1. Help us fullfil Peace Corps' Third Goal; 2. JFK; 3. Frogs...Chinese

1. The Third Goal of the Peace Corps aims to help Americans understand the people and cultures of other countries. It is one of the three goals that support the mission of the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship. Help us reach others by signing up for emails from this blog - and by recommending our blog to others. Thank you!

2. In honour of his birthday, watch this video of President John F. Kennedy in the oval office talking about the importance of Peace Corps service.

3. A Chinese guy who eats frogs….As I spend time with each of the grades in my new school, I have a little time to introduce myself and answer questions. Somehow the topic turned to foods – what do I like about Jamaican cooking, and what have I eaten that Jamaicans typically don’t? Well, one of the Grade 6 students asked if I eat “Spring Chicken?” – and I, thinking they were asking about regular chicken said, “of course!” Well, that got quite a reaction – disgusted faces and laughs.

So…as my new students proceed to teach me, in Jamaica a FROG is sometime called a Spring chicken.  Well, I then said that some people in places in the world do eat frog’s legs, and I had eaten them also.

The next day, one of the students said, “Mr. Lawrence, are you Chinese?” I said, “why are you asking me?” and he said, “Because you’re WHITE and eat FROGS!”

Our “Bucket List” – 6 weeks on our way to Peace Corps

It’s been a great 6 weeks for me and Irene. We left Denver on January 30^th and headed to Trinidad, a small town on the southern border of Colorado. On the way our car’s alternator burned up – but we figured that was a good omen … at least to get that taken care of early in our travels. We had dinner at one of our favorite places, Rino’s Restaurant where the young staff breaks into song (show tunes and opera) every 15 minutes.

Our travels over the last 6 weeks

Next day we drove to Santa Fe, New Mexico – a place we visited often – and also the place where both of our wedding rings came from. Next stop was Scottsdale, Arizona – Steve’s parents last wishes were to have their ashes scattered over the Twin Peaks Wilderness area where we stopped for a short hike and to think of their memories.

"Temporary Office" we took over the dining room

Next to southern California – first to see Irene’s mom and dad in San Bernardino, and then to San Diego where we lived with Irene’s son Jason and his wife Maria; you’ve heard of adult kids moving in with their parents – well this time us parents moved in with the kids. It was good to spend relaxed time with them, even if we commandeered their dining room as our ‘temporary office’.

Pike's Peak - Leaving Colorado



Welcome to California freeways



We then made a whirlwind airplane trip around the USA – a night in Denver for Steve to see his dentist to finish up a new crown, then to New York City – family visits, a Broadway show, and time at the 9/11 Memorial site. Then to New Tazewell in eastern Tennessee to see Irene’s 3 sisters and a brother. This is beautiful and peaceful country, and after the last 4 weeks of navigating California’s 16 lane freeways, we are now thinking of ‘retiring’ in Tennessee someday. We flew back to Denver for a short day of errands, then home to San Diego again.

Family dinner - see you all soon

Today Jason drove us out to La Jolla to put our feet in the Pacific Ocean one last time. He took the doors and top off the Jeep, and we felt like real beach bums with the music rocking out. Next stop Caribbean.

 

At La Jolla beach - last chance to touch the Pacific Ocean

We will miss many friends and places – our sons and their lovely families, a view of Pike’s Peak in the snowy Colorado Rockies, Irene’s mom’s homemade Menudo, bicycle rides on the Sand Creek Trail, sushi, and all our many friends around the world.

4 duffel bags - our weight limit for 2 years is 100 lbs. each

Tomorrow we are off to this wonderful chapter in our lives. The Peace Corps first goal is defined as “helping the peoples of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.” The second goal is ‘helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of peoples served.” And, the third goal is ‘helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.” So…please help us fulfill our ‘third goal’ responsibilities – when you have time, check in on us via our blog, email, or Facebook – ask us questions, offer ideas, and most of all stay in touch.