Taking in my last moments in Kollegal

As you all know Kollegal hasn't been all ups. But, it hasn't been all downs I'll let you know that much. It hit me the other day that i really only have 2 more weeks in India. At times that number seems monstrous, and others completely minuscule. I am still looking forward to coming home, but am enjoying my last few days at Kollegal.

With the girls in school my day is different. I spend more time with the dorm mothers, cooks and college girls. I love these times. They are more like friends, than children I am looking after. In the evenings I am with Retna, helping with her baby a bit or doing dishes now that her mother and sister have returned to their village. Or I am with the girls, doing subtraction, giving medication, and visiting. One of the girls even threaded my eyebrows. It was less painful than i thought it would be, and thank goodness because my eyebrows were a bit bushy.. you may have not recognized me! (ha don't worry, no uni!)

Lots of our girls have fallen ill. Sore throats, coughs, and stomach infections. The bird flu is in Mysore which is about 2-3 hours away from here. We don't know how long it will take to reach Kollegal, so just keep that in your prayers.

Also the behind the scenes political matters have heightened. Thank goodness it is not with me this time. There is just a lot of problems with the management and teachers. So this has caused a bit of tension, and i am starting to think that this stressed caused the blow out matter that happened to me. Maybe not, but again, that was a management figure, not anyone directly at the home.

I will miss Kollegal. It's been a stepping stone in my spiritual journey for sure. It's been another home for me, a home at times i hated. I love these girls. Sometimes I think to myself how weird it is that a 8th grader is one of my best friends right now. These girls have brought me laughs, tears and I will never forget them. I am excited for the next step in my journey--Chennai. I don't know if i will be alone there or not. But, whatever is ahead for me I am very glad of my decision to go there. I will end my trip exactly where it begun. I will come back the same Cassandra with a whole lot of lessons learned. Maybe some I won't even be able to verbalize. It may be 'goodbye Kollegal' in three days, four sleeps.. ha, yes i am still counting a little. But it isn't goodbye india yet.

Thanks for you're prayers. Thanks for your thoughts. Thank you, thank you, thank you.