Mint Mischief

My favorite chips are Mint Mischief.

The past few weeks have been busy. Marks, report cards, fair weather day, two long hikes up two great local peaks (Top Tibba and Pepperpot mountain, Led Zepplin night, board meetings, Jackie thinking that Steve was gone missing for a day (more on that later), steve teaching art, an invitation to our first Hindu wedding (Oulmilla's daughter), a day trip to Kempty Falls, learning to cook again, a day in Dehradun at the doctor for Rox, and a week long cry. It's a wonder why they call me a teacher. Anyway, 10 pounds later, I am pretty wiped. I think that my body is craving red meat. I think of it all the time. Especially when I am yawning not stop. I must need more iron. I am having a great time...don't get me wrong...but I always feel exhausted. It must also have something to do with the lazy life I had at home. I don't think that I can live like that again. I was so fat.

Quarter break is next week. I think we are going to Rishikesh for a few nights and then take the girls to Fun Valley for a day. Check it out: http://www.thefunvalley.co.in/.

Rahat is coming on November 1st...I can't wait...and I think that Sara and Loo are booking tix to come in April.

Pictures to come. If you want more and a good laugh, check out Jeanne's blog. It's on the right menu.

This week was the annual Woodstock cross country run. Which is really along the Tehri road through the campus. Roxana was definately NOT going to run. All week, she complained about her knee and worked as a helper for Mrs. Cooke while others practiced. Oh dear. Steve and I talked and talked to her about just running or even walking to complete the run. She wasn't into it. Asha on the other hand was full of excitement. She came pouncing onto our bed on Tuesday morning and announced "The race is tomorrow! I am going to win!". Mrs. Cooke told me later that she had been winning the races in practice. Just perfect for her ego. (The race by the way is about 50 meters long) So Wednesday came, and the race was scheduled for 10:30 am. Roxy 's knee had been feeling better all week and the swelling gone down.

Asha and Roxy and I had some practice races in the morning on the way to school. Roxy of course was pleased to be the winner, and Asha satisfied with second. It was looking more and more like Roxy was going to run. Race time came, and Steve was there. He took some pics of the event. So damn cute. Here they are...




Roxy won, Mohima in second and Ashie in third. the girls were very pleased with their performance and have spent the last two days in the best moods ever! Nothing like a little confidence booster, even if they are the biggest kids in the class! Roxana later confessed that she simply didn't want people to watch her. Wonder who she takes after!?

Flag Hill and Rajpur

Hi there...this blog is taking acceptionally long to make. The picture part I haven't mastered yet. Anyway, here are some shots of the path from/to our house...again...

notice the sun...

Here I am, admiring the girls new artwork above their beds.

Here is Chris, who may or may not buy this Royal Enfield. Katie, this one is for you. Especially note the sari step in the next picture ...for comfortable riding.



This one is for all the kids out there who have been following the bugs. This caterpillar is about 4 inches long. And 3/4 inch thick.

creepy camo


Here is the latest house spider we caught in Maija's kitchen. They are so fast. The next one I caught was in our bedroom. Roxy had fallen asleep and there was "Heart", the girls fond name for it, right above her head. So I tried to catch her, but she lost a few legs. oops.
This one is Rover 4.

Roxy in the woods on Flag Hill

Flag Hill

Last week we went to Flag Hill for my Grade 11 and 12 classes. It was great: we sketched and listened to our local expert and good friend Darab tell us everything about the local fauna. There really isn't anything that grows that isn't of some use traditionally or even commercially. It's pretty amazing.

The first day we hiked it was clear as can be. We could see the white capped snow peaks beyond Bear Hill and Pepperpot. The next day was completely fogged over, but we had chai and the girls and Steve came along for the hike. I think overall that the kids were pretty happy to get outside of the class. It is so easy to organise the outings, so I hope to get out with them every other week.




On the way up.




















Here comes the family!

"It's Mr. Pye!"
















Blue Pine












Kyle lighting the stove.

Hike to Rajpur

Above is Jeanne hiking down. Below is ...well...not really sure. No one was brave enough to peek. I think its Jeanne resting.

This past weekend Steve went with a gang on a day long journey from the Tehri road all the way down down down almost to Dehra Dun. Some of the pics above are from Rajpur where the hike ended and a bus was taken back up to the school.

And last but not least...a new outfit! And crimped hair. You will notice that we bought a TV. I know I know. But I am excited for it to get hooked up. We do get the newspaper everyday, but I can't wait to be able to watch late night news and movies. Roxy's arthritis flared up in the monsoon. She is OK and it seems to be getting better. It is more than likely that it is just monsoon dampness. Asha is loud as can be. But I have to say, she is really growing up.

As of today, I have been here for exactly 6 weeks: in Mussoorie at school. I say I because Steve has had some excursions to Dehra Dun on his own. I suppose the kids have been in one spot alos...but that is besides the point. As the sixth week has approached and almost gone, I don't feel the six week sadness that I have been warned about per se. (Although I did cry after I spoke with mom and Rahat) but I do feel a tiny bit of cabin fever. It is so ironic since we are in the most beautiful countryside in India (I would argue). But even though the monsoon has its own beauty...it does grow tiresome. One more month I am told. Leaving Mussoorie and heading down the hill isn't even super interesting to me...because it means I would be in one big hot city, and that's no fun. So I am tempted to wait it out right here, and then once the monsoon goes I am going to hike all over the mountains. I have been spending the past month researching and looking at all the treks from here. Next summer, I think we will have to spend 6 weeks exploring more and the surrounding Himalaya up closer toward Tibet. Anyway, that took way more energy than I thought. I am sure youc an tell, I am not really into writing. Next time I wm only going to write when there is really something to talk about. As Tanya would say...

Love and Laughter!

Some things never change. The girls in their bathing suits on the deck in the make shift pool. Which I might add there is a pool here. We have been and it is pretty cold, but great. We will be there more when monsoon ends. This is Oulmilla our Ayah. She is amazing. Feels weird to have one, but really nice. The girls love her although it took Asha a while. Now they tell her they love her all the time. My honey

My little honey on the back road to town. Notice the orange mustache. The little devil has discovered orange pop. Fanta. And she loves it. The view of the Landour bazaar from the back road.
A view along the Tehri Road, east from the school.

Another weekend done. We had a quiet one and found ourselves reading travel books and other books...books books books. This morning we went up to Char Tucan (again, wrong spelling) along the Eyebrow Path, which is so beautiful. A little scant of a path in spots as it drops down many meters to the valley below. But you just have to be careful. Asha mentioned something bothering her foot, and behold..her first leech. She was good about it and I just picked it off. No blood this time. Of course I forgot my camera and this is the best walk for pictures. Next weekend. We met up with all the church going folk, students and staff. Of course to my embarrassment, Roxy's friend asked why we were not in church and she piped "We don't go to church. We don't believe in God." Oh dear... Steve looked at me and said "Well it's true". One day she can make up her own mind. It is not often that I find myself a minority in this respect. But today I did. We had an great lunch and walk in the jungle on top of the mountain ridge with our friends Radha, Lorenz and their kids Josef and Aloisa. We spent the afternoon reading and hanging out. Ben and Chris came home from Rishikesh and shared some stories, Chris stayed for dinner. Going to mark some tests and get some rest. New week tomorrow. Here are some pics from the weekend. Promise to get better ones in the coming weeks.

Seems I am living week by week these days. Although, the weeks tend to melt in with the weekends. School so far has been great. The kids are awesome. I love every bit of them. They are friendly, interesting and smart. Today, I was delighted when one of my grade 12 students said "hey Chocolate Pye". Awesome. They actually know that I am brown. At home, I am used to more profane or maybe just perverted associations with the name Pye (all endearing of course), so this one is great. Lorenz told me that there is a treat here called Chocopie, which is the name he has heard. Love it. Another grade 9 student called me Ms. Jackie...which I sort of like. But was followed by a class full of giggles.

Tonight we went for dinner at the dorms with the Grade 9's and 12's. Take out for 150 people or more. The girls had fun and ran around with a student Jaza. Another student begged me to show her Mr. Pye. Ha. So I had to explain to her why I hadn't changed my name. No one seems to have problem with it. They love Chocopie. Anyway, after dinner we hopped on the scooter and headed up the hill. Foggy and rainy.

Roxy is loving Ramona the Pest at night, so we read for a long time. Asha can now sit and listen without the pictures. The girls are great. Roxy has a wee bit of a sore knee, but we are managing it. Gives me an excuse to massage and cuddle her for hours. She is loving school too, great teacher and friends. Only two other kids in her grade, so she gets exactly what she craves. She said the other night "we are so lucky to be here. It is so cool that we live in the clouds. I wish that Ava and Emma could come".

Everyone went to Rishikesh this weekend. We are staying behind to hang out and play. Seems a little quieter, but that is OK. Our friend Neeraj lost his mother yesterday to cancer. A sad thing. They are a very tight family and no doubt will be thinking of her as they sit on the Ganga this weekend. Speaking of which, I found Tanya's necklace in the bazaar. A friend told me where she saw one, she has a ring like it, so I am going to go and get it tomorrow. I miss her. sigh.

Steve has "mastered" the climb and drop through the bazaar on the scooter. Now he has to practice with all four of us on it. And I suppose I should get my ass out there and learn to drive it too. It is very handy. Especially because now it only take a total of 15 minutes to go and get beer and come home. Great luxury in the mountains. The new beer of choice is "Flying Fox. From the Great Himalayas." It is brewed in Dehra Dun just down the mountain.

So we are going to Goa for 3 weeks at xmas. I booked the ticket already. I was so worried that I would miss out on cheap flights that I just snagged the earliest one. I always get burned by these things, so...why not. May as well do it. We will never regret three weeks on a beach. And travelling in that area will be fun. Next summer maybe Leh, and then maybe next xmas in Thailand.

It is hard to believe that school starts in Canada in a week or so. I feel like my summer has been on hold. After monsoon I am going to relish every bit of sunlight that burns my cheeks for the next few months. The thought of it cooling at home makes me shiver. I won't miss it a bit. Even now when the clouds are gone for a minute, it is so hot. By October it will be perfect. But the summer is over I guess. I am glad I am not thinking that way. I always dreaded the summer being over.

Sorry that this is a pretty chppy and unintellectual post. That is what they will all probably be like. I read other people's blogs and think...nope...mine will never be like that. But I do love reading them. More later this weekend. And I think the phone is not working...I have been trying to get a line out for days...I should do something about that!