Christmas in the D.R.

So, it's been a while since we've blogged. Not only have we been busy with finals, Christmas activities, etc., but our personal lives have been pretty hectic too. The Chases left a few weeks ago to return to the States, after Steve's dad died of cancer. 3 other staff member are leaving JCS as well. (We still need a French and Social Studies teacher!) One of our cats was sick, the other we just got fixed. (you wanted to know that, didn't you?) We had our new invertor hooked up, and Daniel hooked up the Tanaco. Leah moved to the Chases house, so we are currently without a next-door neighbor, until January. :(
Anyway, that was a very brief update. But, I thought people would be interested in what Christmas is like in the D.R.
Christmas here consists of:
-Lots of music (Christmas carols at 4:45 in the morning)
-Lots of fireworks (at any time of the night)
-Ginger tea (although we have not had any this year)
-Gummy candies
-Warm weather and palm trees
-Alegria en Las Montanas (a popular Christmas Carol)

We also had a fun Christmas program, in which my students sang "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause." I was mommy, and Daniel was Santa, of course. :)
In less than one day we'll be in the States!!! Hopefully we'll update more later.