Here's to you Dad!

I just got off the phone with my Dad. It’s Father’s Day in the states, so the least a daughter can do is call to wish her dad a happy Father’s Day. Technology is amazing. During our conversation he mentioned that I have not given and update to my “fans” in quite some time. So if figured, since it is Father’s Day and all, I’ll update you on my island living.

As of tomorrow I will have been living in Cotui, working on my diagnostic for one month. So what have I been up to in this month? A whole lot of nothing. Well, not nothing per say, but mostly sitting on porches, meeting people, and eating too much fruit and drinking too much coffee. Who thought that was even possible?! Not me.  I really just want to start working but I know Peace Corps wants me to wait. It’s difficult because I have been making connections with people who will be able to help me with my project, but then I tell them I cannot work until August. Only two more months!

There are quite a few volunteers from the Peace Corps as well as KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) and JICA (Japanese International Cooperation Agency) in Cotui. We usually work with the same organizations. A few weeks ago one of the Korean volunteers from KOICA had a band/choir/theater concert that she has been working on. So I attended that with the other volunteers in the area, which was exciting. Afterwards I met all of the other volunteers. It amazes me that they cannot speak English, and I cannot speak Korean or Japanese but we communicate in Spanish—both of our second languages.

I also had the opportunity to go with a group of high school kids to do a tree plant. I had planted about 30 trees and was in the middle of planting a tree when I grabbed a pile of brush that was apparently home to hundreds of fire ants. I now know why they are called fire ants. Needless to say, I’m weary of going on any more tree planting excursions—but we shall see.

I am now starting to do one-on-one interviews with the women in my group. Asking them more personal questions of what they think of the organization that they are a part of. I am starting to feel like one of them, which is great. They are all so welcoming and each and every one of them has a different story to tell.  They have all gone through so much to get where they are today. I am so excited to be with them for two years! And if you come and visit you will definitely get the chance to meet them! I have also been told many times that I am Dominican…I have yet to really understand what that means as I am still very white, blonde, and American—or so I think?

Every evening at 5:00pm there is an aerobics class at the gym. I go and work out with about 15 middle aged women and love it! The best part about it is that it is free! And then I’ll go home and finish the night watching baseball with my host dad. He loveeeesss the Boston Red Sox and he knows I love the Twins. So we usually look for one of those games on tv or watch a random MLB game. The pace of life has slowed down immensely here but it’s nice.

Talks of my first visitor from the states may come as early as August which is exciting! I really wish I could bring all of my friends and family here to spend time in my new life and meet the people who have become part of my life here.  I am also beginning to look at houses/apartments to move into in the middle of August (so that I can have visitors)! I cannot wait to move out. Don’t get me wrong—I love my host family. But I also love my independence—getting up when I want, cooking what I want etc.  With that being said I am currently making a recipe book of meals that are easy to make, but delicious meals—so if you have any you’d like to send my way you could either comment on here with recipes or send me an email with them to: laurenjohnson2131(at)gmail(dot)com (had to write it out that way so I won’t get spammed).

Living the dream,

LJ

P.S. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! And a special thanks to my Dad, for always believing in me and supporting me in whatever I am doing! I wouldn't be where I am today without you! Love you and miss you!