Every day for the past week, parcels have been arriving at my house. Books, arts/crafts materials, paints, pens, skipping ropes, PE equipment etc etc etc.
Tomorrow, Janet and I will be sorting it all out and thinking about how we are going to get it to India.
Very exciting...
Karen x
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Sunday, 17 April 2011
44 day count down
Not long now.
We have started spending the money we raised on resources and my conservatory is starting to look like a school stock room. I didn't realise just how stressful spending the money would be.
I have had most of my innoculations and my arms hurt.
My new passport arrived last week and that has now been sent off to the Indian Embassy via Trailfinders for my visa.
Its all go.... Not as manic as orgainsing the fundraiser but equally as stressful.
It really has begun to dawn on us what we are about to do... No backing out now...
Karen x
We have started spending the money we raised on resources and my conservatory is starting to look like a school stock room. I didn't realise just how stressful spending the money would be.
I have had most of my innoculations and my arms hurt.
My new passport arrived last week and that has now been sent off to the Indian Embassy via Trailfinders for my visa.
Its all go.... Not as manic as orgainsing the fundraiser but equally as stressful.
It really has begun to dawn on us what we are about to do... No backing out now...
Karen x
How much!
When we set out to raise money for resources for the children of St Mary's, we had hoped to raise £1000. I am happy to say we actually raised £1300 plus an extra £500 from HSBC which will go direct to St Mary's via Mind the Gap to help pay towards an interactive white board.
Thank you to everyone who supported us. I hope you had a great evening.
Karen x
Thank you to everyone who supported us. I hope you had a great evening.
Karen x
The morning after the night before.
What a wonderful evening.
It flew by so quickly I rarely got a chance to absorb the atmosphere.
The hall looked wonderful, I was amazed at how many ladies came in fabulous sequined Saree's and the men all looking like James Bond look a likes (Doug & Joe) I'm talking about you.
We were greeted by such admiration by all our guests. Everyone I spoke to marvelled at what we were doing.
Gopi and the Love Bollywood dance troupe were fantastic, Mamma and the Indian cuisine was delicious. (I actually didn't have any) but I was told numerous times from friends.
Janet had planned a speech, I let her go first as I hadn't even thought about what I would say. I had a lump in my throat as I stood by her side and watched our 106 guests look up to us. Soon it was over to me. I just spoke from my heart. I caught Doug & Abbeys eye and thanked my family for allowing me to do this. I then looked at Anna & Hamish. Anna as I have mentioned in previous blogs is an inspirational teacher and I thanked her. I was really aware that my Geordie accent was getting stronger and stronger lol.
I then asked Anna & Hamish to join us and they said a few words about Mind the Gap Travel and St Mary's. Everyone starred on in amazement.
The evening was really getting going, everyone was merry on the alcohol they had been drinking. The food and music was lovely as was the company. Chatter and more chatter. I looked around the room and saw all our guests smiling and laughing it was such a wonderful night.
We ended the evening with a raffle and the silent auction. Everyone was yet again so generous. Finally for the last 45 minutes we played some music and ladies danced.
What a night, I will remember it forever.
Karen x
It flew by so quickly I rarely got a chance to absorb the atmosphere.
The hall looked wonderful, I was amazed at how many ladies came in fabulous sequined Saree's and the men all looking like James Bond look a likes (Doug & Joe) I'm talking about you.
We were greeted by such admiration by all our guests. Everyone I spoke to marvelled at what we were doing.
Gopi and the Love Bollywood dance troupe were fantastic, Mamma and the Indian cuisine was delicious. (I actually didn't have any) but I was told numerous times from friends.
Janet had planned a speech, I let her go first as I hadn't even thought about what I would say. I had a lump in my throat as I stood by her side and watched our 106 guests look up to us. Soon it was over to me. I just spoke from my heart. I caught Doug & Abbeys eye and thanked my family for allowing me to do this. I then looked at Anna & Hamish. Anna as I have mentioned in previous blogs is an inspirational teacher and I thanked her. I was really aware that my Geordie accent was getting stronger and stronger lol.
I then asked Anna & Hamish to join us and they said a few words about Mind the Gap Travel and St Mary's. Everyone starred on in amazement.
The evening was really getting going, everyone was merry on the alcohol they had been drinking. The food and music was lovely as was the company. Chatter and more chatter. I looked around the room and saw all our guests smiling and laughing it was such a wonderful night.
We ended the evening with a raffle and the silent auction. Everyone was yet again so generous. Finally for the last 45 minutes we played some music and ladies danced.
What a night, I will remember it forever.
Karen x
The day arrives at last!
After months of planning and preparation the day is now here. I loaded the car this morning and planned to meet Janet at the hall at 4.45pm. We had two hours to lug fourteen tables and 106 chairs out of the cellar and up a narrow stair case. We then had to decorate the hall and set the tables.
Luckily we had four strapping fellas to help us. In no time the table were upstairs and we began setting them. While Janet and I did this Mark and Doug, hung fairy lights and bunting. Mamma from the Sitar even joined in to help us.
Mamma organised his kitchen and the smells of India started to waft around the room. We said goodbye to our husbands and we were left alone to finish the tables. With less than an hour to go before we ourselves would have to get ready we set one table at a time.
Table cloth, runner, gold charger, candle, napkins, name cards, cutlery, favours, table names, silent auction forms etc etc and finally once all the tables were set. I sprinkled fresh rose petals on the tables.
7.05pm panic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
We rushed to the ladies toilets and stripped off, having a quick wash in the sink isn't the best way to prepare for an evening out. But that was our only choice. I heard voices. Oh no guests arriving early. How dare they... We were in luck it was Phil our compare and Polly and friends. Polly and her lovely friend, helped us by lighting the candles and putting up pictures of the children at St Mary's. Just as well they arrived early or we would have still been in the loo getting ready.
7.25pm more guests arrived, we were nearly ready. I have never wore a saree before and had only had a few test runs putting it on prior to this evening, but safety pins to the ready and I was off.
7.30pm Ready to greet our guests, NAMASTE...
Luckily we had four strapping fellas to help us. In no time the table were upstairs and we began setting them. While Janet and I did this Mark and Doug, hung fairy lights and bunting. Mamma from the Sitar even joined in to help us.
Mamma organised his kitchen and the smells of India started to waft around the room. We said goodbye to our husbands and we were left alone to finish the tables. With less than an hour to go before we ourselves would have to get ready we set one table at a time.
Table cloth, runner, gold charger, candle, napkins, name cards, cutlery, favours, table names, silent auction forms etc etc and finally once all the tables were set. I sprinkled fresh rose petals on the tables.
7.05pm panic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
We rushed to the ladies toilets and stripped off, having a quick wash in the sink isn't the best way to prepare for an evening out. But that was our only choice. I heard voices. Oh no guests arriving early. How dare they... We were in luck it was Phil our compare and Polly and friends. Polly and her lovely friend, helped us by lighting the candles and putting up pictures of the children at St Mary's. Just as well they arrived early or we would have still been in the loo getting ready.
7.25pm more guests arrived, we were nearly ready. I have never wore a saree before and had only had a few test runs putting it on prior to this evening, but safety pins to the ready and I was off.
7.30pm Ready to greet our guests, NAMASTE...
Anna's Blog
During her time in India, Anna wrote a blog as I am doing. In part the blog is to keep friends and family updated with the goings on of our trip. The planning the preparation, the ups and downs and when we finally get their, our impressions, views, tears and laughter. Its really a diary of events. Something for us to look back on in years to come and reflect on.
Anna's blog was magical, I sensed her feelings and emotions through her writing. Her blogs became my new drug. No more Big Brother or X factor just Anna's Blog.
I hope you enjoy reading ours as much as I did reading hers.
Karen x
Anna's blog was magical, I sensed her feelings and emotions through her writing. Her blogs became my new drug. No more Big Brother or X factor just Anna's Blog.
I hope you enjoy reading ours as much as I did reading hers.
Karen x
Feeling sick with nerves and excitment.
Today our lovely friend Anna, who has been travelling around India for the past two month and has been working at St Mary's School came to see us.
OMG we couldn't get the words out quick enough. We were all talking over each other and flitting from one topic to another and then back again. She brought fabrics and gifts she had purchased in Pushkar and Mcleod and this just fuelled our delight and wonder about our pending trip.
EEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Karen x
OMG we couldn't get the words out quick enough. We were all talking over each other and flitting from one topic to another and then back again. She brought fabrics and gifts she had purchased in Pushkar and Mcleod and this just fuelled our delight and wonder about our pending trip.
EEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Karen x
Gaffer tape & Caroline Quentin
So how do you keep two chatterboxes from talking for five hours? Gaffer tape their mouths!
That's exactly what I had to do to Janet only a few minutes into our silence.
We both decided that the five hours would be a great time to get organised for next weeks dinner dance. Table cloths to iron, name card to write, favours to make etc etc.
We had a list as long as your arm of jobs to do, and the time just flew by. Janet, updated everyone on facebook and I texted friends and family who supported us with their kind words of encouragement.
Rosie made some delicious cakes, just in case we had a load of friends turn up to laugh at us. Luckily for us we didn't so that meant loads of lush cakes to eat. Well I never... Pina Colada mini cupcakes.. OMG they were fab. I ate at least a dozen. Yum Yum thanks to Rosie.
We watched Caroline Quentin's a Passage to India documentary, which just excited us more and four hours into our silence Doug turned up with Abbey and tried every which way to make us talk. However he failed and even when Joe and Ellen came they did not break our silence.
At 4.59 we watched the clock and Abbey gave us a count down from 10 to 0. We did it, and raised a few hundred Pound more for our good cause.
It wasn't actually that bad. Not talking was actually very therapeutic. I would do it again no problem.
Thanks to everyone who supported us.
Karen & Janet x
That's exactly what I had to do to Janet only a few minutes into our silence.
We both decided that the five hours would be a great time to get organised for next weeks dinner dance. Table cloths to iron, name card to write, favours to make etc etc.
We had a list as long as your arm of jobs to do, and the time just flew by. Janet, updated everyone on facebook and I texted friends and family who supported us with their kind words of encouragement.
Rosie made some delicious cakes, just in case we had a load of friends turn up to laugh at us. Luckily for us we didn't so that meant loads of lush cakes to eat. Well I never... Pina Colada mini cupcakes.. OMG they were fab. I ate at least a dozen. Yum Yum thanks to Rosie.
We watched Caroline Quentin's a Passage to India documentary, which just excited us more and four hours into our silence Doug turned up with Abbey and tried every which way to make us talk. However he failed and even when Joe and Ellen came they did not break our silence.
At 4.59 we watched the clock and Abbey gave us a count down from 10 to 0. We did it, and raised a few hundred Pound more for our good cause.
It wasn't actually that bad. Not talking was actually very therapeutic. I would do it again no problem.
Thanks to everyone who supported us.
Karen & Janet x
Sponsored Silence...... Seriously I am not kidding you...............
Janet & I have decided to do a five hour sponsored silence. Well! this has been met with hysterical laughter from just about everyone we have told. Janet and myself are not the quiet types, in fact we are the opposite in every way. So its going to be a challenge.
Saturday 26th March 12 noon till 5pm
Come and have a laugh at our expense.
Karen x
Saturday 26th March 12 noon till 5pm
Come and have a laugh at our expense.
Karen x
It's going to be a wonderful night.
When we set out to raise money for St Mary's school, we really didn't understand the sheer overwhelming response we would get from family and friends.
We could have sold the tickets twice over, everyone wanted to come. We originally planned to have a sit down dinner for 150 guests unfortunately this was not to be due to the size of the venue. We considered changing the venue but after several telephone conversations with local companies we realised that other options were going to be far too expensive. So we made the huge decision to limited our numbers to 106.
When your fundraising the aim is to make as much money possible, so having to reduce our numbers and turn dozens and dozens of people down was not something we enjoyed doing. However everyone we spoke to supported us and most just gave us money because they liked what we were doing.
With all the tickets sold, the food, entertainment, decorations and raffle prizes received we crossed our fingers and hoped that all our guests would marvel in what we were going to do on the day.
Our aim is to take one plain looking village hall and turn it into India, the colours, the smells, the decorations, entertainment, music, food, Saree's and laughter.
Fingers crossed.........
Karen x
We could have sold the tickets twice over, everyone wanted to come. We originally planned to have a sit down dinner for 150 guests unfortunately this was not to be due to the size of the venue. We considered changing the venue but after several telephone conversations with local companies we realised that other options were going to be far too expensive. So we made the huge decision to limited our numbers to 106.
When your fundraising the aim is to make as much money possible, so having to reduce our numbers and turn dozens and dozens of people down was not something we enjoyed doing. However everyone we spoke to supported us and most just gave us money because they liked what we were doing.
With all the tickets sold, the food, entertainment, decorations and raffle prizes received we crossed our fingers and hoped that all our guests would marvel in what we were going to do on the day.
Our aim is to take one plain looking village hall and turn it into India, the colours, the smells, the decorations, entertainment, music, food, Saree's and laughter.
Fingers crossed.........
Karen x
www.diyaonline.com
Ordered wonderful saree's today for myself, Ellen and Abbey. What colours, what choice, how cheap.....
Raspberry pink, turquoise and orange and emerald green.
Karen x
Raspberry pink, turquoise and orange and emerald green.
Karen x
Red and yellow and pink and blue..........
Another adventure! Luton to some may be a god awful place to visit, but I can tell you first hand that my experience of the Indian community in Luton was wonderful. On our mission to make our fundraising event as authentic as possible, Janet & I visited Luton in search of some colour. Tablecloths to be exact...
We wandered up and down the High Street and as in Southall we were greeted with smiles and warm welcomes from all the shop owners.
We eventually ended up in a small fabric shop, and after about an hour, several conversations about travelling to India and selecting dozens of different coloured fabrics for our table cloths we left feeling very happy with ourselves.
Our aim was to decorate the tables to reflect the colours of Rajastan. We settled for fourteen cotton fabrics and contrasting runners which looked like a technicoloured explosion. Just what we wanted!
Karen x
We wandered up and down the High Street and as in Southall we were greeted with smiles and warm welcomes from all the shop owners.
We eventually ended up in a small fabric shop, and after about an hour, several conversations about travelling to India and selecting dozens of different coloured fabrics for our table cloths we left feeling very happy with ourselves.
Our aim was to decorate the tables to reflect the colours of Rajastan. We settled for fourteen cotton fabrics and contrasting runners which looked like a technicoloured explosion. Just what we wanted!
Karen x
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