Life goes on day after day...........

And all of a sudden, we are in week three of the semester!

Time has a way of flying by when you are busy--and not just with teaching.

This week, Ninni took us to the huge new Elante Mall.

 This amazing facility of 1.15 million square feet just opened in April.  What is almost as amazing is that when we left here last December, no one we know even knew it was being built!

It has everything from Brooks Brothers to Body Shop to Zara to Marks and Spencer to Swarovski to............  There are movie theatres, an arcade, a food court, several restaurants (including Chili's where we had lunch) and a central plaza area.  We understand that soon there will be a five star hotel attached as well as an office block where, I believe, the Canadian Consulate will be relocated.

Even with three levels of underground parking and several outdoor spaces, parking is a problem at times.  Everyone from the surrounding cities in Northern India is coming to Chandigarh to shop!

Such a change for this city!  It is a bit sad, though, to see how important "western ways" have become.

 Were we surprised to see Sat and Aman Gill at the mall?  Well, no, when we finally contacted each other by phone, we were at the mall and they were on their way.  Maybe we were surprised that we could actually find them when they arrived.

We enjoyed a beverage with them, Ninni and Aman's family at India's answer to Tim Horton's, Cafe Coffee Day (CCD).

This week we also welcomed our new temporary roommate from UFV Abbotsford, Holly.  She is here to continue Daniel's work and help with the recruiting process.

Fraser stared lovingly at Uncle George as we rode home from campus one day--or maybe he was deciding if he could chew that nose.

And back to Satluj School.........

We received an invitation from the Serai family to again visit the school they own in Panchkula (one of the three cities in this tri-city area).

It was like coming home!  Again, we were greeted warmly by staff and students.

Our classroom visits included the new areas that have been opened since our last visit (the music room and art room), and a stop in the science lab where they have introduced 3D video.  It was a chance to get up close and personal with DNA.

We were usually asked to demonstrate our skill in whatever the students were doing.  So, in the music room, we sang, "Old Macdonald had a farm........"  After hearing the song, one young girl stood up and sang it perfectly!

Our day at the school ended with a short meeting with the teachers.  The first question asked was "How can you handle a class that has a wide range of abilities?"  The issues are the same wherever you are!

Principal Serai warned George that these were adults and he should not attempt to hoist one on his shoulders!

The Serai family then treated us to lunch at the beautiful Panchkula Golf Club.  There wasn't much golf happening at the time as golf is more a winter sport here.

Dad, Krit, is the Principal of the school of 2000 which was started by his father.

Mom, Rema, works at the school and runs the afterschool program for about 200 students.

Krimit is their younger son.

Reekrit is their elder son.  He has just graduated from the UFV BBA Program in Chandigarh and was a student of George's last year.

Reekrit is an author of three published books, a Bachelor of Education student, an employee of the school, and he runs his own consulting company.

Krimit is the golfing enthusiast in the family.

We had an enjoyable time with them all!

Fresh bananas are still available daily from the carts that pass by our house.  The sound of India--vendors calling out their wares as they pedal down the street.  It seems the junk food (chips and pop) vendor doesn't want to ruin his voice.  He is blowing a whistle!!!  But who is buying junk food at 6 am?

Backpackers!  The place for weary travellers to go and get omelettes, toast, scrambled eggs and all those other comfort foods foreigners need every now and again.

Even the decor makes you feel at home.  Note the old CPR poster advertising the Chateau Lake Louise.

And then Monday evening finally arrived!  Boys went for facials, girls fussed about their outfits.  It was the night of the Freshers Party!

This is the event to welcome the new batch to UFV Chandigarh.

George and I again had the honour of choosing Mr. and Ms Fresher.

Our choices this year, Harcharan and Anindita.

The now very knowledgable second year men just sat back and observed.  Tarundeep (baseball cap) has now relinquished his Mr. Fresher title.

Karanjot has already made his presence on campus known, having not one but two second year girls (Gurpreet and Sapna) in his arms.

Of course, the administrative staff like Dilmeet and Simlee are always there to support the students.  Running UFV Chandigarh is a 24/7 job (passion?) for Gurneet and his team.

Tejeshewar and Jyotbir were the main organizers of the event.  With so many senior students transferring to Canada this year, they had to work hard with their team to get the job done.

The place:  7th floor of Hotel Altius in the club called 10 Downing Street.

The atmosphere:  Lively!  LOUD!  Lights!

Did we old folks survive?  Yes, indeed!!!