This weekend, I'm in my dear Hosur once again using this slow computer that has, weekend after weekend, eased my longing for the world wide web. Then, after sending you all my love, the volunteers are going to meet up with all the teachers to enjoy an Indian lunch which will most likely include: chicken, mushy vegetables, some powerfully flavored sauces and some scrumptious Indian bread. By the way, I think that in southern India, the concept of "al dente" vegetables would be incomprehensible. They cook and re-cook and re-boil vegetables till they become so soft that you basically have to scoop it off the plate as if it were Gerber.
In reference to dining I must also mention that I am finally brilliant at eating only with my right hand. You know how western etiquette claims that pushing yourself with the knife is bad manners? I have always thought it was a stupid rule, simply impractical. Well, at least the Indians have a perfectly good and legitimate reason for not using their left hand, if you know what I mean. I have gotten really good at keeping it either under the table or nowadays even resting next to my plate without even moving it slightly before remembering not to use it. It was really awkward at the beginning, when I couldn't help but rip the chapattis (basically an Indian tortilla) with both my hands. The younger children would look at me with a puzzled face and very frankly whisper to my ear: "Miss Blue Jay, put your left hand away", haha, it was really cute but certainly a bit embarrassing.
Another particular habit that at first I had to get used to but now brings me satisfaction is the fact that apart from the rice, I have been eating only with my hand (singular) and barely ever using utensils. Although they do have forks available, Indian food is most often, made to be eaten with your hand. The way the teachers do it is amazing. The way they move their fingers to quickly and neatly assemble bites and then place them at the tip of their mouth without spilling a drop is seriously a mechanism that requires practice. Usually you scoop out the lentil juice and vegetables from a small bowl with whatever type of Indian bread or tortilla you get that day. At first I was a mess at it, I would spill everywhere and would never be able to scoop out the right amount of juice, making my bites entirely disappointing. Now, although I have yet to manage how to do it as gracefully as my fellow Indian teachers, I no longer appear to eat like a blind chicken and food even tastes better when I eat with my hand =).
That's all for now, I'll see you back here soon!
I miss you.
Friday, September 26, 2008
How about the word Narrow?
Hey Everyone!
So there are a few things happening around here. First of all, Shanti-Bhavan was featured in The Times of India. Mrs. Lalita Law, the principle, was interviewed about the school and its current financial crisis. It highlighted the wonderful things this school is doing for these children but also points out that the financial situation is a dire one and proposes possible ways of aiding the organization. Currently the administration is not yet apt to adequately deal with the marketing processes being implemented, since they had never dealt with lack of funds before. But we all trust that the transition from an NGO funded by a single individual to one that will sustain itself through fundraising and sponsorships, will come to pass successfully.
Aside from the daily power cuts, everything is going well at the school. I look forward to waking up each morning to be with my 4th graders. I love something about every single child in that classroom and although they have their flaws and some of them are obnoxiously loud or hyperactive, I feel like I can relate to that side of them ;). Everyone in the school has become a familiar face and I have never felt more appreciated or more welcomed by such a large group of people before; the beauty of it is that, that is simply the nature of this place and everyone here; they embrace anyone who steps into their haven.
Among the volunteers, we are establishing really awesome friendships. Our afternoons, after we all drag ourselves to our building in complete exhaustion, involve sitting in our back porch for hours. As we sit surrounded by large papaya and coconut trees, looking out into the deep green fields of rural India, we sip on black Indian coffee and converse about our day, or the children or life. It's much needed and very pleasurable down time.
A few days ago I substituted for a 9th grade creative writing class while the 4th graders had Hindi. One girl came up to me and asked if she could use the word "anorexic" instead of the word skinny in reference to A ROAD! "Hmmmm, using that word in that context would be incorrect, you see: anorexia is a human disease referred to as an eating disorder in which A PERSON becomes very skinny and unhealthy. Why don't you use the word, narrow instead? ", I answered. "Thanks Blue Jay", she replied and with a pleased smile, she sat back down. WOAH!!! I was so surprised. I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing that she was clueless about the meaning and weight of the word. The truth is that at some point before these kids go out into the real world, out of this healthy and righteous little bubble, they must be prepared to know these kinds of things. Suparna and I have decided to organize seminars on some important issues: Maintaining Healthy Relationships; Life Outside of Shanti-Bhavan and a third that will be held just for girls, Our Bodies: Self- Consciousness and Self-Confidence. We will present them to Mrs. Law in the next few days, who I'm sure will be all for it, and hopefully hold them in the coming weeks. I'll let you know how they go.
Guess what??? Next week we get two days off. Why? Because it's GANDHI'S BIRTHDAY! Yep, a national holiday here in India. We are thrilled! Recommended by my high school English teacher, Mr. Barber, who lived in India for a couple years, five of us volunteers will be taking an overnight train to Hampi. He mentioned that it was one of the most beautiful places in India and according to my Lonely Planet it is indeed a major pit stop on the traveler circuit. Hampi is an abandoned 15th century city north east of Bangalore that is set in a landscape of giant granite boulders, lush paddies and banana plantations. We have planned the entire 4 day trip and in the agenda are: rock climbing, which is something the city is known for, biking through the ruins in the "royal centre" of the city, sleeping in bungalows, taking walks through banana plantations to explore the waterfalls and rock pools that surround parts of the city and off course visiting the famous Virupaksha temple and its pet elephant Lakshmi...I hope the experience is just as great as it sounds. I'll tell you all about it when I get back.
So there are a few things happening around here. First of all, Shanti-Bhavan was featured in The Times of India. Mrs. Lalita Law, the principle, was interviewed about the school and its current financial crisis. It highlighted the wonderful things this school is doing for these children but also points out that the financial situation is a dire one and proposes possible ways of aiding the organization. Currently the administration is not yet apt to adequately deal with the marketing processes being implemented, since they had never dealt with lack of funds before. But we all trust that the transition from an NGO funded by a single individual to one that will sustain itself through fundraising and sponsorships, will come to pass successfully.
Aside from the daily power cuts, everything is going well at the school. I look forward to waking up each morning to be with my 4th graders. I love something about every single child in that classroom and although they have their flaws and some of them are obnoxiously loud or hyperactive, I feel like I can relate to that side of them ;). Everyone in the school has become a familiar face and I have never felt more appreciated or more welcomed by such a large group of people before; the beauty of it is that, that is simply the nature of this place and everyone here; they embrace anyone who steps into their haven.
Among the volunteers, we are establishing really awesome friendships. Our afternoons, after we all drag ourselves to our building in complete exhaustion, involve sitting in our back porch for hours. As we sit surrounded by large papaya and coconut trees, looking out into the deep green fields of rural India, we sip on black Indian coffee and converse about our day, or the children or life. It's much needed and very pleasurable down time.
A few days ago I substituted for a 9th grade creative writing class while the 4th graders had Hindi. One girl came up to me and asked if she could use the word "anorexic" instead of the word skinny in reference to A ROAD! "Hmmmm, using that word in that context would be incorrect, you see: anorexia is a human disease referred to as an eating disorder in which A PERSON becomes very skinny and unhealthy. Why don't you use the word, narrow instead? ", I answered. "Thanks Blue Jay", she replied and with a pleased smile, she sat back down. WOAH!!! I was so surprised. I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing that she was clueless about the meaning and weight of the word. The truth is that at some point before these kids go out into the real world, out of this healthy and righteous little bubble, they must be prepared to know these kinds of things. Suparna and I have decided to organize seminars on some important issues: Maintaining Healthy Relationships; Life Outside of Shanti-Bhavan and a third that will be held just for girls, Our Bodies: Self- Consciousness and Self-Confidence. We will present them to Mrs. Law in the next few days, who I'm sure will be all for it, and hopefully hold them in the coming weeks. I'll let you know how they go.
Guess what??? Next week we get two days off. Why? Because it's GANDHI'S BIRTHDAY! Yep, a national holiday here in India. We are thrilled! Recommended by my high school English teacher, Mr. Barber, who lived in India for a couple years, five of us volunteers will be taking an overnight train to Hampi. He mentioned that it was one of the most beautiful places in India and according to my Lonely Planet it is indeed a major pit stop on the traveler circuit. Hampi is an abandoned 15th century city north east of Bangalore that is set in a landscape of giant granite boulders, lush paddies and banana plantations. We have planned the entire 4 day trip and in the agenda are: rock climbing, which is something the city is known for, biking through the ruins in the "royal centre" of the city, sleeping in bungalows, taking walks through banana plantations to explore the waterfalls and rock pools that surround parts of the city and off course visiting the famous Virupaksha temple and its pet elephant Lakshmi...I hope the experience is just as great as it sounds. I'll tell you all about it when I get back.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Baba and Amma
This week, the children had to write letters to their parents inviting them to attend parent-teacher day coming up on October 12th. I had to correct their letters and address each one. Reading those words was heartrending but they certainly put life in perspective. Most went something along these lines:
"Hello, Baba and Amma. I miss you...I hope you are doing well. I am writing to you, to invite you to come visit me. I have not heard from you but I hope that the family is healthy. I hope you are not feeling cold at night... I know you might not understand this letter but...I love you."
It baffles me to think that these children are learning so many things in school, the 11th graders even preparing for their board exams to attend university. Meanwhile their parents, those of them who are still around, don't even know how to read. (I asked them how their parents would understand the letter they were sending, and they explained that they go to someone in the village that can read and that knows English, no matter how far they have to walk). I often see myself in my parents; there are so many things about them that I admire, that I love and that I strive to live up to. It's crazy to think that these kids are now so disconnected from their parents in every sense of the word...even the 10-year old 4th graders. And although they have found a family here at Shanti-Bhavan and this place has become their second home, there is still nothing like the guidance and love of your own parents and the warmth you feel when you stand next to the two people that love you the most in the entire world. Indeed, this school has done something amazing for them; it has not only provided them with an exemplary education but it has given them a sense of self-worth: "You are not untouchable..." They have been blessed with opportunity; yet their story is still a sad one.
These children have shared their experiences with me, and although they are probably some of the most horrifying or heartbreaking accounts I've ever heard, they do it in a way that the last sentence always makes one smile, and then with very humble and honest gratitude they hug me and say "thank you for listening". I have always been known to be optimistic and hopeful; I like to think I am. But these days, I have experienced a different and deeper type of "looking up"...regardless of how tough their lives have been, they embrace the fact that the chance they got is a great one and that they must strive to be the best they can be everyday, trying to leave their traumas behind. Their stories should be told...is it not these stories that make us realize how fortunate we really are? Yes the world is the way it is, there are the fortunate, the less fortunate and the many people in between...these facts and this place have made me further question what I can do with my predestined privileges, and although I think it is "a lifelong question", I'm grateful to be here right now, it makes sense to me. Life here has become routine, a really nice one. The weeks are flying by and I wish they wouldn't; I can't believe I've already been here for almost 2 months. As I teach something new everyday, I am also learning more about life and myself than I ever have before. I guess it takes children sometimes to help see human virtues at their essence. And seeing this country and getting to know this rich culture has certainly widened my world perspective.
Outside of the classroom, the "guest house building" is an experience of its own. The dynamics change completely every time there is a new volunteer. It started with all girls, and at one point one poor high-school boy who I think we drove half insane with our "girl talks". Now there are four ladies and two guys. Derek, one of the guys, volunteered here a couple years ago before he went to grad school and has now returned knowing all the strings. He is a great person. With him as the mastermind we are putting together some proposals to fund raise for the school. We will send the proposals to non-profits and grant donors all over the United States and India. He is an engineer that did his graduate research on water resources in Africa. Suparna worked in publishing for four years, Anitha (another volunteer) worked in PR for Ralph Lauren before she came here, and Neil, the other guy, is a web designer who is very talented; so all together they are an amazing group and through them I have been learning very much. I'm happy to have encountered all these amazing people who are young yet experienced, super nice and who at the same time, share my passion for helping these remarkable children.
"Hello, Baba and Amma. I miss you...I hope you are doing well. I am writing to you, to invite you to come visit me. I have not heard from you but I hope that the family is healthy. I hope you are not feeling cold at night... I know you might not understand this letter but...I love you."
It baffles me to think that these children are learning so many things in school, the 11th graders even preparing for their board exams to attend university. Meanwhile their parents, those of them who are still around, don't even know how to read. (I asked them how their parents would understand the letter they were sending, and they explained that they go to someone in the village that can read and that knows English, no matter how far they have to walk). I often see myself in my parents; there are so many things about them that I admire, that I love and that I strive to live up to. It's crazy to think that these kids are now so disconnected from their parents in every sense of the word...even the 10-year old 4th graders. And although they have found a family here at Shanti-Bhavan and this place has become their second home, there is still nothing like the guidance and love of your own parents and the warmth you feel when you stand next to the two people that love you the most in the entire world. Indeed, this school has done something amazing for them; it has not only provided them with an exemplary education but it has given them a sense of self-worth: "You are not untouchable..." They have been blessed with opportunity; yet their story is still a sad one.
These children have shared their experiences with me, and although they are probably some of the most horrifying or heartbreaking accounts I've ever heard, they do it in a way that the last sentence always makes one smile, and then with very humble and honest gratitude they hug me and say "thank you for listening". I have always been known to be optimistic and hopeful; I like to think I am. But these days, I have experienced a different and deeper type of "looking up"...regardless of how tough their lives have been, they embrace the fact that the chance they got is a great one and that they must strive to be the best they can be everyday, trying to leave their traumas behind. Their stories should be told...is it not these stories that make us realize how fortunate we really are? Yes the world is the way it is, there are the fortunate, the less fortunate and the many people in between...these facts and this place have made me further question what I can do with my predestined privileges, and although I think it is "a lifelong question", I'm grateful to be here right now, it makes sense to me. Life here has become routine, a really nice one. The weeks are flying by and I wish they wouldn't; I can't believe I've already been here for almost 2 months. As I teach something new everyday, I am also learning more about life and myself than I ever have before. I guess it takes children sometimes to help see human virtues at their essence. And seeing this country and getting to know this rich culture has certainly widened my world perspective.
Outside of the classroom, the "guest house building" is an experience of its own. The dynamics change completely every time there is a new volunteer. It started with all girls, and at one point one poor high-school boy who I think we drove half insane with our "girl talks". Now there are four ladies and two guys. Derek, one of the guys, volunteered here a couple years ago before he went to grad school and has now returned knowing all the strings. He is a great person. With him as the mastermind we are putting together some proposals to fund raise for the school. We will send the proposals to non-profits and grant donors all over the United States and India. He is an engineer that did his graduate research on water resources in Africa. Suparna worked in publishing for four years, Anitha (another volunteer) worked in PR for Ralph Lauren before she came here, and Neil, the other guy, is a web designer who is very talented; so all together they are an amazing group and through them I have been learning very much. I'm happy to have encountered all these amazing people who are young yet experienced, super nice and who at the same time, share my passion for helping these remarkable children.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Faith
Every day at the morning assembly, the staff and the children all put our hands together, bow our heads and recite a prayer. I have come to love it and I have truly submersed myself in the words. At Santa Clara I found a beautiful faith community and I must admit that before I came here, I was afraid of being away from a practicing Christian community. My faithfulness was strong but at times I couldn’t imagine ways maintaining a commitment to my faith practices when my usual sight here would be statues of Ganesh and Krishna. I was wrong.
In this place I have found a spiritual strength that I didn’t expect, but unknowingly I think I was in search for it. Now, I have not done the usual Ashram, yoga, meditation stuff that is usually related to spiritual healing or finding deeper faith. But Indian people, at least all the ones I’ve seen and met are inspiring in the way they all uphold their particular faiths yet still embrace the fact that all religions, especially the many present in this culture all hold similar universal teachings. In their faiths I have seen honest devotion and although some of their rituals seem more bizarre to me than anything I’ve ever seen before, their loyalty is contagious. So, although I miss kneeling in the pews of the beautiful mission church with my sponsee Jamie next to me, and my spiritual director, Fr. Matt sitting across the way, I now more than ever believe that God truly is everywhere and more importantly deep within us.
It’s a really beautiful prayer that I though I would share:
God, creator of the universe, help us remember that you are present in each one of us. May we respect each other and be tolerant of our differences.
May we be good and caring towards each other.
May the teachings of all the great world religions direct out thoughts and actions.
Grant that we may be spiritual in our interactions and zealous in our work and play.
Help us discover different ways to serve our fellow humanity.
Guide us to discover the treasure hidden in each one of us and to uphold what is right, cherish what is beautiful and revere what is divine.
As we journey through each day of our lives, give us the grace to accept whatever you have in store for us.
Be with us in our joy and our sorrow.
Help us to build Shanti-Bhavan into a haven of Peace and let this peace touch the lives of all we meet.
We salute the divine in each other, Namaste.
In this place I have found a spiritual strength that I didn’t expect, but unknowingly I think I was in search for it. Now, I have not done the usual Ashram, yoga, meditation stuff that is usually related to spiritual healing or finding deeper faith. But Indian people, at least all the ones I’ve seen and met are inspiring in the way they all uphold their particular faiths yet still embrace the fact that all religions, especially the many present in this culture all hold similar universal teachings. In their faiths I have seen honest devotion and although some of their rituals seem more bizarre to me than anything I’ve ever seen before, their loyalty is contagious. So, although I miss kneeling in the pews of the beautiful mission church with my sponsee Jamie next to me, and my spiritual director, Fr. Matt sitting across the way, I now more than ever believe that God truly is everywhere and more importantly deep within us.
It’s a really beautiful prayer that I though I would share:
God, creator of the universe, help us remember that you are present in each one of us. May we respect each other and be tolerant of our differences.
May we be good and caring towards each other.
May the teachings of all the great world religions direct out thoughts and actions.
Grant that we may be spiritual in our interactions and zealous in our work and play.
Help us discover different ways to serve our fellow humanity.
Guide us to discover the treasure hidden in each one of us and to uphold what is right, cherish what is beautiful and revere what is divine.
As we journey through each day of our lives, give us the grace to accept whatever you have in store for us.
Be with us in our joy and our sorrow.
Help us to build Shanti-Bhavan into a haven of Peace and let this peace touch the lives of all we meet.
We salute the divine in each other, Namaste.
Happy Onam!
Namaste!
Before I tell you a bit about my week, I must tell you the great news: The world became a better place on Friday, October 12th at 10:45 am. My niece and soon to be goddaughter, Paulina, has opened her eyes and met her beautiful family who has been anxiously awaiting her arrival for all of nine months. I cannot wait to meet her =). And I cannot wait to hug Mauricio, Veronica and Mauricio Andres congratulating them for their beautiful little present =).
On this side of the world, after my very exciting weekend in Northern India, I expected my week at Shanti-Bhavan to be less than amusing. I must say though the kids have enough energy and imagination to keep my mind completely occupied. This week, I taught some of the kids how play kickball, my personal favorite P.E. game. We learned about line graphs and bar graphs in math, we read and wrote tall tales, we dissected a hibiscus flower, and most importantly, in dance class :) we moved to some SALSA!
The school also celebrated the Onam festival, which is a very large and important harvest festival in the Indian state of Kerala. The most impressive part of the Onam celebration is the grand feast called Onasadya. It’s supposed to be a nine course meal served on banana leaves in which people sit on a mat laid on the floor to have the meal. Although we didn’t sit on the floor and we didn’t have the nine courses, we did eat many different concoctions typical of Kerala and specific to this festival. Some things included, papaya chutney with these crispy wheat-tortilla looking things; another plate was off course rice but this time with a yogurt, onion, and lime sauce that was excellent. At the morning assembly they explained that according to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.
This weekend we volunteers decided to enjoy some civilization and came to Bangalore. I was blessed with good luck…instead of spending the money I don’t have in a budget hotel, I am staying with my new friend Suparna, at her aunt’s place. She is of Indian background and has relatives all over India =) I don’t know how these things happen to me, Karma? The lady we are staying with is really nice and she has two kids, a 10 year old and a 13 year old. Normally, I’d say: “Oh GREAT kids!” But lets just say that at this point, Saturday means, “Quick, get away from any human being under the age 20, QUICKLY!” I’m sure that’s just my tired-self talking. By Sunday night I’ll be excited to get back to Shanti-Bhavan, I miss those kids after a couple days of rest.
To get here we took the Balinganapalli bus to Hosur and then another bus to Bangalore. YAY, local buses! Again, a bumpy, yet spellbinding experience, and this time the only hazardous part was when we had to jump off the bus while it was still moving at about 20 km per hour, yeah… Although the schedule reads the bus comes at any time between 3:45 and 4:15, they at least TRY to keep on schedule by not slamming the breaks at the bus stop, haha.
In Bangalore, we hope to buy some necessities, eat some animals (that sounds pretty awful, but indeed true), and drink a nice cold beer, which I hope doesn’t knock me out considering that the last time I had a drop of alcohol was a month and a half ago.
Before I tell you a bit about my week, I must tell you the great news: The world became a better place on Friday, October 12th at 10:45 am. My niece and soon to be goddaughter, Paulina, has opened her eyes and met her beautiful family who has been anxiously awaiting her arrival for all of nine months. I cannot wait to meet her =). And I cannot wait to hug Mauricio, Veronica and Mauricio Andres congratulating them for their beautiful little present =).
On this side of the world, after my very exciting weekend in Northern India, I expected my week at Shanti-Bhavan to be less than amusing. I must say though the kids have enough energy and imagination to keep my mind completely occupied. This week, I taught some of the kids how play kickball, my personal favorite P.E. game. We learned about line graphs and bar graphs in math, we read and wrote tall tales, we dissected a hibiscus flower, and most importantly, in dance class :) we moved to some SALSA!
The school also celebrated the Onam festival, which is a very large and important harvest festival in the Indian state of Kerala. The most impressive part of the Onam celebration is the grand feast called Onasadya. It’s supposed to be a nine course meal served on banana leaves in which people sit on a mat laid on the floor to have the meal. Although we didn’t sit on the floor and we didn’t have the nine courses, we did eat many different concoctions typical of Kerala and specific to this festival. Some things included, papaya chutney with these crispy wheat-tortilla looking things; another plate was off course rice but this time with a yogurt, onion, and lime sauce that was excellent. At the morning assembly they explained that according to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.
This weekend we volunteers decided to enjoy some civilization and came to Bangalore. I was blessed with good luck…instead of spending the money I don’t have in a budget hotel, I am staying with my new friend Suparna, at her aunt’s place. She is of Indian background and has relatives all over India =) I don’t know how these things happen to me, Karma? The lady we are staying with is really nice and she has two kids, a 10 year old and a 13 year old. Normally, I’d say: “Oh GREAT kids!” But lets just say that at this point, Saturday means, “Quick, get away from any human being under the age 20, QUICKLY!” I’m sure that’s just my tired-self talking. By Sunday night I’ll be excited to get back to Shanti-Bhavan, I miss those kids after a couple days of rest.
To get here we took the Balinganapalli bus to Hosur and then another bus to Bangalore. YAY, local buses! Again, a bumpy, yet spellbinding experience, and this time the only hazardous part was when we had to jump off the bus while it was still moving at about 20 km per hour, yeah… Although the schedule reads the bus comes at any time between 3:45 and 4:15, they at least TRY to keep on schedule by not slamming the breaks at the bus stop, haha.
In Bangalore, we hope to buy some necessities, eat some animals (that sounds pretty awful, but indeed true), and drink a nice cold beer, which I hope doesn’t knock me out considering that the last time I had a drop of alcohol was a month and a half ago.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
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