Again it has been too long. It is going to be odd to have internet access every few moments when I am back in the states because I am so used to being rushed to check my email and look up stuff for grants-programs in the 30 minutes I am at internet centers. I can say that at least I will appreciate it, momentarily. It seems as if old habits do die hard in many cases. I have this very unrealistic idea that I will not go back home and be addicted to facebu and not watch TV and not take warm showers. I do think that I will want to sit and talk with people though and resist getting the iphone/ipad/ipickle I keep hearing about. You know what was really nice? Just getting to visit my Nana this Christmas and feeling like she had the time to talk with me. I hope I go home and things will not speed up to the pace they were before I left. At least I hope I never feel like that, even though I would like a job and more school and a family eventually and my American mind has taught me that those words are oftentimes synonamous with stress. My Dominican mind has taught me that having any job is lucky, school is a priviledge and family is everything. You should really make time to sit and visit with people that are important to you. You should also sit in a hamaca and have a cup of coffee while the sun rises. It is restorative. Haha, at least for me it is.
What Ive been up to in brief summary: -Medical Mission in March with the ILAC center! Translating for Americans Doctors and Dominicans receiving eye surgery. -Marine Interest Group Conference (Environmental Conference for kids, Orlando and Bee came with me) -Woman camp (Dona Rosa, Maria, and Ydalia came with me!) -Finishing up latrines and water filters. The last ones are going very slowly due to the simple fact the source of motivated beneficiaries has run dry. -Helping out with a Composting Latrine Manual -Helping out with Brigada Verde National Conference (Environmental Education for teens) -Scuba diving and getting Rio dog fixed and vaccinated with free clinic in Sosua. Yes, I have temporarily adopted a little terrier dog and she is adorable and will be staying on the island with a new volunteer. - I turned 25! It was an epic birthday, filled with snorkeling and fun friends. Plans for summer (That is right, I am staying until August because I wanted to) -Planning Avian Conservation Conference. Funding from the University of Vermont and program called Optics for the Tropics. Event is to educate/motivate youth to stop killing endemic songbirds with slingshots. -Small library construction in El Firme and teacher training -Planning Rescue Diver Course in Sosua North Coast -Climb Pico Duarte -Mom visit in May! -Figuring out life back in US. I am hoping to get a seasonal job with the National Park Service using the Non competitve eligibility Peace Corps gives me after I get back and a few good hugs from my family. I am also hoping to have more internet to search my options with Grad Schools for next year and I am thinking about Plant Ecology if I get a good vibe that there are jobs available if you have that degree. A lot of questions. A lot of decisions.
I am probably missing something. No worries. Now I would love to hear what you have been up to!? Thank you so much to the friends who have been calling and writing still, it still means the world to me.
Also new music recommendation here - The Civil Wars A very Happy Birthday to my Uncle Dave! Be well. Sooner, Sarah
