Happy New Year

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and all the best in 2012.  I spent the last day of 2011 with family and friends on the beach, a wonderful day and hopefully the beginning of a great night. 

PS- it has been mentioned to me, by my cousin Craig, that there is not enough action on the blog.  I do agree that people are more interested in sex, drugs and rock and roll then what I am doing. So I did try to capture on the beach today a couple that was having a bundle of fun in the water and then in the sand but I am not sure they wanted their photo taken.  So my new year resolution is to try and put some more 'action' on the blog one way or another ;)

Jolly Roger

For Christmas my Aunt and Uncle (Jillian and Tony Cozier), gave my family a Jolly Roger cruise.  The Jolly Roger is the party pirate boat in the island.  I have been on it at least a dozen times and it was great to see the format has not changed, at the beginning everyone is sitting around catching the rays and by the end (and several rum punches later) the whole boat is rocking and dancing having a great time.  Of course, we were no exception, my father was party man putting any 40 year old to shame (he is 70).

PS- for anyone who is a big cricket fan, yes I did name drop in this blog, just trying to get my ratings up ;)

My Dad with the ladies

Cozier Cousins

WARNING: if you were getting sick of the mushy Christmas blogs, you may want to give this one a miss as I have a feeling that it may go down the same road...

Last night me, my sister (Nicola) and my cousin (Natalie) hosted a first cousin and their families dinner.  We had a fantastic evening, and it again highlighted to me how lucky I am to have such a lovely family.  As far as I am aware no one had to be forced to be there, all the significant others and their children all came happily (they looked happy anyways).  We had a great meal, which everyone contributed to, a few drinks and as usual a lot of chat (everyone talking at the same time, just as I like it).  I learnt a lot more about Bajan history and facts (did you know the grapefruit comes from here) and by the end of the night the few remaining had a brilliant time reminiscing and catching up.  Have I mentioned how much i love my family ;)

Nats frying the fish

James, Vicki, Robert, Amanda (me), Nicola, Natalie and Craig

Now the significant others

It's All Relative

Last night was the debut of team 'It's All Relative', at a weekly pub quiz at the local cruising club.  Our team made up of mainly family (we had two non- family members, but to be fair their contribution was limited ;) ), started off amazingly maintaining a strong front running position, right up until the last round.  However, the last round was a disaster, basically a guessing game (honestly just luck), and as our team was full of intellects, such as myself, we scored nil points on this round reducing us to ninth position (out of 12).   So for the next week we will be practising and brushing up on our general knowledge in time for the next quiz,  as although I am not competitive and not bothered at all where we place in the table, my father is very competitive, so I am doing it for him ;)...  

Me, Craig (1st cousin) and Nicola (sis)

My God Mother

Yesterday I was lucky enough to be able to see (albeit not for very long) my God mother, Aunty Janice, as she flew in from Toronto only to leave this morning to Bequia.  She is definitely my inspiration in being a great God mother to Jodi as she has been a fabulous one to me.  As a little girl I was always so excited to see Aunty Janice and to this day I feel that every time I see her.  She is an amazing lady and I feel very lucky to have her in my life.

Aunty Janice

My God mother and daughter
(nevermind the t-shirt)

Boxing Day Barbados

You know it is the day after the Boxing day party when it feels like there is a little man in your head drilling a fairly big hole.  But besides this little man annoying me this morning, a great time was had at the party. 

A Day to Remember

Me and my cousin Natalie (who is also one of my very best friends and mother to my God Daughter) are both known for getting 'so happy' that we cry.  I think the younger kids find this very confusing as when ever we try to express our happiness we burst into tears (or when we are sad, or touched, or whatever, basically it does not take much).  Natalie started it this morning by gathering everyone together to say how happy she was that we were altogether, and immediately burst into tears (I of course followed quickly).  Well this is how I felt the entire day, it was really and truly such a beautiful day, it was one of those days when I looked around me and felt it hard not to shed a few tears.  
So as Christmas closes, I for the last time want to wish you a merry one and hope that you all have a brilliant Boxing day planned. And with Boxing day will come the end of my mushy blogs, and I will return back to my wino self, as tomorrow is the biggest party of the year in Barbados..

The view from the house

Aunty Amanda texting Andrew's "friend"

My sister, my cousin Vicki (who looks just like my mother), and me

The Cozier's - (minus one or two)

Happy Christmas!

I hope all are having a wonderful Christmas day!  We have just finished opening a million pressies (oh, to be 5 again!) and now on the bucks fizz before breakfast.  Then the whole clan will be heading to the East coast of the island for a big lunch/party.  The sun is shining, the bubbles are a flowing, the food a cooking, and I am looking forward to a memorable day!  
(well possibly not memorable as I do love those bubbles, but still a great one!)

Children service last night (church I was Christened in, parents married in,
grandparents married, and possible one day me married in!)

Traditional Christmas Eve dinner of Chinese take away...

They were so excited they were shaking

Uncle Tono (mum's brother) admiring a pressie

My wonderful father, wearing his gift from my mother's sister,
think she got the wrong size/age though..

Yep, definitely wish I was 5!

Cannot really see, but I am sporting a number
one God daughter shirt

  

Wishing all a very Merry Christmas

As tomorrow is a very busy day I wanted to send out an early Christmas message.  I am so lucky this Christmas to be spending it with my lovely family, my father arrived yesterday from Boston so we are all here now.  I feel very blessed and lucky to have them, and know not all are so fortunate.  This time of year brings out so many different emotions and memories and I would like to especially acknowledge the people that meant so much to us that are no longer here to celebrate with.  And I wish for everyone a lovely Christmas and hope you are able to share it with the people you love.  
Happy Christmas xx Amanda and Lola xx 

It's a Small World...

Just before leaving Switzerland I received an email from Anne (a lady who works at my school) that she would be in Barbados with her family and another family for Christmas.  So Wednesday I joined them at Harbour Lights(Barbados beach bar/night club) and last night we had a lovely meal at Blakey's (a fabulous newish restaurant on the South Coast).  I have been on my best behaviour showing off the island as not only does Anne work at the school but her daughter, Shannon, is in my Grade 11 class...  It has been great to see them here and it seems they are having a great time.  

Anne and of course Jodi (it is like having a real life shadow with me at all times ;) )

There are more than Jodi!

So I have been, rightfully, getting a little pressure about the lack of mention of other members of my family so I thought I better had start including them.  A lively bunch, get us all in the same room and forget it, an outsider has no chance.  There are many different personalities and we can bicker like any other family but we are very close and I know I can count on each and every one of them. 

A common question is how did we end up here, so a little bit of history from my Grandfather, Jimmy Cozier's book:  Our earliest descendants arrived in 1685 exciled after the battle of Sedgmore, just outside Bridgwater, Somerset, near to the same place that 320 years I returned to.  It looks like we were blacksmiths but the rest of the history is a bit sketchy until the 19C. 

I feel lucky to have each and everyone of them and although thrilled that I can call Barbados one of my several homes, I would be just as happy and love them just as much if I was visiting them in the coldest darkest part of the world (although I may not visit so often, as lets be honest no family is that amazing ;) ).

So Proud (and nope this one is not about Jodi!)

Everytime I drive or walk by this outlet I smile a little proud smile.  Okay, I have to admit that when I was a child there was no sight that made me happier than the sight of the golden arches.  I remember begging to go in for that happy meal followed by a caramel sundae.  But as an adult (although I do not often like to refer to myself as this ;) ), I think I have stepped foot in the place only a few times and almost all has been to go for a wee.  I discovered that this massive world wide corporation was one that I did not want to support, for several reasons other than the simple fact that it is just not very good for you.   Well Bajans must have decided a simliar thing for when it opened here, after a bit of fanfare McDonalds pulled out after just six months.  Making it one of the few places in the world to go bust.  So for all of you who have not been here and may one day make it, if you are despererate to find those golden arches you just may find yourself purchasing a vehicle instead...

Possibly not 2012 but watch out 2024..

Today I went to watch Jodi's horse riding lesson (I know I may need to rename this to Jodi's blog, but once I am a bit browner I shall be back on!).  So not sure she will make this upcoming Olympics but surely 2024 she is a shoe in..

Kailee, Mummy (Nats) and Jodi



Kailee and Laila



Always Working!

Yesterday I spent a good hour working with Jodi on her Maths homework (although I am not sure helping my super intelligent Goddaughter qualifies as work, we have been working everyday to make her even more of a super star).  I must say I have never met such a determined willing pupil, however, I do wonder if this will continue after the threat of Father Christmas has passed...

Another Day, a Little bit Browner

So my second full day again was surprisingly spent on the beautiful beach, nursing a fairly sore head from my first Bajan Christmas party of the trip.  As I am totally pale (especially around friends and family here) there will be no postings with me in it, just yet (but I actually am here ;) ).

                                            

My First Morning Back in BIM (Barbados)

One Acre - Home for next three weeks :)

Our local beach - Accra

I Made It!!!

Thanks to the efficiency of Swiss transport and the inefficiency of British transport, I find myself this morning typing this blog looking into my Aunt's beautiful gardens with my beautiful Goddaughter.  I left Switzerland from Zurich in the early hours of yesterday morning in a snow storm (thank God plane still went, and on time).  I arrived at Heathrow, and had one hour to catch a coach to Gatwick (Heathow was packed and did not get through in time) but thankfully ran to the coach station and my coach was running ten minutes late, so again thank God for the British transport system!  Oh, and for those who do not know, the most beautiful place in the world, is of course Barbados!

 

Not sure this does not speak for itself, but incase 'view from the plane'

My beautiful Goddaughter Jodi

Staff Christmas Party! Bye! Bye! Switzerland!

Last night was ISB's staff Christmas party at a great bar in Basel.  Free drinks were flowing, the dance floor was crowded and loads woke up suitably embarrassed (the sign of a good staff Christmas do).   We had our big staff meeting this morning (bit of a struggle) and this is my last post of the year from the school, in fact from Switzerland!  My next post (hopefully, do not want to tempt fate), will be from the most beautiful place in the world!

Lola's Gingerbread House

Fabulous, wonderful Ellie (grade 10 pupil with the baking blog that you all should check out!) made Lola this beautiful house.  Problem is it is too lovely to eat, and I could really do with some sugar today...

Maria! Maria! Proseco! Proseco!

Maria celebrated her 30th birthday party in style last night, plenty of food, proseco, friends, proseco and more proseco.  It was a great night, making the last day of term a bit of a struggle... But it was worth it and only a few more hours till it starts all over again at the staff Christmas party!

Saint Lucia Celebration

Last night I went to my first Saint Lucia celebration Swedish style (from what I can understand it is basically another excuse for a party at this time of year, so I am in!).  Asa prepared a fantastic array of traditional food and drink for the Maths department, delicious!
PS- girls basketball team won their second basketball game just before this celebration making us 2 for 2, would not like to suggest it is all down to the coaches...

Gingerbreads in shapes of animals, not veggie friendly ;)