Putharankottai---We call it Poot

Brooklyn walked into the bathroom early this morning and was greeted by this. It's a family member of the Krait family, a cousin or something to the big nasty one we found a little while back. He wasn't huge compared to the other one, but they are still very poisonous. We called security but one of the cats decided to start playing with it and before security got there, it has slithered into the ridiculously small crack along the drain. The security guard thought we were crazy when he showed up and there was nothing--but needless to say we have re-sealed all the drains in the bathroom.

After that pleasant wake up call, we went to Putharankottai. I was on toenail duty again, and today it was really cool but also made me a little sick. Of all the things that don’t bother me, I am finding out the build up underneath toe nails that are on toes that are on feet of people who don’t wear shoes very often and don't live in the best of sanitary conditions can make my stomach churn. I can see open ulcers that extend down into to the muscles and bone, and you can sometimes smell those too, but it doesn’t bother me as much as toenail jam. But like the ulcers, I found myself getting a little upset that these people are “destined” to live this way. One of the ladies I worked with had a tick burrowed into her foot. Like the flies that feast on the open wounds, the tick ignited the same emotional response in me-it made me angry, and if not angry at the very least I was really really annoyed with it. This lady is a person and people shouldn’t have to live in conditions that are so unclean that a tick can burrow into you and stay there. Of course Navumani took care of it when she did the debridement, and I know that this is exactly why we are here helping these people-so we can eradicate this disease and the stigma that permeates it-so people can be lifted out of these impoverished conditions-but it is still hard to see though.

Besides the burrowing bug that made my blood pressure rise some, this colony was so endearing. These two are my favorites:

The patients were mostly older women, we did the clinic outside in this clearing under the trees, and we had Dance Master doing dance therapy with the residents who would participate. Not a lot of them did, they mostly just smiled and watched as Dance Master and Stella Marie (who is Jennifer’s grandmother) danced their little hearts out. Stella Marie was a riot. She was shouting and laughing and moving like a crazy person. If someone asked her what her name was, she would sing/scream…..I…AM…..STELLA MARIE!!!!!! The world would be a happier place if there were more people like Stella Marie. You can’t help but smile when you are around her.

HER NAME IS STELLA MARIE!!!!!!!!

Vandalur

Today started out so awesome. We went as a group to Valdular Colony, which has become my most frequently visited colony. I swear that more then half the times I have been able to go out to medical it has been to Vadualr. Of course that’s not a bad thing, just funny to me. It’s a cute little colony, complimented by tons and tons of creepy looking goats that we may or may not sometimes “talk” with and they sometimes “talk” right back. 

And there is this man---

I can’t think of his name to save the life of me right now, but he sings songs for us every time we come.  He also sings songs using his tambourine. We love him.  Actually, when we were done working today he invited us into his house for an encore performance in which he used his tambourine. The picture in that video isn’t as good as the one without the tambourine but you get the idea.  

***apparently my videos do not want to work so you'll just have to imagine it for the time being***

I was working the nail clipping station today, which is one I haven’t done before. I had no idea something so simple could be so hard. Because of the damage leprosy inflicts on the fingers and toes, it can be challenging to access the toenail let alone actually trim it. Of course they are very dirty underneath as well. I would have such a hard time relying on someone else to do even the simplest of act for me. The humility and thankfulness our patient’s have never ceases to amaze me.

One of the perks of being here long term is that you start to match up which children at the school come from which colonies. The kids love to see pictures of home, and it is so fun to have to chance to get to meet their families as well. This little on is the younger sister to one of our UKG (kindergarten) students-Kavia. Besides the “slight” family resemblance but even if there wasn’t their personalities match pretty spot on.

Kavia

Kavia's litte sister

I honestly don’t know if this lady has children at Rising Star, but I know I have seen her pregnant lots of times, only this time she was showing off her 3 week old baby girl. I was in love. It is common for infants and children to have makeup drawn on them in the form of eyebrows and/or “beauty marks” such as the circle on her little forehead. I’m pretty sure the parents do the eyebrows instead of hair bows, but the other marks are there to protect their child from evil spirits. Interesting huh?  

Little brother was feeling super left out with all the focus on his baby sister--so he made sure we took a picture of him too.

  

And here are a few more pics just for fun

Except wait-I have a story about this. This happened a couple of weeks ago at this colony, I just haven't written it down. If patient's have prothesis, they usually take them off and then proceed to visit each of the medical stations we have set up. There are about 8 stations all together, so sometimes their prothesis will end up on the other side of the room from them. There is one particular man in this colony that always seems to put a lot of distance between him and his leg. He could be doing it on purpose for all I know, but I decided that I was going to bring it over to him. Nice thought right? Well regardless of my intentions one of the nurses, Navumani, scolded me for picking up this man's prothesis and walking it over to him. I know she was doing it out of love because I didn't have gloves on at the time, and as a result she made me hand sanitize then and there, but it was a little shocking. It is actually pretty hard to get Leprosy, and it was not like I was touching any open wounds or anything, but at the same time it was sweet of Navumani to be so concerned and so conscious of what is going on. She's got my back I guess. I guess its just good to know that while I am on the other side of the world, away from my family and friends, that I still have people watching out for me. Everyone needs people to watch out for them, no matter where they are or how old they are.    

Sadly, our high from spending the morning at Vandalur ended when we got back to the campus. Our internet was out but one of the girls here has an international plan so she was still getting updates. She got one asking about Yemily's dad because of some things that were being posted on facebook. My heart just sunk when I heard that because he had been sick while Yem was here this summer, but he was doing better as far as we all knew-Yem included. I couldn't personally believe what was being said unless I saw the news myself. It seemed to take forever for the internet to work again, but as soon as it did I wished it wouldn't have brought with it the news that it did, but it was true, Yemily's dad earned his angel wings. We got everyone together and said a prayer for Yem and her family, for comfort at this trying time, but I personally have been feeling just sick about it. My heart just aches for her. Of course every situation is different, so I can't say I know how she is feeling, but I have a pretty good idea and I know its not pretty. Yem is strong and she will make it through, it is just so sad. One of my biggest fears of coming to India is that huge things would happen to/in my family and/or close friends lives, and I wouldn't be able to be there to show my support. So far that has happened in more then a few ways, which is hard for me. I know everyone can manage just fine without me, I just want to be there to do things for them too. I guess this is just one of the ways India is stretching me and teaching me new things. If only learning didn't have to be so hard. 

Best Sunday Ever

Today was honestly the best Sunday I’ve had since coming to India. It was one of those Sunday’s where it seems like the whole thing was catered to you because everything that is said, all the testimonies that were borne, the Sunday school lesson---was spot on what your heart, spirit and mind needed to hear. I got some not so great news from home this past week and I have been struggling to take it all in as well as the feeling of helplessness since I’m literally half a world away. We had a family fast earlier this week and I was feeling kind of bad because although I was “fasting” it wasn’t a complete fast—which I can’t really do because my insulin struggles due to all the other hormonal problems my body has had lately. Usually, that has never really bothered me because I know I am doing the best I can and my heart is in the right place, but it was bothering me big time today for some reason. Anyway, it didn’t end up mattering because I worked through that and it was all taken care of in the end. Despite the two power outages we had during sacrament meeting, it ended up being very spiritually fulfilling and comforting. Just what I needed.

The Lorax (he is a man in the branch that is tall and has a big white slightly curled on the ends mustache, which causes him to look like Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax) taught Sunday school today and it was so funny and powerful at the same time. He was talking about love and started out that whole part of the lesson by saying “What if God ran a call center? If he did it would be like this……” and then he proceeded to teach his lesson through a power point presentation that had God as the call center technician and us as the needing help customers. It was so fitting for India too, call center and all……hahhahaha. Oh and the branch president had flowers for all the girls’ hair at church today as well. It is the beginning of the Harvest festival? I think that is why we were given flowers. When living in a society that worships numerous god’s there is always some kind of holiday or festival going on. It can be hard to keep it all straight. For example, besides the beginning of the harvest today was also the last day of the Ganesha festival that has been going on for a few weeks now. As a result we saw a couple of processions of Ganesh statue “floats” making their way to the ocean, where apparently they dump them. If I could dive in the Indian ocean I am sure I would find some of the most amazing things—such as many years of dumped Ganesha statues. That is if I could see through the water or course---which I don’t think would be possible.

After church we stopped by a new mall we have never been to before. This one is on our way home, so it will be easier to go to, however we didn’t know what to expect since we had never even heard a thing about it before. Ummmm—it was AMAZING! The supermarket is just another branch of the one at Express, but it has more stuff—or at least stuff I haven’t seen in it before---such as BBQ SAUCE! Yep you read that right. I even saw some deli meat there too but I only had a limited amount of money so I wasn’t able to get it today. But to know it is there?!?! However, the absolute best part of the mall was this:

 I just about died when I realized CPK was there. Camery noticed it and said “oh wow, they have California Pizza Kitchen here” to which I reacted very strongly too---kind of like how Emily reacted to the suggestion of French toast one night. Ill be honest, I was surprised at the way I reacted. I do miss American food but maybe I miss it a little more then I realize based on the happiness seeing California Pizza Kitchen brought me. I literally almost cried. I am afraid this may be a sign that I might be one of those people who comes back to America and cries when walking into the supermarket just because of the sheer amount and variety of food that’s in the store. I guess I’ll have to stay tuned for that one. In the mean time, I’m going to heat up some of my left over CPK pizza that is currently in the fridge. I still can’t believe I am saying that while I am still in India. Ill take it though. Ill take it 100%.         

Teachers Day

Today was yet another celebration day--this time it was Teachers Day. I have to say that being here and working with the kids in the school and tutoring my two little boys has given me a whole new appreciation for teachers and the work they do. I appreciated them before but I am leaning more toward worshiping them now. It is hard work. Props to them.

The program was really nice. It included gifts for the teachers and more awards for students for their sports day performances. Life dance performed, speeches were made and a good time was had by all. The kids LOVED cheering for their teachers and adorning them with leis. Of course there were a few decorative rangolies around campus too. I am learning that You can't have a celebration of any sort in India without rangolies present. As volunteers, we participated in the program by helping to pass out awards, tie on bracelets and fulfill other smaller duties here and there. I love that we were given the opportunity to do that. To me, it reinforces that we are part of a bigger whole, multicultural community that are working together to accomplish good. When it was my turn at the microphone it stopped working. That seems to be a theme with me lately. At church, during programs, etc. It was slightly awkward and think some people may have expected me to stop and wait until the microphone was working, but I was saying a prayer so I just kept going. They already laugh at everything I do anyway, so what is another thing to add to the list. I can support the cause and work to bring about positive change AND be the comic relief too. That is called multitasking.

This is Mr. Satharaj-he and I are buddies. He is always so happy and smiling. He makes me laugh.

Miss Vadavu was honored for her years for service to Rising Star Outreach

Look at how happy they are! They love their teachers so much.

The teachers were sporting some seriously rockin' sarees

And last but not least, continuously winning awards never gets old. Even when you have three and the boy behind you looks disappointed to only have one........

The Adventures of Session #5

Taking into account that we had 2 holidays during this short session I blinked and it was over. The first holiday was Sports Day and then the following Friday was a national holiday because it was the Ganesh Festival. I wish we were allowed out at night during the festivals because 1. They usually only happen at night, and 2.  I would love to experience that, but we had to settle for looking at the pre-celebration decorations during the day and hearing the music in the distance at night. 

Anyway, on to the important stuff. The work was great as usual. Dominique rocked it all. She loved her time here and really wanted to stay longer, but needed to get back to school herself. That's fair, but I wish she could of stayed longer too.

We had two of our fall coordinators show up mid session as well--Jace and Ashley Hansen. They are a young married couple that seem really down to earth and eager to jump on in. I'm excited to get to know them. Jashley (Ashley's nickname donned on her from Dr. Susan) is an esthetician, so one night she did facials for us. It was a good night, having a little spa in Em and I's room. The facials had an Indian flair such as weird smelling rags and murky water, but whatever. They felt great.

Jashley's hubby Jace is super chill. We figured out that he and I more or less have the exact same life story, so we have had more then a few hearts to hearts. It been good for both of us. I was a little worried that when the married couple came they wouldn't really be interested in hanging out with the rest of the elephant house residents, but I can already tell I don't have to worry about that at all.

We spent this session's rest day in Mamallapuram. I am amazed at how many things there are to do in this quirky little town. We visited the rock formation known as butter ball. It is amid all the other ruins and is pretty interesting just because it is SO big and so balanced and you, well I did at least, can't help but picture the real life Indiana Jones scene that will happen when it decides to un-balance some day. There is a natural slide down the rock to the side of butter ball. I'll admit I was surprised at how fast it was. I almost face planted it at the bottom because it took me by surprise. The other highlight of the day was the soap opera that has developed at the end of the main street, while heading to the beach. There are a couple of stores, well about three of them that are so dramatic at who shops at what store. They will be so nice to your face but then the second you walk out and go to another store they will tell your friends how much it bothers them and how mad they are at you that you went to the other store. It makes me laugh. I think it'll be best to stay away from the drama, err those stores the next couple of times we go there. 

   

I like this picture because it looks like we planned to have people supporting it on all sides, but it was a total accident.

BUT the absolute highlight of the day was this man. We walked down the beach for a quick look and got a look at something else we won't expecting! He wouldn't let us not look. We tried but he wanted pictures so then we just laughed why we weren't looking. 

Per Yemily's request we had another end of session Period Party. Sadly, the end of this session means Yemily going home too--which is way weird and I am super sad about. We've become good friends over the last four months and have been each others sounding board/sanity anchor for to many things to count. I am sure we will keep in touch but it still makes me sad to see her go. I am realizing that although I knew there would be a lot of people coming and going throughout my time in India, I didn't really take into account how sad it would be to see them all go. You can't experience something like this without forming a special bond with your fellow volunteers. There are a lot of unexplainable feelings and once in a life time opportunities you take on together, side by side. I am so grateful for the people I have met and the things they have each taught me. And especially Yemily. End of story.