A Happy, Belated Birthday

I know I’m off to a rough start with the blog this semester (good thing it wasn’t a New Year’s resolution).  I’ve had ideas for all kinds of things I’ve wanted to tell people about, but because I don’t write short blog posts about single events they stack up until I’ve got a month or more of experiences to write about.  Then it takes hours to write, edit, format and publish.  Today you can thank Jade’s grandma, Nora Lee, who told us she’d been checking for blog updates when we called to wish her a happy birthday last week.  So this one’s for you, granny.  Happy belated birthday!

One of the most exciting pieces of news I can share is that we finally know what my sister and brother-in-law are having!  Just like she predicted, they’re having a boy!  They’ve picked out the name Landon, which I just love.  I know my parents are excited to have one of each grandchild and I’m excited to be an aunt again.

On the topic of small things, I wanted to share a photo I took of our one remaining puppy from the litter Vodka had before we left for Christmas break.  All the others were sold and they choose to keep this one.  His name is Buck and he is as sweet as he can be.  He’s a tad clumsy, but that makes him cuter in my opinion.  Buck had some skin issues earlier this month and had to wear a cone, but again, it just made him that much cuter.

Buck

I know you know all about our tiny, beloved sonar frogs, but we had a visit from quite the opposite earlier this month.  This is a cane toad that was waiting for us on the step in front of the main house.  They’re so big and ugly!  It just stares at you as if to say, “I’m not afraid of you.  Do something.  I dare you.”  I stomped at it to see if I could make it jump and it just stared me down.  Jade and I turned our backs for a moment, heard a big splat and twisted around to find it nowhere in sight.  Creepy!

Cane toad

Everything has been great moving back into our house.  Jade and I were both looking forward to returning from the break because this little house is OURS.  If you think about it, we never had a home together in the US so this is our home together.  Our house was spotless and so fresh smelling when we returned thanks to our landlord’s mom.  Most of our curtains had been replaced with nicer ones.

At first, we continued to have the same mosquito problem that we did last semester, but that’s fixed now.  I cannot convey to you my level of relief (my sanity might not have held much longer).  Want to know how the problem was solved?  Jade finally listened to me.  For months we both theorized on how fifty to sixty mosquitoes were magically appearing at dusk, every night, inside our house and we both suggested possible fixes.  Some were tested and some were tossed to the wayside without much consideration.  After about the third time I suggested Jade block off the gap around the pipe behind the toilet, I finally asked him (okay, told him) to do it even though he didn’t see how that could be the problem.  I couldn’t explain it either, but I figured it couldn’t hurt trying.  HALLELUJAH!  Go figure that all it took was some duct tape to keep me from itching off layers of skin all these months.  Husbands should listen to wives more often, right ladies?

It’s also been really great to have some fun stuff to decorate our house with this term.  I brought back fake flowers to put in the bottles above our cabinets for some kitchen décor.  Before anyone jumps to conclusions about our alcohol consumption, let me say that we’ve been living in Grenada for roughly 25 weeks and there are 12 wine bottles up there.  That’s an average of one bottle of wine every two weeks.  No worries!  I really love the way the flowers add some color to all that lime green up there.  The menu board I made at home is also working out perfectly.  It’s so much more fun than writing the week’s meals on sticky notes!  We hung the wedding photos in the living room, which lasted for about a week, but even two Command strips per photo couldn’t keep it on the wall.  I also can’t find a way to hang the K (for King) letter I painted.  These walls are tricky.  Anyone have any suggestions for me?  I’d welcome them.

Some of this week's dinner next to Aunt Polly's smiling face

As you all know, I’m on the board of the Significant Others Organization as treasurer this term.  We have a weekly planning meeting and try to go to as many SO sponsored events as we can.  I spend more time on our finances than I would have expected primarily because I’ve gotten used to on-line baking.  I don’t have that luxury with the SO account so I manage everything the old fashioned way.  It has gone really good so far and I’m enjoying having more commitments and responsibilities. 

Something else that has been taking some of both Jade’s and my time is working out.  At a New Year’s Eve party with some of Jade’s best friends we decided to support one of his groomsmen in getting in shape.  He was telling us about trying to run a 5K in May, a 10K in August and a half marathon in December.  Jade thought that we could do it too, so that’s what we’re shooting for!  It’s been nice having something that Jade and I can work to achieve together and it will be really great when we can support each other running those races together.  We think we have the May race picked out already, which is exciting to now have a specific goal in mind.  We’ve been trying to jog/run every other day with a mixture of indoor treadmill and outdoor runs.  Some days are better than others, but we’re working on it!  I’m proud of us.

One pretty neat event we went to recently was the Work Boat Regatta on Grand Anse Beach.  The regatta is the final weekend of the Grenada Sailing Festival, which is a major sailing event that brings in enthusiasts from all over the world.  The Work Boat Regatta (as I understand it) is the event for locals from all three islands to makeover work boats into sailing boats and race them through a course for cash prizes.  There were different classes so we were able to see different types of boats.  We even saw kids racing little one person boats.  Many of the makeshift masts we saw were constructed of bamboo.  It was also super windy that day, so we saw A LOT of boats tip.  When that happened a motor boat had to rush out to check on the people and to haul the boat into shore.  There were vendors on the beach and music was played.  For part of the time we sat under a tree next to a woman from Carriacou who was watching her husband and son race.  Her husband had won that exact race numerous times before, although she wasn’t by us when the race ended so we don’t know if he won again.  She was kind enough to explain the rules and answer our many questions.  We met several school friends during the event and it was a really great day of culture and conversation. 

The kids' race

A few days after the Work Boat Regatta I began volunteering with Grensave, a local nonprofit that serves children and families around the island in many capacities.  My friend Marieke had already been volunteering with Grensave and asked if I wanted to get involved too.  Their office is located in downtown St. George’s and she typically goes in once a week.  I began by going with Marieke and Ms. John, the director, around the island to take pictures of some of their different projects.  The pictures are for self promotion at their big fundraiser coming up this weekend, the International Food & Drink Festival.  With Marieke and Ms. John I went to three preschools, a community center, a public bath they built and a fresh water supply they constructed for a rural village.  It was an all day tour around the island that was so rewarding.  It was also the perfect way to start volunteering with them; seeing their projects firsthand helped me really connect with what they do.  For now we’ve just been concentrating on getting ready for the festival and I’ve only been into their office once.  Marieke and I are designing the boards with photos for their booth at the festival and also putting together a video.  We interviewed a man who was sponsored by Grensave when he was younger and are using it to show what a big impact Grensave has on individuals.  I also started working on the other side of the festival trying to get things together for the American booth, so I’ve got my hands in a little bit of everything.  I’m really looking forward to the event this weekend!

Pearls Preschool

A public bath house in Pearls

Children wearing the national colors before Independence Day

The first meeting place for Grensave volunteers and workers

We missed out on eating junk food and watching the Super Bowl with friends and family, but did our own little Super Bowl get together here.  Marieke and Emily threw a surprise Super Bowl party for their husbands and their friends.  Jade and I were the cover story and I helped them make food for the event.  The boys watched the game while the girls left for a nearby restaurant’s grand opening.  I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with the girls, but a part of me did want to be watching the game.  We at least got to see the half time show, which was fun for me because I knew several people working on the field during the performance.  I didn’t see any of them, but it was exciting to look for the familiar faces.  I know the guys had a great night and we appreciative of the ‘man time’, or whatever it is they call it. 

A few days later was Grenada’s Independence Day.  We were thrilled when our landlord invited us to eat a traditional meal with the family.  I’ll never forget last semester when Ms. Moore told me that Grenadians are generally ready a few hours later than they say they will be.  It was no surprise when our meal was a couple hours later than we expected, but it was so worth the wait!  It was very local fare that Grenadians all over the island were probably eating the same day.  Ms. Moore was going to make oil down, the national dish, but she couldn’t get a hold of any bread fruit.  So we had provisions, saltfish, rice and peas, coleslaw, chicken and pork rib and fresh orange juice from the trees in the yard.  It was fantastic and the company was great, too.  We enjoyed talking to Ms. Moore about Grenadian patois, although poor Teshawn was feeling really bad.  Ms. Moore even packed two of my food containers full so we’d have leftovers to eat.  They’re so good to us!

That next weekend I went on my first hash.  For those of you that don’t know what hashing is, here is an excerpt from the Grenada Hash House Harriers (HHH) website:

"Every other Saturday, at precisely 1600 hours, a motley group of assorted runners and walkers assemble at a previously designated rum shop, somewhere in Grenada.  After an initial briefing by their leader (known as The Hash Master) they set off in the bush, shouting ON ON.  They follow a trail of flour or shredded paper which takes the “pack” through some of the most attractive parts of the island and they return to the rum shop a couple of hours later to consume large quantities of beer and undo all the good that this running and walking has done to them.”

According to Wikipedia, hashing started in 1938 and there are more than 1,700 chapters.  They can be found on all continents.  HHH has its own lingo and funny rituals.  At the end of each Grenadian hash there is food and beverages for sale and usually music.  It’s quite the party as I understand it.  There is always a good mix of locals and visitors (or students) and the true hashers all come to know one another.  Eventually they all get nicknames and that’s all anyone calls you by.  I’ve only been on one hash so far, but it was something I intend to do again and again.  The scenery was just amazing!  I would never wander into the woods without a trail, so this is the only way for me to see places that don’t have hiking trails. 

Each time it is somewhere different on the island, or even on Grenada’s other two islands, so I can’t always make it.  I was lucky to catch a ride with some friends who were going.  We did get a little lost going to the hash so we started late.  Our driver, Richard, also locked his keys in his car and had to wait with it instead of join Sarah, Myra and me on the hash.  Being at the back we were able to take our time and take lots of photos.  We crossed two streams, went through a bamboo forest, saw goats on a rooftop and many other things.  This hash started and ended at Westerhall Rum Distillery in St. David’s.  At the end I saw Kurlon and my other landlord, John.  I also discovered the hash master is the man who is building our other apartment, so I knew several people there!  There was a pretty big group of virgin hashers there and we all participated in the ritual and got certificated commemorating our first hash.  The ritual consisted of standing in a big hugging circle while the certificate was read to us and then getting sprayed with beer.  I was so very, very sticky.  I was also the very center of the hug, so I think I got most of the beer.  The other fun ritual is that anyone caught with new shoes on a hash is made to drink a beer from their shoe once back at the starting point.  Luckily I knew about this one ahead of time and was not about to make that mistake.  The whole thing was really a blast.  It was just a good way to spend a Saturday afternoon and I can see the community that forms around it.  I hope I get to know some of the regulars and maybe become one myself within the next two years.

Westerhall Rum Distillery

Sarah, Myra and I before the hash

A circle of paper indicates possible trick trails

Bamboo forest

Crossing a stream

The hash master himself, reading our certificates

Wait for it...

Me, covered in beer, with my certificate =)

That following Monday was the dreaded Unified, the first set of tests for the medical students to gauge how well they're understanding the material in each class.  It is relatively short, so Jade was out mid-morning and was able to meet me at the University Club pool after our SO board meeting for a little rest and relaxation.  Two of our new friends met us there and then the four of us went to dinner that night.  We went into St. George's to what I think is Grenada's only German restaurant., Schnitzel Haus.  It was a treat to go into town and eat by the Carenage; it's my favorite place in the city.  I think it's just beautiful.  We caught a reggae bus into town and walked up the stairs of a building right in the center of the street that runs along the bay.  The view was great, the service fantastic and the food was delicious (I had Bratwürstl mit Sauerkraut).  The German couple running the restaurant was so helpful and had the best accents.

View from near Schnitzel Haus

The next day was Valentine’s Day and the SOs had a big Valentine’s Day bake sale.  Many people baked for it and many, many people bought treats from it.  It was held to raise money for the Dorothy Hopkin Centre for the Disabled here on the island.  I used the cute Valentine’s Day sprinkles mom bought me and made chocolate sugar cookies.  We raised $1,740.50!!  It’s because of all the baked good deprived med and vet students that we made that much!  I don’t think your typical school bake sale would normally bring that much in. 

I also made Jade a special Valentine’s Day dinner.  He got shrimp fettuccini alfredo with heart shaped pasta, steamed broccoli and a tiramisu pie with red lip sprinkles.  It was a pretty cute meal, if I do say so myself!

Last week the support sessions from last term continued with a local woman speaking about how to adjust to Grenada.  I feel fairly adjusted by this point, but I wanted to hear what she had to say.  I’d heard she was a hilarious woman and she really was.  She was very intelligent and well traveled herself.  Her experiences helped her understand other cultures so she was able to recognize the differences and difficulties other people might have adapting to her own native culture.  We talked about customer service and catcalling, mainly.  Many people I know jokingly say customer service doesn’t exist here, which is true to an extent.  Customer service the way Americans know it certainly does not exist here.  The customer is not always right, nor is the customer always put first.  It can be very frustrating and make people seem downright rude.  The speaker explained that while Grenada does have a large tourism sector, it is still not as big as most Caribbean countries (think Jamaica, Bahamas, Virgin Islands, etc.).  The idea that positivity, big smiles and pleasant conversation can often earn you a larger tip or repeat service is not really thought of.  In such a bad time economically, she said it’s common that people come to their dead end jobs, make dollars a day and literally have a starving family at home.  Especially if I wasn’t trained on any customer service aspect of my job, I’m sure I would be pretty blah at work too.  She also said that since Grenadians are descendents of slaves, there is some of that remaining hostility when someone is expected to serve a particularly rude, self-entitled and arrogant student from abroad.  I can absolutely understand that as well.  I unfortunately see a lot of ugly Americans here who expect certain things and tend to be very demanding and rude to locals.  With several of those things compounded, it’s easy to see why daily dealings at the grocery store aren’t always the best part of the day.  We really have to work at proving them wrong on the negative American stereotypes. 

We also talked about catcalling, which is really common here, as well as many other countries I’ve been to.  Heck, it even happens in the US, but not as commonly in my experience.  I don’t understand how men around the world can seriously think they’re complimenting us.  For most women it is really frustrating and annoying.  The speaker talked to us about how to deal with it and how to address a situation if we really can’t take it anymore.  It was a rather funny conversation with her personal stories thrown in.  

  

And to finally bring you up to date, I spent all Sunday with a fabulous and crafty friend who sewed with me for my first time.  EVER.  I know, a wife who can’t sew can’t be much of a wife, right?  Lucky for me suturing taught Jade everything he needed to know about sewing and now he’s the one that can repair our ripped pockets and missing buttons.  But really, I’m pretty proud of myself for what I was able to accomplish.  My bag didn’t come out perfect by any means, but even with Cat helping me it is more than I thought I would be able to do.  Cat has a small sewing machine and she makes skirts and bags fairly regularly.  She was the perfect person to help me take on a tutorial I found on Pinterest.  It was for a beach towel (with built in pillow) that rolls up into its own beach bag.  It has pockets and everything for carrying beach supplies!  I brought the supplies down with me from the US when we came back from Christmas break and I brought Cat some pillow stuffing so she could make one too.  One was definitely enough for a day!  Our main issue was that the sticky Velcro didn’t want to stay on the towel, but the Velcro was too thick to pass through the sewing machine in order to stitch it into place.  She also didn’t have any thimbles so ramming a needle through Velcro by hand was out of the question.  I currently need to figure out another way to secure it closed, and maybe add the trim.  Then it will be fully usable and so comfy!  It’s pretty cute if I do say so myself. 

Just after stuffing the pillow

The fabric used for pockets and eventually trimming

Pockets sewn

Like any good dog, Julep tested out my new towel for me

Outermost side of the bag

Well, that’s about all I have for you, plus you’re probably on information overload.  Who knows, maybe I’ll start writing more often so I don’t spend entire nights doing this all at once.  Ahh who I am kidding?