I just sat here and listened to someone go through the bags of trash I placed outside my door this morning. It was kind of annoying, (I found myself trying to sneak a peek out the window to see who it was, until I figured out that I might not want to know who it was), and yet humbling at the same time. Is that possible?
Now when I walk through my neighborhood and see all the ladies stare at me, (they always do anyway) am I going to wonder which lady it was that took some of my trash home?? Do I have so much that even what I consider trash is of great value to someone else??
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Tonight I heard my auto driver cuss the obsessive honkers that were honking behind us as we sat in traffic at a RED LIGHT with NO POSSIBLE CHANCE of moving for at least 2 minutes (the red lights have timers on them so you know how long you have to wait until it changes). People, please keep honking even though it is totally pointless. And, how come you can be late to EVERYTHING but you are so impatient in traffic? Does this make sense? This is the most pointlessly honkiest society in the whole wide world.

I was tagged by my sister a few weeks back and so here we go:
1. How many books do I own: I just found 82 in my flat among the packing mess I have everywhere.
2. Last book I bought: Great Expectations, drat, that makes 83
3. The last book I read: Phantom of the Opera
4. 5 books that mean a lot: My Atlas, My Bible, Uncle Tom's Cabin, The Wedding, uhh..I read all the time is it sad that I am struggling to do this list??
Aight. I gots to get back to cleaning and packing. This update was brought to you by the number 29.

While sitting at lunch today my friend told me about how when we clear customs in America the Customs Agents say "Welcome Home" as they clear you.

"Welcome Home." I almost cried.

I have started wearing my hair down a lot more these days. It actually got me a ride half way to the office on Friday. A lady stopped on her scooter and asked where I was going. She told me she stopped because she was admiring my hair.

She took me to the bus stand, then insisted I get on, which resulted in me stumbling around like a clutzy fool. I smashed her with my heavy back pack after stumbling back to where she was sitting, flew up the aisle of the crowded bus as I stood up to get off and the driver took that moment to slam on the breaks, I slammed into a pole holding my Nalgene bottle, which just happened to slam into a ladies hand resting on the pole, she looked at me murmured something about "broken", I said sorry, stumbled down the stairs, rounded the front of the bus, almost got hit by two motorcycles, and eventually made it to the office.

All for 2 rupees, a comment on my nice hair, and the most unnatural I have felt since being in the country. And the lady who I smashed on the bus with my water bottle? Our new cleaning lady at the office. I broke her watch. Possibly the most awkward 7 minutes of my life.

On the way home in my auto tonight, as the brisk evening air pushed itself against my shawl clad body, I realized I could smell the cologne and perfume of the people next to me in traffic. How often will that happen once I leave this place.

My auto driver told me I am the first foreigner he has met who has ever spoken Hindi to him. It is amazing to me that a few words in someones native tongue can change their whole demeanor. He even thought about not cheating me at the end because of it. Notice I said "thought" about it. He still took double the meter, but I could tell he had second thoughts. That is rare around here...

"Didn't you get the memo?"

Nighty nite.

I just got back from spending the morning in the hospital. Not b/c I was in the hospital, but because a friend of mine's mom was there recovering from surgery. I took my computer, speakers, a projector, and all my Hindi films and turned her hospital room into a movie theater. I think this will be one memory I won't soon forget.

How about this face? He made me think of Santa Claus...an Indian Santa Clause...This is my good friend's dad. He is as cool as he looks.

4=number of times I was almost hit/killed by crazy Indian drivers as I walked to work today, didn't walk on purpose...just not a single auto would give me a ride

1=number of monetary bribes I saw take place while sitting in a Indian Police station this week...all the walls were PINK by the way...we won't even go into how mad this "bribe to get anything done" culture makes me

1FAT=number of cows I saw getting hand fed off of someone's front steps this morning in my neighborhood

16=number of days my good friend Ben has left in India before he goes back to America for good

5=number of auto drivers who, in one day, tried to cheat me and charge me over 5 times the amount the meter would have said...I may be white but I am not stupid nor will I compromise...I would rather walk than pay cheaters...

40=number of days till I get on my flight that will whisk me away to America

15=number of days till my BESTEST friend comes to visit me in India!! ROCK ON I AM EXCITED!

And with that...over and out.

"You have got much weight in Sri Lanka!" The quote of the day.

I smiled and laughed. Honesty. I am pretty sure I claim to value it.

Indians, they sure know how to tell a girl like it is. Here, supposedly being told you are fat is a compliment. They think fat is healthy. Skinny is bad. I guess I am finally getting healthy.

It hit me when we went to the mall this weekend. Living in a country of a BILLION people that is only the size of the American east Coast is like the mall the day after Thanksgiving or the days before Christmas. Add people touching you all the time, pushing you out of the way, lack of lines, cows, trash strewn all over, and much noise, and there you have India ladies and gentlemen.

At this point I feel even the largest, most populated, city in America will be like the wide open frontier land...
42 days.

You guys are awesome! Thanks A LOT for praying for me and my family. My dad had a pacemaker put in and his heart is now fully functioning again. God granted me a peace that did surpass all understanding and for this I can not be thankful enough. God has blessed me so much by the people He has placed in my life. Whether I know you personally or not, thank you for being a part of my journey!

I have a lot of stuff going on right now, but maybe one day I will update again! Ha ha.

I fly back to America in 46 days! Rock on!

"Rocking is my community service."

I am outie.

Hey guys. I just found out my dad is in the hospital with heart failure. In all things God has a plan and a purpose. My dad does not know the Lord. Both of his parents died due to a heart failure issue. He just told me on the phone that the doctor said if he had not come into the hospital today he would have been dead in two weeks. The lower part of his heart has stopped working. Please be in prayer for him as he undergoes surgery at 10am Central time on Thursday morning. Please also pray for my family to have God's peace during this time. It is rare that I find myself longing to be some where else other than where I am...but this is one of those times...I am thankful that after my initial reactions to this news, that God has given my heart peace. I will let you know what happens. Thanks guys.