Ramble On!

everything is what you make it...just because the library printers have been down for the past two days, the food in the cafeteria has become more and more oily, and the cost of milk,bread and peanut butter hasn't gone down(and will never do so) doesn't make me want to blow up at one of the nice ladies who happen to be behind any of those counters..its not their fault,and while it sucks for everyone;the key is that everyone has to deal with it..i saw a "professional" stateside professor open up a can on this little old librarian yesterday,he was complaining about the copy machine being down, and not being able to make copies for class which at a "decent institution would never be an issue"...when one of the tech guys poked his head around the door and was smirking, the old man said "this isn't funny, i take my job seriously!" ...judging by appearance he did (nice shirt,tie,slacks) but what he failed to understand is that he wasn't the only one who couldn't use the machine, no one else could either, but he just somehow thought that by yelling at the nice old lady behind the counter,he'd get what he wanted..it was sad to see, and it happens all the time back home...
down here the attitude is very laid back,as ive mentioned before..people don't move very fast, and customer service pretty much sucks when you're looking for information, but once you get past the phone line, and into some face time,then you're in the money. people matter to people down here. its more than just the "good morning/afternoon/night" that comes with seeing ANYONE on the street and my favorite: walking into class 30 minutes late (its ok down here, granted its not a good idea,but it happens all the time) i've quickly learned that in striking up casual conversation with the women behind the counters, road workers (bill,from cinncinatti,moved here a year ago, works for the road dept. let me fill up my water bottle after doin the beast for the first time,after we had talked about football for at least 10 minutes in the hot sun..then the two ladies in the library who didn't charge me to print off a page i needed,and even had me use their personal computer to do so...after we talked about me being from arkansas and so on) it just hit me that there are "rules" everywhere, but for each of those there is a seperate rule that is usually different from the actual one,depending on the circumstance..but i know this is everywhere, its not native to the caribbean,i'm not that awestruck and naive (though i don't spell very well)..it just seems that it is more prevalent down here..its tough to make a lot of money on this island..with st.thomas its a different dynamic,but here its tough..
..there is so much potential for the school and the island..but for one reason or another,which im finding out has a lot to do with corrupt politicians,it just doesn't happen..a million dollar (much needed) road bill was passed but the contract was given to a phony company,and the money dissapeared..several cases along those lines have occured recently, and the island isn't quite where it could be..tourism is a far far cry from what it should be, there is a lot of rivalry between st.thomas and st.croix..its a very complex situation that im coming to understand..in talking with islanders i've heard things that won't show up in the text..and that no one stateside really even bats an eye toward;not with the issues back home..
...with all of that...im not at all trying to be negative, because thats not it at all...im just telling it like it is,unfortunately...
...it is still the most beautiful part of the world and i wouldn't trade anything to be anywhere else right now..for those of you who are coming down to visit, don't get the wrong idea, just know that behind all of the big smiles that you'll get, are issues..and thats the same all through the caribbean, tourism has taken over many islands, and its a tricky dynamic..but it is what it is..im heading off to st.john for the weekend, ill be sure and get some "decent" pics
hope all is well back home :)