There and back again...

Hello from the states! As some of you may know, I have returned to Pennsylvania for good. After an incredible experience in the Dominican Republic with the Peace Corps, I have decided that it was in my best interest to come home. Besides a few run ins with parasites, health wise I am ok.

The Peace Corps is an institution that brings people of all backgrounds together, people you would never have otherwise met, for a unique life experience. I have lived with multiple families, all of whom were vastly different and from who I have learned a bit more about the culture and myself. I am able to have conversations in a language I did not previously know. I can dance the Bachata and Merengue and eat rice and beans every day and love it. I have lived in the Dominican Republic as a Dominican. And while I will forever be a rubia, Part of my heart is now a bit Dominican.
I will forever speak praises of the Dominican Republic and the Peace Corps. I am thankful to have met the amazing volunteers in my group and the Dominicans who have touched my life.

So I am sure you are asking at this point if everything was so good, why leave?
While there were good things... there were also things that were quiet the opposite. But they weren't the reasons for leaving. Its hard to explain... it was a feeling I had. Its not that I couldn't deal with the living conditions or the language... they made for some of the funniest stories. It was something in my heart that I had to trust, a feeling. I wasn't feeling fulfilled. I didn't feel as though this was what I was meant to be doing. So I listened.

Here I am. Back in the States. I am completely comfortable and confident that my decision was the right one for me. I do not regret leaving. I do not feel guilty or that I have let any one down. I actually feel a bit relieved. And things are really falling into place already, which reinforces that I am where I am supposed to be.

Thank you to all for you support and encouraging words. It was the experience of a life time.
And to the rest of PCDR 517... thank you for your friendships. You all are wonderful!

Now I am off to start the next adventure of my life... whatever that may be




"Eventually all the pieces fall into place. Until then, laugh at the confusion, live for the moment, and know that everything happens for a reason."

goats, people, gua guas, Oh My!

So... I was on the gua gua (which is the bus here but its not really a bus, its a van type thing that has 12 seats yet somehow no less than 24 people will fit in it) going into the city when all of a sudden this horrid noise echoed 
throughout the entire gua gua. I jumped and turned to see what it was... and what did I find? 
A guy with 4 goats tied up sitting behind me. Yes. Goats. On public 
transportation. Going into the city. Do you know what a goat sounds like, 
because I surely did not and it scared me. It is a terrible cry. But no one else saw 
anything wrong with this so I just passed it off as just another interesting 
experience in the DR .

I spent the weekend in Sabana de la Mar visiting Robyn. This is where I had my CBT for 5 weeks. It was so good to go back and visit. I saw some old friends, stayed with my old host family (where Robyn is actually living now), and saw 2 other volunteers. It was an awesome weekend. Sabana I think is my favorite town in the DR. Its such a friendly and comfortable place to be. And the people there are so nice. Plus, when you have a hostess like Robyn, you know its going to be great. (Thank you Robyn! You are the best!)

Thats it for now... I dont have anything profound. Just goats, people, and gua guas. Im still in shock that I experienced it. A very profound thought for the day. Public transportation in the states gets better by the minute.

Stars in my room

Ive always been afraid of all the insects and bugs here. I sleep under my mosquiterro religiously and wear bug spray 24 hours a day. They are huge and scary and bit. Not to mention I do not want The Big D! (Dengue). But last night I was up, unable to sleep because its so HOT and humid, and I saw little flickers of light going on and off on the roof my house. Now I say roof of the house because no walls meet the roof so there are huge gaps between the walls and ceiling. Anyway, all over the roof there were these little flickers of light and for a moment I thought I was seeing the sky, but it was the flier flies. It felt like stars flickering so close to me, and I had a front row seat. It was pretty cool and for some reason at that moment it was very relaxing. I think those types of bugs I can deal with.

Its been a good week... well, its been entertaining. I went to visit Lori out in Luperon and had a fabulous time! She lives in a beautiful town on the ocean with mountains surrounding 3 sides and the water on one. People in her town are so nice. Shes got the life. Anyway... I arrived in her town and we visited a friend of hers who has internet and I was able to use some FREE internet! You all don't understand that importance of this. Internet and free in the same sentence is amazing. I surprised Keith and was able to talk to him for almost an hour! Even if our connection wasn't the best, it was amazing to talk to him for so long and really have a conversation that lasted for more than 2 minutes. He sounded great. After talking to him Lori and I met up with a friend of hers and we went horseback riding for 4 hours all along the mountains on either side of her town and through her town. It was sooo beautiful! But I think that I am still a bit sore from it. It had drizzled a bit on one of the climbs up a mountain, but it was so worth it. When we got to the top there was a rainbow over her town. It was beautiful. We also got in some beach time, which I am burnt from. But over all it was a relaxing and much needed trip. (Thanks Lori!)

School is out. No students. No work. No nothing. I am reading books like crazy. My family thinks that reading will make you go crazy, so they are always saying something to me as i sit out front in my rocking chair reading. But I love it. My family is crazy as ever. I dont even know where to begin with more Dominicanisms... Ill make a list later on. I just found out that the coffee that I am obsessed with is made by my Dona! They have land out in the mountains and coffee plants. Every so often the beans are collected and she dries them, roasts them, then mashes them up into coffee grinds and makes it in her crazy little coffee maker thing... which I cant even begin to explain. Ill have to post a picture. Im eating Mangos like crazy. i think there is a good chance that i will turn into one. Everyday someone is bring me a bag of mangoes. They are just so good and sweet. I love it. Plus its the only fruit I am eating. My diet here consists of: rice, beans, and every manner of cooking bananas and plantains (boiled, fried, or ripe). Its such a deliciously bland diet.

Im off with a friend now to eat some lunch and what not... anything besides rice and beans. Im thinking some American fast food will be great.

Long Over Due....

Hello! Its been awhile... I guess the lack of a post kinda signifies whats been going on and how Im feeling here... which isnt too much. So on with the updates.

Sabana-Yes, of course Im going to start with her. She is definitely Dominican. She eats more rice and beans and fried salami than I do. She is a begger and my Doñas little girl. My doña feeds her nonstop and I am always getting yelled at for not feeding her, even though I have cat food out for her. She needs real food according to my doña. My doña also talks to her like shes a little girl. I was in the kitchen the other day and my doña was telling my cat that thats not how little girls behave and she needs to stop. If you have a cat, you need to buy a mosquito net. It is the best toy I have ever seen. Besides the massive holes I can foresee... Sabana is loving it. I woke up the other day to her sound asleep on top of the net hanging down just over my face. She is always climbing and playing into... usually getting so tangled up I have to get her out. And speaking of climbing... she loves tress. She climbed up a tree the other dya and onto the roof of the house and got stuck. Some of the neighborhood boys went to rescue her. Besides that she is always getting into trouble and running into things and falling off of things. Not quite cat like, but always entertaining.

Me- Where to begin. I was on the phone with mom the other day and it was barely raining. I mean a few sprinkles here and there. My doña comes out from the house and puts a shower cap on my head and walks away. Yes, a shower cap. Like that is going to protect me from all the horrible illnesses that are in the rain according to her. Oh the things she says. Sometimes I have to just walk away before I laugh. Its our rainy season now and along with it comes the craziness. I have 3 little nephews at my house... 3, 4, and 6. It was pouring the other day, I mean POURING, and the 3 of them come running out of the house and hide along side this garage type thing. Next thing I know my doña comes running out of the house whipping her belt over her head with some sort of plastic lid over her head. She chased the boys up and down the street for what felt like forever yelling something at them. It truely was a sight out of a movie. The insects are insane. They are HUGE and every where. I have to put on bugspray even before I get into the shower. And the spiders are freaking scary. The biggest things I have ever seen adn they always show up unexpectedly in places I dont want... like in my helmet when I was about to put it on. My doña isnt the only crazy one... so is my don. He doesnt eat his food unless is prepared and on the table with a spoon in his dish. We all sat down at the same time and ate and finished before he even began, on time. He didnt eat because he didnt have a spoon, and the spoon was in the container infront of him. Its interesting. ANd he always tries to spoon feed me his half eaten food. It doenst matter if I am at the table or outside, he always comes to find me.

School- school is interesting. Its a place with a ton of problems and lack of respect for anyone. I am really struggling with what my purpose is here. I have a big need in me to teach... to have a room and my students that I know Ill see every day at this time, and thats not what Ill be doing here. I have observed tons of classrooms adn tested tons of students. I know what the needs of the school and I know what needs to be done... its just a matter of talking people into beliveing me. I began my week a few weeks ago with a teacher slapping a student so hard he bled. The interesting part is that she was accusing him of not respecting her, and he was explainging his side of the story when she hit him. Nothing has been done to punish her even though its illegal here to hit students. Even though that is one teacher and one example... thats really shows so much of what goes on. I was working with one student who did a great job and I put my hand out for a high 5 and said ¨dame 5¨(give me 5!) The boy was nearly in tears as he said ¨pesos? I dont have 5 pesos¨I had to let him know i didnt want his money. It was a sad but hilarious moment.

So those are just a few quick updates. This week is the last week of school, then next week begins testing. Im kinda at a lost of what I should be doing now, but thats ok. My plans for the summer are to do some one on one tutoring wiht some students who really need it, to help out another PCV with some of her teacher training for a week, and just to do some resting and relaxing and visiting. Im heading into the capital this weekend for some work and a mailcall! Im desperate to get some mail. Its been over a month since Ive been able to check my mail. So it will be a welcomed break and trip.

Happy belated birthday mom! I love you!

Test time

Please answer the following questions-

1. Leah is from which of the following countries-

a. The United States of America

b. New York

c. The Dominican Republic

2. True or false- A 1986Toyota Carolla is a 4x4?

3. True or false... the following foods can be fried...

a. Everything.

4. My name is-

a. Elia

b. Americana

c. Rubia

d. Gringa

5. The most recent juice I have tried was-

a. Tomato

b. Tamarindo

c. Sphaghetti

d. Cherry

6. Distances that are too far to walk, especially during the day-

a. 4 Km

b. the neighbors house

c. around the corner

7. Ture or false-

You will die if you drink liquids during a meal.

8. True or False-

Showering before 8am and after 7pm will make you sick and washing your hair everyday is just crazy.

9. Most common response I get to having a cat-

a. awww... how cute

b. eww... how dirty

c. OMG... get rid of it, cats prevent women from becoming pregnant!

10. When it is going to rain and you need to run an errand, which of the follow do you take to protect yourself from the water-

a. umbrella

b. rainjacket

c. plastic bag

Answers-

1. New York. Yes, New York is a counrty, not the US. People dont understand when I say Im from the US... they say oh... but what part of New York are you from?

2.True... anything that moves is a 4x4 and can manover anything.

3. everything and anything.

4. All of the above. And if I dont respond they just yell louder.

5. Spaghetti... no Im not joking.

6. All distances are too far to walk.

7. True. I get yelled at when I have water at the table. They are affraid that Im going to drown.

8. true.. if you are Dominican,not sure how to explain it, but its what I hear every day.

9. C. I dont understand it. But apparently cats prevent pregnancy

10. A plastic bag. I dont get this either. But women walk around with plastic bags on their heads to protect their hair from the rain.

Oh the DR... the things that I am learning. Another example of something that I learned... all female babies have an operation as soon as they are born so that they can grow faster. But this only happens in the US. Its never a dull moment in my house. Crazy, but never dull. Between the 100 family members who are always over, there are about 6 neighborhood boys ranging in age from 6-13 who are always over and curious to know what I am doing. One of them is always up in a tree looking for fruit for me. One time One of them brought me a bowl of fruit, cherries, and told me I had to go make juice with them. i told him I didnt know how and he siad yes you do, just go to the kitchen and make it, You are a woman. He didnt mean any disrespect, its jsut known that the women here know how to cook and amke everything. I think Im a bit of a shock here since Im not quite the cook. The oldest boy was out one morning without a shirt and shows and as soon as he saw me he ran home and came back 5 mins later and appologized and said now he was proper to greet me. He put on shoes and a shirt and a belt. He is also the same one who walked me to the store one day with a big smile and had me hold his arm the whole way there and back. He was such a gentleman and it was adorable. I am always escorted everywhere I go, whether I want it or not. To and from school there is a boy who waits for me to make sure that I get there and back ok. There is also another boy in the neighborhood who is 11 and has never set foot in school. He doesnt have a birthcertificate, and bsaiclly acording to the DR doesnt exisit. The first thing he ever said to me was that he wants to learn. So he is my project this summer. Im going to start the process of getting him a birthcertificate and Im going to sponser him so that he can go to the summer school that I am starting. He is wonderful and always helping me with everything and has this big toothy grin that is just adorable.

As far as school goes... its interesting. That is my new favorite word here. Everything is always interesting. There are 2 sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, for 4 hours. Of those four hours, I have calculated that the average teacher teaches for less than 1 hour of those 4. They write a question on the board and thats it. But of course I am in love with every child. But there are 2 that have my heart. ONe in the morning... he always leaves his class and just waits for me outside of which ever room I am in. He doesnt talk, just stares. But now Im getting hugs every day from him and Im working one on one a little when I cant get him back to class. And there is one in the afternoon who doenst talk and often hides under his desk for 4 hours, that is if hes not fighting. I finally got him out of the room one day and was working with him in a quiet room, and he still didnt talk, but he smiles. I later found out that his mom died 6 months ago and that every month he has been living with someone else and that last month the person he was living with also died. And the teachers re`sponse to this is that he just has problems and doesnt want to learn. And this poor boy is only 6 years old. And Im madly in love with him. Which of the students am I not going to love?

Right now I am doing a Diagnosic of the school and students. I am interviewing the teachers, testing some of the students and just doing gerneral observations. I have a presentation in Aug. to PC over my findings and from these findings I can create my project for the nect 2 years. Also, Im in the initial process of creating a summer school for a few weeks for those students who are really struggling. Most of the students after 2nd grade are 1 to 4 years above greade level. Students are held back and fail grades like its nothing. Its hard to see a 14 year old in 4th grade. But these are all reasons why I am here.

Life here is very tranquilla... Im always drinking coffee somewhere and talking. Most of the time I know what is being said, which is pretty cool. But I do live half my life in the dark... literally. There is no light from about 5pm until morning when I wake up. Im getting used to life this way. Its kinda crazy.

Off to spend some quality time with my crazy family... in the dark.

LG

Pics

1. Me being Dominican and eating sugar cane in the back of a pickup

2. Sabana!!!! Isnt she beautiful?

3 and 4. The tradional dancing that we had at the going away party.

PS... I have a cell phone now! So email me if you want it... I know you do.

Where in the World is Leah?

What a good question this is! And so many answers...

I have been missing internet for the past month. I cant believe its been that long! Time is flying by and they have been keeping me busy. So, the end of CBT, how was it? It was great! So much happened... I rode in the back of a pickup to Caño Hondo for Semana Santa and swam in the pools there, then after went to the campo and ate fresh sugar cane, tamarindos, and other crazy fruits. It was awesome. The other volunteers and I painted a mural of the Rights of Childhood (pics to come at another point). It turned out beautiful. Oh yea, I found a kitten! Her name is Sabana (since I found her in Sabana de la Mar) She is beautiful! Shes only about amonth old, but is growing each day. She is calico coloring. Her head is black and white and her body and all mixed. At the end of CBT the families had a party for us... they brought in a dance troupe that danced for us all night and danced the tradition DR dance in the traditional dress... it was amazing and so beautiful! I cant remember what else happened in CBT right now... so jumping ahead to life in the past 2 weeks. I finally got my site placement! I am in a town outside of Santiago. Im in the north... 30mins from the airport (hint hint) and less than 2 hours from the beach. I went on a 5 day visit there last week... and its beautiful there. I wake up in the mornings, not because I want to, but because life there begins EARLY, and drink my coffee (which is basically home grown, dried, and roasted, and STRONG) looking out at the northern mountain range, specifically Pico Pablo, which is the second largest point in the DR. Im so close that I feel like if I stuck out my hand I could touch the mountains. Real quick about the coffe... its amazing and its so strong, that Dominicans only serve it in these tiny cups like a shot. They think Im crazy when I tell them in the states we drink large mugs of coffee. Back to my site... its called Los Cocos. I will be working in a school with 1700 students. Doing what... Im not sure. But behavior and classroom mangagement are the 2 most needed areas of help. But I have a great project partner who is really supportive. My family is awesome too... I cant understand a word they say becasue people in the north have crazy accents (all r´s and l´s and switched for i´s). I live with a Don and Doña and their 27 year old daughter and her son, and a grandson who is 20. And all the neighbors are relatives (nieces, aunts, children) so at any point in the day there are at least 10 people in the house. Its insane. So to rewind and get back to the question of where in the world is Leah... here is my new address: 4th dirt road on the right after the 2nd tobacco field and in front of the pig pen. Its the yellow house. Yea... Im going to become a farm girl. I think I have a bit of adjusting ahead of me... but Im not too scared.

other exciting news... IM A REAL LIVE VOLUNTEER NOW! We were sworn in on Wed. at a wonderful ceremony. It was fast. And no, I dont feel any different. However, like good volunteers, we spend out first official day of service swimming at the Embassy pool and touring the Capital. It was wonderful.

I head out officially to my site tomorrow... so Im not sure when the next time Ill be seeing internet is... but keep sending the messages... I love them!

A more organized post with pictures to come next....

Pictures

Ok, so obviously I am having a bit of trouble posting pictures. Im not really sure what I am doing wrong. Anyway...the first pic is of my group at our little beach in Samana. The the next is of my town from the ferry on our way back home from Samana. Then its me in my room... please notice my very attractive mosquiterro, and yellow cosco (helmet) then its my house! The next picture is of me at Caño Hondo. Its a hotel in my town that has a bunch of natural swimming pools. We spent a saturday there to relax and unwind after a long week. The next picture is of my favorite little boys here. The 2 on the right are the brothers and in my class. They are trouble, but just so adorable. Then its the two of them using the computer. The 4th and 5th pictures are of the day we spent in Samana. Its just a beautiful town and it was awesome. We had a little playita all to ourselves. Unreal.

New Norms of Life

So I have been in country for 38 days (wow!) and already what I perceive as ¨normal¨ has changed. Here are a few things that I now consider to be no big deal:
-taking the guagua (bus) 5 miles into the city and it taking an hour
-Only having 20 or so seats on the guagua and at least 50 people... 5 of whom are hanging on out the door
-7 adults fitting comfortably in a carro publico (taxi)... 3 in front and 4 in back. the car is a small sedan
-Bugs.... EVERYWHERE. I even had a cockroach in my mosquiterro the other night and another one in the shower, and ants in my food.
-sleeping under a mosquito net every night so I wont get Malaria
-Taking 2 Aralen pills once a week so I wont get Malaria
-The crazy vivid dreams that come with taking Aralen
-my day is not complete without eating rice and beans at least once a day
-Noise. The DR is one of the top 5 (or something) loudest countries in the world. Starting at 5am there is music, someone yelling, or construction, and it ends at midnight, if Im lucky.Women have full conversations with each other by yelling at the top of there lungs when they are 2 feet away and also from one house to the next when they are inside
-3-5 people on one motorcycle. And there is no driving age, so 7 or 8 year old boys are driving them
-Se fue la luz.
-Roosters. 24 hours a day. 7 days a week. And I now can sleep through it.
-Heat. Humidity. I no longer care if I sweat.
-Cows, pigs, chickens, you name it... all freely roaming the streets.
-The world stops between 12 and 2 every day. Literally... nothing is open and no one is out.
-Rain. It feels like Hurricane season already. When it rains it POURS. The streets flood and its almost impassible.
-Si Dios quierre. Which basically translates to If God allows it. People dont make definite plans or if they dont show up to something its ok because God didnt intend for it to happen.
-When its raining and there is that one random motorcycle out, the driver or passenger is holding an umbrella to protect themselves from the rain.
-a puppy running around in the middle of church service

Life here is always entertaining. There is something new every day that happens or is said and I dont know how to respond. Like the other day, I was about to take a shower and my host mom says to me ¨but its cloudy out, and you are still going to wash your hair?¨. Everything here is because of Gripe... which translate to the flu, but if you cough, sneeze, or who knows what you have gripe and better not do anything that day.

We went on a spanish trip on wednesday to Samana. It is just across the bay and absolutely beautiful. We had a picnic then went on a walk. We went to the beach and took a walking bridge to this small island and another bridge to yet another small island an it was beautiful! No one was there an it was so peaceful and relaxing. No swimming though. We werent prepared or that. I have 3 weeks left here in Sabana de la Mar. I cant believe how fast time is going. I am currently working 3 days a week for a few hours in an elementary school and loving it. I have of course 3 students who I am in love with. they are 3 bothers and they are so sneaky. I left class one day and they got in trouble just so that they would be sent to the room I was in. They also always know where I am when I am in town. Now, its a 15mins moto ride for me to get to the school, and these boys live near the school. So it has to be at least a 30mins walk for them to come into the town. But they do it... every day. And find me. They followed me home yesterday with out me knowing. The other day when I was at the Internet they found me, in the building. I let them play on the computer and they were so scared of it. I really had to coax them to touch the key board. I taught them how to write their names. It was adorable. Then after I bought them each a bag of chips and you would have thought they were getting $1000 each. their faces just lite up. Pics of them are to come soon.

Everyone in my group is doing great. There are 7 of us in Sabana de la Mar. We have really intense weeks. Mondays and fridays we have 4 hours of training, usually a volunteer comes in and gives a workshop, then we have 4 hours of language. Tues-Thurs we are in the schools for 2 hours, then have 4 hours of language, and another 2 hours of training. Needless to say we are all excited when the weekend comes.

This is a big week coming up... we have interviews with our APCD (associate PC Director) about our official placements, and our Training director is coming out as well with the PC nurse for our check ups. My lessons is being observed by the TD on thursday. She has a man from Samoa who is coming to observe how training is done here in the DR. So keep me in mind on thursday!

Pics to come soon!

Hello from Sabana de la Mar!

Here I am... at my new home for the next 4 weeks. I have been here, in Sabana de la Mar for a week already. I cant believe it! Its a small pueblo. Dirt roads, people riding horses and donkeys, small markets, and its right on the bay. its a cute pueblo, but definitely small. The bay is known for its Whale watching. We just missed the season though. It has been a crazy week. We have 4 hours of Spanish class a day and 4 hours of training. 3 days a week that training includes our internship in the schools. I am in a 3rd grade classroom. It is about 15x20 ft and has 42 students ages 8-12. There is a set of brothers (3) in my class-8, 9, and 11. Crazy.Most of the students dont know how to read or write. Its really hard and such a huge contrast to the states. But Im loving. There is no confidentiality... teachers will just point or make students stand up and tell you that he or she is stupid/dumb/cant read or write. Its hard and definitely pulls at my heartstrings, but I LOVE it. I get so many hugs from the kids and its great that they are so interested in me and Im hoping comfortable. I absolutely adore them and am loving being in the school. I was itching to get there. My school is a 4 room building with an outhouse, no electricity, and no materials. You definitely have to be on your toes at all times.
I am living with a really nice family. My Doña is great. She is always cooking and gets mad at me for not eating like a Dominican. I have yet to understand a single word my Don has said to me. I have a brother, 10, and sister, 13 who are funny. They dont really speak too much to me, but usually just watch everything I do. Last weekend my Doña and Don took me out to their farm to see the cows and chickens. So exciting. If I never saw another chicken or rooster in my life, Id be a happy girl. There are about 100 chickens in my backyard and a rooster. I hear the rooster crowing about once an hour all night long. And he is used in cock fighting, so it has not feathers on its lower half and looks hilarious. After lunch yesterday my sister told me that the dad wanted to show me something, so I followed him down the road to an open building. I looked in and he put his rooster down and there was another rooster there. it was a mock cockfight. I hated it. Its so vicious and there was blood everywhere. But its all part of the Dominican Experience.
I am always being told that I am too skinny and that I need to eat more because surely my boyfriend doesnt like me being small, hes too big and strong for such a small girl... Dosent he wants me to get fat and strong? Its quite amusing to me.
Tomorrow we are taking an adventure to Parque Nacional Los Haitises. Hopefully Ill get some good pics of that up afterwards.

Im doing well, eating lots of rice and beans and yucca, working on my tan, and practicing my Spanish and loving the PCT life. Life is flying by... I cant believe Ive been in country for a month now! Ive learned so much already... I cant even imagine what more is to come.

Ill soak up the sun and warm weather for all of you back home who are getting hit with snow and sleet right now:)

PCV Visit

My visit to Pimentel was awesome! I stayed with a PCV (peace corps volunteer) who is just doing amazing things at his site. The latest of which is setting up a school for the deaf. It was so good to see what I have to look forward to. Neal, the PCV, is such a great inspiration and mentor for me. And on top of it all, we went to the most amazing beach with some other PCV´s. I know, I am living such a rough life. It was on the northern shore and called Playa Caleton. You dirve along the road and this shady path shows up, you walk down the path, and I was thinking to myself that this wasnt going to be worth it, then all of a sudden this beach pops up. Beautiful white sand beach with the clear aqua water. It was surrounded by rock cliffs and had 2 islands within swimming distance. No waves... just little laps of water. There was barely anyone there. I loved it. It was so unreal.

I leave this thursday for CBT (community based training) and Ill be going to Sabana del Mar. Ill have technical training there and have a school internship. All SpEd trainees will go there, so we will have training together. It will be awesome.

Also, i went to Carnval yesterday.. a mix between the Mummers and Madi Gras. it was absolutely madness. Crazy costumes, lots of music, and a TON of people. It was in the capital. Definitely a crazy experience. Im still not sure what the significance is of it, but it was fun. The one pic Im adding is of this unfinished building that people climbed to get a better look at the parade. thats how big this thing was.

Jonah has set up a site... hileah.blogspot.com that you all can post pics or videos on from home! Please use it! Im dying to see pictures and things from home. Use it!

Much love.

Pics

Some pics from the beach, my sisters, me at the colonial zone, and my classroom!

Boca Chica, Carwash, all things Dominican

Going from having internet in my bedroom to not having it at all is crazy! So, that should explain why my last post didnt make any sense. I was so overwhlemed with having internet that I didnt know where to begin or what to say! Also, being in an internet cafe is hard. I feel like I am being tested and timed and like I have to rush. And I dont like to be rushed. But internet is internet and I love it!
The title of my last post, "se fue la luz"... i never explained it. Its probably one of the most common phrases here. I hear it at least once, maybe twice a day. It means "the lights went"... yes, the electricity often goes out 2 or 3 times a day, that I am aware of. Its not a big deal. Im already used to it. We just sit outside in the evening air and cool off waiting for the power to come back on and the women just talk. For those of you who thought that baseball was the DRs official sport, you are wrong. It is gossiping. It happens 24.7 Women do it all the time. I usually pick up every 10th word, so I have a vague idea, at least I think I do, of waht is being said. Im picking up "cada dia, un chin mas"... a bit more every day. Its definitely tiring though.
I had a very dominican weekend... at the carwash with presidente. What is a carwash you ask? its where you wash your car, BUT as soon as it gets dark it turns into the place to be. It has a DJ, dancing, tables and chairs, and a bar. Its hilarious and tons of fun. It really does turn into the local "bar". We were celebrating a volunteers bday. Presidente is the DR beer and its acutally pretty good. I am madly in love with Merengue and Bachata... 2 forms of dancing. Everyone, evey 3 year olds here know how to dance and move their hips in ways Ill never understand, but I must say that Im not too bad myself. I definetly love Bachata... its sooo much fun.
On sunday I went to Boca Chica, a beautiful beach filled with palm trees and clear blue water. Its filled with litter, not sure people here understand how damaging it is to the environment, but it was still beautiful! And yesterday I took a walking tour of the Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo. It was beautiful and amazing. There is so much history here that I never knew. Its amazing. Google it.
I head out tomorrow to visit a volunteer who is a year into his service and he is another SpEd volunteer. Im really excited about this so I can ask all my questions and see a real, live, volunteer. I have to travel about 3 hours north to Pimentel on public transportation! It shall be an interesting adventure. For my SpEds out there... there is no such thing as people first language here and I cringe and want to cry every time I hear people talk about the "blind kid" or "special kid". People first language will definitely be worked into my program some how.

I think thats it for now. Im going to post some pics of my family, training site, and the beach soon, so look for them!

Thank you for al lthe comments... they make me so happy! Hope everyone is doing well and enjoy the cold weather. I miss you all!

Se Fue La Luz

Hello all!

The DR is soooo wonderful. I am loving it here! I am living with a family that consists of a Dona and her 2 daughters (Maite who is 8 and Marcel who is 6). I love my little sisters. Every day I come home from training and they greet me with big hugs and kisses and ask me to color with them. My Dona is awesome. She is always trying to feed me more. Im too skinny she says. The food is good... lots of rice and beans, yucca, and fruit.
As for training... its also going well! There are 33 in my training group and everyone is great. We come from all over the States with tons of different backgrounds. I have between 2-4 hours of language a day along with diversity training, technical training, or transportaion. Transportation... where to even being with that. Its nutty. You can take either a carro publico which is like a taxi or a Guagua which is a bus. Both fit more people than are supposed to be on it. But its fun and an adventure. My Spanish is coming along...little by little. Its kinda hard to listen to everyone speak here, they talk soooo fast and its a very different Spanish than what I learned in HS. They leave off the "s" at ends of words and use a lot of slang.
I am leaving next thursday to visit a SPED volunteer about 3 hours north of here for a few days. I am really looking forward to that. Then the following week Ill be at CBT (Community Based Training) where Ill learn all about the school system and acutally teach in a school during that time. Definitely looking forward to that.
I have to go run some errands and take the guagua... wish me luck!

More to come soon!

Love and miss you all!

Jonah... Ill be waiting for the block of ice and snowball. I could use something cold (its 92 and humid and its not even summer time!)

Last Post From The States

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye
I hate to go and leave this pretty sight...


In a short 8 hours I will be in the car on my way to DC for orientation. Ill have a day and a half of orientation then catch a flight out early on Thursday and be in the DR by 2pm! I am completly packed and ready, at least I think I am, to go. I am definitely anxious. I am going to miss everyone so much, but knowing how supportive you all have been has and will continue to make this transition easier. I said goodbye to my neighbors yesterday, a family I hold very close to my heart, and Luke (he is 3) kept telling me "I want to go on a jet plane with you. I dont want to stay here." And I just got an email from the Cardarelli's, the family I babysat during the fall, saying one of their boys asked if I was taking a train and when Jodi said no an airplane, he asked "Like Jay-Jay?" (Gotta love Thomas and Friends). I love the things children say!

For now I must clean up my room (just for you Laura!) and pretend to get some sleep.

I love you all. Talk to you next time from the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC!!

JMU Ranked No. 14... Yea Dukes!

JMU Media Relations released this. JMU made the Peace Corps Top 25 again! This time we jumped from mid sized schools to large schools with 54 alumni now serving. We are also ranked No. 126 among graduate schools with 2 alumni serving... possibly me and Keith?! Also The Breeze, the University's newspaper did an article on the new rankings. Check it out here. JMU is looking pretty good these days.

There is definitely something unique and special about how this university prepares all of its students for the world. The oppurtinities students have to learn and grow both in and out of the classroom are simply wonderful. Something I am so greatful for. Definitely going to Bleed Purple for the rest of my life.

Snow

I am going to miss snow. And WaWa Hoagies. But definitely snow. Being from Pa I have had the privledge of enjoying 4 seasons and all that comes with them. I don't know anything different. And, I LOVE SNOW. I spent the day yesterday snowboarding in the Poconos and it was fabulous. That will most likely be my last snowboarding trip for 3 years (Ill be returning to the States in late April 2009) and I am a bit sad. Snowboarding is such an awesome rush... nothing but you, the mountains, fresh air, and your thoughts. Its one of my favorite things... if you have never tried it, you must!

I dont think Ill be seeing much snow in the DR... and how will I explain Snowboarding and snow to the Dominicans?! They will think I am insane.

For the time being, I am enjoying the little snow I have :)

Staging Packet... wow, this is for real

I have been wishing away time for the past 2 months, and now that I have less than a month until staging (orientation) I am amazed at how fast the time is going. I am overwhelmed with the little things I need to do, and keep putting off, people to visit and say goodbye to, and a life to organize as I leave and a life to prepare for ahead of me.

I finally received my Staging Packet... it includes all the information about where and when I will have the orientation and what will be discussed, flight information from the US to the DR, and a packet for family about the typical stages a volunteer goes through and what to expect. I am a bit speechless right now as all the information I have read is being processed. My staging is in DC for 2 days (Feb 13-15). It will be interesting to see how 35 of us will dress comfortably during staging for the colder weather when all we will have will be clothing for 85 degree weather.

Packing. How do you pack for 2 years??? Seriously, how do you cram all your stuff into baggage that is allowed to weigh at most 80 pounds? And what do you take? Of course I am thinking that I can take basically everything I own. I have to keep in mind that I have to be able to manage any bags I bring... which makes me think of Keith and Chris hiking the AT this summer and having packs that weighted 30 pounds and those being heavy! So far here is a general list of what I am bringing:
-Clothes (both professional and casual)
-shoes (sneakers, flats, sandals, dress sandals)
-pictures
-a blanket that converts into a pillow
-can opener
-peeler
-frying pan
-ziplock bags
- the best book... "Where's Mom Now That I Need Her"
-iPOD
-Camera
-travel sewing kit
-Head Lamp and flashlight
-Nalgene
-pocket knife
-umbrella and rain coat (Hello rainy season and hurricanes)
-World map and map of Namibia
-Cards
-Books
-Stationary
-alarm clock
-duffel bag and backpack as checked luggage and a bookbag as my carry on
-Sunglasses
-Cowboy hat (I live in this thing) and baseball hat

So that was a bit more detailed. Its a start and I know it will be ever changing between now and the 13th.

25 days and counting...

36 days

36 Days until I leave! I have had the count down for awhile now... I think since the day I received my invitation back in November. Anxious is definitely what I am currently feeling. I am so ready to go and get my life with the PC started. With that excitment also comes the nervousness. I am going into a situation and have no idea what to expect. But that is not deterring me at all. I am ready to dive into this adventure head first!
The big question I have been getting since I decided to apply to the Peace Corps is "Why?". And I say, why not? Im young. I want to travel. Ill learn a new language and live in a culture completely unlike my own. I am going to learn so much and grow through this unbelievable experience. Its my big adventure, and I have always wanted to have one before I settle into a typical job and routine. Its an experience of a life time! Plus its different, and I like to do things on the road less traveled.
I was involved with an incredible organization at JMU called Community Service Learning(www.jmu.edu/csl) and became very involved with their Alternative Spring Break program. My advisor with ASB is an amazing woman who I greatly admire and has been my mentor and really inspires me. The trips I took were incredible... out to Kansas City to an Abused Womens Shelter, to Myakka River State Park in Fla, and to Biloxi MS and The Kiln MS for Katrina Relief. I caught wind of PC working in the CSL office and began to research it my senior year of college. I put the idea on the back burner because I knew I was going to grad school. Fast forward to Dec 2005... I fill out my application for the PC, turn it in a month later, was interviewed in March, and received my invite to serve in November! So its been a solid year for this whole process.
I have an incredible family (mom, dad, noah and kathy, jonah, and laura... Love you guys!) and friends who have supported me and put up with my rantings and ravings! And I have the most amazing boyfriend, Keith, who is always encouraging me. He is currently a Peace Corps Volunteer (Congrats! He just finished his training and was sworn in on 1/05/07) in Namibia and will be teaching secondary math. He is doing really well and loving every moment of it. Check him out, if he ever updates www.namiblife.blogpsot.com

Thats it for now.... until next time