The Longest Cold in History?

Alright so to set the record straight, I do not think I have the longest cold in history. However, it did get me thinking, how long can someone have a cold? I mean a REAL cold?

Anyway moving on. Woke up this morning feeling no different (disappointing) but needed to get back to the orphanage. After breakfast, I managed to catch the most delightful bus to date (well, almost). I don’t think this driver knew this bus had a horn (wonderful!) and at one point I thought, “Hmmm I am a little chilly..” as the AC blew on my face! It was a wonderful thing. As the bus was nearing my stop I stood up near the back door (which is what I am supposed to do). They have a button to press if you want to get off, but I don’t usually do that. I don’t want to be the obnoxious American, and I always get let off, so I figured I don’t need to press it. However, when the bus driver pulled over he only opened the front door (for someone to get on). So I started walking towards the front door and he started driving away (not cool!) Luckily there was another woman wanting to get off as well who said something to him (maybe like, hey we need to get off) and he stopped and let us off. Minus that incident he is my favorite bus driver.

I couldn’t find Thoung when I get there (phew, I was actually nervous walking in, I figured I was going to get the death stare!) but figured he was outside with some volunteers so I took the opportunity to hang out with some of the other kids from last year! There is one boy in particular that could barely move last year and needed to be fed purée food, but this year he can walk (with help) and I fed him today and he was great! He is such a cutie and it is so cool to see his improvement. In the morning the kids have “physical therapy” and obviously it does seem to help some kids!

When it was time to eat I saw Thoung, who smiled, so I figured he wasn’t that mad at me. I got to hang out with him for a bit before naptime!

I then ran into Nickolas (the man from California) and it was great timing because he is leaving on Monday (he has been here for 7 weeks) and so he gave me a list of what every room needs. He kept saying how he didn’t want to feel cheated (as far as being used for his money) so it worked out really well because he said he was out of money and time to get the rest of the things the rooms need, so it is a nice little trade off!

On the bus ride back I stopped at the Big C (supermarket) to pick up a few things for my mom and was MORE than exhausted when I got back! After some cereal for lunch (yum) I had no other choice but to nap (really, I was half asleep eating and if you know me you know I never sleep when it comes to food!)

I didn’t set an alarm because the front desk calls my room at 3:30 every day to see if I need housekeeping and yes in the past three days I have had my room cleaned (once). I was VERY concerned when I woke up at 3:45 with no phone call! I had organized the room to make sure my mom felt welcomed (I can take over a room very easily) but I wanted fresh towels and for the trash to be taken out so I was expecting someone to come in! At 4 I went downstairs (my plan was to run some errands then) and asked if I could have someone change my towels and the woman said, “Ah yes we didn’t send anyone because you sleep everyday!” GREAT!! Now the hotel thinks I am a lazy bum! I said something to the effect of, “Oh yes I have been sick” in hopes she wasn’t judging, who knows!

Since I needed to kill some time, I walked down to a café to get a muffin and some hot tea. Hot tea in Vietnam probably isn’t the best idea but I figured it was good for my cold! I came back to a nice clean room ready for my mom!

Hugs and kisses from a girl on her way to pick up her mom!