I can't believe it's 2 weeks since I last wrote here.
So much has happened, but none of it very eventful really.
Apart from our lessons yesterday where the kids were inexplicably badly behaved, we've had a really good teaching week, and also made loads of progeress in terms of making friends with the children. Many of the kids who come into school from outside are much more at ease with us, and we've been able to have some really intimate and interesting conversations with the 'bigger little' children, mainly the girls, but also the boys since yesterday.
We've taken to sitting on the wall of the rose garden at school to watch the baseball games that always occur, and get brought a cup of tea while we're there - it's fabulous. Mountains, sun, a gentle breeze, cup of tea, entertainment and chat! We were out there for 2 hours yesterday, and were really surprised when the dinner bell went, as it felt like we'd only been there foir half an hour or so.
I was going to try and upload some photos for you to see, but we're not in our usual internet place today, so I don't have uploading facilities. I'll try later in the week. Although now we finally feel a part fo the school and accepted by the majority of the kids, it's a lot harder to come into town for shopping and internet, as we always wonder what we might be missing out on back at 'home'.
Today we're going to Naggar to return the sleepover favour - the family Alex and Elyse are staying with are apparently really keen to meet us. If we have time we might go to the castle there, from which there are apparently fantastic views of Manali, and also an art gallery.
Celia and I both finally feel really at home now, and it's hard to believe that we're already a quarter of the way through our time here, with only 3 months to go. And within those 3 months, there are already so many exciting things written on our calendar, the time will just fly by. These include: trip to Shimla, Elyse's Bday, My Bday, Wedding of Buangpuii, one of the teachers at DUF, and picnics with the whole school! It's all so exciting.
TTFN x
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
First Teaching Week
So Yesterday marked the end of my first week of teaching at DUF. In general, it was pretty good, and things definitely improved as the week went on and we got used to things.
We are teaching classes 2 - 7; class 1 and the kindergarten classes were deemed too difficult for us to cope with! After Monday, we were wishing class 2 were in that category as well; they are really difficult. But betweenus we've managed to come up with some various teaching and inspiring/disciplining strategies.
The lessons we teach are Reading, Spelling and General Knowledge. Oh the irony after two years of complaining about taking General Studies! GK lessons are from a text book, so we know what we are supposed to be teaching, but it's all really boring, so we're doing our best to make things more interesting with activities, games and challenges, especially with the 2 oldest classes who are near enough to our own age that we can just have some fun.
Friday afternoons is GAMES for the whole school. This is the first year they've run it, and it's a wee bit disorganised. Celia and I ended up with 50 kids to split into 2 teams and play baseball with for an hour and a half yesterday. I enjoyed it at points, but it was hard work, and I was very glad I brought my whistle with me to India.
We're looking forward to being able to get some class projects up and running to brighten up their classrooms as well; we've already managed to get some amazing pictures out of a couple of classes; some fo their favourite characters from stories, and others of their favourite part of the Winnie-the-Pooh story I read them. I knew that book would come in handy at some point.
Alex and Elise are coming for a sleepover tonight, so that'll be fun, and then tomorrow we're going to visit Freny and hopefully she'll be able to help us with some more lesson planning.
TTFN xxx
We are teaching classes 2 - 7; class 1 and the kindergarten classes were deemed too difficult for us to cope with! After Monday, we were wishing class 2 were in that category as well; they are really difficult. But betweenus we've managed to come up with some various teaching and inspiring/disciplining strategies.
The lessons we teach are Reading, Spelling and General Knowledge. Oh the irony after two years of complaining about taking General Studies! GK lessons are from a text book, so we know what we are supposed to be teaching, but it's all really boring, so we're doing our best to make things more interesting with activities, games and challenges, especially with the 2 oldest classes who are near enough to our own age that we can just have some fun.
Friday afternoons is GAMES for the whole school. This is the first year they've run it, and it's a wee bit disorganised. Celia and I ended up with 50 kids to split into 2 teams and play baseball with for an hour and a half yesterday. I enjoyed it at points, but it was hard work, and I was very glad I brought my whistle with me to India.
We're looking forward to being able to get some class projects up and running to brighten up their classrooms as well; we've already managed to get some amazing pictures out of a couple of classes; some fo their favourite characters from stories, and others of their favourite part of the Winnie-the-Pooh story I read them. I knew that book would come in handy at some point.
Alex and Elise are coming for a sleepover tonight, so that'll be fun, and then tomorrow we're going to visit Freny and hopefully she'll be able to help us with some more lesson planning.
TTFN xxx
Friday, March 7, 2008
Some Photos
This is the view from my room at DUF. It's amazing. It always looks different every time you look!
Here I am with some of the girls who like to play Hide and Seek a lot:
This is Elyse, Alex, Celia and Daisy with the 'man on the door' at the YMCA in Delhi
Here I am with some of the girls who like to play Hide and Seek a lot:
This is Elyse, Alex, Celia and Daisy with the 'man on the door' at the YMCA in Delhi
More photos soon hopefully, just wanted to give you a sneak preview!
TTFN
Cold Curried Cauliflower
Dear all,
I have now been in Manali for 3 days. Apologies for not writing sooner, we did come in to town on Wednesday, but all of the town was without power as they were making repairs!
Manali is really beautiful; from my room at the school I can see across orchards to snow capped mountains, and down the valley it is full of pine trees. It's so picturesque. And so quiet. Like a whole other country compared to the noise and pollution of Delhi.
When we got here, we were met by Alosius, who is the husband of our GAP rep here, Frenny. They are both so lovely - we spent some time at their house yesterday (it is a 10 minute walk from the school so Celia and I will probably visit often) and felt immediately like part of the family. Tomorrow, Aloysius is taking the 4 of us (Me and Celia, and Alex & Elise who are at a school in Naggar, about 40 minutes away) to the snow line and then to a waterfall on a mini trek.
Our placement is absolutely lovely. On the first day we had quite a lot of doubts as noone seemed keen to talk to us, and it was all a bit strange and new. But now we've got to know some of the children really well (hide and seek is an instant icebreaker), and 'Auntie' who owns/runs the home and school has warmed to us. She worries about us all the time, and checks we are happy with the food. She went to town and bought bananas especially for us, and cornflakes also appeared at breakfast this morning!
We do not start teaching until Monday, but have been given a long-term project of organising and redecorating their library. It's not a very big room, but definitely has potential and we are already coming up with ideas.
There is so much going on here all the time, but when it comes to writing about it it's really difficult. I have been keeping a quite detailed diary every day though, maybe next time I get online I will bring it with me for ideas!
I can definitely say that I am in love with this country and this town; the smells, the sights, the people (except the men who are a bit dodgy) and even the cold curried cauliflower for breakfast! If you count in weeks, I have been here for one, and am only at the school for another 16, and in 18 weeks I will be flying home. It will go so quickly and already I don't want to leave.
TTFN,
Philippa xxx
I have now been in Manali for 3 days. Apologies for not writing sooner, we did come in to town on Wednesday, but all of the town was without power as they were making repairs!
Manali is really beautiful; from my room at the school I can see across orchards to snow capped mountains, and down the valley it is full of pine trees. It's so picturesque. And so quiet. Like a whole other country compared to the noise and pollution of Delhi.
When we got here, we were met by Alosius, who is the husband of our GAP rep here, Frenny. They are both so lovely - we spent some time at their house yesterday (it is a 10 minute walk from the school so Celia and I will probably visit often) and felt immediately like part of the family. Tomorrow, Aloysius is taking the 4 of us (Me and Celia, and Alex & Elise who are at a school in Naggar, about 40 minutes away) to the snow line and then to a waterfall on a mini trek.
Our placement is absolutely lovely. On the first day we had quite a lot of doubts as noone seemed keen to talk to us, and it was all a bit strange and new. But now we've got to know some of the children really well (hide and seek is an instant icebreaker), and 'Auntie' who owns/runs the home and school has warmed to us. She worries about us all the time, and checks we are happy with the food. She went to town and bought bananas especially for us, and cornflakes also appeared at breakfast this morning!
We do not start teaching until Monday, but have been given a long-term project of organising and redecorating their library. It's not a very big room, but definitely has potential and we are already coming up with ideas.
There is so much going on here all the time, but when it comes to writing about it it's really difficult. I have been keeping a quite detailed diary every day though, maybe next time I get online I will bring it with me for ideas!
I can definitely say that I am in love with this country and this town; the smells, the sights, the people (except the men who are a bit dodgy) and even the cold curried cauliflower for breakfast! If you count in weeks, I have been here for one, and am only at the school for another 16, and in 18 weeks I will be flying home. It will go so quickly and already I don't want to leave.
TTFN,
Philippa xxx
Monday, March 3, 2008
Leaving for Manali
I'm leaving th YMCA for the bus station in about 15 minutes, and then will have to endure a horrifically long bus ride up to Manali, arriving late tomorrow morning.
I'm really excited to get to DUF and it will hopefully be a really peaceful and pleasant change from Delhi and the hustle and bustle.
When I'm up there I will hopefully have more time to write properly and let you know some of our adventures (one particular rickshaw ride today comes to mind), but at the moment I'm just trying to keep you all updated on my movements.
TTFN x
I'm really excited to get to DUF and it will hopefully be a really peaceful and pleasant change from Delhi and the hustle and bustle.
When I'm up there I will hopefully have more time to write properly and let you know some of our adventures (one particular rickshaw ride today comes to mind), but at the moment I'm just trying to keep you all updated on my movements.
TTFN x
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Greetings from Delhi!!!
Hi everyone!
I'm sitting at the YMCA in the centre of Delhi to write this. The last 2 days have been pretty hectic but really enjoyable and spectacular and interesting and incredible! there are just too many words I would need to use to describe it.
We've explored lots of the area around us, and Rekha, GAP's rep here has given us an orientation and was kind enough to take us girls to the place she buys her clothes so we could get some salwaar kameez.
There are 12 of us; 5 English and 7 Australian. We're all getting on well and enjoying doing different things with different people.
Auto-rickshaws are definitely interesting - especially if you have more than 3 people in one! But you get used to the traffic and constant horn beeping surprisingly quickly.
I'm absolutely exhausted, so I'm going off to relax and write my diary before having an early night I think. I'll try and write again soon, but just wanted to let you all know I was here safely!
TTFN x
I'm sitting at the YMCA in the centre of Delhi to write this. The last 2 days have been pretty hectic but really enjoyable and spectacular and interesting and incredible! there are just too many words I would need to use to describe it.
We've explored lots of the area around us, and Rekha, GAP's rep here has given us an orientation and was kind enough to take us girls to the place she buys her clothes so we could get some salwaar kameez.
There are 12 of us; 5 English and 7 Australian. We're all getting on well and enjoying doing different things with different people.
Auto-rickshaws are definitely interesting - especially if you have more than 3 people in one! But you get used to the traffic and constant horn beeping surprisingly quickly.
I'm absolutely exhausted, so I'm going off to relax and write my diary before having an early night I think. I'll try and write again soon, but just wanted to let you all know I was here safely!
TTFN x
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