some pictures of my last few months (in no specific order)....

Stephanie giving a workshop at the educator's conference. The three-day conference was a great success, with 13 teacher and principles from all over the country learning how to improve their schools and train teachers with enhanced and affective teaching methods.

Here I am with the cake to celebrate the end of the conference. Remember how important cake is here, and this one was delicious- with a plum filling! 

Milady, Me and Albania (the two teachers I took to the conference from La Caya) with their certificates of completion and participation in the conference.

On top of the world. This is from my trip up the hill with Francia to the small community on top of the mountain ridge. Looking out from the hill at the Atlantic Ocean.

A donkey with a homemade saddle.

Francia's truck in front of a house in the community on the hill. Notice the solar panel on the roof of the house (how people get power, as there are no electric lines there). On the way down from the mountain, we would get a flat and have to find a pump like you would use for a bicycle to blow the tire back up. Luckily (and I'm still not sure how) we made it home in tact. Just one of the many times in the DR, I have been amazed something has worked out.

Mom and I in Samana during her visit!

Our backyard in the house we stayed at in Samana. Pretty nice living eh?

Mom and Jim at La Playita (the little beach), about four minutes walking from the house we stayed at.

Punta Rucia this last week. I went with about 15 other Peace Corps volunteers to squeeze in one last beach trip before most of us take off next month. Punta Rucia is a small community on the north coast of the island with some of the most beautiful beaches and scenic ocean views I have ever seen in my life.

And finally, this is Mercedes. She's the grandma (and also great-grandma) at the house I eat lunch at everyday. She's just one of my favorite people of all time, so I thought I'd share a picture.