I had a great start to this week/end to last week because I got to FaceTime with most of the Froemming family while they were at the Froemming family party. Every summer, the family gets together with food and (usually lots of) drinks. This year, the Lorentzens came from Maryland and two of cousins brought their babies who were both born just a few months ago. We haven't seen them for a while, and they're the first cousins to have babies, so it was a big deal! I was sad to miss it, but I was glad I got to see a lot of the family. I got to show them my mountain view and tell them about Nepal.
This week, I have been tired. I feel like I'm going backwards with my jet lag! Luckily, I can get coffee at school all day, and the coffee maker knows my order. Regardless of how tired I am, I have had a great week! My 9th graders are rocking our theme unit. We took a big step this year, where theme is no longer a "central idea" like love or friendship, but the author's message about humanity. For all my English teacher friends reading this, it doesn't matter where you go, you'll always have to say "THEME IS NOT JUST ONE WORD" twenty times a day for the rest of your life. But, for the most part, they've really picked up the idea and been able to apply it to what we read. Next week, we're reading "The Scarlet Ibis", and I am SO excited. I LOVE teaching this story. Then, THE HOBBIT. Maybe I should read it......oops? Yes, I've never read The Hobbit.
I also had an awesome dinner with Bijay's sister Stupi Didi. We went to get my eyebrows threaded and get my legs waxed, but then the power went out, so we went to dinner. It was so fun! It was great to chat and eat some good Indian/Nepali food. And I've become obsessed with Lemon Soda. It's just soda water with lemon juice, but I'm addicted. I'm thankful to have Stupi didi here. It's been fun getting to know her, and she's been so helpful and wonderful. She's so sweet and kind, and their family has been so welcoming. I love my school friends, but it will be nice to be able to have companionship outside of work.
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| Stupi and me at dinner |
I've also seen a plethora of Liverpool FC trucks and gear around town. One thing I love about India and Nepal is that they goods carriers are decorated. They're painted and personalized, and it's so fun to see. The other day, Kumar Ji (the cab driver who I usually call to drive me around) picked me up in his new taxi and he had two Liverpool pillows in his car. I also saw my third Liverpool FC truck on the road!
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| Another LFC Truck |
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| Kumar Ji's Liverpool Pillow |
I've gotten to FaceTime with a lot of people this week. Yesterday, I got to Facetime with Khu Paw, Ku Gay and the triplets!! I cannot believe how big they've gotten! They're just babbling away and can hold their heads up. It's hard to believe that they were only 2 lbs not that long ago, and that they were so fragile and small. And they get cuter every day...is that even possible?
I also got to FaceTime with Bijay and his ADORABLE nephew yesterday! Syon is completely cute. He was pretty shy, but by the time we hung up he was laughing and smiling. It was good to talk to Bijay and finally meet Syon, who I have heard so much about.
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| Facetime with Bijay and Syon |
I also got to FaceTime with Morgan while she was getting ready yesterday and she told me about the adorable pug, Tartan, that they bought for the store. I got to talk to my dad on the phone last night, which was good. I miss them. It's weird to think that I won't see them for another 10 months, but I'm so excited that Morgan is coming in December! It will be fun to explore the city with her. It will be our first big trip together, without our family.
Today, I went to have lunch with Stupi Didi and her/Bijay's parents. It was fun. First, I love their house. I love the colors inside. The living room is lavender and light lime green and it gives off such a happy vibe. Aunty and uncle are so sweet and kind. They asked lots of questions about my job here and my home in Minnesota, and I enjoyed getting to know them. We also picked out some toys to send to Syon. I can't wait for him to get them!! Then, we had lunch, which was DELICIOUS. There was rice, bean soup, cauliflower and potatoes, potato salad, pickle, and chicken. Then, yogurt for dessert. Stupi and I went out around town for a bit, and even stopped at the mall. The mall in Kathmandu reminded me so much of India. I had to most intense deja vu that I've ever had. There was some car company in the center playing loud music with some teenagers "break dancing" and the crowd clapping. The escalators and layout were so similar. It was a comforting feeling. It seems silly that a familiar mall that reminds me of India could be comforting, but I've found that I find comfort in the smallest things since arriving in Kathmandu. And because so many things are different than they are in America, it usually comes when I'm reminded of something in India: the smell of the Dettol hand soap, the mall in Kathmandu, when my didi came into the house on Sunday with a bag of milk, the "indian head nod", the dogs barking and cows mooing at night, "Horn OK" on the back of goods carriers, Hindi songs playing in restaurants, or the smell of the Garnier neem face soap that reminds me of a cologne in India. After leaving the mall, we had coffee and came home.
Today, I went to have lunch with Stupi Didi and her/Bijay's parents. It was fun. First, I love their house. I love the colors inside. The living room is lavender and light lime green and it gives off such a happy vibe. Aunty and uncle are so sweet and kind. They asked lots of questions about my job here and my home in Minnesota, and I enjoyed getting to know them. We also picked out some toys to send to Syon. I can't wait for him to get them!! Then, we had lunch, which was DELICIOUS. There was rice, bean soup, cauliflower and potatoes, potato salad, pickle, and chicken. Then, yogurt for dessert. Stupi and I went out around town for a bit, and even stopped at the mall. The mall in Kathmandu reminded me so much of India. I had to most intense deja vu that I've ever had. There was some car company in the center playing loud music with some teenagers "break dancing" and the crowd clapping. The escalators and layout were so similar. It was a comforting feeling. It seems silly that a familiar mall that reminds me of India could be comforting, but I've found that I find comfort in the smallest things since arriving in Kathmandu. And because so many things are different than they are in America, it usually comes when I'm reminded of something in India: the smell of the Dettol hand soap, the mall in Kathmandu, when my didi came into the house on Sunday with a bag of milk, the "indian head nod", the dogs barking and cows mooing at night, "Horn OK" on the back of goods carriers, Hindi songs playing in restaurants, or the smell of the Garnier neem face soap that reminds me of a cologne in India. After leaving the mall, we had coffee and came home.
It was a good, but long week. I still don't have consistent internet at home. Supposedly someone is coming to fix it....but I'm extremely skeptical. I've been here for 4 weeks and I still don't have consistent internet at home. I'm thankful for the IT department at school who have been calling on my behalf.
For the rest of the weekend, I want to relax and catch up on some school work. So, for now, I'm going to watch a Bollywood movie and take a nap.
-Chelsea
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