April 2010
1 post
Being home
April 4
There are a few events in a person’s life where attention is drawn to them and there is nothing they can do about it One of these event that many people go through is going to college. As the days tick by, getting closer and closer to graduation the question start to multiple. “Where are you going to school? What will you be studying? Are you excited?”- All these question will...
March 2010
11 posts
Far from Delhi- A long way from home
March 31
The reason people are drawn to travel is because it is such an exercise for the senses. For a certain amount of time you are completely engulfed in a sea of new sites, sounds, smells, and taste. The change and the newness of it all is what I love. My trip from Delhi to Siliguri, then to Kurseong, and finally to Darjeeling was a perfect example of all this. These areas...
A long list of goodbyes
March 26
I fought the tears as I prepared for class. Grabbing my chocolate cake the kids ask for and meeting my driver. It was a very sad day, it was my last day. I rode to Pappankalan in complete silence just trying to accept the words I kept practicing in my head, “goodbye.”
When I arrived on the side of the road my students were already waiting where my car normally...
The Grand Tour
First of all I would like to apologize for not putting up any entries for such a long time. The reasoning is because the power has been down for the whole week. I am currently at 47 entries and I have set 50 as my goal. I leave Delhi on Friday and am heading for the mountains, I hope to have another entry up before then. So here’s the blog!
On September 5, Heather was hit with an awful...
Family photos
March 17
This hasn’t been the most comfortable few days in India. The weather is getting rapidly hotter, and I have a minor sickness that seems to be increasing as well. I have discovered that having a sore throat in the burning sun isn’t the most pleasant thing. Nonetheless, I tried to keep my spirits up as the marched through the streets towards my class, my mouth closed to avoid...
An open bag
March 14
Can you imagine being on a team with people you have never seen? It is a strange idea, but it happens. In fact we are all given great opportunities to join certain groups of strangers in an effort to make things better all the time.
As I sat on the train home from Jaipur I heard the disturbing coughs of a young boy. I looked in front of me and there sat a...
A final weekend trip
March 14
It’s sad that it wasn’t until now that I truly felt like an expert of the rail system. I woke up at four in the morning in order to get ready to leave for my final weekend trip. I would be spending all of Saturday and Sunday in the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur. When I arrived at the train station I found my train and before I knew it I was off. I got in Jaipur to the normal...
A look in the mirror
March 12
Whenever you feel a change in your life, make sure you take a long look at yourself in the mirror. Yes, you’ll see the out of line hair, the chapped lip, or the unwanted wrinkle, but try to look past all that. Don’t only look at you, but also look at who you are. Notice your mother’s nose and your father’s eyes and how that has been passed down for centuries. Realize your...
Competition is key
March 10
We started to think of the students who could be eligible for such a thing, a scholarship to further their education in a private school. We didn’t have to say it, but we knew they had to be a girl. A girl who has worked hard and would be capable and willing to face the challenges. The challenge of fighting their parents to go to school, the challenge of people the girl from the slums,...
meet the class
I checked my calendar today I realized I will be done teaching in three weeks. This means I have been with the same children everyday for over two months. Please excuse me for I have not properly introduced these fine young students. Each one of these children has made my journey in India amazing and I love them all. I would introduce you to both of my classes, but seeing as my younger class is...
The rains response to the sun
March 3
I looked down at my barefoot covered in flies as I took a deep breath. “And out” I instructed with a sigh. True I know nothing about yoga, but this relaxing meditation really seemed to help us all enjoy the day and with the sun burning and flies swarming we needed any for of relaxation we could get. I don’t really know how India works without transitions, but it does, even the seasons....
Happy Holi-days
March 1
I am very good at being lazy, but even this was a little much. Since Friday I had barely been out of my apartment due to Holi. The Indian population had forced me to stay indoors till Tuesday, threatening me with a storm of color filled water balloon as soon as I entered the street. I wouldn’t mind the color except two things; 1. Being white makes you a target and 2. The color stains your...
February 2010
14 posts
The colors get brighter
Feb 26
The day had moved so fast. As I stepped into the shower and saw the waterfall of colors pour out of my hair like a hundred melted freeze pops being dumped out, I could finally think about all that had happened.
The day started like any other as I grabbed my bag and told my driver, Pingo, I was ready. If you were to look in this bag though, you would be able to tell that this day was going...
The unveiling
Feb 23
I don’t really understand how I can continually be amazed by these people, but I am. As we stood outside of the sewing class with my class and the women’s class I think they had an idea of what the surprise was by the painted door, but their reaction when they walked in the room seemed to suggest that they had no idea. They ewed and Awed and every one of them had a big smile on their face...
Roadside fight
Feb 22
Things just don’t seem to get done in India. Since Friday the Carpenters work was suppose to be done on the room, so why was I not surprised when I came in on Monday to no see table in the girl’s room? Because this is India. As we prepare to move children into the school that was suppose to be done months ago why am I not surprised that the landlord decided to increase the price? Because...
The big surprise
Feb 20
Who would want to watch a man paint a door? Apparently 30 plus Indians would.
“I hate kids” I said as I turned my head away from the crowd, swiping my paint brush again against the old wooden door. The bright purple paint was definitely making the door stand out.
“Jake, you love kids” Heather laughed as she connected the dots. She knew I was torn between painting this room and playing...
Feb 17
Feb. 17
I was a little surprised the fireworks didn’t keep me up last night seeing that there was some 30,000 people getting married in Delhi alone. It was wedding season and yesterday was the wedding day. One my way to meet with Daniel to discuss our latest project I came across the now familiar marching bands and fireworks. Today was not the usual day that we met, but luckily I was greeted at...
A new school, A new system, and renewed food.
Feb 15.
My classes were cancelled Monday so I decided to join Heather in Munirkia. Munirkia, like PappanKalan was a resettlement colony, but this place was more in the city. It wasn’t a Muslim community like PappanKalan, but like all places in India religion was definitely a big deal. As we walked in through the trash filled entrance, which was on the side of the highway, my memories came...
Half way
What you are reading now is the 36th page (single spaced) and 32 entry of my blog. I have tried to share my experiences on here and searched for feedback. I have gotten awesome comments from lovely people; it’s all been great. Though the comments have died out a bit I like to still think you all are still out there.
The reason that I am giving these random stats on my blog is because I am...
The wedding
Feb 11
“Sirji, Sirji! Here today! Yeah?” Some of the boys shouted as I stood outside their classroom looking for Indo who was late. Indo had slowly become my rock and my teaching was lost without her. Since day one she had sort of been an ideal representation of Indian women for me. Her soft smile and shy voice was only half of her character. Rub her the wrong way and quickly she would tell you...
The breakthrough
Feb 10
As soon as my eyes flashed open I knew things were looking up. I was extremely tired, but feeling much better. I laid in bed and debated if I should go to class or not. The doctor said no and my body obviously needed the rest. However, being the ruler of my life, I find myself acting more like a dictator at times. I wanted to go to work and I thought I could do it so by nine I was in the...
The Winter I missed
Feb 9
I apologize for another “lack of India” entry, but this illness has but a stop my adventures and I would like to keep writing. So if you just want India, kindly skip this entry. Thanks.
Coming out of this sickness is by no means comfortable or fun. I have had the chills; the sweats; I have been dizzy; I have been light and on my day off I thought of the two paces I should be, home or at...
Sick over Seas
Feb 8
When sickness comes there is no other place you want to be but in your own bed. Being across the world and sick makes me a perfect example for this idea. I didn’t expect to stay 100% healthy in India, in fact I knew I would get sick, but when it came time to actually get sick I wasn’t ready.
I was up all night getting rid of the things I had eaten that Sunday without accepting any of the...
An American Sunday
Feb 7
The answer ‘America’ was normally sufficient enough when asked where I was from, but not today. “More specifically” the young, jovial, bald man asked with a smile that urged me to tell everything.
“Well, I’m from Cincinnati, Ohio and she’s from Arkansas.” I said pointing to my good friend and fellow volunteer Heather.
After explaining our reason for staying in Delhi and how long we will...
week 5
Feb 5
I cannot believe the fifth week is almost over! I became very upset when I came to this realization last night. I have been having the best time here and am already planning to come back.
This week was definitely a week of learning for me, starting with the weirdest sport ever, cricket. Tuesday I went to a park to attempt to play cricket, but my past of baseball definitely got in the way....
A weekend on the border
The streets were dead, for once. No lights, no cars, no nothing as I trotted along in search of my apartment. I was 12:30 at night and the market gates were shut. This created a major problem seeing that my apartment was located on the other side of the market and walking around would be long and bound to get me lost. I was on my way home from the train station and was just ready to be in bed. I...
January 2010
21 posts
Take a minute
What a beautiful day!! Last night I wrote for a long time in my journal and ended up going to bed at about 2:30 in the morning. This didn’t last long. I was soon woken up to the sound of things crashing and dogs fighting. There are stray dog all along the street all the time so this awakening is very common, but this time I couldn’t get back to sleep. I was luckily able to swindle some Internet,...
What do you want to be when you grow up
I don’t know if many of you know this about me, but I’m confused. I’m happy, I’m energetic, I’m a dreamer, I’m usually a positive person, I like to think, but most of all I’m confused. Confused as to what I need and what I want. Confused as to how I can be happy when I’m so confused; and confused as to why I’m confused.
The reason I brought this up and probably confused you in explaining my...
Happy Anniversary
You kind of forget how to relax after it’s been awhile. As the days got closer to Tuesday I become increasingly excited for my day off. On Monday I still felt sick and was thinking about taking a sick day. Luckily I opted to suck it up and go. This was the best day of work yet. The number of students was at least triple the amount of even the most busy day. All the children where there to...
Just a few photos
Someone is shy
Some homes
two rickshaws
how things are delivered here in India
A letter from Jake
Jan 23
Dear reader,
Today I fought back the tears for the second time this month as I said goodbye to all they people I have been living with for the last three weeks. Sitting in my apartment without my Australian friends is certainly going to be a sad adjustment I am not looking forward to. Thinking about this I started thinking about the things I do still have. The first thing I thought about...
While the light is red.
Jan 21
Imagine, cars screaming, horns honking, as you hold on to a unscrewed piece of metal hanging off the side of a motorcycle with a bench seat in the back. You are weaving in an out of traffic as you try to hug you knees into the vehicle as tightly as you can, in fear of being hit by the passing cars that are literally three inches from you. This is India. Now, just as chaotically as this all...
The real dilemma
My Delhi adventures have come to a temporary halt with the coming of a minor sickness. It is nothing bad just a little cold that has left me with little patience for the things that are normal life here in India, things such as traffic, pollution, language barriers, and loads of people. I did have an opportunity though to attend a lecture from Dr. Y.S. Jafa on Islam and politics.
As many people...
How to comment
So a few people have told me that they are having problems leaving comments, here is how you do it.
Click on the blog entry that you want to comment on then wait for the comment box to appear at the top. You can start a name or you can just post a comment as a guest. Just make sure you add your name in the post. You can also reply to other people’s comments by scrolling to their comment...
No one wants to make anyone's day?
PLEASE!!! Take the time, I promise it’s important.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT-
Now I know none of you readers are using your light for bad, but we don’t want that light to be neutral either! So here’s the assignment! Make someone’s day by choosing one or all of the following.
1- Ask someone how you can make his or her day and then make that happen! Whatever they ask for, you’re doing it.
2-...
I will be light
On November 26, 2008 all across Mumbai horror struck as terrorist from Pakistan swarmed different building including two hospitals, a cinema, a hotel, and a Orthodox Jewish owned Nariman house. These attacks lasted for three days and left at least 173 dead. Two of the people found dead was a rabbi by the name of Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka Holtzberg. The two were living in Mumbai running...
the people, the beautiful people.
I don’t know how to say this over the Internet in a gentlemanly manner or even in a way to keep myself from blushing. I just have to say it flat out, I just saw the most beautiful women in the world! I am always going on and on to my fellow volunteers about how beautiful I think all the people of India are. So, when I walked in late to the dance concert that came to our complex everyone turned...
Fire in the Streets.
Jan 14.
To a foreigner it might have looked like a riot. Fire in the middle of the streets, people yelling, running about, and driving even more chaotic then normal. Oh, but what a time we had last night! Though it is still freezing, the Lohri celebration was in full swing yesterday. Lohri is a Sikh and Hindu holiday that celebrates the coming of spring and they start of the harvest season.
...
To the boy in the alley
Before I get into this blog, I want to thank all of you whole left me comments and such, it has really made my day! Thank you Thank you Thank you, keep them coming and spread this blog. Topic ideas for the blog would be awesome as well. Thanks. Here it is.
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Scrubbing extremely dirty clothes in a small bucket in the freezing cold never felt so good....
Gardian Angles
I will start this entry by clearing up the title. Yes, I know I spelled Guardian angels wrong, it’s all part of the post! The reason is because this post concerns the Indian peoples fascination with us English folk.
So, because of the unexpected cold many of us went out to look at jackets. A lot of the jackets like many things here had are covered with English sayings or words. One of the...
Saturday Roadtrip
Well, now the first week is over and everything is going good so far. I have stayed healthy, gotten use to the time change, am okay with having Indian food everyday, and have held up emotionally pretty well, until today. This morning I drove down to Agra to see the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. The drive there was about three hours and leaving at four in the morning eliminated the crazy traffic....
In India I'm James Dean
“ Surviving is accident” is what professor A.K. Ray had to say about Indian driving in his lecture today. The professor that I got to see lecture was scheduled to speak about India politics, but couldn’t help himself from going off on India’s people. What he had to say about driving was so true and as I took a rickshaw back to my apartment I came up with a theory about why they drive as such....
Homework for you readers
What a busy day! Woke up early to chat with the family, went to work with the children, had tea with the teachers of neighborhood, went to a lecture on Indian politics, discussed ways to help with an upcoming cultural program with older students over tea, and took a nice walk through the market.
Being as tired as I am I don’t think I can describe all this tonight, but I will talk a bit.
...
quick apology
I want to say sorry for any spelling errors in any of these post. I am forced to write them in a hurry due to times and internet problems.
I am also sorry I haven’t put photos up yet, I have been very busy and haven’t had many chances to whip out the camera, always running! I will try to put some up maybe tomorrow.
Jake
Play-dough, grocery bags, colored pencils, and...
I spent the day today in a small town in West Delhi. I was there to help a teacher with her four through six year olds. The children are so smart it is unbelievable. They could go through the alphabet and repeat any word you would say. They were all so smiley and nervous to see such a strange looking man. No matter how shy the children were they still wanted to be around and learn from anyone they...
The Slums
Jan 4
Today I left the comfort of Delhi and saw the India that I came to see… The Slums. I don’t even know where to begin the description. Basically the area was a maze of narrow alley ways covered with people. The houses were scraps of metal and brick with sheets as the doorway. Old women knelt in the muddy walkway washing dishes. Children played in the crematorium and the whole...
Welcome to India
Jan. 2, 2010
After twenty hours of flight I landed in what seemed to be the clouds. The air was so foggy on the ground I couldn’t even see the flashing light at the tip of the plane wing. I exited the plane and entered the airport that was playing instrumental Christmas music over the speakers. The sites weren’t much different, but the smell definitely was.
After I got my bags I...
December 2009
1 post
Leaving!
Dec. 31, 2009
Well, tomorrow is the big day! I am leaving the United States and heading to India! I am very nervous, excited, and sad. I will miss everyone so much and am scared for what lies ahead. I know this is going to be the adventure of a lifetime though, and I am ready to get on with it.
I just want to thank everyone who has been helping me get ready for this experience by donating,...
November 2009
2 posts
Less than two months till departure!
Hello
Looking at my calender it seems that there is a little under two months until I leave for India. I have no idea where the time leading up to this date went, but I’m starting to get very nervous, excited, and just ready for this amazing trip!
With all the stuff I need to do coming up in order to get ready for the trip (finish shots, apply for my visa, negotiate work I’ll be...
