John's Swim Meet

It's been a busy start to the new school year with loads of weekend events to attend, a stringent yoga regime, and all of our respective responsibilities--a heavy 9th grade homework load with challenging courses for John, and the influx of many new language learners for Widi and me.

John's been practicing with the high school swim team and got a few medals in 100 meter backstroke and breast stroke and a 200 meter relay with the 15-18 year-old team at yesterday's Big Bad Blue local Chennai tournament. It was a fun day. Widi was the caller, and I was a timer from 9:00 till nearly 5:00 all told...with breaks, fruit smoothies and pizzas along the way. Here are a few shots of John--belly piercing covered as it heals.

He was especially pleased that his combination or ribbons looked like the Italian flag to honor his Italian heritage. While he is still resisting going on the trip, the team travels to the American International School in Mumbai for the big South Asian Inter-Scholastic Association (SAISA) meet in two weeks.

His best friend Harmony, who convinced him to join the team with her, unexpected had to go back to Michigan last week. It was a hard good-bye for John. Still, watching him with peers, parents, and coaches, and judging from the cheers for him while racing and receiving awards, he is very popular with everyone, a big fish in a small pond in a way I can't imagine in Belchertown. I don't think he realizes it as he still talks about wanting to go back to Belchertown High. By day's end he had an invitation to a lovely Indian girl's 16th birthday party.