Hot-Blooded

Hey y'all. Today - among other days - I have realized that I am really happy I grew up in the north. Why, you ask? Well, everyone is so cold here, but I am warm because of my roots in Wisconsin and Minnesota. I have thick blood. We were just talking about that; the weather here is so variable, but those of us from northern parts of North America can adjust better than those from southern places such as California and North Carolina. It's weird.

Also, I am learning a lot here. I have realized that I am in Thèbe as an American Village employee for many reasons - mostly to learn various things. I am becoming more patient and more able to manage my moods. I am becoming more tolerant of people's difficulties and faults and idiosyncracies. I am becoming a lot more in tune with people's emotions and what they need at different times. I am delegating and trusting and realizing that even I have trouble with intimacy. I am learning that I talk in my sleep when I am tired. Now I know that I can discipline children and be their friend at the same time - a difficult task, but possible all the same. I have realized even more that everyone wants someone to listen to them. I am learning a great deal about myself and that, sometimes, I feel like a boy. My self-esteem waivers, as does all of ours, but I rarely let it show. The key to look like you know what you're doing is to fake it. I'm serious. I am learning more and more every single day that everything happens for a reason. I am laughing and becoming close with people who are so different from me - and it feels really good. I am learning that kids and adults alike - myself included - have flexible and adaptable minds that are influenced very easily by good and bad words. Mostly, I have learned that it is possible to bond very intensely with people in one summer when you are forced to spend just about every waking moment with them. We all get along so well and I am happy to be part of a wonderful team of terrific people. No conflicts, no blaming, no gossiping...it is an AmVil dream.

Well, I am off to read in the sun for the rest of my break (I have the mornings off now that I'm on activities). Tomorrow is my day off, so I will write more then. Happy day to you! Hope everyone is doing better than every! Well wishes for the rest of the week!

Love,

KN