Books -n- Smiles

Students w/ the newer books

stay tuned for more updates on the books and the library :)

...Vincy Vibe

Today was beautiful! Walking through the streets of Kingstown I felt so vibrant and alive. The sun was beating hot 'pon me skin but boi it sure beats the rain!! I felt like I was in tune with the hum and rhythm of the city. Beautiful faces, beautiful smiles. It was contagious, I couldn't help but notice my face relax a bit as I mirrored the lovely people I encountered along the way. I would describe it as feeling that Vincy Vibe as my friend  Lizzie Davies has so eloquently described it in her poetry.  I kept thinking... I kinda love this place.

Today was a good day. Me nah stress.

I confess, I did it.

How it started: So this was my first Thanksgiving away from my family in a long time. I was just fine most of the day. Most of the island post hold their own version of a Thanksgiving gathering and celebrate with local friends as well as Peace Corps Staff. It is a nice way for volunteers to share our various Thanksgiving traditions with one another as well as local friends.

Where it when wrong: Skype date with the family- Fail. We tried to get a connection for about 10 minutes. Sensing my frustrations they tried to keep a smile on their faces but it just wasn't going down.  resulted in a stream of unpleasant emotions accompanied by an empty house  topped with a dollop of self-pity.

Solution: revert back to the insane logic that material things can make you happy aka retail therapy.  12:01am Black Friday online, yes I did it. And honestly clicking away adding items to my shopping cart offered a moment of comfort.

Side note: After sharing this minor meltdown with a Vincentian friend she inquired about Black Friday. She said it seems  bizarre and contradictory that Americans have such a day directly after Thanksgiving. She kept asking but why after Thanksgiving?...after responding with a slew of programmed answers we both laughed because we knew she was right. It makes absolutely no sense. I think many of us know this, and many people have removed themselves from all the hype. So no, it is not ALL Americans but obviously a significant amount of us, and this year I became part of the masses.blah.

Results: a few good deals on items I actually really wanted and can use (can't even fudge and say need).  Oh well the damage is done but I will say I feel 100% prepared to step into 2012 with appropriate wrinkle, rust, hole, mold free attire. Maybe this will end the ongoing discussion between my coworkers and I about my wrinkles and permanent lint ball fuzzy things that I refuse show much concern about when highlighted by my coworkers.

Countdown is on, 14 days until I am back home for a visit!!!!!!