Another day in Paradise

8/11/09
Proverbs 11:14 for lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.
Proverbs 11:25 a generous person will prosper; one who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Watching the children eat, especially the little ones in the nursery is difficult. A teacher hits them with a wooden stick until they eat all their food. I feel conflicted.



I brought water color pencils to school today. These children are really talented and so sweet.























Rocio called me Satan today. After being called impatient and aggressive last week. I need to SHUT UP.
8pm I just ate a great meal. Dahl and sizzling veggies and a fruit drink. I'm stuffed. No water again tonight, another bucket shower.
I actually had to wash my clothes in a plastic shopping bag today. Everything is so complicated and long. PATIENCE is a virtue.
9:30pm Pam from Ping, gave me hope today or yesterday after my panic attack, I need to email her.
I killed a moth for Rocio who freaks out about them and it was lying on the floor. She yelled "kill it more!" How do you kill something that is already dead? This heat is making us loosey goosey.
I have a blister on the bottom of my big toe which sucks because I have to walk about 10 blocks total tomorrow which isn't long but on these sidewalks its rough terrain. Jesus - please heal me. Thank you Holy Spirit.

8/12/09

"What you fear will appear, what you resist will persist" Happy Yoga by Steve Ross

Rocio is leaving early. She really hates it here, kinda bumbed out but that is life. These mattresses are probably 100 years old and I keep getting bed bug bites- yuck



My arms feel like they are sunburned. I believe it's the malaria meds, makes me sensitive to the sun even though I'm wearing long sleeves. Today I want to work one on one with Nasreem to paint a bird. Hope all goes well. (didn't happen). I have to take a shower after the school because it is so very dirty and then go to Mother Teresa's. I want to get to know the women there too. Maybe see some sites with them since this crowd of volunteers are doing their own thing. (MT didn't happen)
Trevor is sick and staying at another place with A/C. Mara and Arjun are a cute 20 year old couple. He has family here so they spend a lot of time there and then Rocio my roommate. She's leaving.
5pm Happy yoga pg 90 "Being acutely aware of one's behavior is one of the most simple of wisdoms."
I don't know whats with me today but I've been extremely tired ever since I woke up.
School today was my first time with Kindergarden class. I couldn't keep their attention so I got the camera out and took pix. A big success.

At break I pulled out my spray first aid stick. I used the entire stick spraying boils on at least 30 kids, very sad. I helped serve lunch. There was a 4 year old girl who kept falling asleep eating and her head and face were full of food.
We had Chinese for lunch. It was ok, I still like JoJo's the best.
Mara, Arjun and I went to a hookah bar and smoked blackberry. I came back and fell asleep at 6:30pm. Woke up again at 9:30, now it's 11:30. Mara just came back with India sweets - wow are they sweet and the textures are like very moist cake. I really didn't care for them.

8/15/09

India Independence Day - no school today, just a little program for the directors of the school. I will go to support the children.











These kids are so cute!!

Last night every muscle and joint in my body ached. I have some kinda bug that there is no cure for. I have to wait it out. I want to investigate a parasite cleanse when I get home. (post note - At Tuesday meeting Vishal gave me 10k Rupees approximately $200 US. I can relax about money now. I need to send $200 to GVN.)
Since Rocio is leaving early, Tever is in another hotel sick and Mara/Arjun are leaving the 29th, I have the last weekend to myself. I found an excursion to a beach. I'm going to look at prices. It might be fun to get away from the city for a day and see other parts of India.

We had a meeting at St Pauls today with David, another person who runs 11 slum schools. He was very informative about the process, political, religious and corruption. We will visit some of his projects Thursday afternoon.
I got the money to transfer to GVN so all of that financial mess is behind me. I've been painting today. My joints are so stiff from the bug bites I get at night. I believe it's the mattress so there isn't much I can do about it.



It rained really hard this morning so it doesn't seem as hot but it's still blistering hot and the malaria meds make my skin feel like its on fire.
I'm hungry. I am waiting for Rocio to get back so we can eat together. Nap time...
Went to Flurry's - great sandwiches, but dessert wasn't too good. We laughed at all our melt downs. I called the passport doctor and told them about my skin. I have to call tonight to see what they say. In the mean time I will attempt to find burn cream.
I had my first experience with a public squat toilet. There were no lights, no sink, no toilet paper and no trash can, not to mention no water to flush my waste away...Lord have Mercy.

8/14/09 and 8/15/09 -

I have my dates messed up a bit...
8/14/09
Proverbs 14:31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
Today was dance day @ school and we Americans got up and did the Macaraina, the kids loved it. Ate at Flurry's again, omelet and toast, yum yum. My pillow is so lumpy. Rocio said it was made of rat hair. I'll have trouble putting my head on it from now until she leaves when I take her pillow.
I just went out to buy the girls a little coin purse, soap, lotion and little painted card for each of them.
We're going out tonight to a club, should be interesting, after the club we'll go to Hookah bar. I need a nap.
Went to Fung Chu for Yoseph's last dinner. It was ok, too many fried things. After we went to Hookah bar and smoked plum and laughed and laughed. Arjun thew a water bottle on the floor to wake the owner of the shop up and she yelled some babble, it was funny. Then we went to a disco bar and had a drink. It wasn't crowded so we went upstairs to a rock bar that was stinky (beyond BO stinky) and the music was too loud so we went to a metro tech music bar. It was dead so we went to the Aqua bar outside and sat by the pool in a cabana having shots. The town closed early due to Independence Day. We got to the Y and had to ring the bell to get inside. I wished the guard "Happy New Year" everyone laughed at me, it's Independence Day.

8/15/09
I didn't want to get up this morning but I promised the little girls I would. I dressed in all white with an orange and green scarf to match the India flag. The girls were in their sarees and so cute dancing. Then the monsoon came, I'm in the slums wearing all white and the one time I could use the rainbow designed rain boots, of course I didn't have them so I rolled up my pants and walked ankle deep in the streets - yuck. I've seen people piss and shit around here, can't wait to get back to the Y to wash my feet and shoes.
Still raining a noon and I need coffee in the worst way. Finally at 2pm coffee!!! I came back and washed whites as best I could. My hand washing skills suck. I painted and made 5 little packs with paintings, card, bangle, soap, tea, lotion and a mint with the coin purse for the girls.
6:30pm - still raining. It's 82 outside and feels like 98. I'm getting soup and juice for dinner. The trip to the beach is 4k rupees around $80 to go on a boat ride, beach, A/C hotel and food. I'm going either next weekend or my last if a group is going. Please Lord, let this work out for me if it is Your will.
11:30pm - there was a good looking black man at JoJo's. He and I were the only ones in the place. Then 2 more black guys come in and they start talking to me and then all of them joined me at my table. They are from Africa and play soccer. I got all their names and numbers. They paid for my dinner, nice little surprise. Mara and Arjun said they would go to the beach with me, I'm excited. All and all it was a good day. I picked two giant grapefruits from the tree outside and ate them with Rocio, delicious!!! Fresh Fruit!!! Yeah


I put the camera on the grapefruit to show how big they are.

8/16/09 and 8/17/09

Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

Last night the winds and rain slammed the window twice. Anyone who knows me knows how jumpy I am and needless to say I screamed twice. I'm sure my roommate was a little freaked by my outburst. She woke up to it raining on her feet. I find that pretty funny.
4:30am - awake and sore throat. Took cold meds from US. I have to get this thing under control. At least my bowel is moving again and I have a fix on the hot skin if it arises.
5:45am - Just finished yoga and I'm sitting on the porch reading the Bible and Happy Yoga with the rain coming down and the wind blowing - a beautiful cool morning.
"Energy, attention and awareness are keystones of a yoga practice"
"Once you are no longer desperately seeking satisfaction, but feeling satisfied, the world will do everything it can to further satisfy you."
"Having can take you to a place of maturity where you can deal with deeper questions of existence and attain enlightenment."
"Thats why yogic saints look at you with a twinkle in their eye that say "come on, I know you're God, quit playing around with me." Happy Yoga

I went to the Internet Cafe, got update on Bunny. She' getting out of the closet more. Lots of emails from Lew. I'll look at them later. Still can't get to Chase online. I got all the volunteers on facebook taken care of. Went to travel guide and had ginger tea and talked about slum kids and got more acquainted with Shabir.
I ran into Arjun and Mara so I had tea while they ate breakfast at Flurry's. Rocio has check out. 2 day now, in bed. She said she had an upset stomach but I believe she just wants to go home yesterday or 2 weeks ago.
I bought a bamboo flute and I'm trying to remember Row Row Row your Boat for school but the sore throat is stopping me today. The rain was coming down so hard coming back to the Y I could have used my rain boots (again).
I'm going to take more cold meds and take a nap. I think I'll do soup again for dinner with juice. That seems to work for me right now.
The soup wasn't that great and I had a beer which wasn't too smart. Where is my life going?


8/17 - to answer my question - straight to HELL
I woke up late and did not want to get up. No water again!, no yoga. School - had the nursery again...

I've relinquish control - it's no use.

I got to spend a few hours with the older kids.



Rocio left school early today due to stomach problems which she had all weekend long. She just wants to go home.

Met up with everyone to go to the Horwah Bridge. It wasn't a very pleasant cab ride there, it took an hour to get there and 200RS, only 50RS to come back, in other words, we got taken for a ride. We ended up at the train station and had sweets. I finally found one that I like called 'cream chops'.







Came back to the Y and rinsed off and took a nap while everyone else went to lunch. We had our Monday night meeting at the coffee shop. Trevor finally joined us and is going to the beach with us.
Get back to the Y at 9:30, no water AGAIN! Bucket shower and washing of the clothes ARGH!

8/18/09

6:30am No Fricken Water- UGH!

Went to St. Paul's - this was on the wall:
HOW WE WORK
Go to the People
Live among the people
Plan with the people
Work with the people
Start with what the people know
Build on what the people have
Teach by showing
Let them learn by doing.

Went to a different slum school today run by St. Paul's. Quite impressive. Has Samosa and chai on the sidewalk with Vishal. A lovely experience.

8/19/09

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

Today is report card day. I'm the only one going to the school. I want to meet the parents and the children want to introduce me to their parents. Four times now I've had the feeling, thought, awareness of belonging here, truly belonging, like the 1st time in my life.
While Rocio is happily packing I will miss making her laugh. I need positive reinforcements. Next week will be different and I believe the most impactful since it will be my last.
I'm eating breakfast at Flurry's alone today. I met the parents and spoke Muslim and I'm sure I said things wrong but the parents were gracious and smiled.

Compulsive thinking distracts you from true issues:
Who are you?
Why are you here?
What is life?
What is death?
What is real?

Rocio told me I was going to fall in love with an Indian. I told her my concerns and this is the advise she gave...."Don't sleep with a man in a skirt" Believe me Rocio, I won't even consider it.




Byebye Rocio, I will miss you!

8/20/09

Today I didn't want to get up again, went to school and turned around and came back. Laid around most the day. Gotta pay for trip to beach tonight. I treated everyone to dinner last night at Peter Cat. My meal was horrible. I got the veggie sizzler but all the veggies were smashed up and I didn't know what I was eating. I want JoJo's!!
9:46pm - We paid for trip, had chai, went to Blue Sky Cafe and had a great meal. We were greeted by hookers on our way home. I went to the grocery store and purchased coconut oil for my hair. No roomie to talk to - sleep time.
Midnight - Long time to get to sleep.

8/22/09

6am -On the road in a brand new car. I'm riding in the back so I see everything as we pass it. Arjun made a statement "oh yeah, that's when Michael Jackson was black" - don't know why that was odd, but I did find that statement rather odd.
Our first stop for chai tea and toast - these bike carts came up behind us and this was my view while eating toast.



The roads are two lane and we're passing people walking, bikes, cows and goats on the road and no one gets hurt.

We have to wait for a ferry to cross a river for over an hour. At least the sights were pretty.



We arrive at 11am and eat breakfast. Took a nap then went to the beach via bike carriage.


I wasn't that impressed with the beach, I've never seen water and sand the same color before. What was I expecting in India anyway?



The rice paddy fields were pretty on the way back to the hotel.



So I have this little fantasy going on with our tour guide, Shabir. He approached me at the beach, one thing lead to another and he wanted to hook up. I've been 2 years and 8 months without so much as a kiss. All I could think of is Rocio telling me I was going to fall in love in India....I'm sure. Anyway, here is his picture.

8/21/09

Mara and I ate at Blue Sky Cafe (BSC) this morning. We normally don't have breakfast but found out they open at 6:30 so we have fuel now. We had peanutbutter and honey toast with a banana chocolate pancake and COFFEE!! Yeah!
We went to school hyped up on sugar and cafine. Of course, we had the nursery again. I taught them the hokie-pokie and you would have thought Santa Clause was in town, they ate it up.
Came back and packed a bag for the beach trip then had lunch at BSC. Yellow Dahl, nan and juice, cheap and delicious.
I miss you BUNNY!!!

8/22/09

Breakfast was loaded with ants. I think I ate a few. We ended up with Jim Jam crackers and lots of Chai tea. I'm wired for our boat ride and I'm enjoying the secret naughty looks Shabir is giving me.
10:35am The boat ride was interesting. The plastic container with gasoline and motor were exposed to us. It was loud, the fumes were gross and most everyone thought they would be sea sick. I felt great, I love being on the water.(click to see video)



We stopped at a sand island and everyone got off the boat but me. I had yellow pants on that if wet, would be see through. The sun is out and it's blazing. I'd be burnt withing the hour I'm so white.







The boat ride back one of the passengers got sea sick, I just had to look the other way. My feet are sunburned and my forearms are tan. Before we left for the boat ride everyone put their things in my room. We are all waiting for lunch. Lunch was the same as dinner. We were really disappointed in the food this trip. We were told we could order what we wanted (fresh fruit and veggies) but that didn't happen. After lunch we all went back up to my room for Beer and Vodka and got a little silly.





Once we left the hotel we went to a 'tower' which was only 3 floors high WooHoo!


Waiting for the ferry on the way back we were entertained with music.



One the road again, got back to the Y at 8pm. I'm showered off and tired. It was a long weekend - bazaar, but fun. Rocio wouldn't have liked it much but she'll have a good laugh at our expense.

8/24/09

I woke up with Shabir in my brain. Like he could see what I was doing, seriously seeing me. I did yoga and got ready for school. While Mara and I were walking down the street we here "HelOOOO, HelOOOO" then a car honk, it was our driver from the weekend. Then a French man asked us where the French Bistro was - I couldn't help but laugh. We directed him to Flury's which wasn't opened and told him we were going to BSC which served crapes. He didn't want crapes he wanted croissants. We had fruit salad for breakfast. It wasn't very sweet so I got honey on mine and the waiter drown my fruit in honey.
The cab driver to the school was looking for an American girlfriend. We told him we were married.
At school, Rina told me they needed me at the school. I was good at teaching the nursery English. I told her I needed to learn their language in order to control them and make them behave. She said I could learn alot from these little 3 and 4 year olds. If God wants me here, I know he will open every door that needs to be opened and closure on the things that need closure. God will provide of my needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. I have faith.

We're supposed to go to the Flower Market Today....
"If we want there to be peace in the world, we have to be brave enough to soften what is ridge in our hearts, to find the soft sport and stay with it. We have to have that kind of courage and take that kind of responsibility. That's the true practice of peace." Perna Chodron Practicing Peace in Times of War.
We took a cab to the train station and got sweets, they are soooo good, now we're going to eat lunch and try to find the flower market. Lunch was horrible. We walked over the Howarh Bridge. There was a guy Mara had to find out what he did so I played the sucker and 25 rupees later a parrot came out of his cage and picked a card. The man spoke gibberish and I asked "English" he said "Good Luck" that's it. Then he tried to scam me outta 100Rs for a ring. Not gonna happen.

We get over the bridge and found the flower market. It was crowded but smelled sweet. I was overloaded with senses and 3 little boys grabbed my arm. I yelled "GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME NOW." They were asking for money. I said "YOU DON"T GRAB FOR MONEY YOU ASK...and the answer is NO." They crossed their arms and pouted.
All the guys ignored me and poured their affections on Mara. I'm old enough to be her mother, makes sense but still feels like I'm being ignored. It's OK though, I don't need the attention. All in all it was a great day with Mara.









We go to Jane and Alan's house for dinner. I purchased flowers for 100rs but they are wilting quickly.
I just finished washing most the clothes from the weekend. I still have the red shirt to wash. It bleeds so I'll do it tonight. My hand washing skills still suck and my clothes are dirty and falling apart.
Tomorrow I see Shabir to share pictures. Hope the communication is better.
The cab ride to Jane and Alan's had a gas leak and I smelled like gasoline the rest of the night, I felt sick to my stomach. I still talk too much.

8/25/09

I'm tired this morning, didn't sleep well and didn't do yoga today. I had banana, peanut and honey toast and coffee for breakfast. School was strange. We did get a lot of bookmarks done for the project to sponsor their education but the feeling of the teachers was mean. I sat with Anu and told her my concerns, she is leaving the end of September and I fear this school will fall apart.









I love these little kids with all my heart.

8/26/09

OMG, I am soooOOoo tired. The dogs woke me up at 2am, 2:30am then I had a bad dream where goats were chasing me, then I saw a goat coming out of my closet. I couldn't sleep after that.
3am Dogs-UGH,
4:15am dogs AGAIN
4:30am finally got up and did yoga and read.
No water this morning. I'm sticky and tired and need coffee ASAP!
Paid for breakfast and got to school late. No Anu, no direction from teachers. I'll sit and draw what is in front of me.



We visited the slum houses today. It started raining and I was soaking wet.









I miss Bunny. Bunny I love you, come out and play Bunny!!