Update

Just want to give you an update of the happenings around here!
1. We are excited to celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow and roast the turkey we brought back from the states last July (hope it's not too freezer-burned). Looking forward to a day off with the family and friends, and eating yummy food!

2. ERIC MADE THE SOCCER TEAM!!! Out of 25 kids, only 12 made it and we are so proud of him for his hard work and dedication to practicing hard and doing his best. He is very tired at the end of the day so he has been waking up at 6:00am to do his homework.

3. Because Eric made the team, we will be travelling to Colombo, Sri Lanka for the soccer tournament the first weekend in December. It is about an hour south of us by plane. I will be going with him and Corey and Paige will stay here. Can't wait to post pictures for you!

4. Corey is heading back to the US the same weekend Eric and I will be in Sri Lanka. He has business in Illinois and will be gone about 10 days. So, I've been busy on the Internet ordering miscellaneous stuff for him to bring back - mostly things I can't find here and diabetes supplies for Eric.

So life is good! We love our new house (I promise I'll post pictures soon), Corey's job is going well, the kids are doing excellent in school and we've made lots of friends. I think we're feeling like we can call India "home".

A Couple Pictures of Us

In our own "American" way, we celebrated one of the biggest holidays in India called "Diwali" or "Festival of Lights". In basic terms, it's a time they celebrate light over darkness and good over evil. Lights are hung, candles are lit, prayers are said, and lots and lots of fireworks are let off (day and night). It is a time for new clothes, presents, and feasts.

We started on Friday night by celebrating with several friends at the Mitchell's home. We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, enjoyed homemade ice cream, and lit a few fireworks of our own.

Saturday night, we were invited to dinner with friends who are native to India. We enjoyed yummy Indian food and more fireworks. It was a fun weekend! It was so fun, I hardly took any pictures - not enough to do it justice. Oh well, here's a few of us:

The entrance to our friend's home on Saturday night

Eric trying to eat popcorn while holding a sparkler

Paige with her sparkler


When it comes to fireworks, grown men become boys!

Me and Corey

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.

Corey's Birthday

We celebrated Corey's 39th Birthday this month! A kind family from our branch invited us over to their home for dinner and birthday cake. We had a lovely time!

Preparing the dinner table

Making homemade Dosa

The Birthday Boy enjoying his feast!


Since Eric was at a school dance, Paige invited her best friend.
I was so proud of them for their good manners and tasting most of the food.

Chocolate Birthday Cake.

They even took the trouble to find the candled numbers "39"

Our Friends

Weddings

Earlier this month, we had the opportunity to attend 2 weddings. I wanted to share a few pictures from each.

The first wedding was an arranged marriage of one of our security guards. When we arrived, we were immediately taken to the front of the ceremony and given chairs to sit in (everyone else was on the floor). It was an awkward and embarrassing moment for me. Luckily, my good friend was there - who is experienced in this sort of thing - so I followed her lead and stayed calm and smiled.


This is the reception hall. We planned it so we would arrive for the reception only, but they were running 2 hours behind so no one was there. We jumped back in the car and drove to the ceremony.


Me and Paige



Now we are at the ceremony where the bride and groom are receiving advice and blessings I guess. It was all in Tamil so not quite sure. The minister had a bible out so that was a good sign.



As you can see, I was so far up front that I was practically facing the bride and groom.

They had a small band that would play music in between the talking. Sounded very much like polka music.

The vocalist

It is official! They are married. Don't they look so happy? This was the expression on their faces the whole time. My friend and I were waiting for one of them to pass out or lose their lunch, if you know what I mean.

A group shot at the receiving line. Since everything ran so late, and it was a school night, we opted to go home instead of back to the reception.

Three friends!

The second wedding was also arranged. The groom was a co-worker of Corey's. The ceremony for this one was at 4:30am - customary for Hindu weddings. We opted to go to the reception which took place in the evening. It took 1 1/2 hours to get there - we waited in line to say hi to the happy couple - ate some food for a few minutes - then 1 1/2 hours back home. I think our total time at the reception hall was 30 minutes.

The bride and groom. Why the long faces again? I really don't know.

A traditional Indian wedding dinner. Little piles of food and bread on a large banana leaf. To be eaten with your right hand. The kids ate a little bread and the ice cream. I actually ate all of my food (while quietly praying inside that I wouldn't regret it the next day). I was hungry.

Family shot.

What you don't see are the two guys directly in front of us that "babysat" us while we ate. I think they were assigned to "the Americans" to make sure we knew what we were doing. It was very thoughtful of them but awkward to be stared at the whole time. You'd think I would be used to it by now.....not yet.

TIP: Did You Know......

Did you know that if you......DOUBLE CLICK ON ANY PHOTO IN THIS BLOG IT WILL GET SUPER BIG and you'll be able to see it much better? Try it!

Back to Real Life

The First Day of School:







The kids have been back to school for almost a month now. I thought I would let you know what a "routine" week is like for our family.



I wake up at 5:15am to DRAG Eric out of bed for swim practice. He is out the door by 5:50am and insists on not brushing his hair because the kids on the swim team have a contest on who has the best "bed head". He practices from 6:15am - 8:00am. School starts at 8:30am so he has time to shower and grab a snack before he is due in class.



Now that I'm the only one awake, I take this precious quiet time to eat breakfast and read the scriptures before I wake Paige up at 6:45am. And SHE TAKES SO LONG TO GET UP!!!!!! She doesn't get downstairs until 7:30am and all she's done is showered and dressed! So now we are in a rush to get her fed, packed, and out the door by 7:55am. So wake her up earlier you say? It doesn't work. Some subconscious something tells her she can't be downstairs until 7:30am.

In the midst of the morning, Corey is bustling around getting ready for work and leaves anywhere between 6:30am and 8:00am.

Okay, so it's 8:00am, everyone is gone, what do I do? Well, I keep myself busy by:

• doing household chores
• exercising
• emailing, blogging
• FamilySearch Indexing (very fun)
• scrapbooking
• shopping for food, clothes, or other
• going out to lunch with friends
• planning Sunday lesson
• taking care of projects around the house
• reading
• socializing with friends at the school
• and more shopping : )

School is out by 3:15pm for Paige and she usually has an after school activity that lasts until 4:30pm. This quarter she is taking yoga, jewelry making, and an "environment saving" class. Eric is out by 3:45pm and he hangs around with friends until we FINALLY make our way out of the school and home by 5:15pm.

We jump right in to homework, practicing piano (lessons on Tuesdays), dinner, family scripture study, and in bed by 8:30am with lights out at 9:00pm! Corey gets home at all different times of the evening. He really tries to make it home for dinner, but then usually has meetings via telephone in the evening with people in the U.S.

And then there are the special things that pop up. Such as this week, we have 2 weddings to go, plus Paige and Corey's birthdays. Friday night we are going to celebrate with friends who are Indian and Saturday night we are celebrating with our expat friends.

AND we've had a wrench thrown into things...........it is believed that our landlord has sold the house so now we are back to house hunting. We will be spending most of this Saturday doing that lovely task. So I think there is yet another move in the near future.

So it's a simple life, maybe even boring at times, but our family is together and having fun. We have been truly blessed with many spiritual and material things of which we are so grateful so you'll hear no complaints here!