Surreal finally being at Rising Star!

Today started with a headache. Probably due to the major lack of sleep. Then we went to Breakfast, where me and Sisi were treated like Royalty. The chef personally gave us a tour around the buffet, and everyone was just so overly nice. But I was feeling sick, so I could only eat the yogurt and a "vanilla muffin." Sisi then had the brilliant idea to get some Sprite in me. So we went up to the executive lounge (thank you dad), got a sprite- yes at 8 in the morning. And people watched. The Marriott is on a busy street, and the driving is fantastic. Crazy, but totally made me want to get in a car and try it. Don't worry I'm not allowed to drive anything with a motor while I'm here. It was a 3 hour drive out to Rising Star, but flying through the city on a bus is a surprisingly great way of seeing SO MUCH. I took probably 100 pictures...probably most if not all are blurry. But I also can't wait for you to see the bus. Its awesome. I would upload photos but I drained the battery. We then got to Rising Star and my room feels fantastic with AC. And our new outfits are super legit, they are called Kurta's. I love them so much. I also learned how to use a squatter (sp?). Then it was off to meet the children. It was so fun meeting them all, I probably got asked 100 times today "what is your name?"
I then had a child walk up to me and say "Martha?" And I was obviously shocked, and said yes. She then said "Did you know that your Soniya is here?" Excitedly I said yes, and asked where she was. The girl then ran off giggling. So I waited while the girl went and found Soniya, it was so wonderful to see her big smile. Just that alone is worth the heat and bugs. But then she gave me a big hug, we then talked about her studies. She is in Standard 8. Which is like grade 8, and she is one of the oldest here.

Obviously not everyone can afford to sponsor a child. But there is a whole board of photos of children that still need sponsors. So if anyone is looking for a life changer you should talk to me and I can pick out one of these sweet children for you.

So after this "Play time" is done, they then say prayers and sing songs. They have a Rising Star song, and its overly adorable. We then had dinner which was good. We eat on Mango leaves, which is thought to be more sanitary. I trust them.We also eat dinner on the rooftop, which is awesome! And we got to watch an epic sunset while we ate. We then got into our families. I was placed in one of the boy families. Our jobs are to help their house mothers, read to them, help them with their homework, and then put them to sleep. First off all the boys sleep on the ground, which is just so humbling.
Also I need to re learn my math. The boys have been taught a different way of doing multiplication than I was, so I couldn't decide if I needed to learn how to do it their way, or teach them mine. I ended up doing a little of both. And when we finally finished this boys homework, he looked me right in the eyes and sincerely said "Thank You, Auntie." And practically made me cry, right there on the spot. I could just feel that he was actually so grateful, and it made me realize how I am never as grateful as I should be. So once again I'd like to say Thank You, thank you all for making this trip possible. And allowing me to have even just one moment like this.
Hugs and Kisses from India.
Martha

p.s. I only have 10 actual work days here. So I have to get some rest so I can give it my all in the few days I have left.
On the packet we got on arrival it says "Leave it all here in India" So thats what I'm going to do.