So...since today was Irena's and Sitara's first day working at Vidya (Munirka) with me, I tried to keep the day more low key by bringing in my album of pictures to show the girls since they asked me to last Friday. It was really fun to go through the pictures of my childhood, my wedding, my college years, my family, etc. They were ecstatic about seeing pictures of where I am from, and I was excited to use my minimal knowledge of Hindi, so everyone was happy. Also, they all thought that I looked Indian, and kept asking me if my parents were Indian. They were all convinced after seeing my parents photos in Brazil that they must have been Indian as well.
At one point, Neetu, a new 18 year old girl with a lot of attitude and personality, asked me if she could take one picture for her to keep. It's always hilarious trying to decipher what the girls are trying to say to me, since neither they speak English nor I speak Hindi, but we keep trying. Neetu is especially bold in trying to talk in English or trying to explain herself in Hindi in a way that I would understand. She's definitely been my key exposure to the native language, and I'm so grateful for that because most people look at me and either assume I speak Hindi and get disenchanted when I don't, or know I speak English and never approach me in Hindi.
When we finally got around to understanding each other, I nodded, and allowed her to choose a picture....and then insanity broke out. Haha, not really, but all the girls did want a picture after that, AND because I signed a message in the back on Neetu's picture, everyone wanted a personalized message as well. First, Usha, who was thrilled I was Christian as well, then Pooja, Arti, Krishna, Mamta, Manju lined up after them. Most of these girls were obsessing over my wedding photos, and I had no problem giving them the copies since we're living in a digital age and all of my pictures can be reprinted on my end, but they would never get to see them again otherwise. These are girls who hardly have pictures of themselves throughout their own lives. Neetu and Pooja were greedy, of course, and chose to keep two even though I asked them to let each person choose one first. Silly girls. Lata and Rajkumari were too classy and embarrassed to ask for one. I think they were worried that it would be expensive to replace the pictures, or inconsiderate on their part to ask for such a gift. I'm not sure, but they did not ask one.
Parvesh wanted a picture I brought of Boston, and Shabnam chose a picture of me and Chris on our wedding day. Pooja wanted one of Chris and I on our first official date as a couple, and poor Kavita didn't get there in time to get any wedding picture, so I have to remember to try to get one printed out before I leave for her. They were all so happy that I signed my name in Hindi, one of the few things I can write out perfectly without any help.
Realizing that the girls were so excited about pictures gave me a good idea for a class project. I want to write profiles of each of the girls and create a portfolio for the next volunteers to read through when they arrive. I think it would be a good idea to bring a camera to take a picture of each of the girls individually to include in this portfolio, and then I can also print our a copy so that they can keep it for themselves. I am also thinking of taking a picture individually with each of them and printing that out as well for them to keep as a memory.
Let me know if you have any ideas for me, eh? I'm planning lessons on the go. I'll let you know how this idea pans out.
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| These kids are the cutest, but the little boy on the left is definitely one of my favorites. He always runs away from his daycare class to come and say hi to me. He'll always shout "didi! didi!" to get my attention, and then run away...and then do it again five or six times. |
When we finally got around to understanding each other, I nodded, and allowed her to choose a picture....and then insanity broke out. Haha, not really, but all the girls did want a picture after that, AND because I signed a message in the back on Neetu's picture, everyone wanted a personalized message as well. First, Usha, who was thrilled I was Christian as well, then Pooja, Arti, Krishna, Mamta, Manju lined up after them. Most of these girls were obsessing over my wedding photos, and I had no problem giving them the copies since we're living in a digital age and all of my pictures can be reprinted on my end, but they would never get to see them again otherwise. These are girls who hardly have pictures of themselves throughout their own lives. Neetu and Pooja were greedy, of course, and chose to keep two even though I asked them to let each person choose one first. Silly girls. Lata and Rajkumari were too classy and embarrassed to ask for one. I think they were worried that it would be expensive to replace the pictures, or inconsiderate on their part to ask for such a gift. I'm not sure, but they did not ask one.
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| Even though Shabnam was trying to hide from the camera once again, Neetu was able to snap a picture of her face! I'm I'm kind of in there too! So it's kind of a picture of both of us? haha, I think this might be the best we get, but she's so cute. I love this girl. |
Realizing that the girls were so excited about pictures gave me a good idea for a class project. I want to write profiles of each of the girls and create a portfolio for the next volunteers to read through when they arrive. I think it would be a good idea to bring a camera to take a picture of each of the girls individually to include in this portfolio, and then I can also print our a copy so that they can keep it for themselves. I am also thinking of taking a picture individually with each of them and printing that out as well for them to keep as a memory.
Let me know if you have any ideas for me, eh? I'm planning lessons on the go. I'll let you know how this idea pans out.
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