August 26, 2004: Headlines: COS - Saint Lucia: Internet: Blogs - Saint Lucia: Personal Web Site: Bonjou! This website is a record of my 2 year terms as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Saint Lucia, West Indies.

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Saint Lucia: Peace Corps Saint Lucia : The Peace Corps in Saint Lucia: August 26, 2004: Headlines: COS - Saint Lucia: Internet: Blogs - Saint Lucia: Personal Web Site: Bonjou! This website is a record of my 2 year terms as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Saint Lucia, West Indies.

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-43-253.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.43.253) on Sunday, December 26, 2004 - 12:18 pm: Edit Post

Bonjou! This website is a record of my 2 year terms as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Saint Lucia, West Indies.

Bonjou! This website is a record of my 2 year terms as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Saint Lucia, West Indies.

Bonjou! This website is a record of my 2 year terms as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Saint Lucia, West Indies.

Something else we talked about it Grenada is the accomplishments we've done while here, not only in terms of traditional 'work,' but personally and in feeling integrated and building relationships. I made a long list as everyone presented a few of theirs and put them on a timeline, so i will list them here, mostly for my own memory but also in case anyone wants to see the things I feel I've accomplished:

* made friends from 15 different countries

* travelled to 8 different islands, 7 of them independent countries (Martinique is actually a department of France)

* gained a new perspective on my feelings towards the US through my development of a love-hate relationship with St. Lucia

* survived the extremes of emotional rollercoaster (several times)

* Co-planned and organized a successful national student congress

* conquered fears of stage and microphone (emceed an event, co-taught an aerobics class, went on radio)

* learned some patois, and been asked if i'm a Saint Lucian more and more often

* learned to whine (the dancing here, that you may have seen in Sean Paul or Beenie man videos) at sort of an intermediate level. Danced in front of some Lucian girlfriends, who grudgingly admitted it was 'pretty good.'

* became an adopted member of several Lucian families

* danced in costume in the streets during carnival

* learned to windsurf and sail, even raced in 4 regattas.

* had press releases and articles published in the newspaper, was interviewed on the radio, facilitated a few worshops,and even emceed an event.

* Attended 2 One-Day International cricket matches, and learned about the sport

* Hiked more than 15 different trails, to about 5 waterfalls, and camped twice

* Sang karaoke once (that number may be updated after my bday/goodbye party)

* Became a 'grandmother' to my cat's kittens

* read more than a hundred books

* witnessed 2 weddings, 2 christenings and a funeral

* maintained a website and contacts with several different classes of schoolchildren in the U.S.

* interacted with people from the lowest to the highest levels of society

* learned to eat meat off the bone and fish still whole without blinking an eye. never quite conquered some of the more bizarre 'delicacies' like pig-tail or pig feet or kidneys (this is not a regret)

* realized that PC in the Eastern Caribbean is a "real" experience, despite what images of cush life it conjures up to others. stopped comparing my experience to preconceived conceptions.

* realized this was home when i really wanted to come back, and was homesick for SLU on a trip back to the US

* learned to set small, achievable goals and to take pleasure in small victories

* learned the fine art of sitting still (which is not as easy as it sounds!)

* learned to slam dominoes the caribbean way

* learned to cohabitate with frogs, crickets, spiders, millipedes and cockroaches (though the last very reluctantly)

* learned to kill cockroaches, centipedes and spiders with a minimum of nausea, paralyzing fear, and girly screams

* Appeared bald in front of my first large group (peace corps PST), and then many times afterwards. Became ok with this (though sometimes I really still get sick of explaining)

* lost more than 10 lbs of weight i needed to lose, got stronger and fitter than i have been in years

* came to have a new understanding of 'work,' 'success' and 'achievement' in my life. came to terms with the overachiever mentality that causes me undo stress. attempted to battle those demons.

* learned to draw boundaries in how I allow myself to be treated, and in how I allow others to not waste my time.

* learned how to be more direct and to ask for what I want (an ongoing process)

* linked up, via a friend and her father, with groups who are donating 9 boxes of girls' soccer equipment to teams in St. Lucia who really need it. Though I may not be here anymore by the time it all arrives.

* Learned to roast cashews, cut open a coconut with a cutlass, how to tell when mangos, avocados and breadfruits are ripe, and the names of all the local foods in english and patois.

* Cooked soup out of whole fish heads, even the eyes, and ate it!

* Changed assignments several times--once officially, and again unofficially. Found my own projects and community partners, and finally got some things done once i worked with people who wanted me there and respected my skills and my time.

* Complied a resource notebook of NGO and workshop training materials

* was elected and served 1 year as the island solicitor/reporter for our peace corps EC literary magazine, Serious Ting. Finally published something other than recipes in the last issue.

I could go on, but you get the idea.





When this story was posted in November 2004, this was on the front page of PCOL:

The Birth of the Peace Corps The Birth of the Peace Corps
UMBC's Shriver Center and the Maryland Returned Volunteers hosted Scott Stossel, biographer of Sargent Shriver, who spoke on the Birth of the Peace Corps. This is the second annual Peace Corps History series - last year's speaker was Peace Corps Director Jack Vaughn.
Vote "Yes" on NPCA's bylaw changes Vote "Yes" on NPCA's bylaw changes
Take our new poll. NPCA members begin voting this week on bylaw changes to streamline NPCA's Board of Directors. NPCA Chair Ken Hill, the President's Forum and other RPCVs endorse the changes. Mail in your ballot or vote online (after Dec 1), then see on how RPCVs are voting.
Charges possible in 1976 PCV slaying Charges possible in 1976 PCV slaying
Congressman Norm Dicks has asked the U.S. attorney in Seattle to consider pursuing charges against Dennis Priven, the man accused of killing Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner on the South Pacific island of Tonga 28 years ago. Background on this story here and here.
Your vote makes a difference Your vote makes a difference
Make a difference on November 2 - Vote. Then take our RPCV exit poll. See how RPCV's are voting and take a look at the RPCV voter demographic. Finally leave a message on why you voted for John Kerry or for George Bush. Previous poll results here.
Kerry reaches out to Returned Volunteers Kerry reaches out to Returned Volunteers
The Kerry campaign wants the RPCV vote. Read our interview with Dave Magnani, Massachusetts State Senator and Founder of "RPCVs for Kerry," and his answers to our questions about Kerry's plan to triple the size of the Peace Corps, should the next PC Director be an RPCV, and Safety and Security issues. Then read the "RPCVs for Kerry" statement of support and statements by Dr. Robert Pastor, Ambassador Parker Borg, and Paul Oostburg Sanz made at the "RPCVs for Kerry" Press Conference.

RPCV Carl Pope says the key to winning this election is not swaying undecided voters, but persuading those already willing to vote for your candidate to actually go to the polls.

Take our poll and tell us what you are doing to support your candidate.

Finally read our wrap-up of the eight RPCVs in Senate and House races around the country and where the candidates are in their races.
Director Gaddi Vasquez:  The PCOL Interview Director Gaddi Vasquez: The PCOL Interview
PCOL sits down for an extended interview with Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez. Read the entire interview from start to finish and we promise you will learn something about the Peace Corps you didn't know before.

Plus the debate continues over Safety and Security.

Read the stories and leave your comments.






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Story Source: Personal Web Site

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Saint Lucia; Internet; Blogs - Saint Lucia

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By jennifer farrand (acs-24-154-251-27.zoominternet.net - 24.154.251.27) on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 9:25 am: Edit Post

does your group accept donations of used soccer balls, cleats, and clothing. My daughters' soccer team would like to organize a drive for used equipment.


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