The past two weeks and a half have been a big struggle for me. School isn't going too great. The kids are perfectly fine but the teaching style is way different and as a matter of fact almost everything else is too. Besides the teaching style, here are some of the differences:
I have two hours of French every day except for Monday (or Hindi and Kannada for those who chose to do that, most of them chose that because most people at school know Hindi and/or Kannada)
I have two hours of French every day except for Monday (or Hindi and Kannada for those who chose to do that, most of them chose that because most people at school know Hindi and/or Kannada)
I have two or three hours of science every day, one hour for one branch of science the other hour for another (either physics, chemistry or biology); there isn't as big a focus on reading and writing skills.
This school starts computer as a subject in first grade. I really like my computer class and teacher.
In America most kids have this standard of whats' "cool" and "uncool" like Dora, Barbie and Hello Kitty (none of which I like). There are not big standards of "cool and "uncool"- if someone has something with Dora, Barbie or Hello Kitty on it, even if you think its kind of girly or "uncool" you don't say anything about it because either they like it or it's all that person could find and they might not like it either.
Since the British ruled India for so long, we have "houses" in the schools. Those who have read Harry Potter or seen the movies are familiar with "houses" in schools right? Each grade is divided into four houses. The houses compete with each other in sports and other activities and academics. So I'm in 6th grade, but I have people from each grade from K-12 in my house. I'm in the green house called Caesar. The other houses are Phoenix (red), Poseidon (blue), and Hercules (yellow). Our shirts are gray, but have stripes on the sides. The stripe color tells which house we are in.
One thing that has helped me with moving here is a song by the Christian singer Mandisa called Stronger. Here's it is.
One thing that has helped me with moving here is a song by the Christian singer Mandisa called Stronger. Here's it is.
Please pray for me!
Oh Abby I have been praying for you and the song and your journey inspire me! As I read about your experiences I can definitely see from this side of the world that God is going to not just make you stronger but also teach you amazing and beautiful things that will enrich your life I ways we can't even imagine. For one, you will actually learn a language that you will be able to SPEAK far earlier than many. You will grasp science concepts in much greater depth and breadth than most students in the US even up to college age! No wonder Eastern countries whoop us in those subjects. Noah says the students who studied in India breeze past him in science....and he was a National Merit Scholar! Though it doesn't sound like it will be a breeze, I know from teaching you that you have a brilliant mind and with time to adjust will be so capable. Know as you set off for school every day that you are being prayed for... For patience, adaptability, confidence, and a desire to use your beautiful green eyes to look on this adventure as an opportunity many will never have, and that each day you will 'see' something that will confirm how very special you are that God hand-picked you to prepare you for something wonderful.
ReplyDeleteGod bless, Abby!
Keep blogging to we can journey vicariously through you!
Thank you so much for writing that and praying for me! I am so blessed to have had you as a teacher and I will never forget my second grade year with you!
DeleteAbby
Abby- Caedmon still gets confused when we read his book and the monks go to the Abbey. He always asks, "Where is she, Abby?"
ReplyDeleteI think your new puppy is adorable and probably pretty good at snuggling when you get home from a hard day at school!
We are praying for you!
Love- The Hendricks
Thank you for writing me! Lego thanks you for you compliment :) Miss you and Caedmon!
DeleteAbby
well written blog Abby! Thank you so much for sharing openly what is happening to you so we can pray knowing what is going on. Megan prays for you every night. Love you. Mrs. Ruthie
ReplyDeleteDear Mrs.Ruthie,
DeleteWe all miss you and Megan, Bethany, Nathan and Eliana a lot! Thank Megan for praying for me please!
Abby
Dear Abby and Andrew
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your adjustment story. I remember how hard it was when I started college away from home. That was so long ago and at that time it seemed like a bad dream but you know what? It turned out to be the best dream ever when I began writing, singing, and hanging out with friends. Happy blogging! Happy singing! And happy hanging out with friends!
Love your little puppy. I know he will bring you lots and lots and lots of joy!
We miss you all...hugs from Texas!
The Austins, Mr. Dave and Miss Gaye
Thanks for writing me, I love to get responses on the blog!
DeleteHugs from India :)
Abby
megan- I know and really like that song! Hope things get better.
ReplyDeleteThanks Megan!
DeleteMiss U!
Abby
Hey there Abby !
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear school's a bit of a challenge for you there. Trust me when I say we're praying that you may find the silver lining soon. And even though it's so hard to see sometimes, there is one somewhere.
You may remember that I moved here from Belgium. That's been quite a while ago now, but I vividly recall my very first couple of months here. I didn't know it got so hot here in Texas. So I got an old used car without AC. I didn't have AC in my car in Belgium... so why would I need it here ? It was perfectly cool when I got here in February. Well.. that was the year we had 90 days over 100 degrees here. Now I can laugh about it, but back then ? Boy oh boy... I was banging my head on the steering wheel each day driving home. I was thinking and praying "What am I doing here ? Why am I here ?"
Or food... that was another thing I just couldn't get used to. Everything was so sweet ! And bread...oh my ! In Belgium bread is dense and crusty and yummie ! Here, bread is like a sponge. You know you can squeeze a Mrs Baird loaf of bread down into the size of a tennis ball ? That's not bread ! That's air with some bread mixed in somewhere !
And no good cheese here ! Or the candy I was used to ! Or football ! (They even dared to call it "soccer" here)...
Anyway, it took me some time to find the things that did make it worthwhile. I kept looking for the things I was used to and obviously couldn't find them. Which made me really unhappy. Until I started looking for the things I did like and focused on those and eventually ended up taking the other stuff in stride.
So I pray you may find the good things over there. Perhaps a good friend (the two legged kind ;-) ), something fun you like to do and can find the silver lining. I'm not going to lie.. it may take a little while.. but I know you can hang in there and pray you may find it sooner than later.
In the mean time, keep up the blog... I'd love to read more about the curious things you encounter like food or animals.. or just plain weird habits and things.
Sorry for the long post... ;-) We miss you guys !
Take care
Michael & Mary Luyckx
Thanks for your adjustment story! It's good to know that other people have gone through things that are similar to what I'm going through and have ended up not absolutely hating in the end after all.
DeleteWe all miss you!
Abby
Sorry it took me a couple of days to respond. But yeah... it just takes a while to adjust. Praying that it may be as short a period as possible and that you get to adjust soon. In the mean time, keep looking for that silver lining ;-)
DeleteHey, Abby!
ReplyDeleteI love your writing! I'm so glad you're keeping this blog.
New schools are tough. Period. The end. Even if you were at a new school in the States, it would be tough. The good news is God is even tougher than a new school. The better news is, He's with you non-stop.
I'm sorry it's tough. I'll be praying for you as you make this adjustment.
Love you!
Sheryl
PS I already know the answer . . . but when do you get to play Quidditch?!?! :)
Hi Sheryl!
ReplyDeleteI know that you all ready know the answer to your question, but I'll answer it anyways. We get to play Quidditch when pigs (or brooms) can fly. :-)
Abby
Hi Abby
ReplyDeleteI just read your blog about school...I'm sorry the adjustment has been slow but I pray it will soon become the norm. Change is never easy even for older people like me...really old..LOL
Hang in there...I am praying for you daily.
Please say hi to Andrew and Mom & Dad.
Blessings
SheriQ