Wow,
So i just got done transcribing what felt like 100 journal entries to my blog and now my fingers are to tired to write a current one! Sorry about not blogging at all this month. I am starting to feel like a Peace Corps Volunteer, if you know what I mean. My time is becoming filled with more and more Peace Corpsy things and paying $4 on the round trip for Internet at the coffee shop is seeming more and more expensive and like it takes up too much of my time.
Anyway, my "Why Try?" groups this week went really well. The students enjoyed the group; which says a lot for students who hate being involved in anything! I could also tell the counselor that I am working with at Sir Ira learned a lot.
Saturday, Haley and I started Steel Pan lessons in Gros Islet. It seems like my previous music training served me well, cause I am picking it up nicely. Our teacher says that Haley and I will be good enough to play in the July competition when it comes. Cool! It feels nice to create music again.
Tomorrow I am probably beginning my first Karate class. There isn't any kung fu, but I should adapt well.
So, that's the latest!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Inauguration Day
(written 1.20.09)
Today is inauguration day in Washington. It is a little surreal and euphoric. Millions of people, all ages and all races are huddling into Washington to see his swearing in speech. They have been crowding in since early morning. There are still 4 hours until he gets sworn in, and I can’t peel my eyes from the TV already! I feel so proud that America is turning a leaf. Hope is being restored. My greatest fears are NOT being realized. Perhaps Americans are not as apathetic and ignorant as I thought. This is huge. I can’t even describe the enormity of the day. I will leave the eloquent descriptions to historians and literacy writers. Just months ago I was bitter, angry, and cynical about America, Americans, Americas future, and the president. But Today I am PROUD!!
(later this day)
I spent the day at the Lime with Haley, Lois, Scott, Elaine, and Lloyd. It was incredible. Elaine popped a bottle of bubbly and we shouted “CHEERS” and “HOORAY” at high noon!
Today is inauguration day in Washington. It is a little surreal and euphoric. Millions of people, all ages and all races are huddling into Washington to see his swearing in speech. They have been crowding in since early morning. There are still 4 hours until he gets sworn in, and I can’t peel my eyes from the TV already! I feel so proud that America is turning a leaf. Hope is being restored. My greatest fears are NOT being realized. Perhaps Americans are not as apathetic and ignorant as I thought. This is huge. I can’t even describe the enormity of the day. I will leave the eloquent descriptions to historians and literacy writers. Just months ago I was bitter, angry, and cynical about America, Americans, Americas future, and the president. But Today I am PROUD!!
(later this day)
I spent the day at the Lime with Haley, Lois, Scott, Elaine, and Lloyd. It was incredible. Elaine popped a bottle of bubbly and we shouted “CHEERS” and “HOORAY” at high noon!
Inauguration of Barrack Obama
(written Monday 1.19.09)
Today is the day before the inauguration of Barrack Obama, our nations 44th President!!
It is so very exciting. I have such hope and faith that he is going to put America on a good path. There has been nearly 24 hour coverage of the impending event all weekend and all day today. Interestingly enough, today so happens to be MLK day, and tomorrow the first black president will be sworn into office. It’s incredible, really! I don’t really know what else to say beyond that but, I will be at the Lime in Rodney Bay all day and night tomorrow watching the event on their large flat screen!
Today is the day before the inauguration of Barrack Obama, our nations 44th President!!
It is so very exciting. I have such hope and faith that he is going to put America on a good path. There has been nearly 24 hour coverage of the impending event all weekend and all day today. Interestingly enough, today so happens to be MLK day, and tomorrow the first black president will be sworn into office. It’s incredible, really! I don’t really know what else to say beyond that but, I will be at the Lime in Rodney Bay all day and night tomorrow watching the event on their large flat screen!
FINALLY!
(written 1.19.09)
In two days I run my first two “Why Try?” groups at SISSS. WISH ME LUCK!!
Getting approval for funding from the bursar at Sir Ira hasn’t really been a problem at all. However, things are delaying at CCSS and funding has been a huge problem… and it is the more highly ranked school. Huh!
In two days I run my first two “Why Try?” groups at SISSS. WISH ME LUCK!!
Getting approval for funding from the bursar at Sir Ira hasn’t really been a problem at all. However, things are delaying at CCSS and funding has been a huge problem… and it is the more highly ranked school. Huh!
Ropes Course
(Written1.16.09)
I went with Cliff today to view the land that he and his wife want to put a ropes course on. Actually, their vision is even larger than just a ropes course. His wife developed a non-profit organization called HOPE that is currently pitching its proposal to the ministry of education. They will be delivering educational opportunities to children that live in poverty. Kids that enter their program at the primary school level will receive free tutoring by trained teachers, shoes to go to school in, and lunches on the school lunch programs. They will also attend camps over the school breaks, where they will get to receive additional tutoring and test preparation in various subjects from math and English to foreign language and mechanics. In addition the kids will get to attend a summer wilderness camp at the ropes course where they will work on building life skills, self-esteem, confidence, and team-work. The first phase of the program will be launched in September when school starts (including the shoes, lunch and tutoring).
I have been in touch with some companies that help design ropes courses in the states and they all seem willing to help out in any way they can. I am getting a good feel for what it takes to develop and maintain a course. Very interesting, very interesting in deed. Nevertheless, it looks like my summer work is cut out for me. Hand me a cutlass and lets go clear the land!
I went with Cliff today to view the land that he and his wife want to put a ropes course on. Actually, their vision is even larger than just a ropes course. His wife developed a non-profit organization called HOPE that is currently pitching its proposal to the ministry of education. They will be delivering educational opportunities to children that live in poverty. Kids that enter their program at the primary school level will receive free tutoring by trained teachers, shoes to go to school in, and lunches on the school lunch programs. They will also attend camps over the school breaks, where they will get to receive additional tutoring and test preparation in various subjects from math and English to foreign language and mechanics. In addition the kids will get to attend a summer wilderness camp at the ropes course where they will work on building life skills, self-esteem, confidence, and team-work. The first phase of the program will be launched in September when school starts (including the shoes, lunch and tutoring).
I have been in touch with some companies that help design ropes courses in the states and they all seem willing to help out in any way they can. I am getting a good feel for what it takes to develop and maintain a course. Very interesting, very interesting in deed. Nevertheless, it looks like my summer work is cut out for me. Hand me a cutlass and lets go clear the land!
Project Funding
(written 1.15.09)
Today and executive of JQ companies offered to fund the “Why Try?” program that I am running at CCSS and SISSS. Now all I need to do is write a project proposal! Piece of cake, ya? Very Very Exciting! We are hoping to expand to the other secondary schools as well! He says that the project is just the thing JQ Companies is looking to support, and that the funding can be rolled out in stages. Woohoo!
Today and executive of JQ companies offered to fund the “Why Try?” program that I am running at CCSS and SISSS. Now all I need to do is write a project proposal! Piece of cake, ya? Very Very Exciting! We are hoping to expand to the other secondary schools as well! He says that the project is just the thing JQ Companies is looking to support, and that the funding can be rolled out in stages. Woohoo!
Reggae Tunes Infiltrate My Soul
(written 1.14.09)
Jah!
Jah guide my heart, guide my mind
You always know what’s best for me
Jah guide my heart, guide my mind
I know you’re always there with me
Open up my eyes and let me see
Jah you have never forsaken me
Jah guide my life, be my light
Bring me back from uncertainty
Jah guide my heart, guide my mind
You always know what’s best for me
Jah guide my heart, guide my mind
I know you’re always there with me
I don’t always hear ya
I don’t always see
My minds not always clear, ya
But I want to be free
Bring me back Jah from all that’s unclean
I’ll rise up and follow your righteous lead, yeah
(Instrumental break)
Jah, I’m a mess when I ignore ya
And blessed when I explore ya
My heart is sometimes tore, ya
But its you Jah, I always wanna live for, ya
Jah guide my heart, guide my mind
You always know what’s best for me
Jah guide my heart, guide my mind
I know you’re always there with me
(one more verse needed here)
(chorus needed here)
A mess when I ignore ya
And blessed when I explore ya
A mess when I ignore ya
And blessed when I explore ya
Jah!
Jah guide my heart, guide my mind
You always know what’s best for me
Jah guide my heart, guide my mind
I know you’re always there with me
Open up my eyes and let me see
Jah you have never forsaken me
Jah guide my life, be my light
Bring me back from uncertainty
Jah guide my heart, guide my mind
You always know what’s best for me
Jah guide my heart, guide my mind
I know you’re always there with me
I don’t always hear ya
I don’t always see
My minds not always clear, ya
But I want to be free
Bring me back Jah from all that’s unclean
I’ll rise up and follow your righteous lead, yeah
(Instrumental break)
Jah, I’m a mess when I ignore ya
And blessed when I explore ya
My heart is sometimes tore, ya
But its you Jah, I always wanna live for, ya
Jah guide my heart, guide my mind
You always know what’s best for me
Jah guide my heart, guide my mind
I know you’re always there with me
(one more verse needed here)
(chorus needed here)
A mess when I ignore ya
And blessed when I explore ya
A mess when I ignore ya
And blessed when I explore ya
Frustrations, Yet Much Opportunity
(written Tuesday January 13th, 2009)
It is very frustrating trying to start a project in St. Lucia! Everything misses its deadline and happens at a snail pace. However, things keep moving forward if you stay on task. Really though, it does seem like everything that can possibly delay a project is bound to go wrong. Telephone lines down, loosing rosters, not enough funding, consent forms not getting returned, internet down, no free rooms, blah, blah, blah! Every week is something different. I understand why they need my help getting “Why Try?” off the ground, but sometimes the relentless set backs are so discouraging to even me! I did run into a great opportunity today, though. One of the teachers at CCSS wants my help developing a ropes course, and I am very excited about the opportunity. I will be talking with him more later in the week to see how I might be able to assist him.
It is very frustrating trying to start a project in St. Lucia! Everything misses its deadline and happens at a snail pace. However, things keep moving forward if you stay on task. Really though, it does seem like everything that can possibly delay a project is bound to go wrong. Telephone lines down, loosing rosters, not enough funding, consent forms not getting returned, internet down, no free rooms, blah, blah, blah! Every week is something different. I understand why they need my help getting “Why Try?” off the ground, but sometimes the relentless set backs are so discouraging to even me! I did run into a great opportunity today, though. One of the teachers at CCSS wants my help developing a ropes course, and I am very excited about the opportunity. I will be talking with him more later in the week to see how I might be able to assist him.
Who’s turning 25 in St. Lucia?
(written 1.6.09)
It’s me, It’s me!
Hey everyone!
Yesterday I turned 25!! ONE-QUARTER of a century old!! Woohoo! Well, I wanted to go to this (very American) restaurant bar called Plantation Brewery because they have food, darts and a pool. However, as we walked down the barren streets at 7:00 on a Monday, it didn’t take long to learn that birthday darts and pool might be turning into birthday lime on the street with a bottle of Chairmen’s Rum. Apparently, everything closes down on Mondays… everybody parties to hard on the weekend to make it out on a Monday!
So, yes, Plantation Brewery was closed, so we tried a Café called Jungle; Closed. Pizza Pizza; Closed. Rituals (the coffee shop I always go to for their internet access); Open. Woohoo!! Nothin better than coffee and donuts on your 25th birthday… at least I had something to shove a candle into. I was also special enough to receive the St. Lucian traveling purse for my birthday from Lois, whom had previously received the purse on her birthday from Judy, whom had been given the purse by her host mom.
Furthermore, I did get to play pool on my birthday after all, cause Haley and I, along with a couple of my Lucian friends sought out the one and only little hut with a pool table that was open on a Monday this side of the island. We even got to play for free, woohoo!!
So, I would say, it feels quite nice to celebrate your 25th birthday as a Peace Corps Volunteer on the little island of St. Lucia!
It’s me, It’s me!
Hey everyone!
Yesterday I turned 25!! ONE-QUARTER of a century old!! Woohoo! Well, I wanted to go to this (very American) restaurant bar called Plantation Brewery because they have food, darts and a pool. However, as we walked down the barren streets at 7:00 on a Monday, it didn’t take long to learn that birthday darts and pool might be turning into birthday lime on the street with a bottle of Chairmen’s Rum. Apparently, everything closes down on Mondays… everybody parties to hard on the weekend to make it out on a Monday!
So, yes, Plantation Brewery was closed, so we tried a Café called Jungle; Closed. Pizza Pizza; Closed. Rituals (the coffee shop I always go to for their internet access); Open. Woohoo!! Nothin better than coffee and donuts on your 25th birthday… at least I had something to shove a candle into. I was also special enough to receive the St. Lucian traveling purse for my birthday from Lois, whom had previously received the purse on her birthday from Judy, whom had been given the purse by her host mom.
Furthermore, I did get to play pool on my birthday after all, cause Haley and I, along with a couple of my Lucian friends sought out the one and only little hut with a pool table that was open on a Monday this side of the island. We even got to play for free, woohoo!!
So, I would say, it feels quite nice to celebrate your 25th birthday as a Peace Corps Volunteer on the little island of St. Lucia!
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