Barcelo Premium Puerto Plata

... which is built up along the entire coastline. As such, it really looks like you are on a tropical island when you drive through the north, and it is SO different from the south - much more beautiful, in my opinion. We stopped for lunch in Cabarete, which was quite good, but the service was very, very slow. After that, it was full steam ahead to Luperon...which turned out to be quite tricky to find. We almost missed the turn-off, and then made our way ...

... has<br>changed me, and has offered me a new perspective on what is really important in<br>life.  Sometimes I wonder if the past two years of struggling through this<br>doctoral program has been worth it.  So many sacrifices on the part of my<br>family.  Time away from Ellie--<br>I know that when she gets older, I will tell her about the kind, selfless people<br>who live in a different part of the world.  I hope that, if anything, this<br ...

... he said, "I don't have the money or the time."  It was maddening.  I truly believe in my heart that this child will not survive this illness, just because of his living situation.  It was difficult to walk away-<br>Please offer your positive thoughts, good karma, prayers, or wishful thinking to this little one tonight.  Maybe they will help.<br>Missing all of you,<br>Love,<br>Lani

We pray for children<br>Who sneak popsicles before supper,<br>Who erase holes in math workbooks,<br>Who can never find their shoes.<br>And we pray for those<br>Who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,<br>Who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,<br>Who are born in places we wouldn't be caught dead.<br>We pray for those who never go to the circus,<br>Who live in an X-rated world,<br ...

... pass us by around Thursday afternoon, thanks in advance, Bill.  It rained all night last night, and looks like Thursday will be a wet day as well.  <br>I'm attaching a very recent pic of my little one, taken last week.  I think she's learning to play the piano in my absence, and definitely growing up too fast while mommy is away.<br>Take care.  Hope you are all well-<br>Love,<br>Lani<br> 

... this is my first, "I'm really homesick, and am admitting it to the world" blog since arriving here.  I'm hoping that I continue to stay busy, as that makes the days seem shorter :)<br>I'm attaching a group picture.  This picture was taken after the Campo clinic and education session.  Yes, we are really as tired as we look!<br>Please feel free to drop me an email and let me know how you all are doing.<br>Adios,<br>Love,<br>Lani

... dinner, breakfast &amp; lunch on the balcony &amp; the view was amazing! The owner also had a collections of cars from the 1950s that originally belonged to dictator Trujillo. Pretty much we just played get-to-know you games. There are about 38 American students here in the CIEE program, and 3 other girls I know from Vandy.

... to bring back with you the cheapest place is the Brugal rum factory where you would be looking at between $7 - $10 a bottle compared to double this amount at the duty free at the airport!! There is a Brugal rum called "151", this is very potent at 75% proof!! And as such you are NOT allowed to bring this back on your flight as it is highly flammable. Cigarettes (Marlboro) are cheapest at the airport duty free though at $24 per 200 where as at ...

... of water splashing in my face and because I was screaming (I think), I had my mouth open the whole time and actually swallowed the salt water. Then it was over and I went back up and watched everyone else do it. There was a little girl in our group, about 5 years old, who went to do it by herself. When the dolphins passed by her, she failed to grab onto the fin with one of her arms, and the dolphins patiently stopped and waited until she secured both hands onto ...

... door. In the unpleasant category, I have many uninvited guests in the form of critters and vermin who were comfortably settled in my house and don't seem to be inclined to move out. There is the frog who lives in my bathroom, the giant palm-sized spider (thankfully not hairy) who hangs out in my closet, the fire ants who live in the couch, and the rats who scamper along the rafters at night. I put out a ...