Little Moment #1

I have been having all of these ‘Little Moments’ lately, most that make me smile, some that make me say “aww…” , some that bring sadness to my heart, and other moments that give me great joy from moments of home! I thought I would share all of these random little moments with you. Some are long stories while others are one statement. For the next few days I hope you enjoy my ‘My Little Moments!’

Have you every seen a child under the age of three eat ice cream? OoO My word, it is the cutest thing in the world I find. There is such a sense of pure joy and mess! While I was walking back to my bus stop after getting some ice cream with a PCV, I pass this little girl, whose mouth, lips, and chin was covered with strawberry ice cream and her mother was giving her an ice cream popsicles to eat next, it was precious!

Martinique

Over the first of August, I went to Martinique to play three on three grass volleyball. There were two men and one female on each team. There were a total of about 20 teams there. Martinique is about a 1.5 hour ferry ride from Dominica. Let’s just say, Michelle does not have sea legs and will no longer be taking the ferry without a little motion sickness medicine! It is a French speaking country; one will find lots of pastries, breads, teas, crepes, ICE CREAM, a mall, a Grocery Store and wonderful shopping. The country is very development since France takes care of them. There is even a McDonalds! I hate to say this but I did get some French Fries from McDonalds, they were REALLY good!



Back to why I went! Each year this town in Port de Pierre has a festival. The Dominica National Team has a connection with the town. Dominica took 8 individuals over there (4 women and 4 men) to play in their volleyball tournament which took place on Sunday. We did not stay in an hotel but rather with a family. My host mom’s name was Carol, she was very sweet, could speak English, and made AMAZING cocoa tea which I enjoyed every morning! I stayed there with one other teammate, and then the other 2 females stayed at a house, and the four men stayed at another house. The meeting point was Joule’s House, where we would have our meals on her porch, gathered to leave, and just sit and hang out.



Beside playing volleyball we went to their outdoor celebration the two nights we were there, to town to shop before we left on Monday, to a beach party, a fashion show on the beach, and to a distillery where they make their local beer.




Over all it was a GREAT three days! I feel so lucky and blessed to be given this opportunity. NEVER in a million years would I of thought that I would leave one island to go to another for the weekend. I have had so many opportunities and experiences because on January 2nd, 2008, I decided to take a ‘leap of faith,’ fill out more paperwork then I have ever done before, have interviews and interviews, have appointments, run around the city of Grand Rapids as my mother was running around the Metro area for me, be told I was not going anymore, and finally sign up for the Peace Corps!

Summer Camp- Graduation!

I have been busy and pictures were not uploading properly so I am sorry it has taken me so long to get these to you!



But a few weeks ago, my camp had its Graduation! In Dominica they have a graduation ceremony for everything, Summer Camps, School, Sports Camps, etc! With mine, I tied in an arts and craft display as well. I have been saving all of the arts and crafts they have done throughout the three weeks and put them on display for parents and students a like to see!



Here are the rest of the pictures from the LAST weekend of Camp!

Click HERE to see the pictures!

Dive Fest!

Each year in July, Dominica has a Dive Fest! It is about a week and half and at the end they have a BIG canoe race! During the week, they will have 'Discover Scuba Diving,' under water camera demonstration, and some other diving events! Each day there is a special event throughout the island!



I did not participate last year but this year the Peace Corps girls put together two teams for the canoe race! One team one 3 Peace Corps Volunteers and a friend. The team I was on was myself, a PCV, and her parents! What happens is, each boat has a captain and two rowers. The two rowers, row out to their teammates who are standing on a floating dock, and then switch, so the other two row back! Understand?



Once of the PCV sunk the boat but still got to race int he finals because the Ross University Team (The Medical School) left! My team ended up winning which was VERY exciting and A LOT of fun!

Yum Yum!

So last night I was feeling to bake and I had asked my tutors to come to camp early to set-up so I decided what else to make besides Cinnamon Rolls! Here are some pictures of the lovely breakfast! They tasted just as good as they looked! Thanks to Grandma I was able to put some raisin in them (I knew I saved them for a reason!)

Week #2 of Camp!

I do not feel like typing but ENJOY the pictures!

Click HERE for Pictures!

"I Feel A Live Today"

The other day, we took our 10-14 year old students to a Nursing Home in Dominica. It was a unique experience for the children but a well received activity. For the older students I am trying to add in community service a long with camp activities. When we went to the Nursing Home all of the residents were outside. The girls spilt up into two groups and made bracelets with some of the female residents while the boys went and played Domino with one of the men.

As I was leaving one of the women who had hung out with three girls grab my hand and said "I Feel A Live Today!" At the moment, it was worth it, the world made sense, my hard work, my planning, my follow-ups, it was worth it for this complete stranger to feel a live again.

I know I am always going back to this, but it hold truth. It is the little things. These girls spent 45 mins of their day, making beaded jewel. They were chatting, they were giggling, they were sharing. It was a moment that touched this older women's heart. Nothing big, no long story, just three girls sitting with one older individual who may never get any visitors, making some bracelets!

How many hearts could YOU touch in 45mins?