A washing machine and two TVs

After a year and a half handwashing my clothes, I have received a little blessing from the sky!

When I say the sky, I am referring to my landlord that lives in one of the apartments above me. He was gracious enough to bring a washing machine down for me!!!! Woohooo!!!! On the same day, I was awarded not one, but TWO tvs from my neighbor below me who is moving to Cuba tomorrow. Aside from the fact that I have no cable, I am pretty much set! No use for the tvs as of yet, but I am half way there! I will admit, I like not having tv or internet in my home most of the time. It helps me to get other things done; like drawing, reading, etc..

Oh, did I tell you that I finally moved? Let's just say: I am 100x more comfortable in my place now than I have been for the last year living in my last apartment. I was constantly avoiding going home and always felt too overwhelmed with the stress of issues with my landlord to get anything else done when I was home. Now that I am into a better fit, I am finding myself getting more things accomplished and generally loving my home life much, much more.

I thought life in Castries would be much worse. Besides the 200 dollars in transportation costs, it really isn't that bad. I live in an actual community neighborhood, my neighbors actually talk to each other, and I don't have to unlock a stupid gate everytime I have a guest come over. Oh, and I can actually have guests over with my water not being turned off! My last place was very luxurious, sure...but that doesn't always make for a good life. A good life is having fresh juice made from the neighbor above you, being able to have a friend over for coffee without hesitation, and wanting to go home to relax. One suggestion for the PC from now on: never put a PCV in a "community" with the name "Heights" in it...as good of a "deal" as it sounds.

A few random things I haven't told you about St. Lucia

1. Public urination is an everyday sight. No one thinks it out of the ordinary when there is a man in town peeing on the town hall building.

2. Lucian dogs could quite possibly be hornier than the men. On average, I see 3.7 dogs humping another dog per day. Sometimes they have group orgies. I saw one this morning at 7:30 am.

3. They only have escalators going up. Never down.

4. The bank machines take back your money after 5 seconds and you cannot access the money again until the next working day. The next working day implies a week from then. Not so good for PCVs when rent is due.

5. There are often too many people working at a given store. Many of which are just there for security purposes.

6. When you have locks and a female, you are automatically an empress. :D

7. Soy milk is often cheaper than regular milk.

8. You typically only eat one meal on a Sunday.

9. "Julie" mangos are quite possibly the best thing on this planet; and I get to eat a ton!

10. The macheneel tree is everywhere in St. Lucia. One of the most poisonous trees on this planet. The leaves alone will leave your skin burning for days.

I Am Metricized!

I went to an Anger Management workshop with the CARE programme in Castries last Friday at the Presentation Brothers house. I was expecting quite the bulk of the work we discussed to be on anger management, however, the first half of the workshop for that day happened to be regarding metricizing St. Lucia. What?!?! Why?!?! Okay, so I found out the schools are in need of changing their systems to the metric from the prior used, imperial system; but still!

So after three hours of sitting in a chair I successfully know how to convert my weight in the metric system. Congratulations me! I also have a nice mug reminding me to metricize that I can add to my lonely little cupboard at home. In addition, I have a new pencil, ruler, and bottle opener. The bottle opener has already come in handy when the bartender at Happy Day bar couldn't find his. I told him, "Don't forget to metricize!"

Metric system conversions:

1 g = .004 oz

453.59g = 1 lb

1kg= 2.2 lbs

1cm= .39 inches

2.54 cm =1 inch

1 km= .62 mile

1 mL= .035 fl oz.

1 L= .88 qt

0 degrees C = 32 degrees F

27 C = 80.6 F

So, I am 56.5 kg.

Ode to Metricizing:

Oh, my darling metric system, my dear

It's often you, too much we fear.

We know the pound and the mile so very well,

That what a kg or a km is we really can't tell.

Your conversions are set to a "tee",

I'm not sure if they really quite fit me.

I'm willing to try and use you often,

but I can't promise you anything; not now not then.

When I am running or flying I am going to be slow,

Almost the time that it takes to make dough.

You will be used for sure when I am shopping,

perhaps from time to time even when I am mopping.

St. Lucia needs you to import and export,

Whether it may be for food or another sort.

You are needed in bottles, bags and also cans,

And apparently you have more than your fair share of fans.

For now, I have no choice here,

but to put up with you, my dear.

If ever you grow old and tiring to me,

You'll be out of my life so quickly you see!