happy birthday to me

It has been quite a while since I wrote...not sure if it´s because I´ve gotten busier, I´m into a routine, I no longer have internet at my house, or maybe a combination of all three. Despite my busy routine, I continue learning and trying to understand this foreign culture. The following are just some interesting observations and perhaps satirical comments on the Dominican culture:

1. I have a `niece´, Massiel, who is 7 years old and living with us during her vacaciones. That is what my family told me originally. I thought, oh vacation, that´ll be fun having her live at the house for the week or so. Well once 3 weeks passed, I asked again and realized that vacaciones really meant her entire summer vacation. Apparently the grandparents take on the role of the parents for a couple months, which isn´t uncommon here. The house dynamics have changed slightly with her around as there are always little neighbors running in an out of the house. They wait for me to come home from work and start cheering `Lindsey, Lindsey, Lindsey´ as soon as they see Beirut and me turn the corner onto our street. The other night they threw me a surprise birthday party despite the fact that none of them actually know when my birthday really is. Pretty smart idea actually because then I had to play with them. I mean, what kind of person would I be if I didn´t show up to my own birthday party?

2. The mosquitos continue to be a nuisance, but I have figured out a way to sleep without having to put up my mosquito net...turn the ceiling fan on high of course. This works most of the time except for when the electricity decides to shut off in the middle of the night. I have to frantically rush to put up the net in darkness before the mosquitos catch word of the fresh meat.

3. There is a joke here that says the Dominican Republic has two seasons...summer and hell. Well you would think that because it is hot here all the time (just different degrees of hot), the locals would be accustomed to it; however, every day I hear complaints like `ah que calor´ or `que fuerte el sol´. I just have to giggle every time. I don´t know if I should break the news to them, but I feel like telling them that they live on an island in the middle of the Caribbean and that the weather will probably be like this for the rest of their lives. Instead, I just smile and agree :)

4. I am finally feeling like I am making some friends, learning how to interact with my family, and feeling more independent. Of course now its almost time to leave. But I have met this amazing lady, Sofia, who, every time I visit her, makes me feel so welcome. I can never just stop by. The visits are always at least 2 hours long, filled with long conversation and good food. She has started her own school in an impoverished community in Hato Mayor and is always hosting large American groups for service projects in the area. It is through her that I have met other friends as well, Dominican and American.