New blog...

... http://jumpinginpuddlesisfun.blogspot.com/ ...

For those of you who are interested... this is my new blog! :)  Just started, so don't have too many expectations!

¡Adios!

Some News

I am not really sure where to begin this post.

As some of you know, I have been struggling with some stuff the last few months, some of which I may have alluded to in one way or another.  But, I am not going to hash it out on here, as this is not the place, nor do I think everyone really needs to know.

Basically, what things have boiled down to (which doesn’t make it easy or understandable) is that I am not content/happy.  I can’t say that it’s all things to do with the Ranch, and my life here in Honduras.  But, my unhappiness has come from somewhere a little more within, and has begun to effect many aspects of my daily life.  Something is missing.

After doing much reflection, I think I began feeling this way before I left for Honduras, but kind of pushed those thoughts and feelings aside because I was about to embark on a really great adventure, where I probably thought I would find myself a little more.

Well, I have indeed found out a lot about myself, but not the things that affect my inside: my heart, my soul.  Something is indeed missing, and I am not sure I am going to find it here.

Therefore, I have made the (very difficult and agonizing) decision to leave the Ranch and Honduras.

I have spent countless hours thinking, praying, talking to others (mainly my family/friends and our amazing and supportive volunteer coordinator), crying and agonizing about what the right thing is.  I don’t necessarily want to leave, but I don’t think staying is the right thing either.  This also doesn’t mean I have these great plans ahead of me or know exactly what I am going to do next, and that’s ok.  I need to take care of me, and make sure I am happy and content with this amazing life that God has given me.

I want to just thank everyone who has supported me, prayed for me, read this blog, sent encouraging emails, etc.  It really means so very much that you have taken the time and care to know how I am doing.  Please continue to pray for me as I figure out what the next steps are for my life.

Also, if anyone from NPH or anyone interested in volunteering with NPH has been reading along, please know that NPH and, specifically, NPH Honduras is a great place, doing wonderful things for all of these kids.  I am so lucky and blessed to have been a part of this place, but I am just not sure that it was a perfect fit for me.  If you have any questions, please don’t ever hesitate to email me.

As I don’t know what I am doing with my life (I mean, this is kind of normal at age 27… right? … right?), I don’t know where this blog will go, either.  I think I will take a break from updating it for now, and possibly revamp it in the future.  Thank you for tagging along on this crazy adventure, following God’s call to Honduras… and beyond. :)

¡Roatan!

Whoa... it's been a bit since I posted, but I was on vacay, so it's ok. :)  Instead of telling you all about it, I know you would appreciate pictures instead... so please enjoy!!  We had a few days on the ranch and then went to the island of Roatan!

Mom got to meet her godson, Isai!

The amazing view from the pool.

Amazing.

Funny story about getting this massage on the beach... ask me about it sometime. :)

Gorgeous sunset!

Taking the water taxi to the west end to walk around.

Then we found a dude walking by with a monkey. :)

My turn.

We went zip-lining!!

Mom fought her fear and did it too!!

Where we ended our zip-lining right near the beach.

Then a walk through the park.

More monkeys to hang out with.

So pretty!!

It was a really amazing vacation spent with my mom!  We couldn't have asked for better weather, a perfect place to stay and of course company! :)

Despidida y Brigada

It's been a pretty busy week.  The brigade began in full swing with consults Thursday through Saturday.  I worked with the dermatologist most of the time, who was just doing many consults and minor excisions of various things.  I was also able to interpret for some of the ortho consults, too.  And, ya know what?  My Spanish has improved.  I remember reflecting on it the last brigade and thinking that it wasn't very good back then.  Let's not get ahead of ourselves here, and think that it's just totally awesome.  It's not.  But, it's better, and that is a good thing. :)  And, I have to keep reminding myself of that when I am frustrated and think that I know nothing!

We interrupted the brigade to say goodbye to some of the old volunteers with their despidida.  It was much harder this time to say goodbye, as I have grown close to the ladies that were leaving.  We had a great dinner at one of the local places, had some drinks and went out dancing.  It was a fun (and very late) night!  It's just awesome when all of the volunteers can be together, in one place, at the same time.

Irene and I... so cute. :)  Miss you already!

ALL of us! :)  Such a big group!  I love you all!

Kate!!  I miss you, too!

Roomies!  :)

A few of the newbies. :)

Monday came along, and Alissa (pictured above in the last pic, on the right) and I decided to split our time between the external and helping with the brigade.  I think it worked out well.  It was a little different experience for me this time, as I already had a brigade under my belt.  I kind of felt like I belonged this time, but it's still weird not knowing all of these people who come to help for the brigade, at this place that has become like a home.  It's always hard to share your home with so many people, ya know?  But, it's what the Ranch is about it.  Bring people in to help love, teach and be there for our kids and the outside community.  It's also hard b/c it's all things American.  Ha, all of the English, good food, and American medical standard.  I miss it.  All of it.  I am not sure what I miss more though, hospital nursing or things that remind me of home.  Who knows?!

My time during the brigade was running back and forth from pre-op to phase 1 (where the patients go right after surgery) and phase 2 (where the patients are awake, can start drinking something, and can see family) to peaking in on the surgeries.  Because my Spanish is better, I felt more comfortable explaining things and helping out with discharge.  I didn't take any pics this time, other than when I was scrubbed in helping with a knee arthroscopy.  Well, of course, I didn't take them, one of the girls did! 

Haha, all scrubbed, waiting to dress in my sterile stuff.

Listening intently to Dr. Daly

Oh yea!

Don't you just love my 60's style goggles?! :)

Welp, that's about all that's going on here.  The countdown is in FULL swing to see my mom... FIVE daysssss! :) :)  I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait.  Just TWO more days of work and then this much needed time to be with my mom, relax, reflect and recharge.

¡Abrazos y Paz!

Good Days.

The first week of training Alissa, the new nurse, has been going well.  It's fun to kind of see things through her eyes... not knowing how things work, being nervous, being overwhelmed, but always getting excited about everything.  It's refreshing and really nice to see. :)  And, reminds me of how far I have come, even if I don't feel like it all of the time.

It was a weird week in parts b/c Wednesday, the WHOLE ranch (meaning, all the kids, tios/tias, employees, teachers, etc) had a day that they cleaned the ranch.  I am still not quite sure what the point of it was... some say to help decrease the risk of Dengue (a disease from mosquitos), others say to prepare for Olimpiadas.  But, who knows?  I, though, did not participate b/c I had to return to Immigration YET again, to get my residency card.  I had low hopes that it would even be ready, considering my experience for the last 5 months has been not so great.  But... to my wonderful, wonderful surprise... it was!  I am an official and legal resident of this great country, Honduras.

Yes, it's backwards.  I know.

The kid, J, is still in the hospital... so there was some drama/confusion about who is supposed to be with him.  So, it has made our staffing a little tight/stretched these days, which also meant that I had to do another turno in the internal clinic.  It was an interesting night of being with some obnoxious/bratty teenagers.  Yup, they are the same everywhere.

Friday... I had a good day.  I don't remember the last time that I could say that honestly.  And, it feels good.  It's encouraging.  It gives me hope.  And, these are good things, considering I have 6 months left here.  I poured out my heart to some good friends recently, and they have been sending some much needed prayers this way.  And, I think I can really feel the effects of the Holy Spirit. :)  Woo!  And, of course, having an amazing family of unwavering support is always a plus, too.  I just hope I can hold on to this and enjoy these next months here.

Welp, I am enjoying a work-free weekend, relaxing and chatting with friends.  I have a little over TWO weeks until my mom is here and we get to relax on the beach.  Who wouldn't be looking forward to that?!  And, Olimpiadas fever has started.  In August, there will be a week of crazy activities and competitions, where the ENTIRE ranch participates.  We have just found out what teams we are on.  From here on out, we have meetings with our teams to plan, decorate, come up with a dance and other crazy things.  I am not sure what to expect, other than it is sure to be fun, tiring, entertaining and create a lot of memories.

To that, I will say "¡nos vemos!" (see you!). :)

Abrazos y Amor!

Are you keeping track?

... well, I am sick yet again.  I have a little cold thing... sore throat, body aches, fever the other day.

Yup, that's my life now.  Aren't you jealous?!


This week begins training the new nurse and such.  So, I am super excited about that... as most of you who know me, know that it was one of my fave parts of Children's, orienting the new grad nurses. :)  Woo!!

And, it's super nice to NOT be the only licensed medical professional now on the ranch.  We have Alissa, Brad (doctor) and his wife Sherri who is also a nurse.  So, this is very exciting.

I hope you all are well.  Miss everyone all the time.
Abrazos y Paz!

A la hospital

Today, I had one of those experiences where I realized how so, very lucky our kids are to live here on the ranch.  And, also, I wish I had my camera.

One of the kids on the ranch, who I will call J, has CP and is bound to a wheelchair.  Occasionally, due to his inability to feel his legs and the poor circulation, he develops some pretty serious ulcers.  When they get really infected, and we have tried to treat them with the resources we have here with no avail, the only other option is to send J to the hospital for further treatment and stronger antibiotics.  So, today was yet another day for him to head to the hospital.

The thing is... no one likes to go to the hospital... especially the public one in Tegus.  Everyone knows "that's where people go to die."  Unfortunately, the Ranch isn't made of money, so we, too, need to send our kids their for treatment sometimes.

So, thus, I accompanied J and another nurse (thank God!) to the hospital and all that it had to "offer."  Here is a look at how the day went:

1. Leave the Ranch around 10 and arrive to the hospital around 11.
2. Get my first glimpse of this building... big, ugly, old...
3. Enter the pediatric "emergency department" (room with chairs, with people all over).
4. Flag someone down to tell them that we have a reference and that J is an emergency.
5. Have that person direct us to another person, who tells us (more like mumbles) that we need to see orthopedics.
6. Wait.
7. See someone there who says that X-rays are needed.
8. Get hand written order.
9. Walk down the long hall to where we need to pay for the x-rays.
10. Go down another hallway to find radiology.
11. Get x-rays done (actually a bunch of really nice people).
12. Wait for the actual x-rays.
13. Walk them back to the ER and flag down an ortho doc.
14. Wait.
15. Get told that the specialist won't be in until 5pm.
16. Wait a bit, and by God's grace another ortho doc sees us.
17. Oops, they need an x-ray of the left leg, too!  Oh, and some labs.
18. Wait for more hand written orders and labs to be drawn (glove used as a tourniquet, not worn, and blood just taken with a syringe with a needle attached.  And, labeled with a piece of tape). 
19. Go back to the place to pay for those things (which somehow we didn't actually have to pay for.  Woot!).
20. Take the blood samples to the lab.
21. Go back to radiology to get an X-ray of the left leg.
22. Return to the ER.
23. Flag another ortho doc. down to help.
24. Wait.
25. We are finally told that J needs to be admitted (obviously!)
26. Wait.
27. We realize we are all starving, so Anabeli, another nurse who was helping, decide to go get lunch.  It's almost 2:30.
28. Get back, J and Rebeca are still waiting.
29. Walk to the lab to get the results, but they were not ready.  And, no one was in the lab to ask about them.
30. Continue to wait.
31. Finally get told J has a bed.
32. We go to the room... with 20 other kids (I wish I had my camera).
33. One licensed nurse for all of the kids.
34. We were asked if we had sheets and a blanket for the bed.  Um, nope.  They allowed us to borrow a sheet.
35. Get J on the bed ourselves (well, a few guys helped us.)
36. Nurse comes over and looks for a vein to get more blood and place an IV.  She is 'surprised' that we never got the results from the first blood that was taken.
37. Then, I am told that there can only be 1 person that stays.
38. I leave.  It's a little after 4:30.

I was so sad to leave J there.  Of course Rebeca is there, but that place is scary.  Please pray for him that he stays safe and they provide him with what he needs to heal.

All of the doctors, nurses and other personell are so over-worked, they have lost the compassion for helping it seems.  Everyone seemed to be in a bad mood and what not.  I was shocked that not one single person did a full head-to-toe exam, no one listened to his heart or lungs.  No one did a set of vital signs.  Not even a temp... you would think that at the least they would have thought to do that b/c he has crazy infected ulcers.  But, no.

It also disgusted me how many people (nurses, docs, any random person) just would stare at J.  Look at his legs and even asked Rebeca and I what was wrong.  The nerve!  How incredibly rude.  The kid understands you!  Come on.  One lady (who in all fairness was probably thinking she was being super nice and selfless) even gave J a wad of cash!  Seriously.  Just came up to him and gave him money.  I couldn't believe it.  That lady has no idea how good J has it, and how NOT poor he is.

Another thing that I will probably never forget is of an 8 day old baby.  While we were all waiting, before we found out what room J would have, we talked with a couple who was just waiting, too.  They were there with their 8 day old baby who had pneumonia, so they brought the baby to the hospital, but while they were there, the baby died!  Died.  They were just waiting.  For what?  Who knows?  And doctors and other people were just walking right past... some even looking at the lump of blankets in he crib.  It was terrible.  Heart-wrenching.  Ugh.  Rest in Peace, Baby.  May you be resting in God's embrace.

It was a crazy day.  I am sure that J will be just fine.  He has been there before, and came out just fine.  But, he has a good support system, and we are able to pay for the care he needs.  If you can't pay, then you can't get treated.  So, if you are poor, then you get terrible medical care.  Therefore, the majority of people get terrible medical care.  It's just a sad, sad system.

Like I said, I am so thankful NPH exists and we have a doctor here the majority of the time.  And, we have an amazing surgery center that is able to provide a safe option for surgical needs.  Not just for our kids, but the surrounding community.  Thank God, thank God, thank God.

Please keep all of the sick people that have no other option than to get care at that hospital in your prayers.  And, for Honduras in general.  There are some really good people, and good things here... I just pray that the government and systems will change and things can be great.

Is it really that time??

Well, first let me just say that I had an interesting week this past week.  My weekend started off really hopeful, with a day last Friday at the city dump (where literally all of the trash goes and is burned, and people make a living off of it, and there are multiple little towns around/in it... yes, in it) for a brigade with the Catholic University.  It was a nice change of pace, working with a ton of people to provide a little medical care, food and hygiene materials for the people of that area.  Even though I didn't have very much interaction with the people that lived there, I was still happy to help out in the little way that I did.

That afternoon, after a couple of beers with some of the girls (yes beers... what has happened to me?), I was really not feeling very well.  I ended up just resting in bed for the afternoon, trying to fight off the bouts of nausea I was having and then ended up throwing up for the whole night.  It was rough, and annoying b/c I was supposed to have a Skype date the following morning with Morgan (who is in SPAIN) and a friend I made in Copan was going to visit.  Poor timing, body, poor timing.  Well, suffice it to say, I did nothing really for the rest of the weekend other than sleep and eat a little.  That's the sickness for the month of June (for those keeping track!).

The external was closed this last week, and I was actually not looking forward to being in the internal the whole time.  I am still struggling like I belong and have a place within the clinic world, so it's hard sometimes.  But, it ended up being a blessing in disguise... I was able to get the de-parasiting thing all finished, finished up stuff for the new nurse coming, and all that jazz.  So, it was nice.  It was also really nice to get up in the morning and eat with the other volunteers and take my time.  I will miss that when I return to my regular schedule.

And, now all of a sudden it's time for the new volunteers to get here.  Is it really that time?  As we speak, I am sitting at the internet hut with 3 newbies (2 from Spain, which is so fun!).  I can't believe it!  The rest come this weekend.  I just don't feel like I am ready for them to be here... I am still new.  I still don't feel like I know what I am doing all of the time... I just GOT here. :)  But, asi es.  It's part of the volunteer life here on the Ranch.  It will be nice to get to know new people, and watch them go through this process, as well.

I think that's about it for recent events.  This next month will probably go by pretty darn quick... which is great... b/c my MOM IS COMING! :)  I am excited... is it obvious?

I hope you all are well!
Paz, Amor y Bendiciones!

Things are just... normal

It's been a busy few weeks.  For a while I was incredibly stressed about getting fingerprinted, b/c I needed them to renew my nursing license.  I had tried once, sent them in and they were rejected and had to start at square one.  But, unfortunately, it's a hard thing to find here in this country.  Somewhere to get fingerprints.  Finally, after asking the people at the Embassy (again), they were able to give me a suggestion, and it worked out!  It was a hilarious experience.  Ask me about it sometime. The same day, Hunter, Christina, and I needed to go to Immigration (this was my 4 trip) to see if our residency was ready.  Right when we get there, I get a text from my mom saying that my nursing license was renewed, and I don't have to stress about the prints!  WHAT?!  I couldn't believe it... so much stress and running around, to finally get those things, and then... my thing was renewed already!  Oh well... it worked out and that's what counts.  To top it off, our residency was NOT ready (again), and we will have to return yet another time.  Oh, Honduras...

Last week the external was closed, due to the employees having off, so I worked in the internal clinic.  There is another wave of Chicken Pox running through the Ranch, and has only seemed to affect Casa Suyapa.  So, in the internal clinic there were about 8 of the youngest kids on the Ranch being quarantined.  I had a few turnos (overnight shifts), and they were crazy.  It's hard to keep track of that many kids in general, but add the fact that they don't really know me very well AND my Spanish sucks, there was very little listening happening.   I had some help, thank God, so I was able to get through it.  Not without a few freak outs (normal, yes?) and questioning my ability to be a mom one day.  Ha.  But seriously...

We have had well over 50 patients every single day this week in the external.  CRAZY.  It makes for longs days, working until 4, when I still need to work on de-parasitizing stuff (yes, I am responsible for giving the entire Ranch meds for parasites, which happens about every 6 months)... and going to Hogar until 8.  Ugh.  But, asi es.  I had some nice moments with patients which reminded me that I really am doing a cool thing.

Other than that... things are just... normal.  It's kind of weird.  I wanted to write about everything all of the time when I first got here, b/c it was so new.  Almost being here for 6 months, I now have this sense of home and normalcy in a way, so it's hard to pick out the things to talk about.  I don't really know when that even happened... but it did, and I think it's a sign that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.

I hope that things are going well for you all!
A shout out to all the dads our there... Happy Father's Day!!  Especially to mine. :)

Oh... how am I feeling?!

Well the last few posts have been about things, good things, but I haven’t really talked about how I am doing these days.

We volunteers just got back from an AMAZING weekend, spent in Tegus at a pretty swanky hotel.  Every 6 months we have a retreat, where we go somewhere to spend time together off the Ranch and regroup.  (We lucked out this time with a small group, so we were able to stretch our retreat budget and stay at the said swanky hotel.  This might be the only time it happens.)

This retreat seriously came at a great time.  The last few weeks have been a little crazy.  I feel like every day I am struggling with something.  Recently, I have realized that people (basically, everyone outside of the volunteers) have expectations of me, but I don’t really know what they are, so I am constantly failing.  Yes, this may be a bit of an exaggeration, but to an extent, not really.  Because there is still a language barrier, and it seems that culturally, people don’t really let you in on things anyway, there is indeed some things that I don’t get, or miss, or what not.  And, of course it’s my fault (please note sarcasm), so people get annoyed with me.  And, let me tell ya, it’s frustrating.  I am trying to let things like this roll off my back, and to focus on the little things (like actually getting told that I am “in charge” of the internal clinic this week, while the external is closed b/c all employees have off, BEFORE the week has started… crazy, huh?) that have worked out well.  It’s not easy, but I am trying.

Inside the house, we have had some interesting changes in our group dynamics recently.  With any type of unexpected change, there are some frustrations, awkward moments and resentments that if not controlled quickly, will overrun us and become a poison inside our community.   It was getting to that point, but we have talked about things as a group, and feel confident to move on and not dwell on the past.  Again, our retreat this past weekend helped solidify us as a group, reminded us how much of an influence every person has on our community and that we are in constant need of each others support and love.

We all had to set some goals, as well.  One of my goals is to really look at the positive things that happen everyday.  I am still struggling with feeling content and happy everyday.  As you all know, I was so, so, SO excited to come here before I left, and beat myself up for not feeling the same everyday.  Don’t get me wrong, I am not sad and depressed everyday.  But, I just don’t have this overwhelming joy that I thought I was going to have while I was here.  My work is hard, the language is rough, and people are not as accepting as one would think.  And to deal with those things everyday, really clouds the things that really are going well.  One of my friends here told me that it’s really ok to not feel happy everyday.  It’s not something that I am doing wrong or not doing enough of.  I have felt a little encouraged by this, and other volunteers saying up until their 6ish month, they still struggled with feeling like they belonged and that everything was great.  So, here is to trying to look at the positive things, relying on the other volunteers, and relaxing a bit more to enjoy the moments here.

Now, here are a few pics of things from the last little while.  Seriously, sorry I have sucked so bad about blogging lately! :)

All of the clinic staff at Heather's despidida (good bye party).

Most of my boys one random night... some being silly!

A little birthday present for my mom, back in May!

The amazing pizza that the Italians made us. :)

Me and Julia... one of the newest babes! :)  How cute is she!?

The pool at Hotel Maya!

haha, Caroline and Hunter enjoying the Peruvian restaurant.

Hunter, Michelle and I hamming it up. :)  

(Please look how long my hair is!)

Last day of retreat, enjoying the pool!

Prayers!

I know I haven’t been a very good blogger these days, but things have been pretty busy, and the Internet has been acting weird lately.   I will try harder!

Right now, I was wondering if I could discuss with you some things.  First, please, please, please keep NPH in your prayers always.  I have said this before, but I just like to remind you all.  :)  God is seriously doing some amazing things here, even though it’s hard to see all of the time, when the demand and frustrations of every day life get in the way.  But, it’s true.  There are so many good people that God is using to help, teach, encourage and love these kids here on the Ranch.  Everyone works so hard, and I just feel like they could use a few extra prayers.

Also, I was wondering if you could pray for the External Clinic, as well.  Yes, that is where I work everyday, to help provide affordable healthcare to the surrounding communities (sometimes even 4 hours away!) around the Ranch.  Every day we see anywhere from 20-40 patients who receive care for a variety of things, from common colds and allergies to diabetes and hypertension.  We also have a functioning laboratory, where again we can provide people with an affordable option to get exams that otherwise they wouldn’t be able to.  We are not a hospital, nor are we able to help every single person that comes through, but we are always willing, and I think that’s a big thing in and of itself.

It’s an amazing blessing that NPH is able to support this type of clinic.  It’s even been said that when finances are a struggle we would never shut down or close the External Clinic.  The Ranch has built an amazing relationship with the outside community; it would be a tragedy both to the people we help on a daily basis, and the great example it is to the kids.   And, sometimes I worry that the clinic is going to fall apart!  We are full into the rainy season here… and it rains a lot!  Lately, we have had some of the heaviest rains I have experienced.  With that type of rain comes some problems like leaks.  And the clinic has some leaks!  We have enough money to get a new roof, but we are now waiting for a little more to help out with a re-model of the clinic and lab!  We don’t want to put a new roof on right away and then have to remove it again to fix the inside.  It’s a very exciting prospect, but something that we will just have to wait and see.  I specifically ask that you pray that this remodel happens, so that all of our medications, pharmacy supplies, patient charts, etc are protected!

I would also like to take this moment to thank ALL of the people that support the External Clinic through pray, monetary donations or medical/pharmacy supplies!  It’s because of you all that we are able to touch as many lives as we do.  A little shout out to the people (from Germany, I believe!) who donated a MONTON (HUGE) amount of medications to help our kids AND the External.  It was seriously like Christmas morning getting all of those boxes.  And, thanks to my mom for all of the awesome diabetic supplies!  I can't wait for the next Dia de Diabetes. :)

Thank you for reading, listening and praying.  It means a lot.

Paz y Amor

Welp, I have some exciting news...

This would be the mechanism that is now giving the volunteer house HOT WATER!!!!  I know I came to Honduras to live a simpilar life, and maybe not having hot water was a good thing.  But, it was a donation, and I have always been a fan of free things.  So, I don't want to offend the donator by NOT using the hotness. :)

And this...

I know this doesn't look like anything special to you, but trust me, it's pretty amazing.  Inside this box, people from Italy donated a BAKERY!  A legit, stainless steel bakery.  For bread.  And, let me tell you... the bread is TO DIE FOR!! :)  The baker is teaching some older kids how to run it, so that we can continue with the amazing bread.

And this evening, the Italians are treating us to real. Italian. PIZZA.  This girl is excited! :)

Asi es!

Well, I have completed 4 months here on the Ranch and 5 months in Honduras, and here are just a few things I would like to share… asi es aqui en Honduras (so it is here is Honduras!):

·      I think that seasons should be marked by the bugs/creatures.  When I first got to the Ranch, the cicadas were NUTS, then came the ronrons (these really stupid bugs that buzz really loud, fly into things and then die), now the frogs are out everywhere, along with the flies and these weird moth looking things.

·      I don’t freak out too badly when the power goes out anymore.  When I first got here I felt like my stomach would fall out, now my heart just skips for a hot second.

·      I made a cake the other day, and was really, really bummed to find that these tiny, obnoxious ants were all over it.  Ugh.  Everyone was like, ‘just ice it, no one will know.’  Really?  Um, ok.  So, I scraped some away, iced it, and served it.  Everyone ate it, including me.

·      The sound of the rain pounding on our metal roof is one of the best sounds.

·      I have become a person that dresses like a dude and performs a dance with the other volunteers in front of the entire Ranch.

·      Cockroaches are still really creepy bugs.

·      It’s been so hot these days that my cold shower actually feels good sometimes.  I never thought I would say that.  (Nor do I use it all of the time, there are a few people that have the heaters for the showers.)

·      The frogs sound like aliens, not the normal “ribbit”.

·      When the Internet is out… it’s really not the end of the world.  It’s actually a little refreshing.

·      One of the girls (as in one of the girls that works there) brought a kitten to the clinic the other day… to the clinic.  It was hanging out and such.  No one seemed to mind.

·      It’s really exciting when the kids here know your name, and they yell it.  For no reason at all.

There are many things that I could add to this list, but I will leave it at that.  I will create another one soon, I am sure.

Abrazos y Amor!