Niagara Falls

The Niagara Falls are massive waterfalls on the Niagara River, straddling the international border between the twin cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Niagara falls New york.Niagara Falls is composed of two major sections separated by Goat Island: Horseshoe Falls, on the Canadian side of the border and American Falls on the United States side. The smaller Bridal Veil Falls also is located on the American side, separated from the main falls by Luna Island. Niagara Falls were formed when glaciers receded at the end of the Wisconsin glaciations . While not exceptionally high, the Niagara Falls are very wide. More than 110,000 m³ cubic meters of water falls over on average. It is the most powerful waterfall in North America. The Niagara Falls are renowned both for their beauty and as a valuable source of hydroelectric power. Maid in mist' (boat ride), 'Cave of the Winds', and the 'Hurricane Deck' are real attractions. They gave a me memorable experience.

The maid of the mist boat ride.

Nature at its best.

The Hurricane Deck in the Cave of the Winds.

A sound sensitive dancing Doll

A pretty ordinary day. Nothing much new. Organized the stuff for the weekend Niagara trip. I am exited about the tour.

O.K, watch this video of Sound Sensitive Dancing Doll. It is dancing to the beats of 'Southern Band'. Funny and rare video caught on my 'shot gun' ( the nick name given to my Camera by my fellow Fulbrighters)

The Known Strangers

It was a long day yesterday.
The aeroplane which had to fly us from Arkansas to Cincinnati suffered a technical fault. Delay in its departure made us to change the flight and route ( Arkansas - Charlotte - Durham) at the last minute. The bags which were already checked in were not transferred to the new flight in time which caused a commotion.
By the time I reached home in Durham it was 12.30 a.m.
May be a test for my adaptability in U.S.A
I came back from school after mid session. Slept off for a long time. Now I am perfectly O.K

The regional meeting was over. I may not meet most of these Fulbrighters whom I met here again in my life.
We are all with the similar professional challenges, difficulties, emotions and feelings. We are sailing on the same boat. We shared our experiences, learnt from each other and departed to our respective places.
Fulbright formed a bond and relation among us, the 'known strangers'. It is a great feeling to mingle with people from different corners of the world and develop an emotional relationship with them.

I was presented an Arkansas traveller memento and a Little rock diamond by Dr. Walter Nunn ( The Daddy, a nick name given to him for his hospitality) the coordinator of this successful regional meeting.

Story of the 'Central School', America

I am glad to know Arkansas is the state of Senator J. William Fulbright, the founder of the Fulbright exchange Program. Each Fulbright meeting makes me feel so proud to be a part of this exchange program. But the host city Little Rock has a significant importance. As I belong to Central School System( Kendriya Vidyalayas) in India I would love to bring forth the history of a Central High School of Little Rock, USA In September 1957 Little Rock's Central High School became a crucial battle ground in the struggle for civil rights. The nation sat transfixed as nine black students attempted to enter the previously white school. While a hostile crowd watched, Arkansas National Guard troops blocked their entrance. 3 weeks later, after negotiations between Arkansas Governor Orval E. Fabulous and president Dwight D.Eisenhower failed to resolve the stalemate. Eisenhower called the Army's 101st Airborne Division to escort and protect the 9 students entering the school. The conflict was only beginning. lot has happened, the proceedings include Supreme courts intervention. Little Rock came to symbolize the federal government's commitment to eliminating separate system of education for blacks and whites. I had a great opportunity to visit the School and Visitor Center and in fact I observed two Math classes in the School. In the following photo I am next to the one of the statues of those 9 great black students.

Watch the video to see what has happened that day.

HOT springs

As a part of the Fulbright regional meeting today we visited 'Hot springs' an interesting city 60 miles away from Little Rock. The city of Bill Clinton's childhood days, a place of many 'bath houses' and Hydrotherapy Hospitals. It was the den of gangsters during first half of 20th century. We visited some of the places associated with Clinton's childhood, a visitor's place of historic bath houses and the Gangster museum.

Clinton's lived here in his childhood days'

Idol of famous gangster Alcapano ( the Scar face) in the mini movie theatre of Gangster Museum.

God Father.... ( ?)

Vamsi in the American President's Chair

Today is the first day of my Fulbright regional meeting and initially I thought I could not make my time to visit the must see Clinton Presidential Center due to flight time. Accompanied by Dr. Logan ( My principal) I reached Little Rock by 4pm and we directly rushed to Clinton Presidential Center. But I made it to add to my wonderful experiences in America. Arkansas is the state of the Bill Clinton whom we know as one of the most influential American Presidents. When he was chosen as Governor of Arkansas for the first time he was the youngest American Governor ever. I had some really good moments there. One of them was sitting in the American president's chair. I could find the model of Charminar made up of Hyderabadi pearls that was presented to Mr Clinton during his visit to Andhra Pradesh.

An American Apple Pie

To be vegetarian in America ..., mmm, some times is a tough task. You need somebody to tell you the right pick (Or make so many trails and time will gradually teach you).
In the beginning whenever I looked for a vegetarian meal I was given salad stuff.
And whenever I tried some thing different I ended up in ordering the wrong choice.

But for few times I am lucky to have a right combination of taste and flavour.

The following is one such case where I really enjoyed the food outside.
One who visits America must eat an American apple pie.
After searching here and there what I found was there is a good restaurant just down my street too.
Friday evenings are interesting. On the other days when I leave the school at 4.30 it looks I am leaving early. On Friday by 4.00 I see almost nobody in the school.
People leave their offices as early as possible to join Ur family/group and have a long relaxing dinner.
Everybody says 'Fabulous Friday'
Just chill chill, just chill.

Whats fun in a baseball game?

Am I loading the posts regularly in my blog? I don't know. Suddenly I became busy while organizing things before weekend trip, getting ready for the issue of progress reports due on Friday etc.
I am finding it difficult to upload the posts regularly as Internet signal strength some times is trying me.

O.K
What is fun during a base ball game?
See the video. Having seen a base ball game last month I am looking forward to watch a Football Game. The college football season is started. means one more post in my blog.

Good News

I am happy to inform you that my first major outing in America is confirmed and I am flying to Harrisburg on 10th to visit my brother. From there we will drive to Niagara falls. This weekend I have a regional meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas to where I am flying with my administrator.
I am exited to explore America. A big break from the School routine...

Here are the pictures of some big buildings in my neighbourhood

Do you believe in me?

Hey everybody,

I am happy today. After many hhu…s and uff...s finally I heard some aha..s today. For the long few days my B- day classes are running very smoothly. Today few students asked me “Mr. K, Why can't you stay here till June to teach us? (till the completion of the session). Though I heard such comments during my introduction they were just out of curiosity or a kind of enquiry. I found an increased faith and trust( O.K, let me simply call it as 'acceptance') in that voice for which the every first year American teacher strives. I am sorry for their unawareness/unpreparedness for this program but I am happy that they started believing in me. I am marching towards the governing principles of New Tech High School, Trust, Respect and Responsibility...
I should concrete these emotions and see that this impression stays really long. And A-day classes are one other task where this feat is yet to be achieved. I really should work out a plan B or C to bring them in to the mood of serious learning. Lot of job ahead ...
I wonder how different my feelings as a teacher here. I really had not to bother about such an issue stated above as I have been enjoying their trust and respect from my students as many other Indian teachers do.
To be frank, I believed that to impress the cream of the class and to challenge their talents, while just taking care that nobody fails in the class (almost neglecting the average child) was main job for me in India. I used the same teaching methods years long. But my American experience really making me understand how to vary your strategies according to the different learning abilities and how important is it to the needs of all the students.

This is the video that addresses almost all the current issues in the present day education (especially American) such as the drop out issue, lack of self confidence, lack of student focus in education, and teachers' attitude...
Though I shared this with few of my friends I wanted everyone who is related to education to listen to the outcry of Dalton Sharman a drop out student…

zoooolander

Today I went to North Carolina Zoo escorting the 10th graders as a part of their biology project.The zoo has two major divisions North America and Africa. It is at a distance of 80 miles from school. So major part of the day went in commuting. We were almost running while exploring the zoo as we had to reach school back by 2.30 pm. There were about 80 students divided into 4 teams. We led about 20 students in our team. Still managed to take some photograph for you. First ever with my American Students.

Vamsi - Murali - Basuri - Bansi

My American connection- My name Vamsi Krishna means lord Krishna with flute. Ironically I could not learn to play a flute and when ever I tried to play it I struggled even to produce a sound. I learnt my first lessons of playing flute here in America. David O'Neal whom I met in the Art Fest runs a musical instruments store in Raleigh. He makes some great flutes. He was patient enough to teach me a song. I enjoyed learning it. Coming to more details this flute has origins in the Native Americans culture. I am remembered the Kevin Costner starred classic film 'Dances with Wolves', a film that depicts the lives of Native Americans. It is placed vertically before your mouth unlike the Indian flutes which are blown placing them horizontally. While you have to bother about placing the lips properly to blow air through an Indian one, this flute is very simple to play. The position and structure of the nozzle allows you to play it easily but producing a fantastic sound. Sounds great no? It really sounds great. Watch the video.

America is the head - India is the heart

''America is Head and India is heart. Like Head (brain) which is the source of intellect that monitors the functions of the whole body and the heart that pumps in the blood to all parts of the body, America is source of technology and scientific advancements and India pumps the concept of love and tolerance to all parts of the world. These important 'organs' of world should have better coordination and should work together. to achieve world peace and universal brotherhood.''
- Viswa Yogi Viswamjee Maharaj

Here is a Guruji who strives for peace and uses his spiritual power for Universal brotherhood.
In the Saturday 'Retreat' that was held in Cary ( a town near Durham with lot of Indian Population) this is the message the 'Yogi' gave.
I met Him on Friday and to my surprise he told me that he met me before. (?)
The 'Guru' took a small interview of mine and he refreshed his knowledge of Trigonometry (tested mine?) He was keen to enquire what I am teaching here in America. He is on his 6th successive devine march (yearly visit) to America, and each time he visits he makes sure that he visits the local Government Heads, Mayors, Police commissioners and politicians of America and passes on his power of influence with the above message. He started a free 'Mother and Child Care Hospital in India and anybody who needs gets free treatment in the hospital. He aderessed the United Nation's Youth Assembly in 2007. More details at http://www.viswaguru.com/

The Saturday 'Retreat' gathered more than 250 Non Resident Indians (mostly Andhrites) from different parts of America ( mainly from Carolina States) and provided me a great opportunity to meet all of them. Mayor of the Cary and Police Commissioner of Raleigh were few who were given a message for the world peace by the Guru on Saturday.
Thanks to American trip for providing me (different) opportunities of life time and thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Ravi ( Parents of Siddhartha) for providing me this opportunity.

This is election saeson.

I am taking about Hill side New Tech. Yes, it is election season right here and the students are busy campaigning their candidature for Mr. New Tech, Miss New Tech, treasurer and secretary. There are posters pasted in many places and my camera caught few students painting their banners.
By the by-
Are you following the U.S presidential election campaign?
Lot many happenings in the last two days-
McCain pulled off him self from campaign temporarily, for the $700 bailout bill pass which addresses the current America economic crisis; by surprising whole America that is eagerly waiting for the first presidential debate scheduled on Friday.

Both McCain and Obama had returned to Washington on Thursday at the urging of President Bush, who invited them to a meeting with congressional leaders at the White House. But a session aimed at showing unity in resolving the financial crisis broke up with conflicts in plain view.
And this extra long meeting with both presidential candidates and senators made Indian prime minister to wait for an hour.
Finally John McCain says he will be at the first presidential debate with Barack Obama which was scheduled on Friday.

Tissue- Issues

This is funny. I don’t have the habit of using a hand kerchief which is a must back in humid n hot south India India and on my busy days I went along with my oily face. I was suggested a many times by many of my friends about this. O.K, I took my American tour as an opportunity to change some of my habits and made sure that my purchases for the American tour have half a dozen hankies. After coming here I never had to use a hankie and the bunch of hankies I bought are lying in my suit case. See variety of the tissue used here ( the size, texture, and the design). Quilted towels, ultra soft, restroom tissue, napkins, facial tissue... I think I planned my journey properly till I came here but here are some mistakes I made in planning my luggage for the ones in the future not to commit. I purchased electric toaster and iron press (both 220 V ) but they are not useful here. In fact my furnished apartment has these two. I did not give importance to sport shoes thinking about the space they occupy in the baggage and I am missing them here right from day one. My mother suggested me to carry chilly powder ( We, South Indians use a lot of it in cooking) I did not mind her advice thinking about the Custom's check etc and I spent weeks searching the shops for it as it is sold as ‘Cayenne pepper’. And the biggest- I bought a fancy N series Cell phone for Rs. 11000 to use in USA, but the only use of it now is as alarm clock, and in the past one month the total number of calls I got was 3 (just kidding). Most of my calling is through Skype.

Mexican Dance

Last month Deven and Laura took me to Chapell Hill farmer's market where a local mexican festival was being celebrated. Mexican people, Mexican food, Mexican dress I enjoyed the festival. I am posting a video shot that time. See to enjoy it
Deven is a yoga instructor and she is going to visit India this November. .

Durham Arts Festival

The last week was very constructive in terms of reaching the community. I am exposed to a lot of American culture, music and art. I felt like 'aha.' It is a rare oppurtunity to attend such a festival (exhibition, what we call in India) in America.
Thanks to Mrs. Sears, for her time to take me to the tour and for her patience to answer my questions.
I appreciate her knowledge and understanding of North Carolina. She belongs to Ohio. But she has a lot of information about this state.
The festival is about promotion of art and culture. Different styles of art and craft are displayed by the artists in small tents. And the artists enjoyed explaining their work to the visitors. Many forms of dance and music are presented. Few I witnessed are Irish dance, Poca band, Arabian belly dance and southern band. I took loads of pictures and a lot of video for you and few are open today.

India or America, teenage girls are for Henna.

Meetings

Today has been a long day. We had a meeting arranged by the DPS appointed Mentor till 3.30 and then a PTSA meeting (like parent teacher meeting) conducted at 6pm and I reached home just now.

Let me brief my work at school.
We have A day - B day schedule. On A day I have 3 Algebra II classes (1, 2, and 4th periods) and on B days two (1 and 2 periods). There are 4 periods per day and the periods that you need not attend the classes are called planning periods.
The students that I teach on A day will meet me again a day after. At an average the time they spend is 35 min per day in a week, as in K.Vs. Though it is not conventional (as we feel the student should be in touch with alll the subjects daily) this schedule allows more time for project based learning.
I feel A days exhausting and tiring. Not because of the extra period but because of the student behavior in the classes. The A day classes are bigger in number and have more challenging kids.
More of my class room reality is not far away to be released on my blog.

One of the good things about the New Tech High School is that it is blessed with a parent community who take the responsibility of the their ward's behavior. By and large, they support the teachers and insist their wards to follow the instruction of the teachers.
I am planning to bring forth some more cool things about New Tech.

Don't miss to watch the Irish dance that I shot in Art Fest.
http://www.blogger.com/video-play.mp4?contentId=47e3238d7610d5a7&type=video%2Fmp4

Laura's Pencil Collection

The technology and infrastructure available in the American class room amazes me time to time. The Art Classes of India, are replced here in New Tech High School with Digital Media to teach concepts like colour, shape, space, size through Camera and Computer. Children are given digital cameras in the class to take pictures depicting these concepts and to edit/modify their pictures using Photoshop / Picasa. The output is wonderful and the students' creativity is just stunning. The new projects include making digital banners with pictures and captions to advertise New Tech High School.
Forensic sciences is another subject that took my attention. More details in coming days.

See a glimpse of digital media creative head Laura Schneider’s pencil collection.
Each pencil is different and they are collected over more than 15 years.

By the by

Annayya! Happy Birth Day

Bull Durham Blues Festival

Yester day I went to Blues festival, in fact a musical concert. They made it a tradition to celebrate this music every year and that's how concert attain the status of a festival.What I attended was 21st year festival.'Blues' is a kind of music that expresses the emotion 'pathos' and more of Southern in style, that’s how popular in Durham. The entry ticket is $ 45, expensive but worth visiting and I had a gala time with music, Popcorn, Falafels (a kind of vada and vegetables wrapped in roti) and Soda.
Check out these videos to share my joy of being part of the celebration.