Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Great way to start the month. Both Maya and Molly are sick. I really think it's from all the swimming and swallowing yucky pool water.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Both Maya and Molly were feverish and stayed home from school. Actually, it's the first day of summer school for Molly and Charlie at Neev, so only Charlie went, from 9am-noon.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Ditto above.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
All three home sick. Something must be going around. Basically it's fever and vomiting. What a way to start the month, huh? Ninety percent of the people say it's because of the changing weather. I don't bother arguing anymore.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Yay! Everyone's better and back to the pool--and school--today. Met up with Debra at Inch cafe. She's back from Goa for the next couple months, and on to Thailand and Hong Kong. She really knows how to travel, that Canadian.
Friday, April 6, 2007 Good Friday
Pretty amazing that in a country so predominantly Hindu, Good Friday is a national holiday.
Maya's Easter holiday from Canadian school starts today, and she's very happy to be spending it at Neev summer school doing art, dance, storytelling, and physical education. Her beloved art teacher, Nilu, is there all week, and is ecstatic that Maya got into the Mallya Aditi International School. Says it's the best school in town, really an extension of the Neev philosophy, and the best fit for Maya.
After summer school, Maya went to her friend, Isis's house, for an Easter egg hunt and sleep over. They have a gorgeous house up in RMV 2nd Stage with a beautiful back yard. The highlights: a trampoline, climbing gym, and a line that extends across the yard that has a handle you hang on to and slide across. Met Isis's parents, Sarah and Kent, who seem like really great people.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Insanely busy day. Went to pick up Maya in RMV (about an hour away in what has become even more hellish Bangalore traffic in the three years we've been here). Then went swimming at Leela. Popped in at home for a couple hours for the kids to nap, then off to Marylouise and Inder's for egg decorating, playing, and dinner.
Molly, Charlie, Maya
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Went for breakfast and swimming at the Leela. Worked it out with Badri before hand that he'd take the kids home for a nap while I stayed at Leela and had brunch (yes, a second consecutive meal) at the Leela with Laura (Argentina), Debra and Scott (Canada), and a couple of their friends (Ireland and India/UK). That was really my last opportunity to see Debra and Laura before they head off to Thailand, Laos, and Bali.
April 10
Charlie home sick
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Charlie home sick--not really sick. It was one of those days where he looked like he was still sick in the morning, but by 10am he was bouncing off the walls and quite ready to go to school. But I kept him home.
Usha and Divya, Maya's classmate, came over today after summer school and we had a nice visit. They're moving back to the states in May and I'll really miss Usha. I don't get to see her much (as she says, she has a moody driver who won't let her go out at night), but when I do, we really hit it off.
Naomi and Molly
Went to 4pm circle time at Jennifers for the first time. Molly enjoyed it most of the three. Maya's a little too old for it, and Charlie needs to warm up a bit to the idea (it gives me an idea of how he is in circle time at school!).
Thursday, April 12, 2007 Monsoon starts!
I've discovered Charlie wakes up in a better mood when Maya gets him, so at 3:45 when we were all ready to go swimming and clouds were starting to form, I sent her up.
Had a short but sweet time at the pool. Priya was there with her mom, Kavi (Charlie's classmate), and Sveva (now almost one month old). Molly and Charlie are getting more comfortable going in the pool without floaties (water wings), but still not swimming. Maya's a little fish, which is a big relief. I remember being in Bali about a year and a half ago (Diwali 2005) when she really took off on her own.
Infamous Leela pool
Spoke to another of Charlie's classmates, Zaira's, mother at the pool. We talked about Mallya Aditi and how that's the school of choice for a lot of the locals and returned NRIs (non-resident Indians).
Came home and had pizza. A happily stress-free dinner. Aaaah! There was the smell of earth in the air, Badri came home, and soon after the rains came. I feel as though the chaos and tantrums of the past few days were caused by all the pressure building up in the atmosphere, and with the monsoon arrived, all that pressure was released and everything went smoother.
Making cupcakes
Stephanie Morris, the ob/gyn in the U.S. who will do my surgery, sent an email back to change my medication, and that was also a relief. Vidya Desai Mohan, my ob/gyn here who's been helping me out, has been fantastic: always answers her mobile (cell) phone when I need her.
On the down side, our main helper, Rita, is not doing very well. Her blood sugar has risen from 150 to 300, so she's going to be admitted to the hospital to get that under control.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Uneventful Friday the 13th. Went to the pool after Charlie's nap. It was great having Maya home all week on her Easter break from school. Really great not getting up at 6 in the morning!
Tonight Badri and I went out to dinner at Sonny's with Sarah and Kent. They're a couple we met a couple weeks ago, parents of Isis, one of Maya's classmates. He's Canadian and she's English, and they met in Sri Lanka 10ish years ago while both doing their doctorate fieldwork, he in development economics and she in the health field. Very fun, funny, interesting couple.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Spent the morning at the pool, then Sarah came over in the afternoon with her three oldest children, Martha, Sammy, and Daniel. Hadn't seen them in almost a couple months. They'd been in the U.S. for over a month.
In the evening Priya, Kush, Jennifer, and Sam came over, ostensibly for game night. But we were haven't such a fun time gabbing and snacking that we never got to the games (Priya brought Cranium).
Sunday, April 15, 2007 Three year Bangalore anniversary
Three years to the day that we first arrived in Bangalore, with Amma greeting us on the patio in the middle of the night. It does actually feel like that long.
Marked the anniversary by (actually, coincidentally) going to the Buddhist prayer hall, where Charlie and I were "initiated". Badri, Maya, and Molly had been initiated months ago, one Sunday when I was home with Charlie because he was sick. We found out about the prayer hall through people we met on the train traveling to Mysore last year, a group of very nice folks from Singapore. They've been diligent about calling us and seeing if we could come and visit their place of worship. It was a very interesting experience, with us being the only non 100% Indian initiates. Very kind, gentle people. But a long time for the kids, especially Charlie, to sit still.
Went swimming from 4-6 with Priya and her family, then they came over to our house for chaat, which literally means "to lick". It's an Indian snack food. Two kinds Badri and Kush ordered were bhel puri: crisp puffed rice salad with onions, cilantro, and potatoes with tamarind, mint, and garlic chutneys; and sev puri: crisp flat puri (like deep fried chapati) topped with potatoes and garbanzos and a spicy mint water. I'm not a big chaat fan, so I just had leftover fish curry.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Tough morning. Went to 8:30 yoga class, then to Leela for a facial with Moni at M&W (Mirrors and Within beauty salon). It's not cheap--900 rs (apx. $20), but it takes over an hour and is more relaxing (I'm sure I've said this somewhere in a past blog entry) than a full body massage. Included is also a foot and shoulder massage.
Went to Anokhi across the way in the same part of the Leela Galleria (shopping mall of sorts) to buy earrings for gifts for all the wonderful Neev teachers (in addition to the art and music teachers, there are also seven teachers who work with Molly and Charlie, and I really didn't want to leave anyone out!).
Stopped in and saw a photo exhibit in the lower level of the Galleria. There's one black and white photographer, Neha Bajaj, I'd like to contact (if she'd be interested) to photos of the kids.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
On the way back from Maya's bus stop this morning, a motorcycle ran into the rear right of our car and broke the light. It was an accident, but the guy agreed to pay for the damage (no insurance). We figured it would be about 4000rs to fix, so the guy, Rajiv, went to an ATM and withdraw 3000rs (all he had at the time).
Sridhar took the car to a body shop and they were able to fix it for about 2200rs (apx. $49), so I called Rajiv the next day and he and Sridhar met so Sridhar could give him what he overpaid.
Went to Maya's school to read with her group. Boy, I'm glad her next school is at least a little closer. Pretty bone jarring dirt road through farm land before you get to the school. Just made it back in time to pick up Molly and Charlie at Neev.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
While Charlie napped, I brought Molly to the pool for a little one-on-one time. She's getting a lot more brave in the water. I think back to Maya finally swimming off on her own when she had just turned 5, in Bali (Diwali 2005). I don't think it'll be much longer for Molly (hopefully!). After we had a nice swim, she had a milkshake and I had a coffee (410rs!--Leela prices--apx. $9). Often when we're about to leave the pool, the kids will say, "Let's just have dinner here at the Leela!" because they see other people doing it. But I just can't start that habit. We have to save for a house in the U.S.!
In the afternoon, went for circle time at Jennifer's house. Molly really enjoys it, and Charlie's starting to sing along.
Went out to dinner at Harima, sushi restaurant, with Jennifers Austin and Adair, Marylouise, and Priya. Had a terrific time. Great bunch of women. Wonderful escape from the day to day kiddie fare. Just missing Kirsty, who's still in Australia. She'll be back next week.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Went to the pool with Molly and Charlie at 3:30, and Maya came along with Rita later after she got home from school around 4:15.
We lost power in the night, and didn't get it back until about 9am the next morning. Whenever I start to complain about the power cuts, I think of the people who only get water once or twice a week. Our nanny, Rita, pays someone 200rs a month (apx. $4.44) to carry water up to her apartment.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Went to yoga. Friday's a big pranayama day--lots of breathing. I always leave feeling like I've really cleared my head.
Picked up Molly and Charlie from their last day of summer school. May they always love school this much! Brought them to Pizza Corner to celebrate, and met Marylouise there, as well as Jennifer Adair and her two children, Berkeley and Atticus. Molly and Berkeley have become very good friends. I never thought I'd see the day Molly would have independent playdates with her own buddies. Lots is happening for her this month--she's pretty much going without a diaper at night (mind you, she is 4), getting creative with her drawing (she's in her psychedelic flower period at the moment).
Patti and Thatha (Badri's mom and dad) arrived on the train from Chennai tonight. We knew the kids would love to greet them, so they got to stay up late. The train was delayed, but there was a happy reunion about 9pm and then kids to bed. Maya's classmate, Isis, stayed the night.
Poolside at Leela with Amma
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Went to the Jawarharlal Nehru Planetarium this morning. Thought the Omni theatre-like movie was at 11:30, but that was the Tamil version--English was at 12:45. So we went to Cunningham Road to find an eatery and saw....McDonalds! Kids were psyched for Happy Meals and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toy that came with, so we gave them their annual Micky D fix. Ate the shakes and fries, left the pizza pocket and chicken burger behind.
Went back to the planetarium, got tickets, and saw a great movie in a theatre where the image is projected on the dome ceiling. The kids lasted pretty well through it, with only Charlie losing patience at the end of the 45 minute showing.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Molly and I went to church with my friend Sarah and her family. Just experimenting a little bit. Molly sat through all the singing and clapping nicely (Four Square Gospel Church), then we went downstairs where Sarah taught Sunday school to a small group of children.
The big news here is that Molly is getting closer to swimming on her own. We were at the pool with our friends Priya, Kush, and Kavi. Kush suggested Molly try a kickboard, since that's how Kavi started swimming independently. She tried it a few times, and while I was at the side of the pool talking to Priya, I saw Molly swim several feet to Kush without kickboard or floaties. Kind of like watching your kid take her first steps for someone else--cheered from the sidelines.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Jennifer Austin came over today with her daughter, Sylvia. They're leaving Bangalore in June after a one year stay, moving back to Portland, Oregon. Very cool individual. It's been hard for her taking a year off from her practice (she's a pediatrician), but she's enjoyed getting to know India and spending more time than usual with her two kids.
Went swimming in the afternoon with Charlie and Molly until Maya got back from school.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Hosted the weekly playdate for the first time in a long time. It was mobbed! I didn't know about half the people. Of course, I haven't been going or hosting since last June when Charlie started school. People could barely walk in the door because of all the diaper bags and carseats around the living room. The place was a mess and food ran low, but it was lots of fun.
Soon after it was over I went over to meet Marion and Phil for lunch at Citrus restaurant in the Leela. Tough hooking up with Marion because she's really busy at her Reuters job. Found out today that we arrived in Bangalore on the same day, same airplane three years ago: April 15, 2004 on Lufthansa.
In the evening went to see a jazz show with Regis Gizavo on accordion and David Mirandon on drums and percussion. It was phenomenal. They're both French, but Regis is originally from Madagascar. At the risk of sounding corny, their music is just a celebration of life. He talked about the blackbird being a symbol of hope, and that no one is born to be poor.
Regis does most of the talking and all the singing, and talks a lot about life on the island he came from---really makes you want to visit Madagascar. He describes the accordion: "one side base guitar, one side accompaniment, and a voice in the middle." And later he said, "This thing is heavy!" while jumping around the stage, sweating profusely. The drummer, David, sometimes plays barehanded--no sticks. I picked up on a couple influences: New Orleans zydeco (maybe because of the accordion) and Latin American.
I thought a lot about Dad during the hour and a half show. How we used to have an accordion, that I can't remember whether he played or not. I think I remember him wanting my brother Ski to play. And, of course, Dad was such a jazz fanatic, he would have loved Gizavo's music.
Went to the show with Ashi, Maya's first grade teacher. She's a jazz lover, too. Any time Badri and I have been to a show we've seen her there. Badri had a bunch of conference calls and couldn't go tonight, so I asked her if she wanted to go. She'd been looking for a way to get a ticket. They were free tickets through radioindigo, 91.9 (supposedly the only radio station in the country that plays contemporary international music). Badri's on their mailing list.
On another note, Badri gave me my second and final lupron shot tonight. It's supposed to shrink the uterine fibroid before the hysterectomy in a couple of weeks, hopefully making it more feasible to do laparoscopically.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Low key day. Got some shopping done for the U.S. Went to Sutradhar on 10th A Main, 3rd Cross in Indiranagar--great toy and educational supplies store. Hoping to find fun Hindi workbook for Maya. They didn't have any of those, but lots of other fun stuff.
Molly and Amma
Went to circle time reading at Jennifer Adair's house, right up the street. Molly's very good buddies with Jennifer's daughter, Berkeley. Yesterday was the first time Molly had gone to a friend's house without me. She went over there after we went swimming to play and have dinner.
After circle time, Molly, Charlie, Berkeley, and I were doing a round in the walking park and saw Miss Nilu, the wonderful art teacher from Neev. Nilu and I got talking, and I realized I couldn't see Molly and Berkeley. We called for them, and a woman coming into the park pointed towards the children's park, across the street. Nilu watched Charlie while I ran over to find Molly and Berkeley had crossed the street on their own and gone to the children's park. I couldn't believe it. So many times I've been in the walking park with the kids and no one had ever done that. I guess it was the Molly/Berkeley combination, maybe each telling the other that it was okay.
And at the precise moment they were, unbeknownst to us, making their getaway, Nilu had been telling me how Molly had transformed in the last couple months at school, really creating nice things in art and--without saying these exact words--being less of a troublemaker.
After we found them and brought them home, night was falling and both the power and the backup system (UPS--uninterrupted power supply--ha! ha!) were out. When Maya came home from school and heard that Nilu was in the park, I brought her over so they could do a few rounds together. They came back and I was showing Nilu around the house but there was too much chaos (UPS man showed up, Molly was melting down because Berkeley had to go home, lights flickering off and on).
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Better day today. Walked back from Maya's bus stop. 30 minutes walk (we drive it in about 10 mins.). Very hot day. Had a great swim this afternoon with Molly, Charlie, and friends Priya and Jennifer Austin. Molly much more comfortable going underwater now.
Got an email from close friend Kirsty, in Australia, whose return to Bangalore after vacation has been delayed. The kids all have ear infections and the doc's afraid their eardrums will burst if they fly.
Speaking of vacations, the weather's in the mid 40s to high 60s (Fahrenheit) in Boston, Massachusetts this week, so I'm having a hard time figuring out what to pack. Hitting all my favorite shops picking up goodies for the states: Fabindia today.
Got an SMS (instant message) from Rajiv, the motorcyclist who hit our car last week. He's been out of work for two months and basically said, "my luck's down--when it rains it pours." So we're going to give him his money back tomorrow. The next SMS said he has an interview with Wipro, the third largest information technology company in India.
Now that Molly's potty trained and getting through most nights dry at four years old, I'm starting Charlie. He often yells for his diaper, but I'm trying to get him to stick to big boy undies (except for naps and night-time, of course). He is three years old after all!
Friday, April 27, 2007
Maya went to her close friend, Kfir's (from Israel) birthday party today. He chose an airplane theme, so the kids made model airplanes and had a general blast with a table full of junk food.
Tonight Badri and I went out to dinner with Amma and Appa at a new neighborhood restaurant, South Indies. Very nice south Indian food, and very close by.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Marylouise, Inder, Maura, and Hannah came by for a visit today so we can see them before our U.S. trip. Kfir and Hannah are two people Maya will really miss when she leaves the Canadian school, but she'll definitely see more of Hannah because Marylouise and I are such good friends.
While Badri went to the pool with Maya and Charlie, I went to a birthday party with Molly for one of her favorite classmates, Naomi. She was all excited about going, and carefully picked out the birthday gift herself when we went to Sutradhar the other day. In the end, I don't think she had the best time, because Naomi and another classmate, Katherine, have become even closer buddies. Three is just such a tough number with little girls. Someone often ends up being the odd one out.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Went for Sunday brunch at Hotel Grand Ashok, where we also got a good swim in.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Maya's last day at Canadian school, again (she had a "last day at Canadian school" two years ago before she started Neev in June of 2005. I brought treats to her classroom and we had a party to celebrate with her friends. Took lots of pictures.
Getting it together for our trip to the U.S. Really excited about it!
Picture of Maya with her 1st grade class and Miss Ashi, Canadian International School
Kfir on the left
Maya and Miss Ashi
