The Realities of Life

The concept of life is one of such unknown amounts. How much does one life really mean? Do we really know how much one person impacts the world? Is everyone just a puzzle piece in the life puzzle? Or are we just creatures that exist on the same planet and will be forgotten once we leave this place and generations continue?

The definition of life and its importance is really weighing heavy on my mind today. I cant possibly put a value on someones life or even begin to justify if one is more valuable then the other. I'm a firm believer that every person has their specific role in this world, whether it be deemed less valuable then the next. Whether you are fulfilling that role or not cant be determined though. Is it really my role to be in a 3rd world country helping less fortunate people? Or am i being selfish and doing what I want to do? Who determines these things? Whether you believe in a higher power or not, i think its an important thing to really sit down and think about. Are you fulfilling your role in this world?



Now the reason life is weighing hard on my mind today is because of an event that happened over the weekend here in Grenada. Now let me attach a disclaimer: Crime rates here in Grenada are VERY low, much lower then even the community i live in back home. Petty thefts are about the only real crimes here. But over the weekend one of the most brutal crimes happened in the north part of the island. A man went crazy (no other way to put it) and decapitated two of his friends with a machete. Now i wish the story ended here but it didn't, as he decided to place the heads of these two men in a bucket and drive down to the police station to turn them in. Whats the point of turning them in you ask? No answer, but it caused havoc in the small village as the news spread that they actually had to board up the police station.

Today its constant conversation about the motive of this man who cruelly beheaded his friends for no apparent reason. And what makes this story even more personal is one of the men who was beheaded actually assisted in one of our training sessions during Pre-Service Training. We were learning about community calendars and how to better plan events around certain times of the year, and Clyde was asked to come speak on behalf of the lives of farmers and how they plan their years. He was so insightful and helpful with our learning process. Many of the other volunteers had never been around real farms (damn town folks), so what Clyde had to say was absorbed into our brains in the "important" files. He had actually invited us to his farm to explore the operation of a small farm. We were so excited about the offer and were organizing when we could all go. I was familiar with Clyde because he sold his produce in the market on Fridays and Saturdays. He would always yell "Hey Peace Corps!" as i walked by, no need to know my name. haha. He had the greatest smile every Friday and seemed to be so passionate about his farm.

Though I only knew Clyde for a short time, i loved his spirit and the passion he brought when talking about farming. Here is to you Clyde...RIP.

Here is the link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36946838/

Sick Day

I thought i had escaped the seasonal allergy sickness when i moved to a more stable environment, but i guess i was wrong. I woke up Saturday morning sneezing my brains out, and i just knew what was coming. After a day of runny nose symptoms and constant sneezing i scavenged through our handy Peace Corps medical kit and took just about everything i could. Sunday I woke up and was even more sick, as it had moved down into my chest, which isn't good for an asthmatic. I was determined to go to work today but as i woke up this morning with a temperature of 100, i knew i wasn't going to make it. I peeled myself out of bed this morning long enough to go to the pharmacy in town and get some over the counter medicine, so hopefully it will help a bit.

Until then i thought i would update everyone on my adventures of this weekend. As not many know, this weekend was Grenada's Labor Day, so festivities were in full force. Friday we had a little lime at our favorite place called the Creole Shack. They have a great patio that overlooks the port where the cruise ships come in and the perfect place to watch the sunset. We lost track of time in our story telling adventures and didn't realize we had missed the bus back to our village. THANKFULLY we caught the very last bus headed that way and jumped into a cramped van. Ive never seen a public transit bus pull over for a potty break, but that night it happened.

Saturday a group of volunteers and some local friends of ours headed up to Grand Etang lake. Its way up in the mountains and the temperature drops about 15 degrees once you are up there. We met other people that were part of the Bus Association and they were so welcoming to us. They even showed us step by step how to make the national dish of Grenada, Oildown. It was quite the process to watch and we were all excited to be a part of it. They also had fish soup and mannish waters. If you don't know what mannish waters is, look it up, you will be surprised. haha. Hint: Every part of the animal that Americans wouldn't eat, including testicles, is in this soup.

It was an all day event at Grand Etang lake even when it started to down pour, but i think i speak for the group in saying we had a great time and met some awesome guys who were so open to us being there. Upon leaving we headed to Sauters up in the north part of the island for a teachers union party. When the boys told us we were headed to a teachers party i giggled at the thought, but it turned out to be so much fun. Now spare the judgements, but the party was at a primary school. They simply moved the desks out in the yard, opened up the chalkboard partitions and set up a DJ booth. I got my first real insight into Grenadian dancing. Its gonna take some getting used to for sure. We left the party around midnight and ventured back in the dump truck to my village where i was so ready for bed.

It was a successful weekend filled with good laughs, great people and a not so good cold. Hopefully i can kick this thing so i can get back to work.

I SURVIVED!!!!

Yesterday was my first big event with the YWCA of Grenada and i think it went as well as expected. For such a small organization we really put on quite the big show. We held a Leadership Training for secondary students throughout the island. Secondary students here are what we consider Jr High-High School age kids in the States. Often times people are so focused on the at risk kids that they forget to honor the achieving kids, so our focus yesterday was letting the high achieving kids know just how great they are doing.

We had facilitators on topics such as conflict resolution, teamwork, self-esteem and moral/social values. Though i wish that it could of been more interactive, the speakers overall were very good. I got the chance to meet the oldest YWCA member on island, who has been a member for over 45 years. I wished i had more time to speak with her to hear some great stories of how the Y originated and such. Maybe i will get the chance later on in my service.

After a long day of organizing, stressing and finally finishing it felt good to come home and know i had accomplished my first of many tasks.

I thought today would be a fairly quiet day around the Y since we had just put on a big event, but what was i thinking? haha. We had our annual office cleaning today. We rearranged things, deep cleaned and even found some fun crafts. I saw a computer box in the corner while cleaning and asked if there was a computer in it. My counterpart told me it had been sitting there for months because no one knew how to put it together. Mack to the rescue! Little plug here, little switch here and BAM, we have a brand new computer to use! yay!

Side note: Ive been hearing from people via email that are interested in joining the Peace Corps and stumbled upon my blog. Its nice to know my blog has some positive influence! :)


YWCA Volunteers

Group picture with their shirts

Realization

I go to my community primary school called St. Paul's Government on Tuesdays. I work with a first grade class of about 30 kids. I knew i was in the right place when locals informed me its the loudest school on island. I've grown really attached to my kids there and cant wait til Tuesday comes every week. But today something happened that made me take a step back and realize what i was here for.

I was sitting in the back of the class as the teacher was collecting lunch money, getting the kids settled and seeing if everyone showed up today. Its not unusual for kids to only come to school 3-4 times a week and lateness is pretty typical. But today it was around 9:30 as one of my students comes straggling in late since school started an hour ago. She was wearing two different shoes, had holes in her white knee high socks, her skirt was dirty and her white shirt was stained with yesterdays lunch. She had this look of shame on her face as Ms. Mitchell walked to the back of the class to speak to her. They were mumbling back and forth to each other so i couldn't make out what was said, but Ms. Mitchell caught my eye and i could see there was a story behind this.

When the bell rang for break about 10:30 I approached Ms. Mitchell to get some explanation as to what this little girls story was. She informed me that this precious little girl has an older sister and brother, both who attend St. Paul's Govt. They are currently homeless, as the dad and mom recently lost their jobs. They are currently sleeping on the beach and have only their school uniforms as clothes. The only meal she and her siblings eat is the free lunch the school gives them everyday, typically some rice and a piece of chicken. My heart was in shatters as Ms. Mitchell was telling me this students story, i had to do something. So as the mid morning break bell rang i called this little girl over and asked if she had a snack for break, even though i knew the answer. I knew i had 5 dollars in my bag, 2.50 of it to get home, but at this point i didn't care, this little girl hadn't ate in over 24 hours. I took her down to the Greens where vendors set up to let the kids buy snacks and let her pick out everything she could buy for 5 bucks. She was in heaven. She looked up and said "Thank you miss, my stomach has been growling since last night," then ran off to play with her friends.

It was this small moment that made me realize just how much i take for granted. As i return to my village and my nice little apartment, she and her family search for food and a place to sleep. Why do i deserve this apartment? I don't.

One positive thing i learned at school today though is that the quickest way to a kids heart is through a digital camera. I busted it out during break and got some hilarious photos. After they pose for the camera its always "let me see it, let me see it!" They LOVE to see themselves on the camera. I'm going to find a way to print them off so i can put them up in the classroom. Here were the results:

Turtle Watching and Enchiladas

When arriving on island and getting the chance to meet some awesome locals I have heard many times that I needed to go see the sea turtles, and last night i FINALLY got that chance. I will recap the night for you:

Ten of us piled into a bus and took the hour long ride up to Sauters, a rural area on the north tip of the island. Now i know what your thinking, the island is only 20 miles tall and it took us an hour to get there? Yes, it did. Welcome to 180 degree turns on the sides of cliffs. :) We arrived in Sauters where one of the volunteers lives. We have 4 and a half vegatarians with us, so we typically eat alot of veggie stuff which is totally ok with me, but when i heard Jacq say she was making us enchiladas for supper i knew i was in for a treat. Im used to the fabulous Del Rio beef enchiladas that make my mouth water, but we have two Mexicans in our group, so i knew they would put up a fight. We feasted like kings and queens off black bean enchiladas, hummus and veggies, salsa and MAYBE a little rum. As Peace Corps volunteers it comes natural to make due with what we have, so when there was only 5 forks and 7 plates for 12 people in all...we busted out the wooden spoons and pan lids...of course for the males! It was delicious!!!

After supper we decided to head to Levera Beach where the turtle watching takes place. Every year in April the sea turtles of the Caribbean Sea come ashore to lay bury their eggs in the sand so that 70-90 days later they will hatch and new little turtles will join the great big sea. This is one of the most amazing things i have ever seen...hands down. These massive creatures venture so far out of their homes to come ashore and lay anywhere from 90-130 eggs. We got to see the momma dig her hole 4 ft in the sand and then for over 45 minutes labor out over 100 eggs, then bury the sand over them and decend back into the ocean. It was incredible to watch these giant creatures gasp and dig all while tons of people were watching them and researchers were helping.

Turtle watching is hands down one of the things i suggest everyone to see in their lifetime. It puts into perspective just how amazing our marine life is and how much we must protect it.

Tomorrow our EC 81 group is participating in the Diabetes Foundation "Pump It Up" walk across town. Im excited to get out into the public for a good cause!

Caribbean Sunset

I don't think there is a better place in the world to enjoy a sunset then in Grenada. We have some of the best beaches in the world, but i can promise we have the most beautiful sunset of them all. Its crazy that i was given the opporotunity to serve my country, serve the people of Grenada, and see this sunset...

So truthful of the Situation

Found this on a fellow PCVs blog from Tonga. Thought it was fitting for the situation of many Peace Corps volunteers who serve so selflessly. Its the little things we do to help people that bring us the most satisfaction. We are striving to make leeps of change, we are living everyday for the little moments that make us realize why we chose this path in life. So here is to all the PCVs serving proudly for the little moments of gratitude:



"If you have food in the fridge, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank and spare change somewhere, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy. Oh, and if you can read this you are more blessed than more than two billion people in the world who cannot read. "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -Mark Twain