The Urge to Plan

As I am trying to practice contentment and living in the present moment AND going with the flow... I am feeling an overwhelming urge to PLAN SOMETHING. Oh no. Not now... There have been lots of intersting events going on in and around Doon and I have been having both fun and inspiring experiences - for which I am truly grateful but the last two days have started to sound like a ticking clock and I feel I should be "Making Plans" for the rest of my time here in India (1 month and 7 days to be precise).

I am no longer so sure I will be making it all the way out to Bodh Gaya on this trip as I have come across and been accepted to a different Silence Meditation course that is both closer to Delhi/Dehradun and will be a habitable temperature at the time of said course. The fact came to me that in Bodh Gaya around the beginning of April it can be will be HOT. We are talking a minimum of 27 degrees Celcius and highs more like the mid 40s. I have faith in my ability to be silent for 10 days... but not to spend 10 days in plus 43 degree temperatures. No. No thank-you. So this other retreat (which also allows for laying meditation, walking meditation and some silent morning yoga - none of which were permitted in the Bodh Gaya one) it is! As it turns out the Doon School is also going (for the four days prior) to work in a small village in the exact same area of Nainital! Coincidence?

Best part of it all is that the organization that Doon will be working with is AMAZING and I am just starting to learn more about some of the amazing and truly inspirational work they have done in fostering community, supporting women and educating children through their Badwali program (more about that later). Anyway, it is totally the kind of thing I'd like to see first hand and OF COURSE be able to help out with!

So maybe I'll just stick around here a little while longer and join in on these other projects in different areas of Uttakahand and plan two or three mini-trips (i.e. Agra, Delhi, Corbett Park) and then leave March alone. Ironically/coincidently/appropriately my alarm clock also broke last night. I take it as a sign to give up on the over-planning and go with the flow.

Pictures of Doon School



Main Building



SpongeBob on Campus

Banita at the Art School

Art School Exhibition Floor

Ceramics Studio/Class

Yoga School!

Flash Cards

Flash Cards - there are some lessons here and a few pictures - I hope the "Flash Card" idea comes across for some of them.

Lesson 1: It's hard to keep up with a daily blog, that's for sure, but I am glad I haven't been on the computer each and everyday... it just wouldn't seem like a holiday then!

Lesson 2: there are SO MANY little stories that have been coming up - it's amazing! But sometimes it feels like the little stories are not very Blog-worthy. They are the kind of stories you can casually mention over tea in some Canadian coffee shop or on a Skype call or something. The trip to John Martyn Memorial School is one of them (the two pictures are from there). Actually.. that place was nothing short of inspiringly amazing...

 

Lesson 3: It feels really weird when everyone (mostly everyone... or at least 500-ones) call you ma'am.  Most notable is when I am seated at the head of one of the (20?) tables in the Common Dining Hall (CDH) and am asked "Do you need anything ma'am?" or "Can I re-fill the butter ma'am?" or "How was your day ma'am?" or "Can I speak to someone at the other table ma'am?" etc. etc. etc. It took me at least seven days to not jump, cringe or look to see who was being address when I heard all this "ma'am-ing."  Nope. Just me.

Lesson 4: Volunteers may not be entitled to sick days... but I had to take one on Monday. Luckily by Tuesday all was well but guck, what a lacklustre 12 hours. BUT I am now terribly appreciative of "only having a cold." At least I can sleep, eat, talk and NOT nap for a whole day.* However, the next day (when I was back at the whole "eating thing" I did whip up the Indian equivilant of KD - good old Mac and Cheese! Mmmmmm!

Lesson 5: The Lizards won't hurt you.
I know this. My mind knows this. My heart believes it... but I've also had near-premonitions of a little critter scurrying across my face at 3am or getting trapped in my purse or joining me for morning yoga. BUT maybe they (there are two of them) can be my friend because they seemed to come out during the Hindi (and Punjabi) dance music-videos on t.v. We may get along, in fact.

Lesson 6: I spend a lot of time in the Art Department. When the question is put to you as the volunteer yoga teacher and social service assistant: "Lyndia where will I be able to find you today, the art department?" It makes you think... and made me smile :) I am getting to do ALL MY FAVOURITE THINGS each day - yoga, art, social service, eat Indian food, talk with awesome people. SWEET. Which reminds me... I've actually be able to work on some art while I've been here! SO AWESOME! I will be sharing more about that later but suffice it to say I am totally lovin' it.

Lesson 7: There ARE stupid questions. Yesterday I think I asked at least seven.... the best one:

Me- What do you call those little mini baby mangoes?

Banita: yes.

Me- huh? Oh... mangoes... right.



Banita and Lyndia