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Published: February 13th 2006
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kids at Dupont Primary
These are some students at the Primary school. Three of the kids are drinking "bag juice". Basically it's a popsicle/slush in bag. It's quite refreshing on a hot day(most days) and sells for J$10. Or about 16 cents US. Love is in the air in Jamaica (don’t worry Mom I’m not running off to Vegas😉 haha). I can tell that it’s soon to be Valentine ’s Day here in Jamaica because there are an abundance of horribly ugly fake flowers lining the streets for loving buyers. Who ever thought fake flowers could be popular? I’m really looking forward to this Tuesday. I’m taking Meaghan out to eat. We are both really excited to be visiting our local Subway (yes, we have the sandwich shop in the city of Kingston). We haven’t been to Subway yet, so we are both very, very excited.
I sing in the junior choir at St. Pius. The “Junior Choir” is quite deceiving. It is called the “Junior Choir” because at some point all of it’s members were all the youth of St. Pius. However, now most of these members now have begun young families of their own. The members of this choir have sung together for years. They know each other, and they know each other’s voices. These people know each other because they are great friends and have lived and attended church with each other since near birth. Unlike most young people
Cute Girls
These girls were all at a gospel "birthday bash" for a local DJ held at St. Pius. There was lots of singing and dancing...and lots of people "filled with the Holy Spirit" in the United States these people do not move away from home after reaching eighteen years of age. They either remain in their parent’s houses or have their own house near the house they grew up in. It is definitely a tight knit community.
I am different among the choir members. I’m different because I am the only person who has learned to sing by using sheet music. In five months I have never seen a single sheet of written notation be used to teach a song. All music is taught and learned by ear. It’s quite impressive. However, the music we sing is often very repetitive and easy to learn: ). The members of this choir are very talented and produce some really good music. They sing from their depths of their souls.
However, not all Jamaicans can sing well. I’ve heard some of the worst singing ever in my life here. There are not more bad singers but biggest difference is probably in attitude. Here, everyone sings LOUD and PROUD. Sometimes, I wish it wasn’t so because I’ve heard some awful singing…especially at daily Mass coming from the old ladies each morning.
This Friday night
6th graders
Jahfield, Tevon, Romario, Omaro, and Shanna-Kay. Good times. I went to Asylum, the most famous Jamaican night club in Kingston. It was pretty much like any other night club. I was excited because the DJ played a medley of American music- which included some good classics. One of the best was the Twist. Dad you would be proud to know your instruction on how to do the real “twist” paid off. The Jamaicans were impressed. Haha.
Saturday morning we said farewell to Dr. Pedro (the dentist). His volunteer commitment ended this week. I am very glad to have been able to work with him and I really learned a lot. I now brush and floss properly and teach others to do the same: ). Besides working together, Pedro is a great friend and will be missed.
Another dentist is coming in March. He is retired and from Florida. I’m planning on asking him if I can be his dental assistant in the afternoons.
Everyday I look forward to tutoring the 6th grade boys at Dupont Primary. It is my favorite part of the day. I often hand out “sweeties” (candy) or stickers to the boys who behave well while they work with me. Christopher, one
More 6th graders
Demechi, Tahjay, Me, Orville. Demechi and Tahjay both want to be artists and football(soccer) players. Orville wants to be a dentist. He brushes three times a day...but isn't a flosser...YET. I encourged the string. of the wildest boys, told me something about getting sweeties after class (I didn’t catch everything he was saying because it was all in Patois and I was working with another boy). So, Christopher, stood up and very animated said “Miss, let me put this in English for you”. I couldn’t help but laugh. All of the other boys were also laughing. Christopher explained that instead of getting sweeties he would like some like fruit for a reward. It was very funny, especially because Christopher knew I didn’t know what he was saying, and went out of his way to put it in English.
Some people may think I’m crazy but I think that if I ever teach again I would really like to teach 6th grade. The kids are young enough to listen to you but are old enough to think on their own. I’m very proud of some of the boys I tutor. Some can now write their whole alphabet without any problems and are really beginning to catch on to the phonics flash cards. It makes everything worthwhile, especially when you see how proud they are of themselves. It’s very special.
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Liz
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You rock!
Again, I just wanted to say: You rock my world Nancy Jo! Keep up the good work!! Also, as an English major, I have to say that you might want to consider a career in poetry...goats in boats! That could be the title of your first collection...:)