Another 3:00am nighter. I don’t know WHAT is up with this as I have never had THIS much trouble sleeping. I was especially exhausted yesterday after my day with the kids and incredibly sore (which may have been part of the reason for my lack of sleeping). After only a couple of hours of rest I woke up with a headache, got dressed, had my breakfast and decided I really needed to sleep some more. I hate skipping out on volunteering, but I knew I would show up half dead with an awful headache (the kind you get from not sleeping) so I figured it would be better for me to rest and go in for the afternoon. Also, this seemed to make sense because I had no idea what I was going to do for lunch/the two hour nap time.
After a few more hours of sleep I woke up without the headache convinced I had made the right choice. I dropped off my laundry and headed to the Coffee Bug (across the street) for some brunch. It is a bit of a hole in the wall type of place, but it wasn’t too bad. I then headed off to the bus stop and explored that area a bit.
I was a bit confused where to find the bus (well, truck) because I had come in a different way, but I showed a man my little direction note card Prachit gave me and he pointed to a truck and I hopped on! In the beginning it was just me (which was actually nice) and then about half way through we stopped at this one place for a really long time (no idea why). It is sort of different because the drover tries to get people to join us! It reminds me of the tuk-tuk drivers, but he is a bus driver! Sometimes I will be walking around and (mostly the red buses) will wave me down, very strange. I am assuming they all work for the same company, but maybe they get to keep what they earn so they try to make the most!
Anyway, luckily he didn’t forget my stop. I don’t know if there are actual stops because I usually just see people press the button and then he pulls over and lets them off. But I kept my eyes peeled in case he did miss it!
I showed up in the baby room ready for action and they were ready for me! Most of the older kids (the ones who can walk) play with each other and the staff is really good about playing with them too. So I decided to spend time with the babies! I enjoy it because the language barrier isn’t a problem!
At least three kids are always crying so I have my pick of who to hold. I tried to take time with every baby there and hold them and kiss them and rock them and anything to comfort them and show them love (since obviously they don’t get a lot of individual attention). They are adorable and I really love being with them. A few of them were ok when I put them down again but there was one that would start bawling when I put him down so he was spoiled most of the afternoon as I catered to him. Most of my time was spent changing diapers (it goes right through so it’s EASY to tell when they need to be changed as your hand is wet) and playing with crying babies! I have yet to find a comfortable way to do this (have I mentioned how SORE I am) so I am still working on that!
I left around 4:15pm and while it doesn’t SEEM like much, I thought it was the perfect amount of time! I tried to do a better job today of pacing myself but I had a lot of fun and it didn’t get to the point I was ready to pull my hair out!
The highway was a little tricky to cross today and I had to wait a bit for a yellow truck but I made it ok. Have I mentioned how much I dislike the transportation? I try to close my eyes and relax but something was poking my back and people are climbing all over you! Ugh!
On the way back to the hostel I stopped at a western grocery store to get some PB&J! Now I never thought I’d say this, but I am SO tired of eating out! My family doesn’t cook (my mom freely admits this so I am not going to hurt her feelings) so we eat out a lot! I have grown up eating out. But eating out for 3 months straight, ugh! I think it’s also the fact I don’t have the OPTION of eating in and I am just so tired of it! So I figured this way I can have a sandwich for lunch or something!
I came back, rested for a bit and then went to a place just down the street for some dinner! I got chicken fingers and French fries (so healthy I know) but I honestly haven’t had that in forever and it tasted really good! I then hit up the night market to do a little shopping (gifts..sadly not for me) and I realized something. I am SO tired of shopping in Asia and I am SO over bargaining! All I wanted to do was to get some nice gifts for friends and family. I didn’t want to spend hours over something making sure I didn’t get ripped off! I find myself now looking for places with set prices (they have to be reasonable of course) just so I don’t have to waste time bargaining! I don’t have trouble finding something I like, but then it takes 10 minutes to get a good price.
I did my best bargaining in Beijing. It was new, it was exciting and I enjoyed it! Now, I decide what I want to pay for it (even if I MIGHT be able to get it lower) and just go for it. If they don’t like it, I walk away and start again. I also find myself getting VERY offended in some instances. For example, I was looking at something and someone quoted me 250 baht. I went to the next place and he started at 450 baht! I didn’t even want to bargain with him because I was offended he started so high and was trying to rip me off! Ugh! haha! I definitely will enjoy coming home and going into a store and just PAYING for it! This bargaining business is TOO much work!
But anyway, after a somewhat successful night of shopping I came back ready for a wonderful cold shower and bed!
Hugs and kisses from a girl who needs to fall asleep at night!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
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