Don't count your chickens before they hatch...

...and don't crack your eggs over your cookie dough mixings until you've checked for dead ones.

Tonight, one of my childhood nightmares just came true. I was teaching my little neighbor girl how to make cookies when she cracks one of the eggs and says, "Rachel, I think this egg is bad." So I turn to look and see something dark inside the half-cracked egg as she calmly says, "I think it's a chicken." By now I'm in hysterics and safely on the other side of the apartment, while this brave 13-year old verifies...there was indeed a dead chicken fetus in the shell!

Happy Birthday Nicole!

I'm so glad Nicole was born 26 years ago, not only because we love her, but because it gave us the excuse to have a crazy night of dancing and then a really fun picnic on the beach.

When it rains, it pours

And I'm not just talking about the weather. For months I've been looking for more teachers for the Limes After School Program, and suddenly I have 3! One is a local girl and the other 2 are wives of medical students, and they have been such a blessing already. They're really good with the kids and a huge support to me. I've also applied for a grant to renovate the old building we've been using, so hopefully that gets approved and we can really begin to clean up the place and make it a safer, more fun environment for the kids. Ideally, I'd like to have a small library of books and a computer for them to learn on, and maybe even teach them photography (they love taking pictures with my camera!), but I'm taking it one step at a time. Donations are welcome. :)

Happy Independence Day Grenada!

Grenada celebrated their 35th Anniversary today, so the weekend was filled with celebrations and a big parade (and we all looked like we were getting ready for Christmas!).

Texas, Florida, & Puerto Rico in 72 hours!

On my way back to Grenada, I took the opportunity to see friends of mine by overnighting in each of the cities I had to fly through. My first was in Dallas, Texas to see a family I used to babysit for and am still very close with. Mind you, I knew Lexi & Macie since the time they were in diapers, so you can imagine how old I feel. :) It was so fun to see them again, race our scooters by the lake, sleepover with them, and know I can still make them laugh. Their parents Bill & Julie also treated me to some delicious meals, a pedicure, and a drive around to see Christmas lights. Although the time was short, I loved every minute of it.


My second stop was in Miami, Florida to see my dear friend Johnny. Johnny and I first met in Australia, and have been in different countries ever since, yet distance hasn't been able to keep us apart. So refeshing to spend time with him again...one of the funniest humans I know.


My third and final stop was in San Juan, Puerto Rico to see my old roommate from Semester at Sea, but unfortunately we had a miscommunication about flight times and weren't able to connect. Have no fear though, in true form I made friends with some strangers and had a great time nonetheless...walking around the beautiful town of Old San Juan, trying Puerto Rican food, and attempting to revive my Spanish (ay Dios mio). This is one place I am definitely going back to.

"I'm dreaming of a White Christmas!"

My parents gave me the best present they ever could've given me and flew me home for the holidays this December. I went to Southern California first to see my aunt, grandma, and friends, and was shocked by the cold spell I was greeted with at the airport. I loved it though...experiencing the fall season I never got in Grenada, getting to bundle up, drinking coffee without getting the heat sweats. Lovely!





It was even more of a shock when I flew into Portland and the runway was covered in snow! I don't think Oregon has had a winter like this in 50 years and it was honestly a miracle that we landed. But I got my wish this year...a White Christmas! I was actually content to be snowed-in and have forced quality time with my family. Of course it was just as wonderful when the snow melted and we were able to break free from house arrest. :) Highlights were sleeping with 3 duvet comforters, getting to wear my old sweats, drinking lattes by the fireplace, seeing old friends, ice skating, Thai food, and going to the ER (long story, but it involves a grizzly bear and the saving of several small children). I didn't want to gross you ALL out, so if you don't have a weak stomach, click here.

Merry Christmas from Grenada's Peace Corps!

Volleyball Competition

This week was the volleyball competition for the adult teams and marked a milestone for volleyball in Grenada. Like I mentioned before, the sport has been dormant for about 12 years and so this is the first year they've picked it back up. I'm really excited to be a part of the progress and especially to get to be a player as well as a coach. And so far my team, the St. George's Women, are undefeated! There's one more week of games next week that I will unfortunately miss because I'm going home for Christmas Vacation, but I know they will be great. The opening games attracted a lot of attention from fans and I'm hoping someday it will be up there in the ranks with football and cricket. Wishful thinking, I know, but a girl can dream, right?

World AIDS Day

December 1 was World AIDS Day and one of the projects a few of us volunteers helped facilitate was a week of sessions on HIV/AIDS, Discrimination, & Values in different secondary schools. Brady did an excellent job leading the activities and it was a huge encouragement to have some of the students ask us more in-depth questions afterward. Even if just one person got tested for HIV because of what they learned, it was worth it.

Shereen gets her diploma

One of my girls from the Limes After School Program graduated from secondary school tonight! I was honored to be invited and it was neat to share that milestone with her (and reminisce on my high school days). Although I really wish someone had told me the graduation ceremonies here are over 4 hours long!!! Not that it would have kept me from attending, but at least I would have been better prepared with a sack lunch and crossword puzzle.

Presentation Boys College

I've been coaching volleyball at PBC for the past couple months and this week was the Secondary School Tournament. We didn't win any matches, but the boys showed great form out there, especially considering this was the first time most of them have ever played volleyball. They represented their school's first volleyball team and I was very proud of them!

Volleyball + Sand + Friends = A Guaranteed Good Times

The volleyball crew (for lack of a better title for all my random friends that I've been playing with for the past year) spent a beautiful afternoon on Grand Anse playing beach volleyball, swimming, and having a great time together...and not taking ourselves so seriously. :) I love these people and don't know how I would have coped without them. It's been just over a year since that first night I happened to run into a girl with a volleyball and discover that not only do people play on the courts 5 minutes from my house, but that volleyball was making a comeback to Grenada! I feel so blessed to have found such wonderful people who I can share one of my passions with.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year, we volunteers cooked our own feast at Brady's house (the proud owner of 2 forks and one spoon) and thanks to Lauren, we had every traditional dish on the menu. And it was DELICIOUS! It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a turkey coma!

Apparently, I can play netball

Tonight I went to my friend Lisa's netball game to support her and she (without my consent) signed me up for a Shoot-Out Competition before the game. For the record, this is some strange British sport that I have never played before and have only seen played once. And I've never touched a netball before. And I have to do this in front of about 100 people. And I'm pretty sure I'm the only white person in the stadium. But thank you to high school basketball because I won! They even interviewed me on TV. My favorite part though? I won a SCALE for my grand prize! Not a free dinner, not a million dollars...a scale. :)

Happy Birthday Lisa!

My friend Lisa turned 28 today! We celebrated with cake (my banana and chocolate specialty!) and drinks after volleyball training, and it doubled as a great excuse to get all the volleyballers together at the same time...and end the night laughing, rather than arguing over the score. :)

Obama-rama

I'm sure you are all aware of how involved the rest of the world was in the United States Elections this year. Well, that doesn't exclude Grenada by any means. In fact, some Grenadians were far more excited about our elections (aka Obama) than theirs this past July! It cracked me up when I saw Obama bumper stickers, Obama hats, elderly women wearing oversized Obama t-shirts, and even a bus named Obama...it felt just like I was back at home. Well, today at the Limes (my after-school class) the kids were all talking about how excited they were that Obama won...surprise surprise. I thought this would be an interesting opportunity to discuss politics with young minds (all under the age of 12, mind you) and the conversation went something like this:

Me: "You realize that Obama isn't your president, right?"
Them: "Yes, but he will be someday when I come to America."
Me: (without the slightest bit of sarcasm) "Oh, I didn't realize you were getting your visa and moving to the States in the next 4 years."
Them: "Yep!"
Me: "Alright. Well, what do you like about Obama? Can you tell me 3 policies of his that you support?"
Girl #1: (spoken with a sassy flair) "He's a natural, strong black man."
Girl #2: "He talks good."
Girl #3: "He's cute."

So there you have it. From the mouths of babes. :)

Happy Halloween!

This was my 2nd Halloween in Grenada and yet another testament to how resourceful Peace Corps Volunteers can be. I was a stereotypical Grenadian woman...complete with headscarf, string vest, baby powder (which the women put all over their chest, apparently to keep cool), pregnant belly, and baby in tow...and Lauren was my Rasta (at least one of my baby's daddies). **Sidenote: This was not intended to be offensive to any Grenadians. In fact, our local friends thought it was really funny.