Rockin' Girl Blogger

My friend Amanda awarded me the Rockin' Girl Blogger. She also gave me a great shout out on her blog post 'Rockin' My World'. I feel so honored because her blogging always inspires me to be a better blogger and she is a great friend!!! So I just want to say thanks Amanda...it means a lot and I love the shout out...my tank is overflowing.

Graduating Seniors

This is my fourth time to come to Thailand. Coming to Thailand in many ways is coming home. I am always greeted by my South Asia family! People who have the same love and passion for the world and who understand me, my experiences, my heart, and my location- we are all reuinited for spiritual and physical rest. Its like coming home for Christmas... but instead of gifts we get Starbucks,beef, and hugs. :)

Obviously, this is my last time in Thailand before I come home. Transition and saying goodbye is a common place, but usually it is not me. BUT this time in Thailand IT'S ME! I seriously feel like the graduating senior. Everyone is asking me, "What are you going to do next?". I am also moving away from my South Asia family and I am saying goodbye to some of my best friends...another season of transition. It is that same bittersweet experience of being sad to say goodbye, but a little excited and anxious for the future and the next season. I still can't believe it's my turn to graduate. Being here has been really helpful in preparing me to go home. It's giving me encouragement and reminds me of the reasons why God sent me here in the first place. It's is kind of like one MASSIVE pep-rally for the work going on in South Asia.

Anyways...here are some pictures from todays events....


The "Graduating Seniors of 2007" or the people going home soon.

Me and the roomie. We got dressed up for this nice dinner that was kind of in honor of some of us leaving.

The BALI-licious babes (minus steph). Just one week from today and we will be on the beach. We are also all going home by the first of August.

A group of us single folk playing Mafia late at night!!! Sigh...singleness really is a gift sometimes!!!

First Day of Meetings

Today was less eventful. We were stuck in meetings from 8-6. Pretty much the pictures in Thailand are all going to look the same from here on out.... transport, food, and a possible shot with random people. So here are some of those shots from today.

Eating Tex Mex at Miguels!

Boys on the back of the Sangtow. They don't really have rickshaws but rather trucks with a bed that has a covering over it and you slide it (does that make since). So we pretty much drive around in the back for trucks with a bench and covering!

In the inside of the sangtow.

Pampered

The first day in Thailand is always amazing because it's considered a "travel day" and there are no meetings! So we take advantage and do as much as we can- even though we are usually incredibly sleep deprived (due to overnight flight). For example, today everyone rolled in around 10 AM. We showered and met in the lobby. First place we hit was the hair salon. We were seriously there for three hours! There were like 7 of that went and we got a variation of do's from dratistic cuts, to trims, to purple highlights. Then we went straight for the beef to Mike's. It might be one of my favorite hamburger places in the world. Delicious. Then we went for pedicures and mancicures! After that it was time for dinner- followed by Starbucks. The days was pure bliss and I felt like such a female with my nails done, my hair fixed and cute American clothes (thanks to my mom and sister)!!

Julie and I before we left our hotel room. We took this picture because we felt feminine and not like gross girls that live in India!

This picture isn't all that clear, but its me getting a pedicure.

Eating at Mike's.

A reunion with a great friend i haven't seen in a long time!

Yes! My starbucks. Notice my nice pretty pink nails!!

Tomorrow is my first days of meeting. Less eventful things will happen, but I am looking forward to be united with some more friends!

I Made It!

It is 12:30 PM and I am at my final destination! I made both my flights with no problems and even made it to the Indian Consulate to get my visa just minutes before they stopped taking applications!! The Lord has been so faithful recently to show me how He answers prayers. It just is usually in his timing and not mine!!!

I am going to go shower, take a nap (overnight flight...i got NO sleep) and anticipating getting some Starbucks. I brought my computer- so I hope to blog while I am in Thailand. We will see if I am having too much fun to stop and blog!!!

Thailand and Bali Here I Come...

I did not get a confirmed ticket to leave tonight, but I am going to try to go stand-by. I called the airline and they said there didn't seem to be any problem of me getting on!! Wahoo. So I will be leaving in the next hour to run some errands and head to the airport!

Let me introduce you to Villa Baliana. This is the private villa we rented for our stay in Bali. Yep...3 bedrooms, private pool, kitchen, and living area all to ourselves for 6 glorious nights...

Before Bali- however, I will be in Chiang Mai visiting with old friends and hopefully getting some spiritual retreat. I can't wait to be with all my fellow wokers.

Peace out!

Love Language

Have I ever mentioned that Words of Affirmation or Encouragement is one my love languages?! This is why I have a blog! ha. Every time you leave me a comment...it fills my love tank. I blog so I feel loved...pretty pathetic...eh? So fill away....

getting to know YOU

Did you know that I get about an average of 50 hits on my blog a day?! I feel like I am really moving up in the world of bloggers and it makes me want to be a good blogger for YOU...my audience.

Here is who I know....

Sacramento, CA - is Cathy
Riverside, CA- all my Sandals peeps
Spring Branch, Tx - The fam
Korea- My sister
Dallas- my college friends
Raleigh, NC- Jared
Greenville, SC- The Caskeys
Tulsa, OK- Hannah
Irving, Tx- my home church family

I know who like 10 of you are.... but who are the rest of you?!

I get random hits from all parts of Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Georgia, Washington, Virginia, Missouri, Texas, Tennessee, Washington DC, Alabama, Minnesota...pretty much every where! I love it.

I wrote this post with in intention of GETTING TO KNOW YOU! I know you have been dying to comment but you think... "She doesn't even know me...or what if she thinks I stalk her?" Well here is your chance. Let's make this post like a roll call!! It could be fun....

Now is your chance... don't hesitate....CLICK COMMENTS, introduce yourself, and CONVERSE!!! Everyone must comment...bwa ha ha.

Miss Productivity

Not knowing when I am leaving for Thailand has put me into ULTRA productivity mode! There is no time for procrastination. Because my parents came, without me knowing it for 10 days, it kind of threw off my time line for getting some things done. And my poor sweet roomies couldn't say, "hey Alicia... you should really do that NOW because you will be a lot busier than you think."

You would be proud to know that I am 50% done with the surveys. They are really the only major thing I have left to do (administrative wise) before I leave on August 4th. I hope that when I get back in July for my last 21 days that I can concentrate on people and not paperwork. If I don't fly out tomorrow (which i really hope I do) I should be able to get another HUGE chunk of those surveys done which will be really nice.

I have also gotten several "projects" going and completed this weekend. Everyone from America realized I am coming home and has been putting in their last minute requests for items from India. I have been trying to balance the hand full of requests by taking things to the tailor, purchasing curtains, looking up designs, taking the designs to stores, and phew...it's keeping me busy! The requests also seem to keep coming in! I am seriously thinking of starting my own business.

Well, I have been packed for Thailand for two days now. This is impressive and never happens. I have discovered, however, that I should procrastinate a lot less because it feels good to not have all these tasks weighing over my head. So here's to leaving procrastination behind!

Here are some pictures I took at the market. It's like the mother of all markets. I bought several western shirts there for CHEAP (Old Navy and Anne Taylor) and some beautiful silk curtains for my sister and one's that match the bedspread I bought for America, and some great earrings!

Video footage of "the suprise"

Well the suprise got put on camera. I would have to say that my initial face when I open the door is pretty priceless and somehow my voice got really really high and squeaky. I hope you enjoy! It's worth taking the time to let it buffer.

True Beauty

"We surrender the person known only in the dreams of God to become a persona shaped by the whims of others...The woman lost in vain conceit spends more time on the cosmetic and neglects the spirit" Erwin McManus pg 29 "Uprising"

This morning I was reading "Uprising" by Erwin McManus and came across the above statement and thought I would share my thoughts. I couldn't help but be convicted and know that many times I am this woman. The world has defined beauty as perfection. Perfection in physical appearance. You must not be too skinny, but you shouldn't be too fat either...perfection is best. In my mind, only skinny, pretty girls get married. Men are visual creatures and they see air brushed perfection crammed in their faces thousands of times of day from TV, Internet, ads, or highway signs whether they want it or not. Perfection is expected. The world expects physical perfection and physical perfection defines beauty.

Beauty has to be something so much deeper than this. Perfection is an illusion and misleading. Perfect girls don't really exist. But why is that the world demands it and I am constantly struggling to be defined by the worlds standard rather than Jesus' standard? Bulimia and anorexia is becoming common place and wanting to be sexy is being desired and sought after by young teens more than success, godliness, or education.

I would be lying if I said I never fall into this trap. In fact, many times daily I have to remind myself that I am not defined by the world's standards. I think in some ways this semester, I have failed. Alicia is a "woman lost in vain conceit spending more time on the cosmetic and neglecting the spirit."

This past semester, I have lost 20 lbs. I have worked very hard and very diligently and been disciplined to lose weight. My focus and attention and goals have been focused towards losing so that I can be attractive by the world's standards. I mean, yes I did it to be healthy also, but if I was completely honest, I was more motivated by wanting to be attractive by the world's standards. But I have spent more discipline, time, and energy this semester working on my physical appearance than working on my spiritual appearance. It has honestly been a pretty dry semester spiritually with lack of desire for His word.

I am not saying, that as females we should let ourselves go physically but rather our size or pounds on the scale can't define us and give us our value. My true value is understood in the presence of Jesus and living a FULL, RADICAL and SPENT life for Him. If this comes first, then putting energy and time into losing 20lbs is healthy and encouraged. Then I am doing it out of my love for Jesus and my desire to take care of the body He has given me. However, I am still easily enticed by the world's standards. Daily, I must remind myself that beauty is so much deeper than big boobs, small waistlines, and cute clothes. I think this is something that I will struggle with my whole life, but I am thankful that Jesus sees my beauty and defines my value. I also have to remind myself that one day, the man God has for me, will also see my beauty and my value...even if I do have a little extra junk in my trunk!!

Being a female is rough these days... wouldn't you agree? My prayer is that I would be the woman that God dreams for me to be and that I would seek his approval more than I seek to waste my life being attractive by the worlds standards. How many people around you have you seen that struggle with the latter? Let us be true woman that are seeking the heart of God and then we achieve beauty that never fades and that won't one day need plastic surgery!

How many of you out there would say that you struggle with being defined by the world's standard? Let's work hard to redefine beauty among the women in our own community by living full, radical, spent lives for Jesus and His purposes rather than using our lives to please the world!

Thailand Drama Continues...

I got a phone call this morning that was not so hopeful. Supposedly, my plan to switch with Bobby was easier said than done. In fact, it is an impossibility. So I am back where I started stuck in Delhi waiting for someone to cancel so I can fly out early! Ugh.

There is lots of logistics and details I could bore you with, but I will spare you. It all comes down to praying and really trusting that the Lord can provide a ticket for me. Jesus really is trustworthy and I want to show Him in THIS situation. I know He is faithful to answer my prayers.

Please pray with me that the Lord would provide a ticket for me for Sunday night, Monday night, or Tuesday night!!

Let's see how the Lord answers our prayers!! Thanks in advance for you prayers.

Thailand Drama

Some of you might remember that last January I lost my passport while I was in Thailand resulting in losing my 10 year Indian visa and only getting a 6 month visa. Therefore, my visa expires before I return to India and I need to get a new one.

I won't bore you with all the details, but pretty much today I realized that I was leaving India one day too late and my visa won't be ready in time! So what does this mean? I won't have my passport back in time to leave for Bali!

So then...we decided that if I just left one day early from India ALL would be ok! Yes, I had found the solution. Here's the problem! THE FLIGHTS ARE WAY OVERBOOKED... NOT POSSIBLE TO GET OUT ONE DAY EARLY!!!

This is the point where i freak out. My roomies are also freaking out with me. Especially as I begin to think that my Bali trip is totally being Jeopardized. I was thinking i might have to fly out a day late! All my planning was coming to an end and I was FREAKIN' out!!! Seriously.

My supervisor saved my vacation! I am forever indebted to him. He is switching traveling dates with me!! That is the only hope I had of making my vacation was switching ticket dates with a co-worker!! Bobby was amazing and is sending his family with me and staying behind!! So I am back on schedule!! My vacation is saved by Bobby!!!

So now...I am leaving in 4 days instead of 5!! I will be leaving this coming Tuesday instead of Wednesday!! Wahoo.

Safe at Home

My parents have safely made it back to San Antonio and seem really pleased with the trip. Everyone at home also seemed pretty pleased with all the pretty and fun stuff we shopped for. There are some that have to wait and see the loot till I get home...because what joy would i have if everyone got there stuff now?!

I spent all day yesterday recovering from my parents being here. I took a 3 hour nap in the afternoon and went to bed relatively early. It was nice to have a little down time, and it almost seems like my parents being here was a dream.

So now, I have just a few days before vacation. I couldn't be MORE excited. I have some administrative stuff I need to do for work. Mainly putting the data of 500 surveys into my computer...(SHOOT me). I hope to have everything administrative done and completed in the next 6 days so when I get back I can concentrate on relationships and spending time with people!

My landlord is selling our flat and we found out today that he wants us completely out by the time we leave. This means, I will actually have to pack EVERYTHING up and help Laura move before we go. So it looks like that last 3 weeks in country is going to be a little busier than I thought!!

I am pretty giddy these days and just soo excited about the future!! Anyone have any questions for me as I end my time here? Please ask them!

Parental Unit RECAP

I was on my way back from the airport reflecting my time with my parents. I couldn't help but being overcome by the sweetness of the Lord. The Holy Spirit kept bringing to my mind all the times I prayed, and asked, and journaled with the topic of my parents coming to see my in my element here in India. I asked my parents soo many times if it was possible because I just felt so strongly that they were suppose to come. They were always willing and ready, but as many of you know money doesn't grow on trees. After things seemed hopeless for them to come, I just sort of gave up hope and stopped asking. But tonight, I was reminded of His sweetness towards me, His ability to answer my prayers (just in His timing), His ability to know the deepest longings and desires of my heart, and His over ability to do beyond what we can think or imagine! So, I want to just praise God for His love for me and his ability to meet the inner-most desires of my heart. It is such a good reminder as I am just shy of two months of returning to American with not much of a clue what is next. But He knows my longings, my heart, my desires, my dreams, my future plans, my gifts, my passions, and He is ABLE!!! He has heard my prayers and He will answer them. What a trustworthy and personal God I love!!

So here are some of the highlights of the trip in no particular order:

1. The SURPRISE!! This will go down as one of my best memories EVER.

2. Both of my world's colliding. My parents being able to see the person that they have helped shaped me to be today!! They got to see a lot more of my heart and my world!

3. My dad was delighted to buy my mother a diamond and ruby ring and pendant! They are affordable here and he loved buying his bride something she loved so much!

4. My mom loved the smile on my dad's face. Supposedly he has been stressed and this is the most smiling he has done in a long time!

5. Medical Tourism. My dad bought a year's supply of some medication for just $37! In America, he was paying $50 a month! They saved like $500 just on his medication. Pretty awesome huh?

6. Having my parents meet Mona and fall in love with her too. They were pretty fond of Ericka too!

7. My parents brought the rain and cool weather with them! Delhi hasn't experienced such cool weather in like 5 years! This really is a praise. The temperature dropped like 40 degrees while they were here!

8. To see God's faithfulness and to see Him answering prayers right and left!!!

9. All the hugs I got from my parents!! I think I decided that I am physically deprived. :) I really needed those parent hugs and cuddles.

10. To see my parents reaction to the traffic here!!!!

We had chai with my Landlords (the most amazing landlords ever) this morning!!!

My Dad reading while we packed. You know my Dad...he LOVES to read!!

My mom doing some last minute packing!!

Me putting the last things in my action packers. My room is completely packed up- minus my clothes! Everything is coming to a close!!

Just 8 days till I leave for Thailand and Bali!!! I CANNOT wait! I leave a week from Wednesday!

Day #8 with the Parental Unit (last full day)

I was a little impressed that everything has gone so smoothly with my parents and that there weren't really too many annoying cultural issues to deal with. BUT I guess it was just cause they hadn't been here long enough yet. Starting Sunday night and all day today- little cultural annoyances started to creep in starting with Subway not delivering our food after 3 hours. Then today, we called a Taxi and it took them 2 hours and 3 taxi services later before we were on our way! Here they like to lie to you on the phone saying they will deliver a product when in reality they are just flat out lying and wasting my time. I was pretty frustrated, but despite the cultural mishaps we persevered and enjoyed our last full day in Delhi.

We did a little site seeing and a little shopping. Some of the places we wanted to go ended up being closed. We ended up not doing as much as we originally thought, but it was fun just to be together. We are honestly pretty tired- so we came home to watch a movie.

Humayans Tomb




Tomorrow my parents are leaving. Pray they get seats on the plane because they are going standby. Not much planned tomorrow - just chai with my landlords.

Day #7 with the Parental Unit

Happy Father's Day everyone!! Today we decided to stay in and just enjoy a day of Sabbath! We met for House Church this morning, talked to Amber in the afternoon, took a nap in the late afternoon, and then I started packing up my room to send everything back with my parents.

Sorting through the stuff we bought and getting ready to put it in suitcases!

Me starting to pack up my room!

My Dad's father's day meal was pizza...isn't he lucky? We attempted Subway, but after 2.5 hours of waiting for the delivery we gave up. We ordered Dominoes which has a 30 minute guarantee! Thankfully. We didn't sit down to eat dinner till 10 PM. Tomorrow will be our last full day in India. We plan to do a little more shopping and a little more site seeing.

Day #6 with the Parental Unit

We woke up Saturday morning to rain!! Some of you at home must be praying A LOT because it has dropped 40 degrees since my parents arrived! It has been sooo cool! I am soo shocked and thankful! Because of the rain we got a late start on shopping, BUT man did we do some shopping! I took my parents to my other favorite market named Janpath. This is where all the beautiful wall hangings are! There is this strip of women that sit on the street and sell a variety of materials such as bed spreads, purses, and wall hangings which everyone seems to be requesting from the states! These ladies are pretty vicious and we got some amazing bargains!! I was pretty excited about all our great deals!

Here we are shopping on Janpath Lane.

Here I am trying to bargain getting this wallah to go down on prices!!

Here we are in a shawl shop!! This is my favorite place to go. They always recognize me and its great because of the relationship I have with this shop!
Here we are at India Gate! This is the famous picture to take. So here we are.

We got separated from the rest. Here is a little bit of Delhi traffic.

After shopping and a tad bit of site seeing we had dinner with Mona!! She made us the MOST DELICIOUS meal ever!! She pulled out all her best for us. I wouldn't have expected anything less. It was precious to share my family with her and just spend time investing in each other!!

Dinner at Mona's.

Mona's showed my parents her wedding albums and Ericka's baby albums.

Jhuma and Ericka danced for us!! We even got our own performance.

Spurs - The 2007 NBA Champions!!

The Spurs SWEPT away the Cavs! They won game 4 and claimed their prize!! GO Spurs GO!!! I am super excited... I knew they would win it!!! I wish I was in San Antonio to watch them in their glory!!

Day #5 with the Parental Unit

Today was a day of contrasts. We started off in slums and ended in one of the nicest markets in Delhi. We started the morning off with going to a seminar that Lindsey and I were teaching at. We were in one small room and it was pretty hot, wet, and miserable (according to mommie) with about 30 other people. It probably wasn't the funnest for my parents but they got some great culture and a taste of what my every day life is like. It was really neat to have them there and see some of the people and experiences that make me love this place. Here are some pictures from the morning....

We managed to escape without eating because they were running late and we were pretty hot. Right as we left, it started to rain (it brought cool weather)!! So we decided to go to this nice Punjabi restaurant and it was delicious. They enjoyed india food AGAIN! I am so proud of them.

At the restaurant....

After food we went for some more shopping!!! We went to a fabric store to buy material to make curtains for Amber for her classroom. Then we went to my jeweler! This is the same place where I bought my bling. My dad bought me a ring and necklace! And he bought my mother diamonds and rubies!! Going to this jeweler is my favorite...he sits us down in the back, gives us drinks, and just pulls out all his jewels too look at it! Today we looked at diamonds, rubies, sapphires, topaz, and other precious jewels!! It's a woman's dream land!

Here is us at the end of the day!! We had TONS of fun shopping today...even Daddy enjoyed himself. There is even a shopping culture in India which is soo fun. Shopping with my family here has made me realize how much I am going to miss the markets and the people here.

As I blog, we are watching Music and Lyrics in my bedroom with AC. Every night, we have been watching a movie that my parents brought from America. It has made our evenings relaxing and a great time to just be together. As you can see, I am having a GREAT GREAT GREAT time with my family here...although Shanny and Amber we really miss you!!!

Day #4 with the Parental Unit

Well day four has come and gone and I can't believe that tomorrow is already Friday. Time is going by too quickly. I am still in disbelief that they are here, in my house, in my city, and with the people that are now my family. Today was a great because my family got to meet my most important friends here...Mona and my students.

Mona invited us over for Chai this morning! And as always...Mona delivered with delicious pekoras (fried onions and potatoes) and mango cream dessert! My parents were really impressed with her cooking as most people are. Mona really really wanted to meet my parents so we prayed several times together that God would make a way for them to come. So my parents being here is an answer to Mona's prayers!!

Mona, Erica, and my parents.

Mona giving great hospitality to my parents!! yummy.

Anita then cooked my parents my favorite Indian dish for lunch- chole and puri's! They really enjoyed the Indian food AGAIN! I am soo proud of them. After lunch, we took another nap and rested until it was time for English class at 4:30. By the way, the weather here has been amazing. I think it only got to 100 today. However, the humidity has increased...so it is a little muggy.

My dad with my students listening to us tell the story for the day.

The electricity went out towards the end of class so we decided to sit outside where it was cooler. My parents actually really enjoyed it because there was lots of different things happening around them like.....


water buffalo's passing though....

then a herd of pigs passing through.... along with lots of other people passing by and staring! They got to experience straight up india and more of a village scene. This is only like 10 minutes from my apartment.

Me and the Parental Unit with Deepa.

Deepa's family, neighbors, and my students. All of Deepa's family was dressed in their best. Even deepa's mom put on a sari (i have never seen her wear one) and make-up! We all felt truly honored.

From English class, we took cycle rickshaws home and got some good pics!! It was a really bumpy ride, but we enjoyed it and was worth the memory.