Con agradecimiento

Gearin' Up for Graduation!

This week was full of practice, practice, practice for the big graduation on Wednesday. After a disappointing full rehearsal on Tuesday, we opted out of the usual Friday trip to the park in order to get in a couple more run-throughs of speechs, songs and dances. Donna said, "You know, they tell me that they practice a lot, but when the day finally comes it always seems like they could have practiced more."

A lot of practice means a lot of time out on the patio--a lot of downtime. Earlier this week Yoselin, Diana and Jimena decided to peinarme--do my hair. After awhile, peinarme just meant tugging at my hair--three pairs of hands tugging in three different directions. Ya no, por favor, I had to ask.

Marisol with Jair, Beto & the mother of Lupita

The kids were as rambuncious as ever this week. They couldn't even pay attention to the TV anymore--not even Cars or Mulan could keep them still. Nap time was extremely trying as Fernando and Yoselin ran around the room from one casita to the next while Angel shouted out ¡Cállate!--shut up!--before commencing in sucking on his right pointer finger, as is his custom. My favorite part of this week was sitting next to Erik, trying to get him to sleep, while he's chatting away and wriggling about. Only three more days with that precious little one!

Unexpected Goodbye

Fernando meticulously "writing" Marisol's dictation of the day's weather

Friday morning as the kids were settling into their seats to get ready for breakfast, Marisol began counting heads, noting that we had ten instead of the usual eleven. ¿Quién falta? "Who's missing?" Ah.. Fernando.. Erik's voice piped in, Se fue al doctor "He went to the doctor." Soon we had in hand the doctor's note, typewritten, communicating that Fernando had hepatitis. Doctor's orders: bedrest for eight days. Bedrest for eight days=no Fernando at the graduation. Bedrest for eight days=Fernando is never coming back to Hogar de los Angeles (he's moving onto kindergarten!). I was kind of crushed and sad at this sudden news! I didn't get to say goodbye. :( Prayers for him healing quickly and a good beginning in kínder.

Fun Stuff

Curry Night with Christine and Sammy (from CA)

Had a wonderful time cooking with a couple of the volunteers on Tuedsay. Christine's mom sent her Vermont curry blocks in a care package. Mmm. It was too watery, but we didn't care. By the way, the beer is Christine's, not mine. Afterwards we watched Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley because Sammy was dying for anything in English--anything she could understand. We'll both be leaving on the same day; she's been great company. :)

Took a big ol' hike up to the Botanical Gardens El Charco del Ingenio today. Got lost a couple of times yet was blessed by charitable people who pointed me in the right direction. I felt my energy being restored as the sounds of the city faded away. The nature reserve is huge, with many trails and many protected species of cacti. Best of all, it was nearly deserted. The entire time I was there I only crossed paths with two other people. What a gift for an introverted, nature-addicted girl like me.

Today I was just praying and thinking about how absolutely incredible it is that I am here, that I have been able to meet so many different people and have so many new experiences. I mean, yesterday I had youth from the church over to the house--we were talking in pure Spanish. We ate popcorn and crepes with ice cream and watched 17 Again. To me that's just cool--to really feel part of the community here. To know the Mexican people here has been so awesome! I feel blessed to know each one.