Ok Last post - everyone healthy? Yeah right. I posted that too soon! I am now going through what both Richard and Sophia went through the past week, but I get to have both of their symptoms. It started Saturday night when I felt a bit nauseous and my back felt like it had been struck by a 2 x 4. Not Good. I took a Doan's PM and Richard was kind enough to take care of Sophia yesterday morning.
I woke up Sunday morning, feeling better. We went about our business and had lunch as scheduled with some potential new Ex-pats to Chennai and then Richard went to get his tattoo re-inked as it had faded pretty badly. I still felt OK. Sophia and I had gone home to let her run around a bit and then we headed back into the city to get Rich. He called us at 6:00 to say they had just finished the touch-up and said to go get something to eat while they started working on his new one. Sophia and I went to Sparky's and got our food. I felt a bit queasy and rumbly, but thought it was probably just hunger. WRONG!
We get food for Rich and head over to Irezumi (tattoo/piercing parlor here). We wait for Rich to get finished and then head home. When we are almost home - cramps kicked in. Not good. We get home. I tuck Sophia in and run to the bathroom. This by the way is where I spent most of the night. Again - Not good.
Thinking Sophia would wake me up about 7am this morning I kind of dozed off. I wake up at 8am. She has to be to school at 8:30 and she's snoozing away. After a mad dash around the house, I get her ready and me stable enough to take her to school. It looks like another fun day ahead! Let's hope this doesn't hang on all week!
Monday, July 30, 2007
Saturday, July 28, 2007
All's Well!!!
Yesterday Sophia finally started acting like herself. And NO VOMITING! She is once again yelling to get our attention and giving orders. Yup, back to herself! She even ate 2 slices of pizza last night.
Richard has begun ayurvedic treatments for his sinuses and today is also getting a massage. You wouldn't believe the gunk that is coming out! He was so clogged up at the last treatment, they told him he will need to come back a couple of times to get it completely cleared up. Hey, if it's working that well, I may need to try it!
Other than that - not much to report. We're simply glad to have everyone happy and healthy again! Let's hope it stays this way for awhile.
Richard has begun ayurvedic treatments for his sinuses and today is also getting a massage. You wouldn't believe the gunk that is coming out! He was so clogged up at the last treatment, they told him he will need to come back a couple of times to get it completely cleared up. Hey, if it's working that well, I may need to try it!
Other than that - not much to report. We're simply glad to have everyone happy and healthy again! Let's hope it stays this way for awhile.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
All That's fit to Print
Yesterday I went on an interview with the New Indian Times to do a piece about OWC. What I didn't expect is a photographer there the whole time snapping pictures while I was answering her questions about OWC and what we do. I have to say it was a bit unnerving and then everyone else in the cafe kept looking at me wondering just who and the heck I was! I think the interview went well though and we should get some good press of OWC.
On the home side - Sophia is still battling tummy troubles. I'm not sure what else to do for her other than keep her home. I make sure she sips liquids and try to get her to eat some bland solids, but she doesn't seem to want to eat. Last night she seemed fine and even ate dinner really well. After dinner, we played and had a bath, still fine. But right after she wanted to go to bed is when the fun began. The poor girl had it coming from both sides. I hope whatever this is gets out of her system soon!
On the home side - Sophia is still battling tummy troubles. I'm not sure what else to do for her other than keep her home. I make sure she sips liquids and try to get her to eat some bland solids, but she doesn't seem to want to eat. Last night she seemed fine and even ate dinner really well. After dinner, we played and had a bath, still fine. But right after she wanted to go to bed is when the fun began. The poor girl had it coming from both sides. I hope whatever this is gets out of her system soon!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Houston We Have a Problem.
Off to Immigration I went. iPod and fan in hand to patiently wait our turn to go up and get our Visa Extensions stamped. When I got into the van the first thing I notice is the fumes. I think when our driver went to get diesel for the generator - there was a bit of spillage in the back. Not good. I crack the window as much as I dare and slowly start to feel the effects of the fumes.
I get to immigration early and Rich arrives shortly after. Our agent gets there and goes in to get our visas. She comes out a while later and says, they have Richard's but not yours. They were stating that the letter was written only to extend his visa, not mine. She told them to hunt down the letter to Delhi proving this was the case, but somehow the gentlemen who had this letter and the letter had disappeared. Rich was able to go ahead and get his stamped and is set to go until June 7, 2008.
Luckily, my visa is currently good until September and our agent said that wit should be resolved in the next couple weeks. Especially since Rich had received his visa and Sophia hers - this proves there was a communication glitch with the Delhi office. She will work on this and contact us when it's resolved. Oh the joys of Bureaucracy! That being said, I'm told the US Immigration office is just as bad if not worse, somehow, I don't doubt this!
Home again, Home again. The rest of the evening was pretty uneventful. We warmed up left over chili and made some eggs for Sophia. She fell asleep in the chair at 8pm and Rich wasn't far behind. The best part - we get to do it all over again!
I get to immigration early and Rich arrives shortly after. Our agent gets there and goes in to get our visas. She comes out a while later and says, they have Richard's but not yours. They were stating that the letter was written only to extend his visa, not mine. She told them to hunt down the letter to Delhi proving this was the case, but somehow the gentlemen who had this letter and the letter had disappeared. Rich was able to go ahead and get his stamped and is set to go until June 7, 2008.
Luckily, my visa is currently good until September and our agent said that wit should be resolved in the next couple weeks. Especially since Rich had received his visa and Sophia hers - this proves there was a communication glitch with the Delhi office. She will work on this and contact us when it's resolved. Oh the joys of Bureaucracy! That being said, I'm told the US Immigration office is just as bad if not worse, somehow, I don't doubt this!
Home again, Home again. The rest of the evening was pretty uneventful. We warmed up left over chili and made some eggs for Sophia. She fell asleep in the chair at 8pm and Rich wasn't far behind. The best part - we get to do it all over again!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Weekend Update with....
When we arrived back we were told monsoon fever was going around. What this amounts to is lots of viral fever and nausea related to the weather change and all of the dampness. I thought we might be able to avoid it as we didn't seem to have any issues last year....No Such luck!
Friday night we were supposed to attend a BBSC event, but Rich came home and looked like death. He was nauseous and said his whole body ached. He went to bed at about 8 and fell asleep. Sophia wasn't far behind him. At 2am Sophia woke screaming. I went in and she felt warm. I took her temp - 102.2F. I got out the Motrin and cuddled her until she fell asleep.
Saturday - Rich was feeling better and we did end up going out to a going away dinner for one of his co-workers. Sophia still battled fever off and on but we kept it at bay with Tylenol and Motrin. (Thanks Dr. Patel for that little trick!). She stayed the evening with Josephine and she was fine.
Sunday - Sophia seemed better. Rich seemed better. R came over for dinner that night. We made Chili, cornbread and brownies. Afterwards Sophia started watching Aladdin and while I was picking up the dishes started screaming bloody murder. Daddy came running with her. When she hasn't fallen and is screaming like that, it means you have about 30 seconds to get to a bathroom for her to throw up. She threw up and then cuddled with me the rest of the night.
Today I'm keeping her home and letter her just take things at her own pace. Later I have to meet Richard at Immigration to get our extension on our Visas - let's hope this all goes with out a glitch!
Friday night we were supposed to attend a BBSC event, but Rich came home and looked like death. He was nauseous and said his whole body ached. He went to bed at about 8 and fell asleep. Sophia wasn't far behind him. At 2am Sophia woke screaming. I went in and she felt warm. I took her temp - 102.2F. I got out the Motrin and cuddled her until she fell asleep.
Saturday - Rich was feeling better and we did end up going out to a going away dinner for one of his co-workers. Sophia still battled fever off and on but we kept it at bay with Tylenol and Motrin. (Thanks Dr. Patel for that little trick!). She stayed the evening with Josephine and she was fine.
Sunday - Sophia seemed better. Rich seemed better. R came over for dinner that night. We made Chili, cornbread and brownies. Afterwards Sophia started watching Aladdin and while I was picking up the dishes started screaming bloody murder. Daddy came running with her. When she hasn't fallen and is screaming like that, it means you have about 30 seconds to get to a bathroom for her to throw up. She threw up and then cuddled with me the rest of the night.
Today I'm keeping her home and letter her just take things at her own pace. Later I have to meet Richard at Immigration to get our extension on our Visas - let's hope this all goes with out a glitch!
Saturday, July 21, 2007
The Best Kept Secrets In India
Ok - I don't like to be too negative as this only gets things on a roll, but I do have to tell about my biggest gripe here in India.
The manuals for any appliance or piece of equipment in the US are usually very detailed as of all the error that can appear or issues that may happen. It will say when you get this error - do this to remedy the situation. In India - if you look to a manual for troubleshooting they usually have a few questions - is the power connected? Is the water connected (in the case of the washing machine) and have you tried it in another outlet? If any of these do not fix the issue, please contact your service provider.
When you do contact the service provider, they state they will have someone call to set up an appt. with you within 24 hrs. For those of you who have ever lived in India - time is not relevant. I had specifically told the washing machine guy and the Tata Sky guy the repairmen need to be here before 12pm. It's now 12:30 - no calls, no repairmen.
When I spoke with them on the phone yesterday I already had issues. With the Whirlpool people, I asked what the f3 error meant. No one could seem to tell me, only thing they would say is that there would be a Rs.285 inspection fee. They gave me another number to call saying they could tell me what the error was. This person said we'll send someone to come fix. I asked what the error meant, and they said, we will send someone to come fix. When I pressed to get an answer they told me to call the service center, who just told me to call them. (Do you see where this is going?) I told them I need to know what this error is so when the servicemen come to fix it and there is a cost I have an estimate of the cost to be sure I can pay them. I received the answer of I'll call you back in 10min. No one ever did.
I talked then with Tata sky. They gave me the run around asking if I had checked the outlet, plugged it in somewhere else, etc. I told them I have done everything his repair person had done in the past and they needed to send someone with yet our 3rd box. They promised me we'd have someone here between 10am-12pm the next day.
Fast forward to today. I start making calls. The Tata sky people tell me their system is down and they are not able to access my complaint. I need to call back in 30min. and they will be able to assist me at that time. OK, fine - timer has begun.
I call the whirlpool quality people (the people actually responsible for coming to our place.) I asked why no one has come. They first act as though they have no idea what this about, and then tell me all of the supervisors are in meeting and they will call me back in 10min. Another timer running. I told them if I did not hear back from them, I would be calling as their 10min. the previous day resulted in no phone call.
Time passes - No call - I call Whirlpool. They have taken the phone off the hook. I then call the mobile number I have for that location. He acts oblivious and tells me I should call the service center. I told him wrong answer, he need to answer to why I was lied to 10min. ago. He says he will look into in and then call back in 5min. I told him if we didn't receive a call back, he would be hearing from us and then he would have to speak with my husband.
30 mins. from Tata sky call - I call back. I said, "before I get into the explanation, are your systems up and running to where you could research my complaint." He said "no ma'am, we are having technical difficulties, please call back in 30mins." After everything that has been happening I hit the roof. I said "I was told call in 30 mins., 30 mins. ago." He said, "technical difficulties, call back in 30min." I said, "do you even know what the problem is and when it will be fixed?" He stared into some long round about answer that was truly no answer at all. I stopped him and said, "I simply want to know, yes or no - do you know what the problem is and how long it will take to get fixed." My answer was call back 30mins. from now. I repeated I want a yes or no answer - he finally admitted they had no idea what the problem was or when they would be able to access the system. I said, "Simply tell me that instead of lying with 30min." I also stated I was amazed that this is the computer help center of the world and they can't even get their own systems running. Basically I had lost hope for seeing this repairman at all.
Time is up for Whirlpool. I called the man back and informed him his 5mins. were up and I now have my husband to talk to him. Boy did Rich lay into him and he got sent to another person. When he talked with the manager he said someone would be coming between 2-3pm. (Translation 5pm or later). Rich laid into him how he wasn't keeping a promised appt. and that if someone wasn't here in 1/2hr how then he would get a call and then be really irate! He also informed the guy we would not be paying the inspection fee.
While he's dealing with them...other land line rings. Tata sky repairman, I will be there in 2hrs. I asked why he missed the 10-12 appt. he said, I will be there 2-3hrs. I asked him if he had been told to be here between 10-12. He said yes. "Look at your watch, what time is it now?" "1:30 madam." "Where are you now?" "in an auto" "No, where in the auto are you?" "Mount Road." "It takes 30-40minutes to get to our home from there. You have this amount of time to arrive and fix the problem."
Moving forward- Tata Sky guy arrives - goes over all the things we told him we already did and replaces the box. Shortly after, Whirlpool guys arrive. They look at the machine and say - oh, your water intake filter is plugged, and drain it into a bucket and hook it back up. Amazing! Rich said, you know, we asked yesterday what this error meant and if someone had simply told us to do this yesterday, you could have saved a trip. They did put in a water softener for the machine and that will help keep the dinginess out of the clothes, so I am ok with that.
All the repairs are now finished and we can finally get ready to go out and have a nice anniversary dinner!
Keep in mind the best kept secret in India - if you can fix it yourself, we don't have jobs!
The manuals for any appliance or piece of equipment in the US are usually very detailed as of all the error that can appear or issues that may happen. It will say when you get this error - do this to remedy the situation. In India - if you look to a manual for troubleshooting they usually have a few questions - is the power connected? Is the water connected (in the case of the washing machine) and have you tried it in another outlet? If any of these do not fix the issue, please contact your service provider.
When you do contact the service provider, they state they will have someone call to set up an appt. with you within 24 hrs. For those of you who have ever lived in India - time is not relevant. I had specifically told the washing machine guy and the Tata Sky guy the repairmen need to be here before 12pm. It's now 12:30 - no calls, no repairmen.
When I spoke with them on the phone yesterday I already had issues. With the Whirlpool people, I asked what the f3 error meant. No one could seem to tell me, only thing they would say is that there would be a Rs.285 inspection fee. They gave me another number to call saying they could tell me what the error was. This person said we'll send someone to come fix. I asked what the error meant, and they said, we will send someone to come fix. When I pressed to get an answer they told me to call the service center, who just told me to call them. (Do you see where this is going?) I told them I need to know what this error is so when the servicemen come to fix it and there is a cost I have an estimate of the cost to be sure I can pay them. I received the answer of I'll call you back in 10min. No one ever did.
I talked then with Tata sky. They gave me the run around asking if I had checked the outlet, plugged it in somewhere else, etc. I told them I have done everything his repair person had done in the past and they needed to send someone with yet our 3rd box. They promised me we'd have someone here between 10am-12pm the next day.
Fast forward to today. I start making calls. The Tata sky people tell me their system is down and they are not able to access my complaint. I need to call back in 30min. and they will be able to assist me at that time. OK, fine - timer has begun.
I call the whirlpool quality people (the people actually responsible for coming to our place.) I asked why no one has come. They first act as though they have no idea what this about, and then tell me all of the supervisors are in meeting and they will call me back in 10min. Another timer running. I told them if I did not hear back from them, I would be calling as their 10min. the previous day resulted in no phone call.
Time passes - No call - I call Whirlpool. They have taken the phone off the hook. I then call the mobile number I have for that location. He acts oblivious and tells me I should call the service center. I told him wrong answer, he need to answer to why I was lied to 10min. ago. He says he will look into in and then call back in 5min. I told him if we didn't receive a call back, he would be hearing from us and then he would have to speak with my husband.
30 mins. from Tata sky call - I call back. I said, "before I get into the explanation, are your systems up and running to where you could research my complaint." He said "no ma'am, we are having technical difficulties, please call back in 30mins." After everything that has been happening I hit the roof. I said "I was told call in 30 mins., 30 mins. ago." He said, "technical difficulties, call back in 30min." I said, "do you even know what the problem is and when it will be fixed?" He stared into some long round about answer that was truly no answer at all. I stopped him and said, "I simply want to know, yes or no - do you know what the problem is and how long it will take to get fixed." My answer was call back 30mins. from now. I repeated I want a yes or no answer - he finally admitted they had no idea what the problem was or when they would be able to access the system. I said, "Simply tell me that instead of lying with 30min." I also stated I was amazed that this is the computer help center of the world and they can't even get their own systems running. Basically I had lost hope for seeing this repairman at all.
Time is up for Whirlpool. I called the man back and informed him his 5mins. were up and I now have my husband to talk to him. Boy did Rich lay into him and he got sent to another person. When he talked with the manager he said someone would be coming between 2-3pm. (Translation 5pm or later). Rich laid into him how he wasn't keeping a promised appt. and that if someone wasn't here in 1/2hr how then he would get a call and then be really irate! He also informed the guy we would not be paying the inspection fee.
While he's dealing with them...other land line rings. Tata sky repairman, I will be there in 2hrs. I asked why he missed the 10-12 appt. he said, I will be there 2-3hrs. I asked him if he had been told to be here between 10-12. He said yes. "Look at your watch, what time is it now?" "1:30 madam." "Where are you now?" "in an auto" "No, where in the auto are you?" "Mount Road." "It takes 30-40minutes to get to our home from there. You have this amount of time to arrive and fix the problem."
Moving forward- Tata Sky guy arrives - goes over all the things we told him we already did and replaces the box. Shortly after, Whirlpool guys arrive. They look at the machine and say - oh, your water intake filter is plugged, and drain it into a bucket and hook it back up. Amazing! Rich said, you know, we asked yesterday what this error meant and if someone had simply told us to do this yesterday, you could have saved a trip. They did put in a water softener for the machine and that will help keep the dinginess out of the clothes, so I am ok with that.
All the repairs are now finished and we can finally get ready to go out and have a nice anniversary dinner!
Keep in mind the best kept secret in India - if you can fix it yourself, we don't have jobs!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Getting Back to Normal
Well, jet lag is still hanging on tight, but we're moving through and getting back on track. Sophia is of course wanting to sleep all afternoon and then wake up at 3-4 am because it's about when she'd be getting up from her nap. It'll all eventually straighten out. Rich has been happy because since we're up anyway, I've been making hot breakfasts. Yesterday was pancakes and today french toast.
Sophia was excited to get back to school and has jumped into it full swing. She's excited to go and always thrilled to show us the project completed that day. Today it was a sheep that she glued cotton balls on and she is so proud!
I was really excited to go back to having Indian lunches. Today Josephine, my maid, made me crispy masala dosa and pongal. It was heavenly and surprisingly enough, I enjoyed the heat of the spices. It was strange to eat something and not have an after burn in my mouth while we were back in the states.
Our next struggle is getting back into the immigration office to extend Richard's and my visas. They would only first give us a 3 month extension and then we have to go back, pay another fee and get the 1 year extension. They gave Sophia her's straight away, but such is the way the government here works. It's best not to question it, give them what they need with a smile and move on, otherwise you're setting yourself up for trouble.
Richard also called from the car yesterday morning to tell me malaria cases are up this year. He wanted to make sure we all soaked down in insect repellent before going outside at any time. Yes, there are anti-malarial drugs you can take, but they really aren't meant for long term, are really hard on your liver and cause hallucinations. We opt to just stay inside during prime mosquito time (after dark) and if we are outside, wear lots of bug spray, and make sure not to get too run down. I think I remember being told in high school basketball by numerous people, the best offense is a good defense! It seems this also applies to surviving bug borne illnesses!
Sophia was excited to get back to school and has jumped into it full swing. She's excited to go and always thrilled to show us the project completed that day. Today it was a sheep that she glued cotton balls on and she is so proud!
I was really excited to go back to having Indian lunches. Today Josephine, my maid, made me crispy masala dosa and pongal. It was heavenly and surprisingly enough, I enjoyed the heat of the spices. It was strange to eat something and not have an after burn in my mouth while we were back in the states.
Our next struggle is getting back into the immigration office to extend Richard's and my visas. They would only first give us a 3 month extension and then we have to go back, pay another fee and get the 1 year extension. They gave Sophia her's straight away, but such is the way the government here works. It's best not to question it, give them what they need with a smile and move on, otherwise you're setting yourself up for trouble.
Richard also called from the car yesterday morning to tell me malaria cases are up this year. He wanted to make sure we all soaked down in insect repellent before going outside at any time. Yes, there are anti-malarial drugs you can take, but they really aren't meant for long term, are really hard on your liver and cause hallucinations. We opt to just stay inside during prime mosquito time (after dark) and if we are outside, wear lots of bug spray, and make sure not to get too run down. I think I remember being told in high school basketball by numerous people, the best offense is a good defense! It seems this also applies to surviving bug borne illnesses!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
We're HOME!
To quote Sophia - "I'M HOME, I'M HOME!" I've never seen a child so excited as she was to be back in India! When we left Germany she told Daddy - "We have just this plane ride, then a van ride and then I'm home and can sleep in my pink bed!"
Our flights went well and there were no major mishaps. Sophia was a bit crankier on these flights, but I suppose she was just restless from all of the driving during our vacation. All I have to say is I love coming back to visit everyone, but I really dread the flight! It's faster when we travel with the wind stream and it was 8 hours from Chicago to Frankfurt and 8 1/2hrs from Frankfurt to Chennai.
Sophia wore her cowgirl hat and would look at people, pick it up off her head and say "YEE-HAW! Ride 'em cowboy!" I guess she liked the rodeo and she also got way too many compliments. This of course egged her on. When we went through immigration before getting our baggage, the gentleman helping us looked similar to our driver Senthil. She said - look mommy - it's Senthil. I told her it may be Senthil, but not our Senthil.
By the way - we took Sophia to her first movie on the 14th. She saw Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. She's really turned into a Harry Potter nut. She often quotes the movie and quite accurately! The favorite being, " WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? YOU COULD'VE DIED! YOU COULD'VE BEEN SEEN!"
We hope everyone is doing well. There will be more later!
Our flights went well and there were no major mishaps. Sophia was a bit crankier on these flights, but I suppose she was just restless from all of the driving during our vacation. All I have to say is I love coming back to visit everyone, but I really dread the flight! It's faster when we travel with the wind stream and it was 8 hours from Chicago to Frankfurt and 8 1/2hrs from Frankfurt to Chennai.
Sophia wore her cowgirl hat and would look at people, pick it up off her head and say "YEE-HAW! Ride 'em cowboy!" I guess she liked the rodeo and she also got way too many compliments. This of course egged her on. When we went through immigration before getting our baggage, the gentleman helping us looked similar to our driver Senthil. She said - look mommy - it's Senthil. I told her it may be Senthil, but not our Senthil.
By the way - we took Sophia to her first movie on the 14th. She saw Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. She's really turned into a Harry Potter nut. She often quotes the movie and quite accurately! The favorite being, " WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? YOU COULD'VE DIED! YOU COULD'VE BEEN SEEN!"
We hope everyone is doing well. There will be more later!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Home Leave
Home Leave is a wonderful thing and a great time to recharge the batteries! We arrived the US June 22, well getting here was interesting, but we got here none the less. We started with a few days in Decatur with Rich in meetings and Sophia and I catching up with friends. Then we headed to Aurora, NE to spend some time at my Mom and Dad's.
We had so much fun there. Sophia definitely has them wrapped around her little finger! She played outside in the yard and over at the neighbor's swing set. We even got her first haircut there. Granted, they didn't take too much off, but just evened out the baby hair. It was definitely bittersweet! My little one is growing up. I even got my parents to try Indian food that I made. Mom said it was definitely more work than she was willing to do!
We then headed up to Mobridge, SD for the Fourth of July. There we met up with my sister and her fiancee who flew in from San Diego. We had a ball with them and are really looking forward to the wedding in 10 Aug 08. We had a couple of family picnics and caught up with both sides of my family. We even went to Sophia's first Rodeo. She had a ball and was screaming at the ropers "GO COWBOY, GET THEM COWS!!" she was so disappointed when they missed! The next day we went out to my aunt and uncle's ranch where she went on a horse drawn carriage ride with Grammy and Uncle Richard. She seemed a bit apprehensive but looked like she enjoyed it!
On the 6th we headed up to Bottineau, ND to see Richard's family. We stayed with his dad and got the chance to catch up with everyone here. We went to a picnic up on the lake, out for pizza, had cookouts, rode with her cousins to camp and Sophia spent lots of time playing outside with her cousins! She couldn't believe she had so much family! At one point out for pizza she looked down the table of 16 and said "These are all my family?!?" The look on her face was priceless! She also got to help feed her cousin's calf. She took this in stride but definitely stayed back. Thankfully she decided a 150+ pound calf was nothing to mess around with.
We'll be heading back tomorrow and will write more later.
We had so much fun there. Sophia definitely has them wrapped around her little finger! She played outside in the yard and over at the neighbor's swing set. We even got her first haircut there. Granted, they didn't take too much off, but just evened out the baby hair. It was definitely bittersweet! My little one is growing up. I even got my parents to try Indian food that I made. Mom said it was definitely more work than she was willing to do!
We then headed up to Mobridge, SD for the Fourth of July. There we met up with my sister and her fiancee who flew in from San Diego. We had a ball with them and are really looking forward to the wedding in 10 Aug 08. We had a couple of family picnics and caught up with both sides of my family. We even went to Sophia's first Rodeo. She had a ball and was screaming at the ropers "GO COWBOY, GET THEM COWS!!" she was so disappointed when they missed! The next day we went out to my aunt and uncle's ranch where she went on a horse drawn carriage ride with Grammy and Uncle Richard. She seemed a bit apprehensive but looked like she enjoyed it!
On the 6th we headed up to Bottineau, ND to see Richard's family. We stayed with his dad and got the chance to catch up with everyone here. We went to a picnic up on the lake, out for pizza, had cookouts, rode with her cousins to camp and Sophia spent lots of time playing outside with her cousins! She couldn't believe she had so much family! At one point out for pizza she looked down the table of 16 and said "These are all my family?!?" The look on her face was priceless! She also got to help feed her cousin's calf. She took this in stride but definitely stayed back. Thankfully she decided a 150+ pound calf was nothing to mess around with.
We'll be heading back tomorrow and will write more later.
Monday, July 9, 2007
New Blogger - Will most likely require help!
Ok - I've been in Chennai for a year and have been sending mass emails on a semi weekly basis. I've only recently been introduced to blogs by some friends (thanks Danie - I'm addicted!) and I've decided to jump on the bandwagon!
A little about me and my family. Richard, Sophia and I arrived in Chennai June 20, 2006 and began our life here with 6 weeks in a hotel. A piece of advice to those of you who are new to India or are coming - two phrases to watch out for - "Tomorrow Madam" - This generally means they have no idea when it will arrive but will give this answer to placate you. The second phrase is "100% Madam" - this means they have no idea what it is you have just requested. This kiss of death is "100% Tomorrow Madam!" - Kiss your request good-bye, they have no idea what you want or when it will arrive! We've had many a good giggle over this!
A little about me and my family. Richard, Sophia and I arrived in Chennai June 20, 2006 and began our life here with 6 weeks in a hotel. A piece of advice to those of you who are new to India or are coming - two phrases to watch out for - "Tomorrow Madam" - This generally means they have no idea when it will arrive but will give this answer to placate you. The second phrase is "100% Madam" - this means they have no idea what it is you have just requested. This kiss of death is "100% Tomorrow Madam!" - Kiss your request good-bye, they have no idea what you want or when it will arrive! We've had many a good giggle over this!
All this being said - we have had a wonderful time here in India and I think this may be one of the best ways to let people know what's happening here.
Disclaimer - Everything published here is definately through my eyes and may not be the way other people would see things! My sense of humor has greatly improved living here in India!
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