Buildings and Mountains.

Oh, hey there. Still in the DR. Almost two years later.

At this point there remains less than 4 months or so until COS (or Close of Service). Which of course, is a good deal of time to live somewhere and do something. But to me 4 months feels like nothing at all. It has been (a month shy) of two years since first arriving here and beginning Peace Corps. And two years, fyi friends, is a long time. 

Plenty of time to recognize needs, brainstorm, develop ideas, create a project, fundraise, carry it out, measure results, and do it all over again. Enough time to form friendships, develop relationships, and be unofficially adopted into many loving families. The months went quickly, but along the way I built a life (en Español!) out of a place where I initially did not know anybody. ...And, for the record - wound up loving it. 

Having already teared up a few times at the thought of leaving my life here and the people in it - two years is still long certainly, but almost doesn’t seem long enough. It’s hard to believe I will be leaving soon. I know I will miss this - a fact which speaks to the Mao, Peace Corps, and Dominican community, and the experience they’ve all allowed me in living and working with them.  

Thought I would share some pictures of a building site I’ve worked next two for the greater part of the last 23 months in the DR. The building, nonexistent when I first arrived, is now complete and will be used in the 2012-2013 school year as a work site for former IDENE students or those with special needs who are not in school or currently working. The new addition is a place for individuals with special needs to partake in workshops, develop skills and learn to run a business. It will provide job and teaching opportunities - there will be a beauty salon, a bakery, a woodshop/craft shop, and other workshop style classes. An exciting step for the school and those in the community with special needs to involve themselves in a constructive and educational environment. I’m pretty excited to return to visit  and see what it becomes.

This building had nothing to do with me, but it has been fun watching it grow (literally!) over the last two years:

June 2010 - During my second month living in Mao.

May 2011 - Construction progress at the end of the 2010-2011 school year with IDENE.

December 2011 - Christmas Party for former IDENE students  

January 2012 - New Year '12/Back from Holiday Break Party with current IDENE students

having fun!

touring the newly finished building with friends.

view of the Cibao mountains from the top of the new building:)

I’m usually not one to say something so sentimental as “oh, hey guys, this song expresses exactly what I’m thinking,” ...but this song expresses what I’m thinking, happens to coordinate well with the images/reflective theme of this post and for that reason shares the post’s title. Thought I would link to it: 

Buildings & Mountains - The Republic Tigers

(An aside: I really hope it is still okay to post a link this way on the internet...? Haven’t had a chance or (more truthfully) an interest in familiarizing myself with any of the internet sharing changes I keep hearing about. So, SOPA-enthusiasts - hope I’m not in trouble. Thanks.)

and finally, 
Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Lots of love,
XO

¡Felices Fiestas!

Hello! Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!

Hope that everyone enjoyed the season. There are a lot of reasons to like this time of year; for me it’s family, friends, the hanging out, the visiting, the lights, the champagne, and that strangers are so darn cheerful and friendly. I definitely missed out on being at home with loved ones, the traditions, and the Christmas cookies. But, on the bright side, this Christmas I was not in a constant state of frozen (for the first time in my life) nor was there a single crazy holiday shopper, (or any holiday shopper for that matter). 

This Christmas I was in the DR, more specifically my site, and it proved to be a good time. I’m glad I stayed for a Dominican Christmas and feel blessed to have spent it sharing with my second family and Dominican friends. There were even some Christmas lights (pictured), shared champagne (not pictured), and a solid attempt at Christmas snacks (yup, I cooked something). May your days be merry and bright, and may your Christmas be campo. :) 

Some of the holiday highlights this season:

* * *

Christmas lights and decor downtown that I thought were well done.

the park all lit up

friends posing in front of one of Mao's decorated houses

and Christmas tree in my neighborhood! Tree made out of lots of little plastic colmado bags.

* * *

Visited the host family in the capital before the holidays. They have a new addition! Isn’t she cute?

toasting marshmallows

Christmas tree in the Peace Corps office

look at this unexpected mail from friends here and in the States. Gracias:)

* * *

Holiday party with staff and teachers from the school.

Angelitos/Secret Santa exchange

* * *

Making Christmas snacks with Minnie to share with family, friends, and neighbors. 

pretzel, hershey kiss, m&m

embarrassed/proud to admit that this is the fullest my fridge has ever been.

* * *

Here Christmas Eve is the big holiday. My host family had extended family visiting and threw a party at their usually very tranquillo house in what will remain one of my favorite DR memories. I spent the day visiting the family and later hopping around to other friends' Christmas Eve parties.

Min was my +1 at holiday events, claro. 

barking her little face off, as usual.

DJ booth

my host mom cooking up all the food!

* * *

Surprise birthday party for my neighbor.

* * *

Ringing in the New Year with good friends and fellow volunteers in Santiago.
PS - Stole most of these from Heather:)

first day of the new year!

Happy 2012!

XO