Indian Life

There is alot to annoy one in their everyday life in India...
1. The constant ripping off....They make a profit off locals so why try to rip us off all the time, I appreciate a little honesty every now and then!
2. The inability to find a rubbish bin......the locals can't either apparently!
3. Seeing suffering with no avenue to change things......wish there was an RSPCA here or even just a vet with half a heart.
There is also a lot to fall in love with everyday in India....
1. The open smiles freely given to all......even on the faces of people who understand not a shred of English
2. The decoration and care taken by the people......of themselves and their homes
3. Seeing everyday the kindness....amongst students, family and strangers

Really India is a melting pot of all things, good as well as bad, but so long as you can see the stars at night and realise that your existence is just a blot in a huge swirl of time none of really matters.
 

My School Project

For my Grade 2 Craft class I have begun constructing a paper-mache model of the solar system. I am an expert at paper-mache so all is going well except what does one do with the Pluto dilemma? Should I put him in there, explaining he is now a dwarf planet or leave him out? People put the asteroid belts in around Saturn and they are technically not planetary objects..... and the solar system refers to all that orbits around the Sun, so should I put in all the asteroid belts and dwarf planets? Ahhhhhhhh so much to decide!

But really life is exceedingly cruisey at the moment, all I have to worry about every morning is what to teach my class today and how to do it. At the same time my heart is wrenched out everyday by what I see and experience, so it is hard to explain to anyone why I suddenly burst into tears or laugh out loud. The poverty and desperation is back dropped by the most exquisite scenes in the world and immeasurable kindness.

India is India and it doesn't matter how hard you try to describe it, with its magical power the real description will always evade your grasp.  

School Day

Had a big day at school today. I start the day with taking the year 1's into the library in two separate groups and teaching them the English equivalent of what their teacher is doing at the same time with the other half. This is to reinforce the learning process, I also try to make it a little fun for the munchkins. Today was all about the body and naming bones so I got them to sing 'them dry bones' they loved it!

Then Courtney and I take the grade 2's for an arts and craft lesson which today was colouring in a Kangaroo I had drawn earlier, lunch then three periods of games with the higher year groups. The Indian game of Kho Kho is a fantastic one and when played properly is super competitive. Going to introduce it back home!!! 

Hope all is well back home, intending to travel to Kullu town tomorrow after school so maybe another post from there ;) All my love xxx Billy!!!

Big Day!

Had a huge day, lugging my carcase up mountains so high that my lungs felt like they were going to burst, as well as have my legs fall off! There simply isn't enough air in some places to do anything other than plonk yourself down for every 30 steps you take. Well worth the effort though so many wonderful places and people met today, tomorrow here I come!

My Posting

Hey everyone,
I know it has been a long time since I last posted but the availability of Internet is small here without your on computer. Made it safe to my placement after an amazing 4 days in Delhi. What a country to behold!!!! There are so many drastic differences and complete contradictions within the Indian culture which I will be sure to touch on at a later date but for now just a little about the school I have been posted to. Tara International School is a rather humble two buildings made like all the other houses around here out of solid cement. There are enough classes to house each grade which stretch from lower kinder to grade 8 ( our equivalent to grade 7) as well as a craft room, a music room, a computer room and a staff room. Current construction of a science lab and extension to the computer room will make the school one of the most well equipped in the region. Don't take that to mean that it isn't very simple though. The teachers are great and the lady who runs the school, and with whom I am living, Bala is a kind hearted soul who insists we have much more fun with the kids than the other teachers often have, she is of the strong opinion that they will learn much more in this manner. Already I have formed attachments to some of the children but that if for another time. Until that time, Goodbye for now and all my love xxx

Waiting!!!

After a very long 7 hour plane trip to Singapore we are all now waiting for a further 5 hours in the airport to get to Dehli. We will arrive at 5:45 local Dehli time so desperately hoping for time at the hotel for a nap!
Missing everyone already but excited about the adventure ahead. Love to all xxxx

Last Day In Ulverstone!

This is my last day in Ulverstone, it has been a characteristic Tasmanian day, 26 degrees and sweltering hot and then humid rain clouds dumping water just as you walk outside! I have began to really notice everything around me, things which before were taken for granted.

Driving in George, my car, over the hill into the Gawler valley a wonderful panorama spread before me of the Dial Range with its rugged mountain sides covered in red tipped gum trees. A sight I would have seen many a time before but this time it bought a tear to my eye, considering all that will be left behind.

Then there are the more simplistic things like noticing a dew covered spiderweb glistening in the morning sun, golden and so fragile. It had me wondering how I would view things when I get back, whether I would still be the same person, have the same ambitions and dreams.
Whatever happens I will be changed and I feel ready.