Tuesday, 6 September 2011

First Day of School

We left our hotel at 7:30 this morning and we literally walked in the door from school at 5:15 pm!  WOW!  That's what I call one long day!  Michael is falling apart at the seams (so tired) but I think he had an overall good day.  Rachel had a really good day and is tickled she doesn't have any homework until next week.  David loved it.  Erica although she declared it was her "Worst day ever"....I think what it really comes down to is that she was just totally overwhelmed by it all.  I think the whole 'new kid' thing really got to her.  Although it's nice to be the novelty to a certain degree it sounds like the kids were really overbearing and 'annoying'.  I told her to just tell them "I need a little space" and her response was "I don't want to hurt their feelings!"  All in all, I think everybody did fine but they are totally wiped out.  LONG DAYS ahead but I think they will adjust over time and it will just become the norm.  I also keep reminding myself that although the days seem really long compared to US school days.  There is also a huge difference that everything we sign our kids up for after school (karate, swimteam, horseback riding, basketball etc) they incorporate these activities into the school day.  The children are allowed to choose 2 electives to participate in addition to the music and language classes they take. 

Okay, one quick story and then I've got to get the kids to bed.  I was able to sit in on David's class for awhile this afternoon.  They sang a few cute songs.  A couple I knew like "The more we get together" and some I had never heard of before (all of course sung in a lovely Indian accent!)  David's favorite is the "Sticky Sticky Sticky Gum song."  Being the gum fanatic that he is - I think he connects with the song and getting it stuck on places and things that you shouldn't! The children finished off their time together by going around the circle with a pretend microphone and telling everyone their name and where they were born.  (One little girl was born in Minnesota...I love her already!  hahah!)  David was towards the end of the group and he kept getting up and coming over to me and whispering in my ear, "Mom.  Where I was born again?!"  "Massachusetts," I would say.  He must have repeated this scenario at least three times.  When it finally came to his turn to talk he said, "Hi.  My name is David and I was born in Bangalore!!!!"  The teacher's eyeballs about popped out of her head as she shreiked in delight, "BANGALORE?!"  I just shook my head and burst her bubble with, "No.  Massachusetts."  

Monday, 5 September 2011

Over the River and Through the Woods to Indus School we go!

Today was the kids first trip to the school they will be attending.  Matt and I had been one time previously when we were over to visit and make the school selection.  It seems everything here takes a "Long Time" in fact Erica has asked, "How come everything in India has to be so difficult!?"  (Mind you, her comment was prompted after I told her "No, we are not eating at McDonald's and No, you cannot have a snowcone b/c it was probably made with dooky water!!"

Our driver, Cladius, drove the kids and I to http://www.indusschool.com/ today as I wasn't sure what was going to go down and how long everything would take.  The drive to school took us about an hour :/  (I thought Boston was the only place with bad traffic!?)  Oh, no, India is worse b/c you have everything from cars, auto-rickshaws, walkers, motorcycles (called two-wheelers), bikers, buses, livestock.  Did I mention the honking!?  Good Lord!  Everyone here is "Beep Happy" they are constantly honking their horns!  Unlike Boston though it is not because people are irritated with you - It's more of a beep-beep, I'm on your righthand side - Don't run me over!!!

Anyhow, we were gone for about 3 hours and all we accomplished was getting the kids their p.e. uniforms.  They were measured for their formal school uniforms but those are custom made and won't be ready for 7-10 days.  Children 1st grade and up all wear a uniform so David will wear his normal American clothes to school.  He is NOT happy about this.  He had a major meltdown when he realized this and cried and cried and cried and cried...(you get the idea!) b/c he didn't get a "Costume" like the rest of his siblings! 

The children are currently all watching Disney XD in Hindi!?!?  I don't get it.  I guess you can just watch the picture and generally understand what is going on in the cartoon!?  It's the craziest thing to see them all sitting there watching Hindi cartoons!  Haha!  Meanwhile over the loud speakers the afternoon call to prayer is sounding!  Glad I can pray anytime of the day and call out to God whenever I need Him and don't have to wait for some random horn to sound to indicate it's time to pray.

By the way, thanks to those of you that prayed for the kids today.  They did great.  We go back tomorrow for an actual day of school.  Keep sending up those prayers on our behalf! :)  We appreciate it more than you know!

Friday, 2 September 2011

Cultural Training Needed?!

For those of you that follow me on Facebook this will be an old story (well as in "Yesterday's News!) but feel like it's too good not to share for those of you who are NOT on Fb.

SO!  Yesterday we were at the mall in Bangalore eating ice cream and looking out the window. Some women in burkas come walking towards the mall, and the kids started shouting, "Ninjas, ninjas!! Look at the Ninjas!!"


Thursday, 1 September 2011

Jenny From the Block!?

I am new to the blogger circuit & have recently decided this might be the best way for me to journal and track some of the new, exciting and generally out of the ordinary things our family is going to experience over the next three years.  First of all, a little background?!  I am a Minnesota Girl.  Love my dairy products and cold weather!  My husband, Matt, a New Englander and a true traditionalist.  Together we are rearing our four children ~ Rachel/9, Erica/8, Michael/6 and David/4.  Matt and I have been married for 13 years and have spent most of our married life in Massachusetts.  We just packed up our Crazy Crew on Monday, August 29, 2011 and headed off to Bangalore.  I hope you will enjoy sharing in our Indian adventure with us!  More posts and pics to come soon! xo  Jenny from the B'Block! ;0)