THE PROMPTS FOR THE
MONTH
THURSDAY 1st LUNCH:
Recently I have started joining my colleagues in the 4-6 cohort at lunchtime.
We are sharing our lunches now that there are no longer students at school and
we have no lunchtime supervision. This was my offering to the table yesterday-
roast vegetable salad with pickles, pumpkin humus and mushroom, broccoli and
tomato frittata
FRIDAY 2nd I
ENJOY.....: walking home from school and almost everywhere else in Thimphu and
remembering to stop and admire the everyday sights that will soon become fond
memories. Appreciation of the everyday is one of my mantras
SATURDAY
3rd MORNING SKY: Up at Royal Thimphu College, this morning's brilliant blue
morning sky framed by the traditional tower with a backdrop of snow capped
mountains was the picture perfect Bhutanese scene. Look closely to see the
Buddha at Buddha Point in the gap between the trees
SUNDAY 4th SELFIE:
with giant prayer wheels
MONDAY 5th
BEAUTY: So glad I could swim again after school today and stopped to take
a photo of the beauty of Bhutanese architecture reflected in the pool before I
got in to do my laps
TUESDAY 6th
BOOKSHELF: Without books a house is not a home but as our packing up process
proceeds we are giving away and packing just a few books. This once groaning
bookshelf is now slowly emptying and only the pending volumes remain with
homeless stationery items and the wrapping for farewell gifts
WEDNESDAY 7th
OUTSIDE: Once again I was passing Memorial Chorten on my way home when I
noticed the huge crowd gathered outside listening to the special 10-day prayers
being conducted there at the moment. Most of this huge crowd have been sitting
outside and listening for hours for five days already and no doubt they'll be
back for five days more
THURSDAY 8th
SOMETHING RED: As we prepare all the book prizes for our Awards Day on Saturday
each bundle is tied with a red ribbon. The library is bulging with bundles of
books right now. It is very festive
FRIDAY 9th JOY
IS..... noticing the bright colours of nature in a bleak winter landscape and
giving in to the feelings of nostalgia for everything Australian upon seeing
this little callistemon -bottle brush blooming in the near freezing atmosphere
SATURDAY 10th SIMPLE:
I walked out of the school gates for the very last time today after Awards Day
and had this simple lunch alone in my favourite cafe in Thimphu to celebrate
the end of 38 years as a classroom teacher
SUNDAY 11th JUMP: OK
this prompt made me have to try it and jump I did while Ian captured it. Why
not, I'm jumping for joy right now
MONDAY 12th
DECORATION: The woodwork of Bhutanese buildings is usually colourfully
decorated but it is the decorations on the temples and Lhakhangs that most
fascinate me. This is from Changangkha Lhakhang, which is very near our home
here and I needed one more excuse to go up there
TUESDAY 13th I HEAR:
the sound of rapidly flowing water on my daily walk almost every day but now it
sings of freedom
WEDNESDAY 14th FUN:
It was a really fun night with my class X students who surprised me with cake,
dinner, a gift and so many words of gratitude tonight. I never thought I'd see
them all (minus one) together again and it made my heart sing. They were the
saving grace of 2016 academic session and I will hold them in my heart forever
THURSDAY 15th TREE:
There was once a long line of these poplar trees along the front of our
apartment building, but the chainsaw gang removed them. This one was saved at
the last minute and now in its bleak winter barren appearance against the
brilliant blue sky it is even more impressive
FRIDAY 16th
BREAKFAST: This is becoming a daily breakfast experience as we become more and
more addicted to bagels. Perfect combination for an energising start to these
freezing winter mornings
SATURDAY 17th FRUIT:
Almost all the fruit we have eaten in the past 2 years has been purchased from
this charming fruit vendor in the Centennial Farmers Market in Thimphu and
today we delivered a Xmas fruitcake style muffin to him
SUNDAY 18th
SOMETHING GREEN: The green-faced dragon painted at the very top of the giant
prayer wheel at the entrance to the lhakhang we visited today
MONDAY 19TH NATURE:
This magnificent Himalayan Cypress, which is the national tree of Bhutan, is in
the grounds of the Pangrizampa Lhakhang. It is the largest cypress I have seen
in the kingdom and an incredible example of the enduring quality of nature
TUESDAY 20th THREE:
The three most common grains in Bhutan - millet, rice and corn. All beautifully
packaged for tourists in the OGOP shop. That's One Gewog (district) One Product
shop, which showcases the unique produce and handicrafts of different districts
in the kingdom
WEDNESDAY 21st POP:
In these bleak winter conditions the afternoon sun creates a colour pop playing
on the prayer flags on the covered bridge in Changzamtog
THURSDAY 22nd 'TIS
THE SEASON TO: cook and bake and make delicious treats: roasted pumpkin and
tree tomatoes with mushroom quiche for dinner tonight, sautéed mushrooms and
"sunshine pie" for celebrations later in the week. Love that I am
emptying the pantry and avoiding the onerous task of packing up with daily
cooking and baking
FRIDAY 23rd FOOD: We
treated ourselves to the buffet dinner at DRUK Hotel tonight and even though
half the dishes were meat there was plenty for us vegetarians and no way anyone
could taste everything
SATURDAY 24th
SOMETHING TO BE HAPPY ABOUT: Spending the day in an idyllic rural setting in
the company of former colleagues and dear friends, whom I have not seen for
almost a year, is something to be very happy about
UNDAY
25th SOMETHING NEW: These 2 lovely bags made from Bhutanese textiles will add
to my collection of beautiful Bhutanese gifts. They are something new I
received yesterday as a farewell gift
MONDAY 26th LAST
THING I READ: was this quote which really struck a chord with me considering
our current situation packing up for departure to the great unknown
TUESDAY 27th SUPER:
views of the prayer flags at the pass with a super blue sky in the background
on our hike today. Super glad we got out and hiked too
WEDNESDAY 28th
DRINK: We have had our fair share of the standard everyday drink here in Bhutan
and tonight was no exception. It is usually ordered as "Druk 11"
THURSDAY 29th
HAPPINESS IS...... adopting a positive mindset and always being appreciative. I
stared this jar in January in an attempt to be more grateful and focus on
life's little joys. I plan to read its contents tonight and remember the happy
moments of 2016. A very timely reminder as we set off on our new adventure in
just 10 days
FRIDAY 30th ANYTHING
YOU LIKE: This is iconic Bhutan. The dzong in the background, green covered
mountains, brilliant blue winter skies and multi-coloured fluttering prayer
flags in the foreground: I don't just like it. I LOVE it
SATURDAY 31st
CELEBRATION: Having finally moved out of our apartment this morning we moved
into luxurious (for us anyway) accommodation with the intent of having a little
room celebration tonight. The management just knocked on our door and presented
us with a bottle of local red to add to the Australian one we already
purchased. Yeedzin Guest House what a lovely touch
