A Butterfly Came to Visit

A Butterfly came to visit me at the park yesterday.

I had stopped moving. Sat under a tall palm, in a grass covered area.

Large, black and blue. It fluttered for some time. I recognized this flight pattern. Getting close to where you will land, rest. Then rise up again, flutter some more.

Finally, I come to a place that resembles all the other spots I had previously investigated. But something in me was different when I found my landing ground.

Wings spread out. To rest.

I stayed there watching for some time. Slow movements of the wings. Sitting. Waiting.

I too was doing the same.

So much has culminated in my being able to rest in this new landing ground of life.

I recently passed a construction sign written in English that said it best:
"Work in Progress
Go Slow"

I took these words in with a deep breath. A simple sign, with simple instructions. So true in meaning.

I find gratitude here, now.

Trial, Error & Love.

I am coming to find why it is not in my best interest to create a seamless lesson plan from which to teach from.

So many unexpected events arise during our lessons. I am seeing it would be like preparing for weather that is bound to change mid-course. Today I had to totally scrap a science experiment just after we got underway. I am learning the limits of my students. And really, also myself.

I have met my match in many ways. I used to be the disruptive student. Off course when I was confused or not fully engaged. The universe is allowing me to heal this memory.

I find I am stepping into really old shoes. Remembering the times I did not want to participate. All I wanted to do was color and sing. It was like the teacher was speaking a different language.

And here I am. The teacher speaking a different language.

Love, intuition, patience, and understanding when to change course. These are today's actual lessons.

The Land of Chai and Life Lessons.

I have been learning so much from experiencing this part of India through the eyes of the youth that live here. Recently my younger neighbors have been showing me some of what Sangli has to offer (including the great street food options). Also, in getting to know my students better -- I find I am being stretched in ways of seeing I did not expect.

India, or at least what I have been finding, is the land of hospitality. You are invited with chai in every household upon entering. Also, at work, we have fresh chai two times daily (during class no less). Also, it is pretty normal for me to meet whole families in one visit. And I still haven't figured out yet if everyone is good for their offer of returning for some homemade Indian dish.

Here are the highlights so far. But these have been so delicately balanced with plenty of bloopers and already some life lessons.

As for school, I have received my newest schedule that is more manageable than the first. It will allow flexibility to take in my surroundings, and time to prepare new lesson plans.

When lesson planning, I feel like I am in middle school again. Looking furiously online for a resource that tells me exactly what I need to write my first research paper, the night before its due. And just like back then, there is no such miracle page that tells me explicitly everything I need to know to create a seamless lesson plan. Lots and lots of great tips and resources, but no magic solution. Actually learning how to do it as I go - lesson number one.

Lesson number two, is to know my audience. I had this dreamy eyed vision for a phonetics class with all 6 students in my home this last Monday. I got my apartment all ready for class, gave them a tour of my building, and began with a slide show of family photos to describe in English. Soon after the slide show was done, the children were all over the place. One big ball of curiosity -- wanting to get the attention of my neighbors, play tag with each other, and make a lot of noise. It was a little like the mob effect.

Afterward, I found myself pouring over parenting tips for active children online.

The tiny miracle is that I got to commend them on their apologies the following day. And also realized we'll wait to introduce classes outside of school...

Below are some more pictures. I am finding that Sangli is pretty eclectic. There are all kinds of neighborhoods, schools, agricultural areas -- all melded together seamlessly amidst their great differences.


Here the "smaller kids" (of my building) are having a party in honor of the new school year starting the following day. Because I am still the curious foreign person in the area, I was extended an invitation to such a rare occasion. They really know how to throw an affair. Clearly 5 variety of chips and street food snacks is the way to entertain.


** Click on any of the photographs to see its larger image. **



Picture 1: The library at school.
Picture 2: Our main classroom.
Picture 3: Neeta, my co-teacher and new friend, with Amuda, one of our 5th standard students.


Picture 1: Sangli street view near my home.
Picture 2: Cows, ox, and goats all share the same road as the autos.
Picture 3: My first auto-rickshaw ride on the way to school. It's the equivalent of a three-wheeled clown car.
Picture 4: Bicycles are a main mode of transportation here.


Picture 1: My first lesson in Bollywood.
Picture 2: My building.
Picture 3: Sumpada, my neighbor, new friend, and co-worker.


This time, I'm not the one operating the camera.

In the Beginning...

Monsoon season has officially begun! This I am finding, is great cause for excitement. It is usually the first sign of the break from the summer heat.



In the first photograph, the children are anxiously awaiting the first drops of the season. Soon after, in the second photograph, it is clear that the monsoons are here! Everyone was running around as if we were just happening upon the best surprise party. And within 20 minutes, streets were already flooded. Our car we had arrived in for the day was stuck in the mud as well. All of the children, myself, and the rest of the SANGRAM employees were out there pushing away.

It has already been one week in Sangli and it feels like a month has passed. My internal roller coaster alone felt like a journey in and of itself.

As for the school, the students, and my initial encounters in Sangli -- I am blown away to say the least. The beginning transition really swept me off my feet, as I somehow conveniently forgot how all encompassing culture shock can be. Being immersed in a whole new colorful set of traditions, cultural norms, and even varied head-bobs (a primary source of Indian communication) can take a lot of concentration and ironically, a lot of letting go. When I am caught up in the latter, I have been taken aback wholly by all that is India.

Already, some of what I was expecting is turning out to be different -- especially the direction of the school. I am seeing that being flexible will be key, especially in the beginning.

School began this last Monday. The math, science and English language curriculum that I will teach is going to develop as we go. This amount of responsibility is different than was originally anticipated, and I am navigating the details as we speak. There are texts for each subject to use as guides, but primarily my classes are supposed to be developed from scratch. An adventure to say the least.

I see that my being brought here is going to be service in and of itself, in just surrounding the children in a whole new culture and kind of energy. Creativity is sure to be my best companion throughout this process.

The students are amazing beings with these really hearty and joyful spirits! Already it is so clear that they are eager to be stimulated in new ways. I will be needing to be on my toes to keep their curiosity engaged, and it seems really worth the challenge. As well, they are also my teachers. I have already received lessons on proper meal etiquette, Indian Festivals of the year, and am learning some Marathi (the native laguage spoken in this region).

There are 6 students in total. I teach classes in small groups of either 2 students or 4. One group is the 8th grade. And the other group is of the 4th & 5th grade.

I would say that my adjusting to India is credit in part to amazing encouragement from home, and also to my great neighbors that have been so warm and are showing me some of the ropes. Through this new network I have made two new early morning walking buddies, had my first rooftop ice cream/card playing party, and even received a lesson in Bollywood!

Below are some photos from my first week to get an idea of Sangi. It is taking some time to upload photos and once I figure out the glitch I will create an album to show the variety here.

Thank you to All of You for your encouragement during this first period, it has meant more than you could ever know. With So Much Love! E



My first of what I am told are weekly ice cream and card playing parties at my building.

Some views of Sangli during my walks.

Adjusting to All that is New!

Greetings From Sangli!!

I have arrived and am settling in to this new world of stimuli. Many warm receptions continue to greet me each new day. I have already met 5 of my new students in the last two days! They are all so nervous that it will be difficult to learn using English. Of course I can commiserate.

I have already made friends with my neighbors and am slowly learning about getting around.

As for now I do not have my own personal internet set-up and will begin posting more when I do.

Be So Well!
Elizabeth