PICTURES!

Here are some random pictures from my art program and other adventures a long the way!

Joys 8/24 and 8/25

Joys over the last two days!

1. Having Joel walk into my home and say "What Smells Delicious Ms Michelle?"
2. Him trying what I made and him telling me "Ms Michelle that is NOT Nice!"
3. Surprise visit by my sweet little who came running up the stairs into my arms to greet me!
4. A Bag Filled with Bottle Caps!
5. Free Bananas
6. A free ride down to town
7. Crafts on the Steps
8. Making Salt Art in Bottles with my Art Program
9. Yummy Pizzeles from Grandma!
10. An AMAZING package from my Bestest!
11. Lots of games of UNO
12. Corn on the Cob!
13. Ice Cream Treat with one of my PCVs

Joys from the Weekend!

Joys!

1. Having Joel Help Me Make Sugar Cookies from the Last Day of Arts Camp
2. Having my 'Island Sister' Paint/Decorate my toe nails
3. Hanging out with my 'Island Family' all day on Sunday
4. Walking down the street hand in hand with my fav. little village girls
5. Dancing with my little princess
6. Giggle Pants by a little one
7. Seeing Boo-Bear Austin TWICE! and of course talking to my MOM!
8. An E-Mail from my Bestest!
9. Finally going to the Market
10. Island Mom's Cooking (It just taste better)
11. Meeting a New Youth in my Village who could help me with my Movie Night in the Village and other activities I have planned
12. Getting my Laundry Done before the Rain!
13. Lots of Games of UNO!
14. Fresh Cocoa Sticks!
15. Seeing my Sweet Memo at Church and her telling me she loves me!
16. Lots of Hugs and Kisses!!

You have really cool stuff...

Yesterday was a little bit of a Blah day but it ended well with a cup of Cocoa Tea (I just got some more fresh Cocoa sticks from another PCVs who’s Host Mother makes Cocoa Sticks- which one would think, they would be really sweet because it is a Cocoa stick and all but actually the sticks are bitter and do not taste well in their “raw” from it is very disappointing).

About a week ago, my friend Joel, looks at me and says, “You have really cool stuff from America.” We will get back to the statement later but first I need to break Joel down for you. He is my sweet, content, calm, creative, politic, controlled energy, card playing fool, brilliant, competitive, little six year old boy. Most days you can find him sitting at my kitchen table where it looks like the Art Box had exploded all over the table. There is usually paint brushes, paint, crayons, color pencils, color sheets, blank sheets, and ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS stickers involved! I would not have it any other way because by the time it is time for him to go my table always goes back to its boring self until next time.

It did happen about a week ago, but I have not felt inspired to write about it until now, when I lay in my bed, listening to Dave Matthews Band, and feeling at ease for the first time in a few days. We are playing Uno (which is the FIRST time he has ever played the game but he saw commercials on TV about the game so he just HAD to play). I joyful played with him and explained the rules, after he beat me THREE times (beginners luck), he looks at me with his sweet dark eyes and says, “Miss Michelle, you have really cool stuff from America.” Joel is not talking about my Laptop, an I-phone (that I DO NOT have), a picture book, my DVDs, nothing technical nothing BIG rather he is speaking of the cards games of Uno, Crazy 8, Old Maid, and my Las Vegas M&M cards (Which I do not even let him play with). He is talking about my paint, color pencils, fun shaped pencil sharper, and my random collection of stickers I have.

I tell you all this because his statement and the meaning behind it completely define what my Blog is about, it is the Little Joys! Him coming to my house not only brings him Joy but makes my heart come a live once again and refreshes my spirit. Joel does not need much to bring happiness to him, just some attention and a place for him to express his creative side and my home is his outlet.

Joel may never say Thank You or know I asked and request all of the time for stuff for not only him but for my students when school starts in a few weeks and the other children of the village. He will not know the amount of love, thoughtfulness and passion these items are mailed with. He will never know that many individuals that are my nearest and dearest think about him and the other children while they are shopping, picking out the perfect item to send down, each item is bought with thoughtfulness, each week the “Sales Ads” are go through with a close eye, to find the best deal which allows the most items to be bought. He will never know this but he knows that Miss Michelle has really cool stuff from America. So, from Joel, from me, your items, your time, are appreciated, are used, and bring joy to lives of individuals you may never meet face to face but I hope you meet them, learn about through their stories, through my pictures, through my Blog! Thank You for all that “really cool stuff!”

Joys of 8/19

Joys!

1. Doing my morning workout while watching the tail end of '10 things I hate about you'
2. Looking out my window on the bus on the way to work and seeing a Rainbow!
3. Catching up with stuff on the Computer!
4. The rain holding off so I could play Volleyball!
5. Having my FAVORITE Mints!
6. Meeting a new little one, that greeted me with a punch in my hair but then continued to giggle and giggle his life way!

Joys of 8/18

Joys!

1. My Arts Class Program DOUBLED Today!! I had SIX Children!
2. A Sucessful Pinata Craft!
3. Not having to go to town today because a meeting got moved
4. Writing Letters! (Check your mailbox soon- there might be a little something something)
5. Hanging out with my Sweet Joel- He is a content, creative, calm, joyful, brilliant; little six year old that you can find coloring, painting, or stickering something at my house
6. Seeing my Island Mom!
7. Taking a NAP! (I have not Nap in a long time- I LOVE Napping)

- Pictures to Come Soon -

Joys 8/17

Joys!

1. Having Breakfast with one of the PCVs after a GREAT weekend!
2. Running randomly into one of my PCVs in the office
3. Lots of running into little ones in Town!
4. Not 1, Not 2, NOT 3, but FOUR Pink Slips and a Card in my Mailbox!
5. The Mystery of the Black Empty Ring Box that was in my package!
6. Being on a Conference Call via Skype with Jennifer, Dad, Austin, and Mom trying to figure out the Mystery- it was hilarious with all of us talking at once- it felt like we were all in the same house but really we were in three different cities! Had to be there to see the humor!
7. Getting my extra bedroom under control!
8. How could I forgot- All of the Goodies for the Children- I want school to start tomorrow so I can give them all of the good stuff!

Joys of 8/16

Joys!

1. Watching 'Step Up 2'
2. A GREAT Sunday Lunch! - Homemade Pumpkin Soup with Salt fish -
3. BEACH TIME!
4. Girls Time!
5. A Low Key Sunday!
6. A Really Good Dinner!
7. Starburst Treat while Movie Watching!
8. Checking up on Sleep!

- Again just a Simple Sunday-

Joys of 8/15

JOYS!

1. A Bus coming by as I was running down my stairs, running late!
2. Pizza Lunch with one of the PCVs
3. Hanging in the North with three other PCVs
4. The BREATHTAKING view on the way to a village even further north!
5. A HOMEMADE Dinner with LOTS and LOTS of friends
6. FEST!!! I just love them!!
7. Dancing, Dancing, and MORE DANCING!!
8. Meeting new friends!
9. Live Music!
10. No Rain for the outdoor FEST!!

Joys of 8/14

Joys!

1. TALKING to my WHOLE family at Austin's Birthday Party! I felt like I was in the living room sitting on the chair as people passed through to say Hello!
2. Surprise talking to Aunt Rose and Uncle Greg!
3. A Surprise "Call" on Skype from a Family Friend!
4. My Banana Apple Bread turning out well!
5. A Surprise Visitor on my porch!
6. Having some company while I am drinking JUICE MAN!
7. Surprise run in with my FAV little at the Bus Stop- She makes waiting for the Bus not too bad!
8. Going to bed Early!
9. Having most of the day be filled with SURPRISES!
10. Corn on the cob for Dinner! :o)

Joys of 8/13

JOYS!
1. Working on Birthday Present! :o)
2. Getting a Hug today- did not realize how I much I needed the hug until I embraced the Hug :o)
3. Sitting on the edge of my Island Sisters bed and chatted with her and my Island Mom for a while
4. Seeing some of my "old" Village Girls!
5. Getting a ride back to my Village so I did not have to work
6. One of my littles that yelled to my house to see if I was there but I was on the roadside and when she saw me she came running!
7. Chatting and laughing with my little one
8. Sitting with and chatting with the arist of the village
9. Stopping and Seeing a Snake in the ROAD (it is a Joy because it could of been in my house)
10. More Beach and Sand Time!
11. Helping out at a pre-school camp and eating "Mud Pies"

Sand in your toes...

On Wednesday, August 12, 2009, my newest friend (Annie) who is leaving me today (Friday, August 14, 2009), myself, another PCV (Alicia), and some of Annie's Friends all decided to go to the beach to watch the sunset for one of Annie's last day! Annie, is this amazing little lady who is spent the summer in Dominica. She is originally from England where she studies Sociology. Annie has this amazing laidback, free-spirit, carefree, but passionate vibe about her. It was just such a treat to be able to spend time on the beach watching the sunset into Sea on one of her last nights!



I am ashamed to admit this but I try to be as honest as I can. At moments I take for granted the beauty that surrounds me every second of every day. It is moments when you see it through the eyes of someone else, you then are reminded to look, to take in, and to observe. To walk through your day with your eyes wide open taking in everything and anything. Annie re-opened my eyes of the beauty on the island. After a little bus difficulty some walking and lot of laughs, we found ourselves at the beach, in the middle of a beauty sunset. That night, God was so good to us, and use every color when he painted the sky for us. It was Marvelous (to say the least), the sky that night (as you can see from the pictures). That scene will never get old and every time I witness such a breathtaking sunset, I am in owe once again of the how beautiful and peaceful nature can be. With my toes in the water, my eyes on the horizon, I took a breath and said "This is my home..."



Joys! (My mind is blanking on Wednesday)
1. The Sunset!
2. Hanging out with Annie and our friends
3. Getting all my work done and still having time to chat and jam to some music with a friend
4. There are these really good white and red sweeties (mints) that are a combo of "Wedding Mints" with the taste of the hard red and white mints- in a nutshell they are amazing and I cannot always find them but I found them today!
5. Starting the morning with some Cocoa Tea!
6. Seeing my cute Boo Bear and his cute as a button pictures
7. The rain holding off for the most part while we are at the Sea!
8. Safe travels and arrival by my Canadian Friend who went home on Tuesday or Wednesday morning (I forget- but she is home safe and that is all that matters)

Joys of 8/11

JOYS!

1. Tie-Dying with the Boys at my Art Class!
2. My Tie-Dying turning out really well!
3. The Calmness Coloring can be
4. Meeting some friends to say Good Bye to one of my Canadain Friends that was here for the summer!
5. Checking the bus system too closly but lucky out that there was a bus still there
6. Seeing my Island Mom!

- It was simply day -

Joys of 8/8

Happy Wedding Anniversary Kevin and Vanessa! Cannot believe it has been ONE YEAR!!

JOYS!
1. Spending ALL day in the Sea!
2. Going on two dives!
3. The Straight Up Honesty of a five year old
4. Talking to Mom on Skype!
5. Knowing my Boo-Bear Austin LOVES his bracelet and does not take it off
6. Running into a friend of my on the street by my house
7. The shop outside my house playing GREAT music that I can hear!
8. Getting everything together for the Birthday Party Today!
9. Going to Bed EARLY!

Joys of 8/10

Joys for the Day! But first Pictures from the Birthday Party! We were having so much I only took about three pictures of all of us Coloring! My blog has lacked pictures lately! I need to get on that! :o)



Joys
1. Finishing Scuba Diving Training and being OFFICIAL!
2. Watching the Game Show Network from the 70s
3. A comment that touched my soul and made me cry (Thank You Aunt Penny)
4. Sticky Puddy (For Hanging my cards back up- It is the only thing that works)
5. The Wonders of the Underwater
6. Seeing my Hilarious CJ on the Bus
7. Randomly meeting friends for a Coffee break
8. Having a walking buddy as I walked over to the Bus Stop
9. Knowing I will sleep like a Baby Because I played in the SEA all DAY!



-One is never too old to color, that is my Sweet and Amazing 'Island Mother-

Thank You!

I saw this Post Secret today and it made me think of my Childhood but in a different way then the Secret states. I was that "Future Child" the Secret is speaking of. My parents and my extended family where at every basketball game, volleyball game, sitting outside of rain or shine at every Track Meet. Being my personal taxi with little Thank Yous and More Attitude. They are my Best Friends, my biggest support and fans! They are two amazing individuals who have satifisied more then I will ever know to make my life just a little easier and fill all of my needs. They did more then "fill my needs" they shaped me into the amazing individual I am, they were there to set me straight when I was going a little off track, and there were always there in moments of anxiety and stress to tell me "It will be OK." To my parents I owe the World to, I owe who I am as an individual to them. I hope when I grow up and raise my own little ones I can pass on the skills and the memories to my little ones!

To My Parents that I never Thank Enough! Thank You for letting me take on the world, for telling me know it is OK if I fail when I try something new because we will be there for me! Thank You for celebrating EVERY joy with me, allowing me to ramble about nothing, for eating ice cream with me when I needed it the most, THANK YOU for KNOWING ME, Thank You for knowing my faces, for the HUGS, for the KISSES, for the Valentines Day Gifts when I did not have a Valentine, and for Celebrating LIFE with me! You rolled with all of my different dreams knowing and probably praying that one day I find my way and my little corner of the world! Well, I have, and I am rocking it out the only way I know- with an open heart and a smile on my face!

THANK YOU!

Joys of 8/9

Joys of August 9, 2009

1. This precious little one (about 3 months old) smile and wave at me during church
2. Seeing my bigger little ones at Church
3. Walking my Sweet Mema to the car and her home
4. A Successful Birthday Party!
5. New Birthday Party Goings and Two Parents that hung out!
6. Enough Food and Drinks for ALL at the Birthday Party
7. A smooth and productive meeting that will get the Children involved during Heritage Day
8. Taking a NAP!
9. A solid dinner and lunch tomorrow!
10. Watching Drumline!

Feeling Alive (Part 2 of 2)

Another opportunity I was giving was the ability to get Scuba Diving Certificated. By being Scuba Certification, it is a life long Certification and I will be able to dive with a “Master Diver” anywhere in the world. My dear Alicia (other PCV) and myself, sign up for Scuba Diving. She is amazing person to do it with, because we are both a little unsure about the whole thing, have a little or a lot of anxiety, and best of all we both have no problem experiencing our concerns to each other. She is a psychology major and I am a Social Work major, it just works well.

Anyways, one looks extremely strange and awkward when they have all of their gear on to die. Flippers, scuba mask, and a MASSIVE tank on your back, there is nothing attractive about the outfit. It is just the two of us in the class and our instructor is amazing. He is a really chill, laid, a little sassy, man from Dominica. There was moments during our 8 hour training today (we have 3 more days) that I wanted to cry or scream out of frustrating of not knowing how to do silly, simply task. Or when I swallowed a half gallon of sea water or the time was I was drifting away because the current was taking me. Or the moments when I would smile out of nervousness and it would mess with either my snorkel or my breathing respirator. Through all of that, Alicia was right there with me with her own little troubles. Through the moments of frustration and anxiety was a moment when it was all worth it and once again, “I came alive!” After our almost full day of training, he tells us we are going to go on a little dive, not to deep, just something simple. At this moment, I will not pretend to be more brave then I am, my heart dropped, and my anxiety rose. After some issues of not breathing correctly (if you do not exhale then you do not sink). We were our way to the deep blue sea.
It was AMAZING, my face light up like a Christmas tree, when I say my first school of fish and eel. The moment I will not forget is when the instructor, Alicia and I were finished swimming around, and still underwater, the instructor came over to me (A person can tell how quickly you are breathing because you start to raise to the surface and the air bubbles)! As the instructor came over to me, I got nervous and I started breathing a lot quicker then I was suppose, he so calming sticks his hand in my face like stop sign, and I calm back down. Both Alicia and I were struggling with clearing our mask when water fills up. That was what I was suppose to do, and I did it! Not once but twice. I got a little water up my nose, in my mouth, and in my eyes, but instead of rushing to the surface, I calmed my breathing and got everything under control again. After I completed, he put his hand out, HIS face light up and he gave me a HUG high five for a job well done. That moment of accomplishment over rode all moments of frustrations, stress, and feeling like a failure.

Feeling Alive (Part 1 of 2)

As I sit in front of my laptop, hearing my next door neighbors TV, a man somewhere in the general area of outside, and two lovely women laughing as they pass on the street. I sit in calmness with a tummy full of mashed potatoes and corn and a mind full of thoughts.
There are numerous moments in life that simply make you feel alive again. It is a direct moment that recharges your batteries and make taking on the world just one last time a little easier. These moments come in different shapes and sizes. At times they are life uttering moments and other times it is a simple smile from a stranger that makes an individual think, “Yes, I can make it through the day.” In whatever way these moments appear to an individual they should take them and run to seize every last moment out of it.
I have been in a slight slump for about a week. Nothing to big or nothing I cannot get myself out with no sweat. Different elements put me in a little, slump of a mood until I had TWO of those feel a live moments and event. The moment made me recharge my batteries and again I was ready to take on the world, or my amazing journey one more time.
After long awaiting process, I was giving the opportunity to play volleyball. As previous mentioned, I have the ability to play three days a week for about 2 hours. It is always a race against the sunset since it is an outdoor “sport court” with no lights. On Wednesday, I was giving the opportunity to with the team I practice with to play against the Women’s National Team. I was the setter for my team. The first game like normal, it was me and the boys. I simply like playing volleyball with Men, I am not sure if it because they make my sets look extra good because they have a strong and power hits or if it is because they get a little more fired up when something good happens. In recent days, I have enjoyed playing volleyball with boys or my GVSU girls! But since my GVSU girls are all around the state or in a different state I will have to settle with the boys.
It was Game Time! The game was extremely official, we had a referee, sang the Dominica National Anthem, and lined up to shake hands. The minute I stepped back onto the court my spirit came alive and I had this feeling that I was unstoppable. Everything was coming together, the boys were hitting well, and for a minute my troubles, my thoughts, my stressors, and my slump had disappeared. It was just me and the volleyball court, similar to old times. It had the same feeling for me when I would step onto the Court with my GVSU girls as we were about the Beat Down on U of M (there were BIG rivals of ours my junior and senior year). I was at peace with myself during those moments. The feeling did not disappear the minute I stepped off the court but rather it continued through my days, my batteries had been recharged, again I was ready to “Take on this Journey!” There was no big crowd, the crowd consisted of about 7 boys all under the age of 12. There was nothing for sale expect some ice pops and no admission fee. It was just my teammates and the court. The moment was not about winning or losing (even though we ended up winning in three games), it was about the feeling and the up lift of my soul. I was once again a live and ready. It is amazing, how a simply game that if you think about makes absolutely no sense what so ever but it makes all the sense in the world to be. For the time, I connected with these individuals are a greater level then friendship, for a moment we were teammates, for a moment we six strangers all trusted each other. I was a live once again!

Joys of 8/6

JOYS of August 6, 2009
1. Being in the SEA all day long!
2. Mashed Potatoes and Corn for Dinner
3. Getting my laundry done (Even though I had to do some of it in the Dark)
4. A Conservation I had with a 3 year old that was something like this
Michelle: Peeling a Banana
Little One: I Like Banana
Michelle: Would you like some?
Little One: Yes Please
Michelle: Handing the little one a piece of Banana
Little One: Handing Banana back to Michelle stating “I do not eat such large Bananas”
Michelle: Breaking it half and asking if she wants more
Little One: Her sweet eyes look at me and say “No!
5. Having a lone time to collect and write my thoughts
6. Running into two campers from my Summer Camp in Town
7. The Grocery Store not having a line
8. Having someone to chat with when I was waiting for the bus
9. Finding out the PCV that went Home because her service was done (She came two years ago, made it home safely and got moved up to FIRST class)
10. Getting a simple taste of the AMAZING underwater world
11. Ice Cream Treat with Alicia

Clay, Giggles, and Mangos!

The above title sums up my Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday was the FIRST day of "Michelle's Art Program!" In a nutshell, it is a two hour Arts Session that takes place every Tuesday just for the young cats (6-12) years old. We are going to make clay, tie-dye, make a pinata, and some other crafts.

The first week there was three boys there, all around the ages of 6 and 8. We were making homemade clay which is super simply, just flour, salt, water, and a little oil. Needless to say the boys had more fun making little messes and playing with the clay like play dough instead of making a design so they could paint it after I bake it. With many breaks for the two boys to running around we finished making the clay.

As we were coming out to wash our hands at the pipe, Mr. Giggles came a long. Mr. Giggles is a seven year boy, with locks down to his shoulders (He is part of a Rasta family, the locks are part of his culture). He wanted to make something out of the clay, so the extra clay I had I gave him only for him to create a Baby with a Pamper on (Diaper). He is just over there Giggling his life away about I am not sure what but he sure brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart. Then we all played follow the leader, a newly created game of running around until Michelle says "FREEZE!" and some Simon Says. The we sat down to do a word search which turned into Steal the Crayons and Giggle About it. The Word search did not keep these active boys attention for very long.

With little heads up, Mr. Giggles announces he is going to "Pick Mangoes" He brought me a very ripe, fresh, and clean off Mango to snack on. The afternoon ended with Monkeys in the tree eating Delicious fresh Mangoes.

Joys of 08/09

- These Two Pictures are from the Internet, I "Googled- Emotion: Joy" and this is what I found -
Joys!

1. Seeing Boo Bear Austin on Skype
2. Talking to my Mom and Jennifer
3. Being able to eat Dinner, one last time with one of my Dear PCVs who has just finished her 2 Years!
4. An AMAZING weekend full of Live Music, Good Food, and LOTS of Liming (Mom Can Define the Word for all of you) with FANTASTIC People
5. Finding out I can Text Sprint People online for FREE!! They cannot text me, but still! THANK YOU Jennifer!!
6. Getting TWO Packages- Those Kids are going to LOVE all of the color pencils and books! I cannot wait for school to start so I can give the students the books!
7. A Card from the Family- THANK YOU!
8. Getting things together to get Scuba Diving Certificated NEXT WEEK!
9. Talking about Denny's this morning with a friend of friend- it remind me of my Bestest!
10. Island Life!
11. Watching Free Willy!