A New Year!

01-02-10
Happy New Year! What a crazy year it is so far! It has not been anything like last year, or any year of my life, actually. But I am so glad. I have to say that 2009 was, by far, the worst year of my life and I am happy to step aside and let 2010 sweep in.

Today was the first day in the orphanages and it was quite an experience. The kiddos were great, but I’m not going to lie and say that the day was sugar and spice and everything nice. The orphanages are short staffed which means that they rely on the volunteers just to function. We are not just playing games and braiding hair. We are brushing teeth, changing diapers, potty training, bathing, dressing, breaking up fights…the list goes on and on. I am exhausted. I have been kicked and spit on and told “no” more than I can count. But over the course of the day there were quiet moments with the kids that made it worth it, like when one little girl “Veronica” could not believe that my eyes were real. She stared and stared and when I spoke to her she couldn’t believe I had blue eyes AND could speak Spanish.

A list of things that happened today which stand out to me:

1.I rode in a taxi to get to one of orphanages and quite nearly peed myself out of fear. (The drivers son locos aqui.)

2.The looks on the kids faces when they realized I could understand what they were saying.

3.A four year old named Junior who kicked and screamed when anyone came near but finally warmed up and wanted to sit on my lap and be “mi bebe” for the rest of the day.

4.I told a five year old girl “Andréa” que su pelo es bonito (she has pretty hair). She responded with “tu pelo es feo porque tu pelo es morado” (you have ugly hair because your hair is purple). ;) I told her my little sister’s name is Andrea as well. She liked that.

5.Looking down and seeing my “love life, be brave” ring from Kristen. Love it.

- Erin