Dos Semanas, parte 2

The title is in reference to this post. So crazy thinking about what has happened since then. Still the same two weeks until I leave, but how so very different it is this time around.

As my time is wrapping up here, life is becoming a bit surreal, full of thoughts and reflections. I found something recently that I’d like to share with you all. I was bored one night, and I started going through some of my old papers. I mean really old. For some reason I could never delete them to free up some space or reduce the maze of folders on my computer. I’m glad I kept them. When I was 12 years old, I was asked to write a poem about who I am. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not bragging about the composition of this thing (the last sentence of each paragraph was recurring throughout the poem, just go with it). It just struck me that at such an early age I was already thinking in some of the ways that I think now:

“…I feel the pain of children without homes.

I touch the world with my gifts.

I worry about another war breaking out.

I cry for the starving people in the world.

I am a clever guy who likes basketball.

{space}

I understand that you can’t give up, even when it seems like that is the only option.

I say that we should not hate anyone.

I dream of someday achieving all of my life goals.

I try to do my best in everything I do.

I hope that poverty will never again be a factor in the world.

I am a clever guy who likes basketball.”

Of course I had to throw in some love for basketball, but I was shocked that at least half of my life has gone by with this pull to help others. The words are simple – I was 12 years old folks – but many of these things are still felt today. I thought my desire to work in international economic development had come around in the last several years, but maybe God was already stirring this up in me throughout my childhood. That guy…

I’ve also wondered how much my Spanish has advanced since being here. I looked up one of the old practice documents I had made before coming, and to be honest I’m a bit embarrassed by some of the words/conjugations I did not know! It was definitely satisfying to look through my pre-DR “must-learn” list and say to myself, “Duh, Jarrett…” Haha, when I think I’m frustrated now, I can just think back on when I first got here and be glad how far ahead I am. This was an especially sweet blessing to see because language was and is one of my biggest frustrations/fears before and during this experience.

In other exciting news, my wonderful sister Sarah came to visit me last week!

She’s ok I guess:)

Sarah and I more or less followed the gameplan I had laid out with my parents, with the added benefit of having an extra day to chill on a wonderful Dominican beach. Some of my highlights (Sarah feel free to comment): eating an array of some great Dominican (and Spanish) food, hanging out at a colmado drinking Presidente with bachata blaring in the background, climbing around the  Fortaleza Ozama, heading out to a batey to describe microfinance, doing absolutely nothing (other than drinking piña coladas) while chilling on the beach, meeting my friends and host family, and riding around on motos. It was such a special time, but unfortunately it had to end because Sarah wanted to go back to 33° Minnesota. Actually, she has two amazing jobs teaching in Minneapolis, and for potential employers thinking about hiring her for the fall – if you don’t, you seriously have major, major problems and should get those checked out.

Beautiful sunset after our first full day

Photo by Ms. Sarah K. Mylander

Amazing sky just before sunset on beach day…

…eventually turned into this.

We definitely got some sun. And unfortunately we had to be self-photographers, but we got pretty good at it

This was at Fortaleza Ozama, the oldest European fort in the Americas. Of course, Sarah couldn’t be serious for one moment, the historical significance having no effect. Goodness gracious. (juuust kidding, love you S!)

This pretty much sums up a majority of the trip

And finally, just when you thought there was no more exciting news, you will find that you were in fact wrong and there is exciting news you have yet to hear – I’m going to England! I had a free plane ticket but was wondering what to do with it. My wonderful sister Maren and brother-in-law Jeremy have been there together since January, and what better way to use a free ticket! I’ll be there for four days, and it will be fun to be outside of my own culture (more or less) in such a very different way. I am also hoping for a chance to get up to Alaska in August to see the Cannon clan as nephew #2 is on the way, so that’s in the back of the brain. Maybe I’ll get all three sisters, each in a country of their own! Can’t wait!

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