Another week's end...

I have survived another week of classes.  Phew!  I really am enjoying most of my classes, especially the film class.  However my Hindi class is excruciatingly frustrating as the professor goes really fast and did not have much patience for me yesterday.  Grrrrr. The other class that I have kind of given up on is Contemporary India.  The professor is not well-organized, name-drops constantly, and goes on tangents so often that it is nearly impossible to stay awake much less take coherent notes.  We have talked to our mentor who was in the program last summer and is our representative to the professors and program staff so we'll see what happens.  Last class I managed to avoid falling asleep by studying Hindi so at least I'm being productive!  =p Last night after classes we had a "Cultural Expression" presentation.  A professional singer and music professor came in to play for us recording he had brought of 11 songs from the different parts and styles of India.  He also brought in a traditional Indian dancer, a violinist, a drummer, and a musician that plays porcelain bowls that have water in them.   The water bowl instrument is actually a legitimate instrument.  The bowls he was playing were 75 years old and he had received them from his grandfather who had taught him the talent.  At one point his hands moved so fast between bowls that you could barely see them!  It kinda sounded like a xylophone or something in that it had many different notes.  The drums were the cool ones that kind of sound like water drops. The presentation was to demonstrate some forms of cultural expression that we may choose to pursue during our time here.  I'm quite interested in learning the dance.  It would be really cool.  Their hand movements are so precise!  And his facial expressions were also amazing.   Today I will go to the hill nearby with Rajesh (my host bro) and then come home to quickly freshen up before going to a traditional Indian music concert tonight with my friend Marie and my Indian classmate, Gandhali.  She is the only Indian classmate I have, actually and goes to Fergusson college where the concert will be held.  A famous "sarod" player, Bhavani Shankar will be coming, apparently.  Should be exciting.  =)  I'll let you all know how it goes.   Have a great weekend!

Republic Day, Fish cooking and Chapati-making