Guitar TIME

Last night Caitlin and I went out to the movies and saw the new Harry Potter movie! I think it's called harry potter and the order of the phoneix. Anyways, it just opened up last night in theaters... I think it opened on the 11th in the States but I know in Ireland it's not opened yet. Caitlin and I met up with the Irish gals... the prepaid for our tickets a head of time and we met up with them and paid them back. Before hand we went to Domino pizza!! yes... believe or not there was a dominos pizza place right next to the movie theater! it was AMAZING!!!!!!! Because the place was air conditioned! Somehow I'm always mistaken here... usually it's as being Japanese but yesterday my name was Mr. Yuant, on my order for my pizza. I'm not sure how you get Yuant out of Tuan but Caitlin and I both thought it was halrious. "I kepted my ticket stub" It's a keeper. Well the movie was really good, just being in the movie theater is amazing and buying a white moco for ... 30 rps and sipping down a warm cup of coffee was great, although it's warm enough already. At the end of the movie I was extremely tired, I felt as if I was going in and out of dreams. It's horrible because both of us were just so dead tired by 10:30 and was dying to get back to the hotel and fall asleep. Actually, when we got to the hotel that was exactly what happened... brushed and fell dead asleep. I fell asleep half way into my rosary... yes yes, I've been procastinating my prayers again till night. I really shouldn't get into that habbit. Well, we both must have forgot to set ours alarms or slept through them... either way, it was a little pass 9 until I woke up and I woke caitlin and we agreed to take the morning off and work afternoon shift instead, since we're late already but both felt bad if we didn't make it to the shift today since tomorrow we're going to try to go to Nabo Jibon instead of Daya Dan. It was so nice to have all morning to relax and go by slow. We had breakfast at Tirupati and had some AMAZING banana pancake! It was freak'n stellar! I love bananan pancake! Today I also bought a guitar! I was trying to go as long as I can without one and seriously I was dying inside. I figured... I pay more on gas in half a week than I would on a guitar here... that i'd use for over a month and if i don't like it than I can always donate it to someone. Although I know the MC sisters have thousands of guitar... a few at mother house and 3 at daya dan that nobody uses but everybody donates so if i were to donate ... it think i'll just give it to a begger on the street so they can resell it... but as of now, i'm growing really fond of the guitar. I missed playing so much and as soon as I got back i just sat for an hour + playing away at the guitar and harmonica. It's great! It was a cheap little green guitar... looks like a Gibson ES hollowbody but plays like crap. Which doesn't bug me because it was 1200 rps with a guitar case, strap, picks, and a set of new strings. I didn't even bother barginning with the guy... impressive huh? Well, I arrived at Daya Dan today and Sr Capita noticed I wasn't here this morning. Seriously the sisters are so cute! They notice when I don't come, and count the days if I'm missing. They ask me when I leave when I'll be back. It's really great... so much love. Sr. Capita and Sr. Christalata... they're amazing! They're the main sisters I talk to at Daya Dan. Today was different because i was working an afternoon shift. the children needs to get out of bed and put into their seats for ... dinner. They wake up around 3:30 or so and by 4:30 they all have their dinner. I fed Bashker today and usually he has an amazing appetite but today he wasn't sallowing his solids so it made it a little harder and took a little longer. Caitlin fed little 4 yrs old Piya. I think Caitlin is growing extremely fond of Piya. She's such an adorable little girl, that has the most contagious smile, but then suddenly brust into tears. But yes yes... gotta love her; Lil' Piya. After dinner I helped the Massi mopped the floor and they laughed and were a little suprised because I was helping them. They thanked me afterwards and had the greatest smile on their face. Some of the children were put back to bed but many of them remained out in the main gathering area. We had balloons that one of the volunteers brought as a gift and blew up several of them. They children were so happy and the massi had so much fun themselves. The sisters were laughing and everyone was having a great time. Many of the balloon popped but to my suprise none of the children jumped or cried when a balloon popped but rather they laughed! It was total opposite from what I was use to in the states... at the sound of a popped balloon ... i usually hear a child cry not long after. But the children here were just sooo excited and intrigued by the texture and colors of the balloon. It was fun! I loved it. When the day was done we headed back to Sudder on the Metro and had dinner at JoJo's. I'm not sure if it's hitting the week or so and Caitlin's stomach is finally kicking in but today at dinner her stomach wasn't feeling so well.. and she had some plain rice. On the otherhand, I was the exact opposite, I finished a whole vegetables sizzler plate with steamed rice to myself! I was pretty impressive and i was happy I finally got my appetite back to do so. Well tomorrow we're going to try to make it to mass at Nabo Jibon and so I must head off and get some rest now if I'm going to get up in time to make the 40 minute bus ride to Nabo Jibon. Take care and God bless everyone!

Teaching

I had a late night last night and both caitlin and I were dead this morning and didn't want to roll out of bed after being able to sleep in yesterday morning. It took us till 7:05 till we got up and we caught the metro over to Daya Dan with breakfast to go. They made our sandwich wrong today... chicken chesse grilled sandwich with tamatoes... I'm not a big fan of tamatoes. Anyways, when I got to Daya Dan I was working in the class room. Today I taught Mongol. He's such a great kid, he's 12 and we were reading Black Beauty today. We finished the last two pages and I found some words he had difficulties with and didn't really understand. So I created a box with the new words and went over them acouple of times and their meanings. Than I made sentences for him with blanks spot that those words are suppose to go into and he had to pick and choose which words fit where in the sentences. He did extremely well on that. So I Had him do a mulitple choice question... I created sentences using the words incorrectly and one using it correctly and he had to find which one was correct. He didn't have a hard time with that and did far better than I expected. So I asked him create his own sentences using the words in the word box. Mongol was stumped, it took him a while and he didn't want to do it. He kept saying.... "you do it, let's do more multiple choice" ... this and that. Anyways, I told him that i'll give him extra points if he creates his own sentences. I didn't even know I was keeping points but for some reason the word extra point motivated him. And so when he created his own sentences I drew two stars on his paper by the answer rather than one. Sr. Druscilla and Sr. Karina came today to visit Daya Dan and the children were really happy. I got to show Sr. Karina what Mongol learned today and she was quite happy. We than did multiplication and went through our 6s. After class I went downstairs and help lead music time for the children, it was such a great music class today. I think everyone was showing off because Sr. Druscilla and Sr. Karina was here, but either way the children were enjoying themselves. At noon I had my Austria friend, Mickael and a couple of the french gals walk Caitlin back to Hotel Maria because i had to stay behind for class till 3. An extra 3 hours. Sr. Karina dropped off some I Spy books for Mongol and we spent about an hour playing I spy. he loved it! I enjoyed it myself. We than did some puzzel of geography and played some math games on the computer. It was an amaznig day and extremely fun. Today was a great learning experience for myself.
Well, I hate to cut this blog short but I'm suppose to meet Caitlin back at the hotel room in half an hour and it's about 7 which means... it's been half an hour. We're going out to catch Harry Potter but yesterday we saw a dominos pizza place near by and want to grab dinner their before the movie... it's 110 Rps for 2 pizza there!!!! That's amazing! Anyways... I got to get going! Take care and God bless.

A special someone

God places into each and everyone's life many joys and wonders.
He gives you peace and comfort; the reasurrance that everything will be alright.
He blesses your life with love; Love that never ceases giving and takes delight in loving.
He becomes hidden as a treasure in those he truly loves
And reveals himself to you through them.
God truly provides his love in friendships,
His love through caring,
Forgiving, listening,
And rejoices with joy when He finds you happy in Him,with Him , and through Him.

My Lord, the great Giver of Life; has blest me ever so.
He's filled my life with many moments of joy
The comforting peace He's given me through the comfort of a friend,
reassuring me that everything will rest in the comfort of Our Lord, if we offer it up to Him.
That God will provide.
He's blessed my life numberously with overflowing selfless love;
A love that never cease giving and constantly loves loving everyone she's around.
I've found Christ through one of the greatest treasure; the gift of friendship.
Through the bond of friendship
I've learned to love Him more, be with Him, and live through and for Him
I've learned to how to care for others, and feel cared about.
I've learned to forgive and ask for forgiveness
I've learned to listen rather than to speak for he's given me an example of a great listener.
So, i come in thanks to the Great Giver.
For giving such joy, such love and such graces to me
Blessing me constantly with His Love;
That i find through my friendship,
in a glimps of a smile, in tears, laughters, and through the beautiful eyes
that reveals and capitvates the beauty of the world.
Thank you Lord, for my best friend.

Yuca- Sunshine,
I know you read my blogs every morning and some days you should feel more special than others. In your case you should always feel special. Thank you for your love and support. Happy 7 months! May you rest in the arms of comfort of our Blessed Mother and may she lead you to her Son, so we may become united while we're apart through prayers and service of Love to others. I'm proud of all you do. God bless and thank you for blessing my life. ( i know how much you dislke being put on the spot but I thought I'd let everyone know how amazing you are.) And you only dislike it because of your humility... so be thankful! you're truly blessed and loved. Ohhhh yuca.

Chillin out chillin out

It's a thursday, which means volunteers day off. So do you know what that meant for Caitlin and I.... we didn't have to wake up early this morning (although it's sad because we miss mass at 6) but it was soooooo glorious to sleep in! We slept intill about 9:20 am, and it felt AMAZING compared to getting up at 5am. It just felt so great waking up without an alarm clock. I got up and showered and i think i woke caitlin up by my horrific singing in the shower. Anyways while brushing I looked over at caitlin and said, "you know what I'm in the mood for?" ....What ? " An Egg Cheese Grilled Sandwich with Mango juice!" ..... are you kidding me? That was exactly what I was just thinking about!!!! "Fresh and Juicy?!" .... oh yes! Hahah, anyways we went out to grab breakfast at fresh and juicy and got Mango lassi instead and OOHHHH BUDDY was that yummy! Everyone have got to try Mango Lassi at least once in their life. Just image how delicious the mangos are here already... now put a little yougurt into that and make it into a smoothie.... "i'm in heaven....I'm in heaven"Seriously it was great! Our day is pretty slow going today. I made sure I called home and Sara today. Sadly my phone call was cut short because there was a huge line of anxious spanish gals that was waiting on the phone while I was talking to Sara. Anyways, I'm not really sure what we're going to do today. Probably some laundry, and I usually try to write on thursdays, read, and I think Caitlin wanted to go out and just relax at the movie theater so we're going to go catch Die Hard (again, for me) tonight, although tomorrow Harry Potter comes out and I know since I last saw Die Hard I planned to go see Harry Potter with the Irish when it comes out, so Caitlin and I may catch another movie tomorrow also. It's so great... to go to the movies here though! It's so relaxing, cool and breezy, and it's funny to watch the people cheer during scenes. Plus you can buy amazing coffee from Brista next door and bring it in, or chips and snacks for cents and pennies. Compared to the US cinemas that costs .... what, $9 something now? Well well, sorry there's nothing too exciting going on today for me to blog about! But please email the excitment in your days. I'm sure you guys have some fun summer stories. I just feel so disconnected.... have sympathy on this poor lonely soul. hahahaha. I'm just kidding but I do miss everyone! And wish you were with me!

The Village

One of the best days of my life, would have to be today! I honestly had very few days in my life that came close to the experience I had today. God is soooo good to us.
I woke up and was really struggling to get out of bed today although I had plenty of sleep last night. We made it in time for mass and had breakfast with the volunteers. I noticed that Sr. Druscilla was loaded some things and I had in the back of my mind that it could of been all the food we packed yesterday.... which might mean that she's headed out today to the village to give out the food. I was really hestitant to ask, but something in me really wanted to see the work that the sisters did, so I got up off my ass and walked over to Sr. Druscilla. "Are you going out to the village today?" ... Yes. "Do you need 2 more people to come along and help you with all the food?" .... Who? " Caitlin and I?" Yeah, sure. Come come. I thought to myself,... Oh my goodness, thankyou God! This will be the coolest thing ever, Caitlin is going to freak out when I tell her! I walked over calmly and sort of whispered so none of the other volunteers would hear. Caitlin, we're not going to Daya Dan today. I have something else in stored for us. What??? We're going to the village! As soon as those words left my mouth, I could see how joyful she was. We both were... and couldn't hide it. Sr. Driscilla told us to finish our breakfast and she'll return to pick us up after all the volunteers left to their sites. So we stayed behind and waited anxiously. We mopped the floor of the volunteer's room while we waited. We mopped it Indian style like the sisters and novists here. With a wet towel... back and forth, back and forth. When we finished and still were waiting we found and I spy book and played that for several minutes. When sister came we rushed onto the back of a huge truck filled with Rice, Dal, Biscuts, and Oil. We carried on a couple benches. There were a couple volunteers that were coming along and besides sitting on the piles and piles of rice bags ... we needed somewhere to sit on our ride back. The ride there was so exciting. I felt as if I was hidding away or something in the back of a truck full of rice bags, with about 15 volunteers and to MC sisters. It was about an hour and a half drive from Kolkata, and during the ride I had a huge urge to take a piss... yes, believe it. I didn't go before and i couldn't hold it. During a stop light I hopped off the truck ran along the sidewalk and peed into the bush. I felt like a total local, because I swear they're peeing everywhere I walk. Anyways, I thought it was exciting enough to share...and I was fast enough before traffic started moving. Well we went to a place called Korea! S. Korea for that matter. So I can tell everyone I've been to Korea. Although it was just the name of the town. It was soooo beautiful there. There were GREENS and less polution! It was great! When we arrived one of the village there was already a huge crowd that was waiting for us. We had no time to waste. Sr. Druscilla gave out earlier in the week to families a card to recieve food with a number on it. We formed a line, collected the card and passed out rice, dal, biscuts, tea, and oil. It was such an amazing experience I couldn't believe what I was doing! I was drenched in sweat and it was just dripping off my like rain as i was handing down the dal. It was hard work but sooooo rewarding. The people that were recieving the food was so thankful and it was beautiful the work of God. God seriously provides for all and it's so easy for us to loose the focus that everything will turn out for the best and God has an ultimate plan and will provide for us. The people we were giving the food out knew that and for myself who had more than enough always loose that focus. Always wanting more and always taking more stuff for granted. Life is too great and beautiful to not share the joy of loving with all we come in contact with.
We dropped off half the food at this village and was on our way to a different village it was a little further into the rual area. When the bus was headed away large group of the children that we just gave food to was running after the bus with the greatest smile on their faces, waving and saying bye, bye, bye! They ran with the bus for about a quarter mile! And was soooo happy and joyful the whole time! It was such a precious moment. We drove around and got lost for about an hour and finally found the place. Sr. Druscilla looked over at me and said, "do you guys want to see the village?" .........ummm, duh! Is that even a question! I took haste, and followed her into the village and it was the most humbling experience i've ever had in my life. It was so beautifully green. Rice fields in the water and people in it to waist high working the field. There were bamboo tress and all sorts of God's beauty of the earth in one village. The children were naked everywhere and it was the cutest thing ever! Little 2-3 years old naked walk down the street .... by themselves but... towards their home. It was pretty cute. And everyone was just sooo friendly! It was so opposite from the street of Kolkata. There wasn't a single sound of cars for miles and i heard the brids! The air was fresh and the sky was blue! And the people there had such a beautiful white smile with their dark tan skin. They're truly God's blessing to the world. We went through the area where the families expereince flooding up over to half their house and needed some help to get food going for them again. So we went into the areas of the houses walking through calf-high water. It was SOOOO EXCITING! AHHH! I got to speak the little Hindi I knew.... and they smiled and loved it, and talked back. Anyways, while the sister was talking. One of the ladies invited me into her house. And when I say house I mean... room. It was a one room house with a bed. She had two child with her (her grand kids) and their father lived there also but he was at work (rickshaw driver). The room was no bigger than 10 x 10 ft! But it was so comfortable and peaceful as soon as I walked in. They had a shrine for Christ and felt truely blessed. Saying, God's great. If someone that lives in a tiny house, sharing it with 3 others and barely have enough to eat can say God is great... I NEVER should have an excuse to complain to God. Truly God is beyond anything I can fathom and has blested those of the poor to have the eyes to see the beauty of the world. Nothing more pure and innocent was before me that day as I sat and spoke to this older lady. She spoke perfect english and wanted me to come in. "I don't have any tigers or bears... it's okay please come in." Awwww, how could I refuse a cute offer like that. I was bending down starting to take off my shoes since it was covered in mudd. "NO NO NO, come right on in, do not take off your shoes. It doesn't matter." Aww... seriously I was speechless about how this women just wanted to give me attention and make me feel at home and was so selfless. She saw caitlin waiting outside and called her into the house also. She told us of how great God is and how blest she was. We talked a little about her grand kids, and family. She told me she haven't been able to make it to church in a long time because it costs 50 rps to get into town and she can't afford that. Never once have I ever thought of not having the means to go to mass. Sometime I even feel lazy to go and here was this lady that would of loved to spend one day at church but the cost of it was more than she would ever spend for her self when she had to take care of her motherless grand children. God is beyond wonders and has poured out such graces on this lady to give her the joy that she has in such conditions. But honestly, it is I who am poor. What is more valueable? The things we posses materialistically or the things we posses spiritual and morally? I am living in poverty, a spiritual poverty and this lady gave me more than money could buy. More than my plane ticket was worth and more than I could learn on my own in a life time. She gave me the joy of loving, or praising our Lord for everything we have. For being thankful in every situation of life. And having the eyes of God to see, to hope, to offer, and to love.
When we left the village there was a group of villagers that was follow us to collect the food from the main road. In front of me was the cutest little girl, probably about 6 holding her naked 3 years old brother. It was sooo precious and he would always look at us and smile. I locked eyes with him for quite a bit and then it finally broke with a smile. It truly filled my heart with joy and I felt soooo blessed. A lady was offering us her child to take with us, and it moved my heart with great pity. The work that we do... is nothing compared the the Love they had to offer. Love is far more important than wealth but it was so sad to think that a mother, that loves her child so much would offer her child up for a better life knowing that a life in the US doesn't compare to the lifestyle here in the village of S.Korea, India. That the poorest child in the US is the glimps of the poverty here and if I had the means for adoption, i would of loved to adopt the beautiful children here but only letting the parents know that they have so much more to offer. They have such a pure, beautiful love. A love that so captivatig and uplifting and a life style that i would trade for my lifestyle. To rely on Christ and still have the joy in our hearts. Love and joy is something that is so precious and the lost of love is truly the world's greatest poverty. Everything will change if we have love in our hearts. And love isn't love unless it's put into action... our love will consume the world if we begin loving today. All those we come in contact with. Love will build bridges and is the ONLY answer to peace on earth and an end to war. Love must only be given selflessly with the joy of giving. How can I ever begin to learn how to love as everyone here love. I feel so selfish, so prideful, and filled with nothingness by what i've been filling my life with. I must offer this nothingness to our lord... like a broken vessel that God turns into the most useful instrument. We all need much mending and the mending begins in our hearts and in our homes. Love in the US begins to break down in the homes before it does in our lives. As Mother Teresa say "Love begins in the home" and being here I understand why she would say such a thing. The people here are so family oriented and the love they have for each other is reciprocated and overflows to their neighbors and all people they come in contact with.
When we got back to the main road, Caitlin and I were able to hand out directly to those that came for food and it was such a graceful experience in my life. As crazy and chaotic as the lines were ... i had much joy in my heart because I knew God had provided the people the means to have a meal in their time of need. When their crops were flooded and much repair needed to be done.
On our ride back we sang songs in the back of the bus and it was so great! Everyone was filled with joy because it was the joy of giving. And the gift we recieved was love and it consumed our hearts. We sang and clapped to praise songs, children songs, and of course disney songs! Sitting on the benches was pretty insane as the bus was hopping up and down through pot holes, and than the stop and go that jerked us back and forth... but none of us really cared and had such an amazing time with each other. We stopped at Sr. Druscilla's church and had cookies and coffee with the priest, and on the way back Sr. Druscilla and Sr. Rose bought us all Chicken Egg Rolls and sprite which was AMAZING!!! We didn't get back till past 3pm, and the chicken egg rolls hit the spot.

May we only become an example to each other of selfless love and set our lives to the greatest example of selfless love, the example that is before us on the crucifix; the Love of Christ for the world. God is LOVE, so let us become an imitation of Christ.

Plenty of Biscuts

Today was the first day of work for Caitlin, we were trying to lay low yesterday... sleep early so that we can get back into the time zone of things. Last night it was a little harder for Caitlin to get in the whole mode of Kolkata, after the internet blogging. I think she truly missed Ricky and the fam. The day was also extremely overwhelming. Because we didn't do anything really yesterday... it just seems crazy. Because you're not on a schedule and everything is busy and moving and you just feel lost. I forgot about how it really was in the beginning for me here in Kolkata and I know I had a much easier transition than most people I've talked to, but the smell, the sight, begger, sales perosn and especially the crazy drivers can be extremely overwhelming. And the walk home from Orientation at Mother House last night was during busy hour here on the streets of Kolkata and I think it took Caitlin by surprise. We went back to the hotel room to recollect and I told her... as I'll tell everyone that may plan on going to Kolkata. It's insane here on the streets of Kolkata. Everything is just BUSY! And you can't just relax and walk in a straight line. You're constantly dodging cars, motercyclist, rickshaws, and people. And honestly... it gets exhausting. But if you're going to Kolkata to work with the Missionaries of Charity. Don't wait... till things get better to start working because the work you do will make your trip better. It gives you an instant schedule and makes things less chaotic. You wake up at 5... mass is at 6, you have breakfast, and go to your first session sight till noon, by noon you're exhausted but in a good way, so you can just head back to Sudder and grab a bite to eat and relax! Take time to journal, to email, nap, read, anything to recollect yourself, and than importantly try to make it back to the Mother House at 6 to offer everything back in purpose of your trip in Adoration. Dinner, and than blog or SLEEP!!!! That's pretty much your day if you don't do afternoon shift. And it's less crazy than just hanging out in Kolkata and "taking a day off".
So today was Caitlin's first full day and she truly jumped in the door with both feet on the ground and hit it squared on the bullet. I was blown away and really proud of her. We made it mass, breakfast, and than did the bus and rickshaw to Daya Dan. I had her come upstairs and help at Daya Dan with me so I can show her around. We started preparing the children for bathing and cleaning the cribs. I'm not sure how Caitlin felt about it all but it seemed as if she went straight into the work without any real hesitation. Little Piya was smiling contagiously today and diffinately loved Caitlin. We went into the physical therapy room and worked with some of the kids, it was actually really exciting for me to have her there with me because I know she's been reading my blog in the States before she left and read about Bashker and Angeli and a couple of the other cute kids I've worked with and than finally meeting them herself here in Kolkata was a great experience for her. I showed her how to do leg exercises for Angeli as I was doing the same on Lazy little Bashker. I swear, this kid is going to be the world's best actor. It cries as soon as you put on his leg brace for physical therapy because he's such a lazy ass and absolutely hates physical therapy. But i love him to death and buy in to his act everytime he cries because all I wan to do is snuggle with him and have him lay in my arms, but the sisters are always like... he's lazy and he'll cry... don't buy in! And although I usually don't I bought in after 10 minutes toady. Angeli on the other hand was amazing with Caitlin, she always is... she makes no fit, but rarely smiles... I think I caught a glimpse of one today. It was more of a smirk but it made me happy. Anyways, I love holding little 3 years old Bashker and so I let Caitlin share the joy of loving and let her hold Bashker as I worked with Angeli, Adreanna, Gabriel, and Ankush. At 10 am, there's music class for the students downstair so I told Caitlin to come join and check it out. It's always so lively and fun because the kids sing whatever they want and they lead it, but at the same time it's sooo stressful to keep them seated and not climbing on the windows or tables... or smacking each other around. It was great either way, Caitlin was introduced to the class as New Auntie Caitlin, and we made her lead a song for the class. It was great... shy Caitlin singing! She lead us in the itsy bitsy spider. When we went back upstairs it was later than usual and missed tea time/break.. but i told her to take one anyways, it's important. I took my break in a meeting with the teachers that taught in the classroom at Daya Dan because they wanted me to start teaching at Daya Dan this Friday with some students. So I had a quick run through at where the students were at in reading, mathematics, colors, months, dates, weekdays, numbers, and all that jazz. It was really exciting and I think I'm going to love teaching! It's a privilege to me for being asked to do so because there's only 5 teachers (tutors). They usually want long term teachers so that the teaching style doesn't always change and there won't be a new teacher every week or so. So I guess that's why they asked me since I'm here a little longer than some of the volunteers. Although there are some volunteers that has been here from 6 months- a year+. Which is impressive!
Well, we left Daya Dan a little before 12 and caught the Metro back to sudder. Caitlin experienced the stare in the metro... probably the first real time. But every foreigners do, especially in the metro... what other entertainment is there while waiting for your destination. haha, just kidding. Anyways it was good because I warned her before we stepped into the metro to expect it. I ended up talking to one of the guys... he was asking about my bracesses. It's truly unheard of here in Kolkata. They think it's a new invention and something high tech for teeth. I freak'n hate bracesses but... whatever. If it makes me cool here... anything helps! They already always think I'm Japanese. I get a kick out of it.... ummm, sometimes; than i just get sick of hearing "hey Japan!" ... "I"M NOT JAPANESES!"... You've seen one you've seen them all, huh? just kidding. Anyways back to the day, we went to Blue Sky today and I finished more than half my meal. I was worried about Caitlin yesterday because she didn't have much of an appetite either but she's fine today. I just notice on small things like that; whether someone finishes their meal, how much water they're drinking (which she isn't... cough cough), and if someone makes them uncomfortable ....it's the brotherly instinct in me. What do you expect when you have someone like me that comes from a family of 4 sisters and a younger brother. I for surely enjoy walking the streets and realize that I don't feel comfortable when this guy comes walking straight towards us and I could tell Caitlin feels the same... so we got this system thing down whether she knows it or not... she kind of trails behind me and walk in a line and than I get big and give a little nudge to guy shoulder if he comes too close... it happened about twice today.
When we got done with lunch we just went back to the room and relaxed, got tried to nap for 30 minutes but didn't really and Caitlin wrote in her journal for about an hour or so. Pretty good time spent debriefing. Anyways, 4 was catechism study with Sr Korina so we left to the Mother house half till. When we got there we had something else in stored for us! Sister said we're going to make our study active today! The charity we'll learn about is the work we do! Because of the monsoon many family have been left without food to eat. about 300 family ~ 1000 people. And in the room there were BAGS and BAGS of rice, some type of beans, and biscuts. It was our task to get everything split into bags of 300 for the families. There was about .... 8 volunteers, the ones that usually came to catechism study... and some that didn't today so it left us short on laborers. Which was funnily ironic because the gospel reading today was saying there's much harvest that needed to be done but very few laborers...so ask the master of harvest to send out laborers for the harvest. And surely enough we were short on labor and plenty of laboring that needed to be done! Caitlin and I were in charge of the biscuts and it took us about 3 hours to finish splitting everything up. It was really cool knowing the fruits of our work will be of such great help to those that are without food. And I think Caitlin and I were both pretty excited that we were helping out with the MC sisters and they were there ... here and there, but we the novists came down and helped us and so we got to work alongside the novists. And in the middle of our work and certain times all the novist would just stop what they're doing and start praying! it was AWESOME! We finally finished everything a little before 7 or so , so we were able to catch a couple minutes of adoration. By the end of that... we were just pooped out and tired, but had to walk the busy street back to Sudder and for surely it was another insane day. I swear, i really have to go to reconcilation every time i walk the street of Kolkata. Just the inital thoughts that run through my head or the words that come out of my mouth towards the stupid cars! ahhhhh! Anyways... it's something i'm working on. I really should try praying while walking, i did it once and it worked wonders. Well we got back and didn't want to go anywhere far for dinner so just went right next door to our hotel ... JoJo's. We had a freak'n AMAZING sizzler combo plate with rice! It was the best thing i've had since i've been here in Kolkata! I was blown away. Anyways, if you go to Kolkata and you're on Sudder... go to Jojo's get a sizzler combo plate and you'll be so delighted. I finished my meal, which i was pretty excited about and than we got some ICE CREAM! First time that I had ice cream since I've been here and it was one of the greatest things I've experienced here (i'm exagerating a little) but it really was amazing! It hit the spot! Well.... anyways, that pretty much does it for me. That was the day and now i've just spent 2 hours at the internet cafe while caitlin was making a call and so we're headed back to end the day early to be able to get up tomorrow to do a days worth or work... or a months work or work in my case because when I'm in states I do squat dittledi, that's something I'll work on... when I get back. ... maybe. Don't hold me to it. hahaha. just kidding. Take care God bless! Pray for us!!!! we need it! Pray for transition for caitlin and pray for... our health in general.

~Tuan!

Caitlin is HERE

So it's been pretty amazing here in Kolkata, India... but just got better; Caitlin's here! Last night I switched over to Hotel Maria and was trying to get some sleep before I had to head out to the airport to pick up Caitlin. But I couldn't fall asleep ... so many things were running through my head, and I'm not sure why. I think it also was because i was in a new room, and it's kind of quiet (to what I'm use to). Anyways... while laying in bed waiting till 11:20 pm to come around for me to head out to the airport I heard loud drums banging. I was thinking to myself, "dang, I moved out of Paragon a day too soon." I rushed out of bed to see what the excitment was but to my suprise it wasn't coming from hotel paragon. The drumming was on the Streets of Kolkata. It was some festival for a God and there were about 4 drummers with drums the size of garbage cans and a drummer with a small drum a size of a pan... It was amazing! So awesome to listen to! I ran out in my pjs, shirtless to catch the excitment... ran back in, grabbed a shirt and my video camera... and continued on. So when i get back into town, I'll be sure to show you all it. But the drummer would light the tip of his drumsticks and play for a while until the fire was distinguish and did it again and again. It was pretty cool.

Anyways... I got a taxi driver to take me to the airport and back for 200rps there and 200 rps back; a total of 400 rps.... best price yet. He waited at the airport for an hour and half with me. We got there a little before midnight and Caitlin's flight came in a little after 1:15 am. So... to wait inside the airport, there's a 60 rps charge. I wasn't going to go in but I remembered that I told Caitlin, if she doesn't see me in the airport... do not leave the airport checkout point otherwise there'd be a thousand taxi drivers trying to take her stuff and get her into their taxi. So I paid the 60 rps, which really isn't anything... but it's as much as a meal here. I paid it after hanging out talking to the Airport manager for about half an hour. He told me... next time you come in, you won't have to pay the 60 rps because now you're on camera... next time you're my friend. I honestly, really doubt he'll remember me in a week when I come pick up Briana, but 60 rps... whatever. There was air conditioning inside so it was nice. I sat and read The World's First Love... and I'm telling you, the more and more I read that; I'm just in awe of that book! It's a book you must read... Fulton Sheen; the World's First Love!
Well, 1:15am struck and the doors opened... it wasn't like a mad rush through the doors, i'm sure many people were picking bagage claim and this and that so it was a slow anticipation to see Caitlin walk through those doors. But at the sight of the blue shirt, khaki pants (like how Dawn Stone described), her blonde hair and blue eyes... i was just stoaked to max to finally share this all with someone from home. For everyone that doesn't know Caitlin... she's a buddy of mine from Otown, I've known her since I was a freshman... and I think possibly that i first met her at a Perpetual Motion dance back in the good old days of middle school. So it was so great to have a friend in Kolkata and finally see her in the airport. We both had the biggest smile and I couldn't wait to begin to talk and fill her in on everything here! What to do, what not to do, what to expect, how to make look around and take things in but not really make eye contact... all that jazz. On the ride home I pointed out the numberous people that were sleeping along the sidewalk, the cows, goats, and random animals on the street and all the fun stuff that I wanted her to see of Kolkata before day time. We got to our Hotel and had to wake up the security guard/hotel check-in man. The majority of the people here in Kolkata (on the lower end of the scale) sleep at/with there occupation;' so let's say, you were a taxi driver. You'd more than likely be sleeping in or on your taxi. The internet cafe person sleeps on the floor of his internet cafe. Just as the hotel manger sleeps on the floor of his hotel right by the door to check in new people ... like caitlin. Well we got in and unpacked and talked for a bit, lights finally went out at 3am and we got up this morning at ... 8:30am. Today, we took the day off (which i feel bad because that's been the story of the week.... Tuan's not here!) but since it was Caitlin's first day in... i didn't want to rush into anything busy and I wanted to just talk and show her the town. I showed her to the cheapest place intown that give mes a 3 rps per min rate for any phonecalls while he charges 4 at his store and others charges 5-8 rps. Nor Alam is his name... find him if you're in Kolkata and tell him, Tuan sent you and he'll knock down your price, haha. Anyways, Caitlin was able to make calls home to the Fam and her boyfriend Ricky. Which I'm sure they appreciated it as much as she did. We went over to Fresh and Juicy for breakfast (it was also my frist meal when I was in Kolkata the first time so i figured maybe I'll take her there). But hey guess what everyone, I was able to finish a whole egg, cheese grilled sandwich... with Mango juice! I couldn't believe I didn't loose my appeitate or anything. For those that haven't read my previous blog, my stomach haven't been happy with me and it's suprising if i'm hungry any time of the day this week... usually I'm forcing myself to eat just because I know I have to, but this morning was getting better. Although I haven't had anything since...but I'm getting hungry!! The meds are working! After breakfast I decided let's throw her into the heat of things... so, we went to New Market. Where all the beggers and salesman are trying to get tourist's attention. I told caitlin, if you're not interested don't turn your head sideways to look at them, it's a big give away for them that they got your attention and the sales man would follow you down the block trying to sell things if you give them the attention. And I could see as soon as we entered New Market she was trying hard to keep her eyes up but looking straight and afar. It was halrious. It was great, it made me laugh but than we decided to be on a mission while we were there to find a hankercheif and some light clothings for Caitlin. I first told caitlin the rule of thumbs for bargining... you kind of have to know an approximate range of what things are worth here in Kolkata... including how much 1 rps can go for here. Most tricky sales person would try to either double the price, or more likely if you're white-skinned tripple the price. There was a hankerchief that I bargined down to 12 rps when orginally said 20rps. But when it came to clothes it became a little more tricky. This sales man was trying to sell Caitlin a light shirt for 350 rps, which was unheard of for me, Knowing the the last one I bought was under 80 rps. So I kind of had some fun with him, bargining back and forth for 80 rps for the shirt. .... The priced dropped from 350 to 225 within 5 seconds. Than when he realized that I knew that all the other stores sell it for 80 or less he begin to lower it... 210... 150.... ok ok, final last offer 125. We did the walk away, and was called back, Ok 80, no problem. hahaha SWEET! VICOTRY!!!! Anyways, like i told Caitlin seconds before running into the man, that most would try to double or tripple the price of what they would sell it for a local Indian there. it's all about the bartaring. On the way back to the Hotel I swung by Eastern Dianostics and checked my test results and I'm positive for malaria, in 3 or my 6 test. Negative in 2 and am waiting for one more test that I will find out at 6 pm. this afternoon. So this sucks.... but what also sucks is that I'm just messing with you guys and I'm actually absolutely fine. I did get 5 of the 6 results back and they're all negative. Thought I'd play with your head for a half a second to get my kicks here in Kolkata. When we got back to the hotel it was getting pretty late, we sat around and talked for a while than i showed her the local internet cafe and we came back ... talked a little more and headed to Mother house for 3 Oclock Orientation. I helped the Sisters with some paper work while Caitlin was doing orientation and talked them in trying to let her come to Daya Dan with me to volunteer. It's been so packed there with volunteers, that nobody have been able to really get into Daya Dan without someone else leaving. Surely enough, I got them to save her a spot .. and when she came up to registar they filled her in that saved spot, and although she won't be working upstairs with me, she'll be with the kids downstairs at Daya Dan. I think things are going to get busy for me upstairs anyways. I was asked to help be a teacher for one of the child in the school starting friday. So I won't be with all the paitents I've been spending so much time with but now will be focusing on 1, in perticular. Well that pretty much does it for the day. I think we're headed to Jojo's for Dinner and then swing by and pick up my last test results and call it a night early. We're both exhausted, and want to sleep early to get back in the swing of time... to wake up early for mass, breakfast, and morning shift. Anyways.... thanks for all the prayers everyone! my stomach is beginning to feel a lot better! OH, by the way a special thanks to the Connel family and Stone Family for buying me beef Jerky! You're freak'n amazing! I was in heaven today chowing down some beef jerky for snacks! Yes, believe it or not... i was snacking today. I'm tellng you I'll be back and good in 2 days having 3 meals a day and it'll be more than a tiny sandwich. But the beef jerky sure was good! Beef Jerky has got to be a taste of heaven....umm, unless if you're Hindu... yeah..... anyways, I hope all's going well and thanks for thoughts and prayers! Double up the prayers now that Cailin and I are here, we'll both need them! Thanks thanks for everyone's support and donation. I'm sure caitlin could still use some donation for her trip she's still putting in a lot of pocket money so if you'd like to donate to either Caitlin, Briana, or Corina I'm sure they would really appreciate it. Swing me an email and i'll let you know how to get in contact for donations. Alrighty God bless you all!

I love mass at DAYA DAN

I was able to get up and not feel like Junk in the morning, this morning, in time for 6 o clock mass! Mass was beautiful like always but I felt as if I've been away from the Mother House for so long! It was so nice to be back in the Mother house! It's something you miss because it's so OPEN and so CLEAN, compared to the crowded and dirty streets of Kolkata. I love it there! I didn't recieve this morning because (i kinda left this out last sunday) but i missed mass last sunday because my alarm didn't go off; and than when I was planning on going to mass in the afternoon at 6pm at St Mary I took a nap and tried to set the alarm and missed it also... needless to say; I didn't recieve this morning because of it. I've been searching everywhere in Kolkata all week to find a catholic priest to do reconciliation, but every reconciliation had to be done by appointment and my pride got a hold of me... too ashamed to ask. Yes yes, now I remember why I'm here in Kolkata... to work on humility, and pride is the last thing we should be thinking about when we enter into confession ASKING for forgiveness. Anyways, after mass today... I swallowed my pride and rushed out to catch the priest before he left (to where ever he goes). I was able to do reconciliation and it was so great! Afterwards I went back into the chapel for some reflection/prayer and than down to Mother's tomb to say hi and ask for some prayer intentions. I went to Breakfast with the volunteers and everyone seems to be new! not going to the Mother house for a couple of days changed everything for me! I barely reconginzed anyone (exagerating a little). Oh, I almost forgot to mention Mother's quote of the day that was on the chalk board was (this if for you Michael G.)... "Faith in action is Love. Love in action is Service." ~Mother Teresa.
Well at mass this morning my stomach was really killing me, I could hardly bare it but I thank God, that he gave me the strength to get out of bed and walk to the Mother house for mass. During mass I took on great suffering, I could barely kneel striaght because my stomach wanted to crunch up, but i offered it up to be united to Christ's passion. I thought to myself during breakfast; I'm going to go back to my hotel room, my stomach isn't going to let me work today. Anyways... God had different plans for me. A bunch of new volunteers were headed to Daya Dan and nobody there was nobody at the Mother House that knew there way to get to Daya Dan that was going there today, so of coursed I told them I'm headed there, and hop on the bus towards Manicula. When I got there, all the children were dressed in matching clothes for Mass. It was so beautiful! I put myself straight to work, since the children were already bathed and clothed I went to the physical therapy room and worked with Bashker and Angeli. Little Pia was crying non stop ... but what's new. She cries a lot if nobody is holding her, so of course I caved in after several minutes. Sister Capita and Christilata was happy to see me there two days in a row. Sr. Christilata asked if I could do the readings for today's mass. Of Course (now that I just got out of reconciliation)!
The mass at Daya Dan, i have to say is one of my favorites. I've been to two mass there and they're so beautiful. The children are so beautiful at mass. The altar server is a child that has some difficulties talking and moving, but still he knows the mass part very well and know what he must do as an altar server. Mongol (the child that's in a wheelchair, and is extremely frail/skinny) leads singing. And there are some child with a drum that REALLY suprised me! He can't talk yet (although he's probably 11 yrs), and have some deformation problem but can still walk . Anyways, he played the bongo/kongos and kept PERFECT beat! It was amazing! There was a child that played the tamborine. Anyways, the children were so envolved at mass! Although their lives had many challenges, God really shined through them during Mass. Many of the children were clapping during the entrance song, memorial acclimation, alleluia, many sang in Bangali the "lamb of God". It was just so beautiful! The children really knew each part of the mass! I was in awe! The priest actually side tracked his homily on this... the reading had to do with "peace be with you". And he said that although many may think that this may be distracting at mass the children are truly at peace with the Lord and the gift they have from the Lord to be in full participation during mass and I couldn't agree any more with him. I really saw Christ truly present in the Eucharist and in each member of his church there today. It is something I really wish everyone could experience, with the eyes to see Christ through them.
After mass I went back upstairs and help fed the Sonju. He was the first to finish in the room which made me extremely happy.
When the day was done I headed back to Sudder but my stomach was still really killing me. And I know Sara been telling me.... "please go to the doctor/hospital" so her words rung out as I was walking home. I went over to the clinic... Eastern Dianostic. Highly recommended by many of the volunteers. When I came in, they took me straight upstairs to see the doctor although there were many in the paitents waiting area but probably because i was a foriegner they let me cut for some reason. Anyways... the doctor appointment was 200 rps. Not bad at all. He wrote out some a perscription for me to get at the pharmacy but he said I needed to get a blood test. Stupid me, i shouldn't have told him i kind of had a fever, I meant to say... the other day, but now it's GONE!.. but those words didn't come from my mouth exactly. Anyways, the fact that he thought I still had a fever here and there... he needed me to get my blood test. And guest how much a blood test was... 1920 rps! I was SHOCKED! But he said I must, and i couldn't get out of it. I told him... maybe i'll take the meds and 4 days after if it doesn't go away I'll come back for the blood test, but nope... 1920 rps it was and a blood test was what i went through. He's afraid I may have a viral infectionl; although I highly doubt I have it because I've been doing some really busy labor work and plus, I feel prefectly fine besides the stomach/diaherea (sorry to say). Anyways I find out the results tomorrow afternoon. This afternoon I ran around trying to get my meds at the pharmacy but a lot of the pharmacy were closed and the first one that I went to that was open didn't have both, so I only bought one there and than found one later that had the other med I'm looking for a total of 70 rps for meds. I had a small lunch at Jojo... grilled cheese. I really have a lost of appetiate due to this stomach problem, but i had to try to get some food in my stomach. I got back to Hotel Paragon finally. And asked about rooming situations for when Caitlin gets in. Anyways, they uped the price on me at Hotel Paragon... and it would of cost us both 135 rps and when Briana gets here it'd be 130 rps each and no bathroom in the room. I checked at hotel Maria and they're giving it for us 110 each; caitlin, briana and I (when briana arrives) and it was so much bigger and we had our own bathroom. So I switched out of Hotel Paragon and am now in Hotel Maria. Now instead of being dominately Koreans guys at Hotel Paragon, it's dominately Spainish girls at Hotel Maria. Well, I had my day cut, by then it was 5. And so i went onto the roof and started doing laundry. I was down to my last pair of short and shirt (that have been worn 4 times already without wash). I've been lazy but today I did them ALL! And so they're hanging still on the roof for drying.
I'm getting excited because I know in a couple of hours, Caitlin is flying in. So i'm going to pick her up at the airport! By the time we get back to Hotel Maria it'll probably be 2:30 am, so I really doubt I'll be at work tomorrow, but we'll see. Anyways, that's the day for today! I hope all's going well back in state! Pray for my health. My stomach is being dumb. I hope it clears up in 4 days or so with these pills i'm taking.