Coming soon...

...to a campus near you.

Croc's Giveaway

"One is not born into this world to do everything, but to do something." -Henry David Thoreau

I wish that I could give these kids the world.  I wish I could give them new homes, new clothes, new schools, college tuitions, better medical care, dental care, and for some of them I wish I could give them new parents.  But I can't.  I can't give them everything.  All I can give them is my time and my love and occasionally, something extra special. 

Thanks to the generous donations given to the Limes program by one of our volunteers aunt and church, we were able to pass out 63 pairs of Crocs shoes to all the kids this week.  I can't even begin to tell you how fun it is to watch these precious children get something brand spanking new. 

This is what happens when you tell 3 year olds to "show me your shoes."

I may not have a job, but I get paid in big smiles and gigantic hugs every day.  And I promise you, it's better than money.

Star Fruit

It's my new favorite thing which is good, because it's SUPER cheap.  Like 1.99EC per pound cheap.

It has many names, five finger fruit, carambola, and star fruit are just a few.

It's in the citrus fruit family and is extremely juicy.

If you like sour/sweet candy, then you will love star fruit because I think it tastes like a sour patch kid. 

At only 30 calories per fruit, you can afford to sprinkle a bit of sugar on it to make it a sweet dessert.

And in my opinion, it's one of the prettiest looking fruits once it's cut up.

Can you OD on starfruit?  Just wondering. :)

The First and Last...

...Grenadian food I plan on eating.

We went to Patrick's last Saturday night for dinner with a bunch of friends.  And when I say a bunch, what I really mean is like 40.  No joke.   Our friends Kris and Tarrah had gone to Patrick's awhile back and claimed that it had the best Grenadian  homestyle cooking on the island.  If I were a less picky  more adventuresome eater, I might have actually agreed with them.

By the way, when the say "homestyle," what they really mean is it is made and served at their home.  Like in the front yard. TIG. 

Patrick's

I should have known I wouldn't be a huge fan when I looked at the menu. There were 20 small dishes served.  So you try a little of everything which is good if you like to try new things, bad if you don't.  If you know me at all, you shouldn't be surprised that things like, "beer battered eggplant, lambi, stir-fried rabbit, cod fish fritters, beef casserole curried mutton, and fresh fish steaks deep fried" don't make my top list of favorite meals.  I can't knock everything at Patrick's,  I really did like the callaloo soup, curry rice, and green banana salad.

It was a VERY local Grenadian experience with some really great friends.  If you think you might want to try Grenadian food, Patrick's is the place to go.

And what was the best part of the night you ask?  Well, they brought out some homemade spiced rum and poured everyone shots.

Of course like any normal person, I took one look at that bottle and said absolutely not.  SOME of us weren't that smart.  You'd think that these medical students would know not to drink something that looked so awful.

Smelled it and didn't like it...

...and still took the shot.  -TIG

Let's just say I don't think he'll be doing THAT again. :)

And I won't be going to Patrick's again, but it was still a lot of fun.  Even if I did have to go home and eat a bowl of rice crispies.

Limes My Little Loves

We kicked off the Limes Program for the term yesterday.  It was SO great to see all my little loves again.  I have missed them so much since the end of last term.  I don't know what I'm going to do in May when we leave Grenada for good.  I've been telling Josh that maybe he needs to do his clinicals here in Grenada.  So far, that's a big NO GO. 

We spent the first two days of class in total chaos.  But what am I saying?  EVERY day is total chaos with these kids.  But we've been having fun and I don't think we've scared away any of the new volunteers...YET. 

Oh and Kelsey, they've all been asking about you.  And it's been killing me having to tell them you aren't going to be back.  Don't worry, you are very missed and they haven't forgotten about you at all.

Fish Friday Take 2

Last term, I took the boat up to Gouyave for Fish Friday.  You can read about that trip HERE.  But since Josh's week of classes was pretty light this week and he had never been to Fish Friday, we decided to go again.  Plus, Julie and Kevin had never been either.  We took the boat again because who really wants to drive at night on the windy, pot-holey roads of Grenada.  Not me!  Although after an hour long boat ride, my motion-sick-prone husband might prefer to drive next time.  He says he's never getting on a boat again.  Poor guy.

The boys on the boat

Me and Juju on the boat

We made it up to Fish Friday with only a little rain on our trip up the island and no vomiting episodes.  Thanks goodness!  Once there, Josh was glad that we went.  He had his fill of lobster and shrimp kabobs, fish cakes and coconut shrimp.  He was a happy boy.

We all definitely had our fill of fish.  It was such a great time and I'm so glad that Josh finally got to experience Fish Friday.  Perhaps 5th term will give him a little more time off to do some other fun islandy things, but I doubt it.

With our good friends Kevin and Julie.