Kwaj Crud 2.0 - Back With A Vengeance

I am so sick!

I have a terrible upper respiratory infection commonly known around here as the "Kwaj Crud". This is typical for newbies to the island, almost everyone gets some version of it shortly after arriving. This is my second time with it, I got it a couple months after I arrived last year and now I've got it again, but it's worse.

There are many theories about the origins of Kwaj Crud, some say it's the mold and mildew lurking in the air conditioning ducts, others think it's some kind of allergy. I've even heard theories that it comes over on the LCM from Ebeye. All I know is it sucks!

My lungs feel like bricks, my throat and nose hurt from all the coughing and nose blowing and I've had laryngitis for four days now.

Last week I started coming down with something. I went running anyway just to measure how bad it really was. It was bad. After I got back home (I run in the mornings before work) I showered and crawled back in bed for another 5 hours! The rest of the day was not much better, there was a pretty good imprint of me in the couch where I was for the rest of the day.

The bad thing is, I might be better by now but I'm the type that likes to pretend I'm not sick. I still go to work (except that first day) I still do the BBQ's with friends, and last night we stayed up late playing "dominoes". Ugh.

So this weekend, when I would love to be out playing in the sun, I'm going to lay around the house and try to get better. If not, I'm hitting First Stop on my way to work on Tuesday for some real medicine. First Stop is just a no appointment necessary time when you can visit the hospital for minor injuries and illnesses around here.

I'm not sure how fun it would be out there this weekend anyway, the beaches are all closed because of sewage sludge (their words, not mine) in the water. Yum!

An Interview With One Of Our Neighbors To The North

Here is an article one of my co-workers found and shared. Roi-Namur is about 40 miles to the north of Kwaj. We have a commuter flight that goes up there several times a day taking Kwaj residents to work and vice-versa. It's a pretty good article; enjoy!

http://www.detnews.com/article/20100309/OPINION03/3090351/1005/lifestyle/Homeless-man-no-hobo

2010 Commedore's Ball

Tonight we attended the Commedore's Ball. This is the first big event that I've been to twice since I've been on island since I just hit my one year anniversary 10 days ago. (I know, I should have posted something about that.)

It was very fun, there was Polynesian music, a nice buffet and an awards ceremony. The Commedore's Ball is where the new officers take over and thank the old officers for their participation and then there are awards for the sailboat races. The racing is pretty casual, most people don't care if they win or lose and anyone can participate, sailors and non-sailors alike.

The most surprising event of the evening? I won an award! I got 3rd place for the 2009 Spring Race Series! They spelled my last name wrong and I've gotten married since so I was told I would get a new trophy with a corrected name soon. I am so excited! This makes me want to race so much more.

Always Something To Do Around Here

There is no end to the activities available on Kwaj. Anyone who gets bored here wants to be. On any given day there is sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, going to the gym, raquetball, tennis, swimming, pottery or woodworking at the hobby shop and probably several other things I'm not thinking of. On weekends there is always at least two movies to choose from in the theaters and bowling is available on Sundays.
 
On top of that we have several private organizations, the Yacht Club, the Scuba Club, the Running Club, the Womens Guild....again, there are probably more that I don't even know.

Our most recent edition of the Coconut Wire includes the following fun activities as well:

• Greek Soiree at the Country Club. Ticket includes a mystery wine tasting, a glass of wine, a grape stomp, paint your own wine goblet and a variety of Meze (the Greek word for Pupu). Togas are optional.
• Kwaj's Top Chef - Think you are a "top chef?" Contact Community Activities to sign up to compete. Each Chef will be allowed two Sous Chefs & will be provided a budget to shop for provisions. Chefs will draw for which course to prepare.
• Interactive Dinner Theater - “I’m Getting Murdered in the Morning,”
• Bingo night at the Pacific Club
• Mobile Kitchen Dinner at Emon Beach. Menu to include; Crabcakes with Roumalade Sauce, Encrusted Mahi Mahi, Herb Seasoned Rice Pilaf, Steamed Vegetable Medley, Garden Salad, Dinner Rolls, Water, Beer and Wine and Cheese Cake with Chocolate Sauce for dessert.
• Kwajalein Yacht Club Commodore's Ball "Island Style" at the Country Club. Entertainment by "Pure Polynesia". Dinner will be a buffet of chicken or beef.

Sounds like a really fun month!