Beyoncé, Soccer, and a New Library

One of my favorite things about being at NPH is the relationships I am building with the kids. When I first arrived, it took the teenagers some time to warm up to me, which is normal. Now, thankfully, it is becoming a different story.

Case in Point: Last night, before I had to put the girls to bed, Sonia and Maru (Sonia is on the left in this photo, Maru on the right), two of the girls I am closest with, taught me the Beyoncé Single Ladies dance. They LOVE this dance and decided that I should learn it because...well, I guess because I was laughing so hard when they showed me that they knew the entire thing. I asked them how many times they had watched the music video to learn it, and they couldn´t even count the number it was so many. I haven´t laughed so hard in a long time.

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This past Monday was puente, which means a holiday here. The kids were home, so Sophie, Naomi, and I broke out Rummikube, which the kids love to play. Then, after lunch, the women´s director, Veckry (pronounced Beckry), decided to hold a soccer tournament. For those of you who know me well, I have never played soccer in my life. Tennis, golf, and running are my sports. However, for the second time since I have been here, I took the ¨field,¨ which is really a cement court, to play on a team with the other caregivers, volunteers, and directors. The good news is that we won! The bad news is that though I am agressive, my foot-ball coordination is horrible. I think I better stick with sports in which hand-eye coordination are pertinent.


This is Veckry with her two children, Andrea and Sammy.

That night, we had a BBQ, which is a huge treat here. Father Phil and the kids cooked Costco burgers, which, I have to say, after not having had red meat in a long time, tasted amazing!


The grillmasters.

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It is official! I am getting my new library! The building of the wall is beginning today, and I received my new books for book club. I am very excited. I realize I have a ton of work before me: cateloging all of our books, designing a system to check them out, and getting kids motivated to read. However, I am very excited that NPH is motivated to get these kids reading as well, as is evidenced by the rapid pace at which this project is moving. Here is a photo of what the library looks like now (I had to remove some books for construction). Note that right now it is not really a room at all (as you can see from this photo). We are also getting new book shelves. My newest idea for this is to have a design competition. In our house in Miacatlán, where the younger kids are, there are murals in the library. I think I might have a competition for kids to design murals, based on the NPH core values, as well as the theme of reading, and those who win will have their murals in the library (we will paint as a team this summer).

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On a very sad note, by former Editor in Chief, Brian Anderson, passed away this week from a rare form of Leukemia. He was such an amazing man, leader, and boss. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to work with him while I did. He gave me my first job and always encouraged me to aim for new heights. You will be missed, Brian!