Day 58

Today felt like the best day thus far at the orphanage! I showed Lumi pictures of Brad and I yesterday, but today she wanted to see pictures of my family. I did not have any actual photographs so I brought them in on my computer. My laptop is a tiny HP mini so it was not very intrusive at all. I made a folder with pictures of my family including my grandparents. Lumi absolutely loved them! She wanted me to show Mihaela, Viorel and AU too. She kept saying ‘frumos! Beautiful!’ With a picture of my mom she kept saying ‘oh wow oh wow’. I felt so proud haha. With Brittney, I had a copy of her current profile picture on facebook and Lumi was saying that she has really gorgeous teeth. Lumi then pointed to her own teeth and said that they were like a ‘greabla’ or rake! She is so hilarious. Of all things to compare one’s teeth to. Today was so great because I could really feel the effects of practicing so much of the language. I really felt like I could communicate and it was such a great feeling. They all wanted my email and phone numbers and I got theirs. They were so excited to exchange contact info and it was so nice to feel like I am really building relationships. Lumi, without even really asking me, pulled out some pliers and some wax and told me that she was going to fix my purse. The zipper on my messenger bag has been broken for quite a while.. the teeth dont mesh up and the little pull on the actual zipper head came off. She worked her magic and attached a key chain ring ( i think from her own keys) to my bag. It was amazing, it works perfectly now! Mario later told me something to the effect of 'well that is how us Romanians are, we have to know how to fix things ourselves'. My heart was so full today. I feel like I love everyone! haha.. there is a quote that says 'there are two types of people in the world, the ones that you love, and the ones that you do not know'. The more I am here the more I realize that everyone has their dreams, hopes, fears, disappointments. The things that make them proud and smile and the things that get them discouraged. I feel like one thing that this experience has really done is deepen my ability to love people.. whether it is hearing a family member or close friend's voice, or looking into the sad eyes of a father pacing the floor outside of the ICU.. my heart goes out to them. I can feel something really deep inside of me and even if I cannot do anything for this person, I can say a little prayer in my heart for them.

I armwrestled with AU today! He absolutely loved it! I would dramatize it and fake him out before letting him win. Afterwards I would tell him he was ‘puternic’ or strong and he would throw his arms out like he was flexing. It was so much fun. He did not go to school today so we had a lot of time together which was a bittersweet thing. I asked Lumi why he was not at school and she said because they do not have enough money to pay the teachers. This goes along with what I was saying yesterday, but it really breaks my heart that these children are so directly affected by lack of funds. I wish that there was more that I can do. I go to Brasov next week so I will not be able to spend that extra time with AU but when I get back I will be sure to spend extra time and stimulation with him. I am excited because even though it is bad that he is not having school, I can have more time with him and take on the responsibility of ensuring he is still learning and growing. Most importantly, that he is increasing his self trust and ability to choose.

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Mario came over for a bit after the orphanage to visit. She said she had a package and I was so excited that I asked if we could go to the post office right then. Mario said we could but that I would have to walk home. Dani was sweet enough to come with me so that I did not have to walk home alone. Sure enough I had a package from the incredible Brad Sturgill! He got me some turquoise indian jewelry a.k.a my favorite! Everything was perfect (a picture of the ring is up above). He has sent me a package every week. He is so thoughtful it seriously makes my day. Last week for instance, I forgot to mention, he had pressed and 'laminated' a sunflower for me! Inside the lamination was this cute little note. He knows that it is my favorite flower! He also sent me my favorite gum, green stride. He has sent me so many thoughtful things.. so many thoughtful letters. He blows me away each and every day and I am so grateful to have him in my life. Packages aside:) I love him so much.

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My dad has been sending me voice recordings and it is so great to hear his voice inflections and funny stories. I am so sad that I am missing Halloween at my parents' house. My dad absolutely loves halloween and it feels like everything just keeps getting bigger, better, and more creative each year. I do not know how my mom feels about it but us kids, friends, coworkers and especially neighborhood kids are always excited to see what my dad will do this year. I cannot wait to see pictures of everyone all dressed up!

Oh! one more thing.. today I went to get some flowers for Lumi and my room at the orphanage to thank her for fixing my bag. The flowers were only 3 lei so I had to get myself some as well! p.s I have had a recent obsession with photoshop... and fonts. The icon on the top is one that I made in photoshop with a picture of the flowers I got, a couple different color filters, noise filter and some crop shapes. It is a work in progress (photoshop skills that is).