Shabashhhh

Wow, after reading my last entry, it's obvious that all I'm used to writing anymore are formal politics essays. How dry.

Welp, I can honestly say this past week and weekend have not been as eventful as those past, much to my relief. The rain's picked up, so I've enjoyed a lot more movies: Lost In Translation, Sholay, and Veer Zaara, thus far. I've also started a new book out of a thirst for adventure and entertainment as opposed to autobiographic accounts. My current obsession is Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins, and it quenches my ADD-induced thirst like divine gatorade. I've also been journaling and writing letters, allowing me to throw myself into the sublimely relaxing practice of introspection, made all the more relaxing with the aid of Thai marijuana. On Wednesday my favorite day of the week, the entirety of our Real World: Himalayas cast threw a surprise party for one of our fellows who was feeling down. It was a great success, or as we say in Hindi, "SHABASHHHHH!!" (well-done!) We certainly put the BASH in shabash, might I add. Hours of dancing, a superfluous amount of people on the roof, and endless hash all conspired in favor of merriment and jollification.

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of visiting an NGO in Purkal that provides fully for the needs of women and children in rural villages, and engages in community-building activities as well. For the women, Stree Shakti employs them to make quilts and form self-help groups that allow the to generate real wealth for themselves. There's a childcare right next door that teaches them the ABC's, impressively good behavior, and how to bathe and brush their little teeth. The Youth Development Program seeks the brightest children from the poorest communities and provides them with not only a wholesome and high, high quality education, but also all the uniforms, books, food, transportation, and medical care they need. After 12th grade, the organization is an invaluable resource in bringing higher education and placement in leadership-oriented and lucrative jobs within students' grasp. I'm sure there's so much more I'm leaving out, so if you are is interested, visit purkal.org.

We got to dine with the students, see the women quilting, play with the little children (sooooo soooo cute!!!!!), and visit classrooms of 20 or so students with a partner. Emilie and I got to answer all kinds of questions, from, "have you ever seen the largest tree in the world?" to "what kind of animals are in your country?" to "do you approve of what your president has been doing?" We also exchanged national anthems and a few other songs, all the while amazed at how polite their demeanors and flawless their English. For the past few years I have known I want to do some kind of community-building work in some poor village, and seeing this NGO at work was more encouraging and motivating than any college course on the matter. I was sad to leave.