Joys of 6/29

Joys of June 29, 2009

Today I went to the Cabrits National Park with my the whole School that I am attached to. The Cabrits National Park is an open-air museum on the north-west coast of Dominica. A long with the National Park there is Fort Shirley. Fort Shirley was built in the 18th-century as a military installations in the West Indies. There is Four different trails that offer different views of the West Coast of Dominica. My Grade Four student took the easiest trail that dropped us right off on top of Fort Shirley.

Joys
1. Meeting a new student for the first time today. Let me explain to you this amazing little lady. She is a Grade Four student that stands around 4 feet tall and pushing 60 pounds but can eat as much as a 400 pound man. She may be a little lady but she knows exactly what she wants and has no problem calling you out on whatever you may be saying. At the age of nine she is a strong, opinion girl with a style all her own. She reminds me of the stereo-type “New Yorker”
2. Going on a little hike through the Cabrits National Park
3. Being outside all day
4. A nice run down to my old village and then a fast walk up (I cannot yet run uphill)
5. Finishing a Birthday Cake for one of my the ladies I work with
6. A Surprise Visitor at my Door Step that I have not seen in a few weeks maybe even a month (I already had a bad since of time and now that I live in Dominica it is even worse)
7. Randomly running to one of my PCVs in Town

I found that in the past few blogs I have mentioned a lot about unexpected this, random this, and surprise that. It seems this is turning into my life and I could not be happier. I enjoy life that is random and unexpected the most. I wake up every day knowing what location I am going to but I do not necessary know what is going to happen while I am there, who I will meet, what joys will come my way, or the stressors that may develop. That is what keeps life interesting and exciting. You have to be ready for anything and helps to remind you that the dishes can wait so you can chat with a friend, or you may miss a show because you are chatting. What is most important is the human contact, the conversations that may seem pointless but are developing friendship, and random drop by that make you smile from your soul!

Coming Soon... the Faces of Dominica....

Joys of 6/28

Joys of 6/28
1. Having a hand to hold of a beautiful child during the whole church service
2. Being at my "island Mom's" house all afternoon
3. Having a moment with my "Island Mom"- the kids were about an hour late for the birthday party. She was sitting outside and instead of stressing about the time, I looked up to see the Magnificent of Dominica and at the moment all worries disappeared and I sat with her eating Peanut Ice Pops enjoying the moment
4. Once the kids got there it was a SUCCESSFUL Birthday Party!
5. Taking a SOLID Nap!
6. An expected invite to a FEST- More LIVE MUSIC, BBQ and dancing! I LOVE the SUMMER Months of Dominica
7. Post Secret Sunday- Another Favorite Post of the Week

Post Secret Sunday!

This is one of the Post Secrets (http://postsecret.blogspot.com/) from the past Sunday. Sometimes I read the Secrets and think to myself- "This Secret was written just for ME" This is one of the those Secrets for me. While in the Peace Corps, I may never make the paper, the radio, or the news website for what I have done in Dominica and the Youth. I am OK with that. While I am here it is about the little things and changes I make. I am not here to change a WHOLE society and the social norms (who I am to say how the individuals of Dominica should run their island- in my eyes they are doing a FINE job) rather it is about touching the soul of ONE child, having a conversation with someone who may have not had a visitor in days, hold the hand of a child as you are walking down the street, pulling out a sticker for the little one that just said their ABC, 123s, and the days of the week or the child that comes over to sit on your couch- not really say a word but color his/her soul away. I believe little acts can change the world- all people need to do is simply, small acts of kindness and one day we will ALL see BIG Change!

Pictures from the Start of the Weekend...

Here are the pictures of my new hair style, the pizza I made from Starch- Dough and All- and My Hair Stylist!

Joys of 6/26 and 6/27

Joys 6/26
1. Meeting some PCVs in Town
2. Not that Micheal Jackson dieing (RIP) was a Joy but the stores in Town were Jamming out to MJ music ALL Day!
3. A Non-Schedule Afternoon Visit
4. A Wonderful Three Year Old that sang me the ABC Song about 20 times and kept me company while I was waiting for my Laundry
5. The Same Wonderful Three Year Old helping me hang up my cloths while working on her colors
6. Once again the same Beautiful Three Year being Vexed when I was leaving because she wanted to come with me
7. BBQ dinner- There is a woman in the Village who cooks BBQ every Friday and Saturday- it is DELICOUS!
8. Developing a dance while waiting for the Chicken to Cook

Joys 6/27
1. Sleeping In
2. The Bar/Shop Playing Fantastic Local Music All Day- I live right across the street so I am able to fully enjoy the Music!
3. A Great Helper for the Two Cakes I have to make for the Birthday Party Tomorrow!
4. Getting My Hair Corn Rolled!
5. Low Key Day but Productive!
6. Learning how to Make Homemade Pizza Dough for the Birthday Party Pizzas!
7. The Sunshine!
8. Last but NOT LEAST My Biggest Joy- We Will Just Say- Lots of Cake Dough, Side Walk Chalk, Card Games (THANKS MOM- Those cards come in handy often), Music, Homemade Pizza on Wheat Rolls, Coloring, and non-demanding Company by an AMAZING 14 year old and 6 year old- and having the 6 year old walk with a Mango to even out the sugar he had! Basically I could not of asked for a better afternoon!

I need your Help my lovely readers! I am having a Fourth of July Party for my Landlords Daughter and Her Friend- What are you favorite Foods/Desserts that you have on the Fourth of July? I am thinking S Mores, Hot Dogs, Pasta Salad, Red/White/Blue Jello, Water Melon, what am I missing? HELP PLEASE!!

When There is 15Mins Left of School...

...And I am teaching! I just pulled out my Camera so the minutes passed a little faster for the antsy students that are ready for SUMMER BREAK. Enjoy the Children that make me Smile every week!! Some of the Students you will see are in their Traditional Brown and White Uniforms while others have white shorts/shirts on with a colored T-Shirt. The reason behind that is on Thursday it is "Sports Day" where they have Physical Education so they are allowed to wear their special "Sports Day" Uniform (Colored Shirt, White Bottoms)






-My Goofy Student-




- One of The Sweetest Boys Just Being Silly-


-Pretending to Read-

Joys 6/23-6/25

Joys of 6/23
I am blanking on Tuesday! The only thing I can think of is I cleaned my Apartment on Tuesday! That was my Joy to finally have some organization and order in my apartment!Also, I went for a walk down to my old village and checked Sweet Shirley who kindly gave me some Plaintains (A Member of the Bannana Family)

Joys of 6/24
1. Doing my FIRST Every Radio Interview about the Summer Camp my work site is hosting! I hope it get to do it again- it is FUN - Career Change?-
2. Seeing Shirley today and helping her out with an Event
3. Meeting some one at the Event that know someone that lived in Michigan. She did not know the city but the way she explained things I could figure it out. It is unique to hear someone beam about the State I grow up instead of me beaming about my new home
4. A Dinner Date with another Peace Corp Volunteer -Yummy Banana Pancakes-
5. A Bundle of Bananas from my Landlord! (Some days I think I am going to turn into a Banana)
6. Sweet Pineapple at my work site!
7. An amazing Blanket that provides not only warmth but COLOR to my room! Yes, strange I know but it gets cold in my Village at night and I need a Blanket!

Joys 6/25
1. An amazing day with my fantastic Students!!
2. The Power of 7-Up or 7 Tappers, Silent Ball, and Cards
3. Playing Cricket for the first time
4. Threw a ball in my bag last minute this morning (it came in handing at School)
5. A sweet Angel on the Bus that was in LOVE with my Cracker Jacks
6. Seeing Lots of People in Town!
7. My Village Bus Drivers (There is about 7 of them that are ALL Fantastic and make me smile all the time)
8. Talking a Nap with the sound of the rain!
9. A Surprise Lunch invite

More Pictures...

Pictures for the Week...

-Round Two- Turn out Much Better-


-Melted Spoon-


-Ruined Desert-


- We met a Donkey on the Road that was carry Green Banana for his owner -

Joys of 6/19

Pictures Coming Soon!

Joys of 6/19
1. A Nice Bus Driver on the Way to the NORTH!
2. Fanastic Ice Cream at the little diner
3. A much needed Nap!
4. Hanging out with my Girls!
5. A FANASTIC Jam on a Basketball Court of the Primary School
6. Meeting New Friends

Joys of 6/20
1. SEA BATHE (Going Swimming in the Sea)!!
2. Sleeping Outside Under A Mosquito Net
3. More of the Girls Coming Up!
4. Amazing Pumpkin Soup made by the Peace Corps Girls!
5. A Beautiful Look From the Volunteer's Home
6. Meeting and Hanging out with the Cutest 4 Year Old- that made my night
7. Having Little Sir (A Frieindly- Outgoing- Fanastic) nine year old run to me when he saw me
8. Yet another FANASTIC Jam!

Joys of 6/21
1. Another SEA BATHE!!
2. BBQ- YUMMY!
3. Low Key Day with the Girls!
4. One MORE Jam for the Weekend
5. Sing A Long Session
6. Dancing with these little girls on their Patio

Joys of 6/22
1. Going back to my Apartment after a LONG WEEKEND and it not being taken over with Ants!
2. Getting More Summer Camp Stuff Organized
3. Smoothie!
4. A Solid Walk/Talk
5. Jon and Kate Plus 8
6. NAP TIME!

Joys of 6/18

I am way far behind on my Joys but I will do my best to catch all of you up on my past week. You will all have to wait a few days for pictures because they are not on the computer I am using right now.

Today was a "Christmas in June" day for me. It is amazing the selfless souls I experience everyday while I am in Dominica. The simple gestures of kindness I witness and partake in every moment make me believe in the good souls of people again, it is hard not to. I have been in Dominica for about four months now (crazy to think because I can still remember the last night I was at my parents house watching the Oscars or the Grammy, hanging out with my sister and waking up BEFORE the SUN and getting to the airport BEFORE the SUN), it is an amazing experience of integrating into a community that welcomed me with open arms and open hearts. I am lucky enough to have two different communities that I am involved in, I am fortunate enough to get a double dose of kindness and giving.

The day started off with a GREAT day at the school. Many hugs and love from all of the kids that had to take their test today. For each class they take a test in each subject to determine if they are ready to move onto the next Grade or not. It is not a standardized test but rather a test each teacher creates separately. I spent most of my time typing out the different Test for each grade to assist the Principal and the Teachers.

I went to the Peace Corps office only to my surprise to see a CARD (Finally it got to me Grandma- it made me smile what you wrote in because it was about SNOW), A Postcard (One of Comerica Park from my Bestest) and a PINK SLIP! (By now I hope you ALL know what that means but if not it means there is a PACKAGE waiting for me at the Post Office). I received some surprise items from my Parents- THANK YOU! The water balloons came in handed already when I was attempting to entertain PreSchool students that were waiting for the bus with me.

My Biggest Joy happened after all of that. The other week, I went to my old Village to Check some of the children and visit my favorite shop and my favorite little lady. While I was there the Shop Owner, was peelings something small- my curiosity moved me right over to where she was in wonder mint. She was peeling Coffee Beans, EXCITING, to see the whole process of how to make coffee. As I was helping her she informed me that she was making/roasting coffee. So today, I checked her again to see 11 ounces of fresh grown, picked and freshly roasted DOMINICA coffee just for me. I am use to instant so I do not have a coffee maker. I was telling her about that and before I knew it there was a coffee making sitting in front of me because she does not use it anymore. What an amazing individual without even thinking she had giving me her coffee making. Needless to say I was extremely excited/grateful and enjoy the Coffee Very MUCH!!

Joys of 6/18
1. Fresh Coffee
2. Coffee Maker
3. My Students at the School
4. Cards and Packages from my nearest and dearest!
5. Goodies from another Peace Corps Volunteer
6. Being able to Laugh when I MELT my spoon while trying to make a dessert, then see my stove slightly smoking when I try to save my burnt dessert- At the end of that mess, I had laughed off A LOT of calories, ruined a spoon and a cookie sheet! :o)

Joys and Pictures of 6/17

Well.. I went and played volleyball today and on my way home I looked over to my left to the sea and saw a HUGE SUN that was on it way to "cool off" (as I tell the little ones) into the sea. At that moment I knew it was going to be a BEAUTIFUL sun set over the bay in town (where I was heading). I thought I might miss my bus, but the picture would have been worth it. (A note to my mother- I did not miss my bus do not worry- there was THREE waiting just for ME) See pictures below of the beauty God created just for me tonight!







Joys
1. Playing Volleyball!
2. Getting a lot done for the summer camp my work site is putting on this summer
3. Finding out I might go camping for the 4th of July! (It won't be the same but it will keep my mind busy)
4. This sweet Angel, who gave me a HUGE smile when she saw me at the bay front
5. Another sweet Angel, who kept me company while we were waiting for the bus to leave
6. TWO FREE Rides Today!! (Those ALWAYS make me smile)
7. A Recipe! (THANK YOU MOM)
8. The Power of Coffee and a Good Chic Movie!
9. The NEW Dave Matthews Band CD!

Book Drive!

Hello Everyone!

By now most of you know what I am doing in the Peace Corps, but for those who may not, I will give you a little overview.I am currently working at the National Youth Council of Dominica, which works with all of the Youth throughout the island. This Council focuses on various topics but one of the major areas is literacy.

In collaboration with Keira's Book Club, this is a book club that has been organized by a young girl, Keira. She collected books in the United States and sent the books to Dominica to help rebuild school libraries and engage children in reading and in the arts.

I am calling on ALL of you, all of my nearest and dearest, to assist in engaging children in literacy and creativity by offering the youth books to read, it is as simple as that. The way we can all participate in this worthwhile cause inexpensively is to possibly take advantage of Garage Sale Season in the States and pick up some books that target children between the ages of 3 and 18.

If you are able to assist in the book drive, all you would have to do is drop the books off at my parents house and they will ship them off to me in Dominica. Please e-mail me and I will be happy to give you directions. I do not want to put their information out there for the world to see. My Parents would need the books by the beginning of August, so the children could have them by the beginning of the School Year.

From the BOTTOM of my HEART, I THANK YOU for not only supporting me but most importantly supporting the Children of Dominica that may not otherwise have the opportunity to be exposed to books if it was not for your giving hearts.

Forgot My Greatest Joy of 6/14

I cannot believe I forgot my Greatest Joy!

As I was sitting in church next to two beautiful little girls, it was time for the "Peace be with you" part of Church to happen. As I went to shake the little ones hand, that is about two years old. Right before she went to shake my hand, she totally picked her nose! HaHa! She was too cute for words and I did not even mind. It brought a smile to my face because she did not even care that she picked her nose and then shook my hand and either did I!

One more joy! I am collecting bottle caps off of glass bottles, (The you need a bottle openner to open the drink) because they are great to use with the kids for counting and I am going to try to do some sort of craft project with them. The shoppe owners usually throw them away but I have been having them keep them for me, and I just got two BAGS full of Bottle Caps! YaY!

Joys and Pictures 6/14

Joys!
1. The simpliness of Sundays in Dominica
2. A lovely Walk
3. Seeing all the children of my village dressed in their First Communion Outfits
4. Cleaning my apt
5. Having a Laundry partner to keep me company
6. POST SECRET SUNDAY! (See my fav. secret above)
7. Having my butt handed to me in Pool by a man old enough to be my GRANDFATHER!!
8. Suprise Skype with my Grandparents! (What a GREAT Suprise)
9. NAP Time!

Joys and Picture of 6/12

Joys!
1. Going shopping with my PCVs in Town
2. Soft serve Ice Cream from the Ice Cream Truck- "Mr. Whippy"
3. Heading to the Southeast for a meeting with my Worksite
4. Going to my first 'Football Game' at the Savannah
5. Seeing this little boy dancing in front of the speaker outside of a restaurant
6. Watching 'Maid of Honor'
7. Randomly seeing Shirley in town
8. Finding out my buses run later- what a stress reliever
-Bird's Eye View of the Savannah and Football Game-

Joys and Picture 6/12

Joys
1. Hanging out with my PCVs ALL afternoon- The little things of hanging out with them
2. A wonderful Lunch!
3. My 'No Bake' cookies going over well
4. Great Food at "Fort Young Hotel" with the other PCVs
5. Sleep over Party!
6. Getting my Nalgene back that I left at the Shoppe
7. AMAZING Chai Tea!

-This one was kind of food based- not sure how I feel about that-

*The Picture is of Myself and the other VAC from Grenada that I trained with- I Miss Her*

Pictures and Joys of 6/11

Joys
1. Visiting my Old Village
2. Pealing Coffee Beans and Learning how to make Coffee
3. Knowing I will be able to buy FRESH Dominica born Coffee early next week
4. A MAILBOX Filled with CARDS!
5. Even though I am 2,500 miles away I have never felt so close- THANK YOU FAMILY!
6. An AMAZING Best Friend!
7. No Bake Cookies that turned out Almost Perfect! (I need to work on them a little)
8. Sitting on the steps of my School Attachment with my hands full of books and ten kids all around me eagerly wanting to listen to the stories
9. Successful "Big Readers, Little Listener" Program at a NEW Pre-School

*The Picture above is my favorite flower in Dominica*

Pictures of the Day 6/6-6/10

-Yea- I bake in a skirt, maybe should be should have a Baking TV Show-







-Another PCV and Myself with the wind in our hair-


-Got me in a moment, sitting on the deck,feet in the water, staring at the stars-PC

Pictures of the Day 6/1-6/5

-Mexican Night-




-The View from my Window (it makes washing dishes so much easier-


-Baking some COOKIES made from CAKE MIX-

Joys and Pictures of 6/10

-After four hours of sitting in the Airport, we finally made it to the Plane on the way to St. Lucia, the flight attendant trusted us enough to sit in the Emergency Section, so we had to read up on what to do-

My Joys!
1. HAPPY 4 YEARS OF MARRIAGE TO JENNIFER AND ANDY!!! (Miss Both of You)
2. Having a little girl stick out her tongue at me with such sass and naturally I stick my tongue back out at her (Children in Dominica are taught that sticking your tongue out is disrespectful and should not be done dissimilar to in the States where sticking your tongue out is done in a playful manner)
3. Having one of my volleyball boys check me when I was not at Volleyball to ensure I was OK
4. Going for a solid walk
5. A Coffee Partner
6. My Fish I just introduced to you all- He is now in Fish Heaven- RIP! No I will not be getting another fish- Buddy will be my only one!
7. Things are rolling with a Summer Camp Program I am working on!
8. My Little AJ! Lots of kisses blow from him to me!!
9. Coconut Cheese (No it taste NOTHING like cheese- but it looks like cheese blocks but taste like sweet Coconut)
10. On the topic of Coconuts- My Landlord dropped off two coconuts for me this morning, so I started the morning off with lovely Coconut water

Throwing a Question out there for all: If I wrote a book about my randoms happening in Dominica during the Peace Corps, would you read it?

Picture of the Day from 5/28-5/31

-The Kids at my village's Pre-School-






-My NEW Fish- Dou-Dou (It means Sweetheart in the Local Language NOT Poop)

Joys of 6/9

Joys of June 9, 2009

1. A MUCH Smoother Ran Flight on the Way Home
2. Meeting My Greece Man
3. Sitting by a random Dominican Friend
4. Being Back in my village
5. Sitting on my fav spot on the porch enjoying the familars- the cool breeze, the sky full of stars, the smell of bake goods from my neighbor, and the little lizards running on my ceiling
6. Wheat PANCAKES!
7. My fish still being a live after a weekend by himself

Airports

Hello Everyone!

I am glad to be back in the Blog World with all of my faithful fans! I just got back from a Training in St. Lucia and Spent hours in the Airport and decided while I was there, if I was a skilled writer I would write about all of the different people one can find in a airport. You know, the kid that is crying, and everyone is thinking "Please DO NOT let that kid be on my flight." The Honeymooners that are so sickly in love. The business man that rarely look up from their laptops. The families and the young cats! While you are waiting for hours it is fun to make up little stories about their life, where and why they are going, and what is going through their heads. Now, I realize there could be someone at the other side of the airport, or next to me thinking the same thing about me. But anyways, if I wrote this book one of my chapters would be about the man I am about to introduce.

As I was carrying around my bag that kept getting larger and larger as more security guards careless went through my bag, looking for I am not sure what, and not placing things back where they were. I find myself a solid seat at the airport, while I waited for my plane that is "30 minutes" late. With the Caribbean Airlines, 30 Minutes could turn into hours or the next day, one is never too sure. I find myself a comfy little spot take off my shoes and start eating my muffin. As I look up I cannot help but notice this Dear of a Man. I politely say Hello, just to find out his English is not the best and he is from Greece. In the best of his ability he attempts to ask me where I am going. I tell him Dominica and now I am sitting next to him instead of across from him. Beside the language barrier, there is also a hearing barrier as while. I try to ask him the same question, after a few different attempts with different word choices, I learn he is going to St. Kitts, Gulaopoe, and Dominica. Then he walks away for a moment only to come back and same "Want Coffee, Umm... Umm... I pay for your Coffee." Even though it is 90 degrees, and I will be boarding at any moment, I cannot refuse this cup of coffee. When he comes back naturally, he asked for my address, so he can find me when he gets to Dominica. He does not have a phone, he will find me instead. At this moment, I learn it is better to talk less and listen more. I kindly write down my address with my phone number for him. He pulls out his little date book and adds me in with the other random address he has. He gives me his, his name is Angelopoulos Athanasio, from Athens, Greece. With the address comes the questions of family that can be simply summed up in two sentences. "My wive is dead (as he motions the common motion for sleeping, hands together on the cheek and head titled) and I have son, that is my family." I asked him "How many years are you" he stated 75 and then said "Young Gal" towards me. It made me smile. At that moment, I hear over the system, my flight being called and spot a Dominican friend of mine from a far. My main man from Athens, Greece, with his tie tuck into his Khaki pants and red shoes stands up gives me a fantastic hug, kisses my cheek (like a tradition individual from Greece would) then grabs my hand and kisses that as while. We were off to different places, but I have a feeling we will meet again...

I could not wait until the 10th....

I just could not wait... So I am going to just put some pictures up!


My Sweet Angels at the Pre-School In My Village





My Friend That Was Keeping Me Company and Using the Fan as His Personal Jungle Gym