Rocking the reef

It's funny how time seems to stand still when there are no watches, email or any memos hitting desk or mailbox. We hit the shore early with tarps and spikes to put up a number of tents for our reef reconstruction project. What was not taken into consideration was lack of supplies along with high tide. A handful of us had to walk the beach and locate rock and sticks that would serve as basic materials for our lean-too tents that one might find on an episode of survivor. In 95 degree temps we were hauling volcanic rock down the beach to initially prop against large lumbar that took the place of poles with our tarps and eventually used as barriers as the tide rolled in.
Our task today was to build 2" deep structures in the sand that replicated reefs and stir concrete that would lie on the base of the sand and after drying we would place at the ocean's floor. It has been awesome to be part of this process & the stages involved. I was dripping with sweat to the point I couldn't even see, but after a dip in the deep blue all was good with the world. The 12 of us managed to kick out 5 varieties of reef structures that will be dropped out in the sea later in the week.
I went for a dive later in the day with a small group of us and as the sun hung mid-sky we were able to see sea turtles, puffer fish & a number of angel fish. The colors in the seas are amazing and almost surreal. The heat takes a toll, but I feel like our tasks and the opportunities we have had are amazing. Even though my bed has more springs than the Hoover Dam, all is well and each opportunity is what you make of it. We had a great send off for Todd, one of our group members who is a science teacher in D.C., with plenty of Bahamian fare and some cervecas to enjoy another day as the sun sets here on the Caribbean.
Another beautiful day with plenty of sun, study & sand that would be hard to replicate elsewhere. We are literally in the middle of the ocean with very few who have ever been here and even more who even know this island exists; that reality makes the experience even more epic. Sweet : )




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Bein' Bahamian

I hopped a plane from Nassau on Sunday to San Salvador Island which is the location of where Colombus arrived back in the day. This place has within 24 hours exceeded expectations. There are 11 other adults in our study group from a variety of backgrounds as well as being from all over the States. The water temp. is holding at a steady 83 and the air, although humid, is perfect. The purpose of our trip is to study reef preservation methods that can one day be utilized to refurbish the reef systems along the Caribbean as well as on a global level.

The past few dives have gave opportunity to gain more insight into the body of water hear and how critical it is to preserve what we already have. Being able to free dive from surface up to 5 meters or so (15ish feet) and see star fish, sea turtles and endless sightings of fish of every color is epic. But I realize it has only begun & I am so hyped for the days ahead and what we will not only learn, but have opportunity to see.

When you think tropics it's easy to picture Club Med or a full inclusive resort with jet skiis and wait staff running to and fro. This place is the farthest from that - it's pretty much the 2009 version of Robinson Curusoe. The research center was established 100 years ago by the navy and the buildings are a testament to that. Our rooms are pretty much slabs of concrete with mattresses that were literally around fifty years ago. But it is all part of the experience and I am so not complaining, but diggin' the lack of tourists, cell phones and loud music that accompany the standard vacation.

This place is beautiful & although it took me 30 minutes to just get access to the internet, I'll be sure to continue to blog. I feel amish, but in a very liberating & rejuvenating type of way. I'll check in again when the net is up and running. Have a great one : )

Yeah Mon

I had just shy of 24 hours in Nassau & I have to say from what I've experienced it is a special place. What I enjoy most in travelling is having opportunities to stay with locals and through that gain an instant access into community, people & culture. From sitting in someone's living room watching the local news to heading to the grocery store or sitting on their front porch sipping lime aids and waiving to the locals passing by. I feel that no matter how fleeting the time may be, it always prove to be an experience of substance and profoundly unique.

Allison, Rowan & Grandma Freddy provided quite a memorable experience that I will not soon forget. I do wish I had more time on the mainland before hopping out, but you take what you can get. I do know that I love conch fritters, would be stoked if I could get away with the whole "yeah, man" saying without sounding like a dork & have had little effort in transitioning to the Bahamian mentality.

Seriously Baham-ian it

As of mid-afternoon yesterday I wasn't sure if my plane was headed to San Salvador or El Salvador. For those of you who might not be aware of this - we're dealing with two totally different countries here. Awesome. I have to say when things are that up in the air it has a way of making life interesting. My plane landed in Nassau around noon and I stepped out into blue skies and palm trees.

A friend of mine connected with me with a family friend who lives in Nassau. Allison and her son, Rowan, picked me up at the airport and my official 'Bahama time' kicked into full gear. Winding roads with panoramic views of teal blue waters and white beaches that seem all too sureal. Locals roamed along the water's edge & under palm trees to keep out of the sun's rays. Fairly epic.

I joined Allison & Rowan for an awesome feast of piping hot conch & grouper at a local restaurant. Any place where workers and patrons all wear flip flops is right up my alley. The pastel houses with lazy mango trees and bright red flowers seem to be a life size canvas of color and life. Only here a few hours and diggin' it!

Bahamian Trekker

As of 24 hours ago I had a ticket to a destination I wasn't intending on going. My intention was to go to San Salvador Island in the Bahamas, but managed to book a trip to San Salvador, El Salvador. Hmmm.... So with a little angst and many on hold conversations with people from all over my flight managed to get switched to the Bahamas. I may have to donate plasma & an organ to foot the bill for my 'new ticket,' but it's all good.

Heading out of Philly on an 8 am flight & meeting up with a friend's family in Nassau for the evening. I'm stoked to get a full tour & hang with some quality people. Stoked. Sunday I head out of Nassau to the island for ten days of epic water interaction, flip flops & possibly a hammock. Pictures and hopefully some full fledge international stories to boot.

Off to get a good sleep & prep for ten days of chilling on a compound with people I have yet to meet. Ciao!

Schools out 4 Summer

Another summer is in full swing and I'm still amazed at how quickly the year passed. The end of

year brought with it a little bit of craziness, but also plenty of time to reflect and enjoy time with some fairly quality people. Even on the most insane of days I would never hesitate to say how profoundly blessed I am with work, family & friends. Often times I feel very unworthy, but embrace each moment & try to not let it all slip through my fingertips.

Each year I have my kids tackle a wall in my office as a way of expression and end of year bonding. This year's project went way beyond expectations. We drew an outline of a tree with branches spanning across the wall. Within the body of the tree each student & many teachers penned words of inspiration, quotes & poems that held meaning to them. The end product was astounding and a dynamic way for student to leave behind a message that will be passed onto others. There is so much power and substance in words that go way beyond just the surface and to be able to convey that to teens is both profound and awesome.

I'm not one for sitting still long so with the school year's end I headed to the farm for a few days. Last night I spent the evening building a bonfire with Tristan, roasting marshmallows and watching the clouds roll along the sky line. Moments like those are my utopia that make it all worth it. Gabe is growing by leaps and bounds and already has my heart.

We headed to the market Saturday and the place was hopping with vendors selling their local goods that ranged from heaps of carrots & lettuce to goat soaps, meats & radiant bunches of flowers. Being able to stroll up and down the rows with Tristan

's hand in mind eating crackers with goat cheese and munching on fresh strawberries is like nothing else in the world. On the way home we stopped at a convenience store that embodied small town Virginia where you can purchase bait, bread, ice cream & a fresh cut of steak all in the same spot. You have to love it : )

Heading back to Jersey & truly on the road again as of tomorrow. I'll be in Jersey for a few days before hopping on a plane & heading to San Salvador Island for some truly epic diving. Stoked -

Preppin' 4 Summer

With less than two weeks remaining in the school year I believe that I might just be battling a case of advanced A.D.D finding as the temperature rises my focus is a little off. Friday night was great catching up with friends laying low & just enjoying one another's company. Keeping things simple is my speed & keeps it all real anyhow. Wine, sushi & good company is a killer combo. 
I headed to Belmar Saturday to hang with Joe, Carrie & the kids. Sitting on the porch just chilling out feeling the wind blow in from the beach is a seriously epic way to de-stress. Eve & Mae are growing like weeds & keep you on your feet. My weekend get away treks to Belmar are not as frequent as in past, but whenever I'm with Carrie it's a good thing. I am blessed to have someone like her in my life. We have a heck of a history & I value her friendship & how totally down to earth, loving and brutally honest she is. She's fairly epic : ) 
Tristan has been taking the big brother role rather seriously. He loves snuggling with Gabe & pitches in with feeding when he's able. This shot of them melts my heart. Gabe couldn't have asked for a better big brother. He is surrounded by people who love him immensely. I'm stoked to get down there in the next few weeks & snuggle with my two favorite little dudes. My time with them can never come soon enough.

I always stress the importance of living in the moment & not rushing the fleeting present. Right now I'm struggling with that concept as summer lies within reach & I find myself counting down from months, weeks and now what are mere days until another school year commences. But it is truly amazing how quickly time lapses as quick as a blink of an eye. 

Last week I headed to the Camden Water Front to see Cold Play in concert with a whole crew of people. There is nothing like chilling on a lawn full of people under a canopy of stars & being in the presence of some fairly epic company. The concert was insane and fully worthy of a serious golf clap & two solid thumbs up. It was a blast and another evening reinforcing summer's arrival. 
Today marked my last field trip of the year and this time it was a true chill session as I assumed the role of chaperone instead of being responsible for a mass of students. We headed over the Ben and spent the day perusing the streets of Philly. It was a blast with sun, clear skies and some pretty stoked kids calculating problems for math that left me perplexed after reading only a few words. Math is definitely not a calling. 
I was with teachers who held the same mentality as me: allow kids to puncture that bubble they reside in and experience a different culture & gain a sense of independence. I feel it is so pertinent to equip our kids with a sense of culture, insight & learning that is only possible by stepping outside the realm of a classroom. Today, I believe that happened. In the process I had a truly epic day soaking in the moment and just taking some deep breathes and thanking God for just being.