I was attempting to check up on the current Peace Corps status in Honduras. All I really know so far is that due to the golpe de estado (Coup-de-etat), the new training class that was scheduled to begin this week will now be heading to the Dominican Republic for a few weeks. They will begin language training as Peace Corps monitors the situation and receives further instructions from headquarters in D.C. As for the Peace Corps Volunteers serving in Honduras, I assume they are all safe and sound. A PCV from the D.R. (and Bay Area native) is currently doing a third year extension in Honduras so I will try to email and find out her end of the situation....

A situation that happens in a place most of us hardly ever think about (some may not even know where to look for it on a map) comes back around and effects us...Remember, we are all connected.

To the training class : Bienvenidos!

These are my pets Rusty (dog) and Marcel (cat). They help me keep a schedule while at my site and provide me with sanity. They are my only site friends that know English ;)

Christmas day Leti and I went over to the Hub (volunteer hostel) and met up with PCVs Kevin and Maryam and M's friend from the states Angela. Angela brought a gingerbread house kit. After taking the group picture, I realized this was the first birthday I'd spent with just friends. Weird, right?

Teo, Leticia and I spent Christmas Eve together in the city. I know, I ate my birthday cake early, but it was an ice cream cake and I didn't want it to melt. The tree is inside my house. Dominicans were amazed I knew how to decorate it myself. I tried not to take offense to that.

When I arrived in the DR, I was looking forward to learning about a new culture, eating real Dominican food, and living by a new daily Dominican routine. This lasted about 1 week. I realized that I missed my computer, my ipod, movies, The Today Show, spicy food, soy chai lattes, cheesecake, hot showers, running water whenever I wanted it, flushing toilets and refrigerators.

Don’t stop reading…..I promise this won’t be one of those depressing I-want-to-go-home-blogs. Well, not entirely. Just read on…

I’d like to say that I have learned not to enjoy the previous luxuries, but then I’d be a big fat liar. The truth is, we PCVs need to escape our simple campo lives from time to time. Usually, this is accomplished by a trip to the capitol. You can get almost anything in the cap. The only bagel shop in the country is located there. There is a Pizza Hut down the street from the PC office (where there is wireless internet), a movie theatre with discounts on Tuesdays, cable TV in the hostel and the office, a huge grocery store, hot showers and a clean pool at the US Embassy, flushing toilets galore, an American Sports Bar (it’s really called that) with every sports game covered on massive flat screen TVs, and a T.G.I.Fridays. Ok, so guess what is NOT available in Santo Domingo? What’s on almost every corner in the US? What is all the rage all college campuses? Where did that deliciously tasting, very sweet, hot drink sitting on the corner of your desk come from? STARBUCKS!

That’s right, there is no Starbucks in Santo Domingo. When we arrived in country, someone started a rumor that the only Starbucks in the country was located up in Santiago (the 2nd biggest city in the DR). Wrong. Some of us have traveled high and low in search of a tiny cup of delicious goodness just to be disappointed in the end.

Until now…

Let me start from the beginning (okay, you can have a bathroom break)

Back? Great.

A few months ago, a friend I’ve had since in grade school, shot me an email and said that she was going on a cruise with her boyfriend and parents and that they were going to stop in the DR! Since, the last person I’ve seen from home was my mom in May, I jumped up right away and marked the day Keri, Kevin, Pam and Kerry were going to come see me.

A couple of days before Thanksgiving, I set off on a very adventurous guagua ride into La Romana. I was really nervous, not because I was traveling by myself to a part of the country I’ve never been, but because I hadn’t seen Keri for years! It’s been a while since I’d even talked to an American not living the PC way. I was scared they were going to smell the bucket bath water on me, or notice some the Dominicanismos I’ve picked up (nose scrunch, hnpf grunt, lip point, etc). I was really afraid I’d speak in Spanglish the whole time too.

As I timidly walked up to the gate surrounding the ship area, all my worries were subsided the moment I saw Keri and Pam walking towards me with big smiles on their faces. It was so good to see familiar faces and feel familiar hugs. A few moments later, Kevin (Keri’s new fiancée) and Kerry walked up with equally as big smiles as the first two. Even though they were probably on some vacation-on-a-cruise-high, I pretended they were just really excited to see me J .

Anyway, I was able to tag along with them to Casa de Campo (this really big country club type of place with an artisan school) and to a different part of CdeC that had a market, fancy apartments, and yachts everywhere. While looking at the map of the grounds, Keri noticed a little Starbucks logo at the top indicating there was one on the premises. All I could say was “No way, they probably just brew that coffee and have the little cups”. I then asked a Dominican worker if she new where the Starbucks was located. She looked at me like I was crazy and then pointed to a place that sold some cafesito, but it wasn’t Starbucks.

We walked around, ate some ice cream and pastries and continued on our way. We were passing what looked like a small convenience store and something naturally brought us in. Maybe it was the bags of Stacy’s pita chips, raw almonds and Haribo gummies looking at us through the windows…

The moment I walked in, I saw colorful chalkboards that read words about The Cheese Cake Factory desserts and appetizers and Frappuccinos. Underneath, there was a pastry case full of cheese cakes. Oh man! I looked to the right and there was the Starbucks logo on napkins, cups, and signs! I felt like I had been illegally transported back to the homeland. I won’t lie, tears were shed. My friends said “Go on…get whatever you want”. Bless them. I ordered a Frappuccino and felt every last sip in my throat. It was awesome!

Thinking back, Keri and her family probably thought I had a few screws loose that day. I mean, who cries over Starbucks? Answer: a PCV who hasn’t been home for 14 months does.

I don’t know what my point in telling you this is. It sounds like I’m letting you know I’m deprived, I’m really not. I guess I just want you to stop and enjoy the actions that take up your day. Sounds cliché, but I don’t care. Smile at the Starbucks barista every time you order your grande, non-fat, double-something, extra whip, shot-of-something-else, mocha. Then, sip it and take in all of that rich, scrumptious sabor.

*Thanks to the Husted family for the hugs and love.

**Congrats Keri and Kevin! Good luck planning the wedding.

The T-Committee was comprised of 15 volunteers and we essentially spent the entire year planning for the big day. The idea was to have a family style dinner of all the normal fixings and have a full day of fun. Sounds easy right? Now think about adding 200+ people (PCVs, RPCVs, Embassy employees, and PCDR office staff). Also, keep in mind that the committee has the added bonus of figuring out how to fund this one day event. Still sound easy? It wasn't. Instead of boring you with all the pre-day details (there are really too many to write about), I'll just tell you that the PCDR Thanksgiving celebration was fantastic! It was held at a country club where we played volleyball, basketball and dominoes, swam in the pool, ate TONS of food, watched an awesome slide show (thanks Bexx), laughed at the no-so-talented talent show performers, had a merengue and bachata dance contest and danced until we were kicked out of the club. This Thanksgiving was so much better than last year's and I'm happy I was a part of the committee because people can't stop talking about how awesome it was.

**Thanks mom for the package of all the stuffing and brownie mix! Thanks to everyone else in the states who sent stuff down too.....we wouldn't have been able to do it without ya!

Look forward to the Starbucks story...coming up next!

Here are a few pics from Thanksgiving:

me and Dave by the pool

Turkey trot runners ( I worked the finish line)

Trot workers Me, Tod, Judy

cooking veggie lasagna and stuffing at our country director's home

These are a few pictures from the Health Promoter's Conference held in San Jose de Ocoa on Nov. 7-8, 2008. The entire conference was centered around a new didactic manual created by another PCV who is finishing her service really soon. The manual is called "We're Healthy. We're Examples. We're Health Promoters." The two women shown next to me are members from my community that are currently completing my nutrition course. The next big event is a World AIDS Day activity with youth from my region.

Present: I, along with a ton of other PCVs, am in Santo Domingo today to watch the election coverage. Apparently, we are all supposed to put up this front and be apolitical during service. Go ahead and laugh at the thought of a Peace Corps Volunteer not expressing political views. Funny, right? Since this is a public site, all I'm going to say is ----- Get out there and vote!!! It is your obligation as an American. I don't care if you are in California, New York or Washington and think your voice doesn't matter; you are wrong. I saw a bit of Palin's appearance in Reno via CNN. Unfortunately, I haven't heard from anyone that went to see Palin or Obama. How was it? I'm so excited for Nevada because it's getting so much attention as a swing state and not just because of Yucca Mountain. Again, GO ROCK THE VOTE!

Past: I recently completed a week at a Medical Mission for ear, nose and throat operations. A medical team from the U.S. (mainly Nebraska) came down and provided operations for children (some adults) of underprivileged families. 6 PCVs worked as translators in screening, pre op, operating rooms, and post op. Though it was so tiring (I'm not used to being on my feet, under flourescent lights all day), it was one of the most rewarding experiences I've had as a PCV. I saw (IN THE OPERATING ROOM!) and learned a ton during that week; it was incredible. The nurses, techs and doctors we worked with were so amazing, patient, caring and encouraging. I hope to be on their side of things one day.

Future: I'm taking a small group of women (hopefully 5) from my site to a Health Promoter's Conference this weekend. PCVs in the San Jose de Ocoa, Bani and Azua regions are training about 30 women on how to use our new health manual in the communities. This is an integral part of my Peace Corps assignment. Sadly, I'm not too passionate about it. The reason? I don't believe it to be entirely sustainable. There. I spoke my peace and now I'll shrug my shoulders and do as is expected of me like a good little volunteer. :)

News: we got a raise recently. Jealous? you shouldn't be....my raise is roughy 6 dollars. That pays for a one way ticket from the Ocoa pueblo to the Peace Corps office in the capital. I guess I can't complain, afterall, I did CHOOSE this lifestyle.

Well, that's it for now. Have a great November full of pumpkin pie and black friday consumerism.

OH HOW I MISS NUEVA YOL (all Dominicans call the U.S. "Nueva Yol" or "Nueba Yorb").

You may ask: how can you miss the states when we're going through such an economic crisis?

my response: I hate having gastro-intestinal problems every 3 weeks and not having a nice flush toilet.

Yeah, I'll spare you the details of my current illness. If you are in a really sick mood or just bored at work, email me or my mom and we can tell you all about it.

Update:

I changed sites (it's been a long time since my last post). I now live in a much bigger site in the same province (San Jose de Ocoa). There is still no phone signal, but we have these nifty pay phones on the main street (sometimes they work). I'll take pictures of my new house soon for ya'll. It's pretty nice for my community....living room, bedroom, kitchen, connected bathroom.

Living room is basically the front room that only has 2 plastic chairs and a calendar. My bedroom has a twin bed and plastic storage shelves (i used to put all my clothes in them, but a mouse was living between my tee shirts). The kitchen has a table with a table top stove, gas tank and some plastic bins to wash dishes. The bathroom sounds cooler than it is...I still take bucket baths and have to bucket flush the toilet. There's no sink. Oh, there's a hornet's nest in the shower (which just means that I get visitors during shower time and needless to really mention, I am a speedy bucket bather----I can wash my hair, body and face before 3 of colbie calliat's songs are over). I have electricity in my house!!!! There's only one lightbulb and outlet, but I'm not complaining.....it's awesome!

I have a youth group that I work with every Tuesday. We talk about self-esteem, personal values, reproductive health and STI/HIV/AIDS. After graduation (yes, we will have a small celebration after my 9 week course), some members will become promotores and help me pass along the information to other youth in the surrounding communities. I'm also hoping they'll participate in various projects like painting murals in the community center and organized marches.

Well, I hope everyone in Nueba Yorb is having an awesome summer. Remember: ride a bike, walk or take public transportation to save your wallet! Thanks to those who have maintained contact via email, snail mail, facebook and my space....I am eternally grateful.

Do me a favor and go eat a Reese's peanut butter cup and smile....that's what i would do if I was in Nueva Yol.

This is my nine year old best friend. She keeps me sane.

Kids doing handstands on the sidewalk in Ocoa. They were taking a break from their shoe-shining jobs.

These are a little old, but I stole them from somebody. The first one is of all of the PCVs that came with me in September. I believe this was taken a few hours before swearing in. We've lost two since then. The second is of us swearing in. It was pouring. You can see a bit of my forehead on the left.

Ok, here are pictures of my current site. From the top: This is my host familia's casita. The small window on the right is for my tiny room. ; My backyard. My host dad had recently planted habichuelas (beans).; This is my latrine. I always had to pass this pig on the way to do my business. I started calling him Easter and sadly, he was killed early Thursday (3/20) for Easter weekend. ; The kitchen. Yes, it's a separate from the house. That's a lechoza (papaya) tree on the left (great for digestion); This is the only faucet we have for the house. Almost every house in the community has one of these outside (the ones who do not have to use a neighbor's or go to the river). The water "comes" for a few hours a day and we have to fill up big trash cans around the house.

I'm sorry. It has been over two months since since my last confession er....blog. Sadly, I have nothing interesting to write. I completed interviewing the women of my community and reported the results of my diagnostic at the health and water 3 month in service training. Everyone in my sector presented and thus I was able to compare my site with others. You know how people say ignorance is bliss? That's how I feel about PC sometimes. It's hard to explain, but the 3 month IST just made me depressed about my community. Oh well, I'm talking to my director on Monday. I'll let you all know what conclusions we come up with.

As far as other stuff goes....

I have a lot of mice in my house. They decide to have fiesta time between the hours of 1am-5am and it drives me nuts. Not only that, it grosses me out so much. My don puts out poison in my room, but I swear the mice are just getting fatter. The small mice seem to die easiest. Sometimes, I'll walk into my room in the middle of the day and step on a carcass. Thankfully I always wear shoes in the house. I plan to buy a cat once I move out on my own.

My best friend in my site is 9 years old. We have whistle wars. She comes over wearing some kind of hot pink or electric green conjunto and a 1950s Chrismas caroler hat (it's furry with a feather on the side) and we whistle. It's funny because neither of us can whistle so we're essentially just making funny faces and spitting on each other. She likes to look at the magazines people send me from home. I happen to have an American Cheerleader mag that I thought she would love because there's pictures of girls her age doing cool cheer tricks. I have to admit that she was not impressed. It's cool, I still took pictures of her looking through it. I'll post those some other time.

My mom is coming to visit in about 7 weeks! WAHOO! So, which one of you is next? Yes, I will pressure you into visiting. I mean, I live in the Caribbean. That trumps the whole mice issue, right?

Well, I think this is it for now. I'll post some pictures next time and I promise it'll be soon.

Here are some pics to hold you all over until I have time to post another blog. The top is of Jessica, Bill and me at a restaurant in the capital. We splurge on junk food at TGIFs (oops). Bill and I are acting classy at the consolidation hotel and drinking out of champagne glasses. Thanks to his mom for sending Mambas from the States. The next picture is of the health PCVs. We had just sworn in. We´re looking up at the only male in our group because he had to deal with all the girl issues during 5 weeks of CBT (Thanks Tod!)

Well, everyone is officially cleared to go back to their sites. However, I will remain in the capital until Monday. The PC Medical Officer has diagnosed me with some kind of bronchial infection and I'm loaded up on meds. Don't worry I get to stay in a private room at the hostel with cable. Please send me lots of funny emails as I will continue to take full advantage of the free internet via the PC office. Love you all.

Timeline of Monday and Tuesdays events:

Monday 12/10 evening: My neighbor announces to the community that there was some ciclon coming towards the country.

*In my community, there is no phone service and no TVs. 2 people own radios and we rely on them for the noticias

Tuesday 12/10 8:30a: I walked outside to clean my "pee pot" and noticed a sky full of clouds. Brief thoughts of packing up essentials and heading into the city to call the PC office to see what was happening ran through my mind. Problem: Only ONE truck heads down from my site into Ocoa. It leaves each morning at 7:30a.

Went about my day.

There were more rumors of a storm coming towards us by 2:00p or 5:00p. Everyone kind of stayed indoors and didn't show much concern.

1:00p The skies continued to darken. I told my host-mom that if the weather gets bad, I'd have to find a way to contact the PC office. She laughed and said "Si Dios quiere".

3:00p An unfamiliar motorcycle driver came looking for la Americana to hand deliver a note. Sure enough the note said for me to head to the capital immediately. My contact in the city received a phone call from the capital advising her to reach me. She sent a moto-driver up to my site (this cost me a pretty penny).

I packed up, grabbed a backpack full of necessities, put on my helmet and hopped on the back of the motorcycle.

*The road (if you can call it that) is really rocky, you have to cross a river at least 5 times, and motorcycles suck. I thought I was going to fall off.

3:30p: On the road, we passed a motorcycle driver was looking for la Americana. We stopped and he handed me a note. A volunteer had written it stating that all PCVs were now in the CONSOLIDATION PHASE and need to report to "safe-houses" (i.e. hotels throughout the country).

4:15p: A man in a truck traveling towards my site flagged us down. You guessed it, he was looking for la Americana. This driver said that he was sent up the mountain to pick me up. I was ecstatic as this meant no more moto ride for me!

The ride down the mountain was really bumpy and became pretty scary once it started to rain. We picked up hitch hikers on the way as many people wanted to head down to the pueblo for a safety. I grew antsy because I knew that the last bus to the capital would leave by 6:00p.

5:56p: The truck driver dropped me off at the bus stop and they were still loading! I boarded and found Katie, but none of the other regional PCVs (there are 5 of us). We headed to Santo Domingo.

8:45p: Katie and I arrived at the assigned hotel SAFELY. We checked in and met up with the other PCVs and gobbled up a delicious (and very free) dinner.

Notes:

I can honestly say that some of my faith in the PC system has been restored. I whole-heartedly appreciate the efforts taken to get me to a safe location during OLGA. You all should know that all PCVs have been accounted for. A couple were unable to leave their sites, but PC has had contact with them. As far as the storm direction, you all in the States probably know more than I do. I believe the eye is passing Haiti, but we're expecting tons of rain as the tail whips over us.

Spoiled American Notes: All consolidated PCVs are happily enjoying our air-conditioning, cable tv, hot showers (REAL SHOWERS) and the yummy hotel buffet thanks to the PC. A few of us made the 5 block trek in the crazy rain to the PC office to retrieve packages. Thanks Tia Vero, Mom, and Danny for all the love.

Back to Reality: We'll be here at least one more night. All of us are dreading leaving and are scared to hear about the damage the storm has caused in our sites. Whatever the results, I'll try to keep you posted. I think my house will be fine. We'll probably just have an increase in rats. Yeah, rats. I'll write about the rats later.

For now, have a great holiday season and good luck with finals UNR!

So much on my mind and there's no way this short entry will be sufficient but.....

Noel: The dang storm did a ton of damage. The roads turned into rivers, homes turned into pools, and people and animals lost their lives. We didn't have power for 8 days and food was becoming scarce. Luckily all of the PCTs are ok. The water group was evacuated from their training site by hellicopter. That made for a good story. There's some good footage of the damages caused by the storm on You Tube...check it out and let me know what you think.

Site: I received my official placement last week! I'll be in a small community surrounded by the mountains of the Cordillera Central in the province of San Jose de Ocoa (I left San Jose, Ca to end up in San Jose of the DR...go figure). It takes 1hr 45min to get to the community from the city. The road is really dangerous and scary, but leads to my paradise. Fast facts: the community is made up of 54 houses, there's a school that goes up to 5th grade with 45 students, the community has had an agro-forestry PCV in the past so there is tons of vegetation, I live near a river, It is really cold at night (yay!), my outhouse is about 50 yards away from my house, I use the "pee pot" at least twice a night, It's amazing.....you should come visit.

Early XMAS: Thanks Mom, Tracy, Juvie, Christine and Danny for the wonderful packages and mail. I received everything last week when I arrived back at the capital and enjoyed my early Christmas. Some highlights were: post-its, tapatio packets, M&Ms, UNR stickers, trail mix, granola bars, Gulliver's Travels, magazines and batteries. Don't worry, I am sharing my goodies with the other PCTs. Again, thanks so much for making me feel special.

Communication: Once I am permanently at my site I will only be able to check my email bi-monthly. Please remember to send me messages and or funny emails whenever possible. It'll be a nice balance to all the messages I get from my mom telling me of a new personal item she has decided to sell or give away (love you mom).

Sorry this has to be quick. I just found out the huge spider was a tarantula! Go figure.

I´m in Bani for a month. I´m safe, but always hungry.

I am learning a lot about the knowledge people have regarding HIV and sexual health. We health volunteers have a lot of work ahead of us.

Love you all

wish me luck on my presentation this Friday.

I eceived my CBT assignment today and from the sounds of it I´ll be cut off from internet for 5 weeks.....boo. I´ll be in a small campo in Bani. There are 4 of us in the same block so it won´t be bad. Just know that I am safe and probably eating ridiculous amounts of platanos.

First picture: Vaccination time at ENTRENA

2nd: my princess fort. tilt your head, i don´t have time or money to rotate the picture

funny....

The other night i was on the phone with my mom. It was super late because she was apparently waiting for the vaccum repair person to call her back (i forgive you Alma). Anyway, I´was talking to her while laying under my mosquito net and enjoying my powerful AC (wall mounted fan). Out of the corner of my eye, i see this black thing squirm a little. Guess what it was......that´s right......A HUGE SPIDER! It´s body was the size of a nutter butter and it´s leg span was the length of my hand! It seriously made me freak out. My mom convinced me to wake up my dona by saying, ¨mamitas, spiders are dangerous!¨ Anyway, after waking up my lady, she came down and just looked at the ginormous spider and said ¨no hace nada¨ (doesn´t do anything). Was she kidding?! she could tell i was freaked out so she went and got the broom. She fought the spider by swatting it until it crawled out through the window. The best part of this story is that i had just finished hand washing my ahem....undies and they were hanging in the window slats to dry (common practice here). yup, the same window slats that the spider crawled in through, was swatted against, and crawled out through. say it with me.....HUGE SPIDER 1 , ESPIE 0

Thanks Em for letting me know that UNR beat UNLV.....GO PACK!

goodbye for now. wish me luck in BANI!

First off, it´s hotter than hades here. The only time I´m not sweating is when i´m bathing. Luckily, I haven´t mastered the art of bucket baths so this usually lasts about 30 mins. hmm...1 whole hour a day of no sweat.

moving on

This week in training we´ve been using the transportation system. I officially take back anything bad I´ve ever said about the 27 on Blossom Hill. That is first-class compared to the guaguas we have to ride in the DR. They´re basically REALLY overcrowded busses (I´m talking like 3.5 people per seat). We also have carros publicos . These are usually like 1992 corrolla-ish cars with 6-7 passengers (i know, right?). The part that really sucks about this is that they don´t always have specific routes or times-you have to stop them and ask. AND you have to be really careful about which ones you take and who is riding in it with you. BART, anyone?

Next week I´m going to the Northwest part of the DR to visit a current PCV. I´m looking forward to picking her brain about her last 2 years here and her project. To get to her site, i have to travel 5 hours in a very luxurious bus (think Greyhound). Hooray for the AC!!!! Downside, I have to ride 20 minutes on a motoconcho.....pray for me.

A few things...

I´ve been here 1 week and it feels like 1 month. Things are getting frustrating and tedious. We haven´t had much time outside of our training center/barrio. This will change in about 3 weeks when we move to our training communities. Lucky me- I´ll be in the Bani area.

There was a huge thunderstorm last night. I really thought the roof was going to fly off and I would be struck by lightening. I prayed that my princess fort (mosquito net) would protect me.

The food is good but definitely starting to taste bland. I don´t know how much more yucca I´ll be able to eat before I go crazy. Please go and have a fish taco from Rubio´s for me. While you´re at it, drink a bottle of Tapatio. There are no spicy foods here. Wait, my dona (host mom) sait that the chicken from KFC is spicy and tasted really good (SERIOUSLY?!). I´m ending this.....I hope you enjoy your AC.

I´m here! I don´t have much time here and because it´s a spur of the moment trip to the internet cafe, i don´t have my thoughts organized. Yesterday was adoption day for the trainees from the center. my family consists of a don, dona, brother-7, sister 2. so far everything is really overwhelming and intense, but totally how i expected it to be. i haven´t had a chance to really sit down and take in the feeling, but that´s just my american way. man, as i type this the sweat is dripping down my face. the biz casz attire isn´t working out in this environment. we´ve taken a few pics and i´ll post them as soon as i get the chance. be sure to laugh at my hair as it has taken a very different shape overnight.

I survived my first bucket bath last night. it´s really not that difficult (way better than my bucket baths during surgery recovery), but i´m going to definitely miss regular showers real soon.

ok, time to go. i think i´ll be back later this week.

love you all

p.s. a couple of us are determined to bring the hyphy movement to the DR (hahahaha jk)

p.p.s. my first meal in my home was an omelet and plantains....yummy

We leave for the D.R. in a few hours! I took advantage of our free evening by exploring Georgetown a bit. Derrick (fellow PCT) is from here so he was the official tour-guide. He showed Maryam and me the university Red Square, Healy Hall (sorry if that's off), the famous steps where former U.S. Presidents have spoken (including Abe Lincoln), and the staircase where THE EXORCIST was filmed. This was super exciting for me and I plan to post a few pictures at a later time.

Anyway, I should call my mom so she isn't a "Sad Monkey". Thank You so much for your interest in my adventure. I am counting on your continued support and motivation throughout the PCT and PCV process.

I'll post as soon as I am able to from the D.R.

HOLA! I'm in Washington D.C. at the moment. I arrived safely (but very late!) on Monday night. Staging officially began yesterday afternoon. Basically, it's filled with ice-breakers and brief information sessions. I feel as if they are really general almost as if they are avoiding the difficult and serious topics. Maybe they are waiting for us to be in the D.R. to keep us from wanting to stay in the U.S.

Anyway, here's a few facts. There are 54 trainees in my class. Most are from California (what can I say, we have big hearts). 15 males, 1 married couple. I'm not sure how many were in my specific program, but I think about 15. We are all really nervous/anxious about our service, but are excited to live up to (for lack of better terms) the Peace Corps Mission.

Sorry this has to be brief...I am on lunch break and on Maryam's (she's from Berkeley and in my program!) computadora. I'll try to add more later as this is my final day in the U.S. for a few years.

Muchos Besos!

Some specifics:

Program: Healthy Families

Job Title: Community health/Health Nutrition Extensionist

Dates of Service (incl. Training): September 2007-November 2009

The program's overall goals are to contibute to the reduction of infant mortality, reduction in maternal mortality and reduction in HIV/AIDS infection.

My thoughts: HOLY MOLY (picture a biggest smile my facial muscles can produce)!

The purpose of this blog "thingy" is to keep in touch with family and friends (all 4 of you) during my 26 months in the Dominican Republic as a Peace Corps Trainee and Volunteer. I'm hoping that this form of communication will ease the minds of loved ones in the U.S. while also providing a place for me to vent, share, and simply inform of my experiences in my new home.

Hmmmm.....did anyone watch The Hills last night? Sad to admit, but I'm going to miss trashy mtv shows.

Ok back to DR stuff.

I was reading on a current PCV's blog about learning to dance merengue and bachata and I'm totally looking forward to that. Partly because it'll be a nice change from the USA funky cheer dances (shout out to those who know what I'm talking about), and mainly because I want to battle with all you fouette, plie, releve, soutenu, tendue-ers when I get back. Let's take a second and think about how ridiculous that sounds.....

I have to measure my luggage. Peace Corps Trainees are only allowed to take 2 checked bags and 1 carry-on. 26 months of life into 3 bags....that's crazy! Looks like I won't be setting up a Bed Bath and Beyond registry...

On that note, I will continue with more DR nuts and bolts tomorrow. Be sure to tune in!