Día de Fiesta y Greg & Lula!

May 30, 2013. Día de Fiesta! And it certainly was! I rose around 8:30, had yuca and eggs for breakfast (!!) and played cards with some kiddos until 11. At that time, backpack in hand, I headed to the thruway, waited for a half hour and flagged down a car. I told him where I needed to go and paid. All by myself! Lol And at the corner waiting for me stood Lula and Greg :D It was so good to see their faces!

They took me to their house, gave me a tour, and we went into their room which accidentally had air conditioning haha. Oh god that was wonderful. We ate lunch, chatted, and I stole some wifi. I had 54 emails waiting for me lol Then I got to FaceTime with my family! And for quite a while :D Have I mentioned that I can't wait to have Internet nearly everyday? 

We went outside (I saw the biggest rat of my entire life run across the yard) and chatted for a while but eventually made our way out. I needed to take money out for my rent for June. Luckily my monthly allowance already went in for June so there enough for me to do so. Now I don't have to worry about it later which I'm happy about. We also stopped at the supermarket and I picked up suckers for the kids I taught and three bigger push-up pop thingys for the winners. When we got back there was talk of going out. I wasn't sure if I should go back late but they offered to drive me. But also...I have this fear of talking on the phone in Spanish because I can't see their faces to read expressions or lips. So after building myself up for 10 minutes I finally called her. And could understand her! I'm sure my Spanish sucked cuz I stumbled big time but I asked and she said I could come back whenever I wanted :D. 

Then Nate was home from work!! And I got to see his face too for the first time in what felt like months! There was no luz so I tucked myself in by the one window in the room but it kept getting darker and darker haha. But oh man he was clear and handsome as ever. Miss you baby. And love you like crazy.

We ate breakfast for dinner (oatmeal type thing) and headed out with two of their Dominican friends. We left Villa, went past my campo and to the next one to a pretty nice bar. It wasn't too packed, the music was amazing, and the lights were pretty lol. We drank chocolate milk, screamed to chat, and danced a little. The guy we were with noticed how much I loved this one song and about twenty minutes later the DJ said my name and played the song again hahaha. So funny.  It was a perfect, relaxing way to end a nearly perfect day.

They drove me home, my Toms got destroyed with mud since I couldn't see where I was walking and it had downpoured shortly before, and I made it home safety. I entered quietly but my Doña woke and asked me how everything went from her room. Then I just headed to bed with no energy to do anything since it was 11:30 (probably the latest I've ever been up here lol). So from today(the 31), I'll say "Buenas noches" for last night.

I Owe Alele a Ton

May 29, 2013. Holy @$#! I did it. Haha Today, a teacher wasn't there because she had "something to do."  The director wrote some stuff on the board for the students to do and then left me and a younger girl (maybe my age but she looked younger) with the kids for the rest of the day. It was getting crazy, of course, and the voice inside my head was screaming, "JUST DO IT." So. I walked around and had the kids write their name in my notebook. Then I told them that I was going to give points to those students who worked hard all day and the student with the most points at the end will get a prize on Friday (not my favorite method for various reasons but I didn't have materials or time to prepare for this so yea). But it worked.  They weren't perfect but oh my god it was incredible. I also erased points if necessary which was effective too.  The boys are especially troublesome in that class but I noticed that the ones who are normally the worst, completely turned their behavior around in the hopes of getting a point. Next, the other girl wrote math problems and they did well then too (I learned that Genesis who can't read anything (they're in 3rd grade by the way) is amazing at math!). She then tried to have one student at a time go up and read from a book (that no other student had). Ugh, painful even for me lol. But they mostly stayed in their seats. Then the girl kinda just left. I decided the kids deserved a break (since the director said they were skipping recess and ending a half hour early today. But even so, working for 3 hours straight is too much). The kids read, ate, played, whatever. I let them go for a bit so there was some fighting but it was in other classrooms where other teachers should have handled it lol. Then. My Dinámica. I gathered the kiddos back up, put them in the middle of the room and did a dínamica with them called "Alele." It's one of my favorites and the kids LOVED it. We ended up doing it twice and after they begged for more, I promised we could do it again at the end of the day. I then wrote a paragraph on the board with lots of blanks for certain letters. I've noticed a pattern with the students and what letters they miss when they free write (like the n in tengo or the s in every word possible lol). So, they had to write the paragraph and fill in the blanks with the missing letters. I had to help a bit but they got it and seemed to enjoy it. Then I wrote their homework on the board (totally making this all up by the way cuz I don't know much quite yet what they have or haven't learned and that girl was still gone lol). I made up math problems that they had to solve using drawings. Continuing with the point system, they finished pretty quick :). After, the dínamica again (the girl came back and joined lol) and announcing the winners. There were three top ones so I'll get something bigger for them and then something small for the rest because they really did so well. Ah, I did have a problem with Sandi because something happened during the break and he wouldn't talk to me or participate for almost the rest of the day. But he popped back in at the end so I guess he just needed time. 

Oh man I was on such a high lol. Sorry if I am sounding super conceited :/ I'm just so pumped. I went home for lunch, played cards with Samuel and Mayelin (of course), and made a lunch date with Greg and Lula for tomorrow in Villa because we don't have class (Día de Fiesta!)!  Around 1, my host mom yelled at the kids to leave me be so I could rest since I had to go back to school. I kinda felt bad but loved her a lot for that lol. 

At 2, I headed out and passed out the muffins and milk (my new job by the way). Then the teacher of the pre-escolar (five year olds) had to leave for a minute. "Vengo ahora" she said which means, "I'll be right back" but that always actually means in like an hour lol. So who was the teacher? Yup. Me. Oh god. We sang Alele again and they loved it. Then I started to write the alphabet. They knew a but not b. so I tried the vowels. And they knew them all. Perfect. So I wrote those, we repeated them louder, softer, faster, slower, in order, out of order. Then I drew pictures of things that started with those vowels and wrote the words. In their notebooks, I wrote the vowels, the words, and had them copy below and then draw the pictures themselves. Some could write, others could not. Again, totally making this up with no preparation and with chalk, a board, and their notebooks so I know it's not great. I helped those that couldn't write to trace my letters. Then let them free draw (again, some couldn't). Kendris, one of my precious favorites (brother of Mayelin) was a pain in my @$!.  He screamed, got up, drew on every other page but his, fought, threw things. Lol yea. Just towards the end, the teacher returned and I looked at her and said, "Oh here!" and went to hand her the chalk. She hurries in, grabs something and goes, "No! You're doing great! Continue!" And leaves me. Ha.

As they were finishing up, I found a book in the room that was called something like, "What Can You Make With 10 Dots?"  The first page had one dot and a picture was made with one dot. The next had two and another picture. Etc until 10. I read it and then gave each child a number which was the number of dots they had to create a picture with. I put an example on the board with a tree and 8 dots as manzanas (apples). They drew, some used the dots, some didn't Lol Oh well. Then I let them play. Kendris drove me nuts and was absolutely wild but the others responded well to positive feedback... After what felt like hours, the teacher came back as I was preparing to do something else in workbooks that I had found. I ran out as fast as I could lol. 

The director said I could observe in pre-escolar so I returned and she was cleaning and organizing the room... Haha. Linda then said she had something for me and took me to her house. I'm so happy she did that too because I've wanted to visit her, she lives down a road I hadn't been to yet, and there are much more houses that way that I didn't know about. And she gave me mangoes! Quadruple win :D. When I returned, the teacher was still cleaning. Then, however, she showed me some songs that they know with movements. Super cute. The one girl begged me to show the teacher Alele so we did it. Twice. She joined us and loved it too :D. Man, I owe Alele a ton.

Classes let out a half hour early and the teachers started teaching me to dance Merengue and Bachata in the office :). And made plans for me to visit all of them at some point. I'm pretty sure there are 2 teachers total from both schools that actually live in the community here :/ Crazy. No wonder there's no community or parent involvement when the teachers all peace out as soon as classes end...

I headed home, and we had a game playing party on the porch. My Dominoes were out and two sets of cards were going at once. I was still on my high so I managed to play games for the next 3 hours haha. I did learn a new game you can play with Dominoes though! Love it. We had no luz for most of the night so I was able to say we couldn't play with my iPad since it needed to charge (and there was no luz to do so) :P Oops. Huevos y víveres greeted me for dinner, llegó el agua (!! Literally-The water arrived!), I showered (love not having to bucket shower and being able to flush the toilet normally!) and now I'm waiting for Nate to call me back. I've gotta remember this day for sure cuz it felt so good. My Spanish wasn't perfect, but I talked more. I wasn't prepared para nada for teaching today but the kiddos worked and maybe (?) learned a little. The teachers didn't really see anything that I did but the director took notice that the class was managed well and the kiddos attack hugged me a few times at the end (after all, they're who I care about most). I'm having major stomach issues (to spare the details) but I don't have a fever so it's not Dengue! Hahaha oh god I'm done, I promise. Buenas noches.

It's All For Them

May 28, 2013. Class was pretty bad today. Lots of the teacher leaving and lots of me doing (almost) absolutely nothing about it (I can't seem to let the fights go without intervening...). But during recess I looked through a book with some kids and ended up having a bunch at my side. I also got a lot of hugs today which felt amazing.  In the midst of the overwhelming task ahead of me, I was reminded that it's all for them, the little ones. And I couldn't help but smile in my little chair surrounded by screaming and fighting children and no teacher in sight.

During lunch I packed and ate a bunch (definitely getting a gut already and super upset about it... Did some exercises in my room tonight).  As soon as I left for the other school, it started downpouring, and hard.  My legs were soaked from my thighs down with the umbrella only covering so much when I had to cross flooded streets and the thruway. I got there and the teachers yelled at me for not waiting for the rain to stop lol. Which today, would've meant that I should've never came because it didn't stop.  I had a funny feeling that the director wasn't going to be there on the walk over. I was right. She's apparently sick (but also mentioned that her son from the states was at her house so there wouldn't be a bed for me) so I didn't have to go spend the night in Villa. Part of me was sad since I was planning on seeing Lula and Greg but most of me was pumped :). I observed Manuela's class which was first grade. No, her management and teaching methods weren't the greatest but I will say that I loved the way in which she spoke to the children. She was fun, loving, mostly positive, and genuinely seemed to care about them. She said that one of her favorite things in the entire world is when a student comes back to her and says, "Profé, it's because of you that I learned how to read."  Loved that. But of course, because of he rain, classes started almost an hour late and ended an hour early. She and I talked a bit while we waited for it to die down a little. She still doesn't understand why I'm there... I wish the Peace Corps had done a better job at making sure they knew about my arrival and purpose. We talked about schools here and schools in the states. How parent involvement is nonexistent here and it's essential to kids' learning (I agree). Actually, one mother today came "looking for" her daughter. She had no idea her daughter was in school... And it's the end if the year. Manuela went nuts in her; asking how it's possible that this child's own mother doesn't know her daughter is in school at that time (the same time everyday). Incredible. I also tried to ask how/what the school does to try and bring about parent involvement. It didn't come out quite right but she did gives examples of what she does, so I was sorta successful :P. In the past, if there is a student who never brings back their homework or does work in school, she has made visits to their house to try and explain to the parents the importance of their help in the child's learning. One time, she was completely successful and the student improved tremendously. Most of the time, however, it does nothing... Oh, have I mentioned that getting the parents and community involved in the school more is part of my project? Oh boy.

Eventually we walked back together in the rain. And she asked my favorite question: "So what didn't you like about my class?" To which I, of course, said, "Nothing!"  Lol

When I got home, my host mom asked why I didn't go to Villa and then left for about an hour. That was when I did my exercises in my room and showered. Then Lili and Samuel came over and we played cards. 

Lili then saw my iPad and asked if I had pictures on it. I thought about it for a second because of how much the Peace Corps warns about busting out expensive electronics early in your site buuuuttt... I did it anyways. And it was so worth it.  I first showed them my family, then my boyfriend, and other random photos. Then I showed the ones from Photo Booth with the crazy funny effects and they absolutely died laughing. So I started taking photos of them with Stretch, Squeeze, and Twirl. Oh my god I haven't laughed that hard since I've been here. Then my host mom got involved, died laughing, sent me to the neighbors, they died laughing, more kids came over and it just was a blast. Then of course the games came out and the kiddos passed it around for the rest if the night playing Fruit Ninja and Temple Run 1 & 2.  Maybe it was wrong and maybe I shouldn't have opened that can of worms just yet but seriously, it was just so fun watching them enjoy it so much. I'll just have to be careful with how much I let them play it is all :). No worries. Oh random side note: I found out that there is Wifi at the colmado by the thruway. Good to know but I'm still not going to go there with my iPad cuz that would be super out in the open. And the guy that works there creeped me out the only time I've been there... So yea! 14 more days lol. 

I finally told them I needed to head to bed at 9:15 (the latest they've ever been at my house), got to talk to Jen, and now it's time for bed (except for whatever reason, it's late but I don't wanna go to sleep. Hm...). Another decent day filled with "I-just-don't-give-a-shits" and laughter. I'm good with it :). Buenas noches.

Having The Stars Within Reach

May 27, 2013. Before I begin, I just want to say how incredible the zinc roof is when the lightning outside is constant and brighter than ever. There are lots of holes above me so when the lightning strikes, the roof looks like a clear night sky with the stars shining. Love.

Today was a better day. Although I never explained what happened last Wednesday (the blog with just a list), I'll say that something similar happened today but it went better than before.  In the morning, at around 11am, the teacher wrote "Draw the different modes of communication" on the board and also the math problems for homework. She then picked up her bag, waved goodbye to me and walked out; an hour early. When the kids finished what was on the board, they could leave. I only broke up one serious fight, I walked around and helped a few, tried to use positive feedback to see their reaction (since I have yet to witness any teacher here using it-the kids loved it...), and was able to communicate most of what I wanted. Then in the afternoon, the teachers were supposed to end class early (4:30) and have a budget meeting. Instead, they had it at 3pm and again, the teacher wrote questions on the board and left me with 20 kids in a cramped classroom for 45 minutes. This one wasn't as smooth but still much better than last week. I asked them questions, gave them directions when they weren't listening, understood much more of what they were saying (some kids are sooo hard to understand), gave them a book to read when they finished, and checked their work. One student wouldn't listen to me para nada but I was at the end of my "I care" rope (I have an end! Lol) so I let him go. I just know when I do things, it will be different. But that wasn't my class and I can only do so much still... Hope that's okay to say.

Anyways, after they ended classes early (como siempre), I had quite the conversation with the teachers in the office. Let's just say I learned some slang terms for certain parts of the body and a certain action between men and women lol. They got a kick out of teaching me those things and at some of the things I joked about back :). I totally enjoyed that. 

On the walk home, one lady (who is a substitute) walked with me and asked me for help... She needs a job because she has 5 kids and her husband isn't working. She makes RD$1,000 every 15 days, which if you can't guess, is absolutely nothing. She wants me to talk to my "Jefa" and see if there's anything she can do for her, even if it's in the capital... This was hard. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to handle that cuz Lordy I want to help her, but I don't know if I can. I think I'll make a call or talk to someone when I go to the capital next just to see... I told her I'll see what I can do and hugged her goodbye.

At home I played cards and Dominoes with some kiddos. Then Mayelin and Lizbeth had a dance-off on the patio :). I talked about music with a family member of Dulce, and played more cards with another family member. I talked quite a bit more (overall today), I think, which felt great and provided as a distraction from my wondering heart. 

The rains came heavy so the little ones left. My host mom set up her new fridge-Oh! Did I mention that she's putting her old, little fridge in my room?? So I "can have cold water when there's luz!!" God she's wonderful :D And I can use the top of it as another table since even the three I have doesn't seem like enough lol I'm so pumped :). I did some (not many, but some!) exercises in my room, showered, and then ate my weight back in víveres for dinner at 8pm. My man called and made me laugh a ton which helped so much too. Missing him hard but feeling super strong about us. 

Today at the school was better than most days. I understood more, talked a little more (with teachers, students, and Dulce who also gave me a little bit of this delicious sweet drink that had rum in it :D oops?), managed better, and was able to bring my personality out a little more. The possibility of improvement and being successful didn't seem so far away today; just like how the lightning streaked above me the holes of my zinc roof, it was as if I had the stars within reach.  And now hopefully I can sleep tonight with the rain gently patting on the roof. Buenas noches.

El Padre, El Hijo, y El Espíritu Santo

May 26, 2013. I awoke at 6:11am today and was ready for church by 7. Of course, we didn't leave until 9 lol. Lizbeth and David received their confession so I've now seen a baptism ceremony and confession :) I actually love how similar it all was (just...in Spanish-El Padre, El Hijo, y El Espíritu Santo). But seriously, I could hear much (certainly not all) of the English prayers in my head as they were spoken in Spanish. It was a wonderful experience and I felt chills the whole time. But I was also fighting back tears much of the time. I prayed for Roy, his family, and mine (Grandma Irene-you especially)...

We ran a few errands in town (next town over "La Puerta"-I definitely don't miss that hissing) and then fit 9 people in a carro público for the ride back lol. After changing, we headed up to my host mom's mom's house and I hung out with the family and met lots more that live in Santiago. They all noticed my feet and asked if the mosquitos were bad. I said, "Oh, espérete" (Just wait) and lifted my pant legs (see below). I was the talk of everyone around the house for twenty minutes lol. I told them I have repellent but it doesn't work, and I use my mosquitera. My plan is to go into the doctor's office when I go to the capital and tell them to save their money for my repellent and buy me pants instead. We'll see how that goes :). If I have to wear pants everyday, I will now. Cuz the severity of the itchiness is nothing like I've ever felt before. And gets pretty painful too.

Sancocho was on the menu for lunch and it is definitely my favorite food here. They made a massive pot of it and fed probably 25 people. Incredible. There was luz all day (:D) so I watched the kids play video games on a computer and then we watched Death Race (although a different one than I had seen). Finally at 5pm, I headed out. My host mom hadn't been around for a few hours and I was so tired. Not sure from what since I really didn't talk much today but yea. I felt super left out the entire time there and just hoped Lizbeth would invite me to things with her as she came and went but she didn't. I could have asked but I just didn't have the bravery in me today.

Back at my house, I sat on the porch a little with my host dad, hung out with their grandson, learned from Lula that we have to get a Dominican green card (?apparently it's in an email lol I should probably call someone tomorrow and figure that one out; sounds important), and kinda snuck off to my room. 

Today was just kind of a haze; I'm sorry for the lameness of the post and my negativity. My family is going to call tonight though, which is good. I think I just need to talk and not having someone here to do that with is hard. I just think if I tried to explain what happened to a Dominican, and how much Roy meant to me, they would understand even less why I am here, away from my family. And I wouldn't be able to argue with them today.

Lord, Take Care of Your New Angel

May 25, 2013. I'm not sure where to start. Do I still talk about my day when the reality of back home is bearing heavy in my chest and I'm struggling to fight back the tears? Maybe I'll give a brief summary but I don't feel like explaining much. Not when I've got another angel up in the skies today.

I couldn't sleep after I awoke at 4am unsure as to why (though I guess I know now). At 8 I finally rose and emerged to an empty house. Shortly after though, Lizbeth came and brought me to her house. There was a pig getting stabbed and a whole group of people watching. I then watched the entire process of using a knife to shave it's hair, the gutting, the breaking of the rib cage, the joy Dulce's mom expressed after seeing the blood in a pot, Dulce ripping apart the intestines, and the cutting, weighing, and selling of the meat. Absolutely crazy. Llegó la luz so we watched a movie (Patrick Swayze as a transgender male?). I met another person in a house way por arriba and swam a little in a new river. I taught an informal English class to 4 jovenes. We played cards and I tried to teach them how to shuffle. Then the storm came. I think I may have said before that I had seen and heard the biggest thunder storm ever here but I lied. Today was the biggest. And now I know why.

At 6pm, my mom called. Roy passed away just this morning. For those of you who don't know, he had been an incredible addition to our family for many years now. He loved my Grandma Irene, and she loved him. The two of them were wonderful together and it all started in church with a simple tap from him on my Grandma's nose as tears fell down her cheeks. You couldn't help but feel so special around him. Despite all his pains, he never failed to hold tight my hand, kiss my cheek, and tell every woman in the room how beautiful they were. His family also became our family and they fit right in with our chaos of love. He was a talented glass sculptor (I'm sorry, I know that's not the right name) and created amazing things with his hands. His smile stretched wide across his fragile, wrinkled face and easily lit up any room. He used a cane and was unsteady on his feet but that never stop him from enjoying his glass of gin (I pray that's the right alcohol but my memory is uncertain).  He told stories but also listened so intently; I could have sat and talked to him for hours whenever he was at the house.

With complete sincerity I can say that he is one of the greatest examples of a true gentleman I have ever and will ever know. He was like a grandfather to me. I can hear, even worlds away now, how his gentle voice would say my name.  I'm finding that I am teetering back and forth from believing it's real to not in seconds and it's as if there are two realities happening at once.  But though I'm not back home with this reality, I still felt as if a part of my chest was sucked away and a void was left when my mother spoke those words. None of you will read this for a few weeks so please know now that I was with you as much as my spirit could be. I sent prayers and love with my tears and I wished (and still wish) I could have been there to say "Nos vemos pronto." Because we will all see each other soon in the vastness of eternity. And until then; Lord, take care of your new angel. We were blessed to have him for as long as we did and now he deserves to be at your side. Roy? I love you. And I'm sorry I wasn't there. 

Buenas noches.

Had My Personality Back for a Day :)

May 24, 2013. Woo! I did it! No, it wasn't 100X better than the first trip but it was significantly better :D. I left at 7:45, met up with Manuela at her house, we drank coffee together, she gave me food for the afternoon (I had snuck two pieces if bread from Dulce and made a peanut butter sandwich but yuca, papas, cebolla y salami sounded so much better :P), and we headed over the the other side together. We waited for the director and the bus for about an hour but I had decent conversation with her and this super super skinny old woman that works at the school and lives on that side. The poverty on that side is... Yea. I thought my side was bad but when the director took me around... Ay Dios mio. It's bigger on that side and there's more things (colmados, a church, a "hospital," etc) but some of the houses are in incredibly bad shape. 

Woa, tangent. Anyways. We boarded the guagua (one this time, not three!) and headed out. The kids were just as loud as last time but I loved it. They sang, chanted, danced, and yelled the entire time lol. We got to the zoo and the chofer said that he had another trip to take and had to leave for Villa again to pick up students and bring them to the capital. And that he wouldn't return until 4... He completely robbed them. They paid for his service for the entire day and they were supposed to go to the zoo and the museum and the colonial zone... But because he didn't come back until 4, we had to head home.  And por eso, there was a lot of sitting around at the zoo and waiting while the kids blew off so much energy on the playground (but not all!). 

I was with the director and teachers mostly and two guys my age. I talked a little, not a ton, but it was nice. I shared with the guys why I was there, what I studied in the states, what The Peace Corps is, my family, etc. And the director FINALLY realized that I know more Spanish than she thought. At around 2:30, I was sitting with the guys and she was with the other teachers (Manuela was one of them). They must have been talking because the director gets up, walks over to me, and says, "You DO know Spanish? But I thought you knew nothing! And you didn't tell me!" I wanted to punch her lol. I said that I had tried to tell her I knew more than she thought but not a ton. But again, she ignored me and couldn't believe I didn't tell her. The guys and Manuela defended me :). The director also kept bragging about how she knows how to speak English but her English is pretty bad lol. She kept saying treinta was 50. It's 30 :P. Tuesday is gonna suck. Hahaha. 

But continuing on, we literally sat around for hours. There was no keeping track of the kids, and a few times, some were missing so we would just sit and wait for them to show up lol. It's amazing. In the states, we would have all gotten sued haha. Eventually the guagua came and we left. The kids kept chanting stuff that I didn't understand but the director kept telling them to stop, that it was rude, and then behind the chofer's back she egged the kids on to continue haha. She came back to me and called him a "ladrone" (thief) and explained to me again what he had done. I felt bad for the kids since they expected one thing (which was a HUGE awesome experience for them) and only got part of it. But they had a ton of fun anyways. 

Ugh, also. Can I just randomly say that I have now seen the most precious little boy in the entire world? He is probably 3, wouldn't talk to me, but has the biggest and darkest black eyes I have ever seen. Oh god I melted when I saw him. He also has a huge scar from the corner of his left eye down his cheek a bit, almost like a big tear drop... But seriously. He stole my heart and has no idea :)

We got back, Manuela and I walked home together, Dulce made me coffee when I returned, I understood her a little today (!! That's huge!), and I got Mangu for dinner! Mmmm. So bad for you but so good :D (lots of butter). A bunch of kids came over and we played cards. I talked more, joked around a lot, and laughed a ton at the voices they were making. It was so wonderful to almost have my personality for a day lol. 

Y ¿ahora? It's the weekend! And I'm gonna learn how to cook with Dulce! I had told Lizbeth that I wanted to learn and she told Dulce. Yessss. Oh and Sunday is Mother's Day here and we're going to church I guess? Not sure where though. Guess I'll find out! Buenas noches. 

Addition: Saw my first rat up in the beams on the ceiling tonight hahaha. Not thrilled but I think I'd rather have them than the huge tarantulas that exist here :P Seriously, I've seen dead ones for sale in display cases and hear stories from volunteers. I really don't want those things (but luckily no one in this community has talked about them thus far, so maybe we don't have them!). Just rats I guess!