Hit by a little something called...

The pic of the day is courtesy of the 'Kinder' part of Lincoln school. Today we had the 'Saluting the Flag' ceremony. I watched because it was something new and fresh for me, which is kind of what this trip is meant to do for me, get a new and fresh Phil out of the woodwork. I reckon I wont be new nor fresh. Most probably poor, tired, ill, have a mountain of laundry, married - twice and on the run from the police in every state. We can but dream.

Today, as the title suggests, something hit me. To be honest quite a few things hit me today, they are as follows.

Relief:
This morning I woke up to Oscar shouting my name at the bed, I hadnt had a good nights sleep so when I finally did get to sleep it was a deep one! I guess he thought it would be funny to tell me there was no corn pops and milk left. I had a shower, it hides the tears well. After my (cold) shower I dragged my sorry self into the kitchen and there, in there full glory, stood an unopened box of Corn Pops and just enough milk. It turned out that the family had gone without Corn Pops and Milk just so that they save a little bit for me. I had to jump back in the shower to hide the tears of joy.

Cuteisity:
It was the saluting the flag today, you already know this - and I know you already know - Psychic, so some of the kindergarten dressed up real smart and marched around the playground to a series of Ahh's, Ohh's and 'Thats my boy'. Bless there little cotton socks, I knew they were cotton, they were pulled up to their knees.

Power:
The first of my three sub lessons, this class in the 8th Grade, went well. I told them to watch the video, and to my surprise they did! A real peaceful lesson and the film was in English, so I just sat watching that. Some of the kids thanked me after for taking the lesson. I felt big and I felt powerful. It wasnt going to last.

Annoyance, Anger and Lack of Power:
Second class was the 9th Grade. They didnt want to watch the video, sit down or respect me, there awesome elder. All they had to do was to watch a video, but could they handle it? No. Flicking peices of paper at each other using rubber bands, waterfights inside and playing on their mobular telephones.

Other little snippets from inside the classroom - They asked my name and I said Phil. They started calling me Mr Phil. The only way for them to get my name right is for me to say 'Mr Clarke, you know like superman - Clarke Kent'. As soon as I am at the front of the room they become sneaky suspicious little things - always checking if I am looking so they can slip some more food into their mouths, when they are doing something wrong they look at me to see if I am about to tell them off.

Tiredness:
I did another 100 widths today. BUT, to join already such an extraordinary accomplishment I added 100 lengths of the pool. Do you love me? Yes.

Awe:
Today I held and played a Taylor guitar. I wanted to get a feel for the sound, shape and layout of the guitar before I parted with my HARD earned money on some wood with long thin metal bits. The thing is I need both of my prespective guitars side by side so that I can compare both on shape, sound and how good I look holding one in the mirror. All important factors in my strive for perfection. Still, the guitar felt good and I am one step closer to having a good guitar. Mum, by the way, if you havnt been paying much attention - Im getting a new guitar.

Finally, and most importantly,

Happiness:
I was floating about in a rubber tyre in the pool (which conicidentally makes you feel like a really fat man as you cant really use your arms to well to propell you along) and I felt a real peace over me. Perhaps it was the laughter of Oscar playing with the boys, perhaps it was the Corn Pops in the not to distant future or simply the 7 paracetomal I had to combate a headahce, something change, something hit me - Happiness. It feels like I have a place here - I feel part of the family, I have made good friends at the project, church and school and things are settleing rather nicely. Im a thousand miles away from home, but im closer than I thought I would be.

Lastly I will leave you with a Mexican chat up line,

"Hágale hora sasis al pan"

What time do you go to get bread? Basically at about 6 o'clock everyday one of the family goes to the local store to get some bread (the bread over here is what we would call cakes - doughnuts and croissants etc. They are really 'sweet breads) and take them back to the family for an evening meal. The chat up line comes about from asking a girl when she gets bread so that you can follow her and talk to her. Its only a joke now, but beware Lincoln School tomorrow, Philly has some tricks up his sleeve.

I would love to follow you all to the bread store,

[clarke]