Trials. Adventure.

At first glance, one might be confused how those two words can go together on the same line.  My belief is that they go hand in hand.  My time here has been much different than expected and I have enjoyed it as well as cried through it in order to find my adventure.  I said I was going to be the heroine of my own story but it has felt so difficult lately to see past the mountains, dragons, and goblins.  Things have stood in my way and robbed me of my happiness in the last two weeks.  This is my fault for allowing my circumstances to take hold of me, but my awareness in the matter proves strength and fight from me.  I have had adventures and I have had times I did not think I would get through the day, but here I am, writing again, ready to inform you of the time I have had recently.

I haven't been writing and have been bugged by my mom to write because so many people are checking.  Thank you for those of you who have been praying and thinking of me.  My heart needs it right now as I am getting eager to get home.  So many things have happened that have caused exhaustion to fall and writing to be the last thing on my to do list.  It all started two weeks ago on Thursday that my teacher was not feeling well and left school with some anxiety problems.  Of all people, I can relate to the situation she was feeling as next week she will travel to Mexico for a conference for some reading development for the school here.  She needed to be out last week and this week for some needed rest and tests at the hospital.  I felt pressure to be the teacher without the support of my expert and I was feeling some stress with the apathy and attitude of my students.  

...I Wrote more but my computer stopped working.  i'll finish later. Thanks!

Pictures :)

 Thank you all so much for showing interest in following my story and journey.  I haven't been too faithful to the blog since I have been trying to live fully in the moment and this place.  But while I have some free time before going out on the town, I figured I would upload some pictures and show you my crazy awesome 3rd grade class! They are beautiful children.  I already choke up at the thought of leaving them.  My heart can see a future here in this place.  Much needs to be learned as far as Spanish goes... (Funny side note on that one: the other day I was here alone with our maid, Stella, who only speaks Spanish and three guys came in to take my old bed away as it was causing some bugs to bite.. Not bed bugs but microscopic things that have left their mark! Stella doesn't speak English, I don't speak Spanish and I couldnt get ahold of anyone on their phones! HAHAHA.  Really interesting.  Finally, I reached someone and she helped me communicate with them!) Fun adventures. Everyday is new.  Yesterday, Bethany and I ran back to school about 1.5 miles away to get her water bottle.  The school is accepting of me and the people here have much to teach.  The men in the city get fresh but they seem like they are out for no harm.  More on the relationships between men and women later.. For now, just be praying for the hearts of married couples here and couples thinking about getting married. It is not unlike the men to play the women and for the women to be okay with it. My heart aches for these situations.  Thanks for listening to my rambling! Now for some Room 201 pictures!

The kids got to wear their colors for Valentine's Day! Much different from their usually uniforms! 

They were wound for sound! :) This is my classroom. YAY! 

This is my new favorite chocolate. Not Dominican, but from Papa New Guinea.  Delicious on so many levels. 

Was so shocked at how the clouds looked like mountains.  Then I found out they were mountains and had a momentary tourist freakout! Also, note the traffic along the Kennedy.  Most major roads are named after U.S. Presidents.  Figure that one. 

My favorite lunchtime reward.  Fresa (strawberry) Yogen Fruz (Frozen Yogurt).  Refreshment in a cup! 

A structure along the ocean front, or Malecon. 

My view from the bus on our way back from the field trip! 

The elementary school soccer teams against a local school.  I will be cheering for them come Monday for one last game! 

Middle school soccer boys getting warmed up.  Blessed to have been able to ride with the team and visit this school. 

Beautiful and historical Colonial Zone.  The city is divided into different zones and this happens to be a very important and historical one.  

Old apartment buildings in the Colonial Zone. 

The oldest/first church built in the America's. 

Bethany and I wearing matching Bulls shirts on Valentine's Day.  I supported a friend and represented my loves team and favorite town! 

The kids during flag ceremony during prayer all decked out in their pinks and reds.  

These are 16 beautiful kids! One was hiding from the picture. haha SO FUN AND COLORFUL! :) 

In order from left to right back to front: Juan, Opinio, Sawen, Manuel, Sophia, Salma (Hiding!), Jean, Miguel Angel, Sarah, Shenoa, Enrique, Beinvenido, Isabella, Daniela, Miranda, and Mia! 

Too Busy to Blog! :)

It’s been entirely too long since I have written a blog so while I am in a planning period at school I decided to update you all on my time here in the Dominican.  I’m sure it is no surprise to those of you who have been following the blog that I am having a wonderful time.  I am trying to enjoy and soak up every moment I have been given.  This past weekend I enjoyed some quiet time as I was not feeling well.  Many kids and staff are not feeling well here and continue to be missing school for various illnesses.  That being said, you should know I am feeling better and getting adjusted to the beautiful country I am in. 

Last week, on Thursday, my students and the other two third grade classes got to go on a field trip to the colonial zone here in Santo Domingo.  We went to the children’s museum and they were incredibly good and had a lovely time.  I was blessed to be able to see a bit of the history that zone of the city has to offer.  It’s the oldest part of the city and has forts and architecture from the time the Spaniards came to the land.  We passed the ocean, or Malicon, on the way home from the trip.  The sight of the ocean always leaves me breathless. 

Since, I have been busy planning lessons and enjoying the presence of my housemates.  We are planning on going out tonight and enjoying dinner.  I am feeling the effects of Valentine’s day as the kids were crazy! Everyone is still so kind.  It’s been a blessing on so many levels.  Pictures will still be on their way.  I am enjoying my time incredibly.  Teaching has provided entertainment and challenges as these kids are the hardest to manage I have ever experienced.  Their hearts are beautiful and I love their sweet hugs and words each day.  More to come soon! 

Apartment Bonding. Pictures.

Hello! I know I already wrote today but I wanted to share some images before I did some planning for the night! Prayers would be appreciated for our apartment tonight.  Ms. Terry (principal and Dominican mother) got sick tonight and hasn't felt well.  The girls and I helped clean up after her and we are now trying to avoid the flu at all costs.  First time I have ever cleaned up vomit! haha. I also wanted to share some pictures with you all. :) Hope you enjoy!

 The sweet book I thought of before my departure. Oh the places I have already gone.

 The sw

Side note: Two precious students offered to tutor me in Spanish during lunch/recess. I offered to help tutor for the Spelling Bee. :) Great exchange, I think! Also, went to the Dominican's Olympic complex today. It is a few blocks away from our apartment.  Bethany and I both ran the same pace and did a mile together! This felt like a beautiful accomplishment. :)

Sweet Children. Soccer. Mosquito Bites.

Hola! I am currently at school during a free period and since my wifi is better here, I figured I'd post a quick bit about the last couple of days. I love my school. I love my kids. And I love getting ready to teach.  I'm praying about the opportunity to be creative and good for my kids when I begin my lessons since the third grade teachers have all of their lessons planned for the year.  It will be different but I am hoping the few ounces of creativity I have will be able to shine through! People I do not even know say hello to me. Students have offered me their chairs, given me their candy, and hugged me from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave.  They have helped me order lunch since I do not speak much Spanish and most of the workers here, minus teachers and administrators, do not speak much English.  I had a third grader from a different class come up to me and ask if I was the new teacher in third with a huge grin on her face.  Sweet children. And I appreciate the fact that hugging your kids here is something that is greatly advertised and accepted.  :)

The kids and students here love their soccer and much to my surprise I found out from one source that baseball, which I thought was a Dominican favorite, is not as popular as soccer.  The baseball leagues and teams are for the low low class of people here.  Very interesting to learn! The students play soccer whenever they can, even when they aren't supposed to be.  :) Kids will be kids. No matter where you are! They get dropped off by parents and sometimes nannys or drivers. Moms come in their workout gear or totally dressed to kill! I often feel underdressed.

I made my first trip to the Dominican supermarket and got some groceries and changed my dollars into pesos. Praise the Lord for bilingual roommates.  I am very blessed by them in many ways.  I mentioned earlier the drivers are very crazy here.  And I did not elaborate on that so now I will a bit.  The people here drive with force and aggression but not in the way Americans think.  People go on red lights and motorcycles go whenever and wherever they want.  At first I felt unsafe walking across a street, but I have quickly learned you wait to go or just go with your back turned in order to say to them, "Hey! I am crossing now, please watch out." Often,  stop signs are not honored and you go when you can.  I could never drive here. I wouldn't be brave enough. Unlike in the U.S. when there are intense drivers, people here are kind about it. It is an unspoken rule to just go and be kind and not get upset.  Very unique!

I have some mosquito bites and have only seen two the whole time I have been here. SNEAKY things.  This morning I felt some effects of the travel and food differences.  (I'll let you make your own inferences on that one.)  Other than that, I have felt incredible.  I bought fresh fruit and vegetables and plan on cleaning them with a disinfectant.  :) Taking precautions! I tried Apple Pop last night and plan on learning to cook for myself.  Haha.  I bought some American things and many Dominican foods. I am excited to try them all.  At school, I had a empenada con queso two days in a row as well as jugo de para (PEAR JUICE) for lunch.  It has been delicious! The coffee is insanely yummy and I am continuing to love trying new things.

Last night, I was blessed with joining my two roommates, Shannon and Bethany, as well as Shannon's friend Elizabeth who is in her first year at university, for a bible study of sorts.  Shannon previously did some mission work with Asia and found that is the biggest populated continent with the least Christian influence of anywhere.  Asia is very near and dear to her heart.  We got together to sing some praise songs, talk, and pray together.  These women have cared for me like you wouldn't believe.  I am blessed to be where I am.  I told them that before I came here, my heart was heavy with some issues I was dealing with and did not know how the Dominican Republic could help me.... Needless to say, I am already understanding why I have been placed here.  We talked about no matter how bad or how crappy life is or how much we may, at times, be angry or hate God, we cannot deny he is always there.  There are days and times in our lives when we don't feel him but somehow, once we are through those things we see He was always there.  I can truly attest to that.

(I know I am all over the place, just a lot to say and I am in the library with a fifth grade class presenting biographies to one another! It's semi hard to keep focus on my work when they are so interesting!)

I will try to write again soon! Thanks for reading about my adventure.  I know it may seem crazy and my English is not always the best, but I want to write this so I can watch my progress too! Hasta Luego.

Culture. First Days. Thankfulness.

Here I am! Sitting in the beautiful, fresh Dominican air that flows through my room. I can't but help to think that I have only been here a short time but feel so welcomed by so many.  You'll find this post short! I am feeling the exhaustion settle in as I feel I have been go go go! :) What a beautiful feeling it is. 

Yesterday I met my two roommates and I spent time going with Ms. Terry Ropic (My house mom and principal) and we went to church. Huge. Beautiful. Kind people. All in Spanish! I am getting exposed to the beautiful language I love but barely know everywhere I go but most are very tolerant with my lack of understanding! :) They do have headphones with a translator at church but we arrived a bit late! All is well. And sorry to all you avid church goers. You have all been in church and fallen asleep. I kept catching my head as I failed to understand but tried so hard to focus! Haha. After church I met some of the beautiful people I would be working beside at The Ashton School. Everyone greets you with a hug and kiss on the cheek. Everyone as in most. And I have loved getting accustomed to this.  I am a huggy person if you know me at all! 

After church we headed out to Boca Chica with Laura (5th grade math teacher) and her sweet little Vienna who will be turning one soon.  We ate a great lunch. I HAD FISH! Aren't you proud dad!? It was delicious. And I also tried Calamari! Delicioso! GO ME! Trying new things haha. Laura was sweet and we enjoyed a little swim in the ocean. The locals kept saying how cold it was... but after being in the sun I could have stayed in all day. :) 

Headed to bed after watching a bit of tv with my roommates! Showering is a great thing to look forward to at night. :) The humidity is a bit like that in Ohio around mid August.  No complaints here! Makes me think of home. And how blessed I am to be out of the snow for a bit. 

Today I woke around 6:15 anxious for my day. But I was in for a treat! The people are all so friendly and it was a blessing from the start. I was introduced after morning flag ceremony in which the students sing the Dominican National Anthem and the song for The Ashton School.  Prayer was led by one of the teachers I am living with and then I was introduced. I was a bit nervous. But nerves subsided as soon as I saw my class fist pump that I was finally there! 17 beautiful souls just waiting to be touched... 

I was introduced to everyone. (OVERWHELMING!) But everyone was so sweet to me, and again, very tolerant of my lack of Spanish.  Mi Espanol es no bueno.  (My spanish is not very good.- at least I think!) I am trying though! And it's exciting! I met my teacher, Ms. Reyna, and we enjoyed each others company. Monday's are a slow day for her. The school offers a lot of specials which is something I am not used to. My MVNU Ed friends can attest to that. I will only teach them three periods on Monday and each day is different. More to be elaborated on that later! (I'm slowly dosing)

Needless to say, it was a blessed day at The Ashton School. Miss Sarah is excited for her journey and cannot wait to learn more about the class.  I kept hearing MISS! MISS! MISS! For all of you who might be reading this and went to Belize said it was the same case there. It will be something I'll cherish forever. DAY ONE... Check! Muy bueno! 

Shannon took me out on the town after school today. ---We got home around three. Ate a quick bite of rice with beans and some pork with BBQ sauce. (Lane.. you know how excited this made me!) --- School day is about 8-2:15. I was definitely exposed to some intense Spanish language while out but she has been fantastico in assisting me.  Spanglish. Sorry. :) I really enjoy her company! 

Came home and talked with the girls some and then Skyped with my Smith family, minus Hil. Hil-we will have to do so soon! :) Also. My Smith brother, Jimmy was there. That was a blessing. The support I have from my parents has been wonderful too. Mom, I have loved reading your emails! Thank you. :) Love to everyone. I pray that you feel blessed tonight/tomorrow just as I have from many many miles away! 

Said it would be short.. but hey! I want you all to know details :) 

(P.S. Lane.. Snuggle hard with Arwen. Arwen... snuggle hard with Lane. Miss you both very very much. Keep each other company.) 

Planes. Customs. Sun. Coffee. Rain. Intense Drivers.

Beinvenidos a Santo Domingo! Or for those of you who lack Spanish knowledge, (much as I have found out I do), that reads Welcome to Santo Domingo! :) I made it into the city last night at around 1:30 Dominican time. To my Ohio followers, it was about 12:30 your time! Getting ready to leave yesterday was one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do. Saying goodbye to my parents and Lane was emotionally exhausting. I felt terrible but told them, after a bit of afternoon lunch at the airport I was ready to be through security so I didn't have to prolong goodbyes.  They understood and stayed there until they saw I got through security okay! I waved goodbye and headed to grab some coffee (courtesy of my sweet Lane) before I headed to my gate.  Sitting at my gate the speaker came on to announce that my gate had been changed. Luckily it was close and the people were fun to watch nearby!

I left Columbus at around 6:45 after about an hour delay for reasons I am still not sure! We sat on the plane most of the time.  And it was one of the most rewarding waits I have ever had in my life.  I met two lovely sisters beside me, Brenda and Barbie, who were on their way to Barb's first cruise experience from Miami.  They talked with me the whole way and I have never felt that a plane ride went to quickly until this experience.  After a picture and exchange of names and emails, I left them at Miami to continue on my journey.  Because we left from Columbus late, I was sure that I would not make my flight to Santo Domingo from Miami.  BLESSED I AM! The Santo Domingo flight was running late as well and I departed from Miami around 9:30 I believe. It's all been a whirlwind! :) I sat next to an Australian man and his son headed to Santo Domingo for a baseball camp and he helped me fill out my travel card information! As the ride continued, I found myself snuggled up on my three seats I had all to myself (the plane was not full in the least bit) and I slept my way into the Dominican.  I was a bit anxious about the whole customs/travel visa thing. But I realized quickly that getting my passport stamped, collecting my bags, and going through customs was really really really, I'm going to keep emphasizing REALLY, easy.  Whew! Deep breath. I did it. I flew alone for the first time and I was successfully on my way to greet the elementary principal, Ms. Terry Ropic and the driver of the school.  Nerves kicked in again, but the welcome was beautiful.  :) I am blessed to be surrounded by caring people.

Danny, the driver, helped me take my bags to the car.  Dominican's enjoy having big cars and fancy things. I've learned that in less than a day.  My mind has continued to be blown when talking to Ms. Terry. I found out that the families at the school I will be in have a Nana and a driver most times.  The students in the school are middle class students. It is not uncommon to have help right at your service.  Ms. Terry informed me I will have two other roommates that are teachers at the high school, Shannon and Bethany. I have yet to meet them but and very excited to do so! I got in last night and Ms. Terry had a ham and cheese sandwich for me and I drank the water from the cooler thingy we have :) (unsure what to call it!) We talked for a long while and I went off to my very own room for the night and began putting some things away to help settle my mind from the overwhelming amount of knowledge I had gained! I laid in bed with the windows open, listening to the city.  We are located in the heart of the city in the penthouse apartment that is bigger than the size of most U.S. houses I know of.  (The school provides housing, apparently).  My mind is blown at the fact we too, have a driver that will come pick us up, and a maid that works Wednesday-Friday.  I am going to have to get used to that one. So... I laid in bed and finally got to sleep here around 5am.  My sweet little sleepy self didn't wake until around noon. I showered and went to greet Ms. Terry at the breakfast table.  We shared a ham sandwich and drank some of the most delicious coffee I have ever had. I am going to have to learn to make it myself because I will want it more than morning time! :)

We sat and ate together and I then went back to my room to finish unpacking.  My room is very spacious and I also have my own bathroom.... It's very interesting how going into this I knew little of what to expect and with each passing hour my mind is blown even more. After a bit, I figured out the wifi and have been iMessaging with Lane a bit as I waited on Ms. Terry to get ready to walk down to the bank. Emailed mom to let her know I was alive and well! And then we headed off to the bank.  I'll have to write more about the experiences later.  For now you need to know I have come to the conclusion my Spanish is horrible. That's causing some overwhelming senses but I know there is beauty in learning again! I will be challenged by the language barrier.  And that is OKAY! :) Went to get frozen Yougurt at Bon and then got a cheese crossiant from a local bakery! Hoping I can get some fresh fruit soon.

I think I will go now. I'm sitting on our patio at home all by myself (Ms. Terry is next door getting her hair and nails done;) ) and the rain is coming down. I am reminded of God's promises to me in these moments.  I am feeling a lot of emotions and I am excited to learn with each new day.  I am feeling blessed with the life and chances I have been given and intend to make them count! I will say yes to whatever is asked of me and continue on the path to discovering myself.  Prayers and thoughts are appreciated.  I'll try to write again soon!