Tuesday, 16 November 2010
...the rain has returned to Mysore...this global warming is driving me bonkers...as it is the kids....we all walked back in the rain from school today...what an adventure...no umbrellas...no raincoats...lots of puddles...and wonderfully happy singing children...not a worry on their minds...here I am thinking...what if they catch a cold...what if the rain gets harder..."lain lain go avay come again another day"..."bapusi bapusi dancing dancing"...why am I worrying?...it's cos that's what we are accustomed to isn't it...take it easy...learn from the kids...they have so much to teach you and I still have so much to learn!... and there is another installment in the adventures of Vishnu...he was one of the first kids to get out of school and ran ahead of everybody as usual...not more than halfway home this boy came running back in the opposite direction with a terrified look on his face...lo and behold he must have gotten a little too close to a cow along the way who was now staring him down...not sure whether to pass or not he must have thought this moo-moo is bigger than me...uuh uh (and so are all the other kids in case you have not noticed hahah!) and I had better get away....run Vishnu run...faster faster with his scrawny legs!...but he did get home safely as did the rest...and it was playtime inside till the tutors came...rain rain go away please...but the kids are the sunshine so maybe the rain can stay a tad longer...just a tad though...cos the laundry needs to dry hahaha!!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Another day out in Mysore
Monday, 15 November 2010
...Today we went out into the city again...it was my off day from the kids..woohoo...actually I think they need a break from me more than anything...first stop was the grand Mysore Palace...home to the so-called royal family of India called the Wodeyar maharajas before democracy came and wiped everything away...it is truly magnificent to the point of being almost obscene with opulence...it actually looks like any ole palace you would find in Britain...but instead of Caucasian tourists there are throngs of Indian tourists...I keep forgetting how big this country is...in Singapore when there is a big event on you are almost certain that 3/4 of Singapore is at that event...and the malls and food courts will be empty...here it's just people everywhere...and I mean everywhere!!...we were struggling to keep ahead of the red caps...students obviously on a school outing wearing red caps for identification...man I have never been round a big palace so fast in my life...but we managed to get a real sense of royalty...and how the divide between rich and poor must have been even more severe then...no middle-class then that's for sure...only upper class and down class...actually I am wondering if there is a difference even now?...and sad to say I had to 'tip' the guard 10 rupees to keep my camera in my bag and not have to deposit it...ma'am you no taking camera out of bag, ok?...but you tipping me I go buy chai later...poodah!
...then it was time for lunch at Hotel RRR where I get my thali for S$1 and my extra poopadum for S$0.05 heehee...can't do without the padums!!
...And after lunch we had the most strange encounter with the same goondhusamy who followed us the last 2 times we were in the city...he just did not seem to recall us at all...madam where you from...HONGKONG! you poopadumdum!...but that did not work...but I have now figured the trick is to start a conversation with them and ask them all the same questions that they ask you...for some reason that silenced him and we were able to move on...maybe I am the poopadumdum for not trying this earlier...we headed home after that as the city can drain you...people, cows, autos, people...everywhere!!...aaah Incredible India!
...Today we went out into the city again...it was my off day from the kids..woohoo...actually I think they need a break from me more than anything...first stop was the grand Mysore Palace...home to the so-called royal family of India called the Wodeyar maharajas before democracy came and wiped everything away...it is truly magnificent to the point of being almost obscene with opulence...it actually looks like any ole palace you would find in Britain...but instead of Caucasian tourists there are throngs of Indian tourists...I keep forgetting how big this country is...in Singapore when there is a big event on you are almost certain that 3/4 of Singapore is at that event...and the malls and food courts will be empty...here it's just people everywhere...and I mean everywhere!!...we were struggling to keep ahead of the red caps...students obviously on a school outing wearing red caps for identification...man I have never been round a big palace so fast in my life...but we managed to get a real sense of royalty...and how the divide between rich and poor must have been even more severe then...no middle-class then that's for sure...only upper class and down class...actually I am wondering if there is a difference even now?...and sad to say I had to 'tip' the guard 10 rupees to keep my camera in my bag and not have to deposit it...ma'am you no taking camera out of bag, ok?...but you tipping me I go buy chai later...poodah!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Weekend at Operation Shanti
...Saturday is chores day...and everyone gets involved except the small kids (or older peeps like me)...they have lunch and then it's off for a nap haha...but the older girls and boys get busy washing their uniforms...an exercise that should really take half an hour but ended up taking an hour and a half...I am not sure if it was because I was supervising them or is it like this every Saturday...Ma'am no bucket...uuh go steal one from the boys hehe...Ma'am only one sock...uuuh ok maybe it will turn up soon...Ma'am Prema no washing...uuuh ok...Prema washing here NOW!!! Ma'am Ma'am...Ma'am tired...Ma'am go make chappati now you all finish fast fast ok!...we also make chappati on Saturdays as a change from the daily rice...but of course when I get to the kitchen the only thing left for me is rolling the chappati dough into balls...200 balls later I decided I had enough hahaha...but it is refreshing to see the kids behave as normal kids and helping one another...we need more of this in our own homes...
...Sunday was a treat for the kids...they were invited to spend the day at the workplace of an Indian electronics design company as part of their Children's Day...and off we went...I was their chaperone for the day as Tracy had errands to run...this was my first glimpse into community involvement in India...the company's employees had arranged games...the kids danced...we had a sumptuous lunch...and ice-cream as the big treat...there is so much poverty here in India and the divide between the rich and poor so wide...and I hope that in my time here i experience more of this before I leave...it felt the same...did not matter that I was in India...and that these kids and their circumstances are new to me...and that they behave themselves as do the kids I work with in Aceh and East Timor...some orphaned...some abused...some abandoned...some traumatized...BUT they all are children and vulnerable at the end of the day...and I need you to help me help them...so please do what you can for any vulnerable child out there...as an organization that you work for...as an individual...but most importantly as a decent human being on this planet...this is not me preaching...this is me telling you that it only takes one hand to help...Namaste!
...Sunday was a treat for the kids...they were invited to spend the day at the workplace of an Indian electronics design company as part of their Children's Day...and off we went...I was their chaperone for the day as Tracy had errands to run...this was my first glimpse into community involvement in India...the company's employees had arranged games...the kids danced...we had a sumptuous lunch...and ice-cream as the big treat...there is so much poverty here in India and the divide between the rich and poor so wide...and I hope that in my time here i experience more of this before I leave...it felt the same...did not matter that I was in India...and that these kids and their circumstances are new to me...and that they behave themselves as do the kids I work with in Aceh and East Timor...some orphaned...some abused...some abandoned...some traumatized...BUT they all are children and vulnerable at the end of the day...and I need you to help me help them...so please do what you can for any vulnerable child out there...as an organization that you work for...as an individual...but most importantly as a decent human being on this planet...this is not me preaching...this is me telling you that it only takes one hand to help...Namaste!
Friday, November 12, 2010
The Art of Giving
12 November 2010
...Today was a special day...not because the kids were calm walking hand in hand home from school...or that Vishnu behaved himself...a complete opposite from yesterday...but because they share and they do it so generously...biscuits are given as treats to the kids...Tracy is given them all too often from donors and so she uses them as treats in the lunch boxes or as rewards for good chores done...on most occasions these are gobbled up in an instant...but today Tunmai had a few left in her pocket after school...no wrapper...no lunchbox...just 3 little biscuits in her pocket...as she pulled them out of her pocket she was surrounded by the other kids who wanted a little piece...she did not panic or put them all back in her pocket nor her mouth (which is what I think I would've done haha just kidding)...but instead broke them into little pieces and distributed them as best she could...how about that??...do they teach you that on the streets??...I am not sure...all I know is that this little girl shares and she shares from the heart...and to top things off she reaches in to her pocket one last time and pulls out a small piece of biscuit...she pulls my hand that is holding her...reaches out to me and says...ma'am you you...i reach down to take it but she refuses to give it to me...instead she wants to put it in my mouth herself...I let her...and all I can say is that that was the best biscuit I am ever going to taste EVER!
Please visit http://www.operation-shanti.org/pages/ourkids.html to learn more about these kids...they are truly lovely and lively!
...Today was a special day...not because the kids were calm walking hand in hand home from school...or that Vishnu behaved himself...a complete opposite from yesterday...but because they share and they do it so generously...biscuits are given as treats to the kids...Tracy is given them all too often from donors and so she uses them as treats in the lunch boxes or as rewards for good chores done...on most occasions these are gobbled up in an instant...but today Tunmai had a few left in her pocket after school...no wrapper...no lunchbox...just 3 little biscuits in her pocket...as she pulled them out of her pocket she was surrounded by the other kids who wanted a little piece...she did not panic or put them all back in her pocket nor her mouth (which is what I think I would've done haha just kidding)...but instead broke them into little pieces and distributed them as best she could...how about that??...do they teach you that on the streets??...I am not sure...all I know is that this little girl shares and she shares from the heart...and to top things off she reaches in to her pocket one last time and pulls out a small piece of biscuit...she pulls my hand that is holding her...reaches out to me and says...ma'am you you...i reach down to take it but she refuses to give it to me...instead she wants to put it in my mouth herself...I let her...and all I can say is that that was the best biscuit I am ever going to taste EVER!
Please visit http://www.operation-shanti.org/pages/ourkids.html to learn more about these kids...they are truly lovely and lively!
The younger you are the more love you have to give...
11 November 2010
...today was a tough day...walking the kids home from school was the most challenging to date...but what fun it was...first we needed to walk faster faster cos the rain was approaching...of course no one cooperates with you when you need them too...then Vishnu, the smallest but MOST mischievous boy decides to pick up a stick and start hitting people (gently like the men do with the cows)...but of course the other little boys are not cows...and the next minute you know Vishnu is trying to outrun 6 boys who now have sticks of their own...so then I have to chase them with Vinutha and Tunmai hanging on my back...and get them to stop!!!...they did eventually...thank goodness!...and we finally got back...but no more than 5 minutes later pandemonium started again when a little puppy dog appeared and the kids went absolutely nuts with enjoyment...how refreshing to see how much love and attention they gave to it...it had wandered in the morning and Tracy decided that she would keep it...the kids went wild...some forgetting to change and some drinking their milk super fast cos then that meant they could play with the little puppy...tomorrow when I go I shall see how one night at Operation Shanti has fared on the dear little puppy...but I am sure that with all that love from the kids she will do just fine...another lesson I have learnt today...and please Vishnu..madam say no more stick tomorrow please!!
...today was a tough day...walking the kids home from school was the most challenging to date...but what fun it was...first we needed to walk faster faster cos the rain was approaching...of course no one cooperates with you when you need them too...then Vishnu, the smallest but MOST mischievous boy decides to pick up a stick and start hitting people (gently like the men do with the cows)...but of course the other little boys are not cows...and the next minute you know Vishnu is trying to outrun 6 boys who now have sticks of their own...so then I have to chase them with Vinutha and Tunmai hanging on my back...and get them to stop!!!...they did eventually...thank goodness!...and we finally got back...but no more than 5 minutes later pandemonium started again when a little puppy dog appeared and the kids went absolutely nuts with enjoyment...how refreshing to see how much love and attention they gave to it...it had wandered in the morning and Tracy decided that she would keep it...the kids went wild...some forgetting to change and some drinking their milk super fast cos then that meant they could play with the little puppy...tomorrow when I go I shall see how one night at Operation Shanti has fared on the dear little puppy...but I am sure that with all that love from the kids she will do just fine...another lesson I have learnt today...and please Vishnu..madam say no more stick tomorrow please!!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Smartass almost always = Dumbass!
10 November 2010
...So what shall I write about today...the thosai breakfast I had...yummy...the wonderful homecooked food I had for lunch...super!...or the dilly dhally I had for dinner...super!super!...nah...let's talk about people who think they know everything cos they think they have been there and done that...well big deal...if you want to be a smartass in life then you have to get the facts right...or forever hold your farts...oops I mean your facts!...sorry a stranger talking loudly pushed my nerve button today...you can't assume those around you are ignorant because we are not...so let me get to the point...when you want to help someone it must come from the heart...truly deep down inside...not for personal glory or because you can design fantastic posters...as your tone might suggest...and please please make sure that you are helping the right people...not ones that pocket money for their own good but pretend to help...you have to get your facts right...there are so many people out there to help and we can't help them all so thread carefully...and there has to be some continuity to your goodness...one time goodness only helps a child or disadvantaged person one time...think of ways you can help long term...and remember it's not all about the cash (though that does help) but how you can really make some kind of change through your actions or how you try to influence people into action...otherwise shut the f*@k up and finish your lunch...like this ole mama says..!
...So what shall I write about today...the thosai breakfast I had...yummy...the wonderful homecooked food I had for lunch...super!...or the dilly dhally I had for dinner...super!super!...nah...let's talk about people who think they know everything cos they think they have been there and done that...well big deal...if you want to be a smartass in life then you have to get the facts right...or forever hold your farts...oops I mean your facts!...sorry a stranger talking loudly pushed my nerve button today...you can't assume those around you are ignorant because we are not...so let me get to the point...when you want to help someone it must come from the heart...truly deep down inside...not for personal glory or because you can design fantastic posters...as your tone might suggest...and please please make sure that you are helping the right people...not ones that pocket money for their own good but pretend to help...you have to get your facts right...there are so many people out there to help and we can't help them all so thread carefully...and there has to be some continuity to your goodness...one time goodness only helps a child or disadvantaged person one time...think of ways you can help long term...and remember it's not all about the cash (though that does help) but how you can really make some kind of change through your actions or how you try to influence people into action...otherwise shut the f*@k up and finish your lunch...like this ole mama says..!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
The Begging Industry in India
9 November 2010
...I watched with amazement at how these little street children beg in the streets...first they sit in a corner about 6 of them...i think they are discussing their modus operandi (is this correct haha) for the day...a big girl seems to be explaining to the little ones...and off they go...
...you feel so sorry for them that they have to resort to this but you feel more anger at the big adult person that must be behind this whole operation (a la Slumdog Millionaire)...I was observing all this from the cafe across the street...afraid to go out cos I know they will be waiting for me...you so want to help but know that this is not the kind of help they need...and the help they REALLY NEED is beyond my control...a lot of the kids at Operation Shanti were begging on the streets before they were brought to the shelter...and all have similiar stories...the adults behind them?...their parent (most only having one)...and these are good kids...really bright and loving...but hardened by their years on the streets...honestly, what does their future look like?...I pray that it will be a lot brighter than the kids I saw this morning...thank you Tracy for Operation Shanti!
...I watched with amazement at how these little street children beg in the streets...first they sit in a corner about 6 of them...i think they are discussing their modus operandi (is this correct haha) for the day...a big girl seems to be explaining to the little ones...and off they go...
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