March 8, 2019
Today was an amazing day, yet exhausting day. We traveled from Norfolk to Philadelphia to Philadelphia to Jamaica. From there it went uphill; we had a welcome dinner. I tried Jamaican food which was spicy, but a good type of spicy. Knowing myself, I do not like spice. Afterwards, some of the girls and I went out to Pier 1. At first I felt weird and awkward, but once I got the hand of things and observed how people dance and act I got more comfortable. I even met a guy who was very nice and asked some get to know you questions. Another thing that I enjoyed was the company and the help of one of our leaders, Odaine. He was very respectful, kind, non-judgmental, and open minded to different conversations. I even asked him to teach me some slang words in Jamaica. I want to learn new things including what/how they speak here.
March 9, 2019
Starting from last night into this morning, I got one hour (maybe) of sleep. Although, it was worth it, I wish I could’ve gotten more sleep. The bus ride to Kingston was long so that is where I made up my hours that I lost. Once we got to Kingston we had breakfast: patties. Patties is something I enjoy. In general I am loving Jamaican food so far. After, we started our day with lecture about the culture/background of Africans, Chinese, Jamaicans, and so many others and how they were affected in history. What I found most interesting/fun was the traditions/ dances of Jamaicans. The ska, the move with the shoulder, all the different moves with your hands were super unique. Also when we went out I saw a couple of these moves and even tried some of them. I felt a part of something bigger; I felt closer to the culture, closer to understanding and appreciating their culture. Another part of the day I liked a lot was the Bob Marley Museum. I found out more stories/facts about him and how he died. I understood him more and wanted to listen to his music more. I never really understood what his music was about until today. This shocks me because I love the type of music he sang about and I didn’t even realize it. A part from that I have been talking to Alicia more and getting to know her better and seeing what Jamaica is like for her. I am really enjoying myself so far and can’t wait to see what else there is.
PS: I tried curried goat today and I absolutely loved it! Also wasn’t expecting that, but I am glad I did it. It honestly tasted like beef with a lot of seasoning 🙂 I am so happy and glad I can say I tried a different kind of animal and say I enjoyed it!!
March 10, 2019
Today we had breakfast; Mrs. Chambers, a cook, a grandma made us eggs, coffee, saltfish fritters, festival, and a fruit that resembles an apple. It was so delicious, I had seconds. Everything here is different and has its own taste. After, Allie, Frankie, Bianca, Nathaniel, and went to the strip. Since we were going to the beach and my swim suit didn’t arrive, I needed to buy one. That wasn’t the fun part. The fun part was seeing Allie talk for us and making sure they didn’t rip us off. It wasn’t because of that; what made it fun was the interaction itself. It gave me a closer look into what it looks like to negotiate or talk in a certain tone of voice. On the way back to the University/Hotel we all started talking about ex’s and the weather difference. It is something we bonded over and it let us become closer. After we went to Negril where we ate, drank, and had a lot of conversation. Nathaniel even did a challenge; to eat this full meal in 8 minutes. He was so close, but didn’t make it. I felt bad for him because he was so set on making those 8 minutes. All said and done, we stayed on the beach for a couple of hours. Even though it rained and wasn’t as warm as it was, us girls took some photos and enjoyed our time there. I even got to “ride” a horse on the beach and take pictures!! It was so exciting because I have always wanted to ride a horse on the beach and I finally got to!! How cool is that? Bianca did it with me as well! We took pictures for each other and got to experience it together in some sort of way. Last place we went to was Ricks Cafe. Let me tell you something. I have never been somewhere for that little of time. For what it’s worth I am glad I went. Nathaniel and Bianca jumped off some cliffs. That was pretty awesome especially doing it in Jamaica. It made it 10 times more awesome than if they did it here.
March 11, 2019
Today we finally met the girls! I was expecting them to be more shy/reserved, but they were actually talkative (at least in my opinion). Even though they were more talkative than I thought, one of the girls in my group looked tired and didn’t really speak much. I am not sure if that was the reason why, but it seemed like it. One event/moment I enjoyed was when we introduced ourselves with the name game. We got to know each other a little and got to see a side of us that we probably wouldn’t see when first meeting someone. The other girl in my group, Amelia started playing with my hair. She even apologized when the other girl, Kayla said something to her. I told her it was okay to touch/play with it. I even said “go for it”. I really liked that she did, it made me feel like she was comfortable/ curious about my hair and that is something I adore. Amelia was very kind and adorable. I git good energy from her. I hope to get to know her better; I hope Kayla can be more open/less tired next time or later on in the week. I hope he does because I want to get to know her better and she reminds me a little of myself. There’s something about her that just pops to me. After the Women’s Center we had the day to ourselves. I enjoyed having the day to myself. I ended up going to the beach with Dominique and Nathaniel. Nathaniel and I went in the water and we spoke about Jamaica and the U.S We talked about how and what we are enjoying in Jamaica and what we are going to miss. I know it sounds crazy to think about what we are going to miss, but it’s something that hit us. For example, the food, the weather, the people, and our views on certain things. Also, for me I was thinking how much Jamaica has opened my eyes with some things. Something that I forgot to mention that made me open my eyes was when the girls were walking with their babies in the heat. It makes you wonder and fee bad for them; the weather and how far they have to walk. That’s what I thought, but then I stopped myself and think how they are probably used to it and have no choice. They have to do what they have to do. It made me appreciate the little things more and the resources that we have. I even thought about how I complain about things that other people may not have/don’t have access to or even food, supplies, etc. Life is too short to complain about those things, we should be grateful for what we have.
March 12, 2019
The lecture by Georgia was very insightful and made me think about my own life. In particular the cost of living, what they have access to, how much the make, and how long it takes to get to where they are. I am not saying that I didn’t appreciate the things that i have or access to, but it made me realize more how much I take it for granted and complain about things. It made me think and start thinking that I shouldn’t and that other people such as Jamaica would love to live where we live, make the money we make, and have the resources that we have. And here we are complaining about things we don’t have or we need a better house, a better salary, or pay for a part time job. I am thinking I need to be grateful for those thing even if it’s just a little bit because other people don’t have the luxury and it take a while to get there. That is something we discussed in the lecture and my mind was blown. I was speechless. Beyond that, on the way to the women’s center I noticed and been noticing people wearing long sleeves or pants and a professional jacket on. I am thinking how are they not hot, but what do I know and I am thinking maybe they are used to it/or this is what they need to wear wherever they are going: school, work, etc. They are so many things we don’t know and so many things we can’t see that it is hard to see what’s on the surface, that we may think what’s under is harder to see. I know that’s what I was thinking.
March 13, 2019
Melissa, the speaker/ lecture done by was a different level. What I mean is it dug deeper into how Jamaica is in terms of children and the resources they have/lack resources. In Jamaica there is a difference between punishment and abusing your child. Punishment is acceptable, but nothing else. To compare and see what was accepted, we saw a video of . mom beating her child with a hatchet. Beyond the punishments, we saw a video of an uncles selling his niece to tourist. To me that is just astonishing. Of course these things happen, for me it is just hard to actually watch and witness these kinds of things. For example, watching the uncle sell his niece to tourist broke my heart into pieces. All I could think about was how is she handling this, she probably doesn’t have anyone to talk to, what are her emotions, how can she get out of this and get her identity/ dignity back. so many more thoughts were going through my head, I didn’t know where to start. We then, talked about pregnancy, birth control, and sex education. Abortion is illegal and in all cases. Once you have a baby you are sent to family clinic and you are given birth control. People/organizations that you are able to talk about sex is a guidance counselor and home management; this is equivalent to what we have here: sex education. Another interesting fact about Jamaica was “barial” it is the kids whose mom is away making money in the U.S. Once she makes money it is to be shared within the family including grandma, grandpa, children, and so on. One thing I found “humorous” was when we learned about begging. It is a word where it describes how you get your food. Whatever you find you eat. This also depends on your living conditions, and not that I found it funny, aka the quotation marks around it; I found it to be comforting because this is not just a Jamaica issue, it is an issue world wide and as it seems it doesn’t seem to be changing much or maybe we are missing something. Additionally, we saw pictures of a poor house and a rich house. We saw the differences, the U.S money difference, and what it actually means to own a home. Owning a home is very important here and a story that was told, this women was finally able to own a home of her own and it was only a one bedroom; she was so excited! That is something huge and I feel ashamed because I know some people may think that is nothing, that is something you shouldn’t be excited for. I think it is, it is amazing. It took her time to get here, but she was able to do it and even with help! There is also nothing wrong with that either, she got to where she is because of that help, because she wanted it, she had the motivation and strength to not give up. That is a big accomplishment. One thing that really blew my mind is that dealers in Jamaica most likely live in rich houses. It scares me and makes me wonder about how can a dealer live in a rich house, but someone with a good amount of money and are able to purchase one, can’t even in the weirdest circumstance. It changes everything!
March 14, 2019
Nickesha Gray: Her journey was not only long and riven but it was worth it and had challenges along the way. She shared them with us and the most important part of it all; she believed in herself, she always said she could do it and it is possible for her to get to her dream. Even if it is in some way like bluffing like her story. If you just believe, you will get there.
Claudette Bryan: I loved her story. Her story was different than Miss Gray’s which I enjoyed because her most proud and accomplishment is being a mother and a good mother. She accomplished other things but as she said “if I haven’t completed anything I have been a mother, I taught them good values I have raised good children.” She also wants to change peoples lives. Jesus directs her where she goes. ” You are secured with Jesus Christ. How do I raise my children? How is my home? What do I like with them?” “When god is on your side you cannot go wrong”
*What I found interesting and something that I loved and admired was both Gray and Bryan are spiritual and it helped them with their journey. At least that is something I perceived.*
Miss Janet Silvera: “It is not where you are coming from, it is where you are going.” “House was filled with love, 7 kids, 2 bedrooms, opened to people who didn’t have homes.” Reading books is knowledge and where she wants to be in life; hungry for knowledge. What was sad, yet empowering was she got teased and nicknamed, but she loved the nicknames. She didn’t let anyone bring her down. She said you are not to believe what people say about you or what you can or can not do. She also felt like she had to be good at everything she was good at. Teachers made she that her grades weren’t that great when they weren’t. she told herself “there was nothing she couldn’t do” leaving her old house to get/own her own home is one example. She wanted to live in a community that she said she couldn’t afford, but was able to 2 years later. House value has gone up so much and buy 3 other houses. She believed there was greatness in her and never gave up. She helps other woman, boys, and girls youth. She did not want them to to end up like the boys who got killed by the gunman where she lived. She always wanted to always give back and wanted to give for those in need (sold her clothes on Facebook). She said she did not expect anything in return and that we shouldn’t expect anything in return.
Doctor Key: Obstacles are part of your journey, they don’t define you. Mentor, plan, and execute was how she got through her journey and is how we should go about it as well. She made me think real hard about my journey so far and made me see it in a different light. For starters she goes “think about how you got through the obstacles, who was with you, and it can be yourself. It doesn’t mean you don’t have anybody.” That hit me hard that I even started to tear up. It hit me hard because so far my journey has been me, myself, and I, which I thought was horrible and that I should have support/someone with me. When I think about it though, those moments have made me stronger and build more on myself as an individual. That is another point she made. That is when I also started to tear up/cry. I didn’t want to cry because I thought everyone was going to ask me if I am okay and why I am crying. I didn’t want people to think I was being a baby and that it was ridiculous if I started crying. She then began to speak about rejection and how it is a part of life and we should get used to. It’s not a bad thing, you can look it as if it wasn’t meant for you, you will get your time, and everything happens for a reason.