It's a beautiful crisp Nepali morning. The Himalayas are out, I have a cup of real coffee, and the sun is starting to peak out, which means I am in the perfect mood for updates.
Things are going well as we come towards the middle of Term II and Dashain break. We just had Class 3 and 4 Parents Day, which is a big performance for the students to do for their parents. I taught 20 kids Irish Dancing, 15 of which are the most energetic boys I teach. It was a lot of work, and pulled hair, but the end result was worth it. They did so well! I was so happy and proud of them, but I am also glad that it is done, and we can get back into "school." With parent's day came parent's day practice which took priority over class, so for the past two weeks, I have been doing Caleen Misses Math Boot Camp, in which we have been studying and learning the basics, like addition and multiplication factors, so that there are no more counting fingers or simple mistakes on tests. But now, it will be back to fractions.
3C and I are also preparing for our class assembly which is in two weeks. The class assembly is a mini parents day which is performed for the school. My theme is Change the World, and before you roll your eyes and my idealistic theme, it is about how everyone can do their part to create change, even kids who live in Godavari, Nepal. We are singing "My Own Two Hands" by Jack Johnson and Ben Harper. Followed by a skit and ending the show with Dave Matthews "Best of What's Around." I am excited for it and I think the kids will do a really good job. I have realized through Parent's Day just how attached I am to my kids. I was running around making sure I could see all of my 3C kiddos performances. I am really lucky to have such a wonderful class, and in general to have such a great time with all of the class 3 kids.
Which brings me to my b-day. To be honest I didn’t think much of it, I have been missing home a bit with the transition and Katie and Sean leaving that it just kinda came up. I went up to Sujana’s house the night before my birthday where we had cake I brought, a delicious meal, and just a comfort I needed of home when I felt so far from it. Then in the morning, I was given pouja with my morning chiyaa and a blessing from Mummy. And went home with a smile at just how blessed I was to be spending my 23rd birthday here. And the blessings continued as I came home to house that Pat, Sarah and D had decorated, real coffee and a phone call from home. But I could never have predicted what school would bring. I walked to the lower staff room where my desk is and was meet by Aashna, the queen of 3C, and she told me to wait to come to the classroom until the bell, which I did. And as I walked to the class I heard the giggles of my students and them shhsing each other. I walked in to see my students hiding under their desks, only to jump up and shout out surprise!!!! And then give me one of the loudest renditions of Happy Birthday. I was overwhelmed as they showered me with cards and gifts. I was overcome with emotion at just how willing children are to love and to show their love. I will never forget how I blessed I felt as I opened gifts from kids who gave me their pages of stickers and drawings, or flowers. Some using their own money to buy me a trinket, and its not their gifts that touch me, it is the gesture in which they so willingly gave what they could. This continued through out the day as I walked into every class and was greeted by their own unique rendition of Happy Birthday followed by a showering of gifts and cards. It was the happiest I have felt in a long time. And it was because they just love, with out any question or hesitation. Even those who I am harder on, they love, and it was then that I realized just the gift I have been given in being a part of their lives for this next year.
The birthday continued with a wonderful dinner at my favorite restaurant in town, with Sarah, Pat, and D. Complete with our snuck in whiskey and Pepsi MU stlye. Followed the next day by going to a movie theater (!) to see a Hindi film (my guilty pleasure). All in all it was a beautiful birthday.
After my birthday came Teej. This is a festival to pray and fast for your current husband or future husband, but as I learned last year it is a day to spend with the women you love. We were able to dress in red saris for school on Monday (the day before the main Teej day) and found out at the morning assembly that there would be a program that afternoon in which the women would dance. At first I was like no way, but once we were called up onto the "stage" I just let go and enjoyed it. Our students were able to come up and join us after they realized that there were only 2 other teachers besides us JV's willing to dance. And I had a ball with my girls. They taught me their dance moves and we spent the afternoon laughing, and dancing. It was so freeing to not care what I looked like and to just have fun with them. I could not have had a more perfect Teej day then that.
We are now all looking forward to Dashain holiday. Pat, and D are heading out to trek the Annupurnas, Sarah is spending it here with her Nepali family, and I am looking forward to spending it with my dad, Sheila and two other b-day surprise guests who despite my attempts are still very much a secret to me. We currently have a pool going at the house if anyone would like in. Otherwise things are going well here. The government is the most stable it has been since arriving, we've only had one bandh in the past 2 months, and it seems like this might work. I am at peace, and looking forward to the rejuvenation that visitors and holidays bring. Hope you are all doing well, and until next time much love and peace.