A glimpse of the annual student talent show:
Also, a mini talent show that didn't quite make it to the main stage, but rather just my couch late on a Saturday night. The girls were over to bake brownies and got a bit of a sugar rush.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Keeping Busy
I've been back at Woodstock for two full months now, and life is busy! Just as I thought the newness of being back would wear off and life would take a slower pace, things have picked up and I'm overwhelmed. The last few weeks especially have been packed with activities. Here are a few:
Wilderness First Aid Training:
Woodstock brought in two instructors from the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute to train dorm staff in Wilderness First Aid. I've done a similar training twice before at WCB. Much of the information was familiar, but I found this three day course more comprehensive. As you can tell from the photos, we had fun faking injuries.
Our NOLS instructor demonstrating how to splint a leg on a fellow dorm parent.
We successfully splinted Priya's leg!
Three head-injury patients, and one shock patient...working at Woodstock is tough!
Cooking with Geeta
Laura and I took a "cooking lesson" from our co-worker Geeta, who is an excellent Indian cook. Our plan was to make Aloo Paratha, which is a fried flat bread with potato, onion, garlic, ginger, and chilies inside. We showed up with eager hands, but ended up using only our eyes. Most middle class families in India have an ayah (a maid to cook and clean for them). Despite Geeta's fabulous cooking skills, our "lesson" turned out to be watching her ayah make the parathas while we sat and had chai. Geeta, to her credit, did explain how to make them, but I don't feel like I really learned.
Geeta explaining, while Lakshmi cooks.
Lakshmi frying the parathas.
Drinking chai and anticipating delicious aloo parathas!
Bear Hill Day Hike
Four of us dorm staff headed out on a day hike earlier this week. Because of limited time, we went to Bear Hill which is only about an hours hike from campus (just past Flag Hill). It turned out to be a beautiful sunny day and we caught glimpses of the snow-capped Himalayas.
Picnic atop Bear Hill.
Real Cooking Lesson with Saroj!
After our delicious, but not educational, cooking lesson with Geeta, we asked our ayah to teach us how to properly make Aloo Paratha. This lesson was much more hands on and I feel like I might be able to do it by myself sometime!
Saroj kneading the atta dough.
The rolled out atta dough with stuffing (potato, onion, garlic, ginger, chilies). Next, you pinch the sides of the atta around the stuffing (like a dumpling) and roll it out into a pancake. Then fry and eat...yum!
Cross Country Day
Last week was the Annual School Cross Country race. It was held up on the Chukar (the top of the hill). Thankfully, after calling a "rain check" twice, it didn't rain.
Grade 9 girls running as they pass their cheering friends in the background.
Local women unknowingly join the race!
Wilderness First Aid Training:
Woodstock brought in two instructors from the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute to train dorm staff in Wilderness First Aid. I've done a similar training twice before at WCB. Much of the information was familiar, but I found this three day course more comprehensive. As you can tell from the photos, we had fun faking injuries.
Our NOLS instructor demonstrating how to splint a leg on a fellow dorm parent.
We successfully splinted Priya's leg!
Three head-injury patients, and one shock patient...working at Woodstock is tough!Cooking with Geeta
Laura and I took a "cooking lesson" from our co-worker Geeta, who is an excellent Indian cook. Our plan was to make Aloo Paratha, which is a fried flat bread with potato, onion, garlic, ginger, and chilies inside. We showed up with eager hands, but ended up using only our eyes. Most middle class families in India have an ayah (a maid to cook and clean for them). Despite Geeta's fabulous cooking skills, our "lesson" turned out to be watching her ayah make the parathas while we sat and had chai. Geeta, to her credit, did explain how to make them, but I don't feel like I really learned.
Geeta explaining, while Lakshmi cooks.
Lakshmi frying the parathas.
Drinking chai and anticipating delicious aloo parathas!Bear Hill Day Hike
Four of us dorm staff headed out on a day hike earlier this week. Because of limited time, we went to Bear Hill which is only about an hours hike from campus (just past Flag Hill). It turned out to be a beautiful sunny day and we caught glimpses of the snow-capped Himalayas.
Picnic atop Bear Hill.Real Cooking Lesson with Saroj!
After our delicious, but not educational, cooking lesson with Geeta, we asked our ayah to teach us how to properly make Aloo Paratha. This lesson was much more hands on and I feel like I might be able to do it by myself sometime!
Saroj kneading the atta dough.
The rolled out atta dough with stuffing (potato, onion, garlic, ginger, chilies). Next, you pinch the sides of the atta around the stuffing (like a dumpling) and roll it out into a pancake. Then fry and eat...yum! Cross Country Day
Last week was the Annual School Cross Country race. It was held up on the Chukar (the top of the hill). Thankfully, after calling a "rain check" twice, it didn't rain.
Grade 9 girls running as they pass their cheering friends in the background.
Local women unknowingly join the race!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
A Break in the Clouds...
Here are a few monsoon photos I've taken over the last few weeks. A typical day during monsoon has dense cloud coverage, which obscures the views of the surrounding foothills and valleys. But, when the clouds break, the views are breathtaking.
View of the hills east of Woodstock. Photo taken from campus.
Clouds whisping through town. Photo taken in the bazaar.
Clouds covering the bazaar. Photo taken from campus.
Ferns coat the trees from top to bottom. Photo taken on the Chukar.
Twin orchids in bloom. Photo taken on the Chukar.
Woodstock dorms (where I live!) with Dehradun in the valley. Photo taken on campus.
Rain passing through the Doon Valley. Photo taken on campus.
Sunset over Mussoorie. Photo taken on campus.
Laura walking home from school in a downpour with a Woodstock essential: a colorful umbrella!
Hills to the east of Woodstock. I live in the building farthest to the right. Photo taken on campus.
Yellow flowers basking in the elusive sunshine. Photo taken on Bear Hill.
Monsoon graffiti! Names scratched into moss by students. Photo taken on campus.
A fern with brown tips. Photo taken on campus.
The sun is shining more these days and the ferns are turning brown. Mornings and evenings are chilly with frequent storms that signal a change in season. I'm looking forward to sunny days and clear views of the snow covered Himalayas on the horizon, but I'll miss the majestic clouds rolling in and out.
View of the hills east of Woodstock. Photo taken from campus.
Clouds whisping through town. Photo taken in the bazaar.
Clouds covering the bazaar. Photo taken from campus.
Ferns coat the trees from top to bottom. Photo taken on the Chukar.
Twin orchids in bloom. Photo taken on the Chukar.
Woodstock dorms (where I live!) with Dehradun in the valley. Photo taken on campus.
Rain passing through the Doon Valley. Photo taken on campus.
Sunset over Mussoorie. Photo taken on campus.
Laura walking home from school in a downpour with a Woodstock essential: a colorful umbrella! 
Hills to the east of Woodstock. I live in the building farthest to the right. Photo taken on campus.
Yellow flowers basking in the elusive sunshine. Photo taken on Bear Hill.
Monsoon graffiti! Names scratched into moss by students. Photo taken on campus.
A fern with brown tips. Photo taken on campus.The sun is shining more these days and the ferns are turning brown. Mornings and evenings are chilly with frequent storms that signal a change in season. I'm looking forward to sunny days and clear views of the snow covered Himalayas on the horizon, but I'll miss the majestic clouds rolling in and out.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Tope Tibba
Two weeks ago, a crew of us went on a day hike to Tope Tibba, a nearby hill that is somewhere near 9,000ft in elevation. I believe it is the highest peak on the Mussoorie/Landour Ridge. We drove about 10 km east of Woodstock to get to the trail head. There were 5 of us dorm parents and the two Hanifl Center leaders. Woodstock is building a strong outdoor education program and has two fulltime staff members who work at the Hanifl Center to coordinate and lead outdoor activities. One of them has been here for many years and knows everything about the flora, fauna, and the geography of the area. The other is in his first full year at Woodstock. He most recently directed the NOLS India program, one of the best outdoor leadership training organizations in the world. He kept us in line with proper "expedition behavior."
The trail was really nice for the first half of the hike. We stopped many times to learn about plants (and we got to eat some too!). About half way up, we passed through a tiny village. The villagers were happy to see us; they are used to Woodstock visitors. After the village, the path all but disappeared, so we followed winding goat paths up the steep hillside. We reached the top in time for lunch and just as the view was completely obscured by all-encompassing monsoon clouds. Despite the lack of view, it was a wonderful spot to sit. The descent was much quicker, and much funnier due to our deteriorating muscle control as we tumbled down the steep goat paths.
Off to an energetic start. Beware of goats and cows!
Kutty enjoying the view before it disappeared into the clouds.
Darab bestowing his nature knowledge on us.
Villagers working in the fields just outside the village.
A few of the village buildings.
We made it to the top! Notice the spectacular view (of clouds).
The trail was really nice for the first half of the hike. We stopped many times to learn about plants (and we got to eat some too!). About half way up, we passed through a tiny village. The villagers were happy to see us; they are used to Woodstock visitors. After the village, the path all but disappeared, so we followed winding goat paths up the steep hillside. We reached the top in time for lunch and just as the view was completely obscured by all-encompassing monsoon clouds. Despite the lack of view, it was a wonderful spot to sit. The descent was much quicker, and much funnier due to our deteriorating muscle control as we tumbled down the steep goat paths.
Off to an energetic start. Beware of goats and cows!
Kutty enjoying the view before it disappeared into the clouds.
Darab bestowing his nature knowledge on us. 
Villagers working in the fields just outside the village.
A few of the village buildings. 
We made it to the top! Notice the spectacular view (of clouds).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)