I've thought about how personal to make this blog. I have three journals I am taking to India with me (thank you Holl and Karina. They will come in good use, believe me.) A part of me is tempted to spill out all of my frustration and stress I've experienced lately. I actually just deleted a post that was up for about an hour that just laid out everything. Three people looked at the site. Whoever that was saw a little (lot) perspective. Then I remembered all the people that could be reading this: teachers I've had, people I've dated, and friends I really don't know anymore. A part of me thinks by spilling my guts it will help me relieve some stress. Yelling in the car isn't a good idea, especially when the dog you're taking care of is confused out of her mind as to why it's happening.
So I deleted the first post and am reposting in a more simple way. Basically this is what it was in a nutshell originally: Am I ready for India? Will I be as productive as I need to be? In what ways will I change in India? Will I allow that change to happen? Where is my life leading me?
One of my best friend's older sisters once said, "You have never really lived until you have lived outside of your comfort zone." That can have a lot of different definitions. Have you lived outside your comfort zone?
Friday, November 5, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
India News
Article on India and Parkistan Dispute
CNN Video on India's women-only trains
Article on India's Poor Children
Video on Human Trafficking in India
CNN Video on India's women-only trains
Article on India's Poor Children
Video on Human Trafficking in India
Sunday, October 10, 2010
What To Expect
Taken straight from the Shishya Volunteer Manual
*Girl volunteers need to wear Indian dress; salwar kurta, or kurta with long pants. Do not wear salwars as pants with a short top. Please do not wear tight fighting leggings, or tight shirts. Stick to Indian kurtas. Loose fitting T-shirts are acceptable for sports, work, etc. No tank tops or sphegetti straps. No swim suits. No shorts. Girls need to wear tshirts and long shorts when they swim. Three-quarter pants are acceptable in the summer (but not in the school). Girls are asked to stick to this dress code even in Dehra Dun, as you represent our institution. Please observe this dress code in your house and in others. No jeans in school, except on Sat. and worn with a kurta. Girls will be taken on a shopping spree to get a new wardrobe.
*Key Words:
Hello - na-mas-stay
Thank you – dhan-ya-vad
That’s enough - bus
Let’s go – chel – lo
Water – paa – nee
Food – khan – na
Bed – bis- ter
Mango – ah- mm
Banana – ka-la
Where –ka-ha hay?
*What Not to Say: Beef” or “meat” – those two words should never be used
*How to bathe? If your shower doesn’t work, fill up a bucket, stand in the centre of the room or in the shower area, use a bathroom mug and dump it over yourself! : )
*If you are leaving the campus please inform the campus director or administrator. If neither are available, talk to a house-parent.
* What to give to the boys: nothing without permission of Ken or Frieda or the houseparents Any material gift (or financial donation) is not to be given to staff without permission/ knowledge of Ken and Frieda
*Make sure that all taps in the house are turned off regardless of whether or not there is water coming out of them. The tube well is only “turned” on at specific times, so fill your drinking water at those times.
*There are two taps in your kitchen, one is drinking water, and one is not. Find out which is which! Don’t drink water from your roof top tank water; it is not clean.
*You may be able to buy milk from the dairy for you needs depending on how much the cows have provided! A record is kept and paid at the end of the month. Always strain and boil it before using it.
*When using the water heater in the bathroom, always unplug it when touching it, and never put any metal container into it to draw water. Use plastic. Always wear rubber slippers in the bathroom when the water heater is switched on. Indian electrics are not reliable and can be dangerous.
*We expect apartments to be kept neat and clean. Washing should be hung in proper places to dry (not on your front porch or in your front room). We want volunteers to be examples to the boys, who are also being taught to do the same.
*Girl’s apartments are off limits to all boys. The older boy’s house is off limits to single girl volunteers unless there is a permitted reason for being there, such as a program. Boy and girl volunteers are not allowed in each others’ rooms, but can meet in married couples apartments.
*Single girl volunteers: Friendship with older boys is limited to casual talking outside in visible places on Sundays or other free days. Permission to play games with the older boys on a Sunday or holidays must be taken from the house-parents.
*Volunteers are accountable to Ken and Frieda. If you are taking a weekend off, please let them know where /how/when you are going and returning. This is for your safety and hopefully, assistance.
*You can go shopping in Dehradun on your weekends off.
*You are always welcome to eat at the little boys house /or on occasion cooking your own meals. Boys’ kitchen is off limits for single girl volunteers. We encourage you to make your own breakfasts, but you are welcome to what the boys cook as well.
*Don’t eat from the street stalls. Food can carry a lot of nasty bacteria. Your stomach will inform you of what you need to eat in order to stay healthy.
*Snake Awareness: Caution! Use flashlights at night and walk on cut paths; stay away from long grass; especially during snake season (monsoon) and summer! Snakes are poisonous.
*Dogs in India can be rabid; don’t touch or feed them. Even campus pets, dogs and cats can be infected because of stray animals wandering in.
*Girls jogging in the area is not always safe and is not allowed without permission. Please ask permission before you do so from Frieda or Ken. Always go in two’s. Girls should not go outside the campus alone (even walking to Selakui).
*Volunteers will be asked to help plan and present morning assemblies 2x weekly for the school
*In India boys/girl relationships are not part of the village culture. Please don’t talk about the boyfriend or girlfriend you have left at home or talk about the way their physical appearances look.
*We also do not want to encourage the celebration of valentines day from a western perspective. Be careful about the slang you use and the cultural values you may be not realizing you're bringing in. We will tell you if we feel your actions or words are not appropriate.
*Play time for the boys is a great time for play, for sports, and for one-on-one relationships. It is a time to have loud, crazy fun that volunteers can join in on.
*Please leave the boys’ houses in the evenings as per rules. This is important. Remember, your actions impact! You will be idolized, so be a good role-model!
Time and boys schedule/Volunteer duties at that time
8:00 to 1:30 in summer/Shishya school students
8:30 to 2:00 in winter/ Shishya school students
1:30 to 3:00 in summer/ Lunch-homework time for younger boys
2:00 to 3:00 in winter/Lunch- homework time for younger boys
3:00 to 6:30 Boys work time/ Time for yourself
5:00 to 6:00-Boys play time
7:00 devotions/ Devotion with boys
7:30 dinner /Dinner
8:00 boys time with house-parents and time to finish studies or read quietly/ Leave boys house and return to apartments to rest.
9:00 boys bedtime
*Be ready for surprises, and yes, be patient, India is not in a rush to get things done! This is a community where everyone lives, eats, works and studies and grows together through the Holy Spirit of God, in Jesus Christ, whom we honor and love. You will see various buildings, some needing repair, dangerous looking electric wires, clothes needing mending, and many boys running around happily; sometimes barefoot. This is India. You will learn to love and appreciate the differences in culture.
*Girl volunteers need to wear Indian dress; salwar kurta, or kurta with long pants. Do not wear salwars as pants with a short top. Please do not wear tight fighting leggings, or tight shirts. Stick to Indian kurtas. Loose fitting T-shirts are acceptable for sports, work, etc. No tank tops or sphegetti straps. No swim suits. No shorts. Girls need to wear tshirts and long shorts when they swim. Three-quarter pants are acceptable in the summer (but not in the school). Girls are asked to stick to this dress code even in Dehra Dun, as you represent our institution. Please observe this dress code in your house and in others. No jeans in school, except on Sat. and worn with a kurta. Girls will be taken on a shopping spree to get a new wardrobe.
*Key Words:
Hello - na-mas-stay
Thank you – dhan-ya-vad
That’s enough - bus
Let’s go – chel – lo
Water – paa – nee
Food – khan – na
Bed – bis- ter
Mango – ah- mm
Banana – ka-la
Where –ka-ha hay?
*What Not to Say: Beef” or “meat” – those two words should never be used
*How to bathe? If your shower doesn’t work, fill up a bucket, stand in the centre of the room or in the shower area, use a bathroom mug and dump it over yourself! : )
*If you are leaving the campus please inform the campus director or administrator. If neither are available, talk to a house-parent.
* What to give to the boys: nothing without permission of Ken or Frieda or the houseparents Any material gift (or financial donation) is not to be given to staff without permission/ knowledge of Ken and Frieda
*Make sure that all taps in the house are turned off regardless of whether or not there is water coming out of them. The tube well is only “turned” on at specific times, so fill your drinking water at those times.
*There are two taps in your kitchen, one is drinking water, and one is not. Find out which is which! Don’t drink water from your roof top tank water; it is not clean.
*You may be able to buy milk from the dairy for you needs depending on how much the cows have provided! A record is kept and paid at the end of the month. Always strain and boil it before using it.
*When using the water heater in the bathroom, always unplug it when touching it, and never put any metal container into it to draw water. Use plastic. Always wear rubber slippers in the bathroom when the water heater is switched on. Indian electrics are not reliable and can be dangerous.
*We expect apartments to be kept neat and clean. Washing should be hung in proper places to dry (not on your front porch or in your front room). We want volunteers to be examples to the boys, who are also being taught to do the same.
*Girl’s apartments are off limits to all boys. The older boy’s house is off limits to single girl volunteers unless there is a permitted reason for being there, such as a program. Boy and girl volunteers are not allowed in each others’ rooms, but can meet in married couples apartments.
*Single girl volunteers: Friendship with older boys is limited to casual talking outside in visible places on Sundays or other free days. Permission to play games with the older boys on a Sunday or holidays must be taken from the house-parents.
*Volunteers are accountable to Ken and Frieda. If you are taking a weekend off, please let them know where /how/when you are going and returning. This is for your safety and hopefully, assistance.
*You can go shopping in Dehradun on your weekends off.
*You are always welcome to eat at the little boys house /or on occasion cooking your own meals. Boys’ kitchen is off limits for single girl volunteers. We encourage you to make your own breakfasts, but you are welcome to what the boys cook as well.
*Don’t eat from the street stalls. Food can carry a lot of nasty bacteria. Your stomach will inform you of what you need to eat in order to stay healthy.
*Snake Awareness: Caution! Use flashlights at night and walk on cut paths; stay away from long grass; especially during snake season (monsoon) and summer! Snakes are poisonous.
*Dogs in India can be rabid; don’t touch or feed them. Even campus pets, dogs and cats can be infected because of stray animals wandering in.
*Girls jogging in the area is not always safe and is not allowed without permission. Please ask permission before you do so from Frieda or Ken. Always go in two’s. Girls should not go outside the campus alone (even walking to Selakui).
*Volunteers will be asked to help plan and present morning assemblies 2x weekly for the school
*In India boys/girl relationships are not part of the village culture. Please don’t talk about the boyfriend or girlfriend you have left at home or talk about the way their physical appearances look.
*We also do not want to encourage the celebration of valentines day from a western perspective. Be careful about the slang you use and the cultural values you may be not realizing you're bringing in. We will tell you if we feel your actions or words are not appropriate.
*Play time for the boys is a great time for play, for sports, and for one-on-one relationships. It is a time to have loud, crazy fun that volunteers can join in on.
*Please leave the boys’ houses in the evenings as per rules. This is important. Remember, your actions impact! You will be idolized, so be a good role-model!
Time and boys schedule/Volunteer duties at that time
8:00 to 1:30 in summer/Shishya school students
8:30 to 2:00 in winter/ Shishya school students
1:30 to 3:00 in summer/ Lunch-homework time for younger boys
2:00 to 3:00 in winter/Lunch- homework time for younger boys
3:00 to 6:30 Boys work time/ Time for yourself
5:00 to 6:00-Boys play time
7:00 devotions/ Devotion with boys
7:30 dinner /Dinner
8:00 boys time with house-parents and time to finish studies or read quietly/ Leave boys house and return to apartments to rest.
9:00 boys bedtime
*Be ready for surprises, and yes, be patient, India is not in a rush to get things done! This is a community where everyone lives, eats, works and studies and grows together through the Holy Spirit of God, in Jesus Christ, whom we honor and love. You will see various buildings, some needing repair, dangerous looking electric wires, clothes needing mending, and many boys running around happily; sometimes barefoot. This is India. You will learn to love and appreciate the differences in culture.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Getting There
Looks like I will be in Seattle for a while on my way to India...oh well! I'll be leaving Haines on the ferry earlier in the day on the 14th!
I spent a little bit of time exploring Seoul, South Korea on my way to Thailand a couple of years ago. A part of me wished my lay over was somewhere else this time. Bad planning on my part but the tickets weren't as cheap!
Since I've been in Haines I've gotten a lot done! Whoohoo! My left arm is pretty sore from that typhoid shot I got yesterday.
Here is my flight itinerary to India!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Juneau International to Seattle/Tacoma
Departure (JNU): November 14, 8:00 PM
Arrival (SEA): November 14, 11:19 PM
Alaska Air Boeing 737-400|2hr 19min|909 miles
Monday, November 15, 2010
Seattle/Tacoma Intl to Seoul Incheon International
Departure (SEA): November 15, 1:20 PM
Arrival (ICN): November 16, 6:05 PM
Asiana Airlines Boeing 777|11hr 45min|5196 miles
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Seoul Incheon International to Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl
Departure (ICN): November 16, 7:40 PM
Arrival (DEL): November 17, 12:50 AM
Asiana Airlines Airbus Industrie A330-300|8hr 40min|2900 miles
Total duration: 38hr 20min | Total miles: 9005 miles
I spent a little bit of time exploring Seoul, South Korea on my way to Thailand a couple of years ago. A part of me wished my lay over was somewhere else this time. Bad planning on my part but the tickets weren't as cheap!
Since I've been in Haines I've gotten a lot done! Whoohoo! My left arm is pretty sore from that typhoid shot I got yesterday.
Here is my flight itinerary to India!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Juneau International to Seattle/Tacoma
Departure (JNU): November 14, 8:00 PM
Arrival (SEA): November 14, 11:19 PM
Alaska Air Boeing 737-400|2hr 19min|909 miles
Monday, November 15, 2010
Seattle/Tacoma Intl to Seoul Incheon International
Departure (SEA): November 15, 1:20 PM
Arrival (ICN): November 16, 6:05 PM
Asiana Airlines Boeing 777|11hr 45min|5196 miles
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Seoul Incheon International to Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl
Departure (ICN): November 16, 7:40 PM
Arrival (DEL): November 17, 12:50 AM
Asiana Airlines Airbus Industrie A330-300|8hr 40min|2900 miles
Total duration: 38hr 20min | Total miles: 9005 miles
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Change of Pace
There are only three more ships coming to Skagway until the end of the season is over. Last weekend was my 24th birthday and every day was jammed packed of awesome new memories. I am truly blessed with great friends and family.
With the end of the month closing in fast the reality of India is hitting home even more! A lot of you know how stressed I can be sometimes and it is often due to the fact that I procrastinate like crazy. The month while I am home I need to finish my 400 level Alaska History class (I have only done ONE assignment!), get my visa (and an AK state ID for it!), work on the Life Skills Curriculum for Shishya and get my typhoid shot from Juneau among other things! And I was afraid I would be bored in Haines the month and half I will be living there... hmmm. This will not be the case.
The last time I was in Southeast, AK in September was in high school. Being here in this area of Alaska has hit home how much I love it here and want it to be my home forever. This is the first time in 5 years I haven't gone back to school. This is a whole new rhythm for me and I love it. This change of pace is what I needed and I feel refreshed.
I hope everyone is enjoying their September!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Shots and Life Skills
So I came over from Skagway last night to go to the doctor in Haines to talk about shots and things. The lonely planet book suggested a whole list but the Center of Disease Control had a shorter list. I decided to combine the two and compare what the doc would have at my appointment, because that is what I was told when I made the appointment. Turns out they only carried the tetanus shot and I either have to go to Juneau for all the other ones (it looks like just Typhoid now) or I can call somewhere and they can fly them up and have them administered by a health professional. So much for a quick, easy appointment!
I touched bases with Shishya and it has been monsoon season where they are. There has been lots of rain and high humidity. The school was nearly flooded out. The school and houses on the campus are leaking badly and the founders house has water about 8 inches deep right up to the front door. The driveway and road are complete ponds. They even found live fish in the soccer field.
I wrote Shishya asking what I will be doing over there exactly for their school and children's home. There is so much information on their website I was curious as to what I would be doing. With my school counseling desire and interests, the Life Skills Program they have caught my eye. The program purpose is to empower students to make value based choices. The curriculum covers an array of issues; from relationships, choices, self esteem, feelings and sexual health. The purpose of the course is self empowerment of students to make value based choices in life. Facilitators build relationship with students through modeling love and care. Students are hurting and in different areas of life, there is big confusion, huge misconceptions and distorted perspectives when it comes to making choices.
The Lifeskills facilitators, which I'll hopefully be doing, are also trained in non directive counseling. As they build relationships and trust with the students, many choose to share their personal struggles. There is a need for student friendly and approachable people from whom students can seek counseling during tough times. Ideally parents should be the ones. But since parents in this culture don't see its relevance, young people often don't get the help that they need. The facilitators, through teaching in class, are able to build credibility and trust. The facilitators spend a large amount of time 'hanging out' in the fields during the breaks and the staff room during free periods, making their availability known to the students. The load of counseling is huge. More and more students (thankfully!) are choosing to talk! This whole thing is SO up my alley!
Frieda asked if I would be willing to teach 6th graders the lessons but also work on contributing to the curriculum that is already in place. I told her I have only done a few lesson plans in my day and I don't have any experience writing a curriculum. None the less I was so happy she asked and I CANNOT wait to contribute. I look forward to doing a little bit of research to help out. For my counseling, education, social work buddies who are reading this--if you have any suggestions or ideas please let me know!!
I touched bases with Shishya and it has been monsoon season where they are. There has been lots of rain and high humidity. The school was nearly flooded out. The school and houses on the campus are leaking badly and the founders house has water about 8 inches deep right up to the front door. The driveway and road are complete ponds. They even found live fish in the soccer field.
I wrote Shishya asking what I will be doing over there exactly for their school and children's home. There is so much information on their website I was curious as to what I would be doing. With my school counseling desire and interests, the Life Skills Program they have caught my eye. The program purpose is to empower students to make value based choices. The curriculum covers an array of issues; from relationships, choices, self esteem, feelings and sexual health. The purpose of the course is self empowerment of students to make value based choices in life. Facilitators build relationship with students through modeling love and care. Students are hurting and in different areas of life, there is big confusion, huge misconceptions and distorted perspectives when it comes to making choices.
The Lifeskills facilitators, which I'll hopefully be doing, are also trained in non directive counseling. As they build relationships and trust with the students, many choose to share their personal struggles. There is a need for student friendly and approachable people from whom students can seek counseling during tough times. Ideally parents should be the ones. But since parents in this culture don't see its relevance, young people often don't get the help that they need. The facilitators, through teaching in class, are able to build credibility and trust. The facilitators spend a large amount of time 'hanging out' in the fields during the breaks and the staff room during free periods, making their availability known to the students. The load of counseling is huge. More and more students (thankfully!) are choosing to talk! This whole thing is SO up my alley!
Frieda asked if I would be willing to teach 6th graders the lessons but also work on contributing to the curriculum that is already in place. I told her I have only done a few lesson plans in my day and I don't have any experience writing a curriculum. None the less I was so happy she asked and I CANNOT wait to contribute. I look forward to doing a little bit of research to help out. For my counseling, education, social work buddies who are reading this--if you have any suggestions or ideas please let me know!!
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