Research Day at UWI

Today was a good day. We woke to the beautiful Jamaican sun and immediately started our day.  We started off with breakfast and chores. For breakfast was had a banana and chocolate muffin, from the bakery section of MegaMart, and a fresh papaya.  The muffin was delicious but we didn’t really like the papaya.  You live you learn, right?

Yummy chocolate and banana muffin and not so yummy papaya

After breakfast and chores the kids and I walked to campus t participate in Research Day. Research Day is where the university puts itself on display and all of the departments bring out posters and demonstrations showing what research they are currently participating in.  It is a wonderful concept and the kids and I really enjoyed ourselves.  See pics below:

View from the door of the Geography/ Geology Department

View of a really cool exhibit demonstrating density with sugar water and food coloring (an experiment the kids and I can try at home)

My babies waiting their turn to see the exhibit in front of them (that's a bubble gum bubble in Joshua's mouth, in case you were wondering)

View of campus and mountains with the kids in it

Kids watching an open heart surgery simulation (it was really cool, the monitors were beeping and the heart was really pumping)

Another view of the kids watching the heart

The kids learning about the Lionfish, some star fish and sea urchins

Once we returned home we had lunch and enjoyed a little down time.

My lunch... these chips are really good.  Not the banana chips we eat in the States.  These could easily be confused for a bag of Lays minus all the grease.

 

Another food adventure for us today was trying the star fruit from our tree in the yard.  This fruit is ready to eat straight from the tree.  Once they are yellow they are ripe and ready to eat. The are crunch and very juicy.  They remind me a lot of a granny smith apple just not as bitter.

star fruit

After lunch we decided to go for a walk to try to find the pool and the preschool... yes, I learned today that there is a preschool on campus and I wanted to check it out for Nay. It was a good walk (not as far as the mile we walk to get on campus but still a good walk).  The view of the mountains on our walk was AMAZING and of course I grabbed my camera but forgot to put my memory card back in it so I can't show you any pictures.

The preschool looks great and the staff were really nice.  We are strongly considering enrolling Nay.  He is going to have to get ready anyway as I already have him enrolled in a preschool once we return to the States.

The pool looked great as well and the children drooled over it... unfortunately they can't gain access until I get my UWI ID.  The good news is that I received an email today saying my paperwork cleared and I can go on Monday to get my ID. Yay! Then I will feel official.

On the walk home we found a little corner store and got the kids (and daddy) some ice cream cake.  We were all thinking that it would be like an ice cream sandwhich but it was not.  It was a long piece of cake rolled up with ice cream in the middle.  The kids (and daddy) devoured it. 

For dinner we had Pizza Hut delivered.  I know I know... that is cheating since I said I was going to cook more, but our walk took longer then expected and cooking just didn't happen.

Like I said before and it remains true, I love Jamaica more and more with each passing day. 

I look forward to telling you about our weekend as Kenric has some great adventures planned for us.  Until then... Peace!

Pic of the kids going to unlock the front gate as we wait for the pizza guy

Nay racing his brother back to the house

The last two days

January 25

The fruits and vegetables are deadly here lol.  Remember the poisonous ackee fruit I mentioned yesterday well today I found another deadly one.  Ok ok I’m exaggerating!  In an effort to want to learn to cook local meals I decided to make and effort and cook some yellow yam and bananas. The yam (which is easily the size of one of my kids heads) looks like a large dirty root on the outside but it is easy to peel and has a beautiful yellow “meat” on the inside. While peeling the yam I began to itch terrible all over my chin, then down to my next and onto my forearms.  It was unbearable and I was almost in tears the itch was so bad.  I figured I must be allergic and rush to spread Benadryl and hydrocortisone (and anything else that said anti-itching) all over my skin.  It helped a little.  I decided to look up yam allergies and what is the first thing I read is to wear gloves as this yam may irritate the skin.  Lesson learned… do a complete and thorough investigation of all new food prior to attempting to cook and or eat it.

the infamous yam

The yams and bananas turned out ok.  They didn’t really have a taste but when eaten with waffles and syrup they were delicious.

yam and bananas ready to eat

After breakfast we went downtown to look for a TV.  Downtown Kingston is great with all of the shops.  Apparently anything you need you can find downtown.  We got a great little TV for about JA$8000 (US$85) cheaper than what we found at MegaMart. Right outside of the place where we got the TV an old lady was selling these cute little sandals.  I decided to get a pair for Nathaniel and asked how much.  She told me JA$200 but after she heard me talk some more the price mysteriously increased to JA$300 lol.  I’m prepared for that and won’t let it happen to often but I wasn’t gonna fuss over JA$100 (US$1.50), especially for shoes. Nay likes his new shoes.

After that adventure we had our driver drop us off on campus where we went and had lunch.  After lunch I had a meeting with the campus archaeologist to discuss what classes I will be teaching and getting a good start on my research here.  This is the archaeology lab on UWI’s campus and where I assume I will be spending a good bit of time.

archaeology lab on UWI's campus (in the mid 1800s it was used as the plantations bookkeepers cottage)

the kids watching the fish in the pond as they wait for me to finish with my meeting

January 26

Today was rather quiet and uneventful. We all woke up between 730-8a and immediately jumped into our day.  The kids started on their lessons and chores and Kenric and I started about the house trying to get everything setup and organized.  The cable guy arrived right on time about 8:30a and we had cable by 8:35a. We continued to bop around the house and right after lunch we decided to head back to MegaMart to get the last few things we needed for the house. 

Here is a pic of the kids in taxi on the way home from the store:

in the taxi on the way home

Once at home the kids went straight for the computer to play games and Kenric and I decided to sit and enjoy some TV together (and rest). For dinner we decided to eat in for once and I cooked some rice and peas, mixed veggies and some of the yam we had left over.  We picked up a Jerk chicken at the store so all I had to do was heat that up.  Needless to say dinner was ggggooooooooodddd.  I’ll be doing a lot more cooking around here. We are now all sitting together around the TV as we wind down for the evening. Quiet at last.

Today was a good day!  With each passing day I love Jamaica more and more.  Believe it or not I am sadder at the thought of having to leave then I am home sick.  Let’s hope this feeling stays even after Kenric leaves.

Today was my first adventure on my own.  I woke up early this morning and walked to campus (about a mile).  It was a nice walk through the neighborhood… the mornings are the best here in Jamaica.  The sun shines so bright and the views are amazing and it is the coolest part of the day. So I made it to campus and was able to walk right to the History and Archaeology department.  There I met the administrators and later got to talk with Dr Monteith again (she is wonderful).  After that I went to HR where I met Ms Harris who was just as helpful today as she was before I arrived. I received the original document approving my work visa to take to the immigration office. After that I headed across campus to get the kids some patties from Juicie Beef and then to the Archaeology lab (just to make sure I can find it for my meeting there tomorrow).

I walked back home, ate lunch with the kids and then got to play with my new toy… my new washing machine. This machine is an interesting character.  On one side I have to add my own water by connecting a house to the sink in the laundry area.  I fill the tub up as much as I want then add the soap and clothes.  I set the timer for however long I want and let it wash.  After it is done washing I take the clothes out of that tub and put them in the second tub to spin.  I set the timer and the clothes spin “dry”.  After that is complete I take the clothes out and hang them on the line.  It is a task to wash a load of clothes but I am SO GRATEFUL my hubby brought this machine home last night, otherwise I would have been scrubbing clothes in a wash basin.

Our clothes line in our back yard

Right after I finished with the clothes I received an email offering that I join a group surveying a Jewish cemetery downtown. I had been in contact with the program director prior to us coming but with all of the traveling and settling in, it completely slipped my mind that the survey was today.  I called a taxi (a new driver because our driver Dennis’ car broke down) and he was here in 10 mins. 

He took me to the immigration office so that I could get a stamp in my passport to extend my stay and obtain my work permit to be able to work at UWI while I am here.  After a thirty minute wait (with only 3 people ahead of me) it was my turn.  I get to the desk and give the lady all of my paper only for her to say DENIED.  Apparently I was supposed to get a visa prior to coming to Jamaica, so now she wants me to go home get the visa then come back. WOW!  At this point I’m not sure what is going to happen. I will talk to everyone tomorrow to see what my options are.  The good thing is that my current visa is approved until April 20^th so that still gives me time to work in Jamaica.  The thing is I am supposed to be here until June 2 to assist with an archaeological field school.  Oh well!  I know it will work itself out.  One thing about being here is that there is no stress… so I will adopt that attitude as well.

Once at the cemetery I was instantly happy and excite to be in the field again.  I met with the director, Rachel, who is amazing and so knowledgeable.  She fed me lunch, a saltfish and callaloo sandwich on cocoa bread (yum!) and then gave me the tour.

Callaloo and Saltfish on Cocoa bread

The site was amazing.  After the tour Rachel let me go explore on my own and I was able to take notes and snap many pictures.  I look forward to seeing how I incorporate this site into my research here in Jamaica.

older section of the Jewish Cemetery at Orange Street

On my way home from the cemetery I was apple to get some juice from the juice man (the street vendor selling juice). I had heard how good these little bags of juice are and was so excited to try one.  Oh my goodness, I can’t even describe how good that melting frozen orange juice in that little baggie was riding through the city during rush hour in the an with no a/c.

empty baggies of delicious frozen juice

When I got home the kids were excited to see me and I them.  I saved some juice for them and they guzzled down the rest.  While I was gone a lady came to the house to talk to Kenric about watching the kids while I am at work.  It seemed to really go well and he really liked her.  She is from Jamaica but not from Kingston but she was able to educate him on all the fruit trees we have in the yard (definitely more than I thought as I was only able to identify the banana trees).  We actually have mango trees, star fruit trees and ackee fruit trees (ackee from is a popular dish here… ackee and saltfish).  We won’t be messing with the ackee fruit considering it is poisonous and has to be peeled and cooked just right.  Apparatnly it kills many people here each year.

For dinner we walked back to campus where Kenric and I ate at this great little place (the name is slipping my mind right now but it is right next to KFC) and got a “homecooked” Jamaican meal. The kids opted for KFC but begged for a piece of cake displayed in the front of the little restaurant Kenric and I ate at.  After dinner we walked back to our neighborhood and instead of heading home heading for a daily visit to the neighborhood park.  More kids were out today but we were not able to stay long.

All in all today has been a really good day.  I’m exhausted and so it’s time to go take my cold shower and curl up in the bed.  Good night all!

So many lines and windows

What a very tiring day. We were up at 730a, ate breakfast and got ready for the day.  Our driver Denis was here by 9a and we were off.  We went to the ministry of labor to get my visa only to discover that the original document I needed to give them is on campus in the HR dept.  Once I get that paper I take it to the immigration office where I will collect another piece of paper get my passport stamped (and pay a US$140 fee) that I bring back to them and they will issue me a card.  Then I will be legal to work in Jamaica.

Since that didn’t work out we decided to go pick up the barrel that I sent.  WOW!  That was an ordeal. First I had to go to the office pay a JA$1950 fee and be told I couldn’t get my barrel until I had a TRN number.  We drove downtown where I waited for about 45mins to get a TRN number (the process was easy… just fill out a form and show them my passport).  Once I got the number we went back to the shipping area. I had to go upstairs to window #1 then the #2 then across the hall to #3 then back to #2 then downstairs to watch them empty out my barrel and get the ok then back to window #2 then back downstairs then to window #4 then back to #2 then back downstairs to let the same person who signed off on the contents of my barrel sign off on the release all while paying a fee of about JA$4000. That is no exaggeration.  It was very frustrating going back and forth and barely understanding what was being said to me. Not to mention that at 12p EVERYONE in the building dropped what they were doing and left for lunch.  We left also and our driver took us to this great little restaurant for lunch.  The kids loved the curried chicken, peas and rice and vegetables.  I had cornmeal dumplings and bananas and vegetables and some of the kids rice and peas.  It was very good… the kind of good where you leave feeling very satisfied. After we finally collected our barrel (it’s was around 230p at this point) we were finally able to head home.

Nay and Averie after taking a pic of the frog in the yard

You can't tell from this photo but this frog is almost as big as my foot

Once home we were able to unpack the barrel and put everything away. After that the kids were restless and wanted to go the park, so we walked to the neighborhood park.  We all had a good time at the park and enjoyed the walk around the neighborhood.  After the park we came home and decided to explore the yard where we discovered the biggest frog I have ever seen.

The kids had to take a quick bath… cold water and I poured some boiling water in there to warm it up (which believe it or not did not warm it up that much). I made a quick dinner and now the kids are playing with the electronic gadgets that I can’t seem to break them away from.  Kenric just left with the driver to go to the store to pick up some things we were not able to get yesterday (I love that man because he knew I would not be able to handle toting three kids through the store after the long day we had).

Tomorrow I will venture onto campus to check in with HR and my department. I’ll let you know how that goes.

 Still loving Jamaica!!! 

We made it to Jamaica!!!!

Wow! First I must say that Jamaica is ABSOLUTELY GEORGOUS!!!! The mountains are breathtaking and the ocean (although we cannot see it from here is beautiful).  Kingston is a big city and is therefore congested but I can tell I am going to love it.  The people have all been so nice and so helpful. People assume I am Jamaican until I speak (and have a confused look on my face as I have NO idea what they are saying to me) then they either laugh or they are sympathetic and slow their speech and speak in a way I can understand. To all of the sympathetic people I have met so far I am extremely grateful.

Our trip here was good.  We woke up at 230a and got to the airport at 330a (thanks again sister). By the time we got all 12 bags situated and ourselves checked in we had about 25min to get to our gate. The plane was so tiny.  Nay’s car seat couldn’t even fit down the aisle.  We were allowed to board first with the kids, thank goodness, so we were able to struggle a bit longer than ordinary.  Once in flight it was great.  Nay fell asleep and we all got a little shut eye for the next hour. This is the view that I woke up to on the plane:

Isn't it amazing? The sun peaking up over the clouds and the moon just a speck in the dark blue sky.  Ok, enough of me being dramatic lol.

Once we landed in Miami things went pretty good.  We found some breakfast and made our way to our next gate. By the time we found our gate we still had an hour before I plane was supposed to leave. Our plane ended up being delayed an hour so by the time we boarded the plane Nay was all over the place. Once on the plane he calmed down and was asleep again within the first 20 minutes after takeoff.

And so was his brother and sister

The plane ride from Miami to Jamaica was a bit bumpy which kept me awake.  But this was our view so I couldn't complain

Once in Jamaica it took us an hour to collect our bags and make our way through customs.  After that ordeal our wonderful taxi driver, Walton, was waiting for us, holding a sign with our name on it (I have to admit, I enjoyed that part J ).  Our taxi driver took us on a tour of Kingston, providing us with some interesting history along the way.  One the way to campus, he stopped so that we could get a cell phone which ended up taking FOREVER (2+hrs) and we ran to the grocery store next door so that we could get through the weekend. 

We finally made it to our new house only to find out that there was no key waiting for us.  Luckily my new boss and department chair, Dr Monteith, arrived at the same time.  She handled everything and we were in before we knew it. She gave us a tour of the house and then she took me in her car, on a tour of campus.

Now this is where I have to be honest.  After touring the house and campus I felt so overwhelmed. I was ready to throw in the towel and go home.  The campus is huge (or at least a lot bigger than I had anticipated) and our house is even bigger.  The house we are assigned is AMAZING and so big (so please come visit... There is plenty of room)

 

Our new home and all its yard... plenty of room for the kids to run and play and the view is amazing

It has 5 bedrooms and 3 full baths.  It is shaped like a U. Along the horizontal line of the U there is a huge enclosed porch, a living room and dining room, a galley kitchen and a den that we are using as a playroom/ school room.

enclosed porch... the door in the picture leads to the "play room"

part of the living room and all of the doors (there are so many doors that lead to the outside in this house... 6 to be exact)

view of dining from living room. door leads into kitchen

Kitchen (couldn't figure out how to use that stove so I bought a portable electric stove)

Along the right vertical line there is a long hallway that has two bedrooms and a bath along the hallway.  At the end of the hallway there is the “master” with its own bath.  The rooms are big and there is plenty of space.

Long hallway with bedrooms and baths

Along the other vertical line of the U is what they call the helpers quarters, with two bedrooms and a bathroom.  There is also a garage and a “laundry” area even though I do not have a washer and dryer (but I do have a clothes line that I plan to use).

In our yard we have a banana tree and another fruit tree that we have not identified yet. Our neighbors have a coconut tree.  This is more than I ever imagined it would be and I am SSSOOO excited about our fruit trees.

View from our kitchen window and of one of our banana trees... our yard stretches beyond the fence but this is the "court yard" in the middle of the U

Banana trees with bananas ready to be picked

There are some things we are going to have to get used to though.  First, there is no hot water (the kids are screaming in the shower as I type because the water is cold lol) but we can deal with that.  Second, there is no A/C (just for some perspective it was 80 degrees yesterday and everyone was like “oh this is a cool day…”. Last night was almost unbearable, but in the middle of the night the temp dropped to like 60 and we got cool breezes.  Finally, there are bugs and lizards everywhere. We are not afraid of the lizards in the house, they mind their business. We are scared of some of the bugs we can’t identity and have our handy dandy can of bug spray ready.

This morning we got up and walked to campus (about a mile) just to see how far it is. Then we got brave and decided to hail a cab to the "mall" (not quite what you might be thinking)in search of a fan. That went smooth with the help of a very nice local woman. We made it to the mall only to find out many stores don't open on Sundays. We were lucky enough to hail a taxi passing by who was very helpful and ended up taking us to megamart (Kingston's version of Sams club). We found everything we needed, mostly a fan, and was pleased to find out the taxi had waited on us while we shopped. On the ride home our driver stopped by Juicie Patties and I got to introduce the kids to some Jamaican patties. They Loved them :-)

All in all, this trip is going to require some adjustments for all of us, but I know it will be a memorable experience. Keep checking back (or input your email and you will receive a message when I update) for more tales about our journey to and through Jamaica. Also comments are aleays welcome as we miss hearing from you all already. 

With all that said, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE COME VISIT US.  This house is too big for us and we would love to keep if filled with our family and friends. 

Ok! My hubby is kicking me off the computer so that he can watch the football game lol!  I’ll post more soon!

Bitter Sweet

These last seven days have been bitter sweet for us as we say goodbye to all of our family and friends.  This will be the longest we have been away from everyone and we are certainly on an emotional rollercoaster. On the one hand we are SUPER excited and can’t wait to land in Jamaica in 48 hours but we wish we could bring everyone with us. 

The kids’ friends spent the weekend with us last weekend and seeing them say goodbye on Monday evening even made my choke up a little.

My big sister came over and cooked us a wonderful homemade lasagna dinner on Sunday and it was certainly hard to say goodbye to her, my niece and nephew and Aunt Nina’s baby, Jr.

Yesterday we said goodbye to our dear friends the Fritz family.  The kids were really sad about that as well, as our friends are preparing for a big move themselves.  We wish them all the best and hope they can come visit us in Jamaica. We hope everyone can come visit us in Jamaica!!!

Today was my last day on campus and I was so sad to say goodbye and leave.  When I shut down my computer and turned off my office light it felt so final.  I know I’ll be back before I know it however, sitting behind my desk talking with students and sharing all of my adventures I know we will have in Jamaica J

As far as getting settled in Jamaica, I think we will be just fine. We now have an address so we know where we will be living.  We know we have to get a taxi from the airport to campus. We know how to get the keys to the place (since we will be arriving on the weekend) so we can go straight there once we land. And everyone I will be working with knows we are coming and are expecting us.  I received my letter approving my work permit so I can legally work when we arrive. Yay for that and a huge relief because without that work permit I could not get my visa and therefore not stay in the country.  The only task I have left to tackle now is how I go about obtaining my visa, but I will cross that bridge once I get to Jamaica.

So for now we are all packed and ready to go.  The next time you hear from me it will be from JAMAICA!!!!

It's All Over!!!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Holidays.

Whew!  What a whirlwind of activity recently.  I am exhausted just thinking about everything we have accomplished in these last two weeks.

The Brooks family successfully survived Christmas, had a pretty uneventful New Year’s but we brought it in together and easily transitioned back into our homeschooling routines.  I was excited to see how easily the kids jumped right back into school.  We changed a few things about our routine and I think we found one we can stick with during this semester.  We’ll see though!

My mom retired last Friday after 34 years on the job. Yay and Congrats to her!  Now we can begin working on getting her healthy again.  We are looking forward to her joining us in Jamaica (even if just for a little bit).

I also bought a house on Wednesday *shock*.  I found a great fixer upper in Rock Hill (it cost the same amount it would have cost me to rent).  I’m still going to have to put a little money into it to get it ready for us, but I can’t tell you how excited I am. It’s within walking distance to the lake, where the kids and I can go every morning to get our school work done. More importantly, it’s within walking distance to my job (although I will have to drive to get the baby to preschool so I probably won’t be doing much walking). When we come back from Jamaica we should be able to move right in and settle in before the fall semester begins.

I just returned yesterday from a two day conference in Baltimore, the Society for Historical Archaeology’s annual conference.  I had an amazing time and met some AMAZING people.  I can’t discuss the entire trip or this blog would start to get really long but some highlights of the conference were: having dinner with Dr Theresa Singleton, Dr Warren Perry and Dr Cheryl Laroche (who are all pioneers in African American Archaeology), seeing many friends and colleagues from all over the country (many of whom I haven’t seen in over three years), learning that I will be the mentee to a spectacular person who I look forward to getting to know even better, chatting with some “big name” archaeologists who actually showed some interest in my research, seeing my mentor from my undergraduate days at Howard University, and meeting many great archaeologists who are truly dedicated to their work and to the field.  I look forward to attending the conference again next year in Leicester England.

Today my oldest son had to be put to sleep so that he could have his teeth worked on.  I had been very anxious anticipating this day. Needless to say the procedure went spectacularly well and he is doing fine.  It was the whole having him put to sleep thing that had me freaked out.  I should have stayed off the internet and certainly off of the sites discussing children dying in the dentist’s chair.  Now that that is over I can breathe easier.

We also shipped off a barrel of our belongings to Jamaica tonight.  I found this wonderful shipping company, located in Monroe, NC, that allowed us to bring all of our belongings to them and fill a big barrel.  They will drive our (and I assume others) belongings to Miami where it will be shipped to Jamaica.  That is a huge relief.  And what’s even better? I actually had an address to ship our stuff to.  That’s right, UWI finally provided me with our very own address.  Now we have some place to go when we arrive and a place to call home for the next 4-5 months. Now THAT is a huge relief.

So with all of these happenings in the last two weeks it’s needless to say, now that it is all over, I am EXHAUSTED. I will spend these next few days sleeping in and veggin out in front of the tv. Then back on the grind as we celebrate my baby’s 2^nd birthday (January 12), start saying goodbye to all of our family and friends and work hard on getting a lot further in our school work. Stay tuned… once we arrive in Jamaica in 15 days I will start posting pictures!