Monday
I decided that I was going to help out with testing at St. Davids RC today but I ended up being late and missing most of the testing but that was ok because it was less kids than last time so we ended early. I was so exited I got to go home and nap for a little bit, I did not to a hole lot that day other than paint I have about 28 bottles done, I feel really good about that but I am pushing myself more to get as manny as I can done. The more I get done the more variety I have for people to chooses from. Its been nice though now that I have an assembly line going.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Day # 313 Lunch on the beach with the girls
Saturday
I got to sleep in and then I got ready for girls day on the beach with my friends family. It was nice we went to the local drug store and got some snacks and then picked up bbq on the way into the beach. We all sat and talked for a long time. I found out that his sister is having a baby that is exiting so hopefully I will get to go to a wedding and be around for when another baby is born. Its nice to relax with the girls. It rained a little bit but we were shaded by a tree and it cleared up fast so we got to get in a water after lunch and cool off. I ran into Tom and Bridget two other Peace Corps volunteers and we got to talk for a bit as well. It was back to painting bottles after the beach lots to get done.
I got to sleep in and then I got ready for girls day on the beach with my friends family. It was nice we went to the local drug store and got some snacks and then picked up bbq on the way into the beach. We all sat and talked for a long time. I found out that his sister is having a baby that is exiting so hopefully I will get to go to a wedding and be around for when another baby is born. Its nice to relax with the girls. It rained a little bit but we were shaded by a tree and it cleared up fast so we got to get in a water after lunch and cool off. I ran into Tom and Bridget two other Peace Corps volunteers and we got to talk for a bit as well. It was back to painting bottles after the beach lots to get done.
Day # 312 Photograph exhibit at the museum
Friday
Fun day at work we painted some bottles at White can and touched up some some old ones. Its exiting to see the progress that they have made over time, and determination to keep going that the have established. We spent all day doing that.
When I got home I got ready to go to the museum for open mike night, Max's family came to town and he was going to play some songs on the guitar for them. It was grate he played five songs and I got to meet his family. They also had a photography exhibit going on, I knew the artist and that was fun. He uses film and overlaps it to make your eyes see tricks as you look at them. He does some interesting stuff. It was kind of refreshing to be in a museum, I don't think any of my family would thought I would be saying that.
From their I went to Doggy Dock to dance and relax, and after that I went to the Spice Basket it had been a while since I had been so I thought I would go but it turned out to be a slow and boring night I wish I had gone home and slept. But its ok I had fun.
Fun day at work we painted some bottles at White can and touched up some some old ones. Its exiting to see the progress that they have made over time, and determination to keep going that the have established. We spent all day doing that.
When I got home I got ready to go to the museum for open mike night, Max's family came to town and he was going to play some songs on the guitar for them. It was grate he played five songs and I got to meet his family. They also had a photography exhibit going on, I knew the artist and that was fun. He uses film and overlaps it to make your eyes see tricks as you look at them. He does some interesting stuff. It was kind of refreshing to be in a museum, I don't think any of my family would thought I would be saying that.
From their I went to Doggy Dock to dance and relax, and after that I went to the Spice Basket it had been a while since I had been so I thought I would go but it turned out to be a slow and boring night I wish I had gone home and slept. But its ok I had fun.
Day # 311 Not as planed, but FUN
Thursday
Todays lesson did not go as planed but it was a learning experience for me. I was working with about 30kids for the day in one class grade 6, 7, and 8. I had planed on making the handprint santa cards but the kids got a little bi crazy and didn't follow the instructions so it turned into handprint cards and face painting. I however did not start the face painting another teacher did. I thought it was funny but I was worried about their cloths and the principle. As you can see their close got messy. They had a grate time.
Day #310 Business cards
Wednesday
As school is winding down less and less is happening, I asked the teacher last week if she wanted me to do something with the kids and she said something small so I just picked coloring wish lists. The kids enjoyed it but it was so fast. Its ok that they did it fast level two is crazy and they have a very low attention span. After that class I went into town and gathered some last minuet things for the bazaar on Sunday. It took me a long time because I had to go to two different places before I found the place that made business cards. From their I had to go to White Cane but to my surprise they where not going to be doing any painting because they had so many basket orders. I was interesting to watch one of the men who is completely blind make a basket. When I got home it was straight to painting. I was up late painting.
As school is winding down less and less is happening, I asked the teacher last week if she wanted me to do something with the kids and she said something small so I just picked coloring wish lists. The kids enjoyed it but it was so fast. Its ok that they did it fast level two is crazy and they have a very low attention span. After that class I went into town and gathered some last minuet things for the bazaar on Sunday. It took me a long time because I had to go to two different places before I found the place that made business cards. From their I had to go to White Cane but to my surprise they where not going to be doing any painting because they had so many basket orders. I was interesting to watch one of the men who is completely blind make a basket. When I got home it was straight to painting. I was up late painting.
Day # 309 Second grade assessments South St. Georges School
Tuesday
Today I got up and went to South Saint Georges, thats in Springs. Its funny how many times you will pass something and not know what it is. I must have passed thats school 100 times not knowing what grade it was. Any ways to met to of the other Peace Corps volunteers their. One who started the special education desk in Grenada and he is the one who is heading this testing of all second grade students in Grenada. He put in a huge amount of time putting together an assessment, he had never written one before,and training local teachers and Peace Corps how to give the test. We tested reading, math, and writing. It was interesting watching the kids take the test, some could not stay focused others where way advanced. I didn't give any assessments I kept the kids under control and then for the individual reading tests I went and got the kids. It was a long day and by the end I was so tiered because we had done like 60 kids and then we had to grade them.
Today I got up and went to South Saint Georges, thats in Springs. Its funny how many times you will pass something and not know what it is. I must have passed thats school 100 times not knowing what grade it was. Any ways to met to of the other Peace Corps volunteers their. One who started the special education desk in Grenada and he is the one who is heading this testing of all second grade students in Grenada. He put in a huge amount of time putting together an assessment, he had never written one before,and training local teachers and Peace Corps how to give the test. We tested reading, math, and writing. It was interesting watching the kids take the test, some could not stay focused others where way advanced. I didn't give any assessments I kept the kids under control and then for the individual reading tests I went and got the kids. It was a long day and by the end I was so tiered because we had done like 60 kids and then we had to grade them.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Grenada Christmas
Christmas is here again and for the first timers to a Caribbean Christmas, let us talk about what to expect, FOOD / FUN and FESTIVITIES.
FOOD
Sorrel is made from the flower of the sorrel plant. However, it may be spiked with white rum and is generally very sweet. Ask about the rum or if it is very sweet - it's ok (would not be considered impolite). Usually red in color.
Ginger beer is made from the ginger root. It could be made 'strong' – i.e.: with a strong ginger taste - so try a little first to be sure that you like!
Punch-a-creme is an alcoholic drink (a bit like eggnog but usually with lots of rum) – be fore-warned.
Black Cake - cake made with candied or mixed fruits (raisins, currents, prunes, dates, citrus peel, etc.) left to soak in sherry (wine) for an extended period of time (days, weeks, months), browning to make it black, and nuts (optional).
Ham - Ham is to Caribbean Christmas as Turkey is to American Thanksgiving!
FUN and FESTIVITIES
Ginger beer is made from the ginger root. It could be made 'strong' – i.e.: with a strong ginger taste - so try a little first to be sure that you like!
Punch-a-creme is an alcoholic drink (a bit like eggnog but usually with lots of rum) – be fore-warned.
Black Cake - cake made with candied or mixed fruits (raisins, currents, prunes, dates, citrus peel, etc.) left to soak in sherry (wine) for an extended period of time (days, weeks, months), browning to make it black, and nuts (optional).
Ham - Ham is to Caribbean Christmas as Turkey is to American Thanksgiving!
FUN and FESTIVITIES
Mid-Night Mass – We may not go to church all year round, but mostly everyone will go to church over Christmas, either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Many of whom will go to Mid-Night Mass on Christmas Eve. Normally starts at around 11p.m. with about an hour of carol singing by the Choir and Christmas skits and performances, usually by the church's youth group. If a community member or neighbor invites you to attend, it's a great way to experience the Christian side of our culture!
Caroling - Sometimes choirs may perform for the public, at schools, at homes or at special events
Serenading - a dying tradition. Still practiced in some of the more rural communities. Serenaders (singers and musicians with guitars, cuatros and percussion instruments) go around the community singing traditional Christmas songs and bringing Christmas cheer to everyone. Sometimes the steel band in the community may do this today!
Local Christmas music -Check out the local Christmas and parang music on the radio stations
Caroling - Sometimes choirs may perform for the public, at schools, at homes or at special events
Serenading - a dying tradition. Still practiced in some of the more rural communities. Serenaders (singers and musicians with guitars, cuatros and percussion instruments) go around the community singing traditional Christmas songs and bringing Christmas cheer to everyone. Sometimes the steel band in the community may do this today!
Local Christmas music -Check out the local Christmas and parang music on the radio stations
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