**First off: Thank you for the package, mom and dad! I was one of the first to receive one, and even though it cost you an arm and a leg it sure made my week! Chaffage free! Love the creative religious wrapping too!
Wow. Where to begin?
I am finally at my site; it is the city and home that I will be posted for the next two years. I am somewhat near Santa Cruz in the Parish of St. Elizabeth, a small but growing town known for its jaw-dropping mountain scenery, terrible traffic, and the hottest temperatures in Jamaica. It’s a cute little place where everybody seems to know everybody…well, except they don’t know me…yet.
Yesterday I met my supervisor and partner, two amazing women who work for the Jamaican Red Cross. I also had the opportunity to meet some higher ups in the JRC in Kingston and was delighted to hear about how I can hopefully be of service to them. My assignment has me doing lots of different things with the JRC, but my main focus is working with my counterparts to meet several goals related to HIV/AIDS programs in St. Elizabeth. I am EXTREMELY EXCITED and hope that we can all work together to make life for the people of St. Elizabeth a little healthier.
My host family and house are delightful, and I feel the potential for this new, strange place to become a home in time. I struggle almost every moment to grasp what others are saying to me, but already I am starting to understand more and more of the language. Patois is very expressive and has a life all its own, one which I am glad to learn but slow to catch onto. My host mother is being extremely patient with me, and I that hope my appreciation doesn't get lost in translation. I like to sit and think about how ridiculous I must look and sound to people here. There have been quite a few awkward instance already, and many more instances of people straight-up laughing at me, but I laugh right along with them. After all, it IS funny! Plus, I have to laugh. It gets me through the day! But overall, everyone has been lovely and welcoming.
Today I was suppose to (weather permitting) go to church with my host mother, but unfortunately she has a cold. I look forward to going next week though, because it’s a great way to meet people and become known in the community. I want to make all the friends and acquaintances I can! So far my exchanges with the people here have been very, very warm and comforting, and I get the feeling that my community will really look out for me, and me for them.
I may only have internet access periodically, because the closest place it is available is at the library, so I hope you can all understand that if/ when the blog slows down that it is just a matter of resources, not of negligence! Best case scenario is that I will have internet almost daily, if my computer-saavy host brother can find a way to hook it up for me using his cell phone as a wireless router (Don't ask, because I have NO idea how any of that is possible). We will see!
Highlights from the past week:
Going to a beach in Kingston and eating fresh snapper and lobster out of the bluest ocean I have ever seen.
My small group’s health training skit entitled “There’s A Fungus Among Us: Putting the Fun back in Fungus.” A short play about the perils of fungal infections performed in front of volunteers and officials alike. An instant hit.
Writing stories in Patois Language class, one of which included a story about Lilly and her hamster from Nevada.
Dressing up like Pam from the office at a costume party with my friend Jason, who was dressed as Jim. Amazing.
Hanging out with the kids at summer school (see picture above) during their field day.
Having the worst day of my life and surviving it (I was seriously ill, stressed out, and moving all on the same day--yikes! But I made it!)
Smiling and nodding A LOT because I can’t understand anybody yet.
Text messages of encouragement and frustrations from fellow Volunteers.
Sitting on the covered front porch of my new house and watching the rain pour down.
Feeling like I am growing every minute of every day...whether I mean to or not.
Talking to my family today!! YAAAAYYYY!!!
Learning about true friendship and community through the people I have met in this place and remembering to give with my whole heart without expectation.
Laughing so hard I cry and crying so hard I laugh on a regular basis:-)
I miss everybody back home, and I think about you all constantly. Love you! LOTS AND LOTS!
Wow. Where to begin?
I am finally at my site; it is the city and home that I will be posted for the next two years. I am somewhat near Santa Cruz in the Parish of St. Elizabeth, a small but growing town known for its jaw-dropping mountain scenery, terrible traffic, and the hottest temperatures in Jamaica. It’s a cute little place where everybody seems to know everybody…well, except they don’t know me…yet.
Yesterday I met my supervisor and partner, two amazing women who work for the Jamaican Red Cross. I also had the opportunity to meet some higher ups in the JRC in Kingston and was delighted to hear about how I can hopefully be of service to them. My assignment has me doing lots of different things with the JRC, but my main focus is working with my counterparts to meet several goals related to HIV/AIDS programs in St. Elizabeth. I am EXTREMELY EXCITED and hope that we can all work together to make life for the people of St. Elizabeth a little healthier.
My host family and house are delightful, and I feel the potential for this new, strange place to become a home in time. I struggle almost every moment to grasp what others are saying to me, but already I am starting to understand more and more of the language. Patois is very expressive and has a life all its own, one which I am glad to learn but slow to catch onto. My host mother is being extremely patient with me, and I that hope my appreciation doesn't get lost in translation. I like to sit and think about how ridiculous I must look and sound to people here. There have been quite a few awkward instance already, and many more instances of people straight-up laughing at me, but I laugh right along with them. After all, it IS funny! Plus, I have to laugh. It gets me through the day! But overall, everyone has been lovely and welcoming.
Today I was suppose to (weather permitting) go to church with my host mother, but unfortunately she has a cold. I look forward to going next week though, because it’s a great way to meet people and become known in the community. I want to make all the friends and acquaintances I can! So far my exchanges with the people here have been very, very warm and comforting, and I get the feeling that my community will really look out for me, and me for them.
I may only have internet access periodically, because the closest place it is available is at the library, so I hope you can all understand that if/ when the blog slows down that it is just a matter of resources, not of negligence! Best case scenario is that I will have internet almost daily, if my computer-saavy host brother can find a way to hook it up for me using his cell phone as a wireless router (Don't ask, because I have NO idea how any of that is possible). We will see!
Highlights from the past week:
Going to a beach in Kingston and eating fresh snapper and lobster out of the bluest ocean I have ever seen.
My small group’s health training skit entitled “There’s A Fungus Among Us: Putting the Fun back in Fungus.” A short play about the perils of fungal infections performed in front of volunteers and officials alike. An instant hit.
Writing stories in Patois Language class, one of which included a story about Lilly and her hamster from Nevada.
Dressing up like Pam from the office at a costume party with my friend Jason, who was dressed as Jim. Amazing.
Hanging out with the kids at summer school (see picture above) during their field day.
Having the worst day of my life and surviving it (I was seriously ill, stressed out, and moving all on the same day--yikes! But I made it!)
Smiling and nodding A LOT because I can’t understand anybody yet.
Text messages of encouragement and frustrations from fellow Volunteers.
Sitting on the covered front porch of my new house and watching the rain pour down.
Feeling like I am growing every minute of every day...whether I mean to or not.
Talking to my family today!! YAAAAYYYY!!!
Learning about true friendship and community through the people I have met in this place and remembering to give with my whole heart without expectation.
Laughing so hard I cry and crying so hard I laugh on a regular basis:-)
I miss everybody back home, and I think about you all constantly. Love you! LOTS AND LOTS!
5 comments:
I can't believe you dressed as pam. i hope your jim was very close to the real thing.
pssst- -- -- --- -- -- -- -- ---- I am so proud of you every day!
How's this?
Grace, you're awesome!
.brian
So happy you have a nice host family! Also, the pictures you post make me smile!
-cathy
Post a Comment