While I have accomplished much (like learning to swim), and adjusting to my new surroundings, I have had a technologically challenging year. As a result I have not been able to blog for over a year. I have had the misfortune of loosing vital information when two flash drives became corrupted. Also, I have had to replace my lap top and PC. But what St. Croix is really hard on are cars. I have had to buy an entire set of new tires. I have had several flat tires since I have been here. The roads are so bad ones car is constantly in need of alignments. I live on one end of the island and work on the other end of the island. So I drive the entire distance of the island twice a day. The island is 84 square miles and 22 miles (another source states 28 miles long). The widest point of the island is a little more than six miles (another source stated seven miles wide). :)
But I am Back and it feels good! I cannot attempt to catch up on all the developments in this one post. Just today I down loaded all the pictures that I have been taking over the year.
Here are a few to whet your appetite.
Question: What grabs your passion and attention and takes your breath away?
Don't ask what the world needs.
Ask what makes you come alive and go do it!
Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. Howard Thurman, theologian
Rev. Qiyamah hangin' out at Government House!
Recently. ,my daughter, Kaleema, was one of the guest speakers for the Department of Education's Parent's University held at the Educational Complex. Afterwards they had a reception at Government House,
Kaleema reviewing her notes for her presentation.
Kaleema came to visit me in February and I referred her to an attorney friend who works for Legal Services. They ended up offering her a position as Legal Secretary making the same salary I am making as a Medical Social Worker. The position was originally for several months because a staff person was on maternity leave. Her contacts put her in touch with court personnel and a Judge ended up offering her a position as Law Clerk.
We are soaking up the Crucian culture. These are dancers that performed at the Government House reception. These dances and costumes date back to slavery.
Rev. Qiyamah - I am holding an award that was presented to me by the National Association of Social Workers local chapter recognizing my 28 years of social work. The quilt on the wall is the first quilt that I have purchased (in Chicago). The one on the bench is one of two that my mother gave me that my grandmother made.
What a colorful picture! My home is surrounded with colors and textures as you will see from the pictures below!
The first few months that I was in St. Croix after I bought furniture I was always arranging and rearranging. But now I have found a flow and I have begun to focus on my garden. That is a
future post that I will do! The above and below pictures are my living room which is one big open space with the dining room and the kitchen. I love the openness of the space and the light.
My living room above and below taken from different angles. While I do not "entertain" currently, I knew that I wanted furniture that would be conducive for conversations and gatherings, hence the three sofas (one is actually a sleeper sofa for guests and family that I hope will visit. I have another in the guest bedroom/office).
This room below is my bedroom. Before my daughter came to stay with me I did not have a desk or computer in my bedroom. It was strictly for sleeping. That has changed and she is moving into her own place soon and I wonder whether the desk and computer and printer will go back into the second bedroom. This is not merely a preference but many experts believe that the bedroom should be strictly for sleeping and meditation and love making!
The walls are all cement. I had to buy a drill and my friend, John (my official handyman) and I spent endless hours putting up pictures and shelves in the office for books and papers and assorted artifacts around the house.
Across the street from me are the Marley Housing Projects. I have plans one day of forming working relationships with residents and being involved in community building efforts. Thus I intentionally moved to this location. If you look where John's head is you will see the blue waters of the ocean that is in walking distance from where I live. This was a big incentive to learn to swim. My next goal is to learn to sail!
My bedroom from different angles.
(Above) This is the dining area and to the right is the sink and cabinets. I have a front porch and back porch. I just ordered a stackable washer and dryer. I was spending so much time in the laundry mat that I was willing to pay the outrageous price so that I could in between washing be at home multi-tasking! :)
No comments:
Post a Comment