Hey Tony, it's me Jeff and a Little Bit of Curry

We recently had a couple of neat experiences here in the DR. The chance to be a tourist is always available, and we took advantage of a couple. Last Friday night we were able to visit Blue Moon with some friends... a quaint restaurant/hotel situanted in the North mountains between Santiago and Cabarete on the North coast. Let me tell ya...we were tyreated to a neat experience. Did you ever think you'd hear of me eating authentic Indian food in the DR? It happened folks! After situating ourselves on the comfortable floor mats, the hosts served us some great Indian food on large leaves...curries, rice, chutney...my mouth waters now as I think of the evening. The evening was brough to it's fullness with the people we spent it with...a great time by all was had.
On another note...the other day Michelle and I decided to go to the local mall...baseball being the major sport around here makes it possible to run into Dominicans who are playing in the majors in N.A. I saw him coming towards me....hey Tony....Tony Batista...he didn't know who the heck I was...but in my pretending to know him....a 5 minute conversation was had...the talk was of days in Toronto, my time here in the DR and of course BASEBALL. It was a neat moment....I now have a new friend and his name is TONY!
Mom and dad are in Nicaragua at this time on a short term mission trip...hope all is well with their time. I hear the temps at home are pretty frisky...I'll enjoy my time in the sun. Love to hear from you all, JK

Wow, things have been busy since being back here in the DR. Good to be back in the class. Report cards are due next week. We had the opportunity to go to the beach last saturday...a bunch of teachers felt it would be good to defrost after the 2 weeks in North America. I had the opportunity to visit my mechanic this past week. What a great opportunity to mingle with Dominicans who don't know much English...I felt as though my Spanish lessons have come in handy as I fumbled my way through the wrongs of our 1986 Mitsubishi Montero---her name is "Jane". I continue to be at the bottom of my league in Fantasy Hockey...more thoughts on that later...gotta go. Peace to you all!!

Today is our last day in Canada before we head back to the DR. Mixed feelings. It was good to be home...the smells, food, hockey games, family of course etc. It was a good time. We have packing tonight and then I may be able to catch some of the Jr. hockey and the bowl championship. Amyway, for all that we saw...thank you for a good time....for those that we missed...we will meet again. Many blesings this 2003 year. Our love and wishes go with you.

This evening is an evening where I feel as though I should be doing something of great magnitude. Maybe, It is that I feel as though I should be feeding the desire that I should be doing something of great magnitude. On a side note...maybe it is "them" who has started the rumour that we should all be doing something of great magnitude because they themselves have nothing to do on this great eve and so they have begun this "feeling" because they don't want to be the only ones who feel like they should be doing something of great magnitude. Or, perhaps maybe "them" is a different sort...maybe, just maybe they started to tell everyone that it would be of great magnitude to go and stand in the cold with a bunch of other people and listen to out of tune cold bands while sipping on luke warm coffee and Baileys while watching the clock slowly count down to midnight and the apple that moves on the side of the building. This all is hapening of course while "them" is sitting at home in the warmth in front of a fire with hot coffee and Baileys with a few friends while they take in the hockey scores and get an even better than live view of the apple as it makes it's way to it's countdown destination...oh, and they are also laughing at the fact that they...the "thems" got the others who wanted a night of magnitude to do such a funny and cold act. Hmmm.....
Michelle and I are off to my brothers tonight for the magnitude party to watch the others on TV...we will be joined by an old friend and his family...should be a nice warm and relaxed evening. Have a good New Year everyone!

We visited Innerkip Presbyterian church today. It was good to see and visit with old friends.

We are back in Woodstock for Christmas. Our whole family will be around for the 25th. Feliz Navidad and Happy 2003.

Welcome to the story of Michelle & Jeff Koop...most times true...other times exagerated...enjoy the scoop on our daily/weekly lives!