November Dances 2008

Dance was recently added to my list of explorations after I visited the Bryan Center at Duke University. On Sunday, the Reynolds Theater hosted November Dances 2008, a semester-end performance featuring Duke students. The dance concert showcased a mix of Modern Dance, Ballet, and African Dance, providing a perfect opportunity to see different dance forms on the same stage. The performances included "My Body - My House," "Meet Clair," "Ve' Ve'," "A Proper Hysteric," and "Torelli." The first and last pieces were modern dances, while the second and fourth were vibrant ballet performances. "Ve' Ve'," choreographed by Mr. Vin Sett, is an African fusion dance that depicts the ritual art of ground painting. While African dance captivated me with its mood and movement, modern dance challenged me to understand the themes of the performances. I am particularly fascinated by the coordination displayed by the ballet group as they stand perfectly on their toes.

Harry Potter

Last evening, we drove through rural America for two hours and arrived in a small town called Sea Grove to attend the 27th Seagrove Pottery Festival. Let me share a quote from the festival's website: "Come to Seagrove and feel the inspiration within you. There’s something about a piece of Seagrove handmade pottery that truly moves you. Whether it’s a particular shape, function, color, or texture, there’s something unexpected that draws you in like an old friend. Discover more than 90 potteries within a 20-mile area, and meet eighth and ninth-generation potters in a place rich with a 200-year-old tradition." Here is the link for the publication that contains all the information about the festival and the potters.

The Sarah.P Duke Gardens

The Duke Gardens offers a welcoming space for individuals of all backgrounds and ages to enjoy beauty, education, horticulture, solitude, exploration, study, renewal, and inspiration. Often referred to as the "Crown Jewel of Duke University," the Gardens span 55 acres in the heart of the University’s West Campus, right next to the Duke University Medical Center. Recognized as one of the top public gardens in the United States, it is celebrated for its exceptional landscape design and high-quality horticulture. Each year, the Gardens attract over 300,000 visitors from around the globe.

Some pictures from the garden during my recent visit.

Guess. What time Did I visit the Garden?

Let me introduce Buster. Matt's pet.

The Central Library

The Durham County Library offers an impressive collection of over 470,000 fiction and non-fiction books, along with more than 800 magazine and newspaper titles. It provides various services to the Durham community, including Research and Reference, Business Reference, Community Services, and Job Help. The library also caters to kids and teens, offering access to movies, music, e-books, and more. One of the library's primary goals is to provide both educational and entertaining audiovisual materials to its patrons. The available resources include videotapes, DVDs, cassettes, and CDs, ensuring a wide range of options for visitors. A standout service offered by the library is the LIFT (Learning Information for Today) Librarian, which assists individuals with job searching, proofreading resumes and cover letters, and practicing for interviews. I had the opportunity to briefly explore the library when I attended a lecture titled "Religion and Politics in the 21st Century" by Mr. Seth Donald from Duke University. The library's meeting hall is available for free and serves as a venue for meaningful public gatherings.

Wrestling

I checked another activity off my list. Last night, I attended an inter-school wrestling match and closely observed the rules and regulations of the sport. Below are pictures of the indoor stadium and the "Get Set and Go" moments from the matches.

People I met during Grand Canyon trip

This Chubby cheeks, dimple chin girl is my friend, Sophia.

(She presented a red rose, and by the evening she told me that I am great.)

Tom, Sophia's father, gave us a ride to the Grand Canyon and hosted me in Santa Fe. Thank you very much, Tom. You are very kind.

Pictured above is Kim Holland, a former Fulbrighter and a wonderful person. Thank you, ma'am, for your generous hospitality.

Craig, Kim's Husband.

I remember the apple pie, pancakes, the Sarkar movie, and the first snowfall of Flag Staff forever.

Nico, a French French teacher. You read it right. He is from France.
Thank you for the lunch at 'Himalayas'. And best of luck. (I think, you know why it is for.)

The tour guide of Grand Canyon. The 'DUDE' at Rocks.

(D stands for deposition. U stands for uplift. D is for down cutting. E stands for erosion. 
The process of formation of Grand Canyons)

Pottery Part II

This message continues my previous posts about American handicrafts. Please check out the self-explanatory video. We will be visited by various officials over the next three days. Today, representatives from the New Tech Foundation came to visit. Tomorrow, we have a curriculum audit, and on the following day, we will host visitors from the community. Progress reports are also due this time on Thursday, so there's quite a bit of overwhelming work ahead.

One more over. Just 5 to go

It suddenly feels like everything is coming to an end. With just five more weeks to go, the Thanksgiving break, California Conference, and Christmas week will make it feel like there are hardly 15 to 20 days left. I started going through my to-do list, checking off activities one by one. In search of constructive ways to spend my time, I visited the Nasher Museum and Duke Chapel this weekend. I even said hello to the 'James Bond' from Quantum of Solace on the American Screen.

Pictured above is the beautiful organ of the Chapel.

Pictured above is Nasher Museum. Sorry Cameras not allowed inside. So not many pictures.
Click on the links to see the details.

Pottery

Want to know how to make these porcelain bowls. Here is a demonstration given to me by an enthusiastic potter of N.C state fair. Though these professions are not new for India I never got time or opportunity see such stuff. This is learning by seeing. Learning by experiencing.

my first snow fall

The Santa Fe - Grand Canyon trip added another amazing experience to my life: I witnessed snowfall for the first time. On my return from the Grand Canyon, I spent a night in the historic city of Flagstaff, where I was hosted by Craig and Kim Holland (an ex-brighter). It snowed for hours that night, and I enjoyed watching the snow accumulate through the transparent doors and windows while savoring some apple pie near a wood burner. By dawn, I couldn't wait to jump outside and play in the snow. The scenery was picturesque all around me. I helped Craig wipe the snow off the car, made snowballs, and tossed them into the air. After warming up inside the house, I went back out to play and watched the snow gradually melt and pour down from the roof. In contrast, on my way to Flagstaff from the Grand Canyon, I saw acres and acres of half-burnt trees that remained from last year's forest fire

Happy Children's Day...

Visiting the Rio Grande Kindergarten School in Santa Fe felt like celebrating Children's Day, especially alongside my co-Fulbrighter, Ms. Shohini. We had a delightful time playing, dancing, and enjoying the day on Tuesday. As part of exposing the children to international culture, class teachers Katy and Anna invited us to celebrate India Day in their classroom. We shared stories about Hindu gods, and the kids were eager to learn about Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity; Krishna, who plays the flute; and Kali, known for her ten arms. The girls tied 'brotherhood bands' on the boys, while the boys decorated the girls with 'Bindi' stickers. We all danced to the steps Shohini demonstrated, as she taught them a nature song. I also got them moving with an action song called "Boogie Woogie." The four- and five-year-olds thoroughly enjoyed every moment. Overall, it was a wonderful experience to spend time with such young children. It also provided an insightful opportunity to observe the curriculum, schedule, and innovative teaching techniques used in American primary education at a prestigious private school.

I extend the greetings from the Algebra II students of H.N.T.H.S, with whom I shared the details of Children's Day today.

Happy Children's Day .

Meteor Crater

I had an incredible opportunity to visit the Meteor Crater Center in Northern Arizona. The tour of the Visitor Center added an educational experience to my Grand Canyon trip. The Meteor Crater measures over 4,000 feet across and is 550 feet deep. The observation telescopes provide a close-up view of various points of interest within the crater. One of the highlights is a 1,406-pound meteorite fragment, the largest ever found in the area, which is on display for visitors to see and touch. The former Museum of Astro-Geology has been remodeled and now features exhibits on the ongoing process of impacts and collisions within our solar system. The Interactive Learning Center includes twenty-four engaging exhibits, making it the most comprehensive and informative museum of its kind on Earth. There are also two interactive computer displays that showcase high-tech graphics related to space, meteorites, asteroids, the solar system, and the Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet that impacted Jupiter. Additionally, I had the chance to see fossils for the first time in my life.

DUDE! Grand Canyon Rocks-

As one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon showcases an impressive display of erosion and the natural beauty of the Earth. Stretching for 277 miles, the Grand Canyon ranges in elevation from 2,400 feet to over 7,000 feet above sea level. While the exact processes that formed the Grand Canyon remain uncertain, there are several well-informed theories. It is likely that a combination of processes contributed to the stunning views we see today. The key processes involved in the formation of the Grand Canyon include: D - Deposition U - Uplift D - Decay/Decomposition E- Erosion In some order, these processes—or cycles—created the Grand Canyon we admire now. The breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon attracts approximately 5 million visitors each year, and most consider it to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

DUDE! Grand Canyon Rocks

Santa Fe

I arrived in Albuquerque by 8 PM on Friday. Tom, the owner of Sohini, picked me up from the airport. He has a wonderful personality and is a big fan of India. After a drive of roughly one hour, we reached Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico. It is a historic city and a popular tourist center that feels like a different country altogether. The architecture and the colors of the houses here are very unique, and I'm eager to learn more about it. I’ll share more details in my upcoming posts. This afternoon, I’m driving to Flagstaff, where we will meet Ms. Kim Holland, who will host us for the night. On Sunday morning, we plan to visit the Grand Canyon, which is just an hour’s drive from Flagstaff. We will return to Flagstaff that evening. The next morning, we’ll head back to Santa Fe. I hope to explore Santa Fe on Tuesday, and then I'll return to Durham on Wednesday. Expect more pictures and videos in my upcoming posts. I just hope I can find the time and an internet connection to write regularly.

Substitute teachers

The substitute teacher system in American schools reflects the accountability and professionalism of American teachers. Unlike in Indian schools, when you take leave, you do not impose your workload on your co-workers. You must plan your lessons and create activities for the entire 90 minutes so that a substitute teacher—regardless of their subject expertise—can effectively engage the class. The substitute monitors the class, collects the worksheets, and prepares them for you to grade. Once established, the curriculum map can largely remain unchanged during your absence. This system promotes accountability for your leave and manages time while maintaining the learning tempo. Tomorrow, I will fly from Santa Fe, New Mexico, from where we will drive to the Grand Canyon in Arizona on Saturday. I am excited about the trip! I'm taking advantage of every opportunity—using my leave and holidays—to visit and explore various places. Tuesday is Veterans Day, so taking leave on Monday and Wednesday gives me a fantastic five-day trip. While a week-long work period followed by a brief journey to explore places and then returning to work is tiring, I feel it's now or never—I have to make the most of this opportunity.

Congratulations America !

I missed a day in my blog, but I witnessed every moment of this historic day. It means so much not just to Americans but to the entire world. It highlights what makes America different, more developed, and highly advanced. The key difference lies in the mindset of the people and the sense of responsibility and patriotism each citizen has towards their country. The maturity and courage displayed by American voters, who chose change by setting aside race, religion, caste, and creed, is highly commendable. There have been many hardships and issues, numerous crises, and countless priorities. Yet, as McCain said, "Country First." This is a triumph for every American citizen. It is commendable how McCain responded to the election results, assuring his support for Obama. Similarly, it was elegant of Obama to tell the nation, "I will listen to all your voices, and I will act as President." Hats off to you, America. Best of luck, Mr Obama!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jll5baCAaQU&feature=channel

A Day In History, A Day Away-

This is election eve, and it's incredibly hot. Both candidates are campaigning strategically in crucial swing states. Barack Obama is continuing his campaign despite the recent loss of his grandmother, while John McCain is on a whirlwind tour, addressing the public in seven states within 24 hours, drawing large crowds of voters. The outcome of the election will likely hinge on just four states: Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida. The tension is palpable as we approach the climax of this dramatic election season. Both parties are making grand and confident preparations for their respective celebrations. 

Here are some key facts: The United States presidential election of 2008, scheduled for Tuesday, November 4, 2008, will be the 56th consecutive quadrennial presidential election, determining the President and Vice President of the United States. This election is particularly noteworthy because it marks the first time in U.S. history that two sitting senators are running against each other for president. Additionally, it is the first time an African American has been nominated for president by a major party, and both major candidates were born outside the continental United States—Obama in Hawaii and McCain in the Panama Canal Zone. With Sarah Palin as the Republican nominee for vice president, the winning ticket is likely to be historic as neither an African American nor a woman has held either office before. Moreover, John McCain, if elected, would become the oldest first-term president, while the Democratic nominee for vice president, Joe Biden, would be the first Roman Catholic vice president. The election will coincide with the 2008 Senate elections in thirty-three states, House of Representatives elections in all states, gubernatorial elections in eleven states, as well as various state referenda and local elections. The president-elect and vice president-elect are scheduled to be inaugurated on January 20, 2009.

Daylight Saving Time

The concept of time and punctuality in America can be quite perplexing due to the existence of multiple time zones and the biannual shift in time. The United States is divided into four time zones, which vary by three hours. For instance, if it is 9 PM in Durham, North Carolina, it is only 6 PM in California, despite both locations being on the same latitude. To conserve energy, many countries implement Daylight Saving Time (DST). During the summer months, an hour is effectively "skipped," and then, in October or November, the clocks are adjusted back to normal by repeating one hour. This year, for example, November 2 had 25 hours, while March 9 had only 23 hours. Today marks the end of Daylight Saving Time, where the hour between 1:00 AM and 1:59:59 AM was repeated to restore standard time. Imagine if India followed a similar system; the impact on television programming, office hours, exam schedules, bank operations, and train timings would be complete chaos.