love. serve. live.
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”
Disclaimer: This post was meant to go live on 03/14 (pi day) but do to unforseen but predictable life here (meaning busyness and random power outages) we are posting this today.Like most things in life here, things happen, when they happen.
It’s Pi day: 3.14. For the most part, it was a pretty typical day: we woke up, worked out, had breakfast, and headed to our worksites. Today marked one year since we landed in Jamaica to start our 2 year (+3month) Peace Corps commitment – so as typical and ordinary, it is Continue reading “People, Pi, and Cake: A Year in Jamaica”
We’ve been here for about a year now and think we might have discovered a sense of normalcy for us here – whatever that means. Looking back at the 12 months there were many frustrating days that seemed to linger (especially those really hot and humid, sometimes no power days). Other times the novelty and excitement of the adventure passed over as quickly like a traveling thunderstorm.
As a volunteer, your concept of time changes from counting minutes, days, or months and instead you think of things in regards to moments, situations, and special memories. You think of the concept of time as what is going on currently but more importantly, all the things you missed out on back wherever you call home. Though I should be used to being away, I feel like a Continue reading “Year One”
I realize I am posting this on December 21st assuming the world will not end.
9 months have gone by and these are the two things that I think about…everyday. Maybe it’s the holiday season and I’m jealous of my fellow volunteers that are heading home. Maybe it’s the heartbreaking, unthinkable tragedy that happened last Friday. It could be the fact that back at home my family has been going through Continue reading “Why am I here? Why I am here.”
Tomorrow Michelle and I and all of us on the island of Jamaica will be hunkering down as tropical storm, soon to be, hurricane Sandy will be making an unexpected and most un-welcomed visit. Its strange because Saturday, we got caught outside in a storm waiting for a bus and taxi and the only thing I can say is that it was humbling. I had never been outside with such heavy rainfall and the loudest, the brightest lightning, and the most earth shattering thunder. Thankfully a bus driver we knew picked us from the tiny shelter we stood under on the side of the road. I had grown up with these kind of storms but it’s been awhile can’t imagine what this will be like.
So yeah…bit nervous about this storm. Now Michelle and I are in a safe place. Probably won’t have internet for a couple of days, probably won’t have power, and probably will be eating can food, but really, that’s not what i’m concerned about. What really worries me is Continue reading “When life gives you storms you…”
Little Victories: So time can be our friend and our enemy. With the same kind of perspective, the development work that Michelle and I are trying to accomplish can be equally frustrating and rewarding depending on the day. We just spent a week at a Peace Corps conference with other volunteers around the island and it seemed that we all seemed to agree on the importance of celebrating the “Little Victories”. The little victories principle in short is about Continue reading “6 Month Review: Part 2 – Little Victories”
To adequately and accurately describe the experience of the last 6 months would be like trying to describe the concept of infinity to a two year old; it exists, but it’s impossible to explain.
Where do I start? I guess I’ll try my best to work it out in themes.
TIME: As of today we have been on island and in the country of Jamaica for 6 months, 2 weeks, and 4 days. Depending on the day and mood we are in, this can either seem like a Continue reading “6 Month Review: Part 1 – Time”
August 14th – 17th marked the hardest and best week I’ve had in Jamaica. Michelle and I (along with 20 or so community volunteers) put on a week long day camp for 30+ youth ages 11 – 23 (originally for ages 14-20).
The theme of camp was “Go for the Gold” – piggy backing off of the amazing performance of Jamaican athletes in the Olympics. We wanted the youth to think about their futures, their goals, but more importantly, what things they would need in order to succeed. The camp featured guest speakers and teachers, life-skills activities, dance lessons, computer lessons, sex/health/drug education, and a talent show. The next step for us is to ride the momentum and success of the camp and start a youth club. We look forward to next year’s camp but thank God that we don’t have to worry about it till next year.
I like to make pronouncements, I’m an idea guy. Most of the times I don’t actually see my ideas through, but every now and then….something special happens. This time around I decided to take on the challenge of coordinating a week-long youth camp with the intention of having the youth think about their futures. Mind you, Peace Corps suggests that we spend the first couple of months at site observing and thinking about what you would like to do. However, my supervisor is a “go-getter” and when we talk, she expects that i’ll do it, and soon. Thus, we can’t just talk about possibly putting on a youth camp, we had to do it.
Today marked the last day of camp and I told the youth that, “it was one of the BEST things I have ever been a part of in my life,” and it’s true. Continue reading “A Camp to Remember”
If there is anything consistent so far about our Peace Corps experience it’s that our life as volunteers are filled with a roller coaster of emotions and events. Both of us have been experiencing our own challenges at work – working with children is difficult and working within new cultural norms. We’ve also recently discovered that a large centipede has been living with us (first spotted last week and has yet to be evicted). Finally we had to say farewell to a good friend who will be greatly missed.
But life is full of contradiction here too and there have Continue reading “Mackerel Run Down”
Simply Intentional 