I'm overdue for a post. I have had very spotty WiFi connections this week, and am so thankful to be up and running here at the flat, at least for now. My other alternative is to go over to the school. I can't really concentrate over there, and so I am really pleased to be able to get this done here on my dining table/desk.
It's my birthday . . . the last in this decade, which is sobering at best! The girls in the Hostel know because when they were over, they guessed! I have tried to keep a pretty low profile otherwise! In India, YOU treat on your birthday. So, I have ordered a huge cake for the 91 Boarders to enjoy tonight, but I don't want to have to share treats with everyone, and I don't want them to feel like they have to do anything for me. Things are also VERY busy here with the end of the school year activities and seemingly endless practices. More on that later!
Yesterday I took Maria and Judy out for lunch, they are mother and daughter! It was kind of an early celebration for me and a thank you to them for their warm hospitality. In addition to that, the cantata at PTS is largely Judy's 'baby', and I wanted to celebrate with her that it was over, and a success. I also had dinner with former mission colleagues last night . . . two Western meals, including meat, and no rice yesterday . . . that in and of itself was a celebration!
I enjoyed the time with all of the girls. I still don't have all of their names straight, but I have made some progress.
On Dec 1st,, the school timings changed! Because of the cold mornings, and the absence of central heat, school now starts an hour later, and finishes an hour later! That means it is nearly three when we have lunch, and after three for those who are in the final program, Pilgrim's Progress, on the 18th! I am the Chief Guest . . . if we are friends on FB, you can check out the invitation! I've never been a Chief Gues before!!! Pictures of the girls in their class groupings are also on FB. Some of the girls race back when practice is over about 3:10, and those who play band instruments have another practice at 3:30.
Last week I also spent a fair amount of time at this table/desk prepping! In addition to the two devotions a week that I lead for the 'kids in Boarding', I took staff devotions on Thurs and addressed the Sr. School assembly on Fri. I appreciated the positive feed back from several of the teachers, I get little or no feed back from the kids, though I have a feeling that they like the things we have talked about. One of the 11th grade girls told me last Fri, "Good job, ma'am . . . short, sweet and to the point!" That isn't the usual style of some assemblies, appartently!
On Sat I once again spent the day out in greater Dehradun with Maria, Ramesh, Sophia (3) and Nadia (1.5). Maria's cousin was also with us most of the time. We went to a food festival at one of the other 'institutions of higher learning' in the area and even took in one of the big new fancy malls here in town. During my first year at Woodstock, this area formed a new state, and now DD is the capital. It has grown and changed so much over the past 20 years. Some of that is nice, other factors, like the traffic, make you miss the good old days!
Sun after church, I went to one of my former favorite places to eat in DD, in fact, I would say that WS staff frequented there regularly . . . they even gave us a discount! A sizzler was among the favorite things to order. So, I indulged on Sun. I was there earlier than most Indians eat, and so spent an hour all alone in the restaurant eating at my leisure and reading. Then, the people started filling up the tables and I exited to return to the Seminary grounds for the Cantata, a favorite thing to do here at Christmas time when I am here. Tea on the grounds afterwards is always a nice time to meet and greet.
With much fear and trembling, I went to get my hair cut on Mon. I went where Judy gets her hair done, and I was pleased to find one person in the shop who spoke English. I got a wash, cut, and style for less than $3.00, and I must admit that I am pleased. The girls raved over the style which lasted on
It's my birthday . . . the last in this decade, which is sobering at best! The girls in the Hostel know because when they were over, they guessed! I have tried to keep a pretty low profile otherwise! In India, YOU treat on your birthday. So, I have ordered a huge cake for the 91 Boarders to enjoy tonight, but I don't want to have to share treats with everyone, and I don't want them to feel like they have to do anything for me. Things are also VERY busy here with the end of the school year activities and seemingly endless practices. More on that later!
Yesterday I took Maria and Judy out for lunch, they are mother and daughter! It was kind of an early celebration for me and a thank you to them for their warm hospitality. In addition to that, the cantata at PTS is largely Judy's 'baby', and I wanted to celebrate with her that it was over, and a success. I also had dinner with former mission colleagues last night . . . two Western meals, including meat, and no rice yesterday . . . that in and of itself was a celebration!
I enjoyed the time with all of the girls. I still don't have all of their names straight, but I have made some progress.
On Dec 1st,, the school timings changed! Because of the cold mornings, and the absence of central heat, school now starts an hour later, and finishes an hour later! That means it is nearly three when we have lunch, and after three for those who are in the final program, Pilgrim's Progress, on the 18th! I am the Chief Guest . . . if we are friends on FB, you can check out the invitation! I've never been a Chief Gues before!!! Pictures of the girls in their class groupings are also on FB. Some of the girls race back when practice is over about 3:10, and those who play band instruments have another practice at 3:30.
Last week I also spent a fair amount of time at this table/desk prepping! In addition to the two devotions a week that I lead for the 'kids in Boarding', I took staff devotions on Thurs and addressed the Sr. School assembly on Fri. I appreciated the positive feed back from several of the teachers, I get little or no feed back from the kids, though I have a feeling that they like the things we have talked about. One of the 11th grade girls told me last Fri, "Good job, ma'am . . . short, sweet and to the point!" That isn't the usual style of some assemblies, appartently!
On Sat I once again spent the day out in greater Dehradun with Maria, Ramesh, Sophia (3) and Nadia (1.5). Maria's cousin was also with us most of the time. We went to a food festival at one of the other 'institutions of higher learning' in the area and even took in one of the big new fancy malls here in town. During my first year at Woodstock, this area formed a new state, and now DD is the capital. It has grown and changed so much over the past 20 years. Some of that is nice, other factors, like the traffic, make you miss the good old days!
Sun after church, I went to one of my former favorite places to eat in DD, in fact, I would say that WS staff frequented there regularly . . . they even gave us a discount! A sizzler was among the favorite things to order. So, I indulged on Sun. I was there earlier than most Indians eat, and so spent an hour all alone in the restaurant eating at my leisure and reading. Then, the people started filling up the tables and I exited to return to the Seminary grounds for the Cantata, a favorite thing to do here at Christmas time when I am here. Tea on the grounds afterwards is always a nice time to meet and greet.
With much fear and trembling, I went to get my hair cut on Mon. I went where Judy gets her hair done, and I was pleased to find one person in the shop who spoke English. I got a wash, cut, and style for less than $3.00, and I must admit that I am pleased. The girls raved over the style which lasted on
No comments:
Post a Comment