Day 3 of work. It was a whirlwind of food, plates, and plastic bags! We spent the whole day in the kitchen, except Alejandra who got stuck with some other girls who were delivering food. She couldn’t work in the kitchen because she has a nose ring which she couldn’t take off since she just recently got it. The rest of us were working the assembly line scooping food into plates and packing up meals to be delivered. I have to say I am really impressed with the team, they really know how to get a job done fast! During the morning shift, we were able to get the work done 45 minutes before our scheduled lunch break. After the lunch break, we finished work over an hour early! I was talking with one of the individuals who worked there regularly and he said there was one other group who was faster than us, but we were definitely the second fasted group he has seen. My new short term goal: to be THE fastest group to come through Project Open Hands. One of the workers said we had completed the work for 2 days. I’m not sure what they’ll have for us tomorrow, but hopefully it’s a challenge! I know we can do it!
There seems to still be some conflict between the group members, but it seems like its short and snappy and after the moment it’s over with. It’s hard for me to let go of quick remarks against me though. I know sometimes it’s just meant to “make me a better person” but when it’s something that I don’t mean to be taken in a serious or hurtful way and it is, I don’t appreciate not being understood or heard.
At this point it seems that silence in my best asset. Even my random remarks get made fun of. I don’t take it personally. I just remind myself that it’s a joke. If you can’t laugh at yourself, you have no right to laugh at anyone else. I know I have silly quirks and mannerisms, everyone does. That’s the spice of life, being able to joke about the things that make us all unique. Oh well. I’m just going to keep my mouth shut and talk to the individuals who I haven’t felt has attacked me personally. It’s not fair for me to let these individuals ruin my trip and the service that I am doing.
Speaking of the project, I had an idea about starting my own NGO which would provide meals to chronically and terminally ill patients in countries overseas. However, rather than bringing funds and food from the US and exporting them (which creates a reliance on the aid) I would instruct and have community members act as leaders of the project. I would incorporate local traditional food recipes and traditional meals with healthy twists. I think this would help the countries but also empower them to make a difference in their own countries.
After a nap and some leftovers for dinner, the girls and I went to Cascade to go skating. Ahanna, Adelia, and I went to the movies at Atlantic Station because we didn’t have as much interest in skating, although a part of me wishes we all stayed together as a group. After the movie we came back and of course, more disagreement as to what we were going to do the next day. It seems that the planning was all done in vain because no one seems to want to follow “the plan”.
I just have to keep my focus on the task at hand. It doesn’t matter if these girls don’t like me at the end of the week. I have come here to do what I want to do.
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