Horseback riding!

Anne and I love horses! So we decided to go horseback riding before she left. There's a stable not far from the Mak house and the owner gave us a discount. So away we went! It was so much fun. Possibly the most fun I've had! The horses were well trained and because Anne and I are "experienced" riders, we got to do some running! Oh man, the feeling of running on a horse!! Of course, my legs were jello for the next few days because I haven't ridden a horse in a long time. Here are some pictures:


Anne with Simba. He has one blue eye and one black eye


This is my horse, Felipe.


Jungle riding! Just kidding, we were in the sugarcane fields.


We had a break and ate the most delicious fried plantains and fried sweet potato ever!! Oh my, it was so good.


Photo-op!

In conclusion, I'll leave you with this: Anne decided that I look like a ballerina when I ride (English training) and I decided that she looks like a cowboy (all those years at the rodeo, roping cattle!!). Thanks, Anne Laverty, for a wonderful afternoon!

Monday Night: See you later, Boons!

Monday night we had our going away party for Anne and Garrett. There was DELICIOUS food, a slideshow of photos from their time here and a many questions asked (a funny memory, scripture about your time here, something you'll miss, something you won't miss, etc)! It was a wonderful night with laughter and tears. Here are some pictures:


It's true! We do love the Boons. And we miss them terribly!


Lots of friends were there to celebrate Garrett's and Anne's time with us! Sorry we didn't take a picture with the guys!
(L-R) Back Row: Holly, Lauren, Anne, Kendall, Emily, Ashley, Erika
Front Row: Robin, Kim, Cara


Big D, the chef himself! Oh my goodness, his food is amazing. He has a restaurant on the beach in Sosua (Big D's BBQ) and he also does catering. There is a picture of the salad below. What I didn't get pictures of was: the guacamole with homemade tortilla chips, the beer chicken, the ribs, the potato salad, sliders and a few other mouth-watering things!


Anne and Holly


Anne and Lauren


Ahh, yes, the salad! We had leftovers for a week!

We love you, Garrett and Anne!! A whole whole whole lot. And we miss you!!

Our Cute Kids!

A few of our students:


I love how short Elijio looks between Memo and Anidelis


Antony and Leury put chalk on their faces


Marta la Loca


Alturo drawing


Wilson making a creation


Wildania and Yunairi


Leury eating his breakfast; he really enjoys it!


Antony showing Profe Lauren that he ate his vitamin!

To the PARK!!

Last week we piled (seriously!) all the kids into the Mak truck and took them to a park in MonteLlano. Here are a few (or a lot) of photos of the trip:


Piled in with Profe Lorena


In the back of the truck with Johan


Racing up the stairs to the slide!


Bienvenido sliding down


Marileidi, Gustavo and Davidson


Ambiolix


Profe Ashley and Anne spinning the kids around


The kids spinning themselves


Wili and David pushing Nicol Cristal and others


Profe Cristina


Ariela and Wilsenci


Such determination


Yuneci sliding


Again Wilsenci with a look of determination


Gustavo with Escarlet


Leury with the See-Saw


Bianca Nicol


Lisela


Antony


Carlos Alfredo


Ariela and Nicol Cristal


Ana Wendy


Yunairi


Ambiolix

They had such a great time that we're thinking about making it a regular event at Colegio Makarios!

Monday Morning

Monday morning we all woke up very early (5:30, to be exact) in order to worship as the sun came up. The ideal plan was to drive up to the top of Mt. Isabela and sing from there. But God has a different plan and sent the rain to keep us inside. It was a lovely time of singing hymns and contemporary Christian songs. Here's a short video:



After praise and worship we watched the Lion King, ate pancakes (compliments of the guys)...






...and played a few rounds of Bananagrams. All before 10Am! It did make for a longer day, by the time evening came, but it was worth it!

Sunday

Sunday was a wonderful day of rest and community. We went to church in the morning for Anne and Garrett's last Sunday at Templo Bíblico. Then out to Maimon to eat delicious fish. La Sirena for frozen yogurt. Played Bananagrams (soo fun!) and watched a few episodes of 24 Season 4! Such a great day! Here are the girls at La Sirena:


Anne, myself, Erika, Emily, Lauren, Kim

Saturday

This weekend was the jazz festival in Cabarete. As many of you know, I'm not the biggest fan of the beach. But you might not know that I don't really love live music either. I mean, don't get me wrong, I don't hate it by any stretch of the imagination, but I don't love/crave it either. Anyway, back to my story. So my roomies and my friend Crystal (we graduated together and she lives in Santiago) all spent the weekend listening to the music and laying on the beach. They begged enough. I went out there on Saturday just for the afternoon. It was so great to spend time with Crystal! We ate lunch at Lax and then went to José O'Shays.


Crystal and myself


Ashley watching....


the UT game!! We rarely get to watch games here, so it was so fun to be 4 Longhorns singing the fight song and yelling at the TV. We got some funny looks from the locals!