Play Dough!

Last Monday, which is ALWAYS craft day at the after school program! I took the students outside under the covered area because it was FINALLY raining! Once all of the students were ready we passed out supplies and it was time to make CLAY/PLAYDOUGH! The students had a blast as they slowly figured out what we were making as I gave them one supply at a time! They were so excited to mix all of the ingredient together and once we added food coloring… OoO My… I was the coolest teacher that day!

Needless to say they all enjoyed themselves as many have never made Play Dough before. It is always amazes me still how simple the crafts I do are, they take little materials and the materials that are needed are extremely inexpensive. The students enjoy the crafts like they are extremely in depth, with many materials, and have a high difficulty. I keep it simply because that is what is working!Life does not have to be some long story with many steps! But rather something easy, to the point, and marvelous!

Round Two!

Last Sunday, I went round two with Boiling Lake, a hike I did in December. This time though it was a lot different! One we finished in about 4.5-5 hours compared to the 7-8 hours it took us the first time! This time there was little stopping at the rest area rather we just kept trucking through the hike! Also, I took less pictures, one because I did not want to be left behind and two I took over one hundred pictures the first time, this time I just wanted to enjoy the hike, the nature around me, and the beauty God created for all us to enjoy!



The alarm was supposed to go off around 4:00AM but instead the phone rang with the driver on the other end at 5:00AM! We were in the Van (which is really a truck) by 5:15AM and on the trail a little after 6:00AM! On the way to Boiling Lake it was still a little gloomy with some rain but it was good because it kept the hike cool! We got to the lake around 8:00AM to have some breakfast and take a little break! Then it was time to go back down! It is very rewarding to get to the Boiling Lake but you know you still have two plus hours of hiking plus you have to get out of the ‘Valley of Desolation!’ Which is this heck of a hike to get out of! It is comparable to do the Stair Stepper at the hardest level for about 30mins! But once you get out of the Valley it is smooth sailing!



Around 11 we were finished and enjoying a REALLY REALLY cold lake, worse than Lake Huron! Overall, it was an AMAZING as always! I am hoping to do it five times before I leave. I have done it twice so far, two more times when friends of mine come to visit, and I will just need one more time so each my goal of five!



I am looking forwarding to doing it again when my friend Jessica, who I graduated from the Social Work program with and her mother come down in May! They planned on coming to Dominica before Jessica even knew I was doing the Peace Corps here! I am looking forwarding to experiencing the hike with her and getting one more hike closer to my goal of FIVE!

“I wish I enjoyed anything as much as my children enjoy Bubbles!”

The above is a quote from the movie “Knocked Up!” I forgot to tell you all this, a few weeks past I decided to make ‘Homemade Bubbles’ with the after school students! We did our craft outside (which I later realized was a HUGE trick and since then they ask me, Miss are we doing crafts outside today!) and I put the students into smalls groups! I tried to make it like a science experiment but having them guess what the items were, mixing it together and what not! I also, got some food coloring so they could color their bubbles!

The students picked out their pipe cleaner to make their wad for bubbles and then I cut out some various shapes for the students as well! That did not last very long and before I knew it the students had their hands all up in the bubble mixture using their hands to make HUG bubbles! It was working better so I just went with it! All I could hear was ‘Miss Look!’ ‘Miss Miss!’ By the end of the craft the students were covered Head to Toe with bubbles and ENORMOUS smiles on their face!

Aren't We Just Cute!

You all KNOW How Much I LOVE My Boo-Bear!- My 1.5 year nephew, Austin! This picture was taken on the Second Day of St. Lucia and it is just my FAVORITE! So I thought I would Share!

‘Miss Why Are You Walking Upside Down?’

I was at the after school program and the students were just hanging out while the other students went to the library! One of the students thought it would be fun to lay on his back, with his head over the edge, so then the world looked upside down. By the time I blinked my eyes all of the students were lined up all looking at the world upside down!



I had to grab my camera and take some pictures of their silliness! Then they wanted me to take some more pictures of them just being them. They were standing really close to me that is why the pictures of so close but I find it tells a better story of who they are! We tried to take a picture together but that did not turn out so well, but at least we tried!

My FIRST Visitor!

Visitors are SUCH a blast especially when you have never met them before until that day! Yes, a little explaining must be done!

One day, I was looking through my comments and noticed one from an individual I had not seen before! It said something a long the lines of, I am a past Peace Corps volunteer, here is my blog, and my wife and I are coming to Dominica on a Cruise, let’s meet up! Yes, my fun little blog, which I enjoy to do, has introduced me to, two spectacular individuals; Joel and Sara!

I am just thrilled to have them and show them around the ‘Real’ Dominica and not just what tourist will see! Joel had his Peace Corps hat on and I spotted them after a few minutes and our adventure began! We went to the office, showed them around, they brought me some goodies! Joel works at a Hardware Store and brought me some VERY interesting items that will test my creative and craft ability, but Joel don’t worry pictures will soon be coming of the finished crafts! ;)

After that, my amazing Host Mother came to town to pick us up and I was able to take them to my village to show them my home, the Garden my Landlord owns, and the beautifully peaceful Catholic Retreat Area in my village. Later did I find out Sara worked part-time at a floral shop! My village was perfect for them!

In my eyes the best part was one I could introduce my two new friends to my Pre-School students! Today was my reading program day and I invited Joel and Sara (both retired Teachers) to read to my students! It worked out well because the Primary School students were not there, so Joel, Sara, and I read to the students and it went so well! It made my soul smile seeing Joel and Sara read to them, Sara taught the students a song, and Joel was doing all sorts of fun little hand movements and gestures with his group! Naturally, after the hard work with the students, the heat, it was time for lunch! I took them to my Favorite Restaurant, Cold Pot, and we all enjoyed a GREAT traditional Creole Lunch together! A great way to end an excellent day!

Even though they read my blog, it was MARVOLOUS to show them, a normal life in the shoes of Michelle! I got to introduce them to the most important individual in my life on island, my Host Mother! I was also able to share the joy the pre-schoolers give me with two other individuals! I hope they enjoyed their time here as much as I enjoyed showing them around!

I hope this duct taped rope can hold me up!

Yes, that was the thought going through my head as I was embarking on this amazing journey, with legs trembling, and hands shaking to see a waterfall, which falls directly into the Atlantic Ocean.

A little back round story. A fellow PCV Alicia, her brother and his girlfriend came to visit for the week and rented a car. When coming to Dominica it is KEY to rent a car if you want to go to the really cool hikes, waterfalls, etc because everything is VERY hard to get to and transportation to those areas do not run at all or it is very limited! We all hopped into the car to visit another PCV Judy, who has MORE energy then my entire group combined and she is a fifty plus volunteer! Basically she is a celebrity in her village and has done amazing work with the children, the adults, built a disaster shelter, and turtles (she LOVES her turtles!) Her village is located on the East Coast about an hour away from town!



Before we began our hiking, we stopped at her friends farm, walked around the farm, ate some Jellies (Coconuts), and Sugar Cane! Yummy! Then we went to her house to have a little lunch and then the journey began!



This hike is not a long hike but it is on the dangerous side! One at a time with Judy leading the way, we were going down the side of a cliff holding onto ropes, roots, and anything else we could grip onto. The ones that read this and know me, know I am not a very brave and adventurous girl (even though I love the thrill, I do not put up a fearless front!) There were moments I thought to myself if I slip, I will fall of this ladder and die, and it was as simple as that! Needless to say, we all made it safely with only a few little scraps!



The end was AMAZING! As I approached the beach I looked over to this breathtaking waterfall that was falling onto the beach! Because of the drought, the change of tide, and basically Mother Nature; it was different then it had been in the past. Usually one must climb on some rocks to get to the waterfall and have to go into the ocean but this time, it was just falling right onto the beach and when I was under the waterfall it felt like the perfect shower head presser!



After playing in the waterfall and the ocean it was time to go to the river! Nothing with Judy is easy and everything is an adventure! The river was the same! The river was made of about 10+ different pools with a little waterfall separating the pools. We climbed each littler waterfall to get to the next! After we all got use to the cold water, it was very refreshing and I enjoyed every moment of it!

The Good With The Bad!

We will start with Bad News First:

Some of you may have known that I was training with the National Team! It was excited and a lot of fun! I was looking forward to traveling to St. Lucia to represent Dominica at the National Level for my favorite sport! I wanted to put on the Jersey and would wear it with pride. Unfortunately, the Volleyball Association is putting into place a rule that states something a long the lines of, a player must live in the country for 5 years or have a Dominican Passport! Well... I do not have either of those! I am eligible (I think) for a Dominican Passport, but they are VERY expensive and it is not with it! I will play with the amazing Local League, I am on now and be happy with that! I will still support and cheer on my National Team Women!

Now the Good News...

I LOVE Caribbean Food but NEVER cook it! It is hard to cook, I don't have the energy and it is hard to cook just a small portion of it! But I had to stop at my Coach's home before he gave me a ride to my home. As I was drinking a LOVELY cup of Guava juice we started talking about Food as his wife was preparing lunch for tomorrow! (Lunch in Dominica is the BIGGEST meal of the day!) Then we started talking Macaroni Pie (Backed Macaroni and Cheese!)I love some really good Mac Pie! He gets this smile on his face and gets out a Gladware and basically gives me enough food for myself for 2 meals! I was so grateful for his hospitality and good cooking! It still simply amazes me the selflessness of the people of Dominica! It is one of the many characteristics I hope to bring home with me! The open door and open kitchen policy must Dominican families have! There is always food on the stove because you know someone will be stopping by for some! :)

Win or Loss...

Well... I do have to say that we played until the Sun went down and got to play Under the LIGHTS! I felt very important and a little like a professional athlete at the moment! Before I even begin I do want to say that we have not been playing as a team for a very long time. Those of you familiar with volleyball understand that how much of the game is a team sport and there is a flow to the game (as Coach Beth ALWAYS told us and NOW I FULLY understand!)

Ladies and Gentleman... we fought hard! We fought four extremely hard games! I played all of the four games! We were diving, we were jumping, we were passing! We were chasing after volleyballs left and right! We were getting aces and kills! The games were close! 25-27 was the score of one of the games! We were cheering and calling time-outs!

At the end of the day... it was a disappointment! My team ending up losing! Which is sad, but we played well, have a lot to improve on and we won't lose again!

Volleyball!

Sunday I had my FIRST ever Volleyball Match against a local team! I am playing on a local team based out of the Capital. The game was held at the same 'Stadium' (it is half built)that we practice at! We totally had home court advantage! There is about twelve women on the team ranging from I would say late teens to late thirties! Man it is a riot to play with them! My girl Anna, she is an outside and a middle hitter is such a power hitter and has such an amazing positive attitude that she carries with her!

The set-up of the games is Rally Scoring (a team gets a point every time)to 25 and we play the best out of 5. Now, I grew-up and say it with pride in the side out scoring and the Rally Scoring generation but it was always best out of 3. This girl is getting old (in less then a month I am turning another wonderful year older) and five games is a lot to play!

I know you are looking to see if we won or not (except for Mother who simple thinks we (her girls) should just have fun) ... but you must stay tuned to tomorrows blog to find out...

Weekend Update!

When I was talking to my Lovely Mother on Monday she scolded me for not updating my blog in a while (AKA a WEEK!), I am on high demand! Anyways, here I am with a little update on the weekend! Just so you all know, I am currently listening to Micheal Jackson, Pretty Little Young Thing! :)

This Weekend was a GREAT weekend! I went to the eastern most point of Dominica and way into the North! I was just one traveling girl! We went to Julie's Village to Celebrate a Belated Birthday for her as well as the Peace Corps one year anniversary of being on Dominica! See the sigh below that the lovely Shoppe Owner made for us! It was very sweet of him!




Also, I went on an event with the Rotaract Club of Roseau. They are a non-profit group of young professionals between the age of 18-30, that do various service learning projects throughout Dominica as well as different education sessions. This week was Rotaract Week, so the group is doing even more projects. We went to the North of the island and attended a church sessions to donate two hampers (baskets) of food, house items, and personal items to a needy family in the church. After the Church service was over we went to a beach to just free up and lime. We played a few games of Rounders; boys vs girls of course! I am not sure who won because we did not keep score!



After the beach, a few of us went to the Cabrits National Park I have been there before but never at night so it was amazing to see the sunset from the amazing view behind the mountains!

Thank You!

Plastic Easter Eggs- They Are NOWHERE to be found on the lovely of Dominica! But are a MUST when it comes to Easter Activities! Well, my sweet Grandma who is always on top of her game, remembered how I need them last year and this year she sent some down with Family! I am just thrilled to death to have them!! Even though Easter is about three weeks away, I already have THREE Easter Egg Hunts Lined Up! One in town for the children at the Library Crafts Camp, One at the Easter Flower Show Site Lunchon, and Another With My Host Mother and the Children of My Old Village!! From the Bottom of my Heart THANK YOU GRANDMA!!

Pictures From Peace Corps Day!

As described in the last blog, the PC Volunteers and I had Peace Corps Awareness Day! Here are some Pictures from the Event!



To See More Pictures Click HERE

Pictures and News Article!!

On Monday, March 1st the 8 Volunteers put on an event called 'Peace Corps Awareness Day! We sent up in a local park and displayed posters of activities and programs in our villages and the organizations we work for.

The Online News Reporter was there and put an article together for it and she interviewed me! Click HERE to read the article!!

Also, if you want to see ALL of the pictures from St. Lucia Click HERE

One Year!

Can you all believe that I have been living in Dominica for ONE Year! Honestly, I could not have completed the year without the love and support of my family and friends. The comments on my blogs, the e-mails, the letters, the ears that have listened to my problems, and the ones who have rejoiced with me when there was a success! I have been completely blessed with six other individuals that are a long on this amazing ride with me, they are my biggest source of support, and they understand, they get it, they live it with me. I hope and wish for all of you to meet the amazing individuals that are serving with me in Dominica.



The last year has been an emotional roller coaster. There were many highs and many lows and many days that I was just content. There have been nights I cried myself to sleep and other nights I have laughed until I was crying. I have had many moments of success and other moments when I fell short. Those moments are what makes the journey such an experience, I never know what is going to face me throughout the day, I do not know what challenges I may face, or obstacles that may come my way. Most importantly, I do not know the random joy I will face, the individual I will run into and they will make my day, or the child who will put down her water to run and give me a hug!



I got the below idea from a guy who went to GVSU with me and now a volunteer in Ghana. Enjoy the below list:

In a Year I have done…

1,000+ Hugs from little ones
1,000+ Stickers given out to students
340 Days WITHOUT a Hug from Mom
300 Trips to Town
200+ Pencils (Still Trying to pass them all out!)
180 Days without hearing my Best friends Voice
100 Boxes of Crayons (Still trying to pass them ALL out- But I have a Plan)
52 Sessions of the Big Reader and Little Listener Program
61 Cards or Letters from Home
25 Days of Holiday Camp
25 Days of Leadership Conference
20 Tutoring Sessions
20 Art and Craft Projects for the After School Program
10 New Trainees as of Feb. 2010
9 Therapy Sessions with my Women
8 Volunteers Started
7 Volunteers were Swear-In
7 AMAZING days with the Family
6 Dives in Dominica
5 Michelle and 0 Cockroaches
5 Games of Pools Played
3 Games of Pools Won
2 Radio Interviews
2 Homes
2 Colds on the Island
2 Marches for a Cause
2 Additional Island Visited (St. Lucia and Barbados)
1 Live TV Shot were the MC told the basically the whole Island I was staying for 5 years!
1 Football Match in our of World Peace Day
1 Amazing Host Mother

Update 3

Wednesday- Call in the babysitter… the youngsters are going on a FIELD Trip! Jennifer, Andrew, Sammy, and Myself all got in a bus and took it to a near by village called Grace to go for a 30 Minute Hike to a BREATHTAKING waterfall in a VERY cold fresh water! It was good for my family to see the ‘natural’ side of the island, pick some fresh guava, grapefruit, and see vegetable gardens. My favorite moment happened on this day! I am pretty sure it is this day! Mom went up stairs to stay with Austin while he was sleeping and the restaurant had ice cream that day! Mom wanted ice cream all week, so I ran up to ask what flavor she wanted, then finished my meal and brought her some ice cream! We curled up in bed together and ate our ice cream! It was just like old times! I may not remember the day it happened but I will NEVER forget the moment and the way it made me feel! (Dad don’t worry, we did not spill and we were on Mom’s Side!)



Thursday- It is an ALL day event!! Through the hotel the family took a land and sea tour. It started bright and early at 7:30AM as we all hopped into the Coaster. We drove for about 1 hour and ended up in the Capital, Casteries. We had an hour of shopping, just enough time for me to find a charger after checking 4 stores and running into two volunteers, and almost losing my cousin! Then we got onto a boat and sailed for about 1.5 hours where I met an amazing little boy by the name of Ethan that was bright and asked intelligent questions. After the time, we got off in Sourfiere where we got onto bus to go to a Drive Through volcano and the Botanical Gardens! It is now WAY past lunch time so we get back on the boat for some Creole food and other boat ride to go snorkeling for about 30 minutes. We are now about 2 hours behind schedule and needless to say the bus ride home was not very quiet! (LOVE YOU Boo-Bear!)



Friday- It was filled with smoothies, water slides, pool time, water aerobics, and family time. Also, because it was the last night, the whole family decided it would be great if we went to the Italian Restaurant for our last dinner, also Andrew and Jennifer were able to have a ‘Date Night!”




Saturday- All Good Things Must come to an end...