THE
PROMPTS FOR THE MONTH
TUESDAY 1st
GREEN: is just about my least favourite colour but the green of nature and a
prayer flag will always lift my mood
WEDNESDAY 2ND
GOOD: friends, good conversation, good times and a great way to end the day
THURSDAY 3RD
ART: This art hangs on the wall of our living room in Thimphu and is rather
typical of non-religious Bhutanese scrolls and I love it dearly because it was
an unexpected gift from a former student
FRIDAY 4TH
THE WEATHER: today was grey and gloomy
with enough wind to flap the flags
SATURDAY 5TH
SQUARE: Clock Tower Square Thimphu looking surreal after an out of season,
unusually heavy downpour in the current cold snap. There is even fresh
snow on the distant peaks...... come on Spring
SUNDAY
6TH NEUTRALS: These once rainbow coloured prayer flags have faded to
neutral as the wind and weather sends their prayers to the gods
MONDAY 7TH
HELLO: newbies (PPs) Welcome to Druk School and the beginning of your
educational experience
TUESDAY 8TH
MAKING: School is in full swing now and the constant pile of books to be
corrected is making me extremely busy and slightly crazy!!! I have even taken
to rushing lunch to squeeze a few more books in before the bell rings
WEDNESDAY 9TH
EVERYDAY: or at least every school day, these students along with the entire
rest of the school cohort, lay out their cloths, unpack their tiffins and chant
their prayers before eating their lunches in their classrooms, often sharing
what they have with each other and me too on Wednesdays when eat with them
THURSDAY 10TH
COLLECTION: I have a small collection of shells, which I started collecting at
Glenelg, to remind me of the ocean which I love, while I live here in
landlocked Bhutan. I add to it each time I swim or visit another coastal
location. The latest additions were from China Beach Vietnam. Coincidentally
the Buddha was from our first trip to Vietnam and I love its serene expression
FRIDAY 11TH
CLOUDS: After a foggy start to the day and walk to school, this was the visa
above morning assembly. Those clouds made me smile and remember Spring is here
and the cold is on the way out
SATURDAY 12TH
ABSTRACT: this is part of the abstract design on the cover of the adult
colouring book I bought myself but haven't really had much time to engage in as
yet. I love the idea of it being as good as meditating and have only just
started working on the test page
SATURDAY 12TH
ABSTRACT 2: Having already posted the one above to PAD I found this accidently
and unknowingly taken on my phone. I can recognize it but its still abstract
and I actually love it
SUNDAY 13TH
THIS IS FUNNY: Someone's shoes drying in the winter sun. It struck me as funny
that they look like they are climbing the makeshift ladder. Spotted it out
walking this afternoon
MONDAY 14TH
PEOPLE: The most determined effort of the PP (pre- primary or kindergarten)
students marching off after morning assembly today. The little people trying
their very best
TUESDAY 15TH
GIFT: Literacy is the gift that lasts a lifetime. I saw this beautiful scene
this morning at school before the lessons began and it made me proud to be a
teacher. May they carry their love of reading within them throughout their
lives
WEDNESDAY 16th
FRUIT: Healthy balanced lunches include a serve of fruit. Thanks to Ian for
contributing half the shots so that both Druk and Deki Schools are represented.
Yes, 3 grapes is a serve for a 6 year old
THURSDAY 17TH
THROW IT: "Rimdro" (School Purification Ritual) today so the students
were largely free to amuse themselves. These boys would play basketball 24
hours if anyone let them and formal traditional dress is certainly no obstacle.
Just throw it Thinley.....
FRIDAY 18TH
BIG & SMALL: This is our new Australian colleague at Druk with one of the
latecomers at assembly this morning. It looked just like big and small to me
SATURDAY 19TH
COOKING: After an early morning start due to the Family Fun Walk and cleaning
up campaign with my school today, I rushed home to do some cooking. Next week
is my birthday and as is the custom here I want to have treats to distribute on
the day
SUNDAY 20th
MOVEMENT: The hoop of the skirt and the flying sleeves and scarves indicate the
movement of this Black Hat dancer at the Paro Tshechu today
MONDAY 21ST
THIS IS NEW: Well these actually. A former student’s family gave these 2 bags
to us on Saturday night. Certainly nothing in our place is as new to us at
least. Showcasing Bhutanese handicrafts and hospitality and generosity
TUESDAY 22ND
VEGETABLE: Fresh mushrooms are just about the top of my list of vegetables
WEDNESDAY 23RD
A FAVOURITE: A good Aussie wine is certainly a favourite tipple of mine, but it
isn't so easy to come by in these parts. This is only the second bottle we have
opened this year and that was yesterday for my birthday and it even lasted 2
nights!! It's absolutely empty now
THURSDAY 24TH
HANDS: This is an archive shot but also a favourite and exactly what I wanted
to capture hands doing today for this prompt. A young novice monk showing
concern or even worry on his face but dedication with his hands in the lotus
bud position for prayers in the monastery in Rangjung
FRIDAY 25TH
TOY: With just one orange rubber ball and a collection of
stones these girls were having a delightful time at lunch break at school today
SATURDAY 26TH
MINIMAL: This tiny Buddha (the size of the first joint of my thumb) is a
minimal decoration that has travelled through 12 countries with me and always
makes me feel like I've stared to build a home when we resettle in a new
environment and job. Minimalistic decor with sentiment Thanks to Dallas Dunn
SUNDAY 27TH
FLYING: Predictably enough in Bhutan prayer flags flying in the wind
MONDAY 28TH
HAPPINESS: is laughing your head off at the antics of the atsaras or comic
roles at the Paro Tshechu
TUESDAY 29TH
NIGHT LIGHTS: The one time view from our living room balcony in Thimphu was the
night-lights of Chang Gangkha Temple. The new construction has now blocked this
view of it but we still get to see it from other windows in the apartment
WEDNESDAY 30TH
BUDDIES: my best buddy from Druk School last year and even though she resigned
we are still buddies now and had a coffee date today after school
THURSDAY 31ST
HALF: a lime in our place can only mean one thing - Vodka and Tonics. Thanks
for the impetus PAD
