Today was crazy! Now I know what its like to be a mother. Today was cockroach extermination day. Yes there are big cockroaches here for all of you that are scared of bugs. So all the kids, nannies, volunteers have to spend 4 hours on the balcony while they spray. It started at 9:00 am by bringing all the children including the NICU babies up to the balcony for the day. I got to hold my first NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) baby today G and he was so friggen cute. Some weigh only 2 pounds crazy! So we had roughly 30 kids on the balcony and it was chaos. There were only 4 volunteers that stayed because the rest were up at the property and the nannies were doing a lot of resting today which I dont blame them. I have a new appreciation for them after today all that they have to do everyday. Anyways it seemed like everyone was a little on the cranky side and it was very very hot up there. By the end of the day I was covered in sweat, tears and spit up. I smelled wonderful! The kids loved the pool today and spent a good amount in there cooling off. A couple of kids werent feeling the greatest and had fevers. Between the 4 of us we always had at least 2 kids in our arms or at least trying to get into our arms. And when one fell asleep you tried as hard as you could not to move to wake them. So we ended up finding out the exterminators did not show up so some of the staff had to do it so instead of 4 hours on the balcony it was 7 hours. And Fridays are also clean the balcony day so by 4:00 we were all exhausted and were ready to heasd downstairs for relaxation and dinner. Dinner was soo good barbeque chicken, potatoes, bean salad and fruit! There is this one little girl I forgot to tell you about M who crys like a cat for now reason and has huge hissy fits I'll have to get it on video one day.

Also a lady from Canada who has adopted 2 children from Haiti and she also helps take care of the 3 other siblings that stilll live in Haiti. One little girl is about 7 and the other two are 16 and 13. The 7 year old goes to school the others do not and they all live with different aunts and uncles because the mother died before the earthquake and the father took off and left the kids. This lady sends money to support them and wanted to bring the little girl to Dixie to take in at GLA but GLA doesnt take in older children. I believe though the lad ywas going to try and adopt the 7 year old somehow. The older sisters say she hasnt smiled since her mother died. It breaks my heart, I dont know creole but i pointed for her to come sit on my lap and she did while the mom and dad talked to Dixie about adopting, etc. Such a cute little girl dressed up in her school uniform.

So now its the weekend and havent really been told whats going on tomorrow. But I believe weekends are mostly for relaxing and Ithink we may go do some shopping. Talk tomorrow.

Ti Bou

I want to share this story with you that I forgot to share yesterday about the BBC radio interview. These two girls that live at the orphanage about 8, and 9 years old talked on the radio and told what they thought about the earthquake and what they felt when it happened. It brought tears to my eyes both girls said they sang a song that made them feel better. They sang the songs in creole and it brought tears to my eyes. I had to fight them off so I didnt start blubbering like a baby in front of all the people. It was very touching. So you're probably wondering what ti bou means and it means give me a kiss in creole.
Learned that tonight when before we went back to our house for the night me and Britt did a night time visit to the nursery and hung out with the kids. They were crazy tonight L (I cant use full names) was in his crib pulling my hair out which was already falling out from not showering and then everyone else was trying to get some loving. They dont like to share me haha they all fight for my attention which is hard because I want to give them all the attention at the same time but that doesnt happen so well. M likes to say I love you so cute I will have to record it for you. So they're all in their pjs and we had to say goodnight (bon nuit) and give them kisses. We headed back pretty early tongiht about 6:30. It gets dark at about 6:00 here 7:00 our time.

Earlier today at about 9:00 headed up to Fort Jaques today with Colleen, Britt, Stella, Dave, Margaret, and Robyn to do some more sorting and organizing of supplies and to make hygiene kits to give out for distribution. Britt closed zip lock bags, Colleen folded the washclothes and put them in the bags and the rest of us filled the bags with things like shampoo, tooth brushes, toothpaste, deodarant etc. We made about 100 bags, pictures to come later(they take forever to load here) Lots of hard work but a lot of fun! Came back about 4:00 had mystery meat sandwiches for lunch at Fort Jaques which I was not too fond of but its food. Supper was shrimp and rice and salad mhhmm did I mention how good the pop is here I'm not a big pop drinker but its made with real sugar and not as carbonated as back home.

Had a nice talk with some of the volunteers tonight its so neat to talk to people with different views, beliefs and religions. I love listening to other peoples views on things and having little debates. One thing that was brought up was about bible study last night and how the pastor had talked about how a girl who is pretty much his daughter had sex out of marriage with a boy and how he pretty much scared the crap out of the boy but forgave his "daughter" right away which didn't make sense because he had said earlier its not our right to condemn people but it takes two people to have sex so he forgave the daughter but scared the boy didn't much make sense to us. We believe his "dad-like" emotions came out when he was talking and really confused a lot of people. Pretty much contradicted what he had said first. Thought I would share that with you.

Well tomorrow is going to be a busy day the pest control people are coming to spray for the cockroaches so everyone cant be downstairs for 4 hours so everyone is going to be on the balcony kids, staff, volunteers etc should be a fun, loud, interesting day. Most of the volunteers are headed up to Fort Jaques again but me and Britt, Robyn and Margaret got assigned to stay behind. I've been at Fort Jaques for the last couple of days so it will be nice for a change. Lots of baby loving tomorrow! Talk tomorrow!

Muscles

So last night was amazing everyone was so tired after dinner but we were waiting for the containers to come out of customs and they came out last night so at about 7:00 pm after riding in the back of a caged in truck with like 5 guys and 3 girls we made it to Fort Jaques to unload the containers of supplies that people have sent post earthquake and it was crazy!!!! We had 3 trucks that we had to unloade full of clothes, diapers, wipes, blankets, cribs, hygiene and pretty much everything you can imagine!! We had a huge assembly line of about 15 people throwing boxes I think my muscles are growing hahahahaha I'm going to come back so strong, I'll be a whole new girl just kidding! but I was really sore this morning. Didnt get back until ten last night and probably sweated all the sweat I have in me out of me so had a cold shower yes freezing cold and then went to bed and slept like a baby until 6:30 got up slowly and got ready. Today went to the main house got some kids, went and did some office work filing for the school sponsorship program, then it was neat the BBC radio station was on the balcony doing a live broadcast from GLA. Which was pretty cool he talked about adoption and interviewed Dixie the lady that runs the orphanage and then some volunteers and others. Late lunch mhmm spaghetti and hotdogs together and then went out to Fort Jaques again to organize the stuff we unloaded last night and wow the property is beautiful there cant wait to see it all finished they have two buildings up. It will be finished in about 3 years. Stayed there till 4 stopped at the market and Molly and Joyce two of the volunteers here that stay here for years at a time got us chocolate bars. Organized clothes cleaned soap that had leaked everywhere etc. Then headed back for dinner which was chicken mashed potatoes and then went to Bible Study and I got asked to play guitar so I playe dfor the service thank goodness I knew some of the songs to play. The pastor had to make me a guitar pick out of Dixie's credit card. So now im back at the house sitting around with the other volunteers. Good night!

And I'm here

Hello from Haiti:) I can not stress how beautiful this country is and you might wonder why I say that with it being earthquake stricken and all but these people are wonderful, everyone says bonjour and the landscape is gorgeous I wake up and look out my window to mountains that even pictures can't explain. We didn't get here until about 6:00 last night as our plane was delayed because of storms in Miami. The Haiti airport was crazy people every where wanting to take your suitcase. It was a long bumpy ride with a suitcase stuck to my back and when we flew in all you could see where tent cities. I didnt see that many along the drive and a lot of the building here in Petionville are still standing. Just depends on the structure of the buildings. Had a great sleep we are one hour behind here so right nows its 12:35 and 1:35 there. Went to bed early and we wake up early 6:00 ahh haha. Living conditions are quite nice room to put all my stuff and a bunk bed I'm on the top. Live in a room with 5 ladies. 3 from the states that are in their mid thirties and then me and Britt. Food is delicious!!! Today walked down from the toddler house tothe main house and it takes about 15 minutes but man I'll be in shape its all hills hahah and holding babies on my hip. Had three different children this morning to play with the first boy was hyper and kept me moving the other little one couldnt walk yet so I just rocked here and she fell asleep:) Third little girl stayed with me for a bit she is being adopted and shes the cutest she wanted to be cuddled and I took her for a walk around the village with Britt and Shelley. Shelley is from BC I believe and we met her in Miami. Hope all is well with everyone:) Talk soon!

Tomorrow; a new adventure begins!

So tomorrow is the big day! I'm doing all the last minute touches today, heading to bed early(hopefully) and getting up at 3:00am to head to Haiti!!! Last night went out for supper with my family and my lovely friends. I could never have asked for better friends and I love you all:) Starting to get pretty nervous as I am a homebody and get homesick quite easily so keep me in your thoughts and prayers! So excited to be done first year and have exams out of the way:) I will hopefully be updating my blog 4-5 times a week. So keep posted to see what I am doing! Feel free to leave comments!!

ONE WEEK!

In less than one week I will be arriving in Petionville Haiti for hopefully an experience of a lifetime!! Took my malaria pills and dukarol tonight and forgot how disgusting dukarol tastes yuck! The donations and supplies keep coming in! I can not wait to hold one of those Haitian babies in my arms!!! Thank you so much for all your support!

Closer and Closer

I can't believe there is only 9 more days until I will be arriving in beautiful Haiti! I'm trying not to get too excited as I still have 4 finals to write:( My trip is officially paid for!!! Any extra money I get will go towards the money it costs to pay for the extra weight my donation suitcase has and to God's Littlest Angels directly. Thanks so much for everyone's support and prayers! It is greatly appreciated!

Pay It Forward

So I thought I would share this cute story with you! When I was in grade ten so about 3 years ago now we had to do a project called Pay it Forward where we did something nice for someone else. My group decided to do a fundraiser for Jacob boy a young boy we had never met but who was battling leukemia at the time. We had a dance for children in Port Lambton and raised over $2000 dollars through the dance and other donations. Giving the cheque to Jacob and his family will always stick with me, probably one of the most amazing feeling in the world! I still see Jacob and his family from time to time and got a lovely phone call from him today telling me that he brought my picture from the paper to school and asked his principal if they could do a fundraiser for me!!! Definitely brought a smile to my face:) This was his way of paying it forward and it amazes me and makes me happy to know that a twelve year old boy has it in his heart already to help others and make a difference!

In 15 days I will be heading to Haiti and everyday I get more and more excited! I can't wait to hold one of those babies in my arms and to see the country of Haiti which I have heard so much about! I also can't wait to be done studying for four months:) Everyday I realize how generous people are! My trip is now more than half way paid for because of wonderful people who have gave donations! And my donation goods suitcase is full to the rim! Still trying to find places to fit things.

Supplies!

So a nice gentleman called me on the phone today he went to Africa with a group last year and he has 3 boxes of baby supplies!!! yay:) he saw my article in the paper!

Money is starting to come in! Thanks to everyone who has donated money or supplies so far! It is greatly appreciated! I'm getting very excited only 22 more days until I fly out! 2 Quizzes, 1 midterm, and 5 finals to go! Check the courier press this week those of you from Wallaceburg for an interview that I had. I'm slowly packing my bags, donation suitcase if half way full!