Dharamsala

Richard recently went to Dharamsala, the Tibetan head quarters and home-away-from-home for the Dhali Lama, on a protection detail for the speaker of the house when she recently visited India. Wow, that was a mouth-full.
From what he told me and what I gathered from others who were present, it was an amazing experience.
There has been a recent surge in violent 'crack-downs' by China in Tibet and the Dharamsala community, made up of Tibetan refugees, was charged and an intense sense of revolution permeated the air.
Richard brought home a piece of cloth that was blessed by the Dhali Lama and given to him. I thought that was pretty cool, wish he could have gotten him to autograph it though!
I hoped I could pin him down to tell you his personal experiences but alas I cannot.
But even though I do not have access to his mind, I at least have access to his photos!

Mehandi

Before the Night Under the Stars event I decided to get a Mehandi (or henna) done.

Traditionally they do these for special occasions and holidays. Most commonly it is done for brides and grooms for their weddings.

I went with 2 friends and we all had different artists. One friend had two different artists doing each arm and they turned out completely different. She wasn't so happy.

My other friend ended up picking the best artist and got both the tops and bottoms of her hands done (up to her elbows) and then a small design around her bicep. Her design was our favorite.

I picked a design that I loved and as he was about half way done I realized that it was not even close to the design I had picked out. Needless to say I drew a bit of a crowd while expressing my displeasure. Finally after speaking my peace another artist said "okay, you no like, you no pay". I'm sure my henna artist didn't appreciate his advice but I sure did!

I felt a little guilty afterwards for not paying because it really was a nice design and I ended up liking it a lot later, but at the time I was feeling very angry and a bit taken advantage of.

We used to get henna done when we lived in Cairo and I was so excited to learn they did it here as well. It is a lot of fun and great because nothing is permanent. It all wears off in a week or two!

I love his people...

While talking with Little T's teacher at a recent parent-teacher-conference, she once again shared with me her "love" of Little T's "people". I'm not sure if she remembers telling me the exact same thing at the last parent teacher conference, but she seemed just as earnest this time as the first.

Which got me thinking....

She has been an elementary teacher for quite some time and would be considered somewhat of an authority on children's art, maybe she was trying to tell me something.

But then, I don't want to be one of those obnoxious parents who thinks any old chicken scratch their child produces is a Picasso!

So, I'll let you be the judge. Skills or no skills?

I think he's captured such emotion in my eyes, and R's hair looks so, so...natural!

Personally, I think the resemblance to Big T is just uncanny, don't you?

I'm not afraid to admit that I'm not a big fan of abstract art but...I just can't stop looking at it!

Oh, this is a personal favorite! There is something magical about it. I don't know if its the whimsical way her hair curls or the delicate lines of her fingers...or possibly the mischief portrayed in her eyes, its just all so captivating.

Last, but not least he did this amazing self-portrait. I'm convinced...he's a genius!

Seriously, this art is magic! MOMMY MAGIC!

(Mommy loves your people too Little T!)

Night Under the Stars

On Saturday night the school held their biggest fund-raiser of the year. They call it 'Night Under the Stars'. Each year it is a different theme and this year it was "Bollywood Through the Ages".
Traditionally it is formal "Indian" dress. That means wearing a sari, which I have apprehensions about. Not for any other reason than being short and round. But since we bought tickets I had no choice. Luckily I was pleasantly surprised when I found and fell in love with a black, glittery sari. When I saw it, it made me forget all about being short and round, all I wanted to do was try it on, the quicker the better.
Being wrapped in a sari is no small feet mind you and after a few minutes of wrap and tuck (plus the normal "feel ups" in the process, never get tired of that) I was in love!
About an hour before the event me, A and my neighbor J, gathered in my bedroom with each of our maids who furiously wrapped, tucked and pinned us until we were ready. What was so cute was that none of them are over 5 feet tall and with us wearing heels, we towered over them like giants.

Our men also dressed for the occasion and looked quite dashing in their fancy Kurtas.

At the school they had a "red-carpet" entrance and an elephant to take photos with. The ball field was set up with tables and a stage for the show, which consisted of the Indian version of the Solid Gold Dancers.
There was all kinds of food and free alcohol, which we don't drink, but its always fun watching others after they've "had a few"!
It was a fun evening and a great opportunity to help the school. All the proceeds go to fund all the student-service and out-reach programs.

What boys keep in their pockets

This is a picture of what I found in the bottom of my washing machine this morning after doing a load of little T's laundry.(My 5 year old)

Items include:
1 Flavor Ice wrapper
1 Cadbury chocolate wrapper
6 Rocks
1 AirHeads wrapper
2 Broken pieces of a CD
5 Pieces of misc. foil pieces
1 Starburst wrapper
2 Juicy Fruit gum wrappers

Obviously he has access to more candy than I was aware!

Mr. 1-1-1

Just thought I would share a funny story about my husband (with his permission of course)!
We went to Lowe's to buy a lawn mower (a couple years ago when we actually had a lawn) and we were chatting with an associate about different models etc..
After we picked out the one we wanted we went to the desk where the associate started taking pertinent information.
At one point he asked R for his name and automatically he started to reply "One, one, one..." Just as he spit out the last "one" the associate and I looked up at him with obvious confusion on our faces, afterwhich he was suddenly silent and questioned: "What did you just ask me?" The associate and I both burst into laughter.
He had assumed he was being asked for his address and robotically started to regurgitate it.
After we all composed ourselves and finished the paperwork the associate sent us off with a "Thank-you Mr. 1-1-1" and a giggle.
For hours after-wards (and even to this day) I break out into sudden fits of laughter whenever I think of or tell the story!

Book Reviews

I have been doing quite a bit of reading (for me) since coming to India due to my good friend A. To say A is a book worm would be a huge understatement! She has read more books in the last 8 months than I have probably read in the last 2 years.

So I decided I would share my favorites.

Just so you know, there won't be any bad reviews. Every book I've read in the last 6 months I am recommending. Because first of all, I don't have a lot of time to read to begin with, so why even think about reading a book I may not LOVE! Second, if I don't LOVE it, then I usually don't finish it and it would be unfair to write a review on a book I never actually read. Third, I am a horribly slow reader and this limits the amount of books I read which takes us back to number one; why waste my time reading a book I'm not sure to LOVE!

Here we go!
A Thousand Spendid Suns & The Kite Runner

by Khaled Hosseini

Besides the amazing and compelling stories, I loved these two books mainly because of what it taught me.

The only images I had of Afganistan before reading these books involved bearded Taliban and beautiful eyes peering out from beneath blue burkas.

In my narrow view of the world outside my box I hadn't realized there was ever a different kind of Afganistan. I hadn't known the history of the Soviet occupation or the years of tribal wars before the Taliban "saved" Afganistan only to then reign supreme through fear and violence.

Neither story leaves you with what I would call a warm & fuzzy, it was more of a realization than anything. They are not without hope though and you definitely feel different after having read them.

They are very different stories but both are set in the same time period and place. Both involve what I feel to be an amazing amount of everyday life, thoughts and people in Afganistan during that time period. I thought the books both gave a very honest and authentic feeling.

I totally recommend them both but, if I had to choose my favorite I would have to choose The Kite Runner.

Books of Pellinor:

The Gift, The Riddle, The Crow

Sorry I couldn't get a picture of book 3. By the way, these are the Australian covers, they may look completely different in the stores in the US or anywhere else. Also, in the US, book 1 is known as "The Naming".

If you love epic fantasy, which I do, then you will love these books! (Big T says to tell you, "They totally ROCK!).

They are kind of "Lord of The Rings"-ish! Very big story with lots of magical people and events, reading minds, talking to animals, supreme beings. Its all very cool and very exciting to read. I couldn't put the books down and I'm looking forward to reading the fourth book...when it comes out!

Just in case Alison Croggon happens to be reading my blog, hurry up with number four please!!

Finally, the series I'm currently reading (just a couple chapters away from finishing the last book); Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer.

Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse

These books are also fantasy.

What I love about this series is that it is an incredibly quick and easy read that kept me both motivated (I read the second book, over 500 pages, in a 24 hours period) and enthralled.

As you read them you feel like your sixteen again and who doesn't want to feel like a teenager again...well okay, neither do I, but these books help you to remember the good parts about being a teenager. First loves, first kiss, all the good stuff!

These are the kind of books you read when you need a break from the intense. No polotics, deep thinking or self-evaluation involved, just pure entertainment!

I heard about these books a year or so ago, before all the hipe began but hadn't gotten around to reading them. I almost decided not to when my friend A and Mo twisted my arm and told me I HAD to read them. So I gave in....and I'm so, so glad I did!

Anyone know where I can get me one of those sexy teenage vampires! :)

I'm Back...

Sorry I have have been such a neglectful blogger as of late. I don't know if I mentioned that I am the editor of the elementary school yearbook this year (bad decision) and as you've already noticed I'm sure, the school year is quickly drawing to a close. Thus, my deadlines are coming quickly and unforgivingly. I am feeling overworked, overwhelmed and definitely under-paid! I realize its somewhat of a pathetic excuse for leaving my blog so unattended but....

Lets play a little bit of catch up!

I believe I mentioned that Gdma & Gdpa S were here several weeks ago. I think they had fun despite getting horribly ill (thank heavens for Cipro). I think the Taj Mahal was probably the highlight of their trip, and for us a much more weather friendly experience than last August!

R took his Mom and Dad to Old Delhi one afternoon to see the Red Fort but it was closed. But they went to the spice market and bought spices to take home (hope everybody is enjoying them)!

It was nice to have them and I'm glad they were able to make it here before going back home to the great state of ID. Mmmmm....potatos!