Again, I don't know how we've flown through another week! Sometimes time just goes by so fast!! When I think about it I can't believe we've been in Dominica for over 9 months!! We are now talking about staying after 4th semester to study for the ginormous Step 1 test that we anticipate Mark with take around the end of June/early July. That's assuming things go as we plan. There's so much we just don't know at this point. We "go with the flow". That has become my motto. Sometimes it's all I can do!
This weekend my lovely Dominican washing machine decided to stop draining properly. Mark and I lugged it out onto the balcony to let it drain using gravity. Now doing laundry is even harder! The cord for the electricity isn't very long so the machine is right outside the door so it can reach in to the outlet. We don't have the right kind of extension cord for it. It's just really going to be a pain! Now the door can't open very far and I have to go back and forth to turn the water on and off.
I really just want to complain a lot right now! Last week I broke down and told Mark I don't want to be here anymore. I'll be fine and we'll get through this. It's life and some days are definitely better then others but all the things I miss from the states and things I dislike here are piling high!
When people in the states talk about all the fun I'm having or the paradise I live in.... I just.... I don't know! The nature on this island IS gorgeous and I have been able to go on adventures and there are beaches here BUT this is not a vacation where I kick back with no worries and relax!! It's becoming harder to focus on the awesome experiences we are having here when I so desperately want reliable running water for one! or a grocery store with a variety of fresh produce that I know how to eat.... I could go on and on. Ugh! I really need to snap out of it!
I went to the gym today for the first time in about 2 weeks. I'm going to be very sore in the morning. I think exercise helps my crankiness at least a little. So if I get nothing else done in the day at least I worked out a bit. That sounds accomplished to me.
Tuesday
I went to the gym and worked out with some friends. I was sore from a workout yesterday and they were working those same muscles today! Maybe I should've bailed but it was a good workout. OUCH! My rear end hurts! It's a good hurt though. :)
Afterwards we went to Bible study. It was my second time going. Today we read from John 8 where the women is caught in adultery and want to stone her. I'm finding it a very interesting experience being there with other Christians who are not LDS and reading from a different version of the Bible. I do agree with most of the discussion. I'd rather not go off on my thoughts here. I'm not really good with words anyway. But I do find it interesting and I'll continue going with my friends. Perhaps I should say that I am firm in my own faith in Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. I believe in the Book of Mormon and I know that President Monson is God's current prophet on the earth today.
After lunch I spent time talking with my friend as the two of us are planning the event Kid's Fest that will be held on Halloween next Saturday. We are beginning to feel some stress as it gets closer!
We had chili for dinner tonight. It totally made my day to watch Emma eat her food all gone and even ask for more! I was fully expecting her to throw it on the floor. Maybe squish some beans first.
Here she did the sign for "all done"
Wednesday
I decided not to go to the gym. For one, I'm super sore! and for two I'm way behind on laundry! I felt so productive this morning! I washed a sink full or dirty dishes, washed, spun, rinsed, spun and hung 2 full loads of laundry (thankfully we had water the whole time!), baked bread, packed lunch, took a shower and made it on time to get the kids for lunch! Boo yeah me! :)
We went to a birthday party for a little boy who turned one. They had pizza, chips and cake.
Emma was cheesing it up for me!
Friday
I am working with another lady on the RSO board to plan Kid's Fest this semester. It will be NEXT Saturday on Halloween. Today we got some help to work on some decorations. I'm not very artistic or creative so I was grateful for the help. Also, we got a lot done in a small amount of time!
Sunday
I love sacrament meetings here. I always feel of the Spirit and feel I hear something I need to. It's the remembering what that something was that's difficult. ;)
We have friends leaving the island in the morning. They will be heading to San Juan so he can take Step 1! Ahhh! That will be us in just over 8 months! That feels like forever away sometimes! But I keep saying each week flies by so quickly. Those fast weeks turn into months and hopefully before I know it we'll be off this rock!
