A year in the rearview mirror

300 days ago I was boarding a plane to come to the Dominican Republic for the first time, scared out of my whits. When I arrived and realized I was in a foreign land where I knew absolutely no one,  I prayed that the time would pass quickly. Unfortunately, my prayers came true and it feels like just yesterday that I said hello to the people I will soon say goodbye.

What is it like to live abroad for a year...I cannot quite put it into words, except that after a few months you stop living "abroad" and you're living at home. The city around you becomes as familiar as the back of your eyelids and the foreign strangers become people you love and cherish with all your being.

I've attempted for two days to put into words what this past year has been like, so since I failed with words...I thought maybe pictures would suffice.

In August I arrived at my house. Here is a a picture of me on my first full day in Jarabacoa. I was pretty scared and nervous,



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I got to meet some pretty amazing American and Dominican teachers.  Here is our first picture together. It is amazing how different we look.

On the first Friday we had a hurricane party since school was canceled due to rain. It was the only day that got canceled due to weather and we took full advantage with an impromptu party of dance lessons and movies.

I'm so thankful for the many adventures I've gotten to have. Where else can you go rappelling down waterfalls and whitewater rafting with your friends?

 Cooking lessons were also an integral part of my experience. From learning how to cut up an actual chicken (not something I necessarily want to do a lot) to cooking rice, I'm very thankful for my patient teachers.





Probably one of my favorite accomplishments was running the half marathon with these fabulous chicas. Conquering 21 km together in the capital was pretty beastly.  Also, I loved training with them. Waking up early before school to watch the sunrise on a run has been one of my favorite parts of the Dominican Republic.

 Jarabacoa is also known for its mountains. The first time I attempted to climb Mogote (the highest mountain in Jarabacoa) I ended up crawling most of the way up and have the mud marks to prove it. It was pretty steep, but the view at the top was worth it.

 Who can forget little Rufus? The little kitten I got to love for about a week before life became to hard for him. I remember waking up every two hours in the middle of the night and running home at lunch to give the little guy a bottle. He was a lot of work, but I'm glad I got to love the little guy while he was here.

And of course dinners with Juan and Kristin. Juan looves my singing voice and if he could would listen to me sing all day (please note the sarcasm) Kristin is a fabulous cook and when I grow up I want to be just like her. She is one of the kindest people you'll ever meet and someone anyone would want to emulate.

And any kind of end of year review would have to include this boy. Having him in my life is one of my favorite blessings that I have received here in the Dominican Republic and it would be impossible to think about Jarabacoa without thinking of him. He's been there for the cooking adventures and the geocache explorations. He's been there for the game nights and driving lessons. He's been there for the tears and the laughter. I'm so thankful for this goofy, intelligent man and so glad we got to have so many adventures together