Are You a Visionary?

You know you’re a visionary if:

• You sense that something’s wrong with the world and long to be part of the solution
• You’re doing it, you’re part of the solution and your aching to get it into the world in a bigger way
• You experienced a life-altering event that changed everything for you, and now you want to use that experience to help others
• You’re fed up with living an unremarkable life where you trade your soul for a paycheck - and now you’re ready to do something meaningful with your life
• You have an innovative idea that might make the world a better place
• You’ve found your calling, you know what you’re here on this earth to do, and you’re ready to light a fire under your mission.

http://67.222.23.34/blogs/owning-pink/5-red-hot-secrets-every-visionary-must-know 

I Can Do Without....

After reviewing my last post, I came to the conclusion that it sounded a little "rosy", as in it might of made it seem like my time here has been easy, full of only successes and with no real strife. I have to say, that is FARRRRR from true. Sometimes I think that I have learned more from this journey and received way more from the people than I was able to give back to them. The number of life long friendships I have gained while learning so much about myself is something I will forever cherish about this experience. This culture is beautiful, the people so vibrant and animated. They have allowed me to be weak, to fail, to pick myself back up and then see the journey I went through. I owe so much to this beautiful island of Grenada.

But, along with every wonderful experience, there are some times of trial, some moments where the only thing you can find to say is "I miss my culture". I always tried to remain positive in those moments and use them as a learning experience, but some days that was hard to do. So, after my "rosy" post, I decided to highlight some of the things I will kindly NOT miss about Grenada. Here they are:

• Rice. We eat rice with just about every meal here. Its cooked with every vegetable, every oil and every spice you can think of, and always accompanies meals. I have mastered the way to cook rice in about 15 different ways. I can happily say I have ate enough rice in the last two years to last me the next 15. 

• Biblical debates. Caribbean culture is very religious, with the main religion being Catholic. But, there is also a wide range of other religions that encompass the culture, from Baptist to Pentecostal to Seventh Day Adventist.  This leads people to argue of scripture alot, whether it be in the bus, at the grocery store, the street corner and alot of times on the radio. Though I respect everyone's choice of religion, I will not miss the moments of loud, aggressive, finger pointing arguments. 

• Mosquitos. I hate them! They buzz in my ear, land on my body and suck my blood CONSTANTLY. They find their way under my mosquito net, bite me up at night then leave me looking like I have the chicken pox. I wouldn't mind if these things go extinct. 

• Men. Especially drunk men. There is nothing more frustrating then walking to work at 8am and being harassed by a drunk man who hasn't been to bed yet. Not to mention the constant harassment from men everywhere, the pppppssssssttttttt and the "hey baby" and the "I love you" and the "Can I have some of that white meat". Yep, all of those, I sadly won't miss. 

• Bureaucracy. Yes, I know it exists in every culture and at every organization. Let me clarify. Is a non-profit really a non-profit if they have to ask the government for permission to do anything? Including programs, projects and advocacy work. I won't miss the overwhelming control the government has on all of the non-governmental sector of work. 

• Rain. With no umbrella. I can't count the amount of umbrellas I have gone through in Grenada. They either break, deteriorate or get left in the bus. I can't wait to quickly run to MY car and be dry until I reach my destination, rather than walking in the rain where my shoes are soaked, the bottom half of my clothes are drenched and I'm just pissed off. Ahhhh, the small things. 

• Cell Phones. The phones here are Zach Morris (Saved By the Bell) style from the 1990's and must have credit put on them in order to talk to anyone. Therefore, broke Peace Corps Volunteers rarely have credit to call people. I can't wait to call whoever I want, whenever I want and talk for however long I want. Yes! 

• Cold Showers. They are wonderful after sweating, but when its morning time and you must shower off the sweat from the night, its FREEZING. The water pressure also depends on how many people are using the water at the same time you are. My neighbors realllllly like water, so my water pressure is usually a trickle. 

  

  I'm going to miss this view...

  

  And this one too...

Lessons From The Journey

Forty two days until I return stateside. I've been avoiding looking at a calendar because I have mixed feelings about that countdown. Countdowns are for things you are excited about right? But what if you are excited, scared, anxious, terrified, and sad? Then is it still a countdown? Either way, the only way I knew the magic number today was because a friend asked, then it got me thinking. Over the past two years, the number of life lessons, personal milestones and professional accomplishments I have made really do speak to the magnitude of this Peace Corps experience. I can't help but reflect on the things I've learned about myself in these two short (and sometimes long) years. You know I love lists, so here is another of my personal lessons learned. I feel vulnerable sharing this, but I think it's important to document for my personal self so I can always remember it.

•I have learned to live with the most basic necessities. I can cook anything from flour, sugar and chicken. I can go a month with one bar of soap and don't always need running water.

•I need connections to back home, wherever I go. They keep me grounded, allow for me to grow and remind me where I'm headed.

•I can adapt to the most adverse situations with a little bit of self reflection and a lot a bit of motivation.


•America may be the "greatest country on earth" but that doesn't mean we always do things right. Seeing how other countries do things helped me to realize there is always another good way to do something.

•Slow down. Enjoy the view. Say hello. Appreciate the small things. Hug your friends. Tell people you love them. Do what makes you happy!

•Be yourself. People appreciate you for your differences. I had to step out of my comfort zone to realize people like my weird ways.

•Although I want to help every child, beaten woman or HIV+ person, I can't. It's not always about the final reports and numbers, it's about making a lasting difference in one persons life.

•To feel fulfilled, I need to make someone smile every day. It's the smallest things that matter. And those things are what can make or break someone's day.

•When doing something I love, it's all I think about. I want it done right and I want it done with love.

•The alone time I have (and I have a lot) allows for self discovery. It gives me a chance to reflect, to adjust and to plan. I've learned this time is important and valuable to me. Be still, for in stillness comes understanding.

•Bugs are evil! Particularly blood sucking mosquitos. And cockroaches. Ew!

•Show people you care. Go the extra mile. Do the extra work and people will notice. Good things have come from me doing that little extra thing.

•Love. Love with all you have. For what you give, you will always receive.

Things I'm Going To Miss About Grenada....

Chasing rainbows on the morning bus route.

Shades on the ocean

Little kids referring to me as "Miss"

Rasta men constantly saying "one love", "respect" and "bless up"

Conductors on the bus knowing where I live without having to knock at my stop.

The drunken men at the rum shop calling me royalty.

Late night BBQ on Wall Street.

Snow ice

Fridays at The Centre. Laughing, joking and talking nonsense.

Lazy Sunday's full of reflection.

Running into people I havent seen in a while and them remembering my name.

Receiving packages full of goodies.

Bus rides through the countryside.

Early morning wake up calls from Earths creatures.

The "morning", "afternoon" and "goodnight" greetings.

The smiles on the children's faces when they see me.

Being asked why I'm white by students.

The sounds of an approaching storm.

Looking out my veranda and seeing the ocean and beautiful horizon.

The constant noise of my fan, that rocks me to sleep at night.

Market vendors, eager to sell their fresh, organic produce. And the lady who always gives me an extra tomato.

Green. It's everywhere.

The accents, the dialect and the lingo I've grown comfortable speaking in.

The friendships that I will cherish forever.

The free time to reflect on your life, where you want to go and who you want to be.



I will soon be departing you my sweet Grenada, but you will forever be my second home.

Grenada Work Boat Sailing Regatta

After picking up the new volunteers from the airport and safely delivering them to their homestays, a few of us went down to Grand Anse Beach for the annual Work Boat Sailing Regatta, held each year around this time. We have some friends from our sister island of Petite Martinique who were competing in the competition, so it was a great time to cheer on some friends and enjoy the views. Local boats compete in different categories for a chance at big prize money while their onlookers cheer from the beach. It was a cool experience to actually know people competing in the competition and lets just say we got really into betting on who was going to win. I made a whole FIVE CENTS! winner!

New Volunteers!

This Saturday past we welcomed SEVEN new Peace Corps Volunteers to the island of Grenada who will serve for the next two years. This is my second group of volunteers to welcome since my service began in 2010. I always love seeing new faces and getting to know where these new Peace Corps creatures are from. Please help me in welcoming the 84 group of Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean Volunteers...

 

 

 

 

EC 84, scared and all. :)

The oldies, EC 81

Group picture, EC 81 and EC 83

Sick and Tired

Hello blog family,

Santa brought me an iPhone for Christmas, so I figured I would try blogging from this thing. Technology has left me in the dust since leaving the States two years ago, so bare with me.

Since I last blogged I have been down for the count. About four days after returning from my close of service conference in St. Lucia I came down with a serious stomach ache. As most Peace Corps Volunteers can attest to, we are very used to stomach issues in foreign countries, so my concern wasn't raised to much. Sparing details, I wasn't far from the bathroom for two full days. I decided it was time to see a doctor. When describing the symptoms to the doctor at the hospital, he sounded concerned and quickly hooked me up to an IV and pushed fluids through me. After two bags of fluid, a blood teat and three nasty stool samples it was determined I had a bacterial stomach infection. In the Grenada context, this is probably from the water or not washing my vegetables properly. Both could be true for me.

I spent the day at the hospital and was finally discharged with plenty antibiotics and feeling a little bit better. I spent the remaining four days in bed and can happily say I am back to normal and feeling good. I wouldn't wish those stomach pains on anyone and hope I don't ever deal with that again.

Happy Sunday all.