Happy Monday! (and the internet allowed me to post this on Wednesday)

 Sometimes I wish weekends would last longer.  At the same time, I wish time would go by faster. I’m sitting at home after training today—trying to relax. I didn’t think it would happen but it has gotten even warmer.  I have heard of snowstorms in MN…and right now a snowstorm actually sounds pleasant. This past week was filled with vaccinations, loads of Spanish, another 20 mosquito bites and talk of development in relation to PC and other organizations here in the DR. I was burnt out by Friday and ready to relax.  I went to bed quite early on Friday night. Not before a phone call from my parents though (which was probably one of the biggest highlights of my week). It’s nice to hear familiar voices and speak with someone who knows me already. I’m getting sick of the “how old are you, where are you from, what did you study” questions. Although, they are necessary, the familiar was what I had needed. So since the internet I have at my current location isn’t strong enough to skype, if you want to get a calling card or call me via skype, just let me know and I’ll give you my number.

Saturday I slept in and went to La Sierna (a  HUGE supermarket) after I woke up—had to get some folders and the supermarket is air conditioned…sometimes it’s nice to walk around in there even if I’m not buying anything. By now most of the workers at the supermarket probably recognize me and the group of gringos I go with. To be honest, I can almost always catch someone staring at me—which is getting old fairly quickly, as are the hissing and all of the “AMERICANA/LINDA/MAMI” cat calls I receive while walking anywhere. After an enormous lunch, I decided to journal. I started to journal about all of the things I’ve been missing but then stopped after a page when I realized I could probably fill up an entire journal of people, places, foods, etc. that I miss. Some days are harder than others and Saturday was not afternoon was not the best. My journaling quickly led to a nap and woke up in time to get ready for a BBQ.

Saturday night was a BLAST. This past week it was one of the volunteer’s birthdays and this coming up week there is another. So one of the volunteer’s host mothers wanted to have a party (apparently she does this every year for PC volunteers). We arrived at her house around 5 and stayed until 10:30. There was a lot of food, dancing, talking, and games. It was a great bonding experience and nice to see everyone out of the training facility. Sunday morning I awoke and my cold was back. I stayed in bed a good portion of the morning. Sundays are always my laziest days. I went to visit Kendry and get my nails done. Afterwards we spent time together at her house talking and laughing. She is probably my best Dominican friend. She is patient with my slow Spanish, and teaches me everything Dominican. She told me yesterday that I will be Dominican by the time I leave.

And that brings me to Monday. A day full of diversity training and Spanish—my favorite. I’m currently waiting for dinner, after which I will have another bucket bath and then watch Corazon Valiente with my host mother. I have started to enjoy watching soap operas in Spanish—surprisingly enough it helps my Spanish.  This Thursday I am going to visit a volunteer—Stanley in the northern region of the country. He is a Community Economic Development Volunteer and works in ecotourism. I’m excited to get out of my barrio for a bit to see how another volunteer lives.  Until then I have a few more vaccinations this week, as well as lessons on riding a moto—fun fun. And of course loads of Spanish.

Always learning,

LJ