living simply

so i've realized that i have to stop saying happy new year to people as we are now halfway to february.  time is fast, but i can't complain about that.

i am going to barbados next month!  going to stay w/ handel.  michelle is coming for part of the time.  we are going to dive.  handel is also working at a piano bar.  michelle and i were hoping for dueling pianos, but it's only one but apparently the guy is really awesome, so i guess we'll check that out, too.  i want to see a movie this time.  excited to be traveling again and getting to hang out w/ handel and jill!

been reading this book less is more that i got for christmas.  it's about simplicity - living with what we need, with enough, with lagom which i've learned is swedish for enough but a little bit more than enough.  there is no word in english for it which i think says a lot in and of itself.  it's easier to live simply here in dominica - environmentally, materially, spiritually, emotionally - but i still find myself caught up with external or materialistic concerns.  for instance, with the environmental part, i love eating locally and eating with the seasons.  i think i do well with lessening my carbon footprint here - my low water and electricity use (both reduced even further now since my hot water broke again), taking public transportation (granted by force, but still!), eating local fruits and veggies.  but i still can spend hours on the computer, fly to st. martin and barbados, buy imported chocolate and boneless chicken and clothes i don't need.  definitely better than at home though on all counts.  appreciating the importance of community is also easier here since people are way more involved in each other's lives than the u.s.

another idea that's come up a lot is mindfulness.  people who are mindful tend towards simplicity and are happier.  learned about this technique last year but haven't been as in touch lately as i'd like.  trying to get back into it.  the book is helpful because it's making me think a lot about my life and how i live it, what i need, what i don't, and what i think i need but really don't.

speaking of what i think i need but really don't, been feeling very disappointed in several people lately.  gotta give michelle a shout out for being so fabulous lately as i'm dealing with that.

all of this seems trivial when i think about what's been happening this week.  of course i mean the earthquake in haiti.  it's just heartbreaking.  so many people dead, so many homeless with absolutely nothing left.  so many people.

i've gotten a lot of texts and emails asking if i felt it or how it must be so much worse here seeing it or whatever.  i think some people still think i'm in the DR, not dominica.  it's nice that people thought of me though - thank you for the concern.

here in dominica there is a large haitian population.  one woman in my village came to our PTA meeting wednesday.  she was dressed in pink sweatpants, pink tank top, pink weave, and pink cheeks and eyes.  she still doesn't know where her mother is.  she said a prayer in patois that i didn't understand, but it made me want to cry anyway.

so people in dominica are not rich, but people have been giving SO MUCH money to send to haiti.  it's incredibly inspiring to see how people can care for each other, especially here where haitians are often treated as second class citizens (similar to how mexicans are treated by some in the u.s., i'd say).  so it's really nice.

gotta go to a youth meeting soon.  i'll try to write more soon.