Random Picture Saturday

I felt I needed to update my blog, but since I don't have much to update on I thought I would post some semi recent pictures of random adventures. I hope you all are enjoying your Saturday!

Don't let them fool you, they aren't always sweet and innocent

This is Mr. Jdi, the know it all kid.

Reading is beautiful

 

 

Eating a banana in a tree swing on a deserted island: The life!

Reading time at St. Paul's Govt School

Grade Three Students

Pirates of the Caribbean?

Caribbean sunsets are like no other.

Some gentlemen decided to crash through a stone wall and almost into the ravine.

SEEEEEEEEEESTER!!!!

Quick Update on the Mural

Phase One:

We started by taping off all the edges of the top and bottom parts of the wall. This helped in not getting paint all over the place, although the floor still saw some extra. oops.

 

Phase Two:

Two coats of primer on the wall to ensure the paint would hold to the wall. The teachers loved this color for some reason and were asking if I could just leave it like this. HA! seriously?

Phase Three:

Ocean blue painted on the wall, then 9 cm by 9cm squares are traced on the wall. Let me reassure you that drawing millions of little squares was NOT my favorite part of the process. It took me an entire week to complete, but is helpful in griding the art onto the wall. 

Phase Four:

Using the original paper drawing, we followed square by square to draw the art onto the wall. This part takes serious concentration, patience and a decent level of drawing abilities. For this phase I had the help of Katie, the artist of the mural, and Stephanie, another volunteer. They were saints in this process as I was still busy griding the wall as they were drawing. 

We hope to start painting the mural this week with the help of some students and teachers. This project has been a huge learning experience for me, but one I think I will appreciate for many years down the road. Keep checking back for more updates as they arrive. :)

Be the Change

The journey to women's equality in Grenada just got a little closer after Thursday and Friday of last week. The organization I work for, Grenada National Organization of Women, has been lobbying for a cohesive group of former and present women politicians to come together and commit to fighting for women's issues, regardless of political party. That finally happened.

To begin to understand the magnitude of what is happening with the Women's Parliamentary Caucus, you must first grasp the deep political tension that lies between political parties in Grenada. Imagine not being able to attend an event because its hosted by the opposite party, never sitting in the same room as the opposition or refusing to wear the color of the opposing side. Politics is a hot topic here and something its people will live and die for. If you are NNP (New National Party), you will never wear a yellow shirt. If you are NDC (National Democratic Congress), the color green makes your eyes hurt. People are passionate about their party, and their group of friends revolve around the same ideologies.

Past and Present Politicians

The forming of the Women's Parliamentary Caucus is a monumental step for not only women, but politics in general. For the first time in the history of Grenada, and maybe even the region, women politicians are committed to sitting around the same table talking issues that affect the women of our country. Respect and honesty are established principals in the meetings of opposing parties and have made for a productive and real discussion on issues rather than parties. I have never been so inspired to see NDC and NNP members sitting right next to each other at the table, sharing laughs and agreeing on the future of women. I heard from one past parliamentarian that:

"I have never felt so much excitement to be sitting next to someone who bashed me publicly for so many years, yet we are both so determined to mend those wounds and move forward for women's equality in the country we both so deeply love." 

Current Minister of Social Development on the right, joking with a leader of the opposing party.

This workshop let the women come together and focus on ways to influence their political parties into pushing for women's equality, job equity and bipartisanship. It was shocking to hear some of these politicians speak of the discrimination from the men in their own political party and how they have been used as status symbols for so many years. They were given the opportunity to share stories, methods and give honest feedback on ways to bridge the gap between genders and focus on the issues affecting us all.

Speaking on the power of women and how we can productively use it to change our society.

These women, regardless of political affiliation, committed to working together to stand up for their rights as women and continue moving forward. That in itself, is one of the greatest things I have been given the opportunity to take part in here in Grenada.

NDC, NNP....it didn't matter.

Oh the things kids say...

"Miss, do white people peel dey skin cuz dey related to snakes?"

This is what I heard from a first grade student today regarding my peeling forehead. I tried to explain to him that white people's skin peels when they get sun burnt. He wasn't interested in that part, but really why white people are related to snakes and he is not. He was visibly shook up til I told him that in truth we aren't related to snakes, only monkeys. Thank goodness, that was a close one! :) Life is beautiful. 

 

SURPRISE!!!!

I'm sure my die hard blog followers (I see you North Carolina, Wichita and Pennsylvania) are wondering where in the world my random posts have been, but I promise this time I have a great excuse...

I boarded a plane to Miami, Florida on Thursday to surprise my sister in Florida. She currently plays softball for Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana as a shortstop. She is a junior right now and I am missing her prime years of playing at the collegiate level (enter guilt here). So...with the help of my ever-so-awesome Momma we planned my surprise trip to Florida to watch Molly play at Florida Atlantic University. Keeping my mouth sealed tight from the blog world, facebook friends and family members was nearly impossible, so by the time Thursday reached I was beaming with anxiety.

I'm in Miami B*^#@*

Molly was to arrive at the hotel around midnight Thursday and BAM! there would be her sister. It happened exactly that way, after a bit of delay, and the look on her face will forever be one of my greatest moments. She was so in shock that I was physically there that all she could respond was "OMG, that is my sister" to her teammates. It took her about a minute of complete shock before she even came over and hugged me. Epic success!

A night at The Melting Pot

Purdue Softball was playing a round robin tournament at Florida Atlantic University so I was blessed enough to get to see quite a few games. The first game Molly stepped to the plate, loaded and blasted a homerun over the fence. Im convinced it was for me, but she told me her bat has been on fire recently. Yada Yada. The Boilermakers played really well and I was so excited to meet all the new players and parents.

I wasn't going to venture to Florida without seeing some beach and enjoying the necessities of culture (ie: Coors Light, fast food and air conditioning!). My mom and Aunt Kim were both in Florida for the games, and coinicidently one of my best friends lives in Florida as well, so good times were sure to come. We enjoyed the Jungle Queen night cruise one night, which ventured down the New River of Ft. Launderdale past all the millionaires with nothing better to do but sip wine on the veranda of there $239842304832 dollar homes. We saw the recently finished $18 million dollar home of Wayne Huzienga, who started Waste Management,  Blockbuster Video, owned the Dolphins, Marlins and practically the rest of Florida. 

My friend and her roommate frequently spend time out on the river with a boat and beer, so of course I had to see what that was all about, which turned out to be an awesome time. After losing keys at the bottom of the ocean (AND FINDING THEM), introducing Grenadian rum to Florida and soaking up some rays I was in heaven. I also got the opportunity to see way to many wasted college students on the beach for Spring Break, venture to a Mexican cantina for mango frozen margaritas, feel the freezing cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean and sit at a bar without creepy men constantly hitting on me. 

After some more amazing softball, a sad goodbye to my sister/mom/friend/aunt, I am now safely back in the Caribbean, thankful for a quick rejuvenation from America and ready to get back to work. 

Until next time... 

Miami sunset

Caribbean sunset from the clouds

 

These kids are adorable!

You know those cute adorable pictures all over the internet of kids and their parents looking in the mirror as they brush their teeth? Today at my school reminded me of those pictures.

The American Dental Association recently made a trip to Grenada on humanitarian status to deliver a toothbrush and toothpaste kit to all students in Grenada's primary schools. I must commend the ADA for coming to Grenada and seeing the real need for dental care in our children. They even took the time to have a dental hygiene crash course for the kids and an adorable demonstration on the importance of clean teeth.

Today was my first day back at the school after the toothbrush extravaganza last week and man was I in for a surprise. I was busy all day griding the wall for our school mural project so I didn't get very much time in the classroom to interact with the kids. The students get an hour lunch break (crazy right?) and I was preparing for a million questions like "Miss why you doing that?", when a little boy came up to me and asked if he could brush his teeth. I giggled and said well of course, forgetting that all the kids had new toothbrush kits.

About twenty minutes later I walk back into our classroom to eat lunch with my counterpart and what did I see? 25 students sitting quietly in their seats, hands quickly brushing their teeth and giggling away to each others weird mouth noises. I couldn't help but just start laughing, which caused them to laugh and spew foam all over the place, but regardless, it was funny. For the next 10 minutes I heard my counterpart keep reminding them "kids please don't eat d toothpaste", "brush up and down and round and round", and "get those rotten teeth in the back too!".

Alot of these kids have never been taught the importance of brushing their teeth and many of them have rotted teeth from lack of brushing. They were so excited to get a new toothbrush and couldn't wait to brush away that I thought them might brush their enamel right off.

Today reminded me just how much we take for granted the ability to purchase basic necessities and the lessons we were taught as kids. No I sure don't remember the day my mom taught me to brush my teeth, but I'm sure these kids will forever remember the day the Americans came to their school and gave them new toothbrushes and taught them how to "brush round and round".

Its little things like today that remind me just how lucky I am and how much I have to repay to our world...

Weekend Recap

Has anyone seen the weekend? I lost it. It seemed to of skipped over me. I cherish my Saturday afternoon clothes drying on the line, cookies in the oven and sun shining bright. I miss my Sunday morning sleep in, lunch with the landlords and afternoon snooze.

Ok ok, I just missed one weekend. Maybe that was a bit dramatic but I really missed having a few days off of work. Thankfully this weekend was AWESOMELY filled with lots of fun events to participate in and keep me from thinking about white chocolate chip cookies baking in the warm oven.

Friday was our Peace Corps 50th Anniversary party. A past volunteer that served in Grenada from 1968-1970 returned to the island and was gracious enough to throw us all a wonderful dinner party, followed by open mic night at the local museum. We had amazing tapas prepared by a Venezuelan chef at the Museum Bistro. I feel really blessed to be given the opportunity to serve in the Peace Corps during the 50th Anniversary and really appreciate being able to celebrate the vast tradition of Peace Corps here in Grenada.

mmmm tapas

I love this picture because its literally four groups of volunteers. EC 4, EC 79, EC 81 and EC 83

Saturday was the International Food Festival hosted by Grenada Save the Children (GrenSAVE) at the Trade Center. Booths were represented by tons of different countries from St. Lucia to China, USA to Cuba and even some delicious Venezuelan food. Each table tried to sell a variety of different items from their country and quickly sold out. The part of the food fest that Peace Corps represented was the kids activities. Bet you didn't guess that did you?

Katherine, another PCV, with her PAM girls selling delicious sweets!

I somehow was put in charge of organizing the volunteers and convinced most of the new volunteers to help with the face painting table. They did a GREAT job for their first attempt at painting random animals at the request of 6 year olds. Do you agree?

ahhhhhh! Spiderman!

Hannah decided to practice on me. I think I'm a cat...

Cute boys. I painted the butterfly on the boy in the blue.

Katie getting serious with this little girls butterfly.

MONKEY!!!

HAHAHA. oh newbies, I really love them.

After 5 hours of face painting, the kids had enough face paint and their parents ate enough food to send them home happy. We were ready to get out of the loud trade center and mayyyyybe escape to the beach to see the sunset. I think we were successful....

I live here. 

Sunday was the annual International Women's Day event in St. Davids parish. IWD is actually March 8th, but the Ministry knew a Sunday event would bring out many more people, and it did. Protocol helped in welcoming way to many speakers, but around 5pm (after a 12pm start time) we reached the cultural presenters of the festivities. Local singers, a secondary school acting club and drummers preformed for upwards of 500 people in Belle Vue playing field well into the evening. It was an awesome show of appreciation to women and girls, something I was proud to be a part of.

The Bain sisters singing an awesome tribute to all mothers. 

The important row of people, from Ministers to Parliamentary representatives to feature address speaker and Gov. Generals wife. Great representation of our government officials in support of the day. 

Denise is a blind lady who recently published her own collection of poetry which gives her perspective on years of abuse at the hands of men.

Well that wraps up my new novel on my weekend. Sorry for all the readers who enjoy short and quick reads from me, but this weekend couldn't of been put into cliff notes. I apologize. This week is looking just as busy as the weekend so no time for rest and relaxation. I'm trying to complete my 23498230498 (there is another exaggeration) grant to send off by the Thursday. Wish me luck!