Saturday, August 11, 2007
Caden likes to color
And he's getting really quite good at it, if a little bit of a perfectionist (where does he get that from I wonder?). But on Sunday he decided what fun would it be to color a green power ranger, if he could BE one. So he slipped into the bathroom with his green marker. And when he was gone just a little too long, and it was a little too quiet, this is what we discovered: 
Trip to Nandi Hills
In keeping with trying to see and enjoy Bangalore and surroundings, we set the next destination to be Nandi Hills – 65km out of Bangalore and 1,478m above sea level. Named after the bull of Lord Shiva, and also known to have been the summer haven of Tipu Sultan, Nandi Hills is known for the “tourist attraction” of a 600m high cliff face from which prisoners are believed to have been thrown. So it sounded like a great place to go and bring the kids.
Oh, and we were informed just before departure, Nandi Hills is also known for the monkeys. In zoos, monkeys are fun. Out of zoos, monkeys are as cute and fun as the stray dogs. Plus they are mischievous, and take food from the kids, and sit on your car... and stuff.
But it was fun to get out of the city (if not out of the pollution) and see both history and a little nature. Caden thought every rock on the way there was a mountain, much to Wade’s chagrin (given that the “real” mountains were nowhere in sight). But still, Caden couldn’t wait to climb up the mountain. First of course, came the temple...
And of view of North Bangalore, in monsoon season, through pollution. Still, it was pretty and nice to see a new view of the surroundings.
Then Caden got to climb his mountain. Luckily for him there are no safety standards in India...at all. None.
But it was a good time for a Saturday outing and a good test of my ability to physically restrain my child (I can). So good times all around.
On the way back, we had brought a picnic lunch along with our favorite neighbors, Michele and Stacy, who was visiting from Minneapolis. Of course, you can't eat where there are monkeys so we drove a little down the mountain (after finding our driver who had wandered off and then after stopping for Caden, who literally three minutes in announced definitively he had to poop). So we got down the" mountain" and ate lunch at a, uh...restaurant? that had some seating and would let us sit there if we bought something. We selected warm beer and cough medicine/church wine and settled into our dirty plastic chairs amongst the stray dogs and more flies than I've yet seen. But what outing would be complete without just a little teeny reminder of at least one of the comforts of home? In fact I spent the whole next day at home, in bed, vomiting and in serious pain. Who knows why. I'm pretty sure it wasn't the awesome spaghetti and meatball dinner we enjoyed, but maybe I didn't have enough martinis to kill the germs from earlier?
Oh, and we were informed just before departure, Nandi Hills is also known for the monkeys. In zoos, monkeys are fun. Out of zoos, monkeys are as cute and fun as the stray dogs. Plus they are mischievous, and take food from the kids, and sit on your car... and stuff.
But it was fun to get out of the city (if not out of the pollution) and see both history and a little nature. Caden thought every rock on the way there was a mountain, much to Wade’s chagrin (given that the “real” mountains were nowhere in sight). But still, Caden couldn’t wait to climb up the mountain. First of course, came the temple...
And of view of North Bangalore, in monsoon season, through pollution. Still, it was pretty and nice to see a new view of the surroundings.
Then Caden got to climb his mountain. Luckily for him there are no safety standards in India...at all. None.
But it was a good time for a Saturday outing and a good test of my ability to physically restrain my child (I can). So good times all around.
On the way back, we had brought a picnic lunch along with our favorite neighbors, Michele and Stacy, who was visiting from Minneapolis. Of course, you can't eat where there are monkeys so we drove a little down the mountain (after finding our driver who had wandered off and then after stopping for Caden, who literally three minutes in announced definitively he had to poop). So we got down the" mountain" and ate lunch at a, uh...restaurant? that had some seating and would let us sit there if we bought something. We selected warm beer and cough medicine/church wine and settled into our dirty plastic chairs amongst the stray dogs and more flies than I've yet seen. But what outing would be complete without just a little teeny reminder of at least one of the comforts of home? In fact I spent the whole next day at home, in bed, vomiting and in serious pain. Who knows why. I'm pretty sure it wasn't the awesome spaghetti and meatball dinner we enjoyed, but maybe I didn't have enough martinis to kill the germs from earlier?Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Happy Birthday to ME!
Wow, have to say, this was a big birthday! First of all, I turned 30. Yep 3-0. I wouldn't go so far as to say I feel ambivalent about this - I did in fact consider a mid-life crisis of several sorts and "age" crossed my mind in several weeks leading up to it. But heck, I'd already sold our house and cars and moved my family to the middle of South India with what we could pack in an air shipment. Ahead of the curve I should say. And seriously, I like to think back to when one of our best family friends was asked about getting "old" by her son, and she replied without hesitation that she wouldn't be younger even if she could; the experiences and wisdom she'd gained with age were more important. And so, even with a little more reluctance and a little less grace, I turned 30 and will say, I wouldn't trade in the experience of the last six months (wisdom is still out to jury) even if I could be 29 again. I can't even describe the ways I've "grown up" of late - maybe even a little more patient, tolerant, empathetic and appreciative. The myriad of experiences here haven't always been fun - from homesickness to power outages - but they have been valuable.
And I said a little more patient... I still went for my birthday run - the annual three mile jog "to prove I still can" that I've taken the last 11 years. I wouldn't say I didn't break a sweat, but I still can. And I took some other advice I'd gotten regarding some stress at work, and along the jog - let it go. Time to move forward, and work on that wisdom piece of experience.
On the MUCH lighter side, birthdays here appear to be a BIG deal always. It seems however, that you can NOT celebrate before the actual day - WAY bad luck. To the point that HH last Friday was nearly postponed, lest... I don't know. But I am incredibly supersititous. Luckily don't really need a reason to drink so we just went (try not to mention the upcoming birthdays). On my actual brithday of course, at 6am, the SMS's started rolling in from my friends, team, driver, etc. The day at work was filled with birthday wishes of "many happy returns of the day" - I'm not totally sure what this means, but I think the jist of it is and many more. I had cake three times complete with celebrations throughout the day. The training team came to my desk with an enormous card and sang (and not bad singing either). My team had a surprise meeting with cake and a sweet card. Seven bouquets of flowers filled the house. Friends brought gifts of clothes and jewelry - seriously - pearls. WOW!!! I thought I was over the top by singing happy birthday to myself. They really do it up here. And to end the day at work, kicked off a mentor program that I am seriously excited about. I know I'm a geek, but hey, it's my birthday.
And then Wade, Caden and I headed out to dinner at BBQ Nation. I wanted to have a "family" outing to top off the day. But it was late, and India where nothing is a hurry even with a hungry three year old. And although the food was awesome and the martini was chilled, I was reminded why we don't ordinarily dine out with our adorable three year old (gaining that wisdom again). He wanted rice for dinner. White rice. But then "it wasn't cooked." I assured him it was; he said it was cold then. We got him ice cream - white. He changed his mind and wanted chocolate sauce. We went and got him some (buffet). He didn't want it then. We scraped it off. And so on and on. It wasn't totally picture-perfect, but he fell asleep in the ride home - and who can't love that conked out, head sideways way kids sleep in the car - adorable! It was a good day - many happy returns to all! 
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Anniversary / Birthday / GETAWAY
After a few long weeks, Wade and I were able to get out of Bangalore “just the two of us” if you can imagine. Not that every weekend was a romantic getaway in MN, but living four miles from mom and dad had it’s advantages for date nights! So, nearly six months into our Bangalore stay, I prepped Caden during the week about how everyone needs “special time” from now and then, and that “Dad and I are having some special time together on Saturday” and “you get to sleep over at Murphy’s” until he caught on – responding; “ok, when you get back, Dad will stay at Murphy’s and you and I will go get ice-cream.” Deal.
After packing up more for Caden than for the two of us (tiger cub, book, three outfits, an airplane fleet, a PBJ sandwich, etc. etc.…), we headed out to a “rural” resort 35 km out of Bangalore. If that doesn’t sound like a lot to you, you don’t live in Bangalore. Two and a half hours later, we arrived literally in a rural setting at an incredible, quiet resort – Taj Kuteeram. It’s only 9 rooms, and connected to Nrityagram, a traditional dance village. It was incredibly beautiful and very green. We settled into the room – a stone hut with modern amenities… and took a nap. Hey, I imagine most parents understand.
We also joined the 5:00 yoga lesson in the meditation center – ok the “lesson” was just us and the yoga teacher, but Wade was a trooper even with the added attention – “no, like this sir.” I thought it was entertaining anyhow! Then we proceeded to the magic show, which was incredibly entertaining and well done. 
The resort was beautiful and rejuvenating – on Sunday we watched the dancers practicing at the village – they were really good. Apparently it’s a three year on-site program and pretty serious. But you can’t take pictures unfortunately. It wouldn’t have captured it anyhow – it was pretty cool to watch and we stayed a while.
The drive home we were more prepared and decided to stop for lunch to break up the journey – why not the “Only Place” in Bangalore with burgers. We got to the restaurant to find a wait – just 15 minutes. 30 minutes later we were seated and ordered as promptly as possible. 20 minutes later our waiter returned… empty handed…and informed us “no more burger today” and asked what else we would like. Uh, the bill perhaps (we’d had soup and drinks anyhow). Well, one of my frequent observations (despite our limited dining-out) is that menus in India are more of a rough guide to what the place might have than anything else. Menus are usually LONG; offerings… not. So we stopped at the “grocery store” on the way home to grab cheese, wine and buns (for the canned hot dogs for the kids…mmmm). 45 minutes later, I was close to a breakdown and fantasizing about Simon Delivers. Easy come easy go with romantic retreat mood. Luckily, when we left we had both cheese and wine… and a date for me at Baskin Robbins.
Notably (for those of you that know him), after three years of pleading, Caden ate NOT-white ice cream. The same kid that burst into tears when I put chocolate sauce on his ice-cream – “ruining it,” had, after continuous tasting thanks to the Baskin Robbins folks, found something not-vanilla to eat. The first time he tried a couple new flavors he spit it out into my hand. The second time he swallowed it and said – white please. This week, he tried the “yo-yo blast” mango and orange sherbert swirl, and decided he liked it. Whose kid is this anyhow?
After packing up more for Caden than for the two of us (tiger cub, book, three outfits, an airplane fleet, a PBJ sandwich, etc. etc.…), we headed out to a “rural” resort 35 km out of Bangalore. If that doesn’t sound like a lot to you, you don’t live in Bangalore. Two and a half hours later, we arrived literally in a rural setting at an incredible, quiet resort – Taj Kuteeram. It’s only 9 rooms, and connected to Nrityagram, a traditional dance village. It was incredibly beautiful and very green. We settled into the room – a stone hut with modern amenities… and took a nap. Hey, I imagine most parents understand.
We also joined the 5:00 yoga lesson in the meditation center – ok the “lesson” was just us and the yoga teacher, but Wade was a trooper even with the added attention – “no, like this sir.” I thought it was entertaining anyhow! Then we proceeded to the magic show, which was incredibly entertaining and well done. 
The resort was beautiful and rejuvenating – on Sunday we watched the dancers practicing at the village – they were really good. Apparently it’s a three year on-site program and pretty serious. But you can’t take pictures unfortunately. It wouldn’t have captured it anyhow – it was pretty cool to watch and we stayed a while.
The drive home we were more prepared and decided to stop for lunch to break up the journey – why not the “Only Place” in Bangalore with burgers. We got to the restaurant to find a wait – just 15 minutes. 30 minutes later we were seated and ordered as promptly as possible. 20 minutes later our waiter returned… empty handed…and informed us “no more burger today” and asked what else we would like. Uh, the bill perhaps (we’d had soup and drinks anyhow). Well, one of my frequent observations (despite our limited dining-out) is that menus in India are more of a rough guide to what the place might have than anything else. Menus are usually LONG; offerings… not. So we stopped at the “grocery store” on the way home to grab cheese, wine and buns (for the canned hot dogs for the kids…mmmm). 45 minutes later, I was close to a breakdown and fantasizing about Simon Delivers. Easy come easy go with romantic retreat mood. Luckily, when we left we had both cheese and wine… and a date for me at Baskin Robbins.Notably (for those of you that know him), after three years of pleading, Caden ate NOT-white ice cream. The same kid that burst into tears when I put chocolate sauce on his ice-cream – “ruining it,” had, after continuous tasting thanks to the Baskin Robbins folks, found something not-vanilla to eat. The first time he tried a couple new flavors he spit it out into my hand. The second time he swallowed it and said – white please. This week, he tried the “yo-yo blast” mango and orange sherbert swirl, and decided he liked it. Whose kid is this anyhow?
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Dedicated to my family
One of the other expats eloquently pointed out that homesickness is like the stomach flu – not always there or dull like a cold, but catches you just on certain times and really sucks. http://loudamericans.blogspot.com/
This week is the annual family outing back in MN/WI, a tradition from before I was born of trekking out somewhere “up North” together and hanging out, relaxing, golfing, laughing and ideally sitting by a fire telling stories (sometimes the same stories as last year). Last August on just such an outing up at Lutsen, perhaps my favorite place, my entire family – Grandpa and Grandma, and the chorus of aunts and uncles and cousins came to know of my crazy idea – maybe I should move to India for a year or so. And without dissent they said, “what a great opportunity – we’ll miss you!” Maybe not the reaction I was expecting, but testament to what great family I have – like the book I read to Caden most nights “I’ll always love you, no matter what.” There are, as I reflect, a number of defining things like this where I realize my family’s values. Starting with my Grandpa and Grandma, who would NEVER say: do as I say, not as I do. They absolutely live their values – family comes first, the right thing to do is the right thing to do, laugh a lot and celebrate life with the things that matter. From a kid going snowmobiling to get pancakes with my Grandpa on Sundays (wearing my purple helmet) to the annual vacations together to all the times our family grew – marriages, kids (I’m the oldest of 23 cousins now I think, and there are great-grandchildren too), it never occurred to me that a family so large wouldn’t try to spend time together at least once a week. These are values you don’t realize you have, until you see from the outside. Another time I remember when I wanted to move in with Wade, Grandpa just said “it’s not the decision I would make for you, but it’s not my decision to make.” Times like these where you know what “I’ll always love you, no matter what” really means.
I remember my Dad telling me that “no matter what you did, lying about it is worse” until I believed it. And him coming to ball games not on time, but 15 minutes early so he could watch the team warm up – showing me every moment counts. And it’s awesome knowing that I’ll never be too old too need my mommy – even after 30, it’s still ok to put your head in your mom’s lap and get your hair played with. And even grilled cheese counts as a home cooked meal. And it’s always ok to call home.
Some people might be lucky to stop there… but I could use up all my space on google writing about my family. My husband I love so much, and that took a year off to be here with me. My son who brings me joy every day with his smile and laughs. My sister who makes me so proud of who she is – and regarding accounting, who she isn’t! My brother who serves our country and still pushes me to be better – even if I can’t go back and get better grades. My cousins – from the “favorites” and everyone I can’t believe how big you’re getting – my God! My aunts and uncles – Jeff and Ann, Joel and Shelly, John, Jody, Jim and Lisa, Julie and Jerry – all different and yet all amazing. And fun. And good-hearted. And loud. And caring. And such a part of who I am.
I miss you guys, and I wish I could be there with you now. But thank you for supporting me in this, and we’ll see you soon!
The, uh, I don’t know – interesting? part of this is that I can’t stop there. Because not in the same way, but in a powerful way, I have a family here now too. From everyone in our house that sometimes make me crazy, but care for us nonetheless – Lokesh, Swapna and Ms. Pinto. We have made such great friends here – the quick way in which expats look after each other – sort of an “I don’t really know you, but I’m here…only” unconditional and unprecedented support that feels like family. Tom and Tracy, we could never thank you enough for “looking after us” the way you have these last six months. And Michele – you are an inspiration with the determined way you face your own struggles being apart from your husband, and our smoke breaks and spa appointments really make a difference! I’m also lucky to have the work family – more people looking after me and teaching me every day. From new friends like Radha and Stuti, my new buddy Sriram, and so many others to all the people that have looked after me from relocation to work issues. And my team already has taught me so much too – from vain efforts at Hindi to good lessons to look back on long from now.
So, next summer sitting around the campfire, I imagine I’ll get a little “flu” and realize how much I miss my family in India too.
This week is the annual family outing back in MN/WI, a tradition from before I was born of trekking out somewhere “up North” together and hanging out, relaxing, golfing, laughing and ideally sitting by a fire telling stories (sometimes the same stories as last year). Last August on just such an outing up at Lutsen, perhaps my favorite place, my entire family – Grandpa and Grandma, and the chorus of aunts and uncles and cousins came to know of my crazy idea – maybe I should move to India for a year or so. And without dissent they said, “what a great opportunity – we’ll miss you!” Maybe not the reaction I was expecting, but testament to what great family I have – like the book I read to Caden most nights “I’ll always love you, no matter what.” There are, as I reflect, a number of defining things like this where I realize my family’s values. Starting with my Grandpa and Grandma, who would NEVER say: do as I say, not as I do. They absolutely live their values – family comes first, the right thing to do is the right thing to do, laugh a lot and celebrate life with the things that matter. From a kid going snowmobiling to get pancakes with my Grandpa on Sundays (wearing my purple helmet) to the annual vacations together to all the times our family grew – marriages, kids (I’m the oldest of 23 cousins now I think, and there are great-grandchildren too), it never occurred to me that a family so large wouldn’t try to spend time together at least once a week. These are values you don’t realize you have, until you see from the outside. Another time I remember when I wanted to move in with Wade, Grandpa just said “it’s not the decision I would make for you, but it’s not my decision to make.” Times like these where you know what “I’ll always love you, no matter what” really means.
I remember my Dad telling me that “no matter what you did, lying about it is worse” until I believed it. And him coming to ball games not on time, but 15 minutes early so he could watch the team warm up – showing me every moment counts. And it’s awesome knowing that I’ll never be too old too need my mommy – even after 30, it’s still ok to put your head in your mom’s lap and get your hair played with. And even grilled cheese counts as a home cooked meal. And it’s always ok to call home.
Some people might be lucky to stop there… but I could use up all my space on google writing about my family. My husband I love so much, and that took a year off to be here with me. My son who brings me joy every day with his smile and laughs. My sister who makes me so proud of who she is – and regarding accounting, who she isn’t! My brother who serves our country and still pushes me to be better – even if I can’t go back and get better grades. My cousins – from the “favorites” and everyone I can’t believe how big you’re getting – my God! My aunts and uncles – Jeff and Ann, Joel and Shelly, John, Jody, Jim and Lisa, Julie and Jerry – all different and yet all amazing. And fun. And good-hearted. And loud. And caring. And such a part of who I am.
I miss you guys, and I wish I could be there with you now. But thank you for supporting me in this, and we’ll see you soon!
The, uh, I don’t know – interesting? part of this is that I can’t stop there. Because not in the same way, but in a powerful way, I have a family here now too. From everyone in our house that sometimes make me crazy, but care for us nonetheless – Lokesh, Swapna and Ms. Pinto. We have made such great friends here – the quick way in which expats look after each other – sort of an “I don’t really know you, but I’m here…only” unconditional and unprecedented support that feels like family. Tom and Tracy, we could never thank you enough for “looking after us” the way you have these last six months. And Michele – you are an inspiration with the determined way you face your own struggles being apart from your husband, and our smoke breaks and spa appointments really make a difference! I’m also lucky to have the work family – more people looking after me and teaching me every day. From new friends like Radha and Stuti, my new buddy Sriram, and so many others to all the people that have looked after me from relocation to work issues. And my team already has taught me so much too – from vain efforts at Hindi to good lessons to look back on long from now.
So, next summer sitting around the campfire, I imagine I’ll get a little “flu” and realize how much I miss my family in India too.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Summer days (in monsoon season)
Thank you to everyone who's shared stories of their beautiful MN summer days of perfect weather, trips up North, golf and leaving early. I especially enjoyed the email invite to Brit's patio on Friday...followed shortly by Dad's email with attached picture of steaks on the grill...NOT!!!
We're starting monsoon season apparently and it's actually been cooler here than in MN, and a little grey, cloudy and lightly rainy most days. So the trips to the pool are on hiatus although the temp still lingers around 80. Ok, but life here hasn't been all that bad either.
On Tuesday Wade and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary. As I was getting ready, our housekeeper Swapna came up and into the bathroom with cake (Cake is HUGE here)! Both she and Lokesh had brought a bouquet of flowers and an excitement that Wade and I could only marvel at. Swapna was thrilled when I agreed to sport the bindi and "married woman" marking in tumeric powder. Even Ganesh got a special blessing. I have to say the celebration was fun, and generated quite the chatter in the office with wishes of "many happy returns of the day" (the bindi smack in the middle of my forehead caught a few eyes). And when we opened the 1999 bottle of Cabernet my parents slipped into a care package, Wade and I also found excitement. Come on though, 8 years - it goes fast!!
July 10 is also my Grandpa's birthday, and had me missing home and the expected dinner with the whole family, and lunch celebration for just me and Grandpa. Not to worry Grandpa, it will be top on my list when we get home - pencil me in for lunch at Capital, and we can end my journey here just as it began!!
AND, July 10 is also my now four-year old neighbor Kay's birthday. Wade and Caden had a great time at the party. Caden had hand-picked out the present with clever observations like "girls like pink" and "Kay likes bubbles" - fun to see him getting involved. I made it home at 9 from a long day of meetings, and another hectic summer/monsoon season day had passed.
In other news, the "girls" had been planning a spa weekend for Saturday that turned into a family affair at Eagleton, a golf resort not far from town but worth an overnight in Bangalore traffic. So we all piled in and I FINALLY got in my first round of golf since moving to India. Who knew life here wouldn't be full of tee times at palm-tree lined courses?? I must not have read that contract very well... Anyhow, it was a great outing even if the golf was a lot rusty and the weather was a little overcast. Turns out golf actually isn't that popular here. But not to worry Dad, Caden is getting the itch also but we've resisted buying the little guy a bunch of sticks with metal clubs at the end and direction to hit hard balls as far as possible... for now. Otherwise, a fun time with great friends and the girls got to ride home in our own car and stop for one of these wonderful all you can eat (and drink) Bangalore brunches. I do say, Bangalore brunch rocks. Wade would like to point out, the kids car stopped at McDonald's, and the McVeggie burger did not meet expectations.
Otherwise, all non-parents stop reading!
Really.
I have to share two Caden stories... getting him into bed the other night with his stuffed dog (Ralph) that I bought when he "was just a little baby in my belly." He asks in his quizzical way, "how big was I when I came our your mouth?"
Angela: "Uh...you weren't very big when you were born."
And on our way home from the store on Saturday, this high-pitched French-accented voice shouts out "Cad-en, Cade-en" from the back of a scooter and Caden takes off running at full speed like he's running for life. We catch up to Pauline from his school and Caden begins to hop on one foot and exclaim proudly "I can hop on one foot." (Apparently, when you're three this is how you impress girls - very smooth, huh?) I have to say, the little guy was quite smitten with Pauline and followed her around the playground dutifully. And when she pulled out a nerf dart gun from her bag, I thought I'd lost Caden for good.
Ah, summer days. Seriously, have a refreshing adult beverage at 4pm on the patio somewhere for me!!
We're starting monsoon season apparently and it's actually been cooler here than in MN, and a little grey, cloudy and lightly rainy most days. So the trips to the pool are on hiatus although the temp still lingers around 80. Ok, but life here hasn't been all that bad either.
On Tuesday Wade and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary. As I was getting ready, our housekeeper Swapna came up and into the bathroom with cake (Cake is HUGE here)! Both she and Lokesh had brought a bouquet of flowers and an excitement that Wade and I could only marvel at. Swapna was thrilled when I agreed to sport the bindi and "married woman" marking in tumeric powder. Even Ganesh got a special blessing. I have to say the celebration was fun, and generated quite the chatter in the office with wishes of "many happy returns of the day" (the bindi smack in the middle of my forehead caught a few eyes). And when we opened the 1999 bottle of Cabernet my parents slipped into a care package, Wade and I also found excitement. Come on though, 8 years - it goes fast!!
July 10 is also my Grandpa's birthday, and had me missing home and the expected dinner with the whole family, and lunch celebration for just me and Grandpa. Not to worry Grandpa, it will be top on my list when we get home - pencil me in for lunch at Capital, and we can end my journey here just as it began!!
AND, July 10 is also my now four-year old neighbor Kay's birthday. Wade and Caden had a great time at the party. Caden had hand-picked out the present with clever observations like "girls like pink" and "Kay likes bubbles" - fun to see him getting involved. I made it home at 9 from a long day of meetings, and another hectic summer/monsoon season day had passed.
In other news, the "girls" had been planning a spa weekend for Saturday that turned into a family affair at Eagleton, a golf resort not far from town but worth an overnight in Bangalore traffic. So we all piled in and I FINALLY got in my first round of golf since moving to India. Who knew life here wouldn't be full of tee times at palm-tree lined courses?? I must not have read that contract very well... Anyhow, it was a great outing even if the golf was a lot rusty and the weather was a little overcast. Turns out golf actually isn't that popular here. But not to worry Dad, Caden is getting the itch also but we've resisted buying the little guy a bunch of sticks with metal clubs at the end and direction to hit hard balls as far as possible... for now. Otherwise, a fun time with great friends and the girls got to ride home in our own car and stop for one of these wonderful all you can eat (and drink) Bangalore brunches. I do say, Bangalore brunch rocks. Wade would like to point out, the kids car stopped at McDonald's, and the McVeggie burger did not meet expectations.
Otherwise, all non-parents stop reading!
Really.
I have to share two Caden stories... getting him into bed the other night with his stuffed dog (Ralph) that I bought when he "was just a little baby in my belly." He asks in his quizzical way, "how big was I when I came our your mouth?"
Angela: "Uh...you weren't very big when you were born."
And on our way home from the store on Saturday, this high-pitched French-accented voice shouts out "Cad-en, Cade-en" from the back of a scooter and Caden takes off running at full speed like he's running for life. We catch up to Pauline from his school and Caden begins to hop on one foot and exclaim proudly "I can hop on one foot." (Apparently, when you're three this is how you impress girls - very smooth, huh?) I have to say, the little guy was quite smitten with Pauline and followed her around the playground dutifully. And when she pulled out a nerf dart gun from her bag, I thought I'd lost Caden for good.
Ah, summer days. Seriously, have a refreshing adult beverage at 4pm on the patio somewhere for me!!
Sunday, July 1, 2007
A good Saturday
A number of new friends have joined us in Bangalore recently, both from work and of the "small world" kind. This, coupled with the upcoming Independence day, seemed good reason to have a BBQ and some apple pie. This being India, we got together with our best friends here and called the party planner to make arrangements. Because in addition to burgers (beef and veggie), salad, and apple pie, to have a gathering here you need balloons clustered in red, white and blue, and also in green, white and saffron, hand-painted replicas of both flags, a tent and of course - a face painter!
At the end of a very long week, it was just what we needed - a strong reminder of the wonderful friends we've met here from all over the world: Indian, American, French, Columbian, Irish, Korean, German, Canadian and so on. Ours is a vibrant and dynamic community filled with warm and supportive people. No one ever said living 9,000 miles from home would be easy, but it's times like this, surrounded by love and friendship, that I'm proud to call Bangalore home.
At the end of a very long week, it was just what we needed - a strong reminder of the wonderful friends we've met here from all over the world: Indian, American, French, Columbian, Irish, Korean, German, Canadian and so on. Ours is a vibrant and dynamic community filled with warm and supportive people. No one ever said living 9,000 miles from home would be easy, but it's times like this, surrounded by love and friendship, that I'm proud to call Bangalore home.
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