Well, we are off to Italy for our 11 day cruise of the Mediterranean! We leave tonight and will be gone for 17 days total. Here is our itinerary:
Flying into Milan Italy
Driving to Pavia and spending the night and next day
Driving to Genoa - embark
Sailing to Rome - spending one day
Sailing to Israel - spending 2 days, Croatia - 1 day, Turkey - 1 day, Greece - 2 days
Sailing to Venice - debark
Driving to Pisa - spending 1 day
Driving to Rome - spending 2 more days
Flying back to Chennai
Wish us luck! I'll have lots to post when we get back.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Relief Society Birthday Party!
It's funny how things can be so different, yet the same.
I was brought to tears as I sat in the midst of these beautiful sisters that live here in Chennai. I can't believe how fast I am learning to love these sisters! We don't have a fancy Relief Society room.....in fact, it is white walls with paint peeling everywhere, white floors, un-hidden electrical wiring about, mosquitoes, a weird musty/sewer smell that you end up getting used to, no tablecloth with centerpiece........just a bunch of wonderful women who love the Lord.
I felt the spirit when our Relief Society president stood and gave her message. I could feel her sincerity and knew she was speaking from her heart. I wondered what they would think if they knew the kind of RS room I was used too. Would it seem extravagant? Would it seem over-done? Would it seem like we focus too much on looks and the "foo-foo" stuff? I don't know. I just know that it doesn't matter what the surroundings are, you can feel the spirit, bear your testimony, pray, and love and serve one another.....anywhere!
Here are some pics of this wonderful evening!
Cutting the birthday cake. Sister Zita in the red Saree conducted and tried so hard to make sure we had a good time. The American missionary is Sister Dosdall from the Westland Stake in MI and they asked her to cut the cake because she was the oldest. The Indian sister in the turquoise Saree is our RS president.
This is a view of one side of the room. Some of the older children joined us.
This is me with Sister Uma on the left who is in the RS presidency and is the branch president's wife, and Sister Irene on the right,who Corey home teaches - she dressed me!
Some primary children. I guess it doesn't matter that the walls are white because the clothing is so colorful! Aren't these children beautiful? 
It wouldn't be a church function without food! Make it simple and easy.....everything in one or two pots - LARGE pots! No need for a fancy buffet table - it still tastes good! And who needs to sit at a clothed table with centerpieces? just more work and stress for someone. I would have sat on the floor with everyone else, but I wasn't sure how to do it gracefully in my Saree, so I just stood and ate. 
Me in my new Saree. I know the color is kind of boring, but don't worry, I'll work my way up the color wheel soon enough. This was taken in our living room at our home. The french doors open to the backyard. 
The back
I was brought to tears as I sat in the midst of these beautiful sisters that live here in Chennai. I can't believe how fast I am learning to love these sisters! We don't have a fancy Relief Society room.....in fact, it is white walls with paint peeling everywhere, white floors, un-hidden electrical wiring about, mosquitoes, a weird musty/sewer smell that you end up getting used to, no tablecloth with centerpiece........just a bunch of wonderful women who love the Lord.
I felt the spirit when our Relief Society president stood and gave her message. I could feel her sincerity and knew she was speaking from her heart. I wondered what they would think if they knew the kind of RS room I was used too. Would it seem extravagant? Would it seem over-done? Would it seem like we focus too much on looks and the "foo-foo" stuff? I don't know. I just know that it doesn't matter what the surroundings are, you can feel the spirit, bear your testimony, pray, and love and serve one another.....anywhere!
Here are some pics of this wonderful evening!
Cutting the birthday cake. Sister Zita in the red Saree conducted and tried so hard to make sure we had a good time. The American missionary is Sister Dosdall from the Westland Stake in MI and they asked her to cut the cake because she was the oldest. The Indian sister in the turquoise Saree is our RS president.
This is a view of one side of the room. Some of the older children joined us.
This is me with Sister Uma on the left who is in the RS presidency and is the branch president's wife, and Sister Irene on the right,who Corey home teaches - she dressed me!
Some primary children. I guess it doesn't matter that the walls are white because the clothing is so colorful! Aren't these children beautiful?
A group of sisters with children.
It wouldn't be a church function without food! Make it simple and easy.....everything in one or two pots - LARGE pots! No need for a fancy buffet table - it still tastes good! And who needs to sit at a clothed table with centerpieces? just more work and stress for someone. I would have sat on the floor with everyone else, but I wasn't sure how to do it gracefully in my Saree, so I just stood and ate.
No need for silverware or napkins either - save money and less garbage - I think they are on to something! This is the first time I ate with my bare hands (right hand only, please). I've eaten Indian food with bread like Chipati or Dosa, but never with my complete bare hand. Try it some time, it's fun! And you're allowed to lick your fingers too!
Me in my new Saree. I know the color is kind of boring, but don't worry, I'll work my way up the color wheel soon enough. This was taken in our living room at our home. The french doors open to the backyard.
The back
All I can say is - I hope they don't call me to be activities chairperson when I get back to the states........I'm kinda liking the way things are done here......you never know what you might get!
Monday, March 23, 2009
The Tailor
After purchasing the Saree material, you need to have a tailor make the blouse for you and finish the Saree edges. The blouse is VERY form fitting and must be tight. She measured me in about 10 different places just for the blouse - no stretch material here! Typically, the belly area and mid back is left bare and only covered slightly by the Saree, but I asked her to make it extra long to be more modest. She was very understanding.
Saree Shopping
Okay.......so I've lived here about 3 months now, I guess it's time I bought a Saree. The Relief Society is having a birthday celebration and the dress is "Fancy Saree" so off to the store I go.
There are several floors with rows and rows of material - pre cut for Sarees. There is so much beautiful material it is very hard to choose!
The employees lay out the material on the counter so you can get a better look. Plus it gives them something to do because they have to fold it back up!
The stores around here don't open until 10:00am or 10:30am so I arrived early while it was still cool and not crowded. Here are a few employees just waiting to serve.
There are several floors with rows and rows of material - pre cut for Sarees. There is so much beautiful material it is very hard to choose!
The employees lay out the material on the counter so you can get a better look. Plus it gives them something to do because they have to fold it back up!
This is the guy who helped me FINALLY make my decision. I also purchased 4 scarfs, 2 salwar kameez outfits, and 2 lunghi's for Corey.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Mobile Street Vendors
One thing I think is very cool about India is they have vendors riding up and down the lane in front of our house selling various items. They are usually on a bike that is pulling a wagon loaded with their goods. Some of them have bells they ring or they might just shout out. I've seen wagons full of fruits, vegetables, flowers, milk, bottled water, eggs, pink fluffy stuff that looks like cotton candy, tea, baskets, buckets, cleaning supplies, clay pots, and so on.
Can you imagine how awesome that would be in the US? We've all had one of those days when we just don't have the energy or are just too lazy to go back to Wal-Mart for milk or eggs or whatever. Well, instead of rounding up your kids and lugging them to the store, or calling your hubby and begging him to pick it up on the way home from work, you can flag down a vendor - who will even bring it in the house and put it in the fridge for you!
Well, the other day, a guy came around with fresh fish and Corey couldn't resist buying some prawns. HUGE prawns. We bought 1 kilo* (I don't know how the guy knew it was 1 kilo, as there was not a scale around, but anyway) for Rs 450**. He even insisted on cleaning them for us (even though I was perfectly capable of doing it myself). Here are a few pics:
Cleaning them in our driveway - Mindy was liking this!
Can you imagine how awesome that would be in the US? We've all had one of those days when we just don't have the energy or are just too lazy to go back to Wal-Mart for milk or eggs or whatever. Well, instead of rounding up your kids and lugging them to the store, or calling your hubby and begging him to pick it up on the way home from work, you can flag down a vendor - who will even bring it in the house and put it in the fridge for you!
Well, the other day, a guy came around with fresh fish and Corey couldn't resist buying some prawns. HUGE prawns. We bought 1 kilo* (I don't know how the guy knew it was 1 kilo, as there was not a scale around, but anyway) for Rs 450**. He even insisted on cleaning them for us (even though I was perfectly capable of doing it myself). Here are a few pics:
Our 1 kilo - are they kinda cute? Eric freaks out at them.......he stood WAY back!
The vendor showing off his catch
Cleaning them in our driveway - Mindy was liking this!
The prawns ended up in a yummy - and healthy - pasta dish that I made up:
1. Saute onions, garlic, fresh mushrooms, basil, salt and pepper in plenty of Extra V Olive Oil and butter
2. After a few minutes, add diced fresh tomatoes
3. After a few minutes, push these ingredients to the outer edges making a circle with a hole in the middle.
4. Add more Extra V Olive Oil and butter in the "hole" and turn up the heat.
5. Add the raw prawns and let cook for a few minutes til pink.
6. Add spoonfuls of angel hair pasta (whole wheat - that you've been boiling : ) directly from the pasta water to the pan with a slotted pasta spoon. This way, you add a little extra starchy water to your sauce.
7. Incorporate your pasta and sauce - top with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese ENJOY!
*1 kilo is 2.2 lbs.
** Rs 450 is about $9.00 US
Monday, March 16, 2009
Rising Star Outreach
A couple of weekends ago, we took a drive 1 1/2 hours south of our home to an orphanage called "Rising Star Outreach". It is managed by several LDS people and Marriott Corporation is a major sponsor. This facility houses 120 children ages 4 to 16. There is also a school for these children. In addition, 40 children from local villages attend the school.
The parents of these children live in a leper village and cannot care for them. Once a month, the parents come to visit and the children spend the day with them and put on a show. We were there on "parent day". We didn't get a lot of pictures of the children because they were busy with their parents and we didn't want to impose. It was remarkable.
We also drove over to the leper village to visit an art school and buy some artwork created by those affected with leprosy. Unfortunately, the people were all resting when we arrived and were not able purchase anything. I didn't take pictures because I felt uncomfortable and didn't want to make a spectacle about the situation. But it was very touching - another perspective added to my list.
Entrance to the hostels at the orphanage. The children were so friendly and came right up to Eric and Paige, introducing themselves and asking what there names were in the little English they know.
One of the rooms - about 20 children per room. Most of them
sleep on the floor.
There are 4 bunk beds per room and the older children
The kitchen - preparing for lunch 
Checking out some of the equipment in the kitchen
Leftover breakfast meal 
The Playground 
A rice paddy - the children help take care of crops and sell
The School 
A typical school room - keep in mind, no air conditioning
The library
Adding a new wing to the school - very little machinery - mostly manual labor. Where's CAT when you need them? :)
Parents ready to watch the children perform 
They have practiced all month on making what they call "pyramids". Everyone clapped and cheered!
On parents day, they get to dress up. On all other days, the children wear uniforms.
Grand Finale
The parents of these children live in a leper village and cannot care for them. Once a month, the parents come to visit and the children spend the day with them and put on a show. We were there on "parent day". We didn't get a lot of pictures of the children because they were busy with their parents and we didn't want to impose. It was remarkable.
We also drove over to the leper village to visit an art school and buy some artwork created by those affected with leprosy. Unfortunately, the people were all resting when we arrived and were not able purchase anything. I didn't take pictures because I felt uncomfortable and didn't want to make a spectacle about the situation. But it was very touching - another perspective added to my list.
Entrance to the hostels at the orphanage. The children were so friendly and came right up to Eric and Paige, introducing themselves and asking what there names were in the little English they know.
One of the rooms - about 20 children per room. Most of them
sleep on the floor.
There are 4 bunk beds per room and the older children
are privileged to sleep there.
The kitchen - preparing for lunch
Checking out some of the equipment in the kitchen
There is not a cafeteria, so everyone eats outside or in their rooms wherever they can find a spot
Leftover breakfast meal
The Playground
A rice paddy - the children help take care of crops and sell
whatever they don't use
The School
A typical school room - keep in mind, no air conditioning
anywhere in the school or hostels
The library
Adding a new wing to the school - very little machinery - mostly manual labor. Where's CAT when you need them? :)
Parents ready to watch the children perform
They have practiced all month on making what they call "pyramids". Everyone clapped and cheered!
On parents day, they get to dress up. On all other days, the children wear uniforms.
Grand Finale
It was such a great day! Eric and Paige didn't want to go at first, but were surprised at how interesting it was. I'm glad they are old enough to understand the situation of these children. There is another orphanage called "Pathways" that we want to visit after spring break.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
New Words and Phrases
I just wanted to share with you some of the knowledge I've been gaining by learning new words and phrases. The "helpers" around me have been so kind to correct me and make sure I'm using correct English - after all, it is their responsibility.
So when I need something sewn, I really need it "stitched"
And when I want to take the elevator, I really mean the "lift"
When Eric needs the men's room, he really needs the "gents" (or the side of the road : )
And when I'm trying to go to the 2nd floor, I really mean the 1st
What the heck is capsicum and why does it look exactly like a green pepper?
And I swear these coriander leaves look and smell just like cilantro!
I was a little leery when the security guard asked me for a torch - all I could think of was Indiana Jones going through one of those caves....... and soon realized he really meant a flashlight.
If I'm ever in need of a taxi, I really need an auto.
One morning I wasn't feeling well and mentioned to my driver that I had a stomach ache. He asked, "Are you having loose motion, madam?" as he pointed to his bowel area and made circular motions. Did he just ask me if I was having diarrhea? I am NOT having this conversation. I just mumbled and turned my head.
Another day we were driving and were stopped at a light. A man on a motorcycle (I mean two-wheeler) got mad at my driver for something and was yelling his head off at us (in Tamil). He was really ticked and trying to get my driver out of the car - I just kept praying he would stay in the car - and he did. After we passed, my driver asked, "Madam, were you scared?" I said, "A little......boy, that man was mad wasn't he?" My driver said, "Oh, no madam, he wasn't very mad. He saw you in the car so he didn't give the 'big shout'" I said, "Oh....was that just the 'little shout'?" And then he laughs at me as if I said something funny. I guess "big shout" is appropriate, but not "little shout". Big shout, little shout, medium shout...whatever.....I'm just glad Tamilians don't normally "pack".
And lastly, my driver likes to point out interesting sights to me - I think he's pretending he's a tour guide or something. Things like politicians homes, government buildings, places where the Tsunami hit, stores he thinks I would like, dead animals, dead people, and accidents (and he always explains to me exactly how the accident happened, even though we weren't anywhere around). So one day he points out a group of what I thought were women wearing Saree's and he said, "see those people?" I said "yeah", he said in his heavy Indian accent, "they are not women, and they are not men". What the heck? I looked at him confused and said "what are they?" not sure if I really wanted to know the answer. He said "I don't know English word, but not woman or man". I said, "how do you know" he said, "I am just knowing, madam". So the only thing I can conclude is that they were transvestites? Any of my expat friends, help me out.
As I learn more English words and phrases, I will be sure to share, so you, too, can speak properly..... Ah hem.
So when I need something sewn, I really need it "stitched"
And when I want to take the elevator, I really mean the "lift"
When Eric needs the men's room, he really needs the "gents" (or the side of the road : )
And when I'm trying to go to the 2nd floor, I really mean the 1st
What the heck is capsicum and why does it look exactly like a green pepper?
And I swear these coriander leaves look and smell just like cilantro!
I was a little leery when the security guard asked me for a torch - all I could think of was Indiana Jones going through one of those caves....... and soon realized he really meant a flashlight.
If I'm ever in need of a taxi, I really need an auto.
One morning I wasn't feeling well and mentioned to my driver that I had a stomach ache. He asked, "Are you having loose motion, madam?" as he pointed to his bowel area and made circular motions. Did he just ask me if I was having diarrhea? I am NOT having this conversation. I just mumbled and turned my head.
Another day we were driving and were stopped at a light. A man on a motorcycle (I mean two-wheeler) got mad at my driver for something and was yelling his head off at us (in Tamil). He was really ticked and trying to get my driver out of the car - I just kept praying he would stay in the car - and he did. After we passed, my driver asked, "Madam, were you scared?" I said, "A little......boy, that man was mad wasn't he?" My driver said, "Oh, no madam, he wasn't very mad. He saw you in the car so he didn't give the 'big shout'" I said, "Oh....was that just the 'little shout'?" And then he laughs at me as if I said something funny. I guess "big shout" is appropriate, but not "little shout". Big shout, little shout, medium shout...whatever.....I'm just glad Tamilians don't normally "pack".
And lastly, my driver likes to point out interesting sights to me - I think he's pretending he's a tour guide or something. Things like politicians homes, government buildings, places where the Tsunami hit, stores he thinks I would like, dead animals, dead people, and accidents (and he always explains to me exactly how the accident happened, even though we weren't anywhere around). So one day he points out a group of what I thought were women wearing Saree's and he said, "see those people?" I said "yeah", he said in his heavy Indian accent, "they are not women, and they are not men". What the heck? I looked at him confused and said "what are they?" not sure if I really wanted to know the answer. He said "I don't know English word, but not woman or man". I said, "how do you know" he said, "I am just knowing, madam". So the only thing I can conclude is that they were transvestites? Any of my expat friends, help me out.
As I learn more English words and phrases, I will be sure to share, so you, too, can speak properly..... Ah hem.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Fishing Village in Chennai
Last week, Paige's 4th grade class went on a field trip to a local fishing village in Chennai. We saw what happened with the fish once it was caught, pulled up onto the boat, loaded on the wagon, then packed in ice and driven to local stores. They had to work fast with the ice blocks because they melt so quickly. Some of the smaller fish is dried and then eaten as is, or ground into powder, etc. It didn't smell too bad when we were by the water, but boy did it stink inland and at the dried fish area.
It was very educational and interesting. I've made a slide show with a few of the pictures we took. Hope you enjoy:
 |
 |
| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)