I’ve been here for a week! It’s been a great week. I’m settling back in both on the farm with the boys and at the school. Our house is being redone [bathroom tiled and painted, room being painted, marble counter in the kitchen!!!) so Ruth and I in Kara and Jeremy’s (two new awesome volunteers!) house. It’s been nice because I have my own room so I’m not afraid of waking Ruth up when I get up at 3 and 4 am. Gotta love time changes. Hopefully we’ll be back in our house by the end of next week!
School has been really great! I’m working with Kelly in 1A (first grade) for two periods, teaching phonics with both of the second grade classes, teaching in KG for two periods (so much fun!), and then I still have my “fun class” with 1B. I love being at the “big school”. I feel like I’m right where I’m supposed to be. It’s a nice feeling! Of course there have been some not so nice things…getting used to the cold showers…(yuck!), the food (which is normally tasty but still a big change), the electricity coming and going, and not being able to understand a lot of what is being said…. BuT I’ve had so many more highlights:
*My first day my class 1B started screaming “hello”s and ran up for hugs.
*The teacher I worked with gave me a big hug and said they missed me and why hadn’t I come sooner.
*Ratan told me he saw me (it wasn’t actually me someone who looks like me) at the hospital and I had a little baby who was so cute and kept falling down when he tried to walk.
*Bharat asking me “Who are you?” and then answering his question as “I am Bharat, boy, son of God” and telling me I am Kalana, daughter of God.
*reading stories with the boys
*Playing tea party with Joshna
*Having one of the little boys (in class 1b) grab my hand as I was handing out papers and stammer “Mam…I…..I…you beautiful”.
*Teaching sign language to my classes
*Having the kids say “ka” for the sound c makes! No more “sa”!
*Buying a dozen bananas for $.60
*Telling the story of Job in assembly, my first assembly since coming back…I loved being back up there doing assemblies!
*playing catch phrase with the other volunteers.
*chow mein birthdays
*having CONVERSATIONS with kids at school (their English has gotten so much better!)
*Mukund’s improvements. The other day he came and found me at school to show me his 92% test. I love that kid.
*Rahul giggling and trying to hide from bedtime kisses.
*Miraj telling me about his day.
*Getting mob hugged by my old playgroup class.
*Seeing all my “favorite” kids.
*playing with Joshna (Ken and Frieda’s awesome 4 year old granddaughter who just moved out here with her parents!)
*Spicy “cheetos”
*the Mountains
*The new volunteers who are all totally awesome!
*Phonics time is my new favorite part of the day!
*playing on the teeter totter to show “weight” and a “scale” with some kids I take out from 1A.
*Wearing bangles again
I love being back in India.
I'm so glad you're doing well! I miss you so much right now. Wish we could have long talks on the beach or in my bed late at night. Love you so much and am incredibly proud of you.
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