Funny Ink

"Miss...you have something on your ankle and foot"
"Yes, that's called a tattoo, big people sometimes have them"
"Well that must just be white people"
"No honey, lots of people have them"
"No miss, we only color pictures here, not our skin"

Gotta love Grenadian children. This was the conversation i had with a little girl about 8 years old today. She was very confused how there was a tattoo on my ankle and foot and that it didn't come off ever. Tattoos are slowly reaching Grenada, but they are still very unknown to young children and some adults. I can usually hide the foot tattoo but the ankle tattoo is sometimes hard to cover up, so I've gotten used to the curious stare.

Grenadians have picked up on alot of the American culture and are always looking for ways to be a little like Americans but keep true to their Caribbean roots. I appreciate locals who can have an intelligent conversation about American culture but truly appreciate their own Grenadian background. I find such innocence in people who aren't accustomed to seeing tattoos on people. Its nice that some of Americans crazy ways have stayed far from Grenada and that we haven't warped the whole world into our thinkings. I am really learning to love Caribbean culture and the simple things that the people here enjoy, like sitting on the veranda enjoying the sunset, sharing fruits vegetables with neighbors and conversations about life. Many times i find myself reminiscing on all the time i spent in "autopilot" back in the States. Just living workday to workday and never really sitting down to appreciate what i have, stressing over the next material thing i could buy, or constantly on my phone. Those things aren't important here and i find such harmony in knowing that i can enjoy my dinner on my veranda while talking to my neighbor about Grenadian culture.

This truly is the life...I'm so blessed...

Hashing

I thought i would try to explain my adventure this weekend, but i find that Wikipedia would do it much better. I went to my first official Hash this last weekend and it was one of the hardest things i have done thus far in Grenada.

At a Hash, one or more members (Hares) lay a trail, which is then followed by the remainder of the group (the Pack or Hounds). The trail often includes false trails, short cuts, dead ends, and splits. These features are designed to keep the pack together regardless of fitness level or running speed, as front-runners are forced to slow down to find the "true" trail, allowing stragglers to catch up.

Members often describe their group as "a drinking club with a running problem," indicating that the social element of an event is as important, if not more so, than any athleticism involved. Beer remains an integral part of a Hash, though the balance between running and drinking differs between kennels, with some groups placing more focus on socializing and others on running.


This weekend was Grenada's 650th Hash and was met with a record number of people, somewhere around 300 people. We started out on a paved road for about 20 minutes and i thought to myself "this cant be that bad". Then as we started to get off the paved road and climb the mountain and realized that i wasn't ready for this type of physical activity. The other volunteers had been doing these hashes twice a month since we got here, but i knew i needed to lose weight before i would even consider it.


Well...27 pounds down and i still struggled up that mountain. We climbed around 1300 feet up the mountain and at the top were met by the organizers and a cooler of ice cold Carib, our national beer. Although I never seem to be able to turn down a beer, i gladly gave mine to another volunteer while i chugged the last remaining drops of my water. I felt extremely accomplished as i reached the top and was ready to descend back down the mountain, since down has to be much easier then up right? WRONG!!!! The way down was much harder then the way up, as the slope was more steep, the path less cleared and the ground totally muddy. As many who know me understand, clean shoes to me are mandatory. My poor shoes were covered in mud, along with most of the rest of my clothes and body.



After skiing down the mountain part of the way i finally reached the end where more
cold refreshments were waiting and felt really good about myself. Although I'm so sore i can barely climb the stairs to my apartment, i enjoyed the experience and might consider going again. Grenada hiking is BEAU-tiful.

I believe...

Found this awesome poem thingy online, thought Id share. ENJOY!



I Believe...

That just because two people argue,
It doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue,
It doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if
We understand that friends change.

I Believe....
That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.

Same goes for true love.

I Believe....
That you can do something in an instant
That will give you heartache for life..

I Believe...
That it's taking me a long time
To become the person I want to be. (I totally relate to this one)

I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones with
Loving words. It may be the last time you see them..

I Believe...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe...
That we are responsible for what
We do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe....
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe...
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe...
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe...
That my best friend and I, can do anything, or nothing and have the best time.

I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you When you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up..

I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry,
But that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe...
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had
And what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated. (which explains my short 22 years of life)

I Believe...
That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe...
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are,
But, we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager to find
Out a secret. It could change your life Forever.

I Believe...
Two people can look at the exact same
Thing and see something totally different.

I Believe...
That your life can be changed in a matter of
Hours by people who don't even know you.

I Believe....
That even when you think you have no more to give, when
A friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I Believe...
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.


'The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything.

Thank you God for all the wonderful people who help us throughout the journey of life...

"The List"

So today is the first day since I've been here where i really thought..."I miss this and this and this alot". I'm not one to obsessively miss things, especially since im in the Peace Corps and we are supposed to adapt to living with less. But today i get this sense that i miss certain things from back home. I decided to compile a list:

1. Webb City Cardinal football games
2. Wings and Coors Light at Buffalo Wild Wings
3. Seeing familiar faces in Walmart (that sounds so ridiculous)
4. DRIVING!
5. Late night drive thru
6. The town of Webb City and all its greatness
7. Pulling around the corner into my subdivision to see kids playing in the road
8. Float trips and camping
9. Garage parties
10. Random nights with old friends
11. Road trips for no reason
12. Pitt State football games/tailgating
13. Warm showers
14. Air Conditioning
15. Season changes
16. Bars where boys aren't constantly saying "hey white girl"
17. Blending in with the community
18. Hick talk (you know what i mean folks)
19. Sonic Happy Hour (Ice tea please)
20. Polos and plaid shorts
21. My dogs greeting me at the door
22. Never being bored because someone is always around
23. Interpersonal relationships with close friends
24. Moms homecookin'
25. Family being down the road

Grrr

I was so excited to find taco seasoning on the clearance rack today while going to the supermarket. I had set my mind on coming home and making some chicken tacos with all the fixin's. I had the beans, rice and chicken going when POOF! out went the gas. I looked at the burners and thought you have GOT to be kidding me, but it wasnt kidding. We dont have the nice gas lines that run into houses with endless supply like in the States. We have propane tanks in the cabinet that run out. Then you have to unhook them, take them on public transportation then lug them back to ur house. Its a wonderful process. I had half cooked rice, still hard beans and chicken that was not edible. I had just finished the homemade tortillas and cut the veggies. NOW what was i gonna do? I brainstormed as we have been taught in these situations and figured veggie tacos it was, since i had my mind set on tacos. Maybe this is my sign from upstairs that i really was made to be vegatarian in the Peace Corps...

Camping:Peace Corps Style!

First off, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to my wonderful, intelligent, caring and powerful momma Kelly. You have been the best support system while im on this journey and i couldnt do it without you. Everyone needs a mom just like mine because she is awesome! Sometimes we dont realize how important support systems like family until we are away in another country alone, but i have definatly realized how amazing my family is back home, especially my mother! LOVE YOU MOM!



We had our first EC 81 birthday this weekend (HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPH!), and decided a camping trip would be a good idea. We went up to Victoria, a bumpy 45 minute bus ride to the north part of the island. Our kind bus driver John took us as far as the bus would reach and then we walked about a mile or so to our camp site. It was our first rugged Peace Corps experience in the middle of the woods with no one around but some cows. Our campsite was nettled right next to a beautiful little river that made me think of home. We set up shop and were eager to open the two bags of REAL chips, Doritos and Cheetos. Its a big deal to get the real thing, as they are pretty expensive here. We had some amazing cake and maybe a little drink to wash it down and were set for the evening.



We swam in the river for a little bit but decided the creatures biting on toes wasnt so much fun. There were some other guys there limin before us and they left a camp fire going, so we kindly took over the fire duties as it fit perfectly with our rituals. When you are on a remote island with other people with the same mindset as you, you tend to grow really close to them quickly. I feel like i have known these people for years, but truthfully its only been 3 months. Since we all live very busy lives here on the island and we are spread out across the island, we dont see each other as much as we would like. The group before us started these little rituals we do everytime all of us are together, as a bonding thing. Now i cant give you insight into these, but they are fun! Join the Peace Corps and maybe you will find out. haha.



So after another late night swim, dancing to our sweet handheld radio and roasting marshmellows we called it a night. It was relaxing to be out in the wilderness with no worry of fitting in, getting work done or integrating. It was just a bunch of crazy white Peace Corps volunteers having a blast in the middle of the woods!

The next morning we packed our stuff and hiked the way back to the nearest road. After a crowd of cows decided to try and ram us, we finally flagged down a bus. It was a great weekend with great friends! Camping in the middle of the woods on a remote island: CHECK!

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/