ok so, yeah, I'm fat

After a few days of working and going into town each day I finally hit my breaking point with being called "fat." I know that it isn't an insult, but when you hear it everyday. . .well, most of you reading this know how sensitive I am. So after feeling bad about it for a while, I decided, that I was going to create a new possibility (Renee, you know what I mean when I say that). Now instead of getting upset I have gotten some of the older kids at the school to help me say in Swahili. . .Yes, I'm big, Leave me alone. So today when I was walking to the matatu and one of the kids said, "Giant" I got the biggest voice I could (kinda like Bigfoot or Jabba the Hut) and said in Swahili (Ndiyo, Mimi ni mkubwa!!!, niache!). They thought it was so funny so we all walked away laughing. Now that feels much better to me.

The job at the Walk Children's Center is a lot harder than I thought. The kids are SO poor. Some of them wear nightgowns or pajamas everyday. Some of them have no shoes. What I really wasn't prepared for, though, is that they hardly speak English at all. So the "lesson plans" that I had formulated went bye bye. My first day in the class with the kids by myself...well, that was let's just say chaos would be putting it mildly. They were hitting each other. Yelling. Throwing chairs. One girl put another one in a headlock because there weren't enough dolls to go around. When I say, "Stop" or "Don't Hit" the kids don't really get that. So after the first day I went home and learned how to say. Nyamaza (Keep Quiet) and Ketini (Sit down) and Msipige (Don't Hit). I came back on the second day with a plan. Well, it wasn't the best laid plan because I had the 20 kids or so working in groups. When it was time to switch groups and I said "Bandalesha meza" or Switch tables. Chaos broke out again. Today, I asked for a helper from one of the older classes. The older kids are in school so they are learning English. My personal translator saved my life. By the end of class we had a little rest time and one of the kids went to sleep it was so quiet and peaceful as they drew pictures for me.

I have no idea what I will be doing with the kids tomorrow. We only have the kids for about 1 hour and that may seem like not much to plan, but we have hardly any resources! I have always considered myself quite resourceful, but well, there is so little. Broken crayons, a few pieces of paper, some used dolls, and some greenish brown modeling clay. My friend, Yvonne, from Australia and I are going to sit down after work tomorrow and try to come up with a game plan. To all my teacher friends reading this. . .ideas are certainly welcomed!

This weekend I am going to visit Lake Nakuru, the Equator, and the Menengai Crater. All those places for less than $100 US! I am very excited. One of the other volunteers from Sweeden is going to accompany me. One of the things that I have learned here is not only am I finding out about African/Kenyan culture, but having two roommates from the UK and working with a girl from Sweeden and one from Australia I am finding out about other cultures too! Even my own. I didn't know that other countries don't say "bucks" when talking about money and me and my friend Yvonne had a good laugh today about how each of us say the word "Aluminum" and "Adidas."

So, almost one week over already. I miss everyone terribly, but I am really enjoying my time here. This is the most amazing thing that I have ever done in my life in so many ways. I do keep having dreams about home. I worry that somebody will forget to call if something happens. Apparently I'm also worried that I will be disconnected when I get back. Last night I went to sleep thinking about the Middle School Staff at CFS having their Christmas Party. I dreamed I was back at school and there was a "formal day" going on and I had on shorts. Leon was dressed in a party dress and Mary Deborah told me that I was too underdressed for the day. It was crazy. Everynight I dream about home in some sort of way. So that song is true: "I'll be home for Christmas. . .if only in my dreams."

I don't know when I'll be back to town to get on the Internet, maybe not until after Christmas. . . .know that I am thinking and dreaming about you all.