Mother's Tomb

There were 94 new volunteers yesterday! We are not really 'needed', though volunteering in a place like this means that I learn a lot.

I don't feel like a hero because sometimes I don't even have a job. I think my biggest job will be sharing with people back in the states the importance of love. A genuine love. Not the love that looks like donating money to an organization that you've never visited or taking your clothes to Goodwill. But the kind of love that looks like eye contact when talking to someone or smiling at a child that can't smile back. I have to learn how to love like this because I don't know how. I still pass judgements and look down on people, but if I had true love in my heart I would see Christ in all. If I saw Christ in a beggar then I wouldn't be able to judge him.

Yesterday I was finally able to pray at Mother's Tomb. She is here in Kolkata body and soul and I can feel her and see her as I walk down the street. Praying at her tomb gave me a feeling that I am unable to speak of. I was in awe. I prayed that she will help me be filled with the same sort of love that she had (or at least close to).

Today I did physical therapy with Angelia. She is beautiful and tiny. If you have ever picked up a bone of a human child then you know what it feels like to move her arms around. She is so sweet and calm and kept falling asleep while I was working with her. I told Megha that I would draw a picture of her sometime, so I think it might be fun to do that with a few of the kids. The ones that stay still anyway.

We took a bus and an auto-rikshaw to get to Daya Dan today. It was so much fun. You haven't lived until you've taken one of these rikshaws. It's actually a lot like riding in my car : ) So some of you have lived after all!

There is a food vendor right outside our hotel and not only is the food wonderful, but it is cheap and the men that run it are really nice. One of them is deaf and mute and uses really cool sign language to communicate with us. He asked to use my camera today and took some pictures from on top of a taxi.

I felt incredibly dehydrated this morning. I was light headed during Mass and had to step outside to get fresh air. I'm feeling okay now, but have to make sure I drink enough water tonight. I think we might go see a Ballywood film tonight because it is Caitlin's last day here. I am sad that she is going. It will be just me and Tuan, it was nice having another girl around.

I decided that paperweights and car horns were invented for India. I've never seen a paperweight put to use until arriving here. All of the buildings have fans running so papers blow everywhere! And horns...well, i would be without my right leg if it weren't for blaring car horns all the time. I've been so close to getting hit many times. It's a blast.

That's all for now, I think. Really not much happens here, but since it's way cooler than what happens in Bellingham it's exciting to me. I hope everything in the states is going well. Let me know if California ever does fall off!

Peace, Corina