Tamil--the language of Tamil Nadu

Neither of us have ever been great linguists--the best I can do after many years of being around Spanish-speaking people is make sure the proper beds get changed, the sheets washed, and the roses get fertilized, so I haven't had a lot of hope of learning Tamil.  Not only is the written alphabet (some 260 characters) completely unrecognizable, but the names are long, and the sounds are all v's, t's, k's, g's, and s's and combinations thereof.  To our ears it all sounds like that look that comes up on your attachments when it doesn't open properly--;sdlkfalsdfjSFskjfasfjasf--you know!  

Anyway, we're determined to give it a try as we know it will enrich our experience if we can converse a bit in the native language.  We have a tutor for this project:  his name is Deepan raj, and he is 12 years old.  Ron got a program in Tamil before we left home, so every evening we put on the program and Deepan raj comes to help enunciate and help us with breaking the words into syllables in sounds we can understand.  He is so darling, and so patient--I'm sure he can't believe how slow people can be.  His English is quite good--his accent is so easily understood as compared to most of the adults who speak English.  Anyway, last night he also brought his older brother, Modan raj, to be a part of it.  They both love the computer, and look forward to the day when our computer lab will be a real part of the school.  Thanks to Melissa Mitchell and others, that day is getting closer.  Don't hold your breath, however, until Ron and Joyce spout forth in Tamil--it won't be soon.

Yesterday was Parent's Day.  The first Saturday of every month the parents of the students that are able to travel, start arriving around 9:30 with picnics, gifts, and all the brothers and sisters, to visit their children.  Our children were all dressed so beautifully.  The boys had sharp-looking shirts, and the girls the prettiest, most colorful dresses I have seen.  They were dressed and ready before 7:00 a.m.  The families set up with mats and blankets under the mango trees and hug and love the children, as well as feeding them all their favorite treats.  The girls get flowers for their hair, and the mothers or grandmothers, aunts or dads, comb and brush their hair and add the flower leis.  They look so beautiful.  Thank goodness for 14 acres, as there are a lot of people that come and they are playing ball and games all over the place!  At the end of the day everyone is tired, some are very, very sad, (the little ones, especially) but they know it will all take place again in another month.