Big T is turning 16 in a couple months and I have no idea what to buy or do for him! I want his 16th to be especially, special because he is really not happy about the fact that "all my friends are getting their drivers licenses when they turn 16 and I don't even have a bike!". But before you say "get him a bike" already thought of that (Christmas is coming soon too).
So put your thinking caps on and send me your ideas! T and I would greatly appreciate it!!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
The Van is Coming!!
We just found out that our van has reached India and is on our way to us as we speak. I am actually hoping with all my might, mind and strength that it arrives today or this weekend at the latest!
Our car actually arrived in Amsterdam on the 16 of August and sat there for over a month because of miscomunications between our GSO (gov. shipping office) and the port in Amsterdam. I was a little peeved when I found out!
I am so tired of taking taxis its not even funny! Although, I do have to admit it is always an adventure to ride in an auto rickshaw... but it will be very liberating to have my very own mode of transportation that have stains on the seats or smell like... well lets just say its not a pleasant smell. Although I will miss a couple of my 'regular taxi drivers' who smile when they see me coming (ooh here she comes, sucker!) and laugh at me whenever I try to speak Hindi with them.
Of course they are not the only ones. Every Indian I have ever spoken Hindi to has either giggled or laughed right out loud. The only solice I have is that I am not the only one it happens to, and Mutua assures me that I speak it "very nicely". All the other Hindi students in my class have experienced the same sort of phenomenon as well. I think they are so shocked to hear a foreigner speaking Hindi that they simply giggle.
Our car actually arrived in Amsterdam on the 16 of August and sat there for over a month because of miscomunications between our GSO (gov. shipping office) and the port in Amsterdam. I was a little peeved when I found out!
I am so tired of taking taxis its not even funny! Although, I do have to admit it is always an adventure to ride in an auto rickshaw... but it will be very liberating to have my very own mode of transportation that have stains on the seats or smell like... well lets just say its not a pleasant smell. Although I will miss a couple of my 'regular taxi drivers' who smile when they see me coming (ooh here she comes, sucker!) and laugh at me whenever I try to speak Hindi with them.
Of course they are not the only ones. Every Indian I have ever spoken Hindi to has either giggled or laughed right out loud. The only solice I have is that I am not the only one it happens to, and Mutua assures me that I speak it "very nicely". All the other Hindi students in my class have experienced the same sort of phenomenon as well. I think they are so shocked to hear a foreigner speaking Hindi that they simply giggle.
The Black Tongue
I have a radical experiment for anyone brave enough to try...
I call it the 'black tongue'. Its really easy, and completely safe!
All you have to do is take a couple chewable Pepto-bismal tablets (I'm not sure if taking liquid would work but if that is all you have then give it a try). Take them at bedtime. In the morning, wake up and brush your teeth like normal and see what happens--its pretty rad!!
I call it the 'black tongue'. Its really easy, and completely safe!
All you have to do is take a couple chewable Pepto-bismal tablets (I'm not sure if taking liquid would work but if that is all you have then give it a try). Take them at bedtime. In the morning, wake up and brush your teeth like normal and see what happens--its pretty rad!!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
दिवाली मुबारक Diwali Mubarek
We celebrated the Festival of Diwali on Friday night with a bang.. seriously! Diwali (pronounced Dee-vali or also called Dipavali) is the Hindu version of Christmas or "Festival of Lights". You celebrate by decorating your house with lights and candles. The lights represent the victory of good over evil. They also give gifts and traditionally wear new clothes and purchase new household items. Then, once darkness comes, the night sky quickly erupts into what closely resembles a war zone.
I went shopping on the two days prior to Diwali and let me assure you that last-minute-gift-shopping is just as much an epidemic here as in the US. I was chastised by a few people for going the the same market the day before Diwali that was bombed just a couple years ago during the Diwali season. But what can I say.. shopping waits for no woman!
I bought everyone new "Indian" clothes for Diwali. Richard, Taylor and Tyson wore Kurta Pajamas (pj's were invented here, but in India they are actually worn during the day) and MaKaela got her very first Sari. I bought Morgann a Salwaar Kameez or Punjabi suit. I started out the day in a Salwaar suit as well but ended up in the bright orange Sari you see me pictured in below.
Mutua invited us for Diwali but we already had plans in the evening when the traditional Diwali feast takes place, so she asked us to come for lunch. So we got all dressed up and went to her house for lunch. We brought some Indian sweets for their family and we sat around and talked and then they served us lunch. Mutua kept dishing up our plates over and over again saying "Please eat nicely". After the second or third helping forced upon my plate, I could eat no more (despite their disappointment).
The food was great but we felt very uncomfortable because they would not sit down and eat with us, even after coming close to demanding them too. At first, I thought it was some sort of social or caste issue that kept them from eating with us. But after the dishes were cleared and a little conversation about the food, we discovered they were fasting and wouldn't be eating until the evening meal. That was a little awkward but we still had a great time.
Before we ate, Mutua grabbed my hand and dragged me into the second of their two-room house saying "please come, please come". In the bedroom with all the girls, I was surprised when she handed me a wrapped gift; my first Sari. Although orange is not my favorite color, I thought it was beautiful, I know it was a sacrifice for her to buy it for me and I was so touched by the gesture.
We took lots of pictures, played with the baby and the pet parrot and then finally, headed home. It was such a nice experience.
Then, darkness fell and we headed to the McIllece's for the 'danger-works'! What we did that night would be illegal in the US and most other countries as well, but we had a blast doing it! We only had two minor injuries; Taylor seemed to have the worst luck of the evening with a bit of singed hair and what looks like a cigar burn on his forearm from a stray firecracker. Every time a firworks back-fired Taylor seemed to be the one attacked.
At first, I couldn't stop flip-flopping between; "Oh my gosh this is insane, someones going to lose a limb" and "YAHOO, do it again!" In the end the yahoo in me won out and I was disappointed when we finally ran out of things to blow-up and retreated to the in doors. When we left for home at about 11:30pm the air was so thick with smoke we couldn't see more than about 20 yards in front of us, it was crazy! The next day we woke up with the house filled with haze and the smell of firecrackers.
We've decided that Diwali is one of our favorite festivals so far! The "boys" started making plans for next years fireworks display before the smoke cleared. What's the prenatal fascination between boys and explosives?
Anyway, enjoy the photos and Happy Diwali!
I went shopping on the two days prior to Diwali and let me assure you that last-minute-gift-shopping is just as much an epidemic here as in the US. I was chastised by a few people for going the the same market the day before Diwali that was bombed just a couple years ago during the Diwali season. But what can I say.. shopping waits for no woman!
I bought everyone new "Indian" clothes for Diwali. Richard, Taylor and Tyson wore Kurta Pajamas (pj's were invented here, but in India they are actually worn during the day) and MaKaela got her very first Sari. I bought Morgann a Salwaar Kameez or Punjabi suit. I started out the day in a Salwaar suit as well but ended up in the bright orange Sari you see me pictured in below.
Mutua invited us for Diwali but we already had plans in the evening when the traditional Diwali feast takes place, so she asked us to come for lunch. So we got all dressed up and went to her house for lunch. We brought some Indian sweets for their family and we sat around and talked and then they served us lunch. Mutua kept dishing up our plates over and over again saying "Please eat nicely". After the second or third helping forced upon my plate, I could eat no more (despite their disappointment).
The food was great but we felt very uncomfortable because they would not sit down and eat with us, even after coming close to demanding them too. At first, I thought it was some sort of social or caste issue that kept them from eating with us. But after the dishes were cleared and a little conversation about the food, we discovered they were fasting and wouldn't be eating until the evening meal. That was a little awkward but we still had a great time.
Before we ate, Mutua grabbed my hand and dragged me into the second of their two-room house saying "please come, please come". In the bedroom with all the girls, I was surprised when she handed me a wrapped gift; my first Sari. Although orange is not my favorite color, I thought it was beautiful, I know it was a sacrifice for her to buy it for me and I was so touched by the gesture.
We took lots of pictures, played with the baby and the pet parrot and then finally, headed home. It was such a nice experience.
Then, darkness fell and we headed to the McIllece's for the 'danger-works'! What we did that night would be illegal in the US and most other countries as well, but we had a blast doing it! We only had two minor injuries; Taylor seemed to have the worst luck of the evening with a bit of singed hair and what looks like a cigar burn on his forearm from a stray firecracker. Every time a firworks back-fired Taylor seemed to be the one attacked.
At first, I couldn't stop flip-flopping between; "Oh my gosh this is insane, someones going to lose a limb" and "YAHOO, do it again!" In the end the yahoo in me won out and I was disappointed when we finally ran out of things to blow-up and retreated to the in doors. When we left for home at about 11:30pm the air was so thick with smoke we couldn't see more than about 20 yards in front of us, it was crazy! The next day we woke up with the house filled with haze and the smell of firecrackers.
We've decided that Diwali is one of our favorite festivals so far! The "boys" started making plans for next years fireworks display before the smoke cleared. What's the prenatal fascination between boys and explosives?
Anyway, enjoy the photos and Happy Diwali!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
What's that yer haulin..
Please enjoy the first installment of "What's that yer haulin?"
"cow-chips" collected, molded and dried for your burning pleasure. Helps keep you warm at night and creates a lovely aroma to boot.
Oh look... the milk-man!
Look everybody, the surgar cane man.. how does he know where he's goin daddy?
I want to eat, I want to eat eight apples and bannas...
Look Ma, its the new portable-bomb-guy... I sure miss the old one!
"cow-chips" collected, molded and dried for your burning pleasure. Helps keep you warm at night and creates a lovely aroma to boot.
Oh look... the milk-man!
Look everybody, the surgar cane man.. how does he know where he's goin daddy?
I want to eat, I want to eat eight apples and bannas...
Look Ma, its the new portable-bomb-guy... I sure miss the old one!
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
MaKaela in a Sari
MaKaela went home with Mutua the other night to see her grand-daughter. She also asked her to dress her in a sari. This is what she looked like when she came home. You can see why 12 year olds are getting married in this country. She looks so grown up.
Monday, November 5, 2007
A Weekend of Firsts
Last weekend was a weekend of "firsts" for me.
On Saturday night we attended our first Marine Ball in India. The ball is held every year all over the world to commemorate the birthday of the Marine Corp. It is one of the biggest events each year within the Embassy community. It was held at the Taj Palace hotel, a very beautiful 5 star hotel here in town. The real story though is how I found my dress, it is truly a miracle (not kidding).
I decided I wasn't going because the two formal dresses I own do not fit me at this precise moment in time for reasons that I can't disclose (NO, I'm not pregnant, just fat). But Richard received a lot of (kind hearted) pressure to go and we really wanted to support the Marines so we bought our tickets and I prayed!
Shopping here is nothing like shopping in the states. There are no neatly hung racks of clothes with each size separated by little, colored, plastic tabs, and Larger sizes are very hard to come by, if not impossible.
My favorite experience shopping for a dress was walking into a shop and asking if they had any "fancy" dress items. The rather large woman at the desk looked up at me and said "Not in your size", ouch, that one hurt! I should have said, "Well where do you buy your clothes then?" But unfortunately, I am not so quick whitted.
If you are a "fuller figured" woman like myself, your best option is to have something made. But that was impossible as I only had a week. After much disappointed searching, I gave myself an afternoon to find something and if unsuccessful, I would have to fain illness on the night of the ball. So a friend and I went to Sarogini Market. Picture an out door flea market and you might come within ball park range of what shopping at Sarogini is like, or anywhere in Delhi for that matter.
Anyway, we came to an area in which there were many vendors with stacks of clothing. Literally stacks, the clothes were lined up in 3-4 ft high stacks. You simply tell them what you are looking for, the size range (all by pantomime) and they quickly start sifting. The faster they can find you something the more likely they are to make a sale.
Not in my wildest dreams did I imagined I would find something in these dusty piles of clothing. But that is exactly what happened, and not only was it amazingly suited for a formal event, it fit me perfectly. Now, some of you may think "whats the big deal, you found a dress" but to me, it was nothing short of a personal miracle.
Then, to top it all off, after haggling a little with the man, I ended up paying approximately 10 USD (the dry-cleaning cost me 12). My costume jewlry and shoes were 4 times the cost of my dress and I couldn't have been more pleased had I picked it out of a catalog!
The ball was great and it is always so much fun to see everyone dressed to the nines. The bonus for me was seeing all the amazing gowns that I knew cost a small fortune and smiling at the thought of my ten dollar miracle.
Not the greatest picture but you get the idea.
The next "first" happened on Sunday when we attended our first Indian wedding and I wore an Indian Sari for the fist time. The Sari is a traditional dress worn by most Indian women that exists of 6 meters of fabric neatly tucked and wrapped around the body and then draped over the shoulder. I borrowed one from a friend who wrapped me up and off we went.
The wedding was for my house-keeper, Prabha's, daughter. We arrived around 8pm and as soon as we did, became the instant focus of attention. Prabha grabbed my hand and led me to the front of the room (actually it was a tent) and walked me up on the stage where the bride and groom were sitting on thrones (seriously). I didn't know whether to hug and kiss them or bow at their feet. It was an awkward moment,luckily it was over quickly. After that there were lots of photos, mingling, food and dancing (we didn't actually dance though).
My cook, Mutua, was there with her family as well, they all looked so fancy. It was nice to see them in their own element, although they still would not refrain from waiting on us hand and foot. At one point Richard told Mutua, "you are not at work!" It didn't stop her.
I surprised myself by how excited I was to go and how much I actually enjoyed being there. It was definitely an out-of-comfort-zone event but I had a really great time. I loved wearing the sari as well, it has this way of making you feel very feminine.
Hey there, gigantor!
Mutua and her daughter Saseekala and Depha
Mutua's grand-daughter, Nayga
Tent full of wedding guests
Morgann & Richard at wedding
This Friday is Diwali (pronounced dee-valee). It is basically the equivalent of our Christmas. They decorate, light candles, buy new clothes and housing items and have a big feast, but they aren't celebrating Christ's birth. We have been invited to go to Mutua's house for Diwali on Friday, so we will take lots of pictures and blog how it all turns out. For now enjoy the pictures of some of my "Firsts". I'm sure there will be many more "firsts" to come.
On Saturday night we attended our first Marine Ball in India. The ball is held every year all over the world to commemorate the birthday of the Marine Corp. It is one of the biggest events each year within the Embassy community. It was held at the Taj Palace hotel, a very beautiful 5 star hotel here in town. The real story though is how I found my dress, it is truly a miracle (not kidding).
I decided I wasn't going because the two formal dresses I own do not fit me at this precise moment in time for reasons that I can't disclose (NO, I'm not pregnant, just fat). But Richard received a lot of (kind hearted) pressure to go and we really wanted to support the Marines so we bought our tickets and I prayed!
Shopping here is nothing like shopping in the states. There are no neatly hung racks of clothes with each size separated by little, colored, plastic tabs, and Larger sizes are very hard to come by, if not impossible.
My favorite experience shopping for a dress was walking into a shop and asking if they had any "fancy" dress items. The rather large woman at the desk looked up at me and said "Not in your size", ouch, that one hurt! I should have said, "Well where do you buy your clothes then?" But unfortunately, I am not so quick whitted.
If you are a "fuller figured" woman like myself, your best option is to have something made. But that was impossible as I only had a week. After much disappointed searching, I gave myself an afternoon to find something and if unsuccessful, I would have to fain illness on the night of the ball. So a friend and I went to Sarogini Market. Picture an out door flea market and you might come within ball park range of what shopping at Sarogini is like, or anywhere in Delhi for that matter.
Anyway, we came to an area in which there were many vendors with stacks of clothing. Literally stacks, the clothes were lined up in 3-4 ft high stacks. You simply tell them what you are looking for, the size range (all by pantomime) and they quickly start sifting. The faster they can find you something the more likely they are to make a sale.
Not in my wildest dreams did I imagined I would find something in these dusty piles of clothing. But that is exactly what happened, and not only was it amazingly suited for a formal event, it fit me perfectly. Now, some of you may think "whats the big deal, you found a dress" but to me, it was nothing short of a personal miracle.
Then, to top it all off, after haggling a little with the man, I ended up paying approximately 10 USD (the dry-cleaning cost me 12). My costume jewlry and shoes were 4 times the cost of my dress and I couldn't have been more pleased had I picked it out of a catalog!
The ball was great and it is always so much fun to see everyone dressed to the nines. The bonus for me was seeing all the amazing gowns that I knew cost a small fortune and smiling at the thought of my ten dollar miracle.
Not the greatest picture but you get the idea.
The next "first" happened on Sunday when we attended our first Indian wedding and I wore an Indian Sari for the fist time. The Sari is a traditional dress worn by most Indian women that exists of 6 meters of fabric neatly tucked and wrapped around the body and then draped over the shoulder. I borrowed one from a friend who wrapped me up and off we went.
The wedding was for my house-keeper, Prabha's, daughter. We arrived around 8pm and as soon as we did, became the instant focus of attention. Prabha grabbed my hand and led me to the front of the room (actually it was a tent) and walked me up on the stage where the bride and groom were sitting on thrones (seriously). I didn't know whether to hug and kiss them or bow at their feet. It was an awkward moment,luckily it was over quickly. After that there were lots of photos, mingling, food and dancing (we didn't actually dance though).
My cook, Mutua, was there with her family as well, they all looked so fancy. It was nice to see them in their own element, although they still would not refrain from waiting on us hand and foot. At one point Richard told Mutua, "you are not at work!" It didn't stop her.
I surprised myself by how excited I was to go and how much I actually enjoyed being there. It was definitely an out-of-comfort-zone event but I had a really great time. I loved wearing the sari as well, it has this way of making you feel very feminine.
Hey there, gigantor!
Mutua and her daughter Saseekala and Depha
Mutua's grand-daughter, Nayga
Tent full of wedding guests
Morgann & Richard at wedding
This Friday is Diwali (pronounced dee-valee). It is basically the equivalent of our Christmas. They decorate, light candles, buy new clothes and housing items and have a big feast, but they aren't celebrating Christ's birth. We have been invited to go to Mutua's house for Diwali on Friday, so we will take lots of pictures and blog how it all turns out. For now enjoy the pictures of some of my "Firsts". I'm sure there will be many more "firsts" to come.
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