And here are a few more pictures from the evening.....I look like a giant compared to everyone else!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Hal, Forgive Me For Lying!
Hal, a long time ago, when we first moved to this far away land, I told you that I would never ever wear churidars (for the others of you reading this, it's the really tight pants I have on). When I inherited some new fabric, I decided to get a new suit made, and looking through the design book, I thought I'd finally give the churidar set a try. So, sorry for lying....forgive me :) PS....I don't know why I have a crazy look on my face...and my friend made me put my dupatta on my head...and I have a huge mosquito bite on my foot.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
Shaadi.com
The most common way in this far away land of deciding on a life partner is by family members making the arrangements. In the past, this was done in some cases by marrying cousins, or through other family connections. A new era brought new technology, namely, the Internet. Hence, Shaadi.com, one of many many matrimonial services (In the States, the equivalent is eHarmony.com, except here, the parents, siblings, or uncles generally submit the profile and look for matches).
In this far away land girls must get married between the ages of 18-25 (can vary depending on whether the girl lives in the village or in the city, and on the social status), otherwise she may live her life at her parents house and grow to be an old maid. Since I am 23 and beginning to lean toward the elder part of the marriable age range, on a regular basis I am asked if I'm married, to which I must respond, "no, not yet." Most people generally tend to go crazy when they hear this answer. They want to know if my parents are in the process of making a match, if the wedding will be soon, or if they need to make a match for me.
Many many many of my friends in the States are married or will be in the very near future. This is also beginning to be the case here. Just this week, my friend Neelam's marriage was fixed. She's never met this guy with whom she will tie the knot (literally, they tie the ends of her sari and his scarf-like garment) likely before the 10th of April. Neelam is my good friend Nisha's first cousin and a little bit (maybe a few weeks) older than Nisha. The next in line by age to get married is Nisha. Yesterday, I had the very fun privilage of creating Nisha's profile for Shaadi.com, and looking for matches all evening. Today, when I went to visit, the father had purchased a 90 day subscription to Bharatimatrimonial.com for a total of about 40 USD. With this premium membership we'll be able to see pictures, get contact information immediately, etc.
What an interesting experience....wonder if it works...
In this far away land girls must get married between the ages of 18-25 (can vary depending on whether the girl lives in the village or in the city, and on the social status), otherwise she may live her life at her parents house and grow to be an old maid. Since I am 23 and beginning to lean toward the elder part of the marriable age range, on a regular basis I am asked if I'm married, to which I must respond, "no, not yet." Most people generally tend to go crazy when they hear this answer. They want to know if my parents are in the process of making a match, if the wedding will be soon, or if they need to make a match for me.
Many many many of my friends in the States are married or will be in the very near future. This is also beginning to be the case here. Just this week, my friend Neelam's marriage was fixed. She's never met this guy with whom she will tie the knot (literally, they tie the ends of her sari and his scarf-like garment) likely before the 10th of April. Neelam is my good friend Nisha's first cousin and a little bit (maybe a few weeks) older than Nisha. The next in line by age to get married is Nisha. Yesterday, I had the very fun privilage of creating Nisha's profile for Shaadi.com, and looking for matches all evening. Today, when I went to visit, the father had purchased a 90 day subscription to Bharatimatrimonial.com for a total of about 40 USD. With this premium membership we'll be able to see pictures, get contact information immediately, etc.
What an interesting experience....wonder if it works...
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Yay for Packages!
My really great family sent me a rather large package, mailed by my super great cousin Nicole (shoutout to Nicole http://www.livingmercy.blogspot.com/ ). The items included weren't things that I can't live without, as I have already survived a year without them. They are however, a few of my favorite things (cue to sing the song off of Sound of Music)...mmmm.
Included: Nesquik...I REALLY love chocolate milk! Blueberry and Chocolate chip muffin mix...a Saturday or Sunday treat!, Jello....vanilla, chocolate, and pistachio....I've learned to make the chocolate from scratch!, Crystal light mixes, ranch and italian dressing mixes, maple flavoring....I'm going to learn to make maple syrup!, a huge hershey kiss, hot chocolate mixes, coffee, two really fun shirts....one plain green, and the t-shirt (shoutout to Alicia... you need to update girl! http://www.lifeonseawellavenue.blogspot.com/ ) that says Shucks!!! and has a picture of corn on it!, and a picture album. Also, there were some other unmentionable clothing sent by my aunt Inez (shoutout http://www.bruceandinez.blogspot.com/) and my granny that I really love...thanks everyone!!!!! I really feel the love!
I'm a Survivor!
Millie, the wire haired daschund!
And H, G, and E!
I survived the week of mom practice, had a lot of fun, learned a lot, and was really tired when I got home last night. The week included 9 baths, 6 days/6 nights, breakfast/lunch/dinner, homework, walking the youngest to her school, taking care of the dog and fish, ballet lessons, played outside, etc. Oh, and we made some videos too!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Headlines
The newspaper was interesting the past 2 days....
In yesterday's local newspaper: One dhaba (restaurant) owner was fined for serving the meat of monitor lizards......yum
In today's local newspaper: 200 ill over the last 48 hours with symptoms caused by contaminated water from deadly borewells.
Tapping into the potential of exporting grapes, wine.
Illegal gun factory near city busted.
Another dhaba raided: found serving partridge meat. Partridge biryani 75 rupees (less than 2$), partridge fry 50 rupees (a little more than 1$). 4 of the men from the dhaba were arrested; the owner is still at large. (I wish I could have gone to this place to eat before they were caught!)
More on the dhaba that serves monitor lizard meat. Other delicious treats? Spotted deer, porcupine, wild boar, pangolin, civet cats, musk deer, sambar, great Indian gaur, otter, flying fox, rat snakes, water snakes, flap shell turtle, pond terrapin, all major water birds, yellow-throated green pigeon, peafowl, partridge, cattle egrets. (Don't ask me exactly what all these animals are...I'm not too sure!)
"The citizens of (my state) should consider themselves to be a lucky lot. Considering how terror-infested (my state) is, it is a wonder that lives and property have by and large escaped attack."
Hairy Tale. "A sadhu (a holy person) dries his 9-foot-long hair after taking a holy dip in (in a river in my country)." (There's a picture too! Incredible! Sorry I can't share!)
2 tribals made to eat excreta. Case was related to some stolen wood.
'Mongrels are cleverer than pure-breds'
In yesterday's local newspaper: One dhaba (restaurant) owner was fined for serving the meat of monitor lizards......yum
In today's local newspaper: 200 ill over the last 48 hours with symptoms caused by contaminated water from deadly borewells.
Tapping into the potential of exporting grapes, wine.
Illegal gun factory near city busted.
Another dhaba raided: found serving partridge meat. Partridge biryani 75 rupees (less than 2$), partridge fry 50 rupees (a little more than 1$). 4 of the men from the dhaba were arrested; the owner is still at large. (I wish I could have gone to this place to eat before they were caught!)
More on the dhaba that serves monitor lizard meat. Other delicious treats? Spotted deer, porcupine, wild boar, pangolin, civet cats, musk deer, sambar, great Indian gaur, otter, flying fox, rat snakes, water snakes, flap shell turtle, pond terrapin, all major water birds, yellow-throated green pigeon, peafowl, partridge, cattle egrets. (Don't ask me exactly what all these animals are...I'm not too sure!)
"The citizens of (my state) should consider themselves to be a lucky lot. Considering how terror-infested (my state) is, it is a wonder that lives and property have by and large escaped attack."
Hairy Tale. "A sadhu (a holy person) dries his 9-foot-long hair after taking a holy dip in (in a river in my country)." (There's a picture too! Incredible! Sorry I can't share!)
2 tribals made to eat excreta. Case was related to some stolen wood.
'Mongrels are cleverer than pure-breds'
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Mom Practice!
So, some friends in my city went out of station for the week (actually longer for the husband, but only a week for the mom). Anyways, I'm staying with their children for the week. Tune in next week to see if I survived. I wonder how many more times I can type the word 'week' in this short paragraph!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Aspiring American Idols
I'm not a big tv watcher. In fact, I don't even have a tv. Even when I did, I think we only got one channel. Lately, the tv I watch has been all in Hindi, but tonight....tonight was different! Tonight I watched American Idol (in English) with some friends. I wanna share with those of you who missed the show some of the highlights!
"I've been trying to restart my singing hobby since I was 16 years old." ~Douglas~
"Douglas, I don't want to hear anymore of this stupidity!.....They're going to take you to a safe place." ~Simon~
"No to the speedo" ~Paula~
"Not only can I sing, but I can make good decisions too......And one day I want to become the governor of Oklahoma......My glasses aren't glaring are they?....I'm in a fraternity." ~Kyle Ensley~
"That's not necessarily a good thing." ~Paula~
"Can I start over?" ~Tammy~
"You're a nice girl, but it was awful." ~Randy~
"Dude, I did it. I freakin' made it." ~Drew~
"I'm a pretty hard core rocker. I like rockin' I'm ready to rock. Eye liner, guy liner as I like to call it." ~Kyle~
"It was a disturbing, very demonic audition." ~Simon~
"Ok, I now officially hate that song." ~Simon~
"Well, I have another song." ~Nina~
"That feels great. Uh, could you do it again?" ~Ryan~
"Oh, sure." ~ Renaldo~
"I am your brother, your best friend forever. Singing the songs that you love to hear. Brothers forever 'till the end of time together. You are always in my heart." ~Renaldo~
"You are a great person Simon. You are my glory Simon." ~Renaldo~
and a special note from the R.T Nagar Traffic Police Station,
"Drive to care, not to dare."
"I've been trying to restart my singing hobby since I was 16 years old." ~Douglas~
"Douglas, I don't want to hear anymore of this stupidity!.....They're going to take you to a safe place." ~Simon~
"No to the speedo" ~Paula~
"Not only can I sing, but I can make good decisions too......And one day I want to become the governor of Oklahoma......My glasses aren't glaring are they?....I'm in a fraternity." ~Kyle Ensley~
"That's not necessarily a good thing." ~Paula~
"Can I start over?" ~Tammy~
"You're a nice girl, but it was awful." ~Randy~
"Dude, I did it. I freakin' made it." ~Drew~
"I'm a pretty hard core rocker. I like rockin' I'm ready to rock. Eye liner, guy liner as I like to call it." ~Kyle~
"It was a disturbing, very demonic audition." ~Simon~
"Ok, I now officially hate that song." ~Simon~
"Well, I have another song." ~Nina~
"That feels great. Uh, could you do it again?" ~Ryan~
"Oh, sure." ~ Renaldo~
"I am your brother, your best friend forever. Singing the songs that you love to hear. Brothers forever 'till the end of time together. You are always in my heart." ~Renaldo~
"You are a great person Simon. You are my glory Simon." ~Renaldo~
and a special note from the R.T Nagar Traffic Police Station,
"Drive to care, not to dare."
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