Tourism reception, movie night and sunday afternoon away

By Scott:

Friday evening Katie and I went with Dr. Cummings and Kira our business manager to a reception at the Marriott resort put on by the Ministry of Tourism for its college scholars. It was a chance to network with some of the big wigs in the tourism industry and also promote ICCI. We were told Friday afternoon that we could have a table for handouts etc. I dont think they expected us to get something together that quick. Fortunately, the college had just gotten a copier donated so we were able to print up brochures that Katie had already put together along with some written materials. We have found that the government treats ICCI like a red headed step child and goes out of its way sometimes to keep us from programs or if they have to invite us making it last minute in the hopes we wont attend. With four of us in attendance and a table they couldnt ignore us and it was funny watching at least two speakers obviously have to depart from their prepared remarks which were only going to mention the government founded University College and add in a reference to us. It was a small victory for the little college that could but a satisfying one.

The food at the reception was incredible and we did get to network with some important people. I spoke with the general manager of the resort and am making an appointment to meet with him next week to do a presentation on the college and partnership opportunities. Its amazing the number of people who dont even know about ICCI which is sad when you consider ICCI was the first college on the Island and is justifiably entitled to claim itself as the birthplace of college education in Cayman. The nice thing is that for the most part when they do find out about us and how they can send their employees to school at night and not lose them during the work day, they are very interested in hearing about us.

After dropping off Dr. Cummings at home we headed out with Kira and Clay to see the late showing of The Bourne Ultimatum at the Marquee. Great movie. We got in around Midnight and fell asleep after a long week and a long Friday night.

Saturday consisted of a bike ride to Bodden Town, a shopping trip into George Town, and 4 or so episodes of Scrubs in the evening. This afternoon we biked over to Kira's place in Spotts. Her complex is right next to Spotts beach with a breaker just about 100 or 150 feet from the shore. The wave activity was really strong and we snorkeled out almost to the rocks to look at all the schools of fish that were in the area. We made dinner with Kira and Clay and had an enjoyable afternoon away from the college. This evening Katie is grading papers for her class tomorrow and I am catching up on my reading for my graduate course. One week to our move and on either Tuesday or Wednesday we pick up our car.