I was chased by two dogs in my neighborhood today. It was kind of scary. Maybe it wasn't the best idea to panic and run, but they were at my heels, very vicious and barking their hearts out. So yes, I ran uphill, was breathless and probably a sight to see once I was safely behind my door. And needless to say, I won't be taking the shortcut down the hill EVER AGAIN.
Aside from that, I had a pretty busy day today. Went in to the Cayon Health Center this morning to conduct some Barrier Analysis interviews. I'm working with George, Chris and Kelsey on finding out what prevents diabetics on the island from taking care of themselves. I only got to conduct 5 interviews (note to self: get there by 8.00 a.m next time) but none of them were able to check their sugar levels regularly (only two even had meters but were out of test strips!) and no one knew what the HbA1c test was. Most of them only tested once a month during the monthly diabetic clinic at the health center.
Then I had a productive meeting with two of the founders of SOS about issues we have with the organization and how to go about those issues. After that I had the weekly Diabetes Association meeting which was a little intense since we have the Diabetes Awareness Week coming up from the 8th-14th. I'll be updating on the particular Diabetes Association activities in one go after the week is over. After wards there was the general SOS meeting, which was actually surprisingly productive. I see a lot of promise for the organization, especially with some of the plans we have for capacity building.
I have had a couple of people tell me that I am looking 'bigger' and 'chubby'. Apparently it is a part of the culture to say things like 'girl you got fat' as a compliment, meaning you look good and healthy. But in my culture, saying you look 'healthy' is a diplomatic way of saying you got fat. But my clothes fit the same, so I'm not sure how to take it...
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Thanksgiving countdown
I have a problem. I try multi-tasking too much, and then I get side tracked and start doing things I never meant to and don't always finish everything. So I always feel incomplete and unfinished because I don't just work on one or two things at a time. For instance, while I am blogging I am looking up Thanksgiving recipes, checking my email, reading the news, working on strategic plans for SOS and organizing my papers. I need to slow down.
I went in to AVEC today. One of the biggest problems is motivating the kids. AVEC is basically for all the kids kicked out of secondary school, or the dropouts. The IT class is very practical, for skills they can actually use in an office environment etc. But when attendance is less than 50%, teaching can be a little frustrating. Wish me luck with this TA and substitute assignment. On a brighter note, it's another resume building activity.
For Thanksgiving, we've already started our prep. It's going to be potluck style at Will's place, since he has an awesome backyard perfect for the occasion. I think Julie Ann, Will, Kelsey and me are the most excited. Julie Ann and Will want to have a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving =) There's going to be A LOT of food. I can't wait, 23 days and counting!
I went in to AVEC today. One of the biggest problems is motivating the kids. AVEC is basically for all the kids kicked out of secondary school, or the dropouts. The IT class is very practical, for skills they can actually use in an office environment etc. But when attendance is less than 50%, teaching can be a little frustrating. Wish me luck with this TA and substitute assignment. On a brighter note, it's another resume building activity.
For Thanksgiving, we've already started our prep. It's going to be potluck style at Will's place, since he has an awesome backyard perfect for the occasion. I think Julie Ann, Will, Kelsey and me are the most excited. Julie Ann and Will want to have a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving =) There's going to be A LOT of food. I can't wait, 23 days and counting!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Sprat Net
David, Julie Ann and I won the PDM competition so Dougie treated us to dinner at Sprat Net. We all ordered the lobster... I don't think I'm a huge fan. I like lobster meat in cakes,
wontons and bisque. But on it's own, I need more seasoning. But it was
still really good. And I absolutely LOVE Sprat Net. Awesome setting and the owners are super nice. Sophie/Amar I am totally taking you here when you come.
Julie Ann spent thursday night over at my place after dinner, so we stayed up pretty late talking which was really nice. I really wished we'd been placed on the same island =( Darn the disconnect between St. Kitts and Nevis.
Friday morning we went over to Kim and Geoff's and baked sugar cookies and cupcakes to decorate for the Halloween party Kim threw for the kids with disabilities on Saturday. I had wanted to stop by BUT the last minute community committee meeting with SOS ran a lot longer than I had anticipated and it was getting dark by the time I got on the bus so I just went straight to David and Ingrid's. They had everyone over for a Halloween game night and made some really good chili and garlic bread for everyone. They are the most awesome, gracious, generous hosts ever.
Moving on: I feel like I'm always busy but nothing is really happening. I don't know how I can have so much to do but not really be getting anything done. Everyone keeps saying to have patience and to take things slow. But that's another thing. Anyone that knows me, knows I am one of the most impatient people you will ever meet. I HATE waiting and I hate being late. I don't know how I've survived the bus system here so far. Or lack thereof. It's basically like the vans in Pakistan. There is no schedule, no bus stops. There are a few designated spots that the buses always go to, but you basically just flag a bus down when and where you see it. From town, they always wait till its completely full before leaving so you might be sitting and waiting on the bus for 45 minutes before it actually leaves. And they have this thing where they pull in and out honking the horn for quite a while before they leave, letting everyone know they are going to be leaving soon. But soon is a relative term.
Nothing happens when it rains. If you have a meeting, forget about it. And even if it's not raining, meetings are more likely than not to be 'postponed' for some reason or the other. Getting things done is pretty difficult. It's part of the extremely laid back attitude here. I'm already worried about how this is going to affect me when I come back home, readjusting to the fast-pace of life in the states is going to be really hard.
On a happier note, I really like my place and neighborhood and feel pretty well settled in here =)
Julie Ann spent thursday night over at my place after dinner, so we stayed up pretty late talking which was really nice. I really wished we'd been placed on the same island =( Darn the disconnect between St. Kitts and Nevis.
Friday morning we went over to Kim and Geoff's and baked sugar cookies and cupcakes to decorate for the Halloween party Kim threw for the kids with disabilities on Saturday. I had wanted to stop by BUT the last minute community committee meeting with SOS ran a lot longer than I had anticipated and it was getting dark by the time I got on the bus so I just went straight to David and Ingrid's. They had everyone over for a Halloween game night and made some really good chili and garlic bread for everyone. They are the most awesome, gracious, generous hosts ever.
Moving on: I feel like I'm always busy but nothing is really happening. I don't know how I can have so much to do but not really be getting anything done. Everyone keeps saying to have patience and to take things slow. But that's another thing. Anyone that knows me, knows I am one of the most impatient people you will ever meet. I HATE waiting and I hate being late. I don't know how I've survived the bus system here so far. Or lack thereof. It's basically like the vans in Pakistan. There is no schedule, no bus stops. There are a few designated spots that the buses always go to, but you basically just flag a bus down when and where you see it. From town, they always wait till its completely full before leaving so you might be sitting and waiting on the bus for 45 minutes before it actually leaves. And they have this thing where they pull in and out honking the horn for quite a while before they leave, letting everyone know they are going to be leaving soon. But soon is a relative term.
Nothing happens when it rains. If you have a meeting, forget about it. And even if it's not raining, meetings are more likely than not to be 'postponed' for some reason or the other. Getting things done is pretty difficult. It's part of the extremely laid back attitude here. I'm already worried about how this is going to affect me when I come back home, readjusting to the fast-pace of life in the states is going to be really hard.
On a happier note, I really like my place and neighborhood and feel pretty well settled in here =)
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
92-99 W
Today my kids went crazy. The boys got really jealous when I decided to spend lunch time reading with the girls. I literally had to lock them out of the library (which didn't stop them from banging the heck out of the doors). Needless to say, I was beyond pooped after the school day.
Then, during the Diabetes Association meeting, there were some students (our meetings are at the Nursing school) sitting together and the Azaan went off on this guy's laptop. Then him and the guys he was sitting with starting talking about the lakers. I was DYING to run over. Desi Muslims laker fans??? It was like dangling candy in front of a starving kid. But we had a potential sponsor/donor at our meeting and I couldn't exactly excuse myself so instead I had to bite my lip and sit through it. I was feeling really homesick, wishing I was sitting watching the game with Ali and Taha and Madina at his place, with some of Auntie's kabab's and some sheesha afterwards. Side note: super thanks (I don't think that's a real phrase) to Amar for finding me a site to watch the NBA games live!!! Seriously, who needs cable when you can watch EVERYTHING online? GO LAKERS! We won tonight, 92-99, btw =)
Today's SOS meeting had a presentation on "Budgeting, Savings and Debt Management”. It was interesting, and made me a little proud of myself. Even though I haven't had to pay an electricity bill yet, I've been making sure to unplug everything when it's not being used since it still drains power. I've been logging my expenses on an excel spread sheet so I know exactly where all my money is going. And I've just been careful about what I spend on. Not that I ever thought of myself as a frivolous spender, but I'm even more careful than I used to be. Not making much money will do that to you.
For some reason I agreed to go for walks at 5.30 am every morning with some of my neighbors. So I'm off to bed now.
Then, during the Diabetes Association meeting, there were some students (our meetings are at the Nursing school) sitting together and the Azaan went off on this guy's laptop. Then him and the guys he was sitting with starting talking about the lakers. I was DYING to run over. Desi Muslims laker fans??? It was like dangling candy in front of a starving kid. But we had a potential sponsor/donor at our meeting and I couldn't exactly excuse myself so instead I had to bite my lip and sit through it. I was feeling really homesick, wishing I was sitting watching the game with Ali and Taha and Madina at his place, with some of Auntie's kabab's and some sheesha afterwards. Side note: super thanks (I don't think that's a real phrase) to Amar for finding me a site to watch the NBA games live!!! Seriously, who needs cable when you can watch EVERYTHING online? GO LAKERS! We won tonight, 92-99, btw =)
Today's SOS meeting had a presentation on "Budgeting, Savings and Debt Management”. It was interesting, and made me a little proud of myself. Even though I haven't had to pay an electricity bill yet, I've been making sure to unplug everything when it's not being used since it still drains power. I've been logging my expenses on an excel spread sheet so I know exactly where all my money is going. And I've just been careful about what I spend on. Not that I ever thought of myself as a frivolous spender, but I'm even more careful than I used to be. Not making much money will do that to you.
For some reason I agreed to go for walks at 5.30 am every morning with some of my neighbors. So I'm off to bed now.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Settling In
I can't believe it's almost been a week since I moved into my own place here in Spooners. I kept meaning to update here with a video of the swearing in ceremony, but my computer and you tube just don't agree for some reason. So I put off posting cuz I thought I would just wait till I could figure it out. But that hasn't happened yet.
I have less of a regular schedule than I did during training, but that's fine with me. I can't believe I'm finally an official Peace Corps Volunteer, after SO long. And I'm loving it. I thought it would be really weird having my own place all to myself, cuz I've never lived completely on my own. I've always had roommates or lived at home. And everyone knows how I hate doing things alone. But I actually really like it. And I don't really feel alone because I've been busy. I actually am still waiting for a day to just chill at home and not do anything.
Here's some pictures of the my house, backyard, view, and neighborhood. There's some green onions, basil, chives (or Max- the caretaker just keeps saying herbs), soursop, sugar apple, breadfruit, passion fruit (SO excited about those) and some other fruit either in my back yard or next door. I'll take pictures of the inside and post those once I have set up a little more.
I moved in on Saturday. I have dealt with a few roaches (killed a couple too, I'm learning), and there was a frog in my kitchen last night. I've bought some household items to set up (necessities like a FAN, can't live without one here). I've been around the neighborhood and have been getting to know more people. I'm starting to feel a lot more comfortable about Spooners than before. Everyone has told me that as a single girl living on her own, Cayon isn't the best place. Actually, most people have had very harsh reactions. But Spooners is tucked away uphill and it's so communal. Everyone seems to look out for you, and I've been really careful. If I've ever taken the bus at night I just pay that extra dollar for them to drop me at my door instead, and the bus driver's are really awesome. A couple of them take me up to my house without charging extra.
My neighbor, Brenda, is really sweet. She's already had a sample of my baking because I didn't have gas until this morning (that was THE hardest part). So I had to go over to her house to bake for the SOS bonfire last week. Which was a lot of fun. I invited Tiffany and Will to join, and Alisa and Kelsey came too so it was kind of nice to have my PC people there too. I really want Will to meet locals our age, and I don't think he's going to meet a lot working at Saddler's Primary so I hope he comes to more of our events. I'm not worried about Tiffany meeting people, she's already fitting right in here. And it's always a good thing to have more participation in my organization. Yes, I just called it 'mine'.
There's been a lot of different projects and meetings and ideas floating around along with socializing and integrating this past week, I don't think I'll be able to fill you in on everything. So I'll just leave off at I will post more pictures and hopefully everything from swearing in soon.
I have less of a regular schedule than I did during training, but that's fine with me. I can't believe I'm finally an official Peace Corps Volunteer, after SO long. And I'm loving it. I thought it would be really weird having my own place all to myself, cuz I've never lived completely on my own. I've always had roommates or lived at home. And everyone knows how I hate doing things alone. But I actually really like it. And I don't really feel alone because I've been busy. I actually am still waiting for a day to just chill at home and not do anything.
I moved in on Saturday. I have dealt with a few roaches (killed a couple too, I'm learning), and there was a frog in my kitchen last night. I've bought some household items to set up (necessities like a FAN, can't live without one here). I've been around the neighborhood and have been getting to know more people. I'm starting to feel a lot more comfortable about Spooners than before. Everyone has told me that as a single girl living on her own, Cayon isn't the best place. Actually, most people have had very harsh reactions. But Spooners is tucked away uphill and it's so communal. Everyone seems to look out for you, and I've been really careful. If I've ever taken the bus at night I just pay that extra dollar for them to drop me at my door instead, and the bus driver's are really awesome. A couple of them take me up to my house without charging extra.
My neighbor, Brenda, is really sweet. She's already had a sample of my baking because I didn't have gas until this morning (that was THE hardest part). So I had to go over to her house to bake for the SOS bonfire last week. Which was a lot of fun. I invited Tiffany and Will to join, and Alisa and Kelsey came too so it was kind of nice to have my PC people there too. I really want Will to meet locals our age, and I don't think he's going to meet a lot working at Saddler's Primary so I hope he comes to more of our events. I'm not worried about Tiffany meeting people, she's already fitting right in here. And it's always a good thing to have more participation in my organization. Yes, I just called it 'mine'.
There's been a lot of different projects and meetings and ideas floating around along with socializing and integrating this past week, I don't think I'll be able to fill you in on everything. So I'll just leave off at I will post more pictures and hopefully everything from swearing in soon.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Light at the end of the tunnel
Even though I've been loving everything so far, I can't wait for training to be over and to be officially sworn in and to finally stop moving and be in my own place. To know I won't have to move again for a whole two years (longer than I've stayed put in one place for a while now).
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Almost
I guess this is weird, but the one thing I really miss is physical contact. I haven’t gotten a real hug in a long time and I really miss it. In my family, I am the one who likes her personal space the most. But maybe because the rest of my family is SO huggy kissy, I’ve gotten used to it. And I miss it. More than I crave certain foods, or cool weather; I miss putting my head in Erum’s lap as we watch a movie, cuddling with Mommy, and the big bear hug dances with Sophie.
Monday I went to the launch of the OECS’s EU treaty with Mavis and Margo (our country director) and two other volunteers. Everything here has a launch first: a big show of important people with speeches. The Prime Minister and the Governor General were both there. It was interesting.
Tuesday was busy:
1) Remedial reading with the boys at Cayon Primary. I had a surprise visit from Francil (our PC school trainer) and apparently he was very impressed with my lesson and went back and reported to Mavis and Margo and told everyone on Friday, which made me smile.
2) Meeting with the head of AVEC, the vocational school in Basseterre. He wants me to help with the basic IT training class as a teacher's assistant and substitute. Not sure if I'm going to have the time for that sort of commitment, but I'm sitting in on a class next week to see if I can help out (I'm learning to be non-committal, still working on how to say no)
3) Weekly Diabetes Association meeting
4) Weekly SOS board meeting which ended around 8.30-9.00 yet I didn't get home till after 10.30 pm
Wednesday was my interview with Mavis. She’s apparently very happy with how I’m doing. I was telling her how happy I am working with SOS because I really like all the people I’ve met so far and how they’re an awesome group. Then I went on about how great everyone at the diabetes association is too. So she was like I don’t think it’s the groups you’re working with, I think it’s you. That was really nice =)
Thursday I spent the day visiting schools on the island with Mr. Bailey. We visit 5 schools that received books from For Granted (my old boss) and see how they were being utilized. One classroom had the kids reading while the teacher graded and it was adorable how they poured over the pages, trying not to let a single word or picture escape. What I came away with at the end of the day is how amazing it is that the simplest of things in life make all the difference.
Friday we lost another one of our volunteers. Evelyn, our oldest volunteer in her 70’s, decided that she wanted to go back home. We are all proud of her for making it this far and following her dream instead of being one of those people that sits at home saying ‘I would love to do that’. The swearing in ceremony is going to be bittersweet without three of our original members. I told Julie-Ann I would cry if she left. They’ll have to pry us both away after all that we’ve been through to get here.
Went to our first hash Saturday. Hash House Harriers, drinkers with a running problem. It was a lot of fun. Eddie stuck with me the whole time, we weren’t the last but we weren’t the first either. I think he slowed down a lot for me. Afterwards the people who set the trail had to sit in an ice bucket, and guzzle down their beer in one go while we all chanted down down down… whatever you didn’t finish you had to pour on your head. Then they called on all us ‘virgin hashers’. Geoff made sure to grab my purse before pushing me in, which made me think oh crap. We were baptized. In beer. It was hilarious. They made us get on our knees, and say our name real loud and poured beer on our heads and made us down our drinks. I tried with water but couldn’t finish it. I held my breath to make sure I didn’t swallow any but this is the most contact I’ve ever had with beer. It stings your eyes! Patty claims its good for your hair. Tiff, Will, Eddie (Eddie from SOS not Tiff’s) went to a pub in Cayon to try and catch the Cal-USC game but they only play east coast games here =( not cute. We stank like beer the whole night.
Sunday I went to a kid’s 2nd birthday party. There were jumping castles (that I was SO tempted to jump into), a guy making animal balloons, some face painters (I had, you guessed it, a penguin painted on my arm!) a piñata, some local street performer type dancers and A LOT of food. Oh I also saw a bunch of monkeys today =( Granny showed me her daughter’s restaurant out in Frigate and then was showing me her house and some of her other friends places, and there were three monkeys just liming like they owned the place. For the fact that I’ve been here six weeks I’ve done pretty well. Only 5 monkeys so far. Yes I’m counting. Don’t judge.
Side note: sorry these posts have ended up being insanely long, but that's what happens when you don't have regular internet access to be able to post more regularly. 12 days to move in day!
Monday I went to the launch of the OECS’s EU treaty with Mavis and Margo (our country director) and two other volunteers. Everything here has a launch first: a big show of important people with speeches. The Prime Minister and the Governor General were both there. It was interesting.
Tuesday was busy:
1) Remedial reading with the boys at Cayon Primary. I had a surprise visit from Francil (our PC school trainer) and apparently he was very impressed with my lesson and went back and reported to Mavis and Margo and told everyone on Friday, which made me smile.
2) Meeting with the head of AVEC, the vocational school in Basseterre. He wants me to help with the basic IT training class as a teacher's assistant and substitute. Not sure if I'm going to have the time for that sort of commitment, but I'm sitting in on a class next week to see if I can help out (I'm learning to be non-committal, still working on how to say no)
3) Weekly Diabetes Association meeting
4) Weekly SOS board meeting which ended around 8.30-9.00 yet I didn't get home till after 10.30 pm
Wednesday was my interview with Mavis. She’s apparently very happy with how I’m doing. I was telling her how happy I am working with SOS because I really like all the people I’ve met so far and how they’re an awesome group. Then I went on about how great everyone at the diabetes association is too. So she was like I don’t think it’s the groups you’re working with, I think it’s you. That was really nice =)
Thursday I spent the day visiting schools on the island with Mr. Bailey. We visit 5 schools that received books from For Granted (my old boss) and see how they were being utilized. One classroom had the kids reading while the teacher graded and it was adorable how they poured over the pages, trying not to let a single word or picture escape. What I came away with at the end of the day is how amazing it is that the simplest of things in life make all the difference.
Friday we lost another one of our volunteers. Evelyn, our oldest volunteer in her 70’s, decided that she wanted to go back home. We are all proud of her for making it this far and following her dream instead of being one of those people that sits at home saying ‘I would love to do that’. The swearing in ceremony is going to be bittersweet without three of our original members. I told Julie-Ann I would cry if she left. They’ll have to pry us both away after all that we’ve been through to get here.
Went to our first hash Saturday. Hash House Harriers, drinkers with a running problem. It was a lot of fun. Eddie stuck with me the whole time, we weren’t the last but we weren’t the first either. I think he slowed down a lot for me. Afterwards the people who set the trail had to sit in an ice bucket, and guzzle down their beer in one go while we all chanted down down down… whatever you didn’t finish you had to pour on your head. Then they called on all us ‘virgin hashers’. Geoff made sure to grab my purse before pushing me in, which made me think oh crap. We were baptized. In beer. It was hilarious. They made us get on our knees, and say our name real loud and poured beer on our heads and made us down our drinks. I tried with water but couldn’t finish it. I held my breath to make sure I didn’t swallow any but this is the most contact I’ve ever had with beer. It stings your eyes! Patty claims its good for your hair. Tiff, Will, Eddie (Eddie from SOS not Tiff’s) went to a pub in Cayon to try and catch the Cal-USC game but they only play east coast games here =( not cute. We stank like beer the whole night.
Sunday I went to a kid’s 2nd birthday party. There were jumping castles (that I was SO tempted to jump into), a guy making animal balloons, some face painters (I had, you guessed it, a penguin painted on my arm!) a piñata, some local street performer type dancers and A LOT of food. Oh I also saw a bunch of monkeys today =( Granny showed me her daughter’s restaurant out in Frigate and then was showing me her house and some of her other friends places, and there were three monkeys just liming like they owned the place. For the fact that I’ve been here six weeks I’ve done pretty well. Only 5 monkeys so far. Yes I’m counting. Don’t judge.
Side note: sorry these posts have ended up being insanely long, but that's what happens when you don't have regular internet access to be able to post more regularly. 12 days to move in day!
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