Canyoning

So Canyoning was definitely worth it. So here's what happened. There was a group of 10 students that went (which was the maximum number allowed to go with the company- Extreme Dominica). We took the school transport to Roseau, the capital of Dominica, and from there were picked up by Extreme Dominica. They operate out of a beautiful little place called Cocoa Cottages- such a beautiful view- smack dab in the middle of the rainforest.

Once there, it was time to put on our wet suits and harnesses. We then got our helmets and lifejackets and then proceeded to go up the mountain near by to practice how exactly to repel before we would be doing it for real. (Apparently I was a natural :-D ) Once we had all got the technique down we drove to Titou Gorge and began the trek down to the river.

The course just followed the river and included 7 repels and I think 3 jumps. The company had already drilled into the rock before (they have been doing this a long time) so all they had to do was tether us into safety and we were off. Unfortunately there was only one guy that had a waterproof digital camera, and in the gorge there wasnt much direct sunlight so many of his pics were too dark to make anything out.

It was wonderful- jumping off rocks into natural pools and repelling down waterfalls. At one point, I took a nap in a pool in the middle of the rainforest... now how many people can say they've done THAT! (its because I went first down one of the big repels, and with 10 other people that need to go- it took about 30 minutes to get them all through- plenty of time for a nap)

Overall the trip was crazy awesome, but I had to come back to reality seeing as I have my next test in less than 2 weeks.... damn.

Off to study I go :)
~Kristen

Pic 1- the group... I'm 3rd from the left.










Pics 2 and 3- Follow the yellow helmet.

Stuff

Just a quick little update.

Snorkeling was a blast! Champagne Bay was overrated... I think the only bubbles I saw were from fish- so NOT as cool as I was expecting- BUT- Scotts head was way cool. It was just like snorkeling in Finding Nemo. By that I mean that there were tons of tropical fish and corals etc. (no anemones) but then as you went out from the shore, there was, just like in Nemo, "the drop." Seriously, I wish I had an underwater camera to show you how it went. You would be swimming along and then, out of nowhere, the bottom just DROPS OFF. So cool. I did some free dives to the bottom of the shallow part, that was at least 20ft down- in of course crystal clear waters.

Oddly enough, the only part of myself that I managed to sunburn was my knees... how you ask? No idea. I'm going with reflection up from the bottom, because clearly- you snorkel face (and knees) down.

Lets see, yesterday I did my first solo patient interview. This woman was a bit, um, weird... and to my disadvantage had all sorts of stuff wrong with her and I only get 2000 words to do a chart and then differential diagnoses and explanations of the diseases she has... so I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to get it all in.

Canyoning on Saturday!!! My friends that went last Saturday said it was very very awesome. We repel down 2 different waterfalls apparently. I dont really know the exact details. I will when I have experience it first hand this weekend.

Until then- adios muchachos.

~Kristen

Moving on

OK, so since my last post let me think what has happened..... not much really.

Mini one was Monday, and I came out feeling pretty good about it except for one subject so I was all pumped. THEN we figured out grades and my pumped-ness totally disappeared. :-( My personal worst test here. I didnt fail anything, but I sure didnt excel at anything either. I think my problem is that I have a problem being average. I hate C's. Ugh.

Moving on from that, its only going to get worse, so I need to up my studying somehow. (The "how" part is the part I'm still working on). I do know that I still am going to take some me time which should be awesome. For example- Sunday I'm going to Champagne Bay and Scott's head to go snorkeling. I'm going with Bela (of course) through Wellness club. The whole trip cost 10ec which is less than 4US. THEN next Saturday we are going "Canyoning". It should be super duper awesome. It involves dawning a wet suit and harness and repelling off Mountains, through waterfalls into lakes etc. Woot Woot!

Really, I need to cheer up and get going, but its hard when all your going is just more studying- hence the bit of fun that I am determined to mix in in the next 2 weekends.

HOME IN 68 DAYS!!!!

~Kristen