Reflections

One Tuesday evening about 2 years ago, I decided to submit my application for a SST (Special Education) position at Santiago Christian School in the Dominican Republic. I honestly didn't think I would hear back from the school. I merely did it on a whim. Little did I know, the very next morning I received an email that would totally change my world for the next two years! Before I had applied for the position, I combed the school website up and down, looking at every inch of it, to try and gather as much as I could about the school. I can't believe how fortunate I was that it ended up being an amazing experience. With having the faith to move to a country where I knew no one, didn't speak the language, and hadn't ever lived abroad, it could have been an absolute nightmare! Though I'm not going to say it was easy, it was (and will be) and experience that I will never forget. I will say that the 2nd year here was actually a bit harder than the 1st. The first year I was merely going through the motions, and didn't know what to expect. The second year, I had somewhat of an idea of what to expect, and having to go through some of it (again), I wasn't looking forward to. Though this year I had an air conditioner in my bedroom, which you have no idea how much better it makes!!! At times I thought that this two years was going extreeeeemly slow, and then now it's hard to believe that my time here is coming to a close. I still can't believe that I actually did something like this, b/c I don't see myself as much of an adventurer, but to go to a country where you've never before, and had no experience with, is definitely an adventure.
Initially, I had a 2-hour phone interview with the Elementary School principal Stacey, and I still remember when, after telling her about an IEP meeting I was going to have with a family the next day, at the end of our conversation she prayed for me and about the meeting. It left an impression with me, in that she didn't know me, and we had just met, and yet she prayed for me. That was one of the many reasons why I wanted to come and teach here, especially at a Christian School. I had always said that I thought that the teaching part here was not going to be as much of an adjustment as the lifestyle/culture here, and for the most part I was right. It has been different not having to adhere to the US school customs of special education, but in some ways having those guidelines made it easier to know the expectations.

Some of the things I'm looking forward to when I move back to the States...
- Having water pressure in my shower (b/c sometimes it gets down to merely a trickle...)
- Being able to flush toilet paper
- Drinking water from the faucet (and not having to order water)
- Being able to wash my fruits and vegetables with just water
- Not having the water/electricity go out
- Having my own car and driving!!
- Not having to get on the bus every morning at 6:25 (though where I'm moving to, I'll still have a 30 minute drive! LOL)
- Being able to understand the language (which if I learned more Spanish, probably could be helped!!)
-Having Central Air Conditioning!!
-The seasons/Fall/COLD-- never again will I complain about it being cold (well unless it's below zero!!)
-Being able to wear hoodies and sweats!
-Not having to worry about my security and safety-- this comes from growing up/living in a rural Midwest America lifestyle. If I lived in a city, than this is something that wouldn't change...
-Having a car to do my grocery shopping and errands!
-Target/Wal-Mart
-Hill of Beans Coffee (My brother and my friend Kaitlyn will appreciate this... I just couldn't grow to love the Santo Domingo coffee here, if I made it on my own. Now if it was a Cafe con leche from Santo Domingo Coffee, than I would definitely take one of those...)
-Obviously seeing my family, and my nephew Dylan-- and Zach and Caleigh,
-Being in the same town as my best friend who I've known for 15 years!
-My cats-- though I do have a love/hate relationship with them! :-)
-Not having year-round mosquitos and also ants in my apartment!!

Even though I am looking forward to moving back to the States, there are things that I will miss about being here. My list isn't probably nearly as long, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't matter nearly as much. In fact, probably more, b/c it's more of the people here that I will miss!!

Things I will miss about the Dominican Republic/Santiago...
-My students - Out of all my 15 years years of teaching, I think this year will actually be one of the hardest for me to leave my students. I've had close relationships with my students in the past, but this year I seem to have bonded with my students even more, and though I'm not a person that cries, I have a feeling I will be shedding a few tears when I say Goodbye! :-(
-The teachers/staff- particularly Everg my aide (and her daughter Laura)-- though I didn't get to work with her this semester, she is still a close friend, whom I'm so thankful to have met; Paula, the other SST teacher who I'm so glad will be taking over for me, b/c I've been able to help her this semester.. and too many other people to count!
-Leonela/Her school staff and teachers-- When I was originally going to tutor at Leonela's last semester, it was only going to be a few days a week. It ended up being Mon-Thurs for 2 1/2 hrs with 6 students, seeing them 2-3 times a week! Though I didn't realize it at the time, it actually has prepared me for getting back to working with Preschool-K students! At times, I haven't always felt like being there, especially after being at school all day (and there's not AC there), but in the end it's been worth it to see the students and interact with them and the teachers and staff. (Particularly one of my Kindergartner's I've worked with that loves to play the game Uno, and refuses to say 'Uno' when she has one card left, but instead gives me a cheesy grin/look and says "One!"... Which my response is usually an eye roll and a chuckle....) And I've also learned a lot professionally with being able to help in training her staff.
-Though I have realized that I'm not one who enjoys the heat (and yes I know I moved to a tropical island where it does get hot here....) I will miss the nice weather from about, say November to March... when it's blizzarding and below zero temps in the Midwest!
-Tostones, Batata's and Yuca.... three foods that I have grown to really like
-Yogenfruz.... frozen yogurt and fruit mixed together
-The fellowship with the teachers and staff
-Being within driving distance of beaches and mountains- though I didn't take advantage of them as much as I should have, they were very beautiful to visit...

I have been very blessed by the prayers and support that I have received over the last 2 years, and I have greatly appreciated it all!!
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