Author: simplyintentional

* Jedd Thoughts, * Peace Corps

Life Lessons from Jamaican Sayings

simplyintentional

Jamaican Life Lessons
Earlier this month Michelle and I had the honor and privilege of welcoming the newest group of Peace Corps volunteers (group #85; we are 83) to the island. It was a strange feeling as we were at the Peace Corps Office working on paperwork and medical stuff to prepare for the completion of our service while surrounded by excited and nervous faces beginning their adventure.

It was infectious.

I was reminded that just two years ago I was exactly like them. Everything was new. It was painfully hot. I was completely exhausted. I wanted to start doing everything. I remember meeting current volunteers and feeling in awe of how experienced and calm they were. They seemed to know everything. I had so many questions then. So many unknowns and- in true Peace Corps fashion- never enough information to satisfy my curiosity and need to know everything or to be in control. I had arrived in a strange new world.

I wish we had more time to get to know these volunteers. It felt like we knew many of them because of Facebook. Peace Corps is a great opportunity to meet new volunteers, make new friends, and fellowship in this adventure. Truly, no one really know what you are going through more than your fellow volunteers, especially those that you serve alongside in the same country.

So I wanted to give this new group some valuable lessons I’ve learned in Jamaica from Jamaicans that helped me during my time here.  These lessons I will take with me for the rest of my life. None of these things might make sense to this group now, but hopefully they will when they meet new volunteer groups that come to Jamaica, when they become the veterans, when they are preparing to go back home.

“Tek Time” & “Soon Come”

When I first got to Jamaica, I really struggled with the pace of life here. Everything was slower. I had no control. I was so used to getting to my destination when I planned to. I was used to everything else being on a predictable schedule. More importantly, being in control of my own schedule meant being in control of my life. In Jamaica, I felt so dependent upon everyone else. Dependent on an unscheduled transport system, never knowing when I would get a ride anywhere.  Dependent upon the affects of daily thunderstorms. Dependent on other people’s time tables.

In Jamaica, “Tek Time” translates to “take time” or “slow down.” Don’t rush. You may want things to Continue reading “Life Lessons from Jamaican Sayings” →

* Jedd Thoughts, * Life Updates, * Peace Corps

2 years. 24 months. 730 days.

simplyintentional
Peace Corps Jamaica Day 1
Our very first picture when we arrived 2 years ago

Today marks a huge milestone for Michelle and I (and the rest of our volunteer group), our 2 year anniversary of living and serving in Jamaica. It’s hard to believe.

We often say “the days go by slowly, but the months go by fast.” It’s been a roller coaster ride of highs and lows. Challenges and joys. Laughter and tears. Yes tears, but lots of laughter. Some days we’ve had to really question why we are here and other days we couldn’t be more thankful. We’ve come across an amazing group of characters. Strangers that have become friends. Friends that have become family. A strange new country that has felt at times, home.

When we get back to the states next month, people will ask us to try and sum up these 2 years. What do we say? All I know is that whatever happened….happened. Our lives have forever been changed from this experience and in the end, we are still thankful for it all.

Some of my favorite memories, thoughts, and photos from these past 2 years (in chronological order):

– After 2 years I still can’t eat/handle spicy food (I was hoping I would be able to by now).

– I’ll miss the sights and sounds of Jamaica (video) Continue reading “2 years. 24 months. 730 days.” →

* Jedd Thoughts, * Peace Corps

The Most Useful Travel Gear

simplyintentional
Useful Travel Gear
From top left down – Reef Sandals, Totes Umbrella, REI Messenger, Croc Flat, Wustof Knife, Logitech Mini Boombox

Dear Outside Magazine – though I’m sure the demand is greater than the need, I humbly and officially submit my interest to become one of your honored gear testers and reviewers. My experiences as a Sales Associate at Recreational Equipment Inc., living and traveling abroad, combined with my passionate, yet slightly obsessive drive for product research make me a perfect fit for the position. I would also like to add that my wife, family, and friends, think I’m extremely trustworthy and that I provide useful information about many things (most of the time).

I am a gear junkie of the best variety. I’m honest to a fault, but mostly I just believe in great products and knowledge. Products that, when I pay for them, I expect them to do what they say they are going to do. Fair value. A great overall experience is much appreciated.

Having traveled to a variety of places and committing our lives to intentional and simple living, I’ve discovered that there are Continue reading “The Most Useful Travel Gear” →

* Jedd Thoughts, * Life Updates

Sustaining Gardens

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IMG_6211
ACE Staff chat with a homeowner about their planter box

Yesterday I  was not at the community center teaching basic computer classes to senior citizens. I went on an adventure.

Far across the island from our normal location, I spent the day with the ACE (American Caribbean Exchange) team doing 21 house visits in 2 different communities, visiting families that they support. ACE is a non-profit organization that has been doing sustainable community development work in Jamaica for over 25 years. You can learn more about who ACE is and what they do at their website: American Caribbean Exchange

We connected with ACE during our first year of service and were drawn to their mission. Since then we’ve been visiting the organization (located in Galina, St. Mary) here and there during breaks from our regular assignments to assist in what ways we can Continue reading “Sustaining Gardens” →

* Jedd Thoughts, * Peace Corps

Jamaican Eats

simplyintentional

A fellow volunteer recently asked me how come it took so long for me to write about food, since she knows of my extreme passion for cooking and eating. I just forgot. Food is one of those things both highly celebrated or simply a part of day to day life.

As a traveller, one of the best things about living abroad in another country is getting to try all the new food that the country you are visiting/living in has to offer. If you are a Sociology geek such as myself, you’ll also love the rich cultural and historical context that food provides when getting to know a country. If you love to cook, learning a couple of local favorites is a great tool for integrating and earning respect. If you are a Peace Corps volunteer,  it’s also a great time to try different recipes and work on your cooking skills.

But in the end, for me, it’s all about eating. I love to eat.

Like many developing countries, Jamaican food is rich in tradition but more practically based upon what is accessible in terms of ingredients and equipment. In its most simplified form, Jamaican cooking can be summed up in 6 words: fresh, stewed, baked, steamed, fried, and jerked. The food nerd in me could talk for days about all of this but I’ll do my best to give you Continue reading “Jamaican Eats” →

* Jedd Thoughts, * Peace Corps

A Christmas Gift

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Christmas
Our Community Center Staff  Holiday Picture

Finally, the festive holiday season has arrived in Jamaica. Continue reading “A Christmas Gift” →

* Jedd Thoughts, * Peace Corps

Cultural Lessons Learned from Event Planning

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Westmoreland Parish Show
Westmoreland Parish Show

Last week Michelle and I represented the community center where I serve in the Westmoreland Parish Show, a town fair-like event for our area of the country. What was suppose to be one of- if not the- largest events of the year for our area, turned into a disappointment for the organizers because of the lack of attendance. It was a great example of some of the cultural challenges that Jamaicans face in community development, a lack of community involvement,  and organizing issues. I never realized how much I could learn from not a lot happening. Continue reading “Cultural Lessons Learned from Event Planning” →

* Jedd Thoughts, * Life Updates

Everyday Thanksgiving

simplyintentional

givethanks
Wherever you are in the world, whoever you are, as you read this I am hoping that you have something to be thankful for.

Amidst all the things going on in the world, specifically the misguided attention that the media and businesses try to emphasize regarding Thanksgiving and the holiday season in general, I’m asking that we consider this time right now as an opportunity to refocus and intentionally think about what it means to be thankful…before it’s too late. Too late for what?

Loss. Separation. Regret.

In the spirit of the upcoming holidays, in light of the terrible situation caused by Typhoon Haiyan, and reflecting on 20 months of being a volunteer, I’ve realized that if our world is ever going to change for the better, it will have to start with our values. We can start by being more appreciative of what we have at this moment because life can change in an instant. I will be the first to confess that I Continue reading “Everyday Thanksgiving” →

* Jedd Thoughts, * Peace Corps

20 Months in 20 Photos

simplyintentional

Yesterday was a special day for Michelle and I and the rest of the volunteers we arrived with on island, as we celebrated our 20 month of being Peace Corps volunteers. Below are 20 of my favorite photos from the last 20 months which, of course, doesn’t do any justice to the experience, but I hope you like them. (Also, you’ll notice that some of the captions have links back to related posts, in case you want to see more.)

Arrival
Our group’s first photo when we landed
photo 3(1)
Famous Hellshire Beach

Continue reading “20 Months in 20 Photos” →

* Jedd Thoughts, * Peace Corps

Feeding People Love

simplyintentional
IMG_5538
Mrs. Wright

Coordinating any event in Jamaica is a challenge. There are so many uncontrollable factors such as the weather, cost of goods, and limited resources that limit what one can do, that any extra hurdles are just infuriating. So what would you do if you had meticulously planned a week-long summer camp for 50+ youth , tried your best to use your little budget and resources to make sure that the youth, volunteers, and staff were fed, but then had to figure out what to do with the extra people that would show up and ask to be fed- but aren’t part of the program? You would tell them, “I’m sorry, we can’t give you any food because you’re not part of the program,” right? You would be justified. I would support you.

Unless the person in charge of the food tells you she anticipated this because, “Jedd, I don’t cook scarce you know…my mother taught me that.” Continue reading “Feeding People Love” →