Why St. Croix?

A lot of people have asked me "Why St. Croix?" The easy answer is "Why not?" But in reality, I really needed a change. I went to college and straight to law school and straight to work. For the last 8 years, I have been sitting behind a desk, living in both the city and the suburbs, but without much of a change other than a few trips out of the country here and there. When this year started, I really felt a pull to do something different and something really pulled me to the US Virgin Islands. I didn't even know this island exited until a few months ago and now I can't think of at least trying to live there.

When I visited St. Croix a few weeks ago, I noticed that the people there are somewhat different in how they look at life. Life is slower in St. Croix and the values are different. There are only about 50,000 people so when you meet someone, you are likely to see them again soon so most everyone is very cordial and friendly. I was invited to dinner several times by people who didn't know me at all.  There isn't a huge rush to do anything but everything does get done.

Most of all, people don't seem to value material possessions very much. In Chicago, where the temperature dictates much of what we can and cannot do, we need a lot of material possessions to either help us survive through the tundra temperatures or to keep us entertained. Many people use shopping therapy. I am convinced that in St. Croix, people go shopping because they actually need something and not for fun. It's a simpler way of life but at the same time, I am sure it has its own challenges from bugs to hurricanes to tsunamis. I am looking forward to something a little slower where I am not tied down to email and the phone 24/7, which unfortunately is where the legal profession has gone due to our ability to always be connected.

And as far as weather,  in Chicago, half the year the temperature reflects a frozen tundra and the other half is similar to a death heat. When it's not one of these two, it's most likely raining and the other 10 days are beautiful. In St. Croix, I imagine it gets hot in the summer but the rest of the year is suppose to be beautiful and comfortable. If I can get through the hot season and hurricane season, I think it'll be okay.

I haven't really lived anywhere but in the Chicago and Western Indiana area for most of my life so this will probably be challenging and fun at the same time,but most of all, I hope that I learn something and maybe I'll get to make a difference for someone else as well.