AS A DEAR FRIEND would say, "Life Piled on Life."

Yesterday was a combination of a New York and a Grand Turk Day, being that it was busy and rushed, but relaxed.

9:00, Dad comes in and wakes me up. "Duane called. They're going to Little Sand Cay (pronounced key) for the day to snorkel. Grab a lunch and we're leaving in 10 minutes." Okay, sez I. And I got up and grabbed a swimsuit and a sarong. I took two oranges, two waters, and a roll of Ritz, and headed out the door. Thinking I would be the last on the boat with plenty of people waiting, I was mentally hurried, so sat in the car. But I forgot that means absolutely nothing to me beloved father. Out of the car, I sat in the shade for another 10 minutes. We finally got to the dock about 45 minutes later, only to find, nobody was there yet.

So, lets make a long story short. Got on boat, me and three others. All locals, fun. Mike the dive instructor from Holland, Lisa the Grand Turk Athletic Intern from Canada and Duane the musician also from Canada staying with Mitch. We jumped in the boat with the fullest cooler for four I have ever seen and went down to South Dock. We only had two BC's (dive gear), so Duane and I went first for about an hour or so. It was adventurous to say the least. I spent the first half walking on the bottom because I had too much weight and my little air valve thingy wasn't working. So amidst my young diver panic, we both stood on the bottom while he removed my weight belt, slipped off two weights, and I finally achieved buoyancy! It is delightful.

We got back to the boat and headed out to sea, for to see Little Sand Cay. We're just going along, when I see this pile of sand, no larger than a volley ball court and they say "We're here!" I laughed my head off. So we docked (ran the boat up on the sand) and spent the day on a deserted island. Lisa and Mike went diving from the shore and Duane brought out his guitar and his songbook. We sang funny island tunes as we drank and ate the day away (I had a lovely mango carrot juice. Three cheers for the sober club!).

A few hours later, after much sun, sand, and beach relaxation amidst perfectly clear water, we headed back to land (real land, with trees and such) for German Lisa's 50th birthday party.

I got dropped off at the hotel beach and jumped in the truck and headed home, sopping wet in my bikini and sarong. Jumped in the shower and 20 minutes later, was headed back to town. There, I headed over to the Salt Raker, Jenny's old hotel, for a lovely evening of patte, lobster, pork and cake. There was dancing, there was music. I sang with Duane and Mitch. We had a lovely time. Did I mention there was dancing? I laughed because of the whole party, the two men I desired to avoid the most both cornered me and asked me to dance. I had to oblige number 1 for I had no excuse. But when number 2 came, I kindly shrugged him off and wiped the slime off as he left. But later, Duane asked me to dance and we had a great time. He took me straight to the front and was a great lead. Thank heavens for men like him! Jenny danced the night away. I have never laughed so hard as watching her dance, trying to immitate my moves, and watching me try and do her style of dance, or donce, as she would say ;)

Many bottles of wine and champagne later, I can only imaging how much an open bar costs, Jenny and I decided it was time to go home, at about midnight, with the party starting at 6:30. Dad had been long gone and asleep for hours when we returned. I crawled into bed, began reading "Pride and Prejudice," only to discover the movie has ruined the book for me, and gave up to the calling of my pillow.

This morning I woke to hammering. My Dad always has a new project going. So I went back to sleep only to wake up again to an odd sound: a familiar sound, RAIN! It is pouring today! The garden is loving, the water tanks are filling and this dusty island is getting a good dose of nature's blessing.

So, today I finish homework, read a lot, and hopefully will make it back to Seattle without too many back logged assignments. All my love to my family! And I'll see you soon.