It’s been amazing. The best thing ever. I lived my job for two years, and my job was amazing. My life was simple and it didn’t matter at all that I didn’t have the luxuries I was previously afforded. I’m coming back with a summer tan, a few parasites, tons of pictures, the love of my Dominican family that I will carry in my heart everyday, and enough memories to fill a vast space.

Construye:

These past couple weeks were crazy busy and I rocked them like a champ. (I DID say I work well under pressure.) The Construye Tus Sueños national business plan competition went great. I co-emceed the competition (in the Spanish!) and did pretty good, so I was told. I’m incredibly proud of all the youth who participated this year, and especially of the winners. I have faith they will be successful in their business ventures. The top 3 winners this year:

1) Easy Learning English Institute: A young man teaching English classes with an energetic, creative style will now have money for more resources such as books and desks to expand his classes.

2) JeanOscar Mantequilla de Mani: Two young men from the south make homemade peanut butter by hand. With their prize money, they can now afford an electric grinder which will increase their productivity from 20 jars a week to 50 a day.

3) El Mundo de Reparaciones: A young man from Yamasa has a small repair shop in his campo where anyone can bring a utility to be repaired.

Yay building dreams!

My Project:

The big project at my site is about 90% finished. I’ve done my part, the community will take care of the rest. We built 7-level bleachers with two bathrooms and locker rooms, an electrical control room, and a garden. We installed 3 electrical poles and bought electrical equipment to provided lights and power to the computer center and basketball court. We repainted our community club house and basketball court and bleachers. We planted grass and flowers. We shoveled…. a lot a lot a lot a lot a lot. I have the blisters and back pain to prove it. The guys have told me that they are going to name the basketball court and bleachers area “Sarita” which means “Little Sarah,” a nickname that many people call me. They are going to paint the name on the court and bleachers. I painted a Peace Corps logo on the bleachers which can be seen below. All we need now are a few more electrical parts, and materials for the bathrooms such as doors and toilets. Expensive items, but presidential elections are coming up and when that happens, politicians make it rain. Money=votes, so throw some our way!

Goodbyes:

Yesterday was my last day with my community. I attended a women’s group meeting and they all cried and it was so sweet. They gave me a card with a nice message, and a bracelet and mugs with Dominican Republic written on them. At night, about 70 people gathered at the basketball court to play/watch a game and to partake in a traditional Dominican ginger tea made from ginger, leaves, water, and sugar. After that, I had a nice dinner with my host family made by my mom Maria, and then we ate brownies I made with Chulo. They requested I played my guitar, which was nice because they are easily impressed and entertained. This morning, I had several people come by to give their blessings, say thank you, and hug me goodbye. A couple people even cried over saying goodbye to Ani.

I haven’t said goodbye entirely just yet. Tomorrow I will hug my best friend for the last time in a long time. My friendship with Chulo has been the most amazing gift of my two years of service here, and I feel so thankful to have received his love and friendship. I don’t know what I would have done without him.

Along with Chulo, there is my host mother Maria, a beautiful Dominican woman whom I admire for supporting and sacrificing for her family; Ambar, my best little Dominican muchacha who has already gotten into my backpack and my dog cage to show me she can fit so that I can take her home to Nueva York; Wendy, my original project partner and friend who loved and helped me when I needed it, giving me mountains of food every time I came over even though her poverty has her in a home with no floors.

Amor a todos…

Y Ahora, And Now:

It will be strange to go from  managing a $10,000 project and planning national business conferences to probably working at some office job being managed by someone I could probably manage. I haven’t looked too much into a job because I’ve been so busy, and really for now I just need anything to keep me afloat until graduate school next August. I’m spending my first month at home submitting grad school applications, finding a job, cleaning out my room, and moving into a new apartment.

As far as all the ways I’ve changed and what I’ve learned and what it meant etc.etc.etc., maybe I’ll write that in a post-Peace Corps update. Too much for now.

Here are some pictures! Thank you to everyone who supported the project. A special thanks to the following:

Kate Flood
My parents
Falcon Bridge
Cigar Family
Berkeley Preparatory School
New Palestine High School
USAID
La Tabacalera Fuente
Indotel
Claudio Almonte
Francis Estil Mejia
Peace Corps DR

And to all of those who donated financially to my project. Que Dios les bendiga y les cuide. Gracias por su apoyo.

We built bleachers!

Painting PC logo with Meredith

All free hand!

The first of many nights playing basketballCaribe Dragons Basketball Team!

Flowers at gate entrance, newly painted club house

Yellow now, green later

Caribe Dragons Basketball Team!

Our recreational area project is coming along slowly but surely. We have finished the construction of the electrical control room, installed 3 electrical poles, held a ground-breaking ceremony, and have started construction on the bleachers. Here are some photos for your enjoyment!

Electrical Control Room

Ground Breaking Ceremony

Leveling the Ground

Digging!

Installing Rod Before Pouring Concrete and Laying Block

Besides this, I spent part of July working with a youth camp at the Cigar Family School called Dedicado Al Planeta, or Dedicated to the Planet. We had 6 female volunteers come from Spain to work with us as group monitors for the camp. I gave a charla about the harmful effects of pollution and talked about the 3 Rs- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. We took the kids to the Colonial Zone in the capital, and spent most days just playing games.

My service is quickly coming to an end. As most volunteers finish up their projects, I am diving into several here at the end. Serves me right as a procrastinator, but hey- it’s how I like to get things done! I’d like to do an art contest with students to choose a mural to paint on our bleachers once they’re finished, and also tutor some university students in English. Our National Business Plan Competition is coming up, and as the co-chair of the Competition Planning Committee, I’ll be busy at work preparing for that. I’ll also be the emcee! For those who know me from camp, you know I have no problem with the microphone.

Personal reflections on service and life to come soon.

Peace.

I thought I would run into someone I know while downtown or in Broad Ripple, but it hasn’t happened. A little disappointing, but meh. I’m sure I’ll run into people on Saturday.

As great as Indy has been this week, I must point out an observation.I’ve forgotten how overweight Hoosiers are, or Americans in general. Obesity in Hoosiers appears to be at alarming numbers; I wonder how we compare to the rest of the country. Let’s get healthy, Indy! Plant gardens at home, quit smoking, don’t eat crap fast food and processed foods, and get outside for some exercises. And recycle. And, if you feel real motivated, make a compost bin and then garden with that!

Dominican men and youth are generally not overweight but slim and muscular, and that’s not because they’re super poor and don’t eat a lot, because they do, more than me even. They’re outside a lot, they walk a lot. There are some men who get the “dad belly” and when it’s hot, they lift up their shirts over their bellies for a little bariga afuera time. Dominican women are usually fat, but not obese. They have large butts and are really curvy and it’s part of the culture to look that way. When you gain a little weight, they tell you that “you are a little fatter!” and it is meant as a compliment. It means you are looking good. I haven’t received that compliment too much, but my host brothers have given it to me a few times. Sweet guys.

Onto other thoughts…

Water. The fact that water comes straight to our homes and instantly turns hot or cold by turning a nozzle is just amazing. Those who have quick, easy access to water should realize how rich they are compared to the rest of the world. Granted, I have water at my house in the DR, but I’ve also lived with people who wait for the rain or water trucks to fill up their buckets. My host mother used to walk to the river to get water and wash her clothes just a few years ago. Unfortunately, cholera has been spread from Haiti to the DR, and I believe it’s now arrived to Bonao. So, not only do we Americans have quick access to water, we also get it clean… or clean enough. And that is amazing.

Thank you to EVERYONE who donated or promoted my project. I have received all my funds from the funds I raised and the grant I received from USAID. I did a local fundraiser in my community with the guys I work with. We did a peaje, where we made signs about the project and stood in the street, and when people drove by, we tightened a rope strung across the street to force people to stop, or at least slow down. It’s not as intrusive as I thought it’d be, and in fact, lots of people asked about our project and we received a ton of donations. We raised about 5,500 pesos and that money has been/will be used for logistics for the project such as phone cards and gas. My friend Meredith, the volunteer in Las Delicias just 15 minutes away, came out and helped with the fundraiser. Sin verguenza, she yelled at everyone who went by and I am grateful for her enthusiasm. We had fun. The guys made sure one of us was always in the street smiling because, according to them, it was our American smiles that got the donations. Haha, I took no offense.

Last week, we bought materials to build the foundation for the bleachers for the basketball court. Today, I was told that the guys are in Santiago buying equipment for our computer center as well as flood lights for the basketball court. Falcon Bridge will probably come out next week to install electricity, and we’re hoping that Indotel, the institute that build the computer center, will see the initiative we’ve taken and provide the rest of the materials we need. Even though prices are way higher now than they were back in November when we made the project budget, we still believe we can come out under budget with enough money left to buy or build playground equipment and tables and benches to give the area a park-like feel. Yaaay!

I decided not to teach the business plan course this year, but I am still helping with the national business plan competition. My friends Megan, Phil, and I will be leading our fellow business volunteers to a great 2011 competition. (And although it may be a little early to announce, I just might be this year’s emcee. What up.)

Also, summer camp is coming up at the Cigar Family school. We are getting 150 participants for a two-week camp focused on the environment. I can’t wait to talk about the importance of not throwing trash on the ground, which is a HUUUUGGGEEEEE problem in the DR. Huge huge huge huge huge.

Will post pictures next time when I’m back on my own computer. Take care everyone. I hope you’re having a great summer!

Here’s a summary of both ideas and solid projects that lie ahead in the next 6 months:

• Develop the recreational area- build bleachers, install lights, landscape, repaint court/club house/IT center, paint murals
• Teach the youth entrepreneurship class
• Help coordinate the national business plan competition
• Buy materials for the IT (info tech) center using a SPA grant. This will include things like copier/printer/scanner/desks/chairs
• Help plan a summer camp for children at the Cigar Family school
• Continue making floor cleaner with my women’s group
• Bring 2 or 3 women from my community to a women’s retreat (a brand spankin’ new project brought to you by two stellar business volunteers: Bob and Kaitlyn)
• Bring boys or girls from my community to a boys or girls retreat
• FINISH RAISING FUNDS TO MAKE THE FIRST ITEM POSSIBLE!!!!!!! Please donate:

https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=donate.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=517-418

On top of this, I’m planning an annual hitch-hiking competition among all volunteers which is an UNofficial Peace Corps activity, I’m hosting at least 2 more US visitors, AND I’m studying for and taking the GRE on June 3rd. Ahhhh, snap!

Life feels comfortable. I’m adjusted. I speak Spanish. I have close friends in my site and within Peace Corps. I love my dog and spending time with my best friend Chulo. I love taking care of my house and my garden (I made it with just a kitchen knife! See Facebook for pictures.) The work is the same, the people are the same, the problems are the same, but my service is a whole lot better now that I speak the language and don’t feel alone. I live here. I have a life here.

February and March were busy months at the Cigar Family school. We had members from the Cigar Family Foundation come down and visit. They took a tour of the tobacco farm and then the school, followed by a nice dinner. I was invited by the Newman family, met lots of interesting people, and walked away with a couple fine cigars that are extremely hard to come by.

8th graders from Berkeley Preparatory School from Tampa, Fl came down on their annual trip to the CF school. I helped interpret for a woman who gave students eye exams, and we passed out donated eye glasses to students who needed them. The Berkeley kids also came out to my site to plant trees and help move rocks where we are going to build bleachers once my grant money gets filled. Donate?

Berkeley also donated 2 new basketballs and nets for our court. Thank you! I’d like to give a quick shout out to my girl Jennifer Lindsay- Thanks for the chat, I totally support you. Keep up the good fight: yay diversity!

So, I sort of came up with another idea for a mini-project, but that involves someone at home who would be interested in making it happen. After the Berkeley kids came and after a nice chat with my host mom yesterday, I realized that there is a definite need for reading glasses in my community. My host dad uses reading glasses, but they are too strong for my host mom and she doesn’t have money to buy her own pair. She also said that her brother thought for a long time that he couldn’t read but discovered he could once he put on a pair of reading glasses. Now, I know that you can get a pair in the States for way cheap (like seriously ONE dollar,) whereas eye glasses are more expensive here and people have less money. That made me think about the fact that my parents have lots of reading glasses laying around the house because they often lose their pair, buy more, then find their old pair. (It’s true Mom, admit one for the team. <3) Surely this happens to many people. Soooo, I think it would be great if someone (or many someones) took on their own reading glasses donation drive and collected some pairs then sent them down. I can do eye tests and pass them out, just collect ‘em and send ‘em on down! Could be one pair, could be a hundred. The need is great, but every little bit counts. Let me know if you are interested.

As you might recall from previous blogs, I had a photographer named Richard Sitler (Peace Corps Jamaica) come down last August and take pictures of my every day life. After visiting volunteers all over the world, his “Making Peace With the World” book is now for sale, and I’m in it! You can purchase it here: http://tinyurl.com/4lj3q9a

Well, I must be going. I stayed up late last night with a group of friends up in Ben’s site in the mountain. We enjoyed a bonfire with all the things that make a bonfire great: hotdogs, snacks, beer, guitars, drum, and fun people. The night was clear, the stars were bright, we were surrounded by a bamboo forest with the mountain backdrop. Preciosa. Time to finish work online, go home and water my garden, then take a nap.

Have a great day! And don’t forget to donate!

Click on the following link to donate:

https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=donate.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=517-418

These are some of the youth and young adults that enjoy playing basketball in my community. They would like to let you know that the ball they are holding is the ONLY ball they possess, and the happy, fat fellow pointing at his shoes would like to note that he is wearing two different tennis shoes and would be delighted to receive a donation of a new pair. His shoe size? I don´t know, big? (By the way, it is common and accepted to refer to someone´s physical features in many Latin American countries, even if you are calling them fat! His nickname is literally El Gordo, or The Fatty. Trust.)

We are going to take these old tires and recycle them into playground equipment and places to plant trees and flowers, just like in the two pictures below.

Filling tires with dirt and plants helps prevent the spread of dengue fever. Mosquitos love to use empty tires as a home.

Behind this sad excuse for a swingset are recycled tires.

We are going to landscape along the outside of this fence, planting grass and small palm trees, all the way to the outside of basketball court and the information technology center. On the inside of the fence, we hope to lay down gravel.

Here is where the bleachers will go. Once all funds come in, we will buy materials and begin construction. Also, we are going to install two posts with flood lights that will hook up to a generator so that we can play at night.

Highlight Reel:

• Made 4 trips to beautiful Cabarete beach
• Jumped off the 27 waterfalls 3 different times
• Hitchhiked in a race from Hato Mayor to Bayahibe and won second place
• Spent vacation at a resort in Punta Cana with my parents
• Celebrated 4th of July in Las Galeras, Samana and took a boat to the amazing Playa Rincon
• Celebrated Halloween/One Year of Service down in the south at San Rafeal and Bahia de Las Aguilas, which required 31 volunteers to ride in the back of a pick-up truck for almost 3 hours, which is obviously awesome
• Hiked and swam in the waterfalls of Bonao
• Took a trainee to Ben’s site up in the mountains of Bonao where we hiked up a river to a waterfall then had a bonfire on the ridge in front of his house while his Dominican neighbors played live bachata, which was simply the most amazing weekend ever
• Hosted a photographer working on a photojournalism project featuring volunteers from all over the world (more info on his book coming out soon)
• Cooked a lot of food and shared a lot of love with my dear friends Ryan Stock and Shilpa Jhobalia, two of Peace Corps’ greatest returned volunteers
• Taught 21 teenagers how to write their own business plans
• Assisted 2 girls from my community to compete in Peace Corps’ and Plan International’s national business plan competition “Construye Tus Sueños”
• Learned to make higuero with my artisans and spent a weekend at an artisan exhibition
• Made and sold lots of Caribe Clean floor cleaner
• Had the time of my life with my amazing Peace Corps and Dominican friends
• Took in a campo dog and enjoyed her companionship
• Said goodbye to good friends, let go of an old love and stumbled upon a new
• Formed a very deep, valuable friendship with a Dominican guy

They say that your first year of Peace Corps service is not easy, and they are right. It was not easy to immerse myself in an unknown world, alone, and without speaking the native language. It’s been a challenging year, but it’s been great! I’ve reached the point in my service where I feel like this is home. I know my way around, I know who to trust. And because of this, I’m ready to tackle year two with confidence.

HERE IS WHERE YOU COME IN: This year, I have decided to build a recreational center in my community. This project will consist of building bleachers next to the basketball court, installing a generator, electrical poles, and flood lights, landscaping, painting, and recycling tires. To make this possible, not only will I need the immense support of my community but also the support of my American community. I’ll soon begin fundraising through a Peace Corps Partnership Program. Once my grant has been processed, I will post information on my blog and on Facebook and probably YouTube as well on how to donate to my project through Peace Corps’ website.

Thanks for all your support and I hope everyone had a very happy new year!

*The photo below is the area we are going to build bleachers and landscape. I’ll post before and after photos as the project develops.

At the end of July, my friend Shelby came to visit. Unfortunately our friend Joel was also supposed to come but missed his flight. Bummer! Shortly after Shelby left, I visited my family in Indiana. I was only able to stay for one short week. Most volunteers come back from the states with a healthy glow, a few extra pounds…I did not. Don’t get me wrong, I had a great time! But with so much to do and such little time, I hardly slept each night which means I barely ate (I feel sick if I don’t sleep.) I’ve been learning not to underestimate the value of a good nights rest. Since I’ve been back, I’ve kept myself pretty busy up until this week. I’ve been to the capital way too many times- medical, green card, meetings, hang outs, visitors. The Cigar Family seniors just graduated, and I was busy putting together a display table at the graduation with information about my projects. The graduation was a success! We had a huge catered lunch and lots of guests. I was able to visit with Carlos Fuente and Eric Newman, two of the leading cigar producers in the world and founders of the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation. Each of the graduating seniors that were in my “Construye Tus Sueños” class received a certificate of completion for my class included with their diplomas. They were really excited. The graduation was a huge reminder of the amazing changes within this community and the accomplishments of its youth. Once malnourished, uneducated kids are now healthy, capable young adults. The list of accomplishments for the students at the Cigar Family School is practically endless. Three students received a 97% or higher on their national exams after graduation, putting them within the top scores of the country. The senator from Bonao even came and surprised them with laptops! Such a rare, exciting opportunity.

My class has finished, and one of my groups followed through to turn in a business plan. The national competition will be at the beginning of October, and we volunteers are busy at work preparing. I will be in charge of monitoring a judging room and putting together a scavenger hunt game for all the participants. We’ll find out soon if my group made it in the top 20 plans to be invited to the conference.

I recently had another visitor. His name is Richard Sitler, a returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Jamaica 2000-2002 and Crisis Corps Jamaica 2006. He’s a professional photographer who’s making a book for the 50^th Anniversary of Peace Corps. The book will include photos and stories from volunteers all over the world. He’s been to over 20 countries in the past year, and I was the last volunteer he visited. The book should be out as soon as October. I’ll keep you updated with information on how to find it. I’m not sure which photos he chose to include, but I’m sure you’ll find pictures of Ani, my friend Chulo, and my muchacha Ambar. They are, after all, three of the biggest components of my life down here.

My work load is pretty light these days, now that my class is over. I’m working on planning the Construye conference, still trying to sustain my Caribe Clean project, and figuring out how to start a sexual education class, which will be my first cross-sector project and include my first ever grant money, si Dios quiere.

Lately I’ve been working on more personal projects. I’ve re-enrolled in Ball State to take an online microeconomics course to better my chances of getting accepted to graduate programs that interest me. I’ve also been studying for the GRE. (Who would have EVER thought I would be doing those two things? Not me, that’s for sure.)

On Thursday, I’m going to receive one of the new trainees at my site for four days! I had to do this as a trainee, and I remember it being really helpful in answering some major questions. I’m sure it will be a nice boost of confidence as she asks me questions and I give her tons of advice to help decrease her cluelessness as to what the heck PC service is all about. I was sitting in the office on Saturday as a few trainees walked in, asking just about as many questions they could think of. Once they left, I looked over at my friend Kenny as someone asked, “Aren’t you glad you’re not arriving right now?” Our response- “Yeeeeeeessss!” The hardest part of Peace Corps is training. You come down here when it’s blazing hot, everything is new, nothing is easy, and you’re always going to the bathroom when you don’t even understand how to flush the toilet with a bucket. I’m so glad to be over the transition period… SO glad.

Well, I’ve officially been in country for over a year, and the end of October will mark the end of my first year of service, which means only one year to go after that. In my next blog, I’m going to write down some reflections on my first year, so look forward to hearing about how much my life has changed.

*REMINDER* WE ARE STILL FUNDRAISING FOR THE BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION. IF YOU’D LIKE TO DONATE TO OUR PROJECT, PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK INCLUDED IN MY PREVIOUS BLOG POST. THANKS!

-Sarah

YOU CAN PLAY A BIG ROLE IN THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE!

We need to raise funds through US donations to fund this years competition. Donate and read more here!

Listed below are last years winners and a description of their businesses.

Production Category

First Place: Fotovideo Alanna in Vicentillo, El Seibo.  A group of 5 young adults now are providing the services of a photo lab in their rural community.  Allowing the community to document the special moments in their lives and provide a progressive method of promotional opportunities.

Second Place: Diorama in Pedro Sánchez, El Seibo.  A young woman that has previously studied design is now providing the service of interior decorating.  For example: curtains, bedspreads, table cloths, pillows, etc.

Third Place: New York Pizza in Sabana de la Mar, Hato Mayor.  2 young women proposed a small pizzeria in the middle of growing tourist town.

Commercial Category

First Place: Cyber Smerling in Azua.  A young man is providing accessibility to the internet and computer skills on the main road through Azua.

Second Place: Colmado Anna in Batey 6, Bahoruco.  A young woman is providing her small batey with the accessibility to fresh goods in the form of a small mini market.

Third Place: Jamberson Agrikol in Anses a Pitres, Haiti.  A young man is now providing the local farmers with the necessary, but not so accessible, seeds and machinery to improve their level of agriculture.  This gentleman is one of our Haitian participants that gave his presentation in Kreyol.

My parents just came for an 11 day vacation. We had a wonderful time at the beach, in my site, and touring the colonial zone in the capital. In just 6 short weeks, I will be heading home to Indiana for a week long visit! Nadira and I will be going to Emily Longnecker´s wedding (wthr13 reporter, and friend.) I´m so excited! I plan on eating at Olive Garden, going to my home church, having a cookout, and enjoying my time the best I can with the people I love.

My projects are going well. I am teaching the entrepreneurship/how-to-write-a-business plan class to 20 youth from the five surrounding communities. My woman´s group is still making their cleaning product. We now have our own bottles and stickers. I just used a bottle to clean my house: smells so good! I also recently sold over 3000 pesos in higuero for my artisan group at an all-volunteer conference. Life and work have been up and down here, but lately things are going just like island life goes: suave.

The National Weather Forecast predicts an extreme active hurricane seasons, with a possible 23 named tropical storms with 8-14 of those turning into hurricanes. I may be spending some time in the capital if things get bad here. Crazy!

Right now I´m going back to my doñas house (with a host family for the week) to eat dinner, then it´s off to play pool and share some Presidente while watching the Celtics game. Yay for small sports bars!

Cuidanse.

The hot air is moving in, and the mosquitos are getting vicious. I have to turn my fan on over my bed just to blow away the mosquitos to put on my mosquito net so they don’t all swarm inside. They really are an annoying insect and I’m trying my best to deal. The worst is when it’s nightime, nothing to do, there’s no electricity so it’s super quiet, and all you can hear are mosquitos buzzing… and we all know how annoying the sound of a mosquito can be. Note to people who send me care packages: any sort of mosquito or pest repellent would be appreciated. Peace Corps’ family friendly bug spray doesn’t quite seem to do the trick! Gracias a Dios I haven’t yet had dengue.

My stove exploded the day I had friends coming over. I was heating up water and BOOM. Big fireball in my face. I wasn’t hurt, but it did burn my arm hairs and eyelashes a bit. The weird thing is, I had a vision multiple times about the stove exploding on the exact day that it really did explode. Weird, eh? No worries though, I returned the stove and got an upgrade for a stove with much better quality.

On a lighter note, I have been cooking a lot lately. The other night I cooked eggplant from my backyard. I don’t even like eggplant, but I cooked it. Why? Cause it made me feel awesome. And I had no food. I also cooked guandules that I found in my backyard and that was even more awesome because they’re delicious. I’m not real sure exactly what they are… like a bean or a pea. I boiled them, added a pumpkin type of thing, cilantro, garlic, green pepper, seasonings… YUM. Ate it with rice. Ani liked it too.

Speaking of Ani, I still am completely in love with her. She’s such a fantastic dog! Some volunteers came to visit and they all were impressed by how sweet she is and how cute and clean. I took her to get a free rabies vaccine, and soon she’ll be getting fixed so she can’t have any puppies… Sorry Ani, but I can’t handle more than one dog.

Nadira came out to visit. We had an awesome time. Spent a few days on the north coast on the beach, and went on the eastern peninsula to a private resort/beach. Both very beautiful. We also went to 27 Charcos (waterfalls) and jumped off the first seven. The trip was a great challenge for me because I was forced to use a lot of spanish and I think it was a good confidence booster. We pretty much backpacked through the country and I feel great about it. On our last night, we stayed at a very Americanized/touristy hotel and it was amazing. It made me miss the luxuries and convenience of American quality and customer service… and food. But, I’m back in my site and enjoying my Dominican lifestyle, so no worries.

This past week was Semana Santa (that’s not pronounced like santa claus, it means saint,) which means it was vacation time for everyone. Even if I wanted to work, I couldn’t. The kids weren’t in school, my women didn’t meet, so I just hung out! Spent some time with my buddy Shilpa. I slept in a hammock for a few hours at my project partners house. Cleaned up my place a bit. It was a nice week. I colored Easter eggs with my host mom and her granddaughter, Maria and Ambar. They both equally loved it and it was fun to expose them to that tradition. After all, 1/3 of Peace Corps’ goal is to share your own culture! So I wasn’t completely slacking.

I’d like to say thank you to Barack Obama and Aaron Williams, Peace Corps’ new director. President Obama has been the first in many  years to put money BACK into Peace Corps, thus increasing the readjustment allowance for volunteers and increasing various other budgets. Also, I think that means we will be getting more volunteers than usual this upcoming fall.

As far as my projects go, my women’s group is still making “Caribe Clean”, the disifectant product, and I just received training on the youth entrepreneurship class and will be starting them next week. Not too many exciting notes on those two things right now though.

My parents are planning to come visit in June, so that’s awesome. Everyone in my town is excited to meet them, although they speak absolutely no Spanish and not many people in my town know English.

Can I just talk grammatically for one second? Since the “s” in Peace Corps is silent, do I still just put an apostraphe after the “s” if I’m giving it ownership of something? Because I’m then giving it the s sound. For example: Peace Corps’ new director. Answer me that, readers.

Found a small tarantula in my bathroom last night. Killed it with my broom. That’s tarantula number 3 at my house. Not too bad, but still not great.

Well, it’s pouring down rain now and Shilpa is about to return from a meeting. We’re going to make yuca and eggs for dinner, whoop, so I must be going. Hope you all are enjoying the spring weather! Nothing like fresh spring air… and grass.

(There’s like no grass here. Very little.)