Hey, guys.
So, I’m kind of struggling with how to get this started.
Well, you’ve notice my absence, right? And if not-seriously, what rock do you
live under?? Because, not bragging here (that’s code for, I’m totally bragging
but its okay because its valid), I run a freaking awesome blog. So my
disappearance should have been cause for some of you to, a) send annoyed
messages complaining of my absence, b)
sob yourselves quietly to sleep at night, saying “Poverty Becomes You” in your sleep and causing your spouses to worry, unless of course they’re going through
the same kind of withdrawal, or c) contact the American Embassy in Mexico City,
because I’ve clearly been kidnapped by the Sinaloa drug cartel for my
shockingly orange hair and other American attributes and am being held for ransom.
Seriously, guys. Not one of you contacted the Embassy. I’m
hurt.
Anyways, I’m back. And, not only am I back, but I now have
eight-yes, EIGHT-new little girls to tell you about.
 |
| From left to right: Abi, Satyuri, Erika, Ale, Adriana, Jenny, Ingrid, Teresa. Front: Italia Not pictured: Ada, Evelyn, & Karla |
In the last three weeks,
our dorm has grown from four to twelve, and since I know that 80% of the reason
half of you read this blog is for the cute children, I’m just gonna upload some
pictures here, and tell you about my new kids, as well as giving some updates
about the kids that I’ve now had for over a year now (I KNOW!!!) For those of
you who are looking forward to the thought-provoking content I’m generally
known for (I hope), check back on PovertyBecomesYou next week. I should be
getting back to my regular content posting schedule now that the summer is
winding down.
Ale (10)
What can I say about Ale? Well, I hate to be the bearer of
bad news, but my little girl is growing up. And let me tell you, folks, I’m not
a very big fan of this. We’re both having a hard time dealing with the onset of
adolescence, but, at the end of the day, she’s still my Ale. Responsible, sweet,
and caring-that’s my girl.
Adriana (10)
Adriana is a sweet girl. Now that she’s been here for a
month, she finally beginning to open up and show us a little bit of who the
real Adri is-and we like her! She is a very calm, very lovable individual.
Adriana struggles a little bit with constantly being surrounded by people, but
is very happy to have friends her own age.
Abigail (9)
Abi and her sisters arrived at the beginning of August, but it
already feels like they have always been part of our family. Abi is headstrong
and independent. She struggles with being obedient-she hasn’t had a lot of
practice, you see. However, she is a wonderful little girl who enjoys playing
on the swings and drawing pictures for her supervisors.
Karla (9)
You guys know Karla already! Being completely honest, Karla
and Evelyn are having the hardest time dealing with the little girl invasion
that our room has been party to recently. Karla is a little worried about all
of the changes, and isn’t sure she likes all of the new people. The good part,
though, is that she seems to be moving past that-she’s already made fast
friends with Satyuri, and is having fun finally being considered one of the
“big” girls.
Satyuri (8)
This little girl has to be one of the friendliest
individuals I have ever met. After having been here a day, half of Esperanza
Viva already knew her name! Satyuri is obedient and respectful, and loves to
play with friends, which to say, with everyone. The only thing is, she REALLY
doesn’t like pineapple, I had the misfortune to find out. Otherwise, she’s
flawless.
Ada (8)
Oh, my Ada.
You will all be pleased to know that, out of all of my girls that I talk
to all the time in English, Ada is the one that really seems to be learning. She
talks to me in complete sentences! Honestly, I’m pretty sure she’s a genius.
Okay, well maybe not, but I’m really proud of my little girl and her innate
ability to talk. Which she does do, I should add, at every given opportunity-talk,
that is.
 |
| Here's a more dramatic shot of Ada and Ingrid! |
Evelyn (Almost 8)
Evelyn has spent the summer engaging in all sorts of Evelyn
highjinks. I’m only going to list a few, but I think you’re going to get a good
idea of how Evelyn’s summer has been going.
 |
| She's bringing back the 'stach. Oh, yeah. |
This summer, Evelyn has:
- · Painted her face with permanent marker to “look like a cat.”
- · Started a circus in the dorm featuring herself as the main star and tried to jump from top bunk to top bunk while attempting to flip (I stopped her before she died, don’t worry).
- · Taken to deliberately making herself fall out of bed because she “likes the thump,”and sleeping on the floor/under someone else's bed.
I’m going to stop here. Evelyn injects the personality we so
desperately need into our dorm, as you can clearly see.
Italia (7)
Italia is a very loving little girl, and at the same time
incredibly stubborn. Granted, none of my girls are complete professionals at
listening, but Italia is only outshown by her sister Jenny when it comes to her
ability to completely ignore you as you’re talking to her. It’s actually kind
of impressive, when you think about. However, before you think I don’t love
Italia, think again, because on top of her not listening, she is also
hilariously funny. That kid keeps us all in stitches around here.
Ingrid (7)
The three words that best describe Ingrid are sweet, funny
and loud. Ingrid is loud. She’s loud when she’s awake, she’s loud when she
sleeps (she snores). She even moves loudly. Ingrid is also, as previously
mentioned, very funny, and most of all, a deeply sweet little girl. She, like
Satyuri, already has many friends and is fairly well known by most of EV at
this point. Probably because she’s just that LOUD!
Erika (7)
Erika, just like Abi, is not really all that great at
obedience. On the upside, she’s learning, and she makes up for her lack of open
obedience but being very loving. Erika loves hugs, she loves to cuddle, and she
loves to play. She is a lovely, sweet girl who is learning how to interact with
others.
Teresa (6)
Teresa is the sweetest little girl of the bunch. She is a
tiny little thing, six years old and still wearing a 3t or 4t, with the most
hilarious little bowl cut that makes her look like a little boy. Just like a
little boy, Teresa is fearless, and loves to jump off of things. She is looking
forward to going to school and learning how to read, as well as the snacks that
they serve in school, because she loves to eat!
 |
| Teresa was having a hard time letting go the other day |
Also, I deeply wish I had a recorder and could indefinitely follow her around and record everything she says-the child is hilarious. Please check my facebook feed at any given point for proof.
Jennifer (5)
Maybe you’ve heard me refer to Evelyn as the personality of
the dorm, but Jenny could give her a run for her money. Jenny is a tiny little
powerhouse of personality. She is tiny, loud, and VERY easily distracted, which
leads to her supervisors spending quite a bit of time going “2, 4, 6, 8, 10,
11…who’s missing? Jenny? JENNY!!!” However, the benefit of a loud five-year-old
is her being very easy to find.
 |
| Here I am chilling with Jenny's twin brother Iran. He's a boss, as you can clearly tell. |
I’ll be straight with you, having twelve kids is hard work. We’ve
had to get our act together more than ever before, because they vastly
outnumber us. But having this many kids, while being a lot of work, also comes
with a lot more reward. Every time I leave, there’s 12 little girl to hug me,
12 little girls to kiss me goodbye, and 12 little girls to tell me to come home
again soon. So that’s a pretty cool feeling.
