Category: Dominican Republic

Be Kind

by Querin Ventura, posted in Dominican Republic, Encouragement, Faith, God, Gratitude, Hope, Inspiration, Punta Cana, Quote

“Be Kind to one another, tenderhearted forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave us.”

~Ephesians 4:32

My mom and niece Mia
(Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – Nov. 4th 2019)

Hello there…so today, we will focus on kindness.  Kind people are the coolest people.  You want to work with them.  You want to be friends with them.  They help you become better people.  And the fact that you acknowledge kind people and appreciate them means you too are kind. 

Now, I’m not sure if there is a kindness quotient like there is an emotional intelligent quotient.  But there are people whose kindness is constantly overflowing.    Do you feel you are kind most of the time or do you have times that your kindness got to its pick?  As you reflect on this, consider that being kind is also an every day decision.  We can choose to be kind over being rude. 

Kindness and compassion go hand in hand.  Kindness shows in the way you speak and treat others, and the way you speak and treat yourself .  Therefore being kind to oneself is just as important.  Continue to be kind to others and continue to be kind to yourself.    Let’s continue to support one another.  We are in this together. 

 “Be Kind to one another, tenderhearted forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave us.”

~Ephesians 4:32

God bless you & with love,

Querin

New pony

by Querin Ventura, posted in Animals, Dominican Republic, nature, Wellbeing


In this picture is my youngest niece Miranda hugging the latest addition to the family.  It is a baby pony that was recently born in the family’s farm in The Dominican Republic.

When I saw this picture, it melt my heart with joy.  I love that she loves animals so much.  I love that she is having that opportunity to be surrounded with nature.  This picture put a big smile on my face and even a laugh.  For one second I thought that she would choke the creature hugging him so tight.  The baby horse was probably thinking, “is she trying to Hugh me or to choke me? Help!”

I love that she is creating this kind of bond with animals and with nature.  She really loves nature.  She cries when they take her away from the Finca (farm).

Miranda, you are only four years old and I love you so much my little one.  May You never lose that love you have for animals and for nature.

Querin, Mia, and Maiya, my three other nieces also love animals, but since they have to attend school they don’t get to spend as much time as Miranda does with the animals.  My oldest nephew Ronny, is more of a city boy, but I know he loves animals too.  His unconditional friend snowy (his dog) is proof of that.

Have an amazing day!

With love,

Querin

Macao Beach and Bibijagua Pathway

by Querin Ventura, posted in Beach, Dominican Republic, Places, Punta Cana

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Let’s talk Dominican Republic: Many of you know that last year (2015) I went to The Dominican Republic.  It was a truly memorable experience for me.  I spent about seven months in the island of the Hispaniola (which means Little Spain), also known as Quisqueya, which is the Taino name believed to mean “mother of all lands.”  On this occasion, I did not go to the island as a tourist, but, among other things, I went to reconnect with my roots.

I grew up in the United States, hence I’m a Dominican American Millennial woman.  I try to visit DR for a week or two each year.  This time was different because I got to experience life in DR as a local Dominican, although for “some reason.” people would ask me where I was from when they would hear me speak.  I still remember the general manager of super mercado Pola (Pola super market) in plaza San Juan, asking me “where are you from?” “I’m Dominican,” I answered.  He said, “no, you are not. Local Dominicans don’t ask the questions you ask.”

While I was in The Dominican Republic, I definitely developed a deeper connection with my native land.  I did a lot of road trips with my boyfriend as one of my main goals was to get to know the country better.  The Dominican Republic is so beautiful.  Yes, it is known for its beautiful beaches, but there is so much more about the nature of this country.  I visited a few places while I was there and there is so much more I have to explore in the Dominican Republic.  The pictures above are from Playa Macao (Macao beach), and the pathway of Bibijagua beach in Bavaro Punta Cana.

A few things to consider when you go to the Dominican Republic:

  • If you are a woman with curly hair, very curly hair, take your own natural curly hair products with you.
  • If you have naturally curly hair and you try to blow dry your hair in DR, be prepared for that blow out not to last as long as it would last in the US, east coast, for example.  It is hot and humid in DR, hence my recommendation is that you style your hair naturally-plus you are going there to explore and to get to know DR.  That being said, you need a hairstyle that will withstand that. So keep it natural!
  • On the east coast, (Punta Cana, Bavaro), which is where I was living, do NOT use tap water to wash your hair.  Instead, use the bottle water to wash your hair as the chlorine used in tap water can damage your hair (this is specially true, if you plan to be in the area of Punta Cana long term).
  • If you go to the north coast, the south, or to the capital, it’s ok to use tap water to wash your hair.
  •  Warning: Dominican food can be EXTREMELY delicious, so be prepared to gain a few pounds.  If you go for just a couple of weeks, this is nothing to worry about, but if you go for months or more, set healthy goals to not loose track.  I’m speaking from experience. :-)
  • If you go to the area of Punta Cana & Bavaro, you MUST eat the fresh fish.  The fishermen catch them daily.  It was my favorite.
  • And of course, coconut trees are in abundance in Bavaro Punta Cana.  You have to have some coconut water.  Coconut water is super healthy and it’s in the coconut! not in a carton box.

Go and explore life,

With Love,

Querin

THANK YOU 2015, WELCOME 2016

by Querin Ventura, posted in Dominican Republic, Life style, Places, Travel

“I know of only one duty and that is to love.”

~Albert Camu

2015 was a year filled with blessings and some challenges.  I am grateful for the new experiences I had, the new people I met, the new friends I made. I am grateful for the people who gave me their support when obstacles came about.  Above all, I am grateful to GOD—You are everything to me. Thank you 2015 for everything

2016: WELCOME! I embrace you with open arms

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Photo above taken by me at the Bahia of Samaná in Samaná, Dominincan Republic.

Journey

by Querin Ventura, posted in Dominican Republic, Life style, nature, people, Places, Punta Cana, Wellbeing

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.  Don’t be trapped by dogma–which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.  Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.  And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.  They somehow already know what you truly want to become.  Everything else is secondary.”

~Steve Jobs, Stanford University, 2005

Punta Cana has one of the best golf courses in the world.  I am not a golf player, but I had a fun time with my friends during a tour we had of the area.  The best part of this event was getting to see the natural beauty of Punta Cana while connecting  and getting to know the local people.

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Giving back

by Querin Ventura, posted in Community service, Dominican Republic, Empowerment, Giving back, Life style

Here in the Dominican Republic, kids start the school year in August. This year I was able to do something that God had put in my heart for some time. I, with a group of amazing people who have amazing hearts and care about people and humanity, donated over 200 backpacks and school supplies to kids under the poverty line here in DR. The supplies in the backpacks were notebooks, pencils, coloring pencils, pens, erasers, pencil sharpeners, rules and geometry sets.

Here are some of the pictures we took.

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Love you all,

Querin

Optimism

by Querin Ventura, posted in Beach, Beauty, Dominican Republic, Fashion, Life style, Places, Punta Cana

“Patience is not the ability to wait, but how you act while you are waiting.”

~Joyce Meyer

In life, to know more, to learn more, to fear less, to be bold, to grow, to truly grow, we have to go thru a journey of experiences. I am a deep thinker, not just a critical thinker. Deep thinking in my opinion is much more profound than critical thinking.

I’ve known many people who stay static for fear of change and for fear of the unknown. I have made some bold moves in my life and I have to admit that while I have done some of those major moves, I have also felt some fear.

Sometimes when I made new decisions in my life and things did not go immediately as planned, I wanted to go back to what was known to me, but then I started to think about the story of Moses from the bible. God took his people out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, yet when they found some obstacles, they wanted to go back to that very same house of slavery. Instead of looking forward to the new life ahead of them as free people, they started to complain and they started to regret having left the house of slavery. They did not want to face any obstacles. They wanted everything to be perfect on their new journey to freedom. Instead of seeing the blessing of their new freedom, they complained about the obstacles, they found along the way.

Today, I tell you: Do not look back – when obstacles present themselves, keep moving forward and do not turn back. Do not complain when obstacles present themselves. It takes courage to make certain decisions that are life changing in life and it takes even more courage to keep the course and follow thru on your new journey. God is with you – do not be afraid (and even if you are afraid, God will guide you).

God is with you-be grateful every day.

God bless you!

I took these pictures in Plaza San Juan in Bavaro Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

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