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.)
No comments:
Post a Comment