What does a regular day consist of? and other ramblings

There is no easy answer to that because there is such thing as a regular day. But I will try to summarize what my week and weekends consist of as well as what the first 3 months of my service is supposed to include.

In the first 3 months in my site, I get to live with a host family and I am only supposed to start one small project and spend the rest of the time learning about the needs of the community through observations, interviews, and interacting with community members. The PC approach is to help people develop the capacity to improve their own lives through training and integration (i.e. PC programs). Entonces volunteers try to integrate into the community and develop confianza (trust) before starting projects. That way the community and volunteer develop an understanding of what the community needs and how they can work together to create sustainable projects that can continue through community leaders and youth well after the volunteer ends his/her service (si Dios quiere). At the end of the 3 month diagnostic period, I´ll select a project partner from my site to accompany me in presenting my findings infront of the other youth development volunteers in my cohort. Once I present my findings, I will outline my first year plan of projects to initiate based on what the community needs and the skills that I possess. Prior to presenting these findings to my training group, I´ll present this info to the community and continually seek their suggestions and thoughts throughout the entire process.

Because I am also an ´extreme needs´ youth volunteer, I am partnered with an organization in the community, so I split my time between the community diagnostic and completing my organizational diagnostic. My organization is a pre-k/kindergarten school (thats the educational component) as well as a community center for the 4 surrounding barrios.The community center is a satellite site for the organization whose main base is located in the city but they have numerous programs all over the city. My goal for my organization diagnostic is to learn as much as possible about the organization overall, but focus on the strengths, weakness, opportunities, and dangers present within the community center portion. Based on these findings, I will roll out a plan for first year activities to support the community center.

Because of these diagnostics, my days and weeks are focused around these obtaining information for my diagnostic. This will change after January because I can actually start more than one project, live on my own, and travel to PCDR training activities for a variety of programs.

My weeks consist of going to the Centro Comunitario in the morning and conducting interviews with teachers or other volunteers, observing sala de tarea, observing English classes, or helping serve merindas to the kids. in the afternoons I either go back to the Centro Comunitario or I walk in different barrios to visit the (few) leaders that I know so far. I try to walk in the community as much as possible so that people get used to seeing my face since I´ll be here for a little while (smile!) The interviews are always interesting because I´m sure that I miss the context of some of their answers becuse of my limited Spanish so thats a downer but I also get really excited when I actually understand and get the humor/passion behind their answers. It is an ebb and flow that I´ve learned to appreciate and recognize for what it is. Thankfully, people are really patient and do not mind repeating some of their thoughts.

The centro comunitario closes at 5 so I usually head back to my casa to get ready to go to the gym with my primo, hermanas, co'workers, and/or other volunteers. It is about a 10 minute carro ride away and once I get there I get to enjoy an eerily similar rendition of the Greenbelt Ballys gym minus the multitude of ellipticals, treadmills, a pool and the constant overcrowdedness. This has truly been the trace of God that I needed  because my gym experience relaxes me and heps me to relieve stress. It is a comfort because it is the same way I relieved stress in the States so it feels a little like home which I am abundantly thankful for.

After the gym I usually hang out with my family, listen to music, bounce off the walls with my nieces and nephews, and try to avoid having platanos for dinner. Thanks be to God for galletas, peanut butter and raisins.

Thanks to wonderful convos with my family and friends, and a very relaxing Thanksgiving break things have taken off in my site this week. I´ve conducted more interviews this week then I did in my first month, and I ave figured out what my first mini project will be. I´m going to start a step team for girls 10-14 and 15-24 (Coolidge part 2). I am hoping that these teams turn into my Chicas Brillantes groups eventually (si Dios quiere). Since I´m not the greatest at this, I am currently looking through you tube videos for my steps to teach my girls (thanks Sorors!) and I´m excited to kick off this project because the girls are super excited. They come up to me at the Center, on the street, and when I am at home asking when we will start. I am just waiting for my hand to recuperate a little but I did tell everyone within the next 2 weeks.

So my life will be balanced by the gym, conducting entrevistas in the community, hanging with my youth at their houses in order to create confianza, and starting my step teams. I am still trying to figure out how I fit into my community because of the overwhelming number of volunteers at my organizaiton, but I am gaining more confidence in my ability to contribute positively here.

PS and I promise my next blog will be about birthday gifts!!

My D.R. Thanksgiving

There are many reasons why I considered myself blessed to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic. I found one more reason over this past Thanksgiving holiday, my first major holiday without my family and friends. Since Domincans do not celebrate Thanksgiving (it is an American holiday after all) volunteers head to Santo Domingo to celebrate the holiday together. My Thanksgiving break here surpassed my expectations, I left feeling rejuvenated about completing my community diagnostic and I developed a deeper appreciation for my friends here.

Some volunteers and Peace Corps staff come together to plan Thanksgiving festivities for all of the volunteers. Since I´m apart of the newest group of volunteers, I had no idea what to expect, accept I was thankful for the opportunity to use my R&R days to reunite with volunteers in my training class and spend quality time catching up and sharing thoughts/advice on our sites.

We started out Thanksgiving morning with a turkey trot (5K) so that no one would fee bad about all of the food we would partake in later. My turket trot was more of a walk-catch up wth other volunteers which was great (hey speed walking burns calories too!) Then we headed a hotel rooftop pool. It was fun hanging out in the pool catching up with other volunteers...than we proceeded to the main event...Thanksgiving dinner. Now for those of you who know me...you know that I actually do not eat a typical Thanksgiving dinner while at home. I don´t really like turkey, stuffing, gravy...all that jazz. Instead I prefer barbeque chicken, mac and cheese, rice...sigh I should stop typing that stuff right now.

Before we ate, everyone at my table shared what they were thankful for which was a touching moment. I am always happy to reflect on all that I have been blessed with. Anyways, you know what happened at thanksgiving dinner right, I ate everything I normally do not eat (sin verguenza of course)..turkey, stuffing (with gravy it was delicious) salad, mashed potatoes, vegetable lasagna, brownies, apple pie and coffee. It was an amazing, glorious dinner. Once we were stuffed, we had the pleasure of enjoying a volunteer slideshow of pictures followed by the most hilarious talent show I´ve ever witnessed. Volunteers here have some serious talent and amazing humor too.The night ended with a volunteer party which (even though I don´t dance) is always a great time to hang out.

That is pretty much how I passed my Thanksgiving day and although I love and miss my family and friends a lot (send me a letter, picture, something people!) I enjoyed creating amazing memories with my new lifelong friends here. Sadly, I failed to take pictures but when I see some from other people, I will be sure to post them on here. I hope you guys enjoyed your Thanksgiving and know just how much I am thankful for your presence in my life.

Unfortunately for me, we do not have this kind of activity for Christmas but I am excited to see how Dominicans celebrate Christmas. Be sure to think of me during the holiday season!!

PS Please expect the my birthday is coming up/the best Christmas gift would be blog soon... Hey I cannot help it I won´t be able to post another blog like this for a whole year!!

50 things I´ve Learned in 3 months

This particular blog is a peek into life as I´ve known it so far in the Dominican Republic. Enjoy

1. not all who wander are lost...there is a certain sense of freedom and liberty in trying to find my way here
2. Change is constant so I am learning to be completely comfortable with being uncomfortable
3. si Dios quiere...the usual answer to every question
4. toilet paper never ever goes into the toilet
5. everything stops when it rains
6. toilets that flush are luxuries
7. I can bucket shower with half a bucket of water easy
8. naturally spagetti is a side dish to a plate full of rice
9. rice without avocate is simply unfair (to everything but my stomach)
10. I´ve been pleasantly surprised and disappointed in my contacts with friends in the states (really where are some of you guys)
11. I´ve met some of the most amazing people in my training group....seriously they have supported me in an incredible way through my experience thus far.
12. Learning a language whie living in country is the most humbling thing I´ve ever done
13. My best friend in my site is my 6 year old niece
14. Letters, cards, and music have been my saving grace in the seemingly never ending periods of boredom
15. Hillsong. (someone please sned me Hillsong cds in español)
16. tigueres make me laugh and I´m thankful I cannot understand most piropios
17. I need to join a gym the daily rice thing here is killing me softly
18. the importance of skin color here overwhelms me at times
19. the community center in my community is absolutely amazing...seriously I wish my niece in the states had a resource like this
20. Don´t tell my family and friends but I miss them a lot (hint send me letters!)
21. I have tendonitis in my wrist from writing (trying) to understand Spanish...this is one case where being an overachiever did not work to my advantage
22. PC med staff is the bomb dot com
23. people cannot understand why I won´t straighten my hair if it can grow so long
24. the kids here make me smile
25. there is nothing funnier than watching kids dance to dembo....whoo they grow up so fast
26. my community uses usted instead of tu...too bad i know tu better than usted
27. ay Dios Mio...entonces....wepa! my favorite phrases
28. Monte Plata has a special place in my heart...it is the place where I fell in love with this country
29. i look forward to any all and every volunteer get together
30. reading is fundamental...best way to pass the time...other than staring at my ceiling wall
31. despite 30 people coming and going through my house everyday...and a pool house being across the street...my community feels pretty tranquilo to me
32. i adore my host family...even more as I understand their Cibao accents
33. i miss independence
34. i miss being able to articulate myself without sounding ike a 3 year old
35. my youth trainer is wise beyond her years... i find myself holding on to a lot of her words
36. this experience is def what you make it
37. there will be no mangaring of a visa through me...my fav response to piripios
38. have to. choose to. get to. (thanks Jeremiah!)
39. now that my wrist is injured i miss doing handstands...i cannot wait until its better
40. i think the PC 3 month integration method is brilliant
41. as long as the spiders, ants, roaches, and lizards dont bite, I´m fine (KK i´m surprised too!)
42. its unnatural not to talk about poop with other volunteers
43. I am now addicted to coffee and coincidentally brushing my teeth after coffee
44. you get what you want more (thanks Emily)
45. My dona is totally addicted to peanut butter now #winning
46. I have access to a gym (gracias a Dios!) 
47. I wrinkle my nose and point my lips in response to questions
48. lasirena is the costco of the D.R. and I´m addicted...nevermind Jumbo
49. handwashing clothes is not for the faint of heart
50. i miss hot showers

Check it Out!

Info on our Swearing in...Albeit in Spanish but you get the point

http://lanaciondominicana.com/ver_noticia.php?id_noticia=31558&sesion_periodico=43

I Too Sing America... (Why My Friends should Volunteer...)

I walk into a sea of beautiful kids in my community center and a teacher tells a group that I'm American and one girl adamantly girl says no way. The teacher said why not and she pointed to her arm hinting at my skin complextion...

A group of youth are showing me a part of the barrio with my counterpart and a construction worker greets everyone and simply says oh no need to greet the Haitian girl...Bewildered one of my youth asks why he thinks I'm Haitian...and he pointed to my locs... I was taken aback by the fact that he wouldn't greet me because he thought I was Haitian.... (Please check out the Henry Louis Gates film below for more information about Dominican/Haitian relations, he discusses it better than I could ever explain it)

I am sitting in an elementary school waiting to meet with the principal with my organization counterpart. He is a tall guy with "European features" from Espana and I'm the morena from America but no one ever assumes such. We walk in and everyone looks at him in amazement. They practice a few simple English phrases and ask him "do you speak English" They look at him in amazement as he sheepishly responds that he dosn't understand English....

...Now at this point, I could interject and say that I know English, I'm actually American, but I sit silently. Sometimes its taxing to have to prove part of your identity and that thought got the best of me today, but led me to this reflection and motivation to react in situations like these differently.

In hindsight, I think that if I knew more Spanish coming into this experience or if I actually knew French, no one would believe that I was actually American. I would absolutely be Haitian, African (although this is true!), French, or anything but American. (And let me clarify that there is nothing wrong with be associated with any of these backgrounds, but there is soemthing a little tiring but having to prove where you are really from). But my bad Spanish coupled with only knowing English seems to be enough proof so far, except for my little friend at the community center.

Additionally, hair is a big thing here...no one thinks these locs are mine and once they learn that it is....No one can comprehend why, if my hair can grow so long, would I loc it and not wear it straight. Straight hair is a prized possession and my hair is perceived as unwanted. Coming from the DMV where everyone has natural hair and rocks it proudly I have no trouble being patient in explaining my reasons for natural hair, as well as my reasons for locing it. (Shout out Nigerian Independence Day, JFL*143, and TDP)

I say all this to say that at times these experiences can be challenging and frustrating, but it is important to share with people that all Americans are not blond haired and blue eyed. I haven't always lived up to compartiring this info here (I've only been a volunteer a week, I'm still adjusting!), but I will strive to share more and knock down the perception of what all Americans look like. I already took a big step towards that by getting on the plane to the Dominican Republic with the intention of serving as a Peace Corps volunteer.

This helps me realize how important it is for people of diverse backgrounds to volunteer with the Peace Corps. As quoted from the Gringo Grita (The D.R. newsletter for volunteers) the Peace Corps is overwhelmingly white and that helps to cement the perception that all Americans are that. But as more diverse volunteers appear in comminties where Peace Corps' serves, that perception would surely fade. I think thats one of the beautiful things about Peace Corps: the gift of cultural exchange between the community and the volunteer, its a sweet mix of humbling responsbility, shattered assumptions, and life changing learning. I think it is so important for people who have my skin complextion here to see themselves as beautiful with infinite potential (See the Gates film below for reasons why I am, specifically pointing this out). And if even just one girl gains confidence in herself from my example than this was a journey well worth it. So friends and others, if you are up for the challange I encourage you to volunteer and share yourself with the world... there are so many people who are open and curious!

So don't worry friends and family, from here on out I plan to (with the best Spanish I can muster sin verguenza) share more about how diverse and beautiful the America I know is because love tears down all walls (c)Hillsong.

Check out the referenced poem here: Langston Hughes poem
Feel free to also check out Henry Louis Gates: Black in Latin America
Fav song I jammed to while writing this: Nickelback If Everyone Cared

I may have missed some thoughts but before the luz leaves me buenas noches

I'm not good at titles

So I know its been awhile since I posted anything with any real substance. Its been a whirlwind 2 months and I finally have a minute to think through all of my thoughts. Its also hard to try to express all of my thoughts on here so that will probably be my excuse for a short blog.

This training experience really stretched me in a lot of ways and I found myself pulling from a lot of past experiences and lessons for strength to endure some of the challenging parts of this experience, and appreciate and acknowledge my growth in some of the beautiful moments.

The toughest part of training for me were the first 3 weeks because I didn't live that close to other volunteers so sometimes I felt like I was missing out on bonding opportunities. Major thanks to my core and TDP for challenging me to be more open and embrace meeting new people. I found myself walking to other people's porches to share life and just talk. If you know me, you know that I was always on the go in the states doing a million things so it was great to slow down and just enjoy others people's company.

I am a long way from where I need to be with my Spanish but I worked really hard during community based training and I raised my Spanish proficiency by 4 levels. I am motivated and determined to continue studying in my site and my community has really embraced teaching me. Although I wish I had more Spanish, sometimes I'm excited that this can be more of a teaching exchange where I have to learn from them in order to share anything that I know. I hope it gives the members of my community a sense of pride because I have way more to learn from them than I could ever possibly give or share.

I've worked so hard to become a volunteer and now that I know where I will spend the next 2 years of my life, it is slightly overwhelming. I am thankful that Peace Corps gives us the first 3 months to truly understand the climate of our community and come up with a plan to implement throughout the rest of out first year. I am looking forward to drinking a lot of coffee (its a long story about how I became addicted)  on my neighbors porches and learning more about how to support the youth in my community in changing their lives and their community for the better.

A little more about my community, it is a very small barrio on the outskirts of a large city. It is extremely poor so it is pretty rural and everyone in my community is extremely nice and welcoming. It doesn't have the city hustle and bustle feel, it is more slow placed which is what I wanted. The kids in my community really want to work with me and learn English so I am excited to see how this goes. y host family is amazing and extremely extended. My host mom and dad have 8 kids and I live with the youngest 2 and one of their grandchildren. but I have another sister and tons of cousins, uncles, and aunts that all live within the same barrio so I have a lot of names to remember and a lot of relationships to form. Since I am an extreme needs volunteer I am partnered with an organization that is a Dominican NGO and one of the best at what they do. They built a center in my community and my task is to bring youth to the community center and lead groups such as Escojo mi Vida (self-esteem/AIDS awareness), Deportes para la Vida (kinesthetic learning about AIDS), youth groups, and whatever else I my community wants based on my 3 month community diagnostic. I think that what my community wants matches the skills that I have so I'm excited to see where the next 2 years takes us.

Also side note to friends, please keep emailing, writing letters, responding to my twitter/facebook/blog posts, calling, and offering to send me things. All of these things show that you are thinking of me and that you care which has meant a lot and will mean even more in the ensuing months. Training was very structured and I was around a lot of Americans. Now I will be in my community on my own, speaking Spanish 24/7 and the first 3 months is supposed to be one of the loneliest/hardest times for Peace Corps Volunteers so please don't forget me for the next 3 months especially. Lots of love and thanks in advance!!

I'm Officially a Volunteer!!

All 32 of us swore in as Peace Corp Volunteers yesterday! The U.S. ambassador to the D.R. swore us in and I was moved by his speech. To all of my family and friends thank you so much for all of the phone calls, letters, emails, text messages, facebook messages/status updates, twitter updates in support of my journey.