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Topic starter
Good day,
I must admit, I've been lurking on the board for awhile now, soaking up everything I can. I would like to take the opportunity to say hi to everyone. I am 23 and have lived in FL all my life. Born and raised in West Palm Beach, now residing in Melbourne. I went to Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) and majored in environmental science and engineering. A couple of my high school friends were from St. Thomas and ended up going to FIT as well. This school attracts many people from the islands so I was able to meet several other people from the VI and Caribbean, and all their firends who came to visit from the islands.
So my Junior year of school, I go down with my friends from STT (Justin E and Lee S, maybe you know them) and we charter a sailboat and do the whole island chain; surfing, diving, and partying along the way. As lugh would have it, we just happened to be on Anegada for the dark and story race and had a blast partying there. I had already dreamed my whole life of moving to the Caribeean to live on a tropical island, so this trip confirmed those dreams and then some.
Some of the reasons why I know the islands are for me: I love the water, including surfing, diving, sailing, kiteboarding, fishing and just lime'n on the beach (the clearer and warmer the water, the better). I love Caribbean culture and music with Reggae being my passion. I already have quite a bit of VI reggae (Army, Midnite, Bambu Station). Being from FL, I am quite tired of the flat terrain and am captivated by steep, windy roads with trees and plants growing over. I enjoy simplicity, in fact I dont like A/C (never use even in the summer) and haven't had cable for 5 years. The list could go on.
My friends from school have moved back down to STT and I know some other STT residents, but I wanted to finally post here, because everyone on the board here that lives down island is so nice and helpful, and us dreamers are much obliged. And the others who post here which have not made the move I feel akin to because we all share the same dream.
I plan on making my PMV in mid to late May in order to familiarize myself with the roads and drop some resumes. My expertise is water, so I hope to get a job with TSG, the private desalination company. A friend is currently working for them now. I am also open to other jobs such as waiting tables, crewing on sailboats or dive boats, and so on (I also think working for the DPNR would be cool, but I know its competitive). So if all goes, well I hope to move down late August/early September. I have been working my butt off at two jobs here (the day job is for the City of Melbourne as a water resource engineer and the other is waiting tables at an upscale seafood restraunt) so when I move I will have over $12,000 plus whatever I get for my car here, hopefully $8,00-9,000. I wouldn't mind working two jobs down island for a few more years as I enjoy working hard and eventually want to live on a sailboat.
In cocnclusion, this site has been very helpful in stoking the fire of my dreams, and thank you all who are so generous with your knowledge. I would love to meet up with anyone when I come down for the PMV in May. And if there are any other future residents moving down in Aug or Sept, say what up and we can be newbies together. Oh yeah, and I heard the Rolex Regatta is going on right now, so have fun this weekend islanders.
Anxiously Awaiting Ausgust,
Matt T
Posted : March 24, 2006 4:11 pm
Matt,
You sound like one heck of a 23 year old guy. Your self-discipline, hard work, and self-determination are to be admired (and would have put me to shame when I was your age). You should be just fine wherever you go and find success at whatever you put your mind to.
This is a lovely message. Thanks for coming out of lurking to share it with all of us.
And PLEASE keep us posted about your PMV and move!
--HC
Posted : March 24, 2006 4:38 pm
I had to laugh a little when I read your post because I know a guy who was raised down here and went to school up north and after college returned down here and worked for a company who did something with water (what, I still don't understand), but he got restless and just in the past month took a job doing the same thing he was doing down here back up in Florida. If the timing had been a little bit better maybe you could have just switched lives for a little while.
You'll do well. Good luck.
Posted : March 25, 2006 6:07 pm
Matt,
Thank you for your message. Sorry, but my private messages were erased due to an error on my registration. Can you please send it again? Thank you.
pink
Posted : March 26, 2006 7:15 pm
Topic starter
Thanks for your encouragement HC and Kate. Sent you another PM pink.
Posted : March 27, 2006 6:38 am
Matt,
Sent you a PM.
Pink
Posted : March 27, 2006 7:58 am
Topic starter
Hi Pink,
I replied to your email. HArd to believe that 200+ people have looked at this post but only 2 have said hello. Don't be a lurker like I was, say hello, thats what this thing is all about 🙂
Matt T
Posted : March 27, 2006 5:36 pm
Well said Matt! I agree, where is everyone? Oh!! I know, out enjoying the sun and the sand and the warm carribean water!!!! lucky folks they are!
Pink
Posted : March 27, 2006 8:47 pm
Topic starter
Happy Monday everyone. Back to the top!
Posted : April 4, 2006 3:51 am
Well, as I get closer to making my move, it's time for me to stop lurking and try to locate an apartment in St. Thomas, and hopefully some people to communicate with.
My plans now are to move in either the first or second week of June.
I have read almost all of the threads here, and bought the book, which was very helpful in helping me decide if I really was prepared for the move.
Hope there is room for another I/T guy on the island!
Posted : April 4, 2006 1:30 pm
Topic starter
Stoked! I'll be on STT from June 24-29. I plan on renting a car so I can learn the roads and how to drive on the left. Some of the not so fun things I plan on accomplishing are: set up a local bank account, obtain a P.O. Box, submit resumes, and hopefully attend a job interview or two. I also would like to do a little bit of grocery shopping so I have a better idea what to expect in that department. That list isn't too long and while I know the island pace is MUCH slower than the states, I hope I can get these things done and still have some spare time for more fun activities. I will be bringing most of my dive gear, so I plan on doing some diving (free and SCUBA). Of course some limin' on the beach and bar hopping will be taking place as well. I would also like to get over to St. John and do some exploring as I only made it as far as Woody's last time I was there.
So if any STT residents or anyone doing a PMV at the same time is interested in meeting up for drinks, diving, etc, let me know. And if anyone on the discussion board here has suggestions of other things I should be doing on my PMV that would help me with my relocation, please let me know. And if you know of any fun events going on during this time or other fun things I could do, I would be much obliged.
Cheers,
Matt T
Posted : May 24, 2006 2:40 pm
Congrats Matt on taking the first step towards your relocation plans! It sounds like you have the right idea for your agenda while on-island for your PMV.
Good luck and tell us how it goes!!!
Posted : May 24, 2006 2:46 pm
Hey Matt just a quick fyi...if your going to open a bank acct ,bring 2 forms of ID and your social security card. i tried to open one last year (so i could hide money frome the bride) joke... and w/o a soc sec card i couldent.
Posted : May 24, 2006 2:52 pm
Matt,
Your original post is very inspiring! I feel exactly the same way. I know that Island life will be for me 🙂 My husband and I are making our PMV the first week of July and are hoping to arrive for good the end of August or beginning of September, if all goes well. I wish you luck and maybe we'll meet up for a drink as newbies!
Posted : May 24, 2006 4:24 pm
You guys are all making me thristy 🙂
Posted : May 25, 2006 7:18 am
There is no way you can get a P.O. Box without a lease from where you are renting. They are pretty stict on that.
Posted : May 26, 2006 3:29 am
I rented a PO box on STT last month and no one asked to see my lease. I did have a lease, or rather I was on my way to sign it.
Posted : May 26, 2006 11:48 am
