internet, kfc, and evolution

so i finally and officially have internet in my home! that means photos. i am uploading primarily on facebook, so check it out those of you who are on facebook, or ask me to email you some and i will gladly send you some.

i think i'm adjusting to living alone really well. it's the first time ever, so i was a little worried, but it's kinda nice. even though i'm living alone, i'm rarely by myself. neighborhood kids are constantly coming over, to a point where i have to kick them out sometimes. it's nice to have the company, but it's also nice to not have to play war and other monotonous card games for hours, decide whether or not i should/am able to provide food and drinks (some of them really don't have much at home, i know, but some do and where do i draw the line, who do i include/exclude, so i don't go over my own very small PC budget?), and make sure that nobody is reading my journal or trying to find my computer. when i take a nap i have to lock my front door because kids would otherwise just walk in. these are not acceptable behaviors for dominican children, so i think i'll keep the hanging out to the porch whenever possible and set some firmer boundaries to let them know that this isn't a free for all.

i am slowly making my house a little cozier. small things have made a huge difference: a few tupperware containers (doing a swedish flag color scheme in the kitchen - hej hej), a bright bathmat, pretty throw rugs, carpeting (linoleum) instead of the previous cement floor. i was debating whether i should go the completely random decorating route with large-print patterns, silk flower arrangements, and lace (dominican style) or something more coordinated. it's a bit of both right now and i like it that way. i look forward to paying my rent next month so my host family/landlords can buy a sofa. i am wondering if i am going to get a mirror or not. right now i have a little one about 3x5. i don't really care what i look like these days and still more compliments from people of all ages and genders. my host mother repeatedly tells me i look "sexy", usually when i haven't showered that day and am wearing jeans and a tshirt. not complaining about that, but can be sketchier when coming from people who are not adorable, non-threatening grannys.

i am so pleased that my yard grows mangoes, bananas, pineapples, sugar cane (you can eat it straight from the cane), dashin (it's a potato-like starch), and more to come. ma franco (my host mom) wants to start a garden in my backyard and i am really anxious to help and learn. as you may or may not know, i have only recently started to have an ability/interest in keeping plants alive. i think my garden will be prettier than the swedish ivy at rob's that refuses to die and, as if in mocking protest, gets uglier and uglier each day.

the family next door is super nice and welcoming. they have all been really welcoming and the two kids who are 19 and 20 are cool. i've hung out with them a couple times now and it's nice to get to know people who are a little closer to my age. last night we drove through kfc (the only drive thru on the island and one of two american chains (the other is subway). then we ate our fried chicken along the bayfront. it was cold, pants and long sleeve weather. nice to get out of the village for a bit.

i went to the seventh day adventist church yesterday with the aforementioned family. it was 4 hours and my back hurt, but it was interesting and again (noticing the motif) everybody was really nice and welcoming. during the small group discussion, we were talking about how god speaks to us through nature. the issue of evolution was mentioned and painted as a completely absurd theory. very difficult moment for me to remain silent and respectful, but i did and soon we were on to the next topic and i soon stopped feeling angry.

speaking of angry, skype not working on ubuntu is infuriating to me. i can't even try to fix it because it makes me too mad. so if you want to talk on skype, we have to set up a time and i'll go on windows vista.

the last week or so overall though, i've been fully, wholly content with life, appreciating the beauty of this place and this experience. it's an amazing and satisfying way to live. i'm going to try to keep it up as long as possible.

current favorite band: citizen cope. it goes well with the dominican vibes.