Pizza Party In the Classroom, not a Crime

One evening after a tiring day, over a cup of tea I chanced to share my wife that most of my students haven't seen Pizza, forget about eating them. My wife gave me an immediate hope that she will make one for my students. Such a heartbreaking story is nothing uncommon at the remote corner of the country. 

Couple of discussions went on for a few hours. It was a good chance to rekindle our childhood memories. Like the two of us, who've never tasted Pizza, we felt pity for them. As remote as Zhemgang, where everything is rare and monopolized and in absence of a Bakery Shop, turning my dream into reality was my dear wife who out of pity had willingly agreed to make simple Homemade Pizza for my students someday was promising and heartful. 

I thanked her in advanced anticipation and good faith.

How badly I wanted to treat them with Pizza came to my mind after knowing most of them have never seen, or heard about Pizza. My wife who neither has training nor an electric oven at home giving me a hope was something beyond humanity, it was encouraging and inspiring. 

In advance, she roughly gave me the item required for my unusual planning. I've arranged the required stuff as per her instruction a few days before the agreed date and time. By then, the annual exam was knocking on the door. It was Thursday. I'd class in the 4th period with them. The weather outside was sunny yet chilly. As I was free, I took a break and helped my wife prepare the ingredients for Pizza. She baked Pizza in a normal frying pan for a few hours. Along with other small tasks at hand, I took charge to prepare some Ezzey(chili paste). After working intensely for a few hours of hush and sweating, we happily baked 3 White Mushroom-Pizza and 3 Chicken-Pizza. Once everything was ready, I quickly packed all the items –Coca-Cola, Biscuits, Zaw(Roasted puffed rice), Ezzey and Pizza in a strong carton box. Relaxed, happy and overwhelmed with joy, I headed back to the classroom and my wife had a sigh of relief over a cup of tea (her favourite drink). 

In the back of my mind, I was extremely happy that I could finally make 30 innocent kids happy and give them the rough feel of what Pizza looks like and how it tastes, more importantly, the first taste to most of them was something to cherish forever in life long after it is forgotten.

There is nothing as crazy and special as eating. 

"Korean people love eating" was what my mentor often told me during my stay in Korea. It was never far from the truth, experiencing Korean students' craziness in eating in one of the seminars with 9th-grader and 10th-grader students from one of the nearby schools (around Seoul). The organizer has placed enough Pizza, KFC and Coca-Cola drinks in front of all the groups. I openly saw the excitement and craziness boiling among the students. I took a back seat and observed patiently and found my mentor's statement very true. As much as the Korean students enjoyed their lunch menu on that day, my Khengpa students may have enjoyed my wife's Homemade Pizza with full excitement and happiness.

There is nothing special and great for a classroom teacher to make students happy and homely. Fast forward to the changing time, as simple as this kindness, I always feel such moments are strong and worth remembering before it fades away from the mind. Eternally! 

Aging LOVE III

 

Abi Bogdpa and Memay Rinchen

It was 7 AM in the morning. As usual Mamay Rinchen was already waiting in the queue for a steaming breakfast. He carries double plates, one for himself and another for Abi Bogdpa.

After a few minutes he returns with a big smile on his face signaling a sumptuous treat. As they sat down for breakfast, they seemed to exchange a few talks, as it was clear from their little aging laughs. They're made for each other and that is obvious from their evergreen relationship. 

Abi Bogdpa is 71-year-old from Mongar Dzongkhag. They settled in Tsirang (Sergithang) through a resettlement program in early 2000. Interestingly both of them are fluent in commonly spoken language -Lhotshampa kha (Nepali), which makes their communication easy and fast.

She is a chronic Asthma patient. She is currently undergoing treatment at Damphu District Hospital. 

For the past 3 years and 6 months, Abi Bogdpa has been patiently waiting for her discharge order. However, every passing day, her condition is only getting worse. The main cause of the disease is unknown; nevertheless, she declared that she used to smoke in her youthful days. I shared that smoking does not alone cause Asthma. It's a complicated disease. Even the experts can't guarantee the root cause of Asthma. There's currently no cure for the disease, but treatment can help control the symptoms so one can live a normal life. But for now she is fully dependent on a ventilator and inhaler. 

As she recalls her youthful days in tears, thousands of patients have come and gone by, but Abi Bogdpa has never walked beyond the toilet wall. 

Until I came across Abi Bogdpa, I'd never realized that Asthma is so deadly and horrible, making someone so sick. For all these many years, she'd been enduring an unthinkable life journey with this silent disease. I've learned so much from this old couple about life and more so about this disease. More importantly, I've learned to live life happily. 

I got some early advice about aging life and one must learn to endure what was once a beautiful and harming being shall ultimately ruin to ash. Thus, I shall be prepared to face old-age with good grace. 

After lunch, Abi Bogdpa goes for some rest with a nasal tube in her nose, Memay Rinchen quickly hold back his rosary beads and returns to solitude –prayers, hope and for some fresh air. 

With a little time left, she still feels happy and shares some wisdom. But, every passing day, Memay feels anxious about her deteriorating health condition. However, the past one-week was harder for her even with a breathing machine. Despite her condition, he only hopes she gets better and leaves for home someday happily.

Perhaps, more sad was they don't have someone to call their own children. So they are the Royal Kidu Recipient. Indeed, the Royal Kidu is really helping them to be on their own feet and lead a simple independent life. They're thankful to His Majesty The King for all the support and kindness. 

There couldn't be a more beautiful moment than sharing a few happy moments. Simple meals. Some personal journey. It was memorable and touching! They seem happy with whatever little meals and time my wife and I've shared with them. Although our stay was very brief, it was worth recalling. As we left the hospital door the following day, we left wishing, hoping and praying that someday, Abi Bogdpa, much like any one of us, can lead a happy and independent life. What shall the time take, together they must brave their unseen luck together -strong and united.