tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69414611977063108422024-02-22T02:25:34.980-07:00Sarah's Travels and AdventuresSarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-19297720800792312542013-08-04T12:56:00.002-06:002013-08-04T12:57:19.658-06:00Re-Acclimation Adventures<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As promised, I am going to tell a re-acclimation adventure from my first days out of Asia. After going through my diaries from my time abroad, I thought I would transcribe this, to highlight the crazy state my brain was in the first days back. For anyone in Bhutan now, good luck coming home- try to enjoy your re-adaptation as much as you did your original adaptation :) I hope you have the same joys, and none of the difficulties that accompanied me.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">January 19th. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chicago, O'Hare Airport</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am back in the good old USA. Jetlagged as anything, and still one flight to go. But I am in heaven; I am sitting in a foodcourt with 8 or 9 dining options. Pizza, McDonalds, "burrito beach", just to name a few. Its immaculate. All shiny, clean, bright. No trash on the floors and trash bins strategically located in walking paths. And the bins have pictures on them. Advertisements. EVERYTHING is an advertisement. The walls, the chairs, the trash bins. In Gasa, nothing is an advertisement for anything; except maybe Buddhism. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But anyway, its heavenly because of the choice and my anonymity. Any type of food I could want is within 300 ft. Except Bhutanese food of course, but I must not allow myself to become nostalgic for chilis yet </span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">(present day note, this was a bald-face lie, I was already dreaming about ema datsis</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. And, no sushi, but this is an airport food court after all. But anything else I would ever want- its here! I have chosen, for what will be the first of many mini-meals, a Dunkin' Donuts #6. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I admit, the options of choice were very overwhelming, even within one food stall. So, I went with a combo item to try to make it easier. But even within that, choices! Veggie or turkey? Cream or sugar or both? But, I muddled through. The girl at the counter thought I was crazy, as I kept repeating "I want #6 la". But, a number 6 I received, with minimal problems. I took a seat and drank my coffee and ate my egg and cheese sandwich, and the most remarkable thing happened. Absolutely nothing!!! No one came over to me wanting to ask what I was doing, why I was here, and do I like this country. No one stared at me from across the room. No one is hovering over me, or talking to their friends about everything I am doing. Its weird not to be the center of attention simply by being in someone's line of sight. I really had appreciated how thoughtful, and caring, and interested everyone in Bhutan was when interacting with me. But, I am an only child, and at heart, somewhat of a loner, so I treasured the day that I could walk to the Damji shops without the village stopping and pointing at me. And to be in a public place, where in the hundreds of people around me, no one wants to pay attention to me or even take notice that I exist, is a rare treat indeed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And no one is spitting! What everyone is doing in unison, however, is playing with their iphones. When did everyone get an iphone? This must have been the great technological advancement of 2012...when I left I only knew two people who had an iphone. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">(<i>present day note, I was wrong, the technological advancement of 2012 was the "app" something I discovered and struggled to understand in the months to come</i>) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now onto my second mini-meal. Something from "Burrito Beach", although I will have to linger by the menu board for too long just to decide.</span><br />
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This is a snapshot of my first few weeks back. Within a few weeks, I had gotten my own phone, not an iphone, but another kind of smartphone (which was disappointing to me as I just wanted them to re-activate my key-board slider phone). Within another few weeks I had figured out how to do more then make a call and send a text with it. My frustrations with my phone continue to this day, but I am working on it. I discovered the "joys" of "apps" one day when I was at SuperCuts to get my fringe trimmed, and 3 people got to cut in line ahead of me because they had "checked-in" on their way to the store.<br />
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The struggle with the number of choices I am presented with on a minute by minute basis continued for months more, and even emerges to this day when confronted with a particularly large clothing selection at a store, or a large menu. I miss the days when my choices were limited to the number of vegetables I had purchased at the market, and the number of clean kiras I had in my dresser. But, there are some nice things about choice too...I can eat whatever cuisine I want to, either by making it myself or driving to a restaurant. I can even have pseudo-bhutanese food, as I have been experimenting with the different chilies we have available here.<br />
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I feel I am really getting back into the swing of things in living in the US, and for that I am very happy. A great thank you to my family and friends who have been so patient with my ranting about noise and crowds, so helpful with showing me how to use my phone and explaining what YOLO means, and still being interested and curious after the 77th time you've heard "well, in Bhutan..."<br />
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And to my Bhutanese friends and especially my BMSS family (as I was flattered to learn some of you read this blog!) I miss you all terribly, and always, always will. I know that last year was difficult with the road problems and light problems, but know that, for me, it was the best year of my life, and I wouldn't have traded it for the world. Name-Same Kadinchey-La! </div>
Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-61793444245564865362013-06-17T13:24:00.001-06:002013-06-17T13:24:32.660-06:00Things taken for grantedI had an interesting revelation today, about the adjustment back to my American life, and thought I should write and share it.<div><br></div><div>I have recently taken a new job (now I am up to two part-time jobs woohoo!!) where I will be working with young children. For this, I have to get finger printed, and receive a TB test. So, to start off the week productively, I went about doing both of those things today.</div><div><br></div><div>First was the finger printing. I had a small "what a strange place this is" moment when all of the stuff was electronic. This is the Bhutan left in me, I know, but I was half-expecting to use real ink. Then I went to receive the TB test, and was told there was a national shortage of the drug used in the test and to come back later. This is the first time since I have come home that I have come across a "national shortage" of something. A real shortage anyway...I have heard things here and there about different shortages affecting the price of different goods (like pine nuts) but this was the first time that I was unable to get something I needed, and that was just the way it was. </div><div><br></div><div>Of course this happened all the time in Bhutan. There were rupee shortages, lpg cylinder shortages, and in my village there were shortages of basic goods due to the road being washed away for 4 months. The most concerning of all of these was the occasional candle shortage, because that would mean potentially no way to light your home. But we always got by. After all, we never had a potato or chili powder shortage :). And, after a few weeks of it, the constant rumors of running out of goods stopped really worrying me. After a few months, they were of no concern at all. It's just the way it was. What to do.</div><div><br></div><div>So, this is the attitude I took at the testing site, much to the shock of the staff, who apparently are used to people getting very upset at this knowledge. I was given a certified letter from the county, and a form was signed, verifying all the information about the shortage, which is supposed to be cleared up in less then a month's time anyway. And so, after my quickest trip to any doctors office ever, I left with my forms and was on my way. Completely unconcerned with this so-called problem. And with a new found appreciation for the laid-back, calm attitude toward the things life throws at you that I learned in Bhutan.</div><div><br></div><div>I have been home for 6 months, and I still am only scratching the surface of the things I learned in that incredible place. </div><div><br></div><div>To my Bhutanese friends, my students, and Bhutan as a whole, name same kadinchey la.</div>Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-79503899172890902512013-06-12T11:32:00.000-06:002013-06-12T11:32:14.089-06:00Some projects<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Here are some projects I have been working on since I've returned home. One of the things I brought back with me was a new hobby of sketching, and towards the end of my time there I was beginning to experiment with chalk pastels.</div>
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As you can see, Bhutan is never really far from my mind.</div>
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Side note: bear with me on this layout, I am still trying to find a template I like.</div>
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Coming soon: re-adaptation adventures. It's been mind-boggling, it's been eye-opening, and but most of all it's been hilarious.</div>
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Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-54191170998670640912013-04-08T13:40:00.001-06:002013-04-08T13:40:37.364-06:00Reflections...the first of many<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I need to start off this post by begging off the title...this is not one of those deep, long thought out reflections in the true sense of the word about Bhutan, what it meant to me and its effects on my life. That blog post will probably never come, because I don't think I could ever compose all my thoughts into a few paragraphs, and choose a few pictures to accompany it. The whole experience was just too vast to do that with. I am also not good enough with words, or images to do it even of a fraction of the justice that my experience deserves. And lastly, I haven't fully gone through all the reflecting and pondering and true deep thinking about my experiences with Bhutan. </div>
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My experience continues, through the friendships I sustain with my Bhutanese friends at BMSS, my contact with the new BCF teacher at the site, and the connections to the BCF teachers in my group as we simultaneously experience and work our way through our return to our western lives (or for those special few their second year teaching in Bhutan)</div>
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However something I have been reflecting on lately are the day-to-day things I did while in Gasa and what of those I brought back here to the USA, in one form or another. You may recall I was without road access to my site for 4 months and without electricity for 6. With these difficulties, how I spent my free time changed (no watching old HIMYM episodes on my computer, or BBS with my friends). Although I spent a significant time hanging out with my friends, here are some other ways I spent my time which I probably never mentioned in other postings. This is because they seemed insignificant at the time, but now are something like artifacts to the very unique life I led in Bhutan.</div>
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First would be writing. Throughout the year I wrote 5 journals. Although I began this before the landslides and loss of electricity, it became more prevalent after. The black spiral-bound book was February through May (the first four months) and the last four were June through December (I averaged about 2 months a notebook after the lights went out). From after mid-term break until the weather got cold I would spend every evening on my porch writing and watching the world go by, which was always entertaining considering my neighbors were 200 boarder girls.</div>
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My second hobby was drawing. This is something I picked up after the landslides, and I have to say it brought me the most joy of all my solo activities. I branched out from pencil to pastel, colored pencil, crayon, and pen & ink. It also became delightfully social as my kids and co-workers would watch me draw and talk to me about it. It also became a weekly or bi-weekly treat for my classes, <b><i>if</i></b> they were well-behaved, to "be looking at miss sarah's drawings"</div>
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Reading was the third in my tri-fecta of hobbies. Over the year I read close to 100 books. Lost Horizon was my favorite. It is the origin of the ever-popular phrase "Shangri-La". The book is very,very different then I expected, but its wonderful, and well worth a read for anyone who has ever heard Bhutan touted as "the last Shangri-la"</div>
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Hope you enjoyed these pictures and comments about stuff I did in Gasa with "no light" as everyone says. I plan to write more as time goes on, as the blog began long before Bhutan (if there ever was such a time in my life) I hope to continue it after. It is titled "TravelS and AdventureS" after all :)<br />
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Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-621861980805327142013-01-02T01:28:00.000-07:002013-01-02T01:28:05.069-07:00Lazy Days in Bangkok<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am out of Bhutan and into what has been referred to throughout the year by all of my friends as "the real world" "the other side of sanity" (okay, that one was mine) "city life" "real life" "the cultural gauntlet" just to name a few.<br />
Otherwise known as Bangkok, Thailand.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A city view of Bangkok from the top of the Golden Mount</td></tr>
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My first observations:<br />
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1. This place is big!<br />
2. This place is hot! (the second I stepped outside)<br />
3. There are so many people here! Oh, good, there are some chilips I can go and talk to, maybe they have an idea of where to go.<br />
4. Those chilips don't know me. No one here knows me. And talking to strangers is frowned upon.<br />
5. The power hasn't gone out yet. Must be a good day.<br />
<br />
<br />Well, the power has yet to go out, the water runs hot, and there are still so many people here, but I am settling in. Luckily, a friend of mine from college who works in Myanmar was in Bangkok and spent the first few days with me. We divided our time between getting our western fixes (mexican food, starbucks coffee, coldstone creamery, just to name a few) and doing touristy things like visiting Wat Pho, and the Golden Mount.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The temple complex of Wat Pho, one of the most visited, and truly beautiful temples in Bangkok</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The giant Reclining Buddha, at the Wat Pho</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">People putting gold leaf on Buddhas at Wat Pho<br /></td></tr>
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It was a great way to ring in the New Year and slowly start the adjustment to life outside of Bhutan. I have a few more days here, then up to Chiang Mai and Laos with another BCF teacher, and then to Vietnam with more friends from college.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">A Buddha outside of Golden Mount, we thought it was funny with the traditional statue, and then the modern, cartoon-like monk-dolls at the foot of it<br /></td></tr>
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I am very happy with my beginning of 2013<br />
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Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-13111555317369838082012-12-23T03:40:00.003-07:002012-12-23T03:40:59.970-07:00Bhutan: The last semester in review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have returned to the blog (after having electricity be returned to me) and so would like to summarize how the rest of my year in Gasa at Bjishong Middle Secondary School was spent. There will be more detailed posts written later, about different things that occurred, good, bad, constructive, educational, and growing. There will be plenty of time (I will have nothing but time after returning home to the USA in a month) for all of that.<br />
But right now, I am in shock that this is all over...that the year has come to a close, and most of the BCF friends are either home, in India, or Thailand, and that I am on my much anticipated, awaited, vacation with my mother to Phobjika, Trongsa, and Bumthang. Eventually, I will be able to reflect, and write more, but at the moment, I am just trying to deal with the reality of the end.<br />
Much of life in Bhutan is spent, at least for me, "in the moment"...there are so many cultural things to learn, neighbors to befriend and get to know, students to teach, papers to grade, and of course the never-ending chores to do that I spent most of my time focused on the "here and now". However, now the "here and now" has become the "there and then" and I find myself a bit blindsided by the whole thing.<br />
So for now I will give a summary, and let the details follow later...<br />
<br />
August: August was perhaps one of the most difficult "learning curve" months for me, as I was adjusting to life with no electricity, and knowing that the lights were not coming back anytime soon. I thought I had adjusted to the rustic Bhutan living in the spring- and I had- but that was the living with lights situation. Now I had to learn everything over again....and get readjusted. For example, as in the beginning when I got adjusted to heating water with an immersion heater for a bucket bath, I got used to heating the water by the sun (filling the bucket the night before, taking it outside once it had become room temperature, leaving it outside all day, hoping one of the kids didn't knock it over as a joke, and showering as soon as I returned from school so it was still warm enough in the day to warm up....yes, it all was as tedious as it sounds) And yet, there were positives. The "peaceful" lifestyle that people tout exists in Bhutan really did come alive. I would teach all day, then go home, send a girl to the kitchen for boiled water, and sit on my porch, drinking hot water or tea, reading books, and writing in my journal. It was truly unique, and in some ways, lovely.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">One of the best things about August were the incredible rainbows which would show up just as I walked home from school every day.</td></tr>
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September: September was a lot of things for me. I actually filled an entirely of my 5 journals written here in September alone. It was when I really began to pursue the idea of staying here for the next year...as time went on, I was unable to envision myself leaving, which caused me to believe that I was meant to stay. It was when I came to the very hard choice that although I wanted to stay in Bhutan, I did not want to stay at Bjishong. I loved, really still do love, my school very much. But the situation of landslides and not having a safe way out had really impacted me, and having spent a significant amount of time in fear (along with friends and family fearing for me), decided that psychologically, I could not handle another monsoon at that location. Even if the devastation of this year did not repeat itself, I would spend monsoon an absolute nervous wreck, spending the months leading up to it in dread, and that I was unable to do. I also planned to still be in Bhutan, able to visit my friends at Bjishong whenever I pleased. At the end of September, I was able to spend a week at a volunteer workshop at Ability Bhutan Society, a wonderful NGO working with children with special needs in Thimphu. As I saw my educational ambitions begin to turn to special education, I began to envision myself continuing my time in Bhutan with this organization, helping them with the important groundbreaking work they are doing.<br />
During my week there, I was shocked to learn of a tragedy unfolding out east, as one of the BCF teachers in Trashigang, Martha, had fallen suddenly, severely ill, and subsequently died on September 20th. This rocked the BCF community to its very core, and she is often thought of, and will always be remembered by all of us. It is an event that is painful to think of, and one that I do not, nor do I think I will ever, fully understand. One of my few regrets here is that I was unable to attend her cremation in Trashigang. Fortunately, many BCF teachers were able to attend, as well as (and most importantly, in my opinion) her students.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbv0jy_tydnphllDu-Xdw9upLnhlj-XBfR-JEYsNj9f7folKzw2W_ejB12VgX4kHfCOXmWDsjeOXqJQvIqqm3mPUsXeLYHzZBSjshcsIfVWVRM81ILr9wfn_Q89T7W-1SdjxRCBEvcpi8/s1600/DSCN0083resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbv0jy_tydnphllDu-Xdw9upLnhlj-XBfR-JEYsNj9f7folKzw2W_ejB12VgX4kHfCOXmWDsjeOXqJQvIqqm3mPUsXeLYHzZBSjshcsIfVWVRM81ILr9wfn_Q89T7W-1SdjxRCBEvcpi8/s320/DSCN0083resized.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our batch of BCF teachers at Dochula. This was the last time we were all together, and I am thankful it was such a beautiful, special, unforgettable day. Martha, we will never forget you, and may you rest in peace.</td></tr>
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October: October has always been one of my favorite months at home, due to my favorite holiday of halloween. Although here did not have the halloween anticipation fever like the states, I did try to start some in my own ways, by having a trivia contest for all my classes and Literary Club to find out Miss Sarah's favorite holiday in the month of October (prizes awarded, of course). This was no easy feat, as we had no electricity so no one could access the internet during their non-existent IT classes. Within a few weeks, however, students from every class came forward with the correct information- "Halloween madam!! Its a puja in your country, last day of the month la. There is junkfruit! But why is it madam?". I later learned that these intrepid students had pestered other teachers who had internet phones to look up the information, in return for cleaning quarters or doing laundry. Now thats dedication.<br />
And on the actual day, I gave out candy and prizes to all my classes. Along with the halloween, spooky theme, my friend Zam and I spent the month watching "Vampire Diaries" on her laptop, which she would covertly charge whenever they turned on the generator to teach class 10 IT or use the printer. Watching TV, since I hadn't gotten to do anything like that since June, was more fun then it had ever been. We also had our school picnic, which was the first time I really sensed the year might be coming to a close, but I blocked this sensation with all my might, as I wasn't willing to face it yet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RU8gJDIYhHLYOjcDoURqBkNocdqoYflr-yJ-bAxUBeHNsqQq9YWv5KlgVWhR3AlN0-DaKfFf-NtJZbJMmQ9gighk3f1FQlZLDKaDufmpE-1R-oicAOHcbc5GsSfNWYqXYr6bfva2yMc/s1600/DSC_0088resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RU8gJDIYhHLYOjcDoURqBkNocdqoYflr-yJ-bAxUBeHNsqQq9YWv5KlgVWhR3AlN0-DaKfFf-NtJZbJMmQ9gighk3f1FQlZLDKaDufmpE-1R-oicAOHcbc5GsSfNWYqXYr6bfva2yMc/s320/DSC_0088resized.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my friends (L to R- Tsethen, Ugyen, Norbu, Zam, Tshering and me) at the school picnic. <br />LADIES I MISS YOU!!!!! </td></tr>
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November: The start of November came as a shock to me, as it was unbelievable it was finally here. I managed to obtain my own internet phone, and so slowly started to reconnect to the world outside of BMSS and Damji village. It went quickly, as the whole school threw itself into exam mode, prepping and studying, giving tests, and of course, the seemingly never-ending grading. At the end of the month, I went to Thimphu to collect my mother, excited and hardly believing that she was about to arrive in Bhutan.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmmGH3M-Z7p2gUjaPDukP6up4vIpCvzGtyDtGKXaEm6p9Tac4eubn954gTlU-W4zqrRWaWEsGjFhk4u6qf0bi6pFqmBNbN25VHlXeOYRkE-Hy3Evb_4OPppu4COcq3G55ivRo0Vtswuc/s1600/DSC_0142resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmmGH3M-Z7p2gUjaPDukP6up4vIpCvzGtyDtGKXaEm6p9Tac4eubn954gTlU-W4zqrRWaWEsGjFhk4u6qf0bi6pFqmBNbN25VHlXeOYRkE-Hy3Evb_4OPppu4COcq3G55ivRo0Vtswuc/s320/DSC_0142resized.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mother's arrival at Paro. She's watching me post this, and says she has no recollection of this being taken. It was a long trip, I suppose.</td></tr>
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December: My mother arrived, and after a few days in Thimphu I took her up to Damji village where we spent a wonderful two weeks of finishing up the year, and she got to meet and spend time with my friends. I had envisioned and imagined this time all year, and it really did live up to all of my daydreamings. One of the highlights was going to National Day and getting to see the Dzong. On the 19th, I made my tearful goodbyes, and left school. My mother and I spent two days in Phobjika, watching black-necked cranes, 2 days in Trongsa getting to experience the Trongsa tsechu, and are now in Bumthang. We are staying at the River Lodge, and in accordance with my inability to comprehend the end of the year, it feels to me just like its July again, except much colder. Eventually reality will set in, but for the moment I'm letting it take its own time. Why? For the same reason that I wanted to take the rest of the time my visa allotted to stay in the country to travel and show my mom this beautiful country; I am not willing to say goodbye. But unfortunately I will have to. Due to a variety of circumstances, including issues with visas, I will not be able to stay in Bhutan for the beginning of next year. Instead, I will be taking a vacation around SE Asia, and then returning to the USA late January. And after that, I haven't the slightest. Its a foreign concept to me not to have a plan of what to do next, but I have learned a lot about letting things unfold how they may in my year spent here, and so am willing to apply that philosophy to my return home. I am sure I will find something, and will enjoy the rest and relaxation in the meantime.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqbme3ysJ8jMx1nBM-h08_7UJv-dy7MJTROTchjG2ba-8H2_AqJNUPGgbIqqFXxXz_zETQSGiXs3IQGEBOMyX0U3lPol6MVXqjsL2Kcz5egZSFW0rP_O05pDotWGm0F8pH_9Cerw6Q2I/s1600/DSC_0189resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqbme3ysJ8jMx1nBM-h08_7UJv-dy7MJTROTchjG2ba-8H2_AqJNUPGgbIqqFXxXz_zETQSGiXs3IQGEBOMyX0U3lPol6MVXqjsL2Kcz5egZSFW0rP_O05pDotWGm0F8pH_9Cerw6Q2I/s320/DSC_0189resized.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">National Day in Gasa. Note the absolutely gorgeous mountains.</td></tr>
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Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-4700688737486460092012-08-17T08:01:00.002-06:002012-08-17T08:01:13.286-06:00Murphy's Law<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Now is the time for me to eat my words of "writing every week" and " consistently keeping this blog updated about my life in Bhutan for my friends and family"<br />
<br />
I will tell you the end result at the start, and then go through the chronology of events.<br />
There is no longer a road to my placement and there is no longer electricity. It has been about 2 months since the loss of both, and things don't look like they are going to be fixed very soon.<br />
<br />
Late June: We were entering the nitty-gritty of monsoon season, where you can't see more than 2 feet in front of your face (which the kids love because then you cannot monitor their SUPW properly), the clouds come into the classrooms unless you close the windows, and there is perpetual rain. Sometimes a light misting, sometimes torrential downpours, but rain. Every day. All day. In some places in country monsoon is not that dramatic, but this june, in southern Gasa, it was.<br />
The torrential downpours led to landslides, which destroyed many things...but the most important were the paddy fields of Damji village (the village by my school) and the road to Gasa. The slides made the road impassible, and with the added twist of the fact that 2 bridges were completely swept away as rivers that used to be describable as "cute babbling brooks" were transformed into "raging whitewater". Fortunately the only casualties of life were a few cows. But it was horrible. One of our students got attacked by a very upset bull as she was trying to untie it to let it run away to avoid the slide, and several angis (grandmothers) in the village, after watching their family's ancestral land that was their key to feeding their families and making a living literally fall off the side of the village edge, have fallen very sick.<br />
Along with the village, and the bridges, all of the electric poles were washed away as well, leaving us with no electricity. Fortunately, someone was able to repair the "shortcut" and we were able to escape for vacation. Considering that I spent the 2 weeks before vacation listening to landslides continue to fall, and to people telling us how the school was going to be buried in one and/or we were going to starve to death as no food could now be brought up to the school. Being told how your life is in danger and the very realistic reasons why is incredibly stressful.<br />
<br />
Beginning of July: I had an absolutely wonderful and restful vacation, full of siteseeing, exploring new parts of Bhutan, and catching up with the wonderful BCF teachers who I have not seen since February. I will write more about it sometime. It was a blast.<br />
<br />
End of July: I returned to my site, fording rivers, and climbing up landslides. Fortunately we had electricity. For 2 wonderful days. And then, on a perfectly dry sunny day, another slide destroyed enough of the electricity poles and routes to put us back where we were the day of the first landslide...and with even a less realistic chance of getting it fixed. The power company has wisely decided to create a new power line, but, as the Bhutanese say, "it will take some time"<br />
<br />
Beginning of August: Same as July, no electricity. But the weirdest thing happened- I stopped caring about it. I stopped being upset, and miserable, and panicky. I developed a really nice routine, and began drawing again. I read voraciously, and go on long walks and just listen to the scenery. Now that people aren't saying our deaths are coming for us, and we don't hear landslides every day, this is honestly the most peaceful I have ever lived.<br />
<br />
And, thats where and what I am these days. This is the situation, and the fact that I have learned how to survive, and possibly even thrive in this, is a great personal feat. I am in the city for the weekend, and will have my fill of western foods, TV, internet, and then I will return to my peace- my soundtrack of birds and wind and rain, and students singing their prayers for the meals. I will return to the ultimate comfort of being curled up reading a good book by candle light. This is a very special situation and time in my life, and I will never forget it. And now, I embrace it.</div>
Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-58553806147105430962012-06-16T05:25:00.000-06:002012-06-16T05:25:02.077-06:00"You Are Halfway!"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This was the title of an email my friend Noorin and I received
from fellow BCF teacher Andrea at the beginning of this week. And, it shocked
me, although it really shouldn’t have. It was strange to see it in writing, but
its true. Exams started 2 days ago, and after 2 weeks of them, we are on the
much anticipated and awaited summer vacation…with a BCF retreat in Bumthang (a
central district of the country, and somewhere I have never been) and whatever
else we end up thinking of. If you haven’t noticed from my other blog posts,
making detailed plans ahead of time isn’t really the Bhutanese way. It doesn’t
really fit the culture- things are well prepared for, but many things happen at
the last minute, or are long thought out decisions that lead to spur of the
moment action. And not only is it cultural…sometimes its physically hard to
plan stuff out beforehand in Bhutan. Roads wash out, an official is
out-of-station, “what to do la?” as they say. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Along with setting exams and then the eventual grading that
will come, we have to compile all of the continuous assessment (results from
the assignments they have done all term) so there is still quite a bit of work
in the next two and a half weeks. But, like all of the other BCF teachers I am
sure, I am starting to think more and more about summer vacation, and the weird
fact that I have been here for almost half my contract.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Its strange to think about…we’ve been here almost 5 months.
In some ways, it feels like I have been here forever. I have become skilled at
tying my kira, I can make palatable naja, and I eat rice and chilis for every
meal. I even nod my head like the Bhutanese do (nodding the head from side to
side instead of up and down). The villagers have stopped staring (even
covertly) at me as I walk by or do my shopping- I am now part of the regular
scenery, as uninteresting to them as the 10,000 foot peaks that surround us. Sometimes,
I forget I’m not Bhutanese, and that I haven’t been here forever, nor will I
stay forever.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And in other ways, I am shocked it’s been this long. I feel
like the time has gone by so quickly, and I am curious if the second half of
the year will be as fast. Looking back though, I feel like I have done a lot
this term, at least academically. I hope the kids have learned. I can tell they
have made progress, their speaking has improved considerably. I just hope it
will appear that way on the exams. In a way though I am excited to see their
mistakes, their weak points- I am searching for a main point to focus on next
term (this term I primarily focused on the elements of a story, having them
identify them for everything we read). I am leaning toward the writing process,
and delving into how to write different kinds of texts. But, I am open to a new
idea if it appears to me through my student’s exams.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something my class 7 and 8 are looking forward to next term
is our American Pen Friends. BCF has connected us with a teacher in Oregon, and
we are now pen pals with her high school English classes. I had my kids write
to them, and sent the letters at the start of the month, and with any luck they
will be received by the time the American students return from the summer
vacation in mid-August. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I admit, one of the main reasons my kids are pumped about
this is because they will get to use the computer lab to type letters to their
pen friends (as with the average of 2 months for snail mail, email is a godsend
in this situation). They are understandably computer crazy, as no one has a
computer at home (even electricity isn’t a guarantee for most of these kids)
and the Internet fascinates them. However, they are genuinely curious about
their new American friends and excited to hear from them. I think it will be
fun for both sides. Although I think the American students will be a bit
shocked by the Bhutanese style of writing. They are naturally very dramatic in
their prose, and one boy wrote “Henceforth, my dear pen friend, I will go on
trusting you as my friend until my death comes to me in my narrow bed” and many
others also talked about their devotion to their new friend until they leave
this life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMozs4cz_tKGLmkY1Okg_X1-kzn4_o3GFSTnKBG-OzPpzbnQxjsBxF7xVR22ZmjHXv5J9pzUbGHEmjkpD1xMn_4tkpGgkm1skY4uWFhNrf0cK2j8swKhWsJN1cVj9RpNwwrpmaVexC8E/s1600/DSCN3211edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMozs4cz_tKGLmkY1Okg_X1-kzn4_o3GFSTnKBG-OzPpzbnQxjsBxF7xVR22ZmjHXv5J9pzUbGHEmjkpD1xMn_4tkpGgkm1skY4uWFhNrf0cK2j8swKhWsJN1cVj9RpNwwrpmaVexC8E/s320/DSCN3211edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My class VIIIA showing their serious side</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzgoEVfZo4D0Wp8e_Xeqgg6i_n1jOM6I_E-kDIQIpkD2E-yDTiDnhkaHQ3nkO3Dkn03ga3HSLllOrojHJUfbJz-TzSVc_TSszEtPZr0lpBLw5TZbgWdD2LHmmVBUQJcLXRc_gIet6_v0/s1600/DSCN3212edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzgoEVfZo4D0Wp8e_Xeqgg6i_n1jOM6I_E-kDIQIpkD2E-yDTiDnhkaHQ3nkO3Dkn03ga3HSLllOrojHJUfbJz-TzSVc_TSszEtPZr0lpBLw5TZbgWdD2LHmmVBUQJcLXRc_gIet6_v0/s320/DSCN3212edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My class VIIIA showing their funny, more realistic side</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr75m2s4QtqqiknJFK6eX2sonAyCtZ0RSa60KpWbjfsTJLRHwabuORZsB-pieKwe0YL1pgkoLjHW3xUP2Vh7daHkQYt3s0Cwm_6B3t8Rp1fAucsAyZg2hlNxWv1-bBazw5Pfs3S0heWHc/s1600/DSCN3213edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr75m2s4QtqqiknJFK6eX2sonAyCtZ0RSa60KpWbjfsTJLRHwabuORZsB-pieKwe0YL1pgkoLjHW3xUP2Vh7daHkQYt3s0Cwm_6B3t8Rp1fAucsAyZg2hlNxWv1-bBazw5Pfs3S0heWHc/s320/DSCN3213edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The girls of VIIB</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjw5Z1yXMM3xx23w1rKheHnFbtHrKfkfHlsFM9YdyF-vG7a708GJuKEbcw8tTHipmORXgBByqNjvonY2jsV3FLPu6Ka3AGzUFussmzcAQncNLlhK7jj4AnWvRw-C0hLLZ_BoTbWBXenZk/s1600/DSCN3214edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjw5Z1yXMM3xx23w1rKheHnFbtHrKfkfHlsFM9YdyF-vG7a708GJuKEbcw8tTHipmORXgBByqNjvonY2jsV3FLPu6Ka3AGzUFussmzcAQncNLlhK7jj4AnWvRw-C0hLLZ_BoTbWBXenZk/s320/DSCN3214edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The boys of VIIB</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All in all, I think the letters will be an interesting read,
and it will certainly be an interesting project for the term.</div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-81194847814783222402012-06-09T03:23:00.000-06:002012-06-09T03:23:41.849-06:00Teacher's Day<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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On May 2<sup>nd</sup>, we had a great Bhutanese holiday
called Teacher’s Day. Personally, I think all countries should celebrate this
day. Its like mother’s day or father’s day, but its for teachers! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead of classes, the students put on a nice presentation
for us. We were all given some flowers (I hung mine to dry and now they are on
my wall) and it was a day full of cultural dances and speeches by the students.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were even some games that were thought up by the
students for the teachers to play. Unsurprisingly, I was a high-in-demand
participant. These were little competitions to see how quickly you and a
partner could work together to do something, so also unsurprisingly I always
caused my team to lose (under pressure, people speak their native language…its
takes too long to translate. So, it took my team the time for the task plus the
translation time).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the end, the students invited (really, I mean cajoled)
the teachers up to the stage for a traditional dance. My protests of “I’m not
Bhutanese! I don’t know the steps! Stop nodding and pointing up there, I know
you understand I just said no!” fell on deaf ears. However, I was worrying for
nothing, for unlike the games, its really hard to spoil the traditional dance
we did, as it consists of linking pinkie fingers, and stepping back and forth
until the song is over. So, it was actually really enjoyable, and I had learned
the whole thing by the end of it (so, at the next big event, hopefully we dance
the same dance and I will know what to do).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the presentations and speeches, we were all served
lunch. It was, as usual delicious. Students came around giving us cards and
little gifts. I had been warned by the other BCF teachers that sometimes kids
give presents that you really don’t feel comfortable accepting because of the
price (i.e. kiras and ghos), but I was lucky as all I got was a cup, and about
15 pens; perfect because they were inexpensive so I felt okay accepting them,
and because I really needed pens. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then came my favorite part of the day. At the lunch, the students
from Class VIIB (the class I am the homeroom teacher for) invited me to our
classroom for tea, along with Zam, my friend and the IT teacher. Well, I was
very honored and excited for this, and was practically skipping over there. Zam
had some “stomach paining” so didn’t join us (much to my class’s chagrin, I
think they were hoping she would translate stuff for them so they could talk in
Dzongkha; they often ask her to teach me “much Dzongkha quickly and nicely for
miss sarah please madam!” and I think they are disappointed in my progress).
However, we had a lovely time- the classroom was beautifully decorated, and I
hope the girls were pleased that I came. I sat and tried to drink my way
through 2 carafes of naja and one of suja (sweet tea and butter tea
respectively) and ate about 50 biscuits. (I could go into a long post about
Bhutanese manners and etiquette but let me leave it at they wouldn’t have
wanted to drink tea with me as I was their guest and teacher- I promise I wasn’t
being rude and greedy eating it all for myself!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They sat and we got to have a nice chat; they asked me
questions about the USA, whether I miss home, what is different about home,
whether I like Bhutanese food, whether I like their class (something I am not
surprised came up as we were having behavior issues that week….but I explained
the concept of always loving someone or something even if its irritating, and
hopefully it was understood). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In turn I asked them about their homes, what they thought of
Bhutan, if they had ever been outside (the call going abroad here “going
outside”…one had been to India across the border in phuntshoeling, but that was
all), if they ever want to go outside, how long it takes them to get to school,
what do hey want to do when they grow up, and what language do they speak at
their homes (one girl is from the east so speaks sharchop….a language which I
only know the word for foreigner, which they thought was hilarious). It really
made me happy to be able to spend this little bit of time with them where I
didn’t have to be teaching them a lesson. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My class VII students are a great bunch, and we spend a lot
of time together since I am their homeroom teacher. And, they put up with a lot
from me because I don’t know how the system works a lot of the time and being a
homeroom teacher includes a lot of extra responsibilities. For example,
assigning captains…instead of being able to assign them the first week like I
was supposed to, they had to make a list of all the captains that the class
needed (its like, 6 by the way…not as simple as it seems!) and what the job
responsibilities for each captain were (there is class captain, logbook
captain, furniture captain, decoration captain, etc…see I told you, not
simple!) and explain it all to me in english (which is their second or third
language) so that I could assign them. Needless to say, they have never-ending
patience with their “western miss” and I really do appreciate it and them. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The entry gate for the teachers, and the school captains prepared to hand us flowers</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The really big picture is of the 4th King</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I am in shock that it is June, and we have another big
celebration (for Sherig Century) on the way…so I am looking forward to that,
and hopefully will be better about writing and write about it soon!</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-48836964411724423932012-05-18T06:20:00.001-06:002012-05-18T06:20:30.344-06:00A Day in My Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I address this topic in another blog post, but life here has
become very regular and routine through my eyes, and I am afraid to say, when
people ask how Bhutan is, I don’t have much of a response anymore besides “Oh,
good. Busy. It’s fun”.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, I am somewhat aware that although life here has
become regular and routine to me, it is not to my friends and family at home.
So, I thought I would give a detailed recounting of a regular day (15 May
2012).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The students are awoken at 5am, but I normally get up around
7. I start my water boiler, brush my teeth, and then put on my kira. I wear 1
kira a week, normally over a tee-shirt and shorts (was long pants or leggings
until about a week ago)- and although we use the term kira for the whole
outfit, its actually 3 pieces, a blouse called a wonju, a long skirt that’s the
kira, and a jacket to cover the wonju and the top of the kira that is called a
tego. When I am not wearing it, I keep it folded on a chair (you can see this
week I have a black wonju, green tego, and black and blue kira. This one is
wool, and is very, very warm, which is perfect for Gasa). By the time I’m
dressed, my water is boiled, and I make a cup of coffee. Depending on whether I
have leftover curry, I will either have rice or oatmeal for breakfast. I eat my
breakfast and read a book, or look through the Bhutanese papers for articles
for my students to study. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My room </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I walk to the academic block around 8am, and sign in, and
then assembly is at 8:15. It begins with mindfulness, prayer, and then the
national anthem. Next there will be some student speeches, today there were 2
on the topic of happiness, one was in English and one was in Dzongkha. Next the
Teacher on Duty conducts the rest of assembly, reading announcements (today
there was a reminder to the house captains to submit the names of the students
who will be participating in the extemporaneous speech competition). Lastly
there is a daily pledge (Tuesday’s pledge is about empathy and compassion) and
then the students sing a traditional song.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I always have 1<sup>st</sup> period with my homeroom, which
is class 7b. Because I am their class teacher (as opposed to just their subject
teacher) I have to take their attendance, and do other homeroom like duties.
Today they had news corner where I read them an article from the newspaper and
they identify the 5Ws, plus define new vocabulary.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Interval is the 15 minute break in between 3<sup>rd</sup>
and 4<sup>th</sup> period, and it is kind of like a mini recess for the
students, who can leave their classroom and go talk and play with their friends.
The teachers take tea, and momos, which are made by our wonderful cooks in the
mess hall. It is, without a doubt, the highlight of most days. I mean, its naja
and momos, and not a lot can top those two things <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After interval I taught Class 6, and we are studying a story
called “Flood Waters” about a family who is evacuating their home due to the
flooding of the Mississippi river. We made lists of what we would save from our
homes if a flood came. Most times, I read them the story, and explain each paragraph
in detail, since a lot of the vocabulary is very hard for them, and its not
feasible to learn 50-60 new words for a 3 page story in the 2 weeks we have
allotted to study it. We also spend time making story maps, and identifying the
different features of a short story, since that is what they are tested on. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After 4<sup>th</sup> period is lunch, and I go home, and
make rice and curry. Today I made potato and cheese curry with chilis and
tomatoes as well. I will read a book, or watch some tv on my computer. Tuesdays
are lucky days for me, and I don’t have class in the afternoon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My lovely kitchen!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I was a
substitute for a teacher who was out of station, so I subbed in 7B. I took the
free time I did have to grade assignments from my class 8, plan lessons for the
next day, and to consolidate grade results for 7B from the quarterly exams.
After 8<sup>th</sup> period ends, the students have afternoon prayer, and I
went home, and took a bucket bath. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This evening I plan to do some laundry, finish reading <u>The
Pilgrimage</u> by Paulo Coelho, and call the lovely Reidi, who is another
western teacher working in Bhutan. Sometimes a go down to visit my class at
evening study and play go fish with them (it helps them pose English
questions). Other times I go on walks with some of the other women teachers, or
hang out with Zam and watch movies. I’m normally exhausted by the end of each
day and end up going to bed no later then 10 or 10:30.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s my life in a nutshell.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My lovely shelf/windowsill with all of my books and calendar and lamp. its cozy :)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My scary water heater as I heat water for doing laundry</div>
<br />Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-43111839303290872692012-05-15T19:55:00.000-06:002012-05-15T19:55:04.109-06:00And as the weeks turn to months...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
First off, I am sorry that I have been neglecting this blog.
My intention (which remains) is to write about every week or so.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I cannot blame poor internet for not doing so. I have wifi.
Yes, other BCFers, I have been hiding this from many of you because every time
one of you finds out you look like, or sound like, you are going to murder me-
but just remember, its like people who have good old regular broadband in the
sense that when the power goes out-as mine did for 5 days last week- it’s even
more useless then the bmobile data sticks. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nor can I blame a ridiculously busy schedule (although the
BCF teacher who has the largest courseload still manages to blog about the most
out of any of us…Dave, you rock). Honestly, its slipped my mind here and there,
and when it has crossed my mind, I haven’t had anything specific to write about
(although there is a post coming up on the great Bhutanese holiday of teachers
day) or I just haven’t been motivated to write at all. I have been rather lethargic
of late…school is fine, but has been exhausting, and I often am in bed by 9:30
(and quite honestly, the last 45 minutes of that is waiting for the girls in
the hostel to go to sleep first). It’s a terribly embarrassingly early time to
go to sleep, especially in Bhutan where people are night owls, but I just can’t
help it most of the time these days. I admit I also am not getting much rest on
Sundays as I have been gone for many of the past few weekends to go visit the
lovely Noorin in Kuru which is only 2-3 hours away- absolutely nothing by
Bhutan standards. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And more than lethargy, my failure to write has also come
from what I like to term mental immersion. We have been here 3 and a half
months or so…and I consider myself used to the culture and environment. Not an
expert on knowledge or practice, but definitely used to it. The stuff that
would amaze me (both in good and bad ways) 2 months ago is just routine now.
Some stuff is still perplexing and confusing as ever, but those events seems to
occur only a few times a week now, compared to the beginning when they came a
few times in an hour. I have talked to a few friends from home this week, who
all eagerly ask me “How is Bhutan?!” and I find I don’t have much to say,
besides the bland “Oh, its fine. Getting a little warmer. Just finished exams”.
Of course there is so much more to here then that, but at this phase of my
experience, I can’t really see past the normalcy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don’t get me wrong, things are good here- really good. I am
happy, have made lovely friends and enjoy teaching and all of that. However, it
also feels really normal. Regular. Ordinary. Not boring, of course, but normal.
Its such a juxtaposition to describe such a special place in those words, but
for the moment I can’t help it- that is what I see and feel. Maybe this will
change soon, or maybe this is a stage in the cultural adaptation process that
no one tells you about. In any case, its certainly not a negative one, but does
shed light on why I have not been particularly vocal about things here lately.
I try to write everything down in my journal…even stuff that seems bland and
normal to me now, because I know to others it doesn’t, and I know when I leave
and look back, everything I considered normal will seem strange and fascinating
once again, like it did in the very beginning. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In counting down the months until my mother comes to visit
(3.5!) I also came to the realization that I am 1/3 into the experience here.
Which is kind of a weird thought; in a way it doesn’t feel that long. I was in
Thimphu last weekend and everyone kept telling me it would feel strange because
I hadn’t been to the city in 3 months. But it didn’t- it felt perfectly normal-
the strange (and wonderful) part was getting to take a hot shower in my
friend’s apartment and sit on a comfortable couch. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, all in all, things are going along smoothly, and
normally. And nothing seems odd anymore, which is an odd fact in itself. And
the days turn to weeks and the weeks turn to months…I have finally realized a
lot of the time here is gone already, which is unnerving. As my friend told me
as he was about to leave Bhutan after being here for almost 2 years,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Enjoy the rest
of your time, it will be over before you can say kuzuzangpo-la”</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-82610571040215065122012-04-17T08:47:00.001-06:002012-04-17T08:49:16.862-06:00Books in Bhutan<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>821</o:Words> <o:characters>4680</o:Characters> <o:company>Knox College</o:Company> <o:lines>39</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>9</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>5747</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>12.256</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">An college friend of mine kept a running list on her blog of books she had read while in the peace corps. This inspired me, and I decided to do something similar- I now have a running list of books in my agenda. But as I really wanted to share my thoughts on some of these books, and none of my new Bhutanese friends have read them, I thought I would turn to my blog, and write about them here. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I have been in Bhutan for 12 weeks, and have been trying to read a book a week. Somehow I have come out to 12 books…even though I know some weeks I have read 2 or 3 and some weeks I have read nothing at all. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">So here they are, my first 12 books in Bhutan, with a short review following the titles (some are no longer in my possession and I didn’t write down author names).</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; "> </span><!--[endif]-->A Baby in a Backpack to Bhutan- this book is a memoir about an Australian woman who leaves her job in publishing, marries a man who works for a Rimpoche and ends up living in Bhutan with her baby for three months while he works on the film “Travelers and Magicians”. It’s a lovely book, and is an interesting and charming story of a family who leads a traveling lifestyle. It’s a very rosy book, and although it tells a lot about Bhutan, it is very obviously (at least to me, who has lived here 3 months) focusing on the positive aspects of the culture. In any case, it is a lovely read and I recommend it to those who are interested in knowing more about Bhutan. I also recommend watching the movie “Travelers and Magicians” as it is a fascinating film.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; "> </span><!--[endif]-->The Wedding- This is the sequel to “The Notebook”. Enough said. </p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; "> </span><!--[endif]-->Three Cups of Tea- (I am assuming most people know what this book is about). I enjoyed it, as I am learning first hand about teaching in schools that are full of students who know the value of education (when you are the first generation to receive education, you value it more. I imagine it’s like being the first person in your family to go to college, except on a bigger scale). However, what I have read about the controversy surrounding this book has tinged the positive effects.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; "> </span><!--[endif]-->Water for Elephants- I read this based off a recommendation given to me by my dear friend Russell (if you read my blog I love you!) over a year ago. It’s a pretty good book, and a very entertaining story. I have not seen the movie, so don’t know how it compares.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; "> </span><!--[endif]-->Lonely Planet: Bhutan- This book is a traveler’s guide, and was mainly useful when I had that long weekend in Thimphu with nothing to do but go to restaurants. But after reading it a few months into being here, it took on an even more interesting (and sometimes comedic) level. To get a similar effect, try to read a lonely planet book about your home country. It’s pretty funny. </p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; "> </span><!--[endif]-->Emma- I am addicted to my kindle, and one of the great things about ereaders is due to copyright laws you can get any book written before 1920(?) or some year around that, for free online. So, I have started to read the classics.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]-->7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; "> </span><!--[endif]-->Great Expectations- See the explanation for 6</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]-->8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; "> </span><!--[endif]-->The Adventures of Tom Sawyer- This book is really adorable (so many high schools in the US make you read Huck Finn, but this one is much more enjoyable I think. Easier to read in any case). It reminded me of all the boys in my class VI, who are very naughty but very clever and are hard to scold because they make me laugh so much.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]-->9.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; "> </span><!--[endif]-->A Thousand Splendid Suns- A good read, but terribly depressing. I now will probably never read The Kite Runner, as I really don’t like books that are that depressing, no matter how good they are.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]-->10.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; "> </span><!--[endif]-->Under The Holy Lake- This is another memoir of someone’s experience in Bhutan; a Canadian teacher in the late 80s who was in eastern Bhutan for two years. I really enjoyed it, it was well written and I thought gave a very thorough, honest, and positive all at once portrayal of what life here for a foreign teacher 20 years ago must have been like (and its strong similarities to what life is like here today). Again, this is one I recommend to people who want to learn more about Bhutan, and especially what it is like to be a volunteer teacher in this country.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]-->11.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; "> </span><!--[endif]-->Friday Night Lights- I bought this book on amazon after watching the first season of the TV show that is based off it. The book is so, so, so much better. It’s a memoir/sociological observation of life in a small Texas town in the late 80s where football is the center of everyone’s lives. The observations of how the sport completely dominates everything from the school to the town is really disturbing, and how this lifestyle manages to irreparably damage the high school football players it idolizes is ironic and awful. </p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]-->12.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; "> </span><!--[endif]-->11/22/63- I LOVED this book. The funny thing is I probably wouldn’t have felt this way about it had I not been here. Don’t get me wrong; its good in any setting, but certain themes really resonated with me. The main character is an English teacher, and he goes back in time to try and stop the Kennedy assassination. However, he has to stay in the past for years preparing for this, and along the way falls in love and creates this great life for himself as a teacher in a small Texas suburb of Dallas. Throughout the novel the main character goes through this internal debate of whether he wants to stay in the past or not- and how he comes around to feeling at home and really living a full and happy life there, even though he knows he could never really belong, and its not really his home. Plus, other characters have these debates with him about whether he is meant to be a teacher or not, which is a conversation I think every teacher (teaching abroad or not) has with themselves at one point or another. Anyhow, amazing book in my opinion, I recommend it.</p> <!--EndFragment-->Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-2669993553927844672012-04-15T07:58:00.002-06:002012-04-15T08:02:12.157-06:00The Chili Conundrum<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">I am encountering problems with the Bhutanese diet. But not the problems you would expect.</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Let me preface this by explaining the basic Bhutanese diet to those who aren’t aware of it. Its rice and curries for all meals (the word in Dzongkha for rice is the same as the one for food…this causes whole new problems when the students didn’t see me with a 25 kg bag of rice and passed the word onto their friends, creating the fascinating and frightening rumor that the new English miss doesn’t eat food, and is starving herself here)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">And as for the curries…they are primarily chili based. No, not with a lot of chili powder, but chopped up whole chilis (that aren’t deseeded). My friend Zam regularly puts 5-6 chilis in a curry, which is average. Remember, this is for each curry in a day…breakfast, lunch and dinner. The classic Bhutanese dish is called ema datsi, which is a curry of just chilis and cheese. (They also eat a lot of cheese with everything) </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7AOA4HLJbv4eWOSgFMtO8qb1zV0WOhQ7AiP03KeZgxbHgwnovDH3b7W6rtKbOdmzMJUnVK__uzLQXt13OhvD6pdfgTbCjus-xKd-eOHcUw2NMZZj7F_HR6b4jUpA4HoCUVFXTxRCDYE/s320/DSCN2976edited.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731627048411868962" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></p><div style="text-align: center;">This is a small food market outside of a shop in Thimphu. The green things in the basket next to the tomatoes are not beans, but chilis</div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">A common Bhutanese snack is called ezee, and is pretty much like salsa, but again, includes the added ingredient of chilis and seeds. It’s actually pretty good, but you definitely have to aim for the tomato and onion bits until you are used to the chilis.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxTPq7uFGalLIYjoW-rAs9E2mngoZxYBRYGTJrd7OozYEMYZaSG1bnGBqOGuba6icMmcP7PtN4P56lpvLr4zm0S7kHaymoO4_9oPe09hBqme6WqCvjE1TD1GO9J_TgIIi-FlbRV8oi8U/s320/DSCN3149edited.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731627054116337922" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></p><div style="text-align: center;">These are momos, (served daily to the staff of my school at mid-morning break...one of the many perks here) smothered in ezee</div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Now a little bit about me; as my family and friends will attest, I have never been one to really enjoy spicy food. Don’t get me wrong, I am somewhat of an adventurous eater, and am willing to try anything, but have always gravitated to the minimal spice level of things on the menu. For example, my favorite food is sushi. I am an avid sushi eater…have been since about the start of college. My abilities for sushi eating are amazing and somewhat disturbing; I have been challenged and beaten one of my friends at sushi eating competition twice (completely kicked his ass) and to give you some frame of reference, he is a 6ft 3 inches full grown man. I admit I’m pretty obsessed and will have it at least 2x a week at home. But it was only in the past year that I ever started to add wasabi. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">When I found out I was coming to Bhutan, I started to force myself to eat food that was spicier, to try and prepare myself for my diet here. And yes, I took this as a great excuse to go out for sushi and thai food as much as possible (ordering green curry at maximum spice level and adding whole blobs of wasabi to soy sauce with enthusiasm). And as fun as all of my preparations were, I knew deep down that nothing could really prepare me for the Bhutanese cuisine, and I was right. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">For the first few weeks, food proved to be the greatest of challenges. I looked at each meal as an obstacle to be overcome- and developed some defensive ways of eating (grabbing more potatoes then chili pieces when eating kewa datsi, and trying to swallow chili pieces whole so I wouldn’t bite into them and spread the hot flavor through my mouth, to give 2 examples). Plus, there was the problem of when you finish anything, the Bhutanese (ever concerned with being good hosts) will harass you to eat more and more. Although I learned and used the polite mannerisms of refusal, it didn’t seem to work as well for me as a chillip as it did for the other Bhutanese I ate with. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Yes, I treated my life like an episode of Man vs. Food, and in many cases it was. But then something strange started to happen when I was a few weeks into my experience here…I started to enjoy the chilies in the dishes. I found myself avoiding them less. By 6 weeks I had started to buy chilies and was experimenting with adding it to my own curries- first 2 chilies a curry and then more and more until I was up to the Bhutanese average of 5-6 chilies per curry (although I deseed mine. I like to try to participate in the cultural norms as much as possible, but we all have our limits)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">And then, the strangest and most frightening thing of all happened- I became addicted to the chilies, and found myself unable to make a curry without them. My diet now consists of rice and chili curry for all meals, which leads to the consumption of between 15 and 20 chilis daily. Its terrifying when you think about it, and I am beginning to experience symptoms of what the Bhutanese refer to as “chili overdose” which is when you eat too many and your hands and face start to tingle. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">So I am making a conscious effort to reduce the chilies in my diet, although it is much harder then it sounds as I have become so accustomed to it. I suppose there is such a thing as getting too immersed in a culture- and in diet at least, I have had a case of “overadaptation”. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">I don’t like to think of what will happen when I return home to a chili-free environment. I have already started to have nightmares of going to whole foods in search of ezee.</p> <!--EndFragment-->Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-66182747408987387642012-04-03T01:15:00.002-06:002012-04-03T01:24:36.991-06:00Cleaning Campaign<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">March 24th</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>55</o:Words> <o:characters>317</o:Characters> <o:company>Knox College</o:Company> <o:lines>2</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>389</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>12.256</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults ext="edit" spidmax="1026"> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout ext="edit"> <o:idmap ext="edit" data="1"> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">This week was a busy one at school. We had rimdo, and then international water day, and international TB day. This was concluded by a cleaning campaign on Saturday afternoon. The 4 different houses were assigned to clean different areas around the school. I was assigned to help Singye house (Lion house) clean Damji village. I was particularly pleased that I was assigned to monitor this group, as Singye house has some of my most entertaining students in it, and I really wanted a chance to walk around Damji village, a place that I had only been to once before (it is only a km. away from the school and I pass it all the time on walks to shops but rarely go into it)The group did a good job, and collected a lot of litter. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BIVUQav6iH6bdek2LRQ1WV5_3LfrgHgh8W0Xz7fLKDrwrUk_DiLDtzZ508BGkc6X1ZWWN6cZd7bLzQb3cyOSUtzB6nuJs_6gDs0WY1pyIxcRjbtfc2eRLH_mA-aVzpPn6QirIatLC1Q/s320/DSCN3152edited.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727070617085348146" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></p><div style="text-align: center;">Posters that different clubs made for international water day</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwa0pCCnupi0_yHNc-rsCmAeZIwdoTUQTMVYE_s86HubEoqgQJ7nUXa_YtExPzW7FiuwRbVgl_EZ3iYh0SuKGkMZz4V2FeCup5nilTcaDz5XfuOYd7skaewVCuwIH5uuofMksrEPcSAY/s320/DSCN3154edited.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727070629756137634" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Students at the presentation for cleaning campaign...a few people talked about the importance of cleaning campaign before the work began</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTLT1hUrWDaffb3ulRGsT3vghd2FgYtxLWGoV8oHcjqivj1C6F4ULKNedo8WE9_73TCTw5M_lKQwUy6TYfyDWRFGuZOuDQPO9x3ynm5rmeeDmExt_g4PaV89UeqDc9bVdYjPLTqWwEqo/s320/DSCN3161edited.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727070635250946194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Singye house holding up the banners that Mme. Yeshi made this week before heading out to clean Damji village</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PU_PKbhoDOUSLwG1YaA4Z_xK8qpZJuG16LIqOFP9NkJ7gpAue6IuoL3f6EtkmKVdyRGzc210ZzeLpNKMTkfxmF8oRVdvpJtJ0YTE8pmZFYH31BJT7v3bWUOuB7jTlOhyphenhyphenZ0Aj0GeGisg/s320/DSCN3171edited.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727070655413703122" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Students cleaning up Damji village</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyHI0OH3U_Ti_R03qgoLX3Nrpz7ATCt29pZSQA8BUFFnVxYT9fjhyFPjDN0dGCxpQnOvIgn000aw5Kg49Da7imBmplNOJSk-KDLLgtpuucMlyIrhlHGvUe5gQQhaNvSZUeuYZbJNK1OY/s320/DSCN3169edited.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727070643539043058" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Damji village, one of the most picturesque villages in Bhutan (in my humble opinion)</div> <!--EndFragment--></div>Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-41820572329928466842012-03-27T00:59:00.002-06:002012-03-27T01:07:06.460-06:00School Rimdo<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">March 20th, 21st</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>624</o:Words> <o:characters>3558</o:Characters> <o:company>Knox College</o:Company> <o:lines>29</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>4369</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>12.256</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults ext="edit" spidmax="1026"> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout ext="edit"> <o:idmap ext="edit" data="1"> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">For the past few days we have been having a rimdo (a religious event) for our school. Because this was such a large event, and there is so much to say about it, I will divide into parts. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Part 1: Expelling the Demons (a.k.a. How Miss Pema’s hair got burnt and why my kitchen table is covered in dirt)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">After a day of preparation for the event, the Lama and monks arrived. This was a very important Lama and I was told he was the religious equivalent to the Dasho Dzongda of Gasa. The even began in the assembly hall with a lot of religious chanting. All of the students and staff were present. After a time of chanting, the mask dancers came. These are people who dress in costume with no shoes and have masks over their faces. They have the power to expel demons, and so are essential to the Rimdo, which is supposed to purify the school and get rid of all the badness for the new school year. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">So the masked dancers began to dance. I have forgotten to mention that they are carrying flaming torches. They ran around the assembly hall with their fire, expelling demons. This was mildly terrifying to some of the students (while some absolutely loved it). More pressing was the fact that they wave the fire sticks around quite a bit, and people are in danger of burning their clothes/hair. I was able to shield my hair and face, but my neighbor Pema was not so lucky, and they burned a bit of her hair off. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">After expelling the demons from the hall, they continued to the rest of the campus, paying particular attention to the hostels. We were told to open our doors so that they could go into our quarters and purify. The masked dancers would run through the room with the fire, followed by the lama who would throw stones and wood powder in the room (which we are not supposed to clean up for three days…so my room is very dirty at the moment). After the lama and the dancers left, Zam and I went through our rooms to check the results. Poor Pema’s bed was covered in the wood powder, but Zam’s room was spotless. As for me, my bed only got a little of it, but they dumped a ton on my table and bukari. After our inspection, we returned to the hall for the end of the ceremony, and a delicious dinner. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-FP5Gm2taoAVl4T3WKRvuD6JBwB57w8e83UiqCSCSOBFy8Y1vpNmYBPMmwQa001Y6sYZkS4ZoHX3RaLOCSaO_Z2OwdQDvEKIUoLsUB4cSahMHXAT2NRjIY19HzSmWu03ICbUAHMVdMM/s320/DSCN3144edited.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724468889814285634" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></p><div style="text-align: center;">The masked dancers preparing to visit the different rooms</div> <p class="MsoNormal">Part 2: Rimdo Day</p><p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_jC1zpotNPClvC0sk16OlTMPG9AtFWOu4ywdtXLX-pVBoZ6QReJigAW8i9oyutP305LAO9-io5qhWs-tSLOXltLCaeFAHYVj9ND_yiJbBV2_DPA_2qJn3abK1phfTzC7RuYOV0ZxtrI/s320/DSC_0003edited.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724468866856133522" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></p><div style="text-align: center;">The incense pit that was built for rimdo day and was kept burning all day</div> <p class="MsoNormal">We got to sleep in the next day, and then went to the lower class block to see how the Rimdo was going. One classroom had been turned into an altar room for the Lama and the monks to perform the day’s ceremonies, and for people to offer things. Another classroom had been turned into a religious classroom of sorts, where monks sat and chanted all day. And a third room (Zam’s computer lab) had been turned into a makeshift kitchen, so that the teachers could be making tea and food for the lama and monks all day. Because they had to be chanting for most of the day, their throats got understandably tired, so they were provided with tea and juice throughout the day, along with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-Qz-mGEk5E-dut7Z1x5TOp08jTRDuUocgU1D3DipsGeDuOMf_MCBzjNMXVLly96vgwrKAlHlNuh367-qzoWqZbCbYWZLjbqjpiUN-8wotPiIghTYe35dv2ggAUv-9VsBSWgjHRWk0nc/s320/DSC_0025edited.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724468872052066930" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></p><div style="text-align: center;">My co-workers preparing sweet rice for the lama and monks</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38NXMaxcWDrfdK3k3NcLVoaoPy11UIlvjMxARPzmvmpkzQPHljH6rMnKycWqtsYYfWK0BVnUfX1bAMqn7q4-mFanOf_pUAAJQ3Tv7wGzZXyiQDDtMRml-Azi8ZmII04JshV11KbxFQfs/s320/DSC_0024edited.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724468868064717026" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some more co-workers enjoying a comedic moment as they waited for lunch</div> <p class="MsoNormal">Throughout the day, people went into the altar room to offer clothes, food and money, and to sit and hear the lama and monks, and receive blessings. The teachers all received a nice blessing towards the end of the event (and now we are all wearing our blessing cords for good fortune for the next year). Other then that, I ate a lot of good food, played a little basketball, took a lot of pictures, and had a very enjoyable day. One very interesting thing that happened was one of the girls was possessed by a demon. She claimed to have seen the demon coming after her after the dancers expelled them from the hostel, and had been in hysterics all night, having hallucinations and dreams. Her friends took her to the lama to be blessed and hopefully cured. I haven’t heard any more about it, so I think it worked. It was one of the more unusual things I have observed here; I have seen several girls with fainting fits, but never anything like this.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqLGkNj0sAD8_7wgHPsniZXtHJb3nNm_NhBoWIfROX0QCQ2t2jxQ0FQt25HnEAK7BOb8Yb7DpZ0p163H-5ae9yN4tIcxEd2wPYq1V5JmJbVqpTioUDT8ZEtCP9AER4OLFXLdNtf7Lajk/s320/DSC_0039edited.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724468882062537170" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></p><div style="text-align: center;">The altar </div> <p class="MsoNormal">After our blessing, we served dinner to the lama and the monks, and then received dinner ourselves. It was again, delicious. The teaching staff spent an enjoyable evening just drinking and eating and chatting, which was very nice. I think everyone had thoroughly enjoyed the Rimdo holiday, and was sufficiently tired as it had involved quite a bit of work for most of the staff. All in all, I thought it was a great 2 days. </p> <!--EndFragment--></div>Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-39688716523673000942012-03-17T09:28:00.000-06:002012-03-17T09:30:51.690-06:00My Greatest Challenge<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>587</o:Words> <o:characters>3350</o:Characters> <o:company>Knox College</o:Company> <o:lines>27</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>4114</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>12.256</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">People (both Bhutanese and friends from the west) often ask me about what is challenging about living in Bhutan. Most Bhutanese people assume my answer will be that it is too remote here and too cold (yes my BCF friends, I don’t know about you but I wear long underwear under my kira everyday), there are no western things around me, and that I must be homesick. My friends from the west assume the answer will be about the foreign foods, difference of language, lack of hot water, taking bucket baths, and not being able to depend on the electricity or water supply. I do not mind the remote environment, I am in no way bothered by cold weather (thanks Antarctica!), and although I miss my friends and family, I am not homesick. Coming here was the right decision for me. The challenges that first come to mind are the kinds that my western friends say- the physical ones. But after being at my placement for over a month, those are negligible if nonexistent now. I am used to the day-to-day life here.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So when asked today about the challenges, I got to thinking about deeper ones. Ones that aren’t easily overcome by time, or are simply physical. And I have come to the conclusion that the biggest challenge for me here is my own independence. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I am a very independent person. It is a simple fact about me, and it’s been that way as long as I can remember. I think I was born with it, like I was born blond. And like the blond, its noticeable. My independence has served me well over the years. I have never been afraid to take the plunge of a new adventure that will take me far away from anything familiar. It is what got me to a college ½ the country away. It is what got me to the bottom of the world in the Antarctic. And for all intensive purposes, it is what got me to Bhutan. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">But now that I am here, my independent self has hit a bit of a wall. For the first time, I am having to depend on other people for really simple things, and its difficult! Someone helps me get dressed in the morning, whether its helping me fold my kira (BCF crew- I am trying one of the kiras with ties these days…its warmer, but much harder to get on!) or just fixing the collar of my taego and wonchu. People translate everything that is said for me (even the stuff said in English, which is hilarious and adorable), speak for me at meetings, help me light my bukari and supply firewood, and feed me any meal that I happen to be around for. It is all unbelievably kind and I feel so welcome and part of the Bjishong school family. All of this care is why I am not homesick.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">But my independent soul is dying a little. I want to do these things myself- well, actually, I want to be able to do these things myself. I want to know how! I am in awe of these life skills that everyone here has, and feel like I missed out on some important life lessons. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">But I am not expected to do things on my own, and after awhile, I figured out something important; No one is. Other people don’t need help tying kiras and lighting bukaris, but everyone helps each other constantly (such as fixing each others hair, getting tea for one another, and making food), and because I am part of their community now, they do the same for me. Because they come from this environment of interdependence its natural for them, but I find myself trying to do things on my own, or more often, feeling guilty that I am not being independent enough. In the beginning I felt bad I was leaning on others as much as I was, thinking it was special treatment I was receiving because I was a new teacher, and a western one. And a part of it was. But now that I have been here a little while and have participated in helping others in my own way, I have realized that I have stumbled onto a significant piece of culture- interdependence. And as I am trying to learn Dzongkha and how to eat the most blistering of ema datsi, I am trying to learn this. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">This lesson is my greatest challenge here to date. But as with most difficult lessons, I believe it will also be one of the most rewarding.</p> <!--EndFragment-->Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-74220600154990297082012-03-05T04:56:00.003-07:002012-03-05T05:05:22.786-07:00His Majesty's Birthday<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left; ">About a week after school started, it was His Majesty’s Birthday, on February 21</span><sup style="text-align: left; ">st</sup><span style="text-align: left; ">. This is a national holiday, and really quite a big deal here in Bhutan. Everyone celebrates, and schools throw celebrations of their own. This year was particularly special because the main celebration for the entire Gasa district was not going to be at the Dzong (the center of government) like it always had been, but instead here at Bjishong school. The celebrations take a lot of practice in the first place (its what the kids spend their whole first week of school doing) but needless to say, we had to prepare even more than usual since we were the hosts for the whole district (or so I inferred).</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwfSHOhClGaV7Pb28wNPp4gcHhCLXdr4QtSrLyl-oj9DTPYakepgmaadhw7HBTRjCyklD1FTbgaCm6ScIMfJQlXR8a2HbZJQ18WKpAUOrOyBCMjMzd7ySMUHF9hDv_uO7HFKltR13kAc/s320/DSCN3068edited.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716382139448745474" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></p><div style="text-align: center;">This was a dance performance by some of our younger students. And it was the cutest thing I have seen since baby seals in Antarctica. I have a video of it as well...if I am ever blessed with high speed internet I will post it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEYAbfNER3n8aGNlSoGRvAfgb5BFNfEPDl_AOYWMkvr0U6mXBo1c9tENvB2vavzCcGHDWYwCER5AYy5ZKXtNCuohvrSogsEjSPgZsjSLGQP-nO8a1QEF2wHU3aIWcFMqDG7N7f9tsTEM/s320/DSCN3059edited.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716382124074976258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The start of the celebration with the students marching</div> <p class="MsoNormal">Having never celebrated His Majesty’s Birthday before, I really didn’t know what to expect, and I had nothing to compare it to, but I think it was spectacular. There was a presentation of dances, both cultural and traditional, and some with modern twists. Layap people came down for the celebration, so we got to see some of their traditional dances as well. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGB4tG-4TB8IfgcdZBqB4sxKChj7o8cXR6cBsqPjLTsRWNiuvkn7L9w2CS710LtQAcBq1VMkwijQ3ENu_v-sE3cqhZRX1xAVI15uu_hDxnry-XGDenEILvKbpnPsbARLqoGe32a6Idod8/s320/DSCN3065edited.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716382132834285250" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></p><div style="text-align: center;">Some of the Layap people performing their traditional dance</div> <p class="MsoNormal">As strange as it is to see people just preparing for this event for a week straight instead of having classes, I really liked the result. I think it is fortunate that His Majesty’s Birthday falls so early on in the school year, because it is a great way to start it, with an event that everyone is so enthusiastic about. Coincidentally, the 22<sup>nd</sup> and 23<sup>rd</sup> of February were Losar, which is Bhutanese New Year, so we had those days off- I got to go down to Punakha and see Noorin, and it was a lovely relaxing break before the start of the academic year. </p> <!--EndFragment-->Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-57431424150327114652012-02-18T23:56:00.003-07:002012-02-19T00:13:35.102-07:00My New Home<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left; ">I thought I would take a minute to write about my posting, at Bjishong Middle Secondary School. I am placed up in the Gasa District by a small village called Damji- two hours south of the Dzong and two hours north of the Punakha District. My school is primarily a boarding school, and has about 400 students total, from PP (aka kindergarten) to class 10- all of whom board!. It is one of only 4 schools in the district, and as far as I know is the only school that goes past grade 6 so at class 7 lots of students come down from towns higher in the district like Laya and Lunana.</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal">I am staying in a large room attached to the matron’s quarters. It was formerly used as a sick room for students and is quite spacious, with a small toilet room and shower room as well (with an actual shower! Cold water, but still, its there) I have turned one corner into my bedroom and another into my kitchen, but by far my favorite place in the whole room is the bukari, which is my wood-burning stove. I have a nice fire every night (thanks to my wonderful Bhutanese friends and neighbors who have taught me how to make a fire) and spend much time sitting next to it doing everything in close proximity to the stove- eating, reading, and lesson planning. I also boil water and sometimes cook on it, which is great because this way I am saving on gas for my kerosene stove, and again it gives me another reason to sit by it. It smells all cozy and wonderful with the burning wood, and makes lovely crackling noises when the wood is burning. All in all, the bukari is my favorite thing about my living quarters- and as you can see, I am mildly obsessed with it <span >:)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSs3JgtWlQzDZ6Yd5BLlD3GDw-LBWh814yC7zmn6ntm1n3JzXxmOPlPmoliI6O_fZoDNYycswfdZWsK-l7jyWe7GC3TUnlqkIgeXEAVJ6l-Wsd5ZZhd44YbTZydbpXtF8rXGs63jb2pw/s320/DSC_0047edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710740989407248018" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></p><div style="text-align: center;">My living space. Note the bukari with kettle on it :)</div> <p class="MsoNormal">That being said, I really don’t spend too much time at home. This whole week we have been preparing for school- doling out responsibilities, picking classes to teach and the like…then the students arrived and now we are all preparing for His Majesty’s Birthday on the 21<sup>st</sup> of February. It is a very big event everywhere in Bhutan, and this year instead of going up to the Dzong, the rest of the district is going to come here! So, it seems to have an added layer of excitement and responsibility. I myself am quite looking forward to it. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdy3fHbjwxroaaiYZjq4RqDLSzYhOiE1Z-hwU-zTFyyP6AKSa1t5h1bkRSpraoRjdVD-QauFjcuOktbmcU4Y6wmotLTWh7awzGjb9EBJbTwgeOxcZ7d_NF79dr-1tuwzwSLJJ0W5aEmtw/s320/DSCN3047edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710740995585588066" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></p><div style="text-align: center;">Students preparing for the birthday celebrations of His Majesty the King</div> <p class="MsoNormal">When not preparing for school and big celebrations, I have been lucky enough to be making some wonderful friends. Everyone here is so very kind and I have had such a nice settling-in process with the help of the fellow teachers and staff here. My first night a neighbor and fellow teacher, after making myself and the 4 people who came with to drop me off a delicious lunch, asked me to sleep over at her apartment because the matron hadn’t arrived yet and she didn’t want me to be lonely on the other side of campus all by myself- and on my first full day she took me to see the shops and to another friend’s place for tea. This is just one example of how welcoming the people have been. It all has just continued to keep my spirits up and allowed me to become even more excited about this upcoming school year- now there are less unknowns about where I am going, and what my life will be like here, which has just freed up space in my mind for more possibilities and excitements ahead.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-kidKxexV5Wx4ZMZwE495T3bO_EQn5RenNPbzeXZdrAqG_1srKm486MJqkdQwR-xZriiNQWJrilkRkmxMQQGVIUPgLerY6OmQld2w4ScsxPS7P-mZQfLKiIM7Q3QWCCu9BGYhpuHQI0/s320/DSC_0045edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710740986998916594" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></p><div style="text-align: center;">My view :)</div> <!--EndFragment-->Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-91253067098099470342012-02-05T01:34:00.004-07:002012-02-05T02:16:23.922-07:00Shopping for National Dress<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left; ">One of the highlights of orientation was shopping for national dress. In Bhutan, they wear their national dress for most things, and we are encouraged to wear them as teachers. The man's dress is called a gho and reminds me of a knee-length togo. The woman's dress is called a kira, and is an ankle length skirt, blouse and jacket. We are slowly getting used to how to wear them...although they are very comfortable they take a lot of effort to fasten and tie correctly, and to make look presentable. I plan to wear mine every day while teaching, so hopefully I will get the hang of it soon!</span></div><div>Last week we went to the kira and gho store to look at fabric and make our choices. It was recommended that we buy two everyday ones, plus one for a formal occasion if we wanted. The men could get ghos the same day, but the women had to be measured and the cloth cut to make our kira skirts. It was so much fun to look through all of the beautiful fabric, but I have to admit, it quickly became a very overwhelming process, as none of us really knew which fabric would be good for what, or even what colors went well together.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoA7ucRjfLhPPq_qch3f9l5NLa0P4YbJvtlCrQNOrXd17b16DPQK5gMJ1uKBHa0ixwkCM5Q1fylpyXja-kJod1GQ4EIEVm3SLL3XN57bgReSs6bBKHtEl3wxcJ-yARvRhn5g11gbm7UUk/s320/DSCN2979.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705576177462077522" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The fabric at the kira store. The ones in the front are the most traditional ones and are the warmest.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKaP9gko_jBGrXwABhOcxfD6o52bKibWo7lrdgqVG6UdIvCwADf_mx5YKAj7v-Jc0biwQcby60qv_zBPJv_1op_FTJiPOl8jh7OXZ0wD3LBxlX1_EvLkzHVEVJpTvTXG1syNUQI_CoPs/s320/DSCN2973.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705576185903291282" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Simon and Martin examining a gho</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbWWsn2ZRil1x5b0KPbTXsLbi5v6Ja0WtBXA4WZB4FADK7P8HWWR45H3O8fCZsWb1v9jYtATU7D923UYMHYKwDYWpdG8IVTSXe9xQNFsX8Fh4clnSEWoKs0uhtSM7UHfHsUAGb385zU0/s320/DSCN2974.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705576188601328946" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the very nice shopkeepers helping Ashley choose a jacket and blouse. There are the most beautiful colors!</div>Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-69316262708650119002012-02-04T05:28:00.002-07:002012-02-04T05:38:55.602-07:00Learning and Living in Bhutan<div>A disclaimer, none of these pictures are mine....they were taken by other teachers in our group and posted on all of their blogs (I am having issues with uploading but will soon). Thanks all!</div><div><br /></div><div>We have been at orientation for almost 2 weeks now, and I can really say I feel like I am settling in. I am loving my time in Thimphu...it is a great city, and I think a great introduction to Bhutan. The orientation has been great...it was sad to say goodbye to 12 of the crew today as they headed east to where they will be teaching. Noorin, Dave and I will remain in Thimphu until next week when they will take us to our placements. I am looking forward to Gasa where I will be teaching...the more I hear about it, the more excited I become!</div><div><br /></div><div>I promise I will write a more detailed blog soon, but for now, here are some pictures of our time in/around Thimphu.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdPbZN1xUmQUoK7etgzUetjaXojPSeQzi9Ma-96UD9-YrWfSqBiOBpDdjAxEoKbnH_CAKOs76hyZP63uSp9d1jADZT0EtItc0lzQ3gGdmZPpZUflP1I5iNrs_ytolLUjFSN9alf_DAzA/s1600/dogsinfrontofshop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdPbZN1xUmQUoK7etgzUetjaXojPSeQzi9Ma-96UD9-YrWfSqBiOBpDdjAxEoKbnH_CAKOs76hyZP63uSp9d1jADZT0EtItc0lzQ3gGdmZPpZUflP1I5iNrs_ytolLUjFSN9alf_DAzA/s320/dogsinfrontofshop.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705256611366553154" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">There are lots of stray dogs here, and everyone is very nice to them- they all look very well fed, not like strays in the US</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRC3zQETycaxt8A4p3ONBYRGf666nIBSytF9whRy2naOyDFUBYR7YYghUPA2GV3Th-iQUbquB-UcXXlR9aV76DtIwQ38_PvaYaFIWCwBJiXhQEcAri9MIjeVzmYWZMEC7McmgCWR7Iqg/s1600/Delaine%2527sWindow.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRC3zQETycaxt8A4p3ONBYRGf666nIBSytF9whRy2naOyDFUBYR7YYghUPA2GV3Th-iQUbquB-UcXXlR9aV76DtIwQ38_PvaYaFIWCwBJiXhQEcAri9MIjeVzmYWZMEC7McmgCWR7Iqg/s320/Delaine%2527sWindow.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705256610052939506" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The view from Delaine's window at the hotel</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtwmDEWNddXVcKx1_Uqb4hMPSranMX6kjJr7Xm6k4PWNKaX95zCoBE7wCOv8X8jmskkzOpfrmsUugAMoQ_buy_m2b-xtKIxxboEI7ICrKo8KDQA7W9X107utaFgVanjrpj4060qdWIf8/s1600/Meena%252CDelaine%2526I.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtwmDEWNddXVcKx1_Uqb4hMPSranMX6kjJr7Xm6k4PWNKaX95zCoBE7wCOv8X8jmskkzOpfrmsUugAMoQ_buy_m2b-xtKIxxboEI7ICrKo8KDQA7W9X107utaFgVanjrpj4060qdWIf8/s320/Meena%252CDelaine%2526I.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705256598862590786" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">One of the most exciting parts of orientation so far was dressing in the kira, the national dress for women in Bhutan. I will write more about the shopping process, but here is the finished product...they are very comfortable and beautiful! </div>Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-43126845726264890992012-01-25T16:56:00.006-07:002012-01-25T17:05:19.577-07:00My first days<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left; " >Well, I am actually here! After a trans-atlantic flight to Dusseldorf, an 8 hour layover, a really long flight to Bangkok, a 22 hour layover, and a flight to Paro with a stop in Dhaka, I have finally arrived!</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbrdl5AHlBOhrMvnW-TsFMFG4PcvEOCD4bEn7zFKDt3NRTRZAMZ8wm1bWA8w_tUTdTmMwc_alF6NsbqRMFIz-xbS5AseKCn9vlfMdHtcajNefdnvYD_Xg-saa07Q6e3LstEJdCeqYdX4/s320/DSCN2953.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701723806155974210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></p><div><span >The view from the window of the plane as we descended into Paro</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span >We arrived at the Paro Airport, then met up with the rest of the teachers and went to lunch in the main part of Paro before driving to Thimphu. We got to walk around Paro a bit, which was our first introduction to a Bhutanese city. I thought it was beautiful. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEMwA4G0JJaO3HDOTwZsUsdf86CyOQT6vS5gTs0MTleEf4mI0eNoepktQl4BbDg-4X-wHoz89J0UClbC_6b4hcSPuewtUvOtz5chexYMJikRp7aJ67PzDleZqf4D7xQDYNnIKZmAD6VQ/s320/DSCN2959.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701723815376694274" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></p><div><span >Here is the large prayer wheel in Paro. There are small ones scattered throughout the city</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span > </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span >Then we went to Thimphu, had dinner, and everyone crashed. It was a very tiring day, and if you add in the jetlag, it was exhausting. Today we had orientation in the morning, got to meet the Minister of Education at noon, and then took a city tour in the afternoon. We were shown all the markets and good stores to buy supplies for going into the field to our schools, as well as the touristy stalls that sell nice souvenirs. It was really nice to get to explore the city, but as it was another full day, its another night early to bed. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span > </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFmgbPlsZ3-yu4CMjEtWvC93-NjdtSqc86k967RjlZqOQc8TYw3YLCCRsIYu8by5YIRLp4kSFRVQb2NXjZNPD7ltwkgBDUuw7yFRA_syTo7AvtpNMQToIIvlvGDIdyb5EcSVmiAEjAT8/s320/DSCN2964.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701723827198777938" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span >Thimphu- as you can see, it is a city crammed into a valley (which is the case for most large towns in Bhutan)</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span > </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span >Bhutan is absolutely beautiful, and there is so much to see. The Bhutanese food has been spicy, but I am coming around to it...and the soups and teas are wonderful! So far, I am absolutely loving it here. The orientation has been good, all of the other BCF teachers are really nice and <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span >interesting, and are all really remarkable people who are so passionate about teaching and being here. Its a great group of people to start off this experience with. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span > </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdCKypqD-_J14RvBEMT4i_PVQdEnDgC-r2S0Xd6DqxgKn_ZZtFGogw4NuQubulHFGqJZ_cEZETFAA7vuFDHGFHuN_fqjXBOgB9kUT_w7dzTUkVnTL5djgZn37duu1uNz-cWVqjYKInAw/s320/DSCN2951.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701723794545366978" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></p><div><span >In Thailand, my friend Noorin ordered coconut water, and it came in a coconut with a flower!</span></div> <!--EndFragment-->Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-48871079729450243582012-01-18T15:06:00.003-07:002012-01-18T15:24:49.420-07:00Bhutan here I come!On Saturday, I will be leaving for my next great adventure....teaching for a year in the remote Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, or, more poetically called, "The Land of the Thunder Dragon". <div>Over the past few months, besides traveling as well as undertake one of the most physically and mentally strenuous adventures of my life which was hiking the grand canyon, I have been doing sensible things like getting ready for Bhutan- getting vaccinations, figuring out what kind of clothes to bring, and packing.</div><div>All thats left really is to get on the plane, and go....</div>Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-24666072681588704292011-12-30T00:59:00.003-07:002011-12-30T01:10:23.910-07:00Grand Canyon National Park round 2<div><br /></div><div>The weekend before Thanksgiving, Ashley and I attempted the Grand Canyon Hike again...actually allowing ourselves 2 days to hike it, enabling us to get to the bottom and back! In total, it was a 17 mile hike...we hiked to the bottom one day and then back up the next. It would have been great to stay longer, and now after seeing the bottom of the canyon and the different campgrounds I am dying to go back!</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSO3zHrqmxay0-gZhCmFPkOdNBwLr_ZjY5ZYKBpBY_E7Gdzk0iDMnLMamS7IGjFysldklcI9SpmHYuHg0cvxpy2YCVkHFugl0cxojfLSxchtX7CjPIPaYNtugrujAkDvAcftwwCW01auY/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSO3zHrqmxay0-gZhCmFPkOdNBwLr_ZjY5ZYKBpBY_E7Gdzk0iDMnLMamS7IGjFysldklcI9SpmHYuHg0cvxpy2YCVkHFugl0cxojfLSxchtX7CjPIPaYNtugrujAkDvAcftwwCW01auY/s320/DSC_0105.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691828819015831490" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHnzL0aIbVBVLHtz7KctBd9SNfjajDsdjWGqw9ScMgSbhxx3ovnlNNUzy-lHbry9xKNEJANPd3K_oaK2hI8OfoMrQqMZopMJUV4hwmIneTYk0iFGlLXu_3B8Fv1du0F2nEZPpfnXLOEw/s1600/DSC_0119.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHnzL0aIbVBVLHtz7KctBd9SNfjajDsdjWGqw9ScMgSbhxx3ovnlNNUzy-lHbry9xKNEJANPd3K_oaK2hI8OfoMrQqMZopMJUV4hwmIneTYk0iFGlLXu_3B8Fv1du0F2nEZPpfnXLOEw/s320/DSC_0119.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691828805077091202" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This was a little oasis a bit before the Indian Garden Campground...so pretty!</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB60lTYYOqoJxUJxEGEw3l8wLCRtrtB4OZ4jJ66iAaxYl82_6wutEXk7jYHWS_ouIUD1r4Qj1P1ntf4mXbnbfyixwBj9JsUH90-2hJLzQWGkia2ZGOjRZr1PiyuNhoMYMsESbOAP23_V4/s1600/DSC_0113.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB60lTYYOqoJxUJxEGEw3l8wLCRtrtB4OZ4jJ66iAaxYl82_6wutEXk7jYHWS_ouIUD1r4Qj1P1ntf4mXbnbfyixwBj9JsUH90-2hJLzQWGkia2ZGOjRZr1PiyuNhoMYMsESbOAP23_V4/s320/DSC_0113.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691828801161934434" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Bright Angel Creek, right in front of the Bright Angel Campground where we stayed, at the bottom of the canyon</div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCppKWGQIFuC-8n4DKQ68xDsBSFZ3TwNmJBQ0lnEmz3zJTyCsVntELjgq5Mhbuk6JXPWELP4QTHcq0oKPbOx4AV2iXGztzlBp83XV6a50BBWT8L4UdzAdCgW7lbmGUF9VqawW7Oq2ZqJU/s1600/DSC_0089.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCppKWGQIFuC-8n4DKQ68xDsBSFZ3TwNmJBQ0lnEmz3zJTyCsVntELjgq5Mhbuk6JXPWELP4QTHcq0oKPbOx4AV2iXGztzlBp83XV6a50BBWT8L4UdzAdCgW7lbmGUF9VqawW7Oq2ZqJU/s320/DSC_0089.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691828789421434194" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The warning sign telling you not to try to go to the bottom and back in one day...we were surprised to see many people trying this...it is such a bad idea!</div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJwx-Vhbrm8cwe3hwj9TZf1mNUCMFUfQDbP2LWyrVhDUgy5GV8bZVkEIeF2xRAxG4R1X2tPfC9sgHks1LLolV6m6O2L25ziHKrn5u0651nIpU-Rp2_-vyqkIl7w3lPk1_bl4GZPZkI8c/s1600/DSC_0087.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJwx-Vhbrm8cwe3hwj9TZf1mNUCMFUfQDbP2LWyrVhDUgy5GV8bZVkEIeF2xRAxG4R1X2tPfC9sgHks1LLolV6m6O2L25ziHKrn5u0651nIpU-Rp2_-vyqkIl7w3lPk1_bl4GZPZkI8c/s320/DSC_0087.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691828786097835218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A beautiful canyon view</div></div>Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-85540184375240117432011-12-30T00:48:00.002-07:002011-12-30T00:55:29.448-07:00Arches National Park<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxTFsPv63wb6GKzpgHPx-IquetQ_gNnPnqMPC9ltOGRjo4MjdvhzMQqCD1DjecraVGOLhdTFJ35OaNTIgZHqMFdvXPJ7k5HtSAMnWDosG69B1FdSwhIqz5T1pbPXkQ7u39fbyUYR5Xe0/s320/DSC_0063.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691825868420951010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">On my drive from Montana to Arizona, I stopped at Arches National Park. It was a beautiful day, and a really pretty place to see.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpWboexn-3fJz5yTXP-1CmVv7hMdU4T2gwWPwgVix100ew4EFl06IwTJa4Y37PI6tihOOq3r4vv6xeEHKbT9rUCdY_HqWT9fCaLSrg9Sh6i_WFVoSFYHerJ-Iom25oH2DjjPSDSYYhMk/s1600/DSC_0080.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpWboexn-3fJz5yTXP-1CmVv7hMdU4T2gwWPwgVix100ew4EFl06IwTJa4Y37PI6tihOOq3r4vv6xeEHKbT9rUCdY_HqWT9fCaLSrg9Sh6i_WFVoSFYHerJ-Iom25oH2DjjPSDSYYhMk/s320/DSC_0080.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691825893298404242" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is the balancing rock. I really have no idea how it stays where it is.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWPt0lHp8Rz1GCWB_XrlK1TL_yoDWXWIw55244UxmXweRwP4N7aA_SliEyYdYzybuRHgn1EKYkzT694fzIwj7er3UZRnP73Q4r1yWOHW3bQYTX2RsHMEKjN7vtKh4lBbIQyAuL-HUJ-s/s1600/DSC_0077.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWPt0lHp8Rz1GCWB_XrlK1TL_yoDWXWIw55244UxmXweRwP4N7aA_SliEyYdYzybuRHgn1EKYkzT694fzIwj7er3UZRnP73Q4r1yWOHW3bQYTX2RsHMEKjN7vtKh4lBbIQyAuL-HUJ-s/s320/DSC_0077.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691825880611139218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">One of the grander rock formations....I think it is called the Courthouse</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4u9sB-m2pFlsJe2maQ_6jR4J0XWhq1W9Zc0ATxkd1rg_HiBdBYqAp9ghB2Snh_e2mykdaUxwD0Yfjvjiswv1G_LPeao0VOpyckm0IxzJfyu9EH9muCfHt6St7iROsesYsDIcIhhmh5ac/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4u9sB-m2pFlsJe2maQ_6jR4J0XWhq1W9Zc0ATxkd1rg_HiBdBYqAp9ghB2Snh_e2mykdaUxwD0Yfjvjiswv1G_LPeao0VOpyckm0IxzJfyu9EH9muCfHt6St7iROsesYsDIcIhhmh5ac/s320/DSC_0076.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691825876876747602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">One of the classic arches in the park. How an arch is defined is kind of bizarre...and most are so think they are impossible to see through....this is one of the bigger ones, you can see the people at the bottom of it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxTFsPv63wb6GKzpgHPx-IquetQ_gNnPnqMPC9ltOGRjo4MjdvhzMQqCD1DjecraVGOLhdTFJ35OaNTIgZHqMFdvXPJ7k5HtSAMnWDosG69B1FdSwhIqz5T1pbPXkQ7u39fbyUYR5Xe0/s1600/DSC_0063.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div>Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941461197706310842.post-62038807803346596052011-12-04T13:32:00.002-07:002011-12-04T13:42:52.348-07:00Final Days of FundraisingAs I am preparing for my move to Bhutan, I am finishing up all sorts of last minute things before I leave- shopping for warm weather clothes, buying school supplies, and finishing up with the fundraising for my journey to Bhutan.<div><br /></div><div>All donations are due December 16th...you can go online at https://bhutancanada.merchantsecure.com/donatenow/ and donate...please put my i.d. number, 31206, in the comment section</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you all!</div>Sarah Carlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510291119167305635noreply@blogger.com1