tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47975570665774379832024-03-18T21:46:17.571-07:00Ember in IndiaYou must be the change you wish to see in the world. ~GandhiUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-68503362254364949632020-01-26T18:29:00.003-08:002023-04-24T18:34:43.016-07:00The Shoes I walk in<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu1KhVQkbeOwQ8q2_Y2uWgCE12H2H-MXiVKxXbTCHYi-Ah68YxXilzlZq_A43aum6J4WQ8iSjRJxRTsid5KBFarakWHMYyI686qoD1z6W9OCn01OGnuwVoPRmgBTKJ-dpxItdlHRORdGx98M1Uk6VXGLOTyfKyHiufTJpTAXs2u_3MA5sHwtfHqYHVQw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu1KhVQkbeOwQ8q2_Y2uWgCE12H2H-MXiVKxXbTCHYi-Ah68YxXilzlZq_A43aum6J4WQ8iSjRJxRTsid5KBFarakWHMYyI686qoD1z6W9OCn01OGnuwVoPRmgBTKJ-dpxItdlHRORdGx98M1Uk6VXGLOTyfKyHiufTJpTAXs2u_3MA5sHwtfHqYHVQw" width="180" /></a></div><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">It was a “wipe the poop off your shoes at the Airport kind of trip!” (I did that before the picture... you’re welcome)</span><p></p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I’m taking my final flight (flight </span><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz _aa9_ _a6hd" href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/7/" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#7</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">) home. The places I’ve walked, the pictures I’ve taken, the the people I’ve met will be tucked into my “favourite memories”</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Thanks to my little critter invasion Saturday night I was up all night and didn’t sleep before my flight so I slept 10 out of the 15 hour flight home! 👊🏻</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Update: The critter was a rat! He hid in my suitcase till 6:30 when I emailed A friend for help and a handful of boys came running with sticks! 👍🏻. Sorry no photos.</span>Ember Hobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02585861756714768915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-89569338386522170162020-01-25T18:26:00.010-08:002023-04-24T18:29:26.862-07:00RAT!<p> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNGG_G81_XhXHKr9SVUWX8lQiyqnmqANklPpkPiGvPUMGIw1R2sK3ShGMZbpCKLSdzSFHvdfAjTc4DOn_QlU9B9W54NUR4F82NeyzRdyuTvWbY7_zd3ajsu2Fu_xk3cqX9MslaJjFxTz7Ax9CCQl-VGjIxl-TT1WedyuGhbSiKEmBNnRwkHUFt7crSOg" style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNGG_G81_XhXHKr9SVUWX8lQiyqnmqANklPpkPiGvPUMGIw1R2sK3ShGMZbpCKLSdzSFHvdfAjTc4DOn_QlU9B9W54NUR4F82NeyzRdyuTvWbY7_zd3ajsu2Fu_xk3cqX9MslaJjFxTz7Ax9CCQl-VGjIxl-TT1WedyuGhbSiKEmBNnRwkHUFt7crSOg" width="180" /></a></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />I’m a prisoner in my canopy. I woke to a thud at 3:30am. Something is in my room. After calming down and convincing myself it’s got to be a rat I reach for my phone. Suddenly my laptop I have charging on the floor at the bottom of my bed lights up indicating buttons being pushed, AND this “thing” is under my bed. What do I do? I text my husband in the USA because that’s what ladies do when a critter needs removing, right? He was no help. He just told me to snuggle up with “it”</span></p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Instead I’m sitting straight up listening to “IT” climb around in my luggage now. The thud was a water bottle being knocked off my table. I can’t see it ( Do I want to see it?!) but I can hear it. It’s been 3 hours. I’m never leaving this bed. And why I think this canopy is protecting me is uncertain, but desperate people believe crazy things. Can it be a snake?? It’s a rat, right?? I wonder who will notice I’m missing and come rescue me? SOS!!!</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Ps. This picture isn’t of the actual event...that picture would be BLACK.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span>Ember Hobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02585861756714768915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-26246175151065002192020-01-21T18:44:00.019-08:002023-04-24T18:47:55.081-07:00Smiles<p> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Today I visited a leprosy colony. The obvious sign of leprosy you’ll see in these photos are missing fingers and/or toes or fake feet. The village is full of bright colors, and smiles.</span></p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">For lunch we stopped for take out Indian style. Yum!</span><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTD7OznMDB1Uu90ZIisrdBtG6mx86bKNg19DpQ9VOBajiIQuEHGazxwYHmJJR6CFSlpzKjPWhaOmBW6jx3yEr4qYf6paFpM3Qtw9inLk5N63pOg1xnNMRcnEQAqQXMMOD65hvEZa1SK63qfTIK88JeYZcWQIsxQO3-t2JlwsgfXQmCWbGWjgzqTF7C-w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTD7OznMDB1Uu90ZIisrdBtG6mx86bKNg19DpQ9VOBajiIQuEHGazxwYHmJJR6CFSlpzKjPWhaOmBW6jx3yEr4qYf6paFpM3Qtw9inLk5N63pOg1xnNMRcnEQAqQXMMOD65hvEZa1SK63qfTIK88JeYZcWQIsxQO3-t2JlwsgfXQmCWbGWjgzqTF7C-w" width="180" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRMJi5HxMnWjYGw6JO-FwcOovt69sC2d2VVWJK-uGA4a_S_MrFjUhBk-DsYYr0G4AYNTrmAs4mqXLqnMgJG4--4B_Cu7VTppkGj7CUUGrJG4vVQ2_2O6wFocC0Z8GkLSl4SGhxha-YmxX6dO-16yi9mE-so7AE8NkJrpydeyptR79RkELurusUyK4TQA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRMJi5HxMnWjYGw6JO-FwcOovt69sC2d2VVWJK-uGA4a_S_MrFjUhBk-DsYYr0G4AYNTrmAs4mqXLqnMgJG4--4B_Cu7VTppkGj7CUUGrJG4vVQ2_2O6wFocC0Z8GkLSl4SGhxha-YmxX6dO-16yi9mE-so7AE8NkJrpydeyptR79RkELurusUyK4TQA=w227-h170" width="227" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgd4jCgE4bzQJcQwkwv_dcfComlIMKZJgxo2ZfXMshEQ_192zlStmGO8E-DnW8wHk6WJPGt86QSVBICimwE2ChoM2G9dQyam6OModEeQu7TOwjKq9-wjrWEOO_YEM-tHbfQVVpVHOadK1dC-lkqTpVoZVXGNp9p4j14wCBWc4EQ0ytrq4PHcU5I4n-F5w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgd4jCgE4bzQJcQwkwv_dcfComlIMKZJgxo2ZfXMshEQ_192zlStmGO8E-DnW8wHk6WJPGt86QSVBICimwE2ChoM2G9dQyam6OModEeQu7TOwjKq9-wjrWEOO_YEM-tHbfQVVpVHOadK1dC-lkqTpVoZVXGNp9p4j14wCBWc4EQ0ytrq4PHcU5I4n-F5w" width="180" /><br /><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKaRJmmq8gFdiebsFYDBGhSOExUfVproFDy0JOLYaEDl78LXd5o5unbylmkps6jzaiyq5EreL-nZbCqJ3u5mdOvqHhBXcgkmWNxJ-HYCDgEjGz0v9WDZm6H8DN5EyZ2BZ1esTiEEROfArqnLQCkO5B8w66NFYtMW6WA44-AHXJ_n8PdA7qN2kETtVL2A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKaRJmmq8gFdiebsFYDBGhSOExUfVproFDy0JOLYaEDl78LXd5o5unbylmkps6jzaiyq5EreL-nZbCqJ3u5mdOvqHhBXcgkmWNxJ-HYCDgEjGz0v9WDZm6H8DN5EyZ2BZ1esTiEEROfArqnLQCkO5B8w66NFYtMW6WA44-AHXJ_n8PdA7qN2kETtVL2A=w185-h139" width="185" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEm7B8llzwXbrfwDNQX4rOyE1oQQ7VBAlwKb2OHIszRCF66XOgjSpkZxvIx5vsLNG5R_xaM48Pb7lqrvX1oAL2X60fJ5-wZnMHNKBWlyBWvUdqF6OOqKA5GKW_wwG3NBrc5TFikMSCSm6zmZIB5nCzH0nsmoJFsb6fN7elQMQxk5SwP04Gp4_rbaUYUQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEm7B8llzwXbrfwDNQX4rOyE1oQQ7VBAlwKb2OHIszRCF66XOgjSpkZxvIx5vsLNG5R_xaM48Pb7lqrvX1oAL2X60fJ5-wZnMHNKBWlyBWvUdqF6OOqKA5GKW_wwG3NBrc5TFikMSCSm6zmZIB5nCzH0nsmoJFsb6fN7elQMQxk5SwP04Gp4_rbaUYUQ" width="180" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /></span></div>Ember Hobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02585861756714768915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-22491514617259373982020-01-21T18:39:00.004-08:002023-04-24T18:43:24.365-07:00Perspective<p> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">My view at work these days. 🥰 I took a picture of the school from my drone and set it as my desktop picture then showed it to the students. The reaction from all who saw it was total adoration. “So beautiful”</span></p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">They didn’t know their school was so beautiful.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoRx83rBqWHmGIlfaqnBSrHlT8HvZ9k-6VoRYwkNIpKCSDtTa5Gec6DR_SLDPTU3tT5EGudWc-wrz8aCycuHaiiwx5ZG9Bhz67_86BUOS0VllBo8Udph45p7Z8U6mIIqg0M_Rx-_ufPKrVCs7xsfjuzbK6yPYwNIguEkphrSMwmidO1Yvi9z7HTGCOcg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoRx83rBqWHmGIlfaqnBSrHlT8HvZ9k-6VoRYwkNIpKCSDtTa5Gec6DR_SLDPTU3tT5EGudWc-wrz8aCycuHaiiwx5ZG9Bhz67_86BUOS0VllBo8Udph45p7Z8U6mIIqg0M_Rx-_ufPKrVCs7xsfjuzbK6yPYwNIguEkphrSMwmidO1Yvi9z7HTGCOcg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhc96f1efbqaEcigENqw9VIhVuGpC8fL2j_4p4HqW0kFLtWcvSmbyBBE7JZGK4HCyy91zZClKp0Hv6qC-Ih2D05yskn8jTjlU03lTXpTOzejrzm3abTniDwiTOUJNb-oZ1KPz4BxXtoA1sq605w1VntrmqBDzc-hJgNt9yU2ykrBG0QhFe8XcdgPujr0Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhc96f1efbqaEcigENqw9VIhVuGpC8fL2j_4p4HqW0kFLtWcvSmbyBBE7JZGK4HCyy91zZClKp0Hv6qC-Ih2D05yskn8jTjlU03lTXpTOzejrzm3abTniDwiTOUJNb-oZ1KPz4BxXtoA1sq605w1VntrmqBDzc-hJgNt9yU2ykrBG0QhFe8XcdgPujr0Q" width="180" /></a></div><br /></span>Ember Hobihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02585861756714768915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-66599189684920399542014-02-13T10:10:00.002-08:002014-02-13T10:19:13.726-08:00THE FAKING BEGGAR<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zda0Y0OcJbQ/Uv0KMNXQVjI/AAAAAAAAFvk/ei0UZdaqmaY/s1600/IMG_0546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zda0Y0OcJbQ/Uv0KMNXQVjI/AAAAAAAAFvk/ei0UZdaqmaY/s1600/IMG_0546.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
I just spent 3 weeks in India. Everytime I return to America I immediately appreciate the cleanliness and order that exists here.</div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
The streets are quiet. The streets are clean. The streets are animal free. The streets lack beggars.</div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
I was driving into town yesterday appreciating all those things but then I remembered I had seen beggars here before!</div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
A ”homeless“ man in a wheelchair sits at the entrance of a shopping complex. He looks different from the beggars in India but he is asking for handouts nonetheless.</div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
As I drove pass his spot I looked for him but he wasn’t there. I wondered if he had given up. As I went about my way I continued to compare him to the beggars of India.</div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
He sat in a wheelchair...so did some of them.</div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
He wore ragged clothes...so did they.</div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
He looked un kept...so did they</div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
He held a sign that read ”Anything helps.“..they clasped their hands over their heart suggesting this plea.</div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
The first time I saw the man in the wheelchair I immediately thought he was faking. He isn’t really homeless, I concluded.</div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
Across the intersection was also was a woman, not that much older than me, pacing the cars at a street light with a cardboard sign reading ”Single mom.“</div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
In this one spot of my town there are 2 quiet beggars. I doubted both of them. </div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
I just returned from a place where a hand was thrust out at every turn wanting from me. Eventually I got pass feeling sorry for the indians and gave away smiles instead, knowing I could never satisfy them. </div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
As I compared these two situations that exist in 2 different worlds I realized I HAD been more sympathetic to a different culture.</div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
Why was it that I gave a second thought (sometimes more) to help the man on my street corner but I’d travel to a 3rd world country and offer more compassion to people suffering with leprosy (the "lowest cast") instead!?</div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
I don’t know the truth from any beggars standpoint. Maybe it’s sincere, maybe it’s their 2nd income. How am I to know?</div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
Jesus teaches us to Feed the hungry and clothe the naked, right? Is there a stipulation to this that we need to consider first?</div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
An hour had passed when I returned near that spot to pick up gorceries only to find the man in the wheelchair was now there! As I turned into the entrance my eyes met his. I saw him and I know he saw me see him. I watched him through my rear view mirror with conflicting thoughts. </div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
After my shopping I sat in my car and wondered ”What would Jesus do?“ </div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
My husband has been an example to our family on this very topic. He will always stop and give something whether it be coins or dollars. He has even given gum or a sandwich..whatever he has with him! </div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
Our kids once asked: ”Dad, what if they are faking?“ </div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
His response is: ”What if God is testing you?“ </div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">
I decided I was going to give the man in the wheelchair some cash. I pulled next to him and rolled down the passenger window. He scooted forward while I wadded up my donation and tossed it for an easier exchange. He caught it and rewarded me with a ”God Bless Ma’am.“ I wished him to stay warm and drove away with his runny yellow discharged eyes branded on my mind.</div>
<span style="font-family: Casual; font-size: 18px;">Looks like I need a paradigm shift. I've become a faking giver.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-21488646377081988382014-02-07T07:19:00.000-08:002014-02-11T10:42:49.319-08:00While using a shovel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nwgHWTOPfwggR6Y48ljAJIH3n4G304Xob2vjxTAf419Maj271a23ZLuBTPDH_eYqMofQNY0VBPmcW_2Xd7cZp8Cq5eP_A_GT9F9nCdz2CygYbVaYSvuurvJb7DRedLWegUUGgzko_uKo/s1600/IMG_1322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nwgHWTOPfwggR6Y48ljAJIH3n4G304Xob2vjxTAf419Maj271a23ZLuBTPDH_eYqMofQNY0VBPmcW_2Xd7cZp8Cq5eP_A_GT9F9nCdz2CygYbVaYSvuurvJb7DRedLWegUUGgzko_uKo/s1600/IMG_1322.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
</div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I have 3 blisters in my right palm. They formed while using a shovel. </span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As a child I acquired similar blisters from swinging on the monkey bars at school. The fun always outweighed the pain I knew would result as blisters. They burn when my skin stretches and are tender to the touch. I remember the raw ache and counting the days until the sting would go away.</span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The need of the shovel was to dig a foundation for a latrine being built in a small leprosy colony in India.</span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My soft, and pale hands are accustomed to house work, not day labor. I was advised to wear gloves that sat piled in a bucket resting on a make shift bench (a slab of wood lying across two wood stumps.)</span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There were plenty of gloves to choose from but I decided against them when I looked at my options. Most of them looked crusty, obviously once wet, and sun dried forming unnatural shapes. I also didn’t want to take the chances of putting my hand inside a glove that shared occupancy with a spider, so I went without.</span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This small leprosy village housed half a dozen people, most of them suffering with leprosy but I only see three outside. All residents dwell in single floor structure. Each resident is alloted a two room space sharing adjoining walls with a neighbor. A door is placed at each end allowing me to see right through their home.</span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The three people are outside to watch us. One was a shirtless jolly man, in his 50’s. with a large middle, and a contagious smile. </span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He has leprosy that effects his feet. They are large and awkwardly shaped but that doesn’t keep him from showing off his passion for dancing, </span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He shakes and wiggles as he sings his own tune waving his hands in the air with an occasional burst of laughter. </span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">His wife sits nearby bearing a grin of her own. Passion toward her husband can be seen in her eyes. It’s obvious she loves him. She doesn’t have leprosy but she suffers the same stigma as those with leprosy by association.</span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The next door down a small body frame is hunched over. At first glance she might be mistaken for a child. She scoots along the floor, her frail skinny arms moving her body like an ape because one leg is a stump from the shin down and the other drags a foot to the likeness of a sledge hammer.</span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Her hands are deformed and missing fingers but that doesn’t compare to her face. Her right eye ball appears to be missing, but it’s open none the less, exposing scar tissue. Her left eye is squinted but offers life to her face along with a lopsided mouth. It’s questionable if she is smiling or if her mouth is set the way it is. The left part of her mouth is tugged upward in a manner that looks like it’s being pulled by a string. Her lips are tight her eye wandering.</span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The skin on her arms sag over her bones like a sock too large for the foot, It tightens at her hands where leprosy has attacked the nerves in the fingers causing them retract into her knuckles giving nothing but hard tight stubs. </span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">She looks old but her small body and jet black hair suggest otherwise. </span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Her large skirt covers her lower deformities but her upper torso is fitted with a tiny shirt, tailored made, I assume. She reminds me of a doll. To touch her is touching her bones. There isn’t much to her. </span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I don’t see anyone else in the village but music is heard behind a closed door infested with cracks.</span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I work along side other volunteers and a few Indian day laborers digging 4 ft. trenches for a little over an hour, The sun is hot and water not plentiful. The shovel I use is not an american shovel. It requires bending over to scoop instead of using your foot to penetrate the ground. I wonder if my back is going to regret this.</span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">By end of the week the ground work for the latrine was complete. This little colony is on it’s way to healthier living! </span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The leprosy affected are ostracized from a communal life. They are judged by their disease. Leprosy only destroys their outer shell. To many, they are treated as untouchables. In the small amount of time I worked and thirsted in their village they smiled at me, laughed with me and thanked me for being there. I felt part of the life, happiness and love that existed there.</span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pain in my back never surfaced instead blisters formed on my palm. Days following, I absentmindedly ran my fingers over the soft bubbled skin anticipating the burn and tenderness that normally accompanies them... but it never comes.</span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On a plane to the United States I mull over my moments in India. My fingers met the 3 blisters again. They are healed now. Only a slight pigment change is seen. </span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I’m sad they are gone. </span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Those blisters were evidence of my time spent in that leprosy colony. </span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I was reminded of that each time I touched them. The healing process put time between that experience, removed me from it, and turned it to a memory.</span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Palatino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-38783727639228863862014-02-04T08:03:00.003-08:002014-02-05T11:45:40.466-08:00The living and the dead<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2CZd2TDcMgNVFyAPUIKWZzgEM9xZzKkiUXKNXxZkc8GS1ZVz_5DdtnPoIAuzWiX0BpempexFUZOiWbN8nbRGetC9hPgS7WhmcuiXbhsKKXr7WeClm4mhnnxp2Fz4L8K2IOdFSeMc2zn7/s1600/IMG_5677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2CZd2TDcMgNVFyAPUIKWZzgEM9xZzKkiUXKNXxZkc8GS1ZVz_5DdtnPoIAuzWiX0BpempexFUZOiWbN8nbRGetC9hPgS7WhmcuiXbhsKKXr7WeClm4mhnnxp2Fz4L8K2IOdFSeMc2zn7/s1600/IMG_5677.JPG" height="79" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Waking up at 5:00am is never a good thing for me. I was scrambling around my hotel room gathering my photography needs racing against time. This day I had a bus to catch a boat tour the <a href="http://www.dw.de/indias-polluted-ganges-river-threatens-peoples-livelihoods/a-17237276" target="_blank">Ganges River in Varanasi, India.</a></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I only packed a backpack for this overnight excursion so it would seem my task wouldn't be hard. When I pulled out my clothes I found I was missing my hairbrush, makeup, pajamas, and shoes. Obviously my mind wasn’t put together when I packed the morning of my flight .</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I didn’t know anything about Varanasi India except word that it was filthy but beautiful and a great place to take photos along the Ganges River. This eased the pain of waking before dawn to be on the River when the sun emerged. I also didn’t know how COLD it was going to be. I’m in India after all!</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I stepped off the bus with unkept hair,no makeup, shorts and flip flops. I didn’t care, I was looking forward to the beautiful pictures that awaited me at the river bank. </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Before loading the bus I unplugged the battery for my camera only to find it was dead. Every drop-drained! Tough way to learn the outlet doesn’t work </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I sadly parted with it finding slight comfort in knowing my video camera was powered with a batterie to spare and I carried my cell phone.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I didn’t know I was about to walk through a world where my pictures couldn’t do justice in capturing what I would see anyway. </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Repulsed by everything I saw I admitted I was glad I didn’t carry it. I didn’t want to pause and focus on anything. Instead, I held my video camera close against my chest and tiptoed like I was walking through broken glass,</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
My exposed feet jumped over garbage, animal feces, dirty water, and homeless men randomly plopped throughout the village. I didn’t know if they were dead or alive and I’m afraid no one else in the village knew either. </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
The prior night I visited the River only to see the golden glow of the Village lights reflecting on the water, and smoke rising from scattered fires along the shore. The fires didn’t seem unusual given the cold night air. </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
The leisure ride ended abruptly when the guide gave description to the fires. He announced them as “Cremation” fires. </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Thinking this was the beginning of a First Century story I turned my attention to the scene ahead.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I saw a gatherings of men dressed in ceremonial clothing and piles and piles of wood lining the long descent of stairs to the river and oddly stacked against buildings. I suspended my imagination and allowed his story to be true.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I saw so many people, so many fires, so much movement through the smoke. </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
It wasn’t until the guide continued to explain the scene that unfolded before my eyes that it became clear he wasn’t telling stories!</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
These were indeed cremation fires!</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
My eyes gazed into the flames that engulfed it’s contents.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Although I was completely shocked, I didn’t want to turn away. I didn’t want to look to closely either. I didn’t want to believe it but it was right in front of me. </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Then the puzzle began to come together. </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
The Ancient religious rituals about the Ganges River still exist in this city!</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I leaned over the edge of the boat to look into the water of death and life. It was gross, but then again it was dark.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I was advised NOT to touch the water. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefSa6iML7wfGjX-CSnmjJ5pRZZboIKEWP8AtuepEOfxEwdiF3-iVP9f4Hfj_9Zdku511yQ_u7B5PXZsUL8Q_hZ-kBFrC4NoOHdGPbPuxMJQlipBMBwn7mAVQassWq3sBf5jEQ242deqSR/s1600/IMG_5683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefSa6iML7wfGjX-CSnmjJ5pRZZboIKEWP8AtuepEOfxEwdiF3-iVP9f4Hfj_9Zdku511yQ_u7B5PXZsUL8Q_hZ-kBFrC4NoOHdGPbPuxMJQlipBMBwn7mAVQassWq3sBf5jEQ242deqSR/s1600/IMG_5683.JPG" height="124" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
That night I tried to wash away the smell of smoke that clung to my body. I took a long HOT shower. I tried not to think of what I felt down on that river. </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Returning the next morning I was hopeful to see life replace the darkness that suffocated the late night.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
The street I was traveling on now was loud and busy at such an early hour. Market owners were opening shops, beggars had already established their spot, and the heads of sleepy homeless men poked out from under scraps that covered them.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I walked past the man that looked like a corpse the night before and felt relieved he was sitting on his bedding.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
A gathering of men were heard chanting and marching to the rhythm of bells and some other noise behind me. Eventually it caught up to me and I jumped out of the way. They moved past as if I wasn’t there. In fact, everyone on the streets seem to move past me in slow motion as if I wasn’t there, except the beggars. I tried to understand what was happening, I tried to absorb it but I didn’t want to get left behind. I was told this ritual happens every morning before sunrise. They move toward the River and perform religious rituals. </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I stared like a little kid when I saw people washing in the River. Do they understand dead people are sprinkled in this river everyday? For Centuries!!? </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
An old man wearing only his loin cloth cupped water over his shoulders. He wasn’t anxious to get out nor was the heavy set woman down the way. Her body language announced the water was cold for this time of morning. she bobbed up and down inching her way deeper with each hop.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
The anticipated sunrise went unnoticed as a result of thick fog in the air, mixed with fresh smoke of a new cremation site. This time I didn’t look at the fires. We were too close to the river bank allowing visibility I wasn’t willing to have.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
The buildings that were a glowing silhouette the night before looked worn, almost like burn victims. I’m sure they were once grand and beautiful, but today it lacked. </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Again I saw the pile of wood suffocating the broad stairs. In day light they seemed to have multiplied. They were all the same size, color, and length. Perfectly rounded logs,small enough to carry but big enough for the purpose at hand. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vfHlpdFGBicm_JCzzdEnCVrz4z_6vp1P8gnamyQga4W3aq1op3e9WcHg6bBKDb-_S3v5VlR0pdUI3r4xpJo9eydR4ET0UEHzEJt8PH5HLd-Bqka1s_lpzeFQK8JRVYK7kGEiWM2prXoN/s1600/IMG_5696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vfHlpdFGBicm_JCzzdEnCVrz4z_6vp1P8gnamyQga4W3aq1op3e9WcHg6bBKDb-_S3v5VlR0pdUI3r4xpJo9eydR4ET0UEHzEJt8PH5HLd-Bqka1s_lpzeFQK8JRVYK7kGEiWM2prXoN/s1600/IMG_5696.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
With the morning light I could see the backdrop of this stage. Haunting is the word that comes to mind. I am so glad I had my video camera for proof of what is there. The boat docked at the shore adjacent the wood pile and I tiptoed onto the blunt cement stone. </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
We followed a well worn dirt path that wiggled through walls without roofs, mud from unknown fluids, cows that blocked the small width, and sticky air. </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
At first the smell was defecating. I can’t say that i’d ever experienced that scent. I held my sleeve covering my face but it didn’t do the trick.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Now and then I would abruptly stop to capture things with my video camera. I felt like a rat in a sewer.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
The village people didn’t seem bothered we were invading their narrow paths. They went on as usual, moving around me when I stopped to watch monkeys jump overhead, cows rummage the street trash, or step into an alley to investigate strange things. </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Finally we were on a paved road. It wasn’t until I emerged from paths that I noticed the lack of direct sunlight. </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
That place was hidden under shadows.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I climbed back into the bus, fighting beggars along the way, and sunk into the comfort of familiarity. </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I looked down at my dirty feet, returned to the hotel and took another HOT shower, trying not to think about what I felt down on that river.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-18140507161398759452014-01-29T00:34:00.000-08:002014-01-29T00:42:17.999-08:00You are marriage?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHrDX-NS0DeZsRL3WmjcEElFnyCkPNvoJs7bU83jXIFATOgYDQ11tONkecYzy9nV7X116VBNIFajKiO0OQ54rJ8kMUjOmwkPqpCW56pfLzZ3Lcz017P2y5vf-Kc-R8Gg7TjJPCAweuphO/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHrDX-NS0DeZsRL3WmjcEElFnyCkPNvoJs7bU83jXIFATOgYDQ11tONkecYzy9nV7X116VBNIFajKiO0OQ54rJ8kMUjOmwkPqpCW56pfLzZ3Lcz017P2y5vf-Kc-R8Gg7TjJPCAweuphO/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
Hobi's visit to India 2012</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I love to tell the kids here that I am married. The response is always the same. Sometimes I bring up the subject just to get the reaction. It starts out with wide eyes and gaping mouth. Then the kids exchange looks and say things I can’t understand because its in Tamil. </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Then I take a double stab and hold up 4 fingers.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
“You have 4 children?!” they gasp.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
“Yes, boy, girl, boy, girl” I smile.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
“What age are you?</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
My smart answer is a question back. ”How old do you think I am?“</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Now this is the best part.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
You are 19?</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Sometimes I get a low 20 but that feels just as good.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I soak up the youthful moment while they eye me suggesting they don’t believe I have 4 kids.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
”What are their names?“</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I don’t understand this question...does it really matter? Still I tell them and then they beg to know my real age.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I tell them I am 34 years old and there is a pause.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
What is your husbands name? they still interrogate.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
His name is Sam.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Their eyes survey my body...looking for evidence of a lie.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I can tell when they believe me. They’ll make eye contact with me and</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
smile with approval then ask: "Was it a Love marriage?"</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
(love marriage means you didn't have an arranged marriage, which is still a major tradition.)</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Yes, it was a love marriage. </div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-89590029269285565172014-01-27T13:08:00.000-08:002014-01-28T13:10:23.520-08:00barefoot with a shovel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Today I visited a tiny leprosy colony to help build a latrine.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ45iBVK9LSoAWDqsD4VGTAfzoqafzzfbn_73HAwds2-AU-UCQC_fpVAwppZ1DlU5Vxnd_5XffZqXCiszhkEa44Hyxnqcvcf3fkdU_HhHgSlbFu-QvyvA7hKKa2yGgdZPw800O2BNrhKPk/s1600/IMG_1334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ45iBVK9LSoAWDqsD4VGTAfzoqafzzfbn_73HAwds2-AU-UCQC_fpVAwppZ1DlU5Vxnd_5XffZqXCiszhkEa44Hyxnqcvcf3fkdU_HhHgSlbFu-QvyvA7hKKa2yGgdZPw800O2BNrhKPk/s1600/IMG_1334.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
This little colony has never had a toilet!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAd0XOhyXfuSvS0dFDwwB3RBis_4oWkIU-xoSx6i91ukkDUJtZWE8NSjm8gF3J9jmpup8K2qO06LDZVdx0dfVjm5DMy7W-266AK69594Rk7nbl9WaEasd7-F_QXFqMTagpzlXbp8SYRpun/s1600/IMG_1322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAd0XOhyXfuSvS0dFDwwB3RBis_4oWkIU-xoSx6i91ukkDUJtZWE8NSjm8gF3J9jmpup8K2qO06LDZVdx0dfVjm5DMy7W-266AK69594Rk7nbl9WaEasd7-F_QXFqMTagpzlXbp8SYRpun/s1600/IMG_1322.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
We dug trenches for the foundation. It was a HOT day so I defiantly worked up a sweat. I used a primitive looking shovel and actually think they work better than our American ones, and the dirt pans were pretty handy too. I did like the Indians and worked bare feet along with them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgfepbobD06fnrUJFhXf9YGnW-vQqO_AW7JcsZ5rUhKPF3iGNFUYOSZEQnBS2g6J2VPWW_bc-iNg85zMNXXVkas6twMicb_ofL3GEDoUaNGLPQ2dG-3nQSC4T5BLIVBelyE2aSmfw2M1q/s1600/IMG_1270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgfepbobD06fnrUJFhXf9YGnW-vQqO_AW7JcsZ5rUhKPF3iGNFUYOSZEQnBS2g6J2VPWW_bc-iNg85zMNXXVkas6twMicb_ofL3GEDoUaNGLPQ2dG-3nQSC4T5BLIVBelyE2aSmfw2M1q/s1600/IMG_1270.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmcNujNPAKZ85grvvXJSmAhY_ICGnXqQZSOpfnhclm6BNAdxMLVdfQhyRLaKmcGnrJRzG8tjCMY8XI8dBCIFGn2qUBX7bzAbTraeZeygr8E5sY8HVfuQoZQ4NtJXUKb9K5oT-VJhZUsj7/s1600/IMG_1262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmcNujNPAKZ85grvvXJSmAhY_ICGnXqQZSOpfnhclm6BNAdxMLVdfQhyRLaKmcGnrJRzG8tjCMY8XI8dBCIFGn2qUBX7bzAbTraeZeygr8E5sY8HVfuQoZQ4NtJXUKb9K5oT-VJhZUsj7/s1600/IMG_1262.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJ3LkzEaG2P1DOePnhlheYpJATBAsuck5xcfvB50p6JFs6Y0k1I7OtJhDnpR_wI2jD2iyC9gniEmdY-D0yy5L5tAbBtprHoq1f9CMTSmALX1QBBLaRQZasDk3Hedm1qI8rMAn4BNynSKf/s1600/IMG_1273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJ3LkzEaG2P1DOePnhlheYpJATBAsuck5xcfvB50p6JFs6Y0k1I7OtJhDnpR_wI2jD2iyC9gniEmdY-D0yy5L5tAbBtprHoq1f9CMTSmALX1QBBLaRQZasDk3Hedm1qI8rMAn4BNynSKf/s1600/IMG_1273.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Six people live in this colony (I think) I only met 3 of them. Their colony is smaller than my backyard. A guy named raja and his wife are full of sunshine! He speaks a little English, enough to give me a tour of his home and introduce me to his neighbor.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSMWAaTmHezKJnN0fTrmaVHNwetig9uEKkz0gperJEyWHOBIqdqz61zAlOSEv4WjBr6Dtq6PjwbVbK91LqLfKA5snF6b6yoU8L4OA1DcnNr2jn3MVbWF-hnwWo0KNYMrXtI0JDp4u-sRr/s1600/IMG_1336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSMWAaTmHezKJnN0fTrmaVHNwetig9uEKkz0gperJEyWHOBIqdqz61zAlOSEv4WjBr6Dtq6PjwbVbK91LqLfKA5snF6b6yoU8L4OA1DcnNr2jn3MVbWF-hnwWo0KNYMrXtI0JDp4u-sRr/s1600/IMG_1336.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"> She has one of the worse cases of leprosy I've seen. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBd6O5ro7RGAuP6zFDiVYM65sUgSUbdpy_tgSWpnr3Dm867UygUkhhJ3SGL-nSyUikRFMjwxyNyFYIgq-XguqXxvY3GB4uhrPv4DVJ2P17kByPzzbqppao4_v_tY5GT1lazrbKHZrgvjWv/s1600/IMG_1346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBd6O5ro7RGAuP6zFDiVYM65sUgSUbdpy_tgSWpnr3Dm867UygUkhhJ3SGL-nSyUikRFMjwxyNyFYIgq-XguqXxvY3GB4uhrPv4DVJ2P17kByPzzbqppao4_v_tY5GT1lazrbKHZrgvjWv/s1600/IMG_1346.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">She isn’t what her appearance is. She curled right up to me when I sat next to her. She told me her husband passed away last year. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoswGoG9uaHUlwySfskGkz53U_JDTscte2L1eWVEFKiFDwArekD1yjqo_GyEFePk7e4HY-YXdcZrXQb41XBJI15eIgFsqJLQ96P_ts53Om1-nJ3iqL__KkFPlGJ1CImyRSiJ-MJjUu8uwH/s1600/IMG_1348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoswGoG9uaHUlwySfskGkz53U_JDTscte2L1eWVEFKiFDwArekD1yjqo_GyEFePk7e4HY-YXdcZrXQb41XBJI15eIgFsqJLQ96P_ts53Om1-nJ3iqL__KkFPlGJ1CImyRSiJ-MJjUu8uwH/s1600/IMG_1348.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-63950446354087222322014-01-25T12:49:00.000-08:002014-01-28T12:49:53.050-08:00Cooking with coconuts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-Y7CyJ0K1xKJceVr9txBDDW065-TVCrOssH2a2Q4Z-y1hpGh0edX51ydBbAqU6GckOYV4MuDpLXAZQDLnAfW9N_qKlvZuSCXVCL_MyQzWmfovb0AZSHlY1yXidcdC5jYH1RJrTejSjae/s1600/IMG_1136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-Y7CyJ0K1xKJceVr9txBDDW065-TVCrOssH2a2Q4Z-y1hpGh0edX51ydBbAqU6GckOYV4MuDpLXAZQDLnAfW9N_qKlvZuSCXVCL_MyQzWmfovb0AZSHlY1yXidcdC5jYH1RJrTejSjae/s1600/IMG_1136.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Saturday I went into Chennai for a cooking class. (The Rising Star Campus is in a remote village 2 hours away)</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I spent the day with 2 Indian women learning about Indian culture and how to prepare a meal. I had a great time, mostly because of the company I was in. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCG6ZArEtei2-aCRK4sjjPFZ6R9qRuuM59iCYa_yaBnOHrgCtpBgorQbj-_s7YwAml5uubo-HQryYcxGFd5zYY5BNZe_gtx1iFbvCnsJLxyjeO7SD9gibMsDFXDuM7Y8OBhDBCdHzqeIEy/s1600/IMG_1130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCG6ZArEtei2-aCRK4sjjPFZ6R9qRuuM59iCYa_yaBnOHrgCtpBgorQbj-_s7YwAml5uubo-HQryYcxGFd5zYY5BNZe_gtx1iFbvCnsJLxyjeO7SD9gibMsDFXDuM7Y8OBhDBCdHzqeIEy/s1600/IMG_1130.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">The women began by giving a tour through a market street and showed us where she purchases food. To be honest, I was more interested in taking pictures than what she was talking about. :)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K9iD3B5iJjO7HubZolSy_UBTryZhokyJzKR8icTq6sOKXYqr94hW9u4kRWgugumNgj34KuNdu9WoK4Zy7C3BYETtYwgdK2WGLgXbc6cZ2J6rQwRAXGPSJt4ugeswUM5bOB3JYAAfY0wt/s1600/IMG_0926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K9iD3B5iJjO7HubZolSy_UBTryZhokyJzKR8icTq6sOKXYqr94hW9u4kRWgugumNgj34KuNdu9WoK4Zy7C3BYETtYwgdK2WGLgXbc6cZ2J6rQwRAXGPSJt4ugeswUM5bOB3JYAAfY0wt/s1600/IMG_0926.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVgV8PRDf1BbMjfhyphenhyphenQ1LkCkI6ct8rCaZ94WWYHYlmDB6WBWcbCr1o4g1A-377WtpbhtzPOGyWl5EXuJJNDLFNKIhy89DOc_xpYeQRqWLvAK41evu5LeepGB9-TOefzyTuNMdwRLGWkPM3/s1600/IMG_0929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVgV8PRDf1BbMjfhyphenhyphenQ1LkCkI6ct8rCaZ94WWYHYlmDB6WBWcbCr1o4g1A-377WtpbhtzPOGyWl5EXuJJNDLFNKIhy89DOc_xpYeQRqWLvAK41evu5LeepGB9-TOefzyTuNMdwRLGWkPM3/s1600/IMG_0929.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gD3d37YB6Il4psTMvrh56jZJedODvbXv7sKLgtoU-dw_TH__ytZlO6qNNdH1EkXeFpAAnRNnOuPZWcejwuD25y5wiT5D5jFaSGcGbQehNjtvcALcx2ERSETqrMtcaWNRTJiBiu89xquR/s1600/IMG_0923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gD3d37YB6Il4psTMvrh56jZJedODvbXv7sKLgtoU-dw_TH__ytZlO6qNNdH1EkXeFpAAnRNnOuPZWcejwuD25y5wiT5D5jFaSGcGbQehNjtvcALcx2ERSETqrMtcaWNRTJiBiu89xquR/s1600/IMG_0923.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXiyu765hqQikzQsu3qPlMWtWNFVCULZSKWKE6_P6UMx6MpLLibW98JnQpj1o6umWbE_CyBjv3i9HquaprBKSZCclbr2PVU_02PB518UoeFqBnO0i-OoHS-m_qQIdTwJfMsWL86f3vMe7/s1600/IMG_0927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXiyu765hqQikzQsu3qPlMWtWNFVCULZSKWKE6_P6UMx6MpLLibW98JnQpj1o6umWbE_CyBjv3i9HquaprBKSZCclbr2PVU_02PB518UoeFqBnO0i-OoHS-m_qQIdTwJfMsWL86f3vMe7/s1600/IMG_0927.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WS84Tyqv_MQiojodNzjsG9BPn6L1vXU0BkI8zHe8nqK5hunekucryyJYK4dH1L69-VyA6r8xFvMKp1NK3whmW1ggm8HyRWnwqKLwjwU35eo-CJQQn2XZBwGobGJLe4yeibH3uqo90IE0/s1600/IMG_0942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WS84Tyqv_MQiojodNzjsG9BPn6L1vXU0BkI8zHe8nqK5hunekucryyJYK4dH1L69-VyA6r8xFvMKp1NK3whmW1ggm8HyRWnwqKLwjwU35eo-CJQQn2XZBwGobGJLe4yeibH3uqo90IE0/s1600/IMG_0942.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwI7Xgp49zRcp5DD1IIOkPDXEA0xx_pZQ14UoA8nfU72M_4ZJsrXUizpn3P0-5D2y4vUIkp3cQj20Iah-JTuLaiA4cuPYPalL3tjjQ9VZhCsvHyPPmO-9j9BWNRI2wCQdchg8qhvaN65n/s1600/IMG_0944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwI7Xgp49zRcp5DD1IIOkPDXEA0xx_pZQ14UoA8nfU72M_4ZJsrXUizpn3P0-5D2y4vUIkp3cQj20Iah-JTuLaiA4cuPYPalL3tjjQ9VZhCsvHyPPmO-9j9BWNRI2wCQdchg8qhvaN65n/s1600/IMG_0944.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqg30K7l5SLLB_remgB0tFx3PvX8lgP0NHk35khqg1gj2FedKCXtIzCecdZT3C1eV2jFmvpl5Xshn1HoRo-Hh9hI-0MmEtgsRZojn5aWwwrUJg6ncRv9NhVB8XPWtKNZgRhLzfvg_ehFP3/s1600/IMG_0945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqg30K7l5SLLB_remgB0tFx3PvX8lgP0NHk35khqg1gj2FedKCXtIzCecdZT3C1eV2jFmvpl5Xshn1HoRo-Hh9hI-0MmEtgsRZojn5aWwwrUJg6ncRv9NhVB8XPWtKNZgRhLzfvg_ehFP3/s1600/IMG_0945.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEc6GNc7vNvz0pxetjzj9n40ZSBjcXnKIWQR2h6j4eIQnM8ezXYjnRml6lYohh9Dt8AuEsGo9zmZ_D0EHvoj2zWBPUmzwdzIxW3bsv5JSpXBIOGTBkWm-cefveh6uYbG_hsA93BC_dYxJK/s1600/IMG_0947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEc6GNc7vNvz0pxetjzj9n40ZSBjcXnKIWQR2h6j4eIQnM8ezXYjnRml6lYohh9Dt8AuEsGo9zmZ_D0EHvoj2zWBPUmzwdzIxW3bsv5JSpXBIOGTBkWm-cefveh6uYbG_hsA93BC_dYxJK/s1600/IMG_0947.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdt66NOTMdHz186MzZpNFfA7uIWR8cXEb-R-h14G51jYd3iN_kHzr1zyqkSXX0Z5KtwdbZBXnJf_VpcJwvbqyIYjfOt1GoTBDnNJA-urEhniz6E5lQxBKAWqi6qrqT7cxym_lywQelbYS0/s1600/IMG_0949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdt66NOTMdHz186MzZpNFfA7uIWR8cXEb-R-h14G51jYd3iN_kHzr1zyqkSXX0Z5KtwdbZBXnJf_VpcJwvbqyIYjfOt1GoTBDnNJA-urEhniz6E5lQxBKAWqi6qrqT7cxym_lywQelbYS0/s1600/IMG_0949.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVfatbts7rCNwILN9fn4FKoifHtTvsn86L1K8tUbXMHhZFYng-fYJmFGQLtC3h7su2WZzC0kWOnL-8YNKf2ASUUZ200mNfaSEx9tdFSE-7ii3Si4j1-eU8sQahROkXx5lOL7w1wZRoV3r/s1600/IMG_0951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVfatbts7rCNwILN9fn4FKoifHtTvsn86L1K8tUbXMHhZFYng-fYJmFGQLtC3h7su2WZzC0kWOnL-8YNKf2ASUUZ200mNfaSEx9tdFSE-7ii3Si4j1-eU8sQahROkXx5lOL7w1wZRoV3r/s1600/IMG_0951.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwqK7DZg3jX9mLbvrh9rQrsTU7pF3Tnpy0whVNexnSbAX1H7ElG59UmXYUB9VGnerT6J7z3r1v652DJs9_tJQOEkUa5tsxRORYnorcOIIjqG78Qh3j7LWIxmjJzlNeimAr7L-LfUhDBaO/s1600/IMG_0934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwqK7DZg3jX9mLbvrh9rQrsTU7pF3Tnpy0whVNexnSbAX1H7ElG59UmXYUB9VGnerT6J7z3r1v652DJs9_tJQOEkUa5tsxRORYnorcOIIjqG78Qh3j7LWIxmjJzlNeimAr7L-LfUhDBaO/s1600/IMG_0934.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Our meal took FOREVER to prepare but it was great. I asked how they get anything else done when meals are so time consuming. I was told the woman are in charge to cook the meals everyday for the husband. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3ujDvoMqs7_1dD5DrxXOtZQt9OMy-LznZ-4bVXLpmL5D9Y_fLTFJcC7x9c1gphMH0s_o0R78OuqJb4a7TQoxqWjcsJ5QNYvB7bOtuwiVey4ypMOFClZ5bhGgy6SQAGHQgWMyg0DShW44/s1600/IMG_1101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3ujDvoMqs7_1dD5DrxXOtZQt9OMy-LznZ-4bVXLpmL5D9Y_fLTFJcC7x9c1gphMH0s_o0R78OuqJb4a7TQoxqWjcsJ5QNYvB7bOtuwiVey4ypMOFClZ5bhGgy6SQAGHQgWMyg0DShW44/s1600/IMG_1101.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqr-iRkc57-w5jqcXJ5gbM_vLbF6N6CgotAeHp_-t62eSCJ7DEE7hviSlySV45O0e74i8H6OG4-k2QmHMmp3YBzawUtTnt8YsW9DfOhFeDBQCQ5QjMhZJzkR3wYl2MaashQ90Sgehq2OD8/s1600/IMG_1088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqr-iRkc57-w5jqcXJ5gbM_vLbF6N6CgotAeHp_-t62eSCJ7DEE7hviSlySV45O0e74i8H6OG4-k2QmHMmp3YBzawUtTnt8YsW9DfOhFeDBQCQ5QjMhZJzkR3wYl2MaashQ90Sgehq2OD8/s1600/IMG_1088.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7u9SoRTttjASH41p2augaQdl7Ec9cwuUGa36fCc9nlG1Uxffoh3wJ1Q5hqJzWSfrMQ0IXaEx4zwYNC3cl63tOqs6lhGGs1QvYZR7aWWGf68S3pm66XohITs7qMuBDOUK9O0u3eCwpfTG/s1600/IMG_1044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7u9SoRTttjASH41p2augaQdl7Ec9cwuUGa36fCc9nlG1Uxffoh3wJ1Q5hqJzWSfrMQ0IXaEx4zwYNC3cl63tOqs6lhGGs1QvYZR7aWWGf68S3pm66XohITs7qMuBDOUK9O0u3eCwpfTG/s1600/IMG_1044.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwo7HO97sHkXTA8iFh9U9_A3SgoU-HjjV0vKxVakpKni006TXvV8UXOU-46d435gtu_Gnjd73MfsaRCSksa2US4cj1Mbvca_iLJ0m0UNXsNR1jq4AGVFmSKeqgBiX8ZiMu_CpsdzTaOsEJ/s1600/IMG_1077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwo7HO97sHkXTA8iFh9U9_A3SgoU-HjjV0vKxVakpKni006TXvV8UXOU-46d435gtu_Gnjd73MfsaRCSksa2US4cj1Mbvca_iLJ0m0UNXsNR1jq4AGVFmSKeqgBiX8ZiMu_CpsdzTaOsEJ/s1600/IMG_1077.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RDJl9sZfl4dxTm_fMmzfJkDZlSofDF-FZIQo8AdHgFWQjKvT7pnad-Ev4lXk1eJ6PzIQv7QPWuWTfIJJDn4s_tXetzp0cfQUI5UicrUYTbcMqThC7gObga8UzLqAkd35FvtnuF_8gEg9/s1600/IMG_1074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RDJl9sZfl4dxTm_fMmzfJkDZlSofDF-FZIQo8AdHgFWQjKvT7pnad-Ev4lXk1eJ6PzIQv7QPWuWTfIJJDn4s_tXetzp0cfQUI5UicrUYTbcMqThC7gObga8UzLqAkd35FvtnuF_8gEg9/s1600/IMG_1074.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9im_ONWS5yIKOh8o-O5sorpHf-J9WTOKZtUhJQFnIyS0WTcwDwepX9LRzx9CLCkAgUllfjHdLLRkVxeFwSIDRnWWgQkLMHBwaYWFjiGQN3T6AenSQogKhlD7SSkTG5aeUkX2DDdlI5V-q/s1600/IMG_0993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9im_ONWS5yIKOh8o-O5sorpHf-J9WTOKZtUhJQFnIyS0WTcwDwepX9LRzx9CLCkAgUllfjHdLLRkVxeFwSIDRnWWgQkLMHBwaYWFjiGQN3T6AenSQogKhlD7SSkTG5aeUkX2DDdlI5V-q/s1600/IMG_0993.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4AeHDX3dqXX_CYUp0HtAw2wcnXXV2tiMFn_SUsAho1dKBR8aCDcSrlSkmBjdJ5TAOo9gFr-6jWLRdsMeAQWmZSzU2o4xjih8kUJOVU9k5wxd-ZyS1cz0WpdLFAqq8PdDDSZXzBhvhJTk/s1600/IMG_1019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4AeHDX3dqXX_CYUp0HtAw2wcnXXV2tiMFn_SUsAho1dKBR8aCDcSrlSkmBjdJ5TAOo9gFr-6jWLRdsMeAQWmZSzU2o4xjih8kUJOVU9k5wxd-ZyS1cz0WpdLFAqq8PdDDSZXzBhvhJTk/s1600/IMG_1019.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">BTW the women only eat the husbands leftover food. The rest of the duties are hired out. The women in India need help getting it all done!! </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I think I’m going to bring one home.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Maybe two.</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-50978522697069307972014-01-24T01:11:00.001-08:002014-01-24T01:14:53.973-08:00Photo, Photo, Photo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeYhAnUmZ5faRxdbpDNnr8bB3eupvV4ZM45VlYH6MkzBxDd2CRdwupjTuMl0HNtLPsXcnnbnKuq3GxqjeGHBM2jANVhR9ZJAEbEv6YCuxySYjDkhl5PIkhZ4QbEhKNH-3K8SkipTXzifK/s1600/150227_663868133654265_1234161662_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeYhAnUmZ5faRxdbpDNnr8bB3eupvV4ZM45VlYH6MkzBxDd2CRdwupjTuMl0HNtLPsXcnnbnKuq3GxqjeGHBM2jANVhR9ZJAEbEv6YCuxySYjDkhl5PIkhZ4QbEhKNH-3K8SkipTXzifK/s1600/150227_663868133654265_1234161662_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
The events over the last few days are all jumbled in my head. I can't remember what day it is half the time, which is great because it really doesn't matter here. When it comes to recording what's taken place I don't know where to start. When I think about it, the things that took place this morning seem like a day ago. I'll just throw things out here and lets assume it was today (or yesterday, maybe even earlier this week)<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'll start with stating I am bunking in a room with 6 other women and all six are sleeping (3 of them snoring lol) and I am wide awake. Perfect time to reflect, right? While on the topic of these 6 other women I have to say I am thoroughly amused by them. Some of them have me by 30 years or more and I only hope to be as fun as they are. Tonight I laughed till I cried. Who knew old age could be so much fun!! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This morning I visited a leprosy colony called Barathapuram. It's one of Rising Star's largest leprosy colonies. The Mobile Medical team visits this colony every 2 weeks to assist patients with their wounds. Volunteers remove old bandages (from the previous 2 weeks) wash the wounds (usually found on the feet and hands) and rub them in oil. They are then seen by a doctor and given any medications needed and set on their way. </div>
<div>
<div>
This process is sometimes painful but most the time the patients look forward to the visits. This is a time they get physical touch and TLC. They soak up all the attention arranging themselves to have their picture with you. I think they like getting pictures taken to see themselves. They usually ask to look at it. Here at the school the kids are the same way, they say "You take picture of me." Followed by "Let me see!" </div>
<div>
That what Indians do with Americans. </div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSH97IVGL1hhTlA-xi6ABB-LyVGZTb2uQ9dgBy1jxRCPBfXjwEDYpAF89d4o7JLM2tiXSwDTK18n_euTkuvhyphenhyphenbGZlUFW71EWXx6y1CIlC_CEgs5isq0_xkaRhnraMkcMD4PbvMWl0f2Ou/s1600/IMG_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSH97IVGL1hhTlA-xi6ABB-LyVGZTb2uQ9dgBy1jxRCPBfXjwEDYpAF89d4o7JLM2tiXSwDTK18n_euTkuvhyphenhyphenbGZlUFW71EWXx6y1CIlC_CEgs5isq0_xkaRhnraMkcMD4PbvMWl0f2Ou/s1600/IMG_0428.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While at this colony one of the old ladies made sure she got attention. As soon as she saw me holding a camera she came to me and grabbed the closest person to her and insisted I take their photo. </div>
Once I had taken the picture (and shown it to her) she wanted a picture taken with me, and the game goes on.<br />
<div>
Each time I walked pass her she reached out to hold me. She liked it when I sat with her. She held my hands and patted my lap till I was needed somewhere else.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4vIvSzKQU6v9hXV8yQWQ5jOlMDLuxNB1wcpj4d5lOCFMwqdGQKhuqwcbu4IpgeTy_cC4L-Ls6-JlFoeZugy9BPPURCJmO4n0NiH_m5gwBGbqFJcCE0qwbN5Rn2Eug3crpeuyxnfsDHrF/s1600/IMG_0546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4vIvSzKQU6v9hXV8yQWQ5jOlMDLuxNB1wcpj4d5lOCFMwqdGQKhuqwcbu4IpgeTy_cC4L-Ls6-JlFoeZugy9BPPURCJmO4n0NiH_m5gwBGbqFJcCE0qwbN5Rn2Eug3crpeuyxnfsDHrF/s1600/IMG_0546.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This guy had a crush on me ;) He pulled out a cell phone (?!?) from his pocket and had one for his own.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Hhgm_t5fuiIHBz8lbIk7MtiuqofRI2UoRPhwQQ5kwjVWP7jW27TdCQWPtO_F_gp3mPw_JNXidqAiLRGlxBL-M4fsLJobUYU_xOCx1ZRKeRKPTKFFWlcoL4WS7NK7DiN2N_0mYVU8pIT7/s1600/IMG_0620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Hhgm_t5fuiIHBz8lbIk7MtiuqofRI2UoRPhwQQ5kwjVWP7jW27TdCQWPtO_F_gp3mPw_JNXidqAiLRGlxBL-M4fsLJobUYU_xOCx1ZRKeRKPTKFFWlcoL4WS7NK7DiN2N_0mYVU8pIT7/s1600/IMG_0620.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After a long day at the colony I was so glad to return to the Hostel. Before I was able to put down my bag I heard a group was taking a walk through a neighboring village. I was way too tired to make the walk until... I had a little lecture in my mind telling me "It's not everyday you are in India."(until I come back again) So, I turned around and followed. We walked through the streets just as the school children were coming home. Kids from both side of the street would come running out to say "Hello" in their cute little voices. Then of course they wanted a photo...then they wanted to see the photo...then they wanted to take my camera and do it themselves. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMfuHc7kjzM6SGBdoQVx-iJjT2lbNAOdmQ0OGCu29J0fOcges58ilaXpBdu4v8A6UfyuC5XCAQvrKpr7Pq0D3l7FHWIyeYU8W70X8TzfsEbOjxs9DQb_uc8vfY7GovAnFPgJXTggBxm_1/s1600/IMG_0774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMfuHc7kjzM6SGBdoQVx-iJjT2lbNAOdmQ0OGCu29J0fOcges58ilaXpBdu4v8A6UfyuC5XCAQvrKpr7Pq0D3l7FHWIyeYU8W70X8TzfsEbOjxs9DQb_uc8vfY7GovAnFPgJXTggBxm_1/s1600/IMG_0774.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The girl in pink played a game with me. I sat on the street and she inched her way toward unsure of her safety it seemed. If I moved she would run away, then return repeating the process. After a few minuets I had gained her trust enough to be inches from my face playing the staring game.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64GoV4Vgcr58-hsmCQfRVOE3lb67NCR1VxGme0aT6r-541xxnsP2PWLj8tCFAAnjy_FEPw8Y55jzF4ec9nhbOEVkzsFimauaI4peiveRVlSsLpxJkB3ioVeJ-EhIjT1oIiVRxin2ICebU/s1600/IMG_0794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64GoV4Vgcr58-hsmCQfRVOE3lb67NCR1VxGme0aT6r-541xxnsP2PWLj8tCFAAnjy_FEPw8Y55jzF4ec9nhbOEVkzsFimauaI4peiveRVlSsLpxJkB3ioVeJ-EhIjT1oIiVRxin2ICebU/s1600/IMG_0794.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiGECMPWRosYcQGOlmMBWl_h5UJTnSnyfppxKuNMRX04Y7ax8mYt8oQpiyiKUAcxurgLU_vVS8_RalPNl-z4gpCjbBelc-R5Qr9CLezy6Wl4pHzWJFD5HxKskzLs9fmJJ-kLSPk3_E_Pw/s1600/IMG_0795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiGECMPWRosYcQGOlmMBWl_h5UJTnSnyfppxKuNMRX04Y7ax8mYt8oQpiyiKUAcxurgLU_vVS8_RalPNl-z4gpCjbBelc-R5Qr9CLezy6Wl4pHzWJFD5HxKskzLs9fmJJ-kLSPk3_E_Pw/s1600/IMG_0795.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhamhpuNq8Q1rScA60FVRVb0sMGLpTxhAIv_2pDS2UBoed3k7iWtkkif7g9nyyCgu80ToVLcWl5GREiA6mDoIT-xHkLI3J0VtpNly25aenJFnvIW7gCaE2LrbdVXn6QgwVh65ZtYfNnGUp/s1600/IMG_0740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhamhpuNq8Q1rScA60FVRVb0sMGLpTxhAIv_2pDS2UBoed3k7iWtkkif7g9nyyCgu80ToVLcWl5GREiA6mDoIT-xHkLI3J0VtpNly25aenJFnvIW7gCaE2LrbdVXn6QgwVh65ZtYfNnGUp/s1600/IMG_0740.jpg" height="320" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
She is a beggar. She told us her baby was under the blanket but it was clear a baby was not inside. It looked like a box ??</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tomorrow the school is having Sports Day. It's a big deal. They spent weeks rehearsing and decorating. I love that they take such pride in what they do. Everyone is talking about it on campus. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-42223224812502908192014-01-24T01:05:00.000-08:002014-01-29T01:10:13.179-08:00Embarrassed!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There are some things in the American culture that are NOT accepted in India.<br />
<div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The Indian culture is different. I can't seem to keep the rules. It's humiliating to say the least!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<br />
In 2011 I learn it's ok to eat with your hands. Sounds good to me! I jumped right in with that change.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5veMuZGn34ttXb3c4B0qQ_BapqgOE8aFBlBvrPwBJ02E0t-16-CjctiJiFo-Xp_6i0xYiPQ0fBbmcm-W1nGgESk1tSrPsy45YI862YmZUcNLD_BTP23Zm35rhVX_ut9zCk8JDrv0g_xF0/s1600/IMG_0468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5veMuZGn34ttXb3c4B0qQ_BapqgOE8aFBlBvrPwBJ02E0t-16-CjctiJiFo-Xp_6i0xYiPQ0fBbmcm-W1nGgESk1tSrPsy45YI862YmZUcNLD_BTP23Zm35rhVX_ut9zCk8JDrv0g_xF0/s1600/IMG_0468.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Even though I was using my fingers to eat I still got strange looks from some kids.<br />
After a few days a more outspoken girl turns to me at meal time and informs me it's "dirty" to eat with your left hand! <br />
I turn red because I am a "Lefty" and sure enough I was using my left hand!<br />
It's "dirty" because the left hand is used to clean yourself in the bathroom. <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To shed some light on this tradition let me inform you that the Indians use "squatter" toilets. No toilet paper. Just a bucket of water on the floor to be used to "Wash" up. (Here at Rising Star Outreach campus we also have squatter toilets but paper is provided as long as it's not flushed, rather it's disposed of in a trash can in the stall.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I reflected to the many meals I've eaten with these kids and recall the unspoken disgust they had with me.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Not long after I am again educated on poor eating manners. I'm sitting in a meal circle with the school girls and find eyes are on me again!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Auntie," a 10 year old calls over to me. "Your shoes."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I wonder what's wrong with my shoes.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Don't eat with your shoes on." she says in a disgusted way.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"What? Why?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Those are toilet shoes!"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm wearing pink flip flops that I brought from home. I'm confused.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She motions for me to remove my shoes and place them behind me. I obey quickly to end the embarrassment. I'm ok with learning from the kids but I'm humiliated to think the many adults in the room noticed too. I'm sure they see Americans doing these things all the time, but I was still embarrassed.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When I returned to India the 2nd time I thought it would be cute to paint my toe nails in the Indian colors. I marched around Campus displaying my patriotic toes for 2 weeks. The little kids loved it but I noticed the older girls brushed it off.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The 3rd time I returned a Rising Star an employee remarked on my toes and informed me the Indians don't wear "tribal colors" It's not ok to wear the flag colors. I thanked him for telling me and realized having the flag on my FEET was probably a double insult. :/</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The next morning I splattered dark purple polish on my toes.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today here was an event on campus that offered a chance for volunteers to dress in a Sari, traditional women clothing. Sam had bought me one on our last trip out so I was excited to wear it. Sari's are impossible to put on without the help of an Indian woman. My Sari took the help of 2 experts. Modesty is very important here!! The women are very careful how they appear in the presence of men. Ankles are covered, chests are covered, & knees are NOT to be shown. It escapes me why showing their middle is ok when my modesty standards are opposite in that manner. When I wear a Sari I actually cover more of my body than they do in order to dress to my modesty standards.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After 2 safety pins, several pleats and tucks I was wrapped!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmqSii1kRCvQiSACg4CHKqcbQmpDXcNzy3mmzfTO2HVeW39cyP9Z0VzLGhWrPU8fRYFxnKC1axltvKk-qGypAIz6F5yYtWnBLJC9ilZdS36UvlSLpQYKP4TdKl3xLI81kKLcCSszc9CcD/s1600/IMG_0872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmqSii1kRCvQiSACg4CHKqcbQmpDXcNzy3mmzfTO2HVeW39cyP9Z0VzLGhWrPU8fRYFxnKC1axltvKk-qGypAIz6F5yYtWnBLJC9ilZdS36UvlSLpQYKP4TdKl3xLI81kKLcCSszc9CcD/s1600/IMG_0872.jpg" height="320" width="227" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I quickly learned how NOT to walk while wearing a Sari. My stride needed to be shortened, my posture demure, and bending-not an option.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This presented a problem right away. I was documenting the event with my video camera. The reason that was a problem was the event was a TRACK MEET! (more about that later) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It would have been nice to be able to run to different spots for optimal location but instead I had to pretend to be graceful. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is where the humiliation comes in. After walking all over the field- to and fro, around and up, I found myself surround by 3 Indian women. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Come miss" one urgently whispered to me as she guided me to the building behind us. I could tell by her mannerisms she was trying to spare me from public humiliation. Once we walked through an office door the room was inspected and I was told wait. While I waited I tried to tuck in my material that had come loose at my side.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"No, No!" The woman said. "Don't touch!"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I stood there and my face went RED. I was so confused.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Not long after, a man, (the principal) walked out of an adjoining room and through our location. I realized that was the reason I needed to wait. There is to be no fussing with clothing in the presence of men.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Once he passed through she closed the door behind him and locked it then proceeded to fix my Sari behind closed doors.<br />
The issue didn't seem to be a big deal to me. It took 3 seconds to fix it but to them it was a matter of modesty and perhaps dignity. I was so thankful she took care of me. I wouldn't have wanted to violate such an important part of their culture.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
As soon as the celebrations were over I quickly changed, eager to remove the embarrassment attached with it. I slipped on some fresh clothes from the volunteer closet and returned for more activities. After a dance recital a little girl about 10 years old walked up to me and asked: "What is your name?"</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
After I told her she bluntly announced "You are wearing my shirt."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6SPJCrAzC0tr0OoqnH-8VjnzsKiWoZWsOvL9BtAYplLgBcSAqTmhqmXgFcFInEmnTdXnxYwXrpAJQFl-CpjyVM2mtdZMZrJYq-xTZyM9vlQ1QW2uKHYaxHBgEWDI3Y2yj7xzdEN98L7b/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6SPJCrAzC0tr0OoqnH-8VjnzsKiWoZWsOvL9BtAYplLgBcSAqTmhqmXgFcFInEmnTdXnxYwXrpAJQFl-CpjyVM2mtdZMZrJYq-xTZyM9vlQ1QW2uKHYaxHBgEWDI3Y2yj7xzdEN98L7b/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
What? I told her I got it from the volunteer closet.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
"It is my shirt. I used it for a dance costume." </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The all too familiar red face began to burn for the 2nd time in a day.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I offered my apologies and she requested I return it to her in the next day.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I left the celebrations totally deflated of spirit but overflowing with embarrassment. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
It's tough being in a different culture.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-51124044046027451152014-01-22T10:48:00.003-08:002014-01-22T10:48:57.725-08:00School Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today I spent some time at the Rising Star Outreach school. Things are different than the last time I was here. The major change is the new uniforms they wear. They turned blue! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSKWmZJrkCkBOP2dN4vfTP-cazQW-YeAa471x4kR9md6LPoNOfvHcellNrAVV9rauEsGv5SOJz4iTCcAoBB63b_jUK_8F8YrmdIXAD3Ujj3cYRydjGvH4iUEAil2SH6yEdi8RUSXSUb6m/s1600/IMG_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSKWmZJrkCkBOP2dN4vfTP-cazQW-YeAa471x4kR9md6LPoNOfvHcellNrAVV9rauEsGv5SOJz4iTCcAoBB63b_jUK_8F8YrmdIXAD3Ujj3cYRydjGvH4iUEAil2SH6yEdi8RUSXSUb6m/s1600/IMG_0187.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquDRA_4cHqg0vcp4J52bvZhP31yVVQ8tTwZpKyeAUI7syYQPOWzLKYCtngLX0VjipYIWd9enB4GKyrERs95hPa2PFLfP-yuHcQFclxbtJtQoPAgJs4uJ9wgNDWhFTJTSCbZA9TSPQIpsM/s1600/IMG_0213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquDRA_4cHqg0vcp4J52bvZhP31yVVQ8tTwZpKyeAUI7syYQPOWzLKYCtngLX0VjipYIWd9enB4GKyrERs95hPa2PFLfP-yuHcQFclxbtJtQoPAgJs4uJ9wgNDWhFTJTSCbZA9TSPQIpsM/s1600/IMG_0213.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
They are also required to wear belts, ties, and shoes unlike last year. The reason is to help them focus at school by dressing in a professional way. The volunteers are also asked to wear more formal clothes while in the school.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6m5KukeEVvL0VwsgXWrK_NRsAyvmuJvUWOq4CX4X_57o5uDtH3H5YZJfS15dQ3KjKrjEU4n5XIzDfyaf7YS8l3jqN_SW0qE-kLIcG1IlEjt4GQsQ4x-pEZqYEwXr-sC3-ZVrzg3ocS66/s1600/IMG_0269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6m5KukeEVvL0VwsgXWrK_NRsAyvmuJvUWOq4CX4X_57o5uDtH3H5YZJfS15dQ3KjKrjEU4n5XIzDfyaf7YS8l3jqN_SW0qE-kLIcG1IlEjt4GQsQ4x-pEZqYEwXr-sC3-ZVrzg3ocS66/s1600/IMG_0269.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
I happened to walk pass a classroom singing their morning prayer. It was so sweet. They must speak English during school hours. Their cute little accents are adorable.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcb-JbF1K49fyNSKAlkrnQ7PQBvN43xb0lCpIsnxVjXgpx9YPSq9ByB6ga9haUcCeg8sidpKUM13vJLOYm32zUYlNqa6h1DHZQbdIqviibeCPtiH9ZoT0Mh1pHJ3o3z-W5nmBg11yiaro/s1600/IMG_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcb-JbF1K49fyNSKAlkrnQ7PQBvN43xb0lCpIsnxVjXgpx9YPSq9ByB6ga9haUcCeg8sidpKUM13vJLOYm32zUYlNqa6h1DHZQbdIqviibeCPtiH9ZoT0Mh1pHJ3o3z-W5nmBg11yiaro/s1600/IMG_0270.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48C09SNJtD8FogVlIDXiFknF5Aw8-CXWAEj0EWLAPJWTjkztsBuX9brnlhM-EJ1B-FWAbLIY_apQh7qhmIqvvx_UDsio0fDx8lqLXOMP-31Ir8KkRzNz4tBa_PFECQLww51qTHStCO9U1/s1600/IMG_0272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48C09SNJtD8FogVlIDXiFknF5Aw8-CXWAEj0EWLAPJWTjkztsBuX9brnlhM-EJ1B-FWAbLIY_apQh7qhmIqvvx_UDsio0fDx8lqLXOMP-31Ir8KkRzNz4tBa_PFECQLww51qTHStCO9U1/s1600/IMG_0272.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEido3ofVnkuK-XpJHl5H50zFKw1KpkY3zFJUyXqbMjr3Ks694GUFvsdXBinGKnTsa9Qof_XXP4RNy0SIhDkYRmVCgKhOSwXAHkhv_xlWiw6yXjQV_3CbOxJfmj6-vus4k9CgvsppDS4-qhz/s1600/IMG_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEido3ofVnkuK-XpJHl5H50zFKw1KpkY3zFJUyXqbMjr3Ks694GUFvsdXBinGKnTsa9Qof_XXP4RNy0SIhDkYRmVCgKhOSwXAHkhv_xlWiw6yXjQV_3CbOxJfmj6-vus4k9CgvsppDS4-qhz/s1600/IMG_0276.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWwf-8nex6eQIheAPnerSELlalDXnQ-3N7GViCJmGhEtUiD71QZ64nCq01x3H9RNvuaSPYzmeWZWhOMwU1sRIJlTqcjo4QRMZtKycLhl_laSIiT2wjtRnNwFGDgS3h89OKrljnZZsDRlq/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWwf-8nex6eQIheAPnerSELlalDXnQ-3N7GViCJmGhEtUiD71QZ64nCq01x3H9RNvuaSPYzmeWZWhOMwU1sRIJlTqcjo4QRMZtKycLhl_laSIiT2wjtRnNwFGDgS3h89OKrljnZZsDRlq/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iVibUz6GVpuwZ1bLUcvdAA2KosS-Y_i0qCAKgwR3UbnaL28Or0Tjjs8mvvViqprBxIdO5jRjNEnJKyMAVoNBZfnZmOwEcjPmPcyBSRcrjtxmEs26-MpVC6sXwpz8oiCpMmRZ0fv0ZyfD/s1600/IMG_0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iVibUz6GVpuwZ1bLUcvdAA2KosS-Y_i0qCAKgwR3UbnaL28Or0Tjjs8mvvViqprBxIdO5jRjNEnJKyMAVoNBZfnZmOwEcjPmPcyBSRcrjtxmEs26-MpVC6sXwpz8oiCpMmRZ0fv0ZyfD/s1600/IMG_0278.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlje3ycS_lnuNtsoIHwQm7sJQO_N4sgRFGMAVOIC9b5JAvFC5gvPrboXeVDem3ukThjoTePx5OdWEeO4AZANwy9LWn7o_NWqKGjOTIu6lYyCZhL93OzFxQFQVLhdo2cZvRCqeKD3AzvKTX/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlje3ycS_lnuNtsoIHwQm7sJQO_N4sgRFGMAVOIC9b5JAvFC5gvPrboXeVDem3ukThjoTePx5OdWEeO4AZANwy9LWn7o_NWqKGjOTIu6lYyCZhL93OzFxQFQVLhdo2cZvRCqeKD3AzvKTX/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSaW-CqkNWoz79MCxorrthYio3cWfEVUau4kmwesFUz34m2IeMz4EDzvjMdsOscShygYWU5l8vTjsSm5-lxoAsLtbOhQnJVX9ig7nM8LAHaeTxyKB0Ntb83yEhOjFtragE6xDHEJjsews/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSaW-CqkNWoz79MCxorrthYio3cWfEVUau4kmwesFUz34m2IeMz4EDzvjMdsOscShygYWU5l8vTjsSm5-lxoAsLtbOhQnJVX9ig7nM8LAHaeTxyKB0Ntb83yEhOjFtragE6xDHEJjsews/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidpU8SUdW1_uSSgI0ji0dP8yTUggpSDZOMFxtg6QIe-fmmVoXLJBRmCr7uDMGsUfHFTH_kHijPy-Eb72PGM6CpWOiClL0CcUX5tsbNKUDV_9jpQc1fd-21jGm1o2yhp9V9pNuSrsD2aj6/s1600/IMG_0284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidpU8SUdW1_uSSgI0ji0dP8yTUggpSDZOMFxtg6QIe-fmmVoXLJBRmCr7uDMGsUfHFTH_kHijPy-Eb72PGM6CpWOiClL0CcUX5tsbNKUDV_9jpQc1fd-21jGm1o2yhp9V9pNuSrsD2aj6/s1600/IMG_0284.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfiePGmW-OpIB4pXyGU-n4MIAZGm4Aa9KAjt0tlm6UFH8FFkyNXKWxqkTU6Vc6JYBNquTA7tS4qZHSkGzU3_5dSDYXs6wcv4x53MYoJHiinO4nqH1n9EDSd5lMfPXDGPy6gV97XrUAaN1/s1600/IMG_0209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfiePGmW-OpIB4pXyGU-n4MIAZGm4Aa9KAjt0tlm6UFH8FFkyNXKWxqkTU6Vc6JYBNquTA7tS4qZHSkGzU3_5dSDYXs6wcv4x53MYoJHiinO4nqH1n9EDSd5lMfPXDGPy6gV97XrUAaN1/s1600/IMG_0209.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaJ0qhCfuucYL54_ucz3aX9SYkNHaHIgwqdWDdh9jNA7JMPo2EnffXFPeQ_UAnyrQi1WVW-ucJewf_O3eZVOPgjDW0DdM12W6PpcgRdk89BlJqa158ZIUsivytnqsX99LVTVtWgvKsjJL/s1600/IMG_0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaJ0qhCfuucYL54_ucz3aX9SYkNHaHIgwqdWDdh9jNA7JMPo2EnffXFPeQ_UAnyrQi1WVW-ucJewf_O3eZVOPgjDW0DdM12W6PpcgRdk89BlJqa158ZIUsivytnqsX99LVTVtWgvKsjJL/s1600/IMG_0227.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBDftrHr7vSTqIRBGdHZ0cuF7O47J0iQcVJPNHpXfwsfVQiP30lUjt8UsIFrMDKGV6VriJw-bQUqh7O8XraD1EyDmfQiZCroky8vZEW8FyJdDR4bb_9h3NBK8n0WPr_QhsbdMZjjxfplz/s1600/IMG_0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBDftrHr7vSTqIRBGdHZ0cuF7O47J0iQcVJPNHpXfwsfVQiP30lUjt8UsIFrMDKGV6VriJw-bQUqh7O8XraD1EyDmfQiZCroky8vZEW8FyJdDR4bb_9h3NBK8n0WPr_QhsbdMZjjxfplz/s1600/IMG_0206.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbiosWz4vpk1SdxvMpspJCGHc-VZrS-iAkkGjG9aJ26hvGYFkaPx4HFLUMGreDbrUtKGJrUPsQSmJ5HZ4crRkDHoI-vNf74sLBQZlkTTSpLtc2AQhC-4dRDgWWpZ-WRWVx5PxeSu_uGvh/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbiosWz4vpk1SdxvMpspJCGHc-VZrS-iAkkGjG9aJ26hvGYFkaPx4HFLUMGreDbrUtKGJrUPsQSmJ5HZ4crRkDHoI-vNf74sLBQZlkTTSpLtc2AQhC-4dRDgWWpZ-WRWVx5PxeSu_uGvh/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I fell asleep on the cement during an orientation outside last night. I can't say that I have done that before. I love my sleep but this was rediculous. I missed the entire presentation then stumbled to bed right after it was over. I slept so well, and it was welcomed too. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
5am rolled around and I was wide eyed and bushy tailed. 6:30am I went on a walk with my camera. It was a cool morning. In fact, the weather this time of year is perfect. It's not HOT. Most days there is a slight breeze. I've been here in the middle of summer so this feels great!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here are some things I saw:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nc28Mr7486A5JVhTtDRrAG1wL3PCd-zPtnVuSYWBPxOSVS1UZ3COC402oGzpbbnvDsOAheIfZU3S3RVlcGlMC1FkVipPMFGwdinTnb1b3xF6hGJJaGyPAe5fmlxeYoXAMTHK-liVSanA/s1600/IMG_0459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nc28Mr7486A5JVhTtDRrAG1wL3PCd-zPtnVuSYWBPxOSVS1UZ3COC402oGzpbbnvDsOAheIfZU3S3RVlcGlMC1FkVipPMFGwdinTnb1b3xF6hGJJaGyPAe5fmlxeYoXAMTHK-liVSanA/s1600/IMG_0459.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVV5yij-xqJISCSPwoRhW-YP8z5lvdYKBUFrILalcZwTxE5Hp7yqM3gju2X7J0mVJRR6cZP6851VsZQ2mnOqoLx3iuCai7LPElUcQnshPo_z1Mcs1AFPzhjFV42AKQd28acYnRc-ql2VP/s1600/IMG_0477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVV5yij-xqJISCSPwoRhW-YP8z5lvdYKBUFrILalcZwTxE5Hp7yqM3gju2X7J0mVJRR6cZP6851VsZQ2mnOqoLx3iuCai7LPElUcQnshPo_z1Mcs1AFPzhjFV42AKQd28acYnRc-ql2VP/s1600/IMG_0477.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6nNi82Ey1HvubtsYGLlrpDLOMwj-GKb74tTylX8NZkyAhWSGNxHfNKuPyPNgeVmj_VKxXpR0D9gkA22aZY0XApQk7OxInzObJnx7kbJst4OV6Ie3idtH6XqIEoHFLY9M_4H1qtGKQoaj/s1600/IMG_0503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6nNi82Ey1HvubtsYGLlrpDLOMwj-GKb74tTylX8NZkyAhWSGNxHfNKuPyPNgeVmj_VKxXpR0D9gkA22aZY0XApQk7OxInzObJnx7kbJst4OV6Ie3idtH6XqIEoHFLY9M_4H1qtGKQoaj/s1600/IMG_0503.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiVun-5U9m8LzT_qtqpuNq9XK0mK2gDMD-4_bnqElcp920AfPkm8CIZobQyNTTBfVwyzmC5nnCJ7g6nKgpXPr_WIgk580wQ-dTtMCnzRnWXSUzCtsE8eN6CMidT7kZbqNJgJD6v_L91vj/s1600/IMG_0506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiVun-5U9m8LzT_qtqpuNq9XK0mK2gDMD-4_bnqElcp920AfPkm8CIZobQyNTTBfVwyzmC5nnCJ7g6nKgpXPr_WIgk580wQ-dTtMCnzRnWXSUzCtsE8eN6CMidT7kZbqNJgJD6v_L91vj/s1600/IMG_0506.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0vDUwo83aVYJsW-H2Int3gE0WT6YEqYCt7KoFLMmGqOEFtFwM2NdWZ0j2CsD5IG_gXX8pRQmTM33r4Ze2Ao5Rredw2sP8YEbWatTV_uKcV_yeT0Nr0xqIvX2kcZJwrwOfeo6S8U_mCGS/s1600/IMG_0536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0vDUwo83aVYJsW-H2Int3gE0WT6YEqYCt7KoFLMmGqOEFtFwM2NdWZ0j2CsD5IG_gXX8pRQmTM33r4Ze2Ao5Rredw2sP8YEbWatTV_uKcV_yeT0Nr0xqIvX2kcZJwrwOfeo6S8U_mCGS/s1600/IMG_0536.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My appetite kicked in today. I finally felt hungry. The bad thing is the dinner is always rice and their rice doesn't sit well with me. I get terrible stomach pains!! After I eat it feels like I have rocks inside my belly. I did an experiment and discovered if I only eat a little bit of rice I can get by. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
India is beautiful. I never put my camera down.</div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-34115050175456393242014-01-20T09:34:00.000-08:002014-01-22T10:11:53.070-08:00Day 2: I know you.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Monday 20th<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today I took the 2 hour ride out to Rising Star Outreach. The drive is long but entertaining. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiYGClgC4lLjyWnivZkvgV1cmlin7urAfSVYJHEF_ehSLSEIQeGX_3p28FoVn78_zV2s6TILotT-UJX5T_xDkQP8FB905ZEBIMznoe0-XC0C5IuP23BCJ6CgFiZil8TmiExjpYMqly3QG/s1600/IMG_0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiYGClgC4lLjyWnivZkvgV1cmlin7urAfSVYJHEF_ehSLSEIQeGX_3p28FoVn78_zV2s6TILotT-UJX5T_xDkQP8FB905ZEBIMznoe0-XC0C5IuP23BCJ6CgFiZil8TmiExjpYMqly3QG/s1600/IMG_0115.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See the baby on the bike? SO CUTE...or not??</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think I like it but only in India</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcSzLlGs7niSsY4kVid8yDJ5zkMWd3a5107GZS2zHOOy6C-Ctplp3Wev_0iWTNG5rRnX3fOrmL90x0QpkTpi0q-J-hgWTrNDCzablq0mNooicAuA55liTbkx0oScjDLVtmWrUn1qy2m8A/s1600/IMG_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcSzLlGs7niSsY4kVid8yDJ5zkMWd3a5107GZS2zHOOy6C-Ctplp3Wev_0iWTNG5rRnX3fOrmL90x0QpkTpi0q-J-hgWTrNDCzablq0mNooicAuA55liTbkx0oScjDLVtmWrUn1qy2m8A/s1600/IMG_0130.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today we met the school kids. They were SO excited to welcome us.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-LvKlQVUGdPFHL57xNx7EiOSjSfdivoLaEpsseU3yBLvCU12kQK59nhRpAdrzHjaszCR1XlQ6kKmiMR5xBgm6b7tzDh4ZcGxqsCZ2d3TKbPgWgKM9QDQeWHE7ANUEVTGfW8f8-EJDoVn/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-LvKlQVUGdPFHL57xNx7EiOSjSfdivoLaEpsseU3yBLvCU12kQK59nhRpAdrzHjaszCR1XlQ6kKmiMR5xBgm6b7tzDh4ZcGxqsCZ2d3TKbPgWgKM9QDQeWHE7ANUEVTGfW8f8-EJDoVn/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These kids welcomed us with these necklaces </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQ22masaXevkydm7xthGFcqg-5COFIVRddH0K_mpWGop4OppubcivHRh94Np44pi8JOMfMiuMhEn5OX9HSfent-GIhutIjYbHgLubH5HcTY9C6QoGFi8luqiCrqqPJdHwdHauPbtA-hUg/s1600/IMG_0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQ22masaXevkydm7xthGFcqg-5COFIVRddH0K_mpWGop4OppubcivHRh94Np44pi8JOMfMiuMhEn5OX9HSfent-GIhutIjYbHgLubH5HcTY9C6QoGFi8luqiCrqqPJdHwdHauPbtA-hUg/s1600/IMG_0144.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blessings & incense</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41JLXObQmkHsGPEEoacoOKDbIsochChBorErCPoXxVt-rVPUX3caHoeQ-O9yiHrpr_mSRpK1YNS1gc_n5tZyyU8Sc2yGev5teQVl_FnaolECgkPCFKTD3kBZDurG0IdGWigHac3_nZXuP/s1600/IMG_0162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41JLXObQmkHsGPEEoacoOKDbIsochChBorErCPoXxVt-rVPUX3caHoeQ-O9yiHrpr_mSRpK1YNS1gc_n5tZyyU8Sc2yGev5teQVl_FnaolECgkPCFKTD3kBZDurG0IdGWigHac3_nZXuP/s1600/IMG_0162.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1g8vpF9EnbxQN2k4tESAZ0WRuKM7AZSmlVCeDobjCCCC-LqI2uEg8_qHGABEkjj3HAMTWkUsZz6TgI9XHuVpB-F0sP1_A9VkE0QFyfNf0hGASG2GxD16DOotdDbVqXTMk0XsVzG1ZO3Th/s1600/IMG_0164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1g8vpF9EnbxQN2k4tESAZ0WRuKM7AZSmlVCeDobjCCCC-LqI2uEg8_qHGABEkjj3HAMTWkUsZz6TgI9XHuVpB-F0sP1_A9VkE0QFyfNf0hGASG2GxD16DOotdDbVqXTMk0XsVzG1ZO3Th/s1600/IMG_0164.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sidewalk art all over. This isn't chalk! It's</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
rice powder! I love the spelling</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROKz2KUEIPvPHeoyWSfJtiM7a6nc6HpbOl7TMw0IfNCQTCh_Qa7Tnn7Rl66ZcNV-DkTWtkrmMlwPAurIqo98k79ZRxX5XpjD3wyrDCXdhk_cul9siECmmyGt3g7eGZNzbD8tXErpfHcrO/s1600/IMG_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROKz2KUEIPvPHeoyWSfJtiM7a6nc6HpbOl7TMw0IfNCQTCh_Qa7Tnn7Rl66ZcNV-DkTWtkrmMlwPAurIqo98k79ZRxX5XpjD3wyrDCXdhk_cul9siECmmyGt3g7eGZNzbD8tXErpfHcrO/s1600/IMG_0165.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oL4Alnv261Q7R2w9fIchww-sI3TgzeU4S3JtR4F8IxeZngbRbJYsaMbead5wqzEYkClUPPcS5mg0icQ_nRsKxk6U8AgMuiQD_Jgrk4X7U6e4paaj2Eus2TKcZ0kSECHrgOhqjvqWeXSb/s1600/IMG_0171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oL4Alnv261Q7R2w9fIchww-sI3TgzeU4S3JtR4F8IxeZngbRbJYsaMbead5wqzEYkClUPPcS5mg0icQ_nRsKxk6U8AgMuiQD_Jgrk4X7U6e4paaj2Eus2TKcZ0kSECHrgOhqjvqWeXSb/s1600/IMG_0171.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kids that think taking pictures is a game</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_IfXQjV9euTl3FJaXI8lEFbTjswHSPf83YaIlIt3-qkXtUoXZEyYZqzqIU705-ON6Y2bk_StQDiUgEc8dqZEDAi4ggCAdewh4m2Owydi4Mgek_IqjioG0Qz-87gk-46JMgSbqb1xbbIm/s1600/IMG_0179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_IfXQjV9euTl3FJaXI8lEFbTjswHSPf83YaIlIt3-qkXtUoXZEyYZqzqIU705-ON6Y2bk_StQDiUgEc8dqZEDAi4ggCAdewh4m2Owydi4Mgek_IqjioG0Qz-87gk-46JMgSbqb1xbbIm/s1600/IMG_0179.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is Carvia. She was buddies with my daughter</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2CkVZgkDdKn55-8CLjiE6jYhh5YETMHrlVQMdobHMK1q9T_-U1omXGH49mc-TKl4Qc3G_QSEjB4QF4FERA6kUX6tAcISTcxw_qcZ3b0yj6SSXm6Q0D4DPE_Ln2xuh__-bD98vKaC2Pqt/s1600/IMG_0181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2CkVZgkDdKn55-8CLjiE6jYhh5YETMHrlVQMdobHMK1q9T_-U1omXGH49mc-TKl4Qc3G_QSEjB4QF4FERA6kUX6tAcISTcxw_qcZ3b0yj6SSXm6Q0D4DPE_Ln2xuh__-bD98vKaC2Pqt/s1600/IMG_0181.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
random kid that begged me to take his picture...again....again...and again</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5miKEyGF2IEXYioXYH2pFcXZUnfcXyyb5numO2qPrL7MhQEDZAaVryFZq8-FDUu7e8Ij-_fOvsBkzwqIDPy511Bni38couTCSexUBn-FmeXyWxWboYlUUhxVa9uoOSPtCDL3MBJG_ORyn/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5miKEyGF2IEXYioXYH2pFcXZUnfcXyyb5numO2qPrL7MhQEDZAaVryFZq8-FDUu7e8Ij-_fOvsBkzwqIDPy511Bni38couTCSexUBn-FmeXyWxWboYlUUhxVa9uoOSPtCDL3MBJG_ORyn/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" height="261" width="320" /></a></div>
Mariambi!! She is my favorite!! It was so sweet when we met again today. I literally bumped into her in a doorway. She stared at me as I stared at her then we recognized each other. She wrapped her arms around me, buried her head in my chest and cried. She held my hand as we walked but turned her face away to hide the tears. What a gratifying feeling it was to feel loved by her. <br />
<br />
I was surprised that many of the kids recognized me. Of course I don't know their names nor did they remember mine but they said :"Auntie, you come before many times?" <br />
The kids aren't the ones I left. It's amazing how quickly they change.<br />
<br />
<br />
Today felt like 5 days put together. I am SO tired.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-26638530362985992642014-01-19T06:49:00.000-08:002014-01-19T06:49:27.585-08:00Sunday in Chennai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XKDs-9TH7Cxm63qqvqRwNh51RYPCiL1vqhpV5uU-DruQ7fpnLgHUFRRV8bzg1sCtoAYLEuvccdJf5UrlWlK2wtn_HhfFlnGSEVeABCGuZj5WsFiuloj_ZbNYv1PTLljMxbmdFSrjPgrS/s1600/IMG_5589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XKDs-9TH7Cxm63qqvqRwNh51RYPCiL1vqhpV5uU-DruQ7fpnLgHUFRRV8bzg1sCtoAYLEuvccdJf5UrlWlK2wtn_HhfFlnGSEVeABCGuZj5WsFiuloj_ZbNYv1PTLljMxbmdFSrjPgrS/s1600/IMG_5589.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
It's Sunday night in Chennai, India. I stayed away from my hotel room all day to avoid falling asleep. I should be acclimated to the time change after a good nights rest tonight. Tomorrow morning I head for the Rising Star Outreach campus.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I started my Sabbath by attending church services at a Christian church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It's the same religion I attend in the US. I loved the meetings. We sang a song called Because I have been given much. I know that song by heart but I heard it differently today. I sang it in a room full of Indians who live in humble circumstances. </div>
<div>
I thought about how God does give to all people.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIchX3ZXj4dKf34pqV1_NVM6S6ZAwhoVxmknAfbolG2lc4U-88jfLxSfDDIbDWQt59xOqGLN6U-KsrTQhKyKyEzAtEvcZwuqo6V0uMgexEFJ65_x7tZNw9nPADBEDwZ3Gd6lBNiGqkEg5/s1600/IMG_5568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIchX3ZXj4dKf34pqV1_NVM6S6ZAwhoVxmknAfbolG2lc4U-88jfLxSfDDIbDWQt59xOqGLN6U-KsrTQhKyKyEzAtEvcZwuqo6V0uMgexEFJ65_x7tZNw9nPADBEDwZ3Gd6lBNiGqkEg5/s1600/IMG_5568.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sunday School</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXM3cP8yHcI8yeqZGmZCTWX_Oqa5VB1Fa-jiizSoQ2-S9iactJUuIvJzreYM-2zWuQGPsfK_eUNVdjjZixghUukCjFOvKbxDNMVxwxraGKD9hU5q_PwsCUNVjxfVIvEERCC1GsuVvu1V4/s1600/IMG_5569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXM3cP8yHcI8yeqZGmZCTWX_Oqa5VB1Fa-jiizSoQ2-S9iactJUuIvJzreYM-2zWuQGPsfK_eUNVdjjZixghUukCjFOvKbxDNMVxwxraGKD9hU5q_PwsCUNVjxfVIvEERCC1GsuVvu1V4/s1600/IMG_5569.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Relief Society</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJygESLPZYz9pjiIjuZ_jSYjnPXV79HjoMGrASEtp8s15q4Fel53p_HmphXmrJJ0kHuJDEI8pS3WUeTJZP7uOacMMU59qlrOy0GucGNTu-UEOzyLzDLw3nz8jw8c-d7G43p6u6GK7bv29a/s1600/IMG_5575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJygESLPZYz9pjiIjuZ_jSYjnPXV79HjoMGrASEtp8s15q4Fel53p_HmphXmrJJ0kHuJDEI8pS3WUeTJZP7uOacMMU59qlrOy0GucGNTu-UEOzyLzDLw3nz8jw8c-d7G43p6u6GK7bv29a/s1600/IMG_5575.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is my dear friend!! Her name is Vanilla Mary. I met her in 2011. It was so good to see her at church. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64pttrETavmQV93gBX3-_lXbeadnqbAAw0XEiZAv8PeR_qOXwjLOndAQg9wSy1__k4-ry-JBxVwMz3hXZQ0T6gL_GZN4V1scWagyBMKZWZbLJx6Qe9v6XzWITpkNllcY9Th1ftjebkPyk/s1600/IMG_5580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64pttrETavmQV93gBX3-_lXbeadnqbAAw0XEiZAv8PeR_qOXwjLOndAQg9wSy1__k4-ry-JBxVwMz3hXZQ0T6gL_GZN4V1scWagyBMKZWZbLJx6Qe9v6XzWITpkNllcY9Th1ftjebkPyk/s1600/IMG_5580.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The LDS Chennai Branch</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
After church I jumped into a car I thought was returning to the Hotel but instead he was giving others a city tour! I was happy about that mistake. We drove along the beach at the Fish Market. I saw some crazy things...like a DEAD GUY!!! He was lying on a elevated bench/bed covered from the neck down with a white sheet. The driver said he must live there and his body is going to be moved to the funeral today. Life went on as usual as he lay there.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPpadBP5ioqx4EEFKdRQ61KTCEVg7iYd3fBFx0gJcs5TJeFlBLDt6LQciOBIReZILCQv7ucOHQ8gMC5hLsHuGFP1EKz_G5gpRQfLHRORYIFgXjCvOmDtY4subWx1XUBdlYXGgFbPYLbc4/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPpadBP5ioqx4EEFKdRQ61KTCEVg7iYd3fBFx0gJcs5TJeFlBLDt6LQciOBIReZILCQv7ucOHQ8gMC5hLsHuGFP1EKz_G5gpRQfLHRORYIFgXjCvOmDtY4subWx1XUBdlYXGgFbPYLbc4/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3i_2qRxOIHwhQLy9NOTbDpi4hbRydAHwYZJzaN0wQVWFH91GIqRQqG1AFq4rm7XGNZBhkiG0H6HF95NBPvRT2UnzUtwlpbzF8i8xZ4luYO5IUm3JP0bFRx0oruYpqoVZ-oC0hRyBO9Zlm/s1600/IMG_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3i_2qRxOIHwhQLy9NOTbDpi4hbRydAHwYZJzaN0wQVWFH91GIqRQqG1AFq4rm7XGNZBhkiG0H6HF95NBPvRT2UnzUtwlpbzF8i8xZ4luYO5IUm3JP0bFRx0oruYpqoVZ-oC0hRyBO9Zlm/s1600/IMG_0047.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3uBbs3hfHStIQp-1Znsmjsbc6B6NY_kWaqdmsX00Uh0eImAhiZJMmpr6rAlj5xr7YHiKNgBXeCw4nKRdb3L8u5d6F8m5EiMNw1IGjbe0D6iJ26LTXuZY3gLPb_FSBOLw3-SuorpDXC6u/s1600/IMG_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3uBbs3hfHStIQp-1Znsmjsbc6B6NY_kWaqdmsX00Uh0eImAhiZJMmpr6rAlj5xr7YHiKNgBXeCw4nKRdb3L8u5d6F8m5EiMNw1IGjbe0D6iJ26LTXuZY3gLPb_FSBOLw3-SuorpDXC6u/s1600/IMG_0076.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieynx8bg9YZ15uZ1g7kbft91WCihGfHCEjx7y_ZAp7_S6OjYsdgXDMl7R8qSlcQzxm9-iFWl6Z4eVIXj5OXfdFF-zuxU9cXaqU8Te51zQSuKhP7SoglQfiLScrLIfIO3hWHcN5K7K3Sboy/s1600/IMG_0109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieynx8bg9YZ15uZ1g7kbft91WCihGfHCEjx7y_ZAp7_S6OjYsdgXDMl7R8qSlcQzxm9-iFWl6Z4eVIXj5OXfdFF-zuxU9cXaqU8Te51zQSuKhP7SoglQfiLScrLIfIO3hWHcN5K7K3Sboy/s1600/IMG_0109.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJ6un6q0iJIlMLPGKwTX2vjMkTvVyl-NNEwqSvEZFDYc2PytfPz1GMBaHEzz4TUQvuqZrFzodJStXJsd8Q5n_6fuPNpw1gpgYN5T2pdDUCgs2jaWgigMSLTlgLqD3PfbYIA7LCmbWbkFK/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJ6un6q0iJIlMLPGKwTX2vjMkTvVyl-NNEwqSvEZFDYc2PytfPz1GMBaHEzz4TUQvuqZrFzodJStXJsd8Q5n_6fuPNpw1gpgYN5T2pdDUCgs2jaWgigMSLTlgLqD3PfbYIA7LCmbWbkFK/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3b1-O5OGGCLXrBlPCOqcYmal-tJwhOo4PSxRp6ib7WQgDv5zV90SvnyvhLKSB_oWbOsDd5zSqkulpOrSpIQMpnNGc9w8gT_DsNy5WCjp90D2s3dfU8jZNTX2ucoXB1s9L-PrNNdW_4sL/s1600/IMG_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3b1-O5OGGCLXrBlPCOqcYmal-tJwhOo4PSxRp6ib7WQgDv5zV90SvnyvhLKSB_oWbOsDd5zSqkulpOrSpIQMpnNGc9w8gT_DsNy5WCjp90D2s3dfU8jZNTX2ucoXB1s9L-PrNNdW_4sL/s1600/IMG_0022.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I took some fun video shots from the streets. They are posted on My Facebook Page called EMber In India. Check them out.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-3615951982500127832014-01-16T17:51:00.000-08:002014-01-19T17:52:52.423-08:00India Chapter 3 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizcgsMTy-NZd6g20A6no9Lvf9FgvnJTByi-zseaBWQi3aouTOPRkr0foMo27ez3BazmiV4ItYfl9hyphenhyphennzku4wjIMghd3DHOzUxhFZTFlXIrVZC5tjhxs0_7PJGqFLuIFYFXL1KB23itkca/s1600/shapeimage_2-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizcgsMTy-NZd6g20A6no9Lvf9FgvnJTByi-zseaBWQi3aouTOPRkr0foMo27ez3BazmiV4ItYfl9hyphenhyphennzku4wjIMghd3DHOzUxhFZTFlXIrVZC5tjhxs0_7PJGqFLuIFYFXL1KB23itkca/s1600/shapeimage_2-22.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I am returning to India! <br />
I'm going to work in leprosy colonies with Rising Star Outreach again. Although I know what to expect (this being my 3rd time there) I still have the jitters. <br />
I experience culture shock every time I go. Life there is incomparable to my life here in the US. <br />
<br />
Being in India is life changing for me. I say that because my life litterlay changes while I'm there. I am a different person. I leave my husband ( whom I am thankful supports me) & 4 kids along with the roles I play to each of them behind to be...me?<br />
<br />
I am ME in India, and quite frankly I get out of practice on being just ME.<br />
India offers me unlimited "reflection"time. Everything I see, hear, smell, and taste is...strange.<br />
Having all 4 senses offended at once causes me to seek comfort quickly. In a third world country "comfort" isn't out for the taking. After being uncomfortable long enough I realize I need to get comfortable being uncomfortable. (That's a humbling and sometimes humilitating experience)<br />
<br />
I LOVE my stay at home mom calling, and I think I've hidden behind some of the titles that go along with it. My first trip to India in 2011was the first time I stood alone as myself, Ember, since I was married.<br />
Imagine what it would feel like leaving a job you've had for 15 years. Wether you loved the job or not, that first day off would be a bit awkward, right? So it is with me while I am in India. <br />
I'm like a fish out of water at first. <br />
I'm getting better at it, it's opportunities such as these that push me out of my comfort zone that show me who I am. Each time I step up to be Me the next time is slightly eaiser.<br />
I'm still nervous when I film an event, my hands still shake when I take pictures and I've been doing these things for years. I'm obviously taking it slow. :)<br />
<br />
Because I AM a mom, and I AM a wife I want to be ME for them too. I want to show them what I look like being passionate over something personal. I want to show them what I look like being "out of Character" while trying new things. I want to show them WHO I am.<br />
In 2012 I took my family along with me to India. We all served in the Leprosy colonies and played with the school kids. They saw me in my element and I saw them grow in uncomfortable circumstances. They supported me. They learned who their mom IS and my husband saw ME. (Probably something he hadn't seen in awhile)<br />
<br />
I am passionate about photography<br />
I am passionate about videography<br />
I am passionate about writing<br />
I am passionate about India<br />
<br />
I'm hanging up my stay at home mom hat for the time being but when I return it's a better fit.<br />
<br />
"He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened" ~Laozi</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-89154913707977696072013-01-02T19:30:00.001-08:002013-01-02T19:41:30.441-08:00Christmas Promotional Video<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/wCUrSAuO6cU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-66340228491894172902012-12-25T19:21:00.000-08:002013-01-02T19:24:16.753-08:00Why not Christmas in India?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/BEyB-UbB_qE/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BEyB-UbB_qE&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BEyB-UbB_qE&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
Spending a Christmas, with Rising Star Outreach, would be a Christmas never forgotten. <br />
<br />
I changed a normal school day into Christmas and the kids loved it.<br />
No one knew what my plan was, so it caught the whole campus off guard. <br />
During recess I had a volunteer dress up as Santa and run onto their playing field.<br />
It didn't take long for kids and staff to come running.<br />
I had Santa carry a huge bag of treats for every child on campus.<br />
Santa was a Super Star!!<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-20377257770678507682012-06-09T20:01:00.000-07:002012-06-09T20:01:27.648-07:00Hobi's in India-Rising Star Outreach<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been over 2 months since we've been in India. I hate to admit this but it has taken me about that long to get through my photos and video footage.<div>
I ran out of steam when I got home. School is almost out and I still haven't been in the classrooms to show what we did. That's next weeks MUST DO!</div>
<div>
I did put together a video of our adventures. The kids love watching it over and over. So do I. Memories offer sweet feelings.</div>
<div>
Enjoy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-SYj2xlfSoA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-42395465520703936432012-04-25T21:17:00.002-07:002012-04-25T21:36:25.231-07:00The Return to Abraham<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nMrkxOSJsSU/T5iwbthejZI/AAAAAAAAE1M/PfEWlV88o00/s1600/IMG_0139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nMrkxOSJsSU/T5iwbthejZI/AAAAAAAAE1M/PfEWlV88o00/s320/IMG_0139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is Vandaloor.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OVEQvSL_lvU/T5jDS7ximYI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/b4r7EAJS0j4/s1600/DSCN0981+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OVEQvSL_lvU/T5jDS7ximYI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/b4r7EAJS0j4/s320/DSCN0981+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Vandaloor is a leprosy colony.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p9WP4OEeHgQ/T5hBGfN6YnI/AAAAAAAAEwU/S22Z495fb-o/s1600/IMG_0078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p9WP4OEeHgQ/T5hBGfN6YnI/AAAAAAAAEwU/S22Z495fb-o/s320/IMG_0078.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is my friend Abraham.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He has leprosy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I met him last June.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HMkV80E12gQ/TxcFqqI0GkI/AAAAAAAAEQQ/4vTYlr--NIE/s1600/IMG_0708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HMkV80E12gQ/TxcFqqI0GkI/AAAAAAAAEQQ/4vTYlr--NIE/s320/IMG_0708.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He remembered me</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_GdpjgIpK48/T5itzUt3u8I/AAAAAAAAE00/VLgcMoGN4aE/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_GdpjgIpK48/T5itzUt3u8I/AAAAAAAAE00/VLgcMoGN4aE/s320/IMG_0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As you can see leprosy has taken it's toll</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
on my friend in 9 short months.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
June 2011 March 2012</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MPKIqYr4zU8/TxT69zu00sI/AAAAAAAAEGs/uHUiRQb-WYI/s1600/IMG_1868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MPKIqYr4zU8/TxT69zu00sI/AAAAAAAAEGs/uHUiRQb-WYI/s1600/IMG_1868.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p9WP4OEeHgQ/T5hBGfN6YnI/AAAAAAAAEwU/S22Z495fb-o/s1600/IMG_0078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p9WP4OEeHgQ/T5hBGfN6YnI/AAAAAAAAEwU/S22Z495fb-o/s320/IMG_0078.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's as if a decade has passed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1bYaOrb29nE/T5iumanLtOI/AAAAAAAAE1E/upj3ZxnKhH8/s1600/IMG_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1bYaOrb29nE/T5iumanLtOI/AAAAAAAAE1E/upj3ZxnKhH8/s320/IMG_0086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Leprosy attacks the nerves in the feet and hands.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Slowly the face begins to droop </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
around the nose and</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
vision is impaired. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Abraham has missing toes and fingers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I can see the biggest change in his eyes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last year I could see he was strong.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He took me into his home and <a href="http://emberinindia.blogspot.com/2011/07/prayer.html" target="_blank">prayed</a> for me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This time he kept more to himself.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dI3FdP6Cs_E/T5iuk4eMgKI/AAAAAAAAE08/q-xnKuBEk5A/s1600/IMG_0177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dI3FdP6Cs_E/T5iuk4eMgKI/AAAAAAAAE08/q-xnKuBEk5A/s320/IMG_0177.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I think he's going blind.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm sad to see him like this. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He loves his daughter and grandkids a lot. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yC5jocWKSIY/T5hBPYgur-I/AAAAAAAAExM/OvEgEzmhNE4/s1600/IMG_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yC5jocWKSIY/T5hBPYgur-I/AAAAAAAAExM/OvEgEzmhNE4/s320/IMG_0014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's odd to feel I know this man like I do. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We've never exchanged words.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But my heart tells me I know him.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Someday we will find each other and he will</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
shake my hand, with his perfected hands,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and we will fill in the gaps to our story.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am glad to have known Abraham.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-37564806099686991112012-04-25T12:33:00.000-07:002012-04-25T21:33:41.272-07:00A Soft Heart<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aZsM7zzG98E/T5hBFGpNgaI/AAAAAAAAEwM/Coh4LXBQ-5I/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aZsM7zzG98E/T5hBFGpNgaI/AAAAAAAAEwM/Coh4LXBQ-5I/s320/IMG_0184.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Recently my family spent 2 weeks in India </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">volunteering with an Organization called Rising Star Outreach, </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">who's mission is to "Lift Leprosy" </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">among the leprosy afflicted there.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I questioned how a trip like this would turn out given the young ages of my children;</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> 6, 8, and 10.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I am pleased to say it was WONDERFUL!</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> I admired my 8 year old daughter</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> as she held up limbs infected with leprosy while another cut away rotted bandages.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9mazBDVNQKs/T5hECiWW4AI/AAAAAAAAEz8/WP9Sh_Q0M8Y/s1600/IMG_0724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9mazBDVNQKs/T5hECiWW4AI/AAAAAAAAEz8/WP9Sh_Q0M8Y/s320/IMG_0724.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">I smiled as my 10 year old son</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"> helped his dad wash and rub the exposed disease. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GNbzu5s_WcU/T5hEDlCqyXI/AAAAAAAAE0E/hTEEf-s6-ZE/s1600/IMG_0729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GNbzu5s_WcU/T5hEDlCqyXI/AAAAAAAAE0E/hTEEf-s6-ZE/s320/IMG_0729.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My heart was touched </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">when I witnessed my 6 year old son</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> overwhelmed with compassion for</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> people missing fingers, legs, or hands.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m7uy6RjSm2I/T5hBiaszQnI/AAAAAAAAEzE/xgpjqo1x-ZE/s1600/IMG_0789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m7uy6RjSm2I/T5hBiaszQnI/AAAAAAAAEzE/xgpjqo1x-ZE/s320/IMG_0789.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I want to hug them all day.” He whispered in my ear. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I can’t stop hugging them.”</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--kRpm212Hu4/T5hBLFfoDJI/AAAAAAAAEw0/G1goz2-LfQk/s1600/IMG_0226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--kRpm212Hu4/T5hBLFfoDJI/AAAAAAAAEw0/G1goz2-LfQk/s320/IMG_0226.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
(This lady was as a little as he is!) </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My hope was to have my children see the beauty in serving others, </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">especially when “OTHERS” are...not always <i>beautifu</i>l.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">At first, my 6 year old didn’t want them to touch him. Perhaps he was afraid he would magically turn into one of them. (Missing fingers or have deformities) </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After some gentle assurance he knew would be safe if they touched him. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I encouraged all my kids to love those with leprosy by </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">offering a smile </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">while making eye contact. (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A simple gesture of respect that leprosy afflicted people don't normally get. ) </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This could be a challenge in itself because some of them can be scary looking to a child.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l60DjZoBA18/T5hBVHtGSWI/AAAAAAAAEx0/oqVxqumY9b4/s1600/IMG_0100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l60DjZoBA18/T5hBVHtGSWI/AAAAAAAAEx0/oqVxqumY9b4/s320/IMG_0100.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Without communicating in the same language </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">my young family was able to express </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">friendship, love and kindness to a people often rejected and mistreated by giving them a</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> "HEART." </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It was my 6 year old's job to deliver a heart </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">each time someone new sat down to have their wounds cleaned and re-bandaged. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We got the same reaction every time. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> First it was confusion. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">They stare at the heart unsure of what to do with it. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Then, I would motion them to place the heart over<i> their </i>heart. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As they did this I tenderly gave a gentle tap over their hands and the heart indicating it was now theirs to keep.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cG45gKCn1qM/T5hBHt9ghiI/AAAAAAAAEwc/_sUmVhpc0ec/s1600/IMG_0087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cG45gKCn1qM/T5hBHt9ghiI/AAAAAAAAEwc/_sUmVhpc0ec/s320/IMG_0087.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Often times their eyes would meet mine and I could tell they were moved by this. They understood the language of LOVE.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A tender touch:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3zjAKN0fqBo/T5hBR3uO4BI/AAAAAAAAExc/0f93Xq9hzxU/s1600/IMG_0146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3zjAKN0fqBo/T5hBR3uO4BI/AAAAAAAAExc/0f93Xq9hzxU/s320/IMG_0146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A little Kindness</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BVXt48Tt-Lo/T5hBWKMiuVI/AAAAAAAAEx8/_e8TQQ3XSz8/s1600/IMG_0071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BVXt48Tt-Lo/T5hBWKMiuVI/AAAAAAAAEx8/_e8TQQ3XSz8/s320/IMG_0071.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LraFOEvrKFs/T5hMmZ-ZzLI/AAAAAAAAE0o/4u3CpWfS8BQ/s1600/IMG_0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LraFOEvrKFs/T5hMmZ-ZzLI/AAAAAAAAE0o/4u3CpWfS8BQ/s320/IMG_0106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">softens HEARTS!</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When YOU become a Rising Star Volunteer you are changing history. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You are teaching the World that being HUMAN is what life is about. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You aren’t just changing bandages- you’re changing a 1,000 year old stigma. </span></div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-8792786112579471392012-04-24T18:22:00.002-07:002012-04-24T18:26:31.044-07:00Video: Arriving In India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />After a day of jet lag in a Hotel, we were excited to visit Rising Star Campus! This is a SUPER way to gain 200 friends fast! They are NOT shy. According to them YOU are there to play with THEM! They call al<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">l women "Auntie" and men "Uncle" They especially LOVE men. Sam was swarmed all the time. The boys just wanted to listen to him tell stories while they climbed on him. They love attention from Dads.<br />Most the kids at this school come from leprosy afflicted homes. They live here at the Rising Star campus like a Boarding School. This is where Sponsors are SO helpful! For $30 a month you are paying for a child to live here and be educated, fed, and cared for. They are so lucky to live here. Rising Star takes GREAT care of them! (If anyone is interested in sponsoring a child I can pick out one of my favorites for you!)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/NriDLaCp5ig?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-45202227504535449802012-03-26T10:31:00.000-07:002012-03-26T10:31:08.067-07:00200 new friends and more<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Today we arrived at Rising Star.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'll let the pictures do most the explaining. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On the drive this morning I saw some fun things.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A Car wash</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s4wRbZEpGzw/T3Cfl5VGPqI/AAAAAAAAEtg/KX9cbijQI28/s1600/IMG_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s4wRbZEpGzw/T3Cfl5VGPqI/AAAAAAAAEtg/KX9cbijQI28/s320/IMG_0007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A Model: (ha ha..yes he was posing for me)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oW96hmQ2Csk/T3CfnyDHjLI/AAAAAAAAEto/nHzMntn0UE0/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oW96hmQ2Csk/T3CfnyDHjLI/AAAAAAAAEto/nHzMntn0UE0/s320/IMG_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lots of men standing around:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K-y0dhqfujk/T3CfpQJ_6VI/AAAAAAAAEtw/lQOAnljqSHA/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K-y0dhqfujk/T3CfpQJ_6VI/AAAAAAAAEtw/lQOAnljqSHA/s320/IMG_0012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
a cute little family on a bike (mom is holding a baby too)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u8bbJedgb6w/T3Cfq-s9qaI/AAAAAAAAEt0/sYT63FRXdMM/s1600/IMG_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u8bbJedgb6w/T3Cfq-s9qaI/AAAAAAAAEt0/sYT63FRXdMM/s320/IMG_0091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
a truck load of grapes</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-22Xoc35agKA/T3CfjPiabxI/AAAAAAAAEtM/iy1SnCdNiN0/s1600/IMG_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-22Xoc35agKA/T3CfjPiabxI/AAAAAAAAEtM/iy1SnCdNiN0/s320/IMG_0132.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
a "Holy Cow"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qrMihNHBfDM/T3CfsYm16LI/AAAAAAAAEuA/Q9Usec07Wes/s1600/IMG_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qrMihNHBfDM/T3CfsYm16LI/AAAAAAAAEuA/Q9Usec07Wes/s320/IMG_0104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
some kids at school</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l_BaK6cLsdc/T3Cfwm1eENI/AAAAAAAAEuM/O9Xq4yjsxgo/s1600/IMG_0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l_BaK6cLsdc/T3Cfwm1eENI/AAAAAAAAEuM/O9Xq4yjsxgo/s320/IMG_0117.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YxmGonDZL2M/T3CfuvkiSaI/AAAAAAAAEuI/BNMyezEDiS8/s1600/IMG_0114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YxmGonDZL2M/T3CfuvkiSaI/AAAAAAAAEuI/BNMyezEDiS8/s320/IMG_0114.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
women shifting the wheat on the road:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-roFTkn6--gU/T3CfyPuKSPI/AAAAAAAAEuY/EmHvaN0Lvsc/s1600/IMG_0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-roFTkn6--gU/T3CfyPuKSPI/AAAAAAAAEuY/EmHvaN0Lvsc/s320/IMG_0135.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My kids meeting 200 new friends...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t6vitsXQUJA/T3CfzrR_73I/AAAAAAAAEuc/fvkCKoZTLaE/s1600/IMG_0172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t6vitsXQUJA/T3CfzrR_73I/AAAAAAAAEuc/fvkCKoZTLaE/s320/IMG_0172.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTe-d58RSLA/T3Cf3yWZwXI/AAAAAAAAEu4/qriwmafEDuM/s1600/IMG_0196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTe-d58RSLA/T3Cf3yWZwXI/AAAAAAAAEu4/qriwmafEDuM/s320/IMG_0196.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jX4EGccSBSk/T3Cf0-unmQI/AAAAAAAAEuo/UKRNo-Z38fQ/s1600/IMG_0174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jX4EGccSBSk/T3Cf0-unmQI/AAAAAAAAEuo/UKRNo-Z38fQ/s320/IMG_0174.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G2Z-zum2G4Y/T3Cf2GT3-RI/AAAAAAAAEuw/htGsUFIGO88/s1600/IMG_0189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G2Z-zum2G4Y/T3Cf2GT3-RI/AAAAAAAAEuw/htGsUFIGO88/s320/IMG_0189.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l5K5hFyLKNw/T3Cf_fDvKFI/AAAAAAAAEvg/g13ppSxuols/s1600/IMG_0261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l5K5hFyLKNw/T3Cf_fDvKFI/AAAAAAAAEvg/g13ppSxuols/s320/IMG_0261.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YHL-m2bIhIc/T3Cf91vRWBI/AAAAAAAAEvY/vgNPWDodo4Q/s1600/IMG_0249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YHL-m2bIhIc/T3Cf91vRWBI/AAAAAAAAEvY/vgNPWDodo4Q/s320/IMG_0249.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-66I_DDUdr84/T3Cf8M6pcSI/AAAAAAAAEvQ/Wf7mCI-U-bA/s1600/IMG_0239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-66I_DDUdr84/T3Cf8M6pcSI/AAAAAAAAEvQ/Wf7mCI-U-bA/s320/IMG_0239.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JQXnQbDouww/T3Cf66KJU8I/AAAAAAAAEvE/6DHgfdcEJlo/s1600/IMG_0233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JQXnQbDouww/T3Cf66KJU8I/AAAAAAAAEvE/6DHgfdcEJlo/s320/IMG_0233.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rS57Y8z_2Rc/T3Cf5vvFQqI/AAAAAAAAEu8/FKQOAHer_dU/s1600/IMG_0202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rS57Y8z_2Rc/T3Cf5vvFQqI/AAAAAAAAEu8/FKQOAHer_dU/s320/IMG_0202.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LXCmYokaUj4/T3CgBHuJUOI/AAAAAAAAEvk/oS4rbxx_eV4/s1600/IMG_0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LXCmYokaUj4/T3CgBHuJUOI/AAAAAAAAEvk/oS4rbxx_eV4/s320/IMG_0264.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These girls loved my India toes (painted the colors of their flag)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
they buried them over and over.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yJDkoeQDuQ8/T3CgCexrgPI/AAAAAAAAEvw/5jqxBQyjxSo/s1600/IMG_0269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yJDkoeQDuQ8/T3CgCexrgPI/AAAAAAAAEvw/5jqxBQyjxSo/s320/IMG_0269.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was a fun day in the sun!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPV26WIF7oQ/T3CgDxzX0RI/AAAAAAAAEv4/ewPuN7Wwz4A/s1600/IMG_0290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPV26WIF7oQ/T3CgDxzX0RI/AAAAAAAAEv4/ewPuN7Wwz4A/s320/IMG_0290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4JHBxpMGFb4/T3CgFkQSyDI/AAAAAAAAEv8/4OYWhT-roJI/s1600/IMG_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4JHBxpMGFb4/T3CgFkQSyDI/AAAAAAAAEv8/4OYWhT-roJI/s320/IMG_0313.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-72127022353430940222012-03-25T11:49:00.002-07:002012-03-25T11:49:51.451-07:00How time flies...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HKS3PkTqiY4/T29bftnevwI/AAAAAAAAEsM/KWioWE-nH9U/s1600/IMG_0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HKS3PkTqiY4/T29bftnevwI/AAAAAAAAEsM/KWioWE-nH9U/s320/IMG_0095.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am in India...with my family! It is such a good feeling.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The first step off the plane I smelled the familiar Indian air, slightly foul mixed with humidity. It made me smile.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As we left the Chennai airport for our hotel chaos surrounded us. Hundreds of Indians lined the barricades at the baggage claim. They stand there staring as I gather my chicks and push through the crowd. It was similar to the red carpet events in Hollywood. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are the celebrities.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I loved watching them look at my kids. I loved my kids bulging eyes at them! There is so much going on, so much noise.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We pile into 2 cars and begin our journey.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am in a car with Jennica and two volunteers from Utah (Trina Goodwin Wright from my HS and her sister Daneen). I am like a kid at an amusement park giddy with excitement. I am so happy to be back in India with my family.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm sitting in the front seat next to the driver, who is driving from the right (or should I say wrong) side of the car, with my video camera out the window. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let the madness begin! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are "Beep, beep, beeping..." all the way to the hotel. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Traffic isn't bad at all, it's still early in the morning, but enough is going on to keep us all peering out the windows with our camera's. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jarom, my 10 year old, is ahead of us in another car with his head and arms hanging out the window absorbing the energy outside. Men on motorcycles are zooming by close enough for him to high five the drivers,,,AND HE DOES! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My heart swells with excitement when he turns to me in traffic and mouths </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"This is the BEST car ride ever!!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Later in the afternoon I am riding in a Tuk Tuk with Jace (6 years) on my lap and he whispers in my ear that he thinks he will live here when he is older. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YTNADqsxJkk/T29iFRJTCwI/AAAAAAAAEs8/1r3MwTMKSgg/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YTNADqsxJkk/T29iFRJTCwI/AAAAAAAAEs8/1r3MwTMKSgg/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I take a look around me and all I see is run down buildings, garbage and crazy traffic and I wonder what provoked his comment.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By 3pm most of my company is unable to stay awake. I even heard:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"No Mom, lets NOT have dessert can we PLEASE go back to the room and take a nap?" I never dreamed I'd hear that from my kids.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By 4pm most of us are asleep, including myself. The jet lag won this battle today.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now I am alone in the dark. Everyone is asleep except me. My clock reads 23:48. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not exactly sure what that means, but I have a gut feeling that it means I have a long night ahead of me. It's all good though. At least I am not in an airplane!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--5DMLGwCA5s/T29bcLvV4KI/AAAAAAAAEsA/KYKh2hSEbyo/s1600/IMG_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--5DMLGwCA5s/T29bcLvV4KI/AAAAAAAAEsA/KYKh2hSEbyo/s320/IMG_0091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Flights to India are not complete with unexpected events! Yes, crazy things happened on the way here. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just when I thought we were almost here we had to make an emergency landing in Bangalore. A poor man had a heart attack on board so we landed at the nearest airport, then we sat on the runway for an hour before we took off again. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Once we were finally here</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Trina and Daneen's luggage never showed up!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And since our flight was late landing we missed our shuttle to the hotel.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We started off with lots of patience at the airport!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HFAforxXulc/T29beJ8XjJI/AAAAAAAAEsI/Y_tYf-Cealo/s1600/IMG_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HFAforxXulc/T29beJ8XjJI/AAAAAAAAEsI/Y_tYf-Cealo/s320/IMG_0092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YComuLr-a1w/T29bg0wVYwI/AAAAAAAAEsY/UdWDh0ol_LE/s1600/IMG_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YComuLr-a1w/T29bg0wVYwI/AAAAAAAAEsY/UdWDh0ol_LE/s320/IMG_0100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Arriving at Abu Daubi aiport for our 3 hour layover </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WK4uEhCswq4/T29bifRF4HI/AAAAAAAAEsc/QD6-9XyShDA/s1600/IMG_0106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WK4uEhCswq4/T29bifRF4HI/AAAAAAAAEsc/QD6-9XyShDA/s320/IMG_0106.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5-__G9NBGE/T29bj_OUP2I/AAAAAAAAEso/KSXasQqHj70/s1600/IMG_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5-__G9NBGE/T29bj_OUP2I/AAAAAAAAEso/KSXasQqHj70/s320/IMG_0109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a little staring contest goes a long way</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IEXQkxUcJbY/T29bly6bsYI/AAAAAAAAEss/ChFMZGiU0-A/s1600/IMG_0110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IEXQkxUcJbY/T29bly6bsYI/AAAAAAAAEss/ChFMZGiU0-A/s320/IMG_0110.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Off ALL the TV shows in the world they are watching</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The Christmas Story</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(the one about the boy shooting his eye out with a BBgun)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have more pictures but don't know where to look for my camera in the dark.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'd hate to wake up the kids while the night is still young. If they wake up (they have been sleeping since 3pm) I wouldn't know what to do with them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tomorrow begins our day at Rising Star!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh yum! I just found some Naan in the darkness! Sam must have ordered room service</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797557066577437983.post-17088191716477720422012-03-19T06:57:00.001-07:002012-03-19T06:57:49.356-07:00Fundraising Day Results<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/jr1nTj9P17M?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
This weekend was a BIG weekend for the HobiHome! It was our fundraising weekend.<br />
Friday we brought all the kids to Sam's work to give them a chance to practice public speaking. We gave a little presentation to a group of co-workers about our trip to India, each child had a turn to speak. They were fabolous! Jennica was a NATURAL!<br />
<br />
Saturday our morning started early with Jennica's swim at the YMCA. I was so proud of her effort! She was focused the entire time!! 30 minuets is a long time to swim!! <br />
Right after the swim we went to the high school track to have Jace run his laps. He was so funny about it. He didn't want us to cheer for him, talk to him or even run with him. You can see in the video he turns his head when I am close to him or he would stop running when I would video tape him. A 6 year old running 9 laps in 30 minuets is AWESOME!!<br />
At 1:30pm Jarom had his basketball game. That was a lot of fun too. The kids playing had a fun time and they seemed to understand "Time is Money!" They played so hard. We didn't anticipate the score to be so high!! The teams were neck in neck most of the game!<br />
Sam's friend from HHS donated team shirts for the game. They were perfect!! Jarom wears his with pride! I am so proud of all my kids and their efforts to organize this. They all put in the work to make it happen. They each made phone calls to get sponsors and take care of the details that involved their event.<br />
<br />
The fundraising was a HUGE success! Our family goal was $1000. If all our pledges are collected we will have raised $2647.00!! All donations are given to Rising Star Outreach to help families with leprosy in India! We leave for India in 5 days!!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0