So, it’s coming to an end. And okay, I didn’t blog that much and I apologize; it’s one of the many things I wanted to do and just didn’t. It can be exhausting to sit and think, process and write, and try to put things in just the right words. It’s been amazing. The best [...]

Summer is coming to an end. As kids head back to school, the campo will get quieter, which I’m happy about. No more running around and stealing oranges from my tree! I hope you all enjoyed your summer, hot as it may have been. I feel for you on the heat- it gets up to 98 degrees [...]

It’s about 2pm on Thursday, June 9th. I’m sipping on a Starbucks’ tall mocha while watching people walk to-and-from the Strawberry Festival on Indy’s Monument Circle. It’s been a lovely week,with great weather and nice time with my family and with Kate. It feels good to get up early and drive downtown to a clean [...]

Wow. It’s official. I have 6 more months to go before my service ends and SO much still to do. However, that’s a good thing! If you know me, you know I work better under pressure. I like a little deadline panic to jumpstart me into focus mode. Here’s a summary of both ideas and [...]

Alright folks, the time has come.  My project grant is online, so start donating so we can TOGETHER build this youth rec facility!!! Learn more about the project by clicking on the link and by checking out the pictures posted below. Click on the following link to donate: https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=donate.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=517-418      

Feliz año nuevo! It’s 2011, which means I’m coming home THIS YEAR. It’s amazing how fast Peace Corps is going, but although the end is drawing near, there is still much to be done. But before I begin explaining my new project, I’d like to recap on the greatness that was 2010. Highlight Reel: Made [...]

Sorry for the lapse in updates! Things were busy there for awhile. At the end of July, my friend Shelby came to visit. Unfortunately our friend Joel was also supposed to come but missed his flight. Bummer! Shortly after Shelby left, I visited my family in Indiana. I was only able to stay for one [...]

In May, I started teaching a youth entrepreneuship course called “Construye Tus Suenos” to 20 youth from my community and the surrounding area. CTS is a business education program that empowers youth with the knowledge and skills necessary for developing a business. After participating in a course, the youth have the opportunity to develop their [...]

I´m currently in my ¨In Service Language Training¨ with professors from Entrena, the volunteer training center. I´d like to say that my spanish has improved by leaps and bounds!  I just received my first Advanced Spanish Grammar book. It feels good to finally get into the swing of things. Communication makes everything just a little [...]

I’m at my friend Shilpa’s house right now. She has 24/7 internet, can you believe that? Lucky. I thought I’d take this opportunity to update my readers! The hot air is moving in, and the mosquitos are getting vicious. I have to turn my fan on over my bed just to blow away the mosquitos to [...]

About two weeks ago, I moved into my new house. It´s right around the corner from my Doña´s house, with orange and white concrete and a zinc roof, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, dining room, and kitchen. I have more than enough space, but I chose the house because of its location and it´s [...]

I´ve officially finished my first three months of service. My diagnostic report is finished and my presentation is ready to go! On Monday, I´m going to the capital with my project partner Jorge to present the diagnostic, and will be staying the week to learn about project planning and other fun schtuff. Right now I´m sitting [...]

Hey there. So, I prestar-ed a computer from my friend and I´m happy to be sitting comfortably in the Cigar Family School  using free internet. I just had a meeting with about 12 jovenes, and they are PUMPED to do the Business Plan Competition. These kids are smart and motivated. My only concern is unfair pressure… [...]

Saludos! I hope this blog reaches you all enjoying the holiday season. I celebrated my first warm Thanksgiving last week in the capital with all the other volunteers in country. We rented out a country club and had a massive pool party, typical American Thanksgiving dinner, and quite the entertaining talent show. I even won a few [...]

They have finally arrived… just a sample of my life here in the DR. If you´d like to view my photos, check out my recent photo album on facebook. If you´re not on facebook, GET ON IT AND FRIEND ME! (cough, james.) Things are a bit challenging right now. I´m in my community, away from my [...]

Saludos todos y todas. So, I have a couple things to clear up. First, the name of my site is Caribe. I live in Caribe in the Caribe. Fantastic. El Verde is the town nearby where several of my artesans are from. Second, there are kacatas at my site. I was taking a nap the other [...]

Greetings All! I have landed upon the final few days of training, and after tomorrow´s technical exam, I will be only one step away from being sworn in as a volunteer. These past fews days I was at a national business plan competition featuring business plans made by young entrepreneurs around the country, several from Haiti [...]

So, I accidently kicked the computer cord and my previous blog was lost. I´m too flustered to rewrite everything, and I don´t have the time. POOP! However, I would like to fill you all in on my new location! I´ve moved from outside of Santo Domingo to just south of Puerto Plata, a popular tourist spot [...]

Hola! This is attempt number 2 at this blog. Last time, my computer timed out and shut off in the middle of writing. I´m sitting in an internet center near my house, lucky me! There´s so much to share that I´m not sure where to begin or what to say, especially given I have an alloted [...]

In an effort to keep all my friends and family updated on my experience in the Peace Corps, I’ve created this blog. Hopefully I will have access to a computer once in a while to write an update. You may have to be patient though- my resources will be limited. First of all, thank you Word Press [...]