Six months on standby is this American Airlines???

So it has been a long time since I "blogged" about teaching in the DR... it is just life these days.  A quick fast forward through fall: Eric visited and we tripped to Jarabacoa (the mountains) and Bani (the beach), Marlee visited and we tripped to Playa Bonita (northern beach) and Jarabacoa (a favorite of mine).  Alejandra, a girl from Madrid adrift in Santo Domingo and a fabulous girl moved in with Alissa and I! We call ourselves the Powerpuff Girls (only on certain occasions).  We battle The Ashton School on a daily basis.  

I saw most of my family on Thanksgiving through Skype and it was great. My sweet little niece was confused by the computer but I loved every second of it. Here in the DR we shared Thanksgiving dinner with each other, a few close friends and Eric (via Skype)!  After that I think I became an even more serious work-a-holic if that is possible and just nose dived into it.  Alejandra, Alissa and I took a few trips to the tourist market to buy presents and then I was off... a day early and not a dollar shorter... than planned. 

Whew!  

Home was home and I finally felt like me again... just in time to come back to the DR. 

Luckily this time I was blessed with the most easy going loveable travel companion, Eric! He moved down here and now there are four of us in the apartment. The "powerpuff girls" is no longer too appropriate so we have changed our symbol to be representations of each of the elements under Captain Planet... 

The school situation is constantly on rocks which is difficult as it is my first year teaching outright and my first year in each of these subjects specific.  I am a little troubled to say the least by the amount of administrative work that I am expected to perform amid myriad teaching responsibilities all within the normal school day.  I am so incredibly lucky to have the support of my three wonderful roommates.  I am making us all "TAS surivors 08-09" t-shirts before the year is up.  

Last weekend the roommates, Cristabel, Jared and Poli all traveled to beautiful Cabarete for a weekend of relaxation on the beach.  If anyone is a kitesurfer you should be sure to check out this locale. 

Writing about things of past months is not quite as flavorful as I would like so I will exit now with a promise for more frequent and humorous updates.  

With Love