A Different Kind of Summer

            Pretty typically when I come to Haiti, my focus is on the kids—hanging out with them, providing therapy, making sure they are kept busy . . . those kinds of things.  I often spend much of my time at the orphanage or in the neighborhood.  This summer, though, has been different.

Interns

            With four interns here this summer, the therapy and hanging with the kids was taken care of.  I didn’t spend much time in the therapy room because I handed that off to Jordan, Skyler, and Manda.  Even keeping the kids entertained before summer camp and late in the afternoon fell to the interns.  They did a great job, and they developed great relationships with the kids.  I did interact with the kids . . . just not as much.  I probably did more observing of the interactions between the interns and the kids, which was awesome.  I loved seeing how the kids connected with these young ladies and really developed trust with them. 

            My role as supervisor made me feel one step removed from the kids and how my time is usually spent here.  Don’t get me wrong, I still hung out with the kids—Bingo in the evening and playground time in the morning—but it was still just different.  Even meal times were different.  With the four interns, I wasn’t needed as much to help feed, and during that time I was often helping Abby handle her responsibilities with Junior and Judeline. 

Networking

            I haven’t spent this much time networking since my first extended stay back in 2013!  Abby’s work with Haiti Mama has led me to work more closely with them.  I have Tausha’s contact information, and we will continue to be in touch as long as Judeline and Junior are here.   Even the connection with Patrick, a Haiti Mama social worker who helped Abby with her assessments, could continue if he really wants to follow up on some of the conversations they had with the kids.

            I now have contacts with Dr. Nau, who saw Phonsley, Oskar, and Jean Ronald.  He is someone that I feel I could check in with if I have questions in the future about the kids or just if I’m looking for other resources for the kids.  Like the surgeons who come in and work on kids like Jean Ronald.  Dr. Nau mentioned it to me at the first appointment, and when I emailed him with follow-up questions, he said he would get the information to me.  Because of him, I know where to go to get good x-rays and I have connections at Healing Hands for Haiti.  I feel as if new parts of Haiti are opening up to me!

            I also learned about a counseling agency here in PAP that I never would have known existed had I not been connected with Haiti Mama.  The place is called Espere Counseling Center, and it is up above Petion-ville.  I hope to connect some of our kids with them because they seem to have resources that would benefit our kids.

Money

            I can’t say that this is an area of growth because I still question people’s honesty with me and their overtures of friendship.  I have to say that I’m disappointed in myself for still questioning people, especially people I know.  For example, a lady who sells her wares at the orphanage and who has been nothing but giving and kind to me asked for some money earlier this week.  She said that her family was hungry and that she didn’t have money to buy food.  My first instinct was not to give her the money.  My first thoughts were “what kind of story is she telling me?”  I hardened my heart to her simply because others have first asked for money and then claimed to be my friend.  Even after I said no to her, she gave me a bracelet that she had made. 

            She honored our relationship by asking for help and not being upset when the answer was “no.”  I do not deserve that kind of friendship.  Instead of trusting, I first questioned, judged, and thought of my future needs.  Future needs?  My future needs are more than taken care of.  Her present needs were not.  In my very judgmental mind, I put myself above her instead of seeing us as equals.  My thoughts and actions show that not only am I not above her, I’m not sure I’m even her equal. 

            God didn’t let my heart stay hardened to her for long.  Later than morning we were able to share a ride, and I slipped her some gourdes.  Not much—what is $5 to a wealthy Amerian?—but it was enough to meet her needs for that day.  I won’t say no to her again.  I will work to honor our friendship as she has.  I will respect the strength of character that it takes to ask for help.  I will be better.

Independence

           I love that I have so much more independence than I’ve had before.  And, it’s not just because my motorcycle is finally working.  It’s more that I trust myself to get by and figure things out in Creole.  The language camp has a lot to do with that.  I make a lot of mistakes in the language, but I can get my point across and, for the most part, understand answers.  With that new found confidence, I went to a road side stand and had a new battery put in my motorcycle.  I have been able to buy gas for the motorcycle on my own—I know that may not seem like a big deal, but to me it is!  I found a place to scan documents when I needed to.  I’m starting to believe that I can function in this country without always having to go to Gertrude first.  It’s been great having her as a resource for the past three years, but I like being able to be independent.  I hope that as I settle in at school that those feelings of independence grow.

Orphan Care

           Prior to this summer, I was all about the adoption process.  That was all I knew.  This summer’s focus has been on family reunification and/or foster care.  This didn’t happen by choice.  We had two children go back to live with a birth parent and extended family, which got me thinking about why there are so many “orphans” in Haiti.  I learned the term “economic orphan”—children placed in orphanages because parents can’t afford to care for them.  I learned about a fledgling foster-care program up in Petion-ville.  I heard new friends talk passionately about creating children’s homes so that Haiti’s future isn’t adopted out to the U.S. or Canada.  I heard stories, and accusations, of adoption-for-profit.

            Adoption in and of itself is not bad.  But, it needs to be handled so delicately, especially when a birth parent is still alive.  Counseling is needed for children living in Haiti’s orphanages because they are talking about where they came from.  They are talking about family that lives “lot bo”—out there.  They are talking about their hopes of reconnecting somewhere down the line.  They tell themselves that family didn’t really leave them some place—it was a mistake.  All of this needs to be addressed so that Haiti’s future grows up emotionally healthy, more ready to tackle the needs of this country than its current leaders.

            This summer marks the end of 3.5 years of blogging about my short-term stays in Haiti.  It has been an amazing journey, and I am so glad that I have blogged because it provides the story of my experiences here up to this point. 

            Tomorrow I start a different part of my journey in Haiti—the long-term, more permanent part.  I move in to my new digs at Morning Star Christian Academy where I will be teaching for at least the next school year.  God willing, the teaching gig will last more than a couple of years, I will learn what it means to live—really live—in a foreign country, especially one like Haiti.

Don’t know what that will be like, but as they say in Haiti: “Jezi konnen.”

An Unusual Day

Nadia just always makes a
day better!

           
What makes an unusual day in Haiti?  Good question.  Let me start by sharing what a "usual" day can look like:

     1.  Plan to get one thing done.
     2.  Be happy if you almost get that one thing done.
     3.  Traffic jams ("blokis") slow down everything so that almost getting that one thing done seems              like an accomplishment.
     4.  You can never fit in an extra appointment.
     5.  Things cost more than you anticipated.
     6.  The kids are wild and out of control.

Phonsley loves being in the
"machin."

You can probably start to guess what made today so unusual.  First, we had plans to get 2-3 things done: have the kids get x-rays taken, have a group visit at 3:30, and have the battery in my motorcycle changed.  We got two of those three things done (the group didn't show, so it probably doesn't really count that we "didn't get it done").

Christine and her creation

Not only did we get x-rays taken for Phonsley, Jean-Ronald, and Oskar; but we stopped by the doctor's office to make an appointment for them to be read at a later date.  However, the doctor was free at the moment, so he read them for us right away.  AND, we did not have to pay for that consultation.  AND, we have referrals to Healing Hands for Haiti for the kids to begin therapy.  AND, we have an appointment for all there boys Monday morning.  Yea--God is good!

Not only did we get all that done, but we did it in 3.5 hours, which is unheard of!  Thank you, God, for no "blokis"!

The group didn't show up, so we had some time to relax, and then I went to have the new battery put in my motorcycle.  They had it.  They put it in.  The battery works!  I can actually start the bike with the kick start, and if I want the ignition start to work, then I need to take it back when the "big boss" is there.

Naika working hard

I got back from the motorcycle business to find some of the kids upstairs with the interns nicely playing with Legos.  Who'da thunk?  And, later tonight when we played Bingo, they still behaved!

Bradley's feeling a bit better!

Seriously . . . now do you understand why today was so unusual?

U.N. Visit

           

Cute G.I. Joe soldier dancing
with Christella

             I have always wondered why the U.N. is in Haiti.  And, U.N. troops have always kinda scared me . . . pretty much all people with guns slung over their shoulders scare me.  Having said that, my only prior interaction with the U.N. was quite pleasant: a U.N. patrol car pulled me over about three years ago while I was driving my motorcycle—they just wanted to make sure I was okay.

Maxo always finds someone to hug!

            Today, I had more interactions with U.N. troops.  They came to hang out with our kids, provide lunch, and do some medical exams of our kids who have been sick.  I loved it!  The troops were awesome! 

            The group was pretty much all from Argentina, except one incredibly gorgeous guy who is from Brazil.  Gertrude was out running errands, so I got “to be in charge” . . . she even said so!  They arrived about 10:45, and right away got food in the kitchen so that it would be ready to go by 12:30.  The medical team came upstairs with me while the rest of the group went out back to play with the kids.

Medical team

            The medical stuff was interesting.  I knew which kids I wanted them to see—Keloke, Kethia, Nadia, Bradley, Junior, Judeline, Naika, and Sarah.  These kids have been sick on and off for the past two weeks, so I thought “why not have them checked out?”  Well, because the team is from Argentina (except for the hunk we labeled G.I. Joe), they all speak Spanish and some English.  Thank God I attend a church that has bilingual services in Spanish because I could actually understand some of what was being said.  Thank God for Abby who speaks Spanish because her dad’s side of the family is from Mexico.  Thank God for Rosie who is fluent in English and Creole.

            Here’s the way it worked: medical staff checked out the kids and spoke in Spanish.  Abby translated the Spanish into English.  Rosie then translated the English into Creole for her aunt, Suze, who is the nurse at the orphanage.  Pretty slick operation we had going!

            Many of the kids were doing fine, but some of the others need to be checked out.  Thanks to the U.N. troops we know that we need to get a nebulizer so that 2-3 of the kids can be treated for bronchitis or asthma.  We know that we need to get another child to the clinic for a urine sample because their might be a urinary tract infection.  We know that we have at least one child who needs a very different diet: six small meals a day, mostly bland (rice, applesauce, polenta, some bananas) . . . basically the BRAT diet. 

Jacky found a friend  . . . so happy
for him!

            Once the medical stuff was done, I was able to go down and hang with the other kids and soldiers.  It was so cool to see!  G.I. Joe was dancing with Christella—like really dancing, the way gentlemen used to dance with ladies.  Alvarez fell asleep in the arms of one female soldier.  I think it was Carlos who ended up pushing Princess Wilcia around for a while. 

            The kids loved the food the group brought—a goulash-type meal.   There was plenty to go around, and it was definitely better than the typical rice and beans or cornmeal mush and beans they get at lunch (I know because the kids shared some of the goulash with me and I have had the unfortunate luck of having tasted some of the rice/cornmeal mush/beans concoctions).

             I still really don’t know what the U.N. is doing in Haiti.  But, I do know that today, as in May when they came, they provided our kids with good food, attention, and lots of fun.  That’s not bad for a day’s work

Yes, I Can!

           Yea!  I did it!  I finally proved to myself that I can function in this country with the language skills that I have.  I have always doubted myself because so often when I speak Creole at the orphanage the kids and staff look at me as if I’m speaking Chinese with four heads.

            Twice in two days, though, I have attempted important things on my own and been successful.  My motorcycle has been fixed—for the most part—but I still need practice.  I went out yesterday, and the thing died on me.  I know the battery is bad as is the crank (the ignition switch doesn’t work because the battery is bad).  I asked for help on the street, but the nice guys couldn’t do anything.  I asked them—in Creole—if there was still that motorcycle “shop” down the way.  They said “yes” and pointed me in the right direction.  When I stopped where I thought it was, it wasn’t there.  But . . . no worries!  I asked the lady where it was, and she told me to keep going and to cross the street.

            I found the guys and was able to ask for help, explain what I needed, and understand the response.  I definitely need a new battery, which will only cost me 1000 gdes (about $16 American).  I hope to make it back tomorrow or Thursday to buy the new battery.

Phonsley waiting at the doctor's office

Oskar and Phonsley--I was
bored, so I took pictures
through the window.

            Then, today I took three of the kids to the orthopedic doctor to get a script for x-rays for them.  The nice doctor—Dr. Nau (pronounced “No”)—and I spoke Creole.  I understood him, and he understood me!  Sweet.  He sent us to the x-ray place right away, but we just missed the technician . . . he headed home 15 minutes early because he didn’t want to be out in the rain.  No big deal, but I was able to talk and joke with the other workers about the place closing up shop before the official closing time.  Again, score for my Creole skills!

            I am in no way fluent, but these small successes give me so much confidence that I can live and work in Haiti without being dependent on others.  

Kokobe

            Kokobe.  I can’t stand that word.  No.  I hate that word.  It is the Creole equivalent of retard.  I hear it on the streets when we take our children with special needs on walks in the neighborhood. 

Interns and Brilner taking a walk

Christine--child of God

  People stare. 
  Sometimes they follow us. 
  I hear them whisper, “Kokebe.”
  
 I say nothing to the people.  My language skills aren’t that strong.  I don’t know how to beat down the cultural stereotypes in just a few words during a shorter-than-brief encounter.

I do talk to our children.  I tell them they are strong and brave.  I tell them I love their personalities.  I tell them that they are beautiful.  I can say that in Creole.  I hope the gawkers overhear. 

Kokobe is a curse—someone did something wrong, and now the child is kokobe.  Best to put it far away from you and the family.

 Kokobe is catching—don’t get to close or you might catch it and be kokoke, too.

Kokobe is less than.

One time last summer, a young man walked along side me as I walked with one of our special-needs girls.  He asked what was wrong with her.  I said, “Nothing.”  I explained that when she was younger she had a kriz—a seizure—and that was why she had to re-learn how to walk.  Well, a kriz is right down there with kokobe.  I told him that she liked to walk, that she was shy, that she liked to play with dolls.  He looked at me as if I had four heads—how could kokobe have likes and interests and wants and personality?

Manda and Rosaline

I have spent the past 3-4 years getting to know these kids.  They have personalities.  They have senses of humor.  They have likes and dislikes.  They have friends. 

I know that Rosaline is shy.  She is modest.  She loves to draw.  She loves to have dolls around.

Nathalie has a wicked sense of humor. Careful when you walk around her because she loves to stick her leg out and watch you stumble.  She loves her school teachers.  She loves music. 

Wilcia is ready for that beach!

Wilcia is a princess.  She is perfectly content to let others wait on her.  She dances to music every time it comes on.  She is a people person—the more the merrier!  She and Junior laugh and joke for hours on end! 

Phonsley playing catch

Phonsley is good friends with Jonathon.  Phonsley loves to draw and play with cars.  He will throw a ball to you forever.

The kids here are not kokobe.

There is no kokebe.

A Family Kind of Day

          Today started with the group--Manda and her family, Susan, Erin, and the interns--going to church.  They enjoyed it even though they couldn't understand any of it; my Creole is so much better that I understood much of it.

          Kevin and Nick, Mand'a dad and brother, finished putting up the tables in the therapy room--I am so excited to be able to use them this week!  They fixed the cow, fixed a light, and fixed a fixture--these guys are good!

          The next stop was walking to Divine Family to take the kids there and Lauren and Chedner to lunch, courtesy of Donna.  Kevin and Nick came with us because everyone else had gone to the Visa Lodge to relax.  The kids were ready when we arrived, except Kinslee who didn't want to put a shirt on.  Chedner, of course, needed to shower and dress (he's all about looking good).  We finally had everybody ready and headed to The Family, a small restaurant in the neighborhood.

           We had a good time--the kids behaved beautifully!  The food was good--when it finally arrived 2.5 hours after ordering!

Bringing in the tables

          I know service in Haitian restaurants is slow, but this was ridiculous!  I even told Gertrude three times when we would be there.  When we arrived, they were still bringing in tables that had been moved for a wedding reception the day before (the tables were coming in through a window-type opening that led to the roof, I think).  The cook wasn't there.  The food wasn't there!

Hanging with friends

          We ordered drinks, and Chedner had to go out to get them.  We ordered our meals--chicken and rice and beans for everyone (that's pretty much the only thing on the menu now), and then the cook (who had finally arrived) had to go out and buy the food needed to make the meals!

Having fun

          We are so lucky that the kids are well behaved and easily entertained.  Picture taking filled up lots of time.  So did creating a deck of cards in Creole for Heads Up.  We played a few rounds of Heads Up, which was hysterical because the kids were confused about the concept and just kept reading the words instead of acting them out; Susan was learning Creole, so she wasn't always sure what the Creole words were; and I had memorized the order of the words.  It may not have been what Ellen Degeneres intended, but it worked for us.

Tanya has attitude!

        The meal came.  Everyone had their fill.  And then we had to pay the bill.  Took an hour to tally it up!  Why, I'm not sure.  But, once it was tallied, it had to be double checked.  Twice.  Not sure why since our group was the only one in the place!

Famished from waiting for the
food!

          I really want The Family to be a place to take visitors to give them a sense of a typical Haitian restaurant, but I can't take anyone there again.  It's just too aggravating!  On the plus side?  The kids had fun, we got to hang out with Lauren and Chedner and talk with them, and we have good stories to tell!

Tet Chaje (Overwhelmed)

          You know, today started out well.  Headed out to the store without any problems.  Found everything we needed: pheno for Judeline, Epi pen stuff for Erin, books for Susan, and groceries for all.  Hanging out in the therapy room went well.  My lunch went well.

          When did it all get off track?

          Lunch.  That's what did us in.  We have a number of children who struggle with the whole eating process: opening their mouths, keeping the food in, swallowing.  You name it, they struggle with it.  Today, little Junior was not being fed properly, and he started to cough.  And then choke.  And the person feeding him wouldn't let him cough.  The spoon was held over his mouth so that he couldn't really cough.

           I stepped in and held him so that he could cough.  The women knew that I was upset, as was everyone around.  I was too angry to be able to tactfully find a way to finish feeding him, when one of the interns stepped in and did what I couldn't do: she gracefully took over and never made the other woman feel bad.  I was so thankful that she had the gifts that Junior needed in that moment.

          I was so upset that I could barely finish working with the child that I had before heading up to the roof.  We brought Junior up with us, and he struggled to relax.  Erin held him until he calmed down, and we were able to settle him down so that he could sleep.  He was able to spend the rest of the day up on the roof sleeping or being held.

           The supper meal didn't go so well either.  This time, it wasn't the struggling eaters but the dippy able-bodied kids and food grabbers who created the chaos!  Brilner snagged a bunch of extra food when we weren't paying 100%; Gabrielle thought it was funny to smack everyone--hard; Jephte was literally stealing plates of food from pretty much everyone, especially Skyler (I think he might have been flirting).  I don't know what happened, but meal time was not good!

           Based on the frenetic energy of the kids, I decided to cancel the Saturday night Bingo session we had planned.  I didn't think they needed to get all hopped up again, this time at my own doing.  I can probably re-schedule it for tomorrow when I have more energy and the kids have less!

Valencia avoiding work in the
therapy room

           Just as a reminder that I love these children and that most of the time they are amazing, here are some pictures of happier moments:

Summer camp singing: Kethia and Bebe

Bradley loves to play

Nathalie loves the attention in the
therapy room!

Slow Day

Another day down.  I had to drop Sarah off at the airport this morning, which bummed me out.  I had such a great time having her here.  I know the kids already miss her—they wanted to know when she was coming back!

Jean-Ronald loved the rattle

Too much jerry rigging!

We went slowly this morning, mostly helping in the therapy room.  We had to readjust some of the car seats for Jean-Ronald and Derson.  We decided that trying to jerry rig the car seats was more hassle than it was worth.  No matter what we did, Jean-Ronald had his neck unsupported or his back unsupported, and we were tying too many pieces of Styrofoam in trying to get him positioned correctly.  We took everything out and positioned him just propped up along the side, and we decided that would work for the most part.  When he’s in the therapy room, we can put a wedge on the one side to keep his head turned to the left.  We also spent a lot of time with him on his belly massaging his back, and he did a good job keeping his head straight.  The boy just might be making some progress!

Bradley preferred toys over the cow

I also spent some time with Bradley in the therapy room.  Susan and I had fixed the little cow toddler scooter, and I thought it was the right height for him.  I was right! It fit him perfectly.  Unfortunately, he showed no interest in pushing him.  Jordan suggested that I put his feet through the motions of pushing, which I tried.  He’s going to need more practice.  It boggles my mind that some kids have to be taught what I perceive as basic skills, and it impresses me no end that people like Jordan know how to do it!  I have already learned so much from her and her insights into physical therapy.  So glad she is here running the therapy room this summer.

It's hard to get Nathalie to relax

I had great plans this afternoon to get paperwork done, but instead I slept.  For three hours.  Drooled and sweated.  Not a productive afternoon, but much needed.  The long nap also kept me from getting in my 10,000 steps, so in between writing I do laps around the roof!

Took a walk after supper (working on those steps!) and saw the most bizarre sight ever.  Two dogs stood in the distance, and we all had puzzled looks on our faces.  We all asked about the same time, “What are those dogs doing?” 

They were butt to butt and sort of walking in circles.  We walked closer.  I asked, “Are they Siamese dogs?”

Siamese dogs?

“No, they can’t be,” came Erin’s response.

I don’t think they are Siamese dogs, but they were stuck together by one of their hind legs.  I have the horrible suspicion that they somehow got stuck together: Tar?  Glue?  Something else?  We wanted to stop and try to help, but that’s not safe. 

I’m going to stick my head in the sand and choose to believe that they are Siamese dogs who have somehow found a way to survive and thrive.

Settled

Morning Star library

       



 Today has been good.  For the first time since arriving in early June, I feel settled and at home.  It took awhile this time, but I believe a lot of that had to do with waiting around for the language boot camp to start and having too much time to wonder about my move to Haiti.  The language camp helped because I now feel as if I can get around more independently, and if I DO get lost, I have the language skills needed to get back.
       

Entrance to Morning Star

          I am also looking forward to the start of the school year--said no American teacher ever early in July!  But I am.  It helped to take friends and family to Morning Star this morning to show them the campus.  I feel so much better knowing that they like the campus and like knowing where I will be for the next year.

Morning Star logo: we are the Warriors!

         My sense of feeling settled also comes from finally feeling organized--not only in my physical stuff but also in my cyber world stuff--it was really bothering me that pictures from my boot camp were all over the place and that my summer album was out of order.  It also helps that I was able to submit my application for the Affordable Care Act this afternoon--that is a weight off my shoulders!

         God at Work:

Friends

          Intern Abby has been working hard with Judeline and Junior, two severely neglected, mistreated, and malnourished children rescued from another orphanage.  She has been carrying weight on her shoulders about their next placement, and late this morning, she received an answer to prayer.  The children will not be going  to another orphanage, but will most likely be going to a communal living place in Jacmel.  It is a relatively new organization, and they look for adults who will serve as parents for children--living with them and caring for them. The women who is interested in taking these two children also has medical training!  God could not have answered prayers in a more perfect way.

Susan and our driver Aniel shooting pool
at Apparent Project

Hanging with the interns 

          Abby is obviously doing great things because this afternoon at the Apparent Project when she needed to send social work notes to the director of the home in Jacmel, her computer went kaput.  Something did not want Abby to keep doing this great work!  But, with the help of Erin, our resident computer expert; Susan with her wise counseling skills; and Erin's Uncle John on a business trip in Australia, her computer was fixed and the notes were sent!  God will not let Abby's work be for naught.

     

Routine

More therapy!

Well, I am finally settled into a bit of a routine: morning on the roof, “staff” meeting on the roof with the interns, morning working with the children or in the therapy room, afternoon walk and/or slower work that doesn’t work up a sweat, supper, and then relaxing on the roof to wrap it all up!

           Now that the routine has been established, I can start blogging regularly (especially now that internet access is more consistent). 

Sarah and Ein ready for their "boat" tour

Sarah had crab for the first time!

            I have absolutely LOVED having Erin, Susan, Sarah here to share Haiti with me.  I love seeing it through their eyes and seeing their wonder at the diversity in Haiti (especially for Sarah and Erin, both first-timers).  Even Susan, who has been here 4-5 times, sees things in a new light now that she understands the culture better.  Better yet, when I go home, I have more people that I can talk with about Haiti who know the people here and can imagine the places that I’m talking about!

Walking with Wilcia as part of her therapy

            I love seeing Sarah work and play with the kids—the kids love her (no big surprise there), and she constantly has a smile on her face.  I will hear her say “I’m gonna go hang with the kids” or “I’m gonna go see whether they need help feeding.”  Nothing has phased her yet.

Phonsley is hard at work

        My role has “supervisor”—yes, Abby, you can laugh if you are reading this!—is much different this year than last.  I have been here the whole time and have been able to work with each intern, helping them to settle it.  The morning meetings that I envisioned last year have finally come to fruition this year, which helps me feel as if I am providing them with the guidance that they need.  I appreciate how they have connected and how they support each other; they will be able to help each other when one is feeling down.

Wilcia loves going for walks

            I know I have written briefly about my time at the Creole Bootcamp, but I want to share just how much I learned.  I can talk with people that I don’t know and get my point across.  It’s not always easy, but I have so much more confidence in my ability to make myself understood.  It’s still hard with some people because of the rate at which they speak or because of an accent, but I really am getting it.  It’s just fun to be able to communicate with the folks that I am living with!