tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73001675833651336792024-03-05T09:59:37.446-08:00Sabrina in BhutanSabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-30093533932971205502014-03-18T16:27:00.000-07:002014-03-30T22:59:57.796-07:00The Kingdom of Bhutan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<!--[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>238</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1359</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>11</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>2</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>1668</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I'm not much of a poem person, but one day on top of a mountain in The Kingdom of Bhutan, this poem came out of me. I have been coming across it lately, so I decided to publish it on my blog to dedciate to all my Bhutanese friends whom I miss dearly. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00zj3d2CqXTauQThZDLlhURY_q2tXgXT3CLH7vaZEsO1Wql8geTula-JzF62ICl5n9LBONntnMtVlPuWRO9-CJsAo30_SdBnQ5JhisZ7k_fYSRoyUREO31YlBADQAYdEN30w9SVG1F20/s1600/SAM_2345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00zj3d2CqXTauQThZDLlhURY_q2tXgXT3CLH7vaZEsO1Wql8geTula-JzF62ICl5n9LBONntnMtVlPuWRO9-CJsAo30_SdBnQ5JhisZ7k_fYSRoyUREO31YlBADQAYdEN30w9SVG1F20/s1600/SAM_2345.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i>
<!--[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>249</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1420</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>11</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>2</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>1743</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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-->
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In a far away land,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hidden in remote valleys<o:p></o:p></i></div>
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">barricaded in the folds of</i></div>
</div>
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Great Himilayas<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I have landed in Druk Yul,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The land of The Thunder Dragons,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Kingdom of Bhutan.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sacred white pyramids<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The abode of Buddhas<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thrones of Lotus Spirits<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJHdGqKnkNs0M2y2rjp8R9WllH2dNu49ekX-nuQBu8lOeBpOtCfe1wCKbjQ85yBCzuJYj44-Bk774tPxHb8O4TexMAGQXI4AmO-GHdBnB74et2b9kF_D1exda-Q1azBZxVv1CF8BwjV8/s1600/430621_2914713961218_1661771976_2546145_833752713_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJHdGqKnkNs0M2y2rjp8R9WllH2dNu49ekX-nuQBu8lOeBpOtCfe1wCKbjQ85yBCzuJYj44-Bk774tPxHb8O4TexMAGQXI4AmO-GHdBnB74et2b9kF_D1exda-Q1azBZxVv1CF8BwjV8/s1600/430621_2914713961218_1661771976_2546145_833752713_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Soar past the clouds<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Piercing the heavens<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Some never climbed<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">unsoiled by men.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Virgin green forests<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">home of the nagas.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wildlife sanctuaries <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">flourish the endangered <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and the undiscovered<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Some never explored<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">untarnished by men.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFqSfClbgoeiKArRCQ2msKtvOvTZ2bt9wSgRGh4OWEdkQweVC8qa1y8AGJOELnaDu8jJjlr6nkmfCNr057iUXSIkzPB9mKqaIEoc1vnfeJrd7_i-CMq6tpm6jtLEc19La_NREUsQcgYg/s1600/SAM_1809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFqSfClbgoeiKArRCQ2msKtvOvTZ2bt9wSgRGh4OWEdkQweVC8qa1y8AGJOELnaDu8jJjlr6nkmfCNr057iUXSIkzPB9mKqaIEoc1vnfeJrd7_i-CMq6tpm6jtLEc19La_NREUsQcgYg/s1600/SAM_1809.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beautiful beings of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">heart-shaped or<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">moon-shaped faces <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with dark almond eyes<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and earthly brown skin.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Built of muscle and with <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hearts of compassion.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">These are the Drukpas,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Dragon People.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wrapped babies</i></div>
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTIJSkdXbHMA4DInKTWB_u_U_gX2_Kv0iJHmAx5WNrb1pBihA0qRgfLcUOJRJjHfZeqDXsazGq2eDsvU7LPT6T34RHG5U1QnarJ2BI7q2sq_NFu73Q4WPLKj-iaTonceTJxr9sNrsDgs/s1600/SAM_5767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTIJSkdXbHMA4DInKTWB_u_U_gX2_Kv0iJHmAx5WNrb1pBihA0qRgfLcUOJRJjHfZeqDXsazGq2eDsvU7LPT6T34RHG5U1QnarJ2BI7q2sq_NFu73Q4WPLKj-iaTonceTJxr9sNrsDgs/s1600/SAM_5767.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sleeping on mothers backs.</i></div>
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rounded backbones</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tilling rice patties. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Toothless grandmas <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">spitting red doma. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All are basking <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">so close to the sun.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This is the Kingdom of Happiness.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A mystical blessed country<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdIczoAR73Y92ZIsBH-Posx4FAoVDicopwb_uoDe4bkTP_uicKm0f4IZGzlH19SOISbkzMIzzOYNlDG48kC_gdJgxgCzzZPFf54IOuwlCwHKwPvKo4k8wJlXH8W83UdtUpjkMPWr1c0g/s1600/SAM_4374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdIczoAR73Y92ZIsBH-Posx4FAoVDicopwb_uoDe4bkTP_uicKm0f4IZGzlH19SOISbkzMIzzOYNlDG48kC_gdJgxgCzzZPFf54IOuwlCwHKwPvKo4k8wJlXH8W83UdtUpjkMPWr1c0g/s1600/SAM_4374.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the land of The Lotus One,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Guru Rinpoche,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Second Buddha,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">weaved through forests<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">subduing demons,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hiding treasures and<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">spreading Buddhism<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in the hearts <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">of generations to come.</i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Red robed monks</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRVH9ZPIV8_LhIaYs08Rqktyl8aaIlsrD8Bs3vJTa5iVfnVvvLoIdwkZhABQurRrnnJEA5MRoXOgzG7QmItEtksMCG8qmhp1bgfjj6p83ZMRfH3dUByRvPoMgrTKjZyvO-PTz0XewHH0/s1600/SAM_6133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRVH9ZPIV8_LhIaYs08Rqktyl8aaIlsrD8Bs3vJTa5iVfnVvvLoIdwkZhABQurRrnnJEA5MRoXOgzG7QmItEtksMCG8qmhp1bgfjj6p83ZMRfH3dUByRvPoMgrTKjZyvO-PTz0XewHH0/s1600/SAM_6133.JPG" height="179" width="320" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shaved head nuns</i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Circumambulating</i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Prostrating</i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Meditating</i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chanting </i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praying</i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Om Mani Padme Hum</i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hail to the Jewel in the lotus.</i><br />
<br /></div>
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;">
</div>
</div>
</span></h3>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ph_ks5YCYA-eaNlj1GEGFi4ys4gGuf-a5yWc3dGgEudqAMl_EohuW7H7OVgh-m-5Ju0yU3QV_amM848QcQlafjpFEGn_ovcUpFgSQRo6Zc29EYqlZ2FLw2nvir382C5KB_ukHfm8LlM/s1600/428196_2950379972846_1661771976_2560465_403862139_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ph_ks5YCYA-eaNlj1GEGFi4ys4gGuf-a5yWc3dGgEudqAMl_EohuW7H7OVgh-m-5Ju0yU3QV_amM848QcQlafjpFEGn_ovcUpFgSQRo6Zc29EYqlZ2FLw2nvir382C5KB_ukHfm8LlM/s1600/428196_2950379972846_1661771976_2560465_403862139_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hundreds of prayer temples <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">balancing off cliffs.</i></div>
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider webs of prayer flags</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">beating in the wind.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Walls of prayer wheels <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">spinning with love.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Strings of prayer beads<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">infusing with merit.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All for the enlighten one.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In a far away land, <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hidden in remote valleys<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">barricaded in the folds of<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Great Himalayas<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Is the last paradise on Earth <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeIFglEh64H67Ool3Pb0Wnoe87SVGgXIQ9-k1EGmHKQKigVBL7BCzqL7-FjtEj6MfOHsCv_x32C89NmIzf0Np9uYtxhDS8OFHGZdCNZoc_eGUkqrgftaxbzU0qEurN1jo6X_Ad0G7Nds/s1600/SAM_2540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeIFglEh64H67Ool3Pb0Wnoe87SVGgXIQ9-k1EGmHKQKigVBL7BCzqL7-FjtEj6MfOHsCv_x32C89NmIzf0Np9uYtxhDS8OFHGZdCNZoc_eGUkqrgftaxbzU0qEurN1jo6X_Ad0G7Nds/s1600/SAM_2540.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">- A Shangri-la!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The last of tantric Buddhism<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">- A Shambha-la! <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I have landed in Druk Yul,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The land of the Thunder Dragons,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Kingdom of Bhutan.<o:p></o:p></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div>
<!--EndFragment--></i></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i>By Sabrina Soares</i></span></h3>
</div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-89529893414928721432013-12-27T23:59:00.001-08:002014-03-29T02:42:40.219-07:00A Face of an Angel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[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>571</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3258</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>27</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4001</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6bL2QpXikVZUhkLdyIre2ORLcfVRmrE-KpdzhWS4_SZ5_lyptkuTuU_D6kPlmhBWZ8nnmNyisM7my1JOuMiOA6Y4W3NTXM6Ql1iDOW_OT8qv69hExz3GHM90va_UriA6i2jPkM3ve-Q/s1600/SAM_3174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6bL2QpXikVZUhkLdyIre2ORLcfVRmrE-KpdzhWS4_SZ5_lyptkuTuU_D6kPlmhBWZ8nnmNyisM7my1JOuMiOA6Y4W3NTXM6Ql1iDOW_OT8qv69hExz3GHM90va_UriA6i2jPkM3ve-Q/s200/SAM_3174.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>Kinley Wangmo is a Buddhist nun with a face of an angel. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her glowing shaved head sets off her adorning
white skin and round brown eyes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a gentle smile, she moves with elegance and speaks with
grace. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is beautiful! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the last four months, she was my closest friend and often
she felt like my only friend while I was tucked away from the outside world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes I sat next to her during the
nuns’ evening prayers and she would offer me an orange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At other times, we shared meals together
or sat quietly side-by-side soaking in the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But almost everyday she would come to my room for a visit and
I would make her tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
sipping tea, she practiced her English by answering my endless questions about
nunnery life. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyJOhvqBVcbQSlJ13_qnrtgG8Uicl2ntLXFLrGDh8_ZLxVYexiFYVS2fYKXmX_4Xh84GqC_qZCauaahtM2U15IEqSWmsKN7i1fFv19zMB81IyvKg7ge8C7hNUbRdjM5cs89cvJkRFEro/s1600/SAM_3077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyJOhvqBVcbQSlJ13_qnrtgG8Uicl2ntLXFLrGDh8_ZLxVYexiFYVS2fYKXmX_4Xh84GqC_qZCauaahtM2U15IEqSWmsKN7i1fFv19zMB81IyvKg7ge8C7hNUbRdjM5cs89cvJkRFEro/s200/SAM_3077.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She told me how she came to be a nun at the age of
eleven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She dropped out of school
in the sixth grade leaving behind her small village and the difficulties of farm
life in hopes of making a difference in the world by learning meditation and
Buddhism. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was one of several
nuns who built the Pema Choling Nunnery with her own hands and now twelve years
later she was the head nun. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMC6dCszVZm5gLrGJZ6D_VLDJ9NNFOAUOz1VpKBDqqbIdAYCMJnxPmkNHsAg1cqeqH6kG0xSbAmlr-aHlHyvyl5lYjWwDz5gO1NzoJ51Z1cLXYczl9aW-m6q0DBAr8Ct9ccUBPHuNyjk/s1600/SAM_3071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMC6dCszVZm5gLrGJZ6D_VLDJ9NNFOAUOz1VpKBDqqbIdAYCMJnxPmkNHsAg1cqeqH6kG0xSbAmlr-aHlHyvyl5lYjWwDz5gO1NzoJ51Z1cLXYczl9aW-m6q0DBAr8Ct9ccUBPHuNyjk/s200/SAM_3071.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>And although she was very busy running the nunnery,
sometimes she would accompany me on my daily walks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of November, knowing that our time together was
coming to an end, we took our last walk together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We strolled down a winding jagged narrow dirt road cut out
of the side of a mountain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
rains had long ended and November’s clear blue skies permitted the sun to
transform everything into a soft amber hue. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were surround by the forest dropping golden pine needles,
which twisted and turned all the way to the ground adding to the blanket of
their brothers smothering the forest floor. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0a93OBfKr4PB3cZM7N_4wCGbOTu07tw1JH_WozcM6rEGty3E7_936odYL9mX1FnzgRDdsVSKipUm1ql4jhKBcJiNwG3R2UygEXDIY6Oi_zjluXl_wjyVZzVM4tmbPSx_Kz2y4QqRmWq8/s1600/SAM_3086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0a93OBfKr4PB3cZM7N_4wCGbOTu07tw1JH_WozcM6rEGty3E7_936odYL9mX1FnzgRDdsVSKipUm1ql4jhKBcJiNwG3R2UygEXDIY6Oi_zjluXl_wjyVZzVM4tmbPSx_Kz2y4QqRmWq8/s320/SAM_3086.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we slowly walked down the quiet mountain, I shared with
her my dreams of one day having a family and writing a book about Bhutan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she told me about her plans to
teach at the nunnery for two more years before she would enter meditation in
the forest for the rest of her life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I thought about how our lives were heading in opposite paths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was going to be adding more things to
my life, more attachments, more sufferings while she was simplifying her life,
trying to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I admired her and a part of me wished
we could switch lives; that I could inherit her vast knowledge on Buddhism and
aspire to enlightenment. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We continued walking down the hillside with the sun warming
our backs and watching our shadows moving along in front of us; mine of a
tracksuit with a pointy beanie and hers of a robe fluttering in the wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shadows looked so different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our lives were so different. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But somehow the world had brought us
together, arm in arm, under descending pine needles on a remote, peaceful
mountain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was my dearest
friend and I was sad knowing that this was our last walk together. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then as if she was reading my thoughts, she sighed and
softly said, “Time is passing so fast, our lives are going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon we will no longer have a shadow. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is impermanence.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWnPVZgRFk6X9OMS0diH2LdOooIis1bIWB0pYq8RH75ebJEDEiX5lWmSmldc5-L671LZuzYpx70Bs50c_iuMeMS8Mj-qho5Ol70QylxY4WXn-R9kcP0HtzHqDQUi3kjkr_6Iz-lhBORA/s1600/SAM_3158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWnPVZgRFk6X9OMS0diH2LdOooIis1bIWB0pYq8RH75ebJEDEiX5lWmSmldc5-L671LZuzYpx70Bs50c_iuMeMS8Mj-qho5Ol70QylxY4WXn-R9kcP0HtzHqDQUi3kjkr_6Iz-lhBORA/s320/SAM_3158.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the rest of the walk, we remained quiet reflecting on
the nature of impermanence that could easily be seen all over the forest
floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thinking about how fast life passes, my heart filled with gratitude to have met a friend in this short life who was purely
selfless, giving up a materialistic life with the intention to get out of samsara
and seek enlightenment for all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was my real life hero and several weeks later when the time came for
us to say goodbye, I tried hard not to weep, as all my lessons about impermanence
couldn’t help my sappy heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To my
surprise, she also wiped away her tears and squeezed me farewell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the car drove me away down the road
we walked together so many times, I prayed that one day I would see my friend with her face and heart of an angel once more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thank you Anim, Kinley
Wangmo, for being such a great friend to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that you’ll reach enlightenment soon!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You inspire me to be a better person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>xoxo<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-21907169361020726382013-11-20T22:25:00.000-08:002014-03-11T02:01:15.304-07:00The little Mermaid in Membertsho (Burning Lake)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKANeZcq7FAt-wM5j5O86dJhawp78F4x6Cqu8hcEB_955ovAS_NreSTSyATl1zcZZkT4_kv62cdI3kCHFMy7wKEcZhq0ie35lpYR4bYQZcwAxsy7PWyhC49zRtb91k9gxgd9YZJdYOzJw/s1600/SAM_2535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKANeZcq7FAt-wM5j5O86dJhawp78F4x6Cqu8hcEB_955ovAS_NreSTSyATl1zcZZkT4_kv62cdI3kCHFMy7wKEcZhq0ie35lpYR4bYQZcwAxsy7PWyhC49zRtb91k9gxgd9YZJdYOzJw/s640/SAM_2535.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bumthang</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One evening, seven of my former fifth graders surprised me
at the nunnery with their overnight bags and pillows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As their ride drove off in the distance, they explained,
“Miss, we got a two day holiday from school so we came to stay with you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shocked at the unexpected visit, all I
could do was giggle, “I’m so happy to see you all!”</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWIJ4loNyJf90BLM5KoKsH-pGWowcA3LP__ZC91YwhG1SaVArane3gxSiiqn5CVe8Bn64Eb8bRXPP_a-SSm8fU_IKz6Ibk6fmUTnvHO2xr1sIPOE1sUaOkjlihJ6UzXwrW04yjOmQpTg/s1600/SAM_3184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWIJ4loNyJf90BLM5KoKsH-pGWowcA3LP__ZC91YwhG1SaVArane3gxSiiqn5CVe8Bn64Eb8bRXPP_a-SSm8fU_IKz6Ibk6fmUTnvHO2xr1sIPOE1sUaOkjlihJ6UzXwrW04yjOmQpTg/s320/SAM_3184.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burning Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next morning, I decided to walk them to Membartsho since
most of them had never been to it and they were beyond thrilled. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Membartsho, or Burning Lake, is one of
the most important sacred sites in Bhutan; a famous treasure finder, Pema
Lingpa, dove into its ferocious icy waters with a burning lamp and returned
from the water with the lamp still burning along with sacred treasures, hence
the name, Burning Lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
treasure was hidden by the second Buddha who prophesized that a great master
would find his hidden treasure. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcK067uy_TCUJpEwvJHm-bd22YMdfVRHrEuaZL-SbcvzMDOEAyVDrEEVujS3KR_QSBkpDqnNnZwczhMSL2EPMETmtWKknBuvpQ6Dub1T644mWYWq-HQzNc-O5lFk-Hd1WUfuFKDK_1NA/s1600/SAM_3170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcK067uy_TCUJpEwvJHm-bd22YMdfVRHrEuaZL-SbcvzMDOEAyVDrEEVujS3KR_QSBkpDqnNnZwczhMSL2EPMETmtWKknBuvpQ6Dub1T644mWYWq-HQzNc-O5lFk-Hd1WUfuFKDK_1NA/s320/SAM_3170.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A second well known story about Membartsho and worth
mentioning is of a farmer who went looking for his cow near the lake when he
heard beautiful chants coming from a magnificent temple standing where the lake
was supposed to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He entered the
temple for some time enjoying the sereneness of heavenly monks praying and then
realizing that he had been there for several hours, he finally went home to
tell his family about the new temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, when he reached home, he discovered that he had been missing
for twenty-one days and that his funeral had already taken place by his family who
thought that he must had drowned in the water since they found his hat next to the water. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone was in shock to see him alive and when he went back
to visit the temple, it was gone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other strange occurrences have happened at the lake, such as
tales of people who saw a hideous naked women lying in the lake without a trace
of water in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hours later when
they returned to the lake, it was back to normal and the frightening lady was
nowhere to be found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately,
those who looked into her black socket eyes mysteriously died a few days later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether all these stories are true or
not, most Bhutanese people believe them and make long pilgrimages to pay great
respect to the sacred spot.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyezbWNsZZSAJRMGdCc35tDTSqwTiSFmlI3RpSUAyvK65kUF7Sa9TCDSr7YGhZ5QrtSdSDyJcs_ii-tlUj62pDsLk7576_1J97rVOywtLuVDKyRjt80Q02guipjNwas_ja76tj8uC1KY0/s1600/SAM_3180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyezbWNsZZSAJRMGdCc35tDTSqwTiSFmlI3RpSUAyvK65kUF7Sa9TCDSr7YGhZ5QrtSdSDyJcs_ii-tlUj62pDsLk7576_1J97rVOywtLuVDKyRjt80Q02guipjNwas_ja76tj8uC1KY0/s320/SAM_3180.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a>So on a mundane Sunday morning, like the people in the
tales, we too innocently sought out to visit the magical site, not realizing
that we would also add to the mythical stories of the Burning Lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we reached the lake, we stood on a
boulder looking down at the rushing river that collected in a small swirling deep
pool (referred to as the lake), which pushed on to continue as a river for
miles and miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While we looked around at the spectacular scenery, a lama who
was in meditation came out of hermit to point out to us areas in the water
where some pure people can see images of temples, prayer flags and other revered
Buddhist items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just then one of
my students faces turned white and she hid behind another student while some of
the other girls followed her in extreme fear shouting, “There’s a mermaid in
the water!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrBfD_whYnKNmDsuml7iRiyWBWLtHv-PhbKroBl8PRKCj-QZSg3S4QxWXf5eMkFz_0azSTZzKqsMKHQmdyU87hwituU7U6jvPUXn2sbcc1iAyQ-Jiny9cwXi8JzBWTJmC1D-hs-oldbY/s1600/SAM_2515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrBfD_whYnKNmDsuml7iRiyWBWLtHv-PhbKroBl8PRKCj-QZSg3S4QxWXf5eMkFz_0azSTZzKqsMKHQmdyU87hwituU7U6jvPUXn2sbcc1iAyQ-Jiny9cwXi8JzBWTJmC1D-hs-oldbY/s320/SAM_2515.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>At first, the girls were incredibly frightened and a few
were on the verge of crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
lama dismissed their fears telling them that it was wonderful to be able to see
a mermaid. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They screamed at me,
“Miss, look, can’t you see her tail swishing around… I can see her hands…” I
strained my eyes, but I couldn’t see “the little mermaid.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I could see was the refraction of
the sunrays on the surface of the water that could possibly have a shape of a
mermaid if one extended their imagination. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought that maybe they were mistaking the refracting light
as a mermaid or maybe it was a big fish they were seeing, but they all swore
they could see her body perfectly clear while some reported seeing the mermaid’s
face and long black hair. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi6VdE26ecbtamoifOp4cdPY4y6i7L7BWDBKR6kE2b1agoQ2MkscwClLo4z_ySOWf907dt-ccPuiIAddzNQjomOAAuqr_eDHtr2EaWjKCjFq1udbbGIC_UbNn_aOhszQivnD0y6KF-r8/s1600/SAM_2514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi6VdE26ecbtamoifOp4cdPY4y6i7L7BWDBKR6kE2b1agoQ2MkscwClLo4z_ySOWf907dt-ccPuiIAddzNQjomOAAuqr_eDHtr2EaWjKCjFq1udbbGIC_UbNn_aOhszQivnD0y6KF-r8/s320/SAM_2514.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>The students were in a trance fixated on the mermaid and they
made offerings to her by throwing money into the water while the lama threw her
a handful of packaged candy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
gasped as I saw the plastic wrappers floating into the sacred water and seeing
my disapproving frown, he unwrapped the rest of the candy and threw in the remaining
sweets without the wrappers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The students drew a crowd of tourist who must have thought
we were a crazy sight and they flashed their cameras at the girls prostrating
to an “invisible” mermaid. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nobody
seemed to be able to see the mermaid except the seven little girls. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the look of fear, excitement and
disbelief all mixed upon their faces, I truly believed that they were seeing a
mermaid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lama explained that
the innocent children must have had the right Karma to see it unlike some
adults who have a lack of faith or accumulated sins.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg643KoXOfG0HRBcn6D3i3wJobt1nKtV2kSx8Qz46tx0QQHA3lvSjf6Wcot4dQiouQ4A6WZfuDX7LrVfwCdaTpYPIn6fkWVeHZ9A7w43HDEdv3QSXmN_Qx6ErNBJAxAJG7U-hZoRHZ8D24/s1600/SAM_2513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg643KoXOfG0HRBcn6D3i3wJobt1nKtV2kSx8Qz46tx0QQHA3lvSjf6Wcot4dQiouQ4A6WZfuDX7LrVfwCdaTpYPIn6fkWVeHZ9A7w43HDEdv3QSXmN_Qx6ErNBJAxAJG7U-hZoRHZ8D24/s320/SAM_2513.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>It took me a long time to nudge the girls away from Membartsho.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entire day, all the girls could
talk about was the mermaid and that night several had intriguing dreams about
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They became obsessed with the
mermaid and they asked every spiritual person we came into contact with about
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some told the girls it was a
good omen while others shook in fear saying that it was the local deity who protected
the rest of the hidden treasures in the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some cautioned the girls to be careful because the deity had
the power to take the souls of people, especially if did anything bad around the
lake, such as smoking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then a few weeks later, I thought the story of the mermaid
was over, but the mermaid talk resurfaced when a young foreign couple on their
honeymoon fell into the dangerous lake and drowned without a single witness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone was horrified by the news and
after a search team couldn’t find one of the bodies for three days, the nunnery
held a special puja at the lake for the body to be discovered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minutes after the puja, the body was
recovered. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterwards, a few of my
Bhutanese friends told me that they believed the mermaid caused the couple to
perish and that she kept the body until they did the puja for her to release it
from the water similar to how she had done in the past.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WLiCJcpqoiZugqa6XOkd3nyu0QwqYRZ8FXzIPTZ_bHVtQvm7nA6mg3X9Tzz7AZcCVoYZTGe6xVAcTq_Mf8qN2M_TU8DggiV6SlP44VVj4JbhnI6ickOuUW8QsO8OxeZITzZh3IqqzUU/s1600/SAM_3163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WLiCJcpqoiZugqa6XOkd3nyu0QwqYRZ8FXzIPTZ_bHVtQvm7nA6mg3X9Tzz7AZcCVoYZTGe6xVAcTq_Mf8qN2M_TU8DggiV6SlP44VVj4JbhnI6ickOuUW8QsO8OxeZITzZh3IqqzUU/s320/SAM_3163.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a>The next day, when some of the nuns and I went to Membartsho
to say a prayer for the deceased couple, I overheard the meditating lama
residing at the lake telling some tourists and their guides about how seven
little girls saw the mermaid; I realized that the day my students saw the mermaid
had turned into a new tale in Bhutan as the tourists squinted looking for a
mermaid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt chills run down my
spine wondering if there was really a powerful mermaid lurking somewhere deep
in the pool or under a bolder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
can’t say with any certainty that the mermaid is real or not, but that mundane
day we sought out to visit Membartsho has left me with a deep respect for the sites
potential for death and magical occurrences. </div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbC13gy55XMCtVA0N5AxNTzBJU1ee8RVTn8y5X4GZCmKqcvWkhg-DRuNXychSrk1hM0SMYhaoqQMXhucEVkVMedbJYc3rsZtUbn_UiUccbSuZtebZLxoqqwS5R9eUYUccfmdbxSaPm14/s1600/SAM_3181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbC13gy55XMCtVA0N5AxNTzBJU1ee8RVTn8y5X4GZCmKqcvWkhg-DRuNXychSrk1hM0SMYhaoqQMXhucEVkVMedbJYc3rsZtUbn_UiUccbSuZtebZLxoqqwS5R9eUYUccfmdbxSaPm14/s400/SAM_3181.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-38374536036572502042013-11-10T21:28:00.000-08:002014-03-11T01:57:51.097-07:00Pema Choling Nunnery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<!--[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>638</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3638</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>30</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4467</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBdCmvcObH4PN7qzHaAW9YZjw3SiWVD4hrAzKWRg8OPrP6Rb0gz0l0hLcxn3LzY_UA3-wmNAP3tOJISJYC93H3pQc7Cv7kLSBQ-4X3wWn37YIZkx5ZQW9lKrM3c98n9dJ2jDIfwIP_hI/s1600/SAM_2451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBdCmvcObH4PN7qzHaAW9YZjw3SiWVD4hrAzKWRg8OPrP6Rb0gz0l0hLcxn3LzY_UA3-wmNAP3tOJISJYC93H3pQc7Cv7kLSBQ-4X3wWn37YIZkx5ZQW9lKrM3c98n9dJ2jDIfwIP_hI/s640/SAM_2451.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pema Choling Nunnery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<!--[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>636</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3629</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>30</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4456</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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-->
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14j_S7YzCdqmnbFWWl3pLbJyXNvGlmj_W2lA0I5unrNY8epNMHAuUElspKKBx5jptyp2a7B9r1s3EvHN_8GsKZ874gq7F73nPlKULvaWD62ChtQAQRnfPVzlLKBwA40mW8qn-IUfteyU/s1600/SAM_2433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14j_S7YzCdqmnbFWWl3pLbJyXNvGlmj_W2lA0I5unrNY8epNMHAuUElspKKBx5jptyp2a7B9r1s3EvHN_8GsKZ874gq7F73nPlKULvaWD62ChtQAQRnfPVzlLKBwA40mW8qn-IUfteyU/s200/SAM_2433.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last year, I went to tour Pema Choling Nunnery in order to
make a decision on whether or not I would teach there the following year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I traveled through the busy town of Chamkar
to get to the nunnery, I felt eager to head towards a more remote, quiet place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leaving behind the noise, the car
turned off the main paved road that led across the country, onto a narrow dirt
road obscured with jagged rocks, which made a terribly slow bumpy descend. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, every nauseous jerk was worth
it when I finally reached the beautiful two-story white nunnery with its
traditional motif framework.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
nunnery sat on a flat mountaintop with panoramic views of hillsides covered in
Bumthang’s famous blue pine trees that opened up to scattered villages and not
to mention a view on the west of a modern palace dedicated to the fifth King as
well as a gorgeous view on the east of a perched ancient temple built by
angels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-pMulBeCKArOea-G4HJL1GeS16jl-8VFotq1fA7CyWuV8hvHBEHpurZLlT8VIlR9m0jqSoimYxq1MqGBL-YN1eg9tNkgtEvYPFzE_23NYuoe04h3L1FtD_HCN9OnLjtVCVvtS_QboKg/s1600/SAM_2757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-pMulBeCKArOea-G4HJL1GeS16jl-8VFotq1fA7CyWuV8hvHBEHpurZLlT8VIlR9m0jqSoimYxq1MqGBL-YN1eg9tNkgtEvYPFzE_23NYuoe04h3L1FtD_HCN9OnLjtVCVvtS_QboKg/s320/SAM_2757.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Walking through the entrance of the nunnery, I became
breathless at the sight of a slab-stoned courtyard that led my eyes across its
way to an astonishing focal point: a glorious temple on the second floor, which
sparkled with butter lamps through panel windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked in the middle of the courtyard doing a slow 360-degree
turn taking in the neighboring mountaintops peeking into the courtyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to count the surrounding 25
plus doors on each level that housed over a hundred Buddhist nuns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, all the nuns were away doing a
puja, so it was a quiet day and the only thing that I could hear was a little
voice within saying YES to the idea of teaching in the nunnery. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t have to sleep on the decision
or even meet the nuns; I instantly knew that this would be a place that I had
to come back to. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOneff7Af-c1eJG_VvaGXv8IL7EGh9mrTYemVSdArQ5l0f6Tb3q2-5dOJZdinaWnX-DfwMXFzGFfx8AtlWxWwsxAvPD1FfwUMAP5olK4VrW6x-quFM03clr2aCf42VZnLlVewpysZK98/s1600/SAM_2759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOneff7Af-c1eJG_VvaGXv8IL7EGh9mrTYemVSdArQ5l0f6Tb3q2-5dOJZdinaWnX-DfwMXFzGFfx8AtlWxWwsxAvPD1FfwUMAP5olK4VrW6x-quFM03clr2aCf42VZnLlVewpysZK98/s320/SAM_2759.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>Nearly a year later, I returned to the nunnery and
discovered that it’s more beautiful than I had remembered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The summer rains continued into fall keeping
the wild grasses green, roses budding and two lush vegetable gardens filled
with carrots, spinach, pumpkin, green beans, etc. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time when I entered the nunnery, two large hibiscus
plants were in full bloom with exotic white flowers, one on each side of the
entrance welcoming all into the courtyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The enclosed stoned courtyard with its open sky was edged
with potted plants displaying in array of colors and there was a new wooden
display in front of the temple lit with hundreds and hundreds of burning lamps.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the second floor verandas, dozens of Buddhist nuns in
their maroon robes and shaved heads leaned over to get a better look at their
new English teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone
smiled at me giving a pleasant feeling in the air and they wisped me off for a
new chapter in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSgVFMIC_DNe5hGCnwW68q2hfwWy1f6XGGoL9B20gVHlwNuHu2qW6MoLBYfaDz9uViekIzbv403tv1N5CHPmCAON1uIFttGh17hS27wOnW90clZWo7NKAjw3ebOrwMSV0l2JKDZcOE10/s1600/SAM_2416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSgVFMIC_DNe5hGCnwW68q2hfwWy1f6XGGoL9B20gVHlwNuHu2qW6MoLBYfaDz9uViekIzbv403tv1N5CHPmCAON1uIFttGh17hS27wOnW90clZWo7NKAjw3ebOrwMSV0l2JKDZcOE10/s320/SAM_2416.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
The nuns have turned out to be the kindest group of people
that I have ever met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is
over a hundred fifteen nuns and with that many women sharing rooms and
gathering together everyday, it’s surprising that I have never seen any of them
quarrel with each other or felt the slightest of negative energy from them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are incredibly helpful, honest and
kind hearted to all; it’s a truly special congregation ranging from age six to
seventy-seven. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the short time that I have taught them, I have quickly
fallen in love with them and I have already seen tremendous improvement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first few days of class, most of
the nuns were painfully shy to speak to me in English, although those in my
class have studied English before (the range of their previous study is up to fourth
grade to twelfth grade). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I
would talk to them, instead of looking at me or talking with me, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>most would bury their faces in their
robes while turning away to blush and giggle. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the beginning, my class looked more like a laughing
mediation class than an English class. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKR9EKQoAH2ZJ497bgRi42RENimhWtWGDx8RKJVC42U8fzEZf3qZOFBg8mmT6cJjcPBcXBlefIctMnGhr4GUn_lhgB3m6_zmz9O-gjT5IozxZadwEYfZ1ljrrIjJw7qSRLxEVY9fn6hY/s1600/SAM_2450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKR9EKQoAH2ZJ497bgRi42RENimhWtWGDx8RKJVC42U8fzEZf3qZOFBg8mmT6cJjcPBcXBlefIctMnGhr4GUn_lhgB3m6_zmz9O-gjT5IozxZadwEYfZ1ljrrIjJw7qSRLxEVY9fn6hY/s320/SAM_2450.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>It took a few weeks of providing many opportunities in class
to practice speaking English with partners, for their shyness to subside and to
feel more comfortable. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
explained that they felt funny speaking English since they rarely used it with
one another and they also felt a little self-conscious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But day-by-day, I watched the nuns
become more confident trying to speak English and after weeks of practicing, each
nun in my class gave her first solo presentation about her life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was wonderful watching them stand
tall and proud, speaking in loud clear voices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made me feel so happy and blessed to be teaching in
Bhutan once more.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWv_mowICQkPfLrLr8Y8Dz5W6m0NfSgTWb3XDGEteBGTY-McB5TIxwbCX9TKSzUTx7ItBMClbkVTek-t3buW8-CU34uMTizPZRvRnF5MH5oIV8t8nMpn-NXqMYWCGmR6yRlCwbuzlh7A/s1600/SAM_2446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWv_mowICQkPfLrLr8Y8Dz5W6m0NfSgTWb3XDGEteBGTY-McB5TIxwbCX9TKSzUTx7ItBMClbkVTek-t3buW8-CU34uMTizPZRvRnF5MH5oIV8t8nMpn-NXqMYWCGmR6yRlCwbuzlh7A/s400/SAM_2446.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXxVXLXi_ubIVqqBZ5YP5XPKNBozOOR3ssllDE-LMupJTeu9D4Sp-8muqi8sAykybjBcD0hh71ZbTEHO2VLYelsprj9GS8J0eevvEjgAxqe7ObsI2602gYAtkx-24WIKHF13KNDu3eXQ/s1600/SAM_2762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXxVXLXi_ubIVqqBZ5YP5XPKNBozOOR3ssllDE-LMupJTeu9D4Sp-8muqi8sAykybjBcD0hh71ZbTEHO2VLYelsprj9GS8J0eevvEjgAxqe7ObsI2602gYAtkx-24WIKHF13KNDu3eXQ/s400/SAM_2762.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNO_ToooFTqc54aftuyoEYjU80bdp3uXyiSeUQgjfe1YmVmTPLLQZOSozpJBtp94JCaooPaGirGmJw6S6BuJ5H4vjT_06JSBxgDPpKEvhmwwUmNLrn845lQ-PCg45IQv7RS3CcZGH-czY/s1600/SAM_2765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNO_ToooFTqc54aftuyoEYjU80bdp3uXyiSeUQgjfe1YmVmTPLLQZOSozpJBtp94JCaooPaGirGmJw6S6BuJ5H4vjT_06JSBxgDPpKEvhmwwUmNLrn845lQ-PCg45IQv7RS3CcZGH-czY/s400/SAM_2765.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOd0OpqoiTpocJM3Ds0qwqEgo63nLdrh_3imezOPiYihu8F4Lu8C-z8FS5KuFrXOsvTajT-nKcrIfLyN1LzLr4L96la53PsUMrTlLiM7w_tf8mfiD_ngGjT1Aq7KvUFzWvm3YR_Gs77uA/s1600/SAM_2768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOd0OpqoiTpocJM3Ds0qwqEgo63nLdrh_3imezOPiYihu8F4Lu8C-z8FS5KuFrXOsvTajT-nKcrIfLyN1LzLr4L96la53PsUMrTlLiM7w_tf8mfiD_ngGjT1Aq7KvUFzWvm3YR_Gs77uA/s400/SAM_2768.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59c5oit1E-yLzs2o1pKwFySWpsC3RZdJQQgMKsavJexpsoyZ3PS4xD_bLkWZKZdvaM9IZv0_YvvSNPzBSTIz1GPpjIehnj8Bj8zv9oWE4eD-LWJPmKjzFRyRX4sqkKifWDhMGi-BnMMg/s1600/SAM_2771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59c5oit1E-yLzs2o1pKwFySWpsC3RZdJQQgMKsavJexpsoyZ3PS4xD_bLkWZKZdvaM9IZv0_YvvSNPzBSTIz1GPpjIehnj8Bj8zv9oWE4eD-LWJPmKjzFRyRX4sqkKifWDhMGi-BnMMg/s400/SAM_2771.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHjQqgfYdXqcVs7tcmh6IJvNgFRiElbnFSlDP9o-zyFS89FAUc_IPLPyLUm5FVyX7Ie9y_bK005LOhnZeWUtox7bMraBg0RBjPyfz1ZZ7VcvyhpRy-5_wESFhX7TTw4KrL_7Otk7F2z8/s1600/SAM_2773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHjQqgfYdXqcVs7tcmh6IJvNgFRiElbnFSlDP9o-zyFS89FAUc_IPLPyLUm5FVyX7Ie9y_bK005LOhnZeWUtox7bMraBg0RBjPyfz1ZZ7VcvyhpRy-5_wESFhX7TTw4KrL_7Otk7F2z8/s400/SAM_2773.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPVHuCs3W0LEtDCAu5BE1JDr_xlXhb8BNDCJhMCtaKdphts4RWGgZIjoegddbI7BBVXL6Xczy_CRhIPIC0mH2LPU0bnwU3RQwdO1AZ0CPkRml2Tj9Qe4kVpAvdDajfmjphWvgSzDigZk/s1600/SAM_2778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPVHuCs3W0LEtDCAu5BE1JDr_xlXhb8BNDCJhMCtaKdphts4RWGgZIjoegddbI7BBVXL6Xczy_CRhIPIC0mH2LPU0bnwU3RQwdO1AZ0CPkRml2Tj9Qe4kVpAvdDajfmjphWvgSzDigZk/s400/SAM_2778.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1Q8WZgT5jIcPc4d6N4QJ81IZ3NPinz-S2fAIYkPQcDDK5_I3Fn9fTmToQQTYZ2rqRJgwDK7U5V6QnJVsHfGSXqiNoQxA1H46XJwOV5HlubL_T6hF2l2R53WSL5hNG0NP18hZldUqxAI/s1600/SAM_2790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1Q8WZgT5jIcPc4d6N4QJ81IZ3NPinz-S2fAIYkPQcDDK5_I3Fn9fTmToQQTYZ2rqRJgwDK7U5V6QnJVsHfGSXqiNoQxA1H46XJwOV5HlubL_T6hF2l2R53WSL5hNG0NP18hZldUqxAI/s400/SAM_2790.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-7008686708780204942013-10-28T04:04:00.002-07:002014-03-11T01:59:11.580-07:00Returning to Bhutan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<!--[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>815</o:Words>
<o:Characters>4648</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>38</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>9</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>5708</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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-->
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQNn0dwFypfwGAtM1EevAKPfmP9bGOnz241pttRu54iEVS2qGoABTv9fCjVzDF6sJ8evxDapgT9U1__ebpK830NOhk-cKwMejXgd2lbKZzYCpY_X1deO9WhopB5yXbOB24guHF1LmeSE/s1600/SAM_2202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQNn0dwFypfwGAtM1EevAKPfmP9bGOnz241pttRu54iEVS2qGoABTv9fCjVzDF6sJ8evxDapgT9U1__ebpK830NOhk-cKwMejXgd2lbKZzYCpY_X1deO9WhopB5yXbOB24guHF1LmeSE/s640/SAM_2202.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gangtey Monastery </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsOk8tgm3YCW0U-qJa_vlct_Ed770cW0XNP4LuKfl_7bcIztBmKl3Bn63s_bCHtyuEJjbj3aH1A5CZUolQbrYmMtMqK5k1d7CMU72QSq9tMUrL1iX71ZcCikgMnflBLlnWj6I6UBmUmw/s1600/SAM_2168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsOk8tgm3YCW0U-qJa_vlct_Ed770cW0XNP4LuKfl_7bcIztBmKl3Bn63s_bCHtyuEJjbj3aH1A5CZUolQbrYmMtMqK5k1d7CMU72QSq9tMUrL1iX71ZcCikgMnflBLlnWj6I6UBmUmw/s200/SAM_2168.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thimphu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I landed in Bhutan, I felt alive by the September rain
that colored the mountains green and purified the fresh air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My eyes were wide open barely blinking
as if they were having a feast, gorging on the spectacular scenery of
forever-rising mountains. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had
been almost a year since I had been back in Bhutan, but all the love I felt for
the country and its culture came rushing back even stronger than before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The agape feeling that consumed me sparked
a stronger desire to be reunited with my close friends and students from last
year, so I immediately set out to central Bhutan making lots of visits on my
way to my new home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAl1hB5_VPD-YaWo8A4BtrrOUMDmMcZjOzB1i_OakmnuVlIgRMiUpqt6BaIifWz31GGDhnlA7v54tfVkochxS4EMsGyMp1FNhpKI3CWoG2M59crarWawKyFqy0H8vAr3Xz6zj3xMG9j8/s1600/SAM_2178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAl1hB5_VPD-YaWo8A4BtrrOUMDmMcZjOzB1i_OakmnuVlIgRMiUpqt6BaIifWz31GGDhnlA7v54tfVkochxS4EMsGyMp1FNhpKI3CWoG2M59crarWawKyFqy0H8vAr3Xz6zj3xMG9j8/s320/SAM_2178.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little JImmy in Gangtey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of my first stops was in beautiful Gangtey to see little
Jimmy, Sonam’s family and the Rinpoche of Gangtey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I arrived later than expected, little Jimmy was
sleeping, but Sonam’s mother waited up for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sat in the sitting room holding hands and smiling at each
other for quite sometime while catching up on lost time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was joy in our hearts and all
over our faces to see each other again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m certain we have a karmic connection because I feel so
close to her even though we don’t speak the same language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, some people think that I can
understand Dzongkha because I often know what she’s saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a funny thing to explain or watch,
but some Buddhist may explain it as a karmic tie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After some time, we decided to wake little Jimmy up and with
sleepy eyes he gave me the biggest hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It felt like Christmas watching him open a dozen of presents at midnight
from Sonam and I. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a few days visiting little Jimmy, I was able to
personally thank the Rinpoche of Gangtey for inviting me to teach in his
nunnery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I made my way to Chumey
where I taught last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0c5QhGXag4uN9Po-Sir4lSLtYtl4W6OflLiD1nQjnTLgDTC8nKm6mDRxZ0ztd2ajiisdrx_P6CJ78HnunajkvyEF5pZUwMEQNd12KKGuw5UY1Hn9JEynLS2oGeWisRCfPW32oQ0Bo2EY/s1600/SAM_2230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0c5QhGXag4uN9Po-Sir4lSLtYtl4W6OflLiD1nQjnTLgDTC8nKm6mDRxZ0ztd2ajiisdrx_P6CJ78HnunajkvyEF5pZUwMEQNd12KKGuw5UY1Hn9JEynLS2oGeWisRCfPW32oQ0Bo2EY/s320/SAM_2230.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely road into Chumey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Driving down the straightest paved road in Bhutan leading
into Chumey Valley made me feel like I was coming home to another part of me:
the Bhutanese part of me that’s a Chumey girl! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My ride dropped me off in front of the school where Norbu, my
dear monk friend, came trailing along the pitch-dark road to greet me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was such a dark night that I could barely
see the outline of his robe approaching me, but I instantly recognized his
voice when he said, “Hey man, long time no see.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hugged under a black sky and I was in disbelief to see my
favorite friend again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next morning, I attended school where I was bombarded by
mobs of students gathering around me in their checkered school dresses asking
me a thousand questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My old
students who are now in class six dominated the mob giving me hugs and cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One particular student, Neera, made my
tears lodge deep in my throat and I will never forget the sight of her running across
the courtyard out of breath with open arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had grown taller than me and was now able to throw her
arms around my neck for a tight cobra squeeze, which nearly threw me off
balance. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her eyes were full of
tears as she struggled to get the words out without openly crying as she stuttered,
“Miss, I was afraid that we would never meet again, but I never gave up
hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew you would return.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her pure happiness really touched my
heart and I felt grateful that I too didn’t give up hope on getting a visa back
to Bhutan. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLHhDBUAAFWZy8S9WdmzLhC2mHY1iIjwbNOfZYj-Udz26VQEqloA_Tp3huGAheLxwjOcDSa7YNhHtwFv4MzlJzfZR6Eg4ztWLP-buIH__fKhoy9hnNaZx9K_YMvv09ffKnB8ELMEA1Do/s1600/SAM_2216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLHhDBUAAFWZy8S9WdmzLhC2mHY1iIjwbNOfZYj-Udz26VQEqloA_Tp3huGAheLxwjOcDSa7YNhHtwFv4MzlJzfZR6Eg4ztWLP-buIH__fKhoy9hnNaZx9K_YMvv09ffKnB8ELMEA1Do/s320/SAM_2216.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
After morning assembly, my former students threw me the most
elaborate welcome back tea party with nearly a hundred cookies, rows of thermoses
filled with tea, a bouquet of wild flowers, a homemade crown that read, “Best
Teacher in the World” and balloons taped to the ceiling, which I was instructed
to pop to experience a rainfall of confetti. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized that one of the sweetest gifts life can offer is
to be loved by children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
one of the happiest days of my life and one that I will surely never forget. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That afternoon, I went to see one of the people I thought
about the most in Bhutan; I went to see sweet Dawa who lived with me last year,
but now lives in the dorms/hostel in a nearby high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was on the edge of my seat waiting
for her to come down a hill from her dorm room and at the first sight of each
other, we ran towards one another for a big embrace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, it was my turn to cry during my </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPHleWW-K_a9_4v4hSabsplqKXAvAkgdxlnJWXwcUXywY2Z5HSEujctPlkgGmrMovJuO1rJzeRlnOmwow90aXDTqLxoefLTXXwgXwHXw46LpZMoYYFeIrxAN102jCKUJihkk37eITo1c/s1600/SAM_2236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPHleWW-K_a9_4v4hSabsplqKXAvAkgdxlnJWXwcUXywY2Z5HSEujctPlkgGmrMovJuO1rJzeRlnOmwow90aXDTqLxoefLTXXwgXwHXw46LpZMoYYFeIrxAN102jCKUJihkk37eITo1c/s200/SAM_2236.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawa and I</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bhutan reunions because
there was a part of me that felt incredibility guilty not really knowing how
she was doing while I was away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
took care of her for several months last year, so there’s a part of me that will
always feel like I’m a family member to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During our beautiful visit together, she reassured me that
she was happy and healthy, which made the guilt slowly subside.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since Chumey houses so many people I love, I couldn’t help
but stay for several days teaching my old students, visiting past friends and
going for my old long walks around Chumey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was strange at how it felt like I had never left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A part of me didn’t want to leave
again, but there was also another part of me that was anxious to meet my new
students who were only a few hours away: the nuns of Pema Choling nunnery. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb25dyVmPOeHfy1dj1ihlcJhXXPWDScFlJcyxIyIn2TALWAj4wQKY4AWaNReGZ1oJYgk1uLm-M0xkcmIwjr5uUgrsLtRoTMhzfdn5Odzu2pcEt0oafwtaBMQNZ4-pT0EVxy-4AarIQCxY/s1600/SAM_2296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb25dyVmPOeHfy1dj1ihlcJhXXPWDScFlJcyxIyIn2TALWAj4wQKY4AWaNReGZ1oJYgk1uLm-M0xkcmIwjr5uUgrsLtRoTMhzfdn5Odzu2pcEt0oafwtaBMQNZ4-pT0EVxy-4AarIQCxY/s200/SAM_2296.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students with my suitcase</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So early the next morning, I was getting ready to leave
Chumey for the nunnery when all my students surprised me to see me off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dozens of little fingers lifted my
suitcase and bags up in the air and marched my luggage all the way to Norbu’s car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With teary eyes they wished me the best
of luck and waved goodbye as Norbu drove me to the nunnery where I would again
fall in love with a different part of Bhutan, more sweet people and a whole new
experience. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5PKPzZ5YVUVdKcrDIM3nr8P4BNIEjXKcWjczDbF66Q_y0kv9QTl9W0YB4so8G_biW9HfGAOTC1SkLc7bP99HB8pqWP2c-58wmggHKGNseTa1Ernl02om9_Dvv4XSmNzyqnUS_cOks2M/s1600/SAM_2451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5PKPzZ5YVUVdKcrDIM3nr8P4BNIEjXKcWjczDbF66Q_y0kv9QTl9W0YB4so8G_biW9HfGAOTC1SkLc7bP99HB8pqWP2c-58wmggHKGNseTa1Ernl02om9_Dvv4XSmNzyqnUS_cOks2M/s200/SAM_2451.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pema Choling Nunnery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now I have been teaching at the nunnery for almost a month
and it is beyond fascinating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
deserves it’s own special blog, which I will try to update the next time I come
into town since I don’t have Internet there. </div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCReyLLzuX_MUWgxi98zWe8kaCIP66LzvcgVzAFPnk6FzlXQcJi_9U5drppawgWFaOOtrz1gBrPNQ7UhuxbwR2ZMfOQguJaM9I_BZtuEDden3GK5hiEhqqmmDoSBcczzTp1Xi7_DG93vU/s1600/SAM_2245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCReyLLzuX_MUWgxi98zWe8kaCIP66LzvcgVzAFPnk6FzlXQcJi_9U5drppawgWFaOOtrz1gBrPNQ7UhuxbwR2ZMfOQguJaM9I_BZtuEDden3GK5hiEhqqmmDoSBcczzTp1Xi7_DG93vU/s320/SAM_2245.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice reunion </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4arBPTlmnkyGkrQfj4Hw2Y2hi5aitWR2-O6h5Btq0DdHwj79_qCle7xr2fgsmL6KbTaZJeFtpmUsXm-nVJW66-Yn6N612Zs945ez8fIIxub4WcoBnrQIs5iNfu-HKGrrxn0U1caj3jA/s1600/SAM_2256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4arBPTlmnkyGkrQfj4Hw2Y2hi5aitWR2-O6h5Btq0DdHwj79_qCle7xr2fgsmL6KbTaZJeFtpmUsXm-nVJW66-Yn6N612Zs945ez8fIIxub4WcoBnrQIs5iNfu-HKGrrxn0U1caj3jA/s320/SAM_2256.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Variety of Cookies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3tvZEFaCbkTPBa1k39-PFEFOWbNo1ICTSkrvAp0bHxQ8R3bFiprCffiSqZoKYIMob35ihVFA8l92cXmZHf5WSq2Dpk4KaTDWZjNWhyVM2sBaJgveZtXBH098F5zpYv7Ly4O5W9uXbTA/s1600/SAM_2257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3tvZEFaCbkTPBa1k39-PFEFOWbNo1ICTSkrvAp0bHxQ8R3bFiprCffiSqZoKYIMob35ihVFA8l92cXmZHf5WSq2Dpk4KaTDWZjNWhyVM2sBaJgveZtXBH098F5zpYv7Ly4O5W9uXbTA/s320/SAM_2257.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea Party - Thermoses of suja and narja</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-16281128333724757652013-09-10T04:18:00.000-07:002014-03-11T02:23:47.872-07:00Is Bhutan the hardest country to get into? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPw2VpY8QOM4tS8RJdC8-QnVoFwLE2h0UbO8La2cVIP8rbVxr5ga56Uo22sn4VqQzNXzoDN3vZ_vb6bnQ20I76vnFWCVJE149YKz7qcXhGRHGL00ssXw_EJOe2-SK5QpOFAx5nAPdkELA/s1600/DSC02289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPw2VpY8QOM4tS8RJdC8-QnVoFwLE2h0UbO8La2cVIP8rbVxr5ga56Uo22sn4VqQzNXzoDN3vZ_vb6bnQ20I76vnFWCVJE149YKz7qcXhGRHGL00ssXw_EJOe2-SK5QpOFAx5nAPdkELA/s640/DSC02289.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Yeahhhh!!! After months and months of waiting for my Bhutan visa to clear, I had to ask myself, "Is Bhutan one of the hardest countries to get into or what?" Well I guess the answer depends on whether or not you have $250 American dollars to spend on the DAILY tariff (unless you're an Indian or Bangladesh passport holder). Since my bank account couldn't imagine paying the tariff for a six month stay (an estimated $45,000), I patiently waited for my invitation and visa to be granted in order to get the tariff waived. Finally, it was granted a few weeks ago and today I'm boarding an airplane back to Bhutan for a once in a lifetime experience: living and teaching in a Buddhist nunnery in the Himalayan Mountains. Unfortunately, I won't have internet at the nunnery so keeping up this blog may be difficult, however, it would be a dream to one day compile it into a book. Nevertheless, I can't wait to get back to one of the world's most beautiful places, so breathtaking and special that I have to admit, I think it's worth more than a $250 daily tariff:-).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYywMYB3VCW7bEDk6dAMB9QRzgO3O0f7yxL7Nuif7S7WQdoJYgN4ETG7ktgOhIHS9N0qLdImT6Ia856iypO767JtE3Bu-u5ki4YyEdnCVJ_NFXAgCeTuGFLFQzStQ9bGsOZnhGjCvs5Y/s1600/IMG_0080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYywMYB3VCW7bEDk6dAMB9QRzgO3O0f7yxL7Nuif7S7WQdoJYgN4ETG7ktgOhIHS9N0qLdImT6Ia856iypO767JtE3Bu-u5ki4YyEdnCVJ_NFXAgCeTuGFLFQzStQ9bGsOZnhGjCvs5Y/s320/IMG_0080.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksqyf9qsQ3sJljr_NGAwnfnuRF0s4mofFh0mKaP3FfIXsT_VKljlTSl7T1gkshQnDaF7X7QYnL0r4HYOH42KkJTfymA7oEKLg91Y1RiRo03XYHSLDrirRu60shm4gdvMH53kxFYklxDY/s1600/IMG_0076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksqyf9qsQ3sJljr_NGAwnfnuRF0s4mofFh0mKaP3FfIXsT_VKljlTSl7T1gkshQnDaF7X7QYnL0r4HYOH42KkJTfymA7oEKLg91Y1RiRo03XYHSLDrirRu60shm4gdvMH53kxFYklxDY/s320/IMG_0076.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiyr8VyLJKTmMSOa4NpMazI5JzCUHiq5tzJPwTrEuQgJRCEp2_S83IY3tEgGX-O2UvI0am74aBgg3DbzAd3t7Qdsp7xHTJyFeVA750DXYH-fup_Q0voO2vAozMZaIe8uJGjjoAjoeohc/s1600/IMG_0156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiyr8VyLJKTmMSOa4NpMazI5JzCUHiq5tzJPwTrEuQgJRCEp2_S83IY3tEgGX-O2UvI0am74aBgg3DbzAd3t7Qdsp7xHTJyFeVA750DXYH-fup_Q0voO2vAozMZaIe8uJGjjoAjoeohc/s640/IMG_0156.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bnIvCN183y845VWeoni3ZiAQ8-A-b1HMGklg_0eGLW1BKCP8VXAUkOIh_M_gntIgugiyUj2wqKzqcGkYANTc5Nk4ew4WRSrTXuvHF7z2yLVMWwpUh8U7c7rwJCDSlvJNCGwcQvihhlY/s1600/IMG_0227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bnIvCN183y845VWeoni3ZiAQ8-A-b1HMGklg_0eGLW1BKCP8VXAUkOIh_M_gntIgugiyUj2wqKzqcGkYANTc5Nk4ew4WRSrTXuvHF7z2yLVMWwpUh8U7c7rwJCDSlvJNCGwcQvihhlY/s640/IMG_0227.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2Y2R8tKvSmVCdnF84bON5DzS9fZ5JFhkFcnNd-whyL1ZR-GM99aIatfOffwKprh6QoBgyToNNczxOMtBn9yxJJ2fGw8zErO0U_KE-uwkWeQUlBIlquxyx43snP265HkxGXZcJaWy_9E/s1600/IMG_0773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2Y2R8tKvSmVCdnF84bON5DzS9fZ5JFhkFcnNd-whyL1ZR-GM99aIatfOffwKprh6QoBgyToNNczxOMtBn9yxJJ2fGw8zErO0U_KE-uwkWeQUlBIlquxyx43snP265HkxGXZcJaWy_9E/s640/IMG_0773.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-270100551553181092013-01-20T06:39:00.002-08:002014-03-11T02:03:14.112-07:00How did I end up in Bhutan?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMR8a-sjZtv11k99hZvLc9aV2oo5h4A1Lggv6-Ie5qpNZIoFSUt800ypI472l8Oame4TZZbB2x1SEI2EBPf1dm3lXOuWH9w82fzvufSV06A-tP-I36lwRHrSxw9z_9mWP_4t5omCAsi4/s1600/SAM_3166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMR8a-sjZtv11k99hZvLc9aV2oo5h4A1Lggv6-Ie5qpNZIoFSUt800ypI472l8Oame4TZZbB2x1SEI2EBPf1dm3lXOuWH9w82fzvufSV06A-tP-I36lwRHrSxw9z_9mWP_4t5omCAsi4/s400/SAM_3166.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving Bhutan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I often contemplate on how I ended up in Bhutan, which never fails to bring a smile to my heart. I decided to blog my little inspirational story, as my last blog about Bhutan before I start sharing a bit of my experiences in India. While I was writing the last sentence of this blog entry into my journal on a train to Delhi, three Bhutanese college students randomly peeked their heads through my curtains and to their surprise they saw some pictures of Bhutan on my travel partner's laptop. After a few minutes of chatting, they asked me, "How did you end up in Bhutan?"<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNI8kxfUku4Q6dyDDcZizkfCJz1YxOUej13ooq3Ztm8MAvu6Mu-LYR4pNGf7-KheNbCaQrkRugmPE9hKzIPUtCyNAHc6oBpB3PevFOF_VIo3QyzothMymcHDC1cZ-CnU94JAiRc8xREa0/s1600/SAM_6535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNI8kxfUku4Q6dyDDcZizkfCJz1YxOUej13ooq3Ztm8MAvu6Mu-LYR4pNGf7-KheNbCaQrkRugmPE9hKzIPUtCyNAHc6oBpB3PevFOF_VIo3QyzothMymcHDC1cZ-CnU94JAiRc8xREa0/s200/SAM_6535.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>I started laughing saying, "Funny you ask because I just wrote about it in my journal." I explained how one evening about three years ago, I was curled up in bed flipping through the channels when I came across a documentary about a Buddhist monk looking for his master teacher who reincarnated somewhere in the Himalayan mountains. There was something about the Buddhist monk trailing along isolated footpaths searching in and out of remote villages that made my heart flutter. Instantly, I fell in love with the scenery of the Himalayas and I became mesmerized by Buddhism. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then I became even more fascinated when the following program was about the Kingdom of Bhutan, which is a Buddhist country nestled in the Himalayan mountains. I had never heard of Bhutan and I felt like I had just discovered the world's best kept secret: The last Shangri-La. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdNALkY-KZayn4F1Nyz4rGg65vg1Tvb21zL_2qolZCvWSs4xozUBpkWTS_SrRW9LNHXzOvfuWOmiiiLekDcQGVQYrIiiy_rrSGz7xH2vDaVeepxAmejbiCiZmPzRk3owjf6UUN9PQyq4/s1600/SAM_6527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdNALkY-KZayn4F1Nyz4rGg65vg1Tvb21zL_2qolZCvWSs4xozUBpkWTS_SrRW9LNHXzOvfuWOmiiiLekDcQGVQYrIiiy_rrSGz7xH2vDaVeepxAmejbiCiZmPzRk3owjf6UUN9PQyq4/s320/SAM_6527.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>My heart fermented with a deep longing to one day step foot in this Kingdom of Happiness. My desire was so strong it bursted through my chest with pain from the thought of never seeing it in person; I was committed to a Masters in Teacher's Education Program and I thought that there was no way I could ever go. It seemed too far out of my reach. However, I didn't understand the power of love. I didn't know that I lit a little flame inside me so bright that it would never die and from that moment on, with each beat of my heart, I was just one more heart beat away from living my new dream. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br />
As weeks turned into months, slowly I forget about Bhutan and I got swept away with the routines of life. A few years later, I had successfully completed my Master's Degree and was teaching summer school. Unfortunately, the tidiness of life had swept away Bhutan from my memory! Then one day, I found myself siting at my desk during lunch feeling like I was not living my destiny although I had no idea what my destiny could be. Just then, suddenly I felt an urge to type in the computer "teach abroad." Following my urge, I came across a website that advertised to teach in Spain, Europe, etc. With each glance at the names of the different countries, I felt nothing and said "na, na, na." </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0aYhLq3rEMhCV7iWRZ2k3ZrTvuhClWxv2QPm8-sjPYGR6H1gELRAgQ2bNz_EBbnICxKPBdQ45yJBf28hU6fkqyLAkhyphenhyphenUJvSRsbLtLaJwyHur5VFGmtiyYe51nvPZoQd-LpH6xP6teYOo/s1600/SAM_7708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0aYhLq3rEMhCV7iWRZ2k3ZrTvuhClWxv2QPm8-sjPYGR6H1gELRAgQ2bNz_EBbnICxKPBdQ45yJBf28hU6fkqyLAkhyphenhyphenUJvSRsbLtLaJwyHur5VFGmtiyYe51nvPZoQd-LpH6xP6teYOo/s320/SAM_7708.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>Finally, I saw the word, Bhutan, among a dozen of other countries and I felt a wave of energy run through me. My head tilted to the side as I thought, Hmm that sounds familiar, I think that I have herd of that country before. Immediately, I clicked on it and it took me to the Bhutan Canada Foundation (BCF) homepage, which just so happened to be hiring teachers to teach in Bhutan. As I saw the pictures of Bhutan, a floodgate of the love I once felt when I first saw it several years before came pouring back. Once again, I felt that burning desire of flame grow even brighter than before as I whispered to myself, "I know that place!" </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I applied right there and then! The next day I got a call for an interview. A few interviews later, I was hired and re-arranging my life to head half way around the world. When I got to Bhutan, I learned that out of 250 applications and 100 skpe interviews, I was one of 18 teachers selected from around the world boarding an airplane to Bhutan. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dzGIuSg_nFXa9E8Cz6rdVLZVJ8QghweuHQdLgQXWrpH2xsveTdmhOlW2V1nhbEHCDbgoq9-UyVx9KqquBMi8-rkdaylUfm5gimG1YQq7W72E1aySrorE2lmQjXtGx1Z0-SD4p6Pbllw/s1600/SAM_1705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dzGIuSg_nFXa9E8Cz6rdVLZVJ8QghweuHQdLgQXWrpH2xsveTdmhOlW2V1nhbEHCDbgoq9-UyVx9KqquBMi8-rkdaylUfm5gimG1YQq7W72E1aySrorE2lmQjXtGx1Z0-SD4p6Pbllw/s320/SAM_1705.JPG" height="320" width="219" /></a></div>
<br />
My point is not to brag because I don't believe that there was anything special about me that got me selected over others. Instead my point is to share that I believe I made it to Bhutan despite the odds because of the power of love for a dream; when you feel a calling to do something or when you feel that your heart is lit with a burning desire, faith can move you in directions that we can't always see. Then at the right moment, our dreams may manifest with an open heart that is willing to jump into the unknown. For instance, I was terribly nervous to leave behind my sweet life in San Diego all to follow a nagging calling to teach in Bhutan and now in hindsight, I'm so happy that I followed my heart because I was led to the most beautiful experience of my life. It was beyond what I had ever dreamed could be possible. The scenery was breathtaking, I made amazing friendships, my heart was touched by the sweetest children and Bhutan stretched the depths of my perceptions. <br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NkpGDqfSRMVRQ0cSGuOok0QEzN60x0CXlfl5w6nZ1ip9Hi71Gytejr6EFfU5QPve8OXqXNMklzvYmfe4hhPji8fzDA3YxwxnzxIjZ3cZtpQMQBDWtzk5_-09iVtNyQVt0hOFOddib1Y/s1600/SAM_7488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NkpGDqfSRMVRQ0cSGuOok0QEzN60x0CXlfl5w6nZ1ip9Hi71Gytejr6EFfU5QPve8OXqXNMklzvYmfe4hhPji8fzDA3YxwxnzxIjZ3cZtpQMQBDWtzk5_-09iVtNyQVt0hOFOddib1Y/s200/SAM_7488.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
Thus, when my teaching contract was coming to an end, I wasn't quite ready to leave, but I felt that I had reached a personal growing capacity. I felt like I was being drawn to the next phase of my path: learning about Buddhism. So when the Rimphoce of Gangtay personally asked me to teach the nuns at his Pema Choling nunnery in Bhutan (which is another story), I couldn't resist to have one more magical experience in Bhutan. I'm thrilled to report that after my travels in India, I will be returning in the spring to to live and teach in a Buddhist nunnery for six months. I can't wait to see what Bhutan has in store for me next. </div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREnm4ryMUI-KJVI42GWmkYUBXQN3nAekzQtth0tkkhbwGMb4mf10B2AWmJx20yK2fOCyi6zZyM8mImbXxGbfEzE0xzv967kbk1GPH9_z1h6Onn8lkzm63MZsdY36JQ8fvuXQ15PAMYVI/s1600/SAM_7910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREnm4ryMUI-KJVI42GWmkYUBXQN3nAekzQtth0tkkhbwGMb4mf10B2AWmJx20yK2fOCyi6zZyM8mImbXxGbfEzE0xzv967kbk1GPH9_z1h6Onn8lkzm63MZsdY36JQ8fvuXQ15PAMYVI/s640/SAM_7910.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Best Friends in Bhutan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Q7AyiJ89zuq-m5dqW9cReaJWb2Y_FBgeLoQl3kVQWi7_ELcY6PrQwiaYFtrgngv7qCCGakc51iVKZxy45ys25D-JW8aVwWDUXQ_mRCsHPaE-WqD09QVYJu8SJR5KqnLhReqNSDcxBI0/s1600/SAM_7795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Q7AyiJ89zuq-m5dqW9cReaJWb2Y_FBgeLoQl3kVQWi7_ELcY6PrQwiaYFtrgngv7qCCGakc51iVKZxy45ys25D-JW8aVwWDUXQ_mRCsHPaE-WqD09QVYJu8SJR5KqnLhReqNSDcxBI0/s640/SAM_7795.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite memories: My girls having a slumber party at my home on the last day of school</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXtID5xSX1LEk652V4kMW8W-_kZzKEuTchyWOhIYClr9qMzBoCebmPSfOSmwvMII_s7fWyyFwFH_IsP952UMt-FmWWzCDI7-hVt4BoV6aAgvw0wfKzJs8WrpPaJIoQ9yEGmRhYSBDcUU/s1600/SAM_7842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXtID5xSX1LEk652V4kMW8W-_kZzKEuTchyWOhIYClr9qMzBoCebmPSfOSmwvMII_s7fWyyFwFH_IsP952UMt-FmWWzCDI7-hVt4BoV6aAgvw0wfKzJs8WrpPaJIoQ9yEGmRhYSBDcUU/s640/SAM_7842.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUubCl_iyQvdm8j7smvEv3BfInYfQ2AJiREmYwCpv1Fk6p0fTBXmisjteyfiG1SANcEdQw21dWWvNYwD0ebe1ZVhmHejQH534rtTK_KB9oRvHwQujIZCEYrpFi7WWgYYCF-4NedLpkV0/s1600/SAM_7859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUubCl_iyQvdm8j7smvEv3BfInYfQ2AJiREmYwCpv1Fk6p0fTBXmisjteyfiG1SANcEdQw21dWWvNYwD0ebe1ZVhmHejQH534rtTK_KB9oRvHwQujIZCEYrpFi7WWgYYCF-4NedLpkV0/s640/SAM_7859.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stickers </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK20z6o11mFyGMQiAxBPyOWtEtL22RTiK7CuWMd_oulI4uUQEK6vdFVOw4N80Yntz7029yOLLKk7Ztzhaica84wwQRWp10eCflcvuGan4G1qLdwzjlqy9vIg1BO7Vh2aJzjMSuLXVH3sw/s1600/SAM_7872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK20z6o11mFyGMQiAxBPyOWtEtL22RTiK7CuWMd_oulI4uUQEK6vdFVOw4N80Yntz7029yOLLKk7Ztzhaica84wwQRWp10eCflcvuGan4G1qLdwzjlqy9vIg1BO7Vh2aJzjMSuLXVH3sw/s640/SAM_7872.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeping Time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzxq5fwHs8U1EP2QPe0sWJfoN-NgDDGbsBK0wFiTrGs_26tuKjQvdQeZsVeibBhQNcZrxO7M40fvR7LQi4HhtKTb0UONO9QIR6MOaPrDRuhBMUsoW7RFmfsQ-C0pOc04wLKn2L4PC9gQ/s1600/SAM_7713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzxq5fwHs8U1EP2QPe0sWJfoN-NgDDGbsBK0wFiTrGs_26tuKjQvdQeZsVeibBhQNcZrxO7M40fvR7LQi4HhtKTb0UONO9QIR6MOaPrDRuhBMUsoW7RFmfsQ-C0pOc04wLKn2L4PC9gQ/s320/SAM_7713.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See ya later</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-28007418901332971022012-12-29T04:46:00.003-08:002014-03-11T02:13:22.009-07:00Impermanence! ERRR!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</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-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat: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:11.0pt;
font-family:"Cambria","serif";
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]-->
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDPLr6nJVhlnVya75voWvQIYBdA9_fS7v8CAolS8FsdAMkBWsLsu6IeVmKzAmKFEaXWAdNJrs3G29b6sivyGJ7KIhY2-LVAlLD2iD_Zwsf21hUJif0xZpl2N1Wv7IZRyfxP09n84svGg/s1600/SAM_7494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDPLr6nJVhlnVya75voWvQIYBdA9_fS7v8CAolS8FsdAMkBWsLsu6IeVmKzAmKFEaXWAdNJrs3G29b6sivyGJ7KIhY2-LVAlLD2iD_Zwsf21hUJif0xZpl2N1Wv7IZRyfxP09n84svGg/s400/SAM_7494.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Norbu and I</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Norbu, where’s my pen? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Impermanence! It’s gone!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Norbu, what’s the date today?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Impermanence!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t know!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Norbu,….”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Impermanence, impermanence, impermanence…”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“ERRRRRR’ </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Norbu, the monk Dzongkha teacher at my school, favorite
topic is on the nature of impermanence whereas it’s my least favorite concept
because I find it difficult to internalize. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have gotten use to Norbu always teasing me
about impermanence, yet trying to teach me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, one particular day his teaching on the topic really sank into
my heart.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a quiet day in the staff room because most of the
teachers had gone home for the day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was completing my report cards at my desk when Norbu took a seat beside me and
said, “Hey Man!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dawa (Sonam’s teenage niece
who lived with me) is finished with her exams and she will be leaving in a few
days to her village, so how are you feeling?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Giving him an evil eye because I knew that this conversation
was going to be about impermanence I sighed, “Well I’ve been distracted with
report cards, so I haven’t really been thinking about it, but now that you’ve
mentioned it, I feel sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPm092UyFQ8eS6DLTdb1b3pIOWZoBbwS-TGhj4gy-uW6HrROsyrWS9pEq0HUIe7QobUKmbAFbV2n3lf3ni4j2ZFTib73yutgq_NtMWKOOUCetMBUuzoUkqKn6owKmlHHVZ7GnCgWCCMs/s1600/SAM_7570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPm092UyFQ8eS6DLTdb1b3pIOWZoBbwS-TGhj4gy-uW6HrROsyrWS9pEq0HUIe7QobUKmbAFbV2n3lf3ni4j2ZFTib73yutgq_NtMWKOOUCetMBUuzoUkqKn6owKmlHHVZ7GnCgWCCMs/s400/SAM_7570.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a>Norbu slyly grinned at me and started his lecture, “You
know, life is like a dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dawa will
soon be gone and she will fade into a memory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Weeks will turn into years and from time to time you will wonder how she
is doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then one day you will be very
old and you will barely remember her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Your time with Dawa will seem like a dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like it never happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same thing with Dawa is probably
happening with Sonam and it will surely happen with your memories in Bhutan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes we have to ask ourselves, was I
dreaming?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did that really happen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing stays the same and the past is like a
dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Impermanence!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraVSjF5C7x4kSKbJawIjn2BtO8N-CQQJtpRlwykVQ2zYKCz75VsqhCdnetHb_UKluAjwn2nwtLFMa8RE9aNjR3vAiJ8qP4m807ga7RXASs51ESUCF7R6KVG9GJ89S9QP7r7xWWWIjJrg/s1600/SAM_6619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraVSjF5C7x4kSKbJawIjn2BtO8N-CQQJtpRlwykVQ2zYKCz75VsqhCdnetHb_UKluAjwn2nwtLFMa8RE9aNjR3vAiJ8qP4m807ga7RXASs51ESUCF7R6KVG9GJ89S9QP7r7xWWWIjJrg/s200/SAM_6619.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then as quick as he came to hit me with some daily
teachings, he ran off saying, “Have a nice day, don’t miss me…” leaving me
sitting alone in the staff room frowning, pouting, contemplating and resisting
the nature of impermanence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mrL4OQjQ4bQcryNWdcwPecD5QkMOEmsR3Eelv2h-MPXWMfMT0oiXphEfjnFZaLbvHuWTCavgLNfqpABtPMX0sJbpr57DJ8LU1-Uyv-HOJOUveEpfFOem3jtI4A4nIeX7t2ykDirxCiA/s1600/SAM_7620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mrL4OQjQ4bQcryNWdcwPecD5QkMOEmsR3Eelv2h-MPXWMfMT0oiXphEfjnFZaLbvHuWTCavgLNfqpABtPMX0sJbpr57DJ8LU1-Uyv-HOJOUveEpfFOem3jtI4A4nIeX7t2ykDirxCiA/s200/SAM_7620.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lounging </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I knew that there was some truth to his little speech and I
felt even more somber wondering if his predicament would come true:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would my unique friendship with Dawa really
fade into a memory as if I had been dreaming?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dawa had lived with me for four months and we took care of each
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she was sick, I would rush
her to the hospital and if I had a soar throat, she would make me tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She taught me how to make curries and I taught
her how to make French toast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
always together; walking, shopping, eating, laughing...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was my best friend, little sister and
sometimes I joked that she was even my big baby. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I didn’t want all of this to end and turn into
memories, but at the same time I knew that Norbu was right-everything is impermanent
and I would have to let go of Dawa without resisting the change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So throughout the week, while we did our usual cooking
together, cleaning and drinking coffee around the bukhari, I enjoyed every
simple remaining moment and tried to stay in the present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she started packing, I told myself that
this was the nature of life:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>everything
is always changing so there is no need to cling to moments. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOQw5ehfGKGhxRsvxCTMgaor576BQKbzhG_IrNcpaFOpopLuarUJzIs55wMTJ3S3w0CH5d0xXHeSMojbJP6ycveY_4EYdVmz0G1AgZL3nsW6tsLx53-5j2Q4UbzOzXJcE9baM4SzrNmA/s1600/SAM_6575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOQw5ehfGKGhxRsvxCTMgaor576BQKbzhG_IrNcpaFOpopLuarUJzIs55wMTJ3S3w0CH5d0xXHeSMojbJP6ycveY_4EYdVmz0G1AgZL3nsW6tsLx53-5j2Q4UbzOzXJcE9baM4SzrNmA/s320/SAM_6575.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZukuWQYfa1OC9NSOe-QrUbGbJklpZftqoFTdON_fnXLTYtC-wdYaLY17GQKMacZ0d34I5TAKwDqSasC-DfYDDpXsHGR93cRpxBvcl6uHq_CFrMAnmZHzR4qxOvLTwpU_pLhAge3T-bi0/s1600/SAM_6588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZukuWQYfa1OC9NSOe-QrUbGbJklpZftqoFTdON_fnXLTYtC-wdYaLY17GQKMacZ0d34I5TAKwDqSasC-DfYDDpXsHGR93cRpxBvcl6uHq_CFrMAnmZHzR4qxOvLTwpU_pLhAge3T-bi0/s320/SAM_6588.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>However, when her ride came to take her to her village and it was time for us to depart for good, I walked her to the car and I was feeling ok until I heard Norbu’s voice
ringing in the back of my head, “This is it, nothing will ever be the same,
Dawa will be a memory in a few seconds just like a dream. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Impermanence!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then I could hear myself resisting in the background, “NOOOO.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Errrr I was so disappointed with myself
because the tears started to flow as I wished some things could stay the same
forever. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think that she was shocked to see my well put together
self silently weeping out of nowhere and she instantly threw her arms around me
while I said, “I’m really going to miss you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please call me if you need anything.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unlike me, Dawa gets Buddhist concepts easy and
she calmly said, “I’m going to miss you too!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please don’t cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want
you to be sad, I think that maybe I should stay a little longer.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtZYdUPyYlpSFLho12zluh6P0P1rE0lxvf61Ivzx0RCZWEJR9-Hy3y3CNUepk60ibrUsQyuNZihv5pa4QDccvKhHYqTlXRI0HyAFUojsdy3Jgz4cuOsOCWhG_slZ7I4dosgTJT7s7QC0/s1600/SAM_6617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtZYdUPyYlpSFLho12zluh6P0P1rE0lxvf61Ivzx0RCZWEJR9-Hy3y3CNUepk60ibrUsQyuNZihv5pa4QDccvKhHYqTlXRI0HyAFUojsdy3Jgz4cuOsOCWhG_slZ7I4dosgTJT7s7QC0/s320/SAM_6617.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>“No of course not, I want you to enjoy your time with your
aunty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t worry about me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to be fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just sad to see you go, but I promise I
will be ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, I will try to stop
by Gangtey to say goodbye to everyone, so maybe we will meet again,” I said trying to
sound positive. </div>
<br />
After a long squeeze, I hurriedly walked away wiping the
tears and hoping not to see anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
I felt my arm being tugged back and when I turned around, I was surprised to
see that it was Dawa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She ran back to
give me one last big hug and for further assurance that I would be ok.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After she left, my home felt empty and lifeless without
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first few days were strange adapting
to living alone once again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t
feel like lighting the bukhari for just one person and I didn't know how to make rice for one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes out of habit, I would even peek my
head out of the room thinking she was there and I would start to say, “Hey why
are you so quiet?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then I would
realize that she was gone and I would sigh repeating Norbu’s words, “Impermanence!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBUGkLu9nqvAy4kJrn6w0gasX6D6SQ8QUyQjHRjBUq76uv0t7aLxapmOekAl23xKHjn8m9qqusOGopvjH8rNZYh2UdpSQy8mar0oi3t98cXQ5uHaBTw1a9nMU9n_weUMkn2P8EB-Qtxg/s1600/SAM_6608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBUGkLu9nqvAy4kJrn6w0gasX6D6SQ8QUyQjHRjBUq76uv0t7aLxapmOekAl23xKHjn8m9qqusOGopvjH8rNZYh2UdpSQy8mar0oi3t98cXQ5uHaBTw1a9nMU9n_weUMkn2P8EB-Qtxg/s320/SAM_6608.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>After a week, I really started to embrace the nature of
impermanence; I didn’t feel sad or lonely and I just continued with life
without resistance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I was surprised
when she called me and inquired, “Are you lonely? I’m thinking that you are
lonely, so I want to come back until you leave Bumthang.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I tried to reassure her, “It’s impossible to feel lonely
when I have Norbu and all the neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also my students are always dropping by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m fine!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously, you don’t
have to come all the way back for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You will be bored with no school while I’m at work all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise that I’m fine.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We went back and forth for several long minutes and in the
end she made an excuse that she wanted to come back and rewrite some school notes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started giggling at her excuse and I gave
in saying, “As long as I am here, this is your second home, so you are more
than welcome to come back, but you don’t have to come back if you’re worried
about me because for the last time, I’m fine!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEh6qW35SMJ_3P-slaGuY3mh-Fq6j65Od3PAB4QsR8uRlS_9D0dNI5QLIXcn9xuwT8-wy8pJst7NMgQee4aAJiu8fMZULHbDfojP93cSpYcUgjluP0DUNCqxtH2ziaHZT69CiBbjfi7M/s1600/SAM_6574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEh6qW35SMJ_3P-slaGuY3mh-Fq6j65Od3PAB4QsR8uRlS_9D0dNI5QLIXcn9xuwT8-wy8pJst7NMgQee4aAJiu8fMZULHbDfojP93cSpYcUgjluP0DUNCqxtH2ziaHZT69CiBbjfi7M/s320/SAM_6574.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>The next evening she came with a basket of gifts from her
aunty: cheese, bread, apples and a hand woven scarf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She explained that the last image of me with
teary eyes made her feel terrible and when she told her family they were also worried
sick about me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I laughed a little still trying
to convince her that I was fine, but I understood how Bhutanese are extremely family
orientated and concerned with others happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I thanked her for coming back to check up on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoC8EuiUcOBrFxMF-LMIRnDWR-grTGllpIwhAIS1OYKuTlmaFrkIiN7c5wEpiZGg60EEL3xxJw_4LTI-R653NfFnBgot5nZERDFTNClf0MlAhzUxhuYTsVQCmanXKZ-iMPCBLhr5juUEU/s1600/SAM_5763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoC8EuiUcOBrFxMF-LMIRnDWR-grTGllpIwhAIS1OYKuTlmaFrkIiN7c5wEpiZGg60EEL3xxJw_4LTI-R653NfFnBgot5nZERDFTNClf0MlAhzUxhuYTsVQCmanXKZ-iMPCBLhr5juUEU/s400/SAM_5763.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a>Then when it was time for her to leave once more, somehow I
felt differently than the time before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
didn’t feel resistance to the nature of impermanence; there was no little
voice screaming, “Nooo”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead I gave
her a big hug and I smiled goodbye accepting that this was part of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, somehow Norbu’s teachings started to
settle into my heart with ease and the tables have turned as I quickly answer
Norbus’ mundane questions with his own words, “Impermanence!” and now he
occasionally responds, “Errr.”</div>
</div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-9658623845638579152012-12-18T07:39:00.000-08:002012-12-18T07:48:04.829-08:00Goodbye Fifth Graders - A field of tears<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCd7XMm-HKCqhPL29g6WXLJYFus9qzpsmLknig7r4M_g6Okzvbkz7STNfIX5oQR5yip4zboZ4JlyqTHbyMLu0lKqoncNp8JRki_-KgISrD54Cx3Ug-BL5UoWG9R-BKiMdGziFMBupf0V4/s1600/SAM_7443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCd7XMm-HKCqhPL29g6WXLJYFus9qzpsmLknig7r4M_g6Okzvbkz7STNfIX5oQR5yip4zboZ4JlyqTHbyMLu0lKqoncNp8JRki_-KgISrD54Cx3Ug-BL5UoWG9R-BKiMdGziFMBupf0V4/s640/SAM_7443.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<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-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIUytNmlRhnEDjemcuN00OOjzrwsUx2ImVAy2nJPO3cN1i80O5kXmp6dx7HNv8RAHnESMHMXU5nqoeiOGFlGibWVdea7ou2J9K4B0AApLH680E106QQkWxrtDYp_uvVRRvmx879HLSKs/s1600/SAM_7375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIUytNmlRhnEDjemcuN00OOjzrwsUx2ImVAy2nJPO3cN1i80O5kXmp6dx7HNv8RAHnESMHMXU5nqoeiOGFlGibWVdea7ou2J9K4B0AApLH680E106QQkWxrtDYp_uvVRRvmx879HLSKs/s400/SAM_7375.JPG" width="400" /></a>My palms felt sweaty and my heart was beating a little
faster than usual as I walked in class and said, “Fifth graders grab your
notebooks and a pen, then follow me to the football field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They excitedly gathered their materials
and skipped along to the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
class captain boy looked up at me with a big smile and said, “Miss, I like when
you take us outside to learn. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
are we going to do today?” His happy little face made my heart feel even more
ill because I knew that sweet face would be frowning within minutes and all I
could do was force a fake smile while putting my arm around his shoulders withholding
the answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With each step further
into the field, my heart sank deeper and deeper into the pit of my
stomach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today would be the day I
would tell them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had pushed it back
for so long. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to tell them in
person before they heard it from someone else.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxU2HrV31q2JHLoyUV9inmTLmTbQ8iuTOUlzshMvDr7u3HEGhrAgkDbTdkp3tZvrlwQeYmLiCfLhIU1u5AxGRAxJvElDq3-pyKZb61QrPwLMfjB7VOdopmhDHTmIdah7fj_OMyqA_DgM/s1600/SAM_6313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxU2HrV31q2JHLoyUV9inmTLmTbQ8iuTOUlzshMvDr7u3HEGhrAgkDbTdkp3tZvrlwQeYmLiCfLhIU1u5AxGRAxJvElDq3-pyKZb61QrPwLMfjB7VOdopmhDHTmIdah7fj_OMyqA_DgM/s400/SAM_6313.JPG" width="225" /></a>Since I have a very special bond with my class, I was
worried about how they would take my decision and I tried to sound normal as I
said, “Students gather around and sit down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have an important announcement to make.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now my heart was really aching and
pounding more than ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took
one deep breath and opened my mouth to speak, but the words were all stuck in
my throat; the only thing that seemed to come out were the beads of tears
falling from my glossy eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
hung my head low and I tried whipping the tears away, but it was useless
because they splattered out like a string of pearls bursting on the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The students were silent and stunned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There faces looked horrid, as they had
never seen me cry before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My class
captain asked in an alarmed and protective voice, “Miss, what happened?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell us! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who made you cry?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I took one deep breath and slowly said in a soft, low voice,
“I’m ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything is fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just really sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you all know I love each and every
one of you very much, as if you were my very own children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also love Chumey School and Bhutan
too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a great year here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it breaks my heart to tell you that
I decided not to stay next year, I will be leaving Bhutan.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhochN18RJpXe-QZz22XsUmD1vsz6C2Ky6wtfdgEJhm6dDpaFBdA27_3Ro0HSwaDl4mdTQkLMolmPltfe4WEVT1Cs0qYUEXaUQLjynAVSiTnSrbtxBMgK6ypUrJLaW8sJ2pMejb4H6Vyjg/s1600/SAM_6311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhochN18RJpXe-QZz22XsUmD1vsz6C2Ky6wtfdgEJhm6dDpaFBdA27_3Ro0HSwaDl4mdTQkLMolmPltfe4WEVT1Cs0qYUEXaUQLjynAVSiTnSrbtxBMgK6ypUrJLaW8sJ2pMejb4H6Vyjg/s320/SAM_6311.JPG" width="180" /></a>They were shocked and instantly on the verge of tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They shouted in denial, “Don’t worry
Miss, we will call our government and ask if you can stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will go to the principal and tell
him he must let you stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will even
write to your government too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
will figure a way to let you stay.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I softly smiled at them through my blurry tears and said, “I
don’t think you understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
my decision not to stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
government will let me stay, but I chose not to because I feel like I have
reached my growing capacity at Chumey School and I can feel in my heart that it
is time for me to move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel
a calling to do something different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have decided to go to India to learn about Buddhism and
meditation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you understand.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a moment of silence and then a wave of tears
flooded the football ground as the girls openly cried and the boys tried to
hide their glossy eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly
they all fired an intense round of pleading bullets at me and I felt terrible
as they begged, “NOOOOOOOOO Miss, please don’t leave us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are like our second parent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t go because no one will take
care of us like you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who will
protect us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about our
classroom, it will turn ugly if you leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miss who will take care of the library? It will get
destroyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please don’t go back to
America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No America!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never thought that you would leave
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miss don’t you love us...”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzurv1qRww_2JHbDCMt0yLO5DJr1BezJHXH3ciigzSzcq2BM7iAE_ANzVkzc3Y9BP2Kf-K3ia9sLxGfPtdetkrExnbLXz6GhxlHVKnqZ2WYNJNbOKSZtb0EWR26yKIfxk-IxbKH-1js0/s1600/SAM_6307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzurv1qRww_2JHbDCMt0yLO5DJr1BezJHXH3ciigzSzcq2BM7iAE_ANzVkzc3Y9BP2Kf-K3ia9sLxGfPtdetkrExnbLXz6GhxlHVKnqZ2WYNJNbOKSZtb0EWR26yKIfxk-IxbKH-1js0/s320/SAM_6307.JPG" width="320" /></a>As horrible as I felt, I forced my tears to stop flowing and
I held my ground, otherwise, I thought they were going to tie me up and lock me
in a closet until next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
said, “Everyone please try to calm down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m not going to America; I’m going to India for mediation retreats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please understand that just because I
am leaving doesn’t mean that I don’t care about you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a very hard decision because I love you all so
dearly, but I know that it’s my time to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing in life stays the same and it’s our time to depart.”
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-VnqdHA3BCYxAUpgtpyD8tSm2Y4MwAGK0e-DlNapFzZM1bHR-7UJ4p_xYcjkeWMehLwA3ycL72zq_8vN3jNJUKGkVNjKGVre-tnmqH4NuFYpRLbQHayEUvCHyITp_LavrmaHHY4_dnQ/s1600/SAM_7395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-VnqdHA3BCYxAUpgtpyD8tSm2Y4MwAGK0e-DlNapFzZM1bHR-7UJ4p_xYcjkeWMehLwA3ycL72zq_8vN3jNJUKGkVNjKGVre-tnmqH4NuFYpRLbQHayEUvCHyITp_LavrmaHHY4_dnQ/s320/SAM_7395.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Class Captains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Their devastated faces seemed to accept it until one student announced, “Last night I had a dream that Miss was going back to America
and I was crying in the dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
now it looks like my dream came true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was hoping that it was just a dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe your leaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please don’t go to America.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The students started to sob even more and they started
pleading all over again, “Miss if you just stay one more year, then you can
leave next year and we will let you go.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then another chirped in, “No, please stay just five more years until we
graduate from Chuemy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please Miss
then we will be as smart as class 20.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihpCbmeNkjszLjQjJ4knLMieKQ4liqWpF6s0cnkM4W2h2YnI4SBYOla0pHq73IuTiv3CrKbJXHDGBcTlj11T1muJutZG8r6MMdI40rj8CM3v2ctt2zjhwLj4ywjASF-l7r98UT2nBy-4/s1600/SAM_7497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihpCbmeNkjszLjQjJ4knLMieKQ4liqWpF6s0cnkM4W2h2YnI4SBYOla0pHq73IuTiv3CrKbJXHDGBcTlj11T1muJutZG8r6MMdI40rj8CM3v2ctt2zjhwLj4ywjASF-l7r98UT2nBy-4/s320/SAM_7497.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweethearts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I tried my best to turn the situation into something
positive and I said, “Again, I’m not going to America, I’m going to India. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so sorry, but my decision is
final.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a feeling that we
will meet again in the future, so please don’t be upset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything happens for a reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also have a very good feeling that
next year you will get an amazing, new foreign teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new teacher will bring new ideas to
the school and teach you new things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You will love the new teacher and he or she will love you too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also the new teacher might be feeling
nervous the first week of school and since you already had a foreign teacher,
you will be experts on how to help him or her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows, you could get a teacher that is ten times better
than me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So me leaving could be a very good
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want everyone to get
excited about having a new foreign teacher.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(At the time, I didn’t know who the new teacher would be,
but I have come to know her through emails and my prediction was true-she’s
amazing).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The students were still reluctantly moaning and their faces
were plastered with anxiety and heartache.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew that I had to turn this day around so I explained, “I
asked you to bring your notebooks because I wanted to teach you what I like to
do when I feel sad; I like to write my feelings and thoughts in a journal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So today I want you to write about how
you feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I want you to write
about what things you are looking forward to about having a new, foreign
teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please try to focus on
the good that can come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lastly,
draw a picture that goes with your writing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMriqOW8ryIqua5_bius9ixS6Wl2c0vDC6nG5p8K8ZQULm48tYWLUPFBo1GJCwmppEwn6QGQrQlvSex-EAoUHfyOh81UIkAu0wJJSMK6xCyFF_nAxCbZ9j6lZtMwl2_zN7LHedMGKmP0/s1600/SAM_7391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMriqOW8ryIqua5_bius9ixS6Wl2c0vDC6nG5p8K8ZQULm48tYWLUPFBo1GJCwmppEwn6QGQrQlvSex-EAoUHfyOh81UIkAu0wJJSMK6xCyFF_nAxCbZ9j6lZtMwl2_zN7LHedMGKmP0/s320/SAM_7391.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As they wrote their tender feelings down, they silently bawled
into their notebooks and the only sound I could hear were musical notes of
sniffling noses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The football
field felt like a burial ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They wrote and wrote, drew and drew, sniffled and sniffled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every once and awhile I could hear them
whispering to each other about how to spell “America” in order to complete the
sentence, “I wish Miss no go to America.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think that after I told them I wasn’t going to stay next year, they
weren’t able to hear the part about India and all they could think about was
that I was leaving, which they assumed back to America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a long time of writing, I could see that the situation
wasn’t getting better and the bell was about to ring for the next period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t want to leave them feeling
blue and crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was still on a
mission to bring a smile to their faces when I got a sudden idea.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The bell is going to ring soon, so please close your notebooks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want everyone to feel happy, so
before we walk back to class, I need twenty-five hugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, everyone has to give me a
hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who’s going first?” I demanded with lots of enthusiasm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It worked
like a charm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their faces turned
into oversized smiles and they were giggling trying to decide who would go first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bhutanese teachers don’t tend to hug their
students and so this would be abnormal for them to receive a monster hug from a
teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result, they were
giggling with awkwardness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQMO62EmPu8xx2v_aA6O7_t7w4QvSz2zTMgg1BoTGUOlmhML6v3KGX54osrmHCr_FWucPeF6UH_uxGfYOtNP6XiMsy0eAtQBlj2um49oUOcmwKL_mXMQVBatiutrudZNeYfVkKGfl-M0/s1600/SAM_7369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQMO62EmPu8xx2v_aA6O7_t7w4QvSz2zTMgg1BoTGUOlmhML6v3KGX54osrmHCr_FWucPeF6UH_uxGfYOtNP6XiMsy0eAtQBlj2um49oUOcmwKL_mXMQVBatiutrudZNeYfVkKGfl-M0/s400/SAM_7369.JPG" width="400" /></a>Then one of my boys tried to be a joker and said, “Ok I’ll
go first” but when I went to hug him, he pulled his hands together dropped to the
ground and curled up into a ball so I couldn’t hug him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But of course a little laughing ball
couldn’t stop me and I squatted next to him and hugged his rounded back while
saying, “Ohhhh I love my Pema.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
students thought that this was the funniest sight they had ever seen and they
all screamed in laughter, jumping up and down in excitement. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Every hug brought new waves of laughter and twenty-five hugs
later there were no more tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They went back to class with smiles, especially after I promised them an
end of the year party. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
apparent that there had been a shift in emotions and for one of the last times
I said, “I love you all! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See you
tomorrow!” </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuiipu5Zwznfg3Yj8u_S0xcx-0t69NtfhimRoTSUcrFwFS9vR3bQo98kMq_ZjtVvriiaUBEOr-4ccW0Uia-vKK805iCtsQieXU6pHEf-4XH40k6zeFeMsSz-1ZCnBCyC8zg7acAOzP08/s1600/SAM_7722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuiipu5Zwznfg3Yj8u_S0xcx-0t69NtfhimRoTSUcrFwFS9vR3bQo98kMq_ZjtVvriiaUBEOr-4ccW0Uia-vKK805iCtsQieXU6pHEf-4XH40k6zeFeMsSz-1ZCnBCyC8zg7acAOzP08/s400/SAM_7722.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice Cream Party!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrM4O8ucioxxBPj5vFzDeElTaTChffZ9g4rB04HODIQs0cqgozs5YnHnPn9BbcG2XxqMGDX9gJ4zNqeWpgillwieVG_YjD0NC8Wjn3PG_fzEFIAjHnrdeNzx66-z3Qp_IWfP3ud_2XFg/s1600/SAM_7271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrM4O8ucioxxBPj5vFzDeElTaTChffZ9g4rB04HODIQs0cqgozs5YnHnPn9BbcG2XxqMGDX9gJ4zNqeWpgillwieVG_YjD0NC8Wjn3PG_fzEFIAjHnrdeNzx66-z3Qp_IWfP3ud_2XFg/s400/SAM_7271.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going away presents </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpqq5pJOVTLTNE2KZaKoIgpk4mn7SaZkz0h_gH3yFq6ODdIyeC33r9Vwt3fnFmAQ8uYZGHcT64CeZGR5TRX9GvTGxZb-ED0xRuTUecZ7dMBVVeNN5TbKhtqXJqpKe3k6usRQiBZC6Vsc/s1600/SAM_7273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpqq5pJOVTLTNE2KZaKoIgpk4mn7SaZkz0h_gH3yFq6ODdIyeC33r9Vwt3fnFmAQ8uYZGHcT64CeZGR5TRX9GvTGxZb-ED0xRuTUecZ7dMBVVeNN5TbKhtqXJqpKe3k6usRQiBZC6Vsc/s400/SAM_7273.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three cute cups! Thanks Girls!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVISlD3YLhIfYRXB15bDcp3OqSA60MwFEWp67oypmkadmDCZOxHDmtl89F2OBWqmn7GDbUZFe62PGtukp1gU3DsWwMzEZGJL0Ig-fTUmPvmBPWynTyXzVIWW7RErL7DIYYDzaJfOVJkU/s1600/SAM_7361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVISlD3YLhIfYRXB15bDcp3OqSA60MwFEWp67oypmkadmDCZOxHDmtl89F2OBWqmn7GDbUZFe62PGtukp1gU3DsWwMzEZGJL0Ig-fTUmPvmBPWynTyXzVIWW7RErL7DIYYDzaJfOVJkU/s400/SAM_7361.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More presents: scarf, card, mirror, jewelry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The saddest letters they wrote in their notebooks on our somber day, but their writing is sooooo cute </b><b>and I wanted to share how sweet they really are and to show how they couldn't understand that I wasn't going back to America.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhXKAGUVCw0ysfHbEojIsG0tWdAbIgn7xtlrxyt7Jj8cMAs8E9bXgEKIGQQDrMoJESs08A-c_qQABYeftPilxVI_Yl7x6MC1LDFov4lWsvW9fvGi1izu8BWAoGMZ0UPIhIKCeL3JeO3U/s1600/SAM_7514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhXKAGUVCw0ysfHbEojIsG0tWdAbIgn7xtlrxyt7Jj8cMAs8E9bXgEKIGQQDrMoJESs08A-c_qQABYeftPilxVI_Yl7x6MC1LDFov4lWsvW9fvGi1izu8BWAoGMZ0UPIhIKCeL3JeO3U/s640/SAM_7514.JPG" width="544" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjykoTEx8mKJiQrAujuwd_oGsDZq4o1RwHbMn_0sAPt-fPh3-AvKsMS3VwPCu0FeOcX1dtUL-Aj7RNUAu5j0QPsNm8Hp3i9u-0oUKky5rSw0mpo5v_aE2BjQwrOZIC-QBnx6WK87g-gRk/s1600/SAM_7448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjykoTEx8mKJiQrAujuwd_oGsDZq4o1RwHbMn_0sAPt-fPh3-AvKsMS3VwPCu0FeOcX1dtUL-Aj7RNUAu5j0QPsNm8Hp3i9u-0oUKky5rSw0mpo5v_aE2BjQwrOZIC-QBnx6WK87g-gRk/s640/SAM_7448.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ci9rkqNtpNGW7Z7ze_FONx3CETLMQYcV_b182w1-EsiIYBW192m_lcmzALk60TyjmHbTnoAplpEUFMJTBMFlQTEdd0k5wl6qClj7ZFJzNTxUY8-0tY2-_EDY5aJCa-g1gxnrSD2fhIU/s1600/SAM_7449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ci9rkqNtpNGW7Z7ze_FONx3CETLMQYcV_b182w1-EsiIYBW192m_lcmzALk60TyjmHbTnoAplpEUFMJTBMFlQTEdd0k5wl6qClj7ZFJzNTxUY8-0tY2-_EDY5aJCa-g1gxnrSD2fhIU/s640/SAM_7449.JPG" width="587" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVG8aa-cTyO7gqXHWwHSISG5jtUmNuFuFw42cA_wU2Pz5G2bwHQzCiJNgwD26c15l4wMNm8bkkm7JIK2BNgboIQZy0Yux9QcLIUsa2TRLK8-GYKGU8heR0-1CQLoX85PE5UK0T1RiP9c/s1600/SAM_7451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVG8aa-cTyO7gqXHWwHSISG5jtUmNuFuFw42cA_wU2Pz5G2bwHQzCiJNgwD26c15l4wMNm8bkkm7JIK2BNgboIQZy0Yux9QcLIUsa2TRLK8-GYKGU8heR0-1CQLoX85PE5UK0T1RiP9c/s640/SAM_7451.JPG" width="552" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaPiuonCylMz3k5GguKKGuAb4SErRfH4slL2mWPSrsFO6I6M4NP4iMJ6F5-Ms-dcudMRQpxjJybwgaPvFfVOxU5Mr1OhwRvbI9lQFUeC8uhhQnLI9lMPMXu6-Ey1EkRsiaTmiwIpHjcY/s1600/SAM_7455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaPiuonCylMz3k5GguKKGuAb4SErRfH4slL2mWPSrsFO6I6M4NP4iMJ6F5-Ms-dcudMRQpxjJybwgaPvFfVOxU5Mr1OhwRvbI9lQFUeC8uhhQnLI9lMPMXu6-Ey1EkRsiaTmiwIpHjcY/s640/SAM_7455.JPG" width="614" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDXYhQDPtiy-aGMZ0leVIdQMbc0MSx7erp3HFTc2DxKjarrfcROxg1dq4P-JlAy5-z2akliHCdEs-AK7anB2_Mq7jToxm7x32zK1dHOGJua9-5WUXkRCkfqvjb033jQDiBTd6SHwAX5I/s1600/SAM_7457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJozGtJ-VbI17OtkllTcHrLjZCs9ZEXrx4aokHE8PLYWS0AQ08QOOOqrF26JIE5KqFJ7y8va4hV5-UzEYWjEA1KY9ucMviTTbE7MfFIj9le5Pul_y5v9k8CtovniwUov_wPqmRHNkgLo/s1600/SAM_7456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJozGtJ-VbI17OtkllTcHrLjZCs9ZEXrx4aokHE8PLYWS0AQ08QOOOqrF26JIE5KqFJ7y8va4hV5-UzEYWjEA1KY9ucMviTTbE7MfFIj9le5Pul_y5v9k8CtovniwUov_wPqmRHNkgLo/s640/SAM_7456.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdRaip60HFKqhWPrXcQ2Hh99mOsAKqJ-8R86XQosx8nhzcbv8sEWuG3MXK797Gpl7GGYiXHb4HsrEtE4QPwsWV709PS4f-28yodXbM8NgawpIz5vSonE4jHihGo3v-Jhsmd33Zl0cvuA/s1600/SAM_7469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdRaip60HFKqhWPrXcQ2Hh99mOsAKqJ-8R86XQosx8nhzcbv8sEWuG3MXK797Gpl7GGYiXHb4HsrEtE4QPwsWV709PS4f-28yodXbM8NgawpIz5vSonE4jHihGo3v-Jhsmd33Zl0cvuA/s640/SAM_7469.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXUlD47GPaQuNRVrCSdBGdJp1qQptjb4oOoZ1sLf_gELYqPe1g_V4L1Rhzi6TX_O6Gff64i5SRqJe3vGQdqRqXw2c7UPtPb1m71Kr2P5K_Fh9fcHhqMDPVDHVZrzoaPlsEGqSjz7SSdk/s1600/SAM_7470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXUlD47GPaQuNRVrCSdBGdJp1qQptjb4oOoZ1sLf_gELYqPe1g_V4L1Rhzi6TX_O6Gff64i5SRqJe3vGQdqRqXw2c7UPtPb1m71Kr2P5K_Fh9fcHhqMDPVDHVZrzoaPlsEGqSjz7SSdk/s640/SAM_7470.JPG" width="576" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDWkkC0VzNtXy5FATX_nGewuZpyKKwcNdpo1xku4yAMC5fsFQnIGBK2L9_yt2GZmN48jSI-cSrc2lojlF_TGERhS3S9txzKrWiIG8YSR4fT2CsSPCuMbI0lzez97Lhyphenhyphen73l9D-MsDtgrI/s1600/SAM_7471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDWkkC0VzNtXy5FATX_nGewuZpyKKwcNdpo1xku4yAMC5fsFQnIGBK2L9_yt2GZmN48jSI-cSrc2lojlF_TGERhS3S9txzKrWiIG8YSR4fT2CsSPCuMbI0lzez97Lhyphenhyphen73l9D-MsDtgrI/s400/SAM_7471.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkdqmUnks9WWP6XudWFC_hhAhCFig3Fku4xhG7x7tMqtmozUbfnf8z4vx8gPKUJ6VT-OE5dRbpArRFEb8frCZWWZ0jvRJ9Rflx7lhWQMPJ8mAfRnSvkay_8OLojUe5RncyrlNG3RR90A/s1600/SAM_7472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkdqmUnks9WWP6XudWFC_hhAhCFig3Fku4xhG7x7tMqtmozUbfnf8z4vx8gPKUJ6VT-OE5dRbpArRFEb8frCZWWZ0jvRJ9Rflx7lhWQMPJ8mAfRnSvkay_8OLojUe5RncyrlNG3RR90A/s320/SAM_7472.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCWthw-8qEMyXo38QMvG7Efwpr0dhXvLY_S4hqAHdgA8MNqgWh0IqmX_LV-k-MepBfQQinN119IxzhOtPELyCNVjN7AAaNq3utyoZhnI_KNMn4usTAi67LZSEczYdrqCyNru89ne3awA/s1600/SAM_7473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCWthw-8qEMyXo38QMvG7Efwpr0dhXvLY_S4hqAHdgA8MNqgWh0IqmX_LV-k-MepBfQQinN119IxzhOtPELyCNVjN7AAaNq3utyoZhnI_KNMn4usTAi67LZSEczYdrqCyNru89ne3awA/s640/SAM_7473.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfv_TNZ_jN9ZpJwjTOA7AD-nOFQ2r9uMxqald771e03cdZUoeXww1zPb8vi75W6qJyGp-6GVFMNaFtzud3TBRDD48EA_yJPBX1xdIw1L-_hEJGAYlLNKJ-MfAKK1VC1jBfBHQFgXejZwU/s1600/SAM_7474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfv_TNZ_jN9ZpJwjTOA7AD-nOFQ2r9uMxqald771e03cdZUoeXww1zPb8vi75W6qJyGp-6GVFMNaFtzud3TBRDD48EA_yJPBX1xdIw1L-_hEJGAYlLNKJ-MfAKK1VC1jBfBHQFgXejZwU/s640/SAM_7474.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6CZRw86KcInJyWjWf85qlrBqfaktkGDePretGU4OS4PyWsn5WGt6onc365jWsdyqlXHq-qXG68QG2hgriLquIsM4mcrL9qE-W_X2tX2qI9VTQUjooONgnhRCjrW_lxygjSbIYXHbuUk/s1600/SAM_7477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6CZRw86KcInJyWjWf85qlrBqfaktkGDePretGU4OS4PyWsn5WGt6onc365jWsdyqlXHq-qXG68QG2hgriLquIsM4mcrL9qE-W_X2tX2qI9VTQUjooONgnhRCjrW_lxygjSbIYXHbuUk/s640/SAM_7477.JPG" width="570" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyL-xjt1jaSy16cxXhpH5SyYPgr2Yn1-b_09kjtOXlypTnFdcNJsw6AKKLaMUBnEue6vPoGzWakKlKdYQcVqB8Q019mW2mQz9Zu02rvAr-d_1Uh0HOLT7heuI8-eJ5PbD-2dfAqQC5Xw/s1600/SAM_7479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyL-xjt1jaSy16cxXhpH5SyYPgr2Yn1-b_09kjtOXlypTnFdcNJsw6AKKLaMUBnEue6vPoGzWakKlKdYQcVqB8Q019mW2mQz9Zu02rvAr-d_1Uh0HOLT7heuI8-eJ5PbD-2dfAqQC5Xw/s400/SAM_7479.JPG" width="388" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWHdwS5t4ab_nbxfQoQqycWsZLUZajEhEwSeOwl83Hhe56RxbtxWDuLWL5yhsrTS0jKWEbV8bYcMvxsvkn5eSjQJA7wOapdboWIv2vO42whCPsWW7rwehviYtNuqn8qD5m5NAcGZzQ8A/s1600/SAM_7478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWHdwS5t4ab_nbxfQoQqycWsZLUZajEhEwSeOwl83Hhe56RxbtxWDuLWL5yhsrTS0jKWEbV8bYcMvxsvkn5eSjQJA7wOapdboWIv2vO42whCPsWW7rwehviYtNuqn8qD5m5NAcGZzQ8A/s200/SAM_7478.JPG" width="173" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7ay-DG1sA3YKO4lxNPwRPAIBzP9dN46yy0jM7NWlyNGoAFSd_JMXDJciZF-6XM2VzHYGwT3DB1A4oArPxZuyP1hP6ejtQ96Iz5t8y3G312mFSlmd0ojI-fMU4xZKjS0ADhnnKI0G1fg/s1600/SAM_7521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7ay-DG1sA3YKO4lxNPwRPAIBzP9dN46yy0jM7NWlyNGoAFSd_JMXDJciZF-6XM2VzHYGwT3DB1A4oArPxZuyP1hP6ejtQ96Iz5t8y3G312mFSlmd0ojI-fMU4xZKjS0ADhnnKI0G1fg/s640/SAM_7521.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDleNO_AccdObfvlojV6-HeqRt9c3aL-n3aJ7zZuY0R8NlKKUvnXOvJ4WjWXKkm-hpoTN5FMhhdQ1J05hqQkPjmAl_eTBF2q_s_CDG2xuFwa-FMOnDvQEIsBI_jIgEVYQhFzNRd10wPW4/s1600/SAM_7536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDleNO_AccdObfvlojV6-HeqRt9c3aL-n3aJ7zZuY0R8NlKKUvnXOvJ4WjWXKkm-hpoTN5FMhhdQ1J05hqQkPjmAl_eTBF2q_s_CDG2xuFwa-FMOnDvQEIsBI_jIgEVYQhFzNRd10wPW4/s640/SAM_7536.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwZb-vf5xXLLoxIOBzUmAxczRkjtq17q-oCe6eDgriFMOMH35qI-H-VBuWWRGbxRS47jwW-dRZTF9tvhu_AELZ6SwDn9ZSkjv4MVXfozAgHa2CtE9GZwgHI_Hssw5-_-Vym9cBXWuTls/s1600/SAM_7537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwZb-vf5xXLLoxIOBzUmAxczRkjtq17q-oCe6eDgriFMOMH35qI-H-VBuWWRGbxRS47jwW-dRZTF9tvhu_AELZ6SwDn9ZSkjv4MVXfozAgHa2CtE9GZwgHI_Hssw5-_-Vym9cBXWuTls/s640/SAM_7537.JPG" width="620" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjgzZJl6QXE8-J7XAbnfxuWUmiE3Af6aCQEJx_u_ooL1Ku9VVktWXvCH8SZ0tDLJswKmM2MqyXu925Q1IxSaGDMnQwu2HyUUUwbVy1JMrdn8j9gKWy4TY61GrexpKlBAZNwB9emhuej0/s1600/SAM_7540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjgzZJl6QXE8-J7XAbnfxuWUmiE3Af6aCQEJx_u_ooL1Ku9VVktWXvCH8SZ0tDLJswKmM2MqyXu925Q1IxSaGDMnQwu2HyUUUwbVy1JMrdn8j9gKWy4TY61GrexpKlBAZNwB9emhuej0/s640/SAM_7540.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzBb1PUDi7uWrkfJT1G07GeM2XO5YidG34-NGVS0tXdGIjptrVsTZHPC7IuV82QhuBFauhEp0dhGLzOTfFqzWsa5xR7kqDVgqVID4-8lW5doM3HDuYuh3EnnRYTXIjdeb0sVz6kGeVuQ/s1600/SAM_7542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzBb1PUDi7uWrkfJT1G07GeM2XO5YidG34-NGVS0tXdGIjptrVsTZHPC7IuV82QhuBFauhEp0dhGLzOTfFqzWsa5xR7kqDVgqVID4-8lW5doM3HDuYuh3EnnRYTXIjdeb0sVz6kGeVuQ/s640/SAM_7542.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-68122572644094416292012-12-17T04:40:00.002-08:002012-12-17T04:40:48.447-08:00Two Very Different 9th Grade Classes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<!--[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>1337</o:Words>
<o:Characters>7622</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>63</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>15</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>9360</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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-->
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyvr9WVtHAxFnTipYwcnubend9uSm-yV_VOLSoOzH3FEbeVdfgkUJFwmGjg9gWBwAF0HZodIo84UKdEWvJ8gMnhPg80IVsOytnimGShWmTbjaP-9Gx2JoB1wryAfAUMTbyxA8CvSCBo4/s1600/SAM_7440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyvr9WVtHAxFnTipYwcnubend9uSm-yV_VOLSoOzH3FEbeVdfgkUJFwmGjg9gWBwAF0HZodIo84UKdEWvJ8gMnhPg80IVsOytnimGShWmTbjaP-9Gx2JoB1wryAfAUMTbyxA8CvSCBo4/s640/SAM_7440.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Class 9A photo: I'm the English teacher and Norbu is the Dzongkha class teacher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In addition to teaching fifth grade English and being a
librarian, I also taught two ninth grade classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The differences between my ninth grade classes were like
night and day; one was good in studies, well behaved and cheerful while let’s
just say the other one was the exact opposite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The later would take me on a roller coaster ride, but would forever
touch my heart. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakR97ugcKnBKO9PIBsYf1puNz4wTqU6_2MX9VOGhnmp9WnqS5cwagrLp1AHljkbv1T1KKN6K6Ni4e4Nobk8ifeeQ-gANMmQCBNKNv5Y2Ai7beBXqLAADF8jFNENNSphUDqsuJ-MVMjIo/s1600/SAM_6911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakR97ugcKnBKO9PIBsYf1puNz4wTqU6_2MX9VOGhnmp9WnqS5cwagrLp1AHljkbv1T1KKN6K6Ni4e4Nobk8ifeeQ-gANMmQCBNKNv5Y2Ai7beBXqLAADF8jFNENNSphUDqsuJ-MVMjIo/s320/SAM_6911.JPG" width="320" /></a>My first spectacular ninth grade class (section 9A) was what
I called my party class because they were always in a good mood like they were
at a party. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I entered the
class, all I could hear was a thunder of chairs being pushed back as they
hurriedly stood up and shouted, “Good Morning Miss! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How are you today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Looking beautiful Miss!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIg-KJKyjsbaMo1QnKjdcPdLApMTZXd5IQUo3-HzTexAq28METXm6G0C2G2CPigo8jQ67ZTKY6vkGAQLI9tdhdRjOv8MITAN81LCagAj45_Zcbbf0zCje7fSzWoeG0Ac42LBZM0p8cNs/s1600/SAM_6910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIg-KJKyjsbaMo1QnKjdcPdLApMTZXd5IQUo3-HzTexAq28METXm6G0C2G2CPigo8jQ67ZTKY6vkGAQLI9tdhdRjOv8MITAN81LCagAj45_Zcbbf0zCje7fSzWoeG0Ac42LBZM0p8cNs/s320/SAM_6910.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9A classroom is so bright and beautiful just like them</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could never jump right into teaching because they were so
giggly, social and happy that I couldn’t help but join in with their chatter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I always started the class off by
saying “How are you all doing today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What’s new?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After I heard
from them, sometimes I fulfilled their request for a short story about anything
interesting that happened to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m a good storyteller, so when I said, “Ok I have a story for you” they
immediately hushed each other, the class became silent within seconds, large
smiles took over their faces and they leaned forward ready to be
entertained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I usually told them scary,
yet funny stories about my dangerous, black, stray dog that was occupying my
doorstep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They loved my dog
stories and I think that they will never forget my madness with my black dog as
they asked me everyday if anything new happened with him (If I had more time, I
would write a whole book about him). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqiqWKN7xkgOlKRb48K0TwHB1jwr10UoquS20Mk5BdmJb_I95e8_vrYPajeZDbmOsR6KiP9OBPHyOjfkE-0QNylHnf6hL1U1lQrCcrQRrNgG5HZNR-q7NrS7f7QZR3Z_sj0SjVURlgjA/s1600/SAM_7431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqiqWKN7xkgOlKRb48K0TwHB1jwr10UoquS20Mk5BdmJb_I95e8_vrYPajeZDbmOsR6KiP9OBPHyOjfkE-0QNylHnf6hL1U1lQrCcrQRrNgG5HZNR-q7NrS7f7QZR3Z_sj0SjVURlgjA/s320/SAM_7431.JPG" width="320" /></a>I also loved this class because there were a handful of
girls who I dearly admired for their outspokenness and how they wouldn’t put up
with any BS from the boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nevertheless, the boys were respectful to the girls and they treated
them like their sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The class
acted like one big happy family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
class was also filled with leaders and they were not afraid to correct each
other if someone was misbehaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For instance, if someone was repeatedly talking while I was teaching, all
I had to do was give them a cross look and the students would scold who ever was
talking by saying, “Miss is trying to teach, stop it and apologize now.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were so easy to love. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuCKfTltTlvm7XC10WDgBq0egdVV-MdIQc5BHqf0zgjSobAEPM_ryJpUF-JrlyNfhqXO57cvnxK5zWhlTxp6diENmr9zUciTDpvWNnYbG1OQPKYf143xreBIvj3eu7rd-hYbQJFViA4Q/s1600/SAM_7418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuCKfTltTlvm7XC10WDgBq0egdVV-MdIQc5BHqf0zgjSobAEPM_ryJpUF-JrlyNfhqXO57cvnxK5zWhlTxp6diENmr9zUciTDpvWNnYbG1OQPKYf143xreBIvj3eu7rd-hYbQJFViA4Q/s400/SAM_7418.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9C Class</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the other hand, my next ninth grade class (section 9C)
was the complete opposite from the other ninth graders (section 9A).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, the beginning of the year with
them started off a bit rocky, but slowly over time, the class underwent a huge
transformation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the beginning,
the class was notoriously known as the naughty class because most of the boys
in the class would get in trouble for breaking school rules and the boys
dominated the class like big bullies while the girls were quiet and often
submissive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the teachers
disliked subbing in the class and would often storm out of the class, including
one guest Canadian teacher who refused to ever go back claiming the students
were similar to “bad western students.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On several occasions, when I came into the class, I found some girls
weeping due to the boys bullying them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The feminist in me would light up and I would give the boys a good
scolding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost all the boys had
bad attitudes as well as manners and they would frequently shout out obnoxious
remarks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I became very strict with
the class, otherwise, I thought that they would walk all over me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then one day, I was thinking about how my two ninth-grade
classes were so different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
contemplating how 9A was bubbly and their classroom was bright and beautiful
just like their personalities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
contrast, 9C was a dull classroom and the students didn’t seem so enthusiastic
and positive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started thinking
about how people attract people, forming groups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was amazing thinking how all those happy, smart 9A students
somehow attracted each other to form 9A while the naughty boys and shy girls of
9C also attracted each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
it hit me, “OMG somehow I have attracted naughty 9C to my schedule. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see how I could attract bright 9A,
but why naughty 9C?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started
thinking and the only answer I got was that I used to love working with tough
students in urban schools because I could always see through their toughness
and I enjoyed helping them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt
inspired to help 9C turn around their attitudes, but first I would have to
change too; I would have to change my strategies for dealing with their
behavior; I would have to become more loving towards them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My first step was talking with their class teacher about my
concerns for the class and she set down her expectations with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The class knew I had an ally! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next, I changed my strategy of scolding
the boys to more of a counseling style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I would sit on the corner of my desk, put teaching aside and have a
heart-to-heart talk with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I once
told the class, “When I hear other teachers complain about you, I feel really
bad because even though I’m not your class teacher, I’m still one of your
teachers so it hurts me to hear when you act bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet whether you behave good or bad, I am always going to
care about you because you are not just my students, but you are like nephews
or nieces to me since we see each other everyday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that 9C can be the best class in the school, but you
have to change your attitudes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
have a whole year together, so something has to change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t continue going on like
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So how can we make this
change happen?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The students
looked guilty hanging their heads and they murmured apologies. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we brainstormed about how the class
would act from that day forward: don’t be disrespectful, no shouting, be kind
to the girls, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That day was
the first day of a slow transformation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Additionally, throughout the year I taught the boys with
some made up stories about how to be a gentleman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of my stories were funny and I would start off by
telling the boys that I was really worried about them because I didn’t think
that they would ever get a girlfriend or married due to their bad habits and so
I wanted to help them transform their ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The class would giggle and I would try to keep a straight
face while saying, “I’m serious, girls like gentlemen and you boys need some
help in that category?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzloa_AA9WtPNucn3f8Ra2cSZdW7LJXfVWH2nm67Ct3zbF4y9zsofGWPLcxvJd2ygN04j0AE9PlXu6xEckoCOac8C4uZj3yl49CHVdgYhyiWKGK8cgVBRBi9x4r7s6sersvGYA8y3kA0/s1600/SAM_7430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzloa_AA9WtPNucn3f8Ra2cSZdW7LJXfVWH2nm67Ct3zbF4y9zsofGWPLcxvJd2ygN04j0AE9PlXu6xEckoCOac8C4uZj3yl49CHVdgYhyiWKGK8cgVBRBi9x4r7s6sersvGYA8y3kA0/s320/SAM_7430.JPG" width="320" /></a>My other strategy to helping the class was trying to empower
the girls by having a few minutes in the class where only the girls could give answers;
otherwise, the boys would eagerly answer while the girls were too shy to raise
their hand let alone speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if
the girls were too shy to speak, I would read their answers for them and tell
them that their written responses were wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes I would even joke, “Geez girls, speak up, please
tell the class your answers, your smarter than the boys” and the boys and I
would exchange a sly grin while the girls blushed with confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also counseled the girls to not
tolerate being bullied and I modeled how to do so. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In private, I often followed up on the boys’ demeanor to the
girls and they would report that the boys no longer bullied them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slowly but surely, the girls started to
share their voice in the class. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
class was changing!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although I was sterner with 9C than my other classes, I
tried my best to be the most tender with how I corrected them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As time went on, the boys became more
and more respectful as well as hardworking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The class atmosphere felt different and they became very
serious about their studies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
their classroom looked cleaner and they added some beautiful decorations, which
matched their new change in attitude. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then one day, when they were all working hard writing
summaries, it hit me that this was no longer the same class and I just smiled
at them saying, “Wow, you are one of my best classes.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure what exactly caused the
shift or what strategies other teachers implemented, but all I know is that over
time they became one of my favorite classes and I always looked forward to
teaching them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the last day of school, they gathered around me with sad
faces and teary eyes saying, “We are going to really miss you, please don’t
forget us.” I told them that I could never forget them and not only was I so
proud of them for their improvement in writing, but also for their huge
behavior transformation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then one
boy who was twice my size said out loud with a frown, “Miss, I feel like
crying” and the students could barely giggle because most of us felt like
crying and we were all doing our best to hold it in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I gave them my last lecture, but it wasn’t on English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead I said, “Some of you might not
be satisfied with your English grade, but instead of dwelling on your grade, I
want you to focus on how much you’ve improved because everyone has made
progress and I am so proud of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Remember the most important thing in life isn’t necessarily your English
grade, but how you treat others and the choices you make.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went on like an aunty advising them to
never give up on their dreams and to always follow their heart. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I walked away with a knot in my
throat, I turned around one last time to say, “Awe, I’m really going to miss
you all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will meet again, in
this life or the next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you!” </div>
</div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-44693751829217731462012-12-16T03:50:00.001-08:002014-03-11T02:06:50.695-07:00Chumey M.S.S Primary Library <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<!--[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>1618</o:Words>
<o:Characters>9227</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>76</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>18</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>11331</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlQWViQEM4Pe-6y3FK5FXY_jhV93pk-TUFI_B6QCbPVasmjGTEOK6JCZgnUYory951K6j4UI1DvWK9xHihPjmad96At9RSLDIgc9w-w1LT_LUAMXzu6kHNFVM0HSLXqV5Cs_KW3-3M5I/s1600/SAM_8010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlQWViQEM4Pe-6y3FK5FXY_jhV93pk-TUFI_B6QCbPVasmjGTEOK6JCZgnUYory951K6j4UI1DvWK9xHihPjmad96At9RSLDIgc9w-w1LT_LUAMXzu6kHNFVM0HSLXqV5Cs_KW3-3M5I/s640/SAM_8010.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<!--[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>170</o:Words>
<o:Characters>969</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>8</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>1190</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I reached Chumey M.S.S I was shocked to discover that
apart from teaching English, I would also be a librarian for kindergarten to
sixth grade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When my principal
informed me, I nervously gasped, “What? I was told that I was going to be
teaching math and science.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one
told me that I was going to be a librarian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t have any real experience being a librarian.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I was no match to crush my
principal’s wish; he had a plan to make a library just for the
primary students (k-6), whereby I would be in charge of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shared with me his concern that
majority of Bhutanese students didn’t read outside of school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, he wanted me to inspire them
to form good reading habits at a young age, so they would grow up to be adults
who love to read. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave me no
guidelines, but reassured me that he would support whatever I came up with as
long as I motivated the students to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wasn’t sure how I was going to do this and I was left stunned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had no idea that this would be the
most perfect job for me, as I would come to love being a librarian and the
library would end up being me my little contribution to the young Chumey
students.</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
In the beginning, since there wasn’t yet a primary library
to take the students to because it was being built, I dug through piles of
books to take to the students’ classroom for library period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first, it felt more like a reading
period than a library period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There weren’t enough books for the kinders and first graders, so they
would share and sometimes fight over them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would get creative and have them copy the print in their
notebooks so they could practice reading on their own and I would make up my
own stories on the board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgtvPFbqE4q26HpeUgwzdZkZLAYNcMBMB9mS6IHkdKLbWDe9n9zfVPBq4qliTTaUjwfMnTMxj6WqTBZonpI80su6qazTzldk3e86g9OOjyN8wkTasulVg-ZBp9eF28vGlglgvNdXhVek/s1600/SAM_5932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgtvPFbqE4q26HpeUgwzdZkZLAYNcMBMB9mS6IHkdKLbWDe9n9zfVPBq4qliTTaUjwfMnTMxj6WqTBZonpI80su6qazTzldk3e86g9OOjyN8wkTasulVg-ZBp9eF28vGlglgvNdXhVek/s320/SAM_5932.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing a book</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I viewed library period in their class as a time to prep
them for a new functioning library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I always started off by teaching them a few songs with hand movements to elicit a happy mood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I
would do a read aloud while modeling a new skill, such as how to predict using pictures. Finally, they would read books at their tables while practicing the new
skill. Lastly, I would wrap it up with one last song and as I walked away, I
always heard them still cheerfully singing in the distance, “The wheels on the
bus go round and round…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They didn’t seem to mind that library period was conducted
in their class with a few books and they were just happy to sing, listen to me
read and then get their hands on a book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a fun period for them and when they kinders would see me coming with
books they never failed to chant, “Miss Sabrina, Miss Sabrina...” while jumping
up and down in excitement and disturbing the entire primary block.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t matter what age they were,
they loved to be read to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Meanwhile an empty classroom in the primary section was
being ripped apart to replace the floors and walls to become the new
library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day I stuck my head
in to have a peak and felt a little nauseous at how they would ever finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every week the workers would tell me
one more week, and I was worried that I would never get a library to take the
children to.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUUW1ZJU7eyPhUKpL5S8HlYAM1qbJsEHrt43dCzFSwf-Um8ggTS_oTfeISYfGWrrnzP9nUzOo865IVNV2BuReQDN2nqZNClW0v6yWLMzHrwUtYhiohUSpiEPLrgzXZMefFCX8KP82E3I/s1600/SAM_2810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUUW1ZJU7eyPhUKpL5S8HlYAM1qbJsEHrt43dCzFSwf-Um8ggTS_oTfeISYfGWrrnzP9nUzOo865IVNV2BuReQDN2nqZNClW0v6yWLMzHrwUtYhiohUSpiEPLrgzXZMefFCX8KP82E3I/s320/SAM_2810.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished library</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, when the new library was finished with new
bookcases and benches, I was so excited because I knew that my real work would
soon snowball into something beautiful beyond anyone’s expectations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was struck with a vision: a bright
colorful library so divine that the students would beg me to let them in to
read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that one’s environment
sets the tone for learning; a clean, heavenly place inspires learning and gives
off good vibes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also had two
grand plans to encourage reading:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>my first plan was to set up a system where students (3<sup>rd</sup> to 6<sup>th</sup>
grade) for the first time in Chumey history would be able to checkout a book to
take home so they could practice reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most students don’t have a collection of books at home or even one
book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My second idea was to
implement an afterschool buddy-reading period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRr_8GRZkS9pnP2w1nREnDThF6_Ketm3rwXxp8FrNeW3xrNEg48DXN_vqizRwGd08lfvVaum7Gb18lxtRTrTeCcEfxZenPxmblmY8A_Kbd1hyphenhyphenNeE85Xv5Utp8SsVor0swYQTfjqlJeeRM/s1600/SAM_3966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRr_8GRZkS9pnP2w1nREnDThF6_Ketm3rwXxp8FrNeW3xrNEg48DXN_vqizRwGd08lfvVaum7Gb18lxtRTrTeCcEfxZenPxmblmY8A_Kbd1hyphenhyphenNeE85Xv5Utp8SsVor0swYQTfjqlJeeRM/s320/SAM_3966.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a>It took weeks to carry out my vision with tons of helping
hands. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, I donated five
buckets of paint: a sweet pale pink and baby blue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Numerous students and some staff members painted layers upon
layers for weeks; blue walls with pink trimming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it was finished the only thing we could do was say:
WOW!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the most alive place
in the school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next, it was months of decorating and organizing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Putting together the library became a
bonding time with my fifth graders, as they were my biggest supporters spending
countless hours after school helping me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Together we made over a hundred colorful stars taping them on the
ceiling and we pasted numerous posters on the wall. They were in love with the
new beauty of the library and they referred to it as a temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u69lyavIXJ-2ejTBJTuDdAqrPKMtocNmdnQ9JV7wRnES6iOevmUbsYQTWyhk1SDK3jjzMzJh-VDRiZCo8fRZ-HNHCfXR1iSjz-2sFmNcCPYBr9JZ9P4WU9un6Veku2IKxkrLAL9P7fM/s1600/SAM_6387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u69lyavIXJ-2ejTBJTuDdAqrPKMtocNmdnQ9JV7wRnES6iOevmUbsYQTWyhk1SDK3jjzMzJh-VDRiZCo8fRZ-HNHCfXR1iSjz-2sFmNcCPYBr9JZ9P4WU9un6Veku2IKxkrLAL9P7fM/s400/SAM_6387.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organizing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Additionally, my fifth graders became more than students;
they became mini-librarians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I taught
them how to look at the print of a book to categorize it by grade level in
order to put it on the designated shelf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would shine with
confidence when I asked them their opinions, “Do you think this book should go
on the fourth grade shelf or fifth grade shelf?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They spent so much time helping me organize all the books
that they became protective over the library and would get upset if they found
that a younger student put a book on the wrong shelf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They thought of the library as their second classroom!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfb0Ppt4O9rDmTkl8bmqIJ9UynfMmsy8ktqwNCGeijrYO6I_NxvcgJ_Oicx0ktkGZvV_mhvtNttNsoM-pf2nhc7XnW9o57zdEs2CS7uJqNDD3P-CmDoyr3Tfv2cry4qAP1HUHXYXTOhY/s1600/SAM_6385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfb0Ppt4O9rDmTkl8bmqIJ9UynfMmsy8ktqwNCGeijrYO6I_NxvcgJ_Oicx0ktkGZvV_mhvtNttNsoM-pf2nhc7XnW9o57zdEs2CS7uJqNDD3P-CmDoyr3Tfv2cry4qAP1HUHXYXTOhY/s320/SAM_6385.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In fact, they cared for the library so
much that I even entrusted them with the library key when I went to the capital
to reach my parent’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I returned,
I learned they spent hours of their free time reading books in the library and I
found everything exactly in place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They even surprised me by hanging more stars. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I carried out my library period in a similar manner as I
used to do in their classroom. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
greeted them at the door, they sat down on the floor ready to sing a happy song
and enjoy a read aloud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, after
the read aloud, I let them freely roam around their designated bookcases to
checkout a book to take home and practice reading. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZxEg6XgOq-pYw6_F-dMGBEUDLdfzbiES1FTrwDQtQ_NZdhivnlp55WSjsSt5mavJ8nsUlpqmYpM0N21aiZ-Z81njaWboZ3lVL05rQmPb8aHoifYQJ4X78bgHbImlFCV8UDyzfHeLMQ4/s1600/SAM_5923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZxEg6XgOq-pYw6_F-dMGBEUDLdfzbiES1FTrwDQtQ_NZdhivnlp55WSjsSt5mavJ8nsUlpqmYpM0N21aiZ-Z81njaWboZ3lVL05rQmPb8aHoifYQJ4X78bgHbImlFCV8UDyzfHeLMQ4/s320/SAM_5923.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a>We had no fancy computers or gadgets to check out the
books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, I taught the
students how to independently run the library on their own, so I could spend
more time helping students read and teaching them knew strategies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also I wanted them to be able to run the
library in case there was a day I wasn’t able to be there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when the students were ready to
check out a book, the class captain or any available student would write the
title of the book the student wanted to checkout as well as the book record number
in the library notebook next to the student’s role number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon returning the books, they would
line up in role order, show me their book while I referred back to the record notebook
to make sure it was the correct one. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lastly, the class captains quickly checked the returned books
to make sure none were damaged (the thought of somebody checking the books for
damage, made the students take good care of their books). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an old fashioned check out system,
but it worked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpjTgo99fW6wnXSL37ZXfH-Wie0ncQ4SDVIdGjNANH3Vm5T_7c4iWpdHKj6z1dq8rDTqGTTkq29Sz3jYGlPPDsf8PJR_Sv6ucVAhQPSnmvZ9wnu31jUo1PRP4d21zOqqvv8SzWLZxDbg/s1600/SAM_8152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpjTgo99fW6wnXSL37ZXfH-Wie0ncQ4SDVIdGjNANH3Vm5T_7c4iWpdHKj6z1dq8rDTqGTTkq29Sz3jYGlPPDsf8PJR_Sv6ucVAhQPSnmvZ9wnu31jUo1PRP4d21zOqqvv8SzWLZxDbg/s320/SAM_8152.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>Before releasing them to check out books, I would go over
the five-finger rule: To help them
figure out if a book they wanted was too difficult or easy, they would read a random
page and for each word they didn't know, they would put up one
finger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they got to four-five
fingers, the book was too hard and they would search for another one. If they
got to two-three fingers, they could check out the book, but if they got zero
to one finger, then it was too easy and again they would search for a different
book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They usually didn’t have too
much difficulty finding a book that was just right, because each bookcase was labeled with a grade
level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were even bookshelves
for fairytales, fables, a teacher corner, but the students favorite bookcase
was the “book hospital.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The book hospital was a shelf for students to place books
that needed some kind of repair so that I could fix them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They thought it was funny to have a
book hospital for “hurt” books and they referred to me as the Book Doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it was my fifth graders who
loved to fix the books and they were the real Book Doctors (thanks kidos).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All the students loved taking books home and they rarely
forgot their books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a student
did forget their book, they were required to write me a short letter about why
they forgot their book and when they would bring it back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they would usually return it the
next day and only then would they be allowed to check out another book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only had four students out of nearly
a hundred who lost their book and they immediately replaced the book while
sympathetically apologizing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DjxX22hnxxKv9Js9nbrZM7j6g05x0SN4Q5auaTL9IbqGccYOXXS3L6i6aotFyXC22zFv56ccrSceJ2N03XH3a94WS4ZGSGspSYoGZ0X1rE0yIl1EYtab9zWDzkp-qVVFCKbxuBdXEdA/s1600/SAM_8148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DjxX22hnxxKv9Js9nbrZM7j6g05x0SN4Q5auaTL9IbqGccYOXXS3L6i6aotFyXC22zFv56ccrSceJ2N03XH3a94WS4ZGSGspSYoGZ0X1rE0yIl1EYtab9zWDzkp-qVVFCKbxuBdXEdA/s320/SAM_8148.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>All in all, the primary library was a new phenomenon at
Chumey M.S.S and I feel so grateful that my principal nudged me to be a part of
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turned out to be one of my
favorite experiences in Bhutan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have no doubt that it instilled a new love for reading in the students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, I would see students
reading under trees during lunch with their friends and sometimes I would see
them in their classroom reading while they waited for their next teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once a student even told me that he
couldn’t return his book because his mom wanted to finish reading it too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned that the students went home
and shared their books with their family, often reading to little siblings or
their older siblings would take their book to read to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I believe that Chumey</span> students will mature into book loving adults. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>After-School Buddy Reading</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uIfaoA5qpWzwncELVVlLmi-kztataMIyCoi9WonvKiDXATahXGOpQzFAPNIiX53yXxisnUCvdh-9ViBYjw6tj3RKO9buHW0pxofjqGPYwk6692smwZA-a0ems-68IOsp4W8gBRtAI6k/s1600/SAM_5933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uIfaoA5qpWzwncELVVlLmi-kztataMIyCoi9WonvKiDXATahXGOpQzFAPNIiX53yXxisnUCvdh-9ViBYjw6tj3RKO9buHW0pxofjqGPYwk6692smwZA-a0ems-68IOsp4W8gBRtAI6k/s320/SAM_5933.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6th graders and 4th graders reading to each other</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTHW-pjixmPnpUGgKhauY2Tw7qdShVIbr5-yrovUMca9-T6jRuy37VhnsV-WRW5fBFte4sP4O3JUt5iZBt5KfwJVwyDTBMn87ievgBebhI5lVZ2Sv-7P1zi2J-ld750ML4t0Rcx5aKvE/s1600/SAM_5925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTHW-pjixmPnpUGgKhauY2Tw7qdShVIbr5-yrovUMca9-T6jRuy37VhnsV-WRW5fBFte4sP4O3JUt5iZBt5KfwJVwyDTBMn87ievgBebhI5lVZ2Sv-7P1zi2J-ld750ML4t0Rcx5aKvE/s200/SAM_5925.JPG" height="112" width="200" /></a>To really inspire the students to read their library books
they checked out, I created an extra short period on Fridays for an afterschool
budding-reading (3<sup>rd</sup>-6<sup>th </sup>grade).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Third grade boys and fifth grade boys
would buddy-read to each other in one classroom while third grade girls and
fifth grade girls read to each other in another classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the same way, fourth grade buddied
up with sixth grade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All in all, I
had four classrooms of students reading to each other and since it was my
creation, I was the only teacher on duty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Fortunately, t</span>he girls were extremely responsible and they only required a quick walk around to make sure
everyone was busy reading to each other. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, the boys tended to be less enthusiastic,
so I spent more time in their classrooms encouraging them to read. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually, I realized that I could
benefit with more support for supervising four classrooms (about 100 students),
so I recruited two of my best ninth graders to supervise the boys while I supervised
the girls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyj_uarf_unP4ihEgAmwvFkM7sJ_hpAO6XD-qNpQv6_XlT1E9H8Vfw2gBZw4fFWcZNbGV0bT2vmSAZw3O32qkeIyfrZhbqgUi4TCBqh75IYBFvW_vIIgiSmEpEASXtbsjhdyNtZvrGQzc/s1600/SAM_5918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyj_uarf_unP4ihEgAmwvFkM7sJ_hpAO6XD-qNpQv6_XlT1E9H8Vfw2gBZw4fFWcZNbGV0bT2vmSAZw3O32qkeIyfrZhbqgUi4TCBqh75IYBFvW_vIIgiSmEpEASXtbsjhdyNtZvrGQzc/s320/SAM_5918.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 5th grader buddy reading to her 3rd grade buddies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgQzvWadewJ94QopQxJjuxeE_JCXBEfFrRB0TBfeG_VLo14N757Vy4FyYv9jnwukQHObg3BCiTVxCqyjEEp-g7RiG4ySR9CF8bpPqHCsGivmHCfzy2uj28iM6NgNdp7cTDpTsf-uuIrw/s1600/SAM_5922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgQzvWadewJ94QopQxJjuxeE_JCXBEfFrRB0TBfeG_VLo14N757Vy4FyYv9jnwukQHObg3BCiTVxCqyjEEp-g7RiG4ySR9CF8bpPqHCsGivmHCfzy2uj28iM6NgNdp7cTDpTsf-uuIrw/s320/SAM_5922.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buddy Reading</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Overall, It ran smoothly and I loved watching the students
read to each other. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would
often practice at home because they would want to impress their buddies with
their reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was cute!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also had modeled to the fifth graders
and sixth graders how to help their younger buddy by chunking hard words and how
to ask their little buddies questions about the story to check for
comprehension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an honor
watching them act like little teachers and I felt good knowing that something
magical had occurred at the school; students were forming good habits of
reading and helping each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m really going to miss library and reading period!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MKQAptyf8pbydNjuNFd-GLyALzyiZ51LlrAI62ryfgaEwjW761mjQecqtVXUi4ypwnsTXxlh4q-wrlNhm1tuRGIsmZAEu7U98EIj8Jb2NZsjstCBZqlySIghTY5RSdZ4TJGI1UC0q9Y/s1600/SAM_3974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MKQAptyf8pbydNjuNFd-GLyALzyiZ51LlrAI62ryfgaEwjW761mjQecqtVXUi4ypwnsTXxlh4q-wrlNhm1tuRGIsmZAEu7U98EIj8Jb2NZsjstCBZqlySIghTY5RSdZ4TJGI1UC0q9Y/s640/SAM_3974.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting Time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwdqXUWbeZTuKegqCpVY9c1ttH1rkqG9hvcn7sVlexPz7x5XU4wzA1lF_wUF3AleWV3ed98Ojz08lYrJjUMdjY5rLK0ONaJC7cSagAcp3TvSPIBQul7YKplDfm7ylaigfLWyWV2g2F4U/s1600/SAM_3975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwdqXUWbeZTuKegqCpVY9c1ttH1rkqG9hvcn7sVlexPz7x5XU4wzA1lF_wUF3AleWV3ed98Ojz08lYrJjUMdjY5rLK0ONaJC7cSagAcp3TvSPIBQul7YKplDfm7ylaigfLWyWV2g2F4U/s640/SAM_3975.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first blue wall </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyyNvWvXJ1VE8n5MaKrEjXDY7SaniNaB0Y0W4x2b0t9g9yTCnWhHUxxCMRcQBA-24N2qPWKH-rUNCI69E5_2mfQ6sUMyAA8374W59GcYx9oG0QaCY5hE5PGmsS9coSYe2pCUUgGhG04A/s1600/SAM_3976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyyNvWvXJ1VE8n5MaKrEjXDY7SaniNaB0Y0W4x2b0t9g9yTCnWhHUxxCMRcQBA-24N2qPWKH-rUNCI69E5_2mfQ6sUMyAA8374W59GcYx9oG0QaCY5hE5PGmsS9coSYe2pCUUgGhG04A/s640/SAM_3976.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGaa_obXJQPyZj84dJJNZj0EM9D5TvXrzr9Wp_aAlP88VnQJjSuUxEkSpG5fDmf-x-3WZqKfh_DyDXT-sCfWkqAIt9tduftDyOussGVOBk9uo5l8pVzFKXmNdOeRdEP_f59DwM1gp88A/s1600/SAM_6380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGaa_obXJQPyZj84dJJNZj0EM9D5TvXrzr9Wp_aAlP88VnQJjSuUxEkSpG5fDmf-x-3WZqKfh_DyDXT-sCfWkqAIt9tduftDyOussGVOBk9uo5l8pVzFKXmNdOeRdEP_f59DwM1gp88A/s320/SAM_6380.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFA4Ail0ghfMsZTvRi_47S1aTb09vUN_gyQmXVd1jY5WZTDzs_FnYOnu4JEqGRJ5xCmpAWlXva0pn0Wke93w_dPChiFVCxzjo9XUAGwayTm_0-RZL7W7GfzcViLbK_MteIpEXSXwYlUY/s1600/SAM_5935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFA4Ail0ghfMsZTvRi_47S1aTb09vUN_gyQmXVd1jY5WZTDzs_FnYOnu4JEqGRJ5xCmpAWlXva0pn0Wke93w_dPChiFVCxzjo9XUAGwayTm_0-RZL7W7GfzcViLbK_MteIpEXSXwYlUY/s320/SAM_5935.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Painting the windowsills and trims pink</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJ9N78TdCLZmzM_bFbUfWT_8I_-fegQ8DOBclPQXCmAaskHov9gDosrDncT_L9hQ4RjaZsFegy-AiANZ91neCACYoqrBYf1btyjntM-AHJFdhICdaynzgnx_bvYAQP0xXGZjaHnutYkw/s1600/SAM_6395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJ9N78TdCLZmzM_bFbUfWT_8I_-fegQ8DOBclPQXCmAaskHov9gDosrDncT_L9hQ4RjaZsFegy-AiANZ91neCACYoqrBYf1btyjntM-AHJFdhICdaynzgnx_bvYAQP0xXGZjaHnutYkw/s400/SAM_6395.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink Hands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNt6F1eR4Crl3SmW3j3z9LHeIXoEU_2Xms1AxlmYWSHplUQqT6m7zIxk5Kj0cvnscWjmF871SNSv7ZUm2SHPFUtbDbMAwYxD41BSgORwEVfNzYipaR_2OSUxWttsEqMqoXkQTqJxxYpE/s1600/SAM_6401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNt6F1eR4Crl3SmW3j3z9LHeIXoEU_2Xms1AxlmYWSHplUQqT6m7zIxk5Kj0cvnscWjmF871SNSv7ZUm2SHPFUtbDbMAwYxD41BSgORwEVfNzYipaR_2OSUxWttsEqMqoXkQTqJxxYpE/s400/SAM_6401.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging Stars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOd5OiPWa-fie9s3dasl6e86H9Xde2m-Mw9ZBhOjsXTjeaquIFVuImtte7ygUcMb38TX5vt0P1NcKbFpCttDqvUY7r4w8qIEkmUBLh-U3ZzzwQ4B4xYliIqHTu8zoQdxrmzCfiYdC_YA/s1600/SAM_6393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOd5OiPWa-fie9s3dasl6e86H9Xde2m-Mw9ZBhOjsXTjeaquIFVuImtte7ygUcMb38TX5vt0P1NcKbFpCttDqvUY7r4w8qIEkmUBLh-U3ZzzwQ4B4xYliIqHTu8zoQdxrmzCfiYdC_YA/s640/SAM_6393.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decorating Time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOgQuuYKLfmq1hCJhGa84KY4sua0FudIWrbdLFunqYEeuLk7c_pGZgltHVARt-p0F9CunWsuAPZRc3A8IMZMKBpopLA6u1H4ltSADVdZJ6llhwqZTBpwbn-szLBDQW0nGExnrwVFLOGs/s1600/SAM_6382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOgQuuYKLfmq1hCJhGa84KY4sua0FudIWrbdLFunqYEeuLk7c_pGZgltHVARt-p0F9CunWsuAPZRc3A8IMZMKBpopLA6u1H4ltSADVdZJ6llhwqZTBpwbn-szLBDQW0nGExnrwVFLOGs/s400/SAM_6382.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOMed7tr9VqQj-M8JWPWdv4oSdPrFCzXKp_CGAFAL0VFLXAEK-lW8Aa39QwEhppWP0nDKyjZaU85RFA1cupINPbVmOmv0AdgMNGe_D1RbRUvkG1HpWH5qfZj0AWdTPVwMX87p1vJs6WM/s1600/SAM_6403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOMed7tr9VqQj-M8JWPWdv4oSdPrFCzXKp_CGAFAL0VFLXAEK-lW8Aa39QwEhppWP0nDKyjZaU85RFA1cupINPbVmOmv0AdgMNGe_D1RbRUvkG1HpWH5qfZj0AWdTPVwMX87p1vJs6WM/s400/SAM_6403.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging Posters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegjIUOhM_Wa1xnUcX9cfb1lB4H3zOFmewDUjb-pZahsDlbEVm6XUZh9aC350skB8MOgK0uodWY56McAQ1qT5usECXSwIF822O7Hh-U7lCl3-XIWypZd2MOla-AMYAV4qfLpTNTTyuEsw/s1600/SAM_6362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegjIUOhM_Wa1xnUcX9cfb1lB4H3zOFmewDUjb-pZahsDlbEVm6XUZh9aC350skB8MOgK0uodWY56McAQ1qT5usECXSwIF822O7Hh-U7lCl3-XIWypZd2MOla-AMYAV4qfLpTNTTyuEsw/s320/SAM_6362.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organizing Books</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPgUi1zoZJ3_jUnjFKIXWKswA7xCCtn6NsSd7GzXp8_9Jqnc5OTJmOR3hH2TJ3ek03wxfkg-3Fg1QwfuR97puymCaUtcwsS-U7z2vGzzbTqDfQcly2VLaVV0Vlp-DG8G1TNsb6eH3Bsw/s1600/SAM_6384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPgUi1zoZJ3_jUnjFKIXWKswA7xCCtn6NsSd7GzXp8_9Jqnc5OTJmOR3hH2TJ3ek03wxfkg-3Fg1QwfuR97puymCaUtcwsS-U7z2vGzzbTqDfQcly2VLaVV0Vlp-DG8G1TNsb6eH3Bsw/s400/SAM_6384.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxXw8yO-ewPiaockAynRnp78RYZtOHSCOoS-VIUXhKeIlu3Hp37cAWqzdLOYNiiLaa3HwYZ7N020CDrhxbAnsgqOmYNT0WdZzTBCn00HHvFDydL4NYtp_4wgcmuu7SODk12SC9ko5uoE/s1600/SAM_5945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxXw8yO-ewPiaockAynRnp78RYZtOHSCOoS-VIUXhKeIlu3Hp37cAWqzdLOYNiiLaa3HwYZ7N020CDrhxbAnsgqOmYNT0WdZzTBCn00HHvFDydL4NYtp_4wgcmuu7SODk12SC9ko5uoE/s320/SAM_5945.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making Labels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ypQTq3Y9WpD7AiAWvdqw_gN91BMcjIxi52-84_xQl5XUp0bHohD1eZq5EWTA5xORns6gkbw_gzV3FGH0DPrdTDpOLJTLjhoqsxwWVz1oewKp1wYRnpYGTY_2IaMT6bqEaAH8vWB7L1w/s1600/SAM_5948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ypQTq3Y9WpD7AiAWvdqw_gN91BMcjIxi52-84_xQl5XUp0bHohD1eZq5EWTA5xORns6gkbw_gzV3FGH0DPrdTDpOLJTLjhoqsxwWVz1oewKp1wYRnpYGTY_2IaMT6bqEaAH8vWB7L1w/s400/SAM_5948.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Welcome Sign!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKR_BLf7Qoz4A7-yRFuK0a-uWN_6KhnxxRscPwZN5TMm2EUOxDW3m60T25BAE5cugy-2a1lXek5m-_uHS7T9zf4TnAOJ9s98pd4KCbbFeCej3iEZi9sNX_Yy_-rUOO4AFqbp2Rzdw99CA/s320/SAM_6391.JPG" height="320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="180" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glueing boarders</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwS3A3F47qy41dKL1D49iH89YyfarVW5FwmAqxu2AcJMM6X6hUqdJsI6_FeDNcIc9usRv6vg2Dky0jV2MY4Y9CiZ4cTkbuvMeFWXUi2fyFVRRf_NIs9qc1iVST26gspEh7lpC3Rf8UNqY/s1600/SAM_6359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwS3A3F47qy41dKL1D49iH89YyfarVW5FwmAqxu2AcJMM6X6hUqdJsI6_FeDNcIc9usRv6vg2Dky0jV2MY4Y9CiZ4cTkbuvMeFWXUi2fyFVRRf_NIs9qc1iVST26gspEh7lpC3Rf8UNqY/s400/SAM_6359.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LJZpfmnP831w-bLMsGyjVOr3WDyHTRkV93DMhh60cP1bMObUEdwu9X6Xig-pDG5_smnBk7C6nvU2u3qgZFGhVAGuZIi5ptNGwfDtDpczHUJ39Oa3fjDXJ2yrSo1VU8Nnp59iRdszSwo/s1600/SAM_5937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LJZpfmnP831w-bLMsGyjVOr3WDyHTRkV93DMhh60cP1bMObUEdwu9X6Xig-pDG5_smnBk7C6nvU2u3qgZFGhVAGuZIi5ptNGwfDtDpczHUJ39Oa3fjDXJ2yrSo1VU8Nnp59iRdszSwo/s400/SAM_5937.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKR_BLf7Qoz4A7-yRFuK0a-uWN_6KhnxxRscPwZN5TMm2EUOxDW3m60T25BAE5cugy-2a1lXek5m-_uHS7T9zf4TnAOJ9s98pd4KCbbFeCej3iEZi9sNX_Yy_-rUOO4AFqbp2Rzdw99CA/s1600/SAM_6391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u69lyavIXJ-2ejTBJTuDdAqrPKMtocNmdnQ9JV7wRnES6iOevmUbsYQTWyhk1SDK3jjzMzJh-VDRiZCo8fRZ-HNHCfXR1iSjz-2sFmNcCPYBr9JZ9P4WU9un6Veku2IKxkrLAL9P7fM/s1600/SAM_6387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u69lyavIXJ-2ejTBJTuDdAqrPKMtocNmdnQ9JV7wRnES6iOevmUbsYQTWyhk1SDK3jjzMzJh-VDRiZCo8fRZ-HNHCfXR1iSjz-2sFmNcCPYBr9JZ9P4WU9un6Veku2IKxkrLAL9P7fM/s400/SAM_6387.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Books Everywhere; trying to sort them out by grade level</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN-6FIxFaK3QggviQwcxD2o3kEfCpR-fWeFVtuLcWj4UDbD4VzGVPFnBnDhb5e93WCDxVh_gOJsO-N3txbf1wHjoVNQoOLa2PD8bl9d07q1O6_rJOOMPuPEhflTz640oNcA0lmEQwvSA/s1600/SAM_6386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN-6FIxFaK3QggviQwcxD2o3kEfCpR-fWeFVtuLcWj4UDbD4VzGVPFnBnDhb5e93WCDxVh_gOJsO-N3txbf1wHjoVNQoOLa2PD8bl9d07q1O6_rJOOMPuPEhflTz640oNcA0lmEQwvSA/s320/SAM_6386.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFa7h1DIkC2aNJQQpumcvCrFttdC-Zgor29A8DPcuBEQTWu9vcvslqoIqlSeoDyG7-YXaRth0bTqxm_7HVpgFcDCOItylQ-SXNRVpByQYat3py6elrMnlOevFRD46xoKNnoA9p4qSGyw0/s1600/SAM_6405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFa7h1DIkC2aNJQQpumcvCrFttdC-Zgor29A8DPcuBEQTWu9vcvslqoIqlSeoDyG7-YXaRth0bTqxm_7HVpgFcDCOItylQ-SXNRVpByQYat3py6elrMnlOevFRD46xoKNnoA9p4qSGyw0/s640/SAM_6405.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team work! Everyone has a job and is working hard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAn9AGaoFYiBEtA_Dr2uQrdjHdEGCZzQftNHYFyjwUyRoepWs4yR21eYF3sJk-VcXYYWy7f6OV4cBQvhTk8u0cu0dn9NM8rKuACS9OdNUG6WZZ3X_lSEmODNKit4murGmN-RNIERg8dk/s1600/SAM_8043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAn9AGaoFYiBEtA_Dr2uQrdjHdEGCZzQftNHYFyjwUyRoepWs4yR21eYF3sJk-VcXYYWy7f6OV4cBQvhTk8u0cu0dn9NM8rKuACS9OdNUG6WZZ3X_lSEmODNKit4murGmN-RNIERg8dk/s640/SAM_8043.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you girls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypsN9CdR0t_KQLQBhJYtO6DMOa3Q27aWO6c1O5fxao82AUAoqjOeKpewck5lPlOTz6-wMA6JElJ9A8knaP6bAFDv_5pmVjZBLcxVC2ebISXC85MfV6jsieLnP8_D-vOzjCjyNxdzC8LM/s1600/SAM_8011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypsN9CdR0t_KQLQBhJYtO6DMOa3Q27aWO6c1O5fxao82AUAoqjOeKpewck5lPlOTz6-wMA6JElJ9A8knaP6bAFDv_5pmVjZBLcxVC2ebISXC85MfV6jsieLnP8_D-vOzjCjyNxdzC8LM/s640/SAM_8011.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Sweet Sunday Helpers </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEen-YILe-1T-Hb4QfSnRMTZ6wtJ0jkPBHGQyTjRRENUV82Xg3NT6n6ft2Ss4eelK_2tMp_2TZF8KhPt-CJFlMGIZbIz18Y0Z1FaGVPrg0KNk2lqw7gynZwaheGdKrwq1IRv39UjpEPo/s1600/SAM_8040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEen-YILe-1T-Hb4QfSnRMTZ6wtJ0jkPBHGQyTjRRENUV82Xg3NT6n6ft2Ss4eelK_2tMp_2TZF8KhPt-CJFlMGIZbIz18Y0Z1FaGVPrg0KNk2lqw7gynZwaheGdKrwq1IRv39UjpEPo/s640/SAM_8040.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Choose a book</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jyNWN7Q7ON1D84dwcc3dPlVsqLYKGTNVrBhPSPZFhsTuWv6TKjQj2nwi7Ky4HzyRQN9mEB423Tod0CkBIh4T5h5awGRKmy54dC_LbnxfyaexJYlHmNq8RDagELf2jhUwMtpnl92sySY/s1600/SAM_6361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jyNWN7Q7ON1D84dwcc3dPlVsqLYKGTNVrBhPSPZFhsTuWv6TKjQj2nwi7Ky4HzyRQN9mEB423Tod0CkBIh4T5h5awGRKmy54dC_LbnxfyaexJYlHmNq8RDagELf2jhUwMtpnl92sySY/s640/SAM_6361.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half way done</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8YPSPzKtDU0JVs6ikXnpmX0WkrqkQQgNXgJjoRvBvBdVn5MXW-tWFOz8HGy_LGzLyeOxny2WDdYPmRfmps1d69SALzjigs-q1gTccTa3C6KVsBk4AVtse_qJqXx5l4qu5NIS86JxsvI/s1600/SAM_8008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8YPSPzKtDU0JVs6ikXnpmX0WkrqkQQgNXgJjoRvBvBdVn5MXW-tWFOz8HGy_LGzLyeOxny2WDdYPmRfmps1d69SALzjigs-q1gTccTa3C6KVsBk4AVtse_qJqXx5l4qu5NIS86JxsvI/s640/SAM_8008.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are done!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qyG7fel1dTq3EFNATB63uqQLz_QzESJInDPqa-Wr-YKNywbVFZ2Z-vmYI-c6Ko0MqlU9HQtjdOgwpwrBCm7HDHQTfYNPWzQzt6UysYXD88-Y_JowEfvP6Ki1MLBhuNylqD1qopRUaNE/s1600/SAM_8012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qyG7fel1dTq3EFNATB63uqQLz_QzESJInDPqa-Wr-YKNywbVFZ2Z-vmYI-c6Ko0MqlU9HQtjdOgwpwrBCm7HDHQTfYNPWzQzt6UysYXD88-Y_JowEfvP6Ki1MLBhuNylqD1qopRUaNE/s640/SAM_8012.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mini-librarians </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCnZ9qg9hRF6j4Fp7MFVxrq2PqJ9cJkLy7W0UY3CW3gg1eWgIoTVmNqN2NoRGikgYR4ZFMuvOgIJH2Pdfo9wN0R6XPOl0Smn9UEeWlLpFJWqL78NpPbI8egm4p2om_7xzReBDT8MOma8/s1600/SAM_8144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCnZ9qg9hRF6j4Fp7MFVxrq2PqJ9cJkLy7W0UY3CW3gg1eWgIoTVmNqN2NoRGikgYR4ZFMuvOgIJH2Pdfo9wN0R6XPOl0Smn9UEeWlLpFJWqL78NpPbI8egm4p2om_7xzReBDT8MOma8/s320/SAM_8144.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig61QGAYxGTjMZMaMG8i5mU81m-zzqdfyy1uyshNAkI2-u09TVnxQkuw9j10_J80KDjD8U1quRVxjixB_hkSGwEnJ6qcxuqSqw3Pvfji2_0bKQud7JfIfIJrK8-kHalWsFfgYcaprAxNU/s1600/SAM_8141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig61QGAYxGTjMZMaMG8i5mU81m-zzqdfyy1uyshNAkI2-u09TVnxQkuw9j10_J80KDjD8U1quRVxjixB_hkSGwEnJ6qcxuqSqw3Pvfji2_0bKQud7JfIfIJrK8-kHalWsFfgYcaprAxNU/s320/SAM_8141.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim04yXnHfI5jbyP7FFJRaXJmqR6jthWQFgm2aBQXP2RPx-IunU-dItQR-cyc7rIHGdxMt_4uyUBzc7GT1SfKynTU1Nkf1mwcaB4urfbqBPSDpSuV_TFsH47kEX2m2tC68WyZmaC_O-vx4/s1600/SAM_8140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim04yXnHfI5jbyP7FFJRaXJmqR6jthWQFgm2aBQXP2RPx-IunU-dItQR-cyc7rIHGdxMt_4uyUBzc7GT1SfKynTU1Nkf1mwcaB4urfbqBPSDpSuV_TFsH47kEX2m2tC68WyZmaC_O-vx4/s640/SAM_8140.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We Love the Chumey M.S.S Primary Library</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>THANK YOU MOM & DAD FOR SENDING THE DECORATIONS!!! </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO DONATED BOOKS!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED PUT THE LIBRARY TOGETHER AND ESPECIALLY MY LITTLE FIFTH GRADERS WHO SPENT </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>SO MUCH TIME HELPING ME.</b></div>
</div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-69013256599387550872012-12-13T05:45:00.000-08:002012-12-13T11:20:52.583-08:00My Little Professional Writers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<!--[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>1078</o:Words>
<o:Characters>6146</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>51</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>12</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>7547</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9Sl-DX-AhmHdF_zvjViGRNoi4iJrNhAiUDp3wCYmkScXSgTR3ESlQV_UozaO_52jBjtR3uMsYOfm9yIaQNXxnTfWJ-5XYD0ziBPgy4sIdRVriyP-Ps6JdmmVSP2jBuc0opXJKONgSMk/s640/SAM_7390.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnRK3vNahdHpDTudv6gpGR5pAYFLPzBy2F2U9j3BcShCebq-w0UXZi2jT9uU2MU2iZhiCV4sj18DWKOky0vI1Gtpk2geN2hib1Csar93OfpvaKvm1uvipzUFdWM3eitRJKYoZg0jAmgA/s1600/SAM_7380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9Sl-DX-AhmHdF_zvjViGRNoi4iJrNhAiUDp3wCYmkScXSgTR3ESlQV_UozaO_52jBjtR3uMsYOfm9yIaQNXxnTfWJ-5XYD0ziBPgy4sIdRVriyP-Ps6JdmmVSP2jBuc0opXJKONgSMk/s1600/SAM_7390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To be absolutely honest, when I
first saw my fifth grade students writing, I almost cried because their writing
was extremely below their grade standard. Since English is their second language and in some cases their fourth language, some students struggled streaming together a sentence while others tried
to form a paragraph with little coherence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> how in the
world would I ever get them up to grade level or where do I even begin?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>However, one day when I told my
father over the phone how overwhelmed I felt about my students writing, he said
some simple words that pushed me forward, “Don’t worry, you will do your best… teach
them little-by-little what you know and day-by-day they will start to
improve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll see!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would hang onto his advice and add
some over the top enthusiasm and passion, as this would be the fuel for
their transformation into little professional writers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnRK3vNahdHpDTudv6gpGR5pAYFLPzBy2F2U9j3BcShCebq-w0UXZi2jT9uU2MU2iZhiCV4sj18DWKOky0vI1Gtpk2geN2hib1Csar93OfpvaKvm1uvipzUFdWM3eitRJKYoZg0jAmgA/s1600/SAM_7380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnRK3vNahdHpDTudv6gpGR5pAYFLPzBy2F2U9j3BcShCebq-w0UXZi2jT9uU2MU2iZhiCV4sj18DWKOky0vI1Gtpk2geN2hib1Csar93OfpvaKvm1uvipzUFdWM3eitRJKYoZg0jAmgA/s400/SAM_7380.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chart Paper Queen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Day-by-day, as they stared at me with big curious eyes eager
to learn, I enthusiastically taught them little-by-little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, I started to teach them how to
write a complete sentence with conjunctions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wrote a rainbow list of conjunctions on brightly colored
chart paper and they would all say, “Whoooo, it’s so pretty!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I posted it in the front of the class
so they would have no choice but to glance at it all day without realizing that
they were soaking it in their brains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was known as the Chart Paper Queen! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Referring to the posted chart paper, I would write a sentence
on the board modeling how to correctly use a conjunction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterwards, we would write one together
and lastly they would experiment using a conjunction independently and share it
with their seat partners. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While the students independently created thoughtful
sentences, I would buzz around the room giving them feedback and searching for
interesting sentences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I
found a great sentence, I would often shout, “Oh my goodness, I love your
sentence, everyone stop what they’re doing and listen to how beautiful this
sentence is, listen to how he used the word…” and then sometimes I would hug
their sentences or give their paper a pretend kiss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My silliness never failed to put a smile on every students
face and they rushed to try to create the best sentence so they could watch my
give their paper a big squeeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally, I would choose students to display their sentences on the
chalkboard so the class could copy the sentences in their notebooks and they
would have more examples of great sentences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhFvVzcQLEBY0LIE4Ti9492430PKRMu1-F_uKMZz8wrQxn7ap2RD6tREoC0cbTrf5uzcIXt2x1hF5fGeEmca1OMak-Dgvrm8_ojUqsApfuDe25fIsud3SzepxhwAmlO5ShGQ32RjP96w/s1600/SAM_5631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhFvVzcQLEBY0LIE4Ti9492430PKRMu1-F_uKMZz8wrQxn7ap2RD6tREoC0cbTrf5uzcIXt2x1hF5fGeEmca1OMak-Dgvrm8_ojUqsApfuDe25fIsud3SzepxhwAmlO5ShGQ32RjP96w/s400/SAM_5631.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Writing, writing, writing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next, I tried my best to teach them how to make sentences
flow from one to the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
this challenging task, I became extra enthusiastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since my students were so low in writing, I felt compelled
to use the power of enthusiasm and passion to its fullest; it’s contagious and
it inspires people to their best. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I often shared and displayed great pieces of their writing on
chart paper and posted it in the class for everyone to view while I became all
googly over the displayed writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I always found something that I liked about every students writing along
with constructive feedback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would say things like, “Ohhh I just love the way you wrote about how you
were feeling on that day because it makes the reader understand…Next time try this…” My praises were sincere and my passion for writing was
definitely contagious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I
didn’t expect it to work so fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
instance, at first, no one wanted to share their sentences and their sentences
were dull and short, but after a week of getting all giddy over a few wonderful
sentences, I could see the students trying so hard to stretch their sentences
and be creative. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were fighting
over who would share their sentence first and they were always proudly shoving
their notebooks in my face so I could admire their writing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDy8RnZb5skKaXIKpGsF6Rhl23AzfZvCS6hI_7kk9o9trW20W955RDOUScnxYVukT6jrNDz1SikhAp4XwttviDeDa2ZfCoOae3WRaN3t518wjL9turxEdckOFucGTesnUc5mJBkJF-UI/s1600/SAM_5633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDy8RnZb5skKaXIKpGsF6Rhl23AzfZvCS6hI_7kk9o9trW20W955RDOUScnxYVukT6jrNDz1SikhAp4XwttviDeDa2ZfCoOae3WRaN3t518wjL9turxEdckOFucGTesnUc5mJBkJF-UI/s400/SAM_5633.JPG" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get Writing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While I had notebooks piling in front of my face, I noticed
that they had started to color-code their notebooks in the same way that I
color-coded all my charts and similar to how I used my colored chalks to
color-code anything I wrote on the board (I’m a visual learner and know the
benefits of color-coding).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their
writing was so colorful as they color-coded their verbs and conjunctions in
their paragraphs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The color-coding
made them more self-aware of their writing as they would search for their past
tense verbs to color in a paragraph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was evident, that they were starting to love writing and they made my
heart soar as high as the mountains. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, I truly new something magical occurred when one
day, a group of them ran into the class after morning assembly telling me that
they heard some transitional phrases in the morning speech and they even copied
them down on their hands so they wouldn’t forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They shouted, “Miss Miss Miss did you hear the conjunctions
and transition words this morning in the speech.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The speaker was very smart because he used the word
furthermore and at the end of his speech he said, in conclusion.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was stunned!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From that day forward, I had unleashed
a class of monsters; they were obsessed with listening to how speakers used
different conjunctions and transition words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, one day they even critiqued me; while we were
walking to the store, I shouted, “Get out of the road!” and a student added to
my sentence shouting, “OTHERWISE you will get hit by a car.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then another tried to outdo us, “NOT ONLY will you
get hit by a car, BUT ALSO you will have to go to the BHU.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, my simple sentence was not
good enough and they were having fun making it sound more interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a great moment for me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVJ8dGUczzl3GhDg3Ff0E7jK0ltYyFs6GBV56xBBGxiFK3lmQdOUX-MO04mu9NjvfbMhNpuwZmu_DF41ZDm1U-j1lrR40AlM8GLQZEdbqWFz1RzkdObbeUhmh_wMMgF4z_BpATkvcW0o/s1600/SAM_7386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVJ8dGUczzl3GhDg3Ff0E7jK0ltYyFs6GBV56xBBGxiFK3lmQdOUX-MO04mu9NjvfbMhNpuwZmu_DF41ZDm1U-j1lrR40AlM8GLQZEdbqWFz1RzkdObbeUhmh_wMMgF4z_BpATkvcW0o/s400/SAM_7386.JPG" width="400" /></a>But it didn’t stop there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They further shocked me when their obsession spilled over to
analyzing the different ways that authors wrote great sentences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They became passionate searching their
library books for great sentences that contained similes, metaphors, colons,
transition words, etc. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
discovered that they were studying on their own how professional writers wrote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I realized exactly how brilliant
my students were, I got some chart paper and made a long banner that read: WE
ARE PROFESSIONAL WRITERS.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hung it above the chalkboard and I told the students that
we were going to do some serious analyzing of professional writers, so that
they could become real professional writers too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For several days, we combed through stacks of library books analyzing
how writers wrote, studied fairy tale writing, non-fiction writing, etc. all
while they recorded their favorite sentences that they stumbled upon; they
filled pages of their notebooks with beautiful sentences from great authors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, they were ready to start writing paragraphs using
their new knowledge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually,
they graduated to writing short essay and finally, they had fun creating fairy
tales and moral stories. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJ2bDcCQugGoG3CYLVB7f_pjbc-mW4VyEXvhbemkfnyImgcG-QuAZLKcTSmQ8QcggihdErT3jwFjmsjHuvaCXb1i6OsZJc4Q2GJuHZMQl0CThmu7yX0-U1v7VU-QM_A60C7xSR4SZcPY/s1600/SAM_7393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJ2bDcCQugGoG3CYLVB7f_pjbc-mW4VyEXvhbemkfnyImgcG-QuAZLKcTSmQ8QcggihdErT3jwFjmsjHuvaCXb1i6OsZJc4Q2GJuHZMQl0CThmu7yX0-U1v7VU-QM_A60C7xSR4SZcPY/s400/SAM_7393.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I feel like a proud mom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I graded their writing on the final exam, I felt like a
proud mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had
brainstormed before writing with detailed cluster maps and they labeled there essay
paragraphs just like I did on our chart paper:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Introduction, thesis, body paragraph, topic sentence,
details and conclusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although
not every student’s writing was quiet up to fifth grade standard, I felt happy
because everyone improved and they were all passionate about writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that as long as they are enthusiastic to study how other great writers write and they are having fun playing with sentences, then
little-by-little, day-by-day, they will continue to improve with or without me
and continue on their path of becoming professional writers. (Thanks dad for
the great advice: little by little…day by day…)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
A few samples of some of my FIFTH GRADERS homework without corrections. Their writing in the raw.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0up-KDFjdVzyViopmTax6UEKefdhq-0UZpZU3tURTMSf2ctKHWjOEkqjuzDhlw6Zxw3_RJc5KAUyBmnN0lp7uPIRH5FtG7RXN1cA4eAO8pNNoKXqcc1cODBld82Eh-effLPni9L4hi0/s1600/SAM_7462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0up-KDFjdVzyViopmTax6UEKefdhq-0UZpZU3tURTMSf2ctKHWjOEkqjuzDhlw6Zxw3_RJc5KAUyBmnN0lp7uPIRH5FtG7RXN1cA4eAO8pNNoKXqcc1cODBld82Eh-effLPni9L4hi0/s320/SAM_7462.JPG" width="274" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobW7q0gjgfpEMgPSoSAE2lfkFWVZy2W2H4rfg0RFPj7YPROr7Rne04X9Hk59RhTcsU7uPecuEENR0_LHLGzAp4CNEYiBF2IoXKzTt4yvUiRarcPXnO_sAFFpI0yOmPGOIVkJDlnFDj5U/s1600/SAM_7463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobW7q0gjgfpEMgPSoSAE2lfkFWVZy2W2H4rfg0RFPj7YPROr7Rne04X9Hk59RhTcsU7uPecuEENR0_LHLGzAp4CNEYiBF2IoXKzTt4yvUiRarcPXnO_sAFFpI0yOmPGOIVkJDlnFDj5U/s400/SAM_7463.JPG" width="328" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHYC68yQPo_uMrBRNvu4Mgmsu6lyLw4Z6VKObERFl7xRp0nahZ0Tzs1dy6O72rY7RPrG6OCHAogQbD8vY6VHaYk8bWPer6CjP3ra2gR3HY1RAnpGdg7117VgMSZub0qspobOLwyxFTRQ/s1600/SAM_7466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHYC68yQPo_uMrBRNvu4Mgmsu6lyLw4Z6VKObERFl7xRp0nahZ0Tzs1dy6O72rY7RPrG6OCHAogQbD8vY6VHaYk8bWPer6CjP3ra2gR3HY1RAnpGdg7117VgMSZub0qspobOLwyxFTRQ/s640/SAM_7466.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WN1v-G5DidYXJkEc_N22OtxKFjhFc2VTpAoz8t1xLSpqy3K1C67KyJ9aFTfeSivMhmY3EBk3v16CW3WdKRZud8fFRnvwY77ZMqWUt9GAPvwvP4CxgAUhFplUd_ooIK6b4bUwzYmeM9k/s1600/SAM_7467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WN1v-G5DidYXJkEc_N22OtxKFjhFc2VTpAoz8t1xLSpqy3K1C67KyJ9aFTfeSivMhmY3EBk3v16CW3WdKRZud8fFRnvwY77ZMqWUt9GAPvwvP4CxgAUhFplUd_ooIK6b4bUwzYmeM9k/s640/SAM_7467.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8W2mim7DF08zQulFH2g1DYmAhRSUtfRAB5IjSvyVibybC9ne_fqqiswigEAPbf57Msx0W47XRfQ7aHfaz8NJOfgnnxm8eyH108cwAwrx6XRtD6BjJZ-HD8ZqwydpBlqUKY7uUnVbLHZM/s1600/SAM_7475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8W2mim7DF08zQulFH2g1DYmAhRSUtfRAB5IjSvyVibybC9ne_fqqiswigEAPbf57Msx0W47XRfQ7aHfaz8NJOfgnnxm8eyH108cwAwrx6XRtD6BjJZ-HD8ZqwydpBlqUKY7uUnVbLHZM/s640/SAM_7475.JPG" width="627" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcvftOQu6rg68h0NOpu8osvewR7w1F_1QXUHCiHLsqPgl8TA3Ib-v7T3DCQGgaexZMK3MV4WWFNHy1DfdFDBjBe1DfR7g20tOh7xMlse7vbtGYji2nyURo08hnrSbJZhUHSb5el7vqlQ/s1600/SAM_7503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcvftOQu6rg68h0NOpu8osvewR7w1F_1QXUHCiHLsqPgl8TA3Ib-v7T3DCQGgaexZMK3MV4WWFNHy1DfdFDBjBe1DfR7g20tOh7xMlse7vbtGYji2nyURo08hnrSbJZhUHSb5el7vqlQ/s640/SAM_7503.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9DWqpbSmLvfog431lrx_9rMRKkoj8xOymXE6_YDsZxNxi73rLuFFrwQrs8eSZ0P1fs_-5X_I3fbMRmTsMVEQDISXw1ND6XuO4QxUpbSOfINxWDCJ3Lkts2li5CyLHatVV0lvHYL6vGE/s1600/SAM_7502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9DWqpbSmLvfog431lrx_9rMRKkoj8xOymXE6_YDsZxNxi73rLuFFrwQrs8eSZ0P1fs_-5X_I3fbMRmTsMVEQDISXw1ND6XuO4QxUpbSOfINxWDCJ3Lkts2li5CyLHatVV0lvHYL6vGE/s640/SAM_7502.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sample of their color-coding</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jS_5-LCKOPTxS55Sv3pK_XxmdhHQnX8i2IgdrtVUTQx5Z5YXS8T1vDFBQakSITF6_ZYJHqgyLH1mJVLzu1p08-9LvG5qu0BO8IJVZUAOkx6HOtVTEYHGQSTdBuOqGce2MWGQ9Zk8CLg/s1600/SAM_7505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jS_5-LCKOPTxS55Sv3pK_XxmdhHQnX8i2IgdrtVUTQx5Z5YXS8T1vDFBQakSITF6_ZYJHqgyLH1mJVLzu1p08-9LvG5qu0BO8IJVZUAOkx6HOtVTEYHGQSTdBuOqGce2MWGQ9Zk8CLg/s640/SAM_7505.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Collecting Sentences </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSfzcU_6JnxYMeGKg59mFccc7AUPI3Y01KLUv_e0szLG3pQOy2nDuF2Y9V0rMk00T3PhoIKltB2IUfncXUFiuRxtdqPsh1E9DCDbRmsNCvJcja8sf4OdV4OOt1XelU2WtInvMZt0p1Oo/s1600/SAM_7507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSfzcU_6JnxYMeGKg59mFccc7AUPI3Y01KLUv_e0szLG3pQOy2nDuF2Y9V0rMk00T3PhoIKltB2IUfncXUFiuRxtdqPsh1E9DCDbRmsNCvJcja8sf4OdV4OOt1XelU2WtInvMZt0p1Oo/s640/SAM_7507.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>A few short stories they wrote outside under trees</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufNSsvSCdYrxzwslh1hIa8E_7BoRP3kwnwzO2PFhsg0BhkghIRw_xhdkihaCO_Re9TJAn9L9EJCPdYWwCAF23hCpyPR54pcNS7CYtoVwrDa4G5kpMSIQoxOX8EquWISb464bU8uUnqF8/s1600/SAM_7508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufNSsvSCdYrxzwslh1hIa8E_7BoRP3kwnwzO2PFhsg0BhkghIRw_xhdkihaCO_Re9TJAn9L9EJCPdYWwCAF23hCpyPR54pcNS7CYtoVwrDa4G5kpMSIQoxOX8EquWISb464bU8uUnqF8/s640/SAM_7508.JPG" width="504" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLik8BVo_9dgneaUJbFGbiCd8Nw1hybIF8FIh97x8ubXLS5yL10MjdPyspaAsAJDCgxLS4DJ7am14o_t-dVakTIJVyyogybCgolmWe1fX3xo3OdKwreO-9APb5s-OWA5dPPbF3g9Y20aw/s1600/SAM_7510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLik8BVo_9dgneaUJbFGbiCd8Nw1hybIF8FIh97x8ubXLS5yL10MjdPyspaAsAJDCgxLS4DJ7am14o_t-dVakTIJVyyogybCgolmWe1fX3xo3OdKwreO-9APb5s-OWA5dPPbF3g9Y20aw/s640/SAM_7510.JPG" width="609" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Dilkumari Subba's Fairy Tales - So precious </b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAys6rMq9w_haRxxxepS0UT4zQSeAJMt9ZWL1_6xSIZdKOJJN52H4EDGrbABQXQ8G6gh5wP_dTYJ2cYsEy188iVKkohCJTbFAheFLoJShyrd76HXUJd2eKciwMp1_53BBoReFfRvOV9Y/s1600/SAM_7550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAys6rMq9w_haRxxxepS0UT4zQSeAJMt9ZWL1_6xSIZdKOJJN52H4EDGrbABQXQ8G6gh5wP_dTYJ2cYsEy188iVKkohCJTbFAheFLoJShyrd76HXUJd2eKciwMp1_53BBoReFfRvOV9Y/s640/SAM_7550.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNtgRhk1fJ1DgIaZnnA6UIdMJzEZ9-j9jNbwW2O8tdLphN3EEJ5PfQsqtt7pDntmTkJMcFRMQ0hyMG5ZVIoUB4WnwzzyJ2PMj2qM11AhpQfVRgBrwuVGtUmBtzV44oi6_6rnqpidUb9M/s1600/SAM_7551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNtgRhk1fJ1DgIaZnnA6UIdMJzEZ9-j9jNbwW2O8tdLphN3EEJ5PfQsqtt7pDntmTkJMcFRMQ0hyMG5ZVIoUB4WnwzzyJ2PMj2qM11AhpQfVRgBrwuVGtUmBtzV44oi6_6rnqpidUb9M/s640/SAM_7551.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWSA7pppM9iaO1S2zAalS3SIZoNGYVhZNYKtjZpUjW_Q9hBGAgSUBNiW3UAppCrC72xmgClG6K524BEq4M9GEe-uZWT6DOtIKn0t3WouVdodpxlyGJE__u0gGKw9fEejtZ02QxDISj9M/s1600/SAM_7554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWSA7pppM9iaO1S2zAalS3SIZoNGYVhZNYKtjZpUjW_Q9hBGAgSUBNiW3UAppCrC72xmgClG6K524BEq4M9GEe-uZWT6DOtIKn0t3WouVdodpxlyGJE__u0gGKw9fEejtZ02QxDISj9M/s640/SAM_7554.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1ItMxQLtPwDuN_QodHrUd8n_WNK99SWmSiPzuJqqw2vBZ8aK7lnulAD7If7FouQBa858We5UbUGBaYOOPIy3RE1h11lgr1AXjyTqxK4GxWoQ5Zl_vAGLFi_63I_TR1j4U6zULHPB2mY/s1600/SAM_7555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1ItMxQLtPwDuN_QodHrUd8n_WNK99SWmSiPzuJqqw2vBZ8aK7lnulAD7If7FouQBa858We5UbUGBaYOOPIy3RE1h11lgr1AXjyTqxK4GxWoQ5Zl_vAGLFi_63I_TR1j4U6zULHPB2mY/s640/SAM_7555.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUAsvK9GEZLgXp9N-dXYm7aoqls9W5hAp3WwPtFTUwBPjU44rpS0CwRie7RXkU4ZR28PcDihadyYHjPlYYDH4tiX8DchK_5ZemOw0D0lh4LFrYHhtBUEoVnHMMGhkVyrJsWITjkdWfGM/s1600/SAM_7557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUAsvK9GEZLgXp9N-dXYm7aoqls9W5hAp3WwPtFTUwBPjU44rpS0CwRie7RXkU4ZR28PcDihadyYHjPlYYDH4tiX8DchK_5ZemOw0D0lh4LFrYHhtBUEoVnHMMGhkVyrJsWITjkdWfGM/s640/SAM_7557.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Chimi's essay without corrections</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is what I get for a typical homework assignement: brainstorming, labels and color-coding of vocabulary/conjunctions. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5WuCBdu6wHOLomq7HvT59SL4vy_bcAdgYHpylQYZbMdVwknBFW0Iest1pyWY7jOQ1tfhHIMYXo2dsoPkT7uJWoK8ueiwqtw8ur4eJ5y0SUCZi-zP7NMY6MQ1nwJGfIYFXEzV-MdU3c8/s1600/SAM_7573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5WuCBdu6wHOLomq7HvT59SL4vy_bcAdgYHpylQYZbMdVwknBFW0Iest1pyWY7jOQ1tfhHIMYXo2dsoPkT7uJWoK8ueiwqtw8ur4eJ5y0SUCZi-zP7NMY6MQ1nwJGfIYFXEzV-MdU3c8/s640/SAM_7573.JPG" width="552" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjareVOQYOXRP2wuP2dUQZz2_waSSmBeA9Ln0O5izrALI2AnpD9ukR-zHh9abU3HMWJG_-aQY8ctq5tU35zfPvCiOlZgE7_QBWJj1vKO8MExRlHaed8-YQ9RG7bmIaJQA4amAStyE0Gw0k/s1600/SAM_7575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjareVOQYOXRP2wuP2dUQZz2_waSSmBeA9Ln0O5izrALI2AnpD9ukR-zHh9abU3HMWJG_-aQY8ctq5tU35zfPvCiOlZgE7_QBWJj1vKO8MExRlHaed8-YQ9RG7bmIaJQA4amAStyE0Gw0k/s640/SAM_7575.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption<br />
<br />
<b>Pema Choki's surprise speech to my parent's- she went way off topic, but it was pretty cute and we were very surprised</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4C1DxfjqanurRT6wkRg28mlWpQaq3gW7YPtGhzCTncxcR6qFQ6mcqorAi5QKoZMsgGhZxkkP3K4V0qXeeHEBV2qw8iX958qwvujrNnsWRSHZ4xtsv2e6XgZaREUZYidJ9MRArWX99des/s1600/SAM_7459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4C1DxfjqanurRT6wkRg28mlWpQaq3gW7YPtGhzCTncxcR6qFQ6mcqorAi5QKoZMsgGhZxkkP3K4V0qXeeHEBV2qw8iX958qwvujrNnsWRSHZ4xtsv2e6XgZaREUZYidJ9MRArWX99des/s640/SAM_7459.JPG" width="539" /></a></div>
</div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-33364370384218348652012-12-10T06:13:00.002-08:002012-12-10T07:16:05.200-08:00She's Big and Dumb; No She's Beautiful and Smart<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<!--[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>1439</o:Words>
<o:Characters>8207</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>68</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>16</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>10078</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RJ6bofcczbDY8fZDQo8mawzbJW_IyyQCCYwpnYnhgE1MnFNt52_XGKf4MsIOMKCG55D-cnpIB2hIZVOZ87K2sZ0CojfnAgVvaR8g-CJcM2fDM4zVaVa3kwvTlZo3GeLX01jIT5X2dZo/s1600/SAM_5987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RJ6bofcczbDY8fZDQo8mawzbJW_IyyQCCYwpnYnhgE1MnFNt52_XGKf4MsIOMKCG55D-cnpIB2hIZVOZ87K2sZ0CojfnAgVvaR8g-CJcM2fDM4zVaVa3kwvTlZo3GeLX01jIT5X2dZo/s400/SAM_5987.JPG" width="400" /></a>(For this blog entry, it felt right to change my student’s
name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other
words, Sangay, is not my student’s name, it’s a fake name I created to conceal
her identity.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVWZbs0YiAIExS04FvVswwyStEsyis1N6KNAB_1Sn5axFAghksIIo6QlgLlwp0XEZcB8GIIErDZNOEfWjO7j7r3aldr4e-QDf63riKDJMzu9nsDHCevNGOOO7Wu0iAwM0Po3wPNdO42o/s1600/SAM_7121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVWZbs0YiAIExS04FvVswwyStEsyis1N6KNAB_1Sn5axFAghksIIo6QlgLlwp0XEZcB8GIIErDZNOEfWjO7j7r3aldr4e-QDf63riKDJMzu9nsDHCevNGOOO7Wu0iAwM0Po3wPNdO42o/s400/SAM_7121.JPG" width="400" /></a>Sangay’s grandma looked similar to most of the elder village
women I’ve seen walking from fields carrying on their arching backs an
oversized woven basket usually loaded with potatoes or buckwheat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like most of the elder Bhutanese, she
beamed the essence of traditional with her full-pleaded kira, doma stained, withering
teeth and inch long shimmering, white hair. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her golden face was cracked with deep lines running in every
direction from years of working in the fields along strong, mountain winds and
powerful sunrays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although her fragile
body was shriveling up with the passing of time, she comfortably sat on the
cement in the school courtyard next to me eager to hear what I had to say. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-j7VATHTqLa_CPNupGpLZFwRDFdYeK1Q_ur7_PAryIep23Vu8bynOSx5botYqU8TvTMgFX3OoX5e81C3LiUSG0WUe09jKToFgf-p73_t-JPKIwQ-b_RlHaMlU3XtXMZGI88INjg2RO0/s1600/SAM_5116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-j7VATHTqLa_CPNupGpLZFwRDFdYeK1Q_ur7_PAryIep23Vu8bynOSx5botYqU8TvTMgFX3OoX5e81C3LiUSG0WUe09jKToFgf-p73_t-JPKIwQ-b_RlHaMlU3XtXMZGI88INjg2RO0/s400/SAM_5116.JPG" width="225" /></a>It was a beautiful summer day and I was passing out midyear
report cards to parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
out of all the parent’s or guardians, I had been dreading to meet Sangay’s
grandma the most because it’s never easy to tell someone that their child is
miserably failing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I held Sangay’s
report card in my hands ready to give a well thought out speech to inform her
that Sangay had failed my English class as well as several other subjects; she
got last position in her class; she was several years below grade level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So before I began to deliver the bad news, I gently smiled
at Sangay’s grandma trying to emanate a warm feeling and I felt slightly relieved
when she smiled back at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As my
friend translated my every word to the grandmother, I started off by saying
something positive about my student, “Sangay is a very sweet and respectful
girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She tries her best in the class
and I’m so happy to have her as my student…”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instantly, the grandmother lit up and rocked back and forth
while putting her two hands together as though she was praising me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had cut me off from continuing as
she rambled on in Bumthang’s local language, Bumthap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This only made me more nervous to see that I made her
extremely happy because I hadn’t got to the bad part yet, which I became worried
would shatter her now radiating joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then with knots tightening in my stomach, my friend
translated the grandmother’s words to me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Thank you so much for saying such nice things about my
granddaughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I wanted to
hear is that she is a good and sweet girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s all I could ever ask for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyday she comes home from school and talks about
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then in the morning, she wakes
up and say’s that she has to go to school to see her Miss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She tells us that you are kind and good
to her and all of the students …”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was surprised to hear this because it never occurred to me
that Sangay would go home and talk about me in such a positive manner because
Sangay didn’t speak fluent English and she was very quiet, which made it
difficult for me to converse with her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally, Sangay rarely did her homework and I would
often frown while keeping her during interval so she could finish. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While reflecting and looking at the
grandma’s happy face, I started to question myself if I had done enough to help
Sangay and I started to feel guilty as well as unworthy of her praise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, I sadly forced a smile
while nodding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I continued, “Despite her best efforts in the
classroom, she is failing, but I think that Sangay would improve more if she
did her homework, which will give her extra practice so she can become a better
reader and writer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that she
can do the work, if she just tries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So if you can encourage her to do her homework and practice reading in
the evening that may help her in the long run.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The grandmother wasn’t angry or too bothered upon hearing
that Sangay was failing and I was startled when my friend translated her words,
“We know that Sangay is big and dumb, but her mom and me thought that if we
kept sending her to school she would learn something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we thought that if she could learn a little bit then that
would be better than nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we
know that she is dumb, so we have been thinking of pulling her out of school to
work at home with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is only
her mom and I in the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
can’t help her with her homework because we have never been to school so we
don’t speak the national language or English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can’t read or write so there’s no way to help Sangay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that’s why she doesn’t do her
homework.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry that she’s not
doing her homework.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My heart dropped in my stomach at the thought of Sangay dropping
out of school in the fifth grade and I felt horrible that I wasn’t aware of the
extent of Sangay not having the support at home with her schoolwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So without thinking, my emotions took
over and words of embellishment came flying out of my mouth at 100 mph, “Oh no,
please don’t take Sangay out of school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even though she failed, she has improved so much in English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She raises her hand to give answers and
she even speaks in front of the class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If she stays in school, she will only get better and better. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s not dumb; she’s very smart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She just needs a little more help because
Dzongkha and English are not her first language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She can do it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know she can! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am going
to help her more!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just please keep
her in school, pleaseeeeee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ok?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My embellishment and pleading worked because Sangay’s
grandmother became even happier than before and she took my hands into her
hands thanking me over and over again for being so kind to her granddaughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she agreed to keep her in school
for at least the rest of the year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterwards, I asked her to sign the report card, but she
stated that she didn’t know how to sign her own name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So she asked for an inkpad to give her thumbprint instead of
a signature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I watched her
cover her thumb in blue ink and smear it next to the parent signature, I
realized that I would never look at Sangay in the same way again; Sangay was
the first from her family to go to school; to make it to fifth grade; to learn
her national language and English; Sangay was making history; she was smart.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That day I went on my two-week summer break and all I could
think about was how I was going to help Sangay improve when I got back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My conversation with her grandmother
replayed over and over in my head and her words “she’s big and dumb” haunted
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sangay was tall and beautifully
curved, but she was definitely not dumb. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I had exaggerated Sangay’s improvement to persuade
her grandmother to keep her in school, I had meant what I said about how she
was smart and just needed more help. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So when school returned from summer break, I zeroed in on
Sangay not only with more kindness, but also with extra help. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made a point to smile more at her and
say, “Good morning Sangay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How are
you my dear?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the students
wrote independently, I spent a few extra minutes helping her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During library period, I had her read
to me and I encouraged her seat partner to help her more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes I also kept her after school
to help her with her writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then,
the first day she didn’t do her homework, instead of frowning, I kneeled next
to her seat and I asked her in my softest voice from the bottom of my heart,
“Sangay, will you please do your homework tonight? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promised your grandma that I would help you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you just try, you will become better
at English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please Sangay, I want
you to improve, but you have to try.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And for the first time, I believed her when she actually
looked me in the eyes while bobbing her head from side to side answering, “Yes
Miss!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sure enough, the next morning she showed me her homework and
I was so thrilled that I dismissed the numerous errors while jumping in the air
proudly waving it around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
cheered, “Wow! Sangay thank you so much for doing your homework.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will you do your homework tomorrow too?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so happy!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjpHCyG1NON9GbglgEoCsiEylimA15hkkWhYkU6NKrqjleFgLebbT6U3VJmsrF-oza_sWV_Nw3e8wFS45lbFF8mvLeL0GIv4CLI2K5iE2It5SMN9DqWNEnVr6x_mXaDWm8sSL4LO0cV4/s1600/SAM_5104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjpHCyG1NON9GbglgEoCsiEylimA15hkkWhYkU6NKrqjleFgLebbT6U3VJmsrF-oza_sWV_Nw3e8wFS45lbFF8mvLeL0GIv4CLI2K5iE2It5SMN9DqWNEnVr6x_mXaDWm8sSL4LO0cV4/s400/SAM_5104.JPG" width="225" /></a>The whole class was shocked to see that Sangay did her
homework as well as to see how excited it made me that my enthusiasm was
contagious and all her peers also encouraged her to do her homework.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day by day, she continuously did her
homework while I gave her a few more minutes of my time here and there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also started to surprise me by often
bringing me some vegetables from her garden:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a half-eaten cucumber, potatoes and mushrooms. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time she gave me some vegetables,
I gave her a big thank you hug and she would blush. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Slowly, she started to transform and one day it was evident
that something magical had happened to Sangay; everything that I had embellished to her grandmother,
strangely came true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She actually
started to raise her hand in class to share her sentences out loud and she
started volunteering to read in front of the class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found that she loved reading fairy tale books and I liked
watching her help her little buddy read during reading period-she was a
mini-teacher to a younger student.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Additionally, when it was time for presentations, she spoke with
confidence despite a few errors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The students looked at me and said, “Wow, what happened to her, she’s
changed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The class even voted her
as most improved and she gleamed when I took her for ice cream as an award. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, I started to feel worthy of her
praise.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s the end of the year now and Sangay may still not be the
class topper, but regardless of what position she placed in my class, she is my
shinning star.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I leave Sangay
this year, I leave not in vain that she isn’t quiet up to grade level, however,
I leave incredibly happy knowing that she has improved, she has a new love for reading and she
now has the confidence to continue making history in her family. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go Sangay! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear “Sangay,” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
if you ever read this, then you have figured out
that “Sangay” is you<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;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you and I’m very proud of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are sweet and smart: a great
combination!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for giving
me new perspectives on teaching and on life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope we meet again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Love Miss!</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span id="goog_554376399"></span><span id="goog_554376400"></span><br /></div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-74806193963015467222012-12-07T01:47:00.001-08:002014-03-11T02:09:09.033-07:00Khenchen's Lecture on The Triple Gem<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[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>741</o:Words>
<o:Characters>4226</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>35</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>8</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>5189</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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:10.0pt;
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-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJ3nymu57xcgcXaZJPEPQzjSNKP1eW0LNVuzP0-3Pgn94CFuNNelQrwl6NMK9jJGV72vii0jME7B_RQS8qsUH6qNh_VXbTcbzV-8oob5-E1bi5TCe9K5BNJYXAlSa91miW-Nc6g1Ioc8/s1600/SAM_6257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJ3nymu57xcgcXaZJPEPQzjSNKP1eW0LNVuzP0-3Pgn94CFuNNelQrwl6NMK9jJGV72vii0jME7B_RQS8qsUH6qNh_VXbTcbzV-8oob5-E1bi5TCe9K5BNJYXAlSa91miW-Nc6g1Ioc8/s400/SAM_6257.JPG" height="400" width="178" /></a>In one of the last Buddhist Kingdoms of the Himalayas, there are a few rare Khenchens, which is a title given to an accomplished monk with years of study beyond a PhD. There is one particular Khenchen who I am utterly blessed to run into from time to time. Whenever I see him, I light up because he seems so divine: an awaken mind in a human body. He is one of those unusual people who stops me in my tracks because I instantly recognize that this is a person who is purely humble and kind; I don’t mean that he conveys these simple, yet rare qualities, but what I am trying to stress is that he seems <i>to be</i> these qualities. There is something unexplainably loving and wise about him that is difficult to describe, but easy to grasp when meeting him.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
So when the humble Khenchen came to my school to give a two-hour talk in Dzongkha to our students about Buddhism, I didn’t mind that I couldn’t understand the lecture. I enjoyed listening to his kind voice and watching the students laugh at his entertaining analogies while they hung on to every word he said. I appreciated being in a place where there was learning taking place for the simple benefit of bettering oneself, humanity and the future of all sentient beings. As I write this, I realize that this may sound too mushy for some of my Westerner friends, but I challenge them to ask themselves, “When did I ever experience this in school or in the last several years?” If your answer is never, I am eager to share the Khenchen’s lecture with you about how Buddhism can help relieve moments of suffering-sadness, anger, wanting, etc.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
My good friend, Chimi, took notes for me and later, for several hours Chimi re-narrated the entire lecture to me (Thanks Chimi xoxo). Although some of the lecture was lost is translation, this is the jest of what we experienced:</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscRz0MqkMriyHAlZXOVnDuUEDe3EX8y_6qoFe7fahwQ8GiVU5EhTsDi5aqiwTo3NzE6pKTI73fy8S_yYWXNA5Ej3EdgHMkwc79oUhwf21OeDeH-Fgq-WM570KowZ1difDFMENjGe2leE/s1600/SAM_6250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscRz0MqkMriyHAlZXOVnDuUEDe3EX8y_6qoFe7fahwQ8GiVU5EhTsDi5aqiwTo3NzE6pKTI73fy8S_yYWXNA5Ej3EdgHMkwc79oUhwf21OeDeH-Fgq-WM570KowZ1difDFMENjGe2leE/s400/SAM_6250.JPG" height="225" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a>As the Khenchen took a seat in a big wooden chair on stage, he graciously asked Norbu the monk and my principal who were sitting on the floor beside him to please have a seat in the chairs next to him. However, Norbu and my principal refused his kind offer because they wanted to physically sit lower than the Khenchen as a sign of respect. After a few seconds of the Khenchen unsuccessfully trying to persuade them to sit in the empty chairs next to him, he turned to the students who eagerly awaited his wisdom and humbly said, “I am an ordinary person, don’t think because I am a Khenchen, I must be greater than you. We are the same. The only difference between you and I is that you were born in modern times of Internet, T.V… whereas I was born in older times. I am sitting on the chair. Norbu and the principal are sitting on the floor, but don’t have the notion that I am greater than them. They are a higher learner than I am.” Immediately, a wave of positive and loving energy filled the room from everyone who heard his words. The students’ lips softly curled into closed smiles at the Khenchen’s humbleness, but ironically his genuine demeanor just seemed like more evidence that he was not the same as most people and the students stared at him with looks of deep reverence.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
As the students intensely listened, he claimed that religion could remove one from suffering-sadness, hatred, jealousy, depression, etc. To help the students understand how religion could do this, he wittily started off with his first analogy. He said that a doctor, medicine and friends could help cure sickness like how the Buddha, sangha and dharma could remove suffering. For instance, the doctor is like the <b>Buddha (an enlighten one),</b> the friends or relatives are the <b>sangha (noble ones like monks, lamas, etc</b>.), the medicine is the <b>dharma (the Buddhist teachings about the nature of life)</b> and the sickness is the suffering, which the combination of the three is known as the <b>triple gem</b>. </div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
He continued his claim with some humor by saying, “You are all students right now, but you don’t study. You throw your English textbook; you don’t care about your teachers or friends. Instead, what you should be doing is saying, ‘I love you English teacher!’ If you are not studying, you need to say, ‘I love you English textbook!’ Rather than being disrespectful to your friends, you should say, ‘Hi, I love you friends!’ The students laughed when he changed his voice to a higher pitch to say, “I love you...” and he had their attention as they wondered why they should be saying, “I love you” to their teachers, friends and textbooks.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-J-0qYYFlOoEfTwHWd_jF0MYdy_jWIBxxIMIAD2paeGmrsfzd8nntGw_Q7F-lniQ5bj28Ngm3I2eOpBgMTeZgabv2aZEZEd7bEi9rbxYo3tK2IP4B2mORAdsLr-86uCnqN0PurZVR95s/s1600/SAM_6256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-J-0qYYFlOoEfTwHWd_jF0MYdy_jWIBxxIMIAD2paeGmrsfzd8nntGw_Q7F-lniQ5bj28Ngm3I2eOpBgMTeZgabv2aZEZEd7bEi9rbxYo3tK2IP4B2mORAdsLr-86uCnqN0PurZVR95s/s400/SAM_6256.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a>Why? Because he said that the English teacher is like the Buddha, the textbooks symbolize the dharma and the friends represent the sangha: The Triple Gem! Therefore, he implied that when one respects his or her teachers, textbooks and friends then one is showing respect to the triple gem. He added that by always respecting ones teachers, textbooks and friends, then one is like a practitioner of the triple gem; it becomes part of ones living to the path of enlightenment.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Next, he gave an example of how the triple gem is often not a part of students’ everyday lives, but is only sought out in times of trouble. First, he pointed out how one only prays out of fear when exam time comes and he exclaimed that the God couldn’t help prayers of fear. On the other hand, he reminded the students that taking refuge in the triple gem everyday as well as respecting the triple gem throughout our life can help us. So he advised the students that if they were not respecting the triple gem, then they needed to change their attitude, build a positive outlook about ones self and do good in life as this is also part of taking refuge in the triple gem. In other words, taking refugee in the triple gem by being kind and respectful will help ones life/future instead of praying only when one needs help. </div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
He further highlighted how desire is one of the roots of sufferings taking us away from enlightenment, such as the desire for wealth and beauty. He reminded the students that when one can’t fulfill a desire, one suffers and doesn’t get dharma. However, he gave the students a solution to ending suffering from desire by reminding them how Buddha taught that everything relies on ones own mind and action. The Khenchen spoke of how Buddha didn’t say, “Pray to me and I will make you enlighten,” but instead the Buddha said, “I can’t make you enlighten, but I can show you a method. The method is always taking refuge in the triple gem.” Thus, the triple gem ends suffering caused by desire.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
In sum, he stressed that the triple gem ends suffering and leads one to the path of enlightenment; one can take refuge in the triple gem in his or her every day life by having a positive attitude and being respectful. </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-67734980125939774492012-12-07T01:28:00.000-08:002014-03-11T02:09:46.490-07:00 Khenchen’s Lecture On Buddhism - Part II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<!--[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>1005</o:Words>
<o:Characters>5730</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>47</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>11</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>7036</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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:10.0pt;
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-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 40pt;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><i>
<!--[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>741</o:Words>
<o:Characters>4226</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>35</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>8</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>5189</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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:10.0pt;
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-->
</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-J-0qYYFlOoEfTwHWd_jF0MYdy_jWIBxxIMIAD2paeGmrsfzd8nntGw_Q7F-lniQ5bj28Ngm3I2eOpBgMTeZgabv2aZEZEd7bEi9rbxYo3tK2IP4B2mORAdsLr-86uCnqN0PurZVR95s/s1600/SAM_6256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-J-0qYYFlOoEfTwHWd_jF0MYdy_jWIBxxIMIAD2paeGmrsfzd8nntGw_Q7F-lniQ5bj28Ngm3I2eOpBgMTeZgabv2aZEZEd7bEi9rbxYo3tK2IP4B2mORAdsLr-86uCnqN0PurZVR95s/s400/SAM_6256.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Khenchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the first half of the lecture, the Kenchen talked about
how taking refuge in the triple gem removes one from suffering and leads to the
path of enlightenment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
continued the second half of the lecture about how students should use their
intelligence to bring about the best, the importance of making the body a
servant of the mind to better the world and lastly, he ended the lecture by
answering the students’ questions (I chose a few of my favorite responses).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
First, he said that every sentient being seeks happiness,
but among all the sentient beings, the human race is equipped with skills,
intelligence and ideas to practice dharma and become enlighten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He supported his claim by saying, “Airplanes
and computers were invented by humans, which shows humans have intelligence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So humans should use their intelligence
to practice dharma and gain enlightenment to make a world without suffering not
just for ourselves, but all sentient beings.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
Moreover, he used his brilliant humor to explain how
students should make their bodies as the servant and their minds as the master.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He used Jetsun Mila, an enlighten
yogi, as a prime example of how he made his body the servant and his mind the
master by wearing plain, white robes and taking mostly air as food because he
didn’t treat his body with luxury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He talked about how some people don’t do this: “If our body says, ‘Oh no,
my body is feeling cold’, then we look for warm clothes or ‘Oh I’m ugly, I need
make up…’ He concluded that we should not treat our body with luxury because it
is impermanent; it won’t be with us forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So make your bodies work like a servant and kept you minds
as a master.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Next, he caused the audience to laugh by joking with them
about what they should do if they fail to keep their bodies as the servant and
their minds as the master.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
said, “In the morning, if you say some bad things, then as a punishment don’t
brush or give food to the mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscRz0MqkMriyHAlZXOVnDuUEDe3EX8y_6qoFe7fahwQ8GiVU5EhTsDi5aqiwTo3NzE6pKTI73fy8S_yYWXNA5Ej3EdgHMkwc79oUhwf21OeDeH-Fgq-WM570KowZ1difDFMENjGe2leE/s1600/SAM_6250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscRz0MqkMriyHAlZXOVnDuUEDe3EX8y_6qoFe7fahwQ8GiVU5EhTsDi5aqiwTo3NzE6pKTI73fy8S_yYWXNA5Ej3EdgHMkwc79oUhwf21OeDeH-Fgq-WM570KowZ1difDFMENjGe2leE/s320/SAM_6250.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a>Everyday you walk to school with the help of your legs, so if you don’t
do good things, then whose fault is this? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s your legs fault because they brought you to school!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So as a punishment to your legs for
taking you to school to say bad things, then don’t put shoes on your feet to come
to school. And if you continue to not respect your teachers, friends or books,
then hit the leg for treating your leg with luxury: buying shoes for your
legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, an animal
sacrificed his life to make leather shoes and you go and be disrespectful.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although he was joking and the students
were hysterically laughing, he had a point: the body should be used to serve
the mind in making the world a better place.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Finally, he concluded with one last analogy, “Treat your
body like a car or servant and the mind as a driver or master.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence, the driver navigates where the
car goes and not the other way around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then he pushed his point one step forward by saying, “After you finish
your studies, your motive should not just be to get a job and earn a
living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should contribute your
car (body) for the well being of others, your parents, community and society as
a whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The car like the body
should work for the well being of all and the mind is the master behind it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Lastly, he held a question and answer session for the
audience:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Student Question:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are two different Gods – Gods of Enlighten
beings like Buddha and Gods of the Samsaric world like local deities and guardians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So which should we pray to more?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Khenchen’s Answer:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If your practice dharma regularly and take
serious refuge in the triple gem, then the local deities or guardian’s can’t
harm us because our minds are the masters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Student Question:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do some people say we have to hold
the rosary in the left hand?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbXN8-dkFm1mj2vVt5wPpDkT84k-LJUpQLT60m8QsdLkPtpFe0BzKUAD2DtmS15xaW2rS-cH7fT56RydnAbQzqZ5hbmaF80ZEvWeJtf54FTCszdznE6eZvuyVFsqv5IJjjcyjIO1I4ig/s1600/SAM_6257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbXN8-dkFm1mj2vVt5wPpDkT84k-LJUpQLT60m8QsdLkPtpFe0BzKUAD2DtmS15xaW2rS-cH7fT56RydnAbQzqZ5hbmaF80ZEvWeJtf54FTCszdznE6eZvuyVFsqv5IJjjcyjIO1I4ig/s400/SAM_6257.JPG" height="400" width="178" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Khenchen’s Answer:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is nothing wrong or right with
holding the rosary in either hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Holding the rosary while saying Om Mani…, is just to help control our
minds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you can control your
mind on your own, then you don’t need to hold a rosary in either hand unless
you want to. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you can control
your mind, you can hold the rosary in your foot (lots of laughter).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People are the ones who made up how to
hold the rosary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rosary’s aim
is just to help you control your mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Student Question:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one of the Buddhism prayers it only
addresses the mother? Why not the father too?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Khenchen’s Answer:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because Buddha only liked his mother (another
wave of laughter). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
joking!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There isn’t a single
mother who hasn’t been a father and there isn’t a single sentient being who
hasn’t been a mother and so on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The mother is known as the caregiver who loves us whether in good or bad,
but the father is also there too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t get caught up in whether it addresses a mother or father because
everyone has been a mother in the past. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The Khenchen continued to answer numerous
questions with more humor and he ended with a beautiful prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it was over we were sad to see him
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked him to his car and
he drove off alone without an entourage or a personal driver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He left the students feeling humbled,
inspired, reinvigorated...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw0bG3DM8y19OQuXg22b1mocAM7DX8Xklh6REBDG951y0athhn33geosKOSBcNU8rfkQbSrQ7gaccQgkcifXQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Khenchen ending the lecture with a prayer</div>
</div>
<br /></div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-87794628886668780122012-12-05T06:49:00.000-08:002014-03-11T02:30:27.813-07:00Students Bow To Their Teachers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[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>433</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2472</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>20</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3035</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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-->
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1YwdauT5-GtdhRulAXUYE0_CyN6nCHd2leJL1HguXxCScY9tVy8oMJEgMF1HrgXL600RTsFgJI9vvyWpVO_usyuF7Xadn6M7ovEo1wa8652vFSWsUPndBMyoMi_CQsmB9QtNPtGWdXE/s1600/SAM_6175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1YwdauT5-GtdhRulAXUYE0_CyN6nCHd2leJL1HguXxCScY9tVy8oMJEgMF1HrgXL600RTsFgJI9vvyWpVO_usyuF7Xadn6M7ovEo1wa8652vFSWsUPndBMyoMi_CQsmB9QtNPtGWdXE/s400/SAM_6175.JPG" height="268" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chumey Middle Secondary School</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I first arrived at my school in Bhutan, I was shocked
when a couple of students bowed to me as I walked passed them to the
courtyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first, I told myself
that my eyes where playing tricks on me and they must have bent down to look at
their shoes or something on the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then I could no longer deny that students were deliberately bowing to me
as I reached the courtyard to find groups of them going out of their way to arch their backs and show me the top of their heads while their legs were stiff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> As</span> they all bowed, they shouted, “Good morning Miss!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was stunned! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, my brain still couldn't comprehend the concept of students bowing to a teacher as it’s
unheard of in American schools. So I chuckled assuming that they were mistaking me for someone of royalty or for someone with a very important title since I'm a foreigner<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>I had no idea that teachers were
such an honored profession that students bow to them as a sign of respect. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In fact, it took me months to get use to hundreds of
students of every size and age bowing to me all day long whenever they saw me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the beginning, it felt so weird to have children bowing to me that my instinct was to mirror
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, once when I walked
by my ninth graders playing an intense soccer game, to my surprise, the soccer
game ceased and all at once the students graciously bowed to me while yelling, “Good
afternoon Miss!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so shocked
that I didn’t even realize I was bowing back to them saying, “Thank you, thank
you. Good afternoon!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The students
all laughed, as they had never seen a teacher bow back to them before. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a result, when some of the teachers at my school saw me
hesitantly and awkwardly bowing back to the students, they would quickly correct
me by saying, “No Sabrina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
don’t bow to the students; they bow to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t do that!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I would explain in embarrassment, “I can’t help
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never had anyone bow to
me before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In America, students
don’t bow to their teachers, so it feels strange when they bow to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I asked a student to bow to me in
America, they would laugh thinking that I was crazy or they would be insulted
thinking I was full of myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
don’t understand, I have never seen anyone bow to another person unless it was
in some kind of fairytale movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is surreal to me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
explanation always seemed to make my colleagues laugh because it was surreal to
them that American students didn’t bow to their teachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikH5udVjN0QQt96GBwWxLXU911lMUd9pGSjotFN6gWI1ACdjrXjjhqWGH4h20VhCZGOWWSHSVx63Zr332VNmpIjKWWRcqUF0vhiieaEIs6b5NvGfibbV-OS-ur-zF53ComB-pTk9cHrMA/s1600/SAM_6913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikH5udVjN0QQt96GBwWxLXU911lMUd9pGSjotFN6gWI1ACdjrXjjhqWGH4h20VhCZGOWWSHSVx63Zr332VNmpIjKWWRcqUF0vhiieaEIs6b5NvGfibbV-OS-ur-zF53ComB-pTk9cHrMA/s400/SAM_6913.JPG" height="222" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Now, I have been teaching in Bhutan for almost a year and if
finally feels normal to have students bow to me even when I'm in a passing vehicle.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I have trained myself to
not bow back, a bowing student still never fails to make me smile and I always say thank you to them for being respectful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wonder how I am going to get
used to students not bowing to me whenever I teach in America again. </div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-53006598051000577922012-12-04T13:40:00.000-08:002014-03-11T02:28:18.342-07:00Bhutan from Monarchy to Democracy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<!--[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>1330</o:Words>
<o:Characters>7584</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>63</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>15</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>9313</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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-->
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXH3_jUf6CzhRLs-bC8OIemrhrxgW-RTloCR_1ILzwK8Ah6vnTgyUU9uBZ5eRHiLWh6xYvzPlImFLDcgisNI4Lu91I39DMzl2QDkxd_c1v9W3H1fTkiF6U0oGuMLjHpUiUBWljT9gWBH4/s1600/800px-Flag_of_Bhutan.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXH3_jUf6CzhRLs-bC8OIemrhrxgW-RTloCR_1ILzwK8Ah6vnTgyUU9uBZ5eRHiLWh6xYvzPlImFLDcgisNI4Lu91I39DMzl2QDkxd_c1v9W3H1fTkiF6U0oGuMLjHpUiUBWljT9gWBH4/s320/800px-Flag_of_Bhutan.svg.png" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bhutan's Flag</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wrote this blog entry for my family and friends to explain
in a simple way in which Bhutan eventually went from a monarchy to a parliamentary
democracy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not a politician,
historian, journalist nor do I have any desire to be, so I apologize if I’m not
politically correct in any places or my Bhutanese history is wishy-washy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I purposely left out some historical/political
events to keep it simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I chose
to write from the viewpoint of what I would call loyal Bhutanese citizens. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope no one is offended, as I am aware
that there are different views about how Bhutan’s democracy came about.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Writing stems from the
color of a lens a writer chooses to see the world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPmFVBK9it_quJ85rPcFjXheKPyR-z5gWNZfQWsCpJ8EsB4jY_SOoVffdXIXJ9eIdrHvor28vF8aKcpLDqqv4nYmPTbFCN0t13HM4H11gYbYJphN-I8FuWCoIUatr3yKx6FXcUfNMRCU/s1600/430621_2914713961218_1661771976_2546145_833752713_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPmFVBK9it_quJ85rPcFjXheKPyR-z5gWNZfQWsCpJ8EsB4jY_SOoVffdXIXJ9eIdrHvor28vF8aKcpLDqqv4nYmPTbFCN0t13HM4H11gYbYJphN-I8FuWCoIUatr3yKx6FXcUfNMRCU/s320/430621_2914713961218_1661771976_2546145_833752713_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Himalayas </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Long long ago, there was one of the most beautiful, remotest
countries in the world known as the land of the thunder dragon, The Kingdom of Bhutan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was covered with the most precious
natural resources among forestry, pristine rivers and shimmering waterfalls
along the Himalayan Mountains. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
comparison to other countries, it was tiny and remote due to its staggering
mountains and thick forestry that acted like a barrier to the surrounding, growing
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This made it the world’s best-kept
secret of what some called the last paradise on earth or Shangri-la.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only the people of neighboring
countries who bordered it truly knew of its beauty as well as a few blessed travelers
who stumbled upon it and whispered their unbelievable sights to others. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09FahFn_4VcteB5SJ1a4nxRrzVq_lhx9JSMEiHVR4fcFtE07reSu6bk99aj_a3rRRV1ahM1fb8yJLxMUfeWrIWOJHmYsHbpXJEpK5O7MYjhbqjBk5eQA1Mu_u7HkVeC5lnkgWs2CKiDU/s1600/SAM_7223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09FahFn_4VcteB5SJ1a4nxRrzVq_lhx9JSMEiHVR4fcFtE07reSu6bk99aj_a3rRRV1ahM1fb8yJLxMUfeWrIWOJHmYsHbpXJEpK5O7MYjhbqjBk5eQA1Mu_u7HkVeC5lnkgWs2CKiDU/s320/SAM_7223.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not only was the country like a hidden sanctuary, but also
it was magical with tales of the second Buddha transforming it into a Buddhist
country in the 7<sup>th</sup> century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Guru weaved all around Bhutan subduing evil sprits, building
numerous sacred temples and even leaving imprints of his body in caves as well
as scattering hidden treasures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His message of compassion and love would forever leave imprints in the
hearts of generations to come and set up a rich, colorful culture based on
Buddhism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While the rest of the world transitioned into modernization,
the deep folds of the Himalayas tucked away its country into a blissful,
innocent cocoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To the simple
villagers, there were no such things as plastic, garbage or pollution;
everything came from nature including the woven cloth that wrapped their bodies
and the mudstone homes they lived in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOILkO3-PZkLOtdU7GOc6_BIXzEa_RwJ3FT6Hrb-Mp7h41F2vZY_CcAcltu3R1G7OuQEDyd11j-LHxk8rR19zmsOkNWm7EfSt_y7sYlAk1GUNWD4mZKbGFFVX-E-4FHl9Wrz8PbThkuQE/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOILkO3-PZkLOtdU7GOc6_BIXzEa_RwJ3FT6Hrb-Mp7h41F2vZY_CcAcltu3R1G7OuQEDyd11j-LHxk8rR19zmsOkNWm7EfSt_y7sYlAk1GUNWD4mZKbGFFVX-E-4FHl9Wrz8PbThkuQE/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First King</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDF_YT2fnaL16aYv2wiBJSvYjpeEYHJegknfrQRpvHOr3Uo5bNLvMVWixG3pI1bgqvbWPxP_AuiMk75DBiS2KX9oEoWtdEbnK1fygHsNm6ft5ifsuw_al5PhUS1qMxYYIYu_1lEnTtck/s1600/images-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDF_YT2fnaL16aYv2wiBJSvYjpeEYHJegknfrQRpvHOr3Uo5bNLvMVWixG3pI1bgqvbWPxP_AuiMk75DBiS2KX9oEoWtdEbnK1fygHsNm6ft5ifsuw_al5PhUS1qMxYYIYu_1lEnTtck/s1600/images-2.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second King</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So it seemed as though the world’s quietest, secluded
country was destined for peace because when there was a long period of civil
wars and rebellion outbursts, as there were little unity among the people, one
man united the people under one rule and religion. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1907, he was anonymously appointed as the first hereditary
Dragon King of Bhutan; he was given control in return for stabilizing and
harmonizing the country. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His crown
was not of gold or jewels, but was of a raven’s head symbolizing a
guardian deity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBYcltvwt6qzbVkrwrTvs8ytyJr2wgDWDQTZyxP8XAboTzbqHb__joC44TTaBWWDnDD_XrE2JGinOpr_uC4uoWzIeRxrWYYfG3lbFTwI-yU9UI9lwkug6aTpRHRBYcmvMrC2-YqJxYTY/s1600/images-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBYcltvwt6qzbVkrwrTvs8ytyJr2wgDWDQTZyxP8XAboTzbqHb__joC44TTaBWWDnDD_XrE2JGinOpr_uC4uoWzIeRxrWYYfG3lbFTwI-yU9UI9lwkug6aTpRHRBYcmvMrC2-YqJxYTY/s1600/images-4.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fourth King</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMOEirqUmL2icvN7eCt5yp_gGAOtexqgLi8OFri5dV9pba-kEXWmKbN0D94Lv2bLniylRKujQ2lr6h03YDg1xgVOTvR688iTapub4cwCzIquodq-s7TKjk7A8gsrBd87AiTQdAftJX7w/s1600/images-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMOEirqUmL2icvN7eCt5yp_gGAOtexqgLi8OFri5dV9pba-kEXWmKbN0D94Lv2bLniylRKujQ2lr6h03YDg1xgVOTvR688iTapub4cwCzIquodq-s7TKjk7A8gsrBd87AiTQdAftJX7w/s1600/images-3.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Third King</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He led the country into peace and secured the country’s
sovereignty while his son followed in his path as the second King, then his
grandson as the third King.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally, in the early 1960s, the third King slowly awakened the sleepy
country into a new era of modernization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gradually the country had new roads, hospitals, more schools, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hard work would be the catalyst of
what was to come of Bhutan’s rapid development.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
When this father of modernization suddenly passed away, his young,
handsome son became the fourth King in 1972 at the age of only 17. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A teenager would rule the country and
eventually marry four gorgeous sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is where the fairy tale really heightens!</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGqLGQpOK3In7UlmxOHTMHrqDI2PYt8iEWOCI1940JJkwQ2agC8zNeB3hr6ekA5jJf0yOOcTkIOtObH6UdWFuDqZh09i4LknClzkTuaIw44nAauqzEJjK-5G8fUy3bjP5MKkJ-ULUfww/s1600/DownloadedFile.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGqLGQpOK3In7UlmxOHTMHrqDI2PYt8iEWOCI1940JJkwQ2agC8zNeB3hr6ekA5jJf0yOOcTkIOtObH6UdWFuDqZh09i4LknClzkTuaIw44nAauqzEJjK-5G8fUy3bjP5MKkJ-ULUfww/s1600/DownloadedFile.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fourth King and his beautiful Queens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Like the Dragon Kings before him, the Bhutanese citizens
loved the young fourth King dearly and they fully trusted him to rule the
country with integrity and peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
teenage King grew into a man who some called enlighten, selfless, visionary…
because he continued his forefathers’ vision of modernization in a drastic way,
eventually creating a utopian philosophy that new-age scholars would flock to
study. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His break through
philosophy occurred one day after countless occurrences of being asked about
the Gross National Product (GNP) of Bhutan and he bluntly remarked that he was
more concerned with the Gross National Happiness (GNH) of his country. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From that day forward, the GNH
philosophy took a life of its own as it promoted the welfare of happiness and
spiritualism to be in balance with economic gains; the foundation for preserving
Bhutan’s culture, conserving their natural environment, creating sustainable
development and establishing good governance (the four pillars of GNH).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDaUJoYwKTCwf1Lp0I95da6__LgSe0YhXysrA37VuX0B66zvGlkNJ8a4tWE7KtjmBt2Wxetuafkyfe98z79MsOSo4rzXrpHrGs6okdTCzafNLpXmxv_i7X0pE8zQhcPSgytadpgag82A/s1600/SAM_6509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDaUJoYwKTCwf1Lp0I95da6__LgSe0YhXysrA37VuX0B66zvGlkNJ8a4tWE7KtjmBt2Wxetuafkyfe98z79MsOSo4rzXrpHrGs6okdTCzafNLpXmxv_i7X0pE8zQhcPSgytadpgag82A/s320/SAM_6509.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Unbelievably, there was more than a coined philosophy hidden
inside the vision of the quiet, simple fourth King.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a lurking grand plan that would shock his people as
well as the outside world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally,
one winter day in 2005, at the age of 50, he announced what will forever be in
Bhutan’s history books: he would step down from his throne in favor of his son
and he planned to transition the country into a parliamentary democracy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whereby his son, the new fifth King,
would act as the head of state (can be impeached by a majority two-third vote
by the lower house/must retire at age 65 to be succeeded by next in line), but
the people would elect members of a lower house and upper house and he would
hand over democracy to the elected representatives and a prime minister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people would participate in the
future development of the country!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, when the people heard the news they gasped, “But
why, we love you as our King? Why don’t you want to rule over our country?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the outside world questioned why
someone would give up his power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His answer was thoughtful and kind:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The time had never been better for the Bhutanese people to
become a democratic country simply for the benefit of the country’s
future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew that there was no guarantee
that every King who would succeed him could benefit the well being of the
people/country because the title of a King is hereditary and not through ones
good deeds or qualifications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus,
after 100 years of a monastic ruling, the
Kingdom of Bhutan was gently nudged into democracy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0JyUwQqNfMCZoPn0fiMqwqI8-gpXaWFfH25dYwkuk2RdF8MaG1wNrzxllQ5DhUxs0ih-ZRpIQMJhtBvOxKhld2ZFjwbrVRJwb-7F1LX6dnYhh9l1rId1PV8LjQcrThH6jpEYctVHxgd4/s1600/SAM_5767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0JyUwQqNfMCZoPn0fiMqwqI8-gpXaWFfH25dYwkuk2RdF8MaG1wNrzxllQ5DhUxs0ih-ZRpIQMJhtBvOxKhld2ZFjwbrVRJwb-7F1LX6dnYhh9l1rId1PV8LjQcrThH6jpEYctVHxgd4/s400/SAM_5767.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a>So Bhutan did not struggle for democracy due to bloodshed
wars where innocent people were murdered and mothers cried over their sons’ dead
bodies; there were no leaders who greedily clung to power refusing to give it
up nor were there any military reigns blowing up protesters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead the fourth King of Bhutan made
the decision on his own to willing hand over his throne and advocate democracy
as one of his greatest gifts to further develop the country into a modern
political system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the story
doesn’t end there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To ensure the people that democracy was the best for the
country, together the royal father and his son traveled around the country to
even some of the remotest corners to talk to villagers of all ages about
democracy and to share with them the country’s first constitution. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, the people only admired their
King even more and immediately accepted the new democracy; they peacefully held
their first parliamentary elections in 2008 and are successfully preparing for their
second elections in 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kkENzRGPB3KfdRvO7Jk_9n9aVBDKi30TUg4Ggw2NCV3EqUqTw_GSx6PTQpuNpMOLOLbTwfvTpTpQ_PTro81AtIHj0eu0pTWwVwz2F3ki4QZrBckhTvQeBWe_q5QyD5h7b08_4E5Pqio/s1600/DownloadedFile-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kkENzRGPB3KfdRvO7Jk_9n9aVBDKi30TUg4Ggw2NCV3EqUqTw_GSx6PTQpuNpMOLOLbTwfvTpTpQ_PTro81AtIHj0eu0pTWwVwz2F3ki4QZrBckhTvQeBWe_q5QyD5h7b08_4E5Pqio/s1600/DownloadedFile-2.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowning of the Fifth King</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbBZosFyeMvXTC4fzC0B1kKTzo9RWpwvRaoMqS86c-G1-ZcXDyCDmzZiMmVuWeQYz5ho0vYJqZsKJnalrmZ57_D5Ar2scdFVXy5NHtiJXaNZL-8Q66nL0b3fGdZVZFiYNXCbnEuS_ovs/s1600/DownloadedFile-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbBZosFyeMvXTC4fzC0B1kKTzo9RWpwvRaoMqS86c-G1-ZcXDyCDmzZiMmVuWeQYz5ho0vYJqZsKJnalrmZ57_D5Ar2scdFVXy5NHtiJXaNZL-8Q66nL0b3fGdZVZFiYNXCbnEuS_ovs/s200/DownloadedFile-1.jpeg" height="200" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The King and Queen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shortly after the first election, the fourth King’s son was
crowned as the fifth King and similar to his father, he is guiding the
democratization and promoting GNH alongside prosperity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the good and bad of modernization
creeping into the last Shangri-la, the fifth King faces new challenges that his
forefathers had never seen, such as an increase in crime among the youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So with a transition into the peak of
modernization, His Majesty wisely places special interest in the youth and
education as he tours schools and personally speaks to teachers as well as
school children. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His Majesty is
also known as The People’s King because when he tours it’s easy to see him warm
heartily among the people: talking, listening, laughing, smiling, hugging… He
is a sensation in Bhutan as well as his beautiful Queen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the outside looking in, it seems as though Bhutan
breezed into democracy over night, but there were years of planning and
systemizing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, it
happened in a way that I like to look at as a sweet fairytale in comparison to
other countries where some people give up their lives for others to have a say
in government or how other Himalayan Buddhist countries didn’t have a chance
for democracy as they were trampled on by their larger neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsO9exl6-ypgrw3vaGiYnivspAkLLJ69auVlq3Y1kspjpO39ACUdvs3JbHLALBxqJq3JhegFSfTKN3xSvZHnERaJf1J7OIFFn9F35nSKlLoriB_oN7ayyHFSpdjlAM6wRr8LCx8zb6qnY/s1600/SAM_7252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsO9exl6-ypgrw3vaGiYnivspAkLLJ69auVlq3Y1kspjpO39ACUdvs3JbHLALBxqJq3JhegFSfTKN3xSvZHnERaJf1J7OIFFn9F35nSKlLoriB_oN7ayyHFSpdjlAM6wRr8LCx8zb6qnY/s320/SAM_7252.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So how the story of Bhutan continues awaits in the future,
but if I could stretch my Bhutanese fairytale far into the distance, I would
imagine:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>while the rest of the
world struggled with military advances, dictatorship, corruption and obsession
with GNP, Bhutan focused on free higher-education and free healthcare for the
pure benefit of its people. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bhutan
showed the world that an investment in the future generation only generated a
better future-more advancement in all fields. The government was made up of the
best intended while the citizens were fully involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll end my little fairytale with imagining that the entire
world learned something from this tiny country, as it was a microcosm for how
other large countries transitioned into democracy peacefully or incorporated
GNH. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFp4wHWvK75MjIuLg6SZirgY0CD6-bSW98SzMyQxe9-gX_99uTBHVV24VXRgJl7uKGUcKcXPReqHBSvXQReC5C3GIyMDCUhVgrT6iTPO0EuRgdZuQAae9LDBi8e8CK0OxRLQ5JDQgO8V4/s1600/SAM_4336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFp4wHWvK75MjIuLg6SZirgY0CD6-bSW98SzMyQxe9-gX_99uTBHVV24VXRgJl7uKGUcKcXPReqHBSvXQReC5C3GIyMDCUhVgrT6iTPO0EuRgdZuQAae9LDBi8e8CK0OxRLQ5JDQgO8V4/s640/SAM_4336.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEz-e2enGzr2JLShFY9Op86Pmj7g_8RY8kC6pvGEkNKqBss2unceR13yWgZ4WBznZunwCKLJEDzZdNXeDCl0UEsP8QbafxKGOYnydWyVswn7yDUwO6eGIetn6BYBJiDSjj7X2IHKwGWc0/s1600/SAM_7277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEz-e2enGzr2JLShFY9Op86Pmj7g_8RY8kC6pvGEkNKqBss2unceR13yWgZ4WBznZunwCKLJEDzZdNXeDCl0UEsP8QbafxKGOYnydWyVswn7yDUwO6eGIetn6BYBJiDSjj7X2IHKwGWc0/s640/SAM_7277.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6JfWi2gabsBJYH8srdDEEMv-kKlxFHoU3vQqFTm1sI0vprFotSe6q3CixRrZgnrFuSR1weuz-JiAn8I7TXnbfqyTl8rP71MHcImidwJx5F8R0OvLBjKbRX5pyLIEZMRLc7HJNUGAbwE/s1600/SAM_5788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6JfWi2gabsBJYH8srdDEEMv-kKlxFHoU3vQqFTm1sI0vprFotSe6q3CixRrZgnrFuSR1weuz-JiAn8I7TXnbfqyTl8rP71MHcImidwJx5F8R0OvLBjKbRX5pyLIEZMRLc7HJNUGAbwE/s640/SAM_5788.JPG" height="326" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-42398555452998352242012-12-03T08:41:00.000-08:002012-12-04T10:47:16.020-08:00Bhutanese Citizens-Key to Democracy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7N_o9LByrObffOlukGvsX-nEVn68DfiNcedH7lSYQoZgf5WjwsZ8XXvq5roA_0XJV9MmOrJIWkPK58lga3PzPVnorCZlJ4El0G-rc_nU8yG1s4gUx3dw7bV8VukP_68rBhnM461JbWBY/s1600/SAM_5762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7N_o9LByrObffOlukGvsX-nEVn68DfiNcedH7lSYQoZgf5WjwsZ8XXvq5roA_0XJV9MmOrJIWkPK58lga3PzPVnorCZlJ4El0G-rc_nU8yG1s4gUx3dw7bV8VukP_68rBhnM461JbWBY/s640/SAM_5762.JPG" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Hello Everybody, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I had been working hard preparing my students for exams and my Internet was really inconsistent for the month of November. So I'm sorry I didn't keep up with my blog, but exams are over, I'm almost done with report cards and now I am back to blogging. I have so much to update-tears, joy, surprises... However, for this blog entry, I decided to answer a friend's really tough questions about Bhutan's democracy.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Hi Sabrina,<br /><br />...What is your take on Obama's victory, who has been re-elected to serve as the President for four more years? What do you have to say about Bhutan's next democratic election? What differences and similarities can you observe regarding the democratic institutions and their functions/roles between the two nations. And, your valuable comments and advice for the advancement of our democratic culture which infact has only recently emerged... </span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Friend, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, I want to share with you an interesting story:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I don’t have television or
consistent Internet, I was left in suspense about who won the elections while I
was enjoying a day with a BCF Canadian friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Randomly, we decided to go to Amankora in Bumthang for coffee
where I met an American named Andy (the chef).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three of us were sitting around wondering who won, when
another American happened to randomly walk in whose name was also Andy and he informed us about Obama's victory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
intriguing that at the moment I found out Obama won, I met two Americans with
the same name that were also living in Bumthang and so us four Obama fans
celebrated with cups of cappuccinos. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never expected that I would have been celebrating with two
democratic Americans (I thought that I was the only American living in Bumthang) and for a moment I felt like I was in my home country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s funny how the world brings people
together for special occasions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now back to your questions, upon reflecting on Obama’s
victory, I think it is amazing that he has made history once again as the first
African American President elected for a second term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His re-election is inspiring for anybody who has a dream
regardless of one’s political affiliation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, the world is not perfect and he has a lot on
his plate both in the U.S. and in foreign affairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that he has the hardest job in the country, so my
only hope for him is to do his best with integrity and wisdom. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for Bhutan’s next democratic elections, I'm always surprised
that this is going to be the second election because it seems so peaceful and
mellow in comparison to other countries who are struggling for democracy; to me
it feels like Bhutan has been doing this for many years; it doesn’t feel like
it’s a young democratic country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I told this to one of my Bhutanese friend’s she laughed and agreed
with me explaining that maybe it’s due to most of Bhutanese peaceful Buddhist ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m also surprised at how I don’t hear about the politicians and media
slamming their opponents down with mean and nasty slogans/advertisements
(although I am not on Twitter so I may be naïve).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really hope that the elections focus on how they will solve
issues while being respectful to different views without hatred, exploitation and racism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have ever seen an American campaign, you may know
where I am trying to go with this. Yikes!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Furthermore, while being immersed in Bhutan, one positive thing that stands out to me the most between Bhutan’s democracy and America is that Bhutan has free health care whereas America is still experimenting with trying to find a system where all citizens are not burden with huge medical bills, complex insurances, etc. I have enjoyed going to the doctors in Bhutan without lengthy paperwork, medical bills or wondering what my insurance covers. Free medical care is something that Bhutan has got right from the beginning as this improves one’s happiness and living standard as well as creates an environment of equality. Kudos!!!<br />
<br />
Additionally, I think Bhutan is extremely blessed to have the
up coming elections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance,
whenever I get a glimpse of world news showing nightmare images of people
fighting for democracy in Syria and Libya, my heart goes out to them and I feel
extremely grateful that not only was I born in a democratic society, but also
somehow I have landed in a country where democracy is blossoming
peacefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I almost take it for granted
as it is the only system I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
although there is always room for improvements in the system and while there
will always be naysayers to criticize (some valuable), one should reflect on
how far Bhutan has come in terms of rapid modernization and democratization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bhutanese should feel very proud.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Overall, my loving advice to Bhutan, is that in order to
have a democratic society, the people have to take responsibility for their
duties as a citizen, such as they need to be well informed about public issues
in order to know what they are voting for, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, one thing that many others and myself struggle with
in my country is trying to figure out which way to vote on numerous
propositions and who to elect because political parties make tricky advertisements with each side claiming the other is wrong and often
contradicting one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
truly makes my head spin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if
Bhutan can educate its people in simple terms on pressing matters, then the
citizens will feel more confident and excited to exercise their right to
participate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, if there
are no participants, there is no democracy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So my concern is that since not every household has
television, Internet, newspapers or speaks the national language, Dzongkha, how
can Bhutan reach all the eligible voters to make them politically aware in a
simple way? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Secondly, I wish there were a special machine that could see
into every representative’s heart to find out his or her true intentions for
taking office because all over the world a government seat is sometimes abused
for power, greed and to feed the ego (some people don’t understand how the law
of Karma works).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s strange how
high-level positions tend to attract two types of people: those who are more
concerned with wealth/prestige and those who are truly interested in making a
difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Representatives who
demand flashy vehicles, VIP treatment and hurriedly increase their salary are
suspicious in my eyes because their intentions should always be for the
betterment of individuals and not obtaining fancy things as a perk for
taking the job. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thus, since representatives have an important job of
developing the country, it’s imperative to carefully choose individuals who
have good intentions and to watch them closely to make sure they have the best
interest for the people/country. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if a representative isn't doing their job properly,
then the Bhutanese cannot stay silent and go with the crowd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They must use their freedom of speech and the media to speak out and to correct government scandals or to even initiate positive changes, such as when a costume no longer works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> On the other hand, a </span>lack of reflection or voice to cut through unskillful agendas as well as allowing oneself to be blindly led is bad social karma for
everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> So the wise and best intentioned should figure how to educate the apolitical because i</span>n the end, Bhutanese citizens
are the key to Bhutan's democracy as they determine what is
acceptable and not acceptable in their society and government; the people set the standards for democracy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lastly, it’s my understanding that a criterion for being a
representative in Bhutan is to have a university degree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can definitely see the importance of a degree, however,
some of the most brilliant people didn't have university degrees, such as Thomas Edison, Walt Disney, Henry Ford, several American presidents like Abraham
Lincoln and Andrew Jackson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
college degree for politics is useful, but it doesn’t guarantee that a person
is capable of doing a job, has experience or holds good intentions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think politics is something that
businessmen, farmers, road workers, etc. can self-teach themselves if that is
where their heart is, whereby making a difference for their country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I predict that in the future, a college
degree will not be a requirement for being a representative in Bhutan as it
limits the opportunity of many great minds that don’t posses a degree, yet
have valuable ideas and leadership qualities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I could go on, but I think that I will stop here because I
will have to admit politics is not my best subject even though I find it interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you, friend, for taking the time to ask me such thoughtful
questions and taking an interest in my views.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made me think a lot about how Bhutan came to embrace democracy
and I wrote a little story about it to inform my family and friends who often
ask, which I will post soon. I look forward to any valuable insight you can give me or others about Bhutan's democracy???</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope we meet soon. Xoxo.</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-58364650148975258782012-11-08T06:35:00.000-08:002012-11-09T08:26:51.580-08:00My Parent's Visit to Bhutan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<!--[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>1055</o:Words>
<o:Characters>6016</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>50</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>12</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>7388</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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-->
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaa_61kte_lQTHEtYnhrRWx9cmKO1M3WF30LYOqxg-909SS0k3HTxws-utbbL-wvsKc-b29qDyw5HULuThfAEFred9pMamxWgBpePRdEZckvyKhJYszQSzYjTJSpfwI388rfLRLYUSeo/s1600/SAM_6546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaa_61kte_lQTHEtYnhrRWx9cmKO1M3WF30LYOqxg-909SS0k3HTxws-utbbL-wvsKc-b29qDyw5HULuThfAEFred9pMamxWgBpePRdEZckvyKhJYszQSzYjTJSpfwI388rfLRLYUSeo/s320/SAM_6546.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dochula </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As Dawa and I rushed up the steps to my parent’s hotel room,
I could hear my dad on the balcony say, “Cindy, they’re here!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I reached the top of the steps, my
mom came running out of the room and threw her arms around me with tears of joy
streaming down her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her tears
were contagious and even dad got a little teary eyed too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three of us hugged for a few
minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been nine months since
I had seen them and although we skpe about three times a week, it was nice to
hug them without a computer screen in the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjietPxm7QdfMHDy66mCX_dYXJjWSeLeki-vT4AYnoPZZNcsKUhpmWjw4N9P4oiSn3b9fthX-vKPfi2BvGErb_lg_9GgPEWi7Pg2C5mquVOEq5U_5XYP6eWV-CJn7qI8A1Oa1AN46fz4aY/s1600/DSC02165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjietPxm7QdfMHDy66mCX_dYXJjWSeLeki-vT4AYnoPZZNcsKUhpmWjw4N9P4oiSn3b9fthX-vKPfi2BvGErb_lg_9GgPEWi7Pg2C5mquVOEq5U_5XYP6eWV-CJn7qI8A1Oa1AN46fz4aY/s200/DSC02165.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buddha Point</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After we said our hellos, they immediately fell in love with
Dawa (Sonam’s niece who lives with me).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My mom said that she is the sweetest young lady and she giggled when
Dawa said things like, “I want to take a picture with Mom.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Likewise, Dawa loved them too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The four of us explored the capital
where Dawa tried her first hamburger. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After roaming around the noisy capital for a day, we
embarked on the 12-hour drive to my home in Chumey, Bumthang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The drive was beautiful and we saw lots
of wildlife: yaks, monkeys, exotic birds, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During their week at my home, we made a routine of drinking
tea out in the sun while listening to the river and watching the cows graze
by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also enjoyed going on
long walks to the Yathra Factory to watch the ladies weave items from yak
hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My parent’s said that our
long walks along Chumey’s countryside were something they would never forget,
especially since it made my dad a little nostalgic for his village in the azure
islands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiZir0OxY7j3X6vTMWZpYg4SzpUSYntB6osCPLni9S3Q4kLQaqbumxPw9m7lpEPO80d0pHrD4AIuN3Rq1x_2_0AsZmk9a8OvC1hzXknwdbdQLIZvJWu6xHw-aYbBoyoMdM4s-gOPRV_Y/s1600/SAM_6660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiZir0OxY7j3X6vTMWZpYg4SzpUSYntB6osCPLni9S3Q4kLQaqbumxPw9m7lpEPO80d0pHrD4AIuN3Rq1x_2_0AsZmk9a8OvC1hzXknwdbdQLIZvJWu6xHw-aYbBoyoMdM4s-gOPRV_Y/s320/SAM_6660.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jakar Tsetchu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While in Bumthang, I took them to the Jakar Tshetchu and
they admired a colorful mask dance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After the tshetchu, we went to the burning lake and then we had dinner
with some of my friends from BCF (Bhutan Canada Foundation).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hours flew by as we laughed and laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom and dad are extremely friendly,
so they loved striking up conversations with everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They said that every single person they met whether he or she was a tourist or Bhutanese person was extremely friendly
and happy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdbp0XyU0CFmkYLWUZwWSyeOCaxHF36k-SflUewykmjTjbkCZain5vZLsoM2vkwnbkvqpsyFepRcpt0VJ2uGnDWhjJakL2M1J7wIhca9wbrRU7Vsi1sYj_85hlGH7cacBSr7dakIcZsc/s1600/SAM_6900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdbp0XyU0CFmkYLWUZwWSyeOCaxHF36k-SflUewykmjTjbkCZain5vZLsoM2vkwnbkvqpsyFepRcpt0VJ2uGnDWhjJakL2M1J7wIhca9wbrRU7Vsi1sYj_85hlGH7cacBSr7dakIcZsc/s200/SAM_6900.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCatXm2tIFtZ0bcYEQTc9ZcjRve_Gz_wpDeUWT-sr1KU-NXny1UCM4R3lTI0zAKir6LjwA79iYgVxgThVt7NGcTae_Sb6b6keukltyUDlfKuUBQ_5da6xZ63WpA2dPR9Cw-nF45b_CH0/s1600/SAM_6886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCatXm2tIFtZ0bcYEQTc9ZcjRve_Gz_wpDeUWT-sr1KU-NXny1UCM4R3lTI0zAKir6LjwA79iYgVxgThVt7NGcTae_Sb6b6keukltyUDlfKuUBQ_5da6xZ63WpA2dPR9Cw-nF45b_CH0/s320/SAM_6886.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea Party</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the tshetchu holidays ended, I took my parent’s with me
to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We invited two
Switzerland tourists who we befriended in Thimphu to attend my fifth grade
class for a tea party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So all of
us enjoyed the most elaborate tea party while my parent’s read an animal book they
brought for the school library, which had the most captivating hologram
pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My class had been
eagerly awaiting their arrival for months and they surprised us by reading the sweetest
welcome letters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also my parent’s
couldn’t believe how the students were so independent and respectful. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PT0B-4ZLpUF_Wd1ek8NvS5kPovO2x6ifVVBBcjR1orUExl9EJLMdGi4kdM3lscgdxuxPZFuieS2D2dYIev2L-ryNnSIPAbpq94jpQyglUfY1xGzXbfB0kZ8XKWzCwkKlHxewZsjTxSk/s1600/SAM_7000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PT0B-4ZLpUF_Wd1ek8NvS5kPovO2x6ifVVBBcjR1orUExl9EJLMdGi4kdM3lscgdxuxPZFuieS2D2dYIev2L-ryNnSIPAbpq94jpQyglUfY1xGzXbfB0kZ8XKWzCwkKlHxewZsjTxSk/s200/SAM_7000.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picnic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhej4wdi5gMVjzpPWsoL5KG6ucDyGZSRsrygHsMpKCZzlKypTz_QeUIYKoWmo6SQqM4aAYmHZB2FxOUkJQ5zpHSPgKh1O25gwnDXx9A28OdivV9mVtOb1yeSYkuSRJw_q-La-am3pYx0Bg/s1600/SAM_6932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhej4wdi5gMVjzpPWsoL5KG6ucDyGZSRsrygHsMpKCZzlKypTz_QeUIYKoWmo6SQqM4aAYmHZB2FxOUkJQ5zpHSPgKh1O25gwnDXx9A28OdivV9mVtOb1yeSYkuSRJw_q-La-am3pYx0Bg/s200/SAM_6932.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boarding the bus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next day, my parents, my fifth graders and I boarded the
school bus to the gorgeous Tharpaling monastery for a special class
picnic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The school bus climbed a
curvy, bumpy, narrow, dirt road high up in the mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since it was most of my students first
time to Tharpaling, everyone was excited despite many little heads that were
vomiting out of the window due to motion sickness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnPUFf18O9weizo3wnr0ZEbyOpADb0_9qtKuucGE_Hz_VeNdAbWcKRWzEvu8KVMOvBAE60NZjpPDW6sKO-x22TKVDC0Jo4yBfOpcKBgUW3A1_AUUhd1Ma10THHrQ27HoUivYBaifRZtw/s1600/SAM_6934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnPUFf18O9weizo3wnr0ZEbyOpADb0_9qtKuucGE_Hz_VeNdAbWcKRWzEvu8KVMOvBAE60NZjpPDW6sKO-x22TKVDC0Jo4yBfOpcKBgUW3A1_AUUhd1Ma10THHrQ27HoUivYBaifRZtw/s200/SAM_6934.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the bus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once we reached Tharpaling, it brought a whole new learning
experience for my parent’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
students taught my parent’s about the six realms people may be reborn into. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> They</span> also taught them how to mediate; in the monastery, we sat
under detailed paintings of mandalas where we did our favorite mediation
exercise picturing white light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagbp51dVD_m3aa733gsWtuFJR1jct4fu4yBRVZ4HO5-OzNtnqYKje179TRadMk1Q9I1Jb1p-VFmBxEd3EsItzmPApHyq7EDVR1_pumro3ZGixGtoYyasWacbBw-BHnFPDdRXBi34eJK8/s1600/SAM_7009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagbp51dVD_m3aa733gsWtuFJR1jct4fu4yBRVZ4HO5-OzNtnqYKje179TRadMk1Q9I1Jb1p-VFmBxEd3EsItzmPApHyq7EDVR1_pumro3ZGixGtoYyasWacbBw-BHnFPDdRXBi34eJK8/s320/SAM_7009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Later,
my parent’s were a little shocked to discover that the students were picking up random, discarded bottles off the ground and from underneath the monastery
to fill the bottles up with water that was pouring out of a rock and then drinking
the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I explained to my
parent’s that it was considered holy water, which was very significant to their culture; my students believed it could cure illnesses or keep them healthy, so they wanted to use the
plastic bottles to take back the holy water to their families. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom was also confused at why I allowed them to take lit
incense on the bus as she thought it was dangerous, but she understood when I
told her that my students believed it would clear out illnesses on the bus and
make our journey home safe. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Overall, my parent’s experienced a culture that was very
unique and different from our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrh85pq7v7zkpijJY7G8uv6rGern6jlHRXm-8cyNnt_reSGR8FLLvBQVD5ZYouVSJt1IlxiqaHiMfCDbMgwA3yLE9LV-gV9niX2M3yfN1-dw24s0vbD0YWmT7Ci1hc-q1LBHm9MsX5AQ/s1600/SAM_6584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrh85pq7v7zkpijJY7G8uv6rGern6jlHRXm-8cyNnt_reSGR8FLLvBQVD5ZYouVSJt1IlxiqaHiMfCDbMgwA3yLE9LV-gV9niX2M3yfN1-dw24s0vbD0YWmT7Ci1hc-q1LBHm9MsX5AQ/s320/SAM_6584.JPG" width="320" /></a>After a week in Chumey, Norbu, my monk friend, took us to
one of my favorite places, Gangtey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Of course my parent’s also adored Norbu as he often dropped in and out
of the house saying, “Hey dad, where’s mom?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norbu is impossible not to like partly because he is
hilarious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom said that he had
a cute, spunky personality and it was obvious my dad liked him too as Norbu taught
him about Buddhism and they talked for hours. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So by the time the four of us traveled to Gangtey, it was
like my parent’s had a new friend. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the long drive, Norbu and I showed them how we liked to
travel:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>singing, joking, laughing,
enjoying, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, we had so
much fun that later my mom told me that was one of the most special moments she
had in Bhutan.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAcMdzsQ8NZoG4VgfYFfGzjgBpiPiXL27M1bCbHbIqjeiV9Qp9ajm1Odo596_TrXQDKAkhZVR5zWwY9toO8on-Dup_XZyVr93XOc1YMp1CyBlTBOYDB1mx0uYdyTNQupksasDKsEs_wM/s1600/SAM_7078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAcMdzsQ8NZoG4VgfYFfGzjgBpiPiXL27M1bCbHbIqjeiV9Qp9ajm1Odo596_TrXQDKAkhZVR5zWwY9toO8on-Dup_XZyVr93XOc1YMp1CyBlTBOYDB1mx0uYdyTNQupksasDKsEs_wM/s320/SAM_7078.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making a cake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before we reached Gangey, we stopped at a vegetable market
and I also showed them how Sonam taught me the Bhutanese costume of taking lots
of vegetables and fruits when you are going to visit someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I gathered loads of goods for
Norbu’s family, Sonam’s family and chome (sweets) for little Jimmy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as we reached Gangtey, Norbu
took us to his mom’s house for an amazing lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we went to Sonam’s family’s house where my parent’s met
little Jimmy and some of Sonam’s relatives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fun exchanging gifts and we visited for hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My parent’s thought that they were the
nicest people!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That night, our hotel was a traditional farmhouse where we
met lots of happy foreigners from all over the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also were incredibly lucky because the day before we got
there, six black-necked cranes flew in for the winter and we got to observe
them in their natural habitat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before we left Gangtey, Sonam’s mother cooked us an enormous
lunch and Jimmy and I backed a strawberry cake together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, Sonam’s family has been like my
extended family and my parent’s thanked them for taking such great care of
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Sonam’s uncle and her
cousin drove us back to our hotel in Paro where my parent’s landed, as it was
almost time for them to return to America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWopinRfCyQtCvKr5JWBDEPnpJVAZGwlEzLM6-lhxz9dWAxOg0SA1yUgZa5ooURPHEDo9Xbj5BpXw8h1qPiRyZ1Wy4dtq_nqR8GEjeuJx4c1hEBq_KdMTSp_mBdXeyg5QkSJCF8K_-KY8/s1600/SAM_7220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWopinRfCyQtCvKr5JWBDEPnpJVAZGwlEzLM6-lhxz9dWAxOg0SA1yUgZa5ooURPHEDo9Xbj5BpXw8h1qPiRyZ1Wy4dtq_nqR8GEjeuJx4c1hEBq_KdMTSp_mBdXeyg5QkSJCF8K_-KY8/s320/SAM_7220.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiger's Nest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the day before they left, Sonam’s uncle, her cousin, my
dad and I all hiked up to Tiger’s Nest (mom didn’t go because she has weak
knees).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so happy to be
able to experience it with my father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a great way to end their two-week visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I said goodbye to them, my mom cried and my dad looked
really sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I appeared strong
until my dad said, “Please come home soon…don’t stay gone too long” and then tears
also ran down my cheeks because I didn’t know when I would come home again; I’m
on a journey that doesn’t seem to be taking me back to California anytime soon.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYjzsEkYQORLu_h_Mjk3Qswca9YIv0jQ9uWtT0z_ib3pBTzTgEaO9AnD5JcSS-dWhk3BHjuYTgY3itGEEaq0DB5rIlwDkq29E9h6J2MAO2ecto7YZqW8SKKXvItRj6CE8LaeRo86dyJ0/s1600/SAM_6714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYjzsEkYQORLu_h_Mjk3Qswca9YIv0jQ9uWtT0z_ib3pBTzTgEaO9AnD5JcSS-dWhk3BHjuYTgY3itGEEaq0DB5rIlwDkq29E9h6J2MAO2ecto7YZqW8SKKXvItRj6CE8LaeRo86dyJ0/s320/SAM_6714.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Burning Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My parent’s reached their home in America safely and they
are missing the beauty of Bhutan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is one thing to see Bhutan in pictures or read about it, however, it
is a whole other thing to experience it in person; to look like an ant against
the sides of majestic mountains, to feel the vibrations of Buddhist chants run through
your body, to taste the air of incense in monasteries…Thus, I’m so happy that they
were able to experience what I will be talking about for years to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZ5XPtYcalR_UgJ1AOpOqI-ctCJOdFEeK7NZL7L7_3wB2r3Hpu-FCVirPgL3cbpmgYt7owFzPN5gqnYXwqlULqARTjzd3yNupWTJu0SwMGWN1iYlI7Y21WdvmFyhcIegaJb5_-tO28tA/s1600/SAM_6646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZ5XPtYcalR_UgJ1AOpOqI-ctCJOdFEeK7NZL7L7_3wB2r3Hpu-FCVirPgL3cbpmgYt7owFzPN5gqnYXwqlULqARTjzd3yNupWTJu0SwMGWN1iYlI7Y21WdvmFyhcIegaJb5_-tO28tA/s200/SAM_6646.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-8655137517080966722012-10-11T07:03:00.001-07:002014-03-11T02:26:53.457-07:00A TEACHER IS MORE THAN A TEACHER<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<!--[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>1372</o:Words>
<o:Characters>7826</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>65</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>15</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>9610</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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-->
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXtt3WeqEe5x3MPjkmhNJAMPo-XXBAsRduiAdLd2MjIUDPvmRHN0X-5HOkjNvw61Bc-3-mc8-KOS5qrHIEQKQqHU31_QGqg3mbV_1b23Il7yqqRR3gc8DAJO84HHqb6xQVt-Mxhu-eRU/s1600/SAM_6300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXtt3WeqEe5x3MPjkmhNJAMPo-XXBAsRduiAdLd2MjIUDPvmRHN0X-5HOkjNvw61Bc-3-mc8-KOS5qrHIEQKQqHU31_QGqg3mbV_1b23Il7yqqRR3gc8DAJO84HHqb6xQVt-Mxhu-eRU/s640/SAM_6300.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Fifth Graders!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am the class teacher of fifth grade at Chumey M.S.S in
Bhutan, which means I am responsible for anything that regards class five
students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every morning, six days
a week, I start my day teaching them English for about an hour and every
morning I feel like the luckiest teacher because to my eyes they are like
sparkling jewels. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I often
refer to them as my little babies and sometimes I feel like a mother hen when they
flock around me and my arms spread out to huddle them in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, I have fallen deeply in love
with them and it seems as though they are quiet fond of me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew that I was blessed to get such a
magnificent group of students, but I had no idea how lucky I was to have them until
I got a terrible fever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVQw-BIo_xWGn_yLlIe3gqWdqM74C0BLUwKu_-c1mhAXkByfgxlvJe6wiQ09ja9LdkQnoPYmIlvhX6EW_c2bB7s-aB_hDGBvMJRJs5FM2-jE8BA1kunr3-a5Zxdo-12o_T7HSP5cBv7I/s1600/SAM_6313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVQw-BIo_xWGn_yLlIe3gqWdqM74C0BLUwKu_-c1mhAXkByfgxlvJe6wiQ09ja9LdkQnoPYmIlvhX6EW_c2bB7s-aB_hDGBvMJRJs5FM2-jE8BA1kunr3-a5Zxdo-12o_T7HSP5cBv7I/s320/SAM_6313.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So one morning, I started feeling sick as I entered the
class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The students instantly
picked up on it, as I wasn’t my cheery self.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally, I never teach while sitting down at my desk because
it’s not my teaching style, but on this day I was feeling so weak and feverish
that I sat down holding my head. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My students looked worried and so I confessed that I was
feeling sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Miss, you must rest,”
they all insisted but somehow I managed to get through the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the next day, my fever
increased and I felt too sick to go to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was one of the first days that I had ever missed first
period.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbuIdg-NLKGydVXSE4vG-grnxh7TW8ldYVAd4Lo9uWbzIM7O4oEOojTBj3OgYIfOIWt93Ixu5aMUQP8cQE4xL3xRZo13rLUrIqPvx2AP1BRd4E6I5USrAXRoj2beIOgisgNHkR7a7FfOY/s1600/SAM_6311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbuIdg-NLKGydVXSE4vG-grnxh7TW8ldYVAd4Lo9uWbzIM7O4oEOojTBj3OgYIfOIWt93Ixu5aMUQP8cQE4xL3xRZo13rLUrIqPvx2AP1BRd4E6I5USrAXRoj2beIOgisgNHkR7a7FfOY/s320/SAM_6311.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a>I was laying in my bed feeling like I was going to die; yet
wondering if my students got my lesson plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as I was thinking about them, I heard a bunch of little
kid voices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the voices started
to get closer, I thought that I recognized the voices as my students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I thought that there was no
way it could be them since they were all supposed to be in school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I continued to strain my ears, the
voices approached my window and to my surprise I saw a little hand throw back
the curtain and the top of a head peek in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then all at once, my curtains started dancing as many hands started
to come through the window as well as the top of several jumping heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instantly, I sat up in bed and smiled
as I heard, “Miss, Miss, are you in there” accompanied by dozens of little
knocks on my door. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was my fifth
graders!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hurriedly wrapped a scarf around my nose and mouth to try
to prevent spreading the flu to them before I ran to the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I opened the door in my pajamas and I
had wild looking bed hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
looked just as shock to see me not looking so pretty sporting a “scarf-mask” as
I was stunned to see all twenty-five of them huddled at my doorstep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They gave me no choice but to step back
while they all pushed their way inside to present me with a big paper bag of
goodies: chips, juice, apples, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was touched that they came to see me when I was sick and at the same
time I was shocked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said, “Thank
you, thank you, but what are you kids doing here? Why aren’t you in class? It’s
second period! Does your second period teacher know you’re here?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQzmNuHfrgnKsNRpbvrltD8DoBRb9csruSwevrQsXiquu7qD3PU-9xAQ0Sy3nwlscFdaO6eF9Oqomxkn9reX-Ez9xZAxb3iF9ppkqzmumsoch6GSwD6sC3A1n_idWpCbCCGuELTi_bmc/s1600/SAM_6161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQzmNuHfrgnKsNRpbvrltD8DoBRb9csruSwevrQsXiquu7qD3PU-9xAQ0Sy3nwlscFdaO6eF9Oqomxkn9reX-Ez9xZAxb3iF9ppkqzmumsoch6GSwD6sC3A1n_idWpCbCCGuELTi_bmc/s400/SAM_6161.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All huddled in my living room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All at once they started to sit down on my bare wooden floor
as they explained, “Miss, when you didn’t come to first period, we were
worried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we heard that you
were sicker. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So our science
teacher let us come after we begged him because we really wanted to come visit
you and bring you food so you can get better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We collected money from each other and went to the store to
get you some stuff.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
overcome with gratitude and I felt terrible as their little voices shouted from
one corner to the next, “Miss, it’s so lonely and sad without you...ya it’s boring
without you… please get better so you can come back tomorrow.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In my living room, I sat on a bench staring at all their little faces that were staring back at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I couldn’t help but laugh thinking
that this could never happen in America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For instance, my American students would have to go through a lengthy
process to get permission to use the school bus to come see me, they would need
chaperons, parent signatures and on top of that I would have to be literally
dying in order for them to be able to visit me. Missing one day of school due to a fever would not permit a class visit to my home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then my mind quickly returned to the room and I said, “Wow,
thank you so much, but you kids should be getting back to school because my
fever is contagious and I don’t want to get you guys sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why I didn’t come to school
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you stay here with me,
you might get my germs.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
But like an intimidating army they swore, “No Miss, we don’t
care if we get sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want to
keep you company, so you don’t get lonely.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I frowned a little knowing that they weren’t budging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then another student chirped in, “Miss,
you have no mother and father here in Bhutan, so we have to take care of
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We love you Miss!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately, my eyes felt teary and my
heart became all gooey and soft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
were right, I didn’t have any immediate family in Bhutan and it felt nice to
know that they were treating my like a family member.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I decided to welcome their presence and appreciate the
fact that I had a group of little people who cared for me dearly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They continued talking all at once and suddenly I had
twenty-five voices shouting at me, “Miss we want to take care of you…Can I
sweep for you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to cook the
noodles for you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to make
you tea? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miss, do you have some
dishes in the sink, I want to wash them…Miss, we can sing you a song to make
you feel better…Miss let us do work in your house…we will make it look
beautiful…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My burning head was spinning from being bombarded by so many
requests and I gave in saying, “Ok ok ok, but when the bell rings for third
period, you all have to go back to school.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that being said, they swarmed around my house like a
beehive that had been broken spilling out a frenzy of bees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zoom Zoom they went buzzing around from
one room to the next. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64-y6WhykAYQKR4OXKzEANegNp3bXLMaDMWxJBjA82PxLug8nMLOCk9JgcfxnPXSuW1Q52728_X0fZYUh0tiWYWCXTBoGlbNoBswXPfSCJ_k0MWHecso2RvN-fvrPTmvns-KhN7sJLXY/s1600/SAM_6165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64-y6WhykAYQKR4OXKzEANegNp3bXLMaDMWxJBjA82PxLug8nMLOCk9JgcfxnPXSuW1Q52728_X0fZYUh0tiWYWCXTBoGlbNoBswXPfSCJ_k0MWHecso2RvN-fvrPTmvns-KhN7sJLXY/s320/SAM_6165.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqPHTzyXTofqlGrJ6j6iDAPQNMhUQMjEQ3nFGNNPMqurm9UvVzhKg-mRtMSBLUQ9oDLlkizByAUFcmSemfO8chENBXoM5ceeByvG3-C7rwgcxRxO_P4e5cpYjpADyRru_Xh9yY2YbMOA/s1600/SAM_6164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqPHTzyXTofqlGrJ6j6iDAPQNMhUQMjEQ3nFGNNPMqurm9UvVzhKg-mRtMSBLUQ9oDLlkizByAUFcmSemfO8chENBXoM5ceeByvG3-C7rwgcxRxO_P4e5cpYjpADyRru_Xh9yY2YbMOA/s320/SAM_6164.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a>We were not in the classroom, there were too many rooms, I
was sick, thus, I had no control over what was going on in my house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I could do was stand back and chuckle
at the madness that had taken place:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had kids in the kitchen washing the dishes, wiping the countertop,
peeking in the fridge, begging me to let them cook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the bathroom, some boys were storing water for me and putting
buckets of water into my washer machine so I wouldn’t have to do it later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were kids in the hallway lodging
stones in the cracks of my floors and kids in Dawa’s room lining up her shoes
to perfection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my sitting room,
kids were sweeping and shaking out the rug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNDXrBUcB58iXPHVBgFM876o1PQ0GT4raSgX2wKeZGqDxbpM2kafzFpRYzjdNLIUTUSWWih6CD1SNKxKTUODl8jgpg9Fwji9v5iVYGl6v9I-vuZd8OUhjX99s6HDvTVte-K9o-ShPEKY/s1600/SAM_6314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNDXrBUcB58iXPHVBgFM876o1PQ0GT4raSgX2wKeZGqDxbpM2kafzFpRYzjdNLIUTUSWWih6CD1SNKxKTUODl8jgpg9Fwji9v5iVYGl6v9I-vuZd8OUhjX99s6HDvTVte-K9o-ShPEKY/s320/SAM_6314.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a>Then I realized that there were a dozen of kids tidying
anything they could get their hands on in my little bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could barely squeeze through the
crowd to get to my bed so I could sit down and observe this crazy scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as I sat down, I noticed that
my students had just discovered my clean laundry in a corner that I hadn’t put
away yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My eyes popped out
watching my laundry fly everywhere as each kid fought to grab a piece to fold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then as the clothes were being tossed to
each other to be folded this way and that way, one of my underwear’s flew up to
the ceiling and landed in the middle of the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the kids shouted, “Umm what’s that?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly, the room got quiet with a few giggles and
instantly a circle was made around my underwear. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once I processed what just happened, I screamed, “Ahhhhhhhh
that’s my underwear!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dove
across the floor through legs and feet to bundle up my underwear and stuff it
in a drawer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All the kids screamed in laughter and then they said, “Look
at our Miss, she’s turning red.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hahahaha”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh my! Kids, please don’t fold your teacher’s
underwear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ahh this is so
embarrassing!” I yelled while searching the room for the rest of my clean underwear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I was laughing, I was serious
and my students thought this was hysterical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, the boys were just as embarrassed as I was and
they all ran out of the room while the girls helped me stuffed the remaining of
my underwear in my drawers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEc-hBnbhu_2GBmvG2mUyAYX6dEGj_zmWLkGDfdIRwUdA8IGBJrbxfVIBKa6Uvq2A5nBgrxlRAJ-5mXtyFXEwiHhLUcICGu0Wwko_GSUkse5krZOVeRZgW50RtZuHhYAe15NsDg0juoo/s1600/SAM_6167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEc-hBnbhu_2GBmvG2mUyAYX6dEGj_zmWLkGDfdIRwUdA8IGBJrbxfVIBKa6Uvq2A5nBgrxlRAJ-5mXtyFXEwiHhLUcICGu0Wwko_GSUkse5krZOVeRZgW50RtZuHhYAe15NsDg0juoo/s320/SAM_6167.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EaFKkHw_npXRJuzpn1WQn-atPkG4TgHywYqRnV7cSRjc8dko1gdmVCeJB4VsNCZ6xrbdvaOMbeVmpFrZgJBYGDCobWDdOuTt2VN_wIhy8rI_G3vANjLmwBYxrel5H2bwuuANAff5KeQ/s1600/SAM_6168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EaFKkHw_npXRJuzpn1WQn-atPkG4TgHywYqRnV7cSRjc8dko1gdmVCeJB4VsNCZ6xrbdvaOMbeVmpFrZgJBYGDCobWDdOuTt2VN_wIhy8rI_G3vANjLmwBYxrel5H2bwuuANAff5KeQ/s320/SAM_6168.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fortunately, just then the third period bell saved me and
they all scrambled outside to put on their shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked them to the bridge, thanking them and waving
goodbye to them as they headed across the way back to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all screamed from afar, “Miss we
love you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get better so you can
come back to school…”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I went back inside and shut the door behind me, I
leaned against the door with my homemade scarf-mask still in tack and I finally
had a quiet moment to absorb what I had just experienced: twenty-five of my
students leaving school to bring me food and to clean my house all because I
was sick for one day and I had no mom and dad in Bhutan to take care of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next, I walked around my house admiring how impeccably clean
they had made it, especially my room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I also laughed to myself as I refolded my underwear that had been
stuffed in every drawer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
later, I realized that there were a few get well letters in the brown bag that
they had brought me and my eyes again became watery as I read them out loud, “I
wish to God…to become tomorrow you are well with no sickness yet you are sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are so sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our class is lonely with no happiness.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I realized how blessed I was and that sometimes teachers are
more than a teacher, they are like a family member who may need some TLC when
they get sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon this realization, the strangest
thing happened: My fever dissipated and I felt better! So thank you to class
five at Chumey M.S.S. and I love you all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sYD-iXsTy6MC8SyPR8AC35akegW_RgKVc56ntnQwFa6dhufRtF6Y2oFBSORQ3C3CPdUIoCeepjy33xj7317fnBGvEHJXy_vFRWz1yR4csal_zsMwo7YDOEdIZtktuT1eMvSQNbKCmbw/s1600/SAM_6299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sYD-iXsTy6MC8SyPR8AC35akegW_RgKVc56ntnQwFa6dhufRtF6Y2oFBSORQ3C3CPdUIoCeepjy33xj7317fnBGvEHJXy_vFRWz1yR4csal_zsMwo7YDOEdIZtktuT1eMvSQNbKCmbw/s400/SAM_6299.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our colorful classroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu_XCifDH7n1Cmt6oMgKbCwSYI2AWJUDNB0KoK6ioPbOBwmrWA7bekYMnl76atfak6jHOZXt3P66tHbo41U5vlUvoe5AEHa7HkZe0o9SdU9j5A3c5uZtGrBIVT5yNE8ytKuFbio_HQaI/s1600/SAM_6298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu_XCifDH7n1Cmt6oMgKbCwSYI2AWJUDNB0KoK6ioPbOBwmrWA7bekYMnl76atfak6jHOZXt3P66tHbo41U5vlUvoe5AEHa7HkZe0o9SdU9j5A3c5uZtGrBIVT5yNE8ytKuFbio_HQaI/s400/SAM_6298.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love them</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwnv-hE3tg7uB3Tp9vZLNBAI4X8Xrqos6d-4zlnN8jIGcd9J1W_yYhXVbSZlNlEKFE8LwXNca3piJ0RVKsKaZdc4986sbbSYeE1CQdQpHmuDnrp3rpLODS1KRd7jeWcYbYHBMGzEVPuE/s1600/SAM_6316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwnv-hE3tg7uB3Tp9vZLNBAI4X8Xrqos6d-4zlnN8jIGcd9J1W_yYhXVbSZlNlEKFE8LwXNca3piJ0RVKsKaZdc4986sbbSYeE1CQdQpHmuDnrp3rpLODS1KRd7jeWcYbYHBMGzEVPuE/s400/SAM_6316.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are the best</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EV0wtTuDFy-WRwcTlaxBZGtyn5JQ1E1Tr7xWemWqExfuHcetQAZXlZMR76FmpdKDCdy2ipMu3RrLzg4Bmwe90wPwABeLrD_f-gFYmfEt94l97lL07ptEHbENh_-quRAY3G_pkfIbJoU/s1600/SAM_6307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EV0wtTuDFy-WRwcTlaxBZGtyn5JQ1E1Tr7xWemWqExfuHcetQAZXlZMR76FmpdKDCdy2ipMu3RrLzg4Bmwe90wPwABeLrD_f-gFYmfEt94l97lL07ptEHbENh_-quRAY3G_pkfIbJoU/s400/SAM_6307.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Class five<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4-uRNQwrvQqjf4DZ3NJCV1FuV02Z4t9bzMs92GKhqkzAGU7W7YzoGRa2n3FlXTYEhL4LNMvYGwyFwvU4MvsiwIIZ0MR-WNRXxys3CTTx5A8TlOkLxsUtlhWrhGqxpVfhgaA6l3zOa-c/s1600/SAM_6321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4-uRNQwrvQqjf4DZ3NJCV1FuV02Z4t9bzMs92GKhqkzAGU7W7YzoGRa2n3FlXTYEhL4LNMvYGwyFwvU4MvsiwIIZ0MR-WNRXxys3CTTx5A8TlOkLxsUtlhWrhGqxpVfhgaA6l3zOa-c/s400/SAM_6321.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A read aloud</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ09V1D6MmRbnUJyPbGbhyphenhyphenWrvR1rR0tCnSbgrOxMoHAj_-SRWDN8m-jizE7KPgbCb4Iyr03Rp0ts0TgNM9O7Y1Yl___6LJQQjvQ23bbit_KKavYa4MHosuk9UdPVVh_nq6AiN389BKoCE/s1600/SAM_6326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ09V1D6MmRbnUJyPbGbhyphenhyphenWrvR1rR0tCnSbgrOxMoHAj_-SRWDN8m-jizE7KPgbCb4Iyr03Rp0ts0TgNM9O7Y1Yl___6LJQQjvQ23bbit_KKavYa4MHosuk9UdPVVh_nq6AiN389BKoCE/s400/SAM_6326.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My chalkboard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDSDlRz_JEXVHsYQKzLNwRkKRzFPDJOEDok8xsLURVc0uS2FUQMP4hNn0QnjOkgVsizoSn4v4UZ63M4CvR8d6r6x0asmIdJsycqBOcFHqCaOvZNLhSNEF4THxUC53IAqrunXC4wOt2s0/s1600/SAM_6166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDSDlRz_JEXVHsYQKzLNwRkKRzFPDJOEDok8xsLURVc0uS2FUQMP4hNn0QnjOkgVsizoSn4v4UZ63M4CvR8d6r6x0asmIdJsycqBOcFHqCaOvZNLhSNEF4THxUC53IAqrunXC4wOt2s0/s400/SAM_6166.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are putting on their shoes to head back to school</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTH3ddR57bPkUfkFnEAfbSnWHVHqWtC77PJ_IS91rWC6r7rohiYkXOv6bEEcv6wmgFnKTlpS79XlI4ahhUVbuni12UcmTN5Kmw0LPOOelxi6jp8qdU1INnlS90VlP55Mb73w5F7FxF_Y/s1600/SAM_6169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTH3ddR57bPkUfkFnEAfbSnWHVHqWtC77PJ_IS91rWC6r7rohiYkXOv6bEEcv6wmgFnKTlpS79XlI4ahhUVbuni12UcmTN5Kmw0LPOOelxi6jp8qdU1INnlS90VlP55Mb73w5F7FxF_Y/s400/SAM_6169.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Across the bridge to school</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10f-Y1uew3ZL6x2YoJ_ZlXm2eCxwKU0sFuYe0cNlC-2Bz5ja4tco4DpDMVccfg9J1ZN2jQ2vvLKn_4Hxup1JahV2qvd71R1ZUwi2_YW0qImgZsq2Sy8wC-IhYwHFH5hEckJd89U-pIVw/s1600/SAM_6170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10f-Y1uew3ZL6x2YoJ_ZlXm2eCxwKU0sFuYe0cNlC-2Bz5ja4tco4DpDMVccfg9J1ZN2jQ2vvLKn_4Hxup1JahV2qvd71R1ZUwi2_YW0qImgZsq2Sy8wC-IhYwHFH5hEckJd89U-pIVw/s400/SAM_6170.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAi9luGVM5Du8N6p0QSphtHNrAYbbTtO3rTCSVnTW-WUCeRnQCvJOPk9yktuE0tROo7AOE28M4Ftm1V3LqoUXxQb1SGO4FHxQYaDTx_69bx7PQ7K__KcrbiDg26dgOtTF5q8t463yHo-s/s1600/SAM_6171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAi9luGVM5Du8N6p0QSphtHNrAYbbTtO3rTCSVnTW-WUCeRnQCvJOPk9yktuE0tROo7AOE28M4Ftm1V3LqoUXxQb1SGO4FHxQYaDTx_69bx7PQ7K__KcrbiDg26dgOtTF5q8t463yHo-s/s400/SAM_6171.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See you tomorrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhTWoql5JqyzYZvv58uG6MB7PXNpUZVU7_35kmPnESjLS8-7BVhTzZ-I5sniNjl0OBTYh0SzJYYjSj0T4wm337yVazsmw6sAwlLZAYFeSbkij5kZP_A_7dZSvusjLV8VcRBm9qitN5Nw/s1600/SAM_6172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhTWoql5JqyzYZvv58uG6MB7PXNpUZVU7_35kmPnESjLS8-7BVhTzZ-I5sniNjl0OBTYh0SzJYYjSj0T4wm337yVazsmw6sAwlLZAYFeSbkij5kZP_A_7dZSvusjLV8VcRBm9qitN5Nw/s400/SAM_6172.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love you!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtivng921qgukW6ExdZm64A673qrAXKn2T6211eScnR3SLMejBExmc8du-tum1I72Qz2sLYM2r7FhGPQZfnI8sotxwqBpzN4c6UW2oQcmMfFAg0hfS_DoVe8hN5N9SvRifiveJeGdaldE/s1600/SAM_6173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtivng921qgukW6ExdZm64A673qrAXKn2T6211eScnR3SLMejBExmc8du-tum1I72Qz2sLYM2r7FhGPQZfnI8sotxwqBpzN4c6UW2oQcmMfFAg0hfS_DoVe8hN5N9SvRifiveJeGdaldE/s400/SAM_6173.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the goodies they brought me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHAEVWFbb1J_HJkIMGSKEJanXoAnX0K-9EVk4TfqcwXE7QhosQ6AGRqMRmWoxCTrrmZsDDOhKG4SPy91o0d8LKq-w3Bu3vZfcGIUMJgIkb6RxpRAxF3mY-VnYjq8-iKkaFkmdzVtGbn8/s1600/SAM_6345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHAEVWFbb1J_HJkIMGSKEJanXoAnX0K-9EVk4TfqcwXE7QhosQ6AGRqMRmWoxCTrrmZsDDOhKG4SPy91o0d8LKq-w3Bu3vZfcGIUMJgIkb6RxpRAxF3mY-VnYjq8-iKkaFkmdzVtGbn8/s400/SAM_6345.JPG" height="350" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The get well letters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgwhnUF7aORIxD05Gi63MT54GxZGJ4s0QYMdbPrjsb5t_6TkajC1b7LE7Eh7p1RJ6628py5y5D6Bw5naV5kt4xaW5-FgWCSzWuFXEUf5k0vFod-p1r7MoorH_isZimUtDRVJv6QIJDT0/s1600/SAM_6348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgwhnUF7aORIxD05Gi63MT54GxZGJ4s0QYMdbPrjsb5t_6TkajC1b7LE7Eh7p1RJ6628py5y5D6Bw5naV5kt4xaW5-FgWCSzWuFXEUf5k0vFod-p1r7MoorH_isZimUtDRVJv6QIJDT0/s400/SAM_6348.JPG" height="400" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSS4Nw0WliyMiJbX5lsKsg5kB626LSfnIBokYbZoXyBljMVCxuJ10ie_R7qY_aBGzBem9TsO_CLiFph1txHRCn1FY2S-ecValaU0Gg2FY-pLAE28z_QadSnWGOMLfYGlWCR6CUzmqwnbw/s1600/SAM_6349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSS4Nw0WliyMiJbX5lsKsg5kB626LSfnIBokYbZoXyBljMVCxuJ10ie_R7qY_aBGzBem9TsO_CLiFph1txHRCn1FY2S-ecValaU0Gg2FY-pLAE28z_QadSnWGOMLfYGlWCR6CUzmqwnbw/s640/SAM_6349.JPG" height="368" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-76279870437941523462012-10-08T03:03:00.001-07:002012-10-08T05:01:14.121-07:00A Cute Short Story on Beauty<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[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>455</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2597</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>21</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3189</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXNz6ARYOFcDy7vnme81vJJF2oYzP4278lJKvt9Rn-s3U5CV4LL3nuKEPz4z1upFXfs7XOedR0USwnqvHYrqks63svEMwIC5YsdN7dt51aFAIkt_m90R53twRJjrdWP4H9zEF4D68BzM/s1600/SAM_6086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXNz6ARYOFcDy7vnme81vJJF2oYzP4278lJKvt9Rn-s3U5CV4LL3nuKEPz4z1upFXfs7XOedR0USwnqvHYrqks63svEMwIC5YsdN7dt51aFAIkt_m90R53twRJjrdWP4H9zEF4D68BzM/s640/SAM_6086.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
Yesterday Sonam called me to narrate a cute story that grandma
told her about little Jimmy, which I have slightly exaggerated the details of the
story below. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ha! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story came on a day that I was
feeling far from beautiful; I had been analyzing a new wrinkle, cringing at
some white hair sprouting from my head and pouting about how someone referred
to me as being fat (If you are not stick thin or if you have any curves on your
body, its seems as though the Bhutanese culture would label you as “fat” and
some Bhutanese people are not shy to inform you).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I appreciated the story about little Jimmy because it shows
that it doesn’t matter what you look like since beauty is really in the
eye of the beholder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s the
story:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A wise monk came over little Jimmy’s house and the first
thing Jimmy did was pose a tough question to the monk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a twinkle in Jimmy’s eyes, he looked
up at the tall, bald monk draped in maroon and asked, “Who is the most
beautiful person in Bhutan?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No,
wait, who is the most beautiful person <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in
the world</i>?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The monk thought that this was some kind of quiz question to
embark on his profound knowledge from his many years of Buddhist studies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the monk quietly sat for a while
searching his brain for the most thoughtful, intelligent response. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meanwhile Jimmy took a seat in front of
him, patiently waiting and studying the monk’s contemplating face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, the monk brought his attention
upon Jimmy and sat up tall to give his best answer, “A child is the most
beautiful person in the world because every mother thinks her child is the most
beautiful.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then with dotting
eyes, the monk softly smiled at Jimmy thinking that Jimmy would be very pleased to
know that he was one of the most beautiful people in the world simply because
he was a child. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, Jimmy looked him straight in the eyes and sternly
stated, “No! You’re wrong!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The monk’s eyebrows instantly lowered into squirming worms
and his dreamy expression was now shattered into confusion. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The monk looked at grandma for an
answer, but grandma shrugged her shoulders in bewilderment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now the monk was half embarrassed, but half intrigued by being told that he was wrong from a little eight-year
old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At last, he gasped, “Oh, then
who is?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Jimmy grinned, stood to his feet and proudly claimed, “Miss
Sabrina is the most beautiful person in the world.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM-lJbaDZD0eWztSMehu_f1g8wru61nwEuTE9E-iDvzbcWSGHo_Z1PZDlw0tN8ab9LUoXZV08K0oh1W5O_pHpo-rTp0tAY9D6Jq-PBYegCoQ8FqblS-v4ScMfvBPoVtDzcE9RXtQ0N8w/s1600/SAM_4206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM-lJbaDZD0eWztSMehu_f1g8wru61nwEuTE9E-iDvzbcWSGHo_Z1PZDlw0tN8ab9LUoXZV08K0oh1W5O_pHpo-rTp0tAY9D6Jq-PBYegCoQ8FqblS-v4ScMfvBPoVtDzcE9RXtQ0N8w/s320/SAM_4206.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Jimmy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now the monk was even more perplexed scratching his head
wondering who could this person be and why hadn’t he ever heard of her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He assumed that this person must be very
famous in order to be the most beautiful person in the world. He thought maybe she was a famous actress or super model, so he said, “Sabrina! I’ve never heard of her before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who’s that?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then Jimmy gave him a funny look like how could he not know who
Miss Sabrina was and responded with a hint of boastfulness in his voice, “I
know her!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s a teacher in
Chumey and she is the most beautiful person in the world, don’t you know?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(LOL)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear little Jimmy,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although the monk has some truth to his response, I want to say thank you for making my day and seeing what I can’t always
see within myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sincerely,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Miss Sabrina</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
P.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think
that you are beautiful too.</div>
</div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-80056844750215131572012-10-05T18:55:00.000-07:002014-03-11T02:13:01.241-07:00Blessed Rainy Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<!--[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>1667</o:Words>
<o:Characters>9502</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>79</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>19</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>11669</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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-->
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqQx2TH92WqCBS8DGgiQ0pjri-o36zDU2sTg6l9Pzjom1ZdQimR9H3OLX2wSUbiYNNprXayPxbmXkeNMphP2UL88gzd5fCnGCc7xAxQBk726h3RVD9IoG12aTvhFp8uu1UKG9kBL0o2o/s1600/SAM_6116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqQx2TH92WqCBS8DGgiQ0pjri-o36zDU2sTg6l9Pzjom1ZdQimR9H3OLX2wSUbiYNNprXayPxbmXkeNMphP2UL88gzd5fCnGCc7xAxQBk726h3RVD9IoG12aTvhFp8uu1UKG9kBL0o2o/s400/SAM_6116.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of Sonam's family members</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blessed Rainy Day was on Saturday, September 22.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first, I had no idea what blessed
rainy day was, but it sounded like a special day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I wanted to spend it with some people I had come to love dearly
in Bhutan:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sonam’s family. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since all the schools got the day off to celebrate it, my
friend Norbu the monk, Dawa and I headed to Gangtey Village on a Friday evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dawa and Norbu are from Gangtey village
as well as Sonam’s family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence, I
was going to be reunited with little Jimmy, which we hadn’t seen each other since
he moved to Gangtey in July after Sonam moved to Canada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was so excited to see little Jimmy that Norbu and I sang
the whole way and it seemed as though nothing could burst my bubble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when we were almost there, Sonam
called me from Canada to deliver the bad news: she found out that Jimmy was
sick with a high fever. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
bummed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, we continued
our journey. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1JOimGzNyKbsA_DNvzRVmCczGuhDhGerBMdSDvXX3wYZ30uoO83Qw8SnX8ghOkvnTz8Z7ZZ5OH-ArebkBs0HSGu5GwxaBTeBeG6VmSNQQ_c5WTwfhLvwDGSynv8t1ZuU6R1cZCtFs3U/s1600/SAM_6128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1JOimGzNyKbsA_DNvzRVmCczGuhDhGerBMdSDvXX3wYZ30uoO83Qw8SnX8ghOkvnTz8Z7ZZ5OH-ArebkBs0HSGu5GwxaBTeBeG6VmSNQQ_c5WTwfhLvwDGSynv8t1ZuU6R1cZCtFs3U/s400/SAM_6128.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma, me and little Jimmy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Due to the thick night fog, we reached Gangtey around 1:00
a.m. to find Sonam’s mother, who I call angay or grandma, waiting up for me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She ran outside to hug me and held my
hands as she led me into the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even though grandma only speaks Dzongkha, I have a weird “heart
connection” with her that makes me feel like we can communicate without
speaking the same language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
instance, when I went inside, I knew that grandma was insisting in Dzongkha on
waking little Jimmy up to see me and at the same time she knew that I was
begging her in English to let him sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although we were talking to each other in different languages, we
somehow knew what the other was saying due to this loving connection we
have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, grandma won
the argument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As she woke Jimmy up in his bed, I was shocked to discover that
his little face was as red as a tomato and his lips were dark purple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first, I thought that he got a
severe sunburn, but then I realized it was from the fever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although his scary fever should had
repelled me to run away, surprisingly it had the opposite effect on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I immediately rushed to his bedside and
put my hand on his forehead to gauge his temperature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was burning up and I quickly removed some of the blankets
from him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was overcome with
worry because he looked worse than I had imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was so sick, he could barely give me a smile and he was
whispering for water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-5X6O5nRQQjkIrn0AcUJ1A2DU1CTrwMgdxBETMDfhyphenhyphenCY0NvK3VstXB_JyuI8ahVUDfiw5q843uXqIPBV1T-KPqEDgHqw2PbquV4Z5lfafJflJuuzl3F13N1Q0L1TBjStG52HEQFUjW4/s1600/SAM_6086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-5X6O5nRQQjkIrn0AcUJ1A2DU1CTrwMgdxBETMDfhyphenhyphenCY0NvK3VstXB_JyuI8ahVUDfiw5q843uXqIPBV1T-KPqEDgHqw2PbquV4Z5lfafJflJuuzl3F13N1Q0L1TBjStG52HEQFUjW4/s400/SAM_6086.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Jimmy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He wanted to talk to me so badly, but all I could hear were
little muffled Dzongkha whispers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
mom, Pasang, told me that he was whispering that I came to see him because
Sonam must had informed me that he was really sick and I must had been worried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I said, “Oh, yes, yes, I came to see
you because you’re sick” and I gave everyone a wink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to hug and kiss him, but I refrained myself so I
wouldn’t get his germs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, I
sat next to him for some time placing a cold rag on his head and he seemed to
perk up a bit trying to tell me all about his new school. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then my eyes filled with tears when
Pasang pointed out how happy he looked to see me and that sometimes when he
comes home from school he says, “Mom, lets talk!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lets talk about Miss Sabrina…” and he often says “That’s not
how Miss Sabrina does it…” for any little thing like baking cakes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A part of me was worried that he was
going to forget about little old me, so it was nice to hear that he hadn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then after an hour or so of chatting, I went to sleep for a
few hours only to be woken up by a loud speaker of Buddhist prayers being
poured over the valley from the monastery nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tiptoed out of the bed and Pasang instructed me to go outside
to scoop some water over my head from an open barrel that had some beautiful,
colorful flowers floating inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
explained that pouring water over my head under the open sky while praying at
dawn on Blessed Rainy Day would clear my sins (we would do this several times
throughout the day) because Buddha was also taking a bath in the sky and would
bless the top of my head from above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She also said that all water was considered holy on this day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally, I learned that the day
marked the end of the monsoon season.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KU_2wVfyQsrdTfWOgGI-v-Mw95nR2bX00S7qfIGMcpzY06NjAfSSzemwwCQhUA2UtLEiUVARwhx_9e0912fGj1W-wHpLGJ_Ho3jxHVB6RYB-oZULv9lFt8D0DRAvYt0H2NtaQae-SI4/s1600/SAM_6093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KU_2wVfyQsrdTfWOgGI-v-Mw95nR2bX00S7qfIGMcpzY06NjAfSSzemwwCQhUA2UtLEiUVARwhx_9e0912fGj1W-wHpLGJ_Ho3jxHVB6RYB-oZULv9lFt8D0DRAvYt0H2NtaQae-SI4/s320/SAM_6093.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gangtey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I eagerly crept outside onto the balcony in the cold
towards the barrel of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although the sun hadn’t quite pierced the sky, the tinge of the blue was
just light enough for me to get a peek of the million dollar views I had
remembered seeing in the winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, this time everything was greener and I thought the summer
monsoons had upgraded it to billion dollar views. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was that spectacular! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For several minutes, I stood outside on the ten-foot high balcony
by myself pouring cold water over my head listening to the stream of Buddhist
prayers mixed with the splashing of the cold water running off my forehead and I
liked watching how the water tumbled off my head hitting the ground like a
waterfall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when I suddenly got
a flashback of the first time I went to Gangtey with Sonam and we were washing
our faces out on that very same balcony with cold water. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remembered the way it was trailing off
my face pouring off the side of the balcony similar to that moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I could no longer deny the
undercurrent of sadness I felt being back in Gangtey amongst Sonam’s family,
but without Sonam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the first
time in a long time, it felt like she was so far away and a strong wave of sadness
came over me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed like our
days together were such a distant memory and I started to miss her all over
again as though she had just left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So of course, a special prayer started to naturally flow out of my heart
for Sonam, Jimmy and her family as I poured the last of the cold water over my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I went back to bed still
carrying the heavy sadness in my chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgr9AgFFnm4gkK_BfT8feQ_3B0WlAUPpDFhxAZ6EZTAEK08Sthoo77I4f4bI34iu27zNgCHA98SYEEyMHr5PpTx_avCWpFsSD9DaxZi6pP9Q-QZEmlxEGsxjoxyM5amQFflLRN1vQx9s/s1600/SAM_6150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgr9AgFFnm4gkK_BfT8feQ_3B0WlAUPpDFhxAZ6EZTAEK08Sthoo77I4f4bI34iu27zNgCHA98SYEEyMHr5PpTx_avCWpFsSD9DaxZi6pP9Q-QZEmlxEGsxjoxyM5amQFflLRN1vQx9s/s320/SAM_6150.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front Row: Grandma, Jimmy, me and Pasang</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But when I woke up a few hours later, it seemed as though I
had slept away the sadness because the first thing I did was head straight to
Jimmy’s room with excitement and zest hoping that he was better, but I should
had known that he wasn’t because he didn’t wake me up at 6:00 a.m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough I found him still moaning
in bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again I felt his forehead
with the back of my hand and he was on fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a little scared because I had never seen him so quiet
and still before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took a wet
cloth and told him that I was going to make his fever go down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For about 15 minutes, I sat close to
him dipping the cloth in a bowl of cold water every few seconds and placing it
on his forehead, eyes, cheeks, head and neck. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rag would instantly become hot from his burning fever and
I had to keep re-dipping it in the cold water to keep it cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes we would laugh when I covered
his eyes with the wet cloth and other times he would groan, “No more, last
time, errr.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All a while, all I
could think was how much I missed him and loved him dearly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also laughed from time to time
because he looked exactly the same from three months ago and he hadn’t grown a
bit; he was still tiny and cute. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZmsLTCQnWLxUKei7HuxKwAeO5awHcC2E7CvSEZ_DSnv5AA2sL01EKbvZVfrSlQsEc9Tdgj8B53cMJ9iDiDnaXgvUaEcwIXt4XIVDkKl2YguNmr01h5kQfGdw6Tq3YEG_f8Enlfwo0s0/s1600/SAM_6104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZmsLTCQnWLxUKei7HuxKwAeO5awHcC2E7CvSEZ_DSnv5AA2sL01EKbvZVfrSlQsEc9Tdgj8B53cMJ9iDiDnaXgvUaEcwIXt4XIVDkKl2YguNmr01h5kQfGdw6Tq3YEG_f8Enlfwo0s0/s200/SAM_6104.JPG" height="200" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jimmy washing <br />
his face on<br />
the balcony</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQz9ntx8X20l21iBIjuE_4D7Px4vf0zfnCrEqVT9jn0ll4bN1Nfl5LeMTuhqbNvcCn0mpR9F3u0We806mzYB5xdWODqAcv_oq7iVEVm9W0TJnaySJ5tzGBhM3i8LE-x3aFGsDte6QqQQ/s1600/SAM_6070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQz9ntx8X20l21iBIjuE_4D7Px4vf0zfnCrEqVT9jn0ll4bN1Nfl5LeMTuhqbNvcCn0mpR9F3u0We806mzYB5xdWODqAcv_oq7iVEVm9W0TJnaySJ5tzGBhM3i8LE-x3aFGsDte6QqQQ/s200/SAM_6070.JPG" height="200" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He felt better</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While Jimmy dozed in and out of sleep, Pasang and I went back
outside to wash our hair on the balcony to induce more blessings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I squatted near the edge of the balcony
while she poured water over my head and I lathered it with shampoo and
conditioner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next we took turns
helping each other rinse our long hair while we said, “Thri, Thri, Thri”
(Blessed Rainy Day). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Pasang
and grandma took Jimmy outside in his underwear and tried to give him a bath on
the balcony in a tub of cold water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He cried and cried begging to go back inside while I pleaded with him to
get in the tub so the cold water could bring down his fever and grandma begged
him to have a proper bath on blessed rainy day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few minutes of grandma pouring cold water over him
and him crying out loud, she let him go back inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, the bath seemed to relieve his fever a bit because
he started to walk around and he unwrapped the present I brought him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I knew that he was still sick
because Pasang and I played with the present more than he did and he didn’t eat
any of the chocolate I brought him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZK6yU7YIJrdO8WXqvY7yvJqAm2MTQ6Dd5RQYSsT3u_DXoVaMCPcLmQAl5-QzOh4imCt3l1bOm-1f30UXQdGEaUu5MKEsd5qXmCRlkWDp3NY_26e5BPu67qbaYeW0kviOSRya0j_DSahM/s1600/SAM_6091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZK6yU7YIJrdO8WXqvY7yvJqAm2MTQ6Dd5RQYSsT3u_DXoVaMCPcLmQAl5-QzOh4imCt3l1bOm-1f30UXQdGEaUu5MKEsd5qXmCRlkWDp3NY_26e5BPu67qbaYeW0kviOSRya0j_DSahM/s320/SAM_6091.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Norbu, me and Uncle Dorji Lopen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqVAGwVJbssOuUhKQc1SVfyyuxiT3CBoHOQA6QlyFscJUwGEMT2Lw37hejpRJNyBl0C4POicVIP4dkuKi583RXI_KqP95_nidawmUrPYA48ewmE0qHUOBIyMTseeTltYobHq1-VrrPx0/s1600/SAM_6100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqVAGwVJbssOuUhKQc1SVfyyuxiT3CBoHOQA6QlyFscJUwGEMT2Lw37hejpRJNyBl0C4POicVIP4dkuKi583RXI_KqP95_nidawmUrPYA48ewmE0qHUOBIyMTseeTltYobHq1-VrrPx0/s320/SAM_6100.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gangtey Monastery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, after a breakfast of Thup (porridge), we all went
to the Gangtey Monastery to circumambulate the monastery and pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jimmy insisted on going because he was
determined to get a toy gun at the shops that were propped up everywhere to
sell goods on the special day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although he looked better, he still wasn’t his rambunctious self.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the monastery, all of Sonam’s relatives came up to me with
warm smiles to say hello as well as all of Norbu’s and Dawa’s relatives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The monastery was full of locals and
dozens of tourists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nice to
see so many familiar faces within a large crowd of strangers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisijwdoq4aSr9zMznMdB2StY86i_meBFluVFhXYYokErpggTDDzsliPgRCD47vyomnRLvwrOxOFcp-NCM-EPCqEP12AWt1PFKA0r_4cHHYKPY35uUvH8Y9U9LWI56OBIU8If6UfcZiog/s1600/SAM_6088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisijwdoq4aSr9zMznMdB2StY86i_meBFluVFhXYYokErpggTDDzsliPgRCD47vyomnRLvwrOxOFcp-NCM-EPCqEP12AWt1PFKA0r_4cHHYKPY35uUvH8Y9U9LWI56OBIU8If6UfcZiog/s200/SAM_6088.JPG" height="112" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Circumambulating</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moreover, we stayed at the monastery until the late evening
to watch a mask dance. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the
mask dance, Norbu took me under his wing and explained the ceremony to me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was beautiful the way the monks in the
masks spun around and whipped their masks from side to side and up and down
subduing evil spirits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also
forgot how fun it was to watch Norbu in his home environment; everyone greets
Norbu with handshakes and nods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
is the most popular monk I have ever seen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-nHogC9HoxEE4ahALf675ZBk6uDZCjFbZVA8eSKNjA9Mnn5ZyWYipt9PTpp3dD12OQ-1_JuuknQXHLoAAoUVWAHhMZRj_Ogoq6qIB84AHiG1Uq9dn5Di_Sa6Ysvmb4IbbFbL5mEFLUI/s1600/SAM_6107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-nHogC9HoxEE4ahALf675ZBk6uDZCjFbZVA8eSKNjA9Mnn5ZyWYipt9PTpp3dD12OQ-1_JuuknQXHLoAAoUVWAHhMZRj_Ogoq6qIB84AHiG1Uq9dn5Di_Sa6Ysvmb4IbbFbL5mEFLUI/s320/SAM_6107.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Later, when we got home, Pasang, Jimmy, grandma and I all
huddled on the bed lying around, laughing and sipping Thup. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was such a great feeling to be there
and I couldn’t help but recognize how it felt like we had lounged around together
a thousand times as if I had known them all my life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that moment, I thought that I must be the luckiest foreigner
to be adopted into this loving Bhutanese family and I wondered how it was that
I felt so comfortable in their presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then Sonam called us from Canada and for a few moments it felt like she
was physically in the room with us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And although I didn’t tell her, I think that she knew that I felt
grateful to her for welcoming me into her family. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, the next day, I knew that Jimmy was better when he
woke me up at 6:00 a.m.; he climbed in bed with me with his cold feet while blasting
his toy gun in my ear. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was happy
that I got to see him healthy and happy before I had to go home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49PLjwlFhc1AOAWDSi73h5iJfrGk5j5mtJ5-iPI5omJiKzhGPQVbH20BQg-q3pBc9GrheSAWHqVoR6BJ01fSpWXKrsh8CBhrz0KXrDP3YXWhFnYWiNBoZQMX0XOGnt3EWJQsLJkMRfwY/s1600/SAM_6141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49PLjwlFhc1AOAWDSi73h5iJfrGk5j5mtJ5-iPI5omJiKzhGPQVbH20BQg-q3pBc9GrheSAWHqVoR6BJ01fSpWXKrsh8CBhrz0KXrDP3YXWhFnYWiNBoZQMX0XOGnt3EWJQsLJkMRfwY/s320/SAM_6141.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle, Jimmy, me and Dawa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In fact, when it was time for me to leave, I had to remind
myself over and over again that I would see little Jimmy and Sonam’s family
again so not to cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could feel
the tears trying to bubble up within my throat and pour out of me while little
Jimmy looked at me with big, sad eyes anxiously awaiting his hug goodbye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, I managed to swallow the
tears away as I hugged everyone farewell on the side of the dirt road and I
knew that a little nu could make any child grin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I didn’t know that little Jimmy had also given me a
present that would stay with me for a week: HIS FEVER!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuO5HTugU2RO5-WWUZzO7p5S-BQRLgw1xLFE14GDybz9qN0vxvPZJ1eUD4Va8INWXhyphenhyphennI6-4vMDNDRM1UbCserqDB-m0NL1MjD5mrx5bo6Mg2ggEeZjKvV2OgjznwhxsTzXlfJKyAPOc/s1600/SAM_6094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuO5HTugU2RO5-WWUZzO7p5S-BQRLgw1xLFE14GDybz9qN0vxvPZJ1eUD4Va8INWXhyphenhyphennI6-4vMDNDRM1UbCserqDB-m0NL1MjD5mrx5bo6Mg2ggEeZjKvV2OgjznwhxsTzXlfJKyAPOc/s320/SAM_6094.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gangtey </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SXiZ9B1CdV4am5WsuqVfbT_nAO6G0G9FTWzH7Fo7LQJRi_sDMVdOTZVq3xqnsLJuOwFbjnAjEjrIThIki8NEui39VeHjtI0iut5_aSR9tHvTOTbfevscZ3nXUYWy-zgLLbkA4aEOe00/s1600/SAM_6124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SXiZ9B1CdV4am5WsuqVfbT_nAO6G0G9FTWzH7Fo7LQJRi_sDMVdOTZVq3xqnsLJuOwFbjnAjEjrIThIki8NEui39VeHjtI0iut5_aSR9tHvTOTbfevscZ3nXUYWy-zgLLbkA4aEOe00/s320/SAM_6124.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a>Although I was deathly sick, I couldn’t help but realize
that there are two places in Bhutan that feel really special to me: Chumey and
Gangtey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chumey, Bumthang is my
home in Bhutan so it will always have a special place in my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, Gangtey resonates with me in a
similar way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that I love
Gangtey so much not only because it is so dreamy, but also some of the people I
have come to care about the most in Bhutan all come from Gangtey: Sonam, little
Jimmy, Grandma, Passang, Norbu, Dawa, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also when I walk through Gangtey, I don’t feel like a
foreigner because all of Sonam’s family, Norbu’s family and Dawa’s family greet
me like I am an old friend and they make me feel like I am coming home to
something very special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, I
can’t wait for my next trip to Gangtey to see little Jimmy and all the sweet
people of Gangtey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqUeglW3_SVdJyty2JvFkZkbk9AHyloye5TL56LRDvJx69NZkPYxgn_OnVu6_P5UnD6V2y6WpmPCYzGCfzdJztlkV2wULv3mqY7JlV2mgqbB1kpPlffxVPK81EHZDVYYn68vM5fvPgYM/s1600/SAM_6136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqUeglW3_SVdJyty2JvFkZkbk9AHyloye5TL56LRDvJx69NZkPYxgn_OnVu6_P5UnD6V2y6WpmPCYzGCfzdJztlkV2wULv3mqY7JlV2mgqbB1kpPlffxVPK81EHZDVYYn68vM5fvPgYM/s320/SAM_6136.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-18043376900802830582012-09-25T01:40:00.003-07:002012-09-25T01:45:25.564-07:00A Death in the BCF Family<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On September 20th I was informed that one of our Canadian BCF (Bhutan Canada Foundation) teachers, Martha Ham, had passed away in Mongar hospital due to an E. coli infection. So I would like to use my blog space to send my condolence to her family and to ask anyone to say a prayer for her soul, her grieving family as well as her students that she left behind at Dungste MSS in Trashigang, Bhutan. <br />
<br />
I would also like to share some positive memories I have of Martha. When I first met Martha, she was carrying an enormous travel backpack that was larger than me. I thought that she was very strong and she spoke about her travels to India. She seemed like an interesting lady full of travel stories. Additionally, one thing that I will remember about Martha is that she was an outspoken person who was not afraid to say what was on her mind. Most could admire her frankness. I will also never forget that over summer break, Martha said that her students would often come to her for medical assistance or advice every time someone was ill. There was no doubt in my mind that she loved and cared for her students dearly. Additionally, I saw her working hard over break correcting papers while most of us were enjoying our free time. I thought that she was very dedicated to her students. Overall, Martha loved her Bhutanese students dearly and all the BCF teachers are extremely sadden by her death. Please feel free to say any kind words about Martha or to her family and students. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkkl8-Dkqts6SRli8FhXrDjMLaFICdsQG4kQfIqoheHCPE3-TQRnDCsvQrYGaH6VZVlxYuxmTL5dMZWI8xBnRDGODrKk62W0rv-Tsi-ezm6yefEjxqCKuXyLtfBGXt553NGHFtairH7Y/s1600/Sabrina's+photos+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkkl8-Dkqts6SRli8FhXrDjMLaFICdsQG4kQfIqoheHCPE3-TQRnDCsvQrYGaH6VZVlxYuxmTL5dMZWI8xBnRDGODrKk62W0rv-Tsi-ezm6yefEjxqCKuXyLtfBGXt553NGHFtairH7Y/s640/Sabrina's+photos+041.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some Members of our BCF Family<br />
Martha is in purple sitting to the left who is clapping</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-18056888942316377482012-09-08T11:33:00.001-07:002012-09-09T18:44:55.853-07:00PRAYING FOR A FATHER TO FIND HIS WAY TO HEAVEN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<!--[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>1655</o:Words>
<o:Characters>9435</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>78</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>18</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>11586</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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-->
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizS3RpeJvNGoTLEYBy-__CWkgUfbSoWdIDDWYBVsHxdxapeHeLHmBfHQ7DwNKXjoUevcXxqBAKhmJYzY9iJrHlVXdwCW6mINd5PsiNwgrcf9mBnT6oN035oZvK_D915u8bxUyeW1mnULc/s1600/SAM_5647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizS3RpeJvNGoTLEYBy-__CWkgUfbSoWdIDDWYBVsHxdxapeHeLHmBfHQ7DwNKXjoUevcXxqBAKhmJYzY9iJrHlVXdwCW6mINd5PsiNwgrcf9mBnT6oN035oZvK_D915u8bxUyeW1mnULc/s320/SAM_5647.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Fifth Graders</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A couple of weeks ago, a sad event turned into a unique day
filled with beautiful moments that I will never forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all started one morning when I
arrived at school and was unexpectedly swarmed by my fifth graders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All at once they informed me that one
of their classmates father had passed away. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt terrible for my student’s loss and I wasn’t sure what
the proper Bhutanese costume was to send my condolence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, my fifth graders knew exactly
what to do and they rose up like an army of leaders while I followed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXMLHtRsOCZickqgTkiuAwzs1ypAMlg9lyk7Eux_lpfwghPXJ-lSEgrMop5DugzqseWglZwvuOHpIlhx5KUfmWY5584DxFDdlp-R7X81ZmLnbuWljENh2q8WedMAagSAxYXnfpCkJw28/s1600/SAM_5658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXMLHtRsOCZickqgTkiuAwzs1ypAMlg9lyk7Eux_lpfwghPXJ-lSEgrMop5DugzqseWglZwvuOHpIlhx5KUfmWY5584DxFDdlp-R7X81ZmLnbuWljENh2q8WedMAagSAxYXnfpCkJw28/s320/SAM_5658.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking along the paved road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
First, they told me that we would walk to a few temples to
light butter lamps for their friend’s deceased father so he could find his way
to heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, they simultaneously
agreed they would each bring twenty ngultrum’s in order to buy butter for butter
lamps, snacks to offer the deities at the temples and incense candles as
another offering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then whatever
money we had left over, I would also add some money to their pile to give it to
my student’s family to show our condolence (Bhutanese custom). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So on a Saturday morning we gathered in front of the school
ready to embark on our two-hour walk along a paved road leading high up into
the mountains to some temples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
were no such things as parent consent forms, a list of emergency numbers or chaperons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was just my students and I with
their backpacks filled with offerings for the temples, lunch and water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, I wasn’t too sure how to
get to the temple, so I was following them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidq86sqkodvNBiw2ZzcYqCrqetzm5Ar120KchRdJXyggKV_JAsYhXFvZtCa0JxNR85D-ZS7Mgd9zHDTuJHC0hP5e02gXfqCbZonEEB7QCU10W1xGnVr4dcz3ems5hSexyEVUAGFchS35c/s1600/SAM_5674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidq86sqkodvNBiw2ZzcYqCrqetzm5Ar120KchRdJXyggKV_JAsYhXFvZtCa0JxNR85D-ZS7Mgd9zHDTuJHC0hP5e02gXfqCbZonEEB7QCU10W1xGnVr4dcz3ems5hSexyEVUAGFchS35c/s200/SAM_5674.JPG" width="111" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking in the forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
As they led me up a windy road, it turned out to be the most
beautiful day in August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
the powerful sunrays slowed us down causing us to take many breaks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exhausted from the heat, my students begged
me to let them take a shortcut along a trail through the shaded, cool forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I was also feeling hot dressed in
layers of the Bhutanese national dress, I agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, once we entered the forest, my students started to
make loud, wild noises and I instantly knew what they were doing, which made me
regret my decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
making crazy noises to scare off any nearby bears.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, we never came across any bears, but we did come
across the scariest bull I had ever seen and I will never forget our encounter
with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>A ONE HORN CHARGING BULL</b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaSAvhMRalVhJhgsfS6X03IiKGVMYD3TH0MTibwbFOGJuUlR9umYGQ0WY348izDOl0MvKoD_YlWntrk0BqyvYzY6Srf49XV3mjMr6n_sKK4eno1fk2d9bs4MQZsGdzh_h_0KtpJ5Xs38/s1600/SAM_5680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaSAvhMRalVhJhgsfS6X03IiKGVMYD3TH0MTibwbFOGJuUlR9umYGQ0WY348izDOl0MvKoD_YlWntrk0BqyvYzY6Srf49XV3mjMr6n_sKK4eno1fk2d9bs4MQZsGdzh_h_0KtpJ5Xs38/s400/SAM_5680.JPG" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He is larger than me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I saw the white, splotchy bull, I was astounded by his
huge built as though he was on steroids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was also missing one of his gigantic horns, which I interpreted as a
warning that he was a troublemaker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Surprisingly, my students crept by the bull with ease, but when it was
my turn to creep by, I hesitated out of fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My students could sense that something was wrong with me and
they all stopped to watch their frighten teacher frozen in her tracks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then my class captain yelled across the trail, “Miss, what’s
wrong? Why are you just standing there?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Without even thinking, I blurted out, “I’m scared!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole class thought this was
hysterical and they instantly caused the forest to echo with laughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My class captain promised me that the
bull wouldn’t do anything, but if the bull did, he would protect me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I mustered up some courage. As I
started to sneak pass the bull, my class captain marched up to the bull and
pointed his finger in the bull’s face while saying, “Don’t you hurt my Miss or
else…” My heart started to pound faster and I whispered to him, “Get away from
the bull, you are going to make him angry,” but before my student could listen
to me, the massive beast lowered his head to the ground, stomped his legs and
started to charge towards us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
quiet little tiptoeing turned into lightning speed sprinting accompanied by dying screams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we realized that he was no longer
chasing us, we stopped to catch our breath and we were all shaking like a leaf.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, we laughed at how
fast my class captain ran away while forgetting to save me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>AN EXTINCT RIVER WITH HYPNOTIZING POWERS</b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6344pvLRkmVZKM3XLnQmT_1434A3YUKuFG36IYPhrN6XmGUTlM61uxjny6W4tW5WAgLh_Wyyn2jiYEmuVC2m6HwqDeIHHjXhYeAuC2kufAabDYyO_mIANlob7vpBGUL9n17c_5iBRJQ/s1600/SAM_5689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6344pvLRkmVZKM3XLnQmT_1434A3YUKuFG36IYPhrN6XmGUTlM61uxjny6W4tW5WAgLh_Wyyn2jiYEmuVC2m6HwqDeIHHjXhYeAuC2kufAabDYyO_mIANlob7vpBGUL9n17c_5iBRJQ/s320/SAM_5689.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hypnotizing </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finally, the trail ended into an open grassy bank of what was
once a rushing river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
phenomenal! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My students were so
excited to share this beautiful piece of nature with me and they ran around me
shouting, “Miss, look, look, it used to be a ocean… this is my best spot… I
want to build a house here… do you like it?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sat for some time imagining what the river must had
looked like by the empty groves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was something special about this place and I enjoyed watching how
it nearly hypnotized them into buzzing insects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I had to practically pry them away to continue our
journey to the temples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>PRAYING FOR A FATHER TO FIND HIS WAY TO HEAVEN</b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzbMm4lU2Rol1581pL8oDfQSQ07sJICUJUPZtY82nT06BCmNzy3GJ2gOYhNFPYdh_Z5PYmK6iIURL5PquH9lH0tBfHodPV48Y5IaCjxI3mrHze_TQ73NeraZiLzHr4fSZ5OFk7hlOS50/s1600/SAM_5692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzbMm4lU2Rol1581pL8oDfQSQ07sJICUJUPZtY82nT06BCmNzy3GJ2gOYhNFPYdh_Z5PYmK6iIURL5PquH9lH0tBfHodPV48Y5IaCjxI3mrHze_TQ73NeraZiLzHr4fSZ5OFk7hlOS50/s320/SAM_5692.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once we reached the first temple, we made a caretaker/grandma’s
day to see a bunch of kids coming to light butter lamps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She eagerly opened the small, old temple
for us where the students, in unison, immediately started their prostrations (bowing
down to the floor) all while keeping one eye on me to make sure that I knew how
to prostrate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the strangest
thing happened, all at once without words we sat down on the temple floor
without a plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just quietly sat
next to each other looking at the beautiful altar of statues and colors while
every few seconds they would glance at me to exchange a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, one student broke the silence
to suggest that we meditate like we do in class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we meditated for several minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then another student led a beautiful Buddhist
prayer for their friend’s father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instantly, everyone cupped their hands and closed their eyes to pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I couldn’t close my eyes
because I was in awe observing these precious children praying so diligently for
a father to find his way to heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The purity of their hearts and their peaceful energy made my eyes become
misty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the prayer, the grandma eagerly helped everyone light
incense sticks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was thinking
that there was something so warm about the grandma, my students also picked up
on her loving energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They came up
to me whispering that they wanted to give some of the left over money to the grandma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the students gave the grandma some
money, again I felt my eyes becoming watery at how loving as well as giving
they were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>AN APPLE TREE THAT WAS BETTER THAN A PINATA </b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmP7W11jDZhD_mHDv2u2YUGZ3234I41l_WO_90bCN22z7vwSWD_9E2l57f0ivaiR1rDnMOfIgrL3zQCyquwdvM9EaSoRgGMSn3t8K6l2HTkIx3NIHt_Osu-GWxncnjvwFKqksD8k4_oo/s1600/SAM_5698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmP7W11jDZhD_mHDv2u2YUGZ3234I41l_WO_90bCN22z7vwSWD_9E2l57f0ivaiR1rDnMOfIgrL3zQCyquwdvM9EaSoRgGMSn3t8K6l2HTkIx3NIHt_Osu-GWxncnjvwFKqksD8k4_oo/s320/SAM_5698.JPG" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pinata tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next, as we ventured further up the mountain to another temple,
my students spotted an apple tree and I didn’t have the heart to stop them from
raiding somebody’s tree because I had never seen children so joyful to see apples.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They looked like children hitting
a piñata at a birthday party by the way they whacked the branches with huge
sticks, causing the apples to rain down like candy bursting from a piñata.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the students would cheer in
excitement as they rushed to collect the fallen apples in the fabric of their
kiras and ghos. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-qPUGIZVILAum2ikickMzmh-v0cKdCAdXAJ35zkp9TsNFXQX1CVBVW6kno_1-7hm0CGJ3fCfqSpqQpuSqlJlDTbiT071PNLb0a-vieCXNOlFBh3f0l5WU9sxfjK1vVolSihSGlGDZ6g/s1600/SAM_5695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-qPUGIZVILAum2ikickMzmh-v0cKdCAdXAJ35zkp9TsNFXQX1CVBVW6kno_1-7hm0CGJ3fCfqSpqQpuSqlJlDTbiT071PNLb0a-vieCXNOlFBh3f0l5WU9sxfjK1vVolSihSGlGDZ6g/s200/SAM_5695.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apples!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Just as my
conscience started to really eat at me for letting them take so many apples, my
students spotted a lady in the distance walking towards us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result of being guilty children, they
all started to run away leaving me behind to face the possible owner alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I became just as bad as the
children and I started to run away too out of embarrassment of being an apple
thief and I couldn’t help but chuckle when I realized that I was screaming, “Ahhh
wait for me kids.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For us, apples
are luxurious and it was another moment I will never forget as they each offered
me an apple once we were out of sight from the possible owner. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>PRAYING OUR HEARTS OUT INTO MONEY</b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XUpZWkNeCuzaYjt0CcGFTT4LZ0OiOnvom9OVcY36mW1neDye84aeLbOUykzjyk7jBoCwfF8Dwnx7OMQFNeLcMJxdz_4MstfiDpaojoedO-udfNncnQ3R-4AHmcO81wdkToGD6ECfby4/s1600/SAM_5721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XUpZWkNeCuzaYjt0CcGFTT4LZ0OiOnvom9OVcY36mW1neDye84aeLbOUykzjyk7jBoCwfF8Dwnx7OMQFNeLcMJxdz_4MstfiDpaojoedO-udfNncnQ3R-4AHmcO81wdkToGD6ECfby4/s200/SAM_5721.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking around all the stupas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, when we reached the second temple, the students
whispered to me that they didn’t bring extra money for the second temple to
make an offering, hinting that they needed me to sponsor them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I gladly took out a single ngultrum
bill to share with them and they all passed it around pressing it to their foreheads
while saying a prayer for all sentient beings before we placed it at the
altar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the sweetest moment
watching them pray their hearts out into the money and I got little goosebumps
due to their pure sweetness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1vBH1zmnmTMN79TgNSGhA96pcNghezYJHE7Jcxs-IM3v5U4V3btRrWITScl-0yS1dB_XuO3S-s4F_-Ki4V3DkS9PfQlIcVYHi2iy5oYkszIt01z2Q1xa5_HmF0RRjExFGutELGZW1So/s1600/SAM_5732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1vBH1zmnmTMN79TgNSGhA96pcNghezYJHE7Jcxs-IM3v5U4V3btRrWITScl-0yS1dB_XuO3S-s4F_-Ki4V3DkS9PfQlIcVYHi2iy5oYkszIt01z2Q1xa5_HmF0RRjExFGutELGZW1So/s200/SAM_5732.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picnic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once we left the temple, we walked around several large stupas
five times before we headed to a grassy area to have a picnic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have had many picnics together, so they know the routine: sit in a circle, keep your rice container in your lap, but
pass your curries to the left, take a large scoop out of the passing curries onto
your rice and enjoy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Picnics
always turn into bonding family time and we grub like there is no tomorrow. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>DON’T LET THE MONKS LOOK AT YOUR BEAUTIFUL FACE</b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvaw_jO7WAaO-z78Ivy2yyqt2bPOds98KtQAtICGg14XnRodIekmWSTmQcCRf3DCAG1VLiHY1Co9tx61FBw5vbAlyuOHVa7RGO9LqRJpqKyMwcWeArOxZIm1AN6Tc_7NXWQQ1byjTR98/s1600/SAM_5737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvaw_jO7WAaO-z78Ivy2yyqt2bPOds98KtQAtICGg14XnRodIekmWSTmQcCRf3DCAG1VLiHY1Co9tx61FBw5vbAlyuOHVa7RGO9LqRJpqKyMwcWeArOxZIm1AN6Tc_7NXWQQ1byjTR98/s320/SAM_5737.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some monks in the distance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After lunch, as we started to leave the temple, we were
walking towards many monks gathered under a tree for lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the sight of the large number of
monks, my students shocked me by saying, “Miss, you should cover your face with
your umbrella because all the monks are going to stare at you when you walk by them
because you are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">soooo</i> beautiful so they
will want to look at your face.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
continued to beg and beg me to shield my face from the monks peeping eyes
before we passed them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One student
even threatened that he was going to tell the monks their eyes would fall out
if they looked at my face while another student swore that he would demand them
not to stare at my face and to follow their monk beliefs or else. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To my surprise, all the worrisome talk of men looking at me
caused all of them to become very protective over me and they started to cling
to me as we walked closer to the monks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Again, they said with such pain, “Ohhh Miss they are going to look at
your beautiful face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nooo please
noooo…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, this made me
laugh and I told them that it was ok if the monks looked at my face because my
face wasn’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> great (wink
wink).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then when we walked by the
monks, sure enough they were all staring at me, but surely not because my face
was beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, I thought
that they were staring at me because it was unusual to see a foreigner with a
flock of Bhutanese children closely surrounding her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I decided to shock my students and I graciously shouted
out to the monks with a big smile, “Kuzuzangpo La” (a kind greeting) and all the
monks laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This calmed my
students down and they grinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Next,</span> in a low voice I told my students, “See, it’s ok if the monks
look at my face, really, it’s no big deal” and we all giggled some more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Later, they further explained that
some monks are naughty boys and they couldn’t bear hearing males talk about
their Miss in naughty ways since they perceive me as beautiful – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">beauty is clearly in the eye of the beholder</i>.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>SAYING MY CONDOLENCE </b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9QyNPjw8KUjZp6utI7OSBGKfSWL3EpWvJBVdROuVMDMp5PZsKxBD9fm6-fS8Cme9YJfDM1eGgYel6dZ5bjuAWS-7QK2zkiMM5FgPCXQURFy6h2pA2a6rneZfuw7321X23olVdHrX1dY/s1600/SAM_5727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9QyNPjw8KUjZp6utI7OSBGKfSWL3EpWvJBVdROuVMDMp5PZsKxBD9fm6-fS8Cme9YJfDM1eGgYel6dZ5bjuAWS-7QK2zkiMM5FgPCXQURFy6h2pA2a6rneZfuw7321X23olVdHrX1dY/s320/SAM_5727.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stupas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, when we reached our village, I was surprised to
find my student whose father had passed away was waiting for us along the road
in front of his house to give us juices (he didn’t come with us because he had
many guests).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unexpectedly, he insisted
that I come up to his house for tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At that very moment, a couple of my friends who were also related to him
were passing by and seeing that I was a little nervous, they accompanied me to
the house filled with grieving people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My friends translated my words of condolence to my student’s mother as I
gave her my class contribution. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
felt right to end the day by saying my condolence in person and my heart
swelled knowing that this was a day that I would never forget: a day of
adventure, love, giving, prayers, learning, laughter, and misty eyes… </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you were able to read this to the end, please don’t
forget to say a prayer for my student’s father to find his way to heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7hvUNpQUeGMI2UJRxc0VZDLwZd7kiledIMUX8Zon_uLwNj_jzEpLt8fDTZfU7TGnb-X4yvOMDro5ZQY2aX77oyGKbRI-o89m36Y8GL8RbelbitZp6iKNA4DHOVMlkO9nlDr5i2I_IkM/s1600/SAM_5746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7hvUNpQUeGMI2UJRxc0VZDLwZd7kiledIMUX8Zon_uLwNj_jzEpLt8fDTZfU7TGnb-X4yvOMDro5ZQY2aX77oyGKbRI-o89m36Y8GL8RbelbitZp6iKNA4DHOVMlkO9nlDr5i2I_IkM/s640/SAM_5746.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very hypnotizing place: My little buzzing insects</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxD4Igxyyksp4-b9DOERZS09pn_RMRpq452ArGF7jfeksJsLbox6tJvUZo2wRQD43DeGgzgMyyXkwziPSIdLiwGQZJjFy4w0RrI1DolbwuEiM_wfRZo1MO1B4NdF5_lZFOK-sZdzcJAFw/s1600/SAM_5748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxD4Igxyyksp4-b9DOERZS09pn_RMRpq452ArGF7jfeksJsLbox6tJvUZo2wRQD43DeGgzgMyyXkwziPSIdLiwGQZJjFy4w0RrI1DolbwuEiM_wfRZo1MO1B4NdF5_lZFOK-sZdzcJAFw/s640/SAM_5748.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their favorite spot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd31kRnILcjr-RwpyySg2EnTg9u3hpoQrOmn6iiMUrCpFCyYyC5mynEgc2v3qhjqkh9qtNsYHkN3K14mdSn8mvv6ztkhe8YFdD-ocO8hKWlzErocSJ4Hix1sSAh8RX7IU8EuFuQ0haivE/s1600/SAM_5750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd31kRnILcjr-RwpyySg2EnTg9u3hpoQrOmn6iiMUrCpFCyYyC5mynEgc2v3qhjqkh9qtNsYHkN3K14mdSn8mvv6ztkhe8YFdD-ocO8hKWlzErocSJ4Hix1sSAh8RX7IU8EuFuQ0haivE/s400/SAM_5750.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My student being silly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUsafp0CytFa3X2-hPnsh77EbMVc9r1WAgO0SXjtvs-VesiJ2goZ9OXwDuN_9bdTs2dngEmSW8d9zn2x5k6Hy4XlDAIs7sOkeAwhvwGhcgA89S1j_JMSruKiXCmfTdVjzEuI6zH5bzg4/s1600/SAM_5738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUsafp0CytFa3X2-hPnsh77EbMVc9r1WAgO0SXjtvs-VesiJ2goZ9OXwDuN_9bdTs2dngEmSW8d9zn2x5k6Hy4XlDAIs7sOkeAwhvwGhcgA89S1j_JMSruKiXCmfTdVjzEuI6zH5bzg4/s320/SAM_5738.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking home </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5-NknEus3MJ6OvL46vH4zuWrbb2ifSkSVeEB3E0T1f8h4kcbpJJVVR2YH1oLxLbB4LzVLFLjw4dOeH2dmlRgEGVYA8KFgpLeQoZw3eD9UOn6oznvIkgt8fsqFDL-_cvZ_GVDCw6RyTA/s1600/SAM_5702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5-NknEus3MJ6OvL46vH4zuWrbb2ifSkSVeEB3E0T1f8h4kcbpJJVVR2YH1oLxLbB4LzVLFLjw4dOeH2dmlRgEGVYA8KFgpLeQoZw3eD9UOn6oznvIkgt8fsqFDL-_cvZ_GVDCw6RyTA/s320/SAM_5702.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love them</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyz08_0TLIeCs5f0LzyWvhuxxVw4G0pFxV-p8yCN2CQMNia7zWTG-16Gz9GBCsXZXA_mUFmE5Hv9O0LCXWyVsQ-TrxDCwRpEvBsnF7HZoZnDhFBpSdskdjXM_KGV3CwarRhT-ibQHD5A/s1600/SAM_5728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyz08_0TLIeCs5f0LzyWvhuxxVw4G0pFxV-p8yCN2CQMNia7zWTG-16Gz9GBCsXZXA_mUFmE5Hv9O0LCXWyVsQ-TrxDCwRpEvBsnF7HZoZnDhFBpSdskdjXM_KGV3CwarRhT-ibQHD5A/s320/SAM_5728.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One graceful sunflower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKE9-1eoCVbU9mvEd41YkHKUcWmnraLziZUm_ZEwZzdPLh-IuSoqAdFgcdQZJ_zG7M1lrBtrY8tjPwWepo1kfz3gIJ6v0qXarUg6dwX7Oj1RI6hICUOancddSq7KflStmHSA3bx6s0oKg/s1600/SAM_5745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKE9-1eoCVbU9mvEd41YkHKUcWmnraLziZUm_ZEwZzdPLh-IuSoqAdFgcdQZJ_zG7M1lrBtrY8tjPwWepo1kfz3gIJ6v0qXarUg6dwX7Oj1RI6hICUOancddSq7KflStmHSA3bx6s0oKg/s320/SAM_5745.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My class captain </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8FW1OPh9hNJ9ulfZ7sUA8zQrjpl-dzetY7f9_F4pl2gaEFKDmEqNhOJv-hKQc3V7havfEu1wlsUkhADYYKOOQw4X0jYkqhQGqdah5hS-_eYSt6-Uw0CqXCV70YISI-jIlTCz5vYEGDc/s1600/SAM_5730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8FW1OPh9hNJ9ulfZ7sUA8zQrjpl-dzetY7f9_F4pl2gaEFKDmEqNhOJv-hKQc3V7havfEu1wlsUkhADYYKOOQw4X0jYkqhQGqdah5hS-_eYSt6-Uw0CqXCV70YISI-jIlTCz5vYEGDc/s400/SAM_5730.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picnic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTdftNJPaEVvH1lX43QEXfwcCj3Pa-cCNteVSCplkLRl3SV1ps8ad6uRSjfATSQwInMMkinva-J2b1m93HjJYTiN3YsfEXIC-M1kAxN74G9L2XdgpbgLFZtTt9C3VjttO6uYhd1icyNo/s1600/SAM_5736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTdftNJPaEVvH1lX43QEXfwcCj3Pa-cCNteVSCplkLRl3SV1ps8ad6uRSjfATSQwInMMkinva-J2b1m93HjJYTiN3YsfEXIC-M1kAxN74G9L2XdgpbgLFZtTt9C3VjttO6uYhd1icyNo/s640/SAM_5736.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pass your curries around the circle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCcpaiXV6hzHgVibdYmyOnB4BQ_io9-bpxmCYXSb_uLVl8LrEZZE4zSdVVWHUiVKBCpiCd9g5YENmEVNwUUvxqy_r50uvW4-wkb8wQOHrQDdRv_bVcJIIM2-DAqx8XEGQY6DQC1rFu6w/s1600/SAM_5669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCcpaiXV6hzHgVibdYmyOnB4BQ_io9-bpxmCYXSb_uLVl8LrEZZE4zSdVVWHUiVKBCpiCd9g5YENmEVNwUUvxqy_r50uvW4-wkb8wQOHrQDdRv_bVcJIIM2-DAqx8XEGQY6DQC1rFu6w/s400/SAM_5669.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful scenery </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFLyaUOaO_s4ov6SQkFFrKeCpYE6Nz41WLlVwFauH2Q2TKxdaHQglZNJM08CD9pFYQ8bGOGJ1-yjx4lCAvkd9nQWlisvgFwJzz_u4muMqUXY-8t3XaJvHCl_PmDutiv_xT8QszWM1f10/s1600/SAM_5707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFLyaUOaO_s4ov6SQkFFrKeCpYE6Nz41WLlVwFauH2Q2TKxdaHQglZNJM08CD9pFYQ8bGOGJ1-yjx4lCAvkd9nQWlisvgFwJzz_u4muMqUXY-8t3XaJvHCl_PmDutiv_xT8QszWM1f10/s320/SAM_5707.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nimalung </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300167583365133679.post-53918546315541757052012-08-29T09:43:00.000-07:002012-08-30T00:58:57.108-07:00Witches in Bhutan and a Magical Picnic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[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>945</o:Words>
<o:Characters>5392</o:Characters>
<o:Company>CSU Stanislaus</o:Company>
<o:Lines>44</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>10</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>6621</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</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-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Sorry, I didn't bring my camera to the picnic, so I have no pictures for this blog.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Throughout the warm summer in Chumey M.S.S, it’s not
uncommon for teachers to receive an invitation to a class picnic, which is only
for the class that is hosting the picnic and all the staff members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, due to a busy schedule, I hadn’t
attended a single picnic all summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So when one of the tenth grade classes handed me an invitation for their
class picnic, I could hear this nagging voice in the back of my head urging me not
to miss this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something within
me knew that these were no ordinary class picnics and I had to find out what
these picnics were all about before summer ended.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So the day of the picnic, the summer monsoon casted dark
gray clouds across the valley while pouring down endless buckets of rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought for sure the picnic would be
cancelled. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when my friends
came to get me, I was surprised it was still on and I dreaded going out into
the wet, muddy weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I whined,
“Do we have to go? How long will we be there for?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How are we going to have a picnic in the pouring rain?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the little voice, which I
tried to ignore, still kept insisting that I must go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, moments later we were piled in a car heading to the
picnic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once we started to drive out of our little village, I was
puzzled at where we were going because I had faulty assumed that it was near
the school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we drove
further and further away, leaving behind the rain and flat valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, I started to feel excited,
especially when my friend pulled over on the side of a large mountain and
announced, “Now we must hike up the mountain to the picnic area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hurry, the students are waiting for us.”
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we reached the top of the mountain, I was in complete
shock and gasped at the most supernatural scenery that only nature has the
power to create.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t
expecting to see a plateau covered in a bushy carpet of tiny yellow flowers and
a spectacular view of surrounding mountaintops encaging us like a ring of fire.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The beautiful greenery and openness
of the plateau made me feel free, alive and peaceful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the most flawless image I had ever seen. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, the most extraordinary part of the scenery was the
part of the sky that was directly above the plateau; there was a perfect blue
circle cut out of an ocean of thick, rolling gray clouds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, the hole looked similar to
pictures of a black hole, except the color of this hole was blue. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought that this was too coincidental,
how the sky was only clear above the plateau. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I concluded that the heavens must have purposely opened up
the sky to shine down the sunrays for the picnic. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was certain this had to be a divine place!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I kept revering about how amazing this piece of land felt,
my friend hesitantly told me about its notorious history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She explained that witches used to come
out to this open land to dance around a fire and to perform magic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After she told me about the witches, I
kept glancing into the dark forest to see if there were any lurking witches,
but all I could see was an eerie number of crows that was fiercely watching us
and making shrilling kraa-kraa cries in our direction. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I wondered if the crows were
witches in disguse. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So to make
myself feel safer, I convinced myself that maybe the past witches were just mistaken
for people having a fun picnic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Furthermore, I tried to forget about the past witches by
sitting with the teachers along the perimeter of a large mat laughing and
chatting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone bonded over tea
and biscuits while the students played soccer and enjoyed their friends company.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After refreshments, the students
ushered the teachers to get in line for a buffet of curries and rice that were
prepared in gigantic pots over a fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The students had enthusiastically carried everything up the mountain
themselves: cooking oil, vegetables, meat, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, everyone indulged in more tea to keep warm because
the gray clouds slowly collapsed onto our “blue hole.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lastly, as darkness swept over the sky, we
all danced and sang around an enormous bomb fire that was about the size of a
teepee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fire made me grin thinking
about the past witches who might have danced around similar fires and I wondered
if they were any onlookers mistaking us for witches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then, after some time of learning traditional Bhutanese dances,
it started to sprinkle and it was getting closer to bedtime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result, the students gathered the
supplies and we hiked down the mountain in the dark while singing popular
Bhutanese songs in unison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moreover,
the dark mountainside appeared as though there were tons of little lightening bugs
hovering around due to all our glowing mobiles (we had no flashlights).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite the faint light, a few times I
thought that I was going to slip off the muddy, narrow, steep path to my death
because the trail was dark and slippery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact, everyone held onto each other for dear life climbing down and
ever so often, you would hear a scream break the singing as someone tripped
over a rock or slipped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fortunately, the scream would be followed by laughter indicating that the
person wasn’t hurt and the singing would resume.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, when we reached the bottom of the mountain in one
piece, I felt brave enough to ride in the back of a tata truck with all the
students to complete my full experience of a Bhutanese class picnic. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, my friend and I stood on the
back hanging on to the rail as though we were on a rollercoaster, screaming,
yet laughing when the truck would fly around a mountain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was also in disbelief that the
students sat on the thin edge of the truck bed and some sat on the very top of
the truck without ever falling off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nevertheless, it was fun!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Additionally, on the drive home, the students continued to
sing their hearts out with such a force that I could imagine a rainbow of
positive energy trailing behind the truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The serenading pierced my heart with love and for some
reason it made me feel drawn to the stars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So while I was still gripping the back of the tata truck, my
friend and I hung our heads back to gaze at the cosmos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that very moment, I got shills running
down my spine while recognizing that this was one of the most memorable days I have
had in Bhutan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without a doubt, I
was experiencing a different culture; something unique; undeniably beautiful;
beyond special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, I felt
gratitude to that little nagging voice for urging me not to miss the picnic and once again I fell a little deeper in love with Bhutan. </div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Sabrina in Bhutanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02550613963916246569noreply@blogger.com10