Peru Blog Numero 3

Well I survived the most epic week of my life. It was a continuous movement of working with the babies at the orphanage and my volunteer friends leaving. I worked both days this weekend in the morning on Saturday for 5 hours and on Sunday afternoon for 5 hours by myself. Yep I watched 4 babies two days in a row sola. It was the most stressful hard weekend I've had I believe. Especially with the tias always yelling at me for not doing everything perfect even though the children are safe. I literally am scared to do anything because I don't want to be yelled at. They are very stern and care about the well-being of the children, but sometimes are a little over board. I wouldn't mind doing something different or being told to do it a specific way, but with kind words. They literally just yell at me and say I'm wrong then go on and on about why it's bad. All they have to say is Natalie please do this instead because that is what we are working for. I'd be fine. A gentle word turns away wrath, but sometimes I have to be snippy to let them know I was doing what they asked just had to change it a little for my well being. It's excellent character building and I thought I had worked with the hardest people ever in my past, but nope. These ladies are even harder so I am definitely going to use them in a story or play some day, and keep getting stronger.

Today I had a great moment of realization and a ha I know what I'm doing so suck that tia. One of the babies (Orlando) was crying and being fussy. I was working with some other children like I was told, but heard him being fussy so I went to check on him. Then one of the older orphan girls asked who was taking care of the babies, and I told her the Tia Daisy was because she was in the other room with the babies and said she didn't need my help. But the girl (Claudia) just passed orlando to me and I remembered from my day of soloness that it was time for his bottle so I made it for him and instantly started feeding him with it and he got chill and smiley. Then Daisy came in ready to glare and take control or yell at me and I was just sitting there with a happy feeding baby in my arms with this huge "what now" look and she closed the door. Needless to say he spit up on me 2 times, but it is alright. I was proud of myself, and that kept me going strong the last 2 hours.

I am really ready for my 3 days off and can't wait to just have me time to explore the city and eat at restaurants and read and buy groceries. I also made a delicious black bean chili and rice for dinner. Yay cooking skills coming into play. Well kind of. Bought my ticket to Guatemala. Can't wait to see everyone May 27th.