Turkey and Goat

Thank you so much to all of you who donated the school supplies, clothes, and shoes that arrived here with my family.  I have unpacked it all, and it amazes me how much they brought!  All of it will go to good use.  I have already started using some of the crayons with my 3rd and 4th graders and when Sister Jean Gabriel and Sister Pricilla get here next weekend, we will go through it all and they will be able to distribute it to those in most need.  Gracias!

Dad, Gail, and Jeremy's visit was short, but wonderful.  They got to relax in the hotel and spend time with me and our Dominican friends.  We made it to church at Centro Buen Pastor on Sunday, on Monday night my friends and I took Jeremy out to the malecon, on Tuesday we had a Thanksgiving dinner with many old friends who visited Boxford 10 years ago and are still close friends today, and on Wednesday I made our second Thanksgiving Dinner and we ate with my co-workers and friends which we followed up by going out dancing.  It was a wonderful time!  Both meals were a perfect hybrid of American tradition (turkeys, cranberry sauce, and a lot of thankfulness for our friendship and time together) and Dominican tradition (plantains, rice, goat, Brugal, and music and dancing).  I am very Thankful that I got to share my family with my friends, and I got to share my friends with my family.  There was a lot of laughter and a lot of fun, even with the language barrier.

The Goat we had with Thanksgiving Dinner!
It was so delicious.
It was the only thing we didn't have leftovers of.

Me and the Turkey as I'm getting the table ready

Jeremy and I with our friend Madelin on the malecon

In my classes this week, I taught about the history and tradition of Thanksgiving.  They colored Thanksgiving pictures, learned about Pilgrims (who they were excited lived in my state), and shouted loudly, "HAPPY THANKSGIVING" and "GOBBLE GOBBLE."  I taught my adults and high school kids about the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Football, and Black Friday as well.  It was a fun week!

Next week, I move into my new apartment.  It is small, but exactly what I need to live for the rest of my time here.   I'm going to buying some furniture and appliances this weekend and then little by little, I'll get what I need.  I won't need that much for the first two weeks before I go home for Christmas.  When I come back in January, I'll be able to make it a home.

As always, if you have any questions, let me know!

Feliz dia de accion de gracias! (Happy Thanksgiving)

Tina