Malachi

And then there's Malachi...

...the most adorable thing in my life.

He is beyond cute, tottering around squeaking and getting his own way. He never fails to cheer me up after a long day.

Best Amigas?

This is Amy and I, with the matching spanish shirts our dominican mama sent us. They say the classic "Somebody loves me in the Dominican Republic..." Cute, huh?

Amy went to the DR as an intern two years ago and lived with the same woman I did. She worked in the clinic. This is an amazing bond for us, she is someone who never tires of hearing of my experiences, not to mention practicing spanish and reminiscing over our beloved dominican culture.

We have worked at staying in good contact with our family and friends there. Emails in spanish frequently fill our inboxes. We recently received a package filled with letters from our loved ones, it was so amazing. One of my sewing students had sent a note (she can't write, but she had a friend be her scribe) saying she misses me and is continuing to learn under Charo's teaching.

I'm so thankful that the relationships didn't have to end when I left. I am praying about when the Lord would have me go back. I don't have any clear direction except that I am going to school right now, and I also don't have any money:) so, I think I'm staying home for now.

Still Sewing....

So, I'm getting settled in, finding my old rut in the sewing room. I'm actually working for a dry-cleaners in Lake Oswego, doing alterations and delivering twice a week. It is a nice job situation, I'm still working at home, on my college student hours, and I can just drop off and pick up work on my way home from school. It actually pays decent, which is spiffy, too.

School is keeping me drumming my drum. I really do feel like the energizer bunny:) I'm at PCC (where tuition is free, thanks to Professor Kercher) taking general ed classes. I am tired of not learning anything all day at school, I'll be really glad to transfer to the Art Institute next fall.

I am still using my spanish, I have been tutoring spanish students 4 hours a week at the college, plus conversing with my Costa Rican friend at school. When I can I go to a local spanish church service and occasionally bring myself to turn on the spanish radio station....that's only for an emergency spanish high, though. :)