Why the long silence?

This blog post is late because it has been a very busy couple of weeks! School started today and with 2 lengthy power outages at the house, I could not blog. The internet at school is super slow so just getting school stuff done is hard! But the first day is here, everything is ready so hopefully life will calm down a bit!

Amos is 11 months old!!! That means I am planning a birthday party already! I can’t believe it! My baby isn’t a baby anymore! He is crawling and is trying to walk. He is talking some and just wants to be active and with people all the time. I put him in his crib for a few minutes while I get dressed or go to the bathroom and that is as long as he willingly handles “introvert” time! He is such a good baby though, almost never fussy and almost always happy.

When I was talking with my director this week, I found out that Dominican law has changed. To be a teacher, I need some kind of an Education or teaching degree. Since my Bachelors is not in education, I either need to return to school or take the licensure course here. Since the class is an all-day class once a week for 9 months, I really wasn’t too sure. But, Jonathan and I had been talking for several months about me pursuing a Masters online. So, it looks like that is what I am will be doing! I will be completing my application this weekend (I had it partially done before taking medical leave to the States) and we shall see what the Lord provides for financial aid. I am going to pursue a Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning with a specialization in English. This seems like a degree that will have many uses here. So, I am adding school onto my full plate! Prayers would be appreciated! I believe I can complete the program in 2 years, and as long as the Dominican knows I am working on the degree, I am fine to keep teaching. Praise the Lord! Jonathan has a Masters already and although it isn’t in education, it is in leadership and Masters here allow you to teach at the university level, so he is fine for now. But, he is interested in getting the Dominican certification in the future. 

Well, I need to end this post here. I hope to post again soon!

Back Home

      I have been back in the Dominican for over a week now. I have to say, it has not been hard to re-adjust after being gone for 2.5 months. I greatly appreciate the more relaxed culture and I find t much easier to relax here than Stateside. Sure, the language barrier is still difficult but I am doing much better about that than when I first arrived last year.

       Part of my medical condition was caused by extreme stress. I am under doctor's orders to do things to make me relax. For me that is things like: crocheting, writing, walking, practicing music, dance and more. I appreciate that with the exception of work, we are not held to a strict time schedule. Jonathan and I often joke when setting up a time for something, we specify "Dominican" or "American" time. This actually helps me a great deal. I get really stressed trying to do everything on American time.

     I greatly enjoy the ease of this culture. People were so glad to see Amos again and everyone is not offended or held to the same etiquette rules that we are in the States. People come by unannounced all the time, people aren't afraid to ask for help or offended or feel guilty if you say no/can't. People like to sit outside in the evenings and talk and everyone's home is minimal. Life is just simpler here and I am beginning to see the value in that. Although I will always be American and still hold most of those cultural things, I am finding it easier and easier to let some of it go.

    For instance; today it is raining, and probably will ran most of the day. I need to do laundry and we have errands to run and I could get really upset that I can't do what I need to do because of the rain. However, I find it a relief in a strange way. I am learning to not stress about it (or when the power is out) if I can't do something I don't worry about it and just be grateful for the downtime I get. Maybe I take a nap with Amos or I get extra crochet time or whatever. Then when whatever it is that is preventing me from doing my tasks goes away, I do the tasks. So we have dirty towels today. They will be just as dirty tonight. They can wait to be washed. Power is out? Okay, so no internet or laundry, extra baby time! Changing how I think has been a huge relief.

     Jonathan has been very supportive and jumps in to help when he can. He has been a huge blessing! Not to mention he is my link to extensive communication with anyone!

     So, my re-adjustment is more mental than anything else. But honestly, I love it here and I feel more relaxed and comfortable here than ever before. I am so glad to be home!

    Until next time. May Adonai bless you and your homes.