Hills and mountains...

So, as we were coming back towards the mountains where I live, I was in awe of them. I had thought on the way down about how it's wierd that our mountains just show up out of no-where. You have no warning they are coming except that you can see them. You don't have any hills leading to them. It's just an all of a sudden change to a steep mountain climb.

It just makes me think. In light of recent events and because of them. That sometimes, problems come to us with a preparation. Much like NC, where you have the foothills and then the mountains. You have a warm-up. Something has prepared you (at least a little bit) for what is coming. But here, much like India, where the culture is all or nothing most of the time, you have flats and then BAM! it's a mountain. It's a little bit nuts. Just sayin'.

I don't really know what I'm saying with this. I guess that it doesn't really matter how these problems come to us, they're never more than we can take. We will always be able to get through them. Whether we have warning or not.

Maybe I'll try to elaborate on this one day when I feel better. We'll see.

<3

Spending Time...

... with myself. It's so easy here to always be around people. To always have something going on and to never have a moments peace. I did that much of last semester. This semester I've gone back to being a hermit. Spending time alone. Which is what I really need at the moment. Time to be me. To reflect. To be okay with where I am. I do this sometimes. I know that. And I'm okay with that. I am spending time with myself and with God and letting things heal. I am processing. I am thinking. I am going through the things I need to in order to be productive during the day.

This is how I am. I need this time. I just wish people around me understood that. I'm not trying not to hang out. I'm not trying to be anti-social, but I need processing time. I don't have spare time during the day. I'm in my office most of the day (minus lunch and coffee), and while I'm in here, it's work, 24/7. I can't close my door and have a moment to myself. I have students in here all the time. I can't close anyone out of here. There is no where to be alone from the time I step on campus til the time I leave it. So when I go home, I stay there. I get away from people. I hang out on my own. I want to have time to think.

::sigh::

That is me. During this second semester. 1/4 over. :-) 14 weeks and I get to go to America. It's exciting.

Shut down...

So, sometimes, my body gives out on me. Sunday afternoon and evening was spent feeling o so ill... Monday.... sick, but still fulfill all my responsibilities for Republic Day... go home and go to bed... Tuesday: fall down the stairs (twice) then teach at school all day, get things done. go home and fall asleep before 7 only to wake up at 7 the next morning. today; feeling like crap still. my whole body hurts. i could really use more sleep, but i know i need to do things. I need to be a person. not this shell that sleeps a lot. ::sigh::

I feel so dead.

Catching my breath

So, it's a new year, a new semester, and soon, a new house! I'm really excited to move. It will be great to have my own place and from what I've seen of it so far, it's really nice. :-)

We are starting our 2nd cycle of classes and so I've begun my lessons. I only have 33 teaching periods this semester, but a good deal more students. It will work out. Always does.

My father is currently having a bit of a rough time. He has been back in NY since the beginning of December and recently found out he has lymphoma. We'll find out later this week what stage he's in, but he's currently in a lot of pain and just doesn't sound the same. It hurts that I'm so far away while this is going on.

A friend of mine passed away earlier this month after battling brain cancer for 4 years. It's wierd to think I won't read his e-mails anymore.

Life is always changing and always moving on, and all I want is to be able to stop and catch my breath for a moment. Sometimes I feel like I'm not meant to be an adult because it's all too fast paced. I enjoy being able to take time and look at the stars and lay out on the grass. It's pretty fantastic. But I never really get that chance. I like to have picnics. I like to enjoy the little things. ::sigh::

Time to get back to work. only two more lessons today and then hopefully I will be moving. YAY!

Transitions....

On Saturday, I will be heading north for the month. It will be great to be off the mountain, away from the rain, and just generally, with other people. I love it here and I love my friends, but mountain fever has set in and I really just want to get away for a bit. It will be great to see some friendly faces, some of whom I haven't seen in a LONG time... it will be nice to see them, and to meet new people who have a heart for India (after all, why would you give up your Christmas to come here if you didn't have at least a little place in your heart for these kids).

I can't wait to see what God is doing in their lives and what God will do while they're here.

When I return, life will be a little hectic for a while as, more than likely, I'll be moving into a different house. The story is a little complicated, so I won't bore you with it on here, but it hasn't been easy, and my roommate and I just feel that we'd both be better off in our own places.

If you could please pray for my family at home as they are going through things and my grandmother is ill, and just their health in general. Please also pray that if it's God's will for me to come home this summer that it works out. Everytime we get a little ahead, something comes up, so please just pray for that. I would love to be able to come home and watch my brother graduate, but I know that it may not be possible.

I keep waiting anxiously for a package that I know was sent 3 weeks ago. I would love to get a package, especially right before holidays, but we'll see how that works out.

If I don't get a chance to write in this again before Christmas, I hope you all have a very good holiday and remember the true reason for the season.

All my love,
Mel

Oceans....

Oceans in two senses: the ebbing and changing of life, and the literal ocean that separates me from home....

The first: ebbing and changing of life.... I've gotten back both my evaluations from Margaret and Pratap and I'm pleased with what they said. I know in one lesson they can't really see how my class operates, but I think they got the picture enough that they understood. The things they gave suggestions on are easy to improve. Pratap was very pleased with how the concerts went. He said he was apprehensive about how the concerts would go because there were so many new teachers, but he was very pleased. That's good to hear.

On Friday night we said goodbye to Cathy (one of the student teachers who was here). She left on Saturday to travel in India for a little while before going back to the states. Jenny leaves tomorrow. Margaret and Paul leave Wednesday. It's crazy. Two weeks from today I'll be up north for the break. It will be so good to get off the mountain.

::sigh::

The literal ocean: Friends are coupling, doing their senior recitals, getting married, having kids, getting jobs, buying houses, and I'm sitting here on top of a mountain. I love it here, but knowing I'm not settled is, well, unsettling. Wishing I could be home to see my family, to meet the new members that have come into the world, the one that will come in a few months. I would love to be able to be there. But then I have to remember: even if i was in the states right now, it would probably be June before I got to see her. Christmas I'd probably be able to see some people. But for the most part it would be June no matter where I lived.

I guess it doesn't help that I'm awful at updating. :-)

It's the last teaching week here at school, and I'm extremely excited. Concerts are over, my life is slowing down a little. I have a fridge and an oven at home on which to cook and store food. Life's moving up.

Have to go fix a xylophone, peace out!

Hi!

I will not be political. If you know me, you know where I stand, and that's all there is to it.

I will however say, that many actions of Americans have me saddened for our country. I have been bombarded with e-mail, comments, and just general webpages discussing the outcome of the election. hearing that people are scared to walk outside on their own college campus because of the result of the election is scary. Hearing someone say that if McCain had won, they were gonna smack a white person. It makes me sad to be American. The behavior from people on BOTH sides have me really glad I'm in India.

That is all I will say on this issue.

And that I'm praying for America. For its leaders. And its people.