She Will Succeed

The future was uncertain after the family fell apart. Where would she go? How would she support these kids? Questions flooded her brain but one thing was certain: She will succeed.

The kids are in school and making friends. Ranch style house in a small Kansas town. They seem to be adjusting well, but she hides the real struggle from them, for they deserve to be kids. She will succeed.

She was given the opportunity to start her career, yet still no idea what tomorrow brings. All she knows is this job can pay the bills. Determination. Long hours at work, nights spent at the soccer field watching her girls. Their journey begins to blossom as The Garst Girls. She will succeed.

Hard work. Compassion. Strength. Her boss sees it all. Her big break comes just when she least expects it. This opportunity can't be passed up. They start packing. Determined to find a better life in Missouri, She will succeed.

The girls have one request: A two story house. No longer that cute ranch style home, but a beautiful country-like house sits in a sub-division, just waiting for a new family. She knows its the house to raise her girls in, it has to be theirs. She will succeed.

They love it. The dinosaur wallpaper, pink flowered bathroom, little girls room. It can become theirs with a little paint. They see their future here. She smiles with happiness, she knows she will succeed.

Softball games, hot summer nights, fireworks, halloween costumes, PTA meetings, school fairs, Christmas parties, swim lessons, basketball practice, vacations, report cards and teacher conferences. She doesn't miss a beat, dedicated to her girls. She doesn't yet realize what she is teaching them yet, but they will realize one day. She will succeed.

17 years that company gave her. She raised her kids, traveled the country, sent both girls to college, made a house a home, earned her retirement, found her passion. And then it was gone. Recession hit, company closed, unemployment came. Determined, she would not return to the life she came from years ago. She fought, held back tears, struggled, reevaluated, persevered....succeeded.

The recession would not take the house she made a home, the kids she grew up, the dogs she raised, the life she built, the community she loves. Interview after interview, she wouldn't give up. Her children watched as she put on a smile, told them it would all be ok, taught them to appreciate and always look to the future. She will succeed.

Opportunity came knocking and life was back on track. She was doing what she loved, helping people manage their money. She never met a stranger, but always found new friends. Loyal to her employees, called them her friends. She would give to anyone that was in need. Life was back on track, she was doing what she does best. She will succeed.

Two years later, her world shakes again. Unexpectedly. She learns that sometimes bad things happen to good people. She was loyal to those employees, while they shit on her. Corporate world is a mean place for a woman of passion, dignity and respect. Yet, she will succeed.

She gathers her things, not knowing what the future holds. Her children seem more upset than she is willing to show. She knows what their thinking, but reassures them they have been through this before. She makes her phone calls, emails her contacts, gets a job interview the next day. She is determined. She will succeed.

She is my mother, my hero, and she will succeed.

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

Black Eye, Bloody Nose.......Hopeless

She stood no chance. He was 6'5, muscular and determined. She withered away with each punch. Like a flower with no sunlight. She was barely 5 feet tall, a beautiful small face. But today this face was smeared with blood, from the man she claims to love.

They have a child together she kept telling me. She deserved the punches he continued to give her over and over, in the middle of the road. At least that's what she thought. With each blow to the face she received, I saw her soul disappearing. How can a society accept the insult on their own people? So many people just stood around and watched the events unravel, no one willing to help.

I couldn't watch anymore. I was sick to my stomach as I watched her helplessly try to escape his grip. Screaming profanities, slapping, hitting, kicking, more screaming, and then the tears. She was helpless, and I was determined. Maybe pissed off is the word. Angry might be a better one. Sad says it too.

The police were called. I think they only listened because I was a foreigner. "Be right there" meant 15 minutes or more. The station is 1/4 a mile away. The fighting continues. I'm not sure I can hold this man off of her much longer. I'm hoping the police can.

"What is the description of the man miss?" The officer had no idea he had just drove right past the brawling couple. No one in the police car was in uniform. Is this real? He turned around and promised to speak with the couple.

Shock. Disappointment. Anger.

"I can't do anything Ms.Garst, the woman states she doesn't want to press charges"

EXCUSE ME?!?!

The officer has no knowledge of the recent Domestic Violence Protocol that was signed into law just one month ago, almost to the day. His job is to ensure the safety of the public right? Leaving the parties together isn't fulfilling his first commitment. The law requires him to make an arrest.

Lack of response. Ignorance. Ego. Distaste. He doesn't care.

He says he will offer the woman a ride home. It's all he can do. Bullshit.

I watch him get in his police cruiser. He promised me he would stop and offer the girl a ride home. Drove right past them. Never even braking.

And the cycle continues. Domestic Violence. Lack of support from police. More dead women. Men running free. A culture of violence. Progress stalled.

Last Day of School

The school year in Grenada spans from early September to early July, giving the students a couple months of summer break. This week marked the last full week of school for the students, thank God! With Carnival activities slowly kicking in gear, the students have been full of energy and lacking focus to accomplish any substantial learning. We completed our end of the year testing late last week, so this week has been a free for all. Yesterday the teachers decided to make a movie day for the kids, since it was raining heavily and we surely weren't going to learn anything new. The kids got the chance to watch all three of the Lion King movies, which I might of been more excited about than them, oh well. I didn't realize how much Lion King shows revenge tactics. Booooo Lion King. Anyways, here are some pictures to wrap up the school year. I'm surely going to miss these kids.

 Shiniah and Shamika can't wait for school to be finished either.

 If it were Kaylah's choice, she would be by my side all day. She informed me yesterday "Miss, you can't go back to America, because then I can't sharpen my pencil". Smart little girl she is. 

 Mr. Caden came to visit yesterday too. He is the nephew of my counterpart and the cutest little thing. 

 Movie theater, Grenada style. After some tweaking, we got the computer speakers to project the sound just like a theater.

 "Where is my snack, I'm hungry"

 "I'm not really interested in this movie, can't I just sleep?"

 Last day of school calls for some silliness. Or maybe that's everyday. Either way.

YIPPIE!!!!! Last day of school!!!!!!

Happy 4th and Random Thoughts

I hope all of my American friends had an enjoyable Independence Day. I have to say I was quite down in the dumps the entire day because the 4th is one of my favvvvvvvvvorite holidays. It ranks up there with Halloween. But, thankfully the world gave me a sinus infection/head cold to keep me in bed all day yesterday and today, not allowing my mind to wander to hotdogs, beer and blowing shit up. The world works in mysterious ways huh?

Since I'm currently overdosing on vitamins, eating every pill in the Peace Corps med kit and blowing my nose constantly, I have found some time to catch up on some good ole reading on my new Kindle (thanks mom!). That thing is so cool. I feel like the cold meds are talking on this post, you agree? ok whatever.

Casey Anthony??? Seriously....what. the. hell. Apparently we can all just dispose of our children if we want to party instead, ask some camera crews to film the whole thing and then get off free of charge. Shame on the justice system.

Ok, thats all. Hope you all are having a great week. Send your positive thoughts my way, I need them to fight this wicked cold.

Peace.