20kg... 20kg! It's hard to fit your life into a suitcase, when all you are allowed is 20kg! I guess that this time around, I'm not moving my whole life over to Bangladesh, as I did last year, which is an upside. I am, however, stuck in an endless cycle of 'What is going to be most useful, Gumboots for the flooding or sheet music for my sanity?'... As usual, I think that the music will win the battle!
As usual, friends in Australia are asking all sorts of lovely questions, so I thought I'd stop and try to answer them as eloquently as possible:
What is Bangladesh like?
Well, in terms of climate, Bangladesh is what I imagine sitting in a drier that's 10 minutes into an hour cycle would be like. On the one hand, you're moist no matter where you are, and on the other hand it's flipping hot! I have a lovely little application on my laptop which keeps my up to date with the temperature and climate in Dhaka. At this current moment, it is 8 am in Bangladesh and it's already 30% with an added kick of 79% humidity. I really WISH I was kidding! Gees, the humidity is going to kill me next week! In other climate news, it's monsoon season at the moment, which means potential torrential rain, flooding and general blah-ness. Perhaps we'll have to head to school one day in boats rather than busses!
Why are you in Bangladesh?
This is a question that has so many long answers. The most straightforward response is this: I am in Bangladesh because God placed a calling on my life. I wasn't necessarily called to Bangladesh or teaching, I was called to live a life of genuine obedience, where I am challenged to do whatever God asks of me. It's something I have struggled with my whole life. Looking back, I now realise that there have been instances where I have not been obedient. I'm in Bangladesh as a teacher at a school that serves the mission families of Bangladesh by taking responsibility of the schooling of their children so that THEY can do what God has asked them to do without feeling any angst over the development or educational status of their children.
What does a 'normal' day look like for you in Bangladesh?
My day often starts by hitting the snooze button quite a few times! I have NEVER been a morning person, but the 'early to bed, early to rise' culture of Bangladesh schooling means that I get picked up for work at 6:45. I tell you what, those sorts of hours of the morning were NOT part of Gods perfect plan!!! On days when I sleep in, I leave for school at 7:15, to be in my classroom, doing final prep for the day by 7:30. The kids are brought to school on our fleet of school busses (basically just a set of vans) and they start to arrive at 7:45. The school day doesn't start until 8:15, but the kids are in the classroom early, finishing work from the previous day, reading, playing quiet games etc until the bell goes. Each day we have an assembly where the kids sing, pray and learn about God. These times are really special, the teachers take turns leading the assemblies and everyone has their own style. At the end of the day, when the cherubs have gone home I generally stay at school for a little while to do prep for the following day. We're very blessed in Dhaka to have a few western comforts like Internet and coffee shops - a lifesaver at the end of a long day!
What do you do aside from school? Are you able to relax?
Because there is such a large expatriate community in Bangladesh, there are many options for relaxation. There are 'clubs' people can join (There is an American club, Australian Club, Canadian club etc). These clubs provide respite, they are just a great place to hang out and unwind. The Australian club has a very laid-back feel, with a pool, tennis court, gym, bar, restaurant and tv area. Needless to say, escaping into the pool is a great way to waste an afternoon or 5 a week! Some of the bigger clubs have other things like dart competitions, pool tables etc which offer different relaxation! For those of us who are feminine and like to be pampered, there are eastern-run, Western-like salons, where getting your nails done is super cheap and a nice treat!
When are you moving back to Australia?
Ok guys, you can stop asking this question, because i quite simply DON'T have an answer for you! I'm contracted in Bangladesh until June 2011, and I don't know at this stage whether I will extend my contract, head back to Australia or move on somewhere else. When God makes the next move apparent, I promise I will tell people! But for the near future, the answer is 'Ami jani na' (I don't know - in Bangla!).
What's the best part about being in Bangladesh?
Without a doubt, the most pleasantly surprising thing about being in Bangladesh is the people who are now such an important part of my life. I now have friends spread out all over the world! It's amazing that God has intertwined so many lives through Grace International School. How else would I have met two Canadians, a wonderful friend from Northern Ireland, a ton of Bengali people who I love and numerous friends?!
What's the most confronting thing there?
Confrontation here can come at you from many fronts. What one person may find overwhelming isn't so bad for someone else. The thing that has shaken me more than anything here has been the immense poverty. That people need to beg in order to live astounds me. There are kids who were born on the streets, who work on the streets, grow up, learn to survive, and the shocking truth is that for most of them, that is the only life they will ever know.
Can you communicate while you're in Bangladesh?
You know what?! Skype is quite possibly the best invention ever! The beauty of Skype is unlimited. Between free phone calls and chat, free VIDEO calls are amazing and mean that even though I feel so far away from home, I'm still connected! Seriously, it's a free download! Add me - sydney.sweetheart ;)
As for the language-side of communication here, I'm very blessed that alot of people in Bangladesh speak enough English so that we can communicate! So, between their fumbled attempts at Engligh and my fumbled attempts at Banlga, we do just fine :)
If you have other questions, I'm more than happy to answer them! Fire away!
Kim xox
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Q and A
20kg... 20kg! It's hard to fit your life into a suitcase, when all you are allowed is 20kg! I guess that this time around, I'm not moving my whole life over to Bangladesh, as I did last year, which is an upside. I am, however, stuck in an endless cycle of 'What is going to be most useful, Gumboots for the flooding or sheet music for my sanity?'... As usual, I think that the music will win the battle!
As usual, friends in Australia are asking all sorts of lovely questions, so I thought I'd stop and try to answer them as eloquently as possible:
What is Bangladesh like?
Well, in terms of climate, Bangladesh is what I imagine sitting in a drier that's 10 minutes into an hour cycle would be like. On the one hand, you're moist no matter where you are, and on the other hand it's flipping hot! I have a lovely little application on my laptop which keeps my up to date with the temperature and climate in Dhaka. At this current moment, it is 8 am in Bangladesh and it's already 30% with an added kick of 79% humidity. I really WISH I was kidding! Gees, the humidity is going to kill me next week! In other climate news, it's monsoon season at the moment, which means potential torrential rain, flooding and general blah-ness. Perhaps we'll have to head to school one day in boats rather than busses!
Why are you in Bangladesh?
This is a question that has so many long answers. The most straightforward response is this: I am in Bangladesh because God placed a calling on my life. I wasn't necessarily called to Bangladesh or teaching, I was called to live a life of genuine obedience, where I am challenged to do whatever God asks of me. It's something I have struggled with my whole life. Looking back, I now realise that there have been instances where I have not been obedient. I'm in Bangladesh as a teacher at a school that serves the mission families of Bangladesh by taking responsibility of the schooling of their children so that THEY can do what God has asked them to do without feeling any angst over the development or educational status of their children.
What does a 'normal' day look like for you in Bangladesh?
My day often starts by hitting the snooze button quite a few times! I have NEVER been a morning person, but the 'early to bed, early to rise' culture of Bangladesh schooling means that I get picked up for work at 6:45. I tell you what, those sorts of hours of the morning were NOT part of Gods perfect plan!!! On days when I sleep in, I leave for school at 7:15, to be in my classroom, doing final prep for the day by 7:30. The kids are brought to school on our fleet of school busses (basically just a set of vans) and they start to arrive at 7:45. The school day doesn't start until 8:15, but the kids are in the classroom early, finishing work from the previous day, reading, playing quiet games etc until the bell goes. Each day we have an assembly where the kids sing, pray and learn about God. These times are really special, the teachers take turns leading the assemblies and everyone has their own style. At the end of the day, when the cherubs have gone home I generally stay at school for a little while to do prep for the following day. We're very blessed in Dhaka to have a few western comforts like Internet and coffee shops - a lifesaver at the end of a long day!
What do you do aside from school? Are you able to relax?
Because there is such a large expatriate community in Bangladesh, there are many options for relaxation. There are 'clubs' people can join (There is an American club, Australian Club, Canadian club etc). These clubs provide respite, they are just a great place to hang out and unwind. The Australian club has a very laid-back feel, with a pool, tennis court, gym, bar, restaurant and tv area. Needless to say, escaping into the pool is a great way to waste an afternoon or 5 a week! Some of the bigger clubs have other things like dart competitions, pool tables etc which offer different relaxation! For those of us who are feminine and like to be pampered, there are eastern-run, Western-like salons, where getting your nails done is super cheap and a nice treat!
When are you moving back to Australia?
Ok guys, you can stop asking this question, because i quite simply DON'T have an answer for you! I'm contracted in Bangladesh until June 2011, and I don't know at this stage whether I will extend my contract, head back to Australia or move on somewhere else. When God makes the next move apparent, I promise I will tell people! But for the near future, the answer is 'Ami jani na' (I don't know - in Bangla!).
What's the best part about being in Bangladesh?
Without a doubt, the most pleasantly surprising thing about being in Bangladesh is the people who are now such an important part of my life. I now have friends spread out all over the world! It's amazing that God has intertwined so many lives through Grace International School. How else would I have met two Canadians, a wonderful friend from Northern Ireland, a ton of Bengali people who I love and numerous friends?!
What's the most confronting thing there?
Confrontation here can come at you from many fronts. What one person may find overwhelming isn't so bad for someone else. The thing that has shaken me more than anything here has been the immense poverty. That people need to beg in order to live astounds me. There are kids who were born on the streets, who work on the streets, grow up, learn to survive, and the shocking truth is that for most of them, that is the only life they will ever know.
Can you communicate while you're in Bangladesh?
You know what?! Skype is quite possibly the best invention ever! The beauty of Skype is unlimited. Between free phone calls and chat, free VIDEO calls are amazing and mean that even though I feel so far away from home, I'm still connected! Seriously, it's a free download! Add me - sydney.sweetheart ;)
As for the language-side of communication here, I'm very blessed that alot of people in Bangladesh speak enough English so that we can communicate! So, between their fumbled attempts at Engligh and my fumbled attempts at Banlga, we do just fine :)
If you have other questions, I'm more than happy to answer them! Fire away!
Kim xox
As usual, friends in Australia are asking all sorts of lovely questions, so I thought I'd stop and try to answer them as eloquently as possible:
What is Bangladesh like?
Well, in terms of climate, Bangladesh is what I imagine sitting in a drier that's 10 minutes into an hour cycle would be like. On the one hand, you're moist no matter where you are, and on the other hand it's flipping hot! I have a lovely little application on my laptop which keeps my up to date with the temperature and climate in Dhaka. At this current moment, it is 8 am in Bangladesh and it's already 30% with an added kick of 79% humidity. I really WISH I was kidding! Gees, the humidity is going to kill me next week! In other climate news, it's monsoon season at the moment, which means potential torrential rain, flooding and general blah-ness. Perhaps we'll have to head to school one day in boats rather than busses!
Why are you in Bangladesh?
This is a question that has so many long answers. The most straightforward response is this: I am in Bangladesh because God placed a calling on my life. I wasn't necessarily called to Bangladesh or teaching, I was called to live a life of genuine obedience, where I am challenged to do whatever God asks of me. It's something I have struggled with my whole life. Looking back, I now realise that there have been instances where I have not been obedient. I'm in Bangladesh as a teacher at a school that serves the mission families of Bangladesh by taking responsibility of the schooling of their children so that THEY can do what God has asked them to do without feeling any angst over the development or educational status of their children.
What does a 'normal' day look like for you in Bangladesh?
My day often starts by hitting the snooze button quite a few times! I have NEVER been a morning person, but the 'early to bed, early to rise' culture of Bangladesh schooling means that I get picked up for work at 6:45. I tell you what, those sorts of hours of the morning were NOT part of Gods perfect plan!!! On days when I sleep in, I leave for school at 7:15, to be in my classroom, doing final prep for the day by 7:30. The kids are brought to school on our fleet of school busses (basically just a set of vans) and they start to arrive at 7:45. The school day doesn't start until 8:15, but the kids are in the classroom early, finishing work from the previous day, reading, playing quiet games etc until the bell goes. Each day we have an assembly where the kids sing, pray and learn about God. These times are really special, the teachers take turns leading the assemblies and everyone has their own style. At the end of the day, when the cherubs have gone home I generally stay at school for a little while to do prep for the following day. We're very blessed in Dhaka to have a few western comforts like Internet and coffee shops - a lifesaver at the end of a long day!
What do you do aside from school? Are you able to relax?
Because there is such a large expatriate community in Bangladesh, there are many options for relaxation. There are 'clubs' people can join (There is an American club, Australian Club, Canadian club etc). These clubs provide respite, they are just a great place to hang out and unwind. The Australian club has a very laid-back feel, with a pool, tennis court, gym, bar, restaurant and tv area. Needless to say, escaping into the pool is a great way to waste an afternoon or 5 a week! Some of the bigger clubs have other things like dart competitions, pool tables etc which offer different relaxation! For those of us who are feminine and like to be pampered, there are eastern-run, Western-like salons, where getting your nails done is super cheap and a nice treat!
When are you moving back to Australia?
Ok guys, you can stop asking this question, because i quite simply DON'T have an answer for you! I'm contracted in Bangladesh until June 2011, and I don't know at this stage whether I will extend my contract, head back to Australia or move on somewhere else. When God makes the next move apparent, I promise I will tell people! But for the near future, the answer is 'Ami jani na' (I don't know - in Bangla!).
What's the best part about being in Bangladesh?
Without a doubt, the most pleasantly surprising thing about being in Bangladesh is the people who are now such an important part of my life. I now have friends spread out all over the world! It's amazing that God has intertwined so many lives through Grace International School. How else would I have met two Canadians, a wonderful friend from Northern Ireland, a ton of Bengali people who I love and numerous friends?!
What's the most confronting thing there?
Confrontation here can come at you from many fronts. What one person may find overwhelming isn't so bad for someone else. The thing that has shaken me more than anything here has been the immense poverty. That people need to beg in order to live astounds me. There are kids who were born on the streets, who work on the streets, grow up, learn to survive, and the shocking truth is that for most of them, that is the only life they will ever know.
Can you communicate while you're in Bangladesh?
You know what?! Skype is quite possibly the best invention ever! The beauty of Skype is unlimited. Between free phone calls and chat, free VIDEO calls are amazing and mean that even though I feel so far away from home, I'm still connected! Seriously, it's a free download! Add me - sydney.sweetheart ;)
As for the language-side of communication here, I'm very blessed that alot of people in Bangladesh speak enough English so that we can communicate! So, between their fumbled attempts at Engligh and my fumbled attempts at Banlga, we do just fine :)
If you have other questions, I'm more than happy to answer them! Fire away!
Kim xox
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This is awesome to read. Believe it or not, I had no idea that the kiddos come in early to finish work/play games, OR that assemblies are every day. I also didn't know that coffee shops are abound! Can't wait to hit those up at the end of the day with you my dear!!!
ReplyDeleteLove love love