Queen Elizabeth Home for Children

Every Monday, the SO's head up to Queen Elizabeth Home for Children.  We play games, help with homework, and get to know some really awesome kids.  Last week, we had 19 SO's come out!  Which is by far the most volunteers we've ever had by leaps and bounds!  Both Kelsey (the other SO Volunteer Coordinator) and I are so thrilled that so many people want to give up some of their island time to help enrich the lives of these adorable children.  The kids just LOVE the attention of so many adults.  Their faces light up when they see us coming off the bus and I know that they look forward to our visit every week.

A VERY full taxi.

"Stephanie Says"

You're out!

Singing songs led by Miss Kelsey.

Getting ready for duck duck goose.

Red Light, Green Light

Puzzles!

Miss Cat found a friend.



Cheeeese



I encourage any and all SO's to join us on a Monday afternoon.  I guarantee that once you meet these kids, you will want to come back every week!  They will melt your heart, I promise.

Lessons Learned...The Hard Way

"Be Prepared."  I've heard this motto about a zillion times in my life.  My brother is an Eagle Scout and my Mom was a girl scout leader for many years.  The motto whenever going out on a hike, a campout, an adventure, or really anything in life was "Be Prepared." 

My Mom is ALWAYS prepared for anything and everything.  Mom always had the bandaid, the bugspray, the sunscreen, the chains for the car tires in snow, a shovel, a first aid kit, jumper cables, matches, enough water, extra snacks, a jacket and blankets if we were driving in the winter, Benedryl, Asprin, Ibuprofen, ice packs.  You name it, she had it.  Just. In. Case. 

Because you NEVER know what life is going to throw at you, especially when dealing with things in nature.  It's better to be prepared than to be naive.  And we were very naive yesterday.  We overestimated our abilities and underestimated nature's power.

The plan for the day was a hike to Concord Falls.  Ten of us SO's piled into two cars and took the drive up the island to Tempe. We arrived at our destination with lots of energy and enthusiasm, ready to take on the world.  We were offered a guide, but we didn't take it.

Lesson #1 of the day: If you have the option of a guide, take it.

The hike up to the waterfall was perfect.  A little muddy, a little buggy, and a little hot, but we weren't afraid to get down and dirty.

Remember this river crossing.

Overall, the hike up was beautiful.  And I loved adventuring through the Grenadian jungle with so many of my close friends.

After about 45 minutes of traipsing through the muck and the mud, we made it to our destination,  Fountainbleau Falls.  And boy were we ready to cool off in some refreshing water.

Just as we all jumped into the water, it began to rain.  And rain here in Grenada isn't normal rain, it's a downpour.  As the minutes passed and the rain continued, I remember looking to my friends Kelsey and Cat and saying "Are we in danger of a flash flood?"  It rained hard for at least 15-20 minutes and unfortunately we didn't leave the falls for at least 30-40 minutes.

Lesson #2 of the day: When the weather changes, turn around and head back.  Immediately.

The trail back had become less of a trail, and more of a stream of water.  Our legs were ankle deep in water and mud and it was extremely slippery.  We had crossed over the river on the hike up at least 5-6 times and the first time we came to a crossing on the way back, it was obvious that the water level had risen and the rapids had increased.  We made the first two crossings with only moderate difficulty, but by the time we got to the third crossing, the one pictured at the top, we were in for a big surprise.  Where the water had been only shin deep the first time, it was now waist deep and it had widened.  The rocks initially used as stepping stones were completely covered, and the water was now coming down full of rapids and full of force. 

The girls at the front began to try and wade across by linking arms and creating a chain and a couple made it across successfully, but the current was just too strong.  Our friend Cat's feet were swept out from under her and in an instant, she was being carried down the river.  Luckily, Kelsey reacted on instinct and made a grab at her backpack.  She was able to pull Cat up, with the help of a couple of other girls.  Cat is thankfully okay, but her fall was enough to make us all realize that we just couldn't safely get anyone else across without some help.  We were in trouble.

Lesson #3 of the day:  Never underestimate the forcefullness of a raging river.

The girls that had made it across were sent to try and find help, while the rest of us contemplated other alternative ways to get across.  Thankfully, God sent us some guardian angels in the form of the Grenadian men that had offered themselves as guides initially.  They had gotten worried about us as the rain started to come down and decided to come looking for us. 

These men were able to help us across the raging water, but the trouble wasn't over.  There were still two more spots where we were supposed to cross.  The men decided it wasn't worth the risk and took us on a machete carved trail through the jungle.  It wasn't easy, and it was still scary since we were on an edge with the rushing river below us, clinging to trees, vines, and roots.  But we all made it back with only minor cuts and scrapes. 

I am so thankful that no one was seriously injured and that Cat is okay.  It was scary for all of us, but most of all for her.  But Cat was such a trooper through it all.

When we started the hike, we didn't know how the day would end up playing out, but we definitely could have been more prepared for it.  We were offered a guide and we didn't take it.  My intuition told me when it started raining that we should head back, and yet I didn't act on it.  The river was much higher and much faster than we thought it was when the girls first entered the water and in hindsight, we shouldn't have entered it so blindly.

Consider these lessons learned for the future. 

SO Opening Social

On Sunday afternoon, the SOO (Significant Other Organization) hosted our opening social at the Caribbean House on SGU's campus.  It was complete with pizza, drinks, desserts and PEOPLE!  We had over 100 people attend our opening social, which I think is the most they've had in quite some time, possibly ever.  It was an overwhelming success. 

The Caribbean house, like most of the campus, overlooks the ocean.  It couldn't have been a more beautiful spot to have a party.

As an SO board member, I, along with my fellow board members, were there early to help setup as well as help check people in, refill ice chests, and pizza boxes.

Secretary, Volunteer Coordinator, Social Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator

Kelsey, my co-volunteer coordinator...and friend!

Setting up

And then the masses came.

Even Josh was able to stop by for a bit!

And LOTS of pizza was eaten...like my body weight in pizza.


Many thanks to all members of the SO board who made this party such a success.  I am so happy to be a part of it.  It looks like it's going to be a very fun term!


This week in pictures...

On Tuesday Laura, Nicole, Blaire, and I went to Magazine beach for a snorkel sesh.

Yes the water is that blue.



Laura and I. Don't we look cute?



Hello!

Blaire and I

Then on Friday I took some new friends on a tour of the Conch Shell Graveyard...


Into the JUNGLE!



Kara, Me, Laura, and Nicole

This morning, I joined some student and SO volunteers at Grand Anse Beach for the Bel Air Children's home beach day.

We had a great turnout of volunteers.

And where has Josh been you might ask?  Well, he's been studying.  A. Lot. Fourth term is proving to be just as busy as we heard it would be.

First Feature!!!

Hey Friends! Guess what?! Today I was featured on my new friend Cat's blog BUDGET BLONDE.  I've been following this blog for quite some time.  She has great tips on living your life on a budget as well as some amazing DIY projects and crafts!  I have never seen anyone besides my other Grenada friend Kelsey who can literally turn nothing special into something extra special.

On top of that, her hubby is also here at SGU in Grenada and she just moved here a couple of weeks ago! So not only are we blog friends, but we are now real life friends!  She is from Louisiana and is such a sweet southern belle.  I can't get enough of her adorable accent. And to top it off, she's just as nice and upbeat in person as she seems on her blog.

Anyway, she's featuring one of my previous DIY projects that I posted about for our one year anniversary this past June. You can read about it again on her blog HERE.  This is a very exciting day for "The Scurlock Scene!"  We are moving up in the world! :)

Welcome Back Bazaar!

On Sunday afternoon, SGU had their annual "Welcome Back Bazaar."  It's an event held so that all of the different clubs and organizations can advertise to the new students, but there was also lots of food and entertainment provided as well. 

As a board member of the Significant Others Organization (SOO), I was asked to work at the SO booth for an hour or so.  The purpose of our booth was to inform new SO's of the social, family, and volunteer activities available to everyone each term as well as collect dues and answer any and all questions that a new SO might have.

The SOO had a great turnout of new SO's interested in being active members.  And it was a good chance for me to meet some new faces here on the island.  I think in total, the SOO has about 130-140 SO's listed on our contact sheet.  Not all of them are active members, but that's a lot of SO's don't you think?!? 

The SO Booth



Sarah (SO Treasurer) and I



Kelsey and I (Co-Volunteer Coordinators)

Me and Laura (Social Coordinator)

I encourage any new SO's to the island (male or female) and even any SO's that have been here for awhile to get involved with the SOO.  You don't have to be a board member or go to EVERY event.  Just come out for some of the things.  It makes this whole medical school process easier when you are surrounded by people who are in the exact same situation as you.  It's a community and we'd love to have you in it!