Life Lessons.
Sunday, I hit my stride. I got up and was feeling good about all that we had accomplished. I even perfected making a Dosa (south Indian savory pancake).
And then, I was getting up from the breakfast table, and I twisted my knee and could not walk. I sat back down and tried to massage it and get it back to working condition. No such luck. I begrudgingly sat at the table for the whole day with my leg up while John balanced playing soccer with JJ, playing barbies with Ash, cooking dinner, and cleaning. Reflecting on this incident, we (me and John) came to the conclusion that it was a sign to slow down. In the afternoon, I began to feel better and started limping on it and could make it down the street with JJ's help (they are at a perfect height for me to lean on them) with moderate pain. I thought to myself that it was getting better and I would be ok for my first classes on Monday. I started to clean a bit and hurt it again and this time worse. Clearly, I did not learn my lesson the first time to slow down. I ended up having to cancel attending my classes and elevated my knee all day. It hurt pretty bad. I had a meeting at 3:30pm at the school I wanted to partner with and I did not want to miss it, but also knew it was pretty hard for me to walk. I called an auto rickshaw to take me to the school. For less than $1 I was able to make my meeting which was very productive.
The new terminology I am using is a participating observer and it seems to be working. Intern seems as if I am just starting out as a teacher and these seems to convey exactly what I will be doing. I understand that Indus International (yes, the school my kids attend--it is right down the street and very convenient--most travel takes 40-60 minutes--traffic is really bad). From several meetings with Indus, I was able to understand that they have integrated a program called Digital Thinking Process (DTP) into their curriculum. What I understand is that it is very similar to Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR). The middle school Principal (6-9th grade) and I were able to agree upon me working with 1 teacher to observe and eventually participate in classroom activities and to see how Indus blends core content with action research. Now I finally get a chance to observe up close a middle school and I am thrilled to see how DTP is integrated into the core curriculum.
Life Lesson: Life is too short to go at a back breaking pace. Hurting my knee twice in a day was a message to slow down and to think and enjoy this time in India. When I got back from my meeting, I spent quality time with Ashram. He ran outside to help me walk inside and was eager to tell me about his day. He ate dinner with me on the couch and talked about a party he wants to have tomorrow with his barbies. I do not think I remember the last time I felt fully present. I was truly enjoying every minute with him. James was off with his school friend at the park and that his friend's house. I love the neighborhood concept and that he can just go out and play. He came home full of energy and got his homework done right away. Again, I was able to fully appreciate him. Such important milestones and I feel lucky to be watching them experience India.
And then, I was getting up from the breakfast table, and I twisted my knee and could not walk. I sat back down and tried to massage it and get it back to working condition. No such luck. I begrudgingly sat at the table for the whole day with my leg up while John balanced playing soccer with JJ, playing barbies with Ash, cooking dinner, and cleaning. Reflecting on this incident, we (me and John) came to the conclusion that it was a sign to slow down. In the afternoon, I began to feel better and started limping on it and could make it down the street with JJ's help (they are at a perfect height for me to lean on them) with moderate pain. I thought to myself that it was getting better and I would be ok for my first classes on Monday. I started to clean a bit and hurt it again and this time worse. Clearly, I did not learn my lesson the first time to slow down. I ended up having to cancel attending my classes and elevated my knee all day. It hurt pretty bad. I had a meeting at 3:30pm at the school I wanted to partner with and I did not want to miss it, but also knew it was pretty hard for me to walk. I called an auto rickshaw to take me to the school. For less than $1 I was able to make my meeting which was very productive.
The new terminology I am using is a participating observer and it seems to be working. Intern seems as if I am just starting out as a teacher and these seems to convey exactly what I will be doing. I understand that Indus International (yes, the school my kids attend--it is right down the street and very convenient--most travel takes 40-60 minutes--traffic is really bad). From several meetings with Indus, I was able to understand that they have integrated a program called Digital Thinking Process (DTP) into their curriculum. What I understand is that it is very similar to Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR). The middle school Principal (6-9th grade) and I were able to agree upon me working with 1 teacher to observe and eventually participate in classroom activities and to see how Indus blends core content with action research. Now I finally get a chance to observe up close a middle school and I am thrilled to see how DTP is integrated into the core curriculum.
Life Lesson: Life is too short to go at a back breaking pace. Hurting my knee twice in a day was a message to slow down and to think and enjoy this time in India. When I got back from my meeting, I spent quality time with Ashram. He ran outside to help me walk inside and was eager to tell me about his day. He ate dinner with me on the couch and talked about a party he wants to have tomorrow with his barbies. I do not think I remember the last time I felt fully present. I was truly enjoying every minute with him. James was off with his school friend at the park and that his friend's house. I love the neighborhood concept and that he can just go out and play. He came home full of energy and got his homework done right away. Again, I was able to fully appreciate him. Such important milestones and I feel lucky to be watching them experience India.
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