1)Retreat: Last weekend, all the volunteers went on a retiro to Santa Lucía, a charming little town a half hour outside of Tegucigalpa. We stayed in a lovely little hotel, all the girls bunking in two different rooms and the boys in another. The first night, the retreat organizers made us a lovely dinner and we played Ranch Cranium, whose specific clues were written by current and former volunteers. I laughed so hard I cried full on crocodile tears at Leila’s Pictionary rendition of my tattoo. I’ll just say no one guessed and leave it at that. The next day, we headed out on a hike, and yet again, I surprised everyone by being in the first group to arrive at the top. I now kind of get the “top of the mountain” feeling the boys were talking about and the desire to achieve it. It’s almost like I’m growing as a person or something. ;) We did some fun activities and reflection up at the top until it got really windy and cold! At dinner that night, we all voted for certain volunteers in different categories of “Most Likely to…” I won “Most Likely to Know All the Pequeños Names by December.” I was also nominated for “Most Likely to Stay at NPH Honduras Forever” (sorry, Mom and G’Ma). That day, I learned that I have had a big impact on Max as a teacher and that Leila thinks my superhero power would be coercion of counter-forces (disciplining the other side into giving up). As our closing activity Sunday morning, we did a “blind” activity. Everyone sits in a circle with their eyes closed. The leader picks three people at random and gives a description (i.e. someone who is a hard worker); those people then go and touch or squeeze the shoulder of the person who fits that description for them. You continue until everyone’s had a turn. It was through this activity that I found out that people admire me, enjoy seeing me with the kids, and think I’m “really freaking cool.” Some delusional person also thinks I’m humble. But seriously, there is something about having something lovely thought about you and being touched in appreciation and friendship that makes you feel really special. The retreat overall helped me renew some friendships and relationships that are really important to me. So yeah. Me llega.
2)Graduation: This night was among the happiest I can remember. Several months ago, Bryan asked me to be his godmother for his 9th grade graduation from talleres. I was absolutely thrilled. Well, I found out later that his sponsor from the States decided she was also going to come. I asked Bryan how he felt, and he said he wanted us both. I wasn’t too thrilled about sharing (I completely recognize my own selfishness), but it turned out just lovely. I got all decked out in a little black dress I bought at a secondhand store in Tegus and some fabulous heels. Bryan and Saravia were the MCs, and they did a fabulous job. When it came time for Bryan’s name to be called, he came and retrieved the two of us, and we escorted him up to get his diploma, shake hands with the directors, and take a picture. I was so tickled when it came time to announce the honor roll (Bryan was first in his class), and he came and asked just me to escort him up to the front. I have to give it to the kid; he’s got my number, and he knew exactly what to do to make me feel special. Pretty impressive for a 16 year-old boy, especially considering it was his special day. Afterwards, we had dinner, and Bryan, being the gentleman he is, brought us our chairs and our dinners. We did gifts and then there was a short dance afterwards. I took some amazing pictures; my Pilares (almost all are graduating) looked so beautiful, and I felt like such a mom and really a madrina to them all.
3)Quinceaños: In Latin America, the 15th birthday is a really important event. It is celebrated with pomp and circumstance with a party called a quinceaños. Here at the Ranch, everyone who turns 15 that year celebrates theirs together. It’s a huge event; the school auditorium is decked out by the staff, and the sewing workshop makes all the dresses. This year’s color was gold. Hallan, who I dance with in Danza Moderna and is Saravia’s cousin, recruited me to choreograph a dance for all the quinceañeros, so I’ve literally been spending every free moment rehearsing them. As of Wednesday, I hadn’t been asked to be a madrina. In some ways, I was relieved because I’m so broke this month and didn’t have money for another present anyway; but another part of me was wishing I had the whole madrina hat trick (talleres graduation, general graduation, and quinceaños). Well, at graduation Wednesday night, Hallan told me his grandma wouldn’t be able to make it on Friday, and asked me to step in. I was sad for him, but thrilled to do this for a kid I absolutely adore. So Friday, all the quinceañeros showed up at the gate to San Vicente for pictures looking like a million bucks. Each one entered the church for a special mass (given by Father Phil, the head of NPHI) with a madrina or padrino on their arm. They were each presented with a rose from Stefan (National Director), a crucifix from Pati (House Director), and a kiss of blessing from Reinhart (former ND and head of NPHI Family Services). After mass, all the padrinos and quinceañeros loaded the bus to get taken to the school (really the royal treatment). It was at this point that the only mar on my night occurred; Hallan somehow managed to delete all my photos on my camera. Fortunately, I had just uploaded the graduation ones to my computer, so I only lost the pics before mass, and those I can mostly get from other volunteers. We got to school just in time to get rained on and soaked! All the tables were set up with centerpieces, and we were served a lovely dinner with real lemonade. Stefan gave the brindis, and we toasted with sparkling cider (the kids were fooled into thinking it was champagne!). They had two huge cakes, and we all sang “Las Mañanitas.” The rest of the Ranch came down to the school at that point, and we were announced as couples and made our grand entrance on the red carpet. Following that, we all danced a waltz with our quinceañeros; lucky for me, Hallan is a superb dancer and we make quite the couple! The kids then performed their routine with me sitting in the front giving hints about which steps came next, just like Miss Patty did for me when I was a five year-old topsy-turvy flower. It was followed by the classic Ranch junior high-style dance. Hallan was completely charming all evening and told me a zillion times how much he loved me. I am so glad I got to participate in this and be there for him. I know it wouldn’t have been the same as a spectator, and I’m so glad I will have this memory.
