This weekend is the start of the Holiday festivities back at home.... though many stores have already begun the Christmas-blitz over a month ago. While the media-blitz can be a bit overwhelming (and irritating), the holidays bring around the family gatherings.... Which is what we miss the most being so far away!!
We hope that all of you that are celebrating Thanksgiving with the traditional Turkey dinner enjoy the great meal... and have some Turkey for us (and some pumpkin pie too!!). Unfortunately this year we will not be having a Turkey dinner in Ozone. : (
But instead, this Thanksgiving weekend starts the first wave of our vistors!!! YEAHHH!!!
My cousin and aunt (Mami) are coming from England today!! Then we have a few more sets of visitors, and then..... we are off for our Holiday excusion! This holiday excursion will take us into 3 continents over 2 weeks!! Any guesses where we are headed??? Keeping thinking... I will fill you in on the details later!!
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Don't Drink and Dance..... REALLY....
OK, so some of you are aware of some really swanky, high end clubs in India. Now these are for the 'high-rollers' and Bollywood folk.... Mostly in Mumbai.... So when we were coming to Bangalore, I thought that we would get to see a few of this places.... even here in Bangalore.
Not long after we moved here did I get informed that dance clubs are illegal in Banaglore. Really.... See the articles below...
NY Times article
Indian Express Article
So, I was a little surprised when I heard the news. It reminded me of the movie Footloose..... was I a little disappointed? Not so much.... I think that my 'clubbing' days are long gone....
So anyways, this past weekend we actually went out with a few couples on Saturday night. The mission for the evening.... check out the Bangalore Nightlife... There were 2.5 couples from the US and 2.5 couples from England. We started off at a 'lounge bar' called the 13th floor (yep, it was mentioned in one of the articles). Then we went to another 'bar' called Opus.... Don't tell anyone, but we actually danced at Opus.... Yep, we broke the law.... But we were not alone, the had a pretty decent group boogie-ing to the Bollywood beats.... and then boom, the clock struck 11:30 and the music came to a screeching halt.... that was it.... NO, not a raid.... It was closing time.... We were on our way home by midnight....
All in all, a nice evening of clubbing (if you can really call it that!).... I think that I can keep up with the clubbing in Bangalore (in limited doses, of course) since they work to my timing... close by midnight!! : ) There was a time where I could keep going until the bar closed (2am in Michigan), but that was many (many) years ago.... I don't think that I could do it anymore!! Yes, I admit it! I am becoming an old fart!!
Not long after we moved here did I get informed that dance clubs are illegal in Banaglore. Really.... See the articles below...
NY Times article
Indian Express Article
So, I was a little surprised when I heard the news. It reminded me of the movie Footloose..... was I a little disappointed? Not so much.... I think that my 'clubbing' days are long gone....
So anyways, this past weekend we actually went out with a few couples on Saturday night. The mission for the evening.... check out the Bangalore Nightlife... There were 2.5 couples from the US and 2.5 couples from England. We started off at a 'lounge bar' called the 13th floor (yep, it was mentioned in one of the articles). Then we went to another 'bar' called Opus.... Don't tell anyone, but we actually danced at Opus.... Yep, we broke the law.... But we were not alone, the had a pretty decent group boogie-ing to the Bollywood beats.... and then boom, the clock struck 11:30 and the music came to a screeching halt.... that was it.... NO, not a raid.... It was closing time.... We were on our way home by midnight....
All in all, a nice evening of clubbing (if you can really call it that!).... I think that I can keep up with the clubbing in Bangalore (in limited doses, of course) since they work to my timing... close by midnight!! : ) There was a time where I could keep going until the bar closed (2am in Michigan), but that was many (many) years ago.... I don't think that I could do it anymore!! Yes, I admit it! I am becoming an old fart!!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
The Play Date.....
So, let me start from the beginning.....
In the start of the school year, Milan starts to tell us about a friend in school that he just met.... now, this is not just any ordinary friend.... nope, this friend is of the female kind.... uhm, hum.....
So it starts something like this...
'Mommy, I have a new friend at school, he name is Sonia. No, not the Sonia from the US (Milan has a cousin named Sonia so he wanted to make sure we got the Sonia's straight), this is a different Sonia. She is really nice'. He says to me with a little twinkle in his eye....
From that moment I knew that Sonia was special. Then the weeks go by and then I hear another story...
'Mommy, I don't like Sonia. She is not my friend anymore. She is mean' I was not sure what prompted the trouble in paradise, but we will just let it go..... I did not think much of it.
Then last week we went to a party at a neighbors house and there were a few friends that were invited that we had not met before. It did not take long for us to realize that one of the couples there were Sonia's parents..... They were actually a really nice couple from the US. So at the end of the night, I made sure that I got Sonia's mom's phone number so that we could meet up.
The morning after the party I was telling Milan who we met at the party the night before, and his eyes lit up. He made me show him the number on the phone.... So, since then he as been asking.... 'When is Sonia coming for a play date'....
So, finally I called Nita (Sonia's Mom) on Saturday and we arranged for a play date for Sunday afternoon.
Sunday morning when Milan woke up, I told him that the play date was confirmed and that Sonia would be coming over at 2pm. His eyes lit up!! And the first thing he said to me 'What should I wear'!! Honest, not making this one up!!! It was clear that Sonia was a special friend.....
So, Sunday we decided to go into town to run a few errands and Milan, who typically never bothers to ask the time, kept saying 'is it 2 o-clock yet' and 'hurry, lets go, we are going to be late'.....
At 2 we go to pick up Sonia, Milan walks with me and I could tell he was a little shy.... but it was cute.
So Sonia comes over. Mira acts as a good buffer doing art with both of them, since Milan only know how to play cars and trucks. They play for a bit inside. Then I tell them to go out and play. And off they go...
About 30 mins or so later they come back and tell me that they went biking around and that they had fun. Then Milan and Sonia are sitting on the bench by the front door just talking, and all I can see from the hallway is 2 pair of feet just dangling. It was really cute.
Then it came time to say good-bye. Sonia was going home. Vim was driving her back and Milan went along as well. He asked if he could play at her house... (it was like he did not want the play date to end.....).
At night as he was going to sleep I was talking to Milan and he told me that he really had fun with Sonia. He says to me 'she is really nice, isn't she mom'. And I said, 'yes she is'. I was asking where they went when they were on a bike ride..... and Milan was just telling me.... Then I got to thinking.... How did they both ride around..... When we only have one bike their size. Then Milan tells me that be borrowed a bike (a bike that is rusty and a size too small) from the neighbor. Then I asked who rode which bike. And then he tells me..... He gave Sonia his bike (mind you no one rides his bike, not even Mira!!)..... It almost brought a tear to my eye... My son was a true gentlemen.... he gave his bike to Sonia and he took the crappy old one. So innocent, and so sweet!
Now in about 4 years from now, Milan won't be having any play dates with girls, and if he does.... I won't let them out of my sight!! The thought of him growing up is frightening!!!
In the start of the school year, Milan starts to tell us about a friend in school that he just met.... now, this is not just any ordinary friend.... nope, this friend is of the female kind.... uhm, hum.....
So it starts something like this...
'Mommy, I have a new friend at school, he name is Sonia. No, not the Sonia from the US (Milan has a cousin named Sonia so he wanted to make sure we got the Sonia's straight), this is a different Sonia. She is really nice'. He says to me with a little twinkle in his eye....
From that moment I knew that Sonia was special. Then the weeks go by and then I hear another story...
'Mommy, I don't like Sonia. She is not my friend anymore. She is mean' I was not sure what prompted the trouble in paradise, but we will just let it go..... I did not think much of it.
Then last week we went to a party at a neighbors house and there were a few friends that were invited that we had not met before. It did not take long for us to realize that one of the couples there were Sonia's parents..... They were actually a really nice couple from the US. So at the end of the night, I made sure that I got Sonia's mom's phone number so that we could meet up.
The morning after the party I was telling Milan who we met at the party the night before, and his eyes lit up. He made me show him the number on the phone.... So, since then he as been asking.... 'When is Sonia coming for a play date'....
So, finally I called Nita (Sonia's Mom) on Saturday and we arranged for a play date for Sunday afternoon.
Sunday morning when Milan woke up, I told him that the play date was confirmed and that Sonia would be coming over at 2pm. His eyes lit up!! And the first thing he said to me 'What should I wear'!! Honest, not making this one up!!! It was clear that Sonia was a special friend.....
So, Sunday we decided to go into town to run a few errands and Milan, who typically never bothers to ask the time, kept saying 'is it 2 o-clock yet' and 'hurry, lets go, we are going to be late'.....
At 2 we go to pick up Sonia, Milan walks with me and I could tell he was a little shy.... but it was cute.
So Sonia comes over. Mira acts as a good buffer doing art with both of them, since Milan only know how to play cars and trucks. They play for a bit inside. Then I tell them to go out and play. And off they go...
About 30 mins or so later they come back and tell me that they went biking around and that they had fun. Then Milan and Sonia are sitting on the bench by the front door just talking, and all I can see from the hallway is 2 pair of feet just dangling. It was really cute.
Then it came time to say good-bye. Sonia was going home. Vim was driving her back and Milan went along as well. He asked if he could play at her house... (it was like he did not want the play date to end.....).
At night as he was going to sleep I was talking to Milan and he told me that he really had fun with Sonia. He says to me 'she is really nice, isn't she mom'. And I said, 'yes she is'. I was asking where they went when they were on a bike ride..... and Milan was just telling me.... Then I got to thinking.... How did they both ride around..... When we only have one bike their size. Then Milan tells me that be borrowed a bike (a bike that is rusty and a size too small) from the neighbor. Then I asked who rode which bike. And then he tells me..... He gave Sonia his bike (mind you no one rides his bike, not even Mira!!)..... It almost brought a tear to my eye... My son was a true gentlemen.... he gave his bike to Sonia and he took the crappy old one. So innocent, and so sweet!
Now in about 4 years from now, Milan won't be having any play dates with girls, and if he does.... I won't let them out of my sight!! The thought of him growing up is frightening!!!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Delivered.....
There is one thing that I have really come to appreciate being here in India..... And that is the fact that you can get just about anything delivered!!
OK, there is the usual food delivery ..... Pizza, Chinese.... But here, Subway delivers, and so does just about any other restaurant in town. They have a small radius of delivery zone (5kms usually), but there are enough places around where you can get a full Indian meal - delivered.... There is a French Lady that makes homemade bread and she comes by everyday delivering fresh bread..... There is of course the Milk delivery too (yes, the Milk Man)....
Then here are some that might surprise you.... the liquor store delivers beer and alcohol... just call and it is on its way. Thankfully Mira and Milan are not in the troublesome teenage years, otherwise the fact that the liquor store delivers would frighten me, especially since they don't 'card' when they deliver. Actually I am not even sure if there is a 'legal drinking age' here in India. And even if there was, I am sure that it is not enforced, just like many other laws here in India. Anyways, I digress.... back to deliveries.....
Every weekend I get the flower delivery guy that come with a basket of fresh flowers, and for less that $4 I can end up with a dozen long stem roses along with a half dozen gerber daisies. Or for the same price, orchids and lilies..... It is a great bargain, and I don't even have to leave my house!!
The local grocery store delivers too, but I have not had the need to use that service since I can send my driver off with the list and he returns with all the goodies.... it is as good as getting it delivered!!
Essentially, India is a service oriented country.... as long as you are willing to pay. So while we are here, we will take advantage of all those that want to serve, and let them serve us!! When we come back home, we know that we will be back to serving ourselves.....
OK, there is the usual food delivery ..... Pizza, Chinese.... But here, Subway delivers, and so does just about any other restaurant in town. They have a small radius of delivery zone (5kms usually), but there are enough places around where you can get a full Indian meal - delivered.... There is a French Lady that makes homemade bread and she comes by everyday delivering fresh bread..... There is of course the Milk delivery too (yes, the Milk Man)....
Then here are some that might surprise you.... the liquor store delivers beer and alcohol... just call and it is on its way. Thankfully Mira and Milan are not in the troublesome teenage years, otherwise the fact that the liquor store delivers would frighten me, especially since they don't 'card' when they deliver. Actually I am not even sure if there is a 'legal drinking age' here in India. And even if there was, I am sure that it is not enforced, just like many other laws here in India. Anyways, I digress.... back to deliveries.....
Every weekend I get the flower delivery guy that come with a basket of fresh flowers, and for less that $4 I can end up with a dozen long stem roses along with a half dozen gerber daisies. Or for the same price, orchids and lilies..... It is a great bargain, and I don't even have to leave my house!!
The local grocery store delivers too, but I have not had the need to use that service since I can send my driver off with the list and he returns with all the goodies.... it is as good as getting it delivered!!
Essentially, India is a service oriented country.... as long as you are willing to pay. So while we are here, we will take advantage of all those that want to serve, and let them serve us!! When we come back home, we know that we will be back to serving ourselves.....
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The Weather.... Again!!
OK... I have to post about the weather again.... sorry.....
So, post-cyclone created an aftermath of grey-dreary days..... Including the weekend....
But today, Monday morning we woke up to BRIGHT SUNSHINE.... wow, what a feeling!!
The trip to the bus stop was invigorating as I felt the vitamin D just seeping through my body (it is Vitamin D that you get from the sun, right?)!!!
At the bus stop, the kids were complaining that it was hot.... keep in mind just last week they were complaining that it was cold!!! As the group of 'complainers' kept growing, I asked all the kids to look at the bus driver that was waiting in the distance. Here the bus driver was wearing a full ski-cap. You know, the kind that covers your whole head and neck, with just an opening for the face. The kids all looked and laughed!! It is interesting to see the differences in perspective....
For those of you back at home, I know that you have been enjoying your Indian summer!! It is a wonder what the sunshine can do to lift your mood... it definitely put a little spring in my step this morning!!
Happy Monday!! Have a great day!!
So, post-cyclone created an aftermath of grey-dreary days..... Including the weekend....
But today, Monday morning we woke up to BRIGHT SUNSHINE.... wow, what a feeling!!
The trip to the bus stop was invigorating as I felt the vitamin D just seeping through my body (it is Vitamin D that you get from the sun, right?)!!!
At the bus stop, the kids were complaining that it was hot.... keep in mind just last week they were complaining that it was cold!!! As the group of 'complainers' kept growing, I asked all the kids to look at the bus driver that was waiting in the distance. Here the bus driver was wearing a full ski-cap. You know, the kind that covers your whole head and neck, with just an opening for the face. The kids all looked and laughed!! It is interesting to see the differences in perspective....
For those of you back at home, I know that you have been enjoying your Indian summer!! It is a wonder what the sunshine can do to lift your mood... it definitely put a little spring in my step this morning!!
Happy Monday!! Have a great day!!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
How about that....
There is a good explanation for the miss-behavin' of the Banglore rains.... (some of you may recall in an earlier post, I called the Bangalore Rains - 'well-behaved')
Check it out....
It is a Cyclone in the Arabian Sea. How about that!
Check it out....
It is a Cyclone in the Arabian Sea. How about that!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Let's Talk About the Weather......
Having been here for 1 year and 4 months, this is the first time that we have had cold, wet, gloomy rain for 4 days in a row.... Can you believe it, 4 days in a row!!! I know... the horror!!
What have I learned from this 4 days of yucky weather?
- I can never live in Seatle, Portland, London, or any other place that has this kind of weather throughout the year!!!
- I would take 60 degrees and sunny over 70 degrees with wet, cold rain - anyday!!!
- I am a little jealous of the weather you all are having back at home!!!
- I will learn to appreciate the sun more.... The sun will come out tomorrow, you can bet your bottom dollar.... that tomorrow, there will be sun!! (ok, it worked for Annie, hopefully it works for me!!)
- I am glad that I packed some turtlenecks..... That is what I am wearing today!! Who would have thought that I would need a turtle neck sweater in Bangalore????
- I am going to DIE the first winter back home.... especially if I am complaining about 70 and rain!!!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Diwali Party in Ozone
Once again, there was an Ozone Diwali Party.... it started with a stage show with some kids from the 'zone, then dinner, and lastly some tunes to boggie to.... all in all a good evening!! Here are some pics...
Hiran and I
Family Shot!
And another!!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Halloween in India....
Yes, once again we were lucky to have the large population of foreigners in our housing complex that were well aware of the Halloween tradition, so yes, once again...we celebrated Halloween in Ozone.
The kids were able to wear 2 different costumes, one for school and one for the actual trick or treating on Sat. The best part.... all 3 costumes cost me less than $2 this year!! Gotta like that!!!
Again... like last year... the candy selection... not so good! : ( No peanut M&M's, No Reeses Peanut Butter Cup, No Almond Joy....
The kids were able to wear 2 different costumes, one for school and one for the actual trick or treating on Sat. The best part.... all 3 costumes cost me less than $2 this year!! Gotta like that!!!
Again... like last year... the candy selection... not so good! : ( No peanut M&M's, No Reeses Peanut Butter Cup, No Almond Joy....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)