Another Monday

Today was yet again another Monday- therefore, I had to go to school again :(
I know that I've talked a little bit about school, but there's so much more to tell! My school is on a pretty nice campus, it's outdoors, and there's little green areas in between the covered walkways. Every morning (usually) there is an assembly where there is a prayer, one student reads some news, and then the principal says a few things. This all happens out in front of the school and we all have to be in lines by our grade and by our class. We also have to stand with our feet apart and our hands behind our backs- it's a very military-like looking ceremony, with all of us standing in lines in a certain pose, and the sea of green uniforms (besides me! mine is coming soon!).
After assembly, we all go to our classroom. I think that I already said that we stay in the same classroom, but what I didn't say is that when the teacher enters, everyone stands up and says "good-morning Miss" and waits until we are told to sit back down in the chair. Same goes for when you are asked a question by the teacher- you have to stand up and give the answer, and then wait until she asks you to sit back down (when kids don't have the correct answer they have to stay standing until the teacher decides they've been punished enough!).
Now, I know that this all makes the school sound very strict, but the truth is that it's REALLY not at all! Sometimes the teachers come late, or they don't come at all, and then the whole class will just have free time to chat (it usually gets pretty loud)! I asked my host brother Surya why school was so laid back and the kids don't listen too much today, and he told me that the kids prefer to do all of their learning at home by themselves- so basically, they don't listen because they want homework to do when they go home? This is all very new and strange to me!
Now I'm at home for the afternoon. I try to keep myself busy doing things like reading, watching movies, blogging, and catching up with emails. The family lifestyle here is very laid- back. Nothing like at home where I'm ALWAYS running around from one thing to the next! There's a lot of time to rest, and for me, reflect about my experiences here.
I hope that all of you are doing well! I miss you- more than you can imagine!