Back to school, back to school

Welp, we opened our school on Monday! We only had 10 kids the first three days, but as of this afternoon we have filled all 15 slots. If you don´t already know, Loryn and I have a class of 3 and 4 years olds, which isn´t really my preference (seeing as my interests lie in secondary education) however it is very important that these students adopt practices now to become successful students later on. Basic skills such as sitting in chairs, remaining on a schedule and wearing shoes for an extended period of time are foreign to these children. Our main goal is to get them accustomed to a classroom setting and teach them basic listening skills. It is common practice here in the Dominican for parents or neighbors or siblings to give kids what they want when they throw a tantrum. To them it´s easier to give in than to discipline. (They mainly discipline by hitting.) To each their own, however, our program refuses to reward children when they act up in class. Loryn and I are both pretty good, due to our experiences in child care, at tuning out kids tantrums. It is when you acknowledge them that they continue to carry on.
So anyhow, the school is going as well as we expected and we are thrilled. With the exception of no bathroom, we are sitting pretty. However, this does leave my afternoons pretty open. Ive noticed that I get far more homesick when I have downtime. So, after talking with a teenager of the family we eat lunch with, I think I have decided to start some type on English language tutoring for teenagers, ones both in school and drop outs. Loryn doesn´t seem to have much interest in this, however, it is something I would love to do more on my own. I´d love to establish more of a personal identity in these villages.¨However, there are other opportunities in the villages for an afternoon adventure...a family asked for an English tutor for their children and the local school in Pueblo Nuevo wants Loryn and I to work with those kids afterschool...however, they are still younger than my personal interests lie. Who knows, but I have to start thinking about what I want to do. It´s exciting to think about and I think working with Dominicans without Loryn or Chris will help me with my spanish in a lot of ways.
Well that´s what´s going on for now. Still using the motorcycle as my main form of transportation. Next I wanna master a stick shift when I come home. (Someone tell my brother in law that I´m coming for him :) ) Oh, last night I wrote down in my diary a list of things I won´t be doing while I´m down here...here´s a few. 1.) Taking showers with running water. 2.) Wearing make up. 3.) Styling my hair. 4.) Drinking alcohol. 5.) Getting Frisk. 6.) Having deep conversations in Spanish (not this trip anyhow, I suck too much) 7.) Use the phone without worry that the connection will cut out. 8.) Wearing a seatbelt.  And there are more...but thats a taste. Okay well I love you all. It nice to know we are sleeping underneath the same big skyyyyyy.

Love James

DONATIONS

We need donations. Honestly we need monetary donations for the program. Money goes towards our school project (which I'm involved with), the construction project (building homes) and the medical/medical education project. If you have the means to donate or are interested in fundraising please comment on this post. I know at the school we are up to our necks with very appreciated supplies, but for our necessary expenses money through donation is necessary. For those of you who don't know, The Village Mountain Mission is completely funded by donations and people in the program giving out of pocket. We also have the tax information for tax write offs, which I can get to you at individual request.

Thanks so much everyone.
(And if you have the means to visit me :) I would love it!) But, think of the village first.

Love Jamie.

Hurricane Schmurricane

Okay first of all, the Hurricane was more annoying than exciting by far. It just consistantly rained for about 2 days and floaded the roads so we couldn´t get any work done. I played a lot of Uno and got cabin fever very easily. And of course, no electricity for those two days because it would be too great of a risk with power lines, yadda yadda yadda. So okay may I just say that the United States is known for the Jonas Brothers. I just have to shake my head at that one. (By the way sorry that this blog is gonna be all over the place, I only have 15 mins left on the computer--facebook monopolized my time, whoops). Okay, yesterday we piled into Chris´truck and drove to Santiago. It was great to get out of the city and enjoy the air conditioned stores!! However on the trip home, on the seemingly beautiful day, a storm came out of nowhere and it rained the entire hour and a half ride home....did i mention 5 of us, myself included were sitting in the back of his truck? Ah, mucho agua! Very refreshing and cold at the same time, a nice change actually. You know what else is a refreshing change is waking up between 6:30 and 8 every morning and going to bed between 8-10 every night. I feel like an old woman, especially since the elderly woman I share a house with is pretty much on the same schedule but I cant help it, I´m exhausted by the end of the day--being productive mixed with the sun. whoa. and ps, I have never sweat this much in my life...and I smell horrible most of the time. But so does everyone else so I don´t feel too terrible. I had an unwelcome visitor a few nights ago...my first tarantula. It was crawling up my mosquito net when I came home. Naturally I screamed like a child and Elba came running from her house...then Elba screamed like a child and eventually we got her cousin to kill it for us. I wish it didn´t have to meet that fate but...it was my bed. I wanna learn how to pick them up like some of the natives do but Chris advises against that. Anyways, I haven´t ridden the motorcycle all week because of the rain and floaded streets but Im excited to get back at it. My goal is to master it (i.e. dont stall everytime) by the time I leave. Oh and exciting news!!! Loryn has agreed to join me at an American bar in town on some Saturdays to watch the Buckeyes games!!!!!! woooohoooooooooo. Ha, Chris says I´m "so from Ohio State". I guess a lot of buckeye fans have been through the building project.
Well guys, school starts on Monday!!! Our "escuelita" (little school) is actually coming to life. We will have 15 kids from 3 surrounding villages, we will find out today actually which staudents will be joining us. We can only take the first 15 who register. These are exciting times. The school is for 3 and 4 year olds, which aren´t exactly my thing but we are hoping to start an afterschool program for the older kids as well, which is my thing :). In the DR they only go to school for half days...they thought it was outrageous when we told them that in the US we can be in school from 7 to 4, or longer. Weird.
Okay guys well, I´m still here. This week has been a lot better for me than the first, which was trying. I still get frustrated, but not nearly as much. The people are super sweet and take good care of me. I love you all. Till next time!!

With Love, James

My Schedule and Stuff

Welp, It is definitely harder to communicate with people in the States than previously anticipated because although I have a phone,it rarely gets service and I am busy most of the day. So for everyone that I told I would call, sorry internet is the way to go. I will attempt to use the internet every Saturday when I ride into town since I don't have school on the weekends.
Well on Thursday I learned a thing or two.
1.) I learned how to ride the motorcycle!! Yayyy, so I am finally mobile. However, I am not graceful at all and stall a lot. Yesterday I was supposed to meet Chris in Pueblo Nuevo but I couldn't get it started so my Dominican neighbors politely explained to me that if I were to take the bike out on the main road I'd probably die haha. I knew it was just a matter of getting it started because I had already been on the highway but none the less I walked to bike back to Chris' house and began walking. Today, I rode into Luperon all by myself to use the internet, but it stalled in town and as I started it back up (this is all about 20 mins ago) I launched forward, hit a curb and fell off. Only about 25 Dominicans saw, as if I didn't stand out enough being a gringa, but whatever, they helped me up and gave me a little lesson on how not to fall next time.
2.) I learned that kids are kids in every culture. They are simple. Although it is harder to discipline them when you don't know their language they normally get the picture from your tone. It should be interesting when school starts.
3.) DON'T WORRY EVERYONE, THERE ARE PLENTY OF NINOS TO PLAY WITH MY HAIR!! Because I have white people hair, the Dominicans--kids and adults-- cannot seem to resist touching it. To them it is extrodinary, which is nice to hear, since I have no brush or products with me. One thing I recently learned about myself is that I will absolutely risk lice and fleas for a good hair brushing. Those of you who know me best already assumed that I'm sure.
4.) In order for mosquito nets to work, you can't let mosquitos in. FYI.

That's about it for now~ I miss everyone, but I'm meeting new people everyday. I still feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be, but don't forget to remember me...

First Day

Well I made it to the DR without incident. My first big accomplishment was understanding the customs agents who said I was "muy linda". Aside from my vanity I was super excited to have understood them. Chris picked me up and we met with a land surveyer in Santiago...for almost an hour. But hopefully Chris will get his land within 6 months. Then we went back to Loryn and Chris' house, where I will be staying the next few nights to get settled. First: I got to play with their new kittens. Second: I learned a house rule; 'If its pee let it be, if its brown flush it down'. Nice. :) Well I have to run, because we are going to dinner....Fish and Spagetti and Mushrooms I hear...OOOOHHH also its avacado season!!!

Talk to you all later!!! I''m really excited to begin my temporary life here.

Love Jamie

Last Days in Ohio

Hey.
I cannot decide if I'm more excited or nervous about my upcoming departure. I haven't really had much time to sit down and think about it. However, packing is stressing me out. For the few people who will probably read this blog, I'd like to say before I leave that I have no idea how often I will have access to a computer so my entries may be few and far between. But! Any comments from you will be very encouraging. Well I'm outta here, there's nothing exciting to talk about....YET!!!

James