When Z is away

I make single lady food...the easy staples I lived off of in college. On this particular day when Z was away I resorted to ramen. But this is not college ramen...

I added chopped veggies (tomatoes & bell peppers) as well as paneer (Curry Land's version of cottage cheese).

 I boiled it all together, strained the excess water, mixed in the paneer and then went easy on the seasoning provided in the ramen packet. viola...10 minute lunch.
 

Lovin Pinterest Fails

Thank you ladies and gentlemen who get pinterest ideas, try to implement them, and then document the unsuccessful results. You are the shining reminder why I should not try all the crafty things I see on pinterest. I'm an optimist so without your early example I would probably be elbow deep in modge podge sobbing uncontrollably. Pinterest dreamers everywhere need you to bring them back to the sober reality that we are better at social media than creating handmade projects like the pinterest doers.

Anny: woman of many talents

Our maid Anny can thread - FYI, threading is a fast and effective way to pluck and shape eyebrows or get rid of unwanted facial hair. Men and women get their faces threaded here in Curry Land. Initially I was not a fan of threading...a long time ago a beautician here took way too much off my eyebrows...I was left with skinny little pencil brows. Now I only let Anny touch my eyebrows...if she ever leaves I shudder to think of the eyebrow trauma that will insue.

Little Miss Prissy Pants

I hold A entirely responsible for putting the Miss in the Priss...she is Abi's main wardrobe contributor. She loves dress up...skirts, scarves, and bows keep her occupied as she prances around exclaiming 'Oh, wow!' everytime she is pleased with her own appearance and ensamble.

Brace Yourself...

for BRACES!
Orthodontics is inexpensive and safe here so Z and I decided to hold onto our youth and look like teenagers again - haha...actually we both have bite issues that were causing all sort of problems.
I asked our orthodontist if our braces will get stuck when we kiss...I was informed that was a myth -Darn!

From the pages of my journal 5/1/2013

We took some fun new friends out shopping to show them where we buy our Curry Land digs. We had a good time together and for me the shopping was about spending quality time with my friends...because to be really honest I am tired of Suits (3 pieces made up of scarf, tunic top, and drawstring pants that all women wear here for modesty). Buying them, getting them tailored and then wearing them...so much money, time and energy goes into it and them at the end of the day it is just a suit and the fabric reminds me of couches, curtains, or pillow covers...it is easy to feel clownish with all the colors and prints going on. But frankly, I've got to get over my suit slump because staying in my yoga pants and tank tops is just not going to cut it.

From the pages of my journal 4/18/2013

Z and Art are off to M town and Abi is down for her morning nap - I have found a very peaceful morning. Yesterday my morning started at 5am. Perry drove me to the capital to pick up a perspective client. Perry beat his record and we made it to the capital and back in under 3 hours...of coarse he drove like a mad man the entire way.
Speaking of the perspective client...we took her out the village and the women there taught her how to make some of the jewelry using the new wire techniques we taught them. Her first loop did not pass their inspection and Sunny quickly cut it off and made her start over. It was funny to see but also heartwarming that their standards now match our standards.

Coming to America!

*If you have not seen this movie you need to ASAP!
Anyways it is true...I am coming to America. Not because I am African royalty (only in my dreams) looking for a spouse (I've got the hottest hubs on the planet!). I'm coming to America to see my nephew!!!

From the pages of my journal 4/16/2013

Yesterday I quickly got all my house work done and we went off to spend the day in Katauli with some of Art's relatives. We were there for five hours. Art's relatives are great and really gentle people. Abi thoroughly enjoyed every minute playing with loads of children and eating different fruits, cookies, and curry! She did not sleep the entire day...way too much to see and do. So when we put her to bed we didn't hear a peep from her all night. Meanwhile the rest of the evening I vegged to recorded episodes of 'Duck Dynasty' - other shows seem so boring and full of senseless drama in comparison.

Family day

At least two Saturdays a month we schedule family days...we try to plan special outings, special food, and leisurely activities on these days. We started this tradition before we had kids and so now it is even more enjoyable...as our family grows so does the range of family day activities.

 

 

 

Jinxed Mumu

First of all, Yes, I own and wear a mumu. Bro bro calls it my flying squirel dress. In hot climates they are Amazing! So don't knock it till you try it.
Second, I love my mumu. I can't wait till the end of the day when no one is at my house and I can slip on my mumu...but here is why it is jinxed...
This month everytime I have changed into the mumu there instantly is a knock or ring at our door - I do not love my mumu enough to be seen in it by anyone other than family so then I have to change back into real clothes. And every time my attitude just struggles as I choose between hospitality and my mumu.

The Truth about Chai

Ever since we arrived here and started learning language and culture the truth about chai started coming to light. That milky tea goodness in not original to Curry Land. It was introduced by the British...and now afternoon tea is as much an intricate part of culture here as it is in the U.K. Initially the British provided chai for free, then once everyone was hooked it became a money making comodity. Now adays people drink chai in the mornings and afternoons, as well as served to guests. As Z was having chai in a village one of the elders shared about how chai got it's start. Z then asked 'what did you drink before chai was introduced?' His response...'Buttermilk'. Hmmm...now I see why sweet milky tea took over so easily.

Poop was everywhere!

Most mornings we wake to the happy little jabbering of our sweet angel. She wakes up before us and talks and plays in her little nook that is off to the side of the master bedroom. This morning the jabbering was a little different and Z looked over to her nook and saw her moon walking and dancing around in similar sliding fashion to moon walking. And what was she moon walking on...POOP! She had runny poop all over her legs, feet and sheets - EWWW! Z saved the day, cleaned her up and the stripped the bedding.
FYI: the culprit to runny poop was watermelon.

AC addict

We have finally turned our AC on (at night when we sleep...don't want to get to soft, we have a reputation to uphold). Anyways in one week I have become completely addicted to AC...I sleep as long as possible to get the full AC usage out of 24 hours. I feel so guilty about the late morning start, especially since Anny comes to work and I am usually just getting out of bed in my pj's...this AC addiction has to stop! It is causing embarrassment, denial, apathy...you know, just like any other run of the mill addiction.

just like mommy

One scary thing about parenting is that your children pick up on everything you do and mimic it.

New rug

A rug walla came through the neighborhood with a cart full of rugs...I was curious so I called out for him to come show me the rugs. There were tons of paisley and Persian patterns but for some reason this one spoke to me. I think it fits nicely in our Curry Land home. Abi loves it, Z detests it - and although it spoke to me and I bought it I don't think I was patient enough to listen to what it was trying to say...so I am on the fence. Some moments I love the rich colors and sharp contrasts and then other moments I ask myself why I bought a rug straight out of the 90's. No matter now because if you buy anything from a walla with a cart there is a no return policy - it's ours now.

Confused by bumper stickers

One evening Z and I were driving home from dinner out and were cut off by another vehicle ~ surprise, surprise...we do not get bent out of shape like we used to when other vehicles cut us off, we kind of drive expecting it. Anyways, this vehicle had a very familiar bumper sticker "Honk if you love Jesus!" It was the other bumper stickers that left us scratching our heads.
~ "God, guts, and guns keep India free!" So possible members of the NRA...or republicans
~ "Follow me to Hooters" - Bah!
~ "wing em', ding em', 69 em" - What??? Z had to explain to me that it was a dirty refference to interc__se (I'll let you fill in the blank).
Because none of the other bumper stickers had anything to do with Jesus I think it is safe to say that the vehicle owner is way more confused than we were.

From the pages of my journal 3/18/2013

This weekend I caught up on a lot of housework. Now it is Monday morning and I look around me and see baby socks on the bed, wash clothes on the table, sippy cups on the floor and sofa. This home is deffinitely lived in. Our baby is on the move picking up little things and redepositing them in different spots throughout the house. It is a constant pick up and put away game with her around. The entire time she is going through the house happy, giggling, and gabbering. It really is heart warming to watch. Not very many people parent with rigidity here in Curry Land. They do not expect my home to be clean and orderly. They graciously smile and love on my child even when she is not acting like a little angel. Their attitudes have really helped me develope into a calm and patient mother.

I wish every day was Sunday!

So many things make Sunday the best day of week for me. Sundays mean sleeping in. Then my sweet hubby Z goes straight for the kitchen and makes pancakes for Abi and I. I get to stay in my pj's as long as I want. There is no house work, and no one else except our small family. We watch our American church online from the comfort of our office (in the comfort of my pj's). I make an easy American lunch and we enjoy reading a marriage related book together while Abi takes a nap. It is a simple day simply full of  relaxing, learning, praying, being together, and love.
Oh by the way, Happy Easter everyone!

From the pages of my Journal 3/15/2013

Last night and this morning I have enjoyed pleasant weather - there has been a nice cool breeze blowing. I love these days and take advantage of them before summer hits. So I got exercise out of the way around 7:45am and then watered the plants & washed the car.
Abi was playing in the patio while I was working. Unfortunately it only took her under 1 minute to slip away from me and head up the marble stairs. I did not know where she had gone until I saw my baby rolling down the stairs. Thankfully she was not hurt, no bumps, breaks or bruises. I think she was more startled than anything.
This week has been full of accidents. The day before yesterday Art got into a motorcycle accident and was scraped up pretty bad. Then I was cleaning the bathrooms with a toilet bowl cleaner that contains hydrochloric acid and one little drop got into my left eye. Instantly that eye started burning and I momentarily lost vision. Z and I quickly rinsed my eye with water for 10 minutes. My eye is still sore from the incident but it is getting better everyday...and we had a good laugh when I put a make shift eye patch on.
We are all weary this week and trying to get work done - and because we are in Curry Land, little stresses keep piling up everyday. The gas cylinder for our stove runs out, no water for hours, no power for hours. All these little things mound up like little road blocks/ set backs on the coarse of a day's productivity. Then we look back over our day & week and wonder 'what did we accomplish?' So much time and energy was eaten up by the road blocks. The set backs will never go away so we must find a way to use them for good. So many times they have a negative effect on my outlook and perception of life here when really deep down inside I love my life here. And if everything ran smoothly, Curry Land would not be the everyday adventure that has made life so endearing.