Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Our house- or a zoo?
Onto other news... we're both so excited about being able to post this blog. We've been moved into our apartment for a little over a week now, and are still waiting on getting our telephone connection (things take a while here). So we are using a friend's dial-up. Last week we received our stove, bed, and got our electricity hooked up. So, we're almost all set. Today we even received the last of our boxes! Last week was teacher training and getting ready for school. We spent the weekend cleaning, painting cinder blocks and wood for shelves, screening our windows (from the outside- which required Daniel to walk on a narrow ledge around the outside of our house), and shopping for items for our house.
Today was the "big day." Our students arrived this morning, eager to meet their teachers (or so we like to think). Today was a half-day and we spent much of the day explaining procedures, etc. I have 10 students in my 4th grade class. Daniel has 5 in his 6th grade class, 4 in 7th grade, and 10 in 8th grade. He's been temporarily promoted to teach music and art for 6-8 grade as well (the art/music teacher is filling in for 1st grade until we get a 1st grade teacher). Please pray that this will work out soon (we may have a possibility). Anyone want to move to the D.R.? Daniel and I are both excited for the rest of the year.
As far as other matters go, electricity hasn't been too bad. It's still off often (it's off right now, actually), but what's been worse is the water. It's off most of the day. It's usually on in the morning or evening, sometimes even both! But sometimes "on" means a trickle and would be worthless to do much with besides wash a few dishes (and even that takes a while). But, we're adjusting to it. Right now we're hoping to find some sort of transportation (maybe mountain bikes?) We'll see how it goes.
Well, that's all for now. We'll post pictures once we get our own Internet connection. :) God bless you all, and thank you for your prayers!
Monday, August 22, 2005
We're getting by pretty well on our limited Spanish and have been able to buy groceries, housewares, wood for shelves (which proved the most interesting, trying communicate how we wanted it cut), and kerosene lamps (which Teresa is very excited about), and other random necessites like Raid (which also seems to need parentheses). Ok, that's enough before this just gets rediculous. Love, luck, and lollipops.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
We're Here!!!
Niagra Falls Video 2
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Blog updates
Niagara Falls Video
Wedding and More...
The wedding itself was beautiful. It was fun to see the wedding from a different point of view (from being a bridesmaid). I had a good view of my brother the whole time. He looked so mature and in-love! :) Daniel had a view from the back through the door. (There weren't enough chairs… he said he had a good view, though). The reception was also a lot of fun. Pictures will be posted on the Gerig's website.
On Sunday Daniel and I took the opportunity to have a date night. We ate at Chili's and watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in IMAX. I don't remember much of the old one, but I've heard that this one was closer to the original book (which I haven't read). It was weird, but I expected as much and I really liked it. Afterward, I had such a craving for chocolate. However, since I shouldn't have chocolate due to my heartburn, I settled for white chocolate.
On Monday we (Daniel and I, my parents, Sara's parents, and both my sets of grandparents) went to Niagara Falls. I've been there before, but I never did any of the extra "tours." This time, we went on the Maid of the Mist. It was a boat that took us as close into the falls as was safe. It was awesome and incredible to see the power of nature and think about the even greater power of the One who created it. We took some pictures and a short video clip that I will try to attach.
On Tuesday we drove to my Great Uncle's bed and breakfast, called Tudor Hall. My parents and grandparents (Gerigs) were also there. It is located on one of the Finger Lakes. It was beautiful and we spent two days boating (canoe, paddle boat, and a row boat with an outboard motor), swimming, and swinging from a rope swing. It was a great time of relaxing after the crazy, but fun, days of wedding/preparations.
Thus ends our trip to New York. We came back on Thursday and spent the next few days packing and being with family. We leave tomorrow! More on that later…