Roundin' the Bend

Oh dear readers, I must apologize. For it has been far too long since I've written in here. I almost feel like I have nothing to report which is sort of a good thing because it means I'm getting more used to my life here. But then I realize that the things that I see and do and that happen to me are probably really strange and entertaining to all of you not enjoying every moment of the DR. So I guess this week I'll just give you some tidbits...

-Another church story: Dean fell asleep during mass last week for like twenty minutes. He had his hands crossed and his head down so it looked like he was in deep prayer. I had to kick him to wake him up. Also the leader of our youth group was wearing a tuxedo t-shirt under the full impression that it made him look dressed up. Serious.

-I'm forgetting certain english words and have fully entered a new phase in my language that I like to call Spanglish. Think you've heard of it? Just wait until you hear all of us talk.

-We had four current volunteers come and talk to us about dating and relationships in the DR. Two of them were a married couple who came in married so it was a little strange to have them (though they're great people). And the other two gave us some of the most random off the wall advice. For example: be careful dudes, if you ask her to stay the night, you're married.

-Some of the most important news: I found out where I'll be living for the next two years. It's a campo of 500 people and it's apparently beautiful. That's all I'll say for now, I don't want to jinx it.

-I still hate cockroaches, and I will still murder them.

-As the weather gets colder, the bucket showers get colder.

-I never realized how much I love: corn flakes, mashed potatoes, eggs, and american candy.

-I have a new profound love for plaintains. They're so versatile! I freaking love everything about them. I hope we're having tostones tonight for dinner.

-We showed a movie for a fundraiser and let me tell you how it went: After serious techincal difficulties and four different movies not working in the player, we finally got The Polar Express to work. So we're watching, (and I'll tell this assuming that you're all familiar with the story) and at the point where the train reaches the North Pole all the kids (about 80 of them) start screaming and cheering and then they promptly left. Before Santa Claus, before the bell, before they even got off of the train. It was weird. But we raised a lot of dough.

-Kenny, Kerri and I climbed up the big loma behind our barrio. It was beautiful, you could see the whole city, but man we're out of shape.

Finally, we only have one more week here in beautiful Constanza. It's bitter sweet really. This town is great but we're all really ready to swear in, get to our sites, and actually start being volunteers. I'll try not to be so boring next time. Til later...