Day 3 (en la oficina). So, it is becoming more and more obvious to me that this whole language learning thing is going to be DIFICIL. Seriously. I have met so many incredibly diverse and fantastic individuals in the main office in Santo Domingo. In fact several of them speak great English! The only problem with this is that it makes me lazy. I can go to the IT guys and ask for an internet connection in Spanish, but if I forget a word or two, they quickly see my struggle, want to help, and switch gears to English mode. I am praying that I can be persistent in learning and that I can be more outgoing and willing to speak to my friends in Spanish.
I had my first skype date two nights ago with Patrick! That was pretty exciting and it was good to see a familiar face. It has certainly been difficult not having the freedom to just grab my cellphone and send a quick “hey! how are you?” text. If you see him (all you New hampshirites), give him a hug for me!
Other BIG news- ! I spoke with Grant on Thursday and learned that he and the team of interns would be traveling into Santo Domingo for the weekend! Although talking with a fellow gringo who knows me (pretty) well was refreshing, last night we made the dream a reality and reunited at a co-workers house to hang out, dance some merengue, and relax after a very busy couple of days. After 2 long months of not bothering each other with our playful banter, it was sooo good to see him! I am pretty sure he picked me up, swung me around, and (as a result) was doused with whatever liquid I was holding in my hands. Good times. I also met a handful of other HOPE interns- all fantastic individuals. Spending time with Grant and hearing about his experiences thus far was truly encouraging. I had some opportunity to practice my spanish and gained confidence that, hey- I actually DO know how to speak la idioma!
This morning we said goodbye to a great group of accountants after strolling through the local market for some last minute souvenir shopping. I bought a small mirror for the room (a success!) and (thanks to Claire)met several great shop owners who have promised to sell me items at low prices if I bring groups through their section of the market. I am so thankful to the encouraging spirits of the accounting team and I will miss their insight and presence in Santo Domingo.
On a separate note- Claire made Becca and myself AMAZING banana pancakes (Jack Johnson would be proud) and LATTES. An incredible way to start any Saturday. I contemplated doing laundry but with the sky looking as ominous as it often does, I have decided to hold off. Two nights ago I experienced my first big island storm- I was woken up at 3:30 a.m. to the moist reality of leaky roofs. Being on the third (top) floor of our building has MANY benefits- but the proximity to the roof is not one of them. The window slats were going crazy and I could feel mist from the strong winds. I decided to get up and assess the situation only to recognize that rain was pounding down and the palm trees outside our window were bending over in the strong gusts of wind. Somewhat terrifying, but I just adjusted the mattress away from the bigger roof leaks, crawled back into bed, and put my head under the covers. haha. I felt like I was 6 again and recovering after watching a movie my parents had forbidden me from watching (freddie krouger). Fortunately we weren't hit by a hurricane!
My time thus far in SD (one week today!) has taught me that you need to take advantage of even the tiniest of moments. For example, after dropping off the team, Max drove Claire and myself home in the Esperanza van. However, this was one of the first times either of us had stopped for the past 7 days and within seconds we were both sleeping. Life here is so different. Their is little place for an "americanized- work ethic" and the sooner one realizes that the better off they will be. A "productive" day does not consist in how much I get DONE. Or how much I accomplish. It is far more collective. People rely on each other and work as a community, and as the girl who huffed and puffed when assigned a group project, this is certainly stretching me. I have realized that I love people- but that I like to write lists and cross things off the said "to-do" list. Here, to-do lists aren't always constructed. Things need to get done, but they are rarely communicated a few hours, let alone a few days, ahead of time.
I am learning to work in loud places, that the people with (what my culture would deem) the "smallest" jobs, often have the biggest hearts and greatest committment to their job. Our in-house saint, Dona Esperanza, told us on Friday that the rain from the previous night had closed all forms of public transportation from her home, and that she walked to the office!This is HUGE as Dominicans truly detest the rain and because a large majority of the roads were severely flooded.
Today I hope to relax, catch up on some much needed sleep, review some spanish verb conjugations, and call the boy and family. Love to you all.
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