I'm not Mormon.

I wish all the people of my town finally got that memo. I am not a missionary, I am not a Mormon, I am not a tourist. I'm Grace. Here to help. Nice to meet you!...Although in all fairness, being white, wearing a white button-down shirt and black pants and carrying around a messenger bag does kind of point me in the looking-Mormony direction.

Today I had my first GOOD DAY. I say "good day" not in the sense that it was utterly enjoyable and fun (which is was) but "good" in the sense that I actually felt like I made a difference somehow. Today I did a couple HIV/STI seminars to two groups of high school students, 200 students in total. I felt like I got through to them, like maybe I truly reached a few of them. They were very bright and articulate and for the most part were respectful and paid attention. Many of them asked questions and I did my best to answer them and I came away with a sense that what I did might have actually mattered in a meaningful way. I called my mom right afterward to tell her. I was on a cloud.
"Now that I had my first good day I can keep going knowing that in between the bad ones there are going to be amazing days like these," I said.
She was happy for me, I was happy for me.

So...I'm not saving the world, but at least now I can say I'm affecting it.

Here is what a typical run to the grocery store looks like:
I walk a mile into town, sweaty and anxious to just get my crap and go home. I'm stopped by a newspaper salesman, a young guy, who is saying something to get my attention. He looks vaugely familiar.
"PSSSS! Grace! I know you! Do you remember me?"
"No. Sorry."
"You wanna buy a newspaper?"
"No."
"Let me just show you the headline." (It says, 'Hangman Wanted'--basically about how parliment wants to re-institute a law that allows the hanging of convicted criminals)
"No thanks."
"Can I get your number?"
"No."
"Will you be my girlfriend?"
"No."
"Will you buy me a cold Guiness from the store?
"No."
"A'rite, lata Grace!"
"...?"

The men here are relentless. I'm not being culterally insensitive, seriously, the Jamaican women can attest to this fact! The men here can be so shameless and annoying!

Anyway, more later. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! The holiday isn't observed here, so eat some turkey and cheesy potatoes in my honor! Love you all and hope you're all healthy and happy on this gobblegobble occaision! While you are all scraping ice off your cars I'll be busy sweating like usual!

Trust me I am NOT complaining!