Let me tell you something...

Today was such an amazing day at it is only 1:00PM. I figured I should share with all of you about my amazing day and hope you are also having a GREAT day!

It started off with a GREAT cup of coffee and some morning company. Two of the PCVs spent the night last night because Dominica had Creole in the Park. Which is an outdoor concert for four days before the official Creole Festival which takes place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Windsor Park Stadium.

Anyways, I walked onto my porch this morning to put my trash on the street and there was a bunch of bananas waiting for me! YaY! I made it to work on time was able to talk to my bestest for a minute. I had a really really good meeting with a gentleman who works for the Ministry of Sports in regards to developing/working with a volleyball program. A program is already developed so I will be meeting with them next week to set up a practice schedule for the secondary schools. There will be a Championship in the beginning of January thru February. We are getting the girls and boys skills up to par so they are able to compete.

As I was walking back... I stopped to get some Bananas, an amazing apple, and my favorite Hi-C Juice Box. It was a Great Snack/Breakfast! The Sun is shinning and town is busy with people and music in the stores.

Then it was Big Readers/Little Listeners program. Because of the Independence Season, it did not happen which made me sad but I went and hung out with the Pre-K students for awhile, they met me at the gate which separates the Primary School and their Pre-School. It was amazing to be greeted by such pretty faces, lots of hugs, and a few giggles. We chatted about brushing teeth (don't ask how we got on that topic) and they all ensured me that they brush their teeth EVERY night... the ones in the WAY back... and even their tongues. What really got me was when the students and I were talking about what they watched on TV, the little voices where like "Dora, Sponge Bob, Cinderella" and then a little voice in the back said "Micheal Jackson!" LOVE IT! It made me smile ear to ear! They are ALL so lovely! Their happy, joyful souls makes my day!

Last but least was a comment from my mother who I just simply love. This was her response to an e-mail story about me I had sent her. "You go girl!!!! Nothing wrong with a little junk in the trunk!!!"

Working as One...

This pass weekend was Heritage in my Village. Each year the Sunday before the week long festive start for Independence day, a different village will host Heritage Day. This year it was my village's turn. It is a day long event which includes a Church Service in Creole (The Local Language), the opening of the Flower Show Site (My Village is KNOWN for their flowers), an exhibit of flowers, fruits, veggies, arts, and cultural sculptors, and we ended the night with a cultural gala to demonstrate the different dances, songs, and traditions. One of purposes of Heritage Day is to showcase, understand and be proud of the past. Get into the roots so they are not forgotten!

Click HERE for Pictures!

Before all of the above can be done, there was A LOT and I mean A LOT of work to be done! The prison system has an amazing program for the prisoners who are on 'good behavior!' They are able to leave the prison (with a guard) and do different type of work all throughout the island. A lot of the work involves beautification of land, building stages for events, working on houses. If a prisoner comes into prison with a skill and are on 'good behavior' then they are able to go on these special outings. My landlord's husband is in charge of deciding what prisoners are able to assist in the different actives. There is a cost that is involved by hiring the prisoners to do the work, but it is a great deal less expensive then it would be to hire a contractor.

The program is amazing because it allows the prisoners to feel a sense of accomplishment, rewards good behavior in a positive way, and help the villages a great deal. To be honest, we (my village) would not of been able to do all the work we did with out the GREAT assist of the prisoners.

One of the days I had the opportunity to work with them and help clear out the playing field. I did most of the moving the branches to the burn pile as they were on the side of a cliff thing cutting them down. I did not even know how they got up there let allow cut things down from that angle. It was good to interact with them, I do not know nor do I care to know why they are there.. the men were just humans, working hard, playing some football, and enjoying themselves. There was a sense of respect for me as I showed them the same respect.

At the end of the day we are humans, we all make mistakes, some mistakes are greater then others but we make mistakes. If we all look back on our lives, there could be a time when we made a mistake but did not get caught. Sometimes the difference between prisoners and non-prisoners, is one got caught and one did not. These men got caught the act and now have to pay for the consequence of their action. But the individuals do not become dead to society but help to up lift the island. They are still able to use their skills and help to in better the island!

Joys over the last couple of Months!

Joys over the past couple of months that must of stuck because I can still remember them

1. Playing really good volleyball, connecting with my hitters, and hearing the boys ask if they can turn me into a boy so I can play on their men’s team
2. Random text and messages from my lovies back at home
3. Seeing the face of my landlords daughter when I delivery her the card from her pen pal!
4. The students SOOO excited for Arts and Crafts Monday!
5. Another successful year of ‘Big Readers, Little Listeners!’
6. My nearest and dearest letting me be there avenue for giving!
7. A spare bedroom filled with School Supplies, Education Material, Crafts, and the Cards… more then materials but rather LOVE!
8. When one of my pre-schoolers, after she asked me to use the toilet, she comes back, grabs my hand, as her little hand is in my mine I do not feel that her hands are wet, I ask “Did you wash your hands” she looks at me with her big brown eyes and a “Simple No was all I got!”
9. An amazing support system on the Island!
10. Keeping their word- doing what they say and saying what they do!
11. The shoppe owner taking good care of me and making sure my fridge is always filled with fruits and veggies!
12. Students faces lighting up for craft time at the after school program!
13. Being told I was raised in a Humble Environment
14. Shooting Stars and making wishes!
15. Finally making a connection!
16. My peace sign of pictures!
17. Seeing my quiet village, take on the challenge successfully when called upon to pull the village together for Heritage Day!
18. Sunsets
19. My tutoring Program!
20. Giving a child a sticker for doing well!
21. Students ASKING me for homework to do!
22. Giggles from little ones!
23. This conversation
Rob (A PCV’s Boyfriend who came to visit)- Michelle, they hug you a lot
Alicia (PCV)- Yay, Michelle likes to hug!
24. My lizards that think my house is there personal juggle gym!
25. My Card Wall
26. Stickers!
27. Sweet Mema at church
28. Friends coming back from the States with Chocolate Chips and Hand Mixers in their hands!
29. The sea
30. Morning Text Messages (that are usually my alarm clock)
31. Neon ABCs
32. Ice Pops on a HOT Afternoon!
33. The coolness that is coming over my village and the island in a whole

Birthdays

It was my Supervisors Birthday on Monday and I decided I wanted to make him a cake! My dear PCV, Julie just got back from the United States of America, and brought me a hand mixer and I am in LOVE, it makes making cakes so much easier and smoother!

The below picture is of the cake I had. It is a homemade; Almond cake, swirled with a chocolate and peanut butter mixture. The homemade frosting is peanut putter flavored, with a butter scotch chip D on it! I had made some cupcakes as well and they turned out amazing, so I am hoping he enjoys his personal cake as much as I enjoyed making it!

Drum Roll Please...

... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MOM!!!!!

Today is my lovely Mother's Birthday! She loves when I give shouts outs to her in my Blog so, this one is ALL about you Mom!

My Mom is an amazing women who can carry the weight of the world on her shoulders and the stressers of others in your heart. She does this extremely gracefully without every missing a beat. Everything in her life has a specific spot and items will not get accomplished if they are not written on the Dry Eraser Board.

She is a women with great achievements under her belt. She raised (with the help of Dad), two amazing youth ladies, that have grown up with unconditional love and support. We were able to learn, explore, sometimes fail knowing our Mother alwayed had our back, was there to greet us with a hug, and tells us "It will ALL work out in the end!"

My mother is the MOST selfless person I have ever met. She is always putting her family before herself. Making sure they are all taken care before she concerns herself with her own needs. If it is eating a cold dinner because we are asking her to get more stuff from the fridge, driving my sister and I to practice, school, friends, etc or listening to all of our stresses, concerns, and problems without us every saying Thank You or asking Mom how she is!

But Mom, Today is YOUR Day!! I hope you do everything that will make your soul dance! I am extremely grateful to have your unconditional love in my life, I can feel it even 1200 miles away. I miss your hugs and getting ice cream but there will be plenty of time for that when I get back! ONLY 113 days left until we are reunited!! You deserve a day that is ALL YOU!

Lots of Love ALWAYS!!

HELP!

Yes, I am always calling on ALL of you for help! I do not need materials this time but rather KNOWLEDGE! As I am tutoring remedial reading, including learning/recognizing the ABCs, sentence structure, phonics, spelling, ect. Any topic having to do with literacy, I am working on. As you ALL know, I adore children and LOVE working with them, but I am not a teacher I am a social worker. At times, I feel like the information is over my head and I may not be taking the correct approach.

I plea to you ALL of you, my AMAZING readers, if you are an educator, a parent, an adult, that has some useful tools (websites, strategies, worksheets), I could use PLEASE PLEASE fill me in on them, as I am continuing to do my own research! You can leave a comment or e-mail me a garavami14@gmail.com with the suggestions!

A MILLION THANK YOUS!

Halloween!

A few people have asked about Halloween and if children in Dominica celebrate Halloween similar to as in the States. The simply answer is No! There are no haunted houses (even though there is an amazing house that would be PERFECT for a haunted house), craving pumpkins, dressing up or treat-n-tricking. From talking to a few individuals, both young and old, the main feeling I have received is, Halloween did not catch on like it did in the States. I have explained to many individuals what Halloween is all about in the United States of America and the different activities that children partake in during the Halloween season.

I was thinking about having a little Mini-Halloween party but this year, Halloween is the same week/weekend as our Independence Day time. It is a very busy week/weekend in Dominica. Independence Day is filled with Creole Music, Local Bands, French Music, gatherings in the Botanic Gardens, and a three day Music Festival which takes at the Stadium. On top of all of that Heritage Day (which is the Sunday before the Festival begins), is in my village this year. To add a Halloween party to the mix would be far too much in an already busy time of the year.

Do not worry Grandma! Those stickers will be used! I will use them in the school the Tuesday before Halloween and share with them some stories about Halloween and maybe even do some educational work based on Halloween!

Let's Fly Away...

This past Monday, myself and the after school children made some good old fashion butterflies. You know the ones with cloths pin or pegs as it is called in Dominica, and coffee filters. It is a GREAT, easy, and low supply craft project. The students seemed to enjoy it a lot. Thanks to you, the students were able to give the butterflies a little extra touch with Pipe Cleaners and Goggle Eyes! The students were being picture shy but I did capture the below moments! Enjoy!

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Peace Match

September 21, 2009 is World Peace Day! With the help from Puma and different organizations in Dominica, the NYCD (The agency I work for) with collaboration with the other agencies was given the opportunity to host a “Peace Match” in honor of World Peace Day. The event took place on October 9, 2009. It was a football match for boys that were under the age of 13. A football academy from New Town and Bathe Estate competed against each other. These two teams are big rivals in the adult league, with Bathe Estate usually winning! This match was different, New Town pulled a 5-2 victory over Bathe Estate. This game was not about winning or losing but rather sportsmanship, respect, and PEACE. Most importantly they were able to come together, show good sportsmanship, and be part of something greater then themselves. The winning team received a special World Peace Day Puma football, a World Peace Day Puma t-shirt, and a trophy. Overall it was a great success; there was a good showing of parents, children, and other adults. I was able to see some of my Primary School children which is always fun to see them outside of school. Enjoy the below pictures. The lighting was hard to work with so the pictures are not the greatest but hope you enjoy anyways!

Wish I Did Not Live A Lone..

There are numerous moments I wished I did not live a lone. Like the times I do not want to make dinner just for myself, want some one to talk with, or just some company. Then there are moments that I do not mind living a lone, I can watch whatever I want on TV, listen to my music as loud as I want, and it is my schedule, I do not have to work it around anyone else.

The moments that I really wished I did not live a lone is when something funny happens and I wish I could share the story with someone that was actually there. Since nobody was there, I will share the story with all of you!

I have a few geckos, similar to the little guy you see on the insurance company, hangs out in my house. They are not troublesome (usually) and mind their own business. They are actually good to have around because they eat all of the bugs! There is one that comes into my house at night, and hangs out in my bathroom. By the time I get up it is usually outside or I see its tail wiggle out of my sight. The other day, the gecko was feeling brave and decided he wanted to play on the inside of my shower curtain. I was not aware the gecko was there because I could not see him and as I went to move the shower curtain to clean, I touched the gecko, I yelled - he jumped, onto the shower floor. After laughing a little and pulling myself together, I needed to get him out of the shower and back to his window. The little guy could not climb the wall because it was wet, it was hilarious watching him, jump to the wall then fall, jump to the wall then fall. Finally with my pink basin in hand I was able to redirect him to the shower curtain - to the window - so I was able to bathe in peace!

Little Moments

October 8, 2009

I know I am always talking about the little things in life, the little joys, and the little moments. This entry is no different! I must stay focused on all of those little ‘things’ because I know that one day all of those little ‘things’ are going to come together for something amazing! When I was still living in the States, I was a very ‘BIG Picture’ kind of girl, but here in Dominica I learned that it is not about the Big Picture but the events it took to get there. It is a learning and growing experience everyday, it is helping to shape who I will be one day! ‘ Life is not about the destination but the JOURNEY!’ Something I have always believed in but now I LIVE it! Anyways… Here are some of my little moments I had today that made my soul dance!

1. Today I did the Big Readers, Little Listener program with my Grade 5 students. Like always it was a success. The students are really starting to get the hang of reading to “Pre-K” students. I have tried to explain; they must not only read but ask questions to keep their little minds engaged. We had some moments to kill after the students were done reading but the Pre-K teacher was not back yet. So I decided to play a game of Simon Says, without the Simon just giving commands. When I ask the students to put their hands on their heads, they found that to be the silliest gesture they have ever done and the room broke out into giggles. It even made me laugh. I had the students put their hands on the heads a few times and for some strange reason each time, the giggles and belly laughs came out!

2. Another moment happened at the Big Readers, Little Listeners Program today. I had said Good Afternoon to the Principal who was upstairs from where we were and I asked her how she was? Her responds was very unique but warmed my heart “Just watching my students teach my students!” The thing is; she taught 5 of the 8 Grade 5 students who were now reading to her new Pre-K students. It was amazing to know to the cycle that is forming!

3. As I was waiting on the bus this afternoon one of the Pre-Schoolers from the Village was sitting in front of me. She knows me well since I have been to the Pre-School and see her often in the village/on the bus. She turns around and ask me “Where are you from” I answer with the village that I live in. She was not looking for that answer rather from where I was born. Just at the moment she took her two little hands, one in a high five shape and the other one right above it horizontal from the first. Yes, she made the shape of Michigan, both lower and upper peninsula with her sweet little hands. I ask her if she remembers we showing her, and she shyly nodded her head and hide under the seat. How sweet is she to remember the shape of my state and showing it to me!

4. Last by not least. I do not talk about my Landlords very often but today I will. My Landlord’s husband is always giving me bananas or ‘Pears’ which are avocados, humors me, and just making sure I am OK! Just recently, I have decided he does not like when I walk in the village by myself (Even though it is COMPLETELY SAFE). We are both part of the Heritage Committee and whenever the meeting is over he will wait for me but in a fashion of him not waiting for me even though I am aware he is waiting for me, but I play it off. Today, I had to walk just up the road and it was dark (now it gets dark around 6 or 630), I did not realize it was him until he was right in front of my face (My night vision is REALLY bad). We were chatting, he asked me where I was going and then another man from the village came up and My Landlord’s husband was like “now you have someone to walk with Michelle.” I continued to walk until the other man catch up and hear my Landlord’s Husband in the distance say “Take good care of her for me!” It just good knew someone is looking at for me but not over protecting. I am appreciate of him, no one can replace you Dad, but he watches over me like I am his daughter!

Tutoring!

As I have previously talked about, I do tutoring with Children from Grade K- to Garde 4. As you see the table is filled with neon cards with the ABCs on them. I use them A LOT for all of the children just in different ways depending on the age group! Enjoy the pictures of my Grade 2 boys!

Honesty

I learned if someone is looking to hear the honest truth about life they should just speak to a five year old, because you will hear it.

While I was walking through town yesterday I ran into one of my little ones who lived in my village. She is from Haiti (where they speak French) and is still working on her English but is VERY good! As I sit with her sweet soul, she looks at me and says “How is your day going?” I just adore her little voice. As we are chatting she continues to fix my hair as it flies away. Making comments of how my hair is flying everywhere and her hair is not! But what she does not realize, my hair will always ‘fly away’ when the humidity is like 100+. As we were there, she points every fault I have, commenting and pointing out each ‘button’ (pimple) on my face, the sweat that is running down my face, the freckles on my air and to top it off, she messed with my outfit! :o) What I always LOVE is when the little ones comment about my nose. She was no different, asking numerous questions, touching my nose all of that good stuff. Simply amazed how long my nose is! Whenever she would ask, why something was different then her, I would simple say “Because God made me that way!”

Was I offended, NEVER! Her honesty made my day and made me smile from ear to ear! She is such a joy in my life!

Here is a picture of her sweet face!

Big Readers, Little Listeners!

We are BACK! Today was my first day of ‘Big Readers, Little Listeners.’ An IMMENSE THANK YOU goes out to everyone who has donated books to me and the students. I used some of the books today with the program.



Like always it went very well. I now take the Grade 5 students because they enjoyed it so much last year and was not able to do it very long due to school ending. Some of the Grade 5 students were new because they were in a different Grade 4 class next year.


September 24, 2009


Anyways… The pictures of the little ones!