Email from Sarah & Joey
September 5th
Pune, India
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Email from Sarah & Joey |
September 5th |
Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2000 1:30 AM
Subject: Week 2 of JLS 2000!
Hello all - I am so sorry I haven't e-mailed until now (to most of you) but the seminar is so demanding, I honestly have barely had time to think about anything other than "Dreaming, Daring, and Doing!" Things are great here - Sangam is absolutely amazing, and I wish I had time to put into words everything we have been learning, seeing and doing. It's definitely a typical GS event though - we are all fast friends, the people I have met here are so smart and committed to their organizations...and our sessions are constantly laced with songs, stories, games and much more to bring home and share.
Pune is also amazing - though everything we read about...the poverty, pollution, cows in the street - all true beyond our wildest imagination. But there is beauty to it in a way that I have never experienced before...the rich religious culture, the people, the places...amazing. I'm only excited that we'll get to experience just a little bit of that. Our saris come back tonight, and we have a whole afternoon of indian crafts, games, songs, and sari-tying tomorrow night! :) I can't believe that in 4 days, the seminar will be over...
This week we are developing our plans of action to bring home to our organizations - I feel so much more educated and enriched by all the worlds of opportunities within WAGGGS...makes me think about the future, my plans for the future, and where I'd like to go in Scouting...as well as family, friends, etc. This whole seminar has been about changing your life to make your dreams come true, and I don't think even we will realize how much of an impact it will make until we get back home. Yesterday we talked about the tools used for action planning....Evelyn and Gloria, you'll be happy to know (as was I) that many of the tools we talked about (SWOT evaluation, SMART objectives) were many of the tools we already learn in GS! :) I felt ahead of the game. I'm excited about the work we are doing and hope to bring it home and implement them in the council, national, and in my own personal life.
Just in case you hear about it on the news - there was an earthquake here in Maharastra this morning (around 5:30 am local time here). I slept right through it (darn) - woke Joey up - but Sangam and Pune are fine. WE think that it was in a different part of the state - news here isn't as forthcoming as it would be at home, so Margo (Guider-in-Charge) is working on finding out more info. But we're all just fine. :) No worries, Dad. :)
I love you all, and though I'm sad that it's almost over...I'll be very ready to see you all Sunday (2:30 pm, KLM...come one come all). You are in my thoughts and prayers - hope everyone is well. Take care!
Love, Sarah :)