everybody has a story: November 2012

Talk about a weekend. Talk about a week. It has been go non-stop. How do I handle that? Coffee, bed by 9pm, and my boys. So, let's cover this and let me fill you in on what happened.

Friday: Noche de Miedo

We had a night of scare with the oldest boys houses where us volunteers dressed up and made up a scavenger hunt. Throughout the scavenger hunt, the volunteers would jump out at them throughout the terreno where they eventually had to find a key in order to be the winning team. It was hysterical. Jumping out at older boys, hearing them scream like little girls, it was just really fun to be able do something fun for the older kids, because I think a lot of the time the activities are geared towards the younger kids, as a majority of the kids living at the home are around the same age. It was fun, creepy, and I even got a little scared.

Saturday:

Saturday gave me a run for my money. We had two visitor groups that came in and they both surprisingly ran smooth. One of the groups- Avriel was in charge of, and it was a group of high school students who came and played with the kids for a couple of hours. The kids were really great, enthusiastic, and jumped right in with the kids. After the groups left, the fun had just began. I had Proyecto Familiar with one of my kids, Esteban, and his brother, Luis, and sister, Sandra. Proyecto Familiar is where the volunteers take kids who have siblings and we spend time together, as a family. So, it was my turn to do with Esteban and his family. It was really fun. We made cinnamon apples (basically apple pie filling), they didn't like them. To American I suppose. Regardless, it was really fun. We took pictures, made jokes, and just really enjoyed our time away from all of the other kids. It was cool to see how Esteban looks up to his older siblings and to see the three of them in their family element.

After proyecto familiar, Esteban and I headed back to our house to start the Christmas season. We put up our Christmas decorations and it was SO fun. We have a little Christmas tree, decorations galore, and it is so red. We are all very excited. We made stockings. My boys didn't know what they were but I told them if you don't have a stocking and there's nothing extra for you on Christmas, it's not my fault. Immediately, everyone came over and we all started making them. Felt, glue, and GLITTER. everywhere. I hate glitter. so messy, sticks to everything, gets on your face and you can't get it off, just not my thing. but I love my boys, so I brought it out. After stockings, we showered, got ready for dinner, and to end the night, we watched Elf to start the Christmas season off right. They had never seen it and I have never heard them laugh so hard at a movie. They loved it. It was just a really fun day.

Sunday:

I am working with a new mall that was just built in the capital, Santo Domingo. We are doing a Christmas program with them and two of their workers came out to the home to take pictures of all of the kids to hang a little card of each one of them on a Christmas tree in the mall to promote the home and get presents for the kids. Getting pictures of the kids went a lot smoother than you would expect. Avriel and Kristen were rockstars that day! Literally right and left hands. Running from house to house, getting shoe sizes, Christmas wishes, getting he kids in line, it was just boom boom boom. When they left, I went back to my boys house to finish the decorating process and to just veg with them. It was just a really fun weekend and all happened within the blink of an eye.

After all of the discipline, ups & downs with the house, we really came together this weekend. Felt like a family. Felt comfortable, good environment, one where we supported one another, listened to one another and just were there for each other. We are a family. Each family has it's tough times, but we are coming together and I am so happy. They are my babies. They are my family. And I love them so much.

I am currently with my family in Chicago for a couple of days and then to Minnesota for Thanksgiving. I will give everyone a complete update within the week. But for now, time to cozy up and spend some time together.

Enjoy!

I have to say, the only real thing that will slow you down is when you hear the words from a doctor, “You have to stay”. With everything in preparation for the Gala and in the midst of a hurricane, I managed to still find myself a way into San Pedro to get myself to a doctor. Let me start from the beginning:

Beginning of last week, we all heard a storm was coming. Now, we didn’t know if the reporters were cheesing it up or if they were being serious, only because they usually do and then when it hits, if it hits, it’s nothing. Hurricane Sandy grazed our presence in the DR beginning wednesday night and hit pretty hard on Thursday morning. Throughout all of the rain, thunder, lightening, and the most intense wind I have ever experienced, all of the volunteers, staff, and kids are safe and made it through. It was very dark and just overall eerie, no one could really leave, we all just had to sit and wait it out. The storm eventually passed- by saturday morning we were in the clear. However, Thursday afternoon, when the rain let up a little, I managed my way home as I had quite the stomach ache. Friday morning, I woke up and said to Avriel, “I have to go to the doctor today.” Classes were cancelled, the kids were snuggled up in their houses playing games or watching movies- if their casita had power, many didn’t, and the gala team was in full force preparation.

Mid-morning, I catch a ride into town and was in and out with the doctor. Now, this may get a little detailed, so stop reading if you please. She tells me to get the full work up- blood, urine, and stool samples. I covered the first two and she prescribed me some medicine for the pain and off I went. She, Dr. Luna, a gastrointestinologist, told me to come back on Monday with my results so we can figure out what is going on. (She is seen by a few of the volunteers here and is really a good doctor) Well, the next day, Saturday, I went back to the clinic to drop off my final sample, went to print stuff for the Gala, and then went back to the clinic to get my results. I got my results, saw that I have amoebas and went to the E.R. doctor to show him so I could get started on some medicine. When I gave him my results, he looked right back at me and said, “You have to stay.” Excuse me- what. Can’t you just give me some medicine like always and I can go? “No. You have too many infections and we need to start you on an IV now” nervously, I call volunteers around the home to see if someone can come meet me or call me back. I talked to Nelly, our Spanish volunteer who is fluent in English as well, and asked her to talk to the doctor to make sure I’m understanding him right. Well, I was understanding him right. I had to stay and even though no ounce in my body wanted to stay at a private clinic in a third world country, I did. I have an intestine and urine infection as well as amoebas. I was in good hands and had to believe that, I mean, that’s all I could believe. Talk about faith. A nurse from our clinic here at NPH actually works at the private clinic and she took great care of me until Avriel showed up.

On the first shift. She came right away and came to my room. A room in which I was sharing with a local Dominican woman, who I have to say, was a bit too much. Every time she moved- groooooaaaaaaannnnnnn. Sleep talking, snoring like a hibernating bear, and the air conditioning in our room wasn’t working. All I could do was look at Avriel and say- seriously. She better lock that up because that’s not going to work for me. grroooooooaaaaaaannnnn. Sweet Avriel says, “you’re ipod is charging, you can listen to music and go to bed” plug in the ipod, snoreeeeeeeeee. false. I didn’t sleep. Only found it to be hysterical. I mean, seriously. Is this really happening?

Shortly after, Avriel’s shift was up and Kristen came. Kristen comes with lots of work to do for the gala- actually it was my work and I don’t know what I would have done without her or Av. Talk about having someone’s back. Kristen, very polite and kind hearted, makes small talk with the family sharing the room while unpacking some of the movies, clothes, and comfy/ homey items she brought, and admist everything, drugged up Madelon is just sitting there giggling to herself because it really felt like a joke. About 20 minutes after Kristen arrives, my boss- the National Director, Kieran and his Wife, Suzy, show up. Which was very nice. They got all Tim and Mary Alice protective, made sure I was comfortable, checking the place out, making sure it was clean and what not. Well, because of them, I was able to move rooms to a private room. One where the air conditioning worked, it was quiet, and comfortable. They went to the store and brought back juice, crackers, yogurt, it was just very nice, really proves the point of family. NPH is family, through the thick and thin and having your national director come visit you with his wife, change your room, go grocery shopping, and make sure you and your friends are set for the night is really something I needed- honestly made me miss my parents.

Quick side note- nurses came in every 8 hours. The night shift nurse came in at 1am to do another round of meds and let me tell you, she was NOT suave about coming in. Literally, barge in, door opens, lights on. No knock, no excuse me, nothing- just BAM nurse is here. Well, after that, Av & I go back to bed for about 3 hours until I wake up to my hand sitting in a puddle of IV medicine. I wake up Avriel-

"Av....Avvv....Avriel (whisper) Avriel (lil louder) AVRIEL (normal)"

"huh huh what what"

"Can you get a nurse?"

"sure sure" bolts up opens the door like there is a fire in the room. hair on top of her head, groggy eyes, she waits at the nurses station for the nurse. I look down and blood starts coming out of my IV because it got disconnected from my hand somehow while I was sleeping- it was just a great treat at 5am.

Speaking of parents: let’s talk about that reaction. Madelon calls Tim. Tim answers- Madelon- hey can you call me back.

Tim- Sure

Madelon receives a text from Tim: you’re not answering. everything okay?

Madelon sends text: Im in the hospital for the night. Call me.

Tim: why

*rinnnngggggg*

Tim: what’s going on? You okay?

I explained the story, Tim gets nervous and all protector over his little girl, Mary Alice talking in the background, “what medicines are you on??” it was just quite the scene. Not funny at the time, maybe still a little fresh, but I was on a lot of medicine and merely wanted to inform my parentals of my current whereabouts, not to worry them. So to me, it was funny, again, drugs. I have some really great parents. I don’t know how I would have reacted if I heard my baby was in a hospital and I couldn’t be there. I can’t even imagine it. But all I could do was reaassure them that I was in good hands. Dr. Luna came in, my boss, and two of my best friends were by myside through it all to the point where I left on Saturday morning with a stripped bed hoping to come home and do laundry, to Sunday afternoon to a cozy made bed, pjs laid out and a fresh towel to take a shower. They are ahead of the game. Can’t emphasize it enough.

I am doing much better now, was a rough week but I took it easy (and still am!) Which leads me to Tuesday- My birthday! Although I was a little bummed because I was sick, Avriel and Kristen still made it a very special day. I even asked Avriel if she got ideas from Pinterest and then felt like an idiot because she for sure came up with them. Day started off with kids coming to the door singing me Happy Birthday, Avriel and Kristen had a deck of cards with a picture pasted on one side and a note from a kid on the other- how cute is that? And birthday cake and a big birthday card from my boys at lunch. Some of the boys spelled out my name with scrabble pieces and they all signed the card. Just awesome. Such cute ideas and I am so grateful for all of the support- in every which way.

All of this just makes me think about my life, the shoes I am in, and how different it is for so many others. Throughout all of the muck, you always come to hard ground at some point. Whether that be in years or days, we all find our way eventually. It just takes time. Everything is an experience and I am learning. Being 23 now doesn’t change that. I am learning, I am constantly learning, and I will make mistakes along the way. People won’t agree, people will worry, but that’s something I can’t control. If I learn how my choices affect others, if I learn how to better for the future, and if I have take what I have learned from my past, I only see a positive outcome. It’s taking what’s within, sharing it with others, and living in the moment. I am a stronger believer in that everything happens for a reason. Every weak point makes you strong and every person who is meant to be in your life will be with you through the weak points be at your side when you need them. Avriel and Kristen- I don’t know what I would have done this past week without you. This is a huge tribute to you, saying thank you wouldn't even do justice and how grateful I am for you both.

Enjoy to all! xo