Slumdog Millionaire vs. Q&A

I just finished reading Q&A by Vikas Swarup. The cover calls it "the inspiration for the major motion picture Slumdog Millionaire". When I first picked up the book I wondered at the wording of that claim; books usually say "Now a major motion picture" or something along those lines. However, in this case, nothing else would have been accurate. Q&A was indeed simply the inspiration for Slumdog Millionaire.

The book had the same feel as the movie but it was a completely different story. Only one of the questions in the game show was the same, and only 4 of the characters introduced in the film showed up in the novel (the game show host, the inspector at the beginning, Maman, and of course, the slumdog himself).

In the book, the main character's name is not Jamal. He has no brother. He does not tell his story to a police officer. He doesn't work as a chai wallah. He does not win a measly 20 000 000 rupees. He doesn't get the signature of a famous actor. He does not fall in love with a girl as a child. And he does not go on the show to get her attention.

However, there is much that the main character does do in the book. He experiences great joy and sadness. He witnesses atrocities. He lives in fear. He travels about India. He works at various jobs. He breaks the law. He shows compassion. And he falls in love.

It was truly a different story, and yet the same one. I think I liked Vikas Swarup's sequence of events better than those of Simon Beaufoy, the screenwriter, but both stories moved me. It's not often that I can't put a book down. It's less often that I mention how much I'm enjoying a book at each chapter break. So, I guess I liked it!

Intersession Update

There are three semesters (is the number 2 inherent in the word semester?) at the school where Darren and I teach: Fall (August-December), Winter (January-April), and Intersession (May-June or July).

Intersession has been an interesting concept for me to wrap my mind around. Because of the reduced number of weeks, many classes have doubled contact hours in half as many weeks. For example, one colleague is teaching two 2-hour physics lectures a week rather than the two 1-hour physics lectures he teaches in the other terms. Some classes have a few fewer weeks and a few more hours per week. For example, another colleague is teaching 5 hours of math per week instead of the 4 she teaches during the other terms, but for 2-3 fewer weeks. And then there are language classes which have the same number of hours per week, the same number of objectives to meet, and 2-3 fewer weeks to do it in. I'm sure glad I don't have to schedule all this stuff!

So needless to say, things are winding down at work for most people. Language, trades and some math classes continue but students in all other classes are finished for the year. In fact, the graduation ceremony is being held tonight! The campus is emptier and a good number of faculty have the time for that leisurely coffee they've been dreaming about all hectic semester.

Things for the Conleys, however, have been a little busier than usual. Darren had his second routine teaching observation this past Sunday. It went well, but it is a time and energy-consuming process nonetheless. He's also dealing with additional paperwork related to course assignments, and his teaching team is trying to get their final exam put together and approved...all while trying to get through all the objectives and content in a shorter time frame than usual.

I am not teaching this semester, but I've been busy too. There are days when I'm working non-stop from the time I get in until the time I leave to catch the bus in the afternoon - except for the half hour when Darren comes over to my office area for lunch. I've been involved in 3 distinct projects this semester, all of which have been interesting in their own way. Then there's the surprise issues that pop up and my attention is focused elsewhere.

I've enjoyed the diversity in my workload this term, but I've also missed interacting with students. In the fall I'm guaranteed to teach at least one class, which will be nice again. I miss "my boys".

But that's still a while away. We have to finish this semester yet, and then enjoy our summer break. Both Darren and I are looking forward to some time visiting family and friends in Zambia and Ontario. I am especially looking forward to not having conversations like the one we had this morning as we left our building to catch the bus:

L: Hey, it feels pretty cool this morning.
D: Yeah, it's probably only in the low 40s.
L: Or maybe even the high 30s! That would be crazy!
D: Let me check. (runs to the thermometer that sits in the shade by the entrance to our building) Yup, it's cool. Only 38 today!
L: (smiles at the ridiculousness - and truth - of those words) Only 38.

Another of the joys of Intersession. :)

Progress

Our school year is quickly coming to a close. That means Darren and I have been in Doha for about 10 months now. In that time we've noticed a huge change in our neighbourhood.

Readers of Darren's blog may recognize this picture as the view from our bedroom window back in August:


Well, the buldozers and jackhammers involved in the demolition of the previous buildings gave way to the rebar delivery trucks and cement pourers of the consturction phase. Slowly our view of the Aspire tower disappeared as floors were added to the apartment buildings across the street.

When we look out our bedroom window now, this is what we see:


This is the case on two other sides of our building as well. I wonder if we'll even recognize the neighbourhood when we return in late August from our 6-week vacation.

This neighbourhood progress reminds me of how very little in life is static. It's natural; societies, organizations, and individuals are meant to develop. I'd say my personal development these past ten months has rivaled that of the neighbourhood, and that is good. There's nothing like a formidable life change to promote the challenging of one's assumptions and worldviews.

While I hope the construction in our neighbourhood comes to a stop relatively soon, I hope I never become content to stop developing.