16 November 2008

Mine eyes hath deception

Can it be true!?

Tell me this isn't the joke of some merry prankster pulling my Wayne-longing chain . . .

14 November 2008

Resourceful, green, and not smelly.

S'true: I make my deodorant.
.

The best part is that it works a zillion times better than any over-the-counter junk I've swiped under my arms in futile attempts to not put anyone off with my Eau de Ali. Trust me, I've tried to embrace my natural "essence" for years, but my hyper-active olfactory bulb was consistently triggered, reminding me to bathe no less than three times a day -- especially since moving to the tropical humidity of the 12°N latitude that is my island. The other best part is that I recycled my empty Tom's of Maine container, and half of the ingredients were made locally (coconut oil).

Here's what you do: roll down your empty container, fill it with coconut oil, pour it into a cup, add baking soda until it's milky and gritty. Pour it back into the rolled down container, cap it up, and put it in the fridge. Wait about 30 minutes, or until it solidifies, apply ONE SWIPE per pit, and enjoy your new lack of eau d'er. I think one could probably add a drop or two of perfume oil; I might try that when my first batch runs out, you know, to smell more like a girl instead of just the passing breeze.

06 November 2008

Filling the rucksack

Why is packing so tedious? I absolutely loathe planning exact outfits days before I actually have to wear the clothes, ESPECIALLY when I know I'll be changing from wet to dry and back again repeatedly until Sunday evening. Too bad they're not enforcing "team unity" in appearance and making us wear the track suits and tees the entire weekend.
Now, back to finding more things to do (yoga, posters, lunch, hand washing my sheets, more blog complaining, sweeping the kitchen) until the very last second so I can rush to pack and forget at least one something important.

02 November 2008

Overdue, but for good reason(s).

I don't need to justify my lack of entries to you people who (don't) read my blog.
Just know that my little island is keeping me busy, and forever entertained and occupied, especially since my computer was out of commission for at least three weeks. Then Nisha visited for two weeks, and that pretty much sums up the absence . . . which brings me to my next point. COME VISIT. THINGS HAPPEN when people visit. Friends I didn't know I had here come out of the bush and beach, and food and gatherings and more food and babies (to play with! JEEZ I still have at least TEN more months here, people!) come to me daily.

The Mighty Sparrow -- King of Calypso!-- even sang to my school on Friday . . . MY PRIMARY SCHOOL! The one with 158 kids! Then he performed until 1:30 am for the public. He's 75!


Today I went to a boat launch party in my village for a 45' vessel named Tradition.








I teach Spanish to 2nd through 6th graders on Wednesdays, and they love it even more than coloring (art?) on Fridays. I love it even more than coloring on Fridays.

Tomorrow I'm supposed to start my advanced scuba course, which gives me the skillz necessary to dive up to 30 meters, in wrecks, and at night. Glowing phosphorescence, watch yo back, cause A$ gunna git u. I'll also learn how to navigate, and how to control my buoyancy enough to take interesting and unblurry deep sea photographs.
Alas, I have a nasty dry cough that keeps my head pounding and doesn't produce phlegm. No sense going underwater and wasting a tank of oxygen because my stupid lungs are full of goo. Phosphorescence, you shall remain untouched for at least a week . . .

. . . because I'm going to St. Lucia Thursday - Monday. For what, you ask?
I have been selected for the Grenada National Swim Team to compete in the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States meet. Oh, and one of the swimmers I coach every day of my life made the team as well. Carriacou R E P R E S E N T! Did I mention we are the only people in the history of the world going to the OECS meet for Carriacou? I'm in the record books now; my work here is done.
Ha!


Friends, I think this update has reached its end.

Until next time . . .

peace
one love
respect.