Moving on. Since it is the 7th week of school I feel like I am finally getting into the groove of things with my classroom and my kids. Don't get my wrong, the language barrier is still a definite struggle, but I am getting to know my kids more and more each day; getting to know their little (or BIG) personalities, their likes, dislikes etc. The process took a little longer than usual considering it takes a while for me to actually have a conversation with them. But last week I had full responsibility of the class, and it was well....challenging. I guess that's what it feels like to be a teacher ALL.DAY.LONG. By 4 o'clock I'm ready to go to bed. We have been learning about family and community these past couple weeks. That of course has been different because I've had to learn about how their families work here and how the community works. Last week we went on a tour of the town, like a little mini field trip.
Like I was saying...we went on a little field trip where we walked through the town to see what kind of places we saw. It as actually really fun, and I feel like it really did work in helping them see their town and learn the places in English. All in all, I have slowly been able to appreciate the little things during the day. Like when a student speaks in English, or when I just sit back and watch them do the crazy things that kindergartners do. Or when ever 5 seconds they are saying my name.."Ms. Leah . Ms. Leah. Ms. Leah. Watch me take this bite of food." or "watch me swing on this bar." or "Ms. Leah. Watch me...." then they have to think of something that they can do for me to watch because they didn't actually think about it before they said my name. I'm pretty sure my name gets said 74 times a day. It could very well be more. Highlight of the day: I watched one of my students, Frayluis, play soccer today. It was so precious. He told me this morning that he was playing today because I went a couple of weeks ago to watch him and he must have liked that. Sidenote, Frayluis never finishes his lunch, so today I was sitting with him and I told him that he has to eat all of his food or else he won't be strong for soccer. Let's just say he ate all of his lunch today. So I went and watched him play a game, and by game I mean it was really practice, but that's what they call their actual games since their so little. He is the ONLY kindergartner that plays, and quite a little guy. But let me tell you, he was in their with the best of them. I loved every minute watching him play and every time he would kick the ball or just on occasion he would look over and smile and me and make sure I was watching it. It was quite a good moment.
The rest of this week is dedicated to Outdoor Education Week where we are learning about interdependence. So it should be a fun and different learning environment not only for the kids but for me too.
Now on to life outside of school. Well Thursday the DR had a national holiday. Not quite sure what it was, but it was a day off of school. I slept in, played a little ultimate frisbee for the first time. I would like to say that I did make a touchdown, goal, whatever you call it in ultimate frisbee AND I assisted a touchdown. Thank you very much.
This past weekend Jarabacoa celebrated their 151st anniversary so there was this big carnival/festival/concert going on. I didn't actually make it to the concert but I did reap some of the benefits. Cotton Candy. Yes cotton candy in the Dominican Republic. It was quite a delightful little taste of the States.
This weekend was kind of a music filled weekend. On Friday we went to this church/youth group thing with one of Maria's granddaughters named Vida (yea it means life. kinda neat!). So we talked about going like a week before so we didn't know if she would remember or not. She told us she would send someone to pick us up at 7:30 on Friday. So 7:30ish rolls around and we assume that she's not coming, so we are still in our sweatpants and tshirts. Well we were wrong. Some guy comes walking in our house looking for something. In his slowest Spanish as possible he tells us he's looking for "dos americanas." He was clearly talking about Robyn and I. So we change quickly and hop in the back of the truck with Vida and her sister. It was such a fun experience and it kind of felt like I was back in youth group in the states.
Saturday during the day Robyn, Melinda and I went over to our friend Ciara's house to hang out, make lunch, use wireless, wash laundry in a washing machine, and drumroll please...take my 2nd warm shower since I've been here!! Although there was only warm water for about 3 minutes, it was perfect nonetheless.
Saturday night we went a concert that was put on my YWAM Jarabacoa called "Siguelo" which literally means "follow it." When its translated it kind of loses its effect, but you get the idea. Basically it was a REALLY fun night of dancing and listening to different artists. It was a mix between rappers, dancers, a girl pop group kinda thing. Granted they were all in Spanish I caught some of the translations with a little help. Just when they worship here they worship so freely. Just dancing and jumping around and i LOVE it. I really feel like I'm in my element. The Lord was evident for sure in this place.
Sunday after church some people went to this fabulous place called the Jarabacoa River Club. It was kind of like a country club, and it had 5 pools that overlooked the river. I took some pics because I cannot do it justice. It of course started pouring down rain later that afternoon so the Club told us they were going to have a Karaoke contest. But of course, only use Americans participated, and yes I did in fact sing Karaoke for the first time. Robyn and I sang and danced to the incredible song by Whitney Houston, "I Want To Dance With Somebody." We unfortunately didn't win, our friend Kim, who is a phenomenal singer won, and her prize: a Sangria that tasted like old fruit.
As for Sunday night. Sunday night has quite a funny story. I'll try to make it short. It all started with Melinda. Melinda goes to a Catholic church here and has 1 friend that she likes to say hi to that we met during the first few weeks that we were here because he was helping out one of the other staff members up at the school. So every week Melinda always gives a friendly hello to him because she knows him. Innocent right? You would think...except for the fact that all the while Melinda thinks it's an innocent friend thing because she has a boyfriend, but he is thinking differently. So last week he asks her if she likes ice cream and of course she says yes because she likes ice cream! Easy answer. When she comes back from church and is telling us this story, myself and other teachers are wondering if she realizes that she has just been asked on a date. She clearly has not caught on. Oh, Melinda. So we tell her to just bring some friends on this so called "date" and everything will be good. So this Sunday rolls around and the plan is to go get ice cream. Nothing more. Nothing less. We will go and leave in 30 minutes. Well, since he knew that Melinda was bringing 2 friends, he conveniently brought 2 friends as well. And well you can fill in the rest. It so conveniently becomes paired off into couples. We are all trying to carry on conversations with each other when we don't speak the same language. Basically I hit it off great with my guy. We're going on another date, and I'm seriously considering getting married and living in the Dominican Republic for the rest of my life.....
JUST KIDDING. Mom, I know you just freaked out just then. Only a joke. Don't you worry. Oh and might I add that my guy, despite being a good looking guy, was at the ripe young age of 18. Lucky me.
Last thing. I have become quite a reader since I've been here considering I have no internet and no tv when I go home. So far I have read Harry Potter 7, The Glass Castle (really recommend that one), currently reading The Time Travelers Wife and Crazy Love, and my Bible study group is studying out of the book Devotional Classics, which is also a really amazing book!!
So...I will wrap it up since its getting kind of long as usual. But again, thank you, THANK YOU everyone for your prayers and encouragement. You can email me whenever you want at LeahD09@gmail.com. I love getting emails. The Lord is working in ways I have never experienced before. He is trying me in many many ways, but I know I will look back and say it was worth it. So my prayer request would be that I can see what he is teaching me NOW. I know I will have to learn some things by reflecting, but I don't want to miss anything he is showing me now while I'm here. I really feel like I will be home before I know it. It's bitter sweet really.
I miss everyone and love each of you!
P.S. Check out Melinda (melinda-dr2009.blogspot.com) and Robyn's (rbinthedr.blogspot.com) blog if you would like to get other perspectives on life down here. Also they might update their blog a little more often than me. But I do still put pictures on facebook if you want to check those out!
i have had no internet for four days. so i have felt a little far from home. i really don't love the computer but the world works that way so you really do feel like you are stuck. and i know you know what i mean.
ReplyDeletemy mom would come home from teaching and go straight to lay down. it used to make me so mad. because as you know i am not much of a lay-downer. but i get it now. her feet and legs would hurt from standing up all day. and you know that was back then when you had to dress up to teach shoes and all.
i know what you mean about the 8 weeks you feel like you are getting life around you. i remember leaving about the time i felt comfortable. we are days away from kailey's birthday and i so hate that you won't be here. but we will have to celebrate when you get back. we got your note it is on the mantle waiting.
we all miss you esp. your mom. it is rough but she is doing well. i can't say i would do the same.
love and miss you