While scraping away paint the other day a girl from the orphanage came over and began to help. After a couple of minutes I felt a tug on my arm and looked over. Etched in the paint was "I love you" She smiled and pointed to the words she had just written. Speechless. How do you even begin to find words for an act such as that. Now, every day is filled with hugs, smiles, waves, laughs, "Lenae, Lenae!!!!", "I love you", and so much more. Tuesday night I spent the night at the orphanage with two other volunteers. After work ended at three we went over and watched the kids dance and then joined after a bit. It went from traditional Thai dancing to a hip-hop dance-off. We, the volunteers and I, were pushed into the middle of the circle during the dance off and began to embarrass ourselves with no looking back. The kids cheered and began dancing with us. We spent the night in one of the rooms--there are about 20 girls in one room and they all sleep on the floor. Mosquito nets are hung from a string and blankets are pulled out from under their hanging clothes. It is amazing to think how little they have and yet how happy they truly are. Always smiling, always grateful, always happy. Always. Why can't we learn something from this.

I was talking with another volunteer earlier this week and we were discussing how when we first arrived here we thought we were living very simplistically.... no hot water, washing our clothes in buckets, drinking out of bowls, sleeping with one sheet, etc. But now, it is different. I look forward to my cold shower every day and I love drinking out of the bowls. We are living in riches here. So many people here have nothing. They sleep on the floor... twenty in one room. Some without mosquito nets and never shower alone and here I am with a fan in my room, am able to shower alone, and I have my own bed.

I have been teaching a bit more at the orphanage and with an exact plan things seem to go quite well. It is still extremely mentally exhausting, but just being with the children--well, I can't explain it. I have five weeks left and for awhile I was counting down--I missed home, I missed my friends and family, I missed Chicago. Yes, I still miss all of those things, but jut thinking about leaving the children almost brings tears to my eyes now. It is not going to be easy, but I have five weeks to soak it all up.

I am continuing to work on my Thai and believe I am getting better. I hope I can find someone to practice with when I get home.

Once again, my internet time is up. So, until next time. Love.