Yo manke pou pou sou tet bebe a!

9/23/11

Just witnessed my second Haitian birth.  It was awesome as well.  I felt like crying, lol which would have been weird.  This whole labor thing is kind of long and tedious though.  It is hard to stay interested.  I think it’s because I’m not actually doing anything.  I also witnessed my first bowel movement during labor as well, I’m not as disgusted as I thought I would be.  It just reminded me of when other mammals are in labor, and how it’s just a natural reaction to the pushing that their body does.  The mom J was laboring on her hands and knees, and when she was fully dilated, she was grunting and moaning, and crying out for Jesus.  Throughout her labor, she was dripping amniotic fluid and while pushing she started to poop.  The baby’s head was crowning and her head was facing up towards the mom’s butt, and I was so worried that the baby’s face would be pooped on.  I don’t think she was.  When she birthed the placenta, it kind of reminded me of liver.  I love liver, but I don’t think I want to eat it anytime soon.

Pa fwa mwen santi 'm aneve

Sometimes I find myself being Haiti's defender, particularly when in contact with Whites.  Regardless of how long they've been in the country, I still feel like I'm more of an insider than they are especially in regards to relating with the people.  I think it's because I'm Haitian by blood and birth.  That connects me to the land and the people more than a little blue booklet.   I know that we as people tend to prejudge and make a lot of generalizations, but for some reason that bothers me when those generalizations and prejudices are about Haitian culture, and her people.  It is especially difficult when these generalizations or stereotypes are coming from people who are currently living and working in Haiti.  It's weird being in my shoes, because although I'm very American in Haiti; I identify with Haitians when interacting with Whites.  Until I open my mouth they've already lumped me in with Haitians anyways; so why should I try to identify with them?

Padon

Hi all sorry for my absence, we've been having internet issues, aka we didn't have any connection.  I also haven't been making time for my scheduled posts.  I'm going to work on that, but no promises.

Akouchman

Yay, so I witnessed my first Haitian birth two weeks ago.  It was awesome and a little unexpected.  The mom to be has been seen at the maternity center before, and she actually had an appointment with us the previous week.  She was about 36 weeks I believe (a pregnancy can last up to 40wks give or take a couple of days).  I've never seen a natural birth before, and although I was present for my friend's birth she was sedated (epidural) so it wasn't the same experience.  Needless to say, births in Creole are very interesting.  The woman was singing and praying throughout her labor, if you have ever heard a Haitian prayer, then you know that we are very melodramatic people.  Apparently this is very common amongst Haitians.  I noticed several differences between an American hospital birth and the OTP maternity center.  As is typical in midwifery, the midwife (wives) is generally hands off as long as the labor is progressing well and the mother is ok; very rarely are interventions(forceps, epidural, pitocin) used and when the mother was fully dilated (cervix is open enough for the baby to pass through) she squatted and pushed the baby out as opposed to pushing on the bed.  Seeing the baby's head come out was my favorite part.  There's something so awesome, beautiful, primal and powerful about birth, but especially natural birth.  That's why I want to be a midwife, because it encourages and supports education, self awareness, and self confidence in women by women.  M son fanm tande m rele!

Mwen renmen benyen nan lanme

A couple of folks from the org and I went to the beach about two weeks ago.  Good times, enjoy the pics. 

M Nan Wout 8/21/11

Check out the long lost video that I made when I was on my way to Haiti.  This was filmed at  either Kennedy or Laguardia; while I was waiting to board my flight.

Vinn Manje Vandredi

Hi all,
I don't have a personal recipe for Vinn Manje Vandredi today.  Instead, I am posting a link to a blog that I've just stumbled upon.  It has really great recipes, and the accompanying stories are really good too.  Check out Cooking With Madame Sara.  This recipe is for Mayi ak Fey (Cornmeal and spinach).  I love mayi ak fey, especially with mori (pollock in sauce).  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Music Tuesdays

Hi all,

Today is Music Tuesday.  I will discuss a Haitian artist, band or genre, that I am really into and want to share.  You can all suggest music as well.  I always enjoy 'discovering' a new to me artist or song.  I will attempt to cover all genres.  

Today, I want to highlight a genre of Haitian music, souk.  Zouk, like Kompa is a relatively popular genre of music in Haiti.  Zouk is also very popular in Francophone Africa, and the Francophone West Indies, France and in the Cape Verde, known as Cabo Zouk.   Click on the song title, and you will be taken to the video on Youtube.

Foto De Semenn Nan

Yes, in Haiti cars park on the sidewalk & pedestrians walk in the sttreet

Ben Remon

Went to the beach with the OTP folks today (kiddies included).  I love the beach, well I love nature in general.  It's so unpredictable, beautiful, serene and powerful.  Check out some images from Bain Raymond (Raymond Beach).  PS, I feel so 60s house wife in my bathing suit.  "But Ricky!"

Fritay!

Nothing like fried food to end a long day!  My plate of fried fish, plantains and dumplings was good but way too much.  I ended up sharing most of it with my grandma.  I love fruity, especially fish or turkey fruity.

Vinn Manje Vandredi

Hi all, as is tradition; today is Vinn Manje Vandredi.  I will highlight a haitian dish/meal, along with general directions and pictures on how to make the dish.  I hope you enjoy.  Please feel free to share any of your favorite recipes as well.