So I’ve been pretty much sucking in the update department. I get started typing an update and my internet goes out. So what has taken me months to figure out is that I have to write my updates at home and then try and load them during the school day when the net is working. If you’re reading this, I was successful in my endeavor. A lot of exciting things have been happening lately. I’ve been finalizing things with UWEC to make sure that I’ll be graduating in December. Just got a scare from my advisor today telling me that I need 1 more credit in two of my 3 minors. I worked through the courses and am pretty sure that I resolved things. I do not want to drag out what should have been a 4 year deal into a full 6 years. Heck, for 6 years I could have gotten my masters. Anyways, So I’m finishing up my 12 credits this semester. 6 of the credits I have done so just 6 more to finish. I’ll finish one of my 3 credits by Thursday this week and then I have a ginormous paper to write for the other 3 credits. Anyone feel like writing a 40 page paper?

Thanksgiving was pretty chill here in Puntacana. Albena and I went to La Yola for happy hour. It was nice! We got 2 for one drinks sitting on the ocean at the marina with the sun setting. I have to say that the best part of that was the mini bowl of cashews they gave us. J It’s the little things that count. Anyways, saw a gull catch a fish out of the water. It was really pretty. I’m sure the fish thought otherwise. After we finished out drinks we headed out to the pizzeria at the hotel. We got out normal Mexican pizza and nachos. Our coworker Christine joined us for supper. She’s from outside of Chicago so she was happy to have some American to share Thanksgiving with. I should mention that Albena is from Canada so she wasn’t especially excited to be celebrating our Thanksgiving (especially since we didn’t do anything for her Thanksgiving…. But then again… Canadians only have fishing and moose to be thankful for right?)

he kids are getting along better. My morning class is wonderful. My afternoon class gives my headaches and makes me black out occasionally. My head really really hurts with them. There are only 3 girls in that class and the rest are boys. I don’t think I could live in a home with just boys. I would probably cry myself to sleep every night. I’m still working really hard with the kids on forming a community and emphasizing respect for ourselves and others… but when this kind of behavior isn’t reflected in the cities or in the homes it’s pretty hard to make a difference. I suppose all I can do is try. The students are learning a lot. I’ve really noticed how they’re reading more fluently. We do a lot of reading and they’re improving their phonics and subsequently their spelling because of it. We’re finally onto multiplication in math. Should be fun J We’ll start division in January. Final exams are the week before I leave. So most of December we’ll be reviewing.

Hmm what else. I haven’t been doing much traveling…at all. I’ve been doing my best to save money and work hard on my school things. I am going to try to get to Santo Domingo before Christmas. I was invited to travel with one of the teachers and her kiddo over there… but then again, she continues to try and set me up with her brother. Might be a little awkward.