Happy as a Bird with a French Fry

Entry, Life as a Vet Student

Tia Chambers, Ross University

After living on a tiny island for nearly eight months, my time to visit home finally arrived. I spent the night before my departure checking and double checking my luggage to be sure that I had not forgotten to pack anything. The list I used to pack was one I had been working on since I first arrived on the island. Everything is expensive here in St. Kitts, whether it be buying things or shipping packages to or from the States, so this list was imperative to me.

The morning of my departure, I had a friend drive me to the airport, which is literally right across the street from my apartment. If the road I lived on was paved, I could have walked my intended checked bag, carry on and personal item all the way there while only breaking a light sweat. I arrived a whole two hours before my plane departed and checked my bag without a hitch, except having to wait in line for about forty minutes to get to the counter. Only another hour to wait after getting through security and I was home free, but I wouldn't consider it done until I had landed in Charlotte. After all, so many things could keep me from home: malfunctioning departing aircraft, overbooked flight, random unforeseen issues...they happen...

We lifted off from St. Kitts en route to Charlotte, NC as the sun began to sink into the ocean...

Yet, none of them did, and inside, I was giggling like a school girl as we made our descent to my awaiting connecting flight. The city lights of Charlotte, North Carolina sparkled down below us like the stars had fallen out of the sky. I started taking it in, as much as I could, with the lights. I stepped off the plane and felt a slight chill in the air while making my way to the terminal. I smiled instead of regretting that I had failed to wear the appropriate winter attire.

It was 10:30pm and my eyes were droopy. My clothes were wrinkled and my hair was disheveled, but I didn't care. I was in America. Only fifty-four minutes and a few sleepy head bobs later, I was reaching for my carry on in the stow compartment and making my way down to baggage claim. It may seem trivial, but I couldn't express to you how emotional it was to see Brian, my fiancé, standing at the bottom of the escalator with an Ale-8-One and a coat and scarf for me on either side of his outstretched arms.

 

Brian and I

It had been a long four months since I had last seen him and feeling his arms around me was the ultimate feeling of safety, security, and love. I thought, "We did it! The first eight months of a 2 year and eight month long distance relationship were done!" After he hugged my face off and wrapped me in my coat and scarf, he handed me my happy juice and we were on our way home, arm in arm, for some much needed rest.

The next day, we pondered on all the things we needed to do and wanted to do, but we just ended up being lazy all day. After all, this was a "break" right? Yes, it was, but there was still so much to be done...and so much to take in! Being home was a sensory shock to me. The weather was completely opposite to that of the island, people drove on the "wrong" side of the road, and I could go to the grocery store any time I wanted and it was okay to get my hopes about getting something completely random, because it was pretty much guaranteed that I would be able to get it! (I'm sorry for the run-on sentence, but I was really super duper excited about all of this.)

 

Our newest nephew, Jude Isaac, and I getting some cuddle time in.

I hope I am conveying to you adequately enough how much I had adapted to the island. I mean, all of these things I am listing that were once "normal" to me, had been replaced by complete opposites in my school setting. Another thing that blew me away when I came home was that everyone seemed to be in a hurry to do everything, to get everywhere, and to see everyone. For example, I wanted to go to the mall to see if I could find any shorts on clearance (to take back with me to the island), and I found myself afraid of getting run over by crazy, hurried shoppers! Slow down! Stop and smell the roses! Island time had obviously gotten to me. Being away from all the small luxuries that a person tends to take for granted made me more aware of them, and more appreciative.

 

A huge part of my support team back home...from left to right: Aunt Von, Brian, Bryce, Kelli, Aunt Tammie, Austin, Hailey, and Toshia.

Call me sappy, romantic, or girly, but there were a lot of times I wanted to press "pause." My emotions were constantly being triggered. I was just as happy as a bird with a french fry! And after being gone for eight months, seeing my mom, sisters, and brother topped it all off. (Dad was still deployed in Afghanistan) Cherishing every moment with them and my fiance became my top priority. Instead of wishing for more time, I was trying so hard to just make every moment count for a sweet memory later....Opening gifts with family, playing Just Dance II with Mom, eating breakfast with my aunts, cousins, and Mammaw, skyping with Dad, playing at the park with Brian and our niece and nephew, visiting with friends in their living rooms or meeting up with them for a quick dinner, holding a brand new addition to the family, and getting to cuddle with my Sophie dog...are among the many things I cherished while I was home.

 

My Sophie.

Needless to say, as much as a doted on every moment, the three weeks of vacation were over before I knew it. Up until the day I left, I was soaking it up like sunshine! I would rather not speak too much on my departure, but if I had to sum it up into one word, it would be "bittersweet." I cannot begin to express the appreciation I have for all of the support and words of encouragement I have received. My journey is far from over. Let it be known that I can "feel the love" coming from back home and every little bit helps. Thank you all...you know who you are :o)

 

Mammaw and I enjoying breakfast together

As the plane lifted into the sky, I thanked God for my family and friends standing behind me and my dreams laid out in front of me...Goodbye America. See you again really soon.

delicate bond between doctor and pet owner that I had never noticed before, and I now know that, without this bond, most of the animals would never receive proper veterinary care.