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This is going to be a short version of what's up so far.
I got to Miami and we had a day and a half of staging (mostly an overall orientation). There are 56, give or take, volunteers here total- divided into my job, Youth and Family Development, Water Sanitation and Healthy Families. People from all over, mostly young- the average age is 24. It's a fun group and I'm excited to be a part of it.

Yesterday we got to the DR and were at a retreat center for the day where they went over the training program methodology (I'll post more on training another day), a brief overview of health info and we got our mosquito nets and DEET power bug spray. This morning we went to the training center in Pantoja, which is a barrio (town/suburb) outside of Santo Domingo, the capital. We had some more intro and overall PC stuff, 2 shots (yes!), a basic crash course in Spanish and an interview/Spanish conversation so they can place us in our Spanish classes. And I enjoyed the first of many meals featuring arroz con frijoles (rice and beans). Oh, and FYI- it's hot. And humid. Also beautiful.

At the end of training today we met our families. My host sister, Pamela who is 14, picked me up because my mother had to be somewhere. She's really nice and seems like she'll be fun.

Training's going to be pretty intense. 8 to 6 every day. Some Saturday activities but none on Sundays. Oh, we have internet in my house and I'm using it in my sister's room. I may not call much from my house because most families have a plan with minutes per month, that get taken up even by calling cards by my understanding. There are plenty of public phone places though, but I haven't gotten that far yet.

Love and miss you all!

Posted by katie on September 8, 2006 11:13 PM | Permalink

Hey girl!! I'm so glad you made it there safely and everything is going well. I got your package the other day -- I got a nice laugh out of it. Thanks so much for thinking of me before you left. Talk to you soon.

---------------------------------------------------------- Posted by: Kimie | September 9, 2006 03:32 PM

hey katie!! it is emily kamenides from church!! i cant believe you have a website!! email me!!

---------------------------------------------------------- Posted by: emily kamenides | September 9, 2006 10:11 PM

Hey....i hope you are having fun....glad you made it safely....

---------------------------------------------------------- Posted by: Jess | September 11, 2006 05:23 PM

Hi Katie! no ac huh? don't know if I can get one of those in a padded envelope, but we'll try! sounds like you are settling in just fine. Any purposals yet? we are as busy as ever here with all. We have the East Coast Bomb Gathering happening in Pisgah in 2 weeks, much to do there yet.Ali has her new car, another mustang convertable. we'll see how long this last. If you want to make someone smile today, Show them how to futz! You know that "get down" Elaine type! right on, take care and write soon. oh, I have a blog site , too go to scbomb.com & click blog
Galen

---------------------------------------------------------- Posted by: Galen | September 12, 2006 01:24 PM

hey katie its justin from youth group!! I luv ur site....
We have all been prayin 4 u and i hope you have a great time....
Justin

---------------------------------------------------------- Posted by: Justin Smith | November 12, 2006 03:47 PM

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