My Funny Valentine

My Funny Valentine is a kind old man who is 55 years old. He always wears the traditional pants and tribal color shirt with opened toe black sandals. He had the kindest smile that would make my heart melt. He was sincere and just a wonderful person. In our conversations, I could tell he was just a simply happy kind who was content with his life. He worked during the day and enjoyed watching TV in the night or fishing. 

When it came to my stay, he was always checking on me when I entered to make sure I was doing okay. He would kindly make me coffee in the morning and I would kindly accept even though I don't drink coffee. I just did it for him and it seemed to add an extra kick start to my day.

One day I asked him a specific question about my bedroom cleaning. I know that he was the main one who cleans all the rooms. The bedspread in the room is hot pink complemented by pink sheets.  Every day I got my pretty pink sheets, but one day things change.  I came home and turned over my bed cover to find blue sheets. He switched to blue sheets and being ridiculous and curious- I had to ask him about this change. He speaks all Spanish-and not one word of English that makes him even cuter. I told him in a very nice and cute way, " I don't like blue sheets, I like pink I'm a girl. "

He responded with the cutest look and he said, "Oh I see, I see"  The next day I was curious to see if I had pink sheets. I peeked underneath the comforter and I had a whole new sheet set. I had light green, silk pillow cases and white sheets with pink flowers with small, green stems. 

I've pretty much seen all the rooms and I have never seen this sheet set. I didn't ask where my funny valentine got it, but it was clear he put some effort in just for me. 

One time I also told him I was out of soap in the bathroom to wash my hands. It was just one night, but I couldn't go without out. My little friend knocks on my door and he has 3 head and shoulders shampoo packets. He shrugs his shoulders and says, "good, it's good" 

He also cut some roses from the garden for me to put in my room. He cut firewood and would put in my room with my request. He would ask the time I came home so he could put light the fire to ensure my room was warm at arrival. 

As people, we just had a mutual respect and caring for each other. Often when I would buy snacks, I would buy something extra for him. He would often look surprised that I was giving him something. We shared a whole loaf of fresh, homemade banana bread( one of the best banana breads I have ever had). Everyone at the hotel called him my "little amigo." When I needed something they always knew who to call. 

My Little Amigo could say absolutely nothing, but his smile shines through just like the sun and so did mine. 

When I left, he said he was going to be very sad and I told him I'm going to miss him very much. He probably rarely have guests who give him such attention, but God granted him with my kind spirit and I was blessed with his friendship. 

My Mayan Purpose

Within many organizations, I come in and they access what their current problems, the highest need, and how I can assist with my skills and experience.  With Mayan Families, I served as a Social Worker making home visits, working with the Elderly, and working in the Pre-school on behavioral problems.  

With all my volunteer projects, I am 100 percent aware of the disadvantages of working for an organization for a short period of time.  Many organizations require long term commitments because it is just better for the client and community in the long run.  I completely agree with this and did not want to disappoint clients or the organization.  I made a personal commitment to create something that would be permanently used in the organization and would be helpful to the kids and or teachers.  

In this case, I worked closely with one teacher on children's problematic behaviors and had them cooperating in a short time. Children respond to positive reinforcement and rewards therefore I practiced use of various rewards in the classroom. It was wonderful because I worked with such an amazing Guatemalan teacher. She was only 20, but presented as a 25 year old or older.  She was so wise, so mature, and clever.  She was completely cooperative with any changes I made in the classroom with seats, directions, rewards, praise, verbal and gestural prompts, etc.  Ms. Rosa and the assistant followed right along and this create a strong dynamic and a great improvement.

I worked on a 5 target kids, but really I worked with everyone to assess their level.  This happened last year where I had these amazing classroom dynamics and it was just like a power class and it was pure teamwork and respect.  It was wonderful to see such a warm acceptance to me and my input and suggestions. It turned out being effective for the student and helpful to the teacher.  

This mixed class of Preschool and the older 5-7 had the most behavioral problems of all the classes.  For this class and all 3 other classes, I created Behavioral Rewards charts, which I made through Excel so they can easily print them up each week. I also created a Behavioral Plan for all Pre-school teachers which would serve as a seminar for teachers in the upcoming future. 

 It was a great accomplishment for such short time and my lovely teacher commented on how she thinks I'm better than anyone there and I should stay there with them for the rest of summer.  The thought did cross my mind to stay for the rest of the summer as I loved it that much.  I loved the kids, the teachers, the parents.  My little munchkin who was the worst behaved stopped eating everything in sight, reduced his hitting, and was fun and lovable. 

 When you contribute positively to a human life, there is nothing more rewarding in this lifetime.