Getting Closer

Saturday my parents threw a family going-away party for me. Although completely unnecessary, it was nice to see me aunts and uncles and little cousins for the day. Especially since I won't be around to celebrate Thanksgiving and probably Christmas (my semester won't finish until the end of December). And there is nothing like a couple of rounds of backyard wiffle ball to make you feel like a kid again. Of course, the entire party I had to answer the typical questions about when I left and how I was feeling about the advancing departure. And if I'm being honest, it feels surreal. I don't think my mind has quite wrapped itself around this whole adventure yet. And I can' quite believe this is happening to me. I've wanted an opportunity like this for so long, that now that its upon me, it doesn't seem possible. How could I be so lucky? But by the same token, my dumbfounded brain has been so busy dealing with my excitement that it hasn't had time to process any of the other natural emotions that one should probably feel when embarking on a solo journey to a foreign land....let's say for example, panic. And after the party ended and my family departed, that's the feeling that hit me hardest. To be completely true, I've felt this feeling rise up a couple of times over the summer, but each time I've swiftly round-house kicked it to the back of my mind and focused on all the other awesomeness that I will find in the Dominican instead. As the real-ness of my leaving has started to settle in (packing my bags, saying goodbye to my parents, spending one last day with my sister) however, the panic has sneakily ninja-ed its way back into the front of my brain and is having a serious arm-wrestling match with my other emotions for superiority. Mostly I'm worried about my job. I've never taught English before, and I have next to no information on what my classes will be like. I've been teaching mainly at the middle school level, and now I'll be teaching to university students. I know all the handy little tricks for teaching and memorizing tough Spanish grammar concepts, but I don't have anything up my sleeve for English grammar.  And almost all of my co-workers will be native Spanish speakers...what if my Spanish isn't good enough to communicate properly with them? And then I'll have to battle my feelings of inadequacy and the stereotype of stupidity that comes along with not being able to effectively share your thoughts and feelings. Not to mention other minor worries: will I be able to find a good place to stay? will I make friends? will I be able to deal with homesickness? etc. 
Lucky for me, I'm not a worrier by nature. And mostly, I don't have time to. Things will happen, or they won't, and all you can do is make the best of the situation. I fly out tomorrow, so for now its time to focus on the day I have left and making the most of it. 
So without further ado, here are some pictures of me making the most of my day yesterday, with my sister and most adorable friend Michelle. We started off with a little bargain hunting at the Third-Sunday City Market and ended the day with Blue Moon and beach volleyball. Can't get much better than that. 

Hola Lola! (a.k.a. Michelle)

Isn't she gorgeous?

Maggy's spotted something interesting.

Jewelry makes us happy.

The new spoon-pearl bracelet purchase

On to watch some beach volleyball with the sis (in blue) and her hubby (on the far right).