Day #99 Tamarind

School was good today, I got to watch one of the classes start to make a cutting board. They just got a big donation of tools and such for the wood shop. On my lunch brake I walked down to a market that has yellow bananas, believe it or not its hard to find ripe bananas here they are mostly green. So I got a bunch of yellow and a bunch of almost yellow. I also got a bag of tamarind. So when I got home I straitened up the house some and the sat and watched a movie while I pealed the tamarind, I am going to make balls and juice. I felt like a real caribbean woman siting with my big bag of tamarind, messy and hands, it was grate. Anyways I didn't do anything fancy for dinner, I think i am going to call it a night soon I am tiered. But tomorrow I don't have work its May Day. I am going to detail the house and I also have company coming over for a little dinner party :) I am cooking, all let you know how that goes tomorrow!! Good night all

Day #98 Work those legs

Today was a good day I got to work with the kids on some more art projects and then I went in the computer room and worked with some kids on star fall, its like PBS Kids. Any ways then I went and payed my rent, garbed some stuff from the store and ran up t my house to drop off everything because I was in a rush to get out the door so that I could meet my dance teachers brother for his workout class in Gren Vill because dance class was canceled due to lack of transpiration for those who live outside of St.Georges. Any ways it is an hour plus to get their it was a long cramped ride but fun. Today in class we worked on some of the dances from the other group and then for the second class we worked on legs and abs oh my god I am starting to feel all of the muscles I didn't know that i had. Its amazing to me how fast passed their class is and up beat. Its a butt kicker i am soaked after class. I had a bunch of bananas after class and we ate dinner in the buss on the way back. It was a fun night. I am going to feel that class in the morning. When I got home I made lunch for tomorrow and put away some stuff around the house. I had a good day.        

Day #97 Cooking B-day dinner

It was another one of those days where I slept in because of the later dancing night. When I got up I started to get lunch ready for my friends birthday lunch/dinner. Here in Grenada the biggest meals is lunch. So I started chopping up all of the veggies and boiling the water for the pasta I made him sausage pasta with a cheese wine reduction sauce. I also made garlic cheesy bread. I think that I did good, he seamed to like it. After that we walked down to the water and watched the party ship come in. One of are friends works on it. Any ways it was a simple but good day today. Work tomorrow      

Day # 96 First frog in Grenada

It was a good day today although it is not over yet. I woke up and got ready I meet up with my friend so we could go shopping for his birthday dinner that I am going to make for him tomorrow. We went into Grand Ance witch is the next province up because I wanted to get some real sausage for him. Down here what they call sausage is a hot dog (sad) I have not seen a brought worst or any other type of US sausage. I found something that was close to it. I needed to pick up a bottle of wine and a fresh loaf of bread. I am not going to tell you what I am going to make him because that would spoil some of the surprise for tomorrows blog. Any ways after that we came home and I straightened his hair agin with the flat iron and he helped me die my hair. I don't know how long it will last because it was not a name brand that I was used. When I went into the kitchen I spotted something small and brown stuck to my wall, when I got closer I discovered that it was a tree frog. It has been raining more so I think thats what brought him out. So my friend does not like frogs and was confused at why I pick it up, that was funny. Any ways I put it outside. After that we finished getting read to go out to the latin party thats every other week. We meet are ride and headed over. I was exited because I found a nice dress that was prefect for salsa dancing. Its long and red and layered so it moves very nice with the dancing. It was a good long fun night.

Day #95 First month meeting

4/27/13

I had a good day at school, I got to play some sports with the kids. Nothing to exiting at the school it was PE day, but it was fun. When I went I made up a big grocery list and walked down to the market, I got to much veggies and beens its going to be so yummy, I even bought some salt fish. I need to get a bread pan,  glass pan, and a blender though so I can really get to cooking, using the oven and make smoothies or as the people down here would say punch. It was a long walk home but it was worth it. At 3 I had to walk to the Peace Corps office for my first month meeting, we just talked with each other about how are jobs are going, housing and  out of work activates. Everyone seems to be doing good. I myself am doing amazing i found the best group of friends I love living alone, absolutely think my job was a grate fit for me. I am so lucky I think I made it out easy here. After that I rushed home to make dinner and get ready to to go out, and watch the group perform and then we went to the local dance club. It was a good night they played lots of different music so we could dance to lots of stuff. It also rained so we got to dance in a tent, under the fool moon with the fresh smell of rain. Loved it  

Day # 94 back to back dance classes

4/25/13

Today went by so fast, the kids worked on finishing up some of the projects that they have started for the art exhibition, weaving place mats, earrings, and aprons. I talked to one of the teachers about some of the ideas that I had and he said if they can get the materials I can teach them and work with the kids on one of the projects. I want to do candles because they have those materials already we just need to get some color and some smells for them. I was also thinking of the jars or pots so people can plant in them or use them as a vase. I also worked more on my idea for the mosaic and I think its time to start collecting sea glass. After school I meat one of my friends in town so she could go shopping that was fun, walked some of the stores and talked, girl time. Any who when I got home I started to get ready for dance class and my other friend who lives above me stooped by and we talked for a bit, its nice that we can talk to each other if we need something but were not always in each others space. Shes an amazing person. My dance partner came over and we ate dinner before heading to class number one. It is the beginning salsa class, we had a lot of new people so we went over basics and worked on one new turn it was grate. The second class was intermediate and we worked on the newest line dance, we broke it down slow slow piece by piece. So it was a full 3hr night of dancing agin. I love it so much fun fun. Cant wait for tomorrow. Night night all          

Day # 93 safety and medical visit

I was off from school/work today because the medical and safety officer are in Grenada  and today was my day. It was nice to see the two of them and their visit was painless. The medical officer just came to make sure that I didn't have any problems health wise since I have been here and that I had a water filter. The safety officer checked to make sure that my apartment was up to PC standards and that I felt safe in my home. Just simple questions. It was a short visit because they have a bunch of people to go see all day.
The rest of my day will be relaxing cooking lunch and then I am going to another perish for a dance class I am exited about that. Last week and this week I had 2 classes canceled and I am feeling deprived from dancing. So I will let you all know how that goes.  
Ok so that dance/workout class was awesome, let me tell you people dow here know how to work you out, fast paced music, pushing you it feels so good to be completely soaked in sweet from head to toe. I did 3hrs of dance, abs, and aerobics. I cant wait to do that every wednesday with my personal trainer. Well I just got home I stink so I am going to shower and hit the hay :) night night all    

Day #92 Gym

I had to rush and get ready this morning because I pushed the wrong button on my phone but I mad it on time so I would catch the school bus with the kids. It was a good but quiet day with the kids we worked on baby animals, math and then sewing. After school I walked a hole two minutes up the street to meet one of the people I dance with who is also a personal traner, we talked about what I was looking for and how I could get their. So I am going to join his gym it comes out to like $37 US (Thats nothing) and he will be their to help me and make sure I am doing everything right. Also I can meet him outside of the gym for an hour maybe two times a week for $13US. I am going to be in shape very soon with all of the dancing, walking, gym, personal training, and healthy food I am so exited. Any ways when I got home I cleaned up and cooked some left overs. Tomorrow I wont be going to work because I have some stuff to do with the PC I'm going to miss social studies and crafts but I got to do what I got to do. After that I have a dance class with the person who will be my traner, its my first with him so I will will let you know how that goes. Im telling you all I made a grate new group of friends. The woman that runs the dance group I am in her brother is the one who will be training me. We also have a cop, and magazine writer, so many fun people!!        

Day # 91 Taste Tester

School was a lot of fun today, we started off with what we call baby animals, we also talked about some that come from eggs. Then we worked on math. After math it was time for home economics. Each kid is assigned to bring something different to create one dish. This week they all didn't bring what they where supposed to so they made hot dogs and eggs. Their was three groups one cut and cooked their hot dog differently and one group got to use an egg. It was fun to watch them cut, mix and decide what they where going to use, some of them didn't even know how to turn the stove on. I got to be the taste tester, and decide what mixtures tasted the best. After that it was time for lunch, I decided that I was going to bring my ipad so I take some pictures and play some of my games during my hour lunch, the kids watched at first and then wanted to try so I had them sit at there desks, each one could play one time and they had to pass it to the next person. it was fun to watch the squish ants and watch their eyes light up when they accidentally hit a bee. it passed the time fast to. After lunch it was finishing their aprons that they stated. On my way home I stopped by the store to pick up some things more veggies, pasta and milk. When I got home I found myself eating some things that I ever imagined myself enjoying. Cucumber slices with split pees on hole grain toast. I think my taste buds have advanced since I was younger because as i am sure my mom would say that when I was younger I was a picky kid. But any ways tonight is dance class and I am hoping to record it so I can practice over and over and over agin in my room so I can get them right. I don't think I can post them because someone ells choreographed them, but hopefully one day when I am out dancing I can get someone to tape me dancing with my partner. After class all probably just come home and relax so I am all rested for school/work tomorrow.              

Day #90 change of plans

Good afternoon everyone, I was hoping to have something fun, different and exiting to tell you for this Sunday but my plans got changed and I was home all day today. I slept in, no surprise their I bet. Once I got up I made oatmeal with brown sugar it was yummy. Then I watched some dancing videos, it's good home work. It was off to make dinner after that, fresh cut pumpkin, left over pasta with veggies, and lentil peas on top (no meat)! Good relaxing night before school tomorrow. I hope you ll had a good weekend :)

Day #89 liming

4/21/13

Saturdays are one of my favorite days because I get to sleep in and then be lazy and clean the house. It was a simple day but relaxing. It's nice to relax my brain and rest. So most of my day was not to exiting but I cooked dinner, I made pasta with steamed veggies and spicy tuna on top with a salad, I am enjoying all of my newly created dishes, using Grenadas local food and a small American twist. After dinner I went with on my friends to meet some of his friends and I had a really nice time. His friend has a 2 year old son that is so cute, and also one week old puppies. We listened to music and talked. It was a nice relaxing liming (hanging out) evening. We walked back in the cool breeze and watched the city lights along the waters edge. It was so nice.

Day #88 Dance into the morning

4/19/13

School was fun it was PE friday, so I watched the kids play cricket, and football (soccer). I don't think I have told you all yet but I could be wrong but one of the people in the Peace Corps puts on a dance group and I will be participating in that and teaching art as well. I found out that it will be held at my school, so some of my kids will be their. My kids love to dance and do art I think it was a perfect place for me to be assigned to because I love the same things. After school I went home and took a nap, that has become a routine of mine. Then I made dinner. Fried plantains, salad, toast, curry chicken with sweet potatoes and veggies. I used the last of my chicken, I am almost done with all of the meet I just have like 2 hotdogs left, soon it will be basically just fish, eggs, veggies, ground provisions, and fruit. Any ways I then got ready to go dancing at one of the resorts, its so much fun to watch the main people dance, knowing that some day that could be be up their dancing. After that we all went to the Spice Basket and danced, are group is about 9 people, it can be more. I am so exited for monday, I am going to use my video recorder that I got to tape the class, that way I can go home and work on the routines over and over and over until I get them down, I have so much catching up to do its not even funny but I will get their. Dancing has always been a part of me and it makes me feel so good, I love that I can do that down here.  It was a fun night. I got to dance my first line dance with the group, so much fun. It was a late night but much worth it, I love fridays because I can sleep in the morning :)    

Day # 87 Me teach dance class ummmmm ok

Today started off with the kids finishing their origami triangles. Once they finished that they could connect them and build what ever they wanted. It was a cool idea and it made the kids think about what they where doing, lining up the sides remembering what folds came next. Durning lunch one of the teachers asked me if I could do the electric slide? my response jokingly was no but I can teach them the basic salsa steps. To my surprise he then asked me to do it after lunch, I had just learned myself but I thought I would give it a try. So I separated the boys from the girls and tough each one their part. Soon enough with some help from the teacher working with the boys we had some cupels together and dancing the steps. It was so awesome to watch, so next time I will work on teaching them the count to go with the steps and then add that to a song. It was a good day. I got home and hung out my cloths to dry and started cooking dinner. I soon found out that my dance class was canceled but that didn't matter because my dance partner was with me already so had are own class. I started learning the basic cha cha steps and one of the other line dances :) It was a good night before bed.        

Day #86 Zumba

Social skills cercle agin today with two classes combined. It was another hard subject. Because last week we started talking about crime we branched off taking one subject of crime at a time. We started with inappropriate touching and rape. Wow was that a hard subject to observe, its good that the school can be open with the kids and the kids can ask questions. It was a long session and I think the kids have a bit more clarity on the subject. It was an early day for me because there was not much for me to do so I came home and took a nap. I got up and made tuna, veggie, salad it was good. Its funny I don't miss meet that much and I am enjoying the local produce. Any ways I had a surprise visit my friends mom owns a garden and he brought me cabbage, potatoes, pumpkin, and some citrus. It was a short visit because I was heading out to Zambia class, and wow was that fun the music is awesome and I was sweating my ass off. It was a grate class I will be going back! When i got home I showered and hand washed some cloths before bed time. On that note goodnight world and family and friends.
All talk to you tomorrow              

Day #85 Sewing

I was exited that I can take the school buss every morning and after school, it saves me a lot of money during the week. Anyways we started the day off working on opposites (off/on, dark/light) It was interesting to here some of the answers from the kids it we asked what the opposite of try was we would get rain. So the kids knew that it had something to do with water. They are smart kids just takes some decoding. Then we moved on to sewing, man can these kids sew, the teacher was like do a back stitch and then connect this part to that part and then got right to work. Me on the other hand was lost at back stitch. The kids where almost done by the time I barley finished one little part. It was fun though, the kids can embroider too. It was a good day, I got to leave a bit early so I could head to the post office, it takes about 3 weeks for a box to come so thank you grandma for the box :) When I got home I just cooked and cleaned the house some. It was a good day.        

Day #84 Second week of school

Monday 4/15/13 

School was a bit on the slow side but it was good, we cleaned out the home ec room, and I drew out and idea for my mosaic for the school. I am going to use sea glass. I drew a picture of it and gave it to the teachers to look at and they really liked it so they showed it to the principle and she liked it as well so I am exited I think thats going to be my first project at the school. When I got home I took a little nap and then started cooking, I just made eggs with cheeses, onions, and ham. It was good. I also made a big salad. It was perfect for right before my dance class. That class is crazy amazing so much fun and a good work out. I cant wait to get to know all of the line dances that they have. Any ways its 10:37 here so I am going to go shower and go to bed. Good night all.    

Day #83 I’m getting better

Sunday 4/14/13    

Today was a stay at home relax kind of day. We went to the Latin party last night it was better than the first time that had gone because I have the basic steps down and I can keep up with most of the people if they are good leads. Someone even said I was a good dancer so that made me happy. It was another late night so I slept in and when I got up I cleaned the house and washed my laundry, I am getting better at hand washing thank goodness. Latter that evening my friend came over and I straitened his hair that took a few hours, but it was fun and then we cooked dinner. Its nice to have company J

Day 82 Dance Dance Dance

So last night was incredible, we went to two different dance places one is the resort where the one group preforms and then a local dance club. We where their until 2am and then we went to the beach. I have never liked the beach as an adult its so hot and sandy. But at night when the water is calm and the sand is cool its amazing, watching shooting stars and listening to the waves. It was a group of about ten of us five girls and five boys we all dance together. Swimming in the ocean at night was very interesting because you cant see anything really, but as a group it was fun. We watched the sun rise. So beautiful to watch the lights turn into sun beams. Today I slept my eight hours and then got up and cooked, cleaned and started getting ready for the latin party that we are all going to tonight. So another late night but its the weekend so its ok. I had a grate week and now i am having fun with my new friends. Grenada is growing on me. So I will update you on tonight tomorrow. Have a good Saturday night everyone :)      

Day # 81 Spice it up

Today was sports for the kids so I did not do much. When I got home I went shopping, and went to look for a blender. Boy are blenders expensive at the one store that I went to so I am going to try a few more. I think I would also like a rice maker. The pot way sucks. But any who now I am just cooking and getting ready for dancing tonight. Were doing to the Spice Basket agin and I cant wait to dress up. After that I think we are all going to the beach because it is one of are friends birthdays so we are going to celebrate. Its going to be a good fun weekend I can tell already. I think I will up date this tomorrow but their is a glimpse of what I think I am going to be doing tonight.

Night Night everyone Happy Friday  

Day # 80 Lets dance

It was another grate day at my school. I started by helping the kids finish up their mothers day cards. They had to take the tape off of their paper and glue it to a harder folded piece and write happy mothers day on it. That took most of the day. After lunch it was mainly dancing and listening to music as the bus came to pick up kids. Each day its going to be simple but I like that because I can get to know each child a bit better. I have been trying to narrow down what each chid likes and does not like and work more with the lower functioning students. I already love them so much.  That picture is of the mural that one of the peace corps before me had the students do.

After work I went home and washed some cloths, cleaned up the house a bit and then got ready for dance class. Thats right its Thursday night SALSA, I am so adduced. So we have dance class and then we go to a little bar down the street that has a dance floor and dj start ion. Its a grate space to dance in, the teacher and the students go their to dance. Its going to be a late night but tomorrows friday and I can take a nap after work.   

 

Day # 79 Negative Space Paintings

One of the best days at my school so far. We started off the day combining two of the classes, it came to about 16 kids. They do a kind of like a life skills circle and they talk about everyday events, crime, politics, and sex. Its a space where they can feel comfortable and safe to ask questions and talk about experiences that they have had. Todays topic was crime. The teachers asked if crime was good or bad and then the kids had to go around and say what they felt about its and why. It was interesting to see what their answers where. That lasted up until break, after break we started working on are mothers day cards. We taped around their half sheet of white paper and then had them cut out shapes in tape and place them all over the paper. When they where done they had to paint the paper that was showing, any colors that they wanted. It will soon become a card. It was so grate to start talking with the teachers and the kids are starting to recognize me as a safe fun person. I love the kids so much they are alway happy and trying to learn new things. During lunch I went and played with some of them on the slide and the seesaw. The playground is so small and all metal so it gets really hot for them to climb on. Any ways after lurch I worked with the next group of kids on their mothers day cards. I don't think I will ever get board at my school their is something different to do with the kids every day, computers, home ec, art, gardening, and life skills.  I think that the school I am at is amazing and the teachers have been their a  long time. I am so exited that I can get a ride home on the special ed buss it saves me a bit of money and I might be abel to get a ride their in the mornings as well. I will take some picks of the school tomorrow hopefully because I know I got a request for that. Any who when I got home I relaxed for a bit and then cooked dinner. Its all vegetarian Steamed pumpkin, carrots, broccoli, cheeses and a bit of mayo (Just a bit), I also made home made juice. I know that it might seam strange to some of you that I always talk about food and cleaning my apartment but this is a huge thing for me because as my mom can contest I have never really had to cook and clean a house by myself. So I am proud of myself that I have grown to that part of adulthood. I think tonights going to be a quiet night going to bed early and resting :) Maybe some washing of cloths and such. Love you all 

talk to you tomorrow.     

Day # 78 They are exited too

4/9/13

Today was a my second day at work, I was in the highest level classroom that they teach. It was about 7 children who where learning at a 2end grade level. They where working on short i sounds. (Bin, tin, fin). When they were done with that the teacher had them trace their feet on colored paper, then they were supposed to write where their feel had taken them over the easter holiday. I though it was a grate exercise to get them thinking. After lunch we all went to the arts and crafts cupboard and started going threw it. Next month is the art exhibit so we are starting to think about what we could have the kids do. To my surprise and excitement a few of the teacher's are very interested in art. One of the teachers does wood working and the other has been trying to get the school brightened up. So I think that I have been placed in the most perfect school for me. I think that I can do a lot around the school and have the children help as well. One of the main things that I noticed about the school that could use some refurbishing is the play ground. I think I might try and design a playground that is accessible for the disabled. A lot of the kids at my school are high functioning and love to climb all over stuff, it will also get some of their energy out for the teachers. I am so exited to get designing and working with the teachers and kids around the school.  

PS. If any one has any wood working tools or other art supplies they would used and loved if they arrived at my school!!

I think I have decided that I am not going to buy meat any more, I am not saying I wont eat it at other peoples homes and restaurants but for my apartment I think I am going to stick to fruits, veggies, rice, beans and so forth.  I am actually to my surprise liking eating at home, bringing my own meals places and feeling healthy. I can all ready see and feel the difference in my health and it has not been that long sine I started my Peace Corps adventure.

Tonight i am going to cook pasta with steamed veggies and plantains. I think this will be a good meal before I start dancing tonight. I want to practice as much as possible so I am almost at the same place as the others. I think I am catching up rather quick, but who am I to say that lol. any ways Today was a good day.

talk to you all later love you          

Day # 77 First day of work, First day at dance rehearsal

So today was a full day I started by heading to work at the Grenada special education school. I did not start teaching art yet so I was placed in the class with all of the children who have autism. Their was six of them age range from 6-15. We just played games with then and worked on fine motor skills. After their snack break we worked on putting cloths on and off. Once we had completed that it was lunch time. After lunch we changed and cleaned up all of the kids. It was a good first day, nice to spend time with a small group of kids and one teacher. I hope to work in one classroom a week so that i learn names, gain trust from the students, and talk with the teachers. The school has a special bus that picks all of the kids up and takes them home so I think that I can get a ride home every day if I want to. I got home and showered before my friend came over and we cooked dinner. It turned out so good. It was the first roti that I had made and we had a salad with it as well. My other Peace Corps friend came over and got to try what we had made. I think she liked it. From their we walked up the street to are dance class. It was so much fun, we did a dance work out routine to worm up. I can feel it in my body already. After that we stated working on the choreography that are teacher had put together for us. It was a lot of fun it was 9 of us all together. This is the group that goes out and preforms some times. It was  grate night class was like 3hrs long. I got drooped off back at home and now I am going to pack my lunch for tomorrow, shower and go to bed.

Night night
love you all
xoxoxox

     

Day #76 First Sunday Dinner

4/7/13

Today was a quiet day, I cleaned the apartment, watched some salsa videos and then around 2 I went to my host families house for dinner. It was nice I got to se my host brother, and mother. She made fish, pasta, cucumber plantains, and one other thing thats like spinach. Its slimier and tastes better. It was nice just relaxing, talking and eating. When we where done I walked with my host mother to the sore. I got to walk threw the store to look at prices and compare them to the other stores. Shopping here is hard I find because you have to go to several different stores to get all of the things that you want, and if you want to get the best use of your money. Its hard though because its so hot right now and walking all over the place to get one thing and then walking across the city to get one thing is not fun especially when I have an up hill walk back home. I wish you all could see and feel what its like to walk all over a not flat island in humidity, let me tell you some times it is not fun. But I will get used to it.  I think I am already improving health wise. Any ways  I had a good day and I need to get some rest for tomorrow I have work and then I am off to dance class. So exited for tomorrow I cant wait to meet the kids and the teachers and the dance group!!!  So good night and I will try to post tomorrows blog before I got to bed it it is not to late. We will see.

xoxoxox

Day #75 Frying Pan

4/6/13

This morning I got up and went into town, I needed to get some more food for the house, and a some other stuff. I thought I could handle all of the groceries and my pillows but I was very mistaken. I had to stop several times and eventually I decided to catch a bus to my house. It was worth all of the hassle I got a frying pan so I can cook, I got 2 pillows so I can roll around like I normally do and I got food so I can eat. I have been doing really well not eating out and starting to learn how to make my own food. Its a good feeling to be abel to take care of myself. I think I had the right training from my my mom and my host mother in St.Lucia. Any ways when I was done with that I got asked to attend a fit for life  get together. Fit for life is gym, so they put together kind of like a biggest looser for some of the local business and had sports equipment. It was fun they had a zumba class, and the dance group witch was put together to keep some of the kids off of the street. It was a fun event. When I got home I had some dinner and started washing my cloths :) ohhhh sunday is my last day before work. Wow that easter brake went by fast.        

Day # 74 Jazz night

4/5/13

It had been a relaxing day, and when 6pm came around the fun began. Me and a group of people went to the Jazz night down that the museum. It was a lot of fun they have drinks, food and entertainment. They had a live jazz band playing. Its all local people and they try to have new guests come in and perform as well. Oe of the guys in are group got to jam as hey so call it with the band he sang 2 songs and played the guitar. It was fun to see of the local people and get together for a relaxing evening. When that was over we headed to a resort where one of the local salsa groups preforms or as they call it become the internment. They are such good dancers, one of the girls in the pc group is apart of that. She is the one who also used to swing dance and got me into salsa. From their we went to another local dance club called the spice basket its local music also with a live band. So we dance their for a bit. So i don't know if I have said this or not but their is two groups a class on Thursday nights and then their is another group that you have to be asked to join. well I got asked to come to the practices on Mondays :)  I am so happy. I really do love to dance, it gives me something to do, I get to know some of the local people, make friends and is a stress releaver. I was so unbelievably happy when I got asked to come to class on Mondays :) Any ways that was my night crazy and fun.    

Day #73 Dance your heart away

4/4/13

Goodnight all, this is what people say to one another when they greet in the evenings. Any who my day was grate simple relaxing and fun. I woke up this morning with a bit of a belly ache I don't know what from but any ways so that bugged me all day. So laid in bed watching professional salsa dancers perform. Some of them are so amazing I cant wait to get batter. Any ways My friends that I dance with came over right before we went to salsa class. Tonight their was a good turn out   about 10 people their some from one of the local dance groups and some new people. It was a lot of fun so we had dance class from 7-9 and then we went down the street to the local dance/ bar. We got to dance all of the local latin dances, it was so much fun we danced until about 11:30. I was cover in sweat from head to toe, its incredible what some practice, video clip watching and training your brain to the different beats of the music can help you improve so fast. I am so much better than last week. Any ways I got to got o bed.
sweet dreams all Love you      

Day # 72 Walk on the beach

4/3/13

Today was a nice and relaxed day I cleaned some more and played with some of my music. I am trying to give people some of mine and I am trying to get some salsa from them so I have some more stuff to practice to. After that I went to the beach with a friend, it was so nice it was nice and cool out and the water crashing on the beach was calming. It was a good way to end the night. these next few days are going to be boring for you all because I am not going to be doing much. I will keep you posed I cant wait to start work on the 8th :)  

Day #71 First cooked dinner at home

Today was a good day, I finished cleaning my new apartment and washed some laundry by hand, that was fun. Then after that I had a friend come over who I salsa dance with and we went to the store and got some more groceries for dinner. He thought me how to make a local dish called stewed chicken, its like caramelized sugar with different spices that you put on the chicken when you are cooking it. We also made rice with mixed vegetables and pumpkin. It was a good meal. When we where done eating we started going threw some salsa music that I got from my friend upstairs. It was so nice that I have a place in my kitchen to cook and dance. We danced for about 2hrs tonight, I think that I am getting better at the basic steps. He is a good lead and also knows some of my weaknesses so he tries to help me improve in those areas. Its relaxing to dance at the end of the day. I start teaching on the 8th so I need to dance as much as I can now, and spend time doing things around the island.

He is a sweetheart, its nice to make new friends! 

     

Day #70 I'm home

Well I had an interesting, fun, and exiting day. I MOVED INTO MY OWN APARTMENT!!!!! One of the most exiting things ever. So this morning I had my host dad and brother help me with my monsters of bags that I brought. We stopped by the bank to grab my rent money and headed down to my place. When I got here their was no one to meet me or show me around, I had to call my up stairs Peace Corps friend who had the keys witch was fine with me. I arrived at my place at 9am so I had lots of time to unpack all of my stuff. I started by going threw the stuff that the other PCV left me, she is going back to the US today, I'm going to miss her. But anyways that was fun to see what she left me, just some small goodies shoes, yoga mats, and some good advice. Once I did that I started working on my stuff I had plenty of hangers and a closet to fit what I brought. Once I had one bag done I took a nap. I needed that nap, its stressful to move into you own spot if you've never had one before and in a different country. But I love it! So after my nap I walked up to the grocery store for some things I needed. It was a god outing, just needed a bit of fresh sea air. Then I started moving around some furniture the table and then the bed. Well so my surprise the bed needed some tlc and it fell apart a bit when I was moving it, ooooopppsssss. I fixed it but I had to take the mattresses off and find out what the problem was. Wow was that a hot workout I was sweating my butt off. But I think I made some nice changed to the room their is more space now for what ever. I also put my mosquito net up, that was hard some of the hooks did not want to stick to the wall, that kind of sucked so I will have to ask someone ells about how I should finish that, I got it to the point where I can use it its just not that grate looking. Another thing I did that would not surprise my mom is I covered the window so that it will be dark in my room, I had to get creative their as well. I had some random left over fabric and a sheet that I found so its mixed matched all over the window. And then their was some clear tiles that let in light as well so I covered them with tinfoil because I couldn't get a tack in the wall. I will cover all of that when I find the right thing put over it. I know i know I did a lot to my apartment but I am going to be here 2 years maybe more should make it comfy for me. It was a good day though all in all. Good night all sleep good!
                   

Day # 69 Latin night

3/31/13

I once again was lucky enough to sleep in, I know it seems like I sleep in a lot but I have until the 8^th before I start work to have some relaxing, fun days. Any who so when I woke I cleaned off my shoes better and placed them in the sun hopping that they are dry in time for tonight. I also finished packing and cleaning up my room, because tomorrow is the big day I move into my new apartment. One of the other volunteers is coming for sunday dinner as well so that should be fun. We are having a big dinner, chicken, salad, potatoes and much much more. I also have volley boll hopefully at 5. I'm getting really into being active in all different ways dancing, hiking, walking around town, and volley boll. I am hopping that with the change in my diet and all of the exercise I will get heather and fit. So after I ate dinner I decided that because it was a holiday that probably no people would be going to volley boll and I got invite to walk down to the beach. It was a good choice it was a much needed walk, it was a good 45min walk. When we got their she went for a run and I watched the crabs come in and out of their holes pushing dirt and seaweed around. They are interesting creatures. It was nice to walk along the beach and just have some time o myself to think and unwind. When I got back I started to get ready for the latin party. I got picked up around 9:30 and i was so exited to meet everyone and dance. The local salsa group has some incredible dancers, good leads as well. The guy I have been dancing with was not their because the busses where not running but it was a good night I got to try a lot of new dances, cha cha, bachata, merengue just the basic steps. I was their late. It was so much fun I cant wait to get better as salsa.