A Little Peek...

I thought I'd give everyone a glimpse into a day (busier and more entertaining than usual) in our lives...definitely different from home! It's not organized, but it's realistic.

January 26

Fun day...enjoyed an encouraging time with Radha as language seemed to gel, more than usual, had her write out my 10X10 in case my speech was so horrible that people couldn't understand me...at least they could read it and correct me. On way home, took money out of S's account to help pay bills while his family is out of the country, decided to walk instead of auto...good as got to use 10X10 on about 15 people, such sentences like "Today is Republic Day.", "Do you like south Indian dance?", "I like to see plays about monkeys." and "Every Sunday, I watch American football." Most everyone was so encouraging! Bought Mentos (for $.10) at store as an entry point to use language. Called Syed to come put the battery back in the car after having it recharged...good guy, only charged $4 and delivered it, himself, was, like everybody, surprised when I told him "Je$us loves you." Lunch with the family..Mani made fajitas-awesome, though kids took some warming up to it. Math good with girls-very good effort and accomplishment. VJ still pretty tired, but getting along very well. Newsletter during nap time, Wii golf with kids, then playground, after nap. VJ made homemade pizza-awesome. Mahi called to see about visiting tomorrow to meet kids. Prepared sacks of rice (with the kids help) to hand out to those begging when we head to ch*rch, violin, or wherever...got tired of telling kids we'll pr*y for them, w/o actually showing them Chr!st's love. Kids enjoyed opening package from G and K, today...blow-up Batman punching bag was definitely favorite! Went to tailor shop to get covers made for TV and printer to keep dust off-last longer....hilarious experience...trying to explain things in different language, had about six people around watching, laughing, finally man (Ravi Prekash) speaking both languages interceded, even drawing pictures to help man understand my request...all told, will cost $11-VJ told me I paid too much for fabric...probably so, but hey, I'm a rookie! Got ice cream (for cake VJ made with mix from mom, Nene) and cleaning products Mani had requested. After laying kids down, heard the screech owl again, outside our bedroom. Threw old camera battery charger at it, after it wouldn't fly away with my efforts of cawing and hooting "Look up here!"(circa "Three Amigos")...wish I wouldn't have, 'cause he tried to fly away, ended up hanging upside down on railing, finally falling down and waddling away, apparently injured-watched it walk about twenty feet away only to be pummeled by another owl swooping down on it-now it's screeching outside a different window (E.A. Poe watch out!), but it's okay 'cause I'm enjoying the cake and ice cream!

Why don't you just go to your home? Are you too good for your home?!

V and I were trying to get some homework done (setting the best example of procrastination we could for our children) when we heard the noise we've heard every night, outside of our window. It seemed especially close tonight. So, I opened the curtains and saw this little guy just standing on the cement pad outside of our window, screeching away. It was too dark to take a picture, so I just Google searched and found a picture that looked very close...a screech owl. I told V I felt like we were back in Bethany in the barn.

Some Nice Experiences...

Friday, we had a shortened class period for the solar eclipse. We stayed inside for most of the day, but enjoyed a time of science (using two pieces of paper, a pin hole through one of them). We took this picture with some solar glasses; I just put the glasses up to the camera lens.

This was an interesting time as V had taken the children outside to play, but one of our neighbors ran outside and said, "In our culture, pregnant women don't go outside during this time, madam!"

We enjoyed snacks at a neighbor's house. (As you might notice, A enjoyed them the most!) We found out that the whole family still lives together. Because we had never seen the son, his wife and daughter, we we're surprised by this!

We received this company vehicle, this week. Having a vehicle during the first year is not common practice, but some very thoughtful people hooked us up, because of V's current "condition".

We enjoyed a meal at a restaurant from the southern area of this country. The restaurant being sooo nice helped V and the kids. I think I paid approx. $5!

A man and his best friend sauntering down the road selling some vegetables....

It's about time Mizzou got a LITTLE love!

Finally, Mizzou got some love after beating K-State! Go Anderson! Just don't pull a Q-Sny!

A few items of update

It's been nearly two weeks since our last update. It's been busy as we've tried to get back into the swing of language and schooling, again. But we've had some good times!

Shortly after Christmas, we received an awesome package from a wonderful family, from our home ch*rch! It contained Hershey's cocoa, peanut and plain M&M's, fudge brownie mix and a gingerbread house kit! We were all so excited we made the most of the package, down to popping the bubble wrap!

The finished product has a slight resemblance to a piggy bank for lack of patience, wanting to get the roof on.

Just after the New Year, I took a trip with a local p*stor to a village about 7o miles outside of town. This was a great immersion experience! This is shop in the main town from where we caught an auto another 7km to the village.

If you look closely, you can see the bus we took into this town, just right of center.

Some pictures along the way...not bad with a cell phone camera...

Outside the ch*rch...behind me is the farm where the land owner lives. I didn't have enough disk memory to capture everything, unfortunately.

Not in the village...a fun family time at an arcade, about 35 min. from home...The kids loved this and even made connections with Chucky Cheese...those this 1600sq. ft. space was not.

E's new violin teacher. We drive 1hr 15min, one way, for these weekly lessons! E enjoys these, but sure misses Mrs. Warner!

Fuji apples, the family favorite, can be found for about $2 for 2.2 lbs.

VJ and I always enjoy the time after her doctor's appointment! The appt. turned out very well; the ultrasound showing everything good for a normal delivery! Thanks for your yarpers!

Not quite the same look, huh? But, this meal (costing about $1.40) was plenty tasty and served well as a language lesson, helping me to get out of the classroom setting. I enjoyed practicing my limited language, though I think the waiter enjoyed it more!

The kids sport their new outfits. This is the best picture I could get. A was having another one of his augmented terrible two's moments.