From Mission Training to Mission Memories-- tips, tricks, hints and advice on everything mission! :)

Hi, My name is Lisa Adachi. I am 17 years old, a Junior at Bountiful High School in Bountiful, Utah and I am passionate about Operation Smile. I recently returned from my Medical Mission as a student educator to Amman, Jordan. It changed my life and I am forever in debt to the person it has molded me into today. I hope that these tips, tricks, hints and advice serve you well and that I will be able to assist you a little bit from my experience. By no means am I saying I’m an expert, but these are the things that I experienced and that I would like to share with you. Good luck!

MTW

     Yay! You’ve been accepted into MTW! Congratulations. I’m sure  you’ve done a lot to get to this point. Mission Training will be an AMAZINGGG experience for you- so live it up, and have fun!! I don’t have much to say about this part, except for be flexible, outgoing, willing to work hard, meet new people, party hard, and get prepared. When filling out your mission availability forms, they REALLY look at those and that has a LOT to do with where you are going and when- so really be precise about being able to go in a certain time slot because they are serious about that.

       The last day of MTW will go by really, really slow. I think the only comment that I have to make about the final party and mission assignments is that EVERY MISSION is assigned to a the EXACT PLACE at the EXACT time with the EXACT other person that YOU are supposed to be with. So don’t be picky or even (gasp!) disappointed when you find out where you’re going. It’s going to be the perfect mission for you, whenever the time is- so don’t complain and know that those kids, wherever you may be-- they’re yours and it was supposed to be that way. That mission is FOR you. So get excited!

**Edited: MYSTERY MISSIONS.
 Let me tell you one thing about mystery missions.. Yes, I admit I would have been really sad and disappointed while everyone is chattering and going crazy, calling friends, family and updating Facebook about their missions if you have the opportunity to be assigned to one. However-- you MUST remember that this does NOT reflect your involvement, your work, or your participation in MTW. The Mystery Missions are simply a category for people to wait in for a little while because of either YOUR availability, or MISSION availability.

My mission partner Taylor, was assigned a "MYSTERY MISSION" at mission training. I know it was hard for her and the several others who got them, but at this point in time, PLEASE do all you can to stay positive, happy, and optimistic. At my Mission Training, a new mission came in THAT night and was announced the next morning. My original MP Sasha had a conflict and couldn't go so Taylor was assigned a mission less than a WEEK after the training. I'm pretty sure that every person from our MTW got a mission within 2 weeks of the training.

Keep in mind that priority for missions goes to Seniors first, then Juniors, then Sophomores (because seniors are required to complete their missions prior to graduation). Your availability also plays a huge part in the mission assignments. If you mark only 1 or 2 blocks of time you can go on your mission, you are limiting yourself a great deal. Prioritize PRIOR to the training for any conflicts you may have so you can give a fair chance to everyone (state tournaments for athletics, prom, family events, end of term/semester/quarter, etc)

Final word on Mystery Missions.. You WILL get a mission, NO  MATTER WHAT. And when you do, it will be at the perfect time, at the perfect location and with the perfect person for you. Please know it is not about YOU-- but rather dates and availability that will play a factor in this. So... STAY HAPPY! YOU GET A MISSION!!! (soon) :)

       Start preparing right away after you get done at MTW. Keep in touch with your MTW Family. They seriously are going to be your biggest fans and support system. They love you and you really do become just a big family and you’re way excited for each other.

Pre Mission

1) Start EARLY

     I got my mission assignment on January 17, at  WMTW ‘10. My mission date was Feb 24. Yeah. I had about 4 and a half weeks to prepare and even though that was a time crunch and I wrote my donation letters on my plane ride home, I still was left pulling 2 all-nighters before I left. Whether it’s for collecting donations, making your presentations, talking to your partner, start early. You WILL run out of time if you don‘t. I wish that I had taken advantage of each MINUTE that I had inbetween MTW and my mission.  I’m going to talk about a few aspects of Pre-Mish now..

2) Donations

     As I said, I wrote letters on the plane ride home from Virginia. (If you want to see a copy, send a comment my way and I’ll send it to you: ) I sent them out and attached a list of the items I was asking for. I had my contact information on the bottom of the list and the dates of my mission in bold with the items I needed the most asterisked.

     The letters proved to be unsuccessful, but I started a Mission Blog and advertised that every chance I got through Facebook, my friends, school, etc. and I got a lot of response that way. I also went around my community and asked for donations. I know at first it is very awkward and a lot of people don’t even know about OS, so I would smile real big (not too creepily though) , tell them my name, what school I went to, and ask them if they knew what Operation Smile was. If not, I’d whip out an adorable picture and give a really short blurb about it, tell them what I was doing, and ask for their support and help. It usually worked. The larger companies mostly denied me because they handle all donations through ‘Corporate’ so go to the smaller, local places. A local beauty store in my city gave me $1,500 worth of hair stuff, nail polish, jewelry and just awesome stuff. Burger king also gave me about 100 crowns that the kids LOVED. You can ask restaurants for crayons, or other businesses for cash or any donation they can give.

     I knew someone who had gone on the same mission site as me, so I called her up and she was able to give me some great tips about the kinds of things that were the most popular for the area I was in. I would recommend doing that. Someone knows SOMEONE who went to your spot I’m sure. So do your research.  Just remember- no matter how many times you get rejected, someone will ALWAYS say yes. Stay optimistic and don’t be bitter at people who can’t give you anything. That’s not what Op Smile is about.  Also- DON’T GIVE UP! And keep going. Remember it’s all for the kids!

3) School

     Missing 2 weeks of school killed my gpa. Get as much of it done BEFORE you leave as you can because believe you me-- Homework on your mission…  I PROMISE you that you  won’t do it and that room you used in your luggage to haul a book or a calculator could have been used for the kids. I was up for hours doing a research paper that was due while I was gone and it delayed my packing and other important things so much. And when you’re so close to your mission, you don’t even want to or CAN’T really think about anything else so get it done early. I know most of my teachers didn’t even know what we were doing till a few days before I left or told me just to worry when I got back- but it was so difficult so get it as early as you can  and git ‘er done! Also, make sure you or your mommy gets your absences excused for you!

4) Your Club

         It’s important to get your club involved. Most of them probably haven’t been on missions and student mission stories are what really motivate and inspire people. So host a toy drive if you have time, make Get Well Soon cards, or just do something to involve them.

  

5) Presentations

     THIS IS WHY  YOU’RE THERE! Decide early who of your partnership will make what posters (I made ORT and Dental because I work in a dental office and it was more accessible for me) and MAKE Them. You seriously won’t have time to make them the week before your mission because they took me several hours each to plan out, research, translate, rough draft it out, draw, color, and laminate. They were a huge investment of time and effort.

     Make your posters with your audience in mind. They won’t and can’t read tiny text if it’s all splattered on there.  Have a lesson plan and a script (you should basically have these done at MTW) with what you know you’re going to say so that you can only put the essentials on your poster. Make fonts big and easy to read or understand. I had to do my posters in Arabic and Google Translate failed me.  Our translations on our posters were an epic fail and were the point to many a joke while in Jordan from the Jordanian teamJ Get someone to help you because most words don’t translate directly in any language, so pictures and stuff like that is best.

     I made 2 flip posters, so that was nice. I got a regular piece of poster board, and folded it in half. The first cover had stuff, the back had overview stuff, and the inside opened to be a huge mouth to demonstrate on. The ORT one had explanations on the front, overview on the back, and big cups with recipes on the inside. You have time so REHEARSE your presentation over Skype or the phone with your partner. I wish I had. I brought mine in my suitcase but Taylor had hers in a poster tube. This worked great so we didn’t have 2 tubes and we put all of them in one place and brought that with us everywhere.

     Also, find a lot of opportunities to do presentations and take them. You don’t need a huge group of kids, you don’t necessarily need a translator or your partner. You can do one on one’s or anything. Just try and do as many as you can when appropriate)

Keep in mind to be flexible with your presentations. Allow room for mistakes and improvisation. Keep it Simple. Keep it fun.

6) PACKING

          Eesh. This is a crazy one. Packing hundreds of pounds of donations and stuff is a logistical nightmare. For International Travel, you will most likely be able to have 2 check-ins.. Both 50 lb. These are to be designated solely for donations and maybe bigger items/liquids. I got 2 bags. One of them was massive. I bet it could fit a small country in there. The other was slightly smaller and kindof beat up. Be smart with your packing. Space bags.. They are your friends. Don’t take stuff that you don’t necessarily need. Stuffed animals are great but I only took a small space bags worth out of the TON I got donated. I took the lightest ones (some of them were beanie babies or had some sort of a weight in them) because they took the least amount of space. I put fragile items (nail polish) in with the stuffed animals and baby blankets I got and sucked the air right out of them which proved to be a golden idea.

          Don’t feel like you have to take everything. I got some stuff that was a little culturally insensitive so I passed on it. I also got some Easter Egg shaped bouncy balls (cruelest joke for a child ever!) and candy and stuff like that that wouldn’t have helped me a lot. I still have a big box left of donations I’m saving to give to the next person I know leaving on a mission in my area. Take the things that you’ll need or you think you’ll use the most.

I started packing the night before and uhh.. Yeah. I would NOT recommend it. Plan it out before hand as much as you can and then just start and throw in the things you need to use still later. Put luggage tags or ribbons on all your luggage. Make sure to print off the Operation Smile tags and duct tape them to your luggage.

          For me personally, I packed 2 bags to carry on (I put my posters in my huge checked bag), one duffle and one backpack. I also had a blanket (Taylor had a snuggie) and that was a LIFESAVER. I actually under packed for myself. I only brought scrub bottoms and last minute THANKFULLY found these pretty ugly but workable Capri type cargoish pants which I ended up wearing all the time. I forgot that we’re not ALWAYS at the hospital.. So don’t JUST bring scrubs. I guess I assumed I wouldn’t need normal clothes haha I thought I was over packing when I brought 2 regular t-shirts. I brought quite a few Op Smile shirts and scrub bottoms to wear to the hospital (you’ll have to check with your Program Coordinator if scrub bottoms are appropriate). I failed to realize we would be going out to nice places at night to eat dinner, etc. So bring a few outfits maybe but don’t bring a new whole shabangin’ outfit for each day. I got a few shirts while I was there from the team and if you wear anything too low cut, they’ll give you shirts too (Amanda;) hehe..

This is the best picture I can find of my little pink backpack I am about to talk about... LPB=LIFESAVER

       I put all my clothes in one space bag so it was nice and small. Bring extra little plastic bags or something to put your dirty clothes in because believe me- they will get dirty. Some other items I felt were important to bring as far as personal items was… a clipboard. I carry a clipboard with me at school and it is the most helpful thing because I put all the current important stuff I need on it. I brought it with me on the mish and it was awesome because kids would give me coloring pages I would clip on there, I would get stuff from parents, I was writing down names and ages of my favorites, and it was good to have just there. Another HUGE item that I would recommend to all is a little backpack. Not a huge school one, but one that has those drawstrings and maybe a front little zipper. Mine had a front zipper and 2 pockets on the sides which were PERFECT to fill with pipe cleaners and bubbles (the perfect recipe for a crying child to stop and smile). The ’lil bag was lightweight and not bulgy. It fit all my stuff perfectly and since the drawstrings hold the top together, it’s really hard to steal stuff out of it. It was perfect and I was SO glad I brought it. (I also brought some small foldable bags like laundry bags sorta that were small but when opened, fit a heck of a lot of stuff. So bring them so you can bring the donations to the hospitals, etc.

          THE item that saved our lives while on the mission were these little GermX Individual wipes. They were like $1.77 at walmart for a big pack of a dozen and they were small and fit several in my backpack. They were perfect to wash grosssssssssss hands after playing with kids and bubbles, at lunch or just when your hands felt gross. Hand Sanitizer is great and a mini size is also recommended, but it hardly cuts through all that dirt so I would BEG you- just get them.

          As far as clothes and other things like that,   It all depends on your site, so it is important to talk to someone who has already been there.

   

7) Do your Research!

          Find out the language, the food, the customs, the little things. Do some basic research about where you are going so you can be prepared. Learn a little bit of the  language and start using it!  My sponsor read about the call to Prayer that sounds through the city no matter where you are at 4am every day and several people on the team woke up to it each time. So she brought earplugs. Smart move on her part if she was a light sleeper.

          As I mentioned before, I got a TON of nail polish donated to me. I got like 160 I think. I asked my Program Coordinator if that would be ok to bring, and she thought it was-- I ended up leaving the entire bagful that I brought there and not using any of it. Turns out that in Jordan, you can’t pray as they do multiple times a day if you have paint on your nails. The kids also can’t have their nails painted to go into surgery either, So that was kindof an epic fail on my part. I wish I had asked someone in-country who could have helped me.

          Which leads me to my last point-  when you get your first Team Packet, it’s so fun to just read through and see all the people and things you’ll be doing and it’s awesome. I sent a short email out to my team before I left- just hit “reply to all” and gave a short blurb about who I was, what I was doing on the team, and I was happy and excited to meet and work with them. I also attached a picture of Taylor and I that I had from MTW. That was great for me because when I got to the airport and to Jordan, a lot of the team knew me as the blog girl and it was an icebreaker. Like I’ll tell you later, don’t wait to get comfortable.

8) Misc. Pre Mission tips/thoughts/advice

               Partner/Sponsor

     You don’t have to deal with drama or whatever that jank is on your mission, so just make sure you’re cool with your MP before you spend 2 weeks with them attached at your side in a foreign countryJ Just get to know them and don’t wait to get comfortable. Take initiative and talk about stuff. Text them. I know you do it, so just send em a friendly text some days. Get excited WITH them. Ask them what treats they want to bring and what you should bring and what things you can share while there.  Be the partner that you would want to be with.

               Make Contact Cards

     I met so many people on my mission that I became such good friends with. Make contact cards (SOOO easy to do on word or FREE! On Vistaprint.com) with your Name, Email, Address and Facebook/blog info. I know you can make free business cards with your uploadable photo on them so that would be freakin sweet. We were all busily writing down names saying “find me on Facebook!” but seriously, you’ll forget names and stuff.. I just wish I would have done it, so take my advice if you like:)

               Bring Photos

     I really wish I had. The child life specialist had just a few photos she brought and carried with her everywhere of her family. They were adorable. When you’re with your team and the people at the hospital, they want to know. I could only TELL the parents I met that I had 2 little nieces the same ages as their kids and I SO wish I could have shown them. Make a little flip book of pictures of you, your friends, what you like to do,  your family and probably laminate it (by no means am I saying crack open the frame of the only antique baby picture you have of yourself down from the wall.. Your mom would kill me). So make copies, print them at Costco (they’re only 13 cents a print!;) and laminate em real quick.

               Shots, Passport, Money, etc.

     Get your shots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just BARELY made it for mine-- they have to be in your system like 2-4 weeks before you go, so make sure you do or else it would be completely a huge waste of time and money. When I went to mine, they made me consult with a travel nurse who told me all about Jordan and how there were rabid wild dogs and crazy bugs everywhere… Yeah.. She’s never been to Jordan.. Haha but it was nice to take precautions I guess. Some of her advice was helpful and so if that’s available, do it.

     Make copies of your passports to put in every bag. This is necessity…. Taylor and I lost our passports for a few hours and it was big scare. I was starting to be really thankful for the last minute run I took to Kinko’s to make copies on the way to the airport. See, I didn’t do it before and I thought it was a minor detail so I didn’t do it. Use your time wisely.

     Money- I brought a little over $300 USD and exchanged as I needed it. I would not recommend exchanging all of your cash at once because exchange rates are crazy and you’ll most likely lost money in the long run. With that- be sure to wear a money belt and WEAR it. Or keep it in the safe in the hotel. WOW we really learned our lesson on that one. JUST DO IT. Ok? After our scare on the first day, I left all my money at the hotel in the safe and just took maybe 20 JD or so with me. Wade told us at MTW don’t get too comfortable-- we got too comfortable and we almost paid everything we had for it-- literally.

              

               MEMORYYYY and picture taking

     I shot almost 6 gigs of memory, so bring itJ Look early for deals on memory cards. The last thing you want to do is run out! On the same note, get plug converters and make sure to bring extra batteries if you bring rechargeable ones. Mine didn’t get a chance to charge one night and low battery was showing I was about to die until I remembered I packed 2 spare ones in my handy dandy backpack!

     Be respectful and use common sense when taking pictures. Always ask before taking anyone's picture.

               The Internet works

     I started a mission blog that was really cool for me. I loved updating it with the things I was doing. I would post pictures of donations I got, and just talk about my feelings. It was a great way to show people what I was doing and raise awareness about Operation Smile. I got over 4,000 hits on it (It is way easy to install a stat counter.. Email me for more details). I got hits from Japan, Jordan, Italy, France, The Philippines, everywhere.. It was hit. I also used it while I was there to document my mission. I’m not saying you should start one.. It’s super easy, free and fun, but if you’re not too into the blogging world, use your Facebook, Twitter or other means and just get word out there. Awareness!!  ***SEE FACEBOOK NOTE***

               Get Excited!!

     Even if your mission is 4 weeks or 4 months away, time moves FAST and just get EXCITED!! Don’t forget about all the work you put into getting where you are. Just because you got your mission assignment doesn’t mean you can do nothing now. Get excited, keep your involvement and enthusiasm high, and just make sure that you don’t lose the ‘high’.

BE EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE MISSION

This section is going to be in SEVERAL parts because there are so many parts to the mission.

TRAVEL

     If you’ve never traveled internationally… I don’t really know. I’ve traveled my whole life so I’m so used to it. Taylor never had though and I think it just wa stressful for her just doing the whole thing by herself. So get prepared. Communicate well with your partner and sponsor. Make sure that you have everything you need- id, passport, tags, no liquids etc. If you need, bring some meds to help you with air sickness or just bring gum and stuff. Like I said before, the blanket my mom gave me was a brilliant idea. I was not happy to lug it with me at first, but the blankets on the flight are like.. Idk. I’ll tell you they ain’t yo momma’s nice fleece blanket! So I would take thatJ Bring noise-cancelling headphones if you have room or want to, but just prepare for a long ride, wherever you may goJ

     We went through security so many times before we got on our flight I lost track. Just be prepared to move FAST and take off your shoes. So maybe wear some that you can put on and off pretty easily. No one likes anyone holdin up a line.  Don’t mess around. (scared yet? : )

IN COUNTRY

     Soak it in! You’re HERE!!!   

Get proper rest and hydrate my dear! Get a good night’s rest, for the next 2 weeks of your life you’ll be giving so much of yourself you’ll need every wink.

THE TEAM

     The team will be your family for the next few weeks. There are going to be those who you connect with more and that’s great! Take advantage of the time  you have together and go to dinner and have fun! Also, the students serve as such a contrast I think from everyone. Be the energy and fun. One day, Taylor and I went to Breakfast and of course it’s 5something am so everyone is way tired. I got a TON of these bead necklaces and bandanas donated so we said good morning and gave every person on the team a bandana and a necklace and told them to give it to a child during the week. The kids and parents LOVED it. I also believe it was a great unifying thing for the team.

     One night we were all at dinner and something happened at the hospital- one of the patients started bleeding or something. The patient was alright, but all the doctors (half our table) were on call and they had to leave. It was a long night for all involved and so the student team was asked to just do something to raise moral. Things like that- just have fun! The child life specialist on our team just asked the front desk for all the people staying in the hotel with OpSmile and they gave her a list and you can do so many things- we went around one night and just asked everyone if they’d like to come to dinner with us. It ended up to be one of the best dinners of the entire mission. You can make notes for their doors.. Ya know? Just be creative

THE HOSPITALLLLL

     Woo! Gosh even as I write this, I’m getting excited for you as I recall my own experience at the hospital. Congrats! Hehe I’m going to write about the hospital in 2 aspects- screening and surgery.

SCREENING DAYS

         Were my FAVORITEEEEE. They were CRAZY and seriously you will see so many kids!! I remember the first morning Taylor and I were just rushed and ushered down this crazy hallway and we turn the corner and seriously, a hundred faces just turned to look at us. We paused and we just JUMPED in. It was the best moment of my life I swear. I got on the floor, opened crayons and books and toys and crowns and brought the energy! Yeah! The kids SWARMED us. It was sooo fun. Just smile and give and laugh and give and play and give and smile more and give give give! 

         The screening days are when you will see the most people. You should use I would say at least HALF or so of your donations during these days. There is NO way.. And I repeat.. NO WAY that you will run out of stuff to give. So don’t be modest with what you give out. I wish that I had given more. Make a goal to give away everything you take with you to the hospital that day. On my mission, each child wanting a surgery came with several adults and siblings so there was just a massive amount of people. Give stuff to everyone. Don’t plan on seeing anything again if you bring it out though. Keep your energy high and bring some GO foods with you to eat in the break room. Nuts were great for me. Also drink a boatload of water (perfect your tri-pod pre mish;).

          If there are some kids you love during surgery, write their names down. I carried a little journal with me at all times and just asked their parents or them if they were old enough to write down their names. I would write down a little blurb of their story, where they were from, what the problem was, and what they were wearing and take a picture of them too. That way I would be able to keep track.  They encourage you to follow a family through screening, surgery and post op- so be sure to do soJ I also wrote down words that I learned throughout the day and kept a tally of how many presentations we did.

Always have a smile on your face and if you get tired- well.. Remember who you are and what you stand for and why you’re there. Don’t forget you are an elect and you’re representing us all!

SURGERY DAYS

          The reason why I say use half your stuff during screening is because during surgery week, the schedule is already set and therefore only a few kids come in. We did about 25 patients a day and they were kindof spread out so we didn’t see very many. They were more chill and we got to do more interactive things with them like puzzles or make necklaces. Bring the fast and exciting quick stuff for screening and save some of the things that are more chill for surgery. They might be hooked up to an IV or most likely wearing their hospital gowns so they won’t want to be doing anything too intensive. This is where my 1st grade recess skills came into play. Learn little hand games and claps and stuff to play with smaller groups. I taught a game that everyone sits in a circle and puts their hands on the ground but so that every other hand is different. One person starts and claps the ground once or twice. Once means it goes in the same direction, twice is the other way. If you accidentally go when it’s not your turn, that hand is out. No need for translation or anything. Really fun. It was a hit!

GENERAL HOSPITAL INFO

Stickers.

Bubbles.

Pipecleaners.

     These three things are amazing. I would say to ALWAYS have them with you. I would ALWAYS have stickers in my pocket and I’m prettyyy sure no child in Jordan at the time was sticker less. Go up to kids and get down to their level, show them the stickers and just say or ask them if they’d like  a sticker. I would point to my forehead or my cheek or my hand and they would look at me weird, but then I would take one and stick it on me somewhere and they would pick it out and I would ask where they wanted it. Even if it’s just a sticker, just make sure everyone has something. When walking down the hall, there were kids who didn’t have anything and I’d just stop and give them something. They love it.

     Crying babies. They will be everywhere. Just stop and whip out them bubbles and go at it! They get distracted and they’ll stop. make crazy noises and faces like you’ve never seen bubbles in your life and they will be equally amazed.

     Pipecleaners were great for older kids. I would take out the bunch and ask them to pick two colors. I would then proceed to make a cute flower (super duper easy and crafty.. I will make a video or put a picture or something) for them. They just light up when they see someone making something so cool in front of their eyes for them! (Remember the balloon guy at carnivals and stuff? Ya he was creepy but you’re just cool! The pipe cleaners also worked well when I was upstairs with a smaller group of kids and some older siblings/parents when it was more mellow and it was dying out. I just took the whole bag out and showed them some stuff you could make.. Stars, flowers, butterflies, wrap it around your finger and make a curly fry type thing.. J It entertained them all for an hour. They were pretty creative too! The Student volunteers really loved them too. I made friendship bracelets for them. (Take 3, braid, leave about 4 inches at the end unbraided, then make a loop at the opposite end that is already braided. Measure around your wrist, put the unbraided ends into the loop and bend back on your wrist and coil the unbraided slack individually for a cool and stylin bracelet!)

     These three things are undoubtedly a recipe for success! Yes, you might stink of scented bubbles and be crazy sticky from that and all the sticker residue on your face and you’ll be the crazy pipe cleaner magician (or at least I was) but you’ll never see the patients again or at least for a long time till if you return to your site so you’ll be the crazy one for 2 weeks and then you’re gone so its ok! : )

THE MISSION

     Besides being at the hospital, there are lots of cool things for your mission. You’ll probably visit schools and stuff like that too! We went to a school, an     orphanage and a refugee camp.  Try new foods and ask the local volunteers what and where to eat. Take advantage of your time there. Don’t waste it by eating peanut butter and tuna the whole time. Eat a lot. I’ll never regret eating the most incredible food I’ve ever had in my life till I was so full and it seemed rude to be eating more (though in Jordan it is impossible to be full according to the wonderful hosts of our meals;). Seriously. Just eat and eat and try and experience it! 

     Talk to your team and sit with someone new on the bus. Don’t be antisocial and just talk to people! Look out the window. Write write write write in your journal. I was so tired sometimes it seemed unreal to be awake but I am so glad that I went and blogged and wrote about it. It’s just not the same when you come home.

TAKE INITIATIVE --- DON’T WAIT!

The best student volunteers EVER from the Baptist School. Miss you guys so much.

         Be strong and just go for it. Whatever it is, go for it. Ask. The worst they can say is NO. (Remember Robert Pruitt always says "It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission).  Be  respectful, but act on promptings and just take the initiative. Whether that’s to invite kids to play with you or inviting some of the team to dinner. Take the initiative to say “hey, let’s do a presentation!” take the chances or else you’re letting them pass by. Go up and talk to people. Get to know them. This goes with my second part- Don’t wait to get comfortable with your new friends. The student volunteers that were on my mission were my age! I just talked to them as if we’d known each other for years and we did become such amazing friends. On a ten day mission,  you really don’t have time to say oh I’ll talk to them tomorrow.. Sometimes, they aren’t there tomorrow.. Or ever..  That’s how it was with some of the patients too. It was the hardest part. Just thinking to myself leaving every day that I wouldn’t see them again after we played so much and laughed together so much together. Like I’ve said, don’t have regrets.  Don’t’ wait.

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN, for FLEXIBILITY

     No matter how much you prepare, you will always have to be ready to just go with the flow. Sometimes, there are things that come up and so just be smart and respectful. Be ok to play it by ear and improvise when needed. Be smart about stuff and just use your common sense for when things are appropriate.

Thanks

     I wrote thank you cards for my mission partner, sponsor, and just several other people who especially touched me during the mission. They suggested Post Cards at MTW, and that works great. I got a few, but most of them I wrote on just simple colored paper and decorated with markers and stickers (you’ll be so used to it;). I wish I had brought some wallet sized pictures of myself (sounds so conceited lol) so they could remember my face. As much as I like to believe everyone I met will remember me, they won’t. So a nice reminder like that would have been cool just to put in there.

In Conclusion

     I guess overall, you need to have a good attitude and have no regrets. Don’t complain. Oh my goodness please don’t complain. If you feel a complaint about to come out of your mouth, refrain. Please. Don’t bring negativity into your experience. I made a goal with myself not to be negative and it was so wonderful. Even when you’re tired. Suck it up. Even when you’re hungry. Deal with it. Even when… just DEAL WITH IT! It’s gonna be fine. You must always remember WHY you are there and what you stand for. You only get one chance. So don’t freak out at little things or judge and complain or say negative things. It’ll bring those around you down. It’s about the kids. So forget about yourself and be productive. We had one day-- our first day-- at the hospital during screening when there were hundreds of people and  we lost our bags for a few hours with all our personal belongings-- passports and all our cash-- they were lost and we didn’t know what to do.  I just had to keep telling myself it was all going to work out and not to freak out and that it was going to be fine. There wasn’t anything I could do so I just kept playing with the kids and kept going. Soon enough, they showed up and it was fine! There are great rewards to being optimistic!

     Be respectful of people’s privacy and their culture. Just use common sense. Be happy and optimistic. Be positive and thankful. Be prepared and DEFINITELY be flexible. Be personable and enthusiastic. Be loud during  your presentations and TALK to your audience. Don’t just recite monotone-ish. Be engaging and proactive. Be thankful. Be Someone.

POST MISSION

     The worst part of my mission (and many more as I’ve heard) is coming back. Bountiful, Utah wasn’t home to me anymore. Jordan was my home and I’d left my heart there. Oh how I still miss it.  It was a quiet flight home for me. Just reminiscing and feeling homesick.

     The first things that I did was obviously sleep. I slept for 14 hours. It was divine. After that, just prepare to feel really weird. Seriously- I didn’t really want to see anyone, EVERYONE and their dog is gonna ask “How was it?? I want to hear ALL about it!” I’ve been guilty of doing this myself. You won’t really know what to say because of COURSE it was life-changing and amazing and too much for words. So smile and just say that. I wasn’t ready to really talk talk about it for a while. But you will get bombarded- so be prepared. I got a lot of comments from those who were really close to me how different I seemed.. Just kindof different. And yes, I was and am a different person for the better in every aspect of my life. But it will be foreign to them and I had quite a few people frustrated and upset at me because of it. I’ve been in their position too- Just frustrated and annoyed. You will finally have empathy for them as I did. It’s a crazy feeling.

EMOTIONS
Yeah. You'll have a lot of them just creeping around. Let it out. Don't be scared or embarrassed. I literally had like 5 or 6 breakdowns since I've been back and while I was there. Gosh I was crying landing into JFK from SLC! Only 5 hours into my trip! Yeah. I'm a baby. But you will seriously feel the most love you have ever felt in your entire life. Love that is unfathomable to you. Support from people you love and those who don't even know you at all will be there sending you good vibes and best wishes. You'll feel joy, sheer happiness, love, fun and be so uplifted in those few precious days you have on your mission. You will also experience heartbreak and many trials. It is going to be an emotional two weeks. Prepare accordingly. 

**************FACEBOOKING***********

Remember remember remember REMEMBER- It is very tempting to throw all your mission pictures on facebook or blogs and stuff-- but remember!!! NO OR or POST OPERATIVE PHOTOS of patients looking groggy or not their best after surgery on the internet.. If you see someone who has them, send them a friendly reminder. This is to protect the patient's privacy, as well as Operation Smile as a whole. It's hard to fathom anyone who would want to hurt such an incredible organization, but it's true- there are people out there who would do stuff to try to take us down. I feel really strongly about this, so just remember:)

Life as you knew it will go on and it has gone on. Just be sure to send out thank you cards, talk about your mission, and get accustomed. Good luck with school, and Good luck with everything. Welcome back. Proud of you!

Whatever happens, NO MATTER WHAT- just smile. Just give, and just be optimistic. Remember, No Regrets.

Hope this helped a little bit. I know I left out millions of things, but it’s a starting ground.

Shukran!!  

Lisa

Breakfast for Smiles:)

This morning, I helped out with the 4th Annual Utah Operation Smile Breakfast for Smiles. It was to recognize Utah's top supporters and donors with Operation Smile. It was at the beautiful Little America Hotel in Salt Lake. We got to help check in very important and generous donors like Governor Herbert and Utah's Doctor of The Year- Dr. Sellers. I even got to put a buttoniere on David Osmond and escort him to his table!

This..

Compared to that big momma!

The breakfast was great. We even got to sit in on it and have a really delicious breakfast. The lovely fruit mix made me laugh-- it was tiny compared to the one we got in Jordan and just made me remember a really great night.. remember Les? ;) It was a nice memory. We had great entertainment and the speakers were inspiring and fantastic. I got to talk a lot about my mission to people who I knew there and just get in contact with a lot of amazing people who will do great things with and for me.

Me and Miss Katie:)

One of the best parts about the breakfast was seeing miss Katie Osterloh. We met at Mission Training this January and she just got back from her mission 5 days ago to Cebu in the Philippines. She is wonderful and we talked about our missions basically the whole time together. We compared and shared stories that were cute, sad, inspiring, and the same. I really loved hanging out with her and catching up. The only person who knows exactly how I feel right now!! She said she's had a few breakdowns and I just have so much empathy for her. It was way fun.

On the tables we also got some cool stuff too! There were a lot of people who sponsored the breakfast so we got these goody bags with all sorts of amazing products and fun things! One of my favorite things was an Operation Smile phone gripper thing that you slap on the back of your phone, and then you slap it on any surface and seriously sticks there! It's amazing and I know it will give me a lot of opportunities to talk about Op Smile and share the love! Can't wait!!!

Governor Herbert speaking about how Ahhh-mazing the Utah Chapter of Op Smile is.. yeahhh!!

The Governor spoke and so did a Dr. Sellers. He thanked our donors for their generosity and how when he was on his mission and the parents kept saying thank you to him-- they were really saying thank you to THEM. I knew exactly what he was talking. I know this first hand. Trust me. There is thankfulness and love in their eyes to each and every dollar we raise, every presentation we give, every time we pass the word- it all goes toward these people who have so little who need so much. and just how there is no need for interpretation or a translator when you look at those beautiful eyes [aka: windows to the soul].

Operation Smile really has given me insurmountable joy, happiness, comfort and the opportunity to find out who I am and want to be. The speakers spoke about Love and missions and just the wonderful-ness of Opsmile. I was so happy. I got that feeling whenever I hear anyone talk about it like that. Just those butterflies in my stomach and that choke in my throat. I just want people to know that it's Real. Op Smile is real. The things we do-- they help real kids and they have real stories and they're just like us. (they are also reallly cute:)

Wade ran by while this picture was being taken.. "Yeah Go Students!".. we felt cool:) [Marci was there but Kwells wasn't! :(]

I'm so glad that I got to help out with the breakfast this morning. It was fun to dress up and be in good company. I wore my Op Smile Jordan Student Programs and Jordanian flag pin on my dress to represent!!! ;) Thanks again to Melissa, Caroline and Lauren for also volunteering pretty last minute. I am pumped for ISLC and for just furthering  my involvement with this incredible, life-changing organization.

Even if you have never donated a large monetary amount, maybe you've donated some bubbles to a student volunteer to take on a mission, a toy, a dollar in fundraiser for one of over 300 student clubs in the US, your time volunteering for any operation smile event, your vacation time or even some sleep.. even now you're donating because you're giving your time to read this and that furthers our message even to one more person. To you- Thank You.

Without you, 

This wouldn't happen. 

:)

Love, Lisa

Marhaba!

Khaled- thank you for the beautiful words. I miss you!!!



I miss you. Pictures to come so soon!! I'm uploading now-- I have two cards, and on one I have 1,046!!! Haha, I can't wait.

I love and miss you all back home. I can't wait to see you soon!

Shukran!

Love, Always-
Liza

Last day of Surgery

Today was the last day of surgery for the mission. I wish I got to go to the hospital, but I went to the school instead which was equally amazing.

We went to the Baptist School- it is a private school.. one of the nicest in Jordan. It is like a million times better than my school! And our school is pretty nice! So we went and did presentations to the KG1, KG2 and 2 other classes. Together, Taylor and I still had over 200 toothbrushes easy- so we gave them to each of the classes we presented to and then we met with the Principal of the school. Two students showed us around the campus which was SO wonderful. They were a year older than us. So nice. So we started our first presentation and then the translator started talking and the kids are all like uh.. ok.? ALL the kids there know English and Arabic. A lot of them are actually caucasian or asian, irish.. The school is from all over. And not everyone there is Baptist either. So it was a really cool thing. They ate up our presentations and we did a really good job. I LOVE teaching. I seriously am in love with children. I think I will be found in the childcare center at school if you can't find me.

Well, once we met with the principal, they treated us to a lunch and cookies and the principal talked to us about the school and how it stresses service and integrity and all these values. I saw all of it evident in the students. A lot of students came earlier in the week to volunteer during the mission. They took time off of school and so I was REALLY glad that I got to see them and go to their school. They are fantastic people and new wonderful, wonderful friends. After our really official and intimidating meeting with the school officials, they gave us beautiful gifts and then we were taken to the upper school. All the kids- even seniors- have a 20 minute recess! Ahhhh. So jealous. It is really cool they go outside and they hang out and eat and just take a breather. But we got to go see them while they were at recess so I ran outside and instantly I saw my friends and we all screamed as girls do and hugged and oh- it was just one of the best moments of the entire mission.

So we talked for a minute but we were rushed and so we went back inside and the girls were taking me to their physics class and they were so girly and oh my gosh we were like best friends. It was so sad when we left.. but I just ran in their classroom really quick and met the teacher and he shook my hand and everyone laughed. It was so priceless. Then all the guys were like laughing and saying something while the girls we were just all hugging and havig an amazing time together. My tears welled up in my eyes as I watched my new soul sisters wave bye to me. Even after maybe a day or two together, we have become such good friends. I felt wetness on my face as I walked away from the classroom. I would have sat in Physics for 3 days if I could be with my friends. Even now, I am kindof choking up at the strength, friendship and love that brings us together. It was so hard to leave, but I didn't say goodbye but I said 'See you soon'. Because I'm going back to Jordan (So far my list is 1) Ireland. 2) South Africa and now 3) Jordan).

After, our volunteer that was showing us around took us to get K'nafa and Falafal. The MOST amazinggggggggggggggggggg things to eat ever. I will struggle until I have some in my stomach back in Utah. K'nafa is like cheese- it's sweet though. It doesn't taste like cheese, but it's cheese and it has this sugary syrup and crunchyish stuff on top. it is DIVINE. Falafal (pronounced fall-ah-full) is ground up chick peas, beans, and other stuff that is fried and then put in pita with some homous and other things. Oh it was freaking delicious.

Taylor and I have laughed so much together while we've been here. It's fun to talk about the differences and similiarities we both have. She is doing great- we have become good friends and we have so many memories together that no one  else will understand. Last night, we bought a ton of stuff at the souvenir store and so when we got back to the hotel I was jsut getting ready for bed and I was like trying on one of my scarves or something and I was saying "Oh Taylor- why don't you.." and I turned around, and Taylor just is standing there with a traditional red and white head scarf

like this

that the people wear with a huge smile on her face. I laughed for ten minutes straight. Serious. So I put on one of my scarves that I got and we made a video. So dont' worry. We're cool.

Amanda is also great. Everyone here thinks she is one of us and then she rolls her eyes when she has to say she is 26 and our chaperone. She is like the Elle Woods of Operation Smile. It's hilarious. I have actually started to pick up some of her mannerisns and the way she talks. She is so funny it just cracks me up. Just the things she says and the ways she says them. Whenever she says something.. I always just say "Amanda, you would". Like we were driving around to the Refugee camp yesterday and she's like "Oh! A bug!! :) " so Taylor and I are kindof nervous saying where?! Because I got bit by a bug a few days ago and started rashing all over my face for a while (Idk if it was bc of the bug). But she was pointing to a little green, (tunacan haha) VW bug like the car. And then she went on to explain that she drives one. And it's convertible. A convertible silver bug. "Amanda, you would". And then someone was asking about if kiwi's were expensive here or plentiful and stuff bc we have seen a lot of them at the fruit stands and she gasps and says "that's my dog's name!" And then I was thinking Ya, Amanda would name her dog Kiwi. And then we found out that it was an 8lb miniture weiner dog. She would. :) I love it. She has been a great sponsor. I am jealous of her position. She has one of the best positions ever.

I don't know if I will post again from Jordan- so I just wnt to thank all the volunteers and people who have helped me grow this week and a half to want to become the best person that I can possibly be. Thank you for your love, your care, your respect, your hospitality, your smiles, your laughs,  your jokes, your rides, your lessons, your helping hand, your offerings, your children, your patience, your kindness, your instruction, your generosity, and your sincerity. They have changed me. They have made me want to change. They have motivated me to become as wonderful of a person as you. Thank you.

Also, thank you to everyone back in the States who have supported me all this time. Your comments and your love radiates all the way to the middle east. Even though there is an enormous amount of love already present here, It just magnifies it even more.

Tonight is our final party. I really hope to see all of the kind souls that I have met this week there. Tomorrow, we are going to Petra. It is one of the 7 wonders of the world. I am so excited.

our flight leaves at 12:10am on Saturday (Fri night) and gets into new york at 6:15 I think (13 hours!). Then my filght from JFK to SLC is at 9ish and my flight lands in Utah at 12:58pm or something in the afternoon. I expect balloons, posters, banners, and an entourage there!! Hahah just kidding.

I can't believe that this is already over. We have changed lives. We have made the world a little bit better. Some kids have a few more toys. A lot of people smiled. Jordan has changed me.

I can't WAIT to post picutres. Each and every single one has a beautiful story.

Always, Liza- ps: I totally know how to write my name and i put it into translator and they did it right!!!! :D
ليزا

Sigh*

I can't believe that it is Thursday already. It is our last day of surgery. Sorry I didn't post last night, I was so tired and we got home really late.. haha..

Today we are going to a school- I'm really excited because a LOT of the student volunteers that have been volunteering over the week are from that school. They are all my new friends and I am so glad I get to see them again.

Last night, we went out with our new friends- Abdullah and Hassan. They are wonderful, wonderful people. They tolerated us shopping for a million scarves and then talked to the owners of a souvenir shop in the mall for like 10 minutes so that we could negotiate us coming in after it was closed. We bought so much stuff it's so cool. I feel way selfish though because I want to keep everything that I've bought for people.. haha I will probably keep some things. They took us out to dinner and they just told us to keep eating and eating.. Ahhhhhhh. The food here is FANTASTIC. It will be such a downer till I can find somewhere close to it in Utah. My favorite foods are obviously the kobiz which is SO good. The kind at the hospital is dry and not very good at all but the stuff we've had at nicer restaurants comes out warm and and fluffy. Ahhhhhh that and humos (hummous) and the eggplant dish I was talking to you about-- Those are divine. I humored our amazing hosts with my arabic (Or lack thereof) but they said they were super impressed. I don't know much, but I catch on pretty quick and I learn pretty well so it is good. I genuinely want to learn. Most everyone that I have met here is bilingual to some degree. Almost ALL of the students and geez even some of the patients study English, Arabic, and French and even sometimes Spanish. I feel like such a stupid amerrrrrican when I say I only speak like 10 phrases in Arabic, spanish, and can hardly get by in my English class! Haha, they are an inspiration. I have learned a lot so far though. I learned how to write my name correctly in Arabic-- (idk if I already posted but our posters for our presentations were made with google.. the first time that google has epicly failed us. Let's just say thye got a few laughs from the students..) Anyways, I had been doing it wrong because it is written right to left. I am picking up so fast and I LOVE it.

Abdullah and Hassan-- they are two genuinely incredible people. And only 2 years older than me! They are so amazing. Thank you, Shukran and Domo Arigatou for everythign you have done for us. It is such a joy and a great feeling to know that there are kind, altruistic people all over the world. Especially in Jordan. I already told you this but everyone here is SO hospitable and have such beautiful, accepting souls. So many parents have come to me and brought me down to tears when they take my hand and tell me with such conviction in their eyes and voice in a language I don't understand yet how much they love and appreciate me. I have to catch myself before I break down and I have had a hard time controlling my emotion when I get around them.

My new friends (all students my age and a little older) have opened my eyes and widened my appreciation for new cultures and people we do not know. My opinion of the media is even further of disgust. All my new friend have asked me- You probably thought we were all terrorists and stuff like that before you got here right? Were you, your friends and family scared? And it makes me sad that a lot of those things were true. One person was telling us yesterday that one of his friends in the US asked him if he knew any terrorists.. He was like uh.... what??? It's not like there are terrorists walking into our hospital saying Hi, I'm a terrorist- nice to meet you. Can I bomb you? He told us that if there was even any sort of hint or anything like that of terrorism, that person would be imprisoned, as well as his family and friends until it got sorted out because they want to keep their people safe. A lot of people were so scared for me- and oh yeah, let me tell you that I feel so scared when we drive down the street and there are kids and people waving at us and blowign us kisses! Haha, wow. I was not scared- but my family and friends were nervous and I had a lot of hater comments before I left that I already hated- just about don't get shot in Jordan, when are you leaving to get killed in the Mid east? like.. even now I have that awful feeling in your stomach you get when you feel guilty or bad. These people-- those people.. They are my friends. They have embraced me, accepted me and loved me more than I know some of the people back in Utah would treat a foreigner even with awful poster translations and sad excuses of Arabic knowledge. They I know would do anythign for me. Each and every single translator and volunteer has kindly and genuinley told us they will do anything for us- take us to go eat the best local food, take us to see the best places to see-- given us their cell numbers so we can call and ask them for whatever, whenever. My eyes are watering as I type this because I truly, the mission is all about and for the kids- but the mission expereince as a whole is so much more. It is the new best friends you will make, the new appreciation and love you will feel for a people you do not know. It is the evergrowing testimony of love and altruism that helps to shape you into a better person.

I have learned so much about stereotype and generalization on this mission. I have never been that bad at stereotyping I think, just because I have been judged so many times by people who do not know me, nor wish to know me- and also by people who do know me. It is so easy to point fingers and to  judge others-- but honestly, what is that saying about ourselves? My new friends brought up a point that if anything in the news is about a European, it is news written as if he is just any other person. If it is about anyone here, it is "Arabic man does this... and that"... I learned that so many of the assumptions that we have are ridiculous generalizations and that most everything we hear is all butchered by the media and basically all of them are extremes. It has been really really enlightening to just see that everyone here-- they are just like me. They have different standards and not everyone wears scarves on their heads- they go out and watch Blindside and Mean girls on the weekends, they go bowling, they go to dinner with their friends, they think school is difficult sometimes and they have all the same drama and lives as a normal 17 year old back in utah-- except they are like very few people back in utah.. They are very, very different.

I guess I am just posting to vent some feelings that I've been having. Please, next time you feel like judging someone or stereotyping... think twice and think about me and my new friends.

Yesterday we went to a refugee camp. It was so eye opening. I had no idea what to expect. When I think refugee camp, I think like a litte fenced off area that has tents and people with nothing. Haha. Stupid me-- assumptions. But we went there-- it is actually a community- like an entire city. Except they are all Palestinian. They have been there since the 1940s and have continued to live there. They are like contracted almost, to be there and wow. It was amazing. SO many people and shops and the conditions were rough. We went to a school within the camp and gave our presentations to them. They LOVED it. We left sooooooooo many donations there and I left one of my suitcases we filled up to leave. I felt like Santa. As we were leaving, there were so many just random kids out in the streets and we started passing stuff out there-- yeah. scary. We were like celebrities giving out free .. idk.. something stupid- ipods or something. But they were just toothbrushes and toys. Well, we were like completeley surrounded and we were told to get in and out asap because as soon as word got around that American girls were giving out free stuff.. it was going to be bad. So we left as fast as we could and it was crazy but fun. All the people there in the camp hate Bush and therefore have a lower respect for Americans so it was good that we got to go there and show them not everyone is the same.

My girl- Rahaf. She got surgery yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't convey how happy I was. She was the girl I met the very first day of screening. She is SO beautiful and she was my little sidekick that first day. I was so sad when she left that morning because I didnt' know if I would see her again., But I got to see her and help her through her surgery process and see her in Post op- She is so brave. She is 10 years old and had a Z plasty on her entire neck and collar bone area from when she was burned when she was 4 years old. She is my girl. I love her and I am proud of her. I broke down a little bit when I had to leave last night because they told me she wuold probably be discharged in the morning whhile I was at the school. So I spent some time with her a few minutes before I had to go and even through all the pain and meds she was going through, she gave me a kiss on the cheek and I held her hand as long as I could. I kissed her on the forehead and had to get out before her and her wonderful mother and aunts made me break down even more. I sent a note with one of the nurses today to give to her in case I never get to see her again.

Tomorrow we are going to Petra for our team day since today is our final day of Surgery. with today's scheduled patients, 104 life-altering surgeries were performed that will impact these people's lives forever. I have fallen in so much love with these patients and their families. They are so wonderful and just like us. Like I said earlier, I have a really hard time remembering who had what deformity because all of them have such lively and incredible spirits that radiate so much wider than anything else. It is hard for them though, because not everyone has the opportunity to be in the hospital and on a mission in my position and therefore they are subject to teasing, ridicule, embarassment, harassment and being an outcast for something they did not choose to have, nor had any control over. For something so Aesthetic and superficial-- it is disgusting. I can't believe that just because of some anomaly on their body, they would not be as loved or respected or appreciated by someone. And it's not just the people around them at home. Think about yourself. If you saw a baby with their eyes 4 inches apart, drooling uncontrollably with an inch and a half HOLE right below their eye, or a toddler with a tooth growing out of his nose, or a baby girl that had half of her entire face covered in black hair and skin that looked charred all of whom were being held by distressed mothers or family members with their faces and bodies-- eyes, hands, feet- everything completely covered by a black veil. Would you be quick to judge? It's not just something that they deal with at home. Just somethign to think about.

I have blogged way too long. All I had to say is that I love it here and that I am sad to be coming home. I have promised my new friends that I will be back here. And soon. It is beautiful.

Another tip- it would help if you are fluent in child games, songs, rhymes, and crafty things before you leave. Thankfully I am happy homemaker, mini martha.. so it all comes way easy to me. But if you keep a pack of bubbles and pipe cleaners in your backpack at all times. They will halt any tears or sadness. I pull out a few colors and let kids choose their favorite and then make a flower for them and tie another color around the inside and make a stem too. I can make butterflies and people and really anything. The kids LOVE it. imagine when you were little and the scary balloon man who came up to you at places and asked you what you wanted- you told him- and you awtch in amazement as this magnificent thing was created before your eyes. You CAN and WILL be that person.. except for the part about being a creepy clown. Haha-- I think the biggest asset to you will be your creativity. You will seriously feel so amazing. Like Santa. Literally. so start gettnig  crafty. I'll make this into a mission tip blog after I get back to Utah.

Another thing- don't let ANYONE go without something. If you try to conserve- don't. It's our last day and we still have easily a whole suitcase full of stuff. Give away- give away- give away. And I would give about half away during screening. You will see the most pateitns then because we have only seen 25 patients a day after that for surgery with their siblings and it's not enough people to give everythign away.

I have soaked up each and every minute while I am here. I don't think I have any major regrets. Only in prepartion I have regrets. Like getting stuff for the team and stuff.

This is so long. I'm so sorry!

Shukran!

Jordan is home.

Sigh*

Liza

Day... ??

I've lost track of what day it is. I just got back from dinner with the team and I am so exhuasted so this is a recap in about 5 sentences

1) Spent almost all day in the OR today. We got to observe several surgeries. It was really crazy just seeing how the amazing doctors, surgeons, nurses and anesthesiologists work together so well to do these surgeries. I got to see some surgeries for some kids that I had the chance to get to know before and it was so awesome to be able to follow them from pre op to the OR to recovery to post op. I have so much respect for these incredible doctors who make miracles.

2) It didn't rain today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Though I've LOVED the rain, we went to breakfast (The  restaurant on the top floor of our hotel-- It's alllllllllllll glass on every wall and overlooks everywhere. It is GORGEOUS) and we saw the sunrise up on over the city and it WASN'T raining! Wow. It was really nice

3) The Orphanage we visited yesterday was.. interesting. We got to do some presentations in a kindergarten class. Pictures will explain better than words.

4) I have had hiccups all day except for a few hours we were in the OR. The kids got a kick out of it.

5) Pita bread is NOT called pita bread and you WILL get made fun of if you choose to call it so. It is called "Kobiz" pronounced "Hubez" but with that throaty sound that I can't make. You'll also get made fun of if you try to do it. haha

6) I am going to a refugee camp tomorrow for Palestinian people. It should be awesome. Can't wait to tell you all about it.

7) I had a really tender moment today as I was in recovery- One of the recovery nurses-- Omar, (He is one of my good good friends now), he was doing his thing and he handed me a little like hose type thing that had steam coming out of it with something that  helped the patient breathe and not cough after their surgery that he gave to me so that I could hold it close to her mouth and help her. I took it and held it clsoe to her mouth (She had a palate surgery) and started rubbing her back and just calming her. With her tiny little fingers, she grabbed mine and held on. She was a brave, beautiful soul. I also got to watch and follow a patient that was my age. 17. She was so brave and wow.. I couldn't do it. It was so inspiring.

8) Jordanian people eat. A LOT. and it's DELICIOUS. I'm going to be obsessing trying to find somewhere or somethign to eat that reminds me of home when I get back to utah.

9) I could eat kobiz all day, every day- especially when it's brand new and warm and puffy and delicious-- and I actually ahve. Haha I made that comment at dinner and Amanda was saying that I do. I've eaten Kobiz at every meal since I've been here. There is also this stuff that is like hummous but it's eggplant. Oh it is DIVINE.

10) I went to the grocery store here tonight called Food City and got a ton of candy and treats that are from Jordan:) It was like the Walmart of Jordan. Their food is funny like the drinks we got were called Fizzy Wizzy and there is another drink kinda like Fanta that is called Linda. Hahahahaha I LOVE it.

11) Jordanian people are the most welcoming, hospitable, polite and incredible people ever. All of the parents and the staff at the hotel and everywhere we have been-- they are SO nice to us and when the parents talk to me, they call me "Liza" and they always ask where I'm from and compliment me and they love that I am with their children,. I am honored they trust me with them. I have been able to make so many friendships and relationships with the parents, as well as the patients. Today, I walked into Post Op and guess what?!?!?! That boy, Yousef-- I wrote about him in my first or second post. HE GOT SURGERY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! His mother was overjoyed when she saw me. She reckoned me over to her and smiled and just was like wanting me to see her beautiful boy. She told me a few days ago that she wanted me to tell Yousef's story back  home. And I will.

12) My knees are bruised and permanently sore from kneeling on the ground with kids, running getting balls and playing volleyball, chasing kids, blowing bubbles for crying kids, giving presentations. I love them. They are my battle wounds from the most amaznig experience of my life.

13) I've basically eaten anythign and everything that I have had set in front of me. I tried lamb, so that is off my goal list. I have tried something new every day, which was on my goal list. I even so ventured to disobey doctors orders and eat fruit and veggies that can't be peeled. Oh well. I'm with a team of over 100 dcotoros and nurses and they are eating it, so it's ok. If I die, I die Happy and content:)

14) Yesterday, Omar took a bunch of us to a Lebanese place called Lebnani Snack. It was way good. Leslie and I were looknig at the ice cream and it came only in 1 Kilos. So we ordered it hahahahaha and then the guy must have been so taken aback by Leslie's beauty that he gave us an extra half kilo for free. So like 3 pounds of ice cream came out and we just asked for every flavor. We called it the Tastes of Jordan. It was incredibly fun just being with our team of 8. We joke and Dr. Marty calls me Mountain Girl and we just have such a good time. The night before, Amanda, Taylor, Leslie and myself went to the chinese rest. right across the street from our hotel because we were tired and we heard it was good. We were SO tired. So you can imagine how much we laughed. Well, in our packets we got it said there was a 15% discount for Op smile ppl so we go and tried to explain the discount and oh wow.. I guss you had to be there. There was no discount, but they gave us "special chinese tea  on the house" since they felt bad but it was the EXACT same tea taht they had brought out for us when we got there that is like complimentary anyways. We had a laugh as Leslie and I watched Taylior and Amanda drink.

15) The really nice guys at the restaurant upstaris where we eat breakfast daily were SO nice and they remembered that we had gotten hot chocolate the day before and they brought it out for us today! It is all milk and frothy and delicious. It was way nice of them. Breakfast is SO good every single day.

16) Well, this post was only going to be 5 subpoints.. haha I'm about to pass out in exhaustion.

17) I wil sleep for 3 days when I get home.

18) I underpacked.

19) Tomorrow is the refugee camp. Oh wait. I already said that.

20) Ok well I'm losing my mind. I can't wait to see you all. I love you, I don't really miss you, haha but I definitely am praying for you all wherever you are.

21) Whoever is going on your missions next: I will post an especially long post on here and oscentral on the best mission tips that I can offer. I have thought of a TON.

22) I don't think it's legal to be this exhausted. But I have never been happier in my life. I am so content here.

Love,
Liza

QUICK Update

I had to wait a bit for the computer when we got back from the hospital, but we are leaving in 10 minutes for dinner so this is a quick update and I will post again when I get back if I'm not completely dead.

SO.

We got to sleep in  today because we didn't go to the hospital with the rest of the team since we went to an orphanage today. I'll writa more about that later.. it was an interesting expereince.

We got to go around Jordan for a bit and it was AMAZING. Likle.. I can't wait to post pictuers of how spectacular it is. I'm thinking about studying abroad or something. I want to come back,,. and I will.

More patients got surgery today that I fell in love with! Yay!!!! Ah I am so happy. I was so suprised at how quickly the surgeries go. Seriously, it's 40-45 minutes. AHHHHHHHh life changing.

Just a few hints that I will post on OSCentral when I get home include
Bring pictures of your family and friends to show people. I wouyld laminate them in a little book or something. I wish I had something that I could show people and patients like look- I have nieces that are about the same age.. these are my friends, my family.. I wish I had done that.

Make contact cards with your name and email and stuff on it- I want to find all my new friends on facebook aned stuff and I've just had to write it and give it out. Make cards. You have time.

Don't hesitiate. Take Initiative.
Thjat is the biggest hint I can give to you. Don't wait for the next time you see someone on the team to get comfortable with them and get to know them. I wont see my new amazing friends for a longggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg time. So take advantage of the time you have and don't have regrets. Everyone there is there for the same reason and they are amazing. So don't hesitate. You also need to be albe to take a lot of initiative and just go up and start something with someone. Don't let ANYONE just sit there and watch. Even the stubborn ones.

The number one thing I can tell you: A smile fixes everything.

I will fill you in on more stuff when I get back hopefully. Going to dinner with my family.

Love you love you love you.!!!!!!1

Shukran for reading!

Comment! I've gotten all of like 2 comments while I'm here I feel like I'm writing to no one! haha

What day is it? Monday? Tuesday? It's monday. ohhhhkeyyyy. Well- I'll talk to you soon!

Love, Liza