Swim Gala and other events

Since my last blog entry we have had the annual Swim Gala and chosen new prefects for the 2012 - 2013 school year. We have also had some changes n the dorm. So, let's start at the beginning.

Saturday, April 21 was a beautiful sunny day for the Swim Gala. All the students and most of the staff were in attendance at poolside. As we had rain for a few afternoons at 4:00 P.M. there was sufficient water to fill the pool and to clean it properly. The Grounds Crew did an amzing job at having everything ready for the Gala. With flags flying and whistles blowing the event commenced. The super-senior boys created waves as they swm their lengths. The junior school hardly created any waves. The event concluded with the students throwing the principal into the pool to the delight of the younger students. Unfortunately, I did not witness the event as I had gone back to our flat with chills! I missed the meal of Chinese food at Selborne that night and the movie which followed. By late afternoon my temperature was 103.8 F or 39.8 C and Hoz had given me some meds to reduce the fever. I spent Sunday at home relaxing and by Sunday afternoon I was having a repeat of Saturday and I was scheduled to be seen by the doctor on Monday. By the time I saw the doctor Monday morning I was feeling so much better. As the symptoms were very similar to a previous illness we had some blood work done. The initial tests were normal. The second test showed thyphoid and so a course of anti-biotics was started. When I saw the doctor on Friday, she informed me that about half of the community has thyphoid at this season due to the monsoons and the changes to the water supply.

The staff and the outgoing prefects had suggested those suitable for prefect responsabilities for the new school year. The weekend of April 27 - 29 was their retreat at Brooklands. When they returned on Sunday it was time for the out-going prefects to come back inot the dorm and the new pefects to assume their new duties. We lost 7 of our 15 boys as 5 became prefects and 2 moved up to Blades. They were replaced by 4 level 13's and 2 level 12's. We have had a period of adjustment this week and all is going well.

As we are now into the monsoon season with rain just about every day, the dry brown grass is turning green and the many flowering plants are breaking into blossom. The crowds are coming to Ooty from the plain to escape the heat and to enjoy the beauty of the Government Botanical Gardens. Traffic is re-routed throughout Ooty.This past weekend as half of our dorm was away on the prefect's retreat, we went to Quality Restaurant for a buffet meal. The restaurant is rather small with a seating capacity of 75 and we were a group of 80. Needless to say, some ate very quickly and left so others could be seated. The atmosphere could have been better. Having said that, I must admit the food was delicious! Once we were all back at the dorm  we watched a movie and that concluded the evening.