Monday, May 2, 2011
Time for a visit, eh?
I have been enjoying my time here in Grenada for the past 15 months, but I'm coming home in 50 days (to visit)! And I am just darn tootin' excited to see so many extremely incredible people! (And to walk down the street and be anonymous!!!)
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Wowza! Has this last year flown by or what!? Not that I am ready to begin a countdown, but today is the first day of my count down until my close of service. 364 more days to experience the awesomeness that it Grenada!
On a fun and exciting note! I hiked the tallest mountain in Grenada last Saturday.
Mt. St. Catherine.
It was sure a beast! We started from the Grenville side (east coast) around 7:00 a.m. and reached the top of Mt. Culba a couple hours later.
This is the view from the top. Pretty amazing, however, no where near our final destination. After a short break at the top, we set off on a trail that could barely be called a trail. In Grenada we don't have to worry about things like poisonous snakes and things, however, we are blessed with razor grass.
Let me tell you, I look like I was attacked by a cat on steroids. Good thing the razor grass doesn't hurt too too bad. With bush up over our heads and looking down, not being able to see our feet, we splashed on through the mud and goop for a long long long time!
This hike was intense! Here is a picture of our legs about 1/3 of the way from Cubla to St Catherine. So. Much. Mud.
After about 4 and a half hours of vigorous up hill climbing (and I MEAN climbing! Arms, and legs and hands and feet, all were very necessary) we reached! Yaaaaaaaaaay!!! The view was
really cool. 2,756 feet above sea level, covered in mud, and starting to realize we now had to go back down.... Here was our view...
West coast view: Victoria
East coast view: Grenville
North side? Who knows? But pretty stinking beautiful!
All 9 of us made it up to the top!
Going back down was a different story! My legs were sooo tired I fell about 18 times. And, each time I fell, I laughed a little harder. I mean, what else can you do when you are shaking with exhaustion and sitting in a puddle of mud and know you still have about 1,500 feet to descend. All in all, the hike bottom to bottom took about 7 hours. Tots worth it but boy was it a tricky little beast. Until next time St. Catherine.
(Oh, and schools are on easter holiday now, so I miiiight spend my vaca time walking the perimeter of the island again. I know I said I swore on my life I would never do that again, buuut, hey! people change! We're captured on a carousel of time, we can't go back we can only look behind from where we came, and go round and round and round in the circle game. Jusayin')
(Oh, oh, and I'll be home for a quick visit in 68 days! See ya'll soon)
Sunday, February 27, 2011
If you find yourself feeling a little under the weather... appreciate the journey
This past week, I was feeling slightly under par. Not enough to call in from work, but just enough to make me want to go home and sleeeeep. It was just a teeny tiny baby cold and after this weekends events, I have pretty much nipped it in the bud. Here are the events that took place that were so absurd and unbelievably incredible my little cold simply vanished from my body.
A few weeks ago I learned how to play texas hold 'em. And, surprisingly enough, I really enjoy it. I'm not great at it
but no biggie. On Friday, a few of us got together for another round and because we are so used to not spending mo
ney, or we are just a bunch of chickens, the game lasted until 5:00 a.m. Oye! But all in all, it was a good time. I was the first one out but later on one of the other players was too tired so I took over for her and lost for her too. So, I managed to be the first 2 people out. It was a good night for me.
Saturday "morning" it was time to take a big fun adventure to Hog Island. Hog island is located about 600 feet south of the mainland. There is a bridge to it actually, however, getting to that bridge is a different story. So, in all of our glory, that is the morning after poker til 5, we set out.
We got to Woburn only about 2 hours after we had planned, and when we got there they wanted to charge all of us $15 each to drive us 600 feet. Some of us were more opposed to this than others but we all were not too excited about it so we thought, what the heck, we'll just walk to the bridge, piece of cake, right? Ha, so after walking for about 10 min a car passed us and asked if we needed a taxi. Generally when I hear someone ask me, "taxi", I imediately say no bc I feel like I'm going to get over charged or something. But we asked him if he'd take us to the gate of the bridge and he said yes! Haha, for $5/person (keep in mind there were 6 of us). At first we thought maybe that was a bit high, so we negotiated and said, well, how about $35 total. Hahah! We are PC volunteers, NOT mathematicians (but there really is no excuse for that haha). So, after our mad bargaining skillz were utilized, we ALL piled into a small sedan for $30! What a steal! We only made it about a mile bc then we passed Mango. He suggested that instead of having us in this tiny little car piled on top of each other, we should take the truck instead. Great suggestion bc the road to come was a dirt road but bc of all the rain these days it was basically a muddy slidy mess.
The next 30 min were spend sitting in the back of a truck, laughin
g hysterically driving through a magical world of nature. We drove through a bird sanctuary, where we were surrounded by the beauty of mother nature. We passed wild horses as they grazed near the sides of the road and a very old old run-down equestrian area. We almost made it to the gate when there was a tree that had fallen down in the road. We tried to move it but that bugger was heavy! So, we walked from there.
The gate was locked because prime minister, Tillman Thomas decided when he woke up that morning that it was a "gate locked" kind of day. So, we had to crawl through a hole on in a fence on the side of the bridge. But! We made it!
We set off in hopes to make it to this bar that we could see from the bridge. The hike was nice. (However, non
e of us were planning on actually hiking, some of us were in skirts, dresses, jeans, and all had on flip flops) It was a winding path around the island and ended up being a beautiful view. After about an hour and only one backtrack, we found the bar. Unfortunately, there was not a soul in sight. And all the coolers at the bar were completely empty. So, we took a short break and then came the rain! Holy cow, it started pouring!
Our hours of daylight were
quickly fading and because we weren't sure how long it would take to get back, we decided to tough the rain (and MUD). So, wearing flip flops hiking through the mud mud mud and rain we made it back to the bridge. Only one person broke a shoe but luckily, she found one (for the correct foot) along the way and totally wore it! (Awesome)
Phew, we made it off of hog island in one piece. The nice man we met on the way in had given us his number so we called him to see if we could maybe get a ride back to the main road and sure enough, there he was! Perfect! Right? WRONG! His truck died. So, we got out and push-started it. YOU GOTTA PUUUUUUUSH IT!
The sky was getting darker and it was still sprinkling. The road back was starting to look less magical and mother nature was starting to show her nasty side. After about 10 min of bumpy-mcbumperson, Mr. Truck died again. No biggie, we'll get out and puuuuuuush it again! And we did. But this time, we didn't have such luck. So they guys said they were going to pull the truck with another car and that we should just walk.
Hahah, at this point, amazingly, we
were 
still laughing. One of those days? But fear smacked us in the face when we those lovely magical horses turned into pissed off "Thestrals". Strategically blocking the road, or setting traps for us by laying ropes on the ground until we passed over them and then pulling on them in an attempt to capture us!
Somehow, our group got split up and I found myself with Nicole at the back. But, we walked on and those demon horses were starting to get pissed! Then! Out of nowhere! A tree bush thing reached down and grabbed my umbrella and would NOT let it go! It was crazy! It took 2 of us to get it free but then it grabbed my shirt and I thought I was going to have to abandon it. But, we showed that thing who was boss!
T
hen, Jurassic Park happened. We were walking through the mud, soaking wet, and tired, and what comes squealing up behind us? Just the car pulling the truck (aka, T-Rex) and the road was too narrow to let it pass so we just tried to walk faster but it just kept coming! Ah! Then there was another pissed off horse! Never. Ending.
Long story long, we got back, ate some tasty food, and went our separate ways. But, thanks to these great "healthy choice" decisions, I can now say that my cold is significantly showing signs of improvement. I love my life.
A few weeks ago I learned how to play texas hold 'em. And, surprisingly enough, I really enjoy it. I'm not great at it
but no biggie. On Friday, a few of us got together for another round and because we are so used to not spending mo
ney, or we are just a bunch of chickens, the game lasted until 5:00 a.m. Oye! But all in all, it was a good time. I was the first one out but later on one of the other players was too tired so I took over for her and lost for her too. So, I managed to be the first 2 people out. It was a good night for me.
Saturday "morning" it was time to take a big fun adventure to Hog Island. Hog island is located about 600 feet south of the mainland. There is a bridge to it actually, however, getting to that bridge is a different story. So, in all of our glory, that is the morning after poker til 5, we set out.
We got to Woburn only about 2 hours after we had planned, and when we got there they wanted to charge all of us $15 each to drive us 600 feet. Some of us were more opposed to this than others but we all were not too excited about it so we thought, what the heck, we'll just walk to the bridge, piece of cake, right? Ha, so after walking for about 10 min a car passed us and asked if we needed a taxi. Generally when I hear someone ask me, "taxi", I imediately say no bc I feel like I'm going to get over charged or something. But we asked him if he'd take us to the gate of the bridge and he said yes! Haha, for $5/person (keep in mind there were 6 of us). At first we thought maybe that was a bit high, so we negotiated and said, well, how about $35 total. Hahah! We are PC volunteers, NOT mathematicians (but there really is no excuse for that haha). So, after our mad bargaining skillz were utilized, we ALL piled into a small sedan for $30! What a steal! We only made it about a mile bc then we passed Mango. He suggested that instead of having us in this tiny little car piled on top of each other, we should take the truck instead. Great suggestion bc the road to come was a dirt road but bc of all the rain these days it was basically a muddy slidy mess.
The next 30 min were spend sitting in the back of a truck, laughin
g hysterically driving through a magical world of nature. We drove through a bird sanctuary, where we were surrounded by the beauty of mother nature. We passed wild horses as they grazed near the sides of the road and a very old old run-down equestrian area. We almost made it to the gate when there was a tree that had fallen down in the road. We tried to move it but that bugger was heavy! So, we walked from there.The gate was locked because prime minister, Tillman Thomas decided when he woke up that morning that it was a "gate locked" kind of day. So, we had to crawl through a hole on in a fence on the side of the bridge. But! We made it!
We set off in hopes to make it to this bar that we could see from the bridge. The hike was nice. (However, non
e of us were planning on actually hiking, some of us were in skirts, dresses, jeans, and all had on flip flops) It was a winding path around the island and ended up being a beautiful view. After about an hour and only one backtrack, we found the bar. Unfortunately, there was not a soul in sight. And all the coolers at the bar were completely empty. So, we took a short break and then came the rain! Holy cow, it started pouring!Our hours of daylight were
quickly fading and because we weren't sure how long it would take to get back, we decided to tough the rain (and MUD). So, wearing flip flops hiking through the mud mud mud and rain we made it back to the bridge. Only one person broke a shoe but luckily, she found one (for the correct foot) along the way and totally wore it! (Awesome)Phew, we made it off of hog island in one piece. The nice man we met on the way in had given us his number so we called him to see if we could maybe get a ride back to the main road and sure enough, there he was! Perfect! Right? WRONG! His truck died. So, we got out and push-started it. YOU GOTTA PUUUUUUUSH IT!
The sky was getting darker and it was still sprinkling. The road back was starting to look less magical and mother nature was starting to show her nasty side. After about 10 min of bumpy-mcbumperson, Mr. Truck died again. No biggie, we'll get out and puuuuuuush it again! And we did. But this time, we didn't have such luck. So they guys said they were going to pull the truck with another car and that we should just walk.Hahah, at this point, amazingly, we
were 
still laughing. One of those days? But fear smacked us in the face when we those lovely magical horses turned into pissed off "Thestrals". Strategically blocking the road, or setting traps for us by laying ropes on the ground until we passed over them and then pulling on them in an attempt to capture us!Somehow, our group got split up and I found myself with Nicole at the back. But, we walked on and those demon horses were starting to get pissed! Then! Out of nowhere! A tree bush thing reached down and grabbed my umbrella and would NOT let it go! It was crazy! It took 2 of us to get it free but then it grabbed my shirt and I thought I was going to have to abandon it. But, we showed that thing who was boss!
T
hen, Jurassic Park happened. We were walking through the mud, soaking wet, and tired, and what comes squealing up behind us? Just the car pulling the truck (aka, T-Rex) and the road was too narrow to let it pass so we just tried to walk faster but it just kept coming! Ah! Then there was another pissed off horse! Never. Ending.Long story long, we got back, ate some tasty food, and went our separate ways. But, thanks to these great "healthy choice" decisions, I can now say that my cold is significantly showing signs of improvement. I love my life.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Sports in Grenada!
Every year around this time ALL the schools in Grenada hold their sports day. Sports here is basically track and field and is a HUGE deal! The day itself reminds me of field day in elementary school, only instead of "everyone being a winner" they actually are quite competitive. Within sports, they hold a parade made up of the athletes who are competing, the cheerleaders who are cheering (?) and a drum corps. The drum corps is just a drum line who plays a street beat for the duration of the parade.
Since being here I have thoroughly missed several things. One, of course, being my family. I was lucky enough to have them visit for Christmas and it was a WONDERFUL time. The second thing I have found myself missing tremendously is hockey. I knew I would not be able to play here but didn't realize just how much I love playing! Since there are not many large flat areas that can be air-conditioned to a temperature suitable to keep ice frozen, and it's hot hot hot, I have come to terms with this void and will play my heart out as sooooon as I get back. The last thing I miss is marching. Now, I have marched in some sort of band or drum corps for the past 13 years (excluding this past summer, obvi). That comes out to about half of my life. (top of the cool list right there) So, I decided to take this matter into my own hands. Back to sports...
I noticed last year, when we first arrived, that parades were already held here, and that there was already a drum line in place. The next step was clear to me. I knew what I had to do. I must teach the children to play the music in the street! And so, the SJA Fire Marching Band was born.
I started teaching the recorder to kids at St. Johns Anglican School last spring. Over time, interest grew and now I have a total of about 30 kids that stay after school 2 times a week to learn that loud and piercing little plastic flute. They eat it up! And are actually learning how to read music, understand theory and seriously making me so darn proud! (tear)
In Janurary, at the beginning of this term I spoke with my principal about the possibility of teaching my recorder class to march. Just thought I would throw it out there... since our goal in PC is not to impose all our own ideas but instead look for areas of need and go with it. But, I thought what they heck. Turns out, my principal LOVED the idea! Like really got excited and waaaay into it, just from talking about it.
So, it was set. We would learn how to march! My group of musicians was cut down in size due to the cheerleaders (story of my life!) because lots of the cheerleaders also were my little recorder padawans. So, after a stressful week or 2 of establishing numbers our band was set. There are 15 members and ALL of them are extremely dedicated and so fun. Gosh I love teaching nerds!
SJA sports day was scheduled for February 3rd, but due to lousy weather and the fact the the field was a pit of mud, it was postponed one week. No biggie, just more time for us to get ready! Right? So, the following week, we held a few more practices but soon found out sports was postponed again due to REALLY nasty field conditions. Old men footballers played football on the field over the weekend and deeeestroyed it. No biggie again, now we are going to be bangin, right? Alright, so this brings us to yesterday, February 17th. On the 16th, classes were put on hold and ALL the students taking part in the march went outside and practiced for hours! (My throat is still sore!) So, we were ready! Ready to rock the faces off all the parade bystanders of Gouyave. Wellll, I got a call, yesterday, at 7:30 in the morning saying sports is postponed once again because basically it was raining and continued to for most of the morning. So, now it is Friday, and my little marchers are ready to march, they are excited and prepared (maybe a little too much of both) but there is nowhere to perform!
But, I was taught long ago that when life gives you lemons pour some sugar on that lemon and take a few shots of vodka, because that is one tasty treat. And, we will just continue to practice and practice and who knows, maybe by the time we actually have our sports day and parade, the crowd will throw their babies at us, we'll be THAT good.
Since being here I have thoroughly missed several things. One, of course, being my family. I was lucky enough to have them visit for Christmas and it was a WONDERFUL time. The second thing I have found myself missing tremendously is hockey. I knew I would not be able to play here but didn't realize just how much I love playing! Since there are not many large flat areas that can be air-conditioned to a temperature suitable to keep ice frozen, and it's hot hot hot, I have come to terms with this void and will play my heart out as sooooon as I get back. The last thing I miss is marching. Now, I have marched in some sort of band or drum corps for the past 13 years (excluding this past summer, obvi). That comes out to about half of my life. (top of the cool list right there) So, I decided to take this matter into my own hands. Back to sports...
I noticed last year, when we first arrived, that parades were already held here, and that there was already a drum line in place. The next step was clear to me. I knew what I had to do. I must teach the children to play the music in the street! And so, the SJA Fire Marching Band was born.
I started teaching the recorder to kids at St. Johns Anglican School last spring. Over time, interest grew and now I have a total of about 30 kids that stay after school 2 times a week to learn that loud and piercing little plastic flute. They eat it up! And are actually learning how to read music, understand theory and seriously making me so darn proud! (tear)
In Janurary, at the beginning of this term I spoke with my principal about the possibility of teaching my recorder class to march. Just thought I would throw it out there... since our goal in PC is not to impose all our own ideas but instead look for areas of need and go with it. But, I thought what they heck. Turns out, my principal LOVED the idea! Like really got excited and waaaay into it, just from talking about it.
So, it was set. We would learn how to march! My group of musicians was cut down in size due to the cheerleaders (story of my life!) because lots of the cheerleaders also were my little recorder padawans. So, after a stressful week or 2 of establishing numbers our band was set. There are 15 members and ALL of them are extremely dedicated and so fun. Gosh I love teaching nerds!
SJA sports day was scheduled for February 3rd, but due to lousy weather and the fact the the field was a pit of mud, it was postponed one week. No biggie, just more time for us to get ready! Right? So, the following week, we held a few more practices but soon found out sports was postponed again due to REALLY nasty field conditions. Old men footballers played football on the field over the weekend and deeeestroyed it. No biggie again, now we are going to be bangin, right? Alright, so this brings us to yesterday, February 17th. On the 16th, classes were put on hold and ALL the students taking part in the march went outside and practiced for hours! (My throat is still sore!) So, we were ready! Ready to rock the faces off all the parade bystanders of Gouyave. Wellll, I got a call, yesterday, at 7:30 in the morning saying sports is postponed once again because basically it was raining and continued to for most of the morning. So, now it is Friday, and my little marchers are ready to march, they are excited and prepared (maybe a little too much of both) but there is nowhere to perform!
But, I was taught long ago that when life gives you lemons pour some sugar on that lemon and take a few shots of vodka, because that is one tasty treat. And, we will just continue to practice and practice and who knows, maybe by the time we actually have our sports day and parade, the crowd will throw their babies at us, we'll be THAT good.
Friday, February 4, 2011
My top 10
In the past year, I have been exposed to all sorts of new experiences. Some, pretty simple everyday situations, and others, more life changing. Here is my list of my top 10 fav things along the way...
10- The "metronome" bugs chirp (honest to god it sounds like a Dr. Beat amped)
9- ALLLL the amazing colors (I know, kinda cheesy, but it's true, I have NEVER seen colors like this before. Vibrant!)
8- My fan (no explanation needed)
7- "Ms. Kill-George" (about half of my co-workers and students call me this. I used to hate it, now, it makes me smile)
6- Soca (music! If you dont know what it is, watch this. Then you will understand. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTEkkDONJxs&feature=related
5- Tomatoes! (Holy good gracious! I L.O.V.E. them here!)
4- Goats and sheep "baahhh-ing" (and sometimes baaahhh-ing back)
3- Watching the foamy sea water splash over the rocks (again, kinda corny, but I sit and just stare at it for way too long sometimes)
2- Sweeping rainstorms (when I am INside and don't have to go anywhere)
1- Small fishing boat silhouettes on the sea at sunset (perfect)
Can't wait to see what the next year brings! (Oh, we are approaching the one year mark, which is where this all came from. New volunteers come tomorrow! Hope they like it as much as I dooooooo)
10- The "metronome" bugs chirp (honest to god it sounds like a Dr. Beat amped)
9- ALLLL the amazing colors (I know, kinda cheesy, but it's true, I have NEVER seen colors like this before. Vibrant!)
8- My fan (no explanation needed)
7- "Ms. Kill-George" (about half of my co-workers and students call me this. I used to hate it, now, it makes me smile)
6- Soca (music! If you dont know what it is, watch this. Then you will understand. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTEkkDONJxs&feature=related
5- Tomatoes! (Holy good gracious! I L.O.V.E. them here!)
4- Goats and sheep "baahhh-ing" (and sometimes baaahhh-ing back)
3- Watching the foamy sea water splash over the rocks (again, kinda corny, but I sit and just stare at it for way too long sometimes)
2- Sweeping rainstorms (when I am INside and don't have to go anywhere)
1- Small fishing boat silhouettes on the sea at sunset (perfect)
Can't wait to see what the next year brings! (Oh, we are approaching the one year mark, which is where this all came from. New volunteers come tomorrow! Hope they like it as much as I dooooooo)
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Peace!!!
Goooooood evening my friends and family! My life here in Grenada has been a trip! Ups and downs and everything in between! But, all in all, things continue to go well.
Last term I was at 3 work-sites which kept me super busy. Glad that's done. I got some stuff in order and now I have dropped one so I am down to 2 school in 5 days. MUCH more manageable, not to mention, I actually am starting to meet my co-workers AND my students, that's weird, eh? I love it!
I have started a recorder marching band and our first performance is next Wednesday! I am pretty confident in them... but they still have A LOT to learn.
The new volunteers come on Saturday which will be fun to meet them!
I like to walk these days.
Until next time.... :)
Last term I was at 3 work-sites which kept me super busy. Glad that's done. I got some stuff in order and now I have dropped one so I am down to 2 school in 5 days. MUCH more manageable, not to mention, I actually am starting to meet my co-workers AND my students, that's weird, eh? I love it!
I have started a recorder marching band and our first performance is next Wednesday! I am pretty confident in them... but they still have A LOT to learn.
The new volunteers come on Saturday which will be fun to meet them!
I like to walk these days.
Until next time.... :)
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