It’s the First Day of School All Over Again

Because of how many times I have moved in my life, I have always said that I knew exactly how to be the ‘new girl’ in school. Since I stayed in the same school from sixth grade until twelfth and everyone was new in my freshmen class at Notre Dame, I thought I had left the ‘new girl’ feeling back in 6^th grade. Little did I know that I would find it here. Memories resurface of all the introductions and all the little rituals that we go through when we find ourselves in a new environment. However, here, instead of my introduction happening once in front of maybe fifteen fellow students with the supportive teacher at my back, it is just me in front of fifty children who can understand me about as much as I can understand them. As soon as I can get the ‘new girl’ feeling to go away, the better. Even so, I know I am going to have a great time here.

I ‘taught’ three classes today: two younger classes and one 9^th year class. The little children were by far my favorite. My first class was very possessive of me after the first few minutes and did not want me to leave their classroom! They even started to fight the other class that wanted me to join them until I stopped it. Needless to say, I was flattered. At St. Anselm’s, the children stay in the same room while the teachers shift classrooms. All the teachers here are women which surprised me. When my students asked who my favorite teachers were and I answered my science teachers and listed their names, they were shocked to hear male names. I guess men do not comprise any of the teaching force in India. 

The children were very cute and, just like American children, they enjoy the attention of the teacher. Especially the American girl who talks strangely. I made futile attempts to have them remain in their seats and raise their hands to ask me questions but I will admit that I loved having the little ones run up to the front of the class and whisper their question in my ear. While I have a lot of preparing to do to actually teach them, not just be a hot commodity and answer questions, I do not feel too worried. It was God who got me here and God who will keep me going. At least I hope so! 

I can honestly say that I now understand what celebrities feel like. My last class of the day consisted of the usual questions. Then one little girl asked me for my autograph. I, of course, complied. Little did I know that that single autograph would turn into fifty as the entire class scrambled for their notebooks and pens and proceeded to shove them into my face saying, “Ma’am, Ma’am, ma’am!” until I signed their notebook. I have a feeling they are going to brag to their friends and I will end up signing many more pages before my stay is done. I will admit that I was extremely flattered; although I could have done without the paper cuts I received. I mentioned as I was signing papers that I felt like a pop star. The cutest little girl looked up at me and said, “But ma’am, you ARE a popstar!” 

The end of the school day consisted of a prayer service to mark the official start of the academic year. There were several dance performances and I enjoyed them so very much. Perhaps the cutest moment of my entire day (even more than being called a pop star) occurred during one of the dances. It was with three of the youngest kindergarden students. They danced intermittently as the music played and as they remembered what they were doing on a stage in front of 1,000 students. The best part was when one of the boys on stage waved at me in the middle of it! I could have died from the cuteness. The entire student body applauded!

Later in the program, I was honored with a garland of flowers and a bouquet. I was also given a tilaka which is one name for the red dot worn by some women in India. Yet through all of this, my ‘new girl’ in school feeling persisted as I climbed on stage to, at the request of Fr. Simon, the principal, play guitar and sing Amazing Grace. Even though I did mess up at parts, no one knew because they didn’t know what the song was supposed to sound like. In that anonymity, I feel better. My students in all three classes, upon hearing that I enjoyed singing, asked me to sing to them. Who was I to refuse those adorable little faces? I sang the Star Spangled Banner for all three of my classes and America the Beautiful for one. My first class also sang the national song and national anthem of India to me. Even though it was in Hindi and I had absolutely no idea what they were saying, I thought it sounded beautiful! 

I am headed back to the church where I am staying soon. I hope you are enjoying reading about my experiences here as much as I am enjoying having them! Once again, if you have comments or questions, please ask! Also, if you have any ideas as to how I can teach conversational English, I am all ears. I need as much help as I can get!

Welcome to Rajasthan

At long last, I have arrived at St. Anselm’s Senior Secondary School in Rajasthan, India. To start up this series of posts, let’s back up and figure out exactly how I got here:

St. Anselm’s Sr. Secondary School is a school run by the Order of the Blessed Sacraments. A priest at my home parish from India belongs to this order. When he joined my family for Thanksgiving dinner this past year, he invited both my brother and I to make this very trip. My brother was unable to make it but, well, here I am! It was inevitable, as soon as he asked that I wanted to go. With some planning and two very understanding and supportive parents, I started my journey on the 27^th of June. 

After three days of traveling, I can, without shame, tell you how exhausted I am! There is a 10 and ½ hour time difference here from home so I actually lost a full day while traveling. When I arrived at the church where I am staying and got settled, I went right to sleep and slept for a good five hours. I think the priests here may have been surprised at how long I slept. One apologized to me for all the noise that was made in the kitchen with which I share a wall and was  astonished to hear me say that I had had no idea and was so tired that I slept right through it! 

I arrived at the domestic airport in Ahmedabad early this morning after being awake for an inordinate amount of time. That was followed by a three hour drive where the only thing I wanted to do was look out the window and watch everything going on around me. First of all, just like in Europe, here you drive on the left side of the road. The first thing that I noticed were these three wheeled small vehicles, called autos here. They, and your average American car miniaturized are used as taxis in India. Most of them don’t have mirrors on them so the bumpers read, ‘Horn please’, and you honk your horn to announce your presence as you pass them. One thing I was surprised about is the number of motorcycles here. I know we passed hundreds in the course of our three hour drive! I think the drivers are just in practice of honking because even though the motorcycles have mirrors, they still get honked at. There is also no such thing as lane sanctity. The lines painted on some of the roads might as well be decorative for all the drivers pay attention to them. We often were driving down the middle of the line and passing other cars with inches to spare! The first few times alarmed me but then I got acclimated to the pace of driving here. The roads are shared by many different things. Not only are there autos, cars, and motorcycles, but there are bikes, pedestrians, trucks and even cows! 

Another fantastic thing happened along the drive: I saw a camel! In fact, I saw several camels being used like mules to pull carts. A camel! Another exciting event was my first real meal in India. I had samosa which is like a cooked crepe. I also had mimosa (?) which seems to be a popular dish. It is a kind of chili/curry concoction wrapped and friend. It was yellow and green! It also came with an absolutely yummy sauce which was like a sweet and sour sauce. Father Shoji was kind enough to order jelly sandwiches in case something failed to agree with my stomach. 

It was here that I found another culture shock. In India, the left hand is considered unclean because it is most often used in less than hygienic ways. As such, you don’t reach for things with your left hand, you don’t have your dominant utensil in your left hand nor do you bring your napkin to your lips with your left hand. For a left handed person such as myself, it is going to take getting used to. I am having to relearn how to eat using only my right hand where all my life I have used my left as my dominant eating hand! For all you right handed people, try holding the fork in your left hand and having to keep your right hand on your lap at your next meal. It is much harder than you think!  

I just arrived at the school for my first day where there is internet. Please leave any comments or questions you may have. I am trying to learn as much as I can and I’d love additional ideas for questions!

Three Days Worth of Traveling!

Hello everyone! I'm currently in Newark, NJ posting from the airport. I'm waiting on my flight to Amsterdam which leaves in a few hours. I thought I'd pop a quick post up here saying 'hi!' and add onto it as I continue to travel. Lord knows, I have a lot of traveling to do!

There is surprisingly good food at this airport; I just ate a delicious panini/flatbread-like creation that I am certain my friend over at The Improvised Chef would have loved! It was a Chicken Delicato Panini with roasted red peppers and a creamy pesto sauce to die for! Even at obnoxious airport prices, it was worth every bite! Sandella's Flatbread Cafe, take note of it!

I found another friend on the flight here and we had a wonderful time talking across the aisle for the two hour flight. I'm not sure the 4 people sleeping around us enjoyed it but hey, that is what ear plugs are for! I'm out for now. I'll try to update once I'm all settled in Amsterdam...depending on whether I can find free internet or not.

Until later!

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I am finally safe in Amsterdam and at my gate for my next flight! I can't believe it has been over 10 years since I have been in Europe. I have one more super long flight before a six hour layover in Mumbai. I'm still trying to trick myself into thinking it really is 8am when my internal clock says it is 2am and I should be asleep! Oh well!

At least I get one hour of free internet in the Amsterdam airport. It's all about the little things! Speaking of little things, I was oh so lucky enough to get one of the twenty or so seats on my last flight that had a malfunctioning TV. You could play music and games but couldn't watch any movies or television! Needless to say, it was a looong flight. That was rather frustrating but my fingers are crossed that I'm on a different plane for the next leg of my trip. My seat assignment is actually the exact same. Fingers crossed!

I'll try to find free internet when I get to Mumbai. Everyone back home, sleep well and know that I am extremely jealous that you are sleeping and I am not!

Visa, Visa, Visa!

I have been having a wonderful time relaxing for the first half of my summer. Currently, we have gathered for Grandma and Grandpa's 50th wedding anniversary and Grandma's birthday in Hilton Head, South Carolina and it is gorgeous here! I got to meet the newest addition to my family after a few years delay and though she still doesn't know my name, I had a blast building sandcastles with her older sister. Despite infamous family tempers, we haven't quite killed each other yet. This bodes well since I'm still here until the end of the week!

One particular fun part of this trip is taking requests on guitar. I have entertained the drunk legions (sorry, I just had to use the word legion in this post, I couldn't resist!) of family and will be doing the same thing tonight. As long as they don't scream for Free Bird, I'm sure it will go smoothly. I've actually become much better at singing and playing at the same time this trip. You know me and coordination: I need as much practice as I can get!

On the other side of the world (literally) my Indian visa was finally approved and sent back to the outsourcing company earlier today. It is being overnighted to my house so after much stress on my end, I will be able to leave for India on schedule. I was contacted by a priest who works at home who worked at St. Anselm's for four years earlier in the millennium and was able to tell me what I'll be teaching. Grades 5-12 all have built in 'English Conversation' classes so I will be taking over that hour of class. Whether I will play more of a teaching assistant role or be the sole professor, I have yet to discover. I leave next Monday so there may be a few quick updates while I'm bored sitting in the airport in Mumbai!

I have missed blogging this summer and am happy to be back in business! Until later!