Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Laboring on Labor day
I hope all of you who have off today enjoy it; the DR Labor Day comes in May, so i am back to work today. It's kind of like being at Messiah again and having to go to class.
It was a great weekend, although I am pretty sure we spent more of Saturday without power than with. When that happens I usually sit and read until the light ceases to be enough, and then I move outside, where it's better. My roommate Cecelia is Colombian, and she has been spoiling me by cooking alot of Colombian food, and thus letting me not learn how to cook. I did, however, make some soup last night and we ate with the girls upstairs.
On Saturday we used Holly (HS Lit teacher, lives upstairs)'s laptop battery to watch The Happening. Her battery ran out, and we had just gotten in from below when the power came back on. Thank goodness; I wasn't sure how I was going to handle another fanless night.
Sunday morning 6 of us girls took a taxi truck to the outer limits of the town, and went swimming by a waterfall!! I took pictures. It was pretty great. We had to go right through/past the really poor section of town, and it was really sad to see the conditions that the people there live in. One of them had an outhouse that looked like it was barely in one piece; it was like a patchwork structure.
Sunday afternoon we ventured to a church right behind us, and I missed alot of what was said. Definitely going to have to polish up on the Spanish.
My morning class was a mixture of exultation and frustration, as we were learning how to write the letter D. Two of my boys (well, 3, but one wasn't there today) don't really "get" things...so i sat down in between them to show the the proper way to write D. I almost pulled my hair out, but by the end of the morning when each of them could correctly trace a lowercase d, I was pretty exuberant. Fortunately we have the rest of the week to practice the D's.
They're also learning the story of Noah, so today I started the teaching of Arky, Arky. Good memories.
Speaking of which, on Saturday the teachers for middle and high school were discussing some of the dress code issues and it was definitely a flashback to LCS. Anyone remember how the girls would roll their skirts?? I feel like that is an age-old trick that will never die.
Well, this is long, and I don't think I would have made it this far if I were reading this, so I'll stop here. If I'm motivated later I'll post the waterfall pictures!
It was a great weekend, although I am pretty sure we spent more of Saturday without power than with. When that happens I usually sit and read until the light ceases to be enough, and then I move outside, where it's better. My roommate Cecelia is Colombian, and she has been spoiling me by cooking alot of Colombian food, and thus letting me not learn how to cook. I did, however, make some soup last night and we ate with the girls upstairs.
On Saturday we used Holly (HS Lit teacher, lives upstairs)'s laptop battery to watch The Happening. Her battery ran out, and we had just gotten in from below when the power came back on. Thank goodness; I wasn't sure how I was going to handle another fanless night.
Sunday morning 6 of us girls took a taxi truck to the outer limits of the town, and went swimming by a waterfall!! I took pictures. It was pretty great. We had to go right through/past the really poor section of town, and it was really sad to see the conditions that the people there live in. One of them had an outhouse that looked like it was barely in one piece; it was like a patchwork structure.
Sunday afternoon we ventured to a church right behind us, and I missed alot of what was said. Definitely going to have to polish up on the Spanish.
My morning class was a mixture of exultation and frustration, as we were learning how to write the letter D. Two of my boys (well, 3, but one wasn't there today) don't really "get" things...so i sat down in between them to show the the proper way to write D. I almost pulled my hair out, but by the end of the morning when each of them could correctly trace a lowercase d, I was pretty exuberant. Fortunately we have the rest of the week to practice the D's.
They're also learning the story of Noah, so today I started the teaching of Arky, Arky. Good memories.
Speaking of which, on Saturday the teachers for middle and high school were discussing some of the dress code issues and it was definitely a flashback to LCS. Anyone remember how the girls would roll their skirts?? I feel like that is an age-old trick that will never die.
Well, this is long, and I don't think I would have made it this far if I were reading this, so I'll stop here. If I'm motivated later I'll post the waterfall pictures!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Power and Sweat
Our power is finally back on after turning off the in the middle of the night. I immediately woke up because my fan turned off, and then spent the next few hours tossing and turning and sweating from the heat. I think the tropical storm/depression caused alot of rain.
I've been pretty sweaty and gross feeling all day, but I think somehow I am getting used to it. Which is very rare for me as I HATE feeling sweaty at all.
The bug bites continue in vast numbers. I am thinking about trying to hang a mosquito net. I'm used to them from my second trip to China, and as long as there aren't any mosquitos in the net, they function pretty well. First though I would have to find a "cement" nail for the ceiling, and then find someone tall enough to reach my ceiling.
I am trying to adjust to Dominican Spanish and not Spain Spanish. There are a few little phrases that I miss saying in Spain that they don't use here.
I think one of the things I'm going to struggle with is making myself get out and do things around town in the first few weeks. I always feel too tired and too lazy to go out with people I don't know and put in the effort of meeting others, but if I don't it won't really feel like home, so I need to. I just always prefer to sleep.
I'm going to start a list of prayer requests to the right to make it easier to find, since i know some people would like to know specific ways. We had our teachers meeting today to go over life things like rent, electricity, health insurance, bank accounts, etc, so I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment. I have a bank account but no money until September 30th. I think I may have to take some money out of my account because I'm pretty sure my food won't last the whole month.
Hopefully there will be pictures forthcoming SOON!!
I've been pretty sweaty and gross feeling all day, but I think somehow I am getting used to it. Which is very rare for me as I HATE feeling sweaty at all.
The bug bites continue in vast numbers. I am thinking about trying to hang a mosquito net. I'm used to them from my second trip to China, and as long as there aren't any mosquitos in the net, they function pretty well. First though I would have to find a "cement" nail for the ceiling, and then find someone tall enough to reach my ceiling.
I am trying to adjust to Dominican Spanish and not Spain Spanish. There are a few little phrases that I miss saying in Spain that they don't use here.
I think one of the things I'm going to struggle with is making myself get out and do things around town in the first few weeks. I always feel too tired and too lazy to go out with people I don't know and put in the effort of meeting others, but if I don't it won't really feel like home, so I need to. I just always prefer to sleep.
I'm going to start a list of prayer requests to the right to make it easier to find, since i know some people would like to know specific ways. We had our teachers meeting today to go over life things like rent, electricity, health insurance, bank accounts, etc, so I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment. I have a bank account but no money until September 30th. I think I may have to take some money out of my account because I'm pretty sure my food won't last the whole month.
Hopefully there will be pictures forthcoming SOON!!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Day 4
In an effort to be more pithy, I will try to sum events up in 1-3 sentences (each).
1) One of my little girls today said something about me knowing alot of songs. This after I sang to her the chorus of Jay Sean's "Down".
2) I don't know whether the kids who color the turtle pink and the tiger blue are artistic or deranged.
3) I have at minimum 13 mosquito bites on my left leg, and maybe a max of 5 on my right leg. Why the preference I don't know.
4) Just found one on my EYELID.
5) I played some alphabet songs from my iPod today and the kids didn't know what to do with music coming from somewhere other than the (broken) CD player. Also, the alphabet songs were loaded for teaching...I didn't just have them on there for fun.
6) word on the street is that there's some sort of tropical storm or depression headed our way. Good times sure to follow.
7) I tried to cook black beans today in an effort to be cultural, and I didn't realize that they take five weeks to boil. That may be an exaggeration, but they take a really long time.
8) This climate is making MY hair frizzy. And my hair doesn't do that.
9) Please note that I have to pay $1.50/lb on packages over 1 pound. Don't let that deter you from sending food. Or pretty pictures for my walls!! Which are pretty sparse at the moment.
10.) A memory from my first day here: I've always said I could live in a climate where palm trees grow. They were one of the first things I saw when I left my house my first morning. I think it was God winking at me.
1) One of my little girls today said something about me knowing alot of songs. This after I sang to her the chorus of Jay Sean's "Down".
2) I don't know whether the kids who color the turtle pink and the tiger blue are artistic or deranged.
3) I have at minimum 13 mosquito bites on my left leg, and maybe a max of 5 on my right leg. Why the preference I don't know.
4) Just found one on my EYELID.
5) I played some alphabet songs from my iPod today and the kids didn't know what to do with music coming from somewhere other than the (broken) CD player. Also, the alphabet songs were loaded for teaching...I didn't just have them on there for fun.
6) word on the street is that there's some sort of tropical storm or depression headed our way. Good times sure to follow.
7) I tried to cook black beans today in an effort to be cultural, and I didn't realize that they take five weeks to boil. That may be an exaggeration, but they take a really long time.
8) This climate is making MY hair frizzy. And my hair doesn't do that.
9) Please note that I have to pay $1.50/lb on packages over 1 pound. Don't let that deter you from sending food. Or pretty pictures for my walls!! Which are pretty sparse at the moment.
10.) A memory from my first day here: I've always said I could live in a climate where palm trees grow. They were one of the first things I saw when I left my house my first morning. I think it was God winking at me.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Day 2!
SURVIVED!! I think my Spanish is getting better pretty much every second. I have to tell my kids what to do in English, then translate it for them. It could be a very educational year for me.
Fan update: I went on a long walk into town last night and found the recommended store with cheap fans ($18-$25). I tried out a cheaper one, but it was too quiet, and if you know me, you may know I like ALOT of white noise. So, i asked if he had a louder one (mas ruidoso) and then he spent 15 minutes putting it together from a box. But it was SO worth it. It is one of the loudest fans I've ever heard, and I slept very well last night.
I cleaned some of our dishes and my fruits and vegetables that I bought. I can't decide what to make for my dinner tonight. I have a feeling guacamole may be on the menu :) I have two avocados, plus some onions and cilantro. Life is good.
Random side note: If anyone has any old Hide Em in Your Heart CDs they want to contribute to my class, I am on the lookout!!
At about 6ish pm tonight we experienced our first power outtage. I was messaging Kels at the time, but with out power, you have no internet. You also have a dark kitchen. So I poured myself some cereal and read the summer issue of Relevant Magazine. (An awesome couple here have a subscription. They also had us over for dinner last night and we had a great time!) The power stayed out for about 2.5 hours, so we did alot of reading by flashlight. I'm a little depressed that it gets dark by 8 pm. I miss summer already! AND I'm closer to the equator - aren't I supposed to have longer days??
In the interest of not boring my readers, I'll sign off now. Only two more days til the weekend!!
Fan update: I went on a long walk into town last night and found the recommended store with cheap fans ($18-$25). I tried out a cheaper one, but it was too quiet, and if you know me, you may know I like ALOT of white noise. So, i asked if he had a louder one (mas ruidoso) and then he spent 15 minutes putting it together from a box. But it was SO worth it. It is one of the loudest fans I've ever heard, and I slept very well last night.
I cleaned some of our dishes and my fruits and vegetables that I bought. I can't decide what to make for my dinner tonight. I have a feeling guacamole may be on the menu :) I have two avocados, plus some onions and cilantro. Life is good.
Random side note: If anyone has any old Hide Em in Your Heart CDs they want to contribute to my class, I am on the lookout!!
At about 6ish pm tonight we experienced our first power outtage. I was messaging Kels at the time, but with out power, you have no internet. You also have a dark kitchen. So I poured myself some cereal and read the summer issue of Relevant Magazine. (An awesome couple here have a subscription. They also had us over for dinner last night and we had a great time!) The power stayed out for about 2.5 hours, so we did alot of reading by flashlight. I'm a little depressed that it gets dark by 8 pm. I miss summer already! AND I'm closer to the equator - aren't I supposed to have longer days??
In the interest of not boring my readers, I'll sign off now. Only two more days til the weekend!!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
My classroom aide doesn't speak English!!
I'm here!! Where to begin?? I only have a few minutes before my afternoon class of Pre schoolers arrive. The morning class wore me out, so I'm not sure how I'm going to do another afternoon! Plus, I did not sleep too well due to all the noise. I'm praying I'll get a fan today to help with that.
It's pretty humid, but not too hot. I just went and did a little grocery shopping. There is apparently a fruit and vegetable market that I need to find too. Also, they don't refrigerate milk or eggs, which is going to take some getting used to.
My big morning favorite, cereal, can cost up to $6 here, so I opted for some cheap plain corn flakes :(. Feel free to send Post Selects and Honey Bunches of Oats. :)
Quick word on the internet situation: for some reason it's not working at my apartment, so I'm going to try and figure that out tonight. I might need a router or something (Dad).
I'm still overwhelmed by everything that I need to do (buy the fan, clean the house, organize my things), but I'm feeling pretty excited too.
It's just about time for the PM kids. I miss my home and all of you already!
It's pretty humid, but not too hot. I just went and did a little grocery shopping. There is apparently a fruit and vegetable market that I need to find too. Also, they don't refrigerate milk or eggs, which is going to take some getting used to.
My big morning favorite, cereal, can cost up to $6 here, so I opted for some cheap plain corn flakes :(. Feel free to send Post Selects and Honey Bunches of Oats. :)
Quick word on the internet situation: for some reason it's not working at my apartment, so I'm going to try and figure that out tonight. I might need a router or something (Dad).
I'm still overwhelmed by everything that I need to do (buy the fan, clean the house, organize my things), but I'm feeling pretty excited too.
It's just about time for the PM kids. I miss my home and all of you already!
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