Well, opening day officially happened. It all certainly seems more real now to both the teachers and the students.
We took it easy on the first day. We began with a puja and a bit of tea. Khenpo Appey came and took time to speak with the monks after the puja. It was great to see so much respect and reverence in the room. The overall vibe was comfortable and confident and I think that everyone left feeling ready to get the “show on the road” and get to work!
Then we spent the day meeting with and talking to students so the teachers could get a better idea about the level of English language skills everyone has.
We, the teachers, decided to have the monks come in groups of around five an hour. I waited in the library with them while they waited for individual interviews with Judy and Jane. I think I certainly had the easier job, well, at least the most fun any way.
It was interesting to watch the groups progress and the personalities and dynamics change as each new group came to meet with me in the library. The first group seemed to be so nervous, but it seemed that the groups became a little bit more relaxed and talkative as the day went on. Part of me thinks that maybe it had to do with my demeanor changing a bit and that I had relaxed. But, then there is the more realistic side of me that thinks that they all surely talk to each other, and hopefully they filled the others in that it really wasn’t so horrible.
The monks will be in pujas for the next three days, getting ready for a great program! Classes start on Tuesday, so until then it’s lesson planning season for the teachers!
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