Reese-my son is back....

Dear All,
An update on Reese. Reese has traveled transcontinentally and his transformation is remarkable. Gone are the red curls, baggy pants and permanently affixed Ipod. Within 24 hours of arrival he sported an Afghan haircut, complete with the requisite poof on his forehead ($2-Mom!!!). He is back into his previously established routine, speaking Dinglish-no problems with language -eating copious amounts of Kabobs and Quabali pilau and on Asef's case. Asef decided to be Reese's "roomfriend" and set up their beds within 2 feet of each other-in a cavernous room big enough to be a house. Asef is bossier than Colin-Reese's real brother-if that is possible and Reese's up against living with someone more stubborn than he is. I told Reese just to "take a message" like he does with all of us when he isn't interested in listening. He says Asef doesn't get it but he is working on a technique where he just starts talking to Asef with the biggest English words he knows which does slow Asef some.
Asef really upset Reese when he whipped into the bathroom before him early one morning and told him to go use his mom's bathroom. Reese took solid ground this weekend by rearranging the room so beds are at the far corners of the rooms and Reese's is stationed right outside the bathroom door.
Asef and Reese are apparently competing for what the early morning program is. Asef annoys Reese by telling he smokes too much and can't "sport". Cheryl, our volunteer has gone out early for a walk up the mountainside is a big attraction for an early morning "Chakar" or sightseeing. I think this morning Reese and Asef managed to agree on the program-a walk ensued as well as a good workout with the local young man who has no legs on the chin up bar at the children's play ground. Reese informed me that he is "buff" and a great guy.

Reese is working daily at the orphanages. Yasin included him in a meeting with Soraya the head of Afghan orphanages - Reese had the foresight to count toothbrushes the day before when he dropped them off to be distributed....He apparently recounted, found 175 missing and and brought it to Soraya's attention.-apparently the staff took some for personal use. She had to settle it by sending out a staff member to the bazaar to purchase more to replace them. We appreciate her partnership. I wouldn't have thought to count the toothbrushes but we are now going to include this "test" in our orphanage program. He has written up the protocol and decided that Tai Maskan staff need working with before he starts a program with the children. I pity them.

Finally, he misses his well behaved sensitive dog. He is not impressed with my heaving, panting, out-of-control "Mongrel Horde" and indicated to me that the training challenges are overwhelming. In fact, we thought he was a Dog Whisperer but he has taken over Norm's role as Dog Nazi. He is equally unimpressed with my new product line of "Koochi Dog" collars-(Mootee has one on ) complete with goat bell. I think they will be a seller and a great fundraiser.

Anyway-we are settling in and he is doing great....My mother would say I deserve him. Love to all.