Maria's love for tiny humans continues to grow . . .and show

Internship:

This past week has been filled with the life of a Capetonian. Last week, I was taught how to knit by two girls at Maitland. However, i ended up getting a lesson on how to relax when I became easily frustrated. A thirteen year old actually took the needles out of my hand, asking me to take a deep breath. As a distraction, she began to tell me how I need to become more serious and stop dancing around the wards if I want to become a doctor. She explained that all my students would love me if I was a teacher but no one would take me seriously. Unfortunately, she didn't understand my dedication to making a fool of myself. Every day, I make a conscious effort to bring smiles to the faces of my favorite tiny humans. It's gotten to the point in which they request songs for their own personal concerts. The best part is how it's becomes so normal for everyone in the ward to smile and laugh at me, not even phased. Yesterday, I had the privilege of escorting tiny humans through the hospital with Justin Beiber playing out of my pocket. Nothing is better than hearing the happiness of tiny humans as you wreck havoc through the hospital. Scratch that, watching a toddler sing and dance to "Sorry" may possibly be better.  

While causing chaos in the hospital is fun, I have also made myself known. Pretty much everyone in the hospital knows my name is actually pretty cool. Yesterday, when I answered a question directed at the nursing students, the sister in charge smiled while trying to push me away from her lesson. Today, I realized I'm happily comfortable at Maitland Cottage. I found myself able to answer questions during rounds that I shouldn't know until medical school. Everyday I happily learn something new, whether it be from medical staff or the tiny humans. My attempt at isiXhosa is the source of laughter daily, particularly when I struggle to pronounce names. Last week, I was asked to provide an extra set of hands during theatre. My first thought was what an awesome way to be asked to scrub in. With my happy smile was hidden behind my mask, I was ecstatic for a better look during an operation. Curious as always, I learned so much by firing questions at fast as my brain worked. 

Today, I started volunteering at Red Cross. As usual, I was highly nervous about not knowing how to act in an unknown setting. Luckily, I was paired with a previous volunteer. In our first room, I watched her interact with the babies, learning how to be a proper volunteer. However, we soon got separated when a mother called her into a room and a toddler called me over. Breaking out puzzles, I was surprised by how much this little baby nugget understood. I have found that most children I interact with don't understand English as well as they understand Afrikaans or Xhosa. However, I leaned today that a two year old at Maitland can understand Xhosa, Afrikaans and English all the same so she gives me a run for my money. While playing puzzles, a troubled mother scolded her son and I for playing when he was supposed to be on his drip. Relocating to his room, I was nervous to play with this baby when his mommy was watching. I soon worked through my fear as he began to smile and laugh. Playing with her son, the mother began to ask about my life. Learning about my desire to become a doctor, she immediately asked if i wanted to go into pediatrics. There's something about others recognizing and acknowledging your passion by just watching you. Every time the tiny humans at Maitland call me Dr. Maria, my soul dances and I feel like the happiest person ever. Today, a girl called me over, demanding I help with her bandage. She scowled when I said I was not a doctor yet. Although I was happy to have my puzzle boy squeeze my hand as the doctors struggle to find a vein for over an hour. While I may have almost fainted from how such a tiny human was treated like a pin cushion, I was beyond elated when his mother kept saying how much her son enjoyed my company. I was honored to listen to her vent about her very difficult medical journey with her three year old son. While each day presents a new challenge, I'm blessed to have moments filled with laughter and smiles. Each day, I know I'll always find a tiny human to bring a smile to my face! 

Homestay:

As my Capetonian life becomes more interesting each day, my love for  dankie, the Afrikaans word for thanks, becomes larger. Friday, I added a few years to my life by experiencing the pure happiness of tiny humans. For hours, they splished and splashed without a worry in the world, never tiring. 

  

On Saturday, I had the privilege of helping my host family in their monthly soup kitchen. Bright and early, Sydney and I found ourselves making and packing more sandwiches than we could count. Driving into the informal settlement, everyone was so happy that a tiny human helped pushed our car to through the street. Tiny humans began running from every direction, towards our line of cars. Before we even parked, a cue wrapped around the road. Siblings held their baby brothers and sisters, arms open for food. Parents waited patiently for their children to receive sandwiches, sweets and punch. My heart broke when I saw tiny souls covered in dirt standing in garbage covered streets. I wanted to bring every tiny human home to bathe, feed, clothe and keep safe from the harsh weather. My heart was flooded with an urgency to help but I was frozen. While some of my Maitland baby loves come from similar homes, they are currently safe in the hospital beds from a world I've never known. I felt paralyzed, unable to move from how upset I became. I wanted nothing more than to wrap each tiny human up and hold them close.