Letter to a Thief

Dear Sticky Fingers,

Yesterday you decided to break my heart. You probably don't even realize the extent of the damage you just caused because you are busy enjoying the adrenaline of getting away with stealing. The sad truth is though, you didn't steal just from me. One hundred other students are sad now too.

Sir/Miss, I understand our economy is bad right now and many families are making bad decisions in order to feed their families. You are probably the same person that continues to steal our schools chickens, cabbage and corn from the garden. I can understand stealing those things as a way to survive, but what did you need with the 6 gallons of paint and 20 paint brushes?

My students asked me everyday about that mural I was painting. They were excited to see the fish, sea horse, sharks and octopus going up day by day. I turned those opportunities into learning moments, teaching them all about life underwater. Maybe you are one of my students, or maybe you aren't, but either way I know you knew I was painting for the kids.

Did you also know I was less than 6 hours away from completing that project? I started it back in January, with hopes of completing it before the children returned to school in September. The students knew this too, and were so eager to see it complete. What shall I do now that you stole all my paint?

I'm struggling to find compassion in my heart for you. I'm such a forgiving person. But I don't see the urgent need for 6 gallons of brightly colored paint. I will continue to think positive thoughts though, because I have faith that you will see your wrong doings, whether it be tomorrow or next year.

I raised that money myself through generous donations from friends and family. Now you force me to tell them what happened. I don't doubt they will rally around my school to help finish the project you cut short. Maybe someday we could teach you about giving back to others.

I don't condone your actions and hope you realize the impact you have on St. Paul's Government School and the 100+ students who were so ready to see that mural complete. By the way...did you see the mural as you left? It's nice isn't it?

Disappointed,

Mackenzie

We started with a blank slate

And were so close to completion...

So, so close to completion...

Chicken Avocado Pizza

I often times have alot of extra time on my hands, especially now since school is out of session and my counterpart is off island. As many know, I am obsessed with the news and blog world, but after reading up on all my necessary materials, I got bored. So...I decided to look for some new recipes to try. Since being in Grenada I have found myself becoming quite the little chemist in the kitchen. And by chemist I mean opening the cabinet, seeing that I only have ramen noodles, spices and soya, throwing it together and somehow making a new recipe. Hey, it works sometimes!

This week I received a new recipe in my email from Allrecipes.com titled "Chicken Avocado Pizza". How could you not check that recipe out? Luckily, avocados (called pears here in Grenada), are currently in season and very plentiful. The avocados in Grenada are a bit different than the ones we see in the States. They are much larger, about 3 times the average size, have a green outside (that turns purple when ripe) and taste a bit sweeter than the typical avocado. I personally LOVE them, but others say they don't enjoy the sweetness as much.

Another volunteer and I set out to experiment with this recipe as a way to mix things up a bit. After going to two grocery stores and the market, we found the necessary ingredients for this pizza. What ever happened to a Walmart? gosh!

The pizza turned out better than ever, but I suggest eating the entire pizza (yep, I said it) in the first sitting, as it doesn't heat up very well the second go around.

Ingredients:

• 2 avocados - peeled, pitted and diced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, or to taste
• salt to taste
• 1 clove garlic, peeled
• pizza crust (2 cups flour, tsp salt, tsp sugar, tsp oil, tbsp yeast)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chopped cooked chicken breast meat
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered (we diced tomatoes)
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (we used Mozzarella)
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper

Directions:
1. Make pizza dough and bake til almost fully done.
2. Mash avocado in a bowl. Add garlic, cilantro, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper and lime juice.
3. Spread mixture on pizza crust evenly.
4. Cook chicken til almost done. The chicken will cook fully when in the oven.
5. Add onto the pizza.
6. Top with cheese evenly.
7. Brush crust with olive oil for a nice golden brown color.
8. Bake on 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
9. ENJOY!!!!!!

Just a Thought

"Few men and willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet, it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change the world which yields most painfully to change." 

--Robert Kennedy