Farewell

Today was my last day at the center. I worked with the 4 kids one last time and reminded the teachers of the procedures I had been working on. It was sad to say goodbye to my friends and they would like for me to come back soon. One little boy learned to request "bubbles" "toast" and "croissant" this week independently! Hooray! This week I will sumbit a report to the center on each child I worked with and their progress over two weeks. Last night we went to the Kuwait towers and to picnic at the Marina Mall and beach. It was a very nice park in downtown. After school today we ate at a great resturant by the water. The Payne's daughter and I will be flying back together tonight... she is coming to Columbia for a visit. Tonight I go to the airport and my flight leaves at midnight. Thanks for reading my blog... more picture when I get back!

Me and my friend (she showed me how to wear a scarf)

Monday

Hello Everyone! Today was a good day at the center. I worked with several kids today and had a meeting with the staff and Dr. Payne to review procedures. I took the role of the child (with Autism) for the training exercise and the staff thought it was hilarious. The practice included me running away and the staff chasing me :)I am still working with staff and seeing good progress with 2 other girls. The teachers and I are working to change some of the behaviors: biting, running, scratching and etc. I am really enjoying the time at the center and the friendships I am making. I would love to continue to be involved in the work there after I return to the states.

Hello to everyone at Bright Start! See you soon!

Kuwaiti things :)

Hello! Today started the work week again. I had a good day at the center today. I worked with a new little boy and he was doing a wonderful job using signs and words for me. He actually imitated when I said "yes" "ready"in English and "bahd" (again) in Arabic. So far I have picked up about 10 Arabic words. I am having a wonderful time working with the staff. Here are a few pictures:McDonalds, Kuwaiti fire extinguisher, Toilet with covered lady... ha :)

Friday

Today we went to an Anglican church and then had tea and toast with friends at the apartment. I love tea! I was tired from the week so I took a nap :) and then we headed down to the market for dinner. We ate hummus, chicken, lamb, and bread. We shopped for gifts and actually one of the vendors offered to buy me and take me back to Egypt for 3kd worth of candy... which is about $9. Luckily Dr. Payne said "la" or "no" to his offer... whew! Enjoy the pictures from today!

The pictures: the market and me at the market, where we ate (the tarps are for the rain and it was raining which never happens here!), Heidi but I was really taking a picture of the people behind Heidi, Me eating LOTS!

The towers, Coastline, Me and Linnea, and Kuwait Weather Man (who ironically Harvey met today at the TV station after I took this picture... creepy!)

Thursday (work week ends today!)

Hello Again! Well today was thursday, but actually it ends our work week. We work Sunday-Thursday. I have been working with 3 girls mostly this week that have more severe behaviors and am making progress. One of the girls runs very fast and is a rather large girl... so now we have two of the male nurses with us to catch her :). I am helping the staff learn when to reinforce behaviors and when to ignore. I am also working with a girl to begin using sounds. Today she said "beh" and "Ckk" for the first time! hooray!! Next week I will start working with another little boy that runs away. It was a good week and I think I have made some wonderful new friends.

Tonight we went to the Market and shopped. Actually before that we went to the IMAX and watched "journey to Mecca". I found several scarves at the market and we ate hummus, fries, and bread. The market is huge with many venders and tons of people. I will take pictures of the market tomorrow.

Friday is church day here so in the morning I will go to church and then we will have a picnic.