I'm Back!!!! The stories continue!!

Despite having to wash my own clothes, the lights going out when it’s hot and humid at night, and being away from home I am still having a GREAT time. The girls here from Maryland have been great and we’ve actually formed our own little happy family- going on trips together on the weekends, eating breakfast, lunch and dinner together, and of course the late night chats before we finally fall asleep. Not only do we have our own happy family but the host family (who live downstairs) have been so accommodating and kind to us; I definitely couldn’t have asked for a better set up. I know it’s been a while so I’m going to make it a long one so take a deep breath, RELAX, and enjoy!!
When I first got here it was 5am and I was greeted by the five wonderful roommates from Maryland who were off to go to a World AIDS awareness day function almost five hours away and of course Miss Shachi covered from head to toe with socks on sleeping in the hottest room ever! I thought to myself is that what I’m going to have to sleep in?? Anyhow skipping ahead it’s been great- in the first week we took some classes in Malayalam and I have to say I’ve been a Nalla Kutti (for those of you who don’t know it means good girlJ). Anyhow it’s been a challenge getting caught up and we’re totally in for it but it’s going to be an interesting learning experience.
Our projects are going to entail the following (just so you don’t have to figure out what the heck I’m doing):
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This weekend we went to go visit the little kids and did a project on what they thought about when they thought about family and the other was success. It was interesting to see how different the kids thought. The one that stuck out in my mind the most was this girl drew a picture of herself winning a singing contest (kind of like American Idol). I thought man if only I was that creative. Anyhow it went really well and the kids definitely were getting a kick out of us taking pictures of them. These two little boys kept trying to get us to take pictures of them and then wanted to look at them; it was awesome, especially because most of these kids have never gotten a chance to take time out from studying. These kids were all affected by the Tsunami and they are kids that are sponsored by people like us; so contrary to some of our beliefs when you sponsor a kid- you REALLY do sponsor someone. These kids were selected out of a group of kids based on their high scores. I’m excited to do the next project in which they’ll draw about health and religion; it should be interesting to see the variety of ideas they have.
Sunday was our day of relaxation. We finally didn’t work for one day (we’ve been working about 6 days a week) but it’s been off and on so it’s difficult to gauge the amount of hours we actually put in. Like most places it is a waiting game all the time. But I digress, our Sunday we went to Fort Cochin but before that we pit stopped at Barista (a oh so WONDERFUL creation in India) where I got the best Rich Choco Shake and paneer sandwich and Black forest cake- I know I sound like a pig but I shared it!! And it was a great break from the usual Rice. My malu friends, we REALLY need to ease up on the rice for every meal hehe…. Anyhow we visited Fort Cochin and it was interesting because everywhere we walked we got MOBS of people just staring at us. I seriously think this is a bad disease us Indians have- I mean aside from the fact that there was seven very Anglo looking girls walking around we weren’t that different! Anyhow we took the fairy where we got stared at some more and of course we didn’t know where to get off on the fairy so when we ask some guy “Fort Cochin” he says I don’t speak English which was kinda dumb because the guy across the way, with ear phones on could motion to us that it was the next stop- I mean really is it that hard to figure out where we were going. Anyhow you can tell it’s been a bit overwhelming with the staring at times and people looking at us and snickering- it kinda makes me question things at times.
Anyhow I think this has become long enough but I did want to catch you guys up on my trip. It’s been lots of fun and we’re going to be going out in the field some more so we shall see what other things it brings upon us J. I know there’s more stories to come especially because within one week of being here we’ve taken the train, rode a bus for two hours, gotten off at the wrong stop, and then taken an auto back to our last stop!! Exhausting but totally worth it… I bet you guys NEVER thought I’d take public transportation in India J How many of you can say the same thing?! Hehe.. I hope you guys are well. E-mail me and don’t forget- if any of ya’ll are having babies J, graduating, getting married, getting engaged, having parties without me (I forbid that), well you know the drill- I better get the info!! I’ll be back in Cali from August 9th through September 20th so I can’t wait to see ya’ll!
So good night and for some Su Prabadham (that’s Good Morning in Malyallum)!