It seems long ago since my return to the United States but it’s been only five months. I’ve purchased a car, acquired a smart phone and established a routine with my dog. I’ve unpacked just enough boxes to be comfortable and rearranged the closets and cupboards.
I’ve been home long enough where there is no consideration for a cold shower, I don’t remember what peanut butter tastes like and I’
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No matter how well-prepared, something is likely to slip through the cracks.
I remember when my youngest sister was born. My mother prepared me for what would happen. I would have my own bedroom because I am the oldest. My new sister and younger sister would share the other bedroom. We played dolls and mom showed me how to feed and burp a baby. I was a big part of the change that would be
My dad and me in front of the Quonset Hut. That's George, my dog
I lived in a Tucson Quonset Hut when my father was going to college. As a toddler, I have no recollection of those days. But I remember the stories. My dad barely passed high school because he would only attend on test days. Although he aced the tests, attendance was important and this behavior caused considerable strife
I was stunned. I felt unable to move in those first few moments as I watched the towers crash down while people were trying to outrun the billowing cloud behind them. In the days that followed 9-11, people were patriotic, patient and quiet. A man I worked with was a former marine and a patriot. He ran communications at the company where I worked. He was behind his wooden mahogany desk,
In the 1950s cookie-cutter houses were built during the baby boom for young growing families. I have lived in one of the neighborhoods for the past 30-some years. Over the years, fewer and fewer children are seen playing outdoors.
When my boys were growing up, they would stay outside until the last possible second and sometimes beyond that second. They skateboarded, constructed small and
Saint Lucia, the tiny island I called home for two years, was hit hard by Hurricane Tomas last week. It is difficult to be here and not know about some of my Peace Corps friends and the wonderful friends whose warmth and hospitality made me feel safe and sane. The media, for some reason, has not focused on this tragedy.
Prime Minister Stephen King has declared a State of Emergency in Saint
I remember the Wang. I bet some are saying, “The Wang?” Alright, so I am dating myself. The Wang was a word processing computer. I used it when I worked at Hughes Aircraft Company in the late eighties or early nineties. I can't remember the exact date.
I was one of two employees who had one of these amazing machines in my office. Of course, in order to get printed material, I had to
People give me a sympathetic look when I tell them about the fire. My response is always the same: it turned out to be a good thing. Sure, I lost some things I would like to have, but they are just things. And yes, I got a new kitchen, all new windows and floors, appliances, furniture, clothes, and six months in a hotel with maid service – but that wasn’t the good part.
The good part
I'm frozen in my thoughts, sitting in the parking lot, I am considering a few square acres of asphalt and concrete. The little painted lines show us where to park, I suppose, to maximize parking space. Someone's small stroke of genius so many years ago.
Ah, the land of Los Angeles where most have a car, few carpool, everyone complains about traffic and parking lots become hunting grounds
The mail comes fairly early. I sort through it, first discarding all the annoying flyers, ads and assorted junk mail that few pay attention to and most will immediately toss into the recycle. Not a single consideration goes into any of this untidy paper, including the expensive glossy color ads which tempt the reader with enticing phrases such as “one day only sale”, or “going out of business”
I watch Riley and Barkley. Riley is the rescued black cat my son brought home while I was living in Saint Lucia. Barkley, of course, is my little toy poodle that someone thrust upon me. I am ever grateful as he is a great source of entertainment and a wonderful companion. Riley and Barkley are in the midst of their morning ritual.
I feed the ball of black meowing fir that traverses my legs
"When will you publish the next post?" I explained to my son that the last post was the ending and he protested that it was a terrible ending. I noticed that there were a couple hundred views to my blog in the last couple of weeks. So as long as someone is reading, I will post from time to time. Are you happy now Kevin?
I have a morning ritual. Like most people, I’m a creature of habit. The first and most pressing issue is to put a stop to the incessant meowing by filling Riley’s bowl with fresh kibble. As a fresh pot of coffee is brewing, I turn on the news; sometimes CNN and sometimes the Today Show but never Fox News. After an hour, I realize I haven’t been paying attention to the television and it is
I plugged my IPod into the USP Port, turned up the music and allowed my thoughts to drift as I drove my car up the mountain. I thought about the cabin my parents had in Big Bear when I was young. Every weekend was spent there and I had a circle of friends and social activities on the mountain as well as at our home in Thousand Oaks. There were lots of dates, dances, hikes and snow fights.
“Do you want it tropi-chopped?” he said in a thick accent. He repeated it twice with increasing urgency. I had no idea what he was talking about when Kevin jumped in and said, “Yes, tropi-chopped”. I'm still not clear as to what tropi-chopped actually means.
“Do you want it with vegetables or beans?” This was easy, “vegetables please”.
The list of rapid-fire questions was endless:
This is my group in the beginning. We never know how this adventure will unfold. And now, here I am at the ending. I'm sure each of our individual endings look different and any expectations we had when this photo was taken are a distant memory.
Only a handful of people know that I only have two weeks left on the island. I have one foot firmly standing on Saint Lucia soil and the other foot
THINGS I WILL MISS
In the beginning, I often questioned my decision to become a Peace Corps Volunteer and then slowly things fell into place. When that happened life took over. I am goal oriented and my work was always aimed at the finish line – sustainability. I would think about going home, but it was only during my last couple of days that reality hit. Two years seems like a long time but they
MY JOURNEY
Thanksgiving 2009
This has been an incredible journey. I started writing notes for this post (which as it turns out will be several posts) last Thanksgiving. I wanted to ensure that each day left was enjoyed and that I capture everything that needs to be said in this one final post. This experience encouraged my own growth and understanding of a tiny piece of the world. I
It will take a couple of weeks. I will gather my thoughts and reflect on this past two years. Then I will write one last post.
I finished Peace Corps Training two years ago before being sworn-in advancing to the status of Peace Corps Volunteer. The best part was being given the key to the apartment where I would spend the next two years. Neil, my home stay host, put my suitcase in the back of his truck and carried it up the stairs. After a short conversation, Neil left.
I looked around and my new apartment looked
As I take down pictures and pack memorabilia that I have accumulated over the past two years, I become more aware of the reality that I am leaving. My apartment is beginning to look similar to that which I first entered.
I watch Kevin as he struggles to understand that he will not be able to stream his Sirius Radio because for some reason I can’t seem to get wifi on my wireless. I watch him
I am having my morning coffee on the balcony. It is my last week here in Saint Lucia. I may come back for a visit, but it will never be like it is now. This is my home now, but upon return I will be a visitor. I listen to the roosters crowing, the wind blowing and the dogs barking. It is my last Monday. Just one short week from now, I will be sitting on my porch, holding my dog, talking to
And so my service comes to a close. Kevin, my youngest son, is on island and will be helping me pack and move back home. My mood is both high and low. High, knowing I will see my family, friends and dog. Low, knowing some must figure out how to accommodate yet one more person into this tiny house. High knowing I have left some good sustainable projects behind. Low knowing I must leave my
How quick two years goes by!
In the beginning - August 2008
Eastern Caribbean Group #78
Eastern Caribbean Group #78, All Islands, July 2010
Two Years Later - Eastern Caribbean Group #78, Saint Lucia
Alright, maybe the title is a little dramatic. But the two exhibits we saw were centered on people who are dead. I wanted to see the Body Exhibit when it was in Los Angeles, but it didn’t happen. There is a lot of controversy and speculation about the people and how they died. Some believe the bodies are those of Chinese prisoners. That is refuted and it is said the bodies are unclaimed people
There are so many foods missed while in Peace Corps, so naturally when on vacation there is an obsession and pictures are a must. There was so much to eat and drink that many times we would buy something, split it, take a couple of bites and not finish it because we needed to leave room for the next anticipated delectable bite of something else.
New Packaging for my favorite drink!
So many
The temperature is well into the 90s. He wears his jacket inside out. Traces of fleece lining are seen but most of it has long ago disappeared from his weathered dirty jacket. A t-shirt hangs around his neck; he neglected to put his arms through it. It doesn’t matter because he has another t-shirt under that one. His hair is long and the matted dreads are caked with years of New York
The city of New York is dense. I get that. People Density=a lot of trash. I get that. But they pick up everyday! What are they throwing away? Coming from a small island where resources are scarce, it makes me wonder. No judgment, I just wonder.
Anyone who knows me would say, “the last place I will see Karen is behind a bar in Bartender’s school making a Long Island Iced Tea”. Will, here I am learning how to bartend! Who would have thought that during my time in Peace Corps I would have developed this skill! I wasn’t there long enough to get certified, but I do know how to make a killer Watermelon Chiller.
Resting and looking
What must it have been like? To walk up to the tall doors and open them? When I came to Saint Lucia, I was alone but it isn’t the same. I was going home in two plus years. I had a job and purpose. What is it like for immigrants, like Kate my mother-in-law, to come to this land of opportunity? What kind of expectations do they bring? There is no ‘training’ to go through or someone to show
My report on New York is being interrupted for this special news bulletin. Yesterday I stopped to take shelter during a rain storm. Is there a fashion trend going on here? Considerable research determined the answer is yes, it must be a new trend.
I am in Miami Airport. Anyone who knows me, understands this airport is my least favorite. (Reference The Secret of the Yellow Dots) Fortunately, my layover is only two hours and it takes an hour to get through customs and go through the ridiculous process of finding my luggage to re-check it to New York JFK, my final destination.I have no watch and the Saint Lucia flip phone is packed away
I don't have a lot of choice. I can move to a new house. I can pay for a flight to bring one of my boys here. I can spend my entire retirement fund to stay in a luxurious hotel with a swimming pool and lounges on the beach. Alright, the most realistic option is to pay for one of my boys to come here. Why? Will look at what I am finding around my house! I am sure this is a mouse dropping!
“I can’t watch those slave movies. It hurts too much.” She goes on to say that slavery is used as an excuse and it impedes today’s progress. Her pain is visibly set on her sleeve, yet she knows that progress begins when she moves forward.Violence is rooted in cultural norms. One woman alleges “men twist scripture to their advantage”. Heads are nodding around the room.Another woman says, “The
I remember when my oldest son was just approaching his teenage years. He came into the house one evening, excited and loud, declaring his love for the perfect food. He made a declaration of truth, “they fill you up, they are cheap and they taste good!” I’m glad he grew out of that because, although he made valid points in his argument, donuts aren’t exactly nutritious.The growing stash of
Flexibility and leaving expectations behind are two things that Peace Corps stresses. Previously, I worked for years for a globalized company and then taught college courses in a minority community college where students came from far corners of the world. I have traveled, read and studied other cultures. Still, I was surprised at the cultural norms that dictated how people viewed me as a
Tracy left the island and it was time to slow down a bit. Janyn and I spent slower days; we had a Banana Daquirie at Sandy Beach and went to the after school program. The last Thursday she was here was Corpus Christi day, a religious holiday.Elvinette arranged for a large bus to take children to the Mexican Embassy. When she asked if we wanted to attend, we jumped at the idea. The Embassy had
How was I going to get everything done? When I read the email I knew that the request was a desperate attempt to find someone willing to help analyze the stack of surveys that had been left unattended far too long. The deadline could no longer be moved forward. The problem was that I had to teach the little first grader’s the concept of money being exchanged for goods. I hadn’t read the lesson
The more I learn, the more the same word comes up: Why? Why would anyone try to make money doing this? They grow on trees and they are a seed. What many people don’t know, or at least what I didn’t know, is that the tree not only produces the seed, but also produces apples.The apples are quite sweet and very juicy, but it is difficult to transport them because the skin is fragile. I’m sure
The Caribbean Islands was never pegged on my travel map.I’d seen the commercials on television; the beautiful aqua waters with coral reefs, the huge cruise ships docking in several ports, people drinking tropical drinks while laying on lush lounge chairs, snorkeling and sailing in an exotic island, being waited on in beautiful resorts.I'm describing what you may have seen on the recent Bachelor
I was headed for the Peace Corps Office. I climbed the same forty steps to the overpass and down thirty steps to reach the other side of the street. I’ve done this dozens of times, but today was different. Just after the bus dropped me, and only a few steps from the sidewalk, I noticed a tiny creature crawling in the dirt. I might have missed this little thing had it not been for its
Sometimes I wonder why we must put people in boxes. We all do it. We see a homeless man or woman on the street and turn our heads. We see a group of minority men and become cautious. We see a well dressed man and see success. It’s no different in Saint Lucia. It’s human Nature. Here, many see a poor man, a Rastafarian farmer, and people become distrustful. This was the case two weeks ago
I looked at my phone. It was 1:30 a.m. I was soaked. I turned on the flashlight and looked at my feet. They were ‘prunie’ from wearing wet socks. The tent was waterlogged from the heavy rains. I heard people stirring and a soft voice saying “turtles”. Janyn and Tracy were waking and I said, “come on let’s go, they’ve spotted a turtle”. It’s nesting time for Loggerhead Turtles.Earlier in
What is that commotion? Fluttering and squeaking! I open the door to frightened and desperate birds. Oh no! Where's your mommy?
It was a strange day today. I know that I’m coming close to the end of my service, but today there was a lot of reality in the mix.I heard the car pull up and opened my door. Brenda was walking up my steps. A big smile greeted me. We chatted for a few minutes until there was another knock. I opened the door and welcomed two Peace Corps staff, Sharmon and Elizabeth. Every few months they come
The educational system in this country has adopted the English style of learning. They do a lot of reciting. They are told and then they repeat what they are told in unison.When I taught at Monroe College, the students were terrified because my tests were essay questions rather than a sheet of paper with boxes to be marked true/false and multiple choice questions.My guess is that the students
The people live in the village. They cheer, encourage and celebrate with the children. The intensity and excitement are palpable. The finish line is only a few steps away and with each step the voice of the crowd increases by another decibel. Some bystanders are caught up in the moment and begin running with the children who are about to cross the finish line. This is one of those moments when
Type II Diabetes in Saint Lucia is of epidemic proportions. Imagine. A lot of starch and sugar is eaten here. I spoke with a woman several months ago about her mother. She had her leg amputated. The woman said to me, “The doctors are very quick to amputate”.Given this information it made sense to add Nutrition to the structure in the after-school program. An entire month was dedicated to
The HubThere is a lot to say before we get to the point. The point, of course, is paper beads. But, I need to tell you how I got there in order for you to appreciate them.I have my own Communication Center in Saint Lucia. The first feature of my Communication Center is my phones; I have lots of phones. I have a cell phone. I need it when I’m out and about. I’m not really good with it
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