This past weekend was my favorite weekend so far. We celebrated Mother's Day beginning last Thursday with a special dinner hosted by the male directors. Friday morning, we celebrated with a breakfast in the school. But, the best part was Friday night.
My girls kicked me and the other two encargadas I work with out of the section immediately after dinner. They said they had work to do and we would be welcome back inside the section in a little bit.
A few hours later when we were allowed back inside...the girls greeted us with the traditional celebration song, Las Mananitas, presents, a card and decorations. They had also put together an entire presentation about how grateful they were to have us as their mothers. We were treated to choreographed dances and at the end of it all our own dance in the section. It was so sweet and I was really humbled that they had put in that much effort for us. I didn't realize before the importance of my role in their lives and I didn't realize before how much of a mother I really am. I feel really grateful to have them in my life. I think that the longer I am here, the more I feel that I am receiving just as much as I am giving.
Peace
Monday, May 12, 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Sometimes it just takes a little extra effort
One of the biggest lessons I've learned so far is that sometimes it just takes a little extra effort. It is easy to get stressed or overwhelmed, but sometimes if you push yourself just a little harder you can make a huge difference.
The other day when we had swimming lessons with the girls, there were several girls that were not interested. They were complaining and not listening and wanted to leave. At first it was easy to be annoyed and upset, but when I chose to work with them in the pool and help them learn to swim, the day was so much better. They were excited and worked hard and wanted to learn more. Those same girls are excited for there next swimming lesson and want to practice swimming races when we have free swim.
So I guess from here on out when it is hard, the key is to work harder.
Peace.
The other day when we had swimming lessons with the girls, there were several girls that were not interested. They were complaining and not listening and wanted to leave. At first it was easy to be annoyed and upset, but when I chose to work with them in the pool and help them learn to swim, the day was so much better. They were excited and worked hard and wanted to learn more. Those same girls are excited for there next swimming lesson and want to practice swimming races when we have free swim.
So I guess from here on out when it is hard, the key is to work harder.
Peace.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Is it all worth it?
As in any job, there are days when it is difficult, when nothing goes right and you get to wondering, "Is it all worth it?"
Lucky for me, after an especially difficult day when I had worked for 13 hours and dealt with teenage girl drama, I had my answer. As I was saying good night, I was amazed by how they had all transformed. They were no longer angry at me for telling them what to do, they were no longer upset about boyfriends or friends, itstead, they were sweet and grateful to be loved. And as I went around to their beds and heard "Goodnight mommy," "I love you," "See you tommorrow," I knew that nothing could be so difficult to make this not worth it.
Peace,
Laura
Lucky for me, after an especially difficult day when I had worked for 13 hours and dealt with teenage girl drama, I had my answer. As I was saying good night, I was amazed by how they had all transformed. They were no longer angry at me for telling them what to do, they were no longer upset about boyfriends or friends, itstead, they were sweet and grateful to be loved. And as I went around to their beds and heard "Goodnight mommy," "I love you," "See you tommorrow," I knew that nothing could be so difficult to make this not worth it.
Peace,
Laura
Monday, April 7, 2008
Wrestling
My family just left last week. It was really amazing to have them in town and to share part of my experience with them. Although, I can tell you that a year felt a lot longer once they left.
They were here for a week and we went to the pyramids in Mexico City and spent some time in Cuernavaca. Danny and Dad did wrestling clinics for the kids even though Danny was fighting some stomach problems. The kids loved it and it was really awesome to see the connection they made with the kids in such a short amount of time and with their limited language skills. Danny was very popular and I only receive about 50 questions and comments about him every day...Your parents and your brother they left? Where did they go? When are they coming back? We didn't want him to leave? You are my sister-in-law right?
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Lent / Easter
Please excuse the lack of updates recently. Between the internet difficulties and the kids being on spring break, I haven't had a chance to write.
We just finished the Lenten season with our Easter celebration last Sunday. The entire season is very unique in the house. On Fridays, instead of giving up meat, the entire house gives up tortillas. The logic is that the kids wouldn't notice the meat missing anyway.
Holy Thursday is the night we remember the last supper and in the house we honor this with a special dinner for the whole family.
Good Friday is a silent day, which means we can't play music or watch television all day.
Last Saturday, we celebrated Sabado de la Gloria and remembered all of our baptisms with a giant water fight for three hours.
Sunday was Easter and we celebrated with a sunrise Mass, dougnuts, hot chocolate, chocolate eggs and an egg hunt with a grand prize of $50.
I will update again soon. My parents are coming to visit this week and will be offering wrestling clinics to the kids. I will be sure to post pictures.
Peace
We just finished the Lenten season with our Easter celebration last Sunday. The entire season is very unique in the house. On Fridays, instead of giving up meat, the entire house gives up tortillas. The logic is that the kids wouldn't notice the meat missing anyway.
Holy Thursday is the night we remember the last supper and in the house we honor this with a special dinner for the whole family.
Good Friday is a silent day, which means we can't play music or watch television all day.
Last Saturday, we celebrated Sabado de la Gloria and remembered all of our baptisms with a giant water fight for three hours.
Sunday was Easter and we celebrated with a sunrise Mass, dougnuts, hot chocolate, chocolate eggs and an egg hunt with a grand prize of $50.
I will update again soon. My parents are coming to visit this week and will be offering wrestling clinics to the kids. I will be sure to post pictures.
Peace
Monday, March 17, 2008
No Internet
Right now we are having technical difficulties with the Internet. I will update when it is more consistent.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
La Pijamada
Saturday night we had a giant sleepover for ALL the girls in the house. It was really fun to see them just being kids, especially after all the hard work from the Junta and exams. We put out mattresses and blankets in the school and had a BBQ and played games and watched movies all night. We also had a fogata (bonfire) and roasted marshmallows. The girls love their marshmallows lit on fire and charred. So imagine 200 or so girls with sticks and flaming marshmallows. And as everyone wanted to roast my marshmallow for me, I had to try very hard to describe the fine art of roasting marshmallows. One of the older girls roasted it for me and it was nearly perfect. But of course, one of the younger girls saw that it wasn't black yet and proceeded to "fix" this for me.
After the bonfire, some of the girls from my section were dancing on the soccer field to the music from the town dance. I joined them and have started to learn cumbia.
It was a great weekend, but exhausting and I am looking forward to relaxing on descanso. I think my Spanish is improving and I am learning a lot every day. I think the biggest thing I am learning is to put others first. It doesn't matter if I like my marshmallow golden brown; if a kid wants to roast it for me, I should let her. If the girls want to play chess for 3 hours, I should. And sometimes it means that you get up early, even though the extra sleep would be amazing because someone else is depending on you.
Peace
After the bonfire, some of the girls from my section were dancing on the soccer field to the music from the town dance. I joined them and have started to learn cumbia.
It was a great weekend, but exhausting and I am looking forward to relaxing on descanso. I think my Spanish is improving and I am learning a lot every day. I think the biggest thing I am learning is to put others first. It doesn't matter if I like my marshmallow golden brown; if a kid wants to roast it for me, I should let her. If the girls want to play chess for 3 hours, I should. And sometimes it means that you get up early, even though the extra sleep would be amazing because someone else is depending on you.
Peace
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