Chop and I both knew these dreary, cold, miserable months of January and February (hell, let's just throw March in there, too) were going to be the most difficult. An
d let's face it ... they're a bitch indeed. I have no use for January or February, in general. Maybe some cool birthdays and a little Hallmark excuse for some to-die-for chocolate in honor of ol' St. Valentine. But that's about it. Yet I really don't have any objection to snow this time of the year. In fact, I love it! I'd hop on a plane to Colorado tomorrow if it meant days of amazing skiing on some of the most beautiful slopes on the planet. But the torture is not in the frigid temperatures ... or even the shear 
boredom of these winter months; the challenge this year is knowing that neither January or February will produce any significant results in our progress in getting to Key West. I can only play so many hands of Rummy in front of a fireplace before I get itchy for some news.
My application packages are sitting tight in appropriate hands, but it's still too early for most schools to announce their instructional openings for the next year. In my head, I know that. The thing is that I'm a planner. Not knowing whether or not I'll be teaching in the fall is making me a little crazy. Of course, not being able to discuss our plans with anyone yet is making me crazier, but that's another story. There are a thousand things I should and could be doing right now - and I am, I assure you! - but my mind is already sorting through lesson plans and curriculum. Sunshine State Standards. FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test). Social Studies units. How I'd love to get a sneak peek at some of my options! But thankfully, for one blissful week, my brain was able to rest. God bless the Caribbean.
Chop's parents invited the both of us, along with siblings, on a family cruise to island hop around the Eastern Caribbean for seven days - the Bahamas, St. Maarten, St. Thomas Virgin Islands, and Grand Turk. Did we decompress? Ooooooh, yeah. No worries, no plans, no stress. We snorkled with sea turtles, toured the islands, noshed on fabulous foods, and chatted with the locals. And for one week ... each and every single day ... we reminded ourselves of how close we are to accomplishing our own Caribbean dream. So, three cheers to a fabulous teaser!
