Current Rock of Residence:
Dominican Republic
Island Girl Since:
December 2010
Originally Hails From:
British Columbia, Canada
Colleen is originally from British Columbia, Canada and worked as an Accountant/Administrator for a massage therapy college. She and her husband moved to the Dominican Republic in December 2010. They moved here with six suitcases containing their remaining worldly treasures and two dogs. Since moving here, they have accumulated another six dogs. Jack is a Collie cross that is 11 years old, Shelby is a Lhaso Apso cross that is 10 years old, Boss is a Belgium Malinois cross that is six years old, Ebony is a Belgium Malinois cross that is five years old, Titch is a Belgium Malinois cross that is three years old, Gaby is a Belgium Malinois cross that is three years old, Mota is a Australian Shepard cross that is almost 2 years old, and Xena is a Dominican Cocomutt that is almost a year old.
Her life on their rock has been interesting, to say the least. They’ve made a ton of friends and social acquaintances since moving here. Colleen is retired, but most days she is just plain tired. She’s never been so busy in her life. Her 24 year old daughter recently moved here to live with them, so that has brought a whole host of challenges as well.
In her spare time, she likes to garden and her husband has told her that she can’t plant anymore trees.
So life is busy all the time between her dogs, constant social invitations, and squeezing in volunteer work.
For more on Colleen, check out her personal blog.
Explore posts by this writer:
What 8 Years On My Island Has Taught Me
I've been feeling a bit reflective these last few weeks as my husband and I approach our eight year anniversary of living on our rock. I have been thinking about what it was like when we first set foot on our new island home, how much we have learned over the years,...
Why Island Girls Need Pool Boys
I've found that life on a tropical island requires but a few simple necessities: flip flops, summer clothing, bug spray, rum, and, of course, a swimming pool to help you cope with the extremely humid, endless summer heat. I'd never had a swimming pool until I moved to...
Island Escape Artist
Everyone who lives on an island has, at one time or another, had to deal with vermin. In the Dominican Republic, we’ve encountered mice, rats, snakes, scorpions, giant centipedes, tarantulas, lizards, and much, much more. Though we’ve had several encounters with...
