Mission Trip to Haiti

Where do I even start?! As soon as I set foot in Haiti I stayed in a constant state of numbness.  

Once we got on our bus to drive 3 hours to Gonaives, my eyes were peeled to the window. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. From the rubble and ruined "houses" to the chaos and filth, my emotions were overwhelmed with sadness and disbelief at the poverty. 

Also there were goats everywhere. What cats are to Americans, goats are Haitians. I was always seeing some kid hog-tied in the road. lol. 

For some reason I missed the memo that we were going to be working with MOTHER THERESA'S NUNS! As soon as they told us that I literally freaked out (internally). My mom loves Mother Theresa, and her nuns are practically saints, so the fact that I would be near them for a whole week brought me tears of joy! I acted like a kid at Christmas when we got to their compound and one of them shook my  hand. 

For most of the trip we were with the little orphans and the sick. The first day we were there they asked who wanted to go see the babies and of course I jumped right in. I turn the corner to go into their room and my heart stopped when I saw about a dozen cribs crammed together and babies everywhere. "Have your pick!" they said and I see a little girl, probably two years old, just standing in the middle of the room, just looking at me. So precious, her face was adorable and I ended up sitting on bench for 2 hours with her just cradled in my arms. Every day I did that--they all just wanted be held. I could sit there for hours and they would just stay there. It was sad how that's all they wanted, they didn't need to be entertained, they just wanted to be loved. 

This little girl in particular was very dear to my heart. I didn't meet her until the third day but as soon as we were together, we were never separated. I don't even know her name which is unfortunate but we were definitely soul mates :) I still picture her sweet little face and it makes me sad. The interesting thing was that she was a very mean little girl to everyone. She hit, bit, and slapped anyone, especially if another baby was sitting on my lap. But it made me see that we all can be like that, especially when we are lacking love. 

One day I decided I wanted to do manual labor and spent the day sanding wood and varnishing benches. Other than that the only thing I did besides being at the Missionaries of Charity with the children was on Saturday. We had a whole bunch of games and activities and took them to a part of the community for the kids to come and have some fun. My station was soccer which was embarrassing but also entertaining. They were beyond athletic and I stood no chance. The kids kept laughing at me, apparently I wasn't as good as I thought. However, I did play soccer every day and was quite skilled by the end of the week. 

There was a face painting station as well, which ended up being full body painting and they were the painters, also another area where their skill was superior to mine. Dang it. 

I picked up this unamused munchkin from the sock puppet station. He had no idea what was happening as you can see.  

Our mode of transportation. "Tap Taps", we are packed in tightly, we could fit 15 of us in it. Nice and hot and sweaty. The driving there is ridiculous. It's like a NASCAR race only everybody's going in different directions. My life flashed before my eyes a few million times--no speed limit, no stop signs, and a lot of swerving and honking, I think I developed a high blood pressure. 

My buddy Soon! We both were so excited to be there but struggled seeing the sights if you get what I'm implying. At least he has an excuse. 

This is the area where we stayed, complete with pool! Except it was suspicious, I was nervous there was a crocodile living in it. 

Our uniform. I kind of like the scrub look. It was awesome to not care about my appearance for a week.

I can genuinely say I liked everyone on the mission. Every one of them had a big heart of love which is always admirable, and we all brought a lot of humor to the show. 

The food was scary at first, so I guess my taste buds either adapted to it or I was just famished because I sure cleaned up my plates. 

Haiti has the most beautiful sunsets.

Sunday mass was at the compound, it was so neat to see how they celebrated even though I didn't understand a word they were saying. Their music was upbeat and made you want to dance in your pew. After mass they continued dancing outside which was so delightful to see their happiness. That's another thing I learned, I was expecting the people of Haiti to be sad and depressed, especially since they live in poverty, but they actually have a lot of joy. They don't realize what they don't have, which made me frustrated with America because we have everything and still want more, and when we get more we're still unhappy. 

Let me tell you about my little boy John. It was Easter Sunday and a few of my fellow missionaries asked if I wanted to go see the sick boy John who had malaria and typhoid. I said sure and followed them into the room thinking I was just goin g to see another poor sick little boy. But as soon as I walk up to his crib I see him hooked up to IVs and realized that he wasn't just sick--he was actually dying. So I begin SOBBING uncontrollably. Keep in mind I hadn't cried all week, I had teared up a lot, but I had refused to let any tears run lose. But seeing him gave me no control over it and I could not get myself together. Seeing his little 10 year old body scrunched in a crib, his eyes lifeless, his breathing heavy--I will have that image in my head forever. It was truly heartbreaking. And to make matters worse, his mother comes in and her face is just as sorrowful, she sees me crying and I feel even more awful. AND THEN, he actually starts to die, the nurse begins giving him chest compressions and I'm left motionless leaning over his crib and holding his hand, crying like its my own child that I'm losing. He would put his hand up to push the nurses arm away from pressing his chest because it hurt him, and it would break my heart all over again, I felt so useless and wanted so bad to help his suffering. 

I went back the next day and looked through the window where he had been, but all I saw was an empty crib. It saddened all of us to see death and suffering so up close but in the end it was a comfort to know that he's not suffering anymore, he's probably quite happy now actually. 

The day we flew back home I sat next to a Haitian lady on the plane. She spoke perfect English so we were chatting back and forth. I told her about my trip and mentioned I learned a few words in the language, to which she laughed at when I recited them to her. Apparently all this time when I asked the little kids what their name was, I was asking what their husband's name was. That explains why they always looked at me like I was an idiot. Whoops.

I learned so much I can't even understand all of it. It was an incredible experience that made me see life an a whole new way. It's amazing how much fearlessness and love can help you conquer anything. I will have these memories for the rest of my life and will always have a special place in my heart for Haiti and the people in it. 

"Where Words Fail, Music Speaks"

There are some songs that you can't help but smile when you hear them. This one in particular always makes me want to do a jig. Just listen...I caution you on watching it though, his teeth licking can be overwhelming--just hearing it will suffice. 

I have a theory or two about music. It can make you feel a way that nothing else can. That's why you get chills, or cry, or jump up and down and all around, and make you wonder what's wrong with your emotions because you don't understand what you're feeling. It heals you, its an outburst of the soul and a connection between you and the world. I know you're shaking your head at my corniness and failed attempt at profoundness, but you know its true because music makes everyone feel that way. 

My  love for music is so intense that I don't even dare give it up for lent because I know it'd be impossible to make it 40 days without failing. Embarrassing I know. I'm very ashamed. I have music on all the time, as soon as I get up and get ready for the day I have my Spotify going. When I get back to my room, it comes on, when I do homework, when I'm in the car--I know its something I shouldn't rely on so much because to be able to be silent is such a gift and also important. 

But it comes to your aid no matter what situation you are in--when you rejoice, when you are sad, when you are bored, when you are glad. (that rhymed--I'm also a poet). It's been a great companion during study time especially--my friend Sam Tsui ^^ can get me bouncing around in my seat while writing a paper (whatever works, right?) I'm sure my eardrums are destroyed but honestly what would life be without music? I feel like it colors the world and brings an expression to life that nothing else could. (I know, I'm being corny again).

"Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand." --Stevie Wonder 

The Bride-To-Be

So this cutie is getting married in August! Kathryn (22) is right above me in the line of Niewalds. I'm very lucky to have her here at BC with me, she has saved my life so many times I've lost track. Being a senior, an accounting major, and a wedding planner is the recipe for a busy person. But she still finds time for me in her packed life and never fails to be someone I can count on. 

Her bridal shower was last weekend. All of her BC girlfriends showed up to make her little day special and fun. She was showered with gifts and games, one including "How well do you know Kathryn?"....guess who won ;) 

Happy as a peach! (assuming peaches are happy). Her fiance, Austin, and her have a fascinating and complex love story. The short version: friends since babies, classmates for years, then finally thrown together during second year of college! There are a lot more dimensions to their happily ever after, and I find them to be quite the inspiring couple. 

Two peas in a pod :) 

And so it begins...

Hello to the blogging world! I have desired to start a blog for years and am finally making it happen! *applause*

What is the purpose of a blog? It's kind of interesting actually. Why people do it, why people read it, why anyone gives a hoot. It's like a public diary, you can find out almost everything about somebody short of their weight (hopefully). I'm hoping this is a new hobby I can develop and stick to. I'm not exactly sure what I will blog about or if it will even be worth the time for me or for my gracious viewers. Maybe I'll eventually start posting important things that will make the world a better place, inspiring the lives of every reader--since I have so much wisdom and prestige (sarcasm). 

So who am I? For starters, I am the ninth of ten children. No, that is not a typo. TEN kids! Three boys and seven girls, my mother says she was always disappointed she never got more. Greedy are we?! (jk mom) When people recover from their heart attacks caused from hearing how "large" my family is, they instantly ask if I want a lot of kids too. My answer is yes and no. No--I do not physically want to have a lot of kids (child birth--YIKES!) but yes, I do want a lot of children, preferably 9 boys but since life is full of irony God will probably hand me 9 girls. I think the best gift you can give your children is many siblings. Speaking from experience, there's nothing better than knowing you have 9 friends for life (not that I have trouble keeping friends). I could go into a long and, no doubt touching, novel on why big families are so great, but all in good time. 

For now, we can keep it short and observe my lovely sisters...

From the front left: Me, Kristin, Hilary, Back row: Kellan, the youngest (lucky girl), Lindsay, the oldest sister, Samantha, and Kathryn. The brothers are permanently MIA.

And the unamused lady in the middle is our lovely mother aka Superwoman. 

Not only did my mom give me life, she gave me her name. Damaris. People like to freak about that too. (I'm just full of wild facts). I used to hate it, especially since its deep and profound meaning is "cow," but I have now come to appreciate it in all of its uniqueness--heifers and all.

A few more tidbits about who I am before I wrap this up; I'm a sophomore at Benedictine College majoring in Business Marketing. Don't ask me what I want to do with that because I have no idea. I've looked into everything from being a travel agent, a wedding planner, or an advertising executive. But it'll no doubt change and I'll probably end up being an orthodontist. Never can tell.

That's all I'd like to reveal, so for now--Ciao!