Project and Life Updates

Last month I lost my smart phone in a downpour at a reggae music festival. Through the initial shock, I maintained that the phone was carried in a stream of mud and festival litter into the ocean, where a curious crab carried it to safety in its burrow, discovered the camera function, saw itself in the phone and promptly fell in love. I realized about 24 hours later that the most probable scenario involved a stampede of very wet Jamaicans and maybe even a car tire or two. Sigh, Rest in Peace little guy, I miss your internet connectivity every day.

Shortly after this event, I traveled the required distance to seek internet and found that I, your wayward Miniature Musings, have been accepted into a graduate program at the State University of NY College of Environmental Science and Forestry to pursue an MS in environmental and community land planning. So I’ve lost the internet in my pocket, but I no longer have to fret about my future. It’s probably a good thing to purge the internet from my daily life before I’m immersed into the world of smartphones and tablets, which I’m sure has gotten out of hand in the last two years. In fact, on the very day I’m describing, I befriended a young white Jamaican (the classy type), who openly pitied my lack of connection and (chosen) life of poverty. I couldn’t help but marvel at the man’s detachment from the rest of his country, so I chose not to make the point that most of my community members raise children on less than what I live on. I also kind of enjoyed his pity, because for some reason, even without kids, my bank account empties far too rapidly for me to do much more than what is necessary.

Speaking of spending money I don’t really have, one of my favorite people in the world came to visit me and we had an amazing time wandering my community and climbing the Blue Mountain: the tallest peak in Jamaica. Unfortunately though, the Blue Mountain and the one-of-a-kind coffee she produces is a good day’s worth of travel away from me, and then there’s the travel back and food in between. Usually getting out of one’s community, spending time with other volunteers and especially seeing a true blue friend from the other side is worth the subsequent lifestyle of traveling nowhere and eating gifted produce for every meal. Also, the Blue Mountains of Jamaica remind me of the Adirondacks at 6-7,000 feet. Facebook is full of photos so you know we all had a great time.

 Blue Mountain Coffee Beans

Returning from the big mountains to my baby mountains in Westmoreland, I reassumed my duties as PCV and have begun preparing solar drier workshops and composting workshops in anticipation of our CARILED (Canadian aid) funding coming through just under the wire. I am putting together my last 9 weeks worth of applied agriculture lessons and tying up loose ends. My supervisor is also becoming super-woman, handling far more projects than when I arrived.

Finally, Group 83 has been on Island for 2 years! Having just re-read most of my blog entries in celebration, I must say I’m pretty overwhelmed by the journey that is documented. My first months in Jamaica were starkly different to my last few. Many of the “projects” that I excitedly initiated, like the bamboo shade house and community notice board, have been discarded and forgotten while “real” projects such as greenhouses, irrigation, livestock breeding, solar driers and workshops are on track for success. I am an older, wiser and more Jamaican version of the girl who stepped off the plane in Kingston 2 years ago, and I am so proud of my fellow PVC’s for making this journey with me and being a part of the best support system on Island. Respek and bless up Group 83! We are wizened and accomplished individuals!

On the opposite end of perspective, there’s officially a NEW group of newbies on the Island! I’m having trouble wrapping my mind around it honestly as I’m nowhere near where they are emotionally. While I remember my own reservations, feelings and unbridled enthusiasm for a challenge, my only advice to them is to LET GO and just BE, which is honestly not great advice. I know this and I’m sorry but group 85, if you’re going to make it in Jamaica, you’ve got to admit that you know nothing about anything here, and let Jamaica be Jamaica because she’s not changing any time soon.

>>> Enjoy the people who enjoy you, especially children. Work with those who want to work; take time off when you need it; save your money for a bad day/ week/ month because that’ll happen a lot; understand that a lot of people will think they understand you, but they won’t; keep in touch with your family and friends abroad because they know you best, but mind it make you homesick; cook like an American when you can afford it, and a Jamaican when you can’t and above all else, don’t let other people’s hang ups bring you down: choose your battles wisely and learn to let go of the things you have no power to change.

I have to remind myself of these wisdom nuggets every day, all day my friends, practice makes perfect.