Today...

I am Grateful For... (Saturday 6 November 2010)
1. Chocolate Chip Pancakes
2. XL Shirts on Raining Days
3. The Boy that is willing to give up his shirt
4. Amazing Company
5. Lady Luck



I am Grateful For... (Sunday 7 November 2010)
1. Sleeping In
2. Travel Coffee Mugs
3. Porch Sitting
4. No Electricity
5. Running into an old friend



I am Grateful For... (Monday 8 November 2010)
1. Waking up to the sound of waves and birds
2. Productive Meeting
3. Amazing Food with Amazing Company
4. Texts that make me smile
5. Hugs!




I am Grateful For... (Tuesday 9 November 2010)
1. Getting back to Dominica
2. Chocolate Chip Muffin for Dinner
3. Coffee Chats
4. Great traveling buddy
5. The Sea

Creole Day at School!

The Friday before Independence (November 4) is Creole Day where all of the students, employee, and individuals in town dress in their Creole outfits. The outfits make town so bright and the woman look amazing! On that day, my school had Creole day! After the morning assembly all of the students about 200 students went into one of the larger classrooms to watch their fellow students perform national songs, dance, and plays. The students were working hard all week to perfect their talent and they sure did shine on Friday. For a special treat during break time, they students were able to get traditional dishes/foods which parents had donated. Overall, it was a great day and went a lot smoother than last year! My favorite is seeing all of the pre-schoolers in their Creole wear!

Click HERE for the rest of the phots!

Creole in the Park

So all of last week was a week I had been looking forward to for months. It is my favorite time of the year, Independence Time. During this time, the streets are full of traditional music, dress, and foods. There are dishes with Crab (that you cannot get all year round) and cod fish and fig (green banana). There are numerous culture competitions where primary/secondary students display their culture dress and talent. At the culture events the students are performing traditional days such as the Heel and Toe and traditional songs in the local language of Creole. It is a very joyous and exciting time of the year! There is just a little extra soul!



For the adults and children a like, the Monday –Thursday before Independence Day which is 3 November each day, one of the major cell phone companies (LIME) puts on Creole in the Park. It is exactly what it sounds like. Creole in the Park takes place in the Botanical Gardens, located in the Capital turns into a large music festival. It runs from about 12-7P each day where you can find local foods, vendors selling jewelry and other craft items. In additional, there is popcorn, snow cones, cotton candy and inflatable joys (bouncing castles/obstacles courses) for the children. While all of this going on, there are local and international music performances going on! It just a very chill and low key vibe! I went each day after work because I love it so! It gets a HUGE turn as you can see from the picture and on Thursday the crowd was even larger than the picture represents!

Today...

- A Picture another PCV took from her couch -

... I am Grateful for
1. A Morning Filled With Tea/Coffee
2. Innocence
3. A FREE dress from another PCV
4. Free Willy
5. Alicia Time!

Today...

...I am Grateful for!
1. Cold Jersey Sheets
2. Homemade Orange Ginger Tea
3. Sunshine
4. Might Ducks 3
5. Talking to Mom on Skype

What are you Grateful for...

I am an Auntie!

Yes, most of you know that I am an Auntie to the adorable Austin and soon to be cutie of pie I call ‘Small fry!’

I am also an Auntie to a beautiful Grade K student from my village. She goes to the school I work with and from the first day I started there this year, she has referred to me as Auntie! It is the cutest when across the play ground she will yell “Auntie” and how she does not want me to leave her after break time! She is just sweet as a button and makes my school days all that more enjoyable, especially as we walk hand in hand while I take her to her ‘Next Auntie’s Home’

She is the cutie in the green at Creole Day at school!

Little Amazings

-- Googled 'Awesome' and this is what I found --

Generally speaking, individuals forget to recognize and appreciate the small wonders of the world. There is a website called 1000 Awesomes and it is just a list of all those Little Awesomes that make life all that better. I was listening to a presentation by the founder of 1000 Awesomes and he inspired to write my ‘Little Amazings’ list. During his presentation he mentioned how he loves to hang out with 3 years because they are seeing and discovering the world for the first time. Everything and event is so fresh to their eyes and as we grow up, events get stale. We must remember to take time to enjoy and soak in the ‘Little Amazings!’

Here are a few of mine! I would love for any/all of you to leave your ‘Little Amazings’ as my comments!

My 5 year old neighbor who greets me every time she sees me with this HUGE and excited Hello! Similar to how a best friend/family would greet you after not seeing you for months!
The personalities of the ocean and the many colors of blue it shines
Having a friend wait with me so I did not have to wait in the dark by myself for my ride
The combination of the sound of rain and the palm trees swaying with the wind
Sundays in Dominica
Drinking endless cups of tea
Peeled over in the a fit of laughter
Rainbows
Sunsets
An evening nap after work
Hugs from little ones you do not know
Having people call your name on the street and greet you with a smile
Random text messages from bestest
Cooking/Eating with Friends
Drinking Coffee in my favorite chair while watching the sea
Not having to wait long in line or get cut in front of at the Grocery Store
Live Music
Movies that make you cry
Letters from Jennifer
Holding Hands