* sigh *

Well I’m in a bit of the post-visitor slump. It’s happened to me before; I get all fired up for a visitor to come, we run around all busy and do fun things, then they leave and I’m back to the grind. And usually with me a small fortune over my monthly budget!

Nonetheless, the visits from Chad and Michelle were really fun. Chad had the better weather, but Michelle and I weren’t lacking for things to do or high school people to bash. Especially when I was hanging out with Michelle, it was strange to realize that we, and everyone we know, is changing and has changed a lot. Michelle and I of course are just even better, more improved versions of ourselves. Other people it seems like I hardly would know anymore. For a minute it makes me think "The World Has Turned and Left Me Here". But I know that my world has turned too, I just don’t see the growth by leaps and bounds because I’m here every day.

Anyways.

I also returned to the office from a bit of field work (making contacts in some of the tourist shops to get placements for the banana paper) to find that of my two good girls, one got a real job and one has been in a serious accident and is now bed-ridden. So now I have no idea of where that will leave the project. I’m supposed to meet with Mr. Azeez and Lisa this afternoon to discuss.

Many times I feel like it would be easier for me to just open the business myself, my own paper business. Then the girls can be employees, work their X amount of hours for whatever pay. As it is, there is so much choice and option available to them; they tend to choose not to do anything, mostly because they’re not getting paid at all! But I know my master plan wouldn’t work for the goals of PC or NSDC because it would just make these girls employees again, rather than giving them the skills to manage the business on their own. It’s just so frustrating when this is such a good business opportunity passing all of us by.

So it looks like now I’m cast back into the land of nothingness. Just in time for December, a month when no one works and nothing gets accomplished. At least I still have swimming (I’m picking up a little extra there while one of the other coaches is out) and the gym. If nothing else, I’ll be totally ripped when I come home to visit in February!

Luckily mom and Jane are coming next week to take me back out on the tourist trail. I’ll be able to re-meet with all of my gift-shoppy contacts to tell them don’t be looking for the paper any time soon. We’re also going to Martinique. I’m excited to get off island, even if just for a weekend. Yesterday I did not react well when crossing the bridge over the little river in town… a river of sewage, swill and old soda bottles.

Tomorrow, for Thanksgiving, we’re having a volunteer meeting and dinner. Mmm, stuffing. Then it will be a weekend of going-away parties for Alex, Arturo, Stewart, Carmel and Fran, among others.