In my possession I have 6 different types of mangoes:
Julie
Number
Big Head
Common
Greenskin
East Indian
Boastfully I will add that this number doesn’t clarify the actual quantity I have.
A dozen x 4 š
Wretchedly, there is a dark side. — A yin to my yang.
In this case, the negative is plural and I call them ‘flies’; black winged creatures.
Their persistent, buzzing, disease-carrying-bodies are gross and omnipresent.
On a completely unrelated note, this week Mamma told me I was her best friend.
š š š š š š š š š
On an even more unrelated note Hurricane Season is one week away — June 1st.
Itās been raining every afternoon like clockwork.
card sharks
If you havenāt heard, the world was supposed to end on Saturday.
It was all anyone talked about in Elim — The coming of Jesus Christ.
In fairness Mama stated āNot even the angels in heaven know when the Lord is to come so how can human?ā Nevertheless, this was a hot, daily debated topic.
Fast forward to that fateful Saturday (aka DoomsDay):
I was in Kingston enjoying a relaxing weekend with Lori and Steven (who have both a hot shower a beautiful home. whoa.). So, the three of us went grocery shopping. At 9:42AM, the projected time of His arrival, whilst perusing stocked shelves, the power went out! Lori gasped, leaned in, and cryptically whispered, āHeās here!ā
She thought it was hilarious.
I about had a heart attack.
True Story, as I really thought He might be coming.
Ahh, well. The day ended uneventfully: I finished Catch 22, drank delicious coffee, and watched Maid in Manhattan (an āacademy award winnerā next to the other television we watched that weekend) ā it was sinfully gluttonous.
—
Like my mom, you might have noticed that itās been awhile since my last post.
I have not noticed.
In fact, I spoke to Mamma Joey yesterday and she told me she was worried because she hadnāt heard from me in near two weeks. I rolled my eyes. We had just spoken; āMom, Iām fine, we spoke on Friday. How was the Garage Sale?ā
She responded, āThe garage sale was last week, Sammi, May 13thā.
Touche, Mom.
So, why the delay? What have I been doing??
Teaching!
Yes, teaching everyday.
My community also (drum roll) started construction on a new basic school!!!
Plus, May was a big month for me:
1. My Mid Service Conference.
2. I have One Year left in Jamaicaā¦more or less. Eeeeeee (!)
Iāve been in Jamaica for 14 months and hereās what I have to show for it:
My community knows who I am.
I am a proud dog owner.
I can pretty much speak and understand patois.
I have re-discovered a love for reading.
I am the walrus coo-coo-ka-choo (?)
Hmm, maybe I should stop doing this.
Itās hard to count up successes.
I mean, how do you quantify building trust with farmers, developing a family relationship, or an ability to navigate the public transportation system?
Speaking of public transportation, my shoulders are not as bony as I thought.
At first I was thrilled with this news.
Now I feel slightly displeased.
Where to start?
I am on the fence about public bus rides. Sometimes I feel like a little cuddle, so itās nice; lately Iāve been sweating profusely, also there have been smelly people and flies all of which are annoying to no end. And, it can be awkward to say āI know we don’t know each other well but, would you mind if I sit on your lap?ā Plus that constant thought of āGee, I hope I donāt get robbedā is draining. Thereās also the nausea that comes with the ācorner, cornerā in the roads and music so loud itās hard to think and impossible not to get a headache.
Even still, lately people have fallen asleep on my shoulders (?)
I thought this would be uncomfortable. For them. (Obviously it is for me.)
And in the beginning I was bemused but lately I am hot, sticky, and grumpy.
I guess it’s inevitable with the amount of people per vehicle — As an environmentalist I’m impressed. In this way we can learn a lot from Jamaicans.
And perhaps you will get lucky and someone who smells good sits on top of you.
Or unlucky and get handed a child.
Or really unlucky and a dirty man will make sexual faces at you the entire ride.
No matter the scenario don’t have a full bladder. — that makes everything worse.
Until next time;
Kill all flies, say your prayers (as Mama says, “you never know when He will come”), and use the bathroom before taking long trips.
Love x the number of mangoes in Jamaica,
āmi
Adventuresam 