With three days left, my camera must go everywhere with me! And wouldn't ya know, I forget it at dinner time and was served CHICKEN FEET SOUP. Yes, I was one of the lucky ones with TWO feet in my bowl! I didn't dare stir in that bowl to see what other chicken parts had made their way in. I just couldn't. I looked around and noticed that everyone was being polite and eating more carefully than usual. Not sure what took over me (I'll blame it on Friday or the great nap I took this afternoon), but I started laughing and holding those feet up, which got others started!
Per usual, I offered the remains on my plate to the night watchmen who always accept. Not tonight. : ) To make matters worse, I threw my leftovers in the trash can instead of in the Organic can. Someone moved them on me! Not my fault! : 0
Oh man, I need to earn back some "visitor points" tomorrow. I lost a bunch today, quite sure.
Stephanie, a frequent visitor, had her godchild (Carmen Maria) over tonight and I asked her if she knew anyone that liked chicken feet. She said, "No EW! It is nutritious." Apparently, the kids eat it.
Next stop was to play cards with Treisy, but she turned me down. Haha! It actually made me feel happy, because after Monday, I am gone and her friends and tias are still here. She motioned for me to join her and this is what I saw: About 30-40 girls of all ages watching a
movie (English, with subtitles) on a small screen while sitting on the cement floor. No popcorn. No pillows. No sodas. But they looked so very content as they sat close and relaxed on a Friday night.
Did I mention yet that it gets dark around 6:15-6:30? So, on my way home, I nearly stepped on a toad. Yo! A giganto toad. It was approx 4-5 inches long and FAT.
I did not scream, but I wish I had had my camera. Maybe I'll be lucky enough tomorrow.
Tomorrow's nit picking session has been canceled because the girls have to move out of the dorms so they can be de-bogged (the dorms, not the girls, although technically, we could be talking both.) The cockroaches have moved in and need a firm reminder that they are not welcome. Normally, every Saturday AM the tias and volunteers pull out the lice eggs from the girls' hair. I had even volunteered to help. Phew. I kinda lucked out there, didn't I?
I am enjoying chatting with a visiting employee here named Donna. She is a Behavior Modification Trainer for NPH and travels to many of the orphanages to lead these important trainings. I was so excited when she told me what "curriculum" she uses. She uses the "Love and Logic" series of which I am a huge fan. Donna is also my age-ish and I, once again, am lucky to have been here to meet her. As well as everyone's favorite padre, Father Reynaldo, who gave Mass this morning. Donna told me that he was talking to the kids about inclusion, especially when new kids move into their homes. You could tell he has great rapport with, well, pretty much everyone here.
Okay. . . Winding down. This weekend, I hope to go on a long walk, see the girls' system for sweeping the very long path to the school, (chores are entirely different down here. These kids are skilled!) visit the house for the special needs boys, as well as baby Scarlet, attend Mass for the music and to sit with Treisy, and fall into what else comes along, which is predictable.
I am getting really really excited to see Dan at the airport and have a glass if wine at home!
Woo Hoo!
Have I mentioned yet that I am so fortunate to have been here?
Thank you for taking this journey with me!
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