Hail in Nepal

Not sure how well this turned out in the photo, but we got hail in Nepal the other day! It was quite a talking point for a while. The monsoon season doesn't start until mid June, but we are feeling a bit of it early. I need to buy some Wellies I think.

Pink Rock Salt

In Nepal there is an area up in the Himals, that produces a pink salt rock. I have heard about it for awhile but never seen any. Well.... I have now. I was walking through the market the other day and came across this stall with rocks. He has about four or five different kinds. There was an Alum rock and some volcanic looking rock, and then I saw it -  Pink Salt Rock. So I asked for the price in Nepali, and he answered me in Nepali. So I had no clue how much it was..still working on my numbers. I believe he said about 80 rupyee for a kilo (which would be about a dollar). So I picked up a rock and gave it to him. He weighed it and quoted me a price of 70 rupyee. I said, " I'll take it."  Now I just need to find someone to drill a hole in it big enough to put a tea candle in. and Wah La! I can have a nice night light.
     
                   By the way, I did lick it and it IS salty!

Since writing this blog, I have asked around for someone to drill a hole in it so as to fit a tea candle in it. Everyone says they are afraid to crack it into pieces. Oh well. Now I have a lump of pink salt!

Fish Out of Water

I know that I live in a landlock country, but the other day I really felt like a fish out of water. Some friends invited me to a reggae concert at a local coffee shop. The music group was good, but I definitely felt a bit ...out of my comfort zone. I often forget that there is another world outside of my bubble of work and survival. I am so in my zone most of the time that the rest of the world seems so disconnected. But they need the Lord too.   It was a good reminder that Jesus came and hung out with the tax collectors and the "others".  He took grief for it, but he knew they needed His light too!  So I am glad that I went and had a quick lesson.  I pray that I can remember to be a fisher of men in all and every occasion!

Cool Chair

This weekend has been our mid-term break, so a friend and I went to eat breakfast at a new place as part of an adventure. The restaruant was called Mike's Breakfast and it advertises American breakfasts and they advertize correctly! It was real good.

 The restaurant is in an old converted Rani house. The Rani were the family that historically held the position of Prime Minister during the monarchy. It was a very beautiful house and I enjoyed the architecture as much as the food.

There was a small gallery that sold things in  the upstairs part of the house/restaurant. One of the things on sale was this cute little chair. The chair actually comes apart for easy transport. But at a price of $250 I was not really interested. I was more fasinated with the woven seat and the craved elephants. But still  wasn't going to buy it. I  didn't think it would hold me for one, and I don't need another place to pile clothes and papers on in my house.
Oh yeah, and the price tag!

A Study in Copper

 The other day while I was looking around the 'gift' shop at Mike's Restuarant, I saw this collection of Buddhas in copper. I wasn't  interested in the image, per se, but the art process was of interest to me. Not sure if it is because I am teaching art now.. or hanging out with people who are art teachers. But to see how one creates copper plates was photo-worthy. I was thinking of trying my hand at it.. and see if I could create an aardvark. Might have to give it a try.

Ever Changing

Today as I was walking down the road... I looked up and saw this...I just had to take a photo. I wish I could have picked up one of those rocks and taken it to school for my collection.That pile is covering half the road. The house in the foreground is the proper distance from  where the new road will be.
Every day it is a new terrain.

Overbooked

Today is one of those days when you have tons of things to do, but you are waiting fo other people or events to happen so that you can actually begin working on your to-do list. Then when you finally say, " I can't wait...I need to start." everything else that you were waiting for begins to happen: people show up, the paper you were waiting for appears, and you get the emails you were expecting...ALL at the same time. That sense of being overwhelmed hits and you are scrambling to cover all your bases, when just five minutes prior, you were twittling your thumbs.
What a crazy world we live in!

Remembering Lessons Taught

I have been collecting rocks as part of my year here. Each time I get a new stone, I write a word or two on it, to remind me of a lesson that God has been teaching me during that time.                                                                                                      Stones are very solid and foundational which is a reminder that God is my solid rock and His truth is foundational to my life.                                                                      Every once in a while, I bump into it and have to rebalance all the stones, but as I do, I  thank the Lord for the balance that He brings to my life.                                                                                                Amen

Making Momos

                                 Yesterday, the Grade 7  class made momos and I was invited along to snap photos and try my hand at it. It was quite difficult to make the twists of the dough to keep the filling inside.  Momos are the same as Korean Mandu and Chinese pot stickers or dumplings.  Ours were filled with chicken meat, onions, and cilantro.  And they were quite tasty.

Golf Anyone?

This past weekend I was out with friends on an adventure when we came across a Nepal Masters! It was the last day of the tournament, so we decided to hang around and watch. It was a good thing we did as it was a historical occasion.
Having no clue who was in the running and what was actually happening, the winner was decided on a sudden death replay of the 18th hole. I had a great spot to watch this tug of war.  I actually was taking photos and didn't realize who I was taking photos of. But I have some great shots that I will post soon. In the meantime here is the winner... a local Nepali - Shiva Ram Shresta.  That was why it was historic!  It has been about 7 years sinice a Nepali won the cup.   Glad I was there to witness it all.
  

Tis the Science Fair

Yes, I remember these fondly.  Having your parents help you create a project that show something of the scientific method. So tonight the school is celebrating this family endeavor and I am looking forward to the possibilities of meeting a future research genius or inventor.

I'm Blue

Let’s just get one thing straight… paint is not my favorite medium for art. Today I was asked if I was trying to become a Smurf.  I replied that I was actually just going through my blue stage (Which I thought was rather witty, but apparently the person I was so speaking to was not familiar with Picasso).

 Ahhh!  The life of an artist or more accurately…the life of an art teacher.  How does one stay clean?  I will be quite glad when painting season is over!

my blue hands

Yesterday, when I went to teach a class the Victorian interior design unit, I was not able to print out my photos, so I took my I Pod to class hoping to use it to show examples. However, when I got to the room there was no internet, so I had to try and explain it all on the whiteboard. Trying to explain words like  ‘ornamental’ and ‘ornate’ with a red and blue marker was something I never saw myself pulling off, but the students got it and have some very creative plans. That whole lesson was a challenge and to top it off, I was being observed! 

Then today, the class was working on coastlines in impressionist style.  I had begun a painting a while ago and at the end of class today, I decided to use the leftover paint to finish my painting and all the students asked, “Is that yours?” I love questions like that… so many possible answers, but I just replied, “Yes.” One student said, “You are a good artist.” I almost fell over… if only they knew my dread of painting. I was able to say, “Well, when you have been around as long as I have, you pick up a couple tricks. Don’t worry,  you are just starting out on your art journey.” She seemed encouraged by that.  

It is funny how God uses us, especially in our weak areas, to encourage others.

 Most of the classes are wrapping up all this painting stuff this week, so moving into interior design, wind chimes, and Australian animal art. Should be a great couple of weeks…paint free!

Refreshing Rain

I know that I mention this often, but I am so thankful for the rain. There was quite a storm last night, which means that the air is clear again and the dust has settled, at least for a day or so. There are a lot of folks who are happy about that...allergies have been very severe this year.

Victorian Art?!

In art class, we started a new project. We are designing a Victorian living space. Me, not knowing that much about  the era went to the library and got a book ...a Horrible History book on the vile Victorians, in hopes that I could learn something about the living conditions back then. I am thinking a cardboard box would be all we needed. Cut a door in it and a window on the opposite side... Wallah! A Victorian-era tenant housing for 10 people! That seems about right although I think the teacher was looking for more elaborate furnishings. Time to get crafty, I suppose.

Chasing Dragon Tails and Eating Gruffalo

Today, I had the privilege of entering the world of K5..who are actually 4s. but who's counting. It was a wonderful, magical day. We hunted gruffalo, then carried him home on a stick and roasted him over the fire pit. He was quite delicious,I know cause the boys ate him all up, even the purple prickles! Then a huge dragon( we know it was huge  because we only ever saw it's tail) swept into our garden and the boys chased it with swords, bows, and daggers before stomping it's tail and making it cry. They let it go and it flew off  into the mountains.
The girls in the meantime, cut out hearts and spent time weaving long papers through the hearts.

We retold a bunch of old testament bible stories, and sorted items into colors to make patterns. We worked on creating the other half of a robot in math ( studying symmetry) and played a tag game called Owl and Mice, created from a read aloud story. We made a flying owl for a craft and sang only a boy named David.

It was a great day of imagination, but I am glad to be home, resting in my armchair with some quiet music and a hot cup of tea!. It is exhausting being that creative all day! A big kudo to all my K5 teacher friends!

More Hours of Power!

Yeah!  The loadshedding schedule changed this weekend and we got 17 more hours of power a week! I am very happy 'cause most of the hours come at night and that way I can sleep better!
Praising in the small and big things!

Enlarging our Grounds

After

Before

Future BBall Court

We have been praying for more space and God has heard our supplication!  The transformation is coming along and soon we will be running and playing like spring calves on our new playground and b-ball court!   Rejoicing!

Dress in your Home Country

Today for work, I dressed in blue jeans and a t-shirt that said  "Red or Green?" Why? Because it is May Madness at school and this Friday we were all encouraged to dress in an outfit from our home country.  So I came as a typical American. I unfortunately didn't have white tennis shoes... but I had a pair of white socks... so I still count.

It has been great to see what traditional costumes the kids have dressed up in. The colors are brillant and a lot of heads are being held high today.

I love these days! and so does my camera!

Later...

Head Still Above Water...

So I am half way through the week and have five meetings left to attend, one art class to survive, and early celebrations of a dead rat! Well I hope it is dead.... the poison around the house is all still there and I have not smelt anything...yet!  So maybe the packaging on the poison was right.."Most rats die outsdoors."

We shall see...

So  head still above water! (but then that is not difficult when you are in a drought). Press on towards the weekend!

Just glad it is finally May!