Mashed Potatoes

So I am still feeling a bit under the weather, but getting better with the help of sleep, Kerry, and advil cold and sinus. There is nothing fun about being sick here. No fever, though, just a cold and lots of sinus pressure.

Yesterday we went back to the Pagoda. I'm fascinated with this place. The children left at the pagoda are not up for adoption because they are hoped to become monks. Boys and girls of all ages get an education and food and are well cared for here. We teach them English and play with them, but they do not seem as needy as some of the other places we work. Aside from a child with a cleft lip, non of the children here seem to be disabled physically or mentally.

I enjoy playing with the children, but we are definitely more useful at other locations.

Its interesting seeing the dynamic amongst the children here. I think because they are all able and healthy, the way they interact seems more 'normal' to me. They tease each other and play with each other in a way that felt familiar from my own childhood. At Social Support and AOV, most of the children as so disabled that their interaction with each other is entirely different. The healthy children at these places take on great responsibility at a really young age to help care for their friends who are not well.

I found myself missing the babies at social support and AOV.

The children at Pagoda are wonderful, though, and a real joy to be around.

In the afternoon I stayed home and started cooking. I made lemon chicken and mashed potatoes and garlic bread and salad. It was an interesting experience. The way they cook here is, obviously, much different. Things that I assumed would be in the kitchen (salt, pepper, flour) weren't, but luckily Kerry was down the street and had them. We had a nice dinner and then I basically passed out immediately afterwards. I think my Vietnamese friends enjoyed the meal. They were at least very polite and ate most of it. The woman I really wanted to cook for, Co Quyen, ended up going out for dinner with her friends. She really doesn't like Western food.

One of my roommates is leaving today. I'm feeling pretty sad about that. She goes to Cambodia next and then Malaysia. She is a teacher from Australia. We got along really well and I enjoyed having her around and working with her. Now I have a reason to go to Australia! All of my roommates are currently living in Australia (one is from Vietnam originally but going to uni in Australia).

Today I go back to the place that got me thinking so much last week- AOV. I want to figure out something to do for this placement today.

I've been feeling pretty cloudy the last few days. Even more dream like than before. I'm looking forward to feeling better soon. I go to Hoi An for the new year this afternoon, so I'm hoping that a weekend of sleeping and swimming will do me good. The new volunteers arrive over the weekend.

I will write more later, but for not I will leave you with some pictures from the baby orphanage and the Pagoda.