I realize that I have been terribly derelict in my duties as a blogger. However, I think that I still update more often than my sister.
So much has happened. It is now the middle of December and as of about 3.30 this afternoon I was officially done with my fall semester 2009. I still have a meeting on Wednesday morning but I'm not splitting hairs here. The end of this semester has been somewhat bittersweet. After weighing all of my pros and cons I decided to extend my contract. I'll be signing a 5 year contract but have the opportunity to opt out at any time so long as I give 6 months notice. So, that allows me to stay on for an extra year to see the class of '011 graduate. I'm one of their advisors and I really have a great time with them. Staying on will also allow me to take over all of the AP chem classes which will give me the experience that I'll need in order to sell myself better to other school. Still need to work on that IB certification though...
One of the bitter parts was that I had to bid farewell to one of my advisees. He had been at Woodstock for quite some time but he and his parents felt that he needed to go to school back home. He was a relatively stoic student but that last day of school at the final assembly after I had given a speech for him he seemed to actually show some amount of emotion. Surely, he'll be missed.
Anywho, I am essentially a free man from now until the first of February. I'm still not exactly sure what I'm doing this break but I am picking up Kathryn in Delhi to bring her up here for Christmas. After that I think we'll be heading to Jaipur and then back to Delhi and then Agra for the Taj. Dad comes some time in January and I'm thinking maybe we'll go to a wildlife reserve and hopefully see some tigers.
Well, tonight I'm off to Christmas Carols at the Principal's house so I had best get ready for that. I'll try and post some pictures soon. So long as it's before Becky updates her blog I'm golden.
14 December, 2009
14 November, 2009
A visit by the representatives of the lollipop guild
This past week my lab was invaded by the ECP (Early Childhood Program) and KG1&2 classes. You see, word gets out when you wear three pairs of safety goggles on stage, tell bad jokes regarding moles and Avogadro, and then burn Rs 500 notes without the bill itself being consumed. The teachers of these classes heard about my exploits and asked if I wouldn't be interested in doing some experiments with their wee ones. A sucker for little kids in safety goggles, I happily obliged.
Donning my white lab coat (recently washed even) and my Sunday best, I proceeded to tell the kids how we can identify when a chemical reaction is taking place. We discussed things like:
The kids were surprisingly well behaved and attentive. I could tell, however, that little things in test tubes were becoming less and less interesting. I therefore decided to step things up a bit and went right into lighting things on fire and blowing stuff up. First, I pulled out ethanol. I poured a small amount onto the benchtop and ignited it so they could see it burn. Once it burnt itself out I pulled out a large water cooler jug and poured a healthy amount of the liquid and allowed it to vapourise. One of the teachers was kind enough to provide some assistance and helped me to light the contraption. A sudden blue flame comes rushing out of the mouth of the jug with a loud whoosh. I didn't add enough this time but I have added enough before to actually knock the drop in ceiling tiles out of their brackets.
Now burning ethanol is fun enough but I knew these kids wanted more and bigger. I kept an ace up my sleeve for the finale of the show. I took them all over the fume hood where I had my thermit experiment set up. The kids loved it and cheered happily upon its conclusion. I finished off the time by letting them write secret messages using lemon juice. All you have to do is brush it on, let it dry, and then heat the paper over a flame to reveal the message.
Now, you may be thinking, "Aww, what a sweet guy to do all of that stuff for the little kids, and they really looked like they enjoyed it too!" but let me assure you I was well payed for my services. The day before the show I received a delicious loaf of chocolate chip banana bread and the day of I got a box full of homemade lemon tarts. I tell you, each day I get a new reason to extend my contract for another year.
Here's some pictures for you to enjoy.
I figured I had to put this photo in here. This is Jagdish, our lab assistant. I'm sure that without him to help us set up our labs I would surely have gone insane here trying to keep up with everything I have so far with labs on top of it.
On a side note, if I may make a request. If you are planning on sending a care package any time soon, may I humbly request a few packets of taco seasoning. I have discovered ways of making delicious tacos and would love to be able to make more of this wondrous comfort food.
Donning my white lab coat (recently washed even) and my Sunday best, I proceeded to tell the kids how we can identify when a chemical reaction is taking place. We discussed things like:
- Gas Evolution
- Precipitate Formation
- Colour Change
- Sounds
- Heat Released/Absorbed
- Light Production
The kids were surprisingly well behaved and attentive. I could tell, however, that little things in test tubes were becoming less and less interesting. I therefore decided to step things up a bit and went right into lighting things on fire and blowing stuff up. First, I pulled out ethanol. I poured a small amount onto the benchtop and ignited it so they could see it burn. Once it burnt itself out I pulled out a large water cooler jug and poured a healthy amount of the liquid and allowed it to vapourise. One of the teachers was kind enough to provide some assistance and helped me to light the contraption. A sudden blue flame comes rushing out of the mouth of the jug with a loud whoosh. I didn't add enough this time but I have added enough before to actually knock the drop in ceiling tiles out of their brackets.
Now burning ethanol is fun enough but I knew these kids wanted more and bigger. I kept an ace up my sleeve for the finale of the show. I took them all over the fume hood where I had my thermit experiment set up. The kids loved it and cheered happily upon its conclusion. I finished off the time by letting them write secret messages using lemon juice. All you have to do is brush it on, let it dry, and then heat the paper over a flame to reveal the message.
Now, you may be thinking, "Aww, what a sweet guy to do all of that stuff for the little kids, and they really looked like they enjoyed it too!" but let me assure you I was well payed for my services. The day before the show I received a delicious loaf of chocolate chip banana bread and the day of I got a box full of homemade lemon tarts. I tell you, each day I get a new reason to extend my contract for another year.
Here's some pictures for you to enjoy.
I figured I had to put this photo in here. This is Jagdish, our lab assistant. I'm sure that without him to help us set up our labs I would surely have gone insane here trying to keep up with everything I have so far with labs on top of it.
On a side note, if I may make a request. If you are planning on sending a care package any time soon, may I humbly request a few packets of taco seasoning. I have discovered ways of making delicious tacos and would love to be able to make more of this wondrous comfort food.
09 November, 2009
Activity Week
So, this past week was what Woodstock calls Activity Week. I was going to briefly write about each day but I was focusing too much on the negatives of the week so I'm just going to post a bunch of pictures and hope you figure it out. Enjoy rural, northern India.
On another note. Not to worry anyone or anything like that but while we were out in the villages apparently some threats were made on Woodstock and some other schools in India and Denmark by some terrorists in Chicago. Security has been ramped up and I really don't see a reason why anyone sure worry. I'm not. I'll keep you all posted as to our situation.
Also thought I'd let you all know that I am considering a third year here. It makes sense. I enjoy the kids a lot (especially my grade 11 advisees), I get along well with my coworkers, three years is really a good length of time to get to know what you're teaching, etc. There are downsides too. Things like your coworkers also being your drinking buddies, conversation revolves around school, a cloistered feeling. I figure I'll at least see what the new contract has to say and I'll make a decision soon.
On another note. Not to worry anyone or anything like that but while we were out in the villages apparently some threats were made on Woodstock and some other schools in India and Denmark by some terrorists in Chicago. Security has been ramped up and I really don't see a reason why anyone sure worry. I'm not. I'll keep you all posted as to our situation.
Also thought I'd let you all know that I am considering a third year here. It makes sense. I enjoy the kids a lot (especially my grade 11 advisees), I get along well with my coworkers, three years is really a good length of time to get to know what you're teaching, etc. There are downsides too. Things like your coworkers also being your drinking buddies, conversation revolves around school, a cloistered feeling. I figure I'll at least see what the new contract has to say and I'll make a decision soon.
31 October, 2009
Leaving
Tomorrow marks the beginning of my Activity Week. At 9 in the morning I will leave with 17 kids and three other adults to go to one of the local villages. I say local but it's still a three hour taxi ride to get there. You go down the hill and up the next. Oddly enough, you feel so far away but you can still see lights of Mussoorie by night.
Activity week is a bit of a Woodstock tradition (one of these 'intangibles' I keep hearing about). For one week in the second quarter school stops and the trips begin. The littlest ones go into the bazaar and learn about the people who help us. Others learn the history of Mussoorie and then there are rafting trips, hikes into the mountains, village trips, meetings with the Dalai Lama, Habitat for Humanity groups in Delhi and others. Overall, it's a nice break from traditional school work and a chance to see a new side to India. For the second year now I'm going to a village. I guess you could say I'm a little disappointed because both years now I've said I'd like to hike. This year is different though. I'm actually in charge of the trip this year (though I can't say I've really organised anything or done much of anything at all for it; we have people here that do it) plus I'm going to a new village. It will be nice to see what this other village is like.
So don't be surprised if there aren't any new posts for the week (ha, you're probably more surprised by the fact that I am posting one anyway!). To help you satiate your thirsts for all things me here's a couple of things:
1- It was recently Mole Day (if you don't know, look it up... heathen). The other chemistry teacher and I got up in assembly to tell some jokes and light money on fire. More on that if I ever find pictures of it.
2- World Woodstock Day recently took place as well. You can check out a video of a day in the life of the school here.
3- I've been working on a new song on my accordion. It's coming along nicely. Still need to work out the bass/chord buttons but, you know, it's coming along.
Activity week is a bit of a Woodstock tradition (one of these 'intangibles' I keep hearing about). For one week in the second quarter school stops and the trips begin. The littlest ones go into the bazaar and learn about the people who help us. Others learn the history of Mussoorie and then there are rafting trips, hikes into the mountains, village trips, meetings with the Dalai Lama, Habitat for Humanity groups in Delhi and others. Overall, it's a nice break from traditional school work and a chance to see a new side to India. For the second year now I'm going to a village. I guess you could say I'm a little disappointed because both years now I've said I'd like to hike. This year is different though. I'm actually in charge of the trip this year (though I can't say I've really organised anything or done much of anything at all for it; we have people here that do it) plus I'm going to a new village. It will be nice to see what this other village is like.
So don't be surprised if there aren't any new posts for the week (ha, you're probably more surprised by the fact that I am posting one anyway!). To help you satiate your thirsts for all things me here's a couple of things:
1- It was recently Mole Day (if you don't know, look it up... heathen). The other chemistry teacher and I got up in assembly to tell some jokes and light money on fire. More on that if I ever find pictures of it.
2- World Woodstock Day recently took place as well. You can check out a video of a day in the life of the school here.
3- I've been working on a new song on my accordion. It's coming along nicely. Still need to work out the bass/chord buttons but, you know, it's coming along.
20 October, 2009
New Quarter
For a teacher, the new quarter means only one thing... new seating charts.
I thoroughly enjoyed my break, spending the long weekend relaxing up on the hillside. There were movie nights, tavern nights, and health centre nights. I was cutting up some onions to make homemade pasta sauce when I hit a rather dense centre. The next thing I know, the blade slips and instead of shedding tears I'm shedding blood. Good thing my father taught me the virtues of using sharp knives. I can't be certain but I think I might have hit bone. I can't imagine the shape my thumb would be in now had the blade been dull and rather than slice through my muscle it tore it apart. Anywho, I couldn't staunch the bleeding myself so I made the trip down to school and the nurse on duty cleaned me up and wrapped my thumb in enough gauze to make me look like the barnyard dog's after it gets hit with a hammer by ol' Foghorn Leghorn.
Yeah, about like that.
Not to worry, the thumb's fine now. Had to get a tetanus shot though. My arm was killing me for about 2.5 weeks.
Anywho, this quarter's only just begun and we've already been thrown into pandemonium. We took the first Friday of the quarter off for our inter-house sports day. It was a rather uneventful day. The entire middle and high schools go down to watch (not necessarily cheer on) students from our three houses; the eagles, merlins, and condors; as they compete in track and field events. I was not terribly interested in watching kids shot put all day so I brought a copy of Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time with me and read about black holes and why they're not quite so black. Well, the highlight of the day (for me at least) was the staff relay. I got talked into running for my house (merlins) on one of our three (guys') teams. I hounded my students for a pair of running shorts and track spikes. When I finally found some I found that I was last to run for my team which means I get all the glory when I cross the finish line fifth out of sixth. As I got the baton the only person still running was our principal so I gave it my all and passed him as we were nearing the finish line.
Oh sweet, sweet glory.
There wasn't much celebration afterward. Merlins came in last and points apparently got tallied wrong so everyone was confused. I trudged my way from the lowest point on campus up to the highest and had some dinner and friend's birthday cake before turning in for a well deserved rest.
Last week was crazy with suddenly shortened school days, days cut out to go to the inter-school sports day, days put back in and not going to the sports day, etc etc. It was interesting to say the least. Saturday, however, truly was. For those of you not up on your Hindu festivals and holidays (and I think there's been about four since Saturday) this past weekend was Diwali. I don't think I mentioned Diwali last year as I didn't really do much for it. This year, though, I went into the bazaar with some friends to see the colours and everything and then went down to the dorms to watch fireworks. I don't know what to really say about it. We were only a few metres away as they set them off and were getting pelted with bits of firecrackers. At one point one fell short and bounced off the roof of one of the dorms. One fell and exploded on the ground. Another exploded quite low, just above the students. It's very interesting to see how much more lax India is about public health and safety in situations like this. Well, I'll let the pictures say the rest.
A local family celebrating Diwali in the traditional style.
Firework tube fort.
I thoroughly enjoyed my break, spending the long weekend relaxing up on the hillside. There were movie nights, tavern nights, and health centre nights. I was cutting up some onions to make homemade pasta sauce when I hit a rather dense centre. The next thing I know, the blade slips and instead of shedding tears I'm shedding blood. Good thing my father taught me the virtues of using sharp knives. I can't be certain but I think I might have hit bone. I can't imagine the shape my thumb would be in now had the blade been dull and rather than slice through my muscle it tore it apart. Anywho, I couldn't staunch the bleeding myself so I made the trip down to school and the nurse on duty cleaned me up and wrapped my thumb in enough gauze to make me look like the barnyard dog's after it gets hit with a hammer by ol' Foghorn Leghorn.
Yeah, about like that.Not to worry, the thumb's fine now. Had to get a tetanus shot though. My arm was killing me for about 2.5 weeks.
Anywho, this quarter's only just begun and we've already been thrown into pandemonium. We took the first Friday of the quarter off for our inter-house sports day. It was a rather uneventful day. The entire middle and high schools go down to watch (not necessarily cheer on) students from our three houses; the eagles, merlins, and condors; as they compete in track and field events. I was not terribly interested in watching kids shot put all day so I brought a copy of Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time with me and read about black holes and why they're not quite so black. Well, the highlight of the day (for me at least) was the staff relay. I got talked into running for my house (merlins) on one of our three (guys') teams. I hounded my students for a pair of running shorts and track spikes. When I finally found some I found that I was last to run for my team which means I get all the glory when I cross the finish line fifth out of sixth. As I got the baton the only person still running was our principal so I gave it my all and passed him as we were nearing the finish line.
Oh sweet, sweet glory.
The entire Merlins running crew. Four teams in all.
By the way, if you, like me, have been wondering what the hell a merlin is, I can tell you. It is a pigeon hawk. Thank you wikipedia!There wasn't much celebration afterward. Merlins came in last and points apparently got tallied wrong so everyone was confused. I trudged my way from the lowest point on campus up to the highest and had some dinner and friend's birthday cake before turning in for a well deserved rest.
Last week was crazy with suddenly shortened school days, days cut out to go to the inter-school sports day, days put back in and not going to the sports day, etc etc. It was interesting to say the least. Saturday, however, truly was. For those of you not up on your Hindu festivals and holidays (and I think there's been about four since Saturday) this past weekend was Diwali. I don't think I mentioned Diwali last year as I didn't really do much for it. This year, though, I went into the bazaar with some friends to see the colours and everything and then went down to the dorms to watch fireworks. I don't know what to really say about it. We were only a few metres away as they set them off and were getting pelted with bits of firecrackers. At one point one fell short and bounced off the roof of one of the dorms. One fell and exploded on the ground. Another exploded quite low, just above the students. It's very interesting to see how much more lax India is about public health and safety in situations like this. Well, I'll let the pictures say the rest.
A local family celebrating Diwali in the traditional style.
Firework tube fort.
This guy followed me up the ramp to my place. He's my neighbor's dog and is the only thing that has been consistent with my Diwali experience. Last year he followed me down to another friend's place and kept running around like a idiot. He's not the brightest of dogs on the hillside.
So, what else have I been up to? Well, a few things. I spent a good portion of my quarter break looking up schools to apply to. I've found a few in Hong Kong, Korea, Istanbul, Beograd, Romania, Greece, Germany, Croatia and a few other places. I have a meeting about extending my contract later this week so I'll see how that goes and I'll have to make a decision by the end of the semester. If you know of any schools in those areas (Hong Kong, Korea, or eastern Europe) in need of a chemistry teacher, let me know and I'll check them out. I have also been reading a lot of comics now thanks to big brother Mike. I hadn't read one really since I was ten or so. In college I had picked up a few of the Marvel Essentials books and enjoyed them but Mike was really the catalyst that got me into them. I plow through the box fulls he sends and have worked through others as well. Most recently I completed the first four books of Sin City (the last three are on their way), The Tick, Usagi Yojimbo 1, Cerebus 1 and am currently reading SCUD: the Disposable Assassin. No real complaints. They were all good reads. Usagi was a bit short but the collection comes from before it got its own monthly book so the stories had to be truncated a bit. I'm hoping that wherever I end up next pays well for shipping because I'd hate to have to leave any of these books behind. Maybe I'll just stay on the hillside, become a chemistry tutor and make comics full time.
Ha
Ha
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