It has now been two weeks. I no longer try to get into the car on the left passenger side, back seat. I don't wake up in my own bedroom and not "know" where I am. Grocery stores do not seem "too full" but I am happier and more at ease in a local mixed-culture grocery - less stuff, familiar names, etc. Unfortunately, I have yet to find "Hide and Seek" cookies or burfi (though I have found a store a long way south in Kent that specializes in Indian sweets. Western food still seems bland and I do make some "out-of-the-box" Indian food.
I miss the color, the warmth (I am always cold right now), and the feeling of belonging. Many friends ask if I am going back...I really can't answer that...there is so much of the world I want to see. What I can say is that just being a tourist probably won't work well for me. I have seen a country more in-depth and would love to have that experience again, whether in India or one of many countries on my "bucket list".
I find I have lost a lot of the Hindi quite quickly- I was starting to hear it in my head and now, of course with having had Japanese and English in there...it is fading.
I remember telling CCS at our closing meeting, that I could only hope to find a job that gave me 1/10th the satisfaction working with Mobile Creches did. This is a strong guideline in my search for something that I hope will become more than just a paycheck.
With my computer happy again, pictures will start appearing and I hope to have some to share shortly.
I miss the sun, not the pollution, and am really quite done with snow - be careful what you ask for - there were 3+ inches more last night...
There have been several possible positions. I don't feel ready to work 40 hours but my checkbook says otherwise! I still have many people to catch up with. Surfing the web takes up lots of time, but it is also a portal to possible jobs.
I have joined Facebook and found many friends from India there. I also find myself watching YouTube videos of traffic in Delhi. The picture above is one Jessica took of me dancing at "Excite" in McCloud Ganj one night. No pose- I never knew it was taken til she showed it to me.
In the process of moving forward, I have signed up to crew the Seattle Susan G. Komen 3-Day event walk for Breast Cancer in mid-September. I walked this about eight years ago, but with the desire to help more than personal achievement, I will crew it (that is help the walkers, feed them, set up tents, rest stations, whatever is needed for the three days they walk. I am not required to fund raise for this but, of course, donations will be welcome at http://www.the3day.org/
I am designing lights for Driftwood Players "Our Town" which opens in February.
Cliff and I have adopted an eight-month-old corgi puppy also. His name is Zack and he is a tricolor. By starting with an eight-month-old we are hoping to side step some potty training and chewing issues. It has been my long-time wish to add another dog to our family. He is bright and tries hard. Duffy is a bit "put out" but they are sleeping with bums touching as I write.
I have avoided resolutions and "goals" in '09. I am trying to keep in touch with what I found in India and gently expand my horizons. Keeping in touch with friends and those I have come to know and love will carry more weight with me now than all the "stuff" in the stores ever could.
I also am cleaning and organizing - to make room in my life for new things. It is truly amazing to me how much "accumulates" in a relatively clean house!
So, ....I may post less often; of course, life might not be as interesting day-to-day - or maybe it will. Whether you are staying subscribed or deciding just to visit occasionally- thank you for supporting me in this venture -many of you let me know you were reading, worrying, rejoicing with me. Be well - be happy - be grateful - always. Here's to the journey. Family, friends and acquaintances are gifts I am grateful for. Here's to '09!
