Author: simplyintentional

* Jedd Thoughts, * Peace Corps

The Big Fat Jamaican Downtonish Wedding

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Our awesome host sister

Being part of a host family during your Peace Corps experience can be a “make or break” experience for both volunteers and host family. Not all volunteers around the world live with a host family, but we do….and we are so thankful for them.

This past weekend we had the amazing privilege to be a part of one of our host sisters’s wedding. Preparations in the yard have been in the works for months, culminating in a 36-hour, three-dozen people effort to transform the front yard into a wedding reception area complete with dance stage and head table.

The yard before and after decorations
The yard before and after decorations

Michelle described the scene like something out of “Downton Abbey” where a lot of neighbors, family, and friends came together to put on this event. It was bustling. I described it more like Continue reading “The Big Fat Jamaican Downtonish Wedding” →

* Jedd Thoughts, * Life Updates

Intentional Eating

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My go to lunch – Fried Chicken, macroni salad, and rice and peas underneath

(two weeks ago)

Peace Corps Nurse: “Jedd, I don’t like that number, you are borderline for high blood pressure?”

Me: “What?”

It didn’t make any sense to me. Michelle and I workout 6 times a week in the morning, going against my Myers Brigg personality type that would rather sleep in and work out when I feel like it. I’ve lost weight since moving to Jamaica (which is an incredible feat in itself because of the tasty, sugary, starchy, and fatty food). I’m pretty sure I weigh less than what I weighed in college.

So how could I be borderline for high blood pressure?

Nurse: “Are you sleeping well?” “Are you anxious about anything?”

Me: “Been sleeping ok and feeling ok.”

Nurse: “Are you eating a lot of salt in your diet?”

Me: “So fried chicken twice a week and adding salt to other meals isn’t a good thing?”

I’m an emotional eater. I eat when I feel like it, and I eat what I feel like eating. There’s never been a science to me regarding what I ate. I love to eat and I eat what gives me pleasure. Looking back at this past summer, I went through a stressful time running summer camps and I think I coped with my stress with eating. Did I think about the consequences for what I ate? I didn’t really think too much about it till recently. A warning for high blood pressure was a good wake-up call for me, I needed to make a change. Continue reading “Intentional Eating” →

* Jedd Thoughts, * Peace Corps

It Starts with a Seed

simplyintentional
Co-workers at the community center check out the pear (avocado) seed
Co-workers (and daughter) at the community center check out the pear (avocado) seed

Most days, on my commute to work in a jam-packed mini-bus, I try not to bring more attention to myself than necessary. I stand out. But today was a good day to stand-out as most of the eyes glaring in my direction weren’t directed at me, as if to say, “What is this Mr. Chin doing here?” Instead, most of the attention was on the glass cup with the pear (avocado) seed I was carrying to work. Now the eyes seemed to ask, “What is this Mr. Chin doing here and why is he holding a pear plant?” Continue reading “It Starts with a Seed” →

* Jedd Thoughts, * Peace Corps

An End to a Stormy Summer…

simplyintentional
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Unpredictable weather means unconventional and creative laundry hanging solutions

I’m thankful that summer is coming to an end.  You will probably never hear me say those words again.

When we lived in the typically gloomy, dank Northwest of the states, we always look forward to summer. Those heavenly 2-3 months of spending long days with family and friends (the sun setting around 9pm) helped us forget about the other 80% of the time when life seemed colder, cave like, and sometimes depressing. NW summers meant hiking in the Columbia River Gorge to see waterfalls, enjoying the great harvest from farms, and enjoying festivals and events. It’s a bit dramatic, but that’s how much people in the NW really enjoy their summers.

Unlike the NW, in our little area of Jamaica (and I suspect in many parts of Jamaica and the Caribbean), summer is something we endure. The days are wickedly hot and humid.  We live on a plain at a low elevation shielded by some hills, which in turn means: no wind. No wind means a sauna-type climate with daily afternoon thunderstorms/showers. This might be my favourite Continue reading “An End to a Stormy Summer…” →

* Jedd Thoughts, * Peace Corps

For the Smiles: Summer Camps 2013 Video

simplyintentional

This video makes me smile.

I coordinated two youth camps at our community center.  The goal of these camps was to unite youth from different communities, teach Continue reading “For the Smiles: Summer Camps 2013 Video” →

* Jedd Thoughts, * Life Updates, * Peace Corps

3rd Goal: More Than Just a Blog

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PCVs Sara (Thailand), Jessica (Mexico), Jen and Josh (Ethiopia), and us
PCVs Sara (Thailand), Jessica (Mexico), Jen and Josh (Ethiopia), and us

Last week, Michelle and I spent a few days in Washington D.C. as part of Peace Corps’ “Blog it Home” contest hosted by the Office of 3rd Goal. We were honored and humbled to be selected along with 4 other Peace Corps Volunteers from around the world (Ethiopia, Mexico, and Thailand) for the ways in which we use our blog to share about our experiences and about our countries of service.

The 3rd goal of Peace Corps is:

 “To help Americans understand the people and cultures of other countries. It is one of the three goals that support the mission of the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship.“

What is humbling about the whole thing is that we Continue reading “3rd Goal: More Than Just a Blog” →

* Jedd Thoughts, * Peace Corps

Sustainable Community Development

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One of our community volunteers assists a youth during our 1st summer camp

As Michelle and I look toward the next year (our last year) as Peace Corps volunteers, we can’t help but wonder: what should we be doing? In some ways, two years is a long time and in other ways, very short- especially when you consider trying to create a sustainable community development project. What do I mean? Michelle and I ask each other the following question:

“Will what we create here and now be something that can be sustained once we leave?”

We ask this question for a couple of reasons:

1. Isn’t this what Peace Corps is all about?
Sometimes we as PC volunteers can get caught up in all the focus on creation of projects and the “doing” aspect of our job. No hard feelings or misunderstanding between me and Continue reading “Sustainable Community Development” →

* Jedd Thoughts, * Peace Corps

Success? A work in progress

simplyintentional

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I have spent the last couple of months reflecting on my time here so far and what will come of my final year of service and all I have are questions: “What am I doing here?” “Does it matter?” “What do I have to show for the time I’ve spent?” “What should I do next?” “Have I done enough?”

These questions all lead to my ever-changing definition of success.

I see the accolades and achievements showcased by the national Peace Corps headquarters of volunteers around the world doing amazing, life changing things – literally building things, planting things, and affecting so many lives. Volunteers that are helping to Continue reading “Success? A work in progress” →

* Jedd Thoughts, * Peace Corps, Videos

Jake’s Off-Road Triathlon

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This past weekend we both participated in a Peace Corps Jamaica tradition: Jake’s Triathlon (http://www.jakesoffroadtri.com/). This was an event originally started by a Peace Corps Volunteer, which brings together both local and international competitors to help fund community projects in the area. Off the beaten path itself, Treasure Beach, the location of the race, provides a unique and laid-back setting for this off-road tri. We met some great people and were inspired by the defending champions (Jamaicans) who kicked some butt.

For volunteers like us, training in a hot climate with limited access to bicycles and places to run or swim, we tend to opt for the more manageable relay format. We each took the running portion (7k) on our respective teams, a Peace Corps all-men and a Peace Corps all-women team. Believe it or not, Continue reading “Jake’s Off-Road Triathlon” →

* Jedd Thoughts, * Peace Corps

The Cost of Tourism

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On the north side of the island, bordering two parishes, is what Michelle and I believe to be the best hidden gem on the island: Blue Hole. Check out the video from our recent visit below:

This is an amazing swimming hole and relatively unknown to tourists (thankfully). However, this is changing drastically and we both have mixed feelings regarding this. In many ways, a beautiful place like Blue Hole should be shared and taken care of by all. How can you Continue reading “The Cost of Tourism” →