Productive Fulbright Day!

What an unbelievably productive Fulbright day.  I was able to get my box of teaching materials packed and shipped via diplomatic pouch (since I sent all of my books, journals and articles I’m using this as an excuse to not study/ prepare for next semester), picked up the foreign currency from the bank, finished picking up the “little” things on my packing list and received my last package in the mail of things I had to order to take to Jamaica.

On last word from Jamaica, they are ready to receive us in January.  I received my housing application and my work permit application via email.  Whew!  I am now just waiting to hear back from UWI to see if they were able to find us a place to live. 

More Later!

I Love Jamaica

I love Jamaica already. I am so excited and eager to get there.  Everyone that I have encountered via phone and email have been so helpful.  They have gone above and beyond to help me get things in order. All of the troubles I was having in my last post have all been resolved.  Everyone there (one person at the US Embassy in particular) have been so helpful and generally concerned about my situation and helped things come together in plenty of time.  I will be purchasing my tickets tomorrow and then the countdown officially begins (because tomorrow is my official last day of school). Will post again soon!

PS

I forgot to mention the great article the was written up at WU on behalf of me receiving a Fulbright. I'm most appreciative of this recognition.

WU Article: Anthropology Instructor Selected for Core Fulbright Scholar Study in Jamaica

Time to Buy the Plane Tickets… But Wait…

Before I get into the details of our Fulbright experience I have to say in my “go me, go me” cheering voice that I SURVIVED MY FIRST SEMESTER OF THE PHD PROGRAM!!!  My last day of class was on Wednesday (though I still have one class left next week during finals period). It was a rough ride but I’m so glad I did it.  In these short 16 weeks (I can say that now that now that it is over lol) I have learned so much academically, professionally and personally.  I certainly look forward to having the next semester off to go to Jamaica, but I am definitely eager to keep this grad school ball rolling and successfully completing my remaining two semesters of coursework.

Ok… On to Fulbright! The check arrived in the mail yesterday from CIES for our upcoming move to Jamaica (Thank you CIES).   It feels surreal… I have spent the last seven months thinking and planning for this trip and now the time has finally come to take action.  I plan to have our tickets purchased by the end of next week as this will give us time to make final decisions about when we will leave and when we will return and who will be traveling with us (as well as clear up some issues I will talk about below). I also plan to start purchasing items we need to take with us but don’t have on hand, like mosquito nets and a small portable coffee makerJ… you know the essentials lol!!!  How we will get all of our stuff plus all of these items to Jamaica is still a question though.  I just learned that the airline we chose has a one bag restriction. When did that change? I always thought you could put two bags under the plane at no charge.  Goes to show how often I fly!! So for the next week I will be scouring the internet trying to find the best flight deals as well as the best deals on the items I need to get. But wait…

Where will this flight be taking us?  Well we know for sure we are going to Kingston Jamaica, but that is all we know right now.  On Wednesday we found out that there are some issues with assigning me housing and defining exactly what my role will be at the university.  It is a strange situation about my status and I am not sure how it developed (though I have my suspicions).  So while I know we are going to Kingston I do not know where we will be living just yet.  My contact at the US Embassy as well as the department chair (I do not want to post names for privacy reasons but a HUGE THANK YOU to you both) have gone above and beyond in helping me get everything straightened out.  On last word, the decision making powers recognized what had happened and are working to fix everything.  I am in full confidence we will know something more definite by the end of next week. This definitely does not lessen my excitement about our trip.  In fact it makes me more excited seeing how wonderful people have been in trying to help us get everything sorted out. I will keep you posted J

Happy Thanksgiving... and the future!

Happy Thanksgiving!  I am so extremely grateful for so much that I couldn't even begin to list them all here.  A few (obvious ones) are I'm thankful for my family both close and not so close.  I'm thankful for my friends who are true and dear to me.  I'm thankful for Winthrop and the job I have and absolutely love there.  I'm thankful for my grad school experience and all of the many wonderful people I have met this semester.  The list goes on and on!  

We are very excited to eat turkey and all of the other great stuff involved in the holiday.  We are even more excited to do so with family and friends in Tennessee.  We will be spending this holiday saying goodbye to family as we make final preparations to move to Jamaica.

The countdown continues with only 55 days until we leave. We are still waiting on confirmation of housing and a work permit, so our leave date may actually be postponed, but until we hear otherwise we are preparing to leave in the middle of January.  Some great news is that my mom may be traveling with us and spending those four months in beautiful Jamaica with us.  We are still working out the details and have to wait and see if her retirement date will be approved, but if that happens, I can’t begin to tell you how happy we will be.

What is crazy, however, is actually thinking about life post Jamaica.  At Winthrop it is time to start thinking about what classes we would like to offer in the Fall of 2012.  I am now trying to determine what my schedule will be then.  I have spent these last eight months anticipating this trip to Jamaica that I have not been able to think about our life once we return.  What I do know so far is that we will be packing up and moving closure to my job (and ultimately closer to my school) next summer, once we return… Yay! I know what preschool Nay will be attending next school year… aaaannnndddd that’s about it.  That’s all I know… I don’t know which or how many classes I will be taking at USC, I don’t know what my schedule of classes will be for the ones I will be teaching at WU.  I don’t exactly know what will be going on with my older kids (to enroll them in school or to not enroll them in school… that is the question). So, that is where I stand… excitedly preparing to leave and not knowing what the future holds J

As always, thanks for reading!!!!

Updates and finalizations

With less than 90 days before we head to Jamaica we have officially started our countdown.  It is becoming more and more real to the kids… and to me!  We are starting to nail down final arrangements as we get all of our paperwork in order.  There was a little bit of confusion on my role at the university but I believe that has all been sorted out and I have finally received word on what classes I will be assisting with.  I am extremely lucky in that I get to put a heavy emphasis on my research while I am there.  While I certainly would love a more hands-on role in the class room I am EXTREMELY grateful for the time I will get to spend in the field (and with my children exploring a beautiful country).  My time there (as of right now) will consist of me guest lecturing and focusing on my cemetery research.

We have had some changes in our plans and our friends will not be traveling to Jamaica with us to hang out with the kids while I am working.  I am not sure what I will do with the kids while I am working now.  I am considering enrolling them into school in Jamaica.  As homeschoolers here in North Carolina, however, they have never been in a school setting and I do not want to overwhelm them either (especially being so far away from home).  I think we will just make the final decision once we arrive and are able to get acquainted with our new surroundings.

As I have been emphasizing, (which I can’t seem to emphasize enough) we are VERY excited about our upcoming trip.  

Only a few months now...

Well we are about three months away from our move to Jamaica. Excitement and extreme nervousness is in the air.  I’m about to reignite me efforts to collect things such as batteries, candles, etc to add to our Jamaica box.  I’ve been fortunate in that the last several months have keep me pretty busy, and even the summer before that, so I have not had time to just sit and think about Jamaica.  Well, things are slowing down now and I have plenty of time to think about Jamaica.

My first semester in the PhD program is brutal going well!  I didn’t anticipate the amount of work it would require, so I of course thought it would be a piece of cake to juggle homeschooling, a full time teaching job and being a PhD student.  I am now learning that I am far from being Super Woman, and that’s ok.  This semester has showed me that I need to start setting realistic goals and that will start in Jamaica *smile*. Speaking of goals I have come a long way in my research.  Finishing up at one site and getting ready to start another.  Researchers in my field have been so generous with information that it is almost overwhelming.  I will have to a lot to do when I return from Jamaica.  I’m looking forward to seeing how data I collect from Jamaica will tie in, but I suspect it will all tie in nicely providing a broader more well rounded picture.

So now that things seem to be slowing a bit I will make more of an effort to keep this blog updated.  This will be my lifeline to family and friends once we leave (this and FB) so I want to keep it active.  Thank you to whoever is out there reading it now! Peace.

Catching Our Breath

Well it’s been several weeks since I last posted.  I can’t believe it’s September already.  We will be in Jamaica before we know it.  All is well here. Today I sent mailed $25 and a note to the superior courts of Charlotte asking for a background clearance.  This is my first step in gathering what I need to obtain my work permit for Jamaica.  I hear it is a long process so I am excited to be starting early.

The kids and I are finally starting to get used to our new schedule this semester.  I started in a PhD program two weeks ago and my new FT NTN position at Winthrop a week ago.  The kids started back to “school” a week ago as well.  It has certainly been an adjustment but I think we are doing well. Fortunately we are flexible and just roll with the punches (the kids a bit better than I do) so I’m confident in our adjustment just like I’m confident in our ability to thrive in Jamaica for several months.

Life is crazy, busy and exhausting but so enjoyable right now.  We are still just as excited to go to Jamaica as ever (although a bit more nervous as time draws nearer).  More later!

Home

Just a quick post to check in and say we are well.  We are home, safe and sound from Williamsburg (we’ve been home about seven days). We have totally and completely adjusted to being back home (and so thankful).  We are now gearing up for a big semester (we have about 10 days left in our summer) where the kids will start the 4^th and 1^st grade, baby gets closer to 2yr, daddy starts a new position (he got a promotion… yay!) and mommy starts a new PhD program.  There are going to be some major changes and it will be an adjustment for us all but we're ready for it.

I haven’t heard from my contacts in Jamaica just yet, but I am looking forward to getting out final Fulbright arrangement information.

A Journey Complete

Today was my last official day at the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.  While I am homesick (see previous post) I am also kind of sad to leave Williamsburg.  I have had a phenomenal experience on this fellowship.  I have meet so many amazing people and seen so many wonderful things (and not so wonderful that I would love to have a hand in changing) here that it makes it a little hard to part.  I have accomplished so much this summer, yet so little in the grand scheme of things.  I will certainly be back to continue my research, explore recently discovered sites and certainly to visit with the many new friends I’ve made here.  Williamsburg has certainly imprinted a piece of itself on me (and the kids as they are sad to go).

Thank you John D Rockefellerf Jr Library and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.  You certainly haven’t seen the last of me around here *smile*.

Heat Wave and Homesick

This recent heat wave across the country really has me questioning my stay in Jamaica *smile*.  I’m a southern girl but I have never been confronted with heat like this.  Reading various blogs and talking to people that have visited Jamaica, I am concerned that this type of heat will be the norm.  If that is the case, I’m not sure I will survive (of course I’ll survive, but you know what I mean).  Just another factor to take into consideration.

I’ve also been really homesick lately, here in Williamsburg (and it’s only been nearly two months).  I hope I can shake this feeling as it will only enhance my apprehension about our upcoming move.  With the start of the PhD program looming extremely close I have been able to refocus and not completely obsess over Jamaica, however with my longing for home and husband it has me thinking hard about how I will handle this in January.  One positive thing that I learned is that I don’t have to have a return ticket in hand when we arrive in Jamaica.  I know that is a small thing, but for me important as I will feel trapped by a date.  If time and resources permit the kids and I can hope on a plane during the middle of our trip on visit daddy and home.

All in all I know everything will be fine and the kids and I will tremendously enjoy our stay (especially now that we know our friends will be coming with us for the duration of the semester… yay! Knowing where and with who my children will be is now no longer a severe concern of mine). 

The kids passports arrived in the mail today (after we had to resubmit paperwork and the whole nine) so it is feeling more and more real.  Excitement is in the air.

Whirlwind of Week (Pre Departure Orientation)

It has been a jammed pack but super exciting last seven days.  Last Tuesday my two youngest children and I drove to Richmond and boarded a bus bound for DC.  Just as we were getting cozy in our seats my husband boards the bus looking for us (his bus had just pulled in behind ours) and so right before we pulled off we jumped off of our bus and boarded the bus with hubby and my oldest son (whom I hadn’t seen in a week so I was super excited).

The bus was rather crowded and we didn’t get to sit together, but I’m sort of thankful that we did not.  I sat next to a man whose name I soon learned was Mr Lewis.  Have you ever met someone who upon meeting just truly enriches your life?  Well Mr Lewis did this for me.  I won’t go into the details of our conversation but at the end of that bus ride when it was time to part ways I could immediately feel the impact that that conversation had on my life.  So Mr Lewis if you ever stumble upon this blog, Thank You!

We made it safely to our hotel, the Renaissance Hotel on New Hampshire Ave after a long but pretty uneventful trek from the bus stop.  Actually seeing that we made it several blocks on foot and on the metro train with our luggage and three kids I say that trek was pretty darn successful.

The hotel was beautiful and the location great.  We made it just four minutes before registration ended *whew*.  We were able to go shower and change and get ready for the Fulbright reception.

The Fulbright reception was nice.  The kids were able to attend and we all enjoyed getting to mingle (I did more so than the kids).  The food was good… there were a variety of different foods from many different cultures (nice touch Fulbright).  I made the kids at least try everything on their plate which they ultimately appreciated when they learned they actually liked spanakopita, crab cakes and mushroom tart.  We mingled for a while longer and then headed upstairs to our room for the night… we were exhausted.

The next two days were jammed pack with Fulbright sessions.  We had numerous breakout sessions (by country, by discipline, by grand type, for those taking families, etc) which I truly enjoyed. It was enthralling to hear from people that had already been and from those who, like myself, are preparing to depart soon.  It was wonderful to hear how other people’s kids managed and what adjustments they required when they returned. It was exciting to hear from other anthropologists/archaeologists.  It was most exciting to meet with and hear from my cohort who will be in Jamaica during the same time that I am.  They are a fantastic group who I can’t wait to get to know better in Jamaica. 

There are 93 of us Fulbrighters (scholars, independent artists and students) who are traveling to throughout the Western Hemisphere this year and next.  Out of the many that I was able to meet and chat with ALL of them seemed to be amazing people with simple amazing projects and research interests.  It was so thrilling to be able to chat with people about their research and chat about my own research and see how passionate we all are about what we are going to do.

At the end of the orientation I was (and am) “fired up and ready to go”.  This orientation made this whole Fulbright thing a reality.  In just about 6 short months my family and I will be packing up and moving for Jamaica *wow*.

Our return trip was pretty uneventful.  We made it to Williamsburg safely.  The next two days, Friday and Saturday was a whirlwind of sightseeing with the hubby and kids (we so happy to be together again).  Sunday was extremely special as Kenric and I celebrated out 10yr wedding anniversary.  I still can’t believe we have been married for 10 whole years, while I can’t picture life without him it seems like just yesterday we were poor, newly married college students trying to figure out life.  Our anniversary was spent in a bustling day of shopping, gifts, dinner and actual alone time (which is a rarity for us). Here’s to 10yrs into forever!!! 

To finish out this busy week, we woke up early this morning and headed to the beach.  We all had a blast splashing in the ocean and trying to build and protect sand castles.  After the beach we headed downtown Norfolk to see the Battleship USS Wisconsin (please note that I most certainly do not like the tunnel between Hampton and Norfolk VA… I do not feel comfortable travel hundreds if not thousands of feet under the Chesapeake Bay in my vehicle *smile*).  After a fun but exhausted tour of the battleship and through the museum we finally headed back to Williamsburg.

Whew!  I get tired just typing about all that we did this week.  Next week doesn’t seem much different.  My baby’s birthday is in four days (he will be nine) and my baby girls birthday is 10 days after (she will be 6).  We also have to get through the fourth of July.  Check back soon to see how we survived the two birthdays and the holiday!

Getting Used to Things

After 14 days here in Williamsburg I think we are getting the hang of things.  Yesterday was the first day I could get around the city without my navigation and feel completely comfortable.  The kids can recognize places as we drive past and when we get back to our apartment after a LONG day they say “home, sweet home”.  I am so glad the transition was so short and smooth… I can only hope the transition in Jamaica is just as short and sweet.

This past week has been bitter sweet, however.  My oldest baby actually spent the week back at home with his dad so he could attend summer camp.  Now I know my husband is very capable, but after almost 9yrs of being the primary caregiver and my kids going whenever and wherever I go, you can image my anxiety.  I certainly realize, that while I miss my husband I can work and travel while he stays home, but I CAN NOT do it without my children.  I’m so thankful all three are able to travel with me to Jamaica. 

I look forward to seeing both of my guys in a couple of days as when we meet up in DC for the Fulbright Orientation.  I’ll certainly keep you posted on how that goes.  Nothing bu excitement here…

Here's some photos from our last couple of days:

Averie making "pink pancakes" (beets, flour, sugar, egg and nutmeg) at the historic Powell House

Hanging out at Buck Roe Beach

His first view of the ocean... he was a bit overwhelmed and I had to coax him to get closer

His first swim in the ocean... he loved it

Williamsburg

We made is safely to Williamsburg yesterday.  My stress level has gone WWWAAAYYY down.  We are here, unpacked and settling into our apartment.  I was able to meet the kids’ childcare provider yesterday too and she really seems great!  Once we unpacked the big kids went to the movies with daddy and I was able to clean and finish setting up while the baby slept.  I was so grateful for the time as I think putting things in their place, making our beds and even putting our toothbrushes in the toothbrush holder made this place feel like home instantly.  After the movies we went for pizza in this great little shopping center.  While we waited for the pizza to cook I spotted a cute little yogurt shop across the street and we decided to have dessert before dinner.  We Enjoyed chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, cookies n cream, mango and ny cheesecake frozen yogurt topped with white chocolate chips, coconut, strawberries, marshmallow cream and whipped cream at what has to be the BEST frozen yogurt place ever!!!

The kids stopping long enough to take this pic as we devoured the best frozen yogurt!

The kids settled down for the nigh pretty easily and our first night was smooth and simple.  This morning was a little different as we were all so sad to see daddy leave.  The bigger kids took it harder than I expected since they are used to going on adventures with mommy.  We have never planned to be away for a whole two months before so maybe that has something to do with it.  It shouldn’t be that bad as we will see daddy in just 5 days when we travel back home for my nephew’s high school graduation.

This morning did give me a glimpse of how it might be when daddy takes us to Jamaica in January and then will have to leave us.  I’m sure it will be much worse than (at least for me).  At least he will get to spend two weeks in Jamaica with us as opposed to the just one night he spent here in Williamsburg.

I will continue to keep you posted on our comings and goings in Williamsburg.  Thanks for reading!

Readings

It’s not very often I get to read a book because I want to.  Usually I am reading for research or preparing for class.  I was lucky enough to have just finished a book I was reading “just because”.  This book is title Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell.  This was a very interesting read.  I really appreciated the authors’ argument that we are all where we are in life due to circumstances and happen chances.  He was able to back his argument up with excellent examples.  He used Bill Gates and the Beatles as examples of this argument saying that while they are great, it is opportunities that were presented to them that allowed them to achieve what they did/ have… that no one is that great to accomplish such things on their own.  This book challenges you to look at your own life, which I did.  I realize that were I am today, with a great job and a fantastic career before even having my PhD, just accepted into a PhD program that happens to fit my research interests perfectly (and the only school I applied to), as a Fulbright Scholar and recipient of other grant awards, married to a wonderful man, a homeschooling mother to three health children, etc, because of opportunities and help from others presented to me along the way.  Having a hard working mother who worked her way out of a hard youth to land at a national lab in a small city with a fabulous educational system, having a family who, went through heartache and pain before I arrived and was on to brighter days as I grew up, moving in the third grade and attending a new elementary school where I met my dearest friend that continues to be my dearest friend to this day who has been nothing but encouraging and supportive, attending a high school (while administratively awful) provided an amazing education and opportunities, to meeting teachers in high school that encouraged us, emphasize the importance of a college education and show us beyond the borders of our small city, getting a full ride to both undergrad and grad school (otherwise attending Howard University would have been an impossibility) , to meeting my husband the first day I arrived in DC, etc.  You get the point… opportunities!

It is both humbling and inspiring to recognize that life is nothing more than a series of opportunities that we either take or let pass us by.  It is humbling because it forces us to realize that we are not as great as we thought we were, that anyone with similar opportunities can achieve the same success we have.  It is inspiring because it gives us hope and helps us realize we can be as great as we desire… we can be the next Oprah or Bill Gates as long we are prepared for opportunities as they are presented to us.

Reading this book has certainly put some things in perspective for me and given me another way to view life.  I am excited to move forward with this Fulbright adventure and see what new doors of opportunity will open.

Packing: No Not for Jamaica… for Williamsburg

I am realizing how difficult it is/ will be to pack for myself and three kids for this upcoming trip to Jamaica (and honestly starting to panic a little bit).  I am packing now for our two month stay in Williamsburg (I was awarded a NEH Challenge Grant through the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation). We leave in four days and I still don’t know how I’m going to get everything we need into our luggage bags and a few boxes.

This has me freaking out because if I can’t pack for the four of us to survive in Williamsburg for two months where we will have access to the same basic amenities that we do here in Charlotte, then how in the world am I going to pack for the four of us to stay in Jamaica for 4 to 6 months? We will have to take EVERYTHING to Jamaica (or so I hear) from clothes to linens to kitchen appliances to lamps to extra toiletries and first aid kits… well, you get my point!

Kenric says I just need to take enough for 2 weeks when I go to Jamaica… I laugh at that (and he does to I’m sure) since he is talking to the woman who carries 3 luggage bags (for me AND the kids) just to spend 2 nights away from home.

In the end I will probably have to ship a couple of boxes to Jamaica and stuff Kenric’s extra baggage with our stuff (all he needs is a change of clothes, underwear and a toothbrush anyway, right).

But enough with me worrying about packing for Jamaica… I need to figure out how I’m going to get all this stuff to Williamsburg.

Passports, Photo Shoots and More

Whew!  Today was a whirlwind of  a day.  Kenric had to be out of the door this morning at 645a at which time I got up to check and respond to my already full email inbox.  After his brief meeting he was heading back home to pick up me and the kids to be one of the first inline at the passport office.  We didn’t quite make it when we wanted (got there about 930) but the line wasn’t to bad.  It was an extremely easy process.  Kenric and I were required to show our ID (no youth passports without both parents there) and sign each form.  We gave him each of their birth certificates and he took their photos.  Simple as that.  We paid the $360 fee and that was that.  The nice passport processer even gave us the extra photo that he printed which I will need for visas (if they are needed)  so that is one less thing I have to remember to do.

After the applying for the kids passports we rushed back home to meet the kids music instructor.  He comes to the house on Tuesdays to teach piano, guitar and violin.  He is wonderful with the kids.  After lessons was lunch and then a wash and grease everybody down in preparation for our photo shoot.

Believe it or not the Brooks family will be featured in the July issue of Black Enterprise Magazine as the Financial Fitness Contest Winners.  We had and interview with the lady writing the article as well as a three hour discussion with a financial advisor from Merrill Lynch  yesterday.  So today they sent over the photographer!  It was actually more challenging than I thought.  He wanted to shoot outside so he gathered us all out there and then he said “OK, Act natural”.  We are all kind of looking at him… our natural is not standing in the back yard in 91 degree weather dressed casually but nice.  We all just kind of looked at each other for a minute.  As we started talking about what we could do to act natural he started snapping away.  He did have us look at the camera a few times, so I am hoping he was able to capture something suitable enough to be put in a magazine.  Now that I think about it, that was the first professional family photo session we have ever had.  Note to self: professional photo sessions for the Brooks family… um… not so much!

Once we were done and in the cool house trying to recuperate from the sweltering heat, I was kindly reminded by a friendly phone call that we were missing the kids science class.  Doh!  Even though we go every Tuesday, it completely slipped my mind today.  So I jump up and rush the kids to class.  After class, Kenric meets me to collect the kids and I head off to a boards meeting downtown and Kenric takes the kids to run errands with him.  We all meet back at home around 6pm and share a half gallon of Baskin Robbins Ice Cream (no we didn’t eat it all at once).

We watched the second to last Oprah together and everyone went to bed (which is where I am typing this right now).  Joshua has him annual state required testing in the morning, so he needs a good night’s sleep.

All in all it was a very productive day.

Life Outside of Fulbright

The family and I have been in Greenville for the past couple of days. Kenric came down for work and I came for research (comparative analysis of enslaved African and African American cemeteries).  Today I drove up to Spartanburg (only about 30 miles away) and met with Zac of Walnut Grove Plantation.  We went on a tour of the grounds and then he took me to the cemetery.  It was a beautiful site and dates to around 1765.  It is believed (or at least it is advertised) that both European Americans and the enslaved Africans are buried in this cemetery.  On first glance I have a difficult time believing that both groups share this space, but who knows.  Further surveying and exploration of historical records is needed.  After touring the cemetery on site we drove about ½ mile outside of the plantation to another small cemetery enclosed by a fence.  Oral tradition says that this is where the enslaved Africans are buried… and that I believe.  This small site was amazing and exhibited several characteristics that may suggest burial by and of enslaved Africans. 

I am excited to work with the Walnut Grove Plantation on this project. Being out there today brought me back to the present.  I have been focusing so much on Fulbright and moving to Jamaica that for the last month I have neglected things going on currently.  My walk around the cemetery reminded me that I have a life to continue (and a dissertation to write) when I return from Jamaica. Today inspired me to stop reading all of the Fulbright and “moving to Jamaica” blogs and pick up one of the textbooks I will be reading this fall (yep, my first semester in the PhD program). We'll see how long this eagerness to read ahead lasts *smile*

Advice from the Experienced (Thank You)

Last week I decided to reach out to some scholars who have previously completed a Fulbright in Jamaica.  I was a little apprehensive about contacting these individuals… I didn’t know how I would be received or what to expect.  Boy oh boy, I am so glad I did reach out to them.  Both individuals responded immediately and were both extremely kind.  I spoke to one former Fulbrighter on the phone and she was extremely informative.  That conversation really put my mind at ease.  We discussed Jamaican culture, students at the university, crime, driving, housing, options for my children, etc.  I learned so much from our brief discussion and I am so thankful that she took the time out of her day to call me.  I will certainly make sure that when I am a former Fulbrighter I will make myself available to all the new Fulbrighters that contact me, when that time comes. In the meantime I will take the advice that I received from a wise former Fulbrighter today and just sit back and enjoy this ride.

Taking Care of Business: shots and checkups

I love our pediatrician. Her name is doctor Clemmens at Southlake pediatrics. She is truly amazing.  In addition to her kindness and thorough examinations of our children and her helpful advice about life in general, she is very patient with our vax schedule. See we selectively vaccinate. We’re not against vaccinations (I had to put that out there before I have to hear about it *smile*) we just want to do it on our own schedule at our own pace. 

With much anguish (and staying up until 2am researching vaccines some more) I decided to change/expedite Nathaniel’s vaccination schedule. I am well aware that there are diseases in developing countries such as Jamaica that we don't have to battle here in the US so today we begin our new vaccination schedule in the preparation of our Fulbright trip.  Next step is to get the older kids vax schedule updated.

Nay received one shot in his little thigh and  I don't know why I was even worried… he didn't even shed a tear!

Now we all just have to get past the 8 page medical clearance that Fulbright requires.

JANCO Recycling

I’m not sure if many of you know that Kenric has started a new company called JANCO Recycling?  He began this company months ago and it is amazing.  Congratulations to Kenric for his two new contracts for JANCO Recycling.  He will soon begin working with the US Army Reserves and Jason’s Deli (this is HUGE).

Check out his website at www.jancorecycling.com

Pre-Departure Orientation Information

So we still have eight months before we leave and my children are already tired of me talking about Jamaica *smile* I can’t say that I blame them though!

I received the Pre-Departure Orientation information today via email.  I am so glad that my family is welcome to come with me.  It works out great because we will go to the orientation and then head out to Williamsburg for two months as I complete a John D Rockefeller Jr Library Fellowship.  The best part is that my hubby gets to travel with us for the first two weeks. Yay!

The schedule looks pretty good and I am excited to meet others who will be traveling to Jamaica (if any) and to hear from scholars that have already been abroad via Fulbright.

FAQ

Here are som FAQs for Family and Friends who want to know more.

Where are you going?

I am headed to Kingston, Jamaica

When do you leave?

I will leave in January 2012

How long will you be gone?

I will be gone between 4 and 6 months (for the entire semester)

Are you taking your family?

I wish… Kenric cannot stay (somebody’s gotta pay the mortgage so we can have a place to return to right *smile*).  He is going for the first two weeks then it will just be the kids and I there

What will the children do in Jamaica?

I plan to enroll the older children in school in Jamaica and find a nanny for the baby (that is my plan now, nut we will see once we get there)

Who pays for this?      

The US Government pays for this grant.  They offer me a salary plus a monthly allowance to take care of the kids.  They cover moving costs as well as cover books and supplies.

Where will you stay?

I do not know yet.  I will begin online apartment hunting soon.  If anyone has any suggestions, I’m open to hear them.

What will you be doing?

I will be teaching at the University of West Indies Mona and conducting research.  I will post my research proposal a little later instead of trying to explain it all here.

I hope this answers most of your questions.  If you can think of anymore, please feel free to ask them.

I'm a Fulbrighter!!!

I recently learned that I am the recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Award.  Yay! What an honor and I am most humble. Thank you State Department (and thank you Winthrop and USC for granting me time to go). I am still pinching myself in disbelief.   I decided to blog about this experience from the very beginning (yes, I know I still have eight and a half months before we go *smile*) so that all of you who decide to read this (family, students, colleagues and friends) can journey with me.

So what is a Fulbright you ask? Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulbright_Program

The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright-Hays Program, is a program of competitive, merit-based grants for international educational exchange for students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists and artists, founded by United States Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946. Under the Fulbright Program, U.S. citizens are eligible to go abroad, and non-U.S. citizens are eligible to come to the United States.

The Fulbright Program is one of the most prestigious awards programs worldwide, operating in over 155 countries.^[1] Forty-three Fulbright alumni have won Nobel Prizes (including two in 2010, Peter A. Diamond and Ei-ichi Negishi) and seventy-eight have won Pulitzer Prizes.^[2] More Nobel laureates are former Fulbright recipients than any other award program.^{[citation needed]}

The program was established to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries through the exchange of persons, knowledge, and skills.

The Fulbright Program provides 8,000 grants annually to undertake graduate study, advanced research, university lecturing, and classroom teaching. The program is active in over 155 countries in all world regions. As of 2010, 300,000 persons - 114,000 from the United States and 188,000 from other countries - have participated in the program since it began.

In each of 50 countries, a bi-national Fulbright Commission administers and oversees the Fulbright Program. In countries without a Fulbright Commission but that have an active program, the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy oversees the Fulbright Program.

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs sponsors the Fulbright Program from an annual appropriation from the U.S. Congress. Additional direct and in-kind support comes from partner governments, foundations, corporations, and host institutions both in and outside the U.S.^[1]