October 24: Trip to WSU!

I am amazed at how well this Wednesday went! I was in the group that went on the bus to St. Charles to pick up the kids. The faces of the kids once the got onto the bus were priceless; they all put their backpacks on the upper shelf and asked the bus driver all sorts of questions. I felt like a little kid again when the driver told everyone to sit in their seats! On the ride to WSU, I had my little read the journal entry I wrote for her. We also talked and listened to the scary stories Kasee's little was reading. Kasee's little and my little are cousins, and I learned a lot more about my little's family through talking with them. I also discovered that my little talks in Spanish more than I expected. Her and her cousin carried on side conversations, and it caught me by surprise! Later during the afternoon, I discovered that my little is able to speak Spanish but is unable to read and write it. I wonder how this has affected her English reading and writing skills and if her lack of education in her native language has affected her level of English comprehension. She seems to be a very good reader and writer, and maybe her inability to read and write Spanish has not affected her comprehension because she has lived in America for almost all of her life.

I LOVED when the kids received the giant icecream cones! It took them all a while to eat them, but I noticed that everyone did not want to throw them out! I also loved when they walked into the gym. My little's jaw dropped along with a huge "wooaaaah!"

I discovered this trip that my little is a very independent person. She is still getting to know me, and I must be patient in order for further trust to develop. I realized that she really does respect me and value her time with me when got on the bus to go back to St. Charles. She knocked on the window to get my attention and waved. It was the first time that she has ever really made an effort to say goodbye.

During this trip, our group as a whole bonded. Not only did I become closer with my little, but the littles themselves shared this experience together and will be able to look back on it in the future. This was an amazing opportunity for them to see what a college actually looks like. Most kids their age never have that opportunity!

I had a realization hit me as I began this entry. This is not just a class we take for credit; this is real life. I am becoming a part of someone else's life by becoming a friend. I am impacting her future decisions. I am making a difference. Thank you, Stace!