Hibernation

Yup.. so it's been AGES since i have managed to post anything here. I've been so entangled in the management of the website that i scarcely have time for anything else.

It's been an interesting ride. I've met some really cool people since starting work on the website. Celia ... she's such a talented photographer. She gave me permission to link to her flickr account. I've been able to link up with others from the Salisbury community who are resident else where. (notice i didn't use the word 'diaspora'- apparently, they consider it a misuse of the word. Technically tantamount to an insult.)

I'm really very proud of the work we've been able to do with the people from Salisbury, and their web site. I think it stands head and shoulder above all the other community web sites that have been recently launched. I think you can find a full list of all the community web sites on the reunion web site, under village links. Take a look yourself. http://dominicareunion2008.dm/cms/index.php?page=links

I must apologize for the tone of the last post... It kinda has this melancholic tone don't it? But no, I'm still here.. still alive... still trusting. I think it was just a moment of panic. One of my few.. I will do my best though to keep this blog updated. God knows i have been having many an adventure.. and misadventure.

Be sure to visit bawilinkup.com!!

Rainy day...

Today was a surprise rainy day, both inside and out. How do I offset this sick feeling I got in the pit of my stomach. Ever have that feeling that you're making a big mistake trusting certain people? Thats what I'm going through right now. Its scary... super scary!

Watch this space though... Some mental renovation pending!

The Mechanical Belt

Dominica is a lovely place to be. Relaxing.. and easy going. Sadly, many of the things that we perceive to be beneficial are read in completely different ways by other people who come here. To a Dominican, we may be "relaxed", while a foreigner might perceive us as being "lazy". Things Dominicans might view as being "easy going", a person coming to live here on a short term views to be in efficiency.

I find myself in a very strange place on the topic- completely understanding how a foreigner might feel here; while on the other hand, I have also learnt to adapt, survive and love our way of life.

This week, my Boss and I had to make some serious decisions about what we were going to do about one of my little students. So belittled and demeaned was he, that he wouldn't even allow himself to succeed for fear of failure. He and I got to talking. The compassion in his eyes as we spoke of how circumstances had so conspired against this youth, really moved something on the inside of me. Had I been alone at the time I might have been reduced to tears.

Was there a way we could effect such a change in his mind that he could actually see that he has potential beyond this 8 by 10 foot wooden shack that he calls home? That school is not punishment. That he can be more than all that surrounds him daily. To show him that YES HE CAN!

How streaming in our education system has hurt the lives and minds of many a young person. Is there anything we can do? He looked at me, eyes full of sullen defeat, as he confided in me that for the first time in his life, he could not find a way to beat this.

How do we help our policy makers to treat the children as the precious resources that they are. That they need to stop moving our children along the mechanical belt of our school system, where the slower minds are simply sidelined.

How do we help our people to stop being so divided politically, religiously and even racially. We have a nation to build. If not us, then who?

I suspect that for the most part, people come here, with all the best intentions seeing the limitless potential of all our resources - human and natural alike. They leave eventually, feeling like they have just been beating against a proverbial wall. As we, so stuck in our ways, continue to beat our children, destroy our rivers, neglect the less able, and fight amongst ourselves over matters that are less than trivial.

I too see no clear end to this. I pray that some day, we will rise above our own mental handicaps. Maybe it's the dreamer in me.. someday, I believe we can!

Angel's Response to "The I's have it"

Monday!!! If we say TGIF when Friday comes around.. what do you say when you wake up to greet the sun on a Monday morning?? Got loads to say.. The week end was GREAT!!! More on the later in the week most likely.

I checked my messages and one very intelligent friend of mine wrote me this response to the post "The I's Have it" posted on the 12th of July. Hopefully she doesn't sue me for posting it on here.. LOL.


" I like your article on "The I's Have It", you are right, i find it interesting. However, the constant use of the pronoun I, may not be a reflection of how self- absorbed we are, but something less harsh. Generally people revert to what they know best i.e themselves. Thus, most people only choose to talk about themselves because that's all they know. I guess only a stalker would be able to talk about someone else as enthusiastically as they would themselves lol. Also, there are a limited amount of words available in the English language to allow one to address themselves, only stuck with the main four. hmmmm lemme think, I or Me, Mine or My.... slim pickings.

These words are typically used when getting to know a new person, or when conversing with someone you know. It's a necessity when talking and more often that not- in my opinion- engaging for both parties. I like to talk with others, and for them to talk about themselves. Otherwise the conversation would be rooted on a bunch of "you"s being thrown around, (easily leading to compliments) resulting in not attaining any real depth or understanding of who the person is in front of you.

Listening is great, but is it really self absorbed to say I regularly? How can you explain to someone, you've gone through what they're are going through without using I. Or talk about your day without using I, or explain where you're from, explain how to treat an injury from your own past experience, or talk about culture, history, or anything in the world that relates to you in any way, i think the list can go on and on.

That exercise that you encouraged your readers to do, you know don't say I for at least 10 mins. That reminds me of something my Secondary School teacher did. We couldn't use any conjunctions throughout a 5min conversation. Same principal and quite humorous to observe. As you suggested on your blog "..try to use the word I less.." Good suggestion, but don't forget there is always my, mine, and me.. ;)"


This is one example of an excellent response!

...When sleep evades you!

Is it me, or have I been tired for the better part of this week. For some reason, every night this week I've been going to bed really late. Last night was no exception. And there I had been planning how restful my night was going to be. As if that wasn't enough, adding insult to injury. Before I knew it, my eyes flew open just past 5:00am and I couldn't go back to sleep! What a great start to a day. Ominous if you ask me!

Three friends and I were supposed to have zoomed off to another friend's house this weekend, scheduled to have been there from Friday evening to Sunday evening. Something came up though.. so now we're leaving today. Still, I'm thankful for the extra day home, and am planning on making maximum use of it.

Yesterday, in classic J* style.. I 'docked' an ex-friend I saw in town. I just wasn't in the mood to handle the pretense of pleasantries that I was pretty sure would ensue. Which attitude was I displaying?

A) Consideration of the other persons feelings
B) It was a completely rational thing to do at the time
C) Self preservation
D) ...Baaaa humbug!!


Whatever you've chosen, allow me to assure you that I'm usually a pretty 'nice' person, usually.


You know what.. I think I need a good camera. When the skies are dark.. and the moon is low.. those thousands of stars that adorn the smooth onyx velvet that is the sky makes my heart to melt. I don't know.. there's just something about it that I so wish I could capture in my memory forever! Tried taking a pic one night with a canon digital... Three thumbs down! Soo.. my wish list will continue to grow.


This is my favouritest ever night sky picture!! Eli, who blogs at http://antiguaisland.blogspot.com/ took this amazing picture while he was a weekend trip in Dominica! He was kind enough to allow me to use it for this post. Thanks Eli! Check out his blog. He's also got some pretty awesome pictures on his flickr page! I didn't get permission to post that link yet.. sooo too bad for you! LOL..

I'm off to the east. It promises to be a blast! You have a good weekend!