Happy Christmas!

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to leave a short note to say Merry Christmas....or Happy Christmas as it is more often said here. Although this was my first Christmas spent away from home, it was not as difficult as I had anticipated. Due to the lack of snow and small Christian population here in Nepal, there just wasn't that same Christmas atmosphere that makes it such a unique time of year. Even though my mind was telling me that I was missing Christmas at home, it just didn't quite feel the same here. But, I think that actually made it a little easier on me so it's all good.

No worries though. I did sing carols with my students at school, and we even had Secret Santa exchanges both in class and for the teachers! My classroom filled up with Christmas trees, snowmen, and candy canes made in art class. And, because our school is Catholic school, we now even have a 3 week winter break, more due to the fact that our classrooms are too cold to sit in right now than for the religious beliefs though. My roommate and I were invited out to dinner every night this week so we have had good company, good food, (good drinks), and lots of singing.

And, now I am quickly trying to put together my travel plans for the coming days. You can look forward to exciting pictures down the road (but don't hold your breathe).

I hope you re all having a wonderful time with family and friends! Remember to count your blessings and realize how special your life is during this time! Thank you all for your thoughts, notes, and your precious time spent reading my blog!

Happy Holiday from Nepal!

Bhai Tika

During the early Fall, Nepal is known for having a string of holidays and festivals. During a holiday called Tihar there are a number of different celebrations, one of which is called Bhai Tika. Bhai means "little brother" in English, and Tika is the power you put on another persons forehead to give them a blessing. I was able to visit my homestay family again to celebrate Bhai Tika. The comination basically means that brothers and sisters come togehter every year...and this means all the brothers and sisters in the family...to give each other blessings and gifts. First the sisters give blessings and put tika on the brothers, and finish by giving each brother a large plate of good food and treats. Next, the brothers put tika on the sisters and give them money or gifts.
The preparations of colorful tika, oil, and candles.

There is only one brother in my homestay family, which means including me there were five sisters giving tika.

Each sister adds a different color to the line of tika.

Now, the brother has to give the same colors of tika to each sisters. The leave helps keep the tika in a straight line.

My finished tika!

The whole group of kids after the offcials blessings and tika. Next we get to eat large amounts of rice, vegetables, meat, and other treats prepared for the day. Later the mother in the family had her sister and brothers over and they performed the same ceremony.

Everyone in the family participates. These are the three little cousin brothers from next door after they got their tika and treats. They were pretty darn excited about it all!

I am very thankful to have such a great family in Nepal that has included me in their lives. I continue to visit them on a regular visit, and they will be one of the most hart warming memories from my entire stay here. I look forward to learning more about their family and customs during the rest of my stay here!