Training and…we have our final placement!
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¡Saludos!
I am now in the middle of training in Constanza and it is beautiful! I say “good morning” to the mountains every day and it still amazes me each morning that I’m really here in the DR and that I’ll really be here for the next 2 years. So far, I’ve been here a little over a month but everything is still so new and different that I’m still not settled yet. Here is what a typical training day looks like: I get up and have a morning training session from 8:30am until noon. The morning session could be about specific youth groups or about fundraising strategies, or types of activities or groups that we might start with the youth or it could include Q&A with current volunteers. Then I have lunch from noon until 2 and Spanish class in the afternoon from 2-5pm. After that, I might have a youth group meeting (we’re each assigned to different youth groups here in Constanza and my group is an enthusiastic, Catholic group who loves music and praise and worship sessions.) Or, I might wander around with some other volunteers before dinner and spending time with my host family.
My new host family is very nice. I live with a doña who is younger than me (she’s 23 and I’m 25) so we’re kind of like roommates and we have a lot of fun together. She teaches me how to peel plantains and say phrases in Spanish and I teach her yoga and some phrases in English. It’s kind of nice! She has a husband who works a lot so I think she enjoys having me around to keep her company.
This past weekend, I went to visit other volunteers. This visit was pushed back because of all the hurricanes earlier, so I was really excited that we were still able to go. I visited another married couple, which was good because I was able to see how they lived and I could try to visualize my future experience. It was very relaxing…we just sat around and talked and played some Scrabble. I did have another “first” experience though. I hitched a ride down the mountain! It’s called a “bola” when you hitch a ride. I was a little wary of the whole thing, but the volunteers told me that the only way down the mountain was to hitch hike. So, I raised my arm and waved my hand, and about 8 cars passed me by. But the 9th truck picked me up and drove me the 30 minutes back down the mountain. Never a dull day in the DR!
Last but not least…WE HAVE OUR 2-YEAR PLACEMENT SITE! We will be in the city of Guaymate for the next 2 years. It is 30 minutes north of La Romana – which is a major tourism site for all the visitors who are coming to see us 
It’s also not far from Punta Cana if you prefer that area for vacationing. My assignment could include before/after school support for kids, a group that promotes healthy lifestyle decisions for youth, and working closely with a highly motivated Christian youth group. The reason I say “could include” is because once we get to our site, we do a community diagnostic to find the areas where we can be most helpful in the community. Because of this, our assignments are flexible based on our interests and the community’s interests. I’m pretty excited about it!
¡Abrazos! (Hugs!)
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:32 am
Hello Trenita,
What an exciting adventure you are on.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So many new experiences and things to learn and do. Keep writing as I am really enjoying following you there. It sounds like a most amazing place to be.
Sincerely,
Frances
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:33 am
Abrazos muy fuerte! Creo que visitar Republic Dominica necessito recuerdo mas espanol!
We miss you at CCDS! Your experience sounds incredible and I continue to keep you and Darrell in my thoughts and prayers! Buena Suerte! Meg
October 2nd, 2008 at 10:35 am
Hola de Babulavilla! We miss you mucho! XO XO XO
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:32 am
Hello Trenita, it is so good to hear from you. Being a dad, you know I was a little worry about you because it has been awhile sense I’ve heard from you. I am so glad that things are going well and that you are having a great time.
Everything sounds so exciting. Can’t wait until we can visit.
Love ya, Chris
P.S.
This is really weird, I really didn’t know how to sign this message. That’s something we’ll have work on.
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:01 am
I hope you have a lot of fun in the DR! I miss you!
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:02 am
I hope you have a lot of fun in the DR! I miss you!
Sarah
October 3rd, 2008 at 12:39 pm
YAAAAHHH!! Another blog!! I’m so excited everytime I see one. You guys could write a book about your adventures in DR. Keep having fun and know that we’re always thinking about you!!!
Te extrano muchisimo!!!!!!
PS. So will you be bathing in the river in Guaymate??
October 3rd, 2008 at 2:30 pm
How wonderful to hear of your October 2008 adventures, this time in the DR! The fifth grade is recently back from SITW at Thunderbird and all of us veterans talked about you and your times with us! Do you remember how you were missing Darryl during your first year there, and anticipating his coming to visit!!?? THEN, do you remember your moves on the dance floor during Wacky Olympics Night AND teaching us soul-less dancers how to step in the afternoons??? We are all so excited to be able to keep up with your amazing life! xxox, Patti
October 3rd, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I echo Patti’s comments! We were all talking about your SITW Wacky Olympics debut (they were way too nice to the new teachers this year – they hardly had to dress up or dance at all!). I hope you’re putting all of your Snakes Alive training into good use in your new environment (remember….red on black, friend of Jack! I think…). Anyway, we miss you and your step lessons, your team meetings, and your bell! But I’m glad you’re so happy where you are…take care and keep us informed!
Love,
Martha
October 6th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Trenita,
Glad to hear things are going well. William’s newlywed aunt and her husband are planning to move to Cabareta, DR to live and work starting in February. CCDS misses you! Take care.
Shepherd
October 14th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Hey mrs. Brookshire/Childers we all miss 5th grade we’re trying to have an advisory reunion. Hope you’re having fun
October 14th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
hi again I’m the first one from country day besides Mrs. Newson and Sarah Tucker to blog you at least I beat all the boys. HAHAHAHAHAHA, have fun and I’ll be sure to blog you a lot or until you get really annoyed. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
hi again I’m the first one from country day besides Mrs. Newson and Sarah Tucker to blog you at least I beat all the boys. HAHAHAHAHAHA, have fun and I’ll be sure to blog you a lot or until you get really annoyed. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
October 21st, 2008 at 3:37 pm
mi its will. hows it gowing? is it fun?