Thursday, August 31, 2006
And here is Doctor Blonde.........
First of all let me tell you a bit about myself. I’m born blonde (but now rely on highlights and lowlights to keep up appearances). I’m told I have Irish eyes (blue ones) that speak volumes about my sensitivity and extraordinary high emotional intelligence. I use them to peer into souls and analyse the sometimes-impenetrable depths of men and women and their relationships.
Education and Credentials: While I am accredited
1 as a psychology specialist and I also have vast international and multicultural experience.
2 I am in no way an expert on social psychology of the beautiful people who live in or visit the DominicanRepublic. However I do have an exceptional collection of self-help books on almost every topic that I can consult from time to time.
Recommended Reading:Men Love Bitches(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580627560/002-3608485-9719217?v=glance&n=283155)
How to mend your broken heart,http://www.amazon.com/How-Mend-Your-Broken-Heart/dp/1400054044/sr=1-2/qid=1157035892/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-3608485-9719217?ie=UTF8&s=books
How to break your addiction to a person.http://www.amazon.com/How-Break-Your-Addiction-Person/dp/0553382497/sr=1-1/qid=1157035950/ref=sr_1_1/002-3608485-9719217?ie=UTF8&s=books
Network and other resources:
And I love to do research and consult with other authorities in the field. Experts include: Dr. Phil, Oprah, Dear Abby, Ann Landers, Dear Pam (Pamela Anderson, another well-known and well-endowed Canadianblonde), Giselle (my Canadian, half Trini girlfriend who has even more self-helpbooks than I do), Mary (a free spirited nurse and advanced level salsa dancer, who loves to suggest “nothing better than a good roll in the hay” as a cure foreverything that ails the heart.), Samantha (my hairstylist who will be travelling to DR to marry her boyfriendwho works in Animation. Who suggests: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”), Kevin (my cross-dressing make-up expert at the MAC cosmetic counter at Yonge& Bloor, who always says “You go girl!” or “I wouldn’t kick him out of mybed for eating crackers.”), Olga (my Russian manicurist who was a psychologist in Minsk who always suggests “a little massage” as a cure-all), Dancing Blonde, Bathroom Bogging Blonde And all the other blondes on this blog that have their own experience and blonde sprit that they bring to human relations in the DR or wherever they are.
And since I work in the field of laboratory medicine, I will even consult with doctors and laboratory technologists to answer your health-related questions.Doctor Blonde is “IN” and open for questions.
Footnotes
1. College of DR Blondes. Certificate of Esthetics, Beauty and Charm.
2. International experience: Dated and/or had relationships with guys from:Canada, USA, Scotland, England, Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana, Mexico, Sweden,Greece, Italy, Portugal, Iran, Syria (Palestine), Afghanistan, China, Japan,South Africa, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina and Colombia.
3. PSYC 101. Introduction to Psychology. York University.
4. ANTH 101 Introduction to Social Anthropology. York University.
5. FILM 400. Images of Women in Film. York University.
6. FILM 200. Hollywood Cinema. York University.
*** Added by Dancing Blonde - heck I didn't know you dated all those guys........ wow. So, if you have questions or comments for Doctor Blonde just write it as a comment and we will get the Doctor to help out..****
First of all let me tell you a bit about myself. I’m born blonde (but now rely on highlights and lowlights to keep up appearances). I’m told I have Irish eyes (blue ones) that speak volumes about my sensitivity and extraordinary high emotional intelligence. I use them to peer into souls and analyse the sometimes-impenetrable depths of men and women and their relationships.
Education and Credentials: While I am accredited
1 as a psychology specialist and I also have vast international and multicultural experience.
2 I am in no way an expert on social psychology of the beautiful people who live in or visit the DominicanRepublic. However I do have an exceptional collection of self-help books on almost every topic that I can consult from time to time.
Recommended Reading:Men Love Bitches(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580627560/002-3608485-9719217?v=glance&n=283155)
How to mend your broken heart,http://www.amazon.com/How-Mend-Your-Broken-Heart/dp/1400054044/sr=1-2/qid=1157035892/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-3608485-9719217?ie=UTF8&s=books
How to break your addiction to a person.http://www.amazon.com/How-Break-Your-Addiction-Person/dp/0553382497/sr=1-1/qid=1157035950/ref=sr_1_1/002-3608485-9719217?ie=UTF8&s=books
Network and other resources:
And I love to do research and consult with other authorities in the field. Experts include: Dr. Phil, Oprah, Dear Abby, Ann Landers, Dear Pam (Pamela Anderson, another well-known and well-endowed Canadianblonde), Giselle (my Canadian, half Trini girlfriend who has even more self-helpbooks than I do), Mary (a free spirited nurse and advanced level salsa dancer, who loves to suggest “nothing better than a good roll in the hay” as a cure foreverything that ails the heart.), Samantha (my hairstylist who will be travelling to DR to marry her boyfriendwho works in Animation. Who suggests: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”), Kevin (my cross-dressing make-up expert at the MAC cosmetic counter at Yonge& Bloor, who always says “You go girl!” or “I wouldn’t kick him out of mybed for eating crackers.”), Olga (my Russian manicurist who was a psychologist in Minsk who always suggests “a little massage” as a cure-all), Dancing Blonde, Bathroom Bogging Blonde And all the other blondes on this blog that have their own experience and blonde sprit that they bring to human relations in the DR or wherever they are.
And since I work in the field of laboratory medicine, I will even consult with doctors and laboratory technologists to answer your health-related questions.Doctor Blonde is “IN” and open for questions.
Footnotes
1. College of DR Blondes. Certificate of Esthetics, Beauty and Charm.
2. International experience: Dated and/or had relationships with guys from:Canada, USA, Scotland, England, Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana, Mexico, Sweden,Greece, Italy, Portugal, Iran, Syria (Palestine), Afghanistan, China, Japan,South Africa, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina and Colombia.
3. PSYC 101. Introduction to Psychology. York University.
4. ANTH 101 Introduction to Social Anthropology. York University.
5. FILM 400. Images of Women in Film. York University.
6. FILM 200. Hollywood Cinema. York University.
*** Added by Dancing Blonde - heck I didn't know you dated all those guys........ wow. So, if you have questions or comments for Doctor Blonde just write it as a comment and we will get the Doctor to help out..****
Bathroom Blogging Blonde says Hello.....
First of all, let me clarify that this information is not what I read on the walls of the bathrooms here, but rather some of the observations that I have made while visiting this too tiny space in this country. Sometimes I can have a “potty mouth” but also, not the reason for my “pen name”. I guess this name has been derived from the number of times I am so amazed by what I see and what I learn when visiting this very busy place.
So where do I start. How about the general observation that toilet seats here are a luxury? When the new club La Canita opened, all three stalls in the ladies washroom had seats. As of last night, there are two remaining, and I find it interesting that most of the time upon entering, the seat is up. Okay ladies, we all know what an annoyance that is, how many of you have significant others who do not put the seat down? I suspect the local “mujares”, women, have thigh muscles to envy because squatting over the toilet is a fact of life. My observation is that most of the women here spend more time in the bathroom than they do at the table.
The mirror in La Canita is about 3 feet wide, but does not cover the entire vanity area, which has two sinks, one at each end of the 7 foot area. Boy, who ever named this a vanity area, had been here more than once. Of the 15 to 20 people in the washroom at any given time, only 4 really need to use the toilet, the others are putting on makeup, fixing their hair, toweling off after dancing, or just primping, all activities which require mirror space. There are as well the support groups of women who all need to go to the bathroom together, just because they can.
Things I have learned so far are that if you stand in line for to use the toilet, you are fooling yourself, there is no line, basically, choose a stall, put your hand on top of the door, and that ensures you are next in. The other night I was actually invited to share a stall with a Dominican girl who spoke enough English to tell me that we were both the same and so it was okay for me to come in with her rather than waiting, I politely said that I could wait for her to finish.
Also note, that toilet paper does not go into the toilet to be flushed away, it is put into the garbage beside the toilet. There is a bathroom attendant, she sells cigarettes, matches, Halls single packs – candy here, as well as Clorets, called Chiclets. In the beginning she was very helpful, and ensured that I did not wait too long in line, and that I could always find space at a sink to wash my hands. Now, she just says hi and makes sure I have no bra straps showing or tags popping out of my shirts, as she is comfortable that I have learned, some by trial and error, how to survive this necessary experience.
First of all, let me clarify that this information is not what I read on the walls of the bathrooms here, but rather some of the observations that I have made while visiting this too tiny space in this country. Sometimes I can have a “potty mouth” but also, not the reason for my “pen name”. I guess this name has been derived from the number of times I am so amazed by what I see and what I learn when visiting this very busy place.
So where do I start. How about the general observation that toilet seats here are a luxury? When the new club La Canita opened, all three stalls in the ladies washroom had seats. As of last night, there are two remaining, and I find it interesting that most of the time upon entering, the seat is up. Okay ladies, we all know what an annoyance that is, how many of you have significant others who do not put the seat down? I suspect the local “mujares”, women, have thigh muscles to envy because squatting over the toilet is a fact of life. My observation is that most of the women here spend more time in the bathroom than they do at the table.
The mirror in La Canita is about 3 feet wide, but does not cover the entire vanity area, which has two sinks, one at each end of the 7 foot area. Boy, who ever named this a vanity area, had been here more than once. Of the 15 to 20 people in the washroom at any given time, only 4 really need to use the toilet, the others are putting on makeup, fixing their hair, toweling off after dancing, or just primping, all activities which require mirror space. There are as well the support groups of women who all need to go to the bathroom together, just because they can.
Things I have learned so far are that if you stand in line for to use the toilet, you are fooling yourself, there is no line, basically, choose a stall, put your hand on top of the door, and that ensures you are next in. The other night I was actually invited to share a stall with a Dominican girl who spoke enough English to tell me that we were both the same and so it was okay for me to come in with her rather than waiting, I politely said that I could wait for her to finish.
Also note, that toilet paper does not go into the toilet to be flushed away, it is put into the garbage beside the toilet. There is a bathroom attendant, she sells cigarettes, matches, Halls single packs – candy here, as well as Clorets, called Chiclets. In the beginning she was very helpful, and ensured that I did not wait too long in line, and that I could always find space at a sink to wash my hands. Now, she just says hi and makes sure I have no bra straps showing or tags popping out of my shirts, as she is comfortable that I have learned, some by trial and error, how to survive this necessary experience.
We got our first comment - well actually a comment and a question for Dancing Blonde. So, I will answer it.
Funny how this works, 3 of us were out dancing and I have just returned now. Dancing here in the DR is a national passtime. For those of us women originally from North America, it is frustrating the lack of men to dance with. Not so here in the Dominican Republic. It is culturally ingrained. Little boys and girls from a very early age are dancing up a storm.
It is the exception to find a man here who cannot dance! What a joy for Dancing Blonde, that's me.......LOL Tonight I lived up to my name. First let me set the stage. Iwent with Bathroom blogging blonde and another blonde who will guest blog at a later date. We arrived at approximately 8:45 at a local club. It is a fairly large club, La Canita. It was recently refurbished and re opened about 4 weeks ago. They play amazing salsa and attract a fairly large salsa dance crowd. It always attracts attention when we walk in - 3 blondes.
The dance floor is in the middle of the club and seats are arranged all around. The walls are actually 1/2 walls and allow for some air flow with a full ceiling (didn't used to be full) We usually try to get there early enough to find a table right under a fan. That is the best. The seats are plastic and you either have a short square plastic table or a slightly higher round wood table. Spare no expense here......LOL
Drinks are almost always the following: a small bottle of Brugal White Rum (12 ounces), a bottle of 7 up, a bottle of Pepsi and a carton of orange juice. The price 240 pesos or about $8 US. This would do me for about a week!
Once we sit the fun begins. For those of you reading who know Dancing Blonde, I go dancing 3 times a week. It is my excercise, my stress reliever and man it is just damn fun! The other two hardly dance at all. In fact the non blogging blonde only dances in her chair, rarely gets up on the dance floor.......
Well I dance to everything. The evening will follow a music pattern. 5 to 8 merengues, 5 to 8 bachattas, 4 to 6 salsas and then 2 reggaeton (yuck). Merengue got its start in this country and is definately the most favoured and the easiest to dance to. Dance lesson: one two. repeat......LOL Throw in some turns and you are good!
Bachatta is a little harder and can be quite complicated depending who your partner is. It is great fun.
My favourite is Salsa!!! And at La Canita they will play 4 or 5 or 6 in a row. The other clubs you are lucky to get 2 or 3. And I have plenty of partners to dance with.
In answer to Anonymous's questions. They don't dance on the 1 or the 2, they just dance. Heck some of them don't even dance salsa but they think they are dancing salsa........ it is some version of mambo.
So, salsa in this country is danced backwards! Yup backwards. In North America and most of Europe salsa - for women - the basic is danced right foot back, left foot forward. In this country it is dance right foot forward , left foot back.
That might not seem like such a big deal. Well trust me it is. I have had highly proficient male dancers (foreigners) say to me - the women here can't dance and they tell me I can't.... well they dance backwards. Basically everything goes the opposite way of what you would have learned elsewhere in the world. I have learned to adapt.
Actually I am pretty good, if I do say so. Well it is quite the neat deal for me to be a foreigner, blonde and good dancer here. I love it.
Tonight I danced lots and lots. It is quite hot and humid here this time of year, probably 82 F still while I was dancing. Air conditioning you ask............?? NO just fans. By the time Iam done for the night, I am soaking wet. But happy.
So there you go. Hopefully soon we will get Bathroom Blogging Blonde to tell us all about the bathrooms at La Canita.......
For anyone who wants a dance lesson - come on down....................
Funny how this works, 3 of us were out dancing and I have just returned now. Dancing here in the DR is a national passtime. For those of us women originally from North America, it is frustrating the lack of men to dance with. Not so here in the Dominican Republic. It is culturally ingrained. Little boys and girls from a very early age are dancing up a storm.
It is the exception to find a man here who cannot dance! What a joy for Dancing Blonde, that's me.......LOL Tonight I lived up to my name. First let me set the stage. Iwent with Bathroom blogging blonde and another blonde who will guest blog at a later date. We arrived at approximately 8:45 at a local club. It is a fairly large club, La Canita. It was recently refurbished and re opened about 4 weeks ago. They play amazing salsa and attract a fairly large salsa dance crowd. It always attracts attention when we walk in - 3 blondes.
The dance floor is in the middle of the club and seats are arranged all around. The walls are actually 1/2 walls and allow for some air flow with a full ceiling (didn't used to be full) We usually try to get there early enough to find a table right under a fan. That is the best. The seats are plastic and you either have a short square plastic table or a slightly higher round wood table. Spare no expense here......LOL
Drinks are almost always the following: a small bottle of Brugal White Rum (12 ounces), a bottle of 7 up, a bottle of Pepsi and a carton of orange juice. The price 240 pesos or about $8 US. This would do me for about a week!
Once we sit the fun begins. For those of you reading who know Dancing Blonde, I go dancing 3 times a week. It is my excercise, my stress reliever and man it is just damn fun! The other two hardly dance at all. In fact the non blogging blonde only dances in her chair, rarely gets up on the dance floor.......
Well I dance to everything. The evening will follow a music pattern. 5 to 8 merengues, 5 to 8 bachattas, 4 to 6 salsas and then 2 reggaeton (yuck). Merengue got its start in this country and is definately the most favoured and the easiest to dance to. Dance lesson: one two. repeat......LOL Throw in some turns and you are good!
Bachatta is a little harder and can be quite complicated depending who your partner is. It is great fun.
My favourite is Salsa!!! And at La Canita they will play 4 or 5 or 6 in a row. The other clubs you are lucky to get 2 or 3. And I have plenty of partners to dance with.
In answer to Anonymous's questions. They don't dance on the 1 or the 2, they just dance. Heck some of them don't even dance salsa but they think they are dancing salsa........ it is some version of mambo.
So, salsa in this country is danced backwards! Yup backwards. In North America and most of Europe salsa - for women - the basic is danced right foot back, left foot forward. In this country it is dance right foot forward , left foot back.
That might not seem like such a big deal. Well trust me it is. I have had highly proficient male dancers (foreigners) say to me - the women here can't dance and they tell me I can't.... well they dance backwards. Basically everything goes the opposite way of what you would have learned elsewhere in the world. I have learned to adapt.
Actually I am pretty good, if I do say so. Well it is quite the neat deal for me to be a foreigner, blonde and good dancer here. I love it.
Tonight I danced lots and lots. It is quite hot and humid here this time of year, probably 82 F still while I was dancing. Air conditioning you ask............?? NO just fans. By the time Iam done for the night, I am soaking wet. But happy.
So there you go. Hopefully soon we will get Bathroom Blogging Blonde to tell us all about the bathrooms at La Canita.......
For anyone who wants a dance lesson - come on down....................
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
This is the first of many blogs to come. So, let me give you the background....
I live and work on the north coast of the Dominican Republic in a city called Puerto Plata. Check out the map! It is an amazing place to visit and I am fortunate to live here. While I have been here 3 years I have been blessed to meet and get to know some amazing women.
There is a group of us, members change based on who is here or visiting, we go out and socialize on a regular basis. Let me introduce them starting with me.
I am called "The Dancing Blonde". In a latin country with wonderful music, it is unusual to see a foreigner who dances well. It is even more rare to see a blonde or "rubia" who dances. Thus I am the Dancing Blonde.
Next is "The Bathroom Blogging Blonde" , she has visited often but just moved here to live recently. While not a big dancer, she always comes out with us to the clubs etc. Well she has a whicked sense of humor and is amazed at the things that happen in the Bathrooms of this country. Thus the Bathroom Blogging Blonde. However she just might tell you other stories too..........
We have "The Wannabee Blonde", sorry she isn't a blonde! But she could be so we have included her too. Her perspective is different then ours.......... She is an absolutel rookie to the country and the group.
Our "Long Distance Blonde" visits as often as possible and is threatening to come down for 6 months of the year from the frozen north. We would really like that and do everything in our power to encourage her. She has been coming here for years.
"Doctor Blonde" is our resident psychology specialist. She will tell us her insights on all the things going on in this country, from a social perspective.......... and of course what she doesn't understand or have answers to...... she will just make something up!
There you go. The team of blondes. We will at times have guest blogs, brunette blogs, highlight blonde blogs, or heaven forbid bald men blogs.......
We would love to hear your comments and suggestions. Just understand we will remove comments that are nasty, mean or in bad taste..........
This blog is all about proving the theory that Blondes Do Have More Fun!!! At least they do in the DR.............. Stay tuned.
