Problems in Paradise

30 girls living in one house and what do we have....lice. I am currently one of the very few that do not have little bugs crawling around on my scalp. I am using every precaution possible but it is spreading fast. My roommate just found some in her hair last night so fingers crossed that they do not crawl over to me. School was cancelled to day so we can try to clean everything and get this situation under control. 

Today is sure to be an eventful day. 

WOAHH We're (almost) Half Way There!

After this week I only have 7 more weeks of teaching. This seems like such a short amount of time so I am starting to hug my students a little tighter every time I see them. I am learning more about how to follow my programs teaching method and I do believe I am improving.

Last Sunday was great! We explored Puerto Plata with some of the friend that we have made. Walking around and exploring with them is so much fun because we don't feel as touristy. We also made it to the plaza on foot which saved us money for a taxi because our friend showed us a back way across a river. Only 10 pesos there and back for a short boat ride. I got to see a lot of our cities history including some ruins and our lighthouse. FUN FUN FUN

This Saturday I get to adventure out and enjoy 27 waterfalls in Puerto Plata.

And while I was typing this Nicolasa walked in the door! She has been away visiting family so it is great to have her back!

Keep smiling!

Lunch Lunch Lunch

Happy Valentine's Day!

Yes, I have corn rows!

Mis Estudiantes

Rubeli, Franceska, Joslin, Arianni, Weslin

Also I found a kitten in the street yesterday and took it home. He is now fed and purring like a champ. He is now a part of our family even though not all of the girls are fond of him.

The Student From Hell

A common challenge in my day to day life is the student that sits in the corner, with their arms folded and nose scrunched as a symbol of disinterest and distrust. This student is the student from hell. This student can morph to be in male or female form. This one student can collapse an entire lesson in a blink of an eye.

Today that student’s name was Yoeli and she was armed and ready to fight. She started the day by repeatedly hitting and kicking her peers and insulting everyone including myself. I have been strategizing and contemplating on how to deal with this behavior for my entire stay thus far. I am working to understand this student and it changes every day. Verbal discipline no matter how gentle, or assertive consistently results in the student acting out in ways that distract the entire class. I am actively working to remember this student is not born ‘but is created by conditions beyond their control.’ (Palmer, Courage to Teach)

My students come from harsh backgrounds. Most sleep in one bedroom with their entire family and don’t have enough to eat, or enough clothes to wear. I do not know the entirety of their lives when they walk out of my classroom.

There is a lot that I don't know. I do know that my favorite part of my day is playing with my kids after school. And some of the kids with the worst behavior in class have the sweetest hearts.

I love it here and I am so grateful for the experiences that I am sharing with my kids. I never want to leave them.

I have swiftly existed the honeymoon phase of the Dominican Republic. I have been here for a little over a month and I have adjusted to our way of life. I wake up every day to voices singing “La Bomba” in and very out of tune outside my window.  Walking along the streets of my neighborhood feels like home.

I am finally used to sleeping in my mosquito net. I have made an arrangement with the spiders in my room that if they continue to eat the mosquitos, I will let them stay without paying any rent. The mosquitos refuse to stop biting me so I have to reapply bug spray every few hours to fight them off.

Teaching is still a challenge but I am enjoying it more and more as I learn how to handle day to day difficulties. There is a major difference in the education system here than what I am used to and I am trying to understand both sides. Violence is used as a form of discipline here and it is very difficult for me to understand. I believe that violence is never the answer, especially for my students.

I am working on embracing the diversity of life here and seeking opportunities to learn about the Domincian, and about myself. I am also working to improve myself as a teacher and trying not to succumb to temptations of loopholes and shortcuts.

I learn more every day. Me encanta republica dominicana!

One of the views at Tres Ojos National Park. An absolute must see if you are every in Santo Domingo. 100 pesos for hours of endless beauty.

Tansy and I rented a tandem! It took us a little while to get the hang of it but we caught on quick. We rented it for an hour and it was a great way to see the city.

Posing because we can. (Mckenna, Your truly, Ellie)

More from Tres Ojos

And Another

This bird wanted me to feed him rather than take a picture.

Dominos at the park.

Carnival starts today! That means that more and more people are going to be walking around dressed up.

What a weekend! We fit a lot into a short amount of time. We got to see a lot of culture which was amazing. We also got to eat american fast food which some might argue was equally amazing when you have been eating white rice for a month. Taxi drivers try to take advantage of us because we are not from here. Every ride is a constant battle about the price.
A gentlemen that had far to much to drink bought my entire group dinner when we went out for Italian. We tried to stop him but he insisted. No one knows if he will remember, but his wallet will.
We headed back to Puerto Plata this morning. We decided to take the 6 AM bus back. We were supposed to use our hotels taxi but he was very VERY late. We could not get out of the gate without him because he had the key. When he arrived I informed him that our bus was leaving very soon. I am not going to give the details about how we made it on time to our bus, because my parents read this blog, but we made it safe and sound. When we got back to our house it was locked and the other girls took the keys with them. So we again, found ourselves suck.

However, now we are back in our house happy and exhausted. It was fun to go site seeing but it feels good to be back in my home away from home. I am excited to see my kiddos in the morning!

Big smiles because I found coffee!

I met this little guy while I was walking around looking through the shops. We shared a granola bar and watched other people walk by. It makes me so happy when I meet dogs that want attention and love.

Meet Sammy. Sammy is from all over the world and specializes in design. He drew a cartoon of me and my friend Tansy. We loved sitting and talking with him. We are not sure why it says "Frends love girls" but we love it!

Santo Domingo

After I told this man I played the Alto Sax in school he was so excited. I sat on the bench with him and listened to him play and gave him a much deserved applause.

Kelly and I standing outside of the cathedral. We got to go inside as well and it was absolutely breathtaking. I felt so at peace and loved being able to walk around. I found a place to get in some writing as well.

Just a cute kitty posing with a beautiful painting.

This was one of the galleries we went to. The paintings are a combination of 4 artists. We got lost in here for quite a while and I am sure you can see why.

I'm Back!

Cabarete was wonderful! Kite surfers were everywhere and they were absolutely astonishing to watch. I have been under the weather since Saturday morning. Being sick in a foreign country is a new challenge. The hardest part was missing out on teaching my kiddos on Monday. Yet after 3 days of bedrest and medicine I am ready to go again! Things were not looking good for a while folks, I was taken to the local clinic on Monday and received a shot in a less than desirable place.

Tomorrow morning I am off to Santo Domingo which is sure to be a great adventure! Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic and it always popping! It is also equip with more western features that I am used to. Let me translate that.... I will be eating way to much American fast food this weekend!

A brief summary of current happenings:

We have running water again!
Mold has been discovered in far to many nocks and crannies
Nicolasa made us friendship bracelets
The kids are cuter than ever!