Mehendi Party!

Last month, the kids had a week break from school and on one of those days, a few friends and I hired 2 mehendi artists to come work their magic on us "Americans"

Mehendi is basically henna tattoos done Indian style. It is a temporary form of skin decoration that is used during special occasions like weddings and festivals. It is very popular for a bride to have it applied before her wedding.

Once the henna is applied, it needs to dry for 3 hours. Then it crumbles off and you're left with a tattoo. It continues to darken for 2-3 days and last about 2 weeks.

We just did it for fun!

Paige has one artist on each hand

A closer look

The designs were peacocks, feathers, flowers, lattice, etc.

Palms and wrists complete



This is what the tops looked like.
Can you imagine what it was like for her to keep it smudge free for three hours?

I only had my feet done.

All the women had their feet done

Eric had a little something done too. He originally wanted a cobra snake but his request got lost in translation and he ended up with a flower on his right arm. We quickly wiped it off but it still appeared the next day. Luckily his shirt sleeve covered it. So we told the artist to do something "manly" on his left arm and this is what he got.

However, in India, this isn't considered a negative symbol

Ayudha Puja

I swear I am such a lame blogger. I guess I just haven't mastered posting events on a timely basis. There are about 10 different things that have happened in the past couple of months that I want to share, but just can't find the time to do it right after it happens.

Oh well.....better late than never.

This event happened the end of September. We just returned from Mumbai to celebrate an evening of "Ayudha Puja" with our staff. This is a day of thanks and blessing the mechanical equipment around your home. Our helpers washed, decorated, and blessed our cars, motorcycles, bikes, tools, generator, pool equipment, and other devices. In addition to decorating with palm and banana leaves and flowers, they spatter a paste made of turmeric and sandlewood. They offer special prayers (puja) of thanks and hope that this equipment will serve you well the following year.

Take a look:

Make a Smilebox slideshow

All Moved In

This past week we moved to a new home about 15 minutes up the road. The landlord of our old home sold the house and the new buyers wanted to occupy it. Well, that is what he tells us anyway. It will be interesting to see if that is truly the case.....we've heard rumors otherwise.

SO, now the task of unpacking! The kitchen, dining room, living room, and family room are done. Still need major work on the office, guest room, computer area, and bedrooms. So far, we are thoroughly enjoying our new home. We are very close to the beach and love to see the waves and hear the ocean. When all is set - and it stops raining - I'll post pictures.

Something Gross!!!!

As I mentioned in my previous post, Eric developed swimmer's ear during swimming season. It is an outer ear infection/fungus that is caused by wet, humid conditions where the outer ear canal doesn't quite dry out enough. It is extremely painful and is treated with oral antibiotics along with antibiotic ear drops and of course, keeping the ear canal dry!

During our visit to the ENT, she accidentally cut Eric's outer canal as she was cleaning out the fungus. Due to the irritated, swollen condition, his ear bled for a couple of hours. Take a look:

We finally got it to stop bleeding and went back to the ENT the following day to show her. There wasn't anything we could do except let it heal itself. After about 10 days and many vists back to the ENT, it finally cleared up. One day, a big, dried, blood clot came out of Eric's ear:

As if that wasn't gross enough, Corey DARED Eric to EAT it!!! What a Dad, huh?

The first offer was 500 rupees - Eric said no and upped it to 1000 rupees ($20).

THEN HE ATE IT!!! UGH!

YIKES!! WHAT IS INDIA DOING TO US??

Eric's Swim Meet in Mumbai

Eric joined the school swim team this year. They met each morning for practice at 6:30am. After 6 weeks of practice they had a swim meet called "The Big Bad Blue" Invitational. This was held at their own pool and included a few local schools. Since it's not possible to have swim meets weekly, this was a good chance to get ready for the big meet.

A week or two later, the team travelled to Mumbai for a 2-day swim meet that involved 7 other American Schools in the South Asia area. The cities present were: Mumbai (India), New Delhi (India), Chennai (India), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Lahore (Pakistan), Kathmandu (Nepal), Colombo (Sri Lanka).

Eric's events were: 50 m Breast Stroke, 100 m Freestyle, 400 m Medley Relay (Breast Stroke portion), and 400 m Freestyle Relay. He didn't place in his individual events and placed 5th in both relay events. We were so proud of them because this was the first year Eric's age group qualified for the big meet.

In addition, Eric came down with swimmer's ear (extremely painful) and missed a couple days of school and a week of swimming. I thought he might give it up but he didn't. He hung in there. The doctor didn't want him to swim for the rest of the season, but Eric was too determined. So, with ear plugs, the swim cap, and lots of prayers, he was careful not to get water in his ear so the infection would heal and he could go to Mumbai.

We were happy to travel as a family and experience another part of India! Plus we went to the Hard Rock Cafe' and got a nice, big, juicy burger! That should hold us over until our next trip!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Paige Turns 10!

In September, Paige turned 10 years old! My little girl is growing up so fast!
One nice thing about having a yard with a pool is that both Eric and Paige were happy having their birthday parties at home - which made it easier for me to arrange. In India, we don't have a selection of venues in which to hold a child's birthday party.

One of Paige's friends lives next door and she brought over her

rabbit to share with the kids. Everyone got a chance to hold it.

Eating pizza from Domino's. The pizza is okay. Not much sauce and

the cheese is different. The pepperoni isn't pork or beef - not sure

what it is. But it's good enough when you're having a party!

Paige in the pool

Friends hangin' out!

Corey is lighting this fancy flower candle. When it's lit, the flower

opens up and plays "Happy Birthday to you"

Opening presents

More presents

The whole gang!

In this group, 2 girls are from France, 1 from Australia,

2 from India, and 5 from the US

A Toy for Corey

A couple of months ago, Corey bought a two-wheeler. Don't have much to say about it except guys gotta have their toys! It has come in handy at times when our drivers are gone and someone has to run an errand. I haven't gone for a ride yet. I'm waiting for Corey to get a little more experience driving it around here. The kids love it!

Corey's taking Eric over to a friend's house.

Yes....Corey does wear a helmut - he just didn't have it on yet.