Midweek Music 7.0

1. Te Me Vas- Prince Royce. I certainly miss DR, and listening to a little bit of Bachata every once in a while is my coping mechanism.
2. Made to Love- John Legend. I love this man's voice, his style, his message. Mr. Legend, you are a class act.

Life Came at Me Like a Speeding Train

I don't know what I was doing before this,
Something to do with school assignments, schedules, structured monotony.
I've suddenly forgotten the location of my brakes, the functions of my GPS,
The simple difference between my left and my right.
And now it's night.

The only lights I see are warning (signals),
For some sort of crossroad is up ahead. 
I'm searching for something familiar in the darkness,
But your leading hands are no where to be found.

There's a whistle in the distance,
The sound burgeons, swells in volume as the seconds pass,
And I slowly come to my senses.
I hear, then feel, then see that it's fast approaching,
And I can't stop this train.
I prepare for the blow, 
For a moment contemplate fate,
And pray one last selfish prayer.

A high-pitched ringing disturbs my stupor,
It is deafening and does not falter.
I am blind (or perhaps I have just moved away from the light?).
And there's numbness,
The kind you get when your body is too shocked to deal with the injury,
The kind you get when the imminent pain is too great to bear.

My mind is left broken, 

Like a heart skipping too many beats,

Like a scratched record on repeat.

It keeps taking me back and forth, back and forth,

Between this convoluted present and that one time...

Before all the chaos, the confusion, the crash.

I want to escape entirely into that elusive peace, my precious past. 

If my future is to be spent in recovery from this collision,
Then I'll spend eternity running away from tomorrow.

© 08.2013 Alexandra Hall

A Busy Few Weeks Ahead

Ahh! I can't believe it's over! Just a few days ago, I was sitting out on a balcony in Santo Domingo, watching the city lights flicker in the early hours of the morning, and reminding myself that it's just a matter of days before I'll be back to enjoy that spectacular nightscape once more. I finished my internship in the Dominican Republic last week, and now I'm finally home with my family before round two (or is it three?). I'll be returning to Santo Domingo on September 8th to begin a fellowship, teaching English for 10 months, working mainly in the capital, but also traveling to other parts of the country. I'm moving on to the next adventure! But not just yet... I still have some things to cross off my to-do list while I'm in the states.

1. Visit Brigette in Atlanta; We went to the movies this past weekend and saw Lee Daniels' The Butler. We'll be going to a UGA game watch-party in a few weeks. I love hanging out with this girl!
2. Send a "Thank you" note to all my coworkers from this summer
3. Visit my best friend in Nashville & go on an adventure
4. Write a reflection on my summer internship experience
5. Update the blog for DR Round Three
6. See my sister & her fiance (see her engagement ring!)
7. Go to my cousin's wedding & shower in Atlanta
8. Figure out this camera situation (I'm thinking about upgrading)
9. Visit grad schools & friends in DC
10. Sign-up to take the GRE this fall (It's really happening?!)
11. Manage to pack for 10 months away from home

A Sample of the Next 10 Months

The night before leaving Santo Domingo, I went to a local Bilingual school to teach an English lesson. I had volunteered to do this a while ago, and waited (a little impatiently) for the date to roll around. It finally came, and the whole thing was a success. Everyone was attentive, so eager to participate, and even willing to learn all the crazy new words I threw out at them. We read an article about internships in the United States and then discussed it together. Immediately following the class, as I was waiting outside for my ride, a few students came up to me and started asking questions. What are you doing in Santo Domingo? Where are you from in the United States? Where did you learn Spanish? Do you like this country? Are you Dominican? They went on and on. It was pretty fun for me to get the chance to speak in English with Dominicans my age, a rare opportunity really. We had a great little conversation for about 15 minutes. During that time, they taught me a few new phrases in Dominican Spanish (must make the distinction), all of which I've unfortunately forgotten by now. And I got to share with them some of my favorite English accents. Having grown up in the South with a Mother from England and a Father from Jamaica, accents are something I have had and will continue to have a lot of fun with for the rest of my life. So it was a great moment of cultural exchange, and the perfect end to an incredible summer in Santo Domingo. Perhaps, and I hope, it was just a sample of what's to come in the next 10 months!

Sunday Evening Dinners 1.0: Pad Thai

Food has always been a way for my family to come together and bond. In my household, Sunday morning brunch has been a tradition for as long as I can remember. My family always congregates in the kitchen to prepare a large meal that feeds everyone's tastes. I tend to think that these brunches are the reason for my intense love of breakfast food. Nonetheless, the tradition of preparing this meal every weekend was a really special part of my childhood and teenage years. I may not always be home to cook and partake in the deliciousness on Sunday mornings, but when I'm on my own, I like to organize a variation of our family ritual: "Sunday Evening Dinners." On the menu this weekend: Authentic Pad Thai. Last week, I went over to my Thai coworker's home to learn how to make this  "fast-food" dish. After visiting the farmer's market and grocery store in Santo Domingo yesterday, I had all the ingredients needed to make this yummy Thai street-food. It was only my first try, but I think it came out pretty swell. My roommate and I ate every last bit. Have fun with the recipe below!

 

8 ounces rice noodles
2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/4 cup soy sauce (I used low-sodium)
 Juice of two limes
 1 tablespoon canola/vegetable oil

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1/4 cup yellow bell pepper, chopped
 2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 cup green onion, chopped

2 cups fresh mung bean sprouts

 2 eggs, whisked together
1 tablespoon tamarind paste

1 tablespoon red vinegar

1/4 cup unsalted crushed peanuts 

+1/4 cup unsalted whole peanuts (for garnish)

1 cup fresh cut cilantro

+1/2 cup fresh cut cilantro (for garnish)
2 limes cut into wedges (for garnish)

Prepare the rice noodles according to the package (usually involves soaking them in cold water, draining, and then adding them to boiling water). Once slightly cooked, drain the noodles and let them cool.
In a large pan, sauté the garlic, yellow peppers, and green onions in the sesame and canola oils on medium heat. Add whisked eggs, and scramble them a bit.  Add your rice noodles, and begin separating the noodles with a utensil while adding your wet ingredients (soy sauce, vinegar, lemon juice, tamarind paste). Gradually add in the brown sugar and continue stirring. Add your mung bean sprouts, cilantro, and crushed peanuts and toss until they are all mixed in.
Garnish with whole peanuts, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges.
Qué disfrute! Enjoy!

In Search of Lemons



I spent a lovely Saturday morning at an oceanside farmer's market in Santo Domingo. Being the only gringas in the place, my friends and I attracted a little more attention than we wanted. Even still, we were able to get the few things we set out for: lemons (which we hadn't come across in a single supermarket around town), vegetables for the week, and photos (all me, of course). Above are some of the stealthy shots I captured during our visit.

Midweek Music 6.0

1. Liar- Lianne La Havas. I'm sure it's clear by now that Lianne is my favorite artist. I only recently found this song though, and I've had it on repeat for weeks now. Everyday after work, I love coming home to sit out on the balcony and listen to this. It's just what I need to wind down after a long day.
 

When You Ask for an Adventure on Your Birthday... Part I: the Zona Colonial

This past weekend I turned 22. It was my second time celebrating my birthday abroad and my first time doing so away from my family. In recent years, I've decided it's best to stop entering into the occasion with lots of expectations. I enjoy the day so much more when I just let myself be surprised with whatever happens. That is to say, it's easy to get frustrated if you pay too much attention to who remembers and who forgets your special day, or even, whether things go as planned, and so I just don't focus on those things anymore. I try to keep a spirit of celebration, regardless of those factors. This year, my birthday was entirely different than I imagined, and I'm quite alright with that.

On Friday afteroon I went out to the Zona Colonial with some friends. We met up with coworkers and ate at a new pizza joint for lunch. Since I've been here this summer, I've had such a craving for pizza. It's inexplicable. I wanted to try this place for a while, but I was quickly disappointed. In short, our dining experience was less than agreeable. Note to self: Letting the waiter know that it's your birthday doesn't always mean you'll get better service. The pizza was almost frozen when they delivered it to the table, and that was after an hour of waiting. Halfway through eating the pizza I thought about telling the manager that it was cold. Funny how that works.  

After lunch we decided to brave the heat for a bit and explore the zone. A few days ago, I made a deal with my coworker, Tanya. In exchange for a free photography lesson, she'll teach me how to make authentic Pad-Thai. I absolutely love Thai food, and so I can't wait to learn how to make this delicious dish. Anyways, we explored some old churches and museums in the area as I guided her through her camera's settings.We definitely blended in with the swarms of tourists, as we brought out our DSLR cameras at every possible landmark. After a few hours though, Tanya left to meet up with her husband.

Suddenly, I was alone in the Colonial Zone. I decided to call some other friends to find out where they were at. My phone died as soon as I typed in the number. I exited the Museo de las Casas Reales and realized that I was stranded in the Plaza de la Hispanidad. The sun was scorching and, of the people nearby, no one seemed to have enough minutes to let me make a call. You can imagine the looks I got from strangers after asking to use their cell phones to call my friends. I ended up wandering over to a nearby street, and looking pretty down-trodden, took a seat on a random stoop. I wasn't there long, maybe 15 minutes, but that was enough time to get some concerned looks and questions from passersby. Thankfully, by some odd coincidence, my friends soon rounded the corner and came walking up the street I was on! Imagine my relief!

That evening, my friends and I brought in my birthday with loads of popcorn and a classic film. I saw Casablanca for the first time. The movie was wonderful, and the script especially left me inspired. "Here's to looking at you kid." 

Words for Today

Let yourself just be 

-ABH

What I Knew at 22/What I See at 23- A Collaborative Piece

Never lose your curiosity,
Your propensity to see things in this world that might make you uncomfortable (at first),
Your apt to find yourself in situations that challenge every part of your being.
Challenge your thoughts, explore your emotions, and become better for it.
Experience the unfamiliar, and allow the world to improve the essence of your being.

Your life's greatest fortune is that you were born free.
The greatest gifts our freedom provides are the freedom to think (differently and deeply),
freedom to explore (intentionally), and the freedom to articulate our thoughts and experiences (independently).

Remember that Empathy is one of the greatest lessons you might come to know in your lifetime (if you are lucky). Live for the paradigm shifts, the moments that change everything you believed to be true.

Find the courage to tell these tales.
Allow the world to hear your voice, and one day you will become the greatest of storytellers.

By: Alexandra Hall & Brigette Snyder

© 08.2013 Alexandra Hall

Letters of Love: Did I Ever Tell You?

Did I ever tell you just how beautiful you are?

That when you smile my whole world stops, and for a moment I can see God.

That the freckles on your face are more wondrous than any night sky.

I sometimes connect the dots that form constellations under your eyes.

Those eyes are, to me, brighter than the summer sun.

I'm convinced that the warmth they hold could melt the coldest of hearts.

And your heart... the universe never thought such selflessness was possible in a single being.

You love in a way that all of humanity aspires to.

You are a reflection of all that is good in the human spirit.

And you don't even know my name.

© 08.2013 Alexandra Hall

Home is Near

I've got just a few more weeks in the Dominican Republic until my summer internship ends. After this, I'll return home to Atlanta to spend a few weeks with my family, and then it's back to Santo Domingo for a full 10 months teaching English.

I will be home for about three weeks, and there is so much I want to do. I still have things I'd like to do before leaving this month, but it's comforting to know that I'll be back soon. My upcoming stint in Santo Domingo will be the longest period of time I've lived outside of the United States. I'm really looking forward to this next adventure, but I also want to make sure that I take advantage of my short time at home.

Things to do before I leave DR this summer:
Bake cookies for the office again

Show Brigette the Colonial Zone

Teach an English lesson at the local institute

Go out to dance bachata/merengue once more
Have an adventure on my birthday

Get a lesson on cooking Pad-Thai with Tanya
Visit another waterfall

Things to do when I go home:
Send a “Thank you” note to all my coworkers this summer
Go on an outdoor adventure with my best friend
Write a reflection on my summer internship experience
Update my blog
Fly or drive to see my closest friends
Have a belated birthday party with my family
Spend time in Chattanooga with my Sister + her Boyfriend
Eat, cook, enjoy as much vegan food as possible at home
Upgrade my camera
Manage to pack for 10 months away from home
Register to take the GRE in the Dominican Republic 
Visit graduate schools in the U.S.

Midweek Music 5.0

1. Run- Daughter. My best friend introduced me to Daughter just a few months ago. I being the lover of chill music, as I am, immediately fell in love with the sound. I just came across this song, and it's one of those I've had on repeat. Love the lyrics.
2. Dragging You Around- Greg Laswell ft. Sia. Two of my favorite artists. This collaboration is golden.

Lost in Translation

The other night, while cooking dinner with my friend Brigette, she accidentally cut her finger in the midst of slicing an avocado. The cut was quite deep and no amount of pressure or gauze seemed to stop the bleeding. After wrapping her finger up better than priority mail, we finally decided she would be better off getting some professional care. Around 9PM at night, we set out to find a clinic that could treat her poor finger.

We came across the Clínica Abreu, just a few minutes from our apartment. I was interested in seeing just how fast my friend would be seen after entering a Dominican emergency room. In less than five minutes a doctor was attending to her, and we were being asked questions about her health insurance. My goodness,  that was fast!

The doctor didn't speak very much English, but we didn't mind that at all, especially because he was so incredibly good looking. Although my friend was being prodded with a needle filled with anesthesia medicine, she managed to smile throughout the whole procedure. Note to self: A good looking doctor is just the distraction you need to get through the pain.

In the span of just one hour at the clinic, my friend was stitched up and given a prescription. In the same hour, I got caught taking a few pictures in the clinic, and was almost thrown out of the place. However, the funniest moment occurred while trying to communicate with the beautiful physician. Since I understand the most Spanish in our little group, the doctor began to ask me all the questions about my friend's injury. I heard him say, "How was your experience in the hospital?" For some reason, I thought this was a completely natural post-operation inquiry. It's obvious now that I don't go to hospitals very often. I asked my friend the doctor's question in English. She responded, "Amazing. Really great." The doctor looked completely puzzled. He repeated his question, miming to get his words across. I finally understood what he was asking; "How did her injury happen?" We all burst out laughing. She had just told him that the her injury happened in an amazing, really great way. What a mix-up that was! Even if he had asked about our overall experience at the clinic, it's still hilarious that my friend described her experience getting stitched up and prodded by a needle as "amazing." It's good to know I've got such positive people around me!

Happy Birthday to My Sister

If you asked me to tell you who I am, I'd respond, "You have to meet my sister." 

Because the truth is, without her, I don't make sense. 

I carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)

I am never without it (anywhere i go you go, my dear;

and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)

Excerpt from I Carry Your Heart by E.E. Cummings

Happy Birthday, Ari! 

I love you, Seester! 

Connect or Move On

I'm a relator by nature. I cannot go a day without feeling connected to other people. Since graduation, my closest friends and I have gone in very different directions. Literally, we are spread from China to South Korea and Tennessee to Hawaii. Once just a phone call or short walk away, we are now separated by countless miles of land and sea, time zones, international calling rates, etc. Initially it was very difficult for me to grapple with the stress of being so far from my friends. After some quiet reflection however, I came to the decision that it's all on me. If I want someone to be in my life, then I have to make every effort to be in their's. Life gets busy and complicated, people move on to do different things, but that's not necessarily an excuse to lose touch.

I think it is a beautiful thing when friends can go weeks, months, years even, without talking, and suddenly reunite on the same note they left off. However, there is something to be said about friends that remain in constant contact despite distance, time, and circumstances. That's what I want.

In part, it's probably my fear of losing relationships that keeps me from being content with not talking to friends for extended periods of time. I can still remember the regret I felt as a seven year old when I moved to a new state with my family, left my best friend behind, and realized that we would probably never talk again (mostly because I had an irrational fear of telephones as a child).

I think you should make every effort to keep the people you care about in your lives. Even still, I believe you have to move on when efforts become one sided. A quote I read recently definitely woke me up to this fact. It said, "Stop wanting someone who doesn't want you! What a waste of time and energy! God has a plan for your life and you're distracted. Be free!" So that's what I'll try to live by. God has a plan for my life. People come and go. There is something to learn from everyone. In the end, we make time for the things and people that matter most to us. That's just how it goes.

My New Vocabulary

I've acquired a new lingo in the last few months. Despite working in a bilingual professional environment, I've managed to pick up a whole slew of distinctly Dominican street terms and expressions. Let's call them "Dominicanismos" or "Dominicanisms." You'll be hard pressed to find many of these words/phrases used outside of the country or, in some cases even, outside of Santo Domingo. I've enjoyed joking with coworkers and throwing around the local jargon.
Here's my dictionary so far:

Táto- Okay                                                                    Largatijo- lizard
Caliente/Guapo- Angry                                               Freco- Fresh guy
Nítido- Alright                                                               Tonto- Dumb
Setiao- All set                                                               Vaina- Any "thing"
De lo mío/mi gente- My people/my crew                    Bonche- A party
Biberon- Baby bottle or uncomfortable situation         
Bobo- Problem/uncomfortable situation
Tirar- To take a shot
Cache bonita- Something in good condition
Corta- Shut up
Corrita- Someone who likes jokes

When someone hisses at you on the street to get your attention:
Qué pasó? Se pinchó la goma?/ What happened? Did you pierce your tire?
                                                               

Guyacanes

 

Summer weather in Santo Domingo can be a little unpredictable. Recently it seems as if there is a 50% chance of rain everyday. This Saturday, I checked the weather report in the morning..."30% chance of rain, and scattered thunderstorms." Earlier in the week, a small group of us had planned to go to the beach for a day. After a few minutes of deliberation, we decided our odds were good enough to make the trip despite the frequent showers we've been getting.

The beach at Los Guayacanes was absolutely gorgeous. It's located about 40 minutes outside of Santo Domingo, right next to Juan Dolio. The water is turquoise in color, and oh so clear. Near the area where we were swimming there were real coral formations and hundreds of small live sea urchins. I tried so hard not to step on any of these spiky critters while I was out there. My friend Brigette and I borrowed some snorkeling gear from our friends and went out exploring the shallow waters. Oh my gosh, there were so many, and it was quite a sight to see them up close. Brigette led me to a large coral strip and told me to look under it for a sea urchin. No exaggeration, this creature was the size of a basketball. I took one peak and immediately lifted my head from the water so that I could properly freak out and not drown. I'd never seen one that size before.

After some more exploring under the sea, we came out of the water to enjoy a delicious meal of tostones, avocado, fried snapper, octopus, crab, sweet potato fries, and Dominican rice & beans; an unbelievably filling meal after all of our swimming. Later we would try some fresh coconuts, brought by our young friend, Domingo. It was my first time drinking the water directly out of the coconut, no straw, no cup. Things got a little messy, but it was so great. I don't think I can drink it the way I used to anymore!

1/2. My new friend, Domingo, climbs up 20 ft. to score some coconuts for us to eat
3. Pulpo pours out some coconut water
4/5. Brigette & Domingo are all smiles with fresh coconut in tow
6. My coworker Tanya relaxes in a hammock while enjoying the scenery

Words for Today

YOUR LIFE IS REMARKABLE
-ABH 

Midweek Music 4.0

1. Poscards from Italy- Beirut. One of my old favorites, this is such a perfect summer song.
2. To Build a Home- Patrick Watson. I had Patrick Watson's Great Escape on repeat during my senior year of high school. The only way I can describe this guy's voice is "ethereal." To Build a Home is such a poetic piece, and I think this video is just splendid.