A Few Fun Activities

Here's a few random pictures...

Jessica, Maddie, and I ran a 12K in Jarabacoa back in March.

Boy was it a different experience, starting with our plastic numbers. So there wasn't really an official starting time. You were just suppose to be ready to go around 2:30pm and wait until they blew a horn (it actually started at 3:30pm). The course went through Palo Blanco, where we have one of our Care Centers. Apparently, it's known that the kids and even adults not only throw water on you but literally soak you by filling 4 or 5 gallon buckets with the nasty water running beside the road and throw it on you all at once. At one point I got hit with water from every direction and was carrying at least 5 extra pounds of water on me. Then of course I started thinking, "man, I know some of that water went into my mouth... I hope I don't get a parasite!" Also, they didn't block off any rodes so coming back into town I was running (dodging) motorcycles, cars, etc. I also saw one guy in the race get on a motorcycle only to be dropped off aways ahead of me (I caught up and passed him). The outcome- I got 3rd place for the Women and won a t-shirt, a trophy, and 2,000 pesos (about $60).

Anija staff took a day trip to the beach last week. We all crammed in this bus (of course it didn't have air conditioning) to ride 3 1/2 hours to the beach.

Sosua Public Beach.

What a difference experience I had going with 30 Dominicans and being one of out two white people.

A few weeks ago we had a Kids Alive Women's Retreat in Cabarete Beach. We had a great time relaxing, getting pampered, eating delicious food, enjoying the beach, and engaging in fellowship with one another. Can't wait until next year!

I had a great day celebrating my birthday. I started off my day by making mango pancakes for breakfast and had a few Dominican friends over along with Jenilea and Erica. In the morning I taught 5th-8th grades and most of my classes went well. Home visits were cancelled so I got to go home and skype with my mom, sister, and Megan (who asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding!). Then I went for ice cream with a close friend and fellow teacher Michel. And for dinner a few other missionary friends and I went out for a nice dinner at Rancho2Rios. I had imported steak and it was WONDERFUL! I also enjoyed many happy birthday wishes, cards, and even a few presents!