Travel Bug Chronicles

The mis-adventures of those living abroad who sometimes wish they weren't

Tuesday, September 30, 2003

Too Good To Last

I have been enjoying myself here in the tropics thus far, and was beginning to wonder what all the homesickness/culture shock fuss was all about. Well I think I have finally found out!

Last week I was having a moment. Of course it was food related! Wednesday I was fully ready to pack up my bags and come home--at least for a weekend! I am having a crisis about what to make myself for dinner here. I need instant food that is practically pre-prepared minus the boiling stage. Like Lipton Sidekicks and Rice-A-Roni!!! I will be stocking up for sure when I come back for Christmas. Don't ask me to soak beans for 24 hours and then make some kind of sauce for them before I cook them! And don't ask me to cook rice on a gas stove either! I can't even do it on an electric one for goodness sake!!!

Perhaps I will learn, but for now I am just plain old hungry and out of patience!

Saturday, September 13, 2003

Visit From Mom

I have been pretty busy this week with my mom in town and all. She found a cheap flight and came to check out what kind of a crazy situation her little girl has got herself into living in the Dominican Republic! I'm happy to say that I have passed the test, and all meets mom's approval!

Things are going well. I seem to be getting the hang of this teaching thing...sometimes. Are those people who gave me my teaching degree really sure I am qualified to handle 18 children? They just won't stop talking!!! *sigh* New teacher woes. I am sure I will get a handle on the situation as times goes on!

Monday, September 01, 2003

First Day Of School!!!

Remember how nervous you were for your first days of school as a student?!?!? Multiply by 100 when you are a first year teacher!!!! But today went great! I finally got to meet my students, and it was not as bad as I thought. So I think it is going to be a good year.

Thanks to all of you that sent me birthday wishes that I haven't replied to. I appreciate your e-mails so much--so don't stop! This last week was SO busy! I was at the school until 2am a few nights planning and setting up my classroom. Yolande has been super busy too, so if anyone has been trying to call lately and we haven't been home, that's why. We didn't even have any food in our house or laundry detergent, etc. because we had no time to shop!

My birthday was good. On Friday we had a party at one of the other teacher's houses because har birthday was on Friday too. The power went out halfway through the night so we had to pack up the ENTIRE party, stereo and all, and head over to her sister-in-law's house to continue because her sister in law has a back up generator. That kind of thing with the power happens all the time here, I've been told.