Take Care of Her From Above

September 25, 2013. 

Started pull-outs.

Evaluations in El Batey-disaster. The teacher didnt even know the name of one of her students.

Ran. With 30 kids. Raced. Walked. Did cartwheels. Did two push-ups as a joke and turned around to see about 30 kids doing them with me hahahaha SO GOOD.

These were my notes from yesterday. I didn't have time to complete them and now today, the 26th, I've got other things occupying my mind. But today my pull-outs went well. We followed through with an idea of mine to have a monthly meeting where the teachers can express what went well this month and what we can work on for next month. Then we picked one "Outstanding Student" from each grade and I'm making certificates and a mural to post their pictures to help with motivation and positivity. The teachers were honest and we've got a few things to work on for October so I'm excited. Things didn't work out in El Batey today (figures) but it's a work in progress-it'll get better. I then went running again (despite being exhausted and sore) with more little ones and it was a blast.

But when I arrived home, there were a ton of people at and around my neighbor's house. Come to find out, a man that lived down my street and around the corner was killed today. One story is that he was crossing the Duarte (the highway I cross to get to El Batey) and a tire flew off a truck and killed him. Another story is that it wasn't the tire, but they won't say what they think it was. He left behind a three year old little girl who just kept saying that her daddy was on his way home with soda and crackers like always... From 8 until 9:30pm, the people were waiting for the body to come; there had to have been at least 100 people, no exaggeration. They hung a canopy outside the house which will be taken down after nine days. When the truck arrived, they left the body and sped off. A woman began screaming. Sobbing on and off from the house. The people continued to arrive to just stand around and watch or listen. I pulled out my chairs because it was right near my house and many came to stand on my porch. The woman left the house screaming to the little three year old, "AY DIOS MIO, SE MURIÓ TU PAPI" (oh my god, your father died) over and over and over again... 101 people asked if I was scared and if I wanted someone to sleep here with me tonight. 

I can't describe how I'm feeling... I just keep thinking about that little girl who once had a father who  bought her a soda and crackers every day on his way home from work and slept with her every night will now have a completely different life and she won't understand why. And she will be fatherless like so many children here. And I keep thinking about the highway. Whether it was the tire or not, he was killed there, and we have little ones crossing that highway everyday, twice a day, for school. And how the people just watch it all happen here. And how I got sucked into it too. I don't know what to think or feel really... I just hope that man takes care of his girl from above.

It's now 11:30 and because I was unable to hide my yawns, the people on my porch left. I brought all my chairs in and am in bed but it's quite loud outside still. There's quite a few drunk people. Hopefully there will be no problems during this sleepless night. And hopefully the little one can sleep in blissful ignorance for now...

Buenas noches.

Update: Commence singing, chanting, and clapping at 12:15am.

Making a Day Off Count

September 24, 2013. Today was a day off! And I made it count in many ways. First, this morning in my bed :) I awoke around 7:30am to my kiddos playing in the field outside my house but didn't get out of bed until 9:30am haha. I slowly made breakfast, washed my dishes, got dressed and eventually opened my door at 10:30. To which I heard comments all day like, "Man, Julie, you sleep a lot!" Haha I explained that I was awake early, not sleeping, and was just doing things. I'm just a weird American who doesn't open her door immediately upon arising from the bed.

They started drawing and I mapped out my schedule (eliminating the first graders...) and made plans for my first day of pull-outs--tomorrow! At noon, I kicked them out so I could cook and not feel embarrassed. Another lousy meal made, I ate and watched the rest of Bridesmaids on "my" couch. Hung out with some more munchkins until 2:30 and went to go see Dulce! It had been way too long. Buuuut she was sleeping lol. I let her be, bought some sugar, made coffee, and ate more sugar cane, sharing it with six others. At 4, I checked with Linda who said she was gonna run with me today, "Sí Dios quiere."  So I tried to see Dulce again until 6 and was successful! She was there! And Moreno too. She was cooking (and of course fed me too) and Moreno and I talked A TON on the porch together. He said he's been wanting to visit me but gets home so tired (he seriously doesn't have a single day off-even today). It felt so great to be able to do that and Lordy do I miss them. I made sure I told them that too lol. He told me to make sure I always had a few minutes if I ever needed to call them, even if that was in the middle of the night. They're always there for me :). Ugh. Love.

And another sugar cane in hand, I headed home to change.

Me (to Linda at her house down the road as I'm opening my door): "LINDA!! VAMOS!!"

Linda: "It's almost 7!"

Me (looking at my phone, knowing it wasn't): "It's 6! VAMOS!"

Linda: "I'm cooking dinner!"

Me: "But I said 6 and you said yes!"

Linda: "Tomorrow! Si Dios quiere!"

Me (to myself): sigh... "I know what that means."

So little Pamela and I headed down by ourselves. And it ended up being AWESOME. She ran with me and got tired after one lap. So we'd walk, run back, walk, run back, etc. Slowly more and more kids showed up and would walk, we'd race back, walk, race back. They would cheat and start running early. Or not walk as far as I would before turning around haha. It was so funny. Then about 15 more showed up and a game of tag was started. Which turned into freeze tag. And then the tag where when you tag someone, they tag people too and it adds up. SO FUN. and exhausting. I was sweating so much and I finally wasn't embarrassed despite all the comments! Cuz Lord knows, I can't do anything about it or hide it so whatever! Lol finally I got too tired, bought yucca and avocado and water and headed home with Pamela. On the walk back, Antonio handed me something wrapped in a napkin. It was a huge pork rind, Dad!! And legit! Not like the airy stuff we would buy at the stores! It was so good! You better come visit so you can have some-I'll make sure they make it when you're here :D Though you'll never wanna go back to the processed stuff ;) I shared it with two little ones and made it back to no luz. Damn. But I showered, made yucca, and hung out in my dark house until 10pm. Now I guess it's time for bed. A good day off indeed. Tomorrow, I promised them more tag and I can't wait! I'll probably need it after working in both schools :P

Buenas noches!

It Was Time to Run

September 23, 2013. Today I evaluated a few first graders. Then got thrown into teaching first grade for an hour. And was hit in the ass by a five year old girl. Go me. When class let out, Ramona and I tried to create a better intervention plan with Mavel and I. It was unsuccessful. Here is my letter to my boss to gather her opinion:

"In doing my evaluations for the entire school (1st-4th), my conclusions were grim (but that's why we're here!). The majority of my second and third graders know one, maybe two syllables, first grade consists of a few who got held back and many who didn't come last year for preschool. And I've got 4 in fourth grade who need reinforcement terribly. In my ideal situation, I would have two groups in each grade from 1st-3rd and have some time to work with the 4 kiddos in fourth grade individually (because their needs are completely different). But I simply don't have the time.

Now Mavel is the teacher that lives in my community and is being sent by AMCHAM to work in the school-one hour each grade in literacy and math. There is this game that they are focusing on (by Pro-Leader) and she will start after the talleres in the capital (Francisca and I are going as well but a different week). At first, Natividad had a plan to put Mavel in each grade for an hour so that the teacher could leave for that hour. I spoke with her about the idea of "co-teaching and co-planning" and how that would benefit the students (especially in first grade with the many many different levels that exist). She agreed that it would bea better idea to have the teachers stay in the classroom so more individual support could be provided. Okay, win 1.

Ramona and I then talked about how much work I have with little time. And how Mavel and I are here together to provide support for nearly the same thing. Why should we work completely parallel from each other and not support each other as well? To make our lives easier AND benefit the little ones more too?  When Juana (AMCHAM) came to this school before I arrived, she asked Ramona what the school needed. And Ramona said, reinforcement in first grade; that is where the problem lies. So as she and I talked, we thought, why not put Mavel in first grade the majority of the time? For example, all day Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; and Thursday and Friday she could work in the rest, one hour each grade. This would then alleviate the intense needs in first grade and will provide the support and change needed for future generations (sustainability!). I could then focus solely on second, third, and fourth grade to help those that are behind and would stay behind without extra help. (I hope this is making sense-There's a lot of components here). 

So we talked with Natividad. And it didn't go over well. She's stuck on Mavel being in all grades, one hour each. She said it's the program that AMCHAM sent her for and that's that. But I don't understand that. Every school has it's specific needs, it's varying challenges. Why would there be only one program that isn't flexible to the necessities of the school? I tried to teach the munchkins in first grade. Natividad is doing it now and even she is struggling. It's so hard when there are those that are older because they were held back. Those that have never been to school before and can't hold their pencil correctly. And those in the middle who are basically on track. Mavel and I are resources to combat all of this but we need an intervention plan. And the one set FOR us and not WITH us doesn't seem to fit. 

Let me know if this all makes sense (well, my explanation of the situation, anyways haha) and what you think? I'm just at a loss and agree with what Ramona is saying. But we've hit a wall with Natividad and it's frustrating because we have the support!  Just not the most effective plan (in my opinion)."

Within minutes Ann responded and says she agrees with my perspective but also understands that Natividad's hands may be tied by AMCHAM. But, she said she'd be willing to message Juana and talk with her about the situation if I get permission from Natividad. So since we don't have school Tuesday, I'll ask Wednesday.

I went home and ate the rest of the crappy lunch I had made yesterday while watching Bridesmaids :) Afterwards, I went to the school to ask the eighth graders if they were serious about learning and that I was sorry I didn't make it clear enough that they needed to be ON TIME ahead of time. But they still want it! :) I returned home and tried to nap. I was unsuccessful with the thousands of things running through my head so I got up and played cards with a few munchkins. 

It wasn't a horrible day, just slow moving and that's somehow exhausting. I was feeling defeated but at 6pm, I went abajo to run with Mirian (the girl I met yesterday) but she wasn't there. And there were guys playing baseball. But! I ran anyways. A few kids would join me, quit, and join me again later. We raced. They quit again. I kept going haha. I then went to buy yucca but there was none. So cold water bottle in hand (seriously, I cannot tell you how good cold water is when I finally get it. I can't drink it fast enough and then I get a headache...), I ran home and did some core stuff with Pamela watching from the spare bed. It felt so good to run again. Despite the comments, the reality of being out of shape, and more comments ("Oh well at least I know you'll last in bed with me!" Yup.), I was flying high. The day was a rough one but man, I ran and my worries and doubts just passed through my pores with the sweat (ew). 

Pamela and I then sat outside and ate chinas together. I showered and started making dinner when BAM, commence group of kiddos drawing, painting, cutting, gluing, and being super creative. I've noticed that as more time goes by, they have branched from copying each others drawings to doing other original things. Again, it was chaotic but I just stood at my counter drinking my hot chocolate and grinned from ear to ear. My heart swelled and I loved every minute of it. And didn't kick them out until 8:45pm this time! Also got a huge sugar cane brought and munched on that before turning in :D Hopefully cuz it's natural sugar, it won't kill my teeth? 

Buenas noches!

Start With Pancakes and End Up On a Baseball Team!

September 22, 2013. So yesterday I said egg, salami, and avocado were a good way to start a day? Try hot chocolate, pancakes with a touch of vanilla, and Matilda on my iPad. Trumped it :D I then gave myself until 9am before opening my front door. And as soon as I did, I had a few girls and Linda come by. And then Charo who asked for coffee immediately lol.

But Linda and Charo soon left so I started hand washing my laundry. And what a process that was! But I did it and feel pretty damn proud. My burn on my arm started bleeding like crazy from the detergent though so I wrapped it up and carried on. I missed Dulce's washing machine quite a bit but more for the dryer than anything else. It wouldn't dry my clothes all the way but within the hour in the sun, everything was done. Now, it takes a few hours to dry. Not terrible, just missed being spoiled :P

Afterwards, I started planning for my English class (finally!). Around 1:30pm I finished, kicked the artists out of my house so I could cook, and made a pretty shitty lunch. But still edible. At 2, the girls returned and we played Dominoes and cards until 3. Class was scheduled for 2 and it wasn't until 3 that a group showed up. And another at 3:05. I could have given the class but I needed them to understand. So I asked what happened and why they were an hour late. "What time is it?" They asked. I said it was 3 and that class was at 2. I told them I was sorry but I had plans at 3 and couldn't give class then. And that when I say a time, I mean that time exactly because my schedule is packed and don't have time to waste. I felt super guilty but I need them to learn... They can't be Dominican with me lol Hopefully this didn't scare them away but rather makes them come on time next week...

I showered (it was so freaking hot) and headed to see Dulce. She wasn't there so I went to talk with Ramirez. Zach isn't coming until next Monday because he'll be in the south visiting five other volunteers applying for the Courts4Kids project. Apparently there's 8/9 applicants right now and they can only do 5/6 each cycle... I'm nervous because I really want ours to happen this cycle :/ Anyways, I needed to tell Ramirez about the postponement of the meeting but he wasn't there either. 

I almost turned to go home but thought I'd stop by and see Manuela. I chatted with her and her daughter for almost 2 hours. And found out there's no school Tuesday. Woo! There was a softball game going on with the women in my community and a women's team from KM56 so I went to watch.  I sat with Linda and met a girl my age who wants private English classes. I agreed to do it because she seems very committed and already knows quite a bit. We were talking about the game and exercising and I found out she runs every day during the week at 6pm and does core workouts. I got super excited and asked her if I could join. She said yes! WIN. 

Linda then turns to me and goes, "Julie, you're going to play ball with us." And within seconds, the coach came over and welcomed me to the team! He wants to put a new team together with women that are a bit more serious and Linda and I are going to join! I have no idea if I have the time but I'm so pumped!! 

My community won the game (:D) and Linda and I sat at a colmado for a while. We then headed back, she cooked me dinner, and brought it to me while I FaceTimed with my family :) Had a bunch of kids watching and there was lots of going back and forth between Spanish with them and English with my family haha. But the vocal switch of languages has become easier and faster and that was fun to realize. I felt terrible for my family cuz it's chaotic but they were troopers :D 

And now I need to plan for tomorrow. And shower. And go to bed. And it's already 11pm. Whoops! Haha

Buenas noches!

Clean, Plan, Organize, and Remain Calm

September 21, 2013.  I woke around 7:30am and made an egg, salami, and avocado sandwich. Oh yea. That's how you start a day. I went to work pretty quickly cleaning my house. Aaaand changed the  floor bucket like 20 times-thank goodness we had water! But it was gross. And the floor really didn't look better... But seeing the water and how brown it was means I did something, right? 

A few girls stooped by and one tried to take the mop from me to "help" twice. That poor girl almost got her hands bitten off ;). It just felt so damn good to clean, I couldn't let her do it. hahaha I told her she was so sweet for wanting to help but I really really wanted to do it myself :P I then had some extra time so we organized my "Sala de Arte" haha I think that's a better name.

At 10:30, I showered and headed out to the capital. In the guagua I got in, the chofer got snippy with me cuz I thought it was $50RD but it was $60RD. He was nasty and yelled at me for giving him 50 and demanded the rest. I just laughed at him, told him it was no problem, and handed him ten more pesos. The two guys in the back laughed with me and we chatted the entire way into the capital. Still love being able to say I did that. And I hope that feeling of accomplishment never goes away... Lol

At the office, Cory and Laila and I planned for our Classroom Management talk for our Escojo Enseñar Conference in October. It should be a good two hour session :).  But I am nervous I won't get anyone from my school to come... We'll see. 

Afterwards, I headed to Ikea with Cory to get a spatula and containers for my food so I can take it all out of my fridge lol. I found adorable colorful ones, a reusable bag with a zipper, other utensils, and super cheap art to put on my living room/kitchen walls. #Ikeatherapy.

By the time I got home it was dark so I shut my door (the guilt is getting to me though so tomorrow I'm gonna have to leave it open all day :P). I made ITALIAN-STYLE pasta and it made me so happy. It wasn't the same but it reminded me a bit of home :). 

Then....I was totally going to plan for my English class tomorrow at 2pm (expecting lots of eighth graders to show up and others...) but motivation and drive was lacking big time...

So instead I did this:

...Cuz apparently I had motivation to organize some more instead? Before, all that beautiful art that was made for me was hung on the walls with tape. And the next morning, it was all on the floor. Guess wood and tape aren't best friends. So string and clothes pins it was! But now I'm out of clothes pins for when more art is made... Looks like a new capital list has already started and I just got back from there! Haha

Now it's 10:30pm and I've done no planning for class tomorrow... And I was planning on doing laundry in the morning (gonna try and work up the courage and be Dominican so I can ask Linda to borrow her washing machine. I'm just not ready to hand wash hahaha). It's all good. It'll work out like it usually does.

Buenas noches.

Inside and Outside Their Education

September 20, 2013. The difference between El Puerto as a private school and my schools? Indescribable. No, not perfect, but I'm still quite... In shock. 

So the director came to get me in the morning but found out last minute that he had a taller to go to. He left me at the school and headed out. The director then took me on a tour. The classrooms were huge. Beautiful murals were painted on the walls outside. There was a swing set. Basketball nets. A kitchen. Green grass and space to run. Every time we entered a classroom and said "Buenos Dias" the kids stood up and said it back. When she said "You can sit now," they said "Gracias" and sat down. I'm not exaggerating when I said I got goosebumps all over my body the first time it happened. Two of the teachers that work in my school in the afternoon, work there in El Puerto in the mornings. So I visited each one for a bit. Of course I was asked to do Alele with the kids (which they loved). I walked around and helped the second graders with their work. They were beyond precious. In fourth, she left me with them for about a half hour (not surprised...). Thankfully they were more mature and I did four different dinámicas/games and they loved it. And responded to all my positive classroom management strategies. Again, not perfect, but the difference made it feel perfect. During recess I didn't witness one fight. The kids sat, ate, swing, ran, and played. Later, after recess one fight broke out. But one fight with at least 3X the number of kids? Ha. Ha. Ha...

Afterwards, I headed to Yokasta's house to eat so we could head to 59 together. I met her mother and at a wonderful meal. We left and I parted ways at the colmado so I could grab a few things and go home. I was not going to the school for the afternoon and I was pumped about it. Of course every kid I walked by was like, "Julie! You weren't in school today!" Haha nope! When I got back to my house I made coffee cuz I was crashing hard and I had promised the pastor I'd stop by in the afternoon. I was struggling to find the motivation but I knew I had to go. Just as I showered and changed, however, pitter...patter...pitter...SHEW! Commence downpour and serious thunder and lightning for the next two hours. YES. I could barely think straight with how loud the rain was on my zinc roof but oh lord was it perfection. After almost falling on my ass in the kitchen, I discovered where my roof leaks and also all over my Sala de Tarea. Lame.

But I left a bucket under the spot in the kitchen and answered the call of my bed. Sadly (and surprisingly) I couldn't actually sleep but simply lying there was enough. Around 5:30, I headed out to see the pastor like I promised. As per usual, we talked about nearly everything under the sun (or clouds...). But the one part that got me was when we talked about the parenting issues here in the DR. It started out with the story from El Batey of the fractured skull (yea, found that out) from a stick because a pencil was stoken. I spoke of the way parenting here is and how the kids are treated at home and in the schools. And how the violence between the children (the way they ALWAYS fight one another as a first reaction to conflict-like having their pencil stolen) makes sense. They are raised by being beaten when they do something wrong. And in most cases are hit in the schools too. How could they possibly know a better way to resolve conflicts when this is their life from birth? I was nearly in tears because I would love more than anything to also work in this area here but as a whole culture, this has existed for generations and is country-wide. That's quite a task to want to tackle. But he saw it all; my perspective and my tears and has just as much passion as I do. There's a program in the Peace Corps that touches on this (and many other aspects of families-self-esteem, health, communication, discipline, etc) and I've got the manual. Our next visit will consist of going through the manual and developing a plan to see if this would be a possibility in my two communities-because there has to be interest if there's going to be change. I'm definitely sending a thousand prayers up with this one because wow, it's hit me harder than I could have imagined. These kids own my heart and this could be one step to bettering their lives outside and inside of their education.

The rains had returned while we spoke and by the time they stopped, it was dark. But I walked home convincing myself that I was not afraid despite the slight increase heartbeat trying to tell me otherwise. I made it, shut my door, made dinner, and now it's time to sleep. Tomorrow it's capital time. Buenas noches.

Why I Am Here.

September 19, 2013.  And as much as the day was crazy (which I now know will be my norm), it was filled with so many moments that made me pause and think, "Yes! This is why I'm here!" So many that I hoped for before I arrived to this country and so many that I never even thought about until they happened. Let's recap, shall we?

I woke up in the morning (woo!) and made myself coffee and ate avocado for breakfast. When I got to the school, I was put to work doing random things for the director. While that's not exactly my job, if I helped make her life easier for a day, I'm happy ("Yes! This is why I'm here!"). After all, she's the director AND the first grade teacher, which is rough. I also did lots of planning for my groups. And scooped up little Yessica and rocked her in my arms as she sobbed when the pain in her leg returned ("Yes! This is why I'm here!"). I cleaned it up once she settled and bandaged it. The director from El Puerto then stopped by to confirm plans for my visit tomorrow since he lost his phone. Even something as simple as that makes me so happy. A Dominican that has ideas, seeks the help he needs, makes plans, and follows through? A rarity. And I don't want to let that slip away because that's how you bring about change; with people like him ("Yes! This is why I'm here!").

Ramona came yet again in the afternoon to cook with me. We cooked, washed my dishes in my shower, sang, danced in the kitchen, and talk about life ("Yes! This is why I'm here!"). I feel so much closer to her and feel like I can be myself with her. She's real with me and doesn't hold back because I'm not Dominican or because my Spanish isn't that great. We then left a bit early because I wanted to talk to Nati before heading to El Batey. She signed my vacation form that says leaving will not harm the progress of my project (lol). She gave me permission to use the school for my adult English classes. We set a date and time to have the meeting with Zach from Courts4Kids (and Ramirez and the contractor will be there too!)("Yes! This is why I'm here!"). I then tried to explain the plan that Ramona, Mavel and I talked about yesterday. She agreed that leaving the teachers in the classroom with Mavel would be better (okay, one win!). But she wouldn't let Mavel just take first grade so she could provide the much-needed support there and I could provide more help in second, third, and fourth... Damn. 

I headed to El Batey, sweating out everything I ate for lunch ("Yes! This is why I'm here?" Lol). And Elva was there?? Yup. Crazy. Three kiddos showed up at 2. Not all I have for first grade but Lordy me was it 100X better! We actually accomplished nearly all my plans! And had fun together ("Yes! This is why I'm here!")instead of having me just yelling over them and physically moving them or breaking them apart... And two of the teachers came in and started thumbing through all of my materials, got really excited, and asked for copies. So hey, even if I can't do charlas with them, they might have some better teaching methods (besides just copying the board) because they saw my stuff ("Yes! This is why I'm here!"). Then the next set of kiddos showed up. There were about 7, and it was crazy but not too terrible. Of course, during recess, the director started dancing in ways that the young girls do to a very popular, inappropriate song so I lost them for a bit there. BUT. The kid who I tried to send home yesterday, behaved the best out of all of them. And the one who's house I went to, was 75% better today (not exactly why I'm here but now I can get to that point with them-and I didn't have to hit them to make them listen! Which I've learned now that those teachers do... Nati says they get it enough at home and would never allow that in her school so I was hoping it was the same in El Batey. I was dreaming).

I walked home with Manuela who confirmed that next week will start the first cycle in the morning-YES. I then saw the pastor and he said I could visit tomorrow in the afternoon so I can talk to him about his adult literacy class and how I can help :D ("Yes! This is why I'm here!"). Oh, and he wasn't mad at me! I was afraid because it had been so long, he would be. I also want to invite him to the Courts4Kids meeting with Zach because he's super excited about it too.

When I got home, only a few minutes passed by before I had about 15 kids in my Sala de Tarea. They were coloring, drawing, cutting, pasting, laughing, singing, and making an absolute mess. A few parents stopped by, laughed and commented on my patience and how crazy I am. One mother went to go fetch her son after seeing it all and getting excited. It was a blast: loud, messy, chaotic, and fun. These kids don't have the opportunity to do things creative and they were here, in my house, not fighting with each other (if they started, I told them they had to leave-ABSOLUTELY NO FIGHTING IS ALLOWED IN MY HOUSE). ("Yes! This is why I'm here!")

I also have this little 2, maybe 3 year old at my house nearly everyday. He's Haitian and perked up only when Fredito talked in Creole. But never talked to me. Today, I fed him the little rice that was left over from lunch and he ate it up quick. After that, I couldn't get him to leave my side. Then he was drawing in my lap and making grunting noises every second to make me look at what he had done. I would tell him a color, and he'd repeat it. His almost black eyes sparkled and he finally started smiling with me!  ("Yes! This is why I'm here!") I swear, my heart melted into a puddle in my stomach... Then that night, I made myself tostones (and was successful!) and gave him some; along with another boy who was here that I know has a difficult home situation... Though I was told to be careful with him because he will rob me blind in seconds if I don't pay attention when he's in my house :/

But man was it a full and satisfying day. Things are looking up. Still so far left to go but I can sleep soundly tonight. Buenas noches.