Monday, August 07, 2006
Tuesday, August 1, 2006
Have been having regular weekly playdates with Priya and Kavi. They moved here from Chicago in April. Priya's working at the Indian Institute of Management (she has a Master's in Public Health) and her husband, Kush, works for Accenture. Their son Kavi is in Charlie's class at Neev--they're only one week apart in age.
Molly blowing the horn Badri bought on the streets of Bombay (Mumbai)
Wednesday, August 2, 2006
Badri and my 9th wedding anniversary.
Saturday, August 5, 2006
Went with Molly and Charlie on the loop, stopping to see if our favorite new little yellow lab, Benz, was at home. We didn't see anyone, so went up the street and Prince's guard let us in the gate to pet the old black lab. That really makes their day (the kids, and maybe the dogs, too). After running around the butterfly park (Charlie getting as adept as Molly at the monkey bars) we went to the children's park near our house. Maria and Mats were there with Astrid and Mimmi. I'm quite sad that they'll be leaving in September. I've really gotten to like Maria a lot, and it's nice for Maya and Astrid to hang out together once in a while, too.
They came over to our house after the park and we all had dosas. They were telling us about their trip to Rajasthan--the highs and lows of traveling with two little active children. We could certainly commiserate.
Sunday, August 6, 2006
I took Molly and Charlie on our regular weekend loop, ending up at the butterfly park. Later, after I put Charlie down for a nap (he was not feeling very well), Maya, Molly, and I met Kirsty, Angus, Nicolas, and Chloe at the Grand Ashok hotel for the Sunday brunch. For 700 rupees ($15), use of pool included, you get brunch and a shoulder and/or foot massage. They only charge for adults, too. The pool is beautiful and the grassy grounds are quite unique for Bangalore. There was also an artist doing caricature drawings, as well as a potter making pots. Very enjoyable couple hours. The kids had a great time--Maya and Angus swam, and Nico followed Molly while she did laps around the outside of the pool.
Monday, August 7, 2006
Charlie home from school today with a fever and cough.
Tuesday, August 8, 2006
Both Maya and Charlie home today. Maya had a fever in the morning, but then had a three hour nap and woke up fit as a fiddle.
Wednesday, August 9, 2006
Today Maya asked when Nanny was coming to visit again. When I told her that it was a little too far, she said, "Well, maybe we can meet in London, and if she feels like it after a couple days, Nanny can continue on to India."
Went to an art and artisans' exhibit/sale at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, this wonderful venue for art bazaars, and temporary and permanent art exhibits. After two+ years here, I'm still astounded by the beauty of the handwork and skilled artisanry available for such a pittance. From hand beaded purses made in Bhopal to mirror work wall hangings from Gujarat, to tribal brass work from Chattisgarh in Madhya Pradesh. I went in the morning and was so overwhelmed that I told Badri we'd have to go back in the evening. Our tastes are converging more and more since we've been here, and we find ourselves homing in on the same pieces. I must say, though, when it comes to paintings, we still differ in that he prefers abstract art much more than I do.
In the exhibit hall next to the artisans' hall there were three Chennai students showing their work. There was such a stunning painting of two girls--one really resembled Maya--that I asked the artist if he could do a picture of our kids. He said sure, and asked me to bring them in and he could take pictures and go from there. Well, the kids and I picked up Badri at work about 5 pm. Not good timing for the kids. They were pretty much bouncing off the walls and of course were not keen on having their pictures taken. The artist goes back to Chennai tomorrow, and we'll email him a picture of the three if we can get them in a pose we want replicated in a painting.
Today was Raksha Bandhan day, where sisters tie a decorated string around their brother's wrist, and in exchange the brothers will look out for them in the future. We got the rakhi (string) for Maya and Molly to tie on Charlie, but he wanted nothing to do with it (I suppose the same sort of way Molly wants nothing to do with a clip being put in her hair). Badri's cousins Neelam and Kadham sent rakhis for him, and Kadham's daughter sent one for Charlie.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Our former housecleaner stopped by today to visit and was hoping we could re-hire her or recommend her to friends of ours. Unfortunately, I told her, we couldn't because she was too unreliable while in our employ. My heart breaks for her situation.
Read about a seven year old boy who was hit by a truck on 100ft. Road (within five minutes of our house). Bystanders put him in an autorickshaw and drove around to hospitals in the area for 4+ hours before they found a hospital who would treat him. The newspaper article gave a phone number to contact to donate to his treatment. Already he's losing one leg--he was dragged a bit of a distance. Badri says there are countless stories out there, numerous causes to support, but I feel I really want to find counseling for our former housecleaner, and contribute to this little boy's hospital bills.
Dropped the kids off at schoool and went to the first of a new series of Hindi classes. It's at the School of Lanuages and Soft Skills by Gate #8 of Diamond District, off Airport Road (2500 rupees for 20 hours, apx. $2.70 per hour). My teacher's name is Alka, and she's starting us off by learning the Hindi alphabet. No easy task. A completely different script. My classmates: an 8 and 11 year old pair of brothers from Orange County, California. Their elastic minds put me to shame. I'm writing the phonetic sound of each character on the poster we've each been given, and they're reciting them all back to the teacher by memory, not a thing written on their posters. But then again, they've been at this for four days, and this is only my first day.
Stopped in at Overseas Women's Club meeting at the Leela for the first time in a while. Knew only a handful of people there. I suppose that comes from not going much lately. Lots of newcomers.
Picked up Molly from school and when Charlie woke up we played for a bit. Went back to Neev for Maya at 3pm to go on our special treat--to the planetarium. Aruni told me Kumali and Maya were dying for a playdate, so we invited Kumali along. We sat in a theatre with a dome shaped ceiling and watched the stars come alive. It was a 30 minute movie about the stars and planets, and the girls loved it--exactly what they're learning in school these last couple of weeks.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Back to a regular schedule with yoga on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Kala, Namita, Nandita, and Rani really the core group of regulars in the 8:30 am class.
Met Maria for lunch at Roomali with a View on 100 Foot Road. Very nice ambience on the third floor, with tree canopies all around. The place was hopping and we just beat the waiting line. Decent buffet lunch. The waiter cautioned us against the buffet, saying it would be too spicy for us, but we managed okay. 245 rupees (apx. $5) for each.
Maria will be leaving around November, once Mimmi's paperwork goes through for the adoption. She has very mixed feelings about it, as I think a lot of people do as they approach their departure date. People realize they'll miss all that is unique about India, the riot of colors, sights, and smells, but many long for things back in their homelands, too.
Had our regular Friday playdate with Kirsty, Angus, Nicolas, and Chloe. Fish and chip Fridays are becoming a bit of a ritual, too. Kirsty and I have instituted a new practice, too--a glass of wine to mellow out the afternoon. She's had a tough couple weeks because her husband Andrew has been in Australia. Even with help in the house, missing daddy is tough, especially on the kids. That will probably be one of two trips of that length he'll be taking, though. Lots of people spend even more time travelling. Kirsty's a very self-sufficient, adventurous type. They travel the most in India of any family I know, and that with three children, one of whom is less than six months old.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Went to Marylouise's for a couple hours. They returned from a six week trip to the U.S. a few weeks ago.
Badri and I went out to dinner at Dakshin, an Indian restaurant at the Windsor Manor Hotel, for our 9th anniversary. I was given jasmine to clip in my hair. What a heavenly smell! That--along with freesia and lilacs--is one of my favorites. Had lovely prawns and coriander/cashew rice. After dinner tried paan for the very first time. Paan is a type of South Asian snack, which consists of fillings wrapped in a triangular package using leaves of the Betel pepper and held together with a toothpick or a clove. Paan is chewed as a palate cleanser and a breath freshener. It is also commonly offered to guests and visitors as a sign of hospitality. Paan filling is generally a mixture of various spices, fruits, and sugar. It was okay, but probably not something I'll try again.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Took a little Sunday drive, with me at the wheel. Uneventful. Fun for the kids, seeing neighborhoods we haven't yet explored.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Met Kirsty and Maria's families at Lalbagh Gardens for the annual flower show. We drew lots of stares--three mixed families (Maria is from Sweden and has adopted two Indian girls, and Kirsty and Andrew are Australian with very fair children, and you all know us). Lots of cheek pinching going on, and many people asking if we'd line up so they could take our picture (five adults and eight children!).
Astrid, Maya, Charlie, and Angus at Lalbagh flower show (just made me think of the Mod Squad for some reason)
Maya and Angus
Peace on Earth at flower show
Maya, Astrid, and Angus
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Indian Independence Day today. Very quiet around here. There was the sound of firecrackers in the distance when we walked home from the park about 11:30am, and we saw a big truck unloading warming trays (chafing dishes) and many cases of Kingfisher beer at a nearby house. But Badri says Republic Day is a much bigger celebration than Independence Day.
At the park Maya, Molly, and Charlie had the company of a couple families of friends, and one child's grandmother brought balloons to distribute to all of the children.
Molly and Charlie
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Kids back in school today after four days off. They were all well rested and happy to be back. Hosted playgroup for Maya's class this afternoon, with Marylouise, Aparna, and Aruni here with their children. Nice low-key gathering.
Molly looking pensive
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Went to Hindi class for the second day. Traffic was thick on Airport Road so I had Shiva Kumar (our new driver) drop me off at the "walkover", a footpath that goes over the busy road. The 8 and 11 year old brothers who are studying with me are going five days a week, whereas I'm only going twice a week, so they're a little ahead of me. I'd been thinking I'd only learn conversational Hindi, but Alka, the teacher, is first teaching the Hindi alphabet http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.esm.psu.edu/~axl4/Lakhtakia/Hindi/Alphabet.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.esm.psu.edu/~axl4/Lakhtakia/Hindi/HindiLessons.html&h=680&w=600&sz=8&tbnid=226qFag20CYKaM:&tbnh=137&tbnw=120&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhindi%2Balphabet&start=1&sa=X&oi=images&ct=image&cd=1
No easy task.
After class went over to the Leela Palace to stop in at the Overseas Women's Club morning coffee. A friend, Teresa, introduced me to Kendra Carpenter. Later I told Badri about our meeting, and only then did I realize how much we had in common: both got our master's degrees in Intercultural Relations at Lesley College, both same height, same hair; both partnered with Tamilian men with roots in south India but born and raised in Delhi; and both of us, at least partly, of Polish extraction. Her emphasis at Lesley was on cross-cultural training (mine was in international development) and she's doing some seminars here in Bangalore. She's been here for nine months.
Ran into someone at the Cha Bar at the Leela who, when I told them I was coming from Hindi class, told me I should be learning Tamil or Kannada. I hear that ALL the time. It's really a toss up as to what one should learn here. Sure, Hindi is the national language, but Tamil is more spoken in South India, plus it's Badri's mother tongue. And Kannada is the primary language of Karnataka, the state in which we currently live. If I'd been really smart, I would have learned Hindi the first year here, Tamil the second, and Kannada this year (or in any other order).
Stopped in at Mahua Gallery to see the latest multi-artist exhibit and spoke with Shanelle, who manages the gallery.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Griha Pravesh (Housewarming)
Went to yoga this morning, then picked all the kids up from school at 11 am to get ready for a housewarming. A couple years ago we met one of the park walkers, Mr. Venkatesh. Charlie's always been one of his favorites and he even came to Charlie's first birthday party. He was having a housewarming and invited us. All we girls put on salwar kameez and went to the event. Mr. Venkatesh's daughter showed me around the place. A very light- and breeze-filled abode built on three levels, with a terrace on top outfitted with a solar power panel. On the first floor was the sacrificial fire, beside which were placed offerings for the gods. As with marriages and thread ceremonies, priests attend these celebrations and chant in Sanskrit to bless the house. The daughter pointed out one room which was not yet finished. She told me it's customary to not finish absolutely everything in the house until after the Griha Pravesh. Here are some pictures of a similar housewarming ceremony http://www.cbmphoto.co.uk/Hhousew.html.
We were given lunch, where we sat at a long bench and ate many delicious foods off a banana leaf: gobi Manchurian (Chinese style cauliflower), palak paneer (spinach with cottage cheese), chola (garbanzo bean stew with potatoes), rasam, rice, and keer and rasgula for dessert. Just before we left we were given a bag with a coconut, two leaves, and samph (spelling uncertain, a breath freshener made of fennel and sugar).
In the evening Badri and I went to an exhibition of paintings by Dewashish Das at Rightlines Art Gallery. Das is a Calcutta artist trained in Bihar whose main theme is India's rich tribal culture and heritage. Rightlines Gallery is run by Indira and Raj. Indira is a neighbor (lives next to the park across the street) of ours who owns Pixie, our favorite neighborhood dog. It's great having a nice little art gallery with rotating exhibits one street over from ours. Having a walkable neighborhood--where you can walk to pick up groceries, have lunch, see some art, bring kids to the park--is definitely a bonus. (A side note: Indira was wearing the most gorgeous sari from Orissa. Here's a link to a page about saris in various regions of India-- http://www.devi.net/shakti/expo/expo3b.html)
Went to dinner afterwards at Paparazzi, a restaurant on the 10th floor of the Royal Orchid Hotel on MG Road. We had the most amazing view of any restaurant I've been to in Bangalore. On one side was Cubbon Road which looked like a mini Champs Elysee from above, and on another side were a group of buildings that looked like a few in La Jolla, California.
Before dinner we had a drink in the ground level bar where a jazz duo was playing. Badri spoke to the saxophonist about jazz in Bangalore. The man basically told him this is the only place to hear jazz in town. All other places where jazz was played became too loud (with people talking)until nobody would play live music anymore.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Kirsty hosted a party for Lolis and Charlies, who are moving back to Mexico soon. I gave Lolis a Ganesha as a going away gift.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Had a big scare today. Molly's breathing became very labored, along with a fever and lots of coughing. In the morning, I took a taxi with her to Manipal Hospital, about ten minutes away. Went to the emergency room, where our pediatrician Jagdish Chinnappa and pediatric pulmonologist Mahesh Babu both evaluated her within an hour of her arrival (9:30am on Sunday morning). She was hooked up to oxygen and a nebulizer to get her back to normal. They checked her saturation periodically, also, which checks that the red blood cells are carrying enough oxygen to the arteries. That should ideally be between 90 and 100%. She was given steroids (hydrocortisone) at 10:15 am and another dose six hours later.
After a few hours in the pediatric ER, we were moved up to the pediatric intensive care unit so they could constantly monitor her. The drawback there was that parents couldn't go in, except for five to ten minutes between 3 and 3:30. They let me in every once in a while though, when she was asking for me. It was heartbreaking to see the other children in there. One boy who was two beds over from Molly looked to be smaller than Molly, or about three years old. From where I was standing it looks like he had severe burns from the neck down. In the waiting room spoke with some of the parents of the other children in ICU, and communicated with others through translators. When some of us went in and were washing our hands before seeing our children, I asked one couple which was their child and they indicated the bed two over from Molly. "Accident" the mother said. I asked what his name was. "James", she said. Then it dawned on me that it was the boy I wrote about on August 10--the one who was hit and dragged by a truck on 100ft. Road.
Friends have been very helpful. Kirsty took Maya with their family on Sunday when they went on a double decker city tour bus. She offered to take her all day, but after they went to lunch at The Beach restaurant on 100 ft. Road, Maya said she wanted to go home because she missed Charlie. Aruni offered to help out, too, and sent over freshly baked flan.
Dr. Chinnappa wanted to observe Molly and continue with the nebulizer, so she was admitted and I stayed with her at the hospital for Sunday and Monday night. She really hated the nebulizer, but as she got better and her breathing stabilized, she had to use it less. I described it as a fun two night sleepover, and we watched some TV and read lots of books. She really was a great patient.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Molly and I home from the hospital.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Both Molly and Charlie out of school today. Molly still weak, not having eaten for the last five days, and Charlie coughing like crazy. When we described his symptoms to Dr. Chinnappa when we were in the hospital with Molly, he said odds are Charlie has the same allergies/asthma that Molly has. We have to remove all rugs, carpets, and other allergens (like stuffed animals) from the house.
Took them on a stroller ride to see how tailor Harish was doing with my sari blouses and saris. In the afternoon went to Aruni's for a playdate and they had a grand old time.
Went to a shop called Eka where there was a huge Ganesha exhibit, timed to coincide with the big Ganesha festival this weekend.
Rita's leg is very swollen after she just had a procedure to relieve the swelling. She'll take a few days off to rest.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Brother's Ski's 46th birthday, only days away from brother-in-law Ravi's (Srini) birthday. Called him to wish him the best, but he's probably off in La Paz, Mexico, he and Elena's first vacation in a while.
Went out to dinner with a bunch of girlfriends for the first time in a very long time. Priya met me here and we walked over to the Beach restaurant. Great group of women, but outrageously loud music which increased in volume as the evening wore on. At one point the power went out and there was no music, only candlelight. Cheers came from the crowd. Alas, the power returned, and we all went home later feeling as though we had laryngitis from yelling at each other to be heard above the din.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Kids dressed up for Ganesha festival celebration in school today. I think it's the first day all three have gone to school in the last four or six weeks. Molly was back in school for the first time since last week. It's so good to see her back to normal.
Tonight I wore a sari that Badri had given me several months ago. Just got around to having a new tailor (Harish) make a couple blouses. As I was saying goodbye to the kids, Charlie said to me, "Mommy, why do you look so pretty?"
Badri and I went to a dance/lecture sponsored by Sanskriti (an NGO) and Mahua Gallery at Taj West End. The dancer, Malavika Sarukkai, is a very famous classical Bharatanatyam dancer. Ran into some people we knew there from the neighborhood and Neev, and also saw the playwright, Girish Karnad, who we'd seen at a recent reading.
Malavika Sarukkai combines the grace of a ballet dancer, the passion of a flamenco dancer, and the flexibility of yoga in her movement. She's been dancing for nearly 30 years and clearly has a lot of followers. She talked about how art takes us to that otherness, to another place away from everyday life. She also talked about the magic of rasa, and sadhana, which I just googled to find out some interesting things like how to control emotions http://www.rasas.info/. Something I'll be looking into further.
Badri and I had dinner at Olive Beach, which had come highly recommended. It started out great, with wonderful music and overall great ambience. Then the rain came pouring down and, seated outside at the edge of the tent, we were getting pretty wet. We moved inside and I think that's where they lost us. We arrived at the restaurant at 9:15, ordered by 10, and by 11 still hadn't got our dinner. Talked to the manager and he had dinner brought out to us within 20 minutes. Yummy when it came. Sirloin, salad, and potatoes for me, and pizza for Badri. Our final waiter, Amar, was very gracious. Basically, when we were seated outside, there was a huge party of about 20 people so we were overlooked.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Went to a Abinav's birthday party. Mom and dad, Arti and Mohit, threw a great party, with a Simba cake done by the Oberoi bakery. Good crowd. We arrived too late to hear Kavita, the storyteller, but this birthday celebration showed us that all you need are fun people, balloons, and a birthday cake to be a success (plus a terrific return gift--all the attendees received an umbrella with cartoon characters). Mohit's parents were visiting all the way from Merida, Mexico, where they've been living for the last ten years. Badri had really been looking forward to meeting Mohit's dad, who is also a physicist, and went to the same school as Badri, St. Stephens College in Delhi. But more than anything, Badri was excited to talk to someone who had retired in Mexico, something he's talked about doing for a while.
Badri went to Jungle Book 2 with Molly and Maya at St. John's auditorium in Koramangala. They had a great time.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is the day that Ganesh (or Ganapati) makes a visit to earth for his devotees. Ganesh is the most popular in the pantheon of Hindu gods. Legends say that Lord Ganapati (meaning "Lord"[pati] of the "semi-divine creatures that serve Lord Shiva"[ganas]) was created by goddess [Parvati]; wife of Lord [Shiva]. Parvati created Ganesha out of sandalwood paste that she used for her bath and breathed life into the figure. Letting him stand guard at the door she went to have her bath. However, while Parvati was taking her bath, Lord Shiva returned and as Ganesha didn't know him, he didn't allow him to enter. Lord Shiva became enraged and severed the head of the child and entered his house. After realizing that he had beheaded his own son, Lord Shiva fixed the head of an elephant in place of Ganesha's head. In this way, Lord Ganesha acquired the image of the elephant-headed God. Lord Ganesha represents Om, which is the chief mantra among the Hindus.
Clay Ganesha (elephant god)
Charlie getting ready for puja (prayer) in front of Ganesha
Maya and rangoli drawn by Ratnama for Ganesh Chaturthi
In the morning I took Charlie for a stroller ride to Krishna Temple Road where we brought jasmine flowers to adorn our Ganesh at home, along with some offerings to do a puja (prayer): coconut, more flowers, red sandal paste, durva grass (very resilient and a symbol of long life). Ganesh is said to be the god who removes all obstacles, and it is customary to be given a Ganesh statue, not to buy one for oneself (receiving it as a gift is more auspicious and brings better luck). Patricia had made a sweet dessert on Saturday, and first we offered it to Ganesh, and then we gave a bowl to everybody to eat (although our kids didn't eat it, because they just haven't taken a liking to Indian sweets).
Went to brunch at Grand Ashok and quick breeze through Dastakar at Chitrakala Parishath. Gorgeous crafts. There's no end to these opportunities, even in Bangalore. It was Badri's first time at the brunch at Grand Ashok and he thought it was the best he'd seen yet. The property is so open, with a great lawn all around the pool.
In the evening we took a drive around town to see people celebrating the special day. At one point we got out of the car and walked down a street where a grandstand had been set up. It turned out to be nothing special, but on the way Molly stepped in a big cow patty. I was trying to remove it with rocks, sticks, and leaves I could find, when an elderly woman came up to us with a big bottle of water and washed it off Molly's foot and sandal with a big smile. I was really touched by her kindness.
Ganesha in the garden
We drove by Ulsoor Lake where everybody was dunking their Ganesh statues, but it was so crowded and the line to get into the temple was so long that we didn't get out. The custom is to submerge each family's clay Ganesh into water: “Lord Ganesh is immersed in a lake, river or the sea symbolising a ritual farewell of the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash (one of the Heavenly worlds where his mother Parvati and father Shiva reside) while taking away with him the misfortunes of all the human beings. Before that Lord Ganesh's idol is taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing and singing. People join in this final procession shouting "Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya" (O father Ganesha, come again early next year). After the final offering of coconuts, flowers and camphor is made, people carry the idol to the water to immerse it.”
Here's a link to Ganesha showing the immersion in Mumbai, where the celebration is huge. http://www.amitkulkarni.info/pics/ganesh_mumbai/
Monday, August 28, 2006
Molly still not wanting to go to school, so stayed home and relaxed. Brought Maya and Kumali to Hindi class today. Their teacher, Miss Geetha, is teaching them the Hindi alphabet, but Kumali's not too interested, so I'll ask her just to focus on conversation.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
After dropping the kids off to school (Molly didn't want to go at first, but then went happily), went to the Citrus restaurant at Leela Palace for a going away breakfast for Lolis. She, her husband Charles, and their two kids are moving back to Mexico next week. Lolis is going home to live in Mexico after ten years living in the U.S. (nine years) and India (one year). They'll live in Mexico City, or nearby. Their daughter, Carla, who is five years old, is completely trilingual (English, German [Charles is German], and Spanish).
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Went swimming at Leela Palace with Priya. Had an invigorating swim under partially gray skies. It costs 550 rs (apx. $12 US) to swim there when going as a guest of a member. Priya has a one month membership which is 5000 rs. I probably wouldn't get there 10 times in a month, so it wouldn't be worth it to get a one month membership. Had a drink at Citrus, the restaurant there, after swimming. Great to gab with a girlfriend.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
I got a call from school to pick up Charlie. He has blisters on his hands and "ulcers" [they call them here] in his mouth. I strongly suspected hand, foot, and mouth disease, because Maya's friend and friend's sister had it in the last week or two. Sure enough, brought him to Dr. Chinnappa and that's exactly what it is. Nothing serious. A virus that's "moderately" contagious. Most kids here in India under five get it. Has to stay out of school for a week. I was pretty upset when I heard that they'd known about it at the school for the last month and the parents hadn't been notified.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Back in Bangalore, July 2006
Saturday, July 1, 2006
We've settled into our routine nicely here. Maya had really been missing Akhil, so we had him over for a playdate today. Charlie, Molly, and I woke early so we did a loop in the neighborhood with the double stroller then ended up at the butterfly park (next to the Indiranagar Club) where they frolicked in the tall grass--pretended they were in the jungle with tigers. That park closes at 10am sharp and then we went to the children's park where Maya was with Akhil on their playdate. Maria was also there with Astrid and Mimmi, and Charlies was there with Carla. Charles' wife Lolis (from Mexico) had her baby, Isabela, one month ago (about one month early). She and baby were at Manipal Hospital for two weeks because Isabela was early and in distress--not breathing when born--immediately brought to intensive care unit after C-section. In the end, Lolis and Charles seemed happy with their experience there.
Sunday, July 2, 2006
No power today from 10am-7pm (newspaper said power cut would be from 10-3). Philomen (our driver) had the day off so I drove us to Eva Mall (end of Brigade Road, about a 25 minute drive) and kids spent half an hour playing at Fun Corner. We didn't stay for the usual one hour because there was a birthday party going on with lots of kids. We switched from the Ford Endeavour (SUV) to the Toyota Innova, and I really enjoy driving it. Much easier than the SUV.
Since there was no power, had fun over candlelit dinner in the kitchen. The only thing is, since we returned from the U.S., Charlie has become much pickier. He who had before eaten like a truck driver (usually eating more than the two girls combined) is saying no to just about everything since we've returned to Bangalore.
The kids thought it was the neatest thing sitting under the breakfast bar this morning having a second round of breakfast--Maya and Molly mangos and Charlie oatmeal (or oopameal, as he called it).
Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Badri tried his hand at bringing the kids to school today. Didn't fare too much better than I did, but when I look in on them later they are happy and doing fine.
At noon talked to Maya's class about adoption and read the book Over the Moon. Then showed pictures from Maya's first photo album (red).
In the afternoon got a call from Priya, one of the new moms at school. Her son, Kavi, is in Charlie's class. She was right over at the walking park, so I invited her over.
They arrived in Bangalore months ago from Chicago. She and her husband, Kush, were both born and raised in the U.S., but have roots in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Kush works at Accenture and Priya works at IIM (Indian Institute of Management) in the economics department on women's and gender issues (and NGO projects with some World Health Organization funding). She got her Masters in Public Health, something I wish I'd done at times. Sounds like very interesting work. More small world stories: she knows Ruchi, whose husband also works at Accenture (they knew each other back in Chicago) and also knows Sujatha, who writes blogpourri, a very interesting blog.
Charlie and Kavi seem to be well suited playmates. Kavi was born one week before Charlie and is a head taller than C (tall parents), but they're both very verbal and love dogs and tricycles. Very sweet kids, both.
Went to our friends' house, the Decosta's, for 4th of July dinner. Sarah and Wayne and their four kids--Martha, Sammy, Daniel, and Katie--have been good friends since our arrival 2+ years ago. Sarah prepared hamburgers, chicken, potato salad, pasta salad, and apple pie. The kids had lots of fun getting reacquainted, since both families had been in the U.S. over the last month and a half.
Wednesday, July 5, 2006
Went out to dinner at Taj Residency with Badri's cousin Richi and his wife Cajoli, as well as Jyoti and Mahesh (all former college buddies of Badri's). While they were swapping stories and catching up on old friends in common, I paid a visit to the tarot card reader in the lobby. She basically told me to get my act together and figure out what I want to do for myself. Key words: focus, prioritize. Since I'm anxious to get this update updated, I'll put it off planning until tomorrow (or the next day...).
Friday, July 7, 2006
Kirsty came over for a playdate. We'd missed several weeks, and we really look forward to our meeting up on Fridays. They traveled to Cochin last weekend and had a great time. They are definitely one family with three kids who out-travel us.
Nina Mehta was spending three days at the Leela Palace--part of the Monsoon Package--and I met her at Zen, a restaurant there. We talked for hours over drinks and sushi.
Saturday, July 8, 2006
Tonight Badri and I drove nearly an hour to a Bangalore restaurant called Grasshopper. You have to book in advance so the chef can determine your food preferences and plan the menu from there. Grasshopper is south, on the Bannerghatta Road, and was definitely worth it. It was a three hour leisurely experience, with only five tables of diners. There is a clothing and jewelry boutique attached to the restaurant, which helps you while away the wait between courses. But most amusing are the four or five dogs who have the run of the place, a mix of labrador retrievers and mutts.
Sunday, July 9, 2006
Went swimming and had the brunch at Taj West End.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Molly out of school. Fever yesterday afternoon after Taj.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Great yoga session today. Back into the 8:30am schedule, which is really best. I ran into one of our neighbors, Yamini, who is a yoga instructor as well as a classical Bharatnatyam dancer, and she said morning is optimal for yoga. There were a couple weeks when the kids were getting used to school that I went to class in the afternoon, and it did feel a little different.
Ran into an old yoga friend who'd checked out a new yoga place in Indiranagar called Urban Yoga. The woman there asked if she'd taken yoga before, and where, and Upasna told her she'd learned from Acharya. "He's the best in town," the Urban Yoga woman said. I rather like him, too, and I absolutely love the convenience (five minutes walk around the corner from us).
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Spoke with Teresa, mom to Naomi, one of Molly's classmates, when picking up Molly today. Not sure how we got around to the topic, but it turns out SIETAR (Society for Intercultural Education, Training, and Research) is holding a conference here in Bangalore August 17-19. Teresa's husband is a trainer with Microsoft, and she also told me about a couple people here in Bangalore, Kendra and Heather, who are active in training and/or organizing the conference. Definitely want to find out more about that. I'm not ready to go back to work full-time, yet, but I'd like to get my feet wet. I was a member of SIETAR years ago in graduate school, but let my membership lapse quite a while ago.
Kirsty and her kids came over for a dinner/playdate today. Rita was out sick and Patricia went home early. It was really nice to have the house all to ourselves.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Heading to Chennai tomorrow to get passports renewed. We'll make a long weekend of it and visit Patti and Thatha (Amma and Appa, Badri's parents). The kids are really excited to see them, and we're all looking forward to it, except for the 95 degree (36 celsius) weather. Rajiv, Badri's brother, will also be there.
Picked up Charlie from school and first we went to the children's park. Ran into an Indian woman I'd met there last year, who has since moved to Wilmington, Delaware. Very gracious, kind woman who has always had a soft spot for Maya.
Walking home from the park, Charlie decided he wanted to go into the local temple where he saw two men stringing roses and chrysanthemums. The elderly gentleman was very kind to Charlie, offering him a rose, and told us he was preparing for a marriage on Monday. We took off our shoes and went inside the temple. When we came out, a little boy with a sweet face joined us and was having fun throwing two yellow flowers up in the air, wearing only a shirt.
Charlie and I walked home, and I asked him if he wanted to give the boy a pair of his shoes that no longer fit him. I asked if he wanted to go back with me to deliver them, and he said, "Sure." Put some shorts, shirts, pants, sandals, and sneakers in a bag and walked back to the temple. The flower stringers were still there, and so was the boy. I think he's a child of the temple caretakers who live on the premises. A woman I assumed to be his mother came out of the small house, very pregnant. I smiled and asked her boy's name. "Lokesh", she said. I asked if he was two and she said "yes, two and a half, December born." So just a month older than Charlie, but a few inches shorter.
So just taking the time, in no hurry to be anywhere, letting Charlie choose the direction, we met some very kind and humble people.
Badri relaxing with Charlie and Molly
Saturday, July 15, 2006
To Chennai for long weekend
Flew to Chennai on Jet Airways to renew Maya's and my passport and visit with Patti and Thatha (Badri's parents). The three kids were being good as gold most of the way through the flight, and Badri said to me, "It's going great so far! It'd be okay if it went only downhill from here." Well, wouldn't you know it, Molly started in on one of her infamous tantrums (okay, you have to remember she's now 3 1/2 years old--not 2 years old anymore). I cannot recall what was the trigger. Oh yes, it was that she was tired of sitting buckled in. Here we've just flown 24 hours to and fro the U.S. with nary an incident, and we take a 35 minute flight to Chennai and all hell breaks loose. A very kind woman who had been sitting behind us on the plane smiled when I apologized as we were getting off the plane. "No problem," she said, "I'm just glad my fiancee wasn't with me. As it is, he only wants to have one child, and I'm trying to convince him that we should have two." And we both had a good laugh. Such polite people, Indians.
The kids were happy to see we'd rented an Innova (the Toyota minivan here, much smaller than the minivans in the U.S., but quite adequate) and that they wouldn't have to ride in car seats. We rode over to Besant Nagar to Patti and Thatha's place, and the kids were so excited to see them. Patti had prepared lunch--a yummy cabbage kootu (cabbage with lentils), rasam, and papad. Put a little ghee (clarified butter) on the kootu and rice, and the kids are guaranteed to gobble it down. Especially if they can spread the mixture on a papad and eat it like an open faced sandwich (papad is a crispy thin bread made of dal).
Badri's brother, Rajiv, is also living there and working at his new job. He is a hit with the kids, and Charlie comes out with all kinds of combinations of his name (they call him Rajiv Periappa, which means Uncle Rajiv--more specifically, older brother of father). Went to the beach in the late afternoon and had a great time splashing around. The beach was so crowded since it was Saturday. Very few people, if any, with swimming suits. Lots of young boys going in fully clothed, diving into the surf, and most of the ladies in sari or salwar kameez wet up to their knees, and the occasional one with western dress. Lucky for us, it's less than a five minute walk from Amma and Appa's. After going in the surf the kids went on several manually operated amusement rides--flying cars, ferris wheel, carousel--about which I'd been very nervous when I first saw them on the beach. They had a great time and, of course, didn't want to stop.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Very hot day, so decided we'd go to Mahabalipuram, less than an hour's drive from Chennai. It lies on the coast and is a 7th century town http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabalipuram. Badri and I had come here before with his brother Ravi and his family back in the late 90s, when we visited the historic monuments. This time, with the kids and Amma and Appa, we booked a room at a hotel, Ideal Resort, for about 3000Rs (or $65). Between the pool and the ocean, Maya and I were in the water for about seven hours. She's really making great progress swimming on her own. The ocean was very rough, but beyond the breakers it wasn't so bad, so I got some good swimming in.
Ate lunch in the restaurant, a delicious brunch with heavenly prawns standing out most in my memory. Charlie took a nap in the room and Amma and Appa rested for a while. Appa went in the pool with the kids--so much fun for all of them. The first time in the pool with their Thatha. Finished off the day all taking a bath in the open air bathroom of the rented room: the kids in the bath and Badri and I showering.
Maya and Molly with Thatha
Molly and Charlie the Michelin Man, Patti in the background, me and Maya in pool
Monday, July 17, 2006
Went to the U.S. consulate to renew Maya and my passports. We figured it would take quite a while, so I packed lots of snacks, toys, books, etc., in the backpack. But getting through security was a real nightmare. They basically wanted us to taste every bit of food and drink in the pack so we could assure it was only edibles and not explosives.
Once we finally got in, we had a fun time meeting others waiting there as well, a lot of whom were from Bangalore. Nearly every month you run into someone in Bangalore who is taking a trip to Chennai, and nine out of ten times they're going to renew their passport.
Tuesday-Friday, July 18-21, 2006
Molly was out of school all week with a cold. Charlie stayed home today, too, I suppose in solidarity with Molly.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Had our weekly playdate with Kirsty. She picks up Maya from school, along with her son, Angus. The six kids play for a couple hours and Kirsty and I have a coffee, catch up. Then the kids eat dinner at five while K and I have a glass of wine. It's not as relaxing as it sounds. For days after the playdate we remember truncated conversations that were started and then not finished. Sometimes we'll think to pick up on the open end and resume the next time we see each other.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Went for my monthly pedicure today at Woodlands Hotel. It's a little cottage dedicated to a pedicure clinic with three chairs. Strictly therapeutic treatment--no nail polish. I nearly fall asleep every time I go for the 30-45 minute treatment. Cost is 250 rupees ($5.50).
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Got out of the house by a record 8:30am with Molly and Charlie. Went over to the children's park, where Badri and Maya met us later. Philomen, our driver, had the day off, so I drove us to Tipu Sultan's Palace. It was quite an adventure, but thankfully it was Sunday so the traffic was relatively light. Badri's a great co-pilot, has an excellent sense of direction, and I couldn't have done it without him.
The palace was built in the late 1700s as a summer retreat by Tipu Sultan, one of India's only kings who resisted British rule. In the palace, there's a picture of a mechanized tiger attacking a British soldier who lays on the ground, commissioned to be built by Tipu Sultan. As Charlie and Molly were escaping out of the palace and I wanted to grab their attention, I called out, "Come see the tiger!" and they came running. Very interesting edifice, almost completely made out of wood, pillars made of teak, in a style that's usually seen in marble and stone.
temple next to Tipu Sultan's palace
Tipu Sultan's palace
Molly Bright Eyes
After we were able to drag the kids away from what most amused them at the palace, a gardener neatly trimming the shrubs, we went next door to a temple. We all removed our shoes and gave them to a young boy who was putting a number with each family's pile of shoes. As luck would have it, there was a "wedding" going on in the temple. Badri spoke with one of the attendees, who said it was an Indian family living in the U.S. who was sponsoring the "wedding". Two stone gods--one female, one male--were adorned with kum kum (red powder) and jasmine flowers and the Iyengar priests (Badri's family's community) were chanting their Sanskrit verses, while people were seated observing the ceremony.
Six priests with white threads over shoulder
Saturday, July 29, 2006
I had another 24 hour getaway at the Leela Palace, 10 minutes from our house. All I could ask for--complete quiet, relaxation. Went for a facial with Moni at M&W, followed by a hair oil and head massage, shampoo and blow dry.
Stopped in at Anokhi and bought a shirt for Badri. Went to the Mahua Gallery to see the latest exhibit and saw a sculpture I really liked called "Animal Lover," in a bronze patina. Made me think of Molly, who is completely crazy about animals (so is Maya, but sometimes I think Molly actually thinks she's an animal, usually a dog). A kid sitting on and kissing what looked like a llama. The gallery manager, Shanelle, was very helpful.
Went to Citrus for dinner and had salmon on spinach risotto.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Relaxing morning. Slept late. Sat outside at Citrus and had eggs benedict. The highlight is always when Maya and Molly come to the room with Badri to pick me up. They're so excited to come to the Leela and eat the chocolates and cookies that come with the room.
Went down to Mahua Gallery and Badri agreed the "Animal Lover" sculpture was pure Molly. We bought it.
Molly and Maya coming to pick up Mom at Leela Palace
View from my room at Leela Palace
Thursday, August 03, 2006
This month's blog is being reconstructed from memory after a couple months back home in Bangalore, so it will be short on details, but hopefully will include some fun photos.
Thursday, June 1, 2006
The rains started coming today as we were in Methuen's (Massachusetts) Chuck E. Cheese, a place the kids like to go and play on climbing equipment, put tokens in games, and eat pizza. Went with Mary, Max, and Alexander. So we were over a week in Massachusetts with cool, sunny skies before the rains came.
Friday, June 2, 2006
Flew down to Baltimore to spend the weekend with Kamala and Gopal (Amuma and Pata) and their daughters and their families. When we first arrived at Kamala and Gopal's there was no one at home and we weren't sure if maybe they were gone for the weekend. But as we were driving away we passed them on the road, so circled back for a happy reunion.
Kamila and Anil
Kamala and Gopal have always been a big help to us, visiting us in California to help out with Maya before Molly's birth, and then again to help out with M & M when Charlie was about to be born. Tara, Jon, Nikolas, and Kristofer, and Vidya, Jamie, Aarthi, Anand, and Anil came over in the evening for a get-together. Maya's always been a big fan of Aarthi's, who's a few years older than her.
Jon, Tara, and Nikolas
Saturday, June 3, 2006
Took the children to Clarks' Elioak Farm in Ellicott City, a petting zoo. Maya and Molly went on a horse ride, and we all went on a hayride.
Maya on horseback
Molly on horseback
In the evening we went to Tara and Jon's house, which had just been remodeled. They've done a lovely job.
Had dinner at Vidya and Jamie's house and the cousins had hours of fun playing together.
Molly, Charlie, and Vidya's son Anil (I think Charlie and Anil look a bit alike)
Cousins chillin' out in front of the boob tube
Vidya, Jamie, Kelly, Gopal, Kamala
Gopal (aka Dorai chittapa, aka Pata), the great storyteller
Aarthi, Anand, and Anil
Badri and Jamie (twin sons of different mothers)
Sunday, June 4, 2006
Flew back to Boston on Trans Air. It was a short flight, but in that little time I found them to be the best flight attendants on any of the airlines we've flown recently. Very helpful, especially in de-fusing Molly and Charlie's meltdowns.
Monday, June 5, 2006
Went to Erin's for a visit. Brought Maya to Sarah's horseback riding lesson. Maya is dying to start lessons, also.
Had dinner at the Weathervane restaurant in Salem, NH with Mom. I had fried clams and fantail shrimp. Yum!
Tuesday, June 6, 2006
Brought the kids to the Museum of Science in Boston. Had a terrific time in the Discovery section doing waterplay, having puppet shows, and doing puzzles.
Molly and Charlie doing waterplay at Museum of Science
Stopped in Kendall Square for coffee on the way home.
Had a barbecue at Mom's, and Lynn Beck Sullivan came down from Kittery, Maine with her daughter, Amelia. Great to see Lynn after so many years!
Thursday, June 8, 2006
Aunt Peggy, Mom's sister, came for a visit from Manchester, NH. The kids had a great time with her, and for days afterwards kept asking for Auntie Piggy.
Molly doing a puzzle with Aunt Peggy
Brought Molly to the doctor's (Dr. Jankelson, Erin Healy's pediatrician) because she'd been particularly lethargic lately. Told doc about her repeated UTIs and low grade fever. She ordered a renal ultrasound.
Went to a different hospital for the ultrasound. Molly was a champ. Slept through most of it, and when she woke up wasn't bothered by it in the least. All looked fine.
Badri and I went out tonight meaning to see a movie, but couldn't find one that looked worth seeing. Ended up driving in to downtown Boston and having dinner at the Union Oyster House http://www.unionoysterhouse.com/Pages/history.html, supposedly the oldest restaurant in America. Put our name on the waiting list and sat at the raw bar for a beer and a few oysters. When our table was ready we sat in one of the very old dining rooms and had one of the veteran food servers wait on us. I think she told me she'd been working there for 30 or 40 years. Very respectable fried clams. Yup, a-gain.
Friday, June 9, 2006
My niece Katie arrived from Hawaii this morning. Actually she'd arrived earlier, but her dad Dean brought her to Mom's house in the early a.m. Great to see Katie for the first time since she came to visit us in San Diego in 2000, and met her son Temana for the very first time at 9 months old.
Nanny, Temana, Molly, and Charlie
Temana and Nanny
I was going to go to Logan Airport by myself in the evening to pick up my sister Patty and her son (my godson) Joey, but it was raining so heavily Badri also came. Flight delayed to 11:50pm. I was struck by how tall Joey had become. At 13 years old, he's almost my height. Great to see Patty, too. Hadn't seen her since January 2004, two and a half years before, when she came out to San Diego after Charlie's birth.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Still raining. Nine days straight, I think. All of us (except Katie--she'd gone to a friend's wedding in Washington, DC) went to the Talking Moose Restaurant (not sure of the exact name, but the kids love the way the fake moose and buffalo heads mounted on the wall talk and move their heads every once in a while).
Patty and Molly
Joey feeding Temana, with a little help from Maya, Molly, and Charlie
Charlie horsing around with Auntie Patty
Charlie, Joey, Maya, Max, and Alexander (Joey has cult hero status with his younger cousins)
Sunday, June 11, 2006
First sign of sun in ten days. Patty, Mary, Joey, and Temana went to Boston to pick up Katie at the airport, and Badri and I took the kids up to Maine. First we went to Long Sands Beach in York where the kids practically went swimming (especially Maya!) fully clothed in long pants and fleece jackets. They were so excited to be in the ocean. Drove out to Nubble Light to see the lighthouse and the kids ran and crawled over the rocks.
York Beach, Maine
Maya flying through the air on the rocks across from Nubble Light (lighthouse) in York
Met my brother Ski at Bob's Clam Hut in Kittery, Maine, across from the Weathervane
From Kittery, went to South Berwick, Maine to have dinner at Sandy and Mark Gagnon's house. Sandy made a heavenly dinner. The kids were in their element--running around the huge grassy backyard, rolling down the hills, swinging on the tire swing. Idyllic, really. All the kids ended up in the hot tub, except Molly who took a major nap from about 3 to 6pm.
Monday, June 12, 2006
While Maya slept late at Mom's, I brought Badri, along with Charlie and Molly, to the Express Bus Service in Woburn so he could go to Logan Airport. He has a five day business trip to San Diego. Molly was crying and so sad to see Appa go, so we got donuts at Dunkin Donuts. After her donut she laid down on the wooden bench using her Tums bottle as a pillow. The Tums has been her latest object of attachment. A couple months ago it was a round cinnamon scented soap that Mom had sent with the Easter care package. She holds on to something for a period of time--sometimes a week, sometimes a month--then moves on to a different object. Very interesting case study, that one.
When we returned to Mom's, Mary, Andrew, Max, and Alexander were there with their new Toyota van.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Went to Portsmouth, New Hampshire today with Patty, Katie, Temana, Joey, Maya, Molly, and Charlie. Stopped for coffee at Starbucks, walked around town a bit, sat down by the tugboats on park benches and bought some fried clams and assorted other munchies at the Ferry Landing.
Stopped in Stratham, New Hampshire to bring Katie and Temana to Nita Hager's. Nita is Katie's grandmother (Dean's mother). I know Nita from many years ago--I was best friends with her daughter, Nikki, back in high school (30 years ago!!). This was the first time Nita had met Maya, Molly, and Charlie.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Brought Molly for her VCUG (voiding cytourethrogram) at Emerson Hospital in Concord, Massachusetts. This procedure is used to rule out abnormalities in the urethra and bladder (because she'd had multiple urinary tract infections). Before going, Patty gave me lots of great advice on how to make it easier on Molly. Also, there was a support services person, Mallory, who met us when we arrived and had all sorts of fun activities to distract Molly. Also, I appreciated when Mallory made a point of asking for a specific doctor who she felt was best with children and most experienced in the procedure.
Mallory told me that most three year olds are given anesthesia for the VCUG, but the only opening for a VCUG with anes. would be weeks after we had to leave the U.S., so we did it without anes. Molly was a champ--a urinary catheter is inserted into the bladder then the catheter (tube) is used to fill the bladder with a clear liquid (contrast material). X-rays are taken of the belly and viewed on a screen by the radiologist. When the bladder was full, she was asked to pee and pictures were taken of the emptying process. Then the tube was removed.
Molly did so well throughout, but you could tell it was stressful for her--she fell asleep in the car on the way home and slept for two hours. She slept in the car while the rain came pouring down in buckets. While I was with Molly, Patty brought everybody else up to Maine to drop Joey off to go fishing with Pa (Patty's husband's dad).
Drove to Boston for dinner with my friend Erin Healy at Summer Shack. She was right--their fried clams are fantastic. Had a clams appetizer and mahi mahi fish main course. Erin and I have been friends now for over 25 years It's great to get together with a dear friend who knows you completely and gives a 100% honest opinion.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Brought all three children to Dr. Jankelson's (Erin's pediatrician) for a physical and shots. I have to say, Molly got the prize for getting the least hysterical over shots, but then for some reason she had a half an hour meltdown in the car (can't remember why now). She slept it off once we got back to Mom's house.
After Molly woke up we went to Mary's so the kids could play together, and we had dinner. The kids are just completely happy and no problem when they play there. Max and Maya drew a giant dinosaur and hung it on the living room wall.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Picked up Maya at Mary's. She'd had a sleep over with Max and Alexander last night, one of three she had with them on this vacation. Met Julie Wormser and her three year old daughter Lucie at Nara Park in Acton, Massachusetts. The park includes a swimming pond and playground.
Julie Wormser and I were very involved in environmental activism in Boston in the 1990s and together organized rallies to fight Newt Gingrich's Contract "on" America. I'd roped Fred Small in to play folk music at one of the rallies and I believe that's where he and Julie met for the first time. The two are married now. Julie joined The Wilderness Society when I went to Citizen Action in 1996, then she became Northeast regional director. Now she's director of advocacy at the Appalachian Mountain Club. Sometimes I really miss those days.
Mom had a barbecue at her place in the evening. Joey's a terrific 13 year old--great with the kids. Went shopping with him, Molly, and Charlie. As we walked into one store, a guy looked at Molly and me, then asked, "Is she yours? Is she Chinese?" I thought that was hilarious.
Badri flew in from California tonight.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Today Charlie woke up and said, "Where's Auntie Mary? Auntie Mary went swimming with a dolphin and she had to come back to see me." Out of the mouths of babes.
It's been a real highlight--actually it's the only reason I wanted to come to New England to visit--for the kids to spend such quality time with their grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Sure, there have been moments that have been a little trying with us all packed in at Mom's. She's been incredibly tolerant of our big messes and comings and goings. But staying primarily in one place for a month has really given us a chance to both rest and visit, without constant hopping from place to place.
Fried Clams Heaven
I just lied. I also came back to New England for the fried clams. My goal had been to have them six times while here on vacation, and I think I actually had them eight times:
1. Kittery [Maine] Weathervane (twice)
2. Bob's Clam Hut, Kittery, Maine
3. Summer Shack, Boston, Massachusetts
4. Union Oyster House, Boston, Massachusetts
5. Ferry Landing, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
6. Salem [New Hampshire] Weathervane (twice)
I have to say, I was pleased with each and every gustatory experience. I'm very biased towards the Weathervane, because that was where I had one of my first jobs as a kid, and I should definitely be on the frequent eater program there, having eaten there innumerable times in the last 30 years (ouch! so old!). Some say it's all in the batter. But it's also in the texture of the clam. If the shellfish is a little too chewy or rubbery, it's quite disappointing (I must say, some people swear that Bob's beats Weathervane hands down, but I found Bob's to be a little too chewy and too many shells thrown in as a bonus). Also, have to say--you gotta have the bellies. Clam strips are just not the same thing. Sorry.
Went to a fantastic party at friends' Jennifer and Tim Sharkey's house in Waltham, Massachusetts. I've known Jennifer--a fellow Scorpio--for about 15 years. She invited close friends over: Erin Healy, Maile Jones, and Andre and Prajna Dostie (all friends for the last 20-25 years). Tim, the ultimate in big kids, got the sprinkler going, and then made a mud pit in the backyard so the kids could really get down and dirty. Maya had a great time walking Abbie, their six year old collie. Maile has started a new magazine, Real Women Press, www.realwomenpress.com for and about central Massachusetts women. Some great reading. Her daughter and my friend, Anya, also has a column in the magazine.
Molly at Jennifer and Tim's
Kelly and Maya
Maya and Abbie
Charlie, Badri, and Molly
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Another great party--family reunion of sorts--at Ski and Elena's in York
On the way north we stopped at Toys 'r Us in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to pick up a couple things. There's just nothing like this in India. We stocked up on Legos, some Thomas the Train paraphernalia, and even got a train table. Felt a little pressure as we browsed, overwhelmed, through the toys, knowing that we were pressed for time to get to the party. Just not enough minutes in the day.
Many on Mom's side came up from New Hampshire and one, Aunt Mary, from Florida: Aunt Peggy, Uncle Stan, cousins Mike and Shawna and Shawna's husband John; Uncle Dan and Aunt Gail, Aunt Mary Manning, John and Carol Manning and their daughter, Dave and Cathy O'Brien and their daughter Molly. On Dad's side, Aunt Barbara came, as well as Kristin, Jeff, Stephanie and their son Phin. The kids, once again, had a blast in the kiddie pool and on the slip and slide. Lynn Beck Sullivan and Liz Elliott also stopped by with Lynn's daughter, Amelia. Some of us went swimming up at the river, about five minutes walk from the house. An invigorating swim. Still pretty cool. The best of Maine.
Andrew and Joey
Temana
Monday, June 19, 2006
Mom, our family, Mary's family, and Patty, Katie, Temana, and Joey all went out to dinner at the Salem, New Hampshire Weathervane Seafood restaurant. Just one more time this visit for good measure. Had a great big table in the back where we didn't cause too much of a raucous.
Family photo at Ski and Elena's house
Max, Mary, and Alexander
Maya, Joey, Katie, Patty
Patty and Mom
Huggin' cousins: Max, Maya, Alexander, Charlie
Patty, Maya, Kelly, Mary
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Left Mom's at about 5 p.m. for the 9:05 flight out of Boston. Drove the rental car, accompanied by Mary in their new Toyota minivan to help us carry all the boxes to the airport (we traveled with the maximum 10 pieces of luggage, plus had to ship six or seven boxes home through the post office). Mary sent us off with great toys to amuse the kids during the long flight. We would have been lost without the toy airplanes she got for Charlie.
Flight went off without a hitch, and we arrived back in Bangalore at about 6 a.m. on Thursday the 22nd. Of course we all wanted to sleep most of the day, with our body clocks completely confused.
Friday, June 23, 2006
The kids were up in the middle of the night from 1 to 3 am, so definitely no school today either. Spent time at the park, Maya riding her bike with training wheels going wonky, and Molly on her tricycle.
In the evening, brought Molly on a date with me and Badri to see our neighbor Yamini Muthanna dance bharatanatya at Yavanika, State Youth Centre on Nrupathunga Road, next to the Reserve Bank of India. Yamini is also a yoga teacher, and her dancing is beautiful. At 3 1/2, we were really happy with how nicely Molly behaved throughout the performance. When she got tired, she just leaned back in one of our laps.
It's especially fun to see one of your neighbors all decked out, barely recognizable, in the dancer's attire and makeup (see Yamini's picture on this link)
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Nice relaxed day. Again, Maya slept in late, so I brought Molly and Charlie in the double stroller on the loop, and then to the park. They had such a great time playing together until noon when the park closed.
Monday, June 26, 2006
The kids went back to school at Neev today, pretty much recovered from jet lag after four days rest. Charlie's in the toddler class from 8:30-11, Molly's in the pre-kindergarten from 8:30-1, and Maya's in K-2 from 8:30-3. Maya's teachers are Shaista and Malithy, Molly's are Amba and Krishna, and Charlie's are Priti, Nimmy, Kauvery, and a couple others. I think Charlie's is the biggest class with about 38 children.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Maya's class is doing a unit on the family tree, always an interesting assignment for an adoptive family. Miss Malithy had talked to the class about adoption, and I visited Maya's class and read them Over the Moon: An Adoption Tale about a couple who adopts a baby from Central America. It's beautifully illustrated and is a lovely story. The children seemed to enjoy it, and Maya always loves it when I go to her class to read.
