Monday, August 25, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Reasons to Live
I was invited to a taller on Human Relations this week and one of the activities was to write down why we want to keep on living and them share them with the group. I really liked this activity so, here are my reasons to live...(and there is no order of importance in this exercise)
To have a great love of my life
To have kids and see them grow up
To give my parents grandbabies and see the pleasure in their eyes.
To have my own grandkids
To travel the world
-I have always wanted to ride a camel to the great Pyramids of Egypt (random I know)
To meet new people
To continue the friendships I have and strengthen them
To learn to dance the latin dances
To learn new things
To have a intellectually satisfying career
To contribute to society
To make a difference in the world (I dream big:)
When makes you desire to keep on living?
To have a great love of my life
To have kids and see them grow up
To give my parents grandbabies and see the pleasure in their eyes.
To have my own grandkids
To travel the world
-I have always wanted to ride a camel to the great Pyramids of Egypt (random I know)
To meet new people
To continue the friendships I have and strengthen them
To learn to dance the latin dances
To learn new things
To have a intellectually satisfying career
To contribute to society
To make a difference in the world (I dream big:)
When makes you desire to keep on living?
Monday, July 21, 2008
Brigada Verde Paseo
The Brigada Verde Paseo, July 20, 2008.
The conditions for the kids to be invited on the trip were that they needed to pick up trash in the community twice a week until we left for the trip (it was about 8-10 weeks). They also had to give a presentation in the school on an environmental topic. They choose to talk about deforestation and noise pollution.
They also had to raise there own transportation money to and from the capital. In order to do so we held a day camp for elementary school kids with my Brigada Verde group leading all the activities. They charged 20 pesos per participant. The led art projects and games, including jump roping and the limbo.
We had a bake sale as another fund raiser. Each of the kids donated an ingredient for them to make an arepa. Arepa is the Dominican equivalent of cake and they bake it on an open fire. I then baked an American style cake and we roamed the streets together selling the two cakes. The American style cake was such a big hit in the community that I was commissioned to bake another the next day and again we hit the streets. Although this time we didn’t even make it up the street as the kids decided that they needed to buy a piece of cake, and then that piece was so good that they had to buy another and take it home to mom. With the money they raised they had enough to make it to and from the capital.
Last Friday I went and visited all the kids in the village and talked with all the parents so that everyone was clear on what was to happen, and what time the kids would be back to their houses. Everyone was a little nervous as the kids had to make it from the campo to the bus stop in the capital all by themselves.
Thankfully the six of them that were able to come, all made it safely. I met them at their bus stop and we went from there to my new apartment. The apartment was a wonder to them. We had a few incidents. They asked me why the toilet water runs, they were amazed that hot water could come out of a faucet and they kept forgetting to turn the water off after they washed their hands. Then while we were outside, the building has a call box, and one of the girls pressed all the buttons and then she turned to me and says “listen, you can hear people!” I had to laugh at that one.
At my apartment we all sat around so they could relax from there stressful bus ride and we played their favorite game UNO. Out of the 3 games we played, I only won once. After the three games of Uno, they all felt rested enough to go back out into the heat, so we headed for the park for some picture taking and a game of Frisbee.
After I had tired them out playing Frisbee we decided it was time for lunch. We went to the Dominos Pizza down the street, which for them is a big treat. We got two large pizzas and two 2 liters of coke. They were in heaven. Only two of them had ever had pizza before. For dessert I had made a cookie crumble pieces with chocolate on top. I don’t think any one of us could have eaten even one more bite. Filled up from lunch we took a walk to the supermarket where there is a instant photo machine. Each one picked out a photo from those we had taken at the park and we printed them. Again, they showed amazement at a machine that printed photos instantly.
Our afternoon entertainment was a trip to 3 underground caves called the Three Eyes, called that because of the three lagoons inside of the caves. It was beautiful. You walk down this steep stone stair case in order to see a series of 3 lagoons. Unfortunately, one of the kids got a little bit of altitude sickness, but he managed to make it to 2 of the three lagoons. Each of the lagoons has the clearest blue water. We saw turtles and fish in the lagoons. There are stalagmites and stalactites in the caves. In the top of the caves live bats. My Spanish was a little strained as I tried my best to explain how stalagmites and stalactites are formed, and how bats fly without seeing.
Leaving the Three Eyes, it was time for the kids to head to the bus stop and head home. They all told me how much fun they had, that it was a day they would remember forever.
The conditions for the kids to be invited on the trip were that they needed to pick up trash in the community twice a week until we left for the trip (it was about 8-10 weeks). They also had to give a presentation in the school on an environmental topic. They choose to talk about deforestation and noise pollution.
They also had to raise there own transportation money to and from the capital. In order to do so we held a day camp for elementary school kids with my Brigada Verde group leading all the activities. They charged 20 pesos per participant. The led art projects and games, including jump roping and the limbo.
We had a bake sale as another fund raiser. Each of the kids donated an ingredient for them to make an arepa. Arepa is the Dominican equivalent of cake and they bake it on an open fire. I then baked an American style cake and we roamed the streets together selling the two cakes. The American style cake was such a big hit in the community that I was commissioned to bake another the next day and again we hit the streets. Although this time we didn’t even make it up the street as the kids decided that they needed to buy a piece of cake, and then that piece was so good that they had to buy another and take it home to mom. With the money they raised they had enough to make it to and from the capital.
Last Friday I went and visited all the kids in the village and talked with all the parents so that everyone was clear on what was to happen, and what time the kids would be back to their houses. Everyone was a little nervous as the kids had to make it from the campo to the bus stop in the capital all by themselves.
Thankfully the six of them that were able to come, all made it safely. I met them at their bus stop and we went from there to my new apartment. The apartment was a wonder to them. We had a few incidents. They asked me why the toilet water runs, they were amazed that hot water could come out of a faucet and they kept forgetting to turn the water off after they washed their hands. Then while we were outside, the building has a call box, and one of the girls pressed all the buttons and then she turned to me and says “listen, you can hear people!” I had to laugh at that one.
At my apartment we all sat around so they could relax from there stressful bus ride and we played their favorite game UNO. Out of the 3 games we played, I only won once. After the three games of Uno, they all felt rested enough to go back out into the heat, so we headed for the park for some picture taking and a game of Frisbee.
After I had tired them out playing Frisbee we decided it was time for lunch. We went to the Dominos Pizza down the street, which for them is a big treat. We got two large pizzas and two 2 liters of coke. They were in heaven. Only two of them had ever had pizza before. For dessert I had made a cookie crumble pieces with chocolate on top. I don’t think any one of us could have eaten even one more bite. Filled up from lunch we took a walk to the supermarket where there is a instant photo machine. Each one picked out a photo from those we had taken at the park and we printed them. Again, they showed amazement at a machine that printed photos instantly.
Our afternoon entertainment was a trip to 3 underground caves called the Three Eyes, called that because of the three lagoons inside of the caves. It was beautiful. You walk down this steep stone stair case in order to see a series of 3 lagoons. Unfortunately, one of the kids got a little bit of altitude sickness, but he managed to make it to 2 of the three lagoons. Each of the lagoons has the clearest blue water. We saw turtles and fish in the lagoons. There are stalagmites and stalactites in the caves. In the top of the caves live bats. My Spanish was a little strained as I tried my best to explain how stalagmites and stalactites are formed, and how bats fly without seeing.
Leaving the Three Eyes, it was time for the kids to head to the bus stop and head home. They all told me how much fun they had, that it was a day they would remember forever.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Hay que aprovechar
Now that my move to the capital is official, I had to tell my village that I would be leaving them sooner than everyone had thought. That was a really rough day:( My boss came out to help me and we had a meeting first with my kids to talk it through with them. They were all really devastated and a few started to cry. I think they all understand my reasons, but since my reason is the way another member of the community has treated me they are a tad bit furious at this guy who is teacher at their school. I had to ask them not to create any problems for him (which would in turn make more problems with me...at least until I leave;) JK. Then we had a meeting with my project parnters (does it say anything about my subconscious that I first typed project problems?) We just told them that there was a compromiso in the city and that I was needed there to fulfill the obligation. Since then people of the community slowly are learning what is happening and are reacting. I have had a lot of time to think about it and for now I am doing okay with it emotionally (I know that I will be a wreak though the day I say goodbye to the kids) It does create a little bit of an awkward situation though when one of my neighbors comes to me crying and I dont shed a tear. You would think I would be over the whole awkward situation thing since almost from the day I got here, there's always something that is culturally awkward for me.
From the day that my kids learned I was leaving, they have taken the very healthy position of aprovecharing the tiempo that we do have together. It's been really great, we went horse back riding, hiking up the loma in search of mangos, and working on our garden. We are also planning our next loqrio at the river that they are looking forward to a lot more than me. Its where they throw everything in the pot to cook together. The rice, the chicken and anything else they could come up with (usually some sort of root plant like yucca). Hopefully we can all continue to have some fun up to the day I have to leave, and the transition goes along smoothly.
From the day that my kids learned I was leaving, they have taken the very healthy position of aprovecharing the tiempo that we do have together. It's been really great, we went horse back riding, hiking up the loma in search of mangos, and working on our garden. We are also planning our next loqrio at the river that they are looking forward to a lot more than me. Its where they throw everything in the pot to cook together. The rice, the chicken and anything else they could come up with (usually some sort of root plant like yucca). Hopefully we can all continue to have some fun up to the day I have to leave, and the transition goes along smoothly.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Living the Life
Well I was told that some people live vicariously through me so I needed to update my blog. Sorry about that:) I have been busy, busy and things are changing here as well. Quite a lot has been going on here. I was having some problems with
the Dominican project partners that I was assigned too. They think
that I should be doing whatever they want me to do, which wouldnt be a
problem except they want me to basically drop the other things that I
was doing that are going really well to do only what they want. I had
a problem with that and said so to them and it evolved into endless
drama. Well, after I talked with my boss from the Peace Corps about
the situation we talked about me moving to the capital to be the Peace
Corps Volunteer leader for my sector. I think that means I´ll be
moving in July:) I am really excited about it in one way, ´because
then I dont have to deal with my project partners anymore, I will have
running water, electricity and cell phone service. But, on the other
hand I wont see the kids I work with now very often in the future, and
I wont have a gazillion fruit trees in my yard where I can have
passion fruit, pineapple, grapefruit, oranges, star fruit, mangos and
lemons at my desposal. I guess no one can have it all. Right now I
am trying to work out the details of changing jobs, getting a raise
and finding a place to live. I´ll let you all know as things unfold
here in the capital.
the Dominican project partners that I was assigned too. They think
that I should be doing whatever they want me to do, which wouldnt be a
problem except they want me to basically drop the other things that I
was doing that are going really well to do only what they want. I had
a problem with that and said so to them and it evolved into endless
drama. Well, after I talked with my boss from the Peace Corps about
the situation we talked about me moving to the capital to be the Peace
Corps Volunteer leader for my sector. I think that means I´ll be
moving in July:) I am really excited about it in one way, ´because
then I dont have to deal with my project partners anymore, I will have
running water, electricity and cell phone service. But, on the other
hand I wont see the kids I work with now very often in the future, and
I wont have a gazillion fruit trees in my yard where I can have
passion fruit, pineapple, grapefruit, oranges, star fruit, mangos and
lemons at my desposal. I guess no one can have it all. Right now I
am trying to work out the details of changing jobs, getting a raise
and finding a place to live. I´ll let you all know as things unfold
here in the capital.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day!
Happy V Day to you all! Can't believe that I have now been gone for an entire year. Feels like forever, and yet not at the same time. Wierd. I've been really busy since Kendall left. My youth group and I have started a garden with Basil, Radishes, Cucumbers, and Peas. We are hoping to get some more seeds as well, so we can have tomatoes, egg plant and whatever else we can find. We planted all the seeds individually in starter boxes and soon the hard work will begin when we transplant them to the garden and have to prepare the soil and then water the plants twice daily. Why can't a hose and running water be a common thing here? Well, I guess it'll just make me even stronger now that I have to carry water for me, and then carry it to water the garden which is farther away from my house.
This weekend I am heading up to Sabana de la Mar to visit a special education school. Hopefully I will get some ideas from them on how to deal with kids who have dislexia and other learning problems. And if I am lucky I will be able to go out on the bay and go whale watching. Very exciting:)
This weekend I am heading up to Sabana de la Mar to visit a special education school. Hopefully I will get some ideas from them on how to deal with kids who have dislexia and other learning problems. And if I am lucky I will be able to go out on the bay and go whale watching. Very exciting:)
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Kendall's Visit
Kendall has been visiting me for the past two weeks now and she's been keeping me pretty busy. We went on two scouting trips to the beach together and ate some pretty amazing food. Then after we knew all there was to know about getting to the beach and where to go from there, we wook a group of 6 15 year olds there. They had done a bracelet project with me where we recycled grocery bags and made them into bracelets. I took them back to the states with me and sold them at an elementary school. With the money we made we were able to take our trip to the beach, eat at a pizza hut (which not a single one had been to this beach, nor eaten at pizza hut) and we had birthday cake for one of their birthdays. It was a day that will go down in history for them. They were so excited and happy to be there. And it has drummed up a lot of interest in my projects cause other kids want to be able to take a trip like that as well.
We have also gone to the river quite a few times, we did take our shower there this morning. And were just hanging out and having fun. She has been making me all my food and helping me do all my chores so I really dont want her to leave me!
We have also gone to the river quite a few times, we did take our shower there this morning. And were just hanging out and having fun. She has been making me all my food and helping me do all my chores so I really dont want her to leave me!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Back in the life
Well its back to work again after being home for two weeks. Cant really say Im glad to be back...but it'll come. Although, Muñeca sure was glad to see me. Until I ran out of dog food and fed her coconut last night...ooops. Good thing I am going to the store today.
This past week I spent cleaning my house and my lawn, and getting my groups started again. Yesterday 3 kids came to my english class, maybe by wednesday I'll have six! Haha.
Here are some photos. There are lots of new puppies in town. Very cute, I am just working on my saying no to those little puppies.
And here is one for the Bandidas:) My kids got squirt guns for christmas so we had some fun with those.
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