Living on Island Time

If you know my Dad, you’ll know that Cooneys were raised with an emphasis on being on time. Being on time means 15-20 minutes early regardless of what you are doing. Now you may not know this because I am the only Cooney child that abides by this rule, and because my Mom also does not follow this. But 2/5 family members isn’t bad, good attempt.

I cannot stand being late for something and don’t feel prepared unless I am where I need to be well before the assigned time. This is something I’ve had to adjust now that I’m living the #islandlife.

Each day a schedule is written up on a whiteboard here for everyone to see what activities they are involved in for the day. Whether it be a dive, project, chores, or a meal, I am sitting there 20 minutes before the activity occurs. I have come to realize that this time written on the board is actually more of a loose guideline rather than a start time. Class at 9am? You’ll find your teacher making himself breakfast at 9:15. Dive starts at 10:30? You’ll be in the water by noon. Beach clean up at 6pm? Your teammates with be cracking beers around then.

I’m really trying to be more go with the flow, but even when I pass my instructor just waking up in the morning as I’ve been sitting at the table for 15 minutes with my books I still can’t bring myself to show up late. “We can try again tomorrow because we chillin on island time”. Jeez I need to relax.