Saying "Good-bye"

It's a long process. We've been working on it for a while now. Slowly the realization is setting in. These people are not going to be a part of our lives anymore:

My Zumba class girls- just as I was getting really comfortable with the group. (Being the only white woman isn't always easy, especially when dancing is involved!)

Our Sosua beach server. He always remembered us and even called us family.

The members of Cordero de Dios (Lamb of God), our beloved church family here.

Pastor Alex and his dear family. They have welcomed us into their home on so many occasions now!
David, the boy I tutored, and his family- such kind and genuine people.

My students. I like to think of them as my babies, but they really are second graders now. I see it every time I look at them. This one has been the hardest of them all. I pray that God continues the work he started in their hearts this year.

In today we said our last good-byes. The good-byes to all the wonderful teachers at our school. This year has been very difficult, but we have been so very blessed.

Monte Cristi

June 4, 2011 we finally made our trip to Monte Cristi. We had been putting off the trip due to all the rain that Steve has told you about in a previous blog. Finally, with only 2 weekends left in the country, we had to go- rain or shine.

We woke up early to a cloudy morning. The bus left at 8:45. We had heard different stories about the length of the trip, but everyone told us it was FAR away. I heard 3 hours from some people and 4 hours from others. When looking at a map we were shocked, because it looks closer than Santo Domingo, which is 2.5 hours away. Not a problem, right? Wrong. The trick with the buses here is that they don't tell you what stop you are at!

A few stops in we asked the women in front of us which stop it was. I didn't recognize the name of the town but we had only been on the bus for an hour so we couldn't have been there yet. After a while we asked the the women again and they said Dajabon.... maybe? Then they asked where we were headed. Monte Cristi? That was one of the first stops, they said! We went and asked the chofer (driver) and he told us we were in Monte Cristi at that moment. We skeptically got off the bus and found ourselves in the right place!

We took two moto conchos (motorcycle taxis) out to the beach. The ride was so beautiful! We even saw some birds in the water that looked like flamingos! I don't think they are native to the Caribbean... but the birds were tall and stood on one foot with heads tucked under a wing. Any ideas?

We arrived at the beach and were instantly being eaten alive by mosquitos!!! Thankfully another family was there and offered us repelente. After that we could really enjoy the beauty of this beach. Notice the zapato (shoe) in the pictures!

Both the other groups on the beach loved the idea of having a photo shoot of the American couple! Here's a sample of their work:
We relaxed on the beach, ate our picnic lunch, and watched as white clouds were replaced by dark gray ones. When the rain started we decided that we might as well swim since we were going to be wet either way...
After a little swim the rain slowed. We tried to hike but it was muddy and slippery so instead we went to the security guard house and played with their puppy while waiting for a taxi to take us back to the bus station. We were glad to have gone, but content to head home early with another adventure to tell.

Last Day of School

At last!!!! Finally!!!! Right?

In a few minutes, my 6th graders will come through the doors of my classroom for the last time. Many of them I will see for the last time. I have seen them all grow so much. When they walked into my room in August, they were little 6th graders. Now as they come in to take their last final, they are practically 7th graders. They've also grown intellectually. They write opinion essays, they identify themes, they use possessive nouns (a big deal with English Language Learners). I have a student that came to class the first day and did not know any English. Now he has extended conversations with me and reads full paragraphs and understands them. And I don't think I can take any credit for any of this. It seems like the intellectual growth and physical growth happened together, gradually and naturally developing throughout the year.

Today is the last day of my first year of teaching. I'm not going to say it was easy, and it definitely was not what I thought it would be. But it has prepared me for next 40 or so years of teaching I have ahead of me, God willing.

This is a pretty important day.

Rain, Rain, Every Day

Literally, every day it rains. It's called a "rainy season." We don't really have those in the Midwest. There really aren't other seasons here, no Summer/Winter/Spring/Fall. There's hot and less hot, and wet and more wet. Right now we are in a hot/more wet season. Usually it doesn't rain all day, but it is usually cloudy all day, and when it does rain, it'll keep up for the rest of the day, and it rains a lot.

I used to laugh at Dominicans on rainy days. Everything stops. No on goes anywhere, plans are cancelled, nothing happens, all just because it rains. How silly! Letting a little water stop you? Not at all. Here is my guide to help you understand the frustrations of the rainy season that I have learned throughout the year.

1. You have to walk a lot.
.....a. Umbrellas are only helpful in mild rain and for a short time.
.....b. Not fun in the rain.

2. The streets flood. Guaranteed. If it is raining, the streets will flood.
.....a. Also not fun if walking.
.....b. If driving your own vehicle, you might not be able to make it.

3. Public Transportation
.....a. Moto-conchos (motorcycles) are right out.
.........i. No fun at all.
........ii. Dangerous in wet streets.
.......iii. See 2b.
.....b. Conchos and Guaguas
.........i. All full. You will have to wait for a long time. (See 1a)
........ii. See 2b.

So, yeah. We don't do anything if it's raining. And it's been at it for over a month now. But I'm not complaining, because while it is raining every day, it is better than the alternative. Rain means it is cooler. If not for the rain, we would all be roasting alive in the summer sun.

The Whirlwind

Apologies, as always, for not posting. I always use the excuse that I am busy, which is ever true.

Ever since call day, our focus has shifted significantly. We are constantly looking to August and all of the exciting questions it raises. Our house? How to get there? Move our things? A car? How much can we spend? Insurance? Another loan? Loan payments? A salary? What's housing equity? Budget? A new church? New people? A school? How many children? Desks or tables? SmartBoard? Curriculum? Music program? AZ teaching license?--

But wait! Before we get there, we have to get married! Wedding... old questions... Rehearsal dinner? RSVPs? How much cake? You didn't get your invitation? How many centerpieces? Showers? Bachelor/ette parties? Registries?--

But wait! Before we start that, we have to finish here! We have duties here, opportunities here, and God has a plan for us here. Right now we're just praying for contentment in our current position and patience as we move closer to the rest of our lives.