Las Galeras

So the last rough day was spent in Las Galeras, another beach area not far from the others. More beach time, more sun, white sand, warm water, beach chairs, pina coladas! I've had such a great past couple of days, relaxed, pensive, amazing!!!

Las Terrenas

And you wonder why I'm not quite ready to leave yet? The top photo I took when I was out walking in the morning on the beach...it was basically just me and the security guard out there, not too many other people up at 6:30 I guess. Anyhow, it was so beautiful and, well, just look at the photo. I spent most of the day on the beach, sitting, listening to music, thinking, reading, writing...rough day overall!

Cayo Levantado to Las Terrenas

So then the next day we went to Cayo Levantado, which is an island off the east coast. We had to take a boat out there again, I played on the beach, then we took a boat back to the mainland. While on the island it started raining, which made the trip back to Samana an absolute downpour in the boat! So we carried on by car to Las Terrenas and arrived very wet, but happy to be there. I had an exciting experimental dinner where I ate shrimp cocktail, finished my first glass of red wine, tried salmon, and ordered beef...who would've thought all that in one night!

Day Excursion, Isla Paraiso

So how pretty is this??? I am in love with this place and I don't think I've ever been anywhere prettier in my life. So this was the day excursion we went on with the boats and islands and and what an amazing day! The bottom pictures are of me in the first church set up by the Spanish, then me and Andy-the tour guide operator, me and Carlos on the island, and the beautiful island as we were pulling up in the boat. What a fun day!

Love letters

Dear Jessi,
I'm sorry that I scared you when you found me in the toilet this morning. Thank you for running and not flushing me, I really appreciate it. I'm sorry that I later locked you in the bathroom for 10 minutes by sitting on the handle so you couldn't get near me. I know I can be scary as I am the biggest frog you have ever seen, but hope someday we can be friends.

Love,
Massive Frog

Caraballo Care Center

Playing with the kids from the Caraballo Care Center...I love them!

This is Maritza...my favorite cutest little girl. Look at those eyes!

A collection of photos from the days I was there, it was too hard to pick just a few, so here are most of them.
I had such an amazing time at the Caraballo Care Center, a place for the kids to go before or after school, where the get meals and extra education, along with a Bible class. I got to do some nursing work, passed out parasite tablets, mended some kids, but mainly just got to spend an amazing time being loved and hugged and touched by these little ones and I loved it! Hopefully I'll have the chance to go back again before leaving, such a great experience. I stayed in a house right next to the school with two other girls who are working in the village. We had so much fun playing together and being girls!

To be continued...

Okay, so I haven´t forgotten about the blog...it´s just a bit harder to keep it up when I´m not always near my computer.

I am loving it out here in Caraballo, a little village deep in the sugar cane fields. I have been able to do lots of work with the kids and really get to know some of them. I gave them all antiparasite tablets this week, some who weren´t too excited about taking them, but oh well. I´ve seen some interesting things and gotten to do some good stuff. Anyhow, I don´t think I´m ever going to be able to leave, so that´s created a problem. I just love it here so much!

I´ve gone on some brilliant trips with my friend Carlos. He does food inspections for the hotels, so he took me to one that he had to inspect and they gave me a pass to the allinclusive resort for the day. It was so fun, I got lots of drinks and food and laid on the beach and watched the ocean...rough day! Yesterday, we had a big day long excursion that I loved. We started on a bs, went to the ocean and got on a yacht where we had breakfast and drinks (a whole group of people) then boated for awhile almost to the shore when they dropped the anchor and told us to jump out. We got thrown the water noodles and just got to float for an hour in warm blue water! We got back on the boat for oysters (I passed!) and more drinks, and headed inland where we had lunch. Then it was speedboats to the most beautiful place I have ever been called Isla Paraiso, which is basically a sand caye in the middle of the ocean. I can´t wait until I can put pictures on, you will see why I´m so crazy about it. What a fun day!

Tomorrow I´m working in a clinic for the village that is on every Sunday. We´re going to church in the morning which is apparently done in Criolle, so hopefully that works out for me! It´s because the village I´m in is Haitian, and although they have learned Spanish, Criolle is the language the church is done in. Should be fun!

After that I´m heading to Semana for a few more days of beach and fun. I can´t wait!

Off to Caraballo/Puerto Plata

I'm off tomorrow morning to work at a Kids Alive care center in Caraballo, a barrio/village not far from Puerta Plata. I'll be doing health evaluations and exams and checking out what we can do to better the health at the center. I'm also going to get to hang out with my friend Carlos who I visited here before, which I'm really excited about. He's got a wife and 2 kids now so I'm looking forward to seeing his family. PLUS...it's near the Caribbean Sea, so how bad can it be, right? Sunday I'll be working at a village medical clinic that they have every Sunday, run by an Americano that has been here for 20+ years. It should be lots of learning and lots of fun, just the way I like it. That being said, I'll be away from the internet (yes, it can happen, although I don't know how I'll survive), probably back on Sunday or Monday. Have a lovely week and I'll write when I get back!

Afternoons

We went to church yesterday morning and came back to have a big lunch. Some teachers from the Anija school came and we had lots of pizza. It was a nice time to get to know more people and chat a bit. The photo is crooked cause it was on self-time on a wobbly chair! Oh well, at least we're all in it.

Mmmm!

Eggs anyone? I hear they deliver...

We went hiking up a mountain today with some kids from The Arc, the Kids Alive kids' home. They have it set up (see the photos) where there are maybe 6-7 houses on the property and about 10 kids to a house being raised by Dominican 'parents' that have committed to living there and raising these kids. It's a fantastic program and seems fairly effective; the kids are happy, fed, and loved, all go to school and have a great place to call home. After the hike we went to a river where all the kids jumped in and swam, I played it safe on the edge being photographer!
(again, click on the photos to make them bigger)

Anija school

I went to Anjia School yesterday, which is a school also run by Kids Alive. It's also the school where the family that I'm staying with sends their kids. They only have school for 4 hours, so they do homeschool in the afternoon. Anyhow, the kids speak amazing Spanish since they've lived here for 4 years, can hardly tell them apart, except for the blond hair/blue eyes!

Avocado

So this is my avocado. Another nurse and I did home visits today in a super poor area. One family had nothing, absolutely nothing. 3.5 walls made of wood stuck together, tin roof, dirt floors, little boy going to the bathroom on the ground outside...barely getting by. We delivered asthma meds to the mother for her son to continue taking. She disappeared for a little bit and came back with an avocado for each of us. It just killed me because this could be dinner for them, and here she is giving them away. It's just with such heart and she's so grateful for the visit and support provided. Once again I am humbled and grateful for the things I have...especially my avocado! Now, if only I liked them...

Road to Castanza

This was an example of the road we were on today...fantastic!!!

Day trip to Constanza

Today we went to a small city called Constanza, which was about 1.5 hours drive from us. It was the bumpiest, crazy road! I was able to visit one of the orphanages that is being built now along with a new school. They only have 6 kids at the moment, but as time goes along, will have more. There will be a group of 3 houses with approx. 10 kids in each, all being raised by new Dominican 'parents'.

At the school I got the medicine cabinet in order, as many groups donates medicines but it is just dropped in the cabinet. I'll be working on getting some things together to say what the meds are and how they are used. I'm also hoping to be able to train some of the staff in basic first aid. I mended up a little girl's chin who had fallen awhile ago and it was fairly infected. Good job I have now been upgrated to Doctor Jessi!

The views from the mountains are amazing...makes the drive all worth it. We are at approx 2000 ft and the place we went to today is 4000, so a pretty good climb.

The day was rounded out with a family trip to Pica Pollo, Dominican equivalent of KFC, with dining outside on plastic tables! Settling in has been fun and no problem at all, nice and easy transition.

I made it!

Well, I'm in Dominican Republic. I left Phoenix last night and switched in New York for sunrise (see the photo). The flights were all fairly empty, which was great as I could stretch out a bit.

It's fantastic to be in Dominican Republic...I've been here only a few hours and already feel a sense of belonging that is hard to really describe. I just love the culture and the people and everything ahead.

I'm still getting settled in with the family I'm staying with, the kids are fantastic, following me everywhere. It's going to be so much fun, I'll keep you posted!

Next stop: Dominican Republic

Thanks, everyone, for all the emails and letters, I appreciate them all. I've been staying busy which I think is helping, plus it's been nice having Julie right here and my mom a phone call away.

I'm leaving for Dominican Republic tonight at 10:45 pm. It's an all night flight going through New York (kinda roundabout) and then down to D.R. I get in about 12:30 in the afternoon, then a few more hours to the house I'll be staying in. I'm looking forward to all that's ahead and the experiences just waiting to be had.

Thanks again for all the support for Colin.

Goodbye, Colin

Little Colin died last night. He was out playing and got hit by a car. This is probably the hardest thing I've ever done and I hate it. It's so hard being away and not being able to see him or pet him one more time. My parents have been great and I know it's hard for them, but they took care of him and buried him this morning. My mom got his collar and clipped some hair for me too. I wish I could have him back, but know he was out playing and having fun, so I just try to think about that.

1st Birthday!!

It was a fantastic birthday party for Lucas. He got to swim, eat lots of food, and play in his very own cake. It was great for me to meet up with all of Julie's family, who have become my 2nd family over the years of living here, and it's been such a long time since seeing them all! After smashing cake all over himself, he got hosed down and cleaned up follwed by present opening. Can't believe he's already 1! Happy Birthday, Lucas.

Busy boy

Lucas has been a busy little boy. He's had lots of fun playing with everyone and celebrating his birthday week. We went to Buca di Bepo for his actual birth-day dinner, then went to RolliePoly class the morning of his party. The party pictures are soon to come...lots of fun!

Good friends

This afternoon I had lunch with Rachel and Patty, who I went to nursing school with. We talked and talked and talked and caught up on the last year. So good to see them again, nice to hear what's going on in each others' lives and get the latest gossip!

Getting together

Last night I was able to meet up with my friend from Virginia, April. It was so nice to see her and catch up after nearly a year. She and her boyfriend and I went to watch the Steelers game, which was actually my first NFL game. I guess I should have at least one under my belt before moving to England, right? It was a nice night and great to get together. More friends still to see...

Happy Birthday

Lucas is one!!! Today is his official birthday, tomorrow his party. As he is a big boy now, Julie threw away all his bottles (that's the photo) and he is on sippy cups only now. He is so much fun and was trying on his Halloween costume, a cute little duck. Really great to be here and part of his little party tomorrow!

Phoenix time

I made it into Phoenix yesterday morning with no problems. The flight seemed amazingly short after getting used to flying to DC and England. I got to go to Ajo Al's for lunch which is the best Mexican restaurant ever! I've hung out with Lucas a lot and love it, getting a taste of what mommyhood is like (while Julie's working) by taking advantage of naptime to update the blog. Looking forward to the week ahead, hoping to meet up with a few other friends too.

Onto Phoenix

I'm off to Phoenix in the morning, bright and early. Really excited for all that is ahead, seeing friends, working in Dominican Republic, starting life in England, but it's also hard to leave. It's been such a nice summer, even if I was working, but it was great to be in Oregon near my family and to let my cats out to play. I just have to keep reminding myself that they're really happy here catching mice and birds and running outside, and eventually they'll join us in England too. Can't wait for all that is to come.

8 yr reunion

Last night we had a mini 8 year reunion BBQ. It was so nice getting together with old friends, some of which I haven't seen in many many years. It was great catching up and meeting everyone's spouses and babies, good grief, it's been a long time! So nice to see everyone though, great night! Now I'm really looking forward to our 10 year reunion, only 2 more years!

First Triathlon

Today I did my first Sprint Triathlon, the Scoggins Valley Triathlon at Haag Lake. Now, don't be fooled by the name, there is nothing 'sprint' about it! It started with a 1/2 mile swim what took me about 1/3 of the distance to get into the rhythm of breathing and seeing nothing in the water (as compared to a pool). I then got on my bike and rode for 12.5 miles and finished with a 3.1 mile run. I was beat by the end of it, but somehow I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to doing another. Good little mix of events and fairly challenging!

No more working

After dinner I went to work for the last time! They got loads of food and a turtle balloon and card and so much great stuff for the night...they're the best. We went to dinner as a group on Monday, but I'm still trying to get some pictures from that! My mom even stopped by at 1:30 a.m. after answering a call with the Red Cross (she's a volunteer disaster person). It was a nice night with everyone, they are the BEST nurses to work with and I have loved my time with them. Really hard all the good-byes! Also very exciting because it means that I'm not working for the next 6 weeks!!! Hooray!

Mini reunions

I went to dinner with Lauren, Becky and Shannon last night and had so much fun. We laughed and told stories and caught up on the last, well, 8 years since high school. Lots and lots of fun and so great to reconnect with old friends!