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Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Photo Update
TACO WEDNESDAY, THE USUAL TABLE SETTING
MOM (POSING) AND DOM MASHING POTATOES
THE PREP COOK HARD AT WORK
TOURIST POSE FOR THE SHEPHARDS PIE
POTATOES, MEAT, VEGGIES, POTATOES, MEAT, CHEESE, YUMMMMSaturday, October 16, 2010
A Brief Update.....
Since Gingee Fort, we have settled into a nice routine. Here are a few highlights from the past 3 weeks.
*** Seth and Domenic spent the day together at the Crocodile and Children's Zoo while I went to the hair salon. They saw many different species of crocodiles, snakes, and other reptiles. The children's zoo was full of many different animals. It was an inexpensive and fun day--India style; safety standards minimal. There was an elephant slide (right down the trunk) that launched Domenic over the mud puddle at the bottom of the slide. Domenic's skinned knees were well worth avoiding the stagnant, germ infested (and most certainly feces tainted puddle.) The variety of crocs were amazing. Luckily crocodiles can't jump because if they could, the 3 foot barrier would not be sufficient.
*** We are just finishing a week break from school. One of the days was spent at Ideal Beach...a day full of fun, sun, surf, and laughs.
*** US CONSULATE-- Seth and I made a trip to the consulate. We are quickly learning that the American School ID badges are golden in India. This is the land of lines and paperwork and more lines. The badges can't get us out of paperwork, but it does allow us to cut in line. All in all, the visit was disturbingly efficient...we were in and out in under an hour having accomplished our task.
*** Monday we are back to school and back to our daily routines. This means to bed early and up early. The days are long and full but coming home is relaxing. Domenic completes his homework while we (as in not me---Seth and Dorcy) cook dinner (I'm the prep cook at best). We eat together while listening to music and discussing our day. Domenic is in charge of setting and clearing the table. Soon it is story time for Dom and lights out.
*** Seth and Domenic spent the day together at the Crocodile and Children's Zoo while I went to the hair salon. They saw many different species of crocodiles, snakes, and other reptiles. The children's zoo was full of many different animals. It was an inexpensive and fun day--India style; safety standards minimal. There was an elephant slide (right down the trunk) that launched Domenic over the mud puddle at the bottom of the slide. Domenic's skinned knees were well worth avoiding the stagnant, germ infested (and most certainly feces tainted puddle.) The variety of crocs were amazing. Luckily crocodiles can't jump because if they could, the 3 foot barrier would not be sufficient.
*** We are just finishing a week break from school. One of the days was spent at Ideal Beach...a day full of fun, sun, surf, and laughs.
*** US CONSULATE-- Seth and I made a trip to the consulate. We are quickly learning that the American School ID badges are golden in India. This is the land of lines and paperwork and more lines. The badges can't get us out of paperwork, but it does allow us to cut in line. All in all, the visit was disturbingly efficient...we were in and out in under an hour having accomplished our task.
*** Monday we are back to school and back to our daily routines. This means to bed early and up early. The days are long and full but coming home is relaxing. Domenic completes his homework while we (as in not me---Seth and Dorcy) cook dinner (I'm the prep cook at best). We eat together while listening to music and discussing our day. Domenic is in charge of setting and clearing the table. Soon it is story time for Dom and lights out.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Gingee Fort
On Saturday Domenic spent the day with some friends and we ventured to the village of Gingee, about 2.5 hours south east of Chennai. Here we visited a 13th century military fort which was under operation up until the 19th century. The fort was strategically built atop a mountain and surrounded by large boulder fields below. The ascent took 2 hours in the sweltering mid-day heat, super planning on our part! Along the way we encountered beautiful scenic vistas along with numerous resident monkeys who were leery of trespassing tourists. The trek was long and hot but well worth the physical effort.
On our way home we stopped at a hotel/restaurant (minus the hotel)....we think the hut in the back may have been the sleeping quarters; certainly not the Hilton. The food was delicious and the flies would agree with us.
On our way home we stopped at a hotel/restaurant (minus the hotel)....we think the hut in the back may have been the sleeping quarters; certainly not the Hilton. The food was delicious and the flies would agree with us.
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Saturday, September 18, 2010
Indian Wedding---celebrity status
Thursday we attended our first Indian wedding and what an experience it was! We were the only Americans--or non-Indians for that matter--who attended the wedding. You would think the event was coordinated and designed around our needs and wishes. George, our driver, arranged for a good friend of his to "take care of us" at the wedding and reception. We had no idea what we were in for.
As soon as we arrived, people gathered around and welcomed us. We were escorted into the church and seated in the front row. There were people taking photos and videos of us....paparazzi style. The service was beautiful and long and we didn't understand a word that was said. Domenic was slowly melting into the pew and dripping onto the floor, but other than that he was extremely well behaved. Toward the end of the service the priest was speaking and pausing while the guests applauded. We had no idea why until the gentleman who was in charge of us leaned over and explained that the priest was using us an example of good parenting, filled with love and patience and wishing the bride and groom to have the same. All I can say is good job Domenic for pulling this off while we sat under microscope and thank you Seth for diluting Domenic's impatience by offering some of your patience. Phew!
After the service we were asked to stand with the bride and groom for more photos. Then we were whisked away to the reception where once again we sat front row. The bride and groom entered on stage. The priest joined them and said a few words but this time in English. He was reading off all of our names, referring to us as the guests of honor and inviting us on stage. We were given a beautiful lei, sat on stage, and ate cake that was hand fed to us by the bride! Later we had a delicious dinner served on a banana leaf.
It was a wonderful experience. We had no idea we would be treated like such celebrities!
As soon as we arrived, people gathered around and welcomed us. We were escorted into the church and seated in the front row. There were people taking photos and videos of us....paparazzi style. The service was beautiful and long and we didn't understand a word that was said. Domenic was slowly melting into the pew and dripping onto the floor, but other than that he was extremely well behaved. Toward the end of the service the priest was speaking and pausing while the guests applauded. We had no idea why until the gentleman who was in charge of us leaned over and explained that the priest was using us an example of good parenting, filled with love and patience and wishing the bride and groom to have the same. All I can say is good job Domenic for pulling this off while we sat under microscope and thank you Seth for diluting Domenic's impatience by offering some of your patience. Phew!
After the service we were asked to stand with the bride and groom for more photos. Then we were whisked away to the reception where once again we sat front row. The bride and groom entered on stage. The priest joined them and said a few words but this time in English. He was reading off all of our names, referring to us as the guests of honor and inviting us on stage. We were given a beautiful lei, sat on stage, and ate cake that was hand fed to us by the bride! Later we had a delicious dinner served on a banana leaf.
It was a wonderful experience. We had no idea we would be treated like such celebrities!
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Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Welcome Back Picnic
Saturday was the annual Welcome Back Picnic at AISC. There was plenty of food, music, games, swimming, and people. The pictures show how truly big the campus is, and we know because we walk it everyday!
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