I left school last evening with great intentions. I made a to-do list so that I would make the most of my last day of paid prep before the kids come on Monday. I was only able to get 3 of my things done today and here's why.
But first an explanation: In the DR, no, in Punta Cana we are "all" about image (substance comes second (I added that part)). We have been spending the last 2 weeks decorating then redecorating our rooms because of this frame of mind. 1 week ago, the wife of the owner of all Punta Cana properties came to view the school. Apparently she left our school director in tears over the not-so-constructive critisism she left in her wake. "Only public schools put things on their walls"... whatever. So she wanted us to put tagboard behind the things that were on the walls... so there are still things on their walls. Anyways, this morning I spent prepping and tackling my todo list. We had a long meeting and then went for lunch "cafeteria-wait-in-long-slow-moving-line style". After having just gotten my food and heading for my table I find myself being beckoned to my classroom as the Dona has arrived to view the rooms and it's my turn. Talk about being scared. I was trembling! It actually wasn't too bad though, I only had to change one thing (which I just finished doing). However, after lunch I noticed that there were teachers going in and out of one of the american's who has been sick's classroom (she still isn't at school today... poor girl). I ran over there to make sure they wern't taking her things and found myself being talked into staying there and preparing her room to be checked by the Dona... well yeah... I wound up having a lot of work to do in there since she's been gone for a few days now.... Just finished redecorating her room with the help of a few coworkers. She's going to be upset when she sees her room I think. Now that I'm thinking abuot that... I cannot remember if Ciro unplugged the hot glue gun.... I suppose we'll find out on Monday!
On top of everything, they ran out of water today. I was SO pissed off (pardon the language), but there is absolutely NO way I, pampered american, can work without water especially when it is in the 90's. I left and bought 6 bottles of water and a ring pop. 2 bottles for me, 4 for other people, and the ring pop for my friend Jose that works in the office. I think I needed to blow off some steam.
But anyways, I heard that the Dona wants that us teachers come to school with makeup, hair nicely done, hair cuts, perfume, etc. HELL NO! If they get us some air conditioning I will invest the time into doing that, but I cannot imagine that happening anytime this weekend. Also, apparently the dona gave one of the coordinators a box of Nair and told her to have the women with facial hair problems put it on before Monday. Wow, huh? But I also heard that Oscar de la Renta is going to give all of us perfume to wear to work, so that would be nice. Especially since I am out. Of well, Estinque de Allison isn't that bad right?
Friday, August 31, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Good News/Bad News
I always like to get the good news first when it comes to these sorts of predictaments. The good news is: my computer is fixed after nearly $300. I'm so happy to finally be able to get some work done at home and at the cafe near myhome. It'll be nice to stay connected to friends and family again. The bad news is that two of my closest friends here in the DR, Kyle and Cindy, are really sick. They were admitted to the hospital this morning and will hopefully be discharged tomorrow. Still no word as to what is ailing them. They're suffering from dehydration and lots of other side-effects from some illness: parasite, food sickeness, dengue, ameobas... Lots of fun options. Hopefully they'll be able to be treated quickly as soon as it's id'd and then released!
On a lighter note: I'm tossing around a different way to share pictures with everyone. Expect complete access to all my photos (that are 'net safe ;)) in the next few days!
On a lighter note: I'm tossing around a different way to share pictures with everyone. Expect complete access to all my photos (that are 'net safe ;)) in the next few days!
Monday, August 27, 2007
I Promise...
that as soon as my computer is fixed I will be much better with weekly updates! As the previous sentence already alluded to, my computer is still on the outs. It's actually out of town! I believe it is in Santo Domingo waiting for a part that is on backorder.... so we'll see. Maybe I'll get my computer by October. Since the hurricane came through we've been without internet at school as well. Actually we've been without access to the computers. Apparently the computer lab manager wanted some time to set up the computers and get things ready for when the kids come. So anyways, that's over with. I have internet today for the first time in a long time. Can I just say that it is absolutely wonderful!
So speaking of the hurricane... when Dean passed through I was on a car buying road trip to the northern shore of the country with my friends Cindy and Jose. We spent one night in Moca (which is one night more than I think I'll ever want to spend there again!). We got into town at 10pm and had to wait until midnight to check into our hotel room as there were people using it for a few more hours. Yes. We stayed in a very questionable location. We slept on top of our beach towels there... dirty dirty dirty. Didn't shower. So with the time that we had to spend before getting some shut eye we did what apparently every 16year old in the republic does instead of waste their minds on video games: we drank at the gas station. Obviously the best place to drink and dance... obviously. After the car buying experience in the morning we drove on to Puerto Plata for some much needed R&R. Stopped at a Expat Cafe called Sam's in Puerto Plata. Got my picture taken with a wisconsin liscense plate! GO ahead! Ask me how excited I was.... I was very excited :) Had a fantastic steak salad and bloody mary. Anyways, our hotel was an all exclusive that we got on a deal. When the hurricane came through we were sitting under a tiki hut next to the pool drinking pina coladas. Granted it was raining solid sheets, but it was still a vacation.
So anyways, school starts next week. Our uniforms, white boards, English math and social studies books, all haven't arrived. Talk about organization. And... they changed the color of the pants to dark blue or black... guess who doesn't have pants those colors and who isn't going to be able to find anything in the country that would fit her. Oh well. I'm going to wear jeans, brown, or else come without bottoms. Their problem not mine. :)
So speaking of the hurricane... when Dean passed through I was on a car buying road trip to the northern shore of the country with my friends Cindy and Jose. We spent one night in Moca (which is one night more than I think I'll ever want to spend there again!). We got into town at 10pm and had to wait until midnight to check into our hotel room as there were people using it for a few more hours. Yes. We stayed in a very questionable location. We slept on top of our beach towels there... dirty dirty dirty. Didn't shower. So with the time that we had to spend before getting some shut eye we did what apparently every 16year old in the republic does instead of waste their minds on video games: we drank at the gas station. Obviously the best place to drink and dance... obviously. After the car buying experience in the morning we drove on to Puerto Plata for some much needed R&R. Stopped at a Expat Cafe called Sam's in Puerto Plata. Got my picture taken with a wisconsin liscense plate! GO ahead! Ask me how excited I was.... I was very excited :) Had a fantastic steak salad and bloody mary. Anyways, our hotel was an all exclusive that we got on a deal. When the hurricane came through we were sitting under a tiki hut next to the pool drinking pina coladas. Granted it was raining solid sheets, but it was still a vacation.
So anyways, school starts next week. Our uniforms, white boards, English math and social studies books, all haven't arrived. Talk about organization. And... they changed the color of the pants to dark blue or black... guess who doesn't have pants those colors and who isn't going to be able to find anything in the country that would fit her. Oh well. I'm going to wear jeans, brown, or else come without bottoms. Their problem not mine. :)
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Long time no type
Hello my faithful readers (to be read as: family and friends),
My computer is still out of service, so I am typing a little summary of the past few days and will join the pictures to the post later. On Saturday we took a little excursion with the school. We went to los altos de chavon (google it for more information). It is a beautiful little recreation of a Spanish colonial city perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking a river that leads into the ocean. I have lots of pictures from there.
These past few days at work I've been busy working on the 4th grade curriculum for the parents and the year plan for my Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies. It's been fun organizing everything and getting an idea of where I'm going to be taking these kids this year. I came here expecting to only be teaching English, so I didn't bring any resources for myself as a teacher or for the kids in the other subjects. You have no idea how much I wish I could drive over to borders and pick up a few books. No idea at all! But beyond that, things are going better work wise.
I've got a good group of American girls that I hang out with pretty regularly and then there are the guys that we've added to our little group. One of the girls's husband has come up from El Salvador to stay here permanently with her. He has already helped me out once with guarding my house while I was at work (and people were doing maitenence) and I am sure there will be many more times. We have two close friends who are from the Dominican. They're 27 and were both planning on becoming ministers, but now they're teachers and they're fantastic. (one of them owns a car and the other will be taking classes in the capitol; they're going to come in handy!) And then there is 'de Clet or how every one would spell that. Which, by the way, is his last name. He is one of the French teachers here (from Haiti). He's pretty hilarious. I also have Anthony, who has appointed himself my guardian here. He is a civics and ethics teacher here. He's from St. Kit's originally but has traveled and lived all over. Let me tell you, the gawks from dominican men sure do diminish when we're with the guys. I'm happy for that!
Eat some pizza for me and read a good children's book about early western democracies for me :). That's what I'd do if I were you!
My computer is still out of service, so I am typing a little summary of the past few days and will join the pictures to the post later. On Saturday we took a little excursion with the school. We went to los altos de chavon (google it for more information). It is a beautiful little recreation of a Spanish colonial city perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking a river that leads into the ocean. I have lots of pictures from there.
These past few days at work I've been busy working on the 4th grade curriculum for the parents and the year plan for my Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies. It's been fun organizing everything and getting an idea of where I'm going to be taking these kids this year. I came here expecting to only be teaching English, so I didn't bring any resources for myself as a teacher or for the kids in the other subjects. You have no idea how much I wish I could drive over to borders and pick up a few books. No idea at all! But beyond that, things are going better work wise.
I've got a good group of American girls that I hang out with pretty regularly and then there are the guys that we've added to our little group. One of the girls's husband has come up from El Salvador to stay here permanently with her. He has already helped me out once with guarding my house while I was at work (and people were doing maitenence) and I am sure there will be many more times. We have two close friends who are from the Dominican. They're 27 and were both planning on becoming ministers, but now they're teachers and they're fantastic. (one of them owns a car and the other will be taking classes in the capitol; they're going to come in handy!) And then there is 'de Clet or how every one would spell that. Which, by the way, is his last name. He is one of the French teachers here (from Haiti). He's pretty hilarious. I also have Anthony, who has appointed himself my guardian here. He is a civics and ethics teacher here. He's from St. Kit's originally but has traveled and lived all over. Let me tell you, the gawks from dominican men sure do diminish when we're with the guys. I'm happy for that!
Eat some pizza for me and read a good children's book about early western democracies for me :). That's what I'd do if I were you!
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