Well, I tripped on a coconut. I wish I had a better story. The other expats laughed when I told them and said, "You have to put that on a blog!"
Rocking out to my ipod on a run in the lovely, cool morning. Running down a street that hadn't been swept in a while... it was a very small one. Yep. I'll spare you a picture (would be too graphic) b/c I don't have our camera/computer cord yet.
I can't feel too sorry for myself (mostly just embarassed) b/c it has been such a pleasure to have time to run w/o kiddos in the mornings.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
FINALLY back online
Saturday, 2/14 Happy Valentine's Day
Just a quick note to say that we've been w/o internet this week, not because it's not ready and waiting in our house, but because our *new* computer has presented problem after problem. It's now been rebooted (completely erased) and is working w/internet but the wireless router has yet to cooperate (to enable Vonage phone).
We have much to share... hope to write more soon. Just wanted to let you know why your comments and e-mails have gone unanswered. THANK YOU for your comments, Leah, Julie, Natalie, Jen and Rachael!
Did any one watch the traffic video on the traffic post?
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We are doing fine. We're all a little tired, but happy to report that both kids slept through the night last night. What a mercy. Jet lag is for the birds!
We weren't able to get our air shipment as we hoped... so we're still kind of camping with clothes, sheets and towels... some furniture, some kitchen items. The same 10 books for 8 days now. I think that's been the hardest part. :)
Just a quick note to say that we've been w/o internet this week, not because it's not ready and waiting in our house, but because our *new* computer has presented problem after problem. It's now been rebooted (completely erased) and is working w/internet but the wireless router has yet to cooperate (to enable Vonage phone).
We have much to share... hope to write more soon. Just wanted to let you know why your comments and e-mails have gone unanswered. THANK YOU for your comments, Leah, Julie, Natalie, Jen and Rachael!
Did any one watch the traffic video on the traffic post?
----------------------------------------------------------------
We are doing fine. We're all a little tired, but happy to report that both kids slept through the night last night. What a mercy. Jet lag is for the birds!
We weren't able to get our air shipment as we hoped... so we're still kind of camping with clothes, sheets and towels... some furniture, some kitchen items. The same 10 books for 8 days now. I think that's been the hardest part. :)
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The nitty gritty
Note: please don't feel obliged to read all the posts on this blog. Read only what interests you. :) This post is for those who've e-mailed wondering about the nitty gritty details...
Sleeping: has been challenging. This past night was the best, with only 2.5 hour awake time in the middle of the night. Previous nights saw 3 or 4 hours of awake time, and even room service at 3:30am. We tried everything--the family bed, songs, stories, music, you name it... no sleeping. And then waking each other up (H&M). There were a few parenting moments not to be proud of. Overall, we're hanging in there. We've napped as a family in the afternoons and gone to bed early.
We spent both afternoons this weekend outside, playing at the park and swimming. We're hoping that will help the kiddos adjust. Any other tips? We've read sunshine, sleep when tired, etc.
When computer/camera cord comes, will post a great pic of the kids cashed out in the car. For those of you who know our kids, VERY unusual.
Eating: So far only Matthew has lost a meal. The food at the hotel is very friendly to western appetites and we have stayed pretty plain and safe. My ventures at the buffet have included baked yogurt (awesome) and breakfast porridge. Lichee yogurt didn't go over well. Fresh fruit juices (probably not safe) are delicious. We're still supplementing w/granola bars on occasion (3am).
One funny note is that we get MORE bottles of water every time our room is cleaned. The last count was 13. They must think we're bathing with it! :)
Digestion: we're friends with the pepto tablets. They help keep the tummy rumbles in check. That's all to report so far. No famed "Bangalore belly" yet.
Sleeping: has been challenging. This past night was the best, with only 2.5 hour awake time in the middle of the night. Previous nights saw 3 or 4 hours of awake time, and even room service at 3:30am. We tried everything--the family bed, songs, stories, music, you name it... no sleeping. And then waking each other up (H&M). There were a few parenting moments not to be proud of. Overall, we're hanging in there. We've napped as a family in the afternoons and gone to bed early.
We spent both afternoons this weekend outside, playing at the park and swimming. We're hoping that will help the kiddos adjust. Any other tips? We've read sunshine, sleep when tired, etc.
When computer/camera cord comes, will post a great pic of the kids cashed out in the car. For those of you who know our kids, VERY unusual.
Eating: So far only Matthew has lost a meal. The food at the hotel is very friendly to western appetites and we have stayed pretty plain and safe. My ventures at the buffet have included baked yogurt (awesome) and breakfast porridge. Lichee yogurt didn't go over well. Fresh fruit juices (probably not safe) are delicious. We're still supplementing w/granola bars on occasion (3am).
One funny note is that we get MORE bottles of water every time our room is cleaned. The last count was 13. They must think we're bathing with it! :)
Digestion: we're friends with the pepto tablets. They help keep the tummy rumbles in check. That's all to report so far. No famed "Bangalore belly" yet.
Monday, February 9, 2009
McDonald's in India
We had 1/2 an hour to grab some dinner while waiting for passport photos to be developed (needed 15 more for paperwork here), so we headed to McD's as a treat for the kids. Saying "french fries" was the only way we were able to get Matthew to smile for the photo.
You know you're in India when...
1. there's no beef on the menu
2. the license for the kid's menu toy is outdated by 3 years (figures from a movie that came out 3 years ago)
3. when you ask for utensils, they bring you a kitchen knife from the back room! No joke.
4. it costs half of what it does in the US
5. your children are greeted like royalty and a paper crown is placed on their heads as they enter
6. Happy Meals come with COKE only
You know you're in India when...
1. there's no beef on the menu
2. the license for the kid's menu toy is outdated by 3 years (figures from a movie that came out 3 years ago)
3. when you ask for utensils, they bring you a kitchen knife from the back room! No joke.
4. it costs half of what it does in the US
5. your children are greeted like royalty and a paper crown is placed on their heads as they enter
6. Happy Meals come with COKE only
In the Car
Much of our excitement thus far has been related to outings in the car. There are no words to provide categories for how different traffic is here.
Here's a little flavor though it's much less congested in this video than what we've experienced:
Note the parties: cars, trucks, buses, rickshaws, bicyclists, pedestrians (no right of way, actually more like a target). No lights. Aggression wins. Whew. I bring books to read to the kids and we have a CD player, too. Shae felt a little ill yesterday due to motion sickness...
Here are a few quotes from the kiddos:
MATTHEW:
"Let's find ANOTHER cow!"
"I hear a beep, beep!" (referring to constant horn honking)
"I hear a fireman."
HANNAH:
"It's a good thing we have a horn."
"It sounds like the cars are talking to each other."
"That's not safe." (referring to 9 men hanging off the back of a truck)
"Why doesn't she have a helmet, Mommy?"
"Grandma would freak out with this traffic, right, Mommy?" (Little ears don't miss a thing!)
Matthew singing, "Raju, raju, bo baju, banana fana fo faju, Raju"
Here's a little flavor though it's much less congested in this video than what we've experienced:
Note the parties: cars, trucks, buses, rickshaws, bicyclists, pedestrians (no right of way, actually more like a target). No lights. Aggression wins. Whew. I bring books to read to the kids and we have a CD player, too. Shae felt a little ill yesterday due to motion sickness...
Here are a few quotes from the kiddos:
MATTHEW:
"Let's find ANOTHER cow!"
"I hear a beep, beep!" (referring to constant horn honking)
"I hear a fireman."
HANNAH:
"It's a good thing we have a horn."
"It sounds like the cars are talking to each other."
"That's not safe." (referring to 9 men hanging off the back of a truck)
"Why doesn't she have a helmet, Mommy?"
"Grandma would freak out with this traffic, right, Mommy?" (Little ears don't miss a thing!)
Matthew singing, "Raju, raju, bo baju, banana fana fo faju, Raju"
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Highlights from the first 24 hours
Some of the highlights I included in the last post...
Others include...
- Matthew losing his breakfast in the car a few minutes before we arrived at Palm Meadows (community where we'll be living). Fortunately, we were close and the family who we were visiting loaned us clothes (note to self: pack extras) and washed the carseat liner, etc.
- REMARKABLE driving ability of Mr. Raju, our driver. Unreal traffic. It's interesting to entrust yourself to someone else's care so fully. I am grateful that we won't be driving and grateful to entrust ourselves to such a competent and kind person. He helped Matthew ride a bike this afternoon and helps both kids in and out of their carseats.
- Compliments from 3 women (2 shopkeepers and a friend's cook): "You have very nice height, madam!" I thanked them but admitted I didn't have much to do with that. The cook replied, smiling, "Yes, God's creation."
- NOTE: SORRY TO SAY WE WON'T BE ABLE TO POST ANY PHOTOS UNTIL LATER THIS WEEK WHEN THE COMPUTER/CAMERA CORD ARRIVES IN THE AIR SHIPMENT
Time to charge the computer...
Others include...
- Matthew losing his breakfast in the car a few minutes before we arrived at Palm Meadows (community where we'll be living). Fortunately, we were close and the family who we were visiting loaned us clothes (note to self: pack extras) and washed the carseat liner, etc.
- REMARKABLE driving ability of Mr. Raju, our driver. Unreal traffic. It's interesting to entrust yourself to someone else's care so fully. I am grateful that we won't be driving and grateful to entrust ourselves to such a competent and kind person. He helped Matthew ride a bike this afternoon and helps both kids in and out of their carseats.
- Compliments from 3 women (2 shopkeepers and a friend's cook): "You have very nice height, madam!" I thanked them but admitted I didn't have much to do with that. The cook replied, smiling, "Yes, God's creation."
- NOTE: SORRY TO SAY WE WON'T BE ABLE TO POST ANY PHOTOS UNTIL LATER THIS WEEK WHEN THE COMPUTER/CAMERA CORD ARRIVES IN THE AIR SHIPMENT
Time to charge the computer...
Arrived Safely in Bangalore
Just a quick note to say we arrived safely in Bangalore!
THANK YOU for your many prayers for us. There were many traveling mercies.
We are all doing well considering we traveled for 27 hours (of which the kids slept maybe 5). There were some challenging points, but it wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been.
So much to say...
- I am touched and grateful for the kind reception we receive almost everywhere we go. H & M are quite an attraction, esp. side by side in the double stroller in the airport. There were many waves, smiles, and kind hellos--a very kid-friendly place. Such a delight to a mother.
- We were met at 2:00am at the airport by our driver, Raju, who was such a welcome sight. He had a bouquet of roses and was so happy to meet the rest of the family (after having met Shae in Dec.).
- Hannah has declared that she wishes she could live in India forever. As we left the airport, she said, "Look, Mommy! Those flowers are REAL!" She loves the warm weather and wearing summer clothes. She's on the balcony right now, "feeling the warm air."
- Matthew is in a bubble bath (for the last 20 minutes) after a nice swim (splashing of feet) in the freezing pool. He just got out saying, "I want to swim the pool AGAIN!" He and Hannah cut quite the figure with their sunglasses and pool attire. Now he's trying to get my attention: "Hey Lisa!"
When we told the kids we were going to eat breakfast, Hannah said, "But who will cook?" Oh the joys of hotel life! :) They loved breakfast at the outdoor cafe of the hotel; Hannah is amazed by the different plants and flowers.
Things are getting crazier as kids have emerged from respective corners... hope to write more soon!
THANK YOU for your many prayers for us. There were many traveling mercies.
We are all doing well considering we traveled for 27 hours (of which the kids slept maybe 5). There were some challenging points, but it wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been.
So much to say...
- I am touched and grateful for the kind reception we receive almost everywhere we go. H & M are quite an attraction, esp. side by side in the double stroller in the airport. There were many waves, smiles, and kind hellos--a very kid-friendly place. Such a delight to a mother.
- We were met at 2:00am at the airport by our driver, Raju, who was such a welcome sight. He had a bouquet of roses and was so happy to meet the rest of the family (after having met Shae in Dec.).
- Hannah has declared that she wishes she could live in India forever. As we left the airport, she said, "Look, Mommy! Those flowers are REAL!" She loves the warm weather and wearing summer clothes. She's on the balcony right now, "feeling the warm air."
- Matthew is in a bubble bath (for the last 20 minutes) after a nice swim (splashing of feet) in the freezing pool. He just got out saying, "I want to swim the pool AGAIN!" He and Hannah cut quite the figure with their sunglasses and pool attire. Now he's trying to get my attention: "Hey Lisa!"
When we told the kids we were going to eat breakfast, Hannah said, "But who will cook?" Oh the joys of hotel life! :) They loved breakfast at the outdoor cafe of the hotel; Hannah is amazed by the different plants and flowers.
Things are getting crazier as kids have emerged from respective corners... hope to write more soon!
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