Bits and Pieces from "winter"

Our first big excursion in February was a trip to Cabarete with our friends Patricia and Jessie. What was supposed to be a 3 or so hour drive turned into a 7+ hour adventure. It began with a flat tire... an unfortunate happening, but easily solvable given that it occurred in a populated area and we had Jeremy with us! A quick hop onto a motor bike, tire in hand, and off to a repair shop down the street... I don't think we lost more than an hour. Hitting the "Mocha Road" at night, however, slowed us down. The twisty windy road with many a mysterious intersections and the typical Dominican direction-giving of "derecho derecho" or "por alla" did little to help us. Armed with a sense of adventure, great company, and eventually a few Presidentes, we made it to our destination.

¡The crew: Jessie, Jeremy (doing..?), Paty y yo!

Jeremy shops for fresh fish in town

 The highlights of our Cabarete trip included a huge beach house to ourselves, beers with fish and chips in town the first night, an enormous home-cooked meal the second night, a late evening of "celebrity" or "salad bowl," lounging, and, of course, the beaches...

Jeremy being... Jeremy during post-snorkel sunset

A constant highlight in the DR has been the fresh and incredibly delicious fresh fruit. Amazing guacamole is on the menu regularly. Home-made piña coladas were also on the menu this weekend.

While living in the Dominican Republic has not been all kicks and giggles... it seems as though the adventure has already served its purpose - to learn to live together, navigate new landscapes together, take on responsibilities together, deal with life's challenges together, support each other, and strengthen each other (especially during times of weakness). We have done it all, are doing it all, and despite the obstacles that this year has presented to each of us... we have grown increasingly happy to go through it all together.

Enough of that... onto the Super Bowl!

Well, yes... this is about all we have to say about the Super Bowl.

 Some other highlights of our "winter" months... Yet another wonderful weekend in Las Terrenas. This time we opted for a tiny beach bongalow next to our favorite hotel, Atlantis, where we could pay less, let the dogs run free more, and roll out of bed to the hotel's restaurant for our favorite meals. A quick conversation on the beach with two awesome lady travelers from California quickly turned into wine at sunset, piña coladas at dusk, who knows what at dinner, and then beers, guitar and singing with a group of German's at the nearby pizza joint. A beautiful, relaxing and highly entertaining evening with dogs in tow... 

Valentines Day!
Jeremy, who is always quite thoughtful and sweet, went the extra mile on Valentines day. Champagne (which Luna loved and Fia reacted to with a sneezing fit), home-made garlic flatbread, yummy pasta, our amazing olive oil from my trip to Italy, mango icecream and the world's most amazing chocolate sauce (go Jeremy!)... complete with a card filled with love and puppy paw-prints. It was a refreshing evening that prepared me well for my weekend adventure in New York.

The newest semi-member of our family visits at the window (kitten). Luna and Fia are not her biggest fans.

 

 

 

 

Kenya Reunion hike!

My weekend in New York consisted of my first of four interviews with doctorate in clinical psychology programs, two nights in Alison and Kathryn's apartment (my siblings) in the West Village, and many yummy U.S. meals including a dinner with Abby and Jason (Jeremy's siblings). Then I headed uptown to meet up with my girlfriends from studying abroad in Kenya. Six of a group of eight or so close girlfriends, reunited for three nights at Liz's farmhouse in the Hudson River Valley. As if 7.5 years had not gone by... we had an inspiring, comforting, memory-filled weekend.

 Jeremy has continued to stay busy at work. The census ran in January/February with great success. One of the first times UNHCR has used mobile technology to conduct a census. He has since presented the project (planning, process, results) to representatives from Geneva and all of the Latin American offices. As a result, a number of the offices expressed interest in doing something similar in their countries. Jeremy receives phone calls from refugees from Haiti, Iran, Cuba etc. on an almost daily basis. The topics of conversation range dramatically and the calls (which can come any day of the week or time of day) vary in their level of urgency. Jeremy answers every call and you'd never be able to guess who he was talking to... everyone - friends, family, refugees, drivers, colleagues - receives his same level of attention and kindness. I think some of the refugees call him just to hear the voice of a friend. In addition to work and taking care of me, Jeremy has been an excellent Puppy daddy. As you can see in this picture he is well equipped to take the dogs out into the Dominican heat with leash and beer in a wine cooling bag. He's got this figured out...

View to the left from the pool

Our apartment has been a sanctuary for us... we retreat into our home and somehow the noise from the busy streets dissipates We are surrounded by squawking parrots in the neighbor's mango trees, the sound of the fountain in our courtyard and enjoy fresh cross breezes aided by our many fans. The pool and patio just one floor up, which is always empty when we use it, is an additional perk to living here. Cooling swims, sunset drinks and nice views... Yes, our apartment is a much needed sanctuary. I, in particular, spend quite a bit of time here!

View to the right from the pool

Tired after a particularly difficult morning's work

Puppy parenting has continued to be both a joy and a pain in the butt. February seemed to be a particularly difficult month when the girls did not want to sleep. We had many nights with 12am, 3am, and 5am wake up calls (and sometimes that was a good night!). Jeremy somehow maintained his calm and collected demeanor while I turned into a zombie-like disaster. Somehow Luna and Fia seemed to regain our affection during the daylight hours with their ridiculous and cute antics and distinct and entertaining personalities. They really got back on our good sides when, thanks to our cyber-vet Dani, we discovered that you can, in fact, give dogs benadryl as a sleep-aid. YES!! With a bit more sleep, and full dedication of our "office" to become the puppy's room (we try to make it like a cave so they can't detect the rising sun and keep the fan on so they can't hear their relatives yapping on the streets), we happily transitioned into "spring" much better rested.

This was the view from inside their house (pool...ocean...). How could they not be satisfied?!

March came in the blink of an eye. After finishing my work with UNHCR and one of their implementing partners (to save or not to save for a separate post). Jessie and I ventured up to Las Terrenas to meet up with Andrea, my friend from high school, and 14 or so of her friends from NYU law school. I had recommended Las Terrenas as their spring break destination and was happy to learn that they were beyond satisfied. Based on their approval I will continue to recommend this area to vacationing friends.

Playa Bonita and Playa Cosón continue to be wonderful escapes from Santo Domingo. Stunning beaches, sunrises and sunsets, fresh coconut water and amazing food (if you keep going to Atlantis, as we do...). It was fun to take a girl's trip to the beach with Jessie. We are very much on the same wave length and enjoyed sleeping, walking and reading. As much as I missed Jeremy and the puppies... it sure was low key :)

Jessie looks back at Playa Cosón on our way back to Playa Bonita

Somewhere mixed into these winter weeks I had a job (!) and three other interviews for PsyD programs (doctorate in clinical psychology). Jeremy and I both made the trip to Denver for my interview at DU's Graduate School of Professional Psychology to see if we could see ourselves moving to the Rockies... and on that note I will leave you anxiously awaiting to hear more from us from our tropical island.