I should be studying. I really should. Should be reading about how the brain organises memory. It is really interesting, but, seriously – Wimbledon is on, the weather is great, surely it’s not right to have to sit down with books and notes and things like that? I’d much rather do other things. Like writing somewhat pointless blog entries..

Sent off part two of my application form to do voluntary work late last night. This morning a chap called back. He wants me to come for an interview next Thursday. Great! I really hope I’ll pass, because I am sooo wanting to get back to working with kids. And their parents. :)

Asked the mother of two of the children I’ve nannied for to be my reference. She emailed me back right away to say that of course she’ll be my reference. Very sweet. She also mentioned that they’re going to Switzerland, doing the same trip we did the year I was staying with them and asked if I remember patting the mountain cows.. Boy, do I ever!? Happy memories, I tell you. The girls were great. We had so much fun! That trip was simply brilliant. Sure, it had it’s moments, but all in all – very fond memories. (Just remembered that I wrote a poem of sorts in the guest book at the little chesa I was staying in in Madulain.. Might have to pull out my journal from my stay there and take a trip down memory lane).

It’s really amazing to still be in touch with the parents and children I have nannied for. I’m also in touch with the very first girl I was looking after. That was something like 14 years ago in Australia. I did lose touch with the family for a little bit, but a few years ago I got back in touch with them, and every once in a while I’ll receive a message from M., the girl I took care of. She’s now a young adult, and it’s incredibly satisfying to be able to hear about the things she is getting up to. I’m very proud of her!

In the last several years I have been doing jobs that have nothing to do with children, and although they’ve actually all been very interesting there is something very special about working with children. It’s the kind of job where the reward in many ways is almost instantaneous.

Was thinking about the time I spent in India the other day. For those of you who don’t already know, I spent about six months living and working with the children at an orphanage in a village outside a village outside a village in the Indian outback about ten years ago. Again, it was a very challenging job, but also incredibly rewarding. I probably wouldn’t opt to do it again, but I’m very glad to have had that experience. I learned a lot out there!

The one thing that does make the experience somewhat bittersweet is that I know very little about what came of the 28 children staying at the orphanage. I think about them quite often, and it is difficult to know that, unlike the children I nannied for, life may not have turned out quite so well for these young people. There was one child especially who meant – or, actually, still means – a lot to me. A cheeky but amazingly bright 3-year-old who asked me to be her mother.. Knowing that I wouldn’t be able to really be her mother I still wanted to leave something of me behind, so I wrote her a letter and left her my watch, so that she’d be given them both when she’s older. (Having a watch is at an orphanage something very special, and my particular watch had a backlight that the kids would take turns switching on and off). I often wonder if she did get it in the end, and if she remembers me.. I hope so.

Well, I’ve managed to shy away from my studies for a good half hour now. Still, I guess I’ll have to get to it.. Maybe a trip to the library will prove inspirational. At least there I can pretendto be studying..

All the best,

xx

Quick note: As you may have noticed I have re-activated the option to leave comments. If you wish to leave a comment, please do, but do keep it in mind that even if you know who I am, this blog is in essence anonymous. Cheers! :)