Category: * Peace Corps

* Michelle Thoughts, * Peace Corps

My name is Joe, but you can call me Al: About Jamaican Names

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I’ve always been fascinated by names. And names are a really fun part of Jamaican culture. Apart from given names, many people also have “yard names” (nick names) that friends and family have always called them (and that sometimes these become so common that no one knows their true first name anymore). Jamaicans also use identifiers or descriptors in the place of names when they’re calling out to people on the street, whether they know the person or not. Below you’ll find examples of the various types of names we’ve heard in Jamaica.

Given Names
Girls:
Cheyenne, Timera, Annielle, Amoy, Sereina, Henry-nique, Dellesia/Delecia, Asheka, Toni-Ann, Keisha-Ann, Shelly-Ann, Shamara, Shanae, Tasha, Soini, Yolande, Tashina, Soini, Yolande Continue reading “My name is Joe, but you can call me Al: About Jamaican Names” →

* Michelle Thoughts, * Peace Corps

America The Possible

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by the Center for the New American Dream

Our intention for living abroad and joining the Peace Corps was to take a “sabbatical,” a time set apart where life looks different from the normal and where we can grow, learn, and reflect. Throughout this whole journey, we’ve been asking ourselves: What’s next? Well, we have a lot of ideas. Turns out they all kind of center around two common themes. One: more travel. And two: making a change in first-world values.

It’s seeming more and more like our vision for a sabbatical may become less of a break-from-“real-life” and more of a long-term reality. That is to say, there’s a very good chance we won’t be going back to the 9 to 5 world and, instead, will continue to pursue an unconventional, nomadic lifestyle (maybe it will only last a year, maybe it will continue indefinitely). We even have dreams to grow Simply Intentional and make blogging part of our livelihood.

I think we’ve come to realize that the consumer-driven American Dream was pointing us in the opposite direction of our true values. We want to learn how to live outside the box. And we’re passionate about seeing more first-world people break free of materialism to embrace a simpler, happier, healthier, and more generous life.

Little by little, as we explore all of our various options for life after Peace Corps, I’ve been doing some research online by finding like-minded bloggers. Three sites stand out to me for the quality of their work and for showing me that a meaningful, “location independent” life is possible. Continue reading “America The Possible” →

* Michelle Thoughts, * Peace Corps, Videos

“These children will never forget you.”

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Ladies in the education sector, April 2012 (Sue is behind me in blue)
Ladies in the education sector, April 2012 (Sue is behind me in blue)

Introducing: Sue W.
A gifted child, Sue grew up in a community where she and her mother were taught by- and interacted with- a number of Peace Corps Volunteers over the years. If I remember correctly, she later befriended a Volunteer who, now returned to the States, is her best friend. Sue is a trained Jamaican teacher but she also started working part-time with Peace Corps as a community liaison or a Language & Culture Facilitator when volunteer training groups came to her town. Eventually she was promoted and is now in charge of PCJ’s Education sector, which makes her my supervisor.

Sue’s Story (transcribed from a video)
Where I come from, we’ve always had Peace Corps Volunteers. So, my mother was taught to sew by a volunteer in the 60’s when volunteers were focusing on vocational work. And as a result of that, my mother was able to make uniforms for us to go to school, and she didn’t have to spend the money that she didn’t have on uniforms because she had that skill. And so today, I learned

Continue reading ““These children will never forget you.”” →

* Jedd Thoughts, * Peace Corps

It Starts with a Seed

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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” →

* Michelle Thoughts, * Peace Corps

Jamaican Style: Fashion with Flare

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Teachers’ fancy nails

In Jamaican society, looking good is highly valued. It is not unusual to see prom-style gowns at a grade school graduation. Acceptable attire in a Jamaican church is often more formal than you would find at some American weddings. And the weather has almost no effect on Jamaicans’ choice of clothing. You will see longsleeves, jackets, polyester pants, ski hats, etc. every single day of the year. Comfort is not part of the equation.

Work Attire
The rules for acceptable attire, especially in work and ceremonial situations, are often different than what we’re accustomed to- providing a Continue reading “Jamaican Style: Fashion with Flare” →

* Michelle Thoughts, * Peace Corps

Money Money Money

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A few ripe bananas
A wedge of pumpkin (a.k.a. squash)
A dozen mini limes
Two medium plantains
A head of cabbage
Baking flour in bulk

The equivalent of $1 US:

  • 2 medium plantains
  • 1 head of cabbage
  • 1 pound of tomatoes
  • Bulk baking flour (1 pound?)
  • 1 hour of internet time at the community center
  • 8 mile ride from home to town in a route taxi
  • about 2 rolls of toilet paper
  • postage for a letter to the US Continue reading “Money Money Money” →
* Jedd Thoughts, * Peace Corps

An End to a Stormy Summer…

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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

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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” →

* Michelle Thoughts, * Peace Corps

On Thankfulness

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Blog It Home 2013 winners at Peace Corps headquarters with acting PC Director and Third Goal staff. Photo courtesy of OTG.
Blog It Home 2013 winners at Peace Corps headquarters with acting PC Director and Third Goal staff. Photo courtesy of OTG.

The past month has really taught me a lesson about the things I’ve taken for granted. It’s one of those lessons that you thought you already knew, but a certain experience makes it really come to life and sink into your heart.

For one, I realized how much more thankful I am when I have less. Returning to the “first world,” I became blissfully happy at simple things I used to take for granted. Some of them were material things- like a hot shower, fast internet, comfortable pillows. Others were more nostalgic- eating raspberries, walking in a park. Most were linked to a particular luxury I had never truly considered before: freedom. The freedom to go wherever I want whenever I want to, Continue reading “On Thankfulness” →

* 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” →