Since I haven't received one frantic phone call, not a single anxiety-ridden email or even a slightly concerned blog comment....I have to assume that not a single person I know and love around the globe has had access to the news or current events in the past 72 hours, so...
Just thought I would let everyone know that even though there were 5 bombings in New Delhi Saturday evening, all of which were within approx. 30 minutes of us......we're okay.
Since you've all so obviously been out of the loop, I will fill you in as best I can; Between 6:15 and 6:45 Saturday evening 5 bombs went off in different market areas and parks within Delhi. Later 4 more bombs were discovered and diffused making a total of 9 bombs. Last I had heard, over 20 were killed and over a hundred injured.
I can't pronounce the name of the terrorist group claiming responsibility and so I have no idea how to spell it, but they are a fairly 'new' organization. They didn't seem to be targeting any particular ethnic group or religious fashion, but one of their reasons for the bombings was 'to cleanse us from our sins'...wow I wonder how long it took them to come up with that garbage.
I think because they are so newly organized they just haven't had enough time to get their 'act together'. Or maybe they simply lack the leadership skills that older, more established terrorist organizations have. Its possible that since they're so new they may have to go through some sort of initiation period where they have to plan and carry out a certain number of mindless acts of violence before they can become full-fledged members of the terrorist fraternity? Or...maybe they just haven't had enough time to brainstorm and refine more intriguing, self-righteous excuses for spreading death and destruction, after all, it takes time to hone those kinds of skills.....seriously, how do they come up with the crap they spew.
I just can't seem to wrap my mind around the idea of terrorism. I might be a little slow (ok...a lot, but) could it be because we aren't really supposed to? By definition it is mindless acts of terror, not actually meant to have rhyme or reason. I guess that's the point. Inevitably they all claim some sort of spiritual, political or distorted ethical reasons for their diabolical schemes, as if that somehow absolves them from their heinous actions. But in the end, in my opinion, its pure evil, designed by evil men and women who are inspired by evil itself.
I'm grateful that no one I know was injured, especially since several of the bomb sites are popular shopping areas for many Americans posted in Delhi. In fact, while watching the news that evening in the diner, we spoke with a woman sitting next to us, who said she had just come from one of the markets not more than a half hour before the bomb went off. The only reason she left was for a baseball game she thought her son had that evening, which ended up he did not. If that doesn't make you think someones watching out for you....
Anyway, exciting things are always going on here in Delhi! But don't worry about us. No need for all those emails and phone calls full of worry and concern that I'm sure would have come.....eventually....had I not gotten to you first! :)
Monday, September 15, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
My Conundrum
We recently had an experience I thought I should share. In preface I should remind you of what I have previously shared about the huge begging problems in India.
Most of the beggars are women and children with plenty of handicapped beggars in the mix as well. We as a family have made it a policy not to give to beggars. Why? Because first it is against the law. Second, most of the beggars are not working for themselves but are begging for someone else who then takes their money. Whether or not they get any in return I am oblivious. Excuse the crude analogy, but it is much like a whore working for a 'madam' or 'pimp'. The third reason is that although it would make me feel better to give them something, in the end, I am doing them no favors and only perpetuating the problem. Not to get overly gruesome but it is not unheard of for parents to maim their children in some form to add to the 'sympathy-factor'. The practise of exploitation for gain is an abusive and destructive practise for all who are involved and I do not wish to be a participant. As you might guess, this is not as easy as it might sound, regardless of the valid reasoning.
Hence my conundrum:
Big T was asked to give a talk in church about the example of the Savior. Ever the procrastinator, on our way to church he started asking us for examples or characteristics the Savior had that we could emulate. Randomly we all start giving him ideas. "Love, kindness, patients, faith," and then R turned to him and said "Charity". Just then out of the corner of my eye I saw two men walking toward our car. The first man was obviously blind. The second man followed closely behind him, guiding him, one hand on his back, the other holding his outstretched arm. Suddenly they were at the drivers-side window, tapping...waiting...tapping again.
I don't think I've ever been in a situation where I felt more at odds with myself in my entire life. Here we were, trying to explain what charity meant to our son and how Christ was the greatest example of charity, while a blind man begged at our window. Richard and I starred at each other in silence, each feeling the battle within. My insides struggled. My heart and mind in utter conflict. What should I do. The moment was surreal.
My thoughts twisted within me. What kind of example was I setting for my children? Here I was talking about Christ's example while not emulating it. But then, what did it say if I broke my own policy regarding the perpetuation of exploitation. I was frozen. I didn't know what to do, my conundrum stumped me, I could see now way out.
The whole scene lasted only seconds, but felt like an eternity. I sat there incapacitated by my inner conflict. In the end, the decision was made for me. By the time I pulled my eyes from R's and looked up, they were gone, moving slowly on to the next waiting vehicle, the next potential hand-out.
I've thought a lot about this since then and unfortunately, I still haven't come to a comfortable conclusion. I am bothered that I didn't follow the example of Christ but yet at the same time I feel like the circumstances are different...but are they really? Were there 'beggar masters' and exploitation of women and children at the time of Christ? Would it have made a difference to him?
We have shared our views and opinions regarding the begging issue with our children and I think they understand but I am worried. Was this one of those defining moments? Did I make the right decision, even though technically I made no decision at all. What did my inaction say, what did they take away from that experience, what did they learn from my example? If I am this confused and unnerved by the experience, what might they be thinking or feeling?
In the end, I hope it will be a learning experience for us all. I know it has given me a great deal to "chew" on, thoughts to ponder and feelings explore. It will be a platform for a great family discussion at the very least, and at best, a life changing experience.
Most of the beggars are women and children with plenty of handicapped beggars in the mix as well. We as a family have made it a policy not to give to beggars. Why? Because first it is against the law. Second, most of the beggars are not working for themselves but are begging for someone else who then takes their money. Whether or not they get any in return I am oblivious. Excuse the crude analogy, but it is much like a whore working for a 'madam' or 'pimp'. The third reason is that although it would make me feel better to give them something, in the end, I am doing them no favors and only perpetuating the problem. Not to get overly gruesome but it is not unheard of for parents to maim their children in some form to add to the 'sympathy-factor'. The practise of exploitation for gain is an abusive and destructive practise for all who are involved and I do not wish to be a participant. As you might guess, this is not as easy as it might sound, regardless of the valid reasoning.
Hence my conundrum:
Big T was asked to give a talk in church about the example of the Savior. Ever the procrastinator, on our way to church he started asking us for examples or characteristics the Savior had that we could emulate. Randomly we all start giving him ideas. "Love, kindness, patients, faith," and then R turned to him and said "Charity". Just then out of the corner of my eye I saw two men walking toward our car. The first man was obviously blind. The second man followed closely behind him, guiding him, one hand on his back, the other holding his outstretched arm. Suddenly they were at the drivers-side window, tapping...waiting...tapping again.
I don't think I've ever been in a situation where I felt more at odds with myself in my entire life. Here we were, trying to explain what charity meant to our son and how Christ was the greatest example of charity, while a blind man begged at our window. Richard and I starred at each other in silence, each feeling the battle within. My insides struggled. My heart and mind in utter conflict. What should I do. The moment was surreal.
My thoughts twisted within me. What kind of example was I setting for my children? Here I was talking about Christ's example while not emulating it. But then, what did it say if I broke my own policy regarding the perpetuation of exploitation. I was frozen. I didn't know what to do, my conundrum stumped me, I could see now way out.
The whole scene lasted only seconds, but felt like an eternity. I sat there incapacitated by my inner conflict. In the end, the decision was made for me. By the time I pulled my eyes from R's and looked up, they were gone, moving slowly on to the next waiting vehicle, the next potential hand-out.
I've thought a lot about this since then and unfortunately, I still haven't come to a comfortable conclusion. I am bothered that I didn't follow the example of Christ but yet at the same time I feel like the circumstances are different...but are they really? Were there 'beggar masters' and exploitation of women and children at the time of Christ? Would it have made a difference to him?
We have shared our views and opinions regarding the begging issue with our children and I think they understand but I am worried. Was this one of those defining moments? Did I make the right decision, even though technically I made no decision at all. What did my inaction say, what did they take away from that experience, what did they learn from my example? If I am this confused and unnerved by the experience, what might they be thinking or feeling?
In the end, I hope it will be a learning experience for us all. I know it has given me a great deal to "chew" on, thoughts to ponder and feelings explore. It will be a platform for a great family discussion at the very least, and at best, a life changing experience.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
I-FLY
Instead of doing our traditional trip to the amusement park Lagoon this year, we had the brilliant idea of doing the latest thrill seekers dream to I-Fly.
Mo came up with the idea and of course everyone was on board accept me. I thought I would get out of it since my body is not what you would call aerodynamic and besides, they only had family packages of 5. But wait! "For just 30 more bucks you can turn your party of 5 into a party of 6!" Yeah for me!
After signing the normal, we-promise-not-to-sue-your-butts-off-if-one-of-us-plummets-to-our-death-waiver, we were ready. Off we go for a 5 minute training video before being suited up like the tel-e-tubbies and then thrown into a clear cylinder-like room with no ceiling and a metal grate for a floor. Oh yeah, and a gigantic fan blowing air fast and hard enough to lift you off your feet. Well, let me tell you...it takes a lot of wind to lift this lovely mass of womanhood of her feet! But just in case your not terrified or insecure enough, there are bleachers perched around the room for complete strangers to join vicariously in your flights of fancy! That part I could have done without.
One thing I'm going to recommend they hand out with their gear in the future is hair nets. The helmets have holes all over them that allow stray hair to escape and then it is free to roll and twist in the wind creating a matted and tangled mess in a matter of seconds. I looked like something they pick up on Animal Cops.
All in all it was a great experience and the rest of the family LOVED it! Good times, good times!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Another 'First' in India
The weather here is extremely muggy. The air so thick with moisture that we run 5 dehumidifiers continuously and still deal with soft crackers and persistent mold.
So I just had to share my latest humidity-related 'first' since living in India.
I've recently discovered that after sitting under the hot and humid sink cupboard all summer that about 50% of my tampons have been rendered useless and I'm guessing the remaining half is 50% less absorbant. They have absorbed so much moisture out of the air and are wedged so tightly in their cardboard applicators that they are unusable.
Wow, who would have thought....guess I should have splurged for the plasic applicators.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Summer Vacation Highlights 2008
Horseback riding in the Idaho mountains
(thank-you Grandma & Grandpa).
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Vacation Highlights 1
I've been extremely negligent in blogging since we left for our summer vacation to the states. But I thought I would just share a few of the major highlights (good and bad) since we left India.
*Spending time with all our great friends and family.
*Mishy having a head on collision with a tree in our friends golf cart. (She ended up with a huge goose-egg on her head and a bruise on her chest from where she hit the steering wheel).
The Fitzgeralds have since changed their golf cart driving age to 12 and over! :)
*Going to the temple!
*Going to the movies! Wall-e is my favorite so far!
*Finally eating my first BK Whopper mmmmm....
*Eating steak on the barbie and corn on the cob!! (except Mo the brace-face had to have hers cut off the cob).
*The Kalmbach's pool! Mish and Little T swam from sun-up to sun-down for 4 straight days.
*Riding motorcycles with the Kalmbach's in Georgia
*Hitting 6 different pools in 7 days in Vegas and then boating on Lake Mead! Mo can still wake board and I can still tube with the best of them.
*Seeing our dog Lilly who really isn't "our" dog anymore but we still love her like she is! She loves her new family and we love them too! We're so happy she is with such a great family who loves her.
We've had such a great time so far and we still have a month to go. I'll have to share the highlights that are still to come on "vacation highlights 2".
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
America the Beautiful
We are now one month into our 2 month R&R in the United States!
One of the most intense side affects of living overseas, for me, is the increased sense of gratitude and patriotism I feel for this promised land. My experiences living overseas have created a new understanding and appreciation in my heart and mind that cannot be explained.
One of the most intense side affects of living overseas, for me, is the increased sense of gratitude and patriotism I feel for this promised land. My experiences living overseas have created a new understanding and appreciation in my heart and mind that cannot be explained.
The first 4th of July after coming home from our first overseas post we attended the fireworks display in my home town held in a University football stadium. As the flag was raised and we started to sing the national anthem I was completely overwhelmed by emotion. I could barely squeak out the words my heart so desperately wanted to sing as tears streamed down my face.
Not much has changed since then. I still cry whenever the national anthem is sung and I get a lump in my throat whenever I see the flag marched past me in a parade.
We are again looking forward to a traditional home-town 4th of July celebration complete with parades, barbeque's and massive fireworks displays. But I am also mindful of the many Americans living and working overseas who are not as fortunate, including many of my close friends in India. I hope you have a wonderful holiday wherever you are and in whatever circumstances you find yourselves, and thank-you for all you do to make America GREAT!
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