if you haven’t noticed, i threw a picture thing on the top of my blog, because that was the place it fit best. let me know if it works, and if it looks good at all. the computer here it works and looks alright, but really, the ones that matter are yours. so, let me know if it looks alright, and if you can see it working.

i don’t know everyone’s big deal with flickr. maybe i haven’t researched it very well, but i think its kinda bogus. it seems unorganized and you can only upload a limited amount of pictures a month. mine, as featured on the top of my blog, and as a link on the side, has no limit of pictures, that i have found, as well as the same fancy stuff flickr has. along with this, it seems more organized. i know that 90% of the people that read this use flickr, so, if i am missing something let me know.. but either way, check out my photos. i will try and update them as much as possible.

thanks.

I woke up two nights ago, around 4am, to a sound invading my room, and I couldn’t figure out what it was. You know when you are in that awesome deep sleep, and when you wake up, nothing at all makes sense? I was in this part of the night. I woke up, heard the noise, and it took me a good few minutes to figure out the noise was in my room, and that I should do something about it. I reached around for my flashlight, and got up, shone the light around the room, on the wall where the noise was coming from, under the bed, and then into my personal bathroom, where I had left the window open for some venting of the region, because it needed it. Anyways, nothing was there. I couldn’t figure out whether this was a dream, or whether I actually heard something. If it was real, it must have been an expert climber, or a flying animal, because my window is about 20feet from the ground. Andrew figured it was a bat, and I wouldn’t be surprised, because I saw a bat in the bathroom the other day, when the windows were open. Either that, or I found a new species of iguana that shrieks and climbs buildings. I would call it a Climbing Iguana, or a Cliguana or an Iguanimb. I remember the sound very well, it was a cross between a huge squirrel, a group of excited teenage girls, and the squeaky dirty screech of a shopping cart wheel. You know when you get one of the shopping carts, and only 3 of the wheels touch the ground? Man, that sucks.

Anyways, over the 3 weeks I have been here, I have been having the weirdest dreams, and on a nightly basis. It must be the spicy food. I have had many dreams about friends from elementary school, as well as teachers. Playing paintball and shooting Mrs. Fowler in the gut, and hanging out with ollllld friends, from many a year ago. Every night before when I say goodnight to some of the guys, they tell me to have sweet dreams of my girlfriend, and even the girls here on a nightly basis tell me to have sweet dreams. Maybe that is the reason I have been having the dreams.

The other night I had a dream that I was sitting with Jerms, Kris and Melissa talking about how India was, like I was looking into the future.. That will no doubt bring on some trippy déjà vu.

Last night I had a dream that Lucas, Bryn and Kurtis came to India to visit, brought their hockey gear, and mine, and some snow. We went to brewsters after a hockey game, then to the Indian movie theatre, and it turned out that the movie theatre was just an orchestra with a small TV in the front. The orchestra played the movie music, and the TV was about 20” big. It was a true letdown. So don’t go to the movie theatre in India, at least not in your dreams.

I have also heard that eating bananas before bed will give you the dreams. So, just to make sure this is all true, I am going to make sure someone tells me to have sweet dreams, and soon after I will eat a banana that is stuffed with hot chilis. Should make for a good night.

Oh yeah, and yesterday, i dove off of a mountain. it was great. but it hurt.

Today I went into town again. Same old stuff. I laughed at many things, and wanted to buy many things. I saw, in some very small shop on the side of Bara Bazaar, a nice black cap, with the Team Canada logo on it, brand new, with the tag on it and everything. I thought that was neat, and surprised me quite a bit. I didn’t buy it. maybe next time. I bought a new soccer/football ball, from the same sports shop as the last one i visited. The same lady was working, and she said she gave me a deal. It was about $5.

Bob, Duothang (yeah, kinda like a duotang) and I went to town, and we stopped by David’s Kitchen. I ordered a real meal of Butter Chicken Masala, and let me tell all of you, it is much better in the real India than it is in the fake Regina India. Boy oh boy, my first real butter chicken was a beautiful thing. The perfect sweetness, butter-loving goodness with a perfect amount of spice. I also had some real nan bread, but forgot to order rice. I figured it might come with rice, but didn’t, so I just put it on my nan. Still, a beautiful thing. Tell Sharon King that the only way to experience it, is in real India.

Tell Dave Turner that I found a banana hammock branded with Arsenal, that I will likely get him. Dave would look nice in the banana hammock.

Tell Oprah I hate her.

Tell my friends and family i miss them.

Tell my wife that I love her.

I have yet to master the art, but I am optimistic. I am working on it, day to day. It is an unavoidable task, and is quickly becoming a skill. The picture is of a toilet, if you couldn’t tell.

This photo is the night sky of Aizawl, including the moon, and a tree I couldn’t avoid. It is a beautiful sight every evening, and is hard to miss.

These past few days, I have been playing lots of ‘football’ or ‘futball’ with the kids. Today I played for about 2 hours with about 20 different people, rotating around every 20 minutes or so. I played for about an hour and a half with two cute little girls named Ankita and Anjenna, and they were fun to play with. I played with people aged 4-30, and it was a good time. You’ve gotta love futball.

Yesterday I had a bag of milk wafers. Andrew called them milk wafffers. Yeah, I know that sounds so good. They looked like pale Cheesies, but tasted like the sweet milk you drink after eating cereal. Very weird, but oddly good. I have to try everything, it is a rule.

The other day, when driving in a taxi to the school, I noticed a kid, about 13 wearing a red teeshirt that had the grey print of ‘skateboarder’ on it, with a small patch stitched into the side that said ‘TIKI’. There was no mistake to be made, that was my old shirt. Where else would have this kid bought a shirt that could only be purchased in Regina? I thought that was neat. Then today, I saw another guy wearing one of my favourite longsleeves of all time, the white and burgundy striped one, which I grew out of. So, I guess that is where your old clothes end up. They sit in the bottom of your drawer for a few months and then eventually end up in the home of some boys in India. Both are really nice shirts, by the way.

For breakfast each morning the past few days, I have been eating downstairs with the college guys, and the meal usually consists of rice, dry fish, dahl and a cup of water. It is a really great meal. Today was a bit different. It was rice with about a large can of kidney beans and some sauce, which was also a great treat. Anyways, the food from Ellen and the food from Becky is so good, that every meal it is a hard choice of where to go, and I mean that in a good way. Not like, ‘I dont want to eat either place it is so bad’ but more of a ‘I want to eat both places at both times because my tastebuds get pissed off when I only eat one place.’

Brudder Bob Parker came last night, and it is nice to have him here. I could go on, but I think that is a good enough of a compliment. He is a solid dude.

I don’t know why people go to school for 5 years to become a teacher. I went to school for .5 years and I know just as much as the teachers I know that went to school for that long. All you really have to do, is get the kids to read a book, and then you look on the internet to make sure it is to curriculum. Along with the best times and holidays, a teacher might just be the easiest job in the world.

besides professional sleeper, or professional circus man.

Today, I went to town once again. I never really realized it, but it is a good 30minute drive to the core of the city.

When Ellen went and searched for her goods, I had some shopping of my own to look after. I have needed a new pair of headphones for a while now, as the ones I have only supply me with half of the entertainment they should, that is, only the left earbud works. It is a real bummer to hear only one half of Kelly Clarkson’s hits. It just isn’t the same.

I headed around the market, looking for a suitable electronic shop, and found quite a few. When I found what I wanted, the small ear bud headphones, it turned out that they only cost 30rupees, about 75cents. I tried them out, and only one of the earbuds works well, the other works, but very quietly, together putting out a sub-par sound. But, I guess that is what I get for being Wilf’s son, and buying the cheapest. I will likely buy a new pair soon. When I was done this, I walked further down the street and found a DVD/CD store, and found a Stallone DVD, featuring all 5 old Rocky movies, and the three Rambo hits, all on one DVD, all for 150rupees, for less than five dollars. Even if it doesn’t work, the package was worth it alone.

On the way back to the meeting place I saw a sign for a tattoo parlour, and thought I’d stop by for a look. It was possibly the dirtiest place I have ever seen. The tattoo ‘artist’ was about 60 years old, with a young girl sitting in there, smoking a cancerstick. I looked through his archives of tattoos, none of which he actually designed, and left soon after. He told me to come back another day. Maybe I will. I got my hepatitis shots at home, so I don’t see why I shouldn’t get a tattoo done. Maybe one, full back tattoo, of a map of the country of India holding hands with a map of the country of Canada, and say ‘United Forever’ or ‘Straight Edge’

After this I headed into numerous shoestores, finding out that no one in India needs shoes bigger than a size 9, so my 12’s won’t be supported here. I also stopped in a sporting goods store, looked at soccer balls, and talked with the lady that worked there for about 10 minutes.

When I was done browsing, I purchased a bag of Lay’s potato chips, India’s Magic Masala flavour. You can’t get much better than masala flavoured anything. Once I finished these, I met Ellen, and we came home.

It took me a good half hour to upload these, so look at them, and enjoy them. Look at them numerous times, for at least 5 minutes each time. To make it worth the time I spent.

I am sure many of you have seen an exact picture of this, but here it is again. I had to get one for myself.. A truly amazing city. Like most things, a picture does not do it justice.

Welcome to India! A warm welcome from Shillong. My favourite part is the word ‘Sexological’. I know these pictures haven’t been the greatest yet, but this is all I’ve got for now. More will be uploaded soon.

Today was my first day of school, and my kids were awful. Actually, it was rather fun. I know how to calculate perimeter and area, and that takes some mad skillz. The power has been off most of the day, and it hasn’t bothered me, probably because I am beyond electrical goods, and am deeper than that.. I say this, as i sit at the computer and typer idle words to Canadian friends.

Today Ray and I headed into town for the first time since I’ve been here, and it was pretty fun, and tiring. We went everywhere, for everything, and I was exhausted. Walking around I noticed that there are many a cute girl my age around here. It is probably a good thing that we speak none of the same language, because I would probably have to go and talk to some of them. Those cute girls will be the death of me, I am sure.

Last night we had mashed potatoes and gravy for supper. Tonight, the plan is spaghetti. Both, beautiful things, and right now it seems that I am more in a very mountainous region of Regina, living with the McMillans than it does living in India.. I’m sure it will balance out soonn.

The first 5 days i was here, i ate Indian food each and every meal. it was a fantastic treat, and i dont think i will ever be sick of it, but it may happen. Thanks to the mini-Canada i am in, i dont have to worry.

anyways, that is all for now.
later…

Dropping one from Aizawl.

I am finally in my new home, with my luggage and a new family. It has been great so far. We ate supper and I enjoyed sometime with the kids. We drove from Shillong to Guwahati and flew from there to Aizawl, where I met my luggage and drove here to Aizawl, all very smoothly. I seem to be regaining my sense of the English language, as for a while I was speaking in broken English and still am speaking in some weird way, as you can no doubt tell.

I have noticed everyday, wherever I go, being stared down by the native people of the great land of India. They must be saying to each other, “Hey, dude! Come check out the tall, pale, goofy awkward whiteman, and then laugh for hours. I can only hope that this trip makes me less pale, less goofy, less awkward, but I will keep my height, because that would mean dismemberment.

I will soon begin my teaching career as well as my bible college career, both of which I am anxious to get going.

The other day while having tea with one of Ray’s old friends, while sipping at the 9th cup of the day, I hear in the background one man from USA, Usher, singing his hit from past years, ‘Caught up’ I was really bouncing to the great beat. Somehow crap like that gets leaked in to this country that is so different, but seems to have much of the same crappy influence of the danceable Usher and his great beats.

I was in the guest house in Shillong, very friggin cold by the way (you were right mom) and the Australian Open was on the tele. It was a great treat that I did not expect. Along with this was Arrested Development, another great treat that I do not expect to happen again. Anyways, I am still trying to understand how the crappiest part of our culture is ending up here, and why they love it so much. But I do love the tennis and arrested development, a lot.

By the way, Sharon king, if you are reading this or hear about it ever, you would not be able to live in India. Too much ‘chicken on the bone’ it is a truly terrible thing.

But, I am off, for sleep and a shave.

Thanks,

It is always nice to be “Caught up”

rushed blogging is an awful thing. they beauty just isn’t there.

Three days in a row. thats pretty good.
This one is short, a few observations I have made.

The fashion here is incredible. Many Adidas, Nike and Fila sweatervests, as well as socks with sandals. Many a great moustache, so I will likely grow one too .When in Rome..

There are many stray dogs, cows, goats, and other things around. The baby goats are so cute, i want to go and pet them, but i prefer my herpe-less body. The dogs are everywhere. Laying around, eating trash. .Many very ugly, many very cute, either way, all gross.

The drive from Guwahati to Shillong was pretty cool. Many neat trees and hills. but i would call them old jungle mountains before i called them hills. I want to see a tiger.

Anyway, i better get off. stop wasting money.
cool.
thanks.

later.