chipotle ain't got nothin'! :)

yes. here are glorious pictures of the masterpiece created by the one and only karyn staats. now do you understand why i have her as a roommate? bam-son.

1st day of school!

Hooray! Today was the long-awaited first day of school. I was excited beyond belief, as I'm sure some of you can imagine, to see my students from last year, this year, and my young friends from 1st and 2nd grade.

Today definitely lived up to its expectation. The triplets were shy (except for Josue!) and the rest of my kids from last year gave me hugs. I got a good surprise as one of the students that I thought was going to the US, actually is back here again this year! Hooray! :)

I was so excited because this week I am teaching both 3rd and 4th grade. Our 3rd grade teacher (hopefully coming soon!!) is not here yet, so many of us are having to double up our first week. Thankfully my schedule works almost perfectly to be able to teach both without much overlap.

Having 18 kids this year (6 more desks than last year!) is certainly overwhelming and exciting at the same time. It makes my classroom seem so much smaller, but I'm really thankful to be able to have all of the kids that I do have. Hopefully we can keep everything running smoothly and in great order.

As far as recruiting stuff goes, we're still looking for a 2nd and 6th grade teacher. We have an "almost certain" 3rd grade teacher but awaiting final confirmation. Things have definitely settled down here a lot, as we had much turmoil at the beginning of the year. now we're just playing the waiting game...and planning for the weeks ahead! :)

Have I ever mentioned that I love teaching? because I do.

and to top it all off, my amazing amiga is making faux-Chipotle burritos for dinner. can life get any better?

Rabbits and Hot Dogs

The other day when I was walking home...after I walked in the gate, I looked at the tree across the fence and there was a hairless rabbit hanging from the tree. The only hair that was still on the rabbit was its head! :) Ay! After much deliberation, I decided to go ask the young man if I could take a picture of his nasty rabbit. Of course he agreed for the "Americana" so here it is...in all its glory! :) (sans head...and insides)

AND one of the best parts about being back in the Dominican Republic is the HOT DOGS! The first night after we were here, Karyn and I ordered yummy Moshe's hot dogs (our favorites!)...and maybe to you it may not look that appetizing, but for me...yummmmmmmmm!! :) Just imagine...hot dog, perfectly cooked, sliced open with mayonaise, ketchup, lettuce, cheese, and (new addition recently) beef delicately strewn upon the glory. The hot dog bun toasted to a golden brown warm and not too thick. Wow. Can life get better? :)

DR Round 2!

Ahhhh being back in the DR has been such a relief and a blessing! I've enjoyed reconnecting with friends and coworkers and setting up my classroom!

a few things that I absolutely love about coming back to the DR:

1. in Jarabacoa (my village) I am completely surrounded by mountains

2. we can get vegetables and fruits for so cheap...and they taste so fresh

3. being bold in speaking a language that I am nowhere near fluent in

4. seeing the students again - the hugs especially

5. playing videogames and watching movies on the projector

6. MFI (our mail service) Tuesdays

7. the beach being SO close (although I have yet to visit in my week back....ha!)

8. talking daily to my landlord Guido who loves me so very much

9. gearing up for another awesome year of school

10. seeing wonderful sights on motorcycles -- many people, lawn mowers, washers, etc.

Teacher training starts today...pray for us! haha