Some rioting just to keep it interesting!

Smoke billows on the Delhi–Gurgaon border after unrest broke out, when Gujjars took to the streets. This photograph was taken by commuter Amit Banerjee on his mobile.

Just when I felt like I had nothing to write about and was even feeling a little bored (but trying to relish it)... some rioting breaks out to remind me of the fragility of where I live.

We live in Gurgaon which is a very new "hi tech" center in the state of Haryana. Gurgaon, Haryana (like saying Detroit, MI) is just south of the capital of India - Delhi (Delhi is it's own state just like Washington D.C. is in the US). Gurgaon and Delhi are neighbors. The boys and I were in Delhi all day yesterday to visit The American Embassy School where the boys will be attending school in the fall. Actually, they are signed up for summer camp at AES starting Monday but... unless this rioting is completely stopped, there is clearly NO WAY I am putting those 3 boys in a car heading towards Delhi.

John just got home (4:20pm) because the Google office decided to send all their employees home early. I'm glad they decided to err on the side of safety since many of John's fellow employees have to make their way into Delhi and through this sea of protesters (sounds better than rioters).

The rioting starting in the state of Rajasthan (our Jaipur trip) where many Indians in the Gujjar caste blocked the main highway to Agra (Taj Mahal trip). Unfortunately - I think 10+ people died in that rioting. It never occurred to me as I read this that the rioting would travel to Gurgaon/Delhi. Here is a clip of news from this morning...

"Those who started out very early in the morning from Delhi staggered into offices a little before noon with accounts of 10-km-long vehicular jams, fires that could be spotted from miles away, unruly mobs and a sea of cops.

At the border, the mobs shouted slogans and burnt tyres and other material. Policemen stood on the ready for violence with the protesters clearly in a bad mood. "

John, the boys and I are very safe. It's all very interesting actually to see one group (or caste) trying to make themselves heard by the government and to see how the government handles it. Understanding the issue makes it even more interesting. I'll post a link for anyone who is interested in reading about the plight of the Gujjars (one caste up from the Dalhits - the untouchables in Gandhi's time). This caste thing is crazy and hard to understand as a westerner. But, in short, the Gujjars want to be "downgraded" to the same level as the Dalhits so they can receive many of the same govt' subsidized benefits as the Dalhits. Being considered "one step up", they receive very little help compared to the Dalhits. I hope I have this right. Seems a bit crazy. The Indian government has said "NO" and now they are protesting and rioting. It's working because I never new about their plight until now --- and neither did you!

Interesting Links:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070529/wl_sthasia_afp/indiaunrestcaste_070529140718
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_caste_system
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Gujjar_row_crosses_borders_creeps_into_IT_city_Gurgaon/articleshow/2088525.cms

Our new Yogi - Kedar Nath

Ok - that's not John and it's certainly not me but it is a picture from the website of our new Yoga instructor (I don't think it's our instructor either but who knows?).

John arranged for our first Yoga class this morning at 6am in our living room. It was completely different from my previous experiences with Yoga. This was gentle, peaceful, calming and NOT painful at any time. It's very possible that I've always signed up for Yoga classes that were too advanced for me - explaining my burn out in past Yoga instructions. Maybe I'm not great at focusing in a group situation either (stop laughing), which would attribute to me not finding yoga "calming". He eased us into things slowly (good thing at 6 in the morning) and focused strictly on stretching and breathing. A great way to start the morning. His intentions are to "move us along" as we gain flexibility and learn poses but I think it will be slow paced and gentle. No violent twisting , no pushing the limits, no arms shaking as I try to hold some painful pose that I'm not even sure how I got into (while also holding my breath!). I admit I've never been a good yoga student but I'm hoping this yoga will actually improve my longtime limited flexibility issues as well as place me in a gentle and calm place to start the day. (At least until Owen wakes up!)

Nothing to write about....

Totally random but fun... Jack and Matt are all done with their tutor but the tutor asked if he could post pictures of the boys on the International Tutors Website. Here they are... at the bottom of the page.
http://www.internationaltutors.com/.


I know this isn't that interesting but it's all that's on my mind so I'm gonna write about it. Because we are finalizing our plans to come home and it's "real", I think my mind is starting to remember the little things I've been missing. Seriously, I'm starting to think that I haven't allowed myself to think of these things as a "survival" instinct.

Tulips. I think this means I miss spring and it's colors. The "ahhh" one feels when spring hits and tulips are that "ahhh" for me.. This is surprising to me since it's only been 5 years since we've moved back to the midwest. Don't get me wrong - I DON'T miss winter - I miss tulips. Both the ones that pop up everywhere in every color as well as the ones I buy every week at Whole Foods. It always makes me feel happy to have tulips in my kitchen.

Starbucks. Sad - I know. I never thought of myself as a loyal coffee drinker. But a nonfat, 1/2 caf, 140 degree latte sounds SOOOOO awesome (especially right now on a Sunday morning).

Nestle Toll House Cookies from my oven. They don't have chocolate chips here and the brown sugar is very different - therefore, our attempts to make cookies have been fun and eatable but not the same - not even close.

A scone. I think I could probably make these here - but I can't just pick one up at Whole Foods or Starbucks with my latte.

A nice glass of Chardonnay without feeling extravagant. Wine is expensive here. Really looking forward to wine by the pool, wine on the porch, (you get the idea).

Sitting on my screened in porch for the breeze, to watch the rain, to drink my Starbucks on Sunday morning.

There are the bigger things too. Clean streets. A safe walk at night (or during the day for that matter) around the block with the kids and Zeus. Friends and family are obvious so I won't dwell there.

I don't miss driving but it will be fun to do again. I don't miss cleaning. I don't miss my washer or dryer.

This morning... as some of these things were going through my mind - I did a switch-a-roo and quickly thought... "I wonder what I am going to miss about India while I'm home?". That will be interesting.

My friend Patty once said "Nancy operates best in a chaotic environment" and what place on earth is more chaotic than India? Yet, my home here is so much less chaotic than in AA. Outside of my Laburnum walls it is pure chaos, but inside - it's peaceful - most of the time. I think I'll miss that.

Peanut Butter and Baked Beans

We have a new cook... his name is Ishak but he goes by Jack (he's Christian). He cooked us a great Thai dinner the other night so he won the "cook out" between him and the other chef. Not really fair considering the other guy only got to cook lunch AND... Ishak had the help of Anoop, his friend and chef but nonetheless, we had to choose and we chose Jack (the name didn't hurt).

Today for lunch we all sat down famished and the boys jumped into the sandwiches on the table. I know sandwiches are a new concept for Jack the chef because the one time he made them they were triple decker (a slice of bread between each ingredient). These were once again triple decker but SURPRISE - no jelly - just mashed up baked beans! I think he couldn't find the jelly (not sure if he knows what it is) so he grabbed one of my precious cans of baked beans (hard to find) and spread them all over the bread. We all laughed (not at our chef but at the experience) and then I spent a little time in the kitchen with the new guy. The English barrier is huge this time and will prove to be a bigger challenge.

The journey right?

It's very hot here. 107 -110 daily. The hours between 11/12 to 4 are indoor hours and really it's best if we wait until after 5 to go back outside. It's a lot of togetherness. I'm still amazed at the hours the boys widdle away playing Lego. They've created a hierarchy of important peices and they trade them etc.. to build things they can then battle with (sounds like Pokemon now that I think of it). Jack has built some really cool stuff (picture above).

I'm going to go try to put a weather widget on my blog page to track the weather between AA and here - requires some HTML stuff I'm not so keen on... wish me luck.

Mosque blast near Charminar

At least 13 people have been killed in a bomb explosion at a historic mosque and subsequent rioting in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, police said. At least nine people were killed and dozens more hurt in the blast during Friday prayers at the Mecca Masjid, one of India's biggest mosques.

While in Goa, I had a moment of pause at breakfast Saturday morning. We had all just sat down and it was a beautiful morning. Then I opened the paper and the picture and story above stared me in the face. Instantly I felt sad - very sad. It felt more personal than all the blasts, bombs, fighting etc. that I continuously read about or hear about in the news.... that always seems to be happening far, far away to people I don't know. It didn't feel that way to me this time.

While in Hyderabad on our first trip to India, I spent my one free day touring (while John worked - poor guy) and seeing the sites including the Charminar (pictured above). I climbed the ancient winding steps, I took several pictures from the top while trying to take in the view and "all things India" for the first time - e.g. motor rickshaws packed in the square, giant baskets of homemade somosas piled high on heads, many Muslim woman (woman veiled in black) intermingled with colorfully dressed Hindu woman, beautiful mosques from every side of the Charminar - including the one bombed on Friday.

I've stood in that spot like millions before me, I bought "precious stones" from a small boy to bring back to my boys (paying way more than I should have just to see the smile on his face). I didn't feel fear at all - surprisingly - only a profound sadness that a few radicals could feel justified in killing people during their Friday prayers...

Whenever I think of Goa, I know I'll also think of my short stay in Hyderabad and my visit here - they are now linked.

Here is Charminar through my lens along with the people, rickshaws, and lovely mosques surrounding it.

Pictures from Goa...

Haven't had the chance to write yet but have downloaded the pictures. Click on the link at the bottom and you should be able to see an album titled Goa, India. Good luck.

Our two adventures outside the hotel included a dinner at a nearby seafood open air restaurant and a visit to the Dudhsagar Falls and Spice plantation on Sunday. Here is info on where we went.

I'll try to write later about the little things I want to remember - there are many.

About the falls
The Dudhsagar Falls are amongst the top 100 highest waterfalls in world. Situated on the border of Goa and Karnataka, the Dudhsagar Waterfalls takes a steep plunge 2000 feet down in the wooded mountains of the western Ghats. Believed to be amongst the highest falls in the country, these magnificent falls are located in a blissful tropical jungle with crisscrossing streams. The view from the top of the falls is breathtaking. The falls looks even better at magical light of dawn.

About Sahakari Spice Plantation
http://www.sahakarifarms.com/virtual_tour.html (A great description of our visit at this site.)
While in Goa, do NOT miss this great opportunity of visiting the biggest spice garden, managed by the professionals with in-depth knowledge of the spices and herbs. They just opened it to the public about a couple of years ago, that too, the owner Mr. Sahakari was not keen at all on getting it commercialised. It was only after Mr. Anil pursued and insisted constantly that he agreed to it. But now of course he does not repent. This has provided a great opportunity to the students, locals and the foreign tourists alike to get an insight and learn the spices. Its qualities and aromas have invited and tempted people and traders from all over the world! So, come down and also relish the most delicious home made food, using the local spices apart from enriching your knowledge! Moreover, the food is served in a very ethnic style in the earthen pots on the banana leaf. The guests are free to use their fingers for eating instead of forks and spoons, as per Indian style. They also have folk and temple dances performed for the groups and the place provides a befitting ambience for special day for the incentive groups. You would find here every spice that can be grown in the tropical climate (except saffron). Situated a few km away from Ponda, on the way to the Bondla sanctuary, the area is on a hilly terrain with a very thick vegetation with natural streams flowing through it.

For more Goa pics click:
http://picasaweb.google.com/nkelley66

Just settling in.... think again

All day I've been thinking about writing about Goa and our 3 days there but all that changed in the last hour. I knew something was amiss this morning when Bali wasn't here at 10:30 to start lunch but I just figured there must be some confusion on our return date or on his return (he went home last week to see his wife and parents and extended the trip a couple of days since we went to Goa). I was wrong. After a couple calls, Bali came by the apartment and explained he won't be working for us anymore. This was a HUGE blow and a surprise. It has nothing to do with the Kelley family - in fact, I'm confident he will miss the boys a ton (and maybe me a bit) but nonetheless - it's the reality and I need to deal with it. I want to be mad at someone but right now I'm mostly mad at myself for not spending more time in the kitchen learning from Bali. What a missed opportunity. I was surprised at how strongly I felt about this news and it was magnified by the fact that when he came in the door - the boys were extremely excited and yelling "Bali's back, Bali's back!" A familiar and comfortable smile in a sea of unfamiliar people and things is more valuable than you might think.

It also became apparent to me that even though Bali was a servant, he has become a trusted ally over the past few months. I was looking forward to meeting his wife, his family and seeing his home. I'm sad - sadder than I would have thought.

Update: Anup just arrived. He will be cooking for us short term - maybe long term. He asked a lot of good questions about what the boys will eat (don't forget this conversation is mostly broken English, lots of pointing at foods and many gestures) and I know he's really nice. Anup cooked for John and I in Hyderabad (south central India) when we came to India on our first trip... but now he wants to live in Delhi and is working for Google here in Gurgaon. Full circle - we meet again... etc. etc.. I feel better already.

Hail, Heat and Goin' to Goa

DEADLY HAIL STORMS IN INDIA: As the summer monsoon season approaches in India, it is not unusual for there to be severe thunderstorms. Some of these produce deadly tornadoes and hail. Possibly the worst hail disaster in India occurred in 1888, when close to 250 people were killed by falling hail -- some died immediately, others died later from their injuries.

The boys and I experienced our first REAL storm last week as we enter the monsoon season here in India. It's still a bit early so I guess things will get more adventurous before they calm down. Our first experience was a bit wild and a huge surprise. The boys and I had just left John's office to come home (we had a pizza dinner with him at the Google office) and our trip home and walk up to the apartment was uneventful. It was less than 5 minutes later that the noices started and when I looked out of the window I was shocked. There were people running from the pool so it must have hit suddenly. As scary as the "wind out of nowhere" was, it was the golf ball size hail that really freaked us out. I had NO idea it hailed in 100 degree weather? It made no sense to me so at first I was sure it was a flock of birds smashing into my windows and into the metal of the air conditioners. Very loud. Very strange. Unimaginably, I stayed calm - probably because John was still at Google and if I showed my anxiety, the boys were sure to cry (harder). Well, that was the first big storm and it was over as fast as it started. I called John then but coincidentally it was hitting them when I called and they were all watching and listening as well. We had more storms today - no tears, no hail but high winds. No problem.

Heat. It's hot. The boys and I get all our activities done by 11 and then hide inside until at least 4ish. Yesterday, at 4pm, we walked 100 yards across our Laburnum courtyard to a friend's house only to think we were melting. You could feel the weight of the air on your skin. The boys all commented on the strangeness of it.

Because we like the heat.... we are heading down to the beaches in Goa this weekend. We leave tomorrow. The simple pleasure of a long shower - as long as I want - well it's high on my list right now. Playing on the beach, swimming in a great pool, some snorkeling and some great seafood. Sign me up! Hopefully I'll have a couple good pics to share when we get back.

Shubh ratree (good night).

The Map: We are in Delhi region - (north central on map). We are heading down to Goa via plane - (south west region).

Lost in Translation

Picture: Charcoal Tandoor made of clay for cooking many classic Indian dishes and breads.

OK - my title isn't very creative but it happens ALL the time. And, now that I think about it, I'm sure it happens much more than I ever know about! 1st example: For a while now, my cook Bali has talked about buying an electric tandoor for our kitchen (I can't have a real charcoal tandoor - very smoky - not good in an apartment or on the deck of an apartment) so once I figured out what Bali was talking about and did some "googling", I decided to do some shopping. When I mentioned to my driver Micky that I wanted to shop for an electric tandoor - the look on his face said it all. Tan Door? I saw the look but attributed it to the fact that electric tandoors are still relatively new and went on to explain why it had to be electric but, meanwhile, Micky was still trying to figure out why I wanted a Tan Door and where he was going to take this crazy American woman to buy one. Yes Mam came out of his mouth but "huh?" was going through his head. After several minutes of repeating the single word "tandoor" back and forth at each other, he finally screamed "TANDURE! TANDURE!" Yes, Micky, that's what I said!

Then, yesterday, after a week of a very stiff neck, I decided to try the massage service offered at the golf club. I should have known from the start that I was doomed. 3 calls later, after 2 hang ups, I had an appointment. At 6:30? - today? - I think? Who really knows. Surprisingly, they were expecting me when I arrived (think locker room, sports massage - no spa thing). After a lot of gesturing and me following folks around, I was lead to a massage room/closet. No problem I think - I need this - my neck is killing me. I then state a couple things to the woman...

1. first - no chest massage necessary (part of the program - I learned the hard way)
2. second - I have a very sore neck and shoulder area

On the first count - clearly just because I made my chest area off limits didn't mean the rest of my privates were off limits. Yikes!

On the second count - when she flipped on the lights and said "all done ma'am" I was sure it was a joke. She didn't touch my neck and shoulders! She must have thought I meant "don't touch - I'm sore". I wanted to cry.

Oh well. Not much to cry about. I just grinned and thought - there it goes again - lost in translation.

ps - Mother's Day in India was wonderful. Happy Mothers Day to all the fabulous woman I'm blessed to have in my life.


pss. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTINE! 17 - IT'S UNBELIEVABLE - HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Mother's Day in India

OK - it hasn't actually happened yet because Mother's Day is tomorrow but I thought it was funny that we will be going to a Japanese Brunch in India for my Mother's Day. Just one of those funny things when I say it in my head - strikes me as a bit odd. I'm really looking forward to it.

I don't have much to report. We've had a nice week with the boys attending a pottery camp at one of those "paint it yourselves" places but their week included the potters wheel and some mosaic tile ceramic work along with all the painting. I'm sure to get some goodies for my house out of the week (or perhaps Annie and Grandma Joan will get some too!). The picture above is the pottery teacher with Matt (his most lucrative student).

Another fun thing is that we made a new friend at the pool. I'm sure it's not what you're imagining. He's 90+ years old and everyone here refers to him as Kapoor Uncle. He is the eldest in a home of 3 generations (Indian) here at Laburnum and he is in the pool EVERYDAY. He is some ex-championship swimmer who has also taught many generations of kids to swim here at Laburnum and all over India. He's gentle and kind and Owen just asked him straight out one day if he would teach him how to swim - which, I think, warmed his heart immensely towards Owen. Mutual adoration ensued and after one session (very informal) in the pool he was THRILLED with Owen's progress as were John and I. Owen was ready to learn and eager to impress this man who praised him highly and repeatedly told John in I that he has never had a child learn as quickly as Owen. He then told everyone else about Owen and I started to get people asking me about it. Owen is SO proud. The next evening, Kapoor Uncle brought Owen what he said was sure to be his first of many championship trophies - a Toblerone bar!

Our maid is gone for one month (why couldn't this be the same month we were gone??? - starting to think she worked me on this one) but I'm excited that her plans include working for us 24/7 in the fall after we return. She's a good fit. We have formally applied to the American Embassy School and expect all 3 boys will attend in the fall - very exciting for me. Everyone's life will change including those folks working for us. My day will get easier but our cook will now be here for breakfast and dinner along with packing lunches and our driver will be doing a big commute into Delhi daily which is a rarity right now.

Well, I just took a short break to bath the kids and we had another household disaster. You just get used to the fact that things don't work like you expect them to here in India.

So, Jack just had a new hot water tank installed in his bathroom and it's extra large (still very small) which means he gets the longest shower in the house. But, as I was helping Jack and Matt in Jack's shower I heard a big blast behind me and a blast of hot air and spray. The heater (imagine a tank hanging at the ceiling) pipe let loose and VERY hot water and steam was blasting at us. Somehow (I'm sure instinctively) I found myself inside the shower with Jack and Matt and all 3 screaming frantically for John who was in our bathroom bathing Owen. John just thought there was a little ruckus and was a little slow to respond (I'm not sure how he thought this - my ears are still ringing from the screaming). I was using our newly purchased (today) shower curtains to protect the 3 of us. Poor Matt was totally freaked out. John quickly saved us, shut off the water and all is fine. Anand has been busy mopping up the mess. Thank God for Anand.

We are heading out tonight - invited to Leena's to play games with a small crowd of folks from Laburnum. Looking forward to it. She sent a text message saying the dress code is Denim and there will be shots of Vodka for anyone who doesn't comply. I think I like her. I also think I need that shot of Vodka.

On a funny note, our house in AA has always had limited hot water since we moved in but now I can't wait to get home to that "limit" which allows me to both wash my hair and shave my legs all in one shower. Just a little of that "perspective" thing.

"I Spy" in India

When the boys and I play "I Spy" here during long drives or even short drives that take a VERY long time, it's amazing what comes out of our mouths. It's what gave me the idea for this blog entry. When we first arrived there were so many new sites that caught our attention and it's amazing how quickly we've been desensitized to many of these images. It's not a bad thing. Frankly, it's a necessary thing in order to just live here and be sane but still, I thought it would be interesting to make a quick list of the things that now don't get a second glance from me (or the boys). Here is my list...

• COWS - they are everywhere and they rule. Many are sick and unhealthy looking - sad.
  
• GIGANTIC loads of stuff either in rickshaws or on peoples heads - use to make us laugh out loud at how ridiculous it was. Now we just go... "huh? how do they do that?"
• Slum huts - everywhere - next to a beautiful house, between two stores, along the road etc. Some stand alone but most are small colonies called "slums" and have a hierarchy/rhythm and economy of their own that keeps the neighborhood slum going. I can't imagine what will happen to all these tin roofs, thatched roofs and blue tarp roofs during monsoon season. Can't be pretty.
• No helmets. Motorbikes and scooters are rampant but helmets are only worn by the drivers and not always. No woman and certainly no kids where helmets. I only wince now when I see the kids - especially babies being held by the moms sitting sidesaddle.
  
• Men sleeping everywhere. They just lay down and take a nap - in their rickshaws, on the ground, median of the road, on a cart, etc. Never woman - only men. Hmmm.
• Men holding hands and men arm in arm. Don't notice this anymore. It's very common and kind of nice. I asked John why it's OK for men do that here in India and his response was "the real question is why isn't it OK everywhere else?"
• Buses and auto-rickshaws PACKED with people; I keep thinking they could easily win one of the Volkswagen Bug contests
• Woman on construction sites carrying heaving materials up many levels of stairs on their heads (stacks of bricks, bowls of concrete) while the men are sleeping (just kidding)
• Donkeys, wild pigs, and wild dogs everywhere. But, camels and monkeys still get our attention.

In addition, I decided to take my camera with me for a day of running around with the boys... taking Owen to school (only 1km away but still full of sights), going to the bank, running to the mall etc. I didn't go out of my way for any of the pictures below and only got out of my car once (to meet the cow) - so all of these were taken from my car window. It's just the "normal" stuff I see everyday. Hope it is interesting to you.

So different but so much the same...

This blog entry might not be about what you think it will be about. This isn't about how much my day to day life is really the same - even half way across the globe in a completely different culture with different rules. This is about our guests for dinner last night.

After a remarkably easy and entertaining evening in our apartment with brand new friends, it occurred to me how strange it was that 4 adults from completely different sets of experiences could have so much in common and be at such ease with each other. Kal and Dan came over last night after a playful round of tennis with the 6 boys (yes - they also have 3 boys - 8, 6 and 3) for a quick dinner and drinks and I'm pleased and surprised how easy it was. Not easy because I did none of the cooking or cleaning to prepare (Bali made a smashing, yet casual Indian dinner) but easy in a "this is who we are - no pretense kind of way". They reached out to us initially when Kal invited me over to have all the boys play and for her and I to have tea. They have a smashing two level penthouse but it's very family friendly and has evidence of three boys everywhere - which I loved. We have tried hard to warm up our apartment but it's clearly a furnished apartment and feels that way. Still, I had no reservations about having them to our house to eat and play. None of that seemed to matter like it just does some times. Why is that? They commented that our home was really warm and how many homes here are show pieces (clearly not ours) and that ours was "homely". Yes, HOMELY. I laughed, knowing that she really meant "homey". We had a good chuckle over that one.

Back to the point. She is born in India, raised in London, married to a man of Indian heritage who was born in Britain but raised many places and speaks beautiful Hindi (better than her Hindi and she was born here!). None of us have ever lived in the same town, gone to the same school, worked at the same places etc... in fact, we have lived thousands of miles away from each other only to meet in India and find an easy and comfortable friendship. Not the kind of acquaintance friendship based on curiosity and networking but clearly and easy budding friendship. It already includes an offer to visit them in London on our way home in June. EVERYONE is leaving India this month. I think the Kelley's will be holding down the fort here at Laburnum.

Other things... it looks like the boys will be going to school at the Embassy School in August. We visited today and the boys gave it a big thumbs up. I'm happy about that.

In a strange twist of fate - we just learned that John has a second cousin (and husband) who moved to Delhi just after we did. We met up with them for dinner Saturday night and had a smashing time. Follow me here for a minute... Connie, John's cousin is the granddaughter of a "great Uncle Joe" whom I have heard many stories about (including his elopement at 90 or 91 years of age). He lived until 102 and I think he downhill skied into his 80's or something ridiculous. John has always had these great memories of being at Uncle Joe's cottage in the Adirondacks and it was great fun to learn more about this man as well as get to know these new cousins. We've got family in India - it's great.

Our maid/aya Theresa is working out really well part time. I'm hoping she'll be with us full time in August after we return. She will also be gone this May and June - leaving Friday - seriously - I think everyone leaves Delhi in May for a couple months!

We are planning some trips including our trip home in June/July. Can't wait!

I'm working on a blog entry for tomorrow but it requires some pics I will hopefully shoot tomorrow. Until then...

Namaste.

Jack's Journal Entry for Today - Friday, May 4th

After reading Jack's journal entry today - I was floored by his "list" of things to do while home in July because frankly - it could have been MY list (with a couple name changes). So - I asked if I could share it on my blog (my journal) and he said yes. Here it is.

First there was a hand sketch of our house with the 5 of us walking up to it followed by...

Here is a list of things I want to do when we go home in July.

• Play with Christian
• Be with Yaicha
• Play Pokemon
• Have a party (he really is my kid!)
• Play with Jack F.
• Play with Danny B.
• Go to the Racquet Club
• Go to Charlevoix (synonymous with "see Annie and Papa")
• See my cousins
• See Grandma Joan
• Go to the beach
• Go fishing off a boat
• Be able to play game cube

Sounds VERY managable. I say, let's do it!