Snow Storm of 2011

Far, Far Away

I'm really, seriously considering moving away. Funny that I missed Atlanta so much when I was gone and couldn't wait to get "home". I'm finding that I don't have as much here as I thought I once did. Oh well. I couldn't possibly be worse off than I am already, right? Is it possible that my birthday trip could turn into a birthday move? Time to start a list...

Food Glorious Food

I plan on gaining at least 10 lbs on my return home. For the first month I'm back I plan on eating my way through Atlanta. I dream about all of the food and restaurants I haven't tasted or been to in 10 months. In no particular order, I can't wait to eat:

- Anything from Chick Fil-A

- Salad and bread sticks from Olive Garden

- Pasta from Figo

- Pizza from Papa John's

- Anything from Taco Bell

- A hot dog and fries from Vortex

- Nachos from Willy's

- Subs from Publix

- Cheese dip and chimichangas from Los Bravos AND La Parilla

- Breakfast from Flying Biscuit, IHOP, Java Jive and Thumbs Up

I would go on but thinking about all of this food is torturing me!! Only one week to go...

I Miss You Already

It's about 2 weeks until I return to Atlanta! I realized today that I've been so busy planning my future back home, that I haven't been giving St John a proper goodbye. There are so many things I will miss about the VI! For example:

- taking a dinghy to St Thomas for a grocery trip
- wearing flip flops, dresses, and shorts all year long
- fish & chips at Beach Bar, sushi at Happy Fish, the banana xango at B Deck, and Happy Hour everywhere!
- being 5 minutes away from a breathtaking beach
- knowing that I can safely hitch hike without the fear of being abducted, killed, or worse (morbid but true!)
- midnight drum parties in ancient ruins
- And last but not least: all of the amazing people who have turned into amazing friends

I have so much to do between now and heading home! The time is flying and I know these 2 weeks will be a blur. I'm really hoping to squeeze in plenty of snorkel, beach, hiking and friend time before that happens!! St John I'm not gone yet but I sure am missing you already...

It's Official!!

Sky and I have decided to move back home. We're heading back to Atlanta!!! I am beyond delighted; Sky is (understandably) a little less enthused. While I'm in love with and am used to living in a big city, Sky is pretty much the opposite. He grew up and lived on small islands and small towns pretty much his whole life. So I guess the idea of living in a big, bustling city is a bit overwhelming to him.

I, on the other hand, am so excited for all the things that a big city has to offer us right now! One of the reasons we're moving from the VI is the healthcare. The healthcare here is less than stellar. I had a scare two weeks ago that could have been solved by a simple sonogram. Well, as it turns out, there isn't an ultrasound machine on the island. Or a hospital. Or even a doctor. They, of course, have clinics and nurse practitioners here. But this doesn't give me enough confidence or comfort to go through 9 months of pregnancy, labor, and caring for a newborn. As for Atlanta we wouldn't be more than 15 minutes away from doctors, hospitals and specialists should something go wrong.

Another reason we've decided to make the move is our families. I have never felt a stronger need to be around my family and friends as I feel now. I guess it's something about bringing a little person in the world that makes you want to surround yourself by the familiar and comforting. Besides I think it's perfect that most of my friends back home are moms anyway. And my sister just had a sweet little baby (Happy 2 months Sadie Baby!). There's nothing better than being around people in the same stage of life as you are!!

The last (logical) reason we are moving back is the cost of living. Here's a sample of a few things we pick up at the grocery store each week and their prices here:

Gallon of milk- $6
Loaf of bread- $5
Box of cereal- $7
Frozen pizza- $ 13
Dozen eggs- $3
1/2 Pound of turkey- $6
Bag of chips- $5

I could go on but it's depressing!! On average a trip to the grocery store for 1 1/2 meals (dinner and some leftovers) we spend about $28 to $35. A large majority of our income goes to eating. The rest of life here is pretty expensive too! Gas is about $3.65 a gallon right now. We live in a pretty tiny studio apartment that costs us $750 a month. Pretty much the only thing that's cheap here is liquor, which is no longer a pro for me! All of this on top of the fact that on average jobs here pay 15% to 30% less than in the States. This math does not add up when you're looking to build a life and a family!!

So those are the "real" reasons we're moving back to Atlanta. I feel confident in the fact that we've made this decision based on logic and fact! And that's how I presented it to Sky which is why I think he's fine with it. If he knew some of my PERSONAL reasons for wanting to move back, he would think I'm nuts. I really want to move back so I can decorate the nursery from Target and Pottery Barn. And I really want to start taking prenatal yoga in Piedmont Park. And find a mommy group ITP. And I can't wait to sign up for Music classes, specifically at Toco Hills so I can get Miss Berne. And let's not forget Gymboree!! I want to do all the fun, silly things you can do when you're a mommy!! To me these are just as good as the real reasons I listed above.

Either way, back home we go!! I hope one day he learns to love Atlanta as much as I do, but until then I can love it enough for all 3 of us!!!!

Homesick

I guess it takes moving very far away from home to appreciate everything you love (but thought you were over) about it. For some reason it's this time of year, the beginning of fall, that I've always loved being in Atlanta. I used to love unpacking sweaters, day trips to pumpkin patches, watching the leaves turn, camping trips, feeling the air turn crisp in the early morning, watching sweet boys play soccer (Miller & Shea!), and the smells of pumpkin and cinnamon everywhere!! These are the little joys and pleasures that don't come with a never-ending summer.

Please don't get me wrong! I am so blessed to be where I am!! Being on St. John has been an experience that I will never let go of as long as I live. Living in the Virgin Islands is an amazing, fun-filled, beautiful, but often difficult, experience. Somehow I thought life would be simpler, easier, sweeter living near the wide open sea, near breath-taking sandy beaches, in climates that never dropped below 78 degrees.

This may be paradise for some, but I am slowly but surely recognizing that I left behind My Paradise nearly a year ago. The longer I am away the more I appreciate, love and miss my friends, my families, my paradise, my home: Atlanta.