Tennis for Two

Since moving to Bonaire, Brandon has decided to play tennis on a regular basis. He's never really played before, or been interested in it at all, so it came as kind of a surprise to me.  This new obsession of his, he thinks he's a combination of Sampras/Agassi/Federer/Nadal (who ever they are), began from a class-wide invitation by his anatomy professor, Dr Kishore, to join him to play tennis. Brandon didn't volunteer at first because there were quite a few people who said they knew how to play and would play. Turned out that nobody ever showed up to play so then Brandon volunteered, figuring that at best he would be able to make his teacher look really good because of how bad he was. It turned out that he is actually pretty good--natural athletic ability I guess. So he now plays with his professor twice a week, usually singles, but sometimes they play doubles with some Dutchies. 

Here is Brandon with Dr. Kashore and some action shots.

We bought him a tennis racquet because the one he was borrowing was "broken" and "didn't work." Ha. He is in love with his new racquet though. New best friend. He thinks that tennis is a white old man game that doctors play so he is going to keep up with it. It's been good for him as well to be able to pick his professor's brain about practicing in the US, residencies, USMLE exams, etc. and it makes him more excited to be a physician. The other night I went to watch and it was nice to meet his professor. The tennis courts are connected to a bar and restaurant so afterward, Dr Kishore bought us drinks and we sat around talking for a while about interesting medical cases, India, and the Caribbean. It was a lot of fun. 

We went on a dessert date last Saturday to Captain Don's and it is safe to say that we will never go back. The dessert were super tiny and super expensive and not better than Gio's. 

This is our $8 "piece" of cheesecake.

Plus there were a MILLION mosquitoes. Randomly, I wore long pants, which was the first time since we have moved here, so the mosquitoes only got my feet, but Brandon's legs were covered.

Also. 

We voted. 

The presidential election has been so exciting and we have watched all of the debates. Well, Brandon has watched all the debates while I was doing my homework, but it feels good to do our civic duty and turn in our absentee ballots.

getting fatter and loving it!

23 Weeks!! 

My tummy has finally popped, which is totally fine with me because now that little Fletch has come up a little higher there is a lot less pressure on my pelvis. Since I was about 18 weeks or so it hasn't been very fun to run because of the pressure that I was feeling down there, but now that that is gone I can finally run without so much pain! I can't even tell you how happy that makes me.

This week for our date we went to a little gelatto shop called Gio's. It was SO good. I have been in love with super dark chocolate lately and this week only they had super dark chocolate gelatto! The worker there said that they hardly ever make it, so I got a big scoop of it and enjoyed every last bite. Brandon got a coconut shake that was gone in less than three minutes. Yeah, it was that good. 

In other news-- Brandon and I got new callings in the Branch. I am the new Branch Chorister and Brandon is the new Second Counsellor of the Branch Presidency. He is a little nervous, but he will do great!!

Dutch Boy

We found out today that we are having a...

(for those of you who are wondering, boobs and belly are the two bumps of the B)

a little Bonairian-Dutch-American boy in fact, and we couldn't be more excited! 

Here is a profile of his face. 

Chin, two lips, nose... his eyes and forehead are hard to see.

The boy parts.

This is our little guy sucking his thumb.

Good strong heart. Love hearing his little heart beat!

Can't wait to meet our little Fletcher Michael! 

1 month down, 15 to go!

This week I had a successful trip to the immigration office and I got the stamp in my passport that means I won't get deported!! 

Isn't it pretty?

I also started working this week at Karel's Beach and Cappuccino Bar. It's pretty fun. I'm a waitress/bartender. I know, right? It's pretty cool though because it is on a pier out in the ocean. I haven't really taken any pictures yet, but it actually is beautiful. and of course there are fish everywhere. we feed them the extra french fries that people don't eat. Here is a picture that I pulled off the internet. I'll take some better ones. promise.

The funniest thing about working here, is that because I am white, everyone thinks that I am Dutch. So not used to to that! I honestly say, "I'm sorry, but I don't speak Dutch" all day long. It's hilarious. People are so surprised when I tell them this! They seriously are in shock and as me, "are you sure?" Yep. Pretty sure. Haha!

OH! Brandon got his test scores back! Let's just say, out of the four classes that he is taking (Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, and Clinical Ethics) Ethics was his lowest score. Genius, right?! 

Also, I'm 22 weeks and my clothes are starting to get a little tight. only 18 more weeks to go...

This weekend was the semi-annual General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. one of my favorite weekends of the entire year! 

What is General Conference?

"General conference is a semiannual gathering of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During general conference weekend, Church members and others gather worldwide in a series of two-hour sessions to receive inspiration and instruction from Church leaders."

If you missed it or want to learn more, you can watch General Conference online!

Here is a picture of Brandon and I watching General Conference with other members of the branch!

Here are some of the thoughts I wrote down while watching Conference.

The family is the foundation of 
Love 
and 
Spirituality.
The glory of God is intelligence, both Spiritual and Scientific.

Life is not only to be enjoyed in retrospect.

Do simple acts of service daily.

Take an inventory of your life and look for the blessings, both large and small, you have received.

The future is as bright as your faith.

I really enjoyed conference this year. so great that clear over here in the Caribbean, I can still listen to the prophets voice.

Chao for now.

tying the knot, taking the plunge, dropping anchor, and jumping the broom

Congratulations to Sterling and Kristen! They totally got married!

We were super bummed that we had to miss Brandon's brothers wedding, but we are so happy for them!

New Neighbor

This is Monkey. He lives by us.

We're not sure where he came from, but he seems nice.