8.25.2013

Picture of the Week: Pooja

Last Saturday morning a stronger than usual smell of incense was wafting under our door. A louder than usual chanting was echoing the halls. "Is that in our building?" It was eerie. We are surrounded by the worship ceremonies of Hinduism, the "pooja", but it hadn't been this close to home, in this intensity.

The designs on the floor are worship, the fresh flowers are worship,
the idols and picture are of Ganesha (removed of obstacles)
As we left for a morning excursion, we saw the five priests leaving the building too. They donned motorcycle helmets and button down shirts, but wore the traditional wrapping (toga-like) of holy men, their faces dotted with sacred dye and smelling of charcoal and incense. Later that day I went down a floor to my friend, Hari's house. The door was open, the idols adorned with fresh flowers and a huge pile of ash was being swept up right in the middle of their living room floor. "What happened?"

Hari's mother-in-law, Lakshmi told me about the pooja that had been performed that morning. "It is for the whole building. For prosperity and longevity. Now we are cleansed." They had offered ghee, jaggery, seeds, flowers, etc into this holy fire to appease Shiva, the god of war (among other things).


I knew I would encounter this here. I just didn't know it would be so jarring. I didn't know I would be inviting my friend to a movie-night while her househelper swept away ash and burnt offerings. I didn't know I would feel so suppressed by the chanting and really really want to pray.

We are surrounded in a sense. Yet the God who made the flowers, the wood that was burnt, the jaggery, the ghee and my neighbors is much closer and much more powerful and cleansing than a pooja can ever be. 

8.21.2013

A Capital Achievement!

It took a long time coming. Two continents and about a year later we have finished the alphabet...capital letters. Next on our list: lowercase. Then, according to Lydia, "ALL the numbers...even 17!". 


Honestly, these 26 letters have been one of the most fun projects Mommy and Lydia have done together. I have learned to let go of control (like when she colored outside the lines or wanted the egg to have a green hue!) and Lydia has learned how to use a glue stick, how to curl paper, how to follow instructions...and I suppose she has learned her alphabet. But more than purely an educational endeavor, this magnum opus has been a time of fun and bonding...from A to Z. 


And for those who wish to know: 
A: Alligator
B: Butterfly
C: Caterpillar
D: Dog
E: Egg
F: Flower
G: Grass
H: House
I: Ice Cream
J: Jump
K: Kite
L: Leaves
M: Mouse
N: Night
O: Octopus
P: Piano
Q: Queen and Quilt
R: River
S: Snake
T: Train
U: Unicycle
V: Vine
W: Watermelon
X: X-ray
Y: Yarn
Z: Zipper

8.20.2013

Second World Problems

I don't mean this in a sarcastic way, but I like not having fitted sheets (basically impossible to find here), because in my "old life" I really hated folding them. I didn't like loosing pink princess socks in them. I didn't like how they stacked weird in my linen closet. And I certainly didn't like fighting with them to go over my mattress when I made the bed.

This thought occurred to me yesterday while I was folding Molly's sheets (fitted...brought from the States). I was genuinely grateful, ok with one of the thousands of small things we do without.

I'm happy we can't find ricotta cheese here because paneer (a local cheese) makes much better lasagna. Which by the way, you can find lasagna noodles here, but they are very expensive. So I make my own; and that's definitely better. I like the inconvenience of walking to the store nearly every day and the unavailability of easy snacks. Ok, that's a lie. I am frustrated by it. But, big picture, I'm losing weight, getting my kids outside for a neighborhood adventure, getting to know people and eating many more bananas (which has to be a good thing right?).

I like not being able to find chocolate chips, marshmallows or magazines because when you share your care packages wares with your American friends they are even more grateful. Rice Krispy treats are a big deal.

I like going to the roof to hang out my clothes. I get to meet my neighbors. I like not having a Target or Walmart. I get to know the "light bulb shop", the "fruit stand", the "contact lens solution store", the "Brian's deodorant store", and the "place to get hot dogs"...which is different than the "place to get hot dog buns".

I am not always making lemonade out of lemons (which by the way, are extremely small here and are more like limes...), but these problems, this lack, these inconveniences are coated in grace. So I fold laundry and I am thankful. I make supper and I rejoice. I pray God would continue to show Himself to me in the mundane...cheese, walks, and sheets.


8.18.2013

Picture of the Week: Language

How do you spend your Saturday night?

I spend mine doing my language homework. Writing all the consonants with their vowel signs. Yes, there are not only vowels, but vowel signs (like vowel contractions). Apparently there are half-letters too...but I haven't got there yet.

So far in this language, I can say: "Hi. My name is Mandy. What is your name? How are you? I am fine." Also, random ones: "Fish. Cat. Boy. Beautiful girl. Princess." And my favorite: "Get away pigeon!"

Feeling very prepared for whatever this country can throw at me. 

8.14.2013

Picture of the Week: Visa Run

Ok, sorry blog fans. We are back. We were hosting guests, then I was sick, then we went to Malaysia...no time to blog.

So here is a very cute picture of Molly. She is cute in any country, but here in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Malaysia she just seems to be having a good time. Every six months we have a built in vacation due to the nature of our visas. Just about everyone on the team was due for one and so we lumped a visa run with a team retreat and a much needed vacation. The result: 5 days in a Malaysian beach resort.

It was cost effective, fun, relaxing, team-building and well, necessary.

See bonus pictures below (as a reward for your patience). :)
The Stock Girls...in bathing suits
funny faces, cute suits


beautiful
A playground with no broken equipment, no power lines exposed, no rabid dogs...
Brian ordered a kids meal...real beef burger (He was so excited he took a picture)



Lyd and pals (Lily and Ada)

8.02.2013

One



Hello world, 


Today, I turn ONE. 
Happy Birthday me.
Lets all smile, I sure am!
And Go Tigers!

Peace out,
molly


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