hey,
So i just wanted to let you know that all things aren't horrible. I've had a few really good evenings and one semi good day. I have been spending time with Sam's wife, Retna, who is a sweetheart. She did my henna, and we just talk like girls. Well, as much as we can. She has an adorable baby Sara so we talk and are with her. Sujanta, another one of the dorm mothers here, and i have also been talking more lately so that keeps me busy, and these woman feel more like friends than people i am responsible for. Other than the early mornings, things have been going better. Usually by 12 o clock or 1.30 i am feeling a little more upbeat.
I am becoming pro at making sand dosas. (like making sand castles, except in india the children make little dosas-a food, kinda like a pancake except way different.) I've done a lot of playing on the swings, painting and what not. keeping "busy". I also get to cut veggies in the mornings with the cooks while the girls are at school. My hands will probably always smell like onions, but that's ok. aha. It is giving me something to do.
And on the inside, well. I still feel a pain-ish feeling. I miss home a lot. I think my heart, mind and spirit are stewing through somethings that i can't comprehend right now, so that is why it hurts. My lessons will be revealed over time. In the meantime. I'm here, wishing and waiting.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
a little ray of hope
The last few days, as you know have been rough for me. But, i just had something to share with my readers.. yes, yes, you are my little readers.
I was walking, and not thinking about this whole situation, which believe me, doesn't happen often. and all of a sudden I got this feeling, and it said to me. "It's ok Cassandra. You're decision is ok. It's ok. Leaving may help you serve these girls better, you're not as miserable. It's ok. It's ok."
WOW. Yes, it's small. but i felt so comforted. I had a lot of turmoil in my body, and mind due to all of this. I didnt' want ot leave if i wasn't supposed to. but, i had made the choice and i feel good about it. I really do. I am not failing. I am choosing a different route, a vacation for my heart if you will. I just need to have a few moments away from this..and that's ok. it takes a big person to walk away sometimes. and, maybe i am a small person walking away.
thanks for the prayers. things are looking up. The girls are great and i wouldnt want anyone to think i don't love these girls or are not having a good time with them. the work with them is fun, and I get to see small accomplishments day to day. I just feel, finished here....
xo. Keep the emails coming. i need the encouragement somedays.. ok, ok. most days. haha
I was walking, and not thinking about this whole situation, which believe me, doesn't happen often. and all of a sudden I got this feeling, and it said to me. "It's ok Cassandra. You're decision is ok. It's ok. Leaving may help you serve these girls better, you're not as miserable. It's ok. It's ok."
WOW. Yes, it's small. but i felt so comforted. I had a lot of turmoil in my body, and mind due to all of this. I didnt' want ot leave if i wasn't supposed to. but, i had made the choice and i feel good about it. I really do. I am not failing. I am choosing a different route, a vacation for my heart if you will. I just need to have a few moments away from this..and that's ok. it takes a big person to walk away sometimes. and, maybe i am a small person walking away.
thanks for the prayers. things are looking up. The girls are great and i wouldnt want anyone to think i don't love these girls or are not having a good time with them. the work with them is fun, and I get to see small accomplishments day to day. I just feel, finished here....
xo. Keep the emails coming. i need the encouragement somedays.. ok, ok. most days. haha
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
politics
So, i haven't updated in a while and there is a reason why..
there have been some weird issues at the home and i've been feeling, lost, confused, lonely and quite hurt. I am hoping this will be sorted out soon, today actually.. but let me tell you the story. of course this is biased cuz i am writing it. so remember there is another side.
So, i was invited to ooty from a trustee named paul. I was going to bangalore on the weekend so i said i couldn't leave that long. but then i decided, hey, i'll only get this opportunity once, so i should go to ooty, not go to bangalore and then leave the home june 10th to work at a baby home that i fell in love with the one day i was there. it seemed like the best of all worlds. Sam, teh guy that runs the place here, was ok with it.. but i called ron, the guy who owns the school and holy heck.. he was not ok with it.
To make a long story short he told me if i go to ooty i should pack my bags and not come back. aaaahk. that is not what i want at all, why all this trouble and drama over permission to leave on an invite? so i told him i wouldn't go to ooty. he said i was selfish and should re evaluate some of my faith and what not. I told him i was very hurt and felt very judged. I will be leaving on june 10th to Chennai to work in a baby home. If he choses to help me at the train station like orginally planned that is up to him. I don't know if he is or not.... but. ya. So.. i wasn't expecting this at all. It's weird though, cuz the guy who runs the place here didn't mind me going either.
So obviously there were some problems. All the other volunteers left and i was getting all the flack. Sam and i sat down, talked it out and i told him i needed a schedule. I need to know what i am doing when, and when is my free time. A lot of the day the kids just wander around with the little supplies they have.. we've used all the craft stuff! i just don't know what to do with them. and the english barrier doesn't help.
i am trying not to complain, it is just so weird ot me. i don't want to leave on a sour note, because i love the girls and the staff here. i really have been doing my best.. unless i am sick, and it was all a misunderstanding and miscommunication. i dunno.. man. today, i want to come home a bit.
please pray for this sticky situation. i know it's a time of high stress for Ron so I don't want to make it worse, but me leaving 9 days early apparently has. I just can't stay here, especially not with all this. June 10th i head to chennai. june 21st I come home!
love you all.
sorry to sound like such a downer.
there have been some weird issues at the home and i've been feeling, lost, confused, lonely and quite hurt. I am hoping this will be sorted out soon, today actually.. but let me tell you the story. of course this is biased cuz i am writing it. so remember there is another side.
So, i was invited to ooty from a trustee named paul. I was going to bangalore on the weekend so i said i couldn't leave that long. but then i decided, hey, i'll only get this opportunity once, so i should go to ooty, not go to bangalore and then leave the home june 10th to work at a baby home that i fell in love with the one day i was there. it seemed like the best of all worlds. Sam, teh guy that runs the place here, was ok with it.. but i called ron, the guy who owns the school and holy heck.. he was not ok with it.
To make a long story short he told me if i go to ooty i should pack my bags and not come back. aaaahk. that is not what i want at all, why all this trouble and drama over permission to leave on an invite? so i told him i wouldn't go to ooty. he said i was selfish and should re evaluate some of my faith and what not. I told him i was very hurt and felt very judged. I will be leaving on june 10th to Chennai to work in a baby home. If he choses to help me at the train station like orginally planned that is up to him. I don't know if he is or not.... but. ya. So.. i wasn't expecting this at all. It's weird though, cuz the guy who runs the place here didn't mind me going either.
So obviously there were some problems. All the other volunteers left and i was getting all the flack. Sam and i sat down, talked it out and i told him i needed a schedule. I need to know what i am doing when, and when is my free time. A lot of the day the kids just wander around with the little supplies they have.. we've used all the craft stuff! i just don't know what to do with them. and the english barrier doesn't help.
i am trying not to complain, it is just so weird ot me. i don't want to leave on a sour note, because i love the girls and the staff here. i really have been doing my best.. unless i am sick, and it was all a misunderstanding and miscommunication. i dunno.. man. today, i want to come home a bit.
please pray for this sticky situation. i know it's a time of high stress for Ron so I don't want to make it worse, but me leaving 9 days early apparently has. I just can't stay here, especially not with all this. June 10th i head to chennai. june 21st I come home!
love you all.
sorry to sound like such a downer.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
dorm and rainy dayz
Jody left yesterday from Kollegal. I am now with a new girl, kerstin from germany in none other than dorm 4. yep, i am living with the girls. and our first night was.. surprisingly well...
Kerstin is having a very hard time here at kollegal. she just came from ooty and it is quite a change from there. it is hot, it is less organized and there is no westerners here. she actually hates it here, hates the food, and is crying a lot. so that makes it a little hard on me, when jody has just left and all. i assume i will be alone within two weeks...if not, i'll be surprised. but, it helps me too because i am the optimistic one and i have been playing with the girls. it's very good. i will kinda do my own thing, help her as i can, and .... um, live the dream? yes. yes. live the dream.
Last night our dorm was a lot of fun. i stayed with the girls for a bit before they went to bed. we all talked and laughed. i sat with the girls in the dorm, and we laughed a lot. i didn't understand all of it, but what i did, was a good time. the older girls try to explain a lot to me.. i just hope they aren't pulling my leg. but really, i would never know.
it rained yesterday, PRAISE GOD! and it was a little chilly. I even whipped out my sweater i bought in mysore. the rain matched my attitude, but in it's own sense brought me bliss. yes, i had a teary day but rain refreshes and allows growth. and baby, am i growing. i called my mom and we had a very nice chat. i miss home, but i know i am not done here yet. i still have a lot to give, and a lot to learn/gain.
Almost all of the girls are here now, a few aren't coming back which is a real disappointment. there are a few that should be here, so they can get into college. but, their parents don't want them returning. ouch. things are pretty crazy here because school starts. i have no idea what is hapening most of the time. they have their uniforms, and this and that. so, i do a lot of watching and then try to help. it's weird. i am waiting for things to be organized..
yep, that's my life. i love hearing from you all so keep those emails a coming.
the only "funny" thing that has happened lately are the monkeys here. they are crazy. along with the birds. i really hope i don't get pooped on. and believe me, there are some close calls sometimes.
xo
Kerstin is having a very hard time here at kollegal. she just came from ooty and it is quite a change from there. it is hot, it is less organized and there is no westerners here. she actually hates it here, hates the food, and is crying a lot. so that makes it a little hard on me, when jody has just left and all. i assume i will be alone within two weeks...if not, i'll be surprised. but, it helps me too because i am the optimistic one and i have been playing with the girls. it's very good. i will kinda do my own thing, help her as i can, and .... um, live the dream? yes. yes. live the dream.
Last night our dorm was a lot of fun. i stayed with the girls for a bit before they went to bed. we all talked and laughed. i sat with the girls in the dorm, and we laughed a lot. i didn't understand all of it, but what i did, was a good time. the older girls try to explain a lot to me.. i just hope they aren't pulling my leg. but really, i would never know.
it rained yesterday, PRAISE GOD! and it was a little chilly. I even whipped out my sweater i bought in mysore. the rain matched my attitude, but in it's own sense brought me bliss. yes, i had a teary day but rain refreshes and allows growth. and baby, am i growing. i called my mom and we had a very nice chat. i miss home, but i know i am not done here yet. i still have a lot to give, and a lot to learn/gain.
Almost all of the girls are here now, a few aren't coming back which is a real disappointment. there are a few that should be here, so they can get into college. but, their parents don't want them returning. ouch. things are pretty crazy here because school starts. i have no idea what is hapening most of the time. they have their uniforms, and this and that. so, i do a lot of watching and then try to help. it's weird. i am waiting for things to be organized..
yep, that's my life. i love hearing from you all so keep those emails a coming.
the only "funny" thing that has happened lately are the monkeys here. they are crazy. along with the birds. i really hope i don't get pooped on. and believe me, there are some close calls sometimes.
xo
Thursday, May 15, 2008
a countdown type day
Kollegal girls home, day 18, 36 days until I come home.
Yep, today is a count down type of day.
The past week I have had a brutal sleeping schedule, not due to my duties, but my body. I can't fall asleep, and I wake up early. I can't nap, and if I do my mind is racing and my sleep is quite restless. I get up, and clean and do productive things around our room, I know i need rest, but i just can't seem to get it. Like last night for instance I had MAYBE four hours of sleep. I also got hit with a small dosage of sunstroke.The reason my low energy concerns me is then during that it prevents me from giving all my energy to the girls. My creativity is low, and frankly I am getting pretty bummed out about Jody leaving in 4-5 days. I know this is just probably how i am feeling today, low on sleep and energy, and once she leaves everything will be fine. (although i will be very sad!!)Classes will start and i'll be organized and yay. That will be good. And i just found out I will be dorming with the girls because they are low on dorm mothers. I will be moving to a less luxurious room, and a new volunteer from germany will be coming along with me. She arrives on the 19th. I would like your prayers right here. I will need a lot of energy, wisdom, creativity and patience. Probably the P-one is the biggest one. patience. I love my alone time, even when I am at home, and I see myself getting very little in the next month and a half. I am trusting that God will teach me, stretch me and use me. I am trusting that this is His will. I also think this could be really fun, and a great way for me to get closer to the girls, it will just be very different. Very, very different.
Some great news and an answered prayer! I got a new summer job. I will be the female program director at Roseau River Bible Camp. I will be at camp all summer, home on weekends. I am reallllly looking forward to this! The crazy thing is that I will arrive home from india on the 21st of June, and be leaving for camp on the 23rd. I'll be back for a day on the 25th (for LCI grad!) and then back at camp the next day. Then CSSM training, and then RRBC staff training. WOO. Busy bee, i think so. I'll also be making a very little amount of money so pray that God will provide for me, whether that means in finance or living without it. I know he will, but it is nice to know people are praying for me. I know it has helped while I am here for sure! thank you, thank you!
So now to the girls home update. The girls have been learning a few lessons. Jody and I have been teaching them the art of asking questions without whining and asking to use other peoples things. This is a very upsetting thing for some of the younger girls but the progress is entertaining and going well. Sometimes I feel like I went from being 18 with no kids, to being 18 with 12 girls! It's fun though, and when it is trying Jody and I usually have a biscuit and a good laugh.. maybe a cup of coffee too. haha. No, No. I am just kidding.
We've been holding a daily clue for the girls where they have a task to perform. For example, "Write someone in KGH a thank you card." or "Read a book to Jody or Cassandra and do 20 jumping jacks." At the end of the week if they perform all the tasks they get a party with a prize. (Don't tell them but it's ice cream sundaes!) So far, so good.
Today we started working on performing a skit for the prize night. We are performing the story of Jonah and the Big Fish. The first practice was a bit of a gong show. The girls were running all over the place and just so excited. Then some guests came in and they closed up completely. So, trial number two is tomorrow, I think it will turn out really good though because they seem enthusiastic.
The last few days we finished painting the dorm (second coat), i painted a postal box, we finished weaving the beds, made crafts and did all the normal day to day stuff. We have to paint the kitchen yet and that will be our last project before Jody leaves. Otherwise I have been meeting some of the new girls that are back from holidays. The rest come by the 18th. (There are 58 dorming in total. <12> ) I wish I had an exciting story for you but the only stories I have from the past few days are only funny to me and Jody. Sorry.
Thanks again, and please keep on emailing!
Yep, today is a count down type of day.
The past week I have had a brutal sleeping schedule, not due to my duties, but my body. I can't fall asleep, and I wake up early. I can't nap, and if I do my mind is racing and my sleep is quite restless. I get up, and clean and do productive things around our room, I know i need rest, but i just can't seem to get it. Like last night for instance I had MAYBE four hours of sleep. I also got hit with a small dosage of sunstroke.The reason my low energy concerns me is then during that it prevents me from giving all my energy to the girls. My creativity is low, and frankly I am getting pretty bummed out about Jody leaving in 4-5 days. I know this is just probably how i am feeling today, low on sleep and energy, and once she leaves everything will be fine. (although i will be very sad!!)Classes will start and i'll be organized and yay. That will be good. And i just found out I will be dorming with the girls because they are low on dorm mothers. I will be moving to a less luxurious room, and a new volunteer from germany will be coming along with me. She arrives on the 19th. I would like your prayers right here. I will need a lot of energy, wisdom, creativity and patience. Probably the P-one is the biggest one. patience. I love my alone time, even when I am at home, and I see myself getting very little in the next month and a half. I am trusting that God will teach me, stretch me and use me. I am trusting that this is His will. I also think this could be really fun, and a great way for me to get closer to the girls, it will just be very different. Very, very different.
Some great news and an answered prayer! I got a new summer job. I will be the female program director at Roseau River Bible Camp. I will be at camp all summer, home on weekends. I am reallllly looking forward to this! The crazy thing is that I will arrive home from india on the 21st of June, and be leaving for camp on the 23rd. I'll be back for a day on the 25th (for LCI grad!) and then back at camp the next day. Then CSSM training, and then RRBC staff training. WOO. Busy bee, i think so. I'll also be making a very little amount of money so pray that God will provide for me, whether that means in finance or living without it. I know he will, but it is nice to know people are praying for me. I know it has helped while I am here for sure! thank you, thank you!
So now to the girls home update. The girls have been learning a few lessons. Jody and I have been teaching them the art of asking questions without whining and asking to use other peoples things. This is a very upsetting thing for some of the younger girls but the progress is entertaining and going well. Sometimes I feel like I went from being 18 with no kids, to being 18 with 12 girls! It's fun though, and when it is trying Jody and I usually have a biscuit and a good laugh.. maybe a cup of coffee too. haha. No, No. I am just kidding.
We've been holding a daily clue for the girls where they have a task to perform. For example, "Write someone in KGH a thank you card." or "Read a book to Jody or Cassandra and do 20 jumping jacks." At the end of the week if they perform all the tasks they get a party with a prize. (Don't tell them but it's ice cream sundaes!) So far, so good.
Today we started working on performing a skit for the prize night. We are performing the story of Jonah and the Big Fish. The first practice was a bit of a gong show. The girls were running all over the place and just so excited. Then some guests came in and they closed up completely. So, trial number two is tomorrow, I think it will turn out really good though because they seem enthusiastic.
The last few days we finished painting the dorm (second coat), i painted a postal box, we finished weaving the beds, made crafts and did all the normal day to day stuff. We have to paint the kitchen yet and that will be our last project before Jody leaves. Otherwise I have been meeting some of the new girls that are back from holidays. The rest come by the 18th. (There are 58 dorming in total. <12> ) I wish I had an exciting story for you but the only stories I have from the past few days are only funny to me and Jody. Sorry.
Thanks again, and please keep on emailing!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Weekend Trip to Mysore
Jody and I decided to take a 2.5 hour bus ride to Mysore for the weekend. The girls were sad to see us go, but Mysore had some pretty neat stuff that us tourists wanted to see...
Friday- We left the home after weaving another bed for the girls. Patma took us to the bus stand because she was going home due to the election in India right now. Don't ask me anything about this election because I am just as clueless as you are, or maybe even more so. The bus was a standard bus. I sat with this old, indian woman who thought my black painted nails were the definition of hilarity. After about 2 stops the bus was packed full. And i have seen packed buses, but this one was PACKED. i had crotch in my face, a mans gut on my shoulder, the woman beside me kept pushing the men's bums to give us some room. Also the lady behind me kept touching my hair. It was just weird. But, India is the country of random so such is life. We arrived in mysore and tried to sign into our hotel. Jody and i both left our passports in kollegal (yes, we realize now that this is very stupid) so we couldn't check in anywhere. We were on our way to find the internet to get some phone numbers and see if we could print off a copy of jody's passport when we met our mini savior parootie. He took us to the internet, found us a hotel room and took us around the town for a little tour. all for free. we offered to buy him super but he said all he wanted was a bottle of coca cola. easy enough. Jody and I headed out for some veg. tali (a veg/rice plate) at hotel RRR. This tali came with 14 sauces! can you imagine!! FOURTEEN sauces! who would ever need FOURTEEN SAUCES!?! And unlimited rice. wow. i ate well, and all for 47 rbs. ($1.25 about) WOW. This restaurant didn't serve chai.. what kind of place in india doesn't serve chai? So we headed down the main strip to find some tea. On the way jody was distracted by some glasses. so we stopped and ended up each buying a pair. i made mine prescription! they are so 80's! SO FUNNY. i just love them. these are the kind of impulse buys you wonder about later. but, right now i am in love with them.
Saturday- Our adventure started at 8am on the streets of mysore. We headed to the market. Jody bought some gifts for her cousin, and some make up. I bought my bindi dots and some bangles. This man came up to me and said, "you smell good, I want you." Times like these i want to be around canadian men. Another young man lured us into his oil shop and we probably spent a good hour there, testing oils, and they even brought us tea! we ended up buying some then searching the rest of the markets. I bought some hair dye and jody dyed my hair. It wasn't dark enough to cover all the blond so my hair is a little grey right now. so funny. we are doing dye number two today. it is fine and all, but i would rather give it another go. For the evening we took a 2 hour bus ride to see the ever famous mysore, musical fountains. Basically it is a fair type feel where people sell food and what not. then you pay to go watch this fountain and lights dance to music. All this Indian music was playing and then out of no where BOOM BOOM from Venga boys comes on.. WHAT?! of all the american songs in the world they pick this one? haha. SO FUNNY. We walked around the gardens, took some "peace, love" pics, due to our glasses and indian sweaters. It was a really fun evening. I tried some Gobi Manchuri (which is deep fried cauliflower) It was spicy and very interesting. Good, I liked it. The bus home we were standing. I was standing behind this man who insisted on "letting them rip" for a good half hour. GOOD. GOOD. As if sweaty bus BO wasn't enough. We ended our evening with some reading and chatting.
Sunday(today!)- We woke up and went to our favorite cafe here. It's only our favorite because we know it serves tea, and it's close the hotel.. they are probably sick of seeing us there actually. We both ate idly and had some chai. Then off to the palace! For foreigners it costs 100rbs, and for natives... 20rbs! AS IF THEY CAN DO THIS TO US! imagine trying to pull this off in canada? you are kidding me! Inside the view was beautiful. We walked around outside the palace and enjoyed the architecture. we were amazed by this beautiful golden door and decided to take some pictures near it. All of a sudden we hear this HUGE bang and a sizzle. The temple lights went on and one of the light bulbs realllllllllly close to us exploded! AAAAH! (there were no injuries during the making of this photo) The whole trip i have been looking for an elephant ride so we are leisurely turning a corner and guess what we see? Camels! I was taking some pictures and then we kept walking.. and we see an... ELEPHANT! the man asked us if we wanted rides! I had really given up on this adventure about 2 weeks ago! So we got charged 100rbs (instead of the native 50rbs) and took a 5 minute ride. THEN we had a 10rbs camel ride! it was really fun. The men took pics of us, and boy did they take pics. Of course they wanted a tip, but we didn't have any change. Then we entered the palace. The art work was really elaborate and the arches very interesting. no photos allowed though. They had the most beautiful statue lights I have ever seen. I can't imagine living in such luxury! (and sometimes such gaudiness) Now we are just at the cafe, killing sometime before our bus leaves. We'll probably do dye number two today so i will no longer feel like a mini granny. tee hee.
* I've also tried some new treats (indian sweets are very gross actually) and some dried dates this weekend. yum. i love indian food!
That's my life as of now. Keep the emails coming. God bless.
Friday- We left the home after weaving another bed for the girls. Patma took us to the bus stand because she was going home due to the election in India right now. Don't ask me anything about this election because I am just as clueless as you are, or maybe even more so. The bus was a standard bus. I sat with this old, indian woman who thought my black painted nails were the definition of hilarity. After about 2 stops the bus was packed full. And i have seen packed buses, but this one was PACKED. i had crotch in my face, a mans gut on my shoulder, the woman beside me kept pushing the men's bums to give us some room. Also the lady behind me kept touching my hair. It was just weird. But, India is the country of random so such is life. We arrived in mysore and tried to sign into our hotel. Jody and i both left our passports in kollegal (yes, we realize now that this is very stupid) so we couldn't check in anywhere. We were on our way to find the internet to get some phone numbers and see if we could print off a copy of jody's passport when we met our mini savior parootie. He took us to the internet, found us a hotel room and took us around the town for a little tour. all for free. we offered to buy him super but he said all he wanted was a bottle of coca cola. easy enough. Jody and I headed out for some veg. tali (a veg/rice plate) at hotel RRR. This tali came with 14 sauces! can you imagine!! FOURTEEN sauces! who would ever need FOURTEEN SAUCES!?! And unlimited rice. wow. i ate well, and all for 47 rbs. ($1.25 about) WOW. This restaurant didn't serve chai.. what kind of place in india doesn't serve chai? So we headed down the main strip to find some tea. On the way jody was distracted by some glasses. so we stopped and ended up each buying a pair. i made mine prescription! they are so 80's! SO FUNNY. i just love them. these are the kind of impulse buys you wonder about later. but, right now i am in love with them.
Saturday- Our adventure started at 8am on the streets of mysore. We headed to the market. Jody bought some gifts for her cousin, and some make up. I bought my bindi dots and some bangles. This man came up to me and said, "you smell good, I want you." Times like these i want to be around canadian men. Another young man lured us into his oil shop and we probably spent a good hour there, testing oils, and they even brought us tea! we ended up buying some then searching the rest of the markets. I bought some hair dye and jody dyed my hair. It wasn't dark enough to cover all the blond so my hair is a little grey right now. so funny. we are doing dye number two today. it is fine and all, but i would rather give it another go. For the evening we took a 2 hour bus ride to see the ever famous mysore, musical fountains. Basically it is a fair type feel where people sell food and what not. then you pay to go watch this fountain and lights dance to music. All this Indian music was playing and then out of no where BOOM BOOM from Venga boys comes on.. WHAT?! of all the american songs in the world they pick this one? haha. SO FUNNY. We walked around the gardens, took some "peace, love" pics, due to our glasses and indian sweaters. It was a really fun evening. I tried some Gobi Manchuri (which is deep fried cauliflower) It was spicy and very interesting. Good, I liked it. The bus home we were standing. I was standing behind this man who insisted on "letting them rip" for a good half hour. GOOD. GOOD. As if sweaty bus BO wasn't enough. We ended our evening with some reading and chatting.
Sunday(today!)- We woke up and went to our favorite cafe here. It's only our favorite because we know it serves tea, and it's close the hotel.. they are probably sick of seeing us there actually. We both ate idly and had some chai. Then off to the palace! For foreigners it costs 100rbs, and for natives... 20rbs! AS IF THEY CAN DO THIS TO US! imagine trying to pull this off in canada? you are kidding me! Inside the view was beautiful. We walked around outside the palace and enjoyed the architecture. we were amazed by this beautiful golden door and decided to take some pictures near it. All of a sudden we hear this HUGE bang and a sizzle. The temple lights went on and one of the light bulbs realllllllllly close to us exploded! AAAAH! (there were no injuries during the making of this photo) The whole trip i have been looking for an elephant ride so we are leisurely turning a corner and guess what we see? Camels! I was taking some pictures and then we kept walking.. and we see an... ELEPHANT! the man asked us if we wanted rides! I had really given up on this adventure about 2 weeks ago! So we got charged 100rbs (instead of the native 50rbs) and took a 5 minute ride. THEN we had a 10rbs camel ride! it was really fun. The men took pics of us, and boy did they take pics. Of course they wanted a tip, but we didn't have any change. Then we entered the palace. The art work was really elaborate and the arches very interesting. no photos allowed though. They had the most beautiful statue lights I have ever seen. I can't imagine living in such luxury! (and sometimes such gaudiness) Now we are just at the cafe, killing sometime before our bus leaves. We'll probably do dye number two today so i will no longer feel like a mini granny. tee hee.
* I've also tried some new treats (indian sweets are very gross actually) and some dried dates this weekend. yum. i love indian food!
That's my life as of now. Keep the emails coming. God bless.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
a well needed update
The past few days have been pretty fun here at the home. So, i'll give you a short overview with some highlights!
I don't really remember the days we did this, heck, i don't even really know what today is... thursday? let me check my computer. Nope. It's wednesday. Just goes to prove my above point.
ANNNYYYWAYS....
Monday(i think) we painted at 6am due to the heat. We did a good chunk and then stopped for the day. The girls wanted to do crafts again, so we did. they are just loving the craft time. We watched a mary-kate and ashley video--boo ya. volcanoes! In the evening Jody and i organized a beauty night. we straightened most of the girls hair.. and believe me some of them have reeeally curly hair. I did the girls make-up. The younger girls were so excited! We painted nails and were just girlie. we took tons of photos and even danced a little. Patma taught me some sweet moves. She totally schooled me in the dancing department, but was kind and told me i did good. it was realllllly fun though. all the girls were laughing. i showed her a few of my moves as well. haha. we have a short video. ha. it was just a great night. especially after such a bitter day the previous day.
Tuesday- Jody and i finished painting coat number one of the dorm! boo ya!! We took a few girls to the market in the afternoon. we bought some needed fruits and veggies and more cookies for me. yay! the evening we learnt to play an indian game. it was really fun. i was horrible, but that is not the point! haha.
wednesday (today)- Jody and i made the girls exercise plan for the school year. as well planned some activities for next week. we are holding a treasure hunt all week. at the end we are having a sundae party! it will also be jody's last weekend here :( so, ya. i am sad about that.
the big news of the day.. (drum roll please)
I MADE MY FIRST CHAPATI! jody and i found some peanut butter so i wanted to put it on chipati. we havent had ti the last few meals so we decided to make some. it was probably teh most sketch thing but it turned out reaalllly good. we made the dough and then, since they dont ahve pans here really cooked them over an open flamed gas stove. haha. we were screaming a bit and just having a wild time. after, i put cookie crumbs on it too.. yum.
this evening it rained really hardcore. it was actually so nice. yay cool air. there is still some evening ahead.. you never know what will happen!
thanks for the prayers.
I don't really remember the days we did this, heck, i don't even really know what today is... thursday? let me check my computer. Nope. It's wednesday. Just goes to prove my above point.
ANNNYYYWAYS....
Monday(i think) we painted at 6am due to the heat. We did a good chunk and then stopped for the day. The girls wanted to do crafts again, so we did. they are just loving the craft time. We watched a mary-kate and ashley video--boo ya. volcanoes! In the evening Jody and i organized a beauty night. we straightened most of the girls hair.. and believe me some of them have reeeally curly hair. I did the girls make-up. The younger girls were so excited! We painted nails and were just girlie. we took tons of photos and even danced a little. Patma taught me some sweet moves. She totally schooled me in the dancing department, but was kind and told me i did good. it was realllllly fun though. all the girls were laughing. i showed her a few of my moves as well. haha. we have a short video. ha. it was just a great night. especially after such a bitter day the previous day.
Tuesday- Jody and i finished painting coat number one of the dorm! boo ya!! We took a few girls to the market in the afternoon. we bought some needed fruits and veggies and more cookies for me. yay! the evening we learnt to play an indian game. it was really fun. i was horrible, but that is not the point! haha.
wednesday (today)- Jody and i made the girls exercise plan for the school year. as well planned some activities for next week. we are holding a treasure hunt all week. at the end we are having a sundae party! it will also be jody's last weekend here :( so, ya. i am sad about that.
the big news of the day.. (drum roll please)
I MADE MY FIRST CHAPATI! jody and i found some peanut butter so i wanted to put it on chipati. we havent had ti the last few meals so we decided to make some. it was probably teh most sketch thing but it turned out reaalllly good. we made the dough and then, since they dont ahve pans here really cooked them over an open flamed gas stove. haha. we were screaming a bit and just having a wild time. after, i put cookie crumbs on it too.. yum.
this evening it rained really hardcore. it was actually so nice. yay cool air. there is still some evening ahead.. you never know what will happen!
thanks for the prayers.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
emotional smotional
this morning Jody and I skipped church because 9/10 times it isn't in english. and guess what? today it was.. oh well. we made ourselves some porridge and drank coffee. it is weird but the simple joy of cooking something yourself after always getting served is great. everyone came home and jody and i pulled out the craft supplies. Navya and Sangheta love crafts!!! We made picture books, more envelopes, colored and just let our creative juices flow. We've had some issues with the sharing aspects but it is mostly really good. sangheta gets really pouty when there is no pictures to cut out, and getting her out of that phunk can be a bit hard.. but it's ok.
i have been a bit emotional today. one girl in particular has been really aggressive and rude toward jody and i. we just really want to give them a schedule they will enjoy and she just always seems unsatisfied. as well, they don't really see our place of authority. they call us "sisters" and the people they really show obedience to uncle/aunt. which is fine, we are like sisters. but we are planning and here for them. i just hope that they can show us respect. plus with the language barrier it makes this far more difficult relationally. we have fun with the girls, but to get deep is very hard. the older girls have just been wonderful and very encouraging. so days like this, i am super thankful for them. i know it will probably just be a day or two, so i'll keep pressing on. hha. it really is no big deal. just a little emotional today...(tends to happen when you travel)
to finish the night we went to town with patma, an older girl, to get some study notes. all the girls got their exam marks and 6/80 failed. this is not good. last year 100% passed. on the marks it shows that math is the huge weak point, so that will be something we will be working on. but 4/5 dorm girls passed, and one even made it in the high class of marks! woo.
thanks for the prayers. personally you can pray that i find a job this summer. i know God will provide so just that i have patience in what that job may be. for the home you can pray that the girls will show respect and open up to us. most days are great, but just that we could understand why some days are so bitter. (and i erally don't want to make it sound like it is horrible, it was just a touchy day) as well pray for the girls who went home on holidays that they would be safe and have a great time with their families. i don't know the single situations of the homes...
yep. thanks again.
God bless.
i have been a bit emotional today. one girl in particular has been really aggressive and rude toward jody and i. we just really want to give them a schedule they will enjoy and she just always seems unsatisfied. as well, they don't really see our place of authority. they call us "sisters" and the people they really show obedience to uncle/aunt. which is fine, we are like sisters. but we are planning and here for them. i just hope that they can show us respect. plus with the language barrier it makes this far more difficult relationally. we have fun with the girls, but to get deep is very hard. the older girls have just been wonderful and very encouraging. so days like this, i am super thankful for them. i know it will probably just be a day or two, so i'll keep pressing on. hha. it really is no big deal. just a little emotional today...(tends to happen when you travel)
to finish the night we went to town with patma, an older girl, to get some study notes. all the girls got their exam marks and 6/80 failed. this is not good. last year 100% passed. on the marks it shows that math is the huge weak point, so that will be something we will be working on. but 4/5 dorm girls passed, and one even made it in the high class of marks! woo.
thanks for the prayers. personally you can pray that i find a job this summer. i know God will provide so just that i have patience in what that job may be. for the home you can pray that the girls will show respect and open up to us. most days are great, but just that we could understand why some days are so bitter. (and i erally don't want to make it sound like it is horrible, it was just a touchy day) as well pray for the girls who went home on holidays that they would be safe and have a great time with their families. i don't know the single situations of the homes...
yep. thanks again.
God bless.
Friday, May 2, 2008
scorpion in my shower, OH MY!
The past two days at the home again have been wonderful. These posts will probably all sound very much the same because our plans don't change much from day to day. But for my keen readers I'll keep a postin'!
Yesterday morning Jody and I took four of the older girls to Kollegal town for a little shopping. We were looking for "push back" pants and I was on the hunt for chocolate. For most travelers they go through a time of sugar withdrawal. You see at home you have easy access to baking--cookies and what not. Here, you have biscuits. On my 3 weeks of travel I have come well acquainted with which biscuits are the best, and actually my favorite came from a man on my train. They are called "Chocolate Nut Good Days" and let me tell you, this cookie has made many of my days "GOOD DAYS." Anyways, the past 4 days I have basically wanted to inject sugar into my veins. Jody went through the same thing earlier in her travels. BUT DANG!! this is just crazy. I have eaten tons of biscuits, added sugar to my coffee, eaten sweet fruit--IT JUST DOESN'T DO IT! I think i am nearing the end. I can stand having just milk and coffee now, but when i get home i will eat a good brownie and a few muffins for sure. and chocolate milk. HOW I MISS CHOCOLATE MILK... ok, ok. sorry i love the food here but i am on a sugar hunt. You're not here, don't judge me. haha
We watched wizard of oz, one of my favorite movies, and asked the girls some more questions. They are really great at discussing the answers and helping each other out. As well, they are all spelling on an average level! yay!
NOW FOR THE BIG STORY YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!!!
Every night I have a shower..yes, it's true. Our bathroom usually has crawly creatures, so i am used to frogs and what not hoping around my toilet as I dump a bucket over my head. (yay bucket showers!) As I am going to my room I see this huge, black blob. We've had some trouble with rat poo but i have never seen anything this intense in my life. it almost looked like the roggie ball we had for supper which has a great similarity to elephant dung. ANYWAYS, I look a little closer and SCREAM! THERE IS A 4.5 INCH SCORPION IN MY SHOWER!!!! Jody had her i-pod on so the indian man in our dorm told her to go check on me. Quickly he comes running in with this bamboo stick and crunches the thing. it just twitched and twitched. I actually had to leave the room because the crunching sound was SO HORRID! the only way i can describe it is like... nails on a chalk board mixed with all your ribs breaking.. SO GROSS. i had a really hard time sleeping, not because of the scorpion, so my night wasn't that great. such is life. too much sugar, I suppose.
Today Jody and I organized all the textbooks. It took about 2 hours to see what kind of books we have and what we can use. The shelf looks so beautiful now, and now the books can actually be used. huzzah! Every third day we are planning a mandatory english workbook hour. They can do math, english, grammer, spelling, science, social studies or cursive. It just has to be an hour of being immersed in English. Today we made decorative envelopes with the younger girls for three hours. One girl made a little picture book. *sigh* I love my job!
We ate supper, which was great again. Rice and an egg daal. Jody and I planned all day to make rice pudding for dessert so we brought back rice and drank coffee. I'm off to shower. I hope no scary creatures join me tonight.
God bless.
Yesterday morning Jody and I took four of the older girls to Kollegal town for a little shopping. We were looking for "push back" pants and I was on the hunt for chocolate. For most travelers they go through a time of sugar withdrawal. You see at home you have easy access to baking--cookies and what not. Here, you have biscuits. On my 3 weeks of travel I have come well acquainted with which biscuits are the best, and actually my favorite came from a man on my train. They are called "Chocolate Nut Good Days" and let me tell you, this cookie has made many of my days "GOOD DAYS." Anyways, the past 4 days I have basically wanted to inject sugar into my veins. Jody went through the same thing earlier in her travels. BUT DANG!! this is just crazy. I have eaten tons of biscuits, added sugar to my coffee, eaten sweet fruit--IT JUST DOESN'T DO IT! I think i am nearing the end. I can stand having just milk and coffee now, but when i get home i will eat a good brownie and a few muffins for sure. and chocolate milk. HOW I MISS CHOCOLATE MILK... ok, ok. sorry i love the food here but i am on a sugar hunt. You're not here, don't judge me. haha
We watched wizard of oz, one of my favorite movies, and asked the girls some more questions. They are really great at discussing the answers and helping each other out. As well, they are all spelling on an average level! yay!
NOW FOR THE BIG STORY YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!!!
Every night I have a shower..yes, it's true. Our bathroom usually has crawly creatures, so i am used to frogs and what not hoping around my toilet as I dump a bucket over my head. (yay bucket showers!) As I am going to my room I see this huge, black blob. We've had some trouble with rat poo but i have never seen anything this intense in my life. it almost looked like the roggie ball we had for supper which has a great similarity to elephant dung. ANYWAYS, I look a little closer and SCREAM! THERE IS A 4.5 INCH SCORPION IN MY SHOWER!!!! Jody had her i-pod on so the indian man in our dorm told her to go check on me. Quickly he comes running in with this bamboo stick and crunches the thing. it just twitched and twitched. I actually had to leave the room because the crunching sound was SO HORRID! the only way i can describe it is like... nails on a chalk board mixed with all your ribs breaking.. SO GROSS. i had a really hard time sleeping, not because of the scorpion, so my night wasn't that great. such is life. too much sugar, I suppose.
Today Jody and I organized all the textbooks. It took about 2 hours to see what kind of books we have and what we can use. The shelf looks so beautiful now, and now the books can actually be used. huzzah! Every third day we are planning a mandatory english workbook hour. They can do math, english, grammer, spelling, science, social studies or cursive. It just has to be an hour of being immersed in English. Today we made decorative envelopes with the younger girls for three hours. One girl made a little picture book. *sigh* I love my job!
We ate supper, which was great again. Rice and an egg daal. Jody and I planned all day to make rice pudding for dessert so we brought back rice and drank coffee. I'm off to shower. I hope no scary creatures join me tonight.
God bless.
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