Heading Back to the U.S.A!

It's that time again! We are leaving tomorrow night for our "around-the-world" trip back to the U.S.A. Here is our itinerary:

First stop: June 26 - 29 - Paris, France

Second stop: June 29 - July 3 - South Carolina

Third stop: July 3 - 10 - Forsyth, Illinois

Fourth stop: July 10 - Aug 2 - Utah (Corey leaves on July 18th)

Fifth stop: Aug 2 - Aug 5 - Hong Kong

Last stop: Aug 5 - Home in Chennai

We would love to see as many friends and family as possible so let me know! Email, Facebook, or leave a comment on the blog.......

Line Jumping, Taking Cuts, Snaking........

One peculiar thing that happens to us frequently here is........

When the kids and I are standing in line (in "the cue" as they say here) - usually at a store, KFC, doctors, etc. - the check-out clerk will often motion to me to come up to the front of the line, even if it means taking cuts in front of someone! I always politely decline because it goes against everything I've been taught growing up. The other people in line can clearly see what is going on and I want to send the message that I am not "special" and I can wait my turn like everyone else.

So, I've been here a year and a half now and have gotten to the point where I just ignore them or look away when they want me to line jump.

BUT, the other day, I gave in and took MAJOR CUTS!!! It felt weird and awesome at the same time!

I was at the zoo, no, wait.... I mean the Apollo Hospital downtown.... and it was CRAZY packed with people everywhere, going in every direction and I had no clue where to go or what to do.

Eric was scheduled for a check-up with a diabetes doctor - our first time. So when I got to the receptionist, I waited in line and I could hear her telling other patients that it was an hour wait for this particular doctor (which probably meant 2 hours). But when I finally spoke with her, she told me we were NEXT! So, what to do?

The little angel on one shoulder said, "NO, you should wait your turn like everyone else". I looked around me and there was no place to sit and everyone was in my space and staring at us like a fish in a fishbowl. That's when the naughty guy said "Just go ahead, - there is NO way you can wait here that long". So I gave in and went next.

Same thing happened at the phlebotomist (he had to have a blood draw for his hbA1C) test, and the pharmacy.

I left feeling guilty, but so happy to be out of there!!!

I guess I have some repenting to do,

I promise I'll never do it again!

*wink*, *wink* ;-)

Eric's Track & Field Meet in Bangladesh

This year, the school's Track & Field Meet was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

8 International schools from Southeast Asia all met and held this track meet over a 4- day weekend.

I wasn't able to go (mom was visiting, plus it required a visa, etc) but Corey went with Eric and had a great time.

Again, practices were 4 days a week before school at 6:00am. He knew he would place in Discus and Shot Put because he was experienced from last year. But this year he started Long Jump and was surprised that he placed since he was new.

Eric's personal bests and placements:

• 100 m 14.3 seconds
• 200m 30.1 seconds
• 400 m 1.16 minutes
• Shot Put 7.32 meters 6th place
• Discus 19.4 meters 4th place
• Long Jump 3.83 meters 4th place
• 4 x 100 Relay 6th place
• 4 x 400 Relay 5th place

We are so proud of his hard work and commitment!

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Surprise in My Bedroom!

While Corey was away on business, I came home to a visitor in my bedroom. Lucky me? NO! He was there with all of his friends - HUNDREDS OF THEM!!!

Let me introduce you to Him, or Her, or It.......

the FLYING ANT:

Yes, he and his friends invaded my bedroom while I was gone. Snuck in through the french doors from the balcony and they were EVERYWHERE - inside and out.

So after I screamed, Paige and Eric came running. I ordered them to get the ant spray and electric bug zapper which they brought immediately. Paige ran to get a security guard - to feel more secure? - and Eric,.... well, Eric made himself scarce.

So Paige, security guy, and I zapped, sprayed, and stomped until they were all dead. Some did escape and I found them the next morning in other parts of the house.

And YES, I did sleep in my bed that night with my electric bug zapper in hand.......... and luckily no nightmares.

Aahhhh....... the joys of living in India......

Paige Receives an Award!

Yesterday was the end-of-the-year assembly for the 5th grade. Paige received the "Presidential" Award which recognizes her for outstanding academics in 5th grade and is signed by the President of the United States!

She was so surprised and happy!

She also had lessons in beginner guitar the past couple of months so her class was able to play a little song at the assembly.

The picture of her with the tall guy with the beard is her awesome teacher, Mr. Paul.

Paige had a great year and we are so proud of her!

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A Trip to the Taj Mahal

A few days after we returned from spring break, my mom arrived in Chennai! Yeah!

We were so excited to have her spend 3 weeks with us and I was very proud of her for making the long journey all by herself!

And how can you come all the way to India and not see the Taj Mahal??! Even though it is a journey in itself to get there, we had to do it!

So we took a 3 1/2 hour flight North to Delhi, spent the night, woke up at the crack of dawn to catch a 2 hour train ride to Agra. In Agra we rented a car and driver and saw the Taj, Agra Fort, inlay marble exhibit/store, and embroidery market, and shopping!

It was sooo HOT!! We must have melted off at least 5 lbs. each! We did take a break at the local 5-star hotel to eat and refresh ourselves.

At the end of the day, we grabbed a large pizza from Pizza Hut and jumped back on the train for our 2 hour ride back to Delhi where we crashed for the night.

The next day we flew back to Chennai. We were so glad we went on this awesome adventure!

PS.... Corey didn't come with us because he had already been to the Taj with colleagues. Yes, we survived without him!

Here a just a few pics:

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Our Week in Fiji

BULA!!

(That's hello in Fiji)

And you have to say it like: "Boolaa"

We flew from Auckland, NZ to Suva on the Island of Viti Levu. From there we took a puddle jumper North to to Savusavu on the Island of Venua Levu.

Oddly, a hurricane had just hit Venua Levu and we were worried the resort would be closed, but we lucked out and it had just re-opened a couple days before we arrived.

The staff members were apologetic about the surroundings not being as lush and beautiful, but we couldn't tell the difference. It was beautiful to us!

This was the perfect resort! It was quiet, scenic, and not built up with tourism. We really felt like we were the only ones on a deserted island! Everywhere we went our surroundings were in its natural state and not changed to accommodate the "tourist".

In order to go to the waterfall, we had to bring a gift for the chief of the village the waterfall was in. So we bought a kava plant and went to his house. He let us in and spoke to us (in Fijian) and allowed us to go. I didn't take pictures of him - I thought it might be rude.

We loved the island, resort, people, food, music, and everything about Fiji.

Since I've spent so much time blogging this trip, I decided to put our whole week on one slideshow. It's a little lengthy, but I really want to move on to blogging other things.

Enjoy!

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