Dominican Men

are VERY friendly. No touching, but very persistant. I've met two so far that want to show me the area. Not to mention my teacher who wants to take me to Puerto Plata for the carnival on Sundays in Feb. Good for the ego, but very tiring. I keep trying to explain to them that I am a poor student. NO Money here!

THEY SPEAK SPANISH HERE!!!

and I really don´t. I´m getting used to things. I think that the hotel that I am in this week is the local prostitute hotel. It´s right next to the Texaco where everyone picks up taxis. When I say taxi, I mean motorbike. Everyone rides these loud motorbikes. So no waking up to the sound of the ocean. More like trying to sleep over the sound of motorbikes. I got a ride my first morning because I got lost walking to class. The ride is not as scary as it looks. I forgot my memory card, so I had to buy one my first day.

I´m getting used to class. At first it was horrible. I didn´t remember any Spanish. It´s getting better now. Tonight we have a bar'b'que at the school. Yes, I´m going to be social. Tomorrow we are going to go to Puerto Plata in the afternoon.

Not ready, not ready...

Ok, I got sidetracked tonight by my co-workers and went to see a movie (27 Dresses, enjoyable, but $10 a ticket is insane!!) and dinner instead of packing. Priorities? Anyway, it's now 10:30pm and I'm not packed. And now I'm writing on the blog. Who needs priorities?
Getting a little scared now. I'm going to a foreign country, by myself where I don't know anyone. When did I think this was a good idea? It's all going to turn out ok. Slevin suggested positive thinking, so I'm going to work on that, while I finish my packing. Hopefully, my next entry will be from Sosua, Dominican Republic!

1 more trip to Target

I got my passport today from the safe deposit box. November sucked so bad, that I had this irrational fear that my condo might burn down, so I put my passport in the safe deposit box at the bank. No logic to that whatsoever. Anyway, I have it now.

I also made my second trip to Target. Went this weekend and spent lots and lots of money and of course forgot things. Today I didn't spend nearly as much, but still didn't remember to buy bug spray. As sweet as I am, I have to have bug spray. I'll probably wait until Saturday, so if I think of anything else this week, I can just make 1 more trip to Target. I did glance at the cameras while I was there. I'm trying to keep myself from buying yet another camera. Step away from the cameras!

Weather: 38degrees, cloudy - Washington, DC
75degrees, partly cloudy - Sosua, DR

Off topic -- A real concern

The Primary Source: Morning Buzz - Not ready for a black or female president?

Mel Watt has a legitimate concern. I don't think he is the only one who thinks like this. It was a huge concern for me until Obama won Iowa. I mean really, how many black people live in Iowa? I've always been a supporter of John Edwards. Maybe we need baby steps. I would love an Edwards/Obama ticket.

Hilarious!!

http://tackychristmasyards.com/

My School

I think this is where I'm going to class. I'll upload pictures once I get there. We'll compare and see if the picture they show and the one I take look the same.

http://www.edase.com/E_L02C_IIC_Sosua_School.htm

Where I'm going...

So, awhile back I decided that I wanted to do a Spanish Immersion program. I did some internet searching and came across http://amerispan.com/. They arrange all kinds of language immersion programs. I wanted to learn Spanish, be near a beach and go someplace where the cost of living is low. I decided on going to Sosua, Dominican Republic. Sosua looks absolutely beautiful.

Almost Predictable...If I'm going somewhere, I'm bringing the rain with me!

Rains, record-lows to continue over most of Dominican territory

SANTO DOMINGO.- The rains and record-low temperature will continue through Thursday, as the predominance of north-east winds, said the National Meteorology Office. It said although there’s a low east of Puerto Rico, this weekend’s conditions will be "very stable."
It said it rained yesterday in the Cibao valley, the central, northwest and east regions, and the northeast mountains.
It said a high pressure a system will continue to dominate weather patterns, which would contribute humidity in the lower elevations.
http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2008/1/10/26657/Rains-record-lows-to-continue-over-most-of-Dominican-territory

countdown has begun

Ok, the countdown has started. Today is the 11th and I have 16 more days until I arrive in the Dominican Republic. I'm so excited. Almost enough to break into a Pointer Sister's song (but not quite). I've started my lists. I'll probably go shopping this weekend since we got paid today. Well, I'll go shopping if I can work it around my work schedule. I need to go find some witnesses this weekend. I have so much work to do before I leave. Tomorrow I'm going out with a native Spanish speaker to try and find some Hispanic witnesses. Hopefully after I go to the DR, I won't have to rely on my bilingual co-workers so much.