Category: Dominica

28 January

Ingy, Jemmy, and Glen are here at the house. Ingy put in my Michael & Janet Jackson tape. He was commenting on how Michael sounds like a makwomé (homosexual).

One of the kids smells. I thought that the cat pooped in the house; Ingrid locked it in the house as she rushed back to work. I can’t find any cat feces and I didn’t smell anything until the kids came over.

I read another chapter of Life with God. It was on Bible study. I do or have done most of what is in there.

Coming home from school on the bus today Patsy was teasing Chris about joking me. They are two St. John’s Junior Secondary Program students who ride home with me at 2:30. Sometimes I realize that they are talking about me, but I pay no attention to what they say. One of the girls pointed this out to them today.

I stopped by Cyrille’s store today. He owns the hardware store that was below my apartment. They changed the layout so that everything is behind the counter. His wife said there was too much self-service. I teach his son in 5th form general.

18 January 

I’m living in Calibishie now. It is much more relaxing than living in Portsmouth. Today I woke up at 6:30, which is one hour later than I usually wake up for school.

After praying and exercising I showered in cold water. I stayed in the shower only long enough to wash my face, hair, and neck. 

I wanted to go to market in Portsmouth so I waited on the porch from 7:30 until 8:00 o’clock AM; no buses came by. After that I had one of Ma Tazzi’s hot breads. I ate all of it except a little of the last pieces without anything. I put some jam and cream cheese on the remaining bread.

I tried changing my room around this morning to prevent the bat dung from falling on my bed. There wasn’t enough room for me to change the bed around by myself. I put some paper to cover the space where the dung falls through.

I played UNO with Glen and Shane this morning. I won. It was difficult to play with them because they could see my cards reflecting on my glasses.

Ma Tazzi gave me a cake this morning. She, of course, refused money. I’m finding it easier to talk with her now.

As you can see above, I did not like writing these quarterly reports or providing details; something that I eventually needed to develop.

12 Jan 1992

Before I dismember my calendar I’m going to record the notes in this journal in case there are some things on the calendar that do not appear in the journal.

12 October 1990 Bible study in Roseau

17 October Wanda visited 

29/10 Independence Day activities begin 

2 November Staff party at PSS 

8/11 Brad & I celebrate birthdays at Purple Turtle 

14 December Staff party at PSS 

7 January 1991 Second term started 

16/1 Wrote to Newsweek about Bush & war

2 February Went to Darkwood Beach, Antigua 

27 Feb Maryann told me I shouldn’t have done it 

2 March Tried to help Fabian with his computer 

30 Mar Made pierogis for Easter dinner

2 April Traveled to Montserrat 

19 Apr Watched “My Blue Heaven” & “Presumed Innocent” 

6 December Went to Barbuda

27 November

Exams started today. I was supposed to invigilate an afternoon exam, but I was violently ill. I don’t know what caused it: the cheese I ate for lunch? the Ravioli I ate two days earlier? I had felt the same way after eating the ravioli before, however, I never puked. 

I thought I might make it to school. I didn’t. I slept and then had severe shaking and chills. I gradually ate throughout the day, napped, and read. 

I still feel weak at the moment, but I should be in good enough shape for school tomorrow. My schedule is even lighter. I only have a third form class first period. The fifth formers also take the Math multiple choice exam. 

I have to do some wash and work on my law school applications or financial aid before I retire tonight. 

On Monday I got a copy of my contract for the apartment. It wasn’t a signed copy; it didn’t have anything about the security deposit. Mrs. Garraway saw me yesterday; she didn’t say anything about the rent. She’s checking out the place Tuesday.