We're getting married (again)!

Hotels
There are 2 options: stay in Kingman or in Laughlin, NV. The city of Kingman is 20 minutes from our house. The Laughlin Casinos and hotels are around an hour away.

Kingman
This Marriot is newer and right off the freeway.
Hampton Inn and Suites has a hotel on "main street" right near the freeway as well.

Laughlin
All the hotels in Laughlin are located on the river. I've heard good things about the Aquarius.

Registry
We are registered at Kohl's and Target. We are also on MyRegistry.com

Weather
The average temperature for September is 80°. It can be chilly at night so plan on bringing a sweater or huddling around the fire.

Dress
Casual with shoes to walk on dirt.

Things to do and see
In Kingman we like the wine bar and brewery. Both are located on Beale St. in downtown Kingman.
There is a winery and distillery down Route 66. We haven't been to either but they're on our list.
The Grand Canyon is a two hour drive. The little town right before you get there, Williams, is worth checking out.
A little cowboy town on Route 66 called Oatman is filled with wild Burros and has shootouts in the streets. The curvy drive there is on historic Route 66 through the mountains.

Finally, a Visa!

     Ramon can officially enter the United States!  When we were told everything was in order and they'd be sending his passport with the visa to our house within 3 weeks we were grinning.  It felt as if a weight had been lifted and we could both breathe easier. The process wasn't necessarily difficult, but it was confusing and stressful.
     Ramon and I handed in our (mountainous)visa application at the consulate here in Santo Domingo on August 21st, 2013.  In November, we received news that our application was approved and we had our interview on January 3rd,2014. A packet of information and an essential letter with your interview date is supposed to be mailed to your house. Well waited and waited for it to be delivered, but (surprise!) it never came. I contacted the consulate, and after turning in a circle and jumping though a hoop, they emailed us the information we needed on December 26th. Then it was a mad dash to get government papers, legalize them, translate them, print this, go pay there, get an official medical check up, and overnight papers from the US, all during the holidays.
     Wow, thinking back it was one stressful week. I tried to stay calm and think positively. I was a little nervous when we went up to the first window at the consulate, but after they told us everything was in order I felt relieved and knew things were going to work out.
    The next steps include English classes, getting a driver's license, buying one-way tickets(!), packing up the most essential items and giving away the rest. It's still 6 months away, but we are so excited!
     I get (really)impatient and want the time to fly by, but I was talking with a friend and she reminded me to be happy in the present, don't wish things were as they used to be or hope they'll be better in the future. Just live in the now. So with that in mind I'm going to enjoy the time I have left here. A beach vacation would really help me accomplish this.

Teaching

     Teaching is a special profession. I once read that teachers are superheros because they are nurses, mothers, police officers, psychologists, coaches, and referees everyday.  No wonder I'm so tired at the end of the day! 

     I teach 18 fourth grade students at a bilingual school here in Santo Domingo. The school is amazing. (Apart from not having air conditioning on a tropical island. You can imagine how I look and smell at the end of the day.) I feel very free to be creative with the way I teach, which is great, because some times my method is trial and error. I am still learning everyday.

Our classroom.

     I have learned so much about children and teaching and parenting since school started. It really has been eye opening. Some of my students spend more time with me in a day than they do with their parents. I feel like that puts so much pressure on my shoulders to be a great role model and guide to help them grow and learn. 

    All of my students have such unique personalities. I truly enjoy being their teacher. That said. I don't think teaching is my life's calling. I feel like teaching consumes your life. If I'm not at school I am either thinking about students or school or making lesson plans or researching or reading. 

We have 3 walls and a fence.

     I don't know if every teacher thinks this but, I want to be the best teacher these kids have had. I hope that they go home and say they had a great day at school and they look forward to coming into our classroom in the morning.
     Now, if they could just all get along and be friends and always say kind things life would be perfect.

     

Looking Back on 2013

     Wow, it's been months since I've posted. I have been busy with school and life in general.  I thought I'd take a moment to reflect on the last year as we count down the days until 2014. I like the above saying. It's neat to look back and see how much has happened in a year.

     A year ago Ramon and I celebrated Christmas in the campo. Then I spent NYE alone in an embassy employee's house(I was house sitting) with a nasty case of food poisoning. My parents came to visit in April and we had a wonderful vacation in Las Terrenas. I officially became a RPCV in June, and Ramon and I moved to Santo Domingo. In August, Ramon and I were married and turned in our visa paperwork. I started working as a 4th grade teacher in August too. After 7 months of searching for a job, Ramon stated working at the beginning of December. We had a quiet, relaxing Christmas at home.

     I think 2014 is going to be even more life changing than 2013. In January, Ramon and I will have our final interview with the consulate.  They will tell us whether he will become a permanent legal resident of the US! We plan on moving to the States in July, which right now seems like so far away. We are so excited and like to imagine all the things we'll do once we get there.

     Take a moment to think about where you were this time last year and all the things that have happened in 2013. I can't wait to welcome 2014!  Happy New Year!

Imperfectly Perfect

In the campo, the women say that you can't get married until you know how to cook.  They are mostly concerned with staples like beans and rice.  I am embarrassed to tell you that I did not know how to cook rice.  It turned out mushy or burnt or under-cooked.

Since moving to Santo Domingo, Ramon and I have been cooking lunch together.  We dance around each other in our tiny kitchen preparing our half of the meal.  Ramon was always in charge of the rice.

My perfect rice.

The day came when he wasn't home and I was in need of some Bandera, urgently.  So, I repeated the steps I had seen him take countless times and crossed my fingers.  And what do you know?  I made perfect rice.  It was fluffy and not clumpy or mushy.  Ramon was super impressed.  And according to the Doñas I can now officially marry.

Which is exactly what we did.  

Andy surprised us with champagne!

Instead of a courthouse wedding, we had a strip mall wedding.  The office where you get the license was located inside a mall full of character.  We went there Monday morning with two witnesses, waited for our number (8) to be called, said "si!", and signed on the dotted line.  That was it.  We are now officially married!  Our friend Andy brought along some champagne and we toasted right there outside the office.

Luckily, the strip mall also had a pizza place.  We ordered one to go and enjoyed it at home with some celebratory Presidentes.

Yum!

Even though it wasn't sparkly or picture perfect, it was a special day.

Being a Tourist

Last weekend, Ramon and I decided to check out this new city we live in.  All that happened was pretty spur of the moment.

We have been to the colonial zone, but never really done anything touristy.  We went inside the cathedral for the first time.  It is the oldest cathedral in the americas, completed in 1540.  I wonder how much of what is inside is original or true to the time.  I had to put on a sarong over my indecent shorts.

my new skirt

We had some coconut popsicles in Plaza España before going into the Alcázar de Colón, which I believe is a replica of the house where Diego Colon, the son of Christopher Columbus, lived.  It is filled with pieces from the 15th-17th centuries.  You get head sets to use on a walking tour.  

Ramon in the Casa de Colon

Saturday night a fellow RPCV texted me about going to Juan Dolio on Sunday.  It was Ramon's birthday and we didn't have plans, so Sunday morning we packed a backpack and headed to the beach.  The bus ride is only 45 minutes long and RD$70, which is around US$2.  We checked into our hotel and walked to the beach.  Being a special day, we immediately had a beer and busted open the cheetos.  We waded in the water, sun tanned, drank more beers, ate limoncillo, chicharones, and had pizza for dinner.  

What a great weekend!

Peace Corps, check.

On June 10th I officially became and RPCV(returned peace corps volunteer)!  When I finished the giant check list they give you I felt free.  I wanted to get on a moto without a helmet or take an over night trip without telling anyone.  Instead I quietly celebrated with roasted chicken and yuca.

The very next day Ramon and I moved into our new apartment.  We did a TON of scrubbing, unpacking, and organizing.  The landlord had the place painted so we are feeling fresh.  Here are some pictures.

Our living room.

The little porch.

It feels so great to have our own space complete with running water and electricity (almost) 24/7, and a couch, and TV!

Just a few days after moving in I started working at a summer camp.  It was a 5 week camp here in the capital.

Double Digits

We had our COS conference this past week.  I honestly can't tell you the exact number of days we have left, it's less than 90.  On one hand, I want them to slowly go by allowing me to soak up every minute and enjoy the little things, but on the other hand, I am ready to move on to the next thing.

The plan for now is to stay another year.  I will most likely be working outside of Peace Corps.  Nothing is set in stone yet, I don't know what I'll do for work or were we will live.  It is all still a surprise!  I am trying to stay calm and be patient, but the clock is ticking.

I am not a very reflective person.  Other people can usually formulate what I am thinking and feeling into better words.  All I know is that these past 27 months have been unexpected.  I'm met some life long friends, Dominican and American.  And met a very special someone who will always remind me of my time in Peace Corps.

I am looking forward to living in the city and all things that come with that; eating out, going to the movies, shopping, and a constant supply of fruits and veggies.  Sounds expensive, right?  I'll have to pick up a second job!

Unwanted Guests

I have had a number of unwelcome visitors lately.  Mice, spiders, a tarantula, and massive grasshoppers.  It first started with these two crickets that lived behind the boards of my latrine.  I frequently saw their antennas peaking out.  One day, I decided to take care of them.  There is an spray here called Baygon, it is an all-purpose killing spray, very potent stuff.  I sprayed where they were hiding.  When I was finished, there were 7 dead grasshoppers!  They are big and disgusting.  I happily watched the chickens eat them.

A few nights later, there wasn't electricity, so I was sitting in candle light.  I saw a small shadow under the stove.  I shined my flashlight and saw a mouse.  I went directly to the colmado and bought a sticky trap.  You peel off the top paper to reveal a extremely sticky surface.  I set it up with a bit of cheese.  The next day there were 2 little mice stuck to it.  Ramon disgustingly folded the trap in two and threw it out.

After the grasshopper and the mice were gone, I felt good.  Cleaner.  Until I was going out the the latrine the other night.  I had on my stylish head lamp and bam a massive tarantula is sitting feet from my house.  I screamed like a little girl.  It scurried under a boulder that is in my yard.  For the next half and hour Ramon and I try to kill it.  I was basically standing back shining the light on it's cave.  We utilized Baygon, flushed out the space with water, and poked a stick around.  I haven't seen it since, so I am going to assume, for my own comfort, that it is dead.

Just as I was getting over the tarantula sighting, I see something scurry over the stove.  I obviously yell out.  Two muchacos (young men) are visiting, and say I'm crazy because they didn't see anything.  I see another shadow and shout again.  They get out the broom and search for the mouse.  After attacking the wall with the broom, the mouse leaves.  I will definitely be setting up a sticky trap tonight.

Brrrr.....

It rains just about every afternoon.  Sometimes it just sprinkles and other days it down pours.  Before it rains it is super hot.  Then the clouds come over the mountains and hide the sun.  Then comes the water.  

I like when it rains.  I usually past the time in my house on the computer or reading or taking a little nap.  I like that I can close up all my doors and be alone.  If it isn't raining you can't really shut up your house during the day.  One, because it would be too hot, and two, the neighbors would think your weird.  

After the rain I am freezing.  I heat up water on the stove, hobble out to the latrine with my steaming bucket, and soap up real fast.  I throw on something cozy, put on my crocs and go out to visit someone (by now I am sick of reading, my computer is dead and I'm well rested).

When I get in at night I make some tea or hot chocolate and curl up in my hammock with a blanket.  The cold nights have just begun, it gets colder December-February.  I have been brainstorming about ways to make my house warmer.  Ironically it is usually warmer outside my house than inside.  I talked before about insulating the walls with cardboard, but that still leaves a large gap between the top of the walls and the zinc roof.  I might splurge and buy another comforter too.  I go back and fourth though because I only have 7 months left.  

I did plant some lemongrass and ginger this week.  Both are great for making tea.  Here they make te de hojas, or leaf tea.  They forage for leaves from cherry trees, lime trees, chamomile, cinnamon leaves or bark, and passion fruit.  They boil everything together in a large pot with water.  When it's finished the smell makes your mouth water.  It's served super sweet, of course.  

Next Friday, Patronales, a week long community festival starts.  That means super loud music and a lot of drunk men.  

Today I might wash some clothes, if the electricity comes in the next couple of hours.  Then I am headed to Olga's house to eat some habichuelas con dulce or sweet beans.  A dish I disliked at first, and now love.  

Food and Eating

I am craving delicious food.  I want to cook and bake and shop at the grocery store.  More importantly, I want to be able to afford food at the grocery store.

Give me greek yogurt, a good loaf of bread (they sell water bread here, wtf is that?) fruit besides bananas (I heard they make you fat), a pizza!  The lack of variety is killing me.

And I'm sure you can relate, that sometimes you just don't feel like cooking.  That really isn't an option here.  All you can do is wander to the neighbors house and inquire about what they are cooking.  Or if you're lucky and it is Saturday-Monday you can eat fried chicken and toastones.

I was thinking about extending, but I would choose not to solely based on food availability.

There is this hilarious website about PC experiences.  This is me.

Do what you can. Where you are. With what you have.

Todos Leen/Yo Se Leer is a PC literacy program. There is a concentration of volunteers in my region working under the same model. We tutor small groups of elementary students and also supervise facilitators who do the same. Olga and I officially started this week working with our small groups. Another facilitator will hopefully join us on Monday. Before we began, I had to evaluate the students. The teachers provided lists of students that they felt were behind. I then evaluated them individually. Around 90% of them struggled to identify the vowels. I always feel a little down after evaluating them, but after this first week I am feeling good. They are intelligent kids who just need an extra push. I need to thank my mom for all the great tools and ideas. My alphabet playing cards, magnetic letters, and educational puzzles make learning fun, and my job a little easier.

I am able to use my house to tutor. We all sit on my floor and work. I like the informal feel of the space. My facilitators however work in the school. It isn't ideal because there are children running around, joining in on their study sessions, and making unsavory comments. My search for a space has been extensive. I tried the empty bar, the owner wanted me to rent it, the evangelical church, is ready to fall down during the next earthquake, the fritura (fried chicken shack), is afraid the kids will break the glass display case, the neighbor's house, where they may or may not be entertaining 'female' guests, was vetoed for obvious reasons. I am now crossing my fingers to use the Panaderia (bakery) next to my house. It hasn't been functioning for years except on Christmas Eve when they bake chickens.

My presence in the school has made me a celebrity with the kids. Wherever I go some little voice is calling me, “Misky”, or if they've been in my program before, “Mikki”.

I used to get upset when things didn't go as they should at the school. Until a wise man reminded me that I should just work with what I have. So my goal is to relax more and do what I can, where I am, with what I have.

We Need Your Help!

Here's the deal: several volunteer friends and I have collaborated to share a Peace Corps Partnership grant for materials and group trainings for the work that we do individually in our communities, helping children who are severely behind in an already lagging school system. Between five Peace Corps volunteers, we are working in five different rural communities with 20 local facilitators and over 300 children benefiting from our work.

PLEASE DONATE HERE: https://donate.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?

The goal is to make our programs sustainable, so that our local counterparts will continue this work long after we leave. We need materials and trainings to make this possible. Your donation will contribute to a sustainable future for a program that helps the children who need it the most: children whose parents may be illiterate, who are at risk of dropping out of school in favor of work, who have often already been given up on, and therefore have given up on themselves.Last year, our results showed a significant improvement in the reading levels of participants. It is so gratifying to work with these kids. The ultimate goal is to keep this going, to begin a slow change that will continue after I leave. 100% of your donation will go towards materials, trainings, and facilitator support. (Peace Corps volunteers don’t really have overhead costs…)

Decisions decisions

I officially have just 10 months left of my service.  The time has flown.  There has been more talk about future plans among the volunteers.  I get excited and nervous and then overwhelmed. How do I choose?  I feel like I could live anywhere and do so many different things.  

Working with the kids at summer school is fulfilling but also difficult.  Do I want to be a teacher?  Maybe in bilingual education?  This next year of tutoring will give me a better idea if working with children is a good idea.

I would enjoy working in the non-profit field as well.  In a multicultural environment where I can speak Spanish, maybe?

As for location, I don't have a strong preference or attraction to any one city or state.  How do I decide?  

I hope that after more time stewing over these decisions will help me decide.  I welcome any wisdom.

Summer School

2 days down!  I cut the camp from three hours to just 2 hours.  It was difficult to keep their focus for that long.  I tip my hat to full time teachers who occupy children all day long.

The first day I was flying solo.  They were all sitting in their chairs silently looking at me.  I froze for a second and though, what did I sign up for?  I decided  to dive right in though.  We sang the alphabet song.  They thought it was hilarious.

Olga showed up today and jumped in to help.  I am so thankful for her.

So far so good.  I hope the rest of camp/school continues to run smoothly.

Camp Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the first day of my summer camp.  There will be around 15-20 kids.  We will focus on learning the alphabet.  There will be lots of games, play dough, and sugary snacks.  Wish me luck and patience!

Visiting Home

I left for Arizona mid June.  I thought I would be really emotional and overwhelmed about the whole ordeal, but it felt normal to be back.

I loved lounging on the couch all day in my pj's, mixing up delicious drinks at night, cooking with my mom, and the peacefulness of my parents house.

It was difficult to communicate to family and friends what my experience in the DR has been like so far.  To really understand my life here I think you have to come live it first hand like my Mom, Grandma, and Aunt did back in January.

I chose the right time to visit home.  I appreciated everything and enjoyed every second, but  I was also ready to be back in the DR.  I don't think I would have been able to say the same a couple of months back.

I think this next year will be productive, fun, and fulfilling.

Random observations:
The technology in the US is awesome, IPhones, IPads, emailed receipts, paying with a card at a vending machine. I am in awe about what my new(!) Kindle can do.
Arizona is super dry.  My body was in shock going from this humid island to the dry desert.
Gracias a dios I have learned some patience in my time here.
I still haven't learned to pack light.
I don't miss driving.
Modern washing machines are one of the greatest inventions.


"It’s a funny thing coming home. Nothing changes. Everything looks the same, feels the same, even smells the same. You realize what’s changed is you."

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Break

I haven't posted in awhile because I have been tutoring the kids, enjoying life, and with limited internet.  I am on vacation in the US until July.  I will take some time to catch up on my blogging.

Pathetic

If school starts at 8:30, and recess is from 9:30-10:30,then the day ends at noon; when exactly are these kids learning anything?

Truth be told, they are not learning anything.  That is why I am working with 14 third graders who don't know their vowels.

Since Monday, the best attendance for teachers in the school has been 2 out of 6 if you include the director.  Two teachers showed up.  You are suppose to send a substitute when you can't make it, but many teachers do not want to pay a substitute, so they just leave their class without a teacher.  The kindergarten teacher sent a 13 year old today to teach her class.  Really?

When I showed up they were like monkeys who had just been let out of their cage.  They were climbing up the flag pole, walking across the desks, tearing the one poster there is off the wall.

You can imagine how frustrated I feel.  I want to freak out and yell at all of the 'adults'.  I cannot do a thing though.  News would most definitely get around that I am the whistle blower.  I would lose any respect they have for me, which is really none if you are a male teacher or the male director.

Ahh!  I get so stressed.  Luckly, on Sunday I am headed to beach with Laura.  My parents and grandma reserved a room for me as a birthday gift.  I can't wait to have a drink in hand on the beach, and pretend I am a tourist.

Literacy

ADULTS


The adult literacy class has been in session for around a month.  Last night I sat outside city hall with the facilitator waiting for the students.  Out of 80 community members, we initially invited 20 we thought to be the most motivated.  Six of those twenty have been attending class regularly.  Last night two showed up.

I am confused as to what is the problem. Are they not interested?  There is nothing else to do here, so they are probably at their houses.  How can I motivate them?

It is a bummer they don't regularly attend, because the two teachers are fantastic.  They surpass my expectations every time.  I am lucky to have them and will do anything to help them get nombrared (given a teaching job, which is competitive and very political).

CHILDREN

Three other volunteers and I had our Todos Leen (children's literacy intervention program) workshop last weekend in San Juan.  It went great, and I think the participants, who are children's literacy tutors working with the volunteers, learned about literacy and techniques.  The three people I brought from Monte Bonito cannot stop talking about it.  I hope we can repeat the workshop again.

The workshop was a kickoff to the literacy program I have at the elementary school here.  One other facilitator and I are working with 3rd and 4th graders in small groups.  These students are not reading and writing at the level of their peers.

I wanted to run the program during the morning session.  On paper it goes from 8-noon.  In reality, they start around 8:15/8:30, leave for breakfast around 9:45 to 10:30, and depending on the grade, leave before noon.  If you go to the school you will most likely find the teachers gathered in the principals office or outside the gate chatting with each other while the children are running amuck in their classrooms.  No wonder these kids can't read!

While I was evaluating the children we work with, one 4th grader sat down with me.  I asked him to write his name on the paper.  He looks and me and says, I don't know how to write my name.  I was astonished, what do you mean you don't know.  He explained how he used to know, but he has forgotten since.  I assured him he would learn how to read and also write his name.

Today is day two of the program.  I was exhausted after day one.  It feels good to be busy and making a positive impact though.