life now

So, there has been a bit of a hiatus on this blog, mainly because I have no new Dominican adventures to tell. I have decided though to continue the blog because life does not end once back in the states (and no where on this blog do I specify that these 'adventures' are 'Dominican.')

As many of you have seen (on this blog, but hopefully in person) that the dreadlocks are gone and I have a shorter, darker new do. Anne phrased it perfectly- a new haircut for a new chapter in my life.

Though I do miss the Dominican Republic terribly and all the people that are there, I am confident that Houston is where I am supposed to be. So, yes, here is the start of the new chapter, and below are the things which with I have been filling it up.

I moved back to Houston at the end of August and had some much needed R&R. In December I began substitute teaching at an inner city school until I could find something permanent. Though I had not planned to work at a school upon moving back to the states, I was offered a position at this school (Yellowstone Academy) replacing the social worker who is on maternity leave. I was very excited to be working with children who come from similar backgrounds as the children I taught in the Dominican Republic, and so far have seen so many similarities it is unreal.

This job is through the school year, so it gives me a few months to decide if being in a school is right for me without having to be super committed one way or the other. So far I am really enjoying it. I deal mainly with the discipline of students and talk to them whenever they are having a rough time. My family wishes they could see me in action because they can't see me as being the strict disciplinarian, but they didn't see me in action in the DR. Man, I had to pick up on that real quickly.

Another thing I am focusing on is the library. At the moment there is not a full time librarian on staff, simply dedicated volunteers that come weekly. So I spend my mornings three days a week in the library helping control the chaotic children who think it is free time. I am starting to see improvements, which has been really great.

My last focus is on the 4th and 5th grade girls, currently the oldest in the school. I spend half an hour with them once a week, as a mentoring program of sorts. We had an introduction meeting last week, so I am excited to see how everything goes this time around.

I am thoroughly enjoying working so far, and cannot wait to see what the future brings.