Wash

Ok, the last time I wrote and said I was a Hot Mama, I was way off.  Today is so HOT.  My air conditioner is broken in my room.  I fell asleep after lunch.  I think falling asleep in a hot room in India should be hazardous to your health.  I had the strangest dreams then had the toughest time waking up.  My body was a magnet to the mattress.  It took me some time to realize I was awake.  Waking up was painful, to say the least.  I tried to cool off by doing some laundry..didn’t work.

Only in India do you hang washed clothes inside to dry.  Doesn’t take long!

Today I worked in the school.  I focused on getting photos of the school kids to use for Sponsorship.  They are so willing to have their photo’s taken.  I also tutored in the Library.  While I was in the Library I picked up a magazine that was sitting on the shelf and was curious how it ended up in India, so I looked at the label and about fell off my chair.  It was from my home town Hurricane!  That was so cool to see.  Donations do make it here!  The name was York Hepworth.

Thank you York! (I wonder...any relation to Michon?)  View it here

I Hate Snakes!

We ran into a Snake charmer in one of the Colonies.  I was too scared to even zoom in on it with my video camera!!  This video says enough...
I hate snakes video

Love language

Language of Love

love notes

Dear Hobi’s,

I am missing you today!  I think of you everyday!  

Please give Dad a bug hug and kiss for me.  He misses me a lot!!

I miss him too...a lot.

  I tried to get in the photo with my love note to him but the Ocean erased it!

Thank you for being so supportive in my desire to serve in India!  I am having so much fun!

I am taking over 200 photos a day!    You can see some of them here

   I Love you!

Mormon's in India?

Can you believe there is a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in India?  I experienced a little bit of home.  

I  didn’t go to church as a “Mother” today.   I sat in sacrament without a child on my lap, or a large bag full of Sunday books and diapers. I can’t remember the last time I had a sunday like this.  Church is such a big part of my family...it was strange being there without them.    

I think it is wonderful to be on the other side of the world and be able to walk into my church and not have a “language barrier” so to speak.  The lesson they taught here in India is the exact same lesson my family will hear in Connecticut.  The  feeling I felt in Sacrament is the exact same feeling I get at home.  I love that God’s teaching is the same for everyone.  He loves these people just the same as my people.  What a gift!  I am so thankful for the Priesthood.  It was nice to partake of the sacrament today~ to have that moment to remember my Savior.  I feel his love, and I see his love in India.

We had a 2 hour drive to get there, so round trip 4 hours of traveling.  It was so nice to sing hymns and take the sacrament.

The church building was very plain.  Cement walls and chairs, appropriate considering where we most these people live.

The Relief Society room had a photo of Pres. Monson, the Hong Kong  Temple and the RS motto tacked to the chalk board.  Nothing else adorned the walls but the Spirit was felt, nonetheless.  Membership today, excluding Americans, was probably 25 people.

I enjoyed listening to the Indian’s perspective on the scriptures.  Very simple and basic.  As we talked about how we can use our talents to serve others their examples were: “Smiling and giving BIG hug.”   That is exactly what they have to offer as talents too.  It’s all about Loving others as Jesus loves us.

Dance

At Rising Star we have a Volunteer, Samantha Yu, who teaches Life Dance from an organization called:   

Promethean Spark International

teaching life skills through training in the performing arts to impoverished youth worldwide; breaking the cycle of poverty by inspiring change from within.

Yesterday, I sat in on one of her classes with the Rising Star kids and was so impressed.

I had my video camera with me so I took the freedom of “capturing” her class in action.

It was so moving to see these kids dance with her.  All of these kids come from terrible living conditions.  A lot of them have parents who are afflicted with Leprosy who live in huts for homes.  Watching them express themselves through dance was so inspiring.

After the class I went to work on making a video.  I loved creating it.  The process was true inspiration.  Never have I worked on a video that fell into place so quickly and easily.

These kids have been blessed by Sam and her service to Rising Star.  I am so glad I witnessed it before she returns to the States. (next week)

For more information on Promethean Spark visit  http://prometheanspark.weebly.com/

or Samm’s Blog

The Village

This morning I walked through a neighboring Village, Thottenhavel.  Animals roam the street, kids run about and the women are busy at work.

Through the lens this place looks beautiful, right?  Fantastic colors jump at you everywhere you look.  Friendly faces wave at my camera as I stop to take a photos.  These people get up early to gather water and enjoy the cool air for the short time it lasts.  I saw dogs, chickens, kittens, and lets not forget the “Holy Cow” rule the street.  The animals have the right away to the streets here, especially the COW.  Cows really are Holy here.  They defiantly don’t eat them!  Instead they worship them.  (Something the Americans should look into..ha!)  Everything about the cow is Holy.  Right down to it’s Poop!

I caught a picture of a woman loving stroking her cow as it was being milked.  It was sweet.

I so badly wanted to prod a bit more into their personal space to take pictures but I didn’t.  I took what I could get as I walked through.  Once I returned and looked over my loot I discovered I captured more beauty than expected.  The beauty that came through is of the people.  The friendly children who run to the street and wait for you to take their photo.  

The women doing laundry or carrying a child just like I do back home.  

The beauty is in who they are not where they are.  

If you were to take a step back you would see filth.  Homes with dirt floors, built out of scraps and garbage everywhere.

There is nothing civil as I know it.  Nothing is in order, nothing is new.  

They pump water from a well 

and hang their clothes to dry, but when you make eye contact with them they light up with a smile. (with or without teeth,)  

This is life to them and it is a beautiful life.

Just look at the kids in my photos and the women- they are a happy people.  It’s not sad.

What IS sad is the thought that people think they NEED things to be happy.  I didn’t see a single thing in this Village, except the bike, that I have at home.  I wonder what they would think if they saw how I live.

I thought about the many rooms I have in my house as I looked through the door of a hut and saw right through it.  I thought about my many loads of laundry I throw in a machine and walk away as I watched a mother hang her laundry on the line with a smile.  

I yearned for the pace of life I saw on the street as two women sat to braid hair, and the men looked yonder.  The simple life is not sad.  They use what they have and have what they use.  I like that.  

I could do better.

This afternoon at lunch, I was so hungry.  I spent the morning doing Construction with my group.  We hauled sand and rocks in metal disks, on our head, to a few homes in order to build bathrooms.  Oh!  The sun was HOT!  I loved it though.

Locals would pull up a chair and watch us pace back and forth with each load over our head.  They were happy to have us there.  Again, at first glance the place looked terrible.  After walking the street all morning I discovered beautiful doors, gates and drawings on things.  Beauty is everywhere here, but first you need to look beyond yourself.

By the time I returned for lunch I had worked up a hefty appetite.  I dished up a plate of rice and a few other things to go with the rice and sat down to dig in.  Once I tasted it I knew I wanted more!  This was the best dish so far this week. (and all of them have been good!)  I returned to get more rice then happily sat down to eat.  I soon realized my eyes were bigger than my stomach!  Then I felt ashamed!  I did not need that much food nor will I do that again!  

The day ended in a beautiful way.  There is something magical about being in India and dancing in the rain! AHhhh!

Tomorrow we travel into a different city to shop and play at the beach.  Looking forward to the Photos!!!!

PS~ People keep asking me if I’ve heard from the family.  I have to keep telling them No.  I check my email everyday and get NOTHING!!  What’s going on at home?  Hello....anyone there?  

Party with Grandma, I guess?  :)  No News is Good News, right?  Maybe this Sunday we can iChat

The Colony

Yesterday I went into a Leprosy Colony.  I will admit I was a bit nervous about what I would experience there.  

Right as we pulled in a man named Karu greeted us with his hands raised to the sky shouting praises to the Lord. He is a very skinny man with a wide grin ear to ear.  All his fingers are missing on both hands and only a stub remains for a foot.  His eyes are glossy and he appears to be blind.

What is it that compels this man to be so happy? I wondered.  He has nothing.  He is sitting out in the middle of no where with the heat of the sun his only devout companion, yet here he is welcoming us like we belong to him.

As our group unloaded the van he hopped anxiously in excitement as if each one of us were a pile of money.

When he could see we all gathered he began to sing and dance.  I didn’t understand a word he was singing but it was clear he was thanking God. Tuesday night at dinner Becky Douglas told us his story so I had an idea of what he was doing.

She told us He was blind for over 18 years and he begged the Doctors to try an operation on him  To make a long story short he got the operation and can see now!  He sings praises to the Lord, hands held up high, every time volunteers go to his Village.  

As I listened to him sing with a huge smile on his face my thoughts went to my need of the same God he has.  This man is my brother and he knew God loved him.  He knows it enough to sit at that tree and wait for the Americans to come so he can hug them and tell them his story.  This man is ONE LEPER returning to give thanks to Jesus for healing him.

He can see, and he is alive and thats all that he needs to LOVE life.

I’ve decided that Karu has NOTHING as the world defines it but EVERYTHING in the eternal scheme because he knows GOD.  

I understand why is so happy!  God offers this to all people, we just have to accept it.

I love India!

Hot! Hot!

India is HOT!  I thoroughly enjoy my bucket showers each night.  The water comes out of the pipes luke warm at best but it does the trick.  I get up early (compared to the Americans here but not the Indians) and go to the top of the roof to have my personal study time.  At this time of day the air feels perfect.  The sun is making her way up and it buys me time to enjoy the air.  From the rooftop I can see Indians from the neighboring Village working in the fields.  They have probably already put in half a days work.  I hear them in the trees talking quietly.  They are a quiet peaceful people. (so it appears)  I feel America is loud in so many ways.  A lot of distractions.  Where I am now is “REAL TIME!”

I wake up to the sun.  Sit and listen to the birds and hear noises here and there through the trees offering proof that I am not alone when otherwise I would assume I was.

I think the birds here are intrigued with me.  I think they are talking about me!  They squak and twerp obnoxiously until I look their way and then the fall silent...they must be talking about me! This early in the morning I walk slowly and quietly.  I DO NOT want to happen upon a snake or other animal.  I realize I am in their territory.  I’m avoiding the bathrooms for this very reason this morning.  The power was out when I woke up and being the first to walk into a dark lit room is just asking for it.  Last night a large frog fell victim to a bathroom murder.  The power was out and someone stepped on it.  I would rather not experience that.  I’ll give all the critters time to run and hide before I venture into the bathrooms.  

I don’t spend too much time directly in the sun but my body feels like I am sunburned.  I think it’s heat rash!  Who knew!  Feels a lot like a sunburn but no redness.  I’ve added a new routine to my day- apply deodorant breakfast, lunch, and dinner!  I’m considering an additional bucket shower mid-day.  Oh it is Heavenly!

At first I felt sorry for the Indians having to take bucket showers.  I’m only 3 days into this experience and I see what a wonderful  opportunity it is.  It’s the simple things that matter most.  A bucket of water is all you need!  The Lord makes India hot and then gives you bucket showers to savor the cool moment your not in sweltering heat.  It all makes sense to me now!  He also makes up for the heat by offering Mango trees.  They litter this place.  The kids start after school playtime outside eating Mangos.  They savor every juicy part of it.  

I don’t understand a lot of their culture but I LOVE that so much of it is modesty in women.  CULTURE SHOCK!  We dress in the Indian culture while we are here.  Even though it feels 800 degrees outside the women are ALWAYS covered!  

The morning sun is busy at work now.  The birds are quieting down, they must be in their cool hiding places.  I love a good morning sweat! :)

Photo:  This is a Rising Star employee.  She is washing our clothes.  

Tutor

I spent most of the morning tutoring the school kids today.  I love how happy and kind all the kids here at Rising Star are.  I have yet to meet a grumpy or mean child.

I read one on one with a hand full of kids aging between 6-10 years old.  They can all read English (that’s the language they speak during school) but the comprehension isn’t great with most of them.  I worked on helping them understand that the words mean something.  I found once they understood that they became more interested in reading.  Otherwise it’s just a bunch of words they have to say out loud.

I’m starting to recognize some of the girls.  I can’t remember their names though.  I get all confused when they change their clothes- that’s how I remember if I have played with them.  At school they all wear uniforms so I had to pay attention to their ear rings.

Mariyambee stole my heart today.  She is a special girl.  She was assigned to me this afternoon during math and I learned quickly this girl is not like the others.  She is so smart.  During Intermission she found me and grabbed my hand and lead me to a far off tree.  As we walked I learned Dani (My friend from home) is her sponsor!  I was so excited to hear that.

She was just as excited to know that Dani and I were friends.  We sat under the tree and she told me about her family.  She has great social skills too.  I love this girl. (Dani you are the perfect Sponsor for her!)

I ate lunch with the kids.  They sit on the floor and eat without utensils.  I thought about giving it a try but decided rice works better with a fork.  Maybe next time I'll try.  again, I have no idea what I ate for lunch but it was yummy.

The kids get a kick out of learning I have kids at home.  They say:  
"You are marriage?"
"Yes!"  I answer.
"How many babies?"
"Four!"
Their eyes get big and they repeat, "Four babies?!"




I forgot to mention yesterday that Becky Douglas is here too!  It's nice to see a familiar face.  She is a beautiful woman among the Indians.


The power goes out quite a bit here.  Today it has already gone out 5-6 times.  It's no big deal because the buildings are open and airy.  They defiantly don't rely on electricity for much here.  I am frustrated because the Internet doesn't work for most of us here.  A select few have their computers going but most of us can't log onto it.  I want to check my email!!  I know I have letter from my family.  (I'll post this as soon as it's working)


Well, it's my turn to cut up fruit for sinner tonight.  Mangos...yum!

1st day at Rising Star

Today I traveled to the Rising Star Campus and experience my first day as a Volunteer.  The first part of the day was spent traveling in a van.  I understood a bit more of the culture by watching how they drive.  I noticed at the airport that both men and women do not know how to form a line and keep your place there.  Instead they swarm around what they need.  It seemed I was the only one waiting my turn.  At first I was a little put off by it.  It seemed rude when the men do it but hurt more when the women would step in front of me.

After experiencing my first taxi ride I decided it had nothing to do with me.  It’s just how things work here in India.  You get there in whatever shape that means.  The two lane (One Way) road is free space for motorcycle, bus, car, person or even COW!  A little “Beep, Beep!” goes a long way here.

The 2 hour bus ride to our Village was quite entertaining.

Upon arrival the volunteers had just enough time to get room assignments unload then meet for Oriention.  Here we meet all the Coordinators and each other.  My session consists of 35 people.  Once all the rules and regulations were explained I changed into my Indian clothes then we greeted the children.

The way we were introduced to the kids was like one huge recess.  We went to the play ground and they swarmed us!  This was the highlight of my day.  Not because I got to play with the kids (I didn’t really) but because I captured that first experience with my camera for everyone else.  I was in heaven taking pictures of the LOVE bursting from these smiling faces.  The boys climbed on the Men Volunteers while they played soccer. (sometimes 3 deep)  The girls played jumprope, clapping games and braided hair.  It was beautiful.  I took over 500 pictures today. LOVED it!  I get so much satisifaction through photography!  After about an hour of playing with the kids it was dinner time.  We eat on the roof of our Hostel on banana leafs!  I have no idea what I ate but it was good.

After dinner we went back to the kids and had Family time in small groups.  I found a little 9 year old reading Goldilocks and the three bears.  I laid on the cement floor next to her as she read the book out loud to me.  Her name was ABBY!

I ended my day in the bathroom taking a bucket shower and using “squater” toilets with little frogs accompanying me.

I can’t wait to wake up tomorrow!

Start packing

I think I’m starting to “Panic” instead of Pack.  I am so busy around here doing “Domestic Engineering” stuff that I run out of daylight too soon.

So, my way of getting ready for India takes place when my head hits the pillow.  I start thinking about what it’s going to be like and then my mind is impossible to shut off.  I have lost MANY a nights sleep because I get so excited about it.

Right now I am creating the countdown pages for www.myrisingstaroutreach.com and I have volunteers sending me their photos and brief introduction of themselves.  It is so fun to see who they are and why they are involved with Rising Star.  This is my profile page: http://www.myrisingstaroutreach.com/My_Rising_Star_Outreach_Blog/Session_2/Entries/2011/6/2_Ember_Hobi.html

This is my list of things to do:

Pick up Visa in NYC between the hours of  4:30-6pm (UGH! rush hour!)

find snacks that will last 20 days in HEAT.

get my hair done

plant my new bushes

sign my kids up for swimming

buy a new camera lens

clear space on my MAC

send out thank you notes!!!

run a Triathlon on Saturday (training not necessary...I haven’t stopped moving since May)

Buy lice shampoo. 

complete NY Trip video 

Is 13 days enough time for this?