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| Sunday was the day for church at the one I worshipped at in '92. Lots of the same people were still there and remembered me. They were in a new building on the campus of the school. During the SS hour Jean Pierre sat with me and translated. He was a friend from '92 with whom I had spent some time at their home talking about their 6-year-old son and some academic concerns. That son is now 22 and in college. They had translation for us during the morning service. Very traditional service. In fact, I knew all of the hymns and singing in Spanish was easy for me because of the rules of pronunciation. I knew the English words so I was able to participate in that part of the service while singing in Spanish. The pastor - same one - preached for an hour but the time went very fast because he is such a fine communicator - even in translation! After church I went to Lester's house and met his now-grown son and daughter. The son is in college and studying international business. The daughter is teaching at Logos, the school. We sat and talked about my prior visit, about the election, about the economy, about school, about politics... Dominicans are very informed about world events. Dinner was delightful and some of the best foods I've tasted. Grilled pork loin, salad, rice and beans, fresh mango, juice and coffee. Conversation was stimulating and entertaining. I was taken back to my hosts home and we took our afternoon siesta. We left for church about 5:50 because it was just down the street from our home. The evening service was similar to the morning. The Pastor's son-in-law gave the message from Colossians. We wrapped up about 7:30 and I went with Lester and Laura to Bon for ice cream. It is a yogurt that is so rich that it coats your mouth with the most delectable flavor you can imagine. I went to my host's home and we sat and talked for a while before retiring. Rafael was going to Iguay in the morning, a 2-hour drive across the island. He was stopping along the way to sell his company's rice. Kiara had given up her room for me... the bed was VERY comfortable and I retired and slept until 6:00 a.m . the next morning. | | |
| I had the privilege of being in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic for 8 days. There are 15 teachers working on a master's degree in education. I was teaching a class in Classroom Management for them. First, the weather... it was about 80 degrees everyday with sunny skies and a light breeze. It cooled down at night and I slept with only a sheet and overhead fan on low. The reason this matters is that I had left northern Indiana and it was -18 degrees. Quite a difference! I didn't miss the extreme cold... Leaving... Karen and I got up at 3:00 a.m. on Saturday morning because the flight was at 6:00 a.m. from FWA. I called the airline about 3:30 to see if the flight was delayed or canceled because of bad weather. It wasn't so we headed for the airport with clear skies and clean roads. I got out of the car at the departure gate and gave Karen a kiss goodbye and my winter coat. Arriving...Uneventful flight to Atlanta and then on to SDQ. Arrived there about 3:00 p.m. and was met by good friend Lester. I had last seen him in summer 2006 when I was there for an ACSI conference. We went to his house and renewed friendship with his family. The last time I had seen his children was 16 years prior when I was there for three months for my sabbatical. They couldn't believe that it was that long ago... We relaxed around the house and I slept while the ballgames were on... later that evening we went out to Chef Peppers restaurant. It has the best beef in Sto. Dgo. I had a flank steak that was the best that I have ever had... tender, succulent, melt-in-your-mouth good. I was glad to have gone there. I was taken to the Rodriguez home after dinner to meet my host family for the week. Young family with three children, ages 15, 13, and 8, all girls. We chatted for a while and then I was taken to my room that the oldest daughter had given up for me. After arranging my clothing and toiletries, I settled down to sleep, and slept quite well. Part 2 coming.... | | |
| We sure had a wonderful time with everyone at Christmas. The 3 kids, spouses, grandkids were all home to stay for a while. We went to Ohio to visit great-grandma and Howard. Stayed at a a hotel and they and sister Jean and good friend Linda came there to visit. What a blessing! 
Party time! 
While this young lady celebrated the new year at home we were at good friends' house with a bunch of old friends. We have talked about taping the dropping of the Times Square ball and showing it at 10:00 p.m. so we can go home and get to sleep. It's hard for old folks to stay up! But, we actually made it this year again. Happy New Year everyone! Blessings for 2009 - wherzmistuf | | |
| (Disclaimer: The following is my story and I never really contacted a lawyer and never intended to contact him.) Well it was almost a lawsuit! And I have a friend who is a lawyer and looking for his first case. Here's the story... For years I have been sending my engaging, hilarious, stories and anecdotes to a publisher who offered money if it was used in their publication. All of them were just plain hilarious and I think deserved a cash award every time! But no such luck... It all began when I had sent another funny anecdote. I was contacted by a representative of the company to verify that it was a true story - it was. I also was asked to send my address - in case it was used, they would send me a check. I was pretty excited. I could be a published author!! I sat by my mailbox waiting for that magazine to arrive and to see if my anecdote was in there... it was getting cold out there, so I watched from my front door window. Now, we have a mailman that reminds me of the mailman in the movie "Funny Farm." He drives a little fast and has a sort of beat up car... but he does manage to get the mail into the box and even delivers large packages to our front door. The magazine finally arrived and I anxiously searched the table of contents for the "Laughs" section. And there it was! My anecdote printed on the lower right hand corner! I was published in one of America's premier journals! I was expecting to get my check soon after the magazine was published. But, it didn't arrive in a timely manner. I wrote to the company rep and asked about it and was told that there was a glitch ion the system and no one was paid for the December submissions. I waited about 2 more week and then wrote again - and was politely asked to be patient, that I would get paid. I was going to have a friend - a brand new, sworn-in 3 months ago, looking for work - take my case and file a false advertising claim. He is interested in intellectual property cases and that story I sent in was my idea and it came from my intellect, so the connection was quite clear to me. He declined.... My check finally arrived! I could cease my efforts to go to court and collect! They ARE a reliable and reputable company! All is right again! I have sent in another story.... I am the eternal optimist! | | |
| Now THAT is a privilege! Our little granddaughter got to be Baby Jesus at a nursing home Christmas celebration. I was thinking about that contrast. There are, in fact, several contrasts that are evident here. My reflections: 1. The contrast between Jesus and us. What an amazing difference there is between this tiny baby-became man-is the Savior-waits for us in heaven person and us. Sure, we started life pretty young and grew, but we are not gods and certainly won't be a Savior to anyone. But, both is us - Jesus and me - will be together in heaven some day. And here is this little human baby who got to be Baby Jesus... in a not-yet-influenced-by-the-world sort of innocence. Now I know all the theology about "born in sin" and being a sinner, etc... but I can't think of our little one being that yet. Jesus - perfect. Us - not perfect. Sums it up. 2. The contrast between young and old. Here is our little granddaughter who is barely 3 months old in the company of octogenarians and possible even older persons. Think about what this means - that our little one has not even been aware yet that she was born contrasted with the well-seasoned travelers who have packed and unpacked a suitcase full of life experiences for 70-80-90 years. I imagine that the oldsters gazed at "Baby Jesus" and wondered "Where did the years go?" I remember that my grandparents would say that the older they got, the faster time went by. I bet Einstein had something to do with this phenomenon! Well, they were right! Frank Sinatra sang a song about this - It Was a Very Good Year But now the days grow short
I'm in the autumn of the year
And now I think of my life as vintage wine
from fine old kegs
from the brim to the dregs
And it poured sweet and clear
It was a very good year
and the movie "Goodbye Mr. Chips" addressed this as well. Mr. Chipping was an aging school master in England who was reflecting about his aging and the richness of his work in teaching. I first saw when I was an eighth grader. We were collecting "savings stamps" or "tax stamps" that could be redeemed for money - I am fuzzy about the details. We collected enough that we went to the gym and were treated to this movie. I knew I wanted to be a teacher, so I was really captivated by Mr. Chips, his academic regalia that all masters wore then, and the story of life lived well. Being Baby Jesus - being His baby - suh-WEET! | | |
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