I
always struggle with exam time: the lack of contact with students, the
ever-changing timings, the pressure to complete the marking within tight
deadlines, my own obsession with quality correction and the desire to see my
students do well. I made up my mind I would mentally prepare myself for this
stressful and discouraging time this year, by beginning it with a calm and
collected state of mind and all administrative tasks complete.
As
we were privileged to get a 4 day break just before the final 2 days of
teaching I decided to try to quiet my mind, blow the cobwebs out of my routine
thinking, energize myself and create some inner peace in those few days, in the
hope that it would hold me in good stead for the 2-week exam period ahead. Of
course Swifty was also on board. Although the break was really the culmination
of the year long celebration of the Fourth King’s Sixtieth Birth Anniversary we
chose to forgo those special events and instead relax, unwind, refuel and
replenish our sense of aesthetics. We
took to preparing delicious picnic lunches each morning and hiking in local
places of renown scenic and natural beauty to consume them. Both these pass times
bring us immense pleasure and we managed not to come to blows over who would
create the day’s cuisine.
Now
on day 3 of the exam period the sense of serenity and contentment we
deliberately cultivated has largely evaporated and I guess that means my
original objective failed but the following photo essay attempts to bring it
back to mind and reassure us such inspiration is just outside the door even
here in the big smoke………
DAY
ONE – WANGDITSE : easy hike and delicious Japanese style lunch
DAY
TWO – HIKING TRAIL NEAR BUDDHA POINT: flying prayer flags for Jessica’s newborn
daughter
DAY
THREE : rest those tired feet and admire the spectacle of the capital in
festive mode. Actually clocked up the most kilometres (17) on this venture
Beautiful as always.....so miss the sights & sounds of Bhutan!
ReplyDeleteWe are so busy Julia we need to remind ourselves that now is the time to take a break and appreciate the splendour of it all
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