As our time here draws to a close, here is an update, finally :) We are down to 18 days until take-off for home. Yes, we are coming home earlier than originally planned. Several reasons combined have prompted us to get going on our new life in Las Vegas. Craig and I both feel good about the timing of our decision, and we miss you!
Our life here has been filled with learning, adventure, awe, wonder, and some frustration, shock, and fear. India will forever be in our hearts and our ties here will likely last a lifetime and open doors for our family in the future.
Craig has had an incredible professional experience and has become quite the writer/researcher/developer. He recently submitted three projects to the AUA (American Urological Association) and all three were accepted for him to present! He anticipated one of them being accepted at best. He has also had many papers accepted to prominent worldwide urological journals, and is finding he likes academia and research more than he previously considered. He sure has a knack for it. He is also gaining unsurpassed surgical experience and making worldwide connections for his future practice. He spends his free time kindly waking me to exercise with him in the mornings (I'm not exactly the most pleasant morning person) and supporting and consoling our homeschool efforts here at home. He is also our entertainment director. Wow, it sounds like I do nothing. True, without Craig, sustaining life here would not be possible.
I just had to pause from this blog to go outside and check on the the kids. They play within the walls of our society with neighbor kids. It is a guarded, gated, and safe community. Come to find out, our neighbors are locked out of their flat. That prompted me to send Hope (what was I thinking?) up to make sure our door was open and that Hayden didn't close it. What do you know? She closed it. Intentionally. Craig couldn't find his keys this morning, so I know that he didn't have a spare. Panic set. Then I noticed that our sliding balcony door was open. Phew. Our guard got a ladder, and Addy went up. Disaster averted.
And I'm back. So this is usually the type of adventure we have here in Leisure Society. This is the 2nd time we've been locked out. Yesterday our gas ran out. Being without gas for our stove and an oven, I was really in a conundrum for food. Chipati (Indian bread), PB & honey, apples, banana, cucumbers, Pringles, Oreos, repeat. Oh, and PediaSure. This is what we eat without cooking ability. With cooking ability our options open up a bit. So last night we went out to dinner at a lovely little place called Yamaas near our home. It was delicious--Indian and Italian options. Hooray!
Me. I am holding up with a bit of anxiety here and there. Thanks to Craig, we are preparing for a half marathon to be held on Republic Day (When India gained independence from Britain) , the 26th of Jan. Running here is so interesting. This morning we ran up hill for nine minutes, then back down. We saw many little fires people had built to keep warm on the streets, two camels, the cutest little boy squatting down conversing with a puppy. A woman sleeping on the street on top of two large rice bags (I think they were rice), school children in uniform (yes, on Saturday), people sweeping their shop fronts with sticks tied together for a broom. We smelled the most unique smells this morning. I have no identification or description for the smells... you have to be here.
I am taking a rangoli class! Rangoli is a traditional Indian art form using sand to create specific designs with Hindu symbolism. People decorate their doorsteps and homes with it during festivals. It is therapy. At first it was frustrating, but now that I somewhat have the technique, I love feeling the sand run through my fingers and making these designs. I go daily from 4-5:30 pm. Either Hameed or Addy watch the kids. It is at the clubhouse here in our society, so that is nice.
With Craig working 7 days a week and limited transportation, we are here mostly. In the evenings Craig and I walk to our three little markets to get the produce and food we'll need for the next day or two.
During the day we homeschool. A-hem. This is not my strength, I've learned. How do you motivate such resistant little buggers to do what you want them to do all day long? I've tried so many things to change it up, make it different, but they always recognize it as school, and they are generally resistant. I feel like I'm treating MRSA (Methecilin-resistant staphylococcus areaus.) I am the antibiotic. They are the bug. Try as I may, they resist. I'm glad I tried this though, I've learned a lot about them and myself. Thank heavens for schools and teachers and church leaders and a community to help with our little children. I feel that my affection for them will grow more once my 'village' is contributing to their growth and development. I applaud those who homeschool and think it's a great option for many. I would need some intense training and a bit of therapy to continue doing it, however :)
We attend church once or twice a month. I will take the kids tomorrow. Our trusted driver, Mr. Bodoke will take us the 3 hour journey, wait for us outside, and bring us home. On the drive we eat snacks, sing songs, hold our breath in the tunnels, argue a bit, and spot monkeys. Once we get into town, it's fun watching all of the things that make India cool. People painting cow horns, or paying to feed them, jubilant wedding parties singing and dancing in the streets, shouting and chanting I don't understand. I'll miss all of this stimulation, I think. Oh wait, I'll be living in Vegas! I wish I were closer to the branch members, they are amazing. It's nice seeing our other American friends there too. Church attendance (although quite the sacrifice) has been a very blessed part of our experience here. I love going. It rejuvenates my soul.
We have had some awesome trips that Addy has described in previous posts. These trips have been the high points of our time here. We have experienced so much on these little adventures and the memories will last forever. In the northern part of the country we saw palaces and incredible art, rode elephants, camels, and saw the world famous Taj Mahal (Miles loves to talk about the Taj Mahal, how it was 'dark in there' with a scared face). And we experienced the southern beaches of Goa. It was the craziest time of year when the most tourists are there. The weather was beautiful and we saw why it is the party capitol of India. We were in awe at the thousands of people lined up to see the remains of Priest Francis Xavier at the Bascilica Bom Jesus. We had a grand time as a family playing in the sand, swimming, dolphin spotting, and relaxing.
My eyes have been opened to religion in this part of the world. I've learned much about Hindu and Muslims and their differences. All I can say is we are so lucky to know Christ and have the truth. SO blessed. I wish they could understand. They someday will. And it will all come together for them. We just watched a Bollywood hit called PK. If you want to have satirical crash course on Indian religions, watch it!
My perspective on America has changed. It seems much smaller and also bigger at the same time. In a country whose population is the 2nd largest in the world, I am realizing how much a minority we are. When people ask where I'm from, I used to say, Michigan--in response to the blank stare, 'Utah', or 'Nevada'... Now I just say USA and I get an 'ahh,' a smile, a nod, and a feeling like I'm really cool. Most people like America. They wear shirts with our Flag on it, they like our brands and our place in the world. So while we are small in population, we are a very big force in the world. It's cool.
I wanted to talk about each of the kids.... but it's time for Rangoli. Perhaps I'll make that an assignment for Addy. My kids really are awesome and Craig and I talk a lot about their unique abilities. How to channel those abilities will be a continual work in progress. They each have their own perspective on this adventure. I'm hoping it will serve them well in life.
So, 13 days until my mom comes to get the kids and I. Craig will stay until March 1st, then start work March 15th. Another adventure awaits when my mom arrives. We will do some sight-seeing and go to church in Mumbai before coming to Pune. Then we will pack up and say our goodbyes here and be on our way. We can't wait to see you!
Namaste!
-Aubree
