tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10507462219887318322024-03-14T01:51:58.928-07:00With Great Love"We can do no great things, only small things with great love."
-Mother TeresaUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-60333941396666770732011-01-26T16:51:00.000-08:002011-01-27T01:21:09.629-08:00Let Us Begin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><b>"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin." </b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>— </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><b>Mother Teresa</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6hpVy6cgODkXs3G1P0eKt6NLu21wiOXw2UOrFaSTqNJszPrRmcBB3taaSVPHq-RLsgm73uUuBl-ukYySE9eWS_ZoWdYRCCzjqM7XiaVdmtwr3_KjcGFAsrn2AsuAwjJ5689U8catLpJ4/s1600/IMG_2242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6hpVy6cgODkXs3G1P0eKt6NLu21wiOXw2UOrFaSTqNJszPrRmcBB3taaSVPHq-RLsgm73uUuBl-ukYySE9eWS_ZoWdYRCCzjqM7XiaVdmtwr3_KjcGFAsrn2AsuAwjJ5689U8catLpJ4/s320/IMG_2242.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 21px;"><b>"There are some parts of the world that, once visited, get into your heart and won't go. For me, India is such a place. When I first visited, I was stunned by the richness of the land, by its lush beautiful and exotic architecture, by its ability to overload the senses with the pure, concentrated, intensity of its colors, smells, tastes, and sounds...I had been seeing the world in black and white and, when brought face-to-face with India, experienced everything re-rendered in brilliant technicolor."</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 21px;"><b>-Keith Bellows</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">So I know that I haven't posted since getting home from India, but these past few weeks India has really been on my mind. Having now been home for a few months I've been able to truly step back and look at all the things I've learned and the lasting ways I've really changed. I believe that it's easier to understand the importance of service and the love that comes from it while it is your whole focus; each day in India was completely and totally devoted, but now that I'm home it's time for real life again and that was a very, very hard change for me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9e3J401fbCql6zk6ZiVFzzjnpwqlBbsDlcAW3bh6ny0iVP8fET41__TaymECFYmZN3j8vSDM22nCcMKJsnx1L56qDHvQWU6grU-hoiRSIO1moTsBzufVtsoQ2ubd70odFmhBvpbWiOTM8/s1600/IMG_1250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9e3J401fbCql6zk6ZiVFzzjnpwqlBbsDlcAW3bh6ny0iVP8fET41__TaymECFYmZN3j8vSDM22nCcMKJsnx1L56qDHvQWU6grU-hoiRSIO1moTsBzufVtsoQ2ubd70odFmhBvpbWiOTM8/s320/IMG_1250.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finally home after hours and hours of flying!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is a much harder challenge to serve those around you here at home. There are many in need, but sometimes their struggles are not as obvious as a bleeding ulcer or missing limb. However, <u>their plight is just as important.</u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgxbX4RCJyyzIcOyLdCYvajExP06rTbGhUqNVkWFdrOC9qaQFjh68Rf4EiwEYjGo-WY8H0FF9qOKAAu8bKASNJKVljRPCZrjnzeHWKCH5XgqViiFtO9W_Wf543Nh9DuiyxzcH3278YjMG/s1600/RAEGAN+224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgxbX4RCJyyzIcOyLdCYvajExP06rTbGhUqNVkWFdrOC9qaQFjh68Rf4EiwEYjGo-WY8H0FF9qOKAAu8bKASNJKVljRPCZrjnzeHWKCH5XgqViiFtO9W_Wf543Nh9DuiyxzcH3278YjMG/s320/RAEGAN+224.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bandaging a man's foot.<br />
This day taught me so much about my own strength when I put others before myself.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">In India I learned about love. I learned that it is possible to look past outward appearances and see beauty. I learned to be slower to judge, and how to be patient. I've noticed that since I've been home <b><i>I have more of an awareness of the simple beauties around me</i></b>, the sunsets, fall leaves, etc., and even though it may sound silly, those things truly enrich my life.<i> I have no reason to be upset, with all of this beauty around me.</i></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIG_WGwbynkB1M_FoAnJVEb1ZJ2IdORI_XLTGlzC4pwsaxM03flP_DppQiXzW9r8sgrUGgaJRPzcSH8UjWwI6jQqDz67WBFcJqeEbNQuRZh5HWpQAGxni0-Swv7ELNq1AsaGmonHGbKZk-/s1600/IMG_2205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIG_WGwbynkB1M_FoAnJVEb1ZJ2IdORI_XLTGlzC4pwsaxM03flP_DppQiXzW9r8sgrUGgaJRPzcSH8UjWwI6jQqDz67WBFcJqeEbNQuRZh5HWpQAGxni0-Swv7ELNq1AsaGmonHGbKZk-/s320/IMG_2205.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">boats on the Gange river</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This past semester in college has been incredibly challenging with all the competition for the nursing program and moving away from home to a whole new state I'd never stepped foot in before. But when times got tough I<b> found myself turning to those experiences from this past summer</b> in order to rearrange my priorities. I have been so much <u><i>more motivated</i></u> with my schoolwork than I ever have in the past. I want so badly to finish my schooling so that I can use the knowledge I will gain to touch the lives of others and to hopefully return to India and be more useful to Rising Star.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRWUtXVCYtepEOWJ5qPsB55JNlF0aV63M4N5w-MMC0dMzOiRmNaDTusKOm5mWY0W-1lv3sMbR1LDyqMGLDrKVHcO2jHfmlj61tBVIRQc9xXeQsOUWcU2HEU9b-MvSNzruzC0DnUF6AAzL/s1600/47857_462263064714_767039714_6631716_6249603_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRWUtXVCYtepEOWJ5qPsB55JNlF0aV63M4N5w-MMC0dMzOiRmNaDTusKOm5mWY0W-1lv3sMbR1LDyqMGLDrKVHcO2jHfmlj61tBVIRQc9xXeQsOUWcU2HEU9b-MvSNzruzC0DnUF6AAzL/s320/47857_462263064714_767039714_6631716_6249603_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I remember coming home and just crying because I wanted so badly to return to India and continue working. I told my mom that I was terrified of forgetting the things I learned and felt. I wanted to stay holed up in my room reading and rereading my blog with henna on my hands and wearing my chudidar, but I realized that was not the true purpose of my trip. India was an amazing place, but it was really the work I did there that changed me, and it would always be a part of me. In my heart I knew that trapping everything I learned inside myself was not the purpose of my experience. <u>I am meant to turn outward not inward</u>, to share what I've learned not only through words but through actions. I'm no longer afraid of forgetting what I learned, <b>it is impossible to forget something that so profoundly changes your life.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkCOicGVk8bpthysXVV8fMbTKdxbNED7Ep9QWl_xPjaSl5Jtnsvhc2Z2QWPXUT_j8wVye_DtywC3sO5aGxcS7niOBW56N47hr_AtXxVnPpjcG4KfgF_QVai5UdAaxVlhV3FcPlBb16FNd/s1600/46769_462262789714_767039714_6631706_4871365_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkCOicGVk8bpthysXVV8fMbTKdxbNED7Ep9QWl_xPjaSl5Jtnsvhc2Z2QWPXUT_j8wVye_DtywC3sO5aGxcS7niOBW56N47hr_AtXxVnPpjcG4KfgF_QVai5UdAaxVlhV3FcPlBb16FNd/s320/46769_462262789714_767039714_6631706_4871365_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And even though I still hope in my heart that I will one day be able to return to India, and hear the children whom I learned to love call me auntie again, and once again wash the feet of another person and show them that they are loved, I know that if I can remember what I've learned and continue in service in my own country I will be doing my part. India is forever in my heart, it is a part of me, the people I met changed my life, and I know that <b><i>I will carry these experiences with me always.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIR-E81xxhyphenhyphen7uZuFwyzZcn3KzKo5QPDPN2Jz3zcxOaS4Dl65RO2XwHnbAp8nnZJTZUFEaz6co_unnpF9DQPavRVEuIiMI_xVqADeb0og9OuKRSPqmaY1niNZfCLcuWtd540vqApOXwOYx/s1600/41314_462263484714_767039714_6631731_5393910_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIR-E81xxhyphenhyphen7uZuFwyzZcn3KzKo5QPDPN2Jz3zcxOaS4Dl65RO2XwHnbAp8nnZJTZUFEaz6co_unnpF9DQPavRVEuIiMI_xVqADeb0og9OuKRSPqmaY1niNZfCLcuWtd540vqApOXwOYx/s320/41314_462263484714_767039714_6631731_5393910_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you are interested in volunteering for Rising Star and </span><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">changing your own life</span></u></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> please, please feel free to get more information at: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.risingstaroutreach.org/volunteerinindia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">www.risingstaroutreach.org/volunteerinindia</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihl6vWvHtQKr_gauhcDolQHLZaVBPslsektz-5ozpBgIhikFtNAiEqmwuGCc9y_bnZxmSIhxfApG32-uONKmms42LCFssUWNEOgmJV5G7XpIHBeL3FzOBLEF7_88E1AJLxYyBJTOdj5TDS/s1600/58908_460960554714_767039714_6598728_4668764_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihl6vWvHtQKr_gauhcDolQHLZaVBPslsektz-5ozpBgIhikFtNAiEqmwuGCc9y_bnZxmSIhxfApG32-uONKmms42LCFssUWNEOgmJV5G7XpIHBeL3FzOBLEF7_88E1AJLxYyBJTOdj5TDS/s320/58908_460960554714_767039714_6598728_4668764_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I <u>promise</u> you you are stronger then you think. <b>You, yes you,</b> can do amazing things whether they be through Rising Star or any other organization, or even come from your own ideas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnsb0er596K957of9j6aNB-Xn63wi9_V_YF6jp-fgZD6MBkVQuSV1KcyDqfe2drbOBuBXrexHOkS-ahSraPW3pOgohI7rU8tl_9aZoca8TXcm6ll0fgx2R8i3DHoTVpT0SSupfSBexMBP/s1600/41258_460966189714_767039714_6598981_7357251_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnsb0er596K957of9j6aNB-Xn63wi9_V_YF6jp-fgZD6MBkVQuSV1KcyDqfe2drbOBuBXrexHOkS-ahSraPW3pOgohI7rU8tl_9aZoca8TXcm6ll0fgx2R8i3DHoTVpT0SSupfSBexMBP/s320/41258_460966189714_767039714_6598981_7357251_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Life is not easy,</i> but life is beautiful.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CyNPkMVHAR8h8Yv6r5sJvJltMkF_rZqfi2bkaZlS-VnkcAFNhdbGhzlSm4sY0IDCCLxvOzJupTOFwWPq85da7qQYlXNGESiK7ei85j1K-uZx52WT0vv8TusZndApdJozloTiPCmjQRO3/s1600/47298_462264224714_767039714_6631760_4895362_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CyNPkMVHAR8h8Yv6r5sJvJltMkF_rZqfi2bkaZlS-VnkcAFNhdbGhzlSm4sY0IDCCLxvOzJupTOFwWPq85da7qQYlXNGESiK7ei85j1K-uZx52WT0vv8TusZndApdJozloTiPCmjQRO3/s320/47298_462264224714_767039714_6631760_4895362_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You are a unique person with unique talents;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">there are lives that </span><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">only you</span></u></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> can touch.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Don't keep those lives waiting one more minute.</span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What can you do to change the world?</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrCnaZQ93q7SPJwzuhl3Qatl0rQVRImOcyLgrLEYcuow52-Lyqm89OwdKNcWwMC0mNIF8wm2ENWh0inR-VyO1KSaG4K1qUZ_2ckDCo9hHuTYeSSUoJ-7VkM23SsyRQBFJWvEmyk6rAheO/s1600/47256_460970579714_767039714_6599146_1821664_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrCnaZQ93q7SPJwzuhl3Qatl0rQVRImOcyLgrLEYcuow52-Lyqm89OwdKNcWwMC0mNIF8wm2ENWh0inR-VyO1KSaG4K1qUZ_2ckDCo9hHuTYeSSUoJ-7VkM23SsyRQBFJWvEmyk6rAheO/s320/47256_460970579714_767039714_6599146_1821664_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>withgreatlove,</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kenzie Coe</div></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-62856048773600734222010-08-07T00:06:00.000-07:002010-08-07T00:06:29.918-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world. </strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>-Mother Teresa</strong></em> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2azFNqvt9z3m-n8Q-6cYS4COIZ-wnDd6WAcFLGY4utvSUjwyQwM3I0RGiN833xwlOUiISN64cjgXIosyr9tS1zP2v7aFAHVlwggSwLMLxROGB0nSIt-BCidFcRvKySEMV10yUpzHYjL_h/s1600/RAEGAN+146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2azFNqvt9z3m-n8Q-6cYS4COIZ-wnDd6WAcFLGY4utvSUjwyQwM3I0RGiN833xwlOUiISN64cjgXIosyr9tS1zP2v7aFAHVlwggSwLMLxROGB0nSIt-BCidFcRvKySEMV10yUpzHYjL_h/s320/RAEGAN+146.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My time at Rising Star has ended and I don’t even know where to begin for this last post. Sitting in the Chicago airport is almost surreal. 5 flights down and only one more to go. I've been working on this post for the past week on and off as me and three other volunteers completed our extra touring in India, but everytime I sit down to write I become absolutely overwhelmed. Even though I am heading home it still feels like I'm leaving another home behind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksfZX0-mqvi3DXMKQusRQkDIF3Mwf8mt_hrGg-83W6jAk84LTy2jQXe4qH020GvZhF6vvipk3dpHP0udKg15yaPVaF25wW0S-KWNK__R6X-hn_CmlRQoaQCbkXhugeBpB0wBZmdjMZKTU/s1600/last+days+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksfZX0-mqvi3DXMKQusRQkDIF3Mwf8mt_hrGg-83W6jAk84LTy2jQXe4qH020GvZhF6vvipk3dpHP0udKg15yaPVaF25wW0S-KWNK__R6X-hn_CmlRQoaQCbkXhugeBpB0wBZmdjMZKTU/s320/last+days+054.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">How do you summarize 4 weeks that have changed your life for good? How do you explain the feelings and the sounds and the beauty of such a magical place full of incredible, strong people. I hope that my blog has helped you to feel as though you were there with me the whole way, a part of the journey, but at the same time there is absolutely no way to get the entire impact through using simply words. It is colors and feelings and sounds and smells that you don't ever fully understand until you have experienced them and I am so grateful for even having the opportunity to experience them for these 4 short weeks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-L4YqMg4od8gthNWtYtBrW2id4RjBs_lbo3ADCMoHrHnOjCkuUpg3GuwmOON9hsK32qawnXq4-W4KsklNvTb7QB1b3gY6Icf8GakF4jnZXMj-2E8KNrXosVwWc0iaO4b7lrRDIIfSZNAU/s1600/RAEGAN+224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-L4YqMg4od8gthNWtYtBrW2id4RjBs_lbo3ADCMoHrHnOjCkuUpg3GuwmOON9hsK32qawnXq4-W4KsklNvTb7QB1b3gY6Icf8GakF4jnZXMj-2E8KNrXosVwWc0iaO4b7lrRDIIfSZNAU/s320/RAEGAN+224.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's hard to imagine that girl who left the U.S. just four short weeks ago. I'm obviously the same Kenzie but so many things have changed and happened that I hope will help me to be a better person in the future and for the rest of my life. I have been changed for good, and I hope to be able to keep my experiences close to me and always keep their impact in the back of my mind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyRSTPq5WT_qTB1PDlirjg2pR2JCIKPuQgBpciOxt5IZa2znlrZQLUoE-c_8RxOnqKeg-nJ5DUg2fjmMOG4z7ZVgF2zWGXKdtzo31mtZq5AtwgfjhfFOSwsT0uiPt8xzE2MZne3uG3dKS/s1600/RAEGAN+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyRSTPq5WT_qTB1PDlirjg2pR2JCIKPuQgBpciOxt5IZa2znlrZQLUoE-c_8RxOnqKeg-nJ5DUg2fjmMOG4z7ZVgF2zWGXKdtzo31mtZq5AtwgfjhfFOSwsT0uiPt8xzE2MZne3uG3dKS/s320/RAEGAN+062.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have sung and danced with people who live with a crippling disease and became blind to the differences. I have washed the feet of people shunned from their own communities and sometimes even families. I have carried bowls and bowls of rocks on my head in order to create a place where marriages can be performed that otherwise would not be possible. I have hugged and read to children who will change the future of an entire country.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6c50SWWdcnlAfKh40r9Gb-ACmhOBGLtdi_rSlPIsUOtYWTBoO9PsExhZ2CzHr-J45mdllJQmqnWf-LN3vmKXk5gqIe7sReMXC5LWB9vhD-VJmgSi1d2fkug2GR9wRYTHerws_o9vvqYXQ/s1600/jenny+pics+1059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6c50SWWdcnlAfKh40r9Gb-ACmhOBGLtdi_rSlPIsUOtYWTBoO9PsExhZ2CzHr-J45mdllJQmqnWf-LN3vmKXk5gqIe7sReMXC5LWB9vhD-VJmgSi1d2fkug2GR9wRYTHerws_o9vvqYXQ/s320/jenny+pics+1059.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have visited huge forts and palaces. I have visited dirty homes surrounded by trash but filled with the most amazing people I have ever met. I have seen corruption, I have seen beauty. I have cried and I have laughed to many times to count.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tHOV8DR3MoD9Cn6tAlxSZZ838_u_DYn9O4_ZvrjngfDBvUOFgEyzbCapeHNK3ATaEZpaesakC5e9RaXYXnD8iwRvo_1ZZYlL9cY2APCVGuDWzzgpbeT6Xa8Whnuh8ay_XNn1KPaWSGGG/s1600/jenny+pics+481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tHOV8DR3MoD9Cn6tAlxSZZ838_u_DYn9O4_ZvrjngfDBvUOFgEyzbCapeHNK3ATaEZpaesakC5e9RaXYXnD8iwRvo_1ZZYlL9cY2APCVGuDWzzgpbeT6Xa8Whnuh8ay_XNn1KPaWSGGG/s320/jenny+pics+481.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have walked through crowded cities full of people and down quiet empty dirt pathways underneath shining stars. I have learned to love without judging, and how to put others before myself. I have learned the importance of family and work and friendships. I have learned that it isn’t all about me, and no matter how much I try to help other people they always end up teaching and helping me more then I could have ever imagined. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqz2WIaWvhV__FZNjZn7RuhtQWLvFSCoYL8VDFzcY-zrxIcd2UM1qAfI-TEdendIwUU0lUMb794m8dkCAJGvCrXx-hzRzyFUy8O4oY_mlujWzEkhj7RqXfiPlYBgBVtY5DabJ7ICGWM2XW/s1600/last+days+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqz2WIaWvhV__FZNjZn7RuhtQWLvFSCoYL8VDFzcY-zrxIcd2UM1qAfI-TEdendIwUU0lUMb794m8dkCAJGvCrXx-hzRzyFUy8O4oY_mlujWzEkhj7RqXfiPlYBgBVtY5DabJ7ICGWM2XW/s320/last+days+101.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I still can't tell you why certain people are given certain trials, or why some people are born into hardship they did not ask for, however, I can tell you that all of the people I met with hardships were some of the strongest most loving people I've ever met. Sometimes I wonder if the best people are put in hard situations. I wonder if I would be strong enough to handle being shunned or deformed, I am bessed to have grown up in a happy home in a beautiful country, but I wonder how I would be different if I had not.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3bZvqezQRldbYDpULHprJcrBMNIXGhMD0qJRASDlabgUZ88AahQJXxYBldYMagnQ6BK4Lis24v2htdtHp5cOxqd8kvptf4AWD_0AxjoEIzIPqTE9x7NAsPXClaqhLS59IDSqjE3H6nNL/s1600/RAEGAN+121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3bZvqezQRldbYDpULHprJcrBMNIXGhMD0qJRASDlabgUZ88AahQJXxYBldYMagnQ6BK4Lis24v2htdtHp5cOxqd8kvptf4AWD_0AxjoEIzIPqTE9x7NAsPXClaqhLS59IDSqjE3H6nNL/s320/RAEGAN+121.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's impossible to say "alright okay well thats all the end." because that is the last thing I want to say. The experiences and feelings I've recorded here are simply the beginning. the beginning of a way of life. A life full of service, a lifetime of learning about myself. It is true that you find yourself through losing youself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALySPfzH9PLA2qb7YGEaXvrpJ9DAwr8QSo7Tsl4tTRlgimPr5wTrsYm8WXsrDiqC3FB6o2cbKESn06E_nFjTJOH9vSTPiVd9yOW8NKOiLJKA279VZEVaFrok3PfU2mU6P5TavnYrnnr9P/s1600/jenny+pics+609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALySPfzH9PLA2qb7YGEaXvrpJ9DAwr8QSo7Tsl4tTRlgimPr5wTrsYm8WXsrDiqC3FB6o2cbKESn06E_nFjTJOH9vSTPiVd9yOW8NKOiLJKA279VZEVaFrok3PfU2mU6P5TavnYrnnr9P/s320/jenny+pics+609.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So please consider this blog anything but finished, I hope to update it someday soon with new experiences and moments whether they be across the world or across the street!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxznNoJYzOEqlP9Ts3ReOFAv8nzzfwsPJJ3l-Ollp0o5q1j5Yk9ao-5k4IlmXXTuM_ZCE0L14hUetNCOXJbk_Wf2MsqHYbqgiYppoBiHF2YQ7vi3LNY5B0LEo6ofvlIdq91UGrs5DYrFQm/s1600/RAEGAN+139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxznNoJYzOEqlP9Ts3ReOFAv8nzzfwsPJJ3l-Ollp0o5q1j5Yk9ao-5k4IlmXXTuM_ZCE0L14hUetNCOXJbk_Wf2MsqHYbqgiYppoBiHF2YQ7vi3LNY5B0LEo6ofvlIdq91UGrs5DYrFQm/s320/RAEGAN+139.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's official India has stolen my heart;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and I wouldn't have it any other way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">with great love</span></strong>,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kenzie</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">RSO summer 2010</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Change the World"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyNsay_tHVs5aCMtO65RCbHza5KFeZiEsGUGfVP8bOS-vcRBUpWzyMfknfYoMPqMnKPnYq8vAUNjR9rrUjMz4ZsCuqjcqPgf8qvC7thDR9nf0KCY5kDJl4QJbvVoO4SED0f6VMzVJYpHl/s320/jenny+pics+798.jpg" /></div><div align="center">session 4 </div><div align="center">"Crossing borders to break down gaps"</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-83913939891688163532010-08-01T13:07:00.000-07:002010-08-01T17:50:40.368-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rising Star has been such an amazing experience, and I promise I'm in the process of getting my final two posts done about my last day and my feelings about the trip as a whole. They will be up soon; it's just very hard to put into words, and I really want to get it right.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">However, this post I think is slightly different then anything so far, and kind of a funny one if I may say so myself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While we were in New Delhi, we all noticed something interesting. Everywhere we went people would simply stare. It's kind of awkward because even if you look back at them, it doesn't faze anyone. I think it's just different then in America. Not only do we get stared at but people are constantly pulling out camera phones and taking pictures. Although as a group of 17 girls and 1 boy, we were a pretty entertaining bunch in New Delhi, we're like the entertainment. So, for your enjoyment and just to give you a taste, I have a few pictures that I've taken all over of the crowds that gather. I'm not going to lie, it's almost like having our own paparazzi (although I'm not really sure what they do with the pictures they take, and not to mention I'm probably talking or blinking in most of them:))</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This first picture is from our point of view. That's our tour guide taking a group picture (the guy in the black shirt) of us in front of the Taj. Please note the crowd gathered and the guy on the far right with his camera out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IhiO3bin_iUnP8cOu0t8G82RE6tfFaYVhQu9wwna5IcE5jXYoj31wWhEpSTm8x_geCbBgOd7UAp3VOsTXM-yNKomyD5jx6hXJRYhQz3htGQhj7ZrLcQ1cQLTjC4EexwTiJdzDlphIJfD/s1600/delhi+176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IhiO3bin_iUnP8cOu0t8G82RE6tfFaYVhQu9wwna5IcE5jXYoj31wWhEpSTm8x_geCbBgOd7UAp3VOsTXM-yNKomyD5jx6hXJRYhQz3htGQhj7ZrLcQ1cQLTjC4EexwTiJdzDlphIJfD/s320/delhi+176.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another group watching Chelsea get her picture taken.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuhtWrO6sdZtxACYxQyiKvB6hJq4J-AZYb93_GMjFawX9oTOXpaN00EJu4vfCTG0Wc_04h-1zNkkqdTO8zneJRGm2tTmkeoC8FUnEldmKH7vGqhxn2CNMc-Z1_NoU_BEhjx6dIm46F0vS/s1600/delhi+190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuhtWrO6sdZtxACYxQyiKvB6hJq4J-AZYb93_GMjFawX9oTOXpaN00EJu4vfCTG0Wc_04h-1zNkkqdTO8zneJRGm2tTmkeoC8FUnEldmKH7vGqhxn2CNMc-Z1_NoU_BEhjx6dIm46F0vS/s320/delhi+190.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The group that followed us all through Agra fort.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuniTRnGddF_5M7Ic1xXczAMcUvfsixDa0yTOxFPHILI2xWVL_t2NGoNgGptMseKB2yWnUJEwsEKiR8ULOF1AQO2l9iQAZpq89wPA3dgl-dmAw3Ss-9pmCnHXZ6ib3tcAslQedJP78R9L/s1600/delhi+205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuniTRnGddF_5M7Ic1xXczAMcUvfsixDa0yTOxFPHILI2xWVL_t2NGoNgGptMseKB2yWnUJEwsEKiR8ULOF1AQO2l9iQAZpq89wPA3dgl-dmAw3Ss-9pmCnHXZ6ib3tcAslQedJP78R9L/s320/delhi+205.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_96GT4RJHumb3FVFzOrL2CvjQW7mtrgoAIGm82Spt972nR92espioXXxyuG25ifGalQBM1jOnFDdCFjBY0K_ETCHGaW_O5NcrX5NkPYz3Sa2HF8QgOb5zCH13_e1fdKqRAVUeSis9a6n/s1600/delhi+206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_96GT4RJHumb3FVFzOrL2CvjQW7mtrgoAIGm82Spt972nR92espioXXxyuG25ifGalQBM1jOnFDdCFjBY0K_ETCHGaW_O5NcrX5NkPYz3Sa2HF8QgOb5zCH13_e1fdKqRAVUeSis9a6n/s320/delhi+206.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another picture from our point of view -- yupp that camera is pointed at us too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6u3NwKC9iBYjQsRyujU6lBvJ4nLH2_bpuuFPpBtscnmT2Qzkai3YeOYJrCA8cHKO3kM_jCK2JejSGjx8LVOAdsG3yog67xsx59KnpZmS4iIMUCAJ4bV-wcQJ47DKWOx3NFMwBv9Csm_1/s1600/delhi+212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6u3NwKC9iBYjQsRyujU6lBvJ4nLH2_bpuuFPpBtscnmT2Qzkai3YeOYJrCA8cHKO3kM_jCK2JejSGjx8LVOAdsG3yog67xsx59KnpZmS4iIMUCAJ4bV-wcQJ47DKWOx3NFMwBv9Csm_1/s320/delhi+212.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and a few more</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1UXtKqZY9Qr-Qetex0LBBlgEyGEQOS5TgLQvs_mHlDUxsgM5OClm2owhZQ6knKEYKHfqOGjxXXEwzF-sJkapSgvUcnXUlad_Ke9Zx5bF1yMVY0j-x9dNWETBbloUDRmPFZ4wfK5_nqpt/s1600/delhi+213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1UXtKqZY9Qr-Qetex0LBBlgEyGEQOS5TgLQvs_mHlDUxsgM5OClm2owhZQ6knKEYKHfqOGjxXXEwzF-sJkapSgvUcnXUlad_Ke9Zx5bF1yMVY0j-x9dNWETBbloUDRmPFZ4wfK5_nqpt/s320/delhi+213.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's hard to tell but these guys were watching us get our elephant rides. They were calling up friends that came on their motorcycles. The crowd just kept growing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTDCZ9eVhHNgUabz5LcaxqTp8UyoVErg1FQQW9TRG-nprzbv1fJzgAuuby27PPIlvhyNknhdnPFfDFFxVeO4z8XcMFBiQXd4C6-7yGoKiAydONmwZ3ZAAiBQZ7b1GF7Cd9J7xi0JhotG3/s1600/delhi+237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTDCZ9eVhHNgUabz5LcaxqTp8UyoVErg1FQQW9TRG-nprzbv1fJzgAuuby27PPIlvhyNknhdnPFfDFFxVeO4z8XcMFBiQXd4C6-7yGoKiAydONmwZ3ZAAiBQZ7b1GF7Cd9J7xi0JhotG3/s320/delhi+237.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyI7XohzK90Qmn47ydq4SHP_K9CZohCF4wLk8YDPWrTuOErFiYLXmcXP7MZTS885nlyEVu3qGtmJmebSiBiWETUQXKogQhDmJmQXS7xonrpgWIV8ktH0ABOB7w1Dmegqu-Er4Y2l9Eqhg/s1600/delhi+238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyI7XohzK90Qmn47ydq4SHP_K9CZohCF4wLk8YDPWrTuOErFiYLXmcXP7MZTS885nlyEVu3qGtmJmebSiBiWETUQXKogQhDmJmQXS7xonrpgWIV8ktH0ABOB7w1Dmegqu-Er4Y2l9Eqhg/s320/delhi+238.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And last but not least at the hotel pool!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaotKBs-qiE4bxWtVW4qbtFxtrz3YCInHqGqIDRAHRFsksOpghJwY8kmUOJZR_3EqxdKkBVf2EkJYvhcw15UfLf0qGRWdYszJWoy1cpxc3dQSprIvBwhzgftqesU9vyIieQoUAl_jAV6AG/s1600/DSCF0476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaotKBs-qiE4bxWtVW4qbtFxtrz3YCInHqGqIDRAHRFsksOpghJwY8kmUOJZR_3EqxdKkBVf2EkJYvhcw15UfLf0qGRWdYszJWoy1cpxc3dQSprIvBwhzgftqesU9vyIieQoUAl_jAV6AG/s320/DSCF0476.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">But hey, who can blame them when this is our mode of transportation:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjZvhWzWdfjdyGeSYmjwHHzAqaaXRnJWb-ZqyYQ3sVfyMHcsiT7tHAW1Eh1TpOWae1HkqmvGft2sq8gaxAkK0S1sFjdpoy1eqRt6nfrCmLRUTo1QhgoriWl0dB9y2l9b6ABQudgSRG_lQ/s1600/jenny+pics+1316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjZvhWzWdfjdyGeSYmjwHHzAqaaXRnJWb-ZqyYQ3sVfyMHcsiT7tHAW1Eh1TpOWae1HkqmvGft2sq8gaxAkK0S1sFjdpoy1eqRt6nfrCmLRUTo1QhgoriWl0dB9y2l9b6ABQudgSRG_lQ/s320/jenny+pics+1316.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Nothing screams tourist like a big orange bus with 'tourist' written across the front!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And you may be thinking, "Kenzie, how did you entertain yourself in the back of the bus on the 6-hour bus ride to the hotel while everyone else was exhausted and staring out the windows like zombies?"</div><div align="center">Funny you should ask, let me show you:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">the front of the bus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XLr96mRjrx5FxzSfW9A8pqjGqUVY0Ry0ADagvOtA4JbiOaCEVOJLa7iNvbDmLmK-9kdkihKMZtsAFp0lMLQz4j9h4okxyZWbdZ2hB01kFc6qnGdgDP4pQ7leCmnb0BGtBnU5MykkMlh9/s1600/jenny+pics+318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XLr96mRjrx5FxzSfW9A8pqjGqUVY0Ry0ADagvOtA4JbiOaCEVOJLa7iNvbDmLmK-9kdkihKMZtsAFp0lMLQz4j9h4okxyZWbdZ2hB01kFc6qnGdgDP4pQ7leCmnb0BGtBnU5MykkMlh9/s320/jenny+pics+318.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the middle of the bus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnHv3JGyq-tjt0rNQR5yhWmnY4yPgJOWBvBHHXRJdbM-3aIp_u2h_4kt4bof4JTfBvbaXPfJzDX3-Ycf-w-eQDdqWJ6ScFP3i_fKRR7rIKagYLHif3y5Mohr_HsAglAu6vNJrPbVyusAK/s1600/jenny+pics+320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnHv3JGyq-tjt0rNQR5yhWmnY4yPgJOWBvBHHXRJdbM-3aIp_u2h_4kt4bof4JTfBvbaXPfJzDX3-Ycf-w-eQDdqWJ6ScFP3i_fKRR7rIKagYLHif3y5Mohr_HsAglAu6vNJrPbVyusAK/s320/jenny+pics+320.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center">the back of the bus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPX1TI-GoZOTflHK-eNQJ9MrvqeMTT_YyRJsE4zugB59gqPthYb_hpyFGOFNsVKGsUcr_2Y4gTQd8uKSpJYFjunh2U4zV5cUPXg7AIC7_maJtS637enf6hpArRfen04cXbBzumcjw0vSHV/s1600/jenny+pics+321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPX1TI-GoZOTflHK-eNQJ9MrvqeMTT_YyRJsE4zugB59gqPthYb_hpyFGOFNsVKGsUcr_2Y4gTQd8uKSpJYFjunh2U4zV5cUPXg7AIC7_maJtS637enf6hpArRfen04cXbBzumcjw0vSHV/s320/jenny+pics+321.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, yes that is me with my face pressed up against the glass, slightly embarrassing, but definitely worth watching the expressions of the people staring change from blank, almost angry-looking stares, to looks of pure shock once they spotted me at the back as we zoomed by.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once the other volunteers rejoined the living and realized what had been going on, they all joined in and laughed so hard at the reactions and laughs we got. I will miss all of the people here; we have so much fun together just being ridiculous.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(and thank you to Jenny for having us recreate this moment in pictures for the full effect after hearing how I had entertained myself)</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">with great love,</div><div align="center">Kenzie</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-25189391868784457182010-07-31T08:02:00.000-07:002010-07-31T12:17:14.096-07:00Wednesday<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching. </em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-Mohandas Gandhi </em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZauImSODXrvIMDny8hsC5Vy676_e673ZsU1y54QOFuOY_WdwaC3Cj5-tDePmXG799C0hRJFt5Gdu8VGLxGTLuJClUP-ps1tntqM4ENNxB4E61IJuP_ptwoiyhrG62ae_h_uHWY-BjJgWN/s1600/end+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZauImSODXrvIMDny8hsC5Vy676_e673ZsU1y54QOFuOY_WdwaC3Cj5-tDePmXG799C0hRJFt5Gdu8VGLxGTLuJClUP-ps1tntqM4ENNxB4E61IJuP_ptwoiyhrG62ae_h_uHWY-BjJgWN/s320/end+069.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Today my group was assigned to construction at the same colony where we are working on the community center. Today was different though because our group has been slowly getting smaller and smaller. After the Bertha family left we were down to only 5 people and today two of those five people were too sick to work so we were down to 3 people. Our coordinator was sick as well so we didn't even have that one extra person with us.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So Melissa, Kim, and I headed down to the colony, taking a short stop at the art school so Kim could buy her paintings and then heading down to the construction site. We weren't sure how much we would be able to get done, but we all agreed that we would do our best because in the end that was all we could do. We started off moving dirt in an assembly line; next we carried bowls of sand to cover the foundation for the front porch, and then carried another layer of large rocks to cover the sand.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rq8RP8C6Dee7QaBvLtdHPuFIxL49SU6uPwmG2XMDuycKzuaByX-Pw2R0JJccaRtlDGN7xOEw2rwujOeFX0qG-gHEOI76DeFyGpYb-qMEasFcmcGC1_hFpbskbPGITh5IS4hAKJx6dBhe/s1600/end+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rq8RP8C6Dee7QaBvLtdHPuFIxL49SU6uPwmG2XMDuycKzuaByX-Pw2R0JJccaRtlDGN7xOEw2rwujOeFX0qG-gHEOI76DeFyGpYb-qMEasFcmcGC1_hFpbskbPGITh5IS4hAKJx6dBhe/s320/end+068.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After we had finished the two layers, we moved an entire pile of rocks. It was huge and we just kept making the same rounds -- walk over, pick up a bowl of rocks that the other workers filled and carry them to where we were dropping them off, dump out the rocks and repeat! The men who were working with us were so sweet; when we walked over with our empty bowls to get a new one they would help us lift the heavy bowls of rocks onto our heads because it was hard for us to lift them that high, but once we had them on our heads it made them much easier to carry, taking pressure off our backs and arms.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllS8muEU90eFtkFHUTHmNChvqgZo-iN787QEb8xWncSDc7lnwsHoYz2BFbpBrW-5sM739FectCBEu9Y2cVS9u6xD_km5L59O_4zoZy5MipXnZyMa1DPWwQYM6PT_zel-mk9czu8GYzmwY/s1600/end+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllS8muEU90eFtkFHUTHmNChvqgZo-iN787QEb8xWncSDc7lnwsHoYz2BFbpBrW-5sM739FectCBEu9Y2cVS9u6xD_km5L59O_4zoZy5MipXnZyMa1DPWwQYM6PT_zel-mk9czu8GYzmwY/s320/end+079.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was so awesome to have all of their help and to know that they were grateful for us being there even if it was just for a few hours. I think that the image of us truly working with our own to hands and serving them meant a lot. I also know that I learned a lot about my own strength when I'm doing something for a group of people I admire, respect, and love.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After we finished working we were all exhausted and I'll admit my head and neck were very sore (Tessa, I could have used your hairography neck muscles:)) but we were all amazed at how much we had accomplished. I honestly think we did more in that hour and a half with three people then we've ever done in more hours and with more people!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There is just so much love here, everyone looks out for everyone else and our drivers are always so careful and protective of us, they always pull over when they need to talk on their phones, help us cross the street, and even at one point when I was taking my malaria pill in the car, one of the drivers warned me to wait for a second because we were coming up on a bump and made sure to drive extra carefully while I drank.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love these people that are so welcoming and always wave and smile, it's just so different back home. I hope I can carry this little bit of India with me forever.<br />
Playtime was so much fun, and dinner tasted so good, as always:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdIjQue3s_phxE5Bde0RFZMx0Z68PbR9Y3m9RVXpy1E5Io7jCtB__1ezybmM9QQRvvjOrKkR4kp_-pL-i74Bwg0ODcpVwn7mQl7DMvtUqaMffbP4b1jDDGkPWxDw8VFqXOND_kbrT0f48/s1600/henna+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdIjQue3s_phxE5Bde0RFZMx0Z68PbR9Y3m9RVXpy1E5Io7jCtB__1ezybmM9QQRvvjOrKkR4kp_-pL-i74Bwg0ODcpVwn7mQl7DMvtUqaMffbP4b1jDDGkPWxDw8VFqXOND_kbrT0f48/s320/henna+016.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After dinner we had family time, during which Rajakumari did henna for me, she did an amazing job and it was only her first time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqZ9fv_OyE5NYMjvvPJCBdaPTEAnN6j-MyYzG3imakP1L6QU1ra47ACNe37ESvUaAWiLC1KT2HxcuxDKOVfIfzTPDY2QNhkSZdfOSnv032yg4zuKJIFAg1jPqX2ZbkTmmWKiXxNudHGsu/s1600/last+days+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqZ9fv_OyE5NYMjvvPJCBdaPTEAnN6j-MyYzG3imakP1L6QU1ra47ACNe37ESvUaAWiLC1KT2HxcuxDKOVfIfzTPDY2QNhkSZdfOSnv032yg4zuKJIFAg1jPqX2ZbkTmmWKiXxNudHGsu/s320/last+days+099.JPG" /></a> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjy8OOBMsqnAKkPJ8pAPZVKKcVHzTaIhBz6Ic6nktT57ug7QZBED5XE8x8zHj3QxdFlwUS7Bngx-heAYrr51zlq5AAb2uXX0hW-esEMiUahR45g9OGJvzO32k-WDCNh2ucIUkku5VJg12/s1600/henna+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjy8OOBMsqnAKkPJ8pAPZVKKcVHzTaIhBz6Ic6nktT57ug7QZBED5XE8x8zHj3QxdFlwUS7Bngx-heAYrr51zlq5AAb2uXX0hW-esEMiUahR45g9OGJvzO32k-WDCNh2ucIUkku5VJg12/s320/henna+029.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqZ9fv_OyE5NYMjvvPJCBdaPTEAnN6j-MyYzG3imakP1L6QU1ra47ACNe37ESvUaAWiLC1KT2HxcuxDKOVfIfzTPDY2QNhkSZdfOSnv032yg4zuKJIFAg1jPqX2ZbkTmmWKiXxNudHGsu/s1600/last+days+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqZ9fv_OyE5NYMjvvPJCBdaPTEAnN6j-MyYzG3imakP1L6QU1ra47ACNe37ESvUaAWiLC1KT2HxcuxDKOVfIfzTPDY2QNhkSZdfOSnv032yg4zuKJIFAg1jPqX2ZbkTmmWKiXxNudHGsu/s320/last+days+099.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">oh and one last note, my mom has been asking me to blog about the hostel and shower/bathroom situation, so here it goes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We take what are called bucket showers. In each stall is one large bucket and a small bucket, you fill the large bucket and use the small bucket to get yourself wet and rinse yourself off. Its actually not too bad and the cold showers usually feel pretty good after a very hot and sweaty day. They also save an incredible amount of water.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQmahDtgaVurijJA7QMs1qrif28g6OK33W4Zl1ZOGKiqJZjfL3IFk6jSNe_S85MOJtwwKBAk6ho1dif_2lbAGvZTPa76EG3DLCtD6Cht54-yBIFrskqJmo3-7t-paRJJl9eJNu7Sx-8pF/s1600/end+091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQmahDtgaVurijJA7QMs1qrif28g6OK33W4Zl1ZOGKiqJZjfL3IFk6jSNe_S85MOJtwwKBAk6ho1dif_2lbAGvZTPa76EG3DLCtD6Cht54-yBIFrskqJmo3-7t-paRJJl9eJNu7Sx-8pF/s320/end+091.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The toilets here are called "squaters" and they're actually pretty nice as well. I think the name is kind of self explanatory, but the hostel is still so new that they were very clean and flushed and they also save a lot of water which is important when your main water source is a well and drinking water is so important.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ogGo6wIGEL20gq944QBGjAaTD3xWZgMxJmG-xABV_NUDkRGcxDp3kiVtQonRmQvPlWwH_Ls5-llyM_rkDoVul0vxDFoNx9SMRJVB9WOJNiIepdmmNAflIRUNZu8RZbr_WIbH7Wm9R0Nd/s1600/end+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ogGo6wIGEL20gq944QBGjAaTD3xWZgMxJmG-xABV_NUDkRGcxDp3kiVtQonRmQvPlWwH_Ls5-llyM_rkDoVul0vxDFoNx9SMRJVB9WOJNiIepdmmNAflIRUNZu8RZbr_WIbH7Wm9R0Nd/s320/end+093.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">with great love, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Kenzie</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-41815282019553213022010-07-30T09:55:00.000-07:002010-07-31T12:19:36.030-07:00Tuesday<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>"Each relationship between two persons is absolutely unique. That is why you cannot love two people the same. It simply is not possible. You love each person differently because of who they are and the uniqueness that they draw out of you."</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>— William P. Young</strong> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7Ncsz7C0ylXOCIfzuJ86npAYBxffvBR_Hk7Iejcw19SRZ1ZlJKXIZgXb6s8o3UiTGqYSKzuadCA4zMD7J-axe5hfHiNCXa52jTEVpkoypJYVDAztn9KUmgOGFoMH7WdM1DWOLzOg_8qL/s1600/end+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7Ncsz7C0ylXOCIfzuJ86npAYBxffvBR_Hk7Iejcw19SRZ1ZlJKXIZgXb6s8o3UiTGqYSKzuadCA4zMD7J-axe5hfHiNCXa52jTEVpkoypJYVDAztn9KUmgOGFoMH7WdM1DWOLzOg_8qL/s320/end+024.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today my group was assigned to tutoring. We started the morning off by writing in the children's memory books. The memory books have pictures of the children and they ask the volunteers to write in them, kind of like a baby book that they will recieve when they graduate from the school. Afterwards we went and worked with the children helping them to write letters to their sponsors. The children were so sweet and always wrote how much they loved their sponsors. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zLkAD4BVcT5jeKpQM5smPexGmmyhtCa5JuXx4lg6SU4gHeYePDBc_3r9IoGesNbaTbehXsTzrugUSb4J-JsFY2AYX9eurot1LcJEHaqbBaQ-8cuR1gJiGHwnEpygwgZHDl9Dz1Gwz3aA/s1600/end+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zLkAD4BVcT5jeKpQM5smPexGmmyhtCa5JuXx4lg6SU4gHeYePDBc_3r9IoGesNbaTbehXsTzrugUSb4J-JsFY2AYX9eurot1LcJEHaqbBaQ-8cuR1gJiGHwnEpygwgZHDl9Dz1Gwz3aA/s320/end+055.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This meant even more because my family and I are now sponsoring a little boy, Aravind Raj. It's funny to me because in the past I've always seen those commercials on tv about sponsoring children around the world and I've always just changed the channel and thought it was a scam. But being here it is so different, I love being able to see exactly where the money is going and knowing that it is truly going to the children and their education. It's amazing to think that I'll always have a connection to India and one of it's future leaders. These children have seen so much and they will be the ones to break the stigma. They will be the leaders of the future. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IPEsZUKMsDBP4QxRzqwySmgg0gH_yclfiJdylz5Klo0i9U_AUeJE5T6Z7D5YmTHIrwc9GuJHkC0vZ9KilkpD7trh4k0GLQE49rngffm3Wjzf_QTt5xnVGCn6rLoOUotjJvz1VDWyq9-i/s1600/day+4+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IPEsZUKMsDBP4QxRzqwySmgg0gH_yclfiJdylz5Klo0i9U_AUeJE5T6Z7D5YmTHIrwc9GuJHkC0vZ9KilkpD7trh4k0GLQE49rngffm3Wjzf_QTt5xnVGCn6rLoOUotjJvz1VDWyq9-i/s320/day+4+051.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aravind Raj A.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">The rest of my day I was not feeling very well, but I think out of all the places to be sick, being here is really okay. There is no way to blow anything out of proportion or feel bad for yourself when you can see so many people who have worse afflictions and are still happy and full of love! </div><div style="text-align: center;">At dinner we saw the most beautiful sunset. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5BIvuZ0KBjBS2hS9CTFWD-i_hSQoOXYnmI8rn_heGpeh6AFJcC3882txvc9tIn6sx4RQ2Of4fWo3W3M9xkIv43Qf18Fr_UpV5kYAuvbZ6o-aTeOVxPIqZn4Zk1Hu7lCYRx7l2fvwpf_-/s1600/end+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5BIvuZ0KBjBS2hS9CTFWD-i_hSQoOXYnmI8rn_heGpeh6AFJcC3882txvc9tIn6sx4RQ2Of4fWo3W3M9xkIv43Qf18Fr_UpV5kYAuvbZ6o-aTeOVxPIqZn4Zk1Hu7lCYRx7l2fvwpf_-/s320/end+036.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">India is truly a magical place, it's so hard to explain in words all of the beauty around me and the happiness. India has stolen my heart and I never want to leave. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">with great love, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Kenzie</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-90961051186546356832010-07-30T06:55:00.000-07:002010-07-31T12:29:02.386-07:00Monday<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>"The world is a great mirror. It reflects back to you what you are. If you are loving, if you are friendly, if you are helpful, the world will prove loving and friendly and helpful to you. The world is what you are."</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-Thomas Drier</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeSLJWdTG2aZltUoWRYEErH1IEKEeIo52KjlxgzZN1QdfBtn7alLRVVt_6yCXY2zmmEPOLX-333fQQ06Gui-SpJQZsJmCUOaFk8ERc8o3nsdVI0XlPb2usGFlOugbwvzYssoPZWjXeDF1/s1600/jenny+pics+570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeSLJWdTG2aZltUoWRYEErH1IEKEeIo52KjlxgzZN1QdfBtn7alLRVVt_6yCXY2zmmEPOLX-333fQQ06Gui-SpJQZsJmCUOaFk8ERc8o3nsdVI0XlPb2usGFlOugbwvzYssoPZWjXeDF1/s320/jenny+pics+570.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today my group was assigned construction. We were working at the same colony working on the community center. When we first arrived we took a detour at the Bindu School of Art. This is an art school in the colony where leprosy affected people learn about art and create painings that are then sold. Each painting is about 40 dollars and the majority of the money from the sale goes back to the colony to help with the costs of things like the community center or the old folks home that was built a few years ago. It is a truly amazing place where you can really see the effects of microloans. It is practically impossible to see the difference between the different villages and this beautiful colony full of life that even has its own barbershop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSWsubdbjLjVNXnbP6lyPaDsgWtopclyRmy8ZmKfQhfeX7MiTrlCiS4LzTztwLjq-evgAlg04WJyZIU3wWHdgOeJfo5fOWjz749FQAFUArTydEFqV7jYYbk1C2p-flwCdXRDQot8OsSDu/s1600/end+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSWsubdbjLjVNXnbP6lyPaDsgWtopclyRmy8ZmKfQhfeX7MiTrlCiS4LzTztwLjq-evgAlg04WJyZIU3wWHdgOeJfo5fOWjz749FQAFUArTydEFqV7jYYbk1C2p-flwCdXRDQot8OsSDu/s320/end+001.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another cool thing about this art school is that after you purchase a painting you get the opportunity to take a picture with the artist and his creation. Some have no fingers, others' eyesight or feet are crippled, but they paint these beautiful pieces of art. It's just a very meaningful souvenir, and when we arrived I was very excited to have the opportunity to look through them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoe6Wi6zpdc88khbPOLGZFQNuDLeS-sCUVqMXxyKYkU9uOIgJJ4K2MwNwDnc1vfZ9FO2DO1GJ3GMV5PO8Pqgt6_VRo5E5jhyZ75l5zEifdbQAae_Z9g7gvP_q_p-vySXDYtU4_icTEgZe/s1600/RAEGAN+401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoe6Wi6zpdc88khbPOLGZFQNuDLeS-sCUVqMXxyKYkU9uOIgJJ4K2MwNwDnc1vfZ9FO2DO1GJ3GMV5PO8Pqgt6_VRo5E5jhyZ75l5zEifdbQAae_Z9g7gvP_q_p-vySXDYtU4_icTEgZe/s320/RAEGAN+401.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At first as I looked through the paintings, one truly began to stand out to me, in fact it basically smacked me in the face. In the center of the painting is an old man painted in black and white, he is painting a picture and has no fingers on either of his hands. He is skinny and has a very deep expression on his face. Around him, however, are beautiful patterns made up of brilliant colors and in front of him is a brightly colored painting he is working on. I wasn't sure if I should get it because it really was so different from anything else I had been looking at. I just felt so drawn to it. As soon as I pulled it out of the stack one of the artists who spoke fairly good english came and picked it up and began to explain it to me. He said that the man in the painting had been a painter at the art school and had passed away a year ago. He explained that one of his friends at the school had made the painting in his honor. The man in the painting would tie a paintbrush to his hand and use that to work with. Learning the background story and seeing how much love and respect they had for this man truly touched me and the painting gained even more significance. I ended up buying the painting and another that was painted by the man in my painting before her passed away (ahah sorry, that sentence is kind of confusing). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhD_UfbhRBpbUXIGtu_ugPqqDIUmNENfa71j_NNnY8I__thKQvObwB86N-i65fc_o3SIIm9NQ_qzOKEspTBss4cYR5yN_EPIJVzJdGvGP1uyNG7aRM5OV-iHxSvGfftYwS66QTi_pR2NQI/s1600/last+days+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhD_UfbhRBpbUXIGtu_ugPqqDIUmNENfa71j_NNnY8I__thKQvObwB86N-i65fc_o3SIIm9NQ_qzOKEspTBss4cYR5yN_EPIJVzJdGvGP1uyNG7aRM5OV-iHxSvGfftYwS66QTi_pR2NQI/s320/last+days+001.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Afterwards we carried cement at the construction site. It was awesome to serve these people and help build their community.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have one other absolutely amazing story I would like to share with you. This story is one that another volunteer, Kim, told me and has given me permission to post here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There was a man last summer who had leprosy and was hit by a car. He had a horrible break in his hip and needed surgery but no hospital would take him in because he was a leprosy patient. Finally Dr. Kumar was able to get him into a hospital, and his colony, with the help of Rising Star, came up with the money to pay for his surgery. When it came time to take the money to the hospital, one of the coordinators that was going asked Kim if she would come with because she felt strongly that she needed to be there. When they arrived they found that he had been placed in a room at the end of a hallway and that any other patients along that hallway had been moved. He had a horrible infection and was covered in filth -- they had not washed him and he had laid like that in incredible pain. Kim said she just sat and held his hand and cried wishing there was some way she could communicate with him and let him know that she loved him and he meant something to her.<br />
<br />
Later that day the coordinator came down to talk to Kim and told her that the hospital refused to do the surgery because he needed blood and they would not give it to him because he was "dirty". Kim immediately realized that she is O positive and offered her own blood, the hospital agreed and she was able to give her blood to this man. She found out a few weeks later that the man had passed away. The hospital refused to do the surgery because no one but other leprosy patients would be able to sit with him and help him during recovery. His infection grew too bad and so RSO took him home to his colony so he could pass away in peace surrounded by his friends.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Even though the man had passed away, Kim was grateful for the opportunity to show him and the hospital that she loved this man and that he was worthy of her sacrifice. The gesture was huge and the story truly touched me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I returned to the hostel with my painting Kim came into my room to see what I had gotten, she immediately said "Is that, is that Arumagam?" and when we realized the man from her story was the man in my painting we both burst into tears. This painting embodies everything we've been working for, and how important it is that we break through the stigma so that no more lives are lost unnecesarily.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3GXCKkvFcgCjn6m3mroIN-_j2XrtBllhngbZsgWtNnrqrzylaOItmfQnfGhq3iE5xbpcuARzBHxphFI-Aly1betSC6kbzoNRmsjPY3a5qf2xjGfLZKa8bvg6JdjqJxFyW5tP22p4VdXP/s1600/last+days+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3GXCKkvFcgCjn6m3mroIN-_j2XrtBllhngbZsgWtNnrqrzylaOItmfQnfGhq3iE5xbpcuARzBHxphFI-Aly1betSC6kbzoNRmsjPY3a5qf2xjGfLZKa8bvg6JdjqJxFyW5tP22p4VdXP/s320/last+days+002.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was amazing how a painting that I wasn't sure about at first, gained so much significance in my eyes. When I hang it up I know that no one will be able to walk by it with out asking about it and I am happy to tell the story. I know that each time I see that painting on my wall, all of the feelings will come back and I hope I can keep them close to me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Afterwards we had playtime with the kids and I had a great time with the little boys digging up clay from the field making little balls and shapes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbjl1QLDVq1DbsbtZAmj-RDNQwiCkBSf_-VPo1VlVUkeK4-2-VYGoJ7ks3ju8JqwUn25q-UQRTEC3p4hJuSVe270vQ6qgtunCXbxEQ96ux1vejcDjPZP3dKtPQfJZiG-UUhS-cxJtVkmP/s1600/end+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbjl1QLDVq1DbsbtZAmj-RDNQwiCkBSf_-VPo1VlVUkeK4-2-VYGoJ7ks3ju8JqwUn25q-UQRTEC3p4hJuSVe270vQ6qgtunCXbxEQ96ux1vejcDjPZP3dKtPQfJZiG-UUhS-cxJtVkmP/s320/end+009.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dinner was amazing and family time was so much fun. The boys are all so good and Ragu, one of the older boys, helps me get them all to bed early. He is so helpful and such a dedicated student.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">withgreatlove,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kenzie</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-28345266729765214172010-07-26T09:50:00.000-07:002010-07-26T11:23:22.714-07:00New Delhi weekend trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>“I am not the same having seen the moon</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>shine on the other side of the world.”</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>– Mary Anne Radmacher Hershey</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYDPzVPjxlybMpTU_CRjpd-BV2Gf7p6tw4Dj6S5_QPt5dl1TwML_D72FkU6nGSlnxdW0mc_NA3ySch1XLytLMcy9rSlP0zfBwLGK12nJl-i6yN5xmI80bSjDk-GO6rgZ9r4FSDIeR-5OY/s1600/delhi+143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYDPzVPjxlybMpTU_CRjpd-BV2Gf7p6tw4Dj6S5_QPt5dl1TwML_D72FkU6nGSlnxdW0mc_NA3ySch1XLytLMcy9rSlP0zfBwLGK12nJl-i6yN5xmI80bSjDk-GO6rgZ9r4FSDIeR-5OY/s320/delhi+143.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This past weekend the volunteers left for a weekend trip to New Delhi. It was such an amazing experiance to see everything and to take the time to get to know all of the other volunteers a little bit better. After arriving in New Delhi we took a rickshaw tour of Old Delhi. It was so much fun, I have no idea how we didn't all bounce out of them, the road was so bumpy and the cars were so close. At one point a car even tapped the rickshaw I was in! The drivers here are crazy. Crossing the street is like playing frogger with real cars.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZO_OeDZl3hR_Coh4mua_UkmvOB26n4Cy_l1oqrjzCxoJgeb2lCfHNTOGcBWyHih2D1vBg410DLkVkMB8UfYwptzQDEb-tNeF5tm3-suv1bY8DHXCzRrmG08NGohSDMDYiS97NsvjgddLd/s1600/delhi+084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZO_OeDZl3hR_Coh4mua_UkmvOB26n4Cy_l1oqrjzCxoJgeb2lCfHNTOGcBWyHih2D1vBg410DLkVkMB8UfYwptzQDEb-tNeF5tm3-suv1bY8DHXCzRrmG08NGohSDMDYiS97NsvjgddLd/s320/delhi+084.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me and Laura Jane in our rickshaw!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpHiPlLVT5-ULv5NO-oPRHACgQuNPkcuiayFycdejr5BJCwU3R1TTregLF9vrxmiKf2PAzRktwRecv3sHGO6GqLlyXHFQNJXjYbiioq40kyNlEeve8NeCKz1sOJArh_eBbNJMXL3dDQLK/s1600/delhi+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpHiPlLVT5-ULv5NO-oPRHACgQuNPkcuiayFycdejr5BJCwU3R1TTregLF9vrxmiKf2PAzRktwRecv3sHGO6GqLlyXHFQNJXjYbiioq40kyNlEeve8NeCKz1sOJArh_eBbNJMXL3dDQLK/s320/delhi+079.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">view outside</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next we walked through a spice market</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZaqqyaYYHLPWLdKVezl9SEgwh2IYljBRa4IjKUp3DKFWXhCTnPR9LhDT2ob4733Qe5eB8dSgceIt4a0IfZrp1mDtlcHwQNOFYU-Z9086MhbWThI6vnwEYhT2ld2ngcLTauDrVyf4_zJh/s1600/delhi+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZaqqyaYYHLPWLdKVezl9SEgwh2IYljBRa4IjKUp3DKFWXhCTnPR9LhDT2ob4733Qe5eB8dSgceIt4a0IfZrp1mDtlcHwQNOFYU-Z9086MhbWThI6vnwEYhT2ld2ngcLTauDrVyf4_zJh/s320/delhi+068.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3EGl056LR9Breo3ODJl9HbuMeo9HCKB_tPtD7zKprhLY3FIAW9023o7Yl5d2D0roj6mwfeHl2m70eBBn5zFZP9TeQkQAId6-RYj7vJe8dJfpH8Wn90HkP3Gq_2wrZ-FvZR_8NRKbExG_/s1600/delhi+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3EGl056LR9Breo3ODJl9HbuMeo9HCKB_tPtD7zKprhLY3FIAW9023o7Yl5d2D0roj6mwfeHl2m70eBBn5zFZP9TeQkQAId6-RYj7vJe8dJfpH8Wn90HkP3Gq_2wrZ-FvZR_8NRKbExG_/s320/delhi+061.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The next day we woke up reallyyyyy early so we could beat the crowds at the Taj.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">It was absolutely amazing. When you hear people talk about places, ussualy they don't live up to the hype, this one definitely did. It is such an incredible building, made even more incredible by the story behind it.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgkcLpSD1jwTqQyvqBk-totLxnwf3LQfrhYCi4X0DJYhY7pAWpSF-WHLqYYgIox7RzjFH_4qSoeZmSiD0uXn8yWP2GDi51xQ1rIMTANrdPcH54TmR6VnwILlhztOPT2TEke9S4Y3tVvND/s1600/delhi+135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgkcLpSD1jwTqQyvqBk-totLxnwf3LQfrhYCi4X0DJYhY7pAWpSF-WHLqYYgIox7RzjFH_4qSoeZmSiD0uXn8yWP2GDi51xQ1rIMTANrdPcH54TmR6VnwILlhztOPT2TEke9S4Y3tVvND/s320/delhi+135.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This building was built by one of the ruler's of India for his wife. It is completely symmetrical and she is buried in the center. The building was to represent his love in a way that it would never be forgotten. Its so cool because the only part of the Taj Mahal that is not symmetrical is his tomb, she is buried in the very center while he is placed beside her. Its so interesting to think that the "mortal" part is the only imperfect part. Feel free to look up the story and learn more about the details, it really is worth it.<br />
She will definitely be remembered!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipg65LJZmASpvEVaSKR3FPu8AVeOZRCLkRkSbMUu_1uFnyuuokhTY2Kl-fdwiNZ_QOvUWBBX3i8UjST8nciPSTqIdrhgGFSH2N5I5nDSDeZaqzcmEYyJAMn_cWKx9mQ-D1X2OpQvVVb3XI/s1600/delhi+138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipg65LJZmASpvEVaSKR3FPu8AVeOZRCLkRkSbMUu_1uFnyuuokhTY2Kl-fdwiNZ_QOvUWBBX3i8UjST8nciPSTqIdrhgGFSH2N5I5nDSDeZaqzcmEYyJAMn_cWKx9mQ-D1X2OpQvVVb3XI/s320/delhi+138.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next we headed over to Agra Fort. Which was also an amazing piece of architecture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikx_nIHI3zjQeG1ttWa1hbhHAjDkJNpexcgtayLPEm4BgKBSGp0TOG1UNs3hNwS6Ip9tij4xkwLVyvFpyUwcGj0Yu8ft7IPWQL4Rn5snAGfRUTNLSS8rrwRjkvFVK-cnYkX10rksp1IVU5/s1600/delhi+204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikx_nIHI3zjQeG1ttWa1hbhHAjDkJNpexcgtayLPEm4BgKBSGp0TOG1UNs3hNwS6Ip9tij4xkwLVyvFpyUwcGj0Yu8ft7IPWQL4Rn5snAGfRUTNLSS8rrwRjkvFVK-cnYkX10rksp1IVU5/s320/delhi+204.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1O0pajTG3woIpn56EvMmmhJno08sP9h0BdB3TjWn3o8cjd13XsYRDMZdpEnIei-gwQC5Cor-xx2gsO09levCpIq7EFL5poAQAKKIlnKvtadG3RJfTmbD4OFMZbfd_4hGoturLpEmFKMk/s1600/delhi+195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1O0pajTG3woIpn56EvMmmhJno08sP9h0BdB3TjWn3o8cjd13XsYRDMZdpEnIei-gwQC5Cor-xx2gsO09levCpIq7EFL5poAQAKKIlnKvtadG3RJfTmbD4OFMZbfd_4hGoturLpEmFKMk/s320/delhi+195.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBa0sv5bzAzGv-MUG4T13q-vLT9qOBz2t5NpjKhOJrWiH_OcJuE1M1AjYJoZYIzgEdmO0Ir_rAm1ss0iTJFM2Ekl1DL_Y-NLoPXgOrHyaJqID2FUe7SXVpEXrayNwiwNa3LcDXVcpyeGq/s1600/delhi+191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBa0sv5bzAzGv-MUG4T13q-vLT9qOBz2t5NpjKhOJrWiH_OcJuE1M1AjYJoZYIzgEdmO0Ir_rAm1ss0iTJFM2Ekl1DL_Y-NLoPXgOrHyaJqID2FUe7SXVpEXrayNwiwNa3LcDXVcpyeGq/s320/delhi+191.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtdGWVqUAzld6ucS2bpKuY6IFYXjVxYnerOBdf3GXk3vJwrjXqCLPSCKS_MiMLocoMCVjpNWOyeZzWxSz2W41PZoxh8qIKbUi0b-DsXl3qgX1edozSFjmBQtZYOHagI295KeQmFWXvK2x/s1600/delhi+179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtdGWVqUAzld6ucS2bpKuY6IFYXjVxYnerOBdf3GXk3vJwrjXqCLPSCKS_MiMLocoMCVjpNWOyeZzWxSz2W41PZoxh8qIKbUi0b-DsXl3qgX1edozSFjmBQtZYOHagI295KeQmFWXvK2x/s320/delhi+179.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Followed by a refreshing swim at the beautiful hotel, we had so much fun, such a great group:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOFE723SgLK4SFz5-jV4ugfnFzBYDlA4PnFHtsEIluK61SXNr7mIrfp9OMGLMCwSoe-o5wz5oM91W36j5TZ-65w6rlr4BOSnGgUxioKTLJ6kz_4T4ycWipTC4s2xNI-MVaMgT3_NnRhyphenhyphenp/s320/DSCF0508.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWuv242BYwu5V0NMQAivlP4Rmd2KLQ1y-x16WRe-4PFYLBtgbr_9LaehIMH0O9utPLPGEOnPAXlpmue2cmXU_7ix60cwKtgIWyneJMCcNBy6K3Jkrtj6eSfgnWWWwMt7C-LjIXkCIEnHi/s320/DSCF0463.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18VECPEs6Ye7A1Yx3yNYwWE79K1uhhvORa2uomAFSDa3PVzqSsuGiRfWPAVnFDciOXJ6PVrT-HQBKYhyphenhyphenx9F427ORM-P3ctZ4sAPdjay9FMvmi9zKVmpIdLdbUEZmGL3RwFyfrxouE-XpE/s1600/DSCF0454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18VECPEs6Ye7A1Yx3yNYwWE79K1uhhvORa2uomAFSDa3PVzqSsuGiRfWPAVnFDciOXJ6PVrT-HQBKYhyphenhyphenx9F427ORM-P3ctZ4sAPdjay9FMvmi9zKVmpIdLdbUEZmGL3RwFyfrxouE-XpE/s320/DSCF0454.JPG" /></a></div>We had dinner at pizza hut(which was like a real sit down restaurant here)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxiL0nvxyblJg6wg659-s2p-KjBGDAhPXtCJOy109jtJqmgI978OXuttyyL8p14MFoOWUdvctkP_XadlpsEhlaq6igEgEMYWFDV7aflCRcN8jh2-QE28PGjx0fcCI_uyU_k40TFF8GWQ0/s1600/delhi+220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxiL0nvxyblJg6wg659-s2p-KjBGDAhPXtCJOy109jtJqmgI978OXuttyyL8p14MFoOWUdvctkP_XadlpsEhlaq6igEgEMYWFDV7aflCRcN8jh2-QE28PGjx0fcCI_uyU_k40TFF8GWQ0/s320/delhi+220.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Thank you for choosing Pizza hut it was a pleasure to serve you. Hope you visit us again - Akash" On the back of our receipt:)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
And then dancing at the hotel's disco club:)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryAU0TIfyZF90F-mVUAAXGfSkXvc7f561wp9kfIfgAKLvaXVEZanu9y_Exk_dIb2oZg4W8LZ6o05T2K-ZtMfaAe_QevaOO7piQHmgknGcayxIqu3PcRWz72fGnpC-nWUiYC-dPSCopttU/s1600/DSCF0513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryAU0TIfyZF90F-mVUAAXGfSkXvc7f561wp9kfIfgAKLvaXVEZanu9y_Exk_dIb2oZg4W8LZ6o05T2K-ZtMfaAe_QevaOO7piQHmgknGcayxIqu3PcRWz72fGnpC-nWUiYC-dPSCopttU/s320/DSCF0513.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And last but not least we spent our final morning taking an elephant ride, it was sweet!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6e-NAmEpU8oEWMPmSRPQ9mLy3E7Shx1spfeTeyBreydyejzMwGtvad-wO1eF7V3ufb2FDx8J0Xuf0ZrWWYqykSZ5v67aSgUhdXB-q1KTJroWYlJ4OOR1e5gImsaSXMLv_PzkWed_C_o8/s1600/delhi+227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6e-NAmEpU8oEWMPmSRPQ9mLy3E7Shx1spfeTeyBreydyejzMwGtvad-wO1eF7V3ufb2FDx8J0Xuf0ZrWWYqykSZ5v67aSgUhdXB-q1KTJroWYlJ4OOR1e5gImsaSXMLv_PzkWed_C_o8/s320/delhi+227.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">It was really fun but I found that I really missed RSO and the kids. Sightseeing is awesome but theexperiances I'm having at RSO win out every time:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Crawling into my bed at the hostel was the best feeling in the world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Home is where you feel safe and loved.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I'm home.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">with great love,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kenzie</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-21975811643683260702010-07-22T11:42:00.000-07:002010-07-22T11:42:12.029-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>while loving someone deeply gives you courage. "</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-Lao Tzu</em></strong> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCimeSQwdLRxWw268_dIi7G2uVY_rc2gThqRy-vLeznsSy_VMEaMV0fX55fZWxP7jg24A9crthyPccALxahFu8T5Itola8MQiUe8ayyUlzDPKXBmWcSqTgFQQbzlAsP-BGaXny7udf9j-/s1600/day+before+delhi+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCimeSQwdLRxWw268_dIi7G2uVY_rc2gThqRy-vLeznsSy_VMEaMV0fX55fZWxP7jg24A9crthyPccALxahFu8T5Itola8MQiUe8ayyUlzDPKXBmWcSqTgFQQbzlAsP-BGaXny7udf9j-/s320/day+before+delhi+011.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She was so happy to see me, I loved it:)<br />
She can always make me smile</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This post is going to be super short, because we leave at 330am to catch our flight to New Delhi! The next three days will be packed with sight seeing and I'm super excited!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjzLhI8dGdwYnR0SkSKtUaOodT01kx5iorNmNsJLRutOUJA7ysMUkvWuLW3Nw7EZBEi6ElFMv-pcCG359BRwYkcgbIwTPro4tOpS7pq3LyeFJyofPsd-T4DfZFzgSyTBM7mpwaojTaH_N/s1600/day+before+delhi+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjzLhI8dGdwYnR0SkSKtUaOodT01kx5iorNmNsJLRutOUJA7ysMUkvWuLW3Nw7EZBEi6ElFMv-pcCG359BRwYkcgbIwTPro4tOpS7pq3LyeFJyofPsd-T4DfZFzgSyTBM7mpwaojTaH_N/s320/day+before+delhi+015.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was great to be back with the kids, I really really missed them so play time was amazing and dinner back up on the roof was absolutely amazing (sorry for the use of that word over and over on this blog, it just applies to so many things!). Tonight we did highs and lows and what we've learned and it was super touching. Everyone said something different, it was so cool to see how everyone is growing and changing and how we've managed to grow together. We've all become so close and have such a great dynamic. What took place the past few days could not have happened without all the different combined personalities. I will always have a special deep connection with this group of people because we have been through so many things together that noone will understand until they have lived it for themselves.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvztHBHsGrbBaNt-YHlbrihIrjAPGQOqsnz-m5zHFzUFcTjg2fcRZSDR4j9IHbKG-X5ByfAarq6OkYAMn3dvDimG1HtGj5-4QZprK_-zeg-iBWfxIFdpkf-CeL40GxYjjJJrNeCmMzT1E/s1600/day+before+delhi+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvztHBHsGrbBaNt-YHlbrihIrjAPGQOqsnz-m5zHFzUFcTjg2fcRZSDR4j9IHbKG-X5ByfAarq6OkYAMn3dvDimG1HtGj5-4QZprK_-zeg-iBWfxIFdpkf-CeL40GxYjjJJrNeCmMzT1E/s320/day+before+delhi+008.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Low: Falling asleep and missing hot rod on the bus.</div><div style="text-align: center;">High: When the people at the first colony we visited brought us out drinks and flowers, it was such a huge act of compassion and sacrifice to show that they were grateful.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lesson: I learned about selflessness. Some things are bigger then me, in those colonies helping the people was more important then my own worries or emotions. I needed to be strong and share a smile for <strong>them</strong>. In those moments I also learned about my own strength when faced with a challenge. I'm so grateful for these lessons.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXrSRuEbJQS7Vln76mkdGyaSz3LtJD71eonQsqc68w7cSGhRNUaLeu-BwNPmcydVF5YszlLJlHMVRug9MID2Rk2a2YqeMBLFsc0dRjG82M35Ztj_ZXpfyUs3lq7w3IZ-jNaBwLFrfKEZE/s1600/day+before+delhi+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXrSRuEbJQS7Vln76mkdGyaSz3LtJD71eonQsqc68w7cSGhRNUaLeu-BwNPmcydVF5YszlLJlHMVRug9MID2Rk2a2YqeMBLFsc0dRjG82M35Ztj_ZXpfyUs3lq7w3IZ-jNaBwLFrfKEZE/s320/day+before+delhi+014.JPG" /></a><br />
Some of the girls:)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-86464349355073325792010-07-21T12:49:00.000-07:002010-07-21T15:26:30.537-07:00Finding yourself<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-Mahatma Gandhi</em></strong> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYXMuyqSCmgwaxumpEGDjG5MfkQ9yNjmujXGC6fLNi1bKOhRUCKrylxR2XuLMOV-nDi_b3Ijv38g-m99eoHeK9m1F7oyiIQKxzUOxg0t0fXDx-mawclzy950rdVo8blBWidlPwiGQlL89/s1600/colony+trip+112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYXMuyqSCmgwaxumpEGDjG5MfkQ9yNjmujXGC6fLNi1bKOhRUCKrylxR2XuLMOV-nDi_b3Ijv38g-m99eoHeK9m1F7oyiIQKxzUOxg0t0fXDx-mawclzy950rdVo8blBWidlPwiGQlL89/s320/colony+trip+112.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today we visited another new colony. The colony we went to yesterday had been visited by Dr. Kumar two years ago, but this colony had never been visited by him or any RSO volunteers, so we were not sure what kind of a reaction we would recieve from them. When we arrived, we all crowded into their community center because it was raining. It was very crowded and stuffy, but we did our best to set up our stations and create order by allowing groups of 5 in at a time. I really learned to enjoy working on the diabetes testing with the girls yesterday, we had gotten into a really good rhythm, but today I was assigned to bandaging. I was very excited to try something new and contribute in another way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Many of the wounds and ulcers on these people were worse then we had seen at any other colony so far. I was slightly overwhelmed at the very beginning, but after I began to work and serve these people, I was able to get the job done without focusing on the severity of the wound while smiling and comforting the people I was bandaging. I began to think about them more than myself and my own selfish fears and worries. After the foot was washed our job would come in; we would look at the ulcers, apply oinment, apply gauze, and finally wrap the foot or hand to hold the gauze in place.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7KDNAu5W1WIVJKDRcZo2mkRSgWta53wtqIMZBhBDfXBgj_rPjE3jwoiyTpP-vRvE9lJuAS4RhD6XlF7-KSq4QkBDLZIeOPXRnOZWzDgAJEjMIy3clmoBnAQfeKUvWcer6pjobkeZ2cSi/s320/colony+trip+113.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFtG446VI0H9dX0RyPY9jXH_x0gvgSh7X1GZegu0PQDk2y58Nz4VI22rAUzkFxX7Hxu9vYJcp6Uk8zkMogCDzxk6MBqM5kRTO_hSxRlEdvYt3LVKnV8W0pFVn7sOEqrwYOMv5KmNTFLGA/s1600/colony+trip+115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFtG446VI0H9dX0RyPY9jXH_x0gvgSh7X1GZegu0PQDk2y58Nz4VI22rAUzkFxX7Hxu9vYJcp6Uk8zkMogCDzxk6MBqM5kRTO_hSxRlEdvYt3LVKnV8W0pFVn7sOEqrwYOMv5KmNTFLGA/s320/colony+trip+115.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">About halfway through our time at the colony, one man came in for his turn. This man had the the worst ulcer I have ever seen in my life, it is hard to get the image out of my head. The ulcer covered the majority of the top and bottom of his mishapen foot. His skin was discolored and rough; it no longer looked like skin. I do not want to use my blog as a place for horrifying pictures or descriptions of wounds for people to be shocked by, out of respect for these beautiful people. I wish only to help show the feelings involved and the lessons learned. I feel that for this story the details are necessary. As the man's foot was unwrapped and the gaping wound was revealed, a volunteer hurried over to wash it. Tears streamed down the man's face as a he begged Dr. Kumar to amputate it. Dr. Kumar told us that for now it would need to be bandaged, and action could be taken later. This man was in so much pain and his wound was so severe. Another volunteer and I began to bandage the wound as quickly as we could. Even though the man was in pain, he still reached down occasionally trying to help push the gauze into his wound. I tried my hardest to help him, holding his hand whenever mine was free, or simply trying to share a smile and let him know without words that he was loved. When we had finished I had to excuse myself and step outside. I needed a moment to myself to think. While inside and busy I was able to focus on what needed to be accomplished and keep my feelings in check, because there was something more important that needed to be accomplished and him seeing my own tears would not have helped. A few of the other volunteers who had been helping the man or who had simply looked over and seen came outside as well, feeling the same way I'm sure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODzWHVgu8VNeP9maJwrPgQbQ-NDDm9xEfMeP_g1ArHFkiIs696oAmw864assCHDKlYvSvkkTdXLsYxVp5WFM-tCpnUxTSuPVWiI8NYiCAQpoScX1_G8zrYLLWz8pTM4NaAdWrKtOotfNq/s1600/colony+trip+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODzWHVgu8VNeP9maJwrPgQbQ-NDDm9xEfMeP_g1ArHFkiIs696oAmw864assCHDKlYvSvkkTdXLsYxVp5WFM-tCpnUxTSuPVWiI8NYiCAQpoScX1_G8zrYLLWz8pTM4NaAdWrKtOotfNq/s320/colony+trip+117.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've learned so much about myself through my experiences today. Just this past year I made the decision that I want to go into nursing, but I have always wondered if I would really be able to hold up under the pressure, or keep myself in check when dealing with something gory. Today helped me so much to see my own strength and my ability to stretch myself. While I was working I didn't notice the smell, or the crowd, all I could see was the beautful person in front of me, and the only thing on my mind was how I could best wrap the wound to keep in clean and secure. It is not a bad thing to feel emotional, or overwhelmed, or to cry, but there is a time and a place for everything and sometimes you need to be strong for someone else. I learned that there are more important things than myself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJVJvMOu-6XVKzzS_JIpwYzvzZp36tnbzphpcYOnqGfaPqFdemzoxmRCkU-qDluVS64gwQYFn5Fe9tN13-TGl8KDqwCJPiLXAi5dBRSlFID0woRjU-zwq5zXyTRkbYuubcb5SyYv6Qi1E/s1600/colony+trip+135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJVJvMOu-6XVKzzS_JIpwYzvzZp36tnbzphpcYOnqGfaPqFdemzoxmRCkU-qDluVS64gwQYFn5Fe9tN13-TGl8KDqwCJPiLXAi5dBRSlFID0woRjU-zwq5zXyTRkbYuubcb5SyYv6Qi1E/s320/colony+trip+135.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">I am so grateful for everything I am learning and the opportunities I am having to grow and stretch.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><strong>I'm finding myself</strong> <em>by losing myself.</em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">After a long but worthwhile two days and a long car ride home (which I slept through as well, except the part where we all watched Hot Rod;)), I am grateful to be back at the beautiful Rising Star campus, I've missed my bed:)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">withgreatlove,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kenzie</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">p.s. This adorable little woman is 95 years old. She was constantly blessing us and smiling; she loved looking at the pictures and pointing to herself:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXBG_b-8TDkReIw_CzVqgFE_iZgd-sJUU4wMMM7pXCwSFFoHU3afHA76z9hTddREWi1a_mfTygqcQcGJJDOewpKclBC_coFII2nbz54xaxsfjm4iRyhe5xsc2wdo9ca667EZPh8s2xFrd/s1600/colony+trip+111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXBG_b-8TDkReIw_CzVqgFE_iZgd-sJUU4wMMM7pXCwSFFoHU3afHA76z9hTddREWi1a_mfTygqcQcGJJDOewpKclBC_coFII2nbz54xaxsfjm4iRyhe5xsc2wdo9ca667EZPh8s2xFrd/s320/colony+trip+111.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-11846987823024001692010-07-21T11:41:00.000-07:002010-07-21T15:33:57.780-07:00New colonies - Day 1<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop."</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-Mother Teresa</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRKi6ZeZvlfrTQy1Zr1GhXhl0b7ahA9LceciWG3jCCa296jNrXsYMTqnx1NLmbNfSEPedaBXQaDEtaVuKRjHldqI-xpJuQgpslIiKbTb4CJJ3wc1RymRDXN4Jhe1Io34MvI21JZHpAJPB/s1600/colony+trip+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRKi6ZeZvlfrTQy1Zr1GhXhl0b7ahA9LceciWG3jCCa296jNrXsYMTqnx1NLmbNfSEPedaBXQaDEtaVuKRjHldqI-xpJuQgpslIiKbTb4CJJ3wc1RymRDXN4Jhe1Io34MvI21JZHpAJPB/s320/colony+trip+086.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Missed seeing the kids, but it really has been an awesome 2 days.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today was absolutely amazing, but so different from any other day so far.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We left the Rising Star campus at 5 am and piled into two buses to take us to a neighboring state. The plan was that we would arrive at 9 and start work in the new colony and leave to go to our hotel at about 2 or 3... but TII, this is India:)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We did somehow manage to leave ontime at 5, but when we reached the border we were stopped and told that one of the buses did not have the correct paperwork. We sat there for a long time and finally had to turn around and rent a different bus. Everyone on the other bus moved onto the new bus, and we were off again! Later on we had to stop again at a grocery store to pick up toilet paper, which we realized we had forgotten to bring. (Indians do not ussualy use toilet paper, because it is expensive; they wipe with their left hand and then wash it. This is why you can eat with only your right hand at restaurants, which can be challenging when it's bread you need to tear!) We were then stopped by a policeman who wanted to again check our paperwork for entering a new city. We arrived at our hotel at around 12pm. I would also like to point out that I was very, very asleep during the entire drive and had to hear these stories after! Thank you dramamine :) ahhaha (motion sickness medicine, the drives here are Mr. Toad's Wild Ride status)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeP6sJ89ReueZt7ltreEvxc4YUvvaKxkHPF2aIcOM34Hctap74vj5M-9G7mgMMwSw9Pim_RBWQYxMEed11xC0T3GAbDl6o6LR8x7o7HJAVuc1yWdQPWDDAJ1rnHVBKaLyzl59xHN4k12n/s1600/colony+trip+105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeP6sJ89ReueZt7ltreEvxc4YUvvaKxkHPF2aIcOM34Hctap74vj5M-9G7mgMMwSw9Pim_RBWQYxMEed11xC0T3GAbDl6o6LR8x7o7HJAVuc1yWdQPWDDAJ1rnHVBKaLyzl59xHN4k12n/s320/colony+trip+105.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After a quick lunch we finally arrived at the colony. When we got there we walked into a roofed town center/patio area. We were blessed to have the roof, because it had begun to rain. I was immediately overwhelmed seeing the people seated on the ground; they had been waiting for us since that morning. As soon as we began to unload, a man arrived carrying a box of cold sodas and gave one to each of the volunteers. It was hard to hold back the tears as I recieved this sincere gift. They had so little, but they were giving us all that they could. It meant so much to me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL45WdZFQUvl9n_jRmBNbErI0V-rJXSBhb3XZYBtszaOz-m88R15zXwjyWVyMTlZLiAv3XhlZxu5E9VD6h_c7Mjhwdm86QQUeNS8yIuGjLHv8_hNL0GWtBuHV7iX5M50NQpxnHh0Xt1_Sb/s1600/colony+trip+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL45WdZFQUvl9n_jRmBNbErI0V-rJXSBhb3XZYBtszaOz-m88R15zXwjyWVyMTlZLiAv3XhlZxu5E9VD6h_c7Mjhwdm86QQUeNS8yIuGjLHv8_hNL0GWtBuHV7iX5M50NQpxnHh0Xt1_Sb/s320/colony+trip+103.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We were then assigned to groups; some were washing feet, others took blood pressure, some bandaged, some were in charge of picture documenting, and 2 other girls and I were assigned to test for diabetes. I will admit I was very nervous about the diabetes testing. I wasn't sure what to do, but I've realized through these past few weeks that you just have to jump right in 100%; thats they only way to learn. Diabetes testing on leprosy patients can be much harder than just a simple finger prick. Because of the disease, some have very thick and calloused skin, some have no fingers, and some have very poor circulation making it hard to get enough blood.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJhMsjgosO0wulmxeXKx3zcaG-kGK5s5Mfo4JKNMz7evcaiDTEaoC_jIr7iqu_54JN-rK1ncxahAsHFSkt2L1rZqAwf1V65s-OevdW_xpFI-X4pQP7I7FIwG7Lxcjts7fSzwAQ3kkNWwm/s1600/colony+trip+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJhMsjgosO0wulmxeXKx3zcaG-kGK5s5Mfo4JKNMz7evcaiDTEaoC_jIr7iqu_54JN-rK1ncxahAsHFSkt2L1rZqAwf1V65s-OevdW_xpFI-X4pQP7I7FIwG7Lxcjts7fSzwAQ3kkNWwm/s320/colony+trip+098.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfrqMZUXzVYVQ01dTr-1ToI4snYPzkBiWGkznO_3zuC6pdlL-pPxRxR_Uc3QFRnknlUIA2BzpFO5Qn1767AHxy7fQl2qcmL9EhbDejDXLItDyqDpVxPXi58dNaJSqryzRgj6omU9QNPFz/s320/colony+trip+097.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMO4e5ElLaIM-6wT7QTuqIU-CPGAWkSJO-QZDgvp14FV7CzKWiVvsT73m4gjZSCdvOL1ZuqoYO4tGrzJUeE7NXOwKsPoZPpZZxkvjJi1iAaLjgFnrqtTRt4X0klOUPV20X0f_GkMtSmQS/s320/colony+trip+095.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was very hard for me to watch their pain as we pricked them multiple times trying to find a soft enough spot. I was very lucky to be working with two other very talented girls, one of whom actually has diabetes herself. They showed me what to do, and eventually I got the hang of it. I was grateful for the opportunity to not only help getting the blood, but being able to comfort the people and simply hold the hands of those who were so scared they would begin to tear up even before we had touched them. We helped about 85 people during our hours at the colony and diagnosed 12 new diabetics. 15 other patients were diagnosed with hypertension. They will now be able to get the medicine and help they need to keep themselves healthy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHyC-efuOofs6277dmACFeGR0_Y6no8lQalerB5hDLdTKqWmY_AYGhDEjFHM6h1RnBADzwMmGdQyUmB_hUv-susotooyJj2nXvgrfeUl8yQSQwbeLLPrYyaVFXt615DvUncXpGVNE-Jce/s1600/colony+trip+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHyC-efuOofs6277dmACFeGR0_Y6no8lQalerB5hDLdTKqWmY_AYGhDEjFHM6h1RnBADzwMmGdQyUmB_hUv-susotooyJj2nXvgrfeUl8yQSQwbeLLPrYyaVFXt615DvUncXpGVNE-Jce/s320/colony+trip+102.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOtsJhj3qgvbNS7NVzGDVKhhHRg-L75nCUSmhQY78bh2Unnj7-LOVAKg90MnaMKDiARw4phEu_DuWg8p1xiI1ZQmJN6R4ko90dhqrU38-x5_vuAQS-4SxvTHq7QLvGJrJMW4r7OnA_S5D/s1600/colony+trip+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOtsJhj3qgvbNS7NVzGDVKhhHRg-L75nCUSmhQY78bh2Unnj7-LOVAKg90MnaMKDiARw4phEu_DuWg8p1xiI1ZQmJN6R4ko90dhqrU38-x5_vuAQS-4SxvTHq7QLvGJrJMW4r7OnA_S5D/s320/colony+trip+104.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">When we finished I was "joyously fatigued," one of my new favorite descriptions, and also once again overwhelmed. I started talking to another volunteer, Kim, about our experiances from the day and it was impossible to hold back the tears any longer. We had felt so much love and tried to give as much love as we could give. These people were so inspiring and grateful. One woman walked around placing flowers in each volunteer's hair. I know that I will never be the same; they have taught me so much about living with pain, but loving and enduring at the same time. I have grown to love these people in just one day. They are absolutely beautiful in my eyes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">withgreatlove,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kenzie</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-5859872722121295382010-07-19T12:30:00.000-07:002010-07-19T12:30:15.248-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>"</em></strong><strong><em>Yesterday is history,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>tomorrow is a mystery,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>and today is a gift</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>that's why they call it the present."</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today was great, I was in tutoring group again, and we spent the day inventorying and organizing the star store an donated supplies for the school/ For those of you who don't know the star store is here's a short explanation.</div><div style="text-align: center;">A lot of the children who attend RSO's school have been taugh to beg for things because they have so little or their parents used them to beg for money. To combat this RSO came up with the star store. The star store is a room that contains tons of different prizes worth varying amounts of stars. Each week the children have the opportunity to earn 7 stars, one each day. They can then either use them in the stare store, or save them up for a big prize. This teaches the children about smart spending of money and it allows them to earn the things they need. Throughout the day if they do all of their chores, homework, and behave they recieve a star.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I'm sorry this post is short, but I have a big two days ahead of me and I definitely need some sleep. Tomorrow at 5 we leave for a neighboring state where we will be checking leprosy patients. This colony, however is a large colony, and is new to RSO. They have never seen doctor's before so their wounds and infections will be worse then any that I have seen so far. I know that it will be a life changing experiance. We will work for two days, staying at a hotel one night.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">high: Having on of the little girls run up to me, tell me she loved me and giving me a hug. Also finally figuring out skype and talking to my family:)</div><div style="text-align: center;">low: almost slipping and dropping all of the rice on the way to dinner</div><br />
<div align="center">Hope all is well with everyone!</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center">wwithgreatlovee,</div><div align="center">Kenzie</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-44104609465036847912010-07-19T12:17:00.000-07:002010-07-19T12:17:09.229-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>“If a man loses pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music in which he hears, however measured, or far away."</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>-Henry David Thoreau</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yesterday was Sunday, its been so nice to have a day off and be able to rest. In the morning we chose out our saris and headed over to have the house mothers wrap us. It was misting, and walking back to the volunteer hostels was absolutely beautiful and serene. I loved how quiet it was, I was all alone, surrounded by palm trees and the bright green of the other plants around me. Everything was muffled because of the rain and the beautiful cloth of my sari flowed around me feet. I know it sounds silly but it really was a quiet special moment. It really made me realize I will miss having all of this beauty around me wherever I go.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2zGdOsd7Q72IuawKm31ZId-VtJ7fb3DZqyor93-KZ3skw70ziAHKU4VadqzbPtyJUtAIGFGRF7r7ZI9UYIE0zyvVV0Ndc-ZfC94ru1BYNcTlYvOsXrLNgmLe0-gH2IHO0rBXXwZSTdTG/s1600/day+6+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2zGdOsd7Q72IuawKm31ZId-VtJ7fb3DZqyor93-KZ3skw70ziAHKU4VadqzbPtyJUtAIGFGRF7r7ZI9UYIE0zyvVV0Ndc-ZfC94ru1BYNcTlYvOsXrLNgmLe0-gH2IHO0rBXXwZSTdTG/s320/day+6+001.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(side note: just heard tons of screaming from the little girls so went outside to check it out, saw my first real cobra! they caught it and are going to kill it, will definitely show pictures in my next post!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">While we were on the RSO bus heading out to church one of the little boys ran forward and began talking to the bus driver and he immediately stopped and began to reverse for a good amount of time. They were mainly talking in Tamil but from what I could catch it sounded like something had fallen out of the window. We reversed for a good amount of time and I just kept wondering what would be worth all this and if it was really that important. When we finally stopped to boy jumped off to grab the object I just burst out laughing. He came on carrying the window. The window had fallen off the bus. It was a totral T.I.I. moment. (TII stands for "this is India" noone really knows how it began but its a phrase used when something doesn't go as planned, if you didn't already know India is a pretty go with the flow place, you just have to be flexible. I absolutely love how relaxed it is.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We arrived at church and had a beautiful Sunday meeting. It was amazing to see how the LDS church we went to was exactly the same as it is back home, just not always in the same language:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKD7ral-OCVa3Rfccs5TUbszMRkGRXst-R_eSH3Y4BVGHExCb91hEacy2VD7eQ2CJuraaHCe8jmfWntWHj8V6kaSye4yFqw7zulN848rg208RpsYrwc8ENLS_tpS8wZ2CBd6WHxzKMKm_/s1600/day+6+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKD7ral-OCVa3Rfccs5TUbszMRkGRXst-R_eSH3Y4BVGHExCb91hEacy2VD7eQ2CJuraaHCe8jmfWntWHj8V6kaSye4yFqw7zulN848rg208RpsYrwc8ENLS_tpS8wZ2CBd6WHxzKMKm_/s320/day+6+004.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We met in the basement of a building, and there was even a gaurd at the door.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EZI69kPTXUEpZlo9J0d3u3NNKgZBV0FKXZu27Y7W-I3zmIqJLrZ6aapj-IaDlmMa97jHZa5mxJ-kvxkSo_EHkdarC8aO21zi-GEgyjuJUiIdEZ0TNDgT4l0xdQAUV31BIOo93c6fhrBx/s1600/day+6+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EZI69kPTXUEpZlo9J0d3u3NNKgZBV0FKXZu27Y7W-I3zmIqJLrZ6aapj-IaDlmMa97jHZa5mxJ-kvxkSo_EHkdarC8aO21zi-GEgyjuJUiIdEZ0TNDgT4l0xdQAUV31BIOo93c6fhrBx/s320/day+6+007.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Everyone looked beautiful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPgCT2Qf8EIW1vSW8aokcj1b0jYUtsFtWYqu6HNi3IlpyhT8troUM3Je__hkvqlpGu0V7qjsnDCwAZWgFIuJPbim5pK0HWtZnpQFKVLTUY3iAVA3k9jEib-a-gNsvz3D3bew25gDuZy54/s1600/day+6+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPgCT2Qf8EIW1vSW8aokcj1b0jYUtsFtWYqu6HNi3IlpyhT8troUM3Je__hkvqlpGu0V7qjsnDCwAZWgFIuJPbim5pK0HWtZnpQFKVLTUY3iAVA3k9jEib-a-gNsvz3D3bew25gDuZy54/s320/day+6+008.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Amy Antonelli Left yesterday:( she is seriously amazingg</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPaYMO3Rk9fXTGsZUcmvzETg8elXosspGAmVcfmEMUQxQycoTv5fTfMq1iP-67pxyuWWAht5MFQ9tLbigiOvJHedjOQPs8KmGkQ4-BCTup-u1UAOhv-SnmeB_Jbn-L4uhQs4cXw5F33fT/s1600/day+6+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPaYMO3Rk9fXTGsZUcmvzETg8elXosspGAmVcfmEMUQxQycoTv5fTfMq1iP-67pxyuWWAht5MFQ9tLbigiOvJHedjOQPs8KmGkQ4-BCTup-u1UAOhv-SnmeB_Jbn-L4uhQs4cXw5F33fT/s320/day+6+010.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And anothr TII moment happened on the way home from church, the good ol bus broke down... It was actually pretty funny cause it was bound to happen atleast once these couple weeks:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Afterwards we ate an amazing dinner of spaghetti, and the Bertha family gave a beautiful devotion about humility and we all went to go spend time with our families and help the older kids study for their exams. While we were there the power went out and it was pitch black all the little kids were all riled up, it was pretty funny, they would try to scare me by making monster noises. After I was able to locate my backpack one of the house mothers told us to head back to our rooms early because it was going to rain. The lights didn't take to long to come back on, but by the time we reached the hostel it was raining. We all ran out into the middle of our court yard and started dancing and splashing in the puddles, others filled up buckets from spouts and splashing everyone, needless to say we were all drenched by the end. It was so much fun:)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEloNy8xR8v8gnievdwgpUvSSda06lO_5XNiUREp_XGwUKwPkJJZRHWKqlW_rO-fjLJYrdpkzKRqg8YOMr9mJp9KzXFn4o43y0t7Yby9uB1NFKO2m9WiTUI7oLngH6y8N7tOH7k6U5_9Z/s1600/37537_414223384005_503514005_4826052_4557350_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEloNy8xR8v8gnievdwgpUvSSda06lO_5XNiUREp_XGwUKwPkJJZRHWKqlW_rO-fjLJYrdpkzKRqg8YOMr9mJp9KzXFn4o43y0t7Yby9uB1NFKO2m9WiTUI7oLngH6y8N7tOH7k6U5_9Z/s320/37537_414223384005_503514005_4826052_4557350_n%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">no idea why I have such creepy eyes... ahah but you get the idea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">/Afterwards we all sat outside and blogged and talked for hours, it was a wonderful night</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">wwithgreatlovee,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kenzie</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-68950442855647605442010-07-18T11:56:00.000-07:002010-07-18T11:56:00.041-07:00<div align="center"><em>“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. <strong>Explore. Dream. Discover.”</strong></em></div><div align="center"><em> – Mark Twain</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdYEOBZ7uqZzRI0xrFYlTajY9m0EwFjTy7jkhWBU1-noc05wDpShGo_0cZAa_3BtrNZA5_dLUGfIIE6b_QvEdCLm0nzOFlk9iGabpVf9KNnDnyJpHMlpnyKqv1YMaiYMGCGTWxO7M73ZO/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdYEOBZ7uqZzRI0xrFYlTajY9m0EwFjTy7jkhWBU1-noc05wDpShGo_0cZAa_3BtrNZA5_dLUGfIIE6b_QvEdCLm0nzOFlk9iGabpVf9KNnDnyJpHMlpnyKqv1YMaiYMGCGTWxO7M73ZO/s320/040.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This weekend was absolutely amazing!</div><div style="text-align: center;">On Saturday we spent the day at mamallapuram, a beach city. There was lots of shopping and temples to explore. I found that I am actually pretty good at arguing down prices. Plenty of anklets and bed spreads and custom made chudidars to entertain us all. While me and another girl were running back to the atm it started absolutely pouring. We were in a hurry to get back to a certain shop so we ended up running through the pooring rain, our chudidars soaking wet. The whole time we ran people were yelling at us from windows telling us to get out of the rain. It was fun and we were both laughing, only in India.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5G9sbhyphenhyphenhtg1CledZmQCw7nrt5Yl1rkdOiGx_4FuD7AnA_dS7rH-pFR0cgYKLNNqXqR-YnBwPKBfXm6idZyVHt6CiSCtV2VsYuVeJ9AQ3hsGXRUN8nEE7rHtoKgK7Rq7avd1GB42JHrtzk/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5G9sbhyphenhyphenhtg1CledZmQCw7nrt5Yl1rkdOiGx_4FuD7AnA_dS7rH-pFR0cgYKLNNqXqR-YnBwPKBfXm6idZyVHt6CiSCtV2VsYuVeJ9AQ3hsGXRUN8nEE7rHtoKgK7Rq7avd1GB42JHrtzk/s320/004.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After we'd spent all our Ruppee's we headed over to the butter ball. The butter ball is so cool to look at, its this huge rock on an incline and it never rolls down. The story is that they have tried pushing and pulling it with teams of animals.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's what it looks like:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclmDC9uJExx53wWePAPkKwOPCV1ni9zRH54-eDzoMItvA4K1mU6vIWc5r40z_nEUhSXIdAruDKvWqZV4aW7TXyjClK0TJPMe0o0XPoyFaRPsr2fAO9n3PiOuwjT3QN6hM9Of_EShbJqlI/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclmDC9uJExx53wWePAPkKwOPCV1ni9zRH54-eDzoMItvA4K1mU6vIWc5r40z_nEUhSXIdAruDKvWqZV4aW7TXyjClK0TJPMe0o0XPoyFaRPsr2fAO9n3PiOuwjT3QN6hM9Of_EShbJqlI/s320/007.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gotta take the typical tourist pictures!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUH7zV-bsaua_GWHBFZsk5M-9T0qcsyyt8NFEO8rUuDV_AG8rXdLC0aq1iJprRGyuEesdb_NqTvcmTmiwkNwTanoSRtG5EixJqs_xtQb_fIjONQAIbk1zW0dh7G04CZueCYP9lHg6lltYo/s320/012.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The temples were absolutely amazing and we had a fun time just walking around and taking pictures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_j1d57P__ZG3opeD-gGneZGgKEpPY6YQJhpep9l9bGaEMRVbdkhb18QptubgTvJxOmyGS0Zbz7LSVtgUCMukd5qz8c8LjykZCV2tILt2u_u0bT1nx5FIhvRKpHck2CkXUP_W7dQmN6XH/s1600/DSC_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_j1d57P__ZG3opeD-gGneZGgKEpPY6YQJhpep9l9bGaEMRVbdkhb18QptubgTvJxOmyGS0Zbz7LSVtgUCMukd5qz8c8LjykZCV2tILt2u_u0bT1nx5FIhvRKpHck2CkXUP_W7dQmN6XH/s320/DSC_0902.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">amazing view</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQ0bVswnuo43aSONr60vf9aqpHcS0V7XBij-067Q8bt2XtpzlroWGW2fRd6M8qBwiG_v0zJnx1mIowjuGNLKQMGj6XBZUVTIhRhkL7KAQUIFjfUTGJouzn-_SJHFjvZuPfEJ0xrZ4Khmn/s1600/DSC_0907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQ0bVswnuo43aSONr60vf9aqpHcS0V7XBij-067Q8bt2XtpzlroWGW2fRd6M8qBwiG_v0zJnx1mIowjuGNLKQMGj6XBZUVTIhRhkL7KAQUIFjfUTGJouzn-_SJHFjvZuPfEJ0xrZ4Khmn/s320/DSC_0907.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">imitating the lions:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRYOjT4z90boSmJGn1Llxeiy7dO-FExea0FbAJEADvfDXUZdhEB7I9SrWG8I47Ryvf_WpVwVplAsXvdJooPIivVCcXnlZk3DgHgZhLq9S_SMWt6dofASm4bvTkg7dwA63pLxrJf_JJdcW/s1600/DSC_0908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRYOjT4z90boSmJGn1Llxeiy7dO-FExea0FbAJEADvfDXUZdhEB7I9SrWG8I47Ryvf_WpVwVplAsXvdJooPIivVCcXnlZk3DgHgZhLq9S_SMWt6dofASm4bvTkg7dwA63pLxrJf_JJdcW/s320/DSC_0908.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We ended the day with a tastey dinner of parota. Its this tortilla like food that you dip in sauce and comes with an omelette. I seriously have never tasted anything like it and I have a feeling I'll be craving it back on the states...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Afterwards we spent the evening playing sardines in the hostel and on the roof, it was dark and the stars were so bright. It reminded me so much of the song "Sure on this shining night" that we sang in choir this past year. We had a great time, at first I was worried that we wouldn't all get along, but we're all having a blast. I love how close we've gotten in just the past week!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">wwithgreatlovee,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kenzie</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-72258056102325886112010-07-16T19:24:00.000-07:002010-07-16T19:24:53.530-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">“If we could see others the way they see themselves our shyness would soon turn to compassion.”</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today was absolutely amazing, it has been so full of experiences that I know I will never forget. I was on medical crew again today and we had the opportunity to go to a colony called Moot. I’ve hear so much about the colony and how much everyone always loved it, but I never really knew why. Years ago a government leprosy house became to overcrowded and about 30 of its members were kicked out. They were the people with the worst conditions and were chosen because of their unbearable smell which was caused by their rotting flesh. Five years ago Padma and Rising Star began to visit Moot and help the people who lived there. There are now only 7 people left in the colony, 3 women 4 men.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JHH1hMFUVxXLQlTRyBjGl9GVcK3c4mhNWECdjSuDTRB1oYohETtf46C-gA8pr8dIxBOS2n1mPEq6cOxQ2zonSJWfqgYr5s9vuefb-7HukQJD_kMD4OjYDeOgKzZXSyfKcevWrwkgJugu/s1600/day+5+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JHH1hMFUVxXLQlTRyBjGl9GVcK3c4mhNWECdjSuDTRB1oYohETtf46C-gA8pr8dIxBOS2n1mPEq6cOxQ2zonSJWfqgYr5s9vuefb-7HukQJD_kMD4OjYDeOgKzZXSyfKcevWrwkgJugu/s320/day+5+011.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">When we first arrived I didn’t know what to expect, the colony was small, but we were immediately greeted by an adorable happy man with a booming voice and a huge smile. We all sat underneath a large tree as the rest of the colony members came out of their homes. We played Jenga with men who had few fingers but they loved stacking and restacking the towers after they’d fallen. One man who had no fingers on either hand entertained himself by blowing on or knocking the first dominoe in a long line, and would laugh and laugh as they all crashed to the ground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBl7H33JdGkWieggS3bt5Fc-9a1aJGtLIO_qnA22q_GO90pGYWc0vqUrTkrL9PQyLQ8pHkbeakUb4WETQtwjxh24wMUyWL7v8BM-dTXAeJy5C37svlxCRgkRxkEXt_MX9bRNGLiVpNa4Ry/s1600/day+5+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBl7H33JdGkWieggS3bt5Fc-9a1aJGtLIO_qnA22q_GO90pGYWc0vqUrTkrL9PQyLQ8pHkbeakUb4WETQtwjxh24wMUyWL7v8BM-dTXAeJy5C37svlxCRgkRxkEXt_MX9bRNGLiVpNa4Ry/s320/day+5+007.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There was so much love it is almost impossible to describe. Just being able to sit and hold one of their scarred and warped fingers and let them know that I cared for them and that they were worthwhile. The people at this colony had dignity again and that set them apart so much from any other leprosy affected people I have ever met. Self esteem is so important, and this disease is so devastating because it not only ravages a person physically but also mentally and emotionally.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bYBp2TL7taTU7MNBFT7qCkLST5Qe4UDupctuNU5qtt_2Lvq7u1EdFqe7V8A6OEej6AagTrnJ7oHyNclWsRRN6j09L1-3QHkp0DMVPN_0KI3w4-a_C0uqg7o98PT6784Rq40mPsioC1eO/s1600/day+5+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bYBp2TL7taTU7MNBFT7qCkLST5Qe4UDupctuNU5qtt_2Lvq7u1EdFqe7V8A6OEej6AagTrnJ7oHyNclWsRRN6j09L1-3QHkp0DMVPN_0KI3w4-a_C0uqg7o98PT6784Rq40mPsioC1eO/s320/day+5+014.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Later in the afternoon we began to sing and dance, the jolly happy man sang us their national anthem in Tamil and we sang him ours in English. We sang silly songs with hand motions and the entire community joined in with huge grins on their faces. Afterwards the man, called himself “the jolly dance master” showed us his drumming skills on a circular tin lid. We all began to dance, those who could not stand swayed from their seat, others began to click dominoes together adding to the beat, I grabbed a bag of chess pieces as a makeshift shaker. As I looked around I felt nothing but happiness and love, it is a moment I will never forget.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQH61gE97lfHWQF0vxsZqeL7zJCcnXkFANDlvaHdux8TEBbyYxWgHwbHzhWG6hXRNX581FxFRAeu0BLiJ1_mVYkGfy3_L79oGX94rmbUQdljdJQ8aikXcs8UHYmhVJpHFiWZewY9SaatT9/s1600/day+5+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQH61gE97lfHWQF0vxsZqeL7zJCcnXkFANDlvaHdux8TEBbyYxWgHwbHzhWG6hXRNX581FxFRAeu0BLiJ1_mVYkGfy3_L79oGX94rmbUQdljdJQ8aikXcs8UHYmhVJpHFiWZewY9SaatT9/s320/day+5+008.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I always find that as I serve others I learn more from them then I could ever teach them. I am learning so much about myself and my capabilities as I work here in India, you truly find yourself through losing yourself in service. I know that my life will never be the same as it was before I left, I have so much to be grateful for and I know how important it is that we make service to others a priority in our everyday lives. As we went around saying goodbye, each man and woman grabbed our hands, some kissing them, others kissing our cheeks and I couldn’t help but kiss their hands back. I have never met more beautiful people in my life. They taught me that it is possible to be joyful no matter my situation. “I have a home, friends, and food I am very happy” they would say. As we drove away I watched them wave and blow kisses through teary eyes. I hope that someday I will have the opportunity to see them again. Today has overwhelmed me, nothing is the same, it’s like seeing the world through new beautiful eyes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYHEhocNxPi5EApQxI6SI3rJZ3ZCuBnoq-abeYA7GTZt2AnpM8qx9G6VHWCDGHgAwzIqFcR8Kp1q7lSSTW7CI6E4odZ1KtqNIrh50tkDB7hPmOZb05upWMV_ssX-NyeIgyc7ONd0s9KxJ/s1600/day+5+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYHEhocNxPi5EApQxI6SI3rJZ3ZCuBnoq-abeYA7GTZt2AnpM8qx9G6VHWCDGHgAwzIqFcR8Kp1q7lSSTW7CI6E4odZ1KtqNIrh50tkDB7hPmOZb05upWMV_ssX-NyeIgyc7ONd0s9KxJ/s320/day+5+013.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This man smiled and laughed when we showed him this picture. Saying "Super"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHiRkSA0JKfKbLa9QWgZtCPfg25hZiJlYv9e5hKtxxUwSYjm81j0UN4r80MTs5aackfoqHhxJE8w_LGeZ6QAB7hennPmX5OrYQvC_xh_TEKOJjMj1GMqmjx-znnEjEXXrxcGAoXX8ingv/s1600/day+5+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHiRkSA0JKfKbLa9QWgZtCPfg25hZiJlYv9e5hKtxxUwSYjm81j0UN4r80MTs5aackfoqHhxJE8w_LGeZ6QAB7hennPmX5OrYQvC_xh_TEKOJjMj1GMqmjx-znnEjEXXrxcGAoXX8ingv/s320/day+5+015.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Waving goodbye</div><div style="text-align: center;">When we returned home we had playtime with the kids which was so refreshing and fun. I will never get sick of seeing their beautiful little faces laughing and beaming as they run toward me yelling “Butterfly Aunty, Butterfly Aunty” (my new nickname after the craft yesterday) They are so much fun, I love having them grab me by the hand and pull me to the monkey bars or the slide asking me to play with them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVIj4o_StgWEKaRxnJMTO0X0Q7UeSS3lB6jhd7ZgMZ0XsJnsQDbMI2Pyp_MeCrtnpIvih6A2gQBHHxin5NS6zdJUXt41_Wo_L4Q6eDLlntYboAZOirp_P1LKjEDuT1sUZm_HrDyLxDeg6/s1600/day+5+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVIj4o_StgWEKaRxnJMTO0X0Q7UeSS3lB6jhd7ZgMZ0XsJnsQDbMI2Pyp_MeCrtnpIvih6A2gQBHHxin5NS6zdJUXt41_Wo_L4Q6eDLlntYboAZOirp_P1LKjEDuT1sUZm_HrDyLxDeg6/s320/day+5+042.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">i love this candid that Kim caught:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpG31Vkj81xYtJwyCERuLwmwbkP1XI-y1DRzEH6tyGF-QorNU0sSM69ltVmLFIszSK94cEYH7fdGdoWufeIWBywlk22mcOe1NFiO-0yHUBobMPNg0_NuN6FSuSS-ClaxMuiERJSHvWelT/s1600/day+5+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpG31Vkj81xYtJwyCERuLwmwbkP1XI-y1DRzEH6tyGF-QorNU0sSM69ltVmLFIszSK94cEYH7fdGdoWufeIWBywlk22mcOe1NFiO-0yHUBobMPNg0_NuN6FSuSS-ClaxMuiERJSHvWelT/s320/day+5+027.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">After dinner we went to our families. I’ve started talking more and more to my house mother Rajakumari. She is beautiful and only in her early 20s. When she is not teaching math, English, social studies, or dance, she is watching the 15 rambunctious little boys in her room. They love her and I love being able to get to know her. The past few nights I have talked to her a little, and I would help her with her English(She is reading Island of the Blue Dolphins and will ask me if she doesn’t know the meaning of a word.) But it was not until last night that we really connected. We talked about her family who she misses but luckily lives close, her past jobs (she worked as a translator and got to travel to France!), and he hectic schedule. She asked me about my life and my travels and what I thought of India, she laughed at my constant use of the word “Awesome” but then assured me that all Americans say it a lot and she actually loves it. She is absolutely beautiful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOvgTQMV0HBIPoUgvQ8P7OAZyBdCfh6z-9yXvdOOKNIHWtLwHgRH-fL98Ha35hm4KH_vwVDUM1MUC0A-VeXAiEfnKzpSpxH1v6MiOJ9jTYfainvqUyYKu7JeyTW6FJOhnbKUWtZyJNvxO/s1600/day+5+126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOvgTQMV0HBIPoUgvQ8P7OAZyBdCfh6z-9yXvdOOKNIHWtLwHgRH-fL98Ha35hm4KH_vwVDUM1MUC0A-VeXAiEfnKzpSpxH1v6MiOJ9jTYfainvqUyYKu7JeyTW6FJOhnbKUWtZyJNvxO/s320/day+5+126.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tonight after the little boys went to bed we had so much fun talking and laughing. One of the older boys was showing me his drumming skills, and he was pretty dang good. She then got up and began to do a beautiful Indian dance showing me examples of all the different styles. She is so graceful. We then watched as the little boy on the drums showed me all of his dance moves. I called him silly and he started laughing, she told me that silly is close to the tamil word for dessert and we both laughed at the mistranslation. Later on she told him “too much” as his silliness progressed and he playfully punched the boy next to him saying that she had said “two punch”. This started a whole new round of giggles. We sat on the floor like that with her arm around my shoulders laughing and joking like two old friends. I love that about this culture here, No matter where you can lean out the window and wave and yell the Tamil word for hello (sounds like wanna come but with a v instead of a w) and people will smile and wave back. Before I left she told me to come back in the morning and she would make my hair “beautiful”. I love my little “family” Giving them all pinch kisses and hugs before bed amd recieveing them back just absolutely made my night.No matter how tired or covered in bugs I am they make it all better. I don’t know how I’ll leave my boys in just another two short weeks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYC33MZKMyXKeM89x5sWyY72zn4Ybbhv9iO5J4xs2kl7uzKZa1rjvQv2mK3LFOIjVFb86g7ARC1H_QdZGNzASw7vD5QlJjjzefldqFCtcA4WPP1d1mCD5D8dZFjCII3rS-Ceve6ypwue1/s1600/day+5+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYC33MZKMyXKeM89x5sWyY72zn4Ybbhv9iO5J4xs2kl7uzKZa1rjvQv2mK3LFOIjVFb86g7ARC1H_QdZGNzASw7vD5QlJjjzefldqFCtcA4WPP1d1mCD5D8dZFjCII3rS-Ceve6ypwue1/s320/day+5+078.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I feel like I will never be able to take enough pictures, record enough videos, and write enough pages to keep all the memories being made here. I truly love these people they amaze me and teach me something every single day. I have discovered the beauty and magic of India, my heart will always be here.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wwithgreatlovee,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kenzie </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">p.s. Abbie meet Abbie, she was so excited to hear that I have a sister with her same name at home in America! She is so beautiful and funny, you would like her:) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_z5WvPwLgP2iPo9Jyk1jjjo84iOFKhDfiiiwtDhN7EoXYZEAHWZHkelmkb0CjvgCx_2J89LTKm56AMeObS5UEAV2OC4ZEGbrihu2C8DS9TmVI0L1_EMt_n_uc7SMHoWPhv2VVpn14J8i/s1600/day+5+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_z5WvPwLgP2iPo9Jyk1jjjo84iOFKhDfiiiwtDhN7EoXYZEAHWZHkelmkb0CjvgCx_2J89LTKm56AMeObS5UEAV2OC4ZEGbrihu2C8DS9TmVI0L1_EMt_n_uc7SMHoWPhv2VVpn14J8i/s320/day+5+106.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-80908399743995372042010-07-15T20:28:00.000-07:002010-07-15T20:28:16.253-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">"Once you see, you own the responsibility to do."</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Becky Douglas</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdixKBog-6zz2-DDzD2V_8m-wpY-sHW0_ylVXN31aFWICXFcwP2q03e0BiCXJPb0Tm3Bi0morPD3A7a6XZI1hIAJnh3DF9gDyqSkXjoTDcGh2FWXUiwSk1K7x9H-71SrzR8bR56vDTpp2/s1600/day+4+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdixKBog-6zz2-DDzD2V_8m-wpY-sHW0_ylVXN31aFWICXFcwP2q03e0BiCXJPb0Tm3Bi0morPD3A7a6XZI1hIAJnh3DF9gDyqSkXjoTDcGh2FWXUiwSk1K7x9H-71SrzR8bR56vDTpp2/s320/day+4+079.JPG" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">This quote is painted on the wall right outside of the kitchen window, I always love reading it, and it is so true. I will never be the same after having these experiances, because I have seen and learned so much I have the responsibility find some way to help, no matter how small or large, I must find a way to make some small difference. This is so important because it is something I will tak home with me. No matter where you are there are people who need your help, it is so important that we do not overlook that responsibility.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today I was in the construction group. We went out to one of the colonies and worked on building a community center. The colony that we went to was amazing, it was almost impossible to tell the difference between it and any other city, it did not at all resemble the dirty small shacks we had seen at the last colony and was such an amazing example of one the micro loans can do. Padma has been visiting that colony for twenty years now and it has grown so much! The commnity center that is being built is being paid for by the people of the olony who have all pooled their money and loans. Doctor Kumar explained to us that the community center will not only be useful as a meeting place for the people, but also as a place where they can be married. In India people are married in either temples or wedding halls/community centers. Members of leprosy colonies are not allowed to use these venues, and so by building their own they can make a special place for self help group meetings and also weddings!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9A-VXqZL-DHwSg92aHkL85_fhBbX_Er7SkP3GeRUXW-wuiIyFvzlx67x3Ox0Mv0mS9XQL-zbOI-1h_Kl7aCzYnpxYx3E7vHNzglevRMg76ktxVYCsaYMw-UBryBKdooH0p9o_T47nD1E7/s1600/india+day+4+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9A-VXqZL-DHwSg92aHkL85_fhBbX_Er7SkP3GeRUXW-wuiIyFvzlx67x3Ox0Mv0mS9XQL-zbOI-1h_Kl7aCzYnpxYx3E7vHNzglevRMg76ktxVYCsaYMw-UBryBKdooH0p9o_T47nD1E7/s320/india+day+4+001.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the building so far! Foundation and walls in only 3 weeks</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is what we did today:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7PzbbFvR74IwGTwu8I3QduNpnacVUg770IhuH9CV-Fej-uq2KAIhoEiBvfgH3YWnfLxgk-xKlk6WJzhx9Nx4LZy4jIY1SQYKkybqp5mbmf8R3I2jXgX2LMn8mRWmrmJAxOB4PYwFMYFB/s1600/india+day+4+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7PzbbFvR74IwGTwu8I3QduNpnacVUg770IhuH9CV-Fej-uq2KAIhoEiBvfgH3YWnfLxgk-xKlk6WJzhx9Nx4LZy4jIY1SQYKkybqp5mbmf8R3I2jXgX2LMn8mRWmrmJAxOB4PYwFMYFB/s320/india+day+4+005.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It may not look like to much but we moved the entire pile of dirt on the right side of the building away from the building. Using bowls that we would load and move in an asembly line. It was hot, but we worked hard and enjoyed ourselves(taking lots of water breaks!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2Cb8WELc_stCew-Db65OhEHkWk8x1H1HUZbYoycr9e-6bZDanhpdCBWHKpWJyy7kcQwM1S6WlgR8uaVt3NlYgxZPkO1qz0-wvvt1l8fT5owU1hKJgi53Zr2xwkG2_XjtsQqTKPa2l5a2/s1600/india+day+4+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2Cb8WELc_stCew-Db65OhEHkWk8x1H1HUZbYoycr9e-6bZDanhpdCBWHKpWJyy7kcQwM1S6WlgR8uaVt3NlYgxZPkO1qz0-wvvt1l8fT5owU1hKJgi53Zr2xwkG2_XjtsQqTKPa2l5a2/s320/india+day+4+006.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We then carried buckets of cement to another area where a bathroom is being built. Hygiene is so important, so these bathrooms will be very importand to the people when they are finished.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8O-VdB-Ev96a44ffFCofrSEvbT2_-pD0wXZ5QGQxhn0EcKGnKW67Prqy3iR6Wqq8fVYW7INm8I89jCh-kbzsVgPB30ORrwmC5l3rD5riajT3Ft_zbCRlAW4u3bcJZffUB_G2Fm-5vvAwg/s1600/india+day+4+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8O-VdB-Ev96a44ffFCofrSEvbT2_-pD0wXZ5QGQxhn0EcKGnKW67Prqy3iR6Wqq8fVYW7INm8I89jCh-kbzsVgPB30ORrwmC5l3rD5riajT3Ft_zbCRlAW4u3bcJZffUB_G2Fm-5vvAwg/s320/india+day+4+007.JPG" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here's the entire "Cobra" group! (our group name)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eE1FDTq85KEl5LKrB7RcPG2jijGOhQv81Lc0TnvlIck5CCiP8-OlQ-yqE2MpmODWS5aupE27SUCL1FuHJFyh7zA1cqYq5wnLxR65-QEP_SUawVaxx1RCOQlnyeExmeOgbHf5N5Bfm3iE/s1600/india+day+4+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eE1FDTq85KEl5LKrB7RcPG2jijGOhQv81Lc0TnvlIck5CCiP8-OlQ-yqE2MpmODWS5aupE27SUCL1FuHJFyh7zA1cqYq5wnLxR65-QEP_SUawVaxx1RCOQlnyeExmeOgbHf5N5Bfm3iE/s320/india+day+4+008.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">We were absolutely filthy by the end!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">On our way back to campus we picked up ice cream that tasted incredible after our long day and my bucket shower back on campus was divine. Its amazing what can be accomplished through hard work, even if its just moving a pile of dirt. We did what we needed to do, and we did it with a smile on all of our faces. And that smile made all the difference it the world:)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After returning from the colonies we had a slight change in our normal routine. Instead of play time we had talent classes. Each of the volunteers was asked to think of something that they could teach the children and share some of the talents. The students then chose which class they wanted to attend. This is special because most of their day is highly scheduled. For my talent craft we did a butterfly craft. Using coffee filters and water colors they each created a beautiful butterfly and I tied it onto a string attached to a popsicle stick so that they could fly it around! The kids loved the class and it was so much fun to talk about how everyone is different just like all of the butterflies. They then ran outside and were so proud to show all of their friends what they had made. but what made me really happy was watching the little boys get creative with their butterflies, for some reason it reminded me a lot of my little brother and his crazy inventions:) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEG5_YklSjV2ewIKFCoPU45oilsNtaSExelgCGDidJ7TUvzBSInsp7BtocBA9h1HQqh9crS5_lNy225K5yV1l48gSnLLsYBd1Ium2_7q3D2q6XhMN0ZGIa0-5ac-15dRYboWcre-lTJp7J/s1600/day+4+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEG5_YklSjV2ewIKFCoPU45oilsNtaSExelgCGDidJ7TUvzBSInsp7BtocBA9h1HQqh9crS5_lNy225K5yV1l48gSnLLsYBd1Ium2_7q3D2q6XhMN0ZGIa0-5ac-15dRYboWcre-lTJp7J/s320/day+4+003.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">One little boy had attached his popsicle stick to a paper airplane and would throw it across the playground with the butterfly trailing behind. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEish9XJtB2xreMrU69sBi-FKTKUPbGOZoYiTax35YhWJttjBZB-1xfwb9rGBiGKKJHUpWHK2U9Es4m3ps1U_WhsU_Phm4p3DZYUdQnTkmOOWaopw7e9DcQvfiQBoadUaVcsjStt3zi1IHJ1/s1600/day+4+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEish9XJtB2xreMrU69sBi-FKTKUPbGOZoYiTax35YhWJttjBZB-1xfwb9rGBiGKKJHUpWHK2U9Es4m3ps1U_WhsU_Phm4p3DZYUdQnTkmOOWaopw7e9DcQvfiQBoadUaVcsjStt3zi1IHJ1/s320/day+4+011.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Another boy had taken the popsicle stick off and replaced it with a rock. He was then using a slingshot to send it flying into the air, they were so excited and happy and I loved it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-4vod2opBmiED5__jXkLrCJlMxyKyE3K5oojAuizpg3tMAOnORSSKCU9j7G9Y802RTl7cNflpnBumGsxh8FuHU7X1C9cPkhx7RnLUrrBmet4J9xUfxxcIlk6jdA2qbshRT7wT_AgJMV5/s1600/day+4+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-4vod2opBmiED5__jXkLrCJlMxyKyE3K5oojAuizpg3tMAOnORSSKCU9j7G9Y802RTl7cNflpnBumGsxh8FuHU7X1C9cPkhx7RnLUrrBmet4J9xUfxxcIlk6jdA2qbshRT7wT_AgJMV5/s320/day+4+041.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">A third boy was holding a sword and would spin with the butterfly in one hand and try to hit it with the sword in his other hand! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHzVo3qU03pbST-ttkwNPWvv3rJuT-u_PYpwC7XSnE8bMcOlSr8woKStwSVdsVOV2mqN1LpRYaXc0_vvoLQ4EHL7t5AVpEYBZuKtlZ_3f_BcVtxPZIVNdGca3SryOteFXrv9xUeXjmybK/s1600/day+4+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHzVo3qU03pbST-ttkwNPWvv3rJuT-u_PYpwC7XSnE8bMcOlSr8woKStwSVdsVOV2mqN1LpRYaXc0_vvoLQ4EHL7t5AVpEYBZuKtlZ_3f_BcVtxPZIVNdGca3SryOteFXrv9xUeXjmybK/s320/day+4+010.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I loved looking at all the little kids creations as they ran out of their classes and to the playground. Thay have such bright futures ahead of them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBb6et_dwHmHfcBnEvpyuAhgf-eAMospKyF-PvNChfjhMmtldPMV6cTsIdSDomsGlNxfsEok0K9bcrJANa4UpXnc-B5kaWAhhCO_HAWIQRG22JaJYyj-nKHiyLKf5K1gvvyekwNPM5urHU/s1600/day+4+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBb6et_dwHmHfcBnEvpyuAhgf-eAMospKyF-PvNChfjhMmtldPMV6cTsIdSDomsGlNxfsEok0K9bcrJANa4UpXnc-B5kaWAhhCO_HAWIQRG22JaJYyj-nKHiyLKf5K1gvvyekwNPM5urHU/s320/day+4+027.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">After dinner we spent more time with our family and I worked on homework with the boys. I know I've said this before, but their determination never fails to amaze me! Yesterday one of our coordinators assigned me two little boys from my family to get to know and write a short bio for each of them (these boys are new to the school and the bio will be used on the RSO website on the sponsor page) at first I'll admit it sounded like a lot of work and they are young the language barrier is even harder to work through. But the past two nights I've been spending time with them and I've realized what a huge blessing this really is. It gives me the opportunity to get to know two adorable boys and learn more about them that I would not normally have worked to find out. I can't wait to see what I find out! </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">High: Working on the construction job, it was awesome to see how well all of my group worked together even when we were hot and exhausted, everyone was always positive and encouraging. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Low: Having to take so many breaks because of the heat. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">wwithgreatlovee, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Kenzie</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-11248424937902869192010-07-14T11:23:00.000-07:002010-07-14T11:33:06.836-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">"Time is an equal opportunity employer. Each human being has exactly the same number of hours and minutes every day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rich people can't buy more time. Scientists can't invent new minutes. And you can't save time to spend on another day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Even so, time is amazingly fair and forgiving. No matter how much time you've wasted in the past,<em> you still have an entire tomorrow. </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Success depends upon using it wisely - - by planning and setting priorities. <strong>Time is worth more than money</strong>, and by killing time, we are killing our own chances of success."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>Every moment here is so full and I love it. I wouldn't have it any other way.<br />
I'm trying my hardest to put in 100%, I would hate to miss one single second.</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWq80FzmyegF0-xVg50AkUkzRpGf8LIKRRoUuMt5ogv0t5k5Lb_dOTLbBvg-0w6xYDjWvNH_CA5i-xsx9YEKAA7TTYa2OensR4b9NiqbTfB2JdZdNOYcZd-wRJRAEhHx1S619lixgx8qYS/s1600/day+3+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWq80FzmyegF0-xVg50AkUkzRpGf8LIKRRoUuMt5ogv0t5k5Lb_dOTLbBvg-0w6xYDjWvNH_CA5i-xsx9YEKAA7TTYa2OensR4b9NiqbTfB2JdZdNOYcZd-wRJRAEhHx1S619lixgx8qYS/s320/day+3+001.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">In the morning we headed down to the school for morning assembly, all of th kids were gathered together and it was awesome to see them all together in their lines. They all stood very still and listened as they were spoken too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzBATrB61ZJqUzqokPOr-YxhF6cC-oM6N8bguEgqx73GEOg6j2AoKCjyFpqJDlsGSSuoFvPX8ROkLL4s2QFJC2lVi4_NKK4I2Rpmm92yg_2xTTrKkfYdNGUXHrApQaJKLq060Ej8xmACx/s1600/day+3+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzBATrB61ZJqUzqokPOr-YxhF6cC-oM6N8bguEgqx73GEOg6j2AoKCjyFpqJDlsGSSuoFvPX8ROkLL4s2QFJC2lVi4_NKK4I2Rpmm92yg_2xTTrKkfYdNGUXHrApQaJKLq060Ej8xmACx/s320/day+3+005.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today was awesome, I was in the tutoring group and got to spend my day at the school helping the kids. It never fails to amaze me how smart they are. We tutored three childrenl, the first in English, the second in math, and the third in social studies. I have to admit that tutoring in English is the hardest, its so hard to explain that certain words don't always follow the normal words. For example wear is not weared like most past tense words, its wore. and say is not sayed its said! One problem is that the children memorize what words have which letters and so they can't sound out words they have never seen before, they simply know the ones they have seen and memorized. I was having such a hard time getting one little girl to sound out the words, she would just ask me "Aunty you say it" and when I told her to sound it out she would just guess words that were somewhat close. however, I had the idea come to my head to grab a whiteboard and write letters on it and have her say their sound. We practiced B,D,G,&J over and over again until she could keep them all straight, and then she would choose an animal or flower type(zebra, lotus) and I would let her draw it as long as she worked to sound it out and spell it afterwards! It worked 500 times better. I see miracles around me everyday as things simply come together and and work out, whether that be in the way that was planned or some completely different unexpected way. Rising Star Outreach is a non - denominational organization and has people working here of all different faiths and beliefs, but there is one thing they all agree on, that their is some divine power helping this all to happen, some sort of God, whether you are Hindu or Jewish or Christian, or Muslim or anything, they all agree it couldn't be done on their own agreed that their is someone helping out, and I love it. I can't imagine having to learn English as a second language, these kids are so talented and so dedicated. They're language and computer skills will be so valuable to them when they look for jobs. The Marriot and Dell have already said they will hire some of the children if they are able to speak fluent English and work a computer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyQB89OIOUWYK1ksv811NyW3V4pT_M9qFE-f3_U3_yEFKWKDehAOjjxv0YwGSWGpvHBbqZ3bxC0GIEwFRCsrmfYOBiDLk6hsYnDxJPLSKQ1sMedGu7kBXr9Bno3QYst2iSGVhaeFftowo/s1600/day+3+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyQB89OIOUWYK1ksv811NyW3V4pT_M9qFE-f3_U3_yEFKWKDehAOjjxv0YwGSWGpvHBbqZ3bxC0GIEwFRCsrmfYOBiDLk6hsYnDxJPLSKQ1sMedGu7kBXr9Bno3QYst2iSGVhaeFftowo/s320/day+3+004.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Anita, I tutored her today during her math class. She is such a silly little girl and has the most contagious smile and laugh. not to mention she was unbelievable at math! After a few minutes she climbed over into my lap and we had such a good time laughing together and practicing writing the numbers in word form, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoZte1kZReyueRoTrpFxm9mCNmOBQElUitrVohK9z2Bt7GuFmrBlUku93w42FgzdtNvZxjEOLZvmw5ETGLjbtuF_7vxljJynCIeXlItSd5grQvde5VIfbd-0JvLBMdTjekfklCyei78Lg/s1600/day+3+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoZte1kZReyueRoTrpFxm9mCNmOBQElUitrVohK9z2Bt7GuFmrBlUku93w42FgzdtNvZxjEOLZvmw5ETGLjbtuF_7vxljJynCIeXlItSd5grQvde5VIfbd-0JvLBMdTjekfklCyei78Lg/s320/day+3+003.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These kids are so happy and joyful, I'm learning so much from them about true happiness and hard work</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They inspire me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After lunch we came back to the new library (which was absolutely beautiful, such an amazing campus) and we helped children write letters to their sponsors. It was one of my favorite parts of my day, the little girl that I helped was absolutely gorgeous and her note was so full of love, the first sentence was you love sponsor(I love sponsor) and then "thank you thank" and her name. She wrote it all by herself only asking for help spelling "sponsor"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After letter writing we were all incited to go and meet Padma. Padma is an amazing women, truly the Mother Teresa of her time. She is the daughter of a past president who worked with Gandhi. She is one of the founders of rising star and started the idea of microloans. Today she was at the RSO campus for a meeting with all of the leaders of the leprosy colonies and to discuss what had been paid back and what new loans were needed. We had the opportunity to sit at her feet and listen to her explain the idea behind the loans and see the love she has for her country and people. I learned so much. Micro loans are small loans given to the people in leprosy colonies with little or no interest that they can use to start a business. As they earn money they pay off the loans. She explained that before microloaning the people had to deal with money lenders who were constantly taking their money saying that they owed more and more interest. She explained that if those who take out the loans are in the hospital or are subject to other circumstancesm arrangements are made to lower their payment that month or push it to the next month altogether. This helps to make them feel like real people and know that they are cared for and not simply being used for their money. She also explained that they have started searching out people afflicted with the disease that are still living with their families. If they are able to contribute to the income they will not be forced to move out and start new colonies, they will be able to become working members of society. Finding these people is harder then just traveling to a colony where every member is in need, but Padma has searched them out and they now give loans to over 200 people still living with their families. One man was able to buy a cow and sell the milk to help his family, he told Padma with tears streaming down his face that now his daughter in law will ask him if he wants a second helping of rice. He is no longer a burden to his family and that means so much to him. It amazed me to learn that they are not only trying to help those afflicted with leprosy to become self sufficient, but also to help stop the formation of new colonies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is no other program like this one, it is truly incredible.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFJK2_-vLd0MVV71DOQeiz6UqSA5LInHQzy2QeGck2K8kvQKECSvqmrpQpDJvtdpZye76Gl_HpT3yi42k4zWGCSoZXL9KvKQM3-Uus_S5rZ4gt53vtdhnaNDAX2FeY92MuLcpQS8w6M4W/s1600/rso+day+2+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFJK2_-vLd0MVV71DOQeiz6UqSA5LInHQzy2QeGck2K8kvQKECSvqmrpQpDJvtdpZye76Gl_HpT3yi42k4zWGCSoZXL9KvKQM3-Uus_S5rZ4gt53vtdhnaNDAX2FeY92MuLcpQS8w6M4W/s320/rso+day+2+082.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anita cracking up with her friend at play time</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fg50CH41nDplrp2ce3Y81RfwWODMGEHaoEdM7BK1cm0yjhrP1C3xBl8rtsbGcMSXr8rpgQdze4hoBeWA7mEqHTasF7bbPm7My7NfWBea7HIXRFIZT1vBGvWXOZFcnYx0woWatw386d9C/s1600/rso+day+2+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fg50CH41nDplrp2ce3Y81RfwWODMGEHaoEdM7BK1cm0yjhrP1C3xBl8rtsbGcMSXr8rpgQdze4hoBeWA7mEqHTasF7bbPm7My7NfWBea7HIXRFIZT1vBGvWXOZFcnYx0woWatw386d9C/s320/rso+day+2+020.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my little monkeys hanging of the ladder up to the slide</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After playtime and dinner I went up to see my family, for the past two nights some of the little boys have been shy or stand offish but tonight they all ran up giving me a huge hug and yelling Kenzie Aunty Kenzie Aunty. It absolutely made my night, I'm growing to love them so much as I get to know them! One of the 12 year olds that I help with his homework each night told me "I will finish early tomorrow and then we can play and read!" He is such a sweetheart and is so helpful translating what some of the little kids are saying when I can't understand them. He is always willing to slow it down or spell it out when I really need it. I love watching each of the childrens faces absolutely light up when I tell them how proud I am of them or give them a high five for finishing a problem correctly. Their joy is contagious.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">High: Being able to have so much fun working with Anita on her math and learning so much from Padma. She has so much wisdom & I admire her so much for the path she has chosen!</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Low: Crying super hardcore when we were chopping up onions for dinner.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">withgreatlove,</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kenzie</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-80971942720053595922010-07-13T10:45:00.000-07:002010-07-13T18:19:55.300-07:00I Sent You<div style="text-align: center;">"A story is told of a man who goes up to heaven at the end of his life and stands before God, his heart breaking from the pain and injustice of the world. He cried out, “God, look at all the suffering in your world. Why don’t you do something to fix it?"</div><div style="text-align: center;">God replied gently, “I did do something. <strong><em>I sent you</em></strong>.”"</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VP8fNqRTEeQnPFPNedZ3eLQ9Jp8Zs1rvqbFlVtT64f456_SQdkV2dn_M3agri5eA8tPaJkfel-SMIYzl8OCtonhj6TwgKylis-IBOY0FjeIo4fvhs09waPqAtMdz8-0drGD6pVuxkn9E/s1600/rso+day+2+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VP8fNqRTEeQnPFPNedZ3eLQ9Jp8Zs1rvqbFlVtT64f456_SQdkV2dn_M3agri5eA8tPaJkfel-SMIYzl8OCtonhj6TwgKylis-IBOY0FjeIo4fvhs09waPqAtMdz8-0drGD6pVuxkn9E/s320/rso+day+2+028.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">Today was absolutely amazing, it's only my second day at RSO but we've already jumped right into things! All of the volunteers are split up into two groups and given their assignment. We rotate between medical, construction, and tutoring. Today I was lucky enough to be in the medical group and had the opportunity to go to one of the colonies of those leprosy effected. After having a morning orientation we hopped into the medical van and went to pick up Dr. Kumar. He is an absolutely incredible man, while we were on our drive to the colony he told us his story of how he came to RSO and its just so inspiring I feel I need to share it!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">When Dr. Kumar was just a young boy, about thirteen, his grandfather was very ill and needed to have a surgery performed. However the surgery was postponed three times in one month because more important emergencies that needed immediate care kept coming up. There were only 2 doctors at the hospital at that time. One day Dr. Kumar was visiting his grandfather when he became extremely ill and ended up becoming unconscious. Dr. Kumar went to try to get a doctor for help but one doctor was helping a patient having a siezure and the other was helping a women who had ingested poison. By the time they reached his grandfather it was too late. After his grandfathers death he went back to the hospital and thanked the doctor for doing what he could, and when he looked for the other doctor he was told he had recently left for London. This upset him because now there were even less doctors to help those in need. (In India most doctors leave for the big cities or travel to other countries because they can get better pay there. There is about one doctor for every 500 people in America, but only one doctor for every 10,000 people here.) From that moment on doctor Kumar said that he wanted to become a Doctor and stay in his own country. He worked very very hard and was able to pass his test to get into medical school. However later on he says he forgot about the reason he had become a doctor and began to focus on the money. He started work at a large hospital in Chennai. One day Padma (a very important women who helped to begin rising star) contacted him and asked if he would help out at the colonies for his month off. After that month he remembered why he had decided to become a doctor and he says he has been saving grandfathers ever since.:)</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIlYKOI5zcbFRcABb4Fm0t1D5N8jHoueyNpxe0Rr7H2LJu3zLOZRNW9kjt8mACFPb6EAvCOtkKxaiblbyvurIQVXVfUgDSQfz75s_uFV9y0db4SnrCgpEJRQa11C0YrRZN4DVQJpHkci1/s320/rso+day+2+004.JPG" /></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">After arriving at the colonies we had the opportunity to take and record blood pressures, glucose levels, and wash their feet. There are no words to describe everything I felt. It was overwhelming. There was so much love being exchanged. It was amazing to be able to teach these people that they were worth something, that they weren't untouchable, that we loved them and respected them enough to wash their feet and hold their hands. They are beautiful people, who have struggled so much and I have so much to learn from them. The colony we visited today was named Walajabad, and is built right across from an amazing cemetary which was started during a cholera epidemic. The peope were forced to move their when their village kicked them out. These people have been visited for about 1 or 2 years by Rising Star medical teams once every two weeks and so they have already begun to heal under Dr. Kumar's care. Rising Star now visits 42 leprosy colonies and is currently expanding! I can't wait until I get to go back again. This Thursday we are going to a brand new leprosy colony where we will work with leprosy afflicted who have never seen a doctor before. Oh and another interesting fact I learned today was that RSO's medical clinic, Dr Kumar and his 2 nurses, is the first in India that treats the leprosy afflicted, and now two hospitals will treat those with leprosy or from the colonies as well!. They are making huge progress in these colonies just since the last few years. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0i_U2A62I-LPw0YbixR2cp5cllUj_TUrpYUXVSmN_iH5wXB8LdO_VpVDO3vfBi7cu10YTnTfo4lDopS_7zlJ3UVA1fi9HpcWGPMmTY8LGHVuxdKu0dV8ZPC0tCktWkePBBIEx80E-_X_G/s1600/rso+day+2+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0i_U2A62I-LPw0YbixR2cp5cllUj_TUrpYUXVSmN_iH5wXB8LdO_VpVDO3vfBi7cu10YTnTfo4lDopS_7zlJ3UVA1fi9HpcWGPMmTY8LGHVuxdKu0dV8ZPC0tCktWkePBBIEx80E-_X_G/s320/rso+day+2+008.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">Cemetary. For some reason seeing the ruins and wearing a Salwar made the fact that I'm really truly in India hit me. It seems so surreal being here, it's such a beautiful, magical place.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMIRiFU9otKRMobkiGJZ8Wq7dr_grSfPaMLcJ7441lDMF1Kh_2bua-BdpMmHzSErJkMmwgFJpAdIi1kNKmo3C1ilT4sYaluBEU9ZdS7oTtGqMhdvABxT1Y6IIDuglBqpt21Nedc9q95Q5/s1600/rso+day+2+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMIRiFU9otKRMobkiGJZ8Wq7dr_grSfPaMLcJ7441lDMF1Kh_2bua-BdpMmHzSErJkMmwgFJpAdIi1kNKmo3C1ilT4sYaluBEU9ZdS7oTtGqMhdvABxT1Y6IIDuglBqpt21Nedc9q95Q5/s320/rso+day+2+010.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">Standing in the cemetary, in front of me is the colony.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">We returned from the colonies just in time for play time with the kids. Nothing beats play time after a long day of working, these kids really make everything worth it, While I was in the colony we met the parents of one of the students at RSO, it was so amazing to look at the dirty and poor surroundings and compare them to the beautiful and clean RS campus. It really hit home to me that what I am doing is so important and there is no organization that comes close to the amazing way Rising Star is helping to change these childrens lives and work to rid India of leprosy all together. Each step counts:)</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZIiWV-A4zGnAe6tQlrCJC0HqKYlFFfpj-MDeNGZpRwCq8hIUxBx4ah8dMcpuhnmGcT4cJXlW9kfjfxnvCf0sNBydv2cm8zhmU_BL8-KiOZ0rSRaQQZw6R4Hv1i6dx4qRhrLKTVO1THmj/s1600/rso+day+2+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZIiWV-A4zGnAe6tQlrCJC0HqKYlFFfpj-MDeNGZpRwCq8hIUxBx4ah8dMcpuhnmGcT4cJXlW9kfjfxnvCf0sNBydv2cm8zhmU_BL8-KiOZ0rSRaQQZw6R4Hv1i6dx4qRhrLKTVO1THmj/s320/rso+day+2+054.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These children have amazing futures ahead of them</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYOr2RfMF3vzGEEWaS9xJhIvGcU-qMESBOr267KPCPWbtP3gWHWMb4xDCAsdj2cA-jJ2f-FiflFArkqS5P4HdV5KYS5fI112c24LD5r52ZLKEnQxTM_B1NiNUvKtveBiJMIAwq5W1v38f/s1600/rso+day+2+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYOr2RfMF3vzGEEWaS9xJhIvGcU-qMESBOr267KPCPWbtP3gWHWMb4xDCAsdj2cA-jJ2f-FiflFArkqS5P4HdV5KYS5fI112c24LD5r52ZLKEnQxTM_B1NiNUvKtveBiJMIAwq5W1v38f/s320/rso+day+2+066.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">9 out of 10 will tell you they want to become doctors.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrMoRsYE4wNWi4Sjl24B-1ZyuMMaUPmwrR2S7pRc3AQ_wWjvr4lHBEwnKQZPuIpc2KOpA_-RPB2wGjuv8_2jPmdD14uA1R3og3peDt3Km6heDNQokh-m0cZ2LOIi0-OZ8x3K5W2Y0NYID/s1600/rso+day+2+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrMoRsYE4wNWi4Sjl24B-1ZyuMMaUPmwrR2S7pRc3AQ_wWjvr4lHBEwnKQZPuIpc2KOpA_-RPB2wGjuv8_2jPmdD14uA1R3og3peDt3Km6heDNQokh-m0cZ2LOIi0-OZ8x3K5W2Y0NYID/s320/rso+day+2+079.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Boys will be boys...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">playing in the mud from the rain yesterday.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8nUgYlPbKLvByeN5RqosVurCcSmExTA29GPE31dak4fxrK3Xc1I7GDCVpp3KAitoFYKBLhznJ_QPvJzuMobcZ2I7Zgypnx5XbSEFq9YyGDY5JyzvYzP848VK09P8obJpygxkUnAexezi/s1600/rso+day+2+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8nUgYlPbKLvByeN5RqosVurCcSmExTA29GPE31dak4fxrK3Xc1I7GDCVpp3KAitoFYKBLhznJ_QPvJzuMobcZ2I7Zgypnx5XbSEFq9YyGDY5JyzvYzP848VK09P8obJpygxkUnAexezi/s320/rso+day+2+013.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi902t7_CgmS1aMKgJsyZtJuAIDnsql08hnZXCqGpDu0Lpj_fdj6PZCTFTrgGP4IYzaGpml_yhuZnIo2q2ov6rXJ3pHCbOk22V5H7up25do2TSPI6skM36nhO4Sch_uDCiULsdxt2pq61_c/s1600/rso+day+2+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi902t7_CgmS1aMKgJsyZtJuAIDnsql08hnZXCqGpDu0Lpj_fdj6PZCTFTrgGP4IYzaGpml_yhuZnIo2q2ov6rXJ3pHCbOk22V5H7up25do2TSPI6skM36nhO4Sch_uDCiULsdxt2pq61_c/s320/rso+day+2+014.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">"Aunty Aunty one more one more"</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUNehAq-vw_fBRQ7tYAg1O576mrxzGDGn06cQJSxEri4wqt_LohctxqV3lWaVZ-pdrtgaIgqZGPD8EWr2hBgwBNdoF7nbSwNe_3XBk8GZEyy-fIG3mA6S3oO9M8d4iNjkb8nHiwJAfJsl/s1600/rso+day+2+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUNehAq-vw_fBRQ7tYAg1O576mrxzGDGn06cQJSxEri4wqt_LohctxqV3lWaVZ-pdrtgaIgqZGPD8EWr2hBgwBNdoF7nbSwNe_3XBk8GZEyy-fIG3mA6S3oO9M8d4iNjkb8nHiwJAfJsl/s320/rso+day+2+065.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">After play time we had dinner on the roof, just like we do every night, its beautiful and the food is always amazing thanks to our wonderful house mother and cook Padmini!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wbbme7RHCWGD3vCwRBb-hjVfiZcqPeBcrlBhQaZV92em6NWipoQYQV6lae_Go4gv0-I28H-Yk2gg77VyeOuYwh9knrvTy22xzBtYaRhUBr90WHMRBcPAIsIIph7CgKLHR9UtQAT3-unT/s1600/rso+day+2+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wbbme7RHCWGD3vCwRBb-hjVfiZcqPeBcrlBhQaZV92em6NWipoQYQV6lae_Go4gv0-I28H-Yk2gg77VyeOuYwh9knrvTy22xzBtYaRhUBr90WHMRBcPAIsIIph7CgKLHR9UtQAT3-unT/s320/rso+day+2+083.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">After dinner we split up with our families. While I was helping an older boy with his math and English homework. One of the younger boys came over and laid down in my lap, he snuggled up grabbed my hand and looked up with me with those big brown eyes that I could practically see my reflection in and said, "What is your name?' He turned out to be four years old and refused to admit he was tired even though he could barely keep his eyes open(some things never change no matter where you are!) Carrying him to bed and being able to tell all of the little boys goodnight, telling that I loved them, and hearing them all say "I love you too Kenzie Aunty"(they say them in opposite order) was such a special experience. I only hope that I can help them feel loved and special while they are away from their families and sometimes even siblings.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I know this post is long, but bare with me, just one last thing. Each night at dinner we each tell our high and low from the day so I thought it would be fun to include them in each of my posts!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">High: Being able to go to the colonies and help wash the feet of people believed by their own people to be "untouchables" and getting to have an amazing talk with the girls in my group on the ride\back to campus.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Low: Dealing with the language barrier, I wished I could have talked to the people of the colony, it would have been really interesting to hear their backgrounds. And when I stepped on a huge group of ants and didn't realize it until they were crawling up their leg. But I haven't seen a cobra or scorpian yet so I guess ants I can deal with!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">wwithgreatlovee,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Kenzie</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-13263572629169506722010-07-12T10:58:00.000-07:002010-07-12T10:58:54.482-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well. </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>--Vincent van Gogh</em> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipE0T2t01MqSnq7k1aNjU6uY7fkamuK53W7totrRmGFAod3CeArnwAsYM15KFUcGXJI3F0tgvQYUXDp_i8NomiUeV79Q98AQXS_v6JwnhTDSPc8BxKMJNhDxHF3ddFp0mHTX6W9pjP-zfy/s1600/india+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipE0T2t01MqSnq7k1aNjU6uY7fkamuK53W7totrRmGFAod3CeArnwAsYM15KFUcGXJI3F0tgvQYUXDp_i8NomiUeV79Q98AQXS_v6JwnhTDSPc8BxKMJNhDxHF3ddFp0mHTX6W9pjP-zfy/s320/india+061.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Today was our first day at Rising Star Outreach!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">After a three hour non airconditioned bus ride from the Marriot we finally arrived at the RSO campus!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaY8rRt3MHRPs7mizJW-LJMX5DdePTjo_XuOdLCn-xSVuDJWRlYy-cqj9aUSYXCbM13K443r5d7Qz-VPC5oEYKs7zX0Bdr6Ee8cCJ3M_jR466jIefcM0xKeBWVvDGmHJMbr78WimHB5qL/s1600/india+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaY8rRt3MHRPs7mizJW-LJMX5DdePTjo_XuOdLCn-xSVuDJWRlYy-cqj9aUSYXCbM13K443r5d7Qz-VPC5oEYKs7zX0Bdr6Ee8cCJ3M_jR466jIefcM0xKeBWVvDGmHJMbr78WimHB5qL/s320/india+059.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is ubelievable, the new volunteer hostels are so clean and beautiful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After getting settled we were able to play with the kids during their free time. The children refer to the volunteers as auntie and uncle, which I loved. The moment we arrived at the playground children ran up dragging us by our hands and asking what our names were. The kids love to have their picture taken. As soon as they saw my camera come out I felt like their personal photographer:) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJu5ObEQmyplB2Y_AwJJ1E_QNR2F-h439982qHP89HL-m0pWSmLKyRsQk2L5uXQOk-rMkkfr1DtFw4S9bv0JDzNk-8XWngYzpcbHG45G-1MJpCTegKKwNA1Chp2OTVf5tnzTJZsQzNy_W/s1600/india+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJu5ObEQmyplB2Y_AwJJ1E_QNR2F-h439982qHP89HL-m0pWSmLKyRsQk2L5uXQOk-rMkkfr1DtFw4S9bv0JDzNk-8XWngYzpcbHG45G-1MJpCTegKKwNA1Chp2OTVf5tnzTJZsQzNy_W/s320/india+117.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQzSagiMGyUbJwbk0tcTI3rvxcmhrzIX0Is-AYhWgieHLOYR49U3flF6KXbhE3cGSetaMPIPtzsMc0L0WD5yQOOJi3bD7Hx2BSU7Rk1ivU7FnNjhALMmcIiYEZTj79T1uv42vSYaMAXKa/s1600/india+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQzSagiMGyUbJwbk0tcTI3rvxcmhrzIX0Is-AYhWgieHLOYR49U3flF6KXbhE3cGSetaMPIPtzsMc0L0WD5yQOOJi3bD7Hx2BSU7Rk1ivU7FnNjhALMmcIiYEZTj79T1uv42vSYaMAXKa/s320/india+093.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58C_0Ie1WOxbku1qOOUmW05VDbcpAUFa4FzsV5q0jqKKXkf4vfIAmpG_F36Vc6DuM7scDHdKYSxMd3NjwGPtgWYcDUXHGKJZR2pXyL7CR_w8dWl-B0epps09_GxeHzhe6kvoEfSJLds8j/s1600/india+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58C_0Ie1WOxbku1qOOUmW05VDbcpAUFa4FzsV5q0jqKKXkf4vfIAmpG_F36Vc6DuM7scDHdKYSxMd3NjwGPtgWYcDUXHGKJZR2pXyL7CR_w8dWl-B0epps09_GxeHzhe6kvoEfSJLds8j/s320/india+102.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(this is three out of about a hundred! I'll have to create a flickr account or something, to many to post)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They would run up asking "Aunty aunty photo photo" and then "I see I see" as they waited for me to turn the camera around so they could see the pictures.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWS0qk__yE4mBN5qR8RcR2hbOZr95Tmqoy1Tm7HCLw5IlGDqWO1tZK_z9zXKBFJXa0s4mJbTH2Es5Xw4nCNLgu2llZ0qF3UuyiVOjrU6YWhz1K2rAKFYjZc9zOmcP8dLBad0cn3SPOMqkU/s1600/india+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWS0qk__yE4mBN5qR8RcR2hbOZr95Tmqoy1Tm7HCLw5IlGDqWO1tZK_z9zXKBFJXa0s4mJbTH2Es5Xw4nCNLgu2llZ0qF3UuyiVOjrU6YWhz1K2rAKFYjZc9zOmcP8dLBad0cn3SPOMqkU/s320/india+125.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the kids all looking at their pictures taken by another volunteer</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We all had an amazing time and the kids were so happy and loving. After playtime we were off to dinner which was also amazing, and served on leaves! Apparently it's more sanitary then plates!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3HtPO_iKC3fyLW5csgaej4W5FfmG48eTrKuCOEbRpJkrHiv1H2QO2nhWNrrBovG8hzLfInqT_pQc0EZqjjQCIx2zJwyZYjCNpR80fKXOvYqiq7aMMmDOnP0ZxiM9zCqrmpMGqhyphenhyphenJXkfx/s1600/india+139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3HtPO_iKC3fyLW5csgaej4W5FfmG48eTrKuCOEbRpJkrHiv1H2QO2nhWNrrBovG8hzLfInqT_pQc0EZqjjQCIx2zJwyZYjCNpR80fKXOvYqiq7aMMmDOnP0ZxiM9zCqrmpMGqhyphenhyphenJXkfx/s320/india+139.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the food was absolutely amazing, I can hardly wait for the rest of our meals!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After dinner we were told our assigned "families"/ The boys and girls that attend the school are broken up into families of about 30 boys or girls and have a house mom who acts as their mom away from home. Each night we get the opportunity to split up with our families and help the older children with their homework, read story books to the younger children, and help put them all to bed. We act as their family away from home and it helps to teach them things about family relationships that they might not otherwise learn.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNsxzIk7oSpxGIpgo1ieHADEAFFvyUipDoz0LNFRM2kEgNSbQr15IgCQ_BHFL_0sB-EvjhZQaoTeZNzoGVcprLJoIKrya1mILf3qDDfwhpwVu4KxYu-33RFO8ZMTRKxPDx2Fygn-0nSiO/s1600/india+140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNsxzIk7oSpxGIpgo1ieHADEAFFvyUipDoz0LNFRM2kEgNSbQr15IgCQ_BHFL_0sB-EvjhZQaoTeZNzoGVcprLJoIKrya1mILf3qDDfwhpwVu4KxYu-33RFO8ZMTRKxPDx2Fygn-0nSiO/s320/india+140.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">my family</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I had a surprisingly fun time helping with western math assignments and even helping one boy memorize paragraphs he had to recite in class the next day. He was so dedicated, we practiced over and over again until he had finally gotten them all pefect even though he was so frustrated, he didn't give up. I loved being able to help and pick up the littler boys who had fallen asleep. My heart melted as they wrapped their arms around me and laid their heads down on my shoulder already falling asleep again as I carried them to their rooms. It's impossible not to fall in love with each and every one of them.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">It's official India has stolen my heart.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">withgreatlove,</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Kenzie</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-61578179826389326592010-07-11T04:41:00.000-07:002010-07-12T02:59:15.199-07:00Party in a Rickshaw<div align="center">Chennai is beautiful, there are so many things to see!</div><div align="center">We decided to try to take advantage of the opportunity to tour the city with our driver who doubled as a tourguide:)</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">1st stop:</div><div align="center">Marina Beach</div><div align="center">(2nd longest beach in the world)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjInu02mj0qvv86jESPyADeV1nASJoi8PKLKXQTK0I5q7ZvB3JwEPVPozIAE9tAPI4K0ZRrwgLk6Eyan4k1HjHheAYRXNzRUWr-NtFzTnWZycXVlsk0ulUFtCaMukTj6rYkf4-bpYg5RaQ/s1600/india+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjInu02mj0qvv86jESPyADeV1nASJoi8PKLKXQTK0I5q7ZvB3JwEPVPozIAE9tAPI4K0ZRrwgLk6Eyan4k1HjHheAYRXNzRUWr-NtFzTnWZycXVlsk0ulUFtCaMukTj6rYkf4-bpYg5RaQ/s320/india+001.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjL5fUfIQKbEf7jhYlVFVDQkf_ap9UByNzixvJ2m6aPCBsQyy7f7JrvJdcppypyxXply8XVw-v0KSErEw8GPqPl3-i2XyTAKxeasSzHShHtybGqwKS4OrpeBbxQtj1VpzWdizethragHm/s1600/ashley+india+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjL5fUfIQKbEf7jhYlVFVDQkf_ap9UByNzixvJ2m6aPCBsQyy7f7JrvJdcppypyxXply8XVw-v0KSErEw8GPqPl3-i2XyTAKxeasSzHShHtybGqwKS4OrpeBbxQtj1VpzWdizethragHm/s320/ashley+india+061.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Nv4Iryc2WrLkBBuPoE5ZdCAIp43Kn5H-Ppol9VEHicjosPmYzPf6yliItq5JogEYbRtSxSX5WLedk4l6VYYJ1r8ygJXPOTtprBG7ueR002qImelzzJdwgATF7_imL5VlBPrG5Ig4Iw8q/s1600/india+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Nv4Iryc2WrLkBBuPoE5ZdCAIp43Kn5H-Ppol9VEHicjosPmYzPf6yliItq5JogEYbRtSxSX5WLedk4l6VYYJ1r8ygJXPOTtprBG7ueR002qImelzzJdwgATF7_imL5VlBPrG5Ig4Iw8q/s320/india+005.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There were lots and lots of people selling fish, our tour guide explained that some of the very poor people in the area live on the beach in makeshift houses and sell the fish they catch. He also explained how many of their unsturdy makeshift houses were destroye by the tsunami and they are still working on rebuilding.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimk_oLpGjq3gBFwq7Ccr-IbhhPVPp5YH3BD35YgsetCVJF5A2njOr6pqLcrwU6fnDgWOFk6TAdCX9nguMUpSL3UwskGHPdXh8zoi5Nmh8Oqx-rC5L3IjVyn6Lpp_0X86lGptwi0lwmvd2t/s1600/india+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimk_oLpGjq3gBFwq7Ccr-IbhhPVPp5YH3BD35YgsetCVJF5A2njOr6pqLcrwU6fnDgWOFk6TAdCX9nguMUpSL3UwskGHPdXh8zoi5Nmh8Oqx-rC5L3IjVyn6Lpp_0X86lGptwi0lwmvd2t/s320/india+009.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">goats were everywhere!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">2nd Stop:</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">San Thom Church</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">(Saint Thomas Catholic Church)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRheKRMart80jBWqpKgJ_6qt3SCpcnW1tNjp3hsRqr3wOUitFVx7sUPwHBO8Ek6Y84p6epNov9tjzC8BwTucwCPIHndG28p-fFQJBcRmO9rAfJkol5h3-hbpGOeveU3kepAl97whB9hh7M/s1600/india+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRheKRMart80jBWqpKgJ_6qt3SCpcnW1tNjp3hsRqr3wOUitFVx7sUPwHBO8Ek6Y84p6epNov9tjzC8BwTucwCPIHndG28p-fFQJBcRmO9rAfJkol5h3-hbpGOeveU3kepAl97whB9hh7M/s320/india+020.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROth2_W61EOasHILnX1qrAbYkrs4pUqupjxiH72g1ijRQGMKtMVZZuqWc9Xz3UvzG4kOrYdCAcl_zVA-xPsHOFQXP1YymkOT_PEjtQRrNN2_QiP9oldOOz_FFiW6-zU3i5vFKEFPE5L6j/s1600/india+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROth2_W61EOasHILnX1qrAbYkrs4pUqupjxiH72g1ijRQGMKtMVZZuqWc9Xz3UvzG4kOrYdCAcl_zVA-xPsHOFQXP1YymkOT_PEjtQRrNN2_QiP9oldOOz_FFiW6-zU3i5vFKEFPE5L6j/s320/india+017.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI41umrTPswTSAxWsF5aeo7FB9z3pVjvhy2eqEzSmy2VCr4xsYb6p9z_N8trXEdsC3-DXm2SOjPy566xxRgU7PL6nWlFyVmqdTr0ymWDybflUZ7S1MwK3M84OeNKFohgXOPk47Zj-1q4sn/s1600/india+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI41umrTPswTSAxWsF5aeo7FB9z3pVjvhy2eqEzSmy2VCr4xsYb6p9z_N8trXEdsC3-DXm2SOjPy566xxRgU7PL6nWlFyVmqdTr0ymWDybflUZ7S1MwK3M84OeNKFohgXOPk47Zj-1q4sn/s320/india+019.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3rd Stop:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hindu Temple</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLNbAu0oZJ1mEzSyfTpH2fjifhLMFsobiySf0ZZ6bT5ovWQhK8Lh0_pV6Yv9VplYyhfE9KkeaiJx0qHO6xKquo27Q4smYadngvew5AnBXeJjt1Hi6Y7SB5pQReV-A_kQ_onSVBfmfAd2y/s1600/india+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLNbAu0oZJ1mEzSyfTpH2fjifhLMFsobiySf0ZZ6bT5ovWQhK8Lh0_pV6Yv9VplYyhfE9KkeaiJx0qHO6xKquo27Q4smYadngvew5AnBXeJjt1Hi6Y7SB5pQReV-A_kQ_onSVBfmfAd2y/s320/india+033.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifC8rSX4DR1GSGo8RTzxuDDsLZnljVaEwHKmdL_TehaPINyww7Qa-Cqgx5POi14uol1XJcM2QBPhU2WNSLNMy3i5xDtZ226zQI8iXEFWbqWUK3x-Gn9beMeDX_a4IDs9E5sL0FdE92CCci/s320/ashley+india+123.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4th stop:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">shoppinggg:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">exhausted but happy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the beautiful view I can see out the window from where I'm sitting:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDouFE6F-3Yq18Vf3Xms0FRrs2ZGGb9wUH2misdMXB8TOUAoU8mltPle4zEXuJRyVmk8VzcMmg4TQNNRhYyxJTtAW5Zg97RYX6qSleYsSRb2GJm_YaFZnGfV_EbAD1v1h8q0FblhOIrJka/s1600/india+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDouFE6F-3Yq18Vf3Xms0FRrs2ZGGb9wUH2misdMXB8TOUAoU8mltPle4zEXuJRyVmk8VzcMmg4TQNNRhYyxJTtAW5Zg97RYX6qSleYsSRb2GJm_YaFZnGfV_EbAD1v1h8q0FblhOIrJka/s320/india+030.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">How can you not fall in love with a place like this?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0Qq-Kf20iwvXbaY6Ptm6PdJKVX6Yx781UUk6gV2FsQOB2ivfMWAsaBUEo6-tO8iCvAS69VgXm84W1p3qTxxokKIMZ1inznpa69s-flk5h8a6-XScMg7VVGgQnO3PKVieWyCS9XmUO3F3/s1600/india+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0Qq-Kf20iwvXbaY6Ptm6PdJKVX6Yx781UUk6gV2FsQOB2ivfMWAsaBUEo6-tO8iCvAS69VgXm84W1p3qTxxokKIMZ1inznpa69s-flk5h8a6-XScMg7VVGgQnO3PKVieWyCS9XmUO3F3/s320/india+031.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">withgreatlove,</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Kenzie</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>p.s. to explain the blog title, while we were walking around the Indian temple a rickshaw flew by blasting loud music, Emily coined the phrase and we all thought it was hilarious, which could have also been a result of the jetlag....;)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-64816499412053934262010-07-11T03:34:00.000-07:002010-07-11T05:02:54.741-07:00Travelingg, Travelinggg, & More TravelinggWe're finally here!<br />
<br />
Ashley, another volunteer & I, left Friday morning from the airport for our flight from California to Chicago. The flight wasn't bad, only 3 hours and the 5 hour layover wasn't even to hard to handle:) In Chicago we met up with the three other volunteers we would fly the rest of the way with.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEity4YDk_cdUPJYJMA1ghST29bBEUlMZ7SPfEQytZHytuGFMcZT0hmNhDlf-nXZbbp8P_nWZXvWiM_9lZkYsQTVGxDRDdPb4f6fbtOL1WqxmwgwrdispoLBKQoaV9B5gVnunmbkbV6Brv2C/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEity4YDk_cdUPJYJMA1ghST29bBEUlMZ7SPfEQytZHytuGFMcZT0hmNhDlf-nXZbbp8P_nWZXvWiM_9lZkYsQTVGxDRDdPb4f6fbtOL1WqxmwgwrdispoLBKQoaV9B5gVnunmbkbV6Brv2C/s320/001.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me and Ashley in the Chicago airport!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(sorry its so dark)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Next we had our biggy flight! <strong><em>16 hours</em></strong> from Chicago to New Delhi.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5BdG4iWszZRheBwF8f4_RXKrwbcXg7K2pUJgCc2gjYOU5VkHtHbGutKUnaQtNq-irX1NCPJvVvdcjodicrXTkIXI7LUceOKP7C0gV7t7XrJwTs9gep_yjC0AJ7NMXJDnh1pO9OFSdhAz/s1600/india+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5BdG4iWszZRheBwF8f4_RXKrwbcXg7K2pUJgCc2gjYOU5VkHtHbGutKUnaQtNq-irX1NCPJvVvdcjodicrXTkIXI7LUceOKP7C0gV7t7XrJwTs9gep_yjC0AJ7NMXJDnh1pO9OFSdhAz/s320/india+001.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">all 5<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrjSSCFDaBvuJ21oty9lE1kJA1J9qrOQuTXcwvW9MiMKDdi32MbRynWNoYgiFlNJqWSkPmACe-IyI29Pj_yOQUX94BHN83J59DrVRYqYLLW0fTvrSjG8ZSqDzM391bPH5LPhXniT0qoze/s1600/DSC01274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrjSSCFDaBvuJ21oty9lE1kJA1J9qrOQuTXcwvW9MiMKDdi32MbRynWNoYgiFlNJqWSkPmACe-IyI29Pj_yOQUX94BHN83J59DrVRYqYLLW0fTvrSjG8ZSqDzM391bPH5LPhXniT0qoze/s320/DSC01274.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">yayy airplane food! (I think this was tofu?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPv0qdbGMR3aput_gF9sixN0dkKjbqO2nxEHJZTl1E_31nFI_bzVmxiuK3OLEIu7cGsluHBjdGXRY-_I1cR2JGE9xqo0Q-zczjfAMNRCDKzNkTFe2vq2KkswnZw3D5tyoTPrf9h5c-5aL/s1600/india+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPv0qdbGMR3aput_gF9sixN0dkKjbqO2nxEHJZTl1E_31nFI_bzVmxiuK3OLEIu7cGsluHBjdGXRY-_I1cR2JGE9xqo0Q-zczjfAMNRCDKzNkTFe2vq2KkswnZw3D5tyoTPrf9h5c-5aL/s320/india+004.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">16 hours later we were finally in New Delhi, India!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">When we stepped off the shuttle it ws like stepping into a new world, we passed an open part of the wall in the tunnel connecting the plane to the airport and were hit with a blast of hot air! Next, we took a "shuttle"(old bus) from the international to domestic terminal. There were these military men everywhere checking tickets and passports with their huge guns just hanging over their shoulders, the bus ride also included passing through a spiked gate and by barbed wire topped walls complete with gaurd towers. I think this is when it first hit me how different things are outside of the U.S.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYqbYpcpRfUXWnAzAB9OyP96LtVjNUdbaDXhUUAPeicoxxirwmWde6713gqoF2BSTvR_ZrGYvbGBZ6e5ZZIXn_yXWlhvwSvzIfSZCTpKfWsqpfTWVFRPgOxtWXPONB3frdKNOyz-V8jja/s1600/DSC01300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: undefined;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYqbYpcpRfUXWnAzAB9OyP96LtVjNUdbaDXhUUAPeicoxxirwmWde6713gqoF2BSTvR_ZrGYvbGBZ6e5ZZIXn_yXWlhvwSvzIfSZCTpKfWsqpfTWVFRPgOxtWXPONB3frdKNOyz-V8jja/s320/DSC01300.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCRd2NL33qoaPdT3yOrkI0TR3gVykKMcn-FPQF2tIQwsFwHuSUaczUDig-qqnXDvsD_ZNU4aNZokAPZwTa77KHsImdpU5SYYp6syXT9IKGVUIlM0y2BBZaaHpv9pCegvBp0D4WsATtIIo/s1600/DSC01287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCRd2NL33qoaPdT3yOrkI0TR3gVykKMcn-FPQF2tIQwsFwHuSUaczUDig-qqnXDvsD_ZNU4aNZokAPZwTa77KHsImdpU5SYYp6syXT9IKGVUIlM0y2BBZaaHpv9pCegvBp0D4WsATtIIo/s320/DSC01287.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the bus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6HGQjUNp4mW7dAWyxyfVS0mrxt88U_N4dgTbPabb0fq5H_hGgc49Roq3Pp81R7kHBlRrjDWv-cLHJ84LaK3a2gi1s9xKbUOSlsQhdb8SDKc_VBywQflBIuwLsXYacZk8UkkC0j4tGdjG/s1600/barbed+wire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6HGQjUNp4mW7dAWyxyfVS0mrxt88U_N4dgTbPabb0fq5H_hGgc49Roq3Pp81R7kHBlRrjDWv-cLHJ84LaK3a2gi1s9xKbUOSlsQhdb8SDKc_VBywQflBIuwLsXYacZk8UkkC0j4tGdjG/s320/barbed+wire.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">barbed wire</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next layover was 10 hours, our flight didn't leave until 6 the next morning, so we all tried to get comfortable however we could, and crashed on the airport floor with our luggage. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZh5VdBPdjAGJJP3XpbDr-DA1oDG7Dxc_bGg8VmKTM4MT16GWdP4T-Syp5aWt6KHg9A53AgtWwrPI1GQGotFBmJEwLHqOgsMWpuJZlaIUY4ZFzuVdT756coqlzlcE3_vnoqxQ2LUpsUgW/s320/india+008.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjij-E11PefxYEs8x4mLBUnjKWt_CxijbWuaiB3gVVtjsa2samQ-ZlVnV-uU1ltEU_YRi6XEH3su5GGberA5P_X5zGFuFAlLXp2TPeFlf-FNSYgPtVgVvxeHB96J1DU31j0PhReEdt4Fotl/s1600/india+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjij-E11PefxYEs8x4mLBUnjKWt_CxijbWuaiB3gVVtjsa2samQ-ZlVnV-uU1ltEU_YRi6XEH3su5GGberA5P_X5zGFuFAlLXp2TPeFlf-FNSYgPtVgVvxeHB96J1DU31j0PhReEdt4Fotl/s320/india+010.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">After out wait we hopped onto our Final 2 hour flight from new Delhi to Chennai.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhpm8KrU6cCPUEaWpc39DLz9ApBEie9Mb-310zKkDO81DvffcmY9qi-bZMbm7P3PJYAemUbkFRnRXtVniV2KLmgpizDP6AH0DkDeF-gYJCKutdsp7X1wPiL6f11s_9Z-TVOaD7dR06kjP/s1600/india+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhpm8KrU6cCPUEaWpc39DLz9ApBEie9Mb-310zKkDO81DvffcmY9qi-bZMbm7P3PJYAemUbkFRnRXtVniV2KLmgpizDP6AH0DkDeF-gYJCKutdsp7X1wPiL6f11s_9Z-TVOaD7dR06kjP/s320/india+020.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">pretty view of the ocean from the plane</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyG8Ujzr2dEgON2CRQJmBp6U6pSGFLaHPhODejRd3YqIG2rYj70XZPqveITZKyEA2pJrNDWa_0JZOq3TXRej8nbLpFOG8EsZrNwVcZxYWOIdOJcvP3mKiyDuoRXxh7XNtW0BvJHu7sLq3/s1600/india+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyG8Ujzr2dEgON2CRQJmBp6U6pSGFLaHPhODejRd3YqIG2rYj70XZPqveITZKyEA2pJrNDWa_0JZOq3TXRej8nbLpFOG8EsZrNwVcZxYWOIdOJcvP3mKiyDuoRXxh7XNtW0BvJHu7sLq3/s320/india+025.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">First view of Chennai</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This post isn't to exciting, but thought I'd share some pictures and let you all know that I'm here safe!</div><div style="text-align: center;">India is beautiful and crazy and different, and I love it, can't wait to see more of it in our tour today!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">withgreatlove,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kenzie</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-24346149988151457722010-07-06T17:00:00.000-07:002010-07-06T17:00:26.087-07:003 more days!<div style="text-align: center;">I can hardly believe there are only</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">THREE</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">MORE</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">DAYS!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">until I leave</div><div style="text-align: center;">Watch for updates these next 4 weeks:)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-23589889725512124292010-06-07T20:38:00.000-07:002010-06-07T20:48:04.465-07:00Rising Star Benefit<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479944988315772514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9cV2Rpc1Ca8HflIn39W6OtGX4qjc036pSniVpcUOe5w_C_8oEyAnihHxrzqQpnSsPNKZ6zk48ByNnJ0szxfUNMUZx2_V4ziU3xRrb9loKzzrIACCJgO3dzpdCE-CcDUgc-97Oln9B8sC/s400/4448159202_70961ce3be.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;">The benefit was a huge success!</span></b></span></div><div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, serif;">I am so grateful for the opportunity I was given to assist Brian in putting this program on. There is no way this would have been possible without his months of hard work searching for a room that could be donated and asking the other talented musicians to be a part of the program.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDTSZLHt_U7f59sMoWMS-SlgGqjZdG6WgDVnzAhD744Zxnz2oWMgO32QT-r6oYvOzzQb5qjdGFdjf1EvR2qtPoIT0HAns0l-scG-yKhvY3qYaTNzfAManLuHPuWpcR1nDRHdflXYxwdu8/s1600/IMG_0553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479946443092691986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDTSZLHt_U7f59sMoWMS-SlgGqjZdG6WgDVnzAhD744Zxnz2oWMgO32QT-r6oYvOzzQb5qjdGFdjf1EvR2qtPoIT0HAns0l-scG-yKhvY3qYaTNzfAManLuHPuWpcR1nDRHdflXYxwdu8/s320/IMG_0553.jpg" style="height: 320px; margin-top: 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePPiKO9MaqK2v_8owK8vwU98JQsQ8cWHgiOcA4NcRXGdV2ekFag1r6eNMROS_CuXjujWpgtRl8OPS_ugXzPtWcsCkWG4FezSkBqwnPZ6vAA_LmUM_peOPBR6c6_kq5kEBI7GyrucCZ-u-/s1600/IMG_0548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480238039246744386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePPiKO9MaqK2v_8owK8vwU98JQsQ8cWHgiOcA4NcRXGdV2ekFag1r6eNMROS_CuXjujWpgtRl8OPS_ugXzPtWcsCkWG4FezSkBqwnPZ6vAA_LmUM_peOPBR6c6_kq5kEBI7GyrucCZ-u-/s320/IMG_0548.JPG" style="height: 240px; margin-top: 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480239087496761954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfmYnpBknoiib5FgVO2dkhrpz30lDyU0Uoxn0qGUa8nx5FJAlYH85SvhxWvpyjf9KIqflSRKaneNO4h6hq0UcZlixx1ujkddLLHFA2yDLB238UzJJY8jdkHc7VZf96n3mRxXMUlGWwRpK/s320/IMG_0567.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, serif;">I feel so blessed by the generosity and support from all of </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, serif;">those who attended and donated not only in cash donations but also with their time and effort cooking the refreshments for the bake sale as well. Its hard to focus on the bad in the world when you have an opportunity like this one to see all of the good that can be accomplished in one night.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480239401707873490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwrTzfxnlqDrU1ZvrtRgZ1Iz-QrJ9e2oBl2W3lOiw-hzHCsGqSFeAN7o9soWPbOSYcIRo1gigN09ZSWD8XgWzpaVfksBRehaZI9g2OEddklSA7jMsPbW8pPJkXtVHtF_VPXK9Wi17Tb8H/s320/IMG_0569.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks and love to all!,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kenzie</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, serif;">P.S. If you missed out, feel free to view the program(double click to see it larger) & video below:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCU-_ZcD6Jl19oQEomoaq5nDSN72S4rsYytorBoQji5x26NyZuHHdVrzHpZtT8xU3WsKHBSLjIO8JZB_wzQcg52yXyarPgsOIbVK9xmAWlGsqJRUZsEhjIRhqifBMfkVx8eTvPXkYygD3Z/s1600/d84fCG+08-46-09.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCU-_ZcD6Jl19oQEomoaq5nDSN72S4rsYytorBoQji5x26NyZuHHdVrzHpZtT8xU3WsKHBSLjIO8JZB_wzQcg52yXyarPgsOIbVK9xmAWlGsqJRUZsEhjIRhqifBMfkVx8eTvPXkYygD3Z/s320/d84fCG+08-46-09.jpeg" width="320" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black; font-family: Times, serif;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1hSxL-zeghK9lMmzFAkCfXk3f0Fv9lt4vL5DCyToqb3qCvg4ZuJKDNOTivA9gdRv6c6D7qYmczZ2QlbHx2oZUZ_sBrMJChaI-8UmxI2CuuR-M46nzQoeNfQlE3DMEQutIHmw6asbHPnp/s1600/l3PlrZ+08-46-09.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1hSxL-zeghK9lMmzFAkCfXk3f0Fv9lt4vL5DCyToqb3qCvg4ZuJKDNOTivA9gdRv6c6D7qYmczZ2QlbHx2oZUZ_sBrMJChaI-8UmxI2CuuR-M46nzQoeNfQlE3DMEQutIHmw6asbHPnp/s320/l3PlrZ+08-46-09.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JHbgBKSOxnY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JHbgBKSOxnY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050746221988731832.post-11974848620379945002010-04-28T21:15:00.000-07:002010-05-01T16:27:35.479-07:00Benefit Concert<div style="text-align: center;">This Wednesday May 5th:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Come and Support!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_Hh12mvgy5raqC-FHfAUMBQV_LiipDknQwSrf1yFDBt5ocslCFWQlCPXzWXn0SR1Ek_E30k5mZi4FKCdOKdr4LnhH0EFQ8cY_pPVmPWWX0rRwKE54bQezPJbQbjV765hxIizFulgKDHf/s1600/RSO+Benefit+Concert+1.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_Hh12mvgy5raqC-FHfAUMBQV_LiipDknQwSrf1yFDBt5ocslCFWQlCPXzWXn0SR1Ek_E30k5mZi4FKCdOKdr4LnhH0EFQ8cY_pPVmPWWX0rRwKE54bQezPJbQbjV765hxIizFulgKDHf/s400/RSO+Benefit+Concert+1.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465410146307517858" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is a bit small - double click to read -</div><div style="text-align: center;">if you can't, here's the info:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Classical Musical Benefit Concert</div><div style="text-align: center;">Featuring Accomplished MVHS Graduating Seniors</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cellist -- Pianist -- Vocalists</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wed, May 5th</div><div style="text-align: center;">7-8:30 pm</div><div style="text-align: center;">Norman P. Murray Center</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Sycamore Room"</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mission Viejo, CA</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Donations to</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rising Star Outreach</div><div style="text-align: center;">will be gratefully accepted</div><div style="text-align: center;">(however, no donation is necessary!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rising star is a humanitarian organization seeking to defeat leprosy in India. RSO is dedicated to educating the children of those affected, providing medical care and increasing self-sufficiency.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(more info at www. risingstaroutreach.org)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0