Limit

04 June 2008: Last tutoring session of the semester.

Sweet as.

image from: math threads

Smell

5 November 2007: Seeing the fall colo(u)rs in the UK was a treat. But they are missing out on my favorite Providence season: wind.

Regardless, both England and Providence smell like mulch. I like it.

Here in India, I stink of sweat. I departed from the cool, English weather only to fly thousand of feet high, arrive in Mumbai, unpack, and see my garment bags and contact saline solution sweat like cold soda cans in the summer sun.

After I checked into my miniature room in Colaba, I immediately got into the shower. If only you had seen it - an actual shower head (rare), a bucket and cup (standard), no toilet paper (depends), and a high ceiling with layers of peeling paint (unreal). I didn't think it was odd, but I just wanted to share because I don't think you would believe I thought so.

Anyway, so I beat the heat by wandering away from the waterfront and the Gateway of India towards the high-end shops - the skin on hotel bones fed from the outdoor pool and squawking bird sanctuary belly.

I decided (since my last trip to India) it's better to stay cheap and eat out rich. I save on merely a clean and secure bed to sleep on to make way for food with better quality and taste. So at this beautiful restaurant in the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel & Tower, the only English conversations I picked up - besides my Economist news fix and my own lips smacking over masala dosa - were of marketing consultants and biomedical engineers.

I wonder, if I were to stay on my same track if things may work out richly in the end. And if I would want an alternate route, well, I could learn Hindi.

Here's a pakora in the face.

Love,
Jackie

Teacher

18 September 2007: Bike ride to Claire's school, Kyoyama.

The bike ride was a blessed relief from the heat. The students here must swelter - they stay in the same classrooms - the teachers come to them!

We met the principal and staff after a warm welcome. Together the three of us gave a quick lesson in translation: Claire in English, Lauren in Swahili, and me in Spanish. We were accepted with the universal sign of I don't know - the smile and nod.

After school, students participate in mandatory clubs. I was thrilled walking around campus, peering into the basketball and ping pong gym, hearing brass band music all over campus, watching baseball boys outside in the dirt, cheering dance performances, and coaching swim team.

We also got to meet up with one of Claire's buddies, Emi, the school gym teacher and very effective Judo instructor. Check it out.

Images from: jackie

Bite

Moving out of my apartment is near complete catharsis.

I found my Brown undergraduate and graduate acceptance letters. Paired with my two diplomas, I felt truly satisfied.

It reminded me of competitive swimming - biting the event card before handing it to the lane timers, swimming the event, and then submitting the times to the officials.

So inspired, I bit my degrees and am prepared to dive into what's next!

Image from: AggiePhoto

Grad

I've commenced!