Meetings went very very well this morning at the American Embassy. Sorry about lack of photos but camera/ cell phone/personal items not allowed for security reasons, just approved documents.  Made some great connections for #NSU #ENG #ICMS 

Had a wonderful dinner out with treasured friends tonight. Thank you Nima Sherpa for the invitation, a lively and enjoyable evening and as always, for your friendship.  

It is storming in Nepal. Can I just say the thunder and lightning seem MUCH closer! I’m snuggled in my room working with hot tea-not a bad way to spend a late afternoon! 

What a wonderful group of students tonigh, So ready to learn! The 3 hours went by very quickly. A student opened with a welcome speech and another with a closing Thank you for teaching them. It was very special.  

Today is the last day of the new year celebration so we hiked up the mountain to the monastery for the celebration. Received blessings, said prayers, lit butter candles and enjoyed a beautiful day. On the hike up we would constantly hear the sound of children’s voices singing at the beginning of the day, then chanting at the monastery.  Thank you Chhusang and Nima for the perfect day!  

Now that I’m settling into the routine of life here I am finding comfort in the many small steps needed for daily life. 

The morning routine of boiling my water

Remembering to push the button for the approx. 6 minute of hot water to shower

Laying work out so that I can work efficiently when I hear the electricity crack as it becomes available… And going with the flow when it stops 3 minutes later

Filling glasses to drink and to brush teeth

Hand washing clothes and hanging in the sun to dry

Careful thought of preparation of food with only one small pot and one small pan. Deciding how to use valued and limited foods. 

There is a a sense of thankfulness and accomplishment when everything doesn’t come so easy. There is a beauty in the simplicity of it all.  

Here is the entire collection of cooking utensils – impressive huh?!?!?

So I really didn’t realize how difficult preparing lecture materials would be. Trying to develop a PowerPoint lecture with little electricity and virtually no internet connection is interesting. In order to complete the task I walked up the lane about 1:30 this am to a main building and stood in the middle of the lobby with my iPad in order to connect and work. If I sat down/no connection! Too funny! Mission accomplished!!!!!  I even had a Diet Coke to celebrate- they are like gold here, about $4

From Nepal    

Spent day three with a Empower Nepally Girls local team. It felt wonderful to be working with them side by side again. We set travel details to visit our 19 schools where we have scholarship girls. This group works very hard here on the ground to take care of so many children and families. I feel very blessed to work along side them. They are doing amazing work!