DELHI BOUND

In MEMORY

2012-05-28T23:16:00.000+05:30

I'm ending my Memorial Day here in India, but some of my readers in the United States are just about ready to dig into the BBQ, the corn-on-the-cob, and the parade may be about to start.

Flags will be hoisted, Lee Greenwood will be played on car speakers and sparklers will be lit.

Just a quick post to say thank you to my family members who have served, those who STILL serve, and to friends who fall into the same category.

My humble thanks also to those who I will never meet -- who fight for our freedom.

In solemn appreciation and gratitude.

(Some of my previous posts that relate to the topic)

Taking Chance

In Service of our Country

It's What I Do

ON LEAVING.

2012-05-24T06:00:00.003+05:30

“Nothing is so dear as what you’re about to leave.” ― Jessamyn West

Originally written somewhere during the first part of March ...

sharing it with you now on the blog ...

The word is out on the street.

I started from the appropriate rungs of the ladder and notified our family first. Via email is not really the BEST way to share the news that you're not moving back to the United States, but instead are relocating "farther away." It was the fastest and most efficient, though.

I have lists that are in the infancy stages of being started. I find that every time I sit down to really work on one of these lists, I get distracted - either because there just isn't enough I can do in order to complete it, or someone asks a question, or I get an email concerning our attempts to purchase a summer house in the United States.

Moving to a place that screams "NORMAL!" is a good thing. It's exciting, it's invigorating, but it doesn't change the fact that saying goodbye is still difficult.

We are relocating to Singapore from Delhi ... and the goodbyes are beyond difficult.

I have been struggling with how to put into words all of the angst, excitement, stress, emotional upheaval, drama, tears, sadness and joy. I can't possibly start to publicly talk about what our time in India has meant (but I will, I promise - just give me some time).

For me at this moment, because I can't see the computer screen through the tears - the easiest thing is to simply go back a year. You see, last year, at about this same time, I posted this on DelhiBound, and it's fitting now ::

The month on my iPhone calendar shows May.

The week's schedule shows FULL. Next week's schedule shows FULL.

Full of end-of-year parties. Afternoons of swimming with friends. Stuffing as much time together as is possible. Full of goodbyes.

Living in denial every day. If you just act normal and get through every day as everyone is accustomed to, it might be less difficult to admit that soon your childrens' best friends will be moving on.

It's what happens every May.

Or at least it seems to be what happens in May as of "here lately."

Denial is a word that enters my consciousness on a hourly basis.

Is it better to have loved and lost ... than never to have loved at all?

Maybe more suited for a romantic relationship, but still that quote resonates deeply with those of us who are saying goodbye on a very regular basis.

You can quickly see into the past hurts of a fellow expat when you ask the typical question "how long are you here?" and the answer is shallow, quick and brief. They don't share much more than the bare minimum and I imagine most times it is due to a background of having to have said goodbye too many times.

There are folks who know before they even land in their new host country just how long they will be there. There are others who don't know from week to week when they will leave.

There are folks that start to pull away in the final months and weeks before packing out. When those being left behind want nothing more than one more lunch date, one more morning coffee or one more dinner with joint families.

Those that are stuffing suitcases have already reconciled with the fact that their to-do list is seemingly much longer than the list of those they should say goodbye to.

It is difficult to be the one staying behind. It is extremely difficult to be the mama who is trying to soothe sad children, whose best friends are departing after a strong two years of everything. Playdates, movies, sleepovers, learning, growing, sweating, adjusting, supporting, coloring, beyblading, bike riding, KFC'ing (yes ... that is a word!).

Sigh.

I could speak on this subject forever. Really, I could. There are hundreds of studies on the mental process that one goes through when a goodbye is inevitable. I think that those processes become even more muddled when you do it repeatedly.

Recently, I posted on FB in a fit of frustration because I couldn't find the "perfect song" to use in a slideshow presentation to say goodbye to a friend ....

(note : I've taken out all of the profile pics of those who posted these great songs, for their privacy. What looked really cool in the original post with everyone's FB profiles and the "like" button there, now just looks boring BUT the great list of songs is still there!)

"Looking for the perfect song to use as a "goodbye, thank you, wish you the best, thanks for the memories" song for a slideshow. Any ideas? Nothing too sappy, nothing too religious .... HELP!"
Drawing a bit of a blank, but maybe Forever Young by Rod Stewart? Not really a 'thank you' or 'thanks for the memories', though...Yesterday at 8:31pm ·
Closing Time by Greenday (?) or is that too cheesy? ' Someday' by Sugar Ray also cute for that. (Both featured in my grandparents' 50th anniversary video :) )Yesterday at 8:36pm ·
Greenday, I hope you had the time of your life!Yesterday at 9:06pm ·
Leaving on a Jet Plane....by either John Denver or Peter Paul and Mary.Yesterday at 9:08pm ·
Home...Michael Buble.......100 years--Five for Fighting Yesterday at 9:13pm
Natalie Merchant's Kind and Generous? Yesterday at 9:38pm ·
Bon Jovi--Who says you cant go home   Yesterday at 9:40pm
That's What Friends are For, Dionne Warrick & friends Yesterday at 9:43pm
“Time of Your Life” – Green Day, “I Will Remember You” – Sarah McLachlan, “So Long, Farewell” – Sound of Music, “Stand by Me” – Ben E. King, “Go Your Own Way” – Fleetwood Mac...what's the age level or audience? 23 hours ago ·
"Better Together" by Jack Johnson 23 hours ago ·
more came to me....(: Ramble On- Led Zepplin (great guitar) Hello Goodbye--The Beatles 21 hours ago ·
Vitamin C- friends forever 21 hours ago ·
In My Life - The Beatles 15 hours ago ·
Corrs- Goodbye 10 hours ago
Blessed by Elton John 7 hours ago
This is a CRAZY list of great songs!! I see a blog post coming up! 2 seconds ago

What on earth do you say to a friend ... when it's time for them to bid adieu and head back home? To their next location? To their next post? How do you adequately sum up your memories of them and your time together. How do you express appreciation for what they have meant, what support they have given and what motivation and encouragement they have lent?

You find some amazing photos of their last year or two ... you pick a song like this ::

And you choke up your tears, and you dab pointlessly at your eyes ... and you realize that you are truly better off for having known these friends (that are just a few weeks away from getting on a plane) than you would have been ... had you never reached out to become close, vulnerable with each other and honest.

Saying goodbye doesn't get easier - and it doesn't matter how long you've been at this expat game.

The lesson I have learned in my two short years of living in a host country .... in a place where everyone chooses to adopt each other ... is that life is too damn short to not give of yourself to another friendship, to another soul, to another potential long-lasting relationship.

My calendar says it's May.

My heart says it's time to say goodbye.

As I type this, I have just learned of two more friends who are departing in the coming weeks. The list is growing longer.

* * * *

To all of the friends that we've made over the last three years, it has been BEYOND good. What an amazing crew of people, young - old, first-timers and experienced folks. Some with children and some without. Some from all parts of the world and some from the SAME town as we moved from.

It is difficult to currently have one foot in a country, with the other stretching out to plant down in another. To be excited about new territories, without feeling guilty about leaving. The angst and the pull is devastating. You can see it on the faces of both those leaving and those staying ... if you debate that feeling as being legitimate, I would challenge you that you haven't invested enough of yourself.

My life has been made 100x times richer because of our friendships made in Delhi. I can count on both hands the women who have been through the thick of it with me, who know the nitty gritty ... but beyond that, there are scores of women that I consider true friends. Friends that I can call for support, help, a lunch date, advice on a sticky situation, joint poetry writing, assistance with an upcoming event. Friends that I met before we even ARRIVED and friends that I JUST met. Friends that I cooked with, shopped with, stood up for each other with, taught with and learned with.Friends that I laughed with, cried with, sweated with, ran miles with, trudged through Pahar Ganj and Sarojini with, rafted down the Ganges with, sunburned with, visited hospitals with and gave away money with.

We may not have all had daily interaction or spent the same type of time together as with other friends, but girls, it was real, and it was cherished.

To my readers in Delhi that I didn't have the opportunity to meet, I hope to make you proud by turning this humble little blog into more of a destination website. Delhi needs to be explored, enjoyed and celebrated! Stay tuned on that project!

To my readers elsewhere, the blog will continue. I'll be writing from Singapore, I promise (even though people tell me that Singapore doesn't need to be blogged about because it's "easy"!)

Godspeed, safety and the spirit of contentedness be with you on your journey, whether it means you stay put, move on or simply ponder a life change!

TANDOOR OVEN / TANDOOR COOKING TIPS

2012-05-22T22:26:00.001+05:30

Now, I'm not really sure about the demographics of the DelhiBound readers (and sometimes I wonder who reads it at all besides my 6 regular commenters!) ... but I'm guessing that only a small percentage will be interested in this post, yet I need to share it regardless.

If you have a tandoor oven, or have an inkling to get one, here are just two great tips to keep in mind!

[Just as an FYI, I was definitely unable to find online pricing for a tandoor oven that matches the amazing deal that we got on OUR ovens here locally! Shame they are so heavy, because it would make for a great export business!]

When you purchase your tandoor sticks (which enables you to place your meat/ fruit / naan inside of the tandoor), follow this helpful guide for which sticks work for what!

Round - chicken

Small Square - paneer

Large Square - kebabs

EVERY time you cook, you should dunk a rag in salt water. Ring it out well, but so that moisture still remains, and then using it like you would for a wet towel fight, ring out the inside of the tandoor. You should do this when the tandoor is hot, so that the salt water helps to clean the insides!

If you'd like to get your own (and live in the Delhi area), call Satinder Kumar at 9811140418 or 9311140418. Just make sure you order your tandoor fully seasoned (ready to cook) and get the appropriate sticks!

(He is located in Bhogal off Temple Road)

NAAN

2012-05-20T22:17:00.000+05:30

Another addition to the series on Tandoor cooking (the other recipes I've shared already are Fruit Chaat and Chicken Malai Tikka)

Moving on to my all-time Indian food, naan.

1/2 kg maida (all purpose, self rising, NOT atta!)

2 T curd (unhung)

1 spoon sugar

1 spoon salt

250 ml milk

1 egg (optional for fluff/shine)

water to get texture

2 spoons oil

Mix all ingredients (except for oil) together and let it sit for 1 hour, covered.

An interesting tidbit, that I haven't tested out, is that you need less water to achieve the right texture during the warmer months.

Then make small balls, rest for another 15 minutes

Garnish with garlic cloves, bits of cilantro, or even spices!

The rolling, twisting, slapping and creating of the naan shape is something that I'm afraid you may have to learn from a youtube video. It's difficult to explain.

Then slap those babies on the inside of the tandoor, let it cook until you see those delectable bubbles, then using the hooked stick, fish them out, brush with butter and enjoy while hot!

[I have to admit that quite possibly the naan is the ONLY reason why I purchased a tandoor oven for our own personal use at home!]

SHARMA FARMS

2012-05-17T22:02:00.000+05:30

I recently visited Sharma Farms, after hearing about it NON STOP for the past three years.

Ms. Pam and I tenderly and gingerly walked through the first warehouse door, not quite sure what to expect.

Camel Cart bookshelves, oh my.

More nooks and crannies!

Need a purple chair with lion statues for the arms?

These are lovely and I wish I could have gussied up the nerve to buy some to decorate a future garden with.

More glass lovelies.

Want to know why I didn't buy any? I think they look more magical and whimsical in a grouping like this. Hanging from a makeshift like corrugated tin roof, in no particular order. In a garden / outdoor space created by a Type A person like me, I think they would lose their charm?

Oh, but look. Those red ones??

Classy!

Sharma Farms is not everyone's cup of tea. If you don't have an eye for the beauty that a piece holds, then it may end up being just a boring morning out. But for those of you that see light at the end of the tunnel, a fabulous piece in the midst of a dusty, packed warehouse, you should go!!

Comfort Zone

2012-05-15T06:00:00.000+05:30

I really like this blog ... they are doing a cool thing and they have great things to share.

Awhile back, they wrote about living outside of your comfort zone. Click over to read their post ...

When we moved to Delhi, I thought we were taking a pretty big leap to pack up and fly across the ocean, all in search of something new. A new job for the Husb, new schools for the kiddos and a whole new lifestyle for myself.

What I didn't bargain on though was a DAILY struggle of living outside of my comfort zone.

All of the important things are still in place. We all have each other ... and though we are growing and changing with each passing day ... we are still a family and that is reassuring. My marriage is thriving and flourishing. The kids are becoming better human beings and little global warriors.

The things though that get under my skin are plentiful. Most of them I cannot change, even if I wanted to. Some of them I can change and I desperately wish to do something about them.

For one thing, I am trying so hard to raise my three children to want very little. They have all of the basic needs provided for them, and have MORE than enough given to them that they DON'T need.

Every day ... EVERY DAY ... we see little pookies squatting by the side of the road tending to their bathroom requirements.

We are 'bothered' by little knuckles on our window, with little hands showing us flyswatters, bobble-head dog toys, oversized cowboy hats and magazines.

We drive by children the same age as my littles sorting through the trash ... sometimes OUR trash ... hoping to find something of worth to them.

We pass through the market area near our house and watch young ones carrying their weight in water jugs from the ONE water source ... they often do this twice a day to haul the precious liquid back to their homes.

Mia used to be in the car the most, as she only went to school for part of the day. I remember when she started to become more and more bothered by the little ones that we see at the stoplights.

Even though Kushal has advised us not to give money, it was impossible for me to ignore Mia's requests to help them ... and give them some food.

She counted out her money from her Moon Jar and set aside her the rupees from her "save" section, and tucked away the rupees from her "spend" section, and found that she had about Rs 320 from the container marked "share."

She decided that she would use it to buy biscuits. She purged her room and found books and toys and trinkets that she no longer needs or plays with, and separated them into 4 little bags.

Our mission was to find four little bodies that she could share her wealth with. But how to find just four?

I decided that instead of drawing attention to our vehicle while temporarily stopped at a traffic light, that we would go into the market area near our home. It houses MUCH more than four little ones, but it was my best effort at remaining a bit out of the line of fire.

We will never know whether the toys were played with, or cast aside. We will never know if the biscuits were consumed by the children she gave them to, or by hungry adults.

What I will know is that my little girl has a heart that is nearly too big for her little body to hold. She is compassionate and caring. What she learned in this exercise is that even a small gesture goes a long way.

Living outside of your comfort zone does not mean that you have to move to Uganda. It does not mean that you have to give up meat. It does not mean that you have to cease from using paper products, or only watch tv for one hour per week.

Sometimes living outside of your comfort zone merely means to give.

[I don't have photos to add to this post because while I do have images that match up very nicely with what I wanted to share with you, I wanted this to be less about poverty in Delhi ... and more about just words. Just words that might encourage you to find ways to give in your community, in your neighborhood, in your little corner of the world.]

WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT MELA

2012-05-11T21:51:00.000+05:30

How exciting to be a part of this ...

Put on by the Global Issues Unit of the US Embassy here in Delhi, and partially sponsored by the AWA, this morning was timed to celebrate Women's Empowerment Month (March, 2012) and brought a host of local NGOs to raise awareness for their efforts at empowering women.

I have a feeling that if these women -- who participated in this mela -- are concerned, they will figure out a way (somehow, some way) to see that women's empowerment will grow in some amazing ways in the coming years!

COUNTDOWN CALENDAR with TEA COLLECTION

2012-05-08T22:38:00.008+05:30

Years ago, I wrote for Tea Collection - a darling clothing company that marries the concept of raising global citizens with awareness about world issues and combines it with some really great clothes.

Mia has just now grown out of some the darling pieces that we acquired from Tea, and it remains one of my favorites.

Tea, the drink, is shared in nearly every culture around the world. Being Tea is about experiencing life together, even when we're not in the same place. It means taking the time to understand and honor our differences. In doing so, we become closer.

Emily, one of the co-founders, says Travel opens anyone's heart and mind to people and places that we don't know. The clothing we create at Tea transforms the foreign world into a smaller, friendlier and more familiar place. We believe that we bring a little bit of that world home to you. - Emily Meyer, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer

I took a break from writing for them when we arrived in Delhi, but have started up again ... and my first post is up!

The post shares a bit of news that I haven't yet fully shared here on the Delhi Bound blog ... but with the announcement also comes some exciting things here on the site -- stay tuned!

* *

Please do share some love and if you're so inclined, leave a comment at my post at the Tea Blog? [Comments here on DelhiBound are closed for this post]

I would love to read your suggestions over there for a countdown calendar. Next week, I'll share the full list of what our countdown calendar contained and we can continue the discussion some more!

ORANGE

2012-05-08T21:44:00.000+05:30

Inspired by Xanthe Berkeley

This week's color in Delhi is ORANGE ::

I read quite a few blogs that marry creativity and photography. Quite a few more on the list include amazing things like Project Life, or soul searching workshops.

What I have figured out about myself is that I longingly want to participate in all of these wonderful, out-of-the-box, imagination stretching exercises. What I have also figured out about myself is that I cannot do it all. I not only do not have the time, I don't have the energy or the resources.

I've begun to meld them together into a really cool concept that works for me.

Orange, the first post in a series of color-themed photography, is the first foray into that. Taking a weekly theme to push myself out of the box with my photography, and mixing into that challenges and prompts (such as from a daily newsletter concerning a Project 365) and adding with it encouragement from creative sites such as Elisa Blaha's EnJOY it.

Another thing I'm going to start doing on this blog is separating the post content out a bit. Instead of feeling restricted in sharing more of me with you (because it seems that my readers, you, would rather read just about Delhi-centric and India-related things, I am going to start tagging those posts "Box 53B."

More on the name later, but I think it will help me to open up a bit, share more of the warm fuzzy stuff as well as my opinion on this big old world that we live in.

I hope you'll stick around to see what direction Delhi Bound is heading!

COLORS IN DELHI

2012-05-07T07:28:00.000+05:30

I'm going to explore the various colors in Delhi over the next couple of weeks ... what a fun project that will be!

Stay tuned!

BLOOMIN' ONION

2012-05-04T07:38:00.000+05:30

Recently, Janet shared a bounty with us ...

Inside of the box (that we shared with six other families) was a small, teeny, very quiet and unobtrusive bundle of awesomeness that was labeled "DO NOT EAT!"

Even though the box was meant to be shared with others, I had a feeling this note was meant for me, and sure enough ...

It was a twine-wrapped bunch of spanish onion flowers ...

... that Janet had saved just for me. Knowing that I would appreciate them ...

... their intricacies, their beauty. They are unique and like nothing else I've seen.

There is something to be said about friendships in an expat situation that is similar to getting a box of produce from a surprise source.

You can receive a box of normal ... meet a group of fellow expat women ... and assume it is just another cardboard container of veg. It is another box (like the last) of more cabbage, lettuce and chard, maybe a couple of stalks of celery.

Or you can dig a bit deeper and find the surprise note ... the random new arrival that wants to offer their friendship.

It is a strange thing, this friendship story that we all have a part to play in creating. We can choose to judge, segregate and hold off. Or, we can welcome in, invite over, invest in, or simply smile at.

Sometimes the most surprising friendships are the unlikely relationships. The mothers that do not have children in the same grade. The women who only met in passing at a company function several months prior.

Currently, I am very deeply trenched in trying to sort my way through a discussion in my head about friendships - both expat, and the ones from back home - and I'd love your input.

What makes it so hard to make friends as adults? If you think back to the people who made you feel the most welcome in new or potentially awkward situations, what WAS it exactly that they did to bring you into the fold?

Why is it that we don't offer more of ourselves to others and take advantage of all that beautiful friendships have to offer?

MUTTON SEEKH KEBABS

2012-05-02T11:07:00.000+05:30

1/2 kg of mutton (or in our case, PORK) including 20 grams of fat OR amul cheese

Mince your meat with some fat (fat or slices of cheese) for softness. Send it twice through the mincer.

50 gm ginger

1 onion

50 gm garlic

2 green chile

4-5 leaves mint

4 coriander stems

1 heaping teaspoon salt

1 heaping teaspoon cumin

Red chile (I didn't get a measurement on this -- we left it out, but for the recipe's sake, I'd assume 1 teaspoon). Also called Deghi.

1 heaping teaspoon garam masala

3 heaping teaspoons roasted channa dal powder

Blend ALL ingredients.

Form the meat mixture into a long kebab shape over the tandoori stick.

Cook for approximately 15 minutes in a hot tandoor.

Could it BE any easier?

ORDERING CHINESE FOR DINNER IN DELHI

2012-04-30T17:13:00.000+05:30

Hello? Yes, I'd like to place an order for delivery?

Yes. Yes, that's the number.

Yes, that's the address.

Yes. Ok.

Are you ready?

I would like two orders of Chicken Dimsum.

No, not veg. Chicken. Two orders of Chicken Dimsum.

Ok. Next, 4 orders of Chicken Lollypops.

Ok. 2 orders of Chilli Garlic Noodles.

Um .... make those veg please.

Oh .... yes, this is a big order, yes.

2 orders of Hong Kong Chicken please.

No, chicken.

Yes. No, No.

Hong KONG Chi ... YES. Thanks.

Ok last is 3 orders of Chicken Satay.

No, not pad thai. Satay.

S - A - T - A ...

No, please ... no -

SATAY. Chicken on a stick.

Not pad thai. No, pad thai is noodles. I want chicken that is on a ...

You know the chicken that comes with peanut sauce? Yes, peanut sauce.

So please, 3 orders of the chicken that comes with ...

NO! Not pad thai.

[audible sigh]

Never mind. Just the other part of the order.

What? YES! Satay!!

Oh now you know Chicken Satay? Yes that comes with the skewer stick.

Yes please, 3 orders of that.

[I may have gotten some of the dialogue incorrect, as I was laughing too hard to write it down. I was laughing more at the fact that Husb was witness to the conversation had between Ms. Pam and the restaurant. Usually no one is present to hear the back and forth and when those conversations can sometimes last up to 15 minutes, it was worth capturing]

OLD DELHI, part three

2012-04-28T09:11:00.000+05:30

My final posting about my trip to Old Delhi.

I'll be back next week to share my thoughts about Old Delhi ... in words and text.

HORN PLEASE

2012-04-20T06:43:00.041+05:30

I'm becoming just a wee bit obsessed with capturing all that India has to offer.

Color. Signage.

I imagine what some of my photographs would look like, framed and matted on a wall. I wonder how I would ever choose amongst the thousands and thousands of photos that I have taken over the past three years.

Halfway through my stay here in Delhi I started the Fading Ladies group with 5 other expat women. We came from different parts of the United States. We had different belief systems, different morals, and the same things didn't make each of us tick. We argued about how to brew a perfect coffee and talked at length about what colors the "rest of the expats" would like.

We started a little charity business. One that melded tshirts (that happened to have amazing sayings on them) with poverty. One that matched up brilliance and effort with the less fortunate.

We met, days on end. We disagreed, argued even. Some of us parted ways, some asked to be released from the group. Some moved away, and some chose to stay.

The end-of-day, Close-Of-Business report from the meeting of the minds during this initiative was pretty awe-inspiring. I was in the presence of greatness.

I am so proud to have been a part of something so amazing. The six of us ladies -- all trailing spouses -- banded together over iced tea and donuts -- and we created something. We gave some serious cash (based on the actions and faithful choices of our fan group and constant supporters) to 6 (SIX!!!) NGOs ...

Just from acting on a whim and selling some t-shirts.

To the Fading Ladies women, I say you are "FIRST CLASS" ... and to the organizations that we were honored to step alongside to help -- even momentarily -- HORN PLEASE!!

[Small aside ... we used the typical imagery of 'horn please' on labels on each of our tshirts, as a tag affixed to the back collar of each shirt, making them uniquely India!]

What a blessing to have been able to walk with you and make a difference in India.

For more information on the charities that we supported ::

Jaipur Foot

Salaam Baalak Trust - Rose Home

CanSupport

SuperSeeds

MS Society - India

OLD DELHI, part two

2012-04-16T09:01:00.013+05:30

Part two of the story of my trip to Old Delhi ...

I've long 'knocked' visits to Old Delhi as being cliche and time-consuming. My reality though is that it is entirely enjoyable, rewarding, and memorable.

Have you been?

SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD

2012-04-14T07:13:00.001+05:30

There are two men that take up residence on this little corner on our route to school in the mornings.

One of the men is more obviously a homeless type of character. He sometimes appears to be just a pile of blankets, but with a random hand peeking out. Some mornings he is sipping a hot chai, and other mornings he just sits, staring at nothing.

The man in these photos has been a new appearance and addition to the sidewalk lately. He sits dangerously close to the road, with the vehicles passing by so quickly.

I wonder if the two men are friends ?

OLD DELHI, part one

2012-04-12T08:27:00.014+05:30

I have loads of photos from a trip to Old Delhi with my friend Sue.

The photos have been sitting in my 'autoimport' folder for over a month now ... because I've been waiting for inspiration and motivation to wrap these photos into an amazing story.

I realized over this weekend that these photos ARE the story. They don't need my words ...

More coming soon ...

RAHUL SHARMA and RICHARD CLAYDERMAN

2012-04-09T00:50:00.001+05:30

I am sure there is a better way to share this, but it's one of my most recently-found favorite chill-out songs.

[For what it's worth, I found some live recording videos of this performance but they were pretty shoddy, so am option to share the animated/CG selection for your Monday!]

[[I'd suggest that you click over to a new blog post, or back to Facebook, or to your inbox while you listen to this song. It's pretty long, and you won't get much enjoyment out of WATCHING the video ... trust me]]

[[What music would you share with me today? I'm in need of some new inspiration!]]

SATURDAY SNIPPETS

2012-04-07T07:00:00.015+05:30

It's been way too long since I've done a Saturday Snippets!

I READ IT ::

I FINALLY started the Hunger Games trilogy and feel behind the times ... am so glad I joined the bandwagon. After trying to start the book twice (but failing to get going because I was SO exhausted that I fell asleep within paragraphs of beginning (and this was during the morning!)) I sat down during a recent afternoon with the kids in a swimming pool and finished the book in just a few hours.

It. Is. Fantastic.

Wishing I had brought the next two books with us on vacation. Now I have to WAIT!

* *

Marina has a partially humorous, partially pathetic rendition and retelling of her experience at the India Post. Iy Yi Yi. That would be why I've never gone, and have always sent Kushal!

* *

Nicole's take and opinion on the Holstee Manifesto.

* *

Jeannette's wisdom on decluttering when it comes to toys. Let's just say, this is a huge topic of discussion always at our house!

I BOOKMARKED IT ::

Danielle's Pep Talk. Seriously people ... you need to click this link, read it, bookmark it and visit back often.

Lesley's visually appealing list of tried and true recipes.

I WANT ::

... to purchase these Soji Lanterns for a future summer home

... to get better with my Instagram Photos and I think that link can help?

RECENTLY, I TRIED ::

Watermelon from a roadside stand with Ms. Pam ...

Kushal standing by with a watchful eye ...

I LISTENED TO IT ::

Because I am now mildly obsessed with The Hunger Games, I downloaded the sound track and love it. (Actually, the sound track that I love is Songs from District 12, and what I've linked is the score, because I'm an iTunes moron and can't find how to link the sound track)

The song list looks like this ::

one of the songs I dig ::

What do you have to share with us this weekend? A favorite quote from this week, an inspiring blog post, a new recipe?

ON BEING HAPPY :: WHIRLING DERVISH

2012-04-06T07:00:00.001+05:30

During an AWA outing, about 12 of us made a trek to Zorba the Buddha for a Whirling Dervish workshop.

Since very early in the history of Islam, many have attempted to get as close to God as was humanly possible. Some Muslims deprived themselves of food or sleep. Soof is the Arabic word for wool. Early Sufis wore rough woolen robes.

The most famous Sufi is Celaleddin Rumi. He was born in east Persia (Afghanistan) in 1207 but moved to Turkey as a child. He discovered whirling while listening to the rhythm of a goldsmith's hammer. He began whirling to the beat (he was grieving the death of a friend and the sense of loss contributed to his ability to reach such an emotional state of being).

The location was amazingly beautiful. Serene, peaceful and the grounds green and lush. The room we were in contained gorgeous, natural wood that gave off a beautiful sheen and reflection. The landscaping was such that it almost felt you were part of the outdoors, while being sheltered by high, thatch-liked ceilings.

Turkish meditation music played softly and filled every crevice and nook in the room.

Our host began to explain the significance behind the cloth used for the tennure. Kissing it out of respect and reverence.

Placing the toes of one foot on top of the other ...

... he began to whirl. He explained to us that when one whirls correctly,

you are turning in a constant pattern so that wherever you turn, you see the face of God.

The rotation itself is on the left foot, the center of the rotation being the ball of the left foot and the whole surface of the foot staying in contact with the floor. The push for the rotation is provided by the right foot, in a full 360-degree step.

Traditionally, turning clockwise has an outward-flowing feeling, a sensation of "yang", while counter-clockwise spinning has a "yin" flavor, one of inward-channeling.

Taken from Wikipedia :

In the symbolism of the Sema ritual, the semazen's camel's hair hat (sikke) represents the tombstone of the ego; his wide, white skirt represents the ego's shroud. By removing his black cloak, he is spiritually reborn to the truth. At the beginning of the Sema, by holding his arms crosswise, the semazen appears to represent the number one, thus testifying to God's unity. While whirling, his arms are open: his right arm is directed to the sky, ready to receive God's beneficence; his left hand, upon which his eyes are fastened, is turned toward the earth. The semazen conveys God's spiritual gift to those who are witnessing the Sema. Revolving from right to left around the heart, the semazen embraces all humanity with love. The human being has been created with love in order to love. Mevlâna Jalâluddîn Rumi says, "All loves are a bridge to Divine love. Yet, those who have not had a taste of it do not know!"

He invited class participation.

It was amazingly beautiful to watch the instant transformation of some of the attendees ...

I'll leave you with a video that my mama recorded ::
[at the 2:00 + mark, watch the cool reflection of the dervish in the window!]

FRUIT CHAAT

2012-04-02T05:00:00.036+05:30

If your mouth wasn't watering from last week's Chicken Malai Tikka post, TODAY'S recipe WILL cause extreme salivation and crazy taste buds begging you to make this delicious creation!

Actually, to be honest, you may scratch your head after reading through the ingredients, but trust me and TRY this!

I have so much enjoyed experimenting with our new tandoor oven, after the original attempt at cooking Indian back in 2009 hasn't quite prompted me to continue with the efforts. I find tandoor cooking much more satisfying and somehow MUCH simpler! Of course, I haven't yet tried naan on my own, but I will soon when it's time to post that recipe!

FRUIT CHAAT

5 spoons mustard oil (or olive oil if the mustard oil is too strong for your liking)

3 spoons sugar

3 spoons pomegranate seeds

1 spoon crushed pepper

1 spoon black salt (rock salt)

1 spoon garam masala

1 spoon salt

1 spoon deghi murg (Kashmiri chili powder)

2 spoons balsamic vinegar

1 spoon malt vinegar

1 spoon honey

Bell pepper

Pineapple

Sweet Potato

Apple

Starfruit

Guava

[Personal note : We prefer pineapple, bell pepper and guava. The apple gets a bit "mushy" and the family passed on that as a repeat fruit]

[Garam Masala is a blend of spices that is strong, but not spicy. It typically includes black / white pepper, cloves, mace, cumin seeds, cardamom, nutmeg, star anise and coriander seeds]

Mix all of the ingredients together, add the fruit (cut into approximately 1-2" squares or shapes) and let it sit for approximately 1-2 hours.

Thread onto a skewer (using a piece of potato or onion at the end your skewer to prevent the fruit from sliding off) and cook for approximately 10 minutes.

Note : the kids tend to think this recipe -- as is -- is too "spicy" so for them we make the following adjustments :

Reduce the garam masala to only a sprinkle
Omit the deghi murgh
Use olive oil instead of mustard oil

Would love to hear from you all. What is your favorite out-of-the-box way to eat fruit?

DEAR MRS. PRESIDENT

2012-04-01T09:02:00.002+05:30

MOTI BAGH

2012-03-29T06:00:00.001+05:30

[random images captured on a recent drive through Moti Bagh, the neighborhood near our house, on the way home from school one afternoon]

BETCHA DON'T NORMALLY SEE THIS ...

2012-03-27T16:51:00.001+05:30

The doors here are quite humorous, in that very rarely do you see two that open the same. It is always the funniest thing to escort a guest out of our home and watch them just STARE at the door handle, trying to figure out just HOW to get out!

Dinner ... delivered!

Holy men ... going door to door. No longer do we answer the door to Jehovah's Witnesses.

Gas cylinders are required for nearly every household ...

The batch of drivers waiting for us to finish our yoga class.

Chickens on a bicycle.

Bicycle rickshaw transporting children from school.