ಗೆತ್ತಿಂಗ್ ಸೇತ್ತ್ಲೆದ್

I am still somewhat traumatized all of those electric shocks I got while blogging last time (read: i was too scared to even approach the computer and finally turned it on using a long stick, flinching like crazy), so this may be short. These past couple of days have been PACKED, both literally and figuratively. My stomach is packed so full of rice/sauce/"veg cutlet"/unidentifiable but soooo yummy things that I look about 4 months pregnant and often have to roll into a little moaning ball popping rolaids like crazy waiting out my stomach adjusting to the newness the food. Our days have been busybusybusy. We got an introduction to the school yesterday, and I didn't realize what an amazing school/organization we will be a part of! It is called the Vivekananda Institute of Leadership Studies and it runs a masters program for Indian people who are interested in starting NGOs and helping out poor/underrepresented communities. I think a lot of the people actually come from these communities, so instead of a peacecorps like "you go here and do this even though we have no idea what these people actually want and you will probably be pointless" deal, these people REALLY know what is needed, how to relate, and exactly how it can be done. I deeply respect them all!!
We met our teachers (all Indian people, which I love. The white guy teacher who is staying with us isn't teaching except for a few lectures) who all seem amazing, they are SO smart and friendly and really interested in talking about what WE can do in the world and how things relate to the now instead of just talking vague theories or untouchable facts. My final schedule is going to include Yoga (which is at 6am...we'll see how long I last), Indian Culture & Civilization, Gender in India (also called Indian Women: Tradition and Change...I nearly cried when the lady gave the intro to the class I was so excited and moved), Bharatanatyam dance, and then Health & Environment which I think I'll be auditing because it is taught by a woman doctor and male organic farmer and teaches about ayurvedic healing and stuff and just sounds super interesting. I'll also be taking cooking a few days a week so I can cook for you all and no longer have to be the awkward one bringing chips /safeway cookies to potlucks. AAHHHH the adapter thing just blinked a bunch so last thing: I got chased by a wild cow!!!!!! Of course there are cows everywhere, and I thought they were just over people but GAH this cow was like burping and waving its head around in the middle of the street for a long time and next thing I knew it was careening down the dirt hill at us full speed bleating like crazy and I panicked so much I nearly climbed a pole before frantically sprinting across the street just before it would have barreled us down flat!!!! Needless to say, the Indian people were QUITE amused. OK, more some other time, hopefully with pictures. ನಮಸ್ತೆ