perro

Literally almost adopted a dog about 3 hours ago. No lie; please don't tell my mom. A small, whimpering puppy showed up on our lawn trying to hide from the random cat that likes to peruse our trash. I have no pictures, but trust me, it was one of the cutest dogs I've ever seen. Fortunately for my roommates and my family a neighbor decided to take it when I walked around looking for a home for it.

And that's Wednesday.

Lots of Tiers...

Well, for the first time in 3 weeks, I am visitorless! Three weeks ago I picked up Ryan, who was still here the following Friday (April 9) when my whole family flew down!!. They left last Sunday, but Kels got to stay until yesterday, when she flew home. So I'm pretty much just decompressing in my room all day. I had a great time with all of them here. We did some great waterfall adventuring! On the first Saturday they were here we hiked the Upper Jimenoa: Tim and Laura took us rock climbing around that area, and a week later we were at 27 Waterfalls near Puerto Plata:My dad had alot of fun resurrecting his rusty Spanish skills. My mom just enjoyed relaxing and not having to worry about cooking.

On Monday they came to my class, and all the boys loved my brother and my dad. The 4th graders required a "conferencia" with them, during which I think most of the girls acquired a crush on Jordan. Please note Smirna's story for the day:
By the time she left yesterday, two of my girls had attached themselves to Kels, and they made her a lot of cute cards.

So, now I am alone for the remaining 7 or however many weeks are left. That's ok; I've got plenty to keep me busy! Maybe now I'll start blogging with some regularity...

Playa

No matter what my post says, it's about 9:45 am on a Thursday, and right about now somewhere inland, my kids are going outside for their morning break. I, on the other hand, have just woken up, and in my peripheral vision I can see my brother on his iPod, and my sister standing at the gate across the yard that separates us from the beach. Still watching creepily...she appears to be contemplating whether to walk down there or not.

It's a little disheartening to realize that my brother will head back to the States on Sunday. We've been having a wonderful time in Jarabacoa and again here at the beach. I will miss them when they leave, but it suddenly hits me that I'm five days away from having only two months left in this country. Two months! Where has the time gone?? Better question, what on earth will I do back in the States? Live with air conditioning and power 24/7? I might have to just turn everything off in the house once or twice to make it feel right.

I'm also happy to remember that I have ALL of the two months left! That can be a long time if I want it to. Thank goodness, because I'm not quite done with the waterfalls yet. There are still places to ride my bike, still some mountains that need climbing.
This is SUCH a beautiful country! If somehow I could have a tunnel from here to Baldimore, I would be set. I do like to have my cake, with sprinkles, and eat it too. With ice cream. Speaking of which, it's time for breakfast!

Hiatus

Ok I'm going to need some forgiveness on infrequent posting! A little over a week ago on Saturday, Jenny and I headed down to Santo Domingo to pick up my good friend Ryan. He's been working in Haiti for 4 weeks, and we managed to arrange him coming up to visit me in Jarabacoa for a week! So he and I have been busy visiting waterfalls and getting ready for last Friday...when I got some special visitors!! I am currently sleeping in the same room as my sister, which is FANTASTIC! So, I'll have to update on that later. Here is a photo of Ryan and I at something called the Confluencia, which is where two rivers (the Yaque and the Jimenoa) meet together!

Kels and I are packing for the beach right now...hopefully (don't hold me to it) I'll update when we return!!

a (w)Holy week off!

Greetings from the last day of spring break aka Semana Santa aka Holy Week! Since today is Good friday, this week preceding it is Semana Santa, and thus, no class for me! It has been a blissful if not rapid week.

I should probably wrap last week up. I am in a happy no-students fog, so the only significant events I can recall from last week are A) Angel stabbing Brian in the face with scissors and getting suspended, and B) First Grade Store.
I should probably specify so it sounds less dramatic: Angel didn't really "stab" Brian in the face; APPARENTLY Brian was in Angel's way, so he brandished his scissors as a way to get through and they just so happened to graze Brian's face about 3/4 of an inch from his eye and left a mark. That's all.

Next, the wonderful Neal parents from Texas brought some great toys for First Grade Store, which is a once-monthly event. The cherubs start out with 5 First Grade Dollars every two weeks, and at the end of the month, if they haven't lost them due to bad behavior (like stabbing someone in the face with scissors), they get to spend them. Some of them bought fun sunglasses:


I am pretty excited about the upcoming week! My friend Ryan has been working with Food for the Hungry in Haiti, and he's going to end his time on Hispaniola in the mountains with us! It will be a fun week. FRIDAY my siblings are coming to visit and I CANNOT WAIT!!! Good times about to ensue!

Again thanks to people writing me letters...mail makes my day every other Tuesday!! I always tape the cards to my wall and I feel warm inside when I look around and see how loved I am!