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Well I know I've probably got too many blog entries so just ignore them if they are getting annoying. However this is way I am updating my parents too and they like the regular updates.
Bit frustrated as can't hear too well as ear has blocked up which makes it even more challenging to work with the children.
At work to order lunch I write my name on a sheet on the noticeboard. Yesterday I could see lizards feet moving along the top of the noticeboard as the rest of him was behind it.
Yesterday, I started by volunteering in the baby clinic. They are so sweet even if they do have accidents. Thats how I can compare to home as many don't have nappies. I then watched a baby being screened. The baby was weighed, reflexes and senses were checked and babys movement was checked. It was conducted mostly in English so I understood it better. Yeah! It was quite amusing when they had baby up in air so the babys stomach was facing the table as the baby turn on his waterworks. He was only 2 and half months old. Luckily he didn't get the papers wet!
After break I then went into the school and was doing an English lesson with 3 children. This was a bit of a challenge as teacher hadn't given me much direction. She said they were keen to learn but their English wasn't that good. She said its useful for them to have to follow instructions and have to write about a topic. I then thought the teacher would set the topic as a class exercise but she didn't it was left to me to do a topic so I chose to do hobbies with them. A teaching assistant told me to set a grammar exercise well this stumped me a bit without doing preparation for it. Then she said get them to write 5 lines on a topic so thats what I did. Difficult to show equal attention to all three of them one of the students I had to write for him.
In afternoon I worked with the pre-school nursery children and confused one child with my sign language as I don't know Bengali. I was trying to tell him to listen to the other teacher. I pointed at other teacher, pointed at my ear and cupped my hand round to suggest that he listened. He thought I wanted him to go up to other teacher so he went up to other teacher. She said in Bengali something like or I guess thats whats she said "what are you doing. Go and sit down". Got public bus back to homestay alone yesterday so was quite pleased with myself that nothing went wrong.
Today observed hydrotherapy. I could do a little bit of comparison to home here too from volunteering in neuromuscular centre at home. It was alot harder to get the adults in and out of the pool than at home as had less resources for doing so. I then went in schools, did some stapling, helped a bit with the lunch and talked to a student over lunch as he was fasting. In afternoon I was in pre-school nursery again. Harder to keep them amused as playground was closed as it had been painted and it was raining anyway. When arrived at front door to take them in there were no teachers or organisor and began to be a bit concerned about taking them through building with me and other volunteer. One of the teachers eventually turned up though.
Just reading, eating and sleeping at night after work.
- comments
Suzanne Not really much to write today so not going to do a blog entry. Going to Sunderbans tomorrow for 2 days and a night. Will be good to get out of the city for a bit. Struggling with earache and blocked ear. Had it for 3 days now 3 nights and getting me a bit frustrated, sad and homesick. Still be good to be out of work as the language barrier plus not being able to hear in one ear was not a good mixture. Started a course of drops last night so really hoping that will do the trick. If not when get back going to push to see a doctor. Been looked up and down from head to toe by a lady at the level crossing/bus stop. Been teaching an English lesson today to 3 children. Was absolutly awful as hadn't prepared anything and I can't speak in their own language to explain what I'm asking them to do. Think I may make some flash cards over weekend so rather than getting them to write use them instead. As one of them I have to write for him I can't show equal attention to all of them.
Jo Hopper Hi Suzanne, So lovely to read your blogs, what an exciting adventure you're having. Keep writing!! It sounds like you are settling in OK now and I'm glad you have made some friends to chat with and compare survival tips. You have had more experiences in a fortnight than most people have in a decade. Keep your chin up you're doing GREAT. Sorry you're not feeling so good. On a serious note... GO TO A DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR EAR!!!! I put it off once and nearly regretted doing so. I am sure you will be fine though but please go! The volunteer work sounds very challenging but you make it sound so much fun too, they are lucky to have you. Have you had a warm bath yet? Must admit I do like my luxuries, I think of you now every time I wash my hair. Alot of the customers ask how you are and if you're still OK and enjoying yourself. Alot of the older ladies are worried about you and ask all the time. They want to know if you have someone to look after you. I tell them your brave as a tiger and don't need ANY looking after. Keep going super girl.
christine collier Hi suzanne sorry to hear about you having earache not very pleasant at the best of times, you seem to be getting dropped in at the deep end!! but sometimes its the best way, we still envy you, a little tip when your helping with the babies, if its a little boy and your doing his nappie keep your mouth closed!!! you'll be suprised how high those waterfalls go! feeling a bit sorry for myself today as went to Turkish rest. last night and had too much wine!! I'll never learn!! food was excellent though i think youd like it as its not too hot thinking of asking your mum and dad if theyd like to go. i was off on a ladies golf trip last week came 2nd 1st day and 3rd on the last day so was quite pleased, poured down on last day so was glad to get home. Amanda goes on holiday at the end of the week so im stuck in work for 2 full weeks! no golf no days off not looking forward to it one bit! we've been painting the stone work on the outside of the bungalow today i'm covered in spots of cream paint I'll look as though i'm contageous in work tomorrow!! still it may keep some of the custmers away! keep up the good work and its only natural to get homesick the longer your out there i'm sure the easier youll find it, but dont forget to come home will you. thinking of you and sending our love to you chris & steve xxx a
Suzanne Hi Jo Thanks for the message. Hope things are good with you. Yep I'm not doing too badly for settling in. Still do alot of things on own but thats ok. The other volunteers went to Agra this weekend but I didn't fancy the 20 hour train journey when I am seeing it anyway. It seems to be getting better my ear thank goodness but I am keeping an eye on it. Volunteer work is good sometimes can get a little boring mainly due to language problem as sometimes I am just observing as I haven't got experience or the language to be that helpful. However I am enjoying it and gaining new experiences from it. Can't believe it was only a couple of weeks ago I was working in bank. Seems like I've been out here longer than just over 2 weeks. Nope not had a warm bath yet or even a warm shower so I do miss that quite alot. I reckon my ear probably went funny due to some water getting in it when in shower as I can't cope with putting head directly under so body is having cold water on it as well. I do hope the hotel in Delhi will have warm water but thats another six weeks away yet. I don't know whether homestay in Delhi will have. For customers I am enjoying myself and I am fine. Sorry if you have to field all the enquiries from old ladies. Martin said you only had 2 staff the other day. Must have been awful. Haha would have liked someone to have been with me when I saw the mouse in room in Suderbans but not doing too badly on own. If I was a tiger I could have frighten them away!
Suzanne Hi Chris and Steve, Earache seems to be getting better so thats a relief. Thanks for tip about changing babies nappies. Luckily not changing their nappies- parents do that or other staff. Alot of them don't wear nappies anyway. It tickled me about the waterfalls. Hope your feeling better now. I probably would I quite like turkish when I've had it. Well done on your golf! Aww work doesn't sound good. Hope it goes better than you think. Ha hope customers made no comments. Should have washed off ok. Of course I will come home. Take care Love from Suzanne xxx