Views from the Balcony, things I see

I write some stories when I'm in the mood to do so. They say (and of course you know who THEY are) artists only can be creative when the mood strikes them. So I'll pretend to be an artist. But it really is true, I can only make jewelry when I'm in the mood( I never mentioned that I make jewelry. I'll write about that another day. When I'm in the mood jejjee). Can only build stuff when I feel like it. Can only have...well, now I'm embarrassed with what I'm thinking now..anyhow.


The Boxer Shorts Man
An interesting older man I watched almost everyday.
Early in the morning.
He was there in the garden across the street.
In his boxer shorts.
The old fashioned white type.
Lifting a piece of concrete.
Like it was a weight.
His exercise.
He worked hard.
Not paying attention to anyone.
After his workout he would squat down.
Looked like some yoga position.
He would stay in this position.
Many times for more than an hour.
I could never figure out at what he was looking.
About what he was thinking.
Or for that matter, if he was looking at or thinking about anything
I watched him.
Wondering.
Sometimes he would see me.
Wave.
Make motions toward the sea.
Toward the sky.
Other times he would point up toward the trees.
I smiled at him and waved back.
Then when he was finished doing whatever it was he was doing
He walked back to his home.
Looking very content.



more of the Boxer Shorts Man next time

electric

I was talking with a puter pal last night. I was telling him about the electric in DR. Or maybe I should say the lack of electric in DR.

Living without electric really isn't as bad as most would think. I usually bought fresh food everyday and there was only me and the dog so I didn't need a big stash of food. I only have one of those college dorm fridges. A half thing. Its good for me. The biggest problem was getting used to not stocking up on food like I did when I lived in USA. I'd buy the large portions and freeze stuff so I didn't have to shop much (I hate shopping). I'm also a condiment freak. It takes me 10 minutes just getting all the condoemnts on the food before I can even start eating. So I had to cut back on condiment usage also. One good thing about a little fridge is that when the power did go out I didn't have much to lose. The bad thing was the freezer was so small I could only keep ice in it and it took forever for the ice to freeze.

Anyhow..back to the electric. Sin luz. No problemo! When the power went out the people would go to the street. I lived across from a park and the neighbors would all go to the park or sit outside. It was nice knowing and being able to hang out with the neighbors. Not like in USA where most people don't really know their neighbors. I never wanted to hang with the neighbors in USA but in DR its the thing to do.

So the power goes out its a chance to not be in front of the puter (I call the computer the puter just so you all know) or the TV. I did get some reading done also. Its a chance to get out. Take a walk. Meet some people.

In the night it does get a little bad. If there's no generators the streets are dark. I used to carry a little flashlight with me incase I was out walking when the power went out then I could see so I didn't fall in a sidewalk hole! Just stay close to home. Pretend your living in the pioneer days and read by lantern light. Or go to bed early. It can get hot without the fan but sweating is good sometimes. Cleans out the pours.

Have to look at it with a positive attitude. It can't be changed so just accept it and make the best out of it. I think maybe I was preparing for this move and didn't know it. I used to camp a lot. The roughing it kind of camping. So maybe all the camping experience was just preparing me for my new life in Dominican Republic.

One never knows where life will lead. And I'm so glad mine led me to DR!

By the way, this little free program is great to check your spelling.

Some of what I love of DR

Couldn't sleep last night. Who knows why.

I've been trying to make a web site but just can't figure it out so a friend told me to start with a Blog. The big problem is I have no idea where to start...I was born...LOL!

Lets see...Why did I move to Dominican Republic. The weather? The beaches? The people? The beer? Yea..That's it! The beer is great! But really, I think its the life style there. So many ask me why I would chose a third world country when there are so many other places. I can't really answer that with a solid reply. It's just after visiting this country I fell in love with it. When I left my heart stayed behind. Its still there now. As far as I know it always will be.

It wasn't a man either. Even though those Dominican men are pretty great. Maybe its the attitudes of the people. Most are friendly and giving people. The lifestyle is slow, tranquilo. In general, things move slow. Takes a while to get used to taking life slow. Walking slow is especially difficult. The Dominicans say they can spot a tourists just by the way they walk. Long strides. Walking fast. After living there for a while I noticed this and concentrated on walking slow. It was work at first, very deliberate on my part. But I achieved. When I had to return to USA I really noticed this in the humans here. It's not easy trying to keep my "Dominican stride" here. But I'm trying.

Anyhow, all I do know is that Dominican Republic is my home. Even if I'm not living there at this time. It is the place I call home and always will. Its not easy living there but then life anywhere has its ups and downs. For me the good out weighs the bad. The good people outward the bad. I love it. I love my life in DR. I can't wait to return.

This is a test

This , of course, is my first blog. Not sure what I'm doing yet so I'm just going to play around here until I figure a good starting point.

This blog isn't going to have much about my life now. I'm in USA now taking care of things beyond my control. As soon as all the crap is taken care of I will return to my new country, Dominican Republic.

So let me get this set up and figure out how to work a blog and I'll be back with stories as I see them. But then, the way I see things ,in my opinion, is the only way they need to be seen.

Always remember...Anything you do in your life you need to ask yourself

"How is this going to affect Jan?"

If it is going to affect me badly then you don't do it. This is all you need to remember to live your life!

BE BACK!

This is me in the town of Mars standing next to the "big" spaceship.