Saturday, June 2, 2007

I'm still here!

Hello everyone. I'm not sure if anyone is even still checking this due to my long absence, but I thought I'd check in and let you know that I am still alive and well here in the Dominican Republic. I don't have internet access in my site, hence the lack of entries, so I will probably not be posting. However, there is the possibility that we may get internet sometime "soon" (hah) which would make communication much easier.

Right now I am in the capital checking my mail, using the computer, and taking a little break from my site. Things are going well in my community. I have started teaching english classes and am preparing to start computer classes in 2 weeks. I am also working on my community diagnostic, but haven't really gotten a lot done due to rain (when it rains, no one does everything), the strikes in my town (including burning tires, broken bottles, police, tear gas), and large amounts of time devoted by the town to preparing for mother's day celebrations. I spend most mornings at the high school, afternoons sitting around with the family and sometimes taking walks with my friend (the secretary of the high school), and evenings doing some more sitting or teaching english. Things will really pick up in 2 weeks when I start eaching computer classes every day in addition to english. I also want to try and do some sort of summer camp for younger children because there is nothing for them to do during the summer (we'll see if I have time).

I just spoke to Noah on the phone and think I will be seeing them tonight! I'm very excited. My friend Megan, a volunteer who lives near my site, came and visited the other day for the mother's day celebrations and it felt great to have someone see my community...

Anyways, I think it's gotten to the point where there's just too much to say and it becomes hard to choose what to write about. I love hearing from you all, miss you, and love you.

P.S. Just a reminder, you can still send mail to the capital and I will periodically pick it up there. (I am doing research to see if I can find a way to get it sent closer to me, but we shall see.)

Alissa Mayer, PCV
Cuerpo de Paz
Av Bolivar 451, Gazcue
Apartado Postal 1412
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Alissa:

Great to hear from you. And yes, I check your blog EVERY day. I did hear that you had dinner with Noah and Jeka, I am sure that it was good to see faces from home. Hope that all of the stuff they were bringing got to you. We hear that you do not worry about the origin of the lettuce you eat. Did you get the iron stomach in your family??? I hope that Noah and Jeka filled you in on the goings on here. Lots of people and dogs at the pond this year. Beatiful weather and great margaritas. Have any pictures of your community?? Will Noah and Jeka get to see your community?? Will you try to see their clinic? Keep up the good work. We are so proud of the work, effort and positive Amercian values that you are spreading.

hugs,

Steve

Anonymous said...

Hi kiddo, I, too, check your blog every day. For a while I have had to make due with the blogs of your fellow PG volunteers as you have been absent but we certainly understand why. I bet it was fun to see Noah and Jeka and to make a connection with home. We just spent Auderey's birthday up at Sea Ranch and had Alex and Chandra and Lauren and Karl up there as well so it was the whole mishpuka which warmed Audrey's heart as you can well imagine. Your folks came over for dessert on Saturday and made their judgements. I anm sure you will hear about that from them, if you haven't already done so. Weather was pretty good, less windy than it has been recently and with a little more fog. I am back in school now for the final two weeks of countdown and wrapup. Hope all is well with you and that the volunteers with Dengue are getting better. Send them all my love, even though they do not know who I am. Keep the info flowing as it becomews possible and, until then, don't worry about it.

Mikie

Anonymous said...

Gosh, I still just can't get over what a fan club you have....who has dengue...yuk...So now not only do I get to hear what's going on with you on this site but I get to know all about the bloom and wasserman families as well! three in one! Well things over here are same as always...no tropical diseases or tear gas. only the tears that run down my face as the gas comes out of my roommate. the days are getting nicer and we spent all weekend at outside markets. I made Michael's gnache tart but thing i messes something up because the choc. separated when i melted it. anyways, glad things are good with you!
xxx Jaclyn

Anonymous said...

Jaclyn, Good to hear you...did you melt it in the double boiler? If it separated it might be that you are using really good chocolate with a mega high fat content...that stuff tends to separate....basic simple store bought dark chocolate to be used for baking is what you want...Good luck and the image of tears streaming down your face based on your roommate made my day.

MB

Anonymous said...

Alissa,
I also check your post often, it is becoming a communication community, and not just with you. Sounds like things have been crazy. Has anyone found good calling cards? Life here has calmed down, I'm working at the library and contemplating starting work on my thesis, it sould happen soon. Kaz moved in and as you can imagine my apartment is squished, but I now have a large TV and someone to cook some of the meals. I love reading your posts and would love to hear more, I assume life is busy, but whenever you get the chance. I'll also be better about writing emails. I think about you daily,
Love you,
Azalee

Anonymous said...

Dear Alissa:

Noah got home and we got to see his pictures. It is sooooo nice to see where you are, who you are with and what it looks and feels like in the D.R. Alan came over and he got a set of the pics. Off to the men's trip.

Hugs, Steve

Lauren H. said...

Hi Alissa,

I too got to see all of Noah's pictures. First off, you look amazing...seriously. And well done on the boy- quite a latin hottie. It was also fantastic to get a visual on where you are and who you now share your life with. Hopefully Karl and I will be making our way to the DR sometime in the next year and a half. Take care of yourself!!!
Love,
Lo

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