My Newest Joy

My ESL students are my newest joy. Lindsey and I have been teaching for about one month now. It has been such a great experience. We teach two times a week in a lower income community about 15 minutes from our house. We have about 9 students who come consistently!



This is the market area where we teach. I love this picture because it typifies my city! There are always people everywhere as you can see. At first markets really really intimated me especially because everyone stares at you (not too many foreigners come through- I am sure you can imagine the looks we get). However, the chaos has become normal and is now my preference. I love the presence of being around and among the Indian people. There is a certain high you get from being in an Indian market!



These are my students. These are the faces that I look forward to seeing every week. They are a gift from God!! Lindsey and I haven't really had many friends around our age, but now we do!! Thanks for sharing this joy with me.

Today was our first Divalli initiation!! We gave our students Divalli gifts and Indian sweets! Let the celebrations begin!!

Babysitting and Divalli Shopping

Today was my first day to babysit SWEET BABY Kiran!!! Tomorrow she will be 6 weeks old. We had a lot of fun today. We rocked, and walked, and talked! She was very very joyful and didn't cry except when she was hungry. I think she really likes her AUNT ALICIA!! Her Aunt Alicia really loves her too!! J & K...you're pretty stinkin' awesome too!!

I think Kiran really likes her toy ducky. I caught them having a conversation today on film. I wonder what she was really trying to say? This pictures is one of my favorites that I have taken in her first 6 weeks of life.

After babysitting, Lindsey and I went shopping for Divalli. The market was marked with brightly festive lights and tinsel! I could definitely feel the celebration in the air! The markets were soo busy tonight!! It was fun...it kind of feels the holiday season in America. I love it.

This is the market where I do most of my shopping. About a five minute walk from my house. To me it looks a lot more festive, but I am realizing now, for you, it might seem just like a typical crazy market in India!! Wait what is typical? This lady in this shop is my favorite!! I always go to her...technically she is my grocer and this is my grocery store!

This is Lindsey and I in a rickshaw on the way home...and this is lindsey wrapping all the gifts!!! I helped wrap too, but her picture was more fun than mine. Fun times.

Softball Update # 4

Today, our softball game was canceled. The team we were suppose to play was out of town so they had to forfeit. Next week is a major holiday so no games next week either. Sad.

Stay tuned...for more updates.

Festival Season

This time of the year is filled with lots and lots of festivals!! In fact, there are so many festivals I can't keep track of them all. This celebration time is leading up to Divalli- "The Festival of Lights". This is a Hindu holiday that is equivalent to our Christmas. People buy everyone gifts and they celebrate by hanging lights everywhere!! The excitement in the air right now is the same excitement we feel following the day after Thanksgiving. So its kind of fun!!

This is Mona all dressed for Sanjay. She came over for a short time while waiting for her husband to come home.

Yesterday was the festival known as "Karva Chauth" (fourth day of the moon). This is holiday shared between husband and wife. Therefore, I did not participate. It is a time where the husband pampers his wife by buying her a new sari and new jewelry. The woman even gets henna on her hands as tradition. The woman fasts all day for her husband. She doesn't even take any water. When the husband gets home they offer sacrifices to the moon and pray to the moon. Then the husband feeds his wife and gives her water.

It was fun to see all the women with Henna on their hands and everyone looked so beautiful! There was such an extra spring in the air yesterday!!

My friend andrea posted pics and a much better explanation on her blog. Click Here.

Second Cousins- CUTEST KIDS ALIVE

My mom and sister went to Dallas. While they were there, they got to visit my cousin Tammie and her sweet kids!! Here are some pics of Blake, Ben, and Kirra! Aren't they adorable?!

Softball Update # 3- WIN

Lindsey and I played our fourth game today and we won!!

Final Score: 2 to 13 -This week our team had some amazing hits!! We have all really improved on our hitting from the last game. It was actually one of the funnest games I have played so far.

After the game, Lindsey and I went and ate at Fridays. I enjoyed a nice Southwestern Cesar Salad and Lindsey enjoyed a Chicken Chimichanga. yummy.

I think I also got cursed by a Eunuch today. Sometimes when you are in a rickshaw the males dressed in women's sari's come to your rickshaw asking for money. I didn't give money to her/him so Lindsey and I think he/she cursed us. He/she clapped his hands really loudly and then gave us a dirty look. WE didn't take it very seriously...we looked at each other and giggled. The craziness of this place...it never ends.

Home Improvement & Shopping

Lindsey and I have finally decided to buy a few things to give the finishing touches to our house! As I mentioned earlier, we finally bought pillows for our couch and now we have a new table cloth for our kitchen table!! We found the table cloth at a store called Anoki. Anoki is my new joy! It's this great store here that sales awesome indian clothes and also a large variety of home store items! Oh, we also recently took our curtains to the tailor...now they don't drag the floor (they are 6 inches shorter). It only cost $3.50 to get all 13 curtain altered!! yay. Does it make you want to come visit?! Seriously...think about it. :)

Today I went shopping! My roommate Lindsey was thrilled that I actually wanted to go shopping. I am actually not a huge shopper. I don't enjoy it unless I need something. I actually shop more like a male. Anyways... back to my shopping. I bought one ready made suit and two different types of material to make two new suits. I will take them to the tailor later this week.

The Indian Suit or Salwar Kameez- (model of green and blue suit)

Blue pants- salwar pants (kind of like MC Hammer pants...super baggy)

Green and blue shirt- Khurta- its not too flattering, but covers your booty!!

The green and blue scarf- Dupatta- It's purpose is to cover...well... you know... This is considered to be a woman's virtue. A male should never touch her dupatta!! Pretty much if you leave the house without your "virtue" you are considered to be a loose woman! Can i mention that most women including me hate the dupatta! It's very annoying. It always falls off and its super hot. It's like wearing a scarf in the summertime.

Random Pics

Jhuma and Monica. They were about to go out for the night!! Notice the Western Style Jhuma is modeling.


My Teammates minus me (i am taking the pic). We all went on a picnic to celebrate Lindsey's 23rd birthday!


Proof that I play softball in India. Don't you think the Khurta is a nice added touch? I can't take my camera into our "real" games. This is me at a park. Shortly after this a indian man approached Lindsey and I with his cell phone and asked to take our picture. Gotta love it.


Deepa and Me. She is one of my ESL students.


A painter on the apartment opposite mine.

The market where I teach ESL.

I love these girls.

Yes, the rumor is true. Cows really are every where. This is in a market where you buy all your computer supplies and gadgets.

Lindsey, Karen, Me, and Lindsey. We bought aprons together at a local market in hopes that we would all become better cooks!!

Silly Faces

This is kind of a random post. Lindsey celebrated her 23rd birthday on Friday and we had a LOT of fun. She posted pics on her blog that share her full birthday experience...so check it out!!
http://outtakesfromindia.blogspot.com

These pics are from her birthday and I thought you might enjoy them.... its just a bunch of silly faces...all day long!!

Fun New Website

My friends recently shared with me a fun new website that I thought I would share with you!!!

www.dontbethatguy.com

If you have i-tunes you can download their podcast which are short films that are HILLARIOUS!!!

Please let me know what you think.

Aunt Alicia, Kiran, and Market Buy

Grandma, Grandpa, and Dad left Kelley and Kiran at home while they traveled several hours to see the Taj Mahal. Lindsey and I came over to visit Kelley after our ESL class. Because Grandma and Grandpa were gone...I actually got a chance to hold my niece!! Yay.

Have I mentioned that I really really really want one of these???

Today is my roomie Lindsey's Birthday...so look forward to a birthday post!!!

Lindsey and I finally bought some pillows for our couch!! Do you like them? We paid about $12 for all the pillows you see!! Gotta love India.

Fellowship

There is nothing more refreshing than to be around white people when you live in a foreign land! This week, I had the great opportunity to have some fun with some white folk!! We ate potluck style... my favorite! I enjoyed fried chicken, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, salad and ranch dressing, and sweet tea!! It was delicious. But even better than the food was the fellowship!! It was fun to be with people of all ages. These people are my family here. We all have to stick together. In fact, our time yesterday felt kind of like getting together for Thanksgiving or some type of other major family get together.

I also got to see Kiran again!! She is 3 weeks old tomorrow! I know you have been dying to see updates. So enjoy the pics of sweet Kiran!!

Daddy feeding baby...she wanted to help hold the bottle.

The whole Fam!!

Softball Update #2

The Vijay Jewelers did it again....VICTORY!!!!!!!!!

Final score: 6 to 1

We played the American Embassy School (AES). We were determined not to let a bunch of high schoolers beat us!! I think we might have the best team in the league!! Our pitcher's named is Raika (indian) and she is dabomb.com (do people still say that??). Our team has a great infield...but we could all use some better batting SKILLZ. You just never know what will happen with us...definitely hit and miss.

Way to go Vijay Jewelers!!!

Lindsey the "Decision Maker"

Most of you don't know my roommate well enough to appreciate this post. Lindsey HATES to make minor decisions such as what to eat for dinner. Sometimes she just refuses or very sneakily passes the responsibility to someone else. Yesterday, we had a unique turn of events... she decided where to eat and the specifics of what to order!! It was amazing. It was so amazing in fact, I decided to take a picture and make a post so that it would be written and recorded!!! Sug, I am sooo proud of you...keep up the great decision making. I think we might have made history yesterday!!!

Hitler = Delhi Government ????

"Hitler vs. Delhi Government who is a bigger criminal?"

My heart is grieved today for my city. The government has decided to close all of illegal shops. Unfortunately about 60% of the shops are illegal. Some entire markets are completely being leveled!!! Today all the locals closed their shops all over the city, in effort to protest against the government. There was a huge riot that happened in several parts of the city- one seven year old boy was killed and several more was injured.

The problem with the sealing of shops is that they are not providing any type of alternate location for people to relocate and re-open their shops. Many of the people now have no way of making a living. They recently also made a law that there can be no more cycle rickshaws...sad. I don't know how you just get rid of a whole caste of people?

Please pray for my city as many people have lost their jobs and don't know where to turn. Please pray for peace as there are possible future riots and many more sealing of shops.

Softball Update #1

Softball season is in full swing! Lindsey and I have joined the American Embassy woman's softball league. The league is comprised of woman of all different ethnicity's- French, Australian, British, Indian, and American The league exists for the single purpose of FUN! Practices are on Fridays and games are on Sundays.

I unfortunately won't have any fun pics to post because the embassy won't allow cameras. sad.

It's a different world. Most of the ladies that play are expats and don't really "live" in India. They are living American lives in India. They don't live very deeply within the culture. They all have their drivers pick them up as lindsey and I flag down a rickshaw. It's a little humbling.

HIGHLIGHTS- wearing shorts, dr. pepper at the concessions stand, being outside and sweating, meeting new woman, and the extreme cultural break!!

Vijay Jewelers ( my team) - Win today 12 to 6 !!!

Afternoon Outing

Today, I had to make a quick trip to the dentist to make sure everything was ok. My neighbor Mona volunteered to take me. I used to go with Mona often to pick up Ericka from school, but hadn't in a long time. So it was fun to go it again (dentist and school are very close).

Ericka really wanted some coconut water. So we stopped on the side of the rode and paid a visit to the coconut wallah. Without even getting out of the car, he brought two coconut's cut up with a straw in it. After the coconut water was consumed, he cut it open so that you could eat the fresh coconut. This cost about 45 cents.

Ericka and I bonding in the back seat!! I love this girl.

I have had several requests (Kim) for a picture of my chubby cheeks because of getting my wisdom teeth yanked. This is my face the day after. I know its no fun at all. It would be fun to be a chipmunk for a few days. Ah well. After day two- still no pain or swelling. WHOOP!!

Dentist Update -PRAISE!! :)

Today I lost half of my wisdom. I went to the dentist this morning and had my top two wisdom teeth pulled. I was a little paranoid because they didn't knock me out, they just gave me a shot so I wouldn't feel anything. But I think it ended up being a good thing. I wasn't loopy all day because of it. I actually feel really normal and my mouth at this point doesn't really even hurt. Its kind of weird.

I contribute this completely to your prayers! Thank you to those who prayed. Keep it up. I am wondering if I will be more sore tomorrow. But so far, I haven't taken any pain killer and I can barely feel the absence of my teeth. Praise the Lord.

Amanda, as of right now my cheeks aren't chubby- so maybe no pics. :( I know they would've been fun.

Nurse Lindsey has been great. She made me mash potatoes and sweet tea. Its weird to be waited on hand and foot. I am not used to that, it was kind of hard. She is sweet.

THANKS AGAIN FOR PRAYING!!!

Pics from the Party

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Here is Amber and I at my Dad's birthday party!! It ended up being the perfect gift having life-sized amber and alicia's. We were quite the hit at the party. My mom said everyone was always asking where we were in the crowd.
There will be more pictures posted at our family blog:
http://divershappenings.blogspot.com

The Wise Words of Anjuli

Yesterday, on my way home from visiting Jonathan, Kelley, and Kiran I was riding in the car with Anjuli. Anjuli is five. I told Anjuli that I wanted to have a baby one day. She immediately told me that I needed a husband. Then she asked me who I wanted to marry. I said I didn't know yet. Then she asked me if I liked any boys. It was so cute. Then... about 2 minutes later she said...

I have an idea. Why don't you start praying for your husband so that you can have one. That God would take care of it for me. Then she continued to say that I should pray for how many kids I wanted to have. Then they told me I should have 50 million kids. lol.

It was such a cute moment...she is quite the wise 5 year old.

Shout out to Daddy on his 50th Birthday!

Today is my Daddy's 50th Birthday!! My family is throwing him a big party and I obviously will not get to be there. But... my sister made and mailed life- sized "Amber and Alicia's" handcrafted with paper from Korea!! My sister is always so creative. He said all he wanted for his birthday was for us to be there...so there we are in Texas now!!

So this is my Daddy. (He is a handsome Daddy) Just so you know, I am a Daddy's girl through and through. Last week, I got an email from my mother saying that I should call my dad because he was missing me and that he cried about it. My oldest sister, Shannon, is putting together a slide show of his life(for the party) and he has seen the baby photos of his girls and I guess its been making him emotional. So while making his bed, he pushed the recording I left him in my build a bear I made for my parents before I moved to India. I guess that did him in and he cried. He cried cause he misses his girls! Now to all you Daddy's girls, you know how much this killed me. He said he misses our hugs and didn't get enough while we were home.

There is one thing I have never doubted, that is that my Daddy loves me. He displayed it through all the millions of hugs and kisses, through all the tickles, the early morning songs you used to wake me up, the shark attack in the pool, sitting in your lap (even when I am 23), sitting in your study talking, our daddy daughter dates, watching chick flicks, trying to karate chop you and you always telling me I’m gonna get hurt, being your clone, calling me half pint, tucking me into bed at night, and last but not least all verbal affirmation of ‘I love you.’

We must give my dad some credit. He is the only male of four woman in his house! He has put up with a lot of female emotions for a lifetime!! He says he loves his girls!! I have fond memories of my dad watching millions of chick-flicks. I think he can still quote little mermaid from beginning to end. Thanks for always taking pride in your girls!!

I love you and Happy 50th Birthday!! I know its hard to be apart, but it's for its all for our King!!! Love you always... your Half Pint.

picture 1- life sized models of amber and I

picture 2- my daddy andI dancing at Hannah's wedding- next time there is a picture of us dancing i hope my dress is white ;)

Picture 3- a daddy-daughter date at Chick-fil-a when I was at home in July

Picture 4- My dad and his girls at hanah's wedding

Picture 5- My dad and I on my birthday

Comments Button

For all you techies out there who care...

The comments button on my blog has been frustrating several of you and ME lately and I found out why! I recently switched this blog to the upgrade form called beta blogger. So supposedly, the only way that you can log in (if you have a blogger account) and put a comment on my blog now is if also have upgraded to beta blogger. It no longer excepts the login id of people who have the earlier version. Somehow they aren't compatible.

Dumb...i know.

They said the solution for now is to just sign in as anonymous and your comment will go through. I think they are trying to fix it, but who knows.

Keep commenting. I have missed everyone comments. :) Thanks for your patience with blogger.

I'm an Aunt!!!!!!!

I received a phone call at 2 AM on September 7th from my sweet friend Kelley saying that she in labor. Kelley designated Lindsey and I the "waiting room crew!" We felt honored and took our positions in the waiting room with pride!! At 11:55 AM, Jonathan came into the waiting room and said... "she's here and its a girl!" I squealed and went against cultural norms and gave J a great big hug!!

Baby Kiran weighed in at 7lbs and is absolutetly beautiful. Kelley is doing absolutely amazing and looks incredible for all that she went through (all natural birth)!! She's the woman.

We spent all day at the hospital today with the Caskey fam. Kelley and Jonathan are my family here. I know its hard that none of their family is here, yet, so Lindsey and I felt so honored to be there today!! I am an aunt and I couldn't be any MORE EXCITED!!! I am sure there are many more pics to follow of the sweet baby girl!!

dentist

So I had my first dental experience in India today!! I finally got dental insurance.

It was great. Everyone I saw there was either American or a yuppy Indian. So it was very professional and my dentist spoke very clear and easy to understand English.

It looks like I need to get my wisdom teeth yanked. fun fun fun

Pray for me this Tuesday at noon.

Food and the Fall Season

Since Lindsey and I have been back in country, we have found eating to be a really annoying. It is much more expensive to cook American food for two and I am the primary cook of the house. So out of laziness and saving in our pocket book, we decided to just order out Indian food or eat grilled cheese and egg sandwiches constantly. That got old fast or we were just hungry all the time. Food just became annoying. So we decided to hire Anita to cook for us!! Here are the benefits: We can support her with an extra 500 rps a month ($10) and to make Indian food to make is cheap. So we are saving money all together!! So now we don't have to cook or clean... man we're lazy! Oh wait, I mean saving money and supporting Anita ;)


The weather here is finally cool (at 90 F)!! This past weekend, it rained for three days straight and cooled everything off. For the past 5 or so days, I haven't even had to use my air conditioner!! It's amazing how the cool weather just changes your mood! It's also been wonderful to be able to use our living room because it's cool enough to sit in there and not glisten . I am hoping that the fall cool weather is here to stay. I love fall!!!

Oh and today was the first day that I took a warm shower in 3 months! I actually turned on the geiser (hot water heater) Say goodbye to cold showers!!

Happy Birthday Kelley

Happy 25 K!! You are so fun and I am glad that I get to share this experience here with you and J and soon to be baby Alicia!! It really wouldn't be the same here without you. Thanks for all the food, the conversation, and all the spades games!! I love you.

Softball

Lindsey and I decided to join a woman's softball league with the American Embassy! Don't be fooled...we are NOT professionals. We are playing to have FUN.

I have never actually played on a 'league' before, neither has Lindsey. But supposedly, you don't have to possess any type of amazing athletic ability to be on this team!! So we made the team :) I have always loved outside sports, but usually kept it to PE and family get togethers with the cousins and uncles in our back yard. So this will be a first. Why not make your first softball league participation be in India?

Practices are on Fridays and games on Sundays. Season starts this weekend and will go till the first of December.

The highlight is that I actually get to play a sport in INDIA! Green grass and fall weather...here I come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!