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Thursday, August 5, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
My New Friends
(by Domenic)
I made new friends and I go over to their house everyday. Their names are Kristopher and Liam and I met them at dinner. They are the principal's kids and their mom teaches 4th grade. When I go to their house I play legos and computer games. Their parents are at work so Preea and Preesha come over to clean and sometimes play with us. The driver delivers lunch to us everyday.
School starts on August 9. I already know who my teacher is. His name is Scott Stier and he moved here from Thailand where he was teaching. He is very nice. My classroom is on the second floor. I have 14 kids in my class. I am excited about my Indian studies class so I can learn a lot about India.
I will definitely write another entry soon.
THE END
I made new friends and I go over to their house everyday. Their names are Kristopher and Liam and I met them at dinner. They are the principal's kids and their mom teaches 4th grade. When I go to their house I play legos and computer games. Their parents are at work so Preea and Preesha come over to clean and sometimes play with us. The driver delivers lunch to us everyday.
School starts on August 9. I already know who my teacher is. His name is Scott Stier and he moved here from Thailand where he was teaching. He is very nice. My classroom is on the second floor. I have 14 kids in my class. I am excited about my Indian studies class so I can learn a lot about India.
I will definitely write another entry soon.
THE END
Sunday, August 1, 2010
On Saturday the school arranged to take us to Ideal Beach, a resort about 45 minutes south of Chennai. We spent more time getting to know staff members. The principal is new to this school and Domenic made friends with his boys. While we are working all next week Domenic will be hanging out with the boys at their house where supervision is already in place. I will spend the coming week preparing for school and making further arrangements for Domenic. Tomorrow I will hit the ground running and most likely keep running for the next few months. We will be putting in some long hours but I'm looking forward to it!
IDEAL BEACH
CARLINA AND DORCY
DOMENIC AND HIS NEW FRIEND LIAM
MY FIRST GRADE TEACHING PARTNER!!!Wednesday, July 28, 2010
INDIA UPDATE
VISA CHAOS
For those of you who have been keeping up you know that obtaining Domenic's visa was certainly a fiasco. We applied for the visas mid-June and my visa was approved almost immediately but not the case for Domenic. It was a bureaucratic train wreck that I spent 6 weeks maneuvering through. The nearest Indian consulate is in San Francisco, where communicating via email, fax, or phone gets you no place at all and to complicate matters, EVERYthing requires the signature of both parents. Domenic's dad was fishing in Alaska and not expected home until Tuesday, July 20.....5 days prior to departure....perfect. The problems and requests were many but I have high-lighted a few of the finer points:
1. Wrong visa application....must apply for a STUDENT visa, not an ENTRY visa. Now that we are here, Domenic is the ONLY student here on a STUDENT visa. All other students are here with an ENTRY visa. O-well. At least we are here!
2. A "clear" copy (whatever that means) of the court order (which was sent to them in the original application).....I faxed another copy for safe measure.
3. Another request for a "clear" copy of the court order....I sent a copy via email as a PDF file for even safer meansures. They now have 48 pages of court documents.
4. A request to Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur (really????) of the following: **copy of our Indian passports, **copy of our green cards, **copy of our naturalization papers. Good grief....at this point I felt all hope dissipate and quickly.
5. Now it's Tuesday, 5 days before departure and STILL they need a "clear" copy of the court order. WHAT court order??? Apparently they needed something stating Domenic would be leaving the country for 2 years. I explained it was clearly written in the parenting plan (all 3 copies). Hold please.....they agreed it was specified in the court order BUT they wanted a different form. WHAT form???? (hold please....).....now I'm told they aren't sure of the actual name of the document but that it's very common and to be sure and have a judge sign it. OK? In the end I wound up writing my own form. I called JJ Tuesday in Alaska and told him he needed to meet me the next day at the court house. Bless him for his support with all of this and for showing up.
6. Friday afternoon Domenic's visa was approved and sent over night to us only to have FedEx lose it (of course)! Finally, Saturday at 4:00 pm we had our visas in hand and headed to Seattle where this entire experience was topped off by staying in the most rank hotel on earth. I had to cross my legs I was laughing to so hard. How perfect.
7. We were sent off early Sunday morning by friends and family. It took over 30 hours to get to India and Domenic did fantastic!!!
OUR WELCOME
Our arrival to India was smooth. Customs was easy. People were friendly. The school had someone to pick us up and by 2:00 am we were delivered to our new home. We are staying in a 3 bedroom apartment that looks better than the pictures they sent us. There is air conditioning and a bathroom for each bedroom with an additional one off of the living area. We have a washing machine and nice size kitchen.
DAILY LIVING THUS FAR
It's safe to say we have been truly spoiled since our arrival. Expats have it great here....so great in fact that I don't feel as though I've had to adapt to anything yet. The school arranges for drivers to pick us up and take us shopping. We are greeted with smiles and appreciation. Lunch and dinner is either delivered compliments of the school or we are taken out to eat. The restaurants and meals are amazing and the company is even better. Everyone has such an interesting story. And unless you identify yourself as a teacher or administrator, it's impossible to tell the difference.
IMMIGRATION OFFICE
Our second day here we were taken to the immigration office to register as a foreigner. This experience still has me laughing. We were escorted to a room where we waited to be called out. We went to a new room and waited in line there only to be sent to a new room to wait in line for a number to take to another room where we waited in line to receive the "golden ticket"....an appointment card to come back on another day. LOVE it!!
JUST ASK
What I am most surprised with so far is how fast our requests are granted. The kitchen sink had a small leak. I notified the school and w/in an hour someone was sent over to fix it. I was having problems with the wireless Internet and made one call. 30 minutes later someone was at our place and the problem was solved. I mentioned to the secretary for the head of school that I wished our couches were a neutral color such as beige and that the curtains were white. Again... an hour later we had a knock at the door and the couches were swapped for beige and the curtains for white. SO spoiled.
DOMENIC
Domenic is truly a citizen of the world. He has a spirit like none other, a zest for adventure and the ability to adapt and transition. He loves his new home and had his bedroom set up and organized before I even unpacked my suitcase. He already knows a portion of the staff as Domenic is my date at each lunch and dinner event! Last night he made friends with the principal's boys and the school has arranged for a driver to take them to the go cart track later today.
IN SUMMATION....
There is so much to share. I will do my best to at least post pictures. The schedule here is intense but we are loving it! Thanks for all of your support and well wishes. We feel the positive energy being sent our way!
For those of you who have been keeping up you know that obtaining Domenic's visa was certainly a fiasco. We applied for the visas mid-June and my visa was approved almost immediately but not the case for Domenic. It was a bureaucratic train wreck that I spent 6 weeks maneuvering through. The nearest Indian consulate is in San Francisco, where communicating via email, fax, or phone gets you no place at all and to complicate matters, EVERYthing requires the signature of both parents. Domenic's dad was fishing in Alaska and not expected home until Tuesday, July 20.....5 days prior to departure....perfect. The problems and requests were many but I have high-lighted a few of the finer points:
1. Wrong visa application....must apply for a STUDENT visa, not an ENTRY visa. Now that we are here, Domenic is the ONLY student here on a STUDENT visa. All other students are here with an ENTRY visa. O-well. At least we are here!
2. A "clear" copy (whatever that means) of the court order (which was sent to them in the original application).....I faxed another copy for safe measure.
3. Another request for a "clear" copy of the court order....I sent a copy via email as a PDF file for even safer meansures. They now have 48 pages of court documents.
4. A request to Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur (really????) of the following: **copy of our Indian passports, **copy of our green cards, **copy of our naturalization papers. Good grief....at this point I felt all hope dissipate and quickly.
5. Now it's Tuesday, 5 days before departure and STILL they need a "clear" copy of the court order. WHAT court order??? Apparently they needed something stating Domenic would be leaving the country for 2 years. I explained it was clearly written in the parenting plan (all 3 copies). Hold please.....they agreed it was specified in the court order BUT they wanted a different form. WHAT form???? (hold please....).....now I'm told they aren't sure of the actual name of the document but that it's very common and to be sure and have a judge sign it. OK? In the end I wound up writing my own form. I called JJ Tuesday in Alaska and told him he needed to meet me the next day at the court house. Bless him for his support with all of this and for showing up.
6. Friday afternoon Domenic's visa was approved and sent over night to us only to have FedEx lose it (of course)! Finally, Saturday at 4:00 pm we had our visas in hand and headed to Seattle where this entire experience was topped off by staying in the most rank hotel on earth. I had to cross my legs I was laughing to so hard. How perfect.
7. We were sent off early Sunday morning by friends and family. It took over 30 hours to get to India and Domenic did fantastic!!!
OUR WELCOME
Our arrival to India was smooth. Customs was easy. People were friendly. The school had someone to pick us up and by 2:00 am we were delivered to our new home. We are staying in a 3 bedroom apartment that looks better than the pictures they sent us. There is air conditioning and a bathroom for each bedroom with an additional one off of the living area. We have a washing machine and nice size kitchen.
DAILY LIVING THUS FAR
It's safe to say we have been truly spoiled since our arrival. Expats have it great here....so great in fact that I don't feel as though I've had to adapt to anything yet. The school arranges for drivers to pick us up and take us shopping. We are greeted with smiles and appreciation. Lunch and dinner is either delivered compliments of the school or we are taken out to eat. The restaurants and meals are amazing and the company is even better. Everyone has such an interesting story. And unless you identify yourself as a teacher or administrator, it's impossible to tell the difference.
IMMIGRATION OFFICE
Our second day here we were taken to the immigration office to register as a foreigner. This experience still has me laughing. We were escorted to a room where we waited to be called out. We went to a new room and waited in line there only to be sent to a new room to wait in line for a number to take to another room where we waited in line to receive the "golden ticket"....an appointment card to come back on another day. LOVE it!!
JUST ASK
What I am most surprised with so far is how fast our requests are granted. The kitchen sink had a small leak. I notified the school and w/in an hour someone was sent over to fix it. I was having problems with the wireless Internet and made one call. 30 minutes later someone was at our place and the problem was solved. I mentioned to the secretary for the head of school that I wished our couches were a neutral color such as beige and that the curtains were white. Again... an hour later we had a knock at the door and the couches were swapped for beige and the curtains for white. SO spoiled.
DOMENIC
Domenic is truly a citizen of the world. He has a spirit like none other, a zest for adventure and the ability to adapt and transition. He loves his new home and had his bedroom set up and organized before I even unpacked my suitcase. He already knows a portion of the staff as Domenic is my date at each lunch and dinner event! Last night he made friends with the principal's boys and the school has arranged for a driver to take them to the go cart track later today.
IN SUMMATION....
There is so much to share. I will do my best to at least post pictures. The schedule here is intense but we are loving it! Thanks for all of your support and well wishes. We feel the positive energy being sent our way!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Back by Popular Demand!
(Domenic's entry)
I've been to a lot of places. Canada is the only place out of the United States I've been. I have never been to a different continent. My favorite thing to do is go places I've never been before. I'm so excited to go to India!
Today was my last trip to Canada. I got all my vaccines but my mom has a couple more left. I feel happy that I don't have to get anymore shots. We will have to visit the nurses again because they are very nice.
The streets of Chennai (the place we're moving) are going to be very busy. We are definitely going to have to keep track of each other. There are cows that wander the streets in some parts. The streets get flooded when it rains because there are monsoons there. It's so hot in India that the rain is warm water.
Every morning I have to get into the habit of putting on sunscreen, putting on bug spray, and taking allergy pills. I'm hoping bug spray works because every time I use it the mosquitoes still bite me. They like me so much. I should be okay though because I got the vaccine (Japanese encephalitis).
I've been to a lot of places. Canada is the only place out of the United States I've been. I have never been to a different continent. My favorite thing to do is go places I've never been before. I'm so excited to go to India!
Today was my last trip to Canada. I got all my vaccines but my mom has a couple more left. I feel happy that I don't have to get anymore shots. We will have to visit the nurses again because they are very nice.
The streets of Chennai (the place we're moving) are going to be very busy. We are definitely going to have to keep track of each other. There are cows that wander the streets in some parts. The streets get flooded when it rains because there are monsoons there. It's so hot in India that the rain is warm water.
Every morning I have to get into the habit of putting on sunscreen, putting on bug spray, and taking allergy pills. I'm hoping bug spray works because every time I use it the mosquitoes still bite me. They like me so much. I should be okay though because I got the vaccine (Japanese encephalitis).
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Lost in Transition--a self diagnosis
Things people commonly discuss with me:
“Are you excited to be leaving soon?” Yes!
“Are you packing yet?” Some.
“Is Domenic excited?” Of course.
“Will you be coming home for Christmas?” That’s the plan.
“Is your sister planning on visiting?” In November.
“What about Domenic’s dad?” I sure hope so!
“Is Domenic’s dad supportive?” Surprisingly so.
“Anyone else visiting?” A small handful.
“Do you have any reservations about going?” Not a one.
“Aren’t you scared?” Should I be?
“How long is your contract?” Two years.
“You must really be stressed out and on OVERload.” I don’t really feel like I’m on overload.
Well then you must be in D.E.N.I.A.L…..(which I’ve heard many times by many people)
I surround myself with good company and when friends talk, I tend to listen. Am I really in denial? The question has caused me to think back 7 months ago when I was hired for this job. Since that time, every waking moment has been either talking about India, writing about India, filling out forms related to India or thinking about India. And while I enjoy this---after all it IS my dream to teach overseas---it leaves little time to focus on the here-and-now. This probably explains why I have been spending more and more time looking for my lost “to-do” lists than anything else. And when I do stumble upon these treasures, I’m appalled at the things written on the list----go to store (really?), write lesson plans (how sad), write list of questions needing answers from the school in India (a list to make a list!), check P.O. box (this one should be tattooed on me…even a list doesn’t work….by the time I get around to checking the mail I usually have to put my foot on the wall in order to gain enough leverage to yank out everything that is crammed in there, only to throw the shredded and torn mess away).
From here on out, I’m going to do SOMEthing and THEN write it on a list and cross it out so I feel more accomplished.
I really don’t think I’m in denial but I do think I’m lost in transition and until I’m in India I will be kind to myself and strive only for mediocrity.
50 days and counting!
“Are you excited to be leaving soon?” Yes!
“Are you packing yet?” Some.
“Is Domenic excited?” Of course.
“Will you be coming home for Christmas?” That’s the plan.
“Is your sister planning on visiting?” In November.
“What about Domenic’s dad?” I sure hope so!
“Is Domenic’s dad supportive?” Surprisingly so.
“Anyone else visiting?” A small handful.
“Do you have any reservations about going?” Not a one.
“Aren’t you scared?” Should I be?
“How long is your contract?” Two years.
“You must really be stressed out and on OVERload.” I don’t really feel like I’m on overload.
Well then you must be in D.E.N.I.A.L…..(which I’ve heard many times by many people)
I surround myself with good company and when friends talk, I tend to listen. Am I really in denial? The question has caused me to think back 7 months ago when I was hired for this job. Since that time, every waking moment has been either talking about India, writing about India, filling out forms related to India or thinking about India. And while I enjoy this---after all it IS my dream to teach overseas---it leaves little time to focus on the here-and-now. This probably explains why I have been spending more and more time looking for my lost “to-do” lists than anything else. And when I do stumble upon these treasures, I’m appalled at the things written on the list----go to store (really?), write lesson plans (how sad), write list of questions needing answers from the school in India (a list to make a list!), check P.O. box (this one should be tattooed on me…even a list doesn’t work….by the time I get around to checking the mail I usually have to put my foot on the wall in order to gain enough leverage to yank out everything that is crammed in there, only to throw the shredded and torn mess away).
From here on out, I’m going to do SOMEthing and THEN write it on a list and cross it out so I feel more accomplished.
I really don’t think I’m in denial but I do think I’m lost in transition and until I’m in India I will be kind to myself and strive only for mediocrity.
50 days and counting!
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