A much better day at the orphanage apt., and by that, I meant no “faint” moments. The boys were crazy as usual. I get frustrated sometimes because I don’t feel like I have the resources to spend time with them teaching them or provide them with learning opportunities. Stuck in a room with a table full of legos and they aren’t allowed to get into the cupboard with the books because some of the boys will rip the books up or try to eat the pages (yep, it happens.) I have had some time with one or two of them where we have gotten colored pencils out and gotten a piece of paper to draw on or color, but it is absolutely impossible with all of them. V and G don’t understand what pencils are and I’m constantly having to take things out of their mouth. So, we stick to music and legos for now. I’m losing steam though. This is the “challenging” part – losing the energy and trying to constantly think of things to entertain them. I can only sing so long in English. I wish I had time one on one with each of the kids to just spend time with them, do activities that might promote some development and to help them instead of trying my best to keep them all in the same room. When the workers put me in a room with all of the kids, usually it is because they are cooking in the kitchen or cleaning in the room. Then, C jumps up, grabs the door handle, runs out. In an effort to try and grab him, I stand at the door trying to keep the other boys in, but usually I don’t win with 4 other boys trying to get through my legs and arms. Then, I try to close the door thinking that I will have enough time to get C before he runs into the bathroom or try and go out the door. Meanwhile, D is tall enough to open the door, so he opens it and he goes running into the complete other room and pulls out a whole shelf of toys. Then, V’s new thing is that he has learned how to open the washer, so he runs to the washer, pulls out clothes and is laughing and sucking on someone’s t-shirt by the time I get to him. I feel like a sheepherder trying to herd them back into the bedroom.
It’s difficult to maintain perspective and to constantly remember that my time is so limited and I just need to enjoy the moments. I really am trying. Today, I was sitting next to V, trying to work on eye contact and getting him to engage with the other kids. He saw me looking at him, and looked at me. I thought to myself – “Yes, we are making progress” only to have him smack me twice right in the face. Well, maybe a little progress. He thought it was really funny everytime I got smacked in the face or anytime he smacks another one of the kids.
On a good note – I have been trying to really work with D. He had some major behavioral problems. I noticed that he would get yelled at or in trouble a lot and the cycle just continued. I have been trying really hard to just give him lots of love, and help him do things and to become confident in himself and to help the other kids with their shoes or other things rather than bully them. I feel like he is a different kid. I didn’t notice the difference, because it has been so gradual, until I read his writeups from the beginning of the semester. He has come so far. I am so proud of him. I remember thinking at the beginning that he was going to be one of the hardest to work with, but he has turned out to be such a delight. He still has his moments, but it is nowhere compared to two months ago - although I may be a bit biased now that I feel like he is my own and I feel like I get the "proud parent" syndrome sometimes with these boys!
This is Maryanna - she is always smiling, other than in this picture! She reminds me a bit of a pirate, but I love her to death. She is an amazing cook - homemade pizza, veggie soup, stuffed peppers, Turkish delight (bread). Yum!
Loredana - she is the youngest. She is so nice and always wanting to know about America. She likes to sit down and ask me how much things cost in America, what animals we have in America, how the men in America are...she's a hoot!
Thought I'd give you a glimpse of my dryer - and to prove that I do wash the green sweatshirt that I am always wearing :)
I saw this "garage" today out in Tomesti and thought it was funny.
As much as these boys are crazy and out of control sometimes and wear me out, I love them like crazy. I am going to miss seeing them everyday and having them all try to climb on my lap at the same time. I will also miss my workers! They are so great! I can't post pictures of my kids, but I want to get a picture with all of my workers and give it to them next week and write thank you notes to them and bring some treats. In an effort to do so, I have taken a picture with a few of them. It is absolutely hilarious - they do not smile at all and they are always pleased as punch to get their picture taken. I love it!
Well, my entire ipod crashed/all of my songs got erased last night. I was not happy about it, but I spent the afternoon getting songs and working to make sure I had something on my ipod, otherwise the 2 days I spend flying back by myself is going to be SUPER LONG!
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