My Favorite Baraadsar Pictures...

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip. Haven't edited any of them (I'm learning how to use GIMP, slowly but surely!), this is the rawness of what we saw! Lots of pictures...hope you enjoy!

Right before starting out...we're all still clean!

BEAUTIFUL trees...

Just hanging in the field with his mama

His mama with her sickle

The first big climb. Everyone was SO tired, so fast!

A very common sight on this trip.

Tired, but happy!

We stopped in villages randomly as we passed through. The first one was SO much fun, and the people were so friendly. The boys of the village were in the middle of a cricket game when we came into the village...so we watched a while, and then our guys joined in. It was a neat commonality. :)

It's harvest time in the village

The architecture was ASTOUNDING. This was a temple built to the hindu god Shiva about 6 years ago, and everything is hand carved. If you look closely, you can see how extremely intricate all the woodwork is. It was really neat to see the pride they took in their work.

At first the kids ran away from the camera, but after I showed them their faces on the LCD screen, they all pushed to get into the picture. They were adorable!

Back on the trail

Our outdoor "kitchen". Our hands FROZE, but we made some pretty good food!

Casey Guenther, our fearless leader

Out of the woods, and onto the mountaintops for the first time!

Sometimes it really felt like we were in heaven on earth.

FREEZING in the morning!

Each student receives a grade for activity week, and part of that grade was to write in a journal about their experience. Not a bad place to journal, huh?!

Coming down from one of our campsites. It was SO steep! The porters (the guys that carried our food) just ran down it, and about 20 minutes later the rest of us inched along. It was scary!

One one of the days there was a "sheep stampede!" We were just about to this pass area, and suddenly hundreds of sheep/goats came through and were ALL AROUND US. It was actually really scary...they were running down above and below us, kicking rocks, baaing SO loud. We all made it in the end, though.

These two guys were especially scared. :)

Contemplating....

Scene from "Pride and Prejudice" anyone?!

I ended up not "summiting" with the group because a girl was sick. BUT, while we were back at camp, the rest of the group was risking their lives up in the snow! You can't see really well here, but the snow is actually covering the path, and sloping right down with the rest of the mountain. I guess it was quite scary. :)

For a lot of the kids, it was their first time seeing snow. They liked it. :)

Our guide, porters, and Casey.

Nellie...

Arsh...

The beautiful "snows".

The whole group :)

Our "down day" was quite interesting. It ended up being a REALLY long day (about 9 hours of hiking in all), and almost all down hill. This spot was interesting, as the waterfall had partially eroded the path. Below the path was straight down, so it was a little scary! I perfected the "one-foot-in-front-of-the-other" mentality.

Wash day! Looks a little different in India than in the states...

Notice anything that just "doesn't belong here?"

A real scarecrow!

Packing up our last camp. It was glorious!

The last day was only about 2 hours of hiking, and almost the whole time we got to hike right next to this BEAUTIFUL river. It was a perfect way to end the trip!

CHEESE! We're done!

Such elation!

Packing up the jeeps.

Smile boys!

Me and Mina, on our way home. :)

It was a WONDERFUL experience, and one that I won't volunteer for again for at least a good month or two. :) Like all hard experiences though, you learn SO much...and when it comes right down to it, you wouldn't trade them for the world!

Recapping the Trip...

is impossible! But, I'll try. :)

- Our group of kids was awesome! We had 13 11th graders...and even though the week was INTENSE, they (almost!) never complained, worked hard, gave their all, and were HILARIOUS! Great group...and it was so fun to be with high schoolers again!

- I couldn't believe the "haze" that came over my body because it was SO COLD! It was like I just stopped functioning for a huge portion of every day! While we were hiking it was okay, but as soon as we stopped and made camp I couldn't think, talk, move, ANYTHING!

- It was SO fun to push myself physically. But, I'm SO SORE right now!

- I missed Chris. A LOT.

- It was really humbling to see how people lived in the villages we went through. They lived SO high up in the mountains, and were so removed from the rest of civilization. They seemed to be
completely self-reliant, and it was really neat to see their daily lives. It did make me sad, though. I realized that I will never be able to understand these people. We can see their lives and work to understand, but the mentality of village life is something they've been entrenched in since birth. I felt a sense of awe, as well as a sadness. I guess all we can do is work to understand as much as we can, and then accept that we'll never truly "get it." It was amazing.

- It feels like I changed this week, but it'll be interesting to see if it lasts. I'm really starting to internalize the fact that our lives as Americans are SO different than the rest of the world. We can't compare! The way we lived this last week was closer to the majority of the world than anything I've ever experienced (at least I imagine it is...I don't even really know!). All I know is, I was SO happy to get into a warm house with a warm shower, warm bed, and easy-to-prepare food. I felt a little wussy. :)

I'm still processing what I can learn from this trip, but in all it was great. I "appreciate" having the experiences I did, but I was definitely happy to get home. Here are some of the things that you'll never be able to appreciate if you haven't experienced it before... :)

1. It was SO COLD (and I just don't like using the outdoor restrooms) that I "held it" for the last four days of the trip. I'm on trip number 6 to the bathroom today!

2. We all wore a different version of the same outfit EVERY DAY, for the last 7 days. Here's what I brought for clothes...

- leggings
- one pair of pants
- one pair of shorts
- one pair of snow pants
- one short-sleeved shirt
- one long-sleeved shirt
- one fleece
- one wind-breaker
- two pairs of underwear
- one bra
- one hat
- one scarf
- one pair of gloves
- three pairs of socks
- hiking shoes.

The list looks pretty long when I see it like that...but it really wasn't very many clothes and I was SO happy to get back to my closet and dresser.

There's so much more I could write, but I think I'll just post pictures and leave it at that. :) Thanks to the group for such a great trip!

I'm Outta Here!

Tomorrow morning I'm leaving for a 7-day hike to Baraadsar Lake with twelve 11/12th graders. WAHOO! So, you won't be hearing from me for a while, but in case you're wondering, here's what I'll be doing...

- Eating crackers and tuna for lunch
- Getting blisters the size of my foot
- Peeing on a bush
- NOT showering!
- Getting to know a bunch of kids that I don't know yet. :) High schoolers...YAY!
- Experiencing God's AWESOMENESS!
- Burning lots of calories
- Trying desperately to keep warm
- Missing Chris :(
- LOVING LIFE!

Here I go! I'll take lots of pretty pictures. :)

A Non-Issue In the States

Yesterday and today we've had a rather comedic volley of e-mails sent back and forth on all-staff e-mails, and I thought I'd share them. I took out names to keep the parties involved anonymous, but thought it was quite interesting. In the states, this issue just simply wouldn't come up...and if it did, the responses would DEFINITELY not be so opinionated. Enjoy!

Original E-Mail

On behalf of Mars and Menu Committee, we ask your voting choice of 'Yes' or 'No', in favor of Buffalo meat included on the menu, as Chicken has become expensive and difficult to purchase within the Mars (food service) budget.

Reply #1. "I don't think the stigma surrounding the killing of cows applies to buffalo's. In fact I'm pretty sure of this. They're viewed as a different species - most importantly, buffalos are dark, cows are white.

Still, it might be best to do a quick survey of the employees."

Reply #2. "As far as I know and believe in, being an Indian and a Hindu by religion, eating of both cows and buffaloes is not accepted. though with time, things might be changing a little bit."

Reply #3. "I completely agree, it will be unacceptable to some staff members, parents and even employees (who will be cooking)."

Reply #4. "The idea of buffalo meat gives the same feeling as the thought of cow meat, and both are considered unpalatable by Hindus living in India. I believe that the community around Woodstock will not appreciate this idea either."

Reply #5. "I do not eat in the school dining room but would certainly vote against the buff meat being served here."

Reply #6. "When we were here from 1995 - 1999, buffalo was regularly served. When we arrived in July, I was quite surprised to find this is no longer the case. Most of the same employees were cooking then as now and I never heard anything negative about buffalo on religious grounds. I'd be interested in knowing when and why this changed."

Reply #7. "I humbly request that we stop the all staff replies, which I must take blame for starting even though only a vote of yes or no was requested. Please, high school students and woodstock all staff do not hit the reply to all button. If you want to vote, please feel free to do so. I also would clearly acknowledge that, having lived in India for 30 years, I am aware of the dietary issues, will speak to the head cook, and will suggest an appropriate decision be made. Thank you."

Reply #8. "I have read many of the responses so far. In the '90s buffalo meat was served regularly in the school. The same employees are cooking now, so why is there such an uproar about it now? I think then as now, many of the staff became vegetarian for that meal, and I guess we can do a survey and figure out how it affects meal numbers.

For me personally, as someone who is from both Hindu and Christian background, and who has in the past been non-veg for several years, it does not matter what the meat is as long as it is from a clean and healthy vendor, you either eat or do not eat meat."

Reply #9. "Dear all,

I want you all to know that this appears to be a budgeting decision but it is not.

This issue (from a budgetary perspective) was never discussed with me nor was it ever initiated by me. This was initiated by some students based on a conversation with the head cook in which he had mentioned that chicken was expensive and could not be a part of a specific Menu that they were proposing. This was interpreted to mean that chicken will no longer be served since it is expensive. This assumption is not true.

I am meeting with the appropriate people and will take care of this issue. They are as surprised by all of this as me.

We will not be serving buffalo meat in the Woodstock kitchen.

Thank you for reading and please consider this discussion closed."

And that, non-buffalo eaters, is that!

Prayers and butt dust....

Last night we had a great skype call with my parents, and my mom ended the conversation with a (hilarious!) joke.

One Sunday, a woman and her daughter were sitting in church waiting to pray. The minister began, 'Dear Lord,' with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. 'Without you, we are but dust...' He would have continued but at that moment the very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to her mom and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four year old girl voice, 'Mom, what is butt dust?'

I laughed...a LOT!

.S. I've posted 7 (I think?!) blogs in the last 2 days! Can't tell if that's totally pathetic or kinda cool...I guess there's just been a lot to share!

Things Are Heatin' Up In Here!

Heat is something that we take for granted in the United States, but NO LONGER, people! I've designated myself "official knowledge imparter of the worldwide norm of non-heated houses". America is ABNORMAL! Lately, Chris and I have been reminiscing about those distant memories of central heaters. "Remember that there's actually such a thing as central heat?" "Remember when we would wake up to a house that was WARMER than it is outside?" And the most unbelievable..."Remember when our heater would turn on...ALL BY ITSELF at 5:45?" Seems like a miracle! Ahh, the days!

We've got four ways to keep ourselves from entering a perpetual hypothermic state once the real cold hits...I thought I would share them with you to ease your minds!

Our bakari...does wonders, but since it's illegal to collect wood or cut down trees in India, we're still not sure what we'll burn! Paper doesn't last long. :P

Our blow heater! We'll move this between the bedroom and living room.

Our little bathroom heater...no blower, but the bathroom's small so it's JUST RIGHT!

Our beloved electric blanket, how we love thee! Since Rachel and Yvonne came, we can now heat up BOTH sides at the same time! I'm telling you, it's the little joys in life. :)

____________________________________________________________________

We'll be using LOTS of sweatshirts, sweaters, and long-underwear for the next few months. Someone said that in a few weeks they'll put on the thermals, and they won't come off 'til end of March. Chris definitely doesn't love the cold, and while I would rather be cold than hot, I'm not sure about CONTINUALLY cold, with few ways of heating up.

Basically, this post is to let all you faithful blog readers know that my posts may be less interesting over the next few months, since I'll be spending every free moment under my electric blanket trying not to shiver to death. :)

5th Grade Friendship Club Sleepover!!!

This last Saturday Chris and I hosted a 5th Grade Friendship Club sleepover. I've been helping with Friendship Club (an elementary Christian club) since the beginning of the year, and seriously LOVE IT! I'm in charge of the music, and then I take the 5th graders. In the past the 5th graders have kind of lost interest, so we're trying to make it "different and fun" for them.

So far we've been working on making picture books out of fabric to eventually send to an orphanage. We want to transition them into the middle school club called "Qwest", which is a Christian/Volunteering club. They're really starting to get into it!

Only 6 of the 5th graders could come to the sleepover, but it was a BLAST! I picked them up at 4:00, we ordered food, made some food, played games, played wii, painted nails, told girl secrets, and watched a movie before they went to bed. Some of these kids are here as boarders, so haven't been with their parents for months now, and it was really fun to see their personalities change in a "home" setting. Lots of hugs and cuddling and "thank you SO MUCH Mrs. Farley!" They're sweet, SWEET kids.

Here are some of the highlights. :)

They'd never had s'mores before! SO, we broke out the supplies that Rachel and Yvonne so generously brought up, opened up the microwave, and get them the "best snack they'd ever had!"

The boys didn't want to watch the same movie as the girls, and then they didn't want to watch the same movie as each other! SO, we set them up with their own laptop and headphones, and they had their own movie experiences. :) Isn't Chris cute between them?

Such a pretty smile!

Self-designated master cook of Wai-Wai.

Making cheese and crackers

Peace out, dude!

A God of BIG Things

I've been trying to use this blog to keep me in the present, focusing on all the little things in life that really make daily life beautiful. The other day, God gave me a gift. He let me remember that He's also a God of the BIG things.

I substitute taught for a friend at Sunday School this last Sunday up on top of the hill that the school is located on (it's called the Chakkar). I haven't been up there since monsoon season was really over, but the snows (snow-capped peaks) were out in all their brilliance! I walked home SO SLOWLY, and just looked...I looked at the huge snow covered mountains standing protectively over all the people living in their shadow, the towering trees that went so far below me down the cud and still stood above me 50 or 60 feet. And then, I looked down and saw the thousands of pine needles, the hundreds of pebbles, all the crawling insects. God is a BIG God...and also a God over the Little Things.

These are pictures that were taken by friends of ours here at Woodstock (I got them off their blog, definitely not claiming them as mine! I think they're SO beautiful...). I haven't gotten many pictures of the peaks yet, though, and wanted to post some so you can see where we live. I felt SO peaceful after my walk, like my inner self understands its place in God's world. It was a beautiful day, and we live in a beautiful place.

Before and After...Ayah!

At first we thought our standard of living had decreased with our move to India...no central heat, lots of mold, big spiders...but THEN, we hired an ayah. :) Our ayah (Ragi) comes every Monday and Thursday afternoon to do general cleaning, dishes, and laundry. And let me tell you, I LOVE employing an ayah!

Kitchen Before

Kitchen After

Bedroom Before

Bedroom After

Living Room Before

Living Room After

I feel quite spoiled. :)