Helping the elderly

This is the first week my classmate Pablo and I have gone to the local elderly's residency. After waiting half an hour to be attended by the residency manager, we were introduced to the elderly we could interact with. I thought we were not going to do anything that first day, but actually, we were able to play domino with them. We had the role of directing the domino game, telling the residents the domino pieces they could use, and helping them put their pieces in the center of the large table. When Pablo was directing the game, I played against the residents. I sat next to a man called Emilio and started a good friendship with him. The moment I sat, he placed his right hand in my cheek and told me: "Tú eres mi amigo. Aquí todos somos amigos", meaning "You are my friend, we are all friends here" in Spanish. I felt very happy after that phrase as I knew that I was accepted by them for the first time. Later on, he also told that he used to win many cards (mus) tournaments and repeatedly asked me his name to know if I remembered. And of course I remembered. After a short 1 hour enjoying playing with them, we unfortunately had to leave. The 10 elder (Emilio, Agundio, Maria Lusia, and others) saluted and thanked us, and we left the residence with a great feeling of hapiness. In the short time we were in the residence, I learned many life lesson and created a want to go again soon.

This week, we went to the residency wanting to have a great time with our elderly friends. When we got in, we only saw 2 people in the area we could stay in, and they were playing domino again. We played a very disputed game of domino for about one hour and a half. The man on my right, Agundio, always was trying to cheat by spotting the domino piece with two 6s. Even though in theory we had an big advantage over the rest, he only managed to win two times; while Pablo had his lucky day and won about ten times. During the game, I had the curiosity about a rule of the game: in domino, when there are no more pieces of a number available to place, something called "bridge" happens. Pablo's theory was that the player with least pieces wins, while my theory was that the player with the least sum of the pieces wins. In order to solve this issue for next week, I will have to read the official rules for the game of domino.

We had a great time playing in the residence playong domino.  When we were about to leave, the elderly thanked us for playing with them and for making their day a little better. I could get used to playing domino every week and become an expert at it, but I hope we will have a bit of variety and bigger audience throughout this CAS experience. 

This week has been tough for me, since we have had many difficult and tiring exams and projects. Sincerely, I was not very happy with having to go to the residence, but I knew it would be good for me to laugh a little and to get out of my home. 

This week, we were accompained by a lady who also played with the elderly. She brought candy for the winners and set up the table in order for us to play. That was very kind from her part and I thank her. Although Pablo and I insisted, she did not want to play, she only wanted to stare. 

Today was not my lucky day as I did not win even once. It is a pitty knowing that this is the first day there is candy for the winners. Nevertheless, I had lots of fun. More specifically, I loved the moment when María Luisa asked wether she could cheat. At the beginning, I did not want to go to the residence but ended up enjoying the visit. I am looking forward for coming again next week.

After doing my homework for many hours, I really wanted to go play to the elderly's residence. Now, going to the residence has become a habit for me. When we arrived, the same lady as last week  was there playing with them. This time, however, she also played when we were directing the game. Apart from that, she also brought chocoloate bars instead of candy which was a big plus.

This was my lucky day, as I won five times in the hour we were there playing. I think I had not won so many game even in all weeks combined. It was not my intention to win all the time as I also wanted the elder to win; however, I could not do anything about it since I had pure luck. 

I am starting to really like being there having good times playing domino with the elderly. The best of all is when we leave the residence after an intense hour of playing. Now, the elderly know us and like being with us. They thank us for coming and remind us to come soon. I have no words to describe this feeling; I just want to go again next week and experience it again.

I was really wanting to go to the retirement home this week. Unfortunately, Pablo and I could only stay there for 40 minutes because we had to go to volunteer for the Food Bank in a supermarket. The little time we were there, still, was enough to have a good time. 

I started off directing the domino game, and did not win a single time. This week, there were more elder playing than usual, meaning that I did not play when Pablo directed the game. When we arrived, they instantly recognized us and cheered that we came again. This gives me a sense of satisphaction for making their days better. This was also the first time I saw them talking and laughing between each other, which means that our domino game is a friendly and helpful environment for the elderly. 

This week we had to leave early, but I still maintain the want to go to the residence in the weeks to come. 

I was hoping to go to the retirement home once again during the week, however, on Friday, I got injured and broke my nose. As can be imagined, I was not enthusiastic to go this week, but still, I did go. 

There were about five players playing before we came, less than usual. That did not mean that I would win, since I did not despite the high probability. I do not know why, but it has been 3 weeks since I have not won. Nevertheless, Pablo and I came out very happy from seeing the elderly smiling throughout the entire game. 

On our way back home, Pablo and I reflected that this activity has become sort of a habit that we enjoy repeating every week. Unfortunately, we agreed in the residency owners that we were only coming for a couple of months, and therefore, the end of the activity is approaching.

This is the last day Pablo and I will be going to the retirement home. We have had some great experiences, and we are very sad to not come back again. We would love to come back again, but we are going through lots of work at school and we cannot keep up with more than we agreed on. However, I am sure we will go visit the elderly some day. 

Today, as fast as we came in, we announced this was the last day for us. The elderly and the woman who sometimes helps us in the residency instantly thanked us for the great times. This domino game was meant to be epic. The game went as usual, with some funny moments, and with many sweats for the winners. I won once (finally!), and was congratulated by the players knowing about my winning drought. After the last game, we thanked everybody and they thanked us, we saluted, and we left out that weirdly-opening door for the last time.

This has truly been an amazing, and satisfying experience. I do not regret a second I was in the residency. I truly wish all of the CAS activities to come to be as profound and enriching as this one.