Weird, Crazy, Funk......?

I didn't really know what to write these last couple weeks nor do I really know what to write now??! I will begin with some news that shook us the night before last. A friend that we work with on the Moringa project called us and said, "John Jay is missing have you heard from him or seen him?" I replied No and waited to hear of any more news. The following morning we received the phone call that he committed suicide.

Will and I stayed with John J and his family a couple months ago while working on the Moringa project. Words can't express how shocked we are. Will and I talked about how great of a family they were. Sitting down for dinner together, talking about the day, attending football games, and working on homework together. It is something that is hard for both of us to understand and cope with. Such a loving family man gone in just the blink of an eye. Here is the link to an article in the paper... I just don't really know what else to say right now? http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20090407T200000-0500_149064_OBS_MANCHESTER_MOURNS_PASSING_OF_LEADING_BUSINESSMAN.asp

Of course when it rains it pours...therefore more depressing news. I went to visit the school garden yesterday and was saddened to see that it wasn't doing so well. The kids planted some seeds in seed trays a few weeks back- but someone neglected to water them. Therefore as of right now we will not be planting cabbage or cucumbers in the garden. Also someone accidentally left the gate open and a cow decided to go in and munch on corn and lettuce. The kids and I weeded what is left of their garden and talked about taking better care of it- I also found out the kids didn't plant the peas nor are they taking care of them. The principal hired someone to do it. I was saddened and upset with this realization. I suppose this is to be expected when doing development work ;)

Will's crop estimate program is sort-of off the ground. He turned in the necessary program but later found out they already had a program that they had created years ago- This program however doesn't calculate the monthly and yearly totals or carry over the crop data from month to month- which leaves the extension officer to calculate that. The program Will developed does all of that. When they came to do the training on the "new" program it happened to be the old one. Our extension officers were frustrated because they had taken two steps forward only to take four steps back. I suppose this is to be expected when doing development work ;)

On a lighter note- Last weekend we were able to hit up Treasure Beach and get some much needed relaxation. We both have some major sunburns- and we even applied sun screen- the sun must have been brutal! We enjoyed some yummy pizza and took a breather from this weird, crazy, sad, past couple weeks we've been having.