pictures of newer rooms that looked so nice! So we just hoped we would end up with a room in the nicer part of the hotel. Well, we get to our room, open the door, and find two double beds in an older room. So we venture back downstairs, talk to the man at the front desk, still hoping we might get a newer room. We go back up, and find out our room isn't new. But it's alright. After first inspection, we were a little leery to actually touch anything. I got over it quickly, and praised God for a bed to sleep in, a study table for Kyle, and a great deal to top it all off!

We aren't in the most bustling part of San Juan, but this place was hopping last night. All the festivities were for... a grocery store! Last night we ventured across the street to find crowds of people, police cars, and even a band setting up. We found out the new 24 hour Super Max would open at 10pm (I mean naturally, everyone goes shopping at 10pm, right?) As we were getting ready for bed, we start hearing loud cracks and bangs, and I think, Holy cow! Is this what they meant my "Please pardon the noise as we remodel the hotel?" We look out the window to find that they're setting off fireworks for the Super Max! It was a pretty big fireworks show, too (We just considered it a late 4th of July since we missed out on fireworks then). I was intrigued by all the hoopla they were making for this store, and couldn't to check it out the next day.

So I about had a heart attack when I walked into this grocery store, because I realized I haven't been in a real store in 6 months. I was amazed by everything. I mean, they even had a mariachi band playing as you entered the store! Then people started coming up to me speaking Spanish, and all I could say was, No Spanish, English? and then they would yell across the store to hunt down someone who did speak English just to tell me if I bought a loaf of bread, I got a "prize" when I left the store. And then of course there is a "sample-lady" in every aisle. I avoided all of them but one. This young girl starts this whole speech in Spanish, and I'm so flustered I don't even look down to see what she has. All I say is, Sorry do you speak English? With that, she takes a tooth pick, stabs something on the plate in front of her, sticks it out and says, "It's a waffle," and moves on to the next person. I couldn't help but laugh at myself as I walked away...

And even though Kyle does speak Spanish, he was able to experience a little bit of awkwardness in San Juan as well. We just went out to grab something to eat. Kyle wanted to be adventurous and try a small restaurant we saw last night. Well we walk into what looks like a little diner, and Kyle doesn't recognize anything on the menu, written on a dry erase board propped up against the wall. After about 5 minutes of standing there and just looking around, a man behind the counter yells to Kyle, Chico! and points to a door. The door clicks to unlock, and we walk in to find tables. We sit down, not really knowing what to do, but realizing we don't have much time for our lunch break since Kyle needs to get back to studying. After a few awkward glances from our neighbors at the table behind us, and still having no idea how we were supposed to get food, or even know what we were ordering, we made the executive decision to ditch the "cultural experience" and head to Subway.

Everyone told me not to worry about coming here without knowing Spanish, that everyone speaks English as well. I would definitely say that's not the case, at least for the area we're in. And with the tan I picked up at the pool today, it seems as if people think that I'm from Puerto Rico (2 girls from New York introduced themselves to me, and assumed I was from San Juan.) Kyle has been writing down phrases for me to say, but I'm just looking forward to going out tomorrow after he's done, so I can take my translator with me!

Those are our adventures so far! Please keep Kyle in your thoughts and prayers! Specifically,please pray for:

• A good night's sleep! (He said he's setting four alarms to make sure he wakes up in time!)
• Getting a taxi in the morning and getting to the testing center.
• Also, the test is all on the computer, and Kyle loves having scrap paper when he's studying and when he took practice quizzes. They do give you transparency paper and a dry erase marker, and I know it doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but just pray that wouldn't throw Kyle off.
• The test is 8 hours long, and with so many questions, I'm sure it can get monotonous by the end. We got him a Red Bull to get him through the last block of questions, but pray for energy and focus throughout the whole test.
• He has studied so much material and has to recall so much information - pray that God would be refreshing specifically what will be on the test as he studies right now!
• Finally, this is what I've been praying this past week for Kyle (especially for God's peace! I want Kyle to go take this test with full confidence!):

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

San Juan, Here We Come!!!

It's official!! All the forms came back and the flights are booked... Kyle is taking Step 1 on July 12th in San Juan!! We can't believe it's only 2 weeks away!

So, as you can imagine, Kyle has been spending all his time either at class in Roseau or studying. And, I've been acting as his patient for his midterm exam on Monday, which he has to do a full full physical exam for. These next 2 weeks are definitely going to be busy ones, but we're excited for the 12th to come!


























































We need your prayers, though! (Especially for Kyle's sanity until he takes the test!) He's been really excited to study and prepare for the exam - such a true, studious medical student - but pray that he doesn't get burnt out! Also, pray that material he studied weeks ago would still be easily recalled. I really have no idea how he gets all the info in his brain... it's amazing!














As I said, these next 2 weeks will be busy but after that test will be so great!! Though Kyle will still have some studying to do for fifth semester, there will be so much time for us to just hang out and have quality time together for our last month on the island.













Also, I know that recently the blog has been mainly all about me (and all my baking escapades!), so I asked Kyle once he got done with the test, if he would make an appearance of his own on here. He would do a much better job of retelling his stories during his rotations and how excited he is to have taken the step! So get ready for that in a few weeks. But in the meantime, THANK YOU for all your thoughts, prayers and encouragement. We are so spoiled by all of our friends and family!!

Happy Anniversary Courtney & Andy

Today is Courtney & Andy's two year anniversary! They are a couple down here in Dominica and are in their third semester. Courtney asked Ashley and I to make their anniversary cake, and we were pretty excited to do it! We found a picture of their wedding cake online and wanted to try and duplicate it - well as best we could with limited supplies and our beginner cake-decorating skills!

Though it may not be exactly the same, we loved it and really enjoyed making it for their special day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASHLEY!!!

Today is Ashley's 26th birthday!! We celebrated a little early, since the Mini was on Monday night and people were ready to take a break. I spent the entire day before we went to dinner making Ashley's cake. We already exchanged presents at the beginning of the semester (we couldn't wait to give them to each other!) so we decided we would both make each other's cakes. Well, since we've had the decorating kit, we have been stepping up our cake & cupcake-decorating skills! So I searched online for some fun ideas, and was set to bake the cake!

I was planning on making a 2-layer round cake, but as I started baking, I figured it should be a little bigger. Well, I ended up with a 4-layer chocolate cake that wouldn't even fit in my cake carrier! I had a lot of fun decorating, and finally found icing recipes that won't melt down here!

I had Ashley come see the cake before we left, because we had about a 30 minute ride to the restaurant, and knowing the drivers down here, and the roads, I was picturing my cake toppled over by the time we got there!

But as we got to the restaurant, Sunsets, the cake was all in one piece, thank goodness!! Kyle and I had never been to Sunsets, but it was so nice, and the food was delicious! It may even be better than Blue Bay. So after dinner, the owner of the restaurant had a "special song" for Ashley - a somewhat Opera version of Happy Birthday... and he even came over a planted a few kisses on her cheek!

We had a great night celebrating with Ashley! And today, we're both celebrating again by making bread :)

Another Congratulations!

We just want to say CONGRATS to Kyle's Aunt Eileen! She'll be graduating from Rush University Medical Center receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Vascular Technology. (Just reading that sounds like a lot of work!) We'll have you in our thoughts this Saturday Aunt Eileen! :)

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Last semester, I started getting emails from a couple who was planning on moving to the island in May and start this semester. Well, as the emailing continued, we found out we would be neighbors! Chris and Katy came to the island this past break and live just 3 doors down from us! It's so great to have another couple because Kyle and I used to be the only couple living here. We barely even see our neighbors, and half the time I'm the only one here out of all 12 apartments. We were pretty excited to have another couple move in to the building, and better yet, on to the same floor!

Chris and Katy are from Oklahoma, and just got married this past December - newlyweds, like us. They've been coming to RCF and Chris is even thinking about leading worship next semester. And, this is one of our favorite parts.... they LOVE playing cards!! We've already had several spades dates, and taught them how to play euchre. (I never knew that was just a Midwest/Ohio game). It's been great getting to know them!


Once Ashley and Ryan got back to the island, the six of us decided to go out to dinner. We had heard people talking about the Iguana Cafe and how great it is, but let me tell you, the actual cafe is probably no bigger than our bedroom (which is tiny!) It's pretty much a shack on the side of the road.

The sunset that night was gorgeous! We snapped a picture from the third floor before leaving

Kyle outside of the Iguana Cafe

Though the restaurant was tiny, dinner was great!! Kyle and I aren't big seafood fans, but we've been trying it down here to see if we can learn to like it. I ordered the Mahi Mahi, which was delicious and Kyle got the lobster. He learned a little while back that he is allergic to shrimp. Well, he started eating the lobster, and I kept noticing him scratching and clearing his throat. He even had to undo his watch because he was getting so hot. Well, we added lobster to Kyle's allergy list that night. But he said it was so good, he couldn't stop eating!

And of course no night out in Dominica is complete without a little bit of randomness. The Cafe was so small, you could completely see the kitchen. The whole place was being run by a younger Dominican man and a woman, who did the cooking. Well, at some point we hear the woman telling the man that "he just needed to get outside." Well, he proceeds to go outside, and all of a sudden we begin to smell a smell all to familiar in Dominica. Apparently, he needed to go outside and relax with a little help from the ganja... Well by the time he came back in, he was feeling great. He even performed a few numbers for us on the karaoke machine sitting about a foot from our table.

After a few performances, we were waiting for our check when we realized the woman was bringing us dessert. Eating at most restaurants here is like being a guest at their home. So we happily thanked her for the cheesecake, and Ashley was the first one to dig in. I could tell by her face something was up. I took a bite, and it was like taking a huge bite of pure cream cheese! Well, we didn't want to look rude and not eat the dessert she prepared for us. So Kyle took one for the team and ate two big chunks. (Part of me thinks he actually liked it!)

We ended the night grabbing actual dessert at The Tomato. It was the perfect way to end a great night with awesome friends!

The Girls: Ashley, me and Katy

The Guys: Chris, Kyle, and Ryan

We all got together about a week later for a Pizza Party at Ryan and Ashley's apartment. Ashley's friend Julie came to visit from Tennessee, so we all got together to meet her. Ashley came up with this great idea for the party - she baked a bunch of pizza crusts, and had pizza sauce and cheese. Everyone was responsible for bringing their own toppings and we each baked our own pizzas. It was fun seeing what everyone liked on their pizza!

This is what happens when you spend so much time together... you start dressing alike! :)

After eating, we played so many games - which Kyle and I love to do! We started off with Catch Phrase, then Musical Catch Phrase (one of my new favorites - though not everyone was into it!)and then ended the night with our personal favorite, Garbage! We had a blast, and the night served as a reminder of what amazing friends we are blessed with down here!

Having a Crumby Day?

Make it all better with Daily Bread! Trust us, you knead it! :)

We're getting pretty official down here with our little bread business! Over break, we designed Daily Bread shirts, and Ashley had them printed at home. Kyle and Ryan have been sporting them around campus, and we even sold a few as well to some loyal customers!

The front has the official Daily Bread Logo

The back has a very sad piece of bread pictured, and is says, "Having a crumby day? Make it all better with bread. Trust us you knead it."

We made fliers to match the t-shirts, and posted them around campus. We've got a few comments from people that they couldn't help but laugh when they read it. We're more than happy to make someone smile in the midst of hectic studying!

Our latest venture has been baking and designing birthday cakes. Thanks to Ashley's Pampered Chef icing kit, we've been having so much fun decorating the cakes. Who knew we had bread and cake skills??

Two cakes for a Virginia Tech fan!

This cake is for Harriet Myers, one of the Deans at Ross!

This past Tuesday, Ashley made cupcakes and brought them to the cake table to sell. How cute are these?? Of course, they were a huge hit with the kids here (and the students, too!)

I love the pig cupcakes!

Kyle loves all this new baking because he gets to be the taste-tester & extra-icing-eater

Also, for Ashley's birthday, I made her a Daily Bread Cookbook from Shutterfly that turned out so cute! So cute, in fact, that we wanted to let our friends and family back home order one if they like! For around just $17, you could have your own Daily Bread cookbook. Before you know it, you'll be baking bread and muffins like the pros. BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! (that's my favorite part of infomercials!) - included in the book are tips for bread problems as well as common substitutions. If you would like one, just email us at DailyBreadDominica@yahoo.com!