Happy Mother's Day!
It is Mother's day here in Vietnam. I arrived a little later than normal to Felicks' house because it is Sunday and we don't have class. To my surprise, the boys had made a beautiful floral arrangement for me with a card saying "Happy Mothers Day" in English. They sang and took photos. I am blessed! Now they are preparing a special lunch.
And guess what other blessing I have this morning??? Cramps, haha never thought I would say this, but I look forward to menopause!
So what can I say about the best Mothers I know? You have taught me so much. I am a better mother because of you. I thank you for your love, your guidance, the challenges and your gifts of friendship. Some lessons have been tough, some easy, some beautiful and some extremely challenging. Raising our children in a technological, busy, fast world can be challenging. Thank you for keeping me grounded and sane. I have balance in my day to day. The knowing that I can call each one of you for support, love, even just a laugh brings me peace. We have cried, laughed and shared so much together.
I am who I am because of you.
Thank you
With much love and admiration,
Your daughter, sister, friend,
Kathy
With all the choices we make in life, choose happiness.....Kathryn A. Emerson
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Please Don't Laugh, but.....................
A few weeks ago, I went home early. I was feeling extremely tired. We were planning on leaving the next day after teaching to travel to Dalat and Bao Loc. It is a 9hr trip by bus. I went home to get plenty of rest so I would be fresh and ready for the exciting day. I went to bed around 6:30pm. I was fast asleep when I heard this noise in my ear like a crying bug, please don't ask me what a crying bug sounds like, it's not something I ever want to hear again. I shot up and looked at my pillow like maybe a mouse was under it.....but as I looked, the noise was still in ear............I stood up and could hear it lodging, going deeper.....making noise.........I started pulling on my ear........still noise..........I was banging on my head as if I had water in my ears............still movement.....I felt my breathing getting faster, I stopped for a second and asked myself if I was dreaming. After pinching myself and biting my tongue I had to face the facts, I had something crawling in my ear...........I knew Felix had a lot of work to do before heading to Dalat so I really didn't want to bother him. After 30 minutes of freaking out, I finally sent him a text message........."Felicks......please don't laugh, but I have a parasite in my ear.........."
He called me right away, "Ka-tee-mon, what is happening?!?" he shouts into the phone with his strong Indian accent. "I don't know what it is, but something is in my ear and it's not happy, I'm freaking out!" I tried to say with out crying. He assured me he was coming right away. I went downstairs to wait for him. The family I am staying with don't speak any English, they were watching TV. I wanted so desperately to have someone help me but how do you explain that a bug is in your ear without using words??? So I casually played with the 3yr old granddaughter while trying to remain calm and not start pounding on the left side of my head to force the creature out. I don't want them to think I am strange, but on the inside, I AM FREAKING OUT!
Felicks showed up within 10 minutes which of course seemed like an eternity. He ran into the house, I wasn't sure if I was going with him to his house or what the plan of attack was. He asked the owners if they had a "torch" which turned out to be another name for a flashlight, thank God. We ran upstairs to my room. Oh great, I have a priest in my room. People are so proper here, having a priest in your room at 9pm is a little questionable. At this point though, I really didn't care. I sat in a chair, he ran downstairs and asked them for warm salt water. The bug was still moving around, sounding like it was crying. He poured the warm salt water into my ear, but of course it was just spilling on me. He said in such an innocent way, " I'm sorry Mon, but you have to put your head on my lap" and he sat on my bed, putting my pillow on his lap. Now really, if the owners walked by my room NOW, with my head on his lap................OMG, it was a comic act...........I know it is to help me, but how do you explain this position with out using words??! I got up from the chair and locked the door just in case. I gave him tweezers to try to grab it while I held the torch. The tweezers are needle sharp. He was trying, but it was uncomfortable and he couldn't see anything. This wasn't working. All the while, he is saying I have a soccer match going on in my ear. We went downstairs and asked the owners if we could borrow the torch, he tried to explain the best way he could speaking broken Vietnamese. I could see the woman was concerned but had a look like this is common here.
Felicks said he was taking me to a place that cleans ears. I really didn't understand what he was saying, but agreed to go. This is where the story gets better. Here in this area of Vietnam, there are a lot of beauty salons. They are not like the salons we are use to. The room is small, the chairs are old and it is usually dirty. So during the day, they will cut your hair, give you a shave, clean your ears etc. During the night, when you drive by, the women are wearing seductive outfits, sitting in the chairs facing traffic with their legs open and a pillow covering their money makers.
We leave my house on the motorbike. His house is to the left, but we turned right. He pulled into a salon.......I didn't want to get off the bike. I wasn't sure if he was asking them for tweezers or for advice. When we walked in, they must have been wondering what it is we wanted, a tall black Indian and a white American walk into a massage parlor late one night................sounds like the beginning of a bad joke. A woman stood up wearing a sexy red top and short shorts made of silk. A man and another woman came out of the back room. I could tell he was in charge. He was dressed like a business man and she was wearing something Madonna may have liked from the early 90's. Felicks is asking them if they could look in my ears. They looked confused as if asking why does she want her ears cleaned now? They were saying no, the salon down the road will clean my ears. I couldn't wait to get out of there. These salons are wide open, close to the road, motor bikes driving by constantly, I was concerned for Felicks' reputation as a priest, what are the parishioners going to think if they see us standing there?? We stand out as it is so people are constantly looking at us. We leave there to go to the other one, the whole time I am saying I don't want to go into the salon, but also felt desperate. We entered the other salon, the woman was wearing something black and revealing. A couple other women come out from the back wearing similar outfits, I could feel their eyes checking us out. Again, I hope you can envision this, Felicks is a very tall, black man from southern India and I am a white American, we are the only ones of our kind in this large neighborhood so we stand out! The funniest part of this whole thing is that the women were prepared to "please" us in so many ways and yet when they realized I had a bug in my ear, they recoiled and looked at me like I was dirty.............uuhhhh, hello........whose really the dirty one here???! haha I'm sure if I asked them for something sexual, they would have performed very well, but heaven forbid, I need you to check my ear and you think that is gross?? So funny! We left there and went back to Felicks house, Tuan held the flashlight and Felicks tried to retrieve the criminal that trespassed into my ear. Tung came in and told us that we have to go to the hospital. By this time, I was ready to go. My imagination was getting the best of me. I have watched too many episodes of, "Life in the ER" on the Lifetime channel. I'm picturing a large caterpillar laying eggs and then traveling to my brain to eat and rest. Now I know my brother is going to say something fresh like the caterpillar will starve in there so HAHA Carl, very funny. We get on the motor bike and speed to the hospital. When I say speed, it is way scarier than you can imagine. We are sharing the road with hundreds of motor bikes, trucks, dump trucks, tractor trailers and bicycles. Tung is in front, leading the way, we are following, weaving through traffic like we are on fire, I am crying, sounding like a siren on an ambulance, holding on for dear life to the back of the bike. After spending time in the hospital, I made them promise me that if I am in an accident, please, throw me on the next plane heading for the USA. The hospitals in this area are so different from ours. Ours are clean, organized, sterile, beds with privacy etc. Here, you get seen sooner if you tip the nurse, the beds are dirty, holes and stains on the sheets, people are laying in the open room with about 30 beds without screens. Quite a few people were there with injuries from crashing on the motorbikes. One man had a broken leg, he still had his pants on, blood everywhere, they had wrapped 2 white sticks that were full of dirt and looked like they have been used many times before to brace his leg. Another man was vomiting in a bed down from an elderly woman that had her top lifted up and suction devices from the 60's to measure her heart rate. I felt like I was on a scene of MASH. After 20 minutes of waiting, they called my name and took us to another wing in the hospital. Every room we walked by had 5 or more people laying in dirty beds, room after room, it was actually frightening for me. We walked up a few flights to a hallway with rooms full of people. There were chairs against the wall for us to wait. After 15 minutes and only a nurse walking back and forth, a young woman from a room started running down the hallway screaming, "Bac si! Bac si! Doctor, Doctor!" She was very distressed. Tung said he heard her say that blood was coming from the eyes of the patient in the room. The nurse came out and walked slowly to the room. Then she walked back, standing in the hallway as if this happens all the time. There was a lot of crying and panic and yet no one was there to help, just a nurse that was too interested in her fingernails than the patient. A doctor came down the hallway in flip flops, an old hospital jacket that use to be white and was obviously too big for him. He dragged his feet getting to the room, in his hand was a wooden tongue depressor and one of those lighted-ear-magnifier-thingys.....like my use of technical terms??.....he was in the room for less than two minutes, came out and started walking down the hallway to leave. Thank God we had Tung with us to speak Vietnamese. He ran down the hallway, said a few words then waved us down to a room. I sat down in a chair. The room was from the 60's, dirty sinks, old pictures on the wall, drawers that don't close all the way. He grabbed the same ear thingy, not clean, and started to put it towards my ear.............I noticed the light was not clean, had a reddish tint to it, oh man, oh man, is that blood?? I cringed as he put it in my ear, yes, I let him put it in my ear. He looked and looked, pulling on my ear and pushing it further, heading to China, actually, I am close to China, heading to USA! He couldn't find anything. I was relieved and a little nervous, what if it moved too deep and couldn't be seen?? The noise had actually subsided. I was just happy that he took that thingy out of my ear and with out wiping it, threw it back into a drawer full of dirty instruments, pens and pencils. I couldn't wait to get out of there. I think what happened is that when Felicks poured the salt water in my ear, it was coming out when I was on the motor bike, I kept wiping my ear. It probably came out then. Either way, it is out and I have not had any problems since. I wear ear plugs to bed now. I have had ants on my mat that I sleep on, one night I woke up with hundreds of them! (I will admit, I cried, I was so tired and hot and sweaty and now I had all the ants.) I don't have any food in my room so not sure why they were there. One of the Sisters said that having ants in your ear is common here. If it happens again, plug your ear for a minute and the ant will want to come out.....as she calmly puts a finger in each ear to show me how..............gooooooood advice
He called me right away, "Ka-tee-mon, what is happening?!?" he shouts into the phone with his strong Indian accent. "I don't know what it is, but something is in my ear and it's not happy, I'm freaking out!" I tried to say with out crying. He assured me he was coming right away. I went downstairs to wait for him. The family I am staying with don't speak any English, they were watching TV. I wanted so desperately to have someone help me but how do you explain that a bug is in your ear without using words??? So I casually played with the 3yr old granddaughter while trying to remain calm and not start pounding on the left side of my head to force the creature out. I don't want them to think I am strange, but on the inside, I AM FREAKING OUT!
Felicks showed up within 10 minutes which of course seemed like an eternity. He ran into the house, I wasn't sure if I was going with him to his house or what the plan of attack was. He asked the owners if they had a "torch" which turned out to be another name for a flashlight, thank God. We ran upstairs to my room. Oh great, I have a priest in my room. People are so proper here, having a priest in your room at 9pm is a little questionable. At this point though, I really didn't care. I sat in a chair, he ran downstairs and asked them for warm salt water. The bug was still moving around, sounding like it was crying. He poured the warm salt water into my ear, but of course it was just spilling on me. He said in such an innocent way, " I'm sorry Mon, but you have to put your head on my lap" and he sat on my bed, putting my pillow on his lap. Now really, if the owners walked by my room NOW, with my head on his lap................OMG, it was a comic act...........I know it is to help me, but how do you explain this position with out using words??! I got up from the chair and locked the door just in case. I gave him tweezers to try to grab it while I held the torch. The tweezers are needle sharp. He was trying, but it was uncomfortable and he couldn't see anything. This wasn't working. All the while, he is saying I have a soccer match going on in my ear. We went downstairs and asked the owners if we could borrow the torch, he tried to explain the best way he could speaking broken Vietnamese. I could see the woman was concerned but had a look like this is common here.
Felicks said he was taking me to a place that cleans ears. I really didn't understand what he was saying, but agreed to go. This is where the story gets better. Here in this area of Vietnam, there are a lot of beauty salons. They are not like the salons we are use to. The room is small, the chairs are old and it is usually dirty. So during the day, they will cut your hair, give you a shave, clean your ears etc. During the night, when you drive by, the women are wearing seductive outfits, sitting in the chairs facing traffic with their legs open and a pillow covering their money makers.
We leave my house on the motorbike. His house is to the left, but we turned right. He pulled into a salon.......I didn't want to get off the bike. I wasn't sure if he was asking them for tweezers or for advice. When we walked in, they must have been wondering what it is we wanted, a tall black Indian and a white American walk into a massage parlor late one night................sounds like the beginning of a bad joke. A woman stood up wearing a sexy red top and short shorts made of silk. A man and another woman came out of the back room. I could tell he was in charge. He was dressed like a business man and she was wearing something Madonna may have liked from the early 90's. Felicks is asking them if they could look in my ears. They looked confused as if asking why does she want her ears cleaned now? They were saying no, the salon down the road will clean my ears. I couldn't wait to get out of there. These salons are wide open, close to the road, motor bikes driving by constantly, I was concerned for Felicks' reputation as a priest, what are the parishioners going to think if they see us standing there?? We stand out as it is so people are constantly looking at us. We leave there to go to the other one, the whole time I am saying I don't want to go into the salon, but also felt desperate. We entered the other salon, the woman was wearing something black and revealing. A couple other women come out from the back wearing similar outfits, I could feel their eyes checking us out. Again, I hope you can envision this, Felicks is a very tall, black man from southern India and I am a white American, we are the only ones of our kind in this large neighborhood so we stand out! The funniest part of this whole thing is that the women were prepared to "please" us in so many ways and yet when they realized I had a bug in my ear, they recoiled and looked at me like I was dirty.............uuhhhh, hello........whose really the dirty one here???! haha I'm sure if I asked them for something sexual, they would have performed very well, but heaven forbid, I need you to check my ear and you think that is gross?? So funny! We left there and went back to Felicks house, Tuan held the flashlight and Felicks tried to retrieve the criminal that trespassed into my ear. Tung came in and told us that we have to go to the hospital. By this time, I was ready to go. My imagination was getting the best of me. I have watched too many episodes of, "Life in the ER" on the Lifetime channel. I'm picturing a large caterpillar laying eggs and then traveling to my brain to eat and rest. Now I know my brother is going to say something fresh like the caterpillar will starve in there so HAHA Carl, very funny. We get on the motor bike and speed to the hospital. When I say speed, it is way scarier than you can imagine. We are sharing the road with hundreds of motor bikes, trucks, dump trucks, tractor trailers and bicycles. Tung is in front, leading the way, we are following, weaving through traffic like we are on fire, I am crying, sounding like a siren on an ambulance, holding on for dear life to the back of the bike. After spending time in the hospital, I made them promise me that if I am in an accident, please, throw me on the next plane heading for the USA. The hospitals in this area are so different from ours. Ours are clean, organized, sterile, beds with privacy etc. Here, you get seen sooner if you tip the nurse, the beds are dirty, holes and stains on the sheets, people are laying in the open room with about 30 beds without screens. Quite a few people were there with injuries from crashing on the motorbikes. One man had a broken leg, he still had his pants on, blood everywhere, they had wrapped 2 white sticks that were full of dirt and looked like they have been used many times before to brace his leg. Another man was vomiting in a bed down from an elderly woman that had her top lifted up and suction devices from the 60's to measure her heart rate. I felt like I was on a scene of MASH. After 20 minutes of waiting, they called my name and took us to another wing in the hospital. Every room we walked by had 5 or more people laying in dirty beds, room after room, it was actually frightening for me. We walked up a few flights to a hallway with rooms full of people. There were chairs against the wall for us to wait. After 15 minutes and only a nurse walking back and forth, a young woman from a room started running down the hallway screaming, "Bac si! Bac si! Doctor, Doctor!" She was very distressed. Tung said he heard her say that blood was coming from the eyes of the patient in the room. The nurse came out and walked slowly to the room. Then she walked back, standing in the hallway as if this happens all the time. There was a lot of crying and panic and yet no one was there to help, just a nurse that was too interested in her fingernails than the patient. A doctor came down the hallway in flip flops, an old hospital jacket that use to be white and was obviously too big for him. He dragged his feet getting to the room, in his hand was a wooden tongue depressor and one of those lighted-ear-magnifier-thingys.....like my use of technical terms??.....he was in the room for less than two minutes, came out and started walking down the hallway to leave. Thank God we had Tung with us to speak Vietnamese. He ran down the hallway, said a few words then waved us down to a room. I sat down in a chair. The room was from the 60's, dirty sinks, old pictures on the wall, drawers that don't close all the way. He grabbed the same ear thingy, not clean, and started to put it towards my ear.............I noticed the light was not clean, had a reddish tint to it, oh man, oh man, is that blood?? I cringed as he put it in my ear, yes, I let him put it in my ear. He looked and looked, pulling on my ear and pushing it further, heading to China, actually, I am close to China, heading to USA! He couldn't find anything. I was relieved and a little nervous, what if it moved too deep and couldn't be seen?? The noise had actually subsided. I was just happy that he took that thingy out of my ear and with out wiping it, threw it back into a drawer full of dirty instruments, pens and pencils. I couldn't wait to get out of there. I think what happened is that when Felicks poured the salt water in my ear, it was coming out when I was on the motor bike, I kept wiping my ear. It probably came out then. Either way, it is out and I have not had any problems since. I wear ear plugs to bed now. I have had ants on my mat that I sleep on, one night I woke up with hundreds of them! (I will admit, I cried, I was so tired and hot and sweaty and now I had all the ants.) I don't have any food in my room so not sure why they were there. One of the Sisters said that having ants in your ear is common here. If it happens again, plug your ear for a minute and the ant will want to come out.....as she calmly puts a finger in each ear to show me how..............gooooooood advice
Monday, April 18, 2011
A Passing.........
A young woman of 76 died yesterday, Anna Maria. She is the wife of the landlord and a mother of 10. I went to visit her a few times to sit with her. She was suffering from stomach cancer. Every time I went, her daughters would be there, sitting with her, fanning her. She had a beautiful smile. I would sit with her and hold her hand, I would close my eyes and picture love coming from God, through me, to her. She spoke very softly to me. There was always someone there to translate. They live only a few doors from us. The landlord was actually at our house discussing the rent when some of the family members came running to the house to beg him to come home, his wife was passing.
Later the same evening, we went to their home. There were tables set up outside with water bottles on them. A sound system was set up in the yard. A large banner with Anna Maria's picture and information was hanging. We walked up the steps to the open room. Inside, Anna was laying on a low bed. She was dressed in traditional Vietnamese clothes and a white linen was covering her face. I could see she had lipstick on. Roses of all colors surrounded her. She had on blue slippers with silver rhinestones on them. At the head of the bed was a table covered with white linen. A large cross with Jesus was on there with a bowl of sand holding lots of incense sticks. Hanging from the tall ceiling was a large purple cloth with Jesus standing with open arms and Vietnamese writing. The cloth was large enough to separate the two rooms. Being a mother of 10, she had plenty of grandchildren running around. We entered the room, stood around the bed, shoulder to shoulder with everyone present. Thien, one of the young men staying here, started the prayer. We sang a few songs then sat down on mats and repeated the rosary, all in Vietnamese. The husband would wipe his tired eyes every once in awhile. The process lasted almost an hour. I was touched by how the family must have bathed her, dressed her, did her hair and makeup. Once she became sick and up to her death, her family never left her side. The following day, we were to go back to bless the coffin and two days later, she will have a Mass and head to her hometown of Voom Tau for her burial.
We went to their house the next day. Anna was surrounded by so many friends and family. Felicks started the blessing using a wireless microphone they had provided. There was a man there video taping with a camera large enough for a TV station. Being a foreigner and affiliated with The Servants of Charity, they brought me to the front both days. I was touched. While Felicks finished the blessing, a woman, the local kindergarten teacher, started passing out linens that were tied with a satin bow to the family members. The men and women put on the linen pants and shirts. I'm assuming those were the direct relatives of Anna. The grandchildren tied white bands around their heads. The women put on the white linen bonnets. Once the blessing was finished, two men dressed in white suits with heavy embroidery walked in and at the same time, a band full of horns started playing loudly a sad, sad melody. The family started wailing, crying out and pounding their chests. I found myself walking away to stand on the lawn. I wanted to respect them and give them space to say their final goodbyes. Felicks, the boys and myself stayed for a few minutes sitting at one of the tables drinking water.
On our way home, we walked quietly. Thien stopped at a market shop so I waited for him, watching the rest walk back to the house. He is the main chef here so he was purchasing fresh vegetables. While walking back, we were talking and giggling, he has a great giggle, sounds like a girl. A young girl stopped us and gave us a beautiful large fish that her mother just cleaned.
And that is what makes the world go round. Living here in poverty, you see the important choices in life much more clearly. I see infants growing fast, young children run up to me and jump into my arms, neighbors smile and wave now, business owners want to give freely, etc. And during all this, we have birth and death. Life goes on. We feel joy, happiness, content, free, compassion, empathy mixed in with anxiety, sorrow, and sadness. Our basket was empty this morning, we woke with sadness and then, here we are, eating fresh fish that was given to us, sharing the thoughts about the day and plan for tomorrow.
Sleep in peace and hug the ones you love.
Later the same evening, we went to their home. There were tables set up outside with water bottles on them. A sound system was set up in the yard. A large banner with Anna Maria's picture and information was hanging. We walked up the steps to the open room. Inside, Anna was laying on a low bed. She was dressed in traditional Vietnamese clothes and a white linen was covering her face. I could see she had lipstick on. Roses of all colors surrounded her. She had on blue slippers with silver rhinestones on them. At the head of the bed was a table covered with white linen. A large cross with Jesus was on there with a bowl of sand holding lots of incense sticks. Hanging from the tall ceiling was a large purple cloth with Jesus standing with open arms and Vietnamese writing. The cloth was large enough to separate the two rooms. Being a mother of 10, she had plenty of grandchildren running around. We entered the room, stood around the bed, shoulder to shoulder with everyone present. Thien, one of the young men staying here, started the prayer. We sang a few songs then sat down on mats and repeated the rosary, all in Vietnamese. The husband would wipe his tired eyes every once in awhile. The process lasted almost an hour. I was touched by how the family must have bathed her, dressed her, did her hair and makeup. Once she became sick and up to her death, her family never left her side. The following day, we were to go back to bless the coffin and two days later, she will have a Mass and head to her hometown of Voom Tau for her burial.
We went to their house the next day. Anna was surrounded by so many friends and family. Felicks started the blessing using a wireless microphone they had provided. There was a man there video taping with a camera large enough for a TV station. Being a foreigner and affiliated with The Servants of Charity, they brought me to the front both days. I was touched. While Felicks finished the blessing, a woman, the local kindergarten teacher, started passing out linens that were tied with a satin bow to the family members. The men and women put on the linen pants and shirts. I'm assuming those were the direct relatives of Anna. The grandchildren tied white bands around their heads. The women put on the white linen bonnets. Once the blessing was finished, two men dressed in white suits with heavy embroidery walked in and at the same time, a band full of horns started playing loudly a sad, sad melody. The family started wailing, crying out and pounding their chests. I found myself walking away to stand on the lawn. I wanted to respect them and give them space to say their final goodbyes. Felicks, the boys and myself stayed for a few minutes sitting at one of the tables drinking water.
On our way home, we walked quietly. Thien stopped at a market shop so I waited for him, watching the rest walk back to the house. He is the main chef here so he was purchasing fresh vegetables. While walking back, we were talking and giggling, he has a great giggle, sounds like a girl. A young girl stopped us and gave us a beautiful large fish that her mother just cleaned.
And that is what makes the world go round. Living here in poverty, you see the important choices in life much more clearly. I see infants growing fast, young children run up to me and jump into my arms, neighbors smile and wave now, business owners want to give freely, etc. And during all this, we have birth and death. Life goes on. We feel joy, happiness, content, free, compassion, empathy mixed in with anxiety, sorrow, and sadness. Our basket was empty this morning, we woke with sadness and then, here we are, eating fresh fish that was given to us, sharing the thoughts about the day and plan for tomorrow.
Sleep in peace and hug the ones you love.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Happy Birthday Kyle!
On April 7th, 1990, I gave birth to my first son, Kyle. He was 8lbs, 7oz. To hold a newborn is an amazing experience in itself, and to hold your first is unforgettable. Tears of joy replaced the tears of pain. My life has never been the same. Kyle was very blond, tall and lanky as a child. The loudest one on the playground or basketball court. Always listening to music and singing. Even though he suffered with asthma, ear infections, pneumonia most of the first 5 years of his life, he was always happy, loving, giving. He has overcome many obstacles. Graduating high school with high honors was one of the proudest days of mine and I think of his. Attending UCONN has been challenging and rewarding for him. Kyle is the type of son that can have an honest conversation with an elderly person as well as a child. He is comical by nature. He brought joy into our lives instantly....and still does.
[Kyle Fortin's Birthday] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6L0wUAYf3A
[Students Happy Birthday] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZkc8PKoEqs
[Kyle Fortin's Birthday] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6L0wUAYf3A
[Students Happy Birthday] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZkc8PKoEqs
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Mekong Delta
I was asked by Felix's friend named, Twinkle, if I wanted to travel with a bunch of people from the bank he works at. They were volunteering their time to help an organization called Viet Nam Scholarship Foundation VNSF. They were planning on handing out scholarships to poor children along the Mekong Delta. It was a 3 day journey, going to 3 Provinces, visiting schools and the homes of some of these children. Of course I would love to help! The cost was $2,000,000.00 vnd, that price included everything, transportation, hotel, and food. Don't worry, haha, 2 million vnd is only $100.00 usd.
Chapter picked me up on his motorbike at 5:30am, Friday, March 18th. He drove me to Twinkle who was in a taxi down the road. He didn't know where I lived so Chapter came to get me and brought me to him. I will say, that while waiting for him, I stood on my balcony to listen to the area so early in the morning. There were plenty of people taking a walk before the heat and humidity came, some women jogging, even some dogs roaming the streets, looking for breakfast.
Chapter and I picked up another woman and we drove to the pick up point. There, we filled the two vans waiting for us with brand new backpacks and stacks of new journals. We were each given a hat and shirt with VNSF on them. There was a little confusion as to where we were going because less than 24 hours ago, they received a phone call letting them know that we were not welcome in Ca Mau. That if we went, there would be government officials opposing us openly, maybe even fighting. Our leader did not want to put us in any danger. It is a time of voting for them, so it is a political fight. The VNSF was upset because Ca Mau was the Province that needed us most. They are hoping to return in May when things have calmed down. The plan was to have us split into 2 groups, into 2 vans and visit 2 different towns in ea. Province and meet up in the evenings. Now the plan was to still go into 2 groups in 2 vans, but on the last day, instead of Ca Mau, we will travel together to the same school.
The vans are loaded, we have our seats, so off we go. We will be driving for hours before arriving at our first destination in the Tan Chau District. There, we pulled up to a church, students were congregated outside. You could feel their excitement. The head priest came to greet us. We started to remove backpacks and fill each one with 2 journals. The students were seated outside. One of the leaders called each one by name off of a sheet he brought with him. They sat in the order that they were called. This is such a special day for them. The scholarship is not just for one year. Most have been receiving this for a few years. If they keep their grades up, it is guaranteed for the next year. This is a promise from VNSF to them, that if they apply themselves and study hard, they can receive funds to allow them to go to school and college. The scholarship will allow them to graduate college! These kids are living in such standards that it is hard for them to attend school. Their family may be so poor that the children need to help work on the farm to survive. Or school may be so far away for them that walking is too far. So the VNSF will provide them with a bicycle. It is an amazing organization and I am so honored to be a part of it. There was 30 of us altogether, volunteering our time. Paying $100.- towards our expenses. Almost all of the money donated goes to these students. Out of the 30 of us, only one was a paid full time employee for the company. And she was great! VNSF will travel to the homes of these children to make sure they are in need. We visited a few homes, amazing how they live. I have attached some photos for you. We traveled across the Mekong Delta by ferry, we also rode the Mekong Delta for fun. We were in homes that you cannot imagine surviving in, and still we learn that 9 people are living in the tiny house with out a bathroom or sink, just a faucet to wash in. No beds, just mats, rolled up on top of each other. On the wall, I noticed some artwork, small drawings with pencil and ink. The boy was about 12, using my hands, I asked him if he did the work, he nodded, so I took his photo standing next to his friend with the artwork in between. The look these boys had were kind of sad. I didn't see them smile once, very shy, and when they spoke, it was in a whisper. I don't think they were sad. Maybe this is such an important day for them, they don't want to lose their opportunity to get out of this lifestyle. And maybe the fear of not knowing what the "other" lifestyle is like.
Handing out these scholarships was a highlight of my trip to Vietnam. I met a girl, now 22, named Tuc. When she was born, her father died. Her mother remarried shortly after. Her stepfather started beating her when she was still a baby. As she grew, he would beat her more. The day she met members of the VNSF, she still had a puffy face from the stepfather. She was about 16. Soon after getting her scholarship, she left her home. She found shelter in a rice shop, sleeping on a mat in the back of the room. If there was some rice left over from the day, the owner will give her some, if not, she goes hungry. I got to meet her on the last day. She is graduating next year as a nurse and wants to go on to become a doctor. She is amazing, such hope and strength. I sat with her and with another to translate and I promised to help her. It will only cost me $10 a month to help her. I also told her that if she wants to study in the states, she is welcome to stay at our house. This young woman is just one of the stories you may hear about while here.
During the van ride, I sat next to a woman named Wien, she spoke broken English. She is small, cute and I'm guessing close to 24. We shared a room together too. I brought my small backpack, filled with my essentials for 3 days. Wien dragged in her large red suitcase. She is so cute. She will tell you something but will try to say it nicely. For instance, we were at a school all day. We got to the hotel around 4pm. We are exhausted, so we go to the room to take rest. I shower and wash my hair. No hair dryer available so I put on a headband. We are meeting everyone downstairs in a few minutes to find a local cafe for dinner. We find a place close by, there's 30 of us, and the cafe starts moving tables together for all of us to sit. If we were in the states and wanted a table for 30, we would have a long wait, or would be turned away without a reservation, and yet, within minutes, we were seated, enjoying another hot pot of wonderful veggies and fish. When we were done, we decided to go to a local market for an hour. That's when Wien leaned in and said, "Lassnite you heauh loo betta, mmmmm, nowa it loo flat, no pweety, fit it" which translated means, "Lastnight your hair looked better, now it looks flat, not pretty, fix it." I looked at her in disbelief, how funny! I said, "It looks flat?? If it bothers you, you fix it" and gave her a couple of barrettes, haha. She looked at me like I should be thankful that she told me. I went out to the van and tried to FIT IT, but alas, the headband won and I really didn't mind. My feelings were not hurt and I was not self conscious. Thank God I have worked through any self image issues I may have had when I was younger. I know it is her age too, she had packed dresses, lots of shoes, make up, lotions, etc. I was wearing the same jeans I had worn the last couple days. The next morning, I have on skinny jeans and a yellow polo. She looks me up and down. And ever so politely, she says, "ooohhh, you shurt you wea yeterday lookt nice.........." I look at myself in the mirror............I ask, "Do you like this shirt?" "Dis shurt too sort for yuuu" (OOhhhhh, the shirt you wore yesterday looked nice on you, this shirt is too short for you) No kidding I'm thinking, I bought this shirt here and it's an XL. I did change the shirt and put on the shirt they gave us before loading the van, she started laughing like I was playing a joke...........and I wish you could have seen her face when she realized I was really wearing it, it was classic! I have taught myself to be happy and comfortable in my life. This was a chance for me to feel uncomfortable, to feel like I don't fit in. I've already lived for years like that. And please don't think I was upset with her, I honestly enjoyed it. It showed me how far I've come and I'm thankful for that. We are in different times in our lives, what is important to her is not as important to me. My appearance is very important to me, but not because I feel uncomfortable, there's a difference. I don't change my appearance to feel accepted. I have accepted myself and that is the most important lesson one can have. Love and acceptance of yourself allows you to love and accept all walks of life.
In the end, we made a difference in 113 lives. They are all going to school, some are even receiving bicycles to get there. We met wonderful families that are so thankful for the gift of education. Education to them is their ticket to a better life. Not just a life of surviving day in and day out, but to live and grow and be able to give back.
I am attaching a link to VNSF, I was told it is being updated shortly with information about our trip. If you have time to donate, I highly recommend it: www.vnsf.org
https://picasaweb.google.com/103691188319770375535/MekongDelta?authkey=Gv1sRgCLL87ZnNx5Xf6wE#
Chapter picked me up on his motorbike at 5:30am, Friday, March 18th. He drove me to Twinkle who was in a taxi down the road. He didn't know where I lived so Chapter came to get me and brought me to him. I will say, that while waiting for him, I stood on my balcony to listen to the area so early in the morning. There were plenty of people taking a walk before the heat and humidity came, some women jogging, even some dogs roaming the streets, looking for breakfast.
Chapter and I picked up another woman and we drove to the pick up point. There, we filled the two vans waiting for us with brand new backpacks and stacks of new journals. We were each given a hat and shirt with VNSF on them. There was a little confusion as to where we were going because less than 24 hours ago, they received a phone call letting them know that we were not welcome in Ca Mau. That if we went, there would be government officials opposing us openly, maybe even fighting. Our leader did not want to put us in any danger. It is a time of voting for them, so it is a political fight. The VNSF was upset because Ca Mau was the Province that needed us most. They are hoping to return in May when things have calmed down. The plan was to have us split into 2 groups, into 2 vans and visit 2 different towns in ea. Province and meet up in the evenings. Now the plan was to still go into 2 groups in 2 vans, but on the last day, instead of Ca Mau, we will travel together to the same school.
The vans are loaded, we have our seats, so off we go. We will be driving for hours before arriving at our first destination in the Tan Chau District. There, we pulled up to a church, students were congregated outside. You could feel their excitement. The head priest came to greet us. We started to remove backpacks and fill each one with 2 journals. The students were seated outside. One of the leaders called each one by name off of a sheet he brought with him. They sat in the order that they were called. This is such a special day for them. The scholarship is not just for one year. Most have been receiving this for a few years. If they keep their grades up, it is guaranteed for the next year. This is a promise from VNSF to them, that if they apply themselves and study hard, they can receive funds to allow them to go to school and college. The scholarship will allow them to graduate college! These kids are living in such standards that it is hard for them to attend school. Their family may be so poor that the children need to help work on the farm to survive. Or school may be so far away for them that walking is too far. So the VNSF will provide them with a bicycle. It is an amazing organization and I am so honored to be a part of it. There was 30 of us altogether, volunteering our time. Paying $100.- towards our expenses. Almost all of the money donated goes to these students. Out of the 30 of us, only one was a paid full time employee for the company. And she was great! VNSF will travel to the homes of these children to make sure they are in need. We visited a few homes, amazing how they live. I have attached some photos for you. We traveled across the Mekong Delta by ferry, we also rode the Mekong Delta for fun. We were in homes that you cannot imagine surviving in, and still we learn that 9 people are living in the tiny house with out a bathroom or sink, just a faucet to wash in. No beds, just mats, rolled up on top of each other. On the wall, I noticed some artwork, small drawings with pencil and ink. The boy was about 12, using my hands, I asked him if he did the work, he nodded, so I took his photo standing next to his friend with the artwork in between. The look these boys had were kind of sad. I didn't see them smile once, very shy, and when they spoke, it was in a whisper. I don't think they were sad. Maybe this is such an important day for them, they don't want to lose their opportunity to get out of this lifestyle. And maybe the fear of not knowing what the "other" lifestyle is like.
Handing out these scholarships was a highlight of my trip to Vietnam. I met a girl, now 22, named Tuc. When she was born, her father died. Her mother remarried shortly after. Her stepfather started beating her when she was still a baby. As she grew, he would beat her more. The day she met members of the VNSF, she still had a puffy face from the stepfather. She was about 16. Soon after getting her scholarship, she left her home. She found shelter in a rice shop, sleeping on a mat in the back of the room. If there was some rice left over from the day, the owner will give her some, if not, she goes hungry. I got to meet her on the last day. She is graduating next year as a nurse and wants to go on to become a doctor. She is amazing, such hope and strength. I sat with her and with another to translate and I promised to help her. It will only cost me $10 a month to help her. I also told her that if she wants to study in the states, she is welcome to stay at our house. This young woman is just one of the stories you may hear about while here.
During the van ride, I sat next to a woman named Wien, she spoke broken English. She is small, cute and I'm guessing close to 24. We shared a room together too. I brought my small backpack, filled with my essentials for 3 days. Wien dragged in her large red suitcase. She is so cute. She will tell you something but will try to say it nicely. For instance, we were at a school all day. We got to the hotel around 4pm. We are exhausted, so we go to the room to take rest. I shower and wash my hair. No hair dryer available so I put on a headband. We are meeting everyone downstairs in a few minutes to find a local cafe for dinner. We find a place close by, there's 30 of us, and the cafe starts moving tables together for all of us to sit. If we were in the states and wanted a table for 30, we would have a long wait, or would be turned away without a reservation, and yet, within minutes, we were seated, enjoying another hot pot of wonderful veggies and fish. When we were done, we decided to go to a local market for an hour. That's when Wien leaned in and said, "Lassnite you heauh loo betta, mmmmm, nowa it loo flat, no pweety, fit it" which translated means, "Lastnight your hair looked better, now it looks flat, not pretty, fix it." I looked at her in disbelief, how funny! I said, "It looks flat?? If it bothers you, you fix it" and gave her a couple of barrettes, haha. She looked at me like I should be thankful that she told me. I went out to the van and tried to FIT IT, but alas, the headband won and I really didn't mind. My feelings were not hurt and I was not self conscious. Thank God I have worked through any self image issues I may have had when I was younger. I know it is her age too, she had packed dresses, lots of shoes, make up, lotions, etc. I was wearing the same jeans I had worn the last couple days. The next morning, I have on skinny jeans and a yellow polo. She looks me up and down. And ever so politely, she says, "ooohhh, you shurt you wea yeterday lookt nice.........." I look at myself in the mirror............I ask, "Do you like this shirt?" "Dis shurt too sort for yuuu" (OOhhhhh, the shirt you wore yesterday looked nice on you, this shirt is too short for you) No kidding I'm thinking, I bought this shirt here and it's an XL. I did change the shirt and put on the shirt they gave us before loading the van, she started laughing like I was playing a joke...........and I wish you could have seen her face when she realized I was really wearing it, it was classic! I have taught myself to be happy and comfortable in my life. This was a chance for me to feel uncomfortable, to feel like I don't fit in. I've already lived for years like that. And please don't think I was upset with her, I honestly enjoyed it. It showed me how far I've come and I'm thankful for that. We are in different times in our lives, what is important to her is not as important to me. My appearance is very important to me, but not because I feel uncomfortable, there's a difference. I don't change my appearance to feel accepted. I have accepted myself and that is the most important lesson one can have. Love and acceptance of yourself allows you to love and accept all walks of life.
In the end, we made a difference in 113 lives. They are all going to school, some are even receiving bicycles to get there. We met wonderful families that are so thankful for the gift of education. Education to them is their ticket to a better life. Not just a life of surviving day in and day out, but to live and grow and be able to give back.
I am attaching a link to VNSF, I was told it is being updated shortly with information about our trip. If you have time to donate, I highly recommend it: www.vnsf.org
https://picasaweb.google.com/103691188319770375535/MekongDelta?authkey=Gv1sRgCLL87ZnNx5Xf6wE#
Monday, March 28, 2011
I feel like a giant
I've never thought of myself as big. I feel average. I am 42, 5'6" and 130lbs (no, I am not shy about my age or weight, haha.) However, I have had big feet since 6th grade. And like my ears, I have grown into them, thank God. When I was a child, the kids would call me "Dumbo" because my ears stuck out quite a bit. When it was time to buy new shoes for school, Mom would have to take me to the boys department. No pretty sandals for me, my shoes were from the men's department at Kenney's. I looked like I was wearing flippers for snorkeling. Often I would trip over my own feet!
Now, I had forgotten most of this, until I tried to buy some sandals here in Vietnam. I was on a trip with the VNSF when we went to a market one night. I saw a shoe store and figured I could find a nice pair of inexpensive sandals. 3 of us walked arm in arm down the main rd to the store, speaking broken English/Vietnamese. Walking into the store was like stepping into shoe heaven. So many lovely pairs, all sorts of styles and colors, I wanted to try on every one. I am limited on cash, so I sorted through to find a nice Mary Jane style, my favorite. The sizes run differently. This says 37 and it looks very small. I ask for a larger one. They bring me a 39, still too small. I ask for a larger one...........then I see it........a look.........from the store clerk...........she is looking at me like I am one of the attractions from a circus.............the "Girl With Big Feet"...............honestly, she stood there and stared at my feet! Looking at the feet of the other women, yes, my God, my feet are HUGE. I asked for the biggest size they had in any style and yet, even those were too small. The only pair that fit were the Teva Velcro kind that really made my feet look like a mans. I couldn't bring myself to purchase them. I wasn't in need of a pair, I was looking for a pair as a treat. I have been wearing the same flip flops every day now for over a month, and these were pretty worn out before I got to Vietnam. We left that shop and ventured to another. There was a Men's Shoestore that I walked into and the girls started laughing at me as if I didn't know it was a MAN's shoestore. I said I knew, I was just looking for a size that fit me. Then all the memories of my childhood came back to me, such large manly feet at such a young age...........big feet and not a sign of needing a bra until my second year of high school, oh yeah, I was a tomboy through and through. Within a few minutes the van was ready to go back to our hotel. No shoes for me tonight. The real funny thing is that a woman on the van insisted I go to the Russian Market since I have "very large feet." I imagined a lot of women there walking around with large feet and feeling a bond, haha
I went on another occasion with my friend Anna to find some clothes for myself. I have brought enough clothes with me, but a lot of my tops are sleeveless. And shorts are out of the question in my position. I am a teacher to Sisters and Brothers, and covering up is important. Shorts and tank tops are out of the question. Wearing a dress or skirt is hard because I often ride as a passenger on the motor bikes............if you know what I mean. I do see women riding side saddle wearing a dress but I haven't gotten up enough courage to try that, plus most of the women riding that way are pregnant. I hang on for dear life on these motor bikes, I can't imagine riding sideways, I'll sound like a siren, screaming the whole way. Anyways, Anna was kind enough to take me into the city to some markets. We took the bus to get there.....an interesting experience in itself. When it's time to get off, get off, or else the door will close, the bus hardly even stops when you are getting off, it is honestly still rolling!
We got to the first market, I was promised cheap prices and lots of choices. It is inside a building with different entrances. The "shops" are small open areas with clothes hanging and folded in semi neat piles. It's not like a mall. The shops are also on top of each other. And the clerk will hover over you while pulling out blouses, holding them next to you, trying to convince you that this is what you are looking for. And trust me, some of them are God-awful. After a few places, I found a blouse that I liked. Anna asked, "Bao Nhieu?" (How much?)..............the clerk looked at her, then at me..............."For who??" the clerk asked. Wow, is that legal?? Anna is from the Philippines, long dark hair, beautiful skin, etc. I am a white tall girl presumably a tourist............which means..........I presumably have money. Anna tried to talk her down, but the girl was firm. When we added a few other tops to purchase, she came down a little with the price. Then Anna taught me something..........make sure you look over the tops carefully. This one had definitely been sitting in the sun....on a dirty road...........the other one had coffee stains on it.........etc. We asked for new ones, which they do keep handy, but of course even those has stains. So onward we went. Searching for at least one top. We ended up at a few different markets in the same area. I had to laugh because it was so hot and muggy, I found a top that I liked so I wanted to try it on. It was size large and it still looked small. Anna asked if I could try it on. I was looking for the changing room when all of a sudden the clerk took a sheet and hung it on the wall in a corner. Okaaaay...........this will be interesting. The shop itself is smaller than a closet and now I am changing in the corner, with people trying to look at the clothes behind me.............AND, I am much taller than most here, so the sheet is hung way too low to cover me............I had to squat to have any privacy and even then, my head was still visible. The top I was wearing was stuck to me like wet swim trunks because of the heat. I am bumping into the wall of clothes behind me, I am giggling to myself, I truly feel like a giant in a small persons world. Then I couldn't believe it...one....size LG and XL were too small for me...and two....a woman opened the curtain and started taking off her top right next to me, our bodies so sticky and now, touching each other...........I honestly started laughing out loud! "Well, hello there, do i know you??" I said, knowing she had no idea what I was saying. I struggled to put my blouse back on, wiped the sweat from my forehead and moved on, starting to realize shopping for clothes here is no easy task.
I asked Anna to take me back to the grocery store to be able to purchase a few things to bring back to the house. There I found some Tommy Hilfiger polo style shirts, men and women sizes. The XL in womans size is okay for me. And they were only a few bucks so I bought a couple. Got the same feeling as shopping at the Ocean State Job Lot for clothes.
Now I was happy to wear the new shirt on Monday.........until I heard.........."is that a new shirt Kathy? You are starting to look more and more like a Nun"..............................Anna!!!..............Please help meeeeee............maybe they have something for me at the Russian Market!!
Now, I had forgotten most of this, until I tried to buy some sandals here in Vietnam. I was on a trip with the VNSF when we went to a market one night. I saw a shoe store and figured I could find a nice pair of inexpensive sandals. 3 of us walked arm in arm down the main rd to the store, speaking broken English/Vietnamese. Walking into the store was like stepping into shoe heaven. So many lovely pairs, all sorts of styles and colors, I wanted to try on every one. I am limited on cash, so I sorted through to find a nice Mary Jane style, my favorite. The sizes run differently. This says 37 and it looks very small. I ask for a larger one. They bring me a 39, still too small. I ask for a larger one...........then I see it........a look.........from the store clerk...........she is looking at me like I am one of the attractions from a circus.............the "Girl With Big Feet"...............honestly, she stood there and stared at my feet! Looking at the feet of the other women, yes, my God, my feet are HUGE. I asked for the biggest size they had in any style and yet, even those were too small. The only pair that fit were the Teva Velcro kind that really made my feet look like a mans. I couldn't bring myself to purchase them. I wasn't in need of a pair, I was looking for a pair as a treat. I have been wearing the same flip flops every day now for over a month, and these were pretty worn out before I got to Vietnam. We left that shop and ventured to another. There was a Men's Shoestore that I walked into and the girls started laughing at me as if I didn't know it was a MAN's shoestore. I said I knew, I was just looking for a size that fit me. Then all the memories of my childhood came back to me, such large manly feet at such a young age...........big feet and not a sign of needing a bra until my second year of high school, oh yeah, I was a tomboy through and through. Within a few minutes the van was ready to go back to our hotel. No shoes for me tonight. The real funny thing is that a woman on the van insisted I go to the Russian Market since I have "very large feet." I imagined a lot of women there walking around with large feet and feeling a bond, haha
I went on another occasion with my friend Anna to find some clothes for myself. I have brought enough clothes with me, but a lot of my tops are sleeveless. And shorts are out of the question in my position. I am a teacher to Sisters and Brothers, and covering up is important. Shorts and tank tops are out of the question. Wearing a dress or skirt is hard because I often ride as a passenger on the motor bikes............if you know what I mean. I do see women riding side saddle wearing a dress but I haven't gotten up enough courage to try that, plus most of the women riding that way are pregnant. I hang on for dear life on these motor bikes, I can't imagine riding sideways, I'll sound like a siren, screaming the whole way. Anyways, Anna was kind enough to take me into the city to some markets. We took the bus to get there.....an interesting experience in itself. When it's time to get off, get off, or else the door will close, the bus hardly even stops when you are getting off, it is honestly still rolling!
We got to the first market, I was promised cheap prices and lots of choices. It is inside a building with different entrances. The "shops" are small open areas with clothes hanging and folded in semi neat piles. It's not like a mall. The shops are also on top of each other. And the clerk will hover over you while pulling out blouses, holding them next to you, trying to convince you that this is what you are looking for. And trust me, some of them are God-awful. After a few places, I found a blouse that I liked. Anna asked, "Bao Nhieu?" (How much?)..............the clerk looked at her, then at me..............."For who??" the clerk asked. Wow, is that legal?? Anna is from the Philippines, long dark hair, beautiful skin, etc. I am a white tall girl presumably a tourist............which means..........I presumably have money. Anna tried to talk her down, but the girl was firm. When we added a few other tops to purchase, she came down a little with the price. Then Anna taught me something..........make sure you look over the tops carefully. This one had definitely been sitting in the sun....on a dirty road...........the other one had coffee stains on it.........etc. We asked for new ones, which they do keep handy, but of course even those has stains. So onward we went. Searching for at least one top. We ended up at a few different markets in the same area. I had to laugh because it was so hot and muggy, I found a top that I liked so I wanted to try it on. It was size large and it still looked small. Anna asked if I could try it on. I was looking for the changing room when all of a sudden the clerk took a sheet and hung it on the wall in a corner. Okaaaay...........this will be interesting. The shop itself is smaller than a closet and now I am changing in the corner, with people trying to look at the clothes behind me.............AND, I am much taller than most here, so the sheet is hung way too low to cover me............I had to squat to have any privacy and even then, my head was still visible. The top I was wearing was stuck to me like wet swim trunks because of the heat. I am bumping into the wall of clothes behind me, I am giggling to myself, I truly feel like a giant in a small persons world. Then I couldn't believe it...one....size LG and XL were too small for me...and two....a woman opened the curtain and started taking off her top right next to me, our bodies so sticky and now, touching each other...........I honestly started laughing out loud! "Well, hello there, do i know you??" I said, knowing she had no idea what I was saying. I struggled to put my blouse back on, wiped the sweat from my forehead and moved on, starting to realize shopping for clothes here is no easy task.
I asked Anna to take me back to the grocery store to be able to purchase a few things to bring back to the house. There I found some Tommy Hilfiger polo style shirts, men and women sizes. The XL in womans size is okay for me. And they were only a few bucks so I bought a couple. Got the same feeling as shopping at the Ocean State Job Lot for clothes.
Now I was happy to wear the new shirt on Monday.........until I heard.........."is that a new shirt Kathy? You are starting to look more and more like a Nun"..............................Anna!!!..............Please help meeeeee............maybe they have something for me at the Russian Market!!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Dreaming of the seasons
I hope you are all doing well and you are healthy. I have been in heat and humidity for over a month now. Just sitting brings droplets of sweat. Taking a rinse in the shower 2 or 3 times a day is almost a necessity. Doing your hair is fruitless, headbands are a life saver. Now I understand why we sleep on mats, beds are too warm. I have been thinking about Spring and the other seasons, wondering what type of personalities do they have and this is what came to mind, enjoy. Feel free to comment on what you feel of the seasons, your favorite one and why.
Is Spring showing it's wonderful face?? Out of all the seasons, I think Spring is shy. Winter is strong, brutal at times, but also dainty and dazzling, winter has so many different faces, doesn't it? Think of all the ways it snows, light, heavy, ice, hail, and it changes the landscapes accordingly. My absolute favorite scene of winter is after a heavy snow, in the early morning hours, the sky is clear, the sun is creating shadows as it rises so you can see the pure white heavy snow, laying on the tree limbs and on the tree tops and yet the tree trunks look dark, such contrast. If you have ever wanted to visit a Fairyland, now is the time. As you walk in the deep powder, it glitters for you like a treasure. By the time the sun rises, the snow usually starts to melt and fall off the limbs in chunks, the cars have created a dirty mess along the roads and the canvas is forever changed. I force myself out of bed after a big storm just to catch a glimpse of this, it only lasts a few hours, but makes me feel closer to God.
Spring is shy because it comes slowly, showing signs of warmth, then hiding for a few days. A lot of people like to celebrate their weddings in the Spring. A time for love and laughter, new growth, the celebration of sorts that we survived the long demands of Winter. A crocus could be interpreted as a giggle and an offering of joy from the shy Spring. The Robin appears and the birds start to cheer with each sunrise. With the help of the sun, Spring gently caresses the trees to produce buds. Spring may even surprise you with a hug, otherwise known as a warm breeze on a cool day. Close your eyes and say,"Thank you for that, Spring." Spring is one of the shortest seasons. You often hear people say that we didn't even have one; that Summer came overnight. Well, Summer can be that way. It's kind of pushy. I think of Summer as having a little bit of an EGO. It thinks we love it best. Summer may bulldoze Spring aside. It brings families together for picnics, kids get to play outside more, outdoor sports are in full swing. Fourth of July fireworks and the most important to me, open windows. Summer brings fresh harvest from our weed infested gardens and Farmers Markets if your garden is limited or none existent. Summer brings back memories of school break, going to the beach, singing in the car with the windows down, feeling the wind on your face and your hair blowing in the breeze. I love to think of sitting on a swing in the summer, enjoying ice tea with my sisters and Mum. Having a cook out at my friend Glenns house, enjoying the company of friends and family. To wear shorts and t-shirts, tank tops, flip flops, cute summer dresses with sandals. Allowing the fan in the window to put me to sleep at night. Laying on our hammock in the back yard, enjoying Mark's company at the Natchaug Forest stream in the evening. We love to go there after work and sit in the water discussing our day, maybe even eating take out and enjoying a beer....until the mosquitoes want to carry us away. The days are longer in Summer. I love that it is still light at 8pm on some nights. Summer takes us to Maine every year to enjoy friends, swimming, hiking. Even if we can only go for a long weekend, it is such a treat. One of my closest friends, Doreen, has a cottage that has been in her family for 3 generations in Camden, ME. It is so peaceful. Even if the small cottage is filled to the brim with family and guests, you still feel rested when you return home. Summer brings my Father home to spend time at his cottage in Woodstock, the next town over. I love going there to enjoy his company and the lake. I thoroughly enjoy our Friday morning breakfasts, sitting outside at Stoggy Hollow. My Sister, Lisa, will bring her 2 kids home in the summer and stay at our Father's house for most of the summer. That is such a treat!! To be able to spend time with her, my niece and nephew, and if we are lucky, my brother in law is able to come also. My other Sister, Karen, tries her best to visit also. She is a busy Mom of 5 so travel is timely and costly for them.( The news we have been waiting to hear has finally arrived, Karen and her family will be moving home to the East Coast this June after living all over the world benefits of the USAF!! Our prayers have been answered.) By August, Summer has showed it's stubborn side, taunting us by burning our skin, drying out our yards and gardens, bringing with it heat, humidity and hot leather seats. You will hear plenty of complaining about the heat. Air conditioners are all sold out at most Wal Marts.
Then, it happens, you can't remember where you are, or what day you see it, but you do...............a leaf..........turning red........usually a Swamp Maple attempts it first..............Summer is almost over, and Fall is right around the corner. Fall begins to come to us in an oh so quiet way, usually during the night. It puts its foot in the door by dropping the temperature. Summer fights back with warm days and Fall wins in the evening. The nights get colder and colder so the leaves start to turn color more and more. Summer is tired, it has given all it can. And in the end, it had bowed to Fall.
Fall is quiet but not shy. Fall is full of surprises, cold brisk mornings and evenings and yet, if we are lucky, Fall brings an Indian Summer. I think Fall feels our distaste for Winter in the sense that it seems so long, that it gives us Indian Summer to bring warmth to our hearts. And maybe even one last ride on our motorcycles without our heavy coats. Fall also brings with it a wonderful harvest of pears, apples, pumpkins, squash, scarecrows and mums. Berries of all colors. The bright colors of Fall, yellow, red, burnt orange, the leaves are truly breathtaking. Every Fall, I find a leaf and take the time to admire it. If you come to my house, you may find leaves propped on a windowsill or on the coffee table. Fall doesn't last long, so take the time and sit under a tree on a blanket with your love, with the leaves surrounding you. Bring some wine, cheese and crackers and make a date right in your backyard.
Once the leaves have fallen, the trees are bare, and all the apples have been picked, it is time to close the windows til Spring. Put away the lawn furniture, make sure the wood pile is high, "winterize" your car, your home. Check your supply of rock salt, ice scrapers, boots, hats, mittens. Is your shovel still in good shape, has the oil been changed in the snow blower? Have the blisters healed from the raking of the leaves? Get out the heavy blankets, the warm socks and Mom's favorite, thermal pants and tops. Sit next to the wood stove or fireplace and enjoy some of my beef stew and home made hearty bread. Place the laptop on top of the blanket you are under and do what I do best, start looking for a warm destination for you and your love to travel to. Winter is here again, lets have fun putting on our "winter weight!"
Is Spring showing it's wonderful face?? Out of all the seasons, I think Spring is shy. Winter is strong, brutal at times, but also dainty and dazzling, winter has so many different faces, doesn't it? Think of all the ways it snows, light, heavy, ice, hail, and it changes the landscapes accordingly. My absolute favorite scene of winter is after a heavy snow, in the early morning hours, the sky is clear, the sun is creating shadows as it rises so you can see the pure white heavy snow, laying on the tree limbs and on the tree tops and yet the tree trunks look dark, such contrast. If you have ever wanted to visit a Fairyland, now is the time. As you walk in the deep powder, it glitters for you like a treasure. By the time the sun rises, the snow usually starts to melt and fall off the limbs in chunks, the cars have created a dirty mess along the roads and the canvas is forever changed. I force myself out of bed after a big storm just to catch a glimpse of this, it only lasts a few hours, but makes me feel closer to God.
Spring is shy because it comes slowly, showing signs of warmth, then hiding for a few days. A lot of people like to celebrate their weddings in the Spring. A time for love and laughter, new growth, the celebration of sorts that we survived the long demands of Winter. A crocus could be interpreted as a giggle and an offering of joy from the shy Spring. The Robin appears and the birds start to cheer with each sunrise. With the help of the sun, Spring gently caresses the trees to produce buds. Spring may even surprise you with a hug, otherwise known as a warm breeze on a cool day. Close your eyes and say,"Thank you for that, Spring." Spring is one of the shortest seasons. You often hear people say that we didn't even have one; that Summer came overnight. Well, Summer can be that way. It's kind of pushy. I think of Summer as having a little bit of an EGO. It thinks we love it best. Summer may bulldoze Spring aside. It brings families together for picnics, kids get to play outside more, outdoor sports are in full swing. Fourth of July fireworks and the most important to me, open windows. Summer brings fresh harvest from our weed infested gardens and Farmers Markets if your garden is limited or none existent. Summer brings back memories of school break, going to the beach, singing in the car with the windows down, feeling the wind on your face and your hair blowing in the breeze. I love to think of sitting on a swing in the summer, enjoying ice tea with my sisters and Mum. Having a cook out at my friend Glenns house, enjoying the company of friends and family. To wear shorts and t-shirts, tank tops, flip flops, cute summer dresses with sandals. Allowing the fan in the window to put me to sleep at night. Laying on our hammock in the back yard, enjoying Mark's company at the Natchaug Forest stream in the evening. We love to go there after work and sit in the water discussing our day, maybe even eating take out and enjoying a beer....until the mosquitoes want to carry us away. The days are longer in Summer. I love that it is still light at 8pm on some nights. Summer takes us to Maine every year to enjoy friends, swimming, hiking. Even if we can only go for a long weekend, it is such a treat. One of my closest friends, Doreen, has a cottage that has been in her family for 3 generations in Camden, ME. It is so peaceful. Even if the small cottage is filled to the brim with family and guests, you still feel rested when you return home. Summer brings my Father home to spend time at his cottage in Woodstock, the next town over. I love going there to enjoy his company and the lake. I thoroughly enjoy our Friday morning breakfasts, sitting outside at Stoggy Hollow. My Sister, Lisa, will bring her 2 kids home in the summer and stay at our Father's house for most of the summer. That is such a treat!! To be able to spend time with her, my niece and nephew, and if we are lucky, my brother in law is able to come also. My other Sister, Karen, tries her best to visit also. She is a busy Mom of 5 so travel is timely and costly for them.( The news we have been waiting to hear has finally arrived, Karen and her family will be moving home to the East Coast this June after living all over the world benefits of the USAF!! Our prayers have been answered.) By August, Summer has showed it's stubborn side, taunting us by burning our skin, drying out our yards and gardens, bringing with it heat, humidity and hot leather seats. You will hear plenty of complaining about the heat. Air conditioners are all sold out at most Wal Marts.
Then, it happens, you can't remember where you are, or what day you see it, but you do...............a leaf..........turning red........usually a Swamp Maple attempts it first..............Summer is almost over, and Fall is right around the corner. Fall begins to come to us in an oh so quiet way, usually during the night. It puts its foot in the door by dropping the temperature. Summer fights back with warm days and Fall wins in the evening. The nights get colder and colder so the leaves start to turn color more and more. Summer is tired, it has given all it can. And in the end, it had bowed to Fall.
Fall is quiet but not shy. Fall is full of surprises, cold brisk mornings and evenings and yet, if we are lucky, Fall brings an Indian Summer. I think Fall feels our distaste for Winter in the sense that it seems so long, that it gives us Indian Summer to bring warmth to our hearts. And maybe even one last ride on our motorcycles without our heavy coats. Fall also brings with it a wonderful harvest of pears, apples, pumpkins, squash, scarecrows and mums. Berries of all colors. The bright colors of Fall, yellow, red, burnt orange, the leaves are truly breathtaking. Every Fall, I find a leaf and take the time to admire it. If you come to my house, you may find leaves propped on a windowsill or on the coffee table. Fall doesn't last long, so take the time and sit under a tree on a blanket with your love, with the leaves surrounding you. Bring some wine, cheese and crackers and make a date right in your backyard.
Once the leaves have fallen, the trees are bare, and all the apples have been picked, it is time to close the windows til Spring. Put away the lawn furniture, make sure the wood pile is high, "winterize" your car, your home. Check your supply of rock salt, ice scrapers, boots, hats, mittens. Is your shovel still in good shape, has the oil been changed in the snow blower? Have the blisters healed from the raking of the leaves? Get out the heavy blankets, the warm socks and Mom's favorite, thermal pants and tops. Sit next to the wood stove or fireplace and enjoy some of my beef stew and home made hearty bread. Place the laptop on top of the blanket you are under and do what I do best, start looking for a warm destination for you and your love to travel to. Winter is here again, lets have fun putting on our "winter weight!"
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