Basketball Game Results!!

The basketball game was a HUGE success! Everyone played their hearts out. The Texas Tech and Hostos students played before a record breaking crowd. Parents, teachers and students all came together in support of the game.



We also had cheerleaders out to keep us motivated!!






We “The Tech students” have been so busy teaching, lesson planning and learning that we had no time to practice or condition for this game. On the other hand, the Hostos’s basketball players are ranked #2 in H.S. basketball on the island. Should I even continue with this post?!?!?

The Team!!






Well, Texas Tech lost, but we all had a great time. We all enjoyed ourselves the score was something like 25-48. On a side note the referee for the game was the Principals’ brother-in-law. AND AFTER THE HALF,HOSOTOS BROUGHT IN THE OTHER HALF OF THEIR 12 MAN TEAM, A FRESH SET OF LEGS!!! When I saw that go down I almost threw in the towel!!!









Next year we will PREVAIL!!!

BasketBall PreGame

Watch the VIDEO!!! PreGame COMETARY

The National Palace

Before we went to the national palace, we stopped by the mall. This mall was crazy, there is a bank inside with armed guards. I haven’t seen so many guns in my life. It seems like the weapon of choice in this country is the PISTOL GRIP SHOTGUN! Anyways, we ate lunch and walked around a bit. Taco Bell, KFC and Haagen Dazs ice cream were just a few restaurants that I recognized.

Here is a pic I snapped!!!




Yes, there is a hooters in the Dominican!! I was surprised. The waitress, Louisa asked if I was afraid. I guess my facial expression lead her to believe that I was. I was speechless, that place should be illegal!!






Santo Domingo is the center of the national government of the Dominican Republic. The National Palace, which is the President's office, as well as the National Congress, are located in the metropolitan area. The current mayor of the City of Santo Domingo is Roberto Esmérito Salcedo, of the governing Dominican Liberation Party. The city is administered by the Ayuntamiento del Distrito Nacional (City Hall), which is responsible for municipal functions. The "Policía Nacional" (National Police) and "Policia Turística" (Tourist Police) (POLITUR) are tasked with enforcing city safety.

The president does not live in the palace like OBAMA and his family do. Its more like a place used to hold meetings, sign important documents and eat dinner. Our Guide explained to use that famous music videos and movies have been filmed here.


Natalie talking a pic with the guards (There’s no way in HECK I was about to pose with a bunch of gun toting guards!!!)








Located at the main entrance stand 12 guards armed with MP4 automatic machine guns!!












Our tour lasted about 30 minutes. We were rushed out of the palace for some unknown reason. I think the president was returning from who knows where. Overall I am pleased with my experience in Santo Domingo. I’ve never been to the White House but this is the Dominican Republic’s Equivalent!

EveryDay Thing

Watch this video of Mi Momma, Myself and my Brother!!! As we tour the apartmento!!!!

2 days work continued!

Thanks for your patients, on the 19th. I taught my first class in the Dominican, Health. The topic that I decided to teach was sexual reproduction. This went well. Here are some Pics of my Big Day.



Here are students drawing the reproductive cycles.




Here's me putting in heavy work..



After class, my classmates, Mr. Diaz and the students walked to the basketball courts. The 10th grade students have challenged the Tech students to a basketball game. “I don’t know what these kids are thinking, maybe it’s the fact that our group is 95 percent females.” Anyways, Mr. Diaz showed us the court, we took pictures, and I gave him the list of everyone participating and their shirt size. The game is set for Wednesday at 10:30. I can’t wait to work these babies!!

Pics of the Team






After class, we walked over to the university and studied with our professors.

2 Days of Work

Over the past days we have been working in the bilingual school. It has been a great experience. This study abroad experience is allowing me and my fellow classmates to experience different cultures, educational systems, and teaching methods. Some of us, myself included, have been given the opportunity to teach lessons.

Here is a Pic with my classmates and I.



Day 1 - The day began at 6:30am. I know, I know who rises up that early? Adam and I ate egg sandwiches. Our driver picked us up at 7:30 and we arrived at the school around 8. This school is ran very differently. In the beginning of each school day, all students line up outside in the courtyard area. The announcements are read aloud by a student via microphone. She was so nervous. Then the principal lead the school in the Dominican National Anthem. Finally, the students of Texas Tech were introduced. I felt like a celebrity.

I am working towards my certification in science. This will make me valuable where ever I go, so I have been told. I personally met with the president of the school. It turns out that I will work closely with him for the duration. The President, Mr. Diaz introduced me to the science instructors and gave me a personal tour of the campus. We talked about the schools mission and the demand for science instructors, not just here but all-over Santiago. More on that conversation later.

My fellow classmates and I visited with students in a variety of classrooms.



I know you are wondering why these students are so young. This private school is K-12.
As you can see from the photo, the students were very receptive of us.

I spoke with one science instructor in particular, Kathryn. She explained to me that she was reviewing in her classroom. Kathryn teaches health. I have no background in health what so ever. I asked her If it would be ok to lead the review tomorrow, she smiled and said, "students love new blood." Kathryn then gave me the book and a review worksheet that I should be looking at right now.

Mr. Diaz gave me the review sheet from the physical science class for tomorrow as well. This class is having a substitute all week. Looks like I will be leading a review in two classrooms for the first time tomorrow. BOY I CANT WAIT.

After the long day at school, we ate lunch at the museum in Santiago, Centro Leon. This museum has it's own cigar factory, equipped with two well trained rollers. No, I did not purchase any tobacco products. The art was nice. We were given a guided tour of the facility and information about D.R's history. Here are some pictures.


MUSEUM

The guards did not allow us to use cameras.. Sorry





Natalie with Cigar Roller!! We were allowed to take photos in the cigar warehouse.







Special Lady.. She was so excited to speak with Natalie and I. She joined the Peace Corps back in 1999 and served in the Dominican Republic. She is now a resident of the island.



PART 2 COMING TOMORROW!! I HAVE PAPERS TO WRITE PEOPLE!!

Day DOS

Today was a great day Adam and I woke up to corn flakes with sugar & cinnamon!! Cinnamon in ceral??, this was new to me, I have had cinnamon toast crunch but never cinnamon frosted flakes.. Anyways this was also served with pineapples and leche (milk) Fresh cows milk from the utters!!!! That milk was a BANGGER!!!

After breakfast we did a number of things, but before I get into that you need to know this... My spanish is sub-par and I am struggling, I cant communicate, I am hating myself for not trying to learn spanish at UF. I chose to memorize and forget. anyways!!

Before we dropped by the central commercial(mall) we went to one of my host mothers many jobs "I am not the not the only one grinding", a restaurant where she sells candy. This is the most expensive spot in Santiago says my host brother. She went in first and we waited in the car. From the car I saw a man with a shotgun sitting in a lawn chair. I asked my host brother "Why in the world is this dude gun totting out here in this Rico area (Rich) in the middle of the day" He replied "hes a watchman" I will get pics of watchmen later, I am still a bit shaken-up by this. After about 5 min in the heat I was like "can we please go inside and get yo momma" So we went inside the restaurant, which was closed, got the presidential tour and finally left for the mall.


The mall was nice, we had to park under the mall and take the elevator up. They had a KFC and Burger King. It was THICK(packed) with workers. After the mall we came home, the maid served us Rice and Beans (Morrow).. I called myself morrow because I am a struggler with this language. I am hoping I can tighten up quickly. This immersion is tricky.

LUNCH



I dont want to get into the traffic situation.. there were many people driving motorcycles and scooters. These people were very brave, I used to have a scooter in Gainesville and I was scared out of my mind when driving during rush hour, but here nooo, these people are dare devils. On the BLOCK you will see people selling ice cream and bananas. But what surprised me the most were the traffic signals. Next to the green/yellow/red signal is a box with a count-down to the GREEN LIGHT!!! 70,69,68,67. Why dont we Americans have something like this back home? It was pretty cool.

Traffic Light





I took a 4 hour nap. I think its because the humidity and sun.. I am from FLORIDA, but I have been land locked in Lubbock for the past 8 months. Therefore I am not used to the heat. I also napped because I am still recovering from South Florida! "Yes I am going to milk my trip to South Florida for as long as possible"


For dinner we ate Sandwiches, I told my host mother no HAM OR BEEF, but I had no choice but to eat a ham sandwich, and i scrapped the plate!!! It was good. We then got picked up by our driver KINKO.. HE took us and 12 other classmates to a jazz club.


On a side note, I know you are wondering what happened to the girls and professors that had to wait in Dallas because the airplane wing needed repair. Well, turns out they finally left Dallas and had to sleep in Miami for the night one girl told me that they all had to sleep on the floor "I think that was the cerveza (beer) talking. When they arrived to Santiago they arrived without luggage. To top it off they came straight to the Jazz club without showering, I could smell them in the Van and in the Club. LOL J/K I felt bad for them, if it were me I would have stayed home and ate Pollo all night long, showered and slept. Those poor girls looked so tired.

The Jazz club was fun, I have video and Pictures. We made it home around 12am. I told my host mother in espanol what I would like for breakfast tomorrow; eggs,toast,bacon and leche.. Then I had to have Adam translate to her that I am not an ANIMAL and I apologize if I sound demanding when I attempt to speak in Spanish, its just that I am really animated!! She understood. I know I will catch the best eggs on the island tomorrow.

JAZZ CLUB TAB 14,000 PESOS



Our waiters name was RAMON! He looked like... well never mind what he looked like, just know he served about 20 Texas Tech students, and when he delivered the check he stood there rubbing his hands together...GRINNING like he hit that 20million dollar powerball and tonight was payday.



It's pretty late now my roommate Adam is snoring and I have to be up in 3 hours. Some people want to know exactly what I have done everyday asap!! So here it is, no sleep for RANDALL. Until tomorrow. Here is the video of the JAZZ CLUB!!